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




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

Crypto infrastructure firm Zerohash has secured $104 million in an extended Series D funding round, lifting its valuation to $1 billion. The raise was led by Interactive Brokers, with backing from Morgan Stanley, SoFi, Apollo, and other strategic investors who are also Zerohash clients.

Founded in 2017, Zerohash provides the backend rails that allow banks, brokerages, payment firms, and fintechs to integrate blockchain-based products. Its services cover crypto trading, stablecoins, tokenisation, cross-border payments, account funding, payouts, staking, and asset management. With broad regulatory coverage and millions of end users supported, Zerohash has established itself as a critical layer for institutions adopting digital assets.

Strategic Capital from Industry Leaders

CEO and founder Edward Woodford told CNBC that rising from “the largest, most trusted brands in the world” was deliberate. “We wanted to have that be the bridge into this new technology,” he said.

Interactive Brokers, already a Zerohash client, plans to deepen the partnership with a forthcoming stablecoin product. While Woodford declined to confirm whether Morgan Stanley and SoFi were current clients, he hinted at upcoming announcements. A later memo revealed that Morgan Stanley was preparing to launch crypto trading via its E-Trade division with Zerohash’s infrastructure.

“These groups aren’t VCs,” Woodford stressed. “You can assume there’s obviously a couple of announcements coming down the road with these other investors.”

Favourable Market and Regulatory Tailwinds

The raise comes amid a shift in the U.S. regulatory climate following the 2025 policy reversal under President Donald Trump. Where crypto once faced scepticism under former SEC Chair Gary Gensler, the current administration has embraced it as a transformative technology.

This has fueled renewed interest from major banks and financial institutions. Anthony Noto, CEO of SoFi, signalled earlier this year that his firm was ready to relaunch crypto trading. Bank of America and Morgan Stanley executives also voiced confidence in moving into digital assets under the new rules.

By aligning with this momentum, Zerohash is positioning itself as a key infrastructure partner for Wall Street’s next phase of blockchain adoption.

Building for Scale Across Three Verticals

Zerohash’s growth strategy is centred on three verticals: crypto trading, stablecoins, and tokenisation. The fresh capital will accelerate expansion across all three.

• Crypto trading: Interactive Brokers already relies on Zerohash for trading and custody, and new integrations with institutional players are on the horizon.
• Stablecoins: The firm is rolling out a stablecoin product with Interactive Brokers, reflecting the growing appetite for blockchain-based settlement solutions.
• Tokenisation: By providing tokenisation rails and management services, Zerohash enables banks and fintechs to bring tokenised assets into mainstream financial flows.

This broad scope makes Zerohash an end-to-end solution provider. For institutions, it eliminates the burden of building costly, compliance-heavy infrastructure from scratch, while ensuring scalability and regulatory alignment.

More News: Fnality Raises $136M in Series C to Expand Global DLT Settlement Network

Industry Implications

Zerohash’s $1 billion valuation and heavyweight backers mark an important signal for the sector. Instead of relying on venture capital firms, the round is composed largely of strategic investors with direct use cases. That alignment suggests the company’s services are already embedded within the workflows of major financial players, with more partnerships expected to go live soon.

It also underlines a growing divide in the digital asset landscape. Most consumer-facing crypto apps battle volatility and user churn. Infrastructure providers like Zerohash are locking in long-term demand from institutions. By powering trading desks, payment platforms, and tokenisation services, Zerohash is set to enjoy many benefits.

Outlook

With fresh funding and the trust of major financial institutions, Zerohash is entering its next phase. As a scaled infrastructure leader, it is the role to bridge traditional finance and blockchain-based services. It is likely to expand as tokenised assets, stablecoins, and digital trading move further into the mainstream.

For institutions, the message is clear: blockchain adoption is no longer a question of if, but how, and firms like Zerohash are providing the rails to make it happen.

To stay updated on the latest venture capital funding stories in crypto and fintech, visit our Venture Capital page.

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Fnality Raises $136M in Series C to Expand Global DLT Settlement Network




Fnality Raises $136M in Series C to Expand Global DLT Settlement Network

Fnality, the London-based operator of distributed ledger technology (DLT) payment systems, has raised $136 million (£99.7 million) in a Series C funding round. The raise was led by WisdomTree, Bank of America, Citi, KBC Group, Temasek, and Tradeweb, with participation from existing investors such as Goldman Sachs, UBS, Barclays, BNP Paribas, and Santander.

The fresh capital marks a critical step in Fnality’s mission to create a regulated settlement network that bridges traditional financial infrastructure with the fast-emerging world of tokenised assets. Fnality’s systems are anchored in central bank funds, offering 24/7 real-time settlement and liquidity optimisation.

Michelle Neal, CEO of Fnality International, said the round reflects “a shared conviction that the future of money demands a new foundation, one with Fnality at its core.” She added that the company’s blockchain-based systems are “building a future that fuses decentralised finance’s operational optimisation with traditional finance’s capital efficiency.”

