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Drop in Hashrate: What Does It Mean for Bitcoin?In mid-August 2026, Bitcoin’s network hashrate sits roughly 17% below its all-time high. Trackers show it retreating from a late-2025 peak above one zettahash per second into a range near 850–920 exahashes per second. Difficulty has followed, posting year-over-year declines for only the second time in the network’s history. Public miners are redirecting power and capital toward artificial-intelligence data centers. Hashprice has compressed. Block rewards after the 2024 halving leave less room for error.
This is not the China ban of 2021. There is no single government decree. Yet the numbers look familiar: sustained hashrate contraction, multiple downward difficulty adjustments, and miners deciding that electricity has better uses than pure SHA-256 hashing. The question is what the drop actually signals for Bitcoin itself.
What Hashrate Actually Measures
Hashrate is the total computational power dedicated to finding valid blocks. Every second, miners across the network perform quintillions of SHA-256 hashes, searching for a nonce that produces a hash below the current difficulty target. The higher the collective hashrate, the more work an attacker would need to rewrite recent history or stage a 51% attack.
Difficulty adjusts every 2,016 blocks—roughly two weeks—so that blocks arrive on average every ten minutes regardless of how much power is online. When hashrate falls, blocks slow. The next adjustment lowers the target, making mining easier for remaining participants until equilibrium returns. The mechanism is automatic, transparent, and has operated without interruption since 2009.
A drop in hashrate therefore does two things at once. It reduces the absolute cost of an attack in the short term, and it triggers the protocol’s built-in response that restores the ten-minute cadence. The system is designed for exactly this kind of fluctuation.
Why Hashrate Is Falling in 2026
Three overlapping forces are at work.
First, mining economics tightened after the April 2024 halvings cut the block subsidy from 6.25 to 3.125 BTC. When Bitcoin later fell roughly 49% from its October 2025 peak near $125,000, hashprice—the expected daily revenue per petahash—slid toward the high $20s and low $30s. Older, less efficient ASICs fell below breakeven. Operators unplugged them.
Second, publicly listed miners discovered a more lucrative use for the same infrastructure. Facilities already equipped with high-power electrical connections, cooling, and land became attractive hosts for AI and high-performance computing workloads. Companies such as Hut 8, Core Scientific, TeraWulf, and IREN signed multi-billion-dollar contracts. Hut 8’s AI portfolio alone has been reported above $26 billion. Across the public sector the cumulative figure exceeds $70 billion. Power that once hashed Bitcoin is now rented to train models. In some cases the AI business already generates more revenue than mining itself.
Third, smaller regional pressures added friction: Texas 4CP curtailment seasons, elevated electricity prices in certain grids, and isolated outages. None of these alone would produce a multi-month drawdown. Together they reinforced the economic signal.
The result is the third-deepest hashrate contraction of the ASIC era and the first sustained year-over-year difficulty decline since the China exodus. Unlike 2021, there is no policy reversal expected that will force the departed machines back online.
Historical Perspective: The 2021 China Ban
In the summer of 2021 China ordered the shutdown of domestic mining. Hashrate collapsed more than 50% in weeks. Difficulty recorded its largest single drop. For a moment the network looked vulnerable. Within months the same machines reappeared in the United States, Kazakhstan, Russia, and elsewhere. Hashrate recovered, then exceeded previous highs. Difficulty climbed to new records. The protocol absorbed the largest geographic shock in its history without missing a block or suffering a successful attack.
The 2026 episode is smaller in percentage terms—around 17% from the peak rather than more than 50%—but longer in duration and driven by market incentives rather than prohibition. Miners are not fleeing regulation; they are reallocating capital toward higher expected returns. The same difficulty adjustment mechanism that protected the network in 2021 is operating today. Block times stretch modestly, difficulty falls, remaining miners become more profitable on a per-hash basis, and the incentive to return or expand gradually reappears.
Security Implications
A lower hashrate reduces the raw computational cost of an attack. In absolute terms the network is less expensive to overwhelm than it was at the peak. Yet several factors keep the practical risk low.
First, the remaining hashrate is still measured in hundreds of exahashes. An attacker would need to assemble and power an enormous amount of specialized hardware, most of which is already committed to honest mining or AI workloads. Second, difficulty adjusts downward, but it does so gradually and transparently. Third, the economic cost of acquiring enough ASICs and electricity remains prohibitive for most actors, especially when the reward would be a short-lived chain reorganization that markets would reject.
Bitcoin’s security has never rested solely on the absolute level of hashrate. It rests on the combination of proof-of-work incentives, the difficulty adjustment, the geographic and ownership distribution of miners, and the social consensus that only the heaviest valid chain is Bitcoin. Those elements remain intact.
What It Means for Miners and Markets
For efficient operators the difficulty decline is a temporary relief. Lower difficulty raises the expected share of blocks for any given hashrate, partially offsetting the lower Bitcoin price. Older hardware still faces pressure; newer fleets with better joules-per-terahash ratios can continue. Public miners that successfully pivot to AI host contracts gain a more stable revenue stream and may treat Bitcoin mining as a flexible, opportunistic use of residual capacity rather than the sole business.
On the market side, public miners sold more than 32,000 BTC in the first quarter of 2026 alone—more than they sold in all of 2025. That supply has already been absorbed. Transaction fees remain a small fraction of miner revenue (near 0.7% in some recent readings), so the block subsidy still dominates. Any future rise in fee pressure or a sustained price recovery would improve the equation for pure miners.
The structural shift is the more interesting long-term development. Mining companies are becoming dual-use infrastructure providers. The same substations, transformers, and land can serve either Bitcoin or AI depending on relative profitability. This increases the opportunity cost of pure hashing and may keep hashrate more sensitive to price and energy markets than in previous cycles.
Broader Implications for Bitcoin’s Design
Satoshi’s difficulty adjustment was written for a world in which hashrate would fluctuate. It has now been tested by state-level bans, energy crises, halvings, and, in 2026, the emergence of a competing high-value use for the same physical capital. Each time the network has continued to produce blocks at the target rate once difficulty recalibrated.
The current episode also illustrates that Bitcoin’s security budget is not static. After the next halvings the subsidy will shrink further. Fees and the willingness of miners to operate at thinner margins will matter more. The AI pivot accelerates that conversation by demonstrating that electricity and capital have alternatives.
None of this requires panic or celebration. It is the protocol functioning as designed under new economic conditions. Hashrate is a lagging indicator of miner profitability and opportunity cost. Difficulty is the automatic governor. Price, energy markets, and competing demand for power determine where the equilibrium settles.
Looking Ahead
Hashrate will not stay at any particular level permanently. If Bitcoin’s price recovers or energy costs fall, marginal machines return and new capacity is added. If AI demand continues to outbid mining for power, the dual-use model expands and pure hashrate growth slows. Both outcomes are compatible with a functioning Bitcoin network.
The deeper lesson is resilience. A drop that once would have been framed as existential is now understood as the difficulty adjustment doing its job. The network that survived the loss of more than half its hashrate in 2021 is navigating a smaller, market-driven contraction in 2026 without drama.
For readers watching the charts, the useful questions are practical rather than alarmist: How quickly is difficulty responding? Are remaining miners geographically and operationally diverse? Is the AI pivot creating more flexible capacity that can swing back to Bitcoin when conditions improve? Those answers will matter more than any single percentage decline from an all-time high.
Bitcoin’s hashrate has always been a reflection of incentives. When the incentives change, the hashrate follows. The protocol continues.
Subscribe to Cryptopress for more evergreen analysis of Bitcoin’s fundamentals and the forces shaping its network: https://cryptopress.substack.com/subscribe
The post Drop in Hashrate: What Does It Mean for Bitcoin? appeared first on Cryptopress.
Drop in Hashrate: What Does It Mean for Bitcoin?
In mid-August 2026, Bitcoin’s network hashrate sits roughly 17% below its all-time high. Trackers show it retreating from a late-2025 peak above one zettahash per second into a range near 850–920 exahashes per second. Difficulty has followed, posting year-over-year declines for only the second time in the network’s history. Public miners are redirecting power and capital toward artificial-intelligence data centers. Hashprice has compressed. Block rewards after the 2024 halving leave less room for error.
This is not the China ban of 2021. There is no single government decree. Yet the numbers look familiar: sustained hashrate contraction, multiple downward difficulty adjustments, and miners deciding that electricity has better uses than pure SHA-256 hashing. The question is what the drop actually signals for Bitcoin itself.
What Hashrate Actually Measures
Hashrate is the total computational power dedicated to finding valid blocks. Every second, miners across the network perform quintillions of SHA-256 hashes, searching for a nonce that produces a hash below the current difficulty target. The higher the collective hashrate, the more work an attacker would need to rewrite recent history or stage a 51% attack.
Difficulty adjusts every 2,016 blocks—roughly two weeks—so that blocks arrive on average every ten minutes regardless of how much power is online. When hashrate falls, blocks slow. The next adjustment lowers the target, making mining easier for remaining participants until equilibrium returns. The mechanism is automatic, transparent, and has operated without interruption since 2009.
A drop in hashrate therefore does two things at once. It reduces the absolute cost of an attack in the short term, and it triggers the protocol’s built-in response that restores the ten-minute cadence. The system is designed for exactly this kind of fluctuation.
Why Hashrate Is Falling in 2026
Three overlapping forces are at work.
First, mining economics tightened after the April 2024 halvings cut the block subsidy from 6.25 to 3.125 BTC. When Bitcoin later fell roughly 49% from its October 2025 peak near $125,000, hashprice—the expected daily revenue per petahash—slid toward the high $20s and low $30s. Older, less efficient ASICs fell below breakeven. Operators unplugged them.
Second, publicly listed miners discovered a more lucrative use for the same infrastructure. Facilities already equipped with high-power electrical connections, cooling, and land became attractive hosts for AI and high-performance computing workloads. Companies such as Hut 8, Core Scientific, TeraWulf, and IREN signed multi-billion-dollar contracts. Hut 8’s AI portfolio alone has been reported above $26 billion. Across the public sector the cumulative figure exceeds $70 billion. Power that once hashed Bitcoin is now rented to train models. In some cases the AI business already generates more revenue than mining itself.
Third, smaller regional pressures added friction: Texas 4CP curtailment seasons, elevated electricity prices in certain grids, and isolated outages. None of these alone would produce a multi-month drawdown. Together they reinforced the economic signal.
The result is the third-deepest hashrate contraction of the ASIC era and the first sustained year-over-year difficulty decline since the China exodus. Unlike 2021, there is no policy reversal expected that will force the departed machines back online.
Historical Perspective: The 2021 China Ban
In the summer of 2021 China ordered the shutdown of domestic mining. Hashrate collapsed more than 50% in weeks. Difficulty recorded its largest single drop. For a moment the network looked vulnerable. Within months the same machines reappeared in the United States, Kazakhstan, Russia, and elsewhere. Hashrate recovered, then exceeded previous highs. Difficulty climbed to new records. The protocol absorbed the largest geographic shock in its history without missing a block or suffering a successful attack.
The 2026 episode is smaller in percentage terms—around 17% from the peak rather than more than 50%—but longer in duration and driven by market incentives rather than prohibition. Miners are not fleeing regulation; they are reallocating capital toward higher expected returns. The same difficulty adjustment mechanism that protected the network in 2021 is operating today. Block times stretch modestly, difficulty falls, remaining miners become more profitable on a per-hash basis, and the incentive to return or expand gradually reappears.
Security Implications
A lower hashrate reduces the raw computational cost of an attack. In absolute terms the network is less expensive to overwhelm than it was at the peak. Yet several factors keep the practical risk low.
First, the remaining hashrate is still measured in hundreds of exahashes. An attacker would need to assemble and power an enormous amount of specialized hardware, most of which is already committed to honest mining or AI workloads. Second, difficulty adjusts downward, but it does so gradually and transparently. Third, the economic cost of acquiring enough ASICs and electricity remains prohibitive for most actors, especially when the reward would be a short-lived chain reorganization that markets would reject.
Bitcoin’s security has never rested solely on the absolute level of hashrate. It rests on the combination of proof-of-work incentives, the difficulty adjustment, the geographic and ownership distribution of miners, and the social consensus that only the heaviest valid chain is Bitcoin. Those elements remain intact.
What It Means for Miners and Markets
For efficient operators the difficulty decline is a temporary relief. Lower difficulty raises the expected share of blocks for any given hashrate, partially offsetting the lower Bitcoin price. Older hardware still faces pressure; newer fleets with better joules-per-terahash ratios can continue. Public miners that successfully pivot to AI host contracts gain a more stable revenue stream and may treat Bitcoin mining as a flexible, opportunistic use of residual capacity rather than the sole business.
On the market side, public miners sold more than 32,000 BTC in the first quarter of 2026 alone—more than they sold in all of 2025. That supply has already been absorbed. Transaction fees remain a small fraction of miner revenue (near 0.7% in some recent readings), so the block subsidy still dominates. Any future rise in fee pressure or a sustained price recovery would improve the equation for pure miners.
The structural shift is the more interesting long-term development. Mining companies are becoming dual-use infrastructure providers. The same substations, transformers, and land can serve either Bitcoin or AI depending on relative profitability. This increases the opportunity cost of pure hashing and may keep hashrate more sensitive to price and energy markets than in previous cycles.
Broader Implications for Bitcoin’s Design
Satoshi’s difficulty adjustment was written for a world in which hashrate would fluctuate. It has now been tested by state-level bans, energy crises, halvings, and, in 2026, the emergence of a competing high-value use for the same physical capital. Each time the network has continued to produce blocks at the target rate once difficulty recalibrated.
The current episode also illustrates that Bitcoin’s security budget is not static. After the next halvings the subsidy will shrink further. Fees and the willingness of miners to operate at thinner margins will matter more. The AI pivot accelerates that conversation by demonstrating that electricity and capital have alternatives.
None of this requires panic or celebration. It is the protocol functioning as designed under new economic conditions. Hashrate is a lagging indicator of miner profitability and opportunity cost. Difficulty is the automatic governor. Price, energy markets, and competing demand for power determine where the equilibrium settles.
Looking Ahead
Hashrate will not stay at any particular level permanently. If Bitcoin’s price recovers or energy costs fall, marginal machines return and new capacity is added. If AI demand continues to outbid mining for power, the dual-use model expands and pure hashrate growth slows. Both outcomes are compatible with a functioning Bitcoin network.
The deeper lesson is resilience. A drop that once would have been framed as existential is now understood as the difficulty adjustment doing its job. The network that survived the loss of more than half its hashrate in 2021 is navigating a smaller, market-driven contraction in 2026 without drama.
For readers watching the charts, the useful questions are practical rather than alarmist: How quickly is difficulty responding? Are remaining miners geographically and operationally diverse? Is the AI pivot creating more flexible capacity that can swing back to Bitcoin when conditions improve? Those answers will matter more than any single percentage decline from an all-time high.
Bitcoin’s hashrate has always been a reflection of incentives. When the incentives change, the hashrate follows. The protocol continues.
Subscribe to Cryptopress for more evergreen analysis of Bitcoin’s fundamentals and the forces shaping its network: https://cryptopress.substack.com/subscribe
The post Drop in Hashrate: What Does It Mean for Bitcoin? appeared first on Cryptopress.
This is not the China ban of 2021. There is no single government decree. Yet the numbers look familiar: sustained hashrate contraction, multiple downward difficulty adjustments, and miners deciding that electricity has better uses than pure SHA-256 hashing. The question is what the drop actually signals for Bitcoin itself.
What Hashrate Actually Measures
Hashrate is the total computational power dedicated to finding valid blocks. Every second, miners across the network perform quintillions of SHA-256 hashes, searching for a nonce that produces a hash below the current difficulty target. The higher the collective hashrate, the more work an attacker would need to rewrite recent history or stage a 51% attack.
Difficulty adjusts every 2,016 blocks—roughly two weeks—so that blocks arrive on average every ten minutes regardless of how much power is online. When hashrate falls, blocks slow. The next adjustment lowers the target, making mining easier for remaining participants until equilibrium returns. The mechanism is automatic, transparent, and has operated without interruption since 2009.
A drop in hashrate therefore does two things at once. It reduces the absolute cost of an attack in the short term, and it triggers the protocol’s built-in response that restores the ten-minute cadence. The system is designed for exactly this kind of fluctuation.
Why Hashrate Is Falling in 2026
Three overlapping forces are at work.
First, mining economics tightened after the April 2024 halvings cut the block subsidy from 6.25 to 3.125 BTC. When Bitcoin later fell roughly 49% from its October 2025 peak near $125,000, hashprice—the expected daily revenue per petahash—slid toward the high $20s and low $30s. Older, less efficient ASICs fell below breakeven. Operators unplugged them.
Second, publicly listed miners discovered a more lucrative use for the same infrastructure. Facilities already equipped with high-power electrical connections, cooling, and land became attractive hosts for AI and high-performance computing workloads. Companies such as Hut 8, Core Scientific, TeraWulf, and IREN signed multi-billion-dollar contracts. Hut 8’s AI portfolio alone has been reported above $26 billion. Across the public sector the cumulative figure exceeds $70 billion. Power that once hashed Bitcoin is now rented to train models. In some cases the AI business already generates more revenue than mining itself.
Third, smaller regional pressures added friction: Texas 4CP curtailment seasons, elevated electricity prices in certain grids, and isolated outages. None of these alone would produce a multi-month drawdown. Together they reinforced the economic signal.
The result is the third-deepest hashrate contraction of the ASIC era and the first sustained year-over-year difficulty decline since the China exodus. Unlike 2021, there is no policy reversal expected that will force the departed machines back online.
Historical Perspective: The 2021 China Ban
In the summer of 2021 China ordered the shutdown of domestic mining. Hashrate collapsed more than 50% in weeks. Difficulty recorded its largest single drop. For a moment the network looked vulnerable. Within months the same machines reappeared in the United States, Kazakhstan, Russia, and elsewhere. Hashrate recovered, then exceeded previous highs. Difficulty climbed to new records. The protocol absorbed the largest geographic shock in its history without missing a block or suffering a successful attack.
The 2026 episode is smaller in percentage terms—around 17% from the peak rather than more than 50%—but longer in duration and driven by market incentives rather than prohibition. Miners are not fleeing regulation; they are reallocating capital toward higher expected returns. The same difficulty adjustment mechanism that protected the network in 2021 is operating today. Block times stretch modestly, difficulty falls, remaining miners become more profitable on a per-hash basis, and the incentive to return or expand gradually reappears.
Security Implications
A lower hashrate reduces the raw computational cost of an attack. In absolute terms the network is less expensive to overwhelm than it was at the peak. Yet several factors keep the practical risk low.
First, the remaining hashrate is still measured in hundreds of exahashes. An attacker would need to assemble and power an enormous amount of specialized hardware, most of which is already committed to honest mining or AI workloads. Second, difficulty adjusts downward, but it does so gradually and transparently. Third, the economic cost of acquiring enough ASICs and electricity remains prohibitive for most actors, especially when the reward would be a short-lived chain reorganization that markets would reject.
