Author: NBTC

Hippo, a popular Sui-based memecoin, is set to launch Splash, a new token launchpad, this week. Splash is a rebrand of the project initially named HipHop.fun, which focused on meme coin creation within the Sui ecosystem. The rebrand reflects an expanded vision to create a comprehensive, fair, and accessible platform for token launches, catering to builders, developers, and retail investors on the Sui blockchain. What is Splash? Splash is a token launch platform on the Sui blockchain, a Layer 1 blockchain known for its high throughput and low transaction costs. Unlike traditional launchpads that often favor insiders through private sales…

This is a segment from the Lightspeed newsletter. To read full editions, subscribe. As regulation becomes clearer and the number of national banks rumored to have stablecoin plans grow, it seems like much of America’s financial sector is coming to grips with a future involving stables. But compared to these well-heeled and technically-savvy TradFi institutions, local banks and credit unions — where a sizable percentage of Americans do their banking — are almost certain to lag behind in this trend. To help narrow this gap, Beam and Braid are partnering to offer stablecoin infrastructure to community banks and credit unions…

Prominent crypto exchange Kraken has highlighted how XRP has matured from a speculative coin to a key asset in the digital asset scene. The report, prepared by CF Benchmark, a wholly owned Kraken subsidiary, defined XRP and its role in the XRP Ledger. Furthermore, it emphasized the asset’s escalating maturity and dominance in the cryptocurrency industry. Notably, the May report followed XRP’s recent choppy price action despite Bitcoin’s bullish outing. The XRPL native token is down over 3% since Monday and 11% from its high of $2.65 last week. Mega-Capped XRP Commanding Respect With its $137 billion valuation, XRP currently…

Game industry veteran John Smedley—who helped bring games like EverQuest, H1Z1, and Planetside to life as president of Sony Online Entertainment (later Daybreak Game Company)—is back with a new studio, Distinct Possibility Studios, and a blockchain-powered debut first-person shooter called Reaper Actual. And while blockchain games have typically found a muted or hostile response from traditional gamers, Smedley believes his game could bring in “millions and millions” of players due to the shooter’s unique implementation of crypto tech. Reaper Actual is a PC-based, open-world multiplayer shooter that will see players upgrade and defend bases, placed on what Smedley told Decrypt…

Since hitting a new all-high time above $111,000, Bitcoin has seen a significant market cool-off resulting in a price correction over the past week. According to data from CoinMarketCap, Bitcoin declined by 4.36% in the past seven days forcing prices below $104,000. To establish a bullish momentum, prominent crypto analyst with X username Daan Crypto has stated the premier cryptocurrency must decisively close above $106,000 which represents a pivotal price region in the current price structure. Bitcoin Price Out Of Consolidation Range – Downside Ahead? Following the re-start of the crypto bull market in April, Bitcoin has shown a specific…

The investment was made through SBI Ven Capital’s joint fund with Sygnum Bank and Azimut Group, which aims to accelerate the rollout of Colossus Digital’s Institutional Hub, a two-sided B2B marketplace, that connects regulated custodians with top-tier validators for staking and governance. Strategic highlights Investment Amount: €1,000,000 (Seed Investment) Lead Investor: SBI Ven Capital, through its joint fund with Sygnum Bank and Azimut Recipient: Colossus Digital Purpose: Scale Institutional Hub, enhance custody-to-staking workflows, expand global client base Institutional adoption fuels the deal 86% of institutional investors already have—or plan to gain—digital-asset exposure in 2025, underscoring growing demand for secure custody…

Pi Network dominated headlines on May 14 when it officially introduced a $100 million venture fund aimed at jumpstarting real-world utility for its ecosystem. The announcement officially introduced Pi Network Ventures, a Silicon Valley-style investment initiative that will fund startups building within or integrating with the Pi ecosystem. While the fund represents a bold and strategic pivot towards broader adoption, it was not well received by investors. This can be considered a classic “buy the rumor, sell the news” event as the Pi token dropped sharply after the reveal. The fund will prioritize blockchain startups along with those in sectors…

The development team will feature industry veterans who have worked for Sony, Amazon, Riot, Blizzard, Ubisoft, and Epic. The games they have worked on include Call of Duty, Valorant, Fortnite, Planetside 2, and other similar shooters. The choice of blockchain for the game economy bolsters robust smart contract functionality, sustainability, and support for complex decentralized apps. The L2, Etherlink, is specifically tailored for gaming, providing seamless processing and scalability that is instrumental in creating AAA titles. Another Player On The Web3 Gaming Horizon At the helm of the newly formed gaming studio will be the co-creator of well-known titles such…

ARKK soared 153% in 2020, backed by disruptive giants like Tesla, Roku, and Shopify. Cathie Wood shifts focus in 2025 to AI, crypto, and the metaverse with GitLab, Coinbase, and Roblox. Despite volatility, ARKK remains a high-risk, high-reward innovation fund with a visionary edge. Cathie Wood of ARK Invest has long excited investors with her daring strategy toward disruptive innovation. Her flagship fund, the ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK), targets individuals hoping to profit from companies that are transforming the world. In a recent Yahoo Finance segment, Stocks in Translation host Jared Blikre breaks down ARKK’s key investments from 2020 to…

VeChain gets U.S. patent for privacy-focused identity system that authenticates without storing user data. Latest patent strengthens blockchain use in finance and healthcare, where strict data laws apply. VeChain was awarded a new patent in the United States on May 20, 2025, following in the footsteps of recent Intellectual Property victories. Its latest patent, “Method and device for implementing identity endorsement on blockchain,” fortifies the company’s foray into privacy-enhancing identity verification without storing individuals’ details on the blockchain directly. 🚀 #VeChain secures new US patent via #NanoJClean Patent “Method and device for implementing identity endorsement on blockchain” was granted #today,…