Crypto News

The ECB says stablecoins and tokenized deposits must be backed by tokenized central bank money to scale Europe’s tokenization market. ECB Executive Board member Piero Cipollone warned that if tokenized securities sellers only receive private digital money, counterparties may face price volatility and credit risk—slowing adoption and weakening market integrity. Cipollone pointed to Pontes, the Eurosystem’s DLT settlement initiative. Pontes aims to connect private DLT settlement platforms to TARGET Services and enable settlement in central bank money. The ECB expects an initial Pontes launch in Q3 2026, targeting interoperability and settlement finality, not stablecoins as a direct substitute. He also referenced Appia, a roadmap for a wider tokenized financial ecosystem by 2028, including standards for cross-DLT interoperability. On regulation, Cipollone called the EU’s extension of the DLT Pilot Regime a positive step, but said Europe still lacks a holistic tokenization framework and should avoid building advanced settlement infrastructure on a “patchwork” of rules. He noted Circle’s feedback urging expansion of the DLT Pilot Regime and support for e-money token (EMT) cash account services. For crypto traders, this is mainly a regulatory/market-infrastructure signal. It may improve sentiment around regulated tokenization and central-bank-money-like settlement rails over time, but it is unlikely to be an immediate catalyst for stablecoin or token prices.

Silver (XAG/USD) is under renewed bearish pressure after slipping to $66.50. The latest move adds to the earlier weakness below the 50-day SMA, showing persistent downside momentum as price remains capped by the 100-day Simple Moving Average (SMA). Key levels now matter for XAG/USD. $66.50 is the daily pivot. The 100-day SMA sits near $67.20 and continues to limit rebounds. Above, resistance comes at the 100-day SMA and then around the $68.00 psychological level. Below $66.50, a move toward the $65.00 support zone becomes more likely. Momentum is mixed: RSI is near oversold, which can trigger a short-lived technical bounce. But the broader structure stays bearish until XAG/USD posts a sustained close back above the 100-day SMA. Macro and positioning remain headwinds. A resilient US dollar and higher-for-longer real rates keep weighing on non-yielding assets like silver. Industrial demand is steady but cautious, while speculative positioning appears to have cooled (COT/options data show less net-long exposure versus recent highs). A durable reversal would likely require a catalyst such as softer USD dynamics, more dovish central-bank rhetoric, or stronger physical investment demand. For traders, the game plan is level-driven: watch $66.50 for either breakdown acceleration toward $65.00 or a reclaim of the 100-day SMA to improve reversal odds.

Spain’s Guardia Civil arrested a suspect wanted by France over the 2025 kidnapping and abuse of Ledger co-founder David Balland. The arrest happened in Benalmádena (Málaga), under a European Arrest Warrant. French authorities said Balland was abducted at his home in central France on 21 January 2025 and held illegally until 22 January evening, when police moved to rescue him. Investigators added that France had already identified and arrested other members of the attack group. The newly detained suspect allegedly fled to Spain to avoid capture, moving across regions before being located in Valencia, where investigators said he lived with a partner and a friend. Prosecutors reported operational steps aimed at reducing traceability, including renting apartments via online platforms and using third-party bank cards. Because of the perceived danger and the risk of an attempted jailbreak, Spain carried out a large-scale operation for the arrest, transfer and custody. This Ledger kidnapping case also fits a wider pattern of targeted crypto-related crimes in France. In June 2025, authorities charged 25 suspects over alleged kidnappings or attempted kidnappings of crypto executives and investors. For crypto traders, this is mainly a risk and enforcement headline: it underscores heightened physical-coercion and custody/security concerns around high-value targets, with limited direct impact on token fundamentals.

Magic Eden says it will raise the share of core revenue used for **ME token** buybacks and staking rewards from 15% to 30%, effective in Q3 2025. The upgrade is designed to increase staking rewards and tighten **ME token** supply amid multi-chain growth. Mechanically, Magic Eden will run larger quarterly **ME token** buybacks on the open market, then route purchased tokens into the rewards pool for stakers. Rewards are allocated proportionally by stake size and duration, with planned smart-contract updates and added security audits before Q3 2025. The platform also plans progress reports and disclosure of buyback transactions. Traders should watch whether the higher 30% **ME token** buyback and staking program is executed consistently. If revenue growth and staking participation hold up, it could lift yields and improve sentiment. The actual price impact will still depend on how market participants respond to the expected supply reduction versus any broader sell pressure.

