News

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee has announced that crypto-linked prediction markets will undergo a risk review before the government proceeds with its basketball betting duty policy. According to NS3.AI, Lee highlighted a notable increase in trading volume within illegal gambling prediction markets that facilitate bets using cryptocurrencies. He emphasized that the decision to pause was influenced by factors beyond gambling concerns.

According to Odaily, SBF has written to New York Judge Lewis Kaplan, announcing the temporary withdrawal of his Rule 33 motion for a new trial. SBF stated that due to the need to focus on answering the judge's questions regarding whether his lawyers were involved in drafting the motion, and believing that he cannot receive a fair trial before this judge, he decided to withdraw the motion. He plans to reserve the right to resubmit the motion after his direct appeal and related request for judicial reassignment are adjudicated. Previously, SBF was sentenced to 25 years in prison for defrauding customers and investors. In his letter, he confirmed that the motion was primarily completed through his own independent legal research and drafting while in the Brooklyn prison, with his parents only providing editorial suggestions and assisting with printing.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has criticized Anthropic for employing fear-based marketing tactics to promote its Claude Mythos model. According to NS3.AI, Anthropic is currently offering the Mythos model exclusively to a select group of organizations. This decision follows testing that indicated the model's capability to identify software vulnerabilities and perform intricate cyber operations.

Binance Blog published a new article, revealing insights into the evolving role of stablecoins in global finance. The article highlights how stablecoins, initially designed as crypto-native settlement tools, are now emerging as a core layer in the financial ecosystem. Their ability to move value faster and with fewer dependencies than traditional payment systems positions them as a transformative force in global payments and programmable finance.

Stablecoins offer a structural advantage over legacy payment systems, which are often hindered by slow cross-border settlements and multiple intermediaries. By making value natively digital and transferable on shared rails, stablecoins can settle continuously and move across borders with fewer handoffs. This capability makes them more suitable for the realities of global payments, acting as a bridge between outdated systems and a modern, always-on financial network.

The article emphasizes that the next phase of stablecoin adoption will depend heavily on regulatory acceptance and the development of shared clearing and settlement infrastructure. As regulatory standards mature, stablecoins are expected to become a foundational layer for global payments, clearing, and programmable finance. The emergence of tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) further expands participation by bringing financial assets on-chain without altering their risk profiles. This transformation allows individual participants to access transparent, auditable collateral globally, supporting a broader range of high-quality, yield-generating assets.

Regulatory clarity since 2023 has enabled banks and institutions to adopt blockchain-based systems, facilitating the transition of existing financial activities onto more efficient rails. However, this shift has exposed limitations in first-generation stablecoins, prompting the creation of new architectures designed for regulated balance sheets and institutional use at scale. Key developments include on-chain collateral in the form of tokenized RWAs and the separation of yield from principal, enabling stablecoin systems to operate as monetary infrastructure.

Interoperability is identified as a crucial factor for the success of stablecoins in global finance. Users should be able to move value seamlessly across systems without needing to understand the complexities of blockchains or liquidity mechanics. The article concludes that stablecoins are on track to become a foundational layer of global finance, solving the structural mismatch between legacy rails and a digital economy that is inherently global. As regulatory frameworks continue to mature and infrastructure becomes more interoperable, stablecoins are transitioning from niche crypto tools to essential components of how value moves globally.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee addressed the media before attending an executive meeting, discussing the suspension of the basketball betting tax. According to Odaily, Lee stated that the Youth Affairs Bureau needs to regularly review the situation and manage risks before continuing with the basketball betting tax policy, considering it an appropriate action.

Lee emphasized that the suspension is not solely due to gambling but is also related to virtual currencies. The Hong Kong government has observed a significant increase in illegal gambling 'prediction market' transactions, which are facilitated by cryptocurrency betting. Therefore, the policy should not be advanced blindly.

Investment bank TD Cowen has highlighted several obstacles that could delay the legislative process of the CLARITY Act. According to Odaily, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission is currently understaffed, with only one commissioner in place, making it difficult for Congress to entrust more crypto regulatory responsibilities to the agency. Filling these positions could take months.

Additionally, the issue of prediction markets is gaining attention. The decision on whether to include them in the bill's regulations, along with concerns about insider trading and political conflicts of interest, including controversies related to projects associated with U.S. President Donald Trump, may lead some Democratic lawmakers to oppose the bill.

The ongoing controversy surrounding the Trump family's crypto project, World Liberty Financial, is also increasing the political sensitivity of the bill, making bipartisan consensus harder to achieve.

Geopolitical factors are also at play, with discussions about Iran potentially using crypto payments intensifying focus on anti-money laundering provisions, which could lead to amendments unfavorable to the industry.

