digital

The European Central Bank plans to launch the digital euro in the second half of 2029, with the first applications covering all online stores in the eurozone, some physical retail stores, and personal transfers. The document shows that the digital euro will support both online and offline transactions to accelerate the establishment of a comprehensive digital payment system.

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council issued the "Opinions on Developing New Quality Productive Forces," proposing to promote the deep integration of the real economy and the digital economy. The opinions emphasize improving the systems for determining data property rights, market transactions, rights distribution, and interest protection, implementing pilot demonstration projects related to data elements, optimizing the layout of national data infrastructure, promoting the digital transformation of manufacturing, and building a national integrated computing network and national blockchain network.

On October 8, SonicStrategy (CSE: SONI, OTCQB: SONIF), a digital asset infrastructure company listed in Toronto, Canada, announced the completion of the first phase of a non-brokered private placement, issuing 11,250,000 common shares at a price of CAD 0.20 per share, totaling CAD 2.25 million, all settled in 7,922,535 SYN tokens, without receiving cash.SYN is priced at USD 0.20 per token, with an agreed exchange rate of 1 USD to 1.42 CAD, equivalent to CAD 0.284, with the price confirmed in writing by all parties and approved by the board of directors. The company stated that from September 28 to October 7, the volume-weighted average price of SYN/USDC on Binance was approximately USD 0.1849. No warrants were issued in this phase, and no intermediary fees were paid; the shares are subject to a holding period restriction under Canadian securities law until February 9, 2027. After the closing, the total issued common shares are 60,870,466, with no new shareholders holding 10% or more; the first phase of the closing is still pending final acceptance by the Canadian Securities Exchange.CEO Dustin Zinger stated that this acquisition strengthens the company's digital asset portfolio and allows the company to access ecosystems including the on-chain options platform Hypercall. The received SYN is held in custody controlled by the company and can be used for staking, validating nodes, and operating digital asset infrastructure, or sold and converted to fund operations.

According to BBX data, yesterday global digital asset institutions disclosed the latest developments in capital operations, top venture capital layouts, and privacy infrastructure expansion. The core information is as follows:First Digital has reached a merger agreement with a SPAC, valuing at $250 million, aiming for a Nasdaq listing: The issuer of the dollar stablecoin FDUSD, First Digital, officially announced the signing of a final business merger agreement with the special purpose acquisition company CSLM Digital Asset Acquisition Corp III. The pre-transaction equity valuation for this deal is $250 million. Upon completion of the merger, First Digital will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of a newly established Cayman holding company, with its existing shareholders fully exchanged for Class A common stock of the holding company. The newly merged entity is expected to officially list on Nasdaq in the first half of 2027.AI trading agent startup Catalyst completes $30 million seed round financing, led by Sequoia Capital: AI trading agent startup Catalyst announced the completion of a $30 million seed round financing. This round was led by the world’s top venture capital firm Sequoia Capital, with participation from Wall Street high-frequency quantitative firm Jump Trading, Peak XV, Lux Capital, AntiFund, cryptocurrency exchange giant Coinbase, and Premji Invest, among other well-known institutions. The funds will be used to advance the development of the next-generation on-chain smart trading agent protocol.Blockchain privacy infrastructure Soda Labs receives exclusive $3 million seed round investment from NextBlock: Blockchain privacy infrastructure developer Soda Labs announced the completion of a $3 million seed round financing, exclusively invested by NextBlock. This funding will be specifically used for global market expansion, expanding the verification node network and blockchain support coverage, core team building, and accelerating the integration of its underlying protocol with commercial banks, traditional payment companies, and real-world asset (RWA) platforms. Soda Labs disclosed that its core privacy layer Bubble currently supports Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, Base, and COTI, and is fully expanding to high-performance networks like Solana.

Tokenization company Securitize announced today that it will bring 12 U.S. stocks, including Apple, NVIDIA, Tesla, and Microsoft, to the Solana blockchain, launching a new product called "Securitize Stocks." The first batch of covered companies includes Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, Netflix, Circle, Strategy, and Palantir.Each stock token is backed 1:1 by actual shares, structurally retaining applicable shareholder rights such as dividends and voting rights, but representing securities interests rather than direct ownership on the company’s shareholder register; once tokenization is adopted by the issuer, it may provide a conversion channel. Initially, the product will be traded on Securitize's existing Solana platform, with liquidity provided by Jump Trading, settled in USDC stablecoin, and is expected to also launch on the NYSE's planned 24/7 digital trading platform and the upcoming OKXICE tokenized securities venue, which is a joint venture between the NYSE's parent company Intercontinental Exchange and OKX, both of which must meet listing and regulatory requirements.

According to a report by OpenMarkets under CME Group, Vietnam signed Decision No. 1413/QD-TTg in July 2026, proposing to explore an independent regulatory framework for digital assets as part of the modernization of the financial system and reforms to integrate with global markets.Vietnam is also advancing the construction of international financial centers in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, developing financial technology and capital markets.

