Crypto Vesting

The decentralized finance (DeFi) landscape continues to evolve, and Bitcoin-centric solutions are gaining momentum. BTCFi is an emerging sector that transforms Bitcoin (BTC) from a passive store of value into an actively utilized asset in DeFi. 

A new report by Cointelegraph Research and Elastos delves into how Bitcoin’s security helps to create trustless, scalable financial ecosystems.

Read a full version of the report hereBitcoin’s expanding role in DeFi

DeFi has traditionally been dominated by Ethereum, which accounts for over 50% of the sector’s total $175 billion total value locked (TVL). However, Bitcoin’s strong security and liquidity make it an attractive foundation for DeFi innovation.

Despite its strengths, Bitcoin’s lack of native smart contract functionality has historically limited its role in decentralized finance. The emergence of Bitcoin-centric DeFi solutions aims to bridge this gap and enable Bitcoin holders to participate in lending, stablecoin issuance and crosschain interoperability without custodial risks.

Elastos: Leveraging Bitcoin’s security for decentralized

Read More at https://cointelegraph.com/news/btcfi-explained-how-elastos-uses-bitcoins-security-to-power-defi?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=rss%3Ft%3D1742364053370&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound

The decentralized finance (DeFi) landscape continues to evolve, and Bitcoin-centric solutions are gaining momentum. BTCFi is an emerging sector that transforms Bitcoin (BTC) from a passive store of value into an actively utilized asset in DeFi. 

A new report by Cointelegraph Research and Elastos delves into how Bitcoin’s security helps to create trustless, scalable financial ecosystems.

Read a full version of the report hereBitcoin’s expanding role in DeFi

DeFi has traditionally been dominated by Ethereum, which accounts for over 50% of the sector’s total $175 billion total value locked (TVL). However, Bitcoin’s strong security and liquidity make it an attractive foundation for DeFi innovation.

Despite its strengths, Bitcoin’s lack of native smart contract functionality has historically limited its role in decentralized finance. The emergence of Bitcoin-centric DeFi solutions aims to bridge this gap and enable Bitcoin holders to participate in lending, stablecoin issuance and crosschain interoperability without custodial risks.

Elastos: Leveraging Bitcoin’s security for decentralized

Read More at https://cointelegraph.com/news/btcfi-explained-how-elastos-uses-bitcoins-security-to-power-defi?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound

Opinion by: Simon McLoughlin, CEO at Uphold

2021 witnessed a fintech investment boom, with startups raising approximately $229 billion globally. Higher interest rates and tighter economic circumstances have since tempered that exuberance, but funds continue to pile into the sector. Indeed, the global fintech sector is expected to see a rebound in investment activity throughout 2025.

Why are investors continuing to bet big on this sector? The answer is simple. The current international finance system is in urgent need of modernization. Built for a pre-internet age, it relies on outdated processes, chains of intermediaries and a patchwork of non-standard regulations. 

An aging and expensive system

Take SWIFT as a case in point. Founded in 1973, SWIFT remains the backbone of cross-border payments. SWIFT is nothing more than a messaging system that enables banks to communicate around transactions. It was never designed to manage funds or process transactions. As a result, a “make do and

Read More at https://cointelegraph.com/news/eliminating-archaic-payments-systems?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=rss%3Ft%3D1742364053370&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound

Opinion by: Simon McLoughlin, CEO at Uphold

2021 witnessed a fintech investment boom, with startups raising approximately $229 billion globally. Higher interest rates and tighter economic circumstances have since tempered that exuberance, but funds continue to pile into the sector. Indeed, the global fintech sector is expected to see a rebound in investment activity throughout 2025.

Why are investors continuing to bet big on this sector? The answer is simple. The current international finance system is in urgent need of modernization. Built for a pre-internet age, it relies on outdated processes, chains of intermediaries and a patchwork of non-standard regulations. 

