S Raza Hussain

Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal and Palantir Technologies, is teaming up with other fintech leaders to launch Erebor Bank, a new financial institution designed to serve cryptocurrency startups and next-generation technology firms.
The initiative follows the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank in 2023, which left a significant gap in banking services for crypto-focused businesses.
Erebor has already filed for a national bank charter with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, meaning the public will see Erebor appear for services very soon.
Theil to Start New Crypto-Focused Bank
Thiel has long been a prominent advocate for Bitcoin and the broader digital asset space. He has previously invested in Bullish Global, a cryptocurrency exchange launched in 2021 that targets institutional investors and high-volume traders. The platform is known for its deep liquidity and minimal trading fees.

In June 2025, Bullish Global filed for an initial public offering with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The company is led by Tom Farley, former president of the New York Stock Exchange.
Thiel’s connections within the crypto industry give Erebor a solid foundation as it seeks to redefine how banking is done for crypto, AI, and fintech startups in the United States.
Erebor’s mission is inspired by the role Silicon Valley Bank once played in the tech and crypto ecosystem. The new bank will focus on serving businesses involved in digital assets, artificial intelligence, defense technology, manufacturing, and financial innovation.
According to reports, defense tech company Anduril and its co-founder, Palmer Luckey, are playing a significant role in Erebor’s development. Joe Lonsdale, a co-founder of Palantir alongside Thiel, is also said to be involved in the venture.
The Return of a New Silicon Valley Bank?
The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank in March 2023 was one of the largest bank failures in U.S. history. It severely disrupted banking services for a wide range of startups and crypto firms.

Companies such as Circle, BlockFi, and Avalanche had relied on SVB for financial services that were difficult to obtain elsewhere due to the risk-averse nature of traditional banks.
SVB’s downfall was triggered by poor investment decisions, particularly heavy exposure to low-yield bonds during a period of rising interest rates. Erebor seeks to avoid similar pitfalls while providing a stable and innovative banking solution for companies operating at the edge of technology.

Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal and Palantir Technologies, is teaming up with other fintech leaders to launch Erebor Bank, a new financial institution designed to serve cryptocurrency startups and next-generation technology firms.
The initiative follows the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank in 2023, which left a significant gap in banking services for crypto-focused businesses.
Erebor has already filed for a national bank charter with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, meaning the public will see Erebor appear for services very soon.
Theil to Start New Crypto-Focused Bank
Thiel has long been a prominent advocate for Bitcoin and the broader digital asset space. He has previously invested in Bullish Global, a cryptocurrency exchange launched in 2021 that targets institutional investors and high-volume traders. The platform is known for its deep liquidity and minimal trading fees.

In June 2025, Bullish Global filed for an initial public offering with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The company is led by Tom Farley, former president of the New York Stock Exchange.
Thiel’s connections within the crypto industry give Erebor a solid foundation as it seeks to redefine how banking is done for crypto, AI, and fintech startups in the United States.
Erebor’s mission is inspired by the role Silicon Valley Bank once played in the tech and crypto ecosystem. The new bank will focus on serving businesses involved in digital assets, artificial intelligence, defense technology, manufacturing, and financial innovation.
According to reports, defense tech company Anduril and its co-founder, Palmer Luckey, are playing a significant role in Erebor’s development. Joe Lonsdale, a co-founder of Palantir alongside Thiel, is also said to be involved in the venture.
The Return of a New Silicon Valley Bank?
The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank in March 2023 was one of the largest bank failures in U.S. history. It severely disrupted banking services for a wide range of startups and crypto firms.

Companies such as Circle, BlockFi, and Avalanche had relied on SVB for financial services that were difficult to obtain elsewhere due to the risk-averse nature of traditional banks.
SVB’s downfall was triggered by poor investment decisions, particularly heavy exposure to low-yield bonds during a period of rising interest rates. Erebor seeks to avoid similar pitfalls while providing a stable and innovative banking solution for companies operating at the edge of technology.

On June 2, 2025, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved the Grayscale Digital Large Cap ETF, signaling a potential turning point for altcoin exchange-traded funds.
This milestone arrives after pressure from ETF analysts who argued that Grayscale’s fund performance made a compelling case for altcoin spot ETF approvals in 2025.
What Is the Grayscale Digital Large Cap ETF?
The newly approved ETF is based on Grayscale’s Digital Large Cap Fund (GDLC), launched in 2018. The fund led by Greyscale comprises a basket of major cryptocurrency assets, including:
Bitcoin (BTC)Ethereum (ETH)XRPCardano (ADA)Solana (SOL)

