The world of digital assets continues to evolve at a rapid pace, with innovation driving new financial products and investment opportunities across the blockchain ecosystem. This week, major developments from leading platforms like OKX, Bitget, and Fidelity are shaping the future of crypto finance. From structured products to institutional staking and ETF ambitions, the landscape is expanding to meet growing demand from both retail and professional investors.
Among the most notable launches is OKX Snowball, a new structured product designed for users seeking yield optimization with built-in risk mitigation. As the crypto market matures, such instruments are becoming increasingly popular among semi-professional and advanced traders who want exposure without full principal protection.
Introducing OKX Snowball: A Structured Yield Product with a Safety Buffer
On July 4, OKX unveiled Snowball, a non-principal protected structured investment product that allows users to earn potential returns while incorporating a knock-in feature for downside protection. This mechanism acts as a safety buffer—if the underlying asset moves unfavorably beyond a certain threshold, the product still offers defined terms to manage exposure.
Available in both bullish and bearish strategies, Snowball is denominated in USDT, making it accessible and stable for traders navigating volatile markets. The product targets investors who aim to maximize earnings on existing positions while hedging against adverse price movements.
👉 Discover how structured products like Snowball can enhance your yield strategy in volatile markets.
This launch follows recent expansions to OKX’s dual-currency investment offerings, including the addition of SOL, APT, SUI, and CFX over the past two weeks. These additions reflect growing demand for alternative assets beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum. Additionally, OKX already offers another structured product called Shark Fin, giving users multiple options for customized yield generation.
Northstake Raises €2.8M to Expand Institutional Staking Infrastructure
Institutional interest in staking continues to grow, as evidenced by Copenhagen-based Northstake securing €2.8 million in funding from prominent investors including PreSeed Ventures, Morph Capital, The Aventures Fund, Funfair Ventures, and Delta Blockchain Fund. Announced on June 22, the capital will be used to enhance its multi-chain staking platform tailored specifically for institutional clients.
Northstake provides access to a range of staking solutions—single asset, multi-asset, thematic, and yield-generating products—all packaged into familiar investment vehicles. This approach simplifies integration for traditional finance players exploring digital asset opportunities.
Importantly, Northstake operates under compliance with the upcoming Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation in the European Union. According to Jesper Johansen, CEO and founder of Northstake, the company remains committed to working closely with regulators across Europe and the Middle East to shape responsible crypto policy.
As regulatory clarity improves, institutional participation is expected to accelerate—making compliant platforms like Northstake critical infrastructure in the evolving digital asset economy.
Bitget Launches Native Crypto Loans with Dual-Coin Flexibility
On June 4, crypto derivatives exchange Bitget introduced its native crypto lending service, entering a rapidly expanding sector that bridges decentralized finance (DeFi) functionality with centralized platform ease-of-use. The product aims to attract users disillusioned with traditional banking systems and looking for alternative funding methods using their digital assets.
Bitget’s loan model uses a dual-coin approach: users stake one cryptocurrency as collateral and receive a loan in another coin. The loan amount depends on the market value of the collateral, with interest rates applied based on duration and risk. Borrowers can repay before or at the end of a predetermined term.
This flexibility allows users to stake less liquid or lower-demand coins while receiving funds in more stable or widely used assets—ideal for traders needing short-term liquidity without selling long-term holdings.
Gracy Chen, Managing Director of Bitget, emphasized the utility: “Users now have the opportunity to stake less-demanded coins, enabling them to obtain loans in more liquid assets for investment purposes.”
👉 Learn how crypto-backed loans can unlock liquidity without selling your assets.
Alpha Blue Ocean Invests $200M in Islamic Coin
Bahamas-based investment firm Alpha Blue Ocean (ABO) has committed an additional $200 million to **Islamic Coin** through its subsidiary ABO Capital. Announced on July 3, this brings ABO’s total investment in the Shariah-compliant digital asset to $400 million—surpassing earlier backers like Circle, BlockFi, and Solana.
Islamic Coin is the native currency of HAQQ, a community-driven blockchain network focused on building an ethics-first financial ecosystem aligned with Islamic principles. The partnership aims to develop innovative Shariah-compliant financial products that leverage digitization for broader adoption.
Amine Nedjai, CEO of ABO Digital, described the initiative as revolutionary: “It is revolutionizing the Shariah-compliant market by introducing digitization.”
This move highlights a growing trend: the convergence of traditional financial values with blockchain technology to serve underserved or values-driven investor segments globally.
Fidelity Refiles Spot Bitcoin ETF Application
On June 30, U.S. asset manager Fidelity refiled its application for a spot Bitcoin ETF—Wise Origin Bitcoin Trust—with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), listing it on Cboe. The fund seeks to track Bitcoin’s performance via the Fidelity Bitcoin Index PR, minus expenses and liabilities.
This refiling comes amid renewed momentum in the ETF space, following similar applications from BlackRock’s iShares, WisdomTree, Invesco, and VanEck—all submitted within days of each other. These efforts signal strong institutional confidence despite previous SEC rejections.
Fidelity’s earlier application was rejected in 2022 due to concerns over market manipulation and investor protection. However, updated filings suggest improved frameworks to address these regulatory hurdles.
If approved, a spot Bitcoin ETF would mark a pivotal moment for mainstream adoption—offering traditional investors regulated exposure to Bitcoin without custody challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is OKX Snowball?
A: OKX Snowball is a structured product offering potential returns with a knock-in safety buffer. It's designed for professional and semi-professional investors seeking yield in volatile markets.
Q: Is my principal protected with Snowball?
A: No, Snowball is not principal protected. While it includes mechanisms to mitigate downside risk, losses are possible depending on market conditions.
Q: How do crypto-backed loans work on Bitget?
A: Users stake one coin as collateral and borrow another. The loan value depends on collateral worth, with flexible repayment terms.
Q: What makes Islamic Coin different?
A: It operates under Shariah-compliant principles via the HAQQ network, promoting ethical finance within blockchain technology.
Q: Why are spot Bitcoin ETFs important?
A: They allow traditional investors to gain direct exposure to Bitcoin prices through regulated exchanges, increasing accessibility and legitimacy.
Q: Is Northstake available globally?
A: Northstake focuses on institutional clients in regulated markets, particularly within Europe and EMEA regions, complying with MiCA standards.
The digital asset space is no longer just about trading—it's becoming a full-fledged financial ecosystem. With structured products like Snowball, institutional staking platforms like Northstake, and regulated financial instruments such as spot Bitcoin ETFs, we're witnessing a maturation of crypto finance.
👉 Explore next-generation crypto finance tools that combine innovation with risk-aware design.