Crypto Breaking

Nasdaq’s drive to tokenize equities could reshape capital markets by introducing a two-tier landscape where regulated US exchanges sit alongside blockchain-based trading venues. A TD Securities note suggests the move may create parallel systems capable of splintering trading activity and producing price differences across platforms as tokenized stocks gain traction.

The bank’s analysis highlights Nasdaq’s parallel push, joining NYSE’s tokenization efforts, to advance three main tracks: modernizing post-trade settlement for tokenized assets, enabling issuances of tokenized shares, and extending trading to offshore venues such as Kraken. Taken together, these efforts could lead to a split market where one stream operates within the traditional US regulatory framework and another on offshore, blockchain-enabled platforms.

TD Securities cautions that offshore venues—while backed by real securities—could escape the American regulatory perimeter. If tokenized shares trade on these platforms, prices could diverge from those on standard US venues, complicating price discovery and potentially siphoning activity away from established exchanges. Cointelegraph reached out to TD Securities for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.

Key takeaways

Nasdaq’s tokenization strategy comprises three parallel efforts: post-trade settlement upgrades, tokenized equity issuance, and offshore trading support on platforms such as Kraken.

The initiatives could yield a two-tier market: a regulated US market and an offshore, blockchain-based trading ecosystem, with potential price differentials between venues.

Tokenized equities are gaining real traction, as shown by Kraken’s xStocks platform, which has surpassed $25 billion in cumulative trading volume and grown about 150% since November.

Trading across multiple venues may create 24/7 access and broader round‑the‑clock liquidity, but it also introduces new risks around activity concentration and inconsistent pricing.

Industry context shows broader momentum: Coinbase expanding tokenized stock offerings and NYSE’s collaboration with Securitize to explore 24/7 tokenized securities, signaling growing competition for traditional equity trading.

Nasdaq’s tokenization roadmap could redefine how equities are traded

The TD Securities note frames Nasdaq’s tokenization ambitions as a triad of initiatives designed to integrate blockchain-based trading into mainstream markets without waiting for a single, wholesale overhaul of market structure. First, settlement modernization would adapt clearing and custody processes to handle tokenized shares more efficiently after trade execution. This is a prerequisite for reliable, scalable on-chain settlement that can coexist with existing post-trade infrastructure.

Second, Nasdaq is examining mechanisms to issue tokenized shares themselves, potentially enabling corporate issuers to digitalize equity ownership in a way that can be traded on both traditional venues and compatible blockchain networks. Third, the exchange is said to be exploring offshore trading opportunities, effectively enabling tokenized equities to be traded on platforms outside the domestic regulatory perimeter, with Kraken cited as an example of such a venue.

Taken together, these moves imply a market where the “same” stock could be represented and traded across different rails. In practice, that means investors might access tokenized versions of equities in a 24/7 framework outside normal exchange hours, while the same underlying share remains available through standard US listings during regular hours.

For market participants, the implications are twofold. On one hand, the potential for continuous liquidity and new liquidity pools could improve access and price discovery in certain scenarios. On the other hand, the emergence of parallel offshore venues raises questions about regulatory alignment, investor protection, and the coherence of pricing across ecosystems.

Markets adapting to tokenized competition and regulatory risk

Today’s crypto-enabled trading ecosystems already feature a growing set of tokenized equities, with traders increasingly engaging a broader, cross-border audience. Cointelegraph reported that Kraken’s xStocks platform, which provides tokenized versions of publicly traded shares on blockchain-based venues, has surpassed $25 billion in cumulative trading volume, reflecting around 150% growth since November. The momentum underscores a real appetite for around-the-clock access to equities in a tokenized format, even as traditional venues continue to operate within their established hours and rules.

Behind this expansion sits a broader industry trend: the push by major exchanges to experiment with tokenization while contemplating how to regulate, govern, and ultimately integrate these assets with existing equity markets. The NYSE, for its part, has been pursuing tokenization through a partnership with Securitize to develop a platform for tokenized securities that could support extended or non-traditional trading hours. This collaboration mirrors a wider market push toward an “everything exchange” model, where tokenized assets compete for space alongside conventional securities.

From an investor perspective, the emergence of multiple venues tied to the same underlying asset could alter how portfolios are constructed and how risk is assessed. If tokenized shares trade at different prices across regulated and offshore platforms, traders may need to track multiple price signals and navigate potential arbitrage opportunities. The prospect of 24/7 trading, while attractive for liquidity and access, also introduces new layers of risk—especially if regulatory guardrails diverge between venues or jurisdictions.

Regulators will likely weigh the benefits of broader access and innovation against the need to preserve investor protections and market integrity. The current conversation highlights a tension between accelerating tokenization and maintaining a cohesive, transparent market framework. As market participants deploy more tokenized offerings, observers will be looking for alignment in settlement standards, custody controls, and cross-venue price discovery mechanisms.

Beyond Nasdaq and NYSE, other industry players have already begun positioning for tokenized trading. Coinbase has pushed into tokenized stock offerings as part of an “everything exchange” strategy, signaling a competitive push from crypto-native platforms into equity trading. In parallel, NYSE’s collaboration with Securitize points to a broader ecosystem of tokenized securities designed to enable more flexible trading paradigms, including around-the-clock access that challenges traditional market hours.

What remains uncertain is how regulators will reconcile these parallel rails. Will there be harmonized standards for settlement and custody across on-chain and off-chain venues? How will investor protections translate when trading occurs on offshore platforms? And how quickly will price discoveries across venues converge or diverge under a regime of tokenized equities?

In interviews and briefings, contributors like Reid Noch of TD Securities emphasize that while tokenization promises to broaden access and liquidity, it also introduces new complexities. The coming months are likely to bring more concrete regulatory guidance, clearer cross-venue interoperability standards, and perhaps pilot programs that test tokenized trading in controlled environments before any broad rollout.

As the market digests these developments, investors and traders should monitor several cues: the pace at which settlement and custody workflows adapt to tokenized assets, the degree of cross-venue price convergence, and the regulatory responses that could either unlock or constrain offshore trading activity. The balance between innovation and oversight will shape how tokenized equities evolve from experimental concepts into mainstream instruments.

Readers should watch for updates from Nasdaq and NYSE on timing and scope of tokenized trading pilots, along with any new clarity from US regulators on cross-border trading and tokenized securities. The coming months could reveal whether tokenization simply augments existing markets or fundamentally reconfigures how equities are priced, traded, and owned.

This article was originally published as TD Securities: Nasdaq Tokenization Could Create Dual Trading Venues on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Bitcoin’s on-chain picture remains centered on profitability dynamics, with the total supply in profit holding near a historically significant zone. As of Thursday, CryptoQuant data show about 60.6% of BTC supply in profit, placing the market in a band (roughly 50% to 60%) that has repeatedly framed cycles and potential accumulation phases. The metric briefly dipped to 50.8% on Feb. 5—the lowest since Jan. 2, 2023—leaving a sizable portion of holders at or near breakeven and at a potential loss.

Historical echoes are often cited by traders when profitability enters this range. In January 2023, BTC traded around $16,682 with profitability near 51%, just before a pronounced rally that CryptoQuant’s analysis notes as mirroring a pattern later seen in a multi-hundred percent upmove. A separate moment in March 2020 saw the total supply in profit slip below 50% as BTC hovered near $6,500, ahead of a bull run that pushed prices toward $69,000 in 2021. While past patterns can offer context, they do not guarantee future outcomes; profitability alone does not pinpoint price bottoms, but it does sketch zones where long-term accrual has been strong and selling pressure historically eased.

Key takeaways

Bitcoin’s supply in profit stands around 60.6%, a level within the 50–60% zone historically linked to market-cycle resets and renewed accumulation.

Long-term holder profitability remains meaningful: the long-term holder net unrealized profit/loss (LTH-NUPL) sits near 0.40, suggesting holders remain in profit even as overall profitability tightens.

Institutional and corporate participation has grown, with entities holding roughly 15.8% of circulating BTC (about 3,319,677 BTC), potentially dampening short-term price sensitivity to swings.

Short-term holder (STH) inflows to Binance have fallen to about 25,000 BTC on March 25, indicating less reactive selling from newer market participants.

Valuation-based on-chain signals (MVRV, NUPL, Puell) are flashing zones associated with stress for retail demand but not definitive bottoms, highlighting a balance of risk and upside potential ahead.

Profitability baselines and market structure

The 50–60% profitability corridor has been a recurring feature across several cycles. When a large share of supply sits in profit, unrealized gains on the network compress, which can reduce the incentive for holders to sell into weakness. In this framework, the market’s current 60.6% profitability suggests a still-robust share of the supply that could weather minor downturns without triggering acute downside selling pressure. Yet the same metric also shows that a meaningful number of investors remain in the red or near break-even, underscoring the persistence of volatility and the potential for renewed demand when risk appetite shifts.

Crucially, the composition of who owns BTC is shifting. The rise of corporate entities and exchange-traded products (ETFs) as significant holders means a portion of the market is increasingly dominated by entities with longer time horizons and lower sensitivity to short-term price swings. In aggregate, these participants are estimated to control around 15.8% of the circulating supply, or roughly 3.32 million BTC. This dynamic tends to flatten peak-forcing selloffs that can accompany prolonged drawdowns, contributing to a market where profitability compression does not necessarily translate into a wave of distressed selling from veteran investors alike.

On-chain signals and market stress zones

Beyond aggregate profitability, on-chain flow metrics add nuance to the picture. Short-term holder activity has shown a meaningful contraction in selling pressure on BTC. CryptoQuant data indicate STH inflows to Binance dropped to near 25,000 BTC on March 25, a low not seen during the February sell-off, according to comments from market analysts. Such a drop points to a cooling in reactive selling from newer market participants and a potential for steadier price action if selling pressure remains subdued.

Meanwhile, traditional valuation models that analysts watch—market-value to realized-value (MVRV), NUPL, and Puell Multiple—continue to illuminate where stress is most likely to surface. Analysts have observed that when MVRV falls below 1, NUPL slips under -0.2, or Puell Multiple approaches 0.35, those periods have historically coincided with heightened retail stress or undervalued conditions. While these indicators do not guarantee a local bottom, they map out zones where downside risk has often been bounded by prior upside potential, offering traders a probabilistic framework for assessing risk-reward dynamics in the near term.

Taken together, the current on-chain configuration suggests a market moving away from the kind of acute, long-term holder distress that punctuated bear markets in 2015, 2018, and 2022. The divergence between a modestly higher supply-in-profit reading and steady LTH-NUPL points to a market that could see renewed accumulation without triggering uniform, forceful capitulation among long-term investors. In other words, the landscape is shifting toward an ownership mix that may support more measured corrections rather than sharp, cyclical lows.

Related: Bitcoin in ‘later stages’ of bear market: Watch these BTC price levels

What readers should watch next

For traders and investors, the key questions revolve around whether the current on-chain balance can sustain a move higher without retesting lows. The persistence of a sizable profit pool coupled with a growing share of BTC held by institutions could support a gradual re-accumulation narrative, even if price swings remain volatile. Markets will likely respond to macro developments, policy signals, and shifts in risk appetite as much as to on-chain metrics.

Next steps to monitor include: the trajectory of MVRV, NUPL, and Puell readings as BTC moves through key price zones; any shifts in the distribution of BTC held by corporates and ETFs; and observed changes in STH and overall exchange flows that could presage larger moves in supply held by retail participants. While on-chain data cannot predict exact bottoms, it continues to offer a granular view of where investors are positioned and how that positioning might shape the path of least resistance for Bitcoin in the months ahead.

This article was originally published as Bitcoin: 50% Supply-in-Profit Drop Preceded 655% Rally on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

A top U.S. regulator says blockchain could become a core tool for verifying AI-generated media, arguing that distributed ledgers can help distinguish authentic content from synthetic outputs as concerns over misinformation grow. Speaking on The Pomp Podcast, Michael Selig, chair of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), described timestamping and unique identifiers for memes and AI-generated posts as a practical path to verification. He also stressed the importance of maintaining U.S. leadership in crypto, saying that “you can’t have AI without blockchain.”

When pressed about how regulators view AI agents in markets, Selig advocated a cautious, targeted approach. He cautioned against over-regulation that could dampen innovation and outlined a strategy that focuses on the actors participating in financial transactions, rather than imposing burdens on software developers who create the tools. The overarching aim, he said, is to ensure enforcement targets the right participants while regulators continue to study how AI models are used in trading.

