Crypto News

Circle has launched the Arc mainnet, an EVM-compatible Layer 1 blockchain built for institutional finance, payments and stablecoin settlement. The Arc mainnet uses USDC as its native gas asset and aims to provide deterministic settlement in under one second, improving transaction speed and fee predictability. The network launched with 11 institutional validators, including BlackRock, DTCC, Visa, Mastercard, Standard Chartered, Galaxy, ICE, MoneyGram, SBI Group, Sumitomo Corporation and Worldpay. Circle said the Arc testnet processed more than 700 million transactions, with more than 100 partners involved by July. Arc supports 22 fiat-linked stablecoins and tokenised financial products, including BUIDL, USYC, JAAA and JTRSY. Aave, Morpho and Uniswap are among the platforms supporting lending and trading infrastructure. Circle has also connected Arc with its Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol and Circle Gateway. The launch strengthens Circle’s blockchain infrastructure strategy and could support wider USDC adoption in payments, capital markets and asset settlement. However, Arc began as a permissioned network, access remains restricted at the product level, and Circle has not launched a publicly tradable ARC token or confirmed an airdrop. Circle previously agreed to sell 807.5 million ARC tokens privately for about $242.2 million, while a possible shift to Proof of Stake is being explored for 2027. For traders, the Arc mainnet is primarily a long-term institutional adoption development rather than an immediate token catalyst. Short-term attention is likely to focus on USDC activity, Circle-linked assets and broader stablecoin-sector sentiment.

The Symbiosis Bitcoin Bridge suffered a BridgeV2 smart-contract exploit on BNB Chain at about 04:28 UTC on 11 September 2026. Using roughly $0.25 of Bitcoin, the attacker minted about 46.1 billion unbacked syBTC tokens. Their nominal value exceeded $46.1 billion, but this did not represent realised losses or genuine Bitcoin supply. The attacker converted about 4.39 WBTC through Uniswap v4 on Ethereum and realised roughly $336,000. Blockaid detected the unauthorised minting, while Symbiosis paused native BTC bridge routes and recovered approximately 15 BTC to a team-controlled multisignature wallet. The protocol offered a 20% white-hat bounty for returned funds or information leading to further recoveries. The Symbiosis Bitcoin Bridge remains paused while the team completes its loss assessment, technical post-mortem, vulnerability fix and compensation framework for affected liquidity providers. BTC swaps through alternative Chainflip and THORChain routes had resumed by 13–14 September, but native BTC routing through Symbiosis had not reopened. For crypto traders, the incident highlights continuing cross-chain bridge, smart-contract and liquidity risks. The estimated realised loss is limited compared with the fake tokens’ nominal value, so direct selling pressure on BTC is likely to remain low. However, uncertainty around compensation, bridge security and reopening could weigh on DeFi sentiment and bridge-related tokens.

The US 10-year Treasury yield has climbed above 5% and is approaching the key 5.25% threshold, marking a sharp increase from its highest level since mid-2007. Analysts warn that if the 10-year Treasury yield remains above 5.25% for an extended period, government bonds could lose their traditional hedging role and fall alongside equities. Higher Treasury yields raise discount rates, increase borrowing costs and reduce liquidity for speculative assets. Treasury volatility, the VIX and high-yield credit spreads could rise as structural inflation, stronger commodity prices and uncertainty ahead of the FOMC meeting add to market risks. For crypto traders, sustained pressure from the 10-year Treasury yield may weaken demand for Bitcoin and other high-risk assets. Bitcoin and altcoins could face greater volatility and selling pressure, while investors may shift towards cash and stablecoins. Traders should monitor Treasury yields, the VIX, credit spreads and signs of broader risk reduction.

Bitcoin Suisse, a Swiss crypto-services firm with more than $3 billion in assets under custody, plans to cut up to 60 Swiss jobs after an employee consultation ends on 20 September. The proposed Bitcoin Suisse job cuts could affect about half of its Swiss workforce. The company employs around 200 people globally, meaning the maximum reduction would equal nearly 30% of its total staff. Software development, administrative and back-office roles are expected to move to Bratislava, Slovakia, and a planned Vietnam hub. Bitcoin Suisse said the restructuring is designed to lower operating costs and support international expansion, rather than respond to current crypto-market conditions. The first layoffs are expected before the end of 2026. Zug will remain its headquarters, while the company continues operating in Switzerland under its existing name. Bitcoin Suisse has also expanded its regulatory presence in Liechtenstein, Abu Dhabi and Bermuda, and is targeting wealth management clients including high-net-worth individuals, family offices, asset managers and institutions. The Bitcoin Suisse job cuts may improve long-term cost efficiency but could create short-term execution, retention and service-capacity risks.

