Christopher Hughes — Bylines

Browse articles credited to Christopher Hughes on The Token Press.

56 published articles are credited to this byline.

Fomo Beats Pump.fun in Daily Solana Revenue With $1.76M

Fomo generated $1.76 million in daily Solana revenue, beating Pump.fun’s $1.1 million, but remained well behind over the past 30 days.

National Sheriffs’ Association Turns Neutral on CLARITY Act

The National Sheriffs’ Association has dropped its opposition to the CLARITY Act before a Sept. 15 procedural vote in the US Senate.

AMC CEO Adam Aron Criticizes Robinhood Stock Tokens

AMC CEO Adam Aron has challenged Robinhood’s tokenized AMC offering, saying the company is not affiliated with it and will seek an external legal review.

Hyperliquid Strategies Raises Equity Facility to $2.5 Billion

Hyperliquid Strategies has expanded its Chardan equity facility to $2.5 billion after raising nearly $647 million and accumulating 29.3 million HYPE.

Core DAO Plans Emergency Hard Fork After Excess Validator Rewards

Core DAO is coordinating an emergency hard fork after validators received excess CORE rewards, prompting Coinbase and other exchanges to restrict transfers.

Ireland Excludes Crypto From New Tax-Advantaged Investment Account

Ireland’s new investment account will offer tax benefits for shares, bonds and ETFs from 2027, while excluding crypto assets and derivatives as higher-risk products.

Real Trump Coins Denies GOLD Token Launch After Solana Token Collapse

Real Trump Coins says it never authorized the Trump Digital GOLD token after it was promoted through associated online channels before suffering a sharp collapse.

Japan Adds Crypto Insider Trading Rules Under Revised FIEA

Japan's parliament has passed FIEA revisions classifying crypto as financial assets, introducing insider trading bans and sharply higher penalties for violations.

Russia’s Alfa-Bank Tests Crypto Trading As Digital Asset Rules Advance

Alfa-Bank is testing crypto trading for qualified investors through its Alfa-Investments app. The bank plans to launch broader crypto services after Russia finalizes digital asset legislation, with a possible wider rollout in late 2026.

Vitalik Buterin Says Advanced Cryptography Could Enable Private Onchain Voting

Vitalik Buterin says indistinguishability obfuscation could one day allow private onchain voting without trusted committees. The technology could improve crypto governance privacy and reduce collusion risks, but it remains too computationally expensive and experimental for real-world use today.

Binance Sees $400M Weekly Net Outflows as EU MiCA Deadline Approaches

Binance recorded more than $400 million in weekly net outflows as the EU’s July 1 MiCA deadline approached. The exchange has withdrawn its MiCA license application in Greece and will restrict some services for affected EU users. Early data does not yet show a clear mass migration from Binance to rival exchanges

South Korea Adds Token Securities to Capital Market Reform Plan

South Korea has included token securities infrastructure in a wider capital market reform plan. The country is preparing rules and systems for blockchain-based securities, with the framework expected to take effect in February 2027. The move could bring tokenized securities closer to mainstream financial market infrastructure in South Korea.

Iggy Azalea Hit With Class-Action Lawsuit Over Mother Memecoin

Iggy Azalea is facing a class-action lawsuit over claims that her MOTHER memecoin failed to deliver promised utility and business integrations. Investors allege they were misled by marketing tied to the token’s ecosystem and partnerships. The lawsuit comes after MOTHER’s market value fell sharply from its 2024 peak.

Coindcx Launches $11M Anti-Fraud Initiative After Court Clears Founders In Impersonation Case

CoinDCX is investing $11 million to combat crypto fraud after its founders were cleared in an impersonation-related case. The exchange plans to address phishing and fake websites through a new Digital Suraksha Network. The move highlights rising concerns around user safety as India’s crypto market continues to grow.

Bitgo Expands Canton Coin Services With Trading And Onchain Settlement

BitGo has expanded its Canton Coin services to include trading and onchain settlement alongside custody. The move reflects growing institutional demand for complete infrastructure as tokenized assets gain traction in the financial sector.

Nyse Parent Ice Invests $600M In Polymarket, Expands Bet On Prediction Markets

ICE has invested $600 million more into Polymarket, moving forward its $2 billion plan and signaling strong institutional interest in prediction markets. The move comes as regulators increase scrutiny on the sector across multiple US states.

