Hybrid L2 BOB Enables 1-Click Native BTC Transfers Across 11 Major Chains

Build on Bitcoin (BOB), a hybrid Layer two (L2) blockchain, launched BOB Gateway, a one-click on- and offramp that connects native bitcoin to Bitgo’s wBTC.OFT across 11 Layerzero-supported blockchains, including Ethereum, Avalanche, Base, BNB Chain, Unichain, Optimism, Sei, and BOB. The update — powered by BOB’s Bitcoin intents system and Layerzero’s OFT standard — enables … Read more

Integral Launches Stablecoin-Based Crypto Prime Brokerage

Integral announced the launch of Primeone, which the company describes as the world’s first stablecoin-based crypto prime brokerage. Built on the Codex Layer-1 EVM blockchain, Primeone integrates institutional-grade credit, trading and net settlement into a single platform that lets clients trade with market makers and exchanges through one account. The platform uses USD stablecoin margin … Read more

Templar Launches Mainnet, Offering Permissionless Bitcoin-Backed Lending Without Trusted Third Parties

Templar, billed as the first Cypher Lending Protocol, went live on mainnet, enabling bitcoin holders to borrow U.S. dollar–pegged stablecoins against native BTC without relying on banks, exchanges, or centralized intermediaries. The protocol uses MPC (multi-party computation) and immutable, non-upgradable smart contracts to prevent freezing, seizure, or rehypothecation of collateral, and requires no wrapping, bridging, … Read more

Metaplanet Acquires 5,268 BTC, Becomes Fourth-Largest Public Bitcoin Treasury

Tokyo‑listed Metaplanet Inc. (TSE: 3350) today announced the purchase of 5,268 BTC for approximately $615.67 million at about $116,870 per bitcoin. This latest move brings the Japanese bitcoin treasury company’s total holdings to 30,823 BTC, acquired for roughly $3.33 billion (average cost ~$107,912 per BTC). The company also reported a BTC yield of 497.1% year-to-date … Read more

Crypto.com Secures Full CFTC Derivatives Stack, Clears Way for Margined Crypto Products

Crypto.com announced that its affiliate Crypto.com | Derivatives North America (CDNA) has received approval for an amended designated contract market (DCM) license, completing a full suite of U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) derivatives permissions — DCM, DCO and FCM. The DCM amendment authorizes margined derivatives trading (including crypto perpetuals) on CDNA alongside its existing … Read more

Swiss Crypto Bank Sygnum Launches Regulated Bitcoin Yield Fund Targeting 8–10% Annual Returns

Swiss digital asset bank Sygnum today launched the Starboard Sygnum BTC Alpha Fund, developed with Starboard Digital and Starmark as AIFM, targeting an 8–10% annual return paid in bitcoin via systematic arbitrage strategies that convert trading profits into additional BTC. Designed for professional and institutional investors, the Cayman-domiciled fund offers monthly liquidity, a strict risk-management … Read more

Crypto.com Partners With Sharps Technology to Manage $400M+ Solana Treasury and Boost Ecosystem Liquidity

Crypto.com and Sharps Technology, Inc. (STSS) announced a partnership to bolster Solana ecosystem growth by deploying the platform’s institutional-grade custody and OTC services to manage STSS’s solana-focused digital asset treasury. STSS, which holds over 2 million SOL—valued at more than $400 million with SOL trading above $200—will use Crypto.com’s custody infrastructure, deep‑liquidity OTC desk and … Read more

OKX Singapore Enables USDC and USDT Payments at Grab Merchants via QR Codes

OKX Singapore launched scan‑to‑pay support allowing users to spend USDC and USDT at Grab Pay merchants by scanning Singapore’s unified QR code (SGQR) through OKX Pay. Transactions will be settled onchain using the purpose bound money (PBM) framework, which applies programmable logic for compliant, conditional settlement, while regulated payment provider StraitsX performs compliance checks and … Read more

Starknet Unveils BTCFi: Trustless BTC Staking, Partners, and 100M STRK Incentives

Starknet today announced BTCFi, a trilogy of initiatives aimed at deepening bitcoin’s role as a global settlement asset by embedding BTC into Starknet’s security and consensus. For the first time on any L2, BTC holders can stake without losing custody to secure Starknet and earn rewards; the protocol already reportedly has ~65k delegators, ~150 validators … Read more

ECB Advocates Digital Euro as Shield for Freedom, Autonomy and Security

Piero Cipollone, member of the ECB Executive Board, delivered a keynote at the Baltic conference “Payments & Policy in a Changing Environment,” arguing the digital euro is essential to preserve Europeans’ ability to use sovereign money as transactions go increasingly digital. Cipollone framed the digital euro as an extension of central bank money that would … Read more