TLDR:Institutional Adoption Moves from Pilot to ProductionBlockchain Infrastructure and Regulatory Frameworks Take ShapeGet 3 Free Stock Ebooks BlackRock’s Larry Fink emphasizes tokenisation necessity as markets accelerate blockchain adoption for funds. Central banks prioritize wholesale CBDCs and regulated stablecoins to enhance settlement and cross-border payments. Bank of America and BNY Mellon prepare for transactional blockchain integration once regulatory clarity arrives. Bitcoin’s fixed supply positions it as potential reserve asset with sovereign allocations driving higher valuations. The World Economic Forum in Davos 2026 witnessed financial institutions shifting from questioning cryptocurrency’s validity to implementing tokenisation and blockchain technology across their operations.
Institutional Adoption Moves from Pilot to Production The financial sector has reached an inflection point where digital assets transition from experimental projects to regulated deployment.
Wholesale applications in settlements, collateral management, and securities markets are advancing first, with retail adoption expected to follow.
Major institutions plan to activate blockchain networks, treating tokenised funds and real-world assets as programmable alternatives to traditional ETFs operating continuously.
BlackRock’s Larry Fink addressed this transformation during the forum. According to André Casterman’s analysis, Fink stated that “tokenisation is necessary” and emphasized that “markets need to move very rapidly with tokenisation.”
Fink described on-chain products such as tokenised money-market and bond funds as next-generation instruments for established financial exposures. Blockchain technology provides the foundational record-keeping and settlement infrastructure for these products.
Central banks and financial institutions converged on wholesale-first strategies for central bank digital currencies, tokenised deposits, and regulated stablecoins including USDC and RLUSD.
These mechanisms aim to reduce settlement cycles, improve cross-border payment efficiency, and increase intraday liquidity. The approach contrasts sharply with volatile, unbacked cryptocurrencies that dominated earlier market cycles.
Bank of America’s Brian Moynihan predicted banks will “come in hard on the transactional side” once regulatory frameworks solidify. He views public and permissioned blockchains as interconnected payment layers where traditional banks maintain intermediary roles.
BNY Mellon CEO Robin Vince characterized digital assets as a “new interesting, innovative technology” that will reshape custody and settlement operations over the coming decades.
Blockchain Infrastructure and Regulatory Frameworks Take Shape Changpeng Zhao of Binance identified three areas showing promise: tokenisation for operational efficiency, payments for accelerated cross-border transfers, and artificial intelligence integration for automation.
Circle’s Jeremy Allaire positioned stablecoins as a “neutral layer” that complements rather than competes with traditional banking infrastructure.
Blockchain’s technical capabilities drove discussion at the forum. Shared ledgers enable simultaneous verification, programmable smart contracts automate processes, and composable architecture allows seamless system interconnections.
A panel featuring the Bank of France governor and Coinbase’s Brian Armstrong debated Bitcoin’s role as a scarce, decentralised alternative to fiat currencies, potentially countering inflation and monetary debasement.
Major fiat currencies abandoned gold standards during the twentieth century and currently lack hard asset backing.
Bitcoin’s fixed supply cap of 21 million units offers deflationary characteristics, operational transparency, and protection against debasement.
These attributes position Bitcoin as a potential reserve asset, with sovereign allocations possibly driving valuations to $500,000-$700,000 according to Fink’s projections.
United States regulatory developments include the forthcoming Digital Asset Market CLARITY Act, which divides oversight responsibilities between the SEC and CFTC.
White House Crypto Czar David Sacks commented on institutional participation, noting that “after market structure passes, banks are going to get fully into the crypto industry” and predicted “it’s going to be one digital assets industry.”
The framework enables traditional institutions to engage with digital assets under defined parameters.
XDC Network represents enterprise-grade blockchain infrastructure supporting this evolution. The platform’s hybrid protocol accommodates tokenised real-world assets, rapid settlements, and ISO 20022-compliant payments suited for wholesale finance.
The network targets dozens of new masternodes in 2026, scaling toward thousands by 2035 to support expanding institutional adoption.
TLDR: US Bank tests Stellar stablecoin issuance with PwC while Marshall Islands deploys UBI payments on network Dell joins Hedera’s AI integrity platform alongside NVIDIA and Intel for Verifiable Compute initiative Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin gains regulatory approval in Dubai and Abu Dhabi for legal operations XDC Network becomes first public blockchain member of Alternative Investment Management Association
Recent market conditions have led many observers to question the viability of cryptocurrency assets. However, beneath the surface of declining prices, enterprise blockchain adoption continues to accelerate.
A comprehensive analysis from Web3Alert highlights seven substantial developments across major blockchain networks during the past three months.
These advancements demonstrate that institutional interest and real-world implementation remain strong regardless of price volatility.
Most people assume crypto is dead because of how the markets are looking.
But time & time again, this industry proves that progress is the loudest when price is most quiet.
We've been in a downtrend for ~3 months now
But even then… Progress isn't just visible.
It's clear as… pic.twitter.com/rEqAQKRa9P
— Web3Alert (@theweb3alert) January 30, 2026
Financial Giants Enter Blockchain Infrastructure Stellar has secured partnerships with two major institutional players in recent weeks. US Bank, among America’s largest financial institutions, now tests stablecoin issuance on Stellar alongside PwC.
The Marshall Islands government has deployed universal basic income payments through the network. These moves strengthen Stellar’s position in both tokenization and payment systems.
Hedera’s collaboration with technology leaders continues to expand. Dell and EQTYLabs released a report on Verifiable Compute technology.
This initiative builds on Hedera’s AI integrity platform developed with NVIDIA and Intel. Accenture previously joined the effort, and Dell’s participation as a Hedera council member adds credibility.
Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin has gained regulatory approval across multiple jurisdictions. Dubai and Abu Dhabi financial authorities have authorized the token for legal use.
The stablecoin now integrates with leading real-world asset infrastructure platforms. These approvals mark progress in Ripple’s expansion strategy beyond its initial market.
Quant’s selection for the UK Finance GBTD program extends its work in British banking infrastructure. The project targets official bank deposits following Quant’s role in the UK RLN.
Banking institutions, FinTech providers, and external services rely on Quant’s blockchain backbone. The technology now serves as essential infrastructure for on-chain banking operations.
Global Trade and Institutional Asset Management IOTA’s ADAPT program advances Africa’s trade modernization efforts alongside the World Economic Forum. The initiative follows TLIP and TWIN projects focused on continental trade systems.
Digital identities, data exchange protocols, and payment innovations form the program’s core. African trade organizations and global leaders collaborate on rebuilding trade architecture through IOTA technology.
Ondo Finance launched an on-chain fund with State Street and Galaxy Digital. The asset management platform previously established Global Markets and achieved institutional adoption.
State Street’s involvement signals growing traditional finance participation in blockchain-based funds. The collaboration combines expertise from established asset management and digital finance sectors.
XDC Network became the first public distributed ledger technology member of the Alternative Investment Management Association.
The organization develops regulations and frameworks for alternative asset classes. XDC’s focus on trade receivables, agribusiness tokenization, and global trade aligns with AIMA’s mission. The membership places XDC among elite institutional finance organizations.
Web3Alert emphasized that these developments occurred during three months of downward price trends. The tweet noted that progress remains visible despite market conditions that drive retail participants away.
Enterprise blockchain adoption continues independent of short-term price movements across digital asset markets.
TLDR: BitGo Bank & Trust now provides regulated MPC custody for XDC tokens and USDC on XDC Network platform. Integration removes custody barriers preventing corporates and exchanges from deploying capital on blockchain. XDC Network gains competitive advantage in trade finance and cross-border payments through BitGo partnership. Institutional asset managers can custody XDC using same security standards required for traditional assets. XDC Network has finalized a custody partnership with BitGo, enabling regulated storage solutions for XDC tokens and USDC.
The integration addresses a critical infrastructure gap that has prevented institutional participants from deploying capital on the network.
BitGo’s Multi-Party Computation wallet technology, delivered through BitGo Bank & Trust, now provides enterprises with the security and compliance frameworks required for blockchain operations.
Regulated Custody Infrastructure Enables Enterprise Deployment The partnership resolves a fundamental barrier facing corporate blockchain adoption. Financial institutions and payment platforms require regulated custody before committing resources to distributed ledger systems.
BitGo Bank & Trust, National Association, operates as the regulated custodian entity supporting XDC chain operations.
According to Amitava Mandal, Director of XDC Tech US, Inc., “BitGo’s custody is infrastructure that unlocks real enterprise deployment.”
He emphasized that trade finance and payment platforms cannot operate on blockchain without regulated custody.
The integration eliminates this obstacle and creates pathways for institutional capital that were previously unavailable.
XDC Network announced the development through its official channels, confirming the custody support would unlock regulated access for tokens on the platform.
XDC Network has secured institutional custody support with @BitGo , unlocking regulated custody for XDC tokens and @USDC on the network, a major step toward enabling enterprises, exchanges, and financial institutions to deploy real capital on-chain.
With BitGo’s regulated MPC… pic.twitter.com/7vLshjl29z
— XDC Network (@XDCNetwork) February 3, 2026
Exchanges and institutional asset managers can now onboard XDC using custody standards equivalent to traditional financial assets. The integration applies the same security protocols that institutions employ for conventional holdings.
BitGo’s MPC wallet technology distributes cryptographic keys across multiple parties, enhancing security while maintaining accessibility.
The architecture prevents single points of failure that have historically concerned institutional participants. Financial service providers can now custody XDC assets within their existing regulatory frameworks.
Trade Finance and Cross-Border Payment Applications Gain Infrastructure Support XDC Network’s technical architecture targets trade finance, tokenized assets, and cross-border payment systems. The BitGo integration strengthens the network’s position in these sectors by providing the custody layer that enterprise applications require.
Legacy payment infrastructure faces challenges including slow settlement times, elevated costs, and limited transparency.
Mandal stated that the integration “removes that blocker and positions XDC Network for institutional capital flows that weren’t previously possible.”
The custody solution enables corporates to evaluate XDC Network as an alternative to traditional payment rails. Enterprises can now deploy blockchain-based payment systems with the same custodial protections they expect from conventional financial infrastructure.
Tokenized real-world assets represent another application area gaining infrastructure support. Asset managers and financial institutions can custody tokenized securities, trade finance instruments, and other digital representations of physical assets. The regulated framework addresses compliance requirements that govern institutional asset management.
Cross-border payment providers can leverage the custody integration to build settlement systems on XDC Network. The combination of fast settlement times and regulated custody creates conditions for institutional payment flows.
Payment platforms can now construct blockchain-based solutions without sacrificing regulatory compliance or security standards that their operations demand.
XDC Network [XDC] token shed 0.76% of its value over the last 24 hours. However, on the weekly charts, it was still up 6.13%. This compared favorably to the 12% loss Bitcoin [BTC] recorded over the past week, hinting at hidden XDC strength.
There seemed to be no clear coin-specific catalysts at work. In fact, the network has not been stellar lately. A recent AMBCrypto report even highlighted that the Layer 1 network may be one of the chains with a high market cap but low active users.
