Fellaz, a decentralized protocol suite for entertainment, and Dnable, a content production house and design studio, have partnered to create the next generation of digital-native intellectual property. Fellaz will provide the blockchain infrastructure for Dnable’s two flagship projects: a virtual K-pop boy group and an enhancement of its social application, Peeksup. The partnership aims to empower fans to become active participants, co-creators, and financial stakeholders in the IP they love. The project will be developed at Dnable’s state-of-the-art studio in Seoul, fostering deep integration and synergy between its assets to pioneer new markets. The centerpiece of the collaboration is a virtual boy group whose entire fan economy will be built on the Fellaz protocol suite, creating a comprehensive case study for the future of interactive media: Community Governance via Fellaz Creator Protocol: The group’s creative and strategic direction will be guided by its fans through a DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization). Fans holding the group’s unique tokens will have the power to vote on key decisions, such as song choices, character outfits, and narrative arcs in the group’s story, fulfilling the promise of a truly community-owned franchise. Verifiable Fandom via Fellaz ID Protocol: Every meaningful fan interaction, from watching livestreams to voting in polls to creating fan art, will be recorded on their personal Fellaz ID. Early adopters will be granted a permanent “Original Supporter” Soulbound Token (SBT), giving them recognized status and tiered access within the community for life. Shared Ownership via Fellaz RWA Protocol: In a revolutionary move, Dnable will tokenize a portion of the virtual group’s intellectual property, allowing fans to purchase fractional shares. This transforms fans into true co-owners who can share in the financial success of the group, earning revenue from sources like music streaming royalties and virtual concert ticket sales.
Health-tech platform Wellgistics Health to use XRPL to process real-time, B2B payments among pharmacies, manufacturers, and vendors; purchase additional XRP and deploy the holdings as collateral to secure financing, and as a source of income generation
Wellgistics Health has filed an S-1 registration statement with the SEC detailing a plan to integrate XRP and the XRP Ledger (XRPL) across its payments and treasury operations. The health-tech company said it will use XRPL to process real-time, low-cost business-to-business payments among pharmacies, manufacturers, and vendors and expand its XRP holdings. The company may raise capital through equity and debt offerings to purchase additional XRP, deploy those holdings to generate income, and use the asset as collateral for future financing. The S-1 positions XRP as an active balance sheet instrument. Wellgistics intends to accumulate XRP and apply it to several functions: as a payments rail, as collateral to secure financing, and as a source of income generation. The company indicated that treating XRP as collateral could provide liquidity without disrupting operations. It also outlined plans to raise capital specifically for digital asset acquisition, signaling that future issuances of equity or debt may be tied to enlarging its XRP position. Wellgistics will implement XRPL to support near-instant settlement and reduced fees for business partners. The company identified a network of approximately 6,000 pharmacies and 150 manufacturers that will interface with the XRPL-based system. The stated objective is to streamline value transfer and improve liquidity across that ecosystem by avoiding the delays and costs present in traditional payment systems. Beyond the LDA arrangement, the S-1 states that Wellgistics may pursue additional equity and debt offerings to finance XRP purchases and related infrastructure. Additionally, the S-1 includes risk disclosures tied to XRP’s regulatory status and ongoing litigation. Wellgistics warned that adverse legal or regulatory outcomes could affect XRP’s price and, as a result, the value of the company’s treasury assets and collateral.
Stablecoins: The structural gap between the redemption rights for institutional accounts and retail users and the higher likelihood of redemption pressure in a crisis for EU stablecoins leading to run risks that could hurt financial stability
The passage of the GENIUS Act for stablecoins in the United States has encouraged numerous stablecoin papers and posts. A key concern is what happens if something goes wrong. American Enterprise Institute (AEI) argues for a change in the FDIC rules. If a bank collapses holding stablecoin balances, then the FDIC deposit insurance claims of any stablecoin issuer should be subordinated to all other deposit holders. Circle’s de-pegging event, where the price dropped from $1 to 87.5 cents, draws attention to a major feature of the largest stablecoins – both USDC and Tether do not provide direct redemptions to retail stablecoin holders, but instead work via intermediaries. Another post from the MIT Digital Currency Initiative highlights that during Circle’s de-peg crisis it redeemed about $2 billion in stablecoins – but crucially, these redemptions were not equally accessible to all holders. “This suggests that the primary market peg presumably held for institutional clients, even as the secondary market peg for retail users broke. The divergence highlights the structural gap between the redemption rights for institutional accounts and retail users,” the authors wrote. The EU’s concerns about multi-jurisdiction stablecoins highlight an intuitive finding – if it’s easier to redeem, the run risk is higher. Apart from direct redemption, EU stablecoins will also be more prone to redemption pressure in a crisis because there are no fees for cashing out. The authors additionally suggest that gated redemptions, as proposed in the UK, are a good idea to reduce runs. Even where there is no direct redemption, such as with the two largest stablecoins USDC and Tether, there are different run risks. On the face of it, USDC looks like it has more desirable features. However, ease of redemption directly correlates with run risk. So more arbitrageurs mean easier redemption and elevated vulnerability to runs. Higher levels of liquid assets make the issuer more likely to allow more off-ramps, also increasing run risk. The researchers found another area where more arbitrageurs are beneficial – during normal times, the price of the stablecoin is more stable. These findings highlight a key trade off between price stability and financial stability.
