Hey there, digital wanderers 👋
Welcome to this week’s Crypto Weekly Digest, where blockchains bridge with banks, farmers get AI watering tips, and Elon Musk decides Wikipedia needs more… Elon. 🚀 From Samsung turning millions of phones into crypto gateways to Grayscale staking $150M in ETH ahead of SEC deadlines, the week has been buzzing louder than a Bitcoin miner in July 🔥.
We’ve seen a blend of tradfi meets DeFi, AI meets DAO, and innovation meets regulation — all dancing on the same digital stage 💃. Whether it’s the ECB’s digital euro, Walmart’s crypto move, or Stripe’s “few lines of code” stablecoin revolution, one thing’s clear: finance is getting a serious software upgrade. 💾💸
So grab your coffee (or cold wallet ☕💼), and let’s dive into this week’s mix of market moves, tech shake-ups, and a sprinkle of AI magic 🤖✨.
Samsung is joining hands with Coinbase to bring crypto to over 75 million Galaxy users in the U.S. 🌎 Users can now explore digital coins directly from the Samsung Wallet app, making crypto just a tap away 📱. Newbies get a free 3-month trial of Coinbase One with zero trading fees and even a $25 bonus 💸. It’s not just about turning phones into wallets — it’s a step toward making crypto part of everyday life 🛍️. The plan is to take this global, so soon, your Galaxy might double as your mini crypto bank 🌐✨.
The crypto startup party cooled down in Q2 2025, with venture capital funding taking a noticeable dip 🧊. Big names like Mavryk, GRVT, StableCore, and Plural felt the pinch as investors grew cautious about pouring fresh cash 💰. With shaky markets and tighter regulation, the easy-money era is definitely on pause 🕰️.
Still, some experts say it’s a healthy reset — trimming the hype and leaving space for stronger, smarter projects to shine 🌱. In short, fewer moon promises, more grounded building 🚧.
SWIFT, the global payments giant, is experimenting with Linea, trying to build bridges between banks and blockchain 💫. ConsenSys CEO Joe Lubin has been name-dropped as part of this growing connection 🤝. The idea is simple: let traditional finance and decentralized tech finally learn to speak the same language 🗣️. It’s not a full-on romance yet, but the chemistry is definitely there ❤️. The future of money might just be a blend of SWIFT speed and blockchain transparency 🔄.
Avalanche is going corporate with style, as its treasury arm plans a $1 billion acquisition after a SPAC deal next year 🏦. Instead of just focusing on blockchain code, Avalanche seems ready to flex its financial muscles 💪. The move could bring new assets, partnerships, or projects under its icy brand ❄️. It’s a bold statement — blockchains can expand not only by building tech but by making strategic business plays 🧩. If successful, Avalanche could set a fiery trend for other networks 🔥.
Stripe just made crypto integration ridiculously easy — with a tool that takes only a few lines of code to accept stablecoin payments 🪙. Developers and businesses can plug in digital payments without wading through blockchain complexity ⚙️. The goal? Make crypto as simple as a credit card checkout 🛒. It could open the door for thousands of merchants to join the Web3 economy effortlessly 💻. Less coding, more transacting — that’s the Stripe way 🚀.
Coinbase Seeks National Trust Charter — But Not a Bank! 🏦
Coinbase is applying for a national trust charter to expand its services across the U.S. 🇺🇸. This would allow the company to handle things like custody, payments, and tokenized assets directly 🔐. But don’t get it twisted — Coinbase says it’s not trying to become a traditional bank 🏛️. The move could reduce its dependency on external partners and bring more services in-house 💼. In short, Coinbase wants the best of both worlds — innovation with a regulatory safety net ⚖️.
Injective is prepping for a pre-IPO splash, mixing crypto tech with traditional finance 🎯. They’re diving into derivatives, private equity tokens, and possibly partnering with names like Robinhood 🦊. The plan is to make a multi-asset trading hub that blends Wall Street with Web3 🏙️. It’s a bold step that could redefine how financial instruments are traded 🔄. If it clicks, Injective could become the blueprint for the next generation of crypto-finance platforms 🪄.
Walmart’s OnePay app is gearing up to add crypto support, giving millions of users easy access to digital assets 💎. Imagine paying for groceries, bills, and even Bitcoin in one app — that’s the vision 🥦➡️₿. The retail giant is blending banking, payments, and crypto like ingredients in a financial smoothie 🍹. It’s a big leap for mainstream adoption, making crypto a little less mysterious and a lot more everyday 🚶. Soon, shopping and hodling might just go hand in hand 🛍️🤝.
CME Group is turning its crypto derivatives market always on, removing closing hours entirely 🌍. That means Bitcoin futures will trade around the clock, just like the crypto market itself 🔁. Traders in any timezone can jump in whenever they please 🕒. The move reflects crypto’s nonstop energy — it doesn’t rest, so why should its markets? ⚡. It’s another sign that traditional finance is finally adapting to the 24/7 rhythm of blockchain 💹.
The DoubleZero Protocol launched its mainnet beta, bringing a fresh way for blockchains to communicate seamlessly 🔗. Think of it as a messaging system for different chains — less confusion, more coordination 💬. This could make sending data or assets across ecosystems smoother than ever 🌐. Developers get an easier time, users get fewer headaches, and bridges get sturdier 🚀. It’s the start of a more connected crypto world where everyone speaks the same digital language 🗨️💡.
The European Central Bank has chosen seven service providers to help shape the long-awaited digital euro project 💻. The idea is to make payments faster, safer, and even work offline — because who needs Wi-Fi to buy a croissant? 🥐. Each company will test different parts like security, fraud prevention, and merchant integration 🔐. The ECB says this is just the “build and test” phase, but a full rollout could happen by 2029 ⏳. Europe’s digital money dream is slowly turning into a real app download 📲💫.
AlloyX is bringing traditional finance into Web3 by launching a tokenized money market fund on Polygon 🌐. That means investors can earn stable returns from real-world assets — but in crypto form! 🪙. It’s another step in blending DeFi with traditional instruments like treasury bills 📈. Tokenization could make once-exclusive financial tools accessible to anyone with a wallet 👜. The future of finance is looking less “Wall Street” and more “wallet street” 😄💳.
Crypto.com + Morpho: Lending, Yields, and a Dash of Cronos 🌀
Crypto.com has teamed up with Morpho to launch a lending and stablecoin yield platform on the Cronos network 🔥. Users can lend, borrow, and earn yields — all powered by DeFi automation 🤖. The move gives DeFi enthusiasts another way to make their stablecoins work harder 💪. It’s like a crypto savings account but with a lot more math and fewer boring bank fees 🏦. The partnership could make Cronos a serious player in decentralized lending 🚀.
Vietnam’s central bank expects credit growth to surge in 2025 — and it’s not just traditional finance making waves 🌊. The country is also seeing rapid crypto adoption, with younger generations diving into digital assets fast 🪙. Officials are balancing optimism with caution, trying to regulate without killing innovation ⚖️. The mix of rising credit and crypto use could reshape Vietnam’s financial landscape entirely 🏙️. Looks like the future of money in Hanoi is getting seriously digital 🌐✨.
FG Nexus and Securitize have inked a deal to tokenize FG Nexus public shares directly on Ethereum 🪙. That means actual equity — not just derivatives — living on the blockchain 🔗. The move opens a door to more transparent, fractional ownership and faster settlements ⚡. For investors, it’s a taste of what real-world assets on-chain can look like. The stock market just got a Web3 makeover 👔➡️🕶️.
ION’s online platform has officially gone live, bringing decentralized social media to the masses 🌐. It promises free speech, creator control, and no data-hungry middlemen 🦾. Users can connect, share, and even earn rewards — all while keeping their content ownership 🎨. It’s a bold shot at reimagining what social networks can be without the Big Tech babysitter 👀. The next viral post might come from a blockchain, not Silicon Valley 📱🚀.
The UK is reportedly gearing up to lift its ban on crypto exchange-traded notes (ETNs) 📈. This move would reopen the door for institutions to invest in Bitcoin and other digital assets via regulated products 🪙. It’s part of the government’s push to make London a global crypto-finance hub 🌍. For now, it’s only a proposal — but the City’s traders are already polishing their crypto calculators 💼. Looks like the fog might finally be lifting over Britain’s crypto market ☁️➡️☀️.
