​Crypto markets have absolutely caught fire lately, with Bitcoin smashing $100k (Again) and alts rallying along with it. This week we’ve got some juicy stories to keep you in the loop.

​Between SolStrategies looking to bring the Nasdaq on chain, OpenAI's Sam Altman launching his own DePin network, and CoinBase acquiring Deribit; the crypto space has a lot on it's plate, and the future of decentralized finance seems to be well on track.

​Let's dive into it!

​In an ironic twist, Solana; once called the "memecoin casino" is becoming the foundation for what could be the decentralized Nasdaq.

​This initiative, led by Superstate's "Opening Bell" platform, aims to bring the traditional world of public equity trading onto the blockchain, offering companies a new, faster, and more transparent way to issue and trade shares.

​The first major participant in this experiment is Sol Strategies, a Solana-focused holding company that has announced its plan to tokenize its common shares directly on the Solana network.

​This means that instead of relying on a traditional stock exchange like Nasdaq or the New York Stock Exchange, Sol Strategies will be able to issue and trade its shares on a decentralized platform, with transactions settling almost instantly and without the need for intermediaries.

​Superstate’s Opening Bell platform is designed to function as a fully decentralized stock exchange, where companies can list their shares, investors can trade them, and market dynamics are governed by transparent, on-chain rules.

​The implications of a decentralized Nasdaq are profound. For companies, it means lower costs and fewer regulatory hurdles when raising capital. For investors, it means faster transactions, greater access, and the possibility of earning yield on tokenized shares.

​And of course, for the Solana ecosystem, it’s a step towards becoming a true hub for decentralized finance, expanding beyond just crypto and into the world of traditional assets.

​As this project develops, it will be interesting to see which other companies follow Sol Strategies’ lead and whether regulators will embrace or challenge this new model of equity trading.

​One thing is clear though: the line between traditional finance and blockchain technology is becoming increasingly blurred, and Solana is positioning itself at the forefront of this transformation.

​Worldcoin, the brainchild of OpenAI’s Sam Altman, has officially launched in the United States, and it’s making waves for its... "dystopian" biometric verification. Let us explain.

​Worldcoin's mission is to create digital IDs for humans, in a world that is rapidly turning into an AI playground. Worldcoin’s signature technology is the Orb, a sleek silver sphere that scans your iris, creating a unique digital ID.

​This World ID is what will serve as proof of personhood in the digital world, ensuring that you’re a real human being and not just an AI bot. In exchange for submitting to this scan, users receive WLD tokens, Worldcoin’s native cryptocurrency.

​The idea is bold, but Altman is no stranger to that. Beyond the digital ID, the project has also announced partnerships with major companies like Visa, Tinder, and other platforms, allowing users to use their World ID for age and identity verification.

​So, a system that scans and stores biometric data? As you can imagine, not everyone is thrilled. Calling it a "potential privacy nightmare". Some countries, including Spain and Kenya, have already banned Worldcoin over fears that user data could be misused.

​As for $WLD, users can use it to pay for services within Worldcoin’s partner networks, or exchange it for other cryptocurrencies. As the ecosystem expands, $WLD is expected to become a medium of exchange in applications integrated with World ID.

​Whether it becomes the new standard for online verification or just another wild crypto idea remains to be seen, but for now, Worldcoin is a fascinating experiment at the intersection of digital identity, crypto, and human rights.

​This past Thursday, Coinbase announced it's largest acquisition ever; Deribit. The Dubai-based cryptocurrency derivatives exchange known for dominating the options market was bought out for $3 Billion, indicating Coinbase's potential direction.

​Up until today, CB's offering mainly focused on retail and sole investors / traders, but by adding Deribit to their portfolio, they can now cater to whales, institutions, and high-frequency traders in a derivative environment.

​Deribit, founded in 2016, has become a favorite among these power players, particularly for its deep liquidity in Bitcoin and Ethereum options. CB’s decision to buy Deribit is a clear attempt to diversify its revenue streams and capture a slice of this lucrative market.

​Theres many reasons why large institutions would use options over futures like funding rate and liquidation risks, but the main one would be regulations. On platforms like Deribit, options are traded in a more regulated environment. This is important for institutions that must comply with strict regulatory requirements.

​In the short term, this acquisition gives CB a significant competitive advantage. Not only does it gain a foothold in the massive derivatives market, but it also benefits from Deribit’s deep liquidity, sophisticated trading tools, and established user base.

​This can also be CB's response to the evolving regulatory landscape and increasing institutional interest in crypto assets. With Deribit's strong international client base and operational presence in Dubai, CB is set to increase it's global footprint and diversify its revenue streams beyond the U.S. market.

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So if you’re a CB user, expect to see new products and trading options coming soon. And if you’re a trader, it might be time to start learning how to play the derivatives game, because it’s clear that CB is betting big on this segment of the market.

​Crypto options crash course for the next newsletter?

[All topics are meant to be educational only. None of it is financial advice, please do your own research.]