Lumia and Avail Collaborate on Cross-Chain Solutions Focused on Tokenized Assets

The post BlackRock boosts AI and US equity exposure in $185 billion models appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. BlackRock is steering $185 billion worth of model portfolios deeper into US stocks and artificial intelligence. The decision came this week as the asset manager adjusted its entire model suite, increasing its equity allocation and dumping exposure to international developed markets. The firm now sits 2% overweight on stocks, after money moved between several of its biggest exchange-traded funds. This wasn’t a slow shuffle. Billions flowed across multiple ETFs on Tuesday as BlackRock executed the realignment. The iShares S&P 100 ETF (OEF) alone brought in $3.4 billion, the largest single-day haul in its history. The iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) collected $2.3 billion, while the iShares US Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF (DYNF) added nearly $2 billion. The rebalancing triggered swift inflows and outflows that realigned investor exposure on the back of performance data and macroeconomic outlooks. BlackRock raises equities on strong US earnings The model updates come as BlackRock backs the rally in American stocks, fueled by strong earnings and optimism around rate cuts. In an investment letter obtained by Bloomberg, the firm said US companies have delivered 11% earnings growth since the third quarter of 2024. Meanwhile, earnings across other developed markets barely touched 2%. That gap helped push the decision to drop international holdings in favor of American ones. Michael Gates, lead portfolio manager for BlackRock’s Target Allocation ETF model portfolio suite, said the US market is the only one showing consistency in sales growth, profit delivery, and revisions in analyst forecasts. “The US equity market continues to stand alone in terms of earnings delivery, sales growth and sustainable trends in analyst estimates and revisions,” Michael wrote. He added that non-US developed markets lagged far behind, especially when it came to sales. This week’s changes reflect that position. The move was made ahead of the Federal…

The post Western Union Eyes Stablecoin Card for Inflation Zones appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Western Union is building a stablecoin-backed prepaid card targeting countries with high inflation rates. Summary Western Union is creating a stablecoin-backed prepaid card for inflation-heavy economies. The USDPT token on Solana launches in 2026, integrating with the firm’s remittance network. Partnership with Rain enables Visa stablecoin cards and crypto-to-cash conversions. The money transfer giant plans to offer the product in markets where local currency depreciation erodes purchasing power, CFO Matthew Cagwin told the UBS Global Technology and AI conference. Cagwin pointed to Argentina as a prime use case, where inflation exceeded 200% last year. The dollar-denominated card would help preserve value for remittance recipients in economies facing rapid currency devaluation. Rain partnership brings Visa stablecoin cards Western Union has partnered with Rain to issue Visa cards linked to stablecoins. The collaboration allows users to convert digital assets stored in wallets connected to Rain’s platform into local cash at Western Union branches. The company is building on-ramps and off-ramps within its digital asset network to reduce banking system dependence and accelerate fund settlement. “We’re working with several providers to build this infrastructure,” Cagwin stated. Western Union plans to launch the US Dollar Payment Token (USDPT) in 2026, a stablecoin issued by Anchorage Digital on the Solana network. The token will integrate with the company’s broader digital asset strategy. The prepaid card will function as a bridge between stablecoins and everyday spending in high-inflation economies. Users receive remittances loaded onto cards denominated in dollars. The cards can be spent at merchants or withdrawn as cash at Western Union locations. Company reverses decade-long crypto skepticism Western Union maintained a dismissive stance toward cryptocurrencies for years. In 2017, Chief Technology Officer David Thompson questioned Bitcoin’s viability as currency, comparing crypto to commodities rather than functional money. The company argued that digital assets lacked governance,…