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26 May 2026, 07:02

Banking Expert: SWIFT Will Either Add XRP to Its System or This Happens

SWIFT has long dominated global financial messaging. Now, it faces a technological reckoning. Rather than partnering with Ripple or building its own blockchain network from scratch, SWIFT chose a third path. It pursued a global shared ledger architecture built on Linea , an Ethereum-based Layer-2 blockchain infrastructure. The move signals that SWIFT recognizes the urgency of modernizing. The question is whether Linea can actually deliver what the system needs. Why Linea Falls Short as a Liquidity Tool Linea operates as a Layer-2 network. It aggregates transactions independently. It then sends that data to the Ethereum mainnet (Layer-1) for final verification. That verification process costs money. Every transmission carries a fee. CharuSan (@CharuSan83), a computer engineer and banking expert, addressed this directly, stating , ” Linea is not a liquidity tool.” The cost structure alone separates it from XRP, which settles transactions in 3-5 seconds at fractions of a cent with no routing dependency on a separate network. SWIFT’s use of Linea does not solve the liquidity problem. It adds infrastructure complexity without addressing the core need for fast, cost-effective value transfer at scale. The real issue for SWIFT is right here, SWIFT will either add XRP to its system as a "liquidity layer" to keep up with the modern world, or it will remain a simple messaging service, losing its financial authority and eventually disappearing. Instead of reaching an agreement… https://t.co/F01l3b1FHB — CharuSan XRP (@CharuSan83) May 24, 2026 Large-Scale Failures Lead to a Scaled-Down Protocol The Linea integration struggled under pressure. Large-scale transfer testing produced poor results. SWIFT’s response was to introduce a ‘Low-Value Payments” protocol, a system built for micro-payments and small commercial transfers. CharuSan called this outcome a “massive disappointment and failure.” A global financial messaging network that processes trillions of dollars annually introduced a protocol designed for small transactions. That outcome raises serious questions about the viability of the Linea-based approach for institutional use. Where XRP Fits Into This Picture CharuSan’s argument is straightforward. SWIFT must either add XRP as a liquidity layer or accept a diminished role in global finance. XRP already functions as a bridge currency , moving value across borders without pre-funded accounts, and does so at speed and scale. Linea routes through Ethereum, but XRP does not carry that dependency. The two are not comparable as liquidity solutions, and CharuSan makes that distinction clearly. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 SWIFT’s Position Going Forward SWIFT still processes the majority of international bank transfers. Its messaging infrastructure remains deeply embedded in global finance. However, the Linea experiment reveals the limits of grafting newer blockchain technology onto an older system without solving the fundamental liquidity challenge. CharuSan notes SWIFT’s longevity as a function of institutional inertia rather than technical superiority. The financial system has continued to use SWIFT not because it leads in technology, but because replacing it requires coordination among thousands of institutions. That coordination may now be happening without SWIFT as a major entity. Disclaimer : This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are advised to conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses. Follow us on X , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post Banking Expert: SWIFT Will Either Add XRP to Its System or This Happens appeared first on Times Tabloid .

