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Europe gets its first stablecoin infrastructure ETP as Virtune lists on Nasdaq and Xetra

cryptonews — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 19:53:59 +0000

The STABLE ETP is physically backed and rebalanced quarterly via Coinbase Custody.
Investors gain exposure to Ethereum, XRP, Solana, Chainlink, Stellar, and Aave.
Launch aligns with Europe’s MiCA regulation and Nasdaq’s digital asset strategy.

A Swedish crypto asset manager has launched Europe’s first exchange-traded product (ETP) dedicated to the infrastructure supporting stablecoins, marking a turning point for regulated digital asset investing in the region.

On November 5, Virtune AB listed its Virtune Stablecoin Index ETP on Nasdaq Stockholm, Nasdaq Helsinki, and Deutsche Börse Xetra.

The launch gives investors an opportunity to access the networks driving stablecoin adoption without directly holding the tokens themselves.

The first stablecoin infrastructure ETP in Europe

Trading under the Bloomberg ticker STABLE, the product is designed to capture value from the blockchains and crypto assets that underpin the growing stablecoin ecosystem.

On Nasdaq Stockholm and Helsinki, it trades as STABLE and STABLEE, respectively, while the Xetra listing uses the symbol VRTN.

The ETP is available to both institutional and retail investors through major brokers and banks, including Avanza, Nordnet, SAVR, Scalable Capital, Smartbroker, and Finanzen Zero.

Virtune describes the product as “the first of its kind” in Europe.

Unlike conventional crypto funds that hold stablecoins such as USDC or Tether, the STABLE ETP provides exposure to the blockchains where stablecoins operate.

It is 100% physically backed by digital assets stored securely with Coinbase Custody and is rebalanced quarterly to reflect market shifts.

The ETP carries a 1.95% annual management fee and supports trading in SEK and EUR.

Capturing the growth of the $314.5 billion stablecoin market

The stablecoin sector has grown rapidly over the past year, with financial institutions adopting tokenised money to facilitate round-the-clock settlements and faster cross-border transfers.

According to CoinMarketCap data, the total stablecoin market value stands at about $314.5 billion.

Euro-backed stablecoins, while still small in comparison, have reached a market capitalisation of $609.37 million, as per CoinGecko, led by Circle’s EURC, Stasis Euro, and Societe Generale’s EUR CoinVertible.

This expansion has encouraged European banks to experiment with their own digital currencies.

In September, nine banks, including UniCredit, Banca Sella, DekaBank, and ING, announced plans to launch a MiCA-compliant euro-backed stablecoin.

Virtune’s STABLE ETP arrives amid this momentum, offering investors a regulated avenue to participate in the wider stablecoin ecosystem.

A bridge between traditional finance and digital assets

By focusing on blockchain infrastructure rather than the stablecoins themselves, Virtune’s ETP aims to diversify risk while capturing growth potential from multiple networks.

The index is weighted using the square root of market capitalisation, a method designed to prevent dominance by larger assets and to maintain balanced exposure across the ecosystem.

For investors, the STABLE ETP represents a gateway into crypto infrastructure via a regulated vehicle.

It eliminates the need to manage private keys or digital wallets while still providing participation in the networks driving stablecoin use in payments, banking, and commerce.

The ETP also aligns with Nasdaq’s broader strategy to expand its range of digital asset products within a transparent regulatory framework.

Helena Wedin, Head of ETF and ETP Services for European Markets at Nasdaq, said the exchange’s goal is to encourage innovation in a secure marketplace.

The listing of Virtune’s product, she noted, highlights the growing maturity of the ETP sector and its importance in linking traditional investors to blockchain-based opportunities.

What Virtune’s launch signals for Europe

The introduction of STABLE marks a significant milestone for European digital asset markets, which are now operating under the new MiCA regulation.

It underscores a shift from speculative crypto products toward infrastructure-focused investments that mirror the real-world utility of blockchain technology.

By packaging stablecoin infrastructure into a regulated exchange-traded product, Virtune has provided a blueprint for how digital assets can coexist with mainstream financial systems.

As more financial institutions explore tokenised money and on-chain settlements, products such as the Virtune Stablecoin Index ETP could serve as benchmarks for future innovation.

In a market driven by efficiency, transparency, and accessibility, Virtune’s launch demonstrates how Europe’s financial ecosystem is evolving to embrace the technology powering the next generation of digital finance.

The post Europe gets its first stablecoin infrastructure ETP as Virtune lists on Nasdaq and Xetra appeared first on CoinJournal.

Europe gets its first stablecoin infrastructure ETP as Virtune lists on Nasdaq and Xetra

Source: https://coinjournal.net/news/europe-gets-its-first-stablecoin-infrastructure-etp-as-virtune-lists-on-nasdaq-and-xetra/

XRP price nears $3.84 all-time high as daily gains hit 11.6%

cryptonews — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 15:34:03 +0000

XRP eyes a breakout as regulatory clarity and bullish momentum converge near its 2021 cycle high.
Ripple’s stablecoin push and EU expansion pave the way for cross-border compliance and digital finance leadership.
Lawsuit winds down, lifting years of regulatory drag and igniting fresh institutional interest.

