Author: Monicah W

The SEC just approved a new ETF application from Grayscale, combining Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and Cardano into one product. This represents a major breakthrough for regulatory approval.

BTC and ETH, which already have available spot ETFs, make up more than 90% of the product’s composition. Still, this sets a few big precedents for the US ETF market.

Grayscale’s New ETF

Grayscale, a leader in the fight for a Bitcoin ETF, has been pushing at the boundaries in several ways. It’s filed several altcoin proposals and attempted to create a staking ETF in recent months alone. However, this new product is practically a new paradigm, tying five separate tokens into a single offering:

NEW: There’s the approval order for @Grayscale‘s $GDLC to convert into an ETF. This is their Digital Large cap fund that holds Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and Cardano. Final deadline was tomorrow https://t.co/jSt1HBWD3E pic.twitter.com/9kALeDD2Uh

— James Seyffart (@JSeyff) July 1, 2025

According to the SEC filing, Grayscale’s new ETF will heavily weigh towards Bitcoin; 80.20% of its value goes to it. ETH will represent 11.39% of the ETF’s value, XRP 4.82%, Solana 2.78%, and Cardano 0.81%. Technically, this will be the first US spot ETF that’s tied to these major altcoins, but BTC and Ethereum make up more than 90% of the fund. These assets already have spot ETFs.

Still, this is a major signal from the SEC. Several firms are attempting to create bundled products and altcoin ETFs alike, but Grayscale finally won the race. Hopefully, this indicates some similar approvals in the near future.

The post SEC Approved Grayscale’s Digital Large Scale Fund ETF appeared first on BeInCrypto.

Bitget Wallet has announced the launch of a zero-fee crypto card that enables real-time, onchain-powered payments — seamlessly connecting Web3 wallets with the global Mastercard network. The initiative is built in collaboration with Mastercard and Immersve, offering crypto-native users the ability to pay at over 150 million merchants worldwide without surrendering custody of their assets.

In this exclusive Q&A, Jamie Elkaleh, CMO at Bitget Wallet, shares the strategy behind this launch, the challenges of real-time onchain settlement, and what this innovation means for the future of decentralized payments. From tackling regulatory friction to reshaping daily crypto use, Bitget Wallet is setting a new standard in how digital assets meet the real world.

1. Why was this the right moment to launch a crypto-linked card, and how does it improve on previous attempts to bring crypto into everyday spending? What gap in the market are you aiming to fill through this partnership?

This launch comes at a time when both user behavior and infrastructure are ready to support everyday crypto spending. According to the European Central Bank, crypto card transactions under €10 now account for 45% of activity, reflecting growing micro-spending behavior once dominated by cash. Moreover, 40% of crypto card transactions occur online, nearly double the average for euro-area cards, signaling that users increasingly expect digital-native payment experiences.

Bitget Wallet Onchain Report shows that 37% of Western European and 41% of Eastern European Bitget Wallet users already use their wallet primarily for payments. However, most existing crypto cards today rely on custodial flows, high fees, or delayed settlement.

The Bitget Wallet Card addresses these issues with a zero annual and top-up fee structure, instant digital approval, direct onchain top-ups via USDC on Base, and a fully self-custodial experience. It removes friction between Web3 wallets and the real world—without requiring users to surrender control of their assets.

2. By allowing users to spend directly from Bitget Wallet, the card brings self-custodied assets into real-world transactions. What made this technically and legally possible today, and were there any compromises along the way?

This product was made possible through the coordinated infrastructure between Bitget Wallet, Immersve, and Mastercard. Bitget Wallet powers the onchain interface and user-controlled experience; Immersve acts as the licensed issuer, providing settlement rails and regulatory infrastructure; and Mastercard enables access to a global merchant network. Together, these elements ensure that crypto remains in the user’s control until it is voluntarily topped up and used. 

The user completes identity verification for card issuance and compliance, but never forfeits custody of assets within the wallet itself. All top-ups happen directly onchain using USDC on Base, and conversions occur in the backend only when a payment is made. This architecture preserves self-custody while enabling a compliant, real-world payment experience. No compromises were made to the wallet’s trustless foundation, and we believe that layering regulated card issuance on top of a self-custodial product is the path forward for crypto usability.

