This week, crypto felt more grown-up than ever – from PayPal letting users shop with 100+ tokens, to Wall Street wrapping up money market funds in blockchain ribbons 🎁. We saw Tron flexing with a $1B raise, Vietnam going full Web3, and Solana thinking five years ahead (because of course it is).
Meanwhile, stablecoins made headlines across Nigeria, Ripple, and even Interactive Brokers – yeah, TradFi’s knocking at the crypto door again. Throw in a wild ride with memecoins, real estate on-chain, and an AI section that reads like science fiction turned product roadmap... and you've got one seriously packed week 🚀
PayPal just got way more crypto-friendly – you can now check out using over 100 different tokens, from Bitcoin and Ethereum to USDC, Solana, and even some lesser-known ones 🪙. Merchants in the U.S. can accept payments through wallets like MetaMask, Coinbase, or Binance, while PayPal auto-converts the crypto to fiat or stablecoins at the finish line 💱. It’s fast, cheap (fees from 0.99%), and designed for global use 🌍.
So, technically, you're still spending dollars – but it feels like you're spending crypto, and maybe that’s enough for now 😄. Expect more crypto-powered shopping carts popping up soon 🛍️.
Two of Wall Street’s heavyweights are turning good old money market funds into shiny new tokens 💼. By using blockchain tech, they’re letting institutions trade these assets instantly, 24/7, without waiting for traditional banking hours ⏱️.
These tokenized funds still behave like the real thing, earning interest and all – just with a high-tech twist. It’s not for average Joes (yet), but it shows how even conservative finance is cozying up to crypto 🧠. Who knew the most exciting thing in crypto this week would be... money market funds? 😂.
Tron Inc. is trying to raise a casual $1 billion (yes, with a B) to boost its treasury full of TRX tokens 💸. This comes after a reverse merger with a company owned by none other than Justin Sun, the crypto personality we all know and maybe kinda fear 👀.
TRX’s price went nuts—up over 1,000%—as investors piled in, smelling potential gains. The money will likely go into expanding the Tron ecosystem, stablecoins, and maybe just a little flexing 😎. It’s a power move that shows Tron’s not fading away anytime soon.
According to JPMorgan, tokenized money market funds could become bigger than stablecoins soon – because they’re backed by real-world assets and generate yields 📈. These digital versions of traditional funds offer the safety of government bonds with the speed and flexibility of crypto 🚀.
Unlike stablecoins, which rely on trust and sometimes-shaky reserves, these funds are tied to something solid 🧱. That makes them attractive to institutions wanting something more stable than... well, stablecoins 😅. Basically, Wall Street is going crypto, but doing it its own way.
Solana wants to reinvent the financial system by 2027 and create what it calls Internet Capital Markets – where anyone can tokenize and trade assets across the web 📡. It’s aiming to build a fast, decentralized backbone to replace slow, centralized finance with something that actually works in real-time ⏳.
New tech upgrades are already speeding up the network, with bigger things planned in the next two years 🛠️. Imagine a future where your stocks, bonds, or even real estate live on Solana and move at internet speed 🤯. Bold? Yes. Impossible? Maybe not.
A project called Divine Research just handed out 30,000 uncollateralized crypto loans using World ID – you know, the eye-scanning tech from Sam Altman 👁️. They hoped it would help underserved borrowers, but with interest rates over 20%, and 40% already defaulting, it’s getting messy fast 😬.
The whole thing sounds like DeFi meets microfinance with a splash of sci-fi. Sure, it’s experimental – but when the experiment involves money and eyeballs, people start asking questions 👀. Investors chasing high returns might want to blink twice before jumping in.
Tether’s gold-backed token, XAUt, just hit an $800 million market cap – turns out people like having digital gold they can trade 24/7 🏅.
Each token is backed by a real ounce of shiny metal stored in Swiss vaults (probably guarded by laser sharks or something 🦈). With inflation fears rising, more investors are turning to gold – and tokenized gold is just the modern twist they needed. It’s like old-school value meets new-school tech 🤝. And with demand from central banks rising, don’t be surprised if this keeps growing.
Interactive Brokers is considering launching its own stablecoin to let customers fund accounts instantly, day or night 🕒. It would basically act like digital cash inside your trading account, making everything faster and smoother. The CEO says they’re exploring it seriously, but moving carefully – because, well, crypto can get weird 🌀.
Still, if they do it, IBKR joins a growing list of tradfi giants entering the stablecoin race. Imagine buying stocks with digital dollars that never sleep 😴. Wall Street might be on the blockchain sooner than you think.
EigenLayer just expanded its re-staking protocol into a multichain beast that now works across Ethereum, Arbitrum, and more ⚙️. It’s building a system where multiple verification layers can secure services called AVSs, letting them stay decentralized and secure without reinventing the wheel 🔐.