Scaling a Regulated Settlement Network

Fnality launched its first payment system, the Sterling Fnality Payment System (£FnPS), in December 2023. The system was the world’s first regulated DLT-based wholesale payment system recognised by HM Treasury as systemically important. It enables peer-to-peer wholesale payments backed by central bank funds, with applications ranging from delivery-versus-payment (DvP) for tokenised securities to real-time repo transactions.

With the Series C funds, Fnality plans to expand its model to other major currencies and support interoperability between emerging innovations such as stablecoins, tokenised deposits, and institutional tokenised assets. This cross-currency approach is designed to create an institutional-grade settlement layer across capital markets.

Industry leaders see this as a pivotal development for global finance. Jonathan Steinberg, CEO of WisdomTree, described Fnality as “a critical foundation” for the tokenised markets WisdomTree is targeting with products like WisdomTree Prime®. Bank of America Co-President Jim DeMare emphasised that Fnality helps “modernise the market structure” to give institutions faster and more efficient operations.

Institutional Confidence

The investor lineup highlights growing institutional conviction in blockchain-based wholesale payment rails. Alongside lead backers, returning investors include DTCC, Euroclear, ING, Nasdaq Ventures, and State Street. Each has a vested interest in the evolution of market infrastructure toward tokenised securities and programmable finance.

Deepak Mehra, Head of Digital Strategy at Citi Markets, said Fnality’s work “offers a compelling pathway for more efficient and resilient financial market infrastructure.” Tradeweb CEO Billy Hult echoed this, noting that integrating central bank-backed cash into digital workflows “unlocks the full potential of trading digital bonds and other tokenised securities.”

This broad base of support positions Fnality not just as a fintech, but as a foundational layer within regulated finance. By focusing on interoperability, regulatory alignment, and institutional trust, Fnality is carving a path where digital assets can scale within frameworks acceptable to global financial authorities.

The Bigger Picture

Fnality’s model addresses one of the biggest challenges in digital finance: the lack of institutional-grade settlement systems. While retail-facing stablecoins have gained momentum, large-scale institutional adoption requires regulated infrastructure anchored in central bank money. Fnality provides exactly that.

The system’s design goes beyond faster payments. By enabling instant settlement and reducing counterparty risk, it unlocks efficiencies in repo markets, FX transactions, and securities settlement. For banks, asset managers, and exchanges, these efficiencies translate into lower costs, greater liquidity, and stronger resilience against systemic shocks.

Erik Luts, Chief Innovation Officer at KBC Group, called Fnality “a blueprint for how financial institutions can work together to deliver better outcomes.” That message underscores the collaborative nature of this raise: global banks and asset managers are not just investors but future users of the system..

More News: CleanSpark Expands $100M Bitcoin-Backed Credit Facility with Coinbase Prime

Future Outlook

Fnality’s success depends on its ability to balance innovation with compliance. Each Fnality Payment System must be supervised by its respective central bank, a factor that adds credibility but also requires deep regulatory collaboration.

Still, the direction is clear. As financial markets continue moving toward tokenisation, the need for settlement layers that combine the trust of central banks with the speed of blockchain will only grow. Fnality’s Series C funding underscores that leading institutions see this as more than an experiment—it’s the foundation for the next phase of global finance.

To stay updated on the latest venture capital funding stories in crypto and fintech, visit our Venture Capital page. 

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Trump-Backed World Liberty Financial to Launch Debit Card




Trump-Backed World Liberty Financial to Launch Debit Card

World Liberty Financial (WLFI), the crypto venture backed by Donald Trump and members of his family, is preparing to launch a debit card and retail application “very soon,” according to co-founder Zak Folkman.

The announcement came during Folkman’s appearance on a panel at Korea Blockchain Week 2025.

Key Features of the New Debit Card

• Users will be able to use USD1, WLFI’s stablecoin, to make purchases with the debit card. This implies that holdings of this stablecoin could be used to make daily payments.

• The card is expected to work with Apple Pay, enabling users to link it to their Apple devices and make contactless/digital payments.

• Peer-to-peer payments and trading features will be integrated into the WLFI retail app in addition to the physical (or virtual) card. “Venmo meets Robinhood” is the guiding concept.

• WLFI does not intend to create its own proprietary blockchain. Rather, the company envisions the card and app to be usable across many chains or blockchain environments instead of restricted to one

• WLFI has signed a memorandum of understanding with Bithumb, a South Korean exchange, for potential mutual business contracts.This could help with local/regional integrations, liquidity, or user adoption in Asia.

Besides Bithumb, the company has been establishing relationships in the cryptocurrency field. In May, the company partnered with Chainlink to enable the accessibility of USD1 across various blockchains.

As Folkman stated, “This isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon” in regard to the company’s deliberate strategy in cultivating relationships and building long lasting products.

More News: Scaramucci-Backed Crypto Treasury Company Launches With $550 Million Fundraising Plan

WLFI Price Drop Amid Debit Card Debut

WLFI has sunk nearly 37% since it became tradable on 1 September 2025. In the last 24 hours, it fell by roughly 10.28%, and it was trading for about $0.21.

