Traditional financial institutions are adopting blockchain technology as leading DeFi players indicate a new wave of mainstream acceptance

The cryptocurrency sector is gaining momentum as investors focus on projects demonstrating real-world progress and strong underlying fundamentals. BlockDAG (BDAG) has distinguished itself by confirming listings on 20 exchanges, including MEXC, BitMart, and LBank, highlighting its preparedness for mainstream adoption,

. With its hybrid Layer-1 network vetted by CertiK and Halborn, BlockDAG’s token, priced at $0.0015, has sparked predictions of a sharp increase to $0.05 on listing day, signaling rising interest from institutional investors.

Mantle (MNT) has also attracted attention after rebounding 7.33% in price, trading close to $1.71 following enhanced liquidity from its partnership with Bybit. Experts point out that MNT’s technical metrics, such as an RSI of 30.87 and oversold oscillators, indicate the potential for a breakout above $1.74, which could propel the token to the $1.80–$1.90 range. At the same time,

(ONDO) is gaining momentum through its collaboration with Blockchain.com, which allows users to access tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs. ONDO’s price continues to consolidate between $0.51 and $0.75, with a move above $0.75 expected to trigger a rally toward $0.82–$0.86.

On a broader scale, the Federal Reserve is widely anticipated to implement a 25-basis-point rate reduction in October, spurred by easing inflation and reduced geopolitical tensions,

. The CME FedWatch tool places the likelihood of this cut at 98.9%, though economists remain divided on the long-term outlook for monetary easing. Should the CPI come in lower than expected, further rate cuts could be expedited, encouraging risk-taking and supporting crypto assets. This climate has already led to $11.03 billion in global equity inflows and record investments in technology stocks, with and other digital currencies benefiting from improved liquidity conditions.

Traditional financial institutions are also embracing blockchain advancements. Oracle has introduced its

, a platform aimed at assisting banks in launching and managing blockchain-based digital assets. Powered by Oracle AI Database 26ai, the system offers support for multi-ledger setups, tokenization smart contracts, and compliance solutions, seeking to connect conventional finance with DeFi. Likewise, Securitize is preparing to , with backing from BlackRock and Cantor Fitzgerald. The company focuses on tokenizing tangible assets such as real estate and government bonds, a field gaining regulatory support in the United States.

Crypto venture funding remains strong, with

, a community-driven on-chain investment platform. Pave Bank and Bluwhale have also raised $39 million and $10 million, respectively, reflecting sustained confidence in blockchain’s future. Meanwhile, Bittam Exchange , providing zero-slippage trading and up to 200× leverage to attract both retail and institutional participants.

As the market adapts to evolving regulations and macroeconomic trends, projects like BlockDAG, Mantle, and Ondo illustrate the increasing integration of DeFi with traditional finance. Their advancements, supported by institutional-grade infrastructure and clearer regulatory frameworks, position them as significant contributors to the next wave of crypto adoption.