CoinShares International Limited (NASDAQ Stockholm: CS; USOTCQX: CNSRF), a global leader in digital asset investment management, has unveiled the CoinShares Altcoins ETF (ticker: DIME), offering investors diversified access to the altcoin market through a familiar U.S. ETF format. The fund, launching on Nasdaq, enables retail and institutional participants to gain exposure to multiple digital assets beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum via standard brokerage accounts. This move introduces a significant expansion in crypto accessibility for U.S. investors, bridging the gap between traditional finance and digital asset diversification. Until now, investors could only access spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs domestically, leaving a large segment of the crypto market beyond reach. DIME changes that by providing regulated, portfolio-based exposure to the top-performing altcoins through publicly listed exchange-traded products (ETPs) across multiple regions. Takeaway: CoinShares’ new ETF breaks new ground by offering balanced, regulated exposure to the broader crypto ecosystem, simplifying access to top altcoins within standard investment accounts. Opening Altcoin Access Through Regulation and Simplicity With DIME, CoinShares aims to democratize access to altcoin opportunities while eliminating the technical barriers of managing wallets and direct exchange trading. The fund’s portfolio diversifies exposure across 10 leading altcoins, representing roughly 70% of the digital asset market outside Bitcoin and Ethereum. DIME’s initial holdings include ETPs tracking Solana (SOL), Polkadot (DOT), Cardano (ADA), Cosmos (ATOM), Sei (SEI), Avalanche (AVAX), Sui (SUI), Aptos (APT), Near Protocol (NEAR), and Toncoin (TON). The ETF provides equal weighting across assets and quarterly rebalancing through the CoinShares-Compass Altcoins Index to maintain portfolio discipline and avoid overexposure to high-volatility tokens. The altcoin market represents some of blockchain’s most innovative developments, but accessing these opportunities through traditional channels in the United States has been nearly impossible, said Jean-Marie Mognetti, CEO of CoinShares. DIME changes that as part of our U.S. market expansion, bringing diversified altcoin exposure directly to American investors’ brokerage accounts for the first time. Takeaway: DIME provides structured exposure to emerging blockchain ecosystems through a regulated investment framework, catering to investors seeking diversification within digital assets. ETF Structure and Investment Strategy The CoinShares Altcoins ETF leverages an equal-weighted methodology with quarterly rebalancing, a design that prevents concentration risk by automatically trimming outperformers and reallocating toward underperforming assets. This disciplined strategy is meant to enhance long-term stability in a highly volatile market environment. DIME tracks the CoinShares-Compass Altcoins Index, which includes the most representative Layer 1 blockchain assets. The ETF invests primarily in exchange-traded products and pooled investment vehicles listed across major exchanges in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. This structure allows investors to gain diversified crypto exposure without the operational complexity or custody risks of direct asset ownership. Key Highlights Brokerage Accessibility: Enables altcoin exposure via conventional investment accounts without requiring a crypto wallet. Diversification: Equal allocation across 10 major altcoins through existing ETPs. Risk Management: Quarterly rebalancing to mitigate volatility and concentration risk. Fee Waiver: Management fees waived through September 2026 for assets up to $1 billion. Global ETP Integration: Backed by publicly listed products on major international exchanges. CoinShares notes that the ETF’s design offers investors the transparency and oversight typical of traditional exchange-traded funds, coupled with the growth potential of emerging blockchain ecosystems. The equal weighting model and quarterly rebalancing aim to promote consistency in returns while maintaining exposure to innovation across Layer 1 protocols and interoperability networks. Takeaway: By tracking the Compass Index, CoinShares’ DIME ETF balances opportunity and risk, serving as a bridge between conventional portfolios and the evolving altcoin economy.

Decentralized trading infrastructure startup Block Street has raised $11.5 million in a funding round aimed at building next-generation systems for on-chain stock trading. The round was led by Hack VC, with participation from Generative Ventures, DWF Labs, and several angel investors with experience at top global trading firms such as Jane Street and Point72. Building On-Chain Market Infrastructure Block Street said the new capital will accelerate the development of its core products—Aqua and Everst—which are designed to bring institutional-grade trading infrastructure to tokenized equities. Aqua, built on the Monad blockchain, functions as a request-for-quote (RFQ) trading engine that allows market makers to submit cryptographically signed quotes verified on-chain. The system aims to reduce slippage and information leakage commonly found in automated market makers (AMMs). Everst, on the other hand, acts as a lending and clearing layer that manages borrowing, liquidation, and settlement for tokenized equities. It uses a hybrid approach that combines on-chain auctions and off-chain brokerage routes, with built-in oracle aggregation for price verification. Block Street’s founders, who previously worked at Citadel, Point72, and Google, said the company is focused on building infrastructure that matches the performance, speed, and transparency of traditional equity markets. Speaking on the development, Hedy Wang, co-founder of Block Street, said the company’s focus remains on infrastructure rather than consumer-facing applications. “Our mandate is infrastructure, not just an app. Monad’s parallel EVM gives us the settlement guarantees and latency budget institutions expect, while Aqua and Everst push best-execution and equity-native risk controls directly on-chain.” The firm plans to release transparency dashboards showing trading volumes, fill rates, and latency metrics once Aqua goes live. According to the company, the trading engine will launch first on Monad later in 2025 before expanding to other blockchains such as Ethereum, BNB Chain, and Base. Block Street aims to serve as the “execution layer” for the growing tokenized assets market, which has gained momentum as institutions and DeFi protocols look to bridge traditional finance with blockchain technology.

First Regulated POL Staking Service Amina Bank has become the first financial institution to offer staking for POL, the native token of the Polygon network. The Zug-based lender, licensed by Switzerland’s Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), said Thursday that it will give institutional clients access to rewards of up to 15% through a partnership with the Polygon Foundation. “Our expansion of POL services provides institutional clients with regulated access to the blockchain, enabling our clients to be rewarded for providing stability and security to a blockchain network used by some of the biggest financial institutions,” said Myles Harrison, Amina’s chief product officer. The offering marks another step in Polygon’s efforts to attract traditional finance institutions to its proof-of-stake ecosystem, where validators secure the network in exchange for yield-based incentives. Investor Takeaway Amina’s move could accelerate institutional adoption of staking in Europe, where regulatory clarity and yield incentives are drawing banks deeper into digital asset infrastructure. How the Rewards Work Maria Adamjee, head of investor relations at Polygon Labs, said staking rewards are based on validator yields combined with a one-time incentive. “If an institution purchases and stakes POL, they currently earn around 4% validator yield,” she told Cointelegraph. “On top of that, they’ll receive an additional 10% bonus in POL after staking for one year.” Adamjee said the total “up to 15%” return combines variable validator income with a fixed one-year bonus. The incentive is designed to encourage long-term staking by institutional clients, she added. Early interest has come from asset managers, corporate treasuries, and family offices seeking yield opportunities that fit within regulated frameworks. Polygon’s Expanding Institutional Reach The Polygon network underpins several tokenization and blockchain initiatives led by large financial institutions, including BlackRock, JPMorgan, Franklin Templeton, and Stripe. According to data from RWA.xyz, Polygon ranks third globally in real-world asset (RWA) tokenization with more than $1.13 billion in tokenized value across 273 assets. Ethereum remains the leader with a 56% market share. Polygon’s role as a bridge between decentralized finance and traditional markets has been growing. The new partnership with Amina gives the network another regulated channel to connect with institutional clients that demand compliance-grade infrastructure. Investor Takeaway The deal reinforces Polygon’s standing as a preferred blockchain for tokenization and regulated staking, expanding its foothold among banks and asset managers. Amina Bank’s Digital Asset Growth Amina Bank — formerly known as Seba Bank — has been scaling its digital asset operations rapidly. The firm reported record 2024 results, with revenue rising 69% year over year to $40.4 million and assets under management climbing 136% to $4.2 billion. Institutional demand and expansion across Europe and the Middle East drove most of the growth, according to the bank. Amina already offers a range of tokenization, custody, and staking services under Swiss regulatory oversight. The POL offering adds another layer to its product line at a time when institutional investors are seeking yield within compliant structures. Rising Competition in Regulated Staking Amina’s launch follows a series of staking approvals and new products among major crypto firms. On Wednesday, Coinbase received authorization from New York regulators to offer staking to residents, allowing users to earn rewards on Ether and Solana. Earlier in the week, Grayscale introduced staking for its Ethereum and Solana exchange-traded products, making it the first U.S. fund issuer to do so.

