To meet the rising demand for crypto derivatives, CBOE Global Markets has launched new Bitcoin futures contracts called Cboe FTSE Bitcoin Index futures (XBTF), now available on its Cboe Futures Exchange.
This follows CBOE’s earlier launch of Bitcoin options products (CBTX and MBTX), offering a range of tools for managing Bitcoin price swings. These products can be used individually for simpler trades or together for more advanced strategies. The XBTF futures, like the Bitcoin options, are cleared through OCC.
Cboe Expands Crypto Offerings
Cboe’s growing range of crypto products now includes spot bitcoin ETFs and bitcoin ETF index options, alongside their new bitcoin futures. The BTC index futures are cash-settled, which eliminates the need for physically delivering Bitcoin. These XBTF futures will settle on the last business day of each month in the afternoon.
“As customer demand for crypto-based derivatives continues to rise, Cboe is committed to building a well-rounded ecosystem to help facilitate more efficient, flexible access to bitcoin exposure and risk management,” said Catherine Clay, Global Head of Derivatives at Cboe.
She added that Cboe’s new Bitcoin futures are an important addition to their crypto offerings, allowing investors to gain exposure to or hedge Bitcoin in a regulated, transparent environment with centralized clearing.
Cboe is expanding its digital assets by listing U.S. spot bitcoin and ether ETFs. Its new cash-settled Bitcoin options have helped create ETFs that give investors Bitcoin exposure with limited risk.
Barak Capital, a leading market maker, noted the growing demand for stable and efficient markets as digital asset investments become more institutionalized. They are ready to provide liquidity to Cboe’s FTSE Bitcoin Index futures.
In the crypto market, a new generation of on-chain banking products is currently taking shape. Highlighting this evolution, EVAA Protocol, the first and leading DeFi protocol on TON, is hosting deFINTECH, a legendary side event of TOKEN2049 Dubai, in collaboration with TAC, the Layer 1 TON EVM network extension that connects the TON blockchain with Ethereum apps, allowing Telegram users to access popular EVM applications directly from their TON wallet.
The event is supported by key partners, including sponsor Ston.fi, the leading DEX on the TON blockchain, and media partners BeInCrypto and INCRYPTED, providing official media coverage. The curated gathering will take place on April 30, 2025, from 2 PM to 6 PM at DAOS HUB Dubai, deFINTECH’s official venue partner.
deFINTECH brings together the builders, product leaders, and fintech visionaries who are actively reimagining the future of banking on blockchain rails. The event focuses on envisioning on-chain neo-banking—financial services built natively on-chain and natively integrated into everyday platforms like Telegram. This includes exploring stablecoin payments, Telegram-native wallets, tokenized vaults, and intuitive on-chain yield tools.
Hosted by EVAA Protocol, deFINTECH highlights the platform’s dedication to DeFi accessibility and efficiency. EVAA provides liquidity market solutions and leveraged staking strategies, integrated deeply with Telegram and top-tier TON applications like Tonkeeper, Notcoin, Ston.fi, FIVA, TG Wallet, and DeDust. This creates a frictionless experience for users to borrow, lend, and earn yield on TON.
Why deFINTECH Matters
With Telegram’s crypto ecosystem gaining significant traction and stablecoins becoming a preferred medium for payments and savings, particularly in emerging markets, novel opportunities are arising at the intersection of Web3, embedded finance, and real-world adoption. deFINTECH serves as a dedicated venue for those pioneering this transformation.
The event is designed for founders and product leads building on-chain fintech solutions alongside wallet teams, L1/L2 ecosystem developers, and Web3 banking infrastructure builders. It also brings together investors, early adopters in social finance and DeFi, institutional players exploring on-chain finance, media, and strategic contributors focused on this evolving sector. With 150–190 highly relevant guests expected, the event fosters an atmosphere centered on valuable connections and substantive discussions.
One unique aspect of deFINTECH is that it moves away from traditional conference formats. Instead of stages and panels, the event prioritizes meaningful dialogue, fosters early-stage collaboration, and encourages product-first conversations. The goal is to create an atmosphere where genuine connections are made and practical solutions for the future of on-chain finance are discussed. deFINTECH offers a focused environment for meaningful connections and strategic dialogue during the busy TOKEN2049 week. Attendance at the event is by invitation only.
What To Expect
Attendees can anticipate an afternoon centered around direct interaction and collaboration. The format includes focused roundtable discussions exploring the future of neo-banking and DeFi user experience. There will also be opportunities for live demos and product showcases presented in a casual, off-stage setting.