Strategy Inc. (Michael Saylor) disclosed a Strategy Bitcoin purchase of 1,031 BTC in an SEC Form 8-K filed in late March, bringing its total treasury to 762,099 BTC. The company paid about $77 million at an average price of $74,326 per Bitcoin, funded via at-the-market sales of its Class A common stock. While smaller than its recent mega-orders, this Strategy Bitcoin purchase continues the firm’s steady accumulation cadence. Earlier in March, Strategy bought 17,994 BTC (Mar. 9) and 22,337 BTC (Mar. 16), taking March spending to roughly $2.9 billion. With spot BTC around $70,000, Strategy’s weighted cost basis is about $75,696 per coin, implying an estimated ~$4 billion in unrealized losses. BTC is still down ~44% from its Oct 2025 high of $126,198. Strategy also pointed to remaining equity issuance capacity under its at-the-market program and preferred stock lines, supporting the possibility of further buying. For traders, the key signal is persistent corporate bid: Strategy now holds about 3.6% of BTC in circulation, reinforcing long-term support even as short-term sentiment remains pressured by drawdowns.

Bitcoin (BTC) remains under pressure after a market pullback, but corporate buyer Strategy (Michael Saylor) kept adding. Strategy purchased 1,031 BTC for about $76.6 million, bringing total holdings to 762,099 BTC. The average entry price for this buy was about $74,326 per BTC, and BTC later slipped below $70,000—leaving Strategy with unrealized loss pressure versus its latest cost basis. The latest weekly accumulation is smaller than the prior week’s larger order, when Strategy spent $1.57 billion to buy 22,337 BTC. The firm continues to follow a regular Monday-style cadence for announcements. Traders also have macro context: BTC traded above $74,000 early in the week, then weakened after the year’s second Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting and amid renewed geopolitical risk. With corporate demand steady, the news may act as a sentiment backstop, but the move below Strategy’s average cost highlights that volatility could persist. SEO keywords: Bitcoin (BTC), Strategy, corporate BTC buying, weekly buy, FOMC volatility. With substantial capital already allocated to its Bitcoin position, Strategy remains the largest corporate BTC holder—supportive for downside sentiment, though not a guarantee against further drawdowns.

Bitcoin surged above $70,000 after Trump said the US will pause planned strikes on Iran’s power plants and energy infrastructure for five days, citing “productive conversations.” The delay is linked to ongoing US-Iran talks this week and helped ease macro risk aversion. BTC climbed about 3.6% to $70,968 after an intraday low near $67,436. Ethereum, XRP, Solana and other top-10 assets also gained more than 4% as traders rotated back into risk. Derivatives signalled a squeeze: shorts saw $271M losses in the past hour and $364M over 24 hours, reversing earlier Monday risk-off positioning driven by escalating US-Iran conflict headlines. Oil fell sharply (WTI -13%, Brent -12%), US stock futures rebounded, and the dollar gave back earlier gains. For traders, this looks like a macro-driven momentum move and a potential continuation play if de-escalation headlines persist—Bitcoin was the first major risk asset to reprice.

Blockchain investigator ZachXBT says coordinated fake X scams used viral war and geopolitical “doomposts” to pull victims into crypto fraud. The investigation identified 10+ linked accounts, allegedly bought with follower bases, that posted alarming content repeatedly to generate millions of views. After engagement peaked, the same fake accounts shifted to fraudulent token giveaways and pump-and-dump promotions. ZachXBT says on-chain evidence indicates the group profited six figures and may be preparing another scam, including a pump-and-dump called “Oramama” on Feb. 22. He also claims large accounts that replied or quoted the posts were baited into amplifying reach. For traders, this raises short-term risk from misinformation-driven token pumps and sudden liquidity rotation around promoted assets. Treat “giveaway” and “pump-and-dump” cues in X scams as high-risk signals and monitor for sharp volatility not supported by fundamentals.

