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13 May 2026, 15:15

Japan Blockchain Foundation confirms EJPY stablecoin for payments on JOC and Ethereum

Japan Blockchain Foundation has formally approved plans to issue EJPY, a trust-type yen stablecoin. It will be the fourth stablecoin project launched in six months. Prior to this announcement, the projects for the JPYC, JPYSC stablecoins were already underway. Japan’s three largest banks, Mitsubishi UFJ, Sumitomo Mitsui, and Mizuho, have also revealed that they were building a stablecoin with their joint effort in late 2025. What is EJPY? EJPY will be a yen-pegged stablecoin issued under Japan’s Type III electronic payment instrument classification, a trust-based framework that carries significant advantages over other stablecoin categories. It will initially launch on Japan Open Chain (JOC), an Ethereum-compatible Layer 1 blockchain run by a consortium of 14 Japanese corporate validators including NTT Communications, Dentsu, and Nethermind. Ethereum support is also planned from the start. The foundation said it is targeting circulation on JOC within the 2026 fiscal year, which ends in March 2027. EJPY is designed for business-to-business payments, remittances, digital asset settlements, and Web3 services. The foundation has stated that it expects the token “to generate transactions based on real demand.” The foundation has started holding discussions with potential trustee businesses regarding things like issuance, redemption, trust asset management, system design, and legal compliance, but launch dates and distribution partners are still subject to regulatory approvals. Hiroaki Inaba, the CEO of Japan Blockchain Foundation, said the company has been developing Japan Open Chain as a blockchain platform Japanese enterprises can use with confidence. Why does the EJPY’s trust structure matter? Under Japan’s payment services laws, Type I electronic payment instruments face a per-transaction cap of 1 million yen, which is approximately $6,700. Trust-type stablecoins classified as Type III instruments are exempt from this ceiling. This exemption is what makes the EJPY token the best fit for corporate settlements, institutional transfers, and high-value business payments. The foundation acts as the settlor while trust assets are managed separately by licensed trustee businesses, ensuring the full separation of customer funds from issuer assets. SBI Holdings and Startale Group are pursuing the same legal pathway with their JPYSC stablecoin , which is being issued by Shinsei Trust & Banking, an SBI subsidiary. That project remains on track for launch in the second quarter of 2026, according to a February announcement. JPYC, which launched in October 2025 as Japan’s first licensed yen stablecoin, operates under the more restrictive Type II funds transfer framework. Cryptopolitan reported that JPYC has issued over 1 billion yen, about $6.3 million, in tokens since its launch and aims to reach 1 trillion yen, $6.6 billion, in three years Meanwhile, Japan’s three megabanks, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (NYSE: MUFG), Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (NYSE: SMFG), and Mizuho Financial Group (NYSE: MFG), have been working on their own joint yen stablecoin since at least October 2025, according to Cryptopolitan’s earlier reporting . The three banks serve more than 300,000 corporate clients combined. They launched a proof-of-concept in March 2026, testing both yen-pegged and dollar-pegged stablecoins on the Progmat infrastructure. The Financial Services Agency granted the project “Payment Innovation Project” status. If you're reading this, you’re already ahead. Stay there with our newsletter .

