Nexo bets big on Argentina with crypto card launch and new country chief

  • Nexo Card launches in Argentina with debit and credit modes for crypto users.
  • Andres Ondarra will lead Nexo Argentina as General Manager from August 1.
  • Buenos Aires is being positioned as Nexo’s regional hub for Latin America.

Nexo has launched its crypto debit-and-credit card in Argentina, marking a deeper push into one of Latin America’s most active digital-asset markets and placing Buenos Aires at the centre of its regional expansion strategy.

The launch comes alongside a leadership change, with Andres Ondarra appointed General Manager of Nexo Argentina.

The company said the two developments mark the next stage of its growth in the country, where digital assets have become a mainstream part of wealth management for many users.

Nexo described Argentina as a market where crypto adoption runs deeper than almost anywhere else, citing the highest share of digital-asset adoption among markets surveyed.

The company also said Argentina processed approximately $93.9 billion in digital-asset transactions over three years, ranking second in Latin America behind Brazil.

Nexo Card brings spending and borrowing utility

The Nexo Card allows clients in Argentina to use digital assets in two ways. In debit mode, users can spend their holdings directly. In credit mode, they can borrow against those assets as collateral without selling them.

The company said clients can switch between both modes through a single interface, giving users more flexibility in how they manage and use their crypto wealth.

New clients are being offered 10% back on their first swipe.

They can also receive additional cashback and milestone rewards worth up to USD 450 in total during their first three months. Nexo said users can earn up to 13% annual interest on idle in-app balances, paid daily.

The card has previously been recognised by the Digital Banker Awards, the FinTech Breakthrough Awards, and the PAY360 Awards.

“Argentine clients have spent a decade making digital assets part of how they manage wealth. The Nexo Card is built precisely for that — letting them spend in debit mode, borrow against their holdings in credit mode, and earn from every transaction, all without having to sell. It’s the freedom to live on that wealth, not just hold it,” said Andres Ondarra, incoming General Manager, Nexo Argentina.

For Nexo, the product launch is aimed at the next phase of crypto usage in Argentina.

With capital already moved into digital assets, the company is focusing on everyday utility: spending, borrowing and earning from holdings without requiring clients to sell them.

Eligible clients in Argentina can apply for the Nexo Card through the Nexo app and website.

Ondarra takes charge as Buenos Aires becomes regional hub

Ondarra will formally lead Nexo Argentina’s operations from August 1.

He brings more than 25 years of experience across traditional finance, fintech and crypto in Latin America, including a background in Wall Street investment banking.

His appointment comes as Nexo positions Buenos Aires as its regional hub for Latin America.

The company said it is investing in local infrastructure, sports partnerships, including the AFA, and a local team to support clients across the region.

Ondarra succeeds Federico Ogue, who led Nexo’s expansion in Argentina and is now moving to a new entrepreneurial venture.

“Argentina has one of the most sophisticated crypto and fintech ecosystems in the region, and the work Nexo has done here is something to be proud of. I look forward to passing the baton to Andres, who brings exactly the experience and vision to lead Nexo’s next stage of growth in Argentina,” said Ogue.

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KuCoin partners with UAE team Emirates-XRG ahead of Tour de France

  • KuCoin partners with UAE Team Emirates–XRG ahead of Tour de France.
  • KuCoin debuts Tour de France sponsorship with UAE Team Emirates–XRG.
  • KuCoin expands global sports push with UAE Team Emirates–XRG deal.

KuCoin announced that it has become the official cryptocurrency partner of UAE Team Emirates – XRG, marking a new sports sponsorship agreement that will debut publicly during the 2026 Tour de France.

The partnership gives KuCoin exclusive rights in the Cryptocurrency Exchanges, Blockchain Trading Platforms and Crypto Wallet Services categories.

The company’s branding will appear across the team’s buses, support vehicles and fleet cars throughout the three-week Tour de France.

The agreement expands KuCoin’s sports sponsorship portfolio as the cryptocurrency exchange seeks to strengthen its global brand presence through partnerships with internationally recognized sporting organizations.

