Swift Expands Into Tokenized Finance With 17-Bank Blockchain Pilot
Swift has launched a blockchain-based shared ledger for a tokenized deposit pilot involving 17 banks across six continents, marking its first live use case for the technology.
The move adds to Swift’s growing push into tokenized finance and follows earlier work with Chainlink and UBS on tokenized fund workflows.
👉 theblock.co/post/407687/swift-blockchain-ledger-for-tokenized-deposit-pilot
Swift has launched a blockchain-based shared ledger for a tokenized deposit pilot involving 17 banks across six continents, marking its first live use case for the technology.
The pilot includes major institutions such as Citi, HSBC, UBS, BNP Paribas, Standard Chartered, Wells Fargo, BNY, DBS, and MUFG Bank. Swift says the ledger will let banks transfer tokenized deposits around the clock, including overnight and on weekends, while final settlement still happens through existing systems.
The move adds to Swift’s growing push into tokenized finance and follows earlier work with Chainlink and UBS on tokenized fund workflows.
👉 theblock.co/post/407687/swift-blockchain-ledger-for-tokenized-deposit-pilot
Sony Receives Conditional Approval to Launch U.S. Stablecoin Trust Bank
Sony's online banking unit has received conditional approval to establish Connectia Trust, N.A., a U.S. national trust bank that could support the issuance and management of USD-denominated stablecoins.
The move comes as stablecoin adoption accelerates, with monthly transaction volume reaching a record $1.79T. Sony has previously explored using stablecoins for gaming and anime-related payments, signaling broader Web3 ambitions.
The company joins a growing list of firms, including Circle, Paxos, and Bridge, seeking federal trust bank structures under the evolving U.S. stablecoin regulatory framework.
👉 coindesk.com/business/2026/07/09/sony-secures-conditional-approval-to-set-up-u-s-stablecoin-trust-bank
Sony's online banking unit has received conditional approval to establish Connectia Trust, N.A., a U.S. national trust bank that could support the issuance and management of USD-denominated stablecoins.
The New York-based subsidiary will launch with $40M in capital and be fully owned by Sony Bank. However, operations and any stablecoin issuance remain subject to final regulatory approval from the OCC.
The move comes as stablecoin adoption accelerates, with monthly transaction volume reaching a record $1.79T. Sony has previously explored using stablecoins for gaming and anime-related payments, signaling broader Web3 ambitions.
The company joins a growing list of firms, including Circle, Paxos, and Bridge, seeking federal trust bank structures under the evolving U.S. stablecoin regulatory framework.
👉 coindesk.com/business/2026/07/09/sony-secures-conditional-approval-to-set-up-u-s-stablecoin-trust-bank
Who's Selling Bitcoin? The 2026 Breakdown
Strategy just sold Bitcoin for the first time ever. The "never sell" company offloaded 3,588 BTC ($216M) to fund dividends. So we asked: who else quietly sold BTC in 2026?
Turns out — a lot of them. 7 public companies, ~37,700 BTC, ~$2.66B in six months. Here's the full list.
Strategy just sold Bitcoin for the first time ever. The "never sell" company offloaded 3,588 BTC ($216M) to fund dividends. So we asked: who else quietly sold BTC in 2026?
Turns out — a lot of them. 7 public companies, ~37,700 BTC, ~$2.66B in six months. Here's the full list.
Ollama Raises $88M to Scale Open-Source AI
The $88M round was led by Benchmark's Peter Fenton, with Y Combinator, 8VC, Theory Ventures and a deep bench of founder-angels — including Docker's Solomon Hykes and ClickHouse CEO Aaron Katz — also joining.
👉 ollama.com/blog/all-aboard-open-models
The $88M round was led by Benchmark's Peter Fenton, with Y Combinator, 8VC, Theory Ventures and a deep bench of founder-angels — including Docker's Solomon Hykes and ClickHouse CEO Aaron Katz — also joining.
Ollama lets developers run open models locally — no API keys, no per-token fees, no data leaving the machine. It's already used by 8.9M developers and 85% of the Fortune 500, betting on hybrid, privacy-first inference without vendor lock-in.
👉 ollama.com/blog/all-aboard-open-models
Jito Collabs With Privy to Launch Fullsend on Solana
Jito has partnered with wallet-infrastructure provider Privy to launch Fullsend — a service that routes every Solana transaction for institutional-grade landing and speed.
👉 x.com/jito_sol/status/2075249175046856890
Jito has partnered with wallet-infrastructure provider Privy to launch Fullsend — a service that routes every Solana transaction for institutional-grade landing and speed.
Running through Fullsend by default since January, inclusion latency has dropped to as low as 50ms with 99.999% landing reliability. For Privy's embedded wallets, that means transactions confirm faster and fail less — a direct pitch to teams building consumer apps on Solana.
