News
Blockchain News
Blockchain News
Browse all Blockchain related articles and news. The latest news, analysis, and insights on Blockchain.
PwC's Return to Crypto: US Regulations Opened the Door.
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), one of the world's largest auditing and consulting networks, has decided to expand its activities in the crypto space as the regulatory environment for crypto assets in the US becomes clearer. In an interview with the Financial Times, the company's US CEO, Paul Griggs, stated that the steps taken in stablecoin regulations and leadership changes within regulatory bodies were the key factors behind this decision.PwC is shifting towards the crypto space.According to Griggs, the GENIUS Act, passed by Congress and providing a federal framework for payment-oriented stablecoins, was decisive in PwC's stronger focus on crypto. Signed into law by President Donald Trump in July 2025, the law paved the way for banks to issue their own tokens while significantly reducing legal uncertainties for institutional actors. Griggs emphasized that this process has transformed stablecoins from being merely a tool used by crypto traders into a part of the payment infrastructure. PwC's CEO highlighted developments in the tokenization field, as well as stablecoin regulations. Stating that the idea of representing real-world assets on the blockchain is progressing rapidly, Griggs said that PwC cannot remain outside this ecosystem. The company's approach is not limited to theoretical consulting; PwC already offers crypto-focused services in many areas such as accounting, auditing, cybersecurity, wallet management, and regulatory consulting.The easing of regulatory stances in the US has also expanded PwC's client base. The company serves a wide range of clients, from crypto exchanges to traditional financial institutions looking to enter this field, and even governments, central banks, and regulatory authorities. Griggs stated that in the last 10-12 months, they have strengthened their human resources and re-employed experienced individuals in the field, driven by the increasing demand in the digital asset sector.PwC's deeper involvement in crypto is also supported by concrete steps on the auditing side. The appointment of PwC as auditor for fiscal year 2025 by publicly traded Bitcoin miner MARA Holdings stands out as a significant example of regulated crypto companies turning to large auditing firms. Institutional clients need strong audit infrastructures, particularly in areas such as reserve verification, governance structures, and transparency. PwC is not alone in this move. All four major auditing firms known as the "Big Four" are now active in the crypto space. Deloitte offers blockchain strategy and consulting, while Ernst & Young is expanding its crypto tax and strategy services. KPMG, meanwhile, is targeting aggressive growth in crypto audits, compliance, and risk management. It's also worth noting that Deloitte has audited Coinbase since 2020. Looking at the overall picture, regulatory clarity in the US is rapidly closing the gap between Wall Street and the crypto world. The regulation of stablecoins and the proliferation of tokenization projects are leading traditional finance to view crypto infrastructures as a more useful tool.
The Rise in Silver Prices Has Spilled Into Blockchains
The sharp price movements in the silver market in recent weeks have not been limited to futures and exchange-traded funds. Increased volatility has also shifted investor interest to tokenized assets. On-chain data shows a remarkable acceleration in demand for digital representations of silver. This situation closely concerns commodity markets and blockchain-based financial products.1,200% Increase in Tokenized Silver AssetsAccording to RWA.xyz data, the monthly transfer volume of the tokenized iShares Silver Trust (SLV) product has increased by over 1,200% in the last 30 days. During the same period, the number of investors increased by approximately 300%, while the net asset value grew by nearly 40%. Below, you can see the change in the price of SLV since the beginning of the year, an increase of nearly 170%: The tokenization model allows physical assets such as silver to be represented on the blockchain through digital tokens. Thus, assets can be divided into smaller pieces, transferred at any time of day, and access to liquidity is facilitated. As in the case of tokenized SLV, investors outside the US can also be exposed to silver price movements without directly accessing traditional markets thanks to these structures.However, financial demand is not the only factor behind the rise in silver. Supply tightness in physical markets is becoming increasingly visible. The fact that silver premiums in Asian markets are exceeding COMEX futures prices by double digits indicates physical strength. Spot prices exceeding futures prices is also a significant signal pointing to short-term supply pressure.Analysts emphasize that there are several key reasons for this tightness. China's introduction of licensing requirements for refined silver exports as of January 1st is creating uncertainty on the global supply side. In addition, increased margin requirements in futures and year-end position adjustments are making trading in traditional markets more difficult. On the demand side, the solar energy sector plays a decisive role. The amount of silver used in photovoltaic panel production has not shown a significant decrease, even though prices have increased several times compared to 2024 levels. This chart becomes even more interesting when considered alongside the outlook for cryptocurrency markets. Bitcoin's pullback from its recent peak has caused concern for some investors, while gold and silver's rise to new records has created a sense of divergence in the markets. However, historical cycles suggest this divergence may be more a matter of timing than weakness. In the past, particularly after 2020, it was observed that gold and silver, as stores of value, moved first, while risky assets gained momentum after this upward trend stalled. A similar pattern is evident today. While precious metals maintain their strong performance, Bitcoin is moving horizontally in a wider range. It is known that in liquidity-focused cycles, capital does not flow into every asset simultaneously, but generally shifts gradually.
