Hong Kong University Explores Accepting Bitcoin For Fees Payment

The post Saudi Awwal Bank Adopts Chainlink Tools, LINK Near $23 appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. SAB adopts Chainlink’s CCIP and CRE to expand tokenization and cross-border finance tools. SAB and Wamid target $2.32T Saudi capital markets with blockchain-based tokenization plans. LINK price falls 2.43% to $22.99 despite higher trading volume and steady liquidity ratios. Saudi Awwal Bank has added Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) and the Chainlink Runtime Environment (CRE) to its digital strategy. CCIP links assets and data across multiple blockchains, while CRE provides banks with a controlled framework to test and deploy new financial applications. The lender, with more than $100 billion in assets, is applying the tools to tokenized assets, cross-border settlement, and automated credit platforms. The move signals that Chainlink’s infrastructure is being adopted at scale inside regulated finance. Related: Chainlink’s Deal with SBI Is a Major Win, But Chart Shows LINK’s Battle at $27 Resistance Wamid Partnership Aims at $2.32 Trillion Markets In parallel, SAB signed an agreement with Wamid, a subsidiary of the Saudi Tadawul Group, to pilot tokenization of the Saudi Exchange’s $2.32 trillion capital markets. The focus is on equities and debt products, opening the door for blockchain-based issuance and settlement. SAB has already executed the world’s first Islamic repo on distributed ledger technology, in collaboration with Oumla earlier this year. That transaction gave regulators a template for compliant on-chain contracts. The Wamid deal builds directly on that precedent, shifting from single-instrument pilots toward broader capital markets integration. Saudi Blockchain Buildout Gains Pace Saudi institutions are building multiple layers of digital infrastructure. Oumla is working with Avalanche to develop the Kingdom’s first domestically hosted Layer 1 blockchain. SAB’s Chainlink adoption adds an interoperability and execution layer on top. Together, these projects are shaping a domestic framework for tokenization, with global connectivity added only where liquidity requires it. LINK Price and Liquidity Snapshot While institutional adoption progresses, Chainlink’s…

Pump.fun has rolled out a new social feature that is already stirring debate across Solana’s meme coin scene, after founder Alon Cohen said he would personally

New York’s top financial regulator urged banks to adopt blockchain analytics, signaling tighter oversight of crypto-linked risks. The move reflects regulators’ concern that traditional institutions face rising exposure to digital assets. While crypto-native firms already rely on monitoring tools, the Department of Financial Services now expects banks to use them to detect illicit activity. NYDFS Outlines Compliance Expectations The notice, issued on Wednesday by Superintendent Adrienne Harris, applies to all state-chartered banks and foreign branches. In its industry letter, the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) emphasized that blockchain analytics should be integrated into compliance programs according to each bank’s size, operations, and risk appetite. The regulator cautioned that crypto markets evolve quickly, requiring institutions to update frameworks regularly. “Emerging technologies introduce evolving threats that require enhanced monitoring tools,” the notice stated. It stressed the need for banks to prevent money laundering, sanctions violations, and other illicit finance linked to virtual currency transactions. To that end, the Department listed specific areas where blockchain analytics can be applied: Screening customer wallets with crypto exposure to assess risks. Verifying the origin of funds from virtual asset service providers (VASPs). Monitoring the ecosystem holistically to detect money laundering or sanctions exposure. Identifying and assessing counterparties, such as third-party VASPs. Evaluating expected versus actual transaction activity, including dollar thresholds. Weighing risks tied to new digital asset products before rollout. These examples highlight how institutions can tailor monitoring tools to strengthen their risk management frameworks. The guidance expands on NYDFS’s Virtual Currency-Related Activities (VCRA) framework, which has governed crypto oversight in the state since 2022. Regulators Signal Broader Impact Market observers say the notice is less about new rules and more about clarifying expectations. By formalizing the role of blockchain analytics in traditional finance, New York is reinforcing the idea that banks cannot treat crypto exposure as a niche concern. Analysts also believe the approach could ripple beyond New York. Federal agencies and regulators in other states may view the guidance as a blueprint for aligning banking oversight with the realities of digital asset adoption. For institutions, failure to adopt blockchain intelligence tools may invite regulatory scrutiny and undermine their ability to safeguard customer trust. With crypto now firmly embedded in global finance, New York’s stance suggests that blockchain analytics are no longer optional for banks — they are essential to protecting the financial system’s integrity.