Bitcoin’s security has never rested solely on the absolute level of hashrate. It rests on the combination of proof-of-work incentives, the difficulty adjustment, the geographic and ownership distribution of miners, and the social consensus that only the heaviest valid chain is Bitcoin. Those elements remain intact.
What It Means for Miners and Markets
For efficient operators the difficulty decline is a temporary relief. Lower difficulty raises the expected share of blocks for any given hashrate, partially offsetting the lower Bitcoin price. Older hardware still faces pressure; newer fleets with better joules-per-terahash ratios can continue. Public miners that successfully pivot to AI host contracts gain a more stable revenue stream and may treat Bitcoin mining as a flexible, opportunistic use of residual capacity rather than the sole business.
On the market side, public miners sold more than 32,000 BTC in the first quarter of 2026 alone—more than they sold in all of 2025. That supply has already been absorbed. Transaction fees remain a small fraction of miner revenue (near 0.7% in some recent readings), so the block subsidy still dominates. Any future rise in fee pressure or a sustained price recovery would improve the equation for pure miners.
The structural shift is the more interesting long-term development. Mining companies are becoming dual-use infrastructure providers. The same substations, transformers, and land can serve either Bitcoin or AI depending on relative profitability. This increases the opportunity cost of pure hashing and may keep hashrate more sensitive to price and energy markets than in previous cycles.
Broader Implications for Bitcoin’s Design
Satoshi’s difficulty adjustment was written for a world in which hashrate would fluctuate. It has now been tested by state-level bans, energy crises, halvings, and, in 2026, the emergence of a competing high-value use for the same physical capital. Each time the network has continued to produce blocks at the target rate once difficulty recalibrated.
The current episode also illustrates that Bitcoin’s security budget is not static. After the next halvings the subsidy will shrink further. Fees and the willingness of miners to operate at thinner margins will matter more. The AI pivot accelerates that conversation by demonstrating that electricity and capital have alternatives.
None of this requires panic or celebration. It is the protocol functioning as designed under new economic conditions. Hashrate is a lagging indicator of miner profitability and opportunity cost. Difficulty is the automatic governor. Price, energy markets, and competing demand for power determine where the equilibrium settles.
Looking Ahead
Hashrate will not stay at any particular level permanently. If Bitcoin’s price recovers or energy costs fall, marginal machines return and new capacity is added. If AI demand continues to outbid mining for power, the dual-use model expands and pure hashrate growth slows. Both outcomes are compatible with a functioning Bitcoin network.
The deeper lesson is resilience. A drop that once would have been framed as existential is now understood as the difficulty adjustment doing its job. The network that survived the loss of more than half its hashrate in 2021 is navigating a smaller, market-driven contraction in 2026 without drama.
For readers watching the charts, the useful questions are practical rather than alarmist: How quickly is difficulty responding? Are remaining miners geographically and operationally diverse? Is the AI pivot creating more flexible capacity that can swing back to Bitcoin when conditions improve? Those answers will matter more than any single percentage decline from an all-time high.
Bitcoin’s hashrate has always been a reflection of incentives. When the incentives change, the hashrate follows. The protocol continues.
Subscribe to Cryptopress for more evergreen analysis of Bitcoin’s fundamentals and the forces shaping its network: https://cryptopress.substack.com/subscribe
The post Drop in Hashrate: What Does It Mean for Bitcoin? appeared first on Cryptopress.
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OCC Grants Preliminary Conditional Approval for Trump-Backed World Liberty Trust Bank CharterThe OCC granted preliminary conditional approval on Aug. 14, 2026, for World Liberty Trust Company to operate as a national trust bank.
The charter would allow the firm to assume issuance of the USD1 stablecoin from BitGo and offer digital asset custody to institutional clients.
Final approval remains contingent on meeting preopening requirements, including capital and compliance standards.
USD1 ranks among the larger dollar-backed stablecoins with a market capitalization near $4 billion.
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency granted preliminary conditional approval on Aug. 14, 2026, to World Liberty Trust Company, National Association, to establish a national trust bank focused on stablecoin and digital asset services.
According to the OCC letter, the approval covers fiduciary and related trust company activities. The bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of WLTC Holdings LLC and based in Bay Harbor Islands, Florida, plans to issue and redeem the USD1 stablecoin for institutional clients nationwide, taking over that role from BitGo Bank & Trust, National Association. It will also provide digital asset custody services primarily to USD1 customers and other institutions, along with limited conversion services for custodied assets.
“The OCC hereby grants preliminary conditional approval of your charter application upon determining that your proposal meets certain regulatory and policy requirements,” the regulator stated in the letter. Final approval and authorization to commence business will not be granted until all preopening requirements are satisfied, and the OCC retains the ability to modify, suspend, or rescind the preliminary approval.
Key conditions include limiting operations to trust company activities so the entity does not meet the Bank Holding Company Act definition of a bank, maintaining a minimum of $20 million in tier 1 capital with at least half in eligible liquid assets for the first three years, holding 180 days of operating expenses in liquid assets, and obtaining OCC non-objection for senior officers and directors. The bank must also conform its stablecoin activities to the GENIUS Act and other applicable laws as determined by the OCC.
World Liberty Financial, which backs the effort and is partially owned by an entity affiliated with President Donald Trump and family members, launched USD1 as a fiat-backed stablecoin. The token currently carries a market capitalization of approximately $4 billion, placing it among the larger dollar-pegged stablecoins. In a statement, World Liberty Trust President and Chairman Zach Witkoff described the development as enabling the company to build the most trusted digital dollar under federal supervision.
The application was filed in January 2026. Career OCC staff reviewed it for consistency with legal and regulatory requirements, the letter noted, addressing public comments that raised concerns about ownership ties. Democratic lawmakers have criticized the process citing potential conflicts of interest and signaled plans for legislation restricting senior officials’ bank ownership.
Similar preliminary approvals have previously been granted to other crypto firms seeking national trust bank status. The conditional green light positions World Liberty to bring USD1 issuance, reserve management, and custody under a single federal regulator, subject to final clearance.
The post OCC Grants Preliminary Conditional Approval for Trump-Backed World Liberty Trust Bank Charter appeared first on Cryptopress.
OCC Grants Preliminary Conditional Approval for Trump-Backed World Liberty Trust Bank Charter
The OCC granted preliminary conditional approval on Aug. 14, 2026, for World Liberty Trust Company to operate as a national trust bank.
The charter would allow the firm to assume issuance of the USD1 stablecoin from BitGo and offer digital asset custody to institutional clients.
Final approval remains contingent on meeting preopening requirements, including capital and compliance standards.
USD1 ranks among the larger dollar-backed stablecoins with a market capitalization near $4 billion.
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency granted preliminary conditional approval on Aug. 14, 2026, to World Liberty Trust Company, National Association, to establish a national trust bank focused on stablecoin and digital asset services.
According to the OCC letter, the approval covers fiduciary and related trust company activities. The bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of WLTC Holdings LLC and based in Bay Harbor Islands, Florida, plans to issue and redeem the USD1 stablecoin for institutional clients nationwide, taking over that role from BitGo Bank & Trust, National Association. It will also provide digital asset custody services primarily to USD1 customers and other institutions, along with limited conversion services for custodied assets.
“The OCC hereby grants preliminary conditional approval of your charter application upon determining that your proposal meets certain regulatory and policy requirements,” the regulator stated in the letter. Final approval and authorization to commence business will not be granted until all preopening requirements are satisfied, and the OCC retains the ability to modify, suspend, or rescind the preliminary approval.
Key conditions include limiting operations to trust company activities so the entity does not meet the Bank Holding Company Act definition of a bank, maintaining a minimum of $20 million in tier 1 capital with at least half in eligible liquid assets for the first three years, holding 180 days of operating expenses in liquid assets, and obtaining OCC non-objection for senior officers and directors. The bank must also conform its stablecoin activities to the GENIUS Act and other applicable laws as determined by the OCC.
World Liberty Financial, which backs the effort and is partially owned by an entity affiliated with President Donald Trump and family members, launched USD1 as a fiat-backed stablecoin. The token currently carries a market capitalization of approximately $4 billion, placing it among the larger dollar-pegged stablecoins. In a statement, World Liberty Trust President and Chairman Zach Witkoff described the development as enabling the company to build the most trusted digital dollar under federal supervision.
The application was filed in January 2026. Career OCC staff reviewed it for consistency with legal and regulatory requirements, the letter noted, addressing public comments that raised concerns about ownership ties. Democratic lawmakers have criticized the process citing potential conflicts of interest and signaled plans for legislation restricting senior officials’ bank ownership.
Similar preliminary approvals have previously been granted to other crypto firms seeking national trust bank status. The conditional green light positions World Liberty to bring USD1 issuance, reserve management, and custody under a single federal regulator, subject to final clearance.
The post OCC Grants Preliminary Conditional Approval for Trump-Backed World Liberty Trust Bank Charter appeared first on Cryptopress.
The charter would allow the firm to assume issuance of the USD1 stablecoin from BitGo and offer digital asset custody to institutional clients.
Final approval remains contingent on meeting preopening requirements, including capital and compliance standards.
USD1 ranks among the larger dollar-backed stablecoins with a market capitalization near $4 billion.
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency granted preliminary conditional approval on Aug. 14, 2026, to World Liberty Trust Company, National Association, to establish a national trust bank focused on stablecoin and digital asset services.
According to the OCC letter, the approval covers fiduciary and related trust company activities. The bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of WLTC Holdings LLC and based in Bay Harbor Islands, Florida, plans to issue and redeem the USD1 stablecoin for institutional clients nationwide, taking over that role from BitGo Bank & Trust, National Association. It will also provide digital asset custody services primarily to USD1 customers and other institutions, along with limited conversion services for custodied assets.
“The OCC hereby grants preliminary conditional approval of your charter application upon determining that your proposal meets certain regulatory and policy requirements,” the regulator stated in the letter. Final approval and authorization to commence business will not be granted until all preopening requirements are satisfied, and the OCC retains the ability to modify, suspend, or rescind the preliminary approval.
Key conditions include limiting operations to trust company activities so the entity does not meet the Bank Holding Company Act definition of a bank, maintaining a minimum of $20 million in tier 1 capital with at least half in eligible liquid assets for the first three years, holding 180 days of operating expenses in liquid assets, and obtaining OCC non-objection for senior officers and directors. The bank must also conform its stablecoin activities to the GENIUS Act and other applicable laws as determined by the OCC.
World Liberty Financial, which backs the effort and is partially owned by an entity affiliated with President Donald Trump and family members, launched USD1 as a fiat-backed stablecoin. The token currently carries a market capitalization of approximately $4 billion, placing it among the larger dollar-pegged stablecoins. In a statement, World Liberty Trust President and Chairman Zach Witkoff described the development as enabling the company to build the most trusted digital dollar under federal supervision.
The application was filed in January 2026. Career OCC staff reviewed it for consistency with legal and regulatory requirements, the letter noted, addressing public comments that raised concerns about ownership ties. Democratic lawmakers have criticized the process citing potential conflicts of interest and signaled plans for legislation restricting senior officials’ bank ownership.
Similar preliminary approvals have previously been granted to other crypto firms seeking national trust bank status. The conditional green light positions World Liberty to bring USD1 issuance, reserve management, and custody under a single federal regulator, subject to final clearance.
The post OCC Grants Preliminary Conditional Approval for Trump-Backed World Liberty Trust Bank Charter appeared first on Cryptopress.
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Shiny Coins #21 – Privacy Shields and AI Oracles Hold the Line As Fear LingersBitcoin is hovering near the $63,000 level on August 15, 2026, after a roughly 3% decline over the past seven days from the mid-$64,000s–$65,000 area. Dominance sits around 56%, total crypto market capitalization is approximately $2.25 trillion after a mild weekly pullback, and the Fear & Greed Index is reading in the mid-30s (Fear). Macro remains a headwind with ongoing rate and regulatory uncertainty, yet certain narratives refuse to die.
This week the shiniest names are not the pure memecoin degens but the ones delivering relative strength in privacy, AI infrastructure, oracles, and real-world assets. We’ve been watching the rotation closely: capital is selective, volume is concentrating in a handful of stories, and the coins that can point to actual usage or clear catalysts are the ones still lighting up. Here are the 8–10 currently shining brightest.
The Shiny Coins Right Now
1. LINK – Chainlink · ~$9.30 · +12% to +13% (7d) Chainlink continues to post one of the cleanest outperformance moves in the large-cap space this week. High trading volume and renewed focus on oracle demand for AI agents and cross-chain data have kept it firm while most of the market consolidates. The key metric popping is sustained elevated volume relative to peers and continued integrations talk. Short-term outlook: Bullish. The degen joke writes itself—when the market is scared, the data layer still has to work.
2. XMR – Monero · ~$405 · +7% (7d) Privacy is back on the table. Monero has quietly delivered positive weekly performance and is trading near recent local highs while broader sentiment stays fearful. On-chain resilience and the perennial demand for untraceable transactions keep it relevant. Key metric: consistent relative strength versus BTC and solid volume. Short-term outlook: Bullish. Privacy coins don’t need a bull market to stay shiny—they just need people who value their bags staying private.
3. HYPE – Hyperliquid · ~$56 · relatively stable / high volume The leading perpetual DEX continues to dominate volume charts even as price consolidates. Open interest and trading activity remain elevated, underscoring product-market fit in the derivatives narrative. Key metric: sustained high 24h volume and ranking among the most actively traded non-stable assets. Short-term outlook: Cautious to Bullish. When perps stay busy while spot is quiet, the heat is still there—just more selective.
4. ZEC – Zcash · ~$490 · mixed but resilient with strong volume Zcash is holding up better than most large-cap alts amid the broader fear, with notable trading volume keeping it visible. Privacy narrative and ongoing protocol developments continue to attract attention. Key metric: elevated volume relative to market-cap peers. Short-term outlook: Cautious. Privacy is the meta that refuses to fully fade even when the rest of the market is NGMI on risk.
5. TAO – Bittensor · ~$197 · consolidating near recent levels The decentralized AI network remains one of the purest plays on the AI x crypto narrative. Price action has been choppy but the sector attention has not disappeared. Key metric: continued ecosystem activity and ranking among AI-related volume leaders. Short-term outlook: Cautious to Bullish. AI agents still need compute and incentives—TAO sits right in that intersection.
6. NEAR – NEAR Protocol · ~$1.64 NEAR keeps showing up in AI-agent and user-experience discussions. Relative stability and steady volume in a down week keep it on the shiny list. Key metric: developer and AI-related narrative momentum. Short-term outlook: Cautious. When AI is the story, the chains that make agents easy to run stay relevant.
7. RENDER – Render · ~$1.26 GPU and decentralized rendering demand continues to underpin the DePIN/AI crossover. Price has been soft like much of the market, but the narrative has not broken. Key metric: ongoing relevance in the AI compute conversation. Short-term outlook: Cautious. Fiery GPU demand doesn’t disappear just because BTC is consolidating.
8. ONDO – Ondo · ~$0.326 · modest weekly decline Real-world asset tokenization remains one of the most institutionally credible stories of 2026. Ondo continues to be the purest large-cap expression even if price has given some back this week. Key metric: RWA narrative strength and tokenized Treasuries growth backdrop. Short-term outlook: Cautious. RWA is the slow-and-steady shiny that institutions actually understand.
9. COW – CoW Protocol · strong 24h and weekly relative move DeFi intent-based trading has seen a sharp volume and price spike this week, putting CoW back on the radar. Key metric: outsized short-term volume and percentage gains. Short-term outlook: Fading Heat / Cautious—these pumps can be violent both ways.
Hidden Gem of the Week
VELVET (or similarly explosive lower-cap names in the $100–500M range such as certain AI/agent or new protocol tokens) has posted triple-digit weekly gains on elevated volume. Market caps remain well under $2B, liquidity is still developing, and the move is classic “something is happening” territory. Watch the volume and whether it can hold any of the gains—these are the ones that can go parabolic or get rekt just as fast.
One to Watch Closely
UNI – Uniswap has been under pressure with double-digit weekly declines. If DeFi volumes or a catalyst reappears, the bounce potential is real; if risk-off continues, further downside is on the table. High liquidity means the move—either way—will be visible quickly.
Overall, the shiny coin rotation this week tells us the market is still in a selective, risk-aware regime. Pure speculation is quieter, while privacy, AI infrastructure, oracles, and RWA continue to attract the capital that is willing to move. Bitcoin dominance near 56% and Fear readings confirm we are not in full altseason mode, but the coins with actual narratives and usage are still finding ways to shine. The meta hasn’t died—it has simply gotten more discerning.
See you next week for more Shiny Coins on Cryptopress.site
The post Shiny Coins #21 – Privacy Shields and AI Oracles Hold the Line as Fear Lingers appeared first on Cryptopress.
Shiny Coins #21 – Privacy Shields and AI Oracles Hold the Line As Fear Lingers
Bitcoin is hovering near the $63,000 level on August 15, 2026, after a roughly 3% decline over the past seven days from the mid-$64,000s–$65,000 area. Dominance sits around 56%, total crypto market capitalization is approximately $2.25 trillion after a mild weekly pullback, and the Fear & Greed Index is reading in the mid-30s (Fear). Macro remains a headwind with ongoing rate and regulatory uncertainty, yet certain narratives refuse to die.
This week the shiniest names are not the pure memecoin degens but the ones delivering relative strength in privacy, AI infrastructure, oracles, and real-world assets. We’ve been watching the rotation closely: capital is selective, volume is concentrating in a handful of stories, and the coins that can point to actual usage or clear catalysts are the ones still lighting up. Here are the 8–10 currently shining brightest.
The Shiny Coins Right Now
1. LINK – Chainlink · ~$9.30 · +12% to +13% (7d) Chainlink continues to post one of the cleanest outperformance moves in the large-cap space this week. High trading volume and renewed focus on oracle demand for AI agents and cross-chain data have kept it firm while most of the market consolidates. The key metric popping is sustained elevated volume relative to peers and continued integrations talk. Short-term outlook: Bullish. The degen joke writes itself—when the market is scared, the data layer still has to work.
2. XMR – Monero · ~$405 · +7% (7d) Privacy is back on the table. Monero has quietly delivered positive weekly performance and is trading near recent local highs while broader sentiment stays fearful. On-chain resilience and the perennial demand for untraceable transactions keep it relevant. Key metric: consistent relative strength versus BTC and solid volume. Short-term outlook: Bullish. Privacy coins don’t need a bull market to stay shiny—they just need people who value their bags staying private.
3. HYPE – Hyperliquid · ~$56 · relatively stable / high volume The leading perpetual DEX continues to dominate volume charts even as price consolidates. Open interest and trading activity remain elevated, underscoring product-market fit in the derivatives narrative. Key metric: sustained high 24h volume and ranking among the most actively traded non-stable assets. Short-term outlook: Cautious to Bullish. When perps stay busy while spot is quiet, the heat is still there—just more selective.
4. ZEC – Zcash · ~$490 · mixed but resilient with strong volume Zcash is holding up better than most large-cap alts amid the broader fear, with notable trading volume keeping it visible. Privacy narrative and ongoing protocol developments continue to attract attention. Key metric: elevated volume relative to market-cap peers. Short-term outlook: Cautious. Privacy is the meta that refuses to fully fade even when the rest of the market is NGMI on risk.
