Ripple executives Rahul Advani, global co-head of policy, and Caren Tso, Asia-Pacific policy manager, highlighted compliance by design, tailored custody models, operational resilience, and governance as the key areas institutions must prioritize. They said compliance by design reflects regulatory demands from bodies like Singapore’s Monetary Authority (MAS), which requires strict protocols for asset segregation and recovery. Institutions, meanwhile, must choose custody models that best suit their operational needs—whether third-party, hybrid, or self-custody. The new frameworks, like the EU’s Digital Operational Resilience Act, highlight the critical importance of operational resilience. Providers must design workflows to withstand service disruptions and meet rigorous recovery standards. The workshop presented governance—through segregation of duties, independent oversight, and audit trails—as vital for sustaining trust in institutional crypto services. According to the executives, custody now represents a “critical entry point” for enterprises seeking to scale digital finance. They argued that enterprise-grade custody enables stablecoins, tokenized assets, and cross-border settlement adoption. Ripple emphasized custody’s role in making stablecoins usable for trade finance, cross-border payments, and corporate cash flow management. The firm noted that custodians can accelerate this transformation through API integration, AML safeguards, and programmable compliance tools. Ripple also described its custody platform as designed to help institutions manage tokenized assets within strict operational and legal parameters.
Web3 SyFu app leverages Salt Edge’s global Open Banking platform to integrate credit card data, rewarding user spending with tokenized digital assets and NFTs without changing payment methods
SyFu, a decentralised physical infrastructure network-powered Web3 lifestyle app, has teamed up with global Open Banking platform Salt Edge to integrate card payment data from more than 5,000 banks worldwide directly into the SyFu app. The integration aims to turn “real-world” spending into digital assets, such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and tokens. SyFu combines non-custodial wallets, decentralised IDs, and Soulbound Tokens, to “reward” spending with secure, verifiable on-chain value. Through the partnership with Salt Edge, SyFu will be able to integrate credit and debit card payment data without changes to users’ existing payment methods, thereby removing the process of manually importing payment history. SyFu said that users can pay with their existing cards and its app will automatically reflect their spending in NFT growth and token accumulation. Tomochika Kamiya, founder of SyFu, added: “Without changing their existing payment methods, users can enjoy an entirely new experience in which everyday spending is visualised as an economic contribution and transformed into digital assets.”
SkyBridge announces large-scale tokenization of hedge funds—using Avalanche’s high-speed blockchain to enable instant settlement, full fund lifecycle integration, and new RWA distribution channels
Skybridge Capital has announced a $300 million tokenization of its flagship hedge funds on the Avalanche blockchain network, a collaboration with enterprise-grade tokenization leader Tokeny and Apex Group Ltd. This move represents a significant step forward in modernizing the alternative investment landscape. Skybridge will tokenize its Digital Macro Master Fund Ltd and Legion Strategies Ltd using the proven ERC-3643 standard and Apex Group’s Digital 3.0 platform. The platform offers a single-source solution for the entire investment lifecycle, enabling institutional clients to transition their funds to blockchain-based rails with integrated capabilities for creation, issuance, administration, and distribution. The collaboration with Tokeny, Apex Group, and SkyBridge Capital marks a pivotal moment for institutional adoption and serves as a powerful market signal that tokenization has entered the mainstream. The collaboration brings together next-generation technology, enterprise-grade infrastructure, and institutional credibility, a critical combination for accelerating the adoption of real-world assets (RWAs) across hedge funds, private credit, and multi-strategy vehicles.
Polkadot launches capital markets division to showcase practical use cases in decentralized finance, staking and real-world asset (RWA) tokenization
Polkadot has launched a capital markets division to connect traditional finance with its blockchain ecosystem, aiming to attract institutional players as digital assets gain traction. The division aims to connect traditional finance with Polkadot’s infrastructure, helping institutions explore opportunities in asset management, banking, venture capital, exchanges, and over-the-counter trading. The division will showcase practical use cases in decentralized finance, staking, and real-world asset tokenization. Polkadot is the 24th-largest blockchain by market capitalization, valued at around $6.1 billion. The division is shaped by recent US regulatory progress, including the passage of the GENIUS stablecoin act and the House of Representatives advancing separate bills on crypto market structure and anti-CBDC measures. Other blockchain firms are realigning their strategies to capture institutional demand in areas such as asset tokenization, bond issuance, and stablecoin settlement.
