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<ul><li>Senate Republicans released a 630-page revised Digital Asset Market Clarity Act on Sept. 10 ahead of a Sept. 15 procedural vote that needs 60 votes to advance.</li><li>The draft requires “decentralized-in-name-only” trading protocols controlled by a person or group to register with the CFTC and comply with the Bank Secrecy Act.</li><li>Sen. Cynthia Lummis said the text incorporates more than 114 provisions requested by Democrats and limits DeFi language to spot and cash digital commodity transactions.</li><li>Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged senators to agree to the motion to proceed, warning that failure would send a “troubling signal” on U.S. digital-asset leadership.</li><li>Democratic support remains uncertain, with ethics rules for senior officials, including the president, still unresolved.</li></ul><p class="has-drop-cap">Senate Republicans on Thursday released a revised, <strong>630-page</strong> version of the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, adding registration rules for so-called non-decentralized DeFi protocols five days before a procedural vote that will determine whether the market-structure bill can reach the Senate floor.</p><p>In a <a href="https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/lummis-releases-updated-clarity-act-text-ahead-of-historic-tuesday-vote/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sept. 10 statement</a>, Sen. Cynthia Lummis, who chairs the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Digital Assets, said lawmakers folded in <strong>more than 114 separate provisions</strong> requested by Democrats during talks over the August recess. “Unlike rulemaking, legislation gives this industry a lasting solution that shields it from the whiplash of changes in the White House,” Lummis said, adding that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and Securities and Exchange Commission “will write rules on digital assets with or without the Clarity Act.”</p><p>The updated <a href="https://www.lummis.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/EHF26718.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">substitute text</a> directs the CFTC and Treasury to write rules for “non-decentralized finance trading protocols,” defined as a person or group acting in concert with authority to control or materially alter a protocol’s functionality, operation, or consensus rules. Those protocols would have to register with the CFTC and meet Bank Secrecy Act obligations. In an <a href="https://x.com/SenLummis/status/2098124286871433416" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X post</a>, Lummis said the draft specifies when “decentralized-in-name-only DeFi protocols must register with the CFTC” and limits DeFi provisions to <strong>spot and cash digital commodity transactions</strong> in response to Native American concerns about prediction markets. The text also clarifies how credit unions may conduct digital asset activities.</p><p>The first vote is a <strong>Sept. 15</strong> cloture motion on the motion to proceed, which requires <strong>60 votes</strong>, according to <a href="https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2026/09/10/new-clarity-act-text-tweaks-defi-credit-union-provisions-but-road-ahead-for-bill-remains-murky" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CoinDesk</a>. Key Democrats have not signed onto the package, citing the lack of a bipartisan ethics agreement covering senior officials, including President Donald Trump. Ethics language is largely unchanged from earlier drafts. Banking groups have separately pressed to keep restrictions on stablecoin yields.</p><p>Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, in a <a href="https://x.com/SecScottBessent/status/2097748578777047185" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sept. 9 post</a>, urged senators to “remain at the negotiating table, agree to the motion to proceed, and continue the legislative process.” Failing to do so, he wrote, “would send a troubling signal to our allies and adversaries alike that America is unwilling to lead on the future of digital assets.” Lummis’s office said the bill has backing from firms including BlackRock, Fidelity, Goldman Sachs and Charles Schwab, and that the National Sheriffs’ Association recently moved from opposition to neutral.</p><p>Even a successful procedural vote would not enact the bill. The House is not scheduled to be in session for the last two weeks of September, leaving a narrow window before the midterms. Investors watching U.S. market structure should treat Tuesday’s tally as a test of bipartisan support, not a final regulatory outcome.</p>

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong stated that a $400,000 Bitcoin price by 2030 remains a reasonable target during an interview on CNBC.
Armstrong argued that the recent market downturn has successfully bottomed out ahead of upcoming legislative milestones.
The remarks coincide with heightened industry focus surrounding regulatory frameworks like the Senate’s Clarity Act vote.
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong believes that $400,000 Bitcoin by the end of the decade remains a “reasonable target” despite recent macro volatility and market corrections. Speaking in an interview with CNBC, Armstrong shared his perspective on the macroeconomic trajectory of the flagship cryptocurrency as adoption scales globally.
According to Armstrong, the recent cyclical downturn in crypto markets has effectively bottomed out. He pointed to shifting regulatory horizons and institutional maturation as key structural supports that could drive prices upward over the next several years. His comments come at a critical juncture for digital asset policy in the United States, as lawmakers deliberate on foundational legislation.
Market observers have closely tied current sentiment to legislative developments, specifically the anticipated Senate vote on the Clarity Act. Industry leaders have frequently emphasized that clear regulatory guidelines are essential for unlocking institutional capital on a massive scale, which many analysts view as a prerequisite for reaching multi-hundred-thousand-dollar valuations.
While ambitious, a $400,000 target implies a significant compound annual growth rate from current price levels over the next five years. Proponents of long-term bullish theses often cite expanding corporate treasuries, potential sovereign adoption, and constrained supply dynamics as primary catalysts. However, critics continue to warn of macroeconomic headwinds, regulatory friction, and liquidity fluctuations that could disrupt these projections.
As the broader digital asset market digests Armstrong’s comments, traders and investors are monitoring on-chain metrics and legislative calendars for signs of sustained momentum. Whether the market can fulfill such lofty multi-year targets will largely depend on the intersection of macroeconomic liquidity, technological scaling, and regulatory compliance.
The post Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong Calls $400,000 Bitcoin by 2030 a ‘Reasonable Target’ appeared first on Cryptopress.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin is advancing a fresh technical roadmap for the blockchain, advocating for the inclusion of EIP-8288 in the upcoming network upgrade dubbed I-star, which is slated to arrive after the planned Hegota hard fork. According to details covered by Decrypt, the proposal is engineered to fundamentally address the surging execution costs associated with quantum-resistant privacy features.
As cryptographic research shifts toward post-quantum security models, blockchain networks face severe computational bottlenecks. Quantum-safe zero-knowledge proofs and advanced privacy preservation mechanisms typically require immense cryptographic overhead, making on-chain verification prohibitively expensive for everyday users and developers. By introducing EIP-8288, the Ethereum ecosystem hopes to significantly streamline these workloads and compress transaction fees tied to advanced privacy primitives.
A cornerstone of Buterin’s proposal is the formal adoption of RISC-V as Ethereum’s canonical instruction set architecture (ISA). Shifting toward a standardized, open-standard instruction set like RISC-V allows for much more efficient execution layers, better hardware acceleration compatibility, and a uniform framework for zero-knowledge virtual machines (zkVMs) processing complex cryptographic operations.
While the proposal remains in the discussion and drafting phases of Ethereum’s rigorous governance lifecycle, it underscores the core development team’s proactive stance on future-proofing the network against quantum computing threats. Developers and stakeholders anticipate further refinement of the specifications ahead of the Hegota upgrade cycle as core contributors evaluate the long-term impacts on node operators and client software.
The post Ethereum’s Vitalik Buterin Pushes EIP-8288 to Slash Quantum-Safe Privacy Costs and Adopt RISC-V appeared first on Cryptopress.

