UK Opens Regulated Crypto ETNs to Retail Investors
The UK is entering a new era for crypto investments, and a big part of this change comes from a new partnership between 21Shares and Stratiphy. 21Shares is one of the top global companies offering crypto investment products, and Stratiphy is a smart wealth management platform powered by artificial intelligence. Together, they’re bringing new tools to everyday investors in the UK.
A major reason this matters is because the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the UK’s financial regulator, has updated its rules. For the first time, retail investors—regular people, not just professionals—can now invest in regulated crypto ETNs (Exchange-Traded Notes). These are investment products that allow users to gain exposure to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum in a safe, regulated way.
Before now, these kinds of investments were off-limits to retail investors in the UK. But with this new change, individuals can add crypto assets to their portfolios alongside traditional assets like stocks and bonds. This makes it easier to build a diversified portfolio that includes both traditional and digital assets.
Stratiphy is leading the way as the first UK platform to offer access to 21Shares’ range of crypto ETNs. Their platform uses AI to help users test and automate their investment strategies. This means investors can experiment with different approaches, manage their risk better, and make smarter decisions without needing deep financial knowledge.
This partnership helps make crypto investing more accessible and safer for everyone. It gives retail investors tools that were previously only available to big institutions. According to Daniel Gold, CEO of Stratiphy, this move responds directly to the growing demand for digital assets and will help people take action as soon as regulatory approval is finalized.
21Shares is already a big name in crypto asset management. They manage over $11 billion across 50 different crypto products. In Europe, crypto trading has skyrocketed, with €26 billion in crypto ETP trading volume in 2024—up 300% from the year before. Now, they’re teaming up with Stratiphy to bring that momentum to the UK.
Russell Barlow, CEO of 21Shares, said that the FCA’s new rules are a huge breakthrough. They make it possible for retail investors to include crypto ETNs in tax-efficient accounts like ISAs and SIPPs, giving people more ways to grow their wealth.
This update also offers a safer option for the 12% of UK adults who already own crypto directly. Instead of using risky offshore platforms, they now have regulated investment products with better protection and transparency.
In addition to helping individuals invest more safely, this change benefits the UK economy. It could bring in more trade volume, taxes, and innovation—all driven by the fast-growing crypto sector. The UK is positioning itself as a global leader in digital finance.
With regulated crypto ETNs on the way, investors can feel more confident about entering the crypto market. They’ll have access to high-quality investment tools that help them manage risk and tap into fast-growing opportunities.
This shift shows that the UK’s crypto market is maturing. As more people gain access to smart tools and safer options, demand will increase, sparking more innovation and growth in the space. Stratiphy and 21Shares are at the front of this movement, bringing advanced digital asset solutions to everyday investors.
Grayscale Updates Portfolios of Key Crypto Funds
Grayscale Investments, the world’s largest platform focused on digital asset investments with over $35 billion in assets under management, has just updated the portfolios of three of its major crypto funds: the Grayscale Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Fund (DEFG), the Grayscale Smart Contract Fund (GSC), and the Grayscale Decentralized AI Fund (AI Fund), as part of their regular third-quarter 2025 review.
**What’s New in the Grayscale DeFi Fund (DEFG)**
The DEFG fund, which offers exposure to top decentralized finance projects, has made a key update. Grayscale removed MakerDAO (MKR) from the fund and added Aerodrome Finance (AERO) instead. This change aligns with the CoinDesk DeFi Select Index strategy. The rebalanced portfolio now includes:
– Uniswap (UNI): 32.32%
– Aave (AAVE): 28.07%
– Ondo (ONDO): 19.07%
– Lido (LDO): 7.02%
– Curve (CRV): 6.92%
– Aerodrome Finance (AERO): 6.60%
These assets were chosen for their market size, trading liquidity, and compliance with index standards. The fund aims to reflect the value of these holdings minus operational costs. However, it’s important to note that DEFG has not consistently matched its benchmark value and may trade at a premium or discount.
**Updates to the Smart Contract Fund (GSC)**
Grayscale’s GSC Fund focuses on leading smart contract platforms—blockchains that power decentralized apps and services. The portfolio was rebalanced by selling and reinvesting in existing components, following the CoinDesk Smart Contract Platform Select Capped Index. The latest asset allocation is:
– Solana (SOL): 30.97%
– Ethereum (ETH): 30.32%
– Cardano (ADA): 18.29%
– Avalanche (AVAX): 7.57%
– Sui (SUI): 7.35%
– Hedera (HBAR): 5.50%
These digital assets are selected based on liquidity and infrastructure strength. Note that smart contract technology is still evolving, and price swings can impact fund performance. GSC is not guaranteed to trade on public markets, so investors should plan for long-term holding.
