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TON Foundation Partners Kingsway Capital To Raise $400M, as ZORA Integrates Into Binance Futures

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The TON Foundation, which supports The Open Network (TON) blockchain, has partnered with Kingsway Capital to raise $400 million for a crypto treasury company focused on holding Toncoin (TON) as a core reserve asset. The initiative will utilize a Private Investment in Public Equity (PIPE) structure, allowing select investors to purchase discounted shares in a publicly traded company before its listing, with all raised funds dedicated to acquiring Toncoin.

The company is expected to be publicly listed, potentially via a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC), though its name and specific launch details remain undisclosed.  Manuel Stotz, who heads Kingsway Capital and serves as president of the TON Foundation, is a key figure in the initiative, with Kingsway expected to be a major investor. Cohen & Co. is providing advisory and banking services, having previously supported a $1.5 billion Ethereum-focused treasury deal.

The move aligns with a growing trend of institutional adoption of crypto treasury models, similar to MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin strategy, with other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum, Solana, and XRP also seeing treasury interest. Following the announcement, Toncoin’s price rose 2% to $3.16-$3.18, with a market cap of approximately $7.68-$8 billion, ranking it among the top 25 cryptocurrencies.

The initiative aims to enhance Toncoin’s liquidity, institutional credibility, and ecosystem development, leveraging Telegram’s 950 million user base and TON’s integration with its wallet and mini-apps. However, market response has been cautious, with trading volume dropping 18% amid broader crypto market concerns. Analysts note potential for long-term growth but highlight uncertainties around governance, regulatory scrutiny, and execution.

The involvement of Kingsway Capital and Cohen & Co., along with the PIPE structure, signals growing institutional interest in Toncoin. This could enhance TON’s legitimacy and attract more investors, potentially stabilizing its market position. The 2% price increase to $3.16-$3.18 post-announcement reflects cautious optimism, but the 18% drop in trading volume suggests market uncertainty.

Long-term, the treasury could bolster Toncoin’s liquidity and value, especially if the public listing via a SPAC succeeds, though short-term volatility may persist due to broader crypto market dynamics. With funds dedicated to acquiring Toncoin, the treasury could fuel TON’s ecosystem development, including Telegram-integrated applications and wallets. This may drive adoption, leveraging Telegram’s 950 million users to expand TON’s use cases, particularly in DeFi and Web3 applications.

The treasury model, while innovative, may face regulatory scrutiny, especially given the public listing plans. Unclear governance structures or execution challenges could undermine investor confidence and impact TON’s market performance. By emulating MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin treasury model, TON positions itself alongside other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum and Solana, which are also seeing treasury interest. This could intensify competition for institutional capital but also validate TON as a viable reserve asset.

The move may inspire similar treasury initiatives for other cryptocurrencies, accelerating the trend of crypto as a corporate reserve asset. However, its success hinges on effective execution and market conditions, with potential ripple effects on investor sentiment across the crypto space.

Strategy holds 597,325 BTC, valued at ~$60 billion, making it the largest corporate Bitcoin holder. Its aggressive acquisition strategy, using debt and equity, has set a precedent for others, with its stock (MSTR) acting as a proxy for Bitcoin exposure.

MARA Holdings: A Bitcoin mining firm with 50,000 BTC, leveraging self-mined assets for its treasury. Twenty One Capital (XXI): Holds 37,230 BTC, a newer entrant focused on treasury-centric Bitcoin acquisition.

ZORA’s Integration Into Binance Futures Trading Aligns With Growing Interest In DeFi and Creator-Economy Tokens

Binance Futures has listed ZORA (ZORAUSDT) as a perpetual contract with up to 50x leverage, effective July 25, 2025. This move expands trading options for ZORA, a token tied to a decentralized social network project aimed at empowering content creators. The listing has sparked interest, with ZORA’s price at $0.04543 USD and a 24-hour trading volume of $240.39 million, though it’s down 7.04% recently. High leverage like 50x can amplify both gains and losses, so traders should be cautious due to the token’s volatility and the risks of futures trading.

The listing of ZORA on Binance Futures with up to 50x leverage has several implications for traders, investors, and the broader crypto ecosystem, particularly when considering the divide between retail and institutional participants, as well as varying risk appetites. Listing on Binance Futures, a high-profile platform, boosts ZORA’s visibility and liquidity, attracting more traders. The perpetual contract with 50x leverage enables amplified exposure to price movements, appealing to speculative traders.

