Author: NBTC

Nigeria has taken a significant step toward modernizing its capital markets by approving the trading of blockchain-based stock tokens. The approval, granted to NASD, the country’s over-the-counter (OTC) market, will enable companies to issue and trade tokenized equities, according to a Bloomberg report. NASD plans to launch the service in early September, following the green light from Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Regulatory Milestone This move marks a notable development in Nigeria’s evolving approach to digital assets. The Nigerian SEC had previously authorized NASD in 2023 to develop digital tokens backed by real-world assets, laying the groundwork for this…

Public token sales have pulled in $1.42 billion so far this year, but the capital is not spreading widely across the landscape. Data from CryptoRank, cited in the original report, shows that five blockchain ecosystems account for roughly $1.34 billion, or about 94% of the total. The fundraising window may be wide open, but project founders and investors are voting with their wallets for a very short list of networks. Ethereum again claimed the largest share, attracting $334 million in public token sale proceeds. $BNB Chain followed at $288 million, with Base at $269 million and Solana at $241 million.…

Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire said the cryptocurrency market is moving beyond speculation toward a structure centered on trading tokenized assets. During Circle’s earnings call, Allaire emphasized that the market is entering a phase of transition, supporting a wide range of assets such as equities and commodities through tokenization. The company reported second-quarter revenue of $701 million and adjusted EBITDA of $143 million. Context: What Is Tokenized Asset Trading? Tokenization refers to the process of representing real-world assets, such as stocks, bonds, real estate, or commodities, as digital tokens on a blockchain. This allows for fractional ownership, faster settlement, and 24/7…

Looking ahead, Aster Vault could bring more capital into the ecosystem, Aster Card may create everyday utility, and the expanded TradFi offerings could attract many more traders. More importantly, platform activity can feed into staking rewards and token buybacks, since most daily fees are now used to purchase $ASTER. Source: TradingView However, traders don’t seem convinced. $ASTER traded near $0.626 at press time, and has spent much of the recent period moving within a narrow range. The daily RSI was at 48, so the pace is neutral. OBV has improved from earlier lows, but there isn’t enough for a proper…

Targeting Crypto Loopholes Luxembourg is adding cryptocurrency exchanges to its emergency financial alert system under new anti-fraud legislation taking effect Aug. 8, extending broad asset-freezing notices beyond traditional banks as part of a crackdown on high-profile corporate scams. According to a report, the law, Bill 8722, gives the nation’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) unprecedented authority to issue rapid-response alerts across the country’s entire financial sector when fraudulent accounts are identified. Crucially, the measure mandates that crypto exchanges operating in Luxembourg receive the warnings alongside traditional banks and payment institutions — closing a critical loophole that allowed fraudsters to quickly move…

Coinbase, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, has published an updated list of countries and regions where its services are available. The announcement, made via the company’s official X account, provides a comprehensive overview of its global reach, covering more than 100 jurisdictions across six continents. Expanding Global Footprint The updated list includes a diverse range of nations, from major economies like the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan to smaller territories such as Gibraltar, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man. Notably, the list also includes countries with developing crypto markets, including Nigeria, Kenya, and the Philippines,…

Ethena’s $USDe has quickly become a major source of dollar liquidity on Robinhood Chain, growing from about $17 million a month ago to roughly $253 million, or close to 43% of the chain’s stablecoin supply, according to The Block. The jump is notable because $USDe is more than a digital dollar. It is a synthetic dollar designed to maintain its value through crypto assets and offsetting derivatives positions. Its rapid growth on Robinhood Chain suggests some of the capital arriving on the network may be looking for more than a place to trade. The trend is also indicative of a…

Citigroup has initiated the search for a director of digital asset client solutions, signaling continued commitment to building out its institutional digital asset offerings. The role, first reported by Cointelegraph, will be responsible for overseeing digital asset products for institutional investors, including crypto custody, tokenized assets, tokenized cash, and digital collateral. Why Citigroup is expanding its digital asset team The hiring comes as major banks increasingly respond to client demand for regulated access to digital assets. Citigroup has been gradually advancing its digital asset strategy, having previously explored tokenized deposits and blockchain-based trade finance. This new position suggests a focus…

Ripple Prime has been shortlisted in four categories at the Hedgeweek US Awards 2026. The company has been nominated for Prime Broker of the Year: Client Service, Prime Broker of the Year: Technology, Prime Broker of the Year: Specialist Markets, and Prime Broker of the Year: Start-up & Emerging Managers. Winners will be determined through public voting, with the awards ceremony scheduled for October 8, 2026, in New York. The nominations place Ripple Prime alongside established names in the traditional financial services industry, including major banks, trading platforms, fund administrators and technology providers competing across Hedgeweek’s institutional investment categories. Ripple…

Coinbase’s Chief Policy Officer, Faryar Shirzad, has publicly challenged a Wall Street Journal editorial that criticized the CLARITY Act, a proposed U.S. stablecoin and digital asset regulatory framework. In a series of posts on X, Shirzad argued that the editorial relied on banking-sector talking points and misrepresented key aspects of the legislation, particularly regarding stablecoin rewards and DeFi liability. Stablecoin Rewards: Misrepresented and Misunderstood The WSJ editorial suggested that the CLARITY Act would allow stablecoin holders to earn rewards, potentially destabilizing the banking system by drawing deposits away. Shirzad countered that the bill imposes multiple restrictions on such rewards, tying…