NYSE Parent Company Invests in OKX at $25B Valuation, Eyes Tokenized Stock Trading in 2026
Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, has invested in crypto exchange OKX at a $25B valuation and will take a seat on its board.
The partnership goes beyond a financial investment. OKX will provide ICE with a live crypto price feed and plans to introduce trading of tokenized NYSE-listed stocks and derivatives on its platform, expected in the second half of 2026.
👉 fortune.com/2026/03/05/okx-ice-intercontinental-exchange-investment
Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, has invested in crypto exchange OKX at a $25B valuation and will take a seat on its board.
⏭️ Following the announcement, OKX’s native token OKB surged more than 40%, reaching ~$115, with its market cap climbing above $2.28B
The partnership goes beyond a financial investment. OKX will provide ICE with a live crypto price feed and plans to introduce trading of tokenized NYSE-listed stocks and derivatives on its platform, expected in the second half of 2026.
👉 fortune.com/2026/03/05/okx-ice-intercontinental-exchange-investment
Western Union Launches USDPT Stablecoin on Solana With Global Cash Off-Ramps
Western Union has introduced USDPT, a new U.S. dollar-denominated stablecoin issued on the Solana blockchain. Alongside it, the company is launching the Digital Asset Network, enabling users to convert stablecoins into physical cash through 360,000+ retail locations across 200+ countries.
👉 x.com/crossmint/status/2029235706808398109?s=20
Western Union has introduced USDPT, a new U.S. dollar-denominated stablecoin issued on the Solana blockchain. Alongside it, the company is launching the Digital Asset Network, enabling users to convert stablecoins into physical cash through 360,000+ retail locations across 200+ countries.
The rollout is supported by Crossmint, which will integrate USDPT into its wallet and payment APIs, allowing fintech apps to move funds instantly on Solana while connecting digital dollar balances to Western Union’s global payout infrastructure.
👉 x.com/crossmint/status/2029235706808398109?s=20
xStocks Launches xChange, Unified Onchain Trading Layer for Tokenized Equities
xStocks has introduced xChange, a unified onchain trading engine enabling the exchange of 70+ tokenized equities across Ethereum and Solana, with prices anchored to real-world public markets.
Each xStock is fully collateralized and backed 1:1 by underlying shares, while atomic settlement ensures trades execute fully at the quoted price or not at all.
👉 blog.kraken.com/product/xstocks/introducing-xchange
xStocks has introduced xChange, a unified onchain trading engine enabling the exchange of 70+ tokenized equities across Ethereum and Solana, with prices anchored to real-world public markets.
Each xStock is fully collateralized and backed 1:1 by underlying shares, while atomic settlement ensures trades execute fully at the quoted price or not at all.
ℹ️ Since launching in June 2025, xStocks has surpassed $3.5B in onchain volume, $25B in total exchange trading, $225M+ in tokenized assets, and 80,000 unique holders. xChange operates 24/5, extending equity trading beyond traditional market hours while connecting onchain trading with real-world liquidity.
👉 blog.kraken.com/product/xstocks/introducing-xchange
Chainlink Enables Compliant Cross-Border e-HKD Transfers Between ANZ and Ethereum
Under the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s e-HKD program, Chainlink powers secure, compliant, and atomic transfers of digital assets between ANZ's (Australia & New Zealand Banking Group) private DASChain and Ethereum Sepolia. The solution ensures near-real-time settlement while automating compliance, identity verification, and cross-chain interoperability.
👉 x.com/chainlink/status/2029554995968762316?s=20
Under the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s e-HKD program, Chainlink powers secure, compliant, and atomic transfers of digital assets between ANZ's (Australia & New Zealand Banking Group) private DASChain and Ethereum Sepolia. The solution ensures near-real-time settlement while automating compliance, identity verification, and cross-chain interoperability.
By combining onchain data, automated compliance, and cross-chain messaging, this infrastructure covers institutional smart contract needs, from privacy and reliable data to seamless settlement, creating a next-gen cross-border framework that accelerates global markets onchain.
👉 x.com/chainlink/status/2029554995968762316?s=20
Meet RedStone Stack. From Oracle to Institutional-Grade Onchain Lending
RedStone has evolved beyond traditional oracles, combining market data, liquidation intelligence, and real-time credit risk into a single system built for institutional-scale DeFi lending.
1️⃣ OEV & Liquidation Intelligence
RedStone Atom captures Oracle Extractable Value (OEV) through auctions, returning liquidation value to the protocol rather than to MEV bots. Liquidations execute faster and closer to true market prices, reducing risk and strengthening the system.