Governor Warns of Fragmented Supervision The Bank of France has urged the European Union to give its markets regulator, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), direct oversight of major crypto-asset firms, warning that fragmented supervision could undermine the bloc’s financial sovereignty. Speaking at the ACPR-AMF Fintech Forum in Paris on Thursday, Governor François Villeroy de Galhau said crypto issuers should fall under ESMA’s authority as part of the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework. “I also advocate, along with the president of the AMF, for European supervision of crypto-asset issuers, carried out by ESMA,” he said. “It would ensure consistent application of rules and reduce risks.” Villeroy de Galhau said relying on national regulators could result in uneven enforcement as crypto firms expand across Europe. He called ESMA’s direct supervision a way to prevent regulatory arbitrage and ensure that major players are held to the same standards across jurisdictions. Investor Takeaway Paris wants ESMA, not national regulators, to police Europe’s crypto markets — a move that could tighten control and limit jurisdictional loopholes under MiCA. Stablecoin Oversight at the Center of the Debate Villeroy de Galhau also warned that dollar-backed stablecoins could weaken the euro’s role in global finance. He described MiCA’s allowance for “multi-issuance” — where companies issue the same stablecoin both inside and outside the EU — as a flaw that could fragment monetary oversight. “This framework would benefit from much stricter regulation of the multi-issuance of the same stablecoin from inside and outside the European Union, to reduce arbitrage risks in times of stress,” he said. He cautioned that multiple issuance channels with partial reserves could create an uncoordinated system of private payment networks, increasing the EU’s dependence on foreign issuers. “The implementation of MiCA is a decisive step forward,” he said. “But its effectiveness requires a more unified approach if we are to protect European investors and maintain a level playing field.” Other central bankers have raised similar alarms. On Sept. 19, Chiara Scotti, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Italy, said that multi-issuance structures might boost liquidity but also pose legal and operational risks, especially when issuers are based outside the EU. The European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB) followed suit on Oct. 1, recommending a ban on the practice both within the bloc and abroad. While non-binding, the ESRB’s stance adds pressure on lawmakers to close the gap. Investor Takeaway Eurozone officials see dollar-pegged stablecoins as a sovereignty risk. Tougher MiCA enforcement could reshape Europe’s digital asset landscape. Push for Centralized EU Oversight Villeroy de Galhau’s remarks come as Brussels considers shifting supervision of financial sectors, including crypto, from national agencies to ESMA. The move would streamline oversight and ensure that compliance standards are uniformly applied across member states. Earlier this week, ESMA Chair Verena Ross said the reform would “build a more integrated and globally competitive landscape” for the EU’s financial markets. Under MiCA, licensed crypto firms can operate across the EU using a passporting mechanism that recognizes authorization from one member state across the entire bloc. While designed to simplify access, the system has exposed weaknesses in national supervision. In July, ESMA criticized Malta’s regulator for “partial compliance” in approving a crypto firm, warning that weak oversight in one jurisdiction could ripple across the EU. France’s markets regulator, the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF), has also voiced concern about inconsistent enforcement. In September, it said it may challenge the validity of MiCA’s passporting feature if gaps persist among national authorities. Balancing Integration and Sovereignty The debate reflects the EU’s broader struggle to unify its approach to digital finance while protecting monetary sovereignty. Proponents argue that giving ESMA control over crypto supervision would mirror the centralized oversight already applied to securities markets, while critics say it could dilute national regulators’ authority. For now, the European Commission’s reform agenda suggests momentum is moving toward centralization. With MiCA due to take full effect in 2025, the question of who enforces it — and how consistently — could determine the strength of the bloc’s emerging crypto market.

Sourcetable has introduced Sourcetable Quant, a finance-focused extension of its AI spreadsheet that packages macro models, portfolio balancing, and advanced equity and crypto analytics inside a grid interface. The promise is straightforward: take workflows historically associated with terminals and quant stacks and make them usable in a spreadsheet without giving up rigor. The pitch targets everyday investors who want institutional-style research without institutional overhead. The platform is designed to run Python-based models natively, letting users import, adapt, and execute strategies they already trust. That approach keeps experimentation close to the data, minimizing context switching between notebooks, terminals, and brokers. For power users, the draw is the ability to layer custom logic and risk controls while still keeping everything auditable inside a familiar cell-based canvas. Leadership frames the moment as an access shift rather than a feature drop. As co-founder and CTO Andrew Grosser puts it, “At hedge funds, access to data and advanced analysis tools defines your edge. Sourcetable Quant democratizes access by allowing anyone to build, test, and execute strategies with the same sophistication, but at a price point that works for retail investors across both crypto and traditional markets.” Takeaway Quant-capable modeling and Python execution directly in a spreadsheet compress the research stack, making multi-asset strategies feasible for self-directed traders without enterprise tooling. How Broad Are The Connections And Data Pipelines At Launch? The company cites connectivity to 600+ tools, spanning retail brokerages and exchanges such as Coinbase, Robinhood, and Fidelity; institutional data sources including Bloomberg, FactSet, S&P Capital IQ, and Alpha Vantage; and macro feeds like FRED, the OECD, and the World Bank. For teams with their own infrastructure, database connections to PostgreSQL and MySQL, plus REST API support and web scraping, bring proprietary or niche datasets into the same canvas. That interoperability is meant to collapse siloed workflows. Users can aggregate real-time quotes, fundamental datasets, and macro indicators, then run backtests or risk scenarios without jumping between platforms. With Google Analytics (GA4) and Search Console in the mix, operators who straddle finance and growth can correlate market outcomes with site or campaign performance, or simply centralize reporting. The connective tissue matters because execution-quality research is only as strong as its inputs. A single grid that can ingest multi-venue liquidity, economic prints, and on-chain data reduces the lag between idea and iteration. It also enables repeatable daily routines—refresh data, rerun models, and adjust exposures—without rebuilding the pipeline each session. What Stands Out About Security, Privacy, And The Road To Execution? Sourcetable Quant introduces a patent-pending cryptographic credentialing system aimed at securing brokerage and data logins. The stated goal is to deliver reliable access to sensitive accounts while minimizing attack surface and preserving privacy. For users who hesitate to connect trading credentials to AI-enabled tools, the security emphasis is a central part of the value proposition. The firm also highlights “hallucination-free” operation by keeping model outputs grounded in verifiable, connected data and transparent spreadsheet logic. That transparency supports trust: cells expose formulas, models are inspectable, and inputs are attributable to specific sources. As the product matures, the company says direct trade execution through connected brokerages will be layered in, building toward an end-to-end path from research to order routing. For retail traders, the implication is a potential shift from ad hoc analysis to institutional-style process: source data, test systematically, deploy with controls, and monitor in one place. If execution arrives as planned, the spreadsheet could become not just the research hub but also the control panel for position management and risk. Takeaway Credential security and transparent, data-anchored modeling are the trust levers for retail adoption. Execution integration would close the loop from idea to trade. Who Benefits Most From An AI Spreadsheet Built For Markets? Active investors who already track multi-asset portfolios stand to benefit from fewer hops and tighter feedback loops. Macro-minded traders can combine rates, employment, and inflation series with equities and crypto beta inside one workbook, while equity analysts can bring in fundamentals and alternative data for factor screens or event studies. The shared interface lowers the barrier for teams that need both flexibility and traceability. Quant-curious users who lack a full Python workflow can start with prebuilt models and gradually customize them as confidence grows. Conversely, experienced quants can port strategies directly, use database joins for larger datasets, and automate parameter sweeps—without abandoning the auditability of cells and ranges. For either group, the ability to mix proprietary inputs with mainstream feeds matters as much as the model catalog itself. The competitive landscape includes terminals, retail-first charting suites, and notebook-centric platforms. Sourcetable’s differentiation is the spreadsheet-first experience: grids for oversight, Python for depth, integrations for breadth, and a security model aimed at institutional expectations. If execution and additional connectors roll out on schedule, the product could anchor a full-stack workflow for self-directed and small-team desks.

