Blockonomi

TLDR:
Bitcoin trades near $63,038, about 19% below the $77,500 level seen when David Tait’s zero call emerged.
Citi cut its 12-month Bitcoin target to $82,000 from $112,000, while its bearish case now sits at $53,000.
Standard Chartered and TD Cowen both cut 2026 Bitcoin targets to $100,000 from $150,000 and $140,000.
Gold topped $4,400 an ounce as central-bank Q2 purchases rose 62% year over year to a net 289 tonnes.
Bitcoin’s fall toward $63,000 has revived scrutiny of one of 2026’s most extreme cryptocurrency forecasts. World Gold Council CEO David Tait said in May that he believed Bitcoin would eventually fall to zero.
CONTROVERSIAL TAKE: The World Gold Council CEO Personally Believes Bitcoin Is Headed To $0
That’s a VERY different view from the growing institutional adoption we’re seeing around $BTC.
Is Bitcoin Really Going To Zero… Or Will This Prediction Age Very Badly? pic.twitter.com/5SqdnWNKoT
— Crypto Patel (@CryptoPatel) August 16, 2026
At the time, Bitcoin traded near $77,500, placing the latest price around 19% below levels seen when his comments circulated. The decline gives his broader criticism fresh relevance, although the asset remains far from a literal collapse to zero.
World Gold Council’s Zero Call Meets Bitcoin’s $63K Reality
Tait’s argument was not based on a formal valuation model. Instead, he described the zero call as a trader’s instinct and questioned Bitcoin’s effectiveness as a hedge.
He said he had expected the asset to offset exposure to riskier investments. However, he argued that it had not consistently performed that role during market stress.
That criticism has become more significant as digital assets move deeper into traditional finance. A 2025 study found Bitcoin’s correlation with the S&P 500 increased after U.S. spot ETFs launched.
Meanwhile, its relationship with gold remained near zero. The finding suggested the asset was behaving more like a risk-sensitive financial instrument than a direct bullion substitute.
Gold, on the contrary, has strengthened during the same period. Spot bullion traded above $4,400 an ounce this week, while central banks bought a net 289 tonnes during Q2.
World Gold Council data showed those purchases increased 62% from a year earlier. First-half gold demand reached 2,522 tonnes, carrying a record value of $380 billion.
The contrast does not validate Tait’s zero forecast. Still, it highlights the different market behavior he emphasized when comparing digital assets with traditional defensive holdings.
Wall Street Cuts Bitcoin Targets as $63K Holds
The current price also challenges earlier institutional forecasts. Citi cut its 12-month Bitcoin target to $82,000 from $112,000 in July.
The bank cited negative ETF flows, softer investor demand and slower progress on U.S. crypto legislation. Its bearish scenario placed the asset at $53,000.
Standard Chartered also lowered expectations, targeting about $100,000 by the end of 2026 after previously projecting $150,000. Similarly, TD Cowen reduced its year-end target to $100,000 from $140,000.
Those revisions put the current market between two very different extremes. Tait’s zero call remains distant, while several aggressive six-figure projections have already been scaled back.
Institutional access has also remained available despite weaker prices. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust still offers regulated exposure, although its NAV return was down 27.57% year to date.
As of August 13, the fund’s performance reflected the wider downturn. More recently, Bitcoin has traded largely between $62,000 and $66,000 for several weeks.
ETF buying has competed with selling from miners and corporate holders. That balance has kept the market compressed near levels well below earlier cycle forecasts.
At roughly $63,038, Bitcoin therefore serves as a reality check for both sides. The asset is down materially since May, but nowhere near confirming a zero-price outcome.
For now, the strongest conclusion is numerical rather than ideological. The market has weakened enough to challenge bullish targets, yet not remotely enough to validate Tait’s most extreme prediction.
The post World Gold Council’s Bitcoin ‘Zero’ Call Faces a $63K Reality Check appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR:
Payward’s Q2 adjusted revenue rose 17% year over year to $508M even as platform volume fell 18% to $310B.
Adjusted EBITDA dropped to $23M from about $80M a year earlier, cutting Payward’s margin to roughly 4.5%.
Kraken funded accounts climbed 42% year over year to 6.6M, while assets held on the platform stayed near $40B.
Asset-based and other revenue reached 60% of Q2 revenue, up from 55% a year earlier as Payward diversified.
Kraken parent Payward posted $508 million in adjusted revenue for the second quarter of 2026, even as platform transaction volume fell 18% year over year. Revenue rose 17% from roughly $433 million in Q2 2025 and was almost unchanged from the $507 million recorded during the first quarter.
However, profitability weakened sharply as adjusted EBITDA dropped to $23 million from about $80 million a year earlier. That left the Q2 adjusted EBITDA margin near 4.5%, compared with roughly 18% during the same period in 2025.
Kraken Parent Payward Reports $508M Q2 Revenue as Adjusted EBITDA Falls to $23M
Payward, the parent company of Kraken, reported Q2 adjusted revenue of $508 million, up 17% year over year, while adjusted EBITDA fell to $23 million from about $80 million a year earlier. Total… pic.twitter.com/hOcOt5zCmP
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) August 16, 2026
Sequentially, EBITDA improved from $18 million in Q1, showing a modest quarterly recovery despite the much larger year-over-year decline. The figures show a business generating more revenue from a broader product mix while lower trading activity and expansion costs continue pressuring earnings.
Payward Revenue Rises 17% as Q2 Trading Volume Falls 18%
While revenue increased, total platform transaction volume declined to $310 billion during Q2. That represented an 18% year-over-year drop and a roughly 13% decline from $357 billion in the first quarter.
Despite the weaker trading environment, Kraken said its crypto spot market share increased for a third consecutive quarter. At the same time, activity across traditional futures, equities and tokenized equities expanded, while futures Daily Average Revenue Trades rose 8% year over year.
Customer growth also remained strong despite the decline in transaction volume. Funded accounts reached 6.6 million, representing a 42% increase from a year earlier and rising from 6.1 million at the end of Q1.
Meanwhile, assets held on the platform remained near $40 billion despite weaker market conditions and lower trading activity. Payward also reported $65 billion in “Real Assets on Platform,” which measures customer flows while holding asset prices constant.
That figure increased 48% year over year. As a result, the data showed that underlying customer asset flows continued growing even as market prices softened and trading intensity declined.
Kraken Expands Revenue Mix as Funded Accounts Reach 6.6M
The quarter also showed a clear change in where revenue is coming from. Asset-based and other revenue represented 60% of total revenue in Q2, compared with 55% one year earlier.
That means most revenue now comes from assets and services rather than transaction-based activity. Payward has expanded beyond spot crypto trading through derivatives, equities, tokenized assets, payments and financial infrastructure.
The company acquired NinjaTrader in 2025 and completed its acquisition of Bitnomial on May 1, 2026. That deal added a CFTC-regulated U.S. derivatives stack covering brokerage, exchange and clearing infrastructure.
The group has also expanded xStocks and developed Payward Services for trading, payments and tokenized-asset infrastructure. Its DeFi Earn Bitcoin Vault had attracted approximately $400 million in deposits by the time of the Q2 update.
Meanwhile, Payward’s public-listing plans remained delayed after its confidential U.S. IPO filing in November 2025. The company had been valued at $20 billion before reports in March said the listing was put on hold.
For Q2, the central contrast was clear: revenue and funded accounts grew, while platform trading volume and EBITDA remained well below last year’s levels.
The post Kraken Parent Payward Revenue Hits $508M as Q2 Trading Volume Falls 18% appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR:
Grayscale sees Ethereum supply growth falling to 0.4% by 2031, below gold’s estimated 1.8% annual rate.
Solana supply growth could slow to 1.1% by 2031 if SIMD-0550 and SIMD-0553 secure governance approval.
EIP-8363 could cut Ethereum net consensus yield from 2.6% to 1.2% near the current 33% staking ratio.
Solana’s faster disinflation model could reduce emissions by 18.9 million SOL over the next six years.
Ethereum and Solana could enter a markedly tighter supply era by 2031 if proposed tokenomics reforms move from draft status into active network policy. Grayscale Research estimates annual supply growth could fall to about 0.4% for Ether and 1.1% for SOL under its modeled assumptions.
Ethereum and Solana could get much scarcer over time, per Grayscale.
$ETH supply growth: ~0.4% by 2031
$SOL supply growth: ~1.1%
Both could fall below gold’s ~1.8% supply growth. pic.twitter.com/PUJFaOzuki
— CryptosRus (@CryptosR_Us) August 16, 2026
Those rates would sit below the roughly 1.8% annual expansion of above-ground gold stocks, according to the World Gold Council figure cited by Grayscale. However, the projections depend on immediate implementation, steady network activity, and an Ethereum staking ratio remaining near one-third of circulating supply.
Ethereum and Solana Could Undercut Gold’s Supply Growth
The Ethereum proposal is registered as EIP-8363, “Tapered Issuance Burn,” although Grayscale’s chart uses its earlier EIP-8361 designation. The proposal would burn a larger share of validator consensus rewards as more ETH becomes staked across the network.
Around 42 million ETH, equal to roughly 34% of supply, is currently staked, while staking APR stands near 2.6%. Under EIP-8363, the reward burn would increase with staking participation and reach 100% once the staking ratio reaches 50%.
