Author: NBTC

NBTC

NBTC is the editorial account for NBTC News, covering Bitcoin, Ethereum, DeFi, blockchain infrastructure, exchanges, mining, regulation and digital asset markets. The editorial team focuses on clear sourcing, timely updates and practical context for crypto readers.

What is Aptos' AIP-146 and Is It Good News for APT?

AltcoinsAug 13

AIP-146 lets anyone who controls enough staked $APT push transactions with up to 100 times the network's normal gas limits, and on balance it reads as good news for the token: it gives the biggest players in DeFi a practical reason to stake $APT beyond yield alone. This is not a distant roadmap item either. The proposal has been accepted, an onchain governance vote to enable it passed with near-unanimous support, and Aptos Labs (@AptosLabs) began promoting the upgrade this week. What Is AIP-146? Every Aptos transaction currently runs under the same execution and I/O gas limits. That works for…

25 States Challenge Trump Tariffs as Bitcoin Investors Watch

LegalAug 13

A coalition of 25 Democratic-led states has launched a legal challenge against the Trump administration’s latest tariff policy, opening another chapter in the ongoing dispute over the president’s trade powers. Filed Monday in the U.S. Court of International Trade, the lawsuit argues that the administration exceeded its legal authority by introducing new double-digit tariffs on 60 trading partners. The case arrives after earlier tariff measures were struck down by the Supreme Court, making the action another watched test of the administration’s trade strategy. The outcome is also being monitored by Bitcoin investors, who are assessing how different legal outcomes could…

Stables Partners With Access Bank South Africa to Boost Cross-Border Payments

ExchangesAug 13

With South Africa acting as its entrance point into the continent, the partnership is a component of Stables’ larger plan to extend payment infrastructure across high-growth regions. With an emphasis on assisting companies that operate in regional and global markets, the organizations will assess possible use cases spanning payments and associated financial services. Through a collaborative partnership with Access Bank South Africa, Stables is broadening its African payments strategy as the two companies investigate cutting-edge payment technologies intended to enhance cross-border commercial transactions. Businesses are facing a growing need for payment infrastructure that is effective, transparent, and able to facilitate…

Nasdaq seeks protocol engineer to build on-chain stock token standard

BlockchainAug 13

Nasdaq is moving forward with its planned on-chain stock token standard by hiring a principal protocol engineer, a role that will shape how traditional equities could be represented and traded on blockchain networks. The position, reported by ChainCatcher, is part of the Nasdaq Token Design Standard initiative, which aims to create a framework for issuing and managing tokenized stocks in a regulated manner. What the role covers The job posting outlines responsibilities spanning token issuance, compliance integration, corporate action processing, blockchain network selection, and the development of trading infrastructure tailored for institutional participants. The salary range of $155,000 to $287,000…

Bitcoin Perpetual Futures Volume Drops to Lowest Level Since 2023: K33 Research

BitcoinAug 13

Bitcoin perpetual futures trading volume on major exchanges Binance and Bybit has fallen to its lowest level since 2023, according to a recent report by crypto research firm K33 Research. The decline also extends to spot markets, where volume has dropped to levels not seen since February 2024. The data suggests a notable cooling in trading activity across the crypto derivatives market, even as open interest remains relatively elevated. Declining Volume, Persistent Open Interest K33 Research’s analysis highlights a divergence: while trading volumes have contracted sharply, open interest in Bitcoin perpetual futures has stayed comparatively large. This means that many…

Trump-linked DeFi project WLFI taps former Coinbase executive Ryan Ballantyne as CBO

DeFiAug 13

World Liberty Financial ($WLFI), the decentralized finance project associated with the Trump family, has appointed Ryan Ballantyne as its chief business officer, according to a report from The Block. Ballantyne, who most recently led corporate client strategy at Coinbase Institutional, will oversee $WLFI’s global business strategy and partnerships. Background and role Ballantyne brings extensive experience in the digital asset space, having spent years at Coinbase where he focused on serving institutional clients. His move to $WLFI signals the project’s ambition to expand its institutional reach and build credibility within the traditional finance sector. $WLFI, launched in late 2024, aims to…

JPYC raises $38 million Series B led by major Japanese logistics firm AZ-COM Maruwa

RegulationAug 13

JPYC Inc. raised 6 billion yen ($38 million) in an extension of its Series B funding round to accelerate the expansion of its yen-pegged stablecoin. The investment brings the company’s total raised to $106 million across seven funding rounds since November 2021, according to venture capital data site Tracxn. New investors in the latest round include AZ-COM Maruwa Holdings (9090), a major Japanese logistics company. AZ-COM plans to settle payments in JPYC with its clients, including Amazon Japan. Its network of around 2,300 partners is made up of subcontractors, drivers and so on. The move marked the first large-scale corporate…

Grayscale filing reveals 100 wallets hold 90% of Worldcoin

AltcoinsAug 13

Grayscale’s new SEC filing for a Worldcoin ETF reveals that just 100 wallets hold approximately 90% of all circulating $WLD — a concerning level of centralization for co-founder Sam Altman’s “coin for the world.” These numbers contrast with the token’s whitepaper, which outlined a simple goal tied to eyeball-scanning orbs and token giveaways around the globe: “The majority of $WLD tokens will be claimed by individuals simply for being verified unique humans.” It would be bad enough if that were Worldcoin’s only decentralization failure. Unfortunately, the filing also acknowledges the project’s dependence on a centralized sequencer, upgrade functionaries, bridge operators,…

WSJ Editorial Board Slams Crypto Clarity Act

LegalAug 13

The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board has criticized the Senate's proposed Clarity Act. The board has admitted that the legislation would provide long-awaited regulatory certainty for the cryptocurrency industry. However, it has also noted that it contains provisions that could introduce new risks to the U.S. financial system. In an editorial published on Aug. 4, the board acknowledged that the crypto sector has operated in a regulatory gray zone. It also praised the bill for creating clearer rules that distinguish digital assets regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission from those falling under the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. According to…

Kiwoom Securities Puts Bithumb Stake Acquisition on Hold

ExchangesAug 13

Kiwoom Securities has effectively paused its efforts to acquire a stake in South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb, according to an exclusive report from Byline Network. A company official indicated that internal sentiment has shifted against continuing the deal, citing Bithumb’s complex governance structure and the growing financial burden associated with the transaction. Kiwoom Securities declined to confirm the matter when approached for comment. Background of the Proposed Deal The potential acquisition had been under consideration as part of Kiwoom Securities’ broader strategy to expand into the digital asset sector. Bithumb, one of South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, has faced regulatory…