IBM has introduced Digital Asset Haven, a unified platform designed for banks, corporations, and governments to securely manage and scale their digital asset operations. The platform manages the full asset lifecycle from custody to settlement while maintaining compliance.
Built with Dfns, the platform combines IBM’s security framework with Dfns’ custody technology. The Dfns platform supports 15 million wallets for 250 clients, providing multi-party authorisation, policy governance, and access to over 40 blockchains.
IBM Digital Asset Haven includes tools for identity verification, crime prevention, yield generation, and developer-friendly APIs for extra services. Security features include Multi-Party Computation, HSM-based signing, and quantum-safe cryptography to ensure compliance and resilience.
According to IBM’s Tom McPherson, the platform gives clients ‘the opportunity to enter and expand into the digital asset space backed by IBM’s level of security and reliability.’ Dfns CEO Clarisse Hagège said the partnership builds infrastructure to scale digital assets from pilots to global use.
IBM plans to roll out Digital Asset Haven via SaaS and hybrid models in late 2025, with on-premises deployment expected in 2026.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Citi and Coinbase have announced a strategic partnership to enhance digital asset payment capabilities for institutional clients. The collaboration will begin by streamlining fiat transactions and strengthening links between traditional banking and digital assets via Coinbase’s on/off-ramps.
Both firms plan to introduce further initiatives in the coming months aimed at simplifying global access to crypto payments.
According to Citi’s Head of Payments, Debopama Sen, the partnership supports Citi’s goal of creating a ‘network of networks’ that enables borderless payments. Operating across 94 markets and 300 networks, Citi sees the move as progress towards integrating blockchain into mainstream finance.
Coinbase’s Brian Foster said the partnership merges Citi’s payments expertise with Coinbase’s digital asset leadership. Together, they aim to build next-generation infrastructure enabling seamless, round-the-clock access to crypto services for institutional clients.
The partnership builds on Citi’s ongoing investment in digital finance, including its Citi Token Services and 24/7 USD Clearing system. By aligning with Coinbase, the bank reinforces its commitment to innovation and positions itself at the forefront of the evolving digital money landscape.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Blockchain.com received a MiCA license from Malta’s Financial Services Authority, enabling passported crypto services across all 30 EEA countries under one EU framework. Leaders called it a step toward safer, consistent access.
Malta becomes the hub for scaling operations, citing regulatory clarity and cross-border support. Under the authorisation, teams will expand secure custody and wallets, enterprise treasury tools, and localised products for the EU consumers.
A unified license streamlines go-to-market and accelerates launches in priority jurisdictions. Institutions gain clearer expectations on safeguarding, disclosures, and governance, while retail users benefit from standardised protections and stronger redress.
Fiorentina D’Amore will lead the EU strategy with deep fintech experience. Plans include phased rollouts, supervisor engagement, and controls aligned to MiCA’s conduct and prudential requirements across key markets.
Since 2011, Blockchain.com says it has processed over one trillion dollars and serves more than 90 million wallets. Expansion under MiCA adds scalable infrastructure, robust custody, and clearer disclosures for users and institutions.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Binance founder Changpeng ‘CZ’ Zhao has received a presidential pardon after serving a four-month sentence for violating US money laundering laws. The decision follows Binance’s guilty plea and $4.3 billion fine over allegations of helping users bypass sanctions.
The White House defended the move, describing Zhao’s prosecution under the previous administration as part of a broader ‘war on cryptocurrency’. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the case had been ‘overly prosecuted’ and that the pardon corrected an act of ‘misjustice’.
The decision has reignited debate over potential conflicts of interest, given the Trump family’s investments in the digital asset space.
Zhao expressed gratitude for the pardon, saying it reflected America’s commitment to fairness and innovation. The decision removes restrictions preventing him from leading financial ventures, although his future role with Binance remains uncertain.
The company, registered in the Cayman Islands, called the move ‘incredible news’ but declined to comment on the allegations of political favouritism.
The administration has adopted a friendlier stance toward the crypto industry, easing regulations and promoting the idea of a national cryptocurrency reserve. Critics, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, called the pardon ‘corrupt’, saying it weakens financial accountability.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
The Federal Reserve has signalled a shift towards decentralised finance, with Governor Waller saying the central bank now welcomes crypto innovators into mainstream payments.
Speaking at the Payments Innovation Conference on 21 October, Waller said the Fed intends to play an active role in the ongoing technology-driven transformation of the financial system.
Waller highlighted how stablecoins, tokenised assets, and AI are reshaping the payments landscape. He said private firms drive innovation but added that public institutions like the Fed must adapt to support evolving financial systems.
The governor said the central bank is exploring how tokenisation, smart contracts, and AI could enhance its own systems and foster closer dialogue with industry innovators.
In a significant policy proposal, Waller revealed that the Fed is studying a new type of ‘payment account’ for legally eligible institutions. The concept would provide streamlined access to Federal Reserve payment rails for fintech and crypto firms without requiring a full master account.
Such accounts would operate under tighter controls, including balance caps, no interest payments, and no overdraft privileges, allowing faster review times while maintaining system safety.