Interactive Brokers is working on enabling instant, 24/7 stablecoin funding for brokerage accounts and supporting asset transfers for commonly traded cryptocurrencies and may potentially issue stablecoins
Interactive Brokers Group is considering launching a stablecoin for customers, joining a number of large financial firms that are betting big on the digital token boom as the U.S. eases regulations around the crypto industry. The deliberations come at a time when the underlying infrastructure of global financial markets is undergoing a once-in-a-generation transformation due to the proliferation of blockchain-based assets like stablecoins. Interactive Brokers’ billionaire founder Thomas Peterffy said the company is working on potentially issuing stablecoins, but has yet to make a final decision on how that will be offered to customers. The popular trading platform is now working on enabling instant, 24/7 stablecoin funding for brokerage accounts, as well as supporting asset transfers for commonly traded cryptocurrencies, said Peterffy, who also sounded a note of caution on the risks of rapid widespread adoption of crypto. Among the options being considered, the firm could allow customers to use stablecoins issued by other financial institutions to fund their accounts, depending upon the credibility of the issuer.
FIS and Circle to help financial institutions use USDC stablecoin via its Money Movement Hub which connects to multiple payment networks
FIS has announced a new partnership with a subsidiary of Circle Internet Group to give financial institutions the ability to transact in USDC, the world’s largest regulated stablecoin. This partnership launches on the heels of new U.S. stablecoin legislation that paves the way for digital assets to become more integrated with traditional finance in the U.S. Working together through this novel partnership, FIS and Circle will enable U.S. financial institutions to offer their customers the option to make domestic and cross-border stablecoin payments in USDC. Issued through Circle’s regulated affiliates, USDC is a fully-reserved payment stablecoin that is redeemable 1:1 for US dollars. FIS’ recently launched Money Movement Hub is the first FIS solution to integrate with Circle, making USDC payment functionality available to a wide range of institutions. The Money Movement Hub enables financial institutions to connect to multiple payment networks, encompassing a range of payment types, in one place. FIS will integrate its real-time payments and enhanced fraud detection solutions with Circle’s blockchain-native infrastructure, providing a scalable path for financial institution customers to adopt digital assets.
RAKBANK’s crypto brokerage service to enable retail customers to buy, sell, and swap cryptocurrencies by accessing Bitpanda’s crypto trading platform through its mobile banking app
RAKBANK has announced the launch of its crypto brokerage service via its mobile app for retail customers, becoming the first conventional bank in the UAE to enable crypto trading services for its customers. With this new offering, RAKBANK customers can buy, sell, and swap cryptocurrencies by accessing Bitpanda’s crypto trading platform through RAKBANK’s mobile banking app. The platform is owned and operated by Bitpanda, to which RAKBANK facilitates the access. All transactions will take place in AED, eliminating foreign currency transfer fees and forex losses altogether. What’s more, transactions are executed directly from the customer’s RAKBANK current or savings account, avoiding the need for lengthy and inefficient processes to move money in and out of crypto exchanges. The transaction is fulfilled through Bitpanda’s platform. With this launch, RAKBANK will be providing its customers with seamless, fast, and efficient access to digital assets in a fully regulated way.
SoFi is launching blockchain-powered international money transfers and re-entering cryptocurrency trading with plans to offer stablecoin issuance, crypto-backed loans, and staking infrastructure
SoFi’s second-quarter 2025 results reflect a company firing on all cylinders and potentially signaling the broader direction of digital finance. A record 850,000 new members joined SoFi in the quarter, up 34% from the prior year to 11.7 million. The company also added a record 1.26 million new products, up 34% from the prior year, to 17.1 million products. CEO Anthony Noto highlighted 44% year-over-year adjusted net revenue growth, the highest in over two years, driven by new members, products, and fee-based revenue. SoFi is innovating faster than ever, aiming to serve more member needs and raising its financial guidance for 2025. Once focused on student loan refinancing, SoFi is now a digitally native financial services player. It’s launching blockchain-powered international money transfers and reentering cryptocurrency trading. Plans include stablecoin issuance, crypto-backed loans, and staking infrastructure. SoFi is staffing up for Web3 and rolling out machine learning tools for fraud detection and AI advisors like “Cash Coach.” Personal loan originations increased nearly 66% year over year to $7 billion, while home lending segment saw 92% year-over-year growth in Q2, reaching $799 million in originations. A big driver was home equity loans, which now make up a third of volume — a product SoFi didn’t even offer a year ago. Student loan originations hit nearly $1 billion, up 35% from last year, buoyed by a new refinancing solution that steps up payments over time. The company’s services segment, anchored by Galileo and Technisys, grew net revenue 15% year over year to $109.8 million with a steady 30% contribution margin. Accounts on the platform rose by 2 million, quarter over quarter, to 160 million. From crypto and AI to stablecoins and tokenized loans, SoFi sees more opportunity than it can reasonably chase in parallel.
