Ex-Blackstone Exec, Tether Co-Founder to Launch $1B Crypto Reserve SPAC

A Bloomberg report has revealed that former Blackstone Inc. executive Chinh Chu and Reeve Collins, co-founder of stablecoin giant Tether, are teaming up to raise $1 billion for a listed crypto vehicle that aims to build a portfolio of digital assets. The capital is being raised through M3 Brigade Acquisition V Corp, a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) backed by the two. A Multi-Token Approach Anonymous sources cited in the report said that the vehicle would hold a diversified mix of tokens, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), and Solana (SOL). They also revealed that the fundraising effort is ongoing, meaning that the details, including the $1 billion target, may change. Cantor Fitzgerald LP is among the parties advising on the deal. Furthermore, Wilbur Ross, the Secretary of Commerce in U.S. President Donald Trump’s first administration, has reportedly been tapped to serve as vice chair alongside Binance board chairman Gabriel Abed. The venture will also have ex-Hut 8 Mining head Jaime Leverton as CEO in an acting capacity. Chu and Collins’ multi-token approach is markedly different from that taken by the likes of Bitcoin bull Michael Saylor’s Strategy and Japan’s Metaplanet. The former has bought over 592,000 BTC, currently valued at more than $60 billion. The latter now holds 12,345 BTC worth over $1.33 billion and recently passed Tesla to become the seventh-largest corporate Bitcoin holder globally. Meanwhile, others like SharpLink Gaming have taken an Ether-focused approach. The Minneapolis-based company owns 188,478 ETH worth about $457 million and is staking 100% of it to support the Ethereum network. This strategy followed a $425 million private placement led by Consensys and the appointment of Ethereum co-founder Joseph Lubin as chairman. Tether Co-Founder Buys $6.47M SPAC In May 2025, Collins acquired a controlling stake in M3-Brigade for $6.47 million. The deal included 7.19 million Class B shares and 5.04 million private placement warrants, with plans to purchase an additional 3.29 million from Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. Following the transaction, Collins was named CEO, with Chinh coming in as the SPAC’s new president. The crypto entrepreneur, who has also just joined the advisory board of Canadian-listed digital asset ETF company Fineqia, was instrumental in founding Tether, NFT platform BLOCKv, and Smart Media Technologies. He is currently chairman of STBL.com (formerly Pi), a yield-bearing stablecoin protocol built on Ethereum and Solana. This decentralized platform enables yield retention from tokenized RWAs such as U.S. Treasuries and money market funds. Meanwhile, Chu was Blackstone’s longest-serving dealmaker before leaving in 2015. While at the firm, he sponsored several SPACs, including deals for Getty Images and Utz Brands. The post Ex-Blackstone Exec, Tether Co-Founder to Launch $1B Crypto Reserve SPAC appeared first on CryptoPotato .

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Ripple May Still Need to Comply with Federal Securities Laws Despite SEC Lawsuit Developments

The ongoing Ripple vs. SEC legal battle reached a pivotal moment as a US district court denied a joint motion to reduce Ripple’s $125 million penalty, reaffirming the application of

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US judge denies Ripple, SEC joint request to reduce $125M penalty

Judge Analisa Torres wrote that Ripple is still required to follow federal securities laws regardless of the SEC's regulatory pivot.

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Judge rejects SEC, Ripple motion on XRP sales and $125m penalty