The price drop was large and rapid, particularly for a recently launched token. The timing seems to link with what is assumed to be the converse reaction of the market to the announcement of a debit card and app which is expected to be priced in, trade, and/or a reaction to profit.

What Comes Next?

As of now, World Liberty Financial has yet to announce a definitive launch date for the debit card and retail app, issuing a tentative timeframe of “very soon” instead.

Observers will be keen to see how WLFI tackles regulatory and market confidence challenges alongside whether their offerings truly deliver a bridge between cryptocurrencies and day-to-day economics.

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Scaramucci-Backed Crypto Treasury Company Launches With $550 Million Fundraising Plan




Scaramucci-Backed Crypto Treasury Company Launches With $550 Million Fundraising Plan

AVAX One Launches With Ambitious Fundraising

AgriFORCE Growing Systems, a former agriculture-tech firm turned bitcoin miner, announced its pivot to a crypto treasury company under the new name AVAX One. The company revealed plans to raise approximately $550 million from outside investors to acquire AVAX tokens on the Avalanche blockchain.

The move positions AVAX One as the first public company explicitly focused on tokenising real-world and financial assets on Avalanche, a high-speed blockchain network increasingly used by Wall Street banks and asset managers. The AVAX token itself has a market capitalisation of roughly $13 billion.

The company’s advisory board will be led by Anthony Scaramucci, founder of SkyBridge Capital and former White House advisor. Scaramucci will play a key role in capital raising and marketing. Hivemind Capital, led by former Citigroup executive Matt Zhang, has also invested significant capital and is expected to serve as chairman. Both Scaramucci and Hivemind, along with other investors, will hold majority ownership of AVAX One.

Following the announcement, AgriFORCE stock surged 134% on Monday, closing with a market capitalisation of $7.5 million, up from $3.2 million on Friday.

Strategic Focus on Tokenisation

AVAX One plans to acquire over $700 million in AVAX tokens as part of its treasury strategy. In addition to holding digital assets, the company aims to tokenise traditional financial instruments, allowing them to be traded on Avalanche.

Scaramucci emphasised the long-term vision in a company statement:

“I believe all assets will eventually be tokenised, and Avalanche is positioned as a go-to chain for tokenisation of all types of real-world assets.”

The roadmap includes acquiring fintech and insurance companies and transitioning their operations onto the Avalanche network. This strategy mirrors other crypto treasury companies like SkyBridge, which has tokenised $300 million of its flagship hedge funds on Avalanche since February 2024.

Hivemind Capital’s Zhang underscored the supportive regulatory environment for tokenisation, referencing the recently enacted Genius Act, which establishes a legal framework for stablecoins and tokenised dollars:

“For the first time, we have a very supportive regulatory environment for us to really try to achieve the full potential of this technology. We have to dream big.”

The firm sees tokenisation as a critical pathway for expanding access to digital finance while integrating traditional assets with blockchain infrastructure.

More News: CleanSpark Expands $100M Bitcoin-Backed Credit Facility with Coinbase Prime

Market Context and Investor Appetite

While the launch has generated excitement, investors remain cautious. Research from K33 indicates roughly 25% of all Bitcoin treasury companies trade below the total value of the crypto assets they hold. Shares of some firms have also experienced sharp sell-offs after rapid price gains, reflecting the speculative nature of the market.

Crypto treasury companies like AVAX One typically follow a playbook pioneered by Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy): raise capital through equity or debt, acquire digital tokens, and build a treasury while publicly trading shares. To accelerate access to public markets, many are merging with small or struggling publicly traded firms or special-purpose acquisition companies.

The backdrop of favourable regulations under the Genius Act, combined with public figures like Scaramucci endorsing blockchain investment, has created a renewed sense of optimism for treasury-focused crypto companies.

Investors looking to stay informed on crypto venture capital funding and market activity can visit our Venture Capital news section for the latest insights and updates.

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Vietnam’s Crypto Pilot: Resolution 05’s Regulatory Framework




Vietnam’s Crypto Pilot: Resolution 05’s Regulatory Framework

$100 billion annually — this staggering figure represents the crypto trading volume flowing from Vietnam to offshore exchanges. While many nations have established clear regulatory frameworks for digital assets, Vietnam has operated in a regulatory gray area for years.

The narrative is shifting. Resolution 05, which pilots a regulated crypto market framework, has just been approved by the Vietnamese government, promising to bring this massive capital flow back onshore.

Is this the golden opportunity the market has been waiting for? Join us as we analyze insights from VinaCapital’s latest report and perspectives from experts at 5 Phút Crypto — Vietnam’s leading crypto community.

1. From Gray Market to Legitimacy

Currently, approximately 17 million Vietnamese are actively trading cryptocurrencies, with annual trading volumes exceeding $100 billion. To put this in perspective, one in every six Vietnamese adults is involved in crypto trading. This $100 billion figure surpasses the GDP of many nations worldwide.