Bybit To Launch Bpusdt Perpetual Pre-Market Trading On March 16

Bybit has announced the listing of the BPUSDT perpetual contract for pre-market trading starting March 16, 2026, at 10:00 AM UTC. The launch will begin with a call auction phase followed by match-making and continuous trading stages to enable early price discovery.

cz says centralized exchanges have no incentive to aid terrorists after us court throws out binance lawsuit

A US federal judge dismissed a lawsuit accusing Binance and its founder Changpeng Zhao of helping terrorist groups move funds through crypto transactions. CZ said centralized exchanges have no incentive to support such activity. The case may still continue if plaintiffs file a revised complaint within 60 days.

Tether freezes $4.2B in USDT over three years as crackdown on crypto crime intensifies

Tether has frozen $4.2 billion in USDT tied to suspected illicit activity over three years, reflecting growing cooperation with global authorities. As stablecoin issuers become key enforcement partners, USDT supply has also contracted amid shifting market liquidity.

Bitcoin wallets holding 100 BTC near 20,000 mark as analysts flag shift in distribution

Bitcoin is close to reaching 20,000 wallets holding at least 100 BTC, a milestone some analysts see as a sign of healthier distribution. While large-holder supply share remains steady, the rise in qualifying wallets suggests renewed accumulation during the recent drawdown. Market watchers are now looking for technical confirmation of a higher low to support further upside.

Deutsche Bank-backed AllUnity debuts MiCA-compliant Swiss franc stablecoin on Ethereum

AllUnity has launched CHFAU, a Swiss franc–pegged stablecoin issued under MiCA compliance after securing a BaFin license. The token targets institutional settlement use cases and expands the firm’s regulated stablecoin portfolio. While CHF stablecoins have historically seen limited adoption, AllUnity is betting that regulatory clarity will drive institutional demand.

UK lawmaker calls for temporary freeze on crypto political donations over foreign interference fears

A UK security committee chair has proposed a temporary ban on crypto political donations over foreign interference concerns. The plan would pause contributions until clearer regulatory guidance is issued. The move highlights growing scrutiny of digital assets in political fundraising.

Standard Chartered reaffirms $2T stablecoin forecast, cuts T-bill demand outlook

Standard Chartered still expects the stablecoin market to reach $2 trillion by 2028, calling recent stagnation cyclical. However, it cut its forecast for stablecoin-driven T-bill demand to $800 billion–$1 trillion. The bank remains constructive on long-term crypto growth, even as it trims near-term Bitcoin price targets.

Bitdeer sells entire Bitcoin treasury, cuts corporate BTC holdings to zero

Bitdeer has sold all of its Bitcoin reserves, reducing corporate holdings to zero. The move comes alongside a $300 million convertible note raise and reflects mounting pressure on miners after the halving. As margins tighten, the industry is increasingly pivoting toward AI and data center revenue streams.

MARA acquires 64% of Exaion, accelerating shift from Bitcoin mining to AI data centers

MARA has secured a 64% stake in French data center firm Exaion, deepening its move into AI and cloud services. The deal reflects a broader trend of Bitcoin miners diversifying as post-halving economics and rising difficulty pressure margins. AI infrastructure is emerging as a parallel revenue stream.

Fed’s Kashkari calls crypto “useless,” dismisses stablecoin pitch as “word salad”

Kashkari says crypto hasn’t shown meaningful utility after a decade, while AI is already widely used. He also challenges stablecoin narratives, arguing they don’t offer clear advantages over existing payment apps and still face costly off-ramp friction in remittances.

Bitcoin ETFs post $105M in outflows as Q4 filings reveal surprise IBIT buyer

US spot Bitcoin ETFs saw $105 million in outflows as trading volumes cooled. Q4 filings revealed both aggressive buying and sharp reductions in IBIT holdings, including a surprise $436 million purchase by a little-known Hong Kong entity. Institutional positioning appears to be rotating rather than exiting the market altogether.

Nevada sues Kalshi after appeals court clears path for state action over sports prediction markets

Nevada has sued Kalshi after a federal appeals court allowed state regulators to move forward over its sports contracts. Kalshi argues it is governed solely by the CFTC, not state gaming laws. The case could define how prediction markets are regulated across the US.

Polygon overtakes Ethereum in daily fees as Polymarket surge reshapes Layer-2 activity

Polygon temporarily surpassed Ethereum in daily fees, driven largely by booming activity on Polymarket. The milestone highlights how high-traffic applications can shift value capture toward Layer-2 networks. Sustained dominance, however, will depend on continued user demand beyond a single app.