With a respectable $706 million in market cap, the chain’s daily active users plunged by 84% from 2021 to just 45k. This signaled low demand due to on-chain utility.
CryptoQuant data showed that the spot volume bubble map was in a cooling phase, signaling a decline in trading volume. It was the opposite of overheated conditions that tend to accompany market tops. However, this does not mean that an XDC bottom may be in.
Additionally, the spot taker cumulative volume delta shifted to neutral over the past three weeks, after being in a taker-sell-dominant phase since October. This could be another sign that the selling pressure might be easing.
Infrastructure upgrade and RWA issuance milestone highlight XDC’s growth On the other hand, the network announced a successful hardfork on 30 January. The upgrade strengthens XDC’s core infrastructure, which focuses on real-world asset tokenization.
Brazilian fintech Liqi Digital Assets and XDC Network announced a strategic partnership in April 2025. Aimed at bringing RWAs, DeFi, international payments, and trade finance, they recently reached the milestone of $100 million in tokenized RWAs on the XDC network.
In 2026, they target $500 million in issuances, further reinforcing the ease of tokenization as a way to manage debt and credit.
The partnership with Brazil’s VERT Capital is a sign of how XDC Network focuses on enterprise and institutional utility and is not a retail-centric chain. This deal’s aim is to tokenize $1 billion in debt and receivables on the XDC Network.
Source: XDC/USDT on TradingView On the price front, the XDC token was valued at $0.037. The prevailing bearish trend would likely see the $0.022-support level tested in a few weeks. This demand zone has been respected since June 2022.
A retest of $0.0227 is likely to be followed by a consolidation phase where the price could form a range below $0.03. Once such a range is established, long-term investors can look to buy and hold XDC once more.
Final Thoughts Ghost chain fears due to daily active addresses have been diluted by the strong RWA narrative being established around XDC Network. On-chain metrics revealed that selling pressure might be easing, but a price bottom could be weeks or months away.
The global momentum behind RWA tokenization has shifted from theoretical pilots to institutional-grade execution. As capital markets seek greater efficiency, transparency, and global reach, Brazil has emerged as a primary laboratory for this transformation.
This shift is driven by a unique combination of progressive regulation, a tech-savvy financial sector, and the search for lower operational costs. At the heart of this movement is the XDC Network, providing the neutral, public infrastructure necessary to bridge the gap between local debt markets and global liquidity.
The Dawn of the RWA Era in Latin America Tokenization is no longer a buzzword for the distant future; it is a live, operational reality in Brazil. While many jurisdictions are still debating the legal frameworks for digital assets, Brazil’s Central Bank and Securities Commission (CVM) have fostered an environment where innovation can thrive.
The tokenization of fixed income instruments, specifically debentures, represents a significant step forward. By digitizing these traditional assets, issuers can offer enhanced traceability and a higher degree of transparency, which are essential for attracting international institutional capital.
The XDC Network has positioned itself as the one of the leaders in this evolution. Unlike early blockchain experiments that focused on speculative assets, XDC was designed with international trade and finance in mind. Its ability to handle frequent transactions with minimal fees makes it the ideal candidate for scaling RWA projects that require high performance and reliability.
USD One Billion Roadmap in Sight VERT Capital, a leader in the Brazilian structured finance space, has recently announced the successful tokenization of two major Brazilian debentures on the XDC Network. This announcement marks a significant milestone not just for the companies involved but for the entire blockchain ecosystem.
This move effectively bridges the gap between different sectors of the economy, starting with Mottu, a growth leader in Latin American urban mobility and last-mile logistics. As a fast-moving, data-driven representative of Brazil’s new economy, Mottu has already tokenized approximately USD 60 million, with a total target of USD 93 million.
Complementing this innovation is the involvement of Banco Pine, a powerhouse in corporate and structured credit with a deep history of serving mid-market and large corporate clients. With their current tokenized volume reaching approximately USD 268 million, Banco Pine’s participation serves as a powerful signal that even the most established traditional financial institutions now recognize the tangible value and efficiency of moving complex debt instruments onto a public blockchain.
Together, these transactions bring the total volume tokenized on XDC via VERT to roughly USD 375 million. This volume is substantial even by global standards. More importantly, it demonstrates the network’s capacity to handle institutional-grade volume and complexity.
The partnership is now firmly on track to hit a targeted USD 1 billion in assets on the XDC Network by the end of 2026, a goal that would solidify XDC’s position as a global leader in the RWA space.
Public Blockchain: The Neutral Alternative to Private DLT A critical differentiator in these issuances is the choice of XDC Network as a public blockchain over domain-specific, private Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) networks. For years, the prevailing wisdom in banking was that private is safer. However, the industry is beginning to realize that private ledgers often recreate the very silos they were intended to break.
Private DLTs often attempt to emulate centralized systems. In doing so, they frequently fail to capture the true efficiencies of decentralization, such as global interoperability and 24/7 availability, while also forfeiting the mature, optimized performance of the centralized architectures they seek to replicate.
They create walled gardens that require complex, expensive integrations to talk to one another.
XDC Network, by contrast, serves as a neutral financial market infrastructure. It offers the best of both worlds:
Public Accessibility: Anyone can verify the state of the ledger, enhancing trust and auditability. Institutional Governance: By utilizing smart-contract-level permissioning, XDC ensures full regulatory alignment. Access to specific functions or assets can be restricted to verified, KYC-compliant participants. Connectivity Layer: This approach positions tokenization not as a replacement for existing capital market systems, but as a layer of open infrastructure that connects local markets to a global pool of investors. By embedding governance directly into the code, XDC allows for regulated decentralization, where the rules of the regulator are enforced automatically by the network protocol.
Surfing the Wave of Innovation The leadership driving this initiative views the current landscape not as a temporary trend, but as a fundamental shift in the plumbing of global finance.
“These issuances demonstrate how public blockchain infrastructure can add real value to traditional fixed-income markets. By bringing debentures from companies like Mottu and Banco Pine onto the XDC Network, VERT is enhancing transparency, traceability, and global visibility for Brazilian assets, while maintaining full regulatory alignment.”
— Diego Consimo, Head of LATAM, XDC Network.
“This is exactly how we see tokenization evolving: not as a replacement of existing systems, but as a layer of open, neutral infrastructure that connects local capital markets to global investors.”
This vision of connectivity over replacement is key to institutional adoption. It allows legacy systems to integrate with blockchain at their own pace, slowly migrating functions to the chain as confidence grows.
Gabriel Braga, Director of Digital Assets at VERT Capital, views the technological shift through a more visceral lens. He notes that many traditional institutions are reacting to blockchain with fear, attempting to build lifeboats to survive what they perceive as a disruptive storm.
“Everyone sees this huge swell of tokenization already arriving on capital-markets shores. A common reaction is to see it as a threat and build one-size-fits-all lifeboats, hoping the next wave won’t grow even bigger. It will grow bigger. We should see it as an opportunity and learn how to surf it.”
Braga’s analogy highlights the difference between defensive innovation (private DLTs) and offensive innovation (public blockchain). Those who learn to surf use the power of the wave, the liquidity and openness of public networks, to move faster and further than those huddled in lifeboats.
Brazil as a Global RWA Leader As these issuances demonstrate, Brazil is no longer just a participant in the digital asset space, it is a global frontrunner. The combination of high interest rates, a sophisticated banking system, and a clear regulatory path has made it the perfect environment for RWA tokenization to scale.
By leveraging XDC infrastructure, Brazilian companies are achieving a level of global visibility that was previously reserved for the largest multinational corporations. This democratizes access to capital, allowing companies like Mottu to tap into international markets with the same ease as a blue-chip bank.
Looking forward, the success of the Mottu and Banco Pine issuances serves as a blueprint for the next phase of financial evolution. As the XDC Network continues to grow, it reinforces its position as the preferred infrastructure for institutions that demand the benefits of a public, neutral ledger while operating within the rigorous boundaries of global financial regulation.
The path to USD 1 billion is more than just a target, it is a testament to the fact that the future of finance is open, transparent, and built on XDC.
XDC price is consolidating just above $0.03 as tokenized debt deals, trade-finance pilots and an Ethereum-aligned upgrade deepen its role in enterprise RWA infrastructure.
Summary
XDC Network is trading around $0.032 per token, with a market cap near $640 million and 24-hour volume in the mid-teens of millions. Price has inched higher by roughly 2–3% over the last day, but remains down on the week, reflecting a slow grind after a broader altcoin pullback. Recent upgrades, tokenized debt deals and trade-finance pilots signal growing real-world asset usage even as speculative flows stay modest compared with higher-beta altcoins. XDC Network (XDC), a hybrid Layer-1 focused on enterprise and trade-finance applications, is currently changing hands at about $0.032 per coin, according to both Binance and third-party price aggregators. Binance lists the live XDC price at $0.03206, with a market capitalization of roughly $639.15 million and 24-hour trading volume of $16.29 million, based on a circulating supply of 19.94 billion XDC. A parallel snapshot from 3Commas shows XDC at $0.03214, a 2.8% gain over the last 24 hours, on a $14.73 million trading volume and market cap of $640.9 million.
Historical data from Yahoo Finance place XDC’s recent trading range between $0.0304 and $0.0324 over the past several sessions, underscoring how the token has been consolidating just above $0.03 after earlier weakness in March. CoinMarketCap’s price-history table likewise records daily closes clustered in the $0.031–$0.034 band throughout early March 2026, with no single breakout day but a sequence of tight ranges. That pattern contrasts with the sharp spikes seen in high-volatility memecoins, and instead reflects more measured spot flows into and out of a large-cap infrastructure asset.
Network fundamentals and institutional traction Under the hood, XDC Network markets itself as an EVM-compatible, enterprise-grade blockchain for real-world asset tokenization, cross-border payments and trade-finance settlement, placing XDC in the RWA and L1 categories rather than pure DeFi or meme segments. CoinGecko reports a circulating supply of 16 billion XDC in another widely used dataset, with a fully diluted valuation of roughly $3.49 billion assuming a maximum supply of 38 billion tokens. That configuration gives XDC one of the larger RWA/L1 market caps, even if daily volume remains below the most aggressively traded smart-contract platforms.
February’s XDC Network update outlined several major developments that help explain why institutions are watching the chain even as price moves remain subdued. The network completed its v2.6.8 “Cancun” upgrade at block 98,800,200, aligning with Ethereum’s Cancun standard and introducing EIP-1559-style fee mechanics, improved EVM efficiency, and stronger consensus performance on mainnet. Separate to the protocol changes, XDC supported a $75 million tokenized debt issuance in Brazil, expanding its Latin American footprint and positioning the chain as a settlement layer for structured credit in emerging markets.
XDC within the RWA and hybrid-L1 landscape The combination of hybrid architecture, compliance-by-design tooling and EVM compatibility has led some industry observers to describe XDC as part of a blueprint for institutional-grade blockchain adoption in 2026. At the same time, market data from CoinGecko show 24-hour XDC trading volume around $46.1 million on certain days, a figure that has recently risen by over 11% in a single session, signalling that liquidity is gradually deepening as more venues list the token.
