Core Insights - The main drivers of global crypto adoption in 2026 will be crypto ETFs, stablecoins, tokenization, and clearer regulation [1][2][4] Group 1: Crypto ETFs - Spot crypto ETFs launched in 2025 are seen as a structural turning point, providing traditional investors with a regulated framework for investing in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other assets [4] - Approval timelines for ETFs are expected to shorten in 2026, further enhancing market access [4] Group 2: Digital Asset Treasuries (DATs) - Digital asset treasuries are emerging as a new trend where corporations hold crypto exposure through regulated vehicles, normalizing the asset class on corporate balance sheets [5][6] - This trend complements the growth of crypto ETFs and is expected to gain momentum in 2026 [5] Group 3: Stablecoins - Stablecoins currently facilitate trillions of dollars in transactions annually across exchanges and DeFi, despite having a market cap of only a few hundred billion dollars [5][6] - As regulatory frameworks solidify, stablecoins are anticipated to play a larger role in delivery-versus-payment structures and cross-border commerce [6] Group 4: Tokenization - The tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs) remains relatively small, valued in the low single-digit billions, but adoption is increasing as financial institutions explore blockchain for collateral and settlement [7]

Core Insights - The cryptocurrency industry experienced significant volatility in 2025, with Bitcoin reaching a record high of over $126,000 before closing the year below $90,000, indicating a lack of sustained gains despite positive regulatory developments [2][4][10] Market Performance - Bitcoin's price fluctuations reflect broader market sentiments, with retail investors feeling negative while institutional investors remain optimistic about future growth [4][11] - The passage of stablecoin legislation and a crypto-friendly regulatory environment are seen as potential catalysts for future market recovery [2][13] Institutional Interest - Institutional demand for Bitcoin is expected to outpace supply, with crypto ETFs having acquired over 700,000 Bitcoin since their launch in 2024, which is approximately double the new coins produced during the same period [7][6] - Major financial institutions, including Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch, are beginning to offer crypto ETFs, which could further drive demand [6] Future Outlook - Experts predict that 2026 could see Bitcoin breaking out of its current stagnation, with potential new highs driven by institutional buy-in and regulatory shifts [3][9] - The prospect of lower interest rates may enhance retail and institutional interest in cryptocurrencies [5] Regulatory Developments - The CLARITY Act aims to establish a regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies, which could improve the industry's outlook if passed [13][14] - The act would designate the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as the primary oversight agency for crypto, a move favored by industry stakeholders [14][15] Tokenization Trends - The tokenization of real-world assets, including stocks and stablecoins, is gaining traction, with significant players like Coinbase and BlackRock prioritizing this strategy [17] - The expansion of Circle's USDC stablecoin, which saw its circulating supply increase by over 50% in 2025, highlights growing interest in tokenized assets [15]

Core Viewpoint - Soulpower Acquisition Corporation and SWB Holdings have announced the confidential submission of a draft registration statement for a proposed business combination, aiming to launch SOUL WORLD BANK™ and its affiliates [1][2][3] Company Overview - Soulpower Acquisition Corporation is a financials-focused special purpose acquisition company that raised $250 million in its initial public offering in April 2025 [5] - SWB LLC is a newly formed Cayman Islands company established to launch SOUL WORLD BANK™ and acquire various real-world assets [6] - SWB Holdings will be the publicly traded holding company of SOUL WORLD BANK™ and its affiliates upon the closing of the business combination [7] Business Combination Details - The proposed business combination was initially announced on November 24, 2025, and involves Pubco, Soulpower, and SWB LLC [2] - Pubco intends to list its non-voting Class A ordinary shares on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "SOUL" after the closing of the business combination [2][4] - The completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including shareholder approval and the effectiveness of the registration statement [3] Future Plans - The SOUL WORLD BANK™ aims to offer a suite of international financial services and operate as a licensed international financial institution, with a focus on integrating traditional markets with new technologies like AI and tokenization [3][7] - The asset portfolio held by SWB is designed to provide stable book value and opportunities for financial engineering [7] Regulatory Process - The confidential submission of the draft registration statement allows the parties to engage with the SEC before making a public filing [2][8] - A definitive Proxy Statement/Prospectus will be mailed to Soulpower shareholders after the registration statement is declared effective [8]