Metaplanet posts 738% revenue surge as Bitcoin operations drive 95% of sales, but volatility triggers net loss

Metaplanet’s pivot to Bitcoin has delivered explosive revenue growth, with crypto now driving 95% of sales. However, mark-to-market losses tied to Bitcoin’s price drop pushed the company into a sizable net loss. The firm remains committed to an aggressive treasury strategy, betting on long-term digital asset appreciation.

Boerse Stuttgart to merge crypto arm with Tradias in bid to create regulated European digital asset powerhouse

Boerse Stuttgart and Tradias are merging to form a regulated European crypto infrastructure provider focused on institutional clients. The move highlights accelerating consolidation under MiCA, as traditional finance firms scale up to compete in Europe’s evolving digital asset market.

Bitcoin ETFs Draw New Capital as Early Holders Trim, Not Exit

Bitcoin ETFs pulled in $145 million in fresh inflows as outflows slowed, signaling that institutional demand may be stabilizing. Analysts say early Bitcoin holders are mostly trimming profits rather than exiting, with new institutional investors increasingly stepping in.

Trump expected to tap Kevin Warsh as Fed chair, signaling a more hawkish turn

Kevin Warsh is expected to be nominated as the next Fed chair, replacing Jerome Powell. Markets are already pricing in a more hawkish policy shift, while Warsh’s past remarks on Bitcoin stand out for framing crypto as a potential check on fiscal excess.

DePIN quietly grows into a $10B sector as revenues outpace token prices, Messari finds

Messari says DePIN has quietly grown into a $10B sector with real onchain revenue, signaling a shift from speculative hype toward sustainable infrastructure economics despite weak token prices.

Sen. Marshall pulls swipe fee amendment to smooth path for crypto market bill

Sen. Roger Marshall is backing off a swipe fee amendment that threatened to complicate a key crypto market structure bill. The move reflects growing pressure from the White House and party leaders to keep the legislation on track. Even without the amendment, the bill still faces a tight timeline and significant political hurdles.

UK watchdog moves closer to final crypto rules as FCA opens last consultation phase

The UK’s financial watchdog has opened final consultations on 10 proposed crypto rules, aiming to apply traditional finance-style standards while acknowledging the sector’s inherent risks, with a new licensing regime for crypto firms expected to open applications in 2026.

New SEC filings sharpen debate over self-custody and DeFi rules as market structure talks intensify

New SEC submissions spotlight rising tensions over self-custody and DeFi regulation, as industry groups push for clearer dealer rules while warning against weakened investor protections during ongoing CLARITY bill negotiations.

Chainalysis turns to automation to bring onchain investigations to non-technical teams

Chainalysis has launched a new automation feature that lets non-technical teams run onchain investigations without writing code, aiming to help compliance and investigators keep up with increasingly sophisticated, AI-driven fraud, even as data shows hacking losses fell sharply toward the end of 2025.

Bitcoin futures open interest rebounds in January as traders cautiously re-enter risk

Bitcoin futures open interest has rebounded around 13% in January following a sharp Q4 deleveraging, with analysts pointing to a cautious return of risk appetite even as positioning remains well below October highs. At the same time, options open interest has overtaken futures, signaling a shift toward more structured and risk-managed trading strategies.

efferies strategist drops Bitcoin from ‘Greed & Fear’ portfolio, cites rising quantum threat

Jefferies strategist Christopher Wood has cut Bitcoin to zero in his Greed & Fear portfolio, citing quantum computing risk. He replaced the position with gold exposure, arguing that quantum breakthroughs could challenge Bitcoin’s store-of-value case. Developers counter that quantum threats are decades away and say Bitcoin has time to transition to quantum-resistant cryptography.

Belgium’s KBC to roll out Bitcoin and Ether trading as MiCA framework goes live

KBC plans to launch Bitcoin and Ether trading for Belgian retail investors via its Bolero platform from Feb. 16. The bank says the service complies with MiCA, even as Belgium has yet to issue formal MiCA licenses. The move comes amid broader EU debates over crypto supervision, passporting and the role of ESMA

Sygnum forecasts 2026 breakout for Bitcoin reserves and tokenized bonds as US rules take shape

Sygnum expects clearer US crypto regulation to pave the way for sovereign Bitcoin reserves and broader adoption of tokenization by banks in 2026, arguing that early state adopters could accelerate Bitcoin’s emergence as a global store of value despite ongoing political constraints. At the same time, the firm sees tokenized bonds moving steadily toward the financial mainstream as major institutions prepare to issue and manage debt directly on blockchain-based infrastructure.

