Webull Pay partnered with Coinbase in a deal that enables Webull Pay’s crypto services to run on Coinbase’s institutional-grade infrastructure. The agreement aims to offer staking, stablecoin rewards, and more trading options starting next month. Coinbase will provide its Crypto-as-a-Service (CaaS) platform to support Webull Pay’s crypto operations. The agreement also covers trading execution, custody, staking capabilities, and access to USDC, Coinbase’s dollar-backed stablecoin. For Webull Pay, the move delivers a critical backend upgrade using infrastructure already used by major financial institutions. The companies now aim to offer a secure, seamless user experience, which is expected to allow Webull Pay to scale with the evolving crypto market. The platform expects the new offering to enable users to gain access to deep liquidity, tight spreads, and the potential for yield through staking and USDC rewards. Beyond the domestic rollout, Coinbase and Webull Pay are also exploring joint efforts to extend their services globally. That would bring Webull Pay-branded crypto offerings to new markets, riding on Coinbase’s existing global infrastructure and compliance frameworks. The deal reportedly includes access to Coinbase’s USDC rewards program. Users who hold USDC through Webull Pay will automatically be enrolled in the loyalty scheme unless they opt out.
EY launches blockchain complex contract manager featuring public chain deployment, zero-knowledge proofs, and automated compliance checks
Ernst & Young (EY) has launched the EY OpsChain Contract Manager (OCM), a blockchain tool designed to simplify complex business agreements. The OCM, which is operational on the Polygon proof-of-stake blockchain, uses zero-knowledge proofs (ZKP) to ensure contract confidentiality without compromising efficiency. This feature allows parties to verify information accuracy without revealing sensitive details, safeguarding critical contract terms and transaction specifics. The OCM can automatically validate contract terms through real-time checks, ensuring policy adherence and promptly notifying users of discrepancies. This development is part of EY’s ongoing commitment to blockchain technology, which it has previously introduced to enhance transparency and accountability in government operations. EY has also collaborated with industry leaders like ConsenSys and Microsoft to develop the Baseline protocol, a suite of blockchain tools for enterprises. The integration of Polygon with EY’s blockchain services further solidifies its position in the blockchain ecosystem.
Robinhood proposes RWA tokenization framework and exchange for traditional assets, integrating offchain trade matching with onchain settlement and featuring hybrid blockchain architecture, instant settlement, and comprehensive compliance standards
Robinhood has submitted a proposal to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a federal framework for tokenized real-world assets. The proposal introduces the Real World Asset Exchange (RRE), a blockchain-based trading platform that modernizes securities infrastructure by integrating offchain trade matching with onchain settlement. The proposal aims to simplify compliance for broker-dealers and asset managers across the US and reduce regulatory uncertainty. The RRE will treat tokenized assets as direct representations of their traditional counterparts, allowing regulated brokers to manage these assets within existing compliance systems. The platform will support 24/7 trading of tokenized assets under established regulatory protections, with offchain trade matching for speed and onchain settlement for finality and auditability. The proposal could redefine the U.S. tokenization landscape and pave the way for other financial institutions to enter the market confidently.
Superblock introduces tokenized open banking infrastructure integrating TradFi and DeFi through modular Web3 architecture and automated compliance
Tokenized Open Banking, a framework where real-world assets are tokenized and transactions are seamless across traditional and decentralized finance, is needed. The rise of central bank digital currencies, stablecoins, and tokenized real estate is challenging existing financial infrastructure. SUPERBLOCK, a next-generation Web3 infrastructure protocol, aims to unify these assets under a secure, modular, and regulation-ready architecture. It enables the exchange of programmable digital value, including tokenized real estate, stablecoins, programmable CBDCs, and smart contracts that enforce regulatory compliance. SUPERBLOCK combines digital asset management with real-time, secure financial transactions across traditional institutions and decentralized protocols. SUPERBLOCK delivers enterprise-grade infrastructure that enables governments, fintechs, and developers to build: CBDC-compatible digital banking rails; Tokenized asset issuance and settlement platforms; Stablecoin-powered global payment systems; Open APIs for seamless integration with TradFi and DeFi networks. Key Infrastructure Modules Include: $SBX Gateway APIs – Token minting, redemption, compliance, and smart contract execution; Digital Identity Layer – Integrated KYC/AML, eID, and SSI support; Tokenization Engine – Support for ERC-20, ERC-1400, and custom standards for RWAs; Stablecoin & CBDC Treasury System – Tools for lifecycle management of digital currencies; Smart Contract Orchestration – Composability and automation across permissioned and public chains.