Key takeaways

Blockchain could be used to timestamp and identify AI-generated content, aiding validation of authenticity in a noisy information landscape.

U.S. regulators favor regulating actors in financial markets rather than software developers, aiming for a “minimum effective dose” of regulation.

Proof-of-personhood tools and related verification tech are being explored as a means to prove human backing for AI agents interacting online.

Broader AI policy discussions in the U.S. include a push for a unified federal framework to avoid a patchwork of state rules that could hinder innovation.

Blockchain meets AI verification: the evolving playbook

The discussion situates blockchain at the center of a broader push to authenticate online content amid growing AI capabilities. Proponents point to the potential of verifiable timestamps and content identifiers on a public ledger to help users and markets distinguish real signals from AI-generated outputs. This line of thinking aligns with ongoing interest in provenance technologies that can preserve the integrity of information while limiting exposure to manipulated or misleading media.

In parallel, industry-driven efforts on proof-of-personhood are gaining attention as a possible backbone for AI interactions. World ID, developed by the startup World, aims to let users prove they are real humans without revealing sensitive data. The approach centers on cryptographic proofs and device-hosted biometrics, rather than centralized credential databases. While supporters argue this could curb automated abuse, critics raise privacy and coercion concerns that policymakers will need to weigh as these systems mature.

Another notable development is AgentKit, a toolkit unveiled earlier this year that enables AI agents to demonstrate a link to verified human backing while engaging with online services. It couples proof-of-personhood credentials with the x402 micropayments framework created by Coinbase and Cloudflare, enabling agents to pay for access while maintaining cryptographic attestations of human origin. The goal is to strike a balance between functional automation and accountable participation in digital ecosystems.

Tech leaders have long envisioned cryptographic approaches to content integrity. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has proposed using zero-knowledge proofs and on-chain timestamps to validate how content is generated and distributed, without exposing private data. Such ideas echo a broader aspiration: to build verifiable, privacy-preserving rails for online discourse and market activity as AI becomes more embedded in everyday operations.

Regulatory backdrop: a national AI framework and the risk of a fragmented regime

The policy conversation in Washington has intensified around AI governance. In March, the White House signaled a move toward a unified federal AI framework, warning that a mosaic of state-level rules could hinder American innovation and global competitiveness. The administration’s framing suggests regulators want guardrails that protect consumers and markets while preserving incentives for technological advancement.

Within this landscape, the CFTC’s stance reflects a philosophy of precision regulation—addressing how market participants use AI tools and ensuring that enforcement targets the actors who cross lines, rather than stifling the underlying technologies. The agency is also closely watching how AI models operate in trading contexts, seeking to establish clear boundaries for permissible activities without throttling beneficial innovation.

Meanwhile, the broader crypto and AI ecosystems continue to intersect with debates about data sovereignty, privacy, and user control. The World ID approach and AgentKit illustrate a trend toward cryptographic identity and verifiable interaction as foundational layers for AI-enabled services. As policymakers weigh federal coordination against state experimentation, investors and builders will be watching for indications of regulatory clarity that could shape product strategies and risk management in the near term.

In sum, the conversation underscores a central question for markets: can verification technologies anchored in blockchain and cryptography deliver trusted AI interactions without compromising privacy or innovation? The answer may unfold through a combination of targeted enforcement, architectural shifts toward verifiable identities, and a balanced federal policy framework that harmonizes incentives with safeguards.

As these conversations advance, the next milestones to watch include any formal CFTC guidance on AI applications in regulated markets, new demonstrations of proof-of-personhood credentials in real-world services, and the regulatory community’s response to World ID and AgentKit-style initiatives as prototypes mature and scale.

This article was originally published as CFTC Chair Selig: Blockchain Could Verify AI-Generated Content on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Brazil’s lawmakers have equipped public security agencies with a new instrument in the fight against organized crime: the ability to repurpose confiscated cryptocurrency to fund policing efforts. Law No. 15.358, approved by the National Congress and published this week, creates a legal framework that treats digital assets as instruments of crime that can be seized, restricted from exchanges, and redirected to support police operations.

The measure extends a police toolkit beyond traditional cash and property, allowing authorities to forfeit crypto assets tied to criminal activity and, with judicial authorization, deploy those assets for police reequipment, training, and special operations. The law signals a coordinated approach to asset recovery that could involve cross-border cooperation with international authorities, reflecting Brazil’s aim to address crypto-enabled crime on a global scale.

Key takeaways

Crypto assets tied to criminal activity can be treated as crime instruments, enabling forfeiture and prohibiting related transactions on exchanges.

Confiscated assets can be used provisionally for police equipment, training, and special operations, subject to judicial oversight.

The law enables Brazil to cooperate with international authorities on investigations and asset recovery, including cases involving digital assets.

Observers note the potential implications for public finances, given Brazil’s large population and widespread use of crypto among its citizens.

Parallel policy debates in Brazil include discussions about a national Bitcoin reserve, with proposals that have reemerged in recent years.

What the law changes for enforcement and asset recovery

According to a translation of Law No. 15.358, the forfeiture framework treats any asset used to commit a crime as an instrument of the crime, even if it was not designed exclusively for illicit purposes. The law clarifies that forfeited assets and valuables may be used provisionally by public security agencies to bolster police capabilities, subject to authorization from the judge supervising the sentence’s execution. This creates a clearer path for authorities to liquidate or reallocate crypto assets recovered in criminal cases to fund policing priorities.

The forfeited assets and valuables may be used provisionally by public security agencies for police re-equipment, training, and special operations, subject to authorization from the judge overseeing the execution of the sentence.

Beyond domestic enforcement, the legislation contemplates closer coordination with international partners for investigation and asset recovery. Brazil’s authorities argue that cross-border cooperation will be essential to dismantle crypto-enabled crime networks that span multiple jurisdictions. With a population exceeding 213 million and a growing footprint of crypto activity, observers say the law could have material implications for how the state finances its security apparatus and how offenders face consequences that extend to digital assets.

The move also arrives amid ongoing public-policy debates about crypto and taxation. Reports have indicated that Brazil’s Finance Minister, Dario Durigan, signaled a plan to delay talks on crypto tax reform to avoid deep political divides and would push discussions beyond the presidential election set for October. That stance adds a layer of political uncertainty to Brazil’s broader approach to crypto regulation, even as enforcement authorities pursue aggressive asset-recovery tools.

In parallel, Brazil has faced notable enforcement activity in the crypto space. TRM Labs’ 2026 crypto crime report highlights a sprawling laundering and foreign-exchange evasion network in 2025 that allegedly moved tens of billions of reais via shell companies, OTC brokers, and non-custodial wallets. The case underscores why authorities view robust asset-recovery mechanisms as a potentially meaningful lever in countering sophisticated crypto-enabled crime networks.

Brazil’s evolving regulatory landscape and competing priorities

Brazil’s legal approach to seized crypto sits alongside broader debates about the country’s financial sovereignty and digital assets. A separate line of discussion has concerned whether Brazil should establish a national Bitcoin reserve. A proposal that first surfaced in 2024 reappeared in 2025, with lawmakers revisiting the framework to potentially allocate a portion of the treasury toward purchasing Bitcoin. Earlier reporting suggested options ranging from as little as a few percentage points of treasury reserves to up to one million BTC, though it remained unclear whether the measure would secure sufficient support to advance.

The tension between empowered enforcement tools and broader fiscal policy remains a defining theme. While the confiscation and redeployment of crypto assets to bolster public security represent a practical application of confiscated assets, the BTC-reserve concept embodies a strategic, macro-level bet on crypto as a state asset. Analysts note that even if a reserve remains aspirational, the mere progression of such discussions can influence how Brazil’s financial markets and crypto businesses price risk around policy clarity, taxation, and asset custody frameworks. For now, the law’s immediate impact centers on seizures, forfeiture, and the use of crypto proceeds to support law-enforcement capabilities rather than building a centralized digital-asset stockpile.

As with any regulatory shift, the practical effects will depend on implementation details, judicial oversight, and the tempo of cross-border cooperation. The law provides a framework, but courts, prosecutors, and international partners will shape how aggressively crypto assets are seized, liquidated, or repurposed. Investors and users should watch how authorities operationalize the mechanism in real cases, including which asset classes are most frequently targeted and how proceeds are tracked and accounted for in public security budgets.

For those tracking Brazil’s crypto policy arc, the connected policy threads—tax reform timing, enforcement clarity, and the possibility of a national BTC reserve—will be key to understanding the country’s longer-term stance on digital assets. The mix of aggressive asset-recovery powers and cautious tax policy signals a pragmatic, enforcement-driven approach in the near term, coupled with strategic questions about crypto’s role in national finance.

Readers should keep an eye on forthcoming judicial decisions that interpret and operationalize Law No. 15.358, as well as any administration-level statements clarifying the government’s stance on crypto taxation and asset reserves. The cross-border dimension will also hinge on cooperation agreements with other jurisdictions, which could set precedents for how Latin American countries coordinate on crypto-for-crime investigations in the years ahead.

References to related developments, including Brazil’s Pix payment system expansion and shifts in crypto-tax conversations, offer context for the broader regulatory environment. For example, coverage of Pix expanding to Argentina and discussions around crypto taxation provide a backdrop against which this new forfeiture framework operates. Meanwhile, TRM Labs’ findings illustrate the scale of criminal-funding networks that asset-recovery measures aim to disrupt.

As Brazil moves forward, market participants and citizens alike should watch how the law is applied in concrete cases, the speed of international cooperation, and whether broader fiscal proposals—such as a potential Bitcoin reserve—advance in tandem with enforcement measures. The coming months could reveal how Brazil balances security objectives with the growing integration of crypto into daily life and the national economy.

This article was originally published as Brazil Enacts Law Allowing Seized Crypto to Support Public Security on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Key Takeaways

Bhutan’s state-owned investment arm, Druk Holding and Investments, transferred 519.707 BTC worth approximately $36.75 million to external addresses.

Total 2026 outflows from Bhutan’s Bitcoin treasury have now exceeded $152 million, with holdings falling from nearly 13,000 BTC in late 2024 to approximately 4,453 BTC, a 66% reduction.

Bhutan’s earlier pledge to allocate up to 10,000 BTC toward the Gelephu Mindfulness City project now faces significant headwinds.

The Royal Government of Bhutan moved another batch of Bitcoin from its sovereign treasury, transferring 519.707 BTC worth approximately $36.75 million to external wallets on Wednesday. The transaction spotted by Arkham Intelligence marks Bhutan’s third major Bitcoin movement in March alone and continues a pattern of steady, institutional-grade liquidations that has defined the kingdom’s crypto strategy in 2026.

A Quietly Depleting Holdings

The kingdom’s holdings have fallen roughly 66% from a late-2024 peak of about 13,000 BTC to 4,453 BTC, as larger March transactions replace the smaller $5 million to $15 million clips seen in January and February. Repeated transfers to Singapore-based QCP Capital suggest a structured over-the-counter selling arrangement.

The March activity has been the most intense yet. The latest 519.707 BTC transfer marks the wallet’s third large Bitcoin transaction in March, following $72 million moved in six separate transactions in the 24 hours leading up to March 18, and $11.8 million moved on March 9.

How Bhutan Built Its Treasury

Bhutan accumulated its cryptocurrency portfolio through government-operated hydroelectric mining facilities. Utilizing excess energy from hydropower plants meant mining costs were essentially negligible. Each Bitcoin sold represents nearly pure revenue for the state. The nation’s Bitcoin treasury reached its peak at approximately 13,000 BTC during late 2024.

As of March 12, Bhutan was the fifth-largest country by Bitcoin holdings, behind the US government, the United Kingdom’s government, El Salvador, and the United Arab Emirates Royal Group.

The Gelephu Pledge Under Pressure

In December 2025, Bhutan unveiled a Bitcoin Development Pledge, committing up to 10,000 BTC to fund the Gelephu Mindfulness City, an ambitious special administrative region project. On January 8, 2026, the project announced plans to establish a strategic cryptocurrency reserve including Bitcoin, Ether, and BNB, signalling a diversified approach to digital assets within Bhutan’s long-term economic planning. With current holdings sitting well below 5,000 BTC, that original commitment faces significant headwinds.

Druk Holding and Investments has not issued a public statement about the transfers. That silence is consistent with how the kingdom has handled its entire Bitcoin program. With Bitcoin navigating geopolitical-driven volatility this week and a $3 billion long liquidation risk still active below $65,000, Bhutan’s steady offloading adds another layer of sell-side pressure that the market is quietly absorbing.

