Crypto Briefs — Sunday, August 30, 2026

Bitcoin's spot market weakness persists as the Coinbase Premium Index remains negative for a record 60 days, signaling sustained retail selling pressure despite improving institutional sentiment. Meanwhile, structural shifts are reshaping the cryptocurrency landscape: Cardano is decentralizing core development by handing control to external teams, while SBI Holdings' acquisition of Singapore exchange Coinhako expands cross-border digital asset infrastructure across Asia. These developments reflect divergent market forces, with deleveraging cycles creating stability but retail engagement remaining tentative as regulatory clarity on stablecoins and DeFi frameworks continues to evolve.

  1. Bitcoin Treasury Firm Struggles to Sell Shares Despite 10% Yield

    A bitcoin treasury company's preferred share offering (BTC PREF) faces weak demand, with roughly half its shares unsold ahead of its July 20 trading debut. The security is structured to yield above 10% if priced below SEK 120, indicating investor hesitation despite the attractive income profile.

  2. JST Completes Fourth Buyback Round with 355M Tokens Burned

    JUST's native token JST completed its fourth buyback and burn round on July 17, with over 355 million tokens valued at $34.59 million destroyed—the highest single-round burn by value to date. The JustLend DAO protocol used revenue to fund the deflationary mechanism, which the token issuer credits with supporting JST price appreciation.

  3. Cardano transfers core development to outside teams

    Input Output, the company behind Cardano, is transferring control of core development components including the Haskell node, Plutus smart contract language, and Hydra layer-two solution to external teams. Founder Charles Hoskinson framed the move as necessary for network decentralization and growth, signaling a structural shift in Cardano's governance.

  4. Crypto Insurance Coverage Falls 20% to $130M Amid Hacks

    Cryptocurrency insurance coverage declined 20% to $130 million, according to Crypto Briefing, as repeated hacks deplete the market. The contraction leaves smaller platforms increasingly exposed, operating without adequate protection against security breaches and potential asset losses.

  5. Deribit Moves 90% of Assets to Coinbase, Discontinues Daily Proof-of-Reserves

    Deribit transferred approximately 90% of client assets to Coinbase and on September 1 eliminated its daily Merkle tree proof-of-reserves verification, relying instead on VARA reports and audited materials with reduced public accessibility. The move reduces transparency of Deribit's reserve verification compared to its prior daily checks.

  6. Neobank's AVICI Token Crashes 49% Following $1.1M Card Hack

    A $1.1 million exploit on a neobank's crypto card infrastructure triggered a 49% decline in its AVICI token from the 24-hour high, pushing the asset to a record low before partial recovery. The incident highlights security vulnerabilities in neobank-issued digital assets tied to transaction systems.

  7. Robinhood Bets on DeFi Onboarding Amid Memecoin Dominance

    Robinhood is pursuing a strategy to bring retail users to decentralized finance, leveraging its existing customer base as a competitive advantage. However, early activity on its platform has been dominated by memecoin trading, while its broader tokenization vision has seen limited uptake so far.

  8. Polymarket Traders Cut CLARITY Act Passage Odds to Record Low

    Polymarket bettors have reduced odds of the CLARITY Act passing in 2024 to record lows amid ongoing Senate negotiations over ethics provisions. The prediction market activity reflects market skepticism about the cryptocurrency-focused legislation's timeline as legislative delays persist.

  9. Galaxy Digital Signs 15-Year Naming Rights Deal for Texas Tech Stadium

    Nasdaq-listed Galaxy Digital has secured naming rights to Texas Tech University's football stadium in a 15-year agreement, rebranding it as Galaxy Stadium. The deal reflects Galaxy's broader strategy to capitalize on West Texas's abundant cheap power and available land for cryptocurrency operations.

  10. ECB Warns Stablecoins Could Drain Bank Deposits

    European Central Bank board member Piero Cipollone outlined risks that digital payments and stablecoins pose to traditional bank deposits across three threat layers, according to Decrypt. Cipollone promoted the digital euro as the structural solution to address these banking sector risks.

