All crypto stories, newest first. 1524 stories curated by CryptoCatalyst.
Bitcoin network activity is approaching all-time highs due to a surge in low-value transactions, driven by increased OP_RETURN usage. This growth is happening even as Bitcoin's price remains relatively stable, highlighting the network's utility beyond speculation.
GoMining unveiled GoBTC Pay, a bitcoin payment protocol with an SDK and programmable access, enabling merchants to accept BTC for everyday purchases. This directly challenges Jack Dorsey's Square in the payments space.
Franklin Templeton has filed for two Bitcoin DRIP ETFs that reinvest stock dividends into Bitcoin. This novel structure could make Bitcoin more accessible to traditional investors.
1. OVERNIGHT MOVES
CME Group has filed a lawsuit against the CFTC, arguing that the regulator is incorrectly classifying crypto perpetual futures as swaps. This legal battle could reshape how cryptocurrency derivatives are regulated in the U.S.
Malta's regulator is seeking feedback on a legal framework for decentralized finance (DeFi) and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), arguing that many DeFi projects are not fully decentralized. This move aims to bring more clarity to the rapidly evolving DeFi space under the MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) regulations.
As the MiCA grace period closes, only a fraction of registered firms hold full licenses, setting up the prospect of a wave of consolidation.
Kraken now lets users trade directly on Solana's decentralized exchanges (DEXs) from its main app. This move gives access to thousands of tokens and could expand to other blockchain networks soon.
Hsiao-Wei Wang, co-executive director and board member of the Ethereum Foundation, has resigned. This follows other recent high-profile departures, including former co-executive director Tomasz Stańczak and several Protocol cluster leads, raising questions about the organization's future direction.
Algorand has announced a roadmap to achieve quantum resistance by 2028, a critical step to protect against future quantum computing threats. This involves updating both user wallets and the core protocol infrastructure, a process that could take years.
Alexander Mashinsky, the founder of failed crypto lender Celsius, had earlier been imprisoned for fraud and is now formally banned from CFTC registration.
The Federal Reserve and other U.S. agencies want stablecoin providers to collect customer identification similar to banks. The proposed rule is now open for public comments, with a 60-day window to submit feedback.
Most major cryptocurrencies fell between 1% and 3% following the Federal Reserve's decision, with bitcoin dropping to $64,150, reflecting broader market sensitivity to monetary policy shifts.
Long-term holders now control a record 79% of Bitcoin's circulating supply, suggesting the bear market may be nearing exhaustion. Analysts at K33 point to historically low spending of old coins as a sign of persistent accumulation despite ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty.
Ireland has identified crypto-asset misuse as a top threat in its new National Risk Assessment. A 30-point action plan aims to tighten checks on crypto funds to combat financial crime.
Grayscale has applied traditional finance valuation methods to the DeFi token AAVE, estimating its value at $175. This move signals growing institutional interest in revenue-generating DeFi protocols.
The G7 has expanded its warning about North Korean crypto theft to include broader cybercrime. Researchers have linked DPRK-affiliated actors to billions in stolen digital assets, highlighting the growing threat.
Malta's financial regulator is exploring whether parts of decentralized finance (DeFi) should fall under the EU's MiCA regulations. The MFSA is seeking feedback on how to assess decentralization, treating it as a spectrum rather than a binary concept.
Alchemy's AgentCard service now lets AI agents powered by models like OpenAI or Anthropic make payments through the Visa network. This integration with Visa Intelligent Commerce could make AI-driven commerce more seamless for businesses and consumers.
Outgoing CME chief Terry Duffy says perpetual futures are actually swaps under Dodd-Frank, and that the exchange will file suit Thursday.
1. OVERNIGHT MOVES
Oman has introduced a mandatory state-backed Bitcoin mining pool for all licensed miners, part of a $700 million-plus push into industrial-scale mining. This move aims to tighten regulatory oversight and solidify the country's position in the Bitcoin mining industry.
U.S. Congressman Nick Begich argues the government should stop selling seized Bitcoin and instead hold it as a strategic reserve asset, similar to gold. He also calls for a cautious approach to AI, comparing it to nuclear technology. The proposal highlights a growing recognition of Bitcoin's long-term value.
A Miami resident known as 'Bitcoin Rodney' pleaded guilty to his role in the HyperFund crypto scheme, which prosecutors say defrauded investors out of $1.8 billion. This is one of the largest crypto fraud cases in history.