Tag: Adoption & Partnerships

Liminal announced on September 2nd, 2026, the launch of Liminal Prime, a new enterprise software suite aimed at institutional clients seeking principal OTC dealing and stablecoin liquidity connectivity. This launch expands Liminal’s existing infrastructure, which includes institutional digital asset wallet and key-management solutions.

Liminal Prime comprises three distinct products: White-Glove OTC, Electronic OTC (eOTC), and Bridge. These are designed to provide trading and liquidity access while integrating with established institutional governance and compliance frameworks. According to Liminal, the suite addresses a client-identified gap for trading and liquidity infrastructure that operates within existing compliance structures.

Product Details:

• White-Glove OTC: Intended for high-value, complex, and time-sensitive block trades, facilitated by a dedicated dealing desk.
• Electronic OTC (eOTC): Offers both GUI and API-driven access to streaming and firm quotes for high-frequency digital asset transaction flows.
• Bridge: A technology platform enabling institutions to request quotes from and trade directly with liquidity providers they have onboarded.

Liminal stated that each product functions as an independent module, allowing for separate licensing and deployment, providing flexibility based on operational and regulatory needs. These products were developed through direct engagement with Liminal’s client base, including licensed exchanges, payment companies, financial institutions, and digital asset businesses.

Liminal’s existing infrastructure has processed over US$100 billion in on-chain transactions across more than 20 blockchain networks for institutions in over 12 countries. Liminal Prime is positioned to support the next phase of institutional adoption, focusing on trading, liquidity access, and operational efficiency.

Regulatory Considerations:

Liminal noted that White-Glove OTC and eOTC are restricted and unavailable in the UAE, India, Singapore, and Taiwan. The availability of the Bridge product is subject to local regulatory requirements, though specific details were not provided. Liminal emphasizes that users are solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all local regulations before accessing its services.

Liminal clarified its role in these offerings. For White-Glove OTC and eOTC, Liminal acts as the principal counterparty for its own account on every trade. For the Bridge product, Liminal is not the counterparty, does not operate an exchange or brokerage, and takes no custody of assets; its role is limited to routing quote requests and supporting communication between the institution and its chosen liquidity provider, with the trade and settlement occurring directly between those parties off-platform.

Across all three products, Liminal Prime offers configurable reporting, audit-ready workflows, and integration with Liminal’s existing wallet and key-management infrastructure. The products support multiple blockchain networks and major digital asset pairs, designed to provide the transparency, governance, and operational controls required by institutions.

Liminal Prime represents the initial phase of a broader infrastructure strategy, with the company planning to continue developing its product offerings as institutional participation in digital asset markets grows. The company’s objective is to serve as a trusted infrastructure partner for licensed institutions throughout their digital asset operations.

Why This Matters

The materials describe a narrow update: Liminal has launched Liminal Prime, an enterprise software suite offering principal OTC dealing and LP connectivity for institutional clients. The availability of Bridge is subject to local regulatory requirements.

Broader Context

Source materials place the announcement in this context: Liminal is a provider of institutional digital asset wallet and key-management infrastructure.

Alkemya Metacore SCSp has secured $50 million in a pre-launch capital raise for its tokenized equity nickel offering, with plans to sell additional ALKN tokens at $1.0 per token. The offer, arranged by Hanover Square Capital (UK) Ltd, is set to close on October 15, 2026, and targets institutional and professional investors on the Bitfinex Securities platform.

Underlying Asset and Valuation

The core of the offering is Alkemya Metacore’s substantial holding of approximately 7 million meters of 99.99% ultra-pure nickel wire, measuring 0.025 mm in diameter. This asset has been independently verified and valued at approximately $1.64 billion. The nickel wire is currently held in institutional custody in Lugano, Switzerland.

Capital Deployment and Strategic Applications

A portion of the capital raised will be invested as working capital into Alkemya Metacore to advance its commercialization strategy. This involves transforming the ultra-pure nickel wire into engineered mesh products designed for high-growth applications across seven key sectors: EMI shielding, aerospace and defense, marine and desalination, power and industrials, semiconductors, green hydrogen, and rare/precious metals recovery.

