Core Ventures Invests $1M to Fuel Bitcoin’s DeFi Evolution
Core Ventures, the investment arm of the CORE Foundation, has committed over $1 million to 15 Bitcoin-centric projects since early 2024, aiming to transform Bitcoin from a passive store-of-value into a robust financial infrastructure layer. This strategic move is set to accelerate the growth of Bitcoin’s decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem, known as BTCFi, which has already shown explosive expansion. The initiative focuses on enabling lending, yield generation, and other DeFi functionalities on the Bitcoin network, potentially unlocking new utility and value for the cryptocurrency. As of May 2025, this development signals a significant step toward Bitcoin’s maturation as a multi-faceted financial asset.
Core Ventures Invests $1M to Expand Bitcoin’s DeFi Ecosystem
Core Ventures, the investment arm of the CORE Foundation, has allocated over $1 million across 15 Bitcoin-focused projects since its inception in early 2024. The initiative aims to evolve Bitcoin from a passive store-of-value into a dynamic financial infrastructure layer capable of supporting lending, yield generation, and decentralized finance (DeFi).
The Bitcoin DeFi (BTCFi) ecosystem has seen explosive growth, with total value locked (TVL) in Bitcoin-based DeFi protocols surging 2,700% since January. Core Ventures is targeting projects that enhance Bitcoin’s programmability, spanning key sectors like lending, staking, real-world assets, and financial primitives such as stablecoins.
Notable investments include Colend, among others, as the firm seeks to cement Bitcoin’s role as the foundation for next-generation financial applications.
Revolut Partners with Lightspark to Integrate Bitcoin Lightning Network for European Users
Digital banking platform Revolut is collaborating with Lightspark, a firm led by ex-PayPal executive David Marcus, to enable Bitcoin Lightning Network transactions for customers in the U.K. and select European Economic Area (EEA) countries. The integration aims to drastically reduce transaction fees and processing times for crypto payments.
Lightspark’s infrastructure connects Revolut to what it terms the ’Money Grid’—a decentralized network facilitating real-time global payments. The Lightning Network, a layer-2 solution atop Bitcoin’s blockchain, is pivotal for near-instant, low-cost transactions. While Revolut has not disclosed a rollout timeline, the move signals growing institutional adoption of scalable Bitcoin solutions.
Asset Entities Stock Surges Over 200% Following Strive Merger and Bitcoin Strategy
Asset Entities’ stock skyrocketed more than 200% after announcing a merger with Strive Asset Management, creating the first publicly traded Bitcoin treasury asset manager. The combined entity will retain its NASDAQ listing under the Strive brand, with a mandate to maximize long-term Bitcoin exposure per share.
The newly formed company plans an aggressive Bitcoin accumulation strategy, including a novel equity-for-Bitcoin swap for accredited investors—potentially tax-free under Section 351 of the U.S. tax code. Additional tactics include acquiring cash-rich undervalued firms and employing fixed-income derivatives to hedge risk while amplifying BTC holdings.
Investors Shift to WinnerMining for Passive Crypto Returns Amid Market Evolution
Traditional cryptocurrency giants are losing favor as investors increasingly turn to WinnerMining’s cloud platform for hands-free Bitcoin mining and daily passive income. The platform’s high-yield contracts and advanced mining infrastructure offer a compelling alternative to conventional methods.
WinnerMining has emerged as a market leader by addressing growing demand for stable, automated returns in a volatile sector. Its cloud-based solution eliminates hardware complexities while promising consistent payouts—a value proposition resonating with yield-seeking participants.
Revolut Integrates Bitcoin Lightning Network via Lightspark for UK and EEA Users
Revolut has teamed up with Lightspark to incorporate Bitcoin’s Lightning Network into its payment systems, targeting users in the UK and select European Economic Area countries. The integration aims to facilitate instant, low-fee crypto transactions, enhancing the efficiency of digital payments.
The collaboration leverages Lightspark’s ’open Money Grid’ to minimize network costs and processing times. Emil Urmanshin, Revolut’s GM of Crypto, emphasized the move as part of the fintech firm’s strategy to deliver faster and more cost-effective financial services.
This development follows Revolut’s recent launch of its mobile crypto exchange app, Revolut X, now available to users in the same regions.
