Core Insights - Mercurity Fintech Holding Inc. (MFH) published an article by Chief Strategy Officer Wilfred Daye discussing digital asset treasury strategies and associated risks [1][2] - The article emphasizes the evolution of Digital Asset Treasuries (DAT) from a simple 'buy-and-hold' strategy to a more sophisticated capital markets discipline [3] Digital Asset Treasury Strategies - DAT companies utilize market-to-net-asset-value dynamics, convertible securities, and preferred stock to accumulate Bitcoin [2] - Key risks identified include market-to-net-asset-value ratio (mNAV) compression, refinancing exposure, and index-eligibility considerations [2] MFH's Approach - MFH aims to align treasury design with institutional-grade safeguards, clear risk limits, transparent disclosures, and diversified liquidity [3] - The company focuses on connecting traditional finance with crypto-native assets through compliant structures and prudent balance-sheet management [3] Treasury & Capital-Markets Principles - Risk-aware accumulation is emphasized, advising the judicious use of market windows and avoiding destructive issuance under unfavorable mNAV conditions [7] - Financing discipline is highlighted, treating convertible securities and preferred stock as leverage tools with explicit guardrails [7] - Liquidity and transparency are prioritized, ensuring robust disclosures and auditability suitable for institutional allocators [7] - The company advocates for evolution beyond Bitcoin reliance by investing in infrastructure and partnerships that create operating revenue [7]

Nomura Holdings is preparing to deepen its presence in Japan’s digital asset market as crypto activity surges, with its wholly owned subsidiary Laser Digital Holdings seeking a license to offer trading services to institutional clients. Laser, based in Switzerland, is in pre-consultation talks with Japan’s Financial Services Agency, according to Chief Executive Officer Jez Mohideen. Mohideen told Bloomberg that the application reflects the group’s confidence in the country’s digital asset ecosystem. Tra ...

Cryptocurrency market maker GSR has agreed to acquire Equilibrium Capital Services, a Portland-based broker-dealer registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). The deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, will give GSR a licensed entry point into U.S. securities markets. The company did not disclose financial terms. Expanding Regulated Access Equilibrium’s registration allows it to provide brokerage services under U.S. ...

IRS, Crypto taxation. Photo by BeInCrypto The US Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) are preparing to relax a proposed tax rule that subjected crypto companies to a 15% minimum tax on unrealized gains from their digital asset holdings. This new guidance responds to significant pushback from companies like MicroStrategy and Coinbase. They argued that taxing paper profits on crypto was unfair and inconsistent with the treatment of traditional assets like stocks and bonds. IRS Eases Co ...

Core Insights - Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (CBOE) has a market capitalization of $24.5 billion and is a leading exchange operator in ETP trading, offering diverse trading across multiple asset classes globally [1][2] Company Overview - Cboe operates through six business segments: Options, North American Equities, Europe and Asia Pacific, Futures, Global FX, and Digital, providing a wide range of trading, clearing, and data solutions [2] - The company is classified as a "large-cap" stock, fitting the criteria of being valued at $10 billion or more [2] Stock Performance - CBOE shares have declined 8.2% from their 52-week high of $255.27, while over the past three months, shares have risen 3%, underperforming the Dow Jones Industrials Average's 9.5% return [3] - Year-to-date, CBOE stock is up nearly 20%, outperforming the Dow Jones Industrials Average's 8.6% gain, and has returned 11.3% over the past 52 weeks compared to the DOWI's 9.9% increase [4] Recent Financial Results - On August 1, Cboe's shares rose 2.8% following strong Q2 2025 results, with adjusted EPS of $2.46, beating consensus estimates and rising 14.4% year-over-year [5] - Revenues reached a record $587.3 million, up 14% year-over-year, driven by a 19% increase in options revenues and a 30% rise in Europe and Asia Pacific revenues [5] Future Guidance - Cboe expects high single-digit organic net revenue growth and has lowered its expense outlook to between $832 million and $847 million [6] - In comparison, rival Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (ICE) has seen its stock rise 14.8% year-to-date and 7.7% over the past 52 weeks [6] Analyst Sentiment - Despite the stock's strong performance, analysts maintain a cautious outlook, with a consensus rating of "Hold" from 18 analysts and a mean price target of $246.73, indicating a 5.9% premium to current levels [7]

Company Overview - Figure Technology Solutions has increased the pricing of its initial public offering (IPO) to $25 per share, up from an earlier range of $20 to $22 per share [2] - The company sold 31.5 million shares, raising $787 million and achieving a valuation of $5.3 billion [2] Business Model and Strategy - Founded in 2018, Figure initially focused on home equity lending but has since developed a vertically integrated model that combines origination, marketplace distribution, and capital markets execution [2] - The company plans to expand into a broader range of credit products and develop marketplaces for digital assets and stablecoins [3] - Management believes that AI-driven automation and blockchain transparency can eliminate inefficiencies in lending markets, providing faster and more accessible credit [3] Market Context - The IPO occurs amid a growing interest in the digital asset space, supported by a pro-crypto presidential administration in the U.S. [5] - The success of other companies in the crypto sector, such as Bullish and Circle, indicates a cultural and economic shift towards institutional acceptance of cryptocurrencies [6] - Other firms, including Gemini and CoinShares, are also planning public market entries, reflecting a broader trend in the industry [6][7]