Here’s the critical issue: virtually all of this massive capital is being traded on offshore exchanges like Binance, Bybit, and platforms based in Singapore and South Korea. The situation is analogous to Vietnamese citizens having to travel to Thailand or China just to purchase gold. Beyond the inconvenience, users lack legal protection under Vietnamese law when risks materialize.

September marked a historic turning point as the government issued Resolution 05, officially launching a 5-year pilot program for the crypto market. After years of deliberation, Vietnam has finally decided to open its doors to the digital asset market.

According to experts from 5 Phút Crypto, the Vietnamese government has clear objectives: transitioning the market from underground operations to transparent, regulated trading. When citizens trade on domestic exchanges, the state can collect taxes, monitor capital flows, and most importantly, protect investor interests. Rather than allowing $100 billion to flow offshore annually, the government aims to retain this capital within Vietnam’s financial system.

2. Government Actions and Future Plans

Resolution 05, issued by the government on September 9, 2025, marks the first official legal framework formally recognizing the crypto market in Vietnam. Notably, the government opted for a measured approach with a 5-year pilot program rather than full-scale implementation.

This approach resembles clinical trials for new pharmaceuticals before market release. The government will permit select exchanges to operate within defined parameters, closely monitoring all developments, learning from experience, and making necessary adjustments. This strategy proves far more prudent than the “all-in” approach that left some regional neighbors scrambling for solutions. South Korea and Thailand, for instance, had to tighten regulations after their markets experienced explosive growth accompanied by numerous fraud cases.

For exchanges seeking to participate in the pilot program, the government has established three stringent requirements:

• First, minimum capital requirements of VND 10 trillion – approximately $400 million. This figure far exceeds the requirements for establishing securities firms (which need only a few hundred billion VND). This barrier ensures only financially robust institutions capable of safeguarding investor funds can participate.
• Second, all transactions must be conducted in Vietnamese dong. This means when purchasing Bitcoin, users must deposit VND to exchanges, not USD or EUR as on international platforms. When selling, they receive VND. This enables the State Bank to monitor capital flows and prevent “dollarization” of the economy.
• Third, from January 1, 2026, all exchanges operating in Vietnam must obtain official licenses. The era of underground or semi-legitimate operations ends. Unlicensed exchanges will face access blocks, similar to the government’s approach with online gambling.

VinaCapital’s report identifies three strategic objectives behind these regulations:

• Objective 1: Tax collection and budget revenue generation. With $100 billion in annual trading volume, even a 0.1% transaction tax would yield $100 million. This excludes capital gains taxes from 17 million investors.
• Objective 2: Deep integration with the financial system. Exchanges must connect with domestic banks for deposits and withdrawals. This creates opportunities for banks to offer custody services and crypto-backed lending – an entirely new “digital asset banking” model.
• Objective 3: Investor protection. Exchanges must comply with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CFT) regulations. All transactions require clear identity verification. When issues arise, authorities can intervene promptly, unlike the previous situation where defrauded investors had no recourse.

Earlier in July 2025, another significant milestone occurred: the government launched NDAChain – Vietnam’s first domestically-developed national blockchain platform. Built with a three-tier architecture, NDAChain serves not only crypto transactions but also VNeID (electronic citizen ID), inter-agency data exchange, and numerous other applications. It functions as a state-managed “information highway,” ensuring secure and controllable transactions.

3. Golden Opportunities for Market Participants

When a new market opens, early movers often secure the best positions. Vietnam’   s digital asset market is no exception, presenting once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for various stakeholders.

For exchanges, this represents a transformative opportunity. Consider that 17 million Vietnamese currently trade on offshore platforms, generating over $100 billion annually. The first licensed exchanges will act as magnets, attracting this massive capital flow back onshore. According to VinaCapital’s report, pioneering exchanges will not only earn trading fees (estimated at 0.1% per transaction) but also capture invaluable market data. With such enormous volumes, capturing just 10% market share would mean processing $10 billion in annual transactions.

Banks are facing a historic opportunity with an entirely new model: “digital asset banking.” Previously, banks only held cash, gold, and property titles for customers. Now they can provide custody services for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital assets. This explains why shares of banks expected to benefit from the new policies have surged recently.

Domestic investment funds are also entering the arena. For the first time, they can officially establish Bitcoin funds and digital asset funds to serve large institutions like insurance companies and pension funds. With a clear regulatory framework, institutions can allocate portions of their portfolios to digital assets, similar to their current equity and bond investments.

Tokenization opportunities are perhaps the most intriguing. Imagine owning a property worth VND 10 billion. Instead of selling the entire property, you could fractionally divide ownership into 10,000 tokens, each worth VND 1 million, and issue them on the blockchain. Others could purchase fractions to own small portions of your property.

Experts from 5 Phút Crypto observe that integrating digital assets into the financial system will transform how the entire economy operates. Rather than limiting real estate and major project investments to the wealthy, ordinary citizens with just a few million VND can now participate. This represents true “democratization” of investment.

