Saudi Arabia's covert actions may provoke Iranian retaliation, heightening regional tensions and potentially destabilizing Iran's regime.

The post Saudi Arabia conducts secret military attacks on Iran amid Middle East conflict appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

The banking sector's resistance to stablecoin yield provisions highlights the tension between traditional finance and emerging digital asset innovations.

The post American Bankers Association urges banks to oppose stablecoin yield loophole in Digital Asset Market Clarity Act ahead of Senate markup appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Helsing's valuation surge underscores the growing strategic importance of AI in defense, reshaping investment priorities and military tech dynamics.

The post Helsing aims to raise $1.2B at $18B valuation led by Dragoneer appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

The potential executive order on AI security could reshape regulatory landscapes, impacting AI innovation, state policies, and investor strategies.

The post Trump weighs AI security order as Mythos concerns push Washington toward model reviews appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

SoFi's acquisition of PrimaryBid's assets highlights the growing trend of consolidation in fintech, potentially limiting innovation and competition.

The post SoFi Technologies acquires most assets of PrimaryBid, ending UK fintech’s independence appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Bitcoin Magazine

Square Crosses 1 Million Bitcoin-Enabled Merchants as Real-World Adoption Continues to Grow

Block Inc.’s (XYZ) Square has crossed a threshold of roughly 1 million merchants now enabled to accept Bitcoin payments.

The figure, cited by a member of Block’s team, reflects a wave of auto-enrollment that began March 30, when Square automatically switched on BTC payments by default for eligible U.S. sellers.

At its peak pace, a new business was activating the feature every eight seconds. The rollout is powered by the Lightning Network, enabling near-instant settlement while merchants receive U.S. dollars by default, removing currency risk from the equation.

In other words, customers can pay in Bitcoin via Lightning while merchants still receive USD settlements, with the system handling conversion in the background and allowing sellers to opt out if needed.

Bitcoin as everyday money

At the Bitcoin Conference in Las Vegas, Block outlined an expanded push to make bitcoin usable as everyday money rather than simply a long-term investment. Speaking on the Nakamoto Stage, Bitcoin Product Lead Miles Suter said BTC “must circulate, not just sit still,” arguing that the cryptocurrency loses its transformational value if it does not function as peer-to-peer cash.

Suter highlighted Block’s growing adoption metrics, revealing at the time that there were more than 800,000 Square merchants who now have BTC payments auto-enrollment enabled. This number seems to be above According to Suter, a new business activates the feature every eight seconds. The company is also rolling out a tap-to-pay BTC feature using NFC hardware and the Lightning Network, eliminating QR codes and offering zero processing fees through 2026.

The company’s broader strategy centers on integrating bitcoin across its ecosystem. Cash App users can now automatically convert peer-to-peer payments into BTC, earn 5% Bitcoin Back rewards at Square merchants, and withdraw up to $10,000 per day and $25,000 per week. 

Block also introduced an updated Bitkey hardware wallet featuring a touchscreen and 2-of-3 multisig security model designed to simplify self-custody.

Alongside the product announcements, Block released its Q1 2026 proof-of-reserves report showing holdings of 28,355.05 BTC worth roughly $2.2 billion.

This post Square Crosses 1 Million Bitcoin-Enabled Merchants as Real-World Adoption Continues to Grow first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

Senate Confirms Bitcoin-Friendly Kevin Warsh to Fed Board, Clearing Path to Chairmanship

President Donald Trump’s push to install Kevin Warsh as the next chair of the Federal Reserve moved closer to completion Tuesday after the Senate confirmed him to the Fed’s Board of Governors, a step that clears the path for a final vote on the chairmanship later this week.

The Senate approved Warsh in a 51-45 vote that fell along party lines, with Sen. John Fetterman joining Republicans in support of the nominee. If confirmed as chair, Warsh would replace Jerome Powell, whose term leading the central bank ends Friday.

Warsh’s rise has drawn attention across financial markets and the Bitcoin industry because of his public support for bitcoin and his ties to crypto-related firms. 

Warsh’s consideration of bitcoin

Unlike past Fed leaders who treated digital assets with skepticism, Warsh has described bitcoin as “an important asset” and “a very good policeman for policy,” arguing that its price can reflect confidence in the Federal Reserve’s handling of inflation and monetary policy.

“Bitcoin doesn’t trouble me,” Warsh said during a Hoover Institution event last year, where he framed the asset as a signal of monetary credibility rather than a threat to the U.S. dollar.

His confirmation follows financial disclosures showing Warsh held an equity stake in Flashnet, a Bitcoin payments startup focused on lightning-style transaction infrastructure for merchants and fintech companies. The disclosure marked one of the clearest links yet between a potential Federal Reserve chair and a company tied to Bitcoin adoption.

Warsh has also maintained ties to the crypto sector through advisory work and investments connected to digital asset firms, including crypto index manager Bitwise and stablecoin project Basis.

At the same time, Warsh remains known as an inflation hawk. During his earlier tenure as a Fed governor from 2006 to 2011, he warned about inflation risks and criticized loose monetary policy following the financial crisis. 

Recent comments calling for “regime change” at the Fed and signaling openness to lower interest rates have created debate among investors over how he would balance inflation concerns with pressure from the White House.

Markets now face a Fed transition during a period of renewed inflation pressure, rising geopolitical tensions and uncertainty around future rate policy. 

Bitcoin traders and crypto investors are watching closely to see whether Warsh’s views on digital assets translate into a shift in tone from the nation’s most powerful financial institution.

This post Senate Confirms Bitcoin-Friendly Kevin Warsh to Fed Board, Clearing Path to Chairmanship first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

MARA Dumps $1.5B in Bitcoin as Miner Trades Treasury Hoard for AI Power Bet

MARA Holdings has begun to shed its pure-play bitcoin miner identity, unloading $1.5 billion worth of bitcoin in the first quarter as it refocuses on power infrastructure and artificial intelligence data centers.

The shift comes as the company reports weaker financial results and leans on its bitcoin treasury to retire debt and fund a large energy acquisition in Ohio.

The company reported first-quarter revenue of $174.6 million, an 18% drop from a year earlier, and a net loss of about $1.3 billion. Management tied that result to a roughly $1 billion negative change in the fair value of its digital assets after a double-digit slide in the bitcoin price over the period.

MARA produced 2,247 bitcoin in the quarter and lifted energized hashrate 33% year over year to 72.2 exahash per second, but those operational gains did not offset the mark-to-market hit on its holdings.

To strengthen its balance sheet, MARA sold about $1.5 billion worth of bitcoin during the quarter, including a $1.1 billion block near the end of the period used to repurchase convertible notes. 

The miner sold 20,880 bitcoin and ended the quarter with 35,303 coins, down from 38,689 earlier in the year. That sale pushed the company from the second- to the fourth-largest publicly traded holder of bitcoin, according to Bitcoin Treasuries data.

Management framed the move as a use of bitcoin as “ammunition” on the balance sheet rather than an untouchable reserve.

MARA is pivoting from bitcoin to AI 

Even as it continues to mine, MARA is signaling a strategic pivot away from aggressive expansion of dedicated mining capacity. In its earnings statement the company said it does not expect to make large purchases of new ASIC miners, a sharp contrast with the playbook miners used during the last cycle to chase hashrate growth.

Instead, MARA is steering capital toward energy and data infrastructure that can support both bitcoin mining and high-performance computing workloads.

A centerpiece of that plan is the pending $1.5 billion acquisition of the Long Ridge Energy & Power campus in Hannibal, Ohio, which includes a 505-megawatt gas-fired power plant and extensive land for expansion.

MARA says the site could support more than 600 megawatts of AI and critical IT loads through staged buildouts, with its existing mining footprint integrated into the campus. 

The company has also partnered with Starwood Capital to convert selected mining sites into AI and high-performance computing data centers, broadening its revenue base beyond block rewards.

Around 90% of MARA’s non-hosted mining capacity could eventually support AI and IT infrastructure, according to company disclosures. 

The strategy positions MARA at the center of two energy-hungry sectors, bitcoin mining and AI compute, while giving it the option to tilt power toward whichever market offers stronger returns at a given time. 

This post MARA Dumps $1.5B in Bitcoin as Miner Trades Treasury Hoard for AI Power Bet first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

Labor Unions Join Banking Industry in Opposition to Senate Crypto Bill, The Clarity Act

Five of the nation’s largest labor organizations are urging the Senate to vote against a pending cryptocurrency market structure bill, warning that the legislation would expose retirement accounts to digital asset volatility ahead of a key committee vote Thursday.

The AFL-CIO, Service Employees International Union, American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association, and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees sent letters and emails to Senate Banking Committee members, according to CNBC, which obtained the correspondence first.

The crypto industry takes ‘risks’

The groups wrote that the bill “jeopardizes the stability of workers’ retirement plans, including public pensions, and introduces significant volatility to retirement savings accounts.”

“This legislation invites the cryptocurrency industry to take outsized risks, knowing that if those risky bets do not pay off, it is working people and retirees, not crypto billionaires, who will pay the price,” the unions wrote in a joint letter to all senators.

The AFL-CIO, in a separate email to Banking Committee members, warned that “absent sufficient regulation, embedding cryptocurrencies and other digital assets into the real economy will have a destabilizing effect, while benefiting issuers and platforms at the expense of working people.”

The Senate Banking Committee is scheduled to mark up and vote on the bill Thursday. Despite months of bipartisan talks, it remains unclear whether any Democrats on the committee will vote in favor of the measure. Several lawmakers say the bill needs more work on ethics, conflict-of-interest, and security provisions.

Labor groups are not the sole source of opposition. The American Bankers Association has also pushed back on updated language in the bill concerning stablecoin holdings. ABA CEO Rob Nichols wrote to bank executives on May 10 that a provision barring cryptocurrency firms from paying yield on payment stablecoins remains a threat to traditional bank deposits, arguing it would “unnecessarily incentivize the flight of bank deposits.” 

The crypto industry, in contrast, has backed the revised language, with Coinbase voicing support for the restriction.

Michael Saylor chimes in

Strategy Executive Chairman Michael Saylor took a position in favor of the legislation. In a post on X, Saylor wrote that the bill “would unlock the next wave of Digital Capital, Digital Credit, and Digital Equity in the U.S. and globally,” calling it a framework for “STRC-powered digital yield markets” and a signal of “institutional validation for BTC.”

The crypto industry has identified the bill as its top legislative priority this session. Whether that momentum carries through committee — and into a full Senate vote — now depends on resolving opposition from organized labor, traditional banks, and a block of Senate Democrats who have yet to commit their support.

This post Labor Unions Join Banking Industry in Opposition to Senate Crypto Bill, The Clarity Act first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

Senate Banking Committee Unveils 309-Page Crypto Market Structure Bill Before Thursday Markup

The U.S. Senate Banking Committee released the full text of the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act just after midnight Monday, placing the 309-page manager’s amendment in public view 48 hours before the panel’s scheduled Senate markup on Thursday, May 14.

Chairman Tim Scott (R-SC), Subcommittee on Digital Assets Chair Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), and Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) issued the bill text alongside a section-by-section summary. “This bill reflects serious, good-faith work across the committee and delivers the certainty, safeguards, and accountability Americans deserve,” Scott said. “It puts consumers first, combats illicit finance, cracks down on criminals and foreign adversaries and keeps the future of finance here in the United States.” 

Lummis described the text as the product of “nearly a year of bipartisan, blood, sweat, and tears.”

The stablecoin yield deal

The legislation’s most contested provision — Section 404, which governs stablecoin yield — reached its current form through three stages of negotiation. On May 1, the compromise text became public. On May 4, Senators Tillis and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) issued a joint statement declaring the deal final, saying they “respectfully agree to disagree” with continued banking industry pressure. 

The final language bars stablecoin issuers and affiliated digital asset service providers from paying yield on stablecoin balances if that yield is the functional or economic equivalent of bank interest. Activity-based rewards — cashback on payments, transaction-based incentives, and rewards tied to commerce — remain permitted. Holding a stablecoin with no activity generates no return.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong held a live event on X on Monday in which he said, “Not everyone got everything they wanted, but they got the must-haves.” Armstrong added that Coinbase is working with at least five of the largest global banks and wants integration to be “win-win.” The SEC, CFTC, and Treasury Department will have twelve months after enactment to write the joint implementing rules.

Banking groups push back

The banking industry has not stood down. The American Bankers Association, the Bank Policy Institute, and the Independent Community Bankers of America sent a joint letter over Mother’s Day weekend to bank CEOs, urging congressional engagement to block the stablecoin provisions. 

Their core argument: yield-bearing stablecoins function as substitutes for insured deposits and threaten bank funding for mortgages and lending.

The industry front shows fractures, however. Reports indicate that large banks with consumer-facing arms oppose the language, while banks without them are more receptive, and some community banks have signaled quiet support. 

Coinbase Chief Policy Officer Faryar Shirzad called the deposit-flight argument “a fabrication and wildly overstated,” and noted that fully reserved stablecoins are not the same as fractionally-reserved bank deposits.

Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH) called the ABA’s mobilization the “banking cartel in full panic mode” on X and confirmed his vote in favor during the upcoming Senate markup.

Galaxy Digital research published last week contended that stablecoin growth would pull trillions in foreign capital into U.S. banking infrastructure at a rate that “materially exceeds any domestic deposit migration.”

DeFi protections hold

On the DeFi front, the bill retains language drawn from the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act, which shields software developers who do not control customer funds from treatment as money transmitters. 

The DeFi Education Fund said in a statement that “the most important provisions for developers and infrastructure providers — the BRCA and protections under the Exchange Act — are in this bill,” and that the group would monitor amendments this week. A separate accord among Senate lawmakers, reported Monday by Punchbowl News, adds allowances for prosecutors to pursue crypto money-laundering cases within the Clarity Act framework.

