Company Overview - Fintech company Rain has raised $250 million in a funding round, increasing its valuation to $1.95 billion [1] - The total funding for Rain has surpassed $338 million, following a Series B round four months ago and a Series A round ten months ago [1] Funding Details - The latest funding round was led by ICONIQ, with participation from Sapphire Ventures, Dragonfly, Bessemer, Lightspeed, and Galaxy Ventures [1] Market Position and Growth - Rain's CEO, Farooq Malik, stated that the active card base has increased thirtyfold in the past year, and the annualized payment volume has surged by 38 times [2] - Rain provides infrastructure for companies to issue stablecoin-linked debit cards, making digital tokens usable anywhere Visa is accepted [3] Industry Context - Stablecoins are becoming a significant method for money movement in the 21st century, with a growing need for functional cards and apps for user adoption [2] - The establishment of a framework for issuing digital tokens was marked by the signing of the GENIUS Act by former US President Donald Trump [3] - Major banks and companies are now focusing on stablecoin issuance to expedite payment processes [3] Traditional Finance Integration - Several leading crypto companies, including Coinbase, Circle, and Ripple, have received conditional approval to obtain national trust bank charters, allowing them to operate similarly to banks [4]

Core Insights - Rain has announced a Series C funding round of $250 million led by ICONIQ, bringing the company's total funding to over $338 million and its valuation to $1.95 billion, which is more than 17 times its valuation in just 10 months [1][4] Company Overview - Rain is a global payment platform for stablecoins, enabling enterprises, neobanks, and developers to move, store, and use stablecoins through global payment cards, rewards, on/off-ramps, wallets, and international rails [6][7] - The company facilitates over $3 billion in annual transactions for more than 200 partners, including Western Union and Nuvei, and its technology can reach over 2.5 billion people [3] Market Position and Growth - The use of stablecoins is rapidly evolving from a speculative aspect of cryptocurrency markets to becoming one of the largest value transfer rails globally, with Rain positioned to bridge the gap for businesses transitioning to on-chain payment rails [2] - Rain's active payment card usage has increased 30 times, and its annual payment volume has grown 38 times over the past year, indicating significant growth potential [3] Future Plans - The capital from the Series C funding will be used to expand Rain's presence in key licensed markets across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, allowing partners to launch compliant solutions globally [4] - Rain aims to further develop its full-stack stablecoin payment platform, including strategic acquisitions and investments in new products that make stablecoin payments seamless for businesses and consumers [4]

I know you're bullish long term. Are you bullish in 2026. Bitcoin. Bitcoin price prediction.>> How do I make it in crypto in 2026. >> Hold the right assets and do nothing. >> We're going to go back through 100 in the next 6 weeks or 6 months because we're going to get a doubbish Fed share.They're going to cut rates down to 2 and 12%. >> Crypto is entering a new chapter in 2026 and it looks very different from anything we've seen before. 2025 marked the peak of the last four-year crypto cycle and more and mo ...

Core Insights - Traditional finance (TradFi) is rapidly adopting cryptocurrency, moving beyond mere speculation to practical applications in the financial system [2][5][6] Group 1: Major Announcements - JPMorgan is launching JPM Coin on the Canton Network, expanding its blockchain-based settlement system [6] - Barclays has invested in Ubyx, a startup that enables banks and payment firms to settle transactions using stablecoins [6] - Morgan Stanley has filed with the SEC for an Ethereum Trust (ETH ETF), adding Ethereum exposure alongside Bitcoin and Solana [6] - Wyoming has confirmed the launch of its state-backed stablecoin, FRNT, on Solana, showcasing government involvement in crypto infrastructure [6] Group 2: Market Reactions - Major cryptocurrencies fell by 2-3% on the day, with Bitcoin dropping below $90,000 [5] - ZEC experienced a significant decline of 19% following the resignation of its developer team [5] Group 3: Trends and Implications - The current focus is on stablecoins and their role in transaction settlement rather than speculative use cases [7] - Ethereum and Solana are emerging as institutional infrastructures rather than just platforms for retail trading [7] - TradFi institutions are seeking to enhance their existing systems rather than being replaced by crypto technologies [8]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes that stablecoins and tokenization are two significant growth drivers in the cryptocurrency space, providing long-term support beyond the typical volatility associated with crypto [1][8]. Stablecoins - Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies designed to maintain a stable value, typically pegged to $1 or another currency, supported by reserves or supply-demand mechanisms [3]. - There are nearly 300 stablecoins currently available, with Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC) being popular examples [3]. - The GENIUS Act, passed in July 2025, provides a regulatory framework for stablecoins, which may lead to increased growth in this segment [3]. Tokenization - Tokenization refers to creating digital representations of traditional assets, allowing for more automated and accessible ownership and transfer [4]. - This concept extends to ETFs and funds, with several issuers already offering tokenized funds, including Franklin Templeton and BlackRock [4]. - BlackRock has shown interest in exploring tokenization through its iShares retail brand, reaffirmed during its October 14 earnings call [4]. ETFs Focused on Stablecoins and Tokenization - Amplify launched two ETFs on December 23, 2025, focusing on stablecoins and tokenization, which invest in companies and infrastructure benefiting from these themes rather than directly in stablecoins or tokenized assets [5]. - The Amplify Stablecoin Technology ETF (STBQ) allocates around 25% to crypto assets like XRP, Solana, Ethereum, and Chainlink, with the remaining 75% in equities of companies involved in stablecoin transactions [5]. - The Amplify Tokenization Technology ETF (TKNQ) follows a similar structure but focuses more on banks and companies involved in tokenization, holding names like Baidu and Citigroup [5]. Comparison with Broader Blockchain ETFs - Stablecoin and tokenization ETFs are more theme-specific compared to broader blockchain ETFs, which capture a wider range of crypto-related trends [7]. - Funds like the Amplify Blockchain Technology ETF (BLOK) include a broader array of holdings, such as crypto mining and infrastructure providers, while STBQ and TKNQ focus specifically on financial companies [7]. Conclusion - Stablecoins and tokenization are becoming foundational elements in the cryptocurrency ecosystem, with STBQ and TKNQ representing emerging investment opportunities in this space [8].

