Latest news with #decentralizedFinance
Forbes
09-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Why Is The AI Engine 'Data' The Most Overlooked Real World Asset?
The New York Stock Exchange during morning trading in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. ...) Mainstream real world asset (RWA) discussions are dominated by traditional finance: U.S. treasuries, private credit, gold-backed tokens, and tokenized real estate. The logic is straightforward: digitize what the financial world already values, and port it to blockchain rails for better access, transparency, and liquidity. But what if this narrow focus is a blindspot? This article explores why the current RWA discourse may be overlooking one of the most valuable asset classes: data. As we move deeper into the decentralized AI era, data deserves an even more important seat at the RWA table. What Are Real World Assets？ Real-world assets are tangible or intangible assets that originate in the physical or traditional economy, such as property, bonds, or commodities, and are represented on-chain through tokenization. These tokens reflect ownership rights, revenue claims, or other forms of economic utility and are designed to bring off-chain value into decentralized finance (DeFi). RWAs serve as the connective tissue between the real economy and the digital world, unlocking liquidity for traditionally illiquid assets while enabling programmable finance. Right now, the RWA conversation largely mirrors the financial system it aims to disrupt. Tokenized U.S. treasuries are growing fast. Private credit markets are getting a Web3 facelift. Even real estate and commodities have their on-chain equivalents. However, this narrow focus could portray potential blindspots. It limits innovation by only applying blockchain to pre-existing financial structures, rather than exploring new paradigms of value creation. It can also create an echo chamber, reinforcing traditional financial thinking instead of pushing the boundaries of what constitutes a valuable, tokenizable asset. This restricts the potential for RWAs to truly revolutionize global markets and unlock vast pools of economic worth currently inaccessible or underutilized. Why Data Real World Asset Carry Value？ Think of RWAs as the new form of equities that are not just tied to companies, but to asset classes with long-term economic utility. In that context, data is not just valuable, it is strategic, and is the next key battleground for the global AI race following chipsets. In prior articles, we've explored how quality datasets are quickly becoming the 'digital gold' in the AI arms race. Companies today are not just competing on computing power, but also battling over access to clean, human-generated, diverse and global data that can fuel model training and fine-tuning. In addition, the Big Data market size was valued at USD 325.4 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to USD 1035.4 billion by 2032, underscoring its immense economic weight. Just as ETFs backed by gold have become mainstream in capital markets, RWAs backed by data have the potential to open up a trillion dollar market. The logic is similar to how public markets value AI companies based on their proprietary data assets. In this light, tokenizing high-quality datasets creates a new, investable asset class. Another crucial element ensuring data's value is: its scarcity. In an AI-saturated world, high-quality, human-generated data is becoming more rare and valuable. As synthetic content floods the internet, training models on clean, real, diverse data becomes harder, making it more scarce and critical. Furthermore, data comes from real-world behaviours and human activities, meaning it has clear utility. You may not be able to touch it, but you can tokenize it, trade it, license it, and earn from it. Unlike tokenized bonds, which may sit idle in wallets, data is meant to be used. Its utility is embedded in its very existence, and demand is growing by the day, across industries from healthcare to autonomous driving to climate analytics. The more unique, verified, and structured a dataset is, the higher its potential value. Whether it's granular consumer behavior patterns, high-resolution satellite imagery, or anonymized medical records, data provides the bedrock for informed decisions across virtually every sector. How Datasets Can Be Tokenized as Real World Asset？ The core mechanism of RWAs allows data to be represented as a digital token on a blockchain. This enables clear ownership, granular access control, fractionalization, and seamless transfer. Imagine a research institution tokenizing specific scientific datasets, allowing other researchers to buy fractional access or contribute to a collective data pool. Data tokenization refers to the process of representing datasets as blockchain-based assets, making them tradable, divisible, and verifiable. Just like gold or property titles, tokenized data can be backed by access rights, licensing revenue, or AI model utility. Challenges and Considerations Tokenizing data as RWAs is going to be a complex and prolonged journey, as readily available framework, technology, and infrastructure for this novel idea are non-existent yet. Key considerations include: Final Thoughts: Real World Asset's Missing Piece? If real world assets are meant to bring the most valuable parts of the real world into Web3, then data cannot be left out of the equation. It is the fuel of the AI economy, the invisible layer behind every smart system, and potentially the most liquid, programmable, and global RWA we've yet to fully explore. As decentralized AI grows, the market will demand decentralized, permissionless access to high-quality datasets, and tokenized data offers the most elegant infrastructure for that future. Data RWAs might not just be a niche, they could be the next dominant RWA narrative. And that story is only beginning to unfold.
