Category: crypto

Circle has introduced a new USDC Bridge that aims to streamline cross-chain transfers for on-chain dollars. The bridge, operated by Circle, eliminates the need for multiple bridges by providing a single bank-style ledger experience. This technology is part of Circle’s Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol and has already facilitated over $20 billion in monthly cross-chain settlements. With…

France’s finance minister supports the launch of bank-issued euro stablecoins by the Qivalis alliance in 2026 to keep Europe’s digital payment rails in euros rather than dollars. This marks a shift in policy and aims to reduce reliance on dollar-pegged tokens, promoting European digital sovereignty and combating “digital dollarization” in payments and DeFi.

Payward, the parent company of Kraken, plans to acquire Bitnomial for up to $550 million to expand into U.S. regulated futures and options. Bitnomial holds all three key U.S. derivatives licenses. This acquisition follows Deutsche Börse’s $200 million investment in Payward, valuing Kraken at $13.3 billion. Regulatory approvals are pending.

SEC Chair Paul Atkins has launched the podcast “Material Matters” with Commissioners Hester Peirce and Mark Uyeda to promote a more pro-innovation stance on crypto and clearer rulemaking. The podcast aims to spotlight a shift towards engagement-driven rules and away from heavy-handed enforcement under Gensler’s leadership.

The NEA workshop explored real-world AI applications in nuclear regulation, focusing on structured frameworks, human oversight, and on-premise models to address cybersecurity concerns. Discussions emphasized practical deployment, with regulators sharing experiences and identifying common challenges. Collaboration across jurisdictions was highlighted as key to responsibly and efficiently using AI to improve nuclear safety.

Bank of AI and PKUBlockchain argue that AI agents in Web4.0 need specific payment, identity, and tooling protocols. They propose x402, ERC‑8004, and MCP as solutions, with Tron and USDT as the default settlement rail. The report predicts significant assets and commercial flows managed by AI agents by 2030.

Slash, a business banking platform, raised $100M in Series C funding, reaching a $1.4B valuation. It processes over $1B in annual stablecoin payments for 5,000+ businesses. The company aims to become a financial command center for businesses, focusing on stablecoin payments and seamless banking operations. This trend is attracting big acquirers like Ripple.

Iran has reopened the Strait of Hormuz for commercial traffic, easing energy fears. However, Trump maintains a US naval blockade on Iranian ships, keeping oil and crypto markets uncertain. Bitcoin is fluctuating between $68,000 and $70,000 amid peace rumors and blockade threats. The outcome of US-Iran talks and the ceasefire remains unclear.

Gate Research highlights leveraged crypto ETFs as valuable short-term tactical tools due to their liquidity and short-term trading strategies. However, they caution against using them as long-term investments due to their daily reset mechanism leading to volatility decay in volatile markets. Leveraged products like 5x tokens are best suited for short-duration trades with strict stop-loss…

The US dollar index has lost its gains from the Iran conflict as Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz, leading to a decrease in safe-haven flows. Traders are now focusing on ceasefire terms and political settlements. The dollar’s decline is attributed to fading safe-haven buying and a shift in market sentiment.