Zcash (ZEC) experienced a sharp upward trajectory, capturing attention across the crypto ecosystem as privacy-centric assets regain market momentum.
The recent price action reflects shifting trader sentiment toward shielded transactions and decentralized cryptographic protocols.
Privacy-focused cryptocurrency Zcash (ZEC) has captured significant market attention following a dramatic price surge that pushed the asset to new multi-year highs. According to CoinDesk market data, the token rallied sharply, reflecting a broader resurgence of institutional and retail interest in privacy coins.
The sudden market movement saw ZEC volume spike exponentially across major centralized and decentralized exchanges. Market analysts attribute the rally to a combination of technical breakouts, a resurgence in narrative-driven trading, and renewed focus on zero-knowledge cryptographic applications within the decentralized finance ecosystem. As reported in the CoinDesk analysis, trading desks noted heavy derivatives activity accompanying the spot market expansion.
Despite regulatory headwinds that have historically impacted privacy coins, proponents argue that the fundamental demand for financial sovereignty remains robust. The latest rally demonstrates that liquidity continues to flow into established layer-1 privacy protocols when market conditions favor speculative rotation into high-beta assets. Traders are now closely monitoring key resistance levels to determine whether the current bullish structure can sustain its momentum over the coming weekly candles.
The post Zcash Surges to Multi-Year Highs Amid Renewed Privacy Coin Interest appeared first on Cryptopress.

Anthropic has disclosed a fourth hacking incident involving its Claude AI model, which occurred during controlled security testing phases.
The company initially attributed the anomalies to errors within its testing infrastructure before confirming model behavior failures.
The disclosure comes amid rising scrutiny and intense global policy debates regarding the regulation of advanced artificial intelligence systems.
AI safety and research firm Anthropic has revealed details regarding a fourth hacking incident involving its flagship Claude artificial intelligence model, according to a report by Decrypt. The security breach occurred during routine vulnerability assessments, prompting renewed discussions across the tech sector regarding the robustness of AI guardrails.
Initially, Anthropic engineers attributed the anomalous activities to minor technical errors within the company’s internal testing infrastructure. However, subsequent investigations confirmed that the events constituted genuine model behavior failures under adversarial conditions. These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges developers face in predicting and neutralizing sophisticated prompts designed to bypass safety filters.
The timing of the disclosure has intensified existing debates among lawmakers and industry stakeholders concerning the necessity of federal and international oversight. As artificial intelligence models become increasingly integrated into enterprise workflows and financial applications, regulators are pushing for stricter accountability and mandatory reporting standards for major AI developers.
Market analysts note that while such security testing is standard practice for identifying vulnerabilities before public deployment, repeated incidents of model compromise could influence investor sentiment and accelerate compliance costs for AI-focused infrastructure projects. Anthropic maintains that continuous stress-testing remains vital for uncovering deep-seated behavioral flaws and ensuring long-term system integrity.
The post Anthropic Discloses Fourth Claude Hacking Incident as AI Regulation Debate Intensifies appeared first on Cryptopress.

<ul><li>Zcash (ZEC) experienced a sharp upward trajectory, capturing attention across the crypto ecosystem as privacy-centric assets regain market momentum.</li><li>The recent price action reflects shifting trader sentiment toward shielded transactions and decentralized cryptographic protocols.</li></ul><p class="has-drop-cap">Privacy-focused cryptocurrency <strong>Zcash (ZEC)</strong> has captured significant market attention following a dramatic price surge that pushed the asset to new multi-year highs. According to <a href="https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/01/22/privacy-coin-zcash-jumps-to-highest-level-since-2022-as-momentum-builds/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CoinDesk market data</a>, the token rallied sharply, reflecting a broader resurgence of institutional and retail interest in privacy coins.</p><p>The sudden market movement saw <strong>ZEC volume spike exponentially</strong> across major centralized and decentralized exchanges. Market analysts attribute the rally to a combination of technical breakouts, a resurgence in narrative-driven trading, and renewed focus on zero-knowledge cryptographic applications within the decentralized finance ecosystem. As reported in the <a href="https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/01/22/privacy-coin-zcash-jumps-to-highest-level-since-2022-as-momentum-builds/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CoinDesk analysis</a>, trading desks noted heavy derivatives activity accompanying the spot market expansion.</p><p>Despite regulatory headwinds that have historically impacted privacy coins, proponents argue that the fundamental demand for financial sovereignty remains robust. The latest rally demonstrates that liquidity continues to flow into established layer-1 privacy protocols when market conditions favor speculative rotation into high-beta assets. Traders are now closely monitoring key resistance levels to determine whether the current bullish structure can sustain its momentum over the coming weekly candles.</p>

