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20 Jan 2026, 16:55
Chainlink Data Streams Launch Revolutionary 24/5 On-Chain Stock Market Infrastructure
BitcoinWorld Chainlink Data Streams Launch Revolutionary 24/5 On-Chain Stock Market Infrastructure In a groundbreaking development for decentralized finance, Chainlink has officially launched its 24/5 U.S. Equities Streams, creating unprecedented on-chain access to real-time stock and ETF market data. This innovative service represents a significant leap toward building continuous financial markets that operate beyond traditional trading hours. The announcement, made from Chainlink’s San Francisco headquarters on March 15, 2025, marks a pivotal moment in blockchain infrastructure development. Chainlink Data Streams Transform Market Accessibility Chainlink’s new U.S. Equities Streams service provides continuous data transmission during all U.S. stock trading sessions. This extension of the existing Chainlink Data Streams feature delivers fast, reliable market information directly to blockchain networks. Consequently, developers can now create financial applications with always-on functionality. The technology fundamentally challenges the limitations of conventional market hours. Traditional equity markets typically operate from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. However, Chainlink’s solution enables 24-hour access during trading days, plus pre-market and after-hours data. This continuous data flow supports various decentralized applications including prediction markets, derivatives platforms, and synthetic asset protocols. The infrastructure leverages Chainlink’s proven oracle network, which already secures billions in value across multiple blockchain ecosystems. Technical Architecture and Implementation Details The 24/5 U.S. Equities Streams utilize a sophisticated technical architecture designed for reliability and speed. Multiple data providers feed information into Chainlink’s decentralized oracle network. This network then aggregates and verifies the data before transmitting it on-chain. The system employs cryptographic proofs to ensure data integrity throughout the process. Key technical features include: Low-latency data delivery with sub-second updates during active trading Redundant data sources from multiple financial data providers Cryptographic verification ensuring data authenticity and tamper-resistance Cross-chain compatibility supporting Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, and other major networks This infrastructure represents years of development work by Chainlink Labs, building upon their established position as the leading decentralized oracle network. The company has consistently expanded its data offerings since launching price feeds in 2019. Their gradual expansion now includes equities, commodities, and various financial instruments. Market Impact and Industry Implications The introduction of continuous equity data streams creates significant implications for decentralized finance. Traditional financial markets have long been constrained by operating hours and geographical limitations. Chainlink’s solution potentially enables global participants to engage with U.S. equities through blockchain-based instruments at any time during trading days. Industry analysts note several immediate applications: Application Type Potential Impact Synthetic Assets Enables creation of tokenized stock representations with continuous pricing Derivatives Platforms Supports options and futures contracts with real-time settlement Prediction Markets Allows continuous trading on corporate earnings and market movements Index Funds Facilitates blockchain-based index products with automatic rebalancing Financial technology experts emphasize the regulatory considerations surrounding these developments. While the technology enables new possibilities, compliance with securities regulations remains crucial. Chainlink has reportedly engaged with regulatory bodies during development, though specific details remain confidential. The company maintains that their role as a data provider differs from operating trading platforms directly. Evolution of Oracle Technology in Finance Chainlink’s latest development continues the evolution of oracle technology in financial applications. Initially, blockchain oracles focused primarily on cryptocurrency price data. The expansion into traditional equities represents natural progression. This evolution mirrors broader trends in blockchain adoption across financial sectors. Historical context reveals steady advancement: 2017-2019: Basic price feeds for major cryptocurrencies 2020-2022: Expansion to commodities, forex, and select equities 2023-2024: Development of low-latency data streams and verifiable randomness 2025: Launch of 24/5 U.S. Equities Streams with continuous availability This progression demonstrates increasing sophistication in blockchain infrastructure. Each stage has enabled new financial applications and use cases. The current offering represents the most comprehensive equity data solution available on-chain today. Industry observers anticipate further expansion into additional asset classes and markets. Security Considerations and Network Reliability Security remains paramount for financial data infrastructure. Chainlink employs multiple security measures to ensure data integrity. The decentralized oracle network distributes data sourcing across numerous independent nodes. These nodes source information from multiple reputable providers. The system then aggregates this data through consensus mechanisms. Key security features include: Decentralized node operators with proven track records Cryptographic proofs of data authenticity Regular security audits by independent firms Transparent monitoring of data quality and node performance Network reliability receives equal attention. The 24/5 service maintains high availability