The digital asset landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with key developments across policy, blockchain innovation, and market dynamics. This week, OKX made headlines with the global launch of its first-ever brand TVC, What is OKX, featuring high-profile icons from motorsports, football, and winter sports—F1 legend Daniel Ricciardo, legendary football manager Pep Guardiola, and snowboarding world champion Scotty James. The campaign marks a pivotal moment in crypto mainstreaming and brand storytelling.
Beyond branding, critical infrastructure updates, regulatory shifts, and major funding rounds signal growing maturity in the Web3 ecosystem. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the most impactful events from September 5 to September 11.
Global Regulatory Developments
Regulatory clarity remains a cornerstone for mass adoption, and this week brought notable progress across several major economies.
1.1 U.S. Treasury Explores Digital Dollar Framework
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has signaled support for a potential central bank digital currency (CBDC), recommending that policymakers develop a structured approach to launching a digital dollar. While no timeline has been confirmed, the move underscores increasing institutional recognition of blockchain-based financial infrastructure.
1.2 India Advances CBDC Pilot Program
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced a new phase in its digital rupee initiative, partnering with public sector banks and fintech firms to expand the retail CBDC pilot. The program aims to test usability, security, and scalability across real-world transaction scenarios, particularly in rural and underserved regions.
1.3 Russia Moves Toward Legalizing Crypto Cross-Border Payments
Russia’s Ministry of Finance revealed plans to legalize cryptocurrency use in international settlements, a significant shift from previous restrictive stances. If enacted, the policy could enable Russian businesses to leverage digital assets for trade, especially amid ongoing economic sanctions.
These developments highlight a global trend: governments are no longer resisting digital assets but actively exploring how to integrate them into formal financial systems.
Key Blockchain & Project Updates
Major networks advanced their roadmaps this week, setting the stage for enhanced scalability, interoperability, and user adoption.
2.1 Ethereum Bellatrix Hard Fork Activated
The Bellatrix upgrade went live on September 6, marking a crucial step toward "The Merge"—Ethereum’s transition from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake. Vitalik Buterin confirmed that the final consensus layer merge is expected between September 13 and 15, potentially reducing Ethereum’s energy consumption by over 99%.
This upgrade paves the way for improved network efficiency and long-term sustainability, reinforcing Ethereum’s position as the leading smart contract platform.
2.2 Uniswap V3 NFT & Polygon Surge Past $300M in Volume
Uniswap’s NFT trading platform on Polygon has now surpassed $300 million in total transaction volume. The milestone reflects growing demand for low-cost, scalable decentralized exchanges (DEXs) and non-fungible token (NFT) marketplaces.
With gas fees significantly lower than on Ethereum mainnet, Polygon continues to attract developers and users seeking efficient Web3 experiences.
2.3 Lido Proposes Cosmos Cross-Chain Staking Expansion
Lido DAO introduced a new governance proposal to launch liquid staking services within the Cosmos ecosystem. If approved, users will be able to stake ATOM tokens and receive stETH-like derivatives (e.g., stATOM), enabling participation in DeFi protocols while maintaining liquidity.
This cross-chain expansion strengthens Lido’s role as a leader in liquid staking solutions across multiple blockchains.
Major Funding Rounds Fueling Web3 Growth
Institutional confidence in blockchain technology remains strong, as evidenced by several high-value investments this week.
3.1 Bessemer Venture Partners Launches $3.85B Early-Stage Fund
One of Silicon Valley’s most established venture capital firms, Bessemer Venture Partners, launched a new $3.85 billion fund focused on early-stage tech startups—including those in AI, fintech, and blockchain infrastructure.
This signals sustained investor appetite for foundational Web3 technologies despite broader market volatility.
3.2 Whampoa Group Plans $100M Digital Asset Fund
Hong Kong-based conglomerate Whampoa Group announced plans to launch a $100 million fund dedicated to digital asset investments in Q4 2025. The initiative reflects growing interest from traditional financial institutions in crypto-native opportunities.
3.3 Mysten Labs Secures $300M in Latest Round
Mysten Labs, the team behind the Sui blockchain, raised $300 million in a round co-led by Andreessen Horowitz. The funding will accelerate development of Sui’s high-performance Layer 1 network, designed for fast, low-cost transactions and scalable dApp deployment.
OKX Ecosystem Highlights
OKX continues to expand its product suite and brand presence globally through strategic initiatives and platform enhancements.
