Category: Business

  • White House pushes Senate Democrats to take ‘historic’ crypto Clarity Act ethics deal

    White House pushes Senate Democrats to take ‘historic’ crypto Clarity Act ethics deal

    “If Senate Democrats block this historic legislation after the administration has bent over backward to accommodate their concerns, stakeholders should make no mistake: It is the Democrats who are blocking this legislation because they were never serious about a legislative outcome,” the White House official said.

    Democratic negotiators such as Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, Ruben Gallego and Angela Alsobrooks reportedly haven’t received details of the agreement with Trump, who’d met personally with Republican senators last week. But many of the Democrats have drawn a line in the sand that the ethics provision — driven primarily by Trump’s own deep crypto connections — needs to be strong.

    The dispute was heightened recently by the president’s disclosures that he’d pocketed more than $1 billion last year from his crypto interests.

    The White House, Republicans and their crypto industry allies are already building their case against any Democrats who don’t accept the new answer to their ethics demands. It’s unclear when they’ll get to see it.

    The industry is expecting full circulation of the Clarity Act legislative language as soon as Tuesday night or Wednesday, though that expectation has been repeatedly delayed since last week.

    The Senate has fewer than three weeks to finish the bill, including the ethics piece, and get it through the political gauntlet of a floor vote before lawmakers leave town for their reelection campaigns. There’s technically enough time, but even without significant further debate, it would be tight.

  • Russia’s parliament passes crypto market law with $3,800 annual cap for retail investors

    Russia’s parliament passes crypto market law with $3,800 annual cap for retail investors

    Russia’s central bank had laid out the proposed framework in December that would legalize and regulate cryptocurrency trading for both individuals and institutions. The new law also follows the deployment of the European Union’s (EU) most significant sanctions package against Russia in April, which specifically targets crypto. It includes a complete ban on providers and platforms established in that country.

    “Russia is becoming increasingly reliant on cryptocurrencies for international transactions,” the EU said.

    Russia’s new digital assets law oversees crypto mining activities, issuance and circulation of cryptocurrencies and the services provided by brokers, asset managers, trading platforms and clearing houses.

    The law does not lift Russia’s longstanding prohibition on the use of crypto for payments of goods and services within the country. It also bans banks and others from advertising and promoting crypto payments.

    However, it preserves several exceptions, including allowing digital currencies to be used for settlements under foreign trade contracts between Russian residents and non-residents, transactions involving mined cryptocurrency, payments required by digital asset platforms and settlements involving securities or other digital assets.

  • Crypto News: MemeToro Launches AI Agent Rankings as Platform Development Continues

    Crypto News: MemeToro Launches AI Agent Rankings as Platform Development Continues

    Crypto News: MemeToro Launches AI Agent Rankings …

    MemeToro has announced a dedicated ranking system for AI-generated memecoins, giving users a focused way to discover and monitor projects launched by AI agents.

    MemeToro has announced plans to introduce a dedicated AI Agent Rankings feature as part of its expanding blockchain ecosystem. The new section will provide users with a focused way to discover and monitor memecoins launched by AI agents using live market data, trading activity, and on-chain metrics.

    The feature is being developed in response to the growing number of AI-generated memecoins entering the market. Rather than displaying these projects alongside thousands of other cryptocurrencies, the ranking system will create a dedicated category designed specifically for AI-powered token launches.

    The announcement forms part of MemeToro’s broader roadmap to combine blockchain analytics, AI-powered applications, decentralized prediction markets, and community participation within a single ecosystem powered by the $MT utility token.

    Dedicated Rankings for an Emerging Category

    MemeToro said AI-generated memecoins have become one of the fastest-growing areas of blockchain activity, yet most market trackers continue to group these projects with the wider cryptocurrency market.

    The upcoming AI Agent Rankings page is intended to provide users with a dedicated view of this category through continuously updated rankings based on market performance and trading activity.

    According to the company, the platform will allow users to monitor newly launched AI-generated tokens, compare projects, and follow changes in market activity from one location.

