Fitness / Motivation / Technology / Crypto
Welcome to Edition 116 of the Powerbuilding Digital Newsletter—your weekly guide to strength, clarity, and modern innovation. Whether you’re here to elevate your fitness, strengthen your mindset, or stay sharp in an AI-driven world, this space is built to help you keep progressing with purpose.
Here’s what we’re covering this week:
- Fitness Info & Ideas
Proven training methods and practical recovery insights to help you build lasting strength and push performance to the next level. - Motivation & Wellbeing
Inner stability creates outer strength. We dive into strategies for maintaining focus, balance, and emotional resilience—especially when life gets intense. - Technology & AI Trends
The tech world doesn’t pause—and neither should your awareness. Get the latest on AI tools, digital breakthroughs, and innovations driving real change. - Crypto & Digital Asset Trends
Forget the noise—we spotlight projects, platforms, and real-world blockchain applications redefining how digital systems create value.
Edition 116 is all about alignment—matching your daily actions with long-term goals and staying adaptable in a world that never stops evolving. Let’s lock in and keep building forward, stronger than ever.
Fitness
Overhead Press Secrets: How to Build Boulder Shoulders Safely
Nothing says “strong” like a powerful overhead press. It’s raw, primal, and brutally honest — there’s no cheating gravity when the bar’s above your head.
But for as rewarding as it is, the overhead press also demands precision. The difference between building bulletproof delts and wrecking your shoulders often comes down to technique, control, and patience.
This guide breaks down how to master the press, grow real size, and keep your joints healthy for the long haul.
Why the Overhead Press Is Still the King of Shoulder Builders
The overhead press (OHP) is one of the most complete upper-body compound lifts. It trains not only your delts, but also your traps, triceps, serratus anterior, and core — all working together to stabilize and lift heavy weight vertically.
Unlike machine presses, it builds real-world strength, improving posture, scapular control, and athletic performance.
Anatomy 101: What the Overhead Press Really Trains
The OHP primarily targets the:
- Anterior deltoid – front of the shoulder
- Lateral deltoid – side cap for width
- Triceps brachii – lockout strength
- Trapezius & Serratus – stability and upward rotation
- Core musculature – balance and anti-extension
When done correctly, it creates that three-dimensional shoulder look — rounded, wide, and strong.
Standing vs. Seated: Which Is Better for Growth?
- Standing Press → Engages core, glutes, and stabilizers; mimics functional strength.
- Seated Press → Isolates shoulders, allows heavier loading, but less total-body carryover.
Verdict: Use both. Standing for athletic power and balance; seated for hypertrophy and control.
The Science of Shoulder Stability
Strong pressing depends on scapular mobility and rotator cuff integrity.
Without them, you can’t safely move heavy loads overhead. Research in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research shows that scapular upward rotation and posterior tilt significantly reduce impingement risk.
Strengthen your stabilizers before chasing max weight.
How to Perfect Your Overhead Press Form
- Grip: Just outside shoulder width; wrists stacked over elbows.
- Bar Path: Straight line — the bar travels close to the face, then over mid-foot.
- Brace: Tight core, glutes squeezed, quads locked.
- Press: Drive upward, head slightly back, then forward under the bar at lockout.
- Lockout: Biceps beside ears, shoulders elevated, elbows locked softly.
Your goal is vertical efficiency — no excessive arch, no sway, just clean force transfer.
Common Mistakes That Wreck Your Shoulders
- Overarching the lower back (lumbar extension overload)
- Pressing too wide or too narrow
- Flaring elbows early
- Neglecting scapular movement
- Skipping warm-ups or mobility drills
Poor form doesn’t just stall progress — it ends careers.
Safe Progression for Strength and Size
- Start with 65–70% of your 1RM
- Add 2.5–5 lbs weekly
- Focus on 3–5 sets of 5–8 reps for strength
- Use 8–12 reps for hypertrophy cycles
- Deload every 4–6 weeks
Consistency beats ego every time.
