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.

Stablecoin payments go 'invisible' in Southeast Asia as crypto card business surges

RegulationApr 2

When a tourist from Bangkok taps to pay in Singapore using their Thai e-wallet, few stop to consider what powers that transaction. But for Singapore-based StraitsX, the company behind the stablecoin infrastructure running in the background, that seamless experience is exactly the point. Between the fourth quarter of 2024 and the same period in 2025, StraitsX saw its card transaction volume surge by 40 times, the company's co-founder and CEO Tianwei Liu told CoinDesk. The number of cards issued grew even faster, increasing 83-fold. That data points to one of the fastest-growing stablecoin card programs in Southeast Asia. Those multiples,…

South Korean Prosecutors Escalate Crypto Crackdown in 2025

LegalApr 2

SEOUL, South Korea – March 2025: In a decisive move that underscores the nation’s hardening stance on digital asset oversight, South Korean prosecutors have formally appealed a court’s decision to cancel a substantial 2 billion won (approximately $1.5 million) fine against the cryptocurrency exchange Hanbitco. This critical development, first reported exclusively by Digital Asset, represents more than a single legal skirmish. Consequently, it signals a broader, intensifying regulatory confrontation that now directly involves the country’s largest trading platform, Upbit, and sets a pivotal precedent for the entire sector’s future. Hanbitco’s Legal Battle and the FIU’s Original Mandate The Financial Intelligence…

OKX TR, the Turkish arm of the Bitcoin exchange OKX, has published a new listing announcement! Here are the details

ExchangesApr 2

OKX TR, continuing to expand its operations in the cryptocurrency market, is preparing to offer new trading pairs to its users. The exchange announced it will list two new spot currency pairs to support the growth of both the USD and Turkish Lira ecosystems and provide investors with more trading options. According to the announcement, the BASED/USD and BASED/TRY trading pairs for BASED will be activated on the platform on March 30, 2026, at 3:00 PM. This step is expected to contribute to making it easier for users, especially in the Turkish market, to trade with their local currency. OKX…

Crypto ATM Count Falls to 38,928 as 597 Machines Exit the Market in Q1 2026

RegulationApr 2

Figures compiled by coinatmradar.com indicate that approximately 597 crypto automated teller machines (ATMs) have been withdrawn from the market so far this year. Crypto ATM Data 2026: 597 Net Removals Recent figures show the global count of crypto ATMs edged close to the 40,000 mark this month, yet data recorded on March 29, 2026, reveals a net reduction of 769 machines. The year opened with a drop of 139 crypto ATMs, followed by the addition of 231 new installations in February. An additional 80 units were installed at the beginning of March, according to Coin ATM Radar’s net growth logs,…

Lummis says CLARITY Act will deliver 'strongest' developer protections

LegalApr 2

US Senator Cynthia Lummis has dismissed claims that the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act fails to protect decentralized finance innovators from legal repercussions, rebutting that recent changes to the draft will make it the “strongest protection for DeFi and developers ever enacted.” Her comments on Friday came in direct response to crypto lawyer Jake Chervinsky, who argued that Title 3 of the current draft undermines the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act — another crypto bill focused on developer protections — by subjecting non-custodial software developers to know-your-customer obligations. “Don’t believe the FUD,” Lummis said, adding, “We have worked on a bipartisan…

$2.4 Billion Stablecoin Inflows Hit Binance, But Traders Stay on the Sidelines

ExchangesApr 2

Stablecoin netflows on Binance have turned positive, marking a notable shift in market liquidity. Analyst Darkfost noted that the exchange, which consistently leads global crypto trading volumes, has moved from recording net stablecoin outflows to net inflows of $2.4 billion. The reversal follows earlier periods of heavy withdrawals, including $3.4 billion on December 11 and $6.7 billion on February 15. Stablecoin Netflow to Binance. Source: X/Darkfost Follow us on X to get the latest news as it happens Liquidity Is Back on Binance, but Where Are the Traders? Stablecoins are widely viewed as deployable capital within the crypto ecosystem, and…

Three Reasons Why Circle’s Stock Is Under Pressure

RegulationApr 2

In brief Circle's stock ended last week at $93.6, down roughly 26% from its pre-crash open near $126. A Senate that could ban passive stablecoin yield directly threatens Circle's dominant revenue stream. Analysts say the decline reflects uncertainty about Circle's business model, not just a market overreaction. Circle Internet Group’s stock has shed roughly a quarter of its value over the past week, weighed down by three unresolved pressures that appear to challenge the core assumptions behind the company's investment case. It opened March 24 near $126, crashed 20% to close at $101, then posted a brief recovery the following…

Sources Say the Clarity Act Bill Will Be Released Next Week

LegalApr 2

As debates continue in the US regarding cryptocurrency regulation, legislative work on stablecoin yields is entering a new phase. According to information reported by Eleanor Terrett, an official from Senator Thom Tillis’s office stated that the draft legislation, which includes details regarding stablecoin yields and reward mechanisms, will be made public next week. It is noteworthy that this step comes while discussions with industry representatives are ongoing. In particular, Coinbase and other crypto stakeholders are reportedly dissatisfied with some clauses in the draft agreement presented to a limited number of industry leaders earlier in the week. This indicates that disagreements…

The Sandbox NEXT Stress Test Ignites Mobile Metaverse Ambitions with Unreal Engine Power

GameFiApr 2

The metaverse landscape shifts significantly as The Sandbox begins a crucial stress test for its highly anticipated mobile game, ‘The Sandbox NEXT,’ marking a pivotal expansion for the platform’s ecosystem. This strategic move, reported by Foresight News, transitions the 20-player survival battle title from Unity to Unreal Engine, promising console-quality graphics on mobile devices while integrating existing $NFT assets via a novel Layer 2 solution. The Sandbox NEXT Mobile Game Stress Test Details Developers at The Sandbox initiated the stress test to evaluate server stability, network performance, and gameplay mechanics under load. Consequently, this phase is critical for identifying technical…

Prediction Markets Hit New Milestones in March Despite Growing Regulatory Scrutiny

ExchangesApr 2

Prediction market transactions surpassed 192 million in March 2026. This represents an all-time record as volume and user growth continued to accelerate year over year. The figures, tracked by Dune, reflect a sector that has shifted from a niche use case into a multibillion-dollar financial market. Prediction Market Monthly Transactions. Source: Dune Follow us on X to get the latest news as it happens The number of monthly users grew to a record high of 865,411, a roughly 118% increase from 396,642 in March 2025. Monthly notional trading volume for prediction markets reached roughly $23.89 billion so far in March,…