Senate to Vote on GENIUS Act as GOP Presses Forward Despite Mounting Opposition

Senate Republicans are moving ahead with a Thursday vote on the GENIUS Act, a bill aimed at regulating dollar-backed stablecoins, despite mounting opposition from both Democrats and within their ranks, setting the stage for a contentious showdown. Majority Whip John Thune (R., S.D.) filed cloture Tuesday on the motion to proceed with the bill, formally known as the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act.  The legislation would impose licensing, reserve, and disclos...

Senate Republicans are moving ahead with a Thursday vote on the GENIUS Act, a bill aimed at regulating dollar-backed stablecoins, despite mounting opposition from both Democrats and within their ranks, setting the stage for a contentious showdown. Majority Whip John Thune (R., S.D.) filed cloture Tuesday on the motion to proceed with the bill, formally known as the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act.  The legislation would impose licensing, reserve, and disclos...

ElizaOS Vulnerability Shows How AI Can Be Gaslit Into Losing Millions

AI agents, some managing millions of dollars in crypto, are vulnerable to a new undetectable attack that manipulates their memories, enabling unauthorized transfers to malicious actors. That's according to a recent study by researchers from Princeton University and the Sentient Foundation, which claims to have found vulnerabilities in crypto-focused AI agents, such as those using the popular ElizaOS framework. ElizaOS’ popularity made it a perfect choice for the study, according to Princeton gra...

AI agents, some managing millions of dollars in crypto, are vulnerable to a new undetectable attack that manipulates their memories, enabling unauthorized transfers to malicious actors. That's according to a recent study by researchers from Princeton University and the Sentient Foundation, which claims to have found vulnerabilities in crypto-focused AI agents, such as those using the popular ElizaOS framework. ElizaOS’ popularity made it a perfect choice for the study, according to Princeton gra...

Bitcoin Payments Company Strike Launches BTC-Backed Loans

Bitcoin-backed loans are now available for Strike's American customers, the payment app's CEO announced Tuesday. Strike boss Jack Mallers posted a video on X explaining the new service. Customers from a total of 26 U.S. states are eligible to secure loans starting from between $75,000 to $100,000, depending on the state, the firm's website says.  Mallers said that the service will soon be available in other regions, including Europe.  Announcing Strike Lending You shouldn’t have to sell the bes...

Bitcoin-backed loans are now available for Strike's American customers, the payment app's CEO announced Tuesday. Strike boss Jack Mallers posted a video on X explaining the new service. Customers from a total of 26 U.S. states are eligible to secure loans starting from between $75,000 to $100,000, depending on the state, the firm's website says.  Mallers said that the service will soon be available in other regions, including Europe.  Announcing Strike Lending You shouldn’t have to sell the bes...

Publicly Traded DeFi Development Corp. Adds Another $11.2 Million in Solana

Publicly traded AI-powered real estate software company DeFi Development Corp. (formerly Janover) added to its flurry of strategic Solana moves Tuesday by announcing that it purchased another $11.2 million worth of SOL—one day after it announced the acquisition of a Solana validator company.  The firm’s latest purchase added 82,405 SOL at an average price of $135.58, bringing its total Solana holdings to more than 400,000 tokens valued above $58 million. “The SOL stackin' saga continues!” the co...

Publicly traded AI-powered real estate software company DeFi Development Corp. (formerly Janover) added to its flurry of strategic Solana moves Tuesday by announcing that it purchased another $11.2 million worth of SOL—one day after it announced the acquisition of a Solana validator company.  The firm’s latest purchase added 82,405 SOL at an average price of $135.58, bringing its total Solana holdings to more than 400,000 tokens valued above $58 million. “The SOL stackin' saga continues!” the co...

Kalshi's Legal Tussle With CFTC Nears End as Regulator Drops Appeal

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission has signaled it will no longer appeal a court's decision to allow prediction markets platform Kalshi to accept bets on U.S. election outcomes—an about-face that bookends a long legal battle between the regulator and technology startup.  The Commission filed on Monday a motion to voluntarily drop its appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. A CFTC representative told Reuters on Monday that the regulator decided to abandon it...

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission has signaled it will no longer appeal a court's decision to allow prediction markets platform Kalshi to accept bets on U.S. election outcomes—an about-face that bookends a long legal battle between the regulator and technology startup.  The Commission filed on Monday a motion to voluntarily drop its appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. A CFTC representative told Reuters on Monday that the regulator decided to abandon it...

