The latest developments in cryptocurrency, blockchain and digital finance.
A group of US lawmakers is calling for a permanent ban on a US central bank digital currency, arguing that a temporary block until 2031 is not enough. They warn a digital dollar could threaten financial privacy and give the government excessive control over Americans’ finances.
Solv Protocol lost about $2.7 million after a smart contract exploit allowed an attacker to mint tokens and swap them for Bitcoin-pegged assets. The platform has offered a 10% bounty to recover the funds and says affected users will be reimbursed. Security firms are now investigating the breach.
Bitcoin and Ether fell after US-Israel strikes on Iran erased $128 billion from crypto markets. Investors rotated toward traditional safe havens, while derivatives data showed rising short-term risk aversion. The move extends Bitcoin’s broader post-October correction.
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.
OpenAI has secured a Pentagon contract to deploy its AI models on classified networks after the US government barred Anthropic over security concerns. The shift follows a breakdown in Anthropic’s military negotiations and intensifies scrutiny over AI’s role in defense. The move signals how central AI has become to US national security strategy.
A handful of wallets made over $1.2 million betting on a Polymarket contract tied to ZachXBT’s investigation into Axiom, raising insider trading concerns. Onchain researchers say several top-profit addresses show suspicious trading patterns. The case adds to mounting regulatory scrutiny of decentralized prediction markets worldwide.
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.
Block is cutting about 4,000 jobs, reducing its workforce by nearly 40% as it restructures around AI-driven operations. Jack Dorsey says automation is fundamentally changing how companies function and expects others to follow. Investors reacted positively, sending shares sharply higher after the announcement and earnings release.
Online claims that Jane Street is engineering a daily 10 a.m. Bitcoin sell-off are not supported by market data, analysts say. Intraday volatility appears more closely tied to broader risk-asset repricing than coordinated manipulation. In a deep, global market like Bitcoin, no single firm is likely to control long-term price direction.
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.
Sygnum has launched a discretionary crypto asset management service targeting the $100 billion corporate treasury market. The bank is already managing $200 million under live mandates, aiming to bring traditional portfolio discipline to digital assets. The move reflects rising institutional demand for regulated, active oversight of crypto-heavy balance sheets.
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 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.
Citrini Research’s fictional 2028 memo imagines AI boosting profits and markets while hollowing out jobs and consumer demand. In that world, stablecoins and crypto rails become the preferred payment layer for AI agents. The scenario highlights both the promise of AI-driven growth and the risk of widening inequality and structural economic strain.
DWF says over 80% of 2025 token launches are trading below their listing price, with many falling 50–70% within months. At the same time, crypto IPO and M&A activity is surging, suggesting capital is rotating into regulated equity exposure. Investors appear to be favoring structure, transparency and enforceable rights over token speculation.
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 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.
Uniswap’s founder is warning users after a victim lost a six-figure portfolio to a fake search ad posing as the protocol. Sponsored phishing links remain a major threat as crypto scam losses climb again. Users connecting wallets through search results face heightened risk.