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 ...

Core Insights - The year 2025 is pivotal for cryptocurrency investments, with a notable increase in institutional interest and venture capital funding in blockchain and digital asset projects globally [2][10] - Leading global funds are now seen as key players in the crypto ecosystem, identifying and supporting innovative blockchain projects [3][24] Venture Capital Funds - Crypto-focused venture capital firms are at the forefront of funding innovation, managing substantial assets and investing in a range of projects from early-stage to mature blockchain enterprises [4][10] - Paradigm, founded by veterans from Sequoia Capital and Coinbase, has a diversified portfolio including projects like BlockFi and MakerDAO, focusing on lending and decentralized finance [5] - Pantera Capital, the first U.S. institutional asset manager dedicated to blockchain, emphasizes diversified exposure to blockchain tokens with investments in projects like Filecoin and Polkadot [6] - Digital Currency Group (DCG) invests in over 100 early-stage digital asset companies globally, covering a wide range of the crypto ecosystem [7] - Blockchain Capital has backed over 90 ventures, including AAVE and Coinbase, with a disciplined, research-driven investment approach [8] - Polychain Capital focuses on privacy technologies and cross-chain solutions, with a portfolio that includes Filecoin and Avalanche [11] - Galaxy Digital has evolved into a multi-product crypto financial services provider, expanding its offerings for both retail and institutional clients [12] Institutional Investment - Institutional investors are increasingly driving crypto adoption, with significant allocations to Bitcoin and Ethereum, which typically represent 60-75% of their crypto portfolios [10][17] - BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF has amassed over $85 billion in assets, while its Ethereum ETF has reached $15.3 billion, showcasing the integration of traditional finance with crypto [14][15] - Corporate investments in Bitcoin have surged, with MicroStrategy holding nearly 600,000 BTC, reflecting a strategic approach to using Bitcoin as a store of value [16] Market Impact - The investments from leading funds provide critical liquidity and capital for blockchain innovation, influencing market sentiment and asset valuations [20] - Following the strategies of top VC funds and institutional players can offer retail investors valuable insights and opportunities [21] - The growing enthusiasm for crypto among institutional investors is reshaping the financial landscape, with a focus on digital currencies, DeFi, and blockchain infrastructure [22][23]

Core Insights - MetaMask has integrated native support for Hyperliquid, enhancing user access to decentralized trading of perpetual futures [1][2] - The trading volume for perpetual futures on decentralized exchanges reached an all-time high of $765 billion in August, indicating a growing trend in the market [2] - Hyperliquid's HYPE token has seen a significant price increase of 76% year-to-date, rising from $26.19 in January to $46.12 [3] Company Developments - MetaMask plans to integrate Polymarket, a prediction-market platform, later this year, following a $2 billion deal with the owner of the New York Stock Exchange [3] - The company is also preparing to release a token and implement a seasonal points system, allowing users to earn points for rewards, including native tokens for Linea, an Ethereum layer-2 network [4] Industry Trends - Centralized exchanges like Binance and OKX still dominate the perpetual futures market, but decentralized platforms are gradually gaining traction, with Hyperliquid leading this shift [2] - MetaMask's expansion beyond Ethereum includes support for Bitcoin and Solana, reflecting the wallet's adaptation to industry trends since its launch in 2016 [3]

Technology & Innovation - Near Protocol is revolutionizing blockchain with AI integration [1] - Near offers lightning fast transactions, unparalleled scalability, and Fort Knox level security [1] - Near is solving real world problems from supply chain to decentralized finance [1] - Near attracts developers with its user-friendly multi-language platform [1] Market Position & Growth - Near's explosive growth is turning heads across the crypto universe [1] - Industry suggests to not miss the next big thing in blockchain [1]

Core Insights - BTCS Inc. is participating in the Water Tower Research Fireside Chat Series on October 9, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time, with CEO Charles Allen as a speaker [1][2] - The company focuses on Ethereum-first blockchain technology and aims to drive scalable revenue and ETH accumulation through its DeFi/TradFi Accretion Flywheel strategy [2] Company Overview - BTCS Inc. is a U.S.-based blockchain technology company that integrates decentralized finance (DeFi) and traditional finance (TradFi) mechanisms [2] - The company operates through NodeOps (staking) and Builder+ (block building) to provide leveraged exposure to Ethereum [2] Event Details - The Fireside Chat will be hosted by Dr. John Roy, Managing Director – Technology at Water Tower Research, and is open for all investors to participate [2] - Interested parties can register for the event via the provided Zoom link [2]

Core Points - DeFi Development announced a special dividend in the form of warrants for common stockholders as of October 23, 2025 [1] - Each stockholder will receive one warrant for every ten shares held, with approximately 3.3 million warrants expected to be distributed by October 27, 2025 [3] - The warrants allow holders to purchase common stock at an exercise price of $22.50, expiring on January 21, 2028 [3] - If all warrants are exercised, the company could raise up to $73.5 million for general corporate purposes, including acquisitions and working capital [4] - The company also expanded its share repurchase program from $1 million to $100 million [4] - In Q2, the company reported earnings of $0.84 per share, a 4,300% surprise compared to expectations of a loss, with revenue of $1.99 million, up 350% year-over-year [5] - Following the announcement, DeFi Development shares rose 1.31% to $15.45 in premarket trading [5]

