Author: NBTC

NBTC

NBTC is the editorial account for NBTC News, covering Bitcoin, Ethereum, DeFi, blockchain infrastructure, exchanges, mining, regulation and digital asset markets. The editorial team focuses on clear sourcing, timely updates and practical context for crypto readers.

Origins Network and HolmesAI Partner to Pioneer Decentralized Digital Personas and AI Monetization

BlockchainApr 19

The convergence of AI and Web3 is now a reality where AI agents will be an integral part of how individuals experience their digital identity. Origins has taken a significant step for the AI agent market by forming a strategic partnership with HolmesAI to connect AI-generated digital profiles with the secure & verifiable ownership model of a blockchain. This will give users more than just being tracked as data points but will allow each individual to have ownership over their own digital identity. Orchestrating the “Clone Your Intelligence” Vision Holmes AI’s Clone Your Intelligence framework is the foundation of this…

Bitcoin Exchange Binance Announces It Will List Shares of World-Famous Companies on Its Futures Trading Platform! Here Are the Details

ExchangesApr 19

Binance Futures, one of the world’s largest crypto derivatives exchanges, announced a new step towards diversifying its trading products. The company stated that three new USDⓈ-margin perpetual futures contracts will be available to users on April 20, 2026. According to the plan, the MSFTUSDT contract, tracking Microsoft shares, will begin trading at 4:30 PM, the AVGOUSDT contract, based on Broadcom shares, at 4:40 PM, and the BABAUSDT contract, tracking Alibaba Group shares, at 4:50 PM. These contracts will offer investors access to large technology companies in traditional financial markets through crypto derivative instruments. All three contracts will offer leverage support…

OpenLedger Introduces OctoClaw Intelligent Agent for Workflow Automation in Real Time

BlockchainApr 19

OpenLedger, a renowned blockchain AI infrastructure entity, has announced an exclusive project, OctoClaw. OctoClaw serves as a cutting-edge and intuitive AI agent to streamline and organize complicated workflows. As OpenLedger disclosed in its official social media announcement, OctoClaw’s launch underscores a key move in connecting research, automation, execution, and generation within an inclusive platform. Additionally, the project is set to work efficiently across on-chain execution and data retrieval. Introducing OctoClaw. Where Octo comes alive. Your intelligent agent, built to simplify everything. Research, generate, execute, and automate across workflows. From data retrieval to on-chain execution, orchestrated in real time. Get started:…

Charles Schwab begins phased rollout of Bitcoin, Ether trading for retail clients

ExchangesApr 19

Charles Schwab said it will begin a phased rollout of spot Bitcoin and Ether trading for retail clients in the coming weeks, marking a deeper move into direct crypto access as major brokerages expand digital asset offerings. The new service, called Schwab Crypto, will initially support trading in Bitcoin and Ethereum, the two largest crypto assets by market cap, while giving clients the ability to manage crypto alongside stocks and other investments across Schwab.com, Schwab Mobile, and thinkorswim. Schwab said the product is designed around what crypto investors say they want most from a trading platform, including low and transparent…

Bitcoin miners pivot to AI is now an immediate risk to network security – but BTC revenue will still eclipse AI by over $4B

MiningApr 19

Quantum computing has long served as Bitcoin’s most cinematic threat. It has the right ingredients for a high-drama warning, strange machines, broken cryptography, and the possibility of a future rewrite of digital trust. Yet the greater danger facing Bitcoin today looks far more ordinary and far more commercial. It is artificial intelligence, and the pressure point is electricity. That pressure is already visible. As of today, Bitcoin is trading at $77,845 on CryptoSlate, up 5% over 24 hours, 6.7% over seven days, and 9.2% over 30 days. Price has recovered over the past month, but the mining side of the…

Pharos Network Taps Topnod as Official Wallet Partner to Bridge Web2 UX with Real-World Assets

BlockchainApr 19

The onboarding process associated with Web3 presents a continuing challenge in terms of being the biggest obstacle to mass acceptance of blockchain technology. As institutions increasingly embrace Real World Assets (RWA) and RealFi, many users remain deterred by the technical hurdles posed by seed phrases, gas fees, and complex wallet management systems. To eliminate some of these technical barriers, Pharos Network has announced that it has formed a partnership with Topnod, which will now be the official wallet partner of Pharos Network for the upcoming launch of the Pharos Mainnet. Streamlining the RealFi Onboarding Experience This partnership’s primary goal is…

Exodus Broadens Native XRP Wallet Support as Ripple Partnership Deepens Around RLUSD and XRPL Growth

ExchangesApr 19

Native $XRP wallet access is becoming more important as self-custody platforms compete on direct blockchain utility. Exodus expanded $XRP Ledger support and deepened cooperation with Ripple, adding broader in-wallet functionality for $XRP and $RLUSD. Key Takeaways: Exodus is rolling out tools to manage and send $XRP directly in-wallet. $XRP demand drives deeper integration as usage remains strong on Exodus. $RLUSD support signals broader XRPL expansion and tighter Ripple alignment. Exodus Expands Native XRPL Wallet Tools Self-custody wallet providers are racing to deepen native blockchain access as user demand shifts toward direct asset control. Digital asset software company Exodus Movement Inc.…

Bitcoin mining difficulty falls, but projected to rise in next adjustment

MiningApr 19

The Bitcoin ($BTC) mining difficulty, the relative challenge of adding new blocks to the $BTC blockchain, fell on Saturday, amid public mining companies selling record amounts of $BTC to cover operating expenses. The Bitcoin mining difficulty fell to about 135.5 T, a modest decrease of about 1.1% over the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinWarz. Mining difficulty is also projected to increase in the next adjustment period. CoinWarz said: “The next Bitcoin difficulty adjustment is estimated to take place on May 01, 2026, 01:24:54 PM UTC, increasing the Bitcoin mining difficulty from 135.59 T to 137.43 T, which…

Wallet in Telegram rolls out rewards program for 150 million users with $500,000 debut season

ExchangesApr 19

Wallet in Telegram has launched Wallet Rewards, a new points based loyalty program that will let users earn crypto related rewards through trading, referrals, and on platform activity, with a $500,000 reward pool set for its first season and broader plans for millions in rewards over time. Wallet Rewards is live. A permanent loyalty program, starting with $500K in Season 1 – and plenty more to come. Here's how it works 👇 https://t.co/HDF1LtVr9D — andrew.ton (@rogozov) April 16, 2026 The rollout gives the Telegram based crypto wallet a new retention and engagement layer built directly into the app, as platforms…

Alcoa to cash in on crypto’s thirst for energy

MiningApr 19

The largest aluminum producer in the U.S., Alcoa, is close to selling its idle Massena East smelter in upstate New York to bitcoin firm New York Digital Investment Group (NYDIG), as it offloads dormant assets and taps demand for energy-ready industrial sites. The company’s chief executive officer, Bill Oplinger, said the company is in advanced talks and expects the deal to close “in the middle part of this year,” Bloomberg reports. The site, located along the St. Lawrence River, has sat idle since 2014 when Alcoa shut it down due to high operating costs and global competition. The appeal lies…