Michael Saylor’s Strategy (MSTR) signaled continued Bitcoin accumulation even as marks-to-market losses widen. On March 22, he posted the “orange dot / The Orange March Continues” on X, reinforcing the market’s read-through that Strategy Bitcoin buys are ongoing. Strategy holds 761,068 BTC (about $52.36B cited in the article). With BTC trading near ~$68,100 versus an average cost basis of ~$75,696 per BTC, the portfolio implies unrealized losses of over 10%. The stock backdrop is under pressure: MSTR fell about 6.6% over the past week to ~$135.66, and implied/historical volatility remains elevated. Operationally, Strategy still bought BTC in March—17,994 BTC on March 9 and 22,337 BTC on March 16, for roughly $2.9B so far. A key new constraint: Strategy paused further fundraising via its Stretch (STRC) preferred equity program after the plan failed to attract sufficient new capital. For traders, the near-term tension is clear—Bitcoin accumulation is supportive, but stalled financing raises questions on the pace and mechanics of future buys.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is reportedly testing a CEO-focused Meta AI agent to support daily operations. The system is already being used internally to retrieve information faster, reducing reliance on layered teams and speeding up decision-making. While still under development, the Meta AI agent is now part of the CEO’s workflow. Meta is also expanding employee AI tools. MyClaw helps staff access files and review chat logs, while Second Brain—an internal “AI chief of staff” built on Anthropic’s Claude—supports task and project management. The move aligns with Zuckerberg’s earlier guidance that 2026 could reshape Meta through AI-native tooling and “flattening teams.” Reuters-linked reporting also suggests Meta may consider additional job cuts to pursue AI efficiency, with prior estimates citing up to ~20% impact, though Meta called such figures “speculative.” For crypto traders, this is a tech-sector signal: more AI automation and potential cost actions can shift risk sentiment around growth and liquidity-sensitive assets. Traders may watch for broader market reactions to Big Tech AI restructuring rather than company-specific crypto fundamentals.

Bybit quotes show **spot gold** has broken the $4200/oz psychological level and is trading around $4189.26. The latest move is a sharp intraday drop, with gold down **6.78%** on the day. For **crypto traders**, the key signal is that **spot gold** losing the $4200 mark often coincides with weaker risk sentiment and tighter liquidity conditions. Through macro channels, the sell-off can reinforce stronger USD and real-rate expectations, increasing demand for short-duration “safety” trades. This backdrop may pressure high-beta assets such as **BTC** and **ETH** in the near term. If **spot gold** stabilizes back above $4200, the downside risk to crypto could ease quickly; if the decline extends, markets may shift further toward hedging behavior.

VeChain (VET) remains in a short-term downtrend near the 0.01 level. The spot price is about $0.006917, down 4.36% over 24h, while daily volume has eased to roughly $6.49M—signalling weaker buyer participation and continued seller control. Technical bias is still bearish: RSI(14) is around 40, price is below EMA20, and the Supertrend tone remains negative. Traders should monitor VET around clustered supports at $0.0069 and $0.0067, with a deeper line near $0.0065. A breakdown below these zones could accelerate the move toward lower targets. Overhead resistance is at $0.0073 and $0.0070, while a higher weekly barrier sits near $0.0107. For a bullish reversal, VET would need to reclaim EMA20 and push RSI above 50 with volume expansion; otherwise, the bearish base case holds. A key update across the two articles is the emphasis on VET’s high correlation with Bitcoin (BTC), cited at 0.85+. That means BTC weakness can quickly amplify downside risk for VET, so traders should also track major BTC levels when managing exposure.

QNT is under short-term pressure, down about 7.8% in 24 hours, but the market still leans toward a conditional uptrend while QNT holds above the $67.63 swing-low support. A break and close below $67.63 would signal CHoCH/structure damage and raise the risk of a move toward $65.01. On the upside, resistance is at $72.37, then $75.04–$75.06. A confirmed break and hold above $75.06 would be a bullish BOS setup, opening a path toward a target near $93.74. Traders should watch structure and momentum together: QNT remains above EMA20 (around $69.61), RSI is near the mid-range (~55), Supertrend is bearish, while MACD histogram stays positive. BTC correlation is a key catalyst. If BTC breaks down around ~$68,119, the $67.63 test for QNT could intensify. If BTC recovers above ~$70,589, QNT may regain the BOS catalyst toward $75.06. Net: QNT is at a decision point—above $67.63 favors continuation; below it increases downside risk.

