Tether will issue USDT directly on Bitcoin using the RGB protocol, removing dependence on other blockchains for transactions.
RGB enables stablecoins to operate natively within Bitcoin wallets while preserving decentralization and privacy.
This launch may boost Bitcoin liquidity and offer a more seamless route for users to interact with BTC through stable assets.

Tether has announced that it will begin issuing its USDT stablecoin natively on the Bitcoin blockchain. This marks the first time the company will offer its stablecoin directly on the Bitcoin network. The deployment will use RGB, a smart contract protocol designed for Bitcoin, enabling users to transact USDT directly within the Bitcoin ecosystem.

The RGB protocol recently reached its mainnet phase. It allows digital assets like USDT to be issued and transferred on Bitcoin’s Layer 2 and 3 solutions while preserving the core principles of decentralization and security. Tether previously issued USDT on blockchains like Ethereum, Tron, Solana, and TON, requiring users to bridge assets via centralized or decentralized exchanges.

Direct Access to Bitcoin Through USDT
This development eliminates the reliance on other networks for Bitcoin purchases using USDT. Investors can now hold and transfer the stablecoin alongside Bitcoin within the same wallet environment. This native integration is expected to improve liquidity and enhance user access to Bitcoin without intermediaries.

With native stablecoins now possible, Bitcoin moves beyond being a store of value. Tether emphasized that the network can now support a broader range of financial applications. The launch introduces new capital inflow avenues, offering potential boosts to Bitcoin trading volume and market activity.

Statement from Tether’s CEO on USDT for Bitcoin
Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, stated that Bitcoin deserves a stablecoin that is native, lightweight, private, and scalable. He described RGB as a significant step forward, enhancing USDT’s utility on Bitcoin. Ardoino reiterated the company’s long-term commitment to the Bitcoin ecosystem.

Tether is already one of the largest corporate holders of Bitcoin, with 77,780 BTC reported in its Q2 financials. It also owns a majority stake in Twenty One Capital, which may soon become one of the top public Bitcoin treasury holders. With a current USDT market capitalization of $167 billion, Tether remains the dominant stablecoin issuer in the cryptocurrency space.

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Circle Internet Financial and London-based financial technology firm Finastra announced Wednesday a partnership that will integrate USDC settlement capabilities into Finastra's Global PAYplus platform. The collaboration affects a payment infrastructure that processes more than $5 trillion in daily cross-border transaction flows, potentially marking a significant step toward mainstream adoption of blockchain-based settlement systems in traditional banking.

What to Know:
Circle's USDC stablecoin will be integrated into Finastra's Global PAYplus platform, which serves thousands of banks across 130+ countries and handles over $5 trillion in daily payment flows
Banks using the platform will be able to settle transactions with USDC while maintaining payment instructions in traditional fiat currencies, aiming to reduce costs and settlement times
The partnership represents Circle's push beyond cryptocurrency markets into institutional banking infrastructure, following the company's public listing earlier this year
Finastra's Global PAYplus platform serves as a critical payment hub for financial institutions worldwide. The system currently supports thousands of banks operating in more than 130 countries, making it one of the most extensive payment processing networks in the global banking sector.
The integration will allow participating banks to settle cross-border transactions using Circle's USDC stablecoin while preserving existing payment instruction formats in traditional fiat currencies.

Financial institutions can test blockchain-based settlement methods without overhauling their current compliance frameworks or foreign exchange processes.

Finastra provides financial software solutions to over 8,000 customers globally, including 45 of the world's 50 largest banks. Chris Walters, Finastra's chief executive, said the partnership would help clients access innovative settlement options "without the burden of building their own systems."

Stablecoin Settlement Gains Institutional Traction
The collaboration reflects growing institutional interest in stablecoin infrastructure for cross-border payments. Blockchain-based settlement systems can operate continuously, unlike traditional correspondent banking networks that face time zone limitations and processing delays.

Circle's USDC maintains a circulating supply of approximately $69 billion, making it one of the largest stablecoins by market capitalization. Jeremy Allaire, Circle's co-founder and chief executive, described Finastra's reach and expertise in payment infrastructure as making them "a natural choice to further expand USDC settlement in cross-border flows."

The partnership positions Circle alongside payment industry leaders such as Stripe and PayPal, which have developed proprietary stablecoin infrastructure. Several major banks and retail companies are exploring token-based payment models as alternatives to traditional settlement methods.

