The Block
Quick Take Grayscale, which has already converted both bitcoin and ether trusts into ETFs, plans to launch an XRP “closed-end” fund that will allow investors to gain exposure to the popular token. The firm had previously launched an XRP fund and then shut it down in 2021 after the SEC asserted the token was a security.
Anchorage became the custodian for 21Shares’ spot bitcoin and ether ETFs.The crypto bank will require issuers and participants to use biometric authentication to engage in crypto ETFs for better security.
Quick Take Coinbase launched its own version of wrapped bitcoin on Thursday after teasing the WBTC alternative in August. The cbBTC token is initially supported on the Ethereum and Base networks, providing a means to use bitcoin in their decentralized finance ecosystems.
Quick Take Standard Chartered analyst Geoff Kendrick expects bitcoin to hit a fresh all-time high by year’s end, regardless of who wins the U.S. presidential election. Kendrick bases his prediction on positive factors, including the evolving regulatory landscape for digital assets.
Quick Take Ark Invest bought 53,708 Coinbase shares on Wednesday, worth $8.4 million, as the investment firm rebalanced its fund weightings amid a post-U.S. presidential debate price drop across the crypto market. It’s the first time Ark has bought or sold Coinbase shares since the early August lows.
Quick Take Southeast Asia ride-hailing platform TADA has collaborated with TON Foundation to launch a new Telegram mini app. The mini-app allows users to book rides directly on Telegram and pay using Toncoin or USDT on TON blockchain.
Swift says its plans include testing different multi-ledger settlement methods for transacting tokenized securities.
Quick Take Vitalik Buterin said he will change how he discusses Layer 2 rollups in public communications, such as blogs and talks, starting next year. Buterin plans to only mention Layer 2 solutions that achieve “stage 1+” in decentralization.
Quick Take The odds of Kamala Harris winning the U.S. presidential election rose to 50%, while Donald Trump’s chances of winning stood at 49% on Polymarket. The two candidates’ election odds were tied following Tuesday night’s debate before Trump took the lead on Wednesday.
Quick Take The community members of Vega Protocol have voted to retire its existing Layer 1 blockchain. Following a unanimous governance vote, trading on the Vega chain has been discontinued. The decision to retire the blockchain was based on the lack of traction the network gained in its current form.