A survey by EY-Parthenon and Coinbase of 351 institutional investors (Mar 18) finds strong crypto optimism. Three out of four institutional investors expect crypto prices to rise over the next 12 months, and 73% plan to increase crypto allocations in 2026. While volatility remains a concern, 49% of institutional investors say they will tighten execution—prioritizing risk management, liquidity, and position sizing rather than cutting exposure. Access is shifting toward regulated products. 66% already hold spot crypto ETFs or other exchange-traded products (ETPs), and 81% prefer getting exposure via registered vehicles. Stablecoins and tokenization are gaining traction. 86% are already using or considering stablecoins for treasury/cash management and payments. For tokenization, the share of asset managers seeking to tokenize their own assets rose from 40% to 64% over the past year, and 61% expect meaningful changes to trading, clearing, and settlement in the next 3–5 years. Regulation is both catalyst and risk: 65% cite clearer rules as a reason to buy more crypto, but 66% see regulatory uncertainty as the biggest worry. Investors point to needed clarity on market structure (78%), firm licensing (56%), and tax treatment (54%). The report highlights the U.S. GENIUS Act stablecoin framework and related SEC guidance on tokenized securities, alongside SEC/CFTC coordination via Project Crypto.

VanEck says Bitcoin options are turning more defensive as BTC prices weaken. The put/call open interest ratio rises to 0.84, the highest since June 2021, pointing to stronger demand for downside hedging. In the past 30 days, traders spent about $685m on Bitcoin put options. At the same time, call premium fell around 12% to roughly $562m, lifting put-call skew. VanEck also flags that put premium versus spot volume is at an all-time high; put implied volatility averages 66, about 16 points above realized volatility. Importantly for traders, the story isn’t pure bearish. Volatility has cooled (realized volatility dropping from ~80 to ~50) and BTC price action is consolidating. Futures funding rates eased from ~4.1% to ~2.7%, suggesting leverage is cooling. On-chain activity has softened and long-term holder selling appears to be slowing. Overall, Bitcoin options positioning is skewed toward protection rather than upside bets. Historically, this defensive turn can precede rebounds, but near-term conditions may stay choppy while hedges remain expensive.

Crypto layoffs in 2026 are sparking debate over whether job cuts are driven by macro headwinds or an AI adoption push. Major firms including Algorand and Gemini cited weak token sentiment and tougher market conditions. Others framed the layoffs as a move toward AI-powered operations to protect budgets. Reported job cuts include: Algorand reducing about 25% of staff (under 200 employees total). Gemini cutting roughly 200 roles, with the impact expected to rise to about 30% by mid-March. Crypto.com trimming headcount by around 12% (about 180 jobs). OP Labs (Optimism) laid off 20 people, PIP Labs (Story Protocol) cut around 10, and Messari completed its third layoff round since 2023 (headcount not disclosed). The later report adds sector-wide hiring contraction: crypto job postings averaged about 6.5 per day in January 2026, down ~80% YoY. These companies account for roughly 450 layoffs. Observers say there is limited evidence for large-scale “AI workforce replacement,” and more signals of cost cutting similar to the 2022 crypto winter. For traders, this wave of crypto layoffs can imply tighter liquidity and weaker risk appetite in the near term, while the AI narrative may still support selective long-term winners.

Brazil’s crypto tax consultation has been delayed as election-year politics come into play. New Finance Minister Dario Durigan said the government will shelve a public consultation expected to clarify Brazil’s crypto tax consultation—especially how stablecoin-related flows should be treated. The move comes after Brazil’s central bank already tightened the compliance framework. Crypto service providers now fall under financial-sector oversight, with operational authorization requirements. Stablecoin transactions and certain virtual-asset transfers tied to international movement are also subject to foreign-exchange market oversight. For traders, the key takeaway is that the Brazil crypto tax consultation is no longer imminent, which adds regulatory timing uncertainty. However, compliance deadlines still matter: providers face a November 2026 deadline. Brazil remains one of the largest crypto markets in Latin America and ranks highly in adoption metrics, while institutional interest continues (e.g., Paradigm-backed stablecoin startup Crown funding).