<ul><li>Anthropic has disclosed a <strong>fourth hacking incident</strong> involving its Claude AI model, which occurred during controlled security testing phases.</li><li>The company initially attributed the anomalies to errors within its testing infrastructure before confirming model behavior failures.</li><li>The disclosure comes amid rising scrutiny and intense global policy debates regarding the <strong>regulation of advanced artificial intelligence</strong> systems.</li></ul><p>AI safety and research firm Anthropic has revealed details regarding a <strong>fourth hacking incident</strong> involving its flagship Claude artificial intelligence model, according to a report by <a href="https://decrypt.co" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Decrypt</a>. The security breach occurred during routine vulnerability assessments, prompting renewed discussions across the tech sector regarding the robustness of AI guardrails.</p><p>Initially, Anthropic engineers attributed the anomalous activities to minor technical errors within the company's internal testing infrastructure. However, subsequent investigations confirmed that the events constituted genuine <strong>model behavior failures</strong> under adversarial conditions. These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges developers face in predicting and neutralizing sophisticated prompts designed to bypass safety filters.</p><p>The timing of the disclosure has intensified existing debates among lawmakers and industry stakeholders concerning the necessity of federal and international oversight. As artificial intelligence models become increasingly integrated into enterprise workflows and financial applications, regulators are pushing for stricter accountability and mandatory reporting standards for major AI developers.</p><p>Market analysts note that while such security testing is standard practice for identifying vulnerabilities before public deployment, repeated incidents of model compromise could influence investor sentiment and accelerate compliance costs for AI-focused infrastructure projects. Anthropic maintains that continuous stress-testing remains vital for uncovering deep-seated behavioral flaws and ensuring long-term system integrity.</p>

<p class="has-drop-cap">Ethereum co-founder <strong>Vitalik Buterin</strong> is advancing a fresh technical roadmap for the blockchain, advocating for the inclusion of <strong>EIP-8288</strong> in the upcoming network upgrade dubbed <strong>I-star</strong>, which is slated to arrive after the planned <strong>Hegota</strong> hard fork. According to details covered by <a href="https://www.decrypt.co" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Decrypt</a>, the proposal is engineered to fundamentally address the surging execution costs associated with quantum-resistant privacy features.</p><p>As cryptographic research shifts toward post-quantum security models, blockchain networks face severe computational bottlenecks. Quantum-safe zero-knowledge proofs and advanced privacy preservation mechanisms typically require immense cryptographic overhead, making on-chain verification prohibitively expensive for everyday users and developers. By introducing EIP-8288, the Ethereum ecosystem hopes to significantly streamline these workloads and compress transaction fees tied to advanced privacy primitives.</p><p>A cornerstone of Buterin's proposal is the formal adoption of <strong>RISC-V</strong> as Ethereum's canonical instruction set architecture (ISA). Shifting toward a standardized, open-standard instruction set like RISC-V allows for much more efficient execution layers, better hardware acceleration compatibility, and a uniform framework for zero-knowledge virtual machines (zkVMs) processing complex cryptographic operations.</p><p>While the proposal remains in the discussion and drafting phases of Ethereum's rigorous governance lifecycle, it underscores the core development team's proactive stance on future-proofing the network against quantum computing threats. Developers and stakeholders anticipate further refinement of the specifications ahead of the Hegota upgrade cycle as core contributors evaluate the long-term impacts on node operators and client software.</p>

<ul><li>Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong stated that a <strong>$400,000 Bitcoin price by 2030</strong> remains a reasonable target during an interview on CNBC.</li><li>Armstrong argued that the recent market downturn has successfully bottomed out ahead of upcoming legislative milestones.</li><li>The remarks coincide with heightened industry focus surrounding regulatory frameworks like the Senate's Clarity Act vote.</li></ul><p class="has-drop-cap">Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong believes that <strong>$400,000 Bitcoin</strong> by the end of the decade remains a <strong>"reasonable target"</strong> despite recent macro volatility and market corrections. Speaking in an <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">interview with CNBC</a>, Armstrong shared his perspective on the macroeconomic trajectory of the flagship cryptocurrency as adoption scales globally.</p><p>According to Armstrong, the recent cyclical downturn in crypto markets has effectively <strong>bottomed out</strong>. He pointed to shifting regulatory horizons and institutional maturation as key structural supports that could drive prices upward over the next several years. His comments come at a critical juncture for digital asset policy in the United States, as lawmakers deliberate on foundational legislation.</p><p>Market observers have closely tied current sentiment to legislative developments, specifically the anticipated Senate vote on the <a href="https://www.congress.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Clarity Act</a>. Industry leaders have frequently emphasized that clear regulatory guidelines are essential for unlocking institutional capital on a massive scale, which many analysts view as a prerequisite for reaching multi-hundred-thousand-dollar valuations.</p><p>While ambitious, a $400,000 target implies a significant compound annual growth rate from current price levels over the next five years. Proponents of long-term bullish theses often cite expanding corporate treasuries, potential sovereign adoption, and constrained supply dynamics as primary catalysts. However, critics continue to warn of macroeconomic headwinds, regulatory friction, and liquidity fluctuations that could disrupt these projections.</p><p>As the broader digital asset market digests Armstrong's comments, traders and investors are monitoring on-chain metrics and legislative calendars for signs of sustained momentum. Whether the market can fulfill such lofty multi-year targets will largely depend on the intersection of macroeconomic liquidity, technological scaling, and regulatory compliance.</p>