26 May 2026, 05:41

Ondo Finance Founder Nathan Allman Dies Unexpectedly at 32

Allman founded Ondo in 2021 after previously working at Goldman Sachs and played a major role in the growth of blockchain-based tokenized real-world assets. Under his leadership, Ondo helped bring roughly $3.86 billion worth of tokenized assets on-chain. The company confirmed the news on Monday and announced that Ondo president Ian De Bode will take over as CEO. Ondo Finance Announces Death of Nathan Allman Nathan Allman, the founder and CEO of Ondo Finance and one of the early pioneers of blockchain tokenization, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 32. The company confirmed the news in a statement that was shared on X on Monday, where it described Allman as a visionary whose leadership, humility, and determination helped shape not only Ondo, but also the wider digital asset industry. “It is with profound sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of Nathan Allman, Ondo’s founder,” the company wrote. “Our hearts are with his family and loved ones.” Allman founded Ondo in 2021 after working in the digital assets division at Goldman Sachs. Before that, he also founded ChainStreet Capital, a crypto hedge fund focused on algorithmic and event-driven trading. Through Ondo, Allman played an important role in advancing the tokenization of real-world assets, and helped bring billions of dollars worth of US Treasuries, stocks, and commodities onto blockchain networks. His work also contributed to the growing institutional interest in tokenization technology, including from major financial firms like BlackRock. According to Ondo, more than 111,000 token holders currently own tokenized real-world assets issued through the platform, which today accounts for roughly $3.86 billion in on-chain assets. For many in the industry, Allman represented a new generation of founders focused on bridging traditional finance with blockchain technology in a more practical and accessible way. Ondo president Ian De Bode, who will now step in as CEO, described Allman as both an incredible founder and a close personal friend. “The mission of Ondo, Nate’s mission, has not changed,” De Bode said. “If Nate were here, he would want to continue executing with excellence. We will make him proud.” Ondo’s vice president and head of marketing, Ben Grossman, also remembered Allman as “a once-in-a-generation founder and visionary” whose impact on the people around him and on the industry itself would not be forgotten. The company has not shared details surrounding Allman’s passing. Though Nathan Allman’s life was tragically cut short, his vision, leadership, and contribution to the future of blockchain finance will leave a lasting impact on the industry and the many people he inspired along the way.

26 May 2026, 02:32

Japan weighs OpenAI cyber tools as government rethinks AI nationalism

OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, wrapped up a sales pitch to Japan, offering the Japanese government and private companies its latest generative AI model specialized in cybersecurity. The company showcased a number of its cyber defense programs to Japanese media on May 21. It’s where OpenAI board member, Paul Nakasone revealed that the visit to Japan was intended for talks with government officials. Nakasone said they discussed cybersecurity measures across 15 critical sectors with the Japanese government. While talks are set to continue, OpenAI said it hopes to launch the service in Japan at “an early stage.” OpenAI is offering the specialized GPT-5.5 Cyber AI model to the Japanese government. Its standard GPT-5.5 with Trusted Access for Cyber (TAC) defensive tool will be offered to Japanese firms and businesses under an application and screening process. Protection against Mythos During the press conference, OpenAI’s Head of National Security Policy, Sasha Baker stressed that a cyber defense ‘ecosystem’ is needed to overcome powerful models. She pointed to Anthropic’s non-public Mythos, which can autonomously identify and exploit security flaws in software, web browsers, and operating systems. Nakasone said powerful AI also requires stronger governance and safeguards. “We will build robust security systems and stay ahead of malicious actors. We intend to expand these efforts broadly from finance and critical infrastructure to local governments and manufacturing supply chains.” Nakasone, who previously led U.S. Cyber Command under the Trump administration, described Japan as central to a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” and suggested OpenAI would deepen collaboration with the country. “We want the Japanese government and companies to use our most advanced models,” added Sasha Baker. The real threat is AI dependence OpenAI’s visit comes as the Japanese government intensifies its push for “sovereign AI.” Japan’s Basic AI Plan, finalized in December 2025, revolves around the concept of “trustworthy” AI. It stems from economic security concerns that foreign tech giants could control the entire AI supply chain. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) had proposed developing a large-scale domestic foundation model akin to a Japanese version of ChatGPT using government funding. When METI presented its proposal at an LDP Digital Society Promotion Headquarters meeting in October 2025, some lawmakers criticized the plan as reckless, arguing that Japan lacked the policy resources needed to compete with the U.S. and China. METI has since dropped its ‘Japanese ChatGPT’ goal, but the government is still determined to foster a homegrown AI stack, which includes foundation models, data centers, AI chips, as well as physical AI infrastructure . The government is preparing to revise its Basic AI Plan this summer. At an AI strategy meeting on May 19, lawmaker Kimi Onoda confirmed the revised draft will strengthen AI sovereignty from a national security stance. Japan’s AI reality check While some Japanese companies, such as Preferred Networks, Ricoh, SoftBank, NEC, Honda, and Sony Group, have begun developing foundation models, many in the industry privately acknowledge the difficulty of catching up to the U.S. and China. Japan was ranked 30th out of 69 countries in the IMD World Digital Competitiveness Score in 2025. There’s also a massive AI investment shortfall between Japan and its rivals. According to Japanese government data, the U.S. government invested approx. $329 billion in local AI development from 2019 to 2023. The Chinese government invested approx. $133 billion. The Japanese government, on the other hand, invested a meager $10 billion. The end of AI nationalism The government’s Digital Society Promotion Headquarters is preparing a proposal against an entirely Japanese AI stack. The proposal is urging the government to prioritize AI innovation in manufacturing, healthcare, and infrastructure sectors. It argues Japan could combine foreign-developed foundation models with applications developed by domestic industrial data to create a competitive advantage. On May 11, the Secretary General of the Digital Society Promotion Headquarters, Akihisa Shiozaki, said Japan is entering a post-LLM era that requires a major paradigm shift. He stressed the goal shouldn’t be building sovereign AI but rather diversifying suppliers. “What matters most is ensuring autonomy without becoming dependent on any single country, company, or provider. Rather than focusing solely on ‘sovereign AI,’ Japan needs to think about how to protect its AI sovereignty.” Don’t just read crypto news. Understand it. Subscribe to our newsletter. It's free .

