Category: crypto

South Korean investors reduced their crypto holdings from $83.3 billion to $41.4 billion in a year, with trading volume on major exchanges decreasing. They shifted towards stocks due to a strong market run, while new AML checks and a 2027 crypto tax may impact local exchanges. Stablecoins also saw fluctuations.

Coinbase x402 is now integrated with Amazon Bedrock AgentCore, allowing AI agents to make payments in USDC without human involvement. The system settles transactions quickly and securely, with enterprise controls and compliance checks. The x402 protocol has processed millions of payments and is supported by AWS, Coinbase, and others.

Connecticut SB5, one of the most comprehensive state AI laws in the US, passed on May 1. It covers AI companions, synthetic media transparency, automated employment decision tools, and frontier model developers. The law takes effect from October 2026 and defies federal pressure despite Trump’s executive order urging states to avoid burdensome AI regulation.

The Pentagon released 162 UAP files on May 8, including NASA Apollo moon photos and 1965 astronaut audio. The files, posted at war.gov/ufo, cover sightings from 1942 to 2025, with notable documents including Apollo mission images and audio recordings. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed more files will follow with ongoing investigations.

The US banking lobby is pushing to stall the CLARITY Act, rejecting a stablecoin yield compromise proposed by Senators Tillis and Alsobrooks. Senators Lummis and Tillis defend the compromise, warning that banking opposition may aim to kill the bill. The bill has bipartisan support, but faces challenges in the Senate.

MoonPay, Ripple, and Paxos executives at Consensus Miami 2026 discussed how stablecoin regulation has increased institutional adoption but identified infrastructure and privacy gaps hindering mainstream use. The GENIUS Act accelerated traditional finance involvement in stablecoins. Ripple emphasized the need for utility beyond market capitalization, while Paxos highlighted unresolved privacy issues.

European leaders are questioning US leadership in NATO after Trump launched strikes on Iran without consulting alliance members. Tensions have been brewing since Trump’s threats to control Greenland and annex Canada, but the Iran conflict has intensified the dispute. Analysts suggest a possible shift towards European leadership in NATO if the US withdraws.

The Senate Banking Committee is expected to vote on the CLARITY Act next week, with draft text already circulated. Coinbase VP Kara Calvert emphasized the need for bipartisan support and at least 60 Senate votes. The bill aims to clarify regulations for digital assets and has faced delays due to disputes over stablecoin yields and…

The S&P 500 has reached a new all-time high near 7,400, leading to a risk-on rally in U.S. equities. Bitcoin and major crypto assets are trading as high-beta extensions of U.S. equities, rather than independent hedges. A record-high stock market supports the bull case for crypto, but also poses bubble and positioning risks.

Trump has abandoned his Iran war maximalist demands as polls drop and peace talks remain deadlocked. His approval rating on the Iran war has fallen from 39% to 30%. The focus is now on halting Iran’s nuclear program rather than eliminating it permanently, with other early goals like regime change no longer part of negotiations.