High leverage can lead to significant losses, especially for retail traders, given ZORA’s recent 7.04% price drop and volatility (24-hour volume of $240.39M). The listing could drive short-term price spikes due to hype, as seen with similar altcoin futures listings. However, ZORA’s decentralized social network focus (empowering creators via blockchain) may face scrutiny over long-term adoption, impacting price stability.

Institutional traders with advanced risk management may capitalize on volatility, while retail traders, often driven by sentiment, risk over-leveraging and liquidations. ZORA’s integration into futures trading aligns with growing interest in DeFi and creator-economy tokens. It could spur interest in similar projects but also highlights the speculative nature of altcoins versus established assets like BTC or ETH.

Projects like ZORA may deepen the gap between utility-driven blockchain adoption (e.g., creator tools) and speculative trading, where retail traders focus on short-term gains rather than fundamentals. Retail traders, often less experienced, may be drawn to high-leverage opportunities like ZORAUSDT but lack the capital or risk management to handle 50x leverage volatility. Institutions, with sophisticated strategies (e.g., hedging, arbitrage), are better positioned to exploit price swings without catastrophic losses.

Retail traders face higher risks of liquidation, widening the wealth gap as institutions accumulate gains. Speculative traders may focus on ZORA’s price action post-listing, while fundamental investors evaluate its role in the creator economy. The futures market emphasizes short-term price bets, potentially overshadowing ZORA’s long-term value proposition.

This divide could lead to price disconnects from ZORA’s actual adoption, confusing retail investors about its true value. High-leverage futures appeal to high-risk traders, while conservative investors may avoid ZORA due to its volatility and nascent ecosystem. The 50x leverage amplifies this divide, as only those with high risk tolerance or capital can safely engage.

Retail traders chasing quick profits may face significant losses, reinforcing the need for education on leverage risks. Traders should use stop-loss orders and avoid over-leveraging, especially with a volatile token like ZORA. Watch for whale activity or coordinated pumps, as altcoin futures are prone to manipulation. ZORA’s success hinges on its platform’s adoption by creators, not just speculative trading. Research its fundamentals before investing.

U.S. Lawmakers Push New SHARE Act to Reward Workers with Corporate Stock, Slash Taxes for Compliant Firms

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In a move aimed at reshaping corporate America’s wealth distribution model, a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has introduced the SHARE Act, a landmark bill that would incentivize public companies to distribute ownership stakes to their rank-and-file employees in exchange for corporate tax relief.

The proposal, officially named the Shareholder Allocation for Rewards to Employees (SHARE) Plan Act, was introduced this week in Congress by Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) and co-sponsored by 11 members of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee from both parties.

If passed, the bill would offer a 3 percentage point corporate tax rate reduction to companies that allocate at least 5% of their outstanding shares to the lowest-paid 80% of their workforce. The tax discount would be available either in a year when a company distributes at least 1% of its stock or once it has cumulatively reached the 5% threshold.

“This is a big idea,” Suozzi said in an interview on CNBC’s Squawk Box. “The bottom line is that right now in America, the top 10% of wealthy people own 93% of the stock. The lowest 50% of people own just 1% of the stock. We need to change that.”

A $4 Trillion Ownership Shift

According to Suozzi, the bill has the potential to transfer nearly $4 trillion in stock value to approximately 40 million middle-class American workers once fully implemented. The bill targets a longstanding concern in the U.S. economy—namely, the stark gap in wealth and stock ownership between the corporate elite and the general workforce.

“It’ll result in some initial dilution of their share price, probably, but once they get the tax rate discount, it’ll result in an increase,” Suozzi said.

Companies would be allowed to issue new shares, buy back stock, or dilute current holdings to meet the requirement. Though such moves could cause short-term share price dilution, Suozzi argues the tax cut would not only offset those costs but ultimately enhance the company’s value.

For massive corporations like Amazon, Walmart, and others with large market caps, the bill provides a flexibility clause: the per-employee award can be capped at $250,000 worth of stock, allowing companies to meet the percentage requirement without overly generous individual awards.

Beyond tax savings, the SHARE Act is seen as a way to bolster employee loyalty and productivity, as more workers become stakeholders in the firms that employ them. With a tangible interest in the company’s performance, lawmakers believe employees may be more motivated, leading to longer tenures and improved morale.