2️⃣ Credora & Onchain Credit Ratings
Partnering with Credora, RedStone integrates live, model-driven credit scores onchain. Protocols can now adjust terms and rates based on actual risk rather than fixed overcollateralization, enabling more sophisticated lending.
3️⃣ Deterministic Data Layer
Accurate collateral pricing underpins the stack. RedStone supports complex assets such as liquid staking tokens and yield-bearing collateral, with ultra-low-latency updates that ensure valuations reflect real market conditions.
👉 x.com/redstone_defi/status/2029576003593363873?s=20
RedStone has evolved beyond traditional oracles, combining market data, liquidation intelligence, and real-time credit risk into a single system built for institutional-scale DeFi lending.
1️⃣ OEV & Liquidation Intelligence
RedStone Atom captures Oracle Extractable Value (OEV) through auctions, returning liquidation value to the protocol rather than to MEV bots. Liquidations execute faster and closer to true market prices, reducing risk and strengthening the system.
2️⃣ Credora & Onchain Credit Ratings
Partnering with Credora, RedStone integrates live, model-driven credit scores onchain. Protocols can now adjust terms and rates based on actual risk rather than fixed overcollateralization, enabling more sophisticated lending.
3️⃣ Deterministic Data Layer
Accurate collateral pricing underpins the stack. RedStone supports complex assets such as liquid staking tokens and yield-bearing collateral, with ultra-low-latency updates that ensure valuations reflect real market conditions.
By unifying pricing, liquidation, and risk, RedStone closes gaps that previously caused losses and inefficiencies. Protocols launch faster, handle volatility better, and offer advanced credit products with improved safety.
👉 x.com/redstone_defi/status/2029576003593363873?s=20
Jupiter has introduced its on-chain Payment Card
Jupiter Card is a payment solution integrated directly into the Jupiter Mobile wallet. The virtual card allows users to spend on-chain balances wherever Visa is accepted.
👉 x.com/JupiterExchange/status/2029612638653812973
Jupiter Card is a payment solution integrated directly into the Jupiter Mobile wallet. The virtual card allows users to spend on-chain balances wherever Visa is accepted.
💳 Key Features
– Visa Infinite and Platinum virtual cards
– 1-1.8% FX on Card Spend
– Funded by USDC, designed for smooth settlement
👉 x.com/JupiterExchange/status/2029612638653812973
Nest One-Pager. Key Metrics and Vaults Details
As Nest expands to Solana through its integration with Perena, we prepared a quick one-pager highlighting the protocol’s key metrics, vaults, and yield strategies. Here’s a closer look at how Nest brings real-world asset income onchain.
👉 plume.org/blog/nest-on-solana-powering-perenas-stablebank-with-real-world-yield
As Nest expands to Solana through its integration with Perena, we prepared a quick one-pager highlighting the protocol’s key metrics, vaults, and yield strategies. Here’s a closer look at how Nest brings real-world asset income onchain.
👉 plume.org/blog/nest-on-solana-powering-perenas-stablebank-with-real-world-yield
Tether invests in Payment Infrastructure Firm Axiym
Axiym’s platform currently supports payment and settlement activity across 140 countries and 70 currencies, helping align payment execution with settlement for faster and more predictable cross-border transactions.
👉 x.com/tether/status/2029549766284112103?s=20
Axiym’s platform currently supports payment and settlement activity across 140 countries and 70 currencies, helping align payment execution with settlement for faster and more predictable cross-border transactions.
👉 x.com/tether/status/2029549766284112103?s=20
U.S. SEC and Justin Sun reach settlement over Tron lawsuit
As part of the agreement, Rainberry Inc., a company linked to TRON, will pay a $10M civil penalty, while the SEC will dismiss its claims against Sun and affiliated entities pending court approval.
👉 coindesk.com/policy/2026/03/05/sec-justin-sun-reach-settlement-over-tron-lawsuit
As part of the agreement, Rainberry Inc., a company linked to TRON, will pay a $10M civil penalty, while the SEC will dismiss its claims against Sun and affiliated entities pending court approval.
The lawsuit, filed in 2023, accused Sun and his companies of conducting unregistered token sales, inflating trading volumes and failing to disclose payments to celebrity promoters.
👉 coindesk.com/policy/2026/03/05/sec-justin-sun-reach-settlement-over-tron-lawsuit
OKX launches Social Trading Network ‘Orbit’ inside its app
Orbit links social posts with verifiable trading performance and allows users to execute trades in the app while engaging in group discussions, livestreams and posts referencing tradable assets.
