Trends in Crypto Innovations

Wall Street firms are doubling down on digital assets. Last week's Q2 2025 earnings season exposed a clear divide: while some major banks and firms were relatively silent on digital assets, others positioned themselves as crypto pioneers. Recent legislative developments created more regulatory clarity and running room for financial institutions to explore institutionalizing digital assets, and the market leaders have been front running investments and partnerships and are wasting no time staking leadership claims in the space. Which firms are positioning, partnering, and investing to establish a lead? BlackRock has positioned itself as a leader in shaping the future of finance, with increasing involvement in digital assets, tokenization, and managing stablecoin reserves. Beyond the earnings rhetoric, what is BlackRock doing to drive this innovation? BlackRock's business relationships reveal the depth of their digital asset strategy. Their partnerships span cryptocurrency custody (Coinbase, Anchorage Digital), stablecoin backing (Ethena), and blockchain infrastructure (Injective). They've also invested in digital asset trading platforms like Flowdesk and fintech innovators including Upvest, Texas Stock Exchange, and Sokin; creating a comprehensive ecosystem for digital asset integration across trading, custody, and tokenization. Insights on other major players' digital assets strategies from CB Insights' Earnings Analyst agent insights on their Q2 earnings calls: → Citigroup emerged as another aggressive adopter, with CEO Jane Fraser expressing "high confidence and enthusiasm" about Citi Token Services' ability to provide "multi-asset, multi-bank, cross-border, always-on solutions without needing to partner with other banks." → BNY Mellon and State Street focused heavily on stablecoin infrastructure, with BNY serving as "reserve custodian for Société Générale's first USD stablecoin in Europe" and "primary custodian for Ripple's US stablecoin reserves." State Street's CEO highlighted how "tokenization of money market funds enables uses of these assets in a different way than originally anticipated." CB Insights' Earnings Analyst agent help identify these strategic pivots immediately after calls. Want insights analysis on the major tech firms announcing earnings this week? Comment "Mag7" below for free access to CB Insights' Earnings Analyst breakdown of each Mag7 Q2 2025 quarter and where they are headed.

Crypto wallets are the new financial operating systems. Dune dropped a report that shows how fast wallets are evolving and becoming the most important battleground in crypto. Why does this matter? - Wallets are now DEXs, bridges, and app stores rolled into one - Binance Wallet now handles 80%+ of all wallet-based swaps - $20B+ in weekly swap volume is flowing through wallets - 43M+ Safe smart wallets have been deployed - Smart accounts on Base now handle 87% of all UserOperations - Nigeria, India, and Vietnam are driving explosive wallet adoption So what's the game? Control the wallet, and you control the flow of users, liquidity, and risk.

4 months ago we got an impossible brief...gain 500K users in 3 months. I'm proud to say we just hit 2M users in 4 months, and still growing 10% WOW. To do this we didn't send a single email, pay for an ad, or an influencer, instead we used our community and our tech. Here's our Web3 growth playbook👇 The Web3 Growth Playbook: 1 - Build trust in the market: First you have to have people trust that you are worth their time. There are many projects offering quests, so why do yours? We highlighted our team, our tech, and our successes to prove we were a legit project and worth their time. 2 - Open the aperture: Wallet based quests limit you to Web3 natives. Our tech enables anyone with email or Apple/Google wallet to join in. This allowed us to go beyond just Web3 natives, to create a much larger community by making it easy to participate. 3 - Nail The Value Exchange: There needs to be value for people to take action. We used a combination of early community rewards paid out from our upcoming listing, partner rewards, early access to other projects, mentorships, NFT's, and Discord roles. 4 - Design Quests for key goals : We didn't just ask you to follow us on Discord, rather multiple steps; follow us, and then get a specific role. We didn't just ask you to tweet, we created AI prompts ensuring tweets were unique allowing us to create new trending hashtags each week. 5 - Keep up the momentum: We released new quests regularly, and enabled one off ways to earn points so our admins could award points to any member easily for things like answering question in Discord, participating in a emoji contest, or alerting us to a bug. 6 - Create Rewards: We leveraged our NFT technology to create the Smart Cats, an NFT derivative of a Cool Cat we own. Our community minted over 500K of them in a week. 7 - Create Ambassadors: We created an ambassador program and guided them as to what content to create. In exchange we gave them mentorship, status, and points in return. 8 - Activate your Ecosystem: We are now working with our partners to integrate our quests into theirs, have them offer rewards to our community, and to allow them to personalize experiences with our Smart Pass. So now the pass is the key to our ecosystem, not just our project giving it greater value. We built all of this from scratch with our tech because we didn't see what we wanted in the market. It's provided us with the flexibility to go beyond other questing solutions to drive rapid growth. > 4m individual quests completed in 120 days > 2M users in 120 days > 500K NFT minted in 1 week > 200k unique tweets in 2 weeks > Trending multiple #hashtags > 5k average attendance for Twitter Spaces This effort has been so successful we are now offering the playbook and the Growth Tooling to others. DM me if you're interested to see what we could do for your project.

