Another week, another whirlwind of Web3 wonders! From billion-dollar IPO dreams to AI bots answering Airbnb requests and Pokémon battles won by neural networks (yes, really), the digital frontier isn’t slowing down.
Whether you're tracking institutional moves, tokenization trends, or just here for the latest NFT migration drama — we’ve got you covered. So grab a ☕, charge your ledger 🔋, and dive into the stories shaping crypto and AI this week!
Trading platform eToro is giving the stock market another go, this time aiming for a shiny $4 billion valuation and hoping to raise a cool $500 million in its upcoming U.S. IPO.
💥 After a SPAC attempt fizzled out in 2021, they're back with better numbers, bigger ambition, and some heavyweight backers like SoftBank and even BlackRock tossing in $100M. 💼✨ Crypto’s recent rebound helped boost eToro’s momentum — and now they want a piece of the Nasdaq pie. 🥧 Will it finally be liftoff or another launch delay? Stay tuned! 🚀📊
Morgan Stanley is reportedly planning to introduce cryptocurrency trading to its E*Trade platform by 2026. The bank is exploring partnerships with established crypto firms to facilitate this move.
This initiative aligns with a broader shift in regulatory attitudes under the current U.S. administration, which has adopted a more lenient stance toward crypto enforcement. If successful, this could position Morgan Stanley as a significant player in the retail crypto trading space.
MultiBank Group and MAG's Mavryk are collaborating to launch a $3 billion platform focused on tokenizing real-world assets (RWAs).
The initiative aims to bridge traditional finance with blockchain technology, offering tokenized versions of assets like real estate and private equity. This move could democratize access to investment opportunities and bring more liquidity to traditionally illiquid assets.
💰 MEXC Introduces $300M Web3 Fund 🌐🔥
Crypto exchange MEXC has unveiled a substantial $300 million fund dedicated to accelerating Web3 innovation. The fund will invest in projects across various sectors, including AI, Layer 2 solutions, and GameFi.
This strategic investment underscores MEXC's commitment to fostering the next generation of decentralized applications and infrastructure.
📈 Tokenization Gains Momentum with Industry Giants 🎬🏛️
Tokenization is becoming a focal point in the financial industry, with major players like BlackRock, MultiBank, and Telegram exploring its potential.
By bringing real-world assets onto the blockchain, these initiatives aim to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accessibility in asset management. The growing interest suggests that tokenization could be a significant trend in the coming years.
Japanese firm MetaPlanet is setting its sights on the U.S. market, planning to establish a subsidiary and raise $250 million.
The company aims to expand its Bitcoin treasury strategies and attract new investors. This move reflects a growing trend of international firms seeking opportunities in the U.S. crypto landscape.
Ethena is collaborating with The Open Network (TON) to integrate its USDe stablecoin into Telegram, which boasts over a billion users.
This partnership aims to facilitate seamless crypto transactions within the messaging app, potentially driving mass adoption of digital currencies in everyday communications.
Blockchain analytics firm @ Elliptic is playing a pivotal role in helping crypto companies enhance their compliance frameworks.
By providing tools for anti-money laundering and sanctions compliance, Elliptic enables firms to navigate the complex regulatory landscape more effectively. This shift indicates a maturing industry that values transparency and accountability.
MetaMask has partnered with Mastercard to introduce a self-custody crypto debit card. This innovative product allows users to spend their crypto holdings directly, maintaining full control over their assets.
The collaboration marks a significant step toward integrating decentralized finance with traditional payment systems.
💸 VC Roundup: Web3 Infrastructure Funding Surge 🚀
Investor appetite for Web3 shows no signs of slowing down, with fresh capital flowing into startups driving the next wave of blockchain innovation.
Swiss fintech firm Colb Asset SA secured over $7 million to tokenize pre-IPO equity in blue-chip firms like SpaceX and OpenAI — a bold step toward real-world asset tokenization. Meanwhile, Towns Protocol attracted $10 million to develop a Web3-native social platform enabling custom messaging apps tailored for decentralized communities.
Inco, focused on confidential computing, raised $5 million in a round led by a16z CSX, with support from Coinbase Ventures, 1kx, and OrangeDAO. On the security front, Octane locked in $6.75 million to enhance its AI-powered cybersecurity suite for blockchain networks — backed by Winklevoss Capital, Gemini, and Circle.
Elsewhere, Optimum closed an $11 million seed round to build a blockchain memory layer based on RLNC technology from MIT, promising a performance leap for decentralized systems. Topping the chart, Unto Labs pulled in $14.4 million to launch Thru, a scalable L1 blockchain built on the RISC-V standard. Together, these rounds highlight growing confidence in blockchain's technical frontier — from memory layers and private computing to tokenized assets and decentralized communication. 🔗
Stablecoin issuer Circle has received approval from the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), paving the way for its expansion into the Middle East.
