Grayscale Investments has filed fresh paperwork with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), seeking to convert its Chainlink Trust into an exchange-traded fund ETF).

The filing, submitted Sept. 5, would allow the $28.7 million vehicle to trade on NYSE Arca under the ticker GLNK once approved.

The company said the shift is designed to give investors regulated access to Chainlink’s price performance without the need to manage or secure the tokens directly.

Essentially, Grayscale aims to lower custody risks while offering exposure through traditional markets by using an ETF structure.

Before the ETF can launch, Grayscale must file a corresponding 19b-4 submission, a procedural step that requires SEC approval.

Grayscale’s Chainlink ETF structure

Grayscale stated that its proposed ETF could allow some of the tokens held in the trust to be staked.

In that scenario, the asset management firm said it would rely on third-party providers to keep tokens in custodian wallets.

The firm emphasized that the fund will use a cash-based creation and redemption model.

While the SEC has recently approved in-kind standards for other digital asset ETFs, Grayscale noted that it remains uncertain how quickly market participants will adapt.

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The company also indicated that NYSE Arca could eventually seek regulatory clearance to update its listing rules to accommodate in-kind transactions.

According to the filing, CSC Delaware Trust Company will serve as trustee, while The Bank of New York Mellon will act as both transfer agent and administrator. Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company will function as the co-transfer agent, and Coinbase will provide prime brokerage and custody services.

Crypto ETFs

The application marks another attempt by Grayscale to broaden investor access to cryptocurrencies beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Its current applications already cover multiple assets, including Solana and XRP, reflecting growing institutional interest in altcoins.

Market analysts argue that these applications reflect rising institutional interest in altcoins.

Nate Geraci, president of Nova Dius Wealth, pointed out that major exchanges are collaborating with the SEC on standard frameworks for spot crypto ETF listings.

He said such rules could be finalized by October, potentially clearing the way for multiple altcoin products to enter the market.

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The crypto market’s still just hanging ’round, consolidating – nothing wild happening.

But as we’ve already mentioned before, things could change on September 17, when the Fed’s gonna decide whether they’re going to cut interest rates.

And right now, it’s looking pretty likely they will.

Reason: the job market keeps getting weaker.

Hiring slowed → only 54K private sector jobs were added last month (way below what economists expected);

Layoffs spiked → August layoffs increased almost 40% compared to last year – the worst August we’ve seen since 2020;

More people are filing for unemployment → weekly jobless claims hit 237K (higher than expected).

(Tomorrow’s jobs report will give us an even clearer picture of how rough things are getting.)

Now, if the Fed does cut rates, here’s the domino effect: short-term interest rates drop, which makes the dollar less attractive to investors (’cause like, why hold dollars if they’re not paying you much?).

So the dollar gets weaker.

At the same time, according to QCP Capital, investors want extra pay for holding long-term bonds because they’re worried about future risks like inflation and government debt.

This combo – short-term rates down + long-term rates relatively high – tells markets: the Fed’s easing, but the future still looks risky.

And it’s actually good news for crypto:

Weaker dollar = stronger alternatives.

When the dollar loses its shine, assets like Bitcoin and gold become more attractive in global investment portfolios.

Inflation fears demand for “hedge” assets.

If inflation expectations rise, people want assets that hold their value when money starts losing its purchasing power.

Bitcoin increasingly fits that bill.

Policy uncertainty = “outside the system” becomes appealing.

When people don’t fully trust the government’s ability to manage the economy, Bitcoin’s whole “decentralized, no government control” thing starts looking pretty sexy.

Overall, the likely setup is rate cuts + weaker dollar + inflation worries.

That’s basically the perfect storm for assets like gold and Bitcoin – things people buy when they want protection from a wobbly economy and don’t completely trust traditional currencies.

And the institutions are already picking up on this, btw – Bitcoin ETFs had $633.3M in inflows just this week.

So, if you’re wondering why crypto bros are getting excited about the next Fed meeting, this is why.

