Global asset manager VanEck has expanded its digital asset lineup with the launch of the first US-listed spot Avalanche exchange-traded product, offering investors direct exposure to Avalanche’s native token, AVAX. The fund trades under the ticker VAVX and tracks the spot price of AVAX, while also enabling potential returns through staking rewards. The product is not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, though it remains subject to other applicable US securities regulations. VanEck confirmed it will waive sponsor fees on the first $500 million in assets until Feb. 28, after which a 0.20% sponsor fee will apply across…
Author: Blockto Team
Meta is facing a privacy-focused lawsuit in the United States after plaintiffs alleged that the company can access WhatsApp chats, undermining the app’s end-to-end encryption promises. The case, filed in a San Francisco district court, claims that Meta’s encryption is misleading and exposes the personal messages of over 3 billion users. Meta’s Response to Privacy Allegations Meta communications director Andy Stone publicly rejected the lawsuit’s claims, calling them “categorically false” and a “frivolous work of fiction.” According to Stone, WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption ensures that only the sender and recipient can read messages, and Meta does not have a backdoor to…
Valour, the UK arm of digital asset firm DeFi Technologies, has secured regulatory approval from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to offer Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded products (ETPs) to retail investors. The products officially began trading on the London Stock Exchange, marking a significant shift in the UK’s approach to regulated crypto investment. This development follows the FCA’s decision to lift its long-standing ban on crypto ETPs for retail investors, reopening the market after years of restrictions. Bitcoin and Ethereum Staking ETPs Go Live The newly approved products 1Valour Bitcoin Physical Staking and 1Valour Ethereum Physical Staking — provide investors…
Ripple has entered a strategic partnership with Jeel, the innovation arm of Riyad Bank, to explore the use of blockchain technology in payments, custody, and asset tokenization. The collaboration highlights growing institutional interest in distributed ledger technology within Saudi Arabia’s financial system, particularly as the Kingdom accelerates efforts to modernize its economy. The agreement takes the form of a memorandum of understanding, focusing on cross-border payments, digital asset custody solutions, and tokenized financial products. These initiatives align closely with Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s long-term strategy aimed at diversifying the economy and upgrading financial infrastructure beyond traditional oil revenues. Partnership was…
Bitmine Immersion Technologies is strengthening its position as the largest publicly traded Ether treasury, with its growing staking activity pointing to significant recurring revenue. The company recently increased its total Ether holdings to 4.24 million ETH, after adding more than 40,000 ETH in a single week. Of that amount, over 2 million ETH is now actively staked, representing nearly half of its total balance. Based on the current 2.81% Composite Ethereum Staking Rate, Bitmine’s staked Ether could generate approximately $164 million in annual staking revenue at prevailing market prices. This estimate highlights how staking has evolved into a core income…
Gold prices climbed more than 1% to around $5,070 per ounce on Tuesday, remaining close to record territory after touching an all-time high above $5,100 in the previous session. The move reflects heightened safe-haven demand as investors respond to escalating trade and geopolitical risks. Market sentiment was rattled after US President Donald Trump warned of potential tariff hikes on autos, lumber, and pharmaceutical imports from South Korea. Under the proposal, existing duties on certain goods could rise from 15% to 25%, citing limited progress on a previously announced trade agreement. These developments have reinforced demand for defensive assets. Federal Reserve…
A recent decline in the stablecoin market capitalization is raising concerns about short-term recovery prospects for the broader crypto market. Over the past 10 days, the combined market value of the top stablecoins has dropped by $2.24 billion, suggesting that capital is exiting the crypto ecosystem rather than waiting on the sidelines. Market data indicates that investors are reallocating funds into traditional safe-haven assets. During the same period, gold and silver prices surged to new historical highs, reflecting a clear preference for stability amid global economic uncertainty. In a post to X on Monday, Santiment said; Bitcoin Underperforms as Precious Metals…
The United Kingdom is moving closer to implementing a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) enters the final stage of consultations on proposed crypto regulations. The initiative forms part of the government’s broader roadmap to align the crypto sector with established financial standards while supporting responsible innovation. FCA Seeks Final Feedback on Crypto Market Standards The FCA has opened a consultation on 10 key regulatory proposals, describing this step as the final phase before formal rules are drafted. The proposals aim to apply traditional financial market principles to crypto activities, with a focus on…
Work on a major US crypto market structure bill has been delayed after a severe winter storm forced closures across Washington, D.C., and other regions. The disruption affected the Senate Agriculture Committee, as well as federal financial regulators involved in digital asset oversight. The committee postponed its scheduled markup of the Digital Commodity Intermediaries Act, moving it from Tuesday to Thursday. The legislation is designed to clarify the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s authority over digital assets, a long-standing issue in US crypto regulation. The delay comes as lawmakers seek to balance innovation with stronger oversight of crypto markets. Regulatory Coordination…
Crypto startup Entropy has announced plans to shut down operations and refund remaining capital to investors, citing long-standing challenges in achieving scalable growth and product-market fit. The decision comes after four years of development multiple strategic pivots, and internal restructuring. Why Entropy Is Closing Its Crypto Platform Founder and CEO Tux Pacific confirmed that the company no longer sees a viable path forward. Despite extensive experimentation, Entropy was unable to identify a business model capable of supporting venture-scale returns. Pacific stated that continuing would require yet another pivot, a step he ultimately decided against. Tux Pacific posted to X on…