  11. SBI Holdings Acquires Majority Stake in Singapore Exchange Coinhako

    SBI Holdings has acquired a majority stake in Singapore-based cryptocurrency exchange Coinhako following approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). The move expands SBI's digital asset infrastructure across Japan and Southeast Asia as part of its strategy to build a cross-border network.

  12. Ocean Mining VP Says BIP-110 Lacks Consensus as Miner Support Stays Below 1%

    Ocean Mining VP Jason Hughes warned that Bitcoin Improvement Proposal BIP-110 is unlikely to achieve consensus, citing node signaling at 7-15% and hashrate support below 1% heading into the critical block 961632 activation window. Hughes argued the proposal lacks measurable miner backing needed for adoption on the Bitcoin network.

  13. CoinShares: Bitcoin Sentiment Bullish but Price Recovery Uncertain

    CoinShares reports that investors have resumed inflows into crypto funds, signaling improving sentiment around Bitcoin, though the firm cautions that price recovery remains uncertain. The report suggests bullish sentiment may not immediately translate to sustained price gains.

  14. Foundry Digital Enables Miner Vote on BIP-110 Soft Fork

    Bitcoin mining pool operator Foundry Digital announced it will allow its clients to vote on BIP-110, a proposed soft fork. The move gives miners hosted on Foundry's pool a direct mechanism to signal support or opposition for the upgrade proposal.

  15. Coinbase Bitcoin Premium Index stays negative for record 60 days

    Coinbase's Bitcoin Premium Index has remained negative for a record 60-day stretch, suggesting sustained weakness in spot demand relative to derivatives markets. The metric tracks the price difference between Coinbase spot and futures prices; prolonged negativity typically signals bearish sentiment among retail traders.

  16. Mini PCs Now Capable of Running Full Bitcoin Nodes

    Compact computers can now run Bitcoin full nodes and verify all transactions dating back to 2009, reducing hardware barriers to network participation. The development potentially strengthens Bitcoin's decentralization by enabling more users to run nodes independently without requiring high-end equipment.

  17. XRP Google Trends Interest Down 91% From July 2025 Peak

    XRP search interest on Google Trends has declined 91% from its July 2025 all-time high, coinciding with a 60% price drop for the token. The analysis examines whether the collapse in retail sentiment signals weakened price support for Ripple's cryptocurrency.

  18. Fink: Crypto Deleveraging Sets Stage for Bitcoin Bull Run

    BlackRock CEO Larry Fink attributed recent cryptocurrency market stability to a leverage washout, citing this as support for a bullish 12-month outlook for Bitcoin. Fink's comments come as Bitcoin trades near $60,000, with the deleveraging seen as reducing systemic risk in crypto markets.

  19. Ethereum Falls 4% Amid Spot ETF Outflows of $28M

    Ethereum declined 4% as spot exchange-traded funds recorded $28 million in outflows, signaling weakened institutional demand. Despite the near-term pullback, analysts quoted by CryptoPotato maintain a bullish medium-term outlook, citing a potential upside target of $2,245 and higher levels.

  20. CLARITY Act Hearing Narrows Crypto Regulation Political Window

    A congressional hearing on the CLARITY Act has repositioned cryptocurrency regulation within a constrained political timeframe, according to NewsBTC. The hearing represents an active development in ongoing legislative efforts to define federal crypto oversight, with timing implications for near-term regulatory clarity.

  21. SEC's Crypto Framework Could Enable DeFi Safe Harbors

    NewsBTC reports that the SEC's evolving crypto regulatory framework may create safe harbor provisions for decentralized finance platforms. The development signals potential regulatory clarity for a sector that has operated in legal ambiguity, addressing a key industry concern about enforcement risk and compliance pathways.

