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šŸ’¶ The Payments Value Chain ā›“ļø

The Payments Value Chain represents the ecosystem of interconnected players, processes, and technologies involved in facilitating a payment transaction. It highlights the steps from payment initiation to settlement and the roles of key participants in enabling the seamless movement of funds. Here's a breakdown of the key components:

1. Payment Initiation

Players: Customers (individuals or businesses), merchants.

Process: A transaction begins when a customer makes a purchase and provides payment information (e.g., card details, bank account info, or digital wallet).

Tools: Point-of-sale (POS) terminals, e-commerce platforms, payment apps.

2. Payment Authorization

Players: Acquirers, issuers, payment gateways, payment networks (e.g., Visa, Mastercard).

Process: The merchant sends the payment request through a payment gateway to the acquiring bank.

The acquirer forwards the request to the payment network, which routes it to the customer's issuing bank.

The issuer verifies funds and approves or declines the transaction.

Objective: Ensure security, check for fraud, and validate fund availability.

3. Payment Clearing

Players: Acquiring and issuing banks, clearing houses.

Process: Transaction details are compiled, reconciled, and exchanged between the acquiring and issuing banks.

Objective: Prepare the transaction for settlement.

4. Payment Settlement

Players: Central banks, settlement networks, acquiring and issuing banks.

Process: The funds are transferred from the customer's account (via the issuing bank) to the merchant's account (via the acquiring bank), often using central bank systems or real-time payment networks.

Objective: Complete the transfer of value to finalize the transaction.

5. Value-Added Services

Examples:

ā—‡ Fraud detection and prevention.

ā—‡ Currency conversion (for cross-border transactions).

ā—‡ Data analytics for customer insights.

ā—‡ Loyalty programs integration.

6. Infrastructure and Regulatory Oversight

Key Enablers:

ā—‡ Payment processors (e.g., Stripe, Adyen).

ā—‡ Network providers (e.g., SWIFT, RTP systems).

ā—‡ Compliance bodies ensuring adherence to regulations like PSD2, MiCA, or AML standards.

Why It Matters

Understanding the Payments Value Chain is essential for stakeholders in finance and fintech as it reveals how value is created, where inefficiencies lie, and opportunities for innovation (e.g., blockchain, CBDCs, or instant payments).

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šŸ’„ NYSE Announces The Ripple USD (RLUSD), will start trading.

šŸ“¢ Breaking News: The NYSE has announced that Ripple USD (RLUSD) will officially start trading! šŸ’¹

šŸŒŸ A significant milestone for the Ripple ecosystem and the future of digital finance.

00:01:57
šŸ’” "What Is Blockchain?" explained by the CEO of the Stellar Foundation

The Stellar Foundationā€™s CEO breaks down the basics of blockchain technology and its transformative potential. šŸŒ

00:01:49
šŸ‡ŗšŸ‡ø President Trump announces $500 billion AI investment, partnering with OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank.
00:00:27
šŸ‘‰ Coinbase just launched an AI agent for Crypto Trading

Custom AI assistants that print money in your sleep? šŸ”œ

The future of Crypto x AI is about to go crazy.

šŸ‘‰ Hereā€™s what you need to know:

šŸ’  'Based Agent' enables creation of custom AI agents
šŸ’  Users set up personalized agents in < 3 minutes
šŸ’  Equipped w/ crypto wallet and on-chain functions
šŸ’  Capable of completing trades, swaps, and staking
šŸ’  Integrates with Coinbaseā€™s SDK, OpenAI, & Replit

šŸ‘‰ What this means for the future of Crypto:

1. Open Access: Democratized access to advanced trading
2. Automated Txns: Complex trades + streamlined on-chain activity
3. AI Dominance: Est ~80% of crypto šŸ‘‰txns done by AI agents by 2025

šŸšØ I personally wouldn't bet against Brian Armstrong and Jesse Pollak.

šŸ‘‰ Coinbase just launched an AI agent for Crypto Trading
Why are crypto payments still underused?

Volatility, wallet complexity, and lack of real-world integration hold them back.

