Tyr Capital announced its strategic partnership with BOB and the bitvm/acc working group to advance the adoption of decentralized finance (DeFi) on Bitcoin. Tyr Capital will play a crucial role as a node operator in BOB’s BitVM deployment, helping to drive operational excellence and scalability in its decentralized financial ecosystem. BitVM, a novel approach to enabling smart contract capabilities on Bitcoin, is revolutionizing how the Bitcoin blockchain can be utilized beyond its traditional role as sound money. By introducing programmability akin to other smart contract platforms, BitVM unlocks new opportunities for yield generation, financial innovation, and broader adoption of Bitcoin within the DeFi space. This partnership aims to address the crucial requirement of aligning BitVM’s technological advancements with operational and business needs of institutional asset managers. By bringing together BitVM builders, Web3 businesses and institutions like Tyr Capital that will benefit from and help operate BitVM, bitvm/acc will ensure BitVM is developed in line with the business needs of both users and operators.
Ripple XRP Ledger is ‘uniquely suited’ for RWA for its instant low-fee settlement, built-in market making, on-ledger compliance, and full asset lifecycle composability
Ripple Senior Vice President Markus Infanger, the head of RippleX, argues the XRP Ledger (XRPL) is built for the next phase of real-world-asset tokenization and says SPV-heavy market is only a bridge to “native issuance.” Infanger’s case for XRPL centers on protocol-level capabilities intended for financial use from the outset, which he argues reduce integration work and operational risk for institutions moving from SPVs toward native issuance: On-ledger exchange (built-in DEX): XRPL includes a native order-book exchange, allowing issued tokens to trade directly on the ledger without external smart-contract routers. For tokenized RWAs, that can mean immediate listing and peer-to-peer execution with fewer moving parts. Near-instant, low-cost settlement: The ledger’s consensus design targets fast finality and minimal transaction fees, a combination Infanger says is critical for high-volume instruments — such as tokenized T-bills — where carry, fees and operational latency matter. XLS-30 automated market maker (AMM): This standard introduces on-ledger liquidity pools that algorithmically set prices based on inventory, so tokens can trade even when a matching order isn’t present. For RWA markets that need continuous two-way prices — rather than episodic RFQs — on-ledger AMMs can help stabilize liquidity. XLS-65 lending vaults: A proposed standard for protocol-level borrowing and lending. Instead of building bespoke smart contracts, issuers could enable secured credit (for example, borrowing against a tokenized note or real-estate claim) with rules defined at the standard level, aiding auditability and risk controls. Programmable compliance and custody hooks: Because issuance, exchange, and settlement live in the base protocol, Infanger argues that rule sets (whitelists, transfer restrictions, disclosures) and custody workflows can be embedded directly into asset lifecycles — supporting regulatory alignment as volumes scale.Composability: With exchange, liquidity, lending and issuance primitives designed to interoperate, tokens can move through primary issuance, secondary trading, collateralization and settlement without stitching together multiple external systems. Infanger urges banks, asset managers, and treasurers to use SPVs for now but plan for native issuance. He believes a public, finance-focused ledger with built-in exchange, liquidity and credit standards will speed the shift and make on-ledger assets work like mainstream instruments.
BIS proposes risk grading for blockchain wallets to bolster AML—scores based on fund sources, enabling screening at off-ramps to protect traditional financial systems
For years the cryptocurrency community has been arguing that blockchains enable alternative ways to approach anti-money laundering (AML) and compliance. Companies like Chainalysis and TRM Labs have been providing wallet screening solutions for some time. Now these approaches are being endorsed by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) with its proposal of grading permissionless blockchain wallets for risks. A key motivation is to reduce the potential for illicit funds passing from the crypto ecosystem into the traditional financial system. The paper also makes a couple of controversial suggestions. The BIS acknowledges that “Existing international standards for AML compliance for cryptoassets attempt to apply the intermediary-based principles for AML compliance to the crypto world. However, there are clear limits to such an approach.” That said, it concludes that off-ramps are the pragmatic points for deploying an AML scoring system. Wallet addresses would be scored based on the sources of incoming funds. If the funds primarily come from wallets on an allow list, then it would achieve a top score of 100. If all funds can be traced to an address on a deny list, then the score would be closer to zero. Many transactions are likely to fall somewhere in between.