This strategic move aims to tap into the growing demand for digital financial services in the region and underscores the global reach of stablecoin applications.
XYO Network has surpassed 10 million nodes in its decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN).
This milestone highlights the scalability and adoption of decentralized networks in providing real-world data and services, reinforcing the potential of DePIN in various applications.
The TON Foundation is introducing "TON Factory," an accelerator program designed to support projects built on The Open Network and integrated with Telegram.
With Telegram's vast user base, this initiative aims to foster innovation and scalability in blockchain-based applications within the messaging platform.
Crypto exchange Bitget and blockchain platform Avalanche are partnering to boost cryptocurrency adoption in India.
Their collaboration focuses on educational initiatives, innovation hubs, and local partnerships, aiming to engage India's burgeoning tech-savvy population in the crypto ecosystem.
🇰🇷 KuCoin CEO Discusses Compliance Challenges in South Korea 🧑⚖️🎤
At the Token2049 conference, KuCoin's CEO emphasized the importance of compliance in South Korea's stringent regulatory environment.
The exchange is investing in legal frameworks and compliance measures to navigate the complex landscape, reflecting a broader industry trend toward regulatory adherence.
🟡 VanEck Files for First U.S. BNB ETF 📝📊
Investment firm VanEck has filed for the first U.S.-based exchange-traded fund (ETF) focused on Binance Coin (BNB).
If approved, this ETF would provide investors with regulated exposure to BNB, marking a significant development in the integration of cryptocurrency assets into traditional financial products.
Bitcoin Core developers have decided to remove the 80-byte limit on OP_RETURN outputs in the next network upgrade.
This change allows for more data to be included in transactions, potentially enhancing the utility of the Bitcoin blockchain for various applications. While some community members express concerns about increased block space usage, proponents argue it aligns with current network practices and user needs.
The city of Cannes, France, renowned for its film festival, is set to have 90% of its merchants accept cryptocurrency payments by summer 2025.
This initiative, supported by local authorities and Web3 payment company Lunu Pay, aims to modernize the city's payment infrastructure and attract crypto-savvy tourists.
The Maldives government has partnered with Dubai-based MBS Global Investments to develop a $9 billion crypto and blockchain hub in Malé.
The project, named the Maldives International Financial Centre, aims to diversify the nation's economy beyond tourism and fisheries, creating up to 16,000 jobs over five years.
Ripple has committed $25 million in its stablecoin, Ripple USD (RLUSD), to U.S. educational nonprofits DonorsChoose and Teach For America.
The funds aim to support teachers and students by providing resources and expanding educational programs, demonstrating Ripple's commitment to social impact through crypto philanthropy.
Tether has minted another $1 billion worth of USDT on the Tron network, bringing its total circulation on Tron to $71.4 billion, just $1.4 billion shy of Ethereum's $72.8 billion.
This move positions Tron to potentially overtake Ethereum in USDT circulation, reflecting the growing competition among blockchain networks.
At the Token2049 event in Dubai, Ash Pampati, head of the Aptos ecosystem, emphasized the success of "Web2.5" platforms—applications that blend Web2 user experiences with Web3 technologies. These hybrid platforms are reportedly generating significant revenue, suggesting that user-friendly interfaces may be key to mainstream crypto adoption.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has proposed a comprehensive redesign of Ethereum's architecture to make it as simple as Bitcoin within five years. The plan includes simplifying the consensus layer, adopting a RISC-V-based virtual machine for better performance, and standardizing protocol components to enhance efficiency and security.
Three major Abu Dhabi entities—ADQ, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), and International Holding Company (IHC)—have partnered to launch a dirham-pegged stablecoin. Pending regulatory approval, the stablecoin will operate on the ADI blockchain and aims to position the UAE at the forefront of global blockchain innovation.
A group of developers has introduced Ethereum R1, a layer-2 scaling solution that operates without a native token or venture funding. The project emphasizes decentralization and neutrality, aiming to provide a simple and censorship-resistant scaling option for Ethereum.
Mattel has announced the discontinuation of new releases for its Hot Wheels Virtual Garage NFT series. While existing NFTs and the digital collectibles marketplace will remain operational through 2025, the company is reevaluating its strategy in the evolving NFT landscape.
A recent court ruling found Apple in violation of a 2021 antitrust injunction related to its App Store policies. The decision mandates that Apple must allow developers to direct users to alternative payment methods without imposing additional fees. This ruling paves the way for Epic Games' Fortnite to return to the iOS App Store in the U.S.