Starting January 1st: China Takes Critical Step Towards Digital Yuan
China is preparing for one of the most critical steps yet in its digital yuan project. The country's central bank announced that a new framework allowing commercial banks to pay interest on digital yuan balances will come into effect on January 1, 2026. With this change, e-CNY will cease to be merely "digital cash" and will effectively become "digital deposit money." The announcement was made public through an article by Lu Lei, Vice President of the People's Bank of China, published in the state newspaper Financial News. According to Lu, this regulation is a natural result of pilot studies that have been ongoing for about a decade and a testing process that has accelerated in the last five years. Although China is considered one of the world's leading countries in terms of technical capacity and scale of implementation in the CBDC field, adoption rates have not yet reached the expected level.Under the new framework, interest can be paid on balances held in verified digital yuan wallets in accordance with existing deposit pricing agreements. Furthermore, digital yuan balances will have the same protection as traditional bank deposits under China's deposit insurance system. This significantly strengthens the status of e-CNY within the banking system.The regulation also provides banks with greater flexibility in terms of balance sheet and liquidity management. Digital yuan balances can be actively used in banks' asset and liability management. For non-bank payment institutions, digital yuan reserves will be treated the same as existing customer reserves and a 100% reserve requirement will apply.Digital yuan usage is quite widespreadAccording to official data, the use of digital yuan in China has reached significant volumes. As of the end of November 2025, a total of 3.48 billion transactions were carried out, with a cumulative transaction volume of 16.7 trillion yuan. While these figures show that the e-CNY infrastructure is widely operational, they also indicate that its adoption rate in daily life remains limited. One of the main reasons for this is the long-standing dominance of mobile payment platforms in China. WeChat Pay and Alipay have largely determined user habits. The digital yuan is struggling to compete with this established ecosystem. Furthermore, concerns about centralized monitoring and anxieties associated with the social credit system are leading some to approach e-CNY with caution. Therefore, it appears that the use of paper money has not completely disappeared. On the other hand, the Beijing administration is also taking steps to expand the international use of the digital yuan. The central bank is planning pilot studies with Singapore to increase the use of e-CNY in cross-border payments. In addition, CBDC-based payment systems are on the agenda with markets such as Thailand, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. The e-CNY International Operations Center established in Shanghai is also seen as an important part of this global expansion. Despite all these developments, China maintains its strict stance on cryptocurrencies. Cryptocurrency trading and mining activities have been banned in the country since 2021. While the Chinese government adopts blockchain technology as a strategic infrastructure, it prioritizes the digital yuan model, which is entirely controlled by the central bank.
China's Blockchain Move: Financial Regulator Releases Plan
Chinese financial authorities have implemented a comprehensive roadmap aimed at accelerating digital transformation in the banking and insurance sectors. The “Implementation Plan for High-Quality Development of Digital Finance in the Banking and Insurance Sectors,” published by the State Financial Supervision and Administration Commission of China, focuses particularly on the widespread adoption of blockchain-based financial infrastructures and the more effective use of crypto-compliant digital solutions within corporate finance."Standardization of blockchain" is keyOne of the plan's key objectives is the standardization of blockchain use in supply chain finance. Chinese regulators aim to make access to finance more transparent and traceable for companies at both the upper and lower links of the production chain through the combined use of big data and blockchain technologies. Specifically, to accelerate the digital transformation processes of companies operating in advanced manufacturing sectors, credit support mechanisms are planned to be strengthened with blockchain-based systems. This approach aims to reduce problems such as fraudulent invoices, duplicate collateral, and data discrepancies.The digital finance plan positions blockchain not merely as a record-keeping technology, but as a fundamental component of financial trust infrastructure. The document encourages banks and insurance companies to monitor supply chain data, contracts, and payment flows in real-time through blockchain-based platforms. This structure aims to reduce information asymmetry, a long-standing problem for SMEs in accessing finance. A noteworthy point for cryptocurrency markets is that China, despite maintaining a restrictive stance on direct cryptocurrency trading, is placing blockchain and distributed ledger technologies at the heart of its financial system. The plan clearly indicates that the underlying technology, rather than the cryptocurrencies themselves, will be heavily utilized in corporate finance and public oversight. This suggests the potential for widespread adoption of "permissioned blockchain" models globally. Furthermore, the regulation highlights the role of blockchain in data security and risk management. Financial institutions are expected to increase automation in credit allocation, collateral management, and insurance processes through smart contracts and distributed ledger systems. This aims to reduce operational risks and make audit processes more transparent. The plan also emphasizes that blockchain-based systems will be used under strict supervision in terms of cybersecurity and data integrity. Another critical element in the document is the combined use of next-generation technologies. Blockchain is considered in an integrated manner with artificial intelligence, big data, and even satellite-based data systems. This integration aims to enable faster and more accurate financial risk analysis and the early detection of suspicious transactions. In particular, the combined evaluation of on-chain and off-chain data is seen as a factor that can significantly increase financial oversight capacity.
Coinbase Launches Stock Trading with USDC
Coinbase has launched a comprehensive transformation in the financial services sector, moving beyond its identity as a crypto exchange. The company announced the official rollout of in-app stock trading for eligible users in the US. Thanks to this new feature, users can buy US stocks and select ETFs directly through the Coinbase app using USDC. This step stands out as one of the most concrete moves towards Coinbase's long-held vision of being "a single platform to buy and sell everything."Stock purchases with USDC are now possible on CoinbaseAccording to information shared by Coinbase, stock transactions are conducted in USDC. With this structure, the company aims to lay the foundation for a 24/7 trading market infrastructure that traditional exchanges still cannot fully offer. Settlement through the digital dollar creates a critical foundation for tokenized stocks and on-chain financial products in the future. CEO Brian Armstrong describes this process as the first step in the convergence of traditional assets with blockchain technology. In addition to stocks, Coinbase is significantly expanding its product range. The platform is adding futures, perpetual contracts, and outcome-oriented prediction markets. The prediction markets are being implemented in collaboration with Kalshi, a regulated entity in the US. Users can access contracts for thousands of different scenarios, ranging from economic data and political developments to sports and macroeconomic events. According to Brian Armstrong, prediction markets are not just a trading platform. Armstrong argues that these markets have become a powerful tool for measuring public expectations and perceptions. In statements to CNBC, he said that many users follow these markets not as an investment vehicle, but to "see the general expectation of what will happen in the coming month." Armstrong also emphasized that prediction markets could eventually function as an alternative information and sentiment barometer to traditional media.Coinbase's entry into this space comes amidst an increasingly competitive environment. DraftKings is acquiring its own prediction exchange, FanDuel is partnering with CME, and Polymarket is entering the US market through a newly regulated entity. Robinhood has also placed LedgerX at the center of its derivatives strategy. Armstrong describes this competition as "a race between regulated infrastructures and crypto-native liquidity." Tokenization is central to the company's long-term plans. In this context, Coinbase announced a new institutional product suite called Coinbase Tokenize. This platform allows companies and institutions to bring their real-world assets, even their own shares, onto the blockchain. Armstrong explicitly states that stock trading is only the beginning of this journey, and the ultimate goal is tokenized shares. According to him, this structure can increase global reach and make capital markets more inclusive. Coinbase is also expanding its API infrastructure for institutional clients and developers. The new API suite, covering custody, payment, trading, and stablecoin services, reflects the company's goal of going beyond retail users. Coinbase Business service is also being opened to eligible customers in the US and Singapore. In addition, private-branded stablecoins for businesses and a new payment standard called x402, which enables automated payments, are being introduced.
BNB Chain is preparing to launch its own stablecoin
BNB Chain has taken a significant step toward expanding its on-network financial infrastructure by preparing to launch its own native stablecoin. An official announcement on December 17, 2025, confirmed the development of a new stable asset with low volatility and targeting widespread adoption across the BNB Chain ecosystem. While the stablecoin's name and a clear launch schedule have not yet been shared, this move is seen as part of BNB Chain's strategy to strengthen liquidity, enhance security, and reduce reliance on external stablecoin bridges. BNB Chain Launches Its Own StablecoinBNB Chain management states that the planned stablecoin aims to unify different use cases across the ecosystem under a single liquidity layer. Launching its own native stablecoin aims to eliminate the bridge risks frequently encountered with cross-chain stablecoins. This ensures liquidity remains entirely on-chain, increasing transaction efficiency and preventing security vulnerabilities that may arise from external infrastructure.The new stablecoin is expected to play a critical role in decentralized finance applications. Trading on decentralized exchanges like PancakeSwap, lending and borrowing protocols, yield farming, and on-chain payment solutions are among the prominent use cases. BNB Chain plans to make this asset a fundamental building block of daily on-chain activities, not just for a specific niche. This approach signifies a more holistic financial model that places the stablecoin at the center of the ecosystem. Following the announcement, a significant wave of speculation arose within the crypto community. The fact that former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) follows an account on the X platform linked to a stablecoin project called "U" has led to speculation that the new stablecoin might be related to this project. However, neither BNB Chain nor CZ has officially confirmed this. It is also noted that Zhao has previously warned that social media interactions do not imply support or partnership. At this stage, the name, branding, and potential collaborations of the stablecoin remain unclear. However, some sources suggest that the stablecoin, codenamed "U," will be launched on December 18th and is structured around the principles of "Unified, Inclusive, Fluid." The project claims to prioritize security and liquidity with a comprehensive reserve management framework. Despite this, there is no direct link to this project on BNB Chain's official channels. Therefore, investors and developers need to wait for official announcements to see the clear picture. BNB Chain has not yet shared critical details regarding the design of the new stablecoin. Whether the asset will be fiat-backed, crypto-collateralized, or algorithmic remains unclear. The launch date is also not yet finalized. Network management emphasizes that users should only follow official BNB Chain announcements and technical documentation.