A Senate ethics stalemate

The bill’s biggest remaining fault line is ethics. Senator Elizabeth Warren, Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee, released a statement condemning the newly unveiled crypto market structure bill text as a threat to investors, national security, and the financial system. 

She called out the bill for containing zero ethics provisions to address President Trump and his family’s $1.4 billion in crypto gains, demanding no committee member support legislation that fails to curb those conflicts of interest.

Democrats have drawn a firm line: Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said at Consensus Miami that there would be “no one voting for this bill” without an ethics provision barring members of Congress, senior administration officials, and the president from profiting through insider status in the crypto industry. 

White House crypto adviser Patrick Witt countered that the administration accepts ethics rules applying “across the board, from the president all the way down to the brand new intern on Capitol Hill,” but rejects anything targeting a specific officeholder or family.

The Thursday Senate markup is not the finish line. If the Banking Committee approves the bill, it must then merge with a version passed by the Senate Agriculture Committee, which holds jurisdiction over digital commodities. A Senate floor vote requires 60 votes — a threshold that makes Democratic support necessary and makes the ethics provision a practical prerequisite for passage. 

The White House is targeting a July 4 signing as a 250th-anniversary milestone.

This post Senate Banking Committee Unveils 309-Page Crypto Market Structure Bill Before Thursday Markup first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin's path through 2026 now runs through global economic policy.

The disruption around the Strait of Hormuz has moved beyond a commodity-price event and into the machinery of governments.

The International Energy Agency said crude and refined-product exports through the strait had fallen to less than 10% of pre-conflict levels after about 20 million barrels per day moved through the route in 2025, equal to roughly a quarter of global seaborne oil trade.

That is the scale of shock that stops being only a Brent chart.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration now expects Middle East production shut-ins to average 7.5 million b/d in March, peak at 9.1 million b/d in April, and drive a 5.1 million b/d global inventory draw in the second quarter. It also sees Brent averaging $115 a barrel in 2Q26 before easing later in the year.

For Bitcoin, the issue is whether markets treat the oil shock as a force that keeps inflation sticky and financial conditions tight, or as a shock severe enough to pull governments and central banks toward more support.

That fork leaves Bitcoin with two defensible pathways into year-end: a stagflation-driven liquidity squeeze that pushes it back into high-beta collateral behavior, or a policy-accommodation trade that lets it reclaim its scarce-asset narrative.

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Apr 20, 2026 · Liam 'Akiba' Wright

The shock has moved into global economic policy

The policy response is already visible. IEA members agreed to release 400 million barrels from emergency stocks, the largest coordinated release in the agency's history.

The U.S. Department of Energy said the White House authorized 172 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, with delivery expected to take about 120 days at planned discharge rates.

Supply additions elsewhere do not change the scale problem. Eight OPEC+ members agreed to add 206 thousand b/d in April, a move that may matter at the margin but sits far below the disruption estimates now embedded in EIA's outlook.

The more important signal is the spread of emergency policy.

The IEA's 2026 Energy Crisis Policy Response Tracker, updated May 6, lists governments using conservation rules and consumer support to manage fuel stress.

Sri Lanka has introduced QR-based fuel rationing, Korea has odd-even driving restrictions and fuel-price measures, India has LPG and fuel controls, Pakistan has remote-work and public-transport steps, Japan has a subsidy-backed fuel-price cap, Germany has fuel-tax and pricing rules, China has refined-oil price controls, and the UK has heating-oil and industrial support.

The IEA's separate demand-side report lays out options such as remote work, lower speed limits, public transport, car-access limits, LPG prioritization, and reduced air travel.

Those measures matter for Bitcoin because they shift the oil story from a market-clearing problem to a policy reaction function.

Once governments are cutting taxes, capping prices, rationing fuel, releasing reserves, or subsidizing exposed sectors, the macro signal becomes less clean.

Bitcoin is close enough to the key zone that this macro classification matters immediately. CryptoSlate's market page showed Bitcoin around $80,794 on May 12, with the broader crypto market near $2.69 trillion and BTC dominance around 60%.

Further, ETF inflows, geopolitical risk, U.S. macro data, Fed signals, and oil stress continue to shape sentiment.

Flows still give the upside case something to work with, but they are not an all-clear signal.

The latest fund-flow report showed $117 million of digital-asset product inflows, a fifth consecutive positive week. Bitcoin products attracted $192 million, while Ethereum products saw $81.6 million of outflows.

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The same report noted that four days of outflows were reversed by one strong Friday session, so the flow picture looks resilient but fragile.

That is why the $78,000 to $80,000 area is more than a trading level in this setup. Recent CryptoSlate coverage has tied that band to Bitcoin's struggle around the Fed, oil-driven inflation pressure, and on-chain supply levels.

If Bitcoin holds it while energy-policy stress stays visible, markets can argue that ETF demand and scarcity narratives are absorbing the macro shock. If it loses the area, the oil shock starts to look less like a debasement trade and more like a real-yield problem.

Two paths now define Bitcoin's 2026 map

The downside pathway starts with EIA's oil forecast becoming the macro base case rather than a temporary stress scenario.

Brent at a 2Q26 average of $115, a 5.1 million b/d inventory draw, and multi-million-barrel-per-day shut-ins would keep energy in the inflation conversation even if reserve releases ease the first hit.

Governments can soften the pain with subsidies, tax relief, price caps, direct sector aid, and fuel rules. Those measures can also preserve demand, add fiscal cost, and make it harder for central banks to treat the shock as a clean one-off.

In that version of the year, rate cuts are delayed, real yields stay firm, the dollar remains hard to fight, and Bitcoin trades less like digital scarcity and more like collateral in a risk book.

ETF demand is the transmission channel to watch. CoinShares' Bitcoin inflow number shows that the bid has not disappeared, but the midweek outflows show how quickly macro caution can drain participation.

If energy inflation keeps Fed expectations tight and ETF flows fade or reverse, Bitcoin does not need a crypto-specific failure to move lower. It only needs the macro backdrop to force de-risking.

Under that pathway, failure to hold $78,000 to $80,000 would make $76,000 to $78,000 the first risk-control zone.

A deeper macro-stress retest would put $70,000 to $73,000 in view. If forced selling and ETF redemptions intensify, the $62,000 to $66,000 area becomes the wider stress band.

These are not stand-alone technical targets; they are the price expression of a market deciding that oil policy is tightening liquidity rather than creating it.

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Apr 30, 2026 · Gino Matos

The upside pathway classifies the policy response differently.

In this version, governments absorb enough of the energy shock that growth risk starts to matter more than near-term inflation. Reserve releases, price caps, targeted aid, fuel-tax relief, and demand-reduction measures become a bridge between the shock and eventual policy accommodation.

Markets do not need central banks to ease immediately for that trade to begin. They need real yields to soften, the dollar to stop acting as a wrecking ball, and investors to believe the policy system is moving from inflation restraint toward growth protection.

That is when Bitcoin's scarce-asset story can return, especially if ETF demand keeps appearing on dips.

The latest CoinShares report does not prove that this path has won, but it keeps it alive. Bitcoin attracted more inflows than the total digital-asset product universe because Ethereum outflows and thinner participation offset BTC demand elsewhere.

That divergence matters. It suggests investors are still willing to isolate Bitcoin as the macro vehicle even when broader crypto participation is uneven.

The confirmation ladder is clear. Bitcoin first has to keep $78,000 to $80,000 intact. It then needs to reclaim roughly $82,500, build acceptance through $88,000 to $92,000, and test $100,000.

A move toward $115,000 to $125,000 into year-end requires more than a chart breakout. It would require continued ETF accumulation, softer real-yield pressure, and policy signals that turn energy relief into a broader liquidity expectation.

That is the mirror image of the downside case. The same subsidies, tax cuts, reserve releases, and conservation measures that can keep inflation sticky can also become the first sign that policymakers will not allow the shock to crush demand.

Bitcoin rises if markets decide that policy support is bigger than the inflation drag.

The test is policy, then price

Bitcoin does not need the oil market to return to normal before it can move higher. It needs markets to decide what the policy response means.

If policy keeps consumers spending while energy remains expensive, central banks have less room to ease and Bitcoin remains vulnerable to the high-beta path.

If policy absorbs enough pain to shift the conversation toward growth support, liquidity, and currency debasement, Bitcoin has a route back into the scarce-asset trade.

The live test is therefore simple but demanding. Bitcoin must keep the $78,000 to $80,000 area while oil stress stays visible in government action.

Holding that zone and reclaiming $82,500 would strengthen the accommodation pathway. Losing it would point back to the stagflation squeeze, where oil policy tightens the financial conditions Bitcoin needs to escape.

The post Hormuz oil contagion spreads to 8 major economies and Bitcoin has just one route through appeared first on CryptoSlate.

OpenAI introduced a new cybersecurity initiative, Daybreak, on May 11, designed to find, validate, and help fix software vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them.

The firm describes the approach as making software “resilient by design,” moving security earlier into the build cycle through AI-assisted code review, threat modeling, patch validation, and dependency analysis.

For crypto, where a software failure can result in an immediate capital loss within a single block, the urgency is clear.

The standard pattern in the crypto industry is reactive, going through a pre-launch audit, post-deployment monitoring, response when funds move, a post-mortem on the method, vulnerability patching, reimbursement negotiation, and governance debate.

That model has the weakness that the bug comes to light only once the capital has already moved. The window between deployment and exploit is when risk runs highest, and defenses run thinnest.

TRM Labs' 2026 Crypto Crime Report showed that illicit actors stole $2.87 billion across nearly 150 hacks and exploits in 2025. Infrastructure attacks via compromised keys, wallet infrastructure, privileged access, front-end surfaces, and control planes drove $2.2 billion of that total.

Code exploits, the category most audits directly address, accounted for $350 million, or 12.1%.

Hacken's data for the first quarter reinforces that audit-centric security has real limits, since Web3 lost $482 million across 44 incidents in a single quarter. Six of those incidents involved audited protocols, including one that had received 18 separate audits.

A $282 million theft involved no code exploit, with the attacker bypassing the contract layer entirely and compromising the operational and social infrastructure around it.

CertiK's most recent wrench-attack report noted that 34 verified physical coercion incidents occurred globally between January and April 2026, up 41% from the same period in 2025, with estimated losses of approximately $101 million over those four months.

At that trajectory, CertiK estimates 2026 could close with around 130 incidents. The attack vector is now the person holding the key, the signer in the multisig, and the engineer with cloud console access.

The three datasets together describe a threat that has migrated well above the smart contract.

What “resilient by design” requires in crypto

Daybreak's logic, applied to crypto, points toward a security posture that runs continuously through the protocol lifecycle.

OpenAI describes AI that can reason across entire codebases, identify subtle vulnerabilities, validate that fixes actually resolve the underlying issue, and bring that capability into the everyday build-and-deploy workflow as an ongoing function.

For crypto, that translates into specific operational requirements across the full stack where losses are now concentrated.

AI-assisted secure code review running before and throughout deployment would catch logic errors, access-control gaps, and unsafe assumptions before they reach mainnet. Continuous threat modeling across protocol upgrades would assess how each architecture update, oracle dependency, bridge design, or governance mechanism opens new attack surfaces.

Dependency and oracle risk analysis would flag when a third-party integration weakens the security model of the protocol that relies on it.

Patch validation before governance execution would confirm that the proposed fixes close the vulnerability and that the fixes themselves hold under adversarial conditions.

Privileged-access review for multisigs, signers, front-end deployments, and custody systems would run on a regular cadence as part of standard operating procedures. Monitoring that catches abnormal behavior before funds leave would compress the time between detection and response.

Crypto protocols with extensive audit records can still have unmonitored front-end deployments or misconfigured multisigs, leaving them in an operational blind spot where 2025's largest losses occurred.

OpenAI said bad actors can misuse expanded cyber capability, and Daybreak pairs its defensive tooling with verification, scoped access, safeguards, misuse monitoring, and stronger account controls.

The same AI capabilities that help defenders review code, validate patches, and model threats can help attackers accelerate phishing, generate convincing fake front ends, clone legitimate protocols, analyze dependency chains for exploitable weaknesses, and scale social engineering across custodians, signers, and support channels.

Hacken's data ranked phishing among the leading attack vectors, and CertiK's data on physical coercion showed attackers targeting people directly. Both categories involve social and operational manipulation, and AI operates at scale in both.

Two outcomes for crypto security

The bull case is that “resilient by design” becomes a competitive standard.

Protocols begin treating continuous code review, signer-policy audits, dependency checks, front-end integrity monitoring, and governance-execution validation as standard requirements throughout the protocol lifecycle.

In that model, audit certification gives way to the full operational stack of signers, upgrades, dependencies, and access controls proving resilience before execution.

OpenAI's own approach, coupling more capable tooling with stronger verification and process controls, is an external template for that direction.

According to TRM's data, if 76% of losses come from infrastructure, that is where the next security standard needs to operate. Protocols that can demonstrate continuous operational resilience would have an easier time making their case with insurers, regulators, and institutional allocators than those that present only a stack of audit certifications.

The bear case is that AI-assisted security stays a marketing layer.

Protocols add AI-powered security language to their documentation, and the underlying operational model stays fixed in pre-launch audits and post-exploit post-mortems.

Attackers use the same tools to scale phishing, clone front ends faster, and compromise support channels more convincingly than defenders improve their workflows.

Hacken's finding that one attacker stole $282 million without touching a single line of contract code shows that the attack surface extends beyond the contract layer, and the industry's current security framework covers only a portion of it.

The crypto industry has focused its security model on post-exploit response and point-in-time review, and the attack surface has moved well beyond that frame.

The post OpenAI’s new cybersecurity push has a lesson for crypto: stop waiting for the hack appeared first on CryptoSlate.

