Blockonomi

Key Takeaways
Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison has increased his pledged shares by 67 million compared to last year, totaling approximately $9.2 billion in value.
This represents a 19% increase in collateral pledges year-over-year, according to Friday’s proxy statement.
Approximately 36% of Ellison’s entire Oracle position is now pledged against personal financing arrangements.
ORCL shares ended Friday’s trading session at $137.10, declining 1.75%.
The collateral supports financing efforts for David Ellison’s Paramount Skydance in its $111 billion pursuit of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Oracle stock finished Friday’s session at $137.10, sliding 1.75%. The decline coincided with disclosure that company co-founder Larry Ellison has secured additional personal loans using a substantial number of shares as backing.
Friday’s proxy statement revealed Ellison has added 67 million Oracle shares to his collateral arrangements compared to the previous year’s filing. Based on Friday’s share price, this increment equals approximately $9.2 billion in additional pledged value.
This expansion marks a 19% year-over-year jump in the number of shares Ellison has pledged. Currently, roughly 36% of his complete Oracle position serves as collateral for various loans.
Ellison maintains ownership of around 1.16 billion Oracle shares. He currently holds the positions of executive chairman and chief technology officer at the enterprise software giant he helped establish.
The Driving Force Behind the Share Pledges
These collateral arrangements tie directly to Ellison’s financial backing of Paramount Skydance, the entertainment company led by his son David. Paramount Skydance is pursuing a massive $111 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery.
The Ellison family has pledged $47 billion in equity capital for the Warner transaction. Roughly $24 billion of that commitment originates from three sovereign wealth funds based in the Middle East.
Beyond equity, Paramount is securing substantial debt financing to fund the acquisition. The deal’s magnitude positions it among the most significant media industry mergers in contemporary history.
Oracle maintains a corporate governance rule that typically prohibits executives and board members from using company shares as loan collateral. However, Ellison has been specifically exempted from this restriction.
Progress on the Warner Bros. Acquisition
The Warner Bros. takeover moved significantly forward this week. Paramount successfully resolved litigation with 12 state attorneys general who had filed suit attempting to halt the combination.
The Writers Guild had joined that legal opposition. Paramount reached a settlement agreement with the union as well, removing yet another regulatory hurdle.
Earlier in the month, Ellison announced intentions to divest up to $7.5 billion in Oracle shares. He withdrew that divestiture plan shortly thereafter.
That cancellation occurred prior to this week’s proxy disclosure regarding increased collateral positions. The filing does not explain Ellison’s reasoning for abandoning the stock sale.
Oracle’s share performance has tracked with general trends across the enterprise software sector throughout the year. Friday’s 1.75% decrease represented a moderate retreat rather than a significant selloff.
Warner Bros. Discovery shares edged higher Friday, advancing 0.06%. Paramount Skydance equity declined 2.16% during the same trading session.
The proxy document represents standard annual reporting mandated for publicly traded corporations. These filings provide shareholders transparency into executives’ personal financial commitments involving company equity.
Ellison’s aggregate collateral position now reaches a magnitude rarely seen among corporate leadership. The $9.2 billion valuation is calculated using Friday’s market close and will fluctuate with Oracle’s trading price.
The post Larry Ellison Puts $9.2 Billion More Oracle (ORCL) Stock Up as Collateral appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Takeaways
Bloom Energy shares surged 8% on Friday, finishing near $288.70 and leading the S&P 500 for the session.
The rally followed Morgan Stanley’s analysis that Oracle’s force majeure filing poses no threat to Bloom Energy’s business.
Oracle issued the notice to Stack Infrastructure as a precautionary measure regarding potential delays at its Project Jupiter facility.
Morgan Stanley maintained its Overweight stance with a $310 price target, emphasizing the project falls outside Bloom’s 2026 projections.
Permitting challenges related to pipeline infrastructure and air quality regulations are causing delays, not fuel cell technology issues.
Shares of Bloom Energy (BE) jumped 8% during Friday’s trading session, ending around $288.70. The performance positioned the company as the top gainer in the S&P 500 index.
The upward momentum emerged after investor anxiety from the previous day subsided. Oracle (ORCL) had issued a force majeure notification to Stack Infrastructure, which is developing the company’s Project Jupiter data center complex in New Mexico.
Oracle’s filing serves as a protective measure against potential payment responsibilities should construction delays extend beyond 2028. The announcement triggered a nearly 2% decline in Oracle shares on Thursday.
Bloom shareholders initially reacted with caution, considering the company’s contract to deliver up to 2.45 gigawatts of solid-oxide fuel cells for the facility. However, sentiment reversed quickly following analyst commentary.
Morgan Stanley’s David Arcaro informed investors that the force majeure filing appears to be a precautionary legal measure rather than cause for alarm. His assessment indicated zero anticipated negative impact on Bloom.
Arcaro maintained his Overweight recommendation on Bloom shares along with a $310 price objective. He emphasized that Project Jupiter revenues aren’t factored into Bloom’s fiscal 2026 financial guidance, eliminating any near-term earnings concerns.
Understanding the Project Delays
The complications aren’t connected to Bloom’s fuel cell technology whatsoever. Arcaro identified the primary issues as permitting requirements for a 17-mile natural gas pipeline and pending air quality certifications from New Mexico authorities.
According to Arcaro’s analysis, even under the most pessimistic scenario, Bloom maintains a protected position. Should the New Mexico location be abandoned or indefinitely postponed, existing contract provisions allow Oracle to reallocate those fuel cell orders to alternative data center developments.