3. Real-time funding through onchain swaps and deposits sounds seamless in theory, but what were the hardest challenges in making it work smoothly and reliably at scale?

The biggest challenge was aligning blockchain dynamics with the real-time requirements of a debit card experience. Traditional cards require pre-funded balances and instantaneous approvals at the point of sale, while onchain transactions can face confirmation delays, fluctuating gas fees, and network congestion. 

To overcome this, we built Bitget Wallet’s top-up system to be as fast and frictionless as possible. Base chain was selected for its speed and low cost, and the wallet was optimized to allow real-time USDC top-ups that are recognized immediately by the card infrastructure. The backend integration with Immersve ensures fiat conversion happens instantly, allowing the card to behave like any Mastercard product in terms of settlement and merchant interaction. Bridging the onchain and offchain environments while maintaining UX simplicity required significant development, but we believe this is one of the key breakthroughs of the product.

4. Considering their intricate regulatory frameworks, launching first in the UK and EU seems like a brave move. How do you strike a balance between meeting the demands of openness and control that are important to crypto-native users?

Launching in the UK and EU was intentional. These are highly regulated but also digitally mature markets where users are already comfortable with card payments, wallet apps, and fintech tools. The regulatory environment, while demanding, offers clearer pathways for compliant crypto products compared to many other regions. 

At the same time, we were careful to ensure that crypto-native values are not compromised. Bitget Wallet remains fully self-custodial; users only engage with compliance measures when applying for and activating the card. Their wallet access, funds, and onchain activity remain entirely in their control. This layered approach allows us to meet the demands of regulators without stripping away decentralization. The card is a regulated, opt-in payment layer on top of a non-custodial wallet, not a replacement for it.

5. Many still think of wallets as simple storage tools. With payments, staking, rewards, and DApp access now integrated, how is Bitget Wallet changing the way users interact with their assets, and what role does this card play in that shift?

Bitget Wallet is becoming a complete Web3 financial platform, not just a crypto storage solution. Users can already trade, earn, pay, and discover decentralized applications — all within a single interface. The card extends this functionality into the real world, allowing users to tap and pay at millions of Mastercard-supported merchants without needing to off-ramp or rely on custodial exchanges. It turns crypto from a passive holding into an active financial tool. The ability to earn additional yields through in-wallet staking, receive cashback rewards, and seamlessly top up with USDC reflects a shift from “store and wait” to “spend and grow.” The card is an essential part of our PayFi strategy, which integrates real-world payments with onchain earning opportunities, helping users engage with crypto in a daily, practical way.

6. You’ve announced plans to expand into Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand. What are the key factors that shape your rollout strategy across regions, and how do user behaviors or regulatory conditions influence your decisions?

Our expansion strategy is driven by a combination of user demand, regulatory feasibility, and payment infrastructure maturity. In Latin America, we see high adoption of stablecoins for remittances and everyday transactions, especially in regions where inflation and limited banking access drive demand for crypto as an alternative. In Australia and New Zealand, the regulatory landscape is more clearly defined, and consumer familiarity with digital finance makes them ideal next-stage markets. 

Bitget Wallet Onchain Report showed that up to 60% of wallet users in Southeast Asia and over 40% in Latin America already use their wallets for payments. This data helps guide our market sequencing. Our team also evaluates readiness in terms of local issuing partners, merchant coverage, and fiat settlement support. Each market requires customization, and our goal is to launch only where we can provide a complete, reliable, and locally relevant user experience.

7. A year from now, what outcomes would signal that this partnership has succeeded? As you continue to grow beyond being just a wallet, what else can users expect next from Bitget Wallet?

Twelve months from now, we will consider the partnership successful if we see strong and sustained adoption of the card among active users. Key indicators will include the number of cardholders, total transaction volume, average spend per user, and repeat usage patterns. We are also monitoring user feedback and Net Promoter Score to evaluate satisfaction with the payment experience. 

