CFB Talks Digital Assets

Kraken’s xStocks are nothing short of a global phenomenon - with total transaction volumes reaching $25 billion in just 8 months.The more important question is what that growth says about the future of market structure.On the latest CFB Talks Digital Assets podcast, we explore the rise of Kraken xStocks with Mark Greenberg, Head of B2B at Payward Services / Kraken, and Thomas Erdösi, Head of Product at CF Benchmarks.Topics covered include: How xStocks are gaining traction by combining equity exposure with crypto-native functionality, including 24/7 access, transferability, self-custody, and on-chain facilities How xStocks work: the mechanics behind 1:1 backing, price integrity, and the critical design choices needed to support tokenized stock exposure at scale The role of CF Benchmarks: regulated pricing methodology and calculation infrastructure How Kraken’s new partnership with Nasdaq paves the way for a regulated, permissioned U.S. pathway to tokenized equities, powered by the xStocks infrastructure - and what that means for issuance, settlement, and expanded market accessIf you’re following the convergence of digital assets and traditional markets, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss!

We're delighted to welcome Monochrome Asset Management back to the CFB Talks Digital Assets podcast. Monochrome is Australia's only asset manager licensed for direct retail crypto custody. Consequently, its crypto ETFs are the only ones in Australia that hold assets directly - not via feeder or sub-funds. Monochrome ETFs are also unusual due to offering in-kind creation and redemption for all investors. Monochrome Bitcoin ETF (IBTC) and Monochrome Ethereum ETF (IETH) are listed on Cboe Australia, each with a management fee of 0.25%. They're the lowest-cost crypto ETFs in Australia. With IBTC recently passing US$100 million in AuM and Monochrome now expanding in South-East Asia, we're stoked to sit down with CEO Jeff Yew and Chief Operating Officer Grayson McLeod. Listen in for exclusive insights on Oz's institutional crypto landscape, and the potential offered by the country's vast superannuation system. Key talking points:What exactly makes IBTC and IETH distinct as true holders of crypto, and how does this benefit investors?How Monochrome's regulated in-kind facility means no cap on institutional allocationsThe key to unlocking faster growth for ETH ETF allocationsWhat's behind IBTC's and IETH's airtight tracking?How close are we to seeing allocations at scale from Aussie 'Supers'?For a rare look at the evolution of institutional crypto in the pivotal Australian marketplace get Jeff and Grayson's perceptive commentary now!

The macro canvas for 2026 is shifting, and crypto may be setting up for a broader, more durable “risk-on” regime, but not in a straight line. In CF Benchmarks’ 2026 outlook, “Risk-On Reloaded,” the base case is disinflation with noise, moderating growth, and a policy and liquidity backdrop that can re-open risk appetite and widen participation. We also explore whether Bitcoin and altcoins are poised for a catch-up trade, and whether regulatory clarity unlocks a new wave of product innovation. To pressure-test the thesis, we’re delighted to welcome Juan Leon, Senior Strategist at Bitwise, to the CFB Talks Digital Assets podcast. From the current state of market structure legislation, to allocator and advisor adoption, to long-term capital market assumptions, Juan dives into Bitwise’s 2026 predictions and maps what matters most in the year ahead. Join us for a discussion covering what we’re watching for in 2026, including:Why “risk-on reloaded” could broaden performance beyond Bitcoin, and what a catch-up trade looks likeBitwise’s “if clarity passes” framework: what a regulatory breakthrough really unlocks for participationWhether Bitcoin’s four-year cycle breaks, and what would have to change for that to happenThe allocator moment: why adoption among endowments, advisors, and institutions may be approaching an inflection point as career risk fallsUtility-driven growth flywheels: prediction markets and stablecoinsWhat Bitwise is focused on next: products, approvals, and the near-to-medium term roadmapIf 2026 is the year macro turns supportive, clarity arrives, and crypto breadth finally shows up, these outlooks will help you navigate the year ahead.