Strive expanded its Bitcoin treasury from about 5,000 BTC at the end of 2025 and 14,557 BTC in April to exactly 25,000 BTC by 11 September 2026. The company bought 469 BTC for approximately $36.6 million between 8 and 11 September, paying an average of $77,954 per coin. This followed earlier purchases, including 147 BTC from 3–7 August and 79 BTC from 10–14 August. Strive’s Bitcoin holdings had already exceeded 15,000 BTC in May and 20,000 BTC in late July. The latest purchase was funded through SATA variable-rate preferred stock, rather than new common shares. This reduces direct dilution for ASST shareholders but adds dividend and financing costs. Strive said SATA’s nominal issuance value has exceeded $1 billion. Chief executive Matt Cole said the company’s Bitcoin amplification ratio reached 53.5%, although this is a non-standard measure based on Strive’s methodology. As of 11 September, Strive held about $204.2 million in cash and 505,000 shares of Strategy’s STRC preferred stock, worth roughly $49.81 million. Its total crypto assets had previously been valued at about $1.3 billion–$1.4 billion, with Bitcoin serving as its core reserve asset. For crypto traders, the ongoing Bitcoin accumulation reinforces the corporate treasury and institutional-demand narrative. It may support Bitcoin sentiment in the short term, especially during bullish market conditions. However, Strive’s purchases are not direct spot-market demand from a crypto fund, and the company’s exposure remains linked to financing costs, preferred-stock obligations and Bitcoin volatility. ASST therefore acts as an indirect, leveraged Bitcoin proxy rather than a substitute for holding BTC directly.

Crypto wealth has entered UK politics at an unprecedented scale. BitMEX co-founder Ben Delo and Tether-linked investor Christopher Harborne each donated £36 million to Reform UK within 48 hours. The combined £72 million is reportedly the largest donation to a British political party on record. Delo originally planned to donate about £1 million a month until the 2029 general election. He reportedly paid the full amount upfront amid proposed tighter political donation rules. The measures could restrict donations from some overseas or recently returned British citizens and temporarily limit crypto-based political contributions. Harborne then matched Delo’s donation and had previously given Reform UK £9 million. Neither donation has been confirmed as a cryptocurrency transfer. The payments have renewed scrutiny of crypto wealth, donor verification, funding transparency and possible conflicts of interest. Lawmakers are also considering whether restrictions on crypto-linked political donations should become permanent. Delo previously admitted breaching the US Bank Secrecy Act and paid a $10 million penalty; he and other BitMEX founders were later pardoned by US President Donald Trump in March 2025. For crypto traders, the immediate market impact is neutral. The donations do not involve token purchases, exchange flows or changes to crypto liquidity. However, crypto wealth may face greater political and regulatory scrutiny. Over time, tighter rules could raise compliance costs and affect the sector’s relationship with mainstream financial institutions.

Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, has agreed to invest in digital-asset platform tZERO and license its blockchain patents. The partnership will develop institutional infrastructure for tokenized securities, including blockchain-based systems for issuing, trading, transferring and settling public stocks, corporate debt and alternative investment funds. Under the memorandum of understanding, tZERO will help design digital transfer-agent and broker-dealer systems. The proposed platform could support 24/7 trading, instant settlement, fractional ownership, dollar-denominated orders, stablecoin funding and multiple blockchains, subject to regulatory approval. ICE and tZERO will also explore using tZERO-issued tokenized assets as collateral across ICE clearing houses. The investment amount, tZERO’s valuation, supported networks, stablecoins, launch date and final market rules were not disclosed. tZERO reportedly holds 103 patents across 23 families covering smart contracts, compliance, corporate actions and digital identity. The company joins Securitize as an ICE design partner. The deal follows similar efforts by the London Stock Exchange to enable on-chain trading of listed equities. Proposed US Securities and Exchange Commission rules for blockchain transfer agents could also influence the market. For crypto traders, the ICE-tZERO partnership is a long-term institutional adoption signal for tokenized securities and real-world assets, not an immediate cryptocurrency catalyst. It may support sentiment around blockchain infrastructure, but no specific cryptocurrency or token launch was announced.