Republic has joined XDC Network as an institutional validator, adding another established financial technology institution to the blockchain’s validator group as it expands its role in trade finance and real-world asset tokenization.
Under the partnership , Republic will operate masternodes responsible for helping secure XDC Network and validate on-chain transactions. The announcement links Republic more directly to the technical systems behind blockchain-based financial applications, particularly those designed for institutional markets.
XDC Network is an enterprise-grade layer-one blockchain built for global trade and finance. Its architecture supports real-world asset tokenization, cross-border settlement, trade finance applications, stablecoins, and institutional decentralized applications.
For Republic, the validator role deepens its exposure to blockchain systems beyond marketplace services, tokenization, asset management, advisory, and staking operations.
“XDC is one of the few blockchain networks where the use cases are not theoretical, they are live, scaled, and institutionally backed. The trade finance track record, the validator set, the real-world asset pipeline. For Republic, joining at the infrastructure level is a statement about where we see the digital asset economy heading, and the kind of infrastructure we want backing that conviction,” said Jeffrey Vier, Head of Tokenization at Republic.
Republic Brings Institutional Backing to XDC’s Validator Set Validators play a core role in proof-of-stake and masternode-based blockchain networks. They help confirm transactions, support network uptime, and contribute to the trust model behind on-chain activity.
Republic’s participation comes as XDC Network continues to add institutional validators to its ecosystem. Recent validator additions include HashKey Cloud and UOB Venture Management.
Shanlong James Chen, Head of Strategic Investments at XVC Tech, the venture capital arm of XDC Network, said Republic’s participation supports the network’s institutional growth.
“Each additional institutional validator improves the robustness of our layer 1 protocol as well as correspondingly increases credibility and confidence in the network. This announcement at Consensus Miami is well timed. We will be unveiling more US validators in the coming weeks as XDC increases its North American footprint,” Chen said.
The timing also points to XDC Network’s growing focus on the US market. More institutional validators could help the network strengthen its presence among financial firms, asset managers, and blockchain companies exploring tokenized finance.
Trade Finance and RWAs Remain XDC’s Main Focus XDC Network has built its market identity around trade finance, tokenized assets, and enterprise blockchain applications. These areas have become a major part of institutional crypto adoption as firms search for more efficient settlement systems and digital representations of financial assets.
Trade finance remains one of blockchain’s most discussed enterprise use cases due to its reliance on documentation, intermediaries, and cross-border coordination. Tokenization offers a way to represent assets and related financial rights on-chain, while blockchain settlement can reduce operational friction across markets.
Republic has facilitated more than $2.6 billion in investments, supported over 2,500 ventures, and built a community of more than 3 million users across 150 countries. Its business spans private market investment services, community financing, accredited investment opportunities, tokenization, staking, digital asset management, blockchain advisory, and private investment advisory services.
By joining XDC Network at the validator level, Republic is supporting the base systems used for transaction validation and network resilience. The move also gives XDC another institutional participant as it grows its validator network around real-world financial use cases.
For XDC Network, the announcement adds momentum to its institutional validator program. For Republic, it extends the company’s role in digital assets into the operational foundation of a network focused on trade finance and real-world assets.
Crypto has spent years chasing its grand institutional moment. Most of the attention has gone to Bitcoin ETFs, tokenized funds, stablecoins, and the promise of Wall Street moving on-chain. Yet one of the clearest use cases may sit in a far less glamorous corner of finance: trade finance.
That is the market Travis John, Head of Institutional DeFi at XDC Network, believes blockchain can improve in a practical way.
Speaking at Consensus Miami, Travis described a global trade system still dependent on fragmented records, slow bank coordination, paper-heavy processes, and expensive financing.
“Since 2019, we’ve been building these rails,” Travis said. The goal, he explained, is “a better, faster, cheaper, more transparent way to track global commerce.”
Global Trade Still Runs on Broken Records The problem is easy to understand. A shipment of coffee can involve nine parties. Copper can involve eleven. Banks, exporters, importers, logistics providers, and financiers all touch the same transaction, yet they often work from separate records.
That creates delays and mistrust. When banks cannot see the full picture, they price risk higher. When smaller importers or exporters cannot prove their records clearly enough, they may lose access to financing altogether.
Travis pointed to the scale of the problem.
“The trade finance industry is about $15 trillion, give or take,” he said. Within that market, he cited “a $2.5 trillion plus gap” where businesses cannot access the financing they need.
That gap affects real companies moving real goods. Many exporters and importers cannot close deals because lenders do not have enough trusted data to underwrite them fairly.
XDC Wants to Make Trade Finance Visible This is where XDC’s pitch becomes more interesting than another generic real-world asset story. The network is focused on trade documents, shipment details, certificates, invoices, and other proofs that multiple parties need to trust.
Travis described blockchain as the record layer that brings those moving parts into one shared view. If every party can see the same verified information, financing can become cheaper and faster.
The opportunity is especially strong for smaller companies locked out of traditional trade finance. Travis said many are forced into high-cost funding because lenders cannot underwrite them properly.
With better records, he said, costs can fall sharply. In some cases, he suggested the improvement could be around 50%.
A great way to close out Consensus Miami.
Under The Stars with @StJude & @NolchaShows brought together builders, institutions, investors, creators, and supporters from across both the XDC ecosystem and the broader digital asset industry for an incredible evening of conversation,… pic.twitter.com/0Pmnn43YsW
— XDC USA (@XDC_USA) May 11, 2026 Stablecoins Were the Missing Payment Layer XDC has been building trade finance rails for years, but Travis said the market needed a practical payment mechanism before the system could scale.
“The thing that really needed to be in place that was missing was stablecoins,” he said.
A blockchain ledger can track the transaction, but stablecoins can move the money. Travis described a “stablecoin sandwich,” where fiat enters on one side, stablecoins move through the middle, and fiat comes out at the other end.
A process that can take seven days through traditional channels could happen in closer to 24 hours, depending on the parties involved. That means faster settlement, lower costs, and better cash flow for businesses that depend on cross-border trade.
The Real Asset Is Cash Flow For investors, Travis frames trade finance as something more grounded than speculative crypto yield.
“This is a claim on cash flows. This is real businesses, real goods that are moving from point A to point B with real purchase orders, real invoices.”
That may be the real hook. Trade finance is dull. It is paperwork, shipping, settlement, and funding. Travis admitted as much: “It’s kind of a boring business.”
But boring markets are often where infrastructure matters most. If crypto can reduce friction in a $15 trillion market, it does not need hype to prove its value.
It needs cheaper financing, faster settlement, and records people can trust. And XDC is betting on this version of institutional DeFi: better rails for global commerce.
XDC Network has been gaining traction thanks to its real-world asset tokenization framework. Following its debut in 2019, the network, which was designed to address asset gaps across multiple niches, from cross-border payments to trade finance, now holds over $870 million in RWA assets as of May 2026.
Weaving RWA Narratives Across Multiple Fronts The current amount that XDC Network holds as tokenized real-world assets weaves RWA narratives across multiple fronts.These include corporate bonds, US treasuries, institutional funds, stablecoins, government securities, and private credit.Due to the narrative coherence and an ecosystem with strong infrastructure, XDC’s price action has not been subject to pure speculation.
RWA Gains Narrative Dominance in Consensus Miami 2026 The recent Consensus Miami 2026 was an event that saw over 20,000 attendees, companies that combined manage over $4 trillion in assets. According to Fintech TV, most of them focused on RWA.
According to reports, the RWA tokenization market currently tops $33 billion, and it does not include stablecoins. A three-month high, the surge in market value seems to have shifted the conversation from purely speculative assets to infrastructural ones.
Part of the reason RWA has been getting noticed is reportedly because of XDC Network’s growing popularity.
More Visited than Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP: CoinMarketCap CoinMarketCap’s search data revealed that XDC Network has secured a higher ranking than three key cryptos: Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP, in terms of most visited tokens. While this is only a sentiment indicator, as it has had no impact on trading volume, it has made the community interested in what the network may have in store.
interested in what the network may have in store.
Source: CoinMarketcap
The indicators highlight a larger disconnect between XDC’s live infrastructure activity and people’s preference to search for a stronger infrastructure token over crypto’s largest assets.
From US Treasuries to Asset-Backed Credit: RWA Tokenization is Growing It was recently revealed on Bitget that the RWA tokenization market has grown past the $33.7 billion mark.
US treasuries hold the biggest chunk of this total market capitalization. Commodities like gold hold second place, and asset-backed credit holds third.
It is noted that rising institutional interest has been the vehicle that strengthened the RWA narrative, especially since giants like BlackRock, Franklin Templeton, and JPMorgan have shown significant interest.
These all have their own tokenized products, which means they may now be all in on the RWA narrative and are seeking to support infrastructures that can scale with the growing demand.
Other factors that institutions are looking into are settlement speed, which is the core feature that determines how digital assets translate into the real world. Compliance architecture is the second factor, and the infrastructure’s ability to interact with the traditional financial ecosystem is the third.
These growing talks have put XDC in the headlines. The RWA crypto recently crossed the $750 million market cap, and according to CoinMarketCap’s community sentiment bar, 86% of crypto enthusiasts are bullish on XDC.
XDC Network welcomes Animoca Brands as institutional masternode validator
19 May 2026
XDC Network and Animoca Brands today announced that Animoca Brands has joined the XDC Network as a strategic validator, operating masternodes on a blockchain that processes billions of dollars in trade finance and real-world asset transactions annually.
Shanlong James Chen, Head of Asia at XDC Network (left); Samuel Tse, VP of investments, strategies, and partnerships at Animoca Brands (right)The announcement is a significant milestone for XDC Network's institutional validator programme, which has been attracting interest from prominent organisations as demand for enterprise-grade blockchain infrastructure accelerates globally. XDC Network's hybrid architecture is designed specifically for trade finance, cross-border settlement, and real-world asset tokenisation, distinguishing it from general-purpose blockchains competing for institutional adoption.
Animoca Brands, one of the most active investors and builders in Web3, will operate XDC masternodes and join XDC's validator base to secure the network, alongside other leading institutions including Deutsche Telekom, HashKeyCloud, Republic, SBI Holdings and UOB Venture Management.
Atul Khekade, co-founder of XDC Network, said: "XDC Network has always been built on the conviction that institutional-grade infrastructure requires institutional-grade validators. Animoca Brands brings not just credibility to our validator set, but a reach into networks that can accelerate the kind of real-world asset activity and liquidity that XDC was designed to support.”
Added Shanlong James Chen, Head of Asia at XDC Network and Head of Strategic Investments at XVC Tech (Venture arm of XDC Network), said: “Animoca Brands is an internationally renowned Web3 institution with a vibrant ecosystem of portfolio companies that can potentially build on XDC. With Animoca Brands actively investing in the blockchain space, this partnership also bodes well for builders on XDC Network from a potential funding perspective."
