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Ripple Teams Up with UC Berkeley to Launch $1.3M Digital Assets Research Centre

In collaboration with UC Berkeley, Ripple is launching a new Centre for Digital Assets with $1.3 million in $RLUSD financing. The objective is to place the institution at the forefront of the development of digital assets by advancing research and innovation in blockchain technology and digital twin applications. The centre will investigate real-world blockchain applications, such as safe online transactions, tokenisation, and decentralised banking. Through the integration of UC Berkeley’s academic competence and Ripple’s commercial experience, the effort seeks to transform research into practical solutions, thereby contributing to the development of digital banking. By allowing academics and students to delve into cutting-edge technologies and contribute to the quickly changing crypto world, this collaboration also demonstrates Ripple’s dedication to innovation and education.

Tether’s $500B Valuation Could Make It 4th-Largest Financial Firm, Surpassing Bank of America

Tether’s latest funding round, valuing the company at $500 billion, could make it one of the biggest names in global finance. According to Messari, this would put Tether ahead of major institutions like Bank of America, ranking it as the fourth-largest financial services firm in the world. The milestone highlights the growing importance of stablecoins and crypto infrastructure. As the issuer of USDT—the most widely used stablecoin, Tether plays a central role in trading, payments, and DeFi. Reaching a $500 billion valuation shows that crypto-native companies are no longer niche players—they’re becoming major forces in the traditional financial world. It’s a clear sign of how digital assets are reshaping global finance, with firms like Tether redefining what it means to be a leading financial institution.

SEC Misses Deadline for Canary Capital’s Spot Litecoin ETF Amid Government Shutdown

The SEC has missed its Thursday deadline to decide on Canary Capital’s proposed spot Litecoin (LTC) ETF, largely due to the ongoing government shutdown. This ETF would give investors a regulated way to gain direct exposure to Litecoin, similar to existing Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. The delay adds uncertainty for both investors and the broader crypto market, as regulatory clarity is key to encouraging mainstream adoption of crypto products. While the SEC hasn’t provided a new timeline, the postponement highlights the challenges regulators face in reviewing crypto applications during periods of administrative disruption. Investors and market watchers are now left waiting to see whether the SEC will approve, reject, or ask for more information before making its final call.

BNB Hits New All-Time High Above $1,100 as $396M in Crypto Positions Liquidated

Based on market statistics from Binance, BNB, the company’s native crypto, has risen above $1,100 to reach a new all-time high of $1,108.17. Amidst fresh investor interest, the token had a high surge of 7.27% in the last day. Significant liquidations were also sparked by the quick price change throughout the cryptocurrency market. According to Coinglass data, holdings worth $396 million were lost in total at that time. Because traders who were betting against BNB and other assets were caught off guard, $268 million of this came from short bets. A further indication of increased market volatility was the liquidation of $127 million in long holdings.

Crypto Hacks Inflict $127M Losses in September, Down 22% from August

Blockchain security company PeckShield reports that in September 2025, crypto hacks cost $127.06 million in losses. Although there were still about 20 significant exploits reported throughout the sector, the amount represents a 22% drop from August’s $163 million. According to the data, approximately two-thirds of the losses in September were caused by UXLINK and SwissBorg alone, with the majority of the losses being concentrated in a small number of significant occurrences. The biggest attack of the month cost the blockchain-based social networking site UXLINK $44.14 million. UXLINK saw a 90% token fall after the hack, in which the hacker used its multisig wallet to manufacture about 10 trillion unauthorised tokens.

Sweden Seeks Bitcoin Reserve Strategy

A proposal by two MPs to investigate establishing a strategic Bitcoin reserve for the nation has prompted Sweden to contemplate entering the realm of Bitcoin reserves. Beyond conventional assets like cash and gold, the goal is to diversify Sweden’s national holdings. Countries around the world are considering Bitcoin as a possible hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty. Though it is only a proposal, but it demonstrates Sweden’s openness to new ideas for handling the country’s finances. Before making any commitments, the government would need to thoroughly evaluate the dangers associated with Bitcoin’s volatility, regulatory obstacles, and security requirements. The conversation nevertheless shows that Bitcoin is becoming more widely acknowledged as a significant asset on the international scene.

Tether to Promote New U.S. Stablecoin USAT via Rumble, CEO Says

In order to encourage the use of USAT, its recently released stablecoin created especially for the US market, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said the business intends to leverage the video streaming site Rumble. According to Ardoino, Rumble plans to introduce a crypto wallet that utilises Tether’s technology later this year at a panel discussion held at Token2049 in Singapore on Wednesday. “The aim there is to prove how we can convert [Rumble’s] 51 million [monthly] active users, mostly in the United States, to use stablecoins within the U.S., the most sophisticated country nation for financial rails,” stated Ardoino.

Coinbase to Integrate 1inch Swap API

Coinbase is teaming up with 1inch to bring its Swap API into the Coinbase Wallet. The move is largely aimed at making token swaps smoother, faster, cheaper and less cumbersome for users. Instead of sticking to a single exchange, 1inch aggregates liquidity from multiple DEXs. This means users can get better prices and less slippage when trading. The move also strengthens Coinbase’s non-custodial services, giving people more control over their assets while still enjoying efficient transactions. For everyday users, the integration can help with swapping tokens directly from their wallet. The process will becomes more reliable and cost-effective, without giving up custody. Interestingly the move comes at a time when Coinbase’s broader push to bridge the gap between centralized exchanges and DeFi is picking pace. The partnership can also help provide tools that make self-custody and decentralized trading more accessible to the mainstream.

World Liberty Financial to Launch USD1 Stablecoin on Aptos

Donald Trump Jr. and WLFI CEO Zach Witkoff have revealed that World Liberty Financial’s (WLFI) stablecoin, USD1, will go live on the Aptos blockchain on October 6. The launch marks a big step for WLFI as it looks to make crypto more accessible and practical for everyday use. Alongside the stablecoin, WLFI plans to roll out a crypto-linked debit card, letting users spend their digital assets just like cash in daily life. The company is also exploring tokenizing assets such as real estate, oil, and gas, opening up new ways for people to invest in traditionally illiquid markets. Together, these will bring WLFI’s closer to bridging the gap between crypto and real-world finance, making digital assets not just an investment, but a tool people can use in their everyday lives.

Ripple CTO David Schwartz to Step Down After Over a Decade

After more than ten years at the company, Ripple CTO David Schwartz revealed on Tuesday that he will leave at the end of the year. In a post on X, Schwartz, who contributed to the coding of the XRP ledger, stated that he wished to reconnect with his long-suspended hobbies and spend more time with his family. “But don’t worry, I’m not leaving the XRP community. He wrote, “You haven’t seen the last of me (yet, or ever).” Schwartz will continue to be associated with Ripple despite stepping down from his executive position. In addition to serving as CTO Emeritus, which will enable him to continue working on personal endeavours, he will join the company’s board of directors.