Brand Campaign: What is OKX Global TVC Launch
OKX debuted its first global television commercial, What is OKX, starring Daniel Ricciardo, Pep Guardiola, and Scotty James. The ad explores the idea that "the future isn’t something we wait for—it’s something we build."
By aligning with elite performers known for innovation and precision, OKX reinforces its identity as a platform built for excellence in the digital economy.
👉 See how top athletes redefine performance—and how you can do the same in crypto trading.
Additionally, OKX partnered with TokenInsight for an insightful X Space session titled Understanding the Ethereum Merge Fork: How Retail Investors Can Participate, offering actionable guidance ahead of one of the most anticipated events in crypto history.
Product & Service Upgrades
2.1 Spot Trading Additions
OKX listed Lido DAO (LDO) on September 2, enabling LDO/USDT spot trading. This addition gives users direct exposure to one of the largest liquid staking protocols in DeFi.
2.2 Derivatives Enhancements
To improve trading efficiency and reduce costs:
- USDC-denominated spot and margin trading fees were reduced on September 8.
- LUNC margin trading, savings (Earn), and LUNCUSDT perpetual contracts launched across web, app, and API on September 9.
- ETH contract risk parameters were adjusted ahead of The Merge to ensure market stability.
- Upcoming support for LTC/USDC, NEAR/USDC, AVAX/USDC, and OP/USDC margin pairs launches on September 14.
2.3 Earn Services Expansion
OKX Earn continues expanding high-yield opportunities:
- New high-interest staking options launched for ELF, EGLD, ICX, QTUM, FLOW (Sep 5) and SKL (Sep 9).
- A promotional reward was offered for USDC deposits in Flex Savings: first 2,000 USDC received a guaranteed 10% APY, regardless of matching status.
- Upcoming additions on September 13 include LPT, GLMR, ONE, CELR, and XTZ.
2.4 Trading Experience Improvements
User interface updates now allow faster access to trading settings. On the web platform, users can quickly switch trading units directly from the order entry panel—streamlining execution for active traders.
2.5 OKX Web3 Wallet & NFT Marketplace
The OKX NFT marketplace now hosts over 130 million NFTs, solidifying its status as one of the most comprehensive multi-chain NFT platforms.
2.6 OKC Network Performance
Over the past seven days:
- Total transactions: 488,900
- Daily average: 69,800
- New addresses added: 5,469
- Active (non-zero) addresses: 2,362,630
All data sourced from OKLink, reflecting steady growth in OKC’s decentralized ecosystem.
Market Recap & Outlook
Bitcoin surged from $19,000 to over $21,000 mid-week, marking a positive shift after prolonged consolidation. The rally coincided with improving market sentiment ahead of key macroeconomic data releases.
Notably, Bitcoin’s dominance (% of total crypto market cap) appears to have bottomed out and is now trending upward—a potential indicator of renewed confidence in core digital assets.
What’s Ahead?
Market participants should closely monitor the release of U.S. August inflation data, which will influence the Federal Reserve’s decision at the upcoming September meeting. A hotter-than-expected print could trigger fears of another aggressive rate hike, potentially impacting risk assets like cryptocurrencies.
Conversely, a softer reading may fuel optimism for a dovish pivot, supporting further upside in BTC and altcoins alike.
👉 Stay ahead of market moves with real-time analytics and expert insights.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is What is OKX?
A: It’s OKX’s first global brand campaign—a TVC featuring Daniel Ricciardo, Pep Guardiola, and Scotty James—highlighting innovation, performance, and building the future of finance.
Q: When is Ethereum’s Merge expected?
A: The final consensus layer merge is projected between September 13–15, following the successful Bellatrix hard fork activation on September 6.
Q: How does OKX reduce trading fees?
A: OKX recently lowered fees for USDC-based spot and margin trading to enhance liquidity and reduce user costs across major trading pairs.
Q: Can I earn yield on my crypto holdings via OKX?
A: Yes—OKX Earn offers flexible and fixed-term staking options for over 50+ assets including LDO, SKL, EGLD, and more.
Q: Is Russia legalizing cryptocurrency payments?
A: The Russian Ministry of Finance has proposed legalizing crypto for cross-border transactions—an evolving policy that could reshape international trade dynamics.
Q: What blockchains does OKX support?
A: OKX supports multiple chains including Ethereum, Polygon, OKC, Sui, Cosmos, and others through its Web3 wallet and trading platforms.
Keywords: Ethereum Merge, OKX TVC, crypto regulation 2025, DeFi staking, CBDC developments, digital dollar, liquid staking