Applying the permanent curve immediately at roughly 33% staking would reduce net consensus yield from about 2.6% to 1.2%. Therefore, the proposal includes an 18-month transition intended to reduce the abrupt impact on validator economics.
Lower issuance would also reduce dilution for holders who do not stake their ETH. Still, the proposal remains a draft, so Grayscale’s 0.4% estimate describes a modeled outcome rather than approved monetary policy.
Tokenomics Reforms Would Cut Issuance and Staking Yields
A similar effort to tighten token supply is taking shape on Solana, where two proposals target issuance through different mechanisms. First, SIMD-0550 would double annual disinflation from 15% to 30%, accelerating the network’s path toward lower supply growth.
That change would move SOL toward its existing 1.5% terminal inflation rate by the first half of 2029 instead of 2032. Helius estimates the proposal would reduce emissions by 18.9 million SOL over six years.
The same modeling shows nominal staking yields falling from 5.84% today to 4.34% after one year and 2.25% after three years. Meanwhile, SIMD-0553 would redesign transaction fees and increase the amount of SOL permanently removed from circulation.
The draft would replace Solana’s flat 5,000-lamport signature fee with a 2,500-lamport inclusion fee paid to block leaders. In addition, it would introduce a separate resource-based fee that would be burned entirely, further increasing the amount of SOL removed from circulation.
Currently, Solana burns about 648 SOL daily while issuing roughly 60,000 SOL each day. However, under the proposed terminal resource-fee rate, estimates cited by Solana Compass suggest daily burns could rise substantially to between 7,500 and 9,000 SOL.
Together, these changes could materially alter Solana’s supply trajectory. Both proposals are already in formal governance, with voting scheduled to close on August 18. If approved, their combined effect could push annual supply growth toward Grayscale’s estimated 1.1% by 2031.
Even so, the comparison with gold reflects a measurable change in issuance rather than a guaranteed price outcome. Ultimately, supply growth remains only one factor, alongside network activity, fee generation, staking participation, and validator economics.
The post Ethereum and Solana Supply Growth Could Fall Below Gold by 2031, Grayscale Says appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR:
Algorand v5.0.0 reached 90% node support, clearing the upgrade for activation after its cooldown period.
Native Falcon-1024 accounts give Algorand protocol-level support for post-quantum signatures.
AVM v13 expands smart contracts with larger sizes, new opcodes and cross-app box storage support.
A new per-byte fee model targets larger transactions while keeping standard transfer fees unchanged.
Algorand v5.0.0 has reached 90% node support, clearing the upgrade for activation after its cooldown period.
The protocol change marks Algorand’s largest upgrade since staking rewards launched in January 2025. It introduces native post-quantum accounts alongside expanded smart contract capabilities and a flexible fee model.
The upgrade also moves Algorand closer to a protocol designed to adapt as cryptographic standards evolve.
Algorand v5.0.0 Brings Post-Quantum Accounts to Mainnet
The Algorand team confirmed the 90% support threshold in a post on X. The upgrade will activate once the required cooldown period ends, with mainnet deployment expected soon.
Algorand v5.0.0 has reached 90% support and will now activate after the cooldown period.
This is the biggest upgrade since staking rewards, bringing native post-quantum accounts, more powerful smart contracts, and a more flexible fee model.
Thank you to all the node runners. pic.twitter.com/7hpxpfvJ3b
— Algorand (@Algorand) August 15, 2026
Algorand v5.0.0 introduces native Falcon-1024 accounts for post-quantum signatures. The change moves quantum-resistant account support directly into the protocol rather than limiting it to application-level tools.
The upgrade also introduces AVM v13, expanding smart contract sizes and adding new functionality. New opcodes include poseidon2, while cross-application box storage support expands how applications can manage data.
Algorand has already developed post-quantum infrastructure through earlier network upgrades and account implementations. According to X user Marco Salzmann, v5.0.0 shifts that effort toward broader cryptographic agility across the protocol.
Algorand Upgrade Expands Smart Contracts and Fee Model
The new release adds a per-byte fee model for larger transactions and computationally heavier operations. Standard transfers will not face the same fee changes under the new structure.
The model gives Algorand more flexibility when transactions require greater storage or computational resources. It also creates a mechanism for fees to reflect transaction size without changing ordinary transfer costs.
Algorand community member Alex, known as france.algo on X, said thousands of node runners upgraded within days. His post described v5.0.0 as one of the network’s largest protocol upgrades.
Algorand v5.0 has now passed!
One of the biggest protocol upgrades yet, set to hit mainnet in about a week!
Huge shoutout to the @Algorand protocol team + THOUSANDS of node runners who upgraded in just a few days!
Awesome to see, $ALGO has the BEST community!! pic.twitter.com/yueNMgp6Cj
— Ⱥlex | france.algo (@algerstmehn) August 16, 2026
Salzmann also outlined a broader roadmap involving hybrid accounts, post-quantum multisig and additional Falcon research. The roadmap includes further work on post-quantum verifiable random functions and consensus mechanisms.
The post Algorand v5.0.0 Clears 90% Support as Post-Quantum Upgrade Nears Mainnet appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Highlights
The chip giant unveiled an initiative to channel up to $500 billion toward AI infrastructure through partnerships with Apollo, BlackRock, Goldman Sachs, and three other major institutions.
Morgan Stanley maintained its Overweight rating with a $288 price target, identifying Nvidia as its preferred semiconductor investment.
Morgan Stanley projects that a 35% revenue-sharing arrangement beyond breakeven levels could boost Nvidia’s fiscal 2029 earnings per share by over 10%.
The company delivered first-quarter revenue of $81.61 billion, representing an 85.2% year-over-year surge and surpassing the $78.42 billion consensus forecast.
Wall Street maintains a “Buy” consensus with an average price target of $305.94; shares opened Friday trading at $225.16.
The semiconductor leader has unveiled an ambitious strategy to facilitate as much as $500 billion in AI infrastructure financing. Through collaboration with six major financial institutions, the company aims to establish independent platforms dedicated to funding AI computing facilities.
NVDA opened at $225.16 on Friday, with a 52-week range of $164.07 to $236.54. The company carries a market cap of $5.45 trillion.
The partnership roster features Apollo, BlackRock, Brookfield, and Goldman Sachs. Each participating institution will evaluate financing opportunities independently. Nvidia has indicated it may contribute residual backing of up to 25% for specific projects.
Analysts at Morgan Stanley characterized the third-party framework as strategically advantageous. It alleviates worries about demand generation through self-financing while creating fresh revenue-sharing possibilities for the semiconductor manufacturer.
According to Morgan Stanley’s calculations, securing a 35% revenue split on profits exceeding breakeven thresholds could potentially lift Nvidia’s earnings per share for fiscal 2029 by more than 10%. This projection hinges on GPU pricing dynamics and deployment velocity.
Morgan Stanley kept its Overweight rating and $288 price target. It named Nvidia its top semiconductor pick.
Widespread Analyst Optimism
Major financial institutions have rallied behind the stock. JPMorgan elevated its price target from $265 to $280 while maintaining an Overweight stance. Bank of America lifted its forecast from $320 to $350 with a Buy rating. Benchmark established a $335 target, increased from $250. Truist adjusted its projection upward to $307 from $287.
The Street consensus stands at “Buy” with an average price target of $305.94. Among analysts monitored by MarketBeat, 48 maintain Buy ratings, three hold Strong Buy designations, and two recommend Hold.
UBS has expressed optimism ahead of the upcoming earnings release, projecting that Nvidia could exceed its fiscal second-quarter revenue guidance of $91 billion by multiple billion dollars as GB300 demand accelerates.
The company’s most recent quarterly results revealed first-quarter revenue reaching $81.61 billion, climbing 85.2% compared to the prior year. Earnings per share registered at $1.87, topping the $1.76 Street estimate. Management also greenlit an $80 billion stock buyback authorization and increased the quarterly dividend to $0.25 from $0.01.
Potential Headwinds Remain
Skepticism persists in certain quarters. Detractors including Michael Burry have highlighted concerns about circular financing dynamics if purchasers depend substantially on debt to acquire Nvidia’s hardware.
Morgan Stanley also acknowledged inherent risks, noting increased credit exposure and potentially elevated leverage throughout the AI infrastructure landscape. The $500 billion figure represents potential capital deployment rather than guaranteed commitments.
Additional concerns include supply chain limitations, electrical power infrastructure constraints, and the possibility that Chinese AI developers pivot toward Huawei technology instead of American-manufactured GPUs.
Institutional investors control 65.27% of NVDA shares. CoreCap Advisors expanded its stake by 1.6% during the second quarter, elevating its position to 243,104 shares with an approximate value of $48.6 million.
Wall Street forecasts indicate Nvidia will generate full-year earnings per share of $8.79 for the current fiscal period.
The post Nvidia (NVDA) Stock Surges as $500B AI Infrastructure Initiative Wins Analyst Support appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR:
Anthropies targets Claude’s keyed text watermark by changing wording through an unmarked rewriting model.
The project also removes C2PA credentials, Git attribution trailers and other Claude-related metadata.
Anthropies says watermark detection indicates Claude contact but cannot independently establish who authored text.
