Latest FinTech & Blockchain News
Crypto markets flat as Bitcoin and Ethereum stall amid negative ETF flows
Bitcoin and Ethereum are trading sideways after recent **negative net flows** from spot crypto exchange‑traded products, signaling weaker short‑term demand from traditional investors. DL News reports that both assets “lie flat” as capital has recently moved out of ETFs, tempering the strong rally seen into year‑end 2025.
Analysts note this pause comes despite continued institutional product launches and expanding on‑chain activity.
BlackRock, Revolut and major finance firms deepen crypto exposure in 2026
A DL News markets analysis details how **BlackRock, Revolut and other large financial institutions** are bolstering their crypto strategies as 2026 begins. The piece highlights expanded crypto investment products, custody and trading offerings, and new on‑ramps for retail users, underscoring that mainstream finance is continuing to integrate digital assets despite market volatility.
This institutional momentum is seen as a key driver for the next phase of adoption.
Stablecoin issuer Rain hits $1.95 billion valuation in latest funding round
Stablecoin company **Rain** has raised fresh capital at a **$1.95 billion valuation**, according to DL News’ latest deals coverage. The raise reflects sustained investor interest in stablecoin infrastructure and payments, even as regulators globally tighten oversight of dollar‑pegged tokens.
Rain plans to use the funds to expand its product suite and geographic footprint in regulated markets.
Truebit protocol suffers $26 million exploit as attackers target older DeFi projects
Decentralised computation protocol **Truebit** was hit by an exploit worth about **$26 million**, DL News reports, continuing a trend of attackers focusing on older DeFi protocols with legacy code and weaker defenses. The article notes that the incident revives concerns about smart‑contract risk across long‑running projects that may not have undergone recent security reviews.
Security experts are urging teams to update audits and monitoring for aging infrastructure.
Trump‑backed World Liberty Financial moves onto regulated crypto rails
DL News details how **World Liberty Financial**, a Trump‑backed crypto venture, has joined what it calls the “regulated rails land‑grab” by integrating with compliant crypto infrastructure. The move is framed as part of a broader competition among politically connected and traditional finance‑backed platforms to control regulated on‑ and off‑ramps for digital assets.
This development underscores how U.S. politics and crypto regulation are increasingly intertwined heading into the new election cycle.
Polygon rallies 13% as developer unveils new stablecoin framework
The **Polygon** token has climbed roughly **13%** after the project’s core developer announced a new **stablecoin framework**, according to DL News. The framework is aimed at improving how stablecoins operate on the Polygon network, potentially making payments and DeFi applications more efficient and scalable.
Market participants are interpreting the upgrade as a vote of confidence in Polygon’s long‑term role as a settlement layer for tokenized assets and stablecoin activity.
Russia and Iran step up use of stablecoins to skirt sanctions, report finds
Fortune reports that **Russia and Iran are increasingly turning to crypto—especially stablecoins—** to facilitate cross‑border transactions and blunt the impact of Western sanctions. The article cites a new report indicating that sanctioned entities are using dollar‑linked tokens as an alternative to traditional correspondent banking channels.
This trend is raising fresh concerns among U.S. and EU policymakers about sanctions enforcement and the need for tighter controls on stablecoin issuers.
Fireblocks acquires TRES Finance for $130 million to expand crypto accounting tools
Crypto infrastructure provider **Fireblocks** has acquired crypto accounting and reporting platform **TRES Finance** for about **$130 million**, according to an exclusive from Fortune. This is Fireblocks’ second acquisition in the past year and is intended to strengthen services for institutions needing compliant digital asset bookkeeping and audit‑ready reporting.
The deal underscores ongoing consolidation in infrastructure as larger players build full‑stack offerings for banks, fintechs, and asset managers entering crypto.
Babylon raises $15 million to turn Bitcoin into DeFi collateral
A Stanford professor‑led startup, **Babylon**, has raised **$15 million** for a decentralized protocol that aims to let users treat **Bitcoin as collateral** in DeFi without relying on centralized intermediaries like exchanges or stablecoin issuers. Fortune reports that Babylon wants to enable Bitcoin holders to earn yield and participate in DeFi while keeping Bitcoin at the base layer, potentially reshaping the BTC‑DeFi relationship.
The round highlights growing investor interest in unlocking Bitcoin’s capital efficiency on‑chain.
Klarna teams with Coinbase so institutions can send funds in stablecoins
Fortune reports that Swedish fintech giant **Klarna** has partnered with **Coinbase** to allow institutional clients to receive funds in **stablecoins**. The collaboration is designed to simplify cross‑border settlements and treasury operations by letting institutions move value via blockchain while still using dollar‑pegged assets.
This marks another step in blending traditional fintech payment rails with crypto infrastructure for faster, programmable money movements.
YouTube pilots stablecoin payouts for U.S. creators through PayPal
YouTube has launched an option for some **U.S. creators to receive payouts in stablecoins via PayPal**, according to an exclusive Fortune report. The feature uses PayPal’s blockchain‑based infrastructure so creators can opt into digital asset payments while keeping a familiar fintech front end.
This test points to a broader shift where major internet platforms experiment with stablecoins for creator monetization and global payouts.
What to expect from crypto in 2026: battle for DeFi and political stakes
A Fortune outlook article on **crypto in 2026** highlights three major themes: Bitcoin’s evolving role, Donald Trump’s influence on U.S. crypto policy, and the intensifying **battle for DeFi** between centralized and decentralized platforms. The piece argues that after a pivotal 2025, the industry is still waiting for a mainstream breakthrough that could arrive via clearer regulation, improved UX, or large consumer apps integrating crypto.
It also notes that elections and geopolitics will shape regulatory stances and market structure this year.