Veloā€™s PayFi changes the game with USDV ā€” a stable, asset-backed token designed for real-world utility. From seamless blockchain payments to integration with existing business systems, Velo ensures crypto fits into everyday life.

Learn more about how Velo bridges Web2 & Web3:

https://t.co/EsTdsJoNqr

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šŸ‡ŗšŸ‡ø ETF: Polymarket users predict a 70% chance of an $XRP ETF will be approved this year.šŸ“ˆ

Polymarket users are forecasting a strong possibility of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approving an $XRP ETF in 2025, with predictions currently hovering at a 70% likelihood. This sentiment reflects growing confidence in the SEC's evolving stance on cryptocurrency-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs), following the broader market's push for regulatory clarity.

The potential approval of an $XRP ETF could significantly impact institutional adoption, as it would provide a more accessible avenue for investors to gain exposure to XRP without directly holding the asset. This comes amid rising interest in cryptocurrency ETFs, including those tied to Bitcoin and Ethereum.

šŸ” Why It Matters:

Regulatory Shift: Recent lawsuits and rulings involving Ripple have set legal precedents, potentially increasing the chances of regulatory acceptance.

Market Demand: An $XRP ETF could boost liquidity, attract institutional capital, and drive mainstream adoption of XRP.

Broader Implications: ...

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šŸŒ WHAT IS KULA? šŸ’Ž šŸŖ™ šŸ’°

Kula bridges global investors with real-world assets (RWA), through blockchain technology, revolutionizing natural resource mining with profit sharing and community governance. šŸ’ŽšŸ¤

Itā€™s more than an investmentā€”Kula is an impact-driven platform rooted in transparency, security, and equitable asset management. šŸ“ŠāœØ

LEARN the shift in investment culture. šŸš€

Based out of Dubai, this is one to keep an eye on. šŸ˜‰

Website: https://www.kuladao.io/

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CoinDesk Indices Rolls Out New Index That Diversifies Exposure Beyond the Top 20 Digital Assets
CoinDesk's parent company Bullish has already listed a perpetual futures contract tied to the new index, in its platform.

Summary:

  • CoinDesk Indices debuts the CoinDesk 80 Index to cater to the growing demand for diversified exposure.
  • Bullish Exchange has launched perpetual futures tied to the new offering.

CoinDesk Indices, a subsidiary of CoinDesk, has introduced the CoinDesk 80 Index to address the increasing institutional demand for liquidity across diverse digital assets.

NEW YORK,Ā Jan. 21, 2025Ā /PRNewswire/ --Ā CoinDesk IndicesĀ is proud to announce the launch of theĀ CoinDesk 80 Index,Ā designed to track the performance of the next 80 leading digital assets after theĀ CoinDesk 20 Index. This innovative index provides seamless and diversified exposure to the evolving digital asset landscape, meeting the growing demand from institutional trading firms for liquidity on a larger breadth of digital assets.

As the digital asset market matures, institutional participation continues to accelerate. Investors are increasingly seeking opportunities beyondĀ bitcoinĀ and ether to diversify their portfolios. Since its debut inĀ January 2024, the CoinDesk 20 Index has become the industry benchmark for larger-cap digital assets, driving overĀ $12 billionĀ in total trading volume and underpinning more than a dozen investment products globally. The CoinDesk 80 Index builds on this success by capturing the next tier of large and liquid digital assets.

To support this launch,Ā Bullish Exchange, one of the fastest-growing regulated digital asset exchanges, has listed a CoinDesk 80 Index Perpetual Futures Contract (CD80/USDC-PERP). Bullish, which has surpassedĀ $1 trillionĀ in cumulative trading volume since its launch inĀ November 2021, continues to expand its offerings to meet institutional and retail demand. In 2H 2024, the platform recorded average daily trading volumes exceedingĀ $2 billion.

Maxime Seiler, CEO, STS Digital Ltd,Ā BermudaĀ said, "The CoinDesk 80 Index Perpetual Future will enable us to efficiently manage market exposure arising from our wide-rangingĀ altcoinĀ option offering to our clients. It is another innovative product from Bullish, enhancing their strong product suite and bringing index derivatives forward."