Hong Kong digital asset company FDUSD issuer First Digital has reached a final merger agreement with Nasdaq-listed CSLM Digital Asset Acquisition Corp III, with a pre-transaction valuation of $250 million. After the transaction is completed, both parties expect to establish a new holding company and list on Nasdaq, anticipated to be completed in the first half of 2027, but still subject to regulatory approval and other closing conditions.As of June 30, 2026, FDUSD's cumulative trading volume has exceeded $4.7 trillion. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, the company achieved revenue of approximately $87 million. First Digital stated that the FDUSD reserve assets consist of cash and cash equivalents, held in segregated accounts, and are independently verified monthly. The company's Finance District platform has currently launched four products but has not yet generated significant revenue.

AnchorageDigital announced the acquisition of the B2B payment platform Routable, with the transaction amount undisclosed. Routable helps businesses complete onboarding and verification of payees through a developer-first API, automating tax and compliance processes while facilitating bulk payments to creators, contractors, sellers, and others in over 220 countries, supporting both fiat and stablecoin payments.AnchorageDigital stated that its clients will expand from crypto-native companies to traditional financial institutions entering the digital asset space, as well as large tech companies and Fortune 500 firms with significant payment needs. Routable will operate under a new brand, with stablecoin and tokenized deposit products expected to launch in the coming quarters.

Startale Japan Co. Ltd. announced the launch of a digital corporate bond, with both interest and principal paid in the Japanese yen stablecoin JPYSC. This bond is aimed at individual and corporate investors in Japan and is not issued to overseas investors.JPYSC is issued by SBI Shinsei Trust Bank, which manages the trust assets, pegged 1:1 to the Japanese yen, and is classified as a Type III electronic payment instrument under Japan's Payment Services Act. SBI VC Trade acts as the issuing trustee and is responsible for issuance and distribution, while Startale Group provides the underlying technology. Startale Group CEO Sota Watanabe stated that this bond will test the application of JPYSC in actual interest and principal payments. The announcement did not disclose the bond issuance scale, coupon rate, maturity date, or individual investment limits.

The UK government has appointed Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, Morgan Stanley, NatWest, and RBC Capital Markets as the joint lead managers for the first digital native government bond, the Digital Gilt Instrument (DIGIT), expected to be issued in the first quarter of 2027. The six banks will provide underwriting, investor communication, and distribution services.DIGIT will be issued through a platform within the UK's digital securities sandbox and will test the application of distributed ledger technology in government bond issuance and its entire lifecycle, including on-chain settlement. Lucy Rigby, the UK's Economic Secretary to the Treasury, stated that the project aims to explore the application of distributed ledger technology in the sovereign debt market and to promote the development of the UK's digital financial infrastructure. HSBC was appointed as the distributed ledger technology provider for the pilot in February and reached an agreement with the London Stock Exchange Group in July to develop a digital securities depository connection solution.

European Central Bank Executive Board member Piero Cipollone stated during the MNI Connect Webcast that without a pan-European digital payment solution covering various daily transactions, the fragmentation risk between tokenization platforms may increase, thereby undermining Europe's "resilience and monetary sovereignty." He pointed out that the goal of the European Central Bank should be to create a digital euro that can be exchanged between banks and used for daily transactions.Cipollone emphasized, "Our goal is not to replace the role of banks." He stated that the digital euro will provide banks with the infrastructure needed to compete in the digital age and help banks expand the coverage and application scenarios of their own solutions.According to him, the European Central Bank has not yet decided whether to issue a digital euro but plans to complete the legislative process by the end of 2026. If the project advances, a 12-month pilot program will be launched in the second half of 2027, with a potential official issuance in 2029. The European Central Bank first proposed introducing a digital euro in October 2020 as a complementary digital payment option to cash. Critics argue that the central bank digital currency could give EU officials the means to monitor or even control residents' spending. Cipollone stated in September 2025 that the digital euro will ensure that all Europeans can use a free and widely accepted digital payment method at any time, even in the event of significant disruptions.

On the evening of October 6, HTX DAO's "Night of the Future" was held in Singapore. HTX DAO core supporter Sun Yuchen stated via video that the cryptocurrency industry is deepening its connection with traditional finance, promoting the continuous digitization of global financial infrastructure; AI is changing the way wealth is created, while Crypto and digital finance are altering the ways wealth is held and flows.Sun Yuchen pointed out that stablecoins are expected to play a more important role in global payments and settlements, and the on-chain applications of traditional assets such as bonds, funds, and gold will continue to be explored. After AI Agents enter economic activities, there will be further demand for identity, accounts, and independent trading capabilities. He emphasized that the long-term value of technology lies in its transformation into real productivity, and "the free flow of value in the digital world" is the trend he is most concerned about for the next decade, hoping that blockchain will enhance the accessibility, convenience, and efficiency of financial services.This event further strengthened the communication between HTX DAO and global communities and industry builders. HTX Ventures will appear at TOKEN2049 from October 7 to 8, with a booth located at PB5-47&48. From October 6 to 8, HTX DAO will also host several invitation-only events such as reunions and VIP private dinners.

