US Fed Just Quietly Removed a Major Barrier to Crypto Banking, Here’s What That Means

The European Central Bank is testing the XRP Ledger for bond transactions in its experimental blockchain sandbox—but there’s a big asterisk. While the ECB’s latest report lists dozens of trials, only one project, led by a Lithuanian fintech firm, is actually using XRP’s tech, and it’s locked behind a private network. So, it’s a small step for crypto in finance, not the open revolution some might hope for.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t a full-throated endorsement of XRP by the ECB, but it does show that big financial institutions are still quietly exploring blockchain behind the scenes. For crypto watchers, it’s a sign that adoption is creeping forward—just slower, and with more red tape, than the hype often suggests.

Bitcoin's network strength, measured by its hashrate, took a nosedive in mid-June—dropping about 15% in just over a week. That’s the sharpest decline we’ve seen in three years, signaling a potential shift in miner activity or profitability.

Editor’s Note: The hashrate is like Bitcoin's heartbeat—it shows how much computing power is keeping the network secure. A sudden drop like this could mean miners are shutting off machines, possibly due to lower profits or external pressures (like regulatory crackdowns or energy costs). Fewer miners could make the network less secure in the short term, so traders and hodlers are watching closely.

Cardano is pushing forward with ambitious upgrades to handle more transactions and users, going beyond its existing Hydra system. The team behind the blockchain recently laid out their next-gen scaling plans at a high-profile research meeting, bringing together top technical minds to tackle the challenge.

Editor’s Note: Scalability has been a make-or-break issue for blockchains—if they can't handle growth without slowing down or costing a fortune, they lose their edge. Cardano's focus on next-level Layer-2 solutions signals they're serious about staying competitive in the long run, which matters for developers and users banking on its ecosystem.

Bluebird Mining, a London-listed gold company, is making a bold move into digital assets by securing £2 million to buy Bitcoin. This comes as the company is close to wrapping up a profit-sharing deal for a gold project in the Philippines. It’s a clear sign they’re diversifying beyond traditional mining—betting on both precious metals and crypto.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another corporate Bitcoin play—it’s a gold miner hedging its bets in a volatile market. By blending physical gold with crypto, Bluebird is tapping into two high-value, high-risk assets. For investors, it signals a growing trend of traditional resource firms eyeing digital currencies as either a hedge or a growth opportunity. Worth watching to see if others follow suit.

SharpLink Gaming, a company listed on Nasdaq, is going all-in on Ethereum by buying another $30.6 million worth of ETH—adding 12,207 coins to its stash. This isn’t their first big crypto move, and it signals they’re betting hard on Ethereum’s long-term value.

Editor’s Note: When a publicly traded company keeps pouring millions into crypto, it’s a big deal—it shows institutional confidence isn’t just hype. SharpLink’s aggressive buys could sway other investors to take Ethereum more seriously, or at least spark chatter about whether corporate treasuries are the next big crypto buyers. Either way, it’s a bold play in a volatile market.