The joint venture between CME Group and FanDuel to launch a new event contracts platform is a significant moment for prediction markets and retail access. This initiative offers a mainstream on-ramp for millions of FanDuel bettors to have a direct line into regulated financial products, turning prediction trading into a mass-market consumer activity. The inclusion of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum in the initial product set further cements crypto’s role as a tradable benchmark alongside equities, commodities, and macro data. This development underscores the growing acceptance and integration of crypto assets into traditional financial markets, a trend that legal and financial professionals should closely monitor.
Stablecoins are gaining momentum, as evidenced by the upcoming meetings between executives from Circle and Tether and leaders of some of South Korea's largest financial groups. The discussions are expected to focus on the potential distribution and use of dollar-pegged stablecoins in South Korea, as well as the issuance of won-backed stablecoins. The development of a legal framework for stablecoins in South Korea is a signal of the increasing regulatory attention being paid to these digital assets.
In other news, MetaMask's launch of its native stablecoin, mUSD, is part of a broader strategy to capitalize on the growing stablecoin sector. The integration of mUSD across the MetaMask ecosystem could potentially offer lower costs, greater composability, and smoother transaction flows, giving it an edge over competitors. However, in compliance with the recently passed GENIUS Act, mUSD will not offer yield directly to users, highlighting the need for compliance with regulatory frameworks in the crypto space.
Lastly, the dominance of Binance in the global digital asset markets, despite a contraction in the overall crypto market, raises concerns about systemic risks when a single platform processes a disproportionate share of trading volume. This level of concentration underscores the need for robust risk management strategies and regulatory oversight in the crypto markets.
In summary, the crypto landscape is evolving rapidly, with increased integration of crypto assets into traditional financial markets, growing regulatory attention to stablecoins, and the dominance of certain platforms in the global digital asset markets. Legal and financial professionals in the Web3 space should closely monitor these trends to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape and manage potential risks.
The following article summaries have been sourced from Decrypt, CryptoSlate, NewsBTC, and Crypto Briefing. Each summary includes a direct link to the original source.
The CME Group and FanDuel are joining forces to launch a new event contracts platform, which will make it easier for everyday users to bet on markets such as the S&P 500, oil, gold, and even cryptocurrencies. The joint venture will offer fully funded, event-based contracts as part of the initiative. These simple yes/no markets will allow FanDuel’s millions of customers to trade on major benchmarks and economic indicators for as little as $1. The platform, which is expected to go live later this year pending CFTC review, will cover indices like the S&P 500, Nasdaq-100, commodities such as oil, gas, gold, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, and macro data like GDP, CPI, and other key releases.
The contracts will run through a new non-clearing futures commission merchant (FCM) jointly operated by CME and FanDuel, and listed on CME’s regulated exchanges. This partnership is seen as a significant moment for prediction markets and retail access. It provides a mainstream on-ramp for millions of FanDuel bettors to have a direct line into regulated financial products, turning prediction trading into a mass-market consumer activity. The partnership also lends legitimacy and compliance to these contracts, something platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket have struggled with. By blending sports betting UX with financial markets, CME and FanDuel are creating a product that sits squarely between gambling and trading. Including Bitcoin and Ethereum in the initial product set further cements crypto’s role as a tradable benchmark alongside equities, commodities, and macro data.
Executives from stablecoin issuers Circle and Tether are preparing to meet with leaders of some of South Korea's largest financial groups this week, as reported by local media. The talks are expected to focus on the potential distribution and use of dollar-pegged stablecoins in South Korea, as well as the issuance of won-backed stablecoins. This comes amidst differing views from South Korea's ruling and opposition parties on how to regulate stablecoins, and reports that the country is preparing to launch a legal framework for stablecoins in October.
