In a world of fleeting texts, disappearing social stories, and paper receipts that fade or are lost, <a href="http://blockchain.com" style="text-decoration: none;">Blockchain.com</a> and BitPay are helping users make a moment or a token of love become a permanent memory. This Valentine&rsquo;s Day, the companies are starting a new tradition by introducing the concept of &ldquo;Proof of Love.&rdquo; By utilizing the permanent nature of the blockchain, couples can now cement their relationships with digital keepsakes that can be verified for decades to come.
When you purchase a gift through a BitPay-enabled merchant using your Blockchain.com or BitPay wallet, the transaction is broadcast to the network. ​​In today&rsquo;s world, social posts can show your relationship to everyone, but they can be deleted, archived, or forgotten. A blockchain-verified purchase, however, becomes a permanent, public record of the effort behind the gesture. Whether it's Valentine&rsquo;s Day, a special anniversary or an engagement, a thoughtfully purchased gift with a forever timestamp serves as tangible proof that you chose to act on your love. That&rsquo;s why Blockchain.com and BitPay help users navigate the technical side so they can easily find these purchases made on-chain.

The New Hardlaunch: Why Intentional Actions Speak Louder Than Words

To better understand how young adults define &ldquo;proof of love,&rdquo; we took the conversation to Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Interviewing students at SMU, we asked a simple question: How do you prove your love to someone? Whether they were in long-term relationships, casual situationships, or single, the responses were strikingly consistent. Many students said receiving flowers, jewelry, or chocolate for Valentine&rsquo;s Day still holds strong emotional value. But beyond the gift itself, almost all participants agreed that &ldquo;actions speak louder than words.&rdquo;
For many, gift-giving is less about materialism and more about intention. Students shared that their love language centers around acts of service, whether this is choosing a thoughtful gift, putting in effort to do something special for their significant other, or showing care through meaningful gestures. In a digital-first world where messages disappear and posts fade, students express that tangible actions still matter deeply.
That sentiment reflects exactly what &ldquo;Proof of Love&rdquo; represents. If actions speak louder than words, then a thoughtfully purchased gift, permanently recorded on the blockchain, becomes more than a transaction. It becomes a verified, lasting reminder of a moment that mattered.
Crypto is entering an era where people use it for everyday needs and in some cases, move it from the digital wallet to the jewelry box.&nbsp;

Love was a high-stakes affair this February as crypto-philanthropists swapped traditional tokens of affection for big-ticket blockchain purchases. BitPay data from the first two weeks of February 2025 reveals a surge in luxury gifting, with jewelry and apparel emerging as the top-tier categories.&nbsp;

Jewelry, in particular, saw an average order value of $21,315. While Litecoin and Bitcoin remained the workhorses for daily transaction counts, Bitcoin and USDC dominated the total volume, signaling that when it comes to five-figure romantic gestures, consumers are increasingly trusting digital assets.

Paying with crypto at checkout is now as seamless as using a credit card. Blockchain.com and BitPay wallet holders can participate in three simple steps:
<ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;">
<li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">
Shop: Visit any BitPay-supported <a href="https://www.bitpay.com/directory" style="text-decoration: none;">merchant</a>.&nbsp;
</li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">
Select BitPay: At checkout, choose BitPay as your payment method.
</li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">
Scan &amp; Secure: Open the Blockchain.com App, tap 'Send', and scan the QR code. The transaction is instantly etched onto the blockchain.
</li>
</ol>

Proof of Love: Blockchain.com and BitPay let couples turn Valentine’s gifts into permanent, blockchain‑verified keepsakes—creating a timeless, tamper‑proof record of love for any special moment.

Blockchain.com and BitPay Start New Valentine’s Day Tradition With “Proof of Love”

Together, turning gift receipts into permanent on-chain digital keepsakes

WLFI, GHO &amp; USD1 are available to buy, sell, and trade on Blockchain.com.
<h3>WLFI 🏛️</h3>
Ecosystem-Driven Participation
WLFI is a digital asset associated with the World Liberty Financial ecosystem. Its identity and usage are shaped by participation within its broader financial and governance-focused environment.
Why it matters:
Ecosystem tokens like WLFI play a role in enabling participation and interaction within decentralized financial platforms and emerging on-chain ecosystems.
<hr>
<h3>GHO ⚖️</h3>
Decentralized and Stability-Focused
GHO is a decentralized stablecoin designed to maintain a stable value through overcollateralized mechanisms and on-chain governance.
Why it matters:
Decentralized stablecoins like GHO aim to provide stability while remaining transparent and governed directly on-chain.
<hr>
<h3>USD1 💵</h3>
Digital Dollar Stability
USD1 is a digital asset designed to represent a stable value relative to the US dollar, supporting on-chain transactions with reduced volatility.
Why it matters:
Stable digital assets like USD1 are commonly used for trading, transfers, and participation in blockchain-based financial applications.
<hr>
Explore all these tokens in your <a href="http://Blockchain.com">Blockchain.com</a> App 👉 <a href="https://bcdc.onelink.me/Q9T6/82ou5fmw" rel="follow">Start now</a>