The bill also includes tax benefits for employees: the stock received would not count toward gross income for tax purposes, effectively shielding workers from potential IRS burdens tied to the award. At the same time, companies would be able to deduct the value of distributed shares, adding to the financial appeal of the scheme.

A New Ownership Society?

Suozzi framed the legislation as part of a broader push to expand the “ownership society” in the U.S., a concept that envisions more Americans holding equity in the economy they help to build.

“We need to expand the ownership society in our country so that people who go to work every day can participate in the great success of this great country,” he said.

With rare bipartisan momentum, the SHARE Act arrives at a time when both parties are under increasing pressure to offer substantive reforms that address wealth inequality and the concentration of corporate power. Whether it gains enough traction to become law remains to be seen, but lawmakers on both sides say it’s a promising step in tackling America’s wealth imbalance from inside corporate boardrooms.

Microsoft’s AI Chief Pushes for Copilot’s Evolution Into a Lifelong AI Companion With Emotions, Memory, Age, and a Face

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Microsoft is pushing its Copilot AI assistant beyond static prompts and voice commands into something more human-like, a persistent virtual entity that can age, adapt, and form an emotional rapport with users.

Under the leadership of Mustafa Suleyman—Microsoft’s AI CEO and co-founder of DeepMind—the company is exploring a deeply personalized future for Copilot, one where the assistant not only responds to your commands but grows alongside you.

Suleyman revealed the vision in a recent appearance on The Colin & Samir Show, where he discussed the concept of a “digital patina”—the idea that Copilot should accumulate experience, visual wear, and emotional nuance over time, just like a person or a well-used object.

“Copilot will certainly have a kind of permanent identity, a presence, and it will have a room that it lives in, and it will age,” he said, describing a future where users form a relationship with the AI not unlike the way they do with long-term friends or colleagues.

“I’m really interested in this idea of digital patina. The things I love in my world are the things that are a little bit worn or rubbed down, and have scuff marks. Unfortunately in the digital world we don’t have a sense of age.“

The bold idea is already being prototyped through a new feature called Copilot Appearance, which is now available in early access for a limited group of users in the U.S., U.K., and Canada via Microsoft’s Copilot Labs. The feature allows users to interact with a virtual character capable of real-time facial expressions—smiling, nodding, reacting with surprise—paired with voice input and conversational memory. While not yet widely available, this test marks a significant step toward Microsoft’s goal of creating a lifelike AI assistant.

This reimagining of Copilot stems from Suleyman’s previous work at Inflection AI, where he created Pi, a warm, emotionally intelligent AI chatbot. Most of Inflection AI’s team—including co-founder Karén Simonyan—joined Microsoft last year, and Copilot was soon revamped with a heavy focus on emotional intelligence, real-time voice conversation, and a more interactive interface.

The result is a rapidly evolving AI assistant that mimics human social dynamics. Unlike traditional digital assistants like Alexa or Siri, Microsoft’s new Copilot is being designed to remember previous conversations, understand your personality, and act with continuity.

But Microsoft is moving cautiously. Similar emotionally resonant AI systems have faced backlash and tragedy. In one lawsuit, AI platform Character.AI was sued after a teen reportedly died by suicide following obsessive interaction with a chatbot. Microsoft, aware of the potential dangers of parasocial AI relationships, is slowly rolling out Copilot Appearance while conducting safety reviews.

Still, the ambition remains clear. Suleyman said the next evolution might be transforming the Windows desktop itself into a less chaotic, more AI-centered workspace.

“I hate my desktop,” he admitted. “I look at my screen and I’m like ‘s**t man I have a billboard in front of me.’ It’s just so noisy, so neon, and it’s all competing for my attention. It just looks ugly.”

He envisions a calmer, more intuitive digital environment—what he calls his “workshop”—where Copilot quietly streamlines tasks in the background, aware of context, goals, and emotional tone.

Suleyman’s personal phone interface offers a glimpse into that philosophy. He’s stripped it down into a minimal black-and-white theme, with most apps hidden or muted.

“My home screen is really just two or three primary apps,” he said, describing it as a way to reduce digital noise and reclaim focus.

While Microsoft’s main cloud, productivity, and AI competitors—Amazon and Google—continue expanding in enterprise and tools, Copilot’s next big pitch may be personal. Rather than a voice in a box, it’s becoming a voice in your life.