5. TAO – Bittensor · ~$197 · consolidating near recent levels The decentralized AI network remains one of the purest plays on the AI x crypto narrative. Price action has been choppy but the sector attention has not disappeared. Key metric: continued ecosystem activity and ranking among AI-related volume leaders. Short-term outlook: Cautious to Bullish. AI agents still need compute and incentives—TAO sits right in that intersection.
6. NEAR – NEAR Protocol · ~$1.64 NEAR keeps showing up in AI-agent and user-experience discussions. Relative stability and steady volume in a down week keep it on the shiny list. Key metric: developer and AI-related narrative momentum. Short-term outlook: Cautious. When AI is the story, the chains that make agents easy to run stay relevant.
7. RENDER – Render · ~$1.26 GPU and decentralized rendering demand continues to underpin the DePIN/AI crossover. Price has been soft like much of the market, but the narrative has not broken. Key metric: ongoing relevance in the AI compute conversation. Short-term outlook: Cautious. Fiery GPU demand doesn’t disappear just because BTC is consolidating.
8. ONDO – Ondo · ~$0.326 · modest weekly decline Real-world asset tokenization remains one of the most institutionally credible stories of 2026. Ondo continues to be the purest large-cap expression even if price has given some back this week. Key metric: RWA narrative strength and tokenized Treasuries growth backdrop. Short-term outlook: Cautious. RWA is the slow-and-steady shiny that institutions actually understand.
9. COW – CoW Protocol · strong 24h and weekly relative move DeFi intent-based trading has seen a sharp volume and price spike this week, putting CoW back on the radar. Key metric: outsized short-term volume and percentage gains. Short-term outlook: Fading Heat / Cautious—these pumps can be violent both ways.
Hidden Gem of the Week
VELVET (or similarly explosive lower-cap names in the $100–500M range such as certain AI/agent or new protocol tokens) has posted triple-digit weekly gains on elevated volume. Market caps remain well under $2B, liquidity is still developing, and the move is classic “something is happening” territory. Watch the volume and whether it can hold any of the gains—these are the ones that can go parabolic or get rekt just as fast.
One to Watch Closely
UNI – Uniswap has been under pressure with double-digit weekly declines. If DeFi volumes or a catalyst reappears, the bounce potential is real; if risk-off continues, further downside is on the table. High liquidity means the move—either way—will be visible quickly.
Overall, the shiny coin rotation this week tells us the market is still in a selective, risk-aware regime. Pure speculation is quieter, while privacy, AI infrastructure, oracles, and RWA continue to attract the capital that is willing to move. Bitcoin dominance near 56% and Fear readings confirm we are not in full altseason mode, but the coins with actual narratives and usage are still finding ways to shine. The meta hasn’t died—it has simply gotten more discerning.
See you next week for more Shiny Coins on Cryptopress.site
The post Shiny Coins #21 – Privacy Shields and AI Oracles Hold the Line as Fear Lingers appeared first on Cryptopress.
This week the shiniest names are not the pure memecoin degens but the ones delivering relative strength in privacy, AI infrastructure, oracles, and real-world assets. We’ve been watching the rotation closely: capital is selective, volume is concentrating in a handful of stories, and the coins that can point to actual usage or clear catalysts are the ones still lighting up. Here are the 8–10 currently shining brightest.
The Shiny Coins Right Now
1. LINK – Chainlink · ~$9.30 · +12% to +13% (7d) Chainlink continues to post one of the cleanest outperformance moves in the large-cap space this week. High trading volume and renewed focus on oracle demand for AI agents and cross-chain data have kept it firm while most of the market consolidates. The key metric popping is sustained elevated volume relative to peers and continued integrations talk. Short-term outlook: Bullish. The degen joke writes itself—when the market is scared, the data layer still has to work.
2. XMR – Monero · ~$405 · +7% (7d) Privacy is back on the table. Monero has quietly delivered positive weekly performance and is trading near recent local highs while broader sentiment stays fearful. On-chain resilience and the perennial demand for untraceable transactions keep it relevant. Key metric: consistent relative strength versus BTC and solid volume. Short-term outlook: Bullish. Privacy coins don’t need a bull market to stay shiny—they just need people who value their bags staying private.
3. HYPE – Hyperliquid · ~$56 · relatively stable / high volume The leading perpetual DEX continues to dominate volume charts even as price consolidates. Open interest and trading activity remain elevated, underscoring product-market fit in the derivatives narrative. Key metric: sustained high 24h volume and ranking among the most actively traded non-stable assets. Short-term outlook: Cautious to Bullish. When perps stay busy while spot is quiet, the heat is still there—just more selective.
4. ZEC – Zcash · ~$490 · mixed but resilient with strong volume Zcash is holding up better than most large-cap alts amid the broader fear, with notable trading volume keeping it visible. Privacy narrative and ongoing protocol developments continue to attract attention. Key metric: elevated volume relative to market-cap peers. Short-term outlook: Cautious. Privacy is the meta that refuses to fully fade even when the rest of the market is NGMI on risk.
5. TAO – Bittensor · ~$197 · consolidating near recent levels The decentralized AI network remains one of the purest plays on the AI x crypto narrative. Price action has been choppy but the sector attention has not disappeared. Key metric: continued ecosystem activity and ranking among AI-related volume leaders. Short-term outlook: Cautious to Bullish. AI agents still need compute and incentives—TAO sits right in that intersection.
6. NEAR – NEAR Protocol · ~$1.64 NEAR keeps showing up in AI-agent and user-experience discussions. Relative stability and steady volume in a down week keep it on the shiny list. Key metric: developer and AI-related narrative momentum. Short-term outlook: Cautious. When AI is the story, the chains that make agents easy to run stay relevant.
7. RENDER – Render · ~$1.26 GPU and decentralized rendering demand continues to underpin the DePIN/AI crossover. Price has been soft like much of the market, but the narrative has not broken. Key metric: ongoing relevance in the AI compute conversation. Short-term outlook: Cautious. Fiery GPU demand doesn’t disappear just because BTC is consolidating.
8. ONDO – Ondo · ~$0.326 · modest weekly decline Real-world asset tokenization remains one of the most institutionally credible stories of 2026. Ondo continues to be the purest large-cap expression even if price has given some back this week. Key metric: RWA narrative strength and tokenized Treasuries growth backdrop. Short-term outlook: Cautious. RWA is the slow-and-steady shiny that institutions actually understand.
9. COW – CoW Protocol · strong 24h and weekly relative move DeFi intent-based trading has seen a sharp volume and price spike this week, putting CoW back on the radar. Key metric: outsized short-term volume and percentage gains. Short-term outlook: Fading Heat / Cautious—these pumps can be violent both ways.
Hidden Gem of the Week
VELVET (or similarly explosive lower-cap names in the $100–500M range such as certain AI/agent or new protocol tokens) has posted triple-digit weekly gains on elevated volume. Market caps remain well under $2B, liquidity is still developing, and the move is classic “something is happening” territory. Watch the volume and whether it can hold any of the gains—these are the ones that can go parabolic or get rekt just as fast.
One to Watch Closely
UNI – Uniswap has been under pressure with double-digit weekly declines. If DeFi volumes or a catalyst reappears, the bounce potential is real; if risk-off continues, further downside is on the table. High liquidity means the move—either way—will be visible quickly.
Overall, the shiny coin rotation this week tells us the market is still in a selective, risk-aware regime. Pure speculation is quieter, while privacy, AI infrastructure, oracles, and RWA continue to attract the capital that is willing to move. Bitcoin dominance near 56% and Fear readings confirm we are not in full altseason mode, but the coins with actual narratives and usage are still finding ways to shine. The meta hasn’t died—it has simply gotten more discerning.
See you next week for more Shiny Coins on Cryptopress.site
The post Shiny Coins #21 – Privacy Shields and AI Oracles Hold the Line as Fear Lingers appeared first on Cryptopress.
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BNB Chain Prepares to Activate Pasteur Hard Fork, Bringing New Technical UpgradesBNB Chain has announced the upcoming activation of the Pasteur hard fork across its network environments.
The upgrade aims to introduce significant technical optimizations, enhancing overall network stability, performance, and developer capabilities.
Developers and node operators are advised to update their software ahead of the scheduled hard fork activation timeline.
BNB Chain is preparing to implement a major network upgrade known as the Pasteur hard fork, designed to introduce critical technical improvements and protocol optimizations across the ecosystem. As detailed in the official BNB Chain blog, the upgrade forms part of the network’s ongoing commitment to scaling efficiently while maintaining robust security standards for decentralized applications and token holders.
Hard forks require network validators, node operators, and infrastructure providers to upgrade their client software to ensure seamless consensus compatibility. According to recent updates shared via @BNBCHAIN on X, the development team has outlined specific block height targets and timestamps for the testnet and mainnet deployments, urging all participating entities to complete their upgrades ahead of schedule to prevent potential disruptions.
The Pasteur hard fork introduces several under-the-hood enhancements aimed at optimizing gas efficiency, streamlining state management, and improving the developer experience. Network upgrades of this scale are vital for layer-1 blockchains like BNB Chain to handle increasing transaction throughput and support the growing adoption of DeFi, GameFi, and enterprise-grade Web3 protocols.
As the activation window approaches, market participants and traders are closely monitoring network analytics and exchange integration statuses. Past upgrades on the network have generally proceeded smoothly due to coordinated efforts between core developers and major ecosystem partners. Further details regarding exact block heights, node software versions, and technical documentation are available directly through the BNB Chain documentation portal.
The post BNB Chain Prepares to Activate Pasteur Hard Fork, Bringing New Technical Upgrades appeared first on Cryptopress.
BNB Chain Prepares to Activate Pasteur Hard Fork, Bringing New Technical Upgrades
BNB Chain has announced the upcoming activation of the Pasteur hard fork across its network environments.
The upgrade aims to introduce significant technical optimizations, enhancing overall network stability, performance, and developer capabilities.
Developers and node operators are advised to update their software ahead of the scheduled hard fork activation timeline.
BNB Chain is preparing to implement a major network upgrade known as the Pasteur hard fork, designed to introduce critical technical improvements and protocol optimizations across the ecosystem. As detailed in the official BNB Chain blog, the upgrade forms part of the network’s ongoing commitment to scaling efficiently while maintaining robust security standards for decentralized applications and token holders.
Hard forks require network validators, node operators, and infrastructure providers to upgrade their client software to ensure seamless consensus compatibility. According to recent updates shared via @BNBCHAIN on X, the development team has outlined specific block height targets and timestamps for the testnet and mainnet deployments, urging all participating entities to complete their upgrades ahead of schedule to prevent potential disruptions.
The Pasteur hard fork introduces several under-the-hood enhancements aimed at optimizing gas efficiency, streamlining state management, and improving the developer experience. Network upgrades of this scale are vital for layer-1 blockchains like BNB Chain to handle increasing transaction throughput and support the growing adoption of DeFi, GameFi, and enterprise-grade Web3 protocols.
As the activation window approaches, market participants and traders are closely monitoring network analytics and exchange integration statuses. Past upgrades on the network have generally proceeded smoothly due to coordinated efforts between core developers and major ecosystem partners. Further details regarding exact block heights, node software versions, and technical documentation are available directly through the BNB Chain documentation portal.
The post BNB Chain Prepares to Activate Pasteur Hard Fork, Bringing New Technical Upgrades appeared first on Cryptopress.
The upgrade aims to introduce significant technical optimizations, enhancing overall network stability, performance, and developer capabilities.
Developers and node operators are advised to update their software ahead of the scheduled hard fork activation timeline.
BNB Chain is preparing to implement a major network upgrade known as the Pasteur hard fork, designed to introduce critical technical improvements and protocol optimizations across the ecosystem. As detailed in the official BNB Chain blog, the upgrade forms part of the network’s ongoing commitment to scaling efficiently while maintaining robust security standards for decentralized applications and token holders.
Hard forks require network validators, node operators, and infrastructure providers to upgrade their client software to ensure seamless consensus compatibility. According to recent updates shared via @BNBCHAIN on X, the development team has outlined specific block height targets and timestamps for the testnet and mainnet deployments, urging all participating entities to complete their upgrades ahead of schedule to prevent potential disruptions.
The Pasteur hard fork introduces several under-the-hood enhancements aimed at optimizing gas efficiency, streamlining state management, and improving the developer experience. Network upgrades of this scale are vital for layer-1 blockchains like BNB Chain to handle increasing transaction throughput and support the growing adoption of DeFi, GameFi, and enterprise-grade Web3 protocols.
As the activation window approaches, market participants and traders are closely monitoring network analytics and exchange integration statuses. Past upgrades on the network have generally proceeded smoothly due to coordinated efforts between core developers and major ecosystem partners. Further details regarding exact block heights, node software versions, and technical documentation are available directly through the BNB Chain documentation portal.
The post BNB Chain Prepares to Activate Pasteur Hard Fork, Bringing New Technical Upgrades appeared first on Cryptopress.
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COW Token Surges Over 55% in 24 Hours Amid Renewed Market ActivityCow Protocol’s native token, COW, experienced a significant price rally, jumping 55.77% over a 24-hour trading window.
The sharp upward movement drove heightened market participation and increased daily trading volume across major decentralized and centralized platforms.
Traders and analysts are monitoring the token’s on-chain metrics closely to determine whether the momentum can sustain current resistance levels.
Cow Protocol’s native asset, COW, registered a dramatic price surge, skyrocketing by 55.77% in 24 hours as market participants rushed to trade the asset. The sudden double-digit gain placed the token among the top-performing digital assets during the trading session, reflecting a sharp increase in speculative interest and network activity.
According to market data, the sudden price action propelled COW to local highs, accompanied by a multi-fold increase in daily trading volume. As detailed on the Cow Protocol official website, the project specializes in MEV-protected token swapping via batch auctions, a utility that continues to draw attention as decentralized finance (DeFi) trading volumes fluctuate.
Market observers noted that the explosive rally mirrored broader spikes in volatility across several mid-cap altcoins. While momentum traders capitalized on the rapid price appreciation, risk management remains a priority for market participants navigating high-beta tokens. Analysts suggest that sustaining these price levels will depend heavily on whether broader crypto market conditions remain favorable and if on-chain volume holds steady in the coming days.
The post COW Token Surges Over 55% in 24 Hours Amid Renewed Market Activity appeared first on Cryptopress.
COW Token Surges Over 55% in 24 Hours Amid Renewed Market Activity
Cow Protocol’s native token, COW, experienced a significant price rally, jumping 55.77% over a 24-hour trading window.
The sharp upward movement drove heightened market participation and increased daily trading volume across major decentralized and centralized platforms.
Traders and analysts are monitoring the token’s on-chain metrics closely to determine whether the momentum can sustain current resistance levels.
Cow Protocol’s native asset, COW, registered a dramatic price surge, skyrocketing by 55.77% in 24 hours as market participants rushed to trade the asset. The sudden double-digit gain placed the token among the top-performing digital assets during the trading session, reflecting a sharp increase in speculative interest and network activity.
According to market data, the sudden price action propelled COW to local highs, accompanied by a multi-fold increase in daily trading volume. As detailed on the Cow Protocol official website, the project specializes in MEV-protected token swapping via batch auctions, a utility that continues to draw attention as decentralized finance (DeFi) trading volumes fluctuate.
Market observers noted that the explosive rally mirrored broader spikes in volatility across several mid-cap altcoins. While momentum traders capitalized on the rapid price appreciation, risk management remains a priority for market participants navigating high-beta tokens. Analysts suggest that sustaining these price levels will depend heavily on whether broader crypto market conditions remain favorable and if on-chain volume holds steady in the coming days.
The post COW Token Surges Over 55% in 24 Hours Amid Renewed Market Activity appeared first on Cryptopress.
The sharp upward movement drove heightened market participation and increased daily trading volume across major decentralized and centralized platforms.
Traders and analysts are monitoring the token’s on-chain metrics closely to determine whether the momentum can sustain current resistance levels.
Cow Protocol’s native asset, COW, registered a dramatic price surge, skyrocketing by 55.77% in 24 hours as market participants rushed to trade the asset. The sudden double-digit gain placed the token among the top-performing digital assets during the trading session, reflecting a sharp increase in speculative interest and network activity.
According to market data, the sudden price action propelled COW to local highs, accompanied by a multi-fold increase in daily trading volume. As detailed on the Cow Protocol official website, the project specializes in MEV-protected token swapping via batch auctions, a utility that continues to draw attention as decentralized finance (DeFi) trading volumes fluctuate.
Market observers noted that the explosive rally mirrored broader spikes in volatility across several mid-cap altcoins. While momentum traders capitalized on the rapid price appreciation, risk management remains a priority for market participants navigating high-beta tokens. Analysts suggest that sustaining these price levels will depend heavily on whether broader crypto market conditions remain favorable and if on-chain volume holds steady in the coming days.
The post COW Token Surges Over 55% in 24 Hours Amid Renewed Market Activity appeared first on Cryptopress.