👉 x.com/jito_sol/status/2075249175046856890
Relay Warns of Scam Tokens on Robinhood Chain
Relay Protocol is warning users about a wave of scam tokens on Robinhood Chain that vanish from wallets moments after they're bought — advanced honeypots built to trap buyers.
👉 x.com/RelayProtocol/status/2075244605633917320
Relay Protocol is warning users about a wave of scam tokens on Robinhood Chain that vanish from wallets moments after they're bought — advanced honeypots built to trap buyers.
Crucially, Relay says this is NOT a wallet or private-key breach: only the money spent on the malicious token is lost, and your other holdings stay safe. Robinhood Chain — live since July 1 and permissionless — is seeing heavy memecoin activity, and Relay says it's now blocking bad contracts while verifying legit ones. Stick to tokens verified by trusted sources.
👉 x.com/RelayProtocol/status/2075244605633917320
Polymarket Has Filed for US Margin Trading
Polymarket has filed for futures commission merchant (FCM) registration with the US National Futures Association — its first step toward offering leveraged, margin-based event trading.
👉 theblock.co/post/407820/polymarket-margin-trading
Polymarket has filed for futures commission merchant (FCM) registration with the US National Futures Association — its first step toward offering leveraged, margin-based event trading.
Margin would let users bet on events with only a fraction of the capital upfront, but final CFTC sign-off is still needed before leverage goes live. Rival Kalshi cleared the same NFA hurdle back in March and out-traded Polymarket $33B to $14B in June — raising the stakes in the prediction-market race.
👉 theblock.co/post/407820/polymarket-margin-trading
Circle Wins Final OCC Nod for a National Trust Bank
Circle has received final OCC approval to launch Circle National Trust — a federally regulated national trust bank offering fiduciary custody of digital assets.
👉 circle.com/pressroom/circle-receives-final-occ-approval-to-establish-national-trust-bank
Circle has received final OCC approval to launch Circle National Trust — a federally regulated national trust bank offering fiduciary custody of digital assets.
The charter clears a path for Circle to eventually bring management of the USDC Reserve under federal oversight, with custody later opening to select banks and institutions. CEO Jeremy Allaire called it “a defining step in bringing blockchain and digital assets into the core of the U.S. financial system.”
👉 circle.com/pressroom/circle-receives-final-occ-approval-to-establish-national-trust-bank
Metaplanet Studies Bitcoin-Backed Credit Instruments
Metaplanet, its securities arm, yen-stablecoin issuer JPYC and tokenization platform Progmat have launched a joint study into Bitcoin-backed digital credit instruments.
👉 coinpedia.org/crypto-live-news/metaplanet-explores-bitcoin-based-digital-credit-with-partners
Metaplanet, its securities arm, yen-stablecoin issuer JPYC and tokenization platform Progmat have launched a joint study into Bitcoin-backed digital credit instruments.
The products would trade 24/7 with interest accruing daily, backed by Bitcoin collateral. Roles: Metaplanet handles BTC strategy and product design, JPYC brings yen-payment rails, and Progmat provides the tokenized-asset issuance platform — all structured to fit Japanese regulation. It's still research-stage, with no terms, product or timeline decided yet.
👉 coinpedia.org/crypto-live-news/metaplanet-explores-bitcoin-based-digital-credit-with-partners
Crypto Venture Funds Expand Beyond Digital Assets as AI & Frontier Technologies Attract More Capital
Some of crypto's largest venture firms are broadening their investment focus beyond digital assets. Paradigm recently raised a $1.2 billion fund to invest in crypto alongside AI, robotics, and other frontier technologies, while Framework Ventures and Haun Ventures have also launched funds targeting sectors beyond traditional crypto.
Industry participants say the market is evolving as crypto becomes more integrated into the broader financial system. With regulated markets, institutional adoption, and increasing competition from traditional investors, crypto is no longer viewed as a standalone investment category but as part of a wider technology landscape.
👉 bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2026-07-09/crypto-vc-funds-are-getting-distracted-by-more-exciting-opportunities
Some of crypto's largest venture firms are broadening their investment focus beyond digital assets. Paradigm recently raised a $1.2 billion fund to invest in crypto alongside AI, robotics, and other frontier technologies, while Framework Ventures and Haun Ventures have also launched funds targeting sectors beyond traditional crypto.
The shift comes as the crypto venture market cools. According to Galaxy Research, crypto VCs deployed around $4 billion across 355 deals in Q1 2026, while the number of new crypto venture funds fell to its lowest level since Q3 2020. Meanwhile, AI accounted for nearly 70% of global startup funding in Q2, highlighting where investor demand is moving.
Industry participants say the market is evolving as crypto becomes more integrated into the broader financial system. With regulated markets, institutional adoption, and increasing competition from traditional investors, crypto is no longer viewed as a standalone investment category but as part of a wider technology landscape.