Japanese Financial Giant Joins Stablecoin Race
SBI Holdings, a leading Japanese financial group, has joined forces with Startale Group, a Web3-focused blockchain company, for a new stablecoin project. The two companies plan to launch a Japanese yen (JPY)-based stablecoin in the second quarter of 2026. The project is positioned as a fully regulated digital asset with a focus on institutional adoption, usable both locally and globally. SBI Holdings, listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, brings its strong financial infrastructure and regulatory experience in Japan to the project, while Startale Group stands out with its technical expertise in the Web3 field. Startale is known for its involvement in the development of the Sony-backed Soneium network. This collaboration is considered a significant step towards a deeper integration of traditional finance and blockchain technology. SBI Holdings Chairman and CEO Yoshitaka Kitao stated that "the transition to a token economy is now an irreversible societal trend." According to Kitao, the launch of the new stablecoin, both in Japan and globally, will significantly accelerate the spread of digital financial services fully compatible with traditional finance. The issuance and redemption processes of the yen-based stablecoin, whose name has not yet been revealed, will be handled by Shinsei Trust & Banking, operating under SBI Shinsei Bank. The circulation of the token will be provided through SBI VC Trade, a licensed crypto asset service provider in Japan. This structure demonstrates that the project is firmly grounded in terms of regulatory compliance. On the Startale side, the project is being considered alongside the company's recently launched dollar-based stablecoin, Startale USD (USDSC). USDSC was designed for use on the Soneium network for payments, reward systems, and liquidity solutions. The goal is for the new yen stablecoin and USDSC to form a "complementary monetary infrastructure" in the 24/7 open tokenized stock exchange planned by Startale and SBI. Startale CEO Sota Watanabe states that the yen-based stablecoin will not be limited to daily payments. According to Watanabe, this token will play a central role in a fully on-chain financial world. There is significant potential, particularly in areas such as enabling payments between AI agents and automating the distribution processes of tokenized assets.SBI in close relationship with RippleThis is not SBI Holdings' first venture into the stablecoin space. The company previously announced that it would launch the Ripple USD (RLUSD) stablecoin in Japan in 2026 in collaboration with Ripple. The new project is seen as a continuation of this strategy.On the other hand, the initiative is also part of broader yen-based stablecoin efforts in Japan. The Japan Financial Services Agency (FSA) recently approved the JPYC project as the country's first yen stablecoin. Support is also given to joint stablecoin projects of major banks such as Mizuho Bank, MUFG, and SMBC. According to industry sources, many large financial institutions in Japan are working on similar digital currency projects. SBI and Startale plan to launch after completing all necessary compliance and licensing processes under the memorandum of understanding they signed. The companies aim to offer a strong yen-based alternative in the global stablecoin market, which has a circulating supply exceeding $300 billion and is largely dominated by the US dollar.
JPMorgan is Moving Money Market Operations To Ethereum
JPMorgan Chase is expanding its steps in blockchain-based finance and preparing to launch its first tokenized money market fund on the Ethereum network. According to the Wall Street Journal, this new product, developed by the bank's asset management arm which manages approximately $4 trillion in assets, will be offered under the name My OnChain Net Yield Fund, or MONY for short. JPMorgan plans to launch the fund with $100 million of its own capital before opening it to external investors.JPMorgan launches first tokenized money market fundMONY operates on JPMorgan's in-house tokenization infrastructure called Kinexys Digital Assets. This infrastructure allows traditional financial products to be represented on the blockchain through digital tokens. The fund will only be open to individuals and institutions with "qualified investor" status. Accordingly, a minimum investment asset requirement of $5 million is sought for individual investors, while this threshold is set at $25 million for institutional investors. The minimum investment amount to enter the fund is $1 million. Like traditional money market funds, MONY holds a portfolio of short-term, high-quality debt instruments. The fund's primary goal is to offer returns that are generally higher than bank deposits. Interest income and dividends accrue daily. Investors can participate in the fund through JPMorgan's digital investment platform, Morgan Money, and hold digital tokens representing their shares in their own crypto wallets. Another notable aspect of the fund is that transactions can be made using stablecoins in addition to cash. Investors can conduct fund entry and exit transactions using the USDC stablecoin, a dollar-pegged stablecoin issued by Circle. This approach demonstrates the increasing adoption of crypto-native payment infrastructures by regulated financial products. Such solutions, particularly those aimed at the efficient use of non-interest-bearing stablecoin balances, have long been in demand within the crypto ecosystem. John Donohue, Head of Global Liquidity at JPMorgan Asset Management, notes that there is significant interest from clients in tokenization. According to Donohue, the bank aims to make options similar to those offered in traditional money market funds available on the blockchain. This approach signals that tokenization is no longer just an experimental area but is beginning to become part of mainstream finance. This move coincides with a period in which the regulatory framework for digital assets in the US is becoming clearer. The GENIUS Act, passed this year, created a federal framework for dollar-denominated stablecoins. In addition, developments around the Clarity Act signaled a more constructive approach to which institutions will oversee blockchain-based financial products. This regulatory clarity is encouraging large financial institutions to take bolder steps in tokenizing funds, securities, and other real-world assets. Interest in the tokenization of real-world assets is rapidly increasing. By 2025, the total market capitalization of tokenized real-world assets reached a record high of $38 billion. BlackRock is the largest player in this field with a tokenized money market fund worth over $1.8 billion. Goldman Sachs and Bank of New York Mellon also announced plans to collaborate on digital assets linked to tokenized money market funds earlier this year. The Ethereum-based MONY fund demonstrates the continuation of JPMorgan's recent blockchain initiatives, as the bank recently issued a commercial bond on the Solana network for its Galaxy Digital subsidiary, using USDC in the transactions.