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BNB Chain Prepares to Activate Pasteur Hard Fork, Bringing New Technical Upgrades<ul><li>BNB Chain has announced the upcoming activation of the Pasteur hard fork across its network environments.</li><li>The upgrade aims to introduce significant technical optimizations, enhancing overall network stability, performance, and developer capabilities.</li><li>Developers and node operators are advised to update their software ahead of the scheduled hard fork activation timeline.</li></ul><p><strong>BNB Chain</strong> is preparing to implement a major network upgrade known as the <strong>Pasteur hard fork</strong>, designed to introduce critical technical improvements and protocol optimizations across the ecosystem. As detailed in the <a href="https://www.bnbchain.org/en/blog" target="_blank" rel="noopener">official BNB Chain blog</a>, the upgrade forms part of the network's ongoing commitment to scaling efficiently while maintaining robust security standards for decentralized applications and token holders.</p><p>Hard forks require network validators, node operators, and infrastructure providers to upgrade their client software to ensure seamless consensus compatibility. According to recent updates shared via <a href="https://x.com/BNBCHAIN" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@BNBCHAIN on X</a>, the development team has outlined specific block height targets and timestamps for the testnet and mainnet deployments, urging all participating entities to complete their upgrades ahead of schedule to prevent potential disruptions.</p><p>The <strong>Pasteur hard fork</strong> introduces several under-the-hood enhancements aimed at optimizing gas efficiency, streamlining state management, and improving the developer experience. Network upgrades of this scale are vital for layer-1 blockchains like BNB Chain to handle increasing transaction throughput and support the growing adoption of DeFi, GameFi, and enterprise-grade Web3 protocols.</p><p>As the activation window approaches, market participants and traders are closely monitoring network analytics and exchange integration statuses. Past upgrades on the network have generally proceeded smoothly due to coordinated efforts between core developers and major ecosystem partners. Further details regarding exact block heights, node software versions, and technical documentation are available directly through the <a href="https://docs.bnbchain.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BNB Chain documentation portal</a>.</p>
BNB Chain Prepares to Activate Pasteur Hard Fork, Bringing New Technical Upgrades
<ul><li>BNB Chain has announced the upcoming activation of the Pasteur hard fork across its network environments.</li><li>The upgrade aims to introduce significant technical optimizations, enhancing overall network stability, performance, and developer capabilities.</li><li>Developers and node operators are advised to update their software ahead of the scheduled hard fork activation timeline.</li></ul><p><strong>BNB Chain</strong> is preparing to implement a major network upgrade known as the <strong>Pasteur hard fork</strong>, designed to introduce critical technical improvements and protocol optimizations across the ecosystem. As detailed in the <a href="https://www.bnbchain.org/en/blog" target="_blank" rel="noopener">official BNB Chain blog</a>, the upgrade forms part of the network's ongoing commitment to scaling efficiently while maintaining robust security standards for decentralized applications and token holders.</p><p>Hard forks require network validators, node operators, and infrastructure providers to upgrade their client software to ensure seamless consensus compatibility. According to recent updates shared via <a href="https://x.com/BNBCHAIN" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@BNBCHAIN on X</a>, the development team has outlined specific block height targets and timestamps for the testnet and mainnet deployments, urging all participating entities to complete their upgrades ahead of schedule to prevent potential disruptions.</p><p>The <strong>Pasteur hard fork</strong> introduces several under-the-hood enhancements aimed at optimizing gas efficiency, streamlining state management, and improving the developer experience. Network upgrades of this scale are vital for layer-1 blockchains like BNB Chain to handle increasing transaction throughput and support the growing adoption of DeFi, GameFi, and enterprise-grade Web3 protocols.</p><p>As the activation window approaches, market participants and traders are closely monitoring network analytics and exchange integration statuses. Past upgrades on the network have generally proceeded smoothly due to coordinated efforts between core developers and major ecosystem partners. Further details regarding exact block heights, node software versions, and technical documentation are available directly through the <a href="https://docs.bnbchain.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BNB Chain documentation portal</a>.</p>
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COW Token Surges Over 55% in 24 Hours Amid Renewed Market Activity<ul><li>Cow Protocol's native token, COW, experienced a significant price rally, jumping <strong>55.77%</strong> over a 24-hour trading window.</li><li>The sharp upward movement drove heightened market participation and increased daily trading volume across major decentralized and centralized platforms.</li><li>Traders and analysts are monitoring the token's on-chain metrics closely to determine whether the momentum can sustain current resistance levels.</li></ul><p class="has-drop-cap">Cow Protocol's native asset, <strong>COW</strong>, registered a dramatic price surge, skyrocketing by <strong>55.77% in 24 hours</strong> as market participants rushed to trade the asset. The sudden double-digit gain placed the token among the top-performing digital assets during the trading session, reflecting a sharp increase in speculative interest and network activity.</p><p>According to market data, the sudden price action propelled COW to local highs, accompanied by a multi-fold increase in daily trading volume. As detailed on the <a href="https://cow.fi/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cow Protocol official website</a>, the project specializes in MEV-protected token swapping via batch auctions, a utility that continues to draw attention as decentralized finance (DeFi) trading volumes fluctuate.</p><p>Market observers noted that the explosive rally mirrored broader spikes in volatility across several mid-cap altcoins. While momentum traders capitalized on the rapid price appreciation, risk management remains a priority for market participants navigating high-beta tokens. Analysts suggest that sustaining these price levels will depend heavily on whether broader crypto market conditions remain favorable and if on-chain volume holds steady in the coming days.</p>
COW Token Surges Over 55% in 24 Hours Amid Renewed Market Activity
<ul><li>Cow Protocol's native token, COW, experienced a significant price rally, jumping <strong>55.77%</strong> over a 24-hour trading window.</li><li>The sharp upward movement drove heightened market participation and increased daily trading volume across major decentralized and centralized platforms.</li><li>Traders and analysts are monitoring the token's on-chain metrics closely to determine whether the momentum can sustain current resistance levels.</li></ul><p class="has-drop-cap">Cow Protocol's native asset, <strong>COW</strong>, registered a dramatic price surge, skyrocketing by <strong>55.77% in 24 hours</strong> as market participants rushed to trade the asset. The sudden double-digit gain placed the token among the top-performing digital assets during the trading session, reflecting a sharp increase in speculative interest and network activity.</p><p>According to market data, the sudden price action propelled COW to local highs, accompanied by a multi-fold increase in daily trading volume. As detailed on the <a href="https://cow.fi/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cow Protocol official website</a>, the project specializes in MEV-protected token swapping via batch auctions, a utility that continues to draw attention as decentralized finance (DeFi) trading volumes fluctuate.</p><p>Market observers noted that the explosive rally mirrored broader spikes in volatility across several mid-cap altcoins. While momentum traders capitalized on the rapid price appreciation, risk management remains a priority for market participants navigating high-beta tokens. Analysts suggest that sustaining these price levels will depend heavily on whether broader crypto market conditions remain favorable and if on-chain volume holds steady in the coming days.</p>
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OCC Grants Preliminary Conditional Approval for Trump-Backed World Liberty Trust Bank Charter<ul><li>The OCC granted preliminary conditional approval on Aug. 14, 2026, for World Liberty Trust Company to operate as a national trust bank.</li><li>The charter would allow the firm to assume issuance of the <strong>USD1</strong> stablecoin from BitGo and offer digital asset custody to institutional clients.</li><li>Final approval remains contingent on meeting preopening requirements, including capital and compliance standards.</li><li>USD1 ranks among the larger dollar-backed stablecoins with a market capitalization near <strong>$4 billion</strong>.</li></ul><p class="has-drop-cap">The <a href="https://www.occ.gov/topics/charters-and-licensing/interpretations-and-decisions/2026/cd1385.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Office of the Comptroller of the Currency</a> granted preliminary conditional approval on Aug. 14, 2026, to World Liberty Trust Company, National Association, to establish a national trust bank focused on stablecoin and digital asset services.</p><p>According to the <a href="https://www.occ.gov/topics/charters-and-licensing/interpretations-and-decisions/2026/cd1385.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">OCC letter</a>, the approval covers fiduciary and related trust company activities. The bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of WLTC Holdings LLC and based in Bay Harbor Islands, Florida, plans to issue and redeem the USD1 stablecoin for institutional clients nationwide, taking over that role from BitGo Bank & Trust, National Association. It will also provide digital asset custody services primarily to USD1 customers and other institutions, along with limited conversion services for custodied assets.</p><p>"The OCC hereby grants preliminary conditional approval of your charter application upon determining that your proposal meets certain regulatory and policy requirements," the regulator stated in the letter. Final approval and authorization to commence business will not be granted until all preopening requirements are satisfied, and the OCC retains the ability to modify, suspend, or rescind the preliminary approval.</p><p>Key conditions include limiting operations to trust company activities so the entity does not meet the Bank Holding Company Act definition of a bank, maintaining a minimum of <strong>$20 million</strong> in tier 1 capital with at least half in eligible liquid assets for the first three years, holding 180 days of operating expenses in liquid assets, and obtaining OCC non-objection for senior officers and directors. The bank must also conform its stablecoin activities to the GENIUS Act and other applicable laws as determined by the OCC.</p><p>World Liberty Financial, which backs the effort and is partially owned by an entity affiliated with President Donald Trump and family members, launched USD1 as a fiat-backed stablecoin. The token currently carries a market capitalization of approximately <strong>$4 billion</strong>, placing it among the larger dollar-pegged stablecoins. In a statement, World Liberty Trust President and Chairman Zach Witkoff described the development as enabling the company to build the most trusted digital dollar under federal supervision.</p><p>The application was filed in January 2026. Career OCC staff reviewed it for consistency with legal and regulatory requirements, the letter noted, addressing public comments that raised concerns about ownership ties. Democratic lawmakers have criticized the process citing potential conflicts of interest and signaled plans for legislation restricting senior officials’ bank ownership.</p><p>Similar preliminary approvals have previously been granted to other crypto firms seeking national trust bank status. The conditional green light positions World Liberty to bring USD1 issuance, reserve management, and custody under a single federal regulator, subject to final clearance.</p>
OCC Grants Preliminary Conditional Approval for Trump-Backed World Liberty Trust Bank Charter
<ul><li>The OCC granted preliminary conditional approval on Aug. 14, 2026, for World Liberty Trust Company to operate as a national trust bank.</li><li>The charter would allow the firm to assume issuance of the <strong>USD1</strong> stablecoin from BitGo and offer digital asset custody to institutional clients.</li><li>Final approval remains contingent on meeting preopening requirements, including capital and compliance standards.</li><li>USD1 ranks among the larger dollar-backed stablecoins with a market capitalization near <strong>$4 billion</strong>.</li></ul><p class="has-drop-cap">The <a href="https://www.occ.gov/topics/charters-and-licensing/interpretations-and-decisions/2026/cd1385.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Office of the Comptroller of the Currency</a> granted preliminary conditional approval on Aug. 14, 2026, to World Liberty Trust Company, National Association, to establish a national trust bank focused on stablecoin and digital asset services.</p><p>According to the <a href="https://www.occ.gov/topics/charters-and-licensing/interpretations-and-decisions/2026/cd1385.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">OCC letter</a>, the approval covers fiduciary and related trust company activities. The bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of WLTC Holdings LLC and based in Bay Harbor Islands, Florida, plans to issue and redeem the USD1 stablecoin for institutional clients nationwide, taking over that role from BitGo Bank & Trust, National Association. It will also provide digital asset custody services primarily to USD1 customers and other institutions, along with limited conversion services for custodied assets.</p><p>"The OCC hereby grants preliminary conditional approval of your charter application upon determining that your proposal meets certain regulatory and policy requirements," the regulator stated in the letter. Final approval and authorization to commence business will not be granted until all preopening requirements are satisfied, and the OCC retains the ability to modify, suspend, or rescind the preliminary approval.</p><p>Key conditions include limiting operations to trust company activities so the entity does not meet the Bank Holding Company Act definition of a bank, maintaining a minimum of <strong>$20 million</strong> in tier 1 capital with at least half in eligible liquid assets for the first three years, holding 180 days of operating expenses in liquid assets, and obtaining OCC non-objection for senior officers and directors. The bank must also conform its stablecoin activities to the GENIUS Act and other applicable laws as determined by the OCC.</p><p>World Liberty Financial, which backs the effort and is partially owned by an entity affiliated with President Donald Trump and family members, launched USD1 as a fiat-backed stablecoin. The token currently carries a market capitalization of approximately <strong>$4 billion</strong>, placing it among the larger dollar-pegged stablecoins. In a statement, World Liberty Trust President and Chairman Zach Witkoff described the development as enabling the company to build the most trusted digital dollar under federal supervision.</p><p>The application was filed in January 2026. Career OCC staff reviewed it for consistency with legal and regulatory requirements, the letter noted, addressing public comments that raised concerns about ownership ties. Democratic lawmakers have criticized the process citing potential conflicts of interest and signaled plans for legislation restricting senior officials’ bank ownership.</p><p>Similar preliminary approvals have previously been granted to other crypto firms seeking national trust bank status. The conditional green light positions World Liberty to bring USD1 issuance, reserve management, and custody under a single federal regulator, subject to final clearance.</p>
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Tether Completes First Full Audit By KPMG With Unqualified Opinion on 2025 FinancialsKPMG U.S. issued an unqualified opinion on Tether International’s full 2025 financial statements.
Audited reserves exceeded liabilities by $6.814 billion as of Dec. 31, 2025.
KPMG physically counted and inspected every gold bar in Tether’s holdings.
CEO Paolo Ardoino described the milestone as a defining moment for the stablecoin industry.
Stablecoin giant Tether announced on Aug. 13 that KPMG U.S. has completed a full independent audit of Tether International, S.A. de C.V.’s financial statements for the year ended Dec. 31, 2025, issuing an unqualified opinion.
The opinion, the most favorable an auditor can provide, confirms that the statements present fairly, in all material respects, the company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows in accordance with U.S. GAAP, according to the company. A Bloomberg report noted that Tether did not release the full audit report itself.
As part of the process, KPMG physically counted and inspected every individual gold bar held by Tether rather than relying solely on custodian reports, Tether said. The audited statements showed reserves exceeding liabilities by $6.814 billion.
“This is a defining moment for the stablecoin industry,” Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said in the announcement. “We have once again proven them wrong. Completing our financial statement audit sets a new standard for the industry and reflects the leadership we’ve brought to this market from the start.”
CFO Simon McWilliams called it a landmark for transparency, confirming the quality of prior public attestation reports. The audit covers the complete financial statements, including the balance sheet of reserves and token liabilities, income statement, equity changes and cash flows, going beyond the quarterly attestations Tether has long published.
The development follows years of scrutiny over the backing of USDT, the largest stablecoin by market capitalization with roughly $180 billion in circulation. Tether selected a Big Four firm earlier in 2026 to fulfill its commitment to a full audit.
The post Tether Completes First Full Audit by KPMG With Unqualified Opinion on 2025 Financials appeared first on Cryptopress.
Tether Completes First Full Audit By KPMG With Unqualified Opinion on 2025 Financials
KPMG U.S. issued an unqualified opinion on Tether International’s full 2025 financial statements.
Audited reserves exceeded liabilities by $6.814 billion as of Dec. 31, 2025.
KPMG physically counted and inspected every gold bar in Tether’s holdings.
CEO Paolo Ardoino described the milestone as a defining moment for the stablecoin industry.
Stablecoin giant Tether announced on Aug. 13 that KPMG U.S. has completed a full independent audit of Tether International, S.A. de C.V.’s financial statements for the year ended Dec. 31, 2025, issuing an unqualified opinion.
The opinion, the most favorable an auditor can provide, confirms that the statements present fairly, in all material respects, the company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows in accordance with U.S. GAAP, according to the company. A Bloomberg report noted that Tether did not release the full audit report itself.
As part of the process, KPMG physically counted and inspected every individual gold bar held by Tether rather than relying solely on custodian reports, Tether said. The audited statements showed reserves exceeding liabilities by $6.814 billion.
“This is a defining moment for the stablecoin industry,” Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said in the announcement. “We have once again proven them wrong. Completing our financial statement audit sets a new standard for the industry and reflects the leadership we’ve brought to this market from the start.”
CFO Simon McWilliams called it a landmark for transparency, confirming the quality of prior public attestation reports. The audit covers the complete financial statements, including the balance sheet of reserves and token liabilities, income statement, equity changes and cash flows, going beyond the quarterly attestations Tether has long published.
The development follows years of scrutiny over the backing of USDT, the largest stablecoin by market capitalization with roughly $180 billion in circulation. Tether selected a Big Four firm earlier in 2026 to fulfill its commitment to a full audit.
The post Tether Completes First Full Audit by KPMG With Unqualified Opinion on 2025 Financials appeared first on Cryptopress.
Audited reserves exceeded liabilities by $6.814 billion as of Dec. 31, 2025.
KPMG physically counted and inspected every gold bar in Tether’s holdings.
CEO Paolo Ardoino described the milestone as a defining moment for the stablecoin industry.
Stablecoin giant Tether announced on Aug. 13 that KPMG U.S. has completed a full independent audit of Tether International, S.A. de C.V.’s financial statements for the year ended Dec. 31, 2025, issuing an unqualified opinion.
The opinion, the most favorable an auditor can provide, confirms that the statements present fairly, in all material respects, the company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows in accordance with U.S. GAAP, according to the company. A Bloomberg report noted that Tether did not release the full audit report itself.
As part of the process, KPMG physically counted and inspected every individual gold bar held by Tether rather than relying solely on custodian reports, Tether said. The audited statements showed reserves exceeding liabilities by $6.814 billion.
“This is a defining moment for the stablecoin industry,” Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said in the announcement. “We have once again proven them wrong. Completing our financial statement audit sets a new standard for the industry and reflects the leadership we’ve brought to this market from the start.”
CFO Simon McWilliams called it a landmark for transparency, confirming the quality of prior public attestation reports. The audit covers the complete financial statements, including the balance sheet of reserves and token liabilities, income statement, equity changes and cash flows, going beyond the quarterly attestations Tether has long published.
The development follows years of scrutiny over the backing of USDT, the largest stablecoin by market capitalization with roughly $180 billion in circulation. Tether selected a Big Four firm earlier in 2026 to fulfill its commitment to a full audit.
The post Tether Completes First Full Audit by KPMG With Unqualified Opinion on 2025 Financials appeared first on Cryptopress.
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Unchained Summit India Debuts in Mumbai As Capital, Markets and Web3 ConvergeMumbai, India, 12 August 2026 — Unchained Summit will make its India debut on 5–6 November 2026 in Mumbai, bringing together global and Indian leaders across financial markets, digital assets, trading, Web3 and emerging technology.
Following editions in Dubai and Vietnam, the third edition of Unchained Summit will bring founders, investors, active traders, wealth and financial-market participants, global blockchain companies, technology leaders, policymakers and builders together in one of the world’s most active digital asset and technology markets.
The confirmed speaker lineup includes S B Seker, Head of APAC at Binance; Ashish Singhal, Co-Founder of CoinSwitch; Praneeth Srikanti, Partner at Ethereal Ventures; Eva Wong, General Counsel at Parity Technologies; Prabal Banerjee, Co-Founder of Avail; Sanat Rao, Chief Investment Officer at Monarq Asset Management; Dilip Chenoy, Chairperson of the Bharat Web3 Association; Saumya Saxena, India Lead at Base; Roshan Prabhakar, Head of Product – India at Coinbase; Vineet Budki, CEO of Sigma Capital; Kunaal Patel, Head of Institutional – Asia and MENA at Ondo Finance; and Jaideep Reddy, Partner at Trilegal, among others.
India continues to see strong participation in crypto markets, ranking first in Chainalysis’ 2025 Global Crypto Adoption Index, while taking a more cautious regulatory approach than several other major jurisdictions. Unchained Summit India will bring international perspectives into this conversation, examining how different markets are approaching regulation, adoption and market development.
At the same time, interest in tokenisation and enterprise blockchain continues to grow. The Reserve Bank of India has explored asset tokenisation through its CBDC sandbox, while the National Blockchain Framework reflects broader government and enterprise interest in blockchain-based infrastructure.
As India’s financial capital, Mumbai provides a natural meeting point for traders, wealth managers, family offices, financial institutions, fintechs and Web3 companies, connecting the country’s active digital asset market with its broader financial and technology ecosystem.
Sharath Kumar, Founder and CEO of Aeternum, the organiser of Unchained Summit, said:
“India has a unique mix of active digital asset participation, growing interest in tokenisation and blockchain, and one of the world’s strongest developer ecosystems. Unchained Summit India brings together the capital, policy and technology sides of that story, with global voices adding perspective to where the market goes next.”
That dual focus will define the two days of Unchained Summit India.
Day One will focus on Markets, Finance & Digital Assets, bringing together traders, investors, wealth managers, family offices, traditional finance participants and digital asset companies for discussions around regulation and policy, trading and markets, tokenisation and real-world assets, stablecoins and payments, wealth and portfolio management, capital markets, custody and liquidity.
For S B Seker, Head of APAC at Binance, India’s importance extends well beyond the size of its market.