Bitcoin mining difficulty was adjusted down 7.76% to 133.79T (block 941,472), driven by slower block production (avg block time ~12:36 vs 10-minute target). The cut signals tightening miner economics and weaker unit profitability, reinforced by hashprice hovering around ~$33.3 per PH/s/day near recent weakness. For traders, the key takeaway is that Bitcoin mining difficulty down often precedes higher operational stress for inefficient miners, increasing the risk of shutdowns and reshaping short-term mining supply dynamics. The article also flags an “AI pivot” by major publicly listed miners: Core Scientific plans to sell most BTC holdings in 2026 and redeploy into AI/HPC infrastructure, while Bitdeer already cleared BTC reserves to zero in February. Other miners have announced similar strategy shifts, including HIVE launching an AI GPU cluster in Paraguay. Net: Bitcoin mining difficulty down is likely to pressure traditional mining activity in the near term, but the longer-term market effect depends on whether AI/HPC capex can replace BTC-linked revenue streams for these operators.

XPL technical analysis (22 Mar 2026) shows a weekly downtrend still dominating. Price is stuck in a tight $0.09–$0.10 range with weak momentum, while weekly volume is relatively stable (~$55M). The report highlights bearish MACD and neutral-to-weak RSI, so traders are advised to avoid impulsive entries. Key levels for XPL traders: - Support: $0.0905 first, then $0.0837 and $0.0700. - Resistance: $0.0968 (near the daily EMA20), then $0.1041. Triggers: - Bullish: a daily close above $0.0968 with a volume spike. That could open upside moves toward $0.1041 and potentially $0.1592. - Bearish: a breakdown below $0.0905, which increases odds of a slide toward $0.0837 and $0.0700. BTC remains the main driver for XPL. With BTC around ~$69K and noted weakness, altcoin follow-through depends on whether BTC holds above ~$68K or breaks higher (70K+). Risk management is emphasized: trade the range-break only when confluence confirms. Overall, XPL is mainly a range setup right now, with bias cautious until $0.0905 holds or $0.0968 breaks with strong volume.

SHIB whale transfers to exchanges have surged, with exchange inflows approaching ~200 billion SHIB. Exchange reserves are estimated around 80.74 trillion SHIB, a pattern that often points to holders preparing to sell or rebalance. On-chain activity is mixed. Active SHIB addresses rose by over 1% in the last 24 hours, but SHIB price remains weak and stays below short-term moving averages, which are acting as resistance. Breakout attempts have failed, and volume has not strengthened. Traders may see higher volatility if SHIB exchange inflows reach or exceed the 200 billion SHIB level. That could increase available liquidity for selling and potentially intensify downside pressure, even as network activity improves. Near-term bias stays fragile while exchange-flow trends remain bearish for SHIB.

The UK has begun a compulsory strike-off against UK crypto exchange Zedxion Exchange Ltd after on-chain analytics linked it to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). TRM Labs says that in 2024, nearly 90% of funds processed by the UK crypto exchange were IRGC-connected, with Zedxion and its affiliate Zedcex handling about $1 billion in flows. In 2024, IRGC-linked payments accounted for roughly 87% of transactions; that share remains elevated into 2025 (about 48%). Investigators allege Zedxion filed false corporate information, including a likely fabricated director identity—“Elizabeth Newman”—possibly using a stock-photo image. The UK action follows US sanctions. In January, the US Treasury’s OFAC designated Zedxion and Zedcex, citing links tied to Babak Zanjani and funding projects supporting the IRGC and wider Iranian government activities. For traders, this is another signal that UK and US compliance enforcement is tightening, raising the risk of sanctions-driven liquidity shocks and sudden delistings for any IRGC-linked counterparties.

