Crypto Industry News & Market Trends

Metaplanet launches BitBonds with ¥200M private sale

Metaplanet launched a continuous bond issuance program called BitBonds on Aug. 13 and completed its first four private placements, raising about 200 million yen, or roughly $1.3 million.　　SummaryMetaplanet launched BitBonds after completing four private bond sales totaling approximately 200 million yen Thursday.The unsecured senior bonds mature in roughly three years and pay annual interest between 4%–4.3%.Metaplanet Securities distributed the bonds to eligible individuals and companies under Japans private placement regime.Future BitBond issuance will depend on funding needs, market conditions and investor demand, Metaplanet said.Metaplanet still holds 43,000 Bitcoin after CEO Simon Gerovich denied selling assets during custody transfers.　　The Tokyo listed Bitcoin treasury company said in its disclosure that its 21st through 24th series unsecured ordinary bonds carry annual interest rates of about 4% to 4.3% and mature in roughly three years.　　The bonds were distributed through wholly owned Metaplanet Securities under Japans small number private placement framework. Solicitation began in late July and has now closed. Future series will be priced separately according to funding needs, market conditions and investor demand.　　You might also like:　　Metaplanet CEO ends sale speculation after 5,014 BTC move　　Metaplanet BitBonds add fixed rate debt to funding mix　　Metaplanet said BitBonds will sit alongside common shares, equity linked instruments and

08-13Industry

MUFG to test real-time blockchain settlement for Japanese government bond trades

SummaryMUFG plans to use blockchain technology to offer faster settlement of Japanese government bond transactions.The bank is preparing a proof-of-concept for onchain JGB transactions using the Canton network.Blockchain-based intraday U.S. Treasury bonds repo have been in existence for several years through JPMorgans Kinexys network, which went live in 2020.　　Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) plans to use blockchain technology to offer faster settlement of Japanese government bond (JGB) transactions, in a move reminiscent of similar initiatives by banks in other countries.　　MUFG is preparing a proof-of-concept for onchain JGB transactions using the Canton network to expedite the settlement, which typically takes 1-3 days by traditional means.　　The Tokyo-based bank expects to improve the operational and capital efficiency of repo transactions — the purchase of securities as a form of short-term borrowing and lending — through real-time 24/7 onchain settlement.　　MUFG noted that financial institutions in Europe and the U.S. have expanded proof-of-concept projects to achieve this exact goal. Blockchain-based intraday U.S. Treasury-bond repos have existed for several years through JPMorgans Kinexys network, which went live in 2020.　　“Given their high credit worthiness and liquidity, JGBs are widely used as collateral for repo transactions by market participants in Japan and overseas, and momentum for bringing them

08-13Industry

South Korea jails Delio CEO for 15 years over $49M crypto fraud

South Korea has sentenced Delio CEO Jeong Sang-ho to 15 years in prison after a Seoul court found him guilty of defrauding customers of about 70 billion won ($49.2 million) in crypto assets.　　According to local news outlet Newsis, the Seoul Southern District Court convicted Jeong on most of the charges against him, including fraud, embezzlement, and the use of false documents in Delios registration as a virtual asset service provider.　　Judge Jang Chan, who presided over the case, also ordered Jeong to be detained after the ruling. NoCut News reported that the court cited concerns that he could flee.　　The 15-year prison term was lower than the 20-year sentence prosecutors had requested during closing arguments earlier this year. As crypto.news previously reported in April, prosecutors had accused Jeong of misappropriating about 250 billion won in crypto assets from roughly 2,800 users between August 2021 and June 2023.　　Delio CEO cleared of main 250 billion won fraud charge　　While Jeong was convicted on several counts, the court acquitted him of the main indictment involving roughly 250 billion won ($175.6 million) allegedly taken from about 2,800 customers.　　Newsis reported that the court excluded evidence collected during a search and seizure involving a server operator after finding that