Regulatory authorities in the United States, Europe, and Asia continue examining stablecoin implementations, weighing potential benefits against systemic risks. The scrutiny reflects growing recognition of stablecoins' role in both cryptocurrency markets and traditional financial infrastructure.

Understanding Digital Payment Terms
USDC functions as a stablecoin, a type of cryptocurrency designed to maintain stable value relative to a reference asset, typically the U.S. dollar. Unlike volatile cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, stablecoins aim to provide price stability for payment and settlement applications.

Cross-border payment settlement involves the final transfer of funds between financial institutions to complete international transactions. Traditional settlement often requires multiple correspondent banks and can take several business days to complete.

Blockchain technology enables direct peer-to-peer transactions without intermediary institutions, potentially reducing settlement times from days to minutes. Smart contracts can automate settlement processes while maintaining transparency and immutability of transaction records.

Market Response and Financial Performance
Circle's shares closed Wednesday at $127.40, declining 1.28% from the previous trading session. The decrease occurred during broader market weakness, with Bitcoin falling 0.7% to $111,277 over 24 hours and Ethereum dropping 2.2% to $4,511.

Circle completed its public listing earlier this year through a special purpose acquisition company merger. Investors have shown interest in stablecoin exposure as digital payment infrastructure continues expanding into traditional financial services.

The partnership announcement came as cryptocurrency markets experienced mixed performance, reflecting ongoing volatility in digital asset valuations despite increasing institutional adoption.

Closing Thoughts
The Circle-Finastra partnership represents a notable bridge between cryptocurrency infrastructure and traditional banking systems, potentially affecting how thousands of banks handle cross-border settlement. The integration of USDC into a $5 trillion daily payment platform signals growing institutional confidence in stablecoin technology for mainstream financial applications.

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Ethereum ETFs saw $443.9M inflows, signaling strong Wall Street accumulation.
Bitcoin ETFs ended six-day outflows with $219M inflows, showing resilience.
Institutional demand highlights confidence in Ethereum’s long-term role in digital finance.

Ethereum ETFs witnessed a surge of interest that surprised even seasoned traders. Wall Street snapped up $443.9 million in net inflows during a single day, turning heads across the market. The timing could not be more dramatic. While crypto prices stumbled, institutions poured capital into Ethereum. That confidence, expressed in raw dollars, paints a striking picture of belief in the blockchain’s future. The move suggests momentum shifting in favor of accumulation rather than retreat.

Strong Inflows Signal Renewed Confidence
The numbers speak volumes. Ethereum ETFs registered about $444 million across three consecutive sessions, marking a winning streak that few expected. Bitcoin ETFs also joined the rebound, pulling $219 million in inflows after six days of redemptions. These flows highlight investor resilience in the face of volatility. CoinShares data revealed a broader context. Global crypto ETPs bled $1.43 billion in a single week.

One day alone saw Ether funds lose $430 million, the second-worst outflow event on record. The tone changed when Jerome Powell delivered his Jackson Hole remarks. His words, interpreted as dovish, triggered a wave of optimism. That optimism materialized in $594 million of inflows, led by Ethereum. By midweek, ETH funds regained nearly $440 million, offsetting earlier weakness. The swift reversal illustrated how quickly sentiment can flip when policy shifts align with investor appetite.

Wall Street Bets on Ethereum’s Future
Beyond the raw numbers, a narrative takes shape. Institutions appear less rattled by short-term price swings and more focused on Ethereum’s long-term role. The potential introduction of staking within spot Ethereum ETFs could amplify that appeal. Nate Geraci, president of NovaDius Wealth, even predicted the “floodgates” could open within two months as regulators approve new products. His outlook frames the remainder of 2025 as potentially wild for crypto ETFs.

Altcoins painted a mixed picture. XRP logged $25 million in inflows, SOL added $12 million, while SUI and TON faced redemptions. Still, the spotlight rested firmly on Ethereum, with Wall Street treating the recent dip as a discount rather than a deterrent. The scale of inflows shows that investors view ETH not as a speculative play, but as infrastructure critical to digital finance.

This accumulation phase feels like preparation before a new wave. Capital flows act like the tide, pulling back briefly before rushing forward again. For Ethereum, those green bars of inflows look like a rising current, hinting at broader adoption ahead. If momentum holds, old fears may vanish, replaced by growing confidence that Ethereum stands ready to anchor the next era of digital assets.

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Strategy acquires 3,081 BTC, expands total holdings significantly.
Purchase strengthens its position as largest public BTC holder.
Impacts market perception on institutional crypto adoption.

