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.

Deribit, Acquired by Coinbase, Announces New Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) Today!

Deribit, the world's largest crypto derivatives exchange, announced that it will launch Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) options settled in USDC. Deribit, recently acquired by Coinbase, the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the United States, announced on August 19 that it will launch linear Bitcoin and Ethereum options priced and settled in USDC, in addition to futures, according to The Block. Deribit’s announcement of USDC for BTC and ETH comes just over a year after integrating USDC-calculated linear options for altcoins like Solana (SOL) and XRP. Deribit CEO Luuk Strijers commented on the latest announcement: The positive response and growing demand…

ExchangesAug 18

Block Targets Mining Decentralization With Air-Cooled Proto Rig Delivering up to 819 TH/s

This week, Block, Inc. (NYSE: XYZ) launched Proto Rig, a modular bitcoin mining system designed for durability, and Proto Fleet, a free open-source management platform, marking a strategic push to decentralize mining hardware and software. End of Disposable Miners? Block’s Proto Rig Adds 10-Year Lifespan The announcement at Core Scientific’s facility — where operational Proto Rigs are already deployed — signals Block’s entry into the competitive ASIC mining market under its Proto division, following its initial bitcoin mining chip sales. Proto Rig replaces disposable hardware models with upgradeable infrastructure. Its modular design enables operators to swap individual hashboards instead of…

MiningAug 18

Unilabs Finance ICO Raises $12.6M as ETH Whales Invest

Unilabs Finance has been able to raise more than 12.6 million dollars in initial coin offering (ICO). The active involvement of such investors evidences the growing popularity as an AI-based DeFi platform with leading-edge technologies, Unilabs Finance. It is especially interesting that it comes while Ethereum is busy and inflows in Ethereum ETFs have raised significantly. ETH Whales Momentum In this ICO, ethereum whales played an important role since they can influence prices considerably by their holdings. They are involved as an indication of high confidence in the potential of Unilabs Finance. When whales bet on this project, they are…

EthereumAug 17

Crypto ETFs Dominate Institutional Portfolios Amid Record-Breaking Demand

Crypto ETFs are dominating new fund launches, attracting billions as investors flock to regulated bitcoin and ethereum exposure, eclipsing traditional offerings and reshaping Wall Street’s growth narrative. Wall Street Turns to Crypto ETFs as Investors Demand Regulated Exposure Cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have emerged as dominant players in the market for newly launched funds, drawing billions in investor capital since early last year. Nate Geraci, president of Novadius Wealth Management, host of ETF Prime, and co-founder of the ETF Institute, stated on social media platform X on Aug. 10: 1,300+ ETFs have launched since beginning of last yr… 10 of…

RegulationAug 17

Binance Lists Two Major Cryptocurrencies on BNB Chain: Details

Major crypto exchange Binance has revealed the addition of two cryptocurrencies, Hedera (HBAR) and Sui (SUI), to the BNB Smart Chain (BSC) network. In a new official post today, Aug. 15, Binance stated it has completed the integration of Hedera (HBAR) and Sui (SUI) on the BNB Smart Chain (BSC) Network, with deposits and withdrawals now open. Hedera (HBAR) is the 17th largest cryptocurrency with a market capitalization of $10.45 billion and trading at $0.246. SUI ranks as the 14th largest cryptocurrency with a market valuation of $10.45 billion and trading at $3.69. The move remains significant since it expands…

ExchangesAug 17

ETH pullback exposes retail panic vs. institutional hoarding

After Ethereum (ETH) came within touching distance of its $4,878 all-time high last week before pulling back to around $4,448, on-chain flows reveal a stark divide in behavior. It suggests that retail is panicking, while institutions are quietly hoarding. Bitcoin and Ether both cooled off after last week’s highs. BTC price dropped around 5% from its fresh ATH of above $124,400 to the $117,000 zone. This moved the cumulative crypto market to print red indexes on Saturday morning and to drag below the $4 trillion cap. Its 24-hour trading volume is down by 32% to stand at $180 billion. ICO…

EthereumAug 17

Malaysia Central Bank Paper Sparks Debate by Naming XRP and BTC as Monetary Alternatives

A recent working paper from the Central Bank of Malaysia has identified XRP and bitcoin as potential alternatives to traditional monetary and payment systems. Digital Assets Could Replace Bank Deposits A recent working paper from the Central Bank of Malaysia (CBM) has identified XRP alongside bitcoin ( BTC) as potential “alternatives to the current monetary and payment instruments.” The paper, which examines the fundamentals of what the CBM calls modern money and its application to a central bank digital currency (CBDC), posits that these digital assets could eventually replace currency in circulation (CIC) or bank deposits if they become widely…

RegulationAug 17

Coinbase's XRP Mystery Deepens as $51,848,056 in Coins Stun Major US Exchange

Anyone tracking XRP’s on-chain flows over the past few weeks would have noticed a consistent pattern: anonymous wallets have been sending millions of XRP to Coinbase, and these transfers have been massive. The latest transfer happened earlier today when 16.71 million XRP — just over $51.8 million — moved from an address with no public ties to Coinbase. This amount is not random; it is nearly identical to the "slice size" that has repeatedly appeared in major U.S. exchange's recent wallet reshuffles. The backstory begins in June when an "XRPWallets" account mapped 52 cold wallets linked to Coinbase. Ten of…

ExchangesAug 17

Inside ETHZilla’s Master Plan to Build a True Ethereum Yield Curve (Exclusive Interview)

ETHZilla – originally 180 Life Sciences – recently completed a $425 million PIPE financing backed by over 60 institutional and crypto‑native investors. Some of its participants include: Harbour Island, Electric Capital, Polychain Capital, GSR, Omicron Technologies, and Lido, among others. In this interview, we speak with McAndrew Rudisill, the incoming chairman of ETHZilla’s board of directors, to understand how the firm plans to leverage the DeFi Council’s non-binding advisory input, uphold accountability, and stay fully committed to Ethereum, avoiding altcoin diversification even as broader market trends shift in that direction. 1. You aim to outperform traditional ETH staking using a…

EthereumAug 17

Stablecoins Dominate Digital Asset Transactions in Sub-Saharan Africa, Surpassing Bitcoin

A study revealed that stablecoins represented 43% of cryptocurrency transactions in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2024, significantly outpacing bitcoin’s 18.1% share. Transaction Growth and Nigerian Dominance According to a study, stablecoins accounted for 43% of cryptocurrency transactions in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in 2024, more than double that of bitcoin (18.1%). Nigeria and South Africa lead the SSA in stablecoin adoption, while Ethiopia, Zambia, Mauritius, Kenya, and Ghana saw the biggest increases in stablecoin use. Ethiopia and Zambia both recorded year-on-year (YOY) growth in stablecoin use exceeding 100%. The report cites the Ethiopian birr’s devaluation by 30% in July of last year…

RegulationAug 17