26 May 2026, 02:25

Ethereum Foundation’s Kohaku Releases SDK to Embed Privacy Protocols Directly Into Wallets

BitcoinWorld Ethereum Foundation’s Kohaku Releases SDK to Embed Privacy Protocols Directly Into Wallets The Ethereum Foundation’s privacy-focused initiative, Kohaku, has released a software development kit (SDK) designed to integrate privacy protocols directly into Ethereum wallets, eliminating the need for third-party intermediaries. The tool, first reported by The Defiant, allows wallet developers to embed protocols such as Railgun, Tornado Cash, and Privacy Pools natively into their applications. How the Kohaku SDK Works The SDK currently supports integration with Railgun, a protocol that enables private transactions by decoupling sender and receiver addresses. Kohaku has also launched a version that includes a 4337 mempool relay, which facilitates private transaction processing through account abstraction. This allows users to send transactions without exposing their wallet address or transaction history to the public mempool. Integration for Tornado Cash and Privacy Pools is reportedly under active development, though no timeline has been provided for their release. The Ethereum Foundation originally announced Kohaku last year as an open-source privacy initiative aimed at enhancing security and confidentiality within the Ethereum ecosystem. Why This Matters for Ethereum Users Privacy remains one of the most debated topics in cryptocurrency. While Ethereum’s public ledger offers transparency, it also exposes transaction data to anyone with blockchain access. For users who require financial privacy—whether for personal security, business confidentiality, or regulatory compliance—the lack of native privacy tools has been a persistent gap. By offering an SDK that allows developers to integrate privacy protocols directly into wallets, Kohaku lowers the technical barrier for implementing these features. Instead of relying on external services or complex manual processes, wallet providers can now offer built-in privacy options, potentially increasing adoption among mainstream users. Implications for Wallet Developers and the Ecosystem For wallet developers, the SDK provides a standardized framework for adding privacy features without building the underlying cryptographic infrastructure from scratch. This could accelerate the availability of privacy-preserving wallets across the Ethereum ecosystem, from self-custodial mobile wallets to browser extensions. The inclusion of account abstraction (ERC-4337) support is particularly noteworthy, as it enables more flexible transaction models. Combined with privacy protocols, this could pave the way for wallets that offer both privacy and advanced features like social recovery, batched transactions, and gas sponsorship. Regulatory and Industry Context The release comes amid ongoing regulatory scrutiny of privacy tools in cryptocurrency. Tornado Cash, for example, was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department in 2022, leading to legal challenges and debates about the legality of privacy-preserving smart contracts. By providing an open-source SDK, the Ethereum Foundation positions itself as a facilitator of privacy technology while leaving implementation decisions to individual developers and jurisdictions. Industry observers note that the Kohaku SDK could also serve as a foundation for future compliance-focused privacy solutions, such as zero-knowledge proof-based identity verification that preserves user anonymity while satisfying regulatory requirements. Conclusion The Ethereum Foundation’s Kohaku SDK represents a significant step toward making privacy a native feature of the Ethereum wallet experience. By enabling direct integration of protocols like Railgun, Tornado Cash, and Privacy Pools, the initiative addresses a long-standing user need while maintaining the open-source ethos of the ecosystem. Developers and users alike will be watching closely as additional protocol integrations roll out in the coming months. FAQs Q1: What is the Kohaku SDK? The Kohaku SDK is a software development kit released by the Ethereum Foundation’s privacy initiative, Kohaku, that allows wallet developers to integrate privacy protocols like Railgun, Tornado Cash, and Privacy Pools directly into their wallets without relying on third-party intermediaries. Q2: Which privacy protocols are currently supported? As of the initial release, the SDK supports Railgun integration, along with a 4337 mempool relay for private transactions. Support for Tornado Cash and Privacy Pools is under development. Q3: Why is this SDK important for Ethereum users? The SDK simplifies the process of adding privacy features to wallets, making it easier for developers to offer built-in transaction privacy. This helps users protect their financial data without needing to use external tools or services, potentially increasing the adoption of privacy-preserving practices in the Ethereum ecosystem. This post Ethereum Foundation’s Kohaku Releases SDK to Embed Privacy Protocols Directly Into Wallets first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

