XPL Jumps 58% as Plasma Mainnet Launches with Tether




XPL Jumps 58% as Plasma Mainnet Launches with Tether

On September 25, 2025, the Plasma mainnet, supported by Tether, became active. This caused the native token, XPL, to dramatically increase in value. In the span of just over a day, XPL increased by 52-58%. This attracted both retail traders and institutional investors.

What Just Happened

With the launch of Plasma’s mainnet, the platform became fully functional and began supporting stablecoins and integrating with top players in DeFi.

Tether has been at the forefront and has minted USDT0 and XAUT0 tokens on the Plasma chain. Besides Tether, Plasma has also partnered with Binance, Aave, and Chainlink.

Together, these collaborations helped in the creation of liquidity, yield generation, and the necessary infrastructure. Plasma USDT was listed in Binance Earn (via Aave), and Plasma integrated Chainlink’s data feeds, Data Streams, and CCIP.

More News: Flare and Enosys Launch First XRP-Backed Stablecoin

Price and Market Impact

With the launch of Plasma’s mainnet, the platform entered fully operational phase, supporting stablecoins natively, and partnering with major players in decentralized finance (DeFi) including Tether, with whom Plasma integrated first and subsequently received USDT0 and XAUT0 tokens on the Plasma chain.

On launch, XPL’s price increased from the then value of $0.74-$0.83, to the value around $1.26-$1.42. That’s a remarkable price increment and the trading volume in the Plasma chain increased significantly, with some sources reporting volume increase to 18,000% within a day.

The Total Value Locked (TVL) in stablecoins on networks supporting Plasma increased significantly, with estimates suggesting $2-$2.05 billion in stablecoin assets, and $2-2.05 billion TVL, coming immediately after the mainnet went live.

Risks Associated 

Speculative buying is often driven by major token launches. These launches can lead to price increases that aren’t justifiable. When the initial excitement wears off, prices can fall sharply due to profit-taking by early investors.

Increased trading volume can lead to large price swings in the absence of major liquidity on the exchanges. A rapid drop in Total Value Locked within an ecosystem can create a lack of confidence.

Stablecoins can be put under tighter regulation, and because Plasma is a stablecoin-first network tightly integrated with Tether, it can be expected to be regulated as well. Any action regarding compliance or the law, with regard to Tether or Plasma, will be negative for the price of XPL.

Future Outlook

Some forecasts indicate XPL may reach $1.50-$2.00 in the weeks to come, given the continued growth of TVL, consistent trading volumes, and additional ecosystem integrations.

Yet, in crypto, it is always the case of ‘wait and see’. After the launch, it is about sustaining momentum, providing utility, and managing risks to determine whether this increase is fleeting or the beginning of something more significant.

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Divine Raises $6.6M Funding Round to Expand Blockchain Microlending




Divine Raises $6.6M Funding Round to Expand Blockchain Microlending

Divine Secures $6.6M Funding Round

Blockchain-based microlender Divine Research has raised $6.6 million in a seed round led by Paradigm. The San Francisco–based company is developing a credit system for individuals excluded from traditional banking.

Divine’s approach uses undercollateralised stablecoin loans. Borrowers start with small amounts, and limits grow as trust is established. For millions without credit histories, collateral, or access to formal underwriting, the model offers a path to affordable finance.

The firm says more than 1.4 billion people worldwide still lack access to credit. Many rely on informal or predatory lenders. Divine believes blockchain and stablecoins can change that.

How Divine’s Credit System Works

Divine has built an automated lending platform called Credit. The system issues small loans, typically starting under $100. If borrowers repay, limits increase over time, reaching up to $1,000.

The model has shown promising results. Default rates remain close to zero as users repay responsibly. Since December 2024, the company has issued over 175,000 loans to more than 100,000 unique borrowers.

In Argentina, where inflation and limited banking access create constant stress, Credit is often called “la salvación del mes” — the month’s salvation. Borrowers frequently use the funds for groceries, medicine, and transport.

For liquidity providers, Divine operates a platform at credit.cash. Deposits flow directly into the lending pool. Interest rates adjust automatically based on demand, rising when more liquidity is needed and falling when excess supply exists.

Credit Access Through MiniApp

Credit is integrated as a MiniApp within Worldcoin, making it available to the network’s 15 million human-verified users. Borrowers can request funds, receive them within seconds, and build repayment history directly through the app.

This seamless access aims to lower barriers for people excluded from the traditional financial system. Vendors, nurses, and gig workers who lack paperwork or credit history can begin building trust with small loans.

Why Divine’s Model Matters

Traditional banks rely on credit scores, payslips, or collateral. These requirements exclude billions globally. Divine argues that a digital-first, trust-building system can expand credit without the risks of predatory lending.