SEC Gives Green Light to DTCC: Stocks and Bonds Moving to Blockchain
Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC), considered the backbone of the US securities markets, has crossed a critical threshold in the field of tokenization. In a statement, the institution announced that its subsidiary, Depository Trust Company (DTC), received a "no-action letter" from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This letter signifies a three-year authorization for the tokenization and offering of certain real-world assets (RWAs) on blockchains. Important Approval from the SECThis approval is not a direct license from the SEC, but rather an official opinion stating that no sanctions will be applied to the proposed activity. However, its impact on the market is significant. This step paves the way for the controlled tokenization of certain stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and Treasury bonds in the US for the first time. According to information shared by DTCC, the authorization will allow the tokenization of shares of companies included in the Russell 1000 index, ETFs tracking major US indices, and US Treasury bills, bonds, and long-term debt instruments. DTC plans to offer this service through its ComposerX platform on pre-approved Layer-1 and Layer-2 blockchain networks. The service is expected to be rolled out gradually in the second half of 2026. Tokenization refers to the creation of digital representations of traditional financial assets on the blockchain. The aim is to speed up exchange processes, reduce operational costs, and increase liquidity. DTCC specifically emphasizes that these tokenized assets will carry the same investor rights, ownership structure, and legal protections as their traditional counterparts. In other words, the resulting tokens are not merely technical representations but are financial instruments with legal backing. DTCC President and CEO Frank La Salla states that this development is a significant milestone in the transition to digital markets. According to La Salla, tokenization can only scale up if the legal certainty and security standards provided by existing market infrastructures are maintained. Brian Steele, Head of Clearing & Securities Services, states that this initiative aims to bring the operational resilience and security built over the years to the digital asset world. The inclusion of DTCC in the system shows that tokenization will no longer be limited to experimental projects or limited pilot studies. The institution is responsible for the clearing and custody of trillions of dollars worth of transactions in the US and global markets. According to 2025 data, DTC alone handles the custody and asset services of over $100 trillion worth of securities. Therefore, this step signals a structural change in terms of market architecture, collateral management, and liquidity flows. This development is also seen as part of a broader shift in the regulatory climate in Washington. Recently, both the SEC and the Commodity Futures Commission (CFTC) have adopted a more flexible and technology-open approach to digital assets. Tokenization initiatives by institutions such as JPMorgan, BlackRock, Coinbase, and Kraken also support this transformation. DTCC states that stablecoin distributions or tokenized deposit-like structures could be integrated into the system in later stages, but this would require additional regulatory approvals.