European Central Bank Executive Board Member Fabio Panetta stated that the digital euro will enhance the competitiveness of European banks and is planned for official launch in 2029. The project aims not only to address the shortcomings of the payment system but also to provide a platform for future innovations.The pilot phase will start next year to uphold European monetary sovereignty.

According to official news, the digital asset platform Anchorage Digital announced the expansion of its global business layout. The dollar accounts for qualified institutional clients, which were previously offered through Anchorage Digital Bank N.A., are now also available through Anchorage Digital Singapore.Anchorage Digital stated that it will integrate dollar accounts, digital asset custody, global SWIFT wire transfers, and 24/7 settlement into the same platform.

According to The Block, Kraken's parent company Payward has partnered with Singapore Gulf Bank to provide 24/7 settlement services for institutional digital asset clients.Payward stated that it has connected to the bank's real-time multi-currency clearing network SGB Net. Initially, this settlement service will offer USD transaction settlements to select clients, with plans to expand to more currencies in the future.

The official website of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission shows that "E Fund" has been listed as an unlicensed company, and two related websites are also listed. The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission stated that "E Fund" falsely claims on the related websites that the digital asset private fund has been approved by the Securities and Futures Commission.

According to Crowdfund Insider, U.S. digital asset holders who applied for an extension earlier this year must submit their 2025 federal tax return by October 15, 2026, which is the automatic six-month extension deadline available after submitting Form 4868 before the spring deadline.The extension only covers the filing action; any taxes owed must still be estimated and paid by April 2026, and interest and penalties on unpaid balances have begun to accumulate. Brokers have started reporting 2025 transactions on Form 1099-DA, and taxpayers can verify the income amounts, but the cost basis may still be incomplete. In mid-September, the Senate failed to advance the CLARITY Act, with a vote of 49 to 50, not reaching the required 60 votes for advancement.The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) stated that they will continue to develop rules regarding trading, custody, and related issues, rather than waiting for Congress. Late filing penalties start at 5% of the unpaid tax per month, with a cap of 25%, and the minimum penalty applies after 60 days.

According to Cointelegraph, the Russian Ministry of Finance stated on Friday that some employees have received their salaries for the first time in digital rubles. The payment of salaries in central bank digital currency is voluntary for Russian citizens and has been implemented since October 1 (Thursday). The ministry did not disclose the number of participants or the total amount of salary payments, nor did it specify the specific departments involved.According to the ministry's press release, approximately 16 million digital rubles (about $192,200) were disbursed in a pilot project for federal budget expenditures in 2025, and the Ministry of Finance has thus applied the verified channels to its own salary payment process. The integration of digital rubles into the budget process is being jointly promoted by the Central Bank of Russia and the Ministry of Finance.The development of digital rubles began in 2021. Cointelegraph reported on July 2 that Russia plans to launch this central bank digital currency on September 1, with major banks and retail businesses starting to support related transactions at that time. This currency is being introduced as a supplement to the fiat ruble, initially processed by financial and credit institutions. EU authorities announced restrictions on this currency in April.

UBS Group recently recruited two heads related to digital assets in New York.Among them, the IB Digital Assets Product Manager will be responsible for promoting tokenized products, stablecoins, settlement infrastructure, custody, and other distributed ledger technology (DLT) business models, with a base salary ranging from $225,000 to $242,500.The other position, Digital Assets Distribution Manager, will be responsible for promoting the distribution of tokenized money market funds and structured products, targeting channels including fintech companies, new banks, brokerages, and digital wealth management platforms, with a base salary ranging from $164,000 to $211,000.

According to The Information, citing informed sources on Friday, Anchorage Digital, a federally chartered digital asset bank in the United States, has laid off 17% of its workforce. CEO Nathan McCauley informed employees of this decision earlier this week. Anchorage was valued at $4.2 billion earlier this year, and as of February, the global workforce was approximately 400 people, meaning this layoff affects about 68 positions.The Information attributes this layoff to the ongoing downturn in the cryptocurrency market that has lasted for a year. Bitcoin briefly rose above $87,000 on Friday but remains far below the peak of $126,000 reached in October last year.At the time of the layoffs, Anchorage is continuing to expand its presence in the regulated U.S. cryptocurrency industry. The company became the first cryptocurrency firm to obtain a national trust charter from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in 2021 and has since developed into a major cryptocurrency custodian. Recently, its business has expanded into the stablecoin issuance sector, including participation in Tether's newly launched U.S. stablecoin USAT; earlier this year, the company also received a strategic investment of $100 million from Tether.