4. Beyond Crypto – A Comprehensive Digital Economy Vision

Many assume Vietnam is simply permitting Bitcoin or Ethereum trading. However, the government’s vision extends far beyond. If the crypto market is a single tree, Vietnam is cultivating an entire digital economy forest.

NDAChain – the national blockchain platform recently launched by the government – exemplifies this broader vision. According to VinaCapital, NDAChain’s three-tier architecture serves more than just crypto transactions. The platform also provides infrastructure for VNeID (electronic citizen ID), inter-agency data exchange, and numerous other applications.

• In healthcare, imagine your medical records stored on blockchain. Whether transferring between hospitals or traveling from Hanoi to Saigon, doctors can access your complete medical history. No more lost records or redundant testing. This demonstrates blockchain’s transformative potential in healthcare.
• In supply chain management, blockchain enables transparent product traceability. When purchasing milk, a simple QR scan reveals where the cow was raised, when the milk was collected, and its journey to your hands. This proves especially crucial for Vietnam’s exports. Clear product origin verification builds international consumer trust and commands premium prices.
• Renewable energy represents another major beneficiary. Households with solar panels can sell excess power to neighbors through blockchain smart contracts. Transactions occur automatically without intermediaries. This incentivizes clean energy investment, contributing to national carbon reduction goals.

Vietnam has chosen a prudent approach: building technology infrastructure (NDAChain) first, establishing clear regulatory frameworks, then permitting pilot operations. While slower, this strategy proves more sustainable, avoiding mistakes made by other nations. Experts from 5 Phút Crypto assess this as a wise strategy, aligning with Vietnam’s characteristics – a developing economy highly sensitive to financial risks.

5. Challenges Ahead

Despite bright prospects, the road ahead isn’t without obstacles. Vietnam faces significant challenges in perfecting its regulatory framework.

• The greatest challenge may be investor education. Among 17 million market participants, how many truly understand crypto? The government and exchanges need comprehensive training programs helping citizens understand digital assets’ nature, opportunities, and risks.
• Building trust presents an equally important challenge. After numerous exchange collapses and crypto-related pyramid schemes, public trust has eroded. When licensed exchanges launch, how can they convince users to abandon familiar international platforms like Binance and Bybit for domestic alternatives?
• Competition with international exchanges poses a massive challenge. Binance processes tens of billions daily with extremely high liquidity and low trading fees. How can Vietnamese exchanges compete? Domestic platforms need unique advantages – perhaps Vietnamese-language customer service, rapid support, or exclusive products for the Vietnamese market.

However, overall, Vietnam is heading in the right direction. Rather than rushing to open markets then scrambling to fix problems like some neighbors, Vietnam chooses a measured but certain path. The 5-year pilot provides reasonable time to learn from experience and adjust policies to match reality.

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BitMine Discloses $11.4B in Assets, Raises $365M to Expand Ethereum Holdings




BitMine Discloses $11.4B in Assets, Raises $365M to Expand Ethereum Holdings

BitMine Expands Ethereum Treasury

BitMine Immersion Technologies (BMNR) disclosed on Monday that it now controls more than 2% of Ethereum’s supply and raised fresh capital to grow its position further.

The firm reported $11.4 billion in total assets as of September 21, including 2,416,054 ETH valued at $4,497 per token ($10.9B), 192 BTC worth $22 million, $345 million in cash, and a $175 million equity stake in Eightco Holdings.

With this announcement, BitMine positions itself as the largest public ether holder globally and the second-largest crypto treasury overall, behind only Michael Saylor’s Strategy Inc.

The “Alchemy of 5%” Strategy

The company is chaired by Tom Lee, also head of research at Fundstrat and chief investment officer at Fundstrat Capital. Lee described BitMine’s mission as the “alchemy of 5%”, a push to accumulate 5% of Ethereum’s total supply.

“Wall Street and AI moving onto the blockchain should lead to a greater transformation of today’s financial system. And the majority of this is taking place on Ethereum,” Lee said.

By leveraging its growing treasury, BitMine aims to cement itself at the centre of Ethereum’s expanding role in institutional finance and digital infrastructure.

Raising Funds Through Premium Stock Offering

Hours after disclosing its assets, BitMine announced a securities purchase agreement with an institutional investor. The deal covers 5.2 million shares of common stock at $70 each, about 14% above market close on September 19, plus warrants for 10.4 million additional shares at $87.50.

The transaction is expected to raise $365 million in gross proceeds initially, with warrants potentially contributing another $913 million, bringing total possible proceeds to $1.28 billion.

Lee emphasised that the premium pricing made the raise “materially accretive” for shareholders while expanding ETH exposure in the company’s balance sheet.

BitMine also highlighted institutional demand as a signal of growing interest in Ethereum, especially as Wall Street integrates blockchain into financial infrastructure.

Institutional Impact and Ethereum’s Role

BitMine’s strategy reflects the broader narrative of Ethereum emerging as the institutional blockchain of choice. Beyond DeFi and NFTs, Ethereum has become the primary settlement layer for tokenised assets, stablecoins, and enterprise-grade applications.

