Regulatory momentum continues building in the crypto space. The SEC has formally closed its investigation into Aave, signaling a shift toward clearer oversight frameworks for major DeFi protocols. This marks another step in bridging decentralized finance with institutional acceptance.

Meanwhile, infrastructure improvements are accelerating adoption. Visa announced that U.S. banks can now leverage USDC for settlement transactions, creating direct pathways between traditional banking rails and stablecoin infrastructure. This move demonstrates how major payment networks are actively integrating blockchain-based solutions into their operations.

On the traditional finance front, market structure is evolving rapidly. Nasdaq revealed plans to extend trading hours to 23-hour sessions across five weekdays, covering both stocks and ETPs. As legacy markets modernize, the contrast with crypto's always-on nature becomes increasingly relevant for investors considering asset allocation strategies.