Institutional

Ether’s Biggest Corporate Holders Back Ethlabs Nonprofit SharpLink and Bitmine, the two largest corporate holders of ether, along with Consensys CEO Joe Lubin, have jointly backed the formation of Ethlabs, a new nonprofit research organization. According to CoinDesk and The Block, Ethlabs will focus on advancing Ethereum’s “next phase of growth,” with emphasis on institutional adoption and core protocol development. The formation of Ethlabs signals a shift in Ethereum’s governance landscape, as corporate participants increasingly take on roles traditionally held by the Ethereum Foundation. ...

Bitwise CEO: Four-Year Crypto Cycle Is Over The CEO of crypto asset manager Bitwise has declared that the traditional four-year crypto market cycle is dead, as institutional participation reshapes market dynamics. He noted that with the proliferation of Bitcoin ETFs and deep engagement from traditional financial institutions, the crypto market is transitioning from retail-driven to institution-driven. This shift implies lower volatility but more sustainable long-term growth. Bitwise specifically highlighted Strategy’s STRC product as a key catalyst for bringing Bitcoin into fixed-income markets, reflecting the broader trend of crypto assets entering mainstream finance. ...

Institutional Crypto Lending Trends Toward TradFi At Consensus 2026 in Miami, executives from Two Prime, Ledn, and Lygos Finance said institutional borrowers increasingly prioritize custody, transparency, and standardized lending structures over complex DeFi products, following the crypto credit collapses of 2022. The trend suggests the crypto lending industry is gradually aligning with traditional finance, with institutional clients favoring compliance and risk management over decentralized innovation. Source: CoinDesk