Bybit Secures UAE’s First Virtual Asset License Bybit, the world’s second-largest crypto exchange by trading volume, has become the first platform officially licensed by the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) to operate as a Virtual Asset Platform Operator. The milestone marks a major leap in the UAE’s ambition to position itself as a regulated global hub for digital assets. The new license allows Bybit to bring its full suite of global products — including trading, brokerage, custody, and fiat conversion — into regulatory compliance under the SCA’s framework. The announcement comes after Bybit received its In-Principle Approval (IPA) in February 2025, supported by the Blockchain Centre in Abu Dhabi. The transition from IPA to full license underscores both Bybit’s operational maturity and the UAE’s growing trust in the exchange’s compliance-first approach. Ben Zhou, Co-founder and CEO of Bybit, said: “Receiving the full Virtual Asset Platform Operator License from the SCA is a testament to Bybit’s unwavering commitment to building trust through compliance and transparency. The UAE has emerged as a global leader in digital asset regulation, and this recognition underscores the strength of our security and governance standards. At Bybit, we see regulation as the foundation for sustainable growth. This milestone marks another step forward in our global regulatory roadmap — from MiCAR in Europe to India and now the UAE — as we continue to set new benchmarks for a secure and responsible digital asset ecosystem.” Investor Takeaway Bybit’s full SCA license makes it the UAE’s first officially sanctioned crypto exchange, reinforcing investor confidence in the region’s tightening but innovation-friendly regulatory landscape. Why This Matters for the Global Crypto Industry The UAE’s recognition of Bybit comes amid intensifying global scrutiny of crypto exchanges following the collapses and lawsuits that rocked the sector in 2022–2023. Bybit’s regulatory milestone represents a contrast to the adversarial regulatory environments in the U.S. and parts of Asia, signaling that the Middle East continues to emerge as a magnet for compliant crypto growth. While competitors such as Binance and OKX have secured provisional or operational licenses under Dubai’s VARA regime, Bybit’s SCA license is the first full federal authorization covering the entire UAE. This distinction provides a competitive edge — enabling Bybit to extend regulated services nationwide rather than being limited to Dubai’s jurisdiction. Helen Liu, Co-CEO of Bybit, added: “We sincerely thank the Securities and Commodities Authority for their trust and support throughout the licensing process. The SCA’s clear, robust, and well-structured regulatory framework provides a strong foundation for global exchanges like Bybit to operate with confidence and clarity. This achievement would not have been possible without the SCA’s forward-thinking approach to fostering innovation and compliance in the digital asset space. We look forward to deepening our collaboration as we bring more resources, products, and expertise to the UAE market.” Investor Takeaway Bybit’s UAE license could attract institutional capital to the region, where regulatory clarity and infrastructure readiness now outpace most Western markets. How Bybit’s Regulatory Roadmap Is Shaping Up Bybit’s SCA license caps a series of 2025 regulatory wins for the exchange. In May, it secured its MiCAR registration in the European Union, followed by a resumption of full operations in India in September after compliance adjustments. Together, these milestones show a pattern of proactive engagement with regulators — a strategy increasingly favored by institutional clients seeking stable, compliant trading partners. Globally, Bybit’s trading volumes have continued to grow even amid volatile market conditions, reflecting sustained user confidence in exchanges that emphasize transparency and security. With the UAE now a core pillar of its global operations, Bybit is expected to leverage its new status to deepen relationships with both retail traders and institutional investors across the Gulf. What’s Next: Expansion and Local Integration Bybit plans to significantly scale its operations within the UAE. The company will establish a regional headquarters in Abu Dhabi, employ more than 500 staff across Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and invest heavily in compliance, operations, and customer support. Educational initiatives and Web3 innovation programs with local partners are also in development — aligning with the UAE’s broader economic diversification and tech innovation agenda. This expansion not only underscores Bybit’s commitment to the Middle East but also signals a shift in global crypto power centers toward jurisdictions that combine regulation with innovation. As the SCA refines its framework, more global exchanges may follow Bybit’s example, accelerating the UAE’s emergence as a cornerstone of compliant crypto trading.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the landscape of forex trading, offering traders powerful new ways to analyze the forex markets and make more informed decisions. AI chatbots like ChatGPT have emerged as accessible tools that can process massive amounts of market data, identify hidden patterns, and generate trading insights faster than it might take to manually analyse the market. Whether you’re just starting your trading journey or you’re looking to enhance your existing strategy, AI chatbots provide practical applications that can be implemented immediately. Continue reading to learn exactly how AI tools can upgrade your approach to the forex market. Understanding AI’s Role in Modern Forex Trading The forex market can generate an overwhelming volume of data every second, from price fluctuations and volume changes to economic releases and breaking news. Traditional analysis methods often struggle to process this information comprehensively, creating a gap between available data and actionable insights. AI chatbots can bridge this gap by offering sophisticated analysis through a simple conversational interface and huge data processing. Instead of spending hours analysing charts or fundamental news, you can create a knowledge base, and ask direct questions and receive instant, data-driven responses to inform your trading decisions. For forex trading, this can represent an advantage in a market where timing and information processing can make the difference between profit and loss. AI doesn’t replace your trading knowledge or decision making, it enhances your capabilities by handling the heavy lifting of data analysis and pattern recognition. AI Chatbots: Your New Forex Trading Assistant ChatGPT and similar AI chatbots combine natural language processing with analytical capabilities, creating a virtual assistant that understands trading terminology and concepts and even searches the web. Unlike traditional trading software that requires specific commands or technical expertise, these chatbots allow you to interact using everyday language, then make decisions before executing on. Here’s how AI chatbots can specifically enhance your forex trading: Historical price data analysis Ask the AI to examine months or years of price action to identify recurring patterns, support/resistance levels, or correlation between currency pairs Strategy development assistance Request the AI to suggest trading strategies based on specific market conditions, time frames, or risk parameters. Fundamental analysis support Have the AI summarize and interpret recently published news articles, central bank statements, or economic events that impact currency prices. When using AI for forex trading, remember that these tools should complement your existing knowledge and risk management practices rather than replace them. The forex market involves substantial risk, and even the most sophisticated AI cannot guarantee profitable outcomes. Always maintain proper risk management and use AI insights as one component of your overall trading approach. Leveraging AI for Historical Data Analysis Historical price data forms the foundation of technical analysis in forex trading, and this is where AI chatbots truly excel. These tools can process years of market information in seconds, identifying patterns and relationships that would take human analysts days or even weeks to discover. You can download historical price data from most MT4 or MT5 trading platforms, like the ones offered by this forex broker, upload them to the AI chat bot of choice, and ask it to analyze the data. When analyzing historical forex data with AI, you can explore multiple dimensions simultaneously, examining price action across different timeframes, comparing behavior across currency pairs, or identifying how specific market conditions affected previous price movements. Here’s how you can practically apply AI to historical price analysis: Trend analysis across multiple timeframes. Pattern recognition (head and shoulders, double tops, etc.). Correlation studies between currency pairs. Volatility and event-based behavior analysis. Support/resistance level detection. While AI makes the data analysis faster, your trading judgment remains vital for interpreting results. Using AI to Identify Trading Patterns and Trends Pattern recognition represents one of the most powerful applications of AI in forex trading. While human traders can identify obvious chart patterns, AI excels at detecting subtle variations, incomplete formations, and statistical patterns that might escape even experienced traders. The advantage of AI for pattern recognition comes from its ability to: Analyze multiple timeframes and currency pairs simultaneously Detect pattern variations that don’t perfectly match textbook definitions Track historical success rates of patterns under different market conditions Identify early-stage pattern formation before completion Compare current market structures with thousands of historical examples When using AI chatbots for pattern identification, you can explore both classical technical patterns and more complex statistical relationships. This multi-dimensional analysis provides a more comprehensive view of potential trading opportunities than traditional single-chart analysis. To effectively use AI for pattern identification in your trading: Define specific patterns you’re interested in (e.g. double bottoms or inside bars). Upload relevant timeframes for your trading style (day trading, swing trading, etc.) Set clear parameters for what constitutes a valid pattern. Review AI-identified patterns against what you see on the chart. Ask AI to estimate the probability and potential price move resulting from the pattern. Incorporate confirmed patterns into your existing trading strategy with appropriate risk management While AI can identify patterns with impressive accuracy, remember that pattern recognition is just one component of a successful trading approach. Market context, fundamental factors, and proper risk management remain essential in determining whether an identified pattern represents a viable trading opportunity. Developing Forex Trading Strategies with AI Creating effective forex trading strategies typically requires extensive testing, analysis, and refinement, it’s a process that can take months or years of dedicated effort. AI chatbots can dramatically accelerate this development cycle by helping you analyze multiple variables simultaneously, test different strategies, and identify the most promising one based on historical performance. When developing trading strategies with AI assistance, you can leverage these capabilities: Evaluating the best-performing indicators. Optimizing entry and exit points. Calculating risk-reward ratios. Backtesting across different conditions. Suggesting improvements based on results. The strategy development process typically begins with defining your trading objectives, risk tolerance, and preferred trading style. Once these parameters are established, you can use AI to explore strategic approaches that align with your specific needs. Practical Applications of AI for Fundamental Analysis Fundamental analysis in forex trading involves evaluating economic indicators, central bank policies, and geopolitical events to understand what drives currency valuations. This process traditionally requires hours of reading reports, watching news, and interpreting complex economic data. AI chatbots can transform this workflow by quickly processing vast amounts of information and extracting the most relevant insights for your trading decisions. Here’s how you can practically apply AI to fundamental analysis: Economic and news report processing and summarization. Economic data correlation. Central bank communication analysis. Geopolitical impact assessments. Fundamental analysis is the study of economic indicators, central bank policies, and global events and it is time-consuming. AI chatbots can streamline the process by searching the web in real time, interpreting huge amounts of information on the internet quickly, then providing an actionable summary. Limitations of AI for Forex Trading While AI chatbots offer powerful capabilities for forex traders, understanding their limitations is essential for using them effectively and safely. No technology can guarantee trading success, and AI tools should be viewed as assistants rather than replacements for human judgment and experience. Here are some limitations to be aware of when using AI for forex trading. Historical Data Dependency AI chatbots analyze historical data to identify patterns and make suggestions. However, forex markets are dynamic, and past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Market conditions can change rapidly due to unexpected events, policy shifts, or sentiment changes that historical data cannot predict. Lack of Real-Time Data Access Most AI chatbots don’t have access to real-time market data, which means their analysis might be based on outdated information. Always supplement AI insights with current market data and real-time price action before making trading decisions. Challenges With Contextual Understanding While AI can identify patterns and correlations, it may miss nuanced market context that experienced traders would recognize. Factors like market positioning, liquidity conditions, or unusual market behavior might not be fully captured in AI analysis. Over Reliance Risk Perhaps the greatest risk is becoming overly dependent on AI tools. Successful trading requires developing your own market understanding, risk management skills, and decision-making abilities. AI should enhance these skills, not replace them. Key Takeaways AI chatbots bring powerful advantages to the forex trading space, but they are not a magic solution. Used wisely, they can offer significant benefits, such as: Accelerate analysis and research. Help identify trends, patterns, correlations and opportunities. Support systematic trading strategy development. Provide quick insights into fundamentals and market news. Remember that forex trading requires dedication, continuous learning, and disciplined risk management. AI chatbots are powerful tools that can support your trading journey, but they’re not a substitute for developing your own trading skills and market understanding. By approaching AI-assisted trading with realistic expectations, proper risk management, and a commitment to continuous improvement, you can leverage AI tools to enhance your trading capabilities while protecting your capital. The future of forex trading increasingly includes AI technology, and traders who learn to use these tools effectively while maintaining their trading discipline will be best positioned for long-term success. Risk Disclaimer: Trading forex or CFDs carries significant risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Always trade with capital you can afford to lose and seek independent financial advice if needed. This content is the opinion of the paid contributor and does not reflect the viewpoint of FinanceFeeds or its editorial staff. It has not been independently verified and FinanceFeeds does not bear any responsibility for any information or description of services that it may contain. Information contained in this post is not advice nor a recommendation and thus should not be treated as such. We strongly recommend that you seek independent financial advice from a qualified and regulated professional, before participating or investing in any financial activities or services. Please also read and review our full disclaimer.