Accessory Lifts That Build a Stronger Press
- Dumbbell Shoulder Press – unilateral balance
- Lateral Raises – widen delts
- Face Pulls – rear delts + shoulder health
- Front Raises – anterior emphasis
- Close-Grip Bench Press – triceps power
- High Pulls – traps and upper-back drive
Accessories fix weak points and prevent imbalances.
Core and Upper-Back Engagement: The Hidden Key
A weak core or lazy upper back kills pressing strength.
Include:
- Planks and rollouts for bracing
- Barbell rows and pull-ups for scapular stability
- Farmer’s carries for total tension
The stronger your midsection, the heavier your press.
How to Warm Up Your Shoulders Before Pressing
- Band pull-aparts: 2×20
- Scap push-ups: 2×15
- Overhead reach with PVC: 2×10
- Light DB presses: 2×15
- Gradual load buildup before work sets
Never rush cold into an OHP — shoulders respond best when primed, not punished.
Tempo, Range of Motion, and Grip Position
Use controlled eccentrics (2–3 seconds) to build tension and joint stability.
- Narrower grip = triceps emphasis
- Wider grip = more shoulder recruitment
- Full ROM (below chin to lockout) for maximum fiber activation
Tempo builds both muscle and mastery.
Variations to Keep Gains Coming
- Push Press: Adds leg drive for overload
- Z-Press: Seated on the floor; forces core control
- Arnold Press: Rotational tension for full delt engagement
- Single-Arm Dumbbell Press: Corrects side imbalances
Switch variations every 6–8 weeks to avoid plateaus.
How to Program the Overhead Press in Push or Full-Body Splits
Push/Pull/Legs Example:
- Push Day: Overhead Press 4×6 → Incline DB Press 3×8 → Lateral Raise 3×15
- Full-Body Day: OHP 3×6 → Pull-Ups → Squats → Core
Keep OHP early in the session when energy and form are at their peak.
Recovery and Mobility: Protecting the Joints That Matter
- Train rear delts as often as front delts
- Add thoracic mobility drills
- Use massage ball or banded stretches post-workout
- Ice or contrast therapy for inflammation if needed
Healthy shoulders outlift big shoulders every time.
Advanced Strategies: Paused, Z-Press, and Push Press
- Paused Presses: Eliminate momentum, build stability.
- Z-Press: Forces strict form and upright posture.
- Push Press: Uses leg drive to overload the top half of the movement.
Use these strategically to build strength throughout the full range of motion.
The Mindset of Pressing Heavy — Discipline Over Ego
Pressing heavy overhead isn’t about aggression—it’s about control. You’re moving weight through a fragile joint complex. The lifters who last the longest are the ones who know when to add load and when to hold the line.
Patience isn’t weakness—it’s power with precision.
Build Boulder Shoulders, the Right Way
The overhead press remains one of the truest tests of strength and structure.
When performed correctly, it not only builds size—it builds character: balance, patience, and unwavering focus.
Train smart. Respect the process. And remember: anyone can lift heavy once—real power is lifting heavy safely for years.
Sources
- Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research – Shoulder Stability and Pressing Mechanics
- NSCA Guidelines – Overhead Lifting Safety Protocols
- Schoenfeld, B.J. – Science and Development of Muscle Hypertrophy
- McGill, S. – Ultimate Back Fitness and Performance
Motivation
The Mask vs. The Mission: Living Authentically in a World That Rewards Pretenders
Most people live split in two—the version they show the world, and the version that actually wants to live. The mask keeps you liked; the mission keeps you alive.
In a culture obsessed with image, noise, and endless comparison, authenticity isn’t easy. But if you keep choosing the mask, you’ll suffocate the part of you built to lead, create, and evolve.
What the “Mask” Really Is
The mask is the persona you wear to earn approval or avoid rejection. It’s the smile that hides exhaustion, the success highlight reel that conceals emptiness, the “I’m good” when you’re not.
It’s protection—but also a prison.
The Mission: Your Inner Compass
The mission is your truth in motion. It’s the purpose that makes discomfort worth it—the why behind every rep, every risk, every refusal to quit.
