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Cybersecurity is more than just software, says George Kurtz, CEO and cofounder of CrowdStrike.  “What we do at CrowdStrike is as old as time,” he told Fortune. “It’s good versus evil. It’s a human nature story embodied in technology.” It’s a battle that’s more urgent and complex than ever, as the rise of AI has ballooned the number of cyber threats and cyber criminals. This makes M&A—a longstanding feature of the cybersecurity sector—more high-stakes than ever. To be sure, some of the biggest deals of 2025 have been in cyber, from Palo Alto Networks’ $25 billion acquisition of CyberArk to Google’s proposed $32 billion acquisition of Wiz.  CrowdStrike, which went public in 2019, is also a longtime acquirer, and today announced its acquisition of data observability startup Onum for about $290 million. CrowdStrike today also announced its Q2 2025 earnings, beating expectations but offering a softer-than-expected revenue outlook sending its shares down roughly 4% in after hours trading.  Kurtz exclusively spoke to Fortune about the Onum deal and CrowdStrike’s M&A strategy going forward. “We like to get things at the right stage,” he said. “When you look at some of these other acquisitions, like CyberArk, you’re talking about a 20-year-old technology company with a lot of integration risk. These are big companies, and I’ve seen the movie before. When I was at McAfee, we acquired 21 companies, and never quite got them integrated… So, when it comes down to it, we’re maniacally focused on the customer experience, on making sure we’re disciplined enough to get this stuff integrated. We have a great track record of doing that.” Onum marks one of CrowdStrike’s early deals since last year’s much-publicized IT outage, which Kurtz says didn’t derail its M&A efforts, but offered a pause. In the aftermath, CrowdStrike set a high bar and refrained from closing any deals, while continuing to talk to companies, entrepreneurs, and VCs, keeping the M&A pipeline active, said Kurtz. The Onum deal ultimately came together in three months. The Madrid-based startup, which counts Dawn Capital and Insight Partners among its VC backers, was especially compelling to CrowdStrike for its real-time pipeline detection—the ability to analyze and detect threats or anomalies in data as it is being ingested into a company’s systems.  “If you think about the data we have, we started becoming the Reddit of security data for all these AI models,” said Kurtz. “The more data we get in, the larger the moat we actually have, and the greater the opportunity we have to solve bigger and broader problems from an AI perspective. That’s really driving our vision for AI-native SOC [security operations center]. It’s a natural extension.” In part, this is looking towards a future filled with AI agents.  “Our goal is to secure every AI agent,” said Kurtz. “Okay, what’s an AI agent? An AI agent is basically superhuman. It has access to data. It has an identity, though it might be a non-human identity. It has access to a workflow, and it has access to systems that are outside of your own boundaries… So, it has all of the exposure that we’re protecting against.  In a lot of ways, Onum is a classic CrowdStrike deal. Since 2017, CrowdStrike has acquired eight companies, including Humio in 2021 for $400 million and Flow Security in 2024 for a reported $200 million.  “There are some companies that are obviously richly-valued,” Kurtz said. “I think some of these companies don’t realize that they are starting to move into zombieland: You look at their last round valuation, and it might be great for them, but it’s expensive and it’s necessarily actionable for a lot of companies, even ours… So, you start to hit these big, multi-billion dollar valuations with not a lot of ARR, relatively speaking, and your pool of buyers dramatically shrinks. That’s why we like to catch them in the sweet spot of where we can add value, and that value accrues to CrowdStrike’s shareholders.” The goal, in the end, remains the same—security, and fighting the bad guys (who now have more weapons to play with).  “With gen AI, we’re democratizing destruction,” said Kurtz. “We’re taking a very sophisticated topic known by a relatively few number of people … and now you’re making all that expertise available to many more people. … The biggest thing is that you’re really compressing the timeframe that the good guys have to be able to deal with these problems, because the bad actors are moving so much faster now.”  What’s one thing Kurtz is sure of, looking to the future?  “We know there’s going to be a greater need for security tomorrow than there is today,” he said.   Introducing the 2025 Fortune Global 500, the definitive ranking of the biggest companies in the world. Explore this year’s list. Read More