Charles Schwab has expanded its crypto trading platform beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum by adding Solana (SOL), Avalanche (AVAX) and Chainlink (LINK). The brokerage says its platform serves 39 million retail accounts and holds more than $12 trillion in client assets. The move gives traditional brokerage customers broader access to major altcoins without relying exclusively on crypto-native exchanges or self-custody. Solana is linked to high-throughput smart-contract activity, Avalanche supports subnet infrastructure and tokenised applications, while Chainlink provides blockchain data and cross-chain connectivity. For traders, Charles Schwab crypto trading could create a new source of retail demand and improve the visibility, liquidity and institutional legitimacy of SOL, AVAX and LINK. Charles Schwab crypto trading may also encourage portfolio allocations from investors who prefer regulated brokerage accounts. The articles do not disclose trading volumes, fees, custody arrangements or a firm launch timeline. The expansion does not necessarily confirm spot ETF approval or identical custody structures for every asset. Traders should account for altcoin volatility, regulatory uncertainty and the possibility that the expected inflows may take time to materialise.

Trezor said a ShipMonk data breach exposed records linked to about 80,700 US customers, adding roughly 67,000 people to its earlier disclosure of 13,689 affected customers. The exposed data may include names, email addresses, phone numbers, delivery addresses and order numbers from orders placed between November 2019 and August 2021. Trezor said ShipMonk retained the records despite contractual deletion requests and written confirmation that the data had been removed. Trezor said its internal systems, hardware wallets, private keys, wallet backups, seed phrases and device data were not compromised. The Trezor data breach therefore presents a phishing, impersonation, extortion and physical-security risk rather than evidence of direct remote cryptocurrency theft. Customers should be alert to fake messages claiming to be from Trezor, banks or exchanges. The company is preparing anonymous shipping options, including neutral packaging and collection lockers. Availability is expected in the European Union in September 2026 and the United States by year-end. A separate Coldcard firmware vulnerability reportedly weakened seed entropy to about 40 bits, affecting more than 5,200 addresses and 1,816 BTC. For crypto traders, the Trezor data breach is mainly a security and reputational issue, with limited direct impact on cryptocurrency prices.

Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is consulting on rules for overseas crypto derivatives. The proposal would allow licensed local brokers and dealers to offer selected futures, options, perpetual contracts and contracts for difference to retail, high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth investors. Eligible products must match Thailand’s domestic specifications for the underlying asset, contract maturity, leverage and settlement method. Fixed-term contracts would generally need maturities of at least one month. They must also trade on exchanges using central counterparty clearing. The exchange must be supervised by a regulator meeting specified IOSCO cooperation standards or be a World Federation of Exchanges member. Products that fail these conditions would be restricted to institutional investors. The framework could reduce retail access to high-leverage perpetual contracts and CFDs on lightly regulated offshore platforms, while also narrowing access for ultra-high-net-worth investors. Thailand’s SEC began recognising cryptocurrencies and digital tokens as eligible underlying assets under the Derivatives Act in April, although domestic contract specifications remain under discussion. The consultation closes on 30 September 2026. Final rules and an effective date have not been announced, though implementation could come as early as the first half of 2027. For crypto traders, the proposal may improve long-term market credibility and institutional participation, but its immediate price impact is likely limited because the crypto derivatives rules remain under consultation.

Sberbank plans to expand crypto-backed lending in Russia by accepting Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and Tether (USDT) as collateral. The bank is expected to launch with Bitcoin-backed loans before adding ETH and USDT, subject to approval from the Bank of Russia. Sberbank has already tested Bitcoin-backed lending with mining company Intelion Data and has experience in digital-asset custody, collateral monitoring and loan administration. It has not yet disclosed loan-to-value ratios, interest rates, fees, maturity periods or borrower eligibility rules. Sberbank also plans to establish a digital depository by 1 December 2026. Russia’s new cryptocurrency framework is scheduled to take effect on 1 September 2026. It will create regulated channels for digital-asset trading under central-bank supervision. Non-qualified investors who pass a knowledge test will face an annual purchase limit of 300,000 roubles per intermediary, while qualified investors will receive broader access. The rules may support regulated trading and some cross-border settlements, but cryptocurrencies will not become general domestic payment methods. Sberbank estimates Russia’s annual cryptocurrency trading volume could reach 4 trillion roubles, or about $46.4 billion, in the first year and grow to 7.5 trillion roubles, or roughly $87 billion, by 2029. Crypto-backed lending could help businesses raise funds without selling their holdings, but volatility, regulatory approval and undisclosed loan terms remain major risks. The announcement is more important for institutional adoption and market infrastructure than for immediate BTC, ETH or USDT price action.

