Bitcoin AI Generated News

Crypto researcher Dom (@traderview2) says he’s uncovered what appears to be a persistent algorithmic seller of XRP on South Korea’s Upbit — a flow large enough to reshape how traders interpret XRP activity out of Korea. Using tick-level trade data, Dom analyzed roughly 82 million trades on Upbit’s XRP/KRW pair (and 444 million trades from Binance for comparison). He concludes a single, machine-driven selling pipeline has been running almost continuously for about 10 months, offloading an estimated 3.3 billion XRP (~$5 billion) into Upbit’s order book. What he found - Persistent one-way selling: Upbit’s XRP/KRW has been net negative every month for 10 months. Select monthly net sells Dom highlights: Apr -165M XRP, Jul -197M, Oct -382M, Jan -370M. Overall tally: ~3.3 billion XRP (~$5B). - Continuous, algorithmic fingerprints: roughly 57–61% of sell trades execute within 10 ms, many in round-number sizes (10, 50, 100, 500, 1000 XRP). Dom reports one automated process running 17 hours straight with only a 33-second pause. - Retail-style buying on the other side: buy orders often show tiny fractional sizes (for example 2.535, 3.679 XRP), consistent with KRW-denominated retail purchases (buying a fixed won amount). - Venue-specific behavior: Binance’s XRP/USDT showed materially less sell pressure over the same windows — Dom says 2–5x less — and the hourly flow correlation between the two venues is only about 0.37, suggesting Upbit’s selling is driven by local factors rather than simply mirroring global risk-on/risk-off moves. Price dynamics and the “reverse Kimchi” effect From April through September, Upbit’s XRP traded about 3–6% below Binance — a “reverse Kimchi discount” (the usual Korean premium flipped negative). Dom sees that as notable because it implies the seller accepted consistently worse execution than available elsewhere, which could suggest a mandate to obtain KRW, restricted routing to Upbit, or Korean holders realizing gains on-chain. Around Oct. 10 there was a structural shift: the Korean premium flipped from roughly -0.07% to +2.4% in a single day and trade volumes jumped fivefold to 832,000 trades. The automated selling did not slow — daily sell volume roughly doubled from -6.3M XRP/day to -11.2M/day after the flip. Behavioral feedback loop Dom buckets days by how XRP performed on Binance and finds Upbit flow skews heavily negative on down days, and especially on crash days, where sell intensity can be eight times heavier. He frames the dynamic as an amplifying feedback loop: a systematic seller continuously hits the market while Korean retail buys rips and accumulates on rallies, intensifying volatility when panic sells happen. Scale and unanswered questions The scale is striking: 3.3 billion XRP is about 5.4% of XRP’s circulating supply, executed through a single pair on a single exchange over 10 months. Dom stresses his findings come from trade-level forensic work — bot fingerprinting, iceberg detection, and wash-trade checks — but he stops short of naming who’s behind the selling. His open questions: who can sustain 300–400M XRP per month for a year, consistently accept ~6% worse fills than global markets, and specifically needs KRW or is effectively limited to using Upbit? Market context If Dom’s analysis holds, it reframes the Upbit XRP flow as a venue-specific execution phenomenon rather than merely reflecting global positioning. That has implications for how traders interpret price discovery and cross-market arbitrage around XRP. At press time, XRP traded at $1.45. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Headline: Moonwell Loses $1.78M After AI-Generated Oracle Logic Misprices cbETH at ~$1 Moonwell, a decentralized lending protocol, lost roughly $1.78 million after a Chainlink-based price update—reportedly using AI-generated logic—mispriced Coinbase-wrapped ETH (cbETH) at about $1 instead of roughly $2,200. The error allowed bots and liquidators to borrow against massively underpriced collateral and drain affected lending pools within hours. What happened - A recent oracle update contained faulty calculation logic that introduced an incorrect scaling factor in the cbETH price feed. The mispricing was reported as roughly $1.12 versus the correct price near $2,200. - The bad math collapsed collateral requirements for the affected pools. Attackers rapidly borrowed assets against the undervalued cbETH before the error was detected and corrected, producing about $1.78M in bad debt. - Moonwell’s preliminary investigation attributes the flawed code to logic generated by the AI model Claude Opus 4.6, rather than to a malicious external data feed or traditional oracle manipulation. Why this matters Price oracles are a critical backbone of DeFi lending: they determine collateral values and liquidation thresholds. Historically, many major DeFi losses stem from oracle manipulation or pricing errors rather than flaws in on-chain protocol fundamentals. This incident stands out because the vulnerability appears to come from AI-assisted code generation introducing a numeric/scaling bug—an emerging and distinct risk vector. Broader implications - AI-assisted development can accelerate engineering workflows, but financial smart contracts demand absolute precision in unit handling, scaling, and edge-case validation. Small arithmetic mistakes can have outsized, systemic consequences in lending systems. - Auditing and security practices may need to evolve to account for AI-generated code: verifying not just code correctness but also provenance, numerical invariants and generation logic. - As Web3 teams increasingly rely on automated coding tools, auditors and security firms warn that existing frameworks aren’t yet fully adapted to validate AI-produced contract components. Bottom line Moonwell’s $1.78M loss is a reminder that automation and AI can introduce novel failure modes in DeFi. The incident underscores the need for stricter numerical checks, more rigorous auditing of generated code, and updated security practices that specifically address AI-assisted smart-contract development. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Nevada escalates fight over prediction markets, sues Kalshi Nevada’s gaming regulators have launched a new legal attack on federally regulated prediction markets, filing a civil enforcement action against KalshiEX LLC and accusing the exchange of offering unlicensed wagering to state residents. The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) filed its complaint in Carson City District Court, arguing Kalshi’s sports-linked “event contracts” are effectively gambling under Nevada law. The state is seeking declaratory relief and an injunction to stop Kalshi from operating in Nevada without approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission, saying the platform’s availability to Nevada residents violates multiple sections of the state gaming code. “The Board continues to vigorously fulfill its obligation to safeguard Nevada residents and gaming patrons,” NGCB Chairman Mike Dreitzer said. Kalshi quickly moved to shift the dispute to federal court and reiterated its long-standing defense: its event contracts are financial derivatives regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), not traditional bets. Kalshi operates as a CFTC-designated exchange and contends federal law preempts state gaming regulation. Nevada disagrees. Regulators say contracts tied to sports outcomes function like sportsbook wagers and therefore fall squarely within state oversight. The NGCB warns that allowing unlicensed operators to offer such products would undercut Nevada’s tightly controlled gaming framework. This suit follows a recent Nevada complaint against crypto exchange Coinbase over prediction markets the exchange launched in partnership with Kalshi. It also sits inside a broader national clash: states including Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio and Tennessee have issued cease-and-desist orders or filed suits against prediction markets, arguing these products amount to unlicensed gambling. The CFTC, for its part, has defended federal authority over event contracts; Kalshi has won temporary court relief in prior clashes, though those victories have been narrow and closely scrutinized. At stake is who regulates a rapidly growing corner of the market: federal derivatives overseers or state gaming boards. The court’s decision could reshape how Americans trade on elections, sports and economic indicators—either creating a single federal regime for prediction markets or leaving firms to navigate a patchwork of state gambling laws. For crypto platforms looking to add or expand prediction-style products, the outcome will be a critical precedent. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

XRP’s weekly price action is drawing renewed attention as the token grinds inside a historically sensitive corridor. Rather than signaling exhaustion, a well-known XRP commentator argues this consolidation could be the market laying the groundwork for a major structural pivot — potentially the “final base” before a multi-year advance. What the charts show - In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), market analyst @Austin_XRPL mapped XRP’s macro behavior and highlighted a consistent pattern: each major run-up was preceded by an extended consolidation phase during which price built acceptance before advancing. - Key historical bases he cites: - $0.15–$0.30: ~2 years of foundational support - $0.30–$0.50: ~2 years of accumulation - $0.50–$0.75: ~18 months of structured interaction - $0.75–$1.30: ~1 year of basing - $1.80–$3.40: >1 year of sustained trading (often seen as distribution) The missing piece: $1.30–$1.80 - Austin points to $1.30–$1.80 as the only major macro zone that never formed a proper base. Historically, price ran through this band quickly, leaving it “inefficient” — thin on liquidity and support. - Current weekly action shows XRP trading inside that corridor rather than rejecting it. Austin interprets this as structural repair or “gap-filling,” where price rotates through the range to build acceptance and durable support. Why it matters - If XRP completes a base in $1.30–$1.80, it would close the last structural gap on the macro chart and leave lower zones with established consolidation histories. That could mean lighter overhead supply and a cleaner path for a longer-term markup. - In this view, a breakout from this zone would reflect resolved market structure and disciplined accumulation, not just short-lived sentiment. Bottom line XRP’s present consolidation may be more than a pause — it could be the final stage of structural preparation. Market watchers will be watching weekly acceptance inside $1.30–$1.80 and any decisive move above the band as signals that the market has converted an inefficient corridor into a durable launch platform. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Hyperliquid plants a policy flag in Washington with $29M token endowment Hyperliquid (HYPE), the blockchain-native exchange that processed over $250 billion in perpetual futures trading last month, has launched a Washington, D.C. policy and research arm aimed at steering how U.S. lawmakers regulate decentralized finance (DeFi). The new nonprofit, the Hyperliquid Policy Center, will focus on regulatory frameworks for decentralized exchanges, perpetual futures and blockchain-based market infrastructure, the company said in a Wednesday press release. Jake Chervinsky — a high-profile crypto lawyer and former policy lead at the Blockchain Association — will serve as founder and CEO. Why it matters The move comes as Congress and federal agencies grapple with how to oversee crypto trading platforms and derivatives. Perpetual futures — leveraged contracts without an expiration date that are widely traded on offshore platforms — occupy a legal gray area in the U.S., and lawmakers are actively negotiating legislation that could shape the future of DeFi. Hyperliquid’s platform lets traders execute perpetual futures directly on blockchain rails without a central intermediary; trades settle onchain rather than through traditional brokers or clearinghouses. The exchange has rapidly scaled into one of the largest crypto derivatives venues: DefiLlama data shows it handled more than $250 billion in perpetual volume and $6.6 billion in spot volume over the past month. “Financial markets are migrating onto public blockchains because they offer efficiency, transparency and resilience that legacy systems cannot match,” Chervinsky said in the announcement. “Now the United States must choose: We can either adopt new rules that allow this innovation to flourish here at home, or we can wait and watch as other nations seize the opportunity.” Funding and positioning The Hyper Foundation — which supports the Hyperliquid ecosystem — is contributing 1 million HYPE tokens (roughly $29 million at current values) to fund the Policy Center’s launch. That commitment is smaller than what was put toward the Ripple-backed National Cryptocurrency Association at its launch last year, but it outstrips recent public spending by some other Washington crypto groups: the Digital Chamber spent about $5.6 million in 2024 and the Blockchain Association about $8.3 million, according to public filings. The Hyperliquid Policy Center joins a crowded field of crypto-policy organizations in D.C., including the DeFi Education Fund, Solana Policy Institute, Digital Chamber, Blockchain Association and Crypto Council for Innovation. The new group says it will brief lawmakers, publish technical research and advocate for rules designed specifically for decentralized systems. Bottom line With significant onchain trading volume and a multimillion-dollar token-backed endowment, Hyperliquid’s policy arm is an explicit bet that shaping U.S. DeFi rules from inside the capital will help keep crypto market innovation domestic rather than ceded to other jurisdictions. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