Furthermore, some lawmakers are attempting to incorporate the Credit Card Competition Act into the legislation, which could spark new conflicts of interest and further hinder the overall legislative process.

Thailand's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is inviting public feedback on proposed regulatory changes that would permit licensed digital asset businesses to directly apply for derivatives licenses. According to Cointelegraph, this move aims to eliminate the need for these businesses to establish separate entities, thereby streamlining the process.The proposed amendments are designed to build upon previous changes that recognized digital assets as eligible underlying assets for futures contracts. This expansion of Thailand's derivatives market seeks to introduce additional measures to manage conflicts of interest and enhance regulatory oversight. The SEC's initiative could lower entry barriers for crypto companies by allowing them to apply for licenses within their existing structures, while simultaneously bringing these activities under stricter regulatory scrutiny.The regulator has stated that the changes are intended to provide investors with more tools for hedging and portfolio management. Additionally, the proposal aims to align the standards for derivatives exchanges and clearing houses with international practices. The public consultation period for these proposed changes is open until May 20, with feedback from industry participants expected to shape the final regulatory framework.  

Pyth Network has announced plans to revamp its infrastructure and token economics. According to NS3.AI, the PYTH Reserve has repurchased approximately 12 million PYTH using protocol revenue. The current Pythnet will be gradually phased out by 2026 as the focus shifts to developing the next-generation network, Lazer. Additionally, the OIS staking reward mechanism will be discontinued by setting parameter Y to 0, although the security slashing mechanism will continue to be enforced.

Pyth Network has announced that the Pythnet application chain will be officially retired in late 2026, following the approval of the OP-PIP-100 proposal. According to Foresight News, the OP-PIP-103 proposal sets the Oracle Integrity Staking (OIS) reward distribution rate parameter to zero, marking the end of the OIS reward mechanism, which began in late 2024 and attracted approximately 1 billion PYTH in staking.

Pyth Network stated that the OIS staking and penalty mechanisms remain effective, allowing current stakers to unstake and withdraw at any time. Moving forward, the network will focus on Lazer, Pyth Pro, and the data marketplace as its core infrastructure. Since its inception, the PYTH reserve has acquired about 12 million PYTH through the open market.

The White House National Economic Council Director, Kevin Hassett, has expressed support for Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's plan to remain in his position temporarily if his successor is not confirmed by the Senate when his term ends in May. According to Odaily, Hassett stated on Wednesday that this is an appropriate legal understanding. U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated Kevin Warsh to succeed Powell, but Republicans currently lack the votes to advance the nomination from the Senate Banking Committee to a full Senate confirmation vote. Republican Senator Thom Tillis has indicated he will delay the vote until the Department of Justice halts what he describes as a 'false' investigation into cost overruns on the Federal Reserve building renovation project. Hassett expressed confidence in Warsh, stating, 'We are very confident he will become chairman at the appropriate time. I believe there will be discussions on how to proceed.'

BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has reached a new milestone, holding 806,700 BTC valued at approximately $63.7 billion. According to BeInCrypto citing Lookonchain, this achievement comes after nine consecutive trading days of net inflows, positioning IBIT with around 49% of U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF assets. Over the past four weeks, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs have seen positive net inflows totaling about $2 billion, with IBIT contributing approximately $1.7 billion to this figure.

Berenberg Bank has noted that the UK's Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) showed unexpected strength, indicating that the UK economy may maintain some growth momentum in the second quarter. According to Jin10, this development suggests that the Bank of England might need to raise interest rates to combat inflation. If further evidence from the Bank of England's decision-making panel confirms pressure on wage increases, it could prompt a rate hike action next week.

On April 23, Berenberg Bank reported that weak PMI data from the Eurozone indicates a temporary halt in economic growth due to the ongoing conflict in Iran. According to Jin10, the composite PMI fell from 50.7 to 48.6 in April, marking the lowest level since November 2024. Inflation-induced uncertainty and reduced consumer purchasing power have particularly impacted the services sector. While the manufacturing PMI appears stable, the positive momentum is primarily driven by advance orders anticipating future supply bottlenecks. Additionally, longer delivery times have inflated the PMI, as they typically suggest high demand. However, these circumstances are currently attributed to supply shocks, making them unfavorable rather than beneficial.

According to Odaily, data from SoSoValue indicates that on April 22, Eastern Time, the XRP spot ETF experienced a net inflow of $2.421 million in a single day. The Bitwise XRP ETF was the sole contributor to this inflow, bringing its historical total net inflow to $419 million.

