News and developments from the cryptocurrency industry.
Square has launched a new Bitcoin payment option for U.S. merchants, letting them accept and hold BTC with zero fees through 2026. The move aligns with Jack Dorsey’s Bitcoin-focused vision and comes amid renewed growth in crypto-based payments and AI-driven financial innovation.
Ethereum’s price is moving in sync with small-cap stocks, forming a bullish cup-and-handle pattern. Analysts say easing monetary policy and capital rotation into risk assets could soon push ETH toward new all-time highs.
Bitcoin miner IREN and treasury firm Kindly MD (NAKA) announced over $1 billion in convertible note deals this week, triggering investor concern over dilution and sending both stocks lower after hours. The companies say the funds will fuel expansion and Bitcoin accumulation amid a tougher crypto financing environment.
CleanCore Solutions has added 710 million Dogecoin to its balance sheet, worth nearly $174 million, as part of its goal to reach 1 billion DOGE. The company says it’s pursuing a transparent, long-term accumulation strategy — even as analysts warn smaller firms may face mounting exposure risks in the expanding corporate crypto treasury space.
The AFL-CIO has condemned the Senate’s Responsible Financial Innovation Act, arguing it would expose retirement funds to crypto volatility and create systemic financial risks. The union compared the bill’s potential consequences to the 2008 financial crisis, calling for lawmakers to reject it in favor of stronger worker protections and oversight.
Canary Capital’s Litecoin (LTCC) and Hedera (HBR) ETFs are nearly ready for launch after final filings with the SEC. However, the ongoing U.S. government shutdown has delayed their approval. Analysts say the funds could pave the way for a broader altcoin ETF wave once the SEC resumes normal operations.
Trump’s plan to issue tariff-funded stimulus checks could inject new liquidity into the economy just as a government shutdown strains markets. Analysts say it may mirror the 2020 stimulus effect, when fresh cash inflows helped drive Bitcoin’s 1,000% rally during the pandemic era.
Breez’s Time2Build initiative rewards developers for integrating Bitcoin Lightning features into open-source apps. Backed by partners like Tether and Lightspark, it aims to drive sustainable adoption of Lightning payments — positioning Bitcoin as a faster, global settlement network.
S&P Global has launched the Digital Markets 50 Index, tracking 15 major cryptocurrencies and 35 blockchain-focused stocks. Partnering with Dinari, S&P also plans a tokenized version by 2025, marking a major step toward merging traditional finance with the digital asset economy.
Rezolve AI has acquired Smartpay, a fintech platform processing $1B in annual USDt payments, to expand its AI-driven blockchain payment network across Latin America and Africa. The deal strengthens Rezolve’s partnership with Tether and highlights the growing convergence of AI, payments, and crypto adoption worldwide.
Grayscale has staked $150 million in Ether after becoming the first U.S. asset manager to offer staking rewards through exchange-traded products. The move comes as the SEC prepares to rule on 16 altcoin ETPs this month, including key Ethereum and Solana funds, even as regulatory decisions face potential delays due to the U.S. government shutdown.
BNY Mellon is exploring tokenized deposits to bring part of its $2.5 trillion daily payments flow onto blockchain rails, aiming for faster and more efficient settlements. The move aligns with a broader trend among global banks like JPMorgan and HSBC, which are piloting blockchain-based payment systems to modernize traditional finance.
Plume Network has registered as an SEC-approved transfer agent, allowing it to manage and issue tokenized securities under U.S. law. The move strengthens its position as a bridge between Wall Street and Web3, signaling growing momentum for real-world asset tokenization amid increasing institutional interest.
Plume Network has become an SEC-registered transfer agent, allowing it to manage tokenized securities under U.S. law. The move marks a milestone in integrating traditional finance with blockchain, giving Plume regulatory clearance to automate share registries and compliance directly onchain — a key step toward mainstream adoption of real-world asset tokenization.
Japan’s new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, has sparked optimism across stock and crypto markets with her pro-growth stance. Analysts expect her policies — including monetary easing and regulatory support — to drive renewed demand for digital assets like Bitcoin, especially as global macro pressures intensify.
Vietnam’s crypto trading pilot remains stalled as no companies have applied to join the program. The country’s $379 million capital requirement and bans on stablecoins and tokenized securities have discouraged participation, putting it out of step with regional leaders like Singapore and Hong Kong.
Elon Musk’s AI company, xAI, is set to launch Grokipedia — an open-source alternative to Wikipedia — within two weeks. Designed to combat misinformation, the AI-powered platform aims to verify facts across multiple sources and rewrite them accurately. The move follows Musk’s long-standing criticism of Wikipedia’s editorial bias.
Unity Technologies has fixed a major Android security flaw that could have exposed crypto users through Unity-built apps. While no exploits were detected, both Unity and Microsoft urged developers to rebuild their games with the updated engine to ensure user safety.