    Future updates are expected to introduce additional metrics that provide deeper insights into ecosystem growth and token performance.

    Live Analytics Designed for Faster Market Visibility

    The AI Agent Rankings will build on MemeToro’s existing market analytics tools, including its live Trending Cryptos and Top Market Cap dashboards.

    The company said combining multiple analytics products within one platform reduces the need to monitor several market trackers while providing users with blockchain data focused specifically on the memecoin sector.

    As additional products are released, MemeToro plans to expand its analytics platform with new datasets covering AI-generated tokens, market activity, and ecosystem participation.

    According to the company, these tools are intended to simplify research while improving access to blockchain information.

    Public Presale Supports Ecosystem Expansion

    Alongside the product announcement, MemeToro confirmed continued progress during Stage 4 of its public presale.

    According to the company, more than $80,178.47 has been raised, representing 73.28% of the current fundraising target of $109,411.90.

    The current Stage 4 price is $0.00232 per $MT. The company has published a planned listing price of $0.01875 following completion of the public presale, subject to the project’s launch roadmap.

    MemeToro said proceeds from the presale will support platform development, infrastructure, security, and continued expansion of ecosystem products.

    Published Tokenomics Support Long-Term Platform Growth

    The company has also released the tokenomics for the $MT utility token.

    According to MemeToro, the project has a fixed supply of 1.2 billion tokens, allocated across the public presale, ecosystem development, staking rewards, liquidity, treasury, marketing, and strategic partnerships.

    The company said public presale allocations are expected to become available at launch, while selected allocations for marketing and partnerships will follow a 24-month vesting schedule designed to support long-term ecosystem development.

    As development continues, MemeToro plans to introduce additional blockchain applications that expand the role of the $MT token across its growing ecosystem.

    About MemeToro

    MemeToro is developing an AI-powered blockchain ecosystem on the BNB Chain. The platform combines AI-powered token creation, live market analytics, decentralized prediction markets, staking, and blockchain applications through the $MT utility token. The company is building tools designed to simplify blockchain participation while supporting innovation across AI-powered Web3 technologies.

    For more information, visit:

    Email: [email protected]

    Website: https://memetoro.com/

    X: https://x.com/memetoro_mt

    Telegram: https://t.me/memetoro_mt

  • Russia Takes Historic Step Regarding Bitcoin and Altcoins: A New Era Begins!

    Russia Takes Historic Step Regarding Bitcoin and Altcoins: A New Era Begins!

    Significant developments continue to unfold globally regarding cryptocurrencies. In this context, important news has come from two of the world’s largest economies: the US and Russia.

    At this time, as the US reached a critical agreement regarding the Clarity Act, one of its most important pieces of legislation, Russia also crossed a significant threshold in its own regulatory framework.

    According to an official statement from the Central Bank of Russia, the State Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament, has approved a bill regulating cryptocurrencies in its latest vote.

    However, the legal process is not yet complete. For the law to come into effect, it needs the approval of the Federation Council, the upper house of parliament, and finally, the final signature of Russian President Vladimir Putin. With Putin’s signature, the main provisions of the law are expected to enter into force on September 1, 2026.

    The new regulation stipulates that cryptocurrency transactions in Russia can only be conducted through authorized brokerage firms.

    At this point, the bill differentiates between cryptocurrency trading limits for general investors and qualified investors.

    Accordingly, unqualified individual investors, provided they pass the eligibility test, will be able to purchase cryptocurrency worth a maximum of 300,000 rubles (approximately $3,800) per year through a single brokerage firm. In contrast, the cryptocurrency purchase limit for qualified investors is set at 3 million rubles.

    The bill also imposes restrictions on cross-border transactions by individual investors. The limit for international cryptocurrency transfers for individual investors is set at 100,000 rubles, while the limit for qualified investors is 1 million rubles.

    Ban on Crypto Payments Continues!

    Despite all these regulations, the law does not change the ban on using Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as a means of payment within the country.