  22. Bitcoin $69K Cost Basis Seen as Key Altcoin Recovery Signal

    Glassnode analysis identifies Bitcoin's short-term holder cost basis near $69,000 as a critical resistance level for the market's recovery trajectory. The firm suggests reclaiming that level could validate the current rebound and potentially open upside paths for altcoins including XRP toward $1.26, marking the point where recent buyers return to profitability.

  23. T. Rowe Price Launches Spot Crypto ETP as Basket ETF Interest Wanes

    T. Rowe Price, which manages approximately $1.89 trillion in assets, launched TKNZ, a spot exchange-traded product tracking multiple cryptocurrencies, on NYSE Arca on July 16. The product represents the firm's entry into crypto offerings at a time when investors have shown limited appetite for diversified crypto basket ETFs, suggesting T. Rowe Price is testing a different product structure for the institutional market.

  24. AI Agents Tap $24M Market as Crypto Payments Expand

    AI agents are increasingly employing cryptocurrency payments to execute tasks autonomously, with a $24 million market emerging around agentic crypto infrastructure. The trend enables agents to perform actions like web scraping and file uploads without human intervention, creating new use cases for automated payments in the AI ecosystem.

  25. Bitcoin Volatility Falls Below South Korean Stock Market Levels

    Bitcoin's volatility has declined as artificial intelligence market enthusiasm wanes, leaving the cryptocurrency less volatile than South Korea's stock index on July 17, 2026. The shift reflects cooling speculative interest in AI-related assets and broader market consolidation in crypto markets.

  26. Bitcoin Tests $63K as Long-Term Holders Sell at Loss

    Bitcoin traded near $63,000 as roughly two-thirds of coins moving to exchanges came from long-term holders realizing losses, according to Decrypt analysis. The selling pressure reflects broader risk-off sentiment in macro markets affecting bitcoin's price trajectory.

  27. Three Men Jailed for $5.3M UK Crypto Fraud Posing as Police

    Three men were sentenced in the UK for a fraud scheme in which they impersonated police officers using fake websites to convince victims to send cryptocurrency, according to Metropolitan Police statements reported by Decrypt. The gang converted approximately $5.3 million in stolen crypto into fiat currency and spent proceeds on luxury goods including Rolex watches and holidays.

  28. Bitcoin Falls Below $63K Amid Geopolitical Tensions, ETF Inflows Resume

    Bitcoin dropped below $63,000 following U.S. strikes on Iran and escalating U.S.-China tensions, triggering a broader risk-off market sell-off. Despite the price decline, onchain metrics and renewed exchange-traded fund inflows suggest institutional and retail buyers are re-entering the market, indicating potential support at current levels.

  29. Binance CEO underestimated RWA tokenization growth trajectory

    Binance founder and CEO Changpeng Zhao acknowledged underestimating the expansion of tokenized real-world assets and stablecoins, which the source characterizes as a transformative shift reshaping financial markets. The rapid adoption is creating new regulatory and liquidity management challenges for exchanges and market participants.

  30. XRP Price Volatility in August; September Outlook Uncertain

    XRP experienced significant price volatility throughout August, according to CryptoPotato. The article suggests historical patterns indicate potential challenges ahead, though the outlet speculates on possible gains in September without providing specific price targets or catalysts.

  31. XRP Peaked at $3.65 a Year Ago; Ecosystem Evolved Despite Price Decline

    Ripple's XRP token hit $3.65 exactly one year ago before entering a sustained downturn. The article reviews ecosystem developments over the past year including ETF launches and acquisitions despite the token's price deterioration, examining what transpired in the broader Ripple network.

  32. Bitcoin Falls to $63K as Global Chip Selloff Weighs on Risk Assets

    Bitcoin declined to $63,000 from earlier weekly highs near $65,000 as a broadening global selloff in chipmakers pressured risk assets. The cryptocurrency's retreat followed softer-than-expected inflation data that had initially boosted sentiment earlier in the week.