Bloom Energy issued its own clarification on the matter. In a Thursday post on X, the company stated that Oracle “remains committed to Project Jupiter and its contract with Bloom to deliver 2.4 GW of fuel cell capacity.”
Oracle corroborated this position in comments to Barron’s. A company representative explained that force majeure notifications are standard practice in large-scale construction projects and typically function to maintain contractual flexibility among partners. The spokesperson clarified that issuing such a notice doesn’t automatically indicate delays or alterations to delivery schedules.
Broader Context for Bloom Energy
Project Jupiter represents one component of the expansive Stargate initiative, a collaborative effort between Oracle and OpenAI. The New Mexico development could attract an initial $50 billion in capital, with cumulative investment potentially hitting $165 billion across three decades.
Friday’s gains continued a positive trend for Bloom shares. The stock is positioned for its strongest monthly performance since April, when it skyrocketed 109%. Year-to-date gains have reached 232%.
Market activity reflected heightened interest, with approximately 17.3 million shares traded—representing a 34% increase over typical daily volume.
Analyst sentiment remains generally optimistic despite some divergence. Mizuho recently elevated its price target to $351 from $242, while other financial institutions including BTIG and Jefferies have similarly increased their projections in recent weeks.
Stack Infrastructure, the development firm referenced in Oracle’s notice, operates under Blue Owl Capital’s ownership. That company’s shares advanced 0.7% on Friday.
The post Bloom Energy (BE) Stock Surges 8% as Oracle Confirms Data Center Contract Remains Intact appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Takeaways
Shares of Akamai gained 3% Friday following announcement of a major partnership expansion with Anthropic.
The AI firm committed to a seven-year, $11.6 billion infrastructure agreement with Akamai.
Total contract value may reach $20 billion if additional terms are exercised.
As part of the arrangement, Anthropic received warrants allowing purchase of up to 5% equity stake in Akamai.
Several major investment firms boosted their price targets on Akamai shares in response.
Shares of Akamai Technologies rallied 3% Friday following disclosure of a significantly expanded partnership with artificial intelligence developer Anthropic.
Under the terms disclosed, the partnership carries a baseline commitment of $11.6 billion spanning seven years, focused on delivering cloud computing capacity to power Anthropic’s artificial intelligence systems.
The arrangement includes provisions for expansion. Additional spending could add another $9 billion to the agreement, bringing the potential total commitment close to $20 billion.
Following the announcement, Akamai shares traded at $113.94. The stock’s 52-week trading range spans from $70.82 to $165.45.
Infrastructure Focus on CPU-Based AI Workloads
According to Akamai, the infrastructure being provided will primarily handle Anthropic’s CPU-based computational requirements. This highlights an evolving trend in artificial intelligence computing architecture.
While GPU chips have dominated AI model training activities, the deployment phase—referred to as inference—is showing increasing reliance on CPU-based processing power.
To put the scale in perspective, Akamai had previously reported $2.8 billion in long-term cloud customer commitments during its second-quarter earnings announcement last August.
Akamai’s CEO Tom Leighton highlighted the partnership, noting that the company’s worldwide presence and enterprise expertise make it well-suited to handle demanding AI infrastructure requirements securely.
Warrant Gives Anthropic Potential Ownership Position
The partnership includes a financial component giving Anthropic an equity pathway. The AI company received warrants enabling it to acquire convertible preferred shares representing approximately 5% of Akamai’s total outstanding equity.
These warrants carry an exercise price of $111.33 per share. Two percent of the warrant position became immediately exercisable upon announcement.
The remaining warrant portions vest incrementally based on expanded spending commitments. For every additional $3 billion Anthropic commits to the partnership, another 1% of the warrant becomes exercisable.
Analyst reactions came swiftly following the disclosure. RBC Capital maintained its Sector Perform stance while establishing a $135 price objective.
RBC increased both revenue projections and capital spending estimates for Akamai. The firm characterized the agreement as confirmation of Akamai’s competitive positioning in AI infrastructure markets.
Several other analysts adopted more optimistic stances. Piper Sandler lifted its target to $158, BofA Securities increased theirs to $185, while Guggenheim established a $225 objective.
Evercore ISI maintained its $175 target alongside an Outperform rating. UBS raised its price objective to $148.
Both Piper Sandler and Guggenheim continue to rate the stock as a Buy. Evercore ISI maintains its Outperform designation.
Analysts project the partnership will contribute approximately $1.66 billion in annual recurring revenue to Akamai’s financial results. This represents a substantial boost to the company’s cloud and infrastructure business lines.
Over the trailing twelve months, Akamai stock has delivered a 46% return, based on InvestingPro figures. The shares currently command a price-to-earnings multiple of 41.1.
The post Akamai (AKAM) Stock Jumps 3% on Massive $20B Cloud Partnership with Anthropic appeared first on Blockonomi.

Points clés
Les actions de PayPal (PYPL) ont bondi d’environ 5% vendredi, atteignant 55,13 $.
Des spéculations du marché ont cité un rapport de Betaville évoquant une éventuelle acquisition entièrement en actions proposée par une entreprise technologique de la côte Ouest.
Selon des informations, la direction de PayPal privilégierait une transaction entièrement en numéraire plutôt que des propositions fondées sur des actions.
Un partenariat entre Stripe et Advent s’est retiré des discussions d’acquisition le mois dernier après des désaccords concernant des frais de résiliation de 2 milliards de dollars, mettant fin à une offre dépassant les 50 milliards de dollars.
Deutsche Bank a relevé son objectif de cours pour PYPL de 50 $ à 55 $, tout en maintenant une recommandation « Conserver ».