13 May 2026, 15:05

Morgan Stanley Adds 395 BTC in 24 Hours, Total Holdings Reach 3,389

BitcoinWorld Morgan Stanley Adds 395 BTC in 24 Hours, Total Holdings Reach 3,389 Morgan Stanley, one of the world’s largest investment banks, has increased its Bitcoin holdings by 395.6 BTC over the past 24 hours, according to data from the blockchain analytics platform Onchain Lens. The acquisition, valued at approximately $25.81 million at current market prices, brings the firm’s total Bitcoin treasury to 3,389 BTC. Institutional Bitcoin Accumulation Continues The purchase, detected through on-chain wallet tracking, signals a continued commitment to cryptocurrency exposure by traditional financial institutions. Morgan Stanley first disclosed Bitcoin holdings in its regulatory filings earlier this year, and this latest transaction represents one of the larger single-day additions by a major bank in recent months. The timing of the acquisition is notable, occurring during a period of relative price stability for Bitcoin, which has been trading in a range between $62,000 and $68,000. Institutional investors often use such periods to accumulate positions without causing significant market disruption. Context and Implications Morgan Stanley’s Bitcoin strategy is part of a broader trend among Wall Street banks and asset managers. The firm has been offering its wealth management clients access to Bitcoin-related investment products since 2021, and its own balance sheet holdings have grown steadily. Onchain Lens data indicates that the 395 BTC were moved from a single large wallet to addresses associated with Morgan Stanley’s custody arrangements. The transparency of blockchain transactions allows for near-real-time tracking of such institutional moves, providing market participants with valuable insights into large-scale capital flows. Why This Matters for Investors The continued accumulation by a firm of Morgan Stanley’s stature reinforces the narrative of Bitcoin as a legitimate institutional asset class. It also suggests that large financial entities see long-term value in the cryptocurrency, despite regulatory uncertainties and market volatility. For retail investors, tracking institutional holdings can provide signals about market sentiment and potential future price movements. However, it is important to note that such data represents a snapshot in time and does not guarantee future performance. Conclusion Morgan Stanley’s latest Bitcoin purchase underscores the deepening integration of digital assets into traditional finance. With a total of 3,389 BTC now on its books, the firm remains one of the larger institutional holders among publicly traded companies. As more banks and asset managers follow suit, the line between conventional finance and the cryptocurrency ecosystem continues to blur. FAQs Q1: How did Onchain Lens detect Morgan Stanley’s Bitcoin purchase? Onchain Lens uses blockchain analytics to track large wallet movements and attributes them to known entities based on publicly available data and wallet tagging. Q2: Does Morgan Stanley hold Bitcoin for its own investment or for clients? The firm holds Bitcoin on its own balance sheet as a treasury asset, in addition to offering Bitcoin-related investment products to its wealth management clients. Q3: Is this purchase a sign that Bitcoin prices will rise? Institutional accumulation can be a positive sentiment indicator, but it does not guarantee price appreciation. Market conditions, regulatory developments, and macroeconomic factors also play significant roles. This post Morgan Stanley Adds 395 BTC in 24 Hours, Total Holdings Reach 3,389 first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

13 May 2026, 15:00

Fireblocks Opens Institutional Access to Cardano Staking and Governance

BitcoinWorld Fireblocks Opens Institutional Access to Cardano Staking and Governance Digital asset infrastructure provider Fireblocks has partnered with Iagon, an enterprise-grade node service provider for the Cardano ecosystem, to offer institutional investors secure access to ADA staking, on-chain governance voting, and native token management. The integration, first reported by Crypto Briefing, marks a significant step in bridging institutional capital with Cardano’s proof-of-stake network. What the Fireblocks-Iagon Partnership Entails Through this collaboration, institutional clients of Fireblocks can now directly stake ADA tokens, participate in Cardano’s decentralized governance votes, and manage native tokens—all within Fireblocks’ existing secure custody and operational environment. Iagon provides the underlying enterprise-grade node infrastructure, ensuring reliable connectivity and compliance with institutional standards. For Fireblocks, which serves over 1,800 financial institutions, this expands its supported asset ecosystem beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum into Cardano’s growing DeFi and governance landscape. The move reflects increasing institutional demand for diversified crypto exposure that includes staking yields and governance rights, not just passive holding. Why This Matters for Institutional Adoption Cardano has long been viewed as a technologically rigorous blockchain, but institutional participation has been limited by the complexity of staking and governance processes. By packaging these functions into a familiar, regulated infrastructure, Fireblocks and Iagon lower the barrier for asset managers, hedge funds, and banks. Staking ADA offers yields typically in the 3–5% annual range, while governance voting gives institutions a voice in protocol upgrades—a feature increasingly valued by long-term holders. The partnership also addresses security concerns, as Iagon’s node service is designed to meet enterprise compliance and uptime requirements. Broader Implications for the Crypto Infrastructure Market This development signals a maturing of the crypto custody and staking sector. Competitors like Coinbase Prime and Binance Institutional already offer staking services, but Fireblocks’ approach—partnering with specialized node operators rather than building in-house—may become a model for other blockchain networks seeking institutional access. It also positions Cardano more competitively against Ethereum and Solana for institutional capital allocation. Regulatory clarity remains a factor, particularly around staking classification. However, the partnership’s focus on governance voting and native token management suggests an awareness of evolving compliance frameworks in the U.S. and Europe. Conclusion The Fireblocks-Iagon partnership represents a practical step toward integrating Cardano into mainstream institutional finance. By simplifying staking, governance, and token management within a secure environment, the collaboration addresses key friction points that have historically kept large investors on the sidelines. As the crypto infrastructure race intensifies, such partnerships may define which blockchain networks gain sustained institutional traction. FAQs Q1: What exactly does Fireblocks’ new partnership with Iagon enable? A: It allows institutional investors to stake ADA tokens, participate in Cardano on-chain governance voting, and manage native ADA tokens securely within Fireblocks’ custody infrastructure. Q2: Why is institutional access to Cardano staking significant? A: Cardano has a large market cap but limited institutional tools. This partnership provides regulated, secure access to staking yields and governance rights, making ADA more attractive to asset managers and banks. Q3: Is this service available to retail investors? A: No, the partnership is designed for institutional clients of Fireblocks, such as hedge funds, asset managers, and banks. Retail investors would need to use other platforms or wallets for Cardano staking. This post Fireblocks Opens Institutional Access to Cardano Staking and Governance first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