  33. 28M Ether Volatility Bet Targets Market Chaos Profits

    A $28 million derivatives position on ether is betting on increased price turbulence rather than directional movement. The trade uses options or similar instruments designed to profit from volatility swings in the ether market, reflecting trader expectations of elevated market uncertainty.

  34. Trump Crypto Bank Granted Federal Charter With UAE Official as Largest Shareholder

    The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency granted a federal charter to WLTC Holdings, a crypto bank in which Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed al Nahyan, the UAE's national security advisor, holds a 49% stake through StringZ Holding RSC, while the Trump family owns 38%. The approval marks a significant regulatory milestone for the institution.

  35. JPMorgan explores public stablecoin as bank coalition launches BankChain Alliance

    JPMorgan Chase is evaluating a public stablecoin distinct from its existing JPM Coin deposit token, according to the Wall Street Journal. Separately, 39 state banking associations have formed the BankChain Alliance with a targeted blockchain network launch in 2027, signaling coordinated institutional adoption of distributed ledger technology.

  36. Bitcoin Now Accepted as $250k Mortgage Down Payment Without Margin Calls

    A lending program now permits borrowers to pledge up to $250,000 in Bitcoin as a house down payment without facing margin calls triggered by price fluctuations. However, borrowers who become 60 days delinquent risk forced liquidation of their pledged Bitcoin, creating a key risk for users seeking to use cryptocurrency collateral for traditional mortgages.

  37. Ether Falls Sharply as Chip Trade Unwinds, Markets Slide

    Ether declined twice as steeply as bitcoin amid a broader market selloff, with Japan's Nikkei posting its worst day since March. Despite the downturn, ether remains one of the few major holdings still showing weekly gains, though barely positive.

  38. Trump Media launches Truth API for financial firm access to Truth Social posts

    Trump Media & Technology Group has introduced a paid data service called Truth API that delivers real-time posts from high-ranking Truth Social accounts to financial firms and news organizations. The service provides licensed access to public posts, positioning Truth Social content as a potential market-moving information source for institutional subscribers.

  39. Trezor Security Chief Warns of Rising Phishing, AI-Powered Threats

    Trezor's head of security has highlighted escalating phishing and artificial intelligence-driven threats targeting cryptocurrency users. The warning underscores growing concern over the vulnerability of market participants to social engineering and AI-enhanced attacks, reinforcing the industry's need for stronger security protocols and user awareness initiatives.

  40. Trump, senators meet on CLARITY Act ahead of August recess

    Trump and senators held discussions to resolve a deadlock over the CLARITY Act before the August congressional recess. The legislation could establish regulatory clarity for the cryptocurrency sector and potentially stabilize markets by defining oversight responsibilities across federal agencies.

  41. Sberbank plans crypto-backed loans for Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT

    Russia's largest bank Sberbank plans to offer loans collateralized by Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT following new cryptocurrency regulations and regulatory approval of the assets. The move follows Russia's formalization of crypto rules, positioning Sberbank to integrate digital assets into traditional lending products.

  42. Analyst: Altcoins May Rally Before Bitcoin Confirms Bottom

    An analyst argues that waiting for definitive confirmation of a market bottom could cause traders to miss early altcoin rallies. The analyst suggests certain altcoins may outperform Bitcoin in the early recovery phase, though the article does not name specific tokens or provide price targets.

  43. Real Trump Coins denies involvement in failed GOLD token

    Real Trump Coins issued a denial regarding the GOLD token following a 99% price collapse, claiming unidentified actors were responsible and stating the matter has been reported to authorities. The statement suggests potential unauthorized use of the brand in connection with the token launch.

  44. Coinbase suspends BADGER and STORJ trading Sept. 28

    Coinbase announced it will suspend trading of BADGER and STORJ tokens on September 28 following a listing review. Customers will retain the ability to withdraw both assets, though active trading will cease on the specified date.

  45. Vietnam Approves 5 Crypto Exchange Applicants in Initial Review

    Vietnam's authorities have cleared five cryptocurrency exchange applicants through an initial review phase, marking progress toward regulated crypto trading in the country. New penalties for non-compliance take effect September 1 as part of a phased regulatory transition framework.