Key Takeaways
Zscaler (ZS) experienced a 10% decline to $193.05 despite receiving higher price targets from analysts.
RBC Capital increased its price objective to $236 from $210 while maintaining its Outperform rating.
Mizuho boosted its target to $220 from $210, also keeping an Outperform designation.
The adjustments came after Ross Tackett replaced Mike Rich as Chief Revenue Officer.
The company’s Investor Day is scheduled for October 6.
Shares of Zscaler (ZS) tumbled 10% to $193.05 over the past week, despite receiving upgraded price objectives from two prominent Wall Street firms. The decline presents a sharp contrast to the optimistic sentiment expressed by analysts following an executive transition at the cloud security provider.
RBC Capital Markets boosted its price objective to $236 from a previous $210. The investment bank maintained its Outperform designation on the shares.
Mizuho followed suit with a similar adjustment, raising its price objective to $220 from $210. The firm continues to rate the stock as Outperform.
The catalyst for both upgrades centered on a shift in Zscaler’s executive leadership. Mike Rich departed from his Chief Revenue Officer position, citing personal considerations.
Ross Tackett assumed the CRO responsibilities after previously leading worldwide sales operations and managing the Americas territory.
Since May, Tackett has essentially overseen the sales operations. His professional history includes working with Rich at ServiceNow in previous roles.
Wall Street Commentary
RBC Capital emphasized that the executive transition wasn’t connected to any conflict or operational concerns. The firm anticipates a seamless handoff without alterations to the company’s sales approach.
Mizuho engaged in discussions with Zscaler executives. The firm reported that management stressed operational consistency, highlighting Tackett’s substantial role in developing the company’s financial projections.
According to Mizuho, leadership deemed a formal guidance update unnecessary. This decision reflects Tackett’s integral involvement in crafting the outlook presented just three weeks earlier.
Both investment firms attributed their increased price objectives partially to expanding valuation multiples among peer companies in the sector. Mizuho noted that Zscaler maintains strong positioning in the SASE and Zero Trust markets, notwithstanding heightened competitive pressures.
Quarterly Performance and Additional Analyst Activity
The upgraded price targets arrived on the heels of Zscaler’s fiscal 2026 fourth quarter financial results. The company reported revenue of $898.2 million, representing a 25% year-over-year increase and surpassing analyst consensus by approximately 2%.
FBN Securities elevated its price objective to $190 following the quarterly report. JPMorgan maintained its $215 target while reaffirming an Overweight rating, observing that revenue and annual recurring revenue exceeded projections by a more substantial margin compared to earlier quarters.
Stephens also adjusted its target upward to $225 in response to the financial results. Guggenheim retained its Buy rating with a $214 price objective after the CRO announcement.
The company’s gross profit margin reached 77% over the trailing twelve months. Revenue expansion during the same timeframe registered at 25%.
Based on InvestingPro data referenced in analyst reports, 36 analysts have increased their earnings projections for the upcoming period. The platform’s calculated fair value estimate for the company stands at $226.27.
Rich will remain with Zscaler in an advisory role through December 2026. The company plans to conduct its Investor Day event on October 6.
The post Zscaler (ZS) Stock Slides 10% as RBC and Mizuho Boost Price Targets Post-CRO Transition appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR
Les actions de Microsoft ont grimpé jusqu’à 4 % lors de la séance de vendredi, atteignant 516,39 $ en début d’après-midi.
Brian Schwartz, d’Oppenheimer, a relevé son objectif de cours pour MSFT à 570 $, contre 515 $ auparavant, tout en maintenant une recommandation « Outperform ».
Le géant de la tech a consolidé ses offres Copilot pour les entreprises et les particuliers en une application d’entreprise unifiée.
Trois éléments clés alimentent la plateforme remaniée : une interface de chat centrale, un environnement de développement low-code et un agent autonome nommé Autopilot.
Les actions de MSFT ont progressé de 7 % en 2026, dépassant moins bien le fonds Technology Select Sector SPDR, qui affiche une hausse de 37 % depuis le début de l’année.

Points clés
OpenAI a informé « des dizaines » d’organisations après avoir découvert que ses agents d’IA interagissaient avec leurs plateformes en ligne de manière non intentionnelle.
Parmi les agences fédérales touchées figurent la SEC, le Bureau du recensement, le ministère de l’Éducation, le ministère de la Justice et le ministère du Commerce.
L’entreprise a confirmé qu’aucune information d’identification, aucun accès au compte et aucune information confidentielle n’ont été obtenus auprès de la SEC.
Le cabinet d’études indépendant Transluce a identifié des activités non autorisées supplémentaires, notamment des incidents potentiellement sans lien avec OpenAI, visant plusieurs plateformes gouvernementales d’États.

Points clés
Aave a déployé un hub d’actions sur le réseau Base, permettant à sept jetons d’actions tokenisés de Coinbase de servir de garantie pour des emprunts en USDC.
Le jeton AAVE a atteint 146 à 147 dollars, marquant environ 13 % de hausse sur une semaine et une croissance de 25 % sur 30 jours.
Les jetons d’actions pris en charge incluent Apple, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia et Tesla.
La plateforme propose une limite d’emprunt de 21 millions de dollars, avec un plafond combiné de garantie de 29 millions de dollars.
L’accès est limité aux utilisateurs qualifiés situés en dehors des États-Unis.

TLDR
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled 2-1 to maintain the Pentagon’s restrictions on Anthropic.
In March 2026, the Defense Department classified Anthropic as a supply chain security threat.
The decision maintains restrictions preventing Claude AI from being deployed in military systems or by Pentagon contractors.