Figure Technology’s solution allows borrowers to consolidate existing liens and high-interest debt directly through the loan application process and boost their qualification potential by improving combined loan-to-value (CLTV) ratios, debt-to-income (DTI) ratios and lien position
Figure Technology Solutions, a blockchain-native capital marketplace, announced on Monday an expansion of Intellidebt, its Direct Debt Payoff (DDP) solution. The move aims to allow borrowers to consolidate existing liens and high-interest debt directly through the loan application process. The upgrade boosts borrower qualification potential by improving combined loan-to-value (CLTV) ratios, debt-to-income (DTI) ratios and lien position all while helping lenders increase conversions and reduce manual work. With these new features, borrowers can now pay off and consolidate more types of debt, including liens, credit cards, personal loans, auto loans and home improvement loans. The Intellidebt expansion aims to offer a more flexible alternative to traditional cash-out refinancing. Highlights of the new features include expanded lien payoffs and consolidation, along with a streamlined requalification process, which are designed to push higher conversion rates and sales volumes for lenders. With consumer debt rising and more mortgage recasts or buydown expirations approaching, Figure’s updated DDP aims to help lenders address their borrowers’ needs while identifying new lending opportunities. Figure’s data shows these borrowers increased their FICO scores by an average of 27 points within the first month after using Intellidebt and paid off an average of $24,500 in outstanding debt. “Lenders have been looking for a cost-effective solution for lower balance loans as they can be expensive to originate, so we’re pleased to expand access to low-cost, low balance refinance options. We’re redefining how borrowers access equity to manage debt, while giving lenders a smarter, faster way to serve more qualified applicants,” Figure CEO Michael Tannenbaum said. “It’s a win-win-win for homeowners, their loan officers and the institutions that serve them.”
First American Title launches AgentNet Assist generative AI tool, enhancing productivity for title agents and access to trusted research instantly
First American Title Insurance Company, announced the launch of its AgentNet Assist tool, a Gen AI experience that instantly searches and summarizes First American’s industry-leading underwriting expertise and proprietary data. Rolling out nationally now to First American policy-issuing title agents as part of the AgentNet platform, the AgentNet Assist tool provides concise results with links to trusted content, simplifying how title agents access critical guidance through AgentNet Knowledge, the company’s exclusive repository of expert-curated underwriting resources. “What differentiates the AgentNet Assist tool is the unique knowledge base that fuels it—First American Title’s underwriting excellence, proprietary data assets developed over decades, and unmatched domain expertise,” said Steve Vincini, president of First American Title’s Agency Division. “We’ve combined our extensive industry knowledge and specialized data with a powerful generative AI tool that provides title agents with access to trusted research instantly, enhancing outcomes and helping elevate their customers’ experience.” Fully integrated into AgentNet Knowledge—First American Title’s one-stop destination for underwriting guidance, education, and CE/CLE training courses—the AgentNet Assist interface offers a modern experience to help title agents access essential issuing standards, fraud prevention resources, compliance documentation, bulletins and forms.
Algebrik AI’s integration of AppOne’s indirect lending workflow into its lending suite to enable credit unions and community banks to connect seamlessly with dealer networks and review, approve, and process indirect applications directly from LOS
Algebrik AI announced a strategic partnership with AppOne, a provider of indirect lending workflow and productivity solutions for dealerships and lenders. Through this collaboration, AppOne will be integrated into Algebrik One: Algebrik’s agentic AI-powered lending suite that includes Digital Account Opening, the Lender’s Cockpit (LOS), Omni-channel Point-of-Sale (POS), AI Decision Engine, and Portfolio Analytics. This empowers Algebrik-powered credit unions, community banks, and fintech lenders to connect seamlessly with dealer networks—enhancing the loan application-to-funding journey for sectors like automotive, RV, marine, and powersports. Through this integration, dealers using the AppOne platform can submit credit applications directly into Algebrik One, retrieve instant decisions from lenders, and receive compliant loan documents—all without leaving the AppOne interface. Meanwhile, Algebrik’s decision engine empowers lenders to review, approve, and process indirect applications with speed and accuracy—closing the loop between dealer platforms and Algebrik’s AI-powered lending suite. Benefits Across the Ecosystem: Streamlined Deal Submission: Dealers can submit complete, compliant credit applications through AppOne, which flow directly into Algebrik One—eliminating manual data entry and reducing errors from the start. Faster, Context-Rich Decisions: Lenders receive structured, pre-validated applications and can apply Algebrik’s AI-driven underwriting for faster, more confident approvals. Compliant, Auto-Generated Documentation: Loan packages are automatically formatted and disclosed according to lender policies, improving compliance and minimizing the risk of re-contracting delays. Scalable Indirect Lending, Simplified: Credit unions and community lenders can easily grow their dealer footprint and loan volume—powered by the seamless integration between AppOne and Algebrik One.