Think of it like renting out Ethereum’s security to other networks – efficient, clever, and very Web3. It also lets developers go modular, mixing and matching features like a crypto Lego set 🧩. Restaking just got a serious upgrade, and devs are hyped.
Vietnam just unveiled plans to launch a national blockchain infrastructure by 2025, and it’s not just for crypto bros 🏛️. The idea is to use blockchain for everything from identity to payments to document verification across both public and private sectors 📜.
The state-backed project, called NDACHAIN, aims to make Vietnam a digital leader in Asia by weaving Web3 into everyday life. It's part of their bigger plan to dominate digital transformation and build trust in online systems 🌐. Yep, Vietnam is going full-on blockchain nation.
Avalanche got a major lift as Grove Finance together with Janus Henderson committed $250 million to bring tokenized U.S. Treasurys and credit products onto its blockchain. They’ll use Centrifuge infrastructure to turn traditional assets into on‑chain instruments that institutions can trade instantly. This expands Avalanche’s role in institutional credit markets and sets up high‑quality finance flows on‑chain 🎯.
Expect smoother lending and borrowing around tokenized government debt and CLOs soon. Institutional DeFi is leveling up 📈.
Ripple's dollar‑pegged stablecoin RLUSD, first aimed at enterprises, is now breaking into retail thanks to integrations with platforms like Xaman and Transak. Although the project was pitched as a tool for big players, it’s now attracting everyday crypto users.
The XRP Ledger and EVM sidechain versions make payments fast, cheap, and more accessible to individuals. That shift shows retail appetite can surprise even seasoned blockchain teams 🙌. RLUSD is proving to be more than just business‑grade tooling.
Hong Kong’s licensed crypto firm OSL raised $300 million in equity to fuel global expansion and build stablecoin infrastructure.
With new funding, the company plans acquisitions, payment system upgrades, and deeper entry into stablecoin services under Hong Kong’s upcoming regulation. It’s a bold move aimed at institutional adoption across Asia and beyond 📌. OSL is positioning itself for the next wave of regulated fiat‑backed tokens and crypto payments.
Lightning Network developer Voltage CEO predicts the network could handle around 5% of global stablecoin transaction volume by 2028—worth nearly $9 billion annually at today’s scale.
This growth would stem from Lightning’s ultra‑low fees and fast settlement, ideal for micropayments and cross‑border transfers. If successful, Lightning could challenge centralized stablecoin channels and reshape how digital value moves ⚙️. Bitcoin’s scalability layer just got ambitious.
Franklin Templeton integrated its BENJI tokenized U.S. Treasury money fund platform onto VeChain, enabling enterprises to handle payments on‑chain using regulated digital assets.
One BENJI token equals a share in the fund, pegged to $1, and enterprise users can now leverage tokenized liquidity directly in their cash workflows. Powered by blockchain and backed by a $780 M fund, this combines institutional finance with smart‑contract speed. It’s tokenized treasury using VeChain rails 🚀.
Anchorage Digital has unveiled a new institutional-grade platform to issue stablecoins under the recently enacted U.S. GENIUS Act, marking one of the first fully compliant onshore offerings. Its first partner, Ethena Labs, will bring the yield-bearing USDtb token into U.S. jurisdiction—moving issuance from offshore to Anchorage Digital Bank.
This step provides more regulatory clarity and trust, aiming to reposition stablecoins as reliable infrastructure rather than niche experiments. With Anchorage being the only federally chartered crypto bank in the U.S., the launch elevates the intersection of regulation and innovation. The broader surge in stablecoin market capitalization—driven by increased institutional participation—feels inevitable, though it comes amid rising scrutiny and cautious optimism.
Build on Bitcoin (BOB), a Layer‑2 blockchain, rolled out zero‑knowledge fraud proofs within its optimistic rollup framework. That upgrade lets transactions resolve disputes in one on‑chain move instead of many, cutting costs and complexity.
It also boosts BOB’s ratings on decentralization and governance via L2Beat metrics. The result: faster Bitcoin DeFi bridging with smart‑contract capabilities and better dispute handling 🔐. Bitcoin DeFi just got smarter.
Auction house Christie’s has launched a dedicated real‑estate team to enable property deals paid entirely in cryptocurrency. With luxury listings monetized in digital assets, they cater to wealthy buyers seeking privacy and blockchain efficiency.
This move builds on Christie’s earlier NFT and crypto art initiatives and signals real estate’s increasing crypto friendliness. Crypto‑native clients can now buy mansions with Bitcoin or Ethereum—no bank needed 🗝️.