through redundant systems. Multiple data centers and node operators ensure continuous operation. Performance metrics indicate 99.9% uptime during testing phases. This reliability meets institutional requirements for financial data services. Future Developments and Roadmap Chainlink’s roadmap includes further expansion of financial data services. Company representatives have hinted at additional asset classes and markets. International equities, fixed income products, and alternative assets represent potential future offerings. The technology framework established for U.S. equities provides a template for global expansion. Development priorities reportedly include: Expansion to European and Asian equity markets Integration with additional blockchain networks Enhanced data granularity including order book information Improved latency for high-frequency applications These developments align with broader industry trends toward tokenization of traditional assets. Financial institutions increasingly explore blockchain solutions for settlement, custody, and trading. Reliable data infrastructure represents a foundational requirement for these applications. Chainlink’s continuous data streams address this need directly. Conclusion Chainlink’s launch of 24/5 U.S. Equities Streams represents a significant advancement in blockchain infrastructure. The service enables continuous access to stock and ETF market data beyond traditional trading hours. This development supports creation of always-on financial applications on blockchain networks. The technology bridges traditional finance with decentralized systems through reliable data transmission. Chainlink data streams continue expanding possibilities for developers and institutions alike. This innovation marks another step toward fully integrated blockchain-based financial markets. FAQs Q1: What exactly are Chainlink’s 24/5 U.S. Equities Streams? Chainlink’s 24/5 U.S. Equities Streams provide continuous on-chain data transmission for U.S. stocks and ETFs during all trading sessions, including pre-market and after-hours periods, enabling blockchain applications to access real-time market information beyond traditional exchange hours. Q2: How does this service differ from traditional market data feeds? Unlike traditional data feeds limited to exchange operating hours, Chainlink’s solution provides continuous data availability during trading days, delivers information directly to blockchain networks through decentralized oracles, and enables integration with smart contracts and decentralized applications. Q3: Which blockchain networks support these data streams? The service supports multiple blockchain networks including Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism, and other major Layer 1 and Layer 2 platforms, with cross-chain compatibility allowing developers to access the same data across different ecosystems. Q4: What are the primary use cases for this technology? Primary applications include synthetic asset platforms creating tokenized stock representations, derivatives protocols offering options and futures, prediction markets for corporate events, index funds with automatic rebalancing, and various DeFi applications requiring equity price data. Q5: How does Chainlink ensure data accuracy and security? Chainlink employs decentralized oracle networks with multiple independent node operators sourcing data from reputable providers, uses cryptographic proofs to verify data authenticity, conducts regular security audits, and maintains transparent monitoring systems for data quality and network performance. This post Chainlink Data Streams Launch Revolutionary 24/5 On-Chain Stock Market Infrastructure first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
20 Jan 2026, 16:49
Europe risks dependence on Chinese AI models, former Google executive Eric Schmidt warns
Europe risks becoming reliant on Chinese artificial intelligence technology unless it makes major investments in its own open source AI labs and tackles high energy costs, according to Eric Schmidt, the former head of Google and current tech investor. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday, Schmidt highlighted a growing divide in how different regions approach AI development. He explained that American companies are mostly choosing closed source models that require purchase and licensing, while China focuses on open-weight and open-source systems. Closed versus open source models “Unless Europe is willing to spend lots of money for European models, Europe will end up using the Chinese models. It’s probably not a good outcome for Europe,” Schmidt warned. Closed-source models like Google Gemini and OpenAI’s ChatGPT keep their underlying code private and unavailable for public download or review. Though these systems provide a smoother and more consistent user experience, they cost more and offer less flexibility. China has become a leader in creating open-weight models, which allow greater transparency. Energy costs pos e ma jor challenge Schmidt stressed that Europe needs to tackle expensive energy costs and construct more data centers to train AI technology if it wants to stay competitive globally. He has started a data center company focused on managing the massive power requirements of this infrastructure, and has previously expressed worries about AI straining electricity supplies in the United States as well. Europe has fallen behind its American and Asian competitors in the race for AI advancement. While the continent is working to expand data centers and implement the technology, the efforts remain smaller tha n Si licon Valley’s. France’s Mistral AI stands as Europe’s top AI startup, reaching a value of €11.7 billion ($13.7 billion) in last year’s funding round. However, this represents just a small portion of OpenAI’s worth, which exceeds $500 billion. The smartest crypto minds already read our newsletter. Want in? Join them .
