The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approved generic listing standards that let major exchanges such as NYSE, Nasdaq and Cboe list spot commodity and digital-asset ETFs without the previous case-by-case gauntlet. The change can cut timelines from as long as 240 days to roughly 75 and opens the door for funds tied to assets beyond bitcoin and ethereum, including solana and XRP. Market participants framed the move as a pivotal policy shift that should accelerate product launches while retaining exchange and issuer responsibilities for surveillance and disclosures. Industry desks now expect a wave of filings and faster approvals into Q4, with some products potentially listing as early as October. The decision lands amid broader efforts to fold crypto into mainstream markets under the current administration.

Fed cuts rates 25 bps; crypto holds steady

The Federal Reserve lowered the fed funds target range by 25 basis points to 4.00% - 4.25%, citing a cooling labor market and the need for risk-management easing. Bitcoin and ether were little changed immediately after the widely telegraphed move, with traders focusing on the updated dots that signaled scope for additional cuts this year. Macro desks noted the dollar’s rebound tempered risk appetite even as easier policy should support liquidity into year-end. Derivatives activity picked up as traders added downside protection while leaving room for upside if easing accelerates. Strategists characterized the decision as supportive for digital assets over the medium term but not a near-term catalyst on its own.

St. Cloud Credit Union to launch ‘Cloud Dollar’ stablecoin

Minnesota’s St. Cloud Financial Credit Union said it will issue Cloud Dollar (CLDUSD), which it describes as the first member-facing credit union stablecoin, developed with Metallicus and DaLand CUSO. The token is slated to roll out as part of the credit union’s digital asset vault service, targeting instant, low-cost transfers for members while keeping funds within the institution’s ecosystem. Reporting indicates the project builds on a broader stablecoin pilot program that Metallicus opened to credit unions earlier this year. Observers say the effort highlights how smaller financial institutions may use tokenized deposits or stablecoin rails to compete on payments and deposits. The announcement adds to a growing set of bank and credit-union explorations of blockchain-based settlement in the U.S. market.

Bitcoin ETF Flows

Monday showed solid net inflows of about $259.9 million, led by BlackRock’s IBIT (~$261.8m) with smaller positives at Fidelity’s FBTC and others. Tuesday built on momentum with roughly $292.3 million of net inflows as ARK 21Shares (ARKB) and IBIT contributed alongside minor gains at VanEck’s HODL. Midweek was the weakest day: Wednesday flipped to a net outflow of about $51.3 million as large redemptions at FBTC (~$116m) and ARKB (~$32m) plus Bitwise (BITB ~-$12.6m) and GBTC (~-$62.6m) outweighed IBIT’s +$149.7m. Thursday bounced back to roughly $163.0 million of net inflows, paced by FBTC (~$97.4m), ARKB (~$25.0m), BITB (~$12.8m) and others. Friday’s prints were not yet posted at publication time; overall, the week skewed net positive with sizeable early-week creations despite a brief midweek setback.

Ethereum ETF Flows

Monday opened strong with about $359.7 million of net inflows, dominated by BlackRock’s ETHA (~$363.2m) while Fidelity’s FETH saw small outflows. Tuesday reversed sharply to a net outflow of roughly $61.7 million, driven by FETH (~-$48.1m) and ETHA (~-$20.3m) partially offset by smaller creations. Wednesday was the softest midweek day with a marginal ~$1.9 million net outflow as withdrawals at FETH (~-$29.2m) and ETHW (~-$9.7m) nearly matched ETHA’s +$25.9m. Thursday rebounded with about $213.1 million of net inflows, led by FETH (~$159.4m) with assists from ETHW (~$17.5m), ETHE (~$9.8m) and others. Friday data were not yet posted at publication; overall, ether products finished the week net positive thanks to strong bookends despite a Tuesday slump.

Top Gainers (Coins Available on Metal Pay)

Metal Blockchain (METAL) led the platform’s tracked tokens this week, up 1.5%, edging out Dogecoin (DOGE) and Bitcoin (BTC) while Litecoin (LTC) and Solana (SOL) lagged. The backdrop featured the Fed’s 25 bps rate cut and the SEC’s move to streamline crypto ETF listings, a combo that supported risk assets broadly; DOGE also benefited from attention around new ETF listings. Overall performance was mixed but skewed modestly positive among large-caps.

See the full list of available assets on Metal Pay.