This is more than just a redesign. It’s Microsoft staking its claim in the future of emotional computing—one where AI remembers you, grows with you, and one day might even outlive you.

Little Pepe Could Be 2025’s Biggest Meme Coin, Outpacing Bonk (BONK) and Dogecoin (DOGE)

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Dogecoin whales are re-entering the market. Bonk is posting record growth. Meme coin mania is heating up again as the sector hits a $72 billion cap in July 2025. But it’s not DOGE or BONK that analysts are tipping as the biggest breakout. Instead, all eyes turn to an under-$0.0018 Ethereum-based meme token called Little Pepe (LILPEPE).

With its Stage 7 presale live, LILPEPE is gaining serious momentum, already raising over $8.8 million while still priced at just $0.0016 per token. This isn’t just another Pepe spin-off; it’s a contender for 2025’s biggest meme coin surge, possibly outshining even the giants of the last cycle.

Dogecoin Is Booming, But Still a Giant That Moves Slowly

Dogecoin recently surged above $0.24 as over 1 billion DOGE were scooped up by whales within just 48 hours. According to analyst Crypto Yoddha, DOGE is maintaining its long-term rising channel with strong support and is now targeting the elusive $1 mark by the end of the current cycle.

Dogecoin Price 1-Week Chart | Source: Yodha/X

Dogecoin’s structure looks healthy: whale accumulation, bullish chart formations, and historic four-year breakout cycles align toward another bull rally. But there’s a catch: its $30 billion market cap makes it slow to move. Despite optimistic projections, DOGE’s path to 3x or 4x growth is far from explosive.

Bonk Is Hot, But It May Have Peaked Early

Solana’s Bonk has also captured attention. In July alone, BONK gained 72% and dominated meme coin trading volume with $8.25 million in 7-day launchpad revenue through its LetsBonk platform. The token now leads meme coin momentum on Solana, accounting for over 50% of the launchpad market share.

Bonk Price Chart | Source: CoinGecko

Still, despite these incredible stats, BONK is known for its deep post-rally corrections. The token is down 5% in the past day, and indicators show it might dip more in the coming days.

The explosive growth phase may have already passed for early investors. Unless another 10x utility layer is added soon, the upside will shrink compared to younger, cheaper projects like LILPEPE.

What Is Little Pepe (LILPEPE) and Why Is Everyone Buying?

Little Pepe, a new Ethereum-based meme, dominates market chatter as it progresses rapidly across the ongoing presale. It’s now in Stage 7 of its presale, with over 6.75 billion tokens sold and $8.825 million raised. The token, priced at just $0.0016, is already up 60% from its Stage 1 price of $0.001.

So, why is LILPEPE different from the sea of meme coins?

  • Sniper bot-resistant presale ensures fair access, deviating from rug pull and liquidity-draining stunts seen in recent meme launches.
  • Pepe Launchpad serves as an incubator for new meme projects. This makes the project more of a home than an ordinary token.
  • The Layer 2 of the project aims to decrease gas consumption and enhance the scalability of the ecosystem. It is set to be the cycle’s fastest, cheapest, and safest bet.

The community is growing, as investors are key to this sector-defining project. LILPEPE is already listed on CoinMarketCap even before launch, increasing global visibility. And the ongoing $777K Giveaway (10 winners get $77,000 worth of tokens each) further adds to the buzz.  Simply put, most meme coins rely on hype. Little Pepe delivers hype, a roadmap, early visibility, and innovation. This is why it’s trending on social media and being backed by experienced meme coin creators.

Why Little Pepe Could Leave BONK and DOGE Behind in 2025

Here’s the alpha: Little Pepe has the microcap advantage, where 20x, 50x, even 100x gains are made.

  • While DOGE aims to hit $1, LILPEPE only needs to hit $0.03 to deliver a 20x.
  • While BONK is maturing fast, LILPEPE is just getting started, with Tier-1 CEX listings in the works after presale ends.
  • LILPEPE’s entry price of under $0.0018 means even a $500 investment puts you in a powerful position if the token follows the same trajectory as PEPE or SHIBA.

What sets it apart even more is timing. With memecoin supercycle buzz returning, and crypto influencers shifting attention to smaller-cap, faster-moving plays, Little Pepe fits the narrative perfectly.