KuCoin secures exclusive sponsorship rights

Under the agreement, KuCoin will serve as UAE Team Emirates – XRG’s sole partner across cryptocurrency exchanges, blockchain trading platforms and crypto wallet services.

The partnership brings together two organizations that said they share a focus on innovation, precision and long-term performance.

The collaboration will make its public debut at the 2026 Tour de France, one of cycling’s most prominent events, where KuCoin branding will be prominently displayed on the team’s transportation fleet throughout the race.

Commenting on the partnership, BC Wong, Chief Executive Officer of KuCoin, said: “We are incredibly proud to partner with UAE Team Emirates – XRG and launch this collaboration on cycling’s grandest stage.”

He added that, “World-class achievements are never solitary; they require a dedicated team moving in unison toward a shared vision. These are the very values that have fueled KuCoin’s growth, and we look forward to empowering the team as they chase victory at the Tour de France.”

Tour de France provides global platform

The partnership will be introduced during the 2026 Tour de France, a three-week race regarded as one of the most prestigious events in professional cycling.

KuCoin said the competition reflects values that align with its business, including discipline, teamwork, trust and strategic coordination.

According to the company, success in the Tour de France depends on collaboration among riders, coaches, mechanics and support staff, principles that it said also underpin its approach to building a global digital asset infrastructure.

The sponsorship gives KuCoin visibility throughout the event by placing its branding on team buses, support vehicles and fleet cars used during the race.

Partnership expands KuCoin’s sports strategy

The agreement represents the latest addition to KuCoin’s global sports sponsorship initiatives as cryptocurrency companies continue using major sporting events to increase brand awareness.

UAE Team Emirates – XRG is one of the leading professional cycling teams and includes several high-profile riders, including multi-time Tour de France champion Tadej Pogačar.

KuCoin said the collaboration marks a significant expansion of its international sports sponsorship portfolio and is intended to reinforce the company’s global brand presence.

The company also said additional collaborative initiatives involving UAE Team Emirates – XRG and Tadej Pogačar will be announced later in the season, although no further details were disclosed.

The announcement comes as cryptocurrency firms continue pursuing partnerships in global sports as part of broader efforts to expand their visibility among mainstream audiences through internationally followed competitions and teams.

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Chainlink price prediction: record network growth meets bearish technicals

  • Chainlink added 6,182 new wallets in two days.
  • LINK’s price must clear $8.31 to strengthen its recovery.
  • Technical indicators lean more bearish than bullish.

Chainlink (LINK) is showing a rare divergence between its on-chain activity and price action.

While the token has struggled to recover from recent losses, network activity has accelerated at its fastest pace this year, raising questions about whether the increase in network activity can eventually translate into a price rebound.

At the time of writing, LINK is trading around $7.30, up just 0.3% over the past 24 hours.

Despite the modest daily gain, the broader trend remains weak.

LINK has declined 8.7% over the past week, 20.3% over the last 30 days, and 45.8% over the past year.

Chainlink network activity reaches highest level of 2026

Recent on-chain data showed that the Chainlink network added 6,182 new wallet addresses in just two days, marking its strongest two-day growth of 2026.

The increase was spread across two consecutive days, with 3,142 new wallets created on June 25 and another 3,040 on June 26.

Such growth is often viewed as a sign of rising user participation because it reflects fresh addresses interacting with the network during a period when the token itself has been under selling pressure.

The surge is particularly notable as it came while LINK was trading close to multi-month lows instead of a rally.

In many cases, rapid wallet growth accompanies rising prices as new investors enter the market.

This time, the increase in network activity arrived even as the token remained below several important resistance levels.

Chainlink continues to maintain a total value locked (TVL) of about $28.841 billion, showing that the protocol remains one of the largest decentralised oracle networks despite recent weakness in its token price.

Some market observers have pointed to the divergence between improving on-chain metrics and weaker prices as evidence that network usage has remained resilient.

However, address growth alone does not guarantee higher prices, particularly when broader market conditions remain under pressure.

Bearish technical indicators continue to dominate

Despite the encouraging on-chain data, technical indicators still favour the sellers.