Bhutan Introduces Gold-Backed Solana Token
Bhutan has officially announced TER, a new gold-backed digital asset, expanding the scope of its national blockchain strategy. Developed by Gelephu Mindfulness City, an innovative development project in the country, and operating on the Solana network, TER will be held by DK Bank, Bhutan's first licensed digital bank. This structure guarantees that the token is fully backed by audited physical gold reserves on a 1:1 basis.Bhutan opts for gold tokenizationIn introducing TER, the Bhutanese government emphasized that the main goal of the project is to combine traditional store of value, especially gold, with modern blockchain infrastructure. This approach is a key part of the country's digital transformation vision, which has gained momentum in recent years. Pursuing a broad technology strategy ranging from Bitcoin mining to digital identity projects, Bhutan is taking another step to embody this vision with TER. The token's operation on the Solana network is no coincidence. Solana offers low transaction fees, transactions verified in seconds, and high scalability. Bhutanese authorities state that transparency and speed are critical, especially for international investors, which is why Solana was chosen. Through this structure, TER digitizes the traditional procedures of gold purchasing; investors both own real gold assets and can transfer them globally in seconds. Gelephu Mindfulness City, which launched TER, is established as a special zone within the country's "mindfulness-based development model." The zone aims to attract global capital, strengthen the digital economy, and serve Bhutan's long-term sustainable growth goals. Authorities state that initially, TER will connect with investors through DK Bank, and its use cases will be expanded as demand increases. Bhutan's move is not unique. Recently, Kyrgyzstan also announced its gold-backed digital token, USDKG, pegged to the US dollar. The initial issuance of USDKG was $50 million, making it one of the first state-sponsored tokenization examples in Central Asia. Bhutan's TER and Kyrgyzstan's USDKG demonstrate how smaller countries are attempting to diversify their financial systems by transferring their traditional asset reserves to digital infrastructure. Experts say this trend is accelerating. Gold tokenization is increasingly seen as an attractive option, both for portfolio diversification and for making real assets latchable on-chain. Bhutan's TER stands out as a state-backed example of this new model; moreover, its reliance on fully audited gold reserves lends credibility to the project.Bhutan's years of quiet but steady digitalization efforts (Bitcoin mining with hydroelectric power, national digital identity projects, Binance Pay integration, and support for local fintech initiatives) strengthen the infrastructure of TER. Therefore, the country positions the idea of digital gold not only as an economic but also as a technological move.With the launch of TER on December 17th, Bhutan will open a new chapter in the production of digital assets based on its national reserves. This new digital asset race, which began among smaller countries, may gain momentum in the coming period as more governments transfer their gold and similar tangible reserves to the blockchain.
Binance Ecosystem Buzz: 17 Projects Receive Investment
YZi Labs announced on December 3rd that the 17 startups accepted into the EASY Residency Season 2 program. These teams, working in Web3, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology, will present their projects to investors at the Demo Day stage held as part of Binance Blockchain Week. The list covers a wide range of technologies, from financial infrastructure and robotic automation to gene therapies and crypto liquidity. A Flood of Investment in the Binance EcosystemThis season of the program clearly highlights what YZi Labs identifies as the three key drivers of the next decade: blockchain transforming global capital flows; AI-enhanced productivity and decision-making; and biotechnology's potential to create longer and healthier lives. The 17 selected startups are developing scalable technologies that align with these three drivers.Some of the projects on the list place a strong emphasis on Web3 infrastructure. 42.space is creating a new asset class for prediction markets by tokenizing real-world events. Sats Terminal focuses on Bitcoin-based liquidity and credit solutions, while Saturn Labs is developing a stablecoin offering real returns backed by the Bitcoin lending market. Predict.fun, meanwhile, is leveraging prediction markets with DeFi liquidity, offering a new model where users can both earn returns and participate in events. Hertzflow is attracting attention with its permissionless leverage infrastructure, aiming to bring the large user base of traditional derivatives markets onto the chain. Help.fun is designing fair, bot-proof token launches for civil society organizations.Startups in artificial intelligence and robotics are also prominent. 4D Labs is developing a scalable 3D data infrastructure to feed spatial intelligence models. AgriDynamics is addressing the labor crisis in the agricultural sector with autonomous fruit-picking robots that reduce harvesting costs. Trellis Robotics is opening a new chapter in industrial automation with its soft robotics platform capable of inspecting narrow and risky industrial spaces. Manifolds offers new visual production tools for both e-commerce and AI applications with its controllable 3D location-based video production.On the biotechnology side, Advent is reducing the timeframe for gene therapy from weeks to days with its AI-driven platform that accelerates AAV discovery. Neomera BioLab is developing a biology-focused drug discovery infrastructure with rapid testing cycles for chronic pain treatments without the risk of addiction.Gaming and social layer startups are also on the list. Bento.fun is building a social layer that transforms everyday conversations into micro-prediction games, while MeleeMon offers a competitive mobile gaming experience backed by stablecoins. Frontrun is positioned as a fast-discovery, transaction-focused wallet for professional traders. FingerDance provides accessibility to deaf communities with its AI infrastructure that provides sign language translation.YZi Labs is a global fund that manages over $10 billion in assets and has invested in over 300 projects from over 25 countries. EASY Residency, one of the company's most powerful support programs, brings together selected teams under the same roof each season.