Kyrgyzstan is diving headfirst into crypto with Binance as its guide! 🏔️💡 The Central Asian nation will launch Binance Pay to power crypto payments across the country, plus introduce blockchain education programs through Binance Academy. 🎓💻
And it doesn’t stop there — Binance co-founder CZ has suggested Kyrgyzstan build national reserves in Bitcoin and BNB. 💰🇧🇹 With legal recognition of its digital som and green mining potential, Kyrgyzstan might just become Central Asia’s next crypto capital. 🚀🌐
At TOKEN2049 Dubai, OKX MENA CEO Rifad Mahasneh emphasized the importance of real-world utility in tokenizing assets. He cautioned against unnecessary tokenization, advocating for projects that offer tangible benefits.
Mahasneh praised the UAE's swift regulatory advancements, including stablecoin frameworks, which bolster institutional confidence in the region's crypto initiatives.
Ripple reportedly made a $4–$5 billion offer to acquire stablecoin issuer Circle, which was declined. The bid came shortly after Circle filed for a U.S. IPO.
While Ripple has been expanding its acquisitions, including a $1.2 billion purchase of Hidden Road, it's unclear if they will pursue another bid for Circle.
Ethereum developers have introduced ERC-7930 and ERC-7828 to streamline cross-chain interactions.
These standards aim to unify address formats, enhancing user experience and reducing errors in multichain transactions. The initiative seeks to make Ethereum's ecosystem more interoperable and user-friendly.
The European Union is set to implement regulations banning anonymous crypto accounts and privacy-focused tokens like Monero and Zcash by 2027.
The move is part of a broader effort to strengthen anti-money laundering measures across the bloc, requiring crypto service providers to enforce stricter identity verification processes.
FIFA announced plans to transition its NFT platform, FIFA Collect, from Algorand to a new Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible blockchain.
The migration, set to begin no earlier than May 20, aims to enhance performance and scalability. Post-migration, users will access their collectibles via wallets like MetaMask, reflecting FIFA's commitment to integrating with widely-used blockchain infrastructures.
AI SPOTLIGHT 🧠
Anysphere, the startup behind the AI coding assistant Cursor, has reportedly raised $900 million in a funding round led by Thrive Capital, with participation from Andreessen Horowitz and Accel, valuing the company at $9 billion.
Cursor aims to revolutionize software development by providing AI-driven code suggestions and completions, enhancing developer productivity and efficiency.
Airbnb is quietly rolling out an AI-powered customer service chatbot in the United States. The bot is designed to handle common guest inquiries, aiming to improve response times and reduce the workload on human support agents.
This move reflects Airbnb's ongoing efforts to integrate AI technologies to enhance user experience.
FutureHouse, a nonprofit backed by Eric Schmidt, has released a suite of AI tools intended to expedite scientific discovery.
The tools, including Crow, Falcon, Owl, and Phoenix, are designed to assist researchers in literature review, data analysis, and experimental planning, potentially transforming the pace and efficiency of scientific research.
Google's advanced AI model, Gemini, has successfully completed the classic video game Pokémon Blue.
The achievement was facilitated by a developer who integrated Gemini with a custom agent harness, allowing the AI to interpret game states and make decisions, showcasing the model's capabilities in complex, sequential decision-making tasks.
Orca AI, specializing in autonomous navigation technology for maritime vessels, has raised $72.5 million in a Series B funding round led by Brighton Park Capital.
The company plans to use the funds to enhance its AI-driven platform, which aims to improve maritime safety and efficiency through advanced sensor data analysis and decision-making algorithms.
Chinese AI company DeepSeek has released a new open-source AI model, following the success of its previous R1 model.
The new model aims to compete with offerings from OpenAI and other Western AI firms, contributing to the growing landscape of accessible AI technologies and fostering innovation within the global AI community.
Tether has announced the integration of AI capabilities to facilitate Bitcoin and USDT transactions. The initiative aims to enhance the efficiency and security of cryptocurrency payments, leveraging AI to streamline processes and improve user experience in digital asset transactions.
OpenAI has decided to maintain its nonprofit status while restructuring its for-profit arm into a public benefit corporation (PBC). This move comes after criticism and legal challenges regarding its initial plans to transition to a for-profit model.
The restructuring aims to balance OpenAI's mission-driven goals with the need to secure funding for ongoing AI research and development.
From Cannes to Kyrgyzstan, Ethereum standards to DePIN milestones, it’s clear that crypto isn’t just surviving — it’s thriving 🌱.
And with AI increasingly woven into everything from customer service to scientific discovery, the lines between tech revolutions are blurring faster than ever. Stay curious, stay compliant (looking at you, Elliptic), and as always — HODL responsibly. Until next week, keep your keys safe and your news spicy. 🌶️🪙