“India is a crown jewel for Binance in terms of impact, not just scale. With deep digital penetration and a young, tech-savvy population, it is a market unmatched globally for meaningful blockchain adoption and innovation.”
Alongside the financial-market conversation is another major Indian advantage: its technology talent.
India had 21.9 million developers on GitHub in 2025, making it the platform’s second-largest developer community globally, with more than 5.2 million developers added during the year.
Day Two will focus on Web3, Infrastructure & Emerging Technology, creating a technology-led programme for developers, founders and builders around blockchain infrastructure, AI and Web3, DeFi, scaling, interoperability, security and digital trust, staking, consumer applications and emerging technologies.
Ashish Singhal, Co-Founder of CoinSwitch, said:
“Web3 represents one of the most exciting opportunities to build the next generation of internet infrastructure, and India is one of the world’s largest hubs with talent, entrepreneurial spirit, and technical expertise to play a leading role in shaping the industry’s future.”
The technology itself will be another important part of the discussion.
Uttam Singh from Alchemy said:
“We’re witnessing the financial system become programmable. The next wave of innovation will come from developers building onchain.”
Across two days, wealth managers and traders will interact with digital asset companies. Founders will meet investors. Traditional finance participants will examine tokenisation and new market infrastructure. Enterprises will explore blockchain applications. Developers and builders will engage with global protocols and technology companies, while policy and industry leaders will hear perspectives from jurisdictions taking different approaches to digital assets.
The summit will also bring international speakers, companies and participants into Mumbai, connecting India’s financial and technology ecosystem with global leaders across digital assets and Web3.
For Unchained Summit, the objective is straightforward: create a setting where capital and technology, traditional finance and digital assets, and Indian builders and global markets can meet.
Mumbai will host that conversation on 5–6 November 2026. More information is available on the event’s official website: [unchainedsummit.com/india] (https://unchainedsummit.com/india)
About
Aeternum Consulting Ltd:
Aeternum organizes business-to-business events in the emerging tech space, provides strategic consulting, and tailored services to a diverse range of clients, from corporations to governments and startups to individuals. Aeternum specializes in crafting impactful B2B platforms that foster meaningful connections, drive business growth, and facilitate knowledge sharing through conferences, exhibitions, and bespoke networking opportunities.
For more information visit: [aeternuminc.com] (https://aeternuminc.com)
For further details about the announcement, please contact:
Maya K Vmedia@aeternuminc.com | +91 95383 91838 Partnerships Associate, Aeternum
The post Unchained Summit India Debuts in Mumbai as Capital, Markets and Web3 Converge appeared first on Cryptopress.
Unchained Summit India Debuts in Mumbai As Capital, Markets and Web3 Converge
Mumbai, India, 12 August 2026 — Unchained Summit will make its India debut on 5–6 November 2026 in Mumbai, bringing together global and Indian leaders across financial markets, digital assets, trading, Web3 and emerging technology.
Following editions in Dubai and Vietnam, the third edition of Unchained Summit will bring founders, investors, active traders, wealth and financial-market participants, global blockchain companies, technology leaders, policymakers and builders together in one of the world’s most active digital asset and technology markets.
The confirmed speaker lineup includes S B Seker, Head of APAC at Binance; Ashish Singhal, Co-Founder of CoinSwitch; Praneeth Srikanti, Partner at Ethereal Ventures; Eva Wong, General Counsel at Parity Technologies; Prabal Banerjee, Co-Founder of Avail; Sanat Rao, Chief Investment Officer at Monarq Asset Management; Dilip Chenoy, Chairperson of the Bharat Web3 Association; Saumya Saxena, India Lead at Base; Roshan Prabhakar, Head of Product – India at Coinbase; Vineet Budki, CEO of Sigma Capital; Kunaal Patel, Head of Institutional – Asia and MENA at Ondo Finance; and Jaideep Reddy, Partner at Trilegal, among others.
India continues to see strong participation in crypto markets, ranking first in Chainalysis’ 2025 Global Crypto Adoption Index, while taking a more cautious regulatory approach than several other major jurisdictions. Unchained Summit India will bring international perspectives into this conversation, examining how different markets are approaching regulation, adoption and market development.
At the same time, interest in tokenisation and enterprise blockchain continues to grow. The Reserve Bank of India has explored asset tokenisation through its CBDC sandbox, while the National Blockchain Framework reflects broader government and enterprise interest in blockchain-based infrastructure.
As India’s financial capital, Mumbai provides a natural meeting point for traders, wealth managers, family offices, financial institutions, fintechs and Web3 companies, connecting the country’s active digital asset market with its broader financial and technology ecosystem.
Sharath Kumar, Founder and CEO of Aeternum, the organiser of Unchained Summit, said:
“India has a unique mix of active digital asset participation, growing interest in tokenisation and blockchain, and one of the world’s strongest developer ecosystems. Unchained Summit India brings together the capital, policy and technology sides of that story, with global voices adding perspective to where the market goes next.”
That dual focus will define the two days of Unchained Summit India.
Day One will focus on Markets, Finance & Digital Assets, bringing together traders, investors, wealth managers, family offices, traditional finance participants and digital asset companies for discussions around regulation and policy, trading and markets, tokenisation and real-world assets, stablecoins and payments, wealth and portfolio management, capital markets, custody and liquidity.
For S B Seker, Head of APAC at Binance, India’s importance extends well beyond the size of its market.
“India is a crown jewel for Binance in terms of impact, not just scale. With deep digital penetration and a young, tech-savvy population, it is a market unmatched globally for meaningful blockchain adoption and innovation.”
Alongside the financial-market conversation is another major Indian advantage: its technology talent.
India had 21.9 million developers on GitHub in 2025, making it the platform’s second-largest developer community globally, with more than 5.2 million developers added during the year.
Day Two will focus on Web3, Infrastructure & Emerging Technology, creating a technology-led programme for developers, founders and builders around blockchain infrastructure, AI and Web3, DeFi, scaling, interoperability, security and digital trust, staking, consumer applications and emerging technologies.
Ashish Singhal, Co-Founder of CoinSwitch, said:
“Web3 represents one of the most exciting opportunities to build the next generation of internet infrastructure, and India is one of the world’s largest hubs with talent, entrepreneurial spirit, and technical expertise to play a leading role in shaping the industry’s future.”
The technology itself will be another important part of the discussion.
Uttam Singh from Alchemy said:
“We’re witnessing the financial system become programmable. The next wave of innovation will come from developers building onchain.”
Across two days, wealth managers and traders will interact with digital asset companies. Founders will meet investors. Traditional finance participants will examine tokenisation and new market infrastructure. Enterprises will explore blockchain applications. Developers and builders will engage with global protocols and technology companies, while policy and industry leaders will hear perspectives from jurisdictions taking different approaches to digital assets.
The summit will also bring international speakers, companies and participants into Mumbai, connecting India’s financial and technology ecosystem with global leaders across digital assets and Web3.
For Unchained Summit, the objective is straightforward: create a setting where capital and technology, traditional finance and digital assets, and Indian builders and global markets can meet.
Mumbai will host that conversation on 5–6 November 2026. More information is available on the event’s official website: [unchainedsummit.com/india] (https://unchainedsummit.com/india)
About
Aeternum Consulting Ltd:
Aeternum organizes business-to-business events in the emerging tech space, provides strategic consulting, and tailored services to a diverse range of clients, from corporations to governments and startups to individuals. Aeternum specializes in crafting impactful B2B platforms that foster meaningful connections, drive business growth, and facilitate knowledge sharing through conferences, exhibitions, and bespoke networking opportunities.
For more information visit: [aeternuminc.com] (https://aeternuminc.com)
For further details about the announcement, please contact:
Maya K Vmedia@aeternuminc.com | +91 95383 91838 Partnerships Associate, Aeternum
The post Unchained Summit India Debuts in Mumbai as Capital, Markets and Web3 Converge appeared first on Cryptopress.
Following editions in Dubai and Vietnam, the third edition of Unchained Summit will bring founders, investors, active traders, wealth and financial-market participants, global blockchain companies, technology leaders, policymakers and builders together in one of the world’s most active digital asset and technology markets.
The confirmed speaker lineup includes S B Seker, Head of APAC at Binance; Ashish Singhal, Co-Founder of CoinSwitch; Praneeth Srikanti, Partner at Ethereal Ventures; Eva Wong, General Counsel at Parity Technologies; Prabal Banerjee, Co-Founder of Avail; Sanat Rao, Chief Investment Officer at Monarq Asset Management; Dilip Chenoy, Chairperson of the Bharat Web3 Association; Saumya Saxena, India Lead at Base; Roshan Prabhakar, Head of Product – India at Coinbase; Vineet Budki, CEO of Sigma Capital; Kunaal Patel, Head of Institutional – Asia and MENA at Ondo Finance; and Jaideep Reddy, Partner at Trilegal, among others.
India continues to see strong participation in crypto markets, ranking first in Chainalysis’ 2025 Global Crypto Adoption Index, while taking a more cautious regulatory approach than several other major jurisdictions. Unchained Summit India will bring international perspectives into this conversation, examining how different markets are approaching regulation, adoption and market development.
At the same time, interest in tokenisation and enterprise blockchain continues to grow. The Reserve Bank of India has explored asset tokenisation through its CBDC sandbox, while the National Blockchain Framework reflects broader government and enterprise interest in blockchain-based infrastructure.
As India’s financial capital, Mumbai provides a natural meeting point for traders, wealth managers, family offices, financial institutions, fintechs and Web3 companies, connecting the country’s active digital asset market with its broader financial and technology ecosystem.
Sharath Kumar, Founder and CEO of Aeternum, the organiser of Unchained Summit, said:
“India has a unique mix of active digital asset participation, growing interest in tokenisation and blockchain, and one of the world’s strongest developer ecosystems. Unchained Summit India brings together the capital, policy and technology sides of that story, with global voices adding perspective to where the market goes next.”
That dual focus will define the two days of Unchained Summit India.
Day One will focus on Markets, Finance & Digital Assets, bringing together traders, investors, wealth managers, family offices, traditional finance participants and digital asset companies for discussions around regulation and policy, trading and markets, tokenisation and real-world assets, stablecoins and payments, wealth and portfolio management, capital markets, custody and liquidity.
For S B Seker, Head of APAC at Binance, India’s importance extends well beyond the size of its market.
“India is a crown jewel for Binance in terms of impact, not just scale. With deep digital penetration and a young, tech-savvy population, it is a market unmatched globally for meaningful blockchain adoption and innovation.”
Alongside the financial-market conversation is another major Indian advantage: its technology talent.
India had 21.9 million developers on GitHub in 2025, making it the platform’s second-largest developer community globally, with more than 5.2 million developers added during the year.
Day Two will focus on Web3, Infrastructure & Emerging Technology, creating a technology-led programme for developers, founders and builders around blockchain infrastructure, AI and Web3, DeFi, scaling, interoperability, security and digital trust, staking, consumer applications and emerging technologies.
Ashish Singhal, Co-Founder of CoinSwitch, said:
“Web3 represents one of the most exciting opportunities to build the next generation of internet infrastructure, and India is one of the world’s largest hubs with talent, entrepreneurial spirit, and technical expertise to play a leading role in shaping the industry’s future.”
The technology itself will be another important part of the discussion.
Uttam Singh from Alchemy said:
“We’re witnessing the financial system become programmable. The next wave of innovation will come from developers building onchain.”
Across two days, wealth managers and traders will interact with digital asset companies. Founders will meet investors. Traditional finance participants will examine tokenisation and new market infrastructure. Enterprises will explore blockchain applications. Developers and builders will engage with global protocols and technology companies, while policy and industry leaders will hear perspectives from jurisdictions taking different approaches to digital assets.
The summit will also bring international speakers, companies and participants into Mumbai, connecting India’s financial and technology ecosystem with global leaders across digital assets and Web3.
For Unchained Summit, the objective is straightforward: create a setting where capital and technology, traditional finance and digital assets, and Indian builders and global markets can meet.
Mumbai will host that conversation on 5–6 November 2026. More information is available on the event’s official website: [unchainedsummit.com/india] (https://unchainedsummit.com/india)
About
Aeternum Consulting Ltd:
Aeternum organizes business-to-business events in the emerging tech space, provides strategic consulting, and tailored services to a diverse range of clients, from corporations to governments and startups to individuals. Aeternum specializes in crafting impactful B2B platforms that foster meaningful connections, drive business growth, and facilitate knowledge sharing through conferences, exhibitions, and bespoke networking opportunities.
For more information visit: [aeternuminc.com] (https://aeternuminc.com)
For further details about the announcement, please contact:
Maya K Vmedia@aeternuminc.com | +91 95383 91838 Partnerships Associate, Aeternum
The post Unchained Summit India Debuts in Mumbai as Capital, Markets and Web3 Converge appeared first on Cryptopress.
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Tether Completes First Full Audit by KPMG With Unqualified Opinion on 2025 Financials<hr><ul><li>KPMG U.S. issued an unqualified opinion on Tether International’s full 2025 financial statements.</li><li>Audited reserves exceeded liabilities by <strong>$6.814 billion</strong> as of Dec. 31, 2025.</li><li>KPMG physically counted and inspected every gold bar in Tether’s holdings.</li><li>CEO Paolo Ardoino described the milestone as a defining moment for the stablecoin industry.</li></ul><hr><p class="has-drop-cap">Stablecoin giant Tether announced on Aug. 13 that <a href="https://tether.io/news/tether-completes-the-largest-inaugural-financial-audit-in-history/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">KPMG U.S. has completed a full independent audit</a> of Tether International, S.A. de C.V.’s financial statements for the year ended Dec. 31, 2025, issuing an unqualified opinion.</p><p>The opinion, the most favorable an auditor can provide, confirms that the statements present fairly, in all material respects, the company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows in accordance with U.S. GAAP, according to the company. A <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-13/crypto-firm-tether-says-kpmg-completes-long-promised-audit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bloomberg report</a> noted that Tether did not release the full audit report itself.</p><p>As part of the process, KPMG physically counted and inspected every individual gold bar held by Tether rather than relying solely on custodian reports, <a href="https://tether.io/news/tether-completes-the-largest-inaugural-financial-audit-in-history/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tether said</a>. The audited statements showed reserves exceeding liabilities by <strong>$6.814 billion</strong>.</p><p>“This is a defining moment for the stablecoin industry,” Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said in the announcement. “We have once again proven them wrong. Completing our financial statement audit sets a new standard for the industry and reflects the leadership we’ve brought to this market from the start.”</p><p>CFO Simon McWilliams called it a landmark for transparency, confirming the quality of prior public attestation reports. The audit covers the complete financial statements, including the balance sheet of reserves and token liabilities, income statement, equity changes and cash flows, going beyond the quarterly attestations Tether has long published.</p><p>The development follows years of scrutiny over the backing of USDT, the largest stablecoin by market capitalization with roughly $180 billion in circulation. Tether selected a Big Four firm earlier in 2026 to fulfill its commitment to a full audit.</p>
Tether Completes First Full Audit by KPMG With Unqualified Opinion on 2025 Financials
<hr><ul><li>KPMG U.S. issued an unqualified opinion on Tether International’s full 2025 financial statements.</li><li>Audited reserves exceeded liabilities by <strong>$6.814 billion</strong> as of Dec. 31, 2025.</li><li>KPMG physically counted and inspected every gold bar in Tether’s holdings.</li><li>CEO Paolo Ardoino described the milestone as a defining moment for the stablecoin industry.</li></ul><hr><p class="has-drop-cap">Stablecoin giant Tether announced on Aug. 13 that <a href="https://tether.io/news/tether-completes-the-largest-inaugural-financial-audit-in-history/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">KPMG U.S. has completed a full independent audit</a> of Tether International, S.A. de C.V.’s financial statements for the year ended Dec. 31, 2025, issuing an unqualified opinion.</p><p>The opinion, the most favorable an auditor can provide, confirms that the statements present fairly, in all material respects, the company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows in accordance with U.S. GAAP, according to the company. A <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-13/crypto-firm-tether-says-kpmg-completes-long-promised-audit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bloomberg report</a> noted that Tether did not release the full audit report itself.</p><p>As part of the process, KPMG physically counted and inspected every individual gold bar held by Tether rather than relying solely on custodian reports, <a href="https://tether.io/news/tether-completes-the-largest-inaugural-financial-audit-in-history/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tether said</a>. The audited statements showed reserves exceeding liabilities by <strong>$6.814 billion</strong>.</p><p>“This is a defining moment for the stablecoin industry,” Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said in the announcement. “We have once again proven them wrong. Completing our financial statement audit sets a new standard for the industry and reflects the leadership we’ve brought to this market from the start.”</p><p>CFO Simon McWilliams called it a landmark for transparency, confirming the quality of prior public attestation reports. The audit covers the complete financial statements, including the balance sheet of reserves and token liabilities, income statement, equity changes and cash flows, going beyond the quarterly attestations Tether has long published.</p><p>The development follows years of scrutiny over the backing of USDT, the largest stablecoin by market capitalization with roughly $180 billion in circulation. Tether selected a Big Four firm earlier in 2026 to fulfill its commitment to a full audit.</p>
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Goldman Sachs Agrees to Acquire NEOS for Up to $2.25 Billion, Adding Bitcoin and Ether Income ETFsGoldman Sachs has agreed to acquire NEOS Investments in a cash-and-equity deal valued at up to $2.25 billion, subject to performance targets.
The transaction adds NEOS’s $30 billion in options-based income ETFs, including bitcoin and ether high-income products, to Goldman Sachs Asset Management.
NEOS’s flagship Bitcoin High Income ETF (BTCI) holds roughly $1.1 billion in assets and uses a covered-call strategy on bitcoin ETPs.
The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027 pending regulatory approval and will help position GSAM among the top active ETF providers.
Goldman Sachs has entered into an agreement to acquire NEOS Investments, a specialized provider of systematic options-based income exchange-traded funds, in a transaction valued at up to $2.25 billion in cash and equity, according to a company press release issued on August 12, 2026.
The deal will fold NEOS’s approximately $30 billion in assets under management across 19 options-based income ETFs into Goldman Sachs Asset Management as of June 30, 2026. Combined with Goldman’s existing platform and the earlier acquisition of Innovator Capital Management, the firm will oversee more than $130 billion in ETF assets under supervision and rank as the eighth-largest active ETF provider, per the announcement.
While the official statement focused on broader income and outcome-oriented strategies, the acquisition brings Goldman immediate exposure to crypto-linked products. NEOS manages the Bitcoin High Income ETF (BTCI), which has amassed around $1.1 billion in assets, along with a boosted bitcoin version and an Ethereum High Income ETF. These funds do not hold the underlying assets directly; instead they gain exposure through spot bitcoin and ether ETPs and generate monthly income by selling call options.
BTCI, launched in October 2024, has delivered yields near 27% through its covered-call approach, though the strategy caps some upside during strong bitcoin rallies and the fund’s share price has declined substantially over the past year. The expense ratio stands at 0.99%. Goldman had previously filed in April 2026 for its own bitcoin premium income ETF, a product that analysts noted would have competed in the same niche.
