Shiba Inu volatility is quickly turning into a ticking bomb, which might change the structure of the market quicker than anticipated.
Libeara, the blockchain infrastructure platform backed by Standard Chartered’s venture arm SC Ventures, has rolled out a new tokenized gold investment fund in Singapore, bringing one of the world’s oldest safe-haven assets onto digital rails. Key Takeaways: Libeara and FundBridge launched a tokenized gold fund that tracks gold’s spot price. The structure removes vaulting costs while keeping regulated, gold-linked exposure. The move expands Standard Chartered’s push into real-world asset tokenization. The fund, launched in partnership with FundBridge Capital, allows professional investors to gain exposure to gold through blockchain-based tokens issued on Libeara’s ledger. Each token is designed to correlate to the spot price of gold, offering a digitized alternative to holding the physical metal. FundBridge Says Tokenized Gold Cuts Costs While Preserving Price Exposure FundBridge said the structure removes the traditional costs of vaulting and logistics while keeping the price exposure intact. “FundBridge’s priority is to bridge traditional fund governance with emerging digital infrastructure,” CEO Sue Lynn Lim reportedly told Nikkie . “We’ve worked closely with our partners to ensure the framework meets the standards of a regulated fund environment while advancing the use of real-world assets on-chain.” The fund, named MG 999, is available exclusively to institutional and accredited participants. Unlike traditional gold funds, MG 999 does not hold physical bullion. Instead, the tokens are engineered to mirror gold’s market performance, offering a synthetic exposure mechanism that FundBridge says targets efficiency without compromising regulatory safeguards. 𝐔𝐒$𝟏 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 in regulated assets, powered by Libeara ! We’re proud to announce that the total amount of tokenised assets powered by Libeara has officially surpassed US$1 Billion in AUM on https://t.co/ppI25aKcvh – https://t.co/G1b99JjJZC pic.twitter.com/Z1eLYXbkjZ — Libeara (@libeara_) November 26, 2025 The move extends a broader push by established financial institutions to tokenize real-world assets, bonds, funds, treasuries and now precious metals, as blockchain technology gains ground well beyond the volatile world of cryptocurrencies. SC Ventures has been steadily expanding its digital-assets footprint in Asia. Alongside Libeara, the bank holds majority stakes in Zodia Custody and Zodia Markets, both focused on institutional digital-asset services. The latest initiative underscores how traditional finance players are leveraging their reputation to enter a sector that has struggled with trust following multiple industry blowups. Gold Demand Surges as Institutions Seek Alternatives The launch also comes during a renewed surge in global gold demand. Central banks have been increasing their bullion reserves this year amid ongoing concerns about the long-term dominance of the US dollar and geopolitical uncertainty. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies have further stoked demand for safer assets. Last month, Standard Chartered joined other financial institutions in launching a physically backed gold fund in Singapore, with the bank acting as custodian for bullion stored at the high-security Le Freeport vault near Changi Airport. That product targets investors seeking exposure to allocated metal rather than tokenized units . MG 999 also contains a lending component aimed at Singapore’s jewelry sector. Mustafa Gold, a major retailer in the city-state, has been named the fund’s first borrower. The structure allows Mustafa to secure credit against its gold jewelry inventory while keeping the pieces on display. “Gold-linked tokens are quite unique and complex,” said Mustafa founder Mustaq Ahmad. “MG 999 lets retailers tap digital innovation and better manage working-capital needs.” The post Standard Chartered-Backed Libeara Launches Tokenized Gold Fund in Singapore appeared first on Cryptonews .
We’re thrilled to announce that NIGHT is available for trading on Kraken! Funding and trading NIGHT trading is live as of December 9, 2025. To add an asset to your Kraken account, navigate to Funding, select the asset you’re after, and hit ‘Deposit’. Make sure to deposit your tokens into networks supported by Kraken. Deposits made using other networks will be lost. Trade on Kraken Here’s some more information about this asset : Midnight (NIGHT) Midnight is a privacy focused sidechain in the Cardano ecosystem that aims to bring what it calls “rational privacy” to Web3. It uses zero knowledge proofs and a dual token model so developers can build applications that protect sensitive data while still supporting compliance and audit requirements. NIGHT is Midnight’s native governance and utility token. It is used to help secure the network, pay for services and access private smart contracts and applications that run on the Midnight chain. Please note: Trading via Kraken App and Instant Buy will be available once the liquidity conditions are met (when a sufficient number of buyers and sellers have entered the market for their orders to be efficiently matched). Geographic restrictions may apply Get Started with Kraken Will Kraken make more assets available? Yes! But our policy is to never reveal any details until shortly before launch – including which assets we are considering. All of Kraken’s available tokens can be found here , and all future tokens will be announced on our Listings Roadmap and social media profiles . Our client engagement specialists cannot answer any questions about which assets we may be making available in the future. The post NIGHT is available for trading! appeared first on Kraken Blog .