Bitcoin (BTC) scored an average trust rating of 4.67 on a 10-point scale across 25 countries, according to a survey released by Cornell Bitcoin Club on Sept. 3.

The survey reveals significant regional variations in perceptions of cryptocurrency. Nigeria led global Bitcoin trust levels, while Japan recorded the lowest scores among surveyed nations.

BTC consistently ranked below traditional assets, including gold, real estate, and major fiat currencies in risk perception comparisons.

Government trust patterns

Ten countries reported higher trust in Bitcoin than their national governments: Brazil, Indonesia, Kenya, Lebanon, Nigeria, the Philippines, South Africa, Turkey, Ukraine, and Venezuela. These regions represent emerging markets or nations experiencing political instability.

The UAE, China, and Saudi Arabia demonstrated high levels of government trust, which significantly exceeded Bitcoin confidence ratings. The pattern suggests Bitcoin attracts interest where institutional trust has eroded, positioning crypto as an alternative to centralized authority.

Survey participants consistently rated Bitcoin as riskier than traditional investment options across all categories. However, 45% of respondents considered Bitcoin equally risky compared to stocks, while 43% viewed it as equivalent to corporate bonds, indicating some alignment with established volatile asset classes.

Questions about Bitcoin’s fraud reduction capabilities, privacy protection, and service provider trustworthiness produced predominantly neutral responses rather than clear endorsement or rejection.

The pattern suggests widespread uncertainty about Bitcoin’s practical benefits rather than informed skepticism.

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Financial stress correlation

Countries reporting higher financial stress levels, measured by responses to “my finances control my life,” generally showed increased Bitcoin ownership and trust.

Turkey, India, Kenya, and South Africa recorded the highest financial stress indicators alongside elevated Bitcoin adoption rates.

El Salvador, Switzerland, China, and Italy reported the lowest financial stress levels, correlating with reduced Bitcoin interest. Mexico, Italy, and Japan ranked lowest in both financial stress and cryptocurrency adoption metrics.

While correlation does not establish causation, the data suggest Bitcoin may appeal as an alternative financial system in regions experiencing acute economic pressure.

The Cornell study indicates Bitcoin’s global position reflects local economic contexts and institutional trust levels rather than uniform acceptance or rejection patterns.

Uncertainty rather than outright dismissal characterizes the views of most respondents on cryptocurrency capabilities.

A Chinese state-sponsored hacking group known as Murky Panda (Silk Typhoon) exploits trusted relationships in cloud environments to gain initial access to the networks and data of downstream customers.

Murky Panda, also known as Silk Typhoon (Microsoft) and Hafnium, is known for targeting government, technology, academic, legal, and professional services organizations in North America.

The hacking group, under its numerous names, has been linked to numerous cyberespionage campaigns, including the wave of Microsoft Exchange breaches in 2021 that utilized the ProxyLogon vulnerability. More recent attacks, include those on the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Committee on Foreign Investment.

In March, Microsoft reported that Silk Typhoon had begun targeting remote management tools and cloud services in supply chain attacks to gain access to downstream customers’ networks.

Exploiting trusted cloud relationships

Murky Panda commonly gains initial access to corporate networks by exploiting internet-exposed devices and services, such as the CVE-2023-3519 flaw in Citrix NetScaler devices, ProxyLogin in Microsoft Exchange, and CVE-2025-0282 in Ivanti Pulse Connect VPN.

However, a new report by CrowdStrike demonstrates how the threat actors are also known to compromise cloud service providers to abuse the trust these companies have with their customers.

Because cloud providers are sometimes granted built-in administrative access to customer environments, attackers who compromise them can abuse this trust to pivot directly into downstream networks and data.

In one case, the hackers exploited zero-day vulnerabilities to break into a SaaS provider’s cloud environment. They then gained access to the provider’s application registration secret in Entra ID, which allowed them to authenticate as a service and log into downstream customer environments. Using this access, they were able to read customers’ emails and steal sensitive data.