Samuel Tse, VP of investments, strategies, and partnerships at Animoca Brands, added:"XDC's track record in trade finance and its growing ecosystem of real-world asset applications make it a compelling network for us to participate in at the infrastructure level. This partnership allows us to contribute meaningfully to a blockchain that is solving genuine problems in global finance, while building a position that aligns with our long-term outlook on tokenised assets."
About XDC Network
XDC Network is an enterprise-ready, open-source blockchain protocol optimised for international trade and finance. Its hybrid architecture supports real-world asset tokenisation, cross-border settlements, and institutional-grade decentralised applications. XDC powers a growing ecosystem of trade finance, stablecoin, and digital asset projects globally.
About Animoca Brands
Animoca Brands Corporation Limited (ACN: 122 921 813) is a global digital assets leader building and investing in impactful technologies and ecosystems to reimagine future economies through AI and the agentic web. It has received broad industry and market recognition including Fortune Crypto 40, Top 50 Blockchain Game Companies 2025, Financial Times’ High Growth Companies Asia-Pacific, and Deloitte Tech Fast. Animoca Brands is recognized for building digital asset platforms such as the Moca Network, Open Campus, Anichess, and The Sandbox, as well as institutional-grade platforms; providing digital asset services to help Web3 companies launch and grow; and investing in frontier Web3 technology, with a portfolio of over 600 companies and digital assets. For more information visit www.animocabrands.com or follow on X, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and TikTok.
XDC Network [XDC] ranked as the day’s second‑highest gainer, even as the broader crypto market stayed flat. At press time, XDC was up more than 14% in 24 hours, reversing its weekly loss into a 9% gain.
Fundamental and on-chain drivers of XDC Network XDC’s short‑term surge was driven by its strategic partnership with Animoca Brands, a leading gaming and venture firm that will serve as an institutional masternode validator. According to Shanlong James Chen, Head of Asia at XDC Network, the partnership brings funding support, particularly for builders on the chain.
Alongside this collaboration, network expansion was also crucial. For instance, the number of transactions in the past two weeks rose to 749K, as per XDC Explorer. However, account growth has fallen sharply to zero from an average of 853K since mid-April.
The total stablecoin market cap on the network has also jumped by 49% in a week as of writing. It stood at $118 million, an addition of $39 million in this period. USDC dominates this cap with 98%.
Source: DefiLlama The Total Value Locked (TVL) was also up by 12.40% to around $14.78 million in the past 24 hours. Its daily DEX volume was slightly higher than that of the previous day by around $40K, clocking in at about $356K.
XDC breaks out but stalls on lower timeframes The price charts showed the altcoin had broken out of a descending trendline pattern on the daily timeframe. Even after the breakout, the XDC price entered a range consolidation.
Source: XDC/USDT on TradingView On the 4‑hour chart, XDC has been trading between $0.02890 and $0.03305 since mid‑March. Earlier this month, an upside breakout was rejected, sending the price back into the range.
At press time, however, XDC broke out again, with the trend appearing stronger as the Choppiness Index (CHOP) sits at 42 and declining, a signal of potential momentum.
Moreover, the Advance/Decline Ratio rose to 8, suggesting the price was moving up consistently. It has, however, started to decline as XDC potentially forms a double top around $0.03700.
Source: XDC/USDT on TradingView Overall, the price action had broken out of a bearish pattern on the bigger timeframes but was still stalling on the lower ones. It’s worth noting that these lower timeframes were showing a shift in momentum to the upside, suggesting the altcoin could escape the consolidation.
Final Summary XDC Network rallies 14% in a day after Animoca Brands partnership and network growth. XDC was bullish on bigger timeframe charts but slow on the smaller ones, though momentum was shifting.
Cardano’s total stablecoin market cap has climbed to roughly $54.88 million, a 15% jump from where it stood in early March 2026. That figure captures just how quickly liquidity has been building on the network over the past several weeks.
USDCx Drives the Surge Circle’s USDCx now commands the largest share of Cardano’s stablecoin market at 45.20%, with USDM at 26.90%, USDA at 15.45%, and DJED at around 5.90%. Data from Cexplorer shows that nearly 8 million USDCx were minted within just the last two days of the reporting period.
According to Messari data, Cardano recorded a 61% rise in stablecoin market cap over the past seven days — the highest among major blockchain networks tracked during that period. Polygon came in second at 36%, followed by World Chain at 10.3%, HyperEVM at 7.4%, and XDC Network at 3.5%.
Source: Messari Net stablecoin flow for the current epoch on Cardano has reached approximately $8.55 million. Reports indicate that around $9.57 million worth of stablecoins were minted during this stretch, while roughly $1 million were burned.
A Gap That Still Remains The minting surge has been concentrated in USDCx, which is Circle’s on-chain representation of USDC on the Cardano blockchain. That product has seen consistent minting activity throughout the week, with activity accelerating in the final two days.
ADAUSD currently at $0.23. Chart: TradingView Despite the momentum, Cardano has not yet secured a direct integration of a Tier-1 stablecoin such as Circle’s native USDC or Tether’s USDT.
Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has raised this point repeatedly, saying that such an addition would significantly strengthen the network’s DeFi activity and liquidity depth.
What The Numbers Reflect The figures point to rising on-chain activity across the Cardano ecosystem, even as the network continues working toward deeper stablecoin infrastructure.
Analysts generally treat stablecoin inflows as a signal of expanding financial activity and wider DeFi adoption on a given chain.
Cardano’s one-week performance puts it well ahead of the other networks in Messari’s rankings for stablecoin market cap growth.
Whether that pace holds will likely depend on how quickly new stablecoin integrations and minting activity continue across the ecosystem.
Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView
Kepler Cheuvreux raises ASML’s European share price target from €1,460 to €1,830.
Kepler Cheuvreux has raised the target price for ASML’s European shares from €1,460 to €1,830.
7 minutes ago
Stifel: U.S. economy in "overheated expansion" as AI investment cycle outweighs consumer pressure
U.S. large diversified financial services holding company Stifel has raised its year-end S&P 500 target and rolled out a stock allocation framework for a "high-growth, high-inflation" environment. The firm lifted its year-end S&P 500 target to 7,800 points, noting the U.S. economy is entering a "running hot" state—where economic growth is strengthening alongside mounting inflationary pressure. Stifel’s models show U.S. growth momentum is picking up while inflation momentum is clearly overheating, a trend that will reshape the market’s leading sector structure in the second half of the year. Instead of traditional consumer sectors, Stifel’s top picks are investment-led cyclical industries, including banks, transportation, materials, energy, semiconductors, software and equipment. The firm adds that fixed-asset investment in AI remains on the rise: large tech firms including Amazon, Microsoft, Meta and Google are projected to combine for roughly $725 billion in total capital expenditures in 2026, some $100 billion higher than prior estimates. This means the AI investment chain is likely to continue outperforming the consumption chain squeezed by inflation. Stifel advises investors to reduce exposure to discretionary consumer, consumer staples, communication services and some financial services sectors, as these areas see weaker earnings revisions. Conversely, the firm favors cyclical value stocks and hedges with defensive value sectors such as insurance, autos, energy and banks.
7 minutes ago
Analyst: Micron's earnings boost overall market sentiment for the tech sector
Chris Strazzeri, Financial Trading Manager of Moomoo’s Australia and New Zealand branch, stated: “The targeted sell-off indicates that following a sustained, strong rally in AI-related and speculative growth stocks, investors are enforcing strict valuation discipline. This serves as a warning to the market that actual earnings levels must now rise to support the currently overvalued price-to-earnings ratio. Micron Technology’s post-market earnings results largely confirm this, and its robust performance has lifted overall market sentiment in the tech sector.”
7 minutes ago
2x Leveraged Long DRAM ETF (RAM) Records $383 Million in Trading Volume on Its First Day of Listing
According to Bitget market data, the Roundhill T-REX 2X Long DRAM Daily Target ETF (Nasdaq ticker: RAM) officially launched trading yesterday. On its first trading day, the fund recorded a total turnover of $383 million, and rose 29.47% in after-hours U.S. stock trading to hit $30.8. Note: RAM’s underlying exposure covers companies engaged in memory-related technologies, including DRAM, NAND and storage solutions, targeting active traders seeking leveraged exposure to the memory chip theme and artificial intelligence infrastructure development.
7 minutes ago
BCA Research raises its S&P 500 target to 8,100 points, with AI remaining a core variable.
BCA Research has become the latest strategy firm to raise its US stock market target, reflecting Wall Street’s growing optimism about earnings support for US equities in the second half of the year. The institution lifted its year-end S&P 500 target from 7,700 points to 8,100 points. BCA’s core view is that first-quarter corporate earnings exceeded expectations in both strength and breadth, and the US economy has re-entered an expansion phase. Similar to JPMorgan Chase, BCA believes this stock rally is not only driven by valuation expansion—earnings themselves are delivering the index’s gains. AI remains the core variable in this assessment. Large tech firms including Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta and Oracle continue to increase capital spending on data centers and AI infrastructure, driving growth in orders for chips, servers, construction, power and related industrial chains. This provides a clearer fundamental basis for upward revisions to 2026 and 2027 earnings. The institution points out that risks exist: the earnings expansion brought by AI investments has already been quickly priced into the market. If subsequent returns on capital spending are questioned, or interest rates remain elevated, further upside for the index will require more earnings confirmation rather than relying solely on investor risk appetite.
7 minutes ago
Tom Lee: Markets have nearly priced in two interest rate hikes from the Federal Reserve this year, and the rise in US Treasury yields is weighing on market sentiment.
Tom Lee said the market is still digesting Kevin Warsh’s remarks from his first press conference last week and repricing the macro environment. Over the past week, oil prices have pulled back, with war premiums contracting. Current oil prices are not far from the roughly $65 level seen before the conflict, indicating the market views related war risks as declining. On the other hand, 10-year U.S. Treasury yields continue to rise, now around 4.5%, higher than the pre-conflict level of roughly 4.2%. The main headwind the market has faced recently has shifted from oil prices to yields. Tom Lee noted that the market is not only focused on 10-year U.S. Treasury yields but also starting to price in potential additional interest rate hikes from the Federal Reserve. According to federal funds futures, the market is currently pricing in nearly two rate hikes this year. Bank of America further projected today that the Fed will raise rates three times this year, in September, October, and December respectively. Jeffrey Gundlach often emphasizes the importance of monitoring 2-year U.S. Treasury yields, as they typically lead the Fed and signal the central bank’s policy direction. Between 2023 and 2025, the relationship between 2-year U.S. Treasury yields and the federal funds rate indicated that the Fed’s policy was overly tight, requiring interest rate cuts. However, this relationship has recently reversed, meaning the Fed would need two rate hikes to catch up with 2-year U.S. Treasury yields. He believes that, at least for now, yields have become a headwind for the market.
Live markets: Bitcoin, ether lead $1 billion liquidation losses as AI trade keeps going
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5:35 AM
Negative
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Positive
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4:53 AM
Neutral
BTC0.00%
Bitcoin has a new line in the sand. Thursday’s core PCE could stress test it.
