The following is a guest post and opinion from Konstantins Vasilenko, Co-Founder and Chief Business Development Officer at Paybis.

There is a stark mismatch between the target and actual audience of crypto products. Crypto’s greatest upcomers rarely make an appearance in the news, nor do they enjoy the privilege of extensive localization and optimization efforts from the devs’ side. Today, most platforms are still building and optimizing for Western markets exclusively, resulting in high drop-off rates in Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia.

Yet, it is precisely these regions that drive crypto adoption forward. In 2024, the top 3 spots in Chainalysis’ crypto adoption ranking were secured by India, Nigeria, and Indonesia, and only four developed economies made it to the top 20 overall. Emerging markets are the most promising in terms of user count growth tempo: proprietary data from Paybis shows a 66% year-on-year user increase in developing economies, overshadowing the developed markets by a factor of two. And that has been the case for years.

The tested solution to boost engagement and secure a loyal customer base is crypto on-ramps, which have already proved their utility in the US and Europe. However, conversion rates on on-ramps tend to be notably lower in developing markets: 14% fewer users initiate KYC, 20% fewer are approved, and 11% fewer complete transactions. Replicating Western flows without localization has proven ineffective: platforms must localize to fit local KYC flows, local payment methods, and behaviors. Without localized on-ramps, mass adoption will remain a pipe dream.

Devs Still Optimize for Western Markets

Crypto may be borderless in theory, but in practice, it still has a passport. The comfort level of the same app might vary drastically from country to country, as platforms often assume fluency in the North American or European banking system or similarity in user habits.

To put it simply, something that works in Toronto might not work in Lagos. In Nigeria, over 96% of users register via mobile, making it the primary access method. It is simply incomparable to developed countries like Canada, Australia, or Japan, where desktop-first behavior dominates. Flows often fail when ported to countries with informal economies and lower banking penetration.

The challenge of KYC flows is compounded, considering how often some platforms lack on-ramps. Instead of a streamlined flow, a user has to go through repeated KYC verifications only to start using services. Without improvements to user experience, there is little chance that consumers will migrate to DeFi alternatives en masse. In emerging markets, crypto remains a geek-for-geeks type of product. Tech-savvy niches are satisfied, but the demographic that needs crypto the most is excluded.

Payment Localization Is the Future

To unlock growth in emerging markets, platforms must localize. Recent case studies suggest that the key to doing it successfully is integration with the payment systems people already trust and use.

Take South America, where PIX, the Brazilian government-backed instant payment system, has been a game-changer. Platforms that integrate with PIX have seen a marked reduction in drop-offs thanks to the seamless and familiar user experience. Brazilian platform Mercado Bitcoin integrated PIX in 2020. By enabling instant zero‑fee deposits via the country’s native payment rail, the platform saw onboarding completion rates jump, while early drop‑offs significantly declined. Users no longer needed cards or complex bank transfers—only the payment methods they already used on a daily basis.

Localization also means adapting verification processes to local norms, offering mobile-first and multilingual interfaces, and designing for environments where mobile usage is still dominant and digital literacy varies widely.

Fix the On-Ramps, Reduce the Drop-Offs

Emerging markets already dominate global crypto adoption metrics. But interest alone doesn’t guarantee sustainable adoption. Without localized on-ramps, platforms will continue to lose potential users at the very first step of the conversion funnel: the bridge from fiat funds to trusted and accessible crypto.

The next wave of crypto adoption will not be conquered by the best technology. Its crest will fall to the platforms that make this technology accessible, intuitive, and locally relevant.

US-listed spot Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) notched another historic performance on Aug. 13, attracting more than $729 million in daily inflows.

This marks the nine funds seventh consecutive day of positive flows and their second-largest single-day haul since launching last year.

Notably, the achievement comes just two days after the Aug. 11 record, when inflows topped $1.02 billion.

BlackRock’s ETHA lead inflow

According to SoSo Value data, BlackRock’s ETHA led the charge with $500.9 million, followed by Fidelity’s FETH, which attracted $154.7 million. Meanwhile, Grayscale’s ETH and ETHE ETFs recorded $51.34 million and $7.83 million in inflows, respectively.

Other products, including Bitwise and Franklin Templeton ETFs, added a combined $14 million, while the remaining three ETFs showed no activity on the day.