Hoskinson’s repository links AI watermarking with wider questions about ownership, attribution and digital provenance.
Charles Hoskinson has launched Anthropies, a tool targeting watermarking and attribution markers attached to Claude outputs. The project aims to remove Claude’s keyed text watermark through rewriting with models that do not carry the same mark.
Anthropies also targets C2PA image credentials and Claude-related Git attribution trailers. The launch frames AI provenance as a growing issue around ownership, authorship and digital content.
Anthropies Targets Claude AI Watermarks and Metadata
According to the Anthropies repository, Claude can apply three separate markers across text, images and software projects. The text watermark changes token selection without adding visible characters to generated content.
The repository says a secret key determines how Claude selects between similarly suitable words during generation. Anthropies describes this watermark as difficult to remove without changing the underlying wording.
The project also addresses C2PA credentials attached to supported image files. Those credentials contain signed metadata indicating that Claude processed an asset. The repository says re-encoding or stripping metadata can remove that credential from the file.
A third marker appears through Claude Code’s Git commit trailers.
The repository says Claude Code can add a “Co-Authored-By” entry identifying Claude in commit history. GitHub can then parse that trailer and display Claude as a contributor.
I'm creating a new skill that can be used with most LLMs to strip out the Anthropic watermark. I call it Anthropies (Anthropic Herpies). I've also included a legal argument about how watermarks and the co-authored by Claude can cause issues down the road https://t.co/6eNx4br1BZ
— Charles Hoskinson (@IOHK_Charles) August 16, 2026
How Anthropies Removes Claude Attribution
Anthropies provides a command-line interface alongside an agent skill called /purge-anthropies. Its cleaning function removes attribution banners, Git trailers and invisible Unicode characters. Its humanization function instead changes prose structure through a separate rewriting model.
The repository specifically advises users against rewriting Claude output with Claude itself. It says doing so could preserve or reapply the same watermarking mechanism.
Instead, Anthropies recommends an unmarked model for the structure-changing rewrite process.
The project also presents detection limits for Claude’s text watermark. Its documentation reports stronger detection rates on longer passages, while shorter text remains harder to identify. It also stresses that detection indicates system contact rather than proving authorship.
Hoskinson’s repository connects the technical system to broader questions about AI ownership and attribution. However, those legal sections represent the project’s argument rather than an established court ruling on Anthropies. The repository itself states that its legal discussion constitutes argument rather than legal advice.
The post Cardano’s Charles Hoskinson Takes Aim at Claude Watermarks With New Anthropies Tool appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR
Kalshi faces potential fines of $120,000 daily from Nevada gaming authorities over disputed geofencing implementation
State investigators completed nine transactions on Kalshi’s platform the day following a court-mandated geofencing implementation deadline
The platform claims it engaged a state-sanctioned verification provider and alleges investigators falsified location data to circumvent security measures
Kalshi confronts concurrent legal challenges from New York authorities, Baltimore, and the CFTC
The central legal question revolves around whether prediction markets constitute federally overseen financial instruments or state-regulated wagering activities
The prediction market operator Kalshi has mounted a vigorous defense against Nevada gaming authorities following the state’s pursuit of $120,000 in daily penalties related to allegations that the platform inadequately restricted Nevada residents from accessing specific trading contracts.
Nevada informed Kalshi it faces penalties for not complying with a geofencing order.
Kalshi has issued a letter in response saying it did comply and calling Nevada’s action an abuse of power.
Just your average Saturday in prediction-market land. pic.twitter.com/ZWsyixUETf
— Ben Horney (@BenHorney) August 15, 2026
According to Kalshi, the company fulfilled all compliance obligations. The platform contracted with GeoComply, a geographic verification service provider that has received approval from Nevada’s gaming oversight body, and maintained regular communication with state officials during implementation.
However, Nevada’s investigative team reported successfully executing nine transactions through Kalshi’s mobile application while connected to Nevada cellular networks. These trades occurred just one day following the court-imposed deadline for complete geofencing implementation.
Kalshi’s legal team has launched an aggressive counterargument. They contend that state investigators provided false residential information to circumvent the platform’s restriction mechanisms, and that at minimum one investigator discovered an alternative method to evade the system entirely. The company asserts these investigative tactics violated federal statutes.
Kalshi’s Version of Events
Rick Heaslip, Kalshi’s Chief Regulatory Officer, shared on X that the organization exceeded standard requirements in addressing the geofencing mandate. He stated the technical issue was resolved in a matter of hours, yet Nevada authorities proceeded with court action regardless.
Heaslip characterized the regulatory body as operating under “the bidding of casinos” instead of safeguarding consumer interests, describing the proposed sanctions as a “vindictive waste of taxpayer dollars.”
The geofencing mandate originated from a Nevada judge’s April decision. That judicial order established a preliminary injunction preventing Kalshi from providing particular contracts within state boundaries without first securing gaming authorization.
No court has determined that Kalshi violated any statutes. The proposed penalties and underlying allegations remain under active litigation.
Multiple State Jurisdictions Join Legal Battle
Nevada represents only one jurisdiction pursuing action against Kalshi. Baltimore initiated litigation targeting both Kalshi and Polymarket concerning sports-oriented prediction contracts. Municipal attorneys contend these contracts function identically to wagers placed via digital sportsbooks and must comply with state gaming regulations.
New York initiated proceedings against Kalshi on July 31. Governor Kathy Hochul alongside Attorney General Letitia James filed legal action alleging Kalshi operates an unauthorized gambling enterprise. The state demands Kalshi cease New York operations and seeks financial restitution plus additional remedies.
The New York City Council has additionally initiated an independent examination of prediction market platform marketing practices. This probe encompasses Kalshi, Polymarket, Coinbase, and Gemini Titan.
On August 11, the federal Commodity Futures Trading Commission intervened, exercising emergency powers to direct Kalshi to maintain operations consistent with the Commodity Exchange Act’s fundamental requirements.
Kalshi currently defends itself across numerous legal battlegrounds, with state governments categorizing its operations as gambling activities while federal authorities treat it as a regulated financial marketplace.
The post Kalshi Claims Nevada Officials Violated Federal Law While Imposing $120K Daily Penalties appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Highlights
Shares of AMD surged 6.19% on Friday, finishing the session at $512.93
The company successfully completed a $4.75 billion debt offering, marking its largest investment-grade bond issuance to date
BofA Securities increased its server CPU market projection for 2030 to more than $210 billion, designating AMD as its preferred stock pick
Company leadership forecasts server revenue expansion exceeding 80% during the latter half of 2026
Analyst community maintains a Strong Buy rating with a consensus price objective of $647.04
Advanced Micro Devices experienced a notable rally on Friday, with shares advancing 6.19% to settle at $512.93, fueled by a pair of significant developments that emerged nearly simultaneously.
The semiconductor manufacturer successfully executed a $4.75 billion bond offering, representing its most substantial investment-grade debt transaction in company history. Structured across four separate maturity tranches, the offering attracted robust institutional demand, enabling AMD to price its longest-maturity securities below initial market expectations. This pricing dynamic reflects solid investor sentiment regarding the company’s strategic trajectory.
The capital raised from this offering is earmarked to support AMD’s artificial intelligence hardware expansion initiatives and substantial capital expenditure requirements.
BofA Securities Elevates Server CPU Outlook
Vivek Arya, an analyst at Bank of America Securities, revised the firm’s server CPU total addressable market estimate for 2030 upward from approximately $170 billion to beyond $210 billion. AMD received designation as the bank’s premier investment choice within the semiconductor space.
Arya’s investment rationale focuses on the emergence of “agentic AI,” which he believes is transforming data center infrastructure toward a more equitable CPU-to-GPU configuration. This represents a departure from the GPU-centric deployments that characterized recent infrastructure builds, positioning AMD favorably due to its superior processing speeds and elevated core configurations.
The analyst highlighted both cloud infrastructure providers and enterprise server markets as key expansion opportunities for AMD moving forward.
Artificial Intelligence Partnerships and Product Pipeline
AMD’s Technology Leadership Forum further bolstered investor optimism. Company executives provided guidance indicating server revenue expansion surpassing 80% in the second half of 2026 and no less than 70% throughout 2027. The company’s comprehensive AI data center segment is anticipated to expand by more than 100% in the upcoming year.
Regarding product developments, AMD is scheduled to commence deliveries of its Helios AI rack systems in September. Major technology companies including Meta, OpenAI, and Anthropic have all executed multi-gigawatt computing agreements. Anthropic independently committed to as much as 2 GW of MI450-series computing capacity.
The company further revealed Day 0 compatibility for the Qwen3.8 27B artificial intelligence model across its Ryzen AI Max+ platform and Radeon AI PRO product line, a strategic initiative designed to strengthen its positioning among AI development communities.
Financial results released on August 4th demonstrated AMD delivered earnings per share of $1.66, surpassing the consensus projection of $1.62. Total revenue reached $11.54 billion, representing 50.1% year-over-year growth and exceeding analyst expectations of $11.31 billion.
Institutional investors currently control 71.34% of AMD’s outstanding shares. Baird maintains a $1,250 price objective on the stock, while Goldman Sachs recently elevated its target to $640.