PNC Bank, a super-regional U.S. bank, has partnered with Coinbase to offer crypto trading services directly to its clients 📲. Initially available to wealth and asset management customers, the integration lets users buy, hold, and sell cryptocurrencies within PNC’s own interface—no separate wallets or logins required.
This marks a big shift as regulated financial institutions continue adding digital asset offerings. PNC will also provide banking services to Coinbase, reinforcing traditional finance’s deeper move into the crypto space. It's a tangible sign of crypto converging with mainstream banking.
MoonPay has launched a liquid staking product for Solana, letting users stake as little as $1 and earn around 8.49% APY through a token called mpSOL 🌱. Rewards accrue every two days and users can unstake at any time—providing flexibility that mimics traditional savings accounts with crypto upside.
The service is live in most regions (excluding New York and the EEA) and charges a 1% fee automatically deducted from earnings. MoonPay aims to simplify access to onchain yields while competing with native Solana platforms like Marinade and Jito. This move reflects growing demand for liquid, user-friendly staking options.
Societe Generale has teamed up with 21Shares to serve as a market maker for Bitcoin and Ethereum ETPs (ABTC, CBTC, AETH, CETH) across German and Eastern European platforms. By providing over-the-counter liquidity, the bank aims to improve execution and lower spreads, making these crypto investment vehicles more accessible to institutional investors 📈.
This strategic role underscores growing institutional interest in regulated crypto exposure under Europe’s MiCA regime. It also signals deepening ties between legacy banks and digital asset infrastructure. For 21Shares, this partnership broadens access and enhances confidence in its ETP offerings.
Memecoins inspired by wrestling legend Hulk Hogan and rock icon Ozzy Osbourne saw dramatic price surges this week following news of their passing.
Terry Bollea, known globally as Hulk Hogan, passed away on Thursday at the age of 71. His death came just days after the loss of Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath, who died on Tuesday at the age of 76.
Both figures left an indelible mark on entertainment and pop culture. The spike in token prices reflects the crypto market's rapid, often emotional response to major public events—especially those involving beloved public figures.
As the market settled, some of the initial gains faded, highlighting the volatile nature of memecoin speculation tied to real-world events.
Solana has increased its per-block compute limit by 20%—from around 48 million to 60 million compute units (CUs)—to reduce congestion and lower fees during busy periods. This change allows more transactions per block and smoother experiences for users and developers alike.
A proposal is already in the works to raise capacity further to 100 million CUs before the end of the year, supporting more complex applications and pushing throughput up by an expected 66%. While users may notice better performance, validators face higher hardware demands and must keep pace. It’s a meaningful upgrade aimed at scaling the network steadily 😔.
ARK Invest, led by Cathie Wood, has selected SOL Strategies as its exclusive staking provider for the Digital Asset Revolutions Fund. The Canadian firm will host ARK’s Solana validator operations and integrate with BitGo’s institutional custody infrastructure. This shift allows ARK to outsource validator risk while still capturing staking rewards and exposure to Solana’s growth.
SOL Strategies currently manages over 3.59 million SOL (approx. $647 M) across 5 active validators, with just 12% from its own treasury. This move signals growing institutional trust in compliant yield-generating crypto infrastructure 😔.
Crypto miner Mara has filed to raise up to $1 billion via convertible notes in U.S. markets, aiming to accelerate its Bitcoin acquisition and production strategy. The funds would help scale mining operations and build reserve holdings as Bitcoin adoption grows. Convertible notes offer interest to investors while allowing conversion into company shares if certain metrics are met.
The issuance reflects Mara’s confidence in its long-term positioning amid rising institutional interest in Bitcoin. But debt issuance carries repayment and dilution risk—so results may hinge on Bitcoin prices and mining efficiency 😔.
Nigeria is opening its market to licensed stablecoin issuers under a new regulatory framework, allowing compliant firms to operate within the country. Authorities aim to harness the benefits of stable digital currencies while maintaining oversight, creating pathways for financial inclusion and cheaper cross-border transfers.
Licensed stablecoin operators will need to meet custody, liquidity, and audit standards, providing a safer environment than the current unregulated landscape. This shift marks cautious optimism for regulated crypto in Africa, but enforcement and consumer protection remain key puzzles to solve 😔.
A new trend highlights Pakistan’s youth-led Bitcoin adoption, driven by millennials and Gen Z responding to economic instability, limited banking access, and currency volatility. Digital literacy and smartphone penetration empower young populations to seek alternatives in crypto.
The adoption is often community-driven, with peer-to-peer networks facilitating access and education. While optimism runs high, concerns remain around regulatory uncertainty, financial scams, and exchange stability. Still, it’s a poignant example of how demographic shifts can shape crypto uptake in emerging markets 😔.