    This means that the use of cryptocurrencies for payments for goods and services will remain prohibited in Russia, and the Russian Ruble will continue to be the sole official means of payment in the country.

    “…It is important to note that making payments with cryptocurrency is still prohibited within the country…”

    Permission Granted for the Use of Cryptocurrency in International Trade!

    One of the notable provisions of the legislation concerns cross-border payments. While limits were placed on cross-border transactions by individual investors, commercial payments were exempted from these restrictions.

    Exporters and importers will be able to use cryptocurrencies in international trade without any monetary limits. This practice will be overseen by the Central Bank of Russia.

    “Exporters and importers will be able to use cryptocurrencies for cross-border payments without any restrictions. Such transactions will be possible through intermediary institutions and directly, for all types of wallets and cryptocurrencies.”

    As a result, when the new regulation comes into effect, the cryptocurrency market in Russia will for the first time have a comprehensive legal framework. However, the ban on using cryptocurrencies for payments will remain in place.

    *This is not investment advice.

  • Galaxy Commits Up to $5 Million to Prepare Bitcoin for Quantum Threat

    Galaxy Commits Up to $5 Million to Prepare Bitcoin for Quantum Threat

    In brief

    • Galaxy Digital launched a Bitcoin Quantum Readiness Initiative built on three pillars: up to $5 million in developer grants for post-quantum solutions, a research program through Galaxy Research, and a Quantum Advisory Council of academic experts.
    • The effort targets “Q-Day,” when a quantum computer could use Shor’s algorithm to forge Bitcoin signatures and drain vulnerable wallets.
    • Momentum is building industry-wide: Project Eleven projects a cryptographically relevant quantum computer by 2030-2033, Coinbase’s advisory council is urging developers to start migration work now, and Trump signed executive orders moving the federal post-quantum deadline to December 2031.

    Galaxy Digital on Tuesday launched a Bitcoin Quantum Readiness Initiative, pledging up to $5 million in developer grants, a research program, and a new advisory council to help harden the network against the eventual arrival of powerful quantum computers.

    The Nasdaq-listed firm said the multi-pillar effort will fund work on post-quantum cryptographic solutions, publish analysis through Galaxy Research, and convene a Quantum Advisory Council whose inaugural members include University of Calgary professor Barry Sanders, MIT Sea Grant Knauss Fellow Damien Bérubé, and Boston University computer science professor Eran Tromer. Galaxy said it expects to begin accepting grant applications immediately.

    “As leaders in the digital assets space, we believe it’s important that we help be part of the solution to any potential threat quantum computing poses to Bitcoin,” said Mike Novogratz, founder and CEO of Galaxy.

    The initiative targets what researchers call “Q-Day,” the point at which a quantum machine could break the elliptic curve cryptography securing Bitcoin. Using Shor’s algorithm, an attacker could derive a private key from an exposed public key, forge a signature and drain a wallet, with nothing on-chain flagging the transaction as fraudulent.

    Old and reused addresses are most at risk. Defenses under discussion include migrating funds to quantum-resistant addresses and adopting new signature schemes through proposals such as BIP-360 and BIP-361, though such upgrades could take years given Bitcoin’s decentralized governance.

    The launch lands amid an accelerating warning cycle. A May report from quantum security firm Project Eleven concluded that a cryptographically relevant quantum computer is more likely than not to exist by 2033 and potentially as early as 2030, estimating roughly 6.9 million Bitcoin sit in quantum-exposed addresses.

    In June, Coinbase’s quantum advisory council urged developers to begin migration work rather than debate timing, pegging vulnerable supply at about 7 million BTC. That same month, President Donald Trump signed two executive orders advancing U.S. quantum capabilities and moving the federal deadline for post-quantum cryptography to December 2031.

    More recently, Project Eleven on July 16 unveiled a technique to let users prove wallet ownership after Q-Day by verifying control of a parent key rather than a signature. “This gives them a fallback: prove ownership through derivation, not signature, even after that window closes,” CEO Alex Pruden wrote.