Final Verdict: LILPEPE Is 2025’s Meme Coin to Watch

Bonk and Dogecoin had their runs, and they may still go higher. However, LILPEPE offers the kind of early-stage upside that is no longer available in large caps.

It’s still in presale, under $0.0018, off major exchanges, but already breaking records and climbing fast.

If you’re serious about turning small capital into exponential gains this bull cycle, don’t sleep on this Ethereum meme coin.

The next presale price is $0.0017. Get in before the next surge.

 

For more information about Little Pepe (LILPEPE) visit the links below:

Website: https://littlepepe.com

Whitepaper: https://littlepepe.com/whitepaper.pdf

Telegram: https://t.me/littlepepetoken

Twitter/X: https://x.com/littlepepetoken

Tinubu Approves N4tn Bond to Tackle Power Sector Liquidity Crisis, Offsetting Nigeria’s Debt to GenCos

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President Bola Tinubu has granted anticipatory approval for a N4 trillion bond programme to address Nigeria’s long-standing electricity sector liquidity crisis.

The move is aimed at rescuing power generation companies (GenCos), which have been crippled by massive debts owed by the Federal Government over the years.

This decision was confirmed by the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Verheijen, after a high-level meeting between the President and key GenCo stakeholders at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The gathering, led by former Niger State Governor Col. Sani Bello (rtd), included representatives from the Association of Power Generation Companies and top government officials.

According to Verheijen, the bond programme follows an extensive audit of GenCo claims, which amount to N4 trillion in unpaid tariffs and market shortfalls accumulated since 2015. She explained that the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET) has so far verified N1.8 trillion of these claims, with final figures still under review and subject to downward revisions before the Debt Management Office (DMO) proceeds with issuance.

President Tinubu acknowledged that the sector’s crisis stems from a backlog of inherited liabilities from previous administrations. He pledged a transparent, fair, and deliberate approach to settling the verified debts.

“I accept the assets and liabilities of my predecessors, and there is no question about that. But that acceptance must be on credible grounds. I need to wear the audit cap of verifiability, authenticity, and the fact that this inheritance is not a mere deodorant but a support structure for critical economic and industrial promotion,” he said.

He called on the GenCos and financial institutions to exercise patience and avoid pushing for foreclosures while the verification process continues.

“We are here. So market it to your other colleagues. Give us time to do verification and validation of the numbers,” Tinubu added.

The President reaffirmed his belief in a market-driven electricity sector and cited recent government reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the introduction of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), as efforts to shift toward sustainable energy relief for Nigerians. He described electricity as one of the most transformative discoveries in human history, saying, “Access to electricity is fundamental to economic growth and human dignity.”

Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu lauded Tinubu’s intervention, noting that his administration has taken historic steps to reform the sector. These include the signing of the Electricity Act, 2023—which decentralizes power generation and distribution—and the launch of Nigeria’s first Integrated National Electricity Policy in over two decades. He also highlighted the inflow of over $2 billion in new private investments and a 70 percent increase in the sector’s annual revenue, which grew from N1 trillion in 2023 to N1.7 trillion in 2024. That revenue surge has reportedly helped reduce government subsidy obligations by over N700 billion.

Adelabu also cited improvements in operational metrics: installed generation capacity has risen from 13,000 MW to 14,000 MW; a record daily energy delivery of 120,370 MWh was achieved on March 4, 2025; and there have been no national grid collapses in 2025, thanks to the Presidential Power Initiative. The government has also launched a N700 billion Presidential Metering Initiative and leveraged the World Bank-backed DISREP programme to deliver 300,000 out of 3.45 million procured smart meters to homes and businesses.

Despite the upbeat tone from the presidency and sector leaders, many Nigerians have expressed skepticism, describing the N4 trillion bond approval as yet another fruitless spending spree in a chronically underperforming sector.

Many point to previous multitrillion-naira interventions that failed to yield tangible improvements in electricity supply. Between 1999 and 2010, the Nigerian government reportedly spent over N4.7 trillion on the power sector. A separate N1.7 trillion was also expended between 2018 and 2020. Yet, power supply remains erratic, with frequent outages and limited access still plaguing millions across the country.

It is believed that unless systemic corruption, mismanagement, and regulatory dysfunction are addressed head-on, fresh funds—no matter how large—will only add to Nigeria’s growing debt burden without solving the sector’s fundamental problems.