A federal judge has rejected Ripple Labs and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s joint motion to set aside the $125 million penalty and final ruling on institutional XRP sales, despite both parties having reached a settlement. U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres also denied the motion seeking to lift the permanent injunction on Ripple’s institutional XRP ( XRP ) sales, which the court imposed in 2024, according to Reuters . The court ruled that Ripple and the SEC cannot use their settlement agreement to reverse the order imposing a permanent injunction against the company’s institutional XRP sales. You might also like: Ripple’s Arthur Britto resurfaces on X after 14-year silence Judge denies yet another Ripple/SEC motion The Ripple/SEC motion marks the second attempt before the court to bring a legal close to the long-running case. In addition to the prohibition on XRP sales to institutional investors, Ripple and the SEC had asked the court to approve a settlement in which the SEC would retain $50 million and return $75 million of the $125 million civil penalty. Notably, both parties also asked the court to pause their appeal of the final judgment pending the outcome of this motion. In 2023, Judge Torres ruled that XRP sold on exchanges did not violate securities laws—meaning the cryptocurrency is not a security. However, she found that institutional sales did violate securities laws, leading to the injunction and civil penalty imposed in August 2024. Ripple and the SEC appealed the ruling, with a settlement reached in March 2025 that could only proceed if the judge agreed to set aside her earlier decision. Parties “have no authority” Judge Torres rejected the latest motion, stating that it did not meet the “exceptional circumstances” required for a court to modify or vacate a final judgment. A similar motion filed on June 12, 2025, requesting an “indicative ruling,” also failed to persuade the court. Arguments that the SEC has dismissed similar or related crypto cases also do not apply to the Ripple versus SEC case , as those other lawsuits did not go all the way to a final ruling. “The parties do not have the authority to agree not to be bound by a court’s final judgment that a party violated an Act of Congress in such a manner that a permanent injunction and a civil penalty were necessary to prevent that party from violating the law again,” the judge wrote. Under the ruling, Ripple and the SEC may now choose to either withdraw their appeal or proceed with it and challenge the injunction. Stuart Alderoty, chief legal officer at Ripple, has said the company is yet to decide its next steps with regard to the matter. “With this, the ball is back in our court. The Court gave us two options: dismiss our appeal challenging the finding on historic institutional sales—or press forward with the appeal. Stay tuned. Either way, XRP’s legal status as not a security remains unchanged,” he posted on X. Read more: Ripple and U.S. SEC jointly propose $125M settlement split to end XRP lawsuit

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UAE-based Aqua 1 commits $100M investment into World Liberty Fi

Aqua 1, a Web3 fund registered in the UAE, will join the governance of World Liberty Fi after pouring $100M into the WLFI token. The purchase arrives just ahead of the long-awaited shift to transferable WLFI tokens. Aqua 1 has bought additional WLFI tokens, investing $100M into the Trump family project. The platform managed to raise up to $590M so far, with some of the funds supplied by large-scale whales and high-profile buyers. Part of the funding came from retail users, who were at that time supportive of Donald Trump’s second bid for the US Presidency. World Liberty Fi aims to build its own niche in decentralized finance, with a native stablecoin USD1, as well as the WLFI token, which will be used for governance. Aqua 1 has not disclosed the sale price for WLFI at the current stage. On-chain data shows Aqua 1 received WLFI tokens before disclosing its involvement with Trump’s platform. | Source: Etherscan Aqua 1 goes big on World Liberty Fi On-chain data shows that an ENS name aqua1.eth holds 800M WLFI tokens. After the investment, the fund is the 11th largest holder of WLFI. On-chain data shows Aqua 1 received the tokens in the past three weeks in two major transfers. The WLFI moves were noted by analysts, though it took some time before the fund disclosed its involvement. As of June 21, on-chain analysts also noted Aqua 1 registered four other related ENS names . “ We’re excited to work hand-in-hand with the team at Aqua 1,” said Zak Folkman, co-founder of World Liberty Financial. “ Aligning with Aqua 1 validates our blueprint for global financial innovation, as we have a joint mission to bring digital assets to the masses and strengthen our nation’s standing as a champion and leader of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology,” he added. Aqua 1 will retain its role as a native Web3 fund, compliant with local UAE regulations. The fund will be part of the consultant team for World Liberty Fi , assisting in its expansion to other regions. Trump’s platform may reach South America, Europe, Asia and other emerging markets to widen its digital asset ecosystem. While sold as “Made in USA” crypto, WLFI has not shied away from foreign investors. World Liberty Fi and Aqua 1 to build new investment platforms World Liberty Fi will in turn support the launch of a new investment vehicle, Aqua Fund, also registered in the UAE and partnering with local stakeholders. The fund will target the Middle Eastern digital economy, offering projects in AI, Web3 and blockchain infrastructure. Aqua Fund will serve as a regional hub for capital flows, developer talent and technology. Aqua Fund will also seek out additional secondary market liquidity for investors. World Liberty Fi and Aqua Fund will also develop and promote BlockRock, an institutional-grade platform for RWA tokenization . The new entity’s goal will be to provide premium traditional assets and integrate them into the Web3 ecosystem. The latest large-scale purchase arrives at a time when the launch of WLFI trading is seen as an imminent option. WLFI was sold at a deep discount during several presale rounds. The token currently has a limited presale market, with around $5M in daily volumes on the LBank exchange. WLFI has started its initial price discovery and currently hovers around $0.97 , a significant premium above the presale discounts. Your crypto news deserves attention - KEY Difference Wire puts you on 250+ top sites

