Author: NBTC

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) staff last week clarified that broker-dealers can apply a 2% “haircut” to their stablecoin holdings without objection from the SEC. Previously, broker-dealers were uncertain whether to apply a 100% haircut to their dollar-pegged stablecoins, meaning that they did not count the tokens toward their net capital under existing regulations. The clarification came in the form of a posting by the staff of the SEC’s Division of Trading and Markets as a “Frequently Asked Questions Relating to Crypto Asset Activities and Distributed Ledger Technology.” In response, Commissioner Hester Peirce said: In my view, a…

French Energy Giant Engie Eyes Bitcoin Mining at Brazil Mega Solar Project French utility giant Engie is exploring the installation of battery storage systems or bitcoin mining data centers at its newly launched Assu Sol solar plant in Brazil, as it looks to offset mounting curtailment losses and improve project economics, according to Reuters reporting. Speaking to reporters, Eduardo Sattamini, Engie’s country manager in Brazil, said the company is evaluating potential “offtakers” that could absorb excess generation from the 895-megawatt-peak facility — the largest solar project in Engie’s global portfolio. According to Engie, the company is 23.64% owned and 33.20%…

Key takeaways Ethereum and Solana are expected to solidify their positions as leading blockchain platforms by 2026. General-purpose blockchain networks will find it challenging to compete with the established network effects of Ethereum and Solana. Solana is gaining favor among developers and consumers, positioning itself as a key player in the blockchain space. A shift in Ethereum sentiment is anticipated, driven by improvements in metrics and institutional interest. The Solana Foundation’s proactive approach in supporting builders and onboarding institutions is a key factor in its ecosystem’s success. The value of a blockchain’s token may not directly reflect the value created…

Key takeaways The DeFi industry recently experienced a cyclical high followed by a significant decline in token valuations. Total Value Locked (TVL) is a crucial metric for assessing DeFi protocols’ value. Crypto lending markets are sustainable due to their unique value proposition. This year has been marked by rapid capital formation in the crypto space. DeFi business models can be divided into instantaneous activities and evergreen capital formation. Lending remains a durable business in crypto due to the demand for turning nonproductive assets into productive ones. The decline of platforms like Celsius and BlockFi has benefitted DeFi lending platforms. The…

In a recent tweet, Shiba Inu’s official X account reveals that SOU is now live. SOU, an abbreviation for “Shib owes you,” is an on-chain $NFT intended as a good-faith effort to support impacted Shibarium users with payouts, donations and occasional rewards. In a 2025 year-end message, Shiba Inu developer Kaal Dhairya introduced this system, revealing his commitment to ensuring that every Shiba Inu-related activity is oriented toward making Shibarium users whole. In the “Shib Owes You” system, every affected Shibarium user has an SOU $NFT — an on-chain, verifiable record of exactly what the Shiba Inu ecosystem owes them.…

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent avoided directly answering questions about whether approximately $134 billion in tariff revenue would be refunded after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned most of the broad tariffs implemented during President Donald Trump’s administration. Speaking on Dana Bash’s “State of the Union” program on CNN, Bessent was asked, “Will the approximately $134 billion collected under these emergency tariffs be refunded?” However, Bessent argued that this was not the “real issue,” saying that the Supreme Court’s decision involved a narrow interpretation of the President’s powers. Bessent stated that the court’s decision specifically addressed the use of powers under…

HPX, a renowned multi-chain Web3 Wallet entity, has collaborated with AetheriumX, a Web3 firm that merges GameFi, on-chain trading, and interactions. The partnership is poised to combine the multi-crypto wallet mechanism of HPX with the interactive blockchain environment of AetheriumX. As HPX pointed out in its official X announcement, the joint initiative promises to provide consumers with more control over digital assets and engagement in the wider decentralized economies. Additionally, this development underscores a rising trend of transforming wallet entities into inclusive hubs for cross-chain engagement, gaming, and finance. 🌟 Partnership Announcement: HPX x AetheriumX @aetheriumX_fun We’re pleased to partner…

Bitcoin mining hardware maker Canaan has purchased Cipher Mining’s 49% interest in a trio of Texas mining projects for roughly $39.75 million, expanding the company’s mining interests. The transaction covers the joint venture entities Alborz LLC, Bear LLC and Chief Mountain LLC, together known as the “ABC Projects,” according to a Monday announcement. After the deal, Canaan holds a 49% stake while partner WindHQ, a renewable energy infrastructure company, retains 51%. “By increasing our exposure to high-quality, low-cost operational power assets in Texas, we are aligning our proprietary technology with critical infrastructure to drive long-term efficiency and scale,” said Nangeng…

Key takeaways DeFi must match the performance of traditional finance while maintaining verifiability. Building in crypto should focus on solving significant problems rather than building for its own sake. Most digital asset trading remains centralized, not utilizing blockchain technology. On-chain verifiable actions by intermediaries can improve efficiency over opaque traditional finance. Perpetual contracts are favored by traders for their capital efficiency and leverage. Customer feedback is crucial in tech development; starting with infrastructure alone is not effective. Market dominance in perpetual exchanges shifts with each cycle. The product market fit for DEXs was insufficient to attract traders post-FTX collapse. Competition…

Logan Paul, Justin Bieber, Neymar, Madonna and others sit on deep $NFT losses as the 2021 celebrity hype cycle gives way to a utility-focused market reset. Summary Multiple celebrities who bought NFTs near the 2021 peak now hold assets that have dropped 90% or more from purchase values, per blockchain and marketplace data. Logan Paul’s 0N1 Force $NFT and Justin Bieber, Neymar, Madonna, Curry, Eminem and Fallon’s Bored Apes all trade far below acquisition prices, tracking the broader $NFT downturn. While blue-chip collectibles have lost value, $NFT activity is shifting toward gaming, identity, ticketing and brand engagement, emphasizing utility over…