The CEOs of Shinhan Financial Group and Hana Financial Group are scheduled to meet with Circle President Heath Tarbert, with the latter also meeting an official from Tether. Meanwhile, KB Financial Group's Chief Digital & Information Technology Officer and Woori Bank President are also planning a meeting with Circle’s President, though a date has not been set. Rajiv Sawhney, Head of International Portfolio Management at Wave Digital Assets International, finds this development interesting given South Korea’s historical approach to crypto regulation. He suggests that a partnership between Circle or Tether and one of the banks could help them maintain their market share in the stablecoin space against South Korean fintech firms issuing their own won-based stablecoins.
MetaMask, a self-custodial wallet, has announced the launch of its native stablecoin, mUSD. The token is issued by Bridge, a subsidiary of Stripe, and is fully backed by dollar-equivalent assets. The stablecoin will be integrated throughout the MetaMask ecosystem, initially launching on Ethereum and Linea, a layer-2 blockchain developed by MetaMask’s parent company, Consensys. Later, mUSD will be enabled as a payment option for the Mastercard-powered MetaMask debit card. The company aims for mUSD to become a core liquidity layer not only for all MetaMask users but across the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector, leveraging the wallet's popularity with crypto users.
The launch of mUSD is part of MetaMask's strategy to capitalize on the growing stablecoin sector, which has recently received federal approval. The company believes that the integration of mUSD across the MetaMask ecosystem will give it an edge over competitors, potentially offering lower costs, greater composability, and smoother transaction flows. However, in compliance with the recently passed GENIUS Act, mUSD will not offer yield directly to users. The Act prohibits stablecoin issuers from allowing customers to generate rewards or yield on their deposits, but does not prevent other companies from doing so. Despite this, mUSD could play a role in future incentive programs within MetaMask, according to Ajay Mittal, MetaMask’s VP of product strategy.
Binance, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, has seen its trading volume in 2025 surpass the combined totals of its top five competitors, according to data compiled by CryptoQuant. Despite a contraction in the overall crypto market, Binance recorded approximately $8.39 trillion in trading volume during the first quarter of 2025, accounting for 36.5% of global activity. The average daily trading volume for Binance during this period was around $36.6 billion, significantly higher than its competitors such as Bybit, OKX, and Coinbase.
The concentration of market share became more pronounced by mid-2025, with Binance's spot trading volume nearly eight times higher than Coinbase's, securing a market share of roughly 42%. This level of concentration has raised concerns among regulators, with the European Securities and Markets Authority warning of systemic risks when a single platform processes a disproportionate share of trading volume. Despite these concerns, Binance's dominance continues to grow, even as the overall market contracts. The exchange's trading volumes still match or surpass those of all its competitors, underscoring its position as a primary gateway for liquidity in the global digital asset markets.
World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a cryptocurrency project associated with former US President Donald Trump, has minted around 10% of its USD1 stablecoin supply, amounting to $205 million, for its treasury. The stablecoin, which is backed 1:1 by USD and US Treasuries, is one of the fastest-growing in the market. While the blockchain used for the minting was not specified by WLFI, data from DeFiLlama suggests that the transaction took place on Ethereum. The minting has increased the total USD1 supply to $2.4 billion, making it the sixth-largest stablecoin by market capitalization. The issuance breakdown includes $2.1 billion on BNB Chain, $293 million on Ethereum, and $25 million on Tron.
The recent minting coincides with the launch of WLFI's USD1 Points Program, which is designed to reward users who help drive the stablecoin's adoption across exchanges. WLFI believes that while stablecoins are crucial for trading, payments, and DeFi activity, users seldom receive direct rewards for promoting adoption. The Points Program is intended to directly compensate those contributing to the growth of the stablecoin. This initiative follows WLFI's previous distribution of $47 worth of USD1 to wallets that participated in its token sale. These efforts are expected to boost the market adoption of USD1. The stablecoin has already been adopted for institutional transactions, including the settlement of a $2 billion investment in Binance and the settlement of proceeds for Bullish Exchange's IPO.
