Welcome to the OpenSea digest. Let’s look back through the biggest NFT and web3 news of the week.

Morgan Stanley files for Bitcoin and Solana ETFs

Morgan Stanley reportedly filed paperwork to launch Bitcoin and Solana exchange traded funds, or ETFs, a type of investment fund that tracks the price of an underlying market and trades on stock exchanges. 

The filings come as large investors continue to channel money into existing crypto-linked ETFs, adding to the range of ways people can gain exposure to digital currencies without holding them directly. 

The move places Morgan Stanley among a growing list of major financial firms testing regulated crypto products as rules around the sector become clearer in the U.S.

Nike sells RTFKT virtual sneaker unit

Nike officially sold RTFKT, its virtual sneaker and NFT subsidiary, on Dec. 16, about a year after shutting down the business, according to a recent article. Nike bought RTFKT in late 2021, when NFTs surged in popularity and some digital sneakers sold for thousands of dollars. 

As interest in NFTs cooled across 2022 and 2023, Nike pulled back from in-house digital collectibles while continuing partnerships with Fortnite and game publisher EA Sports. Nike did not disclose the buyer or terms.

Walmart to accept Bitcoin payments at checkout

Walmart has begun allowing customers to pay with Bitcoin at checkout using its new system called OnePay Cash. The option lets customers use Bitcoin, a digital currency recorded on a public blockchain ledger, without needing to interact directly with crypto exchanges or separate wallets. 

Walmart has not shared details on rollout timing, fees, or transaction limits, but the change places Bitcoin alongside other payment methods for everyday purchases. 

The move adds to a growing list of large companies testing crypto payments in routine retail settings rather than treating digital currencies only as investments.

Wyoming launches $FRNT, a state-issued stable token

Wyoming has launched $FRNT, the first state-issued stable token in the U.S., making it available to the public under the oversight of the Wyoming Stable Token Commission, according to a press release shared with OpenSea.

A stable token is a type of digital currency designed to keep a steady value, and $FRNT is backed by U.S. dollars and short-term U.S. Treasuries held in trust by the state.

Reserves will be managed by global asset manager Franklin Templeton and custody handled by Fiduciary Trust Company International, a Franklin Templeton affiliate, as the institutional custodian. 

The token reportedly runs on public blockchains, including Solana and Avalanche networks, and can be accessed via Kraken crypto exchange and Rain card platform.

In the release, state officials said the structure is intended to pair blockchain-based transactions with public accountability and existing financial rules.

J.P. Morgan plans to issue JPMD on Canton Network

J.P. Morgan reportedly plans to issue its JPMD deposit token directly on the Canton Network, a layer-one (L1) blockchain that allows participants to control who can view transaction details. The phased rollout is expected to begin in 2026. 

A deposit token is a digital version of regular bank deposits. Each JPMD token represents one U.S. dollar held at J.P. Morgan and can move on a blockchain instead of traditional bank payment systems.

The project, developed with blockchain firm Digital Asset Holdings and J.P. Morgan’s Kinexys payments unit, is intended to allow digital bank money and tokenized securities to move and settle on the same network in near real time. 

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