Iran wants the Strait of Hormuz open again, but Trump wants compensation for deaths tied to wars and attacks first and that condition effectively killed any near-term diplomatic progress before the week even got started. The Strait moves roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply, and every day it stays contested, energy markets stay nervous. When energy markets are nervous, risk assets follow. Crypto included.
Meanwhile, the NYSE confirmed it is building a blockchain platform for on-chain settlement of tokenized securities. Not a pilot to test the water or a concept paper; the New York Stock Exchange, the largest equity exchange in the world, is laying down blockchain settlement infrastructure. That is a different kind of story from what this industry has been used to hearing from TradFi.
Fidelity wants to take its $898 million Ethereum ETF a step further. The firm is moving to add staking to the fund, which would give investors a cut of the rewards generated by the ETF’s ETH holdings rather than just exposure to price. For institutional allocators who have been weighing crypto against fixed income, that distinction matters quite a bit.
In AI, Apple trained its own large language model for the Chinese market with Alibaba’s support, clearing the path for Apple Intelligence to finally launch in the country. Separately, tech giants including Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta have issued nearly $220 billion in bonds this year to fund AI infrastructure, more than double last year’s total, pushing bond yields higher globally and raising fresh concerns about market stability.
A few other stories deserving of your attention this week:
- Coinbase launched derivatives for eligible professional clients in the UK, continuing its push to become a full-service financial platform rather than just a spot exchange.
- Anchorpoint Financial began rolling out its Hong Kong dollar stablecoin HKDAP to institutional and professional investors for payments and tokenized asset settlement.
- The UK’s FCA is in early discussions with banks that would allow tokenized gold to be used as eligible trading collateral.
From Hormuz to the NYSE going on-chain, this week had no shortage of storylines. If you missed anything, here’s your catch-up.
Lead Story of the Week:
Trump’s Iran Compensation Demand Deepens Strait of Hormuz Market Fears (Read More)
Hopes of reopening the Strait of Hormuz faded after Trump demanded Iran pay compensation for deaths linked to wars and attacks. (Read The Full Story)
Market Highlights
- NYSE Plans Blockchain-Based Stock Settlement
The New York Stock Exchange is developing a blockchain platform for on-chain settlement of tokenized securities, President Lynn Martin said. (Read More)
- Coinbase Pushes Beyond Spot Trading With New UK Derivatives Offering
Coinbase is expanding in the UK with derivatives for eligible professional clients as it seeks to become a broader financial services platform. (Read More)
- Anchorpoint Begins Institutional Rollout of Hong Kong Dollar Stablecoin HKDAP
Anchorpoint Financial is rolling out its HKDAP stablecoin to institutional and professional investors for payments and tokenized asset settlement. (Read More)
- Fidelity’s $898M Ether ETF Moves to Let Investors Earn Staking Rewards
Fidelity is preparing to add staking to its Ethereum ETF, giving investors a way to receive part of the rewards generated by the fund’s ETH holdings. (Read More)
Latest News For You
U.K. Regulator Considers Tokenized Gold for Use as Trading Collateral (Read More)
The UK’s FCA is in discussions with banks over a possible regulatory framework for tokenized gold, the Financial Times reports. (Read Full Story)
AI News Highlights
- Apple Develops China-Specific AI Model With Alibaba Support
Apple built its own AI model for China with Alibaba’s help, opening the door for Apple Intelligence to launch in the country. (Read More)
- AI Borrowing Surge Sends Bond Yields Higher, Raising Risks
Tech giants have issued $220 billion in AI-related bonds this year, pushing global yields higher and raising fresh market risks. (Read More)
Market Movers
Top Gainers 📈
- Fake World Assets (FWA) +142.29%
Fake World Assets (FWA) prices are recovering after TokenWorks pledged 80% of future fees to token buybacks and added a 327 ETH team reserve.
Top Losers 📉
- Audiera (BEAT) −58.32%
Audiera (BEAT) is dropping due to heavy selling pressure from an August token unlock, a technical breakdown, and declining on-chain activity.
Source: CoinGecko
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Disclaimer: This roundup is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be considered trading or investment advice. Nothing herein should be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice. Trading or investing in cryptocurrencies carries a considerable risk of financial loss. Always conduct due diligence
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