BitMine Immersion Technologies extended its ETH accumulation streak to 65 consecutive weeks by purchasing 53,501 ETH, reportedly its largest weekly purchase since June. The acquisition lifted BitMine’s Ethereum treasury to about 5.901 million ETH, worth roughly $14.5–$14.6 billion, or approximately 4.89% of Ethereum’s reported supply. The company needs about $324.5 million more in ETH to reach its 5% target. BitMine has 5.067 million ETH staked through its MAVAN validator network and external partners. At an estimated 2.63% annualised yield, the holdings could generate about $335 million in annual staking revenue, potentially rising to $390 million if more ETH is deployed. Its broader asset base, including 211 BTC, cash, marketable securities and strategic investments, was valued at about $15.6 billion. Chairman Thomas Lee cited Ethereum’s third-quarter performance against the S&P 500 and a possible mid-September US Senate procedural vote on the CLARITY Act as potential institutional catalysts. For ETH traders, the latest BitMine purchase is a long-term bullish demand signal, but ETH remains range-bound near $2,450. Resistance is concentrated around $2,500–$2,550; a confirmed breakout could target $2,650–$2,800. Failure to hold support near $2,400 could expose lower levels around $2,247, $2,180–$2,220 and potentially $2,030. Short-term momentum remains dependent on technical confirmation, regulatory developments and broader market conditions.

SHEIN stock fell 8% on its first trading day on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on 1 September 2026, after the fast-fashion retailer raised HK$13.6 billion (about $1.74 billion) in its initial public offering. SHEIN priced the IPO at HK$48.56 per share under stock code 625, valuing the company at about $26.5 billion. The valuation was far below its peak private-market value of nearly $100 billion in 2022 and followed failed listing attempts in New York and London. Demand was strong before the debut. The public tranche was oversubscribed 5.63 times, while the international offering was 2.59 times oversubscribed. Cornerstone investors, including Boyu Capital, Tiger Global and Microsoft, committed about $383 million. However, concerns over tariffs, regulatory pressure, slowing growth and rising competition from Temu weighed on the SHEIN stock price. SHEIN reported a $99 million net loss in the first quarter of 2026, compared with a $395 million profit a year earlier. IPO proceeds will support technology, branding and international expansion. The offering represented about 6.6% of enlarged share capital, while six-month lock-ups for cornerstone investors left only about 5% of shares freely tradable at debut. Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing introduced weekly and monthly options, and SHEIN shares became eligible for short selling from the first day. The limited free float could increase volatility as traders assess the company’s earnings outlook and regulatory risks.

Polymarket is reportedly targeting a $21 billion valuation through a $1 billion funding round led by 1789 Capital, whose partners include Donald Trump Jr. The firm plans to invest about $300 million, bringing its disclosed investment in Polymarket to roughly $500 million. The deal would raise Polymarket’s valuation from about $15 billion. The Polymarket funding round follows investment from Intercontinental Exchange, the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, and comes as rival prediction market Kalshi raises $1 billion at a $22 billion valuation. Polymarket also acquired CFTC-licensed exchange operator QCEX for $112 million in 2025, supporting its return to the US market after a 2022 CFTC settlement that restricted American users and imposed a $1.4 million penalty. Donald Trump Jr. advises both Polymarket and Kalshi, increasing the sector’s political visibility and prompting questions about potential conflicts of interest. US regulators continue to debate whether prediction markets should fall under federal derivatives oversight or state gambling laws. The Polymarket funding round signals strong institutional interest in prediction markets and blockchain-based event contracts. However, Polymarket has no widely traded native token, so the immediate price impact on major cryptocurrencies is likely limited. Traders should monitor regulation, competition with Kalshi and changes in platform trading volumes. The broader market impact is neutral, with longer-term significance for crypto-based financial products rather than direct catalysts for BTC or other major tokens.

