Nasdaq Ventures has invested $100 million in Payward, the parent company of Kraken, valuing the company at $21 billion. This investment expands their strategic partnership to develop tokenized equity infrastructure, enabling 24/7 trading of tokenized stocks. The deal follows a previous investment by Deutsche Börse, which valued Payward at $13.3 billion.
The US Securities and Exchange Commission has approved a Nasdaq Texas rule allowing qualifying commodity-linked trusts more flexibility in asset holdings. Under the new rule, trusts must keep 85% of their net asset value in cash, cash equivalents, or commodities, while allowing actively managed strategies. This move could impact how Bitcoin-heavy trusts operate within regulatory frameworks.
The UK House of Lords has backed an amendment requiring the Treasury to develop a comprehensive strategy for digital assets. This strategy will cover cryptoassets, stablecoins, tokenized securities, and digital financial infrastructure, reflecting the growing importance of digital assets in the financial landscape. The amendment aligns with the UK's efforts to establish a clear regulatory framework for digital finance.
The Singapore Exchange (SGX) has announced that U.S. institutions can now trade its bitcoin and ether perpetual futures. This development bridges U.S. trading desks with Asian liquidity, marking a significant step in global crypto market integration. The move is expected to enhance trading opportunities and liquidity for institutional investors.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has proposed EIP-8288 for the I-star upgrade, aimed at reducing costs associated with quantum-safe privacy. The proposal includes adopting RISC-V as Ethereum's canonical instruction set, which could enhance the network's security against potential quantum computing threats. This move highlights the ongoing efforts to future-proof Ethereum's infrastructure.