Blockchain
Morpher Raises $6 Million for Virtual Stock Futures on Blockchain
Vienna, Austria–(Newsfile Corp. – February 15, 2022) –
Figure 1: Morpher Raises $6 Million for Virtual Stock Futures on Blockchain
Morpher is a trading platform built on the Ethereum blockchain where traders stake cryptocurrency against the price-action of traditional markets via smart contracts, effectively creating a virtual future. Since 2018, Morpher’s novel approach to tokenized derivatives has attracted Silicon Valley and European venture capital, with its latest round led by Tim Draper’s Draper Associates and participation from RTP Ventures and the Austrian deep-tech fund APEX Ventures.
DeFi Sources of Alpha
Morpher’s trading platform is just one example of the many uses of blockchain in the growing sector of Decentralized Finance (DeFi) applications. DeFi projects often aim to mimic real-world financial processes, such as lending, insurance, and ownership, by leveraging the permission less properties of blockchain to create self-executing and self-governing applications.
DeFi projects have also become a considerable source of yield for contrarian investors immersed in blockchain and cryptocurrency trading. Morpher is part of the latest trend in DeFi to synthesize real world assets via virtual derivatives presenting traders and investors with new and easier ways of generating alpha.
Morpher’s users are able to use cryptocurrency to trade stocks, fiat foreign-exchange rates, equity indices, commodities, and other cryptocurrencies. Cryptocurrency exchanges in the past have offered their users stock markets and commodity derivatives pegged to crypto, but Morpher isn’t a traditional exchange.
Trading with No Limits
Trading on Morpher occurs without any counterparties, and the underlying markets are never traded. This is accomplished through the creation of so-called virtual futures, which are created when a user stakes Morpher’s MPH tokens to the price-action profile of a market via smart-contracts. When the trader wishes to close their position, the smart-contract automatically calculates the delta between the underlying market prices, and the corresponding return is reflected in the token stake. 100 MPH tokens invested in a position in AAPL, which returns 10% over a period of time, will result in the user receiving 110 MPH, the original stake, plus 10 MPH – the return.
Without the need for traditional counterparties, Morpher’s markets can stay open 24/7, and liquidity is effectively infinite. Even while the underlying markets aren’t trading, such as with stocks on the weekend, users can still enter new trades, and manage existing positions, at the last available market price. This opens up a world of opportunities, as Morpher can build markets seamlessly out of any reliable and unarbitragable data source. This key property has led to Morpher offering its users a wide range of features, many of which would not otherwise be possible to support in traditional markets; perfect investment fractionality, seamless shorting, trading during extended hours and closed sessions, and up to 10x leverage on a trade-level.
In the future, Morpher plans on adding unique markets that don’t exist in the traditional world of finance such as fringe commodity spot markets for cannabis, housing price indices, and other economic indicators.
Consumer Fintech for Everyone
Morpher’s protocol functions as the ultimate dark pool. The ability to make any data tradable presents a promising offer to sophisticated investors and traders, many of which focus on hedging asset-class volatility endemic to cryptocurrency by staking their tokens against traditional assets, or shorting select digital assets.
On the other hand, Morpher is an ideal platform for novice trades who want to learn to trade without assuming too much risk. Its rapidly growing community of 50,000+ traders mainly consists of individuals from emerging markets, where investing options are often extremely limited.
Empowering access to investments remains the main objective of Morpher. “80 percent of the global population does not have access to the markets,” explains Morpher’s CEO and veteran quant trader, Martin Froehler, “and we want to create an ideal world for trading and investing. In an ideal world, you could trade all global assets with perfect liquidity, no middleman, and zero fees. That’s essentially Morpher.”
There are also technological challenges, especially concerning the Ethereum blockchain and its high transaction costs. While trading on Morpher appears effortless, it takes a lot of effort to develop a web3 application that lends itself to a seamless experience. Morpher spends a lot of resources on internal research and development, and on expanding their product portfolio. Since launching Morpher in the summer of 2020, the company has developed and released its own native web3 wallet, a decentralized exchange, and is about to release its mobile apps for iOS and Android.
The future of capital markets
The completion of its 6m Series A is a strong vote of confidence for the fast growing Austrian startup. Morpher’s novel virtual futures showcase how layer-2 solutions and DeFi can be used to empower a new generation of investors and traders from emerging markets.
The virtualisation of assets offers a number of fundamental advantages. Not only does trading become more accessible to novice investors who can manage their risk better via fractional trading, but expert investors benefit as well from round-the-clock trading of traditional markets and easily short-selling underperforming markets.
While pursuing its goal of making financial markets accessible via blockchain, Morpher provides access to a wide variety of assets to traders from all over the world. That is a game changer for citizens of emerging countries whose investment options have been severely limited until now. Another equally important dimension is the removal of barriers to entry to blockchain and DeFi solutions in general. Morpher’s easy to use platform is a big step towards making DeFi accessible to everyone, regardless of their income, country of residence, or prior knowledge of blockchain.