When you live from your mission, your life becomes focused and meaningful, even when it’s hard.
How the World Rewards Masks (And Why It’s a Trap)
We’re conditioned to play roles—fit in, look good, stay agreeable. Social media amplifies it: likes over legacy, performance over purpose.
But masks come with interest. The more you wear one, the more energy it drains—and the further you drift from who you really are.
The Psychological Cost of Pretending
Studies in Personality and Social Psychology Review show that self-incongruence—living against your values—spikes anxiety and depression. Authentic alignment, by contrast, increases motivation and emotional resilience.
Every time you fake it, your nervous system feels the dissonance. That’s why pretending is exhausting—it’s resistance disguised as effort.
Signs You’re Living Behind a Mask
- You seek validation more than growth.
- You say yes when you mean no.
- You’re productive but not fulfilled.
- You feel disconnected from your wins.
- You’re afraid to slow down because silence might expose the truth.
Why the Mission Feels Harder—but Builds Real Power
The mission asks for honesty, not performance. It demands sacrifice, discipline, and patience—qualities that can’t coexist with pretense.
Masks chase comfort. Missions chase calling. One impresses the crowd; the other builds the man or woman capable of leading it.
Step 1: Identify the Masks You Wear
Ask yourself:
- Where am I pretending?
- Who am I performing for?
- What fear is driving it—rejection, judgment, loss of control?
Naming the mask weakens it.
Step 2: Reconnect With the Mission Beneath Them
Your mission already lives in you. It’s the pull you feel when you imagine something bigger than comfort—your art, your training, your vision, your cause.
Write it down. Speak it often. Let it become the lens for every decision.
Step 3: Replace Validation With Vision
When you replace “How will this look?” with “Does this serve my mission?”, everything shifts. Vision gives direction when applause disappears.
Step 4: Act From Alignment, Not Approval
Authenticity doesn’t require explanation. People may misunderstand your mission—but clarity outlasts confusion.
Do what’s right, not what’s recognized.
Step 5: Build Environments That Reward Authenticity
Surround yourself with those who respect honesty more than comfort. The wrong circle will keep you performing; the right one will push you to grow.
Authenticity is contagious—build a culture that normalizes it.
The Mask in Fitness, Business, and Everyday Life
- Fitness: Training for validation (likes, mirror) instead of longevity.
- Business: Chasing titles over impact.
- Life: Numbing with busyness instead of purpose.
The solution? Shift from appearance to alignment—from what looks right to what feels right and moves you forward.
The Mission as a Daily Discipline
Living authentically isn’t a one-time decision; it’s daily practice.
- Morning: Ground in your purpose.
- Midday: Check if your actions match it.
- Evening: Reflect, adjust, repeat.
Discipline keeps your mission alive when emotion fades.
How to Handle Resistance and Judgment
When you drop the mask, not everyone will clap. That’s fine—you’re not here to be understood by everyone, only by yourself.
Courage isn’t loud; it’s consistent. Every boundary you set is a vote for your freedom.
Lessons From Stoicism and Modern Psychology
- Epictetus: “If you wish to improve, be content to be thought foolish.”
- Viktor Frankl: Purpose turns suffering into meaning.
- Modern Behavioral Science: Authentic living increases long-term motivation by reinforcing intrinsic rewards.
Ancient or modern, the message is the same: authenticity is strength.
Long-Term Freedom: The Rewards of Living Unmasked
- Inner peace and self-trust
- Genuine relationships built on respect, not performance
- Energy reclaimed from pretending
- Sustainable drive rooted in purpose
Freedom isn’t found in control—it’s found in alignment.
The Real You Is the Strongest You
You can’t serve two masters—the mask and the mission. One hides; the other builds.
Drop the performance. Reclaim the mission.
Because the world doesn’t need another imitation—it needs the version of you that’s honest, disciplined, and unafraid to live in truth.
