Author: NBTC
Coinbase is walking a tightrope in the negotiation over the Clarity Act, telling the staffs of U.S. senators that the company is not happy with where the lawmakers landed in their latest compromise, according to people familiar with the situation, but it hasn’t openly declared its opposition. The proposed agreement was shown to stakeholders in the crypto industry on Monday and the banking industry on Tuesday. From the crypto industry side, it received mixed reactions, according to people familiar with the meeting on Monday. Some stakeholders were dissatisfied — most notably Coinbase — but others were “pleasantly surprised,” one of…
Iran’s role in Bitcoin mining has expanded into the global network, with estimates placing the country’s contribution at 6%-8% of total hashrate. This level of activity positions Iran among the world’s major mining hubs, with analysts indicating that a large share of operations is tied to state-linked entities. Data shows that approximately 70% of the country’s mining capacity is associated with organizations connected to the military, placing part of Bitcoin’s infrastructure within a geopolitical area. According to estimates, Iran has built its mining capacity over several years, with activity increasing despite international sanctions. Analysts report that a large share of…
The European Union Parliament showed its first support for the launch of the digital euro on Tuesday. The Parliament endorsed the European Council’s call for a central bank digital currency with both online and offline functionality. The parliamentary decision comes as two amendments were added to the European Central Bank’s annual report shortly before the vote. Up to 420 lawmakers voted for the First Amendment, with 158 voting against and 64 absent. However, 438 lawmakers voted for the Second Amendment, with 158 against and 44 absent. European lawmakers urge ECB to boost its monitoring of digital assets Today’s vote in…
Strategists at State Street, one of the world’s largest asset managers, say the US dollar’s worst run in nearly a decade could deepen if the Federal Reserve eases policy more aggressively than markets expect, which is a distinct possibility following a possible leadership change at the central bank. Speaking at a conference in Miami, State Street strategist Lee Ferridge said the dollar could decline by as much as 10% this year if financial conditions loosen further. While he described two rate cuts as a “reasonable base case,” he warned that the risks are skewed toward more reductions. “Three is possible,”…
Key Takeaways The CFTC and SEC are working together to create a unified regulatory framework for crypto. Project Crypto aims to align definitions and regulatory philosophies between the CFTC and SEC. The distinct roles of the CFTC and SEC are crucial for managing different financial market aspects. Tailored regulatory approaches are necessary for technologies like AI and crypto. Blockchain technology offers self-custody and censorship-resistant asset management. Derivatives are key financial instruments for risk management and speculation. The previous lack of a regulatory framework led to rapid product development in the market. Exchanges play a critical role in ensuring listed contracts…
Goldman Sachs announced in its 13F filing for the fourth quarter of 2025 (Q4 2025) that it holds a total of $2.36 billion in crypto assets in its portfolio. The bank stated that crypto investments constitute approximately 0.33% of its total portfolio. According to the data released, the portfolio includes $1.1 billion in Bitcoin, $1 billion in Ethereum, $153 million in XRP, and $108 million in Solana. The bank also revealed that its crypto assets increased by 15% compared to the previous quarter. This increase is noteworthy as it occurred during a period of high market volatility. Following the development,…
A Texas court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by crypto developer Michael Lewellen, seeking a declaratory judgment that his software, Pharos, which facilitates donations to charitable crowdfunding campaigns, won’t be prosecuted for violating money-transmission laws. Chief US District Judge Reed O’Connor dismissed the case on Wednesday, finding that Lewellen had failed to demonstrate a credible threat of imminent prosecution. “Disappointed to see the court dismiss my suit today,” said Lewellen on X on Wednesday. In its dismissal, the court also cited a Department of Justice memo stating that it will no longer target virtual currency exchanges, mixing and tumbling services…
Americans are carrying more credit card debt than ever. Balances hit $1.28 trillion by the end of last year’s fourth quarter, a $44 billion jump in three months, according to data the Federal Reserve Bank of New York released Tuesday. The year-over-year number looks worse. Balances climbed 5.5% compared to the same period in 2024. Holiday shopping always pushes credit card use higher, but New York Fed researchers say there’s more going on. Despite problems in the job market, people kept spending through the final months of 2025. The catch? Most spending came from wealthier households, not regular families. “You…
Swan Bitcoin filed an ex parte application in the Southern District of New York seeking court authorization to subpoena Cantor Fitzgerald and its former CEO, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. The discovery request, filed under 28 U.S.C. § 1782, would support foreign proceedings against Tether-appointed directors of 2040 Energy, Swan’s joint mining venture with Tether. Those directors include Tether Chairman Giancarlo Devasini and Bitfinex CEO JL van der Velde. What Led to the Subpoena Swan and Tether established 2040 Energy as a joint venture for mining Bitcoin (BTC). Tether provided funding while Swan handled operations. However, in mid-2024, the partnership unraveled…
US lawmakers have introduced a bill aiming to ban members of the US Congress, the president and other high-ranking government officials from wagering on prediction markets. The proposed bill, a bipartisan effort from US Representative Adrian Smith and Representative Nikki Budzinski, was introduced on Tuesday and is called the Preventing Real-time Exploitation and Deceptive Insider Congressional Trading Act (PREDICT Act). “In recent months, we’ve seen instances of little-known traders making massive profits on events ranging from war with Iran to how long a government shutdown will last, raising necessary questions about the use of inside information,” Budzinski said. The move…