Key facts
- Vitalik Buterin identified quantum resistance, scalability, and privacy as top priorities for Ethereum's future.
- The 'Lean Ethereum' roadmap aims for upgrades over the next three to four years.
- Kraken now allows eligible users to use tokenized stocks and ETFs, like Apple and Nvidia, as collateral for leveraged trades.
- Revolut will delist Tether USDt starting August 31, 2026, citing regulatory and risk concerns.
- US President Donald Trump stated he earned $1.4 billion from crypto ventures during his term.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has detailed a new roadmap for the network, prioritizing quantum resistance, scalability, and privacy. This 'Lean Ethereum' strawmap, expected to roll out over the next three to four years, represents a significant technical direction for the remainder of the decade, comparable in scale to the 2022 Merge. The shift comes as the Ethereum Foundation streamlines its operations, having recently laid off staff and reduced its budget.
In parallel, crypto exchange Kraken has introduced a new feature allowing eligible users outside the U.S. to use select tokenized stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as collateral for leveraged trading. Assets like Apple, Nvidia, and the SPDR S&P 500 ETF can be posted without being sold, though they are subject to collateral haircuts based on risk. Broad-market ETFs receive a 10% haircut, while more volatile stocks face a 30% discount, with limits on collateral value.
Meanwhile, the digital banking platform Revolut has informed some users of its decision to delist the Tether USDt stablecoin starting August 31, 2026. This move is attributed to regulatory and risk concerns, reflecting broader adjustments in the fintech sector in response to evolving crypto regulations, particularly in Europe with the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework.
Additionally, U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly defended his earnings of $1.4 billion from crypto ventures during his time in office.