An aging and expensive system

Take SWIFT as a case in point. Founded in 1973, SWIFT remains the backbone of cross-border payments. SWIFT is nothing more than a messaging system that enables banks to communicate around transactions. It was never designed to manage funds or process transactions. As a result, a “make do and

Read More at https://cointelegraph.com/news/eliminating-archaic-payments-systems?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound

Cryptocurrency-friendly investment firm ARK Invest has joined a massive Series A funding round for Apptronik, a Texas-based firm building humanoid robots.

Apptronik, on March 18, announced the successful close of an oversubscribed $403M Series A funding round, adding another $53 million to the $350 million round disclosed in February.

After investing in Apptronik’s Series A round, ARK has enabled investors to access the company through its ARK Venture Fund (ARKVX), which focuses on “disruptive innovation.”

Source: ARK Funds

“After investing in their Series A round, the ARK Venture Fund is proud to offer investors access to Apptronik! Download SoFi and gain access today,” ARK wrote in an X post on Tuesday.

Mercedes-Benz, Japan Post and Google among investors

Led by California-based B Capital and Texas-based Capital Factory, the original $350 million Series A raise also featured participation from tech mogul

Read More at https://cointelegraph.com/news/ark-joins-403-million-raise-ai-robotics-apptronik?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=rss%3Ft%3D1742364053370&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound

Cryptocurrency-friendly investment firm ARK Invest has joined a massive Series A funding round for Apptronik, a Texas-based firm building humanoid robots.

Apptronik, on March 18, announced the successful close of an oversubscribed $403M Series A funding round, adding another $53 million to the $350 million round disclosed in February.

After investing in Apptronik’s Series A round, ARK has enabled investors to access the company through its ARK Venture Fund (ARKVX), which focuses on “disruptive innovation.”

Source: ARK Funds

“After investing in their Series A round, the ARK Venture Fund is proud to offer investors access to Apptronik! Download SoFi and gain access today,” ARK wrote in an X post on Tuesday.

Mercedes-Benz, Japan Post and Google among investors

Led by California-based B Capital and Texas-based Capital Factory, the original $350 million Series A raise also featured participation from tech mogul

Read More at https://cointelegraph.com/news/ark-joins-403-million-raise-ai-robotics-apptronik?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound

Coinbase exchange’s stock price has received an optimistic price prediction from a Bernstein analyst, citing improving crypto regulatory clarity in the world’s largest economy.

Gautam Chhugani, an analyst at global asset management firm Bernstein, initiated coverage of Nasdaq-listed Coinbase (COIN) stock with an outperform rating and a price target of over $310.

The analyst expects improving mainstream cryptocurrency adoption, driven by US President Donald Trump’s administration, which intends to make crypto policy a national priority and make the US a global hub for blockchain innovation, according to a Bernstein research note seen by Tipranks. 

If Coinbase shares manage to rise to $310, it would mean an over 64% rally from the current $188 mark, Google Finance data shows.

COIN/USD, all-time chart. Source: Google Finance

The bullish price prediction comes over a week after Trump hosted

Read More at https://cointelegraph.com/news/coinbase-stock-could-surge-64-amid-trump-backed-crypto-push-bernstein?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=rss%3Ft%3D1742364053370&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound

Coinbase exchange’s stock price has received an optimistic price prediction from a Bernstein analyst, citing improving crypto regulatory clarity in the world’s largest economy.

Gautam Chhugani, an analyst at global asset management firm Bernstein, initiated coverage of Nasdaq-listed Coinbase (COIN) stock with an outperform rating and a price target of over $310.

The analyst expects improving mainstream cryptocurrency adoption, driven by US President Donald Trump’s administration, which intends to make crypto policy a national priority and make the US a global hub for blockchain innovation, according to a Bernstein research note seen by Tipranks. 

If Coinbase shares manage to rise to $310, it would mean an over 64% rally from the current $188 mark, Google Finance data shows.

COIN/USD, all-time chart. Source: Google Finance

The bullish price prediction comes over a week after Trump hosted

Read More at https://cointelegraph.com/news/coinbase-stock-could-surge-64-amid-trump-backed-crypto-push-bernstein?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound