Crypto

[Flash] Traditional Banks Accelerate On-Chain Financial Infrastructure Executives at Robinhood and Bitstamp say traditional banks are now ready to build financial infrastructure on blockchains, marking the crypto industry’s shift from “what to do” to “how to do it,” CoinDesk reported. Both companies believe that as regulatory frameworks mature, institutional acceptance of on-chain technology is accelerating. This trend could drive broader mainstream adoption of crypto assets and push deeper integration between traditional finance and DeFi. ...

Crypto exchange OKX has launched perpetual futures contracts tracking the pre-IPO valuations of OpenAI and SpaceX. This move marks further convergence between crypto markets and traditional finance speculation, allowing investors to bet on pre-IPO company valuations through crypto derivatives. Source: CoinDesk

The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is moving to formalize protections for developers of non-custodial crypto software. The effort follows a “no-action letter” issued to Phantom wallet. The policy aims to clarify that developers who write code for non-custodial wallets or DeFi protocols should not be treated as commodity dealers or required to register as intermediaries. This has significant implications for the crypto developer ecosystem. Supporters argue that clear regulatory boundaries will encourage more developers to participate in crypto innovation without fear of retroactive enforcement. Critics worry it could weaken consumer protections. ...

A Citi executive has warned that the crypto industry’s fragmented system architecture could repeat the inefficiencies of traditional banking. The executive pointed out that the current crypto market contains numerous incompatible on-chain systems, clearing mechanisms, and liquidity pools. This fragmentation leads to capital inefficiency and accumulating systemic risk. Traditional banking took decades of consolidation to build relatively efficient clearing systems, and the crypto industry may face a similar consolidation process. ...

Kelp DAO has announced it is abandoning LayerZero’s cross-chain protocol in favor of Chainlink’s cross-chain infrastructure. The decision follows a $292 million hack affecting LayerZero-related protocols. Kelp DAO, a liquid staking protocol, relies heavily on cross-chain bridging for user asset security. The migration signals growing emphasis on cross-chain security in the DeFi sector. Chainlink’s CCIP (Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol) employs a more conservative security model, including decentralized oracle networks and multi-verification mechanisms. This choice reflects an industry trend of prioritizing security over speed after multiple cross-chain hacking incidents. ...

Michael Saylor’s Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) has signaled it may sell some of its Bitcoin holdings to fund dividend obligations, marking a significant shift from its pure accumulation strategy. Strategy has long been the largest institutional Bitcoin holder, with over 600,000 BTC accumulated. The company previously maintained a “buy only” approach, funding purchases through bond and stock issuance. The potential sale to fund dividends reflects the challenge of balancing its massive Bitcoin position with shareholder return expectations. Market reaction has been cautious, with some investors viewing it as rationalized capital management while others worry it could set a precedent for ongoing reductions. ...

Kelp DAO has migrated from LayerZero to Chainlink’s cross-chain infrastructure following a $292 million bridge exploit and a blame dispute between the two protocols.

[Flash] The CFTC is considering writing rules to further cement its stance on whether software developers should register as brokers with the agency, following its no-action letter to Phantom wallet. The move aims to provide clearer regulatory framework for non-custodial software development in the crypto industry.

[Flash] As traditional finance deepens its footprint in digital assets, crypto ETFs are reshaping access, liquidity, and the global structure of digital asset investing. Notably, self-directed investors are powering bitcoin ETF launches even without Morgan Stanley’s vast advisor network support, highlighting how retail demand is driving crypto adoption.

Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken is actively preparing for an initial public offering while simultaneously partnering with MoneyGram to bridge the gap between digital assets and traditional cash systems. IPO Progress Kraken co-CEO Arjun Sethi said the exchange is “80% ready” to go public, signaling that listing preparations have entered an advanced stage and could materialize in the coming months. MoneyGram Partnership The new collaboration with MoneyGram aims to expand access to digital assets, making it easier for users to convert between cryptocurrency and fiat currency — particularly in regions underserved by traditional banking infrastructure. ...