A prominent figure from the Washington foreign-policy establishment has said openly what markets have been pricing in fragments: the United States has likely suffered a strategic defeat in Iran, and the failure runs through the Strait of Hormuz. Accepting this premise would introduce a new macro risk for Bitcoin.

The warning comes from an article by Robert Kagan in The Atlantic. Kagan sits inside the interventionist wing of U.S. foreign policy, the Project for the New American Century, and the broader doctrine that treated American military dominance as the organizing principle of the post-Cold War order.

Kagan is not a fringe dissenter warning about imperial overreach from the outside. He helped define the intellectual framework behind the post-Cold War expansion of U.S. power.

His work shaped the worldview that American military primacy could stabilize trade routes, contain adversaries, and preserve the liberal international order through sustained forward projection. That framework influenced both Republican and Democratic administrations across Iraq, Afghanistan, NATO expansion, and the broader interventionist consensus that dominated Washington for decades.

When a figure within that architecture argues that the United States has likely suffered a strategic defeat in Iran, markets must treat it differently from routine geopolitical commentary.

Thus, his position comes from inside the intellectual infrastructure that helped build the policy architecture now under stress.

Kagan argues that Vietnam and Afghanistan were costly but survivable for the U.S. position in the world.

Iran is different because the loss sits inside a live energy chokepoint, inside the Gulf security architecture, and inside the credibility of U.S. military deterrence.

The market question follows directly from that strategic diagnosis.

If Washington’s own think-tank class now believes Iran has imposed a new operating reality in Hormuz, the downstream issue is whether oil, LNG, shipping, insurance, inflation expectations, Treasury yields, Fed policy, and Bitcoin begin trading around a world where U.S. maritime guarantees carry a measurable discount.

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Hormuz has become the transmission channel from military failure to inflation risk

The Strait of Hormuz is the mechanism that turns a regional defeat into a global macro variable.

The passage handles roughly a fifth of global oil flows and remains central to Gulf LNG traffic.

Once Iran establishes even partial discretionary control over passage, the market prices Hormuz as a conditional route governed by military risk, diplomatic side deals, insurance costs, naval credibility, and Iranian tolerance.

That is the real content of Kagan’s argument.

He reportedly frames Iran’s leverage over Hormuz as a durable consequence rather than a temporary disruption.

Entrepreneur Arnaud Bertrand extends that point by arguing that “freedom of navigation” has been inverted into a permission-based regime.

The distinction is crucial. A closure is an event. A permission regime is a new pricing layer.

It can function without daily explosions, seizures, or a full blockade.

It requires sufficient uncertainty to force every cargo owner, insurer, refiner, and state buyer to ask whether transit remains automatic. Recent reporting already points in that direction.

AP reported that the U.S. military moved to guide stranded ships through the strait while Iran-linked pressure tested the fragile ceasefire. The Financial Times reported that a Qatari LNG shipment cleared Hormuz after Pakistan-Iran talks, a detail that shows the new order in miniature.

Cargo moves, while movement increasingly depends on mediation. That is a very different market signal from open passage under U.S. naval dominance.

The inflation channel begins with energy and then moves through the rest of the supply system. Higher crude prices lift gasoline and diesel. LNG disruption feeds into electricity costs and industrial input prices, especially in Europe and Asia.

Shipping delays increase working capital needs. War-risk premiums raise delivered costs. Inventories become more valuable, which encourages hoarding by states and firms.

Each layer adds friction to the global supply chain.

A 1973-style embargo is no longer required to affect policy. The Fed reacts to realized inflation, inflation expectations, financial conditions, and the credibility of its own path.

If Hormuz risk becomes persistent, energy prices can remain high enough to slow disinflation without delivering a classic demand boom.

That is the worst configuration for central banks: weaker growth with sticky headline pressure and renewed pass-through risk.

It narrows the room for rate cuts even as households absorb higher fuel, utility, and transport costs.

The White House can call that victory. Bond markets will call it term premium.

Rates become harder to cut when the security guarantee itself carries a Bitcoin macro risk premium

The rates implications are larger than one oil spike.

A war that reveals depleted U.S. weapons stocks, a weaker naval deterrent, and Gulf-state hedging changes how markets think about U.S. power as a macro stabilizer.

Kagan’s reported claim that weeks of war reduced American weapons stocks to perilously low levels is especially important because it moves the issue from battlefield optics to industrial capacity.

The problem becomes inventory, production cycles, fiscal demand, and alliance confidence. That feeds directly into the Treasury market.

A U.S. security guarantee has historically operated as a deflationary asset in the global system. It reduced the perceived need for regional arms races, secured energy lanes, and allowed Gulf producers to operate inside a U.S.-centered order.

When that guarantee weakens, several consequences follow. Gulf states diversify security relationships. Energy buyers build redundancy. Shipping routes become more expensive. Defense budgets rise. Fiscal pressure increases. Investors demand compensation for a wider distribution of outcomes.

This is where Bertrand’s take is strongest. He sees Kagan’s essay as an establishment acknowledgment that the old equation has broken. The U.S. fought to demonstrate control and instead exposed the limits of control.

Gulf states now have to weigh a distant superpower against a regional power that can impose costs at the point of transit. East Asian and European allies have to ask whether U.S. staying power remains adequate in a higher-intensity conflict.

China and Russia have to assess whether their critique of American overreach has gained operational evidence.

That is also why a comparison to Suez is more useful than Vietnam. Vietnam damaged U.S. prestige but left the core financial and energy architecture of the American-led system intact. Suez exposed the limits of British and French imperial power in a way that accelerated recognition of a new hierarchy.

If Hormuz has become the place where American naval dominance no longer guarantees open passage, the comparison becomes uncomfortable for Washington.

Markets will express that shift across oil curves, shipping rates, gold, defense equities, inflation breakevens, long-end yields, the dollar, and eventually Bitcoin.

The timing is uneven. Oil and shipping react first. Rates then absorb the inflation and fiscal implications.

Bitcoin usually reacts later, once the market begins translating geopolitical stress into questions about monetary credibility, sovereign balance sheets, and the value of politically neutral settlement assets.

Bitcoin macro test is liquidity, while its larger test is credibility

The near-term risk is straightforward.

A Hormuz premium can slow the Fed’s easing path. A slower easing path keeps real yields tighter than risk assets would prefer. That can pressure Bitcoin initially, especially if liquidity expectations are repriced downward.

The medium-term risk points in the opposite direction.

If the U.S. is forced into higher defense spending, higher energy support, larger deficits, and more politically constrained monetary policy, Bitcoin’s sovereign-risk hedge begins to regain relevance. Bitcoin rarely leads the first phase of a geopolitical macro shock.

The first response usually belongs to oil, gold, the dollar, and front-end rate expectations.

Bitcoin enters the frame when the shock shifts from energy pricing to institutional credibility. That distinction is essential. A pure oil shock can hurt Bitcoin if it pushes yields higher and drains liquidity from speculative assets.

A geopolitical credibility shock can help Bitcoin if it weakens confidence in the fiscal and monetary order that underwrites fiat stability.

The Iran conflict now sits between those two regimes.

PolitiFact’s review of Trump’s victory claims pointed to the unresolved structure beneath the political language: Iran remained in control domestically, retained leverage over Hormuz, and preserved key strategic capabilities. Al Jazeera’s ceasefire analysis similarly showed that both sides claimed success while the underlying concessions left the maritime question unresolved.

The important point for markets is that ambiguity itself has value.

If Iran can extract concessions, delay transit, force mediation, or selectively permit passage, then the strait has become an instrument of state power rather than a neutral artery.

For Bitcoin, the base case is a two-stage sequence.

First comes volatility. Higher oil, higher breakevens, delayed rate cuts, and stronger dollar demand can pressure crypto liquidity.

That phase is mechanical. It reflects funding costs and risk appetite.

The second stage begins if the conflict confirms a broader perception that U.S. power can no longer suppress geopolitical risk at the system level.

That phase is structural. It speaks to reserve diversification, censorship resistance, capital mobility, and distrust of state-managed monetary outcomes.

The next macro test for Bitcoin is whether markets price a permanent Hormuz discount into U.S. power

The strongest Bitcoin argument does not require an immediate flight from Treasury markets or a sudden abandonment of the dollar.

It requires a gradual rise in the cost of trusting the old system. The U.S. can still borrow. The dollar can still rally in stress. Treasuries can still function as collateral.

Yet each new shock can force investors to hold a larger allocation to assets outside the state balance-sheet complex.

Gold is the traditional expression. Bitcoin is the digital expression. The key threshold is the Fed.

If Hormuz pressure keeps inflation sticky while growth softens, the central bank faces a narrower policy corridor.

Cut too soon, and energy inflation risks bleeding into expectations.

Stay tight too long, and the economy absorbs a geopolitical tax through credit, consumption, and investment.

Either path can strengthen Bitcoin’s longer-term thesis. One path points toward eventual liquidity rescue. The other points toward sovereign stress and fiscal dominance.

That is why Kagan’s Atlantic essay and Bertrand’s response should be treated as a macro signal, rather than only as a foreign-policy dispute.

The claim that America has been checkmated in Iran is a claim about control.

Control over escalation. Control over shipping lanes. Control over allies. Control over energy prices. Control over inflation. Control over the policy path.

Once that control is questioned by the very institutions built to defend it, markets have to price the loss in layers.

Oil prices the chokepoint. Rates price the inflation and fiscal burden.

Bitcoin prices the credibility gap that remains after the official victory language runs out.

The post Washington insider warns US defeat in Iran now “likely” – adding a new macro risk for Bitcoin appeared first on CryptoSlate.

XRP price is testing a breakout zone near $1.50 as institutional inflows, rising derivatives activity, and easing whale-related selling improve the token's setup, but the trade still depends on whether Bitcoin can hold above $80,000 through a critical macro week.

CoinShares data released May 11 showed XRP investment products attracted $39.6 million in weekly inflows, while Bitcoin absorbed $706.1 million of the $858 million total that entered digital-asset funds.

Bitcoin absorbed $706.1 million of the total $858 million, roughly 82% of all weekly fund flows, broke above $80,000, and lifted total crypto-product AUM to $160 billion.

XRP has real demand indicators, such as fund inflows, elevated derivatives positioning, and easing whale-related selling activity, but the broader market's risk appetite still runs through Bitcoin.

The April CPI is due on May 12 at 8:30 a.m. ET and major banks are pushing Fed rate-cut expectations further out, XRP's $1.50 breakout test is arriving at a moment when macro could confirm or derail the trade.

Bitcoin's current session range is roughly $80,000 to $82,000, with $80,000 at the lower end. Bitcoin reclaimed that level alongside the fund-flow surge, which gave XRP room to attract fresh institutional interest, and is why $80,000 serves as the risk-on filter for this week's setup.

When CPI lands on May 12, Bitcoin's response will either keep the broader risk appetite intact or pull it apart.

If Bitcoin holds $80,000, XRP's own demand data gets room to convert into price action. If Bitcoin loses its current floor, altcoin-specific arguments become much harder to sustain regardless of XRP's inflow numbers.

On May 11, Bank of America and Goldman Sachs pushed back their timelines for Fed rate cuts, citing elevated inflation tied to energy prices and a labor market that has stayed firm.

Bank of America now expects the Fed to hold for the rest of 2026, while Goldman Sachs moved its first expected cut to December 2026, with the next Fed meeting on June 16-17.

That leaves crypto a short window to trade the inflation print first, then absorb whatever repricing of the rate path follows.

What the XRP price data shows

CoinShares measured $39.6 million in weekly XRP product inflows last week, with SoSoValue's spot ETF tracker recording $34.21 million in net inflows to US XRP ETFs over the same week.

That cross-source overlap lends credibility to the inflow reading, as institutional demand for XRP is showing up in two distinct product structures simultaneously.

CryptoQuant's recent QuickTake adds a supply-side layer, since XRP whale inflows to Binance dropped to their lowest level since November 2021.

Large holder deposits to exchanges are a direct and measurable source of selling activity. When those deposits fall to four-year lows alongside fresh fund inflows, two independent supply-demand forces move in the same direction at once.

That combination gives the current XRP setup more depth than the price chart alone captures.

CoinGlass shows XRP at around $1.48, with over $3 billion in open interest and $4.9 billion in 24-hour futures volume, compared to $871.7 million in spot volume.

Futures are running at roughly 5.6 times spot, showing that traders have already made a directional bet. A favorable macro outcome from the CPI results could accelerate the move toward $1.50, and an adverse one could quickly flush the built-up open positions.

The $6.84 million in 24-hour futures liquidations is contained, the positioning carrying directional tension into a data release that will test it.

Together, those three data streams describe a token with demand improvement but unresolved directional tension.

Two scenarios for $1.50 XRP price

The bull case rests on the CPI on May 12 landing within or below market expectations, and on Bitcoin holding $80,000 when the report drops. With both in place, XRP has a cleaner path to reclaim $1.50 and build on it.

The first upside target is $1.60, and the next zone above that is $1.75-$1.80. These levels represent an editorial scenario map built from present data.

If Bitcoin extends toward the upper edge of its current range and XRP converts $1.50 from resistance into support, the $2.00 level opens as a psychological extension. This outcome requires full macro and Bitcoin confirmation, with $1.60 and $1.75-$1.80 as intermediate checkpoints.

The bear case activates with a hot April CPI print. If inflation data pushes yields higher and firms the case for the Fed holding through year-end, Bitcoin losing $80,000 would pull XRP's setup back with it.

The near-term downside retest zone sits at $1.44, then $1.40. The XRP-specific positives would lose their directional power to a macro-driven risk-off move that tends to overwhelm token-level demand data in the short run.

The $4.9 billion in open futures positions could amplify a decline quickly if the $80,000 floor breaks and long positions unwind.