  46. ETF inflows and short squeezes drive Bitcoin price movement

    Bitcoin's recent rebound has been fueled by a combination of short squeezes and sustained inflows into spot ETFs, according to CryptoPotato analysis. On-chain data indicates broader demand from investors beyond the initial squeeze dynamics, suggesting multiple drivers are supporting price recovery.

  47. Bitcoin Wallets Face Hardware Support Gap as BHWI Halts New Device Intake

    Bitcoin Hardware Wallet Interface (BHWI) has stopped accepting new hardware devices despite publishing parity tests, creating a support bottleneck for popular Bitcoin wallets. Downstream wallet integrations still require packaging, platform compatibility, and integration work to support new devices through alternative channels.

  48. Crypto.com Raises $400M Led by Citadel Securities; CRO Jumps 25%

    Crypto.com secured $400 million in institutional funding led by Citadel Securities, marking the exchange's first-ever institutional funding round. CRO, the exchange's native token, surged 25% following the announcement.

  49. Solana schedules Transaction V1 launch for September 9

    Solana announced a September 9 date for Transaction V1, which will introduce phased rent reductions and faster slot times. The network also targets October for deployment of the Alpenglow upgrade, according to the announcement.

  50. Bitcoin holders from $120K need 92% gain to break even

    Bitcoin at $64,073 would require a 92.2% gain to restore investors who bought at $120,000 last year to profitability, according to CryptoSlate analysis. The first meaningful recovery level sits at $72,000, representing 12.7% upside from current prices.

  51. OCEAN Co-Founder Luke Dashjr Resigns, Launches Mining Pool CONVOY

    Luke Dashjr, co-founder of Bitcoin mining pool OCEAN, has resigned and sold his equity stake back to the pool amid a mining-philosophy dispute. Dashjr is launching a new mining venture called CONVOY, signaling a split within the mining community over pool direction and strategy.

  52. Bitcoin Realized Cap Gains $4.6B as Onchain Liquidity Recovers

    Bitcoin's realized capitalization increased by $4.6 billion over one week, signaling a rebound in onchain liquidity. However, the 30-day growth trajectory indicates the recovery remains in early stages, suggesting caution about sustained momentum.

  53. Ripple hires LME treasury chief for tokenization push

    Ripple has appointed Joseph Thompson, a treasury executive from the London Metal Exchange, to its trading and markets team with a focus on tokenization strategy. The hire signals Ripple's continued effort to expand tokenization of traditional assets on its blockchain platform.

  54. Whales accumulate 39,000 Bitcoin as retail investors exit

    Large Bitcoin holders have accumulated over 39,000 BTC while retail investors have been selling, according to Crypto Briefing analysis. The divergence in flows could tighten circulating supply if the pattern persists, potentially supporting higher prices.

  55. US Treasury $739B debt issuance seen risking crypto liquidity drain

    The US Treasury plans to borrow $739 billion from July through September while simultaneously buying back older bonds, a strategy CryptoSlate argues could absorb liquidity from crypto markets before corporate buybacks support Bitcoin. The analysis suggests Treasury auctions create benchmark yields that compete for capital across asset classes, potentially tightening conditions for digital assets.

  56. Ostium Oracle Exploited via Future-Dated Prices, $24M Payout

    A cryptocurrency oracle service called Ostium suffered an exploit involving future-dated price reports that bypassed authorized signer verification, triggering payouts of up to $24 million. The incident details remain incomplete, as Ostium has not yet released a full loss accounting or technical postmortem of the vulnerability.

  57. Japan Passes Crypto Law; 20% Tax Implementation Could Delay to 2028

    Japan has passed cryptocurrency legislation that traders have sought, though a 20% tax rate may not take effect until 2028, contingent on Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (FIEA) enforcement arriving in 2027. Implementation timelines also depend on separate approvals for eligible assets and products.

