Latest news with #AptosFoundation
Associated Press
22-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
OKX Launches xBTC on Aptos, Bringing 1:1 Bitcoin-Backed DeFi Onchain
xBTC enables Aptos users to access wrapped Bitcoin backed 1:1 by OKX's BTC reserves, with no minting or redemption fees. PALO ALTO, Calif., May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Aptos Foundation, dedicated to supporting the development and ecosystem of the Aptos protocol, today announced OKX will launch xBTC on the Aptos network. xBTC is a wrapped version of Bitcoin that is fully backed 1:1 by BTC held in custody by OKX and available to use on Aptos starting May 22. Aptos users will be able to mint xBTC on OKX and seamlessly deposit or withdraw it on the Aptos network for use across a wide range of Aptos-native DeFi applications, including trading, lending, and other Web3 strategies. A special campaign will be launched on OKX in partnership with Hyperion, Echo Protocol and Aries Markets on May 23 at 3pm (UTC +8). Deeper integrations across the ecosystem are expected to follow in the coming weeks. 'Delivering seamless usability and access to onchain use cases is core to what we've been building at OKX,' said Jason Lau, Chief Innovation Officer at OKX. 'By bringing xBTC to Aptos, we are keen to see Bitcoin holders put their BTC to work in fast, low-cost DeFi applications while enjoying the security and transparency they've come to expect from us.' 'Aptos was built for real-world open finance applications, and Bitcoin is the linchpin between traditional and decentralized finance markets,' said Ash Pampati, Head of Ecosystem at Aptos Foundation. 'Being one of the first blockchains to support xBTC is a testament to the network's high performance, security, and scalability. This opens up new avenues for liquidity and ecosystem growth, while giving developers the confidence and tools to seize them.' Unlocking New Utility for Bitcoin and Aptos DeFi Bitcoin remains the most trusted and dominant crypto asset, but it has been largely excluded from smart contract ecosystems. xBTC changes that by allowing BTC holders to interact with DeFi on Aptos: a low-latency, scalable Layer 1 built for billions of users. With 1:1 collateralization and verifiable custody through OKX's public proof-of-reserves platform, xBTC enhances Bitcoin's utility while maintaining transparency and user trust. Aptos boasts a vibrant and thriving DeFi ecosystem with over $1 billion in total value locked (TVL). It is home to other BTC initiatives like aBTC (via Echo Protocol), which has nearly $270 million in TVL[1], reflecting strong momentum behind wrapped BTC assets. Building on this foundation, xBTC is poised to unlock even greater liquidity, cross-chain interoperability, and seamless access to DeFi protocols across the Aptos ecosystem. About OKX Trusted by more than 60 million customers around the globe, OKX is a technology company building a decentralized future that makes the world more tradable, transparent and connected. We're known for being one of the fastest and most reliable crypto apps in the world, and have processed trillions of dollars in transactions. We have key regional offices, including headquarters in San José, California, for the Americas and in Dubai for the Middle East. We also have offices in New York, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Republic of Türkiye, Australia and Europe. Over the past several years, we've built one of the world's most comprehensive regulatory compliant, licensed crypto companies. We hold licenses in the United States, the UAE, EEA, Singapore and Australia, as well as in other markets. We're steadfastly committed to transparency and security and publish Proof of Reserves reports on a monthly basis. To learn more about OKX, download our app or visit: About Aptos Aptos is a high-performance proof-of-stake layer-one blockchain. Aptos' breakthrough technology, scalable infrastructure, and user safeguards are designed to power the next generation of financial systems by offering unparalleled high throughput and low latency that can scale to billions of users. About Aptos Foundation Aptos Foundation is dedicated to supporting the development and ecosystem of the Aptos protocol. By unlocking a blockchain with seamless usability, Aptos Foundation aims to bring the benefits of decentralization to the masses. For more information about Aptos Foundation and its initiatives, users can visit: View original content: SOURCE Aptos Foundation
Business Standard
21-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Hashed Emergent and Aptos Foundation Join Forces to Boost Web3 Innovation in India
BusinessWire India Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], May 21: Aptos Foundation, dedicated to supporting the development and ecosystem of the high-performance Aptos blockchain, and Hashed Emergent, a Web3 venture capital firm, have announced today a strategic partnership that aims to catalyze the growth of India's dynamic Web3 ecosystem, especially across the sectors of consumer apps, DeFi, gaming, and Web3 infrastructure. Building on their existing collaboration, the two organizations will continue to introduce initiatives, starting with the newly launched Aptos Accelerator - India program, and support founders to build and scale their projects. The partnership highlights Aptos Foundation's on-going commitment to advancing Web3 adoption in India by providing local founders with resources, infrastructure, and access to the global ecosystem. "India's Web3 community stands among the world's most vibrant and fastest-growing ecosystems, representing an exceptional talent pool that extends beyond crypto into the broader tech landscape," said Ash Pampati, Head of Ecosystem at Aptos Foundation. "This partnership with Hashed Emergent represents a significant milestone in our mission to foster Web3 innovation and grow the Aptos ecosystem in India. By combining Aptos' ecosystem-agnostic infrastructure with Hashed Emergent's proven track record in identifying promising projects, we're creating a powerful launchpad for the brightest minds in India to build scalable, user-centric Web3 solutions." "At Hashed Emergent, we have always believed that India will lead the next wave of Web3 innovation," said Tak Lee, CEO