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Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

Stripe acquires Valora team to drive Tempo stablecoin payments and low-fee global rails

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Stripe has acquired the core development team behind mobile crypto wallet Valora and launched the Tempo testnet — a payments-focused blockchain developed with Paradigm. The Valora staff will join Stripe (Valora’s app remains maintained by cLabs) to improve end-user UX such as mapping on-chain addresses to phone numbers. Tempo’s testnet reports ~$0.001 per tx in fees (≈0.1 US cent), ~0.6s finality, and allows stablecoins to pay gas. Partners named include Mastercard, UBS, OpenAI and Klarna. Stripe’s move aims to stitch together fiat on-ramp APIs, a low-cost settlement layer and friendly consumer wallets, targeting instant, ultra-low-fee stablecoin payments for merchants and consumers. The company positions Tempo as a compliance-oriented alternative to card rails (Visa/Mastercard fees ~2%+), and is racing to capture market share ahead of potential US regulatory easing under the incoming Trump administration. Key implications for traders: greater demand for USDC and other compliant stablecoins if Tempo scales; downward pressure on card-network fee revenue; and competitive pressure on high-fee on-chain settlement layers. Major caveat: real impact depends on Tempo mainnet launch, regulatory clarity, and merchant adoption.
Bullish
StripeTempostablecoinpaymentsValora

Cboe BZX approves 21Shares spot XRP ETF (TOXR) after SEC filings

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Cboe BZX has approved the listing and registration of 21Shares’ spot XRP ETF to trade under the ticker TOXR, following 21Shares’ SEC 8‑A registration and an amended S‑1 filing. The ETF will track the CME CF XRP–Dollar Reference Rate (New York Variant), offering regulated, direct exposure to XRP without investors needing to hold tokens. Custody of the fund’s XRP reserves will be handled by Coinbase Custody, Anchorage Digital Bank and BitGo Trust Company. Ripple Markets seeded the trust with 100 million XRP (≈$226m). Authorized participants can create or redeem shares in‑kind via XRP transfers or in cash. The fund charges a 0.30% annual sponsor fee, calculated daily and paid weekly in XRP. Cboe certified readiness to list once issuance notices are complete; trading could start imminently pending administrative steps. The approval adds TOXR to a fast‑growing cohort of spot XRP ETFs launched after the SEC–Ripple settlement, a group that has drawn near‑term inflows and expanded investor access to XRP.
Bullish
XRP ETF21SharesCboe BZXTOXRCustody

Dual-Strategy 2026: Bitcoin as Safe Anchor, Remittix (RTX) for High Yield

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Traders are adopting a ‘barbell’ portfolio for 2026: Bitcoin (BTC) as a low-volatility store of value and nascent ‘PayFi’ projects for outsized returns. The article highlights Bitcoin holding near the $89,600 area but warns a failed trendline retest could expose BTC to a deeper correction toward $56,000–$34,000 — seen as key liquidity/demand zones. Because BTC’s market cap (~$2 trillion) limits 10x upside, investors are allocating a portion of capital to high-growth payment infrastructure tokens. The press targets Remittix (RTX) as a leading “PayFi” contender: its mobile wallet is live on the Apple App Store, it claims a #1 CertiK pre-launch ranking, reportedly raised ~$28.5M, and promotes crypto-to-fiat off-ramp functionality across 30+ countries. The piece notes a $250,000 promotional giveaway tied to the wallet launch. The article is a paid promotion and advises readers that Remittix is positioned as a complement to Bitcoin for growth exposure while BTC remains the portfolio’s stabiliser.
Neutral
BitcoinRemittixPayFiCrypto paymentsPortfolio strategy

Dogecoin Sentiment Cools as Traders Rotate to Utility Smart-Contract Tokens

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Dogecoin (DOGE) momentum is fading as market sentiment cools. DOGE trades around $0.1411 with over $2 billion in volume, but technical indicators show weakening short-term momentum: RSI has stalled and resistance levels remain intact. Analysts warn a potential drop toward the $0.081 support band if selling intensifies. As confidence in meme-driven upside declines, traders are reallocating capital into advanced smart-contract and utility-focused tokens that offer real-world use cases and audited technology. The article highlights Remittix (RTX) as an example of a utility token gaining traction — promoted features include a PayFi crypto-to-fiat engine, CertiK audit, app wallet, exchange listings (BitMart, LBank), and a referral rewards program. The piece notes market rotation from speculation to fundamentals, advising traders to prioritise projects with clear adoption strategies, security audits, and developer activity. Disclaimer: this was a paid post and not trading advice.
Bearish
DogecoinDOGE pricemarket sentimentutility tokensRemittix