Discover WLFI, GHO, and USD1 - three new tokens now listed on Blockchain.com. Trade, swap, and explore emerging and stable digital assets today.

WLFI, GHO & USD1 now live on Blockchain.com

WLFI, GHO, and USD1 are on Blockchain.com. Explore a mix of ecosystem-driven and stable digital assets available directly in your Trading Account.

WLFI, GHO & USD1: Now Available in your Blockchain.com Trading Account

By Peter Smith
It&rsquo;s been quite a journey since we started Blockchain.com in a small office in York. Back then, the idea of a global financial system built on code was a fringe concept. Today, that vision is a reality, and I&rsquo;m incredibly proud to share that we&rsquo;ve reached a major milestone in the place where it all began. Blockchain.com is now officially registered with the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).&nbsp;
We&rsquo;ve spent over a decade at the heart of the British tech ecosystem. From our early days in York to our global headquarters in London. We&rsquo;ve grown alongside the UK&rsquo;s evolving crypto landscape as both a service provider and an active investor in British innovation.
This registration cements our presence here and sets the stage for a massive new chapter for both our retail users and our institutional partners. This approval also comes shortly after securing our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.blockchain.com/blog/posts/blockchaincom-secures-mica-license-fiorentina-damore-joins-the-company-to-lead-eu-expansion" style="text-decoration: none;">MiCA</a> (Markets in Crypto-Assets) license last year, which now gives us regulatory approvals across Europe and the UK.&nbsp;
By operating as a registered crypto asset business under the FCA, we are doubling down on our commitment to security and transparency.&nbsp; This solidifies the company&rsquo;s UK operations in preparation for the next generation of financial innovation, including:
<ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;">
<li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">
Offering digital asset custody and wallet services to UK customers
</li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">
Supporting enterprise-grade compliance and treasury tools for institutions
</li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">
Expanding access to brokerage services in alignment with FCA standards
</li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">
Strengthening partnership potential with regulated financial entities in the UK
</li>
</ul>

Securing this registration today puts us under active oversight immediately. Instead of waiting for legislation, Blockchain.com is now operating under the same rigorous standards as traditional finance and banks in the UK. With our FCA registration live, we are well-positioned to scale responsibly, offering crypto services with the same institutional-grade compliance standards that define our brand.&nbsp;
From day one, we knew crypto was going to rewrite the rules of finance, and London has always been the heart of that story for us. It's been an incredible journey watching this team evolve from our early days in York with a small number of employees to where we are today. And, our future as a company as we continue to grow.

Peter Smith celebrates Blockchain.com’s FCA registration, marking a decade‑long evolution from a York startup to a regulated UK crypto leader offering custody, brokerage and enterprise services.

Blockchain.com Secures UK FCA Registration

Founded in York and built in London, we are doubling down on our long-term commitment to the UK and across the EU.

<h1><img alt="undefined" src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/5BJhJfjUTLqZRkGgEzBA"></h1>
<h1>What is x402?</h1>
x402 is a payment protocol that enables payments over HTTP; it was <a href="https://www.coinbase.com/en-gb/developer-platform/discover/launches/x402" rel="follow">introduced in May 2025</a>, with an updated version 2 of the spec <a href="https://www.x402.org/writing/x402-v2-launch">released in December 2025</a>.
When a client makes an HTTP request, the server may respond with <code>HTTP 402 (Payment Required)</code>, and a&nbsp;<code>PAYMENT-REQUIRED</code> header. The header encodes a payload like this: 
<pre class="language-undefined"><code>{
 "x402Version": 2,
 "error": "Purchase 12 credits for $0.04",
 "resource": {
 "url": "https://askjune.ai/app/chat",
 "description": "Purchase usage credits on June AI",
 "mimeType": "application/json"
 },
 "accepts": [
 {
 "scheme": "exact",
 "network": "eip155:8453",
 "amount": "40000",
 "asset": "0x833589fCD6eDb6E08f4c7C32D4f71b54bdA02913",
 "payTo": "0xd8dA6BF26964aF9D7eEd9e03E53415D37aA96045",
 "maxTimeoutSeconds": 60,
 "extra": {
 "name": "USD Coin",
 "version": "2"
 }
 }
 ]
}</code></pre>