Sources
- Epictetus – The Enchiridion
- Frankl, V. E. – Man’s Search for Meaning
- Journal of Personality and Social Psychology – Authenticity and Well-Being Studies
- Ryan & Deci – Self-Determination Theory
Technology
Over 850 Experts Call for Ban on AI Superintelligence as Global Stakes Rise
A sweeping open letter from more than 850 technologists, policymakers, and academics is calling for an outright ban on developing AI superintelligence—systems that could surpass human cognition across nearly all domains. If adopted, such a ban would carry serious implications for enterprise investment, international policy, and the US-China AI race.
Defining Superintelligence
The letter, released by the Future of Life Institute, defines superintelligence as an AI system that “significantly outperforms all humans on essentially all cognitive tasks,” with the potential to autonomously rewrite its own code, make strategic decisions, and operate without human oversight. The authors call for the prohibition to remain in place until there is broad scientific consensus on safety and public buy-in.
High-Profile Support, But Industry Leaders Absent
Signatories include AI pioneers Geoffrey Hinton and Yoshua Bengio, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, and former U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice, among others. However, the letter notably excludes executives from top AI labs like OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, Meta, and Microsoft, highlighting a growing split between builders and regulators.
Yuval Noah Harari, one of the authors, stated that superintelligence is “completely unnecessary” and could “break the very operating system of human civilization.”
Enterprise Not Yet Affected — But Planning Must Evolve
Industry analysts say superintelligence is not yet a near-term concern for enterprise CIOs and IT leaders.
“Superintelligence remains a long-horizon theoretical risk, not an operating concern within the 2025–2028 enterprise planning window,” said Sanchit Vir Gogia, CEO of Greyhound Research.
Gogia recommends that organizations focus on scaling current AI responsibly, emphasizing data governance, model validation, and explainability over existential fears.
Still, broader calls for AI governance are becoming politically and commercially unavoidable, especially as generative AI continues to reshape sectors like finance, customer support, and manufacturing.
Industry Momentum — and Growing Pressure
While critics urge caution, major players continue to scale investments:
- Meta launched a $14.3 billion initiative to develop “Meta Superintelligence Labs.”
- OpenAI’s Sam Altman openly shifted focus to long-term superintelligence goals.
- Goldman Sachs and Salesforce report significant AI-driven workforce changes, with the latter cutting customer support headcount nearly in half.
According to Indeed, 26% of jobs posted in the past year are already undergoing transformation due to AI. And Goldman Sachs estimates 2.5% of U.S. employment could be displaced as AI adoption expands.
Global Implications: Regulation, Competition, and Control
If regulators act on the letter’s recommendations, the competitive dynamics in AI could dramatically shift. Gogia notes that restrictions would accelerate demand for:
- Smaller, controllable language models
- On-prem enterprise AI
- Sovereign AI stacks with robust auditability
This shift aligns with enterprise preferences in regulated industries, where transparency and reproducibility often outweigh raw performance.
Meanwhile, China’s progress adds geopolitical urgency. Despite U.S. export controls, Chinese labs such as DeepSeek and Alibaba Cloud have made rapid advances in open-source AI. U.S. leadership in generative AI—estimated at a five-year lead—may narrow if the U.S. self-imposes limits.
Preparing for the Future: What Enterprises Should Do Now
Whether or not the superintelligence ban gains traction, analysts stress that AI governance is now a board-level responsibility. Gogia recommends that enterprises:
- Establish AI oversight councils
- Embed incident response and ethical review protocols
- Demand dataset transparency and audit rights in vendor contracts
“In the continued absence of enforceable global rules on AI development and deployment, responsibility decentralizes to the enterprise level,” Gogia said.
While superintelligence may seem far off, today’s debate sets the stage for how, where, and by whom the most powerful systems in history will be built. Whether the next breakthroughs emerge under tight guardrails or continue in frontier labs, enterprises must navigate a future where AI is no longer just a tool—but a governance challenge of its own.
France’s VSORA Launches Breakthrough AI Inference Chip, Challenges U.S. Giants
VSORA, a Paris-based semiconductor innovator, has officially entered the AI hardware race with the production launch of Jotunn8 (J8)—a next-generation AI inference chip designed for high-efficiency, large-scale deployment in modern data centers.
