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.

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

Mastercard Launches Crypto Partnership Program with 85+ Firms

Global payments leader Mastercard has launched its Crypto Partner Program, signaling a major step into blockchain-based payments. The initiative focuses on connecting traditional financial systems with crypto infrastructure, marking a shift from experimentation to long-term integration. This move shows that large institutions are actively preparing for a future where digital assets play a central role in global finance. LATEST: Mastercard launches its Crypto Partner Program with Aptos as a founding partner, pushing onchain payments into the mainstream pic.twitter.com/ccydueF9Jb — crypto.news (@cryptodotnews) April 2, 2026 Aptos Takes Center Stage A key highlight of the program is the inclusion of Aptos as…

ExchangesApr 4

Bitcoin Miner MARA Slashes 15% of Workforce After Selling $1.1 Billion in BTC

In brief Bitcoin miner MARA cut 15% of its workforce amid the firm's shifting focus to AI. The layoffs, reportedly not due to financial constraints, follow its recent $1.1 billion Bitcoin sale. Shares in MARA finished Thursday up more than 8%, but are down 53% in the last six months. Publicly traded Bitcoin miner MARA has cut its workforce by 15% shortly after it sold $1.1 billion worth of the top crypto asset, the company confirmed to Decrypt following an initial report from Blockspace Media. Citing sources close to the matter, the publication reported that the cuts impact full-time employees…

MiningApr 4

Sam Altman says OpenAI rushed Pentagon deal as ChatGPT backlash erupts

Sam Altman, the chief executive of OpenAI, acknowledged that his company mishandled the rollout of its newly announced agreement with the US Department of War, calling the announcement “opportunistic and sloppy” after a sharp user backlash. In a series of posts on X Monday, Altman said the artificial intelligence developer moved too quickly in formalizing the deal and failed to adequately explain the complexity of the issues involved. “One thing I think I did wrong: we shouldn’t have rushed to get this out on Friday,” he wrote. The contract, disclosed Friday, permits deployment of the company’s technology on classified military…

BlockchainApr 4

Top Economists Predict Fed’s Interest Rate Decisions in 2026! Will There Be a Rate Cut This Year?

The ongoing war between the US and Iran has reignited inflation concerns in the US. While inflation is still far from the Fed’s 2% target, it had seen a significant decline last year. However, the war increased the risk of inflation rising again, while expectations of a Fed interest rate cut decreased. However, a Reuters poll revealed that expectations for a Fed interest rate cut remain. Economists surveyed by Reuters said that despite concerns that the war in the Middle East will lead to inflation, they expect the Fed to keep interest rates steady until September and to implement at…

RegulationApr 4

CFTC Chair Calls Current Financial System Outdated, Backs Blockchain

America’s top financial regulator has made a bold statement about traditional money. CFTC Chair Michael Selig says current financial systems are outdated and that blockchain networks are exactly what we need to bring finance into the 21st century. Let’s see why he says so. Why Selig Believes the Current System Is Outdated CFTC Chair Michael Selig says blockchain is not just a tech trend, but a necessary upgrade to old finance systems, one he believes can rebuild the trust that has been lost in America’s financial and information systems. He argues that banks and markets built decades ago cannot match…

LegalApr 4