Key Points XRP is being developed for a handful of specific use cases in finance. Dogecoin isn't really being developed for anything, nor was it ever. Both coins just got included in an ETF for the first time. 10 stocks we like better than XRP › Believe it or not, there are some investors out there who would say that both XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) and Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) are both meme coins. In practice, that claim simply isn't true, but the chatter certainly helps to muddy the waters when it comes t ...

Japan's largest banking groups are chasing JPY stablecoins. Credit: Yusuke Harada/NurPhoto via Getty Images. Key Takeaways Some of Japan’s largest banking and financial groups plan to launch yen-denominated stablecoins. Earlier this year, Japan’s three “megabank” conglomerates started developing a JPY stablecoin. Now, SBI Holdings has entered the race, too. Since the launch of the first JPY-backed stablecoin in October, each of Japan’s “megabank” financial conglomerates has now staked a claim for ...

Core Insights - The TON Foundation has formed a strategic partnership with OpenPayd to enhance its global fiat infrastructure, which is crucial for supporting its operational capabilities and community initiatives [1][7] - This collaboration is particularly significant as TON expands its connections to traditional finance, aiming to serve over a billion monthly active users through Telegram's Mini Apps platform [2][5] Partnership Objectives - The partnership seeks to streamline financial processes amid TON's rapid growth, integrating OpenPayd's advanced universal financial platform to provide a single, robust API for international fiat payment connections [2][3] - Key operations being upgraded include the distribution of ecosystem grants, multi-currency treasury management, and payments to partners and contributors [3][4] OpenPayd's Role - OpenPayd offers a rails-agnostic platform that enables businesses to manage money globally across both fiat and digital assets, providing services such as embedded accounts, forex, and stablecoin on- and off-ramps [4][7] - The CEO of OpenPayd highlighted the strategic positioning of the TON ecosystem and the need for financial infrastructure that matches its global reach [3] TON's Future Initiatives - TON is actively pushing into traditional finance with initiatives like the $500 million Telegram Bond Fund, which has been tokenized on TON to facilitate access to debt instruments [6]

Core Viewpoint - The latest Bitcoin correction raises questions about whether traders and institutions are moving on from Bitcoin, with Pillage Capital suggesting that Bitcoin has fulfilled its original mission and is now structurally irrelevant [1][5][6] Group 1: Bitcoin's Original Purpose - Bitcoin was designed as a decentralized tool to challenge the U.S. government's resistance to digital assets, not as a final currency for humanity [2] - It successfully forced regulators to accept tokenized assets as legitimate, leading to the development of a multi-trillion-dollar crypto market [3] Group 2: Evolving Financial Infrastructure - The emergence of compliant digital-asset rails has diminished Bitcoin's monopoly as the only censorship-resistant value network [4] - The focus has shifted from decentralization to the underlying asset, issuer, and utility, with blockchains becoming interchangeable [4] Group 3: Declining Value Proposition - As financial infrastructure modernized, Bitcoin's value proposition weakened, underperforming compared to the Nasdaq and facing user experience issues [5] - Users increasingly prefer systems with safety nets, where errors can be reversed and losses can be mitigated, highlighting a shift in user preferences [6] Group 4: Shift Towards Regulated Assets - Capital is moving towards tokenized real-world assets that offer real yield and backing, with Tether holding more gold than Bitcoin [6] - The next era of crypto is expected to focus on regulated tokenized real assets rather than speculative digital currencies [7]

