US Regulator Introduces Framework Allowing Bitcoin, Ether and USDC for Margin Use The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has launched a landmark pilot program that formally opens the door for cryptocurrencies to be used as collateral in regulated derivatives markets. The move marks one of the most significant steps yet toward integrating digital assets into mainstream financial infrastructure. Collateral is a core safeguard in derivatives trading, ensuring traders can cover potentiial losses. The CFTC’s new initiative introduces a controlled environment to test how digital assets perform in this role under strict oversight. Under the program, futures commission merchants (FCMs)…
Author: Blockto Team
US Regulator Opens Door to Broader Crypto Participation in Banking The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is signaling a major shift in how digital-asset firms may enter the U.S. banking system. Speaking at a recent policy summit, Comptroller Jonathan Gould emphasized that crypto companies pursuing federal banking charters should face no different standards than traditional institutions. In a notable departure from years of cautious oversight, the OCC has begun outlining a path for crypto-focused firms to operate as federally supervised banks. Gould argued that many services associated with digital assets—such as custody—are not fundamentally new and have…
Filing proposes iShares Staked Ethereum Trust, positioning the asset manager for one of the first regulated staking-based ETFs BlackRock has moved to expand its digital-asset lineup by submitting an application to list a staked Ether exchange-traded fund, marking one of the first attempts to bring staking exposure into a regulated ETF structure in the United States. The filing arrives as institutional demand for Ether yield strategies continues to rise following the approval of spot ETH ETFs in 2024. BlackRock Files for iShares Staked Ethereum Trust The company filed a Form S-1 registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission…
Break below the 0.382 retracement zone could trigger a revisit of April’s lows, market strategists caution Bitcoin is testing a crucial technical zone that analysts say must hold to prevent a deeper correction. The market’s focus has shifted toward a key Fibonacci retracement level, with traders closely monitoring whether bulls can maintain control amid heightened volatility. Crypto analyst Daan Crypto Trades highlighted that Bitcoin is currently positioned at the 0.382 Fibonacci retracement, a level often viewed as a major support-resistance pivot during broader market cycles. “This is a key area for the bulls to defend,” he noted, adding that a…
Blockchain-based prediction markets are increasingly attracting crypto traders seeking higher returns than traditional spot holdings. While these platforms started mainly with sports betting, interest in crypto-related outcomes is growing, offering unique opportunities for both casual participants and professional traders. Prediction Markets Offer Asymmetric Gains According to recent research, prediction markets create extreme information asymmetry between retail participants and data-driven traders. For quantitative investors, these platforms provide asymmetric payoffs that often surpass potential gains from simply holding the underlying cryptocurrency. For example, on decentralized market Polymarket a bet on BNB reaching $1,500 by December 2025 traded at $0.01, implying a potential…
New investment terms reveal extensive downside protection as Ripple raises $500 million Ripple’s recent $500 million share sale introduced a level of investor protection rarely seen in the digital asset sector. The offering, which involved major financial firms, included mechanisms that effectively guaranteed profits for participating investors regardless of market volatility. Investor Protections Ensure Minimum Returns The funding round provided institutions with a put option allowing them to sell shares back to Ripple after three or four years with a 10% annualized return, creating a built-in profit floor. Ripple could also choose to repurchase the shares itself, but only by…
Largest Ethereum-focused treasury increases holdings to 3.86 million ETH as macro and network upgrades drive confidence BitMine Immersion Technologies has sharply intensified its Ethereum accumulation strategy, purchasing 138,452 ETH in the past week. The acquisition, valued at approximately $435 million, represents the firm’s largest weekly haul in more than a month and strengthens its position as the leading corporate holder of ether. BitMine Expands Ethereum Treasury With its latest purchase, BitMine’s total holdings have climbed to 3.86 million ETH, giving the firm control of more than 3.2% of Ethereum’s circulating supply. The new accumulation marks a 156% increase from activity…
Platform accuses exchange of publishing incorrect timelines and acting without coordination A disagreement between Mantra and major crypto exchange OKX has escalated after Mantra’s CEO, John Patrick Mullin, advised OM token holders to withdraw their assets. The warning follows allegations that OKX published incorrect information regarding Mantra’s upcoming token migration. Mantra Challenges OKX’s Migration Timeline In a public statement, Mullin said the exchange shared inaccurate migration and implementation dates, urging users to avoid relying on “potentially negligent or malicious intermediaries.” OKX’s announcement claimed the migration would occur between Dec. 22 and Dec. 25, a timeline Mullin says contradicts Mantra’s governance-approved…
Surging demand for dollar-based yield fuels rapid growth in on-chain government debt and private credit markets The market for tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) is expanding at a pace few predicted, with US Treasurys emerging as the primary catalyst. New industry data shows that 2025 marked a major turning point for institutional-grade tokenization and the trend is widely expected to accelerate through 2026 as investors seek secure, yield-bearing dollar products on blockchain rails. Driven by global appetite for dollar linked returns, the value of on-chain US Treasurys more than doubled this year, climbing from $3.91 billion to $8.68 billion. This growth…
Latest acquisition signals continued commitment to large-scale bitcoin accumulation despite market uncertainty Strategy, the bitcoin-focused treasury company led by Michael Saylor, has executed one of its largest purchases of the year, adding 10,624 BTC between Dec. 1 and Dec. 7. The acquisition, valued at $962.7 million, pushes the firms total holdings to 660,624 BTC, reinforcing its position