Core Viewpoint - Hyperscale Data, Inc. is actively expanding its investment in digital assets, particularly $XRP, through its subsidiary Sentinum, with a commitment to purchase up to $10 million worth of $XRP as part of its cryptocurrency investment strategy [3] Group 1: Acquisition Details - Sentinum acquired 8,150 tokens of $XRP at an average price of $3.0712, totaling approximately $25,000 during the week of August 4 to August 10, 2025 [1] - Following this acquisition, Sentinum's total holdings of $XRP reached 15,100 tokens, valued at approximately $49,490.25 based on the closing price of $3.2775 on August 10, 2025 [2] Group 2: Strategic Commitment - The company plans to report Sentinum's $XRP acquisitions weekly, enhancing transparency in its digital asset investment activities [3] - The company has paid down approximately $25 million of non-affiliated debt, improving its financial position to focus on long-term value initiatives, including its AI-driven data center platform [3] Group 3: Future Plans - The company anticipates increasing the pace of $XRP purchases in the coming weeks as part of its disciplined dollar cost averaging strategy [3] - Hyperscale Data is evaluating opportunities to enhance its digital asset strategy, which may include retaining a portion of mined Bitcoin and expanding its digital asset reserves [3]

Core Insights - Franklin Resources, Inc. (BEN) reported preliminary assets under management (AUM) of $1.62 trillion for July 2025, reflecting a slight increase from the previous month due to market gains and flat long-term net inflows, which included $3 billion of long-term net outflows at Western Asset Management [1][10]. AUM Breakdown - Equity assets reached $662.8 billion, marking a 1% increase from the previous month. Multi-asset AUM was $184.7 billion, also up nearly 1%. Cash management balance increased marginally to $72 billion. However, fixed income AUM declined to $440 billion, and alternative AUM fell to $257.5 billion [2]. Growth Trends - Over the last five fiscal years ending in 2024, BEN's AUM experienced a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.1%, with continued growth in the first nine months of fiscal 2025. Strategic acquisitions have played a significant role in supporting this growth [3]. Strategic Partnerships and Acquisitions - In July 2024, Franklin partnered with Japan's SBI Holdings to focus on ETFs and emerging asset classes, including digital assets and cryptocurrencies. The acquisition of Putnam Investments in January 2024 is expected to enhance Franklin's growth in the retirement sector, increasing its defined contribution AUM to over $100 billion [4]. Diversification Efforts - Franklin's strategy to diversify into asset classes with growing client demand is anticipated to drive AUM growth. A regionally-focused distribution model has improved BEN's non-U.S. business, resulting in favorable net flows [5]. Competitor Performance - Competitors like Invesco and T. Rowe Price have also shown AUM growth. Invesco's AUM grew at a CAGR of 8.5% over the last five years, while T. Rowe Price's AUM saw a CAGR of 2.3% over the past four years [6][8]. Price Performance and Valuation - Franklin's shares have increased by 24.4% in 2025, contrasting with a marginal decline in the industry. The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 10.91, which is below the industry average [9][11]. Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a year-over-year decline of 13% in fiscal 2025 earnings, with a projected growth of 14.7% for fiscal 2026. Earnings estimates for both years have been revised upward over the past 30 days [12].

Group 1 - Top Win International Limited has partnered with Simon Gerovich and KCGI for a planned investment in SGA Co., Ltd, which has received board approval for a third-party share issuance to this consortium [1][2] - Upon completion of the investment, the consortium will become the largest shareholder of SGA Co., Ltd, with proceeds aimed at strategic asset acquisitions and general corporate purposes [2] - SGA Co., Ltd plans to leverage the consortium's global network and expertise to pursue new initiatives in the digital asset space while maintaining its core business operations [2] Group 2 - Top Win International Limited specializes in the trading, distribution, and retail of luxury watches and has recently ventured into the Web3 ecosystem and digital assets as part of its future business direction [3]

Group 1 - Top Win International Limited, through its subsidiary AsiaStrategy, intends to make a tender offer for the securities of DV8 Public Company Limited, a company listed on The Stock Exchange of Thailand [1][2] - AsiaStrategy plans to acquire up to 152,842,577 ordinary shares, representing 11.58% of DV8's total issued and paid-up share capital, at an offer price of THB 0.56 per share and THB 0.01 per warrant [2] - The offer period is expected to close on August 20, 2025, and is subject to acceptance by DV8's security holders [2] Group 2 - The transaction is supported by a coalition of Bitcoin visionaries and strategic investors, marking a significant moment for Thailand's capital markets [3] - This alliance includes leaders from Bitcoin treasury companies across multiple stock exchanges and institutional investors from various regions [3] Group 3 - Top Win International Limited specializes in the trading, distribution, and retail of luxury watches and is expanding into the Web3 ecosystem to focus on digital assets [4] - The company has been operational since 2001 and is headquartered in Wan Chai, Hong Kong [4]