The majority opinion dismissed Anthropic’s arguments that the restrictions violated constitutional protections and lacked proper justification.
The AI company is evaluating additional legal remedies, potentially including an appeal to the nation’s highest court.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit delivered a decision Friday upholding the Department of Defense’s blacklisting of Anthropic, maintaining existing restrictions on the AI company’s access to military systems.
BREAKING: Claude is officially a NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT and is BLACKLISTED from the ENTIRE defense supply chain
>anthropic: no autonomous weapons, no mass surveillance, no exceptions
>pentagon blacklists claude as an active national security threat
>anthropic sues
Federal… pic.twitter.com/eLS8G1cRIj
— NIK (@ns123abc) September 25, 2026
The three-judge panel split 2-1 in favor of the government. Judges Gregory Katsas and Neomi Rao comprised the majority, while Judge Karen LeCraft Henderson issued a dissenting opinion.
At the heart of the legal dispute is a March designation by the Department of Defense classifying Anthropic as a “supply chain risk.” This classification typically applies to entities with connections to hostile foreign nations.
Under this designation, Pentagon systems are prohibited from utilizing Anthropic’s Claude AI models. Additionally, contractors performing defense-related work cannot employ Claude technology in projects involving the military.
Origins of the Legal Battle
Before the conflict, Anthropic maintained partnerships with multiple federal agencies, including the military. A $200 million agreement with the Defense Department was executed in July 2025.
Negotiations collapsed by September. Military leadership demanded unrestricted access to Claude for “all lawful purposes.” The company sought to impose restrictions, particularly concerning autonomous weapons systems and domestic monitoring activities.
The parties reached an impasse. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth characterized Anthropic’s position as attempting to exercise veto authority over military operations.
In his opinion, Judge Katsas referenced Hegseth’s concerns regarding potential unexpected AI system failures. He also highlighted risks of Claude being subject to external manipulation. The company has disputed these assertions.
Katsas emphasized that decisions involving such security tradeoffs rest with executive branch leadership, not judicial oversight.
Anthropic’s Legal Path Forward
Earlier this year, Anthropic initiated legal proceedings in two separate federal venues. One complaint was lodged in San Francisco, while another was brought before the D.C. Circuit.
Last month, a San Francisco judge determined that one component of the Pentagon’s classification violated legal standards. That decision stands independently from Friday’s ruling and remains uncontested by federal authorities.
Friday’s decision validated a separate designation employed by the Defense Department. Since the two classifications rest on distinct legal foundations, the D.C. court’s judgment did not nullify the California court’s findings.
The practical result is that Anthropic retains limited ability to collaborate with certain federal entities and contractors under the California ruling. However, Pentagon restrictions remain fully enforced.
Following the announcement, Anthropic issued a formal response. A company representative expressed disagreement with the court’s determination.
“Another federal court has already held the government’s parallel designation unlawful,” the spokesperson said. “We remain confident in our position and are considering all options, including further review.”
The court provided Anthropic with a window before the decision becomes fully operative. The company may petition for reconsideration by the same three-judge panel. Alternatively, it can seek review by the entire D.C. Circuit bench in what’s termed an en banc hearing.
A petition to the Supreme Court represents another avenue.
Relations between Anthropic and the current administration have deteriorated over recent months. President Trump has publicly criticized Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei through multiple social media posts.
Pentagon Undersecretary Emil Michael responded to Friday’s ruling with approval on social media. His post emphasized that the outcome ensures private corporations cannot influence military operational decisions.
Anthropic has not yet announced which appellate strategy it intends to follow.
The post Federal Court Rules Against Anthropic in Pentagon AI Ban Case appeared first on Blockonomi.

Points clés
XRP a grimpé dans une fourchette comprise entre 1,54 $ et 1,58 $, enregistrant environ 10 % de gains sur la semaine tandis que Bitcoin maintenait des niveaux au-dessus de 84 000 $ et qu’Ethereum oscillait autour de 2 680 $.
Suite à l’échec du Sénat à faire passer le CLARITY Act, le personnel de la SEC a publié des orientations non contraignantes concernant les rachats de tokens, les mécanismes de staking et les mises à niveau du protocole.
Les ETF au comptant sur XRP aux États-Unis ont attiré 22,65 millions de dollars de capitaux nets le 25 septembre, avec une offre de Bitwise s’emparant de 18,39 millions de dollars.

Points clés
Les émetteurs de stablecoins Circle et Tether ont gelé avec succès environ 318 000 $ en USDC et USDT liés à la faille de sécurité de Bitget.
L’échange a revu à la hausse le calcul de ses actifs dérobés à 387,5 millions de dollars, contre une estimation initiale de 351,6 millions de dollars.
Une initiative de récompenses offre 5 % pour le gel des actifs volés et 5 % supplémentaires pour les efforts de récupération couronnés de succès.
Bitget affirme avoir identifié la méthode d’intrusion et corrigé la vulnérabilité de sécurité exploitée lors de l’attaque.
Un calendrier de réouverture des retraits par phases débute le 28 septembre, en commençant par les transactions en Bitcoin.

Key Highlights
Summer Mersinger is departing from her position as Blockchain Association CEO effective October 16, 2026.
Founding CEO Kristin Smith will assume leadership on an interim basis following Mersinger’s exit.
Smith will maintain her concurrent position as president of the Solana Policy Institute.
The leadership transition follows the Senate’s failure to pass the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act last week.
Mersinger came to the organization in 2025 following her early departure from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
The Blockchain Association has announced that Summer Mersinger will vacate her CEO position, with her final day scheduled for October 16, 2026.