25 May 2026, 23:10

BlackRock's Larry Fink tells Americans they will be forced to invest trillions into AI

BlackRock (NYSE: BLK) CEO Larry Fink says America’s giant AI buildout will need trillions of dollars, and regular people’s money is part of the plan. According to Larry, the investments in artificial intelligence, including those for data centers, power grids, chips, and cables among others will come from places such as bank savings and pensions. This implies that funds invested in the retirees’ savings plan will go towards financing the actual backbone of artificial intelligence. According to Larry, the United States wants to stay ahead in AI, and that costs a ridiculous amount of money. In his yearly letter to BlackRock shareholders, he said the country now treats AI leadership as a serious national goal. He wrote: “The United States clearly understands that leadership in AI is not optional and will require sustained investment; in research, infrastructure, and talent. Capital markets capable of financing innovation at this scale are essential.” Larry brings retirement money into the AI spending race Larry has been clear that he does not think the United States is spending fast enough. At the Milken Institute Global Conference on May 5, he said, “I don’t believe we’re moving fast enough.” He also pushed back against the idea that AI is already overheated, saying, “There is not an AI bubble. There is the opposite.” Blackrock is already a major shareholder in Big Tech AI-associated companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia that have connections to cloud computing, microprocessors, software development, and internet-related technology. The firm has also put real money behind the infrastructure side of the business. In 2024, BlackRock bought Global Infrastructure Partners for $12.5 billion. That deal gave the asset manager a bigger position in hard assets, including energy and large infrastructure projects. Then in March 2025, BlackRock and Global Infrastructure Partners teamed up with MGX, Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA), and xAI to invest in data centers. These are the buildings and systems that let AI models run at scale. They need land, chips, electricity, cooling, fiber, backup power, and a terrifying amount of cash. Microsoft chairman and CEO Satya Nadella said in BlackRock’s announcement, “AI infrastructure will play an increasingly critical role in driving economic growth across every industry and every region of the world.” Satya also said, “We’re thrilled to welcome these new companies to the AI Infrastructure Partnership as we invest together to build the infrastructure of the future.” Jamie backs the $1 trillion AI bill as banks deal with data center debt JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM) CEO Jamie Dimon is also backing the scale of AI infrastructure spending. At a New York event with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, Jamie said the $1 trillion going into data centers should make sense over time because of how powerful the technology is. Jamie said the spending is not only about server buildings. It also includes huge amounts for chips, wires, and hardware. His view is that technology can pay for itself, but not in a clean or easy way. “Technology tends to pay for itself, just not in a straight line,” Jamie said. He also said investors may struggle if they try to guess every winner and loser ahead of time. “The way I look at it is that in total it will make sense. If you want to try to pick the winners and losers, you will have a hard time,” Jamie said. Then he added the part Wall Street really cares about. “So there will be losers in that, there will be winners, or people saying I told you so, and stuff like that. But the technology itself is so powerful, it’s worth $1tn of investment.” If you're reading this, you’re already ahead. Stay there with our newsletter .

