Core Insights - Tether is expanding its presence in the U.S. with a significant investment in Anchorage Digital, marking a strategic shift from its historical focus on offshore and emerging markets [1][2] Group 1: Investment Details - Tether announced a $100 million investment in Anchorage Digital, a federally chartered crypto bank in the U.S. [2] - The partnership aims to enhance U.S. stablecoin infrastructure, with Anchorage providing custody, staking, settlement, and stablecoin services for institutional clients [2] - The investment values Anchorage Digital at $4.2 billion, as stated by the bank [3] Group 2: Strategic Goals - Tether's CEO, Paolo Ardoino, emphasized the company's mission to challenge the status quo and build global financial infrastructure, highlighting a shared belief in secure and transparent financial systems [3] - The partnership with Anchorage is expected to bring both capital and credibility to the bank [3][4] Group 3: Financial Position - Tether has accumulated between 80 to 116 metric tons of gold, positioning itself as the world's largest private-sector gold holder through its reserves and gold-backed token XAUT [5] - The company holds $122 billion in direct U.S. Treasuries and over $141 billion in total Treasury exposure, according to its latest BDO attestation [6]

Tether has invested $100 million in crypto bank Anchorage Digital, according to a Thursday press release. The strategic equity investment builds upon an existing partnership where Anchorage serves as the issuer for USA₮, Tether’s compliance-focused stablecoin. Tether’s investment into the federally regulated bank aims to strengthen the custody and settlement layers required for institutional adoption. The #1 podcast for emerging tech stocks, Bitcoin, and weekly news analysis. Subscribe to the Blockspace ...

Core Insights - Anchorage Digital has acquired the Securitize For Advisors (SFA) platform, enhancing its position in the crypto wealth management market for registered investment advisors (RIAs) [1] - The acquisition follows a significant growth in SFA's deposits and assets under management, which increased by over 4,500% in the past year [2] - Anchorage is expanding its regulated stablecoin and custody business while Securitize is refocusing on large-scale tokenization and public-market initiatives [1][6] Anchorage's Broader Institutional Strategy - The acquisition aligns with Anchorage's strategy to enhance its regulated stablecoin offerings and custody services, having recently added support for 25 additional digital assets [3] - Anchorage maintains a valuation above $3 billion and is building out its stablecoin operations and institutional DeFi access [4][5] - The firm is launching Anchorage Digital Ventures to target Bitcoin DeFi, real-world assets, and decentralized identity projects [4] Securitize's Strategic Refocus - Securitize is shifting its focus back to its core business of tokenizing real-world assets, reporting over $4 billion in tokenized assets under management [6] - The company is collaborating with major asset managers to issue tokenized funds and private credit products, including a recent partnership with Apollo [6] - Securitize has secured regulatory approval to operate a tokenized securities trading platform in the EU and plans to go public via a SPAC deal at a $1.25 billion valuation [7]

Federally chartered crypto bank Anchorage Digital has acquired the Securitize For Advisors (SFA) business unit from Securitize, bringing in-house a crypto wealth management platform built for registered investment advisors (RIAs), the company said in a press release Monday. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed. The acquisition formalizes an existing relationship between the two firms. Anchorage Digital Bank already custodies 99% of Securitize For Advisors client assets, and SFA has be ...

Core Insights - The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has granted conditional approval for Circle Internet Group and Ripple to establish new national trust banks, marking a significant regulatory advancement for the cryptocurrency sector [1] Company Summary - Circle Internet Group and Ripple are the two companies that received the conditional approval from the OCC to create national trust banks, which could enhance their operational capabilities within the financial system [1]

Gold Holdings Surpass U.S. Treasuries. Photo by BeInCrypto The OCC today conditionally approved five digital asset-oriented companies for national trust bank charters, signaling a measured but tangible expansion of crypto firms into the federal banking system. The decision challenges claims from parts of the banking industry that crypto cannot comply with regulatory standards. However, it also complicates the sector’s own narrative of a coordinated effort to cut it off from financial services. The Five F ...