Welcome to FYI, the four-year innovation podcast. This show offers an intellectual discussion on technologically enabled disruption because investing in innovation starts with understanding it. To learn more, visit ark-invest.com. Ark Invest is a registered investment adviser focused on investing in disruptive innovation. This podcast is forformational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions. It does not constitute either explicitly or implicitly any provision of serv ...

Is your capital sitting idle?@_JackMcDonald_, SVP Stablecoins at Ripple, says it doesn't have to.In the latest Crypto In One Minute, Jack explores two core ways stablecoins can generate yield:✅ Direct Yield: Interest-bearing assets.✅ Secondary Utility: Collateralizing for DeFi & AMM liquidity.With stablecoins, the transition from digital dollars to yield engines is here, delivering greater efficiency and utility onchain. ⏱️ ...

Group 1: JPM Coin Launch - JPMorgan Chase & Co is launching JPM Coin on the Canton Network, marking its second deployment on a permissionless blockchain after its initial launch on Coinbase's Base network in November 2025 [1] - JPM Coin is a deposit token representing U.S. dollar deposits held at JPMorgan, serving as a bank-backed alternative to stablecoins for institutional clients, enabling near-instant, 24/7 peer-to-peer transfers and settlements [3] Group 2: Canton Network Overview - Canton, developed by Digital Asset, is backed by major financial institutions including Goldman Sachs, BNP Paribas, and Deutsche Börse, and offers configurable privacy for regulatory and operational needs [2] - The network is already running major institutional pilots, including a limited pilot by DTCC to tokenize U.S. Treasury securities, and has about 400 ecosystem participants [7][8] Group 3: Integration and Future Plans - The integration of JPM Coin into Canton will be phased throughout 2026, focusing on establishing the necessary technical and business frameworks for issuance, transfer, and near-instant redemption [4] - The collaboration will also explore additional integrations of other Kinexys Digital Payments products to expand capabilities for Canton ecosystem participants [5] Group 4: Industry Context and Evolution - JPMorgan has been a pioneer in blockchain experimentation, with a version of JPM Coin first launched in 2019 on its permissioned Onyx blockchain, which rebranded to Kinexys in 2024 [9] - JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, initially a critic of Bitcoin, has shown interest in stablecoins and the broader crypto sector, indicating a shift in the bank's approach to digital assets [10]

Group 1 - Morgan Stanley is entering the cryptocurrency ETF space by submitting paperwork for a Bitcoin Trust and a Solana Trust, which will hold the respective cryptocurrencies [2] - The move aligns Morgan Stanley with other major Wall Street banks like Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, and JPMorgan Chase, which have also launched crypto-related projects [2] - Over $150 billion has been invested in approximately 130 U.S. funds focused on cryptocurrencies, with a significant portion tied to Bitcoin-specific products that have seen success since their launch in January 2024 [3] Group 2 - The increasing involvement of traditional financial institutions in the crypto market indicates that crypto is becoming an essential asset class, as noted by Todd Sohn, a senior ETF strategist [4] - The GENIUS Act, which established a comprehensive federal framework for regulating stablecoins, has contributed to a more favorable U.S. policy environment for cryptocurrencies [4] - Institutional capital entering the crypto markets has brought expectations for predictable cash flows and regulatory clarity, while retail investors have become more selective following past market collapses [5]

Core Insights - Regulatory clarity is shifting the landscape for blockchain technology, moving it from IT teams to CFO control frameworks and capital allocation decisions [1][3] - PwC is expanding its digital asset business in response to clearer U.S. regulations, indicating a growing belief in the scalability of stablecoins and tokenized assets [2][3] - The passage of the GENIUS Act is seen as a significant catalyst for PwC's increased engagement in crypto-related work, providing a more defined regulatory framework [3][4] Regulatory Developments - New leadership at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under Paul Atkins is prioritizing clearer rules for digital assets, reducing uncertainty for accounting firms [4] - Clearer rulemaking enables firms to develop consistent audit, compliance, and advisory frameworks applicable across clients [5] Business Expansion - PwC has expanded its range of crypto-related services, including accounting, cybersecurity, wallet governance, and regulatory advisory, in response to increased opportunities in the digital assets sector [6] - The firm reported global revenues of $56.9 billion for FY 2025, highlighting its capacity to scale services in areas with durable demand [6] - PwC is committed to being "hyper-engaged" in both audit and consulting, as more crypto-related opportunities arise with growing institutional confidence in the regulatory environment [7]