and Managing Partner of Hashed Emergent. "What excites us most about collaborating with Aptos Foundation is their builder-first mindset and their deep, enduring commitment to India. Together, we offer founders real capital, strategic mentorship, and seamless integration into a global ecosystem, providing a faster, stronger path to scale." The Aptos Accelerator - India program will be the first flagship initiative under this strategic partnership, marking a significant advancement in the broader mission to build long-term infrastructure, networks, and opportunities for Aptos-native projects and the wider Indian Web3 ecosystem. Through this program, founders will have the opportunity to pitch their products in auditions held in major Indian cities. Selected projects will benefit from mentorship, funding, access to subject matter experts, workshops and additional support to accelerate their growth. Key dates of the Aptos Accelerator - India program are as follows: * Registration Opens: May 21, 2025 * Auditions for Selected Teams: Starting from June 7, 2025 * Formal Launch of the Accelerator Program: July 7, 2025 * Demo Day (featuring the inaugural cohort's projects): August 2, 2025 For more details and latest updates, please visit This deepening engagement builds upon the existing initiatives of Aptos Foundation and Hashed Emergent, which include co-hosted developer workshops, ecosystem events, and the Aptos Foundation's title sponsorship of India Blockchain Week (IBW) Conference, India's premier platform for Web3 collaboration. Since its inception in 2022, Hashed Emergent has invested over $20 million across 30+ portfolio companies, demonstrating a proven track record in identifying and scaling promising Web3 projects. Strategic partnership with Aptos Foundation further amplifies this momentum, showcasing a shared commitment to fostering innovation, building resilient ecosystems, and driving meaningful blockchain adoption across India and beyond.
Business Upturn
21-05-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Hashed Emergent and Aptos Foundation Join Forces to Boost Web3 Innovation in India
About Aptos Network Aptos is a next-generation Layer 1 blockchain. Aptos' breakthrough technology and programming language, Move, are designed to evolve, improve performance and strengthen user safeguards. Please visit for more information on the Aptos blockchain. About Aptos Foundation Aptos Foundation is dedicated to supporting the development and ecosystem of the Aptos protocol. By unlocking a blockchain with seamless usability, Aptos Foundation aims to bring the benefits of decentralization to the masses. For more information about Aptos Foundation and its initiatives, users can visit: About Hashed Emergent Hashed Emergent is the venture capital arm of Hashed, backing builders from India and emerging markets shaping the on-chain frontier. It invests at the earliest stages of a web3 startup's journey, using its expertise, experience, and network to amplify their growth and success. The team is rooted in the cultural hubspots of web3 in emerging markets, spanning across Bangalore, Seoul, Singapore, Lagos and Dubai. Hashed Emergent drives web3 focused ecosystem and community expansion in these markets through its purpose-built initiatives, including hosting the India Blockchain Week Conference. For more information, visit: Click here for Media Contact Details Submit your press release Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Business Wire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. Business Wire is an American company that disseminates full-text press releases from thousands of companies and organizations worldwide to news media, financial markets, disclosure systems, investors, information web sites, databases, bloggers, social networks and other audiences.
Crypto Insight
16-05-2025
- Business
- Crypto Insight
Stablecoin regulation next ‘catalyst' for crypto industry — Aptos head
Stablecoin regulation is 'the next catalyst' for the crypto industry and could lead to unprecedented 'appetite from institutional investors,' according to Ash Pampati, head of ecosystem at the Aptos Foundation. In an interview with Cointelegraph at Consensus 2025 in Toronto, Pampati said that 'the whole world outside of the United States […] has already jumped onto this [stablecoins],' adding that 'the US is […] at the doorstep.' 'I really think about new use cases that can emerge because of the borderless nature of stablecoins, because of the efficiency of the dollar onchain,' he said. 'If you're trying to send money to your friend in Nigeria, why do you have to go through a bunch of hoops?' Stablecoins are often used to transfer money across borders, as they are easier and cheaper to transfer than traditional finance methods such as wire transfers. They are also used to hedge against fiat currency, which, in emerging markets, can devalue significantly in a short period of time. According to a new survey from Fireblocks, Latin America leads all regions in real-world use of stablecoins, with 71% of respondents saying they use the technology for cross-border payments. Half of respondents in the region, which encompasses a number of developing countries, say they expect stablecoins to offer lower transaction costs than traditional finance rails. 'I think you will see an amazing appetite from institutional investors […] we can really think, rethink the fintech space across B2B, B2C with fully onchain rails,' Pampati said. 86% of firms ready for stablecoins According to Fireblocks' survey, 86% of respondents say that their company shows 'infrastructure readiness.' In other words, their companies are ready to adopt stablecoin. In addition, 75% of respondents say they see clear customer demand for stablecoins. However, regulation still holds a large role in determining adoption. The survey shows that confidence in stablecoins is rising, not only because of the technology but also because regulatory barriers have fallen. Agencies around the world have sought to regulate stablecoins. The progress has included the European Union's MiCA regulation, various acts in the United Arab Emirates, and even the United States' GENIUS Act, which reports indicate has regained some bipartisan support after a failed May 8 vote. Source:
