Category: crypto

OKX, a major cryptocurrency exchange, is launching a digital dollar wallet and Mastercard card in Brazil to simplify access to global finance and challenge the high-cost dollar broker market. The products allow users to convert Reais to digital dollars, earn APY, and spend globally without foreign transaction fees, aiming to replace traditional dollar brokers.

After the October crypto crash, venture capital investors are now more focused on infrastructure rather than risky crypto products. Higher interest rates and market maturity have made investors more selective. VCs are prioritizing capital efficiency, risk analytics, and real-time transparency. The market is consolidating around proven managers and infrastructure projects.

Sui blockchain upgraded its consensus engine to reduce latency and improve efficiency in transaction handling. The new version integrates transaction validation into the consensus process, eliminating redundant work and reducing confirmation time for transactions. A new submission path also reduces bandwidth and CPU usage. Future work aims to further improve transaction commit speeds and address…

Ripple raised $500 million in funding led by Fortress Investment Group and Citadel Securities, reaching a $40 billion valuation. The company expanded into custody, stablecoins, and prime brokerage through six acquisitions in two years. Its RLUSD stablecoin surpassed a $1 billion market cap and is used in Ripple Prime.

Top Ethereum protocols, including Aave, Uniswap, and Lido, have launched the Ethereum Protocol Advocacy Alliance to focus on global crypto policy. The initiative aims to push for pro-crypto regulation as crypto adoption increases. Retail investors are showing interest in decentralization, with growing support for clear rules in the emerging industry.

Chainlink is partnering with Dinari to bring the S&P Digital Markets 50 Index onchain, combining blockchain-focused U.S. equities and digital assets. This collaboration aims to set a new standard for hybrid financial products, with Chainlink’s decentralized oracle network providing real-time pricing data. The benchmark is set to launch in Q4 2025.

Ripple is testing its RLUSD stablecoin with Mastercard, WebBank, and Gemini for settling credit card transactions on the XRP Ledger. The pilot program aims to explore the use of blockchain technology to enhance traditional fiat payment processes. If successful, this would be one of the first instances of a regulated U.S. bank settling mainstream card…

CMT Digital has closed its fourth fund at $136 million to support crypto startups in infrastructure and DeFi despite a downturn in crypto venture funding. The firm leverages its trading heritage to identify promising projects. The fund aims to build blockchain-native infrastructure for global markets, with a focus on transformative ideas.

DeFi protocols are experiencing technical issues leading towards centralization, despite a golden age of decentralization. Syndicate’s Will Papper notes struggles in performance, with platforms like Uniswap V3 and Curve representing decentralized DeFi’s peak. Institutional capital is flowing into top assets, impacting the wider crypto ecosystem. Stablecoins play a key role in driving DeFi growth, but…

Tangem is launching Tangem Pay, allowing users to spend USDC with a virtual Visa card while keeping assets in self-custody. There are no fees, and privacy remains intact. The rollout begins in November in the U.S., LATAM, and APAC, with EU/UK planned for early 2026. Users control their private keys.