Google Cloud is developing its own Layer-1 blockchain, the Google Cloud Universal Ledger (GCUL), specifically for banks and financial institutions to compete with platforms from companies like Circle and Stripe. The GCUL will be a neutral, Python-based smart contract platform, with Google Cloud’s Rich Widmann arguing that this neutrality willContinue Reading
The U.S. Department of Commerce, at the direction of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, will begin publishing its headline economic data, starting with GDP figures, directly onto the blockchain. Lutnick linked the move to President Trump’s pro-crypto stance, and the initiative aims to increase transparency and accessibility of government data. TheContinue Reading
Trump Media will buy US$105M in CRO, Crypto.com invests US$50M in stock. A new entity, Trump Media Group CRO Strategy, will merge with Yorkville Acquisition Corp. and be listed under the ticker symbol MCGA. The financing package totals US$6.4 billion (AU$9.9 billion) and includes cash, warrants, and a US$5 billionContinue Reading
Bitwise Asset Management filed the first US application for a Chainlink ETF with the SEC, designed to track LINK’s price using Coinbase as custodian and execution agent. The ETF will use standard creation/redemption mechanisms with flexibility for in-kind and cash transactions, providing regulated access to Chainlink’s oracle network token. TuttleContinue Reading
Gemini has overtaken Coinbase in the US finance app charts after launching an XRP rewards credit card. The limited-edition card offers up to 4% instant cashback in XRP on purchases. Coinbase still leads in core metrics recording US$4.54B (AU$7.00B) versus Gemini’s US$382.49M (AU$590.23M). Gemini has climbed ahead of Coinbase inContinue Reading
The price of BTC has slumped to its lowest levels since early July driven by profit taking and economic and political uncertainty weakening investor appetite for risk. Fading expectations of a September rate cut plus Trump’s moves to fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook have contributed to weakened market sentiment, whileContinue Reading
Animoca Brands has partnered with Ibex Japan to launch a Web3 entertainment fund aimed at bringing dormant anime and manga intellectual property (IP) onto the blockchain. The fund plans to leverage Ibex’s network to license and finance new Web3 products, revitalising what Ibex Japan partner Sandeep Casi calls the “90%Continue Reading
Pantera Capital is reportedly planning a US$1.25 billion bid to acquire and rebrand a Nasdaq-listed company into “Solana Co.”, a publicly traded vehicle with a balance sheet focused on holding SOL. The investment firm will make the bid in two stages, with the goal of creating the largest corporate SolanaContinue Reading
Australia’s financial crime regulator, AUSTRAC, has ordered Binance’s local subsidiary to appoint an external auditor after identifying “deficiencies” in its anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing framework. The order is a result of AUSTRAC’s findings of persistent governance failures, including rapid staff turnover, a minimal local presence, and poor seniorContinue Reading
Prediction markets are considered ineffective for hedging because they lack interest-bearing features. Polymarket’s July trading volume dropped to US$1.06B (AU$1.63B). Automated traders exploited inefficiencies and earned over US$40M (AU$61.7M) in profits. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has said that most prediction markets are not suitable for hedging because they do notContinue Reading