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Crypto Trader Unveils Major Level Ethereum Must Break Above To Trigger Rally, Updates Outlook on Bitcoin

A closely followed crypto analyst says that Ethereum ( ETH ) has to break through one resistance level to ignite a bull rally. In a new thread, crypto trader Rekt Capital tells his 549,100 followers on the social media platform X that Ethereum needs to reclaim the area around $2,500 as support before ETH can mount an explosive move to the upside. “After holding the orange circled area for about six full weeks, Ethereum ended up following through on the blue circled scenario. Still, this orange box is the macro range low ($2,200), and price needs to effectively reclaim around $2,500 to rally across the range.” Source: Rekt Capital/X The analyst also says that until Ethereum closes above $2,500 on the daily chart, ETH will likely hold $2,200 as support as it trades sideways. “For the time being, Ethereum is treating the ~$2,500 level as resistance after it previously held for almost six weeks. But Ethereum just needs a daily close above ~$2,500 to start the reclaim process. Until then, ETH will meander between $2,200-$2,500.” ETH is trading for $2,425 at time of writing, flat on the day. Next up, the analyst says that Bitcoin ( BTC ) is showing bullishness on the daily timeframe, having smashed through a downtrend line for the second time in June. “Bitcoin has broken two two-week downtrends over the past month.” Source: Rekt Capital/X Bitcoin is trading for $107,302 at time of writing, flat on the day. Follow us on X , Facebook and Telegram Don't Miss a Beat – Subscribe to get email alerts delivered directly to your inbox Check Price Action Surf The Daily Hodl Mix Disclaimer: Opinions expressed at The Daily Hodl are not investment advice. Investors should do their due diligence before making any high-risk investments in Bitcoin, cryptocurrency or digital assets. Please be advised that your transfers and trades are at your own risk, and any losses you may incur are your responsibility. The Daily Hodl does not recommend the buying or selling of any cryptocurrencies or digital assets, nor is The Daily Hodl an investment advisor. Please note that The Daily Hodl participates in affiliate marketing. Featured Image: Shutterstock/Aleksandr Kukharskiy/Visual Unit The post Crypto Trader Unveils Major Level Ethereum Must Break Above To Trigger Rally, Updates Outlook on Bitcoin appeared first on The Daily Hodl .

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ENA price nears critical support with bearish structure still intact

Ethena is trading near its yearly lows at key support. If bulls defend this level, a rotation back toward the range highs could be in play, but confirmation is still needed. Ethena ( ENA ) has been range-bound between a high time-frame support at $0.21 and major resistance at $0.47, creating a broad consolidation zone that may define price action over the coming weeks and months. Currently, ENA is sitting at the lower end of this range near $0.22, just above the yearly low. This level marks a critical decision point for both bulls and bears. Key technical points Trading Range: $0.21 (support) to $0.47 (resistance) defines the current macro structure. Value Area Low Lost: Bearish rotation from value area high to low is now complete. Volume Spike at Support: Above-average volume at current levels suggests interest from buyers. ENAUSDT (1D) Chart, Source: TradingView From a technical perspective, ENA’s current position reflects a completed bearish auction rotation. Price previously rejected the value area high, then the point of control, and has now dropped through the value area low, fulfilling the downward move. With price consolidating near the $0.21–$0.22 support zone, the market is at a key inflection point. If $0.22 fails to hold, a further drop toward the swing low becomes increasingly probable. However, if bulls can defend this level, or if a deviation below the lows traps sellers, a reclaim could trigger a rotation back toward the mid-range and eventually to the high time-frame resistance at $0.47. You might also like: FUNToken’s Telegram bot gets a major upgrade with high-stakes spins An important supporting factor is the volume profile. Volume at current levels is above average, indicating that demand may be returning around this support zone. This could signal that buyers are accumulating, but the market structure remains bearish for now. A shift in structure, such as a higher low followed by a breakout above the value area low, would be required to confirm a bullish rotation. The challenge for bulls is turning this potential demand into a trend reversal. Until ENA can reclaim lost levels with conviction, the path of least resistance remains sideways or lower. However, the proximity to the yearly low offers a well-defined risk-reward setup for long-biased traders looking to catch a reversal at the bottom of the range. What to expect in the coming price action If ENA holds support near $0.21–$0.22 and reclaims the value area low, a range-bound move toward $0.47 could begin. Failure to defend this level, however, would likely send price toward the previous swing low. Watch for volume confirmation and a structural shift before positioning aggressively. Read more: SAHARA price tumbles 60% following Binance and Upbit listings