SoFi and Lightspark partnership stands out as first to harness Bitcoin Lightning Network to disrupt cross-border payments and using UMA to easily conduct transactions using straightforward, email-like addresses
SoFi Technologies has boldly taken a step beyond the status quo, becoming the first bank in the U.S. to harness the power of the Bitcoin Lightning Network along with Universal Money Addresses (UMA). SoFi is shaking things up with a strategic collaboration with Lightspark, a prominent name in blockchain payment technology. This partnership aims to revolutionize USD to Bitcoin conversions for cross-border transactions, solving a persistent problem. Let’s face it; the world of international payments often feels like a financial Bermuda Triangle of excessive fees and frustrating delays. As the global remittance market is set to shoot past $740 billion by 2024, SoFi is right on time with a service that responds to the urgent need for speed and cost-effectiveness. With UMA as the backbone of this operation, users can easily conduct transactions using straightforward, email-like addresses. This innovative approach promises to simplify how people send money worldwide, especially for those looking to support family members and friends in far-off places—just a few taps on a smartphone can make all the difference. The integration of the Bitcoin Lightning Network marks a significant advance in the efficiency and scalability of international remittances. This is a game-changer for individuals who often find themselves at the mercy of exorbitant charges from traditional banking systems sending money to loved ones abroad. Industry experts are hailing this as a crucial milestone, one that pushes Bitcoin closer to mainstream legitimacy as a viable financial tool within regulated banking arenas. With the promise of faster settlements and dramatically reduced remittance costs, we could be on the brink of widespread adoption of Bitcoin-based solutions for everyday transactions. SoFi’s decisive move does more than disrupt traditional remittance services; it hints at a broader evolution in the incorporation of cryptocurrency into mainstream finance.
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Tokenized RWAs power DeFi looping strategies that recycle collateral and debt to deliver predictable yield; hence looping is a key bridge between traditional finance and DeFi ecosystems
While much of crypto chases volatility, the most capital-efficient allocations of 2025 are hiding in plain sight: looping. These structured strategies quietly recycle billions through the same assets, transforming modest yield spreads into outsized, risk-adjusted returns. In essence, they are the on-chain counterpart to TradFi’s repo and carry trades, now enhanced by tokenized real-world assets. DeFi looping is a yield amplification mechanism built on correlated collateral and debt. The essence of looping is yield-bearing assets — tokens that grow in value over time. Institutions are bringing RWAs on-chain partly because looping can amplify returns with transparent, modelable risks and auditable parameters. Likely growth lanes include: Private credit vehicles, e.g., Hamilton Lane’s SCOPE, made available via Securitize with daily on-chain NAV delivered by RedStone, and on-demand redemptions, positioned for steady monthly yield per issuer materials. Cash-and-carry strategies like Spiko C&C, capturing predictable term premia. Reinsurance-linked securities, like MembersCap MCM Fund I, historically have been associated with low default rates and consistent payouts. Looping enables more efficient use of capital by turning yield-generating positions into repeatable, collateralizable instruments. The risk–return profile is similar to traditional fixed-income and money market desks, but here it is delivered with 24/7 liquidity, transparent collateralization metrics and automated position management. As tokenized RWAs scale, looping is poised to become a foundational building block in on-chain portfolio construction, further narrowing the gap between traditional and decentralized finance.
Bitget launches first RWA Index Perpetual contracts on tokenized Tesla, Nvidia, and USDC assets; enabling 24/5 trading on blockchain
Crypto exchange Bitget has introduced the industry’s first Real-World Asset (RWA) Index Perpetual Contract, opening trading on tokenized equities and other traditional assets through its futures platform. The RWA Index Perpetuals will start with Tesla, Nvidia, and Circle’s USDC-related contracts. Each index reflects a basket of tokenized versions of the same stock issued by different third parties, a structure designed to stabilize pricing. The contracts mirror the mechanics of existing crypto perpetuals, with index values drawn from multiple sources. The platform plans to adjust weightings based on market activity, trading volumes, and liquidity conditions. “This product shows the platform’s advancement as compared to other players, as it enables traders with exposure to a modern and traditional range of asset classes, bridging the gap between TradFi and DeFi,” commented Gracy Chen, the CEO at Bitget. RWA Index Perpetuals will trade on a 5×24 schedule, closing on weekends and during stock market holidays. Prices will remain frozen during closures to avoid liquidation risks, though traders can add margin ahead of reopening. Funding fees will pause while markets are shut and resume once trading resumes. The contracts will initially support isolated margin mode only, with leverage capped at 10x and open interest limits applied across the exchange. At launch, index pricing is sourced from xStocks. Bitget plans to add more issuers and expand the RWA futures range later this quarter. Cryptocurrency exchanges are pushing deeper into tokenized equity markets, with Bitget, Kraken, and Robinhood all rolling out offerings that let investors trade digital versions of U.S. stocks outside regular Wall Street hours. The products promise 24/5 access to companies like Apple and Tesla on blockchain platforms, though some analysts question whether they offer real benefits compared with existing instruments such as contracts for difference (CFDs).