👉 bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2026-07-09/crypto-vc-funds-are-getting-distracted-by-more-exciting-opportunities
OpenAI Unveils GPT-5.6 Family With Flagship Sol Model & New AI Performance Benchmarks
OpenAI has launched the GPT-5.6 family, introducing Sol, Terra, and Luna. The flagship GPT-5.6 Sol delivers stronger performance across coding, science, cybersecurity, and knowledge work while using fewer tokens and lowering costs.
OpenAI also introduced Ultra, a multi-agent mode designed for complex tasks. GPT-5.6 improves computer use, tool calling, software engineering, and the creation of documents, presentations, and spreadsheets.
GPT-5.6 is now rolling out across ChatGPT, Codex, and the OpenAI API. The three models are available with API pricing starting at $1 per million input tokens for Luna and $5 for Sol.
👉 openai.com/index/gpt-5-6
OpenAI has launched the GPT-5.6 family, introducing Sol, Terra, and Luna. The flagship GPT-5.6 Sol delivers stronger performance across coding, science, cybersecurity, and knowledge work while using fewer tokens and lowering costs.
OpenAI also introduced Ultra, a multi-agent mode designed for complex tasks. GPT-5.6 improves computer use, tool calling, software engineering, and the creation of documents, presentations, and spreadsheets.
The company highlighted significant gains in cybersecurity and scientific research while introducing its strongest safety system yet. GPT-5.6 combines enhanced safeguards, continuous monitoring, and expanded misuse protections.
GPT-5.6 is now rolling out across ChatGPT, Codex, and the OpenAI API. The three models are available with API pricing starting at $1 per million input tokens for Luna and $5 for Sol.
👉 openai.com/index/gpt-5-6
Revolut Brings AI-Assisted Trading to Revolut X With Natural Language Order Execution
Revolut has integrated its crypto exchange, Revolut X, with third-party AI assistants, enabling users to analyze markets, monitor portfolios, and execute trades using natural language prompts. Supported platforms include Claude, Gemini, OpenClaw, and Cursor, with no coding required.
Revolut emphasized that all orders still require user approval before execution. The company also noted it is not responsible for trading losses or errors resulting from third-party AI assistants.
Earlier this year, Gemini, Liquid, and Robinhood introduced AI-powered trading tools, highlighting a broader shift toward AI-driven investing and automated trading workflows.
👉 theblock.co/post/407865/revolut-integrates-its-crypto-exchange-with-ai-assistants-as-agentic-trading-spreads
Revolut has integrated its crypto exchange, Revolut X, with third-party AI assistants, enabling users to analyze markets, monitor portfolios, and execute trades using natural language prompts. Supported platforms include Claude, Gemini, OpenClaw, and Cursor, with no coding required.
The integration allows traders to access real-time market data, review portfolio performance, set custom price alerts, place market and limit orders, and manage open positions directly through AI assistants. Users can also test trading strategies, receive historical performance analysis, and optimize risk before placing trades.
Revolut emphasized that all orders still require user approval before execution. The company also noted it is not responsible for trading losses or errors resulting from third-party AI assistants.
Earlier this year, Gemini, Liquid, and Robinhood introduced AI-powered trading tools, highlighting a broader shift toward AI-driven investing and automated trading workflows.
👉 theblock.co/post/407865/revolut-integrates-its-crypto-exchange-with-ai-assistants-as-agentic-trading-spreads
Prediction Markets Are Becoming More Entertainment-Driven
According to DWF Ventures, trading on Polymarket and Kalshi has shifted sharply since the 2024 U.S. election. Politics, elections, and macro now make up a much smaller share of volume, while sports and parlay-style products are taking over.
That’s good for volume and liquidity, but it also raises a bigger question: are prediction markets still acting as “truth engines”, or slowly becoming more like sportsbooks?
At the same time, more casual volume can deepen liquidity, reduce manipulation risk, and help prediction markets scale beyond their early crypto/politics user base.
So the real challenge is not whether this shift is happening, it clearly is. The question is whether prediction markets can keep their forecasting edge while expanding into a broader entertainment audience.
👉 x.com/DWFVentures/status/2075565762031579302?s=20
According to DWF Ventures, trading on Polymarket and Kalshi has shifted sharply since the 2024 U.S. election. Politics, elections, and macro now make up a much smaller share of volume, while sports and parlay-style products are taking over.
That’s good for volume and liquidity, but it also raises a bigger question: are prediction markets still acting as “truth engines”, or slowly becoming more like sportsbooks?
The main concern is the RFQ parlay model. Retail users cannot see or verify how combinations are priced, which creates a clear information asymmetry.
At the same time, more casual volume can deepen liquidity, reduce manipulation risk, and help prediction markets scale beyond their early crypto/politics user base.