25 May 2026, 21:00

Crypto Today Looks Like Nvidia Before AI Went Mainstream, Jeff Park Says

Jeff Park argued that crypto is entering a phase similar to Nvidia’s pre-mainstream AI era, when the technological shift was visible to early believers but not yet obvious to the broader market. In an X post defending crypto’s ideological roots on Sunday, Park framed today’s industry as being in a difficult “middle game” before onchain capital markets become self-evident infrastructure. Park’s comparison centered on Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Elon Musk’s first public appearance together at GTC 2015, a moment he described as occurring inside a narrow window before AI had become a mainstream consumer or institutional priority. By then, Huang had spent decades backing parallel graphics processing and had supported CUDA since 2006, while Musk had already had what Park called his “Hassabis moment” in 2012. OpenAI, he noted, had not yet been founded. “This is that narrow window where a revolution is visible to some but not others,” Park wrote, “in which both of these geniuses had early inklings of recognizing AI’s pervasive potential, but the broad public was not yet made aware. It would take another 10 years for it reach mainstream applications of course.” Why Crypto Looks Like Nvidia Park said he sees crypto in a similar position today. Before GPUs became central to the AI boom, the technology was sustained by gamers, hobbyists and researchers who pushed its capabilities without necessarily knowing they were helping subsidize a much larger computing transition. In his analogy, early DeFi played a comparable role for crypto by subsidizing the development path toward institutional tokenization. Related Reading: European Commission Launches Crypto Rules Review As Euro Stablecoin Project Gains Support “Gamers subsidized AI’s development, just like early DeFi subsidized the institutional tokenization development,” he wrote. The core of Park’s argument is that crypto’s hardest phase is not the early ideological phase or the eventual mature phase. It is the transitional stage between them. He borrowed from Elon Musk’s remarks about autonomous driving at GTC 2015, where Musk said the simplest parts were very low-speed driving, where a vehicle can stop, and high-speed driving, where rules are more structured. The hardest part, in Park’s telling, is the 10-to-50 mph zone: urban environments with bikes, children, cones, manholes and edge cases requiring both precision and speed. Park applied that framework to crypto infrastructure. The “0-10 mph” phase was permissionless money, a use case he said people could understand from a practical standpoint. The “50 mph+” phase, in his view, will be onchain capital markets becoming obvious because of self-custody, capital efficiency, money velocity and settlement optimization. The difficult part is what sits in between. “But its the 10-50 thats hard, where money in a pre-internet financial infrastructure is hitting AML/KYC, offshore capital conduits, discretionary bank risk models, lagging reporting regimes create all kinds of need of need for precision and speed that institutional infrastructure today needs to develop further,” Park wrote. “Its fundamentally solvable, but this is the most challenging portion of fulfilling the dreams of onchain capital markets.” Related Reading: Washington Moves To Review Crypto Tax Rules With New IRS Study Bill Park also drew a distinction between Bitcoin and the wider crypto sector, while rejecting the idea that support for one must exclude the other. He said Bitcoin and crypto are not trying to solve identical problems, even if both originate from a similar ideological impulse around open access. “I love bitcoin. But contrary to some opinion, I believe its possible to love crypto too, because bitcoin is a monetary experiment enabled by the evolution of technology, while most of crypto is the inverse: a technology experiment enabled by the evolution of money,” he wrote. “They are fundamentally solving different problems, though rooted in one ideal: to make its access as much of a public good as possible.” Park’s broader thesis is that the ideology behind crypto is not fading but changing shape. He described the “winning ideology” as “technological financialization,” a form of hyperfinancialization with decentralizing elements that exports sovereign finance, agentic rails and self-determination as public goods. That framing matters because much of the industry’s current debate is focused on whether crypto’s institutionalization weakens its original purpose. Park’s answer is that the ideological layer remains essential, but the practical expression of that ideology is now moving through financial infrastructure, tokenized markets and systems that need to interact with existing compliance and banking regimes. “This ‘middle game’ period will be remembered as the most critical juncture for the industry,” Park wrote, adding that the future belongs to “those who recognized it was always ideological.” At press time, the total crypto market cap stood at $2.55 trillion. Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com