Crypto Briefs
Short updates on stories reported by a single outlet so far — summarized in a few sentences, always linking the original reporting. Stories picked up by more publications get full articles.
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Strategy's STRC Preferred Stock Hits Two-Month High at $95.39
Strategy's STRC preferred stock opened at $95.39, marking its highest level in two months. The price appreciation signals potential financial stability for the firm, potentially reducing dividend costs and improving financial flexibility as Bitcoin market conditions evolve.
Read the original at Crypto BriefingGoldman Sachs to acquire NEOS Investments for $2.25B
Goldman Sachs agreed to acquire NEOS Investments for up to $2.25 billion, adding approximately $30 billion in assets under management and 19 options-based income ETFs to its asset management division. The deal targets a first-quarter 2027 close and expands Goldman's ETF offerings in the income-focused strategy segment.
Read the original at Crypto.newsRussia Oil Output Falls Below OPEC+ Quota Amid Ukrainian Strikes
Russia's crude oil production has declined nearly 1 million barrels per day below its OPEC+ commitment due to Ukrainian military strikes targeting energy infrastructure. The shortfall reflects growing vulnerabilities in Russia's oil production capacity and signals potential ripple effects across global energy markets amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Read the original at Crypto BriefingMEXC Launches 31 Zero-Fee Stock and ETF Futures Contracts
MEXC announced the introduction of 31 new zero-fee Stock and ETF Futures between August 3-7, 2026, comprising 28 stock futures and 3 ETF futures across technology, healthcare, and other major sectors. The expansion aims to broaden user access to global market opportunities through the exchange's derivatives offerings.
Read the original at ZyCryptoUS Core CPI Inflation Declines in July, Approaching Pre-Iran Conflict Levels
US core CPI inflation fell in July, moving closer to levels seen before recent Iran conflict tensions, according to Crypto Briefing. The decline may encourage the Federal Reserve to consider interest rate cuts, potentially affecting economic growth and cryptocurrency market dynamics.
Read the original at Crypto BriefingBlockchain Experts Warn of Stealthy Quantum Computing Threat to Crypto
Blockchain experts caution that quantum computing attacks on cryptocurrency systems could occur covertly before holders detect threats, according to ZyCrypto. The warning suggests attackers might exploit quantum capabilities without leaving obvious traces, presenting a hidden risk to digital asset security.
Read the original at ZyCryptoMEXC Lists Unitree Pre-IPO Futures as Trading Volume Jumps 1,104%
MEXC announced that daily trading volume for UNITREEUSDT surged 1,104% following its launch on the exchange's Asian AI Pre-IPO Futures platform. KIMIUSDT recorded a 562% day-over-day volume increase on its second day of trading. The listings represent MEXC's expansion into pre-IPO futures products.
Read the original at ZyCryptoBitfinex Releases Version 1.136 with Platform Updates
Bitfinex has released version 1.136 of its trading platform, introducing performance and UI improvements according to the exchange's official changelog. The update represents routine maintenance on the platform, with details available on Bitfinex's blog changelog archive.
Read the original at Cryptohopper Exchange NewsMiden Introduces USDCx Privacy Stablecoin for Confidential Transactions
Miden has launched USDCx, a privacy-focused stablecoin enabling users to transact without publicly revealing balances, counterparties, or transaction histories. The token incorporates selective disclosure mechanisms to accommodate compliance requirements while maintaining transaction privacy.
Read the original at CoinDeskLMAX Analyst: Stablecoins, Tokenization Key to Fixing Market Liquidity Mismatches
LMAX Group's Jenna Wright argues that market breakdowns stem from capital being trapped in inefficient settlement cycles rather than insufficient liquidity. She contends that stablecoins and tokenization infrastructure are addressing this structural problem by enabling capital to move at speeds matching real-time risk repricing.
Read the original at CoinDeskeToro Invests $231M in US Stock Trading as Crypto Trades Plummet 73%
eToro reported a 73% collapse in retail crypto trades during July to 1.4 million transactions, with average ticket size halving, according to CryptoSlate. Despite declining crypto activity, the platform's quarterly profit rose and the company deployed $231 million to expand into active US stock trading, signaling a strategic pivot toward equities markets.
Read the original at CryptoSlatePi Network (PI) Rises 4% Following Community Milestone Announcement
Pi Network's PI token climbed 4% following what the community described as a major milestone, though the specific achievement was not detailed in available reporting. The price movement comes amid ongoing speculation about potential resistance near $0.15.
Read the original at CryptoPotatoTokenized Funds Drive $7B Year-to-Date Market Cap Growth
Tokenized funds have led year-to-date growth in the tokenized market, adding $7 billion in market capitalization. The concentration of this growth among a few tokenized funds raises concerns about market stability and liquidity, while also highlighting potential missed opportunities within decentralized finance.
Read the original at Crypto BriefingBinance Charity's $650K Colombia earthquake donation remains unverified
Crypto Briefing reports that Binance Charity's claimed $650,000 USDT donation for earthquake relief in Colombia lacks independent verification. The publication notes that unverified charitable claims can damage organizational trust and underscores the importance of transparent disaster relief disclosures in the cryptocurrency sector.
Read the original at Crypto BriefingPancakeSwap Lists GameStop Tokenized Asset $GMEB on BNB Chain
PancakeSwap has added GameStop's tokenized equity asset $GMEB to its platform on BNB Chain, expanding its offerings in tokenized real-world assets. The move demonstrates DeFi's capability to provide continuous access to equities outside traditional market hours, potentially democratizing equity market participation.