The consensus Wall Street price target currently stands at $647.04, suggesting approximately 31% appreciation potential from Friday’s closing price. Regarding potential concerns, company insiders have divested $74.7 million in shares during the previous 90-day period, and AMD’s valuation metrics remain stretched with a price-to-earnings ratio of 132.23.
The post AMD (AMD) Stock Surges 6% Following Massive Bond Offering and BofA’s Bullish Outlook appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Highlights
PATH shares have climbed 25.5% from July 31, finishing Friday’s session at $16.01
First quarter fiscal 2027 revenue increased 17% from the prior year to $418 million
UiPath delivered GAAP operating income of $28 million, achieving profitability for the first time
The stock currently trades 20.8% higher than the $13.25 analyst consensus target
Second quarter outlook indicates a 4.9% sequential revenue decrease to $397.5 million at the midpoint
Shares of UiPath (PATH) finished Friday’s trading at $16.01, representing a 6.4% weekly gain and a remarkable 25.5% advance since the end of July. The stock’s current level now exceeds price targets set by major firms including UBS, BMO Capital, DA Davidson, and Bank of America.
This significant upward movement followed UiPath’s first quarter fiscal 2027 earnings release, which demonstrated tangible financial improvement. The automation software company’s revenue expanded 17% on a year-over-year basis to reach $418 million. Annual recurring revenue grew 12% to $1.901 billion. Most notably, the company achieved GAAP operating income of $28 million, representing its inaugural profitable quarter under generally accepted accounting principles.
The company added $49 million in net new ARR during the quarter, a meaningful improvement from the $27 million recorded in the comparable period of the previous year.
Chief Executive Officer Daniel Dines indicated that the company’s “agentic products are moving from pilot to production,” highlighting the strategic emphasis on AI-powered automation as a central element of future expansion.
Analyst Community Maintains Conservative Stance
Notwithstanding the strong share price performance, Wall Street analysts have maintained their reserved outlook on the stock. The consensus rating from 16 analysts remains at Neutral, with an average price target of $13.25. This suggests a potential downside of approximately 17% from Friday’s closing price.
UBS maintains a Hold recommendation with a $12 price objective. BMO Capital and DA Davidson similarly rate the shares as Hold with targets ranging from $12 to $13. Bank of America has assigned a Sell rating alongside a $13 target.
PATH is currently trading 34.5% above its 50-day moving average and 25.7% above its 200-day moving average. The 52-week high stands at $19.84, meaning shares remain approximately 19% below that level.
Thursday marked the stock’s largest single-session gain, rising 9.3% to reach $16.68 before experiencing a modest retreat on Friday. Friday’s trading volume totaled approximately 52.1 million shares, below the three-month daily average of 64.4 million.
Second Quarter Forecast Shows Sequential Decline
UiPath provided second quarter fiscal 2027 revenue guidance in the range of $395 million to $400 million. The $397.5 million midpoint represents a 4.9% sequential decline from the first quarter, though it marks a 9.8% increase compared to the second quarter of last year.
The company expects non-GAAP operating income of $75 million for the second quarter, a decrease from the $92 million achieved in the first quarter.
Management projects ARR will climb to $1.932 billion by the conclusion of the second quarter, representing a 1.6% sequential gain.
UiPath’s strong gross margin profile provides flexibility to continue investing in AI innovation and go-to-market activities while maintaining a debt-free balance sheet.
Customer attrition among smaller accounts represents a potential headwind. The majority of customer departures are concentrated in this segment, creating uncertainty around the pace of future net new ARR expansion.
Chief Accounting Officer Hitesh Ramani divested 50,000 PATH shares during Thursday and Friday’s sessions for approximately $831,250 in total proceeds. These transactions occurred under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan established in March, indicating they were predetermined rather than opportunistic sales. Ramani continues to hold 235,052 shares in direct ownership.
The company is scheduled to announce its next quarterly results on September 3 following the market close.
The post UiPath (PATH) Surges 25% This Month Following Debut Profitable Quarter appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Highlights
Berkshire Hathaway expanded its Alphabet stake by 48 million shares during Q2, representing an 83% surge that elevated the position to $37.8 billion and made it the portfolio’s third-largest holding.
Stanley Druckenmiller’s Duquesne Family Office established a completely new Alphabet position in Q2, separate from Berkshire’s moves.
The two legendary investors also coincidentally purchased Delta Air Lines and D.R. Horton shares during the identical timeframe.
Alphabet delivered Q2 earnings of $9.11 per share against revenue of $119.8 billion, reflecting 24.2% annual growth.
GOOG shares changed hands at $343.54, supported by analyst consensus “Buy” recommendations and a mean price objective of $415.55.
Warren Buffett and Stanley Druckenmiller represent opposite ends of the investment spectrum. Buffett embodies the disciplined, long-term value investor from Omaha. Druckenmiller operates as a nimble macro strategist famous for his legendary bet against the British pound. Yet during Q2 2026, these two titans executed identical moves: they both accumulated Alphabet shares.
GOOG shares were priced at $343.54 heading into Friday’s session, operating within a 52-week trading band spanning $197.46 to $404.47. The technology behemoth commands a market valuation of $4.20 trillion alongside a price-to-earnings multiple of 17.25. Wall Street analysts maintain a collective “Buy” recommendation with a consensus price objective of $415.55.
Berkshire Hathaway accumulated approximately 48 million additional Alphabet shares throughout Q2, representing an 83% expansion. This acquisition pushed its total GOOG/GOOGL holdings to roughly 106 million shares valued at $37.8 billion, constituting 10.2% of the conglomerate’s stock portfolio. Alphabet now ranks as Berkshire’s third-largest equity investment, trailing only Apple at $70 billion and American Express at $51.9 billion.
Approximately 60% of these additional shares originated from Berkshire’s $10 billion private placement transaction with Alphabet completed in June, specifically designated for artificial intelligence infrastructure investments. The balance of roughly $7 billion represented secondary market acquisitions.
Buffett clarified to CNBC during a June interview that the Alphabet investment was his personal initiative, noting that Berkshire began establishing the position during Q3 2025. While he’s delegated routine portfolio management to CEO Greg Abel, Buffett confirmed they continue collaborating on significant capital allocation decisions.
Druckenmiller’s Separate Decision
Druckenmiller’s Duquesne Family Office, which manages $5.21 billion exclusively for his personal wealth, disclosed its Q2 13F filing revealing a completely fresh Alphabet investment. The regulatory document additionally unveiled new positions in Advanced Micro Devices and Fox, while Amazon holdings surged by over 1,000% and United Airlines stakes nearly tripled.
Druckenmiller completely eliminated positions in Broadcom, Intel, and Micron Technology during this identical quarter. These transactions showcase his characteristic approach as a focused sector rotator capable of executing swift portfolio adjustments without facing redemption constraints.
Both legendary investors also separately purchased Delta Air Lines and D.R. Horton shares during Q2. Berkshire expanded its Delta stake by 44% to reach 57.3 million shares. Druckenmiller launched a 603,000-share Delta position alongside a $48 million investment in D.R. Horton.
Solid Operating Performance Validates the Investments
Alphabet’s Q2 financial performance provided substantial justification for both investment decisions. The technology giant announced earnings of $9.11 per share, significantly exceeding the $2.87 analyst consensus forecast. Revenue reached $119.8 billion, surpassing projections of $116.53 billion while expanding 24.2% compared to the prior year.
Net profit margin registered at 54.77% with return on equity achieving 51.32%.
Alphabet additionally announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.22 per share, scheduled for September 14 distribution to shareholders registered as of September 7.
Among institutional investors, Jennison Associates reduced its holdings by 2.1% during Q2, divesting 303,257 shares while maintaining 14.01 million shares worth approximately $4.95 billion. Multiple other fund managers including Barclays, Franklin Resources, and Magellan similarly documented position reductions.
BMO Capital Markets elevated its price target to $465 accompanied by an “outperform” designation. Barclays maintained an “overweight” rating with a $425 objective. JPMorgan established a $420 target alongside an “overweight” recommendation.
The post Why Warren Buffett and Stanley Druckenmiller Converged on Alphabet (GOOGL) Stock appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Highlights
Alibaba’s Qwen AI platform has achieved more than 3 billion total downloads worldwide, surpassing both Meta and Google in the process.
Hugging Face data shows Qwen accumulated 2.045 billion downloads in 2026, while Google reached 418 million and Meta hit 227 million.
The platform features more than 460 open-source models and has inspired over 300,000 derivative creations.
On Hugging Face, developers have built 151,448 Qwen-based models, representing 2.6 times the volume of Meta-based derivatives.
BABA shares rose 1.35% following the announcement, while META declined 0.86% and GOOG fell 0.12%.
Alibaba’s Qwen artificial intelligence model collection has achieved a remarkable milestone, exceeding 3 billion total downloads globally and establishing itself as the most widely downloaded open AI model worldwide, based on data released by Hugging Face on August 14.
BABA shares advanced 1.35% following the announcement. Meanwhile, META declined 0.86% and GOOG decreased 0.12%.
According to Hugging Face metrics, Qwen accumulated approximately 2.045 billion downloads throughout 2026. By comparison, Google’s models registered 418 million downloads, while Meta’s platforms garnered 227 million.