This article was originally published as Bhutan Shifts 519.707 BTC Worth $36.8M to External Addresses as Holdings Drop 66% from Peak on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Coinbase Global has unveiled a mortgage structure with Better Home & Finance that would let qualified borrowers pledge digital assets held in Coinbase accounts to fund the down payment on a standard conforming mortgage backed by Fannie Mae. In the arrangement, borrowers would secure a separate loan—backed by their crypto holdings, such as Bitcoin or USDC—to cover the down payment, while the primary mortgage remains a conventional Fannie Mae–backed loan. Better will originate and service the mortgages.

Coinbase describes the model as enabling buyers to keep exposure to digital assets while using a crypto-backed loan to cover the down payment. In effect, the down payment is funded by a separate crypto-collateral loan, while the main loan stays tied to traditional mortgage underwriting. If the rollout proves scalable, the approach could widen crypto’s role in U.S. housing finance beyond qualifying assets to a direct funding mechanism for home purchases.

The development arrives amid broader regulatory signals about integrating crypto into mortgage frameworks. In June, the U.S. Federal Housing Finance Agency directed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to prepare proposals recognizing cryptocurrency as an asset in mortgage risk assessments without requiring conversion to dollars. The momentum also aligns with a string of underwriting innovations from lenders such as Newrez and Rate, which have begun incorporating crypto holdings into mortgage processes.

Key takeaways

A crypto-backed down payment option pairs a standard conforming mortgage with a separate loan secured by digital assets to fund the down payment.

The primary mortgage remains Fannie Mae–backed; crypto exposure is retained via the down payment loan, not through liquidation of assets.

Regulators are signaling openness to counting crypto assets in mortgage risk assessments, potentially paving the way for broader crypto integration in housing finance.

Lenders like Newrez and Rate have already integrated crypto into underwriting, although down payments and closing costs may still require cash in some programs.

Borrowers face constraints such as locked collateral and market-volatility considerations that do not automatically trigger margin calls, according to Coinbase.

A new path for crypto in housing finance

Under the Coinbase–Better structure, a borrower would take out a standard conforming mortgage, while a separate loan secured by crypto holdings funds the down payment. The crypto collateral can include assets such as Bitcoin or stablecoins like USDC, but borrowers would not be allowed to trade the pledged assets while they are locked as collateral. Coinbase notes that price swings do not trigger margin calls as long as the borrower keeps making mortgage payments and the loan terms remain unchanged after activation. This approach, if widely adopted, would embed crypto more deeply into the mechanics of home financing rather than merely serving as an underwriting asset.

Better will handle the origination and servicing of the primary mortgage, while the crypto-backed down-payment loan would be a separate obligation. For investors and borrowers, this structure introduces a new dynamic: crypto assets remain a part of the balance sheet and potential wealth-building narrative, but introduce added debt and liquidity considerations tied to market volatility.

Regulatory signals and industry momentum

The initiative comes amid a broadening discourse on crypto’s place in mortgage risk assessment and underwriting. The Federal Housing Finance Agency’s directive to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in June reflects a push to formalize crypto as an asset category that could influence risk metrics without forcing conversion to dollars. The development sits alongside other industry moves toward crypto-inclusive underwriting, with lenders such as Newrez and Rate having publicly signaled their willingness to recognize crypto holdings in certain underwriting contexts.

Newrez, in January, said it would allow borrowers to use Bitcoin, Ether, crypto ETFs, and stablecoins as qualifying assets in underwriting, without requiring liquidation. In February, Rate launched its RateFi program, which allows verified crypto holdings to count toward reserves and, in some cases, income. However, even in RateFi, borrowers typically must convert crypto into cash for down payments and closing costs, illustrating that the integration is gradual and selective rather than a wholesale replacement of cash for home purchases.

Voices from the policy-adjacent arena

Beyond the mechanics, the transition toward crypto in housing finance has drawn commentary from policymakers and industry observers. Former Ohio representative Tim Ryan, a member of Coinbase’s advisory council who has focused on housing affordability, framed mortgage financing as a practical use case for crypto. He argued that digital assets could unlock wealth for early investors and help address a major barrier to homeownership—the down payment—if the industry moves into the housing sector in a meaningful way.

Affordability remains a central concern for U.S. homebuyers, with persistent inventory constraints and elevated mortgage rates keeping activity constrained even as average home prices have eased from their 2022 peaks. The federal data context underscores the potential appeal of crypto-linked financing to buyers who hold digital assets and seek alternative paths to accumulating a down payment.

As the crypto–mortgage conversation evolves, investors and borrowers will be watching closely for how collateral liquidity, asset valuation, and regulatory alignment interact in real-world deployments. The Coinbase–Better program represents a concrete step in testing crypto as a financing tool within a conventional housing market framework, but it also highlights the importance of clear risk management, valuation standards, and consumer protection as more lenders experiment with crypto-enabled home purchases.

Readers should keep an eye on regulator guidance and lender rollouts in the coming months, which will indicate whether crypto-backed down payments move from a pilot concept to a deployable regional or national option.

This article was originally published as Coinbase Enables Crypto-Backed Down Payments for Fannie Mae Loans on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

The White House’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) has completed its review of a Department of Labor (DOL) proposal that could reshape how 401(k) fiduciaries evaluate alternative assets, including digital-asset exposure. Reginfo.gov indicates the review concluded on March 24, with the action labeled “consistent with change” and the proposal deemed economically significant. The DOL is now expected to publish the proposed rule for a standard 60-day public comment period, a typical step that precedes revisions and a final rule.

The move sits inside a broader policy push from the executive branch. President Donald Trump’s August 7, 2025, executive order directed federal agencies to expand access to alternative assets in 401(k) plans, including digital assets via qualified investment vehicles. The order also directed the Department of the Treasury and the Securities and Exchange Commission to coordinate on enabling rule changes, signaling an inter-agency push to rethink the boundaries of what retirement plans can hold.

The regulatory moment follows a related shift at the Department of Labor in May. The DOL rescinded a 2022 compliance release that advised fiduciaries to be “extremely cautious” about crypto in 401(k) retirement plans, a move that another way signaled the government’s evolving stance toward crypto exposure in defined-contribution accounts.

Taken together with market context, the policy signals arrive as the U.S. retirement market sits near historic scales. A record $48.1 trillion in financial assets was reported as of September 30, 2025, according to the Investment Company Institute (ICI), underscoring the potential impact of any broadening of asset access in 401(k) plans.

Separately, state-level momentum continues to unfold. In Indiana, lawmakers passed a bill on February 25 that would require certain state retirement and savings plans to offer a self-directed brokerage option with at least one crypto investment by July 1, 2027. The bill would allow Indiana residents to hold Bitcoin and other digital assets as part of their retirement portfolios for the first time.

Key takeaways

The OIRA review of the DOL proposal concluded on March 24 and is described as economically significant, with the rule set to enter a 60-day public comment period after publication.

The move aligns with a broader White House directive, via an August 2025 executive order, to expand access to alternative assets in 401(k) plans and calls for inter-agency coordination on rule changes involving crypto and other alt assets.

In late May 2025, the DOL rescinded its 2022 guidance urging fiduciaries to be cautious about crypto in 401(k) plans, signaling a shift in regulatory posture toward digital-asset exposure.

Contextualizing the policy, the U.S. retirement market’s asset base reached about $48.1 trillion by September 2025, highlighting the potential scale of any policy shift.

State-level action, notably Indiana’s February 25 measure, would require crypto exposure options in certain public retirement plans within a few years, illustrating a broader trend toward practical access beyond federal rulemaking alone.

Interagency push aims to redefine fiduciary considerations

At the core of the DOL proposal is a potential redefinition of how fiduciaries evaluate and select investments within defined-contribution plans. By expanding the set of permissible assets to include digital assets alongside traditional alternative classes—such as private equity and real estate—the rule could widen the menu available to plan sponsors and participants. The forthcoming public-comment process will be crucial in detailing which asset types are eligible, how custody and valuation would be handled, and what risk management standards would apply. The inter-agency framing, reinforced by the executive order, suggests a coordinated effort to address cross-cutting issues such as investor protections, fiduciary duties, and market integrity as crypto markets mature.

Market scale adds urgency to policy shifts

The potential policy change arrives against a backdrop of substantial retirement asset accumulation. ICI’s latest quarterly data show that total U.S. retirement assets stood at a record $48.1 trillion as of September 2025, underscoring the magnitude of any shift that could broaden exposure to digital assets through 401(k) plans. For institutions managing retirement funds, the policy signal could influence product design, investment governance, and the timing of launches for crypto-inclusive retirement vehicles.

State-level experiments foreshadow adoption

Beyond federal action, state legislatures are already testing the waters. Indiana’s bill would mandate at least one crypto option within a self-directed brokerage framework offered by state retirement and savings plans, with a deadline for July 1, 2027. If implemented, residents would be able to hold BTC and other digital assets in retirement accounts through a regulated, state-backed vehicle. This development mirrors broader regulatory debates about how to reconcile investor access with safeguards, and how to integrate digital assets into mainstream retirement planning.

For observers, the next steps are clear. The DOL’s proposed rule will enter a public-comment phase, during which industry participants, fiduciaries, and plan sponsors will weigh the practical implications of expanded crypto access, including governance standards, valuation, liquidity, custody, and tax treatment. At the same time, market participants should watch how the Treasury and the SEC respond to the inter-agency directive and how state initiatives like Indiana’s law interact with potential federal- or plan-level changes. The ongoing dialogue between regulators, plan sponsors, and asset managers will shape not only the pace of adoption but also the safeguards that accompany broader crypto exposure in retirement portfolios.

As the public comment window opens, readers should stay attentive to how proposed asset categories are defined, what risk controls are proposed, and when a final rule might be expected. Until then, the policy trajectory suggests a gradual but consequential shift in how mainstream retirement investing could accommodate digital assets in the years ahead.

Source framing: The regulatory review referenced here tracks with Reginfo.gov records and reporting noted in Cointelegraph coverage, including the DOL’s May 2025 guidance reversal and the August 2025 executive-order push. For additional context, Indiana’s legislature and related policy discussions were reported in contemporary coverage tied to state-level crypto retirement access initiatives.

This article was originally published as White House Clears Path for Crypto in 401(k) Retirement Plans on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Bitcoin’s cryptographic foundations are once again in the spotlight as prominent voices warn that post-quantum security will soon demand more than minor tweaks. Crypto entrepreneur Nic Carter has pressed Bitcoin developers to confront the quantum threat head-on, arguing that Ethereum already possesses a clearer post-quantum roadmap and momentum. The debate arrives amid broader signals that quantum risks are climbing higher on the industry agenda, with Google warning of a migration deadline and researchers warning that a significant portion of BTC could be exposed to quantum attacks in the long run.

Elliptic curve cryptography underpins Bitcoin’s security. Users generate a private key and derive a public address through operations on a curved mathematical surface, a process that quantum computers could potentially undermine in the future. While the timeline remains debated, the risk is considered non-zero enough to fuel ongoing discussions about how to adapt. Carter has been vocal on X, asserting that “elliptic curve cryptography is on the brink of obsolescence,” and that the community should acknowledge the inevitability of change within a finite horizon. He argues that the current design is overly rigid and that a plan for cryptographic mutability—where the network can upgrade or swap cryptographic primitives—will become essential.

On the other side of the debate, Ethereum developers have already signaled progress. Carter notes that Ethereum has established a dedicated post-quantum security effort and a roadmap that places post-quantum readiness as a top strategic priority for 2029. In his view, Ethereum’s proactive posture stands in contrast to Bitcoin’s approach, which he characterizes as hesitant or slow to move beyond the current standards. The Ethereum Foundation’s post-quantum security team is pursuing concrete steps toward a migration path that could preserve security guarantees in a quantum-enabled world. A detailed post-quantum roadmap is available through Ethereum’s planning pages, underscoring a deliberate, institution-backed push for resilience.

Key takeaways

Ethereum is actively advancing post-quantum security with a formal roadmap and a dedicated security team, targeting 2029 as a strategic milestone.

Bitcoin’s core developers face sustained scrutiny over their handling of quantum risk, with critics calling for greater openness to cryptographic mutability and upgrades (e.g., BIP-360 discussions).

ARK Invest estimated in a March report that roughly one-third of BTC could be exposed to quantum threats in the long term, highlighting a potential structural risk that may influence long-horizon planning.

