1. BlackRock’s Spot Ether ETF Surges to $10B
BlackRock’s spot Ethereum ETF has surpassed $10 billion in assets under management, becoming the third-fastest ETF to reach this mark. The rapid rise reflects growing institutional demand for Ethereum following the SEC’s green light earlier this year, solidifying Ether’s status alongside Bitcoin in regulated investment markets.
2. Ripple Co-Founder Slammed for $175M XRP Sell-Off
Ripple co-founder Jed McCaleb has reportedly moved 175 million XRP to exchanges shortly after XRP reached a local price high. The move triggered backlash from the crypto community and sparked fears of downward price pressure. Large insider sell-offs like this continue to fuel volatility in the XRP market.
3. Strategy Shares Launches Bitcoin-Correlated Stock
Strategy Shares has introduced a new stock fund — the Bitcoin Portfolio ETF (ticker: BTC) — designed to closely mirror Bitcoin’s price movements. The 100% stock-based ETF uses exposure to Bitcoin futures and crypto-related firms, offering equity investors regulated crypto exposure without directly owning digital assets.
4. Western Union Pilots Stablecoin Transfers with USDC
Western Union has begun piloting USDC stablecoin transfers for international remittances. Partnering with blockchain network Stellar and wallet provider Leaf, the initiative aims to speed up cross-border payments and reduce fees — a pivotal move for bringing stablecoin utility into mainstream finance.