In just eight months, Lovable – a fast-growing AI startup from Sweden – has passed the $100 million annual recurring revenue mark. That kind of speed puts it among the fastest-scaling tech companies in Europe.
With over 2 million users and nearly 200,000 paying customers, the startup clearly found the right product-market fit. Its AI-powered no-code platform is helping users build websites and apps without writing a single line of code 💻. Investors are paying close attention as Lovable enters its centaur phase ($100M+ ARR) with plenty of momentum 🚀.
Harmonic, an AI startup focused on math, has officially launched its first app: an intelligent chatbot named Aristotle. It’s designed to handle real-world math problems using logic and symbolic reasoning instead of just language prediction.
The team, co-founded by the CEO of a well-known fintech company, already raised close to $100 million in funding. The app is now live for iOS and Android and targets students, professionals, and anyone who needs smarter math help 🧮. Aristotle is trying to become your go-to AI math tutor – calm, accurate, and not afraid of fractions.
LegalOn has raised $50 million in new funding to accelerate its AI-powered tools for legal teams. The platform helps lawyers review contracts faster, flag risks, and suggest edits – saving both time and headaches 📝.
The round includes backing from SoftBank, highlighting growing investor confidence in legal tech and AI. With hundreds of enterprise customers already, LegalOn is expanding beyond contracts into full-scale legal operations.
It’s a bold move to make AI a standard part of every legal team’s workflow – and an upgrade many didn’t realize they needed until now.
Microsoft has upgraded Edge into an AI-driven browser by adding Copilot Mode – a tool that helps users search, compare tabs, summarize info, and even shop smarter 🧭.
The interface allows for both chat and voice, making multitasking across tabs feel way more organized. It’s like having a mini assistant built directly into your browser. Users can activate or turn it off anytime, with privacy settings built in. It’s a small but powerful step toward truly smart browsing 🤖.
Google Chrome has added AI-generated summaries for online stores in the U.S., making it easier to evaluate unknown websites before buying.
By clicking a small icon near the address bar, users can see quick overviews of a store’s reputation, return policy, and customer service. It pulls data from reviews and shopping databases to offer real insights in a clean format. The tool is designed to help prevent scammy shopping experiences – especially during deal season 🛒. It’s another way AI is quietly improving our everyday online habits.
Julius AI, a startup aiming to simplify data analysis, just raised $10 million to grow its platform. Its tool helps non-technical users turn spreadsheets and reports into useful insights using natural language.
You can ask it questions like “What caused this drop in revenue?” and get clear, data-backed answers 📉. The goal is to make decision-making faster for business teams without needing a data scientist in the room. Julius could be the bridge between raw data and smart strategy 🧠.
AI-powered security tools are gaining traction among developers who want to make sure their smart contracts are safe before launch. These systems can highlight risky code, explain contract logic in plain English, and suggest safer patterns.
While not perfect, they’re helping catch issues earlier – especially in complex DeFi apps ⚙️. Developers say using AI alongside manual audits leads to stronger, cleaner code. It’s another sign that AI is becoming a behind-the-scenes force in Web3 safety.
A major expansion is underway as leading tech providers collaborate to bring AI closer to decentralized environments. Their goal is to make powerful AI tools available across blockchain ecosystems – not just through centralized servers.
This could help scale AI agents that work with smart contracts, DAOs, and crypto platforms 🧠. Faster access to large models and better cross-chain support are both on the roadmap. It’s a significant push toward the future of open, distributed AI.
Poseidon, a new AI startup, has raised $15 million to solve a key problem: not enough high-quality decentralized data. Its platform connects developers with usable, verified datasets that can be shared and monetized through blockchain tech 📡.
This could help smaller AI teams compete with giants by providing better data access without central gatekeepers. Poseidon wants to be the data layer for decentralized AI systems – making sure machines learn from the right stuff. It’s a deep tech bet with big potential.
Google has quietly started testing an experimental coding assistant called Opal, which blends traditional coding with visual, mood-based prompts 🌈.
Think of it as a code editor with personality, helping users build based on emotion, tone, or creative intent. It’s still early, with limited access, but the idea is to make software creation feel more intuitive and expressive. Opal could appeal to designers, artists, or anyone bored with plain text editors. It’s coding – with a vibe.
Crypto and AI keep getting weirder, smarter, and (dare we say) more institutional. Whether it’s Lightning Network eying stablecoin dominance, Julius becoming your spreadsheet whisperer, or Google giving code a “vibe,” it’s clear the lines between tech, money, and creativity are officially blurred 🌀.
Thanks for tuning in to another round of crypto chaos, innovation, and eye-scanning DeFi loans (yep, that happened). Stay sharp, double-check the news before aping into any memecoins, and we’ll catch you next week – same time, same chain 🧠💸.
