Author: Tristan Lodenberg

Wintermute has launched an institutional over-the-counter (OTC) trading desk for gold-backed digital tokens, offering execution for PAXG (Pax Gold) and XAUT (Tether Gold). The move reflects growing interest in tokenized commodities, even amid broader crypto market downturns. The desk enables institutions to trade these assets against stablecoins such as USDT and USDC, fiat currencies, and major cryptocurrencies, providing algorithmically optimized spot trading, real-time hedging, and onchain settlement. Tokenized gold allows fractionalized exposure and instant settlement, contrasting with traditional ETFs and bullion custody. Tokenized Gold Market Shows Rapid Growth Trading volumes for tokenized gold surpassed those of five major gold ETFs…

Crypto.com has obtained ISO/IEC 42001:2023 certification, becoming one of the first digital asset platforms to align its artificial intelligence operations with the international standard for AI management systems. The certification covers governance risk controls, transparency, and accountability in the development and deployment of AI technologies. The company said the accreditation reinforces its focus on security and privacy as it scales AI-driven infrastructure. According to its leadership the framework ensures internal oversight mechanisms are aligned with evolving global regulatory expectations surrounding AI systems. Chief Executive Officer Kris Marszalek described the milestone as a strategic step as the firm deepens its investment…

The Crypto Fear and Greed Index dropped to a historic low reading of 5 on Feb. 12, signaling extreme fear across digital asset markets. The index, which measures volatility, momentum, social trends, dominance and search data on a scale from 0 to 100, reflects one of the weakest sentiment environments on record. October 10 Liquidation Event Still Weighs on Markets Much of the decline in sentiment traces back to Oct. 10, 2025, a day that saw more than $19 billion in leveraged positions liquidated within 24 hours. The sharp sell-off pushed Bitcoin down roughly 14%, while altcoins recorded even steeper…

Crypto exchange Kraken has announced support for the newly introduced Trump Accounts program in Wyoming, aligning its contribution with the state’s crypto-friendly regulatory framework. The initiative, backed by Donald Trump, enables parents or legal guardians to open government-seeded savings accounts for children under 18. Under a federal pilot program, each eligible child born between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028, will receive an initial $1,000 deposit. Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis confirmed that Kraken will fund Trump Accounts created for newborns in the state, though the exchange has not disclosed the exact contribution amount per account. Wyoming’s Crypto Policy Attracts…

Tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) posted solid growth over the past month, even as the broader cryptocurrency market lost roughly $1 trillion in value. The divergence highlights rising demand for yield-bearing blockchain-based financial products during periods of digital asset volatility. Ethereum, Arbitrum and Solana Lead RWA Growth Data from RWA.xyz shows the total value of onchain RWAs climbed 13.5% in the last 30 days. All major networks recorded gains, led by Ethereum with approximately $1.7 billion in net growth. Arbitrum added about $880 million, while Solana saw roughly $530 million in new value. Growth reflects both increased issuance of tokenized securities…

Crypto investment firm Paradigm is challenging the narrative that Bitcoin mining is a burden on power grids, arguing instead that miners act as flexible participants in electricity markets rather than constant energy drains. Bitcoin Mining and Global Energy Consumption Data The debate has intensified alongside the expansion of AI data centers, which critics say increase electricity demand and strain infrastructure. In a recent research note, Paradigm contends that Bitcoin’s energy use is often misrepresented. According to the firm, Bitcoin mining accounts for roughly 0.23% of global energy consumption and about 0.08% of global carbon emissions. The report also disputes common…

The president of the Deutsche Bundesbank, Joachim Nagel, has voiced support for both a euro-pegged central bank digital currency (CBDC) and euro-denominated stablecoins, arguing they could strengthen Europe’s financial sovereignty. Euro CBDC and Stablecoins for Cross-Border Payments Speaking in Frankfurt, Nagel said European officials are actively advancing work on a retail CBDC. He emphasized that a wholesale CBDC could enable programmable payments in central bank money for financial institutions, improving efficiency in settlement systems. Nagel also highlighted the potential benefits of euro backed stablecoins, particularly for low cost cross border payments by individuals and businesses. In his view, such instruments…

Internet personality Logan Paul has set a new benchmark in collectibles after selling a PSA-10 Pikachu Illustrator card for nearly $16.5 million, marking the highest price ever paid for a trading card. The buyer was AJ Scaramucci, son of financier Anthony Scaramucci. Paul originally acquired the card in July 2021 for $5.3 million, reportedly securing an estimated $8 million profit after fees. Only 39 copies of the Pikachu Illustrator card were produced in the late 1990s, making it one of the rarest Pokémon collectibles in existence. Fractional NFT Dispute Resurfaces The sale has revived scrutiny over Paul’s 2022 decision to…

Hong Kong has issued its first new crypto license since mid-2025, signaling steady progress under its tightly controlled digital asset framework. Hong Kong SFC Grants License to Victory Fintech The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) approved Victory Fintech (VDX), an affiliate of Victory Securities, to operate a digital asset trading platform. The approval marks the first addition to the regulator’s licensed crypto registry since June 17 last year. With this decision, the number of authorized virtual asset trading platforms in Hong Kong rises to 12. The city introduced its current crypto licensing regime in 2023, positioning itself as a regulated…

Comments from hedge fund veteran Ray Dalio have reignited debate around Bitcoin’s role in a shifting global monetary system. Dalio argues that the post-World War II rules-based order has broken down, replaced by intensifying geopolitical rivalry and domestic financial strain. Global Disorder and Monetary Expansion Trends Dalio describes a world increasingly shaped by power politics, trade fragmentation and capital restrictions. Historically, such periods have coincided with aggressive fiscal responses. Governments facing widening deficits and social pressures often expand the money supply rather than pursue outright defaults. Liquidity data supports that concern. Global broad money has surged from roughly $26 trillion…