Core Insights - Circle Foundation has announced its first international grant to support the UN's Digital Hub of Treasury Solutions (DHoTS), aimed at improving monetary value transfers across the UN system [1][2] - The DHoTS initiative, launched in 2021 by UNHCR, has expanded to include 15 UN agencies and focuses on creating an integrated Financial Gateway to enhance financial resilience [2][4] - The partnership aims to modernize humanitarian finance by integrating digital financial infrastructure, including regulated stablecoins, to improve efficiency and accountability in aid distribution [3][5] Group 1: Circle Foundation and DHoTS - Circle Foundation's grant builds on previous collaborations with UNHCR, particularly in pioneering USDC-based aid payouts for displaced Ukrainians [2][4] - The initiative is expected to unlock recurring savings and strengthen trust in global aid through enhanced transparency and accountability [3][4] - The global humanitarian aid system currently moves $38 billion annually but relies on outdated financial systems, which DHoTS aims to modernize [6] Group 2: Benefits of Digital Financial Infrastructure - The integration of digital financial infrastructure is projected to reduce costs and delays associated with traditional banking methods [9] - The use of regulated stablecoins for program payments is anticipated to improve transparency and build more inclusive financial systems [5][6] - DHoTS will enable near-instant cross-border transfers and automate manual processes, easing operational burdens for UN agencies [9]

Core Insights - Franklin Templeton is adapting its institutional money market funds to align with blockchain-based finance, targeting the expanding market for tokenized assets and regulated stablecoins [1][3] Group 1: Fund Modifications - The Western Asset Institutional Treasury Obligations Fund (LUIXX) has been updated to comply with the GENIUS Act, which establishes reserve standards for regulated stablecoins, now holding only short-term U.S. Treasuries with maturities under 93 days [2] - The Western Asset Institutional Treasury Reserves Fund (DIGXX) has introduced a Digital Institutional Share Class for distribution on blockchain platforms, allowing for on-chain recording and transfer of fund shares [3] Group 2: Market Positioning - As stablecoins gain traction in payments and settlements, regulated reserve products like LUIXX are positioned to play a crucial role in the financial infrastructure [3] - Franklin Templeton's Head of Digital Assets emphasized the importance of making traditional funds more accessible and useful in the blockchain space, rather than questioning their capabilities [4] Group 3: Recent Developments - Franklin Templeton has been increasingly integrating blockchain technology, having launched a tokenized money market fund in Hong Kong in November and expanded its Benji Technology Platform to the Canton Network during the same month [5]

2025 HIGHLIGHT: SBI Group 🤝 ChainlinkOne of Japan’s largest financial conglomerates forms strategic partnership with Chainlink to accelerate institutional adoption of tokenized funds, RWAs, & regulated stablecoins across Asia.Chainlink (@chainlink):We’re excited to announce a strategic partnership between Chainlink and SBI Group one of Japan’s largest financial conglomerates with the USD equivalent of over $200 billion in total assets.https://t.co/ZNyq7bVvUbSBI Group and Chainlink will focus on powering sev ...

Industry Convergence - Crypto 和传统金融的融合正在加速价值互联网的发展 [1] Event Announcement - Ripple Swell 2025 大会结束，明年将在纽约举办 [2]

Core Insights - Ripple is collaborating with Mastercard, WebBank, and Gemini to test the use of its RLUSD stablecoin for settling fiat credit card transactions on a public blockchain [1][4] - The initiative aims to demonstrate how regulated stablecoins can enhance traditional financial infrastructure while maintaining compliance and safety [1][4] Group 1: Project Overview - The project utilizes the XRP Ledger (XRPL) and RLUSD, a U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin introduced by Ripple in December 2024, which is fully backed by cash and cash equivalents and has surpassed $1 billion in circulation [2] - WebBank, the issuer of the Gemini Credit Card, will explore settling Mastercard transactions using RLUSD on the XRPL, marking a potential first for a regulated U.S. bank to settle traditional card payments with a regulated stablecoin on a public blockchain [3] Group 2: Implementation and Impact - The onboarding of RLUSD to the XRPL is set to begin in the coming months, pending regulatory approvals, and if successful, could serve as a model for other card programs considering blockchain-based settlement [4] - The pilot aims to replace slower and more expensive settlement processes currently used by banks, potentially allowing for near-instant fund transfers, especially for cross-border transactions [5] Group 3: Industry Context - Mastercard has previously explored stablecoin payments and views this project as part of its broader strategy to integrate regulated digital assets into its global network [6] - Ripple and Gemini have collaborated earlier this year on an "XRP edition" of the Gemini Credit Card, indicating ongoing partnerships in the digital asset space [6]