Publicly traded Ethereum treasury firm SharpLink Gaming has deployed $170 million worth of ETH to the Ethereum layer-2 scaling network Linea, marking a significant step in its strategy to optimize on-chain yields and advance institutional adoption of decentralized finance (DeFi). The move, part of a planned $200 million multi-year commitment, aims to generate additional yield beyond standard staking rewards through restaking protocols and network incentives, positioning SharpLink at the forefront of a new on-chain paradigm for capital markets.
about SharpLink Gaming Stakes $170M ETH on Linea for DeFi YieldsEtherfi
0 in Finance and 0 in Crypto last weekVisa Crypto Card Spending Surges 525% in 2025, Led by EtherFi
Consumer spending through Visa-backed crypto-linked payment cards exploded in 2025, surging 525% over the year to reach $91.3 million by December. This dramatic growth, led by issuer EtherFi with $55.4 million in transactions, signals a pivotal shift as digital assets move from speculative holdings to tools for routine purchases at traditional merchants, supported by Visa’s expanding stablecoin infrastructure.
about Visa Crypto Card Spending Surges 525% in 2025, Led by EtherFiEthereum’s $11B Staking Withdrawal Delays Spark Systemic Risk Fears
Ethereum’s staking network is facing unprecedented strain as validator withdrawal queues hit record levels, creating 42-day delays for $10.5 billion in locked ETH. The growing backlog has sparked concerns about systemic vulnerabilities across DeFi ecosystems where liquid staking tokens serve as critical collateral. Analysts warn the situation could trigger a ‘vicious unwinding loop’ during market stress, testing the delicate balance between network security and liquidity.
about Ethereum's $11B Staking Withdrawal Delays Spark Systemic Risk FearsPlasma’s XPL Token Surges 113% After Mainnet Launch Volatility
Plasma’s XPL token experienced dramatic volatility following its September 25 mainnet launch, crashing before staging an impressive 113% recovery to $1.54. The initial sell-off was driven by airdrop recipients liquidating their positions, but strong fundamental metrics supported the rapid rebound. Despite overall market weakness, XPL’s performance highlights investor confidence in the stablecoin-focused blockchain platform.
about Plasma's XPL Token Surges 113% After Mainnet Launch VolatilityPlasma & EtherFi Partner on $500M Stablecoin Integration
Plasma, a stablecoin-focused neobank backed by Bitfinex, has partnered with EtherFi—the sixth-largest DeFi protocol with over $11 billion TVL—to integrate $500 million worth of ETH staking vault assets. The collaboration enables EtherFi’s liquid staking tokens to be used as collateral on Plasma’s EVM-compatible Bitcoin sidechain, offering users access to stablecoin yield products, gasless transactions, and confidential cross-border payments. The partnership highlights institutional momentum behind stablecoin infrastructure, following Plasma’s recent $1 billion deposit surge in June and backing from investors like Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund and Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino. Analysts, including former BitMEX CEO Arthur Hayes, view EtherFi as a key player poised to capture value from the expanding stablecoin ecosystem.
about Plasma & EtherFi Partner on $500M Stablecoin IntegrationEthereum Staking Faces $3.28B Exit Queue Amid Delays
Ethereum’s validator exit queue has surged to a 12-day wait time, marking the longest delay in months, with $3.28 billion worth of ETH awaiting withdrawal. The backlog, first noted in late July, continues to grow as withdrawals outpace new deposits. DeFi analyst Ignas links the trend to liquid staking providers like Lido, EtherFi, and Coinbase, where users are unwinding leveraged positions and capitalizing on Ethereum’s recent price rally. A widening stETH/ETH depeg and anticipation of ETH staking ETFs may also be influencing validator behavior. Profit-taking appears to be another key driver, as long-term stakers withdraw funds to lock in gains.
about Ethereum Staking Faces $3.28B Exit Queue Amid DelaysArthur Hayes: Treasury, Not Fed, Drives Bitcoin Bull Market
Arthur Hayes, co-founder of BitMEX and principal of Maelstrom Capital, asserts that the US Treasury’s liquidity maneuvers—not the Federal Reserve—are driving the current bull market in Bitcoin and other risk assets. Hayes highlights how Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s 2022 shift to short-dated bills injected dormant cash into global markets, sparking rallies. He predicts continued fiscal expansion under Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, with Bitcoin benefiting from increased dollar circulation. Hayes maintains a bullish $1 million BTC target by 2028, citing unsustainable US debt growth. His portfolio is 60-65% Bitcoin, 20% Ether, and the rest in revenue-generating altcoins like Pendle and EtherFi. A weaker dollar, he argues, will further bolster crypto demand.
about Arthur Hayes: Treasury, Not Fed, Drives Bitcoin Bull MarketObol Collective Launches Decentralized Operator Ecosystem and Airdrops OBOL Token
The Obol Collective has launched its Decentralized Operator Ecosystem (DOE) and airdropped the OBOL Token to Ethereum solo stakers and community members, aiming to enhance decentralization and governance. With over 600 mainnet distributed validator operators, the initiative significantly reduces centralization risks and empowers home operators. The OBOL Token will facilitate governance and operations, unlocking after the first retroactive funding round.
about Obol Collective Launches Decentralized Operator Ecosystem and Airdrops OBOL Token