Etherfuse Launches Sovereign Currencies Onchain; Stellar, Chainlink Unveil Key Upgrades

What Shipped

Welcome to your October 23, 2025, blockchain update! This week, several exciting developments have arrived across the crypto space, especially around Ripple, Stellar, Hedera, Flare Network, and XDC Network. One of the standout stories is the launch of Etherfuse, an ambitious project aiming to bring 100 sovereign currencies onto the blockchain. This means that national currencies like the dollar, euro, or yen could be represented digitally on a blockchain, enabling faster and more transparent payments worldwide.

Stellar, a platform known for its focus on cross-border payments, also released its Protocol 24 Upgrade Guide. Protocol upgrades are like software updates for blockchain networks—they improve security, speed, and add new features. This upgrade promises a smoother experience for developers and users alike.

In addition, Stellar recently celebrated its i³ Awards 2025, recognizing innovators building impactful applications on its blockchain. These events highlight the growing ecosystem and the increasing adoption of blockchain for real-world uses.

Chainlink, a major player in providing real-world data to blockchains, shared its Q3 2025 Quarterly Review and announced its victory in the Swift Hackathon 2025 Business Challenge. Chainlink also introduced DataLink, a new service designed to bring institutional market data directly onto blockchains, helping financial institutions make smarter, faster decisions.

On the regulatory front, Canada’s anti-money laundering watchdog imposed a record $126 million fine on Cryptomus, highlighting the ongoing efforts to keep the crypto world safe and compliant.

Finally, news about Google’s quantum computing breakthrough has stirred some concerns about crypto security, but major coins like Bitcoin (BTC), Ripple (XRP), Solana (SOL), and Cardano (ADA) remained steady. Meanwhile, WazirX, a popular exchange, is set to restart trading after recovering from a $230 million hack that forced a year-long shutdown.

Why It Matters

These updates show how the blockchain ecosystem is maturing and expanding into new territories. For example, bringing sovereign currencies onchain with Etherfuse can revolutionize how money moves globally. Instead of traditional banks and intermediaries, digital currencies on blockchains can offer faster, cheaper, and more transparent transactions.

Protocol upgrades like Stellar’s are crucial because they keep networks efficient and secure. This benefits everyone from developers building apps to everyday users sending money across borders.

Chainlink’s advancements in connecting blockchains with real-world data open up new possibilities for decentralized finance (DeFi), insurance, and supply chain management. Institutional data onchain means more accurate and reliable smart contracts, which are self-executing agreements coded on the blockchain.

Regulatory actions, like Canada’s fine, remind us that crypto is becoming a mainstream financial system, requiring rules to protect users and prevent illegal activities. Positive news like WazirX’s return to trading after a major hack shows resilience and growing security measures in the industry.

Google’s quantum computing news is a reminder that blockchain technology must continue evolving to stay secure against future advances in computing power. For now, the market’s calm response shows confidence in ongoing security improvements.

Builders’ Corner

For developers and crypto enthusiasts, here are some concrete highlights:

Etherfuse: If you’re interested in stablecoins or tokenizing real-world assets, this project is worth watching. Tokenizing sovereign currencies can simplify cross-border payments and reduce reliance on traditional banking.
Stellar Protocol 24: Developers building on Stellar should check out the upgrade guide to take advantage of new features and ensure their apps run smoothly.
Chainlink DataLink: Smart contract developers can now access high-quality institutional data more easily, opening doors to advanced DeFi applications.
Security Awareness: With recent hacks and regulatory fines, it’s a good reminder to follow best practices like using hardware wallets, enabling two-factor authentication, and staying informed about compliance.

Quick Prices

Here’s a snapshot of some key cryptocurrency prices as of October 23, 2025:

Bitcoin (BTC): $109,542 (+1.16% in 24h) – Holding strong above $100k, showing steady growth.
Ethereum (ETH): $3,888.54 (+0.81%) – Continuing its slow and steady climb.
Ripple (XRP): $2.42 (+0.62%) – Benefiting from ongoing developments and partnerships.
Stellar (XLM): $0.315 (+1.13%) – Gaining momentum after recent upgrades.
Flare Networks (FLR): $0.0173 (+0.21%) – Showing modest gains.
Hedera Hashgraph (HBAR): $0.169 (-0.58%) – Slight dip after recent fluctuations.
XDC Network (XDCE): $0.0623 (-0.07%) – Mostly stable.

What to Watch

Looking ahead, here are some key areas to keep an eye on:

Etherfuse’s progress: Will it successfully bring multiple national currencies onchain? This could reshape global payments.
Stellar’s Protocol 24 adoption: How quickly will developers and users embrace the upgrade? New features could unlock innovative applications.
Chainlink’s DataLink impact: Will institutional-grade data onchain accelerate DeFi growth and attract more traditional finance players?
Security and regulation: Watch for further regulatory moves worldwide and how exchanges and projects improve security to protect users.
Quantum computing developments: Stay informed about advances in quantum technology and how blockchain projects adapt to maintain security.
Market recovery of hacked exchanges: WazirX restarting trading is a positive sign. Other exchanges will likely focus more on security to prevent similar incidents.

TL;DR: This week’s blockchain news highlights exciting projects like Etherfuse aiming to tokenize 100 sovereign currencies, Stellar’s important Protocol 24 upgrade, and Chainlink’s new DataLink service for institutional data. Prices for major coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum remain steady, while regulatory actions and security incidents remind us of the importance of safety and compliance. Keep an eye on these developments—they’re shaping the future of blockchain finance and technology in positive ways.

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Etherfuse Launches Sovereign Currencies Onchain; Stellar, Chainlink Unveil Key Upgrades