  58. Keyrock Acquires BlockFills Trading Assets for Institutional Expansion

    Keyrock has acquired trading assets from BlockFills to expand its institutional cryptocurrency business. The acquisition brings institutional trading clients, derivatives expertise, and regulatory licenses to Keyrock's operations, strengthening its position in crypto capital markets.

  59. Stock tokens show liquidity drops when US markets close

    Crypto stock tokens tracked minimal price movement over the weekend as traditional markets closed, exposing liquidity constraints during off-hours trading. Aerodrome pools displayed $6.07 million in liquidity for certain assets while Aave V3 showed none, highlighting how crypto derivatives tied to equities depend on underlying market activity.

  60. Market Makers Harvest Yield in Bitcoin Rally Above $80K

    As bitcoin surged above $80,000, sophisticated trading firms employed yield-generation strategies rather than taking directional bets on price movement. Market makers are capturing profits through delta-neutral positions and other structured trades that benefit from volatility and spreads regardless of whether bitcoin rises or falls further.

  61. Ninth Circuit Kalshi ruling creates legal risk for CFTC prediction rules

    A Ninth Circuit court ruling against prediction-market platform Kalshi has created legal jeopardy for CFTC prediction-market regulations, though the ruling does not directly invalidate the agency's proposal. The decision raises questions about the regulatory framework governing crypto-native prediction markets.

  62. Stablecoin card spending surpasses $10.9 billion

    Stablecoin-based payment cards have processed cumulative spending exceeding $10.9 billion, according to Crypto.news. RedotPay projects annual stablecoin card spending could reach $50 billion by 2028, suggesting accelerating adoption of crypto-linked payment infrastructure.

  63. Bitcoin Whales Purchase $3B in BTC Amid Retail Selling

    Large Bitcoin holders accumulated $3 billion in BTC over the past week while retail investors sold, according to CryptoPotato analysis. Despite whale buying activity, analysts quoted in the piece maintain bearish outlooks and warn of further downside risk ahead.

  64. CFTC Penalizes White House Aide for $107k Prediction Market Gains

    A White House aide used non-public speech text to generate $107,000 in profits on prediction markets before the CFTC intervened, according to a settled enforcement order. The regulator imposed a $65,000 penalty and three-year trading ban, with the exchange KalshiEX credited for assisting in the investigation.

  65. Morgan Stanley Adds Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana Trading to E*Trade

    Morgan Stanley has launched trading for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana on its E*Trade platform for eligible customers, using Zero Hash as the underlying infrastructure provider. The offering allows users to buy, sell, and hold the three cryptocurrencies directly through their existing E*Trade accounts.

  66. MicroStrategy CEO hints at potential Bitcoin purchases

    MicroStrategy CEO Michael Saylor signaled the company may resume Bitcoin acquisitions after a two-month pause in purchases. The statement suggests potential renewed interest in expanding the firm's crypto holdings, though no specific purchase announcement or timeline was disclosed.

  67. US Treasury proposes stablecoin audit requirement for exchanges

    The US Treasury has proposed a change under its GENIUS framework requiring domestic cryptocurrency exchanges to audit foreign stablecoins or face delisting. The rule would permit platforms to list foreign-issued stablecoins only after conducting reasonable diligence. Public comments on the proposed standard remain open through October 19.

  68. Breez Partners With Turnkey for Non-Custodial Bitcoin Integration

    Breez has partnered with Turnkey to enable backend-run applications to integrate non-custodial bitcoin wallets at scale, allowing end-users to retain control of their funds while companies avoid holding private keys or restructuring existing infrastructure. The partnership addresses a technical barrier to bitcoin adoption in consumer apps by decoupling wallet custody from backend operations.

  69. Bitcoin VC Veterans Launch $40M Holding Company for Small Business Acquisitions

    Bitcoin Magazine reports that veteran venture capitalists, including analyst Lyn Alden, have launched a $40 million permanent capital holding company focused on acquiring profitable small businesses and transitioning them to a Bitcoin standard. The initiative represents a strategy to integrate Bitcoin adoption into operational business models rather than purely financial investments.

