The past few weeks have been eventful. Stripe doubled down on blockchain. Citi prepared to launch crypto custody. Bitcoin climbed past $110K again. The market shows clear signs of maturity and momentum. Regulation is strengthening, institutions are stepping up, and crypto is cementing its place in the global financial system.

Now, let’s look at what’s been making waves this week.

As of today, the global crypto market cap is approximately $3.98 trillion, with Bitcoin commanding about 57% of that total.While the value has pulled back a little from earlier highs, inflows remain steady, and the signals suggest institutional interest is quietly returning.

The bulls might not be sprinting, but make no mistake, they’re back in the race.

Stripe Bets Big on Blockchain with $500 Million Raise

Stripe has poured $500 million into its new blockchain project, Tempo, now valued at around $5 billion. The company also hired a leading Ethereum developer, showing it’s serious about using blockchain to power the future of payments.

Big financial players like Stripe jumping into blockchain means more trust, better technology, and faster adoption, helping bring crypto closer to everyday use.

Coinbase Backs India’s CoinDCX, Now Valued at $2.45 Billion

Coinbase has made a new investment in Indian crypto exchange CoinDCX, lifting its valuation to about $2.45 billion. The move highlights Coinbase’s growing interest in India and the Middle East, two regions where crypto use is expanding fast.

This kind of support from global exchanges strengthens innovation and helps bring reliable crypto platforms to emerging markets worldwide.

Citi Aims to Offer Crypto Custody Services in 2026

Citi is planning to launch a crypto-asset custody offering by 2026, marking its entry into letting clients securely hold tokens like Bitcoin and Ethereum through its regulated infrastructure.

For years the bank has quietly built the technology, now aiming for a “credible custody solution” that institutional investors can trust.

Such a move by a global banking giant signals another step in crypto being treated as a mainstream asset, not just a speculative tool.

Institutions are diving deeper, from Stripe’s blockchain leap to Citi’s crypto custody plans, the message is clear: crypto’s no longer the experiment, it’s becoming the infrastructure.

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What's Making Waves?

Australia Moves to Rein in Crypto ATMs

Australia’s Home Affairs Minister has announced sweeping new powers to curb the use of crypto-ATMs, calling them “high-risk products” linked to money laundering, scams and criminal networks.

In plain terms: the number of crypto-ATMs in Australia has exploded from just 23 six years ago to over 2,000 today, and regulators say about 85% of the largest users are tied to fraudulent cash deposits.

While this sounds heavy, it’s actually positive for crypto’s future. Cleaner, clearer regulation paves the way for the industry to grow not just quickly, but safely, trusted by more people and institutions.

Stripe’s Bridge Applies for National Trust Charter — A Big Leap for Stablecoin Infrastructure

Stripe-owned stablecoin platform Bridge has applied to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) for a national trust charter, enabling them to issue, manage and custody stablecoins under U.S. federal regulation.

With this move, Bridge joins peers such as Circle, Paxos and Ripple in seeking a regulated framework to build stablecoin and tokenization services.

This is a signal that stablecoins are graduating from experimental tools into regulated financial infrastructure.

Bitcoin Rallies Above $110K as Major Altcoins and Japanese Stocks Surge

Bitcoin jumped past $111,000, sparking momentum across the industry with strong benchmarks: Ethereum, Solana and XRP all climbed. This uptick was driven by on-chain signals, a falling U.S. dollar and Japan’s stock market reaching fresh highs.

When Bitcoin leads a broad market rally and major economies (like Japan) show strength, it reinforces crypto’s role within the global asset mix, helping move it from niche to normal.

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Always do your own research and consult with a licensed professional before making any financial decisions.