From a technical perspective, LINK is trading below its 10-day, 20-day, 50-day, 100-day, and 200-day EMAs, leaving every major moving average above the current price and acting as resistance.

Remaining below the 200-day EMA also suggests that the longer-term trend has yet to turn positive.

Momentum indicators offer a slightly more balanced view.

The 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at 32.21, keeping the token above the traditional oversold threshold of 30 but still close enough that trading volume could play a decisive role in the next move.

On the weekly timeframe, the RSI is 33.23, indicating that bearish momentum has eased compared to earlier weeks, although the broader trend remains under pressure.

Key Chainlink price levels to watch

The technical structure leaves several important price levels in focus.

Immediate support sits at $7.02. If the token closes below that level, the current support structure would weaken significantly and could expose LINK to additional downside.

Chainlink price chart

On the upside, traders are watching $8.31, which represents the first major resistance level.

A confirmed close above that price would improve the technical outlook and could allow LINK to challenge the next resistance around $9.19.

Some technical analysts have also highlighted the possibility of a double-bottom formation if support continues to hold.

Under that scenario, a sustained breakout above resistance could eventually open the path toward the $9 region.

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What Binance’s EU exit means for the BNB token price

  • Binance will halt services for EU users after MiCA setback.
  • BNB token price has fallen 13.2% over the past month.
  • Bitcoin miner inflows to Binance hit a four-month high.

BNB token remained under pressure on Friday as investors weighed Binance’s regulatory setback in Europe against the token’s long-term role within the Binance ecosystem.

The token traded at $566.26, down 0.3% over the previous 24 hours.

During that period, Binance coin (BNB) moved between $541.77 and $569.04, showing that buyers managed to push the price close to the day’s high despite negative headlines.

Even so, the broader trend has remained weak.

BNB has fallen 1.4% over the past seven days, 5.5% in the last two weeks, 13.2% over the past month, and 12.5% over the last year.

The latest decline in sentiment comes after Binance confirmed that it will stop providing services to customers across the European Union after failing to obtain a license required under the bloc’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulations.

Regulatory setback raises fresh questions

Binance’s withdrawal from the European market represents another regulatory challenge for the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange.

The company informed affected users that services in the European Union will end after it failed to secure the required MiCA authorisation before the regulatory deadline.

Binance had previously sought approval through Greece before withdrawing its application and has indicated that it intends to pursue authorisation through another EU member state.

Although Binance said Europe remains an important market and expects to secure a license in the future, the interruption creates uncertainty for one of its largest regional user bases.

That uncertainty matters because the BNB token is closely tied to the Binance ecosystem.

While the token has expanded well beyond its original purpose as an exchange utility token, Binance’s trading activity still plays an important role in overall demand.

Any reduction in exchange activity could temporarily affect demand for BNB tokens, particularly from users who hold the token to receive trading fee discounts or participate in Binance products.

BNB token still has utility beyond the exchange

Despite the regulatory headwinds, the BNB token is no longer dependent solely on Binance’s centralised exchange.

The token serves as the native asset of BNB Chain, where it is used to pay transaction fees, support decentralised finance applications, participate in staking, and access Binance Launchpad token offerings.

These use cases continue to generate demand independent of spot trading on the exchange.

The BNB token also benefits from a deflationary supply model.

The token launched with a maximum supply of 200 million coins, and Binance continues to remove tokens from circulation through scheduled burns.

The token burn mechanism has so far removed 289,896.29 BNB tokens from the circulating supply, according to BNBBurn info, and remains one of the key features supporting the asset’s long-term economics.

However, utility alone may not fully offset the impact of negative regulatory developments in the short term.

Investor sentiment often reacts quickly to news involving Binance because of the close relationship between the exchange and its native token.

The wider crypto market decline adds another layer of pressure

The regulatory news arrives at a time when the broader cryptocurrency market is already facing fresh concerns.

Recent blockchain data showed that Bitcoin miners transferred more than 150,000 BTC to Binance during June, marking the highest miner inflows to the exchange in four months.

Large transfers from miners to exchanges are closely monitored because they can precede increased selling activity.