Beyond raw metrics, success also means shifting the perception of crypto from speculative to spendable. Looking ahead, Bitget Wallet will continue building its PayFi ecosystem. Users can expect QR code payment features, expanded support for additional stablecoins and tokens, deeper in-wallet shopping and earning tools, and broader merchant integrations. Our mission is to make crypto not just accessible but genuinely useful in daily life without compromising the principles of self-custody and user control.

The post Exclusive Q&A with Bitget Wallet CMO Jamie Elkaleh on Zero-Fee Crypto Card Powered by Mastercard appeared first on BeInCrypto.

According to a recent rumor, the SEC is considering an expedited process to streamline altcoin ETF applications. This new generic listing standard would work with exchanges, bypassing the need for a Form 19b-4.

Traditionally, the Commission has delayed approving an ETF as much as possible to ensure a unique assessment for each application. Many current proposals already have a Form 19b-4, so this change might not help them, but it’s an incredibly good sign for approval.

Crypto ETFs Might Have a New Assessment Standard in the US

The SEC is under new management, ushering in a tidal wave of new altcoin ETF applications. It’s been engaging with these proposals, clearly signaling positive intentions, yet the Commission hasn’t actually approved anything.

However, Congressional crypto reporters now claim that the SEC is planning to overhaul the process altogether:

SCOOP: The @SECGov is in the early stages of creating a generic listing standard for token-based ETFs in coordination with exchanges.

The thinking, I’m told, is that if a token meets the criteria, issuers could skip the 19b-4 process, file an S-1, wait 75 days, and the…

— Eleanor Terrett (@EleanorTerrett) July 1, 2025

This decision would mark a dramatic shift for the ETF approval process in several ways. Over the last few months of delays, analysts have noted that this process is structured to move slowly.

Right now, to list a token ETF, issuers have to go through two approval steps:

• File a 19b-4 form — where the exchange asks the SEC to approve rule changes to list the ETF.
• File an S-1 registration — where the issuer explains how the ETF works.

This process is slow, inconsistent, and full of back-and-forth.

Under the rumored new idea, if a token meets the standard, no 19b-4 is needed. The issuer just files the S-1, waits 75 days, and the ETF could go live.

Also, this means fewer case-by-case decisions for the SEC and more standardization. Issuers will know upfront which tokens qualify.

The SEC usually takes as much time as possible to consider ETF filings, trying to consider all the possible ramifications of their approval.

What It Means for Pending Altcoin ETF Applications

If multiple altcoins meet the standard, then ETF applications tied to those could move together and be approved faster, without separate 19b-4 battles. On the flip side, tokens that don’t meet the bar could be rejected outright.

This would bring structure and predictability to the ETF approval process, rather than the current fragmented approach.

The Commission currently has more than 70 altcoin ETF applications pending decision. Some of these proposals filed their Form 19b-4s several months ago; bypassing that step might not help them now.

However, plenty of lesser-known altcoin proposals are currently unique. Only one company has an AVAX ETF filing, after all. The SEC could enable every issuer to fast-track their own AVAX ETFs.

This streamlined process will increase the Commission’s responsiveness, if nothing else. If one firm catches lightning in a bottle with a unique ETF, other issuers could flesh out this new market in 75 days.

The post SEC is Considering a Fast-Track Process to Decide on Crypto ETF Applications appeared first on BeInCrypto.

As the second quarter closed yesterday, XRP’s on-chain activity flashed a bearish signal for holders. The token saw a sharp uptick in the movement of dormant tokens, a trend that signals one thing: distribution. 

When long-held coins suddenly become active, it suggests that long-term holders (LTHs) are offloading their assets, possibly in anticipation of downside risks. The question now is whether these holders foresee further declines as Q3 begins.

Dormant XRP Tokens Wake Up — Is a Sell-Off Incoming?

According to on-chain data provider Santiment, XRP’s Dormant Circulation (90 days) metric surged to 387.19 million on Monday, the highest level in three weeks.

This metric tracks the total volume of tokens that had previously remained inactive for at least 90 days but suddenly moved within a 24-hour period. Such a sharp increase signals that LTHs are moving their tokens.