Having built fraud systems transacting billions at Coinbase and Sardine, want to share something about the stablecoin gold rush that nobody's talking about. I’ve been a believer in on-chain finance since 2015, when Rob Witoff, Olaf and Brian Armstrong asked me to help build the most compliant, good-actor in the crypto industry: Coinbase. In 2025, the world is talking about stablecoins since Stripe acquired Bridge, and volumes exploded. However, This week, Airwallex's CEO, Jack had a thought provoking post on stablecoins which got the industry talking. Airwallex are a major player in cross-border money movement. And Jack’s point was that not all cross-border transactions need stablecoins. In particular, not in G10 currencies as FX spreads are thin and payments are already instant. But here's where it gets interesting… Artemis just released data showing 400% YoY growth in B2B stablecoin payments. The growth isn't happening where you think: ✅ Long-tail markets where traditional banking breaks down ✅ "Exotic" FX pairs that cost 5-8% in traditional rails ✅ Corporate treasury ops that need 24/7, instant settlement Everyone sees the Stripe-Bridge acquisition and thinks "should I be involved?" What they don't see: the compliance nightmare. I can tell you the risks are massive: - Global by default = some of those regions could be high risk - Sanctioned regions are nearly impossible to identify when recipients are just wallet addresses - Mixing on-chain and off-chain AML checks? Good luck. - Your KYC is only as strong as your weakest market or counterparty Often, stablecoins are treated as cash-like, but most payments and fraud ops teams aren’t set up to work that way, The companies that figure out compliance first can capture the stablecoin opportunity. The ones that don't will become cautionary tales. If you're building in this space, the fraud and compliance piece isn't optional. It's critical. Thoughts? 👇

🚨JUST IN: Robinhood sends letter to SEC: “Let us put Wall Street onchain.” This isn’t a crypto side hustle. It’s a regulated U.S. broker with 26 million users asking for green lights to tokenize 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹-𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘀 like stocks, treasuries, and funds. What Robinhood asked the SEC today: 1. 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸    → So tokenized assets aren’t stuck in a state-by-state compliance mess     2. 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗿-𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗱𝘆 + 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘀    → Just like they do with traditional securities     3. 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗻 = 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁    → If you tokenize a stock, it 𝘪𝘴 the stock — not a derivative     4. 𝗘𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝟮𝟰/𝟳 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 + 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁    → Markets that run as fast as the internet, not Wall Street hours Why this matters: We're witnessing the AWS moment for financial markets. This isn’t a "TradFi" company looking for attention. After years of hearing "tokenization is the next big thing" Now, it could actually happen. Goldman Sachs projects $3-5T in tokenized real-world assets by 2027. How it will likely play out: 1. More liquidity: we'll see highly liquid assets tokenized first (e.g. blue-chip stocks) 2. Change in market structure: • 24/7 trading becomes standard for major asset classes • Traditional exchange dominance challenged by new venues • Automated compliance and programmable features become competitive advantages So what? Executives should think about this the same way they thought about going cloud-native 10 years ago: Tokenization isn’t about crypto. It’s about infrastructure. And that infrastructure is finally asking permission to scale. We’re now in the “AWS moment” of finance. 👉We're soon going to release a big report on tokenization. Subscribe below to get it & join 20k+ execs reading our digital asset newsletter: www.51insights.xyz

