On Monday, crypto exchange Backpack outlined a tokenomics framework that links the release of its 1 billion‑supply utility token to specific growth milestones and a future IPO. The plan allocates 25% of tokens to the token generation event, including 240 million for Backpack Points users and 1 million for Mad Lads NFT holders, while another 37.5% will remain locked for at least one year after the company goes public. The structure aims to limit insider selling and align token circulation with measured business expansion.

The MegaETH Foundation announced on Friday that it will channel yield generated by its native USDM stablecoin into ongoing purchases of MEGA tokens. USDM, designed with MegaLabs and Ethena and backed by USDtb reserves tied to BlackRock's BUIDL fund, will help fund these buybacks as circulating supply and ecosystem usage grow. The foundation also detailed performance-based conditions for the MEGA token generation event, including USDM supply, app launches, and protocol fee milestones.

On Thursday, Tether said it will invest a total of $150 million in Gold.com, initially buying about $125 million in common shares and adding $25 million after regulatory approval. The stablecoin issuer, which already directly holds roughly 140 tons of gold and dominates over half of the gold stablecoin market through Tether Gold, will also gain the right to nominate a Gold.com board member as the firms pursue a vertically integrated gold ecosystem.

A large Aave loan backed by roughly 355,093 AAVE — about 2.3% of supply — began cascading liquidations on Thursday during a market pullback. Roughly $2 million of collateral was seized across four transactions to repay nearly $2 million in USDC, after AAVE dipped near $104–$103; it later traded around $105.60, down 15% on the day.

Polymarket, the largest fully onchain prediction market on Polygon, will shift from bridged USDC.e to a native USDC integration, according to an announcement with Circle on Thursday. USDC.e currently supports trading, order placement, and settlements. Circle said native Polymarket USDC will roll out in the "coming months."

SBI Holdings has partnered with Startale Group to introduce Strium, a new Layer 1 blockchain designed specifically for tokenized securities and other real-world assets. The proof-of-concept aims to support 24/7 stock trading, DeFi composability and interoperability with traditional financial systems, while drawing on SBI's large customer base and institutional experience.

CME Group Chairman and CEO Terrence Duffy said on an earnings call that the exchange is building a tokenized cash coin, reportedly with Google Cloud, that could be used as collateral for derivatives trading and is slated to launch in 2026. The initiative follows a CFTC pilot that permits selected cryptocurrencies, including USDC, bitcoin, and ether, to be posted as collateral and may expand CME's use of onchain margin products.

Hyperliquid said on Monday it is introducing general‑purpose "Outcome" trading as part of the in‑progress HIP‑4 upgrade, with an initial rollout on testnet. Outcomes are fully collateralized, bounded contracts that can power prediction markets and limited‑risk options, settling in USDH and running on HyperCore. The project has recorded nearly $42 billion in cumulative volume and recently reached an all‑time high in open interest.

A PayPal-backed survey released on Tuesday found that around four in ten of roughly 620 merchant decision-makers already take cryptocurrency at checkout, with nearly three-quarters of those seeing higher crypto sales over the past year. Close to 85% of respondents expect crypto payments to become standard within five years, and adoption is most common among firms generating over $500 million in annual revenue.