Author: NBTC

After six weeks of silence, the Pi Network Team has finally confirmed the launch of Protocol v25 on July 22. The update introduces new privacy tools and network improvements. This came at a time when Pi Coin continues to struggle after falling more than 27% in just one week. So, what’s in the Protocol v25 Upgrade? What’s New in Pi Network Protocol v25? The Pi Core Team said Protocol v25 is one of the biggest network upgrades this year. Its main goal is to make the Pi blockchain more stable, reliable, and ready for future applications. The team has also…

Crypto presales continue to attract investors looking for projects before exchange listings. Unlike previous cycles, many 2026 presales now combine AI, DeFi, payments, or Bitcoin infrastructure alongside their fundraising campaigns. While every presale carries risk, comparing each project’s utility, roadmap, and community can provide a clearer picture before investing. 1. MemeToro ($MT) MemeToro ($MT) is an AI-powered SocialFi project built on $BNB Chain. Instead of launching a single memecoin, it provides infrastructure that helps users create, track, and participate in new blockchain projects. Its AI agent monitors news, social media, and online discussions to identify emerging trends before supporting no-code…

Japan’s central bank held interest rates steady at 1.0% on Friday after a reported major intervention in the yen. Key points: Japan holds interest rates at 1.0%, following market expectations. Both Japan and South Korea’s central banks reportedly engage in currency interventions, as the JPY briefly gains 3.5% overnight. Bank of Japan warns of incoming CPI inflation headwinds in the second half of the year. Yen rises up to 3.5% as Korea joins intervention In its latest statement, the Bank of Japan (BoJ) revealed broad consensus among officials for holding rates at current levels — an outcome that markets had…

Stellar ($XLM) has continued to gain traction as the fast-growing altcoin remains one of the top-performing cryptocurrencies that have been barely overwhelmed by the extreme market volatility. With $XLM consistently projecting strong price movements even on days when the market seems uncertain, traders are beginning to weigh in on its possible future outcome against its rival, $XRP. $XLM gains edge over $XRP Data showcased on the crypto prediction market Kalshi shows that traders are giving $XLM a bit of an edge over $XRP as the former continues to pull stronger price moves even amid the weak market conditions. Under the…

How fast can you actually start trading? Opening a crypto exchange account in 2026 can take anywhere from under a minute to several days, depending on the platform. The difference comes down to a few things: how streamlined the sign-up process is, how easy it is to fund the account, and how approachable the trading interface is once you’re in. A few things to weigh when speed matters: Onboarding flow. Some platforms get you from registration to your first trade within minutes; others involve more steps before you can get started. Funding options. Crypto deposits are usually instant once confirmed…

The European Central Bank (ECB) said Thursday its planned digital euro app will exceed the accessibility requirements of the European Accessibility Act. The proposed design includes enhanced visual design, full keyboard navigation, screen-reader support, time-out warnings, simplified language, error prevention and reduced motion settings, among other accessibility features, the ECB said in a Thursday release. The ECB first described the standalone digital euro app in an October 2025 progress report, saying it would serve as a fallback if bank apps failed and allow users to switch payment service providers without learning a new application. The report said both bank and…

The Sandbox Studio has attracted more than 12,000 applications within a month, signaling strong creator interest as development moves toward a wider beta release. Despite that demand, access remains limited to over 30 alpha creators testing the engine, tools, and publishing process. The selected group includes experienced Roblox, Unity, and Unreal Engine builders, alongside developers using Cursor, OpenAI Codex, and Claude Code. The Sandbox plans to admit up to 10 additional creators weekly while maintaining direct support, workshops, and faster responses to technical feedback. This controlled pace keeps testing focused as applications continue accumulating before beta. Engine Upgrade Improves Build…

Bitcoin traded near $65,000 heading into the weekend, sitting at the center of two macro forces pulling in opposite directions. The Aug. 7 jobs report weakened the case for a September rate hike, and tensions around the Strait of Hormuz threaten to revive the inflation trade that the report just cooled. The US economy lost 23,000 jobs in July, far short of the roughly 80,000 gain economists expected, a headline number that carries extra weight because the revisions made the preceding months look weaker. May and June payrolls were revised down by a combined 103,000, the labor-force participation rate slipped,…

South Korea has approved plans to establish a new 20 trillion won investment account within its sovereign wealth fund to finance artificial intelligence, data centers and other strategic industries while allowing domestic investments for the first time. According to a South Korean government statement released Friday, the new account will be created under the Korea Investment Corporation (KIC), expanding the sovereign wealth fund’s mandate beyond overseas assets. The government said the account will begin with at least 20 trillion won in capital, funded through equity contributions from public institutions, including policy banks. Unlike KIC’s existing portfolio, which primarily manages foreign…

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse says the problem with today’s payment apps isn’t complicated. They just weren’t built to talk to each other. Speaking at an event, Garlinghouse compared modern payment networks to the earliest days of the internet. Garlinghouse compared today’s payment apps to old closed networks like AOL once, pointing out that Venmo and PayPal couldn’t move money between each other until recently, despite PayPal owning Venmo. Why sending money overseas is still so painful Garlinghouse said the highest friction in the entire payments system shows up when people try to send money internationally. It’s slow, expensive, and prone…