UNIVERSAL TOOLS: Ripple’s Xpring is launching a platform allowing developers to integrate fiat and cryptocurrency payments into any application. The suite includes an Xpring software development kit (SDK) that enables programmers to integrate XRP apps in multiple programming languages. It also includes a variety of new tools for working on both XRP and Ripple’s Interledger Protocol (ILP). Xpring is targeting crypto and non-crypto developers alike with the platform, the firm’s senior vice president Ethan Beard told CoinDesk. Full story
COLD FEET? Major Libra backers Visa and Mastercard are second-guessing their participation in the Facebook-led digital payments project, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday. Against a global regulatory blasting of the proposed cryptocurrency, the financial giants and unnamed other companies are balking at Facebook’s call for a unified front. The Journal says few companies want to boost the project publicly, leaving Facebook to defend Libra by itself. David Marcus, who co-created Libra, defended the crypto project on Twitter and said “commitment to the mission is more important than anything else.” Full story
COIN WOES: In a little more two weeks, Hedera Hashgraph’s HBAR cryptocurrency has dipped from a high of $0.36 cents to around $0.03, as of press time. The blockchain-like network’s CEO now says he will re-evaluate the token’s economic model and potentially change HBAR’s distribution schedule to give the company time to reassess. “We are thrilled with the technical performance of our platform,” Hedera Hashgraph wrote in an amendment that was shared in the network’s Telegram channel on Monday. “We also believe that there may be an opportunity to make improvements to Hedera’s coin model.” Full story
BANK BACKERS: Binance and Polychain Capital are among the backers of the crypto-friendly Founders Bank, scheduled to open in Malta next year. Co-founder Paula Pandolfino said the bank raised $10 million so far and is looking to raise $30 million more. “Crypto will take over the world, and we need full banking services,” she told CoinDesk. “We want to be that pillar of banking for the ecosystem to support how it gets done.” Full story
TOKEN INVESTMENT: Pantera Capital led a $5 million seed round in a protocol built to put financial middlemen out of business. The Vega Protocol will enable people anywhere in the world to spin up markets for derivatives (futures, swaps, options, etc.) that can interact with each other and abide by relevant regulations. Other key investors included Ripple’s Xpring, Hashed and KR1. Participants purchased an as-yet-unnamed ERC-20 token that will power staking and governance services on the blockchain, according to Vega CEO Barney Mannerings. Full story | 