Trump Crypto Businesses Create 'Pathways' for Corruption, Says Anthony Scaramucci

U.S. President Donald Trump’s meme coin and other crypto businesses create “pathways” for corruption, according to short-lived White House Communications Director and founder of SkyBridge Capital, Anthony Scaramucci. Speaking at the Financial Times Digital Asset Summit, Scaramucci argued that the Trump family’s involvement with crypto—which includes the president's Solana meme coin, World Liberty Financial, a Trump Media tie-up with Crypto.com, and more—serves as a “distraction” that's standing...

U.S. President Donald Trump’s meme coin and other crypto businesses create “pathways” for corruption, according to short-lived White House Communications Director and founder of SkyBridge Capital, Anthony Scaramucci. Speaking at the Financial Times Digital Asset Summit, Scaramucci argued that the Trump family’s involvement with crypto—which includes the president's Solana meme coin, World Liberty Financial, a Trump Media tie-up with Crypto.com, and more—serves as a “distraction” that's standing...

Strategy's AI Embrace: Michael Saylor Says He Built His Bitcoin Empire With Chatbot Help

We already know Strategy is going all-in on Bitcoin—now it’s giving space to Wall Street’s new favorite buzzword: AI. During the company's Strategy World event, founder and Executive Chairman Michael Saylor explained how artificial intelligence helped engineer innovative financial products that powered its Bitcoin treasury, which now holds a staggering $52 billion worth—a more than 200x increase from its $250 million starting stake five years ago. The AI workflow evolved from basic text editing...

We already know Strategy is going all-in on Bitcoin—now it’s giving space to Wall Street’s new favorite buzzword: AI. During the company's Strategy World event, founder and Executive Chairman Michael Saylor explained how artificial intelligence helped engineer innovative financial products that powered its Bitcoin treasury, which now holds a staggering $52 billion worth—a more than 200x increase from its $250 million starting stake five years ago. The AI workflow evolved from basic text editing...

Crypto Exchange Coinbase Sponsors 'League of Legends' and 'Valorant' Esports

American crypto exchange Coinbase has announced a new marketing deal with Riot Games, becoming the exclusive crypto exchange and official blockchain partner for both League of Legends and Valorant global esports events. The multi-year sponsorship deal will debut at the Valorant Masters event in Toronto in June, with Coinbase creating fan engagement opportunities across both games' global esports calendars, including social media campaigns, broadcast integrations, and technical features. A Coinba...

American crypto exchange Coinbase has announced a new marketing deal with Riot Games, becoming the exclusive crypto exchange and official blockchain partner for both League of Legends and Valorant global esports events. The multi-year sponsorship deal will debut at the Valorant Masters event in Toronto in June, with Coinbase creating fan engagement opportunities across both games' global esports calendars, including social media campaigns, broadcast integrations, and technical features. A Coinba...

Citi, Swiss Firm SDX to Unveil Tokenization for Pre-IPO Shares Market in Q3

Citigroup will join with Switzerland's Six Digital Exchange to offer tokenized shares in pre-IPO companies, with a start date in this year’s third quarter, the multi-national banking firms said Tuesday in a press release.   Citi will tokenize and custody companies’ shares on the exchange, bringing "high-growth, venture-backed private companies" to institutional investors on SDX’s platform, according to their joint statement. The tokenization of those assets will simplify liquidity management for...

Citigroup will join with Switzerland's Six Digital Exchange to offer tokenized shares in pre-IPO companies, with a start date in this year’s third quarter, the multi-national banking firms said Tuesday in a press release.   Citi will tokenize and custody companies’ shares on the exchange, bringing "high-growth, venture-backed private companies" to institutional investors on SDX’s platform, according to their joint statement. The tokenization of those assets will simplify liquidity management for...

Bitcoin Stalls as Trump Vents Trade Frustrations Before Fed Decision

The price of Bitcoin hovered around $95,000 on Tuesday as U.S. stocks fell on President Donald Trump’s apparent frustrations regarding the status of trade negotiations. The leading cryptocurrency by market cap was roughly flat over the past 24 hours, according to crypto data provider CoinGecko. Most top altcoins showed mild losses, with Ethereum and Solana falling 2% to $1,780 and 1.5% to around $145, respectively. Alongside Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to the White House, Trump p...

