Charles Schwab Plans to Introduce Prediction Markets With Cboe for Wagering on the S&P 500's Performance: WSJ

JPMorgan Chase CFO Jeremy Barnum expressed concerns that stablecoins could exploit regulatory loopholes, potentially operating like banks without facing the same oversight. He emphasized the need for consistent regulations to prevent new entrants from circumventing existing rules.

SkyMapper has launched a new network, SkyMapper L1, powered by Avalanche, to securely record telescope data in real time. This system, known as "Proof of Space Observation" (POSO), aims to provide verifiable digital records of celestial observations for scientific, business, and government use. The network utilizes blockchain technology to create tamper-resistant records of each observation.

The XRP Ledger integrated with Boundless, a ZK proving network, to enable zero-knowledge proof verification, allowing financial institutions to transact privately on the public blockchain while meeting regulatory requirements. This move addresses transparency issues on public ledgers, providing a path to privacy for institutional users.

Deutsche Börse AG's $200 million investment in Kraken signals a shift in how traditional financial institutions approach digital assets. The acquisition of a 1.5% stake in Kraken's parent company is part of a trend of partnerships between traditional finance and crypto firms.

Shin Hyun-song, the nominee for the Bank of Korea, emphasized the importance of central bank digital currencies and bank-issued deposit tokens in South Korea's digital money system. He highlighted the need for trust in currency and suggested stablecoins as supplementary tools for trading assets and programmable payments.

Strategy's perpetual preferred security, Stretch (STRC), experienced record trading volume, facilitating the largest single-day bitcoin purchase through the company's ATM program. The purchase of $1 billion in bitcoin last week was entirely funded by STRC, which offers an 11.5% annual dividend.

Yuval Rooz, the man behind Canton Network, aims to bridge traditional finance with blockchain technology. Critics question Canton's decentralization compared to Ethereum and other platforms, as institutional interest in blockchain rises.

Tom Duff Gordon, the former vice president of international policy at Coinbase, has departed after nearly 4 years to join OpenAI as head of EMEA Policy. Prior to Coinbase, he spent 8.5 years at Credit Suisse. Known for expertise in crypto regulations, he highlighted U.K. banks' challenges in distinguishing between compliant and high-risk firms.

Patrick Witt, the White House's crypto adviser, mentioned ongoing efforts to finalize compromises for the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act in the U.S. Senate. He highlighted the importance of resolving issues like stablecoin yield before addressing other concerns, such as illicit financial protections in DeFi.

Kraken is being extorted by a criminal group threatening to release videos of internal systems with client data. The firm is collaborating with law enforcement to pursue the individuals involved and ensure customer funds are safe.