XRP’s price action is approaching a major breakout moment. After hovering below its 2021 cycle high for months, the token is showing fresh strength.

XRP is now trading at $3.29, up by 11.6% in the past 24 hours.

Source: CoinMarketCap

Trading volumes have exceeded $13 billion, and technical momentum is building across major exchanges.

This price movement reflects more than market speculation—XRP’s current rally is supported by a cluster of regulatory, institutional, and technological developments that could reposition Ripple’s token at the centre of digital asset adoption across the US and Europe.

Stablecoin legislation, Ripple charter, and MiCA boost regulatory clarity

The Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act passed the House this week after clearing the Senate in June.

Backed by President Donald Trump and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, the bill arrives alongside the CLARITY and Anti-CBDC acts.

Ripple, which launched its dollar-backed RLUSD stablecoin in December, filed for a US national bank charter and Federal Reserve master account on 2 July.

These moves would allow it to custody RLUSD reserves directly with the Fed, increasing transparency and regulatory compliance.

In parallel, Ripple is preparing to scale its European operations. The company confirmed it will seek an EU electronic money institution licence under the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework.

Ripple’s stated aim is to become MiCA-compliant and expand its footprint in the European stablecoin market.

Together, these developments offer a pathway to regulatory legitimacy across major jurisdictions, significantly strengthening XRP’s long-term position.

Ripple lawsuit nearly resolved as penalty remains at $125 million

A separate catalyst for XRP’s momentum is the near-resolution of Ripple’s long-running court case with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

On 26 June, Judge Analisa Torres rejected a joint motion by Ripple and the SEC that sought to reduce a civil penalty from $125 million to $50 million and eliminate the permanent injunction.

She ruled that the parties failed to show “exceptional circumstances” needed to revise her judgment.

However, the very next day, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse announced on X that the company would drop its cross-appeal, expressing optimism that the SEC would do the same.

While the penalty of $125 million remains in place, this development has been interpreted as the beginning of the end of the litigation.

The regulatory overhang that has constrained XRP for years may now be lifting.

ETFs and acquisitions signal renewed institutional push

With legal uncertainties easing, fund managers are moving quickly. On 15 July, ProShares launched leveraged futures funds for Solana and XRP, while spot ETFs await SEC clearance.

One week earlier, the SEC issued new disclosure guidance aimed at expediting crypto ETF approvals.

Trump Media & Technology Group has gone a step further, filing for a “blue-chip” basket ETF that would include bitcoin, ether, solana, and XRP, indicating growing bipartisan pressure to accelerate ETF listings.

At the same time, Ripple is actively expanding its infrastructure.

It has acquired prime broker Hidden Road for $1.25 billion and is developing an on-ledger lending protocol set to launch in Q3.

Chief technology officer David Schwartz told DL News in late June that multiple acquisitions are underway.

These efforts are aimed at deepening XRP liquidity, bolstering its use cases, and increasing investor confidence.

Price trajectory and technical signals

According to crypto strategist Pentoshi, XRP has traded in a “very clean” structure over the past seven months, with limited overhead resistance.

“It arguably has little resistance from here because it never spent time trading here on the verge of price discovery,” he wrote on X. Relative strength index (RSI) readings across major trading platforms have returned to “buy” territory, reinforcing bullish sentiment.

At the time of writing, XRP is trading at $3.29. While it has not yet breached its all-time high of $3.84 set in January 2018, the convergence of regulatory clarity, ETF interest, and Ripple’s strategic positioning marks a pivotal phase.

The coming weeks could determine whether XRP can reclaim its former peak and establish new price territory in this cycle.

The post XRP price nears $3.84 all-time high as daily gains hit 11.6% appeared first on CoinJournal.

XRP price nears $3.84 all-time high as daily gains hit 11.6%

Source: https://coinjournal.net/news/xrp-price-nears-3-84-all-time-high-as-daily-gains-hit-11-6/

Gemini receives in-principle approval for an investment firm license in Malta

cryptonews — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 08:49:48 +0000

The approval marks a significant step for Gemini which has picked Malta as its EU hub for its MiCA application
Gemini will be able to offer customers perpetual futures contracts and options throughout the EU and the EEA
A growing number of crypto platforms are expanding their services to Europe

Crypto exchange Gemini has been granted in-principle approval for an investment firm license from Malta’s financial regulator.

In a blog post, Mark Jennings, Gemini’s head of Europe, announced the news on February 11. The step marks a significant moment for the crypto exchange which has picked Malta as its EU hub for its Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) application.

Jennings said that once the in-principle license is granted, Gemini will be able to offer perpetual futures contracts and options throughout the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA) under the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II (MiFID II).

“Achieving in-principle approval marks a crucial step in our 2025 European expansion strategy,” Jennings added.

Expanding into Europe

Gemini’s in-principle approval comes at a time when more organizations are turning to Europe to expand their services.

