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The Dypto Times - Major Use Case Alert: Shopify Integrates USDC
Shopify integrates USDC, SharpLink buys ETH and stockholders hate it, and the SEC made some interesting new hires
Matthew Ruley
June 18, 2025
It was going to happen sooner or later. Stablecoins were going to take over e-commerce.
Here’s what happened and what it means for you. But that’s not all that happened in crypto this week. Let’s get after it.
From the Dypto Crypto Newsroom
May CPI Report: Inflation Rate Slower Than Expected
TLDR
Inflation rose by .1% in May, lower than expected (.3%).
The annual rate is 2.8%, with 2.9% being the expected rate there.
Tariffs don’t seem to be having any impact on the economy…yet.
The numbers, at least overall, were pretty good. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has just released the CPI report for May 2025. Let’s take a look under the hood.
What inflation means for all of us.
The modest changes in May align with broader patterns, suggesting that US inflation remains under control for now. Consumers and businesses benefit from the current plateau, while policymakers gain more room to maneuver without drastic adjustments.
Historically high inflation rates seen in previous years seem to have passed, though lingering price pressures in specific categories (like food) emphasize the uneven healing process.
Inflation and CPI numbers may sound dry, but they’re tied directly to everyday life decisions, from setting budgets to determining interest rates on loans. Understanding inflation means staying informed about economic trends and their real-life applications. It can also influence financial markets.
New SEC Hires Signal a Brighter Future For Blockchain
TLDR
The SEC has several new hires, two of whom have experience with crypto.
Brian Daly has extensive experience in investing and legal compliance.
Jamie Selway is a fintech extraordinaire.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has just added two industry heavy-hitters to its team this month, and the crypto world should pay attention.
For those of us with a passion for blockchain and digital assets, this is a moment worth celebrating. Here’s why their appointments matter and what it signals for the crypto industry.
Why these appointments matter.
1. Understanding of New Financial Frontiers - Both Daly and Selway come with expertise that straddles traditional finance and cutting-edge technologies. This is pretty big deal as crypto transitions from being the wild west of finance to a key part of the mainstream economy.
2. Common-Sense Regulation - The crypto world has long been wary of regulatory bodies imposing rules that fail to reflect this market’s unique needs. Daly’s emphasis on “common-sense regulation” gives hope that the SEC could adopt a more transparent and collaborative approach when it comes to blockchain innovations. Say goodbye to the fear of unpredictable crackdowns, and say hello to a framework that allows new crypto technologies to thrive while protecting users.
3. Market Structure Expertise - Selway’s deep knowledge of trading markets, combined with his experience working with multiple asset classes and involvement in shaping fintech innovations, means he understands the balance between regulation and flexibility. This could pave the way for clearer rules for crypto exchanges and market participants.
TLDR
Sharplink is an online betting platform. It’s a publicly traded company with a big dream of becoming the Strategy of ETH.
The company bought nearly half a billion dollars worth of ETH — putting the majority of it into staking and restaking platforms.
The move didn’t please shareholders. The stock dove 70% on a single trading day.
Major. Shake-up. SharpLink Gaming, known for its sharp sports betting strategies, has decided to go all in on Ethereum (ETH).
The Nasdaq-listed company has acquired 176,271 Ether, investing a staggering $463 million in what it calls a long-term strategy. It’s officially the Strategy of ETH.
But why is this such a big deal, and what does it mean for Ethereum and crypto enthusiasts? Let’s get after it.
Why we see SharpLink’s plan as a net positive for the crypto industry.
SharpLink’s bold strategy demonstrates a slightly different approach for public companies to integrate cryptocurrency into their operations. If you’ve been wondering how Ethereum fits into the business landscape, this is your blueprint.
Ethereum Adoption Is Accelerating – Companies like SharpLink are proving that Ethereum is a versatile platform capable of driving revenue and innovation.
Big Moves Spur More Interest – This could pique the interest of other companies wondering how they can get involved with Ethereum’s ecosystem. SharpLink may just be the trailblazer other businesses were waiting for. The Bitcoin Treasury Company started with Strategy…now there are dozens of businesses jumping on the bandwagon.
ETH Staking is Getting Institutional Attention – With SharpLink staking 95% of its holdings, large-scale staking could soon become the norm for enterprises, boosting Ethereum’s scalability and security.
Crypto Ain’t Just for Hodlers – SharpLink reminds us that cryptocurrency can be more than just sitting in wallets. Whether through staking, lending, or other DeFi opportunities, ETH can actively generate value.
Question of the Week
From social media - “Does Bitcoin have DeFi? How come no one really talks about it?”
Meme of the Week
Deep Dive - Shopify Integrates USDC
The e-commerce and crypto worlds have collided. Why? To create the ultimate power couple. Shopify, the giant that powers countless online stores, now offers stablecoin payments for merchants thanks to its shiny new partnership with Coinbase and Stripe.
Shopify’s stablecoin integration is made possible by Coinbase’s Base Network. Base is a Layer 2 DeFi network owned and operated by the CeFi exchange. It’s fast. It has a ton of volume (over $1 billion daily) and liquidity.
As far as TVL, it ranks 6th, according to DeFi Llama, coming in at $3.75 billion. Shopify’s smart contracts handle it seamlessly while keeping the same level of flexibility you get with credit card systems.
Stablecoins are solving tomorrow’s business problems today:
A jewelry shop in L.A. can sell emerald earrings to a buyer in Greece without sweating currency conversion losses.
A tech startup needing quick, affordable payroll can hold and transfer USDC instantly.
Even freelance creators selling digital designs or online courses can tap into global audiences securely and affordably.
Shopify’s integration with stablecoin payments solidifies what we’ve suspected for some time now. Stablecoins aren’t just the future of commerce. They’re the right now.
It’s like Kevin O’Leary said at Consensus: “It’s got nothing to do with Bitcoin. It’s digital payment systems. That’s the potential. That’s the amazing opportunity we have here.”
Question of the Week Answer
The short answer is yes, Bitcoin does have DeFi. The longer answer? Well, it’s a bit more complicated. Unlike Ethereum, which was primarily built to serve as the playground for decentralized finance, Bitcoin’s DeFi ecosystem is more reserved.
Platforms like the Lightning Network are working behind the scenes to bring DeFi to Bitcoin, offering stuff like decentralized lending, wrapped assets, and even smart contract (ish) capabilities. But the ecosystem hasn’t caught fire the way Ethereum's has — probably because Bitcoin purists prefer keeping things simple, secure, and mostly about being "digital gold."
Why doesn’t anyone talk about it? Perhaps it’s because it lacks the flashiness of JPEGs, or because Bitcoiners prefer to focus on HODLing over DeFi yield farming. While it's not the star of the DeFi party, Bitcoin still quietly pulls its weight in the background.
Closing Shenanigans
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