The firm also taps into growing stablecoin adoption. By using digital dollars as the base asset, Divine ensures borrowers and lenders avoid volatility. For providers, programmatic allocation and automated interest rates create efficiency.

Paradigm’s investment signals rising confidence that blockchain-based credit can scale. Other backers include angels and industry veterans focused on financial inclusion.

Divine’s Growth Since Launch

Since its launch in late 2024, Divine has expanded quickly across emerging markets. Early adoption has been strongest in Latin America, where economic instability and lack of banking infrastructure make informal borrowing common.

Borrowers describe the platform as life-saving. Small loans of $50–$200 bridge essential expenses until salaries arrive or payments clear. Unlike payday lenders, Divine’s system does not charge excessive fees or trap borrowers in debt cycles.

The company believes that progressive trust-building is the key. By starting with tiny loans and scaling limits only after repayment, risk remains controlled while borrowers gain access to increasingly useful sums.

More News: Bulk Raises $8M Seed Funding to Redefine Perpetuals DEX Trading

The Path Forward for Divine

The $6.6 million funding will be used to expand global reach, strengthen liquidity pools, and grow the team. Divine is hiring engineers, credit specialists, and compliance professionals to scale operations.

The company also plans to deepen integrations with other digital wallets and ecosystems. Making Credit available across multiple platforms could significantly grow user numbers beyond Worldcoin’s 15 million.

“Traditional finance has failed billions of people,” Divine said in its announcement. “Our goal is to provide open, fair, and fast credit to anyone, anywhere.”

Why Investors Are Paying Attention

The bet on Divine reflects a broader belief in DeFi credit systems. If successful, blockchain-based microlending could open capital markets to people who were historically invisible to banks.

For investors, it is also a play on the rapid spread of stablecoins. As they become widely used for payments and savings, lending on top of stablecoins creates a natural next step.

With backing from Paradigm and others, Divine is now positioned to prove whether blockchain credit can scale responsibly while serving real-world needs.

Divine’s $6.6 million funding marks an important step toward building a new credit model. If adoption continues, the firm could demonstrate that trust-based digital lending can succeed where traditional banks have fallen short.

To stay updated on crypto venture capital funding and market trends, visit our venture capital news section for more insights.

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Bulk Raises $8M Seed Funding to Redefine Perpetuals DEX Trading




Bulk Raises $8M Seed Funding to Redefine Perpetuals DEX Trading

Bulk Secures $8M Seed Funding Round

Decentralised exchange project Bulk has raised $8 million in a seed round to accelerate its vision for perpetuals trading. The round was led by Robot Ventures and 6th Man Ventures, with participation from Chapter One, WMT Ventures, Mirana, Big Brain VC, and several angel investors.

The funds will be used to launch Bulk’s new trading architecture. The goal is to deliver institutional-grade performance while maintaining decentralisation.

In a statement, the team said: “We set out to redefine how decentralised exchanges can function in a high-performance environment. What we have achieved will rival even the best centralised exchanges today.”

Bulk’s High-Performance Trading Architecture

Bulk’s core innovation is its specialised execution environment on the Solana blockchain. The design integrates directly into Solana’s validator network via a forked validator client called Bulk-agave.

By running a dedicated sidecar, the Bulk Tile, trades bypass Solana’s general transaction queue. This enables sub-20ms matching latency and the ability to process 2.5 million orders per second.

The system promises a trading experience that rivals centralised platforms but without centralised control. “It is not enough to be decentralised,” the team explained. “We must achieve this without falling short of what professional users need.”

Industry-Leading Features for Traders

Bulk offers features designed to support both retail and institutional users.

• Deterministic fairness: All orders follow a First-In, First-Out system secured by cryptographic keys. This eliminates front-running or malicious reordering.
• Gasless orders: Users only pay exchange fees, with no blockchain gas costs for placing trades.
• Non-custodial custody: Assets stay on Solana in personal wallets, removing risks linked to bridges or sequencers.
• Revenue sharing: 30% of taker fees are distributed to Bulk-agave validators, increasing rewards for Solana stakers.
• Professional access: Support includes SDKs, FIX APIs, and CCXT integration, making Bulk suitable for institutional trading desks.

The platform’s design aims to combine the speed of centralised venues with the neutrality of decentralised systems.

Building Bulk on Solana

Solana has established itself as a high-speed, general-purpose blockchain. Bulk leverages this foundation while adding a specialised execution layer optimised for central limit order books (CLOBs).

The team compares Solana to a multi-lane superhighway. In this analogy, Bulk is a Formula 1 track built alongside, purpose-designed for speed and precision.

This specialised track allows Bulk to support high-frequency trading, deep liquidity, and professional-grade infrastructure. It does not replace Solana but extends it to enable trading at a scale not previously possible in a decentralised context.