Although deposits do not automatically mean that coins have been sold, they often indicate that miners are preparing to access liquidity after periods of lower mining profitability.

If Bitcoin (BTC) experiences additional selling pressure, the effect can extend beyond the largest cryptocurrency.

And major altcoins, including the BNB token, frequently move in the same direction as Bitcoin during periods of broader market weakness.

If that happens, then the BNB token price could drop below the key support at $541.

However, if the market sentiment improves, then we could see the token recover above $588 and above.

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CertiK joins XDC Network to secure trade finance and RWA tokenization

  • CertiK joins XDC Network as institutional masternode validator.
  • Partnership strengthens security, resilience and decentralization.
  • SkyNode infrastructure delivers 24/7 protection and monitoring.

CertiK has joined the XDC Network as an Institutional Masternode Validator, marking a new step in the network’s push to build trusted blockchain infrastructure for enterprise finance, trade finance, and real-world asset tokenization.

The New York-headquartered Web3 security services provider has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with XDC Network under which it will deploy and operate validator nodes on the blockchain.

The partnership will use CertiK’s enterprise node solution, CertiK SkyNode, to strengthen XDC Network’s security, resilience, and decentralization.

The move comes as digital assets and traditional finance continue to converge, with institutions increasingly looking for blockchain networks that can support secure settlement, asset tokenization, and operational resilience at scale.

CertiK to operate validator nodes on XDC Network

Under the agreement, CertiK will participate as an Institutional Masternode Validator on the XDC Network, an open-source, EVM-compatible Layer-1 blockchain built for payments, trade finance, and real-world assets.

XDC Network’s hybrid architecture combines public transparency with private subnetwork capabilities.

The network is designed to support institutional settlement and RWA tokenization, while offering high throughput, low fees, and enterprise-grade security.

By joining as a validator, CertiK will embed security controls into the infrastructure layer of the network.

The companies said this is aimed at reducing operational and network-related risks as enterprise blockchain adoption gathers pace.

“CertiK is one of the most recognized names in blockchain security, and having them validate our network is a meaningful signal to institutions,” said Atul Khekade, Co-founder, XDC Network.

This is not just a technical partnership. It is a statement about the standard of infrastructure we are building for enterprise finance. The institutions moving into trade finance and asset settlement are making long-term infrastructure decisions, and we want XDC Network to be the answer they keep coming back to.

Security focus targets institutional adoption

CertiK will use its SkyNode infrastructure to provide 24/7 proactive defences for XDC Network.

These include continuous vulnerability scanning, automated threat mitigation, and node-level penetration testing.

The infrastructure will also use a multi-region sentry node architecture with redundant failover protection.

According to the companies, this setup is designed to maintain consensus continuity and support high availability during periods of peak network congestion.

For institutions evaluating blockchain rails for trade finance and asset settlement, operational resilience remains a central requirement.

The collaboration is positioned around that need, with CertiK bringing its security and infrastructure expertise to XDC Network’s validator ecosystem.

“CertiK is honored to join the XDC Network as an Institutional Masternode Validator,” said Ronghui Gu, Co-Founder and CEO of CertiK.

Traditional trade finance and RWA tokenization require rigorous risk management, strong security foundations, and operational resilience. Through this collaboration, we are bringing our security and infrastructure expertise to help strengthen the network and support the trusted infrastructure needed for institutional adoption.

XDC expands validator ecosystem for enterprise finance

The partnership adds CertiK to a wider group of institutional validators already supporting XDC Network.

These include regulated financial institutions, global telecoms companies, and Web3 digital asset firms.

XDC Network’s existing institutional validators include Animoca Brands, BCW Group, Blueprint, Clearpool, Credora, Deutsche Telekom, HashKeyCloud, Hivemind Digital Group, InvestaX, IXS, RedStone, Republic Crypto, SBI Holdings, StakeFi, and UOB Venture Management.

The collaboration will focus on supporting trusted infrastructure for trade finance, asset tokenization, and institutional digital asset ecosystems.

Both organizations said they aim to support the secure adoption of blockchain technologies across these areas.

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