YouTube TV says it’s reached a “short-term extension” in its contract dispute with Fox, meaning subscribers of the Google-owned streamer won’t see immediate disruptions of Fox channels on the platform. The current carriage agreement between YouTube TV and Fox originally faced a Wednesday afternoon deadline — with YouTube previously warning that networks like Fox Sports, Business and News would become unavailable on its streaming platform if the two sides didn’t reach a new deal by 5 p.m. ET. That would have left YouTube TV customers without Week 1 of some college football games and other broadcast programming from Fox. But shortly after the clock hit 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday, YouTube said it was able to “prevent disruption” as it continues to work towards a new agreement. “We are committed to advocating on behalf of our subscribers as we work toward a fair deal and will keep you updated on our progress,” YouTube said in a brief update announcing the extension. A spokesperson for Fox had no addition comment, but confirmed that the broadcast giant had agreed to the short-term extension. It was not immediately clear how long the extension would be. In a statement earlier Wednesday, Fox said that it was “disappointed that Google continually exploits its outsized influence by proposing terms that are out of step with the marketplace.” Fox also directed subscribers to a site called keepfox.com for more information and to call on YouTube to come to an agreement. In addition to Fox Sports, Business and News, keepfox.com notes that YouTube TV may no longer carry FS1 and the Big Ten Network (which is majority-owned by Fox) if a deal isn’t reached. Meanwhile, in blog post earlier this week, YouTube said Fox was “asking for payments that are far higher than what partners with comparable content offerings receive.” The company added that it hoped to reach a deal that’s “fair for both sides” without “passing on additional costs to our subscribers.” If Fox content becomes unavailable on YouTube TV “for an extended period of time,” YouTube also noted it would provide members with a $10 credit. YouTube TV’s base plan — which currently boasts access to over 100 live channels — costs $82.99 a month. Brendan Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, also chimed in on the dispute leading up to Wednesday’s deadline — while appearing to target Google particularly. He called on the tech company to “get a deal done” in a post on social media. “Google removing Fox channels from YouTube TV would be a terrible outcome,” Carr wrote in a Tuesday post on X. “Millions of Americans are relying on YouTube to resolve this dispute so they can keep watching the news and sports they want—including this week’s Big Game: Texas @ Ohio State.” From sports events to awards shows, live programming that was once reserved for broadcast has increasingly made its way into the streaming world over the years — as more and more consumers ditch traditional cable or satellite TV subscriptions for content they can get online. But renewing carriage agreements can also mean tense contract negotiations — at times resulting in service disruptions. YouTube TV has been down this road before. In 2021 YouTube TV subscribers briefly lost access to all Disney content on the platform, including networks like ESPN and local ABC stations, after a contract breakdown between the two companies. That outage lasted less than two days, with the companies eventually reaching an agreement. Beyond deals with YouTube TV and others, Fox last week launched its own streaming platform. “Fox One,” which has a starting price of $19.99 a month. Introducing the 2025 Fortune Global 500, the definitive ranking of the biggest companies in the world. Explore this year’s list. Read More

Organizers of a Target boycott that began in January are pointing to their tactics as a hopeful sign that actions against corporate retailers can still make a deep impact. When Target announced its current chief executive officer will be stepping down in February 2026 and an insider was taking the helm, those organizers saw it as a move in the right direction and stress more than ever that boycotts will continue as long as previous promises made to the public go unfulfilled. “It’s been now nearly 200 days and what all the statistics and economics are showing that since that boycott was announced on that Monday — every single week since then — Target foot traffic in nearly 2,000 stores has declined sharply and continues to decline,” said organizer Jaylani Hussein, at a news conference of the National Target Boycott movement outside Target’s Minneapolis headquarters late last week. Boycott organizers in Minnesota were among some of the first to galvanize when Target opted in January to follow other companies like Amazon and Walmart and forego diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. High-profile civil rights activists like the Rev. Al Sharpton and the Rev. Jamal Bryant also made similar calls for what they deemed a betrayal of previous DEI promises. Social justice advocates say this shows boycotting is a key tactic not to be taken for granted. Retail analysts say it’s difficult to gauge the exact impact of the boycott, since Target has faced a slump the last few years and a leadership change was in the cards. Still, groups like Washington-based DC Boycott Target Coalition insist falling foot traffic is “due in no small part” to a boycott that spans coast to coast. “The leadership change doesn’t mean anything without a culture change,” the group said in a statement, vowing to continue pressuring Target until the corporation sees its diversity goals as “more important than bowing to an