This lets the server tell the client what the request costs and which payment methods it accepts. In the example above, the server will only accept a payment of 0.04 USDC on Base.
The client can then retry the request, but with a <code>PAYMENT-SIGNATURE</code> header attached, which encodes a payment payload that matches the server's requirements, and must be signed.
The server verifies that the payment payload matches its requirements, then uses an <a href="https://x402.gitbook.io/x402/core-concepts/facilitator" rel="follow">x402 facilitator</a> to validate and settle the transaction. If the payment succeeds, the server fulfills the client's request.
While the protocol is complex under the hood, we have implemented it to feel completely invisible to the user.
<h1>How June uses x402</h1>
When you run out of credits on June, you have a few options:
<ol>
<li>Upgrade to a higher tier: Our Pro and Max plans have higher credit limits that refresh every day, and they provide the best value for using our platform.</li>
<li>Pay for this request: Make a small one-off payment to buy enough credits to complete this request; this is great for when you need "just one more prompt" to finish the task you were working on.</li>
<li>Buy a credit pack: If you need more credits but you don't want to upgrade your plan (or you're already on the highest tier), you can buy a bundle of credits in one purchase. Unlike the credits that are free as part of your June plan, and refresh every 5 hours, these credits never expire. We also offer discounted pricing on larger bundles, so the more credits you buy, the better the value.</li>
</ol>
If you choose (2) or (3) to buy more credits, you can pay with x402. Either tap the "Pay $x for this request" button, or navigate to the credit top-up page.
<img alt="Screenshot 2026-02-05 at 16.09.15.webp" src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/ScIjH4ckT9WsLl3MfYvL">
Once you've made your selection, your browser wallet will pop up, asking you to sign a transaction.
<img alt="Screenshot 2026-02-04 at 16.56.48.webp" src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/kJJLIWqsRhCVYo3bBLbn">
After you sign, the browser will encode the signed transaction into the x402 <code>PAYMENT-SIGNATURE</code> header as described above, and send the request to June. Your credits will be topped up, and you'll be able to continue using the platform.
We're launching with support for USDC on Base, but will expand support to other blockchains soon.
<h1>Why x402?</h1>
x402 keeps the entire payment flow simple, both for our developers, and for the user.
For users, it's a fast, in-context checkout: pay with the wallet you already use, without leaving the page, with a single click to sign.
For our team, we can add our x402 payment handling to any API endpoint, allowing us to charge per request where we know exactly how much that request will cost. All of the crypto-specific verification/validation, transaction broadcasting, and waiting for requests to finalise, we can delegate to the x402 facilitator, which allows us to stay focused on improving June.

These new options will allow our users to get more out of June, and we think this payment experience is better than ever. We're excited for you to try it out, and let us know what you think!

Finally, this lays the groundwork for a simple, crypto-native, payments API; easy for humans to use today, and a great fit for AI agents when we open up our APIs in the near future.

June now supports x402 payments. If you reach your usage limit, you can either make a one-off payment to top up just enough credits for a single request, or buy a credit pack. Both options are powered by x402.

x402 Payments in June

Today Blockchain.com and Ondo Finance announced an expansion of their partnership to offer real-world assets (RWAs) onchain to the European market. Eligible users across Europe can now gain direct access to regulated, tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs seamlessly within the Blockchain.com Defi wallet.
Last year, through its Defi wallet, Blockchain.com and Ondo Global Markets introduced over 200 tokenized stocks and ETFs to users in Africa and South America, offering onchain exposure to some of the most recognizable companies.&nbsp;
&ldquo;By bringing U.S. equities onchain for our European users, we are providing self-custody solutions through our DeFi wallet that are faster, more efficient and completely self-owned that remain unmatched by traditional banks. Building on our momentum in Africa and South America through this partnership with Ondo, we are making a more inclusive and secure financial system a reality for millions across Europe and beyond.&rdquo; &nbsp; - Peter Smith, CEO, Founder and Executive Chairman at Blockchain.com
Since its launch in September 2025, Ondo Global Markets has seen explosive growth, reflecting the surging demand for institutional-grade assets on the blockchain. With a total value locked (TVL) surpassing $556 million and trading volume exceeding $8.7 billion, the platform is a dominant force in the Real World Asset (RWA) sector. 
&ldquo;Extending availability to users across the EEA through the Blockchain.com DeFi wallet allows Ondo tokenized stocks and ETFs to reach a previously unavailable segment of the platform&rsquo;s global user base. We look forward to seeing how this expansion supports adoption as we continue to drive tokenization across global markets.&rdquo; -&nbsp;Ian De Bode, President at Ondo Finance 
This announcement marks a significant shift for European investors who can now access institutional-grade assets with the ease of a digital wallet, including:
<ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;">
<li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">
Users across 30 EEA states can now buy, sell, and hold over 200 tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs via the DeFi wallet.
</li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">
Assets are managed directly within the familiar Blockchain.com Wallet interface, removing the friction of traditional brokerage accounts.
</li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">
Amid strong performance in precious metals markets, Ondo Global markets offers onchain access to tokenized precious metals ETFs, including SLVon (Silver) and IAUon (Gold), enabling commodities exposure within its existing tokenized ETF lineup.
</li>
</ul>

