Finance News — Page 7

Banking, payments, tokenization and financial markets.

Stablecoin Duopoly Under Pressure as USDT and USDC Market Share Slips to 84%

Tether’s USDT and Circle’s USDC still dominate the stablecoin market but have slipped from over 91% market share in 2024 to 84% today. Analysts say yield-bearing competitors like Ethena’s USDe and incoming bank-backed tokens will further erode their dominance, signaling the end of the stablecoin duopoly.

TON Strategy CEO Plays Down Crypto Treasury ‘Bubble’ Fears, Predicts Market Maturity

TON Strategy CEO Veronika Kapustina acknowledged bubble-like signs in digital asset treasuries but dismissed fears of a crash. She said consolidation is likely before long-term capital flows in, noting the model has expanded beyond Bitcoin into ETH, SOL, and TON. Corporate treasuries already hold over $180B in crypto, signaling strong institutional interest.

Coinbase: Crypto Treasury Firms May Soon Merge as Competition Heats Up

Coinbase’s David Duong predicts that crypto treasury firms may soon engage in mergers and acquisitions as competition tightens. While share buybacks have become common, they don’t always guarantee success. With DATs holding billions in Bitcoin, Ether, and Solana, the next phase of the cycle could see fewer but stronger players dominating the landscape.

Pavel Durov: “I Funded My Lifestyle from Bitcoin, Not Telegram”

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov says he has relied on Bitcoin — not Telegram revenue — to finance his lifestyle, revealing he bought thousands of BTC in 2013. While predicting Bitcoin could hit $1 million, he also highlighted TON’s role in Telegram’s blockchain ecosystem despite regulatory hurdles.

Coinbase Exec: AI Agents Will Rely on Crypto, Not Legacy Finance

Coinbase’s John D’Agostino says AI agents will need crypto, not outdated finance rails, to operate at scale in global markets. He argues Bitcoin is more than “digital gold” and predicts gradual, cautious institutional adoption rather than an instant wave.

Circle Teams Up with Deutsche Börse to Boost Stablecoin Adoption in Europe

Circle has partnered with Deutsche Börse to integrate its EURC and USDC stablecoins into Europe’s financial market infrastructure. The move leverages MiCA rules but comes as regulators debate a potential ban on multi-issued stablecoins. The collaboration could reshape settlement and custody workflows across European markets.

Animoca Brands Equity to Be Tokenized on Solana, Expanding Investor Access

Animoca Brands’ equity is being tokenized on Solana via Republic, opening new global investor access to the Web3 giant’s shares. The move underscores the rapid rise of real-world asset tokenization while supporting Animoca’s ongoing expansion into metaverse, science, and entertainment ventures.

‘Government Grift’ ETF Tracking Congressional Trades Could Launch This Week

The Tuttle Capital Government Grift ETF (GRFT), designed to track the stock trades of US lawmakers and politically connected firms, could launch as soon as Friday. With Trump’s crypto-linked holdings possibly in scope and the SEC streamlining ETF approvals, the fund underscores the growing overlap between politics, traditional finance, and digital assets.

SEC Suspends Trading of QMMM Amid Manipulation Probe; Crypto Pivot Not to Blame

The SEC has suspended trading in QMMM Holdings until Oct. 13, citing concerns of potential stock manipulation linked to social media promotions. While QMMM recently pivoted to a crypto treasury model, analysts say the halt is focused on illegal trading activity, not its digital asset strategy. The move comes as regulators expand probes into the fast-growing crypto treasury trend on Wall Street.

Polkadot Eyes Native DOT-Backed Algorithmic Stablecoin pUSD

Polkadot is considering a community-backed proposal to launch pUSD, an algorithmic stablecoin fully backed by DOT tokens. The plan has early majority support but revives debate around the risks of algorithmic designs, especially after Terra’s collapse.

Qatar’s Largest Bank Adopts JPMorgan’s Kinexys Blockchain for Instant Dollar Payments

QNB’s adoption of JPMorgan’s Kinexys blockchain brings near-instant, round-the-clock US dollar payments to corporate clients, marking a big leap for blockchain in the Middle East. While JPMorgan’s $3 billion Kinexys volume is small compared to its $10 trillion in daily payments, the system represents a critical bridge between traditional banking and digital settlement infrastructure.

USDT and USDC Lead $46B Stablecoin Inflows in Q3 as Demand Surges

Stablecoins posted $45.6 billion in inflows in Q3 2025, a 324% jump from Q2, led by USDT, USDC, and Ethena’s USDe. Ethereum continues to dominate stablecoin issuance, while other usage metrics like active addresses and transfer volumes showed declines despite record growth.