Google’s 2029 migration deadline for post-quantum cryptography signals that quantum-resilience is a cross-industry priority and could accelerate timelines for crypto networks and other digital systems.

The market implication is a potential divergence in how networks prepare for quantum threats, with investors watching who moves fastest and how upgrades affect usability, security, and governance.

Bitcoin’s risk debate and the call for cryptographic mutability

Nic Carter has argued that Bitcoin’s cryptographic design is at a crossroads. In public posts, he described elliptic curve cryptography as edging toward obsolescence and warned that the window to address this threat is finite. The thrust of his argument is pragmatic: if quantum adversaries advance, networks built on fixed cryptographic assumptions might struggle to adapt without a pathway to evolve their security primitives. He has stressed that a rethinking of how cryptography is integrated—potentially moving toward more flexible, upgradable security layers—could be necessary for Bitcoin to remain secure in a post-quantum era.

The debate around BIP-360—an explicit attempt to introduce quantum-resistant considerations into Bitcoin’s improvement process—has been a focal point. Carter has publicly critiqued Bitcoin Core’s responsiveness to proposals that aim to future-proof the protocol, warning of a “worst in class” approach if the community does not confront the issue. In response, Ethan Heilman, a co-author of BIP-360, asserted that Core contributors have engaged with the proposal and that BIP-360 has attracted more comments than any prior Bitcoin Improvement Proposal, signaling active discussion even amid controversy. The exchange illustrates a wider tension in Bitcoin development: how aggressively to pursue changes that could alter the network’s operating model versus preserving a conservative, minimally invasive upgrade path.

Beyond the debate within Bitcoin circles, the question remains: what is the practical path to quantum resilience for a system designed to be censorship-resistant and autonomous? Carter has argued for a reimagining of how cryptography is embedded in the network, suggesting that “cryptographic mutability” will have to become a core design consideration. The trade-offs—between security, governance, and user experience—will shape what an eventual mutability framework looks like and how it is implemented in a way that preserves user trust and network integrity.

Ethereum’s post-quantum momentum and the broader market signal

Ethereum’s posture toward quantum resistance appears more proactive, according to Carter and observers familiar with the ecosystem. The chain’s post-quantum roadmap, supported by the Ethereum Foundation’s post-quantum security team, frames quantum resilience as a concrete, near-term objective rather than a distant hypothetical. The roadmap aligns with a broader industry push to future-proof critical cryptographic infrastructure against increasingly capable quantum machines. As investor attention sharpens on long-horizon risk, Ethereum’s approach may illustrate a more concrete path to maintaining security guarantees as the cryptographic landscape evolves.

Vitalik Buterin himself has flagged a set of areas where quantum threats could affect network security and usability. In late February, he indicated that validator signatures, data storage, accounts, and proofs would need updates to withstand quantum attacks, and he has proposed a quantum resistance roadmap that seeks to normalize these transitions across the network. The Ethereum community’s emphasis on concrete milestones and governance readiness reflects a preference for a structured evolution of cryptographic primitives, which could reduce disruption for users yet requires careful coordination across upgrades and client implementations. The roadmap is also supported by public posts and community planning resources, including a dedicated post-quantum page linked to by the ecosystem’s planning resources.

For developers and users, the contrast between Bitcoin’s cautious stance and Ethereum’s forward-looking plan carries practical implications. If quantum-resistant upgrades become commonplace in major networks, the industry could see a shift in how wallets, exchanges, and infrastructure providers design their security models and upgrade paths. The BIP-360 discourse and Ethereum’s roadmap illustrate how different communities balance risk, governance, and user experience when addressing a threat that could redefine digital signatures and key management in the years ahead.

Cross-industry signals and what readers should watch next

The quantum threat is no longer purely theoretical. In parallel to crypto-focused discussions, major tech players are signaling urgency. Google recently raised the stakes by setting a 2029 deadline for migrating to post-quantum cryptography, underscoring that the shift to quantum-resilient standards may arrive sooner than expected for many digital systems. The move adds external pressure for crypto projects to demonstrate practical, implementable paths toward durable security in a quantum-enabled era. For investors, this alignment with mainstream tech timelines adds a layer of accountability to networks’ security roadmaps.

ARK Invest’s March 11 report adds another dimension to the discussion. The firm estimated that about a third of BTC could be at risk from quantum threats in the long term, highlighting a potential material vulnerability for a substantial portion of the market’s capitalization. While the firm characterizes the risk as long-term, the data point reinforces the urgency for credible, actionable plans that go beyond theoretical risk assessments. The market’s interpretation of this risk will hinge on how quickly developers and communities can implement robust quantum-resistant mechanisms without undermining network efficiency or governance.

In this evolving landscape, several questions remain. How quickly can cryptographic mutability be introduced in a way that preserves Bitcoin’s core properties and user trust? Will Ethereum’s current roadmap translate into a scalable, user-friendly pathway to quantum resilience, or will it require additional innovations across layer-one and layer-two ecosystems? How will exchanges, wallets, and institutional participants adapt their security architectures to accommodate quantum-resistant primitives? And as Google’s deadline looms, will other tech domains accelerate their own transitions in tandem with crypto networks?

What matters for readers is the growing acknowledgement that quantum resistance is not a distant “would-be” feature but an imminent design consideration. As developers weigh upgrade paths, investors should monitor the pace of concrete milestones, the degree of community consensus, and the practical impact on usability and security. The coming years will reveal whether the crypto sector can deliver smooth, scalable transitions that preserve user trust while hardening networks against quantum threats.

Readers should keep an eye on updates to Ethereum’s post-quantum roadmap and any new Bitcoin proposals that move beyond high-level rhetoric toward implementable, tested solutions. As the quantum horizon approaches, the sector’s ability to translate theoretical risk into actionable upgrades will be the defining metric of resilience and long-term value creation. For now, the signal is clear: quantum resistance is rising up the agenda, and the race to implement credible, community-supported safeguards is well underway.

What to watch next: the pace and scope of Bitcoin’s response to quantum risk, the concrete milestones in Ethereum’s post-quantum plan, and cross-industry developments that could pressure timelines across the broader crypto and tech ecosystems. The coming quarters will show whether a convergent path toward practical quantum resilience emerges or if divergent approaches persist across networks.

Further reading and sources include: ArK Invest’s March 11 report on BTC quantum risk, Ethereum’s post-quantum security roadmap and team, Vitalik Buterin’s comments on quantum-resistant upgrades, BIP-360 discussions and community responses, and Google’s 2029 migration deadline for post-quantum cryptography.

This article was originally published as Bitcoin’s quantum gap could bolster Ethereum, says Nic Carter on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

SpaceX Moves Toward IPO Filing With Strong Valuation Target

SpaceX moves toward IPO filing with the SEC, targeting up to a $1.75 trillion valuation as tokenized stock dips and Bitcoin holdings remain steady.

Key Highlights

SpaceX Nears IPO Filing as Tokenized Stock Drops Below Recent Highs

Musk’s SpaceX Targets $1.75T Valuation Amid Shifting Market Signals

Tokenized SpaceX Shares Slip Despite Strong IPO Momentum

SpaceX Lines Up Banks While Crypto-Linked Assets Show Mixed Trends

IPO Buzz Rises as SpaceX Tokenized Stock and Volume Decline

SpaceX is preparing a confidential IPO filing with the SEC, possibly within days. The company aims to raise over $75 billion. It could seek a valuation between $1.5 trillion and $1.75 trillion.

Reports indicate that the filing timeline may shift slightly due to internal factors. However, preparations continue at a steady pace. The company has not issued an official statement on the matter.

Major financial institutions are supporting the process with underwriting roles. Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, and JPMorgan Chase are involved. The listing is expected to take place in June 2026.

Tokenized SpaceX Stock Declines Despite IPO Momentum

The tokenized SpaceX stock currently trades at $681.74 after a recent drop. The price declined by 0.8% over the past 24 hours. Trading volume also fell by 31% during the same period.

The token recorded a daily low of $681.23 and a high of $699.50. It remains more than 22% below its all-time high. Market activity shows reduced momentum despite rising IPO interest.

The decline reflects short-term adjustments in secondary markets. However, broader attention toward tokenized assets remains steady. The IPO narrative continues to shape sentiment across related markets.

Institutional Push for Tokenization Gains Strength

Institutional activity in tokenized securities has increased due to evolving regulatory clarity. The SEC recently approved Nasdaq’s proposal for tokenized securities trading. This move signals growing acceptance of blockchain-based financial instruments.

Large firms such as BlackRock, NYSE, and Invesco have announced tokenization initiatives. These developments support wider adoption across traditional finance sectors. Market infrastructure continues to evolve alongside these plans.

Meanwhile, SpaceX maintains exposure to digital assets through its Bitcoin holdings. The company holds 8,285.45 BTC valued at nearly $600 million. Bitcoin trades at $71,113 at the time of reporting.

$ASTS added ~$5B in market cap today as SpaceX moved closer to an IPO with a prospectus filing expected this week.

This looks like a repricing of early-stage winners in what could be one of the most important infrastructure buildouts of the next 20 years. https://t.co/Ajyb45rcc8 pic.twitter.com/ZQe0uaOA7R

— Shay Boloor (@StockSavvyShay) March 25, 2026

Strategic Expansion Strengthens SpaceX Position

SpaceX recently completed the acquisition of Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence firm xAI. The deal makes xAI a wholly owned subsidiary. The combined private valuation stands near $1.25 trillion.

This integration supports broader technological alignment within Musk’s ecosystem. It also strengthens SpaceX’s long-term strategic outlook. The move reflects ongoing consolidation across advanced technology sectors.

In addition, Musk confirmed early public access for X Money in April. This development expands the company’s financial ecosystem. It aligns with efforts to integrate payments and digital services.

IPO Structure and Market Expectations Take Shape

The IPO may allocate more than 20% to individual participants. This structure could widen access beyond institutional allocations. It also reflects a broader distribution strategy.

Advisers expect strong demand given SpaceX’s market position and growth profile. The company leads in commercial space launches and satellite deployment. Its Starlink network continues to expand globally.

Market conditions will influence final pricing and valuation adjustments. However, current projections indicate significant scale. The IPO could become one of the largest in financial market history.

This article was originally published as Tokenized SpaceX Stock Slips as IPO Filing Plans Advance on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Tazapay, a cross-border payment infrastructure provider, has closed an extension to its Series B funding round, lifting total funding to $36 million. The extension was led by Circle Ventures and included participation from Coinbase Ventures, CMT Digital, Peak XV Partners and Ripple. The new capital will be used to expand digital settlement technology for cross-border payments, secure additional licenses, broaden geographic reach across Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and the Americas, and build infrastructure for what the company calls “agentic payments.”

Tazapay serves more than 1,000 enterprises and fintechs across 30 countries, and holds licenses in Singapore, Canada, Australia and the United States, with active applications underway in the European Union, United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong. “The demand we’re seeing from enterprises and fintechs across Asia, LATAM, and the Middle East is unmistakable; businesses want to move money faster, cheaper, and with full regulatory confidence,” said Kanupriya Sharda, chief business officer at Tazapay.

Cointelegraph asked Tazapay for the size of the extension tranche and the company’s valuation, but did not receive a response by publication.

Related: Ripple joins Singapore sandbox to test RLUSD in trade finance

Key takeaways

Tazapay’s Series B extension brings total fundraising to $36 million, with Circle Ventures leading and participation from Coinbase Ventures, CMT Digital, Peak XV Partners and Ripple.

The fresh capital targets expansion of cross-border digital settlement tech, licensing pursuits, and regional growth into Asia, LATAM, the Middle East and the Americas, plus development of “agentic payments.”

The funding news comes against a backdrop of growing interest in stablecoin–based cross-border rails, with Ripple expanding its institutional stablecoin platform to over 60 markets and processing more than $100 billion in volume.

Other early-stage fintechs are also scaling stablecoin–fiat payment networks, such as Conduit, which raised $36 million in May 2025 to broaden its fiat and stablecoin offerings and serve as an alternative to SWIFT.

Regulatory licensing, interoperability, and real-world adoption remain pivotal for pushing these rails from pilots to mainstream use.

Tazapay’s expansion blueprint and regulatory footprint

According to the company, the new funding will accelerate the rollout of its cross-border settlement technology by pursuing additional licensing and expanding in key regions, including Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and the Americas. Tazapay currently maintains licenses in Singapore, Canada, Australia and the United States, with active applications in the European Union, United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong. The firm reported serving more than 1,000 enterprises and fintechs across 30 markets, underscoring growing demand for faster, cheaper, and regulation-compliant cross-border payments. The chief business officer, Kanupriya Sharda, highlighted “unmistakable” demand from enterprises and fintechs across Asia, LATAM, and the Middle East for improved money movement capabilities.