Kraken IPO has been paused for Q1 2026 on Nasdaq, with management pointing to worsening market conditions and internal job cuts after its CFO was dismissed. The firm had privately filed an S-1 with the U.S. SEC and raised funding at roughly a $20B valuation, but leaders now worry that forcing the Kraken IPO amid weaker crypto listing demand could increase downside listing risk. The CFO change happened in February. Stephanie Lemmerman was fired, while Robert Moore effectively took over CFO-related responsibilities within the parent Payward. Kraken said it is a finance-function transition, yet the timing has fueled questions about IPO readiness. Importantly, the Kraken IPO is not being scrapped. The submitted S-1 remains active, and the company is waiting for a better window. In parallel, Kraken is pushing ahead on compliance and product expansion, including a limited-use Fed account for near-real-time large USD transfers, a Nasdaq partnership to build a regulated 24/7 tokenized-stock trading platform (target H1 2027), and faster user features like improved USD withdrawal speeds. For traders, the main signal is that the Kraken IPO timeline may slip in a risk-off tape, which can tighten liquidity expectations around listings. However, continued progress in RWA/tokenization and payment rails may help medium-term sentiment.

Bluesky disclosed a previously unannounced $100M Series B round led by Bain Capital Crypto, closed in April 2025 and revealed now during a leadership transition. Other investors include Alumni Ventures, True Ventures, Anthos Capital, Bloomberg Beta, and the Knight Foundation. Bluesky did not share an updated valuation. The disclosure brings total disclosed funding to about $123M after its $15M Series A (Oct 2024) and $8M seed (2023). Leadership shift: CEO Jay Graber steps down to become Chief Innovation Officer, while Toni Schneider becomes interim CEO as the board searches for a permanent replacement. Traction update: Bluesky says its user base grew from 13M to over 43M since the Series A. It also reports that AT Protocol is expanding beyond the core Bluesky client, with applications including Skylight, Flashes, Surf, and Blacksky. For crypto traders, this is mainly a Web3 infrastructure and decentralized protocol ecosystem signal tied to Bluesky and the AT Protocol growth story. No valuation was provided, and no crypto token or direct asset is explicitly linked to the news, limiting any direct price catalyst.

The World Gold Council (WGC) is pushing “Gold as a Service” to modernize tokenized gold infrastructure and reduce adoption barriers. In its new white paper with Boston Consulting Group, WGC says today’s tokenized gold market is fragmented, with inconsistent custody, ownership, and redemption. WGC argues this creates trust gaps, higher costs, and lower liquidity for traders. The proposed “Gold as a Service” model uses shared infrastructure with a three-layer design: a physical layer for sourcing, storage, and redemption; a digital layer for creating and managing tokenized gold products; and a connecting layer that synchronizes real-world holdings with on-chain data. WGC says standardizing this plumbing should improve fungibility and make scaling across platforms easier—potentially reducing the need for issuers to build complex systems from scratch. WGC frames the timing around rising tokenized gold demand and an increasing need for verified collateral provenance as regulators scrutinize stablecoins and asset-backed tokens. If implemented, the upgrade could support sentiment and broader institutional access over time, but both tokenized gold’s price impact and any near-term trading signal are expected to be limited.

EtherFi has allocated $25M to Plume’s RWA (real-world assets) protocol Nest to bring RWA yield into its crypto rewards ecosystem. The first rollout gives EtherFi users exposure to Plume’s nBASIS vault, linked to Superstate’s USCC crypto-arbitrage fund. EtherFi says it will add dedicated RWA vaults in its interface later. The initial strategy blends crypto basis trading, staking rewards, and Treasury exposure. EtherFi estimates the integration will route RWA yield access to more than $6B of user deposits. Plume highlights on-chain execution and reporting, plus preset risk controls and compliance features to simplify onboarding. Market context: tokenized RWA value jumped from about $5.7B at the start of 2025 to over $27B, with tokenized U.S. Treasuries driving growth (on-chain value above $11B). Issuers cited include Circle’s USYC (~$2.3B) and BlackRock’s BUIDL (~$2.0B). Plume also reports 262,325 RWA holders holding over $348M, with tokenized asset value up 69% over roughly 30 days. For traders, the key takeaway is the ongoing shift of “DeFi yield” interfaces toward off-chain income sources, which could lift attention (and potential flows) to tokenized Treasury products tied to RWA yield strategies.