By 2028, African fintech companies with international exposures or are participating in the broad global remittance business that do not integrate stablecoins will be disintermediated. The growth of stablecoin is accelerating at a very fast pace since institutional rainmakers normalized the sector via the establishment of ETFs for BTC and ETH. In other words, writing about bitcoin, ethereum, etc will not get you fired since your bank may be trading on the ETF associated with those coins! As that happens, I do think that BTC will finally stabilize as a store of value, becoming a new species of assets (crypto-asset). In the crypto ecosystem, stablecoins like USDC, USDT ERC-20, USDT TRC-20, BUSD, and some no-USD variants will become the real “cryptocurrency"; yes, coins you actually use as a currency, for buying and selling, and not the one you hodl. Now that we are in 2025, let me repeat this post I made in Oct 2024 as I examine where this market is moving to. --- I am coming to an early conclusion that Bitcoin will end up like a digital equivalent of gold. Yes, an asset class that mainly stores value...But as that happens, it is looking like the future is stablecoin within the crypto universe. Two years ago, many people paid for our Tekedia programs with BTC and ETH. But since Q4 2023, more than 90% of such crypto payments have been via USDT (ERC-20) and recently USDC. Simply, stablecoins are gaining popularity over Bitcoin and that could be the fact that people want predictability in value (1 USD is 1 USD, today and tomorrow), even when transaction costs and frictions are largely eliminated. The everyday use of stablecoins as a simple medium of exchange poses challenges for the long-term viability of BTC for payment... Looking at Nigeria, a better crypto business will likely go through having a stablecoin version of Naira backed by strong settlement reserves, and not on buying and selling BTC since I do posit that in 5 years, many will move BTC to a pure investment asset class, reducing the marginal transaction fees. Without that revenue, what is going to be the business? ... For many African players, this market is being redesigned and it looks like winning in the future will require building infrastructure in the local market, and that means running native exchanges with associated stablecoins https://lnkd.in/e6gyFyNX *not endorsing crypto in any way; just a teacher analysing tech and markets.

A 99% cost reduction in blockchain deployment might be the industry's most overlooked breakthrough of 2024. The quiet revolution in crypto infrastructure is happening while everyone's distracted by price action. Here's what I'm watching right now: Infrastructure Costs Are Plummeting • Avalanche's latest upgrade slashed deployment costs by 99% • Creating L1 chains is now accessible to smaller players • Innovation barrier significantly lowered Instant Liquidity Revolution Transak Stream: • Real-time crypto-to-fiat conversions • Direct bank account deposits • Seconds, not days, for settlements Developer Migration Patterns The numbers tell an interesting story: • Solana attracting fresh talent at record pace • Ethereum maintaining its developer stronghold • Stable overall developer count (bullish in a bear market) Why This Actually Matters: While the market obsesses over daily price movements, the fundamental costs of blockchain innovation are collapsing. Think about the internet in 1995 - when hosting costs dropped, innovation exploded. What we're seeing is the quiet period before exponential growth. The Real Impact: • Faster development cycles • More experimental projects • Lower barrier to entry for startups • Increased competition in the space 🔑 Key Takeaway: The next wave of crypto innovation won't be driven by market speculation, but by dramatically reduced infrastructure costs enabling new use cases we haven't even imagined yet. #BlockchainInnovation #CryptoInfrastructure #Web3Development #TechTrends #Avalanche #Cryptocurrency