    Galaxy said preparing Bitcoin for quantum computing will require coordinated effort across the ecosystem.

    “There’s a gap between the quantum computing world, which is moving fast, and the Bitcoin development world, which is just beginning to engage with post-quantum cryptography in earnest,” Galaxy Research head Alex Thorn said in a statement. “Galaxy’s role is to bridge that gap through research that makes the threat legible to investors and policymakers, as well as grants that fund the developers doing the hardest technical work.”

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  • Hyperscale Data Adds 51.5 Bitcoin to Corporate Treasury, Total Holdings Reach 1,087 BTC

    Hyperscale Data Adds 51.5 Bitcoin to Corporate Treasury, Total Holdings Reach 1,087 BTC

    Hyperscale Data, a Nasdaq-listed company that operates a Bitcoin treasury and AI data center business, has acquired an additional 51.5 Bitcoin through its subsidiary Ault Capital Group. The purchase, completed last week, brings the firm’s total Bitcoin holdings to 1,087.4527 $BTC, valued at approximately $70.3 million based on current market prices.

    Strategic Expansion of Digital Asset Reserves

    The acquisition continues Hyperscale Data’s strategy of building a substantial Bitcoin reserve alongside its core AI data center operations. The company has been steadily increasing its digital asset holdings over the past year, positioning itself among publicly traded firms with significant corporate Bitcoin treasuries. This approach mirrors a broader trend among some technology and financial companies that view Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset and a hedge against inflation.

    Hyperscale Data’s subsidiary, Ault Capital Group, executed the purchase. The company has not disclosed the average purchase price or the specific exchange used for the transaction. However, the timing of the buy aligns with recent market fluctuations, suggesting the company may have capitalized on price dips to accumulate more Bitcoin at a lower average cost.

    Corporate Bitcoin Treasury: A Growing Trend

    Hyperscale Data is part of a select group of publicly traded companies that hold Bitcoin on their balance sheets. While MicroStrategy remains the largest corporate Bitcoin holder, other firms like Tesla, Coinbase, and Block have also allocated portions of their cash reserves to the cryptocurrency. The strategy has drawn both praise from Bitcoin advocates and scrutiny from traditional investors concerned about volatility.

    For Hyperscale Data, the Bitcoin treasury is intertwined with its AI data center business. The company operates facilities that support high-performance computing for artificial intelligence workloads, and it has explored using Bitcoin mining operations to optimize energy usage and generate additional revenue streams. This dual focus on AI infrastructure and digital assets creates a unique business model that appeals to investors interested in both sectors.

    Market Implications and Investor Considerations

    The announcement comes at a time when Bitcoin prices have shown resilience, trading in a range that has encouraged corporate accumulation. For Hyperscale Data shareholders, the increased Bitcoin exposure means the company’s stock price is now more closely correlated with cryptocurrency market movements. This can amplify both gains and losses, depending on market conditions.

    Analysts note that corporate Bitcoin treasuries require careful risk management. Companies must account for potential price drops, regulatory changes, and accounting treatment of digital assets. Hyperscale Data has not indicated any plans to sell its Bitcoin holdings in the near term, suggesting a long-term conviction in the asset’s value proposition.

    Conclusion

    Hyperscale Data’s latest Bitcoin purchase reinforces its commitment to a digital asset-heavy corporate strategy. With over 1,087 $BTC now on its balance sheet, the company continues to distinguish itself in the public markets as a hybrid AI infrastructure and cryptocurrency treasury firm. Investors and industry observers will be watching to see whether this approach yields sustained returns or introduces additional volatility to the company’s financial profile.

    FAQs

    Q1: Why is Hyperscale Data buying Bitcoin?
    A1: Hyperscale Data views Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset and a hedge against inflation. The company also operates AI data centers and sees synergies between cryptocurrency mining and high-performance computing infrastructure.