20 Jan 2026, 16:45
Bitcoin-Linked Annuity: Delaware Life’s Revolutionary Partnership with BlackRock’s IBIT
BitcoinWorld Bitcoin-Linked Annuity: Delaware Life’s Revolutionary Partnership with BlackRock’s IBIT In a landmark move for both the insurance and digital asset industries, Delaware Life Insurance Company has unveiled a pioneering fixed indexed annuity product with direct exposure to Bitcoin. This strategic development, confirmed by Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas, leverages BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin ETF, IBIT, to bridge the gap between conventional retirement planning and the evolving cryptocurrency market. The launch, announced in Wilmington, Delaware, in early 2025, signals a significant maturation in the integration of digital assets into regulated financial frameworks. Understanding the Bitcoin-Linked Annuity Structure Delaware Life’s new product represents a sophisticated fusion of traditional insurance mechanisms and modern investment vehicles. Essentially, a fixed indexed annuity provides a guaranteed minimum return alongside the potential for additional growth based on the performance of a selected market index. In this innovative case, the index linkage includes the price performance of Bitcoin, accessed not through direct custody but through shares of the BlackRock iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) . This structure offers policyholders a regulated, indirect path to Bitcoin exposure within a tax-advantaged retirement vehicle known for its principal protection features. Consequently, the partnership with BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, provides a layer of institutional credibility and operational scale. BlackRock’s IBIT, approved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in early 2024, holds actual Bitcoin, offering a secure and transparent proxy for the cryptocurrency’s price. Therefore, Delaware Life policyholders gain potential upside from Bitcoin’s market movements without the technical complexities of private key management or direct exchange risk. The Evolving Landscape of Crypto in Traditional Finance This launch is not an isolated event but a pivotal point in a broader financial trend. Following the SEC’s approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024, institutional adoption pathways have rapidly expanded. Major Wall Street firms began integrating these ETFs into various wealth management products. However, Delaware Life’s annuity represents one of the first instances of a major, established insurance company embedding a spot Bitcoin ETF directly into its core insurance product lineup. Furthermore, this move aligns with growing demographic demand. Financial advisors report increasing client interest in cryptocurrency allocations, particularly from younger generations planning for retirement. Traditional annuities have sometimes struggled to appeal to this demographic. By incorporating a digital asset component, Delaware Life potentially addresses this market gap. The product offers a familiar structure with a novel asset class, appealing to investors seeking growth potential beyond traditional stock and bond indices. Feature Traditional Fixed Indexed Annuity Delaware Life’s Bitcoin-Linked Annuity Index Options S&P 500, Nasdaq-100, others Includes Bitcoin via IBIT ETF Underlying Asset Equities via derivatives Spot Bitcoin via regulated ETF Regulatory Path Established insurance law Combines insurance law & SEC-regulated ETF Primary Appeal Principal protection with equity growth Principal protection with crypto growth potential Expert Analysis on Market Impact and Risk Considerations Financial analysts highlight several critical implications of this product launch. Firstly, it provides a new, regulated channel for Bitcoin investment, potentially attracting capital from investors who prioritize insurance company safeguards. Secondly, it could pressure other life insurance carriers to develop similar crypto-linked offerings, accelerating mainstream adoption. Eric Balchunas’s reporting underscores the significance of BlackRock’s role, as its involvement lends substantial market trust and infrastructure. However, experts also caution policyholders about the inherent volatility of Bitcoin. While the annuity structure includes a guaranteed minimum floor, the indexed returns based on Bitcoin’s price can fluctuate dramatically. Potential buyers must understand that this product does not offer direct ownership of Bitcoin but rather a derivative exposure based on its ETF-traded price. Key considerations include: Volatility Buffer: The annuity likely uses a participation rate or cap to manage Bitcoin’s extreme price swings. Regulatory Scrutiny: As a novel product, it may face ongoing review by state insurance commissioners. Fee Structure: Costs may include insurance charges plus the ETF’s expense ratio, impacting net returns. Long-Term Horizon: Annuities are long-term contracts, making them suitable only for investors comfortable with a multi-year commitment. Conclusion Delaware Life’s launch of a Bitcoin-linked annuity using BlackRock’s IBIT marks a transformative moment in financial product innovation. This development effectively merges the security-focused world of insurance with the growth potential of digital assets, offering a structured, regulated avenue for cryptocurrency exposure within retirement planning. The partnership with BlackRock provides crucial institutional validation, suggesting a future where cryptocurrency components become a standard option in diversified financial portfolios. Ultimately, this product reflects the accelerating convergence of traditional and digital finance, creating new tools for investors navigating a rapidly changing economic landscape. FAQs Q1: How does the Bitcoin exposure in this annuity actually work? The annuity links a portion of its potential interest credits to the performance of the BlackRock iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT). The