Ethereum's PeerDAS upgrade, proposed by Vitalik Buterin, enhances peer-to-peer networking by improving data propagation speed, network resilience, and privacy after years of underemphasis on P2P layers. It enables faster block distribution and supports future scalability, while Buterin introduces on-chain gas futures to mitigate fee volatility. PeerDAS accelerates Ethereum's block data sharing, reducing latency and bandwidth [...]
Bitcoin On-Exchange Balance Drops to 2.936 Million BTC as Whale Withdrawals and Binance Decline Hint at Rebound
Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has outlined its institutional roadmap for 2026 at its BIG Series – Bybit Institutional Gala in Abu Dhabi. The event brought together senior Bybit executives, global regulators, banking partners, liquidity providers, and institutional clients for discussions on the evolution of digital markets and the company’s expanding role in regulated digital finance. The gala comes on the heels of Bybit securing a full Virtual Asset Platform Operator (VAPO) license from the UAE’s Securities and Commodities Authority and a MiCAR license covering the European Economic Area — regulatory milestones that position the exchange at the center of the increasingly institutional digital asset ecosystem. Regulation, retail scale, and institutional confidence Co-founder and CEO Ben Zhou opened the event by emphasizing the industry’s shift toward a market structure built for institutional participation. He highlighted Bybit’s retail footprint as a competitive strength, noting that the Bybit Card surpassed 1.8 million cards issued across 13 regions within its first year. This retail scale, supported by expanding fiat onboarding channels, enhances pricing and execution for professional investors. Zhou also pointed to rapid growth in the firm’s wealth and asset management division, with assets under management rising from USD 40 million in Q2 to USD 200 million in Q4. Overall institutional inflows climbed from USD 1.3 billion in Q3 to USD 2.88 billion in Q4, reinforcing the exchange’s increasingly central role in institutional crypto finance. “Institutions are choosing Bybit because they want certainty — certainty of liquidity, certainty of compliance, and certainty of performance,” Zhou said. In a keynote session, Chief Legal & Compliance Officer Robert MacDonald underscored the rising importance of predictable, embedded compliance systems. He noted that regulatory clarity and proactive engagement now serve as trust-building tools that strengthen banking relationships and reduce friction for institutional clients. New institutional products and market infrastructure Yoyee Wang, Bybit’s Head of Business to Business, introduced new institutional offerings planned for 2026, including major upgrades to the INS Credit Suite. The updated version integrates Bybit Custody, tokenized money market fund yield products, and institutional credit access, allowing institutions to maintain asset control while improving capital efficiency. The suite supports up to 1,000 sub-accounts and offers 5× leverage. Wang also detailed the launch of Bybit’s Market Maker Gateway (MMGW), a high-performance access point designed for latency-sensitive clients. The system reduces round-trip latency from 30 milliseconds to 2.5 milliseconds, enabling faster and more stable connectivity for high-frequency and quantitative trading firms. INS loan notional grew 26% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting increased adoption among multi-strategy and HFT clients. Industry dialogue and institutional recognition The gala included a cross-regional dialogue moderated by Dimitrios Psarrakis, Bybit’s Head of Global Affairs, with participants from regulatory bodies and major financial institutions. The discussion highlighted a broader industry shift in which traditional finance and digital assets increasingly operate as converging systems grounded in transparency and institutional-grade governance. The evening concluded with awards recognizing firms for contributions across liquidity, trading excellence, market leadership, and institutional performance. Commenting on the recognition, Xin Song, CEO of market-making firm GSR, said the event underscored the growing importance of trust, infrastructure, and long-term collaboration in digital finance. The post Bybit positions for 2026 growth as Abu Dhabi Gala highlights institutional strategy appeared first on Invezz