Report says crypto sports sponsorships hit $565 million in 2024/25, driven 59% by football; NFTs, DAOs and fan tokens transforming engagement
B2BINPAY report reveals that crypto’s community-driven ethos mirrors football’s global fan culture, making the two a natural fit. It traces the journey from early achievements, such as the first crypto-assisted player transfer in 2018, to landmark deals like São Paulo FC’s $6 million USDC transfer in 2022. Sponsorships have grown rapidly, with global crypto sports sponsorship spending reaching $565 million in the 2024/25 season, 59% of which was driven by football, representing a 20% year-on-year increase. The report also explores how NFTs, fan tokens, and decentralized autonomous organizations are transforming fan engagement, giving supporters unprecedented access, influence, and exclusive experiences. Looking ahead, it predicts a rapid increase in crypto use for transfers and salaries, the rise of blockchain-powered football games that merge entertainment with decentralized finance, and deeper integration between sponsors and clubs that goes beyond logo placements. B2BINPAY’s own partnership with Athletic Club is highlighted as an example of this trend. Renewed for the 2025 season, the collaboration reflects the shared values of innovation, community, and ambition that unite football and crypto. Athletic’s direct qualification to the UEFA Champions League adds an exciting new chapter to the partnership’s story.
LazAI launches Web3‑native AI testnet with Alith cross‑language SDKs, on‑chain privacy proofs, and DAT tokens for verifiable data contribution, enabling decentralized AI agent development and revenue sharing
LazAI has officially launched its testnet, providing developers with an environment to build, test, and deploy decentralized AI agents. The platform introduces a framework for developing AI systems that incorporate tokenization and privacy-preserving technologies within a Web3 ecosystem. The LazAI testnet offers access to the Alith Framework, featuring cross-language SDKs in Python, Node.js, and Rust. Developers can utilize high-performance inference capabilities, streamlined APIs for data queries, and real-time monitoring tools. The testnet supports contributions of real data, development of AI agents, and the use of on-chain privacy-preserving proofs. Its architecture emphasizes composability, interoperability, horizontal scalability, and customizable workflows to support future upgrades. Key Features of the LazAI Platform: Alith Framework: A development toolkit designed to facilitate AI inference across multiple model architectures. The framework offers native blockchain integration, allowing for direct data submission and model deployment within a decentralized infrastructure. Data Anchoring Token (DAT): A token-based mechanism supporting AI asset management through cryptographic verification and proof-of-contribution validation. The DAT enables transparent revenue-sharing processes via on-chain data anchoring and evaluation workflows on the testnet. Scalable Architecture: The platform includes components such as the DAT Marketplace for AI-native assets, LazPad for AI agent deployment, and DeFAI protocols for building AI-driven applications. The infrastructure supports modular computing with verified execution, decentralized data feeds, model hosting, and oracle integration.
Gemini and Ripple debut an XRP “earn-as-you-spend” credit card: WebBank‑issued on Mastercard, with up to 4% back in XRP, 10% partner promos, and instant rewards to a wallet
Cryptocurrency exchange Gemini and blockchain company Ripple collaborated to release an XRP Edition of the Gemini Credit Card. The credit card offers crypto rewards in the form of XRP, which is the digital currency built into the XRP Ledger (XRPL), and is issued by WebBank on the Mastercard network. The XRP Edition of the Gemini Credit Card offers 4% back in XRP on gas, electric vehicle charging and rideshare; 3% back on dining; 2% back on groceries; and 1% back on other purchases. In addition, qualifying purchases at select merchant partners offer as much as 10% back. The Gemini Credit Card also offers cardholders access to discounts through the World Elite Mastercard program. “By introducing a special XRP edition of the Gemini Credit Card, we’re giving customers and the XRP Army new ways to earn XRP and express their passion, loyalty and excitement,” Gemini co-founder and CEO Tyler Winklevoss said. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse said that a growing number of consumers in the United States are looking for easier ways to access crypto and use it in their daily lives.