Gemini Q4 results boosted its stock after-hours. Shares rose about 6%, briefly topping 14%, after the crypto exchange reported revenue of $60.3M—up 39% year over year and above analyst estimates of $51.7M. Gemini Q4 revenue also marked the company’s strongest quarter in three years. The fiscal impact was mixed. Gemini posted a net loss of $140.8M in Q4, widening from a $27M loss a year earlier. For all of 2025, total losses rose to $585M. In its letter to shareholders, Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss said the Gemini Q4 results strength came from higher credit-card adoption and a revised fee structure, even as trading volumes declined. They also reiterated second-half “fee structure” work. Gemini further outlined restructuring: headcount has been cut by roughly 30% since early 2026, while it increases AI usage (now used in over 40% of production code changes). The company said it is leaning into a U.S.-focused strategy, scaling Gemini Predictions (after regulatory progress), and expanding credit cards and its trading platform—potentially supporting perpetual futures once approvals arrive.

Singapore ride-hailing firm Ryde said its board approved a crypto treasury plan to invest part of its corporate reserves in BTC, ETH and SOL. The company will keep allocation size and purchase timing flexible under governance, citing a “changing macroeconomic environment” and a goal of improving treasury diversification and operational flexibility. Ryde will use third-party custody for the crypto assets. It also set up an investment committee for portfolio management and a separate risk management committee focused on security and compliance. The move is framed as reserve management rather than short-term speculation. The latest update notes it remains unclear whether Ryde still accepts crypto for in-app payments, after it previously supported BTC and later expanded to some other tokens. Ryde’s share price reportedly fell about 13% around the announcement. For traders, this is a corporate treasury signal (not an exchange spot inflow), but it can reinforce the narrative of institutional-grade BTC/ETH/SOL holdings in regulated jurisdictions. Near-term market impact is likely limited unless more companies disclose allocation sizes or execution details.

Hashi has launched on the Sui blockchain to extend Bitcoin DeFi lending to BTC holders. The protocol aims to let users earn yield without selling BTC, targeting “unused” Bitcoin liquidity where less than 0.5% of value is used in DeFi today. In its first phase, Hashi focuses on lending: users post BTC as collateral to borrow stablecoins. The system is designed for automated cross-chain asset movement and real-time risk dashboards, including interest rates, collateral value, and borrower health. The rollout starts on testnet, with a full mainnet plan targeted for 2026. Backers include BitGo, Bullish, FalconX, Erebor Bank, Ledger, and Fordefi, covering both custody clients and self-custody users. Hashi also plans verifiable lending pricing by bringing CF Benchmarks index data on-chain via oracle networks, and uses Soter Insure for collateral risk coverage (e.g., theft or loss). For institutional capital formation, Wave Digital says it wants to issue Bitcoin-backed bonds through Hashi. On the DeFi side, Hashi will integrate with Sui lending apps like AlphaLend, Navi, Scallop, and Suilend using linked BTC/Sui addresses to improve transaction transparency.

MLB has named Polymarket its exclusive official prediction markets partner. The multi-year deal gives Polymarket exclusive rights to MLB branding and access to official league data via Sportradar, plus distribution through MLB digital channels and events. MLB Commissioner Robert Manfred also signed an “integrity framework” memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The MOU sets a formal channel for confidential information-sharing and regular representative meetings focused on integrity risks in professional baseball and related betting markets. Under the shared integrity framework, MLB and Polymarket will work to restrict baseball markets judged to carry integrity risks, including bets tied to individual pitches, managerial decisions, and umpire performance. Polymarket will embed integrity controls into its U.S. rulebook and require uniform standards for brokers. The move comes as lawmakers and regulators intensify scrutiny of prediction markets, including insider-trading concerns and proposals such as the BETS OFF Act. The article also notes industry self-regulation and enforcement transparency efforts involving Kalshi and Polymarket’s use of surveillance models (via Palantir) for sports-market monitoring. For crypto traders, this is mainly a regulatory headline for prediction-market operations rather than a direct driver of BTC fundamentals. The most relevant risk is increased regulatory uncertainty that could affect crypto-adjacent payments or infrastructure tied to betting ecosystems, while near-term impact on BTC is likely limited.