A Week of Game-Changing Crypto Moves: PayPal, Binance, Pakistan, and Ripple
This week has been a whirlwind of activity in the crypto world, with significant strides made by major players. Industry giants like PayPal and Binance have introduced new tools aimed at enhancing global payments and decentralized finance (DeFi) trading. Meanwhile, Pakistan is making significant progress in crafting a national crypto strategy that includes plans for financial integration and piloting a central bank digital currency (CBDC). Ripple is also moving forward with its institutional tokenization efforts. Let’s dive into this week’s top stories that are shaping the future of digital finance.
PayPal Unveils ‘Pay with Crypto’ to Slash Cross-Border Fees
In a bold new move, PayPal has launched its ‘Pay with Crypto’ service, allowing U.S. merchants to accept payments in over 100 different cryptocurrencies. The service, featuring instant conversion to stablecoins or fiat currency, aims to cut international transaction costs by up to 90%, with a minimal fee of 0.99%. Merchants can receive payments from major crypto wallets like MetaMask, Coinbase, Binance, and Kraken, tapping into a vast global user base of over 650 million. The service also includes support for PayPal’s very own $PYUSD stablecoin.
The goal of Pay with Crypto is to make global payments smoother, with almost instant settlements enhancing cash flow and simplifying the payment process for international vendors and freelancers. This initiative is part of PayPal’s broader strategy to create an integrated payment ecosystem that includes fiat, stablecoin, and crypto. More U.S. merchants will gain access to this service in the coming weeks as PayPal continues to advocate for open, low-cost international commerce.
Binance Enhances DeFi Experience with DEX Pro Mode
On another front, Binance Wallet has launched DEX Pro Mode, a new feature tailored for advanced DeFi traders seeking the ease of a centralized exchange while maintaining self-custodial control. This upgrade introduces functionalities like limit orders, real-time token data, and Secure Auto Sign—a hardware-based system that executes trades automatically while safeguarding private keys.
The new mode allows traders to place multiple limit orders without locking up funds or paying gas fees upfront. Funds remain accessible until a trade is executed, and gas fees are only charged upon completion of a trade, overcoming typical DEX limitations. The interface provides token stats such as market cap, liquidity, and holder data directly within the trading screen, allowing for informed decisions without the need to switch tabs.
Pakistan’s Bold Move Toward Crypto Integration
Pakistan is making significant strides toward embracing crypto, with plans to integrate digital assets into banking, gold trading, and forex operations. This marks a substantial shift towards mainstream acceptance of Web3 technologies. Bilal Bin Saqib, CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Blockchain, has emphasized the country’s vision for financial sovereignty through secure and transparent digital currencies. The aim is to license financial institutions to offer crypto services legally.
In support of these efforts, the State Bank of Pakistan Governor Jameel Ahmed has announced the launch of a CBDC pilot alongside the development of a regulatory framework for virtual assets. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the State Bank of Pakistan, the Financial Division, and the Pakistan Crypto Council to promote safe and legal crypto adoption, even amidst market volatility.
Ripple Aims for Institutional Expansion with Tokenization
Ripple is gearing up for a significant leap in institutional adoption of XRP with its new tokenization program. This initiative will enable the tokenization of real-world assets on the XRP Ledger, potentially deepening XRP’s role in traditional finance. To bolster this effort, Ripple has acquired prime brokerage firm Hidden Road, enhancing connectivity between hedge funds, trading desks, and digital assets.
Despite the positive developments, XRP’s price fell by 5.81% over the past 24 hours to $2.83, with daily trading volume dropping by 5.66% to $168 billion. However, XRP remains the third-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, valued at $168.43 billion, with 59.23 billion tokens in circulation.
Conclusion
This week’s developments indicate a crucial shift in how cryptocurrency is being woven into the fabric of everyday finance and institutional systems. PayPal is streamlining cross-border crypto payments, Binance is enhancing DeFi usability, Pakistan is advancing regulatory clarity, and Ripple is preparing for institutional tokenization. These trends reflect a growing shift towards real-world applications and mainstream adoption, setting the stage for a more mature, utility-driven crypto ecosystem in the coming months and years.
Umair Younas is a dedicated cryptocurrency content writer who has been immersed in this field since 2019. At Blockchainreporter, he serves as a news and article writer, fueled by his passion for crypto, blockchain, NFTs, DeFi, and FinTech. Umair excels in crafting authentic reviews about brokers and exchanges and collaborates with our education team to create educational content. Driven by a mission to raise awareness about digital currencies, his writings are well-researched and packed with insights, making them a must-read for staying up-to-date with the crypto-verse.
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