**Changes in the Decentralized AI Fund (AI Fund)**
The AI Fund is designed for investors seeking exposure to decentralized AI technologies—projects working on open-source alternatives to centralized artificial intelligence systems. In this quarter’s update, Grayscale added Story Protocol (IP) to the fund by reallocating portions of existing assets. The new portfolio breakdown is:
– NEAR Protocol (NEAR): 25.81%
– Bittensor (TAO): 22.15%
– Story Protocol (IP): 21.53%
– Render (RENDER): 12.91%
– Filecoin (FIL): 11.39%
– The Graph (GRT): 6.21%
This fund aims to capture growth in decentralized AI and related infrastructure but comes with high volatility risks and no guarantee of market trading availability.
**Important Notes for Investors**
None of these funds generate income and they periodically sell parts of their holdings to cover operating costs, which means each share represents slightly less over time.
While Grayscale plans to list some of these funds on public markets, there’s no assurance regulators will approve this. Investors should be prepared to hold their shares indefinitely if necessary.
**About Grayscale Investments**
Founded in 2013, Grayscale Investments gives investors access to the digital asset ecosystem through a wide range of products—spanning single assets, diversified crypto funds, and thematic strategies like DeFi, smart contracts, and AI tech. The firm is a trusted name in digital finance and continues to lead the space with institutional-grade investment vehicles.
For more details on fund structures, index methodologies, or risk factors, visit grayscale.com or contact their team directly at info@grayscale.com or 866-775-0313.
DDC Raises $124M to Build Top Corporate Bitcoin Treasury
DDC Enterprise has just raised $124 million in a new funding round to support its plan to become one of the top companies holding Bitcoin. The company is pushing hard to build one of the biggest corporate Bitcoin treasuries in the world.
The new investment round was priced at $10 per Class A share, which is 16% higher than DDC’s stock price on October 7. It also aligns closely with the company’s 15-day average trading price.
The funding was led by PAG Pegasus Fund and Mulana Investment Management, with additional support from OKG Financial Services, a part of OKG Technology Holdings. DDC’s founder and CEO, Norma Chu, personally invested $3 million, showing strong belief in the company’s future. All investors have agreed not to sell their shares for 180 days after the deal closes. This lock-up period shows their confidence in DDC’s long-term Bitcoin strategy.
The money will mainly go toward building up DDC’s Bitcoin reserves. The goal is to collect 10,000 BTC, which would place DDC among the top ten public companies holding Bitcoin globally.
Norma Chu called the investment a clear sign of trust in DDC’s vision. She also said partnering with experienced institutional investors brings more than just money—it adds valuable knowledge and strategy.
This announcement follows a series of steady Bitcoin purchases by DDC over the past year. The company started its Bitcoin buying plan in May, first acquiring 100 BTC and targeting 5,000 BTC within three years. By June 2025, DDC had already collected 138 BTC at an average price of $78,582 per coin—worth about $10.8 million at that time.
In June, DDC also teamed up with Web3 investment firm Animoca Brands. Through this deal, DDC will help manage and grow Animoca’s Bitcoin holdings—up to $100 million worth—boosting its role as a serious player in corporate Bitcoin management.
Chu believes Bitcoin is both a reliable store of value and a smart hedge against economic uncertainty. She said the company’s dedicated crypto team and advisory board will ensure they follow a careful, risk-managed approach to buying more BTC.
DDC’s financial performance is backing up its strategy. In 2024, the company reported $37.4 million in revenue, marking a 33% increase from the previous year. Gross margins also improved from 25% to 28.4%, thanks to smart acquisitions in the U.S. and tight cost control.
DDC’s move into Bitcoin follows similar paths taken by other companies like MicroStrategy and Metaplanet, which have made crypto a key part of their long-term financial strategy.
According to data from Bitcoin.net, public companies now hold about 3.9 million BTC altogether. MicroStrategy leads with 640,000 BTC, followed by Marathon Holdings with 52,850 BTC. If DDC reaches its target of 10,000 BTC, it would likely enter the top 10 Bitcoin-holding companies alongside Coinbase, CleanSpark, and Trump Media.
Interest in using Bitcoin as a treasury asset is growing fast among corporations worldwide.