MYX has closed a strategic funding round led by Consensys as it prepares to roll out MYX V2, the protocol’s ambitious update that reframes onchain derivatives infrastructure. Deal and strategic context - Consensys led the round and, together with Consensys Mesh and Systemic Ventures, has become MYX’s largest investor. The capital will support the launch of MYX’s Modular Derivative Settlement Engine and the platform’s move toward serving as core infrastructure for omnichain derivatives. What V2 changes - MYX V2 shifts the project from a vertically integrated dApp into a modular settlement layer that other products and platforms can plug into. This positions MYX as foundational infrastructure for derivatives across chains rather than just a single trading venue. Key technical integrations - Account abstraction via EIP-4337 and EIP-7702 is baked into the protocol to improve UX and transaction handling. - Chainlink’s permissionless oracle stack provides the pricing inputs that anchor MYX’s execution model. How trading works (and why it’s different) - Gasless, one-click trades with non-custodial control: users keep custody while enjoying a simplified UX. - Dynamic Margin system: supports up to 50x leverage without relying on deep order-book liquidity. - Oracle-anchored pricing: instead of depending on local order book depth, prices are anchored to oracles so large trades don’t incur slippage tied to transient liquidity. That approach is designed to reduce execution risk for professional traders and to make trade outcomes more predictable even in thin or volatile markets. Intended benefits - MYX says this architecture decouples execution quality from liquidity depth, removing the classic tradeoff between access and execution that perps traders face. According to the team, that enables: - Immediate access to newly listed or emerging assets without lengthy listing processes, - Lower effective trading costs than comparable spot markets, - Consistent execution during market stress, - Deterministic enforcement via economic models, robust margining, and conservative security assumptions rather than discretionary market-making. Bottom line - With strategic backing from Consensys and a modular, oracle-driven settlement engine, MYX V2 aims to become a reusable infrastructure layer for omnichain derivatives, promising smoother UX and more predictable execution for leveraged onchain trading. Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. Content is for educational purposes only. This content was provided by a third party; neither crypto.news nor the author endorses any product mentioned here. Users should conduct their own research before taking any action. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Apex Group to pilot Trump‑affiliated WLFI stablecoin as payment rail for tokenized funds Apex Group, the global financial services provider that administers more than $3.5 trillion in assets, will pilot a stablecoin issued by WLFI, the crypto company affiliated with U.S. President Donald Trump, to settle transactions in its tokenized fund ecosystem, the firms announced Wednesday at the World Liberty Forum at Mar‑a‑Lago. The partnership will test WLFI’s USD1 stablecoin as a payment rail for subscriptions, redemptions and distributions across Apex’s growing suite of tokenized funds. Apex said the pilot aims to speed up settlement and cut operational overhead for institutional clients — including hedge funds, pension funds, banks and family offices — by leveraging blockchain rails instead of traditional payment systems. “Clients increasingly want blockchain‑based solutions that deliver tangible benefits and cost savings,” Apex CEO Peter Hughes said in the companies’ announcement. Why it matters Tokenizing funds—issuing fund shares or other securities on blockchain rails—can streamline reporting, reduce intermediaries and widen access to investors. Apex has been expanding its on‑chain capabilities: in May it acquired Tokeny, a Luxembourg firm that builds infrastructure for issuing and managing real‑world assets (RWAs) on‑chain, and bought London’s Globacap, an investing platform with a U.S. broker‑dealer registration. Those moves strengthen Apex’s ability to tokenize regulated securities, especially as interest in blockchain‑based RWAs grows among asset managers. At the forum, World Liberty co‑founder and CEO Zach Witkoff framed USD1 as “infrastructure for a future financial services ecosystem,” underscoring WLFI’s role in the pitch. Next steps and distribution plans Beyond the pilot, Apex said it will explore listing WLFI tokenized assets — such as real estate and infrastructure offerings — on the London Stock Exchange Group’s Digital Market Infrastructure platform, subject to regulatory approval. WLFI also plans to launch a mobile app that links traditional bank accounts with digital asset wallets to give users access to tokenized holdings. The announcement positions a legacy fund administrator at the center of a high‑profile effort to bridge traditional fund operations and crypto rails. Regulatory reviews and operational testing will determine whether stablecoin payment rails can deliver the faster, lower‑cost settlement Apex and WLFI promise. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes warns that bitcoin’s recent rout is flashing an ominous macro signal — and that an even bigger Fed intervention could ultimately send BTC to new record highs. In a new essay titled “This Is Fine,” Hayes points to bitcoin’s 52% slide from an October peak of roughly $126,000 to around $66,501.80 as a “global fiat liquidity fire alarm.” While the Nasdaq has held relatively steady, bitcoin’s deeper drop, he argues, shows markets are already pricing in a severe credit event that equities have not yet acknowledged. Hayes lays out a stark scenario driven by artificial intelligence: if AI displaces just 20% of America’s roughly 72.1 million knowledge workers, the result could be approximately $557 billion in consumer credit and mortgage defaults — about half the shock of the 2008 financial crisis. That scale of consumer distress, he says, would hit regional banks hard and force the Federal Reserve into “the biggest money printing in history.” “Bitcoin is the most responsive freely traded asset to the fiat credit supply,” Hayes writes. He sees the recent divergence between bitcoin and tech stocks as an early warning that significant credit destruction is imminent. He also flags the relative strength of gold versus bitcoin as another warning sign: “a surging gold versus a slumping Bitcoin clearly tells us that a deflationary risk-off credit event within Pax Americana is brewing.” Hayes’ playbook is straightforward: first, credit-sensitive assets like bitcoin will price in the damage; then, panic-driven policymakers will flood markets with liquidity. He colorfully predicts central bankers will “press that Brrrr button” harder than they have before, and that expectation of sustained money printing will propel bitcoin “off its lows” and eventually to fresh all-time highs. That upside, however, comes with pain along the way. Hayes cautions BTC could drop further — potentially below $60,000 — if political dysfunction delays Fed action. His advice to crypto investors is conservative: remain liquid, avoid leverage, and wait for the Fed’s “all-clear” before aggressively re-entering risky assets. Bottom line: Hayes frames bitcoin today as a market thermometer for fiat liquidity risk — a leading indicator that could plunge further in a real-world banking shock, but that also stands to rally dramatically once large-scale Fed intervention restores market liquidity. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

A revised version of the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act is resurfacing in Washington, and it could redraw how U.S. law treats software creators and infrastructure operators in crypto. According to Coin Center, the updated bill — now carrying language put forward by Senators Cynthia Lummis and Ron Wyden — seeks to make a simple but consequential point: people who write code or run infrastructure but do not control other people’s crypto funds should not be classified as money transmitters. The change builds on an earlier House measure authored by Representative Tom Emmer and is intended to draw a clearer legal line between building tools and moving money. Supporters say that clarity is urgently needed. Without it, routine acts of coding or maintaining services could be construed as operating a bank, chilling innovation and pushing developers offshore. Coin Center and other advocates frame the issue as one of regulatory certainty: clear rules would let teams decide whether to stay and invest in the U.S., rather than relocate to friendlier jurisdictions. The push for reform has been amplified by several high-profile prosecutions. The developer linked to Tornado Cash faces money-transmission charges and is awaiting sentencing, while two men tied to Samourai Wallet — Keonne Rodriguez and Will Lonergan Hill — have already been convicted and given multi-year terms. Those cases have put tools and their creators squarely in the crosshairs of criminal enforcement, and they’re cited frequently in the debate over how broadly to define liability. Not everyone is comfortable with the proposed protections. Opponents warn that broad safe harbors could create loopholes that let bad actors escape accountability. That tension has split lawmakers, policy groups, and tech teams in Washington, and legal experts are similarly divided: some favor narrow, tightly scoped safe harbors; others want stronger guardrails that still allow prosecutors to pursue criminal misuse. Jason Somensatto, policy chief at Coin Center, has urged lawmakers not to dilute the bill. In a letter to the Senate Banking Committee he argued that software authors deserve the same basic protections as other internet builders — hosting firms, browser teams, and email providers — who aren’t jailed when their products are misused by third parties. As of now, the Senate Banking Committee has not marked up the bill. Lawmakers will have to balance competing priorities: protecting public safety and preventing crime, while avoiding regulatory uncertainty that could stifle the next wave of crypto infrastructure. The committee’s choice matters beyond policy papers — it will shape where developers choose to work and how future crypto tools are built. For an industry still grappling with regulatory risk, this bill may be an early test of whether the U.S. will remain a competitive home for foundational crypto development. (Reporting based on Coin Center’s Feb. 17, 2026 update. Featured image from Unsplash; chart from TradingView.) Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

The president of Germany’s central bank is pushing Europe to double down on digital money — calling euro-pegged stablecoins and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) strategic tools to protect the bloc’s payments independence and reduce reliance on the US dollar. In a speech at the American Chamber of Commerce’s New Year’s Reception in Frankfurt, Bundesbank chief Joachim Nagel argued that recent geoeconomic fragmentation has dented growth and competitiveness across the EU. Europe, he said, must take “decisive” steps to restore economic momentum by strengthening the euro’s international role and building payment systems that run on European infrastructure. Nagel reiterated the Eurosystem’s work on the digital euro, calling it “the first pan‑European retail digital payment solution, based solely on European infrastructures.” He framed the retail CBDC as a cornerstone of a sovereign, Europe-based payment stack that could serve consumers and businesses across the bloc. At the same time, Nagel voiced support for euro‑denominated stablecoins as a way to reduce costs and speed up cross‑border payments. In remarks last week to the Euro50 Group, he highlighted stablecoins’ potential for programmable transactions and more efficient cross‑border settlement — benefits that could help firms and individuals move money cheaper and faster. But Nagel also warned of risks. He flagged a potential