Kraken partners Backed Finance to offer tokenized versions of popular US equities on Solana’s blockchain; to be compatible with wallets and protocols on the network
Crypto exchange Kraken plans to offer tokenized versions of popular U.S. equities. Kraken will list a new suite of tokenized equities dubbed xStocks in partnership with Backed Finance. The assets will reportedly be live on the Solana blockchain and represent actual shares held 1:1 by Backed. Clients in selected non-U.S. jurisdictions will reportedly be able to trade more than 50 U.S. stocks and ETFs, including Tesla, Nvidia, Apple, and the SPDR S&P 500 ETF, outside traditional market hours. The launch positions Kraken among the first exchanges to successfully list tokenized U.S. equities since Binance’s short-lived effort in 2021. Unlike earlier iterations, Kraken’s approach relies on real securities held in custody and tokenized on a fast, low-cost blockchain. Mark Greenberg, Kraken Global Head of Consumer said, “Access to traditional U.S. equities remains slow, costly, and restricted. With xStocks, we’re using blockchain technology to deliver something better, open, instant, accessible, and borderless exposure to some of America’s most iconic companies.” The xStocks tokens are reportedly issued as SPL tokens on Solana, meaning they are compatible with wallets and protocols on the network. This integration also allows users to leverage their tokenized stocks in decentralized finance environments, including as collateral.
Congressman reintroduces bill on blockchain regulation that exempts digital asset developers and service providers who do not custody consumer funds from compliance applicable to money transmitters
Congressman Tom Emmer has reintroduced the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act (BRCA), which clarifies that digital asset developers and service providers who do not custody consumer funds are not money transmitters. This legislation provides legal clarity that will unlock blockchain development in the United States and is co-led by Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15). The bill aims to protect American crypto developers and innovators from undue regulation by prosecution, ensuring that they are not unfairly treated as financial intermediaries. The BRCA provides clear rules for developers who never take custody of consumer funds, preventing them from being unreasonably defined as operators of an “unlicensed money services business” under the Bank Secrecy Act. The bill also ensures that non-custodial blockchain participants, including developers, node operators, miners, validators, and wallet providers, are not subject to unnecessary and technologically infeasible compliance burdens that would significantly impede American innovation. The development of digital assets in the United States is critical to national and economic security, and the BRCA will help establish the necessary confidence required to keep non-custodial blockchain developers or service providers from seeking more straightforward regulatory environments overseas.
Acurast allows anyone and everyone to run compute with their mobile phones, providing real decentralization using Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs) and Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) of mobile phones
Acurast has raised $5.4 million to use smartphones to power a global decentralized cloud computing network. Acurast enables users to participate in confidential compute tasks, decentralized AI, and blockchain infrastructure, all while earning rewards by leveraging the processing power of smartphones. Acurast utilizes Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs) and Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) of the mobile phones to ensure secure and scalable compute, while maintaining confidentiality without requiring trust in the device owner. “The ACU token lies at the heart of this economy. Acurast allows anyone and everyone to run compute with their mobile phones, providing real decentralization, and become stakeholders in the network powering a secure, scalable and decentralized computer economy while incentivising active collaboration and sustainable growth,” said Alessandro De Carli, president of the board and cofounder of Acurast. Acurast’s high-performance Proof of Stake blockchain orchestrates global demand and supply for secure decentralized compute, without centralized data centers. This chain verifies genuine hardware on-chain with Smartphone manufacture attestations and anchors confidential workloads, ensuring trustless and verifiable execution across billions of smartphones. Acurast’s Android and iOS apps offer end-to-end checks of each phone’s secure elements, delivering unstoppable trustless compute at scale. Centered on openness, composability, and decentralization, Acurast forms the foundational layer for the decentralized compute economy, unlocking mass adoption and enabling unprecedented innovation for web3 and beyond.
