Pantera, Coinbase back Surf’s $15M push to build crypto-native AI models

Coinbase has partnered with Chainlink's Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) as its exclusive bridge partner to enhance the growth of wrapped assets, which is expected to significantly improve cross-chain asset liquidity and transform decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystems.

Coinbase has selected Chainlink's Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) as its exclusive bridge for managing $7 billion in wrapped tokens across various blockchain networks. This partnership aims to enhance the liquidity and accessibility of these assets, facilitating smoother transactions between different chains.

Coinbase has integrated with Solana's decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem, allowing users to trade any Solana token through decentralized exchange (DEX) mechanisms without requiring formal listings. This move signifies a convergence between centralized finance (CeFi) and DeFi, enhancing user access to a broader range of assets.

The Czech National Bank has initiated a pilot program to test Bitcoin for its national treasury and payment systems, as highlighted by Coinbase's Head of Institutional, John D’Agostino, during a recent interview. This move is seen as a significant step for Bitcoin's adoption within the Eurozone, potentially influencing other countries to follow suit.

Cathie Wood, CEO of Ark Invest, has indicated that Bitcoin may be entering a new phase as institutional players increasingly buy and hold the cryptocurrency, potentially reducing its historical price volatility. This shift follows the recent halving event on April 20, 2024, which decreased the daily supply of Bitcoin by approximately 450 coins, a factor that could influence market dynamics.

Coinbase's strategy chief has indicated that the adoption of Bitcoin by the Czech Republic may lead to more Eurozone nations following suit, potentially accelerating the integration of digital currencies within these economies.

On Tuesday, the price of Ethereum surged by 6.5%, reaching the significant $3,300 mark for the first time in nearly a month, marking a nearly 12% recovery over the past week. This increase has positioned Ethereum ahead of its competitors among the top ten cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. Analysts attribute this rise to heightened institutional interest, particularly from major players like BitMine, which holds a substantial collection of ETH.

Ethereum's institutional market momentum has significantly declined, with ETF flows experiencing their worst month since launch, totaling approximately $1.4 billion in net outflows. This downturn reflects a broader cooling in investor demand amid market volatility and changing risk appetites.