threat if foreign‑currency stablecoins — particularly USD‑pegged tokens — become widely used in the euro area. That dynamic, he said, could amount to a form of “dollarization,” undermining the effectiveness of domestic monetary policy and weakening European sovereignty. The warning comes in the context of rapid growth in the stablecoin market and active U.S. policy moves. Nagel pointed to the GENIUS Act — signed into law last July — as part of a U.S. push to create clear legal frameworks for stablecoin issuers. The market has expanded sharply: global stablecoin market cap rose from about $205 billion at the start of the year to north of $300 billion by late 2025, with USD‑pegged tokens dominating and euro‑pegged tokens accounting for under 1% of the market. While Nagel judged the risk of wholesale replacement of the euro as small today, he said authorities should harness new technologies to reduce that likelihood. He advocated for a wholesale CBDC — a central bank digital money targeted at institutional actors — to enable programmable transactions in central bank money for financial markets. Complementary support for DLT‑based instruments not tied to central bank money, such as tokenized deposits and euro stablecoins, would also be useful. “These measures will allow us to utilise cutting‑edge digital technologies to maintain our monetary policy effectiveness in an uncertain geopolitical future. Additionally, they will increase our sovereignty,” Nagel concluded. Takeaway for crypto markets: Europe’s central bankers appear ready to shape a digital payments ecosystem that mixes a retail digital euro, institutional (wholesale) CBDC capabilities, and regulated euro‑pegged stablecoins — aiming to compete with a U.S.‑heavy stablecoin landscape while safeguarding monetary control and sovereignty. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

OpenAI, led by Sam Altman, has launched EVMbench — a new testing framework that gauges whether artificial intelligence can understand and help secure smart contracts running on Ethereum and other EVM-compatible chains. Smart contracts are immutable programs that power decentralized exchanges, lending platforms and much of DeFi. Because deployed contracts can’t be easily changed, bugs and vulnerabilities can put real money at risk. With billions — OpenAI notes “$100B+” — of open-source crypto assets at stake, the need for robust security tools is urgent. EVMbench, developed with crypto investment firm Paradigm, evaluates AI systems using real-world vulnerabilities drawn from past audits and security competitions. It measures three core capabilities: - Detecting security bugs in smart contract code, - Exploiting those bugs in a controlled environment to demonstrate impact, and - Patching or fixing the vulnerable code without breaking intended functionality. OpenAI frames EVMbench as an attempt to create a clear, economically meaningful standard for assessing AI in blockchain security. As AI agents grow better at reading, writing and executing code, the company says it’s critical to both measure their capabilities and encourage defensive use — i.e., using AI to audit and harden contracts before attackers can exploit them. For DeFi builders, auditors and security teams, EVMbench could serve as a benchmark for how reliable AI-assisted tooling is at spotting and fixing the kinds of flaws that have previously led to costly exploits. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Headline: UAE sovereign funds double down on BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF as overall institutional allocations fall At a time when Bitcoin has slid sharply from recent highs, filings show some Abu Dhabi investors are using the dip to add to their positions — even as many institutions trim exposure to BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin ETF (IBIT). What the filings show - According to quarterly 13F filings with the U.S. SEC, two Abu Dhabi-based entities held more than $1 billion combined in IBIT at the end of 2025. Mubadala Investment Company reported owning 12,702,323 shares (worth roughly $630 million), up 46% from 8.7 million shares in Q3. Al Warda Investments held 8,218,712 shares (about $408 million). - Despite that accumulation, aggregate institutional behavior was more muted: overall institutional ownership of IBIT fell by just 0.41% quarter-on-quarter, but institutional long positions decreased by around 10% and the average portfolio allocation to IBIT plunged 28%. Fintel data shows a net reduction of 41.36 million institutional shares between Q3 and Q4. Context and interpretation - The divergence highlights two concurrent trends: selective buying by sovereign wealth and state-linked investors, and broad rebalancing and profit-taking by other institutions after Bitcoin’s earlier run-up. Bitwise senior investment strategist Juan Leon noted, “Mubadala sovereign wealth fund doubled down on BTC during the Q4 drawdown.” Bitcoin historian Peter Rizzo summed up the broader pattern: “nations are buying the dip.” - Bitcoin’s price fell roughly 30% over the same period, from about $126,000 to $87,000 — a pullback that likely prompted many managers to reduce ETF weightings to rebalance risk and lock in gains. Limitations of the data - 13F filings only disclose reported long equity holdings for U.S.-reporting investment managers above certain thresholds, so they don’t capture the full range of institutional strategies. Short positions and derivatives exposure — for example through CME futures or other platforms — are largely outside the 13F scope and can tell a different story about net risk stance. Broader market picture - The drawdown has also hit ETF assets under management: BlackRock’s IBIT AUM fell from a record $95 billion to about $57 billion, while total U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF AUM dropped from $162 billion to $100 billion, according to The Block. Takeaway - The filings reveal a split market: state-linked buyers in the UAE appear confident enough to increase their IBIT stakes during the pullback, even as many institutional players modestly reduce exposure — likely driven by rebalancing, profit-taking, and risk management. Disclaimer: This content is informational and not investment advice. Cryptocurrency trading carries high risk; do your own research. © 2026 AMBCrypto Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