13 May 2026, 15:00

Animoca-backed NUVA connects Figure's $19 billion of tokenized assets to Ethereum

The protocol, led by veteran BNY executive Anthony Moro, aims to connect real-world assets with DeFi markets, starting with home equity lines of credit and Treasuries.

13 May 2026, 14:55

Ripple (XRP) News Today: May 13

The company behind the popular cryptocurrency XRP made headlines again by collaborating with some well-known names. The price of its native token has risen by 9% over the past month, while the sustained institutional interest suggests a further ascent could be on the way. Partnerships and More Earlier this week, Ripple announced the successful closing of a $200 million debt facility from funds managed by Neuberger Specialty Finance, the dedicated asset-based division within the global investment management firm Neuberger. The new capital will help Ripple Prime (formerly known as Hidden Road) to expand its services and support more institutional clients. Ripple also noted that demand for reliable, large-scale financing solutions continues to grow across both traditional and digital markets. Speaking on the matter was Noel Kimmel, President of Ripple Prime: “This facility enables us to grow alongside our clients by delivering increased margin capacity, greater responsiveness, and improved capital efficiency. Neuberger Specialty Finance has deep expertise in asset-based finance and a strong understanding of our business model, and its support reflects the differentiated prime services platform we have built and the many growth opportunities available to us.” For his part, Peter Sterling (Head of Neuberger Specialty Finance) applauded Ripple Prime for building an innovative brokerage platform that combines “fintech-grade technology and agility with bank-level compliance and operational rigor.” The initiative caught the eye of numerous crypto commentators. The popular X user Vincent Van Code claimed this has marked Ripple’s jump into “financial liquidity.” “Land wait til this $200m number becomes $20BN on chain. And then wait for XRP to become not only the bridge but a margin facility,” they added. In the meantime, the Brazilian fintech and blockchain infrastructure company Levery joined Ripple UDAX and the local research and educational foundation FGV “to bring institutional on-chain liquidity” to LatAm banks. UDAX stands for the University Digital Asset Xcelerator – a mutual initiative between Ripple’s University Blockchain Research and UC Berkeley. The ETF Front Institutional interest in spot XRP ETFs has strengthened lately, with millions of dollars flowing into these products daily. On May 11 alone, inflows topped $25 million, marking the best day since the beginning of January. In fact, the last time outflows surpassed inflows was on April 30. Spot XRP ETFs, Source: SoSoValue When new capital enters these products, issuers must buy actual XRP to back the sold shares. This steady demand can lift the asset’s price, especially when it outpaces available supply. The companies that offer such ETFs in the USA include Canary Capital, Bitwise, Franklin Templeton, Grayscale, and 21Shares. The cumulative total net inflow generated by these financial vehicles since their launch is over $1.36 billion. RLUSD’s Progress Ripple is best known for its native token XRP, but its ecosystem also includes the stablecoin RLUSD, which is pegged 1:1 to the American dollar. It officially saw the light of day towards the end of 2024, and since then, numerous financial giants and exchanges have embraced it. Some examples include the oldest bank in the US, BNY Mellon, as well as the popular trading venues Binance and OKX. Recently, Quick AI revealed that RLUSD is available on its payment protocol Q402. “Users can pay in RLUSD without holding gas. Q402 covers execution. Every payment also gets a Trust Receipt: signed, shareable, and verifiable in the browser,” the announcement reads . As of press time, the stablecoin’s market capitalization stands at almost $1.6 billion, making it the 56th-biggest cryptocurrency. XRP Price Outlook The asset trades at roughly $1.42 after posting a solid 9% increase over the past month. Moreover, several factors suggest that a more substantial pump could be on the horizon. A few days ago, the renowned analyst Ali Martinez disclosed that the TD Sequential indicator had flashed a buy signal on XRP’s price chart, expecting an ascent to $1.82 if the valuation decisively breaks through the $1.45 resistance. Moreover, the analytics platform Santiment revealed that the number of wallets holding at least 10,000 tokens has reached a new all-time high of 332,230. “Historically, rising numbers of mid-to-large wallets suggest increasing conviction from investors who are less focused on short-term price swings and more interested in long-term positioning. This is especially notable because XRP has spent much of 2026 trading below previous highs, meaning many holders appear willing to accumulate during fear rather than chase momentum,” the team added. The post Ripple (XRP) News Today: May 13 appeared first on CryptoPotato .