These Hugging Face statistics exclude activity from China’s ModelScope platform, indicating the actual global footprint extends well beyond the published figures.
Alibaba has made available over 460 Qwen models through open-source channels. This extensive collection has catalyzed the development of more than 300,000 derivative models created by external developers worldwide.
Within the Hugging Face ecosystem alone, developers have generated 151,448 derivative models based on Qwen technology. This volume represents 2.6 times the quantity of Meta-derived models and 4.7 times the number of Llama-related repositories.
Building a Virtuous Growth Cycle
The download figures only capture one dimension of the story. As more developers adopt Qwen, the number of derivative models multiplies, which in turn attracts additional users. This self-reinforcing dynamic represents a strategic advantage that Alibaba has been cultivating steadily.
The tech giant has strategically distributed Qwen through its cloud infrastructure to business clients across Southeast Asia and Africa, securing distribution channels that many competitors lack.
Hugging Face’s analysis characterized Qwen as “one of the largest foundations of the open AI ecosystem” and noted it has “become part of the default workflow for developers deciding what models to fine-tune and deploy.”
Qwen stands among DeepSeek, Moonshot AI, and MiniMax as Chinese AI developers narrowing the performance gap with proprietary US models from companies like OpenAI and Anthropic.
Scale Advantage Emerging from Chinese Labs
The Hugging Face analysis identified another significant pattern: Chinese research laboratories are deploying larger-scale models compared to their American counterparts.
Throughout 2026, the largest Chinese open models ranged between 754 billion and 2.78 trillion parameters monthly. Meanwhile, the largest US open models remained under 130 billion parameters for most of that timeframe.
While parameter count doesn’t directly correlate with performance or efficiency, particularly with mixture-of-experts designs, the magnitude differential is noteworthy.
Chinese developers have additionally embraced permissive licensing frameworks. Among the 178 Chinese models exceeding 20 billion parameters documented in the analysis, 59% utilized Apache 2.0 licensing and 22% employed MIT licenses. Notably, none imposed non-commercial usage restrictions.
American technology companies are responding to this competitive pressure. Both Meta and Nvidia have unveiled new open AI models in recent weeks as the battle for developer adoption intensifies.
Alibaba’s achievement of surpassing 3 billion Qwen downloads signals a meaningful evolution in developer preferences and platform selection.
The post Alibaba (BABA) Stock Climbs as Qwen AI Surpasses 3 Billion Downloads Worldwide appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR:
Coinbase Bitcoin Premium Index stays negative for 90 days, pointing to weaker U.S. buying demand.
Bitcoin holds near $63,000 despite Coinbase trading below Binance on the premium index.
Michaël van de Poppe identifies $63,400 as key resistance for Bitcoin’s next potential move.
Crypto Rover’s cycle analysis points toward a possible Bitcoin bottom before October.
Bitcoin faces a persistent demand signal as the Coinbase Bitcoin Premium Index records its longest negative streak on record. The index has remained below zero since May 19, reaching roughly -0.1066% on August 16.
Bitcoin continues trading near $63,000 despite weaker buying pressure on Coinbase compared with Binance. The reading comes as market sentiment remains cautious, with the Crypto Fear and Greed Index at 34.
Coinbase Bitcoin Premium Index Signals Uneven Bitcoin Demand
Market expert JohnNguyen reported that the Coinbase Bitcoin Premium Index has stayed negative for 90 consecutive days. The streak runs from May 19 through August 16, marking the longest negative period recorded for the indicator.
Source: X
The index currently sits near -0.1%, showing that Bitcoin trades at a relative discount on Coinbase versus Binance. That difference points to weaker U.S. buying demand or stronger selling pressure on the U.S.-based exchange.
JohnNguyen noted that the prolonged discount reflects differences in buying demand between major Bitcoin markets. The data also puts U.S. sentiment and capital flows under closer focus without confirming institutional outflows.
Bitcoin has still held near $63,000 despite the persistent Coinbase discount. Meanwhile, the Crypto Fear and Greed Index remains at 34, placing market sentiment within the fear range.
Bitcoin Price Faces $63,400 Resistance as Cycle Debate Grows
Top analyst Michaël van de Poppe identified $63,400 as the immediate resistance level for Bitcoin. According to his market analysis, a break above that level could open a move toward $64,600 or higher.
The chart of $BTC looks quite clear.
Resistance zone of $63,400 is pushing back a potential breakout upwards. If that breakout upwards happens, I'm seeing a strong move to $64,600+ and likely a breakout upwards.
The first area, of personal interest, of looking for longs… pic.twitter.com/qKqeRh6Z3n
— Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) August 15, 2026
Van de Poppe also pointed to liquidity below $62,250 as an area worth watching during a potential pullback. He identified the $60,500 to $61,000 region as another key zone if Bitcoin moves lower.
The analysis places Bitcoin between nearby liquidity levels while traders assess whether the current bounce can continue. A sustained move above $63,400 remains central to the bullish setup outlined by Van de Poppe.
Another analyst, Crypto Rover, offered a separate view based on Bitcoin’s historical macro cycle durations. His analysis compared previous 1,065-day bull markets with 365-day bear markets across earlier Bitcoin cycles.
Bitcoin may have only 51 days left.
The $BTC macro cycle has followed an almost flawless pattern:
2015 → 2017 bull market: 1,065 days
2017 → 2018 bear market: 365 days
2018 → 2021 bull market: 1,065 days
2021 → 2022 bear market: 365 days
2022 → 2025 bull market: 1,065 days… pic.twitter.com/JnPWLpJuUI
— Crypto Rover (@cryptorover) August 16, 2026
Crypto Rover said the current pattern could place Bitcoin’s next cycle bottom before October. That projection remains a historical-cycle comparison rather than confirmation of a future Bitcoin price move.
The post Bitcoin Hits 90-Day Coinbase Discount as $63.4K Blocks Bulls appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Highlights
Gen Z equity trading volume included 25% ETF allocations on Binance in early August, climbing from 21.9% the previous month
Younger investors executed just 13 monthly TradFi perpetual trades compared to Millennials’ 17 and Gen X’s 16.5
Among Gen Z direct-equity investors, 22% have never executed a sell transaction
Popular holdings for Gen Z buy-and-hold accounts include Broadcom, Tesla, and Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF
Binance’s bStocks temporarily surpassed Kraken’s xStocks as the second-largest tokenized equity platform before falling back
According to fresh data released by Binance Research, Gen Z investors using the platform are allocating larger portions of their portfolios to exchange-traded funds while executing fewer transactions compared to their older counterparts.
The research shows that ETFs represented 25% of Gen Z equity trading activity during early August. This marks an increase from the 21.9% of net equity capital flows recorded in July and 18.5% observed in June.
Gen Z is rotating into ETFs.
Unleveraged ETFs rose to 21.9% of Gen Z equity net flow (June→July), and ETF trading share climbed to 25% in early August (vs 9.5% for Millennials).
More baskets, fewer single names—diversification over speculation.
Read more … pic.twitter.com/jlim9amBHO
— Binance (@binance) August 15, 2026
During this same timeframe, the proportion directed toward individual company stocks declined from 77% in June to 74.2% by July.
Younger Investors Show Lower Trading Frequency and Higher Hold Rates
The exchange analyzed trading patterns across multiple generations including Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers. The analysis examined direct equity positions, tokenized stock products, and traditional finance perpetual contracts.
Gen Z investors completed an average of 13 monthly transactions in TradFi perpetuals. By comparison, Millennials executed 17 trades while Gen X completed 16.5.
Within Gen Z direct-equity portfolios, 22% had not executed a single sell transaction. This compares to 19% for Gen X investors and only 9% among Baby Boomers. Interestingly, Millennials demonstrated the highest percentage of buy-only portfolios at 30%.
The most popular holdings among Gen Z buy-only portfolios included Broadcom, Tesla, and the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF.
The exchange did not clarify whether this buy-only pattern represents a deliberate long-term investment philosophy. Since Binance’s direct-equities offering only debuted in June, the available data represents a limited timeframe.
Limited Appetite for Leveraged ETF Products
Younger investors demonstrated minimal engagement with leveraged and inverse ETF products. The research indicated that 88.2% of Gen Z TradFi perpetual portfolios showed zero activity in these instruments.
This percentage was comparatively lower among Millennials at 84.5% and Gen X at 85.9%, indicating Gen Z demonstrated the least participation in leveraged ETF trading across working-age demographics.
The exchange did not provide analysis on the underlying factors driving this disparity, whether related to risk management preferences, product access restrictions, or other considerations.
The tokenized equity market experienced continued expansion throughout this timeframe. RWA.xyz data showed $2.37 billion in distributed tokenized stock valuation as of Saturday, representing approximately 5% growth over the previous 30-day period.
Binance’s bStocks platform temporarily overtook Kraken’s xStocks to claim the second-largest position among tokenized stock providers. During its peak, bStocks commanded approximately $624 million compared to xStocks’ $579 million.
As of Saturday, xStocks had regained the lead with $603 million, while bStocks dropped to $535 million. Ondo Finance maintained its position as the dominant issuer with $962 million.
The overall market has experienced substantial user base expansion. DWF Labs reported in July that holder counts across five leading tokenized stock platforms surged 92% within 30 days, reaching 752,000 total holders.