On October 7, Dutch crypto firm Amdax raised €30 million (around $35 million) to launch its Amsterdam Bitcoin Treasury Strategy (AMBTS), aiming to acquire up to 1% of all existing Bitcoin. Co-founder Lucas Wensing called it a major step forward for institutional Bitcoin adoption.
In September, U.S.-based Hyperscale Data revealed plans for a $100 million Bitcoin treasury program. The company will fund it through selling assets and new equity offerings while expanding its AI and cloud computing operations in Michigan.
Over in Asia, Chinese entertainment firm CPOP bought 300 BTC worth $33 million on September 11. Just one day earlier, QMMM shared its plan for a $100 million crypto treasury made up of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana.
Institutional holdings of Bitcoin are growing rapidly. According to River’s 2025 report, public companies now hold around 1.3 million BTC—more than double what they held at the beginning of 2024.
Leading holders include Marathon Holdings, Twenty One Company, and Japan-based Metaplanet. Strategy still tops the list with roughly $80 billion in Bitcoin reserves.
Square Launches 0% Fee Bitcoin Payments for Merchants
**Square Launches Bitcoin Payments with 0% Fees, Helping Over 4 Million Merchants Accept Crypto**
Square, the popular payment company owned by Jack Dorsey’s Block Inc., just took a big step into the world of Bitcoin. The company announced a new feature called “Square Bitcoin” that will allow over 4 million U.S. businesses to accept, manage, and even hold Bitcoin—all within the same platform they already use for regular card payments.
Starting November 10, 2025, Square merchants can accept Bitcoin payments with no transaction fees for the first year. They’ll also have the option to get paid instantly in either Bitcoin or U.S. dollars. This makes it easier than ever for small businesses to step into crypto without worrying about complicated tech or price swings.
**Easy Bitcoin Tools Built Right In**
Square Bitcoin includes two main features:
– **Bitcoin Payments:** Customers can pay in Bitcoin just like they would with a credit card.
– **Bitcoin Conversions:** Merchants can automatically turn up to 50% of their daily card sales into Bitcoin. This helps them save and invest in crypto directly from their earnings.
There’s also a built-in wallet, so business owners can buy, sell, hold, or withdraw Bitcoin without needing another app or exchange. Everything happens inside their existing Square Dashboard.
However, due to regulations, this service won’t be available in New York at launch.
**Bridging Traditional Payments with Digital Currency**
Miles Suter, Head of Bitcoin at Block, explained that the goal is to make Bitcoin usable for everyday spending—not just something people hold as an investment. By giving businesses tools to handle both dollars and Bitcoin side-by-side, Square is helping bring digital money into daily life.
The announcement came during the Square Releases event and was also featured at the Bitcoin Conference 2025 in Las Vegas. At the event, Square showed off real-time Bitcoin transactions using the Lightning Network at a merchandise booth.
**Strong Start with Positive Feedback from Early Users**
Since early testing began in 2024, businesses using Square’s Bitcoin Conversions feature have already collected over 142 Bitcoins. One example is Pink Owl Coffee in California, which has been using the feature to build long-term savings directly from daily sales.
Jack Dorsey posted on X (formerly Twitter) that businesses can decide whether to keep their Bitcoin or instantly convert it into cash. The full rollout will begin late in 2025 and reach all eligible U.S. merchants by 2026, depending on local regulations.
Investors responded positively to the news—Block Inc.’s stock jumped 2.5%, hitting its highest price since February.
**Crypto Payments Are Becoming More Common**
Square’s move comes as more companies and consumers are warming up to using crypto for everyday purchases. According to market research, the number of people using crypto to pay for goods and services in the U.S. is expected to grow by over 80% between 2024 and 2026.
Big tech and finance companies are also jumping on board:
– **Google** is supporting stablecoin payments through its partnership with Coinbase.
– **Visa** is testing international payments using stablecoins.
– **Mastercard** is expanding its crypto offerings with crypto-backed cards and services.
– **Real estate company Opendoor** now accepts Bitcoin for home purchases.
Globally, crypto adoption is growing fast:
– **Bitget Wallet** added Brazil’s Pix system for QR-based crypto payments.
– **Thailand** launched TouristDigiPay to let tourists spend crypto while visiting.
– **MoonPay** acquired Meso Network to improve global crypto infrastructure.
– **Finastra** teamed up with Circle to help banks use USDC for payments.
– **SWIFT** started testing blockchain messaging using Ethereum’s Linea network.
Even traditional platforms like Stripe and PayPal are moving deeper into crypto. PayPal’s stablecoin is now supported by payment processor Triple-A.