Token Structure and Investor Returns

The ALKN tokens are structured to offer investors an asset-backed investment opportunity, combined with a thematic exposure to the energy transition and electronic security technologies. Cash distributions for token holders include a 6% per annum compound interest preferred return, followed by an 80/20 profit split in favor of token holders from the commercial business.

Platform and Regulatory Framework

Alkemya Metacore SCSp is registered as an Issuer with the CNAD (National Commission of Digital Assets) in El Salvador. The offering is being conducted on Bitfinex Securities, a platform licensed in El Salvador and Kazakhstan, which facilitates the issuance, listing, and trading of tokenized securities. This platform aims to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of capital formation for both issuers and investors.

Market Significance and Commentary

Carlo Guido Della Peruta, Manager of the General Partner of Alkemya Metacore, highlighted the capital raise as a significant milestone, demonstrating confidence in the underlying nickel asset and the offering’s structure. Jesse Knutson, Head of Operations at Bitfinex Securities, emphasized the platform’s role in connecting investment opportunities with a broader investor base. Arvinder Sood, CEO and Director at Hanover Square Capital (UK) Ltd, noted that tokenization provides access to a global investor base within a regulated framework, positioning Alkemya Metacore as an example of bringing previously inaccessible asset classes to market via blockchain technology.

Uncertainties

Despite the reported success of the capital raise, uncertainties remain regarding the exact amount of further funds to be raised in additional tranches, the specific timeline for transforming the nickel wire into engineered mesh products, and the future performance and market acceptance of the ALKN tokens.

Broader Context

Source materials place the factual news in this context: Alkemya Metacore SCSp is a special limited partnership based in Luxembourg.

Ripple and SettleMint have announced a strategic partnership to integrate Ripple Custody into SettleMint’s Digital Asset Lifecycle Platform (DALP). This collaboration aims to provide regulated financial institutions with a unified system for the custody, issuance, and management of tokenized assets throughout their lifecycle.

The integrated offering has launched in Asia, with plans to expand to other markets based on institutional demand. The partnership targets banks, market infrastructure operators, and sovereign entities, consolidating functions such as compliance, settlement, and servicing with custody and issuance. This approach seeks to enable institutions to reduce reliance on separate vendors for each function.

According to Fiona Murray, Managing Director, Asia Pacific at Ripple, financial institutions across Asia Pacific are actively engaging with digital assets and are seeking integrated solutions. “They are asking how to do more without stitching together separate solutions for custody, issuance and governance,” Murray stated.

Market Context and Projections
The joint announcement references a Boston Consulting Group (BCG) report from May 2026, titled “The Future of Digital Assets.” This report projects that tokenized real-world assets could reach $88 trillion by 2035, describing the shift toward digital assets as a fundamental restructuring of financial infrastructure. BCG also estimates that banks failing to adapt to this shift could see profits fall by as much as 30% over the same horizon.

Ripple’s Custody Expansion
Ripple’s custody services have been developed through a series of transactions and acquisitions, with the company having invested approximately $4 billion in cumulative M&A and corporate venture spending on crypto infrastructure. Recent additions to Ripple’s capabilities include partnerships with Securosys and Figment, an integration with compliance analytics firm Chainalysis, and the acquisition of wallet infrastructure provider Palisade, which enhanced its MPC-based key sharding and multi-chain support.

SettleMint’s Platform Reach
SettleMint, headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, with offices in the UAE, Singapore, and Japan, provides the lifecycle management component. The company states that its DALP is currently in production and pre-production deployments across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific for banks, market operators, and governments.

“Global capital markets are moving fully on-chain, and that shift only works when digital asset custody and lifecycle management operate as one system rather than two,” said Adam Popat, CEO of SettleMint.

The partnership’s offering includes support for assets such as RLUSD, Ripple’s stablecoin, and XRP. In March, Ripple piloted RLUSD in Singapore’s central bank sandbox with supply chain finance firm Unloq. Additionally, Ripple’s XRP Ledger was utilized in a cross-border pilot with JPMorgan, Mastercard, and Ondo Finance, which reportedly settled tokenized US Treasuries in under five seconds.