Robinhood commanded the largest holder base with 328,000 users but maintained just $44 million in tokenized stock valuation. Meanwhile, Ondo controlled $857 million and xStocks maintained $487 million during that period.
Crypto.com has also launched its entry into this sector, introducing tokenized derivatives linked to 1,500 U.S. equities and ETFs for qualified users across the European Economic Area and additional authorized jurisdictions.
The post Gen Z Investors Favor ETFs and Buy-and-Hold Strategy on Binance, New Data Reveals appeared first on Blockonomi.

Quick Overview
Bitcoin maintains its position near $63,000, serving as the primary market indicator for digital assets
Ethereum dropped under $1,900, yet U.S. ETF products attracted $103.9 million in net inflows over one week
Solana expanded block capacity to 100 million compute units while hovering around $75
Chainlink approached $10 after announcing new partnerships and releasing its agent platform beta
Hyperliquid posted approximately 154% gains during the first six months of 2026
Cryptocurrency markets are experiencing turbulence, yet price declines often create opportunities for strategic investors. Five digital assets—Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Chainlink, and Hyperliquid—deserve attention in the current environment.
Bitcoin: The Industry Standard
Bitcoin continues to serve as the cornerstone of cryptocurrency investing. With the most extensive network infrastructure, unmatched brand awareness, and significant institutional support, it remains the dominant digital asset.
Bitcoin (BTC) Price
BTC currently hovers around $63,000. Market liquidity constraints and general uncertainty have contributed to price pressure, though this correction may present entry points for investors viewing Bitcoin as a long-term wealth preservation tool.
While Bitcoin may not deliver the dramatic gains seen in smaller-cap projects, it presents significantly lower project-specific risks, solidifying its role as the standard against which all cryptocurrencies are evaluated.
Ethereum: Sustained Institutional Appetite
Ethereum serves as the backbone for decentralized finance protocols, stablecoin infrastructure, asset tokenization, NFT marketplaces, and countless decentralized applications. It maintains its position as the leading smart contract platform globally.
ETH slipped beneath $1,900 during recent market volatility. However, institutional interest proved resilient. U.S.-based Ethereum ETF products recorded $103.9 million in net inflows for the week concluded July 24, topping all cryptocurrency ETF products during that timeframe.
The convergence of robust developer engagement, powerful network effects, and growing institutional participation positions Ethereum as a priority holding for long-term portfolios.
Solana: Speed, Efficiency, and Momentum
Solana presents a direct alternative to Ethereum, particularly for applications requiring high throughput and minimal transaction costs. The platform recently upgraded its block capacity to accommodate 100 million compute units.
The ecosystem continues expanding across payment solutions, tokenized real-world assets, and interoperability protocols. SOL traded around $75 in mid-August, considerably below previous all-time highs.
This disparity between current valuations and historical peaks may represent an entry opportunity for investors confident in the platform’s continued development trajectory.
Chainlink: Critical Infrastructure Investment
Chainlink provides essential connectivity between blockchain networks and external data sources while facilitating cross-chain asset transfers. It functions as fundamental infrastructure supporting the emerging tokenization ecosystem.
LINK surged toward $10 in mid-August following announcements of additional CCIP integrations and the beta release of Chainlink for Agents. These milestones demonstrate ongoing platform evolution and expansion.
Should tokenized assets achieve widespread adoption in traditional finance, Chainlink is well-positioned to capture value as a critical infrastructure provider supporting this transformation.
Hyperliquid: Aggressive Growth with Elevated Risk
Hyperliquid represents the highest-risk proposition in this selection. The decentralized perpetual futures exchange has experienced rapid expansion, with HYPE appreciating approximately 154% during the first half of 2026.
Such performance establishes elevated expectations going forward. Planned token unlock schedules and regulatory ambiguity introduce risks requiring careful consideration.
Nevertheless, Hyperliquid demonstrates that decentralized trading infrastructure can effectively challenge centralized exchange dominance in the cryptocurrency derivatives market.
The post Top 5 Cryptocurrencies to Monitor in 2026 Amid Market Correction appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Takeaways
Bitget will enforce compliance measures against 16 crypto platforms including HTX and EXMO in three phases: August 7, 13, and 23.
The restrictions align with Binance’s actions and respond to US OFAC sanctions plus the EU’s 21st Russia sanctions framework.
HTX disputes the limitations, with Justin Sun claiming they impact only UK and EU users, as settlement negotiations proceed.
Bitget’s Stock Dual Investment offering has grown from 6 to over 20 U.S. stock and ETF-linked tokens.
Available assets include tokens tracking Nvidia, Tesla, Apple, Coinbase, Meta, and leveraged semiconductor ETFs.
This week, Bitget executed two significant strategic initiatives: implementing stricter compliance measures against sanctioned cryptocurrency platforms while simultaneously broadening its stock-linked investment offerings for non-US users.
Bitget Implements Restrictions Following Binance’s Lead
The cryptocurrency exchange announced it will implement enhanced compliance protocols targeting 16 designated platforms across three distinct phases.
Phase one, launched August 7, affects Aban Tether Exchange and Shelbit. Both platforms face US OFAC sanctions for allegedly facilitating cryptocurrency transactions related to Iran sanctions circumvention, including transfers associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Phase two, scheduled for August 13, encompasses A7 Africa, A7 Nigeria, and PilotFinance Ltd.
Phase three, the most extensive rollout on August 23, includes HTX, EXMO, ABCeX, Aifory Pro, BitPapa, Exnode, Monease, NoOnecrypto, Rapira, Tradex, and WhiteBird. These entities are covered under the EU’s 21st Russia sanctions framework, which was implemented in July 2026.
HTX is aware of the recent developments regarding the UK sanctions designations. The HTX exchange is committed to full compliance with all applicable laws and to cooperation with law-enforcement agencies worldwide.
The UK’s designation arrived today without prior notice or any…
— HTX (@HTX_Global) May 26, 2026
Just one day prior, Binance disclosed nearly identical measures, targeting the same entities with matching implementation dates. This synchronized approach indicates both platforms are responding to shared regulatory mandates.
According to Bitget’s announcement, transactions involving any listed entity may result in rejection, account investigation, or closure.
HTX has challenged these measures. On X, Justin Sun stated the restrictions affect only UK and EU users, regions where HTX claims it doesn’t operate.
UK authorities countered this position. The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation determined the designation applies to HTX’s platform due to its ownership by Huobi Global SA. HTX confirmed ongoing settlement discussions with both UK and EU regulatory bodies.
Stock Dual Investment Portfolio Grows to Over 21 Tokens
In parallel developments, Bitget announced on August 14 an expansion of its Stock Dual Investment portfolio, increasing from 6 offerings to more than 21 products in less than a month since its July 25 debut.
The expanded lineup features tokens tied to Nvidia, Tesla, Apple, Meta, Advanced Micro Devices, Intel, Taiwan Semiconductor, Coinbase, Circle, and Strategy. Additionally, users can access two leveraged semiconductor ETF tokens: rSOXL and rSOXS.
The Buy Low mechanism allows participants to subscribe using USDT, select a target price, and acquire the token if that price is reached at settlement. Otherwise, they receive their USDT plus accrued interest. The Sell High mechanism operates inversely, with participants staking tokens and receiving USDT upon reaching the price target.
Settlement timing has been adjusted to 11:30 p.m. UTC+8, positioning it 90 minutes following the 9:30 a.m. ET opening of the Nasdaq and NYSE.
The platform categorizes Dual Investment as a non-principal-guaranteed instrument. Capital remains locked until expiration, and participants may receive different assets than initially subscribed depending on market movements.
In July, Bitget CEO Gracy Chen revealed tokenized traditional assets represented 20 to 30 percent of spot trading volume during the previous quarter, with stock-linked products surpassing $100 million in aggregate volume.
US residents currently cannot access the Stock Dual Investment product. Chen indicated the company intends to secure US money-transmitter, derivatives, and broker-dealer licenses before offering services to American clients, though no timeline has been announced.
The post Bitget Enforces Sanctions on 16 Crypto Platforms While Adding 20+ US Stock Tokens appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Takeaways
Former Binance CEO CZ highlights that wealthy individuals may be priced out of owning a complete Bitcoin
Mining has already released over 20.07 million coins from Bitcoin’s 21 million maximum supply
Between 10-20% of all mined Bitcoin could be permanently lost, according to CZ’s estimates
America’s 23.6 million millionaires outnumber the entire Bitcoin supply available
Binance announces transaction restrictions affecting 16 cryptocurrency exchanges due to sanctions
With Bitcoin hovering around the $63,000 mark, fresh commentary from a prominent industry figure is reigniting discussions about the cryptocurrency’s increasing scarcity.
Bitcoin surpassed 20.07 million coins mined as of August 2026, leaving only 4.4% more supply.
I'd estimate 10-20% of existing bitcoins are lost/stuck/unrecoverable. It's a deflationary asset.
— CZ BNB (@cz_binance) August 15, 2026
Changpeng Zhao, commonly referred to as CZ, sparked widespread conversation this week through a post on X suggesting that wealthy individuals may soon find themselves unable to purchase one complete Bitcoin. His remarks came as a response to cryptocurrency researcher Quinten Francois, who highlighted that the United States is home to approximately 23.6 million millionaires—a figure that surpasses Bitcoin’s absolute ceiling of 21 million tokens.