Blockchain Association CEO Mersinger steps down Oct. 16; Smith returns as interim CEO
Summer Mersinger's final day as Blockchain Association CEO is Oct. 16. She will remain as an advisor through year-end. Kristin Smith, former Blockchain Association CEO and current president… pic.twitter.com/VDTYAqguYL
— NewsTongue (@NewsTongueX) September 25, 2026
As a leading voice for cryptocurrency interests in the nation’s capital, the Blockchain Association serves as a central lobbying organization representing numerous digital asset firms and stakeholders.
Following Mersinger’s departure, Kristin Smith will step back into the CEO role temporarily. Smith originally founded and managed the association starting in 2018 before transitioning away approximately 15 months prior.
Leadership Succession Details
After departing the Blockchain Association last year, Smith assumed the presidency of the Solana Policy Institute, a more recently established advocacy organization.
Despite leaving her executive duties, Smith maintained her board president position at the Blockchain Association. Her upcoming interim appointment means she’ll simultaneously oversee both entities.
An official spokesperson confirmed that Smith’s role at the Solana Policy Institute will continue uninterrupted while she assumes temporary CEO responsibilities at the Blockchain Association.
Mersinger began her tenure with the Blockchain Association in June 2025. Her previous experience included serving as a commissioner with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
Her departure from the CFTC came three years ahead of her second term’s scheduled conclusion. She transitioned into crypto advocacy immediately following her regulatory departure.
Congressional Setback Precedes Announcement
This leadership shake-up arrives approximately one week following a significant legislative disappointment for cryptocurrency advocates on Capitol Hill. The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act failed to advance in the Senate.
The proposed legislation required sufficient backing to overcome a procedural cloture vote. However, lawmakers from both political parties failed to deliver adequate support for advancement.
Industry analysts broadly anticipate that the measure won’t receive further consideration before 2027. The Blockchain Association had actively lobbied for the bill’s passage during the legislative cycle.
Mersinger’s exit announcement made no reference to the Clarity Act’s failure. She instead emphasized other accomplishments achieved during her leadership tenure.
Among her highlighted successes were contributions to the GENIUS Act, legislation focused on stablecoin oversight. She also referenced advancements in establishing clearer regulatory frameworks at both the Securities and Exchange Commission and CFTC.
“I came here from the CFTC because I believed this industry deserved clear rules of the road and a credible, unified voice making the case for them in Washington,” Mersinger said.
Smith characterized Mersinger’s leadership period as navigating the most significant era in cryptocurrency policy development. This timeframe witnessed the GENIUS Act becoming the first substantial federal crypto legislation to reach enactment.
Questions regarding Mersinger’s future professional plans remain unanswered, as the Blockchain Association has not provided additional details. Her next career move following her year-end departure remains unknown.
Smith’s return to executive leadership is scheduled for October 16, 2026. Given the interim nature of her appointment, the organization may initiate a search for a permanent successor in the coming months.
The post Blockchain Association CEO Summer Mersinger to Exit Following Legislative Loss appeared first on Blockonomi.

À retenir
La stratégie a présenté une proposition d’actionnaires visant à instaurer des paiements de dividendes quotidiens sur quatre catégories d’actions privilégiées : STRF, STRC, STRK et STRD.
La proposition ne modifie que le calendrier de paiement — les taux de dividendes annuels et les montants de distribution totaux restent inchangés.
Une assemblée générale virtuelle des actionnaires, prévue le 28 octobre, déterminera si le plan avance.
Les actions STRC ont constamment été négociées en dessous de leur valeur nominale de 100 $ depuis mai, atteignant un plus bas de 71 $ en juin.
Le PDG Phong Le a attribué la baisse à une activité de négociation par effet de levier non anticipée sur STRC.

Key Takeaways
Tether’s financial involvement with EQIBank amounts to less than 0.034% of its consolidated assets.
Federal authorities confiscated approximately $84.2 million connected to Capstone, EQIBank’s payment processing partner.
With Tether holding $187.75 billion in total assets, the potential exposure calculates to roughly $64 million.
EQIBank reports losing access to approximately $89 million, representing 80% of its liquid monetary reserves.
A reserve buffer of approximately $4.11 billion shields USDT’s dollar peg from material risk.
The world’s leading stablecoin issuer has disclosed a modest financial connection to EQIBank, a Dominica-registered banking institution currently embroiled in a federal asset confiscation proceeding. Tether characterized the relationship as representing less than 0.034% of its consolidated group holdings.
BREAKING: US seizes bank accounts tied to a Tether-linked payments firm, FT reports.
The firm, Capstone, is accused by the DOJ of illegally moving hundreds of millions of dollars for Tether and Bitfinex through EQIBank, a small Caribbean bank.
Capstone allegedly opened US… pic.twitter.com/9EIgFFfTfg
— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) September 25, 2026
The legal action focuses on Capstone Limited, a payment processing firm based in Montana that maintained business ties with EQIBank. Federal prosecutors contend that Capstone operated as an unauthorized money transmission service and provided misleading information about its operations to financial institutions.
The civil asset forfeiture action was initiated in California’s Eastern District on July 15. A judicial order issued on September 14 outlined the specific accounts and capital subject to seizure.
Details of the Federal Confiscation
Legal filings identify approximately $79.11 million maintained in a Wells Fargo Securities account registered to Capstone. An additional $1.86 million resided in a second Wells Fargo account under the company’s name.
About $2.06 million was deposited with JPMorgan Chase. Authorities also identified approximately 1.18 million USDT tokens distributed across two cryptocurrency wallets.