In another attack, Murky Panda compromised a Microsoft cloud solution provider with delegated administrative privileges (DAP). By compromising an account in the Admin Agent group, the attackers gained Global Administrator rights across all downstream tenants. They then created backdoor accounts in customer environments and escalated privileges, enabling persistence and the ability to access email and application data.

CrowdStrike highlights that breaches via trusted-relationships are rare, they are less monitored than more common vectors such as credential theft. By exploiting these trust models, Murky Panda can more easily blend in with legitimate traffic and activity to maintain stealthy access for long periods.

In addition to their cloud-focused intrusions, Murky Panda also uses a variety of tools and custom malware to maintain access and evade detection.

The attackers commonly deploy the Neo-reGeorg open-source web shell and the China Chopper web shells, both widely associated with Chinese espionage actors, to establish persistence on compromised servers.

The group also has access to a custom Linux-based remote access trojan (RAT) called CloudedHope, which allows them to take control of infected devices and spread further in the network. 

Murky Panda also demonstrates strong operational security (OPSEC), including modifying timestamps and deleting logs to hinder forensic analysis.

The group is also known to use compromised small office and home office (SOHO) devices as proxy servers, allowing them to conduct attacks as if they were within a targeted country’s infrastructure. This allows their malicious traffic to blend in with normal traffic and evade detection.

Significant espionage threat

CrowdStrike warns that Murky Panda/Silk Typhoon is a sophisticated adversary with advanced skills and the ability to rapidly weaponize both zero-day and n-day vulnerabilities.

Their abuse of trusted cloud relationships poses a significant risk to organizations that utilize SaaS and cloud providers.

To defend against Murky Panda attacks, CrowdStrike recommends that organizations monitor for unusual Entra ID service principal sign-ins, enforce multi-factor authentication for cloud provider accounts, monitor Entra ID logs, and patch cloud-facing infrastructure promptly.

“MURKY PANDA poses a significant threat to government, technology, legal, and professional services entities in North America and to their suppliers with access to sensitive information,” concludes CrowdStrike.

“Organizations that rely heavily on cloud environments are innately vulnerable to trusted-relationship compromises in the cloud. China-nexus adversaries such as MURKY PANDA continue to leverage sophisticated tradecraft to facilitate their espionage operations, targeting numerous sectors globally.”

The evolution of the job market calls for new ways to ensure that the workforce has the skills and abilities required for success. Every business owner thinks like this and looks for talented professionals who can bring more value to their organization. What is the best way for an employer to find people who can give their organization the competitive edge?

The only answer to this question is found in certified professionals who have specialized skills and knowledge for certain jobs. Professional certification programs validate the expertise of an individual in a specific discipline and showcase a commitment to professional growth. Let us find out whether certifications are really worth it with some stats and success stories.

Do Employers Trust Certifications?

The foremost concern of any individual thinking about pursuing a professional certification program is about its validity. Will my employer recognize this certification and give me the job? While many skeptics believe otherwise, professional certifications have a strong influence on employer trust and hiring decisions. The following statistics may help you understand the significance of certifications in the current job market.

According to a CompTIA survey, almost 91% of employers believe that IT certifications play a major role in shaping their hiring decisions. 

• Assurance of More Productivity

The measure of employer trust in certifications is evident from the fact that 87% of executives believe that certified professionals are better performers and bring more value to the workplace. Employers prefer certified professionals as they boost productivity at the workplace.

Workers who have a professional certification are more likely to manage workplace challenges with ease. Professional certifications empower workers with skills to leverage the latest technologies and best practices to achieve more productivity.

• Impact on Core Business Outcomes

Certified professionals can have a tangible impact on core business outcomes, which makes them valuable assets for employers. For instance, organizations that employed certified HR analytics professionals improved their effectiveness in making strategic decisions by 38%.

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Quantifying the Impact of Certifications on Professional Growth

One of the biggest benefits of certification programs is the assurance of salary premiums. Employers are willing to pay 10% to 25% more for certified tech experts in fields that require specialized skills, such as cybersecurity and cloud computing. On top of it, around 76% if professionals have reported an increase in salary after achieving a certification credential. https://www.verifyed.io/blog/certification-benefits. 

