a16z crypto raises $2.2 billion for fifth fund, promotes CTO to general partner

Kraken partnered with MoneyGram to enable crypto-to-cash conversions at 500,000 locations across 100+ countries. The deal addresses a critical market gap: converting digital assets into local currency quickly. For emerging markets with unstable banking systems, including India's growing crypto user base, this creates practical off-ramps for storing and withdrawing funds. Kraken continues expanding ahead of its potential IPO filing.

Space and Time (SXT), a Microsoft-backed data blockchain, launched virtual vaults for institutional onchain lending. The platform enables lenders and borrowers to configure agreement-specific collateral solutions with real-time cryptographic verification across centralized and decentralized venues. This addresses institutional lending's long-standing challenge of verifying collateral at scale. SXT raised $50 million total; the token currently has $21.92 million market cap.

Brian Armstrong said Coinbase will flatten management layers and require leaders to work as “player-coaches” under the new structure....