Contact
Martin Froehler, CEO
Web: www.morpher.com
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: twitter.com/morpher_io
Telegram: t.me/morpher_io
Blockchain innovation continues to accelerate, weaving together emerging technologies, sustainability goals, and new financial models. In today’s Blocks & Headlines briefing—May 20, 2025—we explore five groundbreaking stories: Cerebra Supernova’s AI-blockchain energy convergence, Chainlink/Kinexys/Ondo’s blockchain DVP trial, the launch of Blockchain Cloud Mining’s “Master” digital-gold platform, Sakhila Mirza steering Responsible Gold’s blockchain expansion, and Automobili Estrema’s NFT-powered “Dizzy Viper” art drop. Each development signals how Web3, DeFi, and NFTs are reshaping finance, supply chains, and creative industries. Below, we strip away hyperlinks, offer concise coverage, and provide op-ed insights on the broader implications for blockchain’s next chapter.
1. AI & Blockchain Convergence for Sustainable Energy Systems
Key News: Cerebra Supernova, a French startup, has unveiled a pilot platform that combines AI-driven grid optimization with a blockchain-enabled energy-credit marketplace. By using reinforcement-learning algorithms to forecast renewable output and smart contracts to automate peer-to-peer energy trades, the system aims to reduce curtailment and incentivize prosumers.
Details:
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Reinforcement Learning Grid Management: AI agents predict wind and solar generation with 98% accuracy, dynamically adjusting dispatchable assets (batteries, gas turbines) to maintain stability.
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Energy-Credit Tokens: Green-energy surplus is tokenized as “SolarLoop” ERC-20 tokens, tradable among households, businesses, and utilities with settlement on an Ethereum Layer-2 network.
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Sustainability Impact: Early trials on Corsican microgrids reported a 12% reduction in fossil-fuel use and a 20% increase in renewable utilization.
Opinion & Implications:
The fusion of AI and blockchain in energy grids marks a pivotal shift toward decentralized, citizen-driven utilities. Traditional power markets struggle with intermittent renewables; embedding autonomy via smart contracts democratizes access and aligns incentives for cleaner output. However, real-world rollouts must address interoperability (across protocols), token volatility, and regulatory clarity on digital asset classification. Cerebra Supernova’s initiative may well set the template for community microgrids worldwide, but scaling will require standardized APIs, robust cybersecurity measures, and policy frameworks to integrate tokenized energy credits into broader carbon-pricing schemes.
Source: SiliconANGLE
2. Chainlink, Kinexys & Ondo Test Blockchain DVP Settlement
Key News: Chainlink Labs, Kinexys, and Ondo Finance have jointly piloted a Distributed Delivery-Versus-Payment (DVP) settlement mechanism on a public blockchain, targeting institutional bond and ETF trades. By leveraging Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) and Kinexys’ settlement-oracle mesh, the trial achieved atomic settlements: assets and payments exchanged simultaneously, irrevocably on-chain.
Details:
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Atomic DVP Workflow: Upon trade execution in an off-chain matching engine, settlement instructions trigger on-chain via CCIP messages; Kinexys oracles confirm balances, and Ondo’s tokenized cash-equivalent stablecoins (nUSD) finalize payment.
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Performance Metrics: End-to-end latency clocked at 3 seconds per transaction, with sub-$0.50 gas costs due to Rollup-level batching.
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Risk Reduction: Eliminates counterparty and settlement-fails risk inherent in T+2 markets, enabling real-time finality and freeing collateral faster.
Opinion & Implications:
Bridging traditional capital markets and public blockchains has long been the Holy Grail of institutional DeFi. This DVP pilot demonstrates that rigorous market-standard settlement can coexist with open-ledger transparency and composability. Yet, regulatory acceptance remains the linchpin—securities regulators must endorse on-chain finality as equivalent to legal settlement. Moreover, interoperability across permissioned and permissionless networks will determine whether tokenized securities truly scale. If such trials proliferate, expect incumbent custodians and clearinghouses to partner with decentralized-oracle providers, laying the groundwork for a 24/7 global settlement infrastructure.
Source: The Paypers
3. Blockchain Cloud Mining’s “Master” Digital-Gold Platform Launch
Key News: Blockchain Cloud Mining has released Master, a turnkey cloud-mining and staking portal enabling users to allocate fiat and crypto into diversified mining assets—Bitcoin, Ethereum PoS, and a curated basket of altcoins—via a single, web-based dashboard.
Details:
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Encrypted Wealth Strategy: Master abstracts miner procurement, hosting, and maintenance; users simply choose “Digital Gold,” “Ethereum Yield,” or “DeFi Basket” plans.
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Revenue Sharing: Monthly returns distributed as tokenized dividends (DCM-TOKEN), tradable on major DEXs.