BTCUSD steadies after modest rebound at key support Indicators signal short-term consolidation Bitcoin (BTCUSD) is extending its consolidation near the 122,100 threshold after rebounding from Tuesday’s sharp drop of over 2.5% from its 125,000-126,000 record peak territory, as rising profit-taking pressure keeps investors cautious. That said, while short-term momentum has cooled, institutional demand and the broader “debasement trade” narrative continue to support the broader uptrend heading into October’s seasonally bullish period. The momentum indicators reflect the market’s current wait-and-see mode. The RSI is easing at 61, above the neutral threshold, the stochastics are hovering in the overbought region, and the MACD remains above its red signal line in positive territory. In the event that the leading cryptocurrency closes below 122,000, it could extend its decline towards the 120,000 round figure. If that crucial support is broken, the correction could deepen toward the 117,500 level, which significantly lies just above the 20-day simple moving average (SMA). However, if Bitcoin maintains its upward momentum, it could resume its rally toward record territory, targeting the mid-August record high of 124,480, followed by this week’s peaks at 125,653 and 126,223. In short, Bitcoin appears to be entering a short-term consolidation phase before its next major move, with indicators signaling a slowdown in bullish momentum, but price action holding firm above key levels. Disclaimer: This sponsored market analysis is provided for informational purposes only. We have not independently verified its content and do not bear any responsibility for any information or description of services that it may contain. Information contained in this post is not advice nor a recommendation and thus should not be treated as such. We strongly recommend that you seek independent financial advice from a qualified and regulated professional, before participating or investing in any financial activities or services. Please also read and review our full disclaimer.

Luxembourg’s Intergenerational Sovereign Wealth Fund (FSIL) has announced that it has allocated 1% of its holdings to Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). This is a landmark move, as it’s the first state-level fund in the euro area to make a bold, direct bet on digital assets.  The decision was announced during Luxembourg’s 2026 budget presentation by Finance Minister Gilles Roth on October 8, when he confirmed that FSIL’s revised investment mandate (approved in July 2025) now allows up to 15% of its assets to be deployed into alternative investments, including crypto, private equity, and real estate. Small Bitcoin Allocation, Big Signal for Eurozone Crypto Adoption A 1% investment in Bitcoin ETFs may sound modest, especially since FSIL’s total assets are worth roughly €730 million, but the move carries a massive symbolic weight. By gaining Bitcoin exposure through ETFs, Luxembourg has sidestepped the technical and custody risks associated with direct Bitcoin holdings while still positioning itself for the coin’s upside. FSIL’s approach reflects a cautious but bold stance. Rather than plunging headlong into untested territory, the fund is dipping a toe into crypto markets under the cover of regulated instruments. This “regulation-aware” strategy may appeal to other European sovereign funds and pension systems that are watching closely. Luxembourg’s position as a financial hub, with its expertise in fund administration, favorable regulatory frameworks, and reputation for top-level finance, gives it the credibility and infrastructure to navigate this transition. The move could accelerate interest in crypto among European institutional players who view Bitcoin as risky. A Turning Point for Digital Finance in Europe Luxembourg’s Bitcoin allocation could mark a pivotal moment in how European countries perceive and adopt digital assets. For much of Europe, crypto and blockchain have remained in demand among tech enthusiasts, startups, and private funds. Now, a eurozone member state is formally embracing the asset class at a sovereign scale. This could result in several industry effects, including a legitimacy boost, as other sovereign funds, national treasuries, or pension systems may feel emboldened to explore Bitcoin allocations as part of diversified reserve strategies. There could also be an increase in EU crypto regulatory momentum, as the decision may put pressure on EU-wide bodies to clarify rules relating to sovereign crypto investments, reserve treatment, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) frameworks related to digital assets. For institutions, seeing a state-backed fund enter crypto could attract further capital from institutional investors into European Bitcoin ETFs, infrastructure firms, and asset managers focused on regulated exposure. Luxembourg may also enhance its role as a crypto experimentation hub within Europe, potentially luring startups, blockchain firms, and institutional capital to its domiciles and ecosystems. Of course, risks remain. Bitcoin’s volatility, regulatory backlash, custodial risks, and public perception could generate criticism. But in a space where perception often drives capital flows, a 1% Bitcoin ETF signal may move the needle more than many expect.

Wall Street Prep (WSP), Financial Edge Training (FE), and Euromoney Learning (EML) have announced their merger, forming what they describe as the world’s leading platform for financial training. The combination unites three of the industry’s most established education providers under one roof, delivering a unified ecosystem for finance professionals worldwide. The new entity creates the largest global faculty of active industry practitioners, expanding coverage across every career stage—from analyst training to executive leadership development. Together, they promise to offer customized, white-glove training solutions for banks, investment firms, and corporations across the Americas, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific. Matan Feldman, CEO of Wall Street Prep, explained the vision: “They want a strategic partner who can deliver tailored programs at a global scale across roles, skills, and divisions. Just as importantly, they expect us to serve as an extension of their teams — bringing industry perspective, thought leadership, and innovative approaches to learning. By joining with Financial Edge and Euromoney Learning, we are positioned as the clear leader in financial training.” Takeaway Wall Street Prep, Financial Edge, and Euromoney Learning are consolidating decades of expertise into a single global training platform, covering every finance discipline and career stage. Why This Merger Redefines Finance Education At Scale The partnership establishes a blended learning powerhouse: Wall Street Prep brings enterprise training programs and AI-enhanced courses; Financial Edge contributes deep investment banking onboarding and the Felix digital platform; Euromoney Learning adds decades of trusted open-enrollment and in-house courses across global institutions. Financial Edge CEO Alastair Matchett highlighted the opportunity to amplify each firm’s reach. “Our edge has always been blending in-person excellence with state-of-the-art digital tools,” he said. “Now, by combining with Wall Street Prep and Euromoney Learning, we can scale those strengths to a broader client base while making our own programs even stronger.” The merger is expected to modernize corporate and institutional learning across financial services by merging traditional classroom depth with digital agility. The combined group now supports clients spanning investment banking, private equity, corporate finance, credit, governance, and fintech — creating the broadest range of technical and leadership courses available in the market. Takeaway By combining in-person expertise, digital platforms, and global reach, the new entity creates a one-stop hub for financial upskilling across industries and regions. Riverside’s Role In Building The Future Of Finance Training This strategic merger follows The Riverside Company’s February 2025 acquisition of Wall Street Prep. The private equity firm envisioned a modernized financial training ecosystem capable of serving both institutions and individual learners with AI-enhanced tools and blended delivery models. The new group — now led by Matan Feldman as Group CEO — fulfills that vision by consolidating innovation, scale, and regional depth under one banner. Raj Sood, Managing Director of Euromoney Learning, noted the power of collaboration: “For decades, Euromoney Learning has been helping financial institutions invest in their people wherever they operate. By joining with Wall Street Prep and Financial Edge, we gain the scale, innovation, and complementary capabilities to service clients in new and more impactful ways.” With Financial Edge and Euromoney Learning joining as standalone divisions within the Wall Street Prep Group, leadership continuity is preserved. Feldman will oversee group operations, supported by Raj Sood (Euromoney Learning), Andrea Ward, and Alastair Matchett (Financial Edge), ensuring unified strategy and execution. The combined platform aims to accelerate the shift from static, classroom-based programs toward adaptive, data-driven, and AI-supported learning experiences. Takeaway The Riverside Company’s investment positions the merged entity to lead finance training’s transition toward AI-enhanced, blended global learning models.  

