Author: NBTC

This is a segment from the Lightspeed newsletter. To read full editions, subscribe. As issues with Solana’s code have been ironed out over the years, block times — or how long it takes the network to produce a new block of transactions — have declined, even dipping under Solana’s putative level of 400ms. But over the past month, an interesting trend has emerged: Median block times spiked, and Solana was adding new transactions to the blockchain slower than before. At fault was a new meta among Solana validators that showed it can be lucrative to produce blocks slowly. Anza, Jito…

Online trading platform eToro (NASDAQ: ETOR) has rolled out a new type of futures contract for its Spanish users, allowing them to trade positions that mirror current market prices rather than future valuations. The NASDAQ-listed company said today (Wednesday) it’s offering spot-quoted futures contracts on six markets: the S&P 500, Nasdaq-100, Russell 2000, Dow Jones Industrial Average, plus Bitcoin and Ethereum. The contracts come from CME Group, the Chicago-based derivatives exchange. Unlike regular futures contracts that price in expected future values, these spot-quoted versions track the actual current price of the underlying asset. Think of it as futures trading that…

As Bitcoin (BTC) continues to set new all-time highs (ATH) – reaching $123,218 on Binance on July 13 – on-chain data reveals a shift in holder behavior that could threaten the cryptocurrency’s bullish momentum. Bitcoin Holder Rotation May Derail Rally According to a CryptoQuant Quicktake post by contributor IT Tech, long-term Bitcoin holders (LTH) – those holding BTC for over 155 days – have transitioned into net distribution, suggesting seasoned investors are engaging in profit-taking. Meanwhile, short-term holders (STH) – those who have held BTC for less than 155 days — have recently turned net positive, indicating they are buying…

Digital media company GameSquare (GAME) said it bought Cowboy Ape #5577 of the CryptoPunk non-fungible token (NFT) collection from Robert Leshner for $5.15 million. The Frisco, Texas-based company, which described the purchase a strategic investment, also said it added just over $10 million worth of ether (ETH) to its treasury. Leshner, the founder of Compound Labs, an open-source protocol for algorithmic money markets on Ethereum, received the company’s preferred stock in payment CryptoPunks are one of the earliest and among the most influential NFT projects. Created in 2017, they inspired much of the modern crypto art movement and set a…

Ethereum price is near $3,800 amid fresh upside momentum. Arthur Hayes targets $5k as QCP analysts point to ETH dominance jumping to 11.5%. The broader altcoin market is largely bullish as Bitcoin consolidates after hitting a new all-time high. Ethereum (ETH) has emerged as one of the altcoins to gain massive attention after surging from below $2,500 to $3,800 and now targeting the $4k level. Amid price forecasts that see ETH bulls target further gains, Arthur Hayes, former BitMEX CEO, has wondered whether buyers can push to $5k this week. Analysts at QCP are also bullish on Ethereum as the…

A new survey shared with The Defiant shows that while many Brazilians appear to trust stablecoins, using them in everyday life is still a challenge. A July 2025 report from payments app Oobit that surveyed Brazilian crypto users aged 23 to 45 found that around 91.8% hold stablecoins — mostly Tether (USDT) — and about 85% say they want to use crypto for daily purchases. Still, only 54.3% have ever paid with crypto, and just 37% have done so in stores or online. “Brazil is actively embracing stablecoin adoption. USDT dominates. Crypto literacy is high. And people aren’t just holding…

TL;DR DeFi Development launches the “DFDV Treasury Accelerator” to build international treasury operations using Solana’s blockchain. The company will hold equity in each regional partner and deliver validator and staking infrastructure to strengthen the network. Solana’s real-world asset (RWA) value has surged 218% in 2025, while its token trades near crucial resistance levels, challenging Ethereum’s dominance. DeFi Development has officially introduced its global treasury platform built on Solana, targeting crypto firms eager for more dynamic treasury management than simply hoarding bitcoin. Named the “DFDV Treasury Accelerator”, this new structure allows regional partners to run their own Solana treasuries with direct…

South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party plans to fast-track new Bitcoin and crypto regulations. The decision follows the United States’ adoption of the GENIUS Act, which set a clear framework for digital asset oversight. South Korean lawmakers say they want to stay aligned with major economies. On July 22, Bitcoin Archive reported that the ruling party will prioritize legal updates covering Bitcoin, stablecoins, and crypto exchanges. A senior party member said, “Delays aren’t an option.” The push includes setting responsibilities for platforms and preventing fraud. The legislative push will focus on setting clear responsibilities for crypto platforms and preventing fraud, with…

Yesterday, Coinbase launched its own paid version for everyone. It is called Coinbase One Basic and costs $4.99 per month. The free basic version remains, but those who subscribe to the One Basic subscription will have some advantages. Today, the best of crypto has been unlocked for everyone.Start small and earn big with Coinbase One Basic at just $4.99/month. pic.twitter.com/zc2IafmyCn — Coinbase 🛡️ (@coinbase) July 22, 2025 The paid version of Coinbase Coinbase One Basic The free version The paid version of Coinbase Coinbase is not only the largest crypto exchange in the United States, but it is also a…

Is MARA mining, HODLing, or Banking? With 15% of its Bitcoin treasury out on loan, MARA Holdings is starting to look like a shadow bank. MARA Deploys 15% of Bitcoin Treasury in Lending Strategy The following guest post comes from Bitcoinminingstock.io, the one-stop hub for all things bitcoin mining stocks, educational tools, and industry insights. Originally published on July 18, 2025, it was penned by Bitcoinminingstock.io author Cindy Feng. It has been a while since I last covered MARA Holdings (NASDAQ: MARA) and its Bitcoin treasury strategy. Yes, it still holds the crown for the largest hash rate among public…