David Solomon, Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, said in the press release that NEOS’s approach is “highly complementary to our capabilities across buffer, managed outcome and income strategies.” NEOS co-founders Garrett Paolella and Troy Cates are expected to join Goldman Sachs Asset Management as partners upon closing. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approval and customary conditions, with completion targeted for the first quarter of 2027.
The move underscores Wall Street’s continued expansion into derivative-based crypto products amid sustained investor demand for yield-generating vehicles, even as bitcoin itself traded near the mid-$60,000 range following the latest U.S. inflation data.
The post Goldman Sachs Agrees to Acquire NEOS for Up to $2.25 Billion, Adding Bitcoin and Ether Income ETFs appeared first on Cryptopress.
Goldman Sachs Agrees to Acquire NEOS for Up to $2.25 Billion, Adding Bitcoin and Ether Income ETFs
Goldman Sachs has agreed to acquire NEOS Investments in a cash-and-equity deal valued at up to $2.25 billion, subject to performance targets.
The transaction adds NEOS’s $30 billion in options-based income ETFs, including bitcoin and ether high-income products, to Goldman Sachs Asset Management.
NEOS’s flagship Bitcoin High Income ETF (BTCI) holds roughly $1.1 billion in assets and uses a covered-call strategy on bitcoin ETPs.
The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027 pending regulatory approval and will help position GSAM among the top active ETF providers.
Goldman Sachs has entered into an agreement to acquire NEOS Investments, a specialized provider of systematic options-based income exchange-traded funds, in a transaction valued at up to $2.25 billion in cash and equity, according to a company press release issued on August 12, 2026.
The deal will fold NEOS’s approximately $30 billion in assets under management across 19 options-based income ETFs into Goldman Sachs Asset Management as of June 30, 2026. Combined with Goldman’s existing platform and the earlier acquisition of Innovator Capital Management, the firm will oversee more than $130 billion in ETF assets under supervision and rank as the eighth-largest active ETF provider, per the announcement.
While the official statement focused on broader income and outcome-oriented strategies, the acquisition brings Goldman immediate exposure to crypto-linked products. NEOS manages the Bitcoin High Income ETF (BTCI), which has amassed around $1.1 billion in assets, along with a boosted bitcoin version and an Ethereum High Income ETF. These funds do not hold the underlying assets directly; instead they gain exposure through spot bitcoin and ether ETPs and generate monthly income by selling call options.
BTCI, launched in October 2024, has delivered yields near 27% through its covered-call approach, though the strategy caps some upside during strong bitcoin rallies and the fund’s share price has declined substantially over the past year. The expense ratio stands at 0.99%. Goldman had previously filed in April 2026 for its own bitcoin premium income ETF, a product that analysts noted would have competed in the same niche.
David Solomon, Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, said in the press release that NEOS’s approach is “highly complementary to our capabilities across buffer, managed outcome and income strategies.” NEOS co-founders Garrett Paolella and Troy Cates are expected to join Goldman Sachs Asset Management as partners upon closing. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approval and customary conditions, with completion targeted for the first quarter of 2027.
The move underscores Wall Street’s continued expansion into derivative-based crypto products amid sustained investor demand for yield-generating vehicles, even as bitcoin itself traded near the mid-$60,000 range following the latest U.S. inflation data.
The post Goldman Sachs Agrees to Acquire NEOS for Up to $2.25 Billion, Adding Bitcoin and Ether Income ETFs appeared first on Cryptopress.
The transaction adds NEOS’s $30 billion in options-based income ETFs, including bitcoin and ether high-income products, to Goldman Sachs Asset Management.
NEOS’s flagship Bitcoin High Income ETF (BTCI) holds roughly $1.1 billion in assets and uses a covered-call strategy on bitcoin ETPs.
The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027 pending regulatory approval and will help position GSAM among the top active ETF providers.
Goldman Sachs has entered into an agreement to acquire NEOS Investments, a specialized provider of systematic options-based income exchange-traded funds, in a transaction valued at up to $2.25 billion in cash and equity, according to a company press release issued on August 12, 2026.
The deal will fold NEOS’s approximately $30 billion in assets under management across 19 options-based income ETFs into Goldman Sachs Asset Management as of June 30, 2026. Combined with Goldman’s existing platform and the earlier acquisition of Innovator Capital Management, the firm will oversee more than $130 billion in ETF assets under supervision and rank as the eighth-largest active ETF provider, per the announcement.
While the official statement focused on broader income and outcome-oriented strategies, the acquisition brings Goldman immediate exposure to crypto-linked products. NEOS manages the Bitcoin High Income ETF (BTCI), which has amassed around $1.1 billion in assets, along with a boosted bitcoin version and an Ethereum High Income ETF. These funds do not hold the underlying assets directly; instead they gain exposure through spot bitcoin and ether ETPs and generate monthly income by selling call options.
BTCI, launched in October 2024, has delivered yields near 27% through its covered-call approach, though the strategy caps some upside during strong bitcoin rallies and the fund’s share price has declined substantially over the past year. The expense ratio stands at 0.99%. Goldman had previously filed in April 2026 for its own bitcoin premium income ETF, a product that analysts noted would have competed in the same niche.
David Solomon, Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, said in the press release that NEOS’s approach is “highly complementary to our capabilities across buffer, managed outcome and income strategies.” NEOS co-founders Garrett Paolella and Troy Cates are expected to join Goldman Sachs Asset Management as partners upon closing. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approval and customary conditions, with completion targeted for the first quarter of 2027.
The move underscores Wall Street’s continued expansion into derivative-based crypto products amid sustained investor demand for yield-generating vehicles, even as bitcoin itself traded near the mid-$60,000 range following the latest U.S. inflation data.
The post Goldman Sachs Agrees to Acquire NEOS for Up to $2.25 Billion, Adding Bitcoin and Ether Income ETFs appeared first on Cryptopress.
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Goldman Sachs Agrees to Acquire NEOS for Up to $2.25 Billion, Adding Bitcoin and Ether Income ETFs<ul><li>Goldman Sachs has agreed to acquire NEOS Investments in a cash-and-equity deal valued at up to <strong>$2.25 billion</strong>, subject to performance targets.</li><li>The transaction adds NEOS’s <strong>$30 billion</strong> in options-based income ETFs, including bitcoin and ether high-income products, to Goldman Sachs Asset Management.</li><li>NEOS’s flagship <strong>Bitcoin High Income ETF (BTCI)</strong> holds roughly <strong>$1.1 billion</strong> in assets and uses a covered-call strategy on bitcoin ETPs.</li><li>The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027 pending regulatory approval and will help position GSAM among the top active ETF providers.</li></ul><p class="has-drop-cap">Goldman Sachs has entered into an agreement to acquire NEOS Investments, a specialized provider of systematic options-based income exchange-traded funds, in a transaction valued at up to <strong>$2.25 billion</strong> in cash and equity, according to a <a href="https://www.goldmansachs.com/pressroom/press-releases/2026/goldman-sachs-announces-agreement-to-acquire-NEOS-investments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">company press release</a> issued on August 12, 2026.</p><p>The deal will fold NEOS’s approximately <strong>$30 billion</strong> in assets under management across 19 options-based income ETFs into Goldman Sachs Asset Management as of June 30, 2026. Combined with Goldman’s existing platform and the earlier acquisition of Innovator Capital Management, the firm will oversee more than <strong>$130 billion</strong> in ETF assets under supervision and rank as the eighth-largest active ETF provider, per the announcement.</p><p>While the official statement focused on broader income and outcome-oriented strategies, the acquisition brings Goldman immediate exposure to crypto-linked products. NEOS manages the <strong>Bitcoin High Income ETF (BTCI)</strong>, which has amassed around <strong>$1.1 billion</strong> in assets, along with a boosted bitcoin version and an Ethereum High Income ETF. These funds do not hold the underlying assets directly; instead they gain exposure through spot bitcoin and ether ETPs and generate monthly income by selling call options, as detailed in coverage from <a href="https://www.coindesk.com/business/2026/08/12/goldman-sachs-leaps-into-bitcoin-income-etfs-with-usd2-25-billion-neos-buyout" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CoinDesk</a> and <a href="https://decrypt.co/375491/goldman-sachs-neos-deal-ready-made-bitcoin-income-etf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Decrypt</a>.</p><p>BTCI, launched in October 2024, has delivered yields near <strong>27%</strong> through its covered-call approach, though the strategy caps some upside during strong bitcoin rallies and the fund’s share price has declined substantially over the past year. The expense ratio stands at 0.99%. Goldman had previously filed in April 2026 for its own bitcoin premium income ETF, a product that analysts noted would have competed in the same niche.</p><p>David Solomon, Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, said in the <a href="https://www.goldmansachs.com/pressroom/press-releases/2026/goldman-sachs-announces-agreement-to-acquire-NEOS-investments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">press release</a> that NEOS’s approach is “highly complementary to our capabilities across buffer, managed outcome and income strategies.” NEOS co-founders Garrett Paolella and Troy Cates are expected to join Goldman Sachs Asset Management as partners upon closing. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approval and customary conditions, with completion targeted for the first quarter of 2027.</p><p>The move underscores Wall Street’s continued expansion into derivative-based crypto products amid sustained investor demand for yield-generating vehicles, even as bitcoin itself traded near the mid-$60,000 range following the latest U.S. inflation data.</p>
Goldman Sachs Agrees to Acquire NEOS for Up to $2.25 Billion, Adding Bitcoin and Ether Income ETFs
<ul><li>Goldman Sachs has agreed to acquire NEOS Investments in a cash-and-equity deal valued at up to <strong>$2.25 billion</strong>, subject to performance targets.</li><li>The transaction adds NEOS’s <strong>$30 billion</strong> in options-based income ETFs, including bitcoin and ether high-income products, to Goldman Sachs Asset Management.</li><li>NEOS’s flagship <strong>Bitcoin High Income ETF (BTCI)</strong> holds roughly <strong>$1.1 billion</strong> in assets and uses a covered-call strategy on bitcoin ETPs.</li><li>The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027 pending regulatory approval and will help position GSAM among the top active ETF providers.</li></ul><p class="has-drop-cap">Goldman Sachs has entered into an agreement to acquire NEOS Investments, a specialized provider of systematic options-based income exchange-traded funds, in a transaction valued at up to <strong>$2.25 billion</strong> in cash and equity, according to a <a href="https://www.goldmansachs.com/pressroom/press-releases/2026/goldman-sachs-announces-agreement-to-acquire-NEOS-investments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">company press release</a> issued on August 12, 2026.</p><p>The deal will fold NEOS’s approximately <strong>$30 billion</strong> in assets under management across 19 options-based income ETFs into Goldman Sachs Asset Management as of June 30, 2026. Combined with Goldman’s existing platform and the earlier acquisition of Innovator Capital Management, the firm will oversee more than <strong>$130 billion</strong> in ETF assets under supervision and rank as the eighth-largest active ETF provider, per the announcement.</p><p>While the official statement focused on broader income and outcome-oriented strategies, the acquisition brings Goldman immediate exposure to crypto-linked products. NEOS manages the <strong>Bitcoin High Income ETF (BTCI)</strong>, which has amassed around <strong>$1.1 billion</strong> in assets, along with a boosted bitcoin version and an Ethereum High Income ETF. These funds do not hold the underlying assets directly; instead they gain exposure through spot bitcoin and ether ETPs and generate monthly income by selling call options, as detailed in coverage from <a href="https://www.coindesk.com/business/2026/08/12/goldman-sachs-leaps-into-bitcoin-income-etfs-with-usd2-25-billion-neos-buyout" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CoinDesk</a> and <a href="https://decrypt.co/375491/goldman-sachs-neos-deal-ready-made-bitcoin-income-etf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Decrypt</a>.</p><p>BTCI, launched in October 2024, has delivered yields near <strong>27%</strong> through its covered-call approach, though the strategy caps some upside during strong bitcoin rallies and the fund’s share price has declined substantially over the past year. The expense ratio stands at 0.99%. Goldman had previously filed in April 2026 for its own bitcoin premium income ETF, a product that analysts noted would have competed in the same niche.</p><p>David Solomon, Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, said in the <a href="https://www.goldmansachs.com/pressroom/press-releases/2026/goldman-sachs-announces-agreement-to-acquire-NEOS-investments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">press release</a> that NEOS’s approach is “highly complementary to our capabilities across buffer, managed outcome and income strategies.” NEOS co-founders Garrett Paolella and Troy Cates are expected to join Goldman Sachs Asset Management as partners upon closing. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approval and customary conditions, with completion targeted for the first quarter of 2027.</p><p>The move underscores Wall Street’s continued expansion into derivative-based crypto products amid sustained investor demand for yield-generating vehicles, even as bitcoin itself traded near the mid-$60,000 range following the latest U.S. inflation data.</p>
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Strategy Sells 1,690 Bitcoin for $108.6 Million, Lifts USD Reserve to $4.65 BillionStrategy sold 1,690 BTC for $108.6 million between Aug. 3 and Aug. 9 at an average price of $64,262
Bitcoin holdings fell to 840,447 BTC with an average acquisition cost of $75,385
The firm raised $653.1 million via MSTR share sales and added $650 million to its USD reserve, reaching $4.65 billion
BTC sale proceeds funded the repurchase of 1,152,020 STRC preferred shares
Bitcoin treasury company Strategy sold 1,690 BTC for approximately $108.6 million between Aug. 3 and Aug. 9 at an average price of $64,262 per bitcoin, according to an 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday.
The sales reduced Strategy’s total holdings to 840,447 BTC, acquired for an aggregate $63.36 billion at an average cost of $75,385 per bitcoin inclusive of fees and expenses. The latest tranche was sold below the company’s overall cost basis.
Proceeds from the bitcoin sales were used entirely to repurchase 1,152,020 shares of the company’s variable-rate Series A Perpetual Stretch Preferred Stock (STRC) for $108.6 million under its Digital Credit Securities Repurchase Program. Remaining authorization under that program stands at $785.2 million.
Separately, Strategy sold 6,585,682 shares of Class A common stock (MSTR) for net proceeds of $653.1 million under its at-the-market program. Of that amount, $650 million was allocated to the USD Reserve, lifting the balance to $4.65 billion as of Aug. 9, while $3.1 million was added to cash. Roughly $22 billion remains available under the MSTR ATM program, as detailed in the The Block report and CoinDesk coverage.
The moves continue Strategy’s capital management under its Digital Credit Capital Framework. Executive Chairman Michael Saylor previously clarified the distinction between personal and corporate holdings, writing on X that “When I say ‘Never Sell Your Bitcoin,’ I speak as one saver to another. I have never sold mine. Not one satoshi. Strategy is a public company, not my wallet.”
As reported by Decrypt, Strategy noted the USD Reserve increase extended duration coverage while tightening credit metrics on STRC. The company’s bitcoin position still represents roughly 4% of the 21 million supply cap, though it carries unrealized paper losses relative to the higher average acquisition cost.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute advice of any kind. Readers should conduct their own research before making any decisions.
The post Strategy Sells 1,690 Bitcoin for $108.6 Million, Lifts USD Reserve to $4.65 Billion appeared first on Cryptopress.
Strategy Sells 1,690 Bitcoin for $108.6 Million, Lifts USD Reserve to $4.65 Billion
Strategy sold 1,690 BTC for $108.6 million between Aug. 3 and Aug. 9 at an average price of $64,262
Bitcoin holdings fell to 840,447 BTC with an average acquisition cost of $75,385
The firm raised $653.1 million via MSTR share sales and added $650 million to its USD reserve, reaching $4.65 billion
BTC sale proceeds funded the repurchase of 1,152,020 STRC preferred shares
Bitcoin treasury company Strategy sold 1,690 BTC for approximately $108.6 million between Aug. 3 and Aug. 9 at an average price of $64,262 per bitcoin, according to an 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday.
The sales reduced Strategy’s total holdings to 840,447 BTC, acquired for an aggregate $63.36 billion at an average cost of $75,385 per bitcoin inclusive of fees and expenses. The latest tranche was sold below the company’s overall cost basis.
Proceeds from the bitcoin sales were used entirely to repurchase 1,152,020 shares of the company’s variable-rate Series A Perpetual Stretch Preferred Stock (STRC) for $108.6 million under its Digital Credit Securities Repurchase Program. Remaining authorization under that program stands at $785.2 million.
Separately, Strategy sold 6,585,682 shares of Class A common stock (MSTR) for net proceeds of $653.1 million under its at-the-market program. Of that amount, $650 million was allocated to the USD Reserve, lifting the balance to $4.65 billion as of Aug. 9, while $3.1 million was added to cash. Roughly $22 billion remains available under the MSTR ATM program, as detailed in the The Block report and CoinDesk coverage.
The moves continue Strategy’s capital management under its Digital Credit Capital Framework. Executive Chairman Michael Saylor previously clarified the distinction between personal and corporate holdings, writing on X that “When I say ‘Never Sell Your Bitcoin,’ I speak as one saver to another. I have never sold mine. Not one satoshi. Strategy is a public company, not my wallet.”
As reported by Decrypt, Strategy noted the USD Reserve increase extended duration coverage while tightening credit metrics on STRC. The company’s bitcoin position still represents roughly 4% of the 21 million supply cap, though it carries unrealized paper losses relative to the higher average acquisition cost.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute advice of any kind. Readers should conduct their own research before making any decisions.
The post Strategy Sells 1,690 Bitcoin for $108.6 Million, Lifts USD Reserve to $4.65 Billion appeared first on Cryptopress.
Bitcoin holdings fell to 840,447 BTC with an average acquisition cost of $75,385
The firm raised $653.1 million via MSTR share sales and added $650 million to its USD reserve, reaching $4.65 billion
BTC sale proceeds funded the repurchase of 1,152,020 STRC preferred shares
Bitcoin treasury company Strategy sold 1,690 BTC for approximately $108.6 million between Aug. 3 and Aug. 9 at an average price of $64,262 per bitcoin, according to an 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday.
The sales reduced Strategy’s total holdings to 840,447 BTC, acquired for an aggregate $63.36 billion at an average cost of $75,385 per bitcoin inclusive of fees and expenses. The latest tranche was sold below the company’s overall cost basis.
Proceeds from the bitcoin sales were used entirely to repurchase 1,152,020 shares of the company’s variable-rate Series A Perpetual Stretch Preferred Stock (STRC) for $108.6 million under its Digital Credit Securities Repurchase Program. Remaining authorization under that program stands at $785.2 million.
Separately, Strategy sold 6,585,682 shares of Class A common stock (MSTR) for net proceeds of $653.1 million under its at-the-market program. Of that amount, $650 million was allocated to the USD Reserve, lifting the balance to $4.65 billion as of Aug. 9, while $3.1 million was added to cash. Roughly $22 billion remains available under the MSTR ATM program, as detailed in the The Block report and CoinDesk coverage.
The moves continue Strategy’s capital management under its Digital Credit Capital Framework. Executive Chairman Michael Saylor previously clarified the distinction between personal and corporate holdings, writing on X that “When I say ‘Never Sell Your Bitcoin,’ I speak as one saver to another. I have never sold mine. Not one satoshi. Strategy is a public company, not my wallet.”