Since the full rollout of the MiCA regulation in the EU at the end of 2024, a growing number of crypto platforms and service providers have already received approval. The approval of MiCA enables providers to offer their products and services in the EEA.

Companies that have received full MiCA licenses include Bitpanda, Boerse Stuttgart Digital, Circle, Coinbase, Crypto.com, MoonPay, and OKX.

The post Gemini receives in-principle approval for an investment firm license in Malta appeared first on CoinJournal.

Gemini receives in-principle approval for an investment firm license in Malta

Source: https://coinjournal.net/news/gemini-receives-in-principle-approval-for-an-investment-firm-license-in-malta/

OKX and Crypto.com become latest to receive full MiCA licenses

cryptonews — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 07:57:09 +0000

OKX said it was a “major milestone” to receive the full MiCA license
Crypto.com received an in-principle earlier this month
The EU rolled out its MiCA regulations on December 20, 2024

Crypto exchanges Crypto.com and OKX are the latest platforms to receive full licenses under the EU’s Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regulation.

Both exchanges announced the news in separate posts published on January 27, 2025.

In a blog post, Erald Ghoos, Europe CEO of OKX, said securing the MiCA license was a “major milestone for OKX, a win for crypto in Europe, and a testament to the growth and mass adoption of the industry at scale.”

Ghoos continued by saying the platform can provide its crypto products and services to more than 400 million people across Europe through its crypto hub in Malta.

“In the coming days, OKX will begin passporting its MiCA license from its Malta hub to all 30 EEA member states,” Ghoos said.

Passporting is part of the MiCA regulation that enables licensed and registered businesses to offer their services in another EU country under a unified regulatory framework.

The news of OKX receiving a full license follows its announcement that it gained pre-authorization as a Virtual Financial Assets (VFA) exchange under the European Union’s MiCA regulation.

Fully supportive of MiCA

Crypto.com announced via X that it had received a full MiCA license.

We’re proud to announce that today we’ve received full approval of our MiCA license. https://t.co/ijU4pgLuhu

— Crypto.com (@cryptocom) January 27, 2025

Earlier this month, Crypto.com revealed that it had received an in-principle MiCA license.

At the time, Eric Anziani, president and COO of Crypto.com, said: “We have always been fully supportive of MiCA and strongly believe it will bring clarity, transparency, and establish a more streamlined sentiment towards the regulation of our industry across the EU, all of which adds to the growing confidence in the crypto sector.”

Bitpanda also received a full MiCA license from German regulator BaFin today.

Bitpanda, Crypto.com, and OKX join the likes of Boerse Stuttgart Digital, Circle, Coinbase, and MoonPay are some of the crypto companies to have successfully secured MiCA approval ahead of the regulatory rollout of MiCA in the EU.

The comprehensive crypto rules came into full effect on December 30, 2024.

The post OKX and Crypto.com become latest to receive full MiCA licenses appeared first on CoinJournal.

OKX and Crypto.com become latest to receive full MiCA licenses

Source: https://coinjournal.net/news/okx-and-crypto-com-become-latest-to-receive-full-mica-licenses/

Crypto.com receives in-principle MiCA licence

cryptonews — Sun, 19 Jan 2025 18:53:45 +0000

Crypto.com says the MiCA licence allows the exchange to passport its services across the European Union.
The firm joins other crypto companies in securing regulatory approval in the EU, including Circle, Borse Stuttgart Digital, MoonPay and Coinbase.

Crypto.com is set to expand its services and products in the European Union after obtaining the crucial Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) approval.

The exchange announced the key regulatory milestone via a news release on Jan. 17.

Crypto.com eyes EU expansion

Having now secured an in-principle license from MiCA in the EU, Crypto.com is now edging closer to full regulatory approval becoming one of the first crypto service providers to achieve this milestone.

The license allows companies to operate across the European trading bloc consisting of 27 nations. Upon approval, Crypto.com will be able to offer a wide range of crypto services through out the jurisdiction.

European Union under a leadership framework which enhances accountancy and transparency in the industry. Commenting the news, President and chief operating officer of Crypto.com Eric Anziani, said:

“We have always been fully supportive of MiCA and strongly believe it will bring clarity, transparency, and establish a more streamlined sentiment towards the regulation of our industry across the EU, all of which adds to the growing confidence in the crypto sector. “

Companies have been pushing towards attaining a crypto asset service provider license under MiCA since 2023 crypto legislation was passed.

Crypto.com joins several other platforms in securing MiCA licences.

These include Boerse Stuttgart Digital, MoonPay, Circle and Coinbase, some of the crypto companies to successfully secure MiCA approval ahead of the regulatory rollout of MiCA in the EU. Notably, the comprehensive crypto rules came into full effect on December 30, 2024.

The post Crypto.com receives in-principle MiCA licence appeared first on CoinJournal.

Crypto.com receives in-principle MiCA licence

Source: https://coinjournal.net/news/crypto-com-receives-in-principle-mica-licence/