The post Securitize to Go Public in $1.25B Cantor Fitzgerald Deal: A First for Tokenization! appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Securitize, a leading platform for tokenizing real-world assets, is set to go public through a merger with Cantor Equity Partners II (CEPT), a SPAC backed by Cantor Fitzgerald, at a $1.25 billion valuation. 

The move will make Securitize the first public company focused entirely on tokenized securities, marking a major step forward for the growing tokenization industry.

A Big Step for Tokenized Finance

Once the deal is complete, the combined company will trade on Nasdaq under the ticker “SECZ.”

Existing investors – including ARK Invest, BlackRock, Blockchain Capital, Hamilton Lane, Jump Crypto, Morgan Stanley Investment Management, and Tradeweb Markets – will roll over 100% of their shares into the new entity. 

No one is cashing out, which is a clear sign of long-term confidence in the company’s future.

The merger could bring in around $469 million in gross proceeds. That includes $225 million from a fully committed PIPE led by top institutional investors such as Arche, Borderless Capital, Hanwha Investment & Securities, InterVest, and ParaFi Capital, along with $244 million from CEPT’s trust account, assuming no redemptions.

“This is a defining moment for Securitize and for the future of finance,” said Carlos Domingo, Co-Founder and CEO of Securitize. “We founded this company with a mission to democratize capital markets by making them more accessible, transparent, and efficient through tokenization.”

The news are out! @Securitize has filed to go public in Nasdaq via a merger with Cantor Equity Partners II lead by @Brandonlutnick at a $1.25B valuation

— Carlos Domingo (@carlosdomingo) October 28, 2025

Securitize to Tokenize Its Own Equity

In a first for the finance industry, Securitize plans to tokenize its own equity, showing how a public company’s shares can exist and trade onchain. 

Brandon Lutnick, Chairman and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, called blockchain “a foundational force in the next era of capital markets,” highlighting growing institutional belief in tokenization as the next big step in finance.

Securitize’s technology integrates with 15 blockchains. The company sees itself playing a key role in a $19 trillion market opportunity as more real-world assets move onchain.

The transaction, already approved by both boards, is expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.

The post PayPal Partners with OpenAI to Power Instant Checkout, AI Commerce in ChatGPT appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

PayPal has teamed up with OpenAI in a major move that could change how people shop and pay online. 

Announced on October 28, the partnership will bring instant checkout and agentic commerce to ChatGPT, allowing users to discover and buy products directly through the chatbot, powered by PayPal’s trusted payment network.

Here’s why this is exciting.

ChatGPT Becomes a Marketplace

According to a press release today, PayPal will adopt OpenAI’s Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP), a new system designed to make online shopping faster and more interactive. Soon, ChatGPT users will be able to find products, choose payment methods, and check out instantly using PayPal without even leaving the chat.

For merchants, the change could be massive. PayPal plans to connect tens of millions of businesses, from small shops to global brands, to ChatGPT’s growing user base. 

“Hundreds of millions of people turn to ChatGPT each week for help with everyday tasks, including finding products they love, and over 400 million use PayPal to shop,” said Alex Chriss, President and CEO of PayPal. “By partnering with OpenAI and adopting the Agentic Commerce Protocol, PayPal will power payments and commerce experiences that help people go from chat to checkout in just a few taps.”

What It Means for PayPal, and Possibly for Crypto

This partnership reflects PayPal’s broader shift toward AI-powered commerce and digital innovation. The company has already launched its PYUSD stablecoin and built crypto custody services, showing its growing focus on the digital asset space.

While the announcement didn’t directly mention crypto, this kind of AI-driven payments system could easily become a bridge between fiat and digital currencies in the future.

If PayPal’s ACP platform eventually supports blockchain-based settlements, it could boost the use of PYUSD and other regulated stablecoins in real-world transactions.

Also Read: What Can You Actually Buy With Crypto in 2025?

The Bigger Picture: When AI Meets Payments

“Agentic Commerce” or AI-powered buying and selling could eventually go beyond simple checkouts. With time, it might connect with smart contracts, tokenized assets, or digital identity systems.

And as history shows, every major AI and payments announcement tends to boost interest in related crypto sectors. 

Tokens tied to AI, payments, and stablecoins – like FET, AGIX, OCEAN, XRP, XLM, and PYUSD – could all see renewed investor attention.

PayPal’s latest move with OpenAI is exciting and a strong signal that shows us where digital commerce is headed.

The post Canada Fast-Tracks Stablecoin Rules Ahead of November 4 Budget appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Canada’s crypto scene is heating up and the government is leading the charge.