Bitcoin absorbed more than four-fifths of last week's digital asset product inflows, and its move above $80,000 drove most of the sector-wide AUM gain. XRP's $39.6 million in weekly inflows represent a real pickup in institutional interest, but they occur within a market structure that still prices altcoin risk through Bitcoin.

A CPI print that lands within expectations, with Bitcoin holding $80,000, would allow XRP's demand data to translate into price action. A hot print with Bitcoin losing that floor would put XRP's setup on hold and direct attention back toward $1.44.

The post XRP price has the bullish signal traders wanted, but one Bitcoin level could wreck it appeared first on CryptoSlate.

On May 12, the Senate Banking Committee released updated text of the CLARITY Act ahead of a scheduled May 14 markup.

The bill would establish new rules for digital asset intermediaries, define how certain network tokens are treated, expand the role of federal market regulators, and create a path for banks to offer crypto-related services.

It also preserves protections sought by decentralized finance developers and adds restrictions to prevent crypto platforms from offering deposit-like yield on payment stablecoin balances.

The release moves the Senate effort from private negotiation into a public committee process. If approved by the panel, the bill would still require further negotiations before reaching the Senate floor.

However, its path remains uncertain because Democratic concerns over ethics restrictions for federal officials were not resolved in the text released this week.

Still, several US lawmakers believe that the legislation could reach President Donald Trump's desk before July 4. Senator Thom Tillis said:

“After months of painstaking negotiations with stakeholders, the updated CLARITY Act language is a bipartisan compromise that will provide regulatory certainty needed to foster innovation in the United States.

I was proud to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to develop this improved, consensus-based product, and I look forward to Congress quickly passing this legislation and sending it to President Trump’s desk soon.”

Stablecoin rewards face new limits in CLARITY Act

The most closely watched provision in the updated bill is Section 404, which targets stablecoin yield.

The text would prohibit covered digital asset service providers and their affiliates from paying US customers passive interest or yield on payment stablecoin balances.

That language is designed to prevent exchanges and other crypto platforms from offering products that resemble interest-bearing bank deposits without being regulated as banks.

However, the bill still leaves room for activity-based rewards. Programs tied to transactions, payments, platform use, staking, governance, or loyalty activity would remain possible under future rules from the SEC, CFTC, and Treasury.

That distinction gives crypto firms a narrower path to preserve customer incentives while handing banks a partial victory in their push to stop stablecoin issuers and exchanges from competing directly with deposits.

Banking groups have argued that stablecoin reward programs could accelerate deposit flight from the banking system, especially if customers can earn yield-like benefits on dollar tokens outside insured accounts.

However, crypto firms have countered that rewards tied to platform activity are not equivalent to bank interest and should not be banned outright.

The compromise attempts to separate passive yield from commercial incentives. That line will be tested during markup, where banks, exchanges, and stablecoin issuers are likely to press lawmakers for narrower or broader wording before the bill advances.

DeFi developers keep core protections

The bill preserves key protections for software developers and infrastructure providers, a major win for DeFi advocates who had been watching whether law-enforcement concerns would narrow the language.

The Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act (BRCA) language would clarify that non-custodial blockchain developers and service providers are not money transmitters merely because they build software, validate transactions, provide computational work, or support decentralized networks.

The text also preserves criminal liability for those who intentionally transfer funds on behalf of another person while knowing the assets are tied to unlawful activity.

That balance reflects one of the bill’s central dividing lines: regulation would attach more clearly to control, custody, and customer-facing intermediation, while software development and network participation would receive explicit protection.

The DeFi provisions also address concerns that decentralized governance systems could be treated as a single controlling person or group. The text would clarify that routine governance actions, infrastructure participation, and limited cybersecurity emergency measures do not automatically establish centralized control.

Other sections of the CLARITY Act would direct regulators to develop rules for non-decentralized finance trading protocols, require risk-management programs for intermediaries routing activity through DeFi protocols, and instruct the Treasury to provide guidance for certain web-hosted front ends.

The result is a framework that protects core development activity while still giving regulators channels to police financial crime, sanctions evasion, fraud, and market manipulation.

Banks get clearer crypto clarity

The updated CLARITY Act text would also give banks and credit unions a broader statutory basis for digital asset activity.

Section 401 would clarify that national banks, state banks, financial holding companies, and certain credit unions may use digital assets and blockchain technology for activities they are otherwise allowed to conduct, including payments, lending, custody, and trading.

That provision could prove significant for traditional financial firms that have moved cautiously into crypto because of regulatory uncertainty.

Banks have long sought clearer rules on custody, tokenized assets, settlement activity, and the extent to which digital assets can be treated as incidental to existing banking powers.

However, the bill does not give banks unlimited authority to enter any crypto business. Activities would still need to fit within permissible banking functions and remain subject to prudential supervision.

Nonetheless, this language would give regulated institutions more confidence to build custody, settlement, lending, and market infrastructure around digital assets.

Meanwhile, the banking provisions also sit beside broader market reforms.

The bill would require joint SEC and CFTC rules for portfolio margining, direct regulators to modernize recordkeeping for distributed ledger systems, and create mechanisms for regulatory coordination across tokenized securities, digital commodities, and digital asset intermediaries.

For crypto firms, the banking language cuts both ways. It could bring more institutional liquidity and custody capacity to the market, but it could also intensify competition from established financial institutions once legal uncertainty subsides.

Other provisions broaden the CLARITY Act

Beyond stablecoins, DeFi, and banking powers, the CLARITY Act includes several provisions on market supervision, customer protection, tokenization, and agency coordination.

The bill would create a disclosure regime for certain network tokens classified as ancillary assets, treating the tokens themselves as commodities while requiring initial and semiannual disclosures for covered transactions.

It would also create a rebuttable presumption that a network token is an ancillary asset unless an originator or digital asset intermediary certifies that the token does not meet that standard.

The text includes resale restrictions for related persons and preserves federal insider trading laws for securities transactions involving ancillary assets.

It also states that tokenized securities remain securities, while directing the SEC to study custody, cross-border coordination, consumer protection, and other issues related to tokenized financial instruments.

Customer property receives separate treatment. The bill would treat ancillary assets and digital commodities as customer property in Chapter 7 liquidation and create an insolvency safe harbor for digital commodity transactions, mirroring protections available in conventional derivatives and securities markets.

The legislation would also require educational materials from the SEC and CFTC, disclosures on how digital commodities and payment stablecoins would be treated if a broker-dealer enters insolvency, and studies on retail financial literacy in digital asset markets.

Other provisions include a CFTC-SEC micro-innovation sandbox, an SEC-CFTC memorandum of understanding, an advisory committee on digital assets, voluntary adoption of post-quantum cryptography standards, and additional Treasury-led work on illicit finance risks.

The bill would authorize $30 million per year for FinCEN for five years and allow the agency to pay salary premiums to recruit qualified personnel.

One provision outside the core crypto framework would create a pilot program to incentivize housing development in certain Community Development Block Grant jurisdictions, giving the bill a broader legislative footprint than market structure alone.

Ethics dispute remains unresolved in the latest CLARITY Act

Despite all the progress in the CLARITY Act, its biggest political vulnerability lies outside its technical market rules.

The latest text does not include provisions restricting federal officials, including the president, vice president, lawmakers, or senior officials, from profiting from digital asset ventures while participating in crypto policy.

Democrats have increasingly tied their support to ethics language addressing public officials’ crypto holdings, transactions, and business interests.

Notably, Senator Elizabeth Warren has consistently reiterated this stance, saying:

“Any crypto legislation that doesn’t shut down this presidential corruption and protect investors isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.”

Considering this, its omission in the updated bill could complicate the committee vote, even after negotiators narrowed fights over stablecoin rewards and DeFi protections.

The post CLARITY Act’s final draft has been released ahead of May 14 markup – What’s in it? appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Bitcoin (BTC) continues to oscillate above the critical $80,000 psychological barrier, supported by a historic six-week streak of ETF inflows. Meanwhile, XRP has emerged as a top performer, outshining both Bitcoin and Ethereum (ETH) in recent trading sessions.

Market Snapshot: Bitcoin and XRP Performance

Investors are currently witnessing a Divergence in momentum across the board. While Bitcoin faces slight selling pressure near its local highs, Ripple's XRP has captured the market's attention with a significant breakout.

1. Bitcoin (BTC) Price Stability

As of May 12, 2026, Bitcoin is trading at approximately $80,750, down slightly by 0.20% over the last 24 hours. The asset has established a firm trading range between $80,400 and $82,100. This consolidation is widely viewed as healthy by analysts, especially following the massive surge in late April.

2. XRP Leads the Altcoin Charge

The most notable move comes from XRP, which successfully breached the $1.45 resistance level on high trading volume. Although sellers stepped in near the $1.50 mark, XRP's ability to outpace Ethereum and Bitcoin suggests a shifting appetite toward high-utility altcoins.

Institutional Era: The ETF Inflow Phenomenon

A major catalyst for the current price floor is the relentless demand from U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs. According to recent, these funds have recorded their longest inflow streak since 2025.

• Six-Week Inflow Streak: ETFs have attracted over $3.4 billion since early April.
• AUM Records: Total Assets Under Management (AUM) for Bitcoin ETFs reached $109 billion this week, the highest level recorded in 2026.
• Supply Shock: ETFs are currently absorbing between 4,500 and 5,000 BTC daily, while only 450 BTC are mined per day—a 10:1 demand-to-supply ratio.

This "institutional era" of crypto investing is fundamentally different from previous retail-driven cycles. Wall Street wholesalers are now acting as a stabilizing force, preventing deep drawdowns even when market sentiment wavers.

What’s Next for Crypto in May 2026?

The current market structure suggests that while Bitcoin provides the foundation, the real "alpha" is currently found in selective altcoins like $XRP and $Solana. Investors are no longer buying the entire market; instead, they are rewarding projects with clear regulatory standing and technical strength. As we look toward the second half of May, the sustainability of the $80,000 level for Bitcoin will be the ultimate litmus test for the next leg toward $100,000.

The US Senate Banking Committee has officially released an expanded 309-page draft of the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, commonly referred to as the Clarity Act. This updated version, which grew from a 278-page draft seen in January, marks a significant step forward in establishing a federal regulatory framework for digital assets. The bill arrives at a critical juncture as the industry seeks to move beyond "regulation by enforcement" and toward statutory certainty.

Jurisdictional Split: SEC vs. CFTC Authority

Investors and industry participants asking whether the new draft changes the core jurisdictional split can rest assured: the fundamental division of labor remains. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is slated to oversee most initial token sales, while the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) will govern the spot markets and trading of tokens once they are deemed sufficiently decentralized or "mature."

What is the "Clarity" in the Act

The Clarity Act is designed to be the "ultimate rulebook" for the US digital asset market. It seeks to define three main categories:

1. Digital Commodities: Under CFTC jurisdiction.
2. Digital Asset Securities: Under SEC jurisdiction.
3. Payment Stablecoins: Governed by a combination of the Federal Reserve and state regulators.

By creating these legal buckets, the bill aims to eliminate the gray areas that have led to years of litigation between the SEC and major exchanges.

Expanded Investor Protections and Antifraud Measures

A major addition to the 309-page text is the strengthening of investor-protection language. The draft explicitly grants the SEC enhanced authority to pursue insider trading and antifraud cases involving specific crypto offerings. This move is seen as a compromise to win over skeptical lawmakers who argue that the crypto market remains a "Wild West" for retail investors.

The Stablecoin Yield Crackdown: No More "Bank-Style" Interest

One of the most contentious sections of the bill focuses on stablecoins. The draft aims to prevent crypto platforms from operating like unregulated banks. Under the new rules:

• Passive Yield Prohibited: Platforms are barred from offering "bank-style" interest just for holding payment stablecoins (like USDC or USDT) in an account.
• Activity-Based Rewards Allowed: The bill leaves the door open for rewards tied to staking, liquidity provision, governance, or loyalty programs.

This distinction ensures that while simple "interest-bearing" accounts are restricted to licensed banks, the functional utility of DeFi and blockchain ecosystems remains intact.

Refined Focus on Tokenization and the "Build Now" Surprise

The section regarding tokenization has been narrowed. While earlier versions used broad "real-world assets" (RWA) terminology, the current draft focuses more precisely on tokenized securities. This adjustment provides clearer pathways for traditional financial institutions to bring equities and bonds on-chain.

In a move clearly designed to garner broader political support, the draft now incorporates the "Build Now Act." This housing-related legislation has no direct connection to cryptocurrency but is a strategic "rider" intended to attract votes from senators focused on urban development and affordable housing.

What’s Next for the Clarity Act?

The Senate Banking Committee is expected to move toward a formal markup session soon. For the latest updates on how these regulations might affect specific assets, you can monitor the $Bitcoin price and other major tokens on our live tickers.

The United Arab Emirates has officially authorized residents to pay government fees using cryptocurrency. This development comes through a strategic partnership between the Dubai Department of Finance (DOF) and Crypto.com, following the exchange's successful acquisition of a Stored Value Facilities (SVF) license from the Central Bank of the UAE.

Crypto for Public Services: How It Works

The new integration allows Dubai residents to settle various government-related charges—ranging from utility bills to permit fees—directly using their digital assets. While users pay in cryptocurrency, the backend system ensures that all settlements are received by the government in UAE Dirhams (AED) or Central Bank-approved, dirham-backed stablecoins.

"This initiative supports the Dubai Cashless Strategy, which aims to reach 90% cashless transactions across the public and private sectors by 2026." — Dubai Department of Finance Statement

Regulatory Framework and Access

To access this service, residents must be onboarded through the VARA-licensed (Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority) platform of Crypto.com. The SVF license issued to Foris DAX Middle East FZE (Crypto.com's local entity) is a critical component, as it bridges the gap between virtual asset wallets and traditional financial settlements under the Central Bank's framework.