With this launch, VSORA becomes the only European company currently delivering AI inference hardware capable of rivaling the performance of U.S. leaders like NVIDIA and AMD. But Jotunn8 doesn’t just compete—it claims to surpass.
What Makes Jotunn8 a Game-Changer
- 3,200 teraflops of compute power
- Over 50% utilization, significantly higher than most current systems
- 50% lower power consumption than traditional GPUs
- 3X better real-world performance on inference tasks
Unlike most chips optimized for AI training, J8 is purpose-built for inference, the process of running trained models to generate real-time predictions and decisions. This makes it ideal for powering AI applications in everything from data centers to self-driving cars, smart factories, and advanced robotics.
“Jotunn8 allows us to compete on the global stage with a homegrown, energy-efficient AI chip,” said Khaled Maalej, VSORA’s founder and CEO. “Europe now has a seat at the table to guide the future of AI.”
Why It Matters
As demand for AI scales across industries, inference—not training—is becoming the real bottleneck. Jotunn8’s ability to run large models with high throughput and low energy use addresses one of the biggest challenges in AI infrastructure: sustainable compute.
Strategic Partnerships & Roadmap
VSORA is working with top-tier semiconductor manufacturers to scale production and ensure access to leading-edge fabrication technology. The company is also engaging strategic stakeholders to prepare for industrial rollouts across sectors that demand fast, scalable, and power-efficient AI processing.
With U.S. and Asian firms dominating AI chip development, VSORA’s J8 marks a pivotal moment for European tech sovereignty. It’s not just a chip—it’s a declaration that Europe intends to compete in the race to build the digital infrastructure for AI.
Meta Restructures AI Division, Cuts 600 Roles to Streamline Superintelligence Labs
Meta is laying off approximately 600 employees from its Superintelligence Labs division as part of a broader effort to make its artificial intelligence unit more agile and efficient.
The job cuts will impact:
- Facebook AI Research (FAIR)
- AI teams working on product development and infrastructure
However, Meta’s TBD Lab, a new group of several dozen engineers and researchers developing next-gen foundation models, remains untouched by the restructuring.
According to Chief AI Officer Alexandr Wang, the move is intended to:
- Simplify decision-making
- Increase individual impact
- Create more agile, high-leverage roles
Affected employees are being encouraged to apply for other open positions within Meta.
Part of a Larger AI Strategy Shift
The downsizing comes just a day after Meta announced a $27 billion private capital deal with Blue Owl Capital to fund its largest data center project to date. Analysts say the financing model allows Meta to pursue its AI infrastructure goals while outsourcing much of the upfront risk and cost.
This is the latest chapter in Meta’s AI overhaul:
- In June 2025, Meta restructured its AI efforts under the Superintelligence Labs umbrella following executive exits and criticism of its Llama 4 open-source model.
- CEO Mark Zuckerberg personally led a hiring push to rebuild the AI teams across core areas: foundation models, AI products, and infrastructure.
Meta first entered the AI race in 2013 with the launch of FAIR, led by renowned AI scientist Yann LeCun. What began as a deep learning research lab is now evolving into a more product-focused, scalable engine for generative AI systems across Facebook, Instagram, and beyond.
Crypto
Aave Labs Acquires Stable Finance to Bring Yield-Bearing DeFi to the Masses
Aave Labs, the team behind the decentralized lending giant Aave, has acquired Stable Finance, a San Francisco-based startup that built a retail-friendly onchain yield app. The acquisition brings Stable’s mobile interface and engineering team, led by founder Mario Baxter Cabrera, under the Aave Labs umbrella.
What Stable Finance Brings to the Table
Founded in 2023, Stable Finance lets users deposit funds from bank accounts, debit cards, or crypto wallets and earn stablecoin yield through overcollateralized decentralized lending markets. The app’s simplicity helped onboard a wave of users looking to access passive income without having to navigate complex DeFi protocols.