With over $754 million in assets under management, it stands as one of the largest crypto funds in the industry, with BTC making up 81.4% of the fund.
By turning this fund into an ETF, Wall Street investors now have access to a diversified selection of altcoins via traditional financial markets, avoiding the need to interact with crypto-native exchanges or decentralized platforms.
A Shift in SEC Leadership Paves Way for Crypto Dominance
The approval marks a dramatic shift from previous SEC policies under former chairman Gary Gensler. Under new SEC Chair Paul Atkins, a pro-crypto stance has emerged throughout the US.
The Trump administration has made clear its intentions to foster the US as a global crypto hub with major support for digital assets at the federal level.
Hester Peirce, head of the SEC’s Crypto Task Force, has advocated for experimentation in Web3 and decentralized technologies.
This new approach contrasts sharply with the SEC’s enforcement-heavy stance throughout the early 2020s.
Altcoin Spot ETFs May Arrive by Late 2025
Analysts believe the approval of Grayscale’s ETF will open the door to a series of individual spot altcoin ETFs.
According to Bloomberg ETF analysts James Seyffart and Eric Balchunas, the odds of several altcoin ETFs being approved in 2025 are extremely high, with estimated approval probabilities between 90–95%.

Cryptocurrencies likely to receive spot ETF approvals include:
Litecoin (LTC)XRPHedera (HBAR)Solana (SOL)Cardano (ADA)Dogecoin (DOGE)Polkadot (DOT)Avalanche (AVAX)
Other potential candidates like Sui (SUI) and Tron (TRX) have been mentioned, but may follow later with more chances of approval, similar to other alts.
Multiple firms, including Grayscale, 21Shares, Bitwise, Fidelity, and Canary Capital, filed ETF applications throughout 2024.
With the SEC’s updated guidance and friendlier regulatory posture, many of these applications are expected to move forward. Key ETF application deadlines for the SEC are approaching between October and December 2025.
Institutional Demand Surges
The shift is not just regulatory. Institutional interest in crypto is also increasing rapidly:
Bitcoin ETFs witnessed $2.2 billion in inflows in the final week of June 2025BlackRock, Grayscale, and Fidelity are leading inflowsCrypto-related stocks like Coinbase (COIN) and Circle (CRCL) have seen strong market performance
JPMorgan has predicted that approved spot altcoin ETFs could attract billions in new investments, significantly influencing prices and market cap for the underlying assets.
SEC’s New Crypto ETF Disclosure Guidelines
Alongside the ETF approval, the SEC issued a new statement on the disclosure and registration requirements for crypto asset ETPs.
This marks a formal acknowledgment that crypto ETFs are now a permanent fixture in U.S. finance. The SEC emphasized the need for transparency and compliance as firms move forward with launching more crypto-related investment products.
The approval of the Grayscale Digital Large Cap ETF is a signal that the US financial system is entering a new era where crypto and traditional finance are becoming increasingly intertwined.
For 2025, all eyes are on the SEC and whether it will usher in a wave of spot altcoin ETF approvals, potentially reshaping how digital assets are accessed, regulated, and adopted by both retail and institutional investors.

Two of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges, Kraken and Coinbase, have taken major steps toward expanding their presence in Europe by securing licenses under the Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regulatory framework.
Kraken, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, has been granted a European license by the Central Bank of Ireland, enabling it to operate across all 27 EU member states.
Similarly, on June 20, Coinbase received its MiCA license from Luxembourg, allowing the platform to provide cryptocurrency services throughout the European Union.
Kraken Receives MiCA License from Central Bank of Ireland
Kraken has been granted a MiCA license by the Central Bank of Ireland, enabling the exchange to legally offer its crypto services across all 27 European Union member states.

This development significantly enhances Kraken’s ability to grow within the European market with fewer regulatory barriers.
In addition to the new license, Kraken already holds Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) registrations in several European countries, including Ireland, Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain.
Kraken’s history in Europe dates back to 2013, when it became the first crypto exchange to introduce a BTC/EUR trading pair. This latest move reinforces its long-term commitment to the region.
From Arjun Sethi, CEO of Kraken:
“Securing a license from the Central Bank of Ireland, with its long heritage and experience as a rigorous financial regulator, isn’t just about compliance.It’s a powerful signal of Kraken’s commitment to expanding the crypto ecosystem through responsible innovation.”
Coinbase Secures MiCA License from Luxembourg
On June 20, Coinbase also secured a MiCA license, this time from regulators in Luxembourg. This license gives Coinbase full access to operate across the entire EU, allowing the exchange to scale its services to a potential customer base of 450 million people.
Coinbase has been actively pursuing its European strategy over the past year, including obtaining a VASP registration from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The company views these moves as foundational to its long-term vision as Europe advances its digital asset regulatory framework.
According to a statement from Coinbase, the MiCA license “solidifies Coinbase’s position as a global leader in regulatory compliance and innovation.”