Bitcoin News Today: Chainlink and ICE Connect Global FX and Metals Data to Blockchain Networks

Chainlink has partnered with Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, to integrate foreign exchange and precious metals pricing data onto blockchain networks. This collaboration leverages ICE’s Consolidated Feed, which aggregates data from over 300 global exchanges, into Chainlink Data Streams. The move aims to support tokenized assets such as gold, currencies, and bonds, while also enhancing automated settlement systems [1].

In a significant regulatory shift, El Salvador has approved a law allowing investment banks to hold bitcoin and other digital assets on their balance sheets. The Investment Banking Law distinguishes these banks from commercial banks by placing them under a separate regulatory framework. Licensed institutions will be permitted to offer crypto services to “sophisticated” investors and operate in both local and foreign currencies. A bank can even choose to function entirely as a Bitcoin institution, provided it holds the required Digital Asset Service Provider license [2]. This development is expected to boost foreign investment and position El Salvador as a regional hub for crypto-related institutions.

World Liberty Financial (WLF), a firm backed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, is aiming to raise $1.5 billion to create a publicly traded company that will hold its WLFI tokens. The company already issues USD1, a dollar-backed stablecoin, and is developing a crypto-lending application. Initially non-transferable, the WLFI token is set to become tradable. This initiative aligns with a growing trend in digital-asset treasury firms, which have raised $79 billion this year, primarily for Bitcoin [3].

The developments underscore a broader trend of institutional integration into the cryptocurrency ecosystem. Chainlink’s partnership with ICE highlights the increasing recognition of blockchain in traditional financial infrastructure, while El Salvador’s regulatory evolution reflects a shift in how governments are adapting to the rise of digital assets. WLF’s fundraising effort, meanwhile, illustrates the maturation of token-based financial instruments and their growing appeal among investors.

The convergence of blockchain technology with established financial systems, coupled with regulatory advancements in emerging markets, signals a pivotal moment for the crypto industry. These moves are likely to encourage further innovation and investment in tokenized assets, potentially reshaping the global financial landscape.

Sources:

[1] Chainlink, NYSE-Parent ICE Link Forex and Precious Metals Data to Blockchain (https://www.cryptocompare.com/email-updates/daily/2025/aug/11/)