13 May 2026, 14:45

Transit Finance Commits to Full User Compensation Following $1.88 Million Exploit

BitcoinWorld Transit Finance Commits to Full User Compensation Following $1.88 Million Exploit Transit Finance, the company behind the decentralized exchange aggregator Transit Swap, has confirmed it will fully compensate all users impacted by a recent security breach. The incident, which involved the theft of approximately $1.88 million, was linked to a vulnerability in an older version of the protocol’s smart contract on the TRON blockchain. Details of the Exploit and Response Blockchain security firm PeckShield first flagged the exploit on May 11, reporting that the stolen funds—held as DAI in a wallet address starting with 0x8a6—were linked to Transit Finance. The company clarified that the vulnerability existed in an early iteration of its smart contract, which had been deprecated after 2022 and was no longer in active use. Only a subset of users who had interacted with that outdated version were affected. Upon discovering the breach, Transit Finance stated it initiated an immediate response, completing additional security reviews and recovery measures by May 12. The company emphasized that no action is required from affected users and that the current version of its smart contract remains secure and unaffected. Broader Implications for DeFi Security This incident underscores a persistent challenge in decentralized finance: the risk posed by legacy smart contracts that remain accessible even after being deprecated. While Transit Finance acted swiftly to contain the damage and commit to full restitution, the event highlights the importance of regular security audits and the proactive decommissioning of outdated code. What This Means for Users For Transit Swap users, the announcement brings clarity and assurance that losses will be covered. However, the broader DeFi community is reminded to exercise caution when interacting with older protocols or contract versions. Security experts recommend that users verify they are using the most up-to-date smart contract addresses and avoid transactions with deprecated code. Conclusion Transit Finance’s decision to fully compensate victims of the $1.88 million exploit is a significant step in maintaining user trust. As the investigation continues, the company has not disclosed a specific timeline for compensation distribution but reiterated its commitment to making all affected users whole. This case serves as a cautionary tale for the industry, reinforcing the need for continuous vigilance in smart contract security. FAQs Q1: Do I need to take any action to receive compensation? No. Transit Finance has stated that no action is required from affected users. The compensation process will be handled automatically by the company. Q2: Is the current Transit Swap smart contract safe to use? Yes. The company confirmed that the vulnerability was isolated to an old, deprecated version of the contract on TRON. The current version remains unaffected and secure. Q3: How much was stolen in the hack? Blockchain security firm PeckShield reported that approximately $1.88 million in DAI was stolen from the protocol. The funds are being held in a wallet address starting with 0x8a6. This post Transit Finance Commits to Full User Compensation Following $1.88 Million Exploit first appeared on BitcoinWorld .