In partnership with Ondo Global Markets, eligible users across Europe can now access tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs via the Blockchain.com Wallet.

Blockchain.com & Ondo Finance Launch Onchain Tokenized U.S. Stocks Across Europe

In partnership with Ondo Global Markets, NYSE-listed equities and ETFs are now accessible to millions of eligible users across Europe directly via the Blockchain.com Wallet

For over a decade, our company has brought together some of the best minds and world-class innovators spanning across different business sectors, building a future of the crypto ecosystem. One of the ways we are unique in our industry is our deliberate, uncompromising hiring process.&nbsp; 
We maintain an incredibly high bar. In an industry where the stakes are global and the pace is relentless, we ensure every person we hire is passionate about advancing our mission to make economic freedom accessible to everyone, everywhere. 
With offices all around the world, including Buenos Aires, Singapore, London, Vilnius, Paris, Dallas and Lagos, our People team has the distinguished ability to find incredible talent across borders, while not compromising the high bar we&rsquo;ve set.&nbsp; 
One misconception about Blockchain.com is that you need a deep background in crypto to work here. Many of our employees are experts in their fields and were trained in crypto to gain their &ldquo;crypto degree&rdquo; on the job. Because our leadership team holds an average of 12+ years of crypto experience, our employees are mentored by the very people who built the industry from the ground up. 
We hire talented experts in their field and train them for crypto. We look for the rare individuals who possess high autonomy and even higher impact. That&rsquo;s why we believe the best talent is built, not found. This hiring principle is now extending to the launch of our Early Careers program and is opening a limited number of seats to contribute to engineering, finance, trading, marketing and operations.&nbsp; 
Launching 2026 Early Careers Program:
Beginning February 1, Blockchain.com will accept applications for our 2026 Early Careers program. This program is designed for those who share our ownership mindset and offers firsthand experience building the future of global crypto infrastructure.
We are open to hiring people that are already based out of London, Paris or Dallas to work from our local hubs. The early careers program, which will be for 3 months over the summer for interns and up to 12 months for graduates, empowers you to lead high-impact projects. Participants will work alongside our most talented teams, gaining the practical skills and freedom necessary to create real-world financial solutions.
What applicants can expect:
<ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;">
<li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">
Direct involvement in projects that power the world&rsquo;s most trusted crypto platform.
</li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">
Direct access to the engineers and leaders who have been in the trenches of crypto since the beginning.
</li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">
You&rsquo;ll join a hand-picked group of peers selected for their potential to lead on a global stage. 
</li>
</ul>
If you are currently enrolled in a university or have graduated within the past 1&ndash;2 years, have the right to work in the country you are applying for, and have a strong interest in crypto, finance, engineering, marketing, or operations, we encourage you to apply <a href="https://www.blockchain.com/careers/?utm_source=bcdc&amp;utm_medium=footer&amp;utm_campaign=footer_careers" style="text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.&nbsp;

The company announces the launch of its 2026 Early Careers program to help build the next generation of talent in the future of finance.

Inside how Blockchain.com is recruiting top talent across tech and financial sectors.