With Square’s easy-to-use tools and zero fees for the first year, more small businesses now have a reason to join the crypto economy.
AI Predicts XRP, Solana, ETH to Outperform Bitcoin
**Disclaimer: Crypto is a high-risk investment. This article is for informational purposes only and does not offer financial advice. You could lose your entire investment.**
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**AI Forecast: XRP, Solana, and Ethereum May Outperform Bitcoin by End of Year**
Perplexity AI, an advanced artificial intelligence assistant and ChatGPT competitor, has shared a bullish prediction for the crypto market. According to its latest analysis, XRP, Solana (SOL), and Ethereum (ETH) might outperform Bitcoin (BTC) before the year ends.
October, often nicknamed “Uptober” by crypto enthusiasts, is historically one of the strongest months for cryptocurrency growth. With expected regulatory changes in the U.S. to support crypto businesses, these altcoins could attract major new investments. There’s also growing excitement around a lesser-known meme coin presale that could explode once it hits the exchanges.
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**XRP Price Prediction: $10 Target Possible by Year-End**
Perplexity AI suggests that XRP (Ripple’s native token) could climb to $10 before December 31. That would more than triple its current price of around $2.97.
XRP recently gained major traction after Ripple won its long legal battle with the SEC. Following the court win, XRP surged to $3.65 in July—its first new high in seven years.
If XRP breaks past that July high, Perplexity sees a realistic path to $5, with $10 being possible under strong market conditions. Over the past year, XRP has skyrocketed 443%, crushing Bitcoin’s 97% gain and Ethereum’s 85%.
Technical patterns suggest that XRP has formed three bullish flags this year, hinting at more upside potential in Q4. October’s seasonal strength, combined with pending ETF approvals and expected U.S. crypto laws, could push XRP even higher.
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**Solana Could Surge Past $1,000 on ETF News**
Solana (SOL) continues to prove itself as a powerful smart contract platform. It holds over $121 billion in market value and has more than $12.5 billion locked into its decentralized apps.
Investors are watching closely for a potential spot Solana ETF approval in the U.S. If approved, SOL could see a wave of new capital—similar to what happened with Bitcoin and Ethereum after their ETFs launched.
Solana is also well-positioned for big trends like asset tokenization and stablecoin growth, especially since it offers faster and cheaper transactions than Ethereum.
SOL hit $250 in January, dropped to $100 in April, and now trades near $221. Perplexity AI predicts it could break out from its current pattern and jump to between $700 and $1,000 before the year ends—easily beating its previous all-time high of $293.
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**Ethereum Might Hit $10,000 With Market Support**
Ethereum (ETH) remains the backbone of decentralized finance (DeFi) and decentralized apps (dApps). With a market cap over $543 billion and nearly $95 billion in total value locked, ETH continues to lead the crypto space.
Perplexity AI expects Ethereum to rally up to $10,000 by year-end—more than doubling from its current price around $4,490.
This surge could be fueled by regulatory clarity if crypto-friendly reforms are introduced by a future U.S. administration. As October begins, ETH is testing strong resistance near the upper $4,000 range. A breakout could lead quickly to $6,000 or more.
Even if ETH dips below $4,000, strong support lies between $3,500 and $3,700. A mid-October rally might push it to a new all-time high of $5,000, with $10,000 in sight by New Year.
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**Maxi Doge: Meme Coin With High Risk and Big Hype**
Maxi Doge ($MAXI) is a new meme token gaining early investor attention during its presale phase. Built on Ethereum as an ERC-20 token, MAXI markets itself as Dogecoin’s wilder cousin—embracing community-driven hype and speculative energy.
The project’s Telegram and Discord communities are growing fast, alongside trading competitions and planned brand partnerships.
Out of 150.24 billion tokens, 25% go toward the “Maxi Fund” for marketing and collaborations. Staking is available now, offering up to 120% APY rewards, though rates may change based on user participation.
Presale tokens are currently priced at $0.000261 and will rise slightly as funding goals are met. Interested buyers can join using MetaMask or Best Wallet via the Maxi Doge website.
For updates and news, follow Maxi Doge on X (Twitter) or join their Telegram group.
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**Key Takeaways:**
– XRP could reach up to $10 if bullish momentum continues.
– Solana may skyrocket to $1,000 if ETF approval goes through.
– Ethereum might hit $10K by year-end with strong regulatory support.
– Meme coin Maxi Doge is risky but gaining early traction in presale.
– October is historically bullish for crypto—watch for big moves ahead.
Stay informed and do your own research before investing in any cryptocurrency.