Group 1: Core Developments - Forward Industries Inc. launched an institutional-grade validator node on the Solana blockchain in partnership with DoubleZero, enhancing speed and scalability across the ecosystem [1][3] - The validator operates with 0% commission, allowing Solana holders to delegate stake at no cost, with all tokens staked by Forward Industries currently delegated to this validator [2] - The validator is expected to rank among the top ten Solana validators globally, marking a significant shift for the company from a capital allocator to an active ecosystem contributor [3] Group 2: Strategic Partnerships - The collaboration with DoubleZero includes pilot programs aimed at revenue optimization, bandwidth expansion, and latency reduction, reinforcing Solana's appeal for institutional and enterprise use [3] - Forward Industries is aligning with leading innovators in blockchain infrastructure, including Galaxy and Jump Crypto, to strengthen Solana's resiliency and support its institutional adoption [4][5] Group 3: Financial Developments - In September, Forward Industries successfully closed a private investment in public equity (PIPE) financing, raising $1.65 billion before fees and expenses, with over $300 million contributed by Galaxy Digital, Jump Crypto, and Multicoin Capital [5][6] - The proceeds from the funding round will be used to establish cryptocurrency treasury operations, focusing on purchasing SOL, the native token of the Solana blockchain, along with working capital and future transactions [6]

Core Viewpoint - The Trump family is exploring the tokenization of their real estate assets, allowing broader access to investments in high-value properties like Trump Tower Dubai [2][4]. Group 1: Trump Family Real Estate Portfolio - The Trump family possesses a significant real estate asset portfolio, which is considered one of the most exciting globally [2]. - Trump Tower Dubai is an 80-story international hotel project, expected to feature luxury apartments and penthouses starting from $1 million [3]. Group 2: Tokenization and Investment Access - Discussions are ongoing at World Liberty Financial regarding the tokenization of properties owned by the Trump family, aiming to democratize access to Class A real estate investments [4][5]. - The project is projected to cost around $1 billion, with completion anticipated by late 2031 [4]. Group 3: World Liberty Financial Initiatives - World Liberty Financial, co-founded by Zach Witkoff, is linked to the Trump family and is focused on decentralized finance [2]. - The company currently offers a stablecoin called USD1 and plans to launch lending services, along with a debit card for cryptocurrency payments [5].

Core Viewpoint - Intercontinental Exchange Inc. (ICE) announced a strategic investment of up to $2 billion in Polymarket, valuing the prediction market platform at approximately $8 billion pre-investment [1][2]. Group 1: Investment Details - The investment connects ICE, a major player in traditional finance, with Polymarket, a rapidly growing platform for trading outcomes related to various events [2]. - ICE will distribute Polymarket's event-driven data globally, providing clients with sentiment signals to aid in trading and risk decisions [3]. - The collaboration will also focus on tokenization initiatives, potentially expanding how institutions utilize probabilities for pricing future scenarios and developing new data products [3]. Group 2: Management Insights - Jeffrey C. Sprecher, ICE's CEO, emphasized the blend of traditional finance with innovative approaches in decentralized finance through this investment [4]. - Shayne Coplan, from Polymarket, highlighted the company's focus on user-driven product development and the unique market opportunities that the partnership with ICE can leverage [5]. Group 3: Market Context - ICE reported double-digit year-over-year gains in total open interest across its venues, with record activity in energy, oil, and multi-currency interest-rate futures [5]. - Equity trading on the NYSE has also seen an increase, with average daily volumes for cash equities and options rising compared to the previous year [6]. - The investment is expected to be funded in cash without significantly impacting ICE's 2025 results or capital-return plans [6].

Core Insights - Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), owner of the New York Stock Exchange, is investing up to $2 billion in Polymarket, valuing the crypto-based prediction marketplace at approximately $8 billion [2][6] - Polymarket's CEO, Shayne Coplan, views the partnership as a significant step towards integrating prediction markets into the financial mainstream [2] - The collaboration with ICE enhances Polymarket's legitimacy and may facilitate its return to the U.S. market after previous regulatory challenges [2][5] Investment and Partnership Details - ICE will distribute Polymarket's event-driven data, providing sentiment indicators relevant to market topics, and will collaborate on tokenization initiatives [3][6] - ICE's CEO, Jeffrey Sprecher, emphasized the blend of traditional finance with innovative decentralized finance through this investment [3] Market Context - Prediction markets, where users trade contracts on future event outcomes, are gaining popularity, highlighted by Polymarket's involvement in the 2024 U.S. presidential race [4] - Polymarket is reportedly preparing to re-enter the U.S. market after federal regulators concluded their investigation without charges, with plans for U.S. consumers to access contracts soon [5]