Integration will provide brokers and prop firms licensing DXtrade with opportunities for ‘gamification’ of real world trading activity
Additional gamification layer can help drive client engagement and retention for brokers and prop firms
London, September 10, 2026 – DXtrade, the flagship white-label multi-asset trading platform from global software developer for the capital markets, Devexperts, has integrated with TradeQuest, a trading MMO and engagement layer for brokers and prop firms developed by TQ Labs.
Built for brokers and prop firms, TradeQuest turns broker or prop brands into guilds within a shared trading world, and each trading account becomes a character. Through TradeQuest, traders keep trading on their broker or prop platform as usual, however, trade executions are also translated into ‘gamified’ progression, based on performance – for example, XP, skills, and public presence.
By connecting to the trading accounts traders already use, TradeQuest adds another layer to the trading experience by making live activity into a competition or game with multiplayer presence.
The gamification of trading through TradeQuest provides the opportunity for brokers and prop firms to drive retention by giving traders a reason to keep trading beyond raw P&L. Other advantages include:
Boosted brand presence: The broker or prop firm appears as a guild in a shared network;
No rip-and-replace: Clients keep trading on the broker’s or prop firm’s platform – TradeQuest simply adds engagement on top;
Performance-based XP: Gamification is based on real activity and progression is tied to actual trading activity and performance.
Harnessing Devexperts’ 20+ years of experience in software development for the capital markets, DXtrade is a leading turnkey trading platform solution. With options for in-part or full customization, the platform can be configured to support stocks, options, futures, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, FX, CFDs, and margin and spot digital assets.
Available across web and mobile, and via a dedicated white-label mobile app, DXtrade sets itself apart from competition by offering an open integration framework giving firms full control over their tech roadmap and allowing them to continuously adapt and innovate their platform offering with market-leading services.
Through this latest integration, brokers and prop firms licensing DXtrade will now have the option to add gamification services to their offering, appealing to a wider audience and driving engagement and retention for clients.
Reid Fenech, CEO of TQ Labs, says: “DXtrade gives brokers and prop firms a strong multi-asset trading platform. TradeQuest gives them a reason for traders to stay active after they sign up. DXtrade-powered brokers and prop firms can now bring their traders into an engaging trading MMO without changing how their clients trade.”
Borislav Alendarov, Head of Trading Operations at Devexperts, says: “We are pleased to be able to offer our brokers and prop firms the opportunity to add an additional dimension to their trade offering with TradeQuest’s gamification services. As well as appealing to a wider pool of traders, gamification can help drive engagement and retention, while boosting brand visibility through presence as a guild and as part of competitions the platform hosts. This development adds to DXtrade’s white-label, multi-asset offering, providing ever greater choice and flexibility when it comes to differentiation and standing out in a busy marketplace.”
For more information, please contact:
Mariana Wall PR Manager at Devexperts E: mwall@devexperts.com
Notes to Editors:
About TQ Labs TQ Labs builds TradeQuest, an engagement platform for brokers and prop firms. Brands become guilds. Trading accounts become characters. Real fills drive progression, skills, competitions, and public presence. Traders keep trading on their broker or prop firm’s platform; TradeQuest sits on top. tradequest.xyz · partners@tqlabs.xyz.
About Devexperts Devexperts has been developing software for the capital markets since 2002. The company’s flagship solution is DXtrade, a multi-asset platform for banks, brokerages, and wealth managers, serving customers across stocks, options, futures, ETFs, mutual funds, FX, CFDs, and margin and spot crypto. With headquarters in Ireland, Devexperts’ development team consists of 800+ engineers located in offices in the USA, Germany, Bulgaria, Singapore, Portugal, Turkey, and Georgia. Learn more at: https://devexperts.com.
The post DXtrade Integrates with Trading MMO and Engagement Layer TradeQuest appeared first on Cryptopress.

Key Takeaways
Consensys Software Inc. will rebrand as MetaMask, with Joe Lubin as chairman and CEO, while a newly formed Consensys takes Linea and institutional Ethereum infrastructure.
The corporate separation is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
MetaMask users will see no change to their app, assets, keys or access.
MetaMask reports more than 100 million downloads across about 190 countries and trillions of dollars in cumulative transaction volume.
Mike Kriak will serve as CEO of the new Consensys, with David Cunningham as president and Lubin as executive chairman.
Corporate Restructuring Details
Consensys Software Inc. said Wednesday it will become two independently operated companies, separating the consumer MetaMask platform from the group’s Ethereum protocol and institutional infrastructure businesses, according to a company announcement.
The existing legal entity will rebrand as MetaMask and focus on self-custodial consumer finance under Joe Lubin as chairman and chief executive. A newly formed company will keep the Consensys name and house the Protocols Group, including the Linea layer-2 network and the Besu and Teku Ethereum clients. That entity will be led by CEO Mike Kriak and President David Cunningham, with Lubin as executive chairman, the firm said in a post on X. Completion of the split is expected by the end of 2026.
MetaMask, marking its tenth year, has more than 100 million downloads across roughly 190 countries and has facilitated trillions of dollars in cumulative transaction volume, according to both the announcement and a letter from Lubin. The consumer company said it will expand beyond the wallet into payments, savings and investing, including its recently launched Money Account. @MetaMask said the fox brand will now operate as an independent company fully focused on the consumer platform.
Leadership and Strategy
Lubin wrote that stepping into the MetaMask role full-time “is a recognition that consumer finance deserves the same focus and ambition that we’ve brought to building Ethereum itself.” He added that users need take no action: apps, assets, keys and access remain unchanged. The new Consensys, he said, will take Ethereum, Besu and Linea expertise “up the stack” so institutions can operate in an always-on, onchain market.
President David Cunningham said financial institutions are moving from pilots to production, with tokenization at the core. The announcement cited a June 2026 Citi report estimating tokenized assets could reach between $5.5 trillion and $8.2 trillion by 2030.
Unanswered Questions and Market Impact
The restructuring leaves unanswered questions for public-market investors. CoinDesk reported that Consensys did not address which entity, if either, might pursue a previously discussed U.S. IPO that had been delayed to fall 2026, and the firm did not respond to questions on the timetable. Neither company confirmed a MetaMask token in Wednesday’s materials.
For traders and institutions, the split draws a clearer line between a mass-market self-custody product and Ethereum infrastructure sold to banks and asset managers. Execution risk remains until the year-end close, including how shared technology, talent and any future capital markets plans are allocated between the two firms.
The post Consensys to Split Into Independent MetaMask and Institutional Ethereum Firms by Year-End appeared first on Cryptopress.