Tokenized stocks reached a record $29.5 billion in trading volume in the 30 days to 29 August, up 415% from the previous month, according to RWA.xyz. Active on-chain addresses exceeded 1.3 million, while tokenized stock holders rose 167% to 2.36 million. The value of tokenized stocks distributed on-chain increased 1.45% over the month to $2.54 billion, compared with $344 million a year earlier, an annual rise of about 637%. The gap between trading volume and outstanding value suggests sharply higher turnover and participation, rather than an equivalent increase in new issuance. Market activity remains concentrated. Ondo, Kraken’s xStocks and Binance’s bStocks accounted for 81% of the tokenized stocks market. Ondo led with $842.8 million, followed by xStocks at $609.3 million and bStocks at $599.9 million. Securitize Corp.’s tokenized stock was the largest individual asset at about $163 million, ahead of Strategy PP Variable xStock at $136 million and Ondo’s Circle Internet Group token at $109 million. Competition is shifting from listing more stocks to improving DeFi utility, including lending collateral, automated portfolios and 24/7 trading. Coinbase, Bitwise, Bybit and Robinhood-linked platforms are also expanding their tokenized stocks products. The growth supports broader real-world asset adoption, but traders should watch concentration, liquidity, regulation and whether on-chain distributed value begins accelerating alongside trading volume.

The Solana-based Trump GOLD token crashed about 99% after promotional posts appeared on the licensed Real Trump Coins brand’s X account and website on 29 August. The brand later denied launching, promoting or authorising GOLD, saying unidentified third parties may have misused its channels. It has not clarified whether the accounts were compromised or abused, nor identified the wallets involved. On-chain data showed extreme wallet concentration before the crash. A developer reportedly held 600 million GOLD, while 15 newly created wallets controlled a further 224.5 million tokens. Connected wallets later sold about 824.54 million GOLD, representing 82.45% of the total supply, for 9,784.6 SOL worth roughly $1.01 million. GOLD briefly reached an estimated market capitalisation of $66 million before falling to about $700,000 to $1 million in around 30 seconds. GOLD is separate from Official Trump (TRUMP), the memecoin directly promoted by Donald Trump, and from World Liberty Financial, associated with USD1 and WLFI. No US regulator or law enforcement agency has publicly accused Real Trump Coins, Donald Trump or the Trump Organization of involvement. For traders, the Trump GOLD collapse highlights the risks of social-media impersonation, unauthorised branding, thin liquidity and concentrated token ownership. Wallet distribution, unusual pre-launch purchases and rapid insider selling remain key warning signs in Solana memecoin launches.

Kalshi has reportedly secured an exclusive US Open prediction market partnership with the United States Tennis Association (USTA). The agreement took effect before the tournament’s main draw, after earlier expectations that it would cover the 2026 event. Financial terms were not disclosed, and Kalshi was not yet listed on the US Open’s official partner roster. The USTA is reportedly preventing rival prediction platforms from advertising at the venue or during ESPN broadcasts. The deal could increase Kalshi’s visibility, liquidity and sports-contract activity. Kalshi already offers US Open match contracts, with some markets exceeding $1 million in trading volume. Sports contracts are now its largest category, while Kalshi, Polymarket and Polymarket US recorded combined August volume of $43.4 billion. Kalshi accounted for $35.55 billion. Kalshi’s US Open partnership adds to its relationships across the NHL, MLB, FIFA World Cup and professional teams. However, regulatory risks remain significant. The Ninth US Circuit found that Kalshi had not shown federal commodities law preempted Nevada gaming rules, conflicting with an earlier Third Circuit decision. The split raises the prospect of Supreme Court review and leaves unresolved whether the Commodity Futures Trading Commission or state gaming regulators control sports-event contracts. New York is seeking at least $36 billion from Kalshi over alleged unlicensed gambling. Courts in Nevada, Washington and Michigan have also restricted some sports contracts, while Baltimore has sued Kalshi and Polymarket. The US Open deal is commercially positive, but it does not remove the legal and operational risks facing prediction markets.

The CFTC has ordered former White House technical adviser Gabriel Perez to pay $172,539.02 and imposed a three-year trading ban over Kalshi insider trading. The penalty includes $107,539.02 in disgorged profits and a $65,000 civil fine. The CFTC said Perez reviewed confidential materials for President Donald Trump’s speeches before trading 14 Kalshi mention markets between December 2025 and March 2026. The contracts settled on whether specific words or phrases would be spoken. Perez reportedly won 39 of 43 contracts. Perez admitted using advance speech information and cooperated with investigators, reducing the civil penalty. Kalshi also assisted the CFTC. The Kalshi insider trading case targets Perez’s conduct and does not amount to a finding against Kalshi’s broader market operations. For crypto traders, the case signals tighter oversight of prediction markets, event contracts and trading based on non-public information. It is unlikely to have a direct price impact on cryptocurrencies, but could lead to stricter compliance standards for platforms offering political and real-world event markets.

Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) has raised $1.1 billion for its Machine Age Fund, expanding its focus on AI infrastructure and the physical computing stack. The fund targets chips, networking, memory, cooling systems, power generation, data centres, robotics and edge AI devices. Managing partner Jen Kha said rapid AI adoption is pushing existing infrastructure towards its limits. AI systems are increasing computing density, rack power consumption and demand for data-centre capacity. Hardware startups now represent more than 20% of a16z’s deal flow, as founders and experienced systems engineers rethink computing infrastructure from first principles. The fund’s strategy reflects a global race to deploy AI and rising demand for semiconductors, optical interconnects, advanced cooling, land and electricity. However, opposition to data-centre construction is growing in the United States, creating potential regulatory and supply constraints. For crypto traders, this is a long-term signal for AI infrastructure, power and semiconductor markets, not a direct cryptocurrency catalyst. The immediate impact on crypto prices is likely limited, although stronger AI investment could support broader technology-sector sentiment and competition for energy and capital.

Revolut launched its EURR stablecoin as a controlled pilot on Ethereum, initially serving eligible customers in Denmark, Poland and Portugal. The token is pegged 1:1 to the euro, backed by cash reserves in segregated accounts and issued by Luxembourg-regulated Bridge Building S.A. under the EU’s MiCA framework. Polygon support was initially planned and was later included in the rollout. Early supply was negligible, with Bridge’s reserve dashboard showing about €369 in circulation on 27 August. By 28 August, reported circulation had reached 250,961 EURR, backed by roughly €250,961 in reserves. Thirty-day transfer volume stood near $585,800, while market capitalisation was about $290,000. The figures indicate early adoption but limited liquidity and market depth. Revolut plans to expand EURR across the European Economic Area later this year, adding blockchain networks and improving external-wallet support. The rollout is occurring as Revolut prepares to remove Tether’s USDT from the EEA and Switzerland by 31 August, following MiCA-related compliance requirements. Although Revolut has more than 80 million retail customers and over 16 million crypto users, the initial EURR distribution covers about two million customers. EURR competes with Circle’s EURC, which has a market capitalisation of roughly €394 million. Euro stablecoins could improve on-chain euro liquidity and reduce reliance on dollar-based tokens. Longer term, ECB initiatives such as Pontes and Appia, alongside a potential digital euro launch from 2029, could provide institutional settlement, standards and public payment infrastructure. For traders, EURR is strategically important but its immediate price and liquidity impact should remain limited.

Strategy reported no Bitcoin transactions for a second consecutive week, easing a major market sentiment risk after selling 6,948 BTC between late May and early August. Although the sales were small relative to daily spot-market volume, Strategy’s status as the largest corporate Bitcoin holder gave the disclosures an outsized bearish influence. Between 17 and 23 August, Strategy raised about $2.01 billion by issuing approximately 18.26 million MSTR shares. It used the proceeds to repurchase STRC preferred shares, support dividends, add $300 million to its US dollar reserve and place the remaining funds in a cash liquidity account. Combined cash reserves reached about $6.69 billion. Strategy holds 840,447 BTC acquired for roughly $63.36 billion, with its average purchase price near $75,385. Bitcoin trading above that level puts the treasury position in profit. However, Strategy has not resumed buying, so it is currently viewed as neutral rather than an active source of Bitcoin demand. The larger cash buffer could reduce the need for further BTC sales and limit near-term supply pressure. However, continued MSTR issuance creates shareholder dilution risk, especially if the stock’s premium to the value of Strategy’s Bitcoin holdings narrows. A Bitcoin decline towards the low-$60,000 range could also weaken Strategy’s financing position and revive concerns about forced or recurring sales. Management has indicated that Bitcoin accumulation could resume in 2026 if STRC recovers towards its $100 stated value.

Strive, a public Bitcoin treasury firm, bought 1,110 BTC for about $81.5M at an average cost of ~$73,409 per Bitcoin, after issuing new shares in an Aug. 24 SEC filing. The purchases increased Strive’s holdings from 20,246 BTC to 21,356 BTC (about $1.7B). Funding came from ATM share issuance: Strive sold 3.65M Class A common shares (+~4.8%) and 441,313 shares of its perpetual preferred stock, SATA (+~5.6%). Even with the cash build (cash and equivalents rose to $171.9M from $154.8M a week earlier), Bitcoin per fully diluted share rose only ~1.4%, reflecting dilution. Traders may view the faster Bitcoin accumulation as near-term demand support within the broader corporate treasury trend, where peers like Strategy and Japan’s Metaplanet continue adding BTC.