  70. Fed Chair Warsh: No Bailout for Crypto Firms in Crisis

    Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh stated the Fed will not provide bailouts to failing cryptocurrency companies, saying the industry must bear its own risks while regulators develop rules under the GENIUS Act. The statement clarifies the Fed's policy stance toward crypto sector distress.

  71. Pump.fun reaches $50M daily volume amid transaction surge

    Pump.fun processed $50 million in daily volume and 905,000 transactions, according to Crypto Briefing. The platform's rapid growth underscores volatility concerns and dependency on market sentiment, with analysts flagging sustainability risks and potential token stability issues amid the surge.

  72. T. Rowe Price Launches New ETF With Bitcoin and Crypto Exposure

    Asset manager T. Rowe Price has launched a new ETF providing investors with exposure to Bitcoin and other digital assets. The fund represents continued institutional adoption of cryptocurrency investment vehicles by major traditional asset managers.

  73. Base Leader Jesse Pollak Departs Amid Social Strategy Pivot

    Jesse Pollak has left his leadership role at Base, Coinbase's layer-2 blockchain. The platform is now shifting strategic focus toward payments, trading, and AI agents as competition among crypto platforms intensifies. The move follows what the source characterizes as a failed social strategy initiative.

  74. Analyst Predicts Further ETH Decline; Counterpart Sees Bottom

    A cryptocurrency analyst has predicted additional losses ahead for Ethereum, arguing the worst of the market cycle remains ahead. Another observer countered the bearish outlook, suggesting ETH may have already found its cycle bottom. The competing forecasts reflect ongoing disagreement among market watchers about Ethereum's near-term price direction.

  75. THORChain upgrade enables native Monero swaps

    THORChain completed an upgrade enabling direct swaps of Monero (XMR), the privacy-focused cryptocurrency, through its decentralized trading protocol. The upgrade coincides with regulatory scrutiny of privacy coins on centralized exchanges, allowing XMR holders to trade natively without intermediaries. XMR gained 8.9% following the announcement.

  76. Crypto Equities Outperform Tokens by 59 Points in H1 2026

    Bitwise data shows publicly traded crypto companies gained 23% in the first half of 2026 while crypto tokens fell 36%, a 59-percentage-point divergence. The gap may reflect equity markets pricing in token recovery or capturing revenue from adoption-driven fees, yield, and services that token prices have not yet incorporated.

  77. Senate Unanimously Opposes Pardon for Sam Bankman-Fried

    The U.S. Senate unanimously approved a nonbinding resolution stating that former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried should "under no circumstances" receive a presidential pardon or commutation. The measure reflects congressional sentiment following Bankman-Fried's conviction in the collapse of FTX, which caused significant losses to crypto investors and customers.

  78. RLUSD supply on Ethereum surpasses XRPL with 93% growth

    Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin supply on Ethereum has exceeded its XRPL supply, growing 93% over 30 days. The shift reflects Ethereum's appeal to institutions seeking DeFi integration and regulatory clarity, potentially altering XRPL's role in the stablecoin ecosystem.

  79. Aave V4 launches on Avalanche, expands beyond Ethereum

    Aave V4 has launched on Avalanche, marking the protocol's first expansion beyond Ethereum. The deployment positions Aave to access new liquidity sources and pursue opportunities in the real-world assets market, which sources estimate at $100 billion.

  80. NYDIG exits institutional Bitcoin trading, sells to BitGo for $42.5M

    NYDIG has sold its institutional Bitcoin trading capabilities to BitGo for approximately $42.5 million upfront, according to CryptoSlate. The move allows NYDIG to focus on building a claimed 3+ gigawatt power-and-compute infrastructure, though profitability remains unproven for both the divested trading unit and NYDIG's new direction.