Apart from the assurance of enhanced earning potential, professional certifications also open many other doors for the career of an individual. The following points will help you understand how professional certifications ensure that employers hire the right talent. 

The formidable challenge for employers and hiring managers in today’s crowded job market is to find a person who has the skills for a specific job. Certifications solve that problem by ensuring that a professional has the skills required for the specific job and industry. It would help employers in reducing their onboarding costs, especially in the training of new employees. 

• Specialization in Niche Domains

If you want to pursue a professional certification, then you must take inspiration from the thousands of success stories of certified experts in various domains. Whether it is blockchain technology or cloud computing, the professional certification value stays the same. You can explore various niches for specialization in the disciplines of your choice with relevant certification programs.

• Continuous Skill Development 

The most common highlight in success stories of professionals with certifications is the benefit of continuous skill development. Certified professionals have to stay updated with latest trends and acquire new skills to stay relevant in the job market. Employers show their trust in certifications as certified experts help their organization stay ahead of the curve. For instance, certified tech professionals in cybersecurity can help employers ensure better safeguards for their organization against emerging threats.

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Success Stories of a Certified Professional

The answers to “Why employers prefer certified professionals” might have become quite clear now. At the same time, you might wonder how a certified professional can have multiple success stories. If you think about it, there are countless success stories of people who have achieved tangible results in professional growth. The following success stories will resonate with everyone aspiring to pursue a certification for the corresponding role.

Project management certifications are probably the most popular set of professional certification programs you will find today. Seasoned project management veterans use professional certifications to demonstrate their specialization in popular project management methodologies. Certified project managers can find job opportunities in more complex projects that offer better rewards.

Professional certifications not only help in preparing for conventional roles but also empower you for jobs in emerging technologies. Employers have been taking initiatives to empower their workforce with upskilling and certifications in new technologies like blockchain. Professional blockchain certifications help learners acquire the skills and knowledge required to create dApps and blockchain-based solutions. Many blockchain professionals have used certifications from credible platforms to land up with jobs at top companies.

The biggest category of professionals capitalizing on the advantages of professional certifications includes IT professionals. People with formal education in computer science might have to struggle to find a job. On the other hand, a professional certification in cloud computing or programming will enhance the chances of being hired. Certifications are a useful resource for IT professionals to show that they have acquired industry recognition for their skills in a specific area. 

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How Can You Use Professional Certifications in Your Career?

The value of professional certifications for your professional development revolves around the benefits of industry recognition, skill development and continuous learning. The success stories of certified professionals in various roles and domains showcase proof of the utility of certifications. You can use professional certifications in your career in the following ways.

• Earn the Trust of Employers

There is no doubt in the fact that employers trust certified experts for any job role. You must use professional certifications as the credentials to prove that you can manage complex responsibilities right away. Professional certifications from reliable providers can ensure authenticity and build trust in your qualifications.

• Find Access to Communities

The next useful way to capitalize on the benefits of certification programs is to participate in professional communities. Certifications not only validate your skills and knowledge but also provide you access to exclusive professional events and communities. For example, you can use a certification to gain easier access to opportunities for networking with industry experts.

• Always Aim for Specialization

When you decide to go for a certification, make sure that it is for a unique skill or ability. Specialization in a specific field is a very rare trait in the job market and certifications dedicated to one specialization can enhance your employability. Professional certifications prove that you not only know a specific industry but also have the commitment to achieve excellence in it.

Final Thoughts 

The different reasons for which employers trust in certifications has been increasing show that professional certifications have significant impact on hiring practices. Employers trust certified experts for any job because they make hiring easier by reducing the need for extensive screening and training. Companies which offer certifications and upskilling initiatives for their employees have a better reputation and will attract top talent. Going by the stats and success stories, the ability to showcase your certifications will determine the course of your professional growth. Learn more about the benefits of professional certification programs now.

The digital asset management giant Grayscale has launched a new trust for a mid-cap altcoin that has doubled its value in the past month.