Bulk’s Roadmap and Launch Timeline

Bulk has been in development for almost two years. The project’s Alphanet has already seen strong adoption, with feedback from early users shaping improvements.

The team confirmed plans to bring the exchange to mainnet in Q4 2025. Ahead of that launch, they will continue releasing updates and optimisations to their test network.

“Our vision has always been clear,” Bulk stated. “One Exchange, Infinite Markets. We are bringing the ultimate trading experience to Solana.”

The focus remains on speed, fairness, and censorship resistance. Bulk’s design ensures there is no single operator or central authority that can block transactions.

More news: RedotPay raised $47M to reach fintech unicorn status.

Why Bulk’s Funding Matters for DeFi

The raise reflects growing confidence in perpetuals trading as a key driver of decentralised finance. Perpetual futures dominate trading volumes on centralised exchanges, yet decentralised venues have struggled to match performance.

By addressing latency, order throughput, and fairness, Bulk hopes to close this gap. The presence of established investors like Robot Ventures and 6th Man Ventures adds credibility to its mission.

The exchange also promises a new economic model for Solana stakers, sharing fee revenue and strengthening validator incentives. This could make Bulk not only a trading hub but also a contributor to the wider Solana ecosystem.

Bulk’s $8 million seed round positions it as one of the most ambitious trading projects in the DeFi space. With its launch scheduled for later this year, all eyes will be on whether it can deliver the promised speed and neutrality.

To stay updated on crypto venture capital funding and market trends, visit our venture capital news section for more insights.

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RedotPay Closes $47M Funding Round, Claims Unicorn Status




RedotPay Closes $47M Funding Round, Claims Unicorn Status

RedotPay Secures $47 Million to Reach Unicorn Status

Crypto payments firm RedotPay has closed a $47 million funding round, claiming unicorn status with a valuation above $1 billion.

The round saw participation from Coinbase Ventures, alongside existing investors Galaxy Ventures and Vertex Ventures. An undisclosed global tech entrepreneur also joined the round, according to RedotPay’s announcement.

For RedotPay, the milestone signals strong investor confidence in its payments model, which focuses on stablecoin-powered services.

CEO Michael Gao said the raise validates the company’s progress.

“Having Coinbase Ventures join us, along with the continued support from Galaxy Ventures and Vertex Ventures, validates the progress we’ve made and the confidence investors have in our vision,” Gao said.

In venture capital, a unicorn refers to a privately held startup valued at $1 billion or more. By crossing that threshold, RedotPay joins a select group of global fintech companies reshaping digital finance.

RedotPay’s Growth Since 2023

Founded in April 2023, RedotPay has expanded rapidly in less than three years. The firm provides stablecoin-powered multi-currency wallets, cards, and multi-wallets to simplify digital payments.

In just under three years, RedotPay has reached over 5 million users worldwide. Its platform has processed more than $10 billion in total payment volume (TPV). The scale of adoption highlights the growing role of stablecoins in payments.

Stablecoins, pegged to major currencies, reduce volatility and improve reliability. They enable faster cross-border transfers compared to traditional systems. RedotPay has capitalised on this need, expanding access to digital financial tools across regions.

The company’s early success shows strong demand for flexible crypto payments. With stablecoin adoption rising, RedotPay has positioned itself as a key player in bridging digital assets and everyday spending.

Global Payout Gains Traction in Underserved Regions

One of RedotPay’s flagship services is its Global Payout product, launched in June 2025.

The service allows users to send crypto directly to local bank accounts or e-wallets. It has already gained traction in underserved regions, particularly across Latin America, where access to international payments is often limited.

By focusing on markets where traditional banking infrastructure is weaker, RedotPay is positioning itself as a global bridge for digital assets.

A company spokesperson noted that licensing remains a top priority. “We are currently licensed in our headquarters, Hong Kong, and our satellite regions in Europe and Argentina, with many more applications globally underway,” the spokesperson said.

Strengthening Regulation and Expansion Plans

A significant focus for RedotPay after the latest funding is licensing and compliance. The company is currently regulated in Hong Kong, Europe, and Argentina, but it is actively pursuing approvals in multiple other regions.

Licensing remains central to its strategy. Gaining trust from users, regulators, and financial institutions is crucial to scaling payments at a global level. The firm’s executives stress that compliance will help separate RedotPay from unregulated operators.

Beyond regulation, RedotPay plans to deepen its international corridors with global partnerships.

Funding History and Investor Confidence

The $47 million round raises RedotPay’s total fundraising to nearly $90 million. Earlier in March 2025, the company closed a $40 million Series A led by Lightspeed, with participation from HSG and Galaxy Ventures.

For investors, RedotPay represents not just a payments platform. They bet on the mainstream adoption of stablecoins as a global financial tool.

