You can trade U.S. stocks such as Apple and Tesla on the Practical Blockchain──this new option of "investing in stocks with Tokens" is becoming a global trend in the web3 space.
In the background, there is an increasing interest in the advancement of technology that tokenizes real-world assets (RWA) such as stocks, bonds, real estate, artworks, precious metals, and carbon credits.
For example, the world's largest asset management company, BlackRock, will launch a short-term interest rate-linked fund "BUIDL" for US institutions in March 2024, on public blockchains including Ethereum (ETH).

Citigroup is exploring custody services for stablecoins and Bitcoin ETFs, joining major financial institutions expanding into cryptocurrency amid U.S. regulatory developments. These services align with new legislation requiring stablecoin issuers to hold safe assets, creating opportunities for traditional custodial banks.

Coinbase's monthly report highlights a shift towards an altcoin market, with 40% of top altcoins outperforming Bitcoin. A potential influx of funds is anticipated due to decreasing MMF appeal from expected Fed rate cuts, alongside increasing institutional interest in Ethereum.

Bitcoin's price has dropped by 3.9% to $118,976. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reversed his previous statement on Bitcoin purchases, stating a plan for budget-neutral acquisition to expand the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, raising market speculation.

Ethereum is experiencing significant price and trading volume increases, surpassing Bitcoin. However, rising sell pressure and increased inflows suggest potential profit-taking, signaling caution despite Ethereum's outperformance.

Rakuten Group introduced NFT tickets for reselling official tickets for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles and Vissel Kobe, leveraging blockchain technology for authenticity and transparency, allowing sellers to set their own prices.

Bitwise's Matt Hogan identifies four underappreciated factors that could significantly boost cryptocurrency prices: potential government Bitcoin purchases, a weaker dollar with lower interest rates, reduced Bitcoin volatility, and the revival of ICOs.

BtcTurk, a Turkish cryptocurrency service, temporarily suspended withdrawals due to detected anomalies, with a potential loss of $48 million. The investigation is ongoing, but customer assets are claimed to be secure in cold wallets.

Nakamoto Holdings merged with KindlyMD, retaining the KindlyMD name and NASDAQ ticker "NAKA." The new company aims to maximize Bitcoin's financial strategy. David Bailey is the CEO, and notable figures join the board to enhance Bitcoin's adoption.

The recent volatility in the Bitcoin market was influenced by U.S. Treasury Secretary's remarks on Bitcoin reserves and inflation data, leading to a sharp decline, followed by a clarification statement that mitiGated market concerns.

Coinbase has completed its acquisition of the derivatives exchange Deribit, making it a global leader in cryptocurrency derivatives trading. The deal, valued at approximately $2.9 billion, includes $700 million in cash and 11 million shares. This integration aims to create a unified platform for spot, futures, and options trading.

The amount of Ethereum (ETH) waiting to exit the network has been increasing, with 671,093 ETH currently pending. Predictions suggest this rise may stem from profit-taking due to high prices and anticipated U.S. regulations impacting staking.

A major Ethereum ICO investor transferred significant amounts of ETH to exchanges, indicating a trend of profit realization as the cryptocurrency nears record highs. Total transfers this week exceeded $20 million, with remaining balances hinting at further potential sell-offs.

Stock price surge
U.S. Nasdaq-listed Bitcoin mining company TeraWulf announced on August 14 two 10-year colocation agreements with AI high-performance computing provider Fluidstack.
A colocation contract refers to the service model in which data center operators provide space, power, and cooling systems within the facility to customers. The total contract amount for Terawulf reaches $3.7 billion for the initial 10 years, and can reach up to $8.7 billion when including two 5-year extension options.
To support this venture, IT giant Google has guaranteed a lease debt of $1.8 billion for FluidStack and holds approximately 8% of TerraWolf's shares, equivalent to 4.1.

Scott Bessent, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, announced a policy shift regarding strategic Bitcoin reserves, stating the government will not make additional acquisitions. He emphasized the potential use of seized Bitcoin as a strategic reserve foundation, amid ongoing discussions about expanding reserves without budget impact.

Thumzup Media Corporation has raised $50 million through a stock offering, with funds directed towards cryptocurrency investments and mining. Donald Trump Jr. is a shareholder, holding approximately 350,000 shares. The company plans to enhance its presence in cryptocurrency mining and increase its asset holdings strategically.