Whale Moves 3,373 ETH to Binance, $114.7M Inflow at ~$3,399 Average

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An on-chain analytics report from COINOTAG (citing analyst Ai Auntie) says a whale address starting with 0x31D deposited 3,373.1 ETH to Binance over seven hours, worth about $114.67 million at an average price of roughly $3,399.70 per ETH. The same address had withdrawn 3,593.21 ETH on Oct 14 at an average price near $4,051, putting it at an unrealized loss of about $5.13 million at that time; a forced liquidation now would realize roughly $2.196 million in losses. The move signals continued liquidity rebalancing by large holders and increased activity on centralized exchanges. Key SEO keywords: Ethereum whale, ETH deposit, Binance inflow, on-chain analytics. Primary keyword (Ethereum whale) appears multiple times to improve discoverability. Short, factual sentences emphasize the deposit size, dollar value, average price, prior withdrawal and implied unrealized/realized loss, and likely market implications.
Neutral
Ethereum whaleETH depositBinance inflowOn-chain analyticsWhale activity

Bitcoin Falls Below $90,000 — Technical Breakdown, Volatility and Key Levels

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Bitcoin dropped below the psychological $90,000 mark, trading around $89,986–$89,996 on Binance USDT markets after a sudden sell-off. Both reports attribute the move to weakening market sentiment, a technical breakdown of the $90,000 support that likely triggered automated sell orders, and renewed volatility stressing market liquidity. Short-term implications include elevated volatility, potential liquidity gaps near major round-number price levels, and the need to monitor volume and moving averages to distinguish a false breakdown from a deeper correction. Traders are advised to use disciplined risk management — stop-losses and position sizing — and to watch nearby support in the $88,000–$89,000 zone; a break below that could target lower supports, while a bounce would signal resilience. The later summary emphasizes monitoring liquidity at key levels and highlights that this price action fits Bitcoin’s cyclical pattern of sharp rallies followed by corrections. Both pieces note that long-term fundamentals — institutional adoption, fixed supply and regulatory developments — remain relevant, and neither cites a specific institutional move or regulatory announcement tied directly to the decline. SEO keywords: Bitcoin price, BTC price drop, $90,000 support, crypto volatility, market liquidity.
Bearish
Bitcoin priceBTC price dropcrypto volatilitysupport levelsmarket liquidity

Fed 25bp Cut but Hawkish Signal—RMP Bond Buys, Internal Split, and Slower Future Cuts

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The Federal Reserve cut the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 3.50–3.75%—its third 25bp cut this year—but signaled a slowdown in future easing. The FOMC’s dot plot still shows one 25bp cut next year, yet internal disagreement was the largest in six years with three dissenting votes. The Fed also launched a Reserve Management Purchase (RMP) program to buy $40 billion of short-term Treasury bills in the first 30 days (initial pace $40bn) to ensure adequate reserves and ease short-term money-market stress; purchases may remain elevated for several months before tapering. Chair Jerome Powell emphasized patience: no one on the committee is forecasting future rate hikes as the baseline, and the Fed will watch employment and inflation data closely. Officials modestly raised GDP forecasts for the near term, slightly lowered 2027 unemployment forecasts, and trimmed PCE inflation and core PCE projections by 0.1 percentage point for this year and next. Market-implied odds from CME show high probability (~88%) of this week’s 25bp cut but delayed chances for additional cuts until mid-2026, a pattern dubbed “hawkish cut.” For crypto traders: this mixed message—lower rates and active short-term Treasury purchases but a more cautious path ahead—can support risk assets in the near term (liquidity boost) while reducing conviction for a multi-cut, prolonged dovish cycle. Watch US jobs, PCE inflation prints, and the Fed’s RMP purchase pace for triggers that could drive volatility in BTC, ETH and equity-correlated crypto names.
Neutral
Federal Reserverate cuthawkish cutreserve management purchasesmarket liquidity