The UK Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards has restarted an investigation into Nigel Farage’s crypto “gifts” after he won a by-election and returned as Reform UK MP for Clacton. The probe centers on whether Farage failed to register an interest linked to crypto-related donations and benefits before his re-election. According to the Commissioner’s site, Farage received about $6.7m in gifts from Christopher Harborne and also had staff and security funding tied to George Cottrell, a convicted fraudster linked to a crypto casino. Under UK rules, MPs must register interests within a month of election and disclose benefits received in the prior 12 months. If found in breach, Farage could be suspended from Parliament, potentially triggering another by-election. Farage has described the payments as “personal, unconditional gifts,” and previously framed Cottrell’s contribution as a “reward” for campaigning. The case also feeds into the UK’s wider debate on crypto “gifts”: Labour lawmakers reportedly discussed making a March moratorium on crypto donations permanent, citing foreign-influence and “dark money” concerns.

Hyperliquid (HYPE) gained about 2% on Thursday, extending the rebound after a pullback toward the $38 support zone. Price is now testing the 50-day EMA resistance near $58.37. A decisive daily close above this level could open the way toward the next supply area around $62.58. Traders will also watch downside levels: HYPE must hold above the 200-day EMA near $51.29, with an ascending trendline around $53.05 acting as additional defense. Derivatives and flows look supportive. CoinGlass shows HYPE futures open interest rose more than 4% to roughly $2.39B, while volume jumped 45% to about $1.60B—suggesting new positioning. Liquidations skew bullish in the short term, with short liquidations (~$1.34M) far exceeding long liquidations (~$0.25M). Funding remains positive at ~0.0080%, implying longs are still paying shorts. Corporate/institutional demand adds another layer of support. Hyperliquid-related treasuries increased HYPE holdings, including Hyperliquid Strategies (17.60M HYPE vs 12.50M in January) and Hyperion DeFi (treasury HYPE up from 1.88M to 1.93M), alongside a reported ~$31M fair-value increase in Q2. Key risk: if leverage builds too quickly, a reversal could trigger long liquidations. Overall, the setup remains constructive for HYPE, but $58.37 is the crucial “break or fail” level.

US spot Bitcoin ETF and spot Ethereum ETF demand rebounded strongly, pulling in more than $1B in fresh capital this week—the best inflow run since April. For the week ended Aug. 7, spot Bitcoin ETF inflows reached $853.54M, with inflows recorded every session. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) led with about $693M (over four-fifths of total Bitcoin ETF inflows), while smaller issuers contributed less. Earlier ETF flow weakness also reversed in the five-day window, even as Bitcoin price stayed range-bound below $65,000. Ethereum-focused ETFs added $244.94M for the strongest week since April and extended weekly inflows to five consecutive periods. After a net outflow of $11.42M on Monday, flows flipped positive from Tuesday onward (Tue $53.75M, Wed $60.86M, Thu $92.15M, Fri $49.60M). BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) captured about $203M (more than 80% of Ethereum ETF inflows). Combined, IBIT and ETHA absorbed roughly $896M—over four-fifths of nearly $1.1B total inflows across Bitcoin ETF and Ethereum ETF categories. The timing follows a Coldcard hardware-wallet security disclosure (TRM Labs estimated 1,816 BTC drained since July 30), but the report notes no direct evidence linking that incident to this week’s ETF inflows. For traders, this is a regulated inflow rebound story: it can support near-term risk appetite and improve sentiment, particularly for spot BTC/ETH exposure via ETFs. It is unlikely to be immediately priced as a custody-security remediation signal, but the flow recovery itself is a tangible catalyst.

The U.S. <b>CLARITY Act</b> (Digital Assets Market Structure Clarity) is facing a deadline squeeze. With only <b>two working days</b> left before the Senate summer recess, lawmakers still have <b>no fixed schedule</b> for debate or a vote. The core dispute is an <b>ethics provision</b> meant to stop senior officials (including President Trump) and their families from profiting from the crypto industry. GOP Sen. Thom Tillis and Dem Sen. Ruben Gallego have sent a revised proposal to the White House, and reporting says White House acceptance or modification could determine whether Democrats can supply enough votes. Procedural math is tight. Majority Leader John Thune’s plan matters because invoking <b>cloture</b> requires <b>a full day</b> and <b>at least 60 votes</b> to reach a first procedural vote. Meanwhile, the Senate agenda is crowded with other priorities (DOJ nominee Todd Blanche, temporary funding, Russia sanctions, and a bill related to college sports). The article lays out three scenarios for the <b>CLARITY Act</b>: 1) Push procedures before recess and possibly reach a first procedural vote by Friday night. 2) Miss the recess, shifting to September, where roughly 14 working days remain and passage becomes harder amid other legislative burdens. 3) Extend this week’s session for more time—still dependent on clearing the 60-vote threshold, otherwise waiting until after midterms when control of Congress may change. For crypto traders, the key takeaway is policy-timing risk. Any delay or uncertainty around the <b>CLARITY Act</b> can keep market expectations choppy, while quick progress could stabilize sentiment around U.S. market-structure regulation.