Key Technical Details:

• Settlement Currency: UAE Dirham (AED).
• Approved Assets: Large-cap cryptocurrencies and approved dirham-backed stablecoins.
• Compliance: Users must undergo full KYC on the Crypto.com platform.
• Infrastructure: Integration with the Dubai Department of Finance's existing payment gateways.

What’s Next: Emirates Airline and Beyond

The scope of crypto payments in the UAE is expected to expand rapidly. Sources indicate that once further approvals from the Central Bank of the UAE are secured, the payment model could be integrated into Emirates Airline and Dubai Duty Free. This would effectively allow travelers to fund their journeys and retail purchases using their crypto portfolios.

This move reinforces Dubai's position as a premier global hub for the digital economy, providing a seamless bridge between the Bitcoin ecosystem and daily administrative life.

OMR Festival 2026: AI Takes Center Stage in Hamburg

The OMR Festival keeps getting bigger. This year's edition wrapped up on May 6 in Hamburg, drawing more than 70,000 visitors to the festival grounds, with roughly 85,000 people making their way to Hamburg in total as part of the broader event. Over 1,000 exhibitors and partners and more than 800 speakers took part, spanning tech, politics, marketing, finance, and culture.

What made 2026 stand out? More than 20% of attendees came from outside the DACH region — the most international crowd in the festival's 15-year history. The vibe on the floor matched the numbers: packed halls, live music, brand activations from the likes of Porsche, Google, Meta, and Amazon, and conversations that felt genuinely urgent.

AI Isn't the Future Anymore — It's Now

If there was one theme that ran through every stage, every panel, and every side conversation, it was AI. But not in the breathless, hype-cycle way of years past — where the year before was still an exploratory experiment, 2026 saw AI treated as a strategic necessity.

The most-quoted moment of the festival came from Nick Turley, Head of ChatGPT at OpenAI. He signaled the arrival of agentic AI, describing a shift from reactive to proactive assistants: "In the near future, AI will be our personal assistant that prompts us — not the other way around." He also revealed that Germany is today OpenAI's largest ChatGPT market in Europe and ranks among the top three globally for paying subscribers and weekly active users. For anyone in the crypto and fintech space, where AI-driven trading tools and automation are accelerating fast, this framing of AI as a proactive agent — not a reactive tool — is a signal worth paying attention to.

German Federal Minister for Digital Transformation Dr. Karsten Wildberger put it plainly: "AI is our chance for a comeback in industry." He stressed that building selective partnerships while also developing homegrown models was the only path forward, adding: "Germany has the talent, we have the capabilities. Now it's about scaling Germany."

Data Sovereignty: The Crypto Argument Goes Mainstream

One of the sharpest talks of the two days came from Rolf Schumann, Co-CEO of Schwarz Digits, who made a case that will resonate with anyone in the Web3 space. "In China, data belongs to the state. In America, data belongs to companies. In Europe, data still belongs to us." His core argument: AI models are essentially a delivery mechanism — what really matters is who controls the data they're trained on. "Data is the new code," he said. The parallel to blockchain's foundational premise around data ownership isn't subtle.

Meredith Whittaker, President of the Signal Foundation, added a cautionary note, warning about the risks of AI agents and careless handling of personal data, noting that people are increasingly anxious about the collateral damage of AI systems that are helpful on one hand and deeply problematic on the other.

Politics Gets Digital

Finance Minister and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil used the OMR stage for some of the bluntest political statements of the festival. He declared that Europe needed to assert itself and stop letting its future be decided in Washington, Beijing, or Moscow — and specifically said he had no interest in the future of artificial intelligence being shaped by the likes of Peter Thiel and Elon Musk. On a more constructive note, he pledged to strengthen financing for scale-ups, acknowledging that Germany has a real gap in the growth-phase funding of startups. For fintech founders, that's worth watching.

Beyond the Panels

The festival was also a full-on cultural event — brand experiences from major players, rooftop dinners, creator breakfasts, and music across both evenings turned all of Hamburg into a festival footprint. Tom Brady and Heidi Klum brought the celebrity firepower, with Brady speaking openly about performance pressure, leadership, and how sport has become a global entertainment product — and Wladimir Klitschko reminding the crowd not to forget Ukraine amidst the party atmosphere.

What's Next: OMR27 Goes Three Days

OMR Festival 2027 is already confirmed and will expand to three days for the first time — running May 3–5, 2027 in Hamburg. Pre-sale tickets are available now at early-bird pricing.

Overall, OMR 2026 was a clear signal: the conversations that matter in tech, finance, and digital business are no longer happening in isolation. AI, sovereignty, data, and regulation are converging — and Hamburg, for two days in May, was where Europe's digital industry chose to hash it all out.

After weeks of outsized gains driven by the expansion of decentralized AI agents and Model Context Protocols (MCP), the market has entered a sharp correction phase. While major assets like $Bitcoin have shown resilience near the $80,000 mark, smaller, high-beta projects are experiencing double-digit drawdowns.

Analysis of the Top 3 Worst Performers

Based on current market data, the following three assets have faced the most significant selling pressure over the last week.

1. SKYAI (SKYAI): The -23.46% Correction

$SKYAI currently holds the title for the worst weekly performance. After hitting an all-time high of approximately $0.85 on May 6, the price plummeted to the $0.46 range.

• The Reason: This is a textbook "sell the news" event following its recent listing on major exchanges like Bitget. Additionally, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) reached an extreme overbought level of 85, signaling a technical exhaustion.
• Current Outlook: The token is currently testing psychological support at $0.45. A failure to hold this level could see a further slide toward the $0.35 liquidity zone.

2. Pi (PI): -2.37% Weekly Decline

While the loss is modest compared to the lead loser, $Pi has struggled to maintain its momentum above the $0.19 resistance zone.

• The Reason: The decline is largely attributed to a lack of concrete updates regarding the Open Mainnet transition. Speculative fatigue is setting in as the community awaits version 26 of the ecosystem upgrades.
• Technical Status: PI is currently hovering around $0.17, consolidating within a tight range. Traders are watching for a breakout above the 50-day EMA to confirm a reversal.

3. Sky (SKY): -2.36% Weekly Decline

The governance token for the rebranded MakerDAO ecosystem, $Sky, mirrors the slight bearish bias of the broader altcoin market.

• The Reason: Unlike the AI-driven volatility of its namesake (SKYAI), this asset's decline is linked to a decrease in USDS stablecoin minting activity over the past week.
• Market Context: At a price of $0.078, the token remains a core DeFi play, though it currently lacks the short-term catalysts needed to overcome the $0.085 resistance level.

Technical Factors: RSI Overextension and Whale Movements

The common thread among this week's losers—particularly the AI-themed tokens—is the extreme concentration of supply. Data from Etherscan and BNB Chain trackers suggest that a small number of "whale" wallets initiated the sell-off in SKYAI.

When an asset gains over 1,116% in a few months, liquidity becomes thin at the top. Even moderate sell orders can cause a "slippage" effect, driving the price down rapidly and triggering automated stop-loss orders from retail traders.

Both companies declared SPV-based share schemes invalid this week—and Anthropic named names, including Forge Global.

DTCC teams with Chainlink to enable round-the-clock collateral movement—a shift that could reshape post-trade finance.

The family of a deceased 19-year-old college student alleges ChatGPT encouraged dangerous drug use and contributed to his fatal overdose.

Software firm Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) and its co-founder Michael Saylor have become synonymous with Bitcoin. Here’s what you need to know.

The collaboration between Kraken and Franklin Templeton signals traditional finance's deepening embrace of crypto infrastructure.

MARA Holdings has executed a substantial strategic shift, offloading 3,386 BTC in Q1 2026 to capitalize on the surging demand for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure.

The CLARITY Act could become Bitcoin's biggest U.S. regulatory breakthrough yet, with Michael Saylor pointing to a hidden shift toward regulated digital capital markets.

Solana ETFs are rebounding as they begin to see renewed interests from institutional investors which has boosted their recent daily performances.

A trader who correctly called XRP's 700% rally now says the era of easy gains is over, warning that the "crime cycle" behind the explosive move has already fully played out.

New built-ins now live for Cardano Plutus development testing.

TLDR

• DTCC integrated Chainlink infrastructure into its blockchain-based collateral management platform to support real-time operations.
• The Collateral AppChain operates on a Besu-based blockchain and enables 24/7 collateral movement.
• Chainlink provides pricing data, valuation inputs, and orchestration services for margining and settlement.
• DTCC aims to reduce delays and fragmentation in traditional collateral systems across global markets.
• The integration builds on the 2024 Smart NAV pilot involving JPMorgan, Franklin Templeton, and BNY.
• More than 50 firms joined DTCC’s tokenization working group with production trades planned for July.

The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation has integrated Chainlink infrastructure into its blockchain-based collateral platform. The move extends prior collaboration into core collateral management functions across global markets. The system will support pricing, valuation, margining, collateral optimization, and settlement on a 24/7 basis.

DTCC Advances Tokenized Collateral Infrastructure

DTCC confirmed that its Collateral AppChain will operate on a Besu-based blockchain network. The platform will use tokenization to represent assets and enable continuous collateral management. It will also automate workflows through smart contracts and support near real-time collateral movement.

The firm said the system targets delays and fragmentation across current collateral processes. Assets often remain siloed across institutions and time zones under existing models. DTCC aims to enable faster collateral transfers across traditional financial markets and blockchain networks.

Nadine Chakar, managing director and global head of digital assets, outlined the objective. She said, “By leveraging tokenization and distributed ledger technology to modernize collateral mobility, our goal is to enable 24/7, near real-time collateral management across global markets and blockchains.” She confirmed that the company will modernize collateral operations through distributed ledger technology.

DTCC launched the tokenized collateral platform last year as part of its digital asset strategy. The company positioned collateral mobility as a core institutional blockchain use case. It built the AppChain structure to host tokenized assets within a controlled network.

Chainlink Provides Data and Orchestration Layer

Chainlink will supply the data and orchestration framework for the collateral system. The infrastructure will connect asset prices, valuations, and settlement instructions to the blockchain. It will also support eligibility checks and margin calculations in real time.

Chainlink operates as a decentralized oracle network that delivers external data to blockchains. Blockchains cannot access outside information without such services. The network feeds price data, APIs, and other inputs into smart contracts.

The integration builds on the Smart NAV pilot completed in 2024. DTCC and Chainlink tested bringing mutual fund net asset value data onto blockchains. JPMorgan, Franklin Templeton, and BNY joined the pilot to explore fund tokenization across multiple chains.

DTCC has also expanded tokenization beyond collateral services. The company said over 50 firms joined a working group for The Depository Trust Company’s tokenization service. It plans limited production trades in July and a broader launch in October.

DTCC subsidiaries processed $4.7 quadrillion in securities transactions in 2025. Its depository subsidiary provided custody and asset servicing for securities issues valued at $114 trillion. The firm continues to develop blockchain infrastructure within its existing market operations framework.

The post DTCC Expands Collateral Platform With Chainlink appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Highlights

• BKKT shares decline following first-quarter deficit and 77% contraction in cryptocurrency revenue
• Stock retreats to $9.00 as Bakkt discloses weakened Q1 trading performance
• Company transitions strategic focus toward stablecoin payment infrastructure following revenue collapse
• First-quarter deficit reaches $11.7M amid substantial drop in digital asset trading activity
• BKKT experiences downward momentum as management unveils stablecoin expansion strategy

Shares of Bakkt (BKKT) retreated to $9.00 on Tuesday following the disclosure of a first-quarter deficit and diminished cryptocurrency-related revenues. The downturn intensified existing pressure on the equity after recent financial results revealed a significant contraction in trading volumes. Management simultaneously announced a strategic reorientation toward stablecoin payment systems and artificial intelligence-powered financial technology platforms.

BKKT Experiences Decline Following Financial Disclosure

BKKT changed hands at $9.00, registering a 9.27% intraday decline as market participants responded to the earnings announcement. Technical charts for the trading session displayed sustained weakness throughout the day. The pullback followed a modest gain during the previous session.

Bakkt Holdings, Inc., BKKT

The equity had concluded Monday’s session with a 0.71% advance at $9.92 prior to the quarterly results influencing Tuesday’s market activity. Pre-market trading witnessed selling activity as investors digested the financial shortfall. Subsequently, the earnings announcement amplified near-term downward momentum for BKKT shares.

The organization concluded the three-month period with $82.6 million in combined cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash positions. Management emphasized the absence of long-term debt obligations. Furthermore, the firm successfully raised $69.6 million through equity capital offerings during the reporting period.

First Quarter Results Reveal Deficit Amid Cryptocurrency Revenue Contraction

Bakkt disclosed a net loss attributable to shareholders of $11.7 million for the three-month period concluding March 31, 2026. This contrasted sharply with net income of $7.7 million recorded during the comparable prior-year period. The deficit translated to 41 cents per share on both basic and diluted calculations.

Aggregate revenue contracted to $243.6 million from $1.07 billion in the year-earlier quarter. The 77.1% decrease primarily stemmed from reduced cryptocurrency trading activity throughout the period. Nevertheless, cryptocurrency-related costs and brokerage expenses absorbed nearly all reported revenues.

These operational costs reached $242 million for the quarter, down from $1.06 billion in the previous year. When excluding these variable expenses, operating costs remained relatively consistent at $18.5 million. Accordingly, management maintained control over fixed operational expenditures despite the revenue contraction.

Strategic Pivot Toward Stablecoin Infrastructure and Artificial Intelligence

Bakkt is executing a strategic transformation centered on stablecoin payment networks, compliant infrastructure frameworks, and agentic artificial intelligence capabilities. The organization finalized its acquisition of Distributed Technologies Research on April 30. The equity-based transaction incorporated an AI-native payment processing engine alongside stablecoin regulatory compliance technologies.

