This week, Bitcoin entered a new phase of price discovery, reaching fresh highs amid growing demand from institutional investors and renewed interest in decentralised finance. As digital assets gain further traction in mainstream finance, companies in both traditional and crypto-native sectors are taking deliberate steps to integrate blockchain technology into their operations. At the same time, the Reserve Bank of Australia advanced its pilot for CBDCs and tokenised assets. On the other end of the spectrum, Solana-based platform Pump.fun continued to dominate memecoin headlines, stirring both enthusiasm and regulatory questions.

Bitcoin led the headlines after breaking into uncharted territory, driven by increased buying from institutional players and listed funds. Japan’s Metaplanet, now the fifth largest corporate holder of Bitcoin, announced it may use its BTC reserves to acquire cash-flow positive businesses, potentially including a local digital bank. This strategy signals a more active approach to managing digital assets, treating Bitcoin not just as a long-term store of value but also as a financial asset with strategic utility.

BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin ETF now holds more than 55 percent of all Bitcoin across US spot ETFs, underscoring its dominant role in the investment market. Meanwhile, analysts at JPMorgan suggest the gap between decentralised and traditional finance could close within a few years, as more institutions explore on-chain applications such as tokenisation and automated settlement. If that occurs, it could reshape how financial markets operate by bringing elements of DeFi into regulated frameworks.

In other institutional news, a new treasury company backed by Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao is planning to offer exposure to BNB and list publicly in the United States. Trump Media also filed with the SEC to launch an ETF tracking major cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum. These moves reflect a steady increase in corporate engagement with digital assets as part of broader financial strategies.

On the policy front, the Reserve Bank of Australia progressed with its digital currency pilot. The next phase will test how tokenised bank deposits, stablecoins and wholesale CBDCs could improve the efficiency of domestic financial markets. The trial is part of a broader effort to assess how digital money might function within a modern financial system.

In Web3, memecoin activity continued to drive high volumes on Solana. Token launch platform Pump.fun confirmed its public sale, though European users were restricted due to compliance concerns. Gate.io briefly published and then removed a page suggesting a US$600 million token sale, sparking confusion. Meanwhile, another Solana-based launchpad, LetsBonk, overtook Pump.fun in trading volume. While retail speculation remains high, these developments highlight the ongoing regulatory and reputational challenges within the memecoin space.

As institutional involvement deepens and policy frameworks evolve, the crypto sector is entering a more mature phase of development. Bitcoin’s rally appears to be supported by structural demand rather than short-term hype. At the same time, the continued integration of blockchain technologies into regulated finance points to a future where DeFi and TradFi are no longer distinct ecosystems but parts of a more unified financial landscape.

More news stories circulating the block: 

• Ondo Finance acquires Oasis Pro to boost tokenised RWA infrastructure

• Jack Dorsey unveils beta for decentralised Bluetooth-based messaging app

• New Zealand bans crypto ATMs to fight financial crime

• Nvidia becomes first company to reach $4 trillion market cap milestone

• Gates Japan to tokenise Tokyo real estate on Oasys blockchain

• Polygon to activate Heimdall 2.0 hard fork, upgrading its PoS consensus layer

• South Korea to remove venture status restrictions on crypto-related businesses

• Ripple USD (RLUSD) integrates with crypto payments platform Transak