administration that is filled with racism, failure and hatred.” Opponents began the national boycott in February, during Black History Month. Their strategy left some Black-owned brands with merchandise on Target shelves conflicted or scrambling. By April, Sharpton actually met with Target’s CEO Brian Cornell, who had been at the helm for 11 years. But, nothing concrete came of it. Target CEO change was long planned Cornell’s departure from the role had been in the works for several years. In September 2022, the board extended Cornell’s contract for three more years and eliminated a policy requiring its chief executives to retire at age 65. When Target’s chief operating officer Michael Fiddelke takes over, Cornell will transition to be executive chair of the board. In a call with reporters, Fiddelke attributed the sales malaise to many issues like focusing too much on basics and not enough trendy items, particularly in home goods. Data shows Target sales were already sliding Stacey Widlitz, president of investment research firm SW Retail Advisors, said she believes that Target’s sales malaise has more to do with its operational issues — messy stores and poorly stocked shelves — not from its pullback from DEI initiatives. Unraveling them did not affect Target “exponentially compared to somebody else,” she said. “The consumer has a very short memory. If you have great, compelling product at value prices, they’ll forgive you.” The number of Americans who say they regularly shop at Target has gone down 19% since 2021, according to GWI, a behavioral attitudinal data provider. The number of Americans who say they do not shop at Target has risen 17%. The same analysis also looked at trends along party lines. Since last year, the number of regular Target shoppers who identify as Democrat has declined 13%. Inversely, the number of Republican customers has risen 13%. It’s not clear if that is due to Target’s $1 million donation to Trump’s inauguration or some other factors. Organizers are sticking to boycott strategy The strategy of racial justice boycotts stretches back over 160 years, from Reconstruction era “Buy Black” campaigns stressing the Black American economic influence to the Montgomery Bus Boycott of the Civil Rights Movement. There have been more modern campaigns like the NAACP’s 15-year economic boycott of the state of South Carolina over its display of the confederate battle flag widely regarded as a symbol of hatred and slavery. The civil rights group ended its boycott in 2015 after the state removed the flag from its statehouse grounds, following the massacre of nine Black parishioners at a historic African Methodist Episcopal church in Charleston. Some Black creators on the social media platform TikTok rejoiced on the platform at the CEO leaving and credited the boycotts. Others cautioned that Cornell was essentially promoted but that the boycott is still needed. Black Americans’ buying power has climbed over the last 25 years and is now an estimated $2.1 trillion annually, according to Nielsen research. Part of the reason organizers say they have zeroed in on Target is because the company had heavily touted a commitment to DEI back in 2020 after protests erupted across the nation over the murder of George Floyd. That year, Target announced it would increase representation of Black staff by 20% over three years and invest $10 million in social justice organizations. In 2021, the company pledged to dedicate more than $2 billion toward Black-owned businesses before the end of 2025. In January, however, Target said it would conclude the hiring and advancement goals it had set. For boycott organizers, a reversal of those decisions is the only way to rectify the situation. “We’re expecting that Target is making good on the promises that it made. Otherwise there’s no point of discussion regarding calling off this boycott,” said Nekima Levy Armstrong, a civil rights attorney and past president of the Minneapolis chapter of the NAACP. “We’re asking people to join us, get involved and hold Target accountable for its actions. ___ AP Retail Writer Anne D’Innocenzio in New York contributed to this report. Introducing the 2025 Fortune Global 500, the definitive ranking of the biggest companies in the world. Explore this year’s list. Read More

On any given Sunday, the massive American Dream mall in New Jersey allows visitors to hit an indoor ski slope, surf an artificial wave, ride roller coasters — or shop for a new outfit at dozens of big-name retail stores. One of those things is a problem, argues a new lawsuit against the massive entertainment and retail complex in East Rutherford – and it isn’t the thrillseekers. American Dream, the suit from officials in nearby Paramus contends, is running afoul of a county law that has long prohibited the sale of nonessential items such as clothing, appliances and furniture on Sundays. Such “blue laws” date back centuries in New Jersey and were originally rooted in religion. But modern proponents say they offer a welcome break for locals from traffic and noise in a region near New York City that’s teeming with shoppers throughout the week. Officials in Paramus, a major shopping hub that boasts three large malls and miles of strip malls, say nearly every other retail store