The CLARITY Act is nearing a key early-August deadline, with Trump considering a bipartisan ethics counteroffer as Senate negotiators race to secure votes before the chamber’s recess. The latest reported compromise, drafted by Sen. Thom Tillis and Sen. Ruben Gallego and sent to the White House on July 29, would broaden enforcement of senior-official crypto conflict-of-interest rules. Instead of relying mainly on the DOJ, the plan would let state attorneys general police violations—an approach aimed at addressing concerns that earlier drafts created enforcement “loopholes.” The dispute is viewed as central to the bill’s credibility, including concerns around Trump-linked crypto activity. Trading-relevant momentum also matters for timing. The House already passed the CLARITY Act version by 294–134 (July 17, 2025). The Senate still needs 60 votes, implying at least seven Democrats may have to support the final package even if the White House accepts the state-AG enforcement language. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong said the bill was at “one yard line,” while Senate Majority Leader John Thune signalled a floor vote may still be possible. For traders, the CLARITY Act could be a medium-term tailwind by reducing regulatory uncertainty around crypto market structure and SEC/CFTC treatment. But near-term price action may stay choppy because the final ethics and enforcement terms remain unresolved, and the 60-vote threshold leaves room for surprise.

A proposed U.S. class action accuses BitMEX of profiting from alleged rigged Bitcoin liquidations. Filed in the Southern District of New York by BKX Services Inc. and trader David Namdar, the complaint claims total losses of about 622.66 BTC tied to forced liquidations on BitMEX’s Bitcoin perpetual swap market. The plaintiffs allege BitMEX allowed up to 100x leverage but liquidated positions before collateral was fully exhausted. They also claim remaining BTC was moved into BitMEX’s insurance fund rather than returned to customers. A key allegation is that BitMEX’s internal trading desk had access to non-public customer data and continued trading during server outages, while regular users could not properly manage or close positions. BitMEX denies the claims and says it has defended similar lawsuits. The lawsuit coincides with BitMEX confirming it will shut down permanently in September. New registrations are suspended. From August 26, users can only reduce positions; any open positions will be automatically liquidated using BitMEX procedures. Customers can still withdraw funds and access records after trading ends. Regulatory context remains in focus: in 2020, U.S. authorities charged BitMEX founders over anti-money laundering controls, and the exchange later pleaded guilty and changed management. More recently, BitMEX appointed Peter Wilkinson as CEO. After the shutdown announcement, the BMEX utility token was reported to drop sharply (~90%). For traders, the BitMEX lawsuit and shutdown process raise questions about liquidation mechanics, refund expectations, and risk management in high-leverage perpetual markets—especially around operational incidents and collateral handling.

Russia crypto market law has passed in the State Duma, creating the first comprehensive rules for digital-asset trading in Russia under Bank of Russia oversight. The “On Digital Currency and Digital Rights” bill sets licensing and operating requirements for crypto exchanges, brokers, custodians, and digital asset depositories, with a two-year window for firms to apply (until July 1, 2027). If the Federation Council approves and President Vladimir Putin signs it, most provisions take effect September 1, 2026. For retail traders, access is tightly restricted. Non-qualified investors may buy only the most liquid cryptocurrencies through licensed intermediaries, with an annual purchase cap of about 300,000 rubles (around $3,800) per intermediary. Qualified investors face fewer limits. Both retail and qualified investors must pass testing before buying. The law keeps Russia’s existing ban on using digital currencies for payments inside Russia, but adds carve-outs, including settlements under foreign trade contracts between residents and non-residents, certain settlement flows involving mined crypto, and some settlements tied to securities or other digital rights. For traders, the Russia crypto market law is likely to shift focus toward Russia-specific liquidity, compliance risk, and sanction-related on/off-ramp constraints rather than changing global crypto demand immediately.