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.

Coinbase wins initial bank regulator nod for trust charter, boosting custody push

Coinbase (COIN) said Thursday it had received initial approval for a national trust company charter from the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Bloomberg reported, marking a step toward it operating as a federally regulated crypto custodian. The approval is not final. It is a conditional green light that sets out requirements Coinbase must meet before it can receive a full charter. These typically include building out compliance systems, hiring key personnel and undergoing regulatory reviews. The OCC also expects firms to show they can manage risk, protect client assets and follow anti-money laundering rules. Only after those…

ExchangesApr 4

M.G. Siegler: Anthropic’s Pentagon deal collapsed over ethical AI concerns, urgency in military AI integration, and the deep ties of AI in defense operations

Key takeaways Anthropic’s deal with the Pentagon collapsed due to ethical concerns over AI’s use in mass surveillance. The Pentagon’s urgency in AI negotiations is tied to military preparations, highlighting strategic priorities. AI tools from Anthropic are already deeply embedded in US military operations. Trust and validation are critical when integrating new AI technologies into government operations. The government may have used the situation with Anthropics as leverage in negotiations. A significant culture clash exists between Anthropics’ leadership and the Department of War. Anthropic’s leadership sought to limit the Department of War’s access to public databases due to surveillance concerns.…

BlockchainApr 4

XPL Exit Timing Raises Market Manipulation Concerns

A sudden withdrawal from Hyperliquid’s HLP pool just before a sharp $XPL crash has sent shockwaves through DeFi markets. Arkham reported that a single Ethereum wallet pulled out funds right as seven other accounts carried out a coordinated price manipulation. Arkham highlighted the timing in a post, questioning whether the wallet reacted too early to on-chain activity. While no coordination has been confirmed, the sequence of events has fueled speculation about how quickly traders can respond to changes in liquidity. Wallet Activity Signals Strategic Positioning On-chain data shows the wallet remained active across multiple DeFi platforms before the move. It…

DeFiApr 4

Russia to obligate export firms to convert crypto proceeds into rubles.

The finance ministry in Moscow has made it clear it may soon obligate Russian companies to convert their cryptocurrency revenues into local fiat. The department also announced that the long-awaited legislation to regulate the country’s crypto market will be filed with the parliament next week. The bill must be passed by the summer, with Russia’s first legal cryptocurrency transactions expected to take place as early as this year. Minfin eyes return of Russian crypto earnings from abroad The Russian Ministry of Finance is considering ways to repatriate cryptocurrency received by firms engaged in foreign economic activities. It has just supported…

RegulationApr 4

Alabama becomes second US state to grant DAOs legal status under DUNA

The US state of Alabama has become the second US jurisdiction after Wyoming to grant decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) legal status under the DUNA Act. The Decentralized Unincorporated Nonprofit Association (DUNA) Act (Senate Bill 277) was introduced in February by Republican Senator Lance Bell. The House passed it 82-7 with 16 abstentions on March 17, and has now been signed by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, according to a16z Crypto. Speaking about the bill’s passage, a16z Crypto’s head of policy and general counsel, Miles Jennings, said on Wednesday that “Decentralized governance is essential to crypto’s future—it’s one of the core constructs…

LegalApr 4

YZi Labs doubles down on Predict.fun after $1.8B volume surge

YZi Labs has announced a strategic additional investment in prediction market platform Predict.fun following the second season of its EASY Residency program, according to an official update from the firm. The follow‑on round brings in Susquehanna Crypto, the digital asset trading arm of global quantitative trading firm Susquehanna International Group, signaling growing institutional interest in on‑chain prediction markets. The Predict.fun team graduated from YZi Labs’ EASY Residency Season 2 cohort, unveiled during Binance Blockchain Week, where the incubator highlighted the protocol’s blend of DeFi yield, self‑custody and gasless UX as the basis for “mainstream prediction markets.” YZi Labs described Predict.fun…

ExchangesApr 4

Solo Bitcoin miner bags $210K Bitcoin block reward

A solo Bitcoin miner secured a roughly $210,000 block reward on Thursday, proving that the so-called “mining lottery” is still paying out even if industrial operators dominate the network. The miner, connected to CKPool’s solo service, found block 943,411 and earned 3.139 $BTC in subsidy and transaction fees, according to data from block explorer mempool.space. Solo mining remains rare. Statistics compiled by Bennet’s tracker show that solo mining pools have found just 20 Bitcoin ($BTC) blocks over the last 12 months, paying out a total of 62.96 $BTC, roughly one win every 18.7 days on average. The longest “drought” between…

MiningApr 4

FOMO Model Tokens Launch on Aerodrome, Unlocking Permissionless AI Liquidity

FOMO Model Tokens have officially launched on AerodromeFi. This is one of the biggest advancements in the convergence of artificial intelligence and decentralized finance. The tokenization of AI models is a major milestone which provides additional liquidity and wider access to an already fast-growing asset category. FOMO's Model Tokens have now landed on @AerodromeFi 🛬 This upgrade brings deeper liquidity and open access to Model Tokens. It also paves the way for permissionless FOMO, allowing users to launch Model Tokens directly on Aerodrome for AI models hosted on the FLock API Platform.… pic.twitter.com/VAhgDxDmKh — FLock.io (@flock_io) April 3, 2026 The…

DeFiApr 4

Coinbase launches token-backed down payments for Fannie Mae loans

Crypto exchange Coinbase Global has launched a mortgage structure with Better Home & Finance that lets qualified borrowers pledge digital assets held in Coinbase accounts to fund down payments on standard conforming mortgages designed in accordance with Fannie Mae guidelines. According to Coinbase, the structure enables borrowers to pledge digital assets such as Bitcoin ($BTC) or $USDC ($USDC) as collateral for a separate loan used to fund the down payment, while the primary mortgage remains a standard, Fannie Mae–backed loan. Better will originate and service the mortgages. When rolled out, the new development could mark a shift in how crypto…

RegulationApr 4

Australia Cracks Down on Gambling Ads as Prediction Markets Like Polymarket Remain Blocked

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced sweeping restrictions on gambling advertising across television, radio, online platforms, and sporting venues on April 2. The new rules take effect from January 2027 and aim to reduce children’s exposure to betting promotions during live sports broadcasts and everyday media. Australia’s Per-Capita Gambling Losses Drive Reform Australia has the highest per capita gambling losses globally. In the 2022-2023 fiscal year, Australians lost $31.5 billion on gambling, averaging roughly $1,527 per person. The country holds less than 0.5% of the world’s population, yet accounts for nearly 20% of its poker machines. Under the new measures,…

LegalApr 4