in the county is closed to shoppers on Sundays. That was originally the plan for American Dream when it opened in 2019, adjacent to MetLife Stadium, where the NFL’s Jets and Giants play. Retail stores would close on Sunday, while the theme parks in the mall would remain open — but a report by NorthJersey.com in January says retailers there had also been opening their doors the extra day for nearly a year. “These businesses, with the encouragement and support of the mall’s ownership and the acquiescence of the other defendants here, have violated the law hundreds if not thousands of times since January,” argues the lawsuit filed in state Superior Court. A statement from American Dream argued that Bergen County’s blue laws don’t apply to the complex, because it sits on state-owned property. “The lawsuit is a meritless political stunt driven by private competitors’ interests,” the statement says. But Paramus Mayor Christopher DiPiazza said that American Dream had “promised on record” that it would follow the county’s blue laws once it opened. A transcript from a 2011 public hearing shows Tony Armlin, then the vice president of development and construction for mall owner Triple Five, saying the laws “prohibit our ability to have retail activities on Sundays,” which he said would restrict the impact of traffic. Jim Tedesco, the executive of Bergen County — which is also named in the suit — said in a statement American Dream’s operators had “personally assured” him that they would keep retailers shut on Sunday before the mall opened. “They broke that promise,” he said. “Their decision to operate retail on Sundays not only violates state statute, it gives them an unfair advantage over every other business in Bergen County that is following the law.” The suit also names East Rutherford, whose mayor did not return a request for comment, and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. The NJSEA and the state attorney general’s office declined comment because they don’t discuss pending litigation. New Jersey’s blue laws initially were far stricter and enforced statewide. They banned not just business operations but also leisure activities and nonessential travel, with proponents arguing the state and the nation had a moral obligation to protect the Sabbath from commerce and recreation. While most New Jersey counties no longer have them, leaders in Bergen County have repeatedly resisted attempts to repeal them, and the measures — which do exempt some services, including grocery and drug stores — have been upheld by county voters. ___ Philip Marcelo in New York contributed to this report. Introducing the 2025 Fortune Global 500, the definitive ranking of the biggest companies in the world. Explore this year’s list. Read More

Dollar dominance thanks to stablecoins is pushing China to explore stablecoins, but capital controls limit the project to Hong Kong’s offshore renminbi market, where liquidity is thin. Aug 27, 2025, 11:34 p.m. Good Morning, Asia. Here’s what’s making news in the markets: Welcome to Asia Morning Briefing, a daily summary of top stories during U.S. hours and an overview of market moves and analysis. For a detailed overview of U.S. markets, see CoinDesk’s Crypto Daybook Americas. China’s growing focus on stablecoins is less about embracing crypto and more about defending its currency from U.S. dollar dominance, says Dr. Vera Yuen of Hong Kong University’s Business School, who argues the shift highlights offshore opportunities but also deep domestic limits. Beijing’s shift comes as Washington moved first to create a regulatory framework for the stablecoin industry in the U.S. Reuters recently reported that China’s State Council is reviewing a roadmap for yuan-backed stablecoins later this month, with Hong Kong and Shanghai expected to fast-track adoption. In an earlier interview, Animoca Group president Evan Auyang told CoinDesk the trigger was the U.S. GENIUS Act, which cements dollar-pegged tokens as part of global finance. He said the law is “pressuring China to act a lot faster,” pushing Beijing to consider stablecoins not as speculative instruments, as once described by the People’s Bank of China, but as necessary infrastructure to keep pace in global trade and settlement. Yuen said the government first prioritized the e-CNY, its Central Bank Digital Currency, because it offered control, traceability, and seigniorage profits — features that regulators valued over those of privately issued tokens. But she noted that stablecoins have a clear edge in international use. “Many CBDCs are developed for domestic use, so for international use of CBDCs, there is a big problem of interoperability of different systems. Stablecoins are designed to be used internationally, so it can be a better option for cross-border transactions,” she told CoinDesk. “Focusing on stablecoins allows China to respond proactively to global regulatory debates and technological advances, ensuring it remains competitive and prepared as the digital currency landscape evolves,” Yuen continued. Capital controls still mean any yuan token will stay offshore, with Hong Kong’s new regime providing the testing ground. However, limited CNH liquidity underscores how narrow the runway is for China’s internationalization push. “This