This acquisition broadened Bakkt’s technological capabilities for international settlement operations and regulated digital payment services. The company emphasized its portfolio of U.S. money transmitter licenses and New York BitLicense authorization. These regulatory credentials underpin the strategy to address institutional payment markets and stablecoin ecosystems.

Management also executed a memorandum of understanding with Zoth, a stablecoin infrastructure provider specializing in developing payment channels. The collaboration focuses on South Asian, Middle Eastern, and Sub-Saharan African markets. Zoth projects approximately $1 billion in annualized transaction volume through this strategic alliance.

Company Pursues Alternative Growth Channels Following Trading Contraction

Bakkt’s most recent quarterly performance underscores ongoing challenges within its traditional cryptocurrency brokerage operations. Diminished trading volumes compressed revenue generation, while acquisition-related expenditures created additional financial headwinds. Management nevertheless characterized the quarter as initiating a transformative growth trajectory.

The organization has restructured its operational framework around Bakkt Markets, Bakkt Agent, and Bakkt Global divisions. These business units concentrate on trading infrastructure, AI-facilitated payment solutions, and international market development. Consequently, management seeks to construct a comprehensive financial technology ecosystem extending beyond traditional crypto brokerage services.

The first-quarter financial disclosure conveyed dual implications for market participants. Near-term headwinds persist from weakened cryptocurrency trading revenues. Conversely, the strategic transition toward stablecoin infrastructure and AI-powered payments now represents the defining narrative for BKKT stock’s future trajectory.

The post Bakkt (BKKT) Stock Tumbles Following Q1 Earnings Miss and Massive Revenue Shortfall appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Takeaways

• Ethereum Foundation introduces ERC-7730 standard for transparent wallet transaction approvals
• New protocol addresses dangerous blind signing practices that enable crypto theft
• Clear Signing registry provides human-readable transaction information to wallet users
• Initiative responds to major security breaches involving unclear transaction approvals
• ERC-7730 establishes unified framework for secure transaction confirmation processes

The Ethereum Foundation has unveiled ERC-7730, an innovative open standard designed to eliminate blind signing vulnerabilities in cryptocurrency transactions. This initiative, supported by the Foundation’s Trillion Dollar Security Initiative, directly addresses security weaknesses that have enabled significant crypto theft incidents, including the devastating Bybit breach.

Understanding the ERC-7730 Clear Transaction Framework

The ERC-7730 protocol addresses a critical vulnerability in how cryptocurrency wallets handle transaction approvals. Currently, countless users authorize transactions without comprehending the underlying actions they’re confirming. This confusion creates opportunities for malicious actors to exploit unclear approval processes and drain user funds.

ERC-7730 establishes a standardized framework for presenting transaction information in plain language. Rather than displaying cryptic technical code, wallets can now show understandable descriptions of each transaction’s purpose and consequences. This transparency enables users to make informed decisions before permanently committing transactions to the blockchain.

The protocol integrates seamlessly with existing Ethereum infrastructure without demanding extensive smart contract modifications. It leverages off-chain descriptors that translate complex transaction data into structured, accessible language. Furthermore, compatible wallets can automatically retrieve and display these descriptions during the confirmation process.

According to the Ethereum Foundation, Clear Signing technology simplifies transaction verification significantly. The initiative embraces the “What You See Is What You Sign” philosophy, ensuring visual representations match actual transaction outcomes. Meanwhile, individual wallets maintain autonomy in selecting which descriptor sources they consider trustworthy.

Clear Signing Registry Receives Foundation Support

The Ethereum Foundation has committed resources to maintain the Clear Signing registry as part of its comprehensive security program. This registry enables developers to submit contract descriptors for community evaluation and widespread distribution. ERC-7730 serves as the standardized format governing all submitted documentation.

Qualified security professionals can examine and validate descriptor precision independently. Subsequently, wallet providers determine which validations and information sources align with their security standards. This decentralized approach maintains openness while minimizing risks of fraudulent or deceptive transaction messaging.

The registry accelerates Clear Signing implementation across the Ethereum ecosystem. Because descriptors operate independently from smart contracts, legacy applications can incorporate readable transaction prompts without code changes. Wallet developers can enhance user protection immediately without dependencies on protocol upgrades.

Ledger originally conceptualized ERC-7730 and developed initial implementation tools for the standard. Additional ecosystem participants contributed through research, security audits, software libraries, and coordination efforts. Notable contributors include Sourcify, Cyfrin, Zama, WalletConnect, Fireblocks, Trezor, MetaMask, and Argot.

Major Security Breaches Highlight Urgent Need for Reform

Blind signing vulnerabilities gained widespread attention following numerous high-profile cryptocurrency thefts. Many successful attacks exploited situations where victims approved transactions without adequate understanding. The Bybit incident dramatically illustrated how compromised transaction approval processes can result in catastrophic financial losses.

The Lazarus Group allegedly exploited blind signing weaknesses to steal approximately $1.4 billion from Bybit exchange. This unprecedented breach intensified demands for enhanced wallet security measures and transparent signing procedures. Consequently, Ethereum’s ERC-7730 initiative emerges amid broader industry efforts to strengthen security protocols.

The Ethereum Foundation has significantly expanded its security infrastructure in recent periods. It established the Trillion Dollar Security Initiative to prepare Ethereum for mass adoption at institutional scale. Additionally, the Foundation has introduced audit funding programs and sponsored research into advanced long-term security solutions.

ERC-7730 now provides wallet developers, application builders, and security auditors with a unified approach. Developers can articulate transaction functionality clearly, while independent experts can authenticate those descriptions. As implementation expands, Ethereum seeks to systematically eliminate blind signing vulnerabilities throughout its entire ecosystem.

The post Ethereum Introduces ERC-7730 Standard to Combat Blind Signing Threats appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

• Arthur Hayes said the crypto bull market has resumed and he expects higher prices ahead.
• He predicted that Bitcoin will surge past $90,000 and retake its $126,000 record.
• Bitcoin briefly traded above $82,000 before settling near $80,600 this week.
• Hayes explained that forced buying by call option writers could accelerate gains above $90,000.
• He linked his outlook to credit expansion tied to artificial intelligence investment.

Arthur Hayes said the crypto bull market has resumed, and he has already positioned for further gains. He stated that Bitcoin price will surge past $90,000 and eventually reclaim $126,000. He shared these views in a recent Substack essay while outlining macro drivers and fund holdings.

Bitcoin Price Targets and Market Triggers

Hayes wrote that Bitcoin found a floor at $60,000 earlier this year and has regained upward momentum. He added that reclaiming the October 2025 high of $126,000 is a “foregone conclusion.” He expects the move to accelerate once the Bitcoin price clears $90,000.

He explained that call option writers would need to buy Bitcoin above $90,000 to hedge exposure. He said this forced buying would drive a sharp upward move. Bitcoin briefly traded above $82,000 on Tuesday and later changed hands near $80,600, marking a potential 55% climb to $126,000.

Hayes linked his outlook to two macro forces that he believes will fuel liquidity. He said large software firms can no longer fund artificial intelligence expansion through cash flow alone. He argued that banks and central banks must expand credit to sustain that buildout.

He pointed to the Federal Reserve and the People’s Bank of China easing financial conditions. He said Chinese banks have redirected capital from real estate toward technology projects. He described the combined effect of war spending and technology investment as “higher for longer” inflation.

Altcoin Holdings and Policy Risks

Hayes disclosed that his fund, Maelstrom, holds large positions in Hyperliquid’s HYPE token and Zcash’s ZEC. He also identified NEAR as the next target for allocation. He said he will detail the NEAR thesis in a follow-up essay.

He stated that NEAR combines a privacy narrative with an intent-based architecture that can produce positive cash flow. He wrote, “This will flip the script on the disastrous price performance of the token.” He presented the allocation as part of the current bull phase.

Hayes also outlined events that could halt the rally. He warned that a large artificial intelligence IPO or merger could overwhelm market demand. He said such a deal in the United States or China could disrupt speculative momentum.

He added that U.S. politics could shift credit conditions later in the cycle. He said a Democratic challenger in the 2028 presidential race might campaign on limiting artificial intelligence expansion. He argued that such a platform could prompt lenders to reassess credit flows to the sector.

He described the November 2026 mid-term elections as a possible “slight speed bump.” However, he maintained that the current environment favors risk assets. He concluded, “It’s a bull market; close your eyes and press the button,” while stating that the time to sell has not arrived.

The post Arthur Hayes Says Bitcoin Price to Surge Past $90,000 Soon appeared first on Blockonomi.

The cage’s echo seems distant, yet surprisingly strong in Myanmar. Young athletes’ perceptions of risk and discipline are changing dramatically due to fights shown nightly. UFC interest was once fragmented and unstructured, but it has grown into ambitious goals. Gyms are filled with more athletes than ever before, their conversation is much sharper, and their ambitions have increased exponentially. Stay here because this trend will be stronger tomorrow.

How Global Exposure Reshapes Local Mindsets

When access becomes part of daily life instead of something rare, everything shifts. Fighters in Myanmar no longer train blindly or rely on guesswork. They watch real bouts, study pacing, and learn when to wait rather than rush. Many follow fights through the Melbet download, where sports betting adds another layer of attention to every detail. Seeing elite athletes handle pressure builds a quiet understanding of timing and control. As fighters return home, that knowledge spreads, and local gyms start training with a more professional approach.

As coaches shift from simply developing conditioning for their fighters to smart, structured training cycles, the fighter learns when to conserve energy and when to push explosively. Thus, the development of the fighter becomes complete and competitive rather than merely physically tough. The effects of global exposure at the local level are subtle yet consistent. Therefore, the bar continues to rise.

What UFC Brings to Myanmar’s MMA Scene

The impact is not abstract; it shows up in daily routines and long-term goals. Fighters copy habits, gyms adopt systems, and fans demand better performances. The changes come in layers, each one reinforcing the next:

• Training structure becomes more technical, focusing on transitions between striking and grappling.
• Fighters develop stronger fight IQ through studying real match scenarios.
• Local events gain more attention as audiences better understand the sport.
• Young athletes see a clear path instead of a vague dream.

These shifts don’t happen overnight, but they accumulate fast. The more exposure grows, the harder it becomes to ignore progress.

Where the Growth Leads Next

Momentum alone doesn’t guarantee success, but it opens doors that once stayed closed. Fans follow fights through Melbet MM, where sports betting keeps attention locked on every detail of a matchup. Betting sharpens focus, as people study fighters, form, and strategy before making decisions. Myanmar’s MMA scene now stands at a point where direction matters more than speed.

The Evolution of Local Fighters

Fighters today look different from those five years ago. They move with more purpose, combining techniques rather than relying on a single strength. Training camps emphasize recovery, strategy, and adaptability, not just endurance. That approach creates athletes who can adjust mid-fight rather than collapse under pressure.

The mental side becomes just as important as physical preparation. Fighters learn to read opponents, control pace, and avoid unnecessary risks. This shift builds consistency, which is often the difference between potential and results.

The Role of Gyms and Coaching Systems

Gyms are no longer just spaces to train. They become centers of learning. Coaches introduce structured programs that blend striking drills with grappling transitions. Fighters cycle through focused sessions instead of repeating the same routines.

This environment pushes everyone forward at once. Beginners improve faster, while experienced fighters refine their weaknesses. The gap between amateur and professional levels begins to shrink, making competition more meaningful.

The Expanding Audience and Cultural Shift

Interest in MMA is growing and evolving far beyond the confines of the gym and its fighters. Fans are watching the fights, analyzing opponents’ strategies, and developing their own fight style and technique preferences. This engagement creates a self-fulfilling prophecy: interest breeds better local MMA events. Local organizers improve production, matchmaking, and promotion to grow their audience.

This cultural change will provide long-term sustainable growth to the MMA community. As fans become emotionally invested in the sport, the sport will transition from an alternative culture to mainstream culture. Instead of something you find on your weekends, it will be a topic of daily discussion.

The Direction Feels Clear

Myanmar’s MMA has moved out of the isolation of fighting globally. MMA fighters are training smarter than ever before, fans are watching with greater intensity than ever before, and the overall expectation level continues to grow. The pressure creating this shift isn’t going away, it continues to build momentum. What was once curiosity is now turning into passion, and that makes all the difference.

The post How the UFC Influences the Growth of MMA in Myanmar appeared first on Blockonomi.

Roaring Kitty’s deleted post on X triggered a crash in the meme coin RKC, wiping out 90% of its value within hours.

Traders who bought into the hype lost hundreds of thousands of dollars, while the coin’s developer reportedly cashed out over $600,000 before it collapsed.

RKC Dev Profited Over $600K from Token

Keith Gill’s verified X account, popularly known by his 1.6 million followers as Roaring Kitty, ended a 16-month silence on May 11 with a post that sent traders into a frenzy. At around 21:13 GMT, the account shared a Solana Pump.fun contract address for a newly launched meme coin called Red Kitten Crew (RKC), alongside a short cartoon clip.

Minutes later, the account shared a second post featuring an image captioned “red bandit crew 4 life,” which was later deleted. The sudden activity started a rush of speculative trading that briefly sent RKC soaring before the deletions triggered panic selling, causing the token to crash 90% and wiping millions from its market cap.

Blockchain analytics firm Lookonchain later reported that the meme coin’s developer had already cashed out 6,260 SOL, worth around $611,000, before the posts were removed. According to them, the individual used 20 SOL worth roughly $1,950 across 10 wallets to acquire 395.18 million RKC tokens, representing 39.52% of the total supply, before selling the entire stash for $495,000.

Lookonchain also revealed that the developer earned an additional 1,209 SOL, worth approximately $118,000, through creator fees.

