Robinhood Doubles Down On Crypto, Nokia Files Patent For Crypto Device & More

Welcome back!

This is J264G and this week I’ve got these titbits for you:

• Crypto Powerhouse: Robinhood sees crypto as a game-changer for finance.

• Onchain Commodities: AgriDex settles the first-ever onchain coffee trade.

• Crypto Device: Nokia files a patent for a digital asset encryption device.

Bitcoin may have gone mainstream, but crypto as a whole hasn’t — yet. That will change in 2025, so here’s to an exciting year ahead!

Now, let’s jump right into this week’s newsletter!

Click on any underlined heading/hyperlink to learn more.

Spotlight

Locked In

In the coming decades, AI and crypto will transform our lives in unprecedented ways. 

AI will redefine the way we work and innovate, while crypto will reshape how we store, transfer, and perceive value. 

This shift is likely to accelerate under the incoming Trump administration, which seems poised to strengthen ties with technology companies and innovation catalysts. With key figures from the tech sector taking on advisory and regulatory roles, the influence of private sector innovation on public policy will become increasingly apparent. This convergence could place the U.S. at the forefront of emerging technologies — particularly crypto. 

Domestically, this alignment may lead to a regulatory framework more conducive to crypto innovation, fostering growth in blockchain technologies and driving economic activity. Internationally, the U.S.’s pro-crypto stance may pressure other nations to adapt their policies and modi operandi to remain competitive, potentially accelerating the global shift toward decentralised technologies.

Why am I highlighting all this? 

Because the sooner public and private sectors in regions such as Latin America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia recognise that the U.S. will be the defining force in crypto, the sooner they can align their institutions and businesses to seize opportunities.

Crypto offers nations the chance to leapfrog into a more prosperous future — just as mobile-first approaches revolutionised industries, especially in Asia and Africa. Conversely, missing the boat, as Europe did with the platform economy, can lead to stagnation and lost economic potential. 

To avoid this fate, nations must shed outdated models and embrace innovation with fresh energy. Consequently, both public and private entities need to lay the groundwork for crypto research, commercialisation, and quick wins, while also crafting long-term strategic frameworks. 

Discussions about Bitcoin Strategic Reserves are a start, but they’re insufficient. What matters are actionable policies, regulation, and strategies on self-custody and stablecoins, and overhauling equity and commodity trading with crypto assets and crypto rails.

Looking ahead, these are my crypto dark horse nations for 2025: 

• Latin America: Mexico & Brazil

• Europe: Netherlands & Poland

• Africa: Zambia & Ghana

• Middle East: Saudi Arabia & Israel

• Asia: Indonesia & Vietnam

In short: From 2025 onwards, even more nations will be locked in — so make sure yours is too.

Charts Of The Week

News Bites

Crypto Powerhouse: Alongside Coinbase, Robinhood is emerging as the next (regulated) crypto powerhouse. Robinhood’s co-founder and CEO, Vlad Tenev, believes crypto has the potential to fundamentally transform the finance industry — hear more about his vision below.

Media Moves: Tether, issuer of the USDT stablecoin, has invested $775 million in Rumble, a video-sharing platform akin to YouTube. This underscores two major trends: Crypto’s growing role in funding new media outlets willing to neutrally showcase the benefits of blockchain technologies, and the increasing mainstream adoption of micropayments using USDT and BTC.

Onchain Commodities: Solana-based AgriDex has executed the first-ever onchain coffee trade. Tiki Tonga exported coffee to South Africa, with payment made in South African rand and settled in British pound. According to AgriDex, the transaction carried a minimal 0.5% fee compared to the usual 5–7% and was settled instantly, versus the typical 5-12-day turnaround times. 

AGI Movement: The intersection of crypto and AI has generated plenty of buzz, and Solana is at the heart of it. If you want to stay updated, check out ai16z, a group advancing the open-source AGI movement on Solana.

Crypto Device: Nokia has filed a patent in China for a digital asset encryption device, signalling an entry into blockchain security. Why the Finnish company chose to file in China remains unclear, but it’s an interesting development nonetheless. 

ETF Gymnastics: The spotlight has been on the potential launch of Solana Spot ETFs, but now Volatility Shares has taken things further by filing for a Solana Futures ETF incl. 2x leverage — even though Solana Futures haven’t even launched yet. 2025 is shaping up to be a wild ride. 

Caught In 4K

Weekly Take

Keks & Giggles

And that's a wrap!

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Talk soon!

J264G

_{DISCLAIMER
None of this is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research. Lastly, please be advised that we discuss products and services from our partners from which our team members may hold tokens/equity.}