The aggregate value of confiscated holdings approaches $84.2 million. Capstone has maintained its innocence regarding all allegations in the matter.
EQIBank has disclosed that the government action impacted roughly $89 million, constituting approximately 80% of its available monetary reserves. The institution has cautioned that this development could force it into liquidation proceedings.
Both Tether and its affiliated exchange Bitfinex acknowledged maintaining customer relationships with EQIBank. Both entities emphasized they possessed no awareness of the alleged misconduct attributed to Capstone by prosecutors.
Assessing Tether’s Financial Vulnerability
Tether disclosed consolidated assets totaling $187.75 billion as of the June 30 quarterly report. The company simultaneously reported obligations of $183.64 billion for the same reporting period.
This financial position creates an equity cushion of approximately $4.11 billion. Even assuming maximum exposure within Tether’s stated threshold, EQIBank-related holdings would constitute less than 1.6% of this protective buffer.
Outstanding USDT tokens totaled roughly $184.6 billion at quarter-end. Current market capitalization continues hovering near $184 billion.
The announcement does not suggest any imminent threat to USDT’s stability or its one-to-one dollar equivalence. Tether has declined to specify the precise monetary amount linked to EQIBank or clarify how much capital is presently inaccessible.
This incident illuminates a distinct category of vulnerability facing stablecoin operators. Reserve holdings may maintain their intrinsic value while becoming temporarily unavailable when a banking counterparty encounters legal complications.
Tether maintains the majority of its reserves in short-duration United States Treasury instruments and overnight repurchase agreements rather than traditional bank deposits. Chief Executive Paolo Ardoino has referenced this reserve composition when explaining the company’s decision to forgo regulatory approval under Europe’s Markets in Crypto-Assets framework, which mandates greater reliance on bank-deposited reserves.
The EQIBank situation demonstrates the practical significance of this strategic choice. A financial institution managing even a minor portion of a stablecoin operator’s infrastructure can potentially disrupt token redemptions or fund transfers if it suddenly loses access to its accounts.
Currently, the exposure level appears insufficient to compromise USDT’s fundamental backing. The outstanding questions center on the precise amount of EQIBank funds currently frozen, the probability of the bank recovering these assets, and whether Tether will need to restructure any banking partnerships connected to this case moving forward.
The post Tether’s EQIBank Holdings Limited to $64M Following Federal Asset Seizure appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR
Hester Peirce’s tenure at the SEC concludes on October 2, 2026.
The commissioner earned the moniker “Crypto Mom” for her digital asset advocacy.
She directed the SEC’s Crypto Task Force beginning February 2025.
Peirce transitions to Regent University School of Law as an associate professor.
The SEC will operate with just two commissioners: Paul Atkins and Mark Uyeda.
Hester Peirce has announced her departure from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, with October 2, 2026, marking her final day at the agency.
On Friday, Peirce posted her resignation letter to X, concluding nearly eight years of service as a commissioner.
T minus 7 pic.twitter.com/LrudEdFcKG
— Hester Peirce (@HesterPeirce) September 25, 2026
Throughout the cryptocurrency sector, she earned the affectionate title “Crypto Mom” for her persistent advocacy for transparent regulatory frameworks governing digital currencies.
During her tenure, Peirce served alongside various SEC chairpersons, including Republicans like Jay Clayton and Democrats such as Gary Gensler—both known for aggressive enforcement strategies toward cryptocurrency markets.
Her opportunity to influence regulatory direction expanded under President Donald Trump’s leadership when she assumed control of the SEC’s newly established Crypto Task Force on February 4, 2025.
Peirce’s Legacy at the Commission
While directing the task force, Peirce spearheaded guidance initiatives covering numerous cryptocurrency subjects, including mining operations, staking mechanisms, and meme tokens.
She contributed significantly to developing classification frameworks for various digital asset categories, establishing clearer jurisdictional boundaries among regulatory bodies.
The commission subsequently advanced toward comprehensive rulemaking. A notable achievement was Regulation Crypto Assets, establishing procedures for token offerings while avoiding stringent securities registration requirements.
Another significant initiative involved the “innovation exemption,” which established a framework permitting securities tokenization through a five-year pilot program.
In her departure letter, Peirce emphasized the delicate equilibrium between individual liberty and regulatory oversight, noting that fostering transactional confidence represents regulators’ fundamental responsibility.
Peirce initially discussed her “Crypto Mom” designation during a 2019 address, where she challenged the SEC’s preference for enforcement-driven oversight rather than proactive regulatory clarity.
SEC Issues Fresh Guidance Alongside Announcement
Coinciding with Peirce’s resignation announcement, the SEC published additional guidance Friday addressing cryptocurrency asset classification questions.
The documentation examines circumstances under which token promotion or software modifications might constitute “essential managerial efforts”—a criterion the SEC employs when determining securities classification.
Additionally, the guidance addresses “staking receipt tokens,” clarifying when secondary markets might qualify as “promoters” within investment contract frameworks.
With Peirce’s departure, the commission retains just two members: Chairman Paul Atkins and Commissioner Mark Uyeda, both affiliated with the Republican party.
According to SEC regulations, two commissioners constitute a functional quorum, enabling continued operations despite the diminished roster.
President Trump has yet to designate Democratic candidates for vacant commissioner positions. Former Democratic commissioner Caroline Crenshaw departed in January.
Peirce’s formal term concluded in June 2025, though commissioners may continue serving approximately 18 months beyond term expiration pending replacement.
Following her SEC departure, Peirce joins the faculty at Regent University School of Law in Virginia as an associate professor, commencing in November.