OCC Says Nine Big Banks Raised Bar, Excluded Crypto Clients — DOJ Probe Likely

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The U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) found that nine systemically important banks — JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citi, Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank, Capital One, PNC, TD Bank and BMO — used elevated review processes from 2020–2023 that in practice excluded lawful crypto firms and other industries (fossil fuels, firearms, adult entertainment, etc.). The OCC concluded banks imposed extra compliance hurdles and de facto denials based on lawful business activity, not legitimate risk differences. Comptroller Jonathan Gould criticized these market-driven screening practices and said the OCC will refer potential violations of a recent presidential executive order on fair banking access to the U.S. Department of Justice for further investigation. Banks argue stricter screening stems from heightened AML/CTF concerns and higher due-diligence costs after events like FTX. Critics counter that FDIC guidance and regulatory reputation risk also drove “debanking,” especially at smaller banks. The OCC is re-examining prior guidance limiting banks’ roles in crypto custody and stablecoin services, signaling possible future easing. For traders: the probe confirms regulatory scrutiny of bank-crypto relationships, could pressure access to onshore custody, custody-linked liquidity and institutional flows, and may produce legal or guidance outcomes that either tighten or restore banking access for compliant crypto firms. Monitor DOJ actions, OCC guidance updates, and bank policy changes — these will affect liquidity, custodial capacity and institutional participation in crypto markets.
Bearish
OCCdebankingbanking regulationcrypto custodyDOJ investigation

US Charges Canadian for $42M Discord Crypto Investment Fraud

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U.S. prosecutors have charged Canadian national Nathan Gauvin with running a fraud scheme that raised over $42 million by targeting users on Discord with a fake investment firm, Gray Digital Capital Management Inc., and its Gray Fund. From May 2022 to October 2024, Gauvin and associates solicited funds by promising a blended TradFi and DeFi investment vehicle, fabricated credentials and performance (including a claimed 4,384% return), and presented altered account statements. Funds were used largely for investor withdrawals, personal expenses such as luxury goods and jewelry, credit card payments, and fraudulent credit from a fintech firm (about $800,000). Gauvin was arrested in the U.K.; the SEC has filed parallel securities fraud charges alleging he lied and submitted false documents during the regulator’s inquiry. No lawyer has been publicly identified for Gauvin. This case highlights continued risks of crypto-related fraud propagated on social platforms and the cross-border enforcement actions by U.S. authorities.
Bearish
crypto fraudDiscord scamssecurities enforcementcross-border arrestinvestor protection

A16z Crypto opens Seoul hub, appoints Sungmo Park to lead APAC expansion

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Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto arm, A16z Crypto, is opening its first Asia office in Seoul and has named Sungmo Park to lead APAC operations. The move targets South Korea’s large retail crypto market, high on‑chain activity and strong developer ecosystem across the region (including Japan). A16z cited that South Korea ranks among the world’s top crypto markets, with reports that roughly one‑third of adults hold crypto and exchanges like Upbit account for substantial trading volumes. Park, formerly APAC lead at the Monad Foundation with experience at Polygon Labs, will focus on supporting startups and established firms through partnerships, distribution and community growth. Separately, A16z‑backed Lead Bank is shifting toward serving fintech and crypto firms and recently partnered with Loop Crypto to expand stablecoin and crypto payments. Taken together, these developments signal increased institutional VC presence and improving banking infrastructure for Asian crypto firms, which could boost deal flow, partnerships and on‑chain activity in the region.
Neutral
A16z CryptoSeoul expansionSungmo ParkSouth Korea crypto marketstablecoins

Bhutan Issues TER: Sovereign Gold-Backed Token Launched on Solana

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Bhutan has launched TER, a sovereign gold-backed token issued on the Solana blockchain and custody-managed by DK Bank, the kingdom’s licensed digital bank. TER pairs physical gold reserves with on-chain tokenization to offer a regulated, asset-backed digital store of value. Built on Solana for high throughput and low fees, TER is marketed to both domestic users and international investors, and DK Bank will handle custody, distribution and redemption. Support from Bhutan’s sovereign framework aims to provide regulatory credibility compared with algorithmic stablecoins. Key benefits highlighted include price stability tied to gold, cross-border settlement capability, and potential to attract foreign capital. Primary risks and open issues include the need for transparent, independent reserve audits, clarity on purchase eligibility and distribution mechanics (to be set by DK Bank), potential regulatory acceptance abroad, blockchain and operational risks, and the need for public education on access and use. Traders should note this is a national, asset-backed token (gold-backed token) on Solana (SOL) that may increase demand for tokenized precious-metal products and boost interest in Solana-based assets, but near-term price impact will depend on uptake, redemption flows and audit transparency.
Neutral
gold-backed tokenSolanaDK Banksovereign digital currencytokenized gold