With this acquisition, Aave gains a consumer-facing product to complement its existing institutional efforts—including:
- Horizon, Aave’s new marketplace for tokenized assets
- A recent integration with Maple Finance’s yield-bearing stablecoins
“This reinforces our commitment to turning onchain finance into everyday finance,” said Aave founder Stani Kulechov.
The Bigger Picture: Yield Wars and Regulation
Aave isn’t alone. Yield-bearing stablecoin strategies are becoming central to the next phase of crypto adoption:
- Coinbase integrated Morpho, offering users up to 10.8% APY on USDC through DeFi markets
- Crypto.com linked up with Morpho as well, offering wrapped ETH collateral lending on Cronos
Meanwhile, lawmakers are starting to notice.
Although the GENIUS Act (passed July 2025) banned centrally issued yield-bearing stablecoins, it left a regulatory gray zone for decentralized lending protocols and exchange-backed onchain strategies. That ambiguity is creating tension with traditional banks, who claim these products could drain trillions in customer deposits from the U.S. banking system.
Coinbase clapped back in a Sept. 16 blog post, saying:
“Institutions now warning of systemic risk are the same ones pocketing tens of billions from card processing fees, which stablecoins could bypass entirely.”
Why It Matters
This move shows that DeFi protocols are pivoting to meet real-world demand—building seamless, compliant tools that can rival traditional finance without compromising decentralization.
As Aave crosses $37.25 billion in total value locked, this acquisition could help them bridge the final gap between retail finance and decentralized markets, giving users the best of both worlds.
Google’s Quantum Breakthrough Ignites Fresh Debate on Bitcoin Security
Quantum computing just took a giant leap forward—compressing centuries of computation into hours—and Bitcoin’s cryptography is once again under the microscope.
On October 22, Google’s Willow quantum processor achieved what’s now being called the first verifiable quantum advantage. It solved a complex physics problem that would’ve taken the world’s fastest supercomputers 150 years, completing it in just two hours.
This isn’t just a scientific milestone. It’s a clear signal: the quantum era is no longer science fiction—and it may soon rewrite the rules of digital security, cryptography, and blockchain resilience.
What Exactly Happened?
The breakthrough involved an algorithm known as the Out-of-Time-Order Correlator (OTOC)—also referred to as “quantum echoes.”
- Willow ran the algorithm on 105 high-fidelity qubits, hitting 99.9% accuracy
- The computation revealed molecular and magnetic phenomena inaccessible to classical systems
- Google’s machine outperformed traditional computers by a factor of 13,000
“This is a significant step toward the first real-world application of quantum computing,” said Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google.
This comes after years of buildup:
- In 2019, Google’s Sycamore chip first claimed “quantum supremacy”
- By 2024, Willow had begun correcting quantum errors in real time
- In 2025, it delivered the first peer-reviewed, independently verified use case that makes quantum advantage real
Why Bitcoin Analysts Are Paying Attention
Bitcoin’s security hinges on SHA-256 hash functions and elliptic curve cryptography. These tools make reversing a public key or forging a transaction virtually impossible—at least, for classical computers.
But quantum systems like Willow raise an old, uncomfortable question: what happens when a quantum computer can run Shor’s algorithm efficiently?
While Willow’s 105 qubits are far below the millions needed to crack Bitcoin, there’s growing concern that we’re headed in that direction.
Here’s the kicker: Over 4.9 million BTC (~25% of supply) are stored in addresses with exposed public keys. If a quantum attacker ever arises, those dormant wallets—often belonging to early users—would be the first in the line of fire.
Even BlackRock, issuer of the largest Bitcoin ETF, flagged the risk in its latest filings, warning investors of “technologies that could undermine Bitcoin’s core security assumptions.”
Experts Say: Not So Fast
Despite the quantum headlines, most researchers say there’s no immediate threat to Bitcoin or blockchain systems.
- Timothy Peterson points out that even under generous assumptions, it would still take a Willow-class machine 10 hours to find one block—whereas Bitcoin’s global network finds one every 10 minutes.
- Ben Sigman, a Bitcoin entrepreneur, emphasizes that “millions of error-corrected qubits” are still required before any real threat becomes viable.
