HSBC Launches HKD-Backed RedCoin Stablecoin for 3.3 Million PayMe Users in Hong Kong
According to the South China Morning Post, HSBC is rolling out its Hong Kong dollar-backed stablecoin, RedCoin, to more than 3.3 million PayMe users starting October 23. The initial phase supports peer-to-peer transfers and merchant payments, with users able to activate RedCoin wallets without additional account-opening requirements or minimum balances. Full availability is expected before the weekend. HSBC also plans to integrate RedCoin into its Hong Kong mobile banking app by year-end, enabling instant subscriptions to tokenized money market funds starting from HK$100, with tokenized gold and third-party funds to follow. HSBC received its stablecoin issuer license from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority in April 2026.
Polymarket Fires CMO Matthew Modabber Amid Fake Promotion Claims and CFTC Probe
Polymarket has fired Matthew Modabber, its chief marketing officer since January 2024 and a close associate of CEO Shayne Coplan, the New York Post reported, citing sources. The company launched an internal investigation over allegations that his team produced fake trading-profit promotional content and paid influencers through personal accounts. The incidents have triggered a CFTC investigation, which remains ongoing. No wrongdoing has been established. Polymarket declined to comment. Modabber did not respond to a request for comment.
Circle Shareholder Sues Trump and World Liberty Over UAE-Linked Deals, Alleging Unconstitutional ...
According to Bloomberg, a Circle shareholder has sued President Donald Trump and World Liberty Financial, alleging that Trump violated the U.S. Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause through two UAE-linked transactions: the $500 million sale of a 49% stake in World Liberty and a $2 billion Binance investment funded using its USD1 stablecoin. The plaintiff claims the deals harmed Circle investors through unfair competition and seeks the return of alleged illegal profits and damages. Circle said it was not involved in the lawsuit, while World Liberty denied the allegations.
Visa in Talks to Acquire Fireblocks for ~$2.5 Billion to Expand Crypto Presence
According to Axios, Visa is in talks to acquire crypto custody infrastructure firm Fireblocks in a deal that would value the company at around $2.5 billion. If finalized, the transaction would further expand Visa's footprint in digital asset custody and blockchain-based payment infrastructure. The reports remain subject to further confirmation, and the specific terms and progress of the acquisition negotiations have not been disclosed.
a16z, One of Crypto’s Largest VCs, Plans to Drop “Crypto” From Flagship Fund Name
According to The Information, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), one of the largest venture capital firms in the crypto industry, plans to remove “Crypto” from the name of its flagship blockchain fund and expand its investment focus beyond cryptocurrencies. One of the fund’s founding members is also reportedly departing. In May 2026, a16z Crypto closed its fifth crypto fund at $2.2 billion, roughly half the size of its $4.5 billion fourth fund raised in 2022.
Over 93.5% of Starknet Voting Power Backs Research into Transitioning to Independent Quantum-Resi...
Starknet (STRK) tokenholders have approved a research proposal with over 93.5% of voting power supporting an exploration of transitioning Starknet from an Ethereum Layer 2 into an independent, quantum-resistant Layer 1 network. StarkWare plans to release a draft whitepaper in November. The vote strictly authorizes preliminary research and does not constitute formal approval of the transition, which will remain subject to a dedicated governance approval process moving forward.
SoSoValueによると、米国のビットコイン現物ETFは10月21日に5億2,800万ドルの純流入を記録し、BlackRockのIBITが2億3,500万ドルで最大の流入を集めました。イーサリアム現物ETFには1,496万ドルが流入し、GrayscaleのEthereum Mini Trust(ETH)が2,807万ドルで最大の流入を記録しました。BlackRockは世界最大の資産運用会社であり、Grayscaleは暗号資産に特化した大手資産運用会社です。