Stablecoins have become one of the most reliable assets in the digital economy. They are designed to keep a consistent value and serve as the stable part of the crypto market. While most cryptocurrencies fluctuate wildly, stablecoins maintain their peg to assets like the United States dollar, euro, or even gold. This reliability makes them the preferred option for traders, investors, and businesses that want stability in a volatile market. But how do they stay this steady? Let’s look at 6 ways stablecoins maintain their peg and why that balance matters to the entire crypto ecosystem. Key Takeaways • Stablecoins maintain their peg through collateral backing, algorithmic systems, and market arbitrage. • Fiat-backed models rely on cash or asset reserves that support every token in circulation. • Crypto-collateralized models use blockchain smart contracts to secure assets and manage volatility. • Algorithmic models use supply adjustments to hold value close to one unit of currency. How Do Stablecoins Maintain Their Peg? Stablecoins maintain their peg through the combination of design, collateral, and continuous market activity. Their stability depends on how reserves are managed, how transparent the system is, and how effectively each model balances supply and demand. 1. Collateral and reserves Most stablecoins maintain their peg by holding tangible assets that support their value. Fiat-backed stablecoins such as USDC or USDT keep cash or highly liquid assets in regulated financial institutions. Each token is backed by an equal amount of fiat currency, and users can redeem their tokens at any time. With this reserve system in place, users trust is strengthened and the price is held close to its set value. 2. Crypto-backed models Stablecoins, like DAI, lock other cryptocurrencies as security through smart contracts. These systems are often secured with extra collateral. This means that the value of the collateral exceeds the number of stablecoins in circulation. If the collateral’s value falls, automated liquidation keeps the peg stable. This approach allows stablecoins maintain their peg even during market volatility. 3. Algorithmic control Some stablecoins maintain their peg through algorithmic mechanisms that automatically adjust supply and demand. When price rises above the target, the system creates new tokens to increase supply. When it drops below, tokens are removed from circulation to push the price up. This self-regulating process is managed by smart contracts that implement these conditions  through automated systems. 4. Arbitrage Market traders also play a major role in helping stablecoins maintain their peg. When a stablecoin’s price falls below one dollar, traders buy it cheaply and redeem it for the full value, which raises the price back up. When it trades above one dollar, traders sell or mint more to reduce the price. This continuous market activity balances the market and keeps prices steady. 5. Transparency and regulation Trust plays a major role in keeping stability. Stablecoins maintain their peg more effectively when issuers release consistent audit reports, provide clear proof of reserves, and follow financial regulations. Transparency gives users assurance that every token is genuinely backed and can be redeemed at any time. When people trust the system, demand remains strong and the peg stays solid. 6. Liquidity and risk management Strong liquidity makes it easy for users to redeem their tokens even during high market pressure. Reliable issuers keep a combination of cash and short-term treasury assets that can be converted quickly to meet withdrawal requests. This discipline helps stablecoins maintain their peg during heavy market fluctuations. Conclusion Stablecoins have brought a new kind of reliability to crypto. Their value remains strong because there’s structure behind the system. They derive strength from solid reserves, smart management, and user trust working together to keep them steady. Over time, these digital currencies could make payments, savings, and global finance simpler and more accessible to everyone.  

KEY TAKEAWAYS Apple’s MacBook Pro uses custom Apple Silicon (M1–M4) chips integrating high-performance CPU, GPU, and Neural Engines. The Secure Enclave acts as a hardware coprocessor for key management and encryption, ensuring security and isolation. Apple Silicon CPUs feature instruction-level optimizations for AES and SHA algorithms, offering implicit crypto acceleration. CryptoKit, Apple’s API, allows developers to harness hardware-based cryptographic efficiency without manual configuration. FileVault, secure boot, and biometric authentication rely heavily on Secure Enclave cryptography. The MacBook Pro offers robust cryptographic performance ideal for development, security, and light blockchain use cases.   In recent years, cryptography has become essential not only for securing communication and data storage but also for powering emerging technologies like cryptocurrencies and blockchain applications. This growing reliance on cryptography has led to increasing interest in hardware acceleration for cryptographic tasks, specialized hardware that makes encryption, decryption, hashing, and digital signing faster and more efficient.  For Apple MacBook Pro users and developers, a common question arises: Does the MacBook Pro include a dedicated crypto accelerator to enhance cryptographic operations? This article explores the presence and nature of cryptographic acceleration in Apple’s MacBook Pro and how Apple approaches hardware-based security and cryptography. What Is a Crypto Accelerator? A cryptographic accelerator is a hardware component or dedicated circuit designed to offload cryptographic operations from the main CPU. These tasks typically include symmetric and asymmetric encryption, cryptographic hashing, message authentication codes, and digital signature generation and verification. By performing these complex mathematical operations in specialized hardware, crypto accelerators achieve several key benefits: Improved Performance: Encryption and hashing can be computationally intensive. Hardware accelerators speed up these tasks, resulting in faster data encryption/decryption or blockchain hashing. Reduced CPU Load: Offloading crypto operations frees CPU resources for other tasks, improving overall system responsiveness. Lower Power Consumption: Specialized circuits can perform crypto computations more efficiently than software running on a general-purpose CPU. Enhanced Security: Hardware accelerators, especially those isolated from the main processor, reduce risks of key exposure and side-channel attacks. Many modern processors, especially for servers and mobile devices, include some form of cryptographic acceleration. But how does Apple’s MacBook Pro measure up? Apple MacBook Pro Hardware Overview Apple designs its own silicon chips for MacBook Pro models, starting from the M1 generation and continuing with M2, M3, and, most recently, the M4 chip family. These chips integrate CPU cores, GPU cores, specialized Neural Engines for machine learning, media engines for video processing, and other custom hardware. For example, the Apple M4 Pro chip used in recent MacBook Pros features: 12-core CPU (8 performance cores and four efficiency cores) 16-core GPU with hardware-accelerated ray tracing 16-core Neural Engine High memory bandwidth The architecture is highly integrated and optimized for performance and efficiency, but does not explicitly list a dedicated generic cryptographic accelerator hardware in public specifications. However, Apple products include a component called the Secure Enclave Processor (SEP), which plays a vital role in cryptographic security. The Secure Enclave: Apple’s Built-In Crypto Coprocessor The Secure Enclave is a specialized, isolated hardware subsystem embedded in Apple Silicon chips and T2 security chips used in Intel-based Macs. It functions as a separate processor dedicated to security-sensitive tasks like key management, biometric data handling (Touch ID and Face ID), and cryptographic operations related to secure boot, data encryption, and authentication. Crucial points about the Secure Enclave: It has its own memory and storage, inaccessible to the main OS and other software. It generates and securely stores cryptographic keys, using hardware protection to prevent tampering or extraction. It runs a microkernel operating system (SEPOS) to isolate and safeguard sensitive operations. The keys generated and stored in the Secure Enclave are device-unique and cannot be exported. It handles encryption and decryption operations involving these keys internally. Although the Secure Enclave performs cryptographic operations, it primarily focuses on key management, secure authentication, and device integrity rather than serving as a general-purpose cryptographic accelerator for all encryption or hashing tasks. Does MacBook Pro Have a Dedicated Crypto Accelerator? Unlike some CPUs that include explicit cryptographic accelerator units or instruction sets dedicated to speeding up hashing or encryption algorithms, Apple Silicon, including MacBook Pros, does not feature a standalone crypto accelerator chip for generic cryptographic tasks. Instead, Apple integrates cryptographic acceleration in several ways: Secure Enclave: Dedicated to secure key storage and cryptographic operations related to device security, authentication, and data protection. Cryptographic Instruction Optimizations: Apple Silicon’s ARM-based architecture likely includes optimized instructions that accelerate common cryptographic algorithms such as SHA-256 hashing or AES encryption at the CPU level. Neural Engine and GPU: While primarily for AI and graphics workloads, these units can theoretically accelerate certain cryptographic algorithms, but are not designed specifically for generic crypto acceleration. Software Frameworks: Apple’s CryptoKit leverages hardware acceleration where possible, providing optimized cryptographic functions to developers. Discussions among developers indicate Apple’s Secure Enclave and ARM architecture offer cryptographic acceleration implicitly, but Apple does not advertise or document a discrete, generic crypto accelerator hardware component like those found in some Intel or AMD processors or dedicated crypto hardware modules in enterprise servers. Software Utilization of Crypto Acceleration Apple provides CryptoKit, a high-level API for cryptographic operations on iOS, macOS, and other platforms. CryptoKit is designed to leverage any available hardware acceleration transparently, including Secure Enclave integration, to perform operations like hashing, signing, and encryption efficiently and securely. For hashing algorithms like SHA-256, hardware acceleration depends on the underlying CPU architecture. Apple Silicon chips seem to optimize these operations at the instruction level, although debates exist about whether they use dedicated hardware instructions or rely on highly optimized software libraries. Developers can also take advantage of Secure Enclave-managed keys for cryptographic tasks requiring secure key management and tamper resistance. However, general-purpose cryptographic computation for arbitrary algorithms beyond key handling relies on the main CPU cores. Practical Cryptographic Use Cases on MacBook Pro From a user perspective, Apple MacBook Pro employs cryptographic acceleration to support various critical functions: FileVault: Apple’s full disk encryption uses hardware-accelerated AES encryption for transparent disk protection. Secure Boot and System Integrity: Verified boot processes rely on the Secure Enclave for cryptographic checks. Biometric Authentication: Touch ID processes involve biometric data stored and processed within the Secure Enclave. Cryptocurrency Wallets: The Secure Enclave provides a hardware root of trust for private keys, enhancing security against theft or tampering. Open-source projects leverage this capability for hardware-level cosigning without external devices. Limited Cryptocurrency Mining: While possible in theory, MacBook Pros do not have the hardware acceleration (like ASICs or dedicated GPU mining) optimized for mining cryptocurrencies at scale. Apple’s Secure Enclave: Redefining Hardware Cryptography on MacBook Pro” Apple MacBook Pro does not include a standalone general-purpose cryptographic accelerator chip as seen in some other systems. Instead, Apple relies on a combination of: The Secure Enclave Processor is a highly secure, isolated hardware subsystem that accelerates and protects critical cryptographic key management and authentication functions. ARM architecture instruction optimizations for cryptographic algorithms executed on the main CPU cores. Software frameworks like CryptoKit that transparently leverage available hardware capabilities. Together, these provide robust cryptographic performance and strong security protections for end users. For most users and developers, Apple’s approach offers efficient and secure cryptographic operations without requiring a traditional crypto accelerator hardware chip. Thus, while not a conventional crypto accelerator, the MacBook Pro features state-of-the-art hardware security and cryptographic support through Apple Silicon and Secure Enclave, underpinning a secure and performant experience for encryption, authentication, and emerging crypto applications. FAQ Does the MacBook Pro have a dedicated crypto accelerator? No. MacBook Pros don’t include a standalone generic crypto accelerator chip. Instead, they use Apple’s Secure Enclave and CPU instruction-level optimizations for cryptographic efficiency. What is Apple’s Secure Enclave, and what does it do? The Secure Enclave is a dedicated, isolated coprocessor that manages cryptographic keys, secures biometric data, and performs encryption tasks for authentication and data protection. How does Apple accelerate cryptographic operations without a dedicated chip? Apple uses ARM architecture-level instruction optimizations (e.g., AES and SHA acceleration) along with the Secure Enclave and system-level APIs like CryptoKit for optimized cryptographic performance. Can the MacBook Pro be used for cryptocurrency mining? Technically, yes, but it’s inefficient. MacBook Pros lack ASICs or high-throughput GPU optimization, so they’re unsuitable for mining at competitive scales. What are some cryptographic functions handled by the Secure Enclave? The Secure Enclave manages Touch ID authentication, FileVault encryption, secure boot verification, and secure private key storage for wallets or encrypted data. Does macOS allow developers to access hardware crypto features? Yes. Apple’s CryptoKit framework allows developers to perform cryptographic operations efficiently, automatically leveraging available hardware acceleration and Secure Enclave capabilities. How does Apple’s cryptographic approach compare to Intel or AMD processors? Unlike Intel’s AES-NI or AMD’s dedicated hardware crypto instructions, Apple uses a unified architecture combining Secure Enclave security with CPU-l

