Bitcoin’s DeFi Revolution: Core Ventures Fuels $1M Expansion

Core Ventures, the investment arm of the CORE Foundation, has committed over $1 million to 15 Bitcoin-focused projects since early 2024, aiming to transform Bitcoin into a dynamic financial infrastructure layer. This initiative seeks to expand Bitcoin’s utility beyond a passive store of value, enabling lending, yield generation, and decentralized finance (DeFi) capabilities. The Bitcoin DeFi (BTCFi) ecosystem has experienced explosive growth, signaling a paradigm shift in how Bitcoin is utilized within the broader financial landscape. As of May 2025, this strategic investment highlights the growing confidence in Bitcoin’s potential to evolve into a foundational layer for decentralized financial services, further solidifying its role in the future of finance.

Core Ventures Invests $1M to Expand Bitcoin’s DeFi Ecosystem

Core Ventures, the investment arm of the CORE Foundation, has allocated over $1 million across 15 Bitcoin-focused projects since its inception in early 2024. The initiative aims to evolve Bitcoin from a passive store-of-value into a dynamic financial infrastructure layer capable of supporting lending, yield generation, and decentralized finance (DeFi).

The Bitcoin DeFi (BTCFi) ecosystem has seen explosive growth, with total value locked (TVL) in Bitcoin-based DeFi protocols surging 2,700% since January. Core Ventures is targeting projects that enhance Bitcoin’s programmability, spanning key sectors like lending, staking, real-world assets, and financial primitives such as stablecoins.

Notable investments include Colend, among others, as the firm seeks to cement Bitcoin’s role as the foundation for next-generation financial applications.

Revolut Partners with Lightspark to Integrate Bitcoin Lightning Network for European Users

Digital banking platform Revolut is collaborating with Lightspark, a firm led by ex-PayPal executive David Marcus, to enable Bitcoin Lightning Network transactions for customers in the U.K. and select European Economic Area (EEA) countries. The integration aims to drastically reduce transaction fees and processing times for crypto payments.

Lightspark’s infrastructure connects Revolut to what it terms the ’Money Grid’—a decentralized network facilitating real-time global payments. The Lightning Network, a layer-2 solution atop Bitcoin’s blockchain, is pivotal for near-instant, low-cost transactions. While Revolut has not disclosed a rollout timeline, the move signals growing institutional adoption of scalable Bitcoin solutions.

Asset Entities Stock Surges Over 200% Following Strive Merger and Bitcoin Strategy

Asset Entities’ stock skyrocketed more than 200% after announcing a merger with Strive Asset Management, creating the first publicly traded Bitcoin treasury asset manager. The combined entity will retain its NASDAQ listing under the Strive brand, with a mandate to maximize long-term Bitcoin exposure per share.

The newly formed company plans an aggressive Bitcoin accumulation strategy, including a novel equity-for-Bitcoin swap for accredited investors—potentially tax-free under Section 351 of the U.S. tax code. Additional tactics include acquiring cash-rich undervalued firms and employing fixed-income derivatives to hedge risk while amplifying BTC holdings.

Investors Shift to WinnerMining for Passive Crypto Returns Amid Market Evolution

Traditional cryptocurrency giants are losing favor as investors increasingly turn to WinnerMining’s cloud platform for hands-free Bitcoin mining and daily passive income. The platform’s high-yield contracts and advanced mining infrastructure offer a compelling alternative to conventional methods.

WinnerMining has emerged as a market leader by addressing growing demand for stable, automated returns in a volatile sector. Its cloud-based solution eliminates hardware complexities while promising consistent payouts—a value proposition resonating with yield-seeking participants.

Revolut Integrates Bitcoin Lightning Network via Lightspark for UK and EEA Users

Revolut has teamed up with Lightspark to incorporate Bitcoin’s Lightning Network into its payment systems, targeting users in the UK and select European Economic Area countries. The integration aims to facilitate instant, low-fee crypto transactions, enhancing the efficiency of digital payments.

The collaboration leverages Lightspark’s ’open Money Grid’ to minimize network costs and processing times. Emil Urmanshin, Revolut’s GM of Crypto, emphasized the move as part of the fintech firm’s strategy to deliver faster and more cost-effective financial services.

This development follows Revolut’s recent launch of its mobile crypto exchange app, Revolut X, now available to users in the same regions.

Tim Draper Urges Corporate Bitcoin Adoption, Predicts $250K Price Target

Billionaire investor Tim Draper has issued a stark warning to corporations at the Financial Times Digital Assets Summit, stating that businesses failing to hold Bitcoin in their treasuries are ’being irresponsible.’ The venture capitalist, known for his bullish Bitcoin stance, emphasized universal adoption potential: ’Everybody ought to have some Bitcoin.’

Draper revealed ambitious plans to launch a Bitcoin-native investment fund within five years, structured entirely around the cryptocurrency. ’I’ll raise it in Bitcoin, invest in entrepreneurs using Bitcoin, with all operations conducted in Bitcoin,’ he declared. His comments come alongside a reaffirmed price prediction of $250,000 per Bitcoin by 2025.

The investor noted growing institutional recognition, observing that ’governments are realizing Bitcoin should be in their treasury.’ This endorsement from a Silicon Valley veteran underscores the accelerating convergence between traditional finance and digital assets.