Bitcoin collateral without wrapping: Zest Protocol launched a mainnet demo of Bitcoin Collateral Vaults, letting users keep native BTC in self-custodial Taproot vaults while borrowing USDC on Ethereum—no bridging or wrapping, with withdrawals/liquidations tightly controlled. Crypto exchange security: Bitget suspended withdrawals after a suspected North Korean-linked hack stole about $351.6M from hot/warm wallets; deposits and trading stayed open and losses are claimed covered by a $464M protection fund. Regulated fintech expansion: Revolut won Argentina Central Bank approval to acquire Banco Cetelem, aiming for a 2027 launch of Revolut Bank Argentina (initially focused on building regulatory and operational readiness). Payments standards: CFES rolled out a Payments Standard Module with a 5-tier standards matrix and a pre-launch checklist for nonbank payment programs. AI + crypto infrastructure: Quantum computing fears were challenged by an argument that the real risk is broader encryption exposure, not “crypto death,” while Wall Street continues shifting from miners to AI compute via longer contracted power deals. Market backdrop: Bitcoin held near $84K as Treasury yields pressured risk assets, with ETF inflows and options expiry chatter keeping volatility in focus.