insurance company allocates funds to the ETF, and the policy’s value can increase based on Bitcoin’s price gains, subject to the product’s specific terms like caps or participation rates. Q2: Is my principal safe with this Bitcoin-linked annuity? As a fixed indexed annuity, the contract includes a guaranteed minimum value, protecting your principal from market loss due to Bitcoin’s decline. However, the growth portion tied to Bitcoin’s performance is not guaranteed and can vary. Q3: Why use BlackRock’s IBIT instead of buying Bitcoin directly? Using the IBIT ETF allows Delaware Life to provide exposure within a regulated, custodial framework familiar to insurance companies. It eliminates the need for the insurer or policyholder to manage private keys, deal with cryptocurrency exchanges, or address direct storage security concerns. Q4: Who is the target customer for this type of product? The product likely targets retirement-focused investors, particularly those familiar with annuities but seeking growth exposure to alternative asset classes. It may appeal to individuals who believe in Bitcoin’s long-term potential but want it wrapped in a product with insurance protections. Q5: Could other cryptocurrencies be added to annuities in the future? While currently focused on Bitcoin, the infrastructure developed for this product could pave the way for inclusion of other digital assets, especially if and when spot ETFs for cryptocurrencies like Ethereum receive regulatory approval and achieve similar institutional acceptance. This post Bitcoin-Linked Annuity: Delaware Life’s Revolutionary Partnership with BlackRock’s IBIT first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
20 Jan 2026, 16:40
Tether Partners With Bitqik for Bitcoin and Stablecoin Education in Laos
Tether and Laos-based exchange Bitqik have launched a joint initiative to promote education around bitcoin and stablecoins. The program aims to reach more than 10,000 people across Laos through events and online learning in 2026. Crypto Education in Laos Gets a Boost Through Tether and Bitqik Partnership Tether has partnered with Bitqik, a licensed digital
20 Jan 2026, 16:39
SOL Strategies teases passive income opportunity in STKESOL liquid staking token launch
SOL Strategies, one of the leading Solana treasury companies, launched a liquid staking token. STKESOL tokens will allow holders to earn rewards from the network activity. SOL Strategies will launch STKESOL, a new liquid staking token with built-in rewards. The company will be able to draw in both crypto natives and traditional investors with a new asset, compatible across other DeFi applications. 🚨 Introducing STKESOL: SOL Strategies’ Liquid Staking Token (LST) on @Solana ! Already at 545K SOL (~$70M) in TVL, STKESOL allows you to earn diversified staking rewards while maintaining full liquidity. Boost your yield further by providing liquidity, borrow against your… pic.twitter.com/5ZgwxdzkW7 — SOL Strategies (@solstrategies) January 20, 2026 The launch of STKESOL means SOL Strategies will draw in more SOL deposits for staking. The depositors of SOL will receive both passive rewards and be able to use STKESOL on DeFi platforms. STKESOL will be usable as a loan collateral on lending platforms such as Kamino and Loopscale. The token aims to lower its risk as it is backed by staking in multiple validators, to spread counterparty risk. Following the news, SOL traded at $127.79, pressured by the overall crypto market downturn. SOL Strategies chooses more active treasury management SOL Strategies is a relatively small DAT company, with around 427,640K SOL. The company is ranked 10th among other treasury builders. Of that total treasury balance, 406K are staked for passive income at around 6.7% per month. SOL Strategies is also running a validator on Solana . SOL Strategies is ranked 10th among other DAT companies and is itself running a validator to secure the network. | Source: Strategic SOL Reserve The company has a higher share of staked SOL compared to other treasury companies. ETFs and DATs companies stake less than 50% of their available SOL, holding the rest of the tokens in idle wallets. SOL Strategies also ensures the infrastructure for its liquid staking token, which will draw in diversified passive income from multiple validators. The company aims to achieve the best possible yield based on validator performance. Yield-based products may offset the market risk, while also supporting the Ethereum ecosystem. SOL Strategies already announced that around $70M or 545K SOL have been deposited to mint the STKESOL liquid staking token. Stake SOL focuses on liquidity, tax protections Staked SOL removes coins from circulation, while leaving holders with no capital. Liquid staking tokens reflect the amount of staked SOL and bring a new asset, which can be traded, deposited, or used as a lending collateral. Liquid staking tokens aim to avoid the two-day waiting period when unstaking SOL. Liquid staking tokens can be traded, while the original SOL stake remains. Based on different jurisdictions, liquid staking tokens may bypass taxation, at least while the underlying asset is still staked. The tax exemptions may vary depending on local tax laws. Liquid staking tokens are widely accepted in the Solana ecosystem and are represented on most decentralized exchanges. Liquid staking tokens can also be used in LST multiplier products, where holders can loop or leverage an LST combined with SOL to achieve a higher yield. The technique works because some of the LST yield is higher than the cost of borrowing SOL. The strategy is risky, and the yields may change under different circumstances. Don’t just read crypto news. Understand it. Subscribe to our newsletter. It's free .
20 Jan 2026, 16:35
Bitcoin Dips Under $90K as Crypto Stocks Plunge Amid Fresh Trump Trade War Turmoil
Crypto-focused stocks Strategy and SharpLink Gaming dropped sharply as Bitcoin fell below $90,000 amid Trump's latest tariff threats.