Stablecoins and the race to upgrade cross-border rails

The extension of Tazapay’s Series B comes as a wave of fintech and crypto companies push to embed stablecoins into cross-border payment workflows. Ripple, for example, has expanded Ripple Payments into an end-to-end stablecoin and fiat platform for banks and fintechs. The platform is live in more than 60 markets and has processed over $100 billion in volume, signaling a meaningful move toward institutional-grade stablecoin rails in global payments.

In the same ecosystem, regulatory and sandbox activity around stablecoins continues. For instance, Ripple recently joined Singapore’s sandbox to test RLUSD in trade finance, illustrating how regulated pilots are shaping the rollout of new settlement tools across jurisdictions.

Beyond Tazapay and Ripple, the market has seen other notable fundraising tied to cross-border rails. In May 2025, Conduit announced a $36 million Series A round led by Dragonfly and Altos Ventures to scale its fiat and stablecoin payment network, positioning the project as a potential alternative to traditional messaging corridors such as SWIFT.

These developments reflect a broader industry shift: a push to replace or augment legacy rails with programmable, regulator-friendly settlement networks built on stablecoins and crypto rails, designed to cut settlement times and costs while preserving compliance and risk controls.

What this means for readers and market watchers

For investors, Tazapay’s extension signals continued appetite for platforms that can operationalize cross-border liquidity with robust licensing and multi-jurisdictional reach. For enterprises and fintechs, the move reinforces a trend toward using stablecoin-based settlement to reduce friction in international payments while maintaining regulatory confidence. For builders, the emphasis on “agentic payments”—where payment flows can be orchestrated and automated at the edge of networks—points to a future where payment rails are more integrated with enterprise workflows and financial ecosystems.

As the sector scales, observers will want to watch licensing progress, regional execution, and the ability of these platforms to deliver truly cost-effective and faster settlement at scale. Regulatory clarity across key markets—especially around stablecoins and cross-border fintech operations—will continue to shape how quickly and broadly these rails can be adopted.

Readers should keep an eye on further disclosures from Tazapay about the extension’s size and valuation, as well as ongoing updates from Ripple, Conduit and other players as they publish new milestones and regulatory milestones in the coming quarters.

The story continues to unfold as more regional licenses, pilot programs, and enterprise deployments come online, potentially reshaping the architecture of global payments over the next few years.

This article was originally published as Circle backs Tazapay extension, boosting Series B to $36M on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Bitcoin Slips as Geopolitical Signals Shift

Bitcoin drops 1% as Trump signals faster end to US-Iran conflict timeline

BTC trades near $70,700 while volatility rises amid geopolitical shifts

Oil prices climb, offsetting crypto gains as tensions remain unresolved

Iran rejects ceasefire terms, adding pressure to global financial markets

Crypto derivatives show weakening momentum ahead of major options expiry

Bitcoin declined 1% during early Thursday trading, reflecting uncertainty from evolving geopolitical developments. The asset traded at $70,712, showing limited momentum within a narrow daily range. Meanwhile, traders reacted to reports of a potential shift in US foreign policy direction.

The US administration signaled an intention to shorten the ongoing conflict with Iran. This stance introduced mixed expectations across financial markets and increased short-term volatility. As a result, Bitcoin failed to sustain earlier gains despite recent bullish projections.

At the same time, trading volumes remained subdued, indicating weaker participation in the current market phase. Market activity reflected hesitation, especially as external risks continued to dominate sentiment. Consequently, Bitcoin moved sideways with a slight downward bias.

Oil Prices Rise as Conflict Dynamics Evolve

Oil prices moved higher as geopolitical tensions continued to influence supply expectations. The upward movement erased some gains previously seen in risk assets like cryptocurrencies. This shift highlighted the inverse reaction between commodities and digital assets.

Reports indicated that the US aimed to conclude the conflict within a defined timeframe. However, Iran rejected proposed ceasefire conditions and introduced its own demands. These developments prolonged uncertainty and supported oil price strength.

Additionally, the proposed conditions included sanctions removal and expanded regional control measures. Such demands complicated negotiations and extended the timeline for resolution. Therefore, energy markets maintained upward pressure amid unresolved tensions.

Derivatives Market Signals Weakening Momentum

Bitcoin derivatives data showed declining open interest over recent hours, signaling reduced market conviction. This drop aligned with broader uncertainty across financial markets. As a result, traders adjusted positions ahead of key expiry events.

Options data indicated that over $16 billion in Bitcoin and Ethereum contracts approach expiration. This large volume created expectations of heightened volatility in the near term. Consequently, short-term price movements remained sensitive to external triggers.

Meanwhile, projections from institutional analysts suggested a potential long-term upside for Bitcoin. However, current market behavior reflected caution due to geopolitical risks. Therefore, near-term sentiment remained mixed despite optimistic forecasts.

BITCOIN HAS JUST DROPPED BELOW $70,000

INSTITUTIONS HAVE STARTED SELLING, AND MOMENTUM IS FADING.

IF BITCOIN LOSES THE $69,000-$70,000 RANGE, THE DOWNTREND WILL SHARPLY ACCELERATE. pic.twitter.com/lWrwFCt3tC

— That Martini Guy ₿ (@MartiniGuyYT) March 26, 2026

Background and Broader Context

The US administration aimed to balance foreign policy priorities with domestic agendas. Reports indicated a focus on upcoming elections and legislative initiatives. This shift influenced decisions related to the conflict timeline.

At the same time, global markets responded quickly to any signals of escalation or de-escalation. Digital assets, commodities, and equities showed increased correlation during this period. As a result, geopolitical developments continued to shape market direction.

Overall, the situation remained fluid, with negotiations still uncertain and conditions unresolved. Market participants reacted to each update, causing frequent price adjustments. Consequently, volatility persisted across both traditional and digital asset classes.

This article was originally published as Bitcoin Slips as Geopolitical Signals Shift on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Fear of Regulatory Loopholes

The industry association argued that regulators ought to hold off until Congress finishes crypto banking legislation. It claimed that granting charters without complete regulations could pose a threat to the financial system. In addition, the group urged the OCC not to use conventional timelines on crypto companies. The ABA also expressed concern about the application of the GENIUS Act in the charter process. It observed that a number of agencies are yet to achieve rulemaking pursuant to the law. The group also indicated that implementing it in parts would complicate regulation of crypto firms.

Ripple is also one of the important applicants that will be impacted by the request. The banking group also criticised the OCC, as the firm was conditionally approved by the OCC earlier. Thus, full approval can now be delayed.Other companies seeking approval include BitGo, Paxos and Laser Digital of Nomura. There are also new entrants in the process who face increased scrutiny. This trend presents increasing interest towards regulated banking status.

Lawmakers too, such as Elizabeth Warren, have entered the debate. Previously, she demanded a stop on the same applications associated with crypto companies. Additionally, the topic has now been incorporated into broader debates about financial oversight.The ABA highlighted the necessity of more powerful oversight mechanisms prior to approvals. It raised issues of the risk of insolvency and how the regulators could act. Therefore, the group demanded a slow and cautious stance.

Industry Practice Claims

The association also cited questions around the way crypto companies make returns. It claimed that there are companies that can evade the restrictions by using related platforms. It also noted that more explicit rules are needed to resolve such practices. The petition is also indicative of increased tensions between traditional banks and crypto companies that seek to gain regulatory acceptance. It also underscores the persistent ambiguity with lawmakers still working on regulations regarding crypto bank activities.

This article was originally published as ABA calls on OCC to postpone Ripple and Coinbase crypto bank charters on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

STS Digital Introduces Structured Crypto Platform

STS Digital launched a structured products platform for digital assets, targeting institutional clients. The firm announced that Kraken joined as its first distribution partner.

The platform enables access to options-based strategies through predefined investment products. These products wrap derivatives in structured forms, enabling customers to interact with crypto markets in a controlled way. This offering indicates a transition to more advanced financial instruments in the digital assets.

JUST IN: STS DIGITAL LAUNCHES STRUCTURED CRYPTO PRODUCTS WITH KRAKEN AS FIRST INTEGRATION

Crypto options firm STS Digital has launched structured products on digital assets, with @krakenfx becoming its first exchange integration for both retail and institutional traders.

The… pic.twitter.com/RvrH7lvhS9

— BSCN (@BSCNews) March 25, 2026

Kraken has integrated the platform through an API. The exchange uses it to support its Dual Investment product, which offers fixed returns on Bitcoin and Ethereum. This integration expands the exchange’s product range for eligible users.

Jeremy Dominh, head of structured products at STS Digital, stated that the platform aims to broaden institutional access. He noted that clients increasingly seek advanced strategies to manage exposure and generate returns.

Kraken Expands Derivatives Offerings

Kraken is expanding its derivatives product range using this partnership. The integration also adds structured strategies like covered calls to its offerings. These strategies provide alternatives to traditional methods like staking or lending.

Alexia Theodorou, director of derivatives at Kraken, said the collaboration supports product innovation. She added that structured strategies allow clients to pursue returns with defined payoff conditions. This approach helps users navigate volatile market conditions.

In February, STS Digital raised $30 million in a funding round led by CMT Digital. Payward also participated in the round. The firm stated that the funding would support platform expansion and institutional market access.

The platform operates under a license from the Bermuda Monetary Authority. This regulatory framework provides oversight for clients using structured crypto products.

Structured Products Gain Institutional Interest

Structured crypto products are becoming popular among financial institutions. These tools are associated with returns to underlying assets or indices. They pool derivatives into single products with preset payout arrangements.

In 2025, DBS announced tokenized structured notes on Ethereum, signaling ongoing innovation. Other companies further diversify their services related to digital assets and derivatives.

Recent developments highlight this trend. Companies such as Omnes and Apex Group plan to tokenize structured notes linked to Bitcoin hashrate. At the same time, Lombard has partnered with Bitwise Asset Management to provide Bitcoin yield solutions.

Although these products increase opportunities, they carry risks. Market volatility, liquidity constraints, and counterparty exposure remain important factors for institutions embracing more sophisticated crypto investment strategies.

This article was originally published as STS Digital Introduces Structured Crypto Platform on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Fenbushi Capital co-founder Bo Shen has reignited the chase for assets stolen in a 2022 wallet breach tied to a compromised seed phrase. Shen announced a bounty of 10% to 20% of any recovered funds, payable to individuals or organizations contributing meaningfully to the recovery. In parallel, on-chain investigators have already frozen roughly $1.2 million in related assets as fresh leads reshape the tracing narrative.

Shen first disclosed in November 2022 that about $42 million in crypto had been drained from his personal wallet, a loss he said did not affect Fenbushi-related entities. SlowMist, a blockchain analytics and forensics firm, later attributed the breach to a mnemonic seed phrase compromise. The renewed effort, Shen said, follows investigators developing new leads and a clearer view of how the stolen funds moved across chains and through exchanges. Still, as with many asset-recovery efforts in crypto, there is no guarantee of full restitution.

Key takeaways

Investigators have already frozen about $1.2 million in related assets as new tracing techniques come online.

Bo Shen’s bounty offers 10% to 20% of recovered assets, with rewards distributed after recovery is achieved.

Stolen funds were originally estimated to comprise roughly $38.2 million in USDC, 1,607 ETH, nearly 720,000 USDT, and 4.13 BTC, and they were moved through exchanges such as ChangeNow and SideShift.

Advances in AI-driven data analysis and on-chain forensics are expanding the ability to track asset flows across chains and platforms in seed-phrase breach scenarios.

The outcome remains uncertain, but the case could serve as a practical test case for new tools and cross‑agency coordination in crypto security investigations.

A renewed hunt: from a 2022 breach to today’s tracing frontier

The 2022 incident marked a high-profile reminder of how quickly digital assets can be drained when seed phrases are compromised. Shen’s initial disclosure outlined a loss of roughly $42 million, describing it as personal wealth shorn from his own wallet rather than from Fenbushi-managed funds. In the months that followed, SlowMist attributed the breach to mnemonic phrase exposure, a two-step reality check for users and firms alike: seed phrase security remains foundational, yet defense-in-depth across custodial and cross-chain channels continues to evolve.

