Ripple, leading VCs invest in OpenEden to support the real-world asset tokenisation firm’s expansion

  • The company will focus on scaling TBILL and the yield-bearing stablecoin USDO.
  • cUSDO was approved this year as off-exchange collateral at Binance.
  • BNY Mellon now manages and safeguards Treasurys underlying TBILL.

Real-world asset tokenisation is becoming one of crypto’s most active areas in 2025, and OpenEden is positioning itself at the centre of this shift with a new round of investment supported by major industry players.

The company confirmed on Tuesday that leading trading firms, venture capital groups, blockchain networks and institutional infrastructure providers have backed its latest raise to expand access to tokenised US Treasurys.

The round, which follows OpenEden’s 2024 raise with YZi Labs, comes at a time when short-dated government debt has emerged as one of the fastest-growing niches in digital assets as institutions look for familiar, regulated yields on-chain.

Tokenisation demand drives new investment push

OpenEden said the fresh capital will help it scale its tokenisation-as-a-service platform as more institutions look to move traditional assets onto public blockchains.

The firm is leaning into rising demand for regulated products tied to government debt, with short-term Treasurys becoming a preferred entry point for investors seeking on-chain yield that mirrors conventional markets.

The company did not disclose the size of the round, but it confirmed participation from Ripple, Lightspeed Faction, Gate Ventures, FalconX, Anchorage Digital Ventures, Flowdesk, P2 Ventures, Selini Capital, Kaia Foundation, and Sigma Capital.

Expansion of TBILL and USDO across markets

A significant portion of upcoming development will centre on OpenEden’s two main offerings: TBILL, its tokenised US Treasury fund, and USDO, a stablecoin backed by those same Treasurys.

USDO and its wrapped version, cUSDO, have already been integrated across decentralised exchanges and lending markets.

Earlier this year, Binance authorised cUSDO as off-exchange collateral.

OpenEden said the new investment will support broader distribution of these products and allow the company to introduce additional market structures tied to real-world financial assets.

Broader product pipeline builds institutional focus

Beyond Treasurys, OpenEden is preparing several new instruments designed to deepen institutional engagement with tokenised markets.

These include upcoming tokenised bond exposure, a multi-strategy yield token and a range of structured products aimed at investors familiar with traditional income-generating instruments.

In August, the company appointed BNY Mellon as custodian and investment manager for the Treasurys underlying TBILL.

The product has also received investment-grade ratings from S&P Global and Moody’s, marking a notable step in bridging conventional market requirements with decentralised finance infrastructure.

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Canaan expands green Bitcoin mining with renewable energy, AI, and tokenization

  • The companies aim to improve grid stability by matching clean-power output with mining demand.
  • They will tokenize energy generation, carbon savings, and mining yields onchain.
  • The platform is designed to support securitisation of green-power assets.

Canaan is pushing deeper into sustainable Bitcoin mining with a new strategy that blends clean energy, artificial intelligence, and onchain tokenization.

The mining and hardware company has teamed up with SynVista Energy to develop a platform that adapts mining activity to renewable-power availability.

The plan comes as the crypto industry faces ongoing scrutiny over energy use and increasing pressure to rely on greener sources.

By combining smart energy scheduling with digital tracking of renewable assets, Canaan aims to show how mining can integrate more efficiently with modern power systems while supporting the wider shift toward low-carbon infrastructure.

Canaan turns to adaptive renewable energy mining

Canaan and SynVista Energy are developing a mining rig designed to match energy consumption with renewable-power supply.

The system uses an AI-driven scheduling engine that adjusts hash-rate demand based on real-time fluctuations in clean-energy production.

The companies say this approach is intended to maximise the use of available green power without adding stress to electricity grids already dealing with volatility from high renewable penetration.

The pair believes the platform could move renewable-powered Bitcoin mining from small isolated pilots to replicable engineering solutions.

The focus is on creating a structure that can fit regulatory standards while also remaining commercially viable for operators navigating the challenges of intermittent energy generation.

Mining industry seeks stability as power demand grows

Bitcoin mining continues to attract attention for its electricity footprint, with some estimates comparing consumption levels to those of mid-sized nations such as Poland or Thailand.

At the same time, industry groups argue that mining can complement grid balancing efforts, especially as AI data centres increase pressure on existing networks.

Canaan’s project builds on this narrative by targeting ways to turn surplus or stranded energy into productive computing power.

The company highlighted that fast-changing renewable output often leads to curtailment, where clean energy goes unused.

Its adaptive system aims to convert these excess electrons into a mining activity that can respond to grid conditions.

Tokenization of RWA links energy generation with onchain data

Alongside the hardware collaboration, Canaan and SynVista Energy will tokenize generation output, carbon savings, and mining yields on-chain.

The aim is to create a verifiable data layer that supports digital tracking of renewable generation and the securitisation of real-world assets such as green-power plants.

The companies expect that this on-chain framework will eventually allow tokenization of cash flows from energy production and carbon credits.

