LATEST BY ELIAS TURNER
Markets
Robinhood Expands Prediction Market Footprint with Strategic Stakes in Crypto.com and OG.com
Robinhood is making a significant play in the burgeoning prediction markets sector, acquiring stakes in Crypto.com and OG.com to route event contracts through CFTC-regulated infrastructure.
DeFi
Pencil Finance Completes $1M On-Chain Lending Cycle, Empowering 6,600 Southeast Asian Students
Pencil Finance has successfully completed its inaugural $1 million on-chain lending cycle, providing crucial financial access to 6,600 students across Southeast Asia who were previously underserved by traditional banking.
Markets
BlackRock Ignites Bitcoin ETF Rebound as Altcoin Funds Sustain Inflow Streaks
Bitcoin spot ETFs saw a significant reversal in outflows, driven primarily by a $217 million influx into BlackRock's IBIT, while Ether, XRP, and Solana funds extended their impressive streaks of positive inflows, signaling broad institutional interest.
Regulation
California Senate Passes Bill Banning Public Officials from Issuing Memecoins
California lawmakers have advanced a bill aimed at preventing federal public officials from issuing memecoins to state residents, citing concerns over conflicts of interest and potential 'pay-to-play' schemes.
Markets
Bernstein Bullish on USDC: Projects New Growth Cycle, $140 Target for Circle
Investment firm Bernstein anticipates a significant new growth cycle for USDC, citing a recent $2 billion supply increase and escalating transaction activity, alongside an ambitious $140 price target for its issuer, Circle.
Regulation
Russia Expands Crypto Mining Ban to Moscow, Citing Power Grid Strain
Russia has broadened its cryptocurrency mining prohibition, now including Moscow, the Moscow Region, and parts of the Kursk Region, citing critical concerns over power supply stability.
Regulation
Tether's XAUt Gold Token Achieves Shariah Certification, Opening Doors to Islamic Finance
Tether's gold-backed token, XAUt, has secured Shariah certification, a pivotal development poised to significantly broaden its appeal within the Islamic finance sector and among investors seeking ethical, compliant exposure to physical gold.
Infrastructure
Major Bitcoin Mining Pools Embrace Stratum V2, Bolstering Network Decentralization
Seven prominent Bitcoin mining pools have committed to integrating Stratum V2, a crucial protocol upgrade designed to enhance decentralization, security, and efficiency across the network. This move empowers individual miners with greater control over block construction.
Regulation
Samsung SDS Tapped to Build South Korea's Blockchain Securities System
Samsung SDS has secured the pivotal contract to develop South Korea's blockchain-based securities system for the Korea Securities Depository, marking a significant step towards the nation's security token framework set for 2027.
Markets
Bitcoin's Institutional Momentum Meets Derivatives Skepticism: A May Outlook
Despite Bitcoin's recent rally pushing it above $78,000, derivatives markets are signaling caution, with options pricing only a 25% chance of BTC reaching $84,000 by late May. This contrasts sharply with robust institutional spot demand from ETFs and corporate treasuries, which continues to absorb significant supply.
Markets
Spain Leads Europe's EURC Retail Adoption, Brighty Data Reveals MiCA's Early Impact
New data from crypto banking platform Brighty indicates Spain has emerged as the leading retail market for Circle's euro-pegged stablecoin, EURC, offering an early glimpse into euro stablecoin usage under the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework.
Regulation
Senator Tillis Demands Ethics Clause, Stalling Key Crypto Market Bill
Republican Senator Thom Tillis is holding firm on a critical ethics provision, threatening to derail the Senate's crypto market structure bill unless it addresses potential conflicts of interest for public officials involved in digital assets.
Regulation
US Military's Bitcoin Grasp Questioned After Senate Testimony
A recent Senate testimony by US Navy Admiral Samuel Paparo has drawn sharp criticism from Bitcoin advocates, who suggest the military's understanding of the decentralized network remains superficial.
Markets
Bitcoin's $80,000 Challenge: Analysts Pin Trend Reversal Hopes on Key Daily Close
As Bitcoin pushes past $79,000, market analysts are closely watching the $80,000 mark, deeming a sustained daily close above this level crucial for confirming a definitive end to its recent downtrend.
Regulation
Fed Nominee Kevin Warsh Grilled on Conflicts, Crypto Stance Ahead of Confirmation
Prospective Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh faced intense scrutiny from lawmakers, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, over his financial holdings and potential conflicts of interest, raising questions about the Fed's independence and his views on digital assets.
Markets
Bitcoin Shrugs Off Geopolitical Tensions as 'Strategy' Buys Fuel Modest Gains
Despite renewed US-Iran tensions and a volatile oil market, Bitcoin posted modest daily gains, with analysts pointing to 'Strategy' and speculative buying as key drivers rather than fundamental strength. Markets appear to be pricing in prolonged, contained conflict over intense escalation.
Markets
Bitcoin Quietly Breaks 10-Week High, Analysts Eye $88K Amid Shifting Macro Landscape
Bitcoin has surged past $77,000, marking a new 10-week high, as cooling geopolitical tensions and record S&P 500 performance fuel bullish sentiment, with some analysts projecting an $88,000 target in weeks.
Markets
Bitcoin's $76,000 Hurdle: Can ETF Inflows Propel BTC to $84,000 and Spark Altcoin Rally?
Bitcoin is once again challenging the critical $76,000 resistance, fueled by robust spot ETF inflows. A decisive break could pave the way for an $84,000 target, potentially igniting a wider altcoin surge.
Markets
Bitcoin Dips to $70.6K as US Blockades Hormuz Strait Amid Iran Nuclear Standoff
Bitcoin saw a sharp dip to $70,623 following the US announcement of a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil chokepoint, after peace talks with Iran collapsed over its nuclear program. Oil prices surged in response, highlighting escalating geopolitical tensions.
Markets
Bitcoin Bulls Battle Key Resistance as Altcoins Eye Potential Rally
Bitcoin is locked in a fierce battle at critical overhead resistance levels, with a decisive breach potentially reigniting a broader altcoin bull market. Traders are closely watching BTC's ability to sustain gains above $76,000, while Ethereum shows signs of undervaluation.
Markets
Bithumb Pursues Legal Action to Reclaim 7 BTC from Payout Error Recipients
South Korean exchange Bithumb has initiated legal proceedings to recover 7 Bitcoin remaining from a significant payout error earlier this year, targeting users who have yet to return the mistakenly distributed funds.