What changes now is not just the potential recovery of funds but the methodological leap in tracing capabilities. Shen notes that earlier, on-chain tracking and cross-chain forensics were more limited, constraining the ability to map flows as assets moved through wallets, exchanges, and liquidity venues. The latest wave of investigations leverages AI-assisted data analysis and more sophisticated on-chain forensics to identify transaction patterns, link addresses, and reconstruct asset paths with greater confidence. This shift is partly why the effort has gained renewed momentum after years of limited visibility.

Assets in play and how they traveled

According to SlowMist, the assets believed to have been stolen included about $38.2 million in USDC, 1,607 ETH, nearly 720,000 USDT, and 4.13 BTC. These funds did not remain static; they were subsequently moved through various channels and, at times, routed through centralized exchanges and swap services. The report notes that paths to recoveries were traced via routes that included platforms such as ChangeNow and SideShift, underscoring the challenge of cross‑exchange reconciliation in a fragmented, multi‑ledger environment.

The ongoing recovery effort cites the involvement of prominent on-chain researchers and investigators who have helped freeze assets in transit. Notably, the on-chain researchers identified in the public discourse contributed to actions that froze about $1.2 million of the missio funds. While this figure is a partial win, it also highlights how swiftly funds can fragment and reappear across pools and rails, complicating efforts to secure a full restitution.

The bounty and the evolving role of forensics

The bounty framework introduced by Shen is notable for two reasons. First, it aligns incentives around the asset-recovery process in a field where cooperation among individuals, firms, and exchanges is often essential but not always straightforward. Second, it reflects a broader trend in crypto security: using tangible rewards to mobilize disparate actors into coordinated action, especially when traditional legal avenues may be slower or less effective in a borderless ecosystem.

Shen’s announcement also foregrounds a shift in what researchers and investigators can offer beyond standard disclosure and reporting. By tying compensation to successful recovery, the effort implicitly endorses more aggressive tracing and collaboration across platforms. It also places a spotlight on the capabilities of on-chain analytics to parse histories that span multiple chains and custodial arrangements—an area where AI-enabled tooling is increasingly becoming a differentiator for investigators and security firms alike.

What this means for investors and the ecosystem

For investors and builders, the Bo Shen initiative illustrates both risk and progress. On the one hand, seed-phrase compromise remains a persistent risk vector; the value of robust key management and hardware wallets, combined with best practices for seed storage, remains undiminished. On the other hand, the case signals that the industry is gradually building a more effective toolkit for tracing and recovering misused assets. The involvement of high-profile figures in the space, coupled with the procedural use of bounties, could persuade more participants to collaborate openly when breaches occur, potentially accelerating the identification of compromised funds and their trajectories.

From a market perspective, the development suggests a growing willingness among insiders to publicly address losses and pursue remedies through non-traditional channels. It also highlights the ongoing tension between privacy, traceability, and accountability in the crypto world. While full restitution is far from guaranteed, the partial freezing of funds demonstrates the practical utility of advanced forensics and coordinated responses in reducing the velocity with which stolen assets can vanish from the system.

What to watch next

Readers should monitor updates on the recovered assets and any progress toward tracing additional funds. The outcome of the bounty—whether and how much of the $42 million ultimately surfaces—will hinge on ongoing forensic work, the cooperation of exchanges and liquidity venues, and the efficacy of the tracing methods being deployed. The case could set a precedent for future crypto-security investigations, especially in scenarios where seed-phrase compromises intersect with cross‑chain activity and exchange liquidity.

As investigators press forward, market participants will be watching how AI-driven analytics and contemporary on-chain forensics continue to reshape asset tracing. While uncertainty remains, the evolving toolkit offers a clearer picture of how complex thefts unfold—and how cooperative, incentive-driven efforts might improve chances of recovery in the volatile landscape of digital assets.

Stay tuned for further disclosures as the recovery effort progresses and more details about the new leads, the scope of recovered funds, and the mechanism for bounty payouts become available.

This article was originally published as Fenbushi Co-Founder Offers $42M Recovery Bounty From 2022 Hack on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

The UK government is accelerating plans to impose a temporary ban on political donations made via cryptocurrencies, tying the move to findings from the independent Rycroft Review that examined foreign interference in elections and political processes.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer signaled the government’s intent during a recent Prime Minister’s Question Time, stating that the administration would act decisively to protect democracy and include a moratorium on all political donations conducted through crypto assets. The pledge reflects cross-party concerns that crypto payments could be exploited by foreign actors to influence UK politics, a risk underscored by the independent inquiry.

Under the proposed policy, crypto donations would be prohibited until the government and regulators establish a robust framework capable of ensuring traceability and preventing illicit funding. A separate government statement outlined that the moratorium would apply until the regulatory environment is deemed sufficiently strong to support transparent, accountable fundraising in elections.

Key takeaways

The UK moves to suspend crypto-based political donations pending a robust regulatory regime aimed at preventing untraceable funds and foreign interference.

The change is being pursued as part of amendments to the Representation of the People Bill, with retrospective effect from March 25.

The legislation is at the committee stage in the House of Commons and must pass both Houses and receive royal assent to become law.

Enforcement includes a 30-day window for political parties and regulated actors to return any unlawful crypto donations once the law takes effect.

Reform UK, which has publicly accepted crypto donations, illustrates the shifting political dynamics around crypto contributions in the UK.

Rationale, risk, and political momentum

The move follows the Rycroft Review, an independent inquiry that scrutinized foreign financial influence and interference risks in the UK’s electoral architecture. While not the law itself, the review has become a blueprint for where policymakers believe tighter controls are warranted. In public remarks, Starmer framed the moratorium as part of a broader effort to shield democratic processes from covert funding channels. The government’s stance is that crypto donations, if left unregulated, could provide a vehicle for opaque contributions and foreign actors to sway political outcomes.

Observers note that the policy signals a broader shift in how UK politics may handle digital assets in the fundraising space. While crypto markets continue to evolve rapidly, lawmakers are signaling that fundraising mechanisms, disclosures, and enforcement capabilities must keep pace to preserve electoral integrity. The government’s position is that once a robust regulatory environment is in place, the ban would be lifted only after appropriate assurances about transparency and enforcement are satisfied by Parliament and the Electoral Commission.

Legislative path and practical implications

Implementing the moratorium requires amendments to the Representation of the People Bill. The government indicated that changes would take retrospective effect from March 25, aligning with the timeline of the inquiry and the current parliamentary session. The bill is presently at the committee stage in the House of Commons, meaning it must pass through both the Commons and the Lords before reaching royal assent, after which it could become law.

Once in force, the rule would impose a 30-day window for political parties, candidates, and MPs to return any crypto donations deemed unlawful during the interim period. After the window closes, enforcement actions could follow for breaches discovered under the new regime. This phased approach aims to deter crypto-based contributions that lack clear traceability or originate from prohibited sources, while giving political actors time to adjust and comply with the updated requirements.

Crucially, the ban is described as not being lifted until the regulatory framework is judged robust enough to sustain confidence and transparency in donations conducted through digital assets. That implies a potentially lengthy period before any relaxation, contingent on the development and rollout of effective compliance standards, verification processes, and enforcement mechanisms overseen by the Electoral Commission and relevant regulators.

Context, parties, and potential market impact

The policy landscape around crypto donations in the UK has already seen notable developments. Reform UK, for example, was reported to be the first major party to publicly accept crypto donations, with its leadership announcing an intention to accept Bitcoin and other digital assets from eligible donors. The new moratorium framework could complicate such fundraising arrangements, particularly if the donor pool and regulatory expectations become more tightly defined and enforced.

For investors and market participants, the unfolding policy debate underscores how regulatory risk is evolving alongside the crypto sector. While the moratorium targets political fundraising rather than broader market activity, it reflects a broader emphasis on governance, transparency, and anti-fraud controls in digital asset use. Market watchers will be watching not only the trajectory of the Representation of the People Bill, but also how regulators operationalize new rules, such as enhanced monitoring of crypto contributions, heightened disclosures, and potential cross-border compliance requirements.

The timeline remains to be seen. With the next general election due by August 15, 2029, the length of any enforced pause will partly hinge on parliamentary pace and the readiness of the Electoral Commission to administer and enforce the new regime. The case also sits within a wider international dialogue about how democracies regulate crypto philanthropy and campaign funding, a field that is rapidly evolving as lawmakers weigh both security concerns and the potential benefits of digital assets for fundraising.

As the bill advances through Parliament, observers should monitor three critical developments: the precise scope of the ban (whether it applies to all crypto donations or only certain types of gifts), the design and timeline of the regulatory regime that would allow the ban to be lifted, and how enforcement will be operationalized in practice across different political parties and candidates.

In the near term, the government’s priority is to safeguard election integrity while building a credible framework for digital fundraising. Whether the proposed measures will withstand political and legal scrutiny, and how quickly regulators can implement the necessary safeguards, will shape the trajectory of crypto donations in UK politics for the years ahead.

Readers should stay attentive to parliamentary proceedings around the Representation of the People Bill, as well as official statements from the Electoral Commission and the government on the timing and conditions for any potential exemption or lifting of the moratorium. The ongoing debate will likely influence how political campaigns, donors, and crypto firms approach fundraising and compliance in the United Kingdom.

The next phase of the policy process will reveal how aggressively the UK plans to police crypto-backed political giving and whether the regulatory approach can provide a clear, enforceable path for campaign finance in the digital asset era.

This article was originally published as UK Advances Temporary Ban on Crypto Political Donations on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Bitcoin Depot has appointed Alex Holmes—already a member of the company’s board—as chief executive and chair, replacing Scott Buchanan who stepped down after less than three months in the top role. The move comes as the crypto ATM operator faces growing regulatory pressure across multiple U.S. states over alleged scams and money-laundering concerns tied to its kiosks. In the company’s regulatory filing, Bitcoin Depot stressed that Buchanan’s departure “was not due [to] a disagreement.”

Holmes, a veteran MoneyGram executive who spent 16 years at the payments firm in roles including chief financial officer and CEO, is known for his emphasis on regulatory compliance. He said his priorities center on stabilizing operations, advancing regulatory progress, and accelerating the company’s evolution into a broader fintech platform. Mintz, the founder and former CEO, will shift from executive chair to non-executive board member and serve as an adviser to Holmes.

Key takeaways

Bitcoin Depot appoints Alex Holmes as CEO and chair, with founder Brandon Mintz moving to a non-executive advisory role.

The leadership transition comes as U.S. states intensify scrutiny of crypto ATMs amid concerns about scams and money laundering.

Connecticut suspended Bitcoin Depot’s money transmission license and issued a cease-and-desist order; Massachusetts has sued the company; Maine paid $1.9 million to a consumer protection bureau; Missouri opened an investigation; Iowa filed a lawsuit against Bitcoin Depot and another operator.

The company lowered its 2026 revenue outlook amid a “dynamic regulatory environment.”

Bitcoin Depot’s stock traded around the low-dollar range, with a recent intraday reaction reflecting the ongoing regulatory headwinds.

Regulatory pressure frames the leadership shuffle

The executive transition arrives at a time when Bitcoin Depot faces heightened regulatory risk across several states. Connecticut’s banking regulator announced a suspension of the company’s state money transmission license and issued a temporary cease-and-desist order, citing multiple alleged violations of state money transmission laws, including excessive fees and refunds to scam victims. The action underscores the ongoing tension between fast-growing crypto kiosk networks and traditional consumer protections frameworks.

Earlier in the year, Massachusetts prosecutors filed suit accusing Bitcoin Depot of overcharging consumers, facilitating scams, and failing to issue refunds. The legal actions across New England reflect a broader pattern of state attorneys general and regulators scrutinizing crypto ATM operations for consumer harm and compliance shortcomings.

Widening regulatory net and what it means for operators

Beyond Connecticut and Massachusetts, Bitcoin Depot has encountered regulatory actions in Maine, Missouri, and Iowa. Maine’s consumer protection agency announced a settlement in January, requiring the company to pay $1.9 million to compensate consumers for fraudulent transactions. In Missouri, the attorney general opened an investigation into Bitcoin Depot and four other crypto ATM operators in December, focusing on potentially deceptive fees and the misuse of kiosks by unscrupulous actors. Iowa followed with a lawsuit filed in February against Bitcoin Depot and rival CoinFlip, accusing the firms of enabling scams and costing Iowans more than $20 million.

These actions illustrate a pattern: as crypto kiosks proliferate, state regulators are increasingly willing to pursue enforcement actions tied to fees, refunds, and the overall integrity of the customer experience. The regulatory backdrop has translated into operational and financial headwinds for Bitcoin Depot, contributing to a broader reassessment of how crypto-access points are governed in the United States.