Ā 

"CoinDesk Indices is committed to creating tradable and trusted benchmarks," saidĀ Alan Campbell, President of CoinDesk Indices. "With the CoinDesk 80, we're addressing institutional demand for exposure beyond the top 20 digital assets. This index provides a scalable solution for trading, risk management, and allocation. We're thrilled to see early adoption and growing liquidity as we expand our suite of regulated indices."

The next tier is here. Key Features of the CoinDesk 80 Index:

  • Liquidity and Scalability: Focused on assets with high liquidity and significant market size.
  • Minimal Exclusions: Stablecoins, wrapped, pegged, staked, and gas tokens.
  • Comprehensive Liquidity Screening: Evaluates /USD, /USDC, and /USDT pairs on top-tier exchanges ranked by CCData, an affiliate of CoinDesk.
  • Market Cap Weighting: Constituents are weighted by market cap, with a 5% cap per asset to ensure diversification.
  • Quarterly Reconstitution: Aligns withĀ CoinDesk 20 reconstitutions, using buffers to reduce turnover and adhering to a robustĀ governance framework.

"The demand for index products is growing as digital assets become an established part of global financial markets," saidĀ Tom Farley, CEO of Bullish.

Ā 

"We are excited to launch the CoinDesk 80 Index Perpetual Futures Contract on our platform, leveraging our tight spreads, deep liquidity, and robust regulatory framework to support market participants."

To learn more about the CoinDesk 80 Index, please visitĀ coindesk.com/price/cd80.

For more information onĀ CoinDesk 80 perpetual futuresĀ offered by Bullish, pleaseĀ get in touchĀ with a Bullish Relationship Manager.

About CoinDesk Indices

Since 2014, CoinDesk Indices has been at the forefront of the digital asset revolution, empowering investors globally. A portfolio company of the Bullish Group, our indices form the foundation of the world's largest digital asset products. Through the recent addition of CC Data Limited, an FCA regulated benchmark administrator, CoinDesk Indices now offers BMR-compliant products across multi-asset indices, reference rates, and strategies. Flagships such as the CoinDeskĀ BitcoinĀ Price Index and the CoinDesk 20 Index set the industry standard for measuring, trading, and investing in digital assets. With tens of billions of dollars in benchmarked assets, CoinDesk Indices is a trusted partner.

Discover more atĀ coindeskmarkets.com.

About Bullish

With a focus on developing products and services for the digital assets sector, Bullish has rewired the traditional exchange to benefit asset holders, enable traders and increase market transparency. Supported by the Group's well-capitalized treasury, Bullish's digital asset spot and derivatives trading services utilize high-performance central limit order matching and proprietary market making technology to deliver deep liquidity and tight spreads within a compliant framework.

Launched inĀ November 2021, the exchange is available in 50+ select jurisdictions inĀ Asia Pacific,Ā Europe,Ā Africa, andĀ Latin America. Bullish prioritizes compliance andĀ safeguarding customer assetsĀ through robust security measures and regulatory oversight. The business is licensed by theĀ German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin)Ā and theĀ Gibraltar Financial Services Commission. For more information on Bullish, please visitĀ bullish.comĀ and followĀ LinkedInĀ andĀ X.

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EU Regulator ESMA Orders Crypto Firms to Delist Non-Compliant Stablecoins by January 31, 2025
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has urged crypto asset service providers (CASPs) to act immediately on stablecoins.
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) hasĀ urgedĀ crypto asset service providers (CASPs) to act immediately on stablecoins that do not comply with the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). ESMA's call, made on Jan. 17, gives firms until Jan. 31 to restrict or delist non-compliant stablecoins. MiCA, which will come into full effect on June 30, 2025, governs the issuance of asset-referenced tokens (ARTs) and electronic money tokens (EMTs) in the European Union, making it illegal for firms to offer stablecoins from non-authorized issuers.