Bloomberg
08-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Anchorage Becomes Custodian For New Solana ETF
"Bloomberg Crypto" covers the people, transactions, and technology shaping the world of decentralized finance. Today's guests: Bit Digital CEO Samir Tabar and Anchorage Digital Co-Founder and CEO Nathan McCauley. (Source: Bloomberg)
Associated Press
07-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Hyperscale Data Subsidiary Ault Markets Plans to Launch Solana Validator and Expand Blockchain Infrastructure Capabilities
LAS VEGAS, July 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hyperscale Data, Inc. (NYSE American: GPUS), a diversified holding company ('Hyperscale Data' or the 'Company'), today announced that its indirect, wholly owned subsidiary, Ault Markets, Inc. ('Ault Markets'), plans to launch a validator node on the Solana blockchain. This initiative marks a further step in Hyperscale Data's strategy to deepen its engagement with decentralized technologies and enhance its blockchain infrastructure services. Ault Markets' entry into Solana validation is a milestone in Hyperscale Data's broader vision to integrate real-time blockchain operations across its portfolio of artificial intelligence ('AI'), digital assets and financial technology platforms. Ault Markets' plan involves: 'Launching a Solana validator is a strategic step in our mission to build the next generation of blockchain infrastructure and asset management,' said Milton 'Todd' Ault III, Founder and Executive Chairman of Hyperscale Data. 'This initiative will allow us to directly support the Solana ecosystem while expanding our role in decentralized finance.' 'Over time, Ault Markets intends to broaden its validation services to additional blockchain protocols,' Ault added. 'From core infrastructure to decentralized finance, we're committed to delivering a robust suite of tools that support the evolving needs of the global digital asset landscape.' This validator is expected to be an important component of Ault Markets' multi-chain infrastructure strategy, focused on building a compliant, scalable and diversified platform to support a broad array of blockchain ecosystems. For more information on Hyperscale Data and its subsidiaries, Hyperscale Data recommends that stockholders, investors and any other interested parties read Hyperscale Data's public filings and press releases available under the Investor Relations section at or available at About Hyperscale Data, Inc. Through its wholly owned subsidiary Sentinum, Inc., Hyperscale Data owns and operates a data center at which it mines digital assets and offers colocation and hosting services for the emerging AI ecosystems and other industries. Hyperscale Data's other wholly owned subsidiary, Ault Capital Group, Inc. ('ACG'), is a diversified holding company pursuing growth by acquiring undervalued businesses and disruptive technologies with a global impact. Hyperscale Data expects to divest itself of ACG on or about December 31, 2025 (the 'Divestiture'). Upon the occurrence of the Divestiture, the Company would solely be an owner and operator of data centers to support high-performance computing services, though it may at that time continue to operate in the digital asset space as described in the Company's filings with the SEC. Until the Divestiture occurs, the Company will continue to provide, through ACG and its wholly and majority-owned subsidiaries and strategic investments, mission-critical products that support a diverse range of industries, including an AI software platform, social gaming platform, equipment rental services, defense/aerospace, industrial, automotive, medical/biopharma and hotel operations. In addition, ACG is actively engaged in private credit and structured finance through a licensed lending subsidiary. Hyperscale Data's headquarters are located at 11411 Southern Highlands Parkway, Suite 190, Las Vegas, NV 89141. On December 23, 2024, the Company issued one million (1,000,000) shares of a newly designated Series F Exchangeable Preferred Stock (the 'Series F Preferred Stock') to all common stockholders and holders of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock on an as-converted basis. The Divestiture will occur through the voluntary exchange of the Series F Preferred Stock for shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock of ACG (collectively, the 'ACG Shares'). The Company reminds its stockholders that only those holders of the Series F Preferred Stock who agree to surrender such shares, and do not properly withdraw such surrender, in the exchange offer through which the Divestiture will occur, will be entitled to receive the ACG Shares and consequently be stockholders of ACG upon the occurrence of the Divestiture. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as 'believes,' 'plans,' 'anticipates,' 'projects,' 'estimates,' 'expects,' 'intends,' 'strategy,' 'future,' 'opportunity,' 'may,' 'will,' 'should,' 'could,' 'potential,' or similar expressions. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any of them publicly in light of new information or future events. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors. More information, including potential risk factors, that could affect the Company's business and financial results are included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the Company's Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. All filings are available at and on the Company's website at Hyperscale Data Investor Contact: [email protected] or 1-888-753-2235
Forbes
01-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Live From ETHCC Robinhood Launches Tokenized OpenAI Access
Robinhood is making significant headlines live from ETHcc in France (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty ... More Images) At the Ethereum Community Conference (ETHCC) in Cannes this week, I've been keynoting, speaking on panels, networking, and diving deep into topics like decentralized AI and next-gen blockchains. One announcement that truly stood out was Robinhood's bold leap forward. They're evolving from a retail brokerage into a next-gen financial super app—with blockchain at the core. Tokenized OpenAI shares? That's the kind of real-world utility that actually moves the needle. From tokenizing over 200 U.S. stocks and ETFs to building its own Layer 2 blockchain, Robinhood is positioning itself at the convergence of traditional finance and decentralized finance. The implications could be transformative, not only for the company but for the future of digital assets globally. Robinhood: From Trading App to Tokenization Platform Vlad Tenev, Robinhood's CEO, unveiled the launch of tokenized stocks for private companies like SpaceX and OpenAI—offered exclusively to eligible customers in the European Union. These digital assets are initially issued on Arbitrum, a layer-2 Ethereum scaling solution known for speed and low fees. Over time, Robinhood plans to migrate its offerings to a proprietary blockchain, currently in development. Vlad Tenev, the CEO of Robinhood, announcing the launch of tokenized stocks for private companies ... More like SpaceX and OpenAI, available to European Union customers. This announcement wasn't just a headline moment—it marked the beginning of a broader integration between traditional finance and decentralized finance (DeFi). Robinhood's move into tokenization is designed to provide 24/5 access to over 200 U.S. stocks and ETFs with no commissions, no added spreads, dividend support, and crypto wallet compatibility. In addition, Robinhood shared that tokenized shares of select privately held companies—most notably OpenAI and SpaceX—will be made available to eligible EU customers later this summer, expanding access to high-profile, previously inaccessible private equity. The timing is no accident. Robinhood recently secured new licenses in Europe, and unveiling this initiative at ETHCC underscores its ambitions to expand globally and deepen its footprint in the blockchain space. The regulatory contrast between regions is sharp. While U.S. customers are now gaining access to crypto staking (starting with Ethereum and Solana), European users are unlocking access to tokenized public and private equities. It's a bold move that positions the EU as the first major market to experience tokenized real-world assets at scale, through a consumer-facing platform. For OpenAI specifically, this is a major milestone. It's the first time equity exposure to the company is being offered in tokenized form to retail users—making an elite investment opportunity available to a broader population that would typically be shut out of private tech deals. The news triggered a powerful market response: Robinhood's shares surged to a fresh all‑time high, climbing 11–13% on the day, reflecting