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4:32 AM
Negative
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4:29 AM
Negative
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Yesterday
7:52 PM
Neutral
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7:48 PM
Positive
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5:18 PM
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4:01 PM
Negative
BTC0.00%
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4:00 PM
BTC0.00%
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3:45 PM
Negative
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3:42 PM
Negative
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3:23 PM
Neutral
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2:47 PM
Negative
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1:48 PM
Negative
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1:42 PM
Negative
BTC0.00%
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Positive
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1:00 PM
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Neutrino $USDN lost its peg for the first time since June 16 as it was updated to implement upgrades to the protocol. Confirmation of the upgrade was announced at 4 pm BST Thursday, several hours after the peg fell from $0.98 to $0.96.
At the time of press, the stablecoin has fallen even lower to $0.94, recording a 4% decline on the day. $USDN fell even lower back in April when it dropped to $0.78 before soaring back to $0.98 within days.
Update #8 was decided on through a governance vote which included four proposals. The winning proposals were announced via the official Neutrino Twitter account.
⚡️Update
We have implemented the changes from the latest voting.
✅USDN>WAVES Max Swap Amount depends on the current BR. WAVES>USDN Max Swap Amount remains unchanged
✅BR protection added
✅gNSBT rewards distribution between SURF and NSBT stakers has been improved
The vote passed updates to “implement new swap mechanics, so that Max Swap Amount of USDN>WAVES swaps will depend on the current BR value.” The update increased the maximum allowable value of $USDN that can be swapped into $WAVES depending on the backing ratio (BR.) The BR is the share of $WAVES tokens in relation to the $USDN supply.
Another vote to “Increase protocol fee for USDN>WAVES swaps” was rejected by the community, with 62% voting “No.”
The community did pass a third proposal to “implement new BR protection mechanics, so that BR cannot go lower than 10%.” This update is likely part of the “urgent measures” required to “stabilize the protocol and ensure the security of its reserves.”
Adding protection to the backing ratio to ensure it cannot go outside a set range is part of the strategy to defend the peg. However, given the stablecoin has not recovered from its 4% drop, questions have to be raised about the update's effectiveness.
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A final proposal also passed with a massive majority of 95%, reworking the reward distribution for gNSBT staked tokens. Previously, $SURF token holders only received 2% of rewards; the proposal increases this based on specific market conditions.
The update has been live for less than 24 hours; therefore, time may be needed for the updates to affect the network. CryptoSlate chatted to Waves founder Sasha Ivanov last week and spoke directly about the strategies used to defend the peg.
In the interview, Ivanov stated that he believed the peg would remain relatively stable throughout the coming months before restoring its peg to $1. However, he did not rule out the occasional bout of volatility.
Watch the full interview here.
CryptoSlate is waiting for a comment from the Waves team.
Even as Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) general partner and venture capitalist Chris Dixon recently claimed none of the companies in the a16z portfolio are allowed to sell tokens to the public, a review of a16z's investments revealed several instances that appear to disagree with Dixon's assertion.
Horowitz was recently featured on the New York Times' Hard Fork podcast, where he discussed and justified the investment strategies of his firm, according to Protos.
During the interview, Dixon made a notable statement regarding Helium, asserting, “No company we’re involved with — nor would we allow them to do this — sells tokens to the public.”
This claim has come under scrutiny when considering the broader scope of a16z's investments.
An examination of a16z's portfolio reveals some conflicting instances.
Horowitz's involvement in DFINITY, a prominent blockchain project known for creating Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) tokens, is a prime example.
These tokens, integral to DFINITY's aim of extending the functionality of the internet, were distributed to individuals who made contributions to the DFINITY foundation, a move that seems at odds with Dixon's statement.
Furthermore, a16z's investment in Fei Protocol, an innovative algorithmic stablecoin project added to the complexity. Fei's initial offering involved the sale of FEI (CRYPTO: FEI) tokens and TRIBE governance tokens during its Genesis Event.
Also Read: Bitcoin ETFs Already Hold 3% Of BTC's Supply: Where Does Institutional Adoption End?
Another notable investment by a16z is in Sky Mavis, the developer behind the popular blockchain-based game Axie Infinity (CRYPTO: AXS).
Sky Mavis made headlines with the sale of its AXS token on Binance Launchpad, a platform known for facilitating new cryptocurrency offerings.
This sale is particularly noteworthy as AXS tokens play a crucial role in the Axie Infinity ecosystem, a game that has gained massive popularity in the blockchain gaming community.
In another part of the interview, Dixon discussed non-fungible tokens (NFTs), seemingly distinguishing them from other tokens.
He noted that several a16z-backed companies have engaged in selling NFTs to retail customers.
This includes VeeFriends, a platform used by entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk for selling his NFTs, and Yuga Labs, the creators of the Bored Ape Yacht Club, one of the most recognized NFT collections in the market.
a16z also backed PROOF Collective, which has made a significant impact in the NFT space by auctioning its unique digital collectibles.
Benzinga reached out to Dixon for a comment.
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Photo: Shutterstock
Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
CoinMarketCap Research’s latest analysis examines APENFT and its mission to bridge physical fine art and NFT technology. The report explains how APENFT registers renowned traditional artworks on-chain as non-fungible tokens (NFTs). By converting famous paintings into NFTs, the project demonstrates expanded use cases for NFTs beyond digital collectibles.
The report reveals how this process creates new avenues for artists to engage collectors by tokenizing their physical masterpieces. Unlike most NFT projects focused solely on digital artwork, APENFT takes this approach to pioneer new models of connecting real-world art with Web3 infrastructure. These on-chain versions also enable reliable tracking of an artwork’s provenance and exhibition history via immutable blockchain records.
APENFT represents a future where the gap between physical fine art and crypto continues closing through tokenization.
About CoinMarketCap CoinMarketCap is ‘Home Of Crypto’, the world’s most trusted cryptocurrency data authority. Its mission is to accelerate the crypto revolution by organizing the world’s crypto intelligence and making it easily accessible to all.
The TRON ecosystem will seemingly soon get its own marketplace for inscription tokens developed by APENFT.
In an X post on Mar. 4, TRON founder Justin Sun revealed that the blockchain ecosystem will soon get its own native inscription marketplace for digital tokens.
Sun also revealed that the new venture is being developed by APENFT, a team of blockchain developers focused on investing in non-fungible token (NFT) platforms and artworks. Although specific details and a launch timeline were not disclosed, it’s expected that the project will also integrate support for BTT, BitTorrent’s native token based on the TRC-20 standard.
Following the news, APENFT’s native token NFT soared by 25% to $0.0000006941, a level last seen in June 2022, according to data from CoinMarketCap.
Initially conceived as a means to embed diverse data or content onto a Satoshi, the smallest unit of Bitcoin (BTC), inscriptions have garnered increased attention within the global crypto market. The heightened interest has prompted multiple crypto exchanges to introduce their own marketplaces for inscription tokens. For instance, in early February, Binance announced the launch of the Binance Inscriptions Marketplace, positioning itself to compete with platforms like OKX.
In a groundbreaking collaboration, TRON and APENFT have announced the introduction of a revolutionary innovation: the redeemable inscription. This marks a significant advancement in the realm of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), promising novel opportunities for both seasoned investors and newcomers to the space. The unveiling of this innovation coincides with the highly anticipated launch day of the TRONscription Market, where participants will have the unique opportunity to engage with the first-ever redeemable inscription tied to the $NFT token.
The partnership between TRON and APENFT underscores a shared commitment to driving innovation and pushing the boundaries of what is possible within the burgeoning NFT ecosystem. By leveraging the TRON network’s capabilities and APENFT’s expertise in the field, this collaboration aims to democratize access to NFTs and unlock new avenues for creativity and expression.
Features and Benefits of the Redeemable Inscription At the heart of this partnership lies the redeemable inscription, a game-changing feature that offers unparalleled functionality within the TRON ecosystem. This innovative mechanism enables users to mint, trade, transfer, and redeem inscriptions with unprecedented ease and flexibility. By leveraging the power of blockchain technology, participants can seamlessly navigate the complexities of the NFT market and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
One of the key benefits of the redeemable inscription is its tradability, which empowers users to leverage market dynamics to their advantage. Additionally, the inscription’s transferability ensures frictionless transactions on the official marketplace, further enhancing liquidity and accessibility. Perhaps most enticingly, participants will enjoy a waived platform fee, making the inscription an irresistible investment proposition for NFT enthusiasts seeking to maximize their returns.
Also Read: Bitcoin Miners Rake in $75.9M Daily Revenue, Second-Highest To Date
Empowerment Packages and Ecosystem Growth Beyond the groundbreaking innovation of the redeemable inscription, TRON is committed to fostering the growth and sustainability of its ecosystem through the introduction of empowerment packages. These carefully curated packages are designed to provide users with the tools, resources, and support they need to thrive within the TRON community.
By offering access to exclusive benefits and opportunities, these empowerment packages play a pivotal role in driving ecosystem growth and fostering collaboration among participants. From educational resources to strategic partnerships, these packages are poised to empower users to actively contribute to the evolution of the TRON ecosystem. As TRON continues to push the boundaries of innovation and reshape the NFT landscape, readers are encouraged to explore these packages and stay informed about future developments.
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Key NotesSunPump has teamed up with APENFT to launch the first fair launch platform for NFTs on the TRON blockchain, promising more transparency and fairness for traders.The new platform, NFT Pump, allows users to purchase NFTs using TRON’s native token TRX starting from September 26, 2024. SunPump, a meme coin generator project created to rival the popular PumpFun, has formed a strategic partnership with APENFT to introduce the first fair launch platform for non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on the TRON blockchain.
Announcing the collaboration on X (formerly Twitter), SunPump revealed that the new platform, named NFT Pump, aims to provide traders with transparency, fairness, and an exciting experience in NFT trading.
Users Can List and Buy NFTs on New Platform Starting Today From today, September 26, crypto traders and enthusiasts on the TRON network will be able to use the protocol’s native token, TRX TRX $0.33 24h volatility: 0.6% Market cap: $31.00 B Vol. 24h: $733.77 M , to purchase NFTs directly on the new platform. As for creators, they can list their collections on the platform at a reasonable price.
The launch of NFT Pump is part of SunPump’s strategy to expand its offerings and onboard new users to the TRON network.
Launched in August 2024 by Sun.io, a decentralized finance (DeFi) network focused on providing liquidity on TRON, SunPump is backed by TRON founder Justin Sun. The project aims to initiate a new wave of meme coin adoption on TRON, similar to what PumpFun is doing on the Solana blockchain.
Like PumpFun, SunPump enables users to create their own meme tokens with just a few clicks, without requiring any coding experience.
Following its launch on August 9, SunPump achieved significant milestones, crossing the $1 million mark within 11 days of operation. During that period, data from blockchain analytics firm Dune indicated that SunPump’s total revenue reached 7 million TRX.
Challenges and Recovery However, the project, which claims to be the first meme coin launchpad on TRON, has faced some challenges. On August 19, TRON founder Justin Sun announced that SunPump experienced a downtime due to “unprecedented traffic.” In a post on X, he assured users that the project’s developers were working around the clock to restore the network.