MicroStrategy’s stock has a clear battleground for 2026: options traders see roughly $100 as support and $130–$150 as a heavy resistance zone — a range that will likely decide whether the company’s big Bitcoin bet pays off or turns into a deeper headache. What happened - MicroStrategy (MSTR) added 2,486 BTC this week, bringing its corporate stash to 717,131 BTC, worth more than $54.5 billion at current prices. That latest tranche cost about $168.4 million, bought at an average of $67,710 per coin. The company now holds roughly 3.4% of the total supply of Bitcoin. - The purchase prompted an eyebrow-raising reaction from long-time BTC critic Peter Schiff, who tweeted, “Congratulations, you finally averaged your price down.” Schiff continued to warn that “averaging down” — buying more as prices fall — can compound losses if Bitcoin keeps sliding. Market picture - MicroStrategy shares were trading around $128.67 at press time, down nearly 4% in the short term and roughly 20% over the past month. Bitcoin itself was trading near $67,661, off about 26% over the last 30 days. - Open interest — a measure of outstanding derivative positions — fell alongside Bitcoin’s price. That tandem decline is a classic deleveraging signal: highly leveraged, short-term speculators are exiting or being forced out, cooling speculative heat and allowing longer-term holders to accumulate. Options reveal the fight zone - Options flow in MSTR points to $100 as a meaningful support level where buying interest could emerge, while heavy option strikes and selling pressure between $130–$150 create a choke point that’s proving hard to breach. A handful of high-risk bets at $200 and $300 show some traders still bank on a large BTC-driven rally. - Practically, MSTR trading between $110 and $140 signals uncertainty. A convincing move above $150 could trigger fast upside momentum; a slide toward $100 is likely to draw dip-buyers seeking exposure at lower prices. Why this matters - MicroStrategy’s strategy — treating Bitcoin as a core treasury asset and buying on dips — places the company squarely between conviction and vulnerability. If Bitcoin recovers, the plan looks prescient. If Bitcoin continues to decline, the company’s balance sheet and investor returns face material downside. - The contrast with peers is striking: Japan’s Metaplanet reported a Q4 2025 net loss of $619 million, highlighting how vulnerable corporates can be to large crypto drawdowns. For both firms, resilience will be judged by how well they absorb 20–30% price swings rather than short-term profit figures. Bottom line MicroStrategy keeps doubling down on Bitcoin, and market structure — from open interest to options strikes — has sketched a clear battle map for 2026: $100 support versus $130–$150 resistance. Whether Saylor’s bold accumulation strategy succeeds will largely hinge on Bitcoin’s next directional move and the company’s ability to weather further volatility. Disclaimer: This summary is informational and not investment advice. Crypto trading is high-risk; do your own research before making decisions. © 2026 AMBCrypto Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Stablecoins currently shuttle trillions of dollars each year—but most of that value never touches everyday commerce. A new partnership between XDC Network and OrbitX Pay aims to change that by letting users spend USD Coin (USDC) held on XDC directly at merchants that accept Visa. How it works: users keep their USDC on-chain until the moment of purchase. OrbitX Pay routes the payment through Visa rails so the merchant sees a standard card transaction, while the payer’s crypto balance is debited on-chain. The goal is to cut out slow, costly fiat conversions and third-party off-ramps that typically add friction, fees and settlement delays. “This is part of a change to everyday use,” said XDC Network co-founder Ritesh Kakkaad. OrbitX CEO Ankitt Guar added, “By keeping users in control of their assets while connecting to global payment networks, we aim to reduce the friction between on-chain value and real-world spending.” The economics behind the move are promising. Stablecoin market capitalization sits above $307 billion and has shown steady growth over the past year, according to DeFiLlama—liquidity and user familiarity that tend to accelerate payment adoption. User sentiment also looks favorable: a BVNK report found 56% of stablecoin users plan to acquire more over the next 12 months, and more than half increased their holdings in the past year. Among freelancers and sellers who accept stablecoin payments, roughly 35% of their income comes via these assets on average (BVNK). Whether Visa‑bridge integrations like this will reach meaningful consumer adoption remains uncertain. But by enabling direct spending from on-chain balances, the XDC–OrbitX tie-up is a clear example of stablecoins evolving from speculative instruments into practical payment rails. Disclaimer: AMBCrypto's content is informational and not investment advice. Cryptocurrency trading, buying, or selling is high risk; do your own research. Source: DeFiLlama; BVNK. © 2026 AMBCrypto Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

BRICS says its door is open — and expansion could crest again at the 2026 summit in New Delhi. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told delegates at the Sherpas meeting in New Delhi that “BRICS’ door remains open,” confirming that expansion is already on the table for the 2026 summit. When pressed about a timetable, he declined to commit to any deadlines: “We could not and will not set any artificial timeframes or deadlines for such decisions. Countries that want to join the association know this.” What’s happening now - Sherpas — the government officials who prepare summit agendas and lay the groundwork for leaders’ meetings — are actively discussing how to grow the bloc and deepen cooperation with partner countries. - BRICS currently comprises 11 full members and counts 13 nations as “partner countries.” According to Ryabkov, roughly 45 countries have expressed interest in joining and taking part in decision-making. A recent history of cautious expansion - In 2024 the alliance invited six new countries, but only four accepted invitations. Argentina rejected the offer outright and Saudi Arabia pulled back, reportedly mindful of maintaining relations with Western partners amid its Vision 2030 economic reforms. Why crypto readers should pay attention - Any enlargement of BRICS could reshape trade relationships and accelerate efforts to build alternatives to traditional dollar-dominated payment channels. That, in turn, could spur interest in cross-border digital payment systems, CBDC linkages or private-sector crypto rails as members seek cheaper, faster settlement options. While concrete policy moves would depend on the new membership mix and leaders’ decisions, market observers see expansion as a variable that could affect the global payments and digital-asset landscape. Bottom line: expansion talks are active and scheduled to be part of the 2026 summit agenda, but no firm membership timeline has been set. Watch New Delhi in 2026 for whether BRICS converts current interest into new members — and what that might mean for global finance and digital payments. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Shiba Inu posts weekly bounce but broader picture stays bearish Shiba Inu (SHIB) posted a notable weekly gain even as broader time frames remain deep in the red. CoinGecko data shows SHIB up 9.3% on the week, but down 4.3% over 14 days, 14.3% over the past month, and a striking 58.5% since February 2025. What drove the weekly rally The weekly uptick traces back to a short-lived market pop on Feb. 15, 2026, when Bitcoin (BTC) briefly reclaimed the $70,000 area. The BTC move sparked a weekend surge across altcoins and memecoins, pushing SHIB to a intraday peak near $0.00000721 before running into selling pressure. That burst of inflows appears to have been transient—enough to lift the weekly figure but not to reverse the longer-term downtrend. Why caution remains warranted Despite the green weekly candle, several headwinds could erase those gains quickly: - The market still reads as bear-dominated and follow-through from buyers has been limited. - Retail appetite for high-risk bets like memecoins remains muted. SHIB’s memecoin status typically makes it more volatile and vulnerable to shifts in speculative demand. - The recent rejection near $0.00000721 suggests sellers remain active at short-term resistance. Potential upside catalysts There are a couple of macro and seasonal factors that could revive risk-on flows and help SHIB regain momentum: - Tax refund season: Wells Fargo has estimated up to $150 billion in U.S. tax refunds could hit retail pockets soon. Analysts argue that fresh retail liquidity — the so-called “YOLO” crowd — has historically driven outsized gains in BTC and altcoins during similar periods. If a meaningful portion of refunds finds its way into crypto, memecoins like SHIB could benefit. - Policy expectations: Some market participants are pricing in looser monetary policy under a potential new Fed chair such as Kevin Warsh, with rate cuts widely anticipated if leadership changes materialize. Lower rates would likely lift risk assets broadly and could provide a tailwind for crypto. Bottom line SHIB’s weekly green print reflects a brief, BTC-led market bounce, not a clear breakout from the prevailing bear market. Short-term rallies are possible if macro flows or retail liquidity surge, but structural risks — weak retail demand and memecoin volatility — mean any gains could be fragile. Traders should watch BTC’s ability to hold key levels, inflows from the tax season, and any shifts in Fed policy expectations for clues on whether SHIB can sustain a move higher. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Arthur Hayes warns that Bitcoin’s recent price action may be more than market noise — it could be a loud signal that a credit shock is coming, driven in part by the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence. In his latest Substack essay, “This Is Fine,” the BitMEX co‑founder calls Bitcoin a “global fiat liquidity fire alarm.” Hayes points to Bitcoin’s sharp fall (which he frames as a move from about $126,000 to roughly $60,000) even as the Nasdaq 100 held up, interpreting the divergence as evidence of tightening dollar liquidity and rising deflationary risk. How AI factors into the risk Hayes links the potential credit shock to AI-driven labor displacement. He estimates there are 72.1 million U.S. “knowledge workers” — many carrying consumer debt and mortgages. If AI replaces 20% of that cohort quickly, the resulting unemployment could meaningfully weaken household finances and strain banks. His math, from Federal Reserve data and his own assumptions: - About $3.76 trillion in bank-held consumer credit (excluding student loans). - Average mortgage balance for knowledge workers of roughly $250,000. - Projected losses from mass layoffs: roughly $330 billion in consumer credit losses and $227 billion in mortgage losses. - After bank reserves, those hits would equal about a 13% reduction in U.S. commercial bank equity. System-wide implications Hayes argues the biggest “too big to fail” banks could likely absorb that stress, but many regional and smaller lenders might not. The result: tighter lending standards, a contraction in credit, weaker aggregate demand, and markets pricing in deflation before policymakers step in. He points to current market signals he views as early warnings: - Software and SaaS stocks underperforming broader tech. - Consumer staples outperforming discretionary names — consistent with households pulling back. - Rising credit-card delinquencies. - Gold strengthening relative to Bitcoin, interpreted as defensive positioning. Bullish on Bitcoin — eventually Despite the near-term alarm, Hayes remains structurally bullish on Bitcoin. He argues deflationary shocks typically force the Federal Reserve into renewed aggressive liquidity programs. Political resistance could delay action, but once banking stress reaches a tipping point he expects policy makers to “print” on a large scale. That renewed liquidity, he believes, would ultimately drive Bitcoin to new highs. Two scenarios, one endpoint Hayes lays out two paths: 1) Bitcoin’s slide to ~ $60k was the low; equities will fall further before liquidity returns. 2) Bitcoin falls further if credit conditions materially worsen first. In either case, his view is that a fresh round of monetary expansion will eventually lift Bitcoin to higher levels. What he advises investors For now, Hayes counsels caution: avoid high leverage and be defensive. He sees the real buying opportunity arriving once central banks pivot back to large-scale liquidity measures — in other words, when “the money printer” starts again. Bottom line: Hayes reads Bitcoin not just as an asset, but as a systemic signal. If his scenario plays out, crypto traders should prepare for more volatility now and potentially a powerful liquidity-driven rally down the road. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Robert Kiyosaki — the author behind Rich Dad Poor Dad — has renewed his warning that a historic stock-market collapse is imminent, and he’s urging investors to position themselves in scarce, “real” assets such as gold, silver, Bitcoin and Ethereum. Kiyosaki resurrected predictions from his 2013 book Rich Dad’s Prophecy, saying “the biggest stock market crash in history” is still coming and that “the giant crash is now imminent.” He framed the event as a potential wealth-transfer: those who prepare, he argues, “could become richer beyond your wildest dreams,” while unprepared investors may suffer heavy losses. On his watch list are traditional safe havens and crypto. Kiyosaki says he holds gold, silver, Ethereum and Bitcoin, and that he is actively buying more BTC as prices pull back. He highlighted Bitcoin’s capped supply — only 21 million BTC will ever exist — as a key reason to prefer it during periods of market stress, calling it a “real” asset versus what he views as “fake” alternatives. He also told followers that panic-driven sell-offs create accumulation opportunities for long-term investors and that he plans to add to his Bitcoin holdings if markets decline further. For crypto markets, the comments come as Bitcoin is trading near support levels and Ethereum remains a focal point for investors seeking exposure to blockchain-native value. Kiyosaki’s stance is consistent with his long-standing message: economic crises are buying opportunities for hard assets and scarce digital tokens. Whether investors agree with his timeline or severity, the message is clear — at least from Kiyosaki’s perspective: prepare, hold scarce assets, and use downturns to accumulate. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Headline: Thai SEC clears bitcoin, other crypto and carbon credits for regulated derivatives — TFEX to design contracts for institutions Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission has formally expanded its regulated derivatives framework to include cryptocurrencies — notably bitcoin — and carbon credits as eligible underlying instruments, signaling a major step toward integrating digital assets into the country’s institutional markets. What changed - The SEC’s update, built on an earlier Feb. 12 decision and approved by the Cabinet, recognizes crypto assets as legitimate underlyings for futures, options and other exchange-traded derivatives on venues such as the Thailand Futures Exchange (TFEX). - Carbon credits are also now eligible underlying instruments under the derivatives rule change. Why it matters - The move is designed to align Thailand’s derivatives market with international standards while preserving oversight, risk management and investor protection. - SEC Secretary-General Pornanong Budsaratragoon said the expansion will help grow the market, diversify product offerings, strengthen risk management and broaden investor choices. Next steps and implementation - The SEC will draft supporting regulations, including updates to derivatives business licenses so licensed digital-asset operators can offer contracts that reference cryptocurrencies. - Exchange and clearinghouse rules will be reviewed to accommodate crypto-based products; TFEX will finalize contract specifications to ensure they are practical and manageable from a risk perspective. Bigger picture - The change is part of a broader push by Thai authorities to position the country as a regional digital finance hub. The SEC has previously signaled plans for comprehensive rules covering digital-asset products, including crypto ETFs. - Market observers expect the move to attract international and institutional traders seeking regulated crypto derivatives exposure, potentially linking local markets to global crypto liquidity. What to watch - Publication of the SEC’s supporting regulations, updates to licensing rules, and the concrete contract specs from TFEX — all will determine how quickly institutional crypto derivatives launch in Thailand. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Nevada escalates its fight against prediction markets, suing Kalshi and raising new questions for crypto platforms The Nevada Gaming Control Board has filed a civil enforcement action in Carson City District Court against KalshiEX LLC, accusing the CFTC-regulated prediction market of offering unlicensed wagering to Nevada residents. Regulators say Kalshi’s sports-linked “event contracts” are effectively gambling under Nevada law and are asking the court for declaratory relief and an injunction to bar Kalshi from operating in the state without a Nevada gaming license. “The Board continues to vigorously fulfill its obligation to safeguard Nevada residents and gaming patrons,” NGCB Chairman Mike Dreitzer said in announcing the filing. Kalshi quickly sought to move the case to federal court, repeating its long-held view that event contracts are financial derivatives governed exclusively by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The company — a CFTC-designated exchange — argues federal law preempts state gaming rules and that its products are not traditional bets but regulated derivatives. Nevada regulators disagree. The complaint contends that contracts tied to sports outcomes mirror sportsbook wagers and therefore fall under state gaming law. The Board warns that allowing unlicensed operators would undercut Nevada’s tightly controlled gaming framework. The suit against Kalshi arrives alongside related legal action: Nevada recently sued crypto exchange Coinbase over prediction markets that Coinbase launched through a partnership with Kalshi. That connection has heightened attention in crypto circles because the outcome could affect how exchanges and crypto platforms handle prediction-style products going forward. This dispute is part of a wider, nation‑wide legal battle over jurisdiction for prediction markets. Several states — including Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio and Tennessee — have issued cease-and-desist orders or filed suits to block unlicensed sports event contracts. The CFTC has defended its authority over event contracts, and Kalshi has won temporary court relief in earlier skirmishes, though those wins have been narrow and closely watched. What’s at stake is who regulates a fast‑growing market for trading on elections, sports and economic events: a single federal derivatives regime under the CFTC, or a patchwork of state gaming rules. The court’s decision could reshape how Americans — and crypto platforms that offer similar products — are allowed to trade prediction-style contracts nationwide. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news