While the offering has commenced in Asia, the exact timeline for its extension to other markets remains an uncertainty. The full impact of banks failing to adapt to digital assets on their profits is also subject to estimation, as is the complete scope of SettleMint’s DALP deployments across all regions.

Why This Matters

This partnership addresses the growing need for integrated digital asset management solutions within the financial sector. As highlighted by Boston Consulting Group, the market for tokenized real-world assets is projected to reach $88 trillion by 2035, indicating a significant shift in financial infrastructure. Financial institutions that fail to adapt to this evolving landscape could face substantial profit reductions, underscoring the importance of solutions like the one offered by Ripple and SettleMint.

C1 Fund Inc. (CFND), a fund listed on the New York Stock Exchange, has disclosed its holdings for the second quarter of 2026, identifying Ripple Labs as its largest position, accounting for 17.5% of its net assets. This disclosure places Ripple Labs ahead of Payward, the parent company of Kraken, which represents the fund’s second-largest holding at 16.9% of net assets.

According to C1 Fund Inc.’s disclosures, the fund’s net asset value (NAV) per share was $6.49 during Q2 2026. The fund also expanded its portfolio by adding Polymarket, bringing the total number of private digital companies held by C1 Fund Inc. to eleven. Prior to this quarter, the fund held seven such companies, with a total deployment across these eleven private digital companies amounting to $33.07 million.

The fund’s performance metrics indicate that its stake in Ripple generated a 150% return over a four-month period. The report partly attributes this return to Ripple’s own share repurchase program. This investment strategy, focusing on private digital companies, suggests a continued institutional appetite for the underlying infrastructure of the crypto sector.

In the broader market context, XRP, the digital asset associated with Ripple Labs, was trading at $1.36, down 1.80% on the day. Technical indicators show the Relative Strength Index (RSI) near 61 on daily charts, with the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicating a buy signal. Traders are reportedly watching the $1.34-$1.35 level as a key support zone, with potential resistance identified between $1.42-$1.43. Some analysts suggest potential price targets of $2 for XRP in September, though a risk scenario could see the price slide towards $1.25. A scheduled Ripple escrow release this week is also noted as a factor to track, separate from the fund’s investment activities.

Separately, the report mentions Bitcoin Hyper, a project aiming to build a Bitcoin Layer 2 solution with native SVM integration, promising faster smart contract execution and bridging to Bitcoin’s base-layer security. The presale for Bitcoin Hyper has raised $33 million so far, with tokens currently priced at $0.0136855 USD each. Early participants are reportedly offered 35% staking rewards.

Why This Matters

The C1 Fund Inc. disclosure highlights institutional interest in private digital asset companies, with Ripple Labs being the most significant position. This suggests a continued institutional focus on the underlying infrastructure of the crypto space. The exact timing and impact of the scheduled Ripple escrow release remain factors to track.

ChatGPT AI has predicted that XRP could reach between $2.20 and $3.00 by the end of 2026, with a base case of $2.50. This forecast is reportedly driven by anticipated upgrades to the XRP Ledger (XRPL) and increasing institutional adoption.

Why This Matters

The materials describe a narrow update: ChatGPT AI has predicted a future price range for XRP based on anticipated upgrades to the XRP Ledger (XRPL) and increasing institutional adoption. The extent to which adoption will convert into sustained XRP demand.

Broader Context

Source materials place the factual news in this context: Ledger upgrades do not trend on social media, but they change what a network can hold.

XRPL Enhancements and Potential Utility

The XRPL is undergoing development, with version 3.3.0 introducing proposed upgrades for atomic transactions and permission delegation. These enhancements, alongside sponsored fees and confidential token transfers, could potentially make the ledger more suitable for institutional assets beyond simple payments. Ripple is also developing supporting infrastructure, with investments in projects like ZILO and Licuido aimed at tokenized issuance and collateral mobility on the XRPL.