As of the time of reporting, the total net asset value of the XRP spot ETF stands at $1.088 billion, with an XRP net asset ratio of 1.23%. The cumulative historical net inflow has reached $1.28 billion.

Meta Platforms has announced the formation of a new Artificial Intelligence Well-being Advisory Board. According to Jin10, the board's members will provide expert guidance as the company develops valuable and age-appropriate AI experiences for teenagers. This initiative aims to ensure that AI technologies are designed with the well-being of young users in mind.

Ripple has announced that Swell 2026 will be held in New York from October 27 to 29, marking the first time XRPL Apex will be included in the program. According to NS3.AI, the event aims to bring together industry leaders and innovators to discuss advancements in blockchain technology. Ripple has opened speaker applications as of April 14, and registration for the event is now available.

Bitcoin's value decreased by 0.7% since midnight UTC, reaching $77,600 on Thursday after struggling to surpass the $80,000 mark. According to NS3.AI, this decline comes as oil prices increased by 1.5%, reaching $103 per barrel, following reports of the U.S. seizing three Iranian tankers in Asian waters. Meanwhile, Ether also saw a decline, dropping 2.5% to $2,320.

Ethereum's price fluctuations are poised to impact liquidation levels significantly. According to ChainCatcher, data from Coinglass indicates that if Ethereum surpasses $2,426, the cumulative short liquidation intensity across major centralized exchanges could reach $1.056 billion. Conversely, if Ethereum falls below $2,218, the cumulative long liquidation intensity could amount to $365 million.

On April 23, Jin10 reported that Capital Economics noted the preliminary PMI survey for April in the UK indicates higher-than-expected cost pressures faced by businesses. This aligns with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) peaking at approximately 5.0%. According to Jin10, the PMI data suggests stronger-than-expected economic performance, with the composite PMI rising to 52.0 in April from 50.3 in March. This may cause some Bank of England policymakers to be more concerned about the risks of high inflation rather than the risks of slowing economic growth. However, the strong PMI might reflect pre-war momentum and stockpiling behavior, suggesting that future economic activity could still weaken.

The U.S. Treasury has conducted a significant buyback of $15 billion in previously issued government bonds, marking the largest such transaction in the history of U.S. bond buybacks. According to ChainCatcher, this move was reported by CoinDesk and highlights the Treasury's strategic financial maneuvers in managing national debt.

Axe Compute Inc. (NASDAQ: AGPU), a Nasdaq-listed company, announced today the signing of a 36-month AI infrastructure contract with an enterprise client, valued at approximately $260 million. According to Odaily, the deployment includes 2,304 NVIDIA B300 GPU dedicated clusters and a high-speed AI storage system, expected to go live in a U.S. Tier 3 data center by the third quarter of 2026. This marks the largest single enterprise contract in Axe Compute's history.

The underlying computing infrastructure for Axe Compute is supported by Aethir's decentralized GPU cloud. The contract includes a dedicated 4.8 MW N+1 redundant power supply, with the deployment location and service standards specified by the client, utilizing a structured payment arrangement.

Daniel Wang, co-founder and CEO of Aethir, stated that the contract is the result of months of deep collaboration between the two teams. "The enterprise-level workload supported by 2,304 NVIDIA B300 GPUs is exactly the scale we aimed for when building Aethir's computing infrastructure. Today's announcement demonstrates that decentralized GPU infrastructure is capable of handling AI workloads for top global enterprises."

Following the announcement, Axe Compute's stock (NASDAQ: AGPU) experienced significant volatility, with an intraday peak increase of over 166%, reaching $14.47. The day's trading volume exceeded the three-month daily average by more than a hundredfold.

Garrett Jin, an agent for '1011 Insider Whale,' stated that the current market is pricing in 'peace expectations,' which is driving up risk assets. According to Odaily, this trend is diverging from the supply and demand situation in the energy market.

Jin highlighted that while the S&P 500 Index has reached an all-time high, Brent crude oil prices have rebounded to approximately $103. Previously, hedge funds had significantly shorted oil, with Goldman Sachs data showing a short-to-long ratio of 7.6:1 at one point. The market's current rise relies on conditions such as the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a drop in oil prices, decreased inflation, and Federal Reserve rate cuts, none of which have been realized. The gap between forward earnings expectations and actual earnings has risen to its highest level since 2021.

Binance Wallet announced on X the launch of a new feature allowing users to manage multiple wallets more efficiently through Private Key Bulk Import on the Binance Wallet Extension. This update enables users to import multiple private keys simultaneously with a single paste, streamlining the process significantly.

