LATEST: Chainlink And SBI Group Join Hands For Asia’s Crypto Innovation

SBI Group has teamed up with blockchain oracle provider Chainlink to drive innovation in the digital asset sector. The partnership aims to advance use cases around tokenized funds, real-world assets such as real estate and bonds, and regulated stablecoins, paving the way for a stronger crypto-powered financial ecosystem in Japan and beyond.

Through this collaboration, SBI and other Japanese financial firms will leverage Chainlink’s technologies, including the Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP), SmartData, and Proof of Reserve. These tools are set to enhance liquidity in secondary markets, improve operational efficiency, and ensure compliance with regulatory and privacy standards. SBI Holdings’ CEO Yoshitaka Kitao highlighted Chainlink’s reliability and interoperability as key drivers of the partnership, emphasizing their shared vision of secure, compliant, cross-border digital transactions.

This is not the first collaboration between the two. Chainlink, SBI Digital Markets, and UBS Asset Management previously worked together under Singapore’s MAS Project Guardian, successfully testing automated fund administration and transfer agency powered by smart contracts—marking another step toward accelerating mainstream adoption of tokenized assets.

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Bitcoin Price Drops Below $112,000 As Metaplanet Announces To Buy $11.7M Worth Of Bitcoin

Bitcoin’s price retreated below $112,000 as Japan’s Metaplanet announced the purchase of an additional 103 BTC worth approximately $11.7 million, bringing its total holdings to 18,991 BTC valued at roughly $2.2 billion.

The announcement comes as FTSE Russell confirmed Metaplanet’s inclusion in the FTSE Japan Index, upgrading the company from small-cap to mid-cap status in its September 2025 semi-annual review. The index inclusion, set to take effect after market close on September 19, marks a significant milestone for corporate Bitcoin treasury strategies.

“Another important milestone on our journey as Japan’s leading Bitcoin treasury company,” Metaplanet CEO Simon…

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LATEST: Metaplanet Expands Bitcoin Stash To 18,991 With Latest 103 Purchase

Japanese bitcoin treasury firm Metaplanet has strengthened its crypto strategy by purchasing an additional 103 BTC worth $11.7 million. The company revealed Monday that the latest acquisition was made at an average price of $113,491 per bitcoin, boosting its total holdings to 18,991 BTC.

President Simon Gerovich announced that Metaplanet has so far spent $1.95 billion on bitcoin, averaging $102,712 per coin. Since launching its accumulation strategy in April 2024, the firm has climbed to seventh place globally in public corporate bitcoin reserves, according to Bitcointreasuries data.

In another milestone, Metaplanet was officially added to the FTSE Japan Index during the September review. The upgrade from small-cap to mid-cap stock marks growing recognition of the company’s bitcoin-focused model. Gerovich hailed the move as a step forward in Metaplanet’s mission to become Japan’s leading bitcoin treasury company.

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Trump-Related DeFi Platform World Liberty Financial Debuts WLFI Token On Ethereum Mainnet

World Liberty Financial, a decentralized finance (DeFi) platform associated with President Donald Trump‘s family, has publicized the launch of its WLFI token on the Ethereum mainnet.

What Happened: The company confirmed the token’s launch on Saturday. Originally a governance-only token, WLFI is now entering open circulation, indicating a significant change in its direction. 

The token generation event (TGE) is scheduled for September 1, 2025, with spot trading expected to commence at 12:00 PM UTC. At the time of launch, 20% of WLFI’s supply will be transferable, while the remaining supply will be subject to community governance or extended vesting periods.

The decision to…

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NEW: Six Major Asset Managers Amend Spot XRP ETFs As Grayscale Expands Offerings

Six major asset managers — Bitwise, Canary Capital, CoinShares, Franklin Templeton, 21Shares, and WisdomTree — have submitted amendments to their S-1 filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for spot XRP exchange-traded funds. At the same time, Grayscale filed a fresh S-1 registration for its upcoming Grayscale XRP Trust ETF, signaling renewed momentum in the race to launch XRP-focused investment products.

The simultaneous filings mark a coordinated move as issuers seek to position themselves ahead of potential SEC approval. The push for spot XRP ETFs follows similar activity around Bitcoin and Ethereum products, reflecting growing institutional demand for regulated crypto exposure.

Market optimism was further lifted after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell hinted at possible rate cuts during his Jackson Hole address. His remarks sparked a rally in risk assets, including cryptocurrencies, with Friday’s filings adding fuel to bullish sentiment across digital markets.

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NEW: Australia’s Monochrome Bitcoin ETF Expands To Hold 1,000 BTC

Australia’s Monochrome Bitcoin ETF (IBTC) has achieved a significant milestone on 21 August 2025, with its assets under management (AUM) climbing to $177,577,616 AUD. Backed directly by Bitcoin, the ETF now holds 1,002 BTC, reflecting growing investor trust and rising institutional interest in digital assets.

This achievement highlights the ETF’s steady momentum since launch, reinforcing Bitcoin’s position as a strong store of value in regulated markets. Investors are showing increasing confidence in gaining direct, transparent exposure to Bitcoin through Monochrome, which is recognized as the country’s first ETF to hold the cryptocurrency directly.

Inside Costa Rica’s Growing Bitcoin Circular Economy

The embryo of each Bitcoin Circular Economy is unique.

The purposes of Bitcoin Circular Economies are diverse and, as they grow, the projects develop their own identity: education, P2P, payments, wallets etc. The quests of their protagonists often shape the origin of each, with characteristics and needs that define them. The founders, who decide to pursue this social, technological and economic adventure, define the spirit of the project. The Bitcoin Jungle project was born in the heart of the Costa Rican jungle, where a vibrant community of expatriates and digital nomads from all over the world is trying to develop a more conscious way of living in harmony with nature.

Two men…

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LATEST: Trump’s World Liberty Finance Releases WLFI Token And USD1 Stablecoin On Ethereum

World Liberty Finance (WLFI), a decentralized finance project linked to the Trump family, has officially launched its WLFI token on the Ethereum blockchain. The token became tradable on September 1, 2025, with early investors able to unlock 20% of their allocation immediately. Further unlocks will be decided by community voting, a move designed to encourage long-term holding and reduce market sell pressure.

The project has already secured $550 million through token sales earlier this year, showing strong investor confidence. Its governance model emphasizes community participation, with no immediate unlock for team tokens—aiming to ensure market stability. Alongside the token launch, WLFI also introduced USD1, a stablecoin listed on Coinbase in August 2025. Backed by regulatory compliance and transparency, USD1 has already reached a $293 million supply on Ethereum.

With both a governance token and a stablecoin now in play, World Liberty Finance positions itself as a bridge between traditional finance and crypto markets. While political ties have boosted visibility, the project’s future depends on utility, transparency, and compliance in an increasingly competitive DeFi space.