European Giant Chooses Ethereum for Fund Tokenization
Amundi, Europe's largest asset manager, has taken a major step forward, bringing together traditional finance and blockchain infrastructure, by launching the first tokenized share class of its money market fund on Ethereum. The giant, which manages approximately $2.3 trillion in assets, aims to both digitize fund distribution and expand investor access with this move.The company announced that the new share class, "J28 EUR DLT," for its Amundi Funds Cash EUR money market fund is now registered on Ethereum. This structure allows ownership, movements, and transaction history of fund units to be tracked on-chain, providing investors with a more transparent and faster transaction experience.CACEIS, one of Europe's leading custody and transfer agencies, is providing the technical infrastructure for this transformation. The institution is developing digital wallets for the fund, a 24/7 blockchain-based ordering platform, and automation systems for subscription and redemption transactions. CACEIS CEO Jean-Pierre Michalowski states that their goal is to “enable 24/7 access to investment funds through stablecoins or future central bank digital currencies.”On the Amundi side, this step is seen as a concrete part of the company's long-term digital asset strategy. Jean-Jacques Barberis, Head of Institutional Clients and ESG, emphasizes that asset tokenization will accelerate globally, and that Amundi will be preparing for new initiatives in this area both in France and international markets.The new model does not completely change the traditional distribution network; investors can continue to receive funds through existing banking channels. The tokenized share class on Ethereum has been added as an additional option, creating broader access for both institutional investors and professionals in the digital asset ecosystem.Tokenization Draws AttentionWhen it comes to why tokenization is so popular, the numbers speak for themselves. By 2025, the total market value of real-world assets on-chain increased from $15 billion to over $37 billion. While Provenance Blockchain holds the lead in this space, Ethereum is a strong second with $12.4 billion in tokenized RWA. Furthermore, the growth of giants like BlackRock's BUIDL fund and Franklin Templeton's money market fund on Ethereum places the network at the center of institutional tokenization.Amundi's move demonstrates that this trend is only just beginning. Europe's largest asset manager's choice of Ethereum both strengthens the legitimacy of tokenization in the continent's regulation-driven financial world and solidifies Ethereum's leadership in the RWA segment.Ultimately, this initiative lays the foundation for an infrastructure accessible 24/7, enabling automated transactions in the fund world.
IMF Discusses Tokenization Markets: Risks Ahead!
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) examined tokenization, a rising trend in global finance, in a new explainer video published today on its X account. While acknowledging that tokenization brings speed and cost advantages to financial markets, the institution also emphasized that this transformation creates new vulnerabilities.The video describes tokenization as "the next step in the evolution of money." This structure, which replaces intermediaries who handle transactions, clearing, and recording in traditional markets with smart contracts, enables faster, more transparent, and cheaper asset buying and selling. According to the IMF, early research demonstrates significant cost advantages and increased efficiency in collateral use in tokenized markets. Near-instant settlement (T+0) is one of the most striking innovations. However, the IMF emphasizes that this efficiency also magnifies risks. Recalling the previous occurrence of "flash crashes," also known as sudden collapses in automated markets, the IMF states that code-based transactions conducted in tokenized markets can create a domino effect, especially during periods of stress. A smart contract error or an unexpected chain reaction could turn a local problem into a systemic shock.Another warning highlighted in the video is the risk of fragmentation. If numerous tokenization platforms emerge and become unable to communicate with each other, liquidity could disperse, thus undermining the promise of creating a faster and more efficient market. The IMF states that infrastructure compatibility is therefore critical.The IMF also emphasizes that governments have not historically been passive in the transformation of monetary systems, and states that states are likely to take a more active role in the future of tokenization. Historical examples such as the Bretton Woods agreement, the establishment of fixed exchange rate regimes, and the subsequent collapse of the gold standard demonstrate that states directly intervene in the functioning of monetary systems. According to the IMF, the tokenization process will likely not proceed independently of this tradition.The IMF's interest in tokenization is not new. The IMF has been conducting extensive research in this area in recent years. However, the fact that these studies are now being transferred to a publicly accessible video format demonstrates that tokenization is no longer a niche technology in the global economy and has become a mainstream policy topic.Significant growth in tokenizationToday, the tokenized market has surpassed billions of dollars. The rapid expansion of BlackRock's BUIDL fund over 2024 and 2025, transforming it into the world's largest tokenized Treasury fund, exemplifies the rapid maturation of the sector.At the end of the video, the IMF acknowledges the potential of tokenization to make financial markets faster, cheaper, and more programmable, while stating that this transformation will occur under strict regulatory oversight. According to the institution, the new market structure is moving towards a future that is open to government intervention, while also leveraging the opportunities offered by technology.