CFTC Launches Digital Assets Pilot Program, Opening New Doors for Bitcoin and Ethereum in Derivatives Markets The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has taken a decisive step toward integrating digital assets into regulated financial markets. Acting Chairman Caroline D. Pham announced the launch of a groundbreaking pilot program that allows certain digital assets, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Tether (USDC), to be used as collateral in derivatives markets. Therefore, this initiative signals a major evolution in how traditional finance can engage with cryptocurrencies while maintaining robust regulatory oversight. Alongside the pilot, the CFTC issued guidance on tokenized collateral and scrapped outdated rules under the GENIUS Act, modernizing regulations to boost clarity, innovation, and market integrity. Therefore, the launch of this pilot program marks a major step in integrating digital assets into regulated markets. Building on September’s tokenized collateral initiative, part of the CFTC’s broader ‘Crypto Sprint,’ it demonstrates a strategic balance between fostering innovation and managing risk, enabling market participants to safely explore new opportunities. By allowing digital assets to serve as collateral, the CFTC is linking traditional finance with the booming crypto ecosystem. This move could unlock derivatives markets for institutions previously wary of regulatory uncertainty, while the inclusion of stablecoins like USDC mitigates liquidity and volatility concerns, boosting market confidence. The initiative positions the U.S. as a global leader in regulated digital asset adoption, signaling that cryptocurrencies can be integrated securely and effectively into mainstream finance. Analysts believe such programs may drive broader institutional participation, accelerating the adoption of digital assets across the financial system. As the pilot program launches, market participants will closely monitor its impact and potential expansion. Acting Chairman Pham signals a decisive stance: the CFTC is driving digital asset innovation while upholding the safeguards essential for market stability and integrity. Harvard Bets Big on Bitcoin Over Gold Amid Dollar Debasement Concerns Harvard University is doubling down on Bitcoin, sharply increasing its holdings as a hedge against U.S. dollar debasement, signaling rising institutional confidence in the cryptocurrency, as showcased by Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan. In Q3, Harvard’s Bitcoin allocation nearly quadrupled to $443 million, outpacing its gold ETF exposure, which rose to $235 million. This 2-to-1 preference highlights the university’s strong conviction in Bitcoin’s long-term store-of-value potential over traditional safe havens. Hougan suggests that Harvard’s strategy reflects a broader shift among sophisticated investors, who increasingly see digital assets not as speculative bets but as effective hedges against inflation and currency debasement. Bitcoin’s fixed supply of 21 million coins contrasts sharply with fiat currencies like the U.S. dollar, which face ongoing inflation from expansive monetary policies. Harvard’s move marks a pivotal change in perception. While gold has long been the trusted inflation hedge, Bitcoin’s decentralized structure, finite supply, and growing adoption suggest it may offer superior protection in an era of currency devaluation. Well, Harvard’s decision sends ripples beyond academia. By allocating twice as much to Bitcoin as to gold, the prestigious university signals to institutional investors that digital assets can be central to diversified portfolios amid macroeconomic uncertainty. This bold move underscores a shift in institutional finance, positioning Bitcoin not as a peripheral play but as a key tool for long-term wealth preservation, and potentially setting a blueprint for other major institutions seeking alternatives to traditional inflation hedges. Conclusion The CFTC’s pilot program signals a turning point for digital assets, proving that cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum can integrate with regulated financial markets. By updating outdated rules and providing clear guidance on tokenized collateral, the commission is paving the way for wider institutional adoption and stronger market confidence. This initiative could reshape derivatives trading, ushering in an era where innovation and regulation advance together. On the other hand, Harvard’s bold pivot to Bitcoin over gold marks a turning point in institutional investing. By embracing digital assets amid fears of currency debasement, the university validates Bitcoin as a modern store of value and signals a shift in portfolio strategy. As other institutions follow suit, Bitcoin’s role in mainstream finance is set to grow, ushering in an era where cryptocurrency and traditional assets coexist as complementary hedges against economic uncertainty.