Latest Google Chrome updates Android with easier tab grouping via menu and grid, fixes “Copy link” clipboard bug, and introduces lighter Dynamic Color for dark theme
Google’s Tab Group tweaks continue with Chrome 139 for Android, which also makes a handful of other small changes across the browser. Chrome’s three-dot menu now has an “Add tab to group” option. It prominently appears in the top-most section alongside New tab and New Incognito tab. Tapping that button brings up a bottom sheet that lists all your groupings with the ability to make a new one. Similarly, the Tab Grid switcher has also added “New tab group.” We’re seeing this widely rolling out — with an accompanying “You can now easily add tabs to groups here” message — today with version 139. (Force stop Chrome from App info if you’re not seeing it yet.) The address bar’s “Copy link” action, which was introduced alongside the bottom option, now works. Previously, tapping caused the Pixel’s corner preview to say “Copied” but the URL was not actually saved to your clipboard. You can access the shortcut by long-pressing the Omnibox. Google also continues to tweak Dynamic Color for the dark theme. In May, Chrome 136 made it less vibrant and darker. Version 139 goes the opposite direction and makes it lighter. It’s much closer to gray, with the separation between the top row of actions and the first section gone in the three-dot menu. This applies to system ‘chrome’ throughout the browser. Meanwhile, over the past week or two, Chrome added a four-color ‘G’ logo to the “Search Google or type URL” field on the New Tab Page.
OpenEden appoints BNY Mellon as primary custodian for its controversial $TBILL tokenized Treasury fund; Moody’s re-upgrades investment grade A-bf rating
Tokenization platform OpenEden has appointed the Bank of New York Mellon (BNY) as primary custodian for the underlying assets of its Tokenized US Treasury Bills ($TBILL) Fund which has $287 million in assets under management. It added that BNY Investments Dreyfus will manage the $TBILL Fund on OpenEden’s behalf as sub-manager. OpenEden described $TBILL as “the world’s first tokenized US Treasury fund to receive an investment grade A rating from Moody’s.” While readers might assume that means it is currently A rated, an April report from the ratings agency had downgraded it from A-bf to Baa-bf. Moody’s responded to our queries noting the rating has been upgraded back to A-bf based on the appointment of BNY Mellon Investment Management Singapore as the investment manager. The ‘bf’ in the ratings stands for bond funds and the rating represents Moody’s opinion of the maturity-adjusted credit quality of the assets within the portfolio. It is not a credit rating. While clearly having BNY involved in the fund should provide some peace of mind, an awareness of OpenEden’s controversial background might be useful for investors to make their own judgment.
Wellgistics Health deploys XRPL platform for instant pharmacy payments, bypassing banking delays and card fees—featuring direct settlement, HIPAA-compliant blockchain, advanced ERP integration for low cost payment and real-time tracking
Wellgistics Health Inc. is deploying an XRP Ledger-based payment system for thousands of pharmacies across the United States, deepening its bet on blockchain as it looks to overhaul healthcare finance. The Nasdaq-listed distributor has announced that its new platform enables independent pharmacies to pay for drug inventory and move funds instantly, bypassing banking delays and high credit card fees. Integrated with RxERP, a serialized pharmaceutical e-commerce and enterprise resource planning system, the program promises real-time tracking, lower costs, and direct settlement between pharmacies and distributors. Pharmacies can now enroll in the beta version of the program. The system is built on the XRP Ledger (XRPL), an open-source blockchain with core development led by Ripple Labs. With a network of more than 6,500 pharmacies and 200 manufacturers, Wellgistics is one of the first healthcare companies to launch an XRPL payment solution at scale. The firm’s CEO, Brian Norton, said pharmacy owners have embraced the initiative, calling them more forward-thinking on blockchain than many in the industry assume. The program enables pharmacies to settle invoices over XRPL, though Wellgistics has not disclosed whether participants must hold XRP directly or use fiat-to-XRP conversions for settlement. The program was designed to meet strict compliance standards, including HIPAA and anti-money laundering requirements. After the pharmacy roll-out, Wellgistics plans to extend the platform to manufacturers and test direct-to-patient programs, allowing medications to be shipped from drugmakers directly to patients under physician oversight. By linking pharmacy payments to the XRP Ledger while preparing to hold XRP on its balance sheet, Wellgistics is aiming to position itself as both a user and financial backer of the blockchain.
DeFi lender Aave hits $3 trillion deposits, $40 billion TVL and 26% TVL growth in 30 days rivaling major banks; expanding institutional use and $100 billion target
Aave, the leading decentralized finance (DeFi) lending platform, has experienced record-breaking growth, surpassing $3 trillion in lifetime deposits and $29 billion in active loans. The total value locked (TVL) in Aave reached an all-time high of $40 billion, reflecting its expanding footprint in the decentralized lending market. This surge coincides with the broader expansion of the DeFi lending category, which has become the second-largest segment in the DeFi ecosystem. Aave dominates this growth, controlling roughly two-thirds of the market and outperforming its closest rival, Morpho, by nearly six times. The platform’s financial scale is now comparable to major commercial banks, with institutions like Barclays and Ethena using Aave to earn yield on their Ethereum holdings. Aave’s native token, AAVE, has rallied 138% since April, and founder Stani Kulechov has set an ambitious target of $100 billion in net deposits by year-end. As the DeFi sector matures, the challenge for Aave and other protocols will be to maintain innovation, security, and regulatory compliance to ensure long-term sustainability in an increasingly competitive market.
