Coinbase has announced the official listing of XRP futures contracts on its derivatives platform, marking a significant step toward expanding its offerings for institutional investors. The move comes after receiving approval from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), signaling further regulatory clarity for the exchange’s derivatives arm.

The newly listed XRP perpetual futures contracts are now live on Coinbase Derivatives, catering to growing interest in the asset class amid renewed attention on altcoins. Each contract represents 10 XRP and is designed to provide traders with increased exposure and flexibility in managing risk.

Coinbase highlighted that the contracts will be available to both retail and institutional clients through third-party broker intermediaries and its own Coinbase Advanced platform. The exchange cited robust market demand for XRP derivatives as part of its broader strategy to support regulated crypto futures trading in the U.S.

This listing follows similar futures products introduced by Coinbase for Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), and other major digital assets, further positioning the platform as a key player in the crypto derivatives space.

Coinbase’s move also comes amid ongoing regulatory scrutiny and legal battles involving XRP and its issuer, Ripple Labs. However, the CFTC-regulated status of the futures contracts is expected to provide additional confidence to traders and institutions exploring XRP exposure.

With the launch, Coinbase continues its push to expand regulated offerings, bridging traditional finance with digital assets and reinforcing its role in shaping a compliant U.S. crypto market infrastructure.

El Salvador is embracing artificial intelligence as a key pillar in its national development strategy, announcing plans to leverage high-performance computing infrastructure powered by NVIDIA technology.

The country revealed it is establishing the “National Center for Artificial Intelligence,” a government-led initiative aimed at promoting AI integration across sectors including education, healthcare, and public services. The center will be built around NVIDIA’s DGX SuperPOD—an advanced AI system designed to support large-scale machine learning workloads.

President Nayib Bukele’s administration emphasized that the move aligns with the country’s broader vision of technological modernization. The AI center will be housed within El Salvador’s National Library and is expected to become operational by the end of 2024. According to officials, the facility will enable the government to train AI models locally, process massive datasets, and accelerate digital transformation initiatives.

El Salvador’s adoption of NVIDIA’s platform follows a trend of emerging markets turning to AI and blockchain innovation to leapfrog traditional development paths. The country’s partnership with NVIDIA underscores its commitment to building a high-tech economy and cultivating digital talent.

The initiative will also include educational and research programs to equip Salvadorans with skills in AI and data science. Government officials noted that students, academics, and startups will be given access to the infrastructure, creating a public-private ecosystem around innovation.

As one of the first Latin American countries to formally integrate AI at a national scale—with infrastructure supported by a global tech leader—El Salvador is positioning itself as a pioneer in regional digital transformation.

Circle and BitGo are reportedly preparing to apply for U.S. bank charters, marking a significant step toward deeper integration between the cryptocurrency industry and traditional banking infrastructure.

The two digital asset firms are said to be in advanced stages of seeking banking licenses, a move that would allow them to operate as fully regulated financial institutions within the United States. If approved, this would grant the companies the ability to offer services like custody, payments, and stablecoin issuance under federal oversight.

Circle, the issuer of the USDC stablecoin, has long signaled its intention to operate with a higher level of regulatory compliance. A bank charter would enable Circle to strengthen the legitimacy of USDC and ensure tighter control over its reserves, appealing to both institutional partners and regulators.

BitGo, which specializes in digital asset custody and security solutions, is also reportedly exploring a charter to bolster its position in the regulated financial space. A banking license would potentially allow BitGo to expand its offerings and serve clients with more comprehensive financial products.

This trend of crypto firms seeking banking charters reflects a broader shift in the industry, where regulatory clarity is becoming a competitive advantage. Industry observers suggest that other firms may follow suit as the line between crypto and traditional finance continues to blur.

The potential entry of Circle and BitGo into the federally chartered banking system signals a maturing market that is increasingly leaning into regulation to foster trust, expand services, and attract institutional capital. If successful, these moves could reshape the crypto banking landscape and set new standards for operational transparency and regulatory compliance in the digital asset sector.