News Roundup — Bitcoin and ETH Trading Is Coming to the NYSE

Major news stories this week:

1. Morning Minute: Bitcoin and ETH Trading Is Coming to the NYSE, Nasdaq and More
2. Ripple Expands RLUSD Stablecoin Reach Across Africa
3. Kazakhstan pilots USD-pegged stablecoin payments for regulatory fees
4. Fireblocks Launches Stablecoin Payments Network with Built‑In Compliance
5. Google Unveils Layer 1 Chain for Banks with Python‑based Smart Contracts

Story Summaries:

1. The SEC and CFTC issued a rare joint statement confirming that regulated U.S. exchanges can list and trade spot Bitcoin and Ethereum, paving the way for NYSE, Nasdaq, CBOE, and CME participation—a major step toward mainstream crypto trading under Project Crypto and Crypto Sprint.
2. Ripple expanded its RLUSD stablecoin to Africa through Chipper Cash, VALR, and Yellow Card, addressing volatile currencies and costly remittances. The move highlights surging demand for digital dollars, as Ripple also grows RLUSD listings globally and secures regulatory approval in Dubai.
3. Kazakhstan’s AFSA now accepts USDT and USDC for AIFC license fees—a regional first—launched at Astana Finance Days with Bybit, aiming for faster, cheaper, and more transparent payments.
4. Fireblocks launched its Network for Payments to streamline global stablecoin transfers, offering institutions a single API with built-in AML and sanctions compliance. The platform connects counterparties in 100+ countries, leveraging Fireblocks’ $200B monthly stablecoin volume.
5. Google Cloud is building GCUL, a Layer-1 blockchain for financial institutions with Python smart contracts. CME has finished initial tests, with pilots set for 2025 and a 2026 launch aimed at tokenization and automated payments.

And that’s all for last week’s news! Wishing you a great week ahead!

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