<h2>Key Takeaways</h2><ul><li>Consensys Software Inc. will rebrand as MetaMask, with Joe Lubin as chairman and CEO, while a newly formed Consensys takes Linea and institutional Ethereum infrastructure.</li><li>The corporate separation is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.</li><li>MetaMask users will see no change to their app, assets, keys or access.</li><li>MetaMask reports more than 100 million downloads across about 190 countries and trillions of dollars in cumulative transaction volume.</li><li>Mike Kriak will serve as CEO of the new Consensys, with David Cunningham as president and Lubin as executive chairman.</li></ul><h2>Corporate Restructuring Details</h2><p>Consensys Software Inc. said Wednesday it will become <strong>two independently operated companies</strong>, separating the consumer MetaMask platform from the group’s Ethereum protocol and institutional infrastructure businesses, according to a <a href="https://consensys.io/blog/consensys-software-inc-to-become-two-independent-companies-metamask-the-consumer-platform-and-consensys-the-protocols-and-institutional-infrastructure-company">company announcement</a>.</p><p>The existing legal entity will <strong>rebrand as MetaMask</strong> and focus on self-custodial consumer finance under <strong>Joe Lubin</strong> as chairman and chief executive. A newly formed company will keep the Consensys name and house the Protocols Group, including the <strong>Linea</strong> layer-2 network and the <strong>Besu</strong> and <strong>Teku</strong> Ethereum clients. That entity will be led by CEO <strong>Mike Kriak</strong> and President <strong>David Cunningham</strong>, with Lubin as executive chairman, the firm said in a <a href="https://x.com/Consensys/status/2097689722906624308">post on X</a>. Completion of the split is expected by the <strong>end of 2026</strong>.</p><p>MetaMask, marking its tenth year, has more than <strong>100 million downloads</strong> across roughly <strong>190 countries</strong> and has facilitated <strong>trillions of dollars</strong> in cumulative transaction volume, according to both the announcement and a <a href="https://metamask.io/news/metamask-next-chapter">letter from Lubin</a>. The consumer company said it will expand beyond the wallet into payments, savings and investing, including its recently launched Money Account. <a href="https://x.com/MetaMask/status/2097689508187680794">@MetaMask</a> said the fox brand will now operate as an independent company fully focused on the consumer platform.</p><h2>Leadership and Strategy</h2><p>Lubin wrote that stepping into the MetaMask role full-time “is a recognition that consumer finance deserves the same focus and ambition that we’ve brought to building Ethereum itself.” He added that users need take <strong>no action</strong>: apps, assets, keys and access remain unchanged. The new Consensys, he said, will take Ethereum, Besu and Linea expertise “up the stack” so institutions can operate in an always-on, onchain market.</p><p>President David Cunningham said financial institutions are moving from pilots to production, with tokenization at the core. The announcement cited a June 2026 Citi report estimating tokenized assets could reach between <strong>$5.5 trillion and $8.2 trillion by 2030</strong>.</p><h2>Unanswered Questions and Market Impact</h2><p>The restructuring leaves unanswered questions for public-market investors. <a href="https://www.coindesk.com/business/2026/09/09/consensys-to-split-metamask-into-its-own-firm-while-staying-silent-on-ipo">CoinDesk reported</a> that Consensys did not address which entity, if either, might pursue a previously discussed U.S. IPO that had been delayed to fall 2026, and the firm did not respond to questions on the timetable. Neither company confirmed a MetaMask token in Wednesday’s materials.</p><p>For traders and institutions, the split draws a clearer line between a mass-market self-custody product and Ethereum infrastructure sold to banks and asset managers. Execution risk remains until the year-end close, including how shared technology, talent and any future capital markets plans are allocated between the two firms.</p>

Circle signed a definitive agreement to acquire Singapore-based Tazapay for $400 million in Class A common stock.
Tazapay processes more than $25 billion in annualized payment volume across 100-plus markets, with about 60% of volume already involving stablecoins.
The transaction is expected to close in 2027, subject to Monetary Authority of Singapore approval and other customary conditions.
Circle will grant $25 million in restricted stock units to agreed Tazapay employees after closing and requires at least 75% of identified staff to remain.
Circle Internet Group said Tuesday it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Singapore-based Tazapay, a business-to-business cross-border payments company, in a $400 million all-stock deal detailed in a Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
The USDC issuer will pay in Circle Class A common stock. The number of shares will equal $400 million — adjusted for Tazapay’s unpaid debt, cash and transaction expenses — divided by Circle’s volume-weighted average closing price over the 20 trading days immediately before close, according to the filing. Circle said the agreement was executed on Sept. 4 through Taurus Acquisition, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary.
Tazapay brings more than $25 billion of annualized payment volume, more than 60 banking and fintech partners, and local payout rails in more than 100 markets, Circle said in its press release. About 60% of Tazapay’s transaction volume already includes stablecoins. The firm has been a design partner for the Circle Payments Network since 2025.
In a post on X, Circle co-founder and chief executive Jeremy Allaire said the deal “accelerates the breadth and depth of CPN globally.” In the company statement, Allaire said: “Stablecoin settlement is becoming core infrastructure in the global economy and combining USDC with Tazapay’s world-class banking relationships, local payout rails, and institutional customer base will accelerate worldwide USDC adoption.”
Tazapay co-founder and CEO Rahul Shinghal said in the same announcement that Circle “has the dollar infrastructure in USDC and the regulatory standing to take what we’ve built further than we could alone.” Circle payments head Irfan Ganchi framed the purchase as a way to originate and terminate payments “near-instant and 24/7” in Asia-Pacific and other emerging markets.
Closing is targeted for 2027 and still requires regulatory approvals, including from the Monetary Authority of Singapore. The 8-K also conditions close on at least 75% of certain identified employees remaining at Tazapay, continued service by specified senior managers, and the effectiveness of a shelf registration statement. Circle will grant $25 million of restricted stock units to agreed Tazapay staff after closing, vesting in eight equal quarterly installments beginning about 27 months later. Five percent of the stock consideration will be held back for general indemnities and another 3% for additional indemnities.
Tazapay customers are slated to see no change in service, APIs, pricing or support while the deal is pending. The acquisition still leaves Circle exposed to a long regulatory clock and to integration risk if approvals slip or key staff depart before close.
The post Circle Agrees to Acquire Cross-Border Payments Firm Tazapay for $400 Million in Stock appeared first on Cryptopress.