Core Insights - BlackRock has achieved a significant milestone with its first tokenized money market fund, distributing $100 million in payouts, highlighting the integration of traditional finance and decentralized finance [1][4]. Group 1: Fund Launch and Structure - In March 2024, BlackRock launched the BlackRock USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund (BUIDL), which invests in short-term, USD-denominated assets like U.S. Treasury bills [2]. - Tokenization involves using blockchain technology to digitally represent assets, allowing for fractional ownership for investors [2]. Group 2: Investor Benefits and Earnings - Investors trading BUIDL tokens earn dividend yields directly on-chain, receiving income generated from the underlying assets [3]. - The fund has paid out a total of $100 million in cumulative dividends since its launch, marking it as the first tokenized Treasury to reach this milestone [4][5]. Group 3: Fund Performance and Partnerships - BUIDL has a total asset value of $1.7 billion, indicating strong investor interest and confidence [5]. - BlackRock's partner, Securitize, manages the on-chain issuance and investor onboarding for BUIDL [4].

Core Insights - Real-world asset (RWA) protocols have surpassed decentralized exchanges (DEXs) to become the fifth-largest category in DeFi by total value locked (TVL), with approximately $17–30 billion now invested in tokenized Treasuries, private credit, and commodities [1][2][3] Group 1: Market Dynamics - More capital is now allocated to tokenized "real world" products than to many traditional token swapping applications, indicating a shift in DeFi from speculation to yield generation and stability amid a challenging macroeconomic environment and prolonged high interest rates [2][3] - The TVL of RWAs increased from around $12 billion in late 2024 to about $17 billion in 2025, with projections suggesting the broader tokenized RWA market could reach nearly $30 billion by Q3 2025 [3][4] - Tokenization of RWAs has grown almost fivefold in three years, with banks like Standard Chartered predicting that tokenized assets could reach $30 trillion by 2034 [3][4] Group 2: Product Offerings - Tokenized Treasuries are leading the growth, with products such as BlackRock's BUIDL fund and Franklin Templeton's tokenized money market funds offering U.S. government debt returns on-chain, often yielding more than traditional bank accounts [4] - Several of these funds have surpassed $1 billion in deposits each, indicating strong institutional interest in tokenized assets [4] - Private credit platforms and tokenized commodities, such as gold-backed tokens, are integrating traditional finance (TradFi) with crypto, enhancing the appeal of these products [4] Group 3: Implications for Investors - The evolving landscape of DeFi is transforming it into a digital bond and money-market marketplace rather than merely a speculative environment for meme coins, providing investors with more familiar yield sources [5] - On-chain products are now backed by traditional assets like Treasuries, corporate loans, and gold, making them more relatable for investors compared to complex yield farming mechanisms [5]

Accumulation and Investment Trends - Trend Research withdrew 20,850 ETH worth $63.28 million from Binance and borrowed an additional $40 million in USDT, indicating aggressive accumulation as Ethereum trades near $3,000 [1] - Easy Come Easy Go's institutional arm controls 601,074 ETH valued at $1.83 billion, having borrowed $958 million in stablecoins for purchases at an average price of approximately $3,265 per token [2] - BitMine Immersion Technologies staked an additional $780 million in ETH, bringing its total to $1 billion over two days, solidifying its position as the largest Ethereum treasury holder with 4.07 million ETH [4] Market Dynamics and Staking - Entry queues for Ethereum have surged to 745,619 ETH with a 13-day wait, while exit queues have dropped to 360,518 ETH, potentially easing sell pressure by early January [3] - BitMine's aggressive staking activity has led to the addition of 98,852 ETH in the past week, surpassing the 4 million ETH threshold in just 5.5 months [5] - Approximately 70% of the 5% of Ethereum supply that changed hands since July was absorbed by BitMine, offsetting a large unstaking event [6] Future Projections - Joseph Chalom, co-CEO of Sharplink Gaming, forecasts Ethereum's total value locked could rise tenfold by 2026, with stablecoin issuance targeting $500 billion and tokenized real-world assets reaching $300 billion [7] - Chalom predicts that sovereign wealth funds will increase their Ethereum holdings and tokenization exposure by 5 to 10 times over the next year due to competitive pressure among large allocators [8]