We&rsquo;re excited to announce that SPACECOIN is now live in your Blockchain.com Trading Account. Trade, swap, and explore this innovative token directly in-app.
<h3>SPACECOIN 🌌</h3>
Token of the Space Protocol
SPACECOIN is the native token of the Space Protocol, a decentralized platform designed to provide a secure, scalable, and transparent ecosystem for users and developers. The protocol supports a variety of use cases, including governance participation, protocol utilities, and interactions with decentralized applications.
SPACECOIN is intended to empower users to engage with a community-driven ecosystem, contributing to decision-making and interacting with the protocol&rsquo;s features. It plays a pivotal role in the growth and sustainability of the Space Protocol&rsquo;s decentralized network.
<h3>Why it matters</h3>
The launch of SPACECOIN on Blockchain.com opens up a new opportunity for users to explore decentralized governance and protocol utility. Token holders can participate in protocol decisions, explore new functionalities, and interact with a fast-growing blockchain ecosystem.
SPACECOIN enables secure, transparent, and efficient participation in the protocol while providing users with access to a broad set of features within the Space Protocol ecosystem. It&rsquo;s an exciting addition for anyone looking to engage with innovative decentralized infrastructure.
Explore in your Blockchain.com App 👉 <a href="https://bcdc.onelink.me/Q9T6/q97t76lu" rel="follow">Start now</a>

Discover SPACECOIN, now live on Blockchain.com. Trade, swap, and explore this decentralized token and its ecosystem today.

SPACECOIN now live on Blockchain.com

SPACECOIN is now available on Blockchain.com. Access this decentralized token, trade in your Trading Account, and explore the Space Protocol ecosystem.

SPACECOIN: Now Available in your Blockchain.com Trading Account

By Rahul Dhillon, IT Support Manager &amp; Captain of the Blockchain.com Football team
In a small corner of London, fiercely competitive football matches took place every other Monday over several months. There were no cameras, no TV deals, and no packed stadiums, just trading desks from crypto companies swapping keyboards for boots after work as they battled it out in the Crypto Football League.
After six matches of hard-fought football, each played over 40 relentless minutes, we finished the season undefeated.&nbsp;
An undefeated season doesn&rsquo;t just happen. It&rsquo;s built on discipline, consistency, and a relentless desire to win. Every week, we turned up, stayed focused, and outworked the opposition. Made up of people from HR, IT, trading, engineering, legal, and sales, our UK squad is a true reflection of how we operate day to day. The same standards we apply when building products carried onto the pitch. We pushed each other for every tackle, every press, and every goal.
At Blockchain.com, we live by a few core principles that make results like this possible:
<ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;">
<li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">
Be relentless: A journey into uncharted territory doesn&rsquo;t come without challenges. Don&rsquo;t give up. Stay in the fight. Find a way.
</li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">
Build like an owner: we&rsquo;re a startup, first and last. Have a bias for action. Take pride in what you ship. Raise the bar.
</li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">
Be a team player: Put teamwork and the mission above your ego. Be willing to lend a hand. Ask for help when you need it.
</li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">
Communicate with candor: Realize the best ideas are forged by fire. Challenge ideas respectfully when you disagree. See giving and getting feedback as a gift.
</li>
<li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">
Embrace an infinite mindset: Know that building the financial system of the future will take decades. Aim for long term impact over short term gains. Set audacious goals. Don&rsquo;t be afraid to take risks.
</li>
</ul>

Crypto is a high-pressure industry. We navigate the ups and downs of the market every day, and we&rsquo;ve been in the industry long enough to see that pressure is a privilege. When the unexpected happens or we have to pivot, we remain focused and disciplined and lift each other up.&nbsp;

Just like in the office, we win together. And it&rsquo;s this mindset that is helping us build the future of finance.&nbsp;

Blockchain.com’s winning mindset extends from the trading desk to the football pitch