The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to review the appeal of former Locke Lord partner Mark S. Scott, sealing his conviction for helping launder nearly $400 million in proceeds from the OneCoin cryptocurrency fraud — a global scam that drew in billions and left its elusive founder still on the run. Scott, 55, was found guilty by a Manhattan jury in 2019 of conspiracy to commit money laundering and bank fraud. Prosecutors said he built an elaborate network of offshore funds and shell companies to wash OneCoin’s illicit profits while disguising them as legitimate private equity investments. He earned more than $50 million in fees and used the money to buy luxury homes, a yacht, and two Porsches, according to court documents. His 10-year prison sentence, handed down in 2024, now stands after the Supreme Court declined to take up the case. The decision follows a February ruling by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld his conviction, rejecting claims that it was based on false testimony from a cooperating witness. Scott’s attorneys had argued that prosecutors leaned too heavily on Konstantin Ignatov, the brother of OneCoin’s founder, Ruja Ignatova, who later admitted to lying under oath about how he discarded his laptop. The appellate court found that other evidence, including banking records and internal correspondence, was more than enough to sustain the verdict. Scott, a former international mergers and acquisitions partner at Locke Lord, worked at the firm between 2015 and 2016 — the same period he was allegedly building the laundering network for OneCoin. Locke Lord said it was unaware of his activities outside the firm, which has since merged with Troutman Pepper to form Troutman Pepper Locke. Prosecutors said Scott’s network of fake funds, dubbed Fenero, helped funnel hundreds of millions through accounts in the Cayman Islands and Ireland, masking the origin of OneCoin cash that had poured in from victims around the world. He told banks that the money came from “wealthy European families,” according to evidence presented at trial. The OneCoin enterprise was founded in Bulgaria in 2014 by Ignatova and Karl Sebastian Greenwood, who sold “educational packages” containing tokens that could supposedly be used to mine a cryptocurrency. In reality, there was no blockchain — the company simply set the value of OneCoin internally. U.S. prosecutors have called it one of the largest financial frauds in history, with losses exceeding $4 billion worldwide. Ignatova vanished in 2017 after boarding a flight from Sofia to Athens and has not been seen since. She was added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list in 2022, with a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to her capture. Greenwood, meanwhile, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2023. Other key figures, including Ignatova’s legal and compliance chief Irina Dilkinska, have since been convicted. For U.S. authorities, the case stands as a cautionary tale of how traditional financial expertise — in this case, that of a corporate lawyer — can be turned toward laundering modern digital fraud. The Department of Justice said in a statement last year that Scott’s conviction “shows the reach of accountability even for professionals who exploit their skills to conceal criminal proceeds.” As Scott begins the long road of serving his decade-long sentence, the larger OneCoin saga remains unfinished. The “Cryptoqueen” who once promised to revolutionize money has instead become a symbol of crypto’s dark underbelly — a fugitive financier whose empire left a trail of vanished fortunes and unanswered questions stretching from Sofia to the Caribbean.

The AFL-CIO, which represents millions of workers, has openly asked the Senate Banking Committee to vote against the Responsible Financial Innovation Act (RFIA) because it may allow retirement accounts, such as 401(k)s and pension plans, to invest directly in crypto assets. Jody Calemine, the union’s Government Affairs Director, said that this kind of action would make the market more volatile and put pension funds at risk on a national scale. Main Risks to Pensions and Financial Stability Most pensions do not currently invest in cryptocurrencies due to the associated risks, but the proposed law may change that. The AFL-CIO also pointed out that the plan would allow FDIC-insured banks to hold and trade crypto assets on their own balance sheets, which could put the taxpayer-backed Deposit Insurance Fund at risk. In addition, the bill’s plans to tokenize securities could lead to “shadow stocks,” which would let corporations issue blockchain-based shares that don’t have to follow SEC rules. This would create additional dangers for investors and the financial system as a whole. Comparisons to the Financial Crisis of 2008 The AFL-CIO stated that the risks of unchecked crypto adoption for institutional portfolios are similar to those of unregulated derivatives trading, which contributed to the 2008 financial crisis. Critics argue that the current setup of the measure lacks sufficient control and fundamental protections for workers, which could lead to widespread financial instability similar to what occurred during past economic downturns. No protections or checks The union argues that the bill would make it more difficult for the government to combat fraud and conflicts of interest. It would also provide issuers with additional means to circumvent existing securities regulations through tokenization, potentially undermining crucial disclosure and anti-fraud standards. These gaps would leave pension funds and other retirement assets vulnerable to investments that are mischaracterized and potentially dangerous, but that people might mistakenly believe are safe. Union Asks Senate to Say No The AFL-CIO’s letter requests that Congress reconsider moving forward with the RFIA. Instead, it suggests that new rules should focus on protecting workers against asset class volatility, rather than allowing it to be included in their retirement plans. Over 90 million Americans rely on employer-sponsored plans worth more than $12.5 trillion, making the stakes for worker retirement security and financial stability extremely high. 

Finalto, a global leader in liquidity provision, risk management, and fintech solutions, has partnered with eflow Global to strengthen its trade surveillance and best execution oversight. The partnership follows a rigorous evaluation of multiple providers, with Finalto ultimately selecting eflow’s cloud-based regulatory platform for its reliability, scalability, and integration capabilities. The collaboration enables Finalto to consolidate its compliance operations into a single, unified system. By integrating surveillance, execution monitoring, and data management within one workflow, Finalto gains more efficient oversight, faster anomaly detection, and streamlined MiFID II reporting. The platform’s automation and analytics tools are designed to detect suspicious trading activity, ensuring both operational precision and regulatory adherence. “As a market leader serving clients worldwide and providing liquidity in thousands of financial markets, Finalto is strengthening its surveillance and execution oversight with eflow’s cloud-based platform,” said Paul Groves, CEO of Finalto. “The integration delivers advanced trade surveillance and analytics with robust MiFID II controls and comprehensive records.” Takeaway Finalto’s adoption of eflow’s integrated technology marks a step-change in compliance efficiency, unifying global oversight and enhancing data-driven trade monitoring. How Integration Improves Oversight, Efficiency, And Risk Management Finalto’s choice reflects a broader industry shift toward consolidated compliance frameworks. With increasing regulatory complexity, firms are under pressure to replace fragmented systems with unified, insight-led infrastructures. eflow’s technology addresses this by merging multiple data inputs into a centralized workflow that simplifies compliance reporting and enhances surveillance coverage. The solution offers real-time visibility into trade execution quality, helping Finalto meet best execution standards under MiFID II. The cloud-based design provides flexibility and scalability, enabling the firm to process large volumes of trading data while maintaining precision and auditability. This not only reduces manual workload but also boosts the speed and accuracy of compliance decision-making. For Finalto, this means a sharper focus on operational resilience and proactive risk mitigation. The new setup allows the compliance team to detect anomalies faster, investigate alerts more effectively, and maintain transparent records aligned with global standards — essential capabilities for a firm providing liquidity across thousands of markets. Takeaway Unified trade surveillance empowers compliance teams with better data visibility, streamlined workflows, and faster responses to potential risks or irregularities. Eflow’s Expanding Role In Global Regulatory Technology Ben Parker, CEO of eflow Global, described Finalto as an ideal partner: “Finalto operates at the highest level of complexity, providing liquidity across thousands of global markets and managing risk at scale. Its sophistication and reach make it a natural fit for eflow, as our technology is built to support firms with the most demanding compliance and surveillance needs.” Founded in 2004, eflow Global has become a leading provider of regulatory technology, offering solutions across market abuse surveillance, transaction-cost analysis, transaction reporting, and eComms monitoring. The company currently serves more than 140 clients across five continents, providing both buy-side and sell-side firms with configurable tools that align regulatory compliance with operational agility. Through its PATH digital ecosystem, eflow combines off-the-shelf accessibility with the flexibility of custom-built systems. Its partnership with Finalto reinforces the company’s growing presence in institutional markets — where speed, precision, and governance are increasingly inseparable. Together, the two firms aim to redefine how regulatory oversight operates at scale in the era of data-driven finance. Takeaway The Finalto–eflow collaboration highlights the convergence of fintech and regtech, setting a new benchmark for scalable, compliance-driven trading operations.