Grayscale’s new Story Trust provides accredited investors with exposure to Story (IP), a layer-1 blockchain network focused on intellectual property.

Story launched in February and aims to provide a scalable intellectual property solution on a blockchain where rights holders can upload IP, set the terms of use and monetize it throughout the protocol’s application ecosystem. The project also brings real-world data to artificial intelligence (AI) systems, including robots, surgical assistants and autonomous vehicles.

Story’s native asset, IP, is trading at $5.95 at time of writing. The 69th-ranked crypto asset by market cap is down more than 2% in the past 24 hours but up more than 8% in the past seven days and more than 100% in the past month.

Rayhaneh Sharif-Askary, Grayscale’s head of product and research, says the asset manager’s new trust reflects Story’s technological potential.

“Grayscale Story Trust gives investors exposure to a protocol shaping the foundational intellectual property layer for the information and AI era. That includes not just creative content, but real-world data  – the force powering one of today’s most advanced intelligent systems.” 

The trust is solely invested in the IP token.

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Disclaimer: Opinions expressed at The Daily Hodl are not investment advice. Investors should do their due diligence before making any high-risk investments in Bitcoin, cryptocurrency or digital assets. Please be advised that your transfers and trades are at your own risk, and any losses you may incur are your responsibility. The Daily Hodl does not recommend the buying or selling of any cryptocurrencies or digital assets, nor is The Daily Hodl an investment advisor. Please note that The Daily Hodl participates in affiliate marketing.

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At Kraken, we are committed to building a secure and reliable platform for our clients. Over the past few years, we have significantly strengthened our global compliance framework. We invest deeply in the people, processes and systems that keep our platform safe.

We recently reached an important milestone on that journey. This concludes a multi-year effort to strengthen the sanctions compliance program across the board. This achievement reflects not only the continued engagement with regulators (such as finalizing commitments over the past few years), but also the continued advances in Kraken’s approach to risk, surveillance and operational excellence.

As part of ongoing work with US regulators, Kraken recently completed its third final certification of the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) (OFAC).

Companywide efforts towards common goals

What began as an initiative to enhance sanctions control is a comprehensive effort to build one of the industry’s most robust, scalable and future compliance programs.

What Kraken will enhance compliance:

• GEOIP Firewall and VPN Screening
  A sophisticated tool that actively restricts unauthorized access based on geographical and network indicators.
• A comprehensive screening
  End-to-end product, client, and transaction-level screening ensures real-time risk detection.
• Over 100 Embedded Internal Controls
  Automatic checks and balances built into every tier of Kraken’s infrastructure.
• Upgraded policies, procedures, and processes
  An overview redesign of how compliance is approached across teams and workflows.
• Strict risk assessment, auditing, training
  Regular assessments and company-wide education to sharply align our defenses.
• Sanctions are controlled at all layers
  Overall protection measures integrated throughout Kraken’s architecture.
• Regulatory benchmarks and licensing expansions
  Tools and standards that allow for smoother licensing, and faster time to market globally.
• Active engagement with regulatory authorities
  Open and constructive dialogue that helps shape thoughtful and effective regulations.
• Strengthening due diligence for investors, M&As and product launches
  Strategic compliance is integrated into the way we grow.

All of these upgrades are a step towards our bigger goal. It is to make Kraken the most trusted and secure venue for code. Together, these features help protect clients, strengthen trust and strengthen Kraken’s role as a responsible industry leader.

Built for scale designed for reliability

Strong compliance is not just a risk reduction, but a strategic advantage. With these improvements, Kraken is ideally positioned below:

• Expand our business to new countries and expand with new products
• Promote stronger banking relationships
• Navigate the regulatory environment with confidence
• Mitigate audit and operational risks
• Supports faster and safer growth across the market

The compliance infrastructure we build is scalable, resilient, dynamic, and designed to not only meet today’s demands, but also predict tomorrow’s demands. We are proud of how far we have come and are even more excited about where we are heading. Because at Kraken, we don’t just build responsibly. It’s how we can lead the way, create a safer industrial ecosystem and accelerate the adoption of crypto.