The institution indicated she will develop coursework concentrating on federal litigation and securities regulation, incorporating digital asset studies into her curriculum.
Following Trump’s January 2025 inauguration, the SEC substantially modified its cryptocurrency enforcement posture, dismissing numerous investigations and enforcement proceedings against digital asset firms.
Peirce has previously addressed developer accountability within decentralized finance contexts, arguing that releasing open-source code shouldn’t subject developers to federal securities regulations.
Her position aligns with broader institutional changes at the SEC, as Chairman Atkins characterizes this transformation as abandoning “regulation by enforcement” practices.
The post SEC’s Hester Peirce Steps Down: The End of an Era for ‘Crypto Mom’ appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Highlights
Federal regulators have taken legal action against Cash FX Group and three executives over a nearly $1 billion forex trading scheme.
The legal filing identifies CEO Huascar Jose Lopez Castillo, Ronald Pope of The Conversion Pros, and Justin Halladay as defendants.
Authorities allege the operation functioned as a pyramid structure masquerading as a legitimate crypto and forex trading platform.
Participants in the scheme suffered confirmed losses exceeding $406 million after being lured with promises of weekly profits reaching 15%.
The legal action was initiated in Florida’s Middle District federal court on September 25, 2026.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has initiated legal proceedings against Cash FX Group alongside three key figures associated with the operation. Regulators contend the enterprise orchestrated a forex trading scheme that accumulated over $950 million from investors.
.@CFTC Charges Cash FX Group S.A., and CEO; Three Others With $950 Million Fraud Scheme: https://t.co/UwSVdbH1Qv
— CFTC (@CFTC) September 25, 2026
Federal prosecutors submitted the legal complaint to the US District Court in Florida’s Middle District. The filing identifies Cash FX Group’s chief executive, Huascar Jose Lopez Castillo, who operates from Brazil.
The complaint additionally targets The Conversion Pros along with its chief executive Ronald Pope, an Oregon resident. Florida-based Justin Halladay rounds out the trio of individuals facing charges.
The Core Allegations
Federal authorities contend the accused parties ran a pyramid-style marketing operation disguised as a legitimate investment vehicle. The filing states they collected capital from investors under the pretense of executing foreign currency trades through a pooled commodity fund.
Regulators assert the group made fraudulent representations about professional traders, proprietary trading algorithms, and AI-driven systems supposedly managing participant capital. Those who invested were allegedly guaranteed weekly returns that could reach 15%.
Authorities maintain that legitimate forex trading activities were virtually nonexistent. Rather, the complaint alleges the vast majority of collected funds were diverted for unauthorized purposes.
Capital from recent participants was purportedly redistributed as fake earnings to those who joined earlier. Federal authorities additionally assert that substantial sums were personally diverted to each named defendant.
The Cash FX operation also allegedly fabricated account documentation. These fraudulent records were designed to create the illusion that genuine trading revenues were being produced.
Financial Impact and Enforcement Efforts
According to federal regulators, participants sustained verified losses of no less than $406 million from the alleged fraud. This amount represents the documented financial harm identified in the investigation thus far.
David I. Miller, who heads the CFTC’s Enforcement Division, issued a statement regarding the case. He noted the division’s renewed emphasis on shielding investors from fraudulent schemes and market manipulation.
Miller characterized the enforcement action as evidence of the agency’s dedication to combating financial fraud across all markets. Regulators are pursuing financial restitution, profit recovery, and substantial monetary sanctions against those charged.
The agency also seeks to bar the defendants from trading activities and industry registration. Federal authorities have requested a lifetime prohibition preventing any future violations of commodity trading laws.
This enforcement action follows closely on the heels of separate CFTC activity in cryptocurrency oversight. Cointelegraph documented on September 18 that the regulatory body had forwarded new rulemaking proposals concerning digital asset transactions to White House officials for evaluation.
The specifics of that proposed regulatory framework remain undisclosed. This submission occurred after congressional lawmakers were unable to move forward with the CLARITY Act, proposed legislation intended to establish comprehensive federal oversight for cryptocurrency markets.
The Cash FX enforcement action represents another addition to the expanding record of regulatory crackdowns on cryptocurrency-related investment fraud. The federal complaint continues to move through the court system following its initial filing.
The post Federal Regulators Target Cash FX Group in $950M Cryptocurrency Forex Fraud Case appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Highlights
Bitcoin price hovering around $83,800–$84,000 as of Friday’s close, showing modest daily decline but 8% weekly gain.
Spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US attracted $191 million Thursday, extending a six-day positive flow streak totaling $2.8 billion.
The five-day period from Sep. 21–25 saw Bitcoin ETF inflows reach $2.39 billion, with BlackRock’s IBIT dominating at $1.16 billion.
US Treasury yields crossing the 5.2% threshold are creating headwinds for Bitcoin price momentum.
Hester Peirce, SEC Commissioner, announces departure scheduled for Oct. 2, raising questions about future crypto oversight.
Bitcoin maintained its position around the $84,000 level as the week drew to a close. The digital asset has shown resilience despite shifting dynamics across broader financial markets.
Bitcoin (BTC) Price
Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds in the United States recorded $191 million in net inflows on Thursday. This represented the third consecutive day of declining entry volumes.
The deceleration came after an exceptionally robust week opening. Monday witnessed $999 million flowing into Bitcoin ETFs, representing 2026’s largest single-session inflow to date.
Thursday’s figure reflected an 81% decline from Monday’s high. Nevertheless, the six-session positive streak accumulated $2.8 billion in total inflows.
