Category: Reviews

a16z Crypto Invests $15M in Babylon to Advance Native Bitcoin Collateral

Key Notes a16z crypto’s investment signals confidence in Bitcoin’s evolution as programmable collateral for decentralized financial markets. BTCVaults aims to eliminate counterparty risks associated with custodial lending and wrapped token approaches like WBTC. BABY token surged 4.8% following the announcement, with trading volume hitting $48 million across major exchanges. The bitcoin staking platform Babylon has announced that a16z crypto is investing $15 million. The funding will support the development and scaling of Babylon Trustless Bitcoin Vaults (BTCVaults), a system intended to enable native Bitcoin BTC $90 811 24h volatility: 1.3%…

Fireblocks Acquires Tres Finance For $130M to Build Unified Digital Assets Operating System

Key Notes The acquisition creates what Fireblocks calls the first unified operating system for digital assets security and compliance. Integration comes as US tax filing deadlines approach with updated IRS cryptocurrency guidance under new regulatory frameworks. Global tax transparency intensifies as 48 countries implement CARF requirements for crypto service providers to report user transactions. Cryptocurrency infrastructure and digital assets security firm Fireblocks has acquired onchain accounting firm Tres Finance in a deal reportedly worth $130 million in cash and equity. The deal brings Tres Finance’s deep suite of accounting, auditing,…

Polymarket Strikes Major Deal With Dow Jones, WSJ to Distribute Prediction Data

Key Notes Polymarket’s data will appear in WSJ, Barron’s, and Investor’s Business Daily for earnings forecasts and market predictions. The partnership marks prediction markets’ growing acceptance despite ongoing debates about gambling regulation and insider trading concerns. Industry leaders like Brian Armstrong and Vitalik Buterin defend the platforms’ value as information sources rather than pure gambling venues. Polymarket has announced another significant partnership, now agreeing to distribute prediction data to Dow Jones outlets, which include The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Barron’s, and Investor’s Business Daily. The breaking news was given by…

Crypto.com Integrates Lynq Network to Enable Real-Time Institutional Settlement

Key Notes Institutional clients gain 24/7/365 funding capabilities, removing the traditional banking hours constraint and weekend dormancy periods. Off-exchange collateral management allows firms to maintain smaller on-exchange balances while accessing full trading capacity instantly. Yield-in-transit functionality ensures clients continue earning interest during transfers and settlements, eliminating yield-breaking events. Crypto.com has fully integrated the Lynq network’s real-time settlement solution, bringing instant funding and settlement, off-exchange collateral, and yield-in-transit features to the exchange’s institutional clients. According to a Jan. 7 press release, Lynq was “built by the industry, for the industry” with…

Coinbase to List Solana’s Leading DEX Token RAY Plus 3 Other Cryptocurrencies

Key Notes Coinbase now tracks nine potential listings, including Solana DEX protocol Raydium and DePIN project Energy Network among the latest additions. RAY and ENERGY operate on Solana while ELSA and FUN run on Base, with specific contract addresses provided for accurate identification. Trading launches remain conditional on adequate market-making partnerships and sufficient technical infrastructure being established. Coinbase added four cryptocurrency tokens to its listing roadmap and plans to execute the trading launch once they meet certain conditions. The four tokens include Solana’s decentralized exchange Raydium (RAY), Energy Dollar (ENERGY),…

Tony Volpon Launches Yield-Sharing BRD Stablecoin

Key Notes BRD joins Crown’s BRLV as a yield-bearing stablecoin backed by Brazilian government bonds. Volpon served as Brazil Central Bank Deputy Governor from 2015-2016 before founding CF Inovação in 2023. Brazil’s new stablecoin regulations take effect February 2, 2026, classifying such transactions as foreign-exchange operations. Former Brazil Central Bank official Tony Volpon announced BRD, a stablecoin pegged to Brazil’s currency that shares interest earned from its government bond reserves with holders. The product enters a market where Brazil’s benchmark Selic interest rate stands at 15%, the highest level since…

JPMorgan Deploys JPM Coin on Canton Network

Key Notes Digital Asset and Kinexys will build technical foundations in 2026 before adding products like Blockchain Deposit Accounts. Canton Network hosts Goldman Sachs, DTCC, and Deutsche Börse among institutional participants. JPM Coin launched on Coinbase’s Base network in November 2025 with Mastercard among initial clients. JPMorgan’s blockchain division Kinexys and Digital Asset announced plans on Jan. 7 to launch the JPM Coin deposit token directly on the Canton Network. This marks the bank’s second public blockchain expansion after its Base network launch in November 2025. The deployment will proceed…

Rumble and Tether Launches Crypto Wallet for Digital Creators

Key Notes Rumble Wallet lets creators receive Bitcoin, USDT, and Tether Gold tips directly on the platform. Users keep control of funds while sending crypto without banks or intermediaries. MoonPay enables easy crypto-to-fiat conversions with Apple Pay, PayPal, and credit cards. Rumble has launched a wallet as a built-in crypto payment tool on its video streaming platform. The new wallet allows viewers to support creators directly using digital assets, without banks, ad networks, or outside payment companies. The launch brings digital asset payments into everyday content viewing and grants creators…

Morgan Stanley Files for Ethereum ETFs

Key Notes Morgan Stanley also recently submitted its filings for Bitcoin and Solana ETFs, signaling a broader institutional push. The proposed Morgan Stanley Ethereum Trust aims to track ETH prices and participate in Ethereum staking to generate yield. Spot Ethereum ETFs have seen renewed inflows at the start of 2026, led by BlackRock’s ETHA, which has attracted over $344 million. A day after submitting its filing for Bitcoin BTC $91 164 24h volatility: 3.1% Market cap: $1.82 T Vol. 24h: $61.59 B and Solana SOL $135.6 24h volatility: 5.0% Market…

Solana Treasury Firm DeFi Dev Corp. Ventures Into Yield Farming

Key Notes DeFi Dev Corp. plans to put its SOL treasury to work instead of keeping the assets sitting idle. The company will use Hylo’s yield strategies to compound SOL, support operational needs, and gain exposure to incentive programs. Hylo has scaled to over $100 million in total value locked within four months and generates more than $6 million in annualized fees. Nasdaq-listed DeFi Dev Corp. has announced plans to deploy part of its Solana SOL $137.7 24h volatility: 1.0% Market cap: $77.66 B Vol. 24h: $5.94 B treasury into…