Crypto investment firm Keyrock valued at $1.1 billion in Series C led by SC Ventures The Brussels-based digital asset firm said the new capital will bolster its balance sheet and support expansion and acquisitions. Keyrock's Series C round was led by SC Ventures with participation from Ripple.Keyrock, a Brussels-based digital asset services firm, has raised a Series C round led by SC Ventures, the venture arm of Standard Chartered, at a valuation of $1. 1 billion, the company said in a press release Tuesday. Ripple, which provides blockchain-based enterprise infrastructure, also participated in the fundraising as an existing backer. The funding round remains open and could total up to $100 million. Keyrock said in the release that the new capital will be used to strengthen its balance sheet, expand its suite of services and pursue acquisitions. Founded in 2017, the firm offers market making, asset management, over-the-counter trading and options services across digital asset markets. It positions itself as a bridge between traditional financial institutions and crypto-native markets. "In 2026, we’re pushing for more growth in our services, client base, and geographic reach, as we look to gain greater market share and reinforce our position as a leading player,” Keyrock CEO Kevin de Patoul said in the release. Keyrock operates across more than 80 centralized and decentralized trading venues and has a workforce of over 200 employees globally.That deal marked the launch of Keyrock’s Asset and Wealth Management division, a new business unit dedicated to institutional clients and private investors.As stablecoins evolve into core financial infrastructure, North America leads. This report maps the regulation, market shifts, and players driving adoption.Stablecoins are entering their third phase of evolution - the institutionalization era - becoming increasingly embedded into core financial infrastructure. As institutions prioritize transparency and compliance, regulated issuers like USDC, RLUSD, and PYUSD are steadily gaining share with RLUSD surpassing $1B in market cap within its first year. North America, leading in regulatory frameworks and institutional distribution, is at the center of it all. The new rollout converts BTC to dollars by default for small businesses, aiming to embed bitcoin into everyday commerce without added friction.Square has begun automatically enabling bitcoin payments for millions of eligible U.S. sellers, instantly converting transactions to dollars at checkout with no processing fees through 2026. The new feature removes merchants’ exposure to bitcoin price volatility and custody issues by defaulting settlement to U.S. dollars while integrating directly into existing...