Nate Geraci, President of NovaDius Wealth, highlighted the recent momentum by pointing out that three of the top six inflow days since launch have occurred this week.

He added that investors have injected $3 billion over the past seven trading sessions.

Ethereum ETFs flow fuel drive towards ATH

The surge in ETF inflows has coincided with a strong upward move in Ethereum’s price.

According to Geraci, these consistent ETF inflows challenge the narrative that these products merely served as exit liquidity. He pointed out that ETH’s price at the time of spot ETF launch in July 2024 stood at $3,500, compared with today’s $4,700.

According to CryptoSlate’s data, ETH is trading around $4,726 at press time, reflecting a 27% rally over the past seven days and more than 50% growth over the last month.

Despite this momentum, ETH remains roughly 2.75% below its all-time high of $4,864, set in November 2021.

Meanwhile, OKX US CEO Roshan Robert told CryptoSlate that Ethereum’s robust fundamentals are also driving the digital asset’s current upward momentum.

He noted that the ETF inflows are being complemented by record on-chain activity and growing staking participation, with over 36 million ETH, nearly one-third of supply, now locked.

According to him, this reduced float and surging demand for both spot ETH and staking products could set the stage for further price gains.

He added:

“The next chapter for ETH is whether Ethereum-led infrastructure can sustain and accelerate as ETF adoption grows and on-chain activity hits new records.”

Mentioned in this article

Donald Trump is I’m preparing Sign an expanding administrative order what Americans are 401 (k))s. The plan is as follows: Let me Investors include Crypto Like Bitcoin and Ethereum, physical gold and private market assets such as private equity and hedge funds in retirement accounts. Currently, most plans offer only mutual funds, index funds, and ETFs. This move makes people more flexible What they invest in in for retirement.

what It changes and why is it important?

The order directs the Labor Bureau Seconds Update rules that govern your retirement account It is managed. Trump’s The team hopes to make it easier for financial companies to offer alternative assets within their retirement plans. this Includes removing past restrictions that discourage employers from offering encryption.

Destruction: Trump plans to sign an executive order allowing 401k retirement plans to invest in crypto pic.twitter.com/lufalzduvp

– Crypto Tea (@cryptotea_) July 17, 2025

The Biden administration has taken a more cautious attitude, warning that digital assets could be too risky for retirement savings.

there is A lot of money is spent here. Americans have around $9 trillion in 401(k)s and around $12 trillion in all defined contribution plans. that’s right a Huge A pool of capital. Investment company Like I already have Black Rock and Vanguard I’ve started working With a private equity manager. They are We were waiting for this kind of green light to bring in new products that offered a different kind of return than stocks and bonds.

Discover: 20+ Next Cryptocurrency to Explode in 2025

Resignation account code?

Trump’s Cryptographic support is loud and consistent. He is Praise Bitcoin attended Cryptographic events and support Digital assets during his campaign. The order continues his previous decision scrap Warning issued by the Biden administration. Please keep it away Resignation plan code.

24 hours7d30D1Yeverytime

Now this new push will help you turn that guidance Completely.

The idea is simple: let the Americans choose. If they want to hold Crypto With a tax account Like 401(k), they should be able that.

Discover: Best New Cryptocurrencies to Invest in 2025

The risk is real

Of course, this do not It happens overnight. Even if the executive order lands this week, most companies do not We will provide you with crypto or private equity right away. Large players wait for regulators to issue detailed rules and legal protections. If something goes wrong, you’re a retirement plan provider Please don’t I want to carry the bag and leave it alone.

Advisors have already raised concerns. The code is volatile. Private Equity it’s not Easy to sell Quick. these it’s not It’s truly the safest option for retirement savings It is intended It’s stable Long term. Experts say The average investor is still needed be careful and Please don’t go overboard.

What’s coming next

This order will likely begin a new phase of discussion. Lawmakers and financial experts will want to weigh me.n. You’ll love the idea of more freedom in retirement investment. Others warn that that It opens the door to unnecessary risks.

For now, all eyes are in Washington. Once Trump signs the order and regulators tracks it down, retirement plans may look very different Immediately. Is it? that’s right The good thing depends on how well these new options are doing It’s being expanded And whether they can do it actually It helps people build a safer future.