 Ottawa is moving fast to bring stablecoin regulations to the table, with details expected in the federal budget on November 4, just days after a record-breaking $126 million fine hit a crypto company for anti-money laundering violations.

Here’s what you should know. 

Stablecoin Rules Finally on the Way

According to Bloomberg, officials have spent the past few weeks in intense talks with regulators and industry leaders to finalize how stablecoins will be governed in Canada. The discussions are expected to result in clear regulatory proposals when Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne presents the new budget next week.

Stablecoins are seen as a key bridge between digital assets and mainstream finance. But in Canada, the rules have been unclear. Regulators currently treat stablecoins as securities or derivatives, creating uncertainty for companies and investors.

Meanwhile, the US has already taken a major step forward. 

The Genius Act, passed in July, gave US regulators the authority to supervise stablecoin issuers and set reserve standards. The law treats compliant stablecoins as payment instruments, a move the crypto industry has largely welcomed.

• Also Read :
•   Crypto Regulations in Canada 2025
•   ,

Experts Warn of Capital Flight

Industry leaders are urging Canada to act quickly or risk falling behind. John Ruffolo, founder of Maverix Private Equity, warned that if the government doesn’t move soon, Canadian investors may shift to US stablecoins, which could hurt demand for Canadian bonds and weaken local financial control.

“Every Canadian who transacts in a US stablecoin funds American debt, enriches American institutions and exports our financial data south,” Ruffolo wrote earlier this month.

Even the Bank of Canada and the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) have called for a national framework to close the gap. 

Former deputy governor Carolyn Wilkins said Canada needs rules that build “trust, security, stability and competitiveness” in the payments space.

Crackdown Sets the Tone

Just last week, FINTRAC, Canada’s financial watchdog, fined Cryptomus (Xeltox Enterprises Ltd) a record $126 million for 2,593 anti-money laundering violations – the largest fine ever issued in Canada’s crypto sector.

Investigators found the company failed to report suspicious transactions linked to child abuse, ransomware, and Iran-related transfers. The operations traced back to Uzbekistan and Spain.

FINTRAC said the company’s weak systems “significantly impair transparency and accountability,” adding that Canada’s crypto sector still has major gaps criminals can exploit.

After years of hesitation, Canada appears ready to tighten enforcement and draft long-awaited rules. 

FAQs

The post Crypto Industry Backs Australia’s Draft Law, Warns of Vague Rules appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Australia has taken a major step toward regulating digital assets. The government’s new draft laws aim to bring crypto platforms under financial regulation, which is a move many see as long overdue. 

But while the industry welcomes the direction, it’s also calling for clearer rules before things move forward.

Bringing Crypto Under Financial Rules

The proposed law would require digital-asset platforms to hold an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) from ASIC, placing them closer to how banks and traditional institutions are regulated.

The draft introduces two new categories: digital asset platforms and tokenized custody platforms. Platforms with less than $6.5 million in annual transactions or holding under $3,300 in customer deposits will not need a licence, easing the pressure on smaller players.

Those who fail to comply could face penalties of up to A$16.5 million or 10% of annual turnover, showing how serious the government is about tightening oversight.

Also Read: Crypto Regulations in Australia 2025

Crypto Firms Applaud the Move, But Warn About Gaps

The reaction from Australia’s crypto industry has been largely positive. 

Kate Cooper, CEO of OKX Australia, said the draft laws show crypto is finally becoming part of the mainstream financial system, but added that implementation will be key.

Liam Hennessy, partner at Thomson Geer, called the approach “fair,” noting that it avoids the strict rules in Europe and the confusing rules in the United States.

But others believe the draft still leaves too much room for confusion.

Caroline Bowler, former CEO of BTC Markets, said, “The draft legislation, as it stands, leaves some critical questions unanswered. Structure must come with clarity.”

Consultation Ends, Industry Awaits Next Steps

The consultation period closed on October 24, with submissions now under review. Crypto.com’s Vakul Talwar said the government should move fast and predicted legislation could arrive as early as March 2026. 

Others, like MHC Digital’s Edward Carroll, expect it could take until the end of that year.

Australia’s Crypto Scene Keeps Growing

Even as regulation takes shape, crypto adoption in Australia continues to rise. According to a16z’s State of Crypto 2025 report, 31% of Australians now use crypto, up from 28% last year. 

Stablecoins processed $46 trillion in transactions over the past year, rivaling Visa and PayPal, while global institutions like BlackRock, Visa, and JPMorgan expand their crypto services.

For now, all eyes are on how Australia turns this draft into law and whether it can strike the balance between safety and progress.