The platform was back online after an hour of network outage, and since then, SunPump has operated smoothly without further interruptions.
Shortly after restoring the network, SunPump, in collaboration with TRONDAO, launched a $10 million ecosystem fund to support projects launched on the platform. The funds will be managed under the Meme Ecosystem Boost Incentive Program, designed to provide resources and support to help new projects reach their full potential.
Overall, SunPump’s partnership with APENFT and the launch of NFT Pump marks a significant step in expanding TRON’s ecosystem, aiming to bring more users and innovation to the blockchain.
Disclaimer: Coinspeaker is committed to providing unbiased and transparent reporting. This article aims to deliver accurate and timely information but should not be taken as financial or investment advice. Since market conditions can change rapidly, we encourage you to verify information on your own and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content.
Tron (TRX) News, Cryptocurrency News, News
Chimamanda is a crypto enthusiast and experienced writer focusing on the dynamic world of cryptocurrencies. She joined the industry in 2019 and has since developed an interest in the emerging economy. She combines her passion for blockchain technology with her love for travel and food, bringing a fresh and engaging perspective to her work.
APENFT has reportedly carried out a landmark development concerning the AI and NFT communities by collaborating with NextMate AI. As per APENFT, the partnership focuses on combining the cutting-edge AI capabilities of NextMate with the vibrant presence of APENFT in the NFT sector, especially within the TRON ecosystem. The platform took to social media to provide the details of this endeavor.
APENFT’s Latest Collaboration with NextMate Offers New Opportunities to NFT Enthusiasts The collaboration intends to unveil creative and innovative opportunities to facilitate NFT enthusiasts. It reportedly leverages AI technology, enhancing the interactive and artistic potential of the non-fungible tokens. One of the chief focuses of the partnership takes into account the development of AI-driven meme characters.
As per the reports, memes have turned into a noteworthy cultural phenomenon. Keeping that in view, this collaboration will increase their contribution to the NFT sector by providing vibrant AI-generated content. The respective AI-powered meme characters provide entertainment and significantly contribute to the expanding trend of joining digital art and creativity.
The Endeavor Also Lets Users Take Part in Markets Offering the Prediction of the Meme Popularity Another primary aspect of the latest collaboration is the meme-related prediction markets. This adds an exclusive interactive level to the NFT sector of TRON. This will permit the consumers to take part in markets dealing with the prediction of the popularity of memes. As a result of this, a gamified experience is created, promoting community engagement. According to APENFT, this revolutionary approach could grasp the attention of the latest consumers in the NFT sector.
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Umair Younas is a cryptocurrency-related content writer linked with this work since 2019. Here, at Blockchainreporter, he serves as a news and article writer. He is a crypto, blockchain, NFTs, DeFi, and FinTech enthusiast. He has strong command over writing authentic reviews about brokers and exchanges and he has collaborated with our education team to write educational content as well. He has a dream to raise awareness among people about digital currencies. His works are well-researched and brimmed with information hence they provide fresh insights. Stay tuned to his posts if you want to stay up-to-date with the crypto-verse.
UQUID, a leading Web3 shopping infrastructure provider has forged a groundbreaking partnership with APENFT which operates as a top NFT marketplace on the TRON blockchain to transform digital art and blockchain market transactions.
🚀 UQUID x APENFT Strategic Partnership! 🎨✨
We're thrilled to collaborate with @apenftorg, the premier NFT marketplace on #TRON, to redefine the future of digital art and blockchain innovation!
APENFT is a leading innovator in the #NFT space, providing a one-stop platform… pic.twitter.com/1TTGCKdpR0
— UQUID – Web3 Shopping Infrastructure (@uquidcard) March 26, 2025 The announcement on X revealed this joint venture between APENFT and UQUID which integrates their NFT ecosystem with the expansive e-commerce platform to develop worldwide opportunities for creators and consumers.
Launched in 2021 on the TRON network, APENFT has become the leading NFT marketplace by offering tokenization of valuable artworks it simultaneously developed a thriving artist-collector community.
The TRON network infrastructure enables APENFT to provide users with minting tools together with trading and digital asset management capabilities at reduced costs and speedy execution times. APENFT furthers its support of NFT art development through its sponsorship of the Art + Tech Summit at Christie’s for 2023 according to CoinMarketCap observations.
Web3 shopping innovator UQUID has pioneered its operation since 2016 and grants global access to 170 million products in 200+ countries through multiple payment options from 50+ providers. The platform supports flawless cross-chain operations and dApp integration which allows users from any country to execute transactions without issues based on its official website statement.
Creating a Seamless Art-to-Commerce Experience With UQUID Using this partnership APENFT links its marketplace to UQUID’s platform so artists gain expanded opportunities to sell NFT assets together with physical products. End consumers now have the ability to acquire NFTs which include digital artwork along with digital collectibles through regular everyday shopping platforms to bridge real-world use with electronic asset ownership.
UQUID strengthens its position in decentralized innovation by capitalizing on its recent ZNS Connect partnership which was about Web3 shopping improvement.
Advancing Digital Economies Numerous reports indicate that the NFT market will expand to $3.4 billion by 2027 while currently standing at $1.6 billion in 2024 according to Statista research.
Condensing APENFT’s creative tools with UQUID’s Web3 infrastructure creates new possibilities for digital art and commerce to unite and reshape creativity along with consumer experiences during blockchain innovation.
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With over five years of experience in crypto, blockchain, and tech content, Ishtiyaq makes complex topics easy to understand. He simplifies blockchain and digital currency concepts for a wide audience, ensuring that beginners and experts alike can grasp key ideas. His clear and engaging writing helps readers stay informed about the latest trends, developments, and innovations in the crypto space. Whether explaining blockchain technology, digital assets, or DeFi, Ishtiyaq breaks down complicated ideas into simple, digestible content. His goal is to help people navigate the fast-changing world of cryptocurrency with confidence, clarity, and a deeper understanding.
HTX, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, is leading the charge in a unique dual celebration on May 22, as Bitcoin Pizza Day coincides with the Trump Dinner.
This moment, where history meets the present, is drawing global attention. In celebration of this special occasion, HTX has proudly partnered with diamond sponsors JUST Protocol, SunPump, APENFT, BitTorrent, and WINkLink, alongside platinum sponsors Levva and ChainGPT, to launch a series of Pizza Day-themed promotions across multiple business lines, including Spot, Futures, Earn, and Community, boasting a total prize pool of nearly 1 million USDT. Whether you’re a new or existing HTX user, you’ll discover exclusive opportunities and exciting benefits throughout these events.
Event 1: HTX Pizza Day Celebration: 200,000 USDT in Surprise Gifts with Seven Project Partners Get ready for Pizza Fest! From May 13 to May 26, HTX is joining forces with seven esteemed partner projects—SunPump, APENFT, JUST Protocol, WINkLink, BitTorrent, Steem, and MEVerse—to deliver a 14-day Pizza Day Celebration packed with over 200,000 USDT in Surprise Gifts. During the event, users can claim daily gifts on the HTX App, distributed at 02:00 (UTC) daily. On May 22 at 12:00 (UTC), Bitcoin Pizza Day, HTX will drop even more Surprise Gifts featuring bigger rewards, distributed in the form of tokens, Cashback Vouchers, Futures Trial Bonuses, Margin Interest Vouchers, and APY Booster Coupons.
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From May 20 at 10:00 (UTC) to May 25 at 10:00 (UTC), HTX invites both new and existing users to join the four-tiered rewards event and share a total prize pool of up to $200,000. See below for details:
1. New users who sign up and complete any spot, futures, or margin trade during the event will receive a welcome package that includes a 20 DOGE airdrop, APY Booster Coupons for SmartEarn, and Margin Interest Vouchers.
2. Users will receive 15 USDT for their first successful referral. By inviting more friends, they’ll unlock Mystery Boxes worth up to 1,500 USDT each, containing popular cryptos like $BTC, $TRUMP, and $HTX. Additionally, they can earn up to another 1,500 USDT when their invitees reach the trading volume target.
3. Eligible returning users who complete spot trading on HTX will have a chance to win BTC in a lucky draw. Additionally, after funding their USDT-M Futures account, they can earn APY Booster Coupons for SmartEarn.
4. Users who trade designated cryptos in spot or futures, or create spot grid trading strategies, will have a chance to share $30,000 in $HTX.
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From May 16 at 02:00 (UTC) to May 23 at 15:59 (UTC), HTX Square is launching a quiz challenge where users can win rewards. Participants who follow HTX Square in the HTX Community and answer all the quiz questions correctly will have the opportunity to share the 200 USDT prize pool.
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Event 4: HTX Earn Bonanza for BTC Pizza Day: Enjoy Up to 10% APY on Popular Assets Celebrate Bitcoin Pizza Day with the HTX Earn Bonanza from 16:00:00 (UTC) on May 19 to 16:00:00 (UTC) on May 25. HTX is launching this special campaign featuring Earn products for both new and existing users. First-time subscribers at HTX Earn can enjoy New User Exclusive products with 100% APY. All users can subscribe to Fixed, Flexible, and Shark Fin products with 14 designated cryptocurrencies, including USDT, and earn up to 10% APY on HTX Earn. Additionally, participants who meet the net subscription increase requirement will each receive a 5% APY Booster Coupon for the USDT Flexible product.
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Event 5: HTX Affiliates Pizza Day Special: Team Up & Trade with Your Invitees to Win a Full Case of Kweichow Moutai Celebrate Bitcoin Pizza Day with the limited-time HTX Affiliates Special Event, running from 10:00 (UTC) on May 20 to 10:00 (UTC) on May 25. HTX Affiliates can refer friends to sign up using an exclusive invitation link or code and form a trading team with invitees. Once the team reaches the required trading volume, rewards will be unlocked. The top prize is a 6-bottle case of Kweichow Moutai Flying Fairy.
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Event 6: HTX Convert Contest Now Live with 10,000 USDT Up for Grabs Don’t miss the HTX Convert Contest! It runs from 16:00:00 (UTC) on May 14 to 15:59:59 (UTC) on May 31. Trade designated cryptos on HTX Convert and reach a total trading volume of ≥500 USDT during the event to qualify for a share of the 5,000 USDT prize pool, with the top individual reward of up to 1,000 USDT. Complete 10 or more trades to unlock an additional prize pool — the more trades made, the bigger the share. Additionally, first-time converters on HTX Convert can also join an exclusive 2,000 USDT prize pool for new users, with up to 20 USDT per person available.
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May 22 isn’t just about commemorating Bitcoin’s first “real-world transaction”; it is also a day for the global crypto community to celebrate the growth of the crypto industry and to share in its rewards. To honor this special day, HTX is launching a multifaceted celebration featuring diverse events that boost user engagement, elevate the festive atmosphere, and fully showcase the platform’s dynamic ecosystem.
Pizza’s on the table and the party’s heating up. Join HTX today and experience the biggest crypto event of the year!