- Anis Chohan, CTO at Inflectiv.ai, believes we’re at least a decade (maybe two) away from needing to act urgently.
Yet others remain cautious.
“Quantum computing is the climate change of Bitcoin,” says Jeff Park, CIO at ProCap BTC. “Plenty of people deny it, plenty of experts understand it—but nobody has easy solutions.”
Post-Quantum Defense Is Already Underway
Bitcoin developers and cryptographers aren’t waiting for a threat to materialize—they’re preparing for it now.
- The US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has shortlisted post-quantum cryptographic algorithms that resist quantum attacks.
- Bitcoin Core contributors are discussing quantum-resistant address formats for future upgrades.
- Solutions like lattice-based cryptography, hash-based signatures, and multivariate algorithms are being actively explored across the crypto industry.
But migration won’t be easy. Implementing these changes will require coordination between:
- Miners
- Wallet developers
- Exchanges
- And the broader global community
“It’s not a question of if we solve this,” said Chohan.
“It’s about managing the transition responsibly and smoothly—together.”
Bottom Line
Quantum computing just went from theoretical to real.
Bitcoin isn’t broken—but it’s officially on notice.
The race to post-quantum blockchain infrastructure is accelerating. And in true Powerbuilding fashion, those who stay informed, adapt early, and embrace innovation will come out stronger than ever.
T. Rowe Price Isn’t Just Late to Crypto—They’re Betting on the Whole Damn Market
After nearly a century of playing it safe, legacy fund giant T. Rowe Price is finally stepping into crypto. But they’re not doing it with a basic Bitcoin ETF—they’re building a multi-asset, actively managed portfolio.
According to a new SEC filing, the $1.8 trillion asset manager wants to launch a crypto fund holding 5–15 tokens, using a custom weighting strategy that breaks from the “just-track-Bitcoin-and-hope” model. The goal? Outperform the FTSE Crypto US Listed Index, which tracks the top 10 exchange-listed assets.
In plain terms, T. Rowe wants to pick winners across the crypto spectrum—not just ride Bitcoin’s coattails.
That alone sets them apart from BlackRock and Fidelity, whose passive ETFs funnel billions into BTC and do little else.
Active Management, Not Just Exposure
Most institutional products so far have treated crypto like gold: buy Bitcoin, sit back, and watch the inflows. T. Rowe’s strategy feels more like a traditional equity fund—one with active allocations across multiple chains and use cases.
That includes altcoins like Solana, XRP, and Cardano, which often get left behind in Bitcoin-only models. Using a square-root weighting system, T. Rowe gives proportionally more weight to smaller caps, meaning coins like SOL could see allocations of 15–20%, not the 5% they’d get in market-cap weighted funds.
It’s a big play—and it’s not coming from some fintech startup. This is a conservative, old-money firm trying to claw its way back into relevance.
Since 2021, T. Rowe has lost $67 billion in AUM. This fund isn’t just a bet on crypto—it’s a lifeline.
Why It Actually Matters
Here’s what makes this move more than just another fund announcement:
- It brings altcoins under the institutional umbrella
So far, Bitcoin has soaked up most of the liquidity. A multi-asset ETF like this could spread capital to projects that have utility but lack Wall Street exposure. - It normalizes active crypto investing
Retail traders already treat altcoins like high-beta bets. T. Rowe is betting that there’s a middle ground—professional judgment applied to digital assets. - It’s fully onshore and regulator-aware
By tracking only U.S.-listed tokens, the fund sidesteps SEC landmines while still giving exposure to a wider slice of crypto.
This could become the gateway for pension funds, IRAs, and 401(k) plans to hold multiple crypto assets—without touching offshore exchanges or hardware wallets.
Bigger Picture: The Third Wave of Crypto ETFs
We’ve already seen two waves of institutional crypto adoption:
- Bitcoin-only funds – spot and futures-based products
- Ethereum follows – riding the coattails of ETH’s staking yield and L2 ecosystem
Now comes wave three: multi-asset, actively managed portfolios.