The price of Bitcoin hovered around $95,000 on Tuesday as U.S. stocks fell on President Donald Trump’s apparent frustrations regarding the status of trade negotiations. The leading cryptocurrency by market cap was roughly flat over the past 24 hours, according to crypto data provider CoinGecko. Most top altcoins showed mild losses, with Ethereum and Solana falling 2% to $1,780 and 1.5% to around $145, respectively. Alongside Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to the White House, Trump p...

eToro Targets $4 Billion Valuation, Calling Itself a 'Pioneer in the Crypto Space'

eToro has launched the roadshow for its U.S. IPO, with the Israel-based trading platform targeting a valuation as high as $4 billion. The company also touted its legitimacy in the crypto industry. "From its earliest days, eToro has been a pioneer in the crypto space," eToro CEO Yoni Assia wrote in the filing. "This has in part been driven by my own early adoption of and personal belief in bitcoin and the transformative potential of blockchain technology." An updated F-1 registration form clarifi...

eToro has launched the roadshow for its U.S. IPO, with the Israel-based trading platform targeting a valuation as high as $4 billion. The company also touted its legitimacy in the crypto industry. "From its earliest days, eToro has been a pioneer in the crypto space," eToro CEO Yoni Assia wrote in the filing. "This has in part been driven by my own early adoption of and personal belief in bitcoin and the transformative potential of blockchain technology." An updated F-1 registration form clarifi...

Zerebro Founder Obituary Removed Amid $105 Million 'Legacoin' Token Speculation

A Solana token pumped 2,115% in three hours to a market cap of $104.93 million amid speculation that the founder of crypto AI agent Zerebro died by suicide, due to a published obituary, and had promoted a token from beyond the grave. But, the obituary was later removed due to a lack of information provided to local media. The local coroner's office told Decrypt that nobody with the founder's surname had recently passed in the area. On Sunday, users on X reported watching a now-deleted video of J...

A Solana token pumped 2,115% in three hours to a market cap of $104.93 million amid speculation that the founder of crypto AI agent Zerebro died by suicide, due to a published obituary, and had promoted a token from beyond the grave. But, the obituary was later removed due to a lack of information provided to local media. The local coroner's office told Decrypt that nobody with the founder's surname had recently passed in the area. On Sunday, users on X reported watching a now-deleted video of J...

Treasury’s Bessent Warns CBDC Would Convey ‘Weakness’

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent affirmed on Tuesday that he is not in favor of debuting a central bank digital currency, or CBDC, under President Donald Trump’s administration, throwing shade on the concept of a digital dollar during Congressional testimony. “We believe that digital assets belong in the private sector, and my personal view is that having a central bank digital currency is a sign of weakness, not strength,” he said before the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on...

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent affirmed on Tuesday that he is not in favor of debuting a central bank digital currency, or CBDC, under President Donald Trump’s administration, throwing shade on the concept of a digital dollar during Congressional testimony. “We believe that digital assets belong in the private sector, and my personal view is that having a central bank digital currency is a sign of weakness, not strength,” he said before the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on...

21Shares Debuts Cronos ETP in US Amid Altcoin Fund Frenzy

Investment firm 21Shares debuted an exchange-traded product on Tuesday tracking the price of Cronos—the latest addition to a growing list of proposed or recently launched altcoin-based investment offerings in the U.S., according to the company’s public statement. The ETP gives investors exposure to Cronos, without requiring them to directly hold the asset, with the goal of facilitating investments into a blockchain ecosystem that aims to drive real-world crypto adoption, 21Shares said Tuesday in...

Investment firm 21Shares debuted an exchange-traded product on Tuesday tracking the price of Cronos—the latest addition to a growing list of proposed or recently launched altcoin-based investment offerings in the U.S., according to the company’s public statement. The ETP gives investors exposure to Cronos, without requiring them to directly hold the asset, with the goal of facilitating investments into a blockchain ecosystem that aims to drive real-world crypto adoption, 21Shares said Tuesday in...

New Hampshire Becomes First State to Sign Bitcoin Reserve Bill Into Law

New Hampshire is officially on its way towards establishing a Bitcoin reserve, as Governor Kelly Ayotte signed bill HB 302 into law on Tuesday. "New Hampshire is once again first in the nation!" Ayotte wrote on X. " Just signed a new law allowing our state to invest in cryptocurrency and precious metals." Introduced in January, the bill allows the New Hampshire state treasurer to invest up to 5% of public funds in precious metals like gold or silver, or digital assets that averaged a market cap...

New Hampshire is officially on its way towards establishing a Bitcoin reserve, as Governor Kelly Ayotte signed bill HB 302 into law on Tuesday. "New Hampshire is once again first in the nation!" Ayotte wrote on X. " Just signed a new law allowing our state to invest in cryptocurrency and precious metals." Introduced in January, the bill allows the New Hampshire state treasurer to invest up to 5% of public funds in precious metals like gold or silver, or digital assets that averaged a market cap...