To utilize this feature, users must first log in to the Binance Wallet Extension. Once logged in, they should navigate to 'My Wallet' and select 'Add Wallet.' From there, users can choose 'Import private key wallet' and then opt for 'Bulk import private key.' This process allows for the quick and easy importation of multiple private keys, enhancing the user experience by reducing the time and effort required to manage multiple wallets.

It is important for users to ensure their wallet extension is updated to version 1.13.0 or above to access this new functionality. The update is designed to improve the efficiency of wallet management, providing users with a more streamlined approach to handling their digital assets. This development reflects Binance Wallet's ongoing commitment to enhancing user experience and functionality within its platform.

Shareholders of a UK-based Bitcoin accumulator are urging the company to sell all its cryptocurrency holdings and cease operations. Bloomberg posted on X, highlighting the growing pressure from investors who are concerned about the current market conditions and the future prospects of the cryptocurrency sector. The shareholders believe that liquidating the Bitcoin assets could be a prudent move given the volatility and uncertainties surrounding the digital currency market. This development reflects a broader trend of caution among investors in the cryptocurrency space, as they navigate the challenges posed by fluctuating prices and regulatory changes.

The International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Middle East Director, Jihad Azour, expressed confidence in the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) ability to withstand economic shocks stemming from the ongoing conflict in Iran. Bloomberg posted on X that Azour conveyed this assurance during an interview with @joumannatv. This statement comes in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement that a currency swap with the UAE is being considered. The potential currency swap aims to bolster economic stability in the region amid escalating tensions. Azour emphasized the UAE's robust economic framework, which he believes positions the nation to effectively manage external economic pressures. The IMF's support underscores the strategic importance of the UAE in maintaining regional economic stability.

Bitcoin options traders are preparing for a potential move toward $80,000 as $8.6 billion in contracts are set to expire on Friday. According to NS3.AI, analysts Nathan Batchelor and Antoine Lours have observed that aggressive hedging and increased demand for later-dated puts indicate a lack of confidence among traders in a sustained rally.

According to the announcement from Binance, Tether Gold (XAUt) will be integrated into Binance's Dual Investment platform starting from 2026-04-23 at 09:00 (UTC). This addition allows users to earn extra rewards through the XAUt strategy. The supported token pairs for this initiative include XAUt-USDT and XAUt-USDC, with subscription options available in XAUt, USDT, or USDC. Multiple target prices are offered, and the settlement occurs at 08:00 (UTC) each workday. The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for this investment is set at 3.65% or higher.

Tether Gold (XAUt) is designed to merge the advantages of physical and digital assets, enabling holders to possess physical gold in the form of a digital token. This innovative product aims to provide users with a unique opportunity to diversify their investment portfolios by combining traditional and modern asset forms. The integration of XAUt into Binance's Dual Investment platform reflects the company's commitment to expanding its offerings and providing users with more options for managing their digital assets.

USDC, another token involved in this initiative, is an e-money token issued by Circle Internet Financial Europe SAS. Holders of USDC have a legal claim against Circle SAS, the EU issuer, and can request redemption of their USDC at any time at par value. This feature ensures that users have a reliable and secure option for managing their digital currency holdings. The introduction of Tether Gold (XAUt) into Binance's Dual Investment platform is expected to enhance the trading and investment experience for users, offering them new strategies to earn interest and trade more effectively.

U.S. software stocks experienced a decline in pre-market trading after IBM reported weak earnings. According to Jin10, Microsoft shares fell by 1.5%, Adobe saw a decrease of 2.1%, and CrowdStrike dropped by 2.4%.

On April 23, PMI survey results indicated that a growing number of UK businesses are reporting rising costs, marking a historic increase. According to Jin10, this trend suggests higher inflation in the future as the impact of the Iran war spreads across the economy. The composite PMI input price index saw its largest increase in 28 years, reaching its highest level since double-digit inflation emerged at the end of 2022. This survey may heighten concerns for the Bank of England that significant energy price hikes could lead to broader inflation expectations. However, the extent to which deteriorating labor market conditions can mitigate these effects remains a critical question.

Spark announced on the X platform that the total staking volume of its native token, SPK, has exceeded 500 million, reaching 509,969,466 tokens. According to ChainCatcher, users can participate in the fourth season of the Spark Points Program by staking SPK and earn reward points.

Previously, due to a security incident involving rsETH, there was a continuous outflow of funds from Aave. Spark has absorbed some of the funds withdrawn by large investors and institutions from Aave.

Approximately one minute ago, Whale Alert detected the freezing of a Tron blockchain address holding 212,922,653 USDT. According to Odaily, shortly thereafter, another Tron address containing 131,288,800 USDT was also frozen.