Discover: 20+ Next Cryptocurrency to Explode in 2025

For the latest market updates, please join us in the discrepancy in 99bitcoins news here

Why you can trust 99 Bitcoin?

Over 10 years

Founded in 2013, 99 Bitcoin team members have been experts in crypto since the early days of Bitcoin.

90 hours+

Weekly research

100k+

Monthly Readers

50+

Expert Contributors

2000+

Crypto project reviewed

Follow 99 Bitcoin on Google News Feed

Provide the latest updates, trends and insights directly to your fingertips. Subscribe now!

Subscribe now

Hyperliquid’s native token, HYPE, is approaching its all-time high, fueled by the decentralized derivatives exchange capturing over 80% of the on-chain perpetual futures market.

The platform has seen its average daily trading volumes increase to a consistent range of $2-6 billion, a surge that coincides with a new partnership with Phantom wallet and recent network upgrades. Over the past 24 hours, it has surged to $8.4 billion, breaking $1.88 trillion in lifetime volume.

However, trading volume still sits well below its all-time high of $18 billion earlier in the year, though averages have remained strong since the 2024 breakout.

The decentralized exchange now commands the vast majority of the perpetuals market, with its total value locked (TVL) exceeding $480 million, per data from DefiLlama. This growth places Hyperliquid ahead of its competitors in the decentralized finance landscape.

The platform’s ascent is built on its proprietary layer-1 blockchain, which utilizes an on-chain order book, which distinguishes it from many other decentralized exchanges that rely on automated market maker models. The infrastructure is designed to provide high-throughput and low-latency trading, mirroring the performance of centralized exchanges.

Fueling investor optimism is the platform’s “real yield” model, where revenue from trading fees is distributed to HYPE token stakers. Hyperliquid charges a 0.025% fee for takers and 0.002% for makers, with the collected fees used to buy back and burn HYPE tokens, creating deflationary pressure.

The mechanism directly ties the token’s value to the platform’s trading volume. The Hyperliquidity Provider (HLP) vaults are an integral part of this ecosystem, allowing users to provide liquidity and earn a share of the platform’s revenue.

Hyperliquid’s recent partnership with Phantom, the popular Solana-based wallet with over 15 million users, is expected to onboard a substantial number of new traders to the Hyperliquid platform, further boosting its trading volume and liquidity.

The exchange’s co-founder, Jeff Yan, has emphasized a user-centric approach. In an interview with ChainCatcher, Yan stated, “We wanted to build something that people actually wanted to use, not just for farming airdrops.” This philosophy appears to be resonating within the DeFi community, with the platform’s user base growing to over 500,000 and over $88 billion in total deposits.

The recent “CoreWriter” upgrade, which launched last week, is also underpinning bullish sentiment. It allows HyperEVM decentralized applications to interact directly with HyperCore’s perpetual exchange. HyperCore went live in March and enabled seamless asset transfers and smart contract development within the Hyperliquid ecosystem, combining centralized exchange performance with decentralized finance functionality.

Despite its rapid growth, Hyperliquid has faced challenges. In March 2025, the platform experienced a security breach. The incident, which involved an exploit related to the HLP vaults, resulted in nearly $12 million in cumulative losses for liquidity providers.

Hyperliquid’s HYPE token is currently trading at approximately $41.60, reflecting a nearly 7% increase in the last 24 hours as the platform’s fundamental strengths and strategic initiatives continue to attract market attention.

Its market dominance, sustainable yield model, and expanding user base through key partnerships position the exchange as a formidable player in the on-chain derivatives sector as it goes from strength to strength.

Japan is preparing to innovate and implement a robust payment system as its economy gradually becomes cashless.

Kazushige Kamiyama, executive director of the Bank of Japan (BOJ), said that while he has not yet had a firm stance on CBDC, he needs to develop other payment options as society becomes more and more cashless.

According to an article published by Reuters on June 4, 2025, Kamiyama said that while banknotes still exist in high circulation in Japan, physical currencies could see a sharp decline in usage as Japan rapidly becomes digital.

“So Japan must consider the steps now to ensure that the retail settlement system is convenient, efficient and universally accessible while still safe and resilient,” he said.

