Payward Pulse is back 📺 → @xStocksFi reaches $1B in assets under management → @CFBenchmarks launches CFB Oracle → @NinjaTrader goes live in the UK → Highlights from SALT London and Hong Kong FinTech Week Watch the latest episode 👇

Today @Payward, the unified financial infrastructure platform that powers @krakenfx, announced that Digital Asset Special Investments I, LP, a Payward-affiliated investment fund, and its clients acquired AAVE tokens. The AAVE tokens were acquired through secondary market purchases, and Payward may make additional acquisitions in the future. Payward and Aave are also exploring opportunities to collaborate on future initiatives. As traditional and onchain markets converge, Payward believes DeFi is an integral part of the global financial system, with Aave playing a leading role in this evolution.

The future of finance is taking shape, and we’re excited to be part of it. An investment fund affiliated with Payward and its clients has purchased AAVE tokens, the native token of the Aave network. We’re also exploring opportunities to work with @Aave on future initiatives. Learn more 👇

Payward’s xStocks has surpassed $1 billion in AUM. AUM has more than quadrupled since February, with coverage growing from 60 assets to 1,500+, now including Russell 1000 constituents, as demand for global access to tokenized equities rises.

Payward, the parent company of Kraken, announced its intention to be the first CFTC-regulated deployer on HIP-3* markets. Payward will use Hyperliquid as the infrastructure layer to deploy perpetual futures markets for US clients. Subject to regulatory approval, Bitnomial, Payward’s CFTC-regulated DCM and DCO, would act as the HIP-3* deployer: creating, owning, and administering the markets and clearing and settling the contracts. If approved, NinjaTrader Clearing, Payward’s CFTC-registered FCM, would carry client accounts. HIP-3 will support optional deployer configuration for permissioned markets in a future network upgrade. This set of additional deployer functionality is collectively called HIP-3*. At its core, HIP-3* activation involves an onchain allowlist managed by the deployer or its sub-deployers. The functionality is strictly additive to HIP-3; its use is optional and up to the deployer. Existing markets remain unchanged. The initial release is available on testnet, where specifications are preliminary and subject to change based on feedback. Hyperliquid is a neutral infrastructure layer with the goal of supporting large parts of the financial system. HIP-3* gives deployers additional functionality to operate deployments consistent with the requirements applicable to them. As with HIP-3, HIP-3* deployers are independent operators who use Hyperliquid as the onchain infrastructure layer for their own markets, while retaining control and responsibility over their deployment.

Payward Pulse is back. It covers the recent agreement to acquire EU-licensed Saldo Bank, clearance to serve clients in Dubai and in-principle approval from Kazakhstan’s AFSA. Co-CEO @ArjunSethi also joins @ScottMelker to talk tokenization, private-market access & more. Watch Episode 7 ↓

Arjun Sethi, co-CEO of Payward, joined Scott Melker on The Wolf Of All Streets this week to discuss tokenization and the future of market structure, along with how Payward is building a full financial services platform.

Payward has received in-principle approval from the @AFSA_KZ to license Payward Kazakhstan in the Astana International Financial Centre. Kazakh traders will also gain access to our global orderbooks, with deep liquidity and reliable execution.

Payward Co-CEO @arjunsethi sharing the @money2020 stage with speakers from @AlpacaHQ, @citsecurities and @solana talking tokenized equities, who gets access to markets and how adoption is growing worldwide.

Weaponization of the banking system in 2022 felt like 1984. Much of the corruption links back to pressure from pockets of the government itself. Thank you @USComptroller and @SecScottBessent for bringing much needed scrutiny. Americans deserve fair access to innovative financial services, regardless of their beliefs, affiliations, or political views.

"won't the banks just buy all of the crypto companies?" well, not exactly... We signed a deal to fully acquire Saldo Bank, a digital-first specialized bank licensed in Lithuania serving retail, SME customers, and B2B partners across multiple European countries. This adds to the @Payward infrastructure, particularly in Europe, where we already serve millions of customers. The transaction will take some time to close, but very much looking forward to working with the Saldo team.

We’ve signed an agreement to acquire Saldo Bank, a licensed specialized bank in Lithuania operating across five European markets. An EU banking license meaningfully expands Payward Banking. Subject to closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

Payward in Kazakhstan 🇰🇿 Payward signed an MoU with Prime Minister Bektenov, and Payward Co-CEO @DavidLRipley joined two main-stage panels on digital assets and AI at AI & Digital Bridge 2026. Kazakhstan, thank you for having us.

Clear and effective rules are critical for companies building with digital assets. The US cannot afford to fall behind on crypto market structure. Payward's @JonathanJachym joined @CoinDesk to unpack the @CFTC’s latest spot crypto proposal and our plans to bring regulated Hyperliquid perpetuals to the US.

Singapore, thank you for having us. We spent @token2049 week with clients and partners, and shared a stage with @Reapglobal and @Visa at the Agentic Finance & Payments Summit. Thanks for an unforgettable week. See you next year 👋

Payward Pulse: Episode 6 📡 The latest from Payward, the parent company behind @krakenfx. → Co-CEO @arjunsethi on Payward's next chapter → Expanded work with @Visa on stablecoin cards → 24/7 settlement with @SGB_app Catch up 👇

Payward is heading to Dublin next week as a sponsor of @Blockchain_irl. Hear Payward’s Alessandro Da Rold at @TEDxDublin to present "The Invisible Rebuild: Why Money Is Getting New Plumbing."

Capital in crypto markets is moving to new places. On CNBC, Payward and Kraken Co-CEO Arjun Sethi described a rotation of investor interest toward perpetuals, pre-IPO companies and tokenized equities, including exposure to companies tied to the AI boom and also shared about our partnership with @SGB_app. The bigger shift, he said, is about access. Permissionless, onchain markets can open tokenized traditional assets to investors anywhere, without the geographic limits that have shaped who gets in and when. Watch the full conversation:

Arjun Sethi and Adena Friedman, Nasdaq CEO, were on stage at #TOKEN2049# chatting 24/7 trading, tokenization, and what it takes to bring traditional and crypto markets onto the same rails.