As Cointelegraph reported in related coverage, the sector has seen a notable uptick in losses and fraud linked to crypto ATMs, a trend that underscores the tension between rapid expansion and consumer protection. The industry’s evolving risk profile makes leadership choices at public or near-public operators all the more consequential for investors and users alike.

Financial outlook and investor reception

Bitcoin Depot disclosed in its 2025 results that it had reduced its 2026 revenue outlook, projecting a decline of roughly 30% to 40% due to what it described as a dynamic regulatory environment. The update was a frank acknowledgment that the path to growth in a highly regulated landscape will require careful navigation of state-by-state compliance regimes, alongside the ongoing need to secure consumer trust.

Market reaction to the leadership change and regulatory developments has been modestly negative in the immediate term. The company’s shares closed lower on the latest trading session, then recovered slightly after hours, a reflection of investor caution in light of the mounting legal and regulatory pressures. Bitcoin Depot (BTM) has been under severe pressure this year, with the stock down significantly from its 2022–2023 highs as state actions and corporate governance scrutiny mounted.

Strategic implications for a diversified fintech play

Holmes’ appointment signals a potential shift in Bitcoin Depot’s strategy toward a broader fintech platform, leveraging his deep experience in payments compliance. If executed well, the pivot could help the company balance growth in crypto-enabled services with stronger risk controls, potentially broadening its appeal to financial partners and retailers wary of compliance exposure. Yet the immediate priority remains stabilizing operations amid a tightening regulatory environment that could influence licensing, fee structures, and consumer protections across multiple jurisdictions.

In the near term, observers will be watching how Bitcoin Depot renegotiates its licensing posture in states where enforcement actions were initiated and whether it can restore consumer confidence through transparent refunds, clearer fee disclosures, and robust anti-scam measures. The outcome of ongoing investigations and lawsuits will also be a bellwether for the broader blockchain kiosk sector, which has seen rapid expansion but uneven regulatory clarity.

What to watch next

Investors and users should monitor how Holmes reshapes the operational backbone of Bitcoin Depot, including any concrete steps to strengthen regulatory compliance, refine fee policies, and improve dispute resolution processes. State regulators’ ongoing actions will continue to play a decisive role in determining the company’s ability to scale its network and sustain revenue growth in a constrained regulatory landscape. As the sector evolves, further clarity on a national framework for crypto kiosks could either ease the path for expansion or impose new guardrails that reshape a still-nascent market.

This article was originally published as Bitcoin Depot taps ex-MoneyGram CEO amid tightening state scrutiny on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Google has set a 2029 deadline for migrating its services to post-quantum cryptography (PQC), signaling a shift from warnings to concrete action as quantum threats edge closer to reality. The tech giant argued that rapid progress in quantum hardware and quantum error correction, along with revised estimates of when quantum machines could break today’s encryption, heightens the urgency to act sooner rather than later.

In a statement, Google underscored that PQC migration is essential for secure user authentication across its products. “Quantum computers will pose a significant threat to current cryptographic standards, and specifically to encryption and digital signatures,” the company said. This marks the first explicit timeline from Google to deploy PQC across its product stack, a move that could set a new industry tempo for post-quantum readiness.

“It’s our responsibility to lead by example and share an ambitious timeline. By doing this, we hope to provide the clarity and urgency needed to accelerate digital transitions not only for Google, but also across the industry.”

Google’s declared timeline comes as the company advances Willow, its quantum processor, which has a reported capacity of 105 qubits, placing it among the more capable publicly discussed quantum chips today.

Key takeaways

Google sets a 2029 target to migrate its services to PQC, signaling a rare explicit industry timeline for post-quantum readiness.

The move stresses the urgency of PQC ahead of theoretical “Q-Day” milestones, supported by newer estimates and faster hardware progress.

Willow’s 105-qubit profile reinforces Google’s positioning in the quantum race and underscores the feasibility of scaling PQC deployment alongside hardware advances.

Broader crypto networks are advancing their own post-quantum preparations, including Ethereum’s protocol-level PQC work and Solana’s quantum-resistant vault experiments.

Industry momentum: PQC upgrades beyond Google

The effort to harden crypto networks against quantum threats is gathering pace across layers and protocols. The Ethereum Foundation launched a dedicated Post-Quantum Ethereum resource hub this week, focusing on protecting the blockchain from future quantum-enabled attacks and safeguarding the billions of dollars stored on the network. The plan envisions implementing quantum-resistant solutions at the protocol layer by 2029, with execution-layer adjustments to follow as needed.

In parallel, Solana developers rolled out a quantum-resistant vault in January 2025 aimed at shielding user funds from quantum threats. The approach relies on a hash-based signature scheme that generates new keys with each transaction, adding a layer of forward security for vault-held assets. It’s important to note that this feature is not a network-wide security upgrade; users must opt into the Winternitz vault system to access the enhanced protection.

These efforts reflect a broader trend toward embedding quantum resilience into core cryptographic routines, even as practical deployment remains uneven across ecosystems. Some projects, particularly in the Bitcoin camp, emphasize a more cautious stance about the immediacy of quantum risk.

Bitcoin’s divided perspectives on post-quantum risk

Within the Bitcoin ecosystem, opinion remains split on how urgently to pursue post-quantum safeguards. Blockstream CEO Adam Back has argued that quantum risks are widely overstated and that no immediate action is required for decades. By contrast, researchers and developers have proposed concrete steps to mitigate potential vulnerabilities. For example, Bitcoin Improvement Proposal 360 (BIP-360) advocates a new Pay-to-Merkle-Root output type designed to shield addresses from short-exposure quantum attacks. However, implementing such changes could take years; one prominent advocate suggested a seven-year horizon for broad adoption.

Beyond Bitcoin-specific proposals, the industry continues to weigh the practicality and timeline of universal PQC adoption. Some critics argue that even robust post-quantum schemes must contend with issues such as interoperability, standardization, and the long-term security of existing keys before a wholesale migration can be deemed safe. For now, multi-year upgrades and phased rollouts appear to be the path of least resistance as developers test and validate new cryptographic primitives.

For readers seeking deeper context, several related analyses look at the state of quantum-resistant cryptography, including examinations of the viability of quantum-secure signatures and the practical challenges of deploying them at scale. Notably, a number of articles raise questions about whether quantum-secure cryptography will perform as hoped in real-world conditions and what the timing of widespread deployment will truly look like.

Looking ahead, the pace of PQC adoption will likely hinge on a confluence of hardware progress, standardization milestones, and the willingness of large platforms to commit to comprehensive migrations. Google’s new timeline creates a powerful signal to the ecosystem: with major players articulating concrete deadlines, the pressure to move from theory to action could accelerate efforts across wallets, exchanges, and networks alike.

Related discussions emphasize the need for transparent roadmaps and verification as quantum-ready primitives are tested in practice. The crypto community will be watching closely how large platforms translate ambitious timelines into tangible, verifiable security upgrades that survive real-world operational pressures.

In sum, the industry appears to be moving from speculative risk assessments toward programmatic PQC work streams. The next 12–24 months may reveal how quickly cross-project alignment can emerge around standards, interoperability, and the practical deployment of quantum-resistant cryptography across web, cloud, and blockchain systems.

Readers should stay tuned to how major players translate these timelines into interoperable security upgrades, and whether regulatory and standard-setting bodies accelerate guidance that helps unify the path to post-quantum readiness.

This article was originally published as Google Plans 2029 Post-Quantum Migration Amid Rising Threats on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Circle, the issuer behind the USD Coin (USDC), drew scrutiny after reportedly freezing 16 wallets tied to a civil case in the United States. On-chain investigator ZachXBT characterized the move as inappropriate, arguing the wallets belonged to legitimate business operations and were not connected to the case in any apparent way.

The wallets, ZachXBT noted, were used by a mix of crypto exchanges, online casinos, and foreign exchange businesses. He added that an analyst armed with basic on-chain tools could have recognized the wallets as ordinary business addresses from among the vast number of transactions Circle processes each day.

In a separate social post, the investigator asserted that the case appears sealed and that Circle had “zero basis” to freeze fiat-pegged USDC wallets. He described the freeze as potentially the most incompetent he has observed in years of investigations, suggesting the action reflected a governance process outsource to a default judicial mechanism rather than a defined, auditable internal procedure.

Cointelegraph approached Circle for comment on these claims, but the company did not provide a response by publication time.

Centralized stablecoins like USDC—where the issuer maintains reserves and has the ability to intervene—have long been debated for their contrast with the permissionless ethos of many crypto assets. Critics point out that, unlike cash, centrally issued stablecoins can be frozen, a point echoed by several industry figures.

“This is your 10th reminder that centrally issued stablecoins are not actually yours; they can be frozen, unlike cash,”

Mert Mumtaz, founder of RPC node provider Helius, reacted to the freezes by underscoring the governance risk inherent in centralized stablecoins. He framed the episode as a reminder that control rests with the issuer, with potential implications for user rights and privacy.

Jean Rausis, co-founder of the Smardex decentralized trading platform, linked Circle’s action to broader regulatory designs under discussion in the GENIUS stablecoin framework. He suggested that provisions within GENIUS could enable a privately managed central bank digital currency (CBDC) pathway, highlighting ongoing debates about how much visibility, oversight, and control such tokens might concede to authorities.

The discussion extends to broader concerns about the relationship between regulated stablecoins and the future cryptocurrency regulatory landscape. Critics have warned that frameworks like GENIUS may inadvertently normalize a centralized, surveilled form of money under the guise of stability and compliance, potentially steering markets toward a CBDC-like model. In May 2025, commentator and former lawmaker Marjorie Taylor Greene also raised alarms that regulated stablecoins could act as a “CBDC Trojan Horse.”

Key takeaways

Circle reportedly froze 16 USDC-related wallets tied to exchanges, gaming, and FX businesses, a move disputed by crypto researchers as misaligned with the civil case context.

On-chain investigator ZachXBT contends the wallets were clearly business instruments, not entities implicated in the ongoing case, and questions the governance process used to authorize the freezes.

Industry voices stress that centralized stablecoins can be frozen by issuers, underscoring tensions between censorship-resistance ideals and regulatory compliance.

Discussion around GENIUS signals concern that centralized infrastructure could nudge regulated stablecoins toward privately managed CBDC-like models, fueling ongoing CBDC debates.

Circle did not provide a public comment at the time of reporting, leaving questions about internal processes and future safeguards unresolved.

Rethinking stablecoins in a regulatory era

The episode situates Circle’s actions within a broader discourse about the balance between stability, governance, and user sovereignty. Proponents of decentralized finance have long argued that censorship resistance and non-custodial control are core benefits of crypto. The ability of a stablecoin issuer to freeze funds—whether due to legal pressures, compliance programs, or other governance mechanisms—poses a direct challenge to that ideal.

Industry executives frame this moment as a test of how future stablecoins will operate under increasing scrutiny. The GENIUS framework, which aims to shape stablecoin regulation in the United States, is cited by several stakeholders as a potential pathway for more tightly controlled, centrally managed assets. Critics warn that such measures could drift toward CBDC-like systems, with implications for transparency, user consent, and financial privacy.

For investors and users, the key question is where risk management ends and user autonomy begins. If stablecoins remain fully centralized, ownership and access could hinge on issuer discretion rather than user rights. By contrast, a move toward more decentralized, algorithmic, or opt-in governance mechanisms might preserve censorship resistance but come with different liquidity and compliance trade-offs. The current situation with USDC highlights the practical tensions between these design choices and the real-world friction points that users and institutions must navigate.

What to watch next

Observers will be looking for any clarifications from Circle regarding the freeze process, internal governance criteria, and the safeguards—if any—that govern such actions. Regulators may also seek greater transparency around how stablecoins are managed, when freezes can be invoked, and how affected users can contest actions. The broader market will likewise assess how this incident influences confidence in centralized stablecoins and whether it accelerates calls for more robust, auditable frameworks that align with the industry’s long-standing push for transparency and resilience.

As the dialogue around stablecoins and CBDCs evolves, readers should stay tuned for updates on Circle’s official stance, forthcoming regulatory guidance under GENIUS, and any shifts in industry practices designed to prevent ambiguous, arbitrary freezes in the future.