As reported by Decrypt, Strategy noted the USD Reserve increase extended duration coverage while tightening credit metrics on STRC. The company’s bitcoin position still represents roughly 4% of the 21 million supply cap, though it carries unrealized paper losses relative to the higher average acquisition cost.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute advice of any kind. Readers should conduct their own research before making any decisions.
The post Strategy Sells 1,690 Bitcoin for $108.6 Million, Lifts USD Reserve to $4.65 Billion appeared first on Cryptopress.
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Bitcoin Holds Firm Above $65,000 As ETF Inflows Counter Strategy Sales Ahead of CPIBitcoin climbed above $65,000 on Monday, gaining nearly 3% over the week, supported by strong US spot Bitcoin and Ether ETF inflows totaling around $1.1 billion—the strongest weekly haul since mid-April. A weak US jobs report eased fears of further Federal Reserve rate hikes, providing a risk-on backdrop ahead of the July CPI inflation data due Wednesday.
Despite Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) disclosing the sale of 1,690 BTC for approximately $108.6 million at an average of $64,262 to fund preferred stock repurchases, and reducing holdings to 840,447 BTC, the market absorbed the supply without significant downside. The firm also raised $653 million via MSTR share sales, boosting its USD reserve to $4.65 billion. This balance-sheet management by the largest corporate Bitcoin holder occurred against a backdrop of low volatility and steady institutional demand via ETFs, with BlackRock’s IBIT leading inflows. The upcoming CPI print remains the key near-term catalyst; a cooler reading could reinforce rate-cut hopes and support further upside, while hotter data may pressure prices back toward the $64,200 support zone.
Other news:
Positive
US spot BTC and ETH ETFs recorded ~$1.1B net inflows, strongest since April.
Solana led majors with nearly 5% weekly gain to ~$77.
Weak July jobs report reduced rate-hike expectations.
Iran-Oman deal talks eased Strait of Hormuz concerns, lifting risk assets.
Robinhood launched zero-fee crypto trading in the UK via Bitstamp.
Mastercard completed $1.8B acquisition of stablecoin firm BVNK.
Neutral
Bitcoin volatility index hit lowest levels since 2025 as option demand collapsed.
US Senate failed to pass CLARITY Act before recess, delaying to September.
BIP-110 soft-fork attempt produced only two blocks before stalling.
Negative
Strategy sold 1,690 BTC for $108.6M, second consecutive week of sales.
Crypto exchange Coinsbuy lost $8M in coordinated TRON/Ethereum attack.
Over 100 crypto projects shut down, bankrupt or ceased operations in 2026 so far.
XRP lagged as the only major token down ~4% on the week.
Solana (SOL) has been the standout major mover, up almost 5% over the past seven days to trade near $76.7–$77, outperforming BTC and ETH (both ~+3%). Other notables include Pump.fun (PUMP) posting double-digit daily and weekly gains amid meme activity, and Worldcoin (WLD) up over 7–13% in recent sessions. XRP remains the laggard among large caps. Potential buying opportunities appear limited in a data-sensitive environment; dips toward $64,200–$64,500 on BTC or $72–$73 on SOL could attract buyers if CPI is benign, but elevated project shutdowns and residual sell pressure from corporate treasuries warrant caution. No clear high-conviction buys without confirmation of cooler inflation.
The post Bitcoin Holds Firm Above $65,000 as ETF Inflows Counter Strategy Sales Ahead of CPI appeared first on Cryptopress.
Bitcoin Holds Firm Above $65,000 As ETF Inflows Counter Strategy Sales Ahead of CPI
Bitcoin climbed above $65,000 on Monday, gaining nearly 3% over the week, supported by strong US spot Bitcoin and Ether ETF inflows totaling around $1.1 billion—the strongest weekly haul since mid-April. A weak US jobs report eased fears of further Federal Reserve rate hikes, providing a risk-on backdrop ahead of the July CPI inflation data due Wednesday.
Despite Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) disclosing the sale of 1,690 BTC for approximately $108.6 million at an average of $64,262 to fund preferred stock repurchases, and reducing holdings to 840,447 BTC, the market absorbed the supply without significant downside. The firm also raised $653 million via MSTR share sales, boosting its USD reserve to $4.65 billion. This balance-sheet management by the largest corporate Bitcoin holder occurred against a backdrop of low volatility and steady institutional demand via ETFs, with BlackRock’s IBIT leading inflows. The upcoming CPI print remains the key near-term catalyst; a cooler reading could reinforce rate-cut hopes and support further upside, while hotter data may pressure prices back toward the $64,200 support zone.
Other news:
Positive
US spot BTC and ETH ETFs recorded ~$1.1B net inflows, strongest since April.
Solana led majors with nearly 5% weekly gain to ~$77.
Weak July jobs report reduced rate-hike expectations.
Iran-Oman deal talks eased Strait of Hormuz concerns, lifting risk assets.
Robinhood launched zero-fee crypto trading in the UK via Bitstamp.
Mastercard completed $1.8B acquisition of stablecoin firm BVNK.
Neutral
Bitcoin volatility index hit lowest levels since 2025 as option demand collapsed.
US Senate failed to pass CLARITY Act before recess, delaying to September.
BIP-110 soft-fork attempt produced only two blocks before stalling.
Negative
Strategy sold 1,690 BTC for $108.6M, second consecutive week of sales.
Crypto exchange Coinsbuy lost $8M in coordinated TRON/Ethereum attack.
Over 100 crypto projects shut down, bankrupt or ceased operations in 2026 so far.
XRP lagged as the only major token down ~4% on the week.
Solana (SOL) has been the standout major mover, up almost 5% over the past seven days to trade near $76.7–$77, outperforming BTC and ETH (both ~+3%). Other notables include Pump.fun (PUMP) posting double-digit daily and weekly gains amid meme activity, and Worldcoin (WLD) up over 7–13% in recent sessions. XRP remains the laggard among large caps. Potential buying opportunities appear limited in a data-sensitive environment; dips toward $64,200–$64,500 on BTC or $72–$73 on SOL could attract buyers if CPI is benign, but elevated project shutdowns and residual sell pressure from corporate treasuries warrant caution. No clear high-conviction buys without confirmation of cooler inflation.
The post Bitcoin Holds Firm Above $65,000 as ETF Inflows Counter Strategy Sales Ahead of CPI appeared first on Cryptopress.
Despite Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) disclosing the sale of 1,690 BTC for approximately $108.6 million at an average of $64,262 to fund preferred stock repurchases, and reducing holdings to 840,447 BTC, the market absorbed the supply without significant downside. The firm also raised $653 million via MSTR share sales, boosting its USD reserve to $4.65 billion. This balance-sheet management by the largest corporate Bitcoin holder occurred against a backdrop of low volatility and steady institutional demand via ETFs, with BlackRock’s IBIT leading inflows. The upcoming CPI print remains the key near-term catalyst; a cooler reading could reinforce rate-cut hopes and support further upside, while hotter data may pressure prices back toward the $64,200 support zone.
Other news:
Positive
US spot BTC and ETH ETFs recorded ~$1.1B net inflows, strongest since April.
Solana led majors with nearly 5% weekly gain to ~$77.
Weak July jobs report reduced rate-hike expectations.
Iran-Oman deal talks eased Strait of Hormuz concerns, lifting risk assets.
Robinhood launched zero-fee crypto trading in the UK via Bitstamp.
Mastercard completed $1.8B acquisition of stablecoin firm BVNK.
Neutral
Bitcoin volatility index hit lowest levels since 2025 as option demand collapsed.
US Senate failed to pass CLARITY Act before recess, delaying to September.
BIP-110 soft-fork attempt produced only two blocks before stalling.
Negative
Strategy sold 1,690 BTC for $108.6M, second consecutive week of sales.
Crypto exchange Coinsbuy lost $8M in coordinated TRON/Ethereum attack.
Over 100 crypto projects shut down, bankrupt or ceased operations in 2026 so far.
XRP lagged as the only major token down ~4% on the week.
Solana (SOL) has been the standout major mover, up almost 5% over the past seven days to trade near $76.7–$77, outperforming BTC and ETH (both ~+3%). Other notables include Pump.fun (PUMP) posting double-digit daily and weekly gains amid meme activity, and Worldcoin (WLD) up over 7–13% in recent sessions. XRP remains the laggard among large caps. Potential buying opportunities appear limited in a data-sensitive environment; dips toward $64,200–$64,500 on BTC or $72–$73 on SOL could attract buyers if CPI is benign, but elevated project shutdowns and residual sell pressure from corporate treasuries warrant caution. No clear high-conviction buys without confirmation of cooler inflation.
The post Bitcoin Holds Firm Above $65,000 as ETF Inflows Counter Strategy Sales Ahead of CPI appeared first on Cryptopress.
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Bybit Sues North Korea Over $1.5B Lazarus Hack, Wins U.S. Court Order Freezing AssetsBybit has filed a civil lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against North Korea, its Reconnaissance General Bureau, and the Lazarus Group over the $1.5 billion theft.
A federal judge granted a preliminary injunction freezing identified stolen assets and found Bybit likely to succeed on the merits.
Approximately $48.4 million has been recovered and $30.5 million frozen across more than 28 exchanges and custodians.
The February 2025 hack remains the largest cryptocurrency theft in history, with most funds laundered beyond easy recovery.
Crypto exchange Bybit has filed a civil lawsuit against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, its Reconnaissance General Bureau and the Lazarus Group, seeking to hold the state-sponsored actors accountable for the $1.5 billion theft that occurred in February 2025.
According to a company statement, the suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The court has granted a preliminary injunction freezing identified stolen assets held by unidentified John Doe defendants and determined that Bybit has demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits.
In the statement, Bybit co-founder and CEO Ben Zhou said the Lazarus attack “wasn’t just an attack on Bybit. It was an attack on trust in our industry.” He added that the exchange has worked with investigators, exchanges, regulators and law enforcement before turning to the courts.
To date, Bybit reports that approximately $48.4 million in stolen assets has been recovered, while more than $30.5 million remains frozen across more than 28 exchanges and custodians. These figures represent roughly 5% of the total amount taken, as detailed in coverage by Decrypt and CoinDesk.
The February 21, 2025 incident involved the theft of over 400,000 ETH and stETH from a Bybit cold wallet, marking the largest crypto heist on record. U.S. authorities, including the FBI, have attributed the attack to North Korean actors linked to the Lazarus Group. Court records unsealed in recent days, as reported by Cointelegraph, show the lawsuit was initially filed under seal in June 2026, with the court granting expedited discovery and later the preliminary injunction.
Most of the stolen funds have been laundered through mixers, bridges and OTC dealers, rendering about 90% untraceable by the time of filing. Bybit continues to pursue recovery in parallel with ongoing criminal investigations and has supported related enforcement actions, including the disruption of certain laundering services.
The civil action seeks the return of the stolen assets, compensatory damages, punitive damages and treble damages under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Proceedings remain ongoing.
The post Bybit Sues North Korea Over $1.5B Lazarus Hack, Wins U.S. Court Order Freezing Assets appeared first on Cryptopress.
Bybit Sues North Korea Over $1.5B Lazarus Hack, Wins U.S. Court Order Freezing Assets
Bybit has filed a civil lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against North Korea, its Reconnaissance General Bureau, and the Lazarus Group over the $1.5 billion theft.
A federal judge granted a preliminary injunction freezing identified stolen assets and found Bybit likely to succeed on the merits.
Approximately $48.4 million has been recovered and $30.5 million frozen across more than 28 exchanges and custodians.
The February 2025 hack remains the largest cryptocurrency theft in history, with most funds laundered beyond easy recovery.
Crypto exchange Bybit has filed a civil lawsuit against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, its Reconnaissance General Bureau and the Lazarus Group, seeking to hold the state-sponsored actors accountable for the $1.5 billion theft that occurred in February 2025.
According to a company statement, the suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The court has granted a preliminary injunction freezing identified stolen assets held by unidentified John Doe defendants and determined that Bybit has demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits.
In the statement, Bybit co-founder and CEO Ben Zhou said the Lazarus attack “wasn’t just an attack on Bybit. It was an attack on trust in our industry.” He added that the exchange has worked with investigators, exchanges, regulators and law enforcement before turning to the courts.
To date, Bybit reports that approximately $48.4 million in stolen assets has been recovered, while more than $30.5 million remains frozen across more than 28 exchanges and custodians. These figures represent roughly 5% of the total amount taken, as detailed in coverage by Decrypt and CoinDesk.
The February 21, 2025 incident involved the theft of over 400,000 ETH and stETH from a Bybit cold wallet, marking the largest crypto heist on record. U.S. authorities, including the FBI, have attributed the attack to North Korean actors linked to the Lazarus Group. Court records unsealed in recent days, as reported by Cointelegraph, show the lawsuit was initially filed under seal in June 2026, with the court granting expedited discovery and later the preliminary injunction.
Most of the stolen funds have been laundered through mixers, bridges and OTC dealers, rendering about 90% untraceable by the time of filing. Bybit continues to pursue recovery in parallel with ongoing criminal investigations and has supported related enforcement actions, including the disruption of certain laundering services.
The civil action seeks the return of the stolen assets, compensatory damages, punitive damages and treble damages under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Proceedings remain ongoing.
The post Bybit Sues North Korea Over $1.5B Lazarus Hack, Wins U.S. Court Order Freezing Assets appeared first on Cryptopress.
A federal judge granted a preliminary injunction freezing identified stolen assets and found Bybit likely to succeed on the merits.
Approximately $48.4 million has been recovered and $30.5 million frozen across more than 28 exchanges and custodians.
The February 2025 hack remains the largest cryptocurrency theft in history, with most funds laundered beyond easy recovery.
Crypto exchange Bybit has filed a civil lawsuit against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, its Reconnaissance General Bureau and the Lazarus Group, seeking to hold the state-sponsored actors accountable for the $1.5 billion theft that occurred in February 2025.
According to a company statement, the suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The court has granted a preliminary injunction freezing identified stolen assets held by unidentified John Doe defendants and determined that Bybit has demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits.
In the statement, Bybit co-founder and CEO Ben Zhou said the Lazarus attack “wasn’t just an attack on Bybit. It was an attack on trust in our industry.” He added that the exchange has worked with investigators, exchanges, regulators and law enforcement before turning to the courts.
To date, Bybit reports that approximately $48.4 million in stolen assets has been recovered, while more than $30.5 million remains frozen across more than 28 exchanges and custodians. These figures represent roughly 5% of the total amount taken, as detailed in coverage by Decrypt and CoinDesk.
The February 21, 2025 incident involved the theft of over 400,000 ETH and stETH from a Bybit cold wallet, marking the largest crypto heist on record. U.S. authorities, including the FBI, have attributed the attack to North Korean actors linked to the Lazarus Group. Court records unsealed in recent days, as reported by Cointelegraph, show the lawsuit was initially filed under seal in June 2026, with the court granting expedited discovery and later the preliminary injunction.
Most of the stolen funds have been laundered through mixers, bridges and OTC dealers, rendering about 90% untraceable by the time of filing. Bybit continues to pursue recovery in parallel with ongoing criminal investigations and has supported related enforcement actions, including the disruption of certain laundering services.
The civil action seeks the return of the stolen assets, compensatory damages, punitive damages and treble damages under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Proceedings remain ongoing.
The post Bybit Sues North Korea Over $1.5B Lazarus Hack, Wins U.S. Court Order Freezing Assets appeared first on Cryptopress.
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BTCPay Server Critical Flaw Exposed After Developer’s Lightning Node Is DrainedA severe security flaw in BTCPay Server allowed malicious actors to drain Lightning Network nodes despite active security warnings.
The vulnerability went undetected during recent artificial intelligence code audits.
The exploit came to light only after a core developer personally fell victim to the robbery and analyzed his own system logs.
A critical security vulnerability impacting self-hosted payment processor BTCPay Server has underscored the current limitations of automated code reviews, after a developer’s personal Lightning node was drained while security warnings were being ignored or overlooked by users, as reported by CoinDesk.
The flaw surfaced unexpectedly when a BTCPay Server contributor experienced a direct theft of funds from their node. According to post-incident analyses, the developer was forced to comb through raw system logs to understand how the breach occurred, ultimately uncovering an unpatched vector that automated tools had completely missed.
What makes the incident particularly striking is that advanced AI-driven security audits conducted earlier in the week failed to flag the vulnerability. The oversight highlights a growing concern within the cryptographic and open-source development communities regarding over-reliance on artificial intelligence for smart contract and infrastructure code reviews.
BTCPay Server is widely utilized across the cryptocurrency ecosystem as an open-source, self-hosted payment gateway that allows merchants to accept bitcoin directly without intermediaries. The integration with the Lightning Network enables fast, low-cost layer-2 transactions, but also introduces complex state-management challenges that can be exploited if underlying APIs or server permissions are improperly handled.
Following the discovery, project maintainers moved swiftly to investigate the scope of the vulnerability and issue patches to secure affected nodes. Users operating self-hosted instances connected to the Lightning Network are strongly advised to check official repository updates and apply the latest security fixes immediately to protect their balances.
The post BTCPay Server Critical Flaw Exposed After Developer’s Lightning Node is Drained appeared first on Cryptopress.
BTCPay Server Critical Flaw Exposed After Developer’s Lightning Node Is Drained
A severe security flaw in BTCPay Server allowed malicious actors to drain Lightning Network nodes despite active security warnings.
The vulnerability went undetected during recent artificial intelligence code audits.
The exploit came to light only after a core developer personally fell victim to the robbery and analyzed his own system logs.
A critical security vulnerability impacting self-hosted payment processor BTCPay Server has underscored the current limitations of automated code reviews, after a developer’s personal Lightning node was drained while security warnings were being ignored or overlooked by users, as reported by CoinDesk.
The flaw surfaced unexpectedly when a BTCPay Server contributor experienced a direct theft of funds from their node. According to post-incident analyses, the developer was forced to comb through raw system logs to understand how the breach occurred, ultimately uncovering an unpatched vector that automated tools had completely missed.
What makes the incident particularly striking is that advanced AI-driven security audits conducted earlier in the week failed to flag the vulnerability. The oversight highlights a growing concern within the cryptographic and open-source development communities regarding over-reliance on artificial intelligence for smart contract and infrastructure code reviews.
BTCPay Server is widely utilized across the cryptocurrency ecosystem as an open-source, self-hosted payment gateway that allows merchants to accept bitcoin directly without intermediaries. The integration with the Lightning Network enables fast, low-cost layer-2 transactions, but also introduces complex state-management challenges that can be exploited if underlying APIs or server permissions are improperly handled.
Following the discovery, project maintainers moved swiftly to investigate the scope of the vulnerability and issue patches to secure affected nodes. Users operating self-hosted instances connected to the Lightning Network are strongly advised to check official repository updates and apply the latest security fixes immediately to protect their balances.
The post BTCPay Server Critical Flaw Exposed After Developer’s Lightning Node is Drained appeared first on Cryptopress.
The vulnerability went undetected during recent artificial intelligence code audits.
The exploit came to light only after a core developer personally fell victim to the robbery and analyzed his own system logs.