This would improve price transparency and liquidity for green assets while supporting the broader integration of digital tools into the energy-transition economy.

Industry data underscores the push toward cleaner mining.

The Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index estimates that Bitcoin accounts for about 0.8% of global electricity use.

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Israel signals tougher stablecoin rules as digital shekel plans speed up

  • Israel plans tighter stablecoin oversight as adoption surges globally.
  • Regulators warn dominance of Tether and Circle poses systemic risk.
  • Digital shekel roadmap advances for 2026 as CBDC development accelerates.

Israel is moving towards tighter supervision of stablecoins as the Bank of Israel positions them as a core part of the country’s future payments system.

The shift comes as regulators reassess how private digital dollars fit into daily financial flows.

Stablecoins are no longer seen as fringe tokens used only by crypto traders. Instead, they are being treated as major payment instruments with global scale and influence.

The Bank of Israel Governor Amir Yaron used the Payments in the Evolving Era conference in Tel Aviv to outline how regulatory demands will rise as stablecoin adoption continues to grow.

Rising pressure from global adoption

The Bank of Israel stressed that global stablecoin usage has expanded to levels that can no longer be ignored.

The sector has passed a market capitalisation of more than $300 billion, with monthly transaction volumes above $2 trillion.

As per CoinDesk, officials noted that these levels place stablecoins on par with the balance sheets of mid-sized international commercial banks.

This surge has been driven by their role in trading, cross-border transfers, and the need for a digital instrument that avoids the price swings of other cryptocurrencies.

The expanding footprint creates new urgency for clear, enforceable rules.

Concerns over market concentration

A key theme at the conference was the dominance of two stablecoin issuers.

About 99% of market activity is tied to Tether and Circle, creating a heavy concentration of risk in a sector that underpins a large share of digital asset transactions.

Israeli policymakers warned that this structure heightens systemic vulnerability.

They view that any disruption or weakness at the issuer level could ripple through global payment channels.

To mitigate this, officials highlighted the need for strict reserve practices, including fully backed 1:1 reserves and liquid assets that can handle sudden redemption waves.

Digital shekel plans move forward

Alongside the stablecoin discussion, Israel advanced its own central bank digital currency plans.

Yoav Soffer, who leads the digital shekel project, described the currency as central bank money designed for broad use.

He released a 2026 roadmap that sets out the next stages and confirmed that official recommendations are expected by the end of this year.

The update signals an acceleration similar to moves made by the European Central Bank.

Industry observers noted that the faster timeline reflects how central banks are adjusting to competition from private digital money and the rapid evolution of the payments landscape.

The roadmap triggered commentary within the crypto sector.

Attention centred on how the Bank of Israel’s accelerated schedule positions the digital shekel as a response to fast-growing private alternatives.

Market participants linked the timing to a broader global trend in which central banks are racing to modernise their own digital money strategies.

With stablecoins gaining influence in international transactions, the digital shekel project is being viewed as a strategic step to maintain control over national payments infrastructure while supporting innovation in regulated channels.

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Sony to build a Web3 payments network with its new US dollar stablecoin

  • The bank partnered with Bastion and took part in its $14.6 million raise.
  • Sony created a Web3 unit named BlockBloom to expand digital asset services.
  • Sony Financial Group’s recent spin-off gives Sony Bank strategic freedom.

Sony’s plan to introduce a US dollar stablecoin is emerging as a major step in how the company connects its entertainment businesses with its financial arm.

Instead of treating payments as a background function, Sony is designing a system that blends blockchain, digital assets, and its global user base into a single Web3 network, according to a Nikkei report.

The project centres on Sony Bank’s expansion into the US, where customers remain a key part of the group’s external sales.

With a launch planned for 2026, the stablecoin is being built as a payment tool that supports gaming, anime, and other digital purchases across the Sony ecosystem.

Sony Bank’s move signals the company’s broader shift into digital finance, with Web3 technologies becoming an important layer in how it delivers future services.

Stablecoin for the wider Sony ecosystem

Sony Bank, the online lender under Sony Financial Group, is preparing to roll out the stablecoin in the US through a dedicated unit.

The token will be pegged to the US dollar and is expected to support purchases of PlayStation games, subscriptions, and anime content.

This payment option will sit alongside existing methods such as credit cards.

The plan is aimed at US customers, who account for around 30% of Sony Group’s external sales.

By adding a blockchain-based token to the mix, Sony aims to reduce fees associated with card networks and increase the speed and efficiency of transactions.

Sony Bank applied for a banking licence in the US in October as part of this expansion.

The bank has also partnered with Bastion, a US stablecoin issuer.

Sony’s venture arm joined Bastion’s $14.6 million fundraising round, which was led by Coinbase Ventures.

Web3 unit builds the foundation

Sony Bank’s shift into stablecoins is part of a wider Web3 push that started earlier this year.

The bank established a dedicated Web3 subsidiary in June, after first outlining its plans in May.

In its announcement, the bank said digital assets built on blockchain technology were becoming part of a growing number of services and business models.