<ul><li>Circle signed a definitive agreement to acquire Singapore-based Tazapay for $400 million in Class A common stock.</li><li>Tazapay processes more than $25 billion in annualized payment volume across 100-plus markets, with about 60% of volume already involving stablecoins.</li><li>The transaction is expected to close in 2027, subject to Monetary Authority of Singapore approval and other customary conditions.</li><li>Circle will grant $25 million in restricted stock units to agreed Tazapay employees after closing and requires at least 75% of identified staff to remain.</li></ul><p class="has-drop-cap">Circle Internet Group said Tuesday it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Singapore-based <a href="https://www.circle.com/pressroom/circle-expands-global-payments-infrastructure-with-agreement-to-acquire-singapore-based-cross-border-payments-platform-tazapay" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tazapay</a>, a business-to-business cross-border payments company, in a <strong>$400 million</strong> all-stock deal detailed in a <a href="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1876042/000187604226000267/crcl-20260904.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission</a>.</p><p>The USDC issuer will pay in Circle <strong>Class A common stock</strong>. The number of shares will equal $400 million — adjusted for Tazapay’s unpaid debt, cash and transaction expenses — divided by Circle’s volume-weighted average closing price over the <strong>20 trading days</strong> immediately before close, according to the <a href="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1876042/000187604226000267/crcl-20260904.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">filing</a>. Circle said the agreement was executed on Sept. 4 through Taurus Acquisition, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary.</p><p>Tazapay brings more than <strong>$25 billion</strong> of annualized payment volume, more than <strong>60</strong> banking and fintech partners, and local payout rails in more than <strong>100</strong> markets, Circle said in its <a href="https://www.circle.com/pressroom/circle-expands-global-payments-infrastructure-with-agreement-to-acquire-singapore-based-cross-border-payments-platform-tazapay" target="_blank" rel="noopener">press release</a>. About <strong>60%</strong> of Tazapay’s transaction volume already includes stablecoins. The firm has been a design partner for the Circle Payments Network since 2025.</p><p>In a <a href="https://x.com/jerallaire/status/2097284131352694951" target="_blank" rel="noopener">post on X</a>, Circle co-founder and chief executive Jeremy Allaire said the deal “accelerates the breadth and depth of CPN globally.” In the company statement, Allaire said: “Stablecoin settlement is becoming core infrastructure in the global economy and combining USDC with Tazapay’s world-class banking relationships, local payout rails, and institutional customer base will accelerate worldwide USDC adoption.”</p><p>Tazapay co-founder and CEO Rahul Shinghal said in the same <a href="https://www.circle.com/pressroom/circle-expands-global-payments-infrastructure-with-agreement-to-acquire-singapore-based-cross-border-payments-platform-tazapay" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announcement</a> that Circle “has the dollar infrastructure in USDC and the regulatory standing to take what we’ve built further than we could alone.” Circle payments head Irfan Ganchi framed the purchase as a way to originate and terminate payments “near-instant and 24/7” in Asia-Pacific and other emerging markets.</p><p>Closing is targeted for <strong>2027</strong> and still requires regulatory approvals, including from the <strong>Monetary Authority of Singapore</strong>. The <a href="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1876042/000187604226000267/crcl-20260904.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">8-K</a> also conditions close on at least <strong>75%</strong> of certain identified employees remaining at Tazapay, continued service by specified senior managers, and the effectiveness of a shelf registration statement. Circle will grant <strong>$25 million</strong> of restricted stock units to agreed Tazapay staff after closing, vesting in eight equal quarterly installments beginning about 27 months later. Five percent of the stock consideration will be held back for general indemnities and another <strong>3%</strong> for additional indemnities.</p><p>Tazapay customers are slated to see no change in service, APIs, pricing or support while the deal is pending. The acquisition still leaves Circle exposed to a long regulatory clock and to integration risk if approvals slip or key staff depart before close.</p>

Tokenized stocks reached roughly $1 billion in trading volume over the Labor Day weekend while traditional financial markets remained closed.
The 42 largest tokenized assets nearly matched traditional equities’ previous Friday session volume, according to on-chain data highlighted by CoinDesk.
Robinhood Chain dominated the activity, capturing 57% of the total volume processed during the holiday weekend window.
Tokenized equities proved their demand as an around-the-clock asset class by generating nearly $1 billion in trading volume over the Labor Day weekend while traditional stock exchanges were shut, as detailed by CoinDesk.
The 42 largest tokenized stock tokens nearly mirrored the liquidity and volume levels seen during the preceding Friday regular trading session. This surge underscores growing trader appetite for continuous, 24/7 access to traditional equities through decentralized ledger technology and blockchain-based wrappers.
Out of the total volume handled while Wall Street was closed, Robinhood Chain captured the lion’s share, taking 57% of the aggregate activity. The figures highlight the rapid expansion of blockchain-based financial products designed to bridge traditional equity markets with decentralized infrastructure, allowing market participants to react to macroeconomic news and events outside of standard trading hours.
The post Tokenized Stocks Hit $1 Billion in Trading Volume Over Labor Day Weekend appeared first on Cryptopress.

<ul><li>Tokenized stocks reached roughly <strong>$1 billion</strong> in trading volume over the Labor Day weekend while traditional financial markets remained closed.</li><li>The 42 largest tokenized assets nearly matched traditional equities' previous Friday session volume, according to on-chain data highlighted by <a href="https://www.coindesk.com/business/2024/09/03/tokenized-stocks-traded-1b-with-the-market-shut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CoinDesk</a>.</li><li><strong>Robinhood Chain</strong> dominated the activity, capturing <strong>57%</strong> of the total volume processed during the holiday weekend window.</li></ul><p class="has-drop-cap">Tokenized equities proved their demand as an around-the-clock asset class by generating nearly <strong>$1 billion</strong> in trading volume over the Labor Day weekend while traditional stock exchanges were shut, as detailed by <a href="https://www.coindesk.com/business/2024/09/03/tokenized-stocks-traded-1b-with-the-market-shut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CoinDesk</a>.</p><p>The 42 largest tokenized stock tokens nearly mirrored the liquidity and volume levels seen during the preceding Friday regular trading session. This surge underscores growing trader appetite for continuous, 24/7 access to traditional equities through decentralized ledger technology and blockchain-based wrappers.</p><p>Out of the total volume handled while Wall Street was closed, <strong>Robinhood Chain</strong> captured the lion's share, taking <strong>57%</strong> of the aggregate activity. The figures highlight the rapid expansion of blockchain-based financial products designed to bridge traditional equity markets with decentralized infrastructure, allowing market participants to react to macroeconomic news and events outside of standard trading hours.</p>