More News: Australia Moves to Regulate Crypto Under Financial Services Framework

The Path Ahead for RedotPay

The global payments market is shifting toward faster and cheaper rails. Stablecoins are at the center of this change, and RedotPay wants to be a leading driver.

The company’s strategy focuses on underserved regions where financial access is limited. Building trusted platforms in these markets could fuel adoption at scale. At the same time, regulatory progress is expected to strengthen its credibility among mainstream players.

RedotPay has momentum. Its user growth, regulatory focus, and backing from Coinbase Ventures, Galaxy Ventures, and Vertex Ventures give it strong positioning. With unicorn status secured, RedotPay is now seen as one of the most promising firms shaping the stablecoin future.

To stay updated on crypto venture capital funding and market trends, visit our venture capital news section for more insights.

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Australia Moves to Regulate Crypto Under Financial Services Framework




Australia Moves to Regulate Crypto Under Financial Services Framework

Australia’s Draft Law Brings Crypto Into the Financial System

Australia is stepping closer to treating crypto like any other part of its financial system. The treasury has published a new draft law that would bring digital asset firms under the same rules as banks, brokers, and managed funds.

The plan is simple. If you run a digital asset platform (DAP) or a tokenised custody platform (TCP), you will need a financial services licence. These licences already apply to financial intermediaries. Now, they will also cover crypto businesses.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) will be in charge of regulating these firms. That means more rules, more oversight, and more accountability.

Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino introduced the draft on Thursday. He said the law is designed to extend financial services rules without starting from scratch. “The final legislation will introduce a new framework for digital asset businesses in Australia,” Mulino said. “It will do so by extending existing financial services laws but in a targeted way.”

For now, the draft is open for consultation until 24 October 2025. After that, the treasury will refine the text before moving it forward.

Why Australia Wants to Regulate Crypto

The new draft is not just about paperwork. It’s about consumer protection and market stability. Without rules, crypto platforms can collapse, scam, or mismanage customer funds. Australians have seen this happen globally with major failures like FTX. Regulators don’t want the same risks playing out locally.

By forcing firms to get licensed, the government ensures that platforms follow strict standards. These include transparency, proper custody of funds, and risk controls. It also gives ASIC the power to crack down on bad actors.

For consumers, this means more trust. If a platform is licensed, it should meet the same expectations as any other financial institution. For firms, it means a level playing field. Unregulated operators will no longer be able to undercut compliant businesses.

Industry Voices on the Draft

Not everyone sees regulation as a burden. Some in the industry view it as a turning point. Kate Cooper, CEO of OKX Australia, said the proposal proves crypto is no longer a fringe industry. “The draft legislation is the clearest signal yet that crypto is no longer operating on the fringes and is now embedded in the financial system,” she said.

She also pointed out that enforcement will decide its success. “The real measure of this reform will be shown by the compliance and enforcement that follows its implementation, ensuring that unregulated players don’t undercut responsible, licensed operators and that Australian consumers are protected.”

Her comments highlight a common theme. Clear rules can build trust, but only if they are applied fairly.

More News: Bitcoin ‘Buy The Dip’ Calls Surge, But Liquidity Trends Signal $107K as Potential Magnet

How Australia Compares to Global Moves

Australia is not acting alone. Around the world, governments are working out how to regulate crypto.

Europe has already passed the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework. It creates one set of rules for all EU countries and will roll out in 2024. The United States, meanwhile, is taking a more aggressive stance, with the SEC classifying many tokens as securities and suing firms that operate outside its oversight.

Australia’s draft takes a middle path. Instead of building a new system, it extends existing financial laws. This approach avoids duplication and gives regulators familiar tools.

Analysts say the move could make Australia more attractive to global operators who value regulatory clarity. At the same time, smaller startups may struggle with compliance costs, pushing them offshore.

What Happens Next

The consultation period is now open. Crypto firms, consumer groups, and financial experts will have until late October to submit feedback.

After that, the government will finalise the draft and move towards implementation. The focus is balance. Too much regulation could stifle innovation. Too little could leave Australians exposed.

Mulino said the government is working to “get it right.” The draft is targeted, not blanket. It aims to make sure crypto firms meet the same standards as other intermediaries, without crushing the industry.

For businesses, the message is clear: prepare for change. Compliance will soon be part of the cost of doing business. For consumers, the draft offers hope that the market will become safer and more transparent.

Australia’s draft comes as global crypto regulation heats up. Europe’s MiCA is due next year, and the U.S. continues to tighten its grip through the SEC. These moves show a common trend: crypto is no longer outside the system, it is becoming part of it.

To stay updated on crypto venture capital funding and market trends, visit our venture capital news section for more insights.