Current Market Performance and Technical Indicators

In the current market, XRP closed at $1.44925, marking a gain of 1.85% for the session. Trading data indicates a session range between $1.38912 and $1.47438. Technical indicators show a cooling momentum, with the Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 73.73 against a signal line at 62.73. This narrowing gap between the RSI and signal line suggests a stabilization after a recent price spike. Support levels are identified around $1.38912 and $1.30, with a significant structural base at $1.00. Resistance is noted at $1.47438, followed by $1.55, and a recent spike high of $1.70.

Uncertainties and Broader Ecosystem Developments

However, the future trajectory of XRP faces several uncertainties. The extent to which anticipated adoption will translate into sustained XRP demand remains a key variable. According to the article, the ability of XRP to hold the $1.20 support level is also a point of consideration, with a failure to do so potentially exposing it to lower levels around $0.90 to $1.00. The long-term impact of XRPL upgrades on institutional asset utility is yet to be fully realized.

Broader market dynamics also play a role. The increasing institutional activity on-chain can highlight the costs associated with fragmented blockchain ecosystems, where assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana operate as separate liquidity environments. Solutions like LiquidChain are emerging, aiming to build a unified execution layer to connect these ecosystems, potentially reducing the complexity and cost of cross-chain operations. LiquidChain is currently in its presale phase, priced at $0.01454, and has raised over $920,000.

While AI predictions offer a glimpse into potential future price points, they are subject to numerous variables. The development of the XRPL and the broader adoption of blockchain technology are critical factors that could influence XRP’s price, but the conversion of potential utility into actual demand remains the most significant determinant. Current technical indicators suggest a stable trend, but the market’s reaction to upcoming developments and broader economic factors will ultimately shape XRP’s performance.

Cardano’s ADA blockchain has been integrated as the public proof layer in Blockforce’s supply-chain traceability platform, enabling independent verification of records. This integration allows for the anchoring of cryptographic proofs of supply-chain data onto the Cardano blockchain, while sensitive commercial details remain on a permissioned network, specifically Hyperledger Fabric.

The dual-ledger approach ensures that while the integrity of supply-chain records can be independently verified by auditors, regulators, or customers, the underlying commercial data is not exposed. This addresses a key challenge in supply chain management: the need for transparency and verifiability without compromising business confidentiality.

More than 500,000 supply-chain records have already been anchored using this model. Joint engineering efforts between Cardano and Blockforce have resulted in a significant cost reduction, with the cost per record for public verification cut by 92%. This substantial reduction is critical for making large-scale public verification economically viable for enterprises.

Guilherme Pereira, from the Cardano Foundation, framed this integration as a milestone in fitting blockchain technology naturally into enterprise infrastructure, delivering the verifiability, traceability, and scale that companies require. Suelen Joner highlighted the importance of a public network for maintaining the integrity of supply chain records over their full lifecycle, especially when records are questioned years after they are written.

The Blockforce platform utilizes Hyperledger Fabric for managing detailed records on a permissioned network, accessible only to involved parties. Only the cryptographic proofs of these records are then anchored to the Cardano blockchain. This architecture is detailed in a case study by the Cardano Foundation.

While the announcement highlights the capability for auditors and regulators to independently verify record integrity, it does not certify compliance with any specific regulatory regime. Broader references to EU sourcing rules circulating in trade coverage should be considered market context rather than direct claims made by the Cardano Foundation or Blockforce.

The system is already in use with some of Brazil’s largest fashion groups. Azzas 2154, for instance, aims to trace 100% of the leather across its brands by 2030, utilizing this dual-ledger structure. The solution is designed to work with existing data suppliers produce, turning it into a single auditable record without requiring new systems from them.

Expansion of this model is planned for other sectors, including automotive, agribusiness, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, all leveraging the same dual-ledger structure for enhanced traceability and verification.

Why This Matters

The materials describe a narrow update: Cardano’s ADA blockchain has been integrated as the public proof layer within Blockforce’s supply-chain traceability platform. The specific regulatory regimes for which this model provides verification capability are not named.

Circle’s Internet Group has entered into a principal partnership with Chelsea Football Club, which will feature USDC branding on the front of the club’s kits beginning with the 2026/27 season. The agreement covers the Men’s, Women’s, and Academy kits, with the on-pitch debut scheduled for Sunday, August 30.