would limit the issuance of offshore renminbi stablecoins, constraining its attractiveness as a means of payment,” Yuen said. China is also not moving in isolation. In Japan, Monex Group is preparing to issue a yen-backed stablecoin tied to government bonds, joining other domestic players such as SBI and JPYC. Unlike China, however, where capital controls push experimentation offshore, Japan’s regulators are laying the groundwork for stablecoins to circulate at home, signaling Asia’s broader race to keep pace with U.S. dollar tokens. For now, Beijing’s stablecoin experiment looks less like a replacement for the e-CNY and more like a cautious complement, a way to extend the yuan’s reach abroad without loosening its grip at home. Market Movements BTC: BTC held at $111K as Nvidia posted strong earnings. ETH: ETH is trading at $4,500, and history shows that a green August often precedes a 60% year-end rally, though typically after a September dip. Gold: Gold traded Wednesday at $3,443 per ounce, up 1.6% from Tuesday’s close, extending a 37% year-over-year rally, though prices slipped in early trading as attention turned to Nvidia earnings and Trump’s Fed feud. S&P 500: The S&P 500 rose 0.2% Wednesday, pushing Wall Street to a new all-time high ahead of Nvidia’s earnings. Elsewhere in Crypto Former Polymarket exec raises $15 million from Coinbase and USV for rival prediction platform (The Block) Finastra Taps Circle to Bring USDC Settlement to $5T Global Cross-Border Payments (CoinDesk) Know Your Issuer’: This Tech Combats Counterfeit Coins, Starting With USDC and PYUSD (Decrypt) Sam Reynolds Sam Reynolds is a senior reporter based in Asia. Sam was part of the CoinDesk team that won the 2023 Gerald Loeb award in the breaking news category for coverage of FTX’s collapse. Prior to CoinDesk, he was a reporter with Blockworks and a semiconductor analyst with IDC. X icon More For You Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Leads Kamala Harris as 2028 Democratic Presidential Hopeful on Polymarket Traders on Polymarket see a 7% chance of Johnson winning the bid. What to know: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has surpassed Kamala Harris as a leading Democratic contender in the 2028 presidential race on Polymarket. Shares betting on Johnson’s victory are trading at 7 cents, implying a 7% chance of winning the nomination, placing him fourth in the race. Polymarket, a decentralized prediction market, announced an investment from 1789 Capital and added Donald Trump Jr. to its advisory board. Read full story Read More

The platform facilitates stablecoin loans backed by institutional funds and tokenized Treasurys. Horizon bridges TradFi and DeFi with 24/7 institutional-level borrowing. AAVE gained 12% the previous week. Aave Labs has launched an advanced platform that enables institutions to borrow stablecoins using real-world assets (RWAs) like collateralized loan debts and US Treasury. The Horizon borrowing tool marks a key step toward integrating decentralized finance (DeFi) and traditional finance (TradFi). Meanwhile, it reflects Aave’s thriving lending market with institutional-grade products that combine DeFi’s efficiency and transparency with the compliance that top financial players seek. Commenting on the development, Aave founder Stani Kulechov said: Horizon is built for the growth of tokenized real-world collateral, enabling lending and borrowing at an institutional scale. Horizon delivers the infrastructure and deep liquidity that institutions require to operate on-chain, unlocking 24/7 access, transparency, and more efficient markets. Aave Labs rolls out Horizon 🚀 – Institutional borrowing vs tokenized Treasurys, CLOs– Borrow USDC, RLUSD, GHO w/ predictable liquidity– Powered by Chainlink Onchain NAV– Partners: Circle, VanEck, Centrifuge, WisdomTree + more More: https://t.co/nZOLXF1w4W pic.twitter.com/J5LXn2Y1bL — Fomos News (@fomos_news) August 27, 2025 Businesses and large-scale investors can use Horizon to borrow stablecoins like Ripple’s RLUSD, Aave’s GHO, and USDC using real-world assets like real estate and tokenized US Treasurys as collateral. How Horizon works The new platform leverages Aave V3’s permissioned version. Aave Labs launched the upgraded Aave version three network to serve as its leading lending protocol. Meanwhile, Horizon enables institutions to interact with the blockchain industry without regulatory obstacles. All borrowers need to do is deposit tokenized securities, including funds, as collateral and borrow USDC, GHO, and RLUSD. Notably, stablecoin issuers will handle compliance, determining qualified participants and which assets they can interact with. Furthermore, Horizon ensures a permissionless stablecoin market, allowing the DeFi landscape to remain composable and connected 24/7. The timing matters Horizon’s launch comes as tokenized RWA gains traction as the next phase of blockchain innovation. Leading businesses, government bonds, and private equity are navigating tokenization to make illiquid assets tradable and more accessible. Aave will gain increased utility and liquidity as individuals use traditional assets to secure stablecoin loans. Furthermore, they can free up funds without offloading their long-term holdings, while enjoying blockchain’s 