Exploring the Future of AI Agents in Crypto The rapid intersection of AI and blockchain technology is transforming the crypto market, particularly through AI agents. Unlike static bots, AI agents are dynamic, autonomous, and capable of adapting to feedback and executing multi-step processes, positioning them as transformative tools in the decentralized ecosystem. Terminal of Truths and the $GOAT Narrative The AI agent Terminal of Truths (ToT) exemplifies the potential of AI in crypto. Through its memetic influence, ToT catalyzed the creation and meteoric rise of the $GOAT memecoin, reaching a $950 million market capitalization. This marked the first significant AI-crypto crossover, sparking a wave of innovation and cementing AI agents as key players in the space. Virtuals Protocol and Tokenized AI Agents Virtuals Protocol provides a framework for creating and monetizing AI agents in entertainment and gaming. The platform's innovative Initial Agent Offerings (IAOs) allow creators to tokenize agents, share revenue, and foster community co-ownership. Flagship agents like Luna showcase the potential of AI-driven virtual influencers in reshaping digital interaction and monetization. AI in DeFi: daos.fun and ai16z Platforms like daos.fun demonstrate the integration of AI agents with DeFi. The ai16z hedge fund, led by an AI emulation of venture capitalist Marc Andreessen, highlights how AI can autonomously manage investments, generate value, and engage in decision-making within a DAO structure. The Evolution from AI 1.0 to AI 2.0 AI technology is transitioning from reactive systems like ChatGPT to proactive, autonomous agents (AI 2.0). These agents interact seamlessly with applications, APIs, and protocols, automating complex tasks and fostering innovation across industries. The Synergy Between AI and Crypto The decentralized nature of blockchain aligns with the autonomous capabilities of AI agents. Features such as permissionless wallet creation, smart contracts, and instantaneous settlement make crypto the ideal platform for AI agent transactions and innovations. Challenges Ahead Despite their promise, AI agents face hurdles, including technical issues like model hallucinations, blockchain scalability constraints, and the need for better infrastructure. Ensuring ethical AI practices and establishing robust regulatory frameworks are critical for sustainable growth. Future Prospects and Growth Areas Potential use cases include 24/7 AI influencers, personalized financial advisors, and multi-agent collaborations, with startups like Talus and Skyfire working on infrastructure and payment solutions to support these advancements. Early Stages, Immense Potential As AI and crypto communities increasingly collaborate, this convergence is expected to drive groundbreaking innovations, redefining digital interactions and decentralized economies. #AIAgents #Crypto #Blockchain #Decentralized #TokenEconomy #DeFi #Web3

A few weeks ago, Bridge was purchased by Stripe for over a billion dollars. Their product: stablecoin infrastructure. The market seems to be pointing up and to the right (see graphic below). While I'm still reserving judgement, arguably, the bigger application of stablecoins won't be here in the U.S. via Bridge but in emerging ecosystems. That's why I read this report: Stablecoins: The Emerging Market Story, reveals how stablecoins - with interest. In emerging markets, where inflation and currency volatility are constant threats, stablecoins provide the potential for secure access to dollar-backed assets and enable faster, more affordable cross-border payments. 📈 A few reflections: 1️⃣ Growing Demand for Stability: USD has had a longtime following in emerging markets. Many in emerging markets now prefer stablecoins over traditional bank accounts to hold USD-equivalent assets, creating a more stable financial option in economies where banking access can be limited. 2️⃣ Expanding Use Cases: Beyond trading, stablecoins are being used for remittances, payroll, B2B payments, and currency conversion. In regions like Nigeria, Turkey, and Argentina, stablecoins provide a critical alternative to volatile local currencies. 3️⃣ A Dollar-Dominated Landscape: Nearly 99% of stablecoins are pegged to the USD, underscoring the growing importance of dollarization as individuals and businesses seek more stable alternatives to manage their finances. Looking around the corner - as platforms like PIX in Brazil and Aadhaar in India continue to scale, stablecoin networks of networks might find another compelling use case. -->Trying to get smarter here and meet companies building infrastructure like Bridge in other markets. Please reach out. #Crypto #Fintech #EmergingMarkets #Stablecoins #DigitalFinance #Innovation

In the U.S., so far in 2024, 600 new ETFs have been launched. 🚀 9 of the top 17 launches are cryptocurrency ETFs, with the Bitcoin spot ETFs taking the top 4 spots. New Bitcoin ETFs have attracted over $40 billion in inflows this year. 💰 Ethereum ETFs have also done well. Another notable ETF launch is EAGL. This ETF was launched by Eagle Capital Management, an institutional asset manager with over $28 billion in assets under management. Most of its assets are in separately managed accounts. Now, it has launched an ETF to provide access not only for smaller accounts but also due to the inherent tax efficiency of ETFs. Traditional actively managed mutual fund sponsors and separate account managers, like Eagle Capital Management, have been launching actively managed ETFs with greater frequency. Here are some Money for the Rest of Us podcast episodes we released this year covering these ETF trends and strategies. 462: Now Should You Buy a Bitcoin ETF? 488: Should You Invest in an Ethereum ETF? 471: Unlocking Income—A Comprehensive Guide to Investing in Covered Call ETFs 467: Unraveling the Truth About ETFs: Benefits, Analysis, and the Indexing Bubble Myth What ETF trends have you noted this year? #ETFs #Bitcoin #Ethereum #coveredcalls