This partnership marks a significant move for Circle, a company focused on bringing the world closer to a future where money works like the internet. The integration of USDC, Circle’s flagship stablecoin, onto Chelsea’s kits aims to increase brand visibility within the global sports community. Jeremy Allaire, Co-Founder and CEO of Circle, leads the company which reported $73.3 billion of USDC in circulation at the end of Q2 2025, a 19% increase year-over-year. During the same period, Circle reported $14.8 trillion in on-chain transaction volume. The company also completed its IPO in the second quarter of 2025 and is preparing a September 16 public mainnet launch for its Arc blockchain, with notable validators including BlackRock, Visa, and Mastercard.

For Chelsea Football Club, this deal represents a new chapter in its front-of-shirt sponsorship landscape. The club has seen a variety of partners in recent seasons, including telecoms firm Three, sports data company Infinite Athlete, Dubai property developer DAMAC, and industrial AI firm IFS. Chelsea opened the current campaign with a blank shirt front, having last had a consistent front-of-shirt partner in the 2022/23 season. Reports and rumors regarding the club’s asking price for the sponsorship slot have varied, with initial figures around £60 million to £65 million annually, later reportedly reduced to around £45 million. The Infinite Athlete deal was reportedly valued at £40 million.

The partnership between Circle and Chelsea FC aligns with a broader trend of cryptocurrency-related entities increasing their engagement with major sports franchises. This trend is observed as companies seek to leverage the global reach and passionate fan bases inherent in sports. In a related development, Tether, the issuer of the rival USDT stablecoin, recently took a minority stake in Juventus and made an unsuccessful bid for Exor’s controlling stake in the Italian club.

The exact financial terms and duration of the Circle and Chelsea FC partnership have not been disclosed. The specific year for the August 30 on-pitch debut is also not explicitly stated, though it is implied to be within the 2026/27 season timeframe. Circle’s interpretation of the partnership suggests it is more than just a logo on a shirt, positioning it as a collaboration with a partner who is actively building. The move of the women’s team into Stamford Bridge is also seen as an opportunity to introduce Circle and USDC to the Chelsea Women family.

Why This Matters

The materials describe a narrow update: Circle’s Internet Group will have its name and USDC branding displayed on the front of Chelsea FC’s Men’s, Women’s, and Academy kits starting in the 2026/27 season. The exact value and length of the Circle and Chelsea FC partnership deal.

Broader Context

Source materials place the factual news in this context: Chelsea last began a season with a front-of-shirt partner in 2022/23, the final year of telecoms firm Three’s contract.

Mastercard Deepens Ties to Ripple Ecosystem Amid Renewed XRP ETF Interest

Mastercard has strengthened its connection with the Ripple ecosystem, coinciding with a resurgence in XRP Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) flows. While XRP remains significantly below its previous peaks, the confluence of institutional engagement and renewed capital rotation has placed the token back on the radar of trading desks this week.

XRP Ledger Foundation Welcomes Mastercard Sponsorship

The XRP Ledger Foundation announced Mastercard as a sponsor for the upcoming XRP Ledger Hackathon, a 36-hour event scheduled for October 24-25, preceding Ripple’s Swell conference in 2026 (October 27-29). The Foundation expressed enthusiasm for the payments giant’s participation, highlighting the decade-old XRP network’s suitability for payment use cases.

Mastercard’s involvement in the XRP Ledger Hackathon signals a significant development. When a major payments company engages with a builder event, it suggests that the innovations emerging from such collaborations are likely to have a tangible impact. The hackathon is set to take place in New York from October 24-25.

This sponsorship follows Mastercard’s earlier move in March to include Ripple, alongside other prominent entities like Binance, PayPal, and Circle, in a broader blockchain-payments partnership program.

XRP ETF Adjustments Coincide with Inflow Momentum

Meanwhile, 21Shares has made technical adjustments to how its XRP ETF prices the underlying asset. This shift comes at a time when XRP ETF inflows are demonstrating renewed momentum after a period of sluggish performance.