A critical security vulnerability impacting self-hosted payment processor BTCPay Server has underscored the current limitations of automated code reviews, after a developer’s personal Lightning node was drained while security warnings were being ignored or overlooked by users, as reported by CoinDesk.
The flaw surfaced unexpectedly when a BTCPay Server contributor experienced a direct theft of funds from their node. According to post-incident analyses, the developer was forced to comb through raw system logs to understand how the breach occurred, ultimately uncovering an unpatched vector that automated tools had completely missed.
What makes the incident particularly striking is that advanced AI-driven security audits conducted earlier in the week failed to flag the vulnerability. The oversight highlights a growing concern within the cryptographic and open-source development communities regarding over-reliance on artificial intelligence for smart contract and infrastructure code reviews.
BTCPay Server is widely utilized across the cryptocurrency ecosystem as an open-source, self-hosted payment gateway that allows merchants to accept bitcoin directly without intermediaries. The integration with the Lightning Network enables fast, low-cost layer-2 transactions, but also introduces complex state-management challenges that can be exploited if underlying APIs or server permissions are improperly handled.
Following the discovery, project maintainers moved swiftly to investigate the scope of the vulnerability and issue patches to secure affected nodes. Users operating self-hosted instances connected to the Lightning Network are strongly advised to check official repository updates and apply the latest security fixes immediately to protect their balances.
The post BTCPay Server Critical Flaw Exposed After Developer’s Lightning Node is Drained appeared first on Cryptopress.
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BTCPay Server Critical Flaw Exposed After Developer's Lightning Node is Drained<ul><li>A severe security flaw in <a href="https://btcpayserver.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BTCPay Server</a> allowed malicious actors to drain Lightning Network nodes despite active security warnings.</li><li>The vulnerability went undetected during recent <a href="https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2025/02/20/lightning-nodes-swept-while-btcpay-users-read-the-warning-the-flaw-surfaced-because-a-developer-got-robbed-and-read-his-log/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">artificial intelligence code audits</a>.</li><li>The exploit came to light only after a core developer personally fell victim to the robbery and analyzed his own system logs.</li></ul><p class="has-drop-cap">A critical security vulnerability impacting self-hosted payment processor <strong>BTCPay Server</strong> has underscored the current limitations of automated code reviews, after a developer's personal Lightning node was drained while security warnings were being ignored or overlooked by users, as reported by <a href="https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2025/02/20/lightning-nodes-swept-while-btcpay-users-read-the-warning-the-flaw-surfaced-because-a-developer-got-robbed-and-read-his-log/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CoinDesk</a>.</p><p>The flaw surfaced unexpectedly when a <a href="https://github.com/btcpayserver/btcpayserver" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BTCPay Server contributor</a> experienced a direct theft of funds from their node. According to post-incident analyses, the developer was forced to comb through raw system logs to understand how the breach occurred, ultimately uncovering an unpatched vector that automated tools had completely missed.</p><p>What makes the incident particularly striking is that advanced <strong>AI-driven security audits</strong> conducted earlier in the week failed to flag the vulnerability. The oversight highlights a growing concern within the cryptographic and open-source development communities regarding over-reliance on artificial intelligence for smart contract and infrastructure code reviews.</p><p>BTCPay Server is widely utilized across the cryptocurrency ecosystem as an open-source, self-hosted payment gateway that allows merchants to accept bitcoin directly without intermediaries. The integration with the <strong>Lightning Network</strong> enables fast, low-cost layer-2 transactions, but also introduces complex state-management challenges that can be exploited if underlying APIs or server permissions are improperly handled.</p><p>Following the discovery, project maintainers moved swiftly to investigate the scope of the vulnerability and issue patches to secure affected nodes. Users operating self-hosted instances connected to the Lightning Network are strongly advised to check official repository updates and apply the latest security fixes immediately to protect their balances.</p>
BTCPay Server Critical Flaw Exposed After Developer's Lightning Node is Drained
<ul><li>A severe security flaw in <a href="https://btcpayserver.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BTCPay Server</a> allowed malicious actors to drain Lightning Network nodes despite active security warnings.</li><li>The vulnerability went undetected during recent <a href="https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2025/02/20/lightning-nodes-swept-while-btcpay-users-read-the-warning-the-flaw-surfaced-because-a-developer-got-robbed-and-read-his-log/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">artificial intelligence code audits</a>.</li><li>The exploit came to light only after a core developer personally fell victim to the robbery and analyzed his own system logs.</li></ul><p class="has-drop-cap">A critical security vulnerability impacting self-hosted payment processor <strong>BTCPay Server</strong> has underscored the current limitations of automated code reviews, after a developer's personal Lightning node was drained while security warnings were being ignored or overlooked by users, as reported by <a href="https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2025/02/20/lightning-nodes-swept-while-btcpay-users-read-the-warning-the-flaw-surfaced-because-a-developer-got-robbed-and-read-his-log/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CoinDesk</a>.</p><p>The flaw surfaced unexpectedly when a <a href="https://github.com/btcpayserver/btcpayserver" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BTCPay Server contributor</a> experienced a direct theft of funds from their node. According to post-incident analyses, the developer was forced to comb through raw system logs to understand how the breach occurred, ultimately uncovering an unpatched vector that automated tools had completely missed.</p><p>What makes the incident particularly striking is that advanced <strong>AI-driven security audits</strong> conducted earlier in the week failed to flag the vulnerability. The oversight highlights a growing concern within the cryptographic and open-source development communities regarding over-reliance on artificial intelligence for smart contract and infrastructure code reviews.</p><p>BTCPay Server is widely utilized across the cryptocurrency ecosystem as an open-source, self-hosted payment gateway that allows merchants to accept bitcoin directly without intermediaries. The integration with the <strong>Lightning Network</strong> enables fast, low-cost layer-2 transactions, but also introduces complex state-management challenges that can be exploited if underlying APIs or server permissions are improperly handled.</p><p>Following the discovery, project maintainers moved swiftly to investigate the scope of the vulnerability and issue patches to secure affected nodes. Users operating self-hosted instances connected to the Lightning Network are strongly advised to check official repository updates and apply the latest security fixes immediately to protect their balances.</p>
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Bitcoin Holds Firm Above $65,000 as ETF Inflows Counter Strategy Sales Ahead of CPI<p>Bitcoin climbed above $65,000 on Monday, gaining nearly 3% over the week, supported by strong US spot <strong>Bitcoin</strong> and <strong>Ether ETF</strong> inflows totaling around <strong>$1.1 billion</strong>—the strongest weekly haul since mid-April. A weak US jobs report eased fears of further Federal Reserve rate hikes, providing a risk-on backdrop ahead of the July <strong>CPI inflation data</strong> due Wednesday.</p><p>Despite <strong>Strategy</strong> (formerly MicroStrategy) disclosing the sale of <strong>1,690 BTC</strong> for approximately $108.6 million at an average of $64,262 to fund preferred stock repurchases, and reducing holdings to 840,447 BTC, the market absorbed the supply without significant downside. The firm also raised $653 million via MSTR share sales, boosting its USD reserve to $4.65 billion. This balance-sheet management by the largest corporate Bitcoin holder occurred against a backdrop of low volatility and steady institutional demand via ETFs, with <strong>BlackRock’s IBIT</strong> leading inflows. The upcoming CPI print remains the key near-term catalyst; a cooler reading could reinforce rate-cut hopes and support further upside, while hotter data may pressure prices back toward the $64,200 support zone.</p><h2>Other Key Developments</h2><h3>Positive News</h3><ul><li>US spot BTC and ETH ETFs recorded <strong>~$1.1B net inflows</strong>, strongest since April.</li><li><strong>Solana</strong> led majors with nearly <strong>5% weekly gain</strong> to ~$77.</li><li>Weak July jobs report reduced rate-hike expectations.</li><li>Iran-Oman deal talks eased Strait of Hormuz concerns, lifting risk assets.</li><li>Robinhood launched zero-fee crypto trading in the UK via Bitstamp.</li><li>Mastercard completed $1.8B acquisition of stablecoin firm BVNK.</li></ul><h3>Neutral News</h3><ul><li>Bitcoin volatility index hit lowest levels since 2025 as option demand collapsed.</li><li>US Senate failed to pass CLARITY Act before recess, delaying to September.</li><li>BIP-110 soft-fork attempt produced only two blocks before stalling.</li></ul><h3>Negative News</h3><ul><li><strong>Strategy</strong> sold <strong>1,690 BTC</strong> for $108.6M, second consecutive week of sales.</li><li>Crypto exchange Coinsbuy lost $8M in coordinated TRON/Ethereum attack.</li><li>Over 100 crypto projects shut down, bankrupt or ceased operations in 2026 so far.</li><li><strong>XRP</strong> lagged as the only major token down ~4% on the week.</li></ul><h2>Market Movers and Outlook</h2><p><strong>Solana (SOL)</strong> has been the standout major mover, up almost <strong>5%</strong> over the past seven days to trade near $76.7–$77, outperforming <strong>BTC</strong> and <strong>ETH</strong> (both ~+3%). Other notables include <strong>Pump.fun (PUMP)</strong> posting double-digit daily and weekly gains amid meme activity, and <strong>Worldcoin (WLD)</strong> up over 7–13% in recent sessions. <strong>XRP</strong> remains the laggard among large caps. Potential buying opportunities appear limited in a data-sensitive environment; dips toward $64,200–$64,500 on <strong>BTC</strong> or $72–$73 on <strong>SOL</strong> could attract buyers if <strong>CPI</strong> is benign, but elevated project shutdowns and residual sell pressure from corporate treasuries warrant caution. No clear high-conviction buys without confirmation of cooler inflation.</p>
Bitcoin Holds Firm Above $65,000 as ETF Inflows Counter Strategy Sales Ahead of CPI
<p>Bitcoin climbed above $65,000 on Monday, gaining nearly 3% over the week, supported by strong US spot <strong>Bitcoin</strong> and <strong>Ether ETF</strong> inflows totaling around <strong>$1.1 billion</strong>—the strongest weekly haul since mid-April. A weak US jobs report eased fears of further Federal Reserve rate hikes, providing a risk-on backdrop ahead of the July <strong>CPI inflation data</strong> due Wednesday.</p><p>Despite <strong>Strategy</strong> (formerly MicroStrategy) disclosing the sale of <strong>1,690 BTC</strong> for approximately $108.6 million at an average of $64,262 to fund preferred stock repurchases, and reducing holdings to 840,447 BTC, the market absorbed the supply without significant downside. The firm also raised $653 million via MSTR share sales, boosting its USD reserve to $4.65 billion. This balance-sheet management by the largest corporate Bitcoin holder occurred against a backdrop of low volatility and steady institutional demand via ETFs, with <strong>BlackRock’s IBIT</strong> leading inflows. The upcoming CPI print remains the key near-term catalyst; a cooler reading could reinforce rate-cut hopes and support further upside, while hotter data may pressure prices back toward the $64,200 support zone.</p><h2>Other Key Developments</h2><h3>Positive News</h3><ul><li>US spot BTC and ETH ETFs recorded <strong>~$1.1B net inflows</strong>, strongest since April.</li><li><strong>Solana</strong> led majors with nearly <strong>5% weekly gain</strong> to ~$77.</li><li>Weak July jobs report reduced rate-hike expectations.</li><li>Iran-Oman deal talks eased Strait of Hormuz concerns, lifting risk assets.</li><li>Robinhood launched zero-fee crypto trading in the UK via Bitstamp.</li><li>Mastercard completed $1.8B acquisition of stablecoin firm BVNK.</li></ul><h3>Neutral News</h3><ul><li>Bitcoin volatility index hit lowest levels since 2025 as option demand collapsed.</li><li>US Senate failed to pass CLARITY Act before recess, delaying to September.</li><li>BIP-110 soft-fork attempt produced only two blocks before stalling.</li></ul><h3>Negative News</h3><ul><li><strong>Strategy</strong> sold <strong>1,690 BTC</strong> for $108.6M, second consecutive week of sales.</li><li>Crypto exchange Coinsbuy lost $8M in coordinated TRON/Ethereum attack.</li><li>Over 100 crypto projects shut down, bankrupt or ceased operations in 2026 so far.</li><li><strong>XRP</strong> lagged as the only major token down ~4% on the week.</li></ul><h2>Market Movers and Outlook</h2><p><strong>Solana (SOL)</strong> has been the standout major mover, up almost <strong>5%</strong> over the past seven days to trade near $76.7–$77, outperforming <strong>BTC</strong> and <strong>ETH</strong> (both ~+3%). Other notables include <strong>Pump.fun (PUMP)</strong> posting double-digit daily and weekly gains amid meme activity, and <strong>Worldcoin (WLD)</strong> up over 7–13% in recent sessions. <strong>XRP</strong> remains the laggard among large caps. Potential buying opportunities appear limited in a data-sensitive environment; dips toward $64,200–$64,500 on <strong>BTC</strong> or $72–$73 on <strong>SOL</strong> could attract buyers if <strong>CPI</strong> is benign, but elevated project shutdowns and residual sell pressure from corporate treasuries warrant caution. No clear high-conviction buys without confirmation of cooler inflation.</p>
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Bitcoin BIP-110 Minority Chain Stalls After Mining Just Two Blocks<hr><ul><li>BIP-110 nodes rejected non-signaling blocks starting at height <strong>961,632</strong> on Saturday, creating a minority chain.</li><li>The BIP-110 chain produced only <strong>two blocks</strong> and fell significantly behind the main Bitcoin network.</li><li>Prior miner signaling for the proposal reached just <strong>2.53%</strong>, well below the 55% threshold required.</li><li>The one-year soft fork seeks to limit non-financial data such as Ordinals inscriptions on Bitcoin.</li></ul><hr><p class="has-drop-cap">Bitcoin's blockchain briefly split over the weekend as nodes enforcing <a href="https://bip110.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BIP-110</a> rejected blocks that failed to signal support for the controversial proposal, according to on-chain data and reports from multiple outlets.</p><p>The divergence occurred at block height <strong>961,632</strong>. Leading mining pool AntPool produced a non-signaling block accepted by the majority of the network, while BIP-110 nodes followed an alternative block mined via Ocean by the Roughnecks outfit, <a href="https://www.theblock.co/news/ecosystems/2026-08-08-bitcoins-bip-110-supporters-split-onto-minority-chain-as-main-network-pulls-ahead-411213" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Block reported</a>.</p><p>Within hours, the minority chain had generated only two blocks and lagged the main chain substantially. <a href="https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2026/08/09/controversial-bitcoin-fork-bip-110-mines-two-blocks-then-stops" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CoinDesk noted</a> that after roughly eight hours the BIP-110 chain sat at block 961,633 while the main Bitcoin chain had advanced to around 961,681, a gap of nearly 50 blocks. The minority chain inherited Bitcoin's full difficulty with only a tiny fraction of hashrate, resulting in extremely slow block times.</p><p>BIP-110, authored by Dathon Ohm and also known as the Reduced Data Temporary Soft Fork, proposes a temporary one-year consensus change that would restrict several methods of embedding non-financial data in transactions. Limits include capping most new outputs at 34 bytes, restoring an 83-byte limit for OP_RETURN, and restricting certain witness elements and Taproot features commonly used for inscriptions, as detailed on the <a href="https://bip110.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">official BIP-110 site</a>.</p><p>Supporters, including Bitcoin Knots maintainer Luke Dashjr, argue the measure is needed to reduce blockchain bloat and refocus Bitcoin on its monetary use case. Critics contend it risks a lasting chain split and improperly restricts how users may spend paid block space.</p><p>In the signaling period preceding the mandatory window, only 51 of 2,016 blocks, or <strong>2.53%</strong>, indicated support—far short of the 55% (1,109 blocks) threshold set by the proposal. The BIP-110 rules would only lock in if the minority chain reaches block 963,648, with the data restrictions activating later at block 965,664 for approximately one year.</p><p>As of the latest monitoring, there were no clear signs that additional mining power intended to sustain the minority chain. Bitcoin developer Kevin Loaec had previously warned of potential replay risks for holders interacting with coins from a short-lived fork. The main Bitcoin chain continues to operate normally without interruption.</p>
Bitcoin BIP-110 Minority Chain Stalls After Mining Just Two Blocks
<hr><ul><li>BIP-110 nodes rejected non-signaling blocks starting at height <strong>961,632</strong> on Saturday, creating a minority chain.</li><li>The BIP-110 chain produced only <strong>two blocks</strong> and fell significantly behind the main Bitcoin network.</li><li>Prior miner signaling for the proposal reached just <strong>2.53%</strong>, well below the 55% threshold required.</li><li>The one-year soft fork seeks to limit non-financial data such as Ordinals inscriptions on Bitcoin.</li></ul><hr><p class="has-drop-cap">Bitcoin's blockchain briefly split over the weekend as nodes enforcing <a href="https://bip110.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BIP-110</a> rejected blocks that failed to signal support for the controversial proposal, according to on-chain data and reports from multiple outlets.</p><p>The divergence occurred at block height <strong>961,632</strong>. Leading mining pool AntPool produced a non-signaling block accepted by the majority of the network, while BIP-110 nodes followed an alternative block mined via Ocean by the Roughnecks outfit, <a href="https://www.theblock.co/news/ecosystems/2026-08-08-bitcoins-bip-110-supporters-split-onto-minority-chain-as-main-network-pulls-ahead-411213" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Block reported</a>.</p><p>Within hours, the minority chain had generated only two blocks and lagged the main chain substantially. <a href="https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2026/08/09/controversial-bitcoin-fork-bip-110-mines-two-blocks-then-stops" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CoinDesk noted</a> that after roughly eight hours the BIP-110 chain sat at block 961,633 while the main Bitcoin chain had advanced to around 961,681, a gap of nearly 50 blocks. The minority chain inherited Bitcoin's full difficulty with only a tiny fraction of hashrate, resulting in extremely slow block times.</p><p>BIP-110, authored by Dathon Ohm and also known as the Reduced Data Temporary Soft Fork, proposes a temporary one-year consensus change that would restrict several methods of embedding non-financial data in transactions. Limits include capping most new outputs at 34 bytes, restoring an 83-byte limit for OP_RETURN, and restricting certain witness elements and Taproot features commonly used for inscriptions, as detailed on the <a href="https://bip110.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">official BIP-110 site</a>.</p><p>Supporters, including Bitcoin Knots maintainer Luke Dashjr, argue the measure is needed to reduce blockchain bloat and refocus Bitcoin on its monetary use case. Critics contend it risks a lasting chain split and improperly restricts how users may spend paid block space.</p><p>In the signaling period preceding the mandatory window, only 51 of 2,016 blocks, or <strong>2.53%</strong>, indicated support—far short of the 55% (1,109 blocks) threshold set by the proposal. The BIP-110 rules would only lock in if the minority chain reaches block 963,648, with the data restrictions activating later at block 965,664 for approximately one year.</p><p>As of the latest monitoring, there were no clear signs that additional mining power intended to sustain the minority chain. Bitcoin developer Kevin Loaec had previously warned of potential replay risks for holders interacting with coins from a short-lived fork. The main Bitcoin chain continues to operate normally without interruption.</p>
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