Core Insights - The UK is set to appoint a dedicated official, termed a "digital markets champion," to facilitate the transition to blockchain-based financial infrastructure [1][2] - The initiative includes the formation of the Dematerialisation Market Action Taskforce to oversee the shift from paper-based shareholding to digital formats [3] - The tokenization strategy is part of the UK's Wholesale Financial Markets Digital Strategy, which aims to develop blockchain-based sovereign debt instruments known as digital gilts [4] Group 1 - The digital markets champion will coordinate private sector initiatives related to the tokenization of wholesale financial instruments and align technical development with regulatory priorities [2][4] - The UK has initiated a procurement process to select technology providers for the issuance of digital gilts, which will represent UK sovereign debt on distributed ledger systems [4] - The UK's efforts are part of a broader global trend, with countries like France, Singapore, and the United States also exploring tokenization frameworks for securities [5] Group 2 - There is ongoing discussion about extending tokenization frameworks to retail-facing financial services, focusing on access, interoperability, and settlement speed as pilots evolve into operational systems [6] - The UK's initiatives may serve as a test case for how blockchain infrastructure can transform post-trade workflows, potentially influencing custodians, clearinghouses, and regulators [7]

One massive narrative around crypto, especially in 2025, that is still kind of there, but kind of has died down in a bit is AI, right. Like AI is still one of the biggest things happening in the traditional world. Everyone is looking into AI, adopting AI, tapping into AI based models like even chat GBT and you know all these other crazy applications.But when it comes to crypto, we know that AI is a big deal. We know that crypto is essentially going to be the guardrails for AI in the real world as well. We'v ...

BOCA RATON, FL, Oct. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DeFi Development Corp. (Nasdaq: DFDV) (the “Company”), the first public company with a treasury strategy built to accumulate and compound Solana (“SOL”), today announced a partnership with Superteam Japan to launch DFDV JP, the first Solana-focused treasury project in Japan. This partnership marks the Company’s second international Treasury Accelerator launch in Asia, following DFDV KR, and underscores its continued efforts to expand Solana’s institutional f ...

Well, I think a lot of what you've been saying, the rise of stable coins, the rise of tokenization, and more enthusiasm around blockchain technologies, that often leads back to Ethereum. >> The most powerful financial company on the planet, Black Rockck, 12 trillion assets under management, is going much deeper into crypto than most people think. It started off with just Bitcoin.>> I believe Bitcoin is legitimate. It is an instrument when you believe that co countries are debasing their currency de debasing ...

Core Insights - Bank of North Dakota, in partnership with Fiserv, is set to launch Roughrider Coin, the first state-backed stablecoin in the US, fully backed by US dollars and aimed at enhancing financial transactions [1][2] - The launch is scheduled for 2026 and will be available to North Dakota banks and credit unions, focusing on improving bank-to-bank transactions, global payments, and merchant adoption [1][2] Group 1: Stablecoin Launch - Roughrider Coin will utilize Fiserv's digital asset platform and blockchain technology to facilitate faster digital payments [1][3] - The initiative is part of North Dakota's strategy to create a secure and efficient financial ecosystem, as highlighted by Governor Kelly Armstrong [2] Group 2: Market Context - The global stablecoin market has surpassed $313 billion, marking a 21.4% increase since July, driven by improved regulatory clarity in the US [4] - Existing stablecoin players like Tether and Circle are enhancing their offerings by investing in new Layer-1 chains to increase utility [4][5] - New entrants, such as the Trump-backed USD1, have quickly gained market capitalization, indicating a growing interest in stablecoins [5]

Core Insights - Shayne Coplan, founder and CEO of Polymarket, has become the world's youngest self-made billionaire following a $2 billion investment from Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) at an $8 billion pre-money valuation [1][2] - Polymarket, launched in June 2020, allows users to wager on real-world outcomes using cryptocurrency, gaining significant traction during the 2024 U.S. presidential election with over $3 billion wagered [2][4] - The company faced regulatory challenges, including a $1.4 million penalty from the CFTC in 2022, but has since acquired QCEX, a CFTC-licensed exchange, allowing it to operate legally in the U.S. [3][4] Company Overview - Polymarket was founded by Shayne Coplan in June 2020 after a year of research into prediction markets [2] - The platform enables users to bet on various outcomes, including elections and sports, utilizing cryptocurrency [2] - The company has transformed from a niche crypto experiment to a significant player in the gambling and financial forecasting industries [4] Regulatory Developments - In 2022, Polymarket settled with the CFTC for $1.4 million over illegal trading allegations, leading to the blocking of U.S. users [3] - Following regulatory scrutiny, the company acquired QCEX, providing it with legal grounds to operate in the U.S. and marking a shift towards regulatory compliance [4] Market Impact - Polymarket's success has attracted attention from rival platforms, such as Kalshi, which has partnered with Robinhood Markets to offer similar betting options [5] - The platform's innovative blend of blockchain technology and market-driven predictions has garnered interest from both retail and institutional investors [4]

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  Cypher, founded in 2022, the on-chain payment and loyalty platform, officially launched its protocol's native token on October 5, 2025 at 9:00 UTC. The token immediately secured listings across major centralized and decentralized exchanges, including Binance Alpha, KuCoin, and Aerodrome Finance (Base’s leading DEX). The token started trending #1 on Dexscreener shortly after its launch on the Base network. These high-profile listings are intended to provide i ...

Fans, Sports & Web3: Changing the Game?Join us on X Spaces as experts from ATP, Trace, and Mysten Labs explore how blockchain is reshaping fandom and sports engagement.🗓️ Oct 9th, 7am PT👥 Featuring @_MarkEpps, @tracedotfan, @deepbluesui https://t.co/yNwHXYoN8u ...

Core Insights - North Dakota is launching a state-backed stablecoin named Roughrider coin, fully backed by U.S. dollars, aimed at enhancing bank-to-bank transactions and global money movement [2][4] - The initiative is part of a broader strategy to modernize the financial ecosystem in North Dakota, leveraging recent federal law changes [3][4] - The Roughrider coin will be available to banks and credit unions in North Dakota starting in 2026 [2] Group 1: Stablecoin Development - The Roughrider coin is designed to facilitate faster and more secure transactions, integrating traditional finance with blockchain technology [5][6] - The stablecoin will be the first to launch on Fiserv's digital asset platform, which aims to provide efficient digital payment services [4][5] - North Dakota's approach is seen as a pioneering move among U.S. states, following Wyoming's launch of its own stablecoin [7] Group 2: Strategic Partnerships - The partnership with Fiserv allows North Dakota to utilize an existing secure blockchain infrastructure, avoiding the need to develop new systems from scratch [7] - Fiserv's COO emphasized the importance of combining traditional finance reliability with blockchain innovation for improved digital payments [5] Group 3: Regulatory and Economic Context - The North Dakota Industrial Commission supports the stablecoin initiative, highlighting its potential to enhance the state's financial sector [6] - The Roughrider coin is positioned to create a foundation for broader merchant adoption of stablecoins in the future [7]

According to Bloomberg, the UK will appoint a Digital Markets Champion to coordinate private-sector tokenization efforts in wholesale financial markets, and establish a Dematerialisation Market Action Taskforce to oversee the phase-out of paper share certificates. The initiative seeks to modernize asset issuance, trading, clearing, and settlement using blockchain and AI. https://t.co/GC4MMxfMpK ...