24/7 settlement perks. Also, Aave DAO can generate additional revenue through Horizon’s undertakings. Such moves cement Aave’s position as a top player in DeFi lending. Stablecoins have seen increased traction since the US regulated the sector, and Aave looks ready to pioneer the closely-watched financial revolution. AAVE price outlook The alt trades at $327 after gaining more than 12% within the past week. AAVE has dipped from the August 23 peak of $376 amidst the broader market decline. Its short-term structure reflects bear dominance, with a 1% price decline in the past 24 hours. AAVE’s 24-hour trading volume is down 25%. That reflects faded trader enthusiasm in the digital token. The 3H MACD highlights dwindling momentum with red histograms. Also, the Relative Strength Index signals seller control. Broad market downturn contributes to AAVE’s short-term bearishness. Crypto analyst and trader Alex Clay highlights a monthly pattern that can propel the altcoin to $1,000 if confirmed. #AAVE 🔥 Textbook Cup & Handle formation on the Monthly🔎Currently retesting the Key Zone (neckline) — a clean breakout is all that’s left. When Large Caps season kicks in, $AAVE will run hard🚀 🎯 Market Top: $800 – $1000 pic.twitter.com/gixVpUOSWe — Alex Clay (@cryptclay) August 27, 2025 That would mean an approximately 200% gain from AAVE’s current market price. However, continued ecosystem development and broader market bull run remain essential for such a rally. Share this article Categories Tags Read More

Exchange listings on Coinbase and Bybit temporarily lifted the price of Mantle (MNT). MNT’s price has bounced from a key support at $1.23 amid neutral technical signals. Strong TVL and stablecoin growth support Mantle’s long-term outlook. The price of Mantle (MNT) cryptocurrency has been on a sharp decline for the past week, dropping by over 19%. However, the token has seen some relief today, rising by over 3% following some major exchange listings. But the question on the trader’s mind is whether this marks the end of the bearish correction or is it just another break on the bearish pullback. Exchange listings halt weekly drop MNT’s recent price uptick comes in the wake of strategic exchange integrations, particularly on Coinbase International and Bybit. The launch of perpetual futures on Coinbase, combined with Bybit’s EU Launchpool offering, has injected fresh momentum into the market. Bybit alone accounts for roughly 37% of MNT’s daily trading volume, with VIP perks and a 250,000 USDT prize pool encouraging retail participation. These listings have temporarily stemmed the weekly decline, demonstrating the power of exchange-driven liquidity in supporting token demand. Despite this short-term relief, some traders have already taken profits following the new listings, contributing to a continued week-over-week dip of nearly 15%, as noted in recent social media commentary. However, while exchange promotions can create sudden buying surges, the sustainability of this recovery remains uncertain, especially as open interest on Coinbase futures has declined post-launch. Mantle (MNT) price analysis Technically, Mantle has bounced from the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement around $1.14 after a 19% weekly decline. Technical indicators, including an RSI of 55.48 and a slightly bearish MACD histogram, suggest neutral momentum with room for short-term volatility. The immediate resistance lies near $1.40, close to MNT’s April 2024 all-time high, and a failure to break above this level could maintain the bearish pressure. Looking at the broader Mantle ecosystem, the Total Value Locked (TVL) has surged to $460.04 million, fueled by its liquid staking solution mETH, which has become the fourth-largest liquid staking token with $1.69 billion in TVL. Stablecoin adoption within the Mantle network has also grown significantly, hitting a record $713.8 million, highlighting strong capital inflows and growing DeFi activity. These technicals and fundamentals point to underlying support for the token, even amid short-term corrections. MNT price outlook moving forward Looking ahead, the outlook for Mantle (MNT) balances cautiously between optimism and caution. On the bullish side, the network’s institutional products, such as the MI4 fund with over $218 million in assets, demonstrate growing confidence from professional investors. Further adoption is anticipated through Bybit’s continued integration, the beta launch of the UR banking app, and Mantle’s transition toward zero-knowledge rollups aimed at enhancing scalability and security. However, short-term traders should be wary of profit-taking dynamics and potential dips below the $1.23 support level, which could trigger further declines to the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement near $1.12. Share this article Categories Tags Read More