Powell probe puts central bank independence in focus, adds new risk premium narrative for Bitcoin

A criminal probe into Fed Chair Jerome Powell is reviving concerns over political influence on monetary policy, adding a new narrative tailwind for Bitcoin’s non-sovereign appeal. While sentiment indicators hint at a potential market bottom, professional traders remain cautious on BTC in the near term, favoring selective exposure elsewhere in crypto markets.

a16z raises $15B, calls crypto central to America’s long-term technological edge

Andreessen Horowitz has raised $15 billion to back technologies it sees as vital to America’s future, with crypto remaining a key focus despite no new allocation to its standalone crypto fund. The firm argues that blockchain and AI are now central to maintaining US competitiveness in the next global technology cycle.

Anthropic targets $350B valuation with fresh $10B funding round

Anthropic is seeking to raise $10 billion at a $350 billion valuation, nearly doubling its worth as investor demand for AI exposure remains intense. Backed by major funds and tech giants, the Claude maker is aiming for profitability by 2028 and a potential IPO this year, highlighting how the AI race is reshaping global capital markets.

Crypto and AI IPOs lag the market as US listings trail the S&P 500 in 2025

US IPOs underperformed the S&P 500 in 2025 as crypto and AI listings delivered uneven returns after debut. While some firms saw strong openings, weak follow-through reinforced a market shift toward selectivity and fundamentals over speculative growth stories.

Bitcoin likely to avoid major sell-off after US strike on Venezuela, analysts say

Bitcoin appears unlikely to suffer a major correction following the US strike on Venezuela, with analysts citing the event’s limited scope and lack of escalation risk. BTC’s ability to hold above $90,000 suggests growing resilience to geopolitical noise, as markets focus more on macro fundamentals than isolated conflicts.

Crypto sentiment edges out of extreme fear as caution still dominates markets

Crypto market sentiment has climbed out of extreme fear for the first time in weeks, hinting that selling pressure may be easing. However, broader indicators show traders remain cautious, with confidence improving slowly rather than shifting decisively toward risk-on behavior.

Abnormal Binance trading in BROCCOLI714 memecoin nets trader $1M as exchange probes activity

A trader claims to have earned $1 million by exploiting abnormal trading behavior in a low-liquidity BNB Chain memecoin on Binance. While the exchange denies any security breach, the incident highlights how unusual order flow and memecoin-driven volatility continue to create sharp — and risky — trading opportunities.

Bitcoin Sell Pressure Eases as Long-Term Holders Pause, Ether Whales Step In

Bitcoin’s long-term holders have slowed their selling for the first time in months, easing one source of pressure on the market. At the same time, large Ethereum wallets are quietly accumulating, even as traders remain cautious and US-driven selling continues to weigh on sentiment.

Bitcoin acts as an unexpected backstop for the dollar, Coinbase CEO says

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong says Bitcoin indirectly supports the US dollar by acting as a market check on inflation and excessive spending. While Bitcoin offers a pressure valve during economic stress, stablecoins may play an even more direct role in extending dollar dominance worldwide.

CFTC leadership changes as Michael Selig takes over, Caroline Pham exits

Michael Selig has been sworn in as chairman of the CFTC, replacing acting chair Caroline Pham, who has exited the agency. The leadership change reinforces expectations that the CFTC will pursue clearer, more innovation-focused oversight of crypto and emerging markets in the years ahead.

Crypto Market May Need More Fear Before a True Bottom Forms, Santiment Says

Crypto market sentiment suggests traders have not yet reached the level of fear typically seen at a market bottom, according to Santiment. Analysts warn Bitcoin could see further downside before conditions support a sustained recovery.

UK crypto regulation is moving from theory to execution.

The UK’s financial regulator has launched a sweeping consultation to bring crypto exchanges, staking, lending and DeFi under a unified regulatory framework by 2027. The move signals a shift from fragmented oversight to full market-structure regulation, giving crypto firms a clear timeline to prepare.

Why Central African Republic’s Crypto Adoption Faced Allegations of Elite Capture and Criminal Influence

A new report says the Central African Republic’s crypto initiatives benefited political elites and foreign actors while failing to deliver financial inclusion. Weak infrastructure, regulatory gaps and underperforming projects instead exposed the country to corruption and criminal influence.

Alexander Ray, Web3 infrastructure builder and CTDG partner, passes away

Alexander Ray, a Web3 infrastructure builder and CTDG partner, has passed away, leaving a lasting impact on Solana staking and regulated DeFi. His work on JPool, Albus Protocol and institutional blockchain infrastructure continues to shape the ecosystem he helped build.