DeFi Mashup: TradFi’s finally catching feelings ~ for blockchain 💘
SWIFT’s building, China’s minting, Scaramucci’s moving, and DeFi’s evolving ~ proving once again the future is decentralized.
Hey, SheCrypto fam! 💕
The block never sleeps ~ and neither do I.
This week in DeFi, we’re seeing power shifts, protocol pivots, and policy plays that could shape the next bull wave. From SWIFT building its own blockchain to China minting a yuan-backed stablecoin, the legacy giants are finally waking up to what we’ve known all along ~ the future is decentralized.
Oh, and if you missed it ~ my latest SheCrypto podcast is a must-listen, and my latest comparative analysis ~ Birkins vs. Bitcoin ~ is a must-read!
The DeFi world is doing what it does best ~ innovating fast, bouncing back, and breaking molds. New players are topping charts, while old-school firms are rebranding into full-on crypto treasuries. And of course, the usual suspects ~ scams, exploits, and ETF drama ~ are keeping us on our toes.
Let’s dive in! 🚀
Happy Manic Monday!
XoXo,
Kelly Ann Collins
SHECRYPTO DEFI MASHUP
Sept 22–29, 2025
Global Power Plays
~ SWIFT goes blockchain: The world’s largest interbank network is officially building its own blockchain for tokenized asset settlement, marking the moment TradFi stopped fighting and started forking.
~ China debuts yuan stablecoin (AxCNH): Launched in Kazakhstan, this offshore yuan-pegged token is China’s first major stablecoin ~ part payment pilot, part soft-power flex.
~ UK & U.S. join forces: A new “Transatlantic Taskforce for Markets of the Future” will align digital asset rules and open capital market access for crypto firms. Goodbye regulatory silos, hello synergy.
Policy, Markets & Macro
~ CFTC power vacuum: Only one active commissioner remains, creating a leadership void at the U.S. crypto watchdog just as the industry gains political momentum.
~ Market slump continues: Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP slid again this week amid global rate jitters and macro uncertainty. Momentum traders are now eyeing ETF flows for cues.
~ ETH ETFs lose steam: Spot Ethereum ETFs saw ~$800M in outflows ~ a reminder that institutional hype fades fast when yields flatten.
DeFi & Onchain Innovation
~ Aster Protocol tops the charts: Outpacing even established perpetual DEXs, Aster is generating major daily fees ~ signaling serious cross-chain competition.
~ Hyperliquid hack recovery: After a $700K exploit, the team moved fast, patched, and reopened ~ proof DeFi’s ops maturity is leveling up.
~ XRP staking vaults hit $20M: Ripple’s DeFi comeback? Liquid staking is live, showing multi-chain DeFi is not just theory ~ it’s traction.
Corporate & Institutional Shifts
~ AgriFORCE → AVAX One: The agtech company is ditching crops for crypto ~ rebranding around Avalanche and raising $550M for tokenized treasury management. Stock’s up 200%.
~ Scaramucci returns to crypto: Scaramucci is leading a $550M Avalanche-focused treasury fund ~ a bullish bet on token-based balance sheets.
~ Legacy finance leans in: SWIFT’s move + corporate treasuries = a signal: traditional finance isn’t exiting ~ it’s evolving.
Crime, Scams & Hacks
~ India’s celebrity scam: Hairstylist Jawed Habib and his son allegedly vanished after defrauding investors in a fake crypto scheme.
~ Australia’s crypto drug bust: A Sydney man pled guilty to trafficking and laundering using digital assets ~ fueling more AML enforcement.
~ DeFi exploit season rolls on: Hyperliquid joins the list of hacked but healing platforms ~ underscoring the need for audits, insurance, and resilient design.
SheCrypto Takeaways
1. Institutions are crossing the Rubicon.
When SWIFT builds onchain, we’re past the point of no return. Infrastructure is catching up with innovation.
2. Stablecoins = new global chess pieces.
China’s AxCNH shows how digital fiat can double as foreign policy. The race is on for programmable power.
3. Multi-chain = multi-momentum.
XRP, Avalanche, Aster ~ DeFi’s not just an ETH story anymore. We’re in the age of chain choice.
4. Regulation shapes direction.
Policy vacuums create volatility. Clarity creates capital inflows. The U.S. can’t afford to snooze.
5. DYOR or get rekt.
With scams and exploits still in the headlines, self-custody and self-education are the real alpha.
Thanks for tuning in to this week’s SheCrypto DeFi Mashup ~ your shortcut to the markets that matter, the stories shaping adoption, and the vibes powering the next wave of women-led innovation.
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Today’s DeFi Mashup Sources
🌐 SWIFT to launch blockchain in response to rise of stablecoins (FT)
🌐 China’s yuan stablecoin debut in Kazakhstan (Reuters)
🌐 UK and US to smooth capital markets access and crypto cooperation (Reuters)
🌐 CFTC crypto watchdog under strain (FT)
🌐 Bitcoin, XRP, Ethereum Prices Fall Further (Barron’s)
🌐 AgriFORCE pivots into crypto with AVAX treasury (Business Insider)
🌐 Scaramucci-backed crypto treasury launch (WSJ)
🌐 Hairstylist Jawed Habib crypto scam (Economic Times)
🌐 Australia drug-crypto syndicate case (Daily Telegraph)
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