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Ripple integrates Wormhole to connect XRP Ledger to 35+ blockchains

Ripple has integrated with Wormhole to connect the XRP Ledger and its EVM-compatible sidechain with over 35 blockchains. Ripple (XRP) has taken a major step toward interoperability. On Thursday, June 26, the protocol integrated with the cross-chain interoperability protocol Wormhole. The move will make both the main XRP Ledger and Ripple’s new EVM-compatible sidechain compatible with over 35 blockchains. Wormhole’s cross-chain bridge will connect the XRP Ledger to Ethereum, Solana, Avalanche, BNB Chain, Polygon, and others. This will allow XRP-native dApps to interact with EVM chains, Solana DeFi platforms, and more. Additionally, developers will be able to build dApps that operate across multiple ecosystems. Ripple bets on interoperability According to David Schwartz, CTO of Ripple and Co-creator of the XRP Ledger, interoperability is essential for mass adoption. He emphasized that Ripple’s role depends on opening up its ecosystem to other networks and their users. “If you want real mass adoption, interoperability is essential. The infrastructure has to be there, not just on one chain, but across them. With this integration, tokens natively issued on the XRP Ledger are being set up for that reality by being able to move between blockchain networks while maintaining native issuance and control,” David Schwartz, Ripple. According to Wormhole, the integration will help position XRP as an institutional-grade chain—particularly given Ripple’s reputation as a blockchain with a compliance-first approach. “By integrating Wormhole into the XRP Ledger, we’re helping unlock even greater potential spanning all major blockchains for one of the most established blockchain networks in enterprise finance—further advancing its role as a foundation for regulated, interoperable digital asset ecosystems,” said Robinson Burkey, Co-Founder of Wormhole Foundation. Ripple will leverage this cross-chain interoperability to expand its offerings in decentralized finance, tokenization, and liquidity provision. Read more: Can XRP hit $5 by year-end as memecoins race for 100x?

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Big Change for Escrow Rules on the XRP Ledger

A major shift is unfolding on the XRP Ledger, one that expands the foundational capabilities of its escrow system far beyond its original scope. What was once a feature reserved exclusively for XRP is now being unlocked for a much broader range of tokenized assets. This change comes with the introduction of the Token Escrow amendment, known as XLS-85. Vet (@Vet_X0), a validator on the XRP Ledger (XRPL), summarized the significance of this development in a recent post . He explained that the amendment opens escrow capabilities to issued tokens and multi-purpose tokens (MPTs). This means stablecoins, such as RLUSD or USDC, which recently launched on the XRPL , tokenized real estate, money market funds, and even meme coins, can now be securely placed in escrow. Big change for Escrow on the XRP Ledger! Currently only XRP can be escrowed. This amendment opens it up for issued and multi purpose tokens. Think of escrow for stablecoins like USDC and RLUSD, memes, US treasuries, Real Estate, Money Market Funds etc https://t.co/8wDqTUhIVx pic.twitter.com/qrgjUhHfLb — Vet (@Vet_X0) June 25, 2025 From XRP-Only to a Universal Solution In May, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse confirmed that major advancements were coming to the XRPL , and this new amendment fits the bill. The XRPL’s native escrow function has long been limited to XRP, allowing holders to lock tokens and release them only when specific conditions were met. XLS-85 extends this functionality to Trustline-based tokens and MPTs, creating an entirely new set of possibilities for developers, enterprises, and users operating within the ecosystem. Use Cases for Token Escrows The practical use cases unlocked by token escrow are substantial. Conditional payments become fully automated, allowing funds to be released only upon the successful completion of services or milestones. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 Time-locked distributions are now possible for project teams, grant disbursements, or airdrops, with tokens vesting incrementally over predefined schedules. This can introduce greater accountability and trust within token-based projects. Decentralized exchanges and marketplaces also benefit from escrow by enabling secure token holding for trade settlements and collateral within decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols. Vet noted that it also supports trustless peer-to-peer swaps, eliminating counterparty risk. Additionally, escrow enhances digital rights management by ensuring tokenized assets like licenses or collectibles are only released when payment or contract conditions are fulfilled. A New Standard for XRPL Utility The implementation of XLS-85 marks a pivotal evolution for the ledger. The XRPL is becoming a DeFi powerhouse through these upgrades, and by enabling escrow for other tokens in the ecosystem, the ledger positions itself to support an even wider range of real-world financial applications. This development shows a clear shift toward broader utility and enterprise-grade solutions. With escrow no longer limited to XRP, the ledger’s potential use cases expand dramatically, setting the stage for the next chapter in its growth. 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 Big Change for Escrow Rules on the XRP Ledger appeared first on Times Tabloid .