The UK market is at a turning point right now, and the combination of 21Shares, a leading global issuer of crypto ETPs, and Stratiphy, an AI-powered wealth management software, is essential, particularly significant. The FCA’s change in policy is a significant development, as it allows retail investors to use regulated crypto ETNs for the first time.  This represents a significant shift from the previous ban, which prevented people from using these investment products. This new development enables regular people to build diverse portfolios by incorporating digital assets, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, alongside their traditional investments. Understanding Stratiphy Stratiphy is the first UK wealth management platform to offer 21Shares’ suite of physically backed ETNs. This provides retail investors with the opportunity to test and automate their investment strategies using cutting-edge AI capabilities.  These features make it easier for consumers to integrate crypto assets into their existing portfolios by facilitating risk management and strategy backtesting. Daniel Gold, the CEO of Stratiphy, states that the cooperation is a direct response to the growing demand for digital assets and will ensure that people can use them immediately if regulatory approval is granted. 21Shares’ Global Status 21Shares is one of the most established digital asset managers in the world. It manages over $11 billion across 50 listed crypto products. 21Shares aims to capitalize on the excitement observed in Europe, where crypto ETP trading reached €26 billion in 2024, representing a 300% year-over-year growth. They are teaming up with Stratiphy in the UK to do this.  Russell Barlow, the CEO of 21Shares, said that the FCA’s change in rules is a big step forward. It opens the door for retail investors and may make them eligible for tax-efficient accounts, such as ISAs and SIPPs. What This Means For UK Investors and Markets This change opens up regulated options for approximately 12% of UK adults who already own cryptocurrency directly, providing them with safer, regulated choices than those found on offshore marketplaces.  It also helps the UK capture a greater share of the crypto finance trade volume, taxes, and economic growth that occurs within the country. The partnership makes the UK a global crypto hub, providing retail investors with the tools they need to access modern, institutional-grade choices that offer strong strategy and transparency. Long-Term Growth Through Diversification With the imminent arrival of regulated ETNs, investors should feel more confident about investing in digital assets. This will enable them to manage their risks more effectively and provide access to fast-growing sectors.  The FCA’s shift indicates that the UK market is growing, which will lead to increased demand, more revenue, and more innovative ideas in the crypto asset sector. Stratiphy and 21Shares are poised to lead the next wave of adoption by providing retail investors with options that match the level of sophistication already available to professionals and institutional players.

Forward Industries, a publicly traded treasury firm, has set up its first institutional-grade validator node on the Solana blockchain. This greatly increases its involvement in the network. The launch is part of a bigger plan to strengthen Solana’s infrastructure and make it the best alternative for institutional adoption in decentralized finance (DeFi). The validator uses DoubleZero’s fiber network and Jump Crypto’s Firedancer client, which shows that the business has a strong base of technological knowledge and efficiency. Getting into the Top 10 Validators When Forward Industries staked its 6.8 million SOL (worth about $1.7 billion), it quickly rose to the top 10 validators on Solana. The approach let Forward beat out well-known companies like Staking Facilities and Coinbase, whose validator stakes are only a little bit lower.  Block explorer Solana Beach confirms this quick jump, putting Forward among the top companies in the field, such as Binance Staking, Helius, Figment, and Jupiter, all of whom have more than 10 million SOL in their accounts. No-Commission Staking: A Competitive Advantage One of the best things about Forward’s validator launch is that it has a 0% commission rate, which means that delegators get all of their staking rewards directly. In contrast, the average commission rates for other major Solana validators range from 1% for Binance Staking to 7% for Figment and 8% for Coinbase. Forward’s policy is meant to get a lot of delegators’ attention, which will raise the yield for stakers and make the Solana ecosystem more competitive. Adoption by Institutions and Growth of the Ecosystem Kyle Samani, the chairman of Forward Industries’ board, said that the deployment of the validator is an important first step toward making Solana stronger and opening up institutional-grade DeFi options.  Forward Industries is a leader in Solana’s validator environment, fostering innovation and liquidity. It is backed by well-known companies in the crypto business, including Galaxy Digital, Jump Crypto, and Multicoin Capital. Outlook and Effects Forward Industries now offers a 0% commission rate to help the company expand into new markets more quickly. However, this fee structure may not be sustainable in the long run because of operating and infrastructure expenditures.  People in the industry believe that commissions may fluctuate over time, especially once a stable base of stakeholders is established. Nevertheless, Forward’s approach sets a new norm that will likely have an impact on what happens next with Solana validators and help decentralized finance solutions become more widely used. 

The International Monetary Fund has called on major financial institutions to strengthen liquidity and capital buffers and conduct tougher stress tests to guard against potential turmoil in the $9.6 trillion foreign exchange market. In a chapter of its semi-annual Global Financial Stability Report released Tuesday, the IMF said that while stress testing and systemic risk monitoring have improved in recent years, the foreign exchange market’s role as a channel for global financial contagion “remains underappreciated.” “Enhancing FX liquidity stress tests is essential to assess the sectoral resilience to funding shocks,” the Fund said. Derivatives Deepen Vulnerability The IMF warned that large global banks remain heavily exposed to the U.S. dollar through their balance sheets, leaving them susceptible to sudden funding shocks. At the same time, the growing influence of non-bank financial institutions and a surge in derivatives trading have “raised the global FX market’s vulnerability to adverse shocks.” Stress in the currency markets, the Fund added, can ripple across asset classes, tightening financial conditions and threatening macro-financial stability—especially in countries with high foreign-currency debt or fragile fiscal positions. Earlier this year, Reuters reported that European and U.K. regulators had asked banks to step up monitoring and stress testing for U.S. dollar liquidity, reflecting heightened anxiety over the reliability of dollar funding channels amid geopolitical frictions and shifting U.S. policies. Global Trust in Dollar Markets Erodes The IMF said the “shifting global macro-financial landscape” is testing long-held assumptions about the stability of dollar markets. Following the U.S. tariff announcements in early April 2025, investors in several countries trimmed their dollar holdings, highlighting the growing sensitivity of cross-border flows to policy moves in Washington. “Supervisors and banks should effectively monitor and manage liquidity risks in significant currencies,” the Fund said. Swap Lines Under Scrutiny The Federal Reserve maintains swap lines with several major central banks, a critical mechanism for supplying dollar liquidity abroad during times of market stress. But confidence in that system is fraying. For months, European central bankers have privately questioned whether they can continue to depend on the Fed as the ultimate backstop for global dollar liquidity, Reuters has previously reported. The IMF urged policymakers to “strengthen and expand the network of central bank swap lines” to bolster confidence and “reduce contagion risks” during market disruptions. It said such policy backstops are “among the most effective tools for stabilizing the global FX market during adverse shocks.” Reserves as Shock Absorbers Beyond swap lines, the IMF pointed to international reserves as another line of defense. “International reserves are a stabilizing force during stress episodes,” the Fund said, noting they can be deployed when private funding channels seize up. The Fund’s warning comes as global foreign exchange turnover remains near record highs, driven by high-frequency trading, algorithmic strategies, and the rapid expansion of dollar-denominated derivatives. The combination of concentrated exposures, limited transparency, and dependence on a single currency leaves markets—and the broader financial system—vulnerable to sharp funding squeezes. As the IMF cautioned, the next global stress event may not start in the stock or bond markets, but in the plumbing of global finance itself—the foreign exchange markets that keep capital flowing across borders.

