Bitcoin Tops $81,000 as Fed Rate Hike Bets Ease; Zcash Surges 15%

OCC Grants Provisional Charter to Crypto-Native Bank OpenReserve

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has given blockchain-focused bank OpenReserve initial approval to operate as a full-service bank. The provisional charter marks a significant regulatory milestone for the crypto-native institution. OpenReserve joins a growing list of digital asset-oriented banks receiving formal recognition from U.S. banking regulators. The move reflects a broader trend of crypto-focused financial institutions gaining legitimacy within the traditional banking framework.

AMC CEO Distances Company from Robinhood's Tokenized Stock Offering

AMC Entertainment CEO Adam Aron publicly criticized Robinhood over its tokenized AMC shares, clarifying that the company has no affiliation with the product. Robinhood had offered blockchain-based tokens representing AMC stock without any direct involvement from the company itself. The incident has reignited debate around how synthetic or tokenized versions of equities are created and traded onchain. Such instruments raise questions about transparency, shareholder rights, and corporate consent in the growing tokenized securities space.

Standard Chartered Launches Institutional Spot Crypto Trading on Dubai FX Platform

Standard Chartered has introduced spot cryptocurrency trading for institutional clients through its Dubai-based foreign exchange platform. The service covers Bitcoin and Ethereum, making them accessible via the same electronic FX infrastructure used for traditional currency pairs like the US dollar and euro. The move marks a significant step in integrating digital assets into mainstream institutional trading workflows in the region. By leveraging existing eFX rails, the bank aims to offer a familiar and efficient trading experience for institutional participants entering the crypto market.

Crypto for Advisors: Why crypto earnings reports can be misleading