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Analyst to XRP Holders: This XRP Trendline Is Everything Right Now

XRP is once again in the spotlight as traders zero in on a critical trendline that could define its next major move. According to respected crypto analyst Casitrades, this key support line is “everything right now,” and the market’s reaction to it may signal whether XRP is ready to ignite its next leg upward. A Precise Bounce from Key Support XRP recently tapped the 0.382 Fibonacci retracement level at $2.145—a zone that also marks the apex of its recent consolidation structure. This convergence of technical levels makes $2.145 a vital area to hold in the short term. So far, the price has responded positively, bouncing cleanly off this support, which suggests strength and renewed bullish momentum. Casitrades described this level as “the most critical on the chart, short-term,” warning that a drop below it would indicate weakness . However, XRP is currently holding above it with confidence. “This is the kind of price action you want to see if XRP is serious about continuing this new trend to the upside,” Casitrades wrote. This Trendline Is Everything Right Now! I’ve been tracking this trendline support as the key level to hold and we just got a clean reaction off it. This correction already reached the .382 retracement at $2.145, which also happens to be the apex of consolidation… that’s… pic.twitter.com/bA79dP1c99 — CasiTrades (@CasiTrades) June 25, 2025 The current structure, where price remains above the consolidation range while showing impulsive upward moves, is often a strong sign of trend continuation. Resistance at $2.25: The Next Test As XRP stabilizes above support, attention now turns to the $2.25 resistance level. According to Casitrades, this is the next major hurdle. A breakout above $2.25 would be a bullish confirmation and could open the door to a move toward $2.69—the next Fibonacci retracement target. “Price is now trying to push back toward the $2.25 resistance. That’s the next big test,” Casitrades noted. “If we can flip that level, we’ll likely open the path toward the $2.69 retrace test—and from there, the breakout potential increases dramatically.” We are on twitter, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) July 15, 2023 A move beyond $2.69 could trigger an even stronger rally, potentially signaling the ignition of a powerful wave 3, typically the most explosive phase in Elliott Wave theory. Momentum Building Across the Market XRP’s price action is unfolding as the broader altcoin market shows signs of revival. With Bitcoin consolidating, many traders are shifting focus to high-potential assets like XRP. Market indicators such as RSI and Stochastic RSI are also aligning in favor of the bulls, hinting at growing upward momentum. Volume is beginning to increase as XRP approaches resistance, suggesting rising interest and accumulation. Meanwhile, the price continues to respect key support levels, reinforcing the bullish structure. For now, all eyes are on whether XRP can clear $2.25 and confirm a breakout. But one thing is clear: as Casitrades rightly said, “This trendline is everything.” How XRP behaves around it could determine the direction of the next major move. 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 urged to do in-depth 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 Twitter , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post Analyst to XRP Holders: This XRP Trendline Is Everything Right Now appeared first on Times Tabloid .

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