Block to enable merchants using the Square POS to accept bitcoin payments directly through their Square hardware via QR code sca
Block plans to launch bitcoin payments on its business technology platform Square, enabling merchants using the Square Point of Sale app to accept bitcoin payments directly through their Square hardware. The company plans to begin rolling out this new, native Bitcoin For Businesses offering in the second half of the year and then extend it to all Square sellers in 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. With Square’s integration handling the complexity behind the scenes, and the Lightning Network enabling near-instant settlement, customers will be able to pay with bitcoin by scanning a QR code at checkout. Bitcoin For Businesses builds upon Square’s Bitcoin Conversions features, which was launched in 2024 and allows qualified merchants to automatically convert a portion of their sales into bitcoin. “When a coffee shop or retail store can accept bitcoin through Square, small businesses get paid faster, and get to keep more of their revenue,” Block Bitcoin Product Lead Miles Suter said. “This is about economic empowerment for merchants who like to have options when it comes to accepting payments. We believe in an open, decentralized, fair, fast and low-cost money system for everyone, and that’s exactly what we want to bring to Square sellers,” he added.
Exodus’s self-custody wallet with native on-ramping enables seamless purchase of cryptos in-app in <60 seconds by eliminating the need for third-party exchanges
Exodus announces the launch of XO Pay, a new service that allows customers to buy and sell cryptocurrency directly within the Exodus Mobile wallet. Developed by Exodus and powered by Coinme’s Crypto-as-a-Service API platform, XO Pay is the first self-custody wallet with native on-ramping. XO Pay eliminates the need for third-party exchanges, providing a seamless crypto buying experience for customers with all the benefits of self-custody. JP Richardson, Co-Founder and CEO of Exodus. “By integrating the purchasing process directly into our mobile wallet, we’re removing barriers and simplifying the journey from fiat to crypto, and back.” Key Features of XO Pay: Complete purchases in under 60 seconds with quick and easy onboarding; Maximize buys with industry-leading competitive rates; Access world-class support from Exodus’ elite customer service team. Customers can initiate a purchase by tapping the Buy & Sell icon in the Exodus Mobile app, selecting their desired cryptocurrency and purchase amount, and choosing XO Pay as their provider. The platform will then guide customers through a straightforward verification process. “By creating a Web2 checkout experience into a Web3 self-custody wallet, Exodus has set a new bar for crypto user experience,” said Neil Bergquist, CEO and co-founder of Coinme. “Exodus’ innovative integration of Coinme’s APIs delivers the seamless in-app purchase flow users expect while keeping them in full control of their assets.”
Conduit the cross-border payments platform powered by stablecoins differentiates with direct partnerships with two dozen banks, support for highly inflationary local currencies and by lacking liquidity constraints
Conduit, the cross-border payments platform powered by stablecoins, closed a $36 million Series A funding round. Conduit transaction volumes surged 16x in 2024, surpassing $10 billion in annualized payment volume. It will use new funding to expand its geographic reach and increase the range of fiat and digital currencies supported through its innovative real-time global payment rails. Conduit’s cross-border payment network seamlessly integrates stablecoins, USD and local currencies, providing businesses with a faster, cheaper, and more reliable alternative to the legacy SWIFT system. Conduit transaction volumes surged 16x in 2024, surpassing $10 billion in annualized payment volume. It will use new funding to expand its geographic reach and increase the range of fiat and digital currencies supported through its innovative real-time global payment rails. Clients choose Conduit for:
Speed and Efficiency: Unlike payment platforms that rely on slow and disjointed networks of correspondent banks, Conduit has direct partnerships with two dozen banks across the world, enabling transactions to settle in seconds rather than days.
Broad Geographic Coverage: Conduit natively supports a diverse range of currencies and payment methods, including highly inflationary local currencies in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
Deep Liquidity: Conduit’s robust network of institutional-grade FX providers ensures large transactions can be processed seamlessly without liquidity constraints.