So the real challenge is not whether this shift is happening, it clearly is. The question is whether prediction markets can keep their forecasting edge while expanding into a broader entertainment audience.
👉 x.com/DWFVentures/status/2075565762031579302?s=20
MAJOR UPCOMING EVENTS THIS SUMMER!
A full list of Major Upcoming Events, to be updated
👉 https://cryptodiffer.com/events
A full list of Major Upcoming Events, to be updated
👉 https://cryptodiffer.com/events
Bonzo Lend Loses $9M in Supra Oracle Exploit
Bonzo Lend, a lending protocol on Hedera, was drained of about $9M after an attacker slipped a forged price update past a Supra oracle verifier.
👉 theblock.co/post/407960/hedera-lending-protocol-bonzo-lend-hit-for-9-million-after-supra-verifier-accepts-manipulated-price-update
Bonzo Lend, a lending protocol on Hedera, was drained of about $9M after an attacker slipped a forged price update past a Supra oracle verifier.
The verifier accepted a signature made entirely of zeros — letting the attacker inflate SAUCE by ~12 orders of magnitude, then borrow 6.63M USDC and 34.5M wrapped HBAR against a few dollars of collateral. Bonzo says the flaw sat in the third-party verifier, not Hedera itself; Supra shipped a fix and the real price returned within 45 minutes — but Bonzo Lend was paused.
👉 theblock.co/post/407960/hedera-lending-protocol-bonzo-lend-hit-for-9-million-after-supra-verifier-accepts-manipulated-price-update
Polymarket Launches Combos for Multi-Leg Bets
Polymarket has officially launched Combos, letting users stack up to 32 picks into a single bet across sports — from the World Cup and UFC to MLB and beyond.
👉 x.com/Polymarket/status/2075644737726329094
Polymarket has officially launched Combos, letting users stack up to 32 picks into a single bet across sports — from the World Cup and UFC to MLB and beyond.
It's parlay-style betting for prediction markets: chain many outcomes together for a bigger payout, but every single leg has to hit to win. The launch pushes Polymarket deeper onto sportsbook turf and its heated race against rival Kalshi.
👉 x.com/Polymarket/status/2075644737726329094
SBI to Offer 3% Lending on Its JPYSC Stablecoin
SBI Group is rolling out a lending service for JPYSC — Japan's first trust-bank-backed yen stablecoin — through its crypto arm SBI VC Trade, with applications opening July 16.
👉 theblock.co/post/407988/sbi-jpysc-stablecoin-lending
SBI Group is rolling out a lending service for JPYSC — Japan's first trust-bank-backed yen stablecoin — through its crypto arm SBI VC Trade, with applications opening July 16.
The fixed-term product pays a 3% annual yield over a 12-week term, giving holders of the month-old stablecoin a regulated way to earn on idle yen. It deepens SBI's onchain push — recently backed by a $289M Bitbank buyout and fresh $125M and $76M crypto funding rounds — as Japan races to build regulated stablecoin rails.
👉 theblock.co/post/407988/sbi-jpysc-stablecoin-lending
Startale Unveils a Yield-Earning Visa Card
Startale Group unveiled Startale Card at WebX 2026 — a self-custodial Visa card that lets users spend Soneium assets at 150M+ merchants worldwide, with the waitlist now open.
👉 x.com/StartaleGroup/status/2076471885722956194
Startale Group unveiled Startale Card at WebX 2026 — a self-custodial Visa card that lets users spend Soneium assets at 150M+ merchants worldwide, with the waitlist now open.
Unlike custodial crypto cards, eligible holdings keep earning yield right up until they're spent, and every purchase returns cashback paid in USDSC. Built on Soneium — the Ethereum L2 Startale co-developed with Sony — it's Startale's bet on bringing onchain assets into everyday payments.
👉 x.com/StartaleGroup/status/2076471885722956194
9 days. That's all it took Robinhood Chain to cross $1B in DEX volume — the fastest start any Layer 2 has ever had
Faster than Base (33d). Faster than Arbitrum itself (26d) — and it's built on Arbitrum's stack. This isn't a slow burn, it's a rocket.
Records like this don't happen on empty chains — they happen where the liquidity is. Uniswap, PancakeSwap, Curve are all live. But the early native play riding this wave is Arcus — the DEX built for Robinhood Chain from day one.
Join Arcus 👉 waitlist.arcus.xyz/s/CRYPTODIFFER
Faster than Base (33d). Faster than Arbitrum itself (26d) — and it's built on Arbitrum's stack. This isn't a slow burn, it's a rocket.
Records like this don't happen on empty chains — they happen where the liquidity is. Uniswap, PancakeSwap, Curve are all live. But the early native play riding this wave is Arcus — the DEX built for Robinhood Chain from day one.
Join Arcus 👉 waitlist.arcus.xyz/s/CRYPTODIFFER