By positioning itself as the largest public ETH holder, BitMine is effectively betting on Ethereum’s long-term dominance. Analysts note that if BitMine succeeds in accumulating 5% of ETH supply, it would gain influence not only over liquidity but also over staking dynamics and governance trends.

Such a move could reshape market perception of Ethereum’s scarcity, particularly as institutional adoption accelerates in sectors like real-world asset (RWA) tokenisation and AI-driven financial products.

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

Market Reaction

Despite the announcement, BitMine’s stock fell on the day. As of 11:13 a.m. ET, shares were trading at $55.79, down 9%, according to Google Finance.

Investors appeared cautious about dilution risks, even as the raise bolstered the company’s long-term Ethereum strategy.

The Bigger Picture

BitMine’s aggressive accumulation strategy highlights the intensifying race among institutions to gain exposure to Ethereum, which is increasingly seen as the backbone for tokenisation, DeFi, and AI-driven financial applications.

If successful, its “alchemy of 5%” vision would give BitMine outsized influence over Ethereum’s supply and reinforce its position as a key player in the institutional adoption of blockchain assets.

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

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CleanSpark Expands $100M Bitcoin-Backed Credit Facility with Coinbase Prime




CleanSpark Expands $100M Bitcoin-Backed Credit Facility with Coinbase Prime

CleanSpark Expands Capital Strategy

CleanSpark, Inc. (Nasdaq: CLSK) is an American Bitcoin miner. They just announced on September 22, 2025, that it has increased its Bitcoin-backed credit facility with Coinbase Prime by $100 million. The move strengthens CleanSpark’s capital strategy. It unlocks non-dilutive financing for growth across its energy, mining, and high-performance computing (HPC) initiatives.

The expanded credit line enables CleanSpark to deploy capital into accretive assets while retaining exposure to Bitcoin’s potential upside. By leveraging its Bitcoin reserves as collateral, the company avoids equity dilution or liquidating holdings during expansion.

CEO Matt Schultz highlighted the significance of the deal: “We are proud to expand our relationship with Coinbase Prime as we continue to add megawatts to our portfolio and take steps toward alternative use cases for some of our data centres. We see tremendous opportunity to accelerate mining growth while simultaneously optimising our assets, particularly those near major metro centres, through the potential development of high-performance compute campuses.”

Using Bitcoin to Fund Growth

CleanSpark’s reliance on Bitcoin-backed credit illustrates its approach of treating Bitcoin as a productive asset. Instead of selling its Bitcoin holdings, the company is unlocking liquidity through institutional-grade financing.

Gary A. Vecchiarelli, Chief Financial Officer and President of CleanSpark, reinforced this strategy: “Delivering accretive growth using non-dilutive financing is at the core of CleanSpark’s capital strategy. Our ‘Infrastructure First’ strategy has been proven historically and will further enhance shareholder value as we expand into more diversified compute opportunities.”

Proceeds from the expanded credit facility will support:

• Energy expansion to fuel its mining fleet with competitive, low-cost power.
• Bitcoin mining growth to strengthen its U.S. market position.
• High-performance computing development, with select sites converted into compute campuses to meet growing demand for AI and enterprise cloud services. 

Coinbase Prime as Institutional Partner

Coinbase Prime, Nasdaq-listed Coinbase’s institutional division, is providing custody, trading, and financing infrastructure to support the credit facility.

Brett Tejpaul, Head of Coinbase Institutional, said the expansion reflects confidence in CleanSpark’s long-term strategy: “We see CleanSpark’s innovative approach to expanding its capital strategy as a significant step forward for growing the crypto ecosystem through focused capital deployment. Our Coinbase Prime offering delivers robust, secure, and regulated infrastructure alongside industry-leading custody management, supporting institutions as they scale their digital asset strategies.”

The collaboration further cements Coinbase Prime’s role as a financing partner for institutional players in the digital asset ecosystem.

More News: BitMine Discloses $11.4B in Assets, Raises $365M to Expand Ethereum Holdings

Market Reaction and Shareholder Impact

CleanSpark’s stock surged after the announcement. Shares rose 6% in after-hours trading, climbing from $13.74 at the close to $14.60. The stock has gained over 30% in the past five trading days, showing investor confidence in the company’s management.

This momentum reflects investor approval of CleanSpark’s decision to expand without diluting shareholder equity. The financing strengthens its balance sheet and provides flexibility to scale operations. This comes during a period of growing competition among U.S. Bitcoin miners.

Strategic Expansion Beyond Mining

The expanded facility supports CleanSpark’s pivot toward a dual focus. Firstly, the optimisation of Bitcoin mining while developing new computing infrastructure. Its data centres, many located near major metro areas, are positioned to transition into HPC campuses. These continue to serve enterprise workloads such as AI and cloud computing.

By branching into HPC, CleanSpark is diversifying revenue streams. It is also preparing for broader demand in the digital infrastructure sector. This aligns with its long-term strategy of combining energy efficiency, Bitcoin mining, and next-gen computing all in one

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

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




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

Shield’s Mission to Bridge Crypto and Real-World Trade

Crypto neo-bank Shield announced on Monday that it has raised a $5 million seed round led by Giant Ventures, marking a significant step in its mission to make stablecoin-powered payments accessible to global businesses.