While ESMA has not named specific stablecoins, major players such as Tether's USDT could face restrictions as it does not have MiCA authorization. According to the European Commission's guidance, any stablecoin issuer not authorized within the EU cannot legally offer their products in the region. Non-compliant stablecoins must be delisted or restricted to a "sell-only" basis by the end of Q1 2025.

Tetherā€™s USDT, the largest stablecoin by market capitalization, has particularly come under scrutiny. A member of the MiCA Crypto Alliance, Juan Ignacio IbaƱez, stated that USDT is considered non-compliant due to its lack of MiCA authorization and that CASPs would need to delist USDT by Jan. 31, 2025, except for "sell-only" services. Tether has acknowledged the evolving regulatory environment but has assured that discussions with local national competent authorities (NCAs) are ongoing and they do not expect immediate changes for users.

The deadline for compliance remains a pressing issue for CASPs. While ESMA has allowed firms to keep non-compliant stablecoins on a "sell-only" basis until March 31, 2025, the situationā€™s urgency has led to calls for quicker actions. ESMA has also emphasized the role of EU national regulators, or NCAs, in ensuring crypto firms adhere to MiCA regulations. These regulators are responsible for overseeing firmsā€™ compliance with MiCAā€™s requirements. Firms that fail to comply by the end of Q1 2025 could face stricter regulations or penalties.

While the MiCA regulations aim to bring clarity to the crypto market, some uncertainty remains within the industry. Executives have expressed concerns about the interpretation of the rules, particularly about which stablecoins are compliant. As MiCAā€™s enforcement date approaches, many in the crypto sector seek clearer guidance from regulators.

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Over 10 Crypto ETF Proposals Filed as SEC Chair Gary Gensler Prepares To Step Down
On Jan. 17, just days before Gary Gensler's final day as SEC chair, a flood of cryptocurrency ETF filings were submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

On Jan. 17, just days before Gary Gensler's final day as SEC chair, a flood of cryptocurrency ETF filings were submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The filings come as the crypto industry anticipates a shift in regulatory approach with the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump, expected to adopt a more crypto-friendly stance.

ProShares, a well-known asset manager, filed for a Solana Futures ETF, aimed at offering investors exposure to Solanaā€™s native cryptocurrency, SOL, via futures contracts. This marks a significant development as Solanaā€™s futures contracts are not yet widely available. ETF analyst James SeyffartĀ expressedĀ uncertainty over whether Solana ETFs would launch in the U.S. before 2026. This filing follows a similar one from Volatility Shares in December, highlighting a growing interest in the asset.

CoinShares, formerly Valkyrie Funds, also submitted a proposal for a ā€œCoinShares Digital Asset ETF,ā€ which would track its proprietary Compass Crypto Market Index. Meanwhile, ProShares submitted filings for additional leveraged, inverse, and futures ETFs tied to XRP. Other firms like Bitwise, Canary Capital, 21Shares, and WisdomTree had already filed proposals for spot XRP ETFs.

Tidal DeFi, a firm focused on decentralized finance, filed for the Oasis Capital Digital Asset Debt Strategy ETF (DADS). This fund is set to invest in debt instruments related to crypto firms, including miners, utilities, and payment platforms. On Jan. 15, VanEck submitted its application for the ā€œOnchain Economyā€ ETF, aimed at investing in a range of crypto-focused companies such as software developers, mining firms, and payment providers.

Genslerā€™s exit on Jan. 20 comes after a tenure marked by high-profile regulatory actions, including lawsuits against Coinbase and an aggressive crackdown on unregistered securities offerings. These filings were seen as a strategic move by the crypto industry to take advantage of the expected changes in the regulatory environment under the new administration.

The sudden surge in ETF filings came as Eric Balchunas, senior ETF analyst,Ā noted, ā€œGensler wasnā€™t even out of the building for five minutes, and the ETF industry unloaded a massive crypto filing frenzy.ā€ Alongside Genslerā€™s departure, SEC Chief of Staff Amanda Fischer announced her resignation, and IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel is also expected to step down on Trumpā€™s inauguration day.

These developments indicate that the crypto industry is bracing for a potential shift in regulation, with many looking to seize opportunities in a more crypto-friendly environment.

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