If T. Rowe gets this approved, it kicks the door wide open for:
- Thematic ETFs (DeFi-only, Web3 infra, L1 smart contract platforms)
- Sector-style rotations like we see in traditional equity portfolios
- Strategic alpha beyond just holding BTC and hoping for the best
And yes, Franklin Templeton and Invesco are already circling with similar frameworks in the works.
T. Rowe’s move signals more than just entry—it’s evolution.
They’re not trying to be first. They’re trying to be better. And they’re betting that crypto’s next bull run won’t be led by Bitcoin alone, but by a diversified basket of protocols, platforms, and primitives.
If you’re a retail investor, this could be your chance to get diversified exposure without chasing token pumps or managing 20 wallets.
If you’re in the space already, it’s time to track how real capital allocators are thinking about risk, reward, and opportunity.
Because once firms like T. Rowe step in with full infrastructure, custody, compliance, and research, the game shifts—for everyone.
Fidelity Expands Crypto Access — Solana Now Available for Retail, IRA, and Institutional Clients
Fidelity Digital Assets has officially extended full trading support for Solana (SOL) across its crypto platforms, marking another milestone in the firm’s long-running digital asset strategy.
The update—effective as of Thursday—brings buy, sell, and trade functionality for Solana to:
- Fidelity Crypto for retail investors
- Fidelity Crypto for IRAs
- Fidelity Crypto for Wealth Managers
- Fidelity’s institutional trading platform
The expansion was confirmed by a source familiar with the matter.
A Quiet but Powerful Rollout
Fidelity Crypto initially launched quietly in March 2023, offering U.S. customers access to Bitcoin and Ethereum. Litecoin was later added, and now Solana becomes the latest asset supported across the platform.
Notably, all crypto transactions are commission-free, with Fidelity applying a spread of up to 1% on executed orders.
New users are required to open a Fidelity Brokerage account to access the service, which remains unavailable in certain U.S. states due to regulatory restrictions.
A Long-Term Crypto Player
Unlike many traditional financial institutions now scrambling to catch up, Fidelity Investments has been active in the crypto space for years. The firm was:
- An early Bitcoin miner
- A regular publisher of in-depth research on digital assets
- One of the first large institutions to offer institutional-grade crypto custody and trading infrastructure
Today’s expansion into Solana aligns with Fidelity’s broader thesis: crypto assets are not just speculative—they are programmable infrastructure.
As more firms roll out spot ETFs and layer in passive exposure, Fidelity continues to position itself as a full-stack digital asset provider—serving everyone from individual investors to large-scale institutions.
Coinbase Acquires Echo for $375M to Expand On-Chain Capital Formation Capabilities
Coinbase has acquired Echo, a rising on-chain capital formation platform, in a $375 million deal paid in a mix of cash and stock, marking one of its most strategic acquisitions to date.
Echo, founded in 2021, specializes in infrastructure for token fundraising, allowing crypto projects to launch private and public on-chain fundraising rounds through its “Sonar” product. Since launch, Echo has facilitated over 300 fundraising deals, helping teams raise more than $200 million in total capital.
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong commented:
“On-chain capital formation is a vital and unique part of the crypto ecosystem. Excited to be adding Echo and Sonar to Coinbase to give our customers new token access opportunities.”
A Full-Stack Strategy: From Capital to Custody
Coinbase says the acquisition is part of its broader effort to build a vertically integrated infrastructure for token lifecycle management — from capital formation to token issuance, custody, and trading.
The move comes just months after Coinbase’s acquisition of Liquifi, a token management platform used by major players like Uniswap Foundation, OP Labs, and Ethena. Liquifi automates token ownership, vesting schedules, and compliance workflows, and will be integrated into Coinbase Prime.
Together, Echo and Liquifi position Coinbase as a one-stop solution for token issuers, enabling projects to go from idea to launch entirely on-chain, while navigating regulatory complexity through enterprise-grade tools.
With Echo’s acquisition, Coinbase reinforces its role not just as an exchange, but as a core infrastructure layer for the next generation of token launches and Web3 fundraising frameworks.
Powerbuilding Digital 