About HTX Founded in 2013, HTX has evolved from a virtual asset exchange into a comprehensive ecosystem of blockchain businesses that span digital asset trading, financial derivatives, research, investments, incubation, and other businesses.
As a world-leading gateway to Web3, HTX harbors global capabilities that enable it to provide users with safe and reliable services. Adhering to the growth strategy of “Global Expansion, Thriving Ecosystem, Wealth Effect, Security & Compliance,” HTX is dedicated to providing quality services and values to virtual asset enthusiasts worldwide.
To learn more about HTX, please visit HTX Square or https://www.htx.com/, and follow HTX on X, Telegram, and Discord.
APENFT, known for its NFT infrastructure on Tron and Ethereum, is rebranding to AINFT with plans to integrate artificial intelligence into the Tron ecosystem, according to an announcement confirmed by Justin Sun.
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The integration comes as TRON positions itself as a hub for innovative NFT and DeFi projects. The blockchain network recently introduced new inscription-based markets developed by NFT teams, enhancing its capabilities for digital asset creation and trading.
Sun has collaborated with various developers to expand TRON’s features, including bridging to other blockchains to facilitate seamless entry for new projects. The network has emphasized user-friendly tools that align with AI-enhanced NFT developments.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Vivian Nguyen. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
AINFT (Artificial Intelligence Non-Fungible Token), an AI-Powered ecosystem on TRON blockchain, has excitedly announced its strategic partnership with MEXC Listings, a global exchange for bringing “Your Easiest Way to Crypto.” The main purpose of this collaboration is to expand the accessibility and acceptability of the non-fungible token (NFT) ecosystem worldwide.
We’re thrilled to announce our Strategic Partnership with @MEXC_Listings! 🚀
Founded in 2018, MEXC is a leading global exchange dedicated to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto.” Through this collaboration, we’re expanding the global reach of #AINFT and creating more opportunities… pic.twitter.com/LO062xlHpQ
— AINFT (@OfficialAINFT) November 27, 2025 MEXC Listings is one of the best exchanges in the world and serves humanity with the best features. MEXC Listings is clearly challenging the user by making the crypto transactions easiest and seamless. AINFT alliance adds more AI-based services for NFTs to the entire world. AINFT has released this news through its official X account.
AINFT and MEXC Partnership Enhances User Protection and Reach In today’s world NFTs are playing a vital role in reducing the efforts of users for buying products all over the world in minutes. AINFT intentionally collaborates with MEXC to boost the visibility, liquidity, and easy access for worldwide users. In other words, both partners are going to empower the user’s community with digital innovations.
Simultaneously, they have paid much attention to the security and protection of users’ assets to ensure seamless trading with minimal risk of any loss. Moreover, this partnership will act like a campaign or opportunity for new users to build a strong trust in these platforms for prominent improvement in the crypto world.
AINFT and MEXC Simplify Earning Through NFT Anywhere, Anytime The integration of AINFT and MEXC Listings is building a meaningful and community-driven experience with proper satisfaction of users from every corner of the world. Basically, they are exploring the different aspects and approaches of crypto trading with NFT by providing a growing and learning environment.
In short, this collaboration is much more than an ordinary partnership; rather, it is offering an opportunity for users to earn by using the NFT token at any place, at any time. There is no set limit for the use of NFT in the world.
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Crypto journalist with years of experience providing in-depth analysis and news on blockchain and decentralized finance. With a keen eye for detail, Shahzaib delivers insightful articles that explore the latest trends, market movements, and innovations within the crypto and blockchain ecosystem. His work focuses on educating readers while offering expert commentary on the evolving landscape of digital assets, DeFi protocols, and the broader impact of blockchain technology.
PANAMA CITY, Feb. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As global artificial intelligence capabilities continue to advance and Web3 infrastructure matures, AI and the crypto ecosystems are entering a new phase of seamless integration. HTX has recently collaborated with AINFT to co-hosted a special AI Challenge campaign featuring a combined prize pool of 40,000 USDT. This innovative event invites users worldwide to experience a new generation of Web3-native AI access.
AINFT: Web3 Gateway to AI
AINFT positions itself as a Web3-native AI gateway designed to provide permissionless, seamless access to leading large language models (LLMs). Users can log in instantly by signing via a TronLink wallet, eliminating the need for email registration or KYC verification and enabling direct on-chain identity authentication. The platform integrates top-tier AI models including Claude Opus 4.5, ChatGPT-5.2, and Gemini 3 Pro, offering unified access for dialogue, reasoning, and content creation across multiple scenarios.
To lower entry barriers, AINFT provides each new user with a one-time allocation of one million free points, allowing immediate access to premium AI models without upfront payment. Once the free quota is exhausted, users can top up on demand using USDT, USDD, USD1, TRX, or NFTs on the TRON network. The platform’s official TRC20 token, $NFT, offers an additional 20% bonus in points when used for payment, supporting a flexible pay-as-you-go model with no subscription requirements.
40,000 USDT Prize Pool: Multiple Rewards in the Second Season
The campaign runs through March 13 at 08:00 (UTC). Following strong engagement in the first phase, Season 2 was launched with an initial 4,000 USDT prize pool unlocked. The overall campaign prize pool totals 40,000 USDT. To participate, users must log in to AINFT’s official website, connect their TronLink wallet, submit their HTX UID and wallet address through the designated form, and complete both the AI challenge tasks on AINFT and the trading tasks on HTX.
AINFT AI Challenge Offers 13,000 USDT Prize Pool
Users who log in to AINFT and participate in the challenge can compete for three separate prize pools.
Boosted Gift Package: Unlocks progressively based on the number of valid connected wallets within the community. For Season Two, if the valid address count reaches 5,000, the rewards of up to 7,000 USDT will be activated. Early Bird Gift Package: Rewards the first 500 users each season who connect via TronLink and claim their initial points. 25 users will be selected per season to receive 20 USDT each. Deposit Gift Package: Users who complete a deposit of any amount during the period will automatically enter a lucky draw. Twenty winners will be selected to share 500 USDT. Exclusive Triple Rewards for HTX Users: Share 27,000 USDT
Users who complete the registration form and submit their HTX UID and TronLink wallet address can unlock three exclusive incentives:
Point Bonus: 1 million points will be awarded to HTX users who access AINFT through the designated link and connect a TronLink wallet. [Join now >>] Welcome Bonus: A 20 USDT bonus is available for users who join AINFT events and sign up for an HTX account during the campaign. Limited to the first 950 registered users. Trading Reward: Users who complete HTX trading tasks—at least 100 USDT in spot volume or 500 USDT in futures volume—will receive a 40 USDT airdrop. Limited to the first 200 qualified users. Ecosystem Synergy: Practical Case of AI and Crypto
As a global exchange that has long focused on AI-related sectors and innovative asset discovery, HTX continues to support high-quality AI projects and promote collaboration across technology, traffic, and users. As AI computing demand increases and crypto payment systems mature, decentralized AI portals are expected to become cornerstones of next-generation Web3 infrastructure.
The collaboration between HTX and AINFT represents a forward-looking position within this trend. Looking ahead, HTX will continue working with high-quality ecosystem partners to build a more open, efficient, and sustainable Web3 innovation network, providing global users with forward-looking digital asset opportunities and application experiences.
About HTX
Founded in 2013, HTX (formerly Huobi) has evolved from a virtual asset exchange into a comprehensive ecosystem of blockchain businesses that span digital asset trading, financial derivatives, research, investments, incubation, and other businesses.
As a world-leading gateway to Web3, HTX harbors global capabilities that enable it to provide users with safe and reliable services. Adhering to the growth strategy of “Global Expansion, Thriving Ecosystem, Wealth Effect, Security & Compliance,” HTX is dedicated to providing quality services and values to virtual asset enthusiasts worldwide.
To learn more about HTX, please visit https://www.htx.com/ or HTX Square , and follow HTX on X, Telegram, and Discord.
TRON DAO announced it has joined the Agentic AI Foundation (AAIF) as a Gold Member. The blockchain network will serve on the Foundation’s Governing Board.
The move positions TRON’s stablecoin settlement infrastructure within the emerging ecosystem for autonomous AI systems. TRON is betting that AI agents will need fast, cheap, high-volume payment rails — exactly the niche the network already dominates.
What Is the Agentic AI Foundation?The AAIF launched in December 2025 under the Linux Foundation. Anthropic, Block, and OpenAI co-founded the initiative, contributing three core open-source projects: Anthropic’s Model Context Protocol (MCP), Block’s Goose Agent Framework, and OpenAI’s AGENTS.md.
The Foundation now counts 146 members, including AWS, Google, Microsoft, Circle, and JPMorgan Chase. TRON’s Gold membership places it alongside Cisco, IBM, Oracle, and Circle — the USDC issuer whose CTO called stablecoins foundational to the agentic economy.
TRON’s Bet: Stablecoin Rails for AI AgentsThe logic behind TRON’s AAIF membership is simple: AI agents that execute real-world tasks will eventually need to move money. If those transactions are frequent, small, and automated, the chain that wins is the one with negligible fees and near-instant settlement.
Third-party data supports at least part of that case. Arkham Research reported in January that TRON settles over $20 billion in stablecoins daily. Messari’s State of TRON Q4 2025 report put circulating USDT supply at $82.2 billion, with an average daily transfer volume of $23.86 billion. Whether that payment dominance translates to AI agent use cases — where transaction patterns may differ from human remittance flows — remains untested.
“Autonomous AI systems will depend on open, reliable, and globally accessible infrastructure to operate securely at scale,” TRON founder Justin Sun said.
The Bigger Picture: Crypto Meets Agentic AIAI agents handling procurement, subscription management, or cross-border payments could generate transaction volumes that dwarf current DeFi activity. The question is which chains capture this flow.
TRON’s advantage is its existing infrastructure. Arkham Research has described the network as a cost-efficient rail for mid- to large-value transfers, particularly in emerging markets. Stablecoin activity on TRON is concentrated in Asia, with the region accounting for nearly $341 billion annually.
What TRON Still Needs to ProveThe announcement is primarily a governance-and-standards play. TRON will contribute to AAIF working groups on open frameworks for AI-agent interactions with decentralized networks. Concrete technical integrations with MCP or other AAIF projects have not been detailed.
There are also questions about the credibility of TRON’s broader AI ecosystem. Justin Sun has promoted AINFT (formerly APENFT) as the network’s flagship AI project. The platform gives NFTs conversational and decision-making capabilities. But AINFT marketplace data shows just three active collections and a combined seven-day volume of roughly 1,255 TRX — about $358 total.
Sun said at Consensus Hong Kong in February that he is working on Web 4.0, fusing AI with the TRON blockchain. Whether this vision translates into developer adoption or remains aspirational will shape how the market evaluates TRON’s AAIF membership.
Bottom LineTRON’s stablecoin dominance gives it a credible claim to a role in the agentic AI payment stack. But converting governance participation into technical integration remains the harder task. The AAIF’s MCP Dev Summit in New York on April 2-3 will be an early test of whether TRON brings concrete proposals to the table.
