Chain Reaction - 7th July 2025

Events, Acquisitions and More

Jul 06, 2025

A Note from the Editor

G’day Chain Reactors!

What a week, Sydney’s blockchain scene is buzzing, bridges are being built (literally and culturally), and Robinhood is trying to tokenize everything but your grandma’s secret pavlova recipe. Amidst it all, we’re reminded that “Innovation is seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought.” (Dr. Albert Szent-Györgyi).

Here's the news and highlights:

Community & Events

Aus DeFi Event Highlights This week we hosted our own Aus DeFi event in Sydney! We were graced by the Deputy Lord Mayor, had insights from Ian at BlockV, Renee at Take3, Matt from Finsightful, and Arturo from NotCentralised—with Olga and the ByBit crew keeping spirits high. If you missed it, you missed out on some serious networking. Highlights from that are coming soon but in the meantime, here’s our link to the BlockV announcement

https://x.com/AusDeFi/status/1940893313038450805

Where in the World are Steve and Richelle? The Blockchain APAC duo are off again—can you spot the clues? London’s calling, and so are the memes. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/stevevallas_london-calling-again-we-all-know-activity-7345217250544558080-QiX7?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAV7RT0Bf0fJj7zr6JDyM7Fh2-KhNgJf4dk

Cultural Bridges: China ↔️ Australia Lisa Wade from Fableration is building more than blockchains—she’s bridging cultures! https://www.linkedin.com/posts/lisa-wade-she-her_blockchainforgood-activity-7346382916156837890-Qslz?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&rcm=ACoAAAV7RT0Bf0fJj7zr6JDyM7Fh2-KhNgJf4dk

People & Perspectives

The Founder’s Journey (and Burnout) Ben Simpson from Collective Shift opens up about the highs, lows, and sleep deprivation of startup life. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/bensimpsonau_at-21-i-was-sitting-alone-in-my-apartment-activity-7345240689942634497-0QYE?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAV7RT0Bf0fJj7zr6JDyM7Fh2-KhNgJf4dk

OKX Australia’s CEO in the Spotlight Kate Cooper’s business card isn’t just a card—it’s embedded in her finger. (No word if it can tap for coffee yet.) https://www.linkedin.com/posts/katecooper_this-ceos-business-card-is-embedded-in-her-activity-7346444731393916928-FahW?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&rcm=ACoAAAV7RT0Bf0fJj7zr6JDyM7Fh2-KhNgJf4dk

Markets & Moves

Tokenisation: Robinhood’s Big Play (and the Counterpoint) Robinhood isn’t stopping at stocks and ETFs—they’re tokenising unlisted giants like OpenAI and SpaceX. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/marcphilippeb_%F0%9D%97%9D%F0%9D%97%A8%F0%9D%97%A6%F0%9D%97%A7-%F0%9D%97%9C%F0%9D%97%A1robinhood-just-made-every-activity-7345517742474625024-4Hq7?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&rcm=ACoAAAV7RT0Bf0fJj7zr6JDyM7Fh2-KhNgJf4dk

But is tokenisation all it’s hyped to be? Some warn about the lack of true ownership in these derivatives—worth a ponder! https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antongolub_sam-altman-slams-robinhoods-stock-tokens-activity-7346604773032259587-GDDD?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAV7RT0Bf0fJj7zr6JDyM7Fh2-KhNgJf4dk

Swyftx Acquires Caleb & Brown for $66M Aussie exchange Swyftx is getting into asset management, dropping a cool $66 million on Caleb & Brown. https://crypto.news/swyftx-crypto-exchange-will-acquire-caleb-brown-in-deal-reported-over-65-8m/

Circle (USDC): Stock Soars, Market Cap… Not So Much Circle’s stock is mooning, but USDC’s market cap is stubbornly flat. Investors: confused, but optimistic? https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-crypto-5f3255a0-56bc-11f0-a930-ed9a5f8a74a1

Tech, Data & Deep Dives

On-Chain Data Demystified Bankless gets nerdy with Michael Nadeau’s DeFi Report—metrics, data, and all the good stuff.

Big BTC Trades Without a Test? One brave soul moves a mountain of Bitcoin—no test transaction, just pure crypto confidence (or chaos). https://x.com/beaniemaxi/status/1940989323610079262?t=K0_2i7RVSaAyAsohe1OLpA&s=19

Joe Lubin’s Ethereum Master Plan Consensys boss Joe Lubin has some ambitious plans for Ethereum’s future—and a new treasury company to boot. https://www.dlnews.com/articles/defi/joe-lubin-has-big-plans-for-ethereum-and-new-treasury-company/

Around the World & Out There

Build Your Own Tech Country? An Indian-origin entrepreneur is buying an island near Singapore… to build a new country just for techies. Next step: national anthem in JavaScript. https://share.google/XbLzw6EHL1QihcbNI

ETH CC France: The Highlights Catch Chainlink’s CEO on institutional capital at ETH CC:

And for those with stamina, the full builders showcase (3+ hours!):

Until next time, keep innovating and keep it decentralised!

Mark

About Aus DeFi Association

The Australian DeFi Association (Aus DeFi) is a non-profit community organisation dedicated to increasing education and awareness of blockchain technology, specifically decentralised finance (DeFi) and web3-based projects. Their goal is to empower the Australian community with the knowledge and tools to participate in the decentralised economy, and to promote the adoption and growth of blockchain technology in Australia. They strive to provide a more grassroots approach to promoting blockchain technology compared to other industry-focused organisations in Australia, and to provide a platform for community members to learn about and engage with this emerging technology.

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