House Democrats Walk Out on Digital Assets Hearing Over ‘Trump’s Crypto Corruption’

House Democrats staged a walkout of a digital assets-focused hearing on Tuesday, with party leadership threatening that President Donald Trump’s personal crypto ventures could derail bipartisan support of pending crypto legislation.  House Financial Services Committee ranking member Maxine Waters (D-CA) led the charge, objecting at the outset to the hearing’s convening. A dramatic scene then ensued, with Democrats including Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) yelling out a list of crypto-related profits t...

House Democrats staged a walkout of a digital assets-focused hearing on Tuesday, with party leadership threatening that President Donald Trump’s personal crypto ventures could derail bipartisan support of pending crypto legislation.  House Financial Services Committee ranking member Maxine Waters (D-CA) led the charge, objecting at the outset to the hearing’s convening. A dramatic scene then ensued, with Democrats including Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) yelling out a list of crypto-related profits t...

Binance's BNB Token Could Quadruple in Price by 2028 as ‘Benchmark’ Crypto: Standard Chartered

Bitcoin isn't the only cryptocurrency likely to surge. BNB is on track for a 360% rise, according to Standard Chartered.  The utility token, which runs on its own blockchain, has been trading in line with Bitcoin and Ethereum, according to the bank's Global Head of Digital Assets Research, Geoffrey Kendrick.  And this is likely to continue, despite the asset having little utility, Kendrick added in a Tuesday note.  "BNB has traded almost exactly in line with an unweighted basket of Bitcoin and...

Bitcoin isn't the only cryptocurrency likely to surge. BNB is on track for a 360% rise, according to Standard Chartered.  The utility token, which runs on its own blockchain, has been trading in line with Bitcoin and Ethereum, according to the bank's Global Head of Digital Assets Research, Geoffrey Kendrick.  And this is likely to continue, despite the asset having little utility, Kendrick added in a Tuesday note.  "BNB has traded almost exactly in line with an unweighted basket of Bitcoin and...

Satoshi Era Bitcoin Whales Move More Than $300 Million in BTC

Two long-dormant Bitcoin whales moved 3,422 BTC—worth roughly $324.2 million—early Tuesday morning. Both wallets had been inactive since 2014, when Bitcoin traded at well under $1,000, and the two transfers represent some of the largest movements by dormant Bitcoin whales observed in several years. The identity the wallet owners and the reason for the move are unknown at the time of writing. It is also unknown if the wallets were owned by the same person or if they are in any way connected. Acco...

Two long-dormant Bitcoin whales moved 3,422 BTC—worth roughly $324.2 million—early Tuesday morning. Both wallets had been inactive since 2014, when Bitcoin traded at well under $1,000, and the two transfers represent some of the largest movements by dormant Bitcoin whales observed in several years. The identity the wallet owners and the reason for the move are unknown at the time of writing. It is also unknown if the wallets were owned by the same person or if they are in any way connected. Acco...

‘Most Corrupt Act’: Sen. Chris Murphy Moves to Ban Donald Trump From Shilling Meme Coin

Democratic Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy introduced a bill on Tuesday that would prohibit U.S. President Donald Trump and other federal officials from promoting the commander-in-chief’s meme coin. The bill, dubbed the Modern Emoluments and Malfeasance Enforcement (MEME) Act, would apply broadly to securities and digital assets—among other types of investments—requiring that officials “not seek to use public office to benefit financially,” according to a copy of the bill’s text. In a statement...

Democratic Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy introduced a bill on Tuesday that would prohibit U.S. President Donald Trump and other federal officials from promoting the commander-in-chief’s meme coin. The bill, dubbed the Modern Emoluments and Malfeasance Enforcement (MEME) Act, would apply broadly to securities and digital assets—among other types of investments—requiring that officials “not seek to use public office to benefit financially,” according to a copy of the bill’s text. In a statement...

Haliey ‘Hawk Tuah’ Welch Feels ‘Sorry’ For Victims of Meme Coin Scandal

Haliey Welch, who catapulted to internet fame after a street interview in which she detailed an oral sex technique, has apologized for her role in the Hawk Tuah meme coin scandal. She added that her silence since the incident was part of a “much-needed” mental health break. This comes after Welch promoted a Solana meme coin called Hawk Tuah (HAWK), in reference to her viral interview, that quickly imploded after its launch. Within 15 minutes, the token was created, soared to a $490 million marke...

Haliey Welch, who catapulted to internet fame after a street interview in which she detailed an oral sex technique, has apologized for her role in the Hawk Tuah meme coin scandal. She added that her silence since the incident was part of a “much-needed” mental health break. This comes after Welch promoted a Solana meme coin called Hawk Tuah (HAWK), in reference to her viral interview, that quickly imploded after its launch. Within 15 minutes, the token was created, soared to a $490 million marke...