Author: NBTC

THORSwap, a renowned decentralized exchange (DEX), has unveiled a new cross-chain integration through the L1 blockchain NEAR Protocol. Specifically, THORSwap is extending the cross-chain trading network by integrating Bitcoin Cash ($BCH) via NEAR Intents, the abstraction layer of NEAR Protocol. As per THORSwap’s official social media announcement, the upgrade provides complete Bitcoin Cash ($BCH) swap support. Hence, this reaffirms the platform’s status as a prominent decentralized alternative to legacy centralized exchanges. 📢@THORSwap now supports Bitcoin Cash cross-chain trading via @NEAR_Intents! 🔥Swap Native $BCH to/from:Bitcoin, Solana, BNB Chain, XRP, Zcash, NEAR Protocol, TRON, Dogecoin, Litecoin, AvalancheEthereum, Base, Polygon, OP Mainnet,Arbitrum, MonadProudly…

Following the Federal Reserve’s announcement of a 25 basis point interest rate cut, in line with expectations, a striking assessment emerged indicating a deepening of disagreements within the institution. Nick Timiraos, known as one of the best readers of the Fed’s internal communications, noted that despite the third consecutive interest rate cut, there was an unusual division among decision-makers. According to Timiraos, Fed officials are seriously divided on the priority order between inflation and the labor market. Therefore, strong signals have been given that the committee’s willingness to continue with interest rate cuts is quite low. As recent statements have…

In today’s newsletter, Michael Carbonara, candidate for the United States House of Representatives, explains how blockchain can provide transparency in government operations. Then, Alec Beckman answers questions on government use cases in Ask an Expert. – Sarah Morton Real-time Government Transparency Requires Blockchain and Clear Rules: Opinion on the CLARITY Act, & Its Direct Impact on the US When people talk about transparency in government finance, they usually mean better reporting standards in integrity, speed, and security. But the deeper problem in the United States is more fundamental: we still lack clear rules about which federal agencies regulate digital assets.…

Conflux Network and AutoStaking have formed a strategic alliance that combines AutoStaking’s intelligent yield optimization technology with Conflux’s powerful Layer-1 infrastructure. They aim to develop creative solutions that will expand the relationship between traditional commerce and decentralized finance. Combining AI Intelligence and Blockchain Scalability AutoStaking makes DeFi simplified with an AI-based wealth manager that can design positions like no other investor’s strategy that would be tailored towards your risk tolerance and deposit choices. Unlike the traditional aggregators, its AI agents simplify the choice of protocols, rebalance a portfolio on a constant basis, and make transactions, which is more efficient and…

Money market traders are pricing in an ECB rate hike in the coming months, ending the period of relatively low rates. On the other hand, Polymarket predictions point to unchanged rates for most of 2026. The credit landscape in 2026 may include ECB rate hikes and an increased economic outlook for the Euro area, after a period of unchanged interest rates and low inflation. On the one hand, money market traders are pointing to a potential hike in 2026, as the Euro area economy is showing signs of a faster recovery. On the other hand, traders are pointing to more…

Michael Selig is not easing into his new job as the new chair of the CFTC, because he’s walking into a pile of legal fights, crypto chaos, prediction bets, and staff problems. The agency was set up to regulate things like oil and wheat, not event contracts or tokens. But that’s what it’s got now. And Congress still hasn’t finished deciding what the CFTC is even supposed to do next. This is the same regulator that used to just deal with companies like CME Group and ICE. Selig enters with prediction markets already exploding Selig was sworn in last month.…

The adoption of blockchain by large enterprises is entering a new phase. An increasing number of global companies are considering the creation of proprietary on-chain infrastructures, no longer as mere experiments, but as strategic components of their business model. We discussed this with Kyle Jenke, Chief Business Officer of Optimism, in an exclusive interview where he explained why more enterprises are choosing the OP Stack, what the main needs of companies are, and why 2026 could represent a real turning point for on-chain finance. Optimism as a Launchpad for Enterprise Blockchain What Companies Really Look for in a Layer 2…

Norway’s central bank has decided to pause work on its Norway CBDC project, even as the country rapidly moves toward one of the world’s most cash-light economies. Norway Norges Bank’s latest stance on CBDC Research findings and the digital payments backdrop Nordic policy context and future outlook Norway Norges Bank’s latest stance on CBDC Norges Bank Governor Ida Wolden Bache confirmed that the institution currently sees no need to introduce a central bank digital currency. This position, stated on December 10, 2025, reinforces a cautious approach to new forms of money across the Nordic region. The decision follows several years…

The Eastern European nation of Moldova will regulate cryptocurrency ownership and transactions as part of a comprehensive framework to be adopted this year. Admittedly unable to prohibit the use of decentralized digital assets, the small country is required to implement the latest EU rules as a candidate for membership. EU hopeful Moldova sets out to put its crypto space in order The Republic of Moldova will implement legislation regulating investment, trading, and conversion of cryptocurrencies in 2026, its Finance Minister Andrian Gavriliță announced. The framework will also introduce strict rules for taxation and the prevention of money laundering, the government…

Ripple and the University of California, Berkeley have jointly unveiled a new accelerator program to help developers turn early-stage blockchain ideas into deployable products on the XRP Ledger. According to the stablecoin issuer’s press statement published on Friday, Ripple University’s Blockchain Research Initiative is launching a University Digital Asset Xcelerator (UDAX) that promises to provide founders with hands-on technical support, direct mentorship, and access to capital networks. Ripple is adding its academic footprint through UBRI, the multi-year program based at UC Berkeley that has been contributing to blockchain research and talent. UDAX debuts after a six-week pilot cohort at Berkeley…