Resilience On & Off The Field

Blockchain.com has reached another regulatory milestone by receiving conditional approval for a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license from the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA).&nbsp;
Blockchain.com has held a registration in the Cayman Islands since May 2022 and following successful remediation of the routine inspection carried out by CIMA, concluding in early 2025, we further enhanced systems and controls to meet the requirements of the phase 2 deployment of the VASP Act.
This approval marks a pivotal achievement in our global operations, allowing us to continue our service offerings within one of the world&rsquo;s leading financial hubs.&nbsp;
Rounding off 2025, we <a href="https://www.blockchain.com/blog/posts/blockchaincom-secures-mica-license-fiorentina-damore-joins-the-company-to-lead-eu-expansion">announced</a> our secured MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) license, enabling us to provide crypto services across all 27 European Economic Area (EEA) countries under a single unified regulatory framework.&nbsp;
Continued Institutional and Retail Capabilities
This license will empower Blockchain.com to continue to provide a sophisticated suite of services tailored to both the institutional and retail sectors for our clients, including:
<ul>
<li>
Institutional Custody: Providing secure, enterprise-grade storage solutions for digital assets.
</li>
<li>
Institutional Staking: Offering professional-grade staking infrastructure for organizations looking to participate in network security and earn rewards.
</li>
<li>
Retail ETH Staking: Bringing the power of Ethereum staking to our retail users, allowing them to earn rewards on their ETH holdings within a compliant framework.
</li>
</ul>
Powering Global Operations Through Collaboration
This achievement is the result of an intensive cross-functional team effort, involving our legal, compliance, product, and engineering departments.
Our expansion in the Cayman Islands also enables us to better support our global client base. By integrating our CIMA-regulated services into our broader ecosystem, we are creating a more seamless and secure experience for clients navigating the digital asset markets.
A Legacy of Compliance and Trust
Since 2011, Blockchain.com has been a pioneer in the crypto space, facilitating over $1.2 trillion in transactions. Our journey has always been defined by a compliance-first mindset. In Europe, with MiCA, or in the Caribbean, with CIMA, we believe that clear regulatory frameworks are essential for the long-term stability and adoption of crypto.
As we move toward final approval, we remain dedicated to working hand-in-hand with regulators like CIMA to ensure that the future of finance remains open, inclusive and trusted.
Looking Ahead
With these services live, we look forward to continuing scaling our operations and building an accessible and compliant crypto platform in the Cayman Islands and beyond.&nbsp;

Blockchain.com has received conditional VASP approval from CIMA in the Cayman Islands. Learn how this regulatory milestone enhances our institutional custody, staking, and retail ETH services globally.

Blockchain.com Secures Cayman Islands VASP Approval

The Cayman Islands' VASP framework is designed to provide a robust, transparent environment for digital asset innovation. By securing this approval, we are doubling down on our commitment to upholding the highest standards of compliance and security worldwide.

Blockchain.com Secures Conditional Approval for VASP License in the Cayman Islands

Following our initial launch of over 100 tokenized assets in select, participating regions, we are expanding this offering with 98 additional tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs now available for trading. Powered by Ondo Finance, this expansion brings heavy hitters from the S&amp;P 500 directly into your Blockchain.com DeFi Wallet.
Whether you are looking to hedge your crypto volatility or build a diversified onchain portfolio, you can now access iconic companies across banking, healthcare, energy, and tech without ever leaving the DeFi ecosystem.
With this latest update, users in participating regions can gain onchain exposure to some of the world&rsquo;s most recognizable brands, including:
<ul>
<li>
Banking: Bank of America ($BAC)
</li>
<li>
Healthcare: Johnson &amp; Johnson ($JNJ)
</li>
<li>
Energy: Exxon Mobil ($XOM)
</li>
<li>
And many more: Explore dozens of new ETFs and equity tokens across various sectors.
</li>
</ul>
Tokenization is the process of putting Real-World Assets (RWAs) onto the blockchain. By trading these assets in your DeFi Wallet, you benefit from:
<ul>
<li>
24/7 Portfolio Visibility: See your entire net worth&mdash;from BTC to Bank of America&mdash;in one interface.
</li>
<li>
Self-Custody: Maintain full control over your assets within your DeFi Wallet.
</li>
<li>
Onchain Efficiency: Experience the speed and transparency of blockchain settlement.
</li>
</ul>
How to start trading RWAs
<ul>
<li>
Open your DeFi Blockchain.com Wallet: Navigate to the DeFi section of your Blockchain.com App.
</li>
<li>
Check your Gas: Ensure you have a small amount of ETH or BNB to cover network transaction fees.
</li>
<li>
Visit the 'Stock' Section: Browse the expanded catalog of nearly 200 total assets.
</li>
<li>
Place Your Trade: Select your desired stock or ETF and confirm your swap.
</li>
</ul>
Note: Trading hours for tokenized stocks generally follow U.S. market hours. If a quote is unavailable, the market may be closed so make sure to check back during the next trading session.&nbsp;
New to the world of RWAs? We&rsquo;ve curated resources to help you understand the technology powering these tokens:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.blockchain.com/learning-portal/tokens/ondo-finance-explained">Ondo Finance, Explained</a>: Learn how our partner brings institutional-grade finance to the blockchain.
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.blockchain.com/learning-portal/lessons/what-are-real-world-assets">What are Real-World Assets?</a>: A beginner&rsquo;s guide to the future of onchain ownership.
</li>
</ul>

Expand your DeFi portfolio with 98 new tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs. Trade Bank of America, Exxon Mobil, and more.