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Security & Compliance: KYC/AML integrated Sign-in, cold-storage custody of mined coins, and quarterly third-party audits published on-chain.
Opinion & Implications:
As retail investors seek passive crypto exposure, cloud-mining platforms promise hands-off rewards but often lack transparency. Blockchain Cloud Mining’s audited model and tokenized dividend structure could elevate trust—but token economics must guard against dilution and rug-pull risks. Moreover, the environmental debate around proof-of-work mining persists; integrating renewable-energy credits or carbon offsets into mining-assets offerings could be a differentiator. As staking yields compress and DeFi bear cycles loom, platforms like Master will need to innovate risk-adjusted return products and perhaps incorporate algorithmic governance to align user incentives.
Source: GlobeNewswire
4. Responsible Gold Taps Sakhila Mirza to Lead Blockchain-Powered Expansion
Key News: Responsible Gold, the tokenized-asset platform enabling fractional, KYC-compliant gold ownership, has appointed fintech executive Sakhila Mirza as Chief Growth Officer. Her mandate: scale the “Trusted Gold” ecosystem and forge partnerships with bullion exchanges, central banks, and luxury-goods providers.
Details:
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Trusted Gold Tokens (TGT): ERC-721 tokens representing audited, insured physical gold bars stored in vaults across Switzerland and Singapore.
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Expansion Strategy: Under Mirza, the platform aims to integrate with central-bank digital currency (CBDC) pilots, enabling gold-backed CBDC overlays. Plans include white-label solutions for jewelry retailers to mint fractional gold tokens at point-of-sale.
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Governance & Audits: Monthly on-chain proof-of-reserve updates via Merkle-proof contracts; annual audits by Big Four firms.
Opinion & Implications:
Tokenizing real-world assets like gold has been heralded as blockchain’s killer app—but adoption hinges on regulatory trust, custodial transparency, and consumer education. Mirza’s track record in partnerships could bridge the gap between crypto-natives and traditional finance, positioning TGT as a credible store-of-value for both investors and commerce. CBDC integration is particularly visionary: by tethering digital fiat to gold reserves on-chain, central banks could assuage inflation concerns and experiment with programmable money. However, geopolitical tensions around reserve asset denial and cross-border gold transfers may challenge such initiatives—making governance frameworks and legal clarity paramount.
Source: Business Wire
5. Automobili Estrema & Fabian Oberhammer’s “Dizzy Viper” NFT Collaboration
Key News: Italian hypercar maker Automobili Estrema has partnered with digital artist Fabian Oberhammer to launch “Dizzy Viper”, a limited-edition NFT art series minted on the NEAR Protocol, celebrating the brand’s cutting-edge “Fulminea” electric supercar.
Details:
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Collector Drops: 333 dynamic NFTs featuring generative-art viper motifs synchronized to real-time telemetry data from a Fulminea test run.
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Utility Perks: NFT holders receive VIP track day invites, factory tours, and a fractional stake in a bespoke Fulminea prototype.
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Environmental Offset: Minting energy consumption offset via NEAR’s carbon-neutral consensus and direct funding of reforestation projects in Italy.
Opinion & Implications:
Luxury automotive brands entering the NFT arena exemplify Web3’s fusion with experiential marketing. By linking on-chain art to real-world perks and data streams, Automobili Estrema deepens fan engagement while tapping new revenue from digital collectibles. NEAR’s eco-friendly blockchain underscores the need for sustainability in NFT minting—a growing concern among high-net-worth audiences. The fractional ownership model hints at broader use cases: tokenized access to exclusive assets (cars, yachts, art) could spur secondary markets and novel governance rights. For blockchain enthusiasts, this collaboration showcases how tokenomics and experiential utility can elevate brand loyalty beyond traditional merchandising.
Source: PR Newswire
Conclusion & Key Takeaways
Today’s headlines reflect a blockchain ecosystem maturing across multiple dimensions:
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Sustainability & Decentralization: AI-blockchain energy grids and carbon-neutral NFT minting demonstrate a commitment to environmental stewardship.
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Institutional Integration: DVP settlement trials and tokenized gold underscore blockchain’s encroachment into capital markets and reserve assets.
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Democratized Access: Cloud-mining platforms and fractional gold tokens lower barriers to crypto and real-asset investing, while highlighting the need for transparency.
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Experiential Web3: Luxury brands and community microgrids leverage tokenized incentives to forge deeper user connections.
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Regulatory & Governance Frontiers: From Massachusetts-style AI commissions to CBDC-gold overlays, legal frameworks will shape the pace and direction of blockchain adoption.
As blockchain transcends niche use cases, cross-sector collaboration and robust governance will determine whether these innovations realize their transformative promise. Today’s stories are more than headlines—they’re signposts pointing to a decentralized, tokenized future where AI, finance, sustainability, and creativity converge on the distributed ledger.
The post Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – May 20, 2025 appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
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