investor confidence in this strategic pivot and the market's enthusiasm for bringing high-value assets onchain. Robinhood and Republic: A Tale of Two Tokenization Models This move mirrors a similar announcement from Republic earlier in the week, yet the mechanics differ substantially. Republic issues equity‑backed Digital Asset Receipts (DARTs), representing true on‑chain ownership of shares held in trusts or SPVs. This approach is pure 'on-chain equity'—combining legal rights with digital portability. The difference in tokenization of stocks between Robinhood and Republic By contrast, Robinhood's offering appears to be more like synthetic exposure or broker‑held tokens. They grant economic participation—such as dividend gains and tradability—without conferring legal shareholder status. In short, Republic's approach is 'on‑chain equity,' while Robinhood's may be closer to 'on‑chain access.' Different infrastructural models, same goal: unlocking elite investment opportunities via blockchain. Robinhood Is Building Out a Broader Crypto Ecosystem Tokenized equities are just the beginning. Robinhood has layered in multiple crypto and blockchain features across its platforms. Following its completion of the Bitstamp acquisition, EU users will soon gain access to perpetual futures with up to 3x leverage—a tool typically favored by advanced traders. These derivatives are slated to launch later this summer. In the US, Robinhood has introduced crypto staking for Ethereum and Solana, aligning with regulatory guidance clarifying staking doesn't qualify as a security. Eligible users in approved states can now earn yield directly within Robinhood's platform. Additional user incentives include a 1–2% bonus on transferred crypto deposits, upcoming cashback-to-crypto conversion via the Robinhood Gold credit card, and advanced tax‑lot selection tools—giving retail traders greater control over capital gains and reporting. Why This Is a Turning Point For Robinhood And The Industry Robinhood is achieving what few other platforms can: operationalizing tokenized equity for the masses within a regulated, mobile‑first environment. Major financial players like BlackRock and Goldman Sachs explore similar blockchain models behind the scenes, but Robinhood is delivering real‑world asset tokenization directly to mainstream retail users. Industry estimates suggest tokenized assets could reach $13.55 trillion by 2030. With licenses secured and a product roadmap underway, Robinhood is racing against competitors like Coinbase, Kraken, and Republic to define how riders experience tokenized finance. Bankless co‑founder David Hoffman commented that Robinhood—armed with regulatory approval and pre‑IPO access—is well‑positioned to leapfrog crypto‑native platforms in this race. Robinhood Is Navigating the Financial Super App Future Robinhood's long-term vision extends well beyond tokenized stocks. The company is stacking in features like an AI‑driven investing assistant (Cortex), smart order routing across liquidity pools, advanced mobile charting, and eventually a full-fledged Ethereum-compatible Layer‑2 optimized for real‑world asset tokenization. This next-gen blockchain infrastructure is designed for 24/7 trading, cross-chain asset bridging, and self‑custody—redefining retail access in the age of TradFi meets DeFi. Robinhood's ETHCC 2025 announcements mark a pivotal moment in digital finance, not just product innovation. By bringing tokenized private equity like OpenAI into its mobile app, layering in staking and perpetual futures, and building blockchain infrastructure, Robinhood is staking a claim as a frontrunner in the financial super app space. As tokenized investing becomes a tangible reality for millions, the lines between centralized brokerages and decentralized protocols are blurring—setting a high bar for the next generation of financial platforms. Did you enjoy this story about Robinhood and Tokenization? Don't miss my next one: Use the blue follow button at the top of the article near my byline to follow more of my work.
Bloomberg
01-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Twenty One's Crypto Treasury Progress
"Bloomberg Crypto" covers the people, transactions, and technology shaping the world of decentralized finance. Today's guests: Delta Blockchain Founder and Managing Director Kavita Gupta, Twenty One CEO Jack Mallers, and Bloomberg's James Seyffart. (Source: Bloomberg)