He further explained that the government and Congress have decided to issue CBDCs and that they have not made any decisions on the issue so far.

BOJ has not yet said its CBDC plan, but is promoting innovation in digital payments

Japan is not currently issuing digital yen, but Boj is urging it to upgrade to a payment system in the age of cashless.

The move follows the global CBDC debate that has been rekindled by Trump’s digital dollar ban. pic.twitter.com/thkdn2qqgd

-PIQ (@PIQSUITE) June 4, 2025

However, the country’s central banks conducted experiments with private companies in digital yen and exchanged opinions.

Explore: Best Meme Coin ICOS to Invest in June 2025

Asia appears to be leading CBDC rates

The talk around the CBDC appears to be in decline and flowing, largely restrained after President Trump banned US CBDC jobs. But they seem to be revived at least in Asia.

Several Asian countries have been successful in CBDC testing and pilot projects. For example, India’s CBDC Pilot Program has successfully provided farm loans directly to tenant farmers in the country.

Additionally, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is considering cross-border CBDC pilots as the electronic rupee circulation exceeds Rs. 1,016 crores (over $118 million) from rupee. In 2024, it would have been 232 crores (approximately $27 million). We are also considering entering a multilateral CBDC initiative through the Bank of International Strements (BIS) Innovation Hub.

Additionally, RBI believes it is expanding the use cases and scope of both e-Rupee retail and e-Rupee wholesale pilots. Plans are in place to improve the technical aspects of the aggregator framework and further increase transparency, convenience and efficiency.

Other Asian countries have also warmed up to CBDCs. For example, Korea is testing two CBDC projects. Project Hangan and Project Agora are domestic tokenized deposits involving multiple banks and institutions.

Interestingly, Bank of Korea Governor Rhee Chang-Yong personally visited six largest US banks to defend the role of wholesale CBDCs after the bank announced its announcement of plans to develop joint stability coins.

Explore:12+ Hottest Encryption Presale to Buy Now

Cashless payment transition in Asia

Driven by technological advances, changing consumer behavior and government initiatives, Asia is rapidly moving towards a cashless society. The adoption of India’s unified payment system is highlighted by network processing, which processes more than 13.1 billion transactions by fiscal year 2023.

China’s Alipay and Wechat pay accounts to over 1 billion users. Furthermore, cash transactions in China are expected to fall to just 3% by 2027. Beyond these Asian giants, other Southeast Asian countries like Thailand and Singapore are accepting cashless payments.

They developed interoperable systems such as PromptPay and PayNow, enabling cross-border transactions and reducing their reliance on Western credit card networks.

The surge in smartphones has been the catalyst for this conversion, especially in areas where bank penetration has previously been low.

Explore: 9+ Best High Risk, High Reward Crypto Buy in June 2025

Why you can trust 99 Bitcoin?

Over 10 years

Founded in 2013, 99 Bitcoin team members have been experts in crypto since the early days of Bitcoin.

90 hours+

Weekly research

100k+

Monthly Readers

50+

Expert Contributors

2000+

Crypto project reviewed

Follow 99 Bitcoin on Google News Feed

Provide the latest updates, trends and insights directly to your fingertips. Subscribe now!

Subscribe now

Solana is trading above the $125 mark after bulls stepped in with force, reclaiming critical technical levels and bringing some relief to a market that had been dominated by selling pressure. After weeks of steep declines and heightened volatility, Solana is finally showing signs of strength as buyers return and confidence starts to rebuild.

Related Reading

The bounce came at a crucial moment, as SOL was on the verge of breaking into lower demand zones following a sharp 47% drop since early March. The shift in momentum has caught the attention of market participants, especially as broader market sentiment begins to stabilize.

Top analyst Big Cheds shared a technical analysis on X, suggesting that Solana has “triggered a long thesis overnight” after reclaiming several key levels on the chart. His comments are fueling speculation that this move could mark the beginning of a broader recovery phase for SOL—provided bulls can hold current levels and build momentum from here.

As traders monitor upcoming resistance and key indicators, the next few days will be crucial in determining whether Solana’s rally has legs—or if it’s just another short-lived bounce in a volatile macro environment.