  81. Bitcoin falls to $64K as Ethereum retreats from six-week high

    Bitcoin declined to $64,000 while Ethereum pulled back from a six-week peak, according to market data tracked by CryptoPotato. ONDO led gainers for the session, while Pi Network's PI token experienced another decline.

  82. Cronos Network Halts After Tectonic Lending Protocol Exploit

    The Cronos blockchain paused operations following an exploit in the Tectonic lending protocol. The incident underscores security vulnerabilities in decentralized finance platforms and highlights the need for stronger security protocols to mitigate future attacks.

  83. Bitcoin's Year-Old Coins Show Sharp Slowdown in 2026 Movement

    Bitcoin holdings aged one year or more moved on-chain at extraordinary volume during 2024 and 2025, but 2026 movement has fallen to less than half of 2025's level, according to Galaxy Research data cited by analyst Alex Thorn. The slowdown marks a reversal after two years of near-record on-chain activity among older coins, with Thorn interpreting the trend as potentially revealing holder conviction at key price levels.

  84. ZachXBT argues old iPhone offers better security than hardware wallet

    Security researcher ZachXBT claimed a dedicated iPhone provides superior security compared to dedicated hardware wallets, citing that both are signing devices and that crypto's core vulnerability lies in what authorized signatures can execute. The argument has divided the crypto security community on the relative merits of each approach.

  85. Bitcoin retreats to $64K from $65.5K monthly high amid profit-taking

    Bitcoin pulled back to $64,000 after reaching a $65,500 monthly high, driven by profit-taking and geopolitical tensions including Iranian strikes on U.S. bases. Bears dominated price action across most cryptocurrencies following the pullback.

  86. x402 Foundation launches open standard for AI-to-AI payments

    The newly-formed x402 Foundation has established a neutral space for competitors and payment systems to collaborate on an open standard enabling AI agents to transact with one another. The initiative aims to standardize machine-to-machine commerce infrastructure as autonomous AI systems proliferate across the internet.

  87. Bitcoin Call Options Decline $10K as Market Sentiment Shifts

    The most popular bitcoin call option contract has fallen $10,000 in value, signaling weakening bullish sentiment in derivatives markets. The decline reflects broader price pressure on bitcoin or reduced demand for upside exposure among options traders.

  88. Galaxy Launches Morpho-Based DeFi Vaults for Institutional Stablecoin Yield

    Galaxy, a crypto financial services firm, launched Galaxy Curator, a platform built on Morpho that offers yield strategies to Fireblocks' 2,400 institutional clients. The product aims to provide institutional access to onchain stablecoin yields through automated vault strategies.

  89. Ledger Proposes AI Agents for Crypto Management Without Key Custody

    Ledger is developing AI agents that can monitor wallet balances and analyze portfolios while requiring hardware device approval for all sensitive transactions. The approach aims to provide AI-assisted portfolio management while keeping private keys secure on Ledger devices, addressing security concerns around delegating crypto operations to AI systems.

  90. Circle's wrapped Bitcoin product launches with minimal collateral

    Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire claimed the company built "the platform for the internet financial system," but the firm's wrapped Bitcoin (cbBTC) launched with only 40 BTC in collateral as of August 27. The product remains significantly smaller than competitors WBTC and CBTC, with Circle testing distribution through its Arc platform.

  91. Florida Man Arrested for Malware Stealing $220K in Crypto

    Federal authorities arrested Zyaire Wilkins on charges related to malware distributed through video games that infected approximately 8,000 devices and compromised 80 cryptocurrency wallets, according to the FBI. The scheme resulted in losses totaling $220,000 in stolen digital assets.

  92. Base Transfers App Control to Cobie; Stripe Moves on Stablecoin

    Coinbase's Base blockchain has transferred control of its app to Cobie, a prominent crypto analyst and developer. Separately, Stripe announced a $53 billion move related to stablecoin infrastructure, while DeFi protocol Ostium suffered an $18 million exploit.

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