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Digital Euro Launch Expected by 2029: ECB




Digital Euro Launch Expected by 2029: ECB

In a landmark move for Europe’s financial development, the European Central Bank (ECB) has hinted that the eagerly awaited Digital Euro may be introduced by the middle of 2029.

ECB executive board member Piero Cipollone emphasised at the Bloomberg Future of Finance event in Frankfurt on Tuesday that although the project is still in its early phases, preparations are moving forward steadily and with a clear objective.

He described the development as a major step forward and said, “the middle of 2029 could be a fair assessment.”

A New Era of Money

As a state-backed substitute for private cryptocurrencies and stablecoins, the Digital Euro is intended to be a central bank digital currency (CBDC).

The ECB would issue and guarantee the Digital Euro, in contrast to Bitcoin or Ethereum, which function independently of governments. Because of this distinction, it has the same stability and trustworthiness as actual currency, plus the advantages of digital innovation.

“Money is changing,” Cipollone stated. “The Digital Euro will ensure that citizens have access to a safe, widely accepted payment option in the digital age, not replace cash but rather supplement it.”

Why 2029?

In order to avoid creating vulnerabilities or threats to financial stability, the European Central Bank and its representatives have stated time and time again that the digital euro should not be introduced too soon.

Cipollone, for example, has cautioned that rushing could jeopardise resilience, security, or interoperability. Additionally, Piero Cipollone underlined that one of the main design objectives for the digital euro is resilience.

He outlined the plan for offline functionality to sustain payments in the event of connectivity failure, the distribution of infrastructure across regions to reroute around disruptions, and the use of a fallback ECB-provided app to enable provider switching in dire circumstances.

More News: Shield Raises $5M Seed to Expand Crypto Payments for Global Trade

Benefits of Digital Euro Launch

The introduction of a digital euro would strengthen the eurozone. It would contribute to Europe’s strategic autonomy, monetary sovereignty, and would make the payments market more competitive and less reliant on non-European providers.

It would also lower Europe’s dependence on non-European providers like Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal which dominate the market.  This has also caught the attention of governments.

A digital currency has the potential to increase visibility of economic flows, reduce tax evasion, and reinforce the levers of monetary control fighting against money laundering.

Challenges and Concerns

Without a doubt, a unique feature of the digital euro will be that the central bank will issue it as a risk-free liability. Consequently, it could encourage the private sector and households to withdraw deposits from the banking system and convert them into digital euros.

If bank clients, over an extended period, are able to convert a significant portion of their deposits into digital euros, the overall impact on the real economy via the credit channel will be negative.

The last hurdle to jump remains the trust of the public and the take-up. To a good sector of Europe, and particularly in the countryside, cash in hand remains a daily basic. Ensuring the digital euro is user-friendly, accessible offline, and widely accepted will add to its success.

The Road Ahead

One thing is certain as the deadline approaches: the Digital Euro signifies a fundamental change in Europe’s conception of money and is not merely another form of payment. By 2029, Europeans may be using a currency that combines the speed and ease of digital innovation with the stability of cash if the ECB fulfils its pledge.

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Bitcoin ‘Buy The Dip’ Calls Surge, But Liquidity Trends Signal $107K as Potential Magnet




Bitcoin ‘Buy The Dip’ Calls Surge, But Liquidity Trends Signal $107K as Potential Magnet

Bitcoin Price Drop Sparks ‘Buy The Dip’ Sentiment

Bitcoin (BTC) has seen fresh volatility this week. The leading cryptocurrency dropped more than 3% to $111,590, breaking below the widely watched 50- and 100-day simple moving averages (SMAs).

Both SMAs had supported the market since April. Now, with upward momentum lost and the indicators flatlining, caution has entered the market. The break signals possible weakness ahead, even as bullish voices grow louder online.

In the same period, social media chatter around “buy the dip” has surged. Retail traders are pushing optimism, arguing that the current pullback is a buying chance. However, analysts warn that the crowd may be too early.

Why ‘Buy The Dip’ Can Be a Contrarian Signal

Data from Santiment, a blockchain and social trends platform, shows that mentions of “buy the dip” have reached their highest level in nearly a month. The platform tracks these mentions across Reddit, Telegram, and X (formerly Twitter).

While this may appear bullish, Santiment sees it differently. The firm notes that spikes in “buy the dip” activity often precede further declines. When the crowd becomes convinced the market will rebound, the opposite often plays out.

Santiment explained: “Prices typically move in the opposite direction of the crowd’s expectations. If retail traders believe that $112,200 is finally the time to buy, then more pain may follow. Once optimism fades and traders sell at a loss, that’s when dip buys make sense.”

The analysis suggests Bitcoin may not have bottomed yet. Sentiment, rather than price action, is currently driving many traders. This divergence could bring more volatility.