Roaring Kitty Meme Coin Posts Cause Hack Speculation

On-chain analysts are saying that the incident followed a pattern they’ve seen many times in crypto, where influencers create hype, developers cash out, and retail traders are left with losses. Others also questioned the authenticity of the posts, noting Keith Gill has built his online presence around GameStop commentary and has never publicly promoted meme coins before, leading to speculation that the account may have been hacked.

There’s been a trend of high-profile X accounts being compromised to promote meme coins, with similar breaches in the past targeting major public figures and companies such as Michael Saylor and Kylian Mbappé. The former’s account was used to push a fake Bitcoin giveaway, while the latter’s promoted a Solana meme coin scam, with both incidents resulting in a spike in trading volumes before a collapse.

At the same time, Pump.fun has also been involved in controversy, with researchers claiming that a large percentage of tokens launched on the platform display characteristics commonly associated with scams or wash trading. The Solana-based meme coin maker has also been targeted by two class-action lawsuits in the past, with both accusing it of violating U.S. securities laws by facilitating the launch of unregistered tokens and allegedly collecting up to $500 million in related fees.

The post Roaring Kitty’s Deleted X Post Triggers 90% Crash in RKC Meme Coin appeared first on CryptoPotato.

Over the past week, Cardano’s ADA has surged 6%, making it one of the best-performing top-15 cryptocurrencies.

Numerous analysts have recently spotted that the asset has been following a similar pattern witnessed during previous bull cycles, suggesting this could be just the beginning of a major rally.

‘Printing by the Plan’

Earlier this month, ADA came close to reclaiming the $0.30 mark, reaching its highest level since mid-March. It currently trades around $0.27, while its market capitalization remains above $10 billion.

The asset is often among the most talked-about cryptocurrencies and becomes the subject of price predictions. One popular analyst who recently touched upon the matter is JAVON MARKS. The X user claimed that ADA continues to maintain a similar structure to that observed in 2021 and shows “signs of strength.”  They set a target of $2.91, meaning that the price could be gearing up for a whopping 10x pump.

Prior to that, Sssebi opined that ADA had been consolidating over the past few months, as it did towards the end of 2024, which was later followed by a price increase above $1.30. That said, the analyst believes a surge above $1 is still in play this year.

For their part, Vuori Trading argued that ADA is still “printing by the plan” and sits in a “strong buy level.” The analyst envisioned a staggering jump to as high as $14, occurring sometime between Q3 2027 and Q1 2028.

Ali Martinez has also given his two cents lately. He emphasized the importance of the $0.25 support zone, noting that it has repeatedly acted as a major inflection point for the token.

For instance, in January 2023, ADA bounced off $0.25, resulting in an 88.27% jump over the following weeks. In September that year, this level again served as firm support, sparking a 243% surge.

More Bullish Signals

ADA’s Relative Strength Index (RSI) also supports the bullish case for further price increases. The ratio of the technical analysis tool has plunged to 22, indicating the asset has entered oversold territory and could be gearing up for a move north.

The RSI measures the speed and magnitude of recent price changes and provides traders with vital information about potential price reversal points. It runs from 0 to 100, and conversely, anything above 70 is interpreted as a warning for an impending pullback.

The post Top Cardano (ADA) Price Predictions as of Late: 10x Explosion on the Way? appeared first on CryptoPotato.

Bitcoin (BTC) could move above $90,000 and revisit its all-time high of around $126,000, BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes said.

He says the aggressive spending by governments and banks to fund AI infrastructure, as well as military spending and energy security projects, has helped fuel the crypto bull market.

Hayes Ties Bitcoin Outlook to AI Spending and Wartime Liquidity

The core of Hayes’s argument is that the Chinese and American governments have handed themselves political cover to print money aggressively and that this flood of liquidity will lift Bitcoin more than almost any other asset.

The first driver is the AI arms race, with the former BitMEX CEO saying that both Trump and Xi view machine intelligence as a matter of national survival, not just commercial opportunity.

“The presidents of America and China both believe that AI and tech supremacy are integral to the survival of their fiefdoms,” he stated, adding that the tech industry in each country has been “more than happy to sell them a horror story of what happens to the glorious nation should the other side gain supremacy over machine intelligence.”

That framing, according to Hayes, makes any central bank pushback on inflationary lending politically impossible, meaning both dollars and yuan will flow into AI regardless of what it does to consumer prices.

The second driver is the US attack on Iran, with the crypto investor claiming that the date it started, February 28, is the moment the current bull market began in earnest.

He argued that the conflict has exposed something the rest of the world can no longer ignore: that the US will start wars affecting global commodity flows without consulting the countries most harmed by the disruption.

The consequence, in his opinion, is that sovereign nations will stop recycling surpluses into US Treasuries and S&P 500 ETFs and instead spend that capital on pipelines, defense, and commodity stockpiles.

That will in turn create a structural problem for US markets, which Hayes believes the Fed and Treasury will patch with looser financial conditions, including expanded dollar swap lines and relaxed banking regulations.

Each of these tools will expand the supply of dollars, and more dollars in Hayes’s framework means higher BTC prices.

Where Bitcoin Stands

According to Hayes, Bitcoin’s recovery to its all-time high is a matter of when, not if.

“Retaking the $126,000 is a foregone conclusion,” he wrote.

He believes the surge will get even faster once BTC passes the $90,000 mark because he thinks many covered call sellers will be forced to buy back their positions as the price pushes through their strike levels, creating a self-reinforcing squeeze.

As of this writing, the OG crypto is trading under $81,000, up nearly 13% in the last month but still about 36% below that ATH.

Still, investment flows have shown that there is improving sentiment around Bitcoin. According to CoinShares, digital asset investment products recorded $857.9 million in inflows last week, the sixth consecutive week of positive flows, with BTC alone pulling in $706 million, to bring its year-to-date inflow total to $4.9 billion.

The post Arthur Hayes Predicts AI Race Will Push Bitcoin Back to $126K appeared first on CryptoPotato.

The second-largest cryptocurrency, which experienced a significant revival in mid-April and at the start of May, has been on a decline over the past week, and some analysts now believe it may plunge further in the near future.

Others remain cautious, arguing that traders should avoid jumping into ETH until it breaks convincingly out of its recent range.

Tread Carefully

As of press time, the asset is trading at around $2,280 (according to CoinGecko), representing a 4% decrease over the past 7 days. The renowned analyst Ali Martinez believes anything between $2,200 and $2,400 falls within a “no-trade zone,” arguing that only a sustained close outside this area will define “the next major move.”

X users Ted and CRYPTOWZARD also issued warning predictions. The former claimed that spot demand is weak and expects ETH to continue to underperform if it stays below $2,400.

CRYPTOWZRD forecasted that moving above the $2.4K resistance might trigger the next upside move, while trading below could lead to more “random movement.”

Certain factors reinforce the bearish scenario. The amount of ETH stored on centralized exchanges has been rising since May 5, recently surging to nearly 15 million coins. This displays that some investors have abandoned self-custody methods and flocked towards centralized platforms, which in turn increases immediate selling pressure.

Moreover, big investors have been reducing their exposure to the asset lately. Last week, Martinez revealed that whales (who owned almost 16 million ETH by October 2026) now hold less than 13 million units. Such a sell-off shows reduced confidence from these market participants, and their actions could trigger panic across the community, potentially prompting smaller players to cash out as well.

The Bullish Signs

Contrary to the pessimistic predictions and elements mentioned above, there are some developments suggesting a notable price resurgence could be on the way.

Earlier this month, Ali Martinez spotted a so-called golden cross on the asset’s chart, a pattern that appeared in the final days of April. The setup is widely viewed as bullish, occurring when the 50-day moving average crosses above the 200-day moving average. Back then, the analyst thought this could pave the way for a rally toward $2,680.

Meanwhile, Tom Lee’s Bitmine Immersion Technologies continues to increase its exposure to the cryptocurrency and now holds 5.21 million ETH. The stash represents roughly 4.3% of the asset’s circulating supply, while its USD equivalent is almost $12 billion.

The post Ethereum (ETH) Sits in a ‘No-Trade Zone:’ Here’s What Will Define the Next Major Move appeared first on CryptoPotato.

In a crypto landscape that’s getting increasingly split between centralized exchanges and decentralized (DeFi) protocols, Figure Markets emerges as a hybrid solution designed to bridge both worlds.

The platform is launched as part of the broader Figure Technology Solutions, Inc. (“Figure”) ecosystem and is aimed at combining elements of traditional finance (TradFi) with decentralized finance. The goal is to provide users with a single interface to trade, earn, and borrow, while at the same time maintaining control over their assets.

At its core, Figure Markets is a self-custody digital asset platform that’s designed to enable users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies, access lending products, and generate yield from both real-world assets (RWAs) and from crypto. Unlike many of the mainstream exchanges, however,  it places the emphasis on user ownership through advanced wallet technology, ensuring that funds remain under the complete control of the user rather than being held by the platform.

What makes it stand out is its ambition to go beyond typical crypto exchange functionality. It integrates a myriad of real-world finance products, including home equity-backed lending, directly into a blockchain-based environment. This creates opportunities for users to earn yield that’s derived from traditional assets rather than purely speculative crypto-oriented mechanisms.

From a user perspective, Figure Markets presents itself as an “all-in-one” financial app, where trading, borrowing, and earning coexist within a unified ecosystem. This approach is designed to appeal to a broader audience – from users who seek self-custody and yield, to more traditional investors who look for a familiar financial product.

Ultimately, the platform is not trying to compete solely as another crypto exchange. Rather, it is positioning itself as a next-gen capital markets platform.

Company Background and Vision

Figure Markets is part of the broader ecosystem that’s built by Figure Technology Solutions – a NASDAQ-traded fintech firm founded by Mike Cagney, who is also known as the former CEO and co-founder of SoFi.

Figure has predominantly focused on modernizing financial services through blockchain-based technologies. More particularly, by bringing traditional assets like loans on-chain.

The launch of Figure Markets (in 2024) represented a natural extension of the firm’s vision to create a marketplace that allows users to interact with both crypto and real-world financial products in a unified environment.

Central to this particular strategy is the Provenance Blockchain. This is a purpose-built network that’s specifically designed to support asset tokenization and transparent financial operations.

In essence, Figure Markets reflects a broader ambition to rebuild capital markets infrastructure by using blockchain technology while also maintaining regulatory alignment and institutional-grade standards.

Core Features: Overview

Figure  Markets is developed as an all-in-one financial platform, as we mentioned above. It combines multiple services that are generally spread across exchanges, wallets, and various DeFi protocols.

Its core appeal lies in simplifying access to crypto and blockchain-oriented financial products. However, this doesn’t seem to happen at the expense of control or transparency, which enhances its core product offering.

Some of the platform’s key features include:

• Self-custody wallet

Users are able to retain complete control of their assets through self-custody wallets and advanced multi-party computation (MPC) technology, which reduces the reliance on centralized custody, if not eliminating it completely.

• Integrated trading functionality

Figure Markets allows users to buy and sell supported cryptocurrencies within the same application, which eliminates the need for external exchanges. These transactions are executed on a peer to peer basis, through the Figure Markets Exchange module on the Provenance Blockchain.

• Earn products with real yield

Democratized Prime, a decentralized lending marketplace that allows users to access yield opportunities that are backed by real-world assets, not just crypto incentives.

• Crypto-Backed Loans

Crypto-Backed Loans* allows participants to unlock liquidity without having to sell their digital assets and use them as collateral instead to do things including purchase more crypto.

• Real-world asset exposure

What has undoubtedly turned out to be one of the hottest crypto use cases, RWAs allow users to participate in blockchain-based financial products, which are tied to traditional assets such as loans, for example.

• On-chain transparency

Transactions and asset activity are recorded on the Provenance Blockchain. This ensures greater visibility and accountability.

Trading Experience and Supported Assets

Figure Markets offers a rather streamlined trading experience, which is designed to feel familiar to users of centralized exchanges. However, it still operates within its very own self-custody framework.

The platform focuses on simplicity and accessibility. It makes it very easy to buy and sell crypto without requiring the user to navigate complex order books or advanced trading interfaces.

One of its standout aspects is the emphasis on low trading fees. This lowers the barrier to entry for casual users and for long-term investors alike. Instead of catering to high-frequency traders, as many other exchanges do exclusively, Figure Markets leans toward a more intuitive trading flow, which is closer to a fintech application than a professional trading terminal.

That said, its pro trading platform does feel familiar to many of the existing centralized exchanges, making it very easy for users with experience to transition, while also offering a very familiar UI at the same time.

It’s important to note that liquidity is still developing, given how relatively new the platform is, but it definitely benefits from integration within the wider ecosystem of Figure. Over time, this is likely to improve both depth and pricing efficiency.

Overall, the trading experience is best suited for:

• Users who value ease of use over highly advanced tooling
• Investors focused on core crypto assets and self-custody
• Lenders seeking access to yield generated by private credit assets previously reserved for institutions
• Those who already use Figure or Figure Markets for earning or borrowing

Earning and Yield Products

One of the more compelling aspects of Figure Markets is its evident focus on yield generation, particularly through products that are tied to real-world financial activity. This positions the platform very differently from most of the DeFi protocols, where the returns tend to be driven by token inflation, emissions or speculative demand in many of the cases.

At the center of its offering are real-world asset-backed yield opportunities through Democratized Prime, Figure Market’s decentralized lending marketplace. These usually involve pools that are connected to loans originated within the broader Figure ecosystem but recently Democratized Prime has expanded to other credit assets, including auto loans originated by Agora Data. Figure’s tokenized RWAs include home equity lines of credit (HELOCs). In fact, Figure is the number 1 non-bank HELOC lender in the US, having unlocked more than $22 billion in liquidity.

