Payward

Payward has joined Anthropic’s Project Glasswing, gaining access to Claude Mythos 5 for defensive cybersecurity work. The Kraken parent plans to use the model across its environments and disclose third-party open-source vulnerabilities to maintainers.

Payward is widening its xStocks framework beyond U.S. equities with plans to add Hong Kong-listed shares and later U.K., European and South Korean stocks, pending regulatory approvals. The move intensifies the race to bring global stock markets onchain as tokenized securities gain momentum across crypto and traditional finance.

Crypto companies are facing a tougher path to public markets as investor caution, weaker trading conditions and capital rotation into artificial intelligence weigh on listing plans. Market participants say access to capital, not regulation, has become the central obstacle for would be crypto IPO candidates.

Kraken is pursuing a full banking license in Europe, with Lithuania emerging as the focal jurisdiction for the plan. The move would deepen the crypto exchange’s regulated financial services ambitions as its parent company Payward seeks broader licensing worldwide.

Goldman Sachs says U.S. IPO issuance has surged to match 2021’s pace by dollar value, but the market still lacks the frenzy that defined past bubbles. Crypto firms including Payward, Ledger and Grayscale have also delayed listings amid volatile markets and softer demand.

Kraken is evaluating a deal to acquire a 15% stake in DeFi lending protocol Aave at a valuation of $385 million, according to sources. The move comes as Payward seeks to diversify ahead of a possible IPO and as Aave rebuilds after the KelpDAO fallout.

Kraken parent Payward has asked a U.S. federal court for discovery tied to PowerTrade and its co-founders, escalating a dispute over alleged missing funds. The company says the move is aimed at identifying assets that could be frozen to prevent further harm.

Kraken parent Payward will acquire Hong Kong-based Reap Technologies in a $600 million deal as the crypto exchange expands its stablecoin payments infrastructure and Asia operations.