Bit Rivals, a famous AI-driven multi-chain platform for game analytics and rewards, has recently announced its latest partnership. It brought to the front that it is collaborating with Telos, a high-speed blockchain ecosystem for smart contracts and decentralized applications, to improve its platform integrations. This would potentially enable it to prepare before the launch of its $RIVAL token. The company disclosed this endeavor on the official X account.
🤝 BREAKING: New Partnership! 🤝
We're excited to announce that we've partnered with @HelloTelos, an industry-leading, high-performance blockchain network, to enhance our one-of-a-kind, AI-powered platform! 🚀
Check it out using the link in our replies! pic.twitter.com/USfYRh8w4K
— Bit Rivals AI (@BitRivals) May 6, 2024 Bit Rivals Joins Telos to Advance Platform Integrations of Its RIVAL Coin Apart from that, it published a blog post to provide the details of this partnership. It noted that Telos possesses an efficient blockchain network having L1 and L0 capabilities. As per Bit Rivals, Telos hosts several advanced blockchain projects. This permits it to improve its AI-driven ecosystem’s development and integrations while preparing to launch RIVAL. In this respect, the platform expressed enthusiasm for further progress in this collaboration.
It added that the company will keep on enhancing its technology, player experience, and collaborations. According to the platform, the collaboration with Telos offers a powerhouse blockchain trendsetter. This would likely pave the way for 3 significant developments. They include an exclusive series of game collaborations. Another significant development deals with improved blockchain integrations to develop the platform.
The 3rd development focuses on the further growth of the community comprising Web3 enthusiasts, investors, and gamers. The blockchain network of Telos reportedly serves as a prominent hub for projects driving the development of Web3 gaming. The collaboration will let Bit Rivals leverage Telos’ network of likely Web3 gaming collaborators.
Telos provides several exclusive developments and integrations for the play-to-earn forum of Bit Rivals. This enables the optimization of the experience of crypto enthusiasts and gamers. Bit Rivals added that the firm would continue enhancing its technology in cooperation with Telos to empower consumers.
Telos Offers a Resilient User Base to Expand Bit Rivals’ Platform and Community Telos reportedly operates as the 2nd-most used blockchain and has a peak market capitalization of nearly $50M. Additionally, the platform has a community of more than 100,000. It reportedly offers Bit Rivals a resilient base of devoted clients to increase its platform and community. This provides even more devotion to the earning L2 blockchain solution. It potentially bridges the gap between conventional gamers as well as Web3 gaming’s future.
AUTHOR
Umair Younas is a cryptocurrency-related content writer linked with this work since 2019. Here, at Blockchainreporter, he serves as a news and article writer. He is a crypto, blockchain, NFTs, DeFi, and FinTech enthusiast. He has strong command over writing authentic reviews about brokers and exchanges and he has collaborated with our education team to write educational content as well. He has a dream to raise awareness among people about digital currencies. His works are well-researched and brimmed with information hence they provide fresh insights. Stay tuned to his posts if you want to stay up-to-date with the crypto-verse.
[PRESS RELEASE – Hong Kong, Hong Kong, May 8th, 2024]
Telos today announced it has accepted a strategic investment of $1 million USD from Presto Labs, a leading Asia-based venture capital firm and liquidity provider with an established track record in algorithmic trading. The capital raise signals the start of a long-term partnership between the two organizations, with the funds being allocated to the development of the new SNARKtor-powered Ethereum Layer 2 zkEVM network being developed by Telos. The capital will also help incubate the growth of SNARKtor Labs, Telos’ Hong Kong-based business unit focused on the acceleration of Telos’ ZK-proving technology infrastructure. The SNARKtor Labs corporate mandate stipulates that its interests must be fully aligned with that of the TLOS token in so far as it drives value to the token, directly or indirectly. Any profits the entity earns will be used to buy and hold TLOS on its balance sheet.
Telos and Presto Labs’ teams will work together with a special focus on the Asia Pacific region, which has become a hub for Web3 innovation and investment. Executive Director John Lilic unveiled plans for Telos’ new zkEVM L2 during his recent keynote speech at TOKEN2049 in Dubai, where Telos was one of the event’s title sponsors. Presto’s investment will help expedite the completion of the L2, which Telos is co-developing with leading ZK research firm, Ponos Technology.
“Presto Labs is one of the best in the world at what they do and partnering with them is going to be of great benefit to the Telos team and community. We are very fortunate and grateful for the opportunity,” said Lilic on the new alliance. “Our organization looks forward to deploying this new capital efficiently to enhance the growth of our new network, and to bolster the impact that SNARKtor Labs can have as we work to educate the world on the effectiveness that ZK technology can have at scale.”
Presto Labs was founded in Singapore in 2014 and has since provided funding for many leading pioneers in the blockchain development space. The Presto team views Telos’ recent innovations in the ZK-proving space, starting with SNARKtor, to be a leading indicator of the powerful role the project can play in the years to come when it comes to this nascent technology.
“We always take a data-driven and technology-focused approach, and we were extremely impressed with what Telos is building and wanted to be a part of it,” said Presto Labs co-founder Yongjin Kim. “This is the start of a long-term partnership between our two teams that can play a significant role in the mainstream adoption of blockchain through technology that has practical global use cases like the new network Telos is building.”
Telos launched in 2018 through a fair drop network launch that did not include a token sale or ICO. Since its inception, the Telos Foundation has helped oversee two primary networks, Telos EVM and Telos Zero, and is now also focused on working with partners like Presto Labs to develop a highly performant and succinctly provable SNARKtor-powered L2 zkEVM. Telos and Presto Labs’ new partnership will also include additional initiatives largely concentrated in Asia, where a significant portion of the two entities’ work will be based out of.
About Telos Telos is a decentralized blockchain ecosystem launched in 2018 without any ICO or VC funding that includes Telos EVM, the world’s fastest EVM, and Telos Zero, a high-speed native consensus layer. An upcoming hardware-accelerated zkEVM Layer 2 on Ethereum is also in development and will be powered by SNARKtor, a scalable and robust protocol for decentralized recursive proof aggregation that aims to enhance data protection and scalability for global use cases. Telos’ core mission of bringing self sovereignty worldwide is overseen by The Telos Foundation, an ownerless foundation dedicated to advancing the Telos blockchain network and its community.
About Presto Labs Presto is a Singapore-based algorithmic trading and financial services firm founded in 2014. Presto focuses on delivering exceptional value for clients through a rigorous research-driven approach to investment and trade execution. With more than a 100 million trade executions in a day, Presto is a leading financial services firm in both digital assets and traditional finance markets.
Telos, a decentralized blockchain ecosystem founded in 2018, has taken a major step forward, announcing that they have accepted an investment of $1 million from Presto Labs, a Singapore-based venture capital firm and liquidity provider launched in 2014. This capital injection will be used to develop Telos’ new zkEVM Layer 2 solution powered by SNARKtor technology. The funds will also help foster the growth of SNARKtor Labs, the blockchain’s firm business unit dedicated to improving Telos’ ZK.
The partnership between the two firms is expected to have a far-reaching impact. The Asia Pacific region will be more prioritized, which has grown to become a hub for Web3 and blockchain innovation. The investment will also help hasten the completion of the L2, of which Telos is one of the developers, alongside ZK research firm Ponos Technology.
Fueling Growth and Global Impact While speaking about the partnership with Presto Labs, Telos Executive Director John Lilic praised Presto as one of the best in the world at what they do; he further said partnering with them will be of great advantage to Telos and its community at large. Lilac also mentioned how the capital invested will enhance their network and boost the impact of SNARKtor Labs across the globe. He stated:
“Our organization looks forward to deploying this new capital efficiently to enhance the growth of our new network, and to bolster the impact that SNARKtor Labs can have as we work to educate the world on the effectiveness that ZK technology can have at scale.”
Yongjin Kim, Presto Labs co-founder, also echoed this excitement; he revealed that as a company that is technology-focused, they are impressed with the impact Telos is making and are willing to be a part of it; he further revealed there is still more to be expected in the long-term partnership. He said:
“This is the start of a long-term partnership between our two teams, which can play a significant role in the mainstream adoption of blockchain through technology with practical global use cases like the new network Telos is building.”
Telos is distinguished in the industry as the firm that oversees the development of two primary networks, Telos EVM and Telos Zero. The blockchain firm is now shifting its attention to its partnership with Presto Labs. This collaboration will, therefore, lead to the development of high-powered SNARKtor’s L2 zkEVM.
The partnership between Telos and Presto Labs implies they will leverage each other’s expertise and resources. The collaboration will not be limited to SNARKtor. It will only be the first of many developments as the two firms continue to work towards advancing blockchain technology and driving its adoption around the globe, specifically in the Asia Pacific region.
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Alchemy Pay, the leading fiat-crypto payment gateway, has entered a transformative partnership with Telos. It is Layer 0 network redefining the industry with its groundbreaking Zero Knowledge technology. They will launch a fiat on-ramp for the direct purchase of $TLOS. The collaboration will significantly simplify the direct procurement process for millions of users.
— Alchemy Pay|$ACH: Fiat-Crypto Payment Gateway (@AlchemyPay) May 10, 2024 Telos Expands Payment Options with Alchemy Pay Integration for $TLOS The integration of the Alchemy Pay solution On-Ramp within Telos’s platform further simplifies the purchasing process for users. Users can now easily purchase $TLOS through Telos’s website’s lane “Buy Telos,” which has been expanded to include an Alchemy Pay ramp page. The payment can be made via a variety of payment methods, including Visa, Mastercard, popular mobile wallets, and domestic bank transfers. Additionally, this integration enables full regulatory compliance by providing users in 173 countries facilitating over 50 fiat currencies access to $TLOS.
This partnership between Alchemy Pay and Telos will undoubtedly become more positive in terms of user experience. Telos, a next-generation Delegated Proof of Stake DPOS Layer-1 blockchain network, will benefit extensively from the partnership due to the worldwide reach and influence of Alchemy Pay.
As a result, Telos will utilize solutions from Alchemy Pay to improve blockchain access to users worldwide, leading to faster adoption and use of the network. Telos possesses an unrivaled degree of compatibility for developers, offering a variety of tools and complete development onboarding to develop and deploy smart contracts on Telos EVM. Moreover, Telos has strong and durable governance features and a lively community; thus, $TLOS the digital currency was launched using a fair and decentralized distribution.
Alchemy Pay’s Global Presence Revolutionizes Cryptocurrency-Fiat Integration Besides that, Alchemy Pay specializes in providing the solutions that help integrate cryptocurrency and fiat payments to make it for an average person. Thus, it has a global footprint across 173 countries and over 300 payment channels, allowing Alchemy Pay’s checkout options to go beyond credit cards and support local mobile wallets and bank transfers.
Additionally, partnerships with Visa and Mastercard speak for the well-established operations in the traditional payment space. Ultimately, the extensive licensing outlines Alchemy’s commitment to regulation with licenses across the UK, the US, Canada, Indonesia, Lithuania, and a new MTL license in New Hampshire USA.
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