Solana Surges 40% As Long Thesis Takes Shape

Solana has gained over 40% since last Monday, sparking renewed bullish sentiment and opening a debate among analysts and traders: is this the start of a sustained move higher, or will SOL consolidate around current prices? After weeks of persistent selling pressure, Solana has finally seen a wave of buying interest, bouncing strongly from a $95 low. This bounce marks one of the most aggressive reversals among major altcoins during the recent market correction.

The surge came shortly after US President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs for all countries except China, which now faces a 145% tariff. The announcement sparked relief rallies across risk assets, with Solana among the top beneficiaries.

Big Ched’s analysis reveals that Solana triggered a long thesis after successfully reclaiming the $125 resistance level. This move is seen as a breakout confirmation, suggesting that a bullish structure may now be forming.

However, global tensions and trade war fears continue to inject uncertainty into financial markets. For Solana, holding above the $120–$125 support zone will be key in determining whether the recent bounce has staying power—or if further consolidation is in store.

Related Reading

Price Holds Above Key Moving Averages: Crucial Resistance Awaits

Solana (SOL) is trading at $131 after finally breaking above the 4-hour 200 Moving Average (MA) and Exponential Moving Average (EMA), which sat around $125 and $128, respectively. This move signals a potential short-term trend shift in favor of the bulls, who are now holding some advantage after reclaiming these critical technical levels. The breakout came on strong volume, reinforcing the bullish momentum that emerged from last week’s bounce off the $95 low.

However, for the rally to continue and higher highs to form, SOL must maintain its position above the $125 level and push toward the next major resistance around $146. Reclaiming this level would strengthen bullish conviction and confirm a recovery rally in the broader trend.

Related Reading

Despite the recent strength, risks remain. If Solana fails to hold above $125, the bullish setup could unravel quickly, and the price may revisit the $100 demand zone. With global market volatility still elevated due to ongoing macroeconomic tensions, traders are watching this support-resistance range closely to determine whether SOL can sustain upward momentum or return to consolidation.

Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView 

Metaplanet said Wednesday that it has added another 160 Bitcoin to its corporate treasury, continuing its aggressive accumulation strategy and bringing its total holdings to 4,206 BTC.

The Tokyo-listed firm disclosed the latest purchase on Wednesday, noting the acquisition cost approximately 1.998b yen—roughly $13.2m—at an average price of 12.4m yen($82,680) per Bitcoin.

This latest buy comes on the heels of a flurry of Bitcoin-focused activity. On Monday, the company announced it had issued 2b yen (about $13.3m) in zero-interest ordinary bonds, with proceeds earmarked exclusively for purchasing additional Bitcoin.

Then, on Tuesday, Metaplanet revealed it had acquired 696 BTC using proceeds from previously sold cash-secured put options—another capital markets strategy fueling its Bitcoin accumulation.

Together, these moves reflect a broader effort from Metaplanet to use traditional financial instruments—such as bonds, equity-linked products, and derivatives—to build one of the largest corporate Bitcoin treasuries in Asia.

Bitcoin Becomes Core Business Line as Metaplanet Accelerates Accumulation

The company began acquiring Bitcoin in 2024 and has since scaled up its buying significantly. Bitcoin is now a core part of its treasury strategy, formally recognized as a separate business line in December 2024.

To date, Metaplanet has invested about 54.3b yen—or about $359m—into Bitcoin, at an average price of 12.9m yen ($85,300) per BTC. The company’s purchases have been supported by strategic partner EVO FUND, through both zero-coupon bond issuances and stock acquisition rights.

Metaplanet Posts 95.6% BTC Yield in Q1 as It Ramps Up Holdings

To help investors monitor its performance, Metaplanet introduced new tracking metrics—BTC Yield, BTC Gain, and BTC ¥ Gain—that measure Bitcoin accumulation relative to share dilution and capital deployment. Last quarter, it posted a BTC Yield of 95.6%, and it has already achieved 3.9% in the first days of Q2.

With 4,206 BTC now on its balance sheet—worth about $300m—Metaplanet has emerged as one of the more active corporate Bitcoin holders globally.

Its strategy echoes elements of MicroStrategy’s approach in the US, but with a Japan-specific model that blends traditional financing with a high-conviction bet on digital assets.

The post Metaplanet Adds Another 160 BTC to Treasury, Pushing Holdings to 4,206 BTC appeared first on Cryptonews.