HASHKEY HLDGS IPO Seeks HK$14.26 Billion for Global Expansion, USDT Access, and HashKey Chain Real-World Asset Tokenization on HKSE Main Board
Glassnode’s senior researcher has pointed out how Bitcoin perpetual futures market is looking like a “ghost town,” with Open Interest continuing to be at muted levels. Bitcoin Futures Open Interest Has Remained Low Since October Reset In a new post on X, Glassnode senior researcher CryptoVizArt.₿ has talked about the recent trend in the Bitcoin Open Interest for the perpetual futures market. The “Open Interest” refers to an indicator that measures the total amount of positions related to the asset that are currently open on all centralized derivatives platforms. Related Reading: This 11.7 Billion Dogecoin Wall Could Be Key Resistance For DOGE, Analyst Says When the value of the metric rises, it means the investors are opening new positions related to the asset. Generally, new positions come with fresh leverage for the sector, so the cryptocurrency’s price can become more volatile following an increase in the Open Interest. On the other hand, the indicator going down suggests the perpetual futures traders are either closing up position of their own volition or getting forcibly liquidated by their platform. Such a trend can lead to more stable price action for BTC due to the clearing of leverage. Now, here is the chart shared by CryptoVizArt.₿ that shows the trend in the Bitcoin perpetual futures Open Interest (BTC-denominated) over the last few months: As displayed in the above graph, the BTC-denominated Bitcoin perpetual futures Open Interest saw a sharp plunge back in October as a result of the crash in the cryptocurrency’s price. Following the leverage flush, the indicator traveled sideways around its lows, but in mid-November, speculation noted an uptick as the asset’s drawdown continued, with the metric’s value peaking alongside the level that has so far acted as the bottom. Since this high, however, the indicator has cooled off once again and approached the same lows as the ones that followed the massive liquidation event in October. Thus, with Open Interest back under 310,000 BTC, it seems speculative interest in the market has once again become muted. The recent decline in speculative participation has come alongside a drop in the perpetual futures Funding Rate, a metric tracking the amount of periodic fee being exchanged between the short and long investors. From the chart, it’s visible that the Bitcoin perpetual futures Funding Rate has been going down since a while now. “This persistent drift lower reflects a decline in leveraged long conviction, with traders unwilling to pay a premium to maintain upside exposure,” noted the Glassnode researcher. Related Reading: Bitcoin Market Structure Echoes 2022 Bear Start, Glassnode Warns Based on the recent developments, CryptoVizArt.₿ has called the perpetual futures market a “ghost town.” BTC Price At the time of writing, Bitcoin is floating around $90,500, up almost 6% over the last seven days. Featured image from Dall-E, Glassnode.com, chart from TradingView.com
Ripple has become the most aggressively structured bet in blue-chip crypto after a group of major Wall Street firms wired about $500 million into the company in November, lifting its valuation to roughly $40 billion and making it one of the highest-valued private players in the sector. Bloomberg reported that Ripple’s share sale brought in some of the biggest names of Wall Street but only after investors secured a suite of downside protections. Wall Street Goes All-In On Ripple The investor line-up reads like a who’s who of modern market structure: Citadel Securities, Fortress Investment Group, Marshall Wace, Brevan Howard–linked vehicles, Galaxy Digital and Pantera Capital all participated, treating the round at least as much as a structured credit trade as a venture bet. According to multiple accounts of the deal, several funds underwrote Ripple essentially as a concentrated exposure to XRP itself. Bloomberg’s reporting states that multiple investors concluded at least 90% of Ripple’s net asset value was tied to XRP, with the company controlling about $124 billion of the token at market prices in July. That XRP cushion has already been tested. XRP is down roughly 40% from its mid-July peak and about 15–16% since late October, yet even after that drawdown, estimates in deal coverage still put the company’s XRP treasury in the tens of billions of dollars, with a large portion locked in escrow and released gradually over time. The protection that Wall Street insisted on has become the defining feature of the deal. Investors secured the right to sell their shares back to Ripple after three or four years at a guaranteed 10% annualized return, unless the company has gone public by then. Ripple, conversely, can force a buyback in those same windows only by delivering about 25% annually. On top of that, the funds negotiated a liquidation preference, giving them priority over legacy shareholders in a sale or insolvency. The numbers involved are non-trivial. FinTech Weekly estimates that if the put option were exercised in full at the four-year mark, Ripple’s cash outlay would approach $700 million–$730 million, irrespective of operating performance or token prices at the time. Those obligations sit alongside an already heavy capital agenda: Ripple has agreed to buy prime-brokerage platform Hidden Road for roughly $1.3 billion and corporate-treasury specialist GTreasury for about $1 billion , while also confirming it has repurchased more than 25% of its outstanding shares. Banks and trading desks are now treating the November round as a new reference point for crypto credit risk. FinTech Weekly reports that “those terms are now shaping how banks, funds, and trading desks assess Ripple’s balance sheet, exit risk, and future liquidity,” with the three- and four-year exit windows being modeled explicitly alongside XRP price scenarios and rate curves. Ripple’s management maintains there is “no plan, no timeline” for an IPO , but the structure of the deal effectively date-stamps its private capital: either the company lists or finds new liquidity on favorable terms before the put windows open, or it must fund a secured, fixed-return exit for some of the most sophisticated players on Wall Street. At press time, XRP traded at $2.0498.