Bitwise Predicts Massive 2026 Bitcoin Rally; CEO Says Investors Aren’t Bullish Enough

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Bitwise Asset Management’s CEO said the firm expects a significant Bitcoin rally in 2026 and warned that many investors are not sufficiently bullish on the outlook. Speaking publicly, the CEO highlighted macro tailwinds, ETF inflows, and structural supply constraints as drivers that could propel Bitcoin higher over the next 12–24 months. Bitwise cited growing institutional adoption and potential regulatory clarity as additional positive factors. The firm’s commentary reflects confidence in Bitcoin’s mid‑term price trajectory and suggests readiness among asset managers to increase crypto allocations if market conditions and policy frameworks remain favorable. No specific price target was provided, but the tone signals conviction that market positioning is too cautious ahead of an anticipated cycle of appreciation.
Bullish
BitwiseBitcoinETF inflowsInstitutional adoption2026 outlook

DeepMind opens UK automated lab to speed materials discovery with Gemini AI

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DeepMind will open its first automated materials research lab in the UK in 2025 under a government partnership to accelerate discovery of materials for batteries, semiconductors, solar panels and medical imaging. The facility will use robotics to run experiments with minimal human intervention and provide UK scientists priority access to several DeepMind scientific models, including Gemini-based tools for DNA analysis and weather prediction. The deal also includes tailored Gemini deployments for scientists, educators and public-sector users, and collaboration with the UK AI Security Institute to evaluate model safety. The initiative supports Google’s broader £5 billion UK investment plan in data centres and operations and strengthens Google Cloud and Gemini’s positioning versus rivals such as Microsoft and OpenAI. DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis said scaling compute and data is central to progress toward AGI. No financial or staffing details for the lab were disclosed.
Neutral
DeepMindGemini AImaterials scienceUK tech investmentAI research lab

Talus Network airdrop claim opens today at 13:00 UTC — how to claim safely

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The Talus Network airdrop claim portal opens today at 13:00 UTC. Talus Network, an AI-focused blockchain project, is distributing native tokens to early supporters based on past activity snapshots (testnet interactions, completed quests, community participation, or held assets). To claim, users should visit the official claim portal, connect a compatible Web3 wallet (e.g., MetaMask), confirm eligibility, and pay a small gas fee (likely in ETH or the base network token). The article warns of phishing sites, recommends verifying links via Talus’s official channels, and suggests moving claimed tokens to hardware wallets and staying engaged with project governance. The airdrop aims to decentralize ownership and onboard community members, but traders are reminded that token prices can be volatile and this should be treated as a longer-term play. Primary keywords: Talus Network, airdrop, claim portal, Web3 wallet, gas fee. The main keyword “Talus Network airdrop” appears multiple times for SEO; secondary keywords include AI blockchain, token claim, MetaMask, and governance.
Neutral
Talus NetworkairdropAI blockchaintoken claimWeb3 wallet

1 Billion XRP Withdrawn from Exchanges in Three Weeks Amid U.S. ETF Inflows

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Glassnode data shows roughly 1 billion XRP was withdrawn from centralized exchanges over three weeks, reducing exchange balances from about 3.5 billion in early November to ~1.5 billion by late November. Market analyst Mighty Mike and community members noted the rapid outflows coincided with the launch and heavy inflows into U.S. spot XRP ETFs (about $944 million net inflows across four managers per SoSoValue). Analysts interpret transfers to private wallets as long-term accumulation by large holders, driven by ETF demand, institutional and sovereign allocations, OTC and dark-pool activity, token burn mechanics, and growing retail FOMO. Observers also highlighted an unusual supply-price inversion where exchange reserves fell below XRP’s one‑year price trendline, suggesting supply is tightening faster than price. Traders are watching for a potential supply shock that could limit liquidity on exchanges and influence short- to mid-term price action. Disclaimer: not financial advice.
Bullish
XRPExchange WithdrawalsSpot ETFsInstitutional InflowsSupply Shock