08-13Industry

CEO of Crypto Lender Delio Gets 15 Years Over $49M Fraud

In briefA Seoul court sentenced Delio chief executive Jeong Sang-ho to 15 years for fraud and for registering as a virtual asset provider using false documents, according to local media.The court ruled evidence seized from Delios server host was unlawfully obtained, voiding the primary charge covering 2,800 victims and 250 billion won.He was convicted instead on fallback charges covering roughly 1,100 victims and 70 billion won, about $49 million.　　The Seoul Southern District Court has sentenced Delio chief executive Jeong Sang-ho to 15 years in prison over the collapse of the South Korean crypto deposit platform, five years short of the term prosecutors sought.　　Criminal Division 11, presided over by Judge Jang Chan, handed down the ruling on Thursday afternoon, according to local outlet Newsis. The court upheld only part of the prosecutions original case and convicted Jeong largely on a set of fallback charges filed later.　　The reason was procedural, with Jeongs lawyers arguing that a search and seizure carried out at Gabia, the company hosting Delios servers, had been unlawful, and the court agreeing. Prosecutors had not guaranteed Delios right to participate in the search and had not handed over a list of what was seized, the court found, ruling that

08-13Industry

Charles Schwab has added Bitcoin, Ether trading to its $13 trillion platform

Charles Schwab has added direct Bitcoin and Ether trading to its retail brokerage platform at a 0.75% transaction fee, putting crypto inside a business that reported $13.1 trillion in client assets and 39.8 million active brokerage accounts at the end of the second quarter.　　SummaryCharles Schwab has rolled out direct Bitcoin and Ether trading at a 0.75% transaction fee.Schwab reported $13.1 trillion in client assets and 39.8 million active brokerage accounts in the second quarter.The brokerage has started testing crypto transfers after launching spot trading without deposits or withdrawals.Morgan Stanleys E*Trade has priced crypto trading at 0.5%, adding pressure on fees charged by crypto exchanges.Schwab is also exploring stablecoins and plans to extend crypto trading, transfers and custody to its advisor platform.　　According to Schwabs second-quarter results and comments from CEO Rick Wurster, the phased rollout that started May 13 has progressed as planned, while the company has begun a crypto transfers pilot and taken an equity stake in infrastructure provider Paxos.　　The service initially supports Bitcoin and Ether, with Charles Schwab Premier Bank holding client assets and Paxos providing trade execution and sub-custody. Schwab set the transaction fee at 75 basis points and launched without crypto deposits or withdrawals, while clients in

08-13Industry

Copper expands into US with regulated crypto custody and trading services

Digital asset infrastructure provider Copper has established a regulated US presence after Copper Markets (US) Inc. became an SEC-registered broker-dealer and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, opening a route for the company to provide institutional custody and trading services in the country.　　According to Coppers Wednesday announcement, its US subsidiary has been accepted as a FINRA member, giving the company a regulated entity through which it can bring its custody, collateral and trading infrastructure to institutional clients in the United States.　　FINRA records also identify personnel registered with Copper Markets (US), including staff working across finance, compliance, operations and revenue functions. The company said the approval allows its US business to operate as a broker-dealer while building its presence as a qualified custodian for institutional digital assets.　　Copper US arm gains regulated broker-dealer status　　Copper Markets (US) plans to provide qualified custody alongside staking, financing and over-the-counter services, according to the company. Institutional clients will also gain access to Coppers ClearLoop Network, its infrastructure for managing collateral while assets remain in custody.　　Under the model, institutions can pledge crypto and tokenized assets as collateral between counterparties without relying on the conventional process of moving the assets to a trading venue before each

08-13Industry

South Korea sentences Delio CEO to 15 years in prison for $50 million crypto fraud: report