GCUL enters private testnet, aiming for 2026 commercial rollout. Python-based smart contracts enhance developer accessibility. Google-CME partnership tests 24/7 settlement for payments and collateral. Google Cloud has officially stepped into the blockchain infrastructure space with its Layer-1 platform, Google Cloud Universal Ledger (GCUL), which entered a private testnet phase in late August 2025. The move positions Google as an emerging competitor in the institutional blockchain market, offering neutral, high-performance distributed ledger technology designed for financial institutions and payment providers. GCUL supports Python-based smart contracts, making it more accessible for developers and enabling sophisticated on-chain programmable logic. What it means for financial services and blockchain adoption Google’s GCUL is designed to serve as a neutral infrastructure layer, tackling a key challenge in existing blockchain ecosystems, where financial firms often hesitate to build on networks controlled by competitors. For instance, stablecoin issuers like Tether typically avoid blockchains developed by rivals such as Circle, while payment providers like Adyen have been cautious about adopting Stripe’s blockchain solutions. By maintaining neutrality, GCUL could drive broader institutional adoption, allowing any financial institution to develop blockchain applications without competitive conflicts. The Google-CME Group partnership, announced publicly in March 2025, underpins GCUL’s early development and testing. CME Group has completed initial integration and testing, focusing on using the blockchain to enable 24/7 settlement of collateral, margins, and fees, with the potential to reduce costs and improve liquidity. Full testing with market participants and the commercial rollout of services are expected in 2026. Google’s blockchain addresses the surging demand for stablecoin transactions and faster payment solutions. According to a study cited by Google, stablecoin volumes tripled in 2024, reaching $5 trillion in organic transactions, while total volumes climbed to $30 trillion globally. The report highlighted that fragmented payment systems continue to drive high costs and inefficiencies in cross-border trade, with potential global GDP losses projected at $2.8 trillion by 2030. GCUL aims to tackle these challenges by providing a transparent, low-latency transaction infrastructure. What we know about GCUL’s technology and market position Technically, GCUL features Python-based smart contracts, supporting flexible and widely adopted programming standards. The platform is built not only to streamline payments but also to function as an infrastructure hub for capital markets, enabling native commercial bank money on-chain and supporting agentic payment capabilities. Google plans to expand GCUL across its broader cloud ecosystem, granting access to a wide network of institutional partners and developers. Compared with other emerging Layer-1 blockchain projects, such as Stripe’s Tempo and Circle’s Arc, Google emphasizes GCUL’s role as a neutral player in financial infrastructure. While Stripe’s blockchain prioritizes payment app performance and Ethereum compatibility, and Circle’s platform focuses on stablecoin transactions, foreign exchange, and capital markets applications, GCUL is designed as a more open, less vertically integrated Layer-1 solution, enabling interoperability across competing institutions. Share this article Categories Tags Read More

XAUt0 adoption slower, with $2.5 million market cap according to CoinGecko. Polygon supports over $1 billion in USDT liquidity and six million wallets. Tether’s USDT surpasses $167 billion market cap, XAUT crosses $1 billion in August. Polygon has become the latest blockchain to adopt USDT0 and XAUt0, the omnichain versions of Tether’s USDT and XAUT stablecoins, as the stablecoin market continues to expand rapidly. The upgrade was announced by USDT0 operator Everdawn Labs, with the integration introducing new cross-chain liquidity standards built on LayerZero’s Omnichain Fungible Token (OFT) framework. The move positions Polygon as a key hub for stablecoin payments, decentralised finance (DeFi), and enterprise use cases. It follows a year in which Tether’s USDT reached a market capitalisation of more than $167 billion in August, and gold-backed XAUT crossed the $1 billion mark on 8 August. USDT0 and XAUt0 expand across blockchains USDT0 and XAUt0 differ from traditional stablecoins by not being directly backed by assets such as cash or gold. Instead, they are minted when users deposit USDT or XAUT into a specific contract on Ethereum, which serves as the “LockBox” chain for the ecosystem. USDT0, launched in January 2025, functions as the omnichain version of USDT, enabling access to dollar-pegged liquidity across multiple networks. XAUt0 followed soon after, providing gold-backed liquidity in a similar format. Polygon becomes the eleventh supported blockchain for USDT0 and the third for XAUt0, after earlier deployments on TON and Hyperliquid’s HyperEVM. The tokens have expanded steadily: USDT0’s market capitalisation climbed to nearly $1.6 billion in just two months, while XAUt0 has so far reached $2.5 million, according to CoinGecko data. Cointelegraph reports that Polygon’s integration also represents a milestone for XAUt0, marking its third blockchain expansion. By contrast, USDT0 has spread more widely, finding adoption across 11 blockchains since its January launch. Why Polygon is central to stablecoin adoption Polygon was selected for the integration due to its strong existing presence in the stablecoin ecosystem. The network already supports over $1 billion