Kraken made headlines by announcing the launch of tokenized U.S. equities—including Apple, Tesla, and Nvidia—for non-U.S. users, expanding access to traditional stocks via Solana and signaling a major step toward bridging crypto and traditional finance. The launch is considered the industry's continued institutional innovation in crypto infrastructure, as traditional finance players explore digital assets and regulators worldwide clarify their stance on tokenization. Market sentiment was buoyant, with the CoinDesk 20 Index up 4.5% and optimism rising on regulatory progress and product expansion.
Kraken is set to launch xStocks on Solana, enabling non-US customers to trade tokenized shares of over 50 major U.S. stocks and ETFs, including Apple, Tesla, and Nvidia. These tokenized equities will be available for 24/7 trading through Kraken’s crypto platform, expanding access to traditional equities via blockchain technology. US users are excluded from this offering. This initiative aims to bridge traditional finance and crypto by making equities accessible as digital tokens outside the United States.
An exclusive dinner for President Trump's meme coin holders in Virginia drew global crypto investors, major protests over 'crypto corruption,' and sharp scrutiny from US lawmakers. The event coincided with the introduction of a bill targeting crypto corruption and intensified concerns about transparency and political influence in the crypto sector. Justin Sun publicly backed Trump and praised memecoins after attending the dinner. Meanwhile, the Senate is expected to advance a bipartisan stablecoin bill, with Trump's adviser David Sacks highlighting its potential to generate trillions in demand for US Treasurys. Lawmakers are considering amendments to the GENIUS Act to address stablecoins linked to the Trump family, as eleven senators disclosed personal crypto holdings, raising conflict-of-interest questions amid ongoing regulatory debates.
The CoinDesk 20 Index gained 4.5%, with all constituent assets trading in positive territory. The daily update highlights the leaders and laggards driving the index's performance.
Some major US banks are in early discussions about collaborating to issue a joint stablecoin, according to reports. The potential move signals growing traditional finance interest in digital assets.
Cecilia Skingsley, who led the Bank for International Settlements' digital currency initiatives, will leave her post two years ahead of schedule to take a government position. The move marks a leadership change at the Switzerland-based BIS digital currency hub.
CoinDesk recaps Consensus Toronto 2025 for those who missed the event, offering insights into the evolving relationship between crypto and mainstream platforms like Netflix. Stay informed on the latest trends and discussions shaping the future of digital assets and their integration with popular culture.
BlockTrust IRA is expanding access to quantitative trading tools for crypto retirement accounts, reflecting the growing integration of digital assets into traditional investment vehicles like IRAs as spot bitcoin ETFs gain traction.
While traditional finance giants increasingly move into crypto, Vanguard maintains its cautious stance. Bitwise's CIO suggests time and competition may eventually prompt Vanguard to update its outdated view on bitcoin, highlighting the firm's unique position in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Glider is working to lower the barrier for crypto portfolio management, making it accessible to anyone, according to founder Brian Huang. The platform seeks to create a new paradigm in automated crypto investing.
Dubai's Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) has released updated guidelines clarifying rules for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization and issuers. The new provisions aim to provide regulatory clarity for market participants in Dubai's crypto sector.
Michigan lawmakers have introduced four bills addressing crypto mining, CBDCs, and the use of crypto in state retirement funds, including a proposal to ban state-level CBDC advocacy. The legislation reflects growing state-level attention to digital assets.
CFTC Commissioner Summer Mersinger says regulatory approval for crypto perpetual futures contracts in the US could come 'very soon,' signaling potential changes for US crypto derivatives markets as multiple commissioners prepare to depart.
Bitwise reports that advancement of the US stablecoin bill could spark a multi-year crypto bull market. Regulatory clarity is viewed as a major positive for the sector, though some analysts remain cautious about long-term stablecoin growth forecasts.
A joint report from Binance Pay and Travala reveals that travelers using cryptocurrency for bookings spend over twice as much as those using fiat, indicating significantly greater lifetime value for crypto users in the travel sector.
A recent survey shows 94% of Singaporeans are aware of crypto, marking an all-time high. However, actual ownership has declined to 29% in 2024, down from previous years, highlighting a gap between awareness and adoption.
Analysts and industry leaders argue that cryptocurrencies and NFTs can help investors protect their purchasing power as traditional currencies face exponential debasement. Digital assets are increasingly viewed as a store of value amid economic uncertainty.
Stablecoins are gaining momentum, with Halliday's CEO emphasizing their service potential and reports of US banking giants considering a joint stablecoin venture. Industry experts believe stablecoins could reduce transaction costs and strengthen the US dollar's international influence, marking a crucial phase for crypto infrastructure. However, JPMorgan analysts remain cautious, arguing that projections of the stablecoin market tripling or quadrupling are overly optimistic despite recent progress on US regulation. This highlights a divide between growing industry enthusiasm and traditional banking skepticism.
Cybercriminals are targeting macOS users with fake Ledger Live apps that install malware to steal seed phrases and drain crypto wallets, according to a cybersecurity firm. The malware replaces the legitimate app on victims' devices.
Operation RapTor, a global sting, resulted in the arrest of 270 suspects and the seizure of $200 million in cash and digital assets, marking a significant crackdown on illicit darknet activities.
The DOJ has seized five domains used to distribute LummaC2 malware, which targeted crypto wallet seed phrases and banking credentials. This action aims to disrupt cybercriminals stealing digital assets and sensitive financial information.