Strategy, formerly MicroStrategy, acquired 3,081 BTC for $356.9 million at $115,829 per Bitcoin, as filed in an SEC document on August 25, positioning it as the largest public Bitcoin holder.

This acquisition underscores institutional confidence in Bitcoin, reflecting significant corporate adoption and potential market influence, amidst a year-to-date yield of 25.4% for Strategy’s holdings.

Strategy, formerly known as MicroStrategy, has purchased 3,081 BTC for approximately $356.9 million. The acquisition brings its total Bitcoin holdings to 632,457 BTC, cementing its status as the largest publicly held Bitcoin portfolio.

The acquisition, detailed in a recent SEC Form 8-K filing on August 25, 2025, indicates a strategic continuation of Strategy’s BTC-centric approach under Executive Chairman Michael Saylor’s guidance, known for his unwavering support of Bitcoin.

This acquisition significantly impacts institutional perceptions of Bitcoin, showcasing an increase in corporate interest as it now holds nearly 3% of the total Bitcoin circulating supply. Market confidence may reflect these strategic moves positively.

The transaction adds to Strategy’s corporate assets, totaling a reported $46.5 billion market value, a point highlighting the corporate world’s serious interest in integrating Bitcoin into treasury functions.

Strategy’s actions underline its belief in Bitcoin as a core reserve asset, enticing other corporates towards similar crypto investments. Expert opinions suggest potential financial shifts as BTC continues to gain mainstream adoption.

Regulatory and technological implications remain evident as Strategy’s moves may encourage further regulatory scrutiny and technological integration of cryptocurrencies into corporate frameworks. Historical data suggests such acquisitions often correlate with renewed market vigor.

“The acquisition of 3,081 BTC reaffirms our commitment to Bitcoin as the foundation of our corporate treasury strategy.” – Michael Saylor, Executive Chairman, Strategy

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The company also redeemed $20.4M in bonds to trim liabilities while maintaining its aggressive Bitcoin accumulation strategy.
Metaplanet has once again expanded its Bitcoin reserves, acquiring 103 tokens for 1.736b yen, or about $11.8m, as part of its ongoing treasury strategy.

The Tokyo-listed company now holds 18,991 Bitcoin in total, purchased at an average price of 15.05m yen per coin. In dollar terms, its stash is valued at more than $2.14b at current exchange rates.

The move comes just a week after Metaplanet added 775 Bitcoin to its balance sheet, showing its rapid accumulation pace.

This latest buy is part of what the firm calls its Bitcoin Treasury Operations, a strategy formalized last year to position Bitcoin as a core corporate reserve asset. Under this approach, Metaplanet taps capital markets through share issuances and bond programs, then channels the proceeds directly into Bitcoin acquisitions.

Partial Redemption Of 19th Series Bonds Signals Balance Sheet Optimization
As part of its balance sheet management, Metaplanet also redeemed 3b yen (about $20.4m) of its 19th Series Ordinary Bonds. The partial redemption reflects the company’s effort to optimize liabilities while continuing to allocate aggressively into Bitcoin.

Metaplanet has attracted attention across financial markets for its aggressive pivot into digital assets. Often dubbed “Asia’s MicroStrategy” by industry watchers, the firm has mirrored the US software company’s strategy of leveraging corporate financing to build a massive Bitcoin war chest.

Recent disclosures show the company actively uses stock acquisition rights to raise capital. Earlier this month, more than 4.9m new shares were issued following the exercise of warrants, further funding its crypto purchases.

Metaplanet’s Strategy Anchored On Long-Term Bitcoin Value Over Fiat Reserves
The company’s filings also outline its use of unique performance metrics such as “BTC Yield” and “BTC Gain” to measure shareholder value in Bitcoin terms rather than traditional profit and loss. In the quarter to date, Metaplanet reported a 29.1% BTC Yield, showing how its holdings per share continue to rise despite equity dilution.

Its rapid accumulation also reflects Japan’s growing role in digital assets, at a time when regulatory clarity in the US has driven renewed institutional interest.

The company’s aggressive stance comes against a backdrop of volatile markets. Bitcoin has been trading around $113,000 in recent days, pulling back slightly after setting record highs earlier this month.

For Metaplanet shareholders, the wager is clear. Management has repeatedly argued that Bitcoin offers superior long-term value preservation compared with fiat cash reserves, and that the company’s role is to maximize Bitcoin per share through disciplined financing.

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