Trade Tokenized U.S. Stocks: 98 New Assets on Blockchain.com

The gap between traditional finance and the blockchain just got a lot smaller.

New on DeFi: 98 Additional Tokenized U.S. Stocks are Now Live

<h3>Our core themes for the year ahead:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Tokenization shifts from pilots to production, primarily on permissioned and regulated rails, embedding on-chain assets into traditional financial workflows.</li>
<li>Liquidity and price discovery consolidate around derivatives and ETPs, accelerating crypto&rsquo;s convergence with established futures and options markets.</li>
<li>Stablecoins become core financial infrastructure, underpinning payments, treasury management, and collateral mobility across developed and emerging markets.</li>
<li>M&amp;A accelerates across crypto-native firms, as scale, distribution, and integrated infrastructure become strategic advantages.</li>
<li>Emerging markets drive real-world institutional adoption, with LATAM and Africa leading use cases that later scale globally.</li>
<li>Macro and geopolitics matter more than ever, pushing institutions toward quality, liquidity, and operational resilience.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Market structure and liquidity</h3>
Tokenization goes mainstream
In 2026, tokenization will move decisively beyond experimentation. Traditional instruments &ndash; funds, credit, and money-market products &ndash; are increasingly issued and managed on-chain, with tokenized assets used as collateral in lending, repo, and structured products. This tightens the feedback loop between real-world assets and crypto-native markets.
Importantly, most large asset managers are starting on private or permissioned chains to meet regulatory and compliance requirements. This creates a parallel on-chain financial system: operationally more efficient, but largely ring-fenced from public DeFi. Rather than a full convergence, 2026 is likely to see regulated on-chain infrastructure coexist alongside open protocols, raising questions about fragmentation, interoperability, and whether legacy inefficiencies are simply being recreated in digital form.
Derivatives as the primary venue
As institutional participation deepens, crypto market structure continues to evolve toward derivatives-led price discovery. Less short-term speculation and more long-term positioning drive increased use of options, perpetuals, and basis trades over outright spot exposure.
In 2026, derivatives markets increasingly resemble those of traditional futures and options, with tighter spreads, deeper liquidity, and more sophisticated risk management. For institutions, derivatives are no longer ancillary. They are the primary interface for expressing views, hedging exposure, and managing balance-sheet risk.
ETPs mature the market
Crypto ETPs play a growing role in liquidity formation. Clearer regulation and broader adoption attract larger capital pools, compress fees and spreads, and reduce reliance on bilateral OTC markets. While crypto remains structurally high beta, extreme volatility events are likely to become less frequent as liquidity deepens.
ETF and ETP flows increasingly anchor spot liquidity, with issuance and redemption activity becoming a key driver of market dynamics, mirroring the evolution seen in commodities and fixed income markets.
Quality and liquidity premium
Institutional capital increasingly concentrates in assets with sustainable revenue, strong treasuries, clean tokenomics, and robust liquidity profiles. These characteristics matter more than narrative momentum when volatility spikes.
Projects lacking balance-sheet resilience or clear cash-flow pathways face faster drawdowns, as the market becomes less tolerant of speculative excess and more aligned with traditional risk frameworks.
<h3>Institutional behavior and capital flows</h3>
Crypto-native M&amp;A wave
Crypto-native firms with strong balance sheets are entering a strategic acquisition phase. Exchanges, infrastructure providers, data platforms, and specialized product teams are natural targets as firms seek scale, vertical integration, and defensible market positions ahead of deeper TradFi entry.
This consolidation creates a pathway from on-chain, yield-generating assets to listed equity and hybrid wrappers. Cash-flowing crypto businesses can increasingly be structured in ways that fit institutional portfolios, further bridging public markets and digital assets.
DAT consolidation phase
Digital asset treasuries are entering a rationalization phase. With many vehicles trading below mNAV, better-capitalized players are positioned to acquire weaker peers, consolidate assets, and streamline overlapping strategies.
This shift reflects a broader market transition from experimentation to efficiency, where governance, access, and execution quality become decisive factors for institutional allocators.
DeFi renaissance, institutionalized
DeFi&rsquo;s next growth phase is less about innovation speed and more about institutional usability. Protocols are increasingly optimized for:
<ul>
<li>
On-chain collateral management
</li>
<li>
Repo-like and secured lending structures
</li>
<li>
Tokenized T-bills and cash equivalents used in yield strategies
</li>
<li>
Institutional liquidity provisioning with clearer risk controls
</li>
</ul>
