Category: crypto

Polymarket is implementing stricter rules against insider trading and manipulation on its DeFi platform and CFTC-regulated U.S. exchange. The new policies include enhanced surveillance, NFA oversight, and whistleblower channels. These changes come as regulated prediction markets grow under U.S. oversight and interest in crypto-linked event trading increases.

Bitcoin treasury firm Empery Digital sold 63 BTC for $4.6 million to fund share repurchases. They also announced a $25 million equity offering to repay debt. Empery now holds 3,439 BTC and prioritizes stock buybacks over more Bitcoin accumulation. They aim to maximize Bitcoin per share and reduce debt.

Origins Network has raised $8 million in strategic funding to develop a blockchain specifically designed for AI agents with verifiable computation. They are working with AWS, Tencent Cloud, and Alibaba Cloud to separate heavy AI workloads from onchain verification. The project aims to make AI auditable and transparent in the crypto infrastructure space.

Polygon-incubated Katana has acquired veteran DEX IDEX to launch Katana Perps, a new perpetual futures platform integrating spot and derivatives trading. Market makers are seeding liquidity. CEO Matthew Fisher aims to own more of the trading stack and revenue as onchain derivatives volumes rise. Katana’s DeFi stack includes Sushi, Morpho, Kensei, and Katana Perps.

The Russell 2000 index’s 2% rebound after a 10% correction suggests a slight return to risk-taking in U.S. stocks, providing Bitcoin and altcoins with room to recover. This shift is part of a broader relief rally that has also boosted cryptocurrencies, indicating a correlation between stock market movements and crypto asset prices.

Two former Kalshi employees are raising up to $35 million for a new fund called 5c(c) Capital to support prediction market infrastructure startups. The fund, backed by Kalshi and Polymarket CEOs, plans to invest in market makers, indices, and tools for prediction markets. This reflects the growing interest in prediction markets as a financial market…

NYSE Arca and NYSE American have removed position limits on options tied to 11 crypto ETFs after SEC filings cleared the process. The rule change allows for more flexibility for institutions and allows crypto ETF options to trade as FLEX contracts. The changes were made effective immediately by the SEC waiver.

Crypto prices in Asia dropped due to oil market stress and geopolitical tension. Investors are monitoring economic data and inflation expectations. Bitcoin and Ether weakened, with markets also affected by Middle East conflict and rising energy costs. Higher oil prices raise inflation concerns and may impact interest rates. Traders are cautious across global markets.

H100 Group is planning to acquire Norwegian Bitcoin companies Moonshot AS and Never Say Die AS through an all-share deal, potentially increasing its Bitcoin holdings to about 3,501 BTC. If completed, H100 would become Europe’s second-largest listed Bitcoin treasury company. The transaction is subject to due diligence and corporate approvals.

Bitcoin’s price rose sharply to $71,500 after Trump announced a delay in planned military strikes against Iran. This move followed productive talks between the US and Iran, easing tensions. The rally liquidated $270 million in short positions, boosting market sentiment and causing short traders to face significant losses. Total crypto liquidations reached $780 million.