Just yesterday, NYSE parent company ICE had announced the investment in OKX at a $25 billion valuation, pushing OKB token over 25%, reaching ~$100, with its market cap climbing above $2.0B.
👉 x.com/okx/status/2029757324974510243?s=20
Orbit links social posts with verifiable trading performance and allows users to execute trades in the app while engaging in group discussions, livestreams and posts referencing tradable assets.
Just yesterday, NYSE parent company ICE had announced the investment in OKX at a $25 billion valuation, pushing OKB token over 25%, reaching ~$100, with its market cap climbing above $2.0B.
👉 x.com/okx/status/2029757324974510243?s=20
Top 10 Biggest Digital Asset Treasuries (DAT)
Corporate crypto treasuries are turning public companies into long-term crypto whales. Hundreds of firms now hold BTC on their balance sheets, collectively controlling millions of coins across corporate reserves.
Corporate crypto treasuries are turning public companies into long-term crypto whales. Hundreds of firms now hold BTC on their balance sheets, collectively controlling millions of coins across corporate reserves.
Kazakhstan plans to allocate up to $350M in crypto-related assets
The investment program, potentially starting in April or May, will funded by returns from the country’s gold and FX reserves. Rather than purchasing crypto directly, the KZ central bank plans to gain exposure through crypto hedge funds and VC investments.
👉 theblock.co/post/392630/kazakhstan-central-bank-to-invest-up-to-350-million-in-crypto-related-assets-report
The investment program, potentially starting in April or May, will funded by returns from the country’s gold and FX reserves. Rather than purchasing crypto directly, the KZ central bank plans to gain exposure through crypto hedge funds and VC investments.
👉 theblock.co/post/392630/kazakhstan-central-bank-to-invest-up-to-350-million-in-crypto-related-assets-report
Tether Co-Leads $7.5M Round in Utexo to Bring USDT Settlement to Bitcoin
Utexo has raised $7.5M to build infrastructure enabling native USDT settlement on Bitcoin, including support for payments over the Lightning Network.
The round was co-led by Tether, Big Brain Holdings, and Portal Ventures, with participation from Fulgur Ventures, Alchemy, Franklin Templeton, Paper Ventures, Maven11, Ethereal Ventures, among others.
👉 x.com/utexocom/status/2029920504836935920?s=20
Utexo has raised $7.5M to build infrastructure enabling native USDT settlement on Bitcoin, including support for payments over the Lightning Network.
The round was co-led by Tether, Big Brain Holdings, and Portal Ventures, with participation from Fulgur Ventures, Alchemy, Franklin Templeton, Paper Ventures, Maven11, Ethereal Ventures, among others.
⏭️ Utexo aims to enable Bitcoin-native stablecoin payments with predictable fees, atomic settlement, and security anchored to the Bitcoin network
👉 x.com/utexocom/status/2029920504836935920?s=20
GRVT PerpDEX Lets Traders Earn Yield on Collateral, Hits $100M TVL
GRVT, a perpetuals exchange, is gaining attention for turning trading collateral into yield. Unlike most platforms where deposits sit idle, GRVT integrates with Aave, allowing traders to earn up to ~11% APY while keeping funds available for trading.
ℹ️ Platform Highlights & Growth
– Total Value Locked (TVL): $102.58M
– Trading Volume: +352.5% WoW
– Open Interest: +1,796.15% WoW
– Collateral Yield: Up to ~11% APY via Aave integration
– Product Focus: Perpetual futures with self-custodial trading
👉 x.com/grvt_io/status/2029925849949163560?s=20
GRVT, a perpetuals exchange, is gaining attention for turning trading collateral into yield. Unlike most platforms where deposits sit idle, GRVT integrates with Aave, allowing traders to earn up to ~11% APY while keeping funds available for trading.
Built by former professionals from Goldman Sachs, DBS Bank, and Meta Platforms, GRVT combines centralized exchange usability with on-chain, self-custodial infrastructure
ℹ️ Platform Highlights & Growth
– Total Value Locked (TVL): $102.58M
– Trading Volume: +352.5% WoW
– Open Interest: +1,796.15% WoW
– Collateral Yield: Up to ~11% APY via Aave integration
– Product Focus: Perpetual futures with self-custodial trading
With perpetual futures remaining one of crypto’s largest trading sectors, GRVT’s model, where trading capital can generate yield without sacrificing execution speed, is quickly becoming a trending topic among traders and DeFi users
👉 x.com/grvt_io/status/2029925849949163560?s=20
MAJOR UPCOMING EVENTS IN MARCH!
