The post Kraken Partners With MoneyGram for Global Crypto Cashouts appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Kraken has teamed up with MoneyGram to let users cash out crypto at nearly 500,000 locations in over 100 countries. Co CEO Arjun Sethi said it targets users in volatile markets who use crypto for savings and payments. The partnership strengthens Kraken’s global off-ramp system and improves access to local fiat. It also supports the company’s wider expansion strategy, following recent acquisitions and its ongoing preparations for a possible public listing.

The post Coinbase to Cut 14% of its Jobs appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Coinbase will cut about 14 of its workforce as it responds to weak crypto market conditions and the rising impact of artificial intelligence on productivity. CEO Brian Armstrong said the company is moving toward a leaner and more AI native structure. This includes reducing management layers and building smaller, more efficient teams. The goal is to improve speed and efficiency while adapting to how AI is changing work across the industry and preparing for future market cycles.

The post South Korea’s KOSPI Near 6,937 as Stock Surge Drains Crypto Liquidity appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

South Korea’s financial markets are seeing a dramatic shift, with equities surging while crypto demand weakens sharply. The benchmark KOSPI has gone parabolic, hitting a fresh all-time high and climbing 37% in just 34 days after adding nearly $1 trillion in market value. According to the Bull theory X post, over the past year, the index has been up an impressive 172%, pushing closer to the key 7,000 level.

The South Korean stock market is going parabolic like never seen before in history. $KOSPI just hit a new all-time high today and is up +37% in the last 34 days after adding ₩1,600 trillion ($1 trillion USD) to its market cap.

It is now up 172% in the last year. pic.twitter.com/3QtM3aPHvF

— Bull Theory (@BullTheoryio) May 5, 2026

This rally has been fueled by strong foreign and institutional inflows, along with improving global sentiment. A rebound in U.S. tech stocks during South Korea’s holiday break triggered nearly $3.5 billion in fresh buying. 

At the same time, major firms like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have seen upgraded earnings forecasts, further boosting confidence that the rally may extend.

According to an X user, Investing to Mars the KOSPI rally is still far from over. The index continues to surge higher, with a potential upside target in the 8,000–9,000 range before any major correction kicks in. The outlook could turn even more bullish if KOSPI breaks above its current channel resistance, which may push long-term targets even higher.

$KOSPI keeps on ripping higher

Still seeing 8-9K as a target before a more substantial correction.

Should the Korean index break above the channel top line, the long-term targets will be readjusted higher. https://t.co/iRJ6wwZPHA pic.twitter.com/2WyqAKkGb2

— Investing to Mars (@investingtomars) May 4, 2026

Crypto Weakens as Funds Rotate

However the local report, says while stocks surge, South Korea’s crypto market is losing momentum. Total crypto holdings across major exchanges like Upbit and Bithumb have dropped to 60.6 trillion won by February, down nearly half from the 121.8 trillion won peak seen earlier.

Trading activity has also cooled significantly. Daily volumes fell from 17.1 trillion won in late 2024 to just 4.5 trillion won, while exchange deposits, often seen as ready-to-invest capital, declined sharply as well. The shift suggests investors are actively reallocating funds away from crypto and into equities.

Interestingly, demand for stablecoins is moving in the opposite direction. Holdings surged from under 100 billion won to over 600 billion won, reflecting growing interest in dollar exposure amid currency volatility.

Analysts say the trend is clear. According to NH Investment & Securities analyst Hong Sung-wook, the stock market rally and weaker crypto prices have driven capital rotation. Meanwhile, Korbit’s Kim Min-seung points to exchange rate fluctuations as a key factor boosting stablecoin demand.

The bigger picture is unfolding fast: as South Korea’s stock market heats up, crypto is losing local momentum, at least for now.

The post Russia’s Biggest Exchange Adds XRP Solana TRON and BNB Indexes appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Russia is stepping deeper into crypto, but not through hype cycles or speculative mania. Instead, it’s building quietly through structured financial products and regulatory alignment. The Moscow Exchange (MOEX), the country’s largest securities exchange, is now expanding its crypto footprint in a way that reflects long-term positioning rather than short-term noise.

Expanding Beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum

From May 13, MOEX will introduce four new crypto indexes tracking Solana, XRP, TRON, and BNB. These will trade under MOEXSOL, MOEXXRP, MOEXTRX, and MOEXBNB, expanding its existing lineup that already includes Bitcoin and Ethereum indexes launched in 2025.

This move signals a clear shift; Russia is no longer just tracking the top two assets, it’s opening the door to broader altcoin exposure within a regulated framework.

Built on Global Liquidity

The structure behind these indexes is carefully designed. Pricing data will be aggregated from leading global exchanges, with Binance contributing 50%, Bybit 20%, OKX 15%, and Bitget 15%.

At the same time, MOEX is upgrading how these indexes function. Instead of daily updates, all crypto indexes will now refresh every 15 seconds during trading sessions, bringing them much closer to real-time market conditions.

A Derivatives-First Strategy

This expansion isn’t about spot trading yet. These indexes will primarily serve as the foundation for crypto derivatives, which are currently restricted to professional investors. Under existing rules, these instruments cannot involve direct delivery of crypto assets, keeping exposure indirect but regulated.

MOEX has already been active in this space, offering derivatives linked to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and even products from BlackRock, showing how traditional finance and crypto are beginning to overlap.

Regulation Is Catching Up

Behind the scenes, Russia is working toward a broader legal framework. A new digital asset bill under review is expected to be finalized by mid-2026, potentially allowing limited retail participation with caps of around $4,000 annually.

At the same time, MOEX plans to expand its crypto index suite to at least 10 assets, with future additions likely including Dogecoin and Cardano.

The post Kraken Parent Completes $550M Bitnomial Deal to Expand U.S. Crypto Derivatives appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Payward, the parent of Kraken, has completed its acquisition of Bitnomial for up to $550 million. The deal secures key Commodity Futures Trading Commission licenses, enabling a full regulated derivatives stack in the U.S. This includes plans for 24/7 crypto settlement, spot margin trading, and eventually perpetuals and options, marking a major step toward compliant crypto derivatives markets for U.S. investors.