XRP’s intraday trading range has been observed between $1.38 and $1.46, with current trading hovering around the $1.45 mark, near the upper end of this band. Trading volume has increased in tandem with this price movement, mirroring activity seen in August 2026 when its ETF recorded net inflows of $56.86 million.

Beyond ETFs, XRP’s trading volume has reached its strongest point since January. The $1.40 level is now acting as immediate support, with resistance anticipated in the mid-$1.40s, close to recent highs.

Potential Upside and Downside for XRP

A decisive break above $1.46 could pave the way for XRP to reach $1.60 and beyond, particularly if the CLARITY Act successfully passes its September 15 cloture vote, formalizing XRP’s status as a commodity regulated by the CFTC. However, consolidation between $1.30 and $1.46 is also a possibility as the market assesses whale activity and ETF flow data.

On the bearish side, a decline below $1.34 could lead to a retest of the $1.00 psychological support level, which held firm in mid-August. Approximately 60% of XRP’s supply is reportedly trading below its realized price of $1.48, an overhang that warrants caution before aggressively pursuing further gains.

XRP holders who have benefited from the recent upward movement have earned their gains, with a rise from $1.00 to $1.45 representing a notable increase. However, with a market capitalization of roughly $90 billion, doubling from its current position would require an additional $90 billion in fresh capital, a more substantial challenge compared to assets in their presale stages.

Institutional Expectations and Emerging Opportunities

The recalibration of institutional expectations is evident, as exemplified by Standard Chartered’s reduction of its 2026 target for XRP from $8 to $2.80. The significant discrepancy between JPMorgan’s initial projection of $8 billion in inflows and the approximately $1.5 billion actually delivered highlights an asymmetry that often drives capital towards earlier-stage investment opportunities.

In this context, Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER), a Bitcoin Layer 2 solution integrating with the Solana Virtual Machine, is emerging. It is positioned as offering faster transaction speeds than Solana while leveraging Bitcoin’s base-layer security. The presale has raised $33 million to date, with a token price of $0.01368 and a 35% APY staking reward. Its Decentralized Canonical Bridge aims to address Bitcoin’s long-standing programmability limitations without compromising trust assumptions.

Ripple Launches Institutional Trading Business to Expand Wall Street Reach

Ripple, the company associated with the cryptocurrency XRP, has unveiled a new institutional trading business, Ripple Prime, signaling a strategic expansion beyond its digital asset origins and deeper into traditional finance.

The initiative, announced Thursday, will enable hedge funds, asset managers, and other institutional clients to engage in Total Return Swaps (TRS) across a range of assets, including US-listed equities, indices, and digital assets.

According to the company, the service is now operational and represents a significant move to bolster its presence in traditional financial markets. This development follows Ripple’s acquisition of prime broker Hidden Road for $1.25 billion, which was completed less than a year ago.

Products within the Delta One category, such as TRS, are derivatives designed to mirror the performance of an underlying asset or index. A TRS allows investors to benefit from an asset’s gains and income without direct ownership, in exchange for financing costs and potential losses.

Ripple Prime has broadened its platform’s asset offerings, now providing clients with access to equities alongside foreign exchange, fixed income, derivatives, and cryptocurrencies through a unified counterparty relationship. The company also stated that customers can cross-margin exposures across these diverse assets around the clock, potentially lowering the collateral requirements for institutions.

Noel Kimmel, President of Ripple Prime, commented that these services are precisely what institutional market participants are seeking, and expressed pride in the company’s ability to deliver them.

Ripple’s acquisition of Hidden Road, subsequently rebranded as Ripple Prime, was initially announced in April 2025 and finalized by year-end. This acquisition positioned Ripple as the first crypto company to own and operate a global multi-asset prime broker, handling over $3 trillion in annual clearing volume and serving more than 300 institutional clients.

Earlier this year, Ripple Prime secured an investment-grade BBB rating from KBRA, with the agency citing its growth in clearing and intermediation within exchange-traded derivatives and fixed-income repo markets.

In August, Ripple Prime announced an upsized $275 million private placement of senior unsecured notes, following a $200 million debt facility secured from Neuberger Specialty Finance in May. The company indicated that the new capital would fuel its ongoing expansion efforts.