Group 1: Partnership and Product Features - Ethena Labs has expanded its partnership with Anchorage to introduce in-platform rewards for USDtb and USDe holders, allowing institutions to earn on both products without staking or lockup requirements [1] - This feature is expected to encourage wider use of Ethena's stablecoins among firms seeking regulated digital asset tools [1] Group 2: Market Performance of Stablecoins - Ethena's USDe has faced significant challenges, with its market cap dropping sharply from over $14 billion to a low of $0.65 during a liquidity event in October [2][3] - The decline in USDe's market cap has been attributed to its synthetic model's weaknesses, leading many holders to shift to tokenized assets and simpler stablecoin structures [3] - Despite the expansion announcement, USDtb experienced a 22% drop in market cap, currently standing at approximately $1.04 billion [4] Group 3: Industry Trends and Demand - There has been a rising demand for stablecoins in the US, driven by supportive legislation such as the GENIUS Act, which has encouraged both institutions and retail users to enter the market [5] - The total market cap of all stablecoins reached $316 billion, with Tether's USDT being the largest at $185 billion and Circle's USDC at $78 billion [5][6] - Following the October market shock, Tether and Circle have minted about $20 billion in stablecoins, indicating a recovery in the market [6]

Core Insights - Anchorage Digital is launching a rewards program for USDtb and USDe token holders, allowing institutions to earn rewards on idle holdings without violating U.S. stablecoin laws [1][2] - The rewards are managed through Anchorage Digital Neo Ltd., a separate entity, enabling compliance with the GENIUS Act, which prohibits interest payouts on stablecoins [2][3] - The initiative aims to enhance capital efficiency and flexibility in treasury management for institutions [2] Regulatory Context - The GENIUS Act, enacted to regulate the stablecoin sector, bans yield-bearing stablecoins to prevent unregulated banking activities [3] - Anchorage's structure serves as a model for U.S. issuers to provide reward-like benefits while adhering to regulations [3] Token Structure - Ethena's USDtb stablecoin is backed by short-term Treasuries, including BlackRock's tokenized money market fund, while the USDe token is designed as a "synthetic dollar" backed by crypto assets and short futures [4] - The dual structure of the tokens aims to maintain price stability at $1 [4] Industry Perspective - Ethena Labs founder emphasizes that the combination of rewards and regulatory compliance will shape the future of digital asset participation [5]

Core Insights - Kyrgyzstan has launched Bereket Bank, the first private financial institution in the country focused on digital assets [1][8] - The bank aims to integrate traditional finance with crypto services, including custody, stablecoin operations, and blockchain remittances [1][9] - President Sadyr Japarov claimed that Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) inspired the bank's creation, which CZ publicly denied [2][3][8] Group 1 - Bereket Bank is part of Kyrgyzstan's strategy to become a regional hub for regulated crypto innovation [2] - The bank operates under the 2022 Virtual Assets Law, which regulates digital asset service providers in Kyrgyzstan [7] - The bank will offer traditional banking services alongside crypto-focused offerings [9] Group 2 - CZ's denial of involvement contrasts with earlier statements from Kyrgyz officials who credited him for the project [3][4] - Despite the denial, CZ continues to have an advisory role with Kyrgyz authorities on digital asset policies [5][8] - Binance signed a memorandum of understanding with Kyrgyzstan's National Investment Agency in April 2025, indicating ongoing collaboration [6]

Core Insights - A crypto-focused bank named Erebor has received a conditional bank charter from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, marking a significant development in the stablecoin sector under the Trump administration [1][4] - Erebor is backed by notable figures in Silicon Valley, including weapons manufacturer Palmer Luckey and Palantir co-founders Joe Lonsdale and Peter Thiel, who are known for their support of Trump [2] - The approval allows Erebor to operate nationally, accept deposits, and make loans, positioning it as a competitor in the stablecoin market following the passage of the GENIUS Act [4] Company Overview - Erebor is the second crypto-focused bank to receive a federal charter, following Anchorage Digital, which has previously claimed to be the only federally chartered crypto bank in the U.S. [4] - The bank's name is inspired by the "Lonely Mountain" from The Lord of the Rings series, reflecting a cultural reference that may resonate with its target audience [2] Regulatory Context - The GENIUS Act, signed into law in July, provides a legal framework for issuing and trading stablecoins, which are digital dollar equivalents that facilitate transactions in digital markets [5] - The act is expected to enhance the growth of the stablecoin sector, which is currently valued at over $312 billion, with predictions suggesting it could exceed $360 billion by February 2026 [6] Market Implications - The approval of Erebor's charter is seen as a potential first-mover advantage in the stablecoin market, especially in light of the GENIUS Act [4] - The stablecoin market has become increasingly lucrative, with significant growth anticipated following the regulatory changes [6]