Core Insights - Revolut has secured a MiCA license from the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, allowing it to roll out crypto services across the EU [1][2] - The company aims to expand its crypto offerings significantly, with plans for "Crypto 2.0" that will include over 280 cryptocurrencies and zero-fee staking services [7] Company Developments - The MiCA license is seen as a critical milestone for Revolut's ambitions in the crypto sector, which has become a key part of its business strategy [1][4] - Revolut's wealth business, which includes crypto products, saw a remarkable 298% increase in revenue, reaching $674 million, driven by heightened crypto activity in 2024 [3] Competitive Landscape - Revolut faces intense competition from both traditional financial institutions and fintech firms expanding their crypto services, including PayPal, Robinhood, Stripe, and BlackRock [4][5] - Crypto-native companies like Coinbase and Kraken are also entering traditional financial service areas, intensifying the competitive environment [6]

Even as some workers leave crypto for AI, demand for blockchain engineers remains strong and increasingly well rewarded. | Credit: Pexels Key Takeaways Around 1,000 crypto jobs have shifted to AI since the launch of ChatGPT. Despite the talent drain, developer demand remains strong across Ethereum, Solana, and Layer 2 ecosystems. The London School of Economics ranked blockchain engineers seventh among the UK’s highest-paying tech jobs. AI is drawing talent away from the crypto industry, according ...

Core Insights - The Federal Reserve is discussing a new "payment account" for payment firms, which would provide basic access to Fed payment services while limiting certain features of full master accounts [1][3] Group 1: Proposal Details - The proposed account would allow access to Fed payment rails but would have balance caps, pay no interest, not allow overdrafts, and not provide access to emergency lending [3] - This initiative is framed within the payments mandate, focusing on settlement efficiency and risk controls rather than credit creation or deposit taking [4] Group 2: Implications for Crypto and Fintech Firms - The new account could reduce delays and costs for crypto-facing firms that currently route dollar flows through sponsor banks, thereby standardizing access for eligible firms [5][6] - A more direct link to Fed payment services could streamline operations for stablecoin issuers, allowing for quicker redemptions and subscriptions [6] Group 3: Future Considerations - Banks with payment subsidiaries may be the first to adopt this new account, followed by fintech and crypto firms with strong compliance programs [8] - The effectiveness of the account for stablecoin issuers and tokenized fund operators will depend on balance caps, liquidity requirements, and transaction monitoring expectations [8]

Crypto firm Xeltox Enterprises received the largest penalty on record from Canada’s anti-money-laundering agency for allegedly breaching the rules on suspicious transactions thousands of times in a single month https://t.co/cAHVrxCH7K ...

FalconX to Acquire 21Shares in Latest Crypto Industry Deal► https://t.co/odY1EAtjWB https://t.co/odY1EAtjWB ...

FalconX said Wednesday it agreed to acquire Swiss crypto exchange-traded product issuer 21Shares, bringing one of the sector’s largest asset managers under its institutional brokerage platform. The companies said the acquisition will combine FalconX’s trading and prime brokerage infrastructure with 21Shares’ exchange-traded product platform spanning Europe and the United States. The Swiss issuer already manages over $11 billion in assets across 55 listed crypto products, while FalconX has facilitated over ...

🚨UPDATE: FALCONX, A U.S. INSTITUTIONAL CRYPTO PRIME BROKER, AGREES TO ACQUIRE 21SHARES ...

Core Insights - Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: SHIB) has not experienced the same rally as other meme stocks in 2023, despite a favorable environment for cryptocurrencies [1][4] - The meme coin has lost nearly half of its value since the beginning of the year, with a current market cap of approximately $6 billion, placing it behind 20 other cryptocurrencies in terms of value [2][8] - The decline in Shiba Inu's popularity may be attributed to a shift in investor interest towards other cryptocurrencies and investment options, including stablecoins and new crypto IPOs [6][7] Market Conditions - The Trump administration's favorable stance towards cryptocurrency, including plans for a Digital Asset Stockpile, has not translated into gains for Shiba Inu [4][8] - Despite a general appetite for risk in the market, as evidenced by the rise of meme stocks and decreasing interest rates, Shiba Inu has not benefited from these trends [5][8] Investor Behavior - The growing number of investment options in the crypto space, including Bitcoin, meme coins, and stablecoins, may be diverting speculative investors away from Shiba Inu [6][7] - The emergence of new crypto IPOs, such as the Gemini Space Station, has further expanded the choices available to investors, potentially impacting Shiba Inu's market position [6][7]

Core Insights - Deribit, a crypto derivatives exchange acquired by Coinbase, is collaborating with Komainu to enable continuous trading for institutions without moving assets off custody [1][2] - The partnership integrates Deribit with Komainu Connect, allowing institutional clients to trade while keeping their funds within Komainu's regulated custody, addressing counterparty and settlement risks [2][4] - The crypto derivatives market is moving towards mainstream financial adoption, with expectations of increased institutional participation from Europe and the U.S. [3] Company Insights - Komainu, supported by Laser Digital and associated with Nomura, provides secure, bankruptcy-remote segregated wallets and accommodates various collateral types, including tokenized Treasury funds and staked ether [4] - The integration between Deribit and Komainu is aimed at fulfilling the growing demand for secure and compliant digital asset trading among institutions [4] - Deribit's chief commercial officer emphasized the importance of security and efficiency for clients, highlighting the benefits of the partnership with Komainu [5]

Core Insights - The crypto markets experienced significant volatility following the October 10 flash crash, but the overall ecosystem has not faced the same level of disaster as in previous instances [1] - Animoca Brands, a leading investment firm in Web3, is planning a U.S. IPO in 2025, marking a strategic shift from its previous focus on mobile gaming [2][3] Company Overview - Animoca Brands has a diverse portfolio that includes major firms like Axie Infinity, Polygon, Kraken, and The Sandbox, reflecting its strong position in the Web3 space [2] - The company transitioned from being publicly listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) to focusing on Web3, leading to its delisting in 2020 [2][3] IPO Plans - The company aims to relist in the U.S. as market conditions have become favorable, particularly due to a softening regulatory stance in the U.S. that influences global jurisdictions [3] - Animoca Brands has retained a base of retail and institutional investors from its previous public exposure, which is advantageous for its upcoming IPO [3] Market Conditions - The digital asset space is experiencing heightened interest, driven by a pro-crypto approach in the U.S. and increased institutional adoption [4][6] - Despite a significant market wipeout of approximately $19 billion, the crypto market's mature structure and risk management systems have helped it endure the recent flash crash [5][6] Investment Focus - Web3 gaming constitutes about 25% of Animoca's investment portfolio, highlighting its commitment to this rapidly growing segment [5] - The company is positioned as a leader in the altcoin space, capitalizing on the ongoing advancements in the digital asset industry [4]