Waller said the payments revolution is underway and urged collaboration between traditional finance and emerging digital sectors. He called the event a turning point for Fed–innovator relations, noting that crypto and distributed ledgers are now part of modern payments.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
A Russian lawmaker has proposed recognising crypto as marital property to clarify asset ownership in divorce cases. The bill, introduced by Igor Antropenko of the United Russia party, seeks to amend Articles 34 and 36 of the Family Code to classify crypto acquired during marriage as joint property.
Digital assets obtained before marriage or through gifts would remain individually owned.
The proposal aims to address what Antropenko described as ‘risks to property rights’ arising from the current legal ambiguity surrounding digital currencies. It has been sent to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Central Bank Chairwoman Elvira Nabiullina for review.
The explanatory note highlights the constitutional obligation to protect property rights and cites the growing use of crypto among Russian citizens for investment and savings.
Russia’s move mirrors South Korea’s approach, where courts already recognise cryptocurrencies as divisible marital assets. Under Article 839-2 of Korea’s Civil Act, spouses can request investigations into hidden crypto holdings and either liquidate or divide tokens directly.
Blockchain transparency has made digital asset tracking easier than tracing cash, closing loopholes in asset concealment during divorce.
The proposal comes as Russia’s crypto activity hit $376.3 billion between July 2024 and June 2025, overtaking all European markets. Growing use of DeFi, stablecoins, and plans for a national crypto bank show increasing state involvement in digital finance.
Legal recognition of crypto as property would bring family law in line with this broader regulatory shift.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Tech firms led crypto’s hiring rebound, adding over 12,000 roles since late 2022, according to A16z’s State of Crypto 2025. Finance and consulting contributed 6,000, offsetting talent pulled into AI after ChatGPT’s debut. Net, crypto gained 1,000 positions as workers rotated in from tech, fintech, and education.
The recovery tracks a market turn: crypto capitalisation topping US$4T and new Bitcoin highs. A friendlier US policy stance on stablecoins and digital-asset oversight buoyed sentiment. Institutions from JPMorgan to BlackRock and Fidelity widened offerings beyond pilots.
Hiring is diversifying beyond developers toward compliance, infrastructure, and product. Firms are moving from proofs of concept to production systems with clearer revenue paths. Result: broader role mix and steadier talent pipelines.
A16z contrasts AI centralisation with crypto’s open ethos. OpenAI/Anthropic dominate AI-native revenue; big clouds hold most of the infrastructure share; NVIDIA leads GPUs. Crypto advocates pitch blockchains as a counterweight via verifiable compute and open rails.
Utility signals mature, too. Stablecoins settled around US$9T in 12 months, up 87% year over year. That’s over half of Visa’s annual volume and five times that of PayPal’s.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Chinese AI model DeepSeek V3.1 has outperformed its global competitors in a real-market cryptocurrency trading challenge, earning over 10 per cent profit in just a few days.
The experiment, named Alpha Arena, was launched by US research firm Nof1 to test the investing skills of leading LLMs.
Each participating AI was given US$10,000 to trade in six cryptocurrency perpetual contracts, including bitcoin and solana, on the decentralised exchange Hyperliquid. By Tuesday afternoon, DeepSeek V3.1 led the field, while OpenAI’s GPT-5 trailed behind with a loss of nearly 40 per cent.
The competition highlights the growing potential of AI models to make autonomous financial decisions in real markets.
It also underscores the rivalry between Chinese and American AI developers as they push to demonstrate their models’ adaptability beyond traditional text-based tasks.
Would you like to learn more aboutAI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Dutch officials will study how the gaming platform affects young users, focusing on safety, mental health, and privacy. The assessment aims to identify both the benefits and risks of Roblox. Authorities say the findings will help guide new policies and support parents in protecting their children online.
Roblox has faced mounting criticism over unsafe content and the presence of online predators. Reports of games containing violent or sexual material have raised alarms among parents and child protection groups.
The US state of Louisiana recently sued Roblox, alleging that it enabled systemic child exploitation through negligence. Dutch experts argue that similar concerns justify a thorough review in the Netherlands.
Previous Dutch investigations have examined platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat under similar children’s rights frameworks. Policymakers hope the Roblox review will set clearer standards for digital child safety across Europe.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
The Government of British Columbia has announced a sweeping economic and energy plan aimed at driving industrial growth through clean electricity. Centred on the North Coast Transmission Line, the plan aims to boost the province’s economy while ensuring First Nations share in the benefits.
Premier David Eby said the new legislation would make British Columbia the ‘economic engine’ of Canada, powered by clean energy and local partnerships. Set to begin in 2026, the NCTL will provide clean, affordable power to major industries such as mining, natural gas, and manufacturing.
Once operational, it is projected to create nearly 9,700 direct jobs, contribute around $10 billion to GDP, and cut millions of tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
To manage rising energy demand, the government will limit crypto mining and prioritise projects with strong economic and environmental benefits. A power allocation process for data centres, AI, and hydrogen projects will start in 2026 to support responsible growth.
The plan also enables greater First Nations participation through potential equity ownership in new energy infrastructure. Industry leaders say the project could attract billions in investment and strengthen British Columbia’s position in clean energy and critical minerals.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