Plume Network has officially registered as an SEC transfer agent, a major milestone in connecting blockchain tech with traditional compliance 🧾. That means it can handle tokenized securities in a fully legal way — no gray areas here ⚖️. The network aims to bridge regulated finance and decentralized infrastructure 🔗. This gives a serious legitimacy boost to tokenized asset projects 🚀. It’s like DeFi just put on a business suit and got an office badge 🕴️💼.
Japanese investment giant Nomura has secured a crypto license through its digital arm, Laser Digital 🪙. This green light lets it expand digital asset services, including trading and custody 🏦. It’s a sign Japan is slowly warming up to institutional crypto involvement 🔥. The move puts Nomura among the few big players ready to blend traditional finance with blockchain innovation ⚡. The land of the rising sun is shining a bit brighter for crypto ☀️💹.
Grayscale has unveiled its first U.S. exchange-traded products (ETPs) that include staking rewards 🔥. This means investors can now earn passive income from crypto exposure — all within a regulated product 🪙. The move bridges Wall Street investing with on-chain earning 🏦. It’s a bold step that could bring staking to mainstream portfolios 💼. Finally, your ETF can work overtime while you sleep 😴💸.
Alpaca just revealed a shiny new Instant Tokenization Network that lets institutions mint and redeem tokenized US stocks directly — no waiting, no fuss 🚀. With a single API call, portfolios can be tokenized and settled in-kind (i.e. real stocks exchanged, not cash) even outside market hours 🌙. The goal is to crank up liquidity and efficiency in tokenized equity markets that often move sluggishly. Institutional firms now get 24/7 access and smoother bridges between traditional shares and on-chain tokens. It could be a big step toward making on-chain equity trading feel as natural as crypto swaps 🪙.
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has become its most profitable ETF — pulling in more fees than any other fund in the lineup 📈. Despite being relatively new, IBIT is now only a few billion away from crossing the $100 billion assets under management mark. The rise is steep and fast — in just 22 months! 🏔️ With Bitcoin demand surging, IBIT is riding a wave of both investor interest and fee revenue. If it hits $100B, it’ll be a landmark moment in crypto’s push into mainstream investing.
Gold recently shot above $4,000/oz, triggering models that peg Bitcoin’s “equivalent value” at an eye-watering $644,000 per BTC — at least in theory 👀. Analysts at VanEck argue that by the next Bitcoin halving, BTC should aim to capture about half gold’s market cap. The concept? Compare store-of-value narratives across these assets. Whether or not Bitcoin ever realistically hits that number, the idea is attention-grabbing and stirs debates. With gold climbing on uncertainty, some see this as crypto’s turn in the spotlight ✨.
Grayscale just staked 32,000 ETH, worth about $150 million, immediately after launching its first U.S. exchange-traded products (ETPs) that offer staking rewards 🪙. The move lets the funds and their shareholders start earning passive income via staking — with up to 77% of rewards going to shareholders in its Ethereum Trust, and about 94% for the Mini Trust (after fees) 🏦. This bold step comes just ahead of key SEC deadlines in October for 16 altcoin ETP applications, including staking versions from 21Shares and BlackRock 🔔. Grayscale’s products are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, not the usual 1940 Act, giving them a different structural framework. With regulators now under pressure to rule on staking-enabled ETPs, Grayscale’s timing could influence how staking, regulation, and fund structure evolve together ⚖️.
Instacrops will demo its AI at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 that helps farmers save up to 30% water while boosting yields by ~20% 🌾. It uses IoT sensors + satellite data to analyze soil moisture, humidity, temperature, plant health and more — basically farming meets sci-fi 🛰️. Their models process massive data volumes (millions of points per hour) to tell farmers when and where to water. They also aim to integrate via WhatsApp so farmers get alerts directly on their phones 📲. This is one way to grow more with less — smarter agriculture for a thirsty planet.
OpenAI is rolling out the ability for developers to embed interactive apps inside ChatGPT — so you can chat and use tools at the same time. Users can call up apps like Spotify, Canva, Booking.com, Coursera, Zillow, Figma directly in their conversations 🎯. The new Apps SDK lets creators bring their services into the flow of chat, making things seamless. Instead of leaving ChatGPT to jump to another site, the experience stays in one window — chat + action. It’s a big step toward making ChatGPT the hub rather than just a bot.