Gemini unveils Smart Wallet plus Onchain Dashboard, combining easy passkey login and multi-dApp asset management to remove DeFi barriers
Gemini, a leading crypto custody and exchange platform, has launched the Gemini Wallet, an advanced custody tool designed to simplify entry into the Web3 ecosystem. The wallet is a portable, embedded smart wallet that allows users to manage digital assets within and outside decentralized applications (dApps). It eliminates the need for standalone and embedded wallet models, offering a more adaptable approach. The wallet also features passkey-based onboarding, eliminating the complexity of recovery phrases and app downloads, allowing users to access their accounts with minimal friction. Gemini has also introduced the Onchain Dashboard, a transparent platform for streamlined portfolio management. The wallet aims to resolve persistent onboarding issues in the Web3 environment by combining passkey security with hardware-bound syncing, simplifying the user experience while maintaining high security standards. The wallet’s user-friendly onboarding, compatibility with various dApps, and secure asset management could encourage greater participation in blockchain-based finance and services. This development could set a precedent for future crypto custody designs and make the Web3 sector closer to mainstream adoption through accessible, secure, and efficient solutions.
Wyoming’s new stablecoin is not a speculative crypto asset, it is a stable token tied to the U.S. dollar by law; Franklin Templeton subsidiary to handle the cash and Treasuries that back FRNT
Wyoming introduces state backed stablecoin on 7 blockchains – The Frontier Stable Token (FRNT) is Wyoming’s state-issued stablecoin. Launched in August 2025, FRNT is a fiat-backed digital token fully backed by U.S. dollars and short-term Treasury bills. The Wyoming Stable Token Commission or WST (created by a 2023 law) oversees FRNT’s issuance. The state requires all FRNT tokens to be backed by actual dollars in a trust, plus an extra 2% overcollateralization (i.e. at least $1.02 in reserve per $1 issued). Wyoming has contracted financial firms to manage these reserves. For example, Franklin Advisers (a subsidiary of Franklin Templeton) is handling the cash and Treasuries that back FRNT. Independent audits and blockchain attestations will verify the reserves regularly. Therefore, FRNT is not a speculative crypto asset, it is a stable token tied to the U.S. dollar by law. This makes Wyoming’s token more like a state-authorized digital dollar than a volatile cryptocurrency
The rise of Genie agents: Workato combines workflow automation with agentic intelligence enabling enterprises to deploy customizable AI agents rapidly for scalable automation across key functions
Bhaskar Roy, chief of AI products and solutions at Workato Inc., pointed to the company’s Genie agents and the broader platform expansion as a way to rethink how work gets done inside organizations, moving from experimentation to enterprise-scale deployment. The centerpiece of Workato’s product announcements was the integration of Genies with the long-standing orchestration capabilities of the Workato platform. By combining workflow automation with agentic intelligence, the company aims to make AI agents not just useful, but essential to enterprise operations, according to Roy. “One of the core things that makes our Genie really great is [that] it can orchestrate workflows. Workato ONE brings together orchestration capabilities [and] marries it with our agentic capabilities. Think of them as pre-packaged agents … within a couple of weeks, you are off to the races.” Workato’s customers are already adopting Genies quickly, with some organizations now rolling out new agents on a four- to six-week cadence, accelerating momentum toward an agentic enterprise, according to Roy. That speed underscores how prebuilt, customizable Genies are intended to accelerate adoption and help enterprises shift from pilot projects to a truly agentic enterprise. Beyond specific product launches, Roy framed the future of enterprise AI in terms of what he called “core agents.” Moving past the so-called “agency gap,” Workato is working with customers to embed AI into complex workflows and processes that deliver measurable outcomes. “They were low agency, doing simple stuff. But then on the high agency — complex workflows, complex systems — people were not going there with the agents. So, that became a North Star … until we go to the core. That became the premise of what we call core agents or Genies.” These agents are not designed to replace workers, but to serve as coworkers, handling repetitive tasks so humans can focus on higher-value decision-making. The result is a culture of augmentation at the heart of the agentic enterprise, according to Roy.