Attendees can also expect to participate in open networking with other participants, ensuring valuable interactions without superfluous presentations. deFINTECH cultivates a culture of co-creation, inviting attendees to actively take part in shaping the conversation rather than passively consuming content. The agenda features focused discussions, including insights from venture capital, partner spotlights, and collaborative talks, all interwoven with ample networking time.
The Venue: DAOS HUB Dubai
deFINTECH will be hosted at DAOS HUB Dubai, serving as the event’s official venue partner. Located in the heart of Dubai, DAOS HUB is a purpose-built ecosystem that provides a space where Web3 builders, contributors, and innovators can collaborate and grow. Its mission is to create an ideal environment for Web3 startups to thrive through network-native connections and curated access, making it a fitting backdrop for the event’s forward-looking conversations. The event runs from 2 PM to 6 PM on April 30, 2025.
“Web3 doesn’t need another conference. It needs a product room,” said Vlad Kamyshov, CEO of EVAA Protocol.“At deFINTECH, we stop pitching dreams and start building real tools — right inside Telegram, where our users already are. We believe stablecoin payments, Telegram-native wallets, and on-chain yield tools can reimagine banking—making it open, permissionless, and composable. This isn’t just a trend — it’s a movement. Our goal is to bring together the builders and visionaries shaping the next financial layer.”
For those actively working on Telegram-based payment rails, secure yield vaults for stablecoins, or compliance-friendly DeFi applications, deFINTECH offers a unique space to connect, collaborate, and contribute to the next wave of financial innovation.
BlackRock Inc., which operates as the world’s largest asset management company, has integrated Bitcoin into its model portfolio. The company will dedicate between 1% to 2% from its $150 billion asset fund to invest in the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT). This move aligns with the growing institutional support for digital assets as the crypto market moves toward industry changes.
BlackRock has applied a strategic approach to investing in Bitcoin. BlackRock believes Bitcoin holds potential as a long-term investment tool to expand portfolio reach. The firm maintains a restrained Bitcoin investment strategy, which keeps the cryptocurrency assets within a 1% to 2% share of its entire investment portfolio.
Since its introduction in January 2024, the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF has gained $37 billion in investor funds. The recent market conditions have caused investors to withdraw $900 million from investment funds. BlackRock continues to introduce Bitcoin exposure into model portfolios due to persistent investor interest despite market uncertainty.
The measured approach by BlackRock validates the expanding recognition of Bitcoin as a legitimate asset class. The adoption of the progressive digital assets strategy of BlackRock will motivate institutional investors to invest in digital assets.
Will Ozak AI Be The Next Big Institutional Bet?
The rise of institutional crypto adoption marks a shift toward blockchain innovations that go beyond the popularity of Bitcoin. Ozak AI and other AI tokens are showing promising signs of transforming the cryptocurrency market.
Ozak AI uses artificial intelligence to enhance trading efficiency for its users. Users gain access to advanced market analytics through Ozak AI. The system applies autonomous trading solutions generated by artificial intelligence. The innovation supports data-driven risk management strategies and decision-making processes that institutions prefer.
Ozak AI enables effective AI processing that does not depend on central systems using a decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN). This distinctive system produces enhanced security and scalable infrastructure while reducing costs which attracts major investors.
The presale price for Ozak AI sits at $0.003, but experts anticipate it will reach $1 during 2025. Even though the next stage will see a 400% rally to $0.005, later the $OZ token will be worth $0.05 while listing on the major exchanges. Ozak AI stands to become a dominant force in the upcoming crypto adoption phase if institutional investors embrace its potential.
Conclusion
The recent Bitcoin investment from BlackRock demonstrates increased adoption by institutions. Ozak AI is an appealing choice because it combines AI driven analytics with decentralized infrastructure. Institutional portfolios should consider Ozak AI as their next blockchain leader due to its premier position in the market.
For more information about Ozak AI, visit the links below:
The post BlackRock Adds Bitcoin ETF to $150B Portfolio—Will AI-Powered Tokens Like Ozak AI ($OZ) Be the Next Institutional Favorite? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
BlackRock Inc., which operates as the world’s largest asset management company, has integrated Bitcoin into its model portfolio. The company will dedicate between 1% to 2% from its $150 billion asset fund to invest in the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT). This move aligns with the growing institutional support for digital assets as the crypto …
