Stay in the loop with our weekly crypto digest as we get you up to speed on the hottest trends and events in the crypto space.
Here’s what happened in crypto this week:
Michael Saylor’s ‘Strategy’ Fails To Be Listed In The S&P 500
Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy), despite meeting all criteria, was passed over for S&P 500 inclusion in the latest rebalancing, with Robinhood taking a surprise spot instead.
The S&P 500 committee overlooked MicroStrategy, even with its massive Q2 profits and $10 billion net income. Robinhood’s inclusion instead has raised eyebrows in the crypto and finance communities.
This snub could dampen investor enthusiasm for MicroStrategy as a Bitcoin proxy. Meanwhile, traditional finance’s hesitance to embrace crypto exposure through equity indices remains evident.
Robinhood To Join S&P 500
Robinhood Markets has been added to the S&P 500, marking a new phase for the retail trading platform that helped define the pandemic-era boom in individual investing. The company will join the benchmark in the latest quarterly rebalance.
AppLovin, an ad technology firm, will also replace MarketAxess Holdings, while Robinhood, a stock trading app operator, will take the spot of Caesars Entertainment.
AppLovin and Robinhood will join the S&P 500 index before trading starts on September 22nd.
Nasdaq Approves SOL Strategies Listing
Nasdaq has greenlit SOL Strategies for listing, a major win for Solana exposure in traditional markets. This move bridges the gap between crypto and TradFi, potentially boosting institutional interest in $SOL.
SOL Strategies, often dubbed the “MicroStrategy of Solana,” holds significant $SOL in its treasury and operates validators. Its Nasdaq listing under the ticker $STKE signals a pivotal step for regulated crypto investment vehicles.
Tokenizing shares on Solana via platforms like Opening Bell hints at 24/7 trading and global access. This could redefine market infrastructure, aligning TradFi with blockchain’s efficiency and accessibility for next-gen investors.
If SOL ETFs face delays, SOL Strategies might remain a primary avenue for regulated exposure.
Ledger CTO Says NPM Attack Had Minimal Impact
Ledger CTO Charles Guillemet confirmed the recent NPM supply chain attack targeting the company’s software failed, with “almost no victims” reported.
The exploit sought to compromise developer tools but was swiftly detected and neutralized, preventing damage. Ledger stressed that user wallets and funds were never at risk.
The incident highlights the rising sophistication of cyberattacks in crypto but also shows the effectiveness of rapid defense and monitoring systems.
SOL Strategies Debuts On Nasdaq With $94M Solana Treasury
SOL Strategies, a Canadian firm centered on Solana infrastructure, has joined the Nasdaq Global Select Market under ticker STKE, while also retaining its Canadian listing as HODL.
The company holds 435,064 SOL tokens in its treasury, valued at roughly $94 million, making it the first Solana-native treasury to debut on Wall Street.
This move highlights Solana’s growing institutional visibility and further bridges crypto infrastructure with traditional finance.
Hyperliquid Stablecoin Proposals Face ‘Backroom Deal’ Allegations
Hyperliquid’s push to launch a native stablecoin, USDH, has ignited controversy after its call for proposals drew scrutiny from the community.
A bid from Native Markets raised questions when observers noted its funding was secured just five hours before the announcement, suggesting unusual timing.
Competing project Hyperstable alleged that Native Markets had been tipped off, intensifying accusations of insider advantage.
The debate has cast doubt on Hyperliquid’s decentralized governance, with critics warning that transparency issues could erode community trust.
Kraken Launches xStocks With Tokenized U.S. Equities On Solana
Kraken has unveiled xStocks, a new product offering tokenized versions of over 50 U.S. stocks and ETFs, including Apple, Tesla, and Nvidia, to European and global markets.
Each token is issued on Solana and backed 1:1 by real shares through Backed Finance, ensuring full collateralization and transparency.
The launch enables 24/5 trading access for non-U.S. investors, along with self-custody and DeFi integration options.
This rollout marks a significant step in merging traditional equities with blockchain, expanding global access to U.S. financial markets.
Trump’s CFTC Nominee Says Winklevoss Tried To Influence Appointment
President Trump’s nominee to lead the Commodity Futures Trading Commission disclosed text messages alleging Gemini co-founder Tyler Winklevoss tried to sway his appointment.
The exchanges were submitted in an ethics filing, drawing scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest between crypto executives and federal regulators.
Winklevoss has yet to issue a public response, leaving questions about the role of industry lobbying in U.S. regulatory appointments.
Dogecoin Contributor Warns Of Volatility Amid ETF Speculation
Dogecoin contributor Mishaboar cautioned that recent price surges tied to ETF speculation could bring heightened volatility in the weeks ahead.
He pointed to media hype, institutional flows, and social momentum as key drivers of potential sharp swings in DOGE’s value.
Mishaboar urged traders to manage risk carefully, take profits, and avoid leverage, stressing only to invest what they can afford to lose.
U.S. Inflation Rises 2.9% in August, In Line With Forecasts
The Consumer Price Index climbed 2.9% year-over-year in August, exactly matching economists’ projections of a modest pickup.
The increase reflects the impact of President Trump’s tariffs filtering through the economy, adding upward pressure to consumer prices.
The data suggests inflation remains manageable but highlights how trade policies continue to shape costs across key sectors.
Final Thoughts
So that’s it for this week!
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Have a fantastic week ahead!