US Representative David Schweikert has proposed a bill that would allow the President to authorize private individuals or companies to act against international crypto criminals. The legislation, known as House Resolution (H.R. 4988), draws upon the antiquated concept of “letters of marque and reprisal,” a legal tool historically used to sanction privateers to attack and seize enemy ships during wartime. Under Schweikert's proposal, this mechanism would be adapted for the digital age, enabling private actors to recover stolen assets or disrupt cybercriminal operations that target US interests. These actors could use “all means reasonably necessary” to seize assets or detain foreign actors, including those associated with state-sponsored cybercrime networks.
The bill is currently being reviewed by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and will need to pass both chambers before reaching the President for approval. If enacted, it would establish a new framework for US engagement in cross-border crypto crime enforcement. This comes in response to a surge in high-profile crypto hacks, including major attacks orchestrated by state-sponsored groups such as North Korea’s Lazarus Group. Law enforcement agencies have struggled to apprehend the perpetrators or recover stolen funds, leaving crypto investors and platforms vulnerable. Schweikert believes this proposal could provide Americans with better protection from digital predators who exploit outdated laws and operate from foreign jurisdictions.
Arthur Hayes, co-founder of BitMEX, has expressed his belief that the trajectory of US policy could potentially propel Bitcoin into "multi-million" territory, and possibly as high as $15 million per coin. In an interview with CoinFund’s Chris Perkins, Hayes linked Bitcoin's future to a potential political and institutional conflict at the Federal Reserve. He suggested that while Fed chair Jerome Powell may delay, he cannot ultimately prevent the return of aggressive stimulus under a Trump administration. Hayes also proposed that Powell may refuse to signal imminent easing to assert his autonomy.
Hayes further argued that an inflationary policy mix is inevitable once Powell is replaced or overruled. He suggested that trillions in the offshore eurodollar system could be pulled into on-chain dollar stablecoins, thereby reducing the Fed's control over front-end rates. This, Hayes believes, could create a "sink of tens of trillions of dollars" to finance deficits. He also contended that this policy would be bullish for crypto, with users able to frictionlessly move into basis-trade tokens, spend with crypto cash cards, and post stablecoins as collateral across DeFi. Hayes remains fully invested in Bitcoin and is prepared to buy more if the market weakens around Jackson Hole. At the time of the report, Bitcoin was trading at $113,569.
The Solana Volume Bot, an AI-based tracker, is providing traders with first-mover insight into surging activity in the crypto markets. The bot is particularly useful in the fast-paced Solana ecosystem, which is known for its rapid, low-cost token launches. The tool allows traders to spot market moves before mass alerts are issued, providing a competitive edge. Solana has been dominating DEX volume, surpassing Ethereum for ten consecutive months. In July alone, Solana recorded $124B in DEX volume, a 56% increase from June.
The Solana Volume Bot is becoming increasingly important due to the rise of bot-driven trading, which accounted for 62% of Solana's trading volume. The bot tracks real-time volume spikes, not just price movements, allowing traders to respond to bot-driven flows while the rest of the market is unaware. The bot uses AI to track activity across major Solana DEXs and supports other platforms like BSC, Base, and custom AMMs. It simulates organic-looking volume from fresh wallets, with each trade originating from a unique address to mimic real retail behavior and evade DEX anti-bot filters.
The Solana Volume Bot is designed for both traders and project teams. For traders, it provides real-time alerts for newly launched tokens hitting volume thresholds or trending on DexScreener. For project teams, it offers instant visibility and trending status post-launch without requiring technical deployment. The bot is not focused on price movements, as these often follow volume. By influencing volume increases, traders can exert pressure on token price. The Solana Volume Bot allows traders to maintain control without disrupting natural market patterns, working best when used in conjunction with real promotions and transparency to build trust. As Solana's ecosystem continues to grow, tools like the Solana Volume Bot are carving out a unique space in the market.
Harvard economist Kenneth Rogoff, who in 2018 predicted that Bitcoin was more likely to crash to $100 than rally to $100,000, has revisited his prediction, acknowledging its inaccuracy. Rogoff, a former chief economist of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), originally based his prediction on the belief that government regulation would trigger lower Bitcoin prices. He argued that if regulation eliminated the possibility of money laundering and tax evasion, Bitcoin's actual use cases for transactions would be minimal, leading to a lack of demand and a lower price.