A full list of Major Upcoming Events, to be updated
👉 https://cryptodiffer.com/events
A full list of Major Upcoming Events, to be updated
👉 https://cryptodiffer.com/events
Projects expected to launch mainnet this spring
A new cohort of infrastructure projects is approaching mainnet, spanning AI, privacy, payments, and Bitcoin-native ecosystems. If even a few deliver on their promises, this spring could introduce some of the most technically ambitious networks of the cycle.
A new cohort of infrastructure projects is approaching mainnet, spanning AI, privacy, payments, and Bitcoin-native ecosystems. If even a few deliver on their promises, this spring could introduce some of the most technically ambitious networks of the cycle.
Oil Prices surpass $100 as Iran Conflict ignites fears
Crude prices have officially surged past the $100-a-barrel threshold for the first time since the 2022 energy crisis. This marks a massive 50% rally following the joint US-Israeli strikes on February 28, as the market braces for a prolonged supply shock.
Crude prices have officially surged past the $100-a-barrel threshold for the first time since the 2022 energy crisis. This marks a massive 50% rally following the joint US-Israeli strikes on February 28, as the market braces for a prolonged supply shock.
Asian markets faced a brutal sell-off on Monday morning, with the Nikkei 225 and KOSPI plunging over 7% and 8% respectively as investors reacted to soaring energy prices. This downward spiral extended to the West, where US stock futures dropped nearly 2% in pre-market trading, signaling a global retreat from risk assets.
Coinbase has launched futures trading in Europe
Futures contracts trading is now available to Coinbase Advanced users in 26 countries in Europe, offered by its MiFID entity. Traders can access up to 10x leverage on select contracts (such as BTC, ETH, and equity indices) and up to 4x-5x leverage on other products.
👉 coinbase.com/blog/futures-contracts-europe
Futures contracts trading is now available to Coinbase Advanced users in 26 countries in Europe, offered by its MiFID entity. Traders can access up to 10x leverage on select contracts (such as BTC, ETH, and equity indices) and up to 4x-5x leverage on other products.
👉 coinbase.com/blog/futures-contracts-europe
KAST raises $80M to expand global stablecoin payments
Stablecoin payments startup KAST has raised $80 million from QED Investors and Left Lane Capital, bringing its valuation to roughly $600 million. The company is targeting an annual revenue run rate of around $100 million this year.
The capital will support global expansion, regulatory licensing and further development of its stablecoin payments platform.
👉 bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-09/stablecoin-payments-firm-kast-raises-80-million-in-funding
Stablecoin payments startup KAST has raised $80 million from QED Investors and Left Lane Capital, bringing its valuation to roughly $600 million. The company is targeting an annual revenue run rate of around $100 million this year.
The capital will support global expansion, regulatory licensing and further development of its stablecoin payments platform.
KAST is building a platform designed for storing, earning and spending stablecoins, targeting the growing market for digital-dollar transactions.
👉 bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-09/stablecoin-payments-firm-kast-raises-80-million-in-funding
Nasdaq join hands with Kraken in Tokenization Push
Nasdaq and Kraken are developing infrastructure for tokenized stocks, enabling traditional equities to be issued as blockchain-based tokens and distributed globally through Kraken’s platform.
👉 wsj.com/finance/stocks/nasdaq-partners-with-kraken-in-tokenization-push-135e8112
Nasdaq and Kraken are developing infrastructure for tokenized stocks, enabling traditional equities to be issued as blockchain-based tokens and distributed globally through Kraken’s platform.
The move reflects a wider trend among major financial institutions exploring tokenization of real-world assets, which could enable faster settlement, global access, and potentially 24/7 trading of traditional securities.
👉 wsj.com/finance/stocks/nasdaq-partners-with-kraken-in-tokenization-push-135e8112
Prediction Markets Race Toward $20 Billion Valuations
Prediction market rivals Kalshi and Polymarket are reportedly targeting $20B valuations in upcoming funding rounds, roughly doubling their late-2025 valuations. The sector is gaining momentum despite regulatory scrutiny, as platforms scale revenue and expand toward regulated global markets.
Prediction market rivals Kalshi and Polymarket are reportedly targeting $20B valuations in upcoming funding rounds, roughly doubling their late-2025 valuations. The sector is gaining momentum despite regulatory scrutiny, as platforms scale revenue and expand toward regulated global markets.
The move follows strong growth across prediction markets, with Kalshi crossing $1B+ annualized revenue and Polymarket preparing a U.S. regulatory expansion.