Core Thesis - Tom Lee believes that if big technology stocks continue to support risk markets and the Federal Reserve becomes more accommodating, both equities and cryptocurrencies could experience significant growth by 2026 [1]. Digital Assets and Blockchain - Lee views the recent decline in digital assets as a temporary liquidity shock rather than a sign of a broken market, linking his optimism to Wall Street's increasing adoption of blockchain for payments, assets, and settlements, which he believes is particularly favorable for Ethereum [1][2]. - He argues that tokenization and on-chain settlement will give Ethereum a structural role in the future of finance, reinforcing his bullish stance on the cryptocurrency [3]. Investment Recommendations - For 2026, Lee's top stock picks include Nvidia, AMD, Meta, Goldman Sachs, and Arista Networks, while he identifies CrowdStrike, Costco, Palo Alto Networks, Tesla, and Willis Towers Watson as less timely investments, though not outright sells [5]. - He anticipates that a broader mix of sectors, including financials, industrials, energy, and basic materials, could also perform well [6]. Market Dynamics - Lee emphasizes that digital assets should be viewed as part of the same liquidity cycle that influences equities, suggesting a close relationship between the two markets [7].

Ethereum’s total value locked could rise tenfold in 2026 as institutional participation deepens and new use cases gain traction, according to Joseph Chalom, co-CEO of Sharplink Gaming. Key Takeaways: Ethereum’s TVL could jump 10× in 2026 as institutions and tokenized assets move on-chain. Stablecoin growth toward $500B is seen as a major driver of Ethereum activity. Ether’s price remains weak despite improving adoption trends. The forecast comes as major financial firms expand their presence on p ...

Core Insights - BlackRock Inc. is intensifying its hiring efforts to bolster its digital assets initiatives, including crypto, stablecoins, and tokenization, as part of its long-term strategy [1][8] - The hiring includes senior leadership roles in New York and Singapore, aimed at enhancing product strategy, research, fund services, and compliance [2][8] - This move follows the success of BlackRock's spot Bitcoin ETF and its expansion into on-chain finance through a tokenized institutional liquidity fund on Ethereum [3][8] Hiring Strategy - The job openings range from associate to senior leadership positions, indicating a comprehensive approach to institutionalizing digital assets across various functions [2][5] - BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust has emerged as a leading revenue generator since the approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024, outperforming traditional equity and fixed-income funds [5][8] Market Position and Performance - As of September 30, 2025, BlackRock's digital assets under management (AUM) reached $104 billion, highlighting the growing importance of digital-asset investment products in global asset management strategies [6] - BlackRock's shares have increased by 3.9% over the past six months, contrasting with a 5.7% decline in the broader industry [7] Competitive Landscape - Other financial institutions, such as PNC Bank and Bank of America, are also expanding their crypto offerings, indicating a broader trend in the financial sector towards integrating digital assets into mainstream investment strategies [10][12]

Crypto’s biggest wins are often tightly connected to the rise in asset prices, but Ripple’s 2025 successes extend far beyond the price of XRP—the Ripple-linked asset that sits inside the top five crypto assets by market capitalization.  Instead, most of the biggest headlines attached to the financial services organization were irrelevant to trading screens, most notably the conclusion to its years-long battle with the SEC, major acquisitions to propel its future growth, and the launch of a billion-dollar st ...