Coinbase Veteran Joins Sentora as DeFi Firms Merge to Bridge Institutional Onchain Investments
Decentralized finance firms IntoTheBlock and Trident Digital have merged to form Sentora, a new entity aimed at connecting institutional investors with onchain opportunities. The merger has secured up to $25 million in funding, led by New Form Capital with participation from Ripple, Tribe Capital, UDHC, and Joint Effects. Anthony DeMartino, Trident co-founder and former Coinbase risk executive, will play a key role in the new venture.
IntoTheBlock and Trident Merge to Form Sentora, Secure $25M for Institutional DeFi Gateway
Decentralized finance firms IntoTheBlock and Trident Digital have merged to create Sentora, a new entity focused on bridging institutional investors with onchain opportunities. The combined venture has secured up to $25 million in funding, led by New Form Capital with participation from Ripple, Tribe Capital, UDHC, and Joint Effects.
Anthony DeMartino, Trident co-founder and former Coinbase risk strategist, will helm Sentora as the DeFi sector evolves beyond its early volatility into a structured financial ecosystem. Strategic backers include Curved Ventures, Flare, and Bankai Ventures—signaling growing confidence in institutional-grade blockchain infrastructure.
The merger reflects accelerating consolidation in decentralized finance as protocols increasingly cater to sophisticated players. While no specific tokens were named in the announcement, the involvement of Ripple (XRP) investors suggests potential cross-chain interoperability ambitions.
Bitcoin Price Surges, But Can It Maintain Momentum?
Bitcoin’s price has surged 25% over the past month, fueled by U.S.-based cryptocurrency ETFs and institutional demand. Yet cracks are emerging in the rally. The Coinbase premium—a gauge of U.S. investor appetite—has narrowed, while derivatives funding rates soften, signaling fading momentum.
Market participants now eye macroeconomic catalysts, including upcoming Federal Reserve policy decisions and global trade tensions, as potential pivot points for BTC’s next move. The cryptocurrency currently hovers NEAR $95,000, a consolidation level that could determine whether bulls regain control or profit-taking prevails.
Lawmakers Tackle Crucial Crypto Regulations Before Recess Deadline
U.S. lawmakers are racing against the clock to address pivotal cryptocurrency regulations before the August recess. Stablecoin legislation dominates the agenda, with Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong advocating for substantial revisions to the GENIUS Act. Armstrong criticized current provisions for stifling innovation, particularly in yield-bearing mechanisms for stablecoins.
The House of Representatives faces mounting pressure to reconcile competing proposals, including updates to the controversial STABLE Act. These deliberations mark a watershed moment for crypto policy, balancing consumer protection with technological progress in digital assets.
Coinbase to Temporarily Halt Ethereum Transactions During Pectra Upgrade
Coinbase, the leading U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange, will suspend Ethereum deposits and withdrawals for nearly an hour on May 7, 2025, as the network undergoes its Pectra upgrade. The pause, scheduled between 2:50 AM and 3:45 AM Pacific Time, reflects standard protocol for major blockchain updates.
The exchange confirmed existing staked ETH positions won’t be affected, though new staking requests will face processing delays. Similar precautions were taken during Ethereum’s landmark Merge upgrade in 2022. The Pectra upgrade itself is slated for 3:05 AM PT, representing Ethereum’s next evolutionary step.
Market observers note such temporary suspensions typically cause minimal disruption, with traders anticipating the event. Ethereum’s price showed negligible movement following the announcement, maintaining its position as the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization.
Coinbase CEO Urges Senate to Pass GENIUS Act for Stablecoin Regulation
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has issued a public appeal for the U.S. Senate to approve the bipartisan GENIUS Act, framing it as a critical juncture for cryptocurrency regulation. The legislation aims to establish clear guidelines for stablecoins, a segment Armstrong warns is at risk of falling behind without congressional action.
The push comes amid growing global competition in crypto innovation. Armstrong argues regulatory clarity would simultaneously protect consumers and foster industry growth. His public endorsement on social media platform X underscores the urgency: "We strongly support the Senate" in passing this bill.
Political resistance to the measure remains an obstacle. The GENIUS Act represents a potential turning point for U.S. crypto policy, with implications for exchanges like Coinbase and the broader digital asset ecosystem.