The former Binance chief’s message was straightforward: the mathematics simply don’t support enough complete coins for America’s millionaire population alone.
Current data from August 2026 indicates approximately 20.071 million Bitcoin have entered circulation through mining operations. This leaves a mere 929,000 coins remaining before the network reaches its programmed maximum. With such constrained availability, demand for whole Bitcoin units is positioned to intensify dramatically.
Permanently Inaccessible Coins Compound the Shortage
CZ introduced an additional dimension to the scarcity discussion by estimating that 10% to 20% of all existing Bitcoin may be irretrievable—locked in wallets where private keys have been lost or otherwise made permanently inaccessible. Should these estimates prove accurate, the real available supply for potential buyers could be substantially smaller than circulation statistics indicate.
This topic surfaced earlier when CZ engaged with Bitcoin researcher Willy Woo in early August. Woo presented research indicating 1.57 million Bitcoin had been lost through individual custody methods, versus 1.51 million lost via exchange platforms. CZ responded by suggesting that exchange storage demonstrated statistically better safety than self-custody approaches, while conceding both storage methods involve inherent risks.
Bitcoin’s price fluctuated between $62,525 and $63,171 during the preceding 24-hour period as of August 15. The cryptocurrency has experienced approximately a 3.1% decline across the previous week. It currently sits roughly 50% beneath its record peak of $126,080, established in October 2025.
CZ’s scarcity observations have also revived interest in his extended price projections. During July, he presented a theoretical pathway for Bitcoin reaching $1 million during the 2033 market cycle. He characterized this as a plausible outcome dependent on sustained mainstream adoption rather than a definitive forecast. Ark Invest’s Cathie Wood and Mexican entrepreneur Ricardo Salinas Pliego have voiced comparable price expectations.
Binance Implements Restrictions on 16 Exchange Platforms
In developments unrelated to supply concerns, Binance revealed this week its decision to terminate transaction processing with 16 cryptocurrency exchanges. This action relates to the European Union’s 21st sanctions package targeting Russia and two organizations identified by the U.S. Treasury Department on August 7.
Impacted exchanges include HTX and EXMO among others. The enforcement timeline features phased implementation, with the final batch of 11 platforms subject to restrictions beginning August 23. These measures apply universally across Binance’s global user base.
The convergence of diminishing Bitcoin availability and Binance’s regulatory compliance actions encapsulates the cryptocurrency sector’s present reality: contracting asset accessibility alongside escalating regulatory oversight.
The post Bitcoin (BTC) Scarcity Crisis: CZ Warns Millionaires May Be Priced Out of Whole Coins appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Highlights
Tudor Investment boosted IBIT holdings by 18.9%, reaching 688,529 shares valued at $22.9 million by June 30, 2026
The firm’s previous position stood at 579,083 shares at the conclusion of Q1 2026
Call options linked to IBIT were reduced dramatically by 85.2%, with put positions declining modestly
Jones consistently advocates for bitcoin as an optimal inflation protection tool, emphasizing its capped supply
This disclosure emerged during the same week Edelman Financial revealed a $34 million investment in Bitcoin ETF products
The investment firm led by renowned trader Paul Tudor Jones has discreetly expanded its exposure to BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF, despite the overall holding remaining significantly below its 2024 high-water mark.
JUST IN: Billionaire Paul Tudor Jones' hedge fund raises its BlackRock Bitcoin ETF stake by 18.9% after a full YEAR of selling.
Tudor grew its IBIT stake to 688,529 shares per its new filing, after selling all through 2025 at Bitcoin's $124,000 peak. pic.twitter.com/eOP9rwMHJt
— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) August 15, 2026
According to regulatory filings, Tudor Investment Corp owned 688,529 shares of BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust on June 30, 2026. This represents an 18.9% increase compared to the 579,083 shares disclosed at the close of the first quarter.
At the time of the regulatory submission, this position carried a valuation of $22.9 million and currently stands at approximately $24.5 million. With Tudor overseeing about $106 billion in total assets under management, this bitcoin ETF holding constitutes a relatively modest allocation.
The investment firm submitted its quarterly 13F report to the Securities and Exchange Commission last Friday. Such disclosures are mandated on a quarterly basis and reveal institutional equity positions as of the final business day of each quarter.
Significant Reduction in Call Options
Alongside the expansion of direct share ownership, Tudor revealed a substantial decrease in call options associated with the ETF. Call option positions plummeted 85.2% to represent 148,000 underlying shares, a sharp decline from the 998,000 reported in March.
Put option positions experienced a minor decrease, moving from 725,000 to 715,000 underlying shares. Since the filing lacks details on strike prices or expiration timelines, these derivatives likely serve hedging purposes rather than speculative directional positions.
Jones initially revealed ownership of 869,565 iShares Bitcoin Trust shares in mid-2024. That position subsequently expanded to 8.05 million shares valued at $427 million by the end of that year, before being trimmed throughout each quarter of 2025. Today’s holdings remain 91.4% beneath that late-2024 zenith.
Long-Standing Advocacy for Bitcoin as Inflation Shield
For several years, Jones has maintained his position as one of the financial industry’s most outspoken bitcoin advocates. His initial disclosure of cryptocurrency exposure came in a May 2020 research note titled “The Great Monetary Inflation,” where he characterized bitcoin as the “fastest horse” in a competitive field against inflation driven by excessive central bank monetary expansion.
During a 2024 appearance on CNBC, he revealed positions in both gold and bitcoin while maintaining zero exposure to fixed income securities. By April 2026, he designated bitcoin as the “best inflation hedge” available, highlighting its predetermined supply cap as a critical competitive edge over gold.
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust continues to maintain market leadership among US spot bitcoin ETFs, controlling approximately 49% of aggregate spot bitcoin ETF assets. Combined assets across all US-listed spot bitcoin ETFs approached $105 billion at the conclusion of Q2 2026.
This regulatory filing arrived during the same week that Edelman Financial unveiled a $34 million bitcoin ETF allocation, signaling expanding adoption of regulated bitcoin investment vehicles among conventional wealth management firms.
Tudor’s subsequent 13F disclosure, documenting third-quarter holdings, is scheduled for release in mid-November 2026.
The post Tudor Investment Boosts Bitcoin (BTC) ETF Holdings to $22.9M Amid Inflation Concerns appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Highlights
Harvard’s endowment maintained its BlackRock IBIT bitcoin ETF holding at 3,044,612 shares valued at $101.4 million during Q2 2026, halting a two-quarter selloff trend
Two Abu Dhabi sovereign funds, Mubadala and ADIC, maintained a combined $764 million IBIT exposure with zero portfolio adjustments
JPMorgan expanded its IBIT holdings to 10.4 million shares while Morgan Stanley reduced its position by 4.5%
Paul Tudor Jones’ Tudor Investment Corporation increased its IBIT stake, now managing 688,529 shares valued at $22.9 million
The university’s gold exposure ($171.2 million) now exceeds its bitcoin fund allocation, with SpaceX representing its dominant holding at $2.2 billion
Harvard University’s endowment maintained a steady position in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust throughout the second quarter of 2026. The prestigious institution reported holding 3,044,612 shares valued at $101.4 million on June 30, matching the previous quarter’s share count exactly.
JUST IN: Harvard PAUSED its Bitcoin ETF selling in Q2, holding 3.04 million BlackRock $IBIT shares worth $101.4 million after cutting the position for two straight quarters.
Its disclosed gold holdings totaled $171.2 million, while it maintained no Ethereum ETF exposure. $SPCX… pic.twitter.com/fwpweZdBqs
— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) August 16, 2026
The stabilization marks a notable shift after consecutive quarters of reduction. The endowment had decreased its holdings by 21% during Q4 2025, followed by an additional 43% reduction in Q1 2026. The quarter-over-quarter decline in dollar value stemmed from bitcoin’s price depreciation rather than portfolio rebalancing.
The university has shown no interest in rebuilding an Ethereum allocation. After completely divesting from BlackRock’s spot Ethereum ETF earlier in 2026, Harvard has maintained zero exposure to that digital asset class.
Bitcoin currently trades near $63,000, representing a nearly 30% decline year-to-date. The cryptocurrency is trading at approximately 50% of its October 2025 all-time high above $126,000.
Gold Exposure Exceeds Bitcoin Allocation at Harvard
The endowment’s gold-related investments now total $171.2 million, surpassing its $101.4 million bitcoin fund allocation. The gold exposure consists of $149.5 million in the iShares Gold Trust and an additional $21.7 million in the SPDR Gold Trust.
Within Harvard’s disclosed portfolio, IBIT represents the 11th largest position, accounting for 2.4% of the $4.26 billion in publicly reported assets. The institution’s complete endowment totals approximately $57 billion, though the majority resides in private investments exempt from 13F disclosure requirements.
The endowment’s dominant public holding is SpaceX, valued at $2.21 billion and representing 52% of all disclosed investments. The aerospace company completed its public offering in June at $135 per share, achieving a market capitalization near $1.8 trillion. Harvard’s pre-IPO stake automatically converted into publicly traded equity following the listing.