Hong Kong's digital bank, Airstar Bank, has announced a rebranding and service upgrade, changing its name to EleBank. According to Foresight News, starting April 23, 2026, the bank's official English name will be changed from "Airstar Bank Limited" to "Ele Bank Limited."

Yang Haipo has expressed concerns about Bitcoin's current trillion-dollar market capitalization, predicting a collapse and suggesting the crypto industry is approaching an inevitable endgame. According to NS3.AI, Yang Haipo highlighted that ETFs and DAT represent the final capital injections into the market. He noted that the industry continues to lose tens of billions of dollars annually as the buyer base diminishes and funding channels become increasingly restricted.

Ledger's Chief Technology Officer, Charles Guillemet, has highlighted that the development of post-quantum cryptography is at a critical juncture. According to Odaily, while the timeline for practical quantum computers remains uncertain, the transition of the entire industry's encryption systems is inevitable. Under the leadership of NIST, traditional sectors plan to phase out high-risk algorithms by 2030 and completely prohibit them by 2035, with government and corporate institutions expected to complete migration plans by 2029.

Encryption and key exchange will utilize ML-KEM to resist quantum decryption attacks on stored data, with digital signatures becoming central to blockchain transformation. Traditional industries favor the ML-DSA hybrid approach, while blockchain prefers the secure and stable SLH-DSA hash signature. Both solutions have their advantages and disadvantages, and the compatibility challenges between post-quantum algorithms and MPC or threshold signatures remain critical risks that the industry needs to address.

Alibaba Cloud has introduced a new enterprise-level intelligent platform named JVS Crew. According to ChainCatcher, the platform is designed with the concept of 'integration,' allowing businesses to seamlessly embed it into existing applications, SaaS services, or smart hardware. This enables companies to quickly access production-grade AI agent capabilities without barriers.

JVS Crew handles 80% of platform-level tasks such as multi-tenant isolation, security compliance, cost accounting, and channel access. It utilizes built-in atomic APIs and SDKs to enhance existing products with intelligent capabilities, facilitating a transition from individual to mass production. The platform is now available on Alibaba Cloud's official website, where enterprise users and developers can explore product details and apply for testing.

India's central bank has reported that inflation is currently within its acceptable range. According to Jin10, the bank noted that supply-side disruptions have increased the upward risks to inflation. The central bank continues to monitor these developments closely to ensure economic stability.

Bloomberg posted on X that a comprehensive 1,200-year data set on the blooming of cherry trees in Japan provides undeniable evidence of climate change. The data reveals a trend of earlier blooming dates, which aligns with global warming patterns observed worldwide. Experts suggest that these changes in natural cycles are a clear indicator of the impact of rising temperatures on ecosystems. The historical records, meticulously maintained over centuries, highlight the significance of long-term data in understanding climate dynamics. This phenomenon underscores the urgent need for addressing climate change to preserve natural heritage and biodiversity.

Former Jump Trading senior quantitative researcher Yiming Zhang has secured startup funding from hedge fund giant Millennium Management, according to Odaily. Zhang, who worked at Jump for 17 years and was a key member of the core strategy team, will operate as an external manager once his non-compete clause expires. Industry experts note that Millennium Management has been expanding its reach in recent years by financially supporting external teams, establishing itself as a significant incubator in the hedge fund sector.

Sooth Labs, an AI prediction laboratory founded by former Meta executives and Carnegie Mellon University professors, is completing a $50 million funding round at a valuation of $335 million. According to Odaily, the funding is led by Felicis Ventures, with participation from Yann LeCun and Jeff Dean. Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth serves as an advisor to the company. Sooth Labs specializes in multimodal AI event probability predictions, catering to sectors such as finance, defense, and insurance. The company has already provided probability forecasts for events like WHO pandemics and the public listing of Anthropic.

A recent monitoring by Odaily Seer indicates that on Polymarket, the probability of SpaceX acquiring Cursor stands at 74%. According to Odaily, the contract stipulates that if Cursor is officially announced to be acquired or merged with SpaceX by December 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time, the market decision will be 'Yes'. Otherwise, it will be 'No'. The conditions apply to mergers or acquisitions involving Cursor or its parent company with SpaceX or its parent company, Space Exploration Technologies Corp. The decision will be 'Yes' if an announcement is made within the market's timeframe, regardless of whether the acquisition or merger actually occurs. Partial sale announcements may also qualify if the acquiring company gains controlling interest, defined as a change in ownership sufficient to control strategic decisions, typically over 50% of equity or equivalent control through voting and governance rights. Transactions or investments that do not result in a transfer of controlling interest do not meet the criteria. The primary sources for market decisions will be official information from Cursor and SpaceX, though consensus from credible reports may also be used.