KEY TAKEAWAYS 2025 marks a major surge in institutional and VC crypto investments worldwide. Leading funds include Paradigm, Pantera, DCG, Blockchain Capital, Polychain, Galaxy Digital, and institutional titans BlackRock and MicroStrategy. Bitcoin and Ethereum dominate institutional portfolios, forming the bulk of holdings. VC firms continue funding innovation in DeFi, Web3, privacy tech, and blockchain scalability. BlackRock’s Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs highlight traditional finance’s growing integration with crypto. Institutional allocations exceeded $414 billion, signaling long-term confidence in digital assets.   The year 2025 marks a significant milestone for cryptocurrency investments as institutional interest surges and venture capital funds deploy billions into blockchain and digital asset projects globally.  Leading global funds have not only embraced the crypto ecosystem but are now regarded as the kingmakers, identifying tomorrow’s blockchain innovations. This article explores the top global funds investing in crypto in 2025, their strategies, key portfolio holdings, and the impact they exert on the crypto markets. Crypto Venture Capital Funds: The Vanguard of Innovation Venture capital (VC) firms focused exclusively or primarily on the crypto and blockchain sectors remain at the forefront of funding innovation in 2025. Several industry-leading crypto VC funds command substantial assets under management (AUM) and have deep portfolios spanning early-stage seed projects to more mature blockchain enterprises. Paradigm Paradigm, based in San Francisco, continues to be a leading crypto VC fund founded by industry veterans from Sequoia Capital and Coinbase. Paradigm’s diversified portfolio features influential projects such as BlockFi, Compound, Cosmos, and MakerDAO, reflecting its broad exposure to lending, decentralized finance (DeFi), and blockchain infrastructure. Pantera Capital Pantera Capital, recognized as the first U.S. institutional asset manager to focus exclusively on blockchain, operates out of Menlo Park, California. Its portfolio includes high-impact projects like 0x, Balancer, Brave, Filecoin, and Polkadot tokens and platforms that have driven adoption and growth in decentralized innovation. Pantera’s strategy emphasizes well-diversified exposure to blockchain tokens. Digital Currency Group Another powerhouse, Digital Currency Group (DCG), headquartered in New York, invests intensely in early-stage digital asset companies worldwide, with over 100 projects across 30 countries. DCG’s investments range from payment processors like BitPay to cryptocurrency exchange-related firms such as Coinbase and Kraken, illustrating its comprehensive reach throughout the crypto ecosystem. Blockchain Capital Blockchain Capital, an early pioneer of crypto VC investing in San Francisco, has backed more than 90 crypto ventures, including AAVE, Coinbase, Kraken, and Orchid. Its disciplined, research-driven approach fuels consistent deployment in promising DeFi protocols and infrastructure firms. Polychain Capital Polychain Capital is another leading crypto-native VC fund, noted for doubling down on privacy technologies, zero-knowledge rollups, and cross-chain solutions. Its portfolio boasts marquee names like Filecoin, Avalanche, Tezos, and Compound projects that are shaping next-generation blockchain capabilities. Galaxy Digital  Galaxy Digital, the investment bank, asset manager, and market-making firm founded by Mike Novogratz, continued to evolve into a multi-product crypto financial services provider in 2025. Galaxy’s product lineup expanded into retail-facing platforms and institutional offerings, while its trading and principal-investment arms maintained liquidity and balance-sheet activity across crypto markets. Institutional Titans Driving Crypto Adoption Beyond venture capital, large institutional investors and funds have been key drivers of crypto’s increasing legitimacy in 2025. The surge of crypto-focused Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) and corporate treasury allocations to Bitcoin and Ethereum signals growing acceptance by traditional financial giants. BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin ETF, iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT), launched in early 2025 and now manages over $85 billion in assets, exemplifying the intersection of traditional asset management with crypto exposure. It has attracted massive trading volume and institutional interest with its low-fee structure and options chain availability. Similarly, BlackRock’s spot Ethereum ETF (ETHA) has quickly grown to $15.3 billion in assets. ETHA benefits from Ethereum’s dominance in smart contract platforms and decentralized applications, offering institutional investors a way to participate in the second-largest crypto ecosystem. Corporate investment in Bitcoin has also reached monumental levels. MicroStrategy famously holds nearly 600,000 BTC, demonstrating a dedicated corporate treasury strategy leveraging Bitcoin as a store of value and hedge asset. In August 2025, institutional Bitcoin investment hit a new milestone with over $414 billion invested, largely fueled by ETFs and major corporate players like BlackRock and MicroStrategy. Leading Fund Portfolios and Asset Allocations Institutional portfolios commonly feature Bitcoin and Ethereum as their core holdings, typically representing 60-75% of crypto allocations. Bitcoin’s security, network effects, and market liquidity make it the default entry point for most institutional investors, while Ethereum’s smart contract functionality and proof-of-stake upgrade make it a foundational digital asset. Beyond these blue chips, funds often diversify into select Layer 1 blockchains and specialized tokens. Notable names include Solana (SOL), with its high throughput and developer adoption; Binance Coin (BNB), buoyed by Binance’s dominant exchange ecosystem; Ripple (XRP), favored by financial institutions exploring cross-border payments; Cardano (ADA); and Avalanche (AVAX). Some funds even allocate minor portions to meme tokens like Shiba Inu (SHIB) as part of their diversified strategies. Institutions also favor index-based crypto investment products like the Bitwise 10 Crypto Index Fund (BITW), which tracks a basket of the 10 highest-valued cryptocurrencies, screened and weighted by market capitalization and risk parameters. Such funds offer a balanced approach to gain broader crypto market exposure. Impact of Crypto VC and Institutional Investment These leading funds not only provide critical liquidity and capital for blockchain innovation but also influence market sentiment and crypto asset valuations. Their rigorous research, selective investments, and strategic support often serve as validation signals for emerging crypto projects. For retail and smaller investors, following the moves of top VC funds and institutional players can provide a valuable edge. Monitoring their portfolios, timing entry points, and participating in funds they support through public tokens offers a way to leverage institutional research and due diligence. The New Power Brokers: How Global Funds Are Shaping the Future of Crypto Finance Institutional investor enthusiasm for crypto continues to grow, with surveys showing increased allocations to digital assets worldwide. Many fund managers recognize crypto’s role in the evolving financial landscape from digital currencies and DeFi to Web3 applications and blockchain infrastructure. Crypto venture capital is expected to maintain a leading role in identifying and funding innovation, focusing on technology layers like privacy, scalability, interoperability, and decentralized governance. Institutional funds will further integrate crypto via ETFs and direct corporate treasury adoption. The top global funds investing in crypto in 2025 combine deep sector expertise, diverse portfolios, and strong institutional backing. From paradigm-shifting VC firms like Paradigm, Pantera, and Polychain to powerhouse institutional investors like BlackRock and MicroStrategy, these players are shaping the future of blockchain finance. Their capital and conviction are critical to driving crypto’s continued maturation and mainstream acceptance. FAQ Which are the top global funds investing in crypto in 2025? Leading players include Paradigm, Pantera Capital, Digital Currency Group (DCG), Blockchain Capital, Polychain Capital, Galaxy Digital, and institutional giants like BlackRock and MicroStrategy. What types of crypto projects do these funds invest in? They back diverse sectors from decentralized finance (DeFi) and blockchain infrastructure to privacy tech, Layer 1 protocols, and emerging Web3 applications. How are institutional investors influencing the crypto market? Institutions drive adoption by adding legitimacy, capital, and liquidity. Products like BlackRock’s Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs attract billions in investment and expand market participation. Why are venture capital funds vital for blockchain innovation? Crypto-focused VCs fund early-stage startups, helping develop new protocols, DeFi platforms, and blockchain solutions, acting as incubators for global crypto growth. What are the common crypto assets held by institutional funds? Bitcoin and Ethereum remain core holdings, often comprising 60–75% of portfolios, alongside assets like Solana, BNB, Ripple (XRP), and Avalanche (AVAX).

Japan’s 10-year government bond yield climbed to its highest since 2008, as markets reacted to expectations of expanded fiscal spending and increased government borrowing under the country’s new administration. The 30-year yield briefly touched 3.3%, further highlighting investor concerns about Japan’s debt trajectory and inflation outlook. JUST IN : Japan’s 30-Year Bond Yield jumps to 3.32%, the highest level in history pic.twitter.com/M156Wz6kdb — Barchart (@Barchart) October 7, 2025 The surge in yields reflects investors’ waning confidence in Japanese bonds amid speculation that the government will maintain stimulus-heavy policies despite persistent inflation. Such moves could spill over into global markets, pushing yields higher elsewhere as Japanese investors seek better returns abroad. Investor Takeaway If Japan’s fiscal strain leads to broader market volatility, Bitcoin could see both short-term pressure and long-term opportunity as a hedge asset. Yen Slides as Dollar Strengthens At the same time, the U.S. dollar rallied 4.2% against the Japanese yen between early October and press time, signaling a weakening yen. The move underscores the yen’s continued decline against the greenback, with the USD/JPY pair reaching levels last seen on February 14, according to FXCM data. The depreciation comes as traders bet that the Bank of Japan (BOJ) will stick with its ultra-loose monetary policy, even as inflation remains above its 2% target. A weaker yen boosts Japan’s export competitiveness but erodes domestic purchasing power, while the widening gap between Japanese and U.S. yields continues to fuel capital outflows. As a result, the U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against major currencies, has risen to a two-month high. Impact on Bitcoin and Broader Risk Assets Bitcoin, which recently hit record highs of ¥19.78 million in yen terms, has begun to face mild pressure as investors rebalance their portfolios. Typically, when capital flows shift in this way, it signals accumulation in Bitcoin—suggesting investors’ confidence in the asset relative to government bonds. The BTC/JPY pair, which currently trades around ¥18.457 million, only slightly below its all-time high, underscores continued market confidence. This trend indicates that investors are maintaining diversified portfolios—increasing exposure to bonds while keeping positions in high-volatility assets like Bitcoin, which has also reached new highs in dollar terms. Market analysts note that Bitcoin’s performance remains closely tied to macroeconomic conditions. Farzam Ehsani, Co-founder and CEO of VALR, noted: “The ongoing U.S. government shutdown has amplified Bitcoin’s safe-haven narrative, with investors increasingly rotating from U.S.-related assets like Treasuries into assets seen as resilient to political dysfunction and inflationary pressure.” Investor Takeaway Capital outflows from the yen and Treasuries into Bitcoin reflect a growing appetite for assets outside traditional financial systems. Political Shift Boosts Optimism On October 7, Asian markets climbed after Sanae Takaichi’s election as leader of Japan’s ruling party lifted investor confidence. The Nikkei 225 surged nearly 5%, while the yen weakened past ¥150 per dollar, reflecting expectations of continued fiscal stimulus and loose monetary policy. Wall Street’s AI-driven rally added momentum across the region, with tech stocks leading gains. Japan’s crypto sector also gained traction as Gumi Inc. added Bitcoin and XRP to its balance sheet, while Laser Digital began licensing talks with the FSA to expand institutional crypto services.