Launched in 2022 and pivoted to payments in 2024, Shield allows exporters and importers to settle cross-border transactions in U.S. cryptocurrencies. Beyond payments, the startup also provides compliance screenings, helping companies address sanctions risks and money-laundering threats.

Co-founder and CEO Emmanuel Udotong explained that Shield was created to push blockchain beyond speculation and scams into mainstream financial use cases. “We wanted to help bring blockchain technology into the real economy by solving real problems,” Udotong told TechCrunch.

He co-founded the company alongside his brother Isaiah and college friend Luis Carchi after struggling with international payments in a previous trade business.

Solving Trade Pain Points in Emerging Markets

The team identified a global problem: businesses in Latin America, Africa, and parts of Asia often face long delays, high fees, and restricted access to U.S. dollars when conducting international trade.

“Today, trade businesses in regions like Latin America, Africa, and parts of Asia often wait days or weeks for international wires, pay high fees, and in many cases, can’t access U.S. dollars at all,” Udotong said.

Such limitations reduce buyer opportunities, restrict growth, and in many cases, push businesses to failure. Shield aims to change this by enabling faster, cheaper, and more accessible cross-border payments using crypto rails.

The company is already registered as a money service business in the U.S. and as a crypto exchange in the EU, reinforcing its compliance-driven approach.

Growth and Market Positioning

Since its launch, Shield has processed over $100 million in payments, with a remarkable $40 million transacted in the last month alone. This growth comes as the crypto industry rebounds from years of reputational challenges, with venture funding and unicorn valuations returning to the space.

The Shield is stepping into a crowded and competitive market. The startup faces challengers ranging from dozens of young fintechs to established players like PayPal’s Xoom and Stripe’s Bridge, both of which already dominate segments of the international payments market.

Despite this, Shield is betting on its crypto-first infrastructure and compliance focus to give it an edge in emerging markets underserved by traditional banking systems.

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

Backing from Leading Investors

Shield’s $5 million round brings its total funding to $7 million to date. Lead investor Giant Ventures joined the round after being introduced through a fellow founder.

Other backers include Chris Dixon’s a16z crypto startup accelerator, Factor Capital, Coinbase, and Bank of America as strategic angel investors. The mix of venture capital and strategic financial institutions signals growing institutional confidence in crypto-powered cross-border finance.

The fresh capital will be used to secure additional banking partnerships. The company currently works with two undisclosed banks, and to further develop its compliance infrastructure.

“That includes expanding licensing coverage, upgrading transaction monitoring and fraud detection, and growing our compliance team headcount and expertise,” Udotong noted.

The Road Ahead For Shield

With its latest funding, Shield plans to accelerate its efforts to give global trade businesses a fairer chance at growth. Udotong emphasised that the company’s mission goes beyond profits to support economic inclusion.

“If we succeed, more businesses in underserved regions will survive and grow, creating jobs and wealth for their communities instead of being left behind,” he said.

Shield’s journey highlights how crypto is gradually moving from speculative trading toward real-world financial solutions, especially in regions that have long faced barriers to global trade.

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

The post Shield Raises $5M Seed to Expand Crypto Payments for Global Trade appeared first on Ventureburn.

Peter Thiel-Backed Crypto Startup’s Quiet Power Move




Peter Thiel-Backed Crypto Startup’s Quiet Power Move

Key Takeaways

• Plasma launched Plasma One, which is a groundbreaking neobank that’s fully centered on stablecoins. This innovative platform is all about making it easy to save, spend, and earn with digital dollars.
• With an ICO of $373 million in investment commitments, billionaire investor Peter Thiel is among its early backers. 
• The company claimed more than $2.5 billion in stablecoin TVL at launch and plans to roll out access in stages. 

Known for his unconventional investments in politics and technology, billionaire investor Peter Thiel has made what industry insiders refer to as a “quiet power move” in the cryptocurrency space. In a statement by Paul Faecks, CEO of Plasma he said that “Plasma One is the answer to the dollar distribution problem, as it puts them directly in the hands of people who face financial exclusion.”

More News: Tencent-Backed Gaming Startup PlaysOut Eyes $15M Funding

What is Plasma One?

Plasma One is a neobank (combining digital banking, payment, savings, and transfers) built around stablecoins starting with USDT (Tether) with plans to expand. The product includes a virtual/physical card, enabling users to spend stablecoins, earn yield, get cash back, and move money globally. Key features include:

• 4% cash back on spending via the card. 
• Stablecoin balances with no lock-up period yield more than 10%.
• Zero fees on USDT transfers (eventually more broadly, initially within the Plasma dashboard). 
• International coverage: The plan is for Plasma One to serve users in over 150 countries. 
• Instead of first converting to fiat currency, users will be able to load stablecoins onto their cards and make payments straight from those balances. Physical and virtual cards will be issued via Rain (which is known for cards such as the Avalanche Card).