    Q2: How much Bitcoin does Hyperscale Data now hold?
    A2: After the latest purchase of 51.5 $BTC, Hyperscale Data holds a total of 1,087.4527 Bitcoin, worth approximately $70.3 million at current market prices.

    Q3: Is this a common strategy among publicly traded companies?
    A3: A small but growing number of public companies, including MicroStrategy, Tesla, and Block, have added Bitcoin to their balance sheets. The strategy remains controversial due to Bitcoin’s price volatility and regulatory uncertainties.

    Related Reading

    • Bitcoin Rally Draws Broader Institutional, Whale, and Options Market Participation
    • Spot CVD Chart Analysis: Understanding Order Flow and Volume Heatmap for $BTC/USDT
    • Metaplanet’s Largest Shareholder Boosts Voting Stake to 10.63% as Bitcoin Holdings Reach 43,000 $BTC
    • LD Capital’s Jack Yi: Bitcoin Must Clear $68K; Calls Market Bottom ‘Impossible to Pinpoint’
    • XRP Whale Deposits to Binance Drop to Two-Month Low, Signaling Easing Sell Pressure
  • Blockchain.com invests in OpenWorld to expand RWA tokenization and institutional services

    Blockchain.com invests in OpenWorld to expand RWA tokenization and institutional services

    Blockchain infrastructure firm OpenWorld has teamed up with Blockchain.com to expand its real-world asset tokenization ecosystem through institutional trading, liquidity, and distribution support, according to a Tuesday statement.

    The partnership also includes a strategic investment from Blockchain.com as the companies work together on RWA initiatives and digital asset infrastructure.

    “We’ve made a deliberate decision to build OpenWorld’s infrastructure layer alongside best-in-class institutional counterparties,” Matthew Shaw, CEO and co-founder of OpenWorld stated. “Blockchain.com brings the execution depth, product breadth, and regulatory infrastructure that our clients and pipeline demand.”

    Through the multi-year collaboration, Blockchain.com will provide execution capabilities and institutional market infrastructure to support OpenWorld’s token issuance, treasury management, and advisory activities.

    The companies aim to build a more integrated platform for institutions seeking to issue and manage tokenized assets.

    OpenWorld and Blockchain.com said the partnership reflects growing institutional interest in RWA tokenization, as investors increasingly look for onchain access to traditional asset classes.

    “Partnering with OpenWorld is a natural step forward for our institutional business,” Al Turnbull, Managing Director, Institutional Client Services at Blockchain.com, noted. “OpenWorld has built a powerful foundation for token launches and real-world asset tokenization. By connecting our networks, we are delivering a seamless, secure pipeline for institutions looking to launch tokens and manage digital assets at scale.”

    The companies plan to pursue joint go-to-market initiatives and expand adoption of tokenized assets across institutional and private markets.

  • Russia’s State Duma passes major bill regulating crypto market with transition period until 2027

    Russia’s State Duma passes major bill regulating crypto market with transition period until 2027

    Russia’s parliament has adopted a major crypto regulation bill that creates the country’s first comprehensive framework for digital currency circulation.

    The legislation establishes rules covering crypto exchanges, brokers, custodians, and other market participants while defining how individuals and businesses can buy, store, and trade digital assets.

    Under the new framework, crypto use will be permitted through licensed intermediaries, but digital assets cannot be used to pay for goods and services within Russia. The law allows a wider use of crypto in foreign economic activities as the government seeks to support cross-border transactions.

    The main provisions are scheduled to take effect in September 2026, with a transition period lasting until July 2027.

    Regulators will also continue developing related rules covering crypto taxation, liability for violations, and measures against fraudulent transactions.

    This is a developing story.

  • Worldcoin’s WLD Jumps 8% on Grayscale ETF Filing

    Worldcoin’s WLD Jumps 8% on Grayscale ETF Filing

    In brief

    • Grayscale has filed with the SEC to launch the first U.S. ETF tied to Worldcoin, the biometric crypto project co-founded by OpenAI’s Sam Altman.
    • The Grayscale Worldcoin ETF would hold WLD and trade on Nasdaq under the ticker GWLD, with BitGo as custodian and BNY Mellon as transfer agent.
    • WLD rose around 8% on the news, though it remains down about 5.5% on the week.

