Category: crypto

Pi Network will activate Protocol 23 on May 11, introducing full smart contract functionality. This upgrade transforms the network into a programmable platform supporting DeFi applications and asset tokenization. The activation date was moved forward from May 18 and follows the completion of Protocol 22 on April 27. Co-founders will speak at Consensus 2026 in…

Microsoft and OpenAI have restructured their partnership, ending the exclusivity agreement and allowing OpenAI to sell its full model suite on Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud. Microsoft’s cloud license is now non-exclusive until 2032, with OpenAI obligated to ship new models to Azure first. Microsoft will no longer pay revenue share to OpenAI.

Mantle Network’s proposal to lend 30,000 ETH to Aave’s DeFi United rsETH recovery has entered the governance voting phase on Snapshot. The initiative aims to provide structured credit to a $314 million multi-DAO war chest for DeFi United, helping users impacted by the April 18 rsETH exploit to restructure their positions.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse warns that if the CLARITY Act doesn’t pass the Senate Banking Committee by May 21, it may be delayed until 2030. The bill has support from major players in the industry and public figures. Senators have expressed concerns about the fragile political conditions surrounding the bill.

Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari has shifted his stance on potential interest rate cuts in 2026 from expecting one or two cuts to being more data-dependent due to uncertainties caused by the Iran war and higher oil prices impacting inflation. He emphasizes the need to assess the duration and impact of these factors before making…

137 Ventures has raised over $700 million for two new funds, increasing its assets under management to over $15 billion. The firm focuses on high-impact technology investments in AI agents, robotics, and aerospace propulsion, with a significant stake in SpaceX valued at over $10 billion ahead of a potential IPO.

In April, crypto venture funding dropped to $659 million across 63 deals, a 74% decrease from March, returning to 2024 levels. DeFi and AI projects continued to attract capital. Monthly flows have been declining since October 2025 peak. Market maker GSR was the most active investor. Investors are now more selective and cautious.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse predicted that the CLARITY Act will pass by the end of May, after initially forecasting an 80% chance of passage in April. He believes that the stablecoin yield dispute delaying the bill is close to resolution, and Senator Thom Tillis plans to schedule a markup in May.

Ripple CTO David Schwartz clarified a 2017 post stating XRP could not be “dirt cheap” if handling large transactions. He explained it was about market mechanics, not a price guarantee. Schwartz also denied claims that Ripple has a hidden mechanism to spike XRP’s value, calling such ideas implausible.

Strategy’s CEO, Phong Le, promoted the high-yield STRC stock as a source of income for personal expenses, highlighting its variable dividend of 11.5%. However, the company’s disclosures indicate that dividends are not guaranteed and can be suspended. Le mentioned that most STRC holders are retail investors managing mortgages and bills.