Stripe hires Valora team to accelerate CELO-based wallet and stablecoin payments

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Stripe has acquired (acqui‑hired) the team behind Valora to strengthen its crypto payments and stablecoin initiatives, with a focus on CELO-based wallet infrastructure and developer tooling. Valora, a mobile-first self-custody wallet launched in 2021 after splitting from cLabs, raised around $20 million to build on‑chain wallet tools and developer infrastructure aimed at remittances and emerging markets. The founder, Jackie Bona, announced the team will join Stripe; Stripe confirmed the hire will support work integrating crypto payments and stablecoins into mainstream rails. The deal reportedly does not include Valora’s underlying IP or codebase, which will remain with cLabs (which will continue leading the Valora app). Terms were not disclosed. For traders, this underscores Stripe’s continued strategic push into stablecoin and crypto payment rails and could increase adoption and tooling for CELO ecosystem wallets and payment flows, potentially improving on‑ramps and liquidity over time.
Neutral
StripeValoraCELOstablecoinswallet infrastructure

STCE ETF Overweights Bitcoin Miners, Not a Broad Crypto Play

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The Schwab Crypto Thematic ETF (STCE) markets itself as a broad ’crypto’ or ’blockchain’ fund but is heavily concentrated in Bitcoin mining stocks. The fund’s index methodology permits inclusion of companies with minimal or no genuine crypto or blockchain business, diluting thematic purity. Over 60% of STCE’s assets are reportedly allocated to Bitcoin miners, exposing investors to sector-specific risks such as declining block rewards, rising difficulty, and margin pressure on miners. The author concludes STCE’s current construction misaligns with its stated crypto exposure objective and recommends against it for investors seeking diversified crypto or blockchain exposure. Key keywords: STCE, Bitcoin miners, crypto ETF, mining concentration, thematic mismatch.
Bearish
STCEBitcoin minersCrypto ETFETF constructionThematic mismatch

Fed Cuts Rates, Bitcoin Holds Near $91K as Markets Eye Bank of Japan

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The Federal Reserve cut rates by 25 basis points, yet Bitcoin remained stable around $91,000–$92,000 with limited volatility. On-chain data from CryptoQuant shows falling exchange inflows and reduced whale deposits, suggesting near-term selling pressure has eased after whales realized substantial losses when BTC fell below $100,000. Short-term holders have been selling at negative margins since mid-November, a sign the sell-off may be exhausting. Trading desks (QCP) note ETF inflows are modest and derivatives positioning cautious, so current calm does not imply strong conviction. Market attention has shifted to Japan: prediction markets largely expect a 25-basis-point Bank of Japan hike on Dec. 19, with long-end JGB yields at multi-decade highs — a move that could reshape global liquidity and risk appetite. Ether tracked Bitcoin’s muted tone near $3,270. Gold rose and silver hit records after the Fed cut. Key takeaways for traders: Bitcoin’s immediate volatility is contained by diminished exchange outflows and weaker whale selling, but macro catalysts (BOJ policy and JGB yields) could trigger cross-market moves; ETF inflows and derivatives positioning remain important risk indicators. Primary keywords: Bitcoin, Fed rate cut, Bank of Japan, CryptoQuant, whales, exchange inflows, ETF inflows.
Neutral
BitcoinFederal ReserveBank of JapanOn-chain flowsMarket volatility

Ethereum Holds Above $3,000, Faces Resistance at 50‑Day SMA

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Ethereum (ETH) has resumed a gradual bullish move, trading above key moving averages and holding a narrow range above the $3,000 support. Price recently broke above the 21-day simple moving average (SMA) but remains capped by the 50-day SMA near roughly $3,400. If buyers push ETH above the 50-day SMA, upside targets cited are $3,600 and $3,800. Failure to clear the 50-day SMA could keep Ether range-bound between the moving averages or maintain price above $3,000. Technical resistances are $4,500 and $5,000; supports are $3,000 and $2,500. On the 4‑hour chart price bars sit above upward-sloping moving averages, suggesting continued bullish bias while those remain intact. The piece is an author opinion and not trading advice.
Neutral
EthereumETH pricemoving averagessupport and resistancecrypto technical analysis