in USDT liquidity and more than six million wallets, making it a significant base for both retail and institutional adoption. The network has also undergone major infrastructure upgrades such as AggLayer and the Bhilai Hardfork, which enhance its scalability and compatibility with cross-chain projects. These upgrades have made Polygon an “ideal home” for omnichain stablecoins, with the upgrade ensuring that current Polygon-based USDT (PoS USDT) automatically becomes part of the USDT0 network without a change in contract address. With this integration, both dollar-pegged and gold-backed liquidity become natively accessible on Polygon. This combination opens new possibilities for DeFi applications, payment systems, and real-world asset (RWA) adoption at an institutional scale. A milestone in stablecoin interoperability The integration is also notable for being USDT0’s second major upgrade involving more than $1 billion in liquidity, following its earlier launch on Arbitrum. Polygon now plays a critical role in providing the infrastructure for seamless stablecoin transfer across multiple chains. Since Ethereum acts as the LockBox chain, all USDT0 and XAUt0 minted tokens across networks correspond to reserves locked on Ethereum. This system ensures that the supply across blockchains remains consistent with deposits on the base chain. The broader context highlights the growing demand for stablecoins as a foundation for digital payments and tokenised assets. With USDT’s dominance surpassing $167 billion in market value and XAUT gaining traction past $1 billion, the addition of omnichain liquidity tools like USDT0 and XAUt0 reflects a market increasingly focused on interoperability and scalability. Share this article Categories Tags Read More

Jupiter releases Lend in public beta with $2M in incentives and over 40 vaults. The addition introduces higher borrowing limits and simplified earnings with reduced liquidity risks. Native JUP has turned bullish following the announcement. While most cryptocurrencies traded with unclear trajectories on Wednesday, Jupiter Exchange’s native token led the upside with a 6.99% uptick on its daily chart. The altcoin turned green after the DeFi ecosystem confirmed the Jupiter Lend public beta launch. Termed as “the most advanced money market on Solana,” the new functionality comes after weeks of development with Ethereum-based developer 0xFluid. The beta launched with more than 40 vaults and over $2 million in incentives. After weeks of testing, audits, and feedback, we’re launching with 40+ vaults and $2M+ in incentives from Jup, Fluid, and partners. Jupiter Lend Public Beta is live 🥳 The most advanced money market on Solana has arrived, built with @0xfluid After weeks of testing, audits, and feedback, we’re launching with 40+ vaults and $2m+ in incentives from Jup, Fluid, and partners. Here’s what you need to know 🧵 pic.twitter.com/U3HfGyizcc — Jupiter (🐱, 🐐) (@JupiterExchange) August 27, 2025 Jupiter Lend aims to transform how users borrow, lend, and maximize returns in the cryptocurrency world. Simplified participation will likely enrich Jupiter’s DeFi landscape. The exchange’s native token extended its daily recoveries after the announcement. It has gained 6.99% on its 24-hour timeframe to press time’s $0.4980. Built with proven expertise The partnership has marked the first time two renowned DeFi teams from diverse ecosystems have converged to launch a blockchain protocol. While Jupiter brought its Solana-native know-how, 0xFluid leverages its 7-year experience in building Ethereum-based money markets to provide an advanced liquidation and lending infrastructure. Besides user benefits, the launch has attracted attention as it marked the first time two teams from different ecosystems have teamed up to launch a protocol that promises fairness for borrowers and simplicity for lenders. Jupiter’s team highlighted: For the first time, two top-tier DeFi teams from two different ecosystems are joining forces. Lend was built together with 0xFluid – a team that has spent 7 years perfecting money markets on Ethereum. We’ve worked together for months to build a Solana protocol that is simpler for lenders and better for borrowers. Meanwhile, the platform opened Jupiter Lend to the public after months of collaborative development. Multiple users participated in stress testing, whereas Offside Labs and Zeninth256 performed audits. JUP’s new utility as a collateral asset The new feature has enriched JUP’s use cases. The platform confirmed that users can deposit the native token as collateral. That means individuals can borrow stablecoins like USDC against their JUP holdings while bolstering the ecosystem’s growth. Such a move reflects the exchange’s emphasis on boosting the community token’s utility as the central asset for the blockchain. JUP price outlook The native coin soared nearly 7% over the past 24 hours to $0.4980. JUP remains poised to extend its rally in the short term as upside sentiments surface. Buyers are targeting price levels above $0.54. However, improved trading volumes remain paramount to support sustained rallies. Also, decisive momentum shifts in the broader market are crucial for JUP’s trajectory in the upcoming sessions. Share this article Categories Tags Read More