📈 This Week in Markets

💬 Tweets of the Week

📈 Chart of the Week


Ethereum’s momentum continues as a result of ETH Digital Asset Treasury (DAT) companies mad-dash to acquire more ETH.

This trend makes sense on the heels of the SEC’ Chair’s Paul Atkins announcing “Project Crypto”, a robust framework for supporting the financial ecosystem moving onchain.

⏩ Quick Hits + 🔥 Hot Takes

  • Harvard disclosed a $116M investment in a bitcoin ETF.

    • 🔥 I continue to maintain that the question for institutional asset managers is shifting from “why would you invest” to “why haven’t you invested” in digital assets?

  • President Trump has signed an executive order directing the Department of Labor to expand the scope of assets allowed in 401(k) retirement plans, clearing the path for private equity, real estate, and cryptocurrencies to be included.

    • 💰 The industry is excited because 401ks contain is ~$9 trillion of capital which previously was generally unable to invest in cryptocurrencies.

  • The Securities an Exchange Commission’s view on liquid staking Has ‘Opened Up the floodgates’ for institutions.

  • Coinbase’s ambition to become the “everything exchange” is part of a growing super app trend among U.S. fintech and crypto firms.

    • 🧑‍💻 Under the hood, Coinbase is utilizing its ETH Layer-2 blockchain, Base, plus third-party DeFi-exchanges to allow tokens to be traded on-chain.

  • President Trump nominated crypto-friendly economist Stephen Miran for the vacant Federal Reserve Board seat.

    • 🔥 In addition to being crypto-friendly, Miran is also expected to be supportive of additional rate cuts. Rate cuts have historically been a driver of higher digital asset prices.

  • Blackrock has no plans to launch a Solana or Ripple ETF.

    • 🧑‍🚒 This development is surprising, considering that many other players have already filed for Solana and Ripple ETFs.

    • 🔥 Some are wondering whether this is Blackrock trying to help drive wall street adoption of Ethereum.

    • 🤔 Recall that Blackrock Senior Executive Joseph Chalom recently left after 20 years to become the Co-CEO of SharpLink, an ETH Digital Asset Treasury Company.

  • Aave’s Net Deposits Exceed $60B, up 55% in July

    • 📈 If it were a US bank, it would be  #40, just ahead of Pinnacle Bank (#40) and Synovous (#41). Numbers computed prior to Pinnacle & Synovous’ merger, unrelatedly.

🔦 Digital Asset Spotlight

Under the spotlight this week is Pendle (PENDLE).  Pendle has seen massive price appreciation over the last month (+45%), driven in large part by the launch of its new “Boros” product.

Perpetual markets like Binance, Bybit, and Hyperliquid generate $200B+ in daily volume and $150B in open interest, with funding rates as a core yield mechanism. Boros enables:

  • Protocols to hedge volatile funding rate exposure,

  • Traders to speculate on funding rate direction, and

  • DeFi users to access a new dimension of yield.

Want to learn more? Reach out to [email protected].

📥 Want to weigh in? Reply to this email with your comments or hot takes. It may be featured next time.

Thanks for reading this week.

Don’t speculate, validate.
- Validator Digital

Disclaimer: Individuals have unique circumstances, goals, and risk tolerances, so you should consult a certified investment professional and/or do your own diligence before making investment decisions. The author is not an investment advisor and may hold positions in the assets covered. Certified professionals can provide individualized investment advice tailored to your unique situation. This newsletter is for general educational purposes only, is not individualized, and as such should not be construed as investment advice.

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