Liquidity Trends Point to $107,000

Beyond sentiment, liquidity data offers another signal. Hyblock Capital analysed Bitcoin’s order book and found the largest liquidity cluster sits at $107,000.

Order book liquidity refers to the concentration of buy and sell orders at specific levels. These zones reflect market depth and often act like magnets, pulling prices toward them.

At $107,000, liquidity is deepest. This means many traders have placed buy and sell orders around that mark. According to Hyblock, such a cluster can absorb supply and demand, acting as a stabiliser once tested.

Smaller liquidity pools have also formed at $109,000 and $111,000 but the $107,000 level remains the key magnet. If downward pressure continues, BTC could be drawn to test it.

The Technical Picture

The current setup shows mixed signals. On one hand, Bitcoin remains above the psychological level of $100,000. On the other hand, breaking the 50- and 100-day SMAs weakens short-term momentum.

Liquidity maps highlight downside potential, while sentiment analysis warns against overconfidence in a bounce. Together, these factors suggest short-term caution for traders.

If $107,000 is reached, the level could act as a springboard. Large buy orders may trigger a rebound. But reaching it could also shake weak hands out of the market.

For now, traders are watching liquidity flows and sentiment closely. Institutional players are expected to lean on data rather than social chatter when making decisions.

Retail Optimism vs Market Depth

The clash between retail optimism and market depth defines the current moment. Retail traders see value in the dip. They remember past rebounds and hope history repeats itself. Professional analysts warn that order book dynamics carry more weight than hashtags.

Bitcoin’s long-term story remains intact. Institutional adoption is growing, and supply shocks from halvings continue to play a role. But in the short term, liquidity gravity and crowd psychology are setting the tone.

For retail traders, the key may be patience. Jumping in too early could mean facing deeper losses. Institutions, meanwhile, may look for confirmation that liquidity pools at $107,000 are tested before entering large positions.

What’s Next for Bitcoin

The next weeks will likely test both sentiment and liquidity. If Bitcoin drops towards $107,000, traders will watch whether the cluster absorbs pressure. A strong bounce could restore confidence. A break lower, however, would open questions about further downside.

Until then, social media optimism must be weighed against market signals. “Buy the dip” may be trending, but liquidity shows where real money is waiting.

More News: Cloudburst Technologies Secures $7M Series A to Scale Off-Chain Crypto Intelligence Platform

To stay updated on crypto venture capital funding and market trends, visit our venture capital news section for more insights.

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Cloudburst Technologies Secures $7M Series A to Scale Off-Chain Crypto Intelligence Platform




Cloudburst Technologies Secures $7M Series A to Scale Off-Chain Crypto Intelligence Platform

Cloudburst Technologies Raises $7M Series A Funding

Cloudburst Technologies has raised $7 million in a Series A round. The raise was led by Borderless Capital, with backing from Strategic Cyber Ventures, CoinFund, Coinbase Ventures, Bloccelerate VC, and In-Q-Tel.

The round brings Cloudburst’s total funding to $11 million since its launch in 2022. Funds will be used to expand the AI and data science teams, accelerate product building, and grow into new markets worldwide.

The raise signals strong investor belief in tools that monitor crypto risks beyond blockchain data. Cloudburst is different from most analytics firms. Instead of looking only at transactions, it studies the deep web, dark web, Telegram chats, niche forums, and filings. This gives regulators, law enforcement, and exchanges a fuller view of scams and risks.

Cloudburst’s Off-Chain Crypto Intelligence

Cloudburst was founded in 2022 to fight fraud and scams in crypto. Many analytics companies focus only on on-chain activity. But scams often start long before they reach the blockchain. Cloudburst scans millions of off-chain data points to spot early signals.

Its platform looks at forums, social media groups, dark web posts, and regulatory documents. It also watches online sentiment and narratives. Fraud detection is not just about a wallet address. It’s about patterns, links, and behaviours across platforms.

This helps institutions see fraud networks in context. It can reveal who is behind a wallet, what groups they interact with, and how they try to push scams. The company says its tools can catch signs of “pump and dumps,” “pig butchering” scams, and market manipulation before they cause major harm.

CEO Evan Kohlmann said the mission is simple. “We want to give institutions the ability to see the full spectrum of threats and narratives shaping the digital asset ecosystem.”

Why Regulators and Institutions Care

Crypto scams are becoming more advanced. Regulators and agencies worldwide are under pressure to stop fraud and protect investors. On-chain tracking alone is not enough.

Cloudburst already works with major exchanges, compliance teams, and government bodies. Its tools map out fraud networks, showing how actors move between chats, wallets, and forums. This gives regulators a predictive edge. They can act on threats before they spread.