Ark Invest's Crypto and Tech Takedown: $130+ Million Dip Buy in 8 Stocks
Ark Invest continues to pursue an aggressive buy strategy despite sharp volatility in the crypto and technology markets. The fund, led by Cathie Wood, released a comprehensive portfolio update on November 25th, including shares of both crypto-focused companies and major tech giants. The moves coincided with Bitcoin trading sideways around $87,000 and the market under pressure.Circle and Bullish stand outAmong Ark's recent moves, Circle and Bullish stand out. The fund purchased $7.6 million worth of Circle (CRCL) and $1.5 million worth of Bullish (BLSH) shares on Tuesday. Both stocks closed lower, with Bullish losing 2.41 percent to $40.50 and Circle losing 3.62 percent to $70.11. Despite this, Ark viewed the price drop as a buying opportunity. The fund's total Bullish holdings now stand at $151.8 million. Coinbase remains the largest crypto asset in Ark's overall portfolio, accounting for 4%; Circle is second with a 2% weighting.Cathie Wood made even bigger moves on the technology side on the same trading day. Ark Invest purchased 174,293 shares of Google's parent company, Alphabet. The total value of these purchases was estimated at approximately $56.4 million. Alphabet's share price had recently been on an upward trend due to Meta's potential shift away from Nvidia GPUs and towards Google's TPU chips, as well as interest in its Gemini AI model. While the company's approaching $4 trillion valuation bolstered the market's overall AI excitement, the pullback in related ETFs further highlighted Ark's selective buying.Meta, along with tech giants, was also on Ark's radar. The fund acquired 33,837 Meta shares, adding to a position of approximately $21.5 million. Meta shares rose 3.78% on the same day. However, news that the company might shift its focus to Google's AI hardware instead of Nvidia's created significant volatility in the chip sector on the trading day. AMD shares fell by over 4 percent, while Ark sold 106,651 AMD shares, closing a position worth approximately $22 million.In contrast, the fund added 396,198 shares of CoreWeave, whose dependence on the Nvidia ecosystem has been a matter of debate, adding approximately $28.2 million to its portfolio, a new technology investment. Although CoreWeave shares fell by more than 3 percent that day, Ark viewed this as a long-term growth opportunity.On the crypto side, Ark focused not only on Circle but also on Bitcoin. The fund purchased 96,200 shares of the ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF, totaling approximately $2.8 million. Bitcoin's 23 percent decline in the last 30 days highlighted this move as a continuation of its "bottom-buying" strategy. Ark also expanded its fintech investments by adding 212,538 shares of Jack Dorsey's Block. Meanwhile, positions in Palantir, GitLab, and Exact Sciences were gradually reduced. The sale of Palantir, which totaled approximately $58 million, was noteworthy.The overall picture suggests that Ark Invest actively capitalized on market declines as buying opportunities.
Coinbase Ventures Announces 9 Investment Focuses for 2026
Coinbase Ventures, the venture arm of America's largest crypto exchange, has shared nine key ideas it aims to invest in in 2026. The investment framework covers a broad spectrum, from RWA-based synthetic products to next-generation DeFi models, prediction market terminals to AI-powered development tools. The team believes these nine ideas could host the "next big breakouts."RWA PerpetualsAccording to Coinbase Ventures, RWA perps will become much more visible in 2026. This structure provides access to offchain assets through synthetic perpetual contracts. Many metrics, such as oil, indices, private company stock, or economic data, can be ported to the chain in this way. The blog post describes this area as "perpification of everything."New exchange design focused on protecting liquidity providersProp-AMM models, emerging within the Solana ecosystem, offer a new market architecture that prevents professional traders and bots from exploiting LPs. Coinbase Ventures believes this structure won't be limited to Solana; it could also open the door to more equitable exchanges across different chains.Prediction Market AggregatorPrediction markets have grown, but liquidity remains fragmented. Coinbase Ventures predicts that prediction market terminals, which will aggregate over $600 million in distributed liquidity into a single interface, will become prominent in 2026. The ability to view real-time rates from platforms like Kalshi, Polymarket, and others on a single screen will propel the industry forward."Perpetual" and Lending IntegrationThe combination of perpetual exchanges with lending protocols allows investors to double-use their collateral. It's possible to both maintain a position and earn returns. Coinbase Ventures predicts this model will reach a broader user base in 2026.Uncollateralized Onchain LendingThe combination of onchain identity and offchain data enables uncollateralized lending. The US has $1.3 trillion in uncollateralized lending volume. Coinbase Ventures argues that this market can be migrated to crypto with greater efficiency. This is seen as a significant step in DeFi's transformation into a "banking alternative."Onchain Privacy SolutionsInstitutional traders are uncomfortable with having their strategies fully visible on-chain. Therefore, private orderbooks, confidential debit-credit mechanisms, and ZK-based privacy layers will be critical areas in 2026. Coinbase Ventures believes that "without privacy, there will be no widespread adoption."Robotics + DePIN: Incentivized Models for Robotic Data CollectionPhysical interaction data for AI systems is still limited. Coinbase Ventures states that DePIN-style incentive mechanisms can scale robotic data collection. Data such as grasping, pressure, and multi-object manipulation are critical for more advanced robot models.Proof of HumanityIt is increasingly unclear whether digital content is human or AI. Coinbase Ventures believes that identity solutions that combine biometrics, cryptographic signatures, and open standards will become a major challenge in 2026. This area will provide a crucial security layer for social media, content creation, and financial transactions.On-chain Development with AI AgentsThe latest idea is for AI agents to democratize smart contract development. With AI agents handling tasks such as code generation, security scanning, and continuous monitoring, even non-technical founders will be able to launch on-chain projects within hours. Coinbase Ventures sees 2026 as a "breakout year" in this field.