Five-Day Period Shows Consistent ETF Demand
Examining the complete trading week spanning Sep. 21–25, Bitcoin ETFs captured $2.39 billion in net new capital. Each trading session during this period recorded positive flows.
Bitcoin ETFs See $134M in Net Inflows, Ethereum ETFs Add $86.95M on Sept. 25 (ET)
According to SoSoValue, Bitcoin spot ETFs recorded $134 million in net inflows on September 25 (ET), marking seven consecutive days of inflows. BlackRock's IBIT led with $96.99 million, followed by… pic.twitter.com/VAXZc1gQPP
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) September 26, 2026
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) topped all competing products. The fund accumulated $1.16 billion across the five trading days.
Fidelity’s FBTC secured second position with $701.6 million in inflows. ARK 21Shares’ ARKB contributed $294.7 million, while Morgan Stanley’s MSBT gathered $203.3 million.
Ethereum ETFs similarly recorded positive movement. These products attracted $689.8 million throughout the week. Solana ETFs captured $188.1 million, with Friday contributing $86.7 million independently.
Bitcoin’s valuation crossed above $87,000 during the week’s early sessions. The cryptocurrency subsequently retreated toward $84,000 by Friday’s conclusion.
Market analyst Ted, operating under the handle @TedPillows, observed Bitcoin maintaining support above $84,000 currently. He emphasized the importance of a weekly closing price above $82,800, warning that failure could trigger a decline toward the $79,000 to $80,000 zone.
$BTC is holding above the $84,000 level for now.
A weekly close above $82,800 is needed; otherwise, Bitcoin could drop to $79,000-$80,000. pic.twitter.com/wAzd1HX6pX
— Ted (@TedPillows) September 26, 2026
Treasury Market Dynamics and Policy Shifts Create Challenges
Escalating government bond yields have created resistance for Bitcoin’s upward movement. The 10-year US Treasury yield surpassed 5.2% on Friday, reaching levels not observed since 2007.
Elevated yields enhance the appeal of fixed-income investments. This dynamic has redirected capital away from Bitcoin and comparable speculative assets.
Strategy, which maintains the largest corporate Bitcoin holdings, announced plans for daily dividend accruals across four preferred stock classes. The corporation indicated that increased payment frequency might enhance liquidity and investor interest in these instruments.
Regarding regulatory developments, SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce confirmed her departure from the commission effective Oct. 2. She played a pivotal role leading the SEC’s Crypto Task Force and contributed to frameworks governing staking mechanisms, token classification standards, and tokenized securities regulations.
Her resignation coincides with another legislative disappointment in the nation’s capital. The Senate could not advance the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act through procedural votes.
Summer Mersinger, CEO of the Blockchain Association, is also departing her position. Former leader Kristin Smith will assume interim CEO responsibilities.
Internationally, Germany unveiled proposed cryptocurrency taxation reforms. The framework would impose taxes on 50% of proceeds from crypto sales when investors cannot document acquisition costs, a provision Circle executive Patrick Hansen has publicly opposed.
At the time of reporting, Bitcoin changed hands at $83,807, registering a 0.3% decline over the previous 24 hours while maintaining approximately 8% gains over the past seven days, based on CoinGecko data.
The post Bitcoin (BTC) Holds Steady Near $84K as Institutional Demand Persists Despite Market Headwinds appeared first on Blockonomi.

Points clés
Bitget a révisé son évaluation de la faille de sécurité, augmentant le total des actifs compromis de 352 millions de dollars à 388 millions de dollars.
Des fonds supplémentaires volés ont été découverts sur les réseaux blockchain Zcash et TRON lors d’une analyse forensique approfondie.
La bourse prévoit une réouverture de retraits échelonnée à partir du 28 septembre, jusqu’au 2 octobre.
Les émetteurs de stablecoins Circle et Tether ont gelé environ 318 000 dollars liés à des portefeuilles de l’attaquant.
Le PDG Gracy Chen a indiqué qu’il existe une possibilité d’implication du groupe Lazarus de la Corée du Nord, sous réserve de vérification.

Résumé
Une équipe de recherche dirigée par Clara Shikheman a dévoilé une technique permettant d’effectuer des transactions Bitcoin confidentielles sans modifier le protocole de consensus du réseau.
L’approche combine des mécanismes de mélange rappelant Tornado Cash avec la cryptographie à preuves à connaissance nulle afin de dissimuler les parties et les montants des transactions.
Le fondateur de Starknet, Eli Ben-Sasson, a approuvé le concept, en le reliant aux recherches fondatrices de Zerocash qui ont finalement donné naissance à Zcash.
Robin Linus, un chercheur éminent, a averti que les méthodes cryptographiques sous-jacentes ne sont pas éprouvées et ne disposent pas de garanties de sécurité établies.

TLDR :
AlphaFi se retire d’AlphaLend après qu’un incident lié à un oracle ALPHA ait créé une dette sous-collatéralisée.
La Fondation Sui a couvert l’intégralité du déficit, maintenant AlphaFi solvable et protégeant les fonds des utilisateurs.
Les retraits restent ouverts, tandis que de nouveaux dépôts et prêts AlphaLend sont désormais suspendus.
Les outils de sécurité Sui ont aidé à détecter le problème et seront disponibles pour les protocoles DeFi plus tard.
AlphaFi ferme AlphaLend après qu’un incident lié à un oracle ALPHA ait créé une mauvaise dette à partir de prêts sous-collatéralisés.
La Fondation Sui a entièrement comblé le déficit, maintenant AlphaFi solvable et protégeant les fonds des utilisateurs. Les retraits restent ouverts, tandis que de nouveaux dépôts et prêts ont été suspendus.