The funding also shows the mix of interest Cloudburst attracts. Crypto-native backers like Coinbase Ventures see its value for exchanges. At the same time, In-Q-Tel, linked to the U.S. intelligence community, sees it as a tool for national security. That dual interest highlights how crypto fraud touches both markets and governments.

Building AI and Scaling Globally

With fresh funds, Cloudburst will focus on its AI and data science systems. These models must handle huge streams of data from many languages and regions. By improving them, Cloudburst can give sharper insights, faster alerts, and wider coverage.

Global expansion is also on the agenda. The company plans to reach Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Demand is strong as regulators everywhere tighten rules. Institutions in these markets need smarter tools to track fraud across borders.

Cloudburst believes combining off-chain and on-chain intelligence will become the standard. It argues that without both, the fight against scams will always lag behind.

More News: Zerohash Raises $104M in Extended Series D, Hits $1B Valuation

The Market for Off-Chain Intelligence

Billions are lost each year to crypto scams. From fake trading groups to romance fraud, scams thrive in social channels and hidden forums. Many of these schemes never touch the blockchain until it is too late.

That gap is where Cloudburst steps in. By monitoring conversations and behaviour, it can warn about risks early. Its platform also gives a more human view of fraud networks. Instead of numbers on a ledger, it shows the actors, narratives, and tricks being used.

This approach is attracting strong venture capital support. Investors see that secure, trusted markets depend on better fraud detection. Without it, mainstream adoption of crypto could stall.

What Comes Next for Cloudburst

Cloudburst’s $7 million raise is not just about money. It’s about trust in its model. The firm wants to set the standard for off-chain crypto intelligence worldwide.

The company is expanding fast, with exchanges, regulators, and financial firms already on board. It is positioning itself as a key player in how crypto markets are policed.

If it succeeds, Cloudburst could give the industry the tool it needs most: early warning against fraud. That would mean fewer scams, safer markets, and more confidence for new investors.

To stay updated on crypto venture capital funding and market trends, visit our venture capital news section for more insights.

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Raiku Secures $11.25M Seed to Deliver Guaranteed Transactions on Solana




Raiku Secures $11.25M Seed to Deliver Guaranteed Transactions on Solana

Raiku, an infrastructure protocol built on Solana, has raised $11.25 million in a seed round led by Pantera Capital, with participation from Jump Crypto, Lightspeed Faction, HashKey Capital, and others. The round brings the startup’s total funding to $13.5 million, following an earlier $2.25 million pre-seed co-led by Figment Capital and Big Brain Holdings.

Notable angel investors also joined, including Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko, Solana Foundation’s Austin Federa, Kash Dhanda, and DeFi builder Julien Bouteloup. The combined support highlights Raiku’s positioning as a next-generation coordination layer for Solana, designed to provide developers and institutions with predictable, reliable, and efficient transaction execution under heavy load.

Tackling Solana’s Reliability Challenges

While Solana is recognised for high throughput and speed, its performance can suffer during congestion. Robin Nordnes, Raiku’s founder and CEO, said the protocol’s core mission is to eliminate unpredictability.

“For institutions and advanced DeFi apps, speed isn’t enough,” Nordnes told The Block. “They need certainty, being able to predict when a transaction will land, and run strategies on microsecond precision. We’ve built Raiku to give developers and validators the infrastructure to guarantee that outcome.”

To achieve this, Raiku introduces a parallel execution layer with a scheduling engine that reserves blockspace directly with validators. This system enables “guaranteed block inclusion” through features such as Ahead-of-Time (AoT) and Just-in-Time (JiT) reservations. Developers and institutions can pre-confirm transactions, ensuring settlement even during network stress.

The infrastructure is further enhanced by edge computing nodes located close to transaction origin points, which enable confirmation speeds of 30–50 milliseconds. Nordnes said these features open new possibilities for market makers, oracle providers, and node operators who require reliable execution.

How Raiku Works

Raiku’s blockspace marketplace allows institutions to purchase reliable transaction slots, creating predictable execution “even under extreme load.” Nordnes pointed to specific use cases:

• Market makers can secure cancel-and-replace orders without delay.
• Oracles can guarantee timely data feeds to applications.
• Validators can generate revenue by selling predictable blockspace.
  

By coordinating blockspace at scale, Raiku aims to create stability for decentralised applications while introducing new revenue models for network participants.

Competitive Landscape

Raiku enters a market where several projects are addressing blockspace reliability, including Jito’s Block Assembly Marketplace (BAM), Paladin (incubated by bloXroute), and Temporal. Nordnes acknowledged Jito BAM as the closest comparable, but emphasised Raiku’s design advantages.

“Jito BAM uses trusted execution environments with plugin-driven block builders, but that approach limits flexibility,” he explained. “Raiku is written from scratch in Rust, giving validators and developers freedom of choice rather than a one-size-fits-all system.”