Dartmouth College similarly maintained unchanged crypto ETF allocations during the quarter. The institution’s combined holdings in IBIT, a Grayscale Ethereum staking vehicle, and a Bitwise Solana fund decreased from $14.6 million to $12.4 million solely due to market valuation changes.
Major Financial Institutions Adjust Bitcoin ETF Exposure
Mubadala, Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund, maintained 14.7 million IBIT shares worth $490.1 million, while the Abu Dhabi Investment Council preserved its 8.2 million share position valued at $273.6 million. Both entities reported zero changes to their allocations.
JPMorgan expanded its IBIT allocation from 8.3 million to 10.4 million shares and simultaneously increased its BlackRock ether ETF position more than fourfold. Conversely, Morgan Stanley decreased its IBIT exposure by 4.5% to approximately 16.5 million shares. The financial giant also reported holding 2.57 million shares in its proprietary Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust.
Tudor Investment Corporation acquired an additional 109,446 shares throughout the quarter, elevating its total position to 688,529 IBIT shares worth $22.9 million. The investment firm simultaneously maintained IBIT put options representing $23.8 million in underlying exposure.
As of August 13, BlackRock’s IBIT managed approximately $47.35 billion in total net assets. According to 13F filing records, the ETF now counts 1,500 institutional investors among its shareholder base.
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Key Takeaways
Bitcoin has plummeted approximately 50% from its October 2026 peak of ~$126,080, currently trading in the low-$60,000 range
VanEck’s proprietary GEO analytical framework indicates potential bottom formation signals
On-chain analytics from CryptoQuant reveal long-term holders experiencing unrealized losses deeper than average investors — a historical marker of cycle bottoms
Technical analyst Katie Stockton from Fairlead identifies significant oversold conditions and emerging momentum shifts in Bitcoin
Galaxy Research’s bearish scenario projects a possible bottom around $28,000 during Q4 2026
The leading cryptocurrency has experienced a dramatic collapse from its October 2026 all-time high near $126,080, shedding almost half its value as prices settle in the low-$60,000 territory. This significant drawdown has shaken investor confidence and sparked intense speculation about when this market cycle will reach its conclusion.
Bitcoin (BTC) Price
Analysis from investment manager VanEck indicates the ongoing correction aligns remarkably well with Bitcoin’s established four-year halving cycle pattern. Following each halving event, the rate of fresh BTC entering circulation is reduced by 50%, and substantial price corrections have historically followed preceding bull runs.
VanEck employs its proprietary GEO analytical model to evaluate Bitcoin performance, assessing three critical components: Global Liquidity conditions, Ecosystem Leverage levels, and On-Chain Activity metrics. Currently, two indicators register neutral readings, while ecosystem leverage demonstrates constructive positioning.
$BTC has a decent long-side liquidity sitting around $62,000.
After that, most of the liquidity is to the upside.
IMO, a dip below $62,000 followed by a pump above $65,000 could happen for Bitcoin. pic.twitter.com/uyEUzseFZS
— Ted (@TedPillows) August 15, 2026
According to VanEck’s assessment, these metric configurations indicate preliminary signals of bottom formation, prompting the firm to recommend gradual position accumulation rather than attempting to time a precise market entry point.
On-chain data provider CryptoQuant offers complementary insights through its analysis. Researcher MorenoDV investigated adjusted Net Unrealized Profit/Loss (NUPL) metrics, discovering that Bitcoin’s long-term holder cohort currently bears more substantial unrealized losses compared to the overall market participant base. This specific configuration has historically emerged near significant Bitcoin cycle troughs.
Nevertheless, CryptoQuant maintains caution against declaring an absolute bottom. During previous major cycle lows, the long-term holder NUPL metric declined substantially beyond present readings, suggesting potential for additional downside before a definitive price floor materializes.
Technical Indicators Showing Bullish Divergences
Katie Stockton, who founded Fairlead Strategies and manages the Amplify Fairlead Tactical Bitcoin ETF, shared with Coinage that her preferred technical indicators are displaying long-term oversold readings. She observed that long-term momentum measurements have started reversing upward following a period of accelerating downward pressure.
“We’re already observing indicators of long-term downside exhaustion,” Stockton explained. The simultaneous occurrence of oversold conditions alongside improving momentum was “exceptionally compelling,” she noted.
Stockton further highlighted that implied Bitcoin volatility metrics recently dropped to their lowest annual levels, while CryptoQuant’s founder Ki Young Ju documented that hedge fund positioning has transitioned to net long exposure in BTC futures contracts.
Price Target Predictions From Leading Analysts
Geoffrey Kendrick from Standard Chartered made a bold bottom call for Bitcoin’s cycle low at $59,000 this past June, declaring the “winter is over.” Interestingly, Bitcoin concluded June 30 at $58,566, marking its lowest monthly close in nearly 24 months.
Galaxy Research maintains a more conservative outlook, projecting a potential bottom formation between $40,000 and $46,000 during Q4 2026, while acknowledging a worst-case capitulation scenario could drive prices toward $28,000.
On-chain intelligence platform Glassnode reports that 45 distinct Bitcoin metrics currently reflect capitulation conditions — representing the longest sustained period of such readings since the November 2022 FTX exchange collapse. Market strategists from Cowen, CryptoQuant, and veteran trader Peter Brandt are converging on September through October timeframes for a probable market bottom.
At present, Bitcoin trades around the $63,000 level, representing approximately 49% decline from its historical peak, as market participants monitor whether accumulated holdings by long-term investors and institutional buying interest can counterbalance persistent selling pressure.
The post Bitcoin (BTC) Price Analysis: Has the Crypto Winter Bottom Arrived or Will Prices Fall Further? appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR:
Gen Z ETF inflows rose to 21.9% of July net equity flows as single-stock exposure slipped to 74.2% overall.
ETF trading reached 25% of Gen Z equity volume in early August, compared with only 9.5% for Millennials.
Gen Z equity deployment fell 17.4% in July, but unleveraged ETF inflows declined just 2% during the month.
Gen Z ETF holders increased 2.9%, while Millennial and Gen X holders fell 4.5% and 5.9%, respectively.
Gen Z investors are directing more equity activity toward exchange-traded funds, while their share of single-stock exposure is declining. Binance Research shows unleveraged ETFs captured 21.9% of Gen Z net equity inflows in July, up from 18.5% in June.
Gen Z is rotating into ETFs.
Unleveraged ETFs rose to 21.9% of Gen Z equity net flow (June→July), and ETF trading share climbed to 25% in early August (vs 9.5% for Millennials).
More baskets, fewer single names—diversification over speculation.
Read more … pic.twitter.com/jlim9amBHO
— Binance (@binance) August 15, 2026
Single stocks, meanwhile, fell from 77% to 74.2% of net inflows during the same period. The change was clearer in trading volume, where ETF activity climbed sharply through June, July, and early August.
Gen Z ETF Share Rises as Single-Stock Exposure Falls
ETFs represented 14.6% of Gen Z equity turnover in June before rising to 21.4% in July. During the opening days of August, that share reached 25%, according to Binance. Millennials, however, followed a different pattern during the same period.
Only 9.5% of their early-August equity trading volume moved through ETFs. The gap widened as overall equity deployment weakened in July. Gen Z net equity deployment fell 17.4%, yet unleveraged ETF inflows declined only 2%.
Single-stock inflows dropped 20.4%, while leveraged-product flows fell 28.5%. As a result, diversified funds captured a larger share of a smaller pool of new capital. The number of Gen Z ETF holders increased 2.9% in July.
By comparison, ETF holders among Millennials declined 4.5%, while Gen X holders fell 5.9%. Younger users therefore expanded participation while both older groups recorded declines.
Binance also found that trading frequency did not support a uniformly high-turnover profile for younger investors. Gen Z averaged three monthly bStocks trades and eight direct-equity trades.
Leveraged fund activity was also limited across most younger accounts. About 88.2% of Gen Z TradFi-Perps accounts recorded no leveraged or inverse ETF activity. The comparable figure for Millennials was 84.5%.
ETF Demand Holds Up as Gen Z Equity Deployment Slows
The same dataset showed most younger accounts were net buyers rather than net sellers. In bStocks, 76% of Gen Z accounts were net accumulators. That compared with 67% of Millennials. In direct equities, 77% of Gen Z accounts accumulated more than they sold.
The findings add context to earlier research on how younger investors enter markets. FINRA has highlighted cryptocurrency, social media, and fear of missing out as influences. A joint FINRA Foundation and CFA Institute study found 37% of surveyed U.S. Gen Z investors cited social-media influencers as an important investing reason.
However, Binance data focuses on how these users allocated capital after entering markets. In July, diversified products held up better as stock and leveraged inflows weakened. The shift also came during rapid expansion across the broader U.S. ETF market. Industry assets reached $15.70 trillion in June 2026.
That was 36.6% above the $11.49 trillion recorded one year earlier. Net ETF issuance reached about $991.6 billion during the first half of 2026. The comparable total for the first half of 2025 was $542.7 billion. Binance noted that its direct-equity product only reached meaningful scale in June.
The dataset therefore covers roughly two months and reflects Binance TradFi users rather than investors globally. Within that sample, single-stock exposure fell as diversified fund participation increased.
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