This article was originally published as ZachXBT Accuses Circle of Wrongful Exchange-Wallet Freezes on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Bitcoin has again pressed up against a formidable wall near the $72,000 level, with bulls showing persistent demand despite ongoing macro and geopolitical uncertainty. Analysts say a sustained move above that resistance is required to renew a broader up leg toward the $80,000s, while traders watch for on‑chain signals that could confirm genuine accumulation rather than a mere short-term bounce. Notably, market participants have faced a backdrop of mixed sentiment as growth and risk assets digest recent shocks.

Market activity in March showed notable exchange outflows for BTC, a sign some observers interpret as cautious accumulation rather than immediate selling pressure. Analysts highlighted that while this flow does not yet establish a definitive uptrend, it underscores a shift in demand from sellers at lower price levels. That dynamic, combined with a valuation argument some investors are making, suggests a potential foundation for a longer-term rally if key levels are cleared. In that context, some observers point to the Yardstick metric as a narrative thread worth watching: in February, Yardstick readings dipped below the bear-market low seen in 2022, prompting discussions about whether BTC is entering a deep-value phase despite the ongoing price action.

Against that backdrop, traders and researchers are looking at the top few coins for clues about broader market health. The emphasis remains on whether risk appetite can reassert itself after recent volatility and whether the cryptocurrency complex can sustain a constructive bid at resistance levels that have repeatedly resisted breakthrough.

Key takeaways

Bitcoin (BTC): The price action is forming an bullish ascending triangle, but a decisive move above $74,508 is needed to signal a fresh leg higher toward $84,000. A break below the current support line could expose BTC to a slide toward a $60,000–$62,500 zone.

Ether (ETH): ETH bounced from the 50-day simple moving average and sits near a balance point. A sustained move above $2,400 would indicate the start of a new uptrend, with potential targets near $2,600 and then $3,050. Conversely, slipping back below the 50-day SMA would tilt the outlook toward $1,900–$1,750 in a deeper pullback.

BNB (BNB): The pair remains range-bound roughly between $570 and $687 as buyers test higher levels. A breakout above $687 could target $730 and then $790, while a break below $600 risks a drop toward $570.

XRP (XRP): Bears are defending the moving averages, but a sustained breakout above them could open a path to $1.61 and the downtrend line. A breakdown below $1.27 would reframe the setup toward the lower end of its channel.

Solana (SOL): SOL has been confined between the 50-day moving average near $86 and resistance near $95. A breakout above $95 could lift prices toward $117, while a move below the 50-day SMA could drag the pair back into a $76–$95 range.

Bitcoin price outlook: a pivotal test above resistance

BTC is tracing an ascending triangle pattern on the daily chart, a classic setup that traders watch for a bullish breakout. The 20-day exponential moving average sits around $70,303, with the RSI hovering near midpoint, signaling a lack of a clear cross‑currents favoring either side in the near term. For the bulls to reclaim upside momentum, a sustained push above the $74,508 barrier would be a strong signal, potentially paving the way for a run toward the $84,000 mark as early as the next few sessions.

On the flip side, a break below the defining support line could tilt sentiment toward a deeper retracement, potentially drawing BTC down to the $60,000s. The balance between risk and opportunity remains delicate, as fundamental concerns mingle with price action in a market still digesting shocks from global tensions and evolving regulatory narratives.

Ether price compass: eyes on the $2,400 level

ETH has managed a modest rebound after testing lower levels, with the price turning higher after testing the 50-day SMA. The current setup suggests a wavering balance between supply and demand. A clear move above $2,400 would be a meaningful bullish cue, opening the door to a faster ascent toward $2,600 and ultimately toward $3,050 if momentum builds.

However, if selling pressure intensifies and ETH fails to sustain above the midline, the market could re-enter a softer phase. A drop through the $2,000–$1,900 zone would likely recalibrate expectations toward deeper support near $1,750, challenging any near-term upside.

BNB in a price‑range limbo: will it break out?

BNB has been clinging to a narrow corridor between roughly $570 and $687. The chart suggests a tepid, consolidative tone with the 20-day EMA flattening and the RSI hovering around the midpoint. A sustained climb above $687 would be a bullish signal, potentially targeting $730 and then $790 as the next milestones. Conversely, a breakdown below $600 would shift the balance toward the $570 level and could invite a further retreat toward the $500s if selling accelerates.

XRP: near-term path depends on how it handles moving averages

The XRP setup resembles a tug-of-war around the moving averages, with bulls pressing to extend gains beyond those technical levels. A sustained advance above these averages could push the price toward the $1.61 resistance level and the associated downtrend line, a zone that would likely attract fresh selling pressure from bears. If the price slips below $1.27, the downside could extend toward the channel’s lower boundary, where buyers are expected to re-enter.

Solana: a cautious bounce within a defined band

SOL has traded within a modest corridor, with the 50-day SMA near $86 acting as a critical line in the sand. A move past $95 could unleash a faster ascent toward $117, while failure to sustain the breakout would renew the range-bound dynamic between $76 and $95. The pattern suggests buyers remain tentative but capable of seizing control if they push through the overhead resistance.

Other notable coins in focus

Beyond the big three, several marquee tokens are reflecting similar themes of consolidation and selective breakouts. Cardano remains confined within a descending channel but shows attempts to stabilize near $0.25, while Cardano’s recovery would hinge on a decisive close above the moving averages to target the downtrend line and potential bullish extensions toward $0.39 and $0.44. Bitcoin Cash has inched above the 20-day EMA but faces a challenge to sustain momentum above the 50-day moving average; a move above that level could spark a relief rally toward $520, while a breakdown could bring the bears back into the frame. Chainlink has been tracing an ascending channel, with a potential breakout signaling a broader recovery toward the $11.61 hurdle and the $14.98 target if buyers gain the upper hand.

In aggregate, the market is balancing on a knife-edge: sentiment remains reactive to macro headlines while on-chain signals hint at underlying demand that could underpin a broader recovery if key resistance levels give way. The coming sessions will be telling as traders weigh whether this is a temporary pause within a longer ascent or a setup for a renewed phase of range-bound churn before the next decisive move.

For investors, the critical takeaway is to monitor the reaction at the major inflection points: $72,000 for BTC, $2,400 for ETH, and the nearby resistance bands across the top altcoins. Breakouts above those levels could reframe the risk/reward, while sustained closures below critical supports may extend the current consolidation. In a market that has proven prone to sudden shifts, preparation and disciplined risk management remain essential as the narrative around price discovery continues to evolve.

What to watch next: as on-chain signals, exchange flow data, and macro cues continue to evolve, traders will be watching for clear confirmation of breakouts or breakdowns at the levels highlighted above. The next few weeks could help determine whether this period is a temporary pause within a larger bull phase or a precursor to deeper consolidation across the market.

This article was originally published as March 25 Price Outlook for Top Crypto Assets on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

US President Donald Trump announced 13 appointees from the crypto, blockchain, AI, and technology sectors to his re-established Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), a body revived by executive order in January 2025. The White House said the council would advise the president on matters involving science, technology, education, and innovation policy.

The administration signaled that the panel could ultimately expand to as many as 24 members, with many additional appointments expected in the near term.

Among those named were Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Coinbase co-founder Fred Ehrsam, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, and Oracle chief technology officer Larry Ellison, illustrating a cross-section of social media, crypto, semiconductors, and enterprise software leadership on the panel.

The White House noted that the council will be co-chaired by White House AI and crypto czar David Sacks and Trump’s science adviser Michael Kratsios. The January executive order re-establishing PCAST assigns it the task of advising the President on science, technology, education, and innovation policy.

News of the appointments comes as the White House last week released a national AI framework, urging Congress to pass legislation that would preempt state-level rules in favor of a unified federal approach. In parallel, Trump has pressed Republicans to advance the SAVE America Act—legislation requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote, saying on March 8 that he “will not sign other bills” until it passes.

Key takeaways

The reconstituted PCAST adds 13 members from crypto, AI, and broader tech sectors with potential to influence policy on innovation, regulation, and national strategy.

High-profile names attached to the roster include Mark Zuckerberg, Fred Ehrsam, Jensen Huang, and Larry Ellison, underscoring a cross-industry reach into social platforms, crypto infrastructure, and enterprise tech.

The council’s leadership is set to be co-chaired by David Sacks and Michael Kratsios, tying together White House AI strategy and science-oriented policy oversight.

The appointment aligns with a broader White House push on AI governance and technology policy, coming shortly after the administration’s AI framework and amid ongoing crypto-market regulation debates in Congress.

A tech-forward advisory body and its potential influence

The expansion of PCAST signals more than a ceremonial lineup. By bringing together founders and executives with hands-on experience in platform design, digital assets, and advanced computing, the White House appears intent on shaping policy that could affect research funding, national quantum and AI initiatives, data privacy standards, and the coordination of federal tech programs across agencies.

David Sacks’ designation as a co-chair reflects the administration’s approach to integrate perspectives from both AI development and crypto policy circles. Michael Kratsios, who serves as Trump’s science adviser, complements that mix with a governance mindset focused on policy execution and regulatory clarity. In this arrangement, the council could become a sounding board for national strategies on emerging technologies, including how the U.S. competes with international peers in AI, cloud infrastructure, and digital assets infrastructure.

The membership itself reads like a snapshot of today’s technology leadership: a social media chief executive, a crypto infrastructure founder, a semiconductor and AI hardware chief, and an enterprise software veteran. While PCAST has historically concentrated on scientific and technical policy, the current lineup raises the potential for a more explicit bridge between innovation ecosystems and federal policy objectives.

Context: AI policy, frameworks, and the political timetable

Its emergence comes on the heels of the White House’s national AI framework, which calls for a cohesive federal approach to artificial intelligence governance. By emphasizing federal action, the administration is signaling that it intends to steer the discussion beyond uneven state-by-state regulation, a point of interest for developers, users, and investors navigating AI deployment timelines and risk management.

Meanwhile, the political calendar around crypto regulation remains contentious. The House previously passed a comprehensive digital asset market structure bill, known in policy circles as the CLARITY Act, in July 2025. The Senate, however, has faced recurring obstacles, including recesses and a government funding standoff, and progress has stalled on moving the measure through the upper chamber. The outlook for federal crypto law is further complicated by industry pushback on certain provisions and the balance lawmakers seek between consumer protection, market integrity, and innovation incentives.

The Senate Agriculture Committee did advance its version of the market structure bill in January, but a planned markup in the Senate Banking Committee—where securities-law implications are central—was postponed after Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong indicated the bill did not align with the company’s views as written. As of midweek, no new date had been set for a Banking Committee markup, leaving the overall timeline uncertain. Industry concerns over how the framework would handle stablecoins and yields have contributed to the cautious pace surrounding legislative action.

Taken together, the PCAST appointments and the ongoing congressional debates map a broader moment for policy signals. Investors, developers, and users are watching how the White House’s staffing choices translate into concrete regulatory directions—particularly around AI governance, digital asset policy, and the interoperability of federal rules across federal agencies.

What to watch next in policy and markets

Looking ahead, several questions will shape the near-term crypto and tech policy landscape. First, how quickly will the White House fill out the remaining PCAST seats, and what subfields or sectors will be prioritized in those appointments? Second, will the AI framework influence legislative strategy in Congress, accelerating a more unified approach to technology regulation that could affect innovation pipelines and government procurement?

On the legislative front, the CLARITY Act saga offers a bellwether for how the Administration and Congress balance market structure clarity with industry concerns. If the Senate resumes movement and addresses securities considerations and stablecoin policy in a compatible form, it could set the stage for a federal framework that supersedes piecemeal state rules. Conversely, extended stalemate would maintain a degree of regulatory ambiguity that could impact capital flows and project timelines across the crypto and crypto-adjacent tech sectors.

For market participants and builders, the development underscores a potential shift in how federal policy-makers engage with crypto-native ecosystems. The inclusion of influential industry leaders on PCAST may foreshadow more active, policy-informed collaboration between government and industry—an environment where technical feasibility, consumer protection, and innovation incentives must be balanced in real time.

As the administration moves to fill out PCAST and Congress weighs next steps on market structure legislation, observers should monitor the administration’s public messaging, any future staffing announcements, and committee-level activity in the Senate. The coming weeks could reveal the degree to which this White House strategy translates into tangible policy shifts, regulatory clarity, and a clearer path for crypto and AI developers navigating the U.S. regulatory landscape.

Readers should stay tuned for updates on who joins PCAST in the coming months and how the council’s guidance might influence federal research funding, education policy, and enforcement priorities across science and technology domains.

This article was originally published as Trump Advisory Council Enlists Coinbase Co-Founder, Tech Leaders on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.