The intersection between traditional finance and blockchain innovation continues to deepen, as Ripple Labs takes a pivotal step toward mainstream financial integration. On July 3, 2025, Ripple officially submitted an application for a national banking charter to the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), signaling its intent to operate as a regulated national bank. This move could redefine how stablecoins and cross-border payments are governed within the U.S. financial system.
As the crypto ecosystem evolves, so too does its infrastructure — from decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to regulatory advancements and security threats. This report delivers a comprehensive overview of today’s most critical developments across Web3, with data-driven insights and expert analysis.
DeFi Market Overview
Decentralized Finance remains a cornerstone of the blockchain economy, offering open access to financial services without intermediaries.
Total DeFi Market Capitalization: $115.17 Billion
The combined market cap of all DeFi tokens stands at $115.17 billion, reflecting sustained investor confidence despite market volatility. Key protocols continue to innovate in lending, borrowing, and yield generation, driving adoption across global markets.
24-Hour DEX Trading Volume: $7.25 Billion
Decentralized exchanges (DEXs) recorded $7.25 billion in trading volume over the past day. This robust activity underscores growing user preference for non-custodial trading platforms that prioritize control and transparency.
Total Value Locked (TVL) in DeFi: $116.42 Billion
Over $116 billion is currently locked across DeFi protocols, with leading platforms including Lido, Aave, and Curve maintaining dominant positions. Institutional interest in real-world asset (RWA) tokenization is accelerating capital inflows into compliant, yield-generating ecosystems.
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NFT Market Insights
Non-fungible tokens continue to expand beyond digital art into identity, gaming, and intellectual property rights.
NFT Market Cap: $18.06 Billion
The total market capitalization of NFTs now exceeds $18 billion. Blue-chip collections like CryptoPunks and Bored Ape Yacht Club remain valuation anchors, while utility-driven NFTs gain traction in metaverse and membership applications.
24-Hour NFT Trading Volume: $2.68 Billion
Daily NFT trading volume reached $2.68 billion, indicating strong liquidity and renewed speculative interest. Marketplaces such as Blur and OpenSea are seeing increased institutional participation through structured NFT funds.
Top Gainers in the Last 24 Hours
Several NFT projects saw double-digit percentage gains within a single day, led by niche communities focused on AI-generated art and gamified collectibles. Projects emphasizing community ownership and on-chain royalties performed particularly well.
Ripple Seeks National Bank Charter
Ripple Labs has formally applied for a national bank charter through the OCC, marking a strategic shift toward full regulatory compliance. The company currently operates under oversight from the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) for its U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin, RLUSD.
If approved, this charter would bring Ripple’s operations — including its stablecoin issuance and cross-border payment solutions — under federal banking supervision. It would also allow the firm to offer broader financial services, such as custody, lending, and deposit-taking, positioning it alongside traditional banks.
This development aligns with a growing trend of crypto-native firms seeking formal banking status. It may also influence future regulatory frameworks for stablecoins, especially in light of ongoing U.S. legislative discussions around digital asset oversight.
Experts suggest that Ripple’s move could set a precedent for other blockchain companies aiming to bridge the gap between decentralized technology and centralized financial infrastructure.
Meme Coin Momentum
While regulatory scrutiny intensifies, meme coins continue to capture public attention.
Trump-branded merchandise is now accepting payments in TRUMP tokens via the official online store. This integration highlights the cultural impact of political-themed cryptocurrencies and their ability to drive real-world utility through grassroots adoption.
Although highly speculative, these assets demonstrate the power of community-driven narratives in shaping market dynamics.
Key DeFi Developments
YZi Labs Invests in Digital Asset Platform
YZi Labs has announced a strategic investment in Digital Asset, a platform building compliance-first tools for regulated markets. The funding supports Digital Asset’s $135 million Series E round, backed by major institutions including Goldman Sachs, Citadel Securities, DTCC, DRW, and Tradeweb.
The capital will accelerate development of the Canton Network, a privacy-preserving interoperability framework designed to connect institutional blockchains. By enabling secure communication between permissioned ledgers, Canton aims to facilitate the tokenization of trillions in real-world assets — from bonds to private equity.
This collaboration underscores a shift toward enterprise-grade blockchain solutions that meet legal and operational standards.
SlowMist Warns of Malicious Solana Bot on GitHub
Security remains a critical concern in Web3. SlowMist, a leading blockchain security firm, has issued an alert regarding a malicious GitHub repository disguised as a legitimate Solana trading bot: zldp2002/solana-pumpfun-bot.
On July 2, 2025, a user reported losing funds after running the script, which contained hidden dependencies designed to exfiltrate wallet private keys. The attack involved coordinated accounts to inflate the project’s popularity, making it appear trustworthy.
SlowMist advises developers and users to:
- Avoid executing unverified open-source code
- Use isolated environments for testing
- Audit dependencies before deployment
This incident highlights the risks of social engineering in developer communities and reinforces the need for rigorous security practices.
Early Ethereum Investor Moves 1,000 ETH to Kraken
An early participant in Ethereum’s 2014 ICO recently transferred 1,000 ETH (~$2.6 million) to Kraken exchange. The wallet still holds approximately 3,000 ETH (~$7.79 million), suggesting potential profit-taking or portfolio rebalancing.
The investor originally acquired 100,000 ETH during the ICO at an average cost of $0.31 per ETH — representing one of the earliest and most successful bets in crypto history.
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ListaDAO Renames clisBNB to slisBNBx
ListaDAO has rebranded its liquid staking derivative clisBNB as slisBNBx, enhancing clarity and alignment with its core product suite. The change is automatic — no action required by users — and maintains full functionality.
As BNB Chain expands its ecosystem, liquid staking solutions like slisBNBx play a crucial role in unlocking capital efficiency for validators and retail participants alike.
AEON Integrates Mesh Payment Network
AEON, a crypto payment protocol, has integrated Mesh’s global payment API, enabling users to pay merchants using balances from exchanges like Coinbase and Binance, or wallets such as MetaMask, Phantom, and TrustWallet.
This integration removes friction from everyday crypto spending by allowing direct payments without prior withdrawals. It supports both online and point-of-sale transactions, advancing the vision of seamless digital asset usability.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What does Ripple’s national bank application mean for RLUSD?
A: If approved, RLUSD would fall under federal banking regulation via the OCC, potentially increasing trust and adoption among institutional players.
Q: Why is the Canton Network important for DeFi?
A: It enables regulated institutions to securely share data and assets across blockchains while preserving privacy — a key step toward mass RWA tokenization.
Q: How can I protect myself from malicious GitHub repositories?
A: Never run未经审计 code directly; use sandbox environments and verify repository history, contributor authenticity, and dependency trees.
Q: Is TRUMP token a legitimate investment?
A: Like most meme coins, it carries high volatility and speculative risk. Always conduct due diligence before investing in community-driven tokens.
Q: What is the benefit of AEON’s Mesh integration?
A: Users can spend crypto instantly from exchange or wallet balances without transferring funds first — improving convenience and adoption for daily payments.
Q: Will renaming clisBNB affect my staked assets?
A: No — the transition to slisBNBx is automatic and functionally identical. Your holdings remain safe and unchanged.
The convergence of blockchain innovation and traditional finance is no longer theoretical — it’s unfolding in real time. From regulatory milestones to infrastructure upgrades and persistent security challenges, today’s developments reflect a maturing ecosystem poised for broader adoption.