OpenAI is being eyed by some as one of the largest startups with a potential $500 billion valuation in the near future 🚀. Some analysts are drawing parallels between OpenAI’s rise and crypto platforms like Tether and Crypto.com, especially around infrastructure, scale, monetization, and network effect. The comparison teases whether AI firms could develop “token-like” economies or digital asset layers. While OpenAI doesn’t (yet) fully run like a blockchain project, the speculation shows how AI and crypto worlds may be converging.
The Near Foundation is pushing deeper into AI by introducing AI delegates in its DAO voting — meaning bots may cast votes or make proposals based on aligned incentives. The idea: use AI to help manage governance, not just humans — especially when scaling. The decision rules and weight of AI votes remain hot topics. It’s an experiment in mixing decentralized governance with machine logic. If it works, your next community vote might include “bot voices” too.
Elon Musk is gearing up to launch Grokipedia, a new knowledge/social platform, with a beta in just two weeks. It’s meant to rival or supplement Wikipedia-style knowledge but in a Musk-ified, possibly AI-driven format. The teaser hints at combining community, content, and maybe even incentive systems. Musk’s projects often come with bold promises and surprises. Stay tuned — the next info hub might be part search, part debate arena, part… something new.
Ex-executive Naveen Rao is launching an AI hardware startup backed by a16z, targeting a $5 billion valuation early on 💡. The company will build specialized chips or systems optimized for AI — moving beyond software to the machines that run it. As AI models get bigger, the hardware gap becomes more critical. With strong backing and Rao’s track record, this new venture is one to watch.
Supabase, the backend-as-a-service platform, just hit a $5 billion valuation only four months after passing $2 billion 💼. That’s some hypergrowth. They provide devs with APIs and tools to handle databases, authentication, real-time updates — the unsung scaffolding behind many apps. Investors clearly believe in the infrastructure layer of the stack. When growth is this fast, folks ask: what’s the next move?
Google’s new tool Jules is entering the scene as an AI coding agent — part of a heated race among dev tool providers 🔥. It aims to help developers streamline workflows by automating parts of the coding process. With competition heating up (Copilot, GitHub, etc.), Jules will need to show sharp value fast. The more AI helps developers, the more coding itself might shift shape.
Perplexity is acquiring the team behind Visual Electric, a Sequoia-backed AI design startup 📐. That means Perplexity is enhancing its visual and design capabilities — useful for generating images, layouts, interfaces. Combining strong text understanding with design innovation is a powerful combo. This signals that AI tools will continue collapsing silos between visual + verbal creation.
Waymo got approval to keep testing its robotaxis in New York City until the end of 2025 🗽. That gives the self-driving arm more runway to refine urban driving in one of the toughest environments. NYC streets are chaotic: pedestrians, bikes, weird traffic rules — perfect stress test for autonomous systems. The extension suggests regulators are cautiously optimistic. Expect more autonomous rides (or near misses) soon.
And that’s a wrap for this whirlwind of Web3 wonders 🌪️. From Bitcoin’s gold-sized ambitions to OpenAI’s $500B dream, the line between crypto and AI is blurring faster than ever 🤝.
If this week’s stories prove anything, it’s that innovation never sleeps — not when CME’s markets run 24/7 and DeFi’s bots are learning to vote 🗳️⚙️. The next financial frontier isn’t coming; it’s already here — in your wallet, your browser, and maybe even your chat window 👀.
Until next time, stay curious, stay decentralized, and may your gas fees be low and your gains be high ⛽📈✨
And that’s a wrap for this whirlwind of Web3 wonders 🌪️. From Bitcoin’s gold-sized ambitions to OpenAI’s $500B dream, the line between crypto and AI is blurring faster than ever 🤝.
If this week’s stories prove anything, it’s that innovation never sleeps — not when CME’s markets run 24/7 and DeFi’s bots are learning to vote 🗳️⚙️. The next financial frontier isn’t coming; it’s already here — in your wallet, your browser, and maybe even your chat window 👀.
Until next time, stay curious, stay decentralized, and may your gas fees be low and your gains be high ⛽📈✨
