Analysis: Retail leverage soared before FOMC, key positives may emerge in late summer

Key Takeaways: Goldman Sachs and BNY Mellon have launched tokenized money market funds for institutional clients. Initial participants include BlackRock, Fidelity, Federated Hermes, and the asset arms of both banks. The platform allows real-time ownership tracking and may support future use in collateral management and settlement. Goldman Sachs and Bank of New York Mellon have launched a system allowing institutional clients to access tokenized money market funds. According to a CNBC report published on July 23, the offering targets the $7.1 trillion market, uses Goldman’s blockchain platform to record fund ownership, and is integrated with BNY’s custody services. BlackRock and Fidelity Funds Already Available Clients can invest in tokenized share classes of money market funds managed by BlackRock, Fidelity Investments, Federated Hermes, and the asset management divisions of both Goldman and BNY. The product is built for institutional users, including hedge funds, pension funds, and corporates. BNY’s LiquidityDirect and @GoldmanSachs ’ Digital Asset Platform have collaborated to launch tokenized money market funds (MMFs). 🤝 This significant initiative sets our clients on a path to access a new capability to increase the utility and potential transferability of MMFs in… pic.twitter.com/WJ1lv7m6T4 — BNY (@BNYglobal) July 23, 2025 “We have created the ability for our clients to invest in tokenized money market share classes across a number of fund companies,” said Laide Majiyagbe, Global Head of Liquidity, Financing, and Collateral at BNY. “The step of tokenizing is important, because today that will enable seamless and efficient transactions, without the frictions that happen in traditional markets,” said Majiyagbe. Unlike stablecoins, which serve primarily as a medium of exchange, tokenized money market funds offer yield and may function as cash-equivalent holdings for large financial institutions. According to Goldman and BNY, the funds could eventually be transferred between financial intermediaries without first converting to fiat currency. Goldman Sachs and BNY Target $7.1 Billion Market Mathew McDermott, Global Head of Digital Assets at Goldman Sachs, said the structure supports future use in collateral and trade settlement. “The sheer scale of this market just offers a huge opportunity to create a lot more efficiency across the whole financial plumbing,” he said. “That is what’s really powerful, because you’re creating utility in an instrument where it doesn’t exist today,” said McDermott. The firms see this step as supporting real-time settlement and reducing operational frictions tied to traditional finance infrastructure. They also framed it as complementary to regulatory developments such as the recent GENIUS Act , which establishes a federal framework for stablecoins. According to the report, U.S. money market funds hold about $7.1 trillion in assets, with roughly $2.5 trillion flowing into the space since the Federal Reserve began raising rates in 2022. Most are backed by short-term government or commercial debt. The service is currently limited to institutional users and fund providers participating in the platform. Institutional interest in programmable finance is growing, and assets like money market funds can be embedded into automated workflows across settlement, margining, and treasury operations. Such tokenized instruments could play a central role in modernizing how institutions manage liquidity and collateral across global markets. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) What are the tax implications for institutions holding tokenized fund shares? While ownership structure remains similar to traditional funds, the digital nature may raise questions around jurisdiction, timing of income recognition, and reporting obligations. Could tokenized funds allow 24/7 liquidity access? If integrated with global custodians and interoperable ledgers, institutions may eventually move capital between regions outside of standard market hours. What legal structures govern these digital fund shares? Each share remains subject to existing securities regulation, but the ownership ledger is now maintained on a permissioned blockchain, allowing traceability without changing asset classification.

BitMine Immersion Technologies, a crypto mining company known for its Ethereum-focused treasury strategy, has announced that its common stock will begin trading as listed options on the New York Stock Exchange. Options trading now available for $BMNR investors 👏👏👏👏👏 https://t.co/25P3HOUm05 — Bitmine BMNR (@BitMNR) July 23, 2025 The new listing, which launches today, is trading under the ticker symbol “BMNR.” This listing introduces a new level of market access for investors interested in BitMine’s performance. The availability of options allows market participants to hedge positions, gain leverage, or take directional views on the company’s equity. A variety of strike prices and expiration dates will be available. A Milestone in BitMine’s Expansion According to BitMine Chairman Thomas Lee of Fundstrat, this launch marks a major step in the company’s market development. “Options trading on the NYSE is a major milestone for BitMine, giving investors more ways to participate in our continued growth,” he said. Lee stressed that the move shows confidence in BitMine’s strategic vision, which includes acquiring up to 5% of the total Ethereum supply over time. This ambition places BitMine in a small circle of institutions pursuing aggressive ETH accumulation strategies. BitMine is also positioning itself as a hybrid player at the intersection of legacy financial infrastructure and blockchain-based innovation. Trading Infrastructure and Oversight According to the press release, the options contracts will be cleared by the Options Clearing Corporation (OCC) and governed by NYSE and OCC standards. Investors can expect the usual regulatory oversight applied to all equity options, including standardized contract terms and settlement mechanisms. The addition of options trading has the potential to increase trading volume and visibility for BitMine’s stock. It also allows the company’s shares to appeal to a broader segment of institutional and retail investors. Peter Thiel Reveals 9.1% Stake in BitMine Tech billionaire Peter Thiel disclosed a 9.1% stake in the crypto mining and services firm, Reuters reported. Thiel, a vocal supporter of Bitcoin, has previously expressed a strong belief in blockchain-based assets. His venture capital firm, Founders Fund, was one of the earliest institutional backers of the cryptocurrency. At the time of publication, BitMine Immersion Technologies (BMNR.A) shares rose 1.04% in early trading on Wednesday.

The White House's crypto policy report is set to drop on July 30, and it could either ignite a new era of U.S. blockchain dominance or deepen the industry’s regulatory quagmire.