Users can also access yield-bearing digital assets including Figure’s proprietary yield-bearing stablecoin, YLDS, which is issued by the Figure Certificate Company (FCC). YLDS is the first and only yield-bearing stablecoin registered with the SEC, and was the first public security to be to be successfully registered with the SEC. Products like YLDS and Democratized Prime are designed to generate income. They are structured to offer very competitive returns while maintaining relatively conservative risk profiles when compared to volatile crypto staking strategies. YLDS yields SOFR minus 35bps, while yields generated in Democratized Prime are typically in the range of 7-9%.**

To sum it up, some of the key highlights of the earning experience include:

• Attractive target yields
• RWA-backed yields
• Focus on passive income
• Integrated access

That said, these products are not risk-free. The returns will depend on the borrower’s performance, collateral equity, and the broader market conditions.

In essence, Figure Markets’ earning suite is suited for users who seek more predictable and income-oriented strategies.

Borrowing and Lending Services

In addition to trading and earning, Figure Markets also provides a wide range of borrowing and lending services including Crypto Backed Loans* which are originated by Figure Lending LLC (and Figure Markets Credit LLC for New York and international customers). CBLs are designed to unlock liquidity without requiring the user to sell their cryptocurrency. This is a very integral part of its hybrid model, blending traditional finance products with crypto-backed lending.

On the Figure Markets side, users are able to take out loans against their digital assets utilising flex rate variable offerings in Democratized Prime. By using crypto as collateral for a fixed-rate CBL or a flex-rate loan, they maintain market exposure without incurring the consequences of selling their crypto. This is very useful for long-term holders who need access to cash or stablecoins and don’t want to trigger a taxable event or to miss potential upside.

Some of the key features here include:

• Streamlined application process
• Flexible use of funds
• Competitive low rates at 8.91% (9.999% APR) @ 50% LTV2
• Liquidation Protection7

Of course, users need to be well-aware of the liquidation risks that come with highly volatile markets, but Figure Markets does a good job of clarifying this. Users who elect to pay the additional fee for liquidation protection will not be subject to liquidations or margin calls based on price movement during the life of their loan.

Flagship Products

Democratized Prime

This is a decentralized lending marketplace that brings institutional-grade yield opportunities to Figure Markets’ users. It is designed to connect lenders and borrowers directly where users are able to set their preferred interest rates.

Some of its highlights include:

• Yields (7-9%) depending on market conditions**
• Overcollateralized pools giving lenders more security
• Real-world asset backing
• Hourly liquidity

Crypto-Backed Loans*

This product allows users to access liquidity without having to sell their digital assets. This makes it very practical for long-term holders. Instead of cashing out (selling), users pledge their crypto as collateral and receive funds in return.

• Retain your crypto exposure
• Competitive fixed rates
• Fast access to funds

User Interface Experience (UI/UX)

The platform places a strong interface on delivering a clean user experience rather than trader-heavy solutions, but it does contain all the necessary tooling an advanced user would need.

Navigation is straightforward with clearly separated sections for trading, earning, and borrowing. This allows anyone to move between features without any friction. The layout feels closer to a contemporary neobanking app rather than a traditional crypto exchange, which oftentimes makes it particularly appealing to those who prioritize simplicity and easy access.

Onboarding is also quite smooth. Account setup, identity verification, wallet creation – all of it is integrated into a guided flow, which reduces some of the typical bottlenecks and barriers to entry that are associated with self-custody platforms.

The mobile experience is undoubtedly a core focus, with the app serving as the primary interface for many users. Performance is responsive, key actions like buying and selling crypto through the professional interface are also very smooth.

Security, Regulation, and Compliance

It goes without saying that security and regulatory alignment are central to Figure Markets and its value proposition, especially given its goal to bridge crypto with TradFi. Unlike many centralized exchanges, the model here is self-custody, which means that users retain full control of their assets at all times. This is allowed through the use of MPC technology, which distributes private key management across a number of parties to reduce single points of failure.

From a security standpoint, this approach definitely offers a strong middle ground between full-self custody and custodial solutions.

On the regulatory side, Figure Markets stands out because of its connection with Figure Technology Solutions (FTS), which operates within established financial frameworks and considers itself a leader in building compliant blockchain infrastructure.

FTS has been an industry leader when it comes to innovation within regulated ecosystems. Some of these industry firsts included launching the first public security to be fully traded on blockchain rails when it launched YLDS, the SEC’s first and only yield-bearing stablecoin  YLDS. YLDS was followed by launching the first blockchain-native public equity that is fully tradable on blockchain rails when it launched FGRS, FTS’s blockchain-native shareclass. FGRS is issued, held and traded solely on blockchain rails through Figure Onchain Public Equity Network (OPEN). Blockchain-native equities on OPEN settle atomically T+0, compared to traditional tokenised equities, which settle T+1 due to reliance on legacy infrastructure like the Deposit Trust Clearing Corporation, DTCC. FGRS can also be lent and used as collateral in pools on Democratized Prime.

Subsidiaries of FTS include:

• SEC-registered Alternative Trading System (Figure ATS), administered by a FINRA-registered broker-dealer (Figure Securities, Inc.),
• SEC-regulated Transfer Agent (Figure Equity Solutions),
• 1940 Act Investment Company, registered as a Face-Amount Certificate Company (FCC),
• State-regulated Money Transmitter (Figure Pay)
• State-licensed lender (Figure Lending LLC)

Additionally, the fact that it’s built on top of the Provenance Blockchain enhances transparency as transactions and asset movements can easily be verified on-chain.

Conclusion

It goes without saying that Figure Markets aims to bring a compelling evolution of the cryptocurrency platform model. It blends elements of a centralized exchange, DeFi protocols, and traditional financial services tied into a unified ecosystem.

In our view, it’s best suited for investors seeking passive income and more predictable yield and are interested in real-world asset exposure, while valuing self-custody and a more streamlined user experience.

That said, what stands out the most is their dedication to providing high-quality products such as yield opportunities through RWAs from Democratized Prime and competitive rates for Crypto Backed Loans to provide flexibility with your crypto.

Disclosures

*Crypto backed loans are provided by Figure Lending LLC dba Figure (NMLS 1717824). Loans subject to approval. Crypto collateral may be liquidated. Terms apply – see full disclosures at figure.com/disclosures/

©2026 Figure Lending LLC

Figure Lending LLC dba Figure 650 S. Tryon Street, 8th Floor, Charlotte, NC 28202. 888) 819-6388. NMLS ID 1717824. For licensing information go to www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org

Equal Opportunity Lender For general customer support, call (888) 819-6388 Monday – Friday, 6am – 9pm PT, Saturday – Sunday, 6am – 5pm PT (excluding holidays).

Equal Housing Opportunity

This site is not authorized by the New York State Department of Financial Services. No mortgage solicitation activity or loan applications for properties located in the State of New York can be facilitated through this site.

Digital currency is not legal tender, is not backed by the government, and BIA accounts are not subject to FDIC or SIPC protections.

Availability:

Crypto loans are offered to U.S. borrowers by Figure Lending LLC. This product is not available to U.S. residents of DC, ID, IL, KY, MD, MS, SD, TX, VT, or VA.
Crypto loans are offered through Figure Markets Credit LLC to residents of the state of New York and to international customers except in the following jurisdictions: Crimea (Ukraine), Donetsk (Ukraine), Luhansk (Ukraine), Afghanistan, Albania, Belarus, Central African Republic, Congo (the Democratic Republic), Cuba, Ethiopia, Haiti, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Myanmar (Burma), Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of), Pakistan, Palestine (State of), Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela, Yemen, or Zimbabwe.

Lender & Licensing:

Figure Markets Credit LLC. 650 S. Tryon Street, 8th Floor, Charlotte, NC 28202. (888) 926-6259. NMLS ID 2559612. For licensing information, go to www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org

Crypto Loans starts at a minimum of $5,000, subject to state and jurisdiction-specific legal limitations. Your loan amount will ultimately depend on the amount of collateral in your account and your eligibility will be determined by your state or jurisdiction of residence, credit profile, and other personal information available at the time of your application.

1. General minimum and maximum loan amounts may vary subject to state-specific legal limitations.
2. Repayment Period (Minimum-Maximum): 12 months
   Maximum APR: 12.62% APR (APR includes interest plus applicable fees such as the 1% origination fee). Available interest rates for Figure’s Crypto-Backed Loan are 8.91% (9.999% APR) at 50% LTV or 11.50% (12.62% APR) up to 75%.
   Representative Example (Total Cost): As an example, a borrower receives a Crypto Backed Loan at 50% LTV of $10,000 for a term of 12 months, with an interest rate of 8.91% and a 1% origination fee of $100, for an APR of 9.999%. In this example, the borrower will receive $10,000 and will make 12 monthly payments of $74.25. Rates will be higher for applications secured by assets with a higher LTV ratio. The Figure Crypto-Backed Loan has a 12 month interest-only repayment term and allows for a maximum initial LTV ratio of 75%. Interest rates change frequently so your exact interest rate will depend on the date you apply and may depend on many factors such as LTV ratio.
3. Obtaining a crypto-backed loan generally does not trigger an upfront taxable event. Tax treatment may vary based on individual circumstances. Consult your tax advisor.
4. Liquidation protection is only available in CA, NY, FL, PA, AL, AK, GA, HI, MA, UT. Liquidations will still occur if the loan becomes delinquent. More information about liquidation protection can be found here. The Figure Crypto Backed Loan (CBL) allows eligible users to borrow U.S. dollars secured by crypto collateral. The maximum loan-to-value (“LTV”) ratio is 50% at origination.
5. Approval is not guaranteed

Liquidation protection is only available in CA, NY, FL, PA, AL, AK, GA, HI, MA, UT. Liquidations will still occur if the loan becomes delinquent. More information about liquidation protection can be found here. The Figure Crypto Backed Loan (CBL) allows eligible users to borrow U.S. dollars secured by crypto collateral. The maximum loan-to-value (“LTV”) ratio is 50% at origination.

Investment products: Not FDIC Insured, No Bank Guarantee, May Lose Value.

YLDS Stablecoins are unsecured face-amount certificates and solely backed by the assets of Figure Certificate Company (FCC), who is the issuer of the certificates. As a subsidiary of Figure Markets Holdings, Inc., FCC is (absent exclusion or exemption) required to comply with certain limits on its activity, including investment and/or trading limitations on its portfolio and other limitations under applicable banking and securities laws. FCC is not a bank, and the securities it offers are not deposits or obligations of, or backed or guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank or financial institution, nor are they insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Federal Reserve Board or any other agency. The Certificates are not an insurance company product, an equity investment, Paid endorsement by Figure Technology Solutions, Inc. Opinions are my own. Consult a financial advisor before making any decisions or an investment in a money market mutual fund. FCC’s qualified assets on deposit may exceed the deposit amounts required by applicable regulations. If there are losses on FCC’s assets, FCC may not have sufficient resources to meet its obligations, including making interest and/or principal payments on your certificates. Most of FCC’s assets are debt securities and are subject to risks including credit risk, interest rate risk and prepayment and extension risk. You could lose money by investing in the Stablecoin. Although the Stablecoins seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $0.01 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of certificates carefully before investing. Download a free prospectus, which contains this and other important information about our certificates. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest. Figure Certificate Company Prospectus available Here

The On-Chain Public Equity Network (OPEN) includes a variety of services offered by the Figure Group of companies. Included in the services offered by OPEN is a Figure Markets MPC wallet for self-custody of digital equities and digital assets. Cross-collateralization and portfolio margin capabilities through OPEN are enabled by Figure’s decentralized lending marketplace, Democratized Prime. Public equity trading is made available through an Alternative Trading System (“Figure ATS”) operated by FINRA/SIPC member Figure Securities, Inc.

Check the background of this firm on FINRA’s BrokerCheck here: https://brokercheck.finra.org/firm/summary/307093

Investment in common stock, including Class A or blockchain-native shares, involves a high degree of risk and may result in the loss of part or all of your investment, as prices can fluctuate significantly due to market conditions and company performance, may be volatile and difficult to sell, are not guaranteed to provide returns or dividends, and may be adversely affected by dilution, regulatory changes, or, where applicable, risks associated with blockchain technology. Additionally, this security may not be suitable for all investors. Before investing you should: (1) conduct your own investigation and analysis; (2) carefully consider the investment and all related charges, expenses, uncertainties and risks, including all uncertainties and risks described in offering materials; and (3) consult with your own investment, tax, financial and legal advisors. 

Past performance and yields are not reliable indicators of current and future results. Rates associated with the mentioned products are not guaranteed and subject to change. 

Investing in cryptocurrencies involves significant risks. Cryptocurrency trading is not available in NY. Please click here for risk disclosures on investing and trading in cryptocurrencies.

Figure Payments Corporation offers to self-directed investors and traders cryptocurrency brokerage services under the brand name, “Figure Markets”. It is neither licensed with the SEC or the CFTC nor is it a Member of NFA. Figure Payments Corporation’s NMLS ID number is 2033432, and is located at 100 West Liberty Street, Suite 600, Reno, NV., 89501. You can verify Figure Payments licensing status at the NMLS Consumer Access website. Click here for Figure Payment’s state license and regulatory disclosures.

**Rates for Democratized Prime are variable, not fixed or guaranteed, and may change based on pool composition, borrower performance, auction dynamics, and market conditions; learn more:. Figure Markets and its affiliates do not guarantee repayment, liquidity, or asset value, and participation is subject to applicable terms, including the Democratized Prime Terms of Service and HELOC+ Addendum.

Figure Payments Corporation, Figure Lending LLC, Figure Securities, Inc, Figure Certificate Company, and Figure Markets, Inc. are each wholly owned subsidiaries of Figure Technology Solutions, Inc. Products and services of all of these entities are offered under the Figure Markets brand. NOTE FOR INVESTORS: When applying for accounts, subscriptions, products and services, it is important that you know which company you will be dealing with. Please click here for further important information explaining what this means.

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