US Spot Solana ETFs See Continued Net Inflows Led by Bitwise BSOL

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US spot Solana ETFs continued to record net inflows in early December, highlighting steady investor demand for direct Solana exposure. Data from SoSoValue show a single-day net inflow of $4.85 million on December 10 (EST), led by Bitwise’s Solana Spot ETF (BSOL) with $3.68 million, bringing its cumulative net inflows to about $604 million. VanEck’s SOL ETF (VSOL) added $0.45 million for the day, with cumulative inflows near $11.64 million. Earlier weekly figures (Dec 1–5) showed a net inflow of $20.30 million for the group, with Bitwise’s BSOL previously contributing $65.11 million that week even as 21Shares TSOL experienced sizable outflows. Total assets under management for US Solana spot ETFs rose to roughly $949 million, with Solana’s ETF market-cap ratio around 1.22% and cumulative historical net inflows near $661 million. These flows indicate persistent appetite for spot SOL ETFs among US investors; traders should view this as a market-demand signal for SOL liquidity and sentiment, though ETF flows are one of multiple factors affecting spot price and do not constitute investment advice.
Bullish
SolanaSpot ETFNet InflowsBSOLETF AUM

BTC Falls Below $90,000, Down 2.27% Intra-day

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Bitcoin (BTC) slipped below the $90,000 mark in intraday trading, hitting $89,982.50 on OKX and recording an intra-day decline of 2.27%. Earlier reporting showed BTC near $93,000 ($92,996.50 on OKX) with a modest daily gain, indicating the price moved lower between updates. The reports are concise market updates that provide price information only and do not constitute investment advice. No other assets, events or drivers were cited. Traders should note the intraday volatility and monitor order books, funding rates and nearby support around $90,000 for short-term trade signals.
Bearish
BitcoinBTC priceOKXintraday volatilitymarket update

Crypto Funds Move into Stablecoins Ahead of Fed Decision, Signalling Event-Driven Risk-Off

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Crypto hedge funds and institutional investors are shifting into stablecoins ahead of the December FOMC meeting, according to XWIN Research Japan. On-chain data shows falling BTC balances on centralized exchanges while USDT and USDC reserves climb, indicating a risk-off stance and ready liquidity for rapid redeployment. CME Bitcoin futures open interest has stalled and whale spot holdings remain flat, reinforcing cautious positioning. Funding-rate patterns from August–October 2025 — a pre-FOMC long squeeze followed by post-announcement deleveraging — are cited as a precedent; similar dynamics are appearing again. The total crypto market cap has stabilized near $3.1 trillion: above the 100-week moving average but below the 50-week MA, with low volume and fragile momentum. XWIN warns that FOMC weeks typically see volatility spikes and advises against chasing pre-meeting rallies. For traders, key on-chain and derivatives indicators to monitor are exchange BTC reserves, stablecoin deposits (USDT/USDC), CME open interest and funding rates. Tactical recommendations: reduce directional exposure, increase short-term cash or stablecoin allocation, use risk management (position sizing, stop-losses, hedges) and avoid high-leverage bets until Fed clarity. The shift raises the probability of event-driven volatility and short-term downside risk but also preserves institutional flexibility to re-enter markets after rate clarity.
Bearish
stablecoinsinstitutional flowsFOMCfunding ratesmarket volatility

LEO leads intraday gains (+1.40%) as AEVO slides 10.78% on OKX

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OKX intraday market data shows LEO is the top gainer, trading at $9.493 with a 1.40% intraday rise. Other modest gainers include GLM at $0.218 (+0.60%) and TRX at $0.278 (+0.16%). The largest intraday decliners are AEVO at $0.0426 (-10.78%), NOT at $0.000573 (-9.26%), ORDI at $3.948 (-7.95%), ENJ at $0.0319 (-7.44%) and ZK at $0.0328 (-6.75%). The report is for market information only and does not constitute investment advice.
Neutral
altcoinsintraday-movementsOKXprice-declinesmarket-data

Hong Kong Cardinal Calls AI a ’Gift From God’ as Asian Bishops Weigh Ethical Risks

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Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen described artificial intelligence as a "gift from God" while Asian bishops convened to consider ethical, pastoral and social implications of AI. The discussions, held at a regional bishops’ gathering, focused on AI ethics, potential harms (including misinformation and bias), impacts on employment and vulnerable communities, and the need for moral guidelines and pastoral responses. Church leaders urged development of regulation, transparency, and human-centered AI that respects dignity and the common good. The event highlighted tensions between embracing technological benefits and guarding against social harms, calling for collaboration with governments, tech companies and civil society to shape responsible AI policies.
Neutral
AI ethicsChurch and technologyRegulationSocial impactAsia bishops

Gemini wins CFTC licence to launch US prediction markets and expand crypto derivatives