Historically, spikes in dormant circulation have indicated seasoned holders exiting positions, either to take profit or avoid potential losses. This trend therefore puts XRP at risk of noting declines.

Further, after a steady decline that began on June 5, XRP’s Liveliness suddenly reversed course yesterday, climbing to 0.809.

Liveliness measures the movement of long-held tokens by calculating the ratio of coin days destroyed to the total coin days accumulated. When it declines, it indicates that LTHs are moving their assets off exchanges and opting to hold.

Converesly, when it climbs, it suggests that more dormant tokens are being moved or sold, signaling profit-taking by XRP LTHs.

XRP Faces Bearish Pressure as Sellers Take Control

On the daily chart, XRP’s negative Balance of Power (BoP) supports this bearish outlook. At press time, this momentum indicator is at -0.62.  

The BoP indicator measures the strength between buyers and sellers by comparing price movements within a given period. When it turns negative, sellers are dominating the market, hinting at a potential downtrend.

If this happens, XRP’s price could drop to $2.08.On the other hand, if demand soars, its price could reach $2.29.

The post Dormant XRP Coins Flood the Market — Here’s What It Means for Price appeared first on BeInCrypto.

A Bitcoin investor recently unlocked a fortune after redeeming a physical Casascius bar he bought in 2012 — but not without a costly mistake.

Known as “JohnGalt” on Bitcointalk, the early adopter revealed he had been holding a 100 BTC Casascius bar for over 13 years. He purchased it for just $500 when Bitcoin was trading at $5.

Pressure of Physically Holding $10 Million Bitcoin

The dangers of physically holding Bitcoin or crypto have become quite evident in recent months. With crypto kidnapping cases skyrocketing across the world, the risks have become apparent. 

On May 13, 2025, an early investor known as ‘JohnGalt’ decided to cash in on his decade-old physical BTC collection. 

He peeled the hologram, exposed the private key, and moved the full 100 BTC — now worth over $10 million — to new addresses.

The transaction was confirmed on-chain and shared with the Bitcointalk community, marking one of the largest physical Bitcoin redemptions to date.

JohnGalt explained he avoided redeeming it for years due to the immense pressure of storing such a high-value asset.

“I didn’t want to redeem it, though. To me, a physical Bitcoin that hasn’t been redeemed feels like it’s worth more than just the money,” he wrote.

He attempted to sell the bar multiple times, including exploring auction options. But valuation disputes and trust concerns always stood in the way.

As Bitcoin’s value soared past $100,000, he decided the risk of holding a single object worth eight figures was no longer worth it.

The Complex Redemption Process

JohnGalt shared technical details of the process with the forum. He initially tried using Electrum on Android to sweep the funds but ran into compatibility issues with mini private keys.

Eventually, he turned to bitaddress.org to convert the mini key into a usable format. He created new wallets with Trezor Suite and manually sent the BTC to secure addresses.

He confirmed the funds had safely moved before publicly revealing the bar’s redemption.

A Costly Oversight: Bitcoin Cash Claimed by Stranger

In a crucial misstep, JohnGalt posted a photo of the Casascius key online without first claiming Bitcoin Cash (BCH) — a major fork of Bitcoin.

Because BCH uses the same private key system, someone watching the forum thread swept the BCH just nine minutes after the post. He estimated the lost BCH to be worth over $40,000.

The crypto community responded with a mix of admiration and sympathy. Many praised his nerves, calling him a legend for holding through 13 volatile years.

Others shared fears over physical coin storage risks — including fire damage, adhesive failure, and floods — that could destroy tamper-evident holograms or keys.

Several users noted the emotional and logistical weight of holding unredeemed coins, echoing the anxiety of storing physical assets worth millions.

Despite redeeming the BTC, JohnGalt confirmed he won’t sell the now-empty bar — which remains a valuable piece of early Bitcoin history.

The post Satoshi Era Bitcoin Bar Cashed for $10 Million — But Trader Loses $40,000 In a Twist appeared first on BeInCrypto.