The cryptocurrency landscape is evolving rapidly, and a major development has just taken center stage: EDX Markets, the digital asset exchange backed by financial powerhouses Citadel Securities, Fidelity Investments, and Charles Schwab, has officially launched its trading services. This milestone marks a significant step toward mainstream adoption of crypto assets, combining institutional credibility with cutting-edge blockchain infrastructure.
EDX Markets begins operations with support for key cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), and Bitcoin Cash (BCH). The platform’s public launch follows a successful funding round, reinforcing investor confidence in its mission to deliver a secure, transparent, and regulated trading environment for both retail and institutional participants.
This move positions EDX as a strong contender in the growing race among traditional finance (TradFi) players to capture market share in the digital asset space—especially amid increasing interest in spot Bitcoin ETFs and broader crypto regulation.
👉 Discover how institutional platforms are reshaping crypto trading
Fidelity’s Potential Move into Grayscale Acquisition or Bitcoin ETF
In related news, Andrew Parish, co-founder of Arch Public, recently suggested on social media that Fidelity, currently the world’s third-largest asset manager, may be considering either acquiring Grayscale Investments or filing its own application for a spot Bitcoin ETF. While unconfirmed, such a move would align with Fidelity’s long-standing engagement with digital assets and its existing crypto custody and trading services.
Grayscale’s flagship product, the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC), has seen explosive growth, recently surging to $17.35 per share—a gain of over 120% in just six months. This momentum accelerated after BlackRock filed for a spot Bitcoin ETF, which triggered a 400% spike in GBTC trading volume.
However, according to Bloomberg Intelligence analysts, BlackRock’s entry could eventually pressure Grayscale’s premium valuation, especially if multiple approved ETFs begin competing for investor capital. As more asset managers enter the fray, market dynamics are shifting from speculation to structured investment vehicles.
WisdomTree and Invesco have already refiled their applications for spot Bitcoin ETFs, signaling continued confidence in regulatory approval despite ongoing SEC scrutiny. With giants like Fidelity potentially entering the race, the odds of a U.S.-based spot Bitcoin ETF approval in 2025 are looking stronger than ever.
Web3 Culture Gains Visibility Through New Documentary
Meanwhile, Web3 culture continues to gain traction beyond financial circles. A new documentary titled Turning Wind—focused on Hong Kong’s burgeoning Web3 ecosystem—has launched on major streaming platforms including Youku. The film explores how entrepreneurs, developers, and artists in Asia are leveraging blockchain technology to build decentralized applications, digital identities, and new economic models.
This cultural shift underscores the broader societal impact of blockchain—not just as a financial tool but as a foundation for digital sovereignty and innovation.
Vitalik Buterin Advocates for Cross-Chain Proof in Wallet Recovery
On the technical front, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin emphasized the importance of cross-chain proofs in enabling secure social recovery wallets. In a recent discussion, he highlighted ZK-SNARKs (Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Argument of Knowledge) as a promising solution for verifying identity and ownership across blockchains without compromising privacy.
Such advancements could pave the way for more user-friendly and resilient wallet systems—critical for mass adoption—where users can recover access through trusted contacts while maintaining cryptographic security.
Silk Road-Linked Address Moves BTC After Years
In a surprising on-chain event, an address believed to be associated with the defunct Silk Road marketplace conducted a small Bitcoin transaction after years of dormancy. Though only a fraction of BTC was moved, the activity drew attention from blockchain analysts monitoring seized government wallets. Such movements often precede larger liquidations or legal proceedings, though no official statement has been released yet.
This incident serves as a reminder of Bitcoin’s traceability and the long-term visibility of blockchain transactions—even for assets linked to historical dark web activities.
Bored Ape Yacht Club Unveils New Game: HV-MTL Forge
The NFT space remains active with innovation. Yuga Labs’ Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) is set to launch its latest gaming experience—HV-MTL Forge—on June 29. The game promises immersive gameplay tied to BAYC’s metaverse vision, allowing holders to mint and upgrade digital assets within a competitive environment.
With renewed focus on utility and engagement, projects like BAYC aim to transition from static collectibles to dynamic ecosystems where community participation drives value.
Polygon Pushes Forward with ZK Integration Proposal
In layer-2 scaling developments, the Polygon community has proposed making the Polygon PoS chain compatible with zero-knowledge (ZK) technology. This upgrade aims to enhance security, reduce fees, and improve interoperability across ZK-based rollups.
By bridging proof-of-stake scalability with ZK efficiency, Polygon seeks to strengthen its position in the Ethereum scaling race—offering developers faster transactions without sacrificing decentralization.
👉 Explore how ZK technology is transforming blockchain scalability
GMX Surpasses Uniswap in Weekly Trading Fees
Data reveals that decentralized perpetual trading platform GMX generated more trading fees than Uniswap over the past seven days—an indicator of rising demand for on-chain derivatives. This shift reflects growing appetite for leveraged trading in DeFi, particularly during periods of high market volatility.
GMX’s multi-chain presence and low-slippage model have contributed to its surge in popularity among traders seeking efficient execution outside centralized exchanges.
Binance Integrates Lightning Network for Faster BTC Transfers
In another major infrastructure upgrade, Binance is integrating the Bitcoin Lightning Network to streamline deposit and withdrawal processes for BTC users. This implementation promises near-instant transfers with minimal fees—addressing one of Bitcoin’s most persistent usability challenges: slow confirmation times and high network costs during peak usage.
As Layer-2 solutions mature, their adoption by major exchanges signals a turning point in making Bitcoin more practical for everyday transactions.
👉 See how next-gen networks are accelerating crypto transactions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is EDX Markets?
A: EDX Markets is a cryptocurrency exchange backed by Citadel Securities, Fidelity Investments, and Charles Schwab. It offers trading in BTC, ETH, LTC, and BCH with a focus on security and regulatory compliance.
Q: Why is Fidelity’s potential Bitcoin ETF move significant?
A: Fidelity already manages trillions in assets. If it launches or acquires a spot Bitcoin ETF, it could bring massive institutional capital into crypto, boosting legitimacy and market stability.
Q: How does ZK-SNARK technology help wallet recovery?
A: ZK-SNARKs allow users to prove identity or ownership across chains without revealing private data. This enables secure social recovery mechanisms where trusted contacts can verify access without seeing sensitive information.
Q: Is GBTC still a good investment after BlackRock’s ETF filing?
A: While BlackRock’s entry may pressure GBTC’s premium, GBTC remains the largest publicly traded Bitcoin trust with strong liquidity. Investors should weigh fees, discounts/premiums, and tax implications before deciding.
Q: What is the significance of Binance adopting Lightning Network?
A: It improves Bitcoin’s usability by enabling fast, low-cost transfers—making it more viable for daily use and increasing adoption on one of the world’s largest exchanges.
Q: Can old Silk Road addresses still affect the market?
A: Individual transactions from seized wallets rarely impact price directly. However, large-scale government sell-offs could introduce short-term volatility.
The convergence of institutional finance, technological innovation, and cultural momentum is accelerating blockchain adoption at an unprecedented pace. From regulated exchanges like EDX Markets to advanced protocols using zero-knowledge proofs, the ecosystem is maturing rapidly—offering new opportunities for investors, developers, and users alike.