Read the original at Crypto BriefingNvidia CEO Jensen Huang tops Glassdoor's 2026 Best CEOs ranking
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang ranked first on Glassdoor's 2026 Best CEOs list, reflecting high employee approval ratings at the company. The ranking underscores strong workplace sentiment that could support talent retention as Nvidia competes in the AI sector.
Read the original at Crypto BriefingSecuritize Records $2B in Net Flows as Tokenization Gains Traction
Securitize reported $2 billion in net flows, indicating growing institutional adoption of tokenization in asset management. The milestone suggests tokenization is transitioning from niche cryptocurrency activity to mainstream financial infrastructure, with potential implications for traditional asset managers and competitive dynamics in the sector.
Read the original at Crypto BriefingJupiter Lend v2 Ties Deposit Yields to Trading Fee Generation
Jupiter has launched Lend v2, a lending protocol update that combines lending yield with trading fee distributions for depositors on Solana. Returns for lenders depend on swap activity flowing through Jupiter's liquidity pools, linking passive lending income directly to platform trading volume.
Read the original at 99BitcoinsRussia Proposes Retail Crypto Trading Restrictions to BTC, ETH, USDT
Russia is moving to restrict retail cryptocurrency trading to bitcoin, ether, and USDT, according to CoinDesk. Non-qualified investors would face a 300,000-ruble (approximately $3,600) annual purchase limit per intermediary, while qualified investors would have no restrictions. The measure appears designed to limit retail exposure to alternative cryptocurrencies.
Read the original at CoinDeskXRP futures bets hit highest since October ahead of CPI report
XRP futures positions have reached their highest levels since October, with traders positioning for potential volatility following the August 12 Consumer Price Index release. The setup suggests market participants are expecting significant price movement in XRP around the economic data announcement, though the direction of that move remains uncertain.
Read the original at CoinDeskAI Hyperscalers Displacing Bitcoin Miners from Main Power Grid
AI companies are outbidding bitcoin miners for grid power access, shifting miners toward alternative energy sources and off-grid infrastructure. Bitcoin Magazine argues this displacement represents a net positive for bitcoin mining adoption of renewable energy and grid efficiency, despite headlines framing it as an industry setback.
Read the original at Bitcoin MagazineBitwise Cuts 14% of Staff Amid Cryptocurrency Market Downturn
Bitwise has reduced its workforce by 14%, matching the percentage of layoffs Coinbase announced in May, as cryptocurrency market conditions pressure ETF issuers and trading platforms. The reduction follows similar staff cuts at BitMEX and BitMart, indicating broader industry contraction amid market weakness.
Read the original at DecryptCFTC Supports Kalshi Ahead of Prediction Market Legal Battle
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has continued backing Kalshi, a prediction market platform, as a significant legal dispute over the sector's regulatory future approaches. The outcome of this court battle is expected to determine the trajectory for prediction markets broadly, with the CFTC apparently positioning itself as an advocate for the industry.
Read the original at DecryptU.S. CPI Inflation Slows to 3.4%, Bitcoin Holds Near $64,000
U.S. headline and core inflation both reached 3.4%, matching economist expectations, according to CoinDesk reporting on the latest CPI data. Bitcoin remained near $64,000 following the inflation report, while Treasury yields declined in response to the data.
Read the original at CoinDeskAnchorage Digital Calls for Equal Payment System Access for All Banks
Anchorage Digital executive Rachel Anderika argues that financial institutions qualifying for America's banking system should have unobstructed access to the nation's payment infrastructure, rejecting a tiered approach. The commentary suggests crypto-friendly custodians and banks face barriers to payment system participation despite regulatory approval.
Read the original at CoinDeskSEC and CFTC Plan Crypto Rules Without Congress, Acknowledge Temporary Status
CFTC Chair Michael Selig stated on Aug. 4 that the agency has crypto rule proposals ready to finalize before the current administration ends, independent of Congressional action on the CLARITY Act. SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce separately indicated the SEC can pursue meaningful crypto rulemaking without Congress, though officials acknowledged any rules issued unilaterally cannot be made permanent without legislative backing.
Read the original at CryptoSlateBitcoin Holds Steady Following Expected US July CPI Report
Bitcoin maintained its price level after the US released July Consumer Price Index data that met market expectations. The CPI figure follows a weaker-than-expected jobs report from the previous week, which together provide mixed signals about US economic conditions and potential Federal Reserve policy direction.
Read the original at CryptoPotatoIran Adopts Survival Economy as US Negotiations Stall
Iran is shifting toward a survival economy amid prolonged stalled negotiations with the United States, according to Crypto Briefing. The publication notes this economic shift may increase regional instability and complicate future diplomatic resolutions between the two nations.
Read the original at Crypto BriefingAnthropic Likely to Select EY as Auditor Amid Big Four Conflicts
Anthropic is reportedly likely to choose EY as its auditor, according to Crypto Briefing reporting. The selection reflects growing complexity in AI partnerships and their regulatory compliance implications as the company prepares for potential public markets entry.
Read the original at Crypto BriefingTraders Assign 45% Probability to September Fed Rate Hike
Market participants are pricing in a 45% probability of a Federal Reserve rate increase in September, according to trading data cited by Crypto Briefing. The potential hike reflects ongoing uncertainty about inflation management versus economic slowdown risks, with implications for borrowing costs and broader market stability.
Read the original at Crypto Briefing