Author: NBTC

The race to acquire blockchain infrastructure is picking up speed, according to U.S. bank Citizens. Citizens said it expects the pace of mergers and acquisitions across digital assets to accelerate from here in a new research report. The analysts noted that the digital-asset industry’s technical complexity, talent shortages, and stringent compliance demands make acquisitions the most practical path for incumbents. Meanwhile, digital-native companies gain scale, customer reach, and regulatory credibility by joining larger financial networks. Mastercard (MA) is in advanced talks to buy ZeroHash for as much as $2 billion and that Coinbase (COIN) is nearing a similar-sized deal for…

Japan has built one of the world’s most conservative stablecoin regimes. But after pioneering a comprehensive legal framework for yen-pegged stablecoins, its bank-dependent structure has been called out for limiting innovation in the decentralized finance sector. In Asia, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan are in the spotlight for rolling out licensing rules for stablecoin operators. While regulators celebrate Japan’s legal clarity, its inward-looking framework could leave the country lagging behind regional peers like Singapore and Hong Kong, warns Professor of Economics Sayuri Shirai at Keio University. Under Japan’s current framework, Shirai doesn’t see momentum for stablecoins taking off. She explains…

Crypto exchange Binance is partnering with blockchain data platform Bubblemaps to give users of its non-custodial Web3 Wallet more insight into potential insider trading and token manipulation. The integration will allow millions of Binance Web3 Wallet users to utilize Bubblemaps’ blockchain data visualization tool to view token distribution and onchain wallet clusters, aiming to add “layers of transparency” to the Binance experience, according to a Wednesday announcement shared with Cointelegraph. Binance aims to help traders identify insider trading activity or other coordinated market behavior by analyzing a token’s distribution pattern. “As more traders and activity move onchain, the need for…

The recent Ethereum price rejection that pushed it back below the $4,000 level has created a concerning trend that could send the price spiraling. The major point of interest lies at the 0.618 Fibonacci retracement level, where the last rejection occurred. Given this, it is likely that the Ethereum price could see more declines in the coming days, although there is still the possibility of the bulls taking over and invalidating the entire bearish setup. Ethereum Price Is Showing A Lot Of Weakness The rejection from the 0.618 Fibonacci retracement level marked the start of the decline from the $4,200…

A string of stablecoin projects has begun to shake up Japan’s digital money ecosystem. It quietly opened the door to yen-pegged stablecoins this month. But these won’t replace cash at the local supermarket. Instead, they are being built in the quieter corners of the finance world. Japan’s payments market is flush with cashless options, which may limit the appeal of stablecoins in everyday transactions, according to Makoto Shibata, head of Finolab, a Tokyo-based fintech innovation hub. Japan is historically cashless According to Shibata, “If you go to places like convenience stores, you would see like 40 or 50 different types…

The anticipated Cardano and XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) applications from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have been overshadowed by political gridlock in Washington. This week, the SEC has been facing a decision deadline for three different XRP ETF applications and Grayscale’s Cardano ETF, but has not released any statements. Due to the ongoing US federal government shutdown since October 1st, the SEC is operating at limited capacity, and ETF approval processes have been temporarily halted. Andrew Jacobson, a legal advisor for Halliday and former global head of legal at 21Shares, said in a statement that he expects the…

Cars produced by the Chinese automaker Geely and its local subsidiary in Belarus can now be purchased using cryptocurrencies. Customers will be getting the same prices and promotions, with the added benefit of using digital coins to make the payment through instant conversion to Belarusian fiat. Cryptocurrencies accepted for Geely and Belgee cars in Belarus A car dealership in Minsk, the capital city of Belarus, has launched a new service allowing buyers to spend cryptocurrency on their new vehicle. Tochka, the auto retailer, is offering the alternative payment option in collaboration with WhiteBird, one of the oldest licensed crypto platforms…

Circle (CRCL), the firm behind the $76 billion stablecoin USDC$0.9998 is inching closer towards launching its payments-focused Arc blockchain, starting a test phase with a wide roster of institutional partners. The firm said on Tuesday it has deployed Arc’s public testnet version, allowing over 100 financial institutions, asset managers and tech firms already involved, such as Visa, HSBC, BlackRock and Anthropic. “Combined, these companies reach billions of users, move, exchange, and custody hundreds of trillions in assets and payments, and support local economies across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East,” said Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire. The move…

Ethereum (ETH) has started November with quiet optimism, climbing nearly 1% to trade around $3,875. Whale wallets have begun adding to their holdings again, signaling renewed confidence in a potential recovery. But that optimism may be short-lived. A looming death cross could challenge buyers — and decide whether this early momentum can hold or fade. Whales and Retail Investors Fuel Early Optimism Ethereum whales are buying again, a pattern that resumed right before Halloween. On-chain data shows their combined holdings have grown from 100.89 million ETH to 101.09 million ETH in the past 48 hours. It represents an increase of…

In a bold move signaling a strong commitment to the future of digital finance, Nasdaq-listed SEGG Media (SEGG) has announced a substantial Web3 investment program. This ambitious initiative, valued at $300 million, is set to significantly impact the cryptocurrency and tokenization landscape. For those following the evolution of blockchain technology, this strategic allocation marks a pivotal moment, positioning SEGG Media at the forefront of innovation. What Drives SEGG Media’s Bold Web3 Investment? SEGG Media’s decision to embark on such a significant Web3 investment reflects a growing trend among traditional companies recognizing the immense potential of decentralized technologies. The company’s vision…