The market is more discerning, prioritizing real adoption, sustainable revenue, and operational resilience. In 2026, DeFi increasingly functions as financial infrastructure rather than an experimental alternative system.
Self-custody as geopolitical hedge
Geopolitical fragmentation and repeated examples of asset freezes reinforce the strategic role of self-custody. Institutions and corporates operating across jurisdictions increasingly view self-custodied BTC and stablecoins as complements, not replacements, to legacy financial infrastructure.
This dynamic sustains a structural bid for censorship-resistant assets, particularly in regions exposed to sanctions risk or capital controls.
<h3>Geography, adoption, and regulation</h3>
LATAM moves institution-first
LATAM is transitioning from retail-driven adoption to institution-led growth. In 2026, pension funds, asset managers, and family offices across Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and Colombia are expected to increase exposure, initially through tokenized fixed income, funds, and yield products rather than spot assets.
USD-backed stablecoins are becoming core financial infrastructure, widely used for treasury management, cross-border payments, and FX hedging as corporates seek alternatives to slow and expensive correspondent banking rails. Regulatory clarity, particularly in Brazil and Mexico, is unlocking institutional confidence to build, custody, and deploy capital on-chain.
Traditional banks are not being disrupted; they are integrating. Partnerships between banks and Web3-native providers are accelerating the rollout of crypto rails, custody, and tokenized products. LATAM remains a proving ground where inflation, FX volatility, and financial exclusion drive institutional use cases that can later scale globally.
Africa&rsquo;s institutional inflection point
Across Africa, banks, asset managers, and fintechs are moving from observation to execution. Real pilots are underway across payments, treasury operations, and cross-border settlement. Dollar-backed stablecoins are increasingly used to store and transfer value where FX access is constrained and legacy rails are inefficient.
Regulatory clarity remains uneven, complicating regional scale, and global perception continues to lag local progress. Still, early movers have a meaningful opportunity to shape standards by partnering with local banks and fintechs, embedding compliance from the outset rather than retrofitting later.
Privacy as the unresolved frontier
Privacy remains the least resolved area for institutional crypto adoption. While technical capabilities are advancing, regulatory and supervisory comfort has yet to catch up. Policy attention has focused on stablecoins, market structure, and sanctions, leaving privacy infrastructure in a grey zone.
In 2026, privacy is likely to evolve from a niche concern into a core infrastructure theme, particularly around compliant privacy, selective disclosure, and institution-friendly architectures. Until clearer standards emerge, most institutions will continue to monitor rather than deploy at scale.
<h3>Macro backdrop and market sentiment</h3>
Crypto is now firmly embedded within the global macro framework. Interest rates, liquidity conditions, and geopolitical developments, including trade policy and foreign-policy direction, play an increasingly central role in shaping risk appetite.
Following the Q4 2025 sell-off and subsequent consolidation, near-term sentiment is cautiously constructive. Longer term, institutions remain selective, awaiting clearer macro signals and catalysts that justify broader risk deployment.
<h3>Broadening adoption on institutional rails</h3>
Looking ahead, 2026 increasingly reflects the payoff phase of institutional investment. With regulated custody, ETPs, derivatives markets, and tokenized assets firmly in place, crypto becomes easier to access and safer to use for a broader investor base.
As a result, retail participation is expected to expand, but in a fundamentally different form than prior cycles. Rather than driving market structure or price discovery, retail capital increasingly flows through institutional products, regulated platforms, and user-friendly applications built on top of mature infrastructure.
Institutions set the standards, provide liquidity, and anchor risk management. Retail participation amplifies adoption and utilization, reinforcing liquidity and network effects without reverting to the excesses of earlier, less regulated cycles.
<h3>Closing perspective</h3>
The defining feature of 2026 is not a single breakout product or narrative, but the maturation of the entire digital asset stack. Institutions now face a more complex landscape &ndash; spanning custody, compliance, liquidity, tokenization, derivatives, and global settlement &ndash; where execution and integration matter more than vision alone.
That shift from experimentation to execution is what truly defines the year ahead.

An executive outlook on digital assets in 2026, exploring institutional adoption, tokenization at scale, derivatives-led market structure, stablecoins as infrastructure, and the growing influence of macro and geopolitics on crypto markets.

Blockchain.com Institutional Outlook for 2026

2026 marks a transition year for digital assets. Institutional participation moves from exploration to balance-sheet deployment, market structure continues to mature, and crypto’s role in global finance becomes more explicit.

Blog