Blockchain & Web3 Weekly Bytes Edition #70

🏠 Crypto Mortgages, Ledger’s Tap Feature, ZK in Action

Jun 28, 2025

Hello Blockchain Enthusiast,

We’ve officially hit 70 editions! If you’ve been reading even a handful of them — thank you. It means a lot. 🎉

I'll be taking a short two-week summer break. The next edition (#71) will be out on July 19. My goal? Sharpen the format and make this newsletter even more useful going forward.

Now, here’s what stood out this week.

The US housing regulator has asked Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to evaluate crypto-backed mortgages. Ledger introduced a tap-to-recover option for its wallets. And ZK tech is starting to prove useful far beyond privacy.

Tech Spotlight: This week covers how zero-knowledge proofs are being used to verify data, streamline apps, and reduce friction.
Weekly Highlights: Coinbase secured a MiCA license through Luxembourg. Kraken launched a new global payments app. SoFi reopened crypto trading.
Affiliate Spotlight: Ledger’s latest update adds new recovery options without compromising self-custody.
Chart of the Week: Public companies now hold more than 840,000 BTC. That’s 4 percent of total supply and climbing.

🧠 Weekly Trivia

Which of the following can already be verified using a zero-knowledge proof?

A. Your age without sharing your birthdate
B. Your wallet balance without showing the amount
C. That you voted without revealing your vote
D. All of the above

*Find the answer at the end of this newsletter.

🌟 Tech Spotlight – ZK Tech Beyond Privacy

Zero-knowledge proofs are best known for privacy, but the most practical use cases are elsewhere.

They help blockchains confirm that transactions were valid without showing all the details. Instead of repeating every step, a single proof can confirm that the outcome checks out. This reduces cost and keeps things fast.

Projects like Polygon, Starknet, and zkSync already use ZK systems to make Ethereum more efficient. These aren’t ideas. They’re live tools helping blockchains scale without breaking trust.

Outside of payments, ZK proofs are now being used to confirm things like age, residency, or participation without revealing personal information. You can prove you’re over 18 without showing a birthdate. Or that you voted, without showing how.

This opens up practical applications in finance, identity, and governance without shifting the trust layer.

📰 This Week’s Blockchain and Web3 Highlights

Crypto Mortgages on the Radar: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been asked to evaluate how crypto could fit into mortgage payments under new FHFA guidance.

Ledger Adds Tap Recovery Option: Ledger launched Recovery Key, giving wallet users a PIN-based, tap-to-restore option — no seed phrase needed.

Kraken’s Krak App Targets Venmo and PayPal: Kraken is rolling out Krak, a payment app offering free cross-border transfers to 160+ countries and stablecoin yield options.

Coinbase Gains EU-Wide Access via Luxembourg: With a new license under MiCA rules, Coinbase can now expand crypto services across the European Union.

SoFi Re-Enters Crypto With BTC and ETH: After stepping back in 2023, SoFi is returning to crypto with trading, lending, and stablecoins — starting with Bitcoin and Ethereum.

CoreWeave Makes Fresh Offer for Core Scientific: Reports say CoreWeave is making another attempt to acquire Bitcoin miner Core Scientific after a prior bid was turned down.

Bitcoin Holds Strong Above $107K: BTC has stayed above $107K, with some analysts pointing to momentum for new highs, while others warn of overheated sentiment.

😂 A Little Blockchain Humor Break 🤣

Source: Naiive

📊 Chart of the Week: Bitcoin on Corporate Balance Sheets

140 public companies hold Bitcoin on their balance sheets, totaling over 840,883 BTC — that’s nearly 1 in every 25 bitcoin in existence.

This goes beyond crypto-native firms. Alongside Strategy and Coinbase, you’ll find players from energy, fintech, and even regional banking.

For some, it’s a cash alternative. For others, a hedge against local currency risk. Either way, it’s no longer fringe.

These holdings are audited, published, and filed.

If you’re wondering who’s actually stacking sats, this chart answers it loud and clear.

Source: Crypto.com

Strategy now holds more BTC than most central banks hold gold. Kraken launched a payments app to rival PayPal. The U.S. housing regulator just nudged crypto into the mortgage conversation. Ledger’s new tap-to-recover feature made headlines.

🎯 Trivia Answer: ✅ D) All of the above

Zero-knowledge proofs are already being used to verify age, wallet balances, and voting — all without exposing the actual data.

📬 I'm taking a short summer break. The next edition lands in your inbox on July 19 — tighter, better, and built with care.

Thanks again for being part of the first 70.

Thank you,
Ajay Tomar

Disclaimer:

Content in this newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as financial, tax, or legal advice. Always do your research and consult with a professional before making financial decisions. As a solopreneur, I may earn commissions from affiliate links in this newsletter at no extra cost to you. This support helps me bring you valuable content. I only endorse products I trust and believe could benefit you.