What This Means for Investors

At the moment, Plasma is giving USDT holdings on Binance a 2% yield. When it first launched in August, it was in great demand and soon attracted lock-ups valued at $1 billion. Naturally, a 10% yield is a big improvement over this offering.

The business uses local teams and peer-to-peer cash networks to promote adoption in emerging markets where dollar access is most important. The rollout takes place before Plasma’s mainnet beta launch on September 25. The omnichain version of USDT0, the $XPL token, and $2.0B in liquidity are spread across more than 100 DeFi protocols.

The Big Picture

Anyone should be able to send money from a mobile phone, earn interest, pay in stores, and access dollars without any restrictions. With a product for millions of users who require a reliable and secure substitute, the company, which is supported by Bitfinex and Peter Thiel, claims that its model will allow the development of the most effective rails for global finance.

The post Peter Thiel-Backed Crypto Startup’s Quiet Power Move appeared first on Ventureburn.

Ripple Unveils DeFi Roadmap to Compete in Institutional Finance and RWA Tokenization




Ripple Unveils DeFi Roadmap to Compete in Institutional Finance and RWA Tokenization

Ripple’s DeFi Push with XRPL 3.0.0

Ripple has revealed a new development roadmap for the XRP Ledger (XRPL), positioning itself as a serious contender in the decentralised finance (DeFi) space. Announced on September 22, 2025, the roadmap outlines major protocol-level upgrades set to arrive with XRPL Version 3.0.0, pending validator approval.

The move signals Ripple’s intention to transform XRPL into a competitive hub for real-world asset (RWA) tokenisation and regulated on-chain financial services. With demand for compliant and scalable blockchain infrastructure on the rise, Ripple is taking direct aim at enterprise-grade platforms in the ongoing race to attract institutional adoption.

Native Lending and Institutional Tools

At the heart of Ripple’s new roadmap is a native lending protocol, detailed in the XLS-66 specification. Unlike third-party DeFi applications, this lending functionality will be embedded directly at the ledger level, enabling pooled lending and underwritten credit on-chain. Ripple says this design creates a more secure and compliant environment for institutions exploring blockchain-based credit markets.

The roadmap also introduces the Multi-Purpose Token (MPT) standard, which expands XRPL’s tokenisation capabilities beyond simple fungible or non-fungible assets. MPTs are designed to represent complex financial instruments, such as bonds, structured products, and tokenised debt.

In terms of compliance, Ripple highlighted two recently implemented features:

• Credentials – a decentralised identity verification system designed to help issuers meet regulatory requirements. 
• Deep Freeze – a security tool that allows token issuers to freeze assets in flagged or suspicious accounts.

Together, these features reflect Ripple’s focus on building blockchain rails that meet the operational and regulatory needs of traditional finance players.

Zero-Knowledge Proofs Coming in 2026

Looking ahead, Ripple plans to introduce Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) into the XRPL infrastructure. ZKPs are cryptographic tools that allow transactions to be verified without revealing sensitive details, enabling confidential transactions.

The first application will be confidential Multi-Purpose Tokens (MPTs), scheduled for early 2026. These tokens could provide institutions with the necessary privacy assurances to tokenise sensitive financial assets without compromising regulatory oversight.

By adding ZKPs, Ripple aims to keep pace with other enterprise-focused blockchains that are also pursuing confidentiality as a cornerstone of institutional DeFi.

Competing in a Crowded DeFi and RWA Market

The upgrades represent Ripple’s most significant DeFi-focused push to date, but competition is fierce. XRPL’s upcoming native lending protocol will go head-to-head with existing decentralised credit solutions like Aave on Polygon and Trader Joe on Avalanche, which already have strong user bases.

Similarly, Ripple’s entry into the multi-trillion-dollar RWA tokenisation market puts it up against ecosystems that thrive on Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility. While Ripple is betting on the efficiency of a protocol-native approach, Ethereum’s broader ecosystem of applications and developers gives it a strong advantage in flexibility and adoption.

Still, Ripple’s emphasis on compliance, security, and privacy could carve out a niche in regulated finance. If financial institutions adopt XRPL’s new tools, it could mark a significant shift in how RWAs are issued and traded on-chain.

More News: Finary Raises $29.37M Series B to Redefine Money Management with AI.

Future Outlook For Ripple

Ripple’s roadmap illustrates a clear strategy: build infrastructure that appeals to regulated financial firms while offering advanced DeFi capabilities. With tools like on-chain credit markets, advanced token standards, compliance frameworks, and upcoming ZKPs, Ripple is laying the groundwork to challenge competitors and expand XRPL’s footprint in institutional finance.

The success of this effort will ultimately hinge on adoption. If Ripple can attract liquidity and establish partnerships with major financial institutions, XRPL could emerge as a leading platform in the next phase of blockchain-based finance.

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

The post Ripple Unveils DeFi Roadmap to Compete in Institutional Finance and RWA Tokenization appeared first on Ventureburn.