In a significant move for digital asset adoption, YouTube has enabled U.S.-based content creators to receive payouts in PayPal’s PYUSD stablecoin. This integration, confirmed by PayPal’s head of crypto, May Zabaneh, to Fortune, allows the video-sharing giant to offer cryptocurrency payments without directly handling the underlying technology. The decision leverages YouTube’s colossal user base as a potential catalyst for mainstream stablecoin use, marking a pivotal moment where traditional fintech infrastructure meets the creator economy.
about YouTube Enables Creator Payouts in PayPal's PYUSD StablecoinFortune
0 in Finance and 0 in Crypto last weekPaxos Acquires Fordefi in $100M+ Crypto Wallet Deal
Blockchain infrastructure firm Paxos has acquired institutional crypto wallet startup Fordefi in a deal valued at over $100 million, marking a significant consolidation in the institutional crypto custody space. The acquisition strategically combines Paxos’ regulated custody capabilities with Fordefi’s advanced multi-party computation (MPC) wallet technology, creating a comprehensive platform for institutional onchain operations including stablecoin issuance, asset tokenization, and decentralized finance integration.
about Paxos Acquires Fordefi in $100M+ Crypto Wallet DealCoinbase’s $2B BVNK Acquisition Deal Collapses
Coinbase’s planned $2 billion acquisition of stablecoin infrastructure company BVNK has been mutually terminated during the due diligence phase, representing one of the most significant failed deals in cryptocurrency industry history. The collapse of this landmark transaction, which would have dramatically expanded Coinbase’s institutional stablecoin offerings, occurred at the final stage before closing, with both companies agreeing not to proceed while keeping specific reasons confidential.
about Coinbase's $2B BVNK Acquisition Deal CollapsesTempo Leads $25M Round in Commonware for Blockchain Payments
Crypto infrastructure startup Commonware has secured $25 million in a funding round led by Tempo, a payments-focused blockchain network backed by fintech giant Stripe and crypto venture firm Paradigm. This significant investment underscores the accelerating convergence between traditional finance and Web3 infrastructure, specifically targeting the development of scalable blockchain-based payment systems for real-world applications.
about Tempo Leads $25M Round in Commonware for Blockchain PaymentsCMT Digital Raises $136M for Crypto Startups Amid VC Slowdown
Chicago-based CMT Digital has successfully closed its fourth venture fund, securing $136 million to invest in blockchain infrastructure and applications. The fundraising comes as overall crypto venture activity shows signs of slowing in 2025, yet the firm sees opportunity in improving regulatory clarity and growing institutional adoption.
about CMT Digital Raises $136M for Crypto Startups Amid VC SlowdownCrypto’s Hollow Bull Run: Institutions, Memes & Macro
This crypto bull cycle feels unlike any before it. While Bitcoin has reached record highs, the broader market has experienced unprecedented challenges that have left many questioning whether this truly qualifies as a bull run at all. The current environment is characterized by institutional dominance, memecoin mania, and unfavorable macroeconomic conditions that have hollowed out the market’s traditional energy and retail participation.
about Crypto's Hollow Bull Run: Institutions, Memes & MacroStripe’s Tempo Blockchain Raises $500M at $5B Valuation
In a landmark funding round that signals robust institutional confidence in blockchain infrastructure for payments, Stripe’s blockchain venture Tempo has secured $500 million in Series A financing, valuing the payments-focused network at $5 billion. The substantial investment, led by Thrive Capital and Greenoaks, comes less than two months after Stripe first unveiled its layer-1 blockchain designed specifically for stablecoin and real-world payment solutions, marking one of the most significant venture capital bets in the crypto infrastructure space this year.
about Stripe's Tempo Blockchain Raises $500M at $5B ValuationBitMine’s Tom Lee: Crypto Treasury Bubble Already Burst
BitMine Chairman Tom Lee has declared that the speculative bubble surrounding Digital Assets Treasury (DAT) companies has already burst, with approximately 80% of these crypto-focused firms now trading below their net asset value. In an exclusive interview with Fortune’s Crypto Playbook Podcast, Lee argued that the market has become discerning, separating viable companies from speculative ventures while positioning BitMine as fundamentally different due to its massive Ethereum holdings and strategic network role.
about BitMine's Tom Lee: Crypto Treasury Bubble Already BurstNvidia’s $100B OpenAI Deal Sparks Round-Tripping Concerns
Nvidia’s massive $100 billion investment in OpenAI is raising serious concerns across financial markets about potential ’round-tripping’ practices, where the chipmaker’s investment funds may be returning as chip purchase revenue. This circular transaction pattern has analysts questioning the sustainability of Nvidia’s explosive growth and whether the company will soon need to defend its accounting practices as scrutiny intensifies.
about Nvidia's $100B OpenAI Deal Sparks Round-Tripping ConcernsKraken Raises $500M at $15B Valuation Ahead of IPO
Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has positioned itself for a potential public listing after securing $500 million in funding at a staggering $15 billion valuation. The substantial capital infusion, conducted entirely on Kraken’s terms without a lead investor, signals robust investor confidence as the exchange joins a growing wave of crypto firms preparing for public markets. This development comes amid increasing speculation that Kraken is following the successful IPO path of competitors like Gemini and Circle.
about Kraken Raises $500M at $15B Valuation Ahead of IPOKraken Raises $500M at $15B Valuation Amid IPO Speculation
Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has reportedly secured $500 million in a new funding round, valuing the company at $15 billion. The move comes amid growing speculation that the platform is preparing for an eventual initial public offering. Fortune first reported the funding, citing sources familiar with the negotiations, signaling strong investor confidence despite recent market volatility.
about Kraken Raises $500M at $15B Valuation Amid IPO SpeculationBitcoin Media Coverage Gap: Elite Outlets Lag Behind
Bitcoin Perception’s Q2 2025 report highlights a polarized media landscape, with 31% positive, 41% neutral, and 28% negative sentiment across 1,116 Bitcoin articles. Elite financial publications like The Wall Street Journal and Financial Times published significantly fewer articles compared to high-volume outlets such as Forbes and CNBC, which provided more balanced and frequent coverage. Forbes led with 194 articles (43% positive), while CNBC emphasized Bitcoin’s role in finance (42% positive). Traditional news outlets like The Independent and Fox News maintained a predominantly negative stance. The report suggests this ‘ostrich strategy’ by elite media creates information asymmetry, leaving institutional investors underinformed despite Bitcoin’s market dominance. The disparity underscores a growing divide between conservative financial media and outlets actively covering Bitcoin’s rise.
about Bitcoin Media Coverage Gap: Elite Outlets Lag Behind