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Gemini’s affiliate Gemini Titan has received a designated contract market (DCM) licence from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), clearing the way to launch U.S. prediction markets and begin trading binary event contracts on its web platform. The approval caps a roughly five-year application process that began in March 2020. Gemini says it will expand its U.S. derivatives offering over time to include crypto futures, options and perpetuals under CFTC oversight. The announcement sparked a roughly 13.7% after-hours jump in Gemini shares (GEMI). Industry participants note this marks growing regulatory acceptance of event-based markets after rival platforms such as Polymarket and Kalshi reported record volumes during election cycles and, in Polymarket’s case, returned to the U.S. market following settlement with the CFTC. Competitors and some crypto exchanges are exploring similar products. For traders, key takeaways are: potential new liquidity venues for event-driven trading, an expanded regulated pathway for crypto derivatives on a mainstream exchange, and the prospect of fresh revenue and product diversification for Gemini amid a tepid crypto rally.
Bullish
GeminiCFTC licencePrediction marketsCrypto derivativesEvent contracts

Philippine Senate Advances CADENA ‘Blockchain the Budget’ Bill on 2nd Reading

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The Philippine Senate approved the CADENA Act (Citizens Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability) on second reading, advancing a proposal to place government budget documents, contracts and transactions on a public, tamper‑resistant Digital Budget Platform built with blockchain. Authored by Senator Bam Aquino and backed across party lines, the bill—nicknamed “Blockchain the Budget”—was moved forward “without objection” after amendments and now proceeds to third and final reading before transmission to the House or harmonization for the President’s signature. The measure requires agencies to publish contracts, project costs and related budget records for public audit, with deadlines and penalties for non‑compliance. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has urged Congress to prioritize the bill. For crypto traders, CADENA increases regulatory legitimacy for blockchain use in public finance, could spur institutional blockchain development and integrations with local digital‑ledger providers, and may increase demand for blockchain infrastructure and enterprise tokens. Primary keywords: CADENA Act, blockchain, digital budget platform, government transparency.
Neutral
CADENA ActBlockchainGovernment TransparencyDigital Budget PlatformPhilippines

CBOE Approves Listing and Registration of 21Shares XRP ETF

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The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) has approved the listing and registration of the 21Shares XRP ETF, according to Cointelegraph. The approval permits 21Shares to list an exchange-traded fund tracking XRP on CBOE’s platform, marking a notable step in institutional access to XRP-based products. No further details on launch date, fee structure, or fund size were provided in the report. The move may increase institutional distribution channels for XRP and broaden investor access to a regulated ETF exposure to the token.
Bullish
XRP ETFCBOE listing21Sharesinstitutional accesscrypto ETFs

Lead Bank Adds Loop Crypto as Core Partner to Expand Stablecoin and Crypto Payments

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Lead Bank has named Loop Crypto a core partner to accelerate its stablecoin and cryptocurrency payments strategy. Loop Crypto’s co‑founder and CEO Eleni Steinman said the partnership aims to scale stablecoin issuance and crypto payment services to make financial systems faster, more efficient and secure. Lead Bank, a 97‑year‑old Missouri community bank now focused on fintech and crypto clients, raised $70 million in a B round earlier this year (backers included a16z), valuing the bank at $1.47 billion. Loop Crypto has raised roughly $6 million to date, with a16z among its investors. The collaboration positions Lead Bank to support anticipated growth in stablecoin activity and payments infrastructure by combining banking expertise and crypto-native technology.
Bullish
Lead BankLoop Cryptostablecoincrypto paymentsfinancial infrastructure

Bitcoin OG Increases Ethereum Long to $392.5M on Hyperliquid

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An early Bitcoin investor known as “1011short” expanded an Ethereum long position to 120,094 ETH (approximately $392.5 million) on the Hyperliquid exchange, according to Lookonchain. The position’s liquidation price is set at $2,234 per ETH, roughly 32% below the prevailing market price at the time of reporting. The trader has actively increased Ethereum exposure in recent months, signaling confidence in renewed upward momentum. At press time ETH traded near $3,260 after a daily high around $3,400; prices dipped following the Federal Reserve’s 25-basis-point rate cut, which analysts partly attribute to a sell-the-news reaction. Key keywords: Ethereum long, Hyperliquid, liquidation price, leveraged position, 120,094 ETH.
Bullish
EthereumLeverageHyperliquidLiquidation RiskMacro Rates