Fintech firm Ramp Network has introduced a new multichain self-custodial wallet aimed at reducing one of crypto’s biggest usability challenges, the need to rely on multiple third-party services for basic transactions.

The company says the wallet allows users to buy, sell, swap, and cash out digital assets within a single app, streamlining the overall experience.

All-in-One Crypto Experience

Unlike many wallets that depend on external providers, Ramp’s new product integrates its own on-ramp, off-ramp, and cross-chain infrastructure directly into the app.

This means users can complete key actions like trading or withdrawing funds without being redirected to other platforms.

Ramp says the goal is to simplify self-custody while still allowing users to retain full control over their assets.

Multichain Support at Launch

The wallet launches with support for Ether across eight networks, including Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, Linea, MegaETH, Optimism, Polygon zkEVM, and zkSync Era.

Ramp plans to expand support to additional networks such as Bitcoin, Solana, Binance Smart Chain, Polygon, Apechain, Avalanche, Celo, and Gnosis in future updates.

To facilitate transactions, the wallet uses USDC on the Base network as a core balance for payments and transfers.

Focus on Security and User Control

Despite offering an integrated experience, Ramp emphasized that the wallet remains fully self-custodial.

Users retain control of their private keys, with security features including passkeys and optional key export functionality.

The company said this approach aims to make non-custodial wallets easier to use without compromising ownership of funds.

Not Available in the EU Yet

The wallet will be available globally, except in the European Union.

Ramp Network is already registered as a Crypto Asset Service Provider under the EU’s MiCA framework, but additional regulatory approvals are required before launching the wallet in the region.

According to CEO Przemek Kowalczyk, those steps are expected to be completed in the coming months.

Competing in a Crowded Wallet Market

Ramp’s entry adds to a growing list of wallets offering integrated features, including MetaMask, Phantom, Best Wallet, and Exodus, which already support in-app swaps and asset purchases.

However, Ramp is positioning its product as more streamlined by reducing the number of intermediaries involved in each transaction.

Simplifying a Fragmented Experience

Kowalczyk said the company built its own infrastructure to eliminate friction points that typically occur when users switch between services.

By combining payments, trading, and cash-out features into a single system, Ramp aims to make the crypto experience more consistent and user-friendly while maintaining the core principle of self-custody.

HIVE Digital Technologies is preparing to raise $75 million as it accelerates its shift from Bitcoin mining toward AI-driven computing and data center infrastructure.

The company announced plans to issue 0% exchangeable senior notes due in 2031, with the offering targeting institutional investors and including an option to raise an additional $15 million.

Funding Focused on GPUs and Data Centers

HIVE said the proceeds will be used to expand its high-performance computing capabilities, including investments in graphics processing units and data center infrastructure.

The notes will be issued through a wholly owned subsidiary and can be converted under certain conditions, with HIVE retaining flexibility to settle conversions in cash, shares, or a mix of both.

The company also plans to enter capped call transactions to help limit potential shareholder dilution from future conversions.

Stock Drops Following Announcement

Following the news, HIVE’s Nasdaq-listed shares fell 11.5%, underperforming the broader crypto mining sector. The CoinShares Bitcoin Mining ETF also declined slightly by 1.5%.

Despite the market reaction, the raise reflects HIVE’s longer-term strategy to diversify beyond traditional mining revenue.

Pivot to AI Already Underway

HIVE was among the early Bitcoin miners to pivot into high-performance computing, beginning the transition in 2022.

That strategy is starting to show results. In its most recent quarter, the company reported $93.1 million in revenue, up 219% year over year, even as Bitcoin prices remained under pressure and mining difficulty increased.

Earlier this year, HIVE also signed a $30 million deal to deploy 504 Nvidia B200 GPUs for enterprise AI cloud services, signaling deeper involvement in the AI infrastructure space.

Mining Industry Shifts Toward AI

HIVE is not alone in this transition. A growing number of publicly traded Bitcoin miners are moving into AI and high-performance computing.

