Ant International, HSBC and Swift have successfully tested cross-border transfers of tokenised deposits using an international financial messaging standard, in a move that could streamline global blockchain-based payments and corporate treasury management. The milestone, announced on Thursday, marked the first case leveraging the Swift network and ISO 20022 as a messaging standard in cross-border payments using tokenised deposits. The standard is a universal language for exchanging electronic data in fi ...

Core Insights - Bhutan is advancing its national blockchain initiative with the launch of TER, a gold-backed digital token, supported by the Kingdom's sovereign framework [1][2] - The initiative positions Bhutan among a select group of nations exploring state-backed tokenized assets, merging traditional value stores with modern financial systems [2][5] Token Details - TER will operate on the Solana blockchain and will be distributed and custodied by DK Bank, Bhutan's first licensed digital bank [2][6] - In the initial phase, investors can purchase the token directly through DK Bank, linking traditional gold purchasing methods with transparent on-chain ownership [3][8] Economic Strategy - TER is a flagship project for Gelephu Mindfulness City, aimed at attracting international capital and fostering Bhutan's digital economy [4] - The city is part of Bhutan's broader strategy to diversify its economy through technology-driven initiatives that align with cultural and sustainability goals [4][5] Market Context - Bhutan's initiative follows Kyrgyzstan's introduction of USDKG, a state-supervised gold-backed stablecoin, indicating a trend among smaller nations to modernize safe-haven asset management through blockchain [5] - TER aims to establish a sovereign-aligned digital finance ecosystem, emphasizing audited reserves and institutional safeguards [5][6] Infrastructure and Compliance - DK Bank's regulated infrastructure is designed to instill confidence in custody and compliance standards for both domestic and international investors [6] - The choice of Solana's high-speed, low-cost network is based on its performance and environmental efficiency [6][7] Broader Digital Experimentation - The launch of TER is part of Bhutan's wider digital experimentation program, which includes integrating digital assets into strategic reserves and utilizing blockchain for identity systems and crypto payments [7] - This development positions Bhutan uniquely in the expanding market for state-backed tokenized assets [7][8]

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Blockchain & Payments Industry - Tempo is a new blockchain designed for payments, and its testnet is now live [1] - Tempo has partnerships with companies like Kalshi, Mastercard, and AnthropicAI [1] - Companies globally can now build using Tempo's architecture [1] - Payments is a sector impacting all aspects of modern life, and Tempo is building its future [1] Technology & Development - Tempo's testnet is live, allowing companies to start building [1]

Industry Breakthrough - A GSIB (Global Systemically Important Bank) will issue assets on Solana for the first time, preceding other networks and private rails [1] - State Street, with $50 trillion in custodied assets, is tokenizing SWEEP [1] Partnerships - State Street is partnering with Galaxy Digital (@galaxyhq) for the tokenization of SWEEP [1]

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Core Insights - The increasing acceptance of digital assets on Wall Street and within the broader investment community is driving the growth of ETF products that provide exposure to cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology, and related businesses [1] Group 1 - The rise in ETF products reflects a growing interest in digital assets among investors [1] - The focus areas for investment include cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin miners, and companies involved in the metal and media sectors [1]

Core Insights - State Street Investment Management and Galaxy Asset Management are launching the State Street Galaxy Onchain Liquidity Sweep Fund (SWEEP), a tokenized private liquidity fund utilizing PYUSD stablecoins for transactions, with an initial seeding of approximately $200 million from Ondo Finance [1][3][4] Group 1: Fund Overview - SWEEP will debut on the Solana blockchain in early 2026, with plans for future integrations on Stellar and Ethereum, leveraging Chainlink for cross-chain interoperability [2] - The fund aims to provide a liquid, onchain cash management solution, combining State Street's expertise in traditional liquidity management with Galaxy's blockchain capabilities [3][4] Group 2: Strategic Partnerships - The collaboration between State Street and Galaxy is positioned as a significant innovation in the asset management and capital markets landscape, merging traditional finance (TradFi) with decentralized finance (DeFi) [4] - Ondo Finance's investment is expected to anchor the fund and support its growth, highlighting the synergy between TradFi, DeFi, and tokenization [4] Group 3: Company Backgrounds - State Street Investment Management has nearly 50 years of experience, managing over $5 trillion in assets across more than 60 countries, focusing on delivering comprehensive investment solutions [5][6] - Galaxy Digital Inc. is recognized as a leader in digital assets and data center infrastructure, providing institutional access to various financial services and technologies [7]

Crypto Gaming Web3. Photo by BeInCrypto The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) now account for nearly 20% of the global blockchain gaming workforce. This marks the largest regional shift in industry history. The Blockchain Game Alliance's 2025 State of the Industry Report, released at the Global Blockchain Show Abu Dhabi on December 10, 2025, highlights a dramatic shift in global talent. MENA rose from just 0.5% in 2021 to 19.8% in 2025—the fastest growth since tracking began. Explosive Growth Reshape ...