However, contrary to Rogoff's prediction, government regulation has actually boosted Bitcoin's demand. The cryptocurrency reached $100,000 for the first time last year following Donald Trump's victory and has continued to hit new highs on the back of regulatory clarity, including a rally to a previous all-time high just before the passage of the GENIUS Act. Rogoff also admitted that he underestimated Bitcoin's potential to compete with fiat currencies in the $20 trillion global underground economy, and its growing reputation as a store of value, which has attracted traditional finance investors. At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading at around $113,600.
DBS, Singapore's largest retail and commercial bank, is set to launch tokenized structured notes on Ethereum, according to an announcement made by the bank. The initiative aims to increase accessibility and flexibility for investors, while also expanding exposure to digital assets through digital investment platforms. The offerings will be distributed through partnering digital investment platforms, including ADDX, DigiFT, and HydraX. Structured notes are financial instruments that combine a bond with a derivative, providing investors with bond-like protection with returns tied to an underlying asset.
DBS plans to use its expertise in tokenization and partnerships with third-party digital platforms to broaden investor access to sophisticated financial instruments. This move follows the launch of DBS Token Services, a suite of blockchain-powered banking solutions for institutional clients, last year. The bank's initial token distribution will offer cash-settled crypto-linked participation notes across third-party digital platforms. These notes provide investors with cash payouts when crypto prices rise, allowing exposure to digital assets without direct crypto management. DBS has reported a strong demand for crypto-linked structured notes and options, with clients executing more than $1 billion in trades in the first half of 2025. The bank also plans to expand to other structured note types, such as those tied to credit or equity.
DBS has been actively embracing blockchain technology and digital assets, collaborating with the Monetary Authority of Singapore and other partners to advance the digital asset ecosystem in the country. This initiative comes as Singapore experiences rapid growth as a global wealth hub, with family offices and professional investors increasingly seeking digital asset solutions.
Kanye West, now known as Ye Ye, has officially launched a new crypto token and payment ecosystem on the Solana blockchain. The YZY token, which briefly achieved a market value of $3 billion following its announcement, is part of a broader project that includes the Ye Pay payment processor and the YZY Card for digital asset transactions. The token's total supply is divided between public allocation (20%), liquidity (10%), and vested tranches for Yeezy Investments LLC (70%).
The YZY system uses an anti-sniping mechanism that involves 25 contract addresses, with only one chosen as the official YZY token. This strategy is designed to deter snipers by giving them a 1/25 chance of selecting the correct contract address. The YZY Money concept is described as a new financial system built on crypto rails, with Ye Pay aiming to lower merchant fees by accepting both credit card and crypto payments. The YZY Card will allow users to spend YZY and USDC globally. The token's vesting schedule employs Jupiter Lock, an open-sourced and audited protocol, with three tranches featuring different cliff periods and 24-month vesting terms. Trading is available through Meteora on Solana.
Venice, a privacy-first AI platform, has introduced a new token called DIEM, designed to convert AI compute into a perpetual, tradeable asset. Each DIEM token represents tokenized inference power, granting its holder $1 worth of daily API credit indefinitely. This differs from traditional models where compute is rented, as DIEM allows for the ownership of AI access, making it transferable and programmable. The platform was launched in May 2024 by Bitcoin OG Erik Voorhees and offers API access to advanced text and image models.
The process of minting DIEM is exclusive to VVV token holders, who lock their staked VVV (sVVV) to generate the new tokens. While locked, stakers continue to earn 80 percent of VVV’s usual yield, ensuring that token holders benefit from both staking returns and the creation of tradeable AI compute assets. DIEM tokens can be staked for API access, traded on Base-based exchanges like Aerodrome, or burned to unlock the original VVV. This system opens up new economic models around AI compute, allowing developers, applications, DeFi protocols, and DAOs to integrate compute costs directly into tokenomics or collateralize or distribute compute resources. The minting algorithm ensures sustainable growth, adjusting the mint rate dynamically based on supply.