    Worldcoin’s WLD token jumped after asset manager Grayscale filed to launch the first US exchange-traded fund tied to the biometric crypto project, moving to bring Sam Altman’s eye-scanning venture a step closer to Wall Street.

    WLD climbed about 8% over 24 hours following the filing to an intraday high of $0.387, trimming a rough week that still left it down around 5.5% over the past seven days, per CoinGecko data.

    On Monday, Grayscale filed an S-1 registration statement for the Grayscale Worldcoin ETF, a “passive” vehicle that would hold WLD—the native token of the World Network—and track its price through the CoinDesk Worldcoin Benchmark Rate, according to the filing.

    If approved, the fund would list on Nasdaq under the ticker GWLD using the exchange’s generic listing standards for commodity-based trusts—meaning it could launch without a separate SEC rule change once WLD meets Nasdaq’s eligibility criteria. BitGo Bank & Trust would custody the tokens, while the Bank of New York Mellon would serve as transfer agent and administrator, the filing shows. WLD is the 55th-largest cryptocurrency, with a market capitalization of around $1.4 billion, according to CoinGecko.

    Sam Altman’s eye-scanning project

    Worldcoin—rebranded simply “World” in 2024—was co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to build a global “proof of personhood” system. It uses a spherical device called the Orb to scan people’s irises, issuing a unique “World ID” meant to prove someone is a real human rather than an AI bot, and hands WLD tokens to verified users. The project has drawn regulatory scrutiny over its biometric data collection in the EU and in countries including Brazil and Kenya.

    The ETF filing is the latest sign of institutional appetite for the token. Last year, Nasdaq-listed Eightco built the first corporate treasury around WLD, amassing one of the largest disclosed stakes in the cryptocurrency.

    Grayscale’s ETF expansion

    The filing continues Grayscale’s drive to broaden its crypto ETF lineup. The firm converted its flagship Bitcoin trust into an ETF after a landmark court win over the SEC, later launched an Ethereum fund, and has filed for or rolled out products tied to Dogecoin, Solana, XRP, Litecoin and Chainlink, among others.

    For now, the filing is only a first step: the fund can’t trade until the registration takes effect and WLD clears Nasdaq’s listing bar. But if it does, it would give everyday investors their first way to hold Worldcoin through a U.S. brokerage account.

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  • XRP jumps 4% as traders watch ‘triangle breakout’ toward $1.35

    XRP jumps 4% as traders watch ‘triangle breakout’ toward $1.35

    • Volume increased during the breakout attempt, with CoinGecko showing 24-hour trading volume of about $1.27 billion.

    $XRP held above the $1.08-$1.10 area through the session, keeping the short-term recovery structure intact.

    Technical Analysis

    • The key short-term level is $1.13. A sustained break above it would confirm the triangle breakout watched by traders and bring $1.35 into focus.

    • The hourly structure has tightened into a symmetrical triangle, with price compressing between lower highs and higher lows before the latest push higher.

    • The daily chart remains more cautious. $XRP is still trading inside a descending channel, with the 100-day and 200-day moving averages above price and sloping lower.

    • The $1.24-$1.28 area remains the bigger resistance zone because it lines up with the channel’s upper boundary and major moving averages.

    • Support remains strongest around $1.02-$1.06, where buyers have repeatedly stepped in over recent weeks.

    What traders should watch

    • $1.13 is the immediate breakout level. Holding above it would strengthen the short-term bullish setup.

    • $1.14 is the next nearby level after marking the top of the latest 24-hour range.

    • $1.24-$1.28 is the major resistance zone that $XRP needs to clear before the daily chart turns meaningfully stronger.

    • $1.02-$1.06 remains the key demand zone. Losing it would expose $0.88-$0.92.