Self-described white-hat actors returned 3,400 BTC of the roughly 4,000 BTC withdrawn from Liquid Network’s federation wallet on Sept. 6.
About 598.5 BTC, worth roughly $47 million, remains outstanding as talks continue.
Blockstream said a bug in the Elements software enabled unbacked L-BTC to be minted and pegged out; no federation keys were compromised.
The sidechain remains paused while operators patch nodes, resolve a chain split and prepare a coordinated restart.
A purported white-hat attacker returned 3,400 bitcoin to Liquid Network’s federation wallet on Monday after Blockstream confirmed it had patched the bridge nodes exploited over the weekend, leaving about 598.5 BTC outstanding.
The withdrawal of roughly 4,000 BTC, then worth about $320 million, hit the Blockstream-built Bitcoin sidechain on Sept. 6, draining most of the roughly 4,200 BTC that had backed L-BTC one-for-one. In a statement on X, Liquid said purported white-hat hackers moved the coins through SideSwap’s peg-out authorization key and that the key itself was not compromised. Other Liquid assets, including USDT, DePix and tokenized real-world assets, were unaffected. Operators disabled bridge nodes, paused the network and asked exchanges to freeze L-BTC deposits and withdrawals.
SideSwap said a customer sent 4,000 L-BTC to its peg-out service at 14:05 UTC on Sunday. The platform burned the tokens against a valid authorization, and the federation paid 3,996 BTC to the customer’s bitcoin address 23 minutes later. Blockstream later determined the L-BTC had been created through a bug in Elements, the open-source software that underpins Liquid. SideSwap said its systems had no way to distinguish those coins from legitimate L-BTC.
The actors negotiated in public through Bitcoin OP_RETURN messages and PGP-encrypted text. In one on-chain note they told Blockstream to “fix the bug first” and patch every node before they would send funds back, according to The Block’s reporting. Blockstream answered with a PGP-signed message stating that bridge nodes were patched and it was “safe to return the funds.” The return of 3,400 BTC then landed at the federation address in block 965,950, about 85% of the amount taken.
JAN3 CEO and former Blockstream executive Samson Mow said approximately 598 BTC remains outstanding and that Blockstream continues to engage with the group. “The network remains paused while Blockstream and Federation members make additional fixes and security improvements, resolve the chain split, and prepare for a safe restart,” Mow wrote, adding that users should not send bitcoin to Liquid peg-in addresses until a restart is confirmed. Blockstream’s status page still lists the incident as active.
The retained slice, about 15% of the withdrawn bitcoin and roughly $47 million at recent prices, has not been publicly framed as an agreed bounty. The return eases the immediate backing shortfall for L-BTC, but the federated sidechain used by exchanges remains offline pending a coordinated restart.
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Bitcoin trades near $79,300 on Monday, 7 September 2026, after failing to hold a break above $81,400 over the weekend and slipping as U.S. equity futures rose on the Labor Day holiday. Spot bitcoin ETFs still absorbed $986.9 million in the week ended 4 September — the third straight inflow week, led by BlackRock’s IBIT at $691.5 million — so the tape is split between persistent institutional bid and a hawkish macro overlay. August payrolls printed 162,000 versus a ~56,000 consensus; BTC dropped from about $81,300 toward the high $78,000s on the release. CME FedWatch still prices a roughly 58% chance of a 25 bp hike on 16 September.
Weekend double-digit bids in Bittensor, Kaspa, Internet Computer and Celestia stalled after midnight UTC. Zcash remains the week’s standout, near $1,200 after a ~45% seven-day run tied to Grayscale’s ZCSH ETF.
~4,000 BTC leaves Liquid’s federation wallet
On 6 September a customer sent 4,000 L-BTC to SideSwap’s peg-out service. SideSwap burned the tokens under a valid authorization; about 23 minutes later the Liquid federation paid roughly 3,996 BTC. Liquid and SideSwap say no federation key and no SideSwap system was stolen. Blockstream traced the L-BTC to a bug in Elements — the software Liquid runs on — described by researchers as a cache-key / range-proof failure that let unbacked confidential tokens pass validation.
The federation reserve fell from about 4,200 BTC to roughly 200 BTC, leaving circulating L-BTC briefly under-collateralized. Operators paused the sidechain, disabled bridge nodes and told exchanges to halt L-BTC deposits and withdrawals. The receiving address posted an OP_RETURN (“we are whitehats. contact us on chain”) and later said most coins would return after a patch. On 7 September Blockstream published a PGP-signed on-chain message that bridge nodes were patched and funds were safe to return; most of the ~3,998 BTC still sat with the recipient at last check. Bitcoin L1 was not hit; other Liquid assets were reported untouched.
The market impact is less a spot crash than a design test. Eleven of fifteen federation signatures released real BTC against tokens that should not have existed, and the emergency two-of-three-plus-timelock path was not used. Until the coins are returned and an independent post-mortem is public, federated pegs trade with a confidence discount even while ETF demand keeps BTC pinned near $79,000–$80,000.
Other news:
Positive
U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs: $986.9 million net inflows in the week ended 4 September (IBIT $691.5 million); ether ETFs $218.4 million; August bitcoin ETF inflows $3.52 billion.
Zcash above $1,200; Grayscale ZCSH (listed 25 August) AUM about $463 million; weekly ZEC gain about 45%, market cap cited near $20 billion.
DBS and Citi completed a weekend USD payment on Swift’s Digital Ledger with tokenized deposits.
Solana plans to triple transaction size for more complex app trades.
Hargreaves Lansdown listed nine crypto ETNs.
Neutral
FedWatch ~58% odds of a 25 bp hike on 16 September; CoinDesk argued Friday’s jobs print did not materially lift those odds versus a week earlier.
UK regulator weighing an easing of the financial prediction-market ban.
IMF: El Salvador’s recent bitcoin additions came from private donations.
CLARITY Act still on the mid-September calendar; market-implied odds of passage this year remain low.
Negative
August U.S. payrolls +162,000 vs ~56,000 expected; BTC rejected the $81,400–$83,000 zone as whales flipped to net selling into that wall.
Report: a two-key compromise could theoretically control about $91 billion of USDT.
Chilean exchange Orionx shut after a ~$7 million custody shortfall.
Coldcard attacker moved $7.7 million BTC, about 45% of a third-wave haul.