Quick TakeA Seoul court has sentenced Delio CEO Jeong Sang-ho to 15 years in prison on cryptocurrency fraud charges.The sentence is shorter than the 20-year term that prosecutors sought, as the judge acquitted Jeong of a primary charge.　　South Korea has reportedly sentenced Delio CEO Jeong Sang-ho to 15 years in prison on cryptocurrency fraud charges.　　According to local news outlet Newsis, the Seoul Southern District Court, presided over by Judge Jang Chan, found Jeong guilty on most charges of defrauding customers of roughly 70 billion Korean won ($49.2 million) in crypto assets.　　The court found the defendant largely guilty on charges of embezzlement and of using false documents to register as a virtual asset service provider.　　However, it acquitted him on the primary indictment alleging fraud of roughly 250 billion won ($175.6 million) from about 2,800 people, ruling that evidence obtained through a search and seizure of a server operator was illegally collected, according to the report. Prosecutors previously sought a 20-year sentence for Jeong.　　“The defendant committed the crime of defrauding a large sum from numerous victims, and given the methods and means employed, and the scale of the damage, the crime is extremely grave, the court said. ”[Jeong] has also failed to

08-13Industry

Copper US arm becomes FINRA member, SEC-registered broker-dealer

Digital asset infrastructure provider Copper has established a regulated presence in the US after its local entity became a broker-dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).　　Copper announced Wednesday that Copper Markets (US) Inc. had been accepted as a FINRA member, allowing the firm to expand its institutional custody and trading infrastructure into the US market.　　FINRA BrokerCheck records show Copper Markets with an approved SEC registration status dated Aug. 7. The records also identify FINRA as the companys self-regulatory organization.　　Copper said its US arm will offer qualified custody, staking, financing and over-the-counter services, as well as access to its ClearLoop Network, which allows institutions to pledge and move crypto and tokenized assets as collateral between counterparties.　　The company described the expansion as establishing its US presence as a “Qualified Custodian.” Under SEC rules, registered broker-dealers that hold client assets in customer accounts can qualify as custodians.

08-13Industry

Securitize falls 16% after earnings miss, tokenization revenue drops

Securitize shares sank in premarket trading on Thursday after the tokenization platform missed Wall Street revenue estimates.　　Securitize reported $14.4 million in total revenue in its second-quarter earnings, down 5% compared to the same period last year, according to its quarterly results published on Wednesday.　　The revenue came in below the Wall Street consensus estimate of $20.6 million, according to analyst estimates compiled by Yahoo Finance. Securitize shares traded at $6.62 in premarket trading as of 8:10 am UTC, down about 16% from Wednesdays $7.86 close.　　Securitize reported $7.8 million in quarterly revenue from tokenization, down 12% from $8.9 million in the second quarter of 2025.　　The BlackRock-backed company also reported a record average tokenized AUM of $4.3 billion in the second quarter of 2026, up 16% from the second quarter of last year.　　Securitize posted a net loss of $21.7 million for the quarter, widening from $6.1 million a year earlier. Adjusted EBITDA swung to a $5.5 million loss from a $1.8 million profit.　　Across the broader tokenized real-world asset market, the number of asset holders has climbed to more than 1.7 million, while distributed asset value stands at roughly $38 billion, according to data provider RWA.xyz.

08-13Industry

Bitwise CIO sees market repricing as crypto embraces 'revenue fever'

Quick TakeBitwise‘s Matt Hougan said crypto assets are trading at prices that look “too low” as investors have yet to recognize the market’s shift to a revenue-driven model.The CIO noted that valuations could “double or more” as the market catches up with the change.　　Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan is bullish on crypto assets outside Bitcoin (BTC), arguing that investors are underpricing tokens as protocols increasingly capture revenue, with valuations potentially doubling or more as the market catches up.　　In a note published Wednesday, Hougan said crypto is moving beyond an era when successful networks generated substantial economic activity without returning much of that revenue to token holders.　　“That era is over,” Hougan said. “Were now in a stage where, outside of Bitcoin, the value of crypto assets will increasingly be defined by the same metric that defines stocks and bonds: revenue.”　　Hougan noted that the shift is increasingly visible across DeFi protocols and newer crypto projects that use fees and other revenue to buy back or burn their native tokens.　　He pointed to Hyperliquid, which generated more than $800 million in revenue last year and used about 99% of its fee revenue to buy and burn HYPE. Since launching its token in November 2024, the

08-13Industry

...

6163

...

1000