Companies such as MARA Holdings, Riot Platforms, Bitdeer Technologies, TeraWulf, Hut 8, CleanSpark, and IREN are all leveraging their existing energy access and data center infrastructure to support AI workloads.

This trend reflects a broader industry shift as miners look to stabilize revenues and capitalize on rising demand for AI computing power.

AI Infrastructure Becomes Key Growth Driver

The move toward AI is gaining momentum across the sector.

CoreWeave, a former crypto mining firm, has emerged as a major player in AI cloud infrastructure after pivoting years earlier. The company recently signed a $6 billion deal with trading firm Jane Street and secured a $1 billion equity investment, highlighting the scale of demand for compute resources.

At the same time, other players like Soluna Holdings are restructuring operations to focus more heavily on AI-ready data centers.

Expansion Plans Continue

In addition to the fundraising, HIVE said it has received conditional approval to list its shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange, with trading expected to begin later this month once requirements are met.

As the company deepens its AI strategy, the planned raise signals a continued shift away from reliance on Bitcoin mining toward a broader role in powering next-generation computing infrastructure.

Investors in the United Arab Emirates are continuing to back artificial intelligence and crypto-related assets, even as regional tensions test the Gulf’s ambitions to become a global tech hub.

New data from eToro shows that UAE investors increased their exposure to AI and software stocks during the first quarter, taking advantage of falling prices rather than pulling back from risk.

Investors Lean Into AI Sell-Off

Despite market volatility, UAE investors used the downturn in AI and tech stocks as a buying opportunity.

According to eToro, there was a noticeable increase in holdings of major AI and software companies, including ServiceNow, Super Micro Computer, Adobe, and Oracle. These names saw strong growth in investor interest even as broader market conditions remained uncertain.

The trend suggests that investors are prioritizing long-term themes like AI infrastructure and digital transformation over short-term geopolitical concerns.

Crypto Exposure Remains Intact

Alongside AI investments, crypto exposure has also remained steady.

Strategy Inc., a company closely tied to Bitcoin through its large holdings, ranked as the eighth-most-held stock among UAE investors. This indicates that interest in crypto-linked assets continues despite market fluctuations.

Conflict Adds Pressure but Not Panic

The ongoing conflict involving Iran has introduced new risks for the region, particularly around infrastructure.

A recent Deutsche Bank report highlighted concerns such as reported strikes on data centers in the UAE and Bahrain, as well as potential threats to major AI projects like the planned Stargate campus in Abu Dhabi.

However, rather than triggering a broad risk-off reaction, the situation appears to be encouraging more selective investment strategies.

eToro analyst Josh Gilbert noted that investors are becoming more deliberate in how they allocate capital, maintaining exposure to core tech sectors while adjusting positions within them.

Gulf’s AI Ambitions Remain Strong

Despite these challenges, the Gulf region is expected to continue pushing forward with its AI strategy.

The UAE benefits from key advantages, including access to low-cost energy, a growing pipeline of data center projects, and strong backing from sovereign wealth funds, which collectively manage trillions of dollars in assets.

These factors position the region to remain competitive in the global AI race, even amid geopolitical uncertainty.

Crypto Firms Continue Operations

On the ground, crypto companies in the UAE report that operations remain largely stable.

Firms like HashKey MENA and Binance have continued functioning, supported by cloud-based systems that reduce reliance on physical infrastructure. While some disruptions, such as travel delays and postponed events, have occurred, the overall ecosystem remains active.

Investment firm Ento Capital described the current environment as a shift toward more risk-aware decision-making rather than a full retreat from the region.

Regulatory Clarity Attracts Capital

Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority has continued to roll out its regulatory framework during this period, including clearer rules around token issuance and crypto derivatives.

Regulators believe that transparency and strong oversight will help attract long-term institutional capital, especially during times of market stress when investors prioritize stability and clear guidelines.

Overall, the data suggests that UAE investors remain committed to both AI and crypto as long-term growth themes, even as geopolitical tensions introduce new layers of complexity.