Harmony proposed shutting its L1 over AI-related threats, with ONE migrating to Ethereum.
Coins moving the most / levels to watch
Leaders on a seven-day basis: DASH (about +63% on the week, fading Monday), ZEC (~+45%, near $1,200 after an ETF squeeze and short liquidations), KAS (~+25%), LINK (~+19%), TAO (~+16%, +13% in 24 hours into $266). BTC is roughly +1% to +3% on the week depending on the close used, after a $77.3k → $82.2k → $79.4k path. ETH holds near $2,500. ARB and JUP were among the sharpest Monday givebacks after earlier spikes.
This is not investment advice. The only setup with both flow and level support is bitcoin holding $78,000–$80,000 if Thursday PPI and Friday CPI cool hike odds before the 16 September FOMC. ZEC is extended after the ZCSH launch; chasing it is a momentum trade, not a value one. Faded weekend L1s (TAO, KAS, TIA, ICP) only look tactical if BTC stays above $79,000 and Liquid does not reopen as a broader bridge-risk story.
Weekly movers (approximate 7-day change to 7 Sep 2026):
Bitcoin, last 7 days (session closes, USD):
Date Close 1 Sep 77,431 2 Sep 77,350 3 Sep 81,272 4 Sep 79,666 5 Sep 79,823 6 Sep 80,350 7 Sep 79,459
Watch next: 11 Sep inflation prints, whether Liquid coins are actually returned, and whether ETF inflows survive a hotter CPI.d coins are actually returned, and whether ETF inflows survive a hotter CPI.
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Cronos Layer-1 validators halted and rolled back the network after an exploit on the lending platform Tectonic drained over $120 million in digital assets.
The emergency network rollback successfully enabled the recovery of more than 92% of the stolen funds, according to on-chain data and project updates.
Despite the drastic blockchain reset, an estimated $9 million in assets managed to leave the network before validators could secure the chain.
The Cronos Layer-1 network has managed to recover the vast majority of assets following a catastrophic security incident, though a fraction of the stolen funds successfully slipped past network defenses. According to details shared in the official Cronos updates, validators swiftly intervened to halt the blockchain following an exploit that targeted decentralized finance lending markets.
The security breach originated on Tectonic, a prominent algorithmic money market protocol within the ecosystem. During the exploit, malicious actors successfully manipulated and inflated the collateral value of the native TONIC token. This manipulated valuation allowed the attacker to drain over $120 million from various interconnected lending markets across the network, triggering immediate panic among liquidity providers and protocol developers.
In response to the multi-million dollar drainage, network validators took the drastic step of coordinating a temporary network halt. By executing a blockchain rollback, developers and infrastructure operators were able to effectively freeze state changes and reverse the malicious transactions. On-chain metrics confirm that this aggressive intervention successfully enabled the recovery of over 92% of the stolen funds, neutralizing the vast majority of the attacker’s loot before it could be laundered or bridged away.
However, the emergency measure was not entirely airtight. Despite the rapid rollback of the Cronos Layer-1 ledger, an estimated over $9 million in digital assets managed to evade capture. These funds were successfully transferred or bridged out of the ecosystem before validators could lock down the network state, highlighting the persistent challenges layer-1 networks face when trying to intercept sophisticated cross-chain exploiters in real time.
The incident underscores the growing risks associated with price oracle manipulation and collateral inflation within decentralized lending protocols. As the Cronos team continues to monitor network stability and work on post-mortem analyses, traders and liquidity providers are advised to exercise heightened caution regarding governance token valuations used as collateral backing. Further updates regarding the remaining unrecovered funds and the safe resumption of full network operations are expected to be published through official channels.
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Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended operations at critical southern energy sites following a series of coordinated drone and missile strikes targeting regional infrastructure.
Global crude benchmarks experienced immediate intraday volatility as traders reassessed geopolitical risk premiums in the Middle East.
Energy authorities have initiated damage assessments while shifting alternative logistical routes to maintain steady export flows and minimize market disruption.
Saudi energy infrastructure faced a major security test as authorities temporarily halted operations at multiple southern energy installations following a barrage of incoming drone and missile attacks. The targeted facilities, vital components of the region’s domestic and export processing network, were struck during early morning hours, prompting immediate emergency shutdowns to contain potential hazards and assess structural integrity.
The swift suspension of activities at these key locations sent immediate shockwaves through traditional commodity markets and filtered into broader macroeconomic sentiment, affecting risk assets including cryptocurrencies. Global crude oil benchmarks surged by over 4% within hours of the initial reports, as energy traders factored in the heightened risk of sustained supply bottlenecks originating from the world’s leading petroleum exporter.
According to updates shared via official statements and local energy monitors, emergency response teams were deployed rapidly to extinguish fires and secure the perimeter around the affected sites. State energy representatives emphasized that while the physical impact is currently being evaluated, robust redundancy measures have been activated to redirect processing loads to alternative operational hubs across the kingdom.
Market analysts note that sustained disruptions in the region historically trigger risk-off behavior across digital asset exchanges, as institutional investors reposition portfolios to hedge against escalating geopolitical tensions and inflationary pressures driven by surging energy costs. Bitcoin and major altcoins experienced minor pullbacks during the initial hours of market trading following the news, reflecting broader risk aversion in global financial corridors.
As the situation develops, industry participants are closely monitoring official updates from regional authorities and energy ministries for timelines regarding the resumption of full operational capacity at the affected southern facilities.
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