Author: NBTC
Galaxy Digital has been named an approved validator for BlackRock’s iShares Staked Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHB), the firm’s first crypto exchange-traded product designed to generate staking rewards, according to a Thursday press release. Launched last month, ETHB is expected to follow in the footsteps of BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF, which has grown into a top-performing digital asset fund since 2024. As of April 8, the fund had over $435 million worth of assets under management, with $339 million in staked $ETH. The ETF will stake a majority of its Ether holdings through institutional validators, including Figment, Attestant, and Galaxy, with rewards…
If lawmakers ultimately ban stablecoin rewards under the proposed CLARITY Act, Coinbase (COIN) could lose one tool it uses to attract users to hold digital dollars on its platform — though analysts say the impact on the exchange’s business may be limited. As lawmakers debate the future of stablecoin regulation in Washington, one unresolved question in the proposed CLARITY Act could have significant implications for Coinbase and other stablecoin partners’ business model: whether companies will be allowed to share yield with stablecoin holders. The bill, which has been stalled in Congress since January, seeks to establish a regulatory framework for…
In a move that reshapes access to European digital assets, the bank clearbank europe has secured a crucial regulatory milestone for its expansion strategy. ClearBank Europe completes MiCAR notification and secures Dutch AFM approval ClearBank Europe has become the first Dutch credit institution to complete a notification under the EU Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR), marking a key precedent in the region’s regulatory landscape. The bank received confirmation from the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) on its status as a Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) on 9th April 2026, formally enabling it to offer digital asset services within…
In brief TD Cowen reiterated a “buy” rating for Bitcoin treasury firm Strategy, despite cutting its price target. The company initiated coverage on Ethereum treasury company Sharplink, also calling it a “buy.” Analysts said that Ethereum staking rewards should cover all of Sharplink’s operating costs, even if the price of ETH stays down. TD Cowen analysts initiated coverage of Sharplink with a “buy” rating on Thursday, while reducing the investment bank’s price target for Bitcoin-buying Strategy. The analysts, led by Lance Vitanza, penciled in a $16 price target for Sharplink shares, which changed hands around $6.42 in after-hours trading, according…
Cryptocurrencies have moved far beyond niche internet forums and early adopters. Today, they sit at the intersection of finance, technology, and regulation. However, their legal status still varies significantly depending on where you are. While most major economies now recognize crypto as legal, the way it’s regulated and how it’s used differs from region to region. Below is a breakdown of key markets and the real-world use cases shaping crypto adoption globally. United States In the United States, cryptocurrencies are legal but operate under a complex and evolving regulatory framework. Oversight is shared between agencies like the SEC and CFTC,…
DeFi yield has fallen to a much lower range in 2026, and was considered a sign of a maturing industry. However, the recent Drift Protocol hack raised the issue of technical risk and whether current yields offset the value of putting assets on-chain. DeFi yield has been sliding on most protocols, and the early days of high-return yield farming seem to be over. DeFi has become a more mature sector, where protocols rely on stablecoins and the predictable yield of tokenized bonds or money funds. Peak farming days often relied on new token issuance to offset risk, and traders would…
The US Federal Reserve (FED), in its March FOMC meeting, kept interest rates unchanged, in line with expectations, at 3.50-3.75 percent. The decision was made with an 11-1 vote, with Stephen Miran opposing it with a proposal for a quarter-point reduction. In his oral statements, FED Chairman Jerome Powell mentioned the possibility of raising interest rates due to the increasing risk of inflation after a long period, and stated that he plans to cut interest rates once each in 2026 and 2027. Powell stressed that a decline in inflation, particularly goods inflation driven by tariffs, is necessary before interest rate…
In brief Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent criticized some crypto leaders as “nihilists” for resisting the stalled Clarity Act. The bill remains stuck over disputes about stablecoin yield and President Donald Trump’s personal crypto ventures. With midterms approaching, lawmakers warn that time is running out to pass the legislation. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent lashed out Thursday against crypto leaders still resisting the passage of the industry’s long-coveted Clarity Act, dubbing them “nihilists” who must be overcome to ensure the stalled bill’s passage. “A growing share of crypto development relocated to places with clear rules, such as Abu Dhabi and Singapore,”…
TermMax, a DeFi platform that streamlines DeFi borrowing, lending, and leveraging experience, today announced a strategic partnership with LI.FI Protocol, a multi-chain liquidity aggregation platform that simplifies asset transfers between different blockchain networks. Through this collaboration, TermMax combines its fixed-rate borrowing, lending, and leveraging platform with LI.FI protocol’s leadership in multi-chain bridging to introduce a new avenue for DeFi cross-chain liquidity and advance user experience. TermMax is a loan automated market maker built on Uniswap that facilitates DeFi borrowing, lending, and leveraging by providing one-click asset trading, customized pricing curves, and fixed-rate options. Its fixed-rate leverage solution streamlines DeFi borrowing…
The European Central Bank (ECB) said it is looking for experts to help draft rules about how a digital euro would work in everyday payments in anticipation of legislation approving a central bank digital currency (CBDC) and a decision by the bank’s governing council to issue one. The ECB opened applications for experts to help draft parts of the digital euro rulebook relating specifically to ATMs and card payment terminals used in stores, it said Thursday. ECB President Christine Lagarde said in December the bank had completed its technical and preparatory work on the digital currency and it was now…