This architecture, Pantera Capital believes, sets Raiku apart. “Raiku addresses one of the most critical gaps in blockchain infrastructure: predictable execution at scale,” said Nihal Maunder, a partner at Pantera. “Their architecture offers real-world reliability and opens the door to the next generation of on-chain financial systems, on Solana.”

More News: Zerohash Raises $104M in Extended Series D, Hits $1B Valuation

Funding Structure and Roadmap

Both the seed and pre-seed rounds were structured as simple agreements for future equity (SAFEs) with token warrants, according to Nordnes. He declined to share Raiku’s valuation.

The company began development in July 2024 and launched its first version on devnet that December. A testnet is already live with validator partners including Kiln, Figment, Everstake, Chorus One, and Blockdaemon. Raiku v2, which will introduce an SDK for developers, is expected later this year, with a mainnet launch targeted for 2026.

Raiku currently employs around 20 people across Europe and Asia. No board seats were issued to investors in connection with the latest rounds.

Outlook

For Solana to evolve into the backbone of institutional-grade finance and advanced decentralised applications, predictable execution will be critical. Raiku’s approach—reserving blockspace directly with validators and ensuring guaranteed inclusion—may prove essential to meeting that demand.

“Without infrastructure that service providers can depend on, Solana cannot become the future of finance, computing, and information,” Nordnes said.

By bringing certainty to one of Solana’s most pressing challenges, Raiku is positioning itself at the intersection of developer demand, validator incentives, and institutional adoption.

For the latest updates on venture funding in crypto and Web3, visit our Venture Capital page.

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Cardano Foundation Unveils New Global Adoption Roadmap




Cardano Foundation Unveils New Global Adoption Roadmap

The Cardano Foundation has announced the launch of a new roadmap to facilitate the global adoption of its blockchain ecosystem. This confirms Cardano’s blockchain ecosystem as the new advanced step in the long-term strategy which plans to make Cardano a leader in decentralised technology.

Key Points of New Roadmap

Cardano Foundation established a six-point roadmap to jumpstart DeFi, Web3, and governance, placing a focus on incorporating new ADA liquidity and real world asset plans.

1. Boost DeFi and Stablecoin Liquidity 

The Foundation intends to spend an eight-figure sum in ADA in stablecoin projects to improve Cardano on- and off-ramps.

It will also help build DeFi-focused tools, other intermediaries, and community projects to boost liquidity and usage of DeFi services on Cardano.

2. Expand Web 3 and Real World Asset (RWA) Usage

The roadmap has set aside a budget to continue building the Web3 adoption team to three new hires focused on listings, integrations, and RWA onboarding for increasing adoption.

The Foundation flagged progress on tokenised assets mentioning $10M in RWA launched earlier with MembersCap. To help with global awareness and adoption, the Foundation has set aside an additional budget to grow its marketing / demand-generation budget by 10%.

3. Boosting Cardano Venture Hub

The Foundation this year initialized the Cardano Venture Hub. The program seeks to address some of the funding challenges in the Cardano ecosystem and has already assisted three projects in taking their next steps.

It aims to assist both startups and mature businesses through service provision: strategic consulting, mentoring, facilitation, financing, equity investment, etc. in partnership with Draper U, Techstars, CV VC.

4. Unlocking RWA

Thanks to their partnership with MembersCap, Cardano announced yesterday that $10M in RWA would be launched on Cardano. They intend to address Cardano standards in order to expand RWA.

Specifically, the requirement to introduce programmable, interoperable tokens to Cardano. This entails completing CIP-0113 and CIP-0143 and immediately promoting their implementation.

5. Cardano Promotion

In recent years, the Cardano Foundation has worked hard to improve Cardano’s promotion and image. They intend to increase their overall budget for demand generation by 12% in 2026 by extending their current initiatives in media, events, paid marketing, content, and inbound marketing.

Additionally, the marketing teams will keep collaborating with the ecosystem to create strategic initiatives that encourage Cardano adoption and awareness worldwide.

6. Increased Governance and Decentralisation

The Foundation plans to delegate 220 million ADA to 11 new Delegated Representatives (DReps) in the categories of Adoption and Operations, furthering its decentralisation efforts.

In doing so, it will reduce its self- delegation to 80 million ADA, which marks a change in the distribution of power and influence.

More News: Ripple Unveils DeFi Roadmap to Compete in Institutional Finance and RWA Tokenisation

The Road Ahead

The new roadmap is a vision that explains how Cardano intends to attain global adoption and positions the company as an innovator and agent for change.

Cardano supporters across the globe will find hope in the roadmap. Governments and corporations watching the blockchain space, will find Cardano useful as a foundation for developing the next generation of digital infrastructure.

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