Core Viewpoint - Bitcoin has recently dropped below $88,000, but Charles Hoskinson of Cardano predicts a rise to $250,000 by late 2026, suggesting a long-term bullish outlook despite current market challenges [1][2]. Market Analysis - Hoskinson describes the upcoming two quarters as a "downside clearing" period, indicating that the market is currently processing macroeconomic pressures such as tariff uncertainties and uneven economic momentum [2]. - He emphasizes that historical patterns show significant price increases for Bitcoin 400 to 600 days post-halving events, positioning 2026 as a potentially strong year for Bitcoin [3]. Institutional Participation - The current Bitcoin cycle is characterized by substantial institutional investment, with major firms like BlackRock, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley contributing to demand, contrasting with previous cycles that were primarily retail-driven [4][3]. Technical Analysis - Bitcoin's price has broken below a multi-year trendline, indicating a deeper corrective phase rather than a simple pullback, with current trading levels significantly below key moving averages [8][12]. - The next major support level is identified around $75,000, which is crucial for determining future price movements [12]. Long-Term Outlook - Despite the structural breakdown indicated by the loss of the multi-year trendline, there is a continued influx of long-term capital from institutions and ETF issuers, suggesting a potential accumulation phase rather than a complete market exhaustion [13][14]. - Hoskinson's perspective reframes the current market conditions as an opportunity for institutional accumulation, with the $75,000 level serving as a potential entry point for future growth towards the anticipated 2026 trajectory [14].

Animoca Brands has entered into a non-binding agreement with Nasdaq-listed Currenc Group to pursue a reverse merger, targeting a valuation of approximately $1 billion, with the transaction expected to close by the end of 2026. The Hong Kong-based blockchain developer and crypto investor would see its shareholders collectively own approximately 95% of the combined entity’s issued shares, while existing Currenc shareholders would retain about 5%. The deal marks Animoca’s return to the public markets, follo ...

Core Insights - Swift is developing a blockchain-based shared ledger for cross-border transactions, aiming for instant, 24/7 payments across its network of over 200 countries [1] - The initiative is in collaboration with Consensys and over 30 major financial institutions, including JPMorgan, HSBC, and Deutsche Bank [1] Group 1: Shared Ledger Features - The shared ledger will provide a trusted platform for moving regulated, tokenized value, utilizing smart contracts for real-time transaction recording, validation, and security [2] - Interoperability is a key feature, allowing the ledger to connect with existing financial systems and other blockchain networks [2] Group 2: Industry Support and Vision - Swift CEO Javier Pérez-Tasso views this initiative as a crucial step in creating the "infrastructure stack of the future," enhancing the payments experience through digital transformation [3] - Major banks, including Bank of America, support the initiative, highlighting its potential to provide essential transparency and interoperability for 24/7 payment management [4] - The project is seen as foundational for a more resilient financial ecosystem, particularly as the market for tokenized real-world assets grows [5] Group 3: Broader Industry Trends - This move aligns with a broader trend of integrating blockchain into traditional finance, with recent examples including legally binding bank payments on public blockchains and efforts to develop euro stablecoins [6]

Core Viewpoint - Matador Technologies Inc. has successfully closed a CAD$1.5 million investment from Arrington Capital as part of a non-brokered private placement offering, aimed at enhancing its Bitcoin-focused financial technologies [1][4]. Group 1: Investment Details - The investment was part of an offering where 2,419,354 Units were issued at a price of $0.62 per Unit, each consisting of one common share and one-half of a common share purchase warrant [2]. - Each whole warrant allows the holder to acquire an additional common share at $0.77 for 12 months, with an acceleration clause if the share price exceeds $1.15 for five consecutive trading days [2][6]. Group 2: Strategic Importance - Arrington Capital, co-founded by Michael Arrington, is recognized for investing in blockchain and digital asset ventures, which aligns with Matador's focus on Bitcoin and tokenized assets [3]. - The CEO of Matador expressed enthusiasm about the strategic partnership, highlighting that it reflects confidence from top digital asset investors in the company's vision for Bitcoin-native financial products [4]. Group 3: Company Overview - Matador is the only public Canadian company developing gold and precious metal products on the Bitcoin network, with a treasury strategy that includes holdings in both Bitcoin and gold [5]. - The net proceeds from the offering will be allocated to purchasing Bitcoin, acquiring gold, and general corporate purposes, with a hold period for the securities until September 30, 2025 [6]. Group 4: Product Offering - The flagship product, the Digital Gold Platform, enables users to buy, sell, and trade 1-gram gold units inscribed as Bitcoin Ordinals, merging traditional value with decentralized technology [8]. - Matador aims to enhance the Bitcoin network through strategic accumulation and product development, focusing on long-term shareholder value without dilution [7].