It pointed to wallets for storing NFTs and cryptocurrency, and exchange providers, as sectors rising in importance.

These tools are central to Sony’s Web3 plans because they allow digital assets and tokens to move easily across platforms used by fans, artists and creators.

The new Web3 unit was later named BlockBloom.

Its goal is to build an ecosystem that links digital and physical experiences with NFTs, fiat currency, and digital currency.

BlockBloom’s work now connects directly with the stablecoin initiative, which is expected to become one of the core payment tools inside this ecosystem.

Restructuring strengthens the digital shift

Sony Bank is pursuing this strategy shortly after a major structural change inside its parent company.

Sony Financial Group was separated from Sony Group and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in September.

The spin-off was designed to separate the financial arm’s operations and balance sheet from the wider conglomerate.

This independence now gives Sony Bank more space to pursue long-term digital finance projects, including the stablecoin.

The timing indicates that Sony Bank is using the separation to accelerate its push into new markets.

With the stablecoin aimed at the US and supported by Bastion, the bank is positioning itself to become a more competitive player in digital payments linked to entertainment and gaming.

Connecting US users with cross-platform payments

Sony’s stablecoin strategy is closely tied to its US users, who make up one of its largest customer segments.

By focusing the project on this market, Sony is aligning its payments network with regions that already engage heavily with blockchain and digital assets.

The stablecoin is expected to interact with multiple Sony services, creating a system where users can move funds seamlessly between gaming, subscriptions, and other digital platforms.

It also allows Sony to test Web3 payments at scale, backed by its gaming division, entertainment content, and new digital finance capability.

With the launch planned for 2026, Sony is building the early layers of a cross-platform structure that links Web3 payments with its broader entertainment network.

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Cardano founder: Genesis ADA funds were earned profit, not community treasury

  • Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson says Genesis ADA was profit earned from early work.
  • He rejects calls to use those funds for new integrations or community needs.
  • Treasury, not Genesis ADA, should finance current ecosystem initiatives.

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has moved to clarify one of the blockchain’s longest-running disputes, reaffirming that the platform’s early Genesis ADA allocations were private earnings for foundational work and risk and not community-owned funds waiting to be spent.

Hoskinson’s remarks came during a November 30 livestream titled “Genesis ADA,” where he called the matter “closed” and warned against rewriting the project’s original terms.

Calls to redirect Genesis ADA toward integrations

Hoskinson said renewed calls to redirect Genesis ADA toward recent integrations misrepresent how the project was structured from the beginning.

He explained that the allocation given to Input Output (IO) and EMURGO followed a straightforward premise: these were profits tied to early risk, not contributions to a public treasury.

At the time of the Japanese crowd sale that funded Cardano, IO’s portion was worth around $8 million.

Hoskinson emphasised that this funding model was understood by all parties involved, stating that early contributors accepted deep regulatory, technical, and financial risk at a stage when failure was far more likely than success.

He noted that most cryptocurrency ventures collapse, yet Cardano not only survived but grew into a network valued in the tens of billions.

From that perspective, the Cardano founder argued that the founding entities’ profits were earned rather than taken from any community allocation.

He criticised what he called a “Twitter mob” mentality that surfaced whenever Genesis ADA reentered public debate.

He said the claim that early contributors do not deserve their allocation ignores the enormity of the risk they assumed and the substantial ecosystem they helped build.

He pointed to the initial capital provided by Japanese buyers and stressed that those early stakeholders have long been “made whole” under the terms originally agreed upon.

Why the issue reemerged

The latest wave of concern stems from a joint request for 70 million ADA from the on-chain treasury to fund integrations with major providers, including oracle networks and stablecoin issuers.

Some community members argued that Genesis ADA should cover those costs.

But Hoskinson dismissed the idea, noting that many of today’s integration partners did not exist when Genesis ADA was allocated, making the expectation retroactive and unreasonable.

He added that the requested treasury funds would not cover all expenses, and entities such as IO and the Midnight Foundation would contribute additional support because they hold significant positions in ADA and KNIGHT.

For the founder, the real debate is not about Genesis ADA but about how the ecosystem should evolve as Cardano prepares for a major strategic reset in 2026.

Shift toward a new Cardano governance layer

Hoskinson described this upcoming shift as a move from the original tripartite structure, IO, EMURGO, and the Cardano Foundation, to a more coordinated five-member executive layer.

The expanded group would include the Midnight Foundation and Intersect.

According to Hoskinson, this structure is needed to face a competitive landscape dominated by large and aggressive industry players, where a unified strategy is essential for securing key deals.

He also rejected the suggestion that IO or EMURGO should act as public utilities with balance sheets open for community direction.

As private companies, he said, their financial operations are not subject to community oversight.

Their commitment is limited to the work they promise and deliver.

Hoskinson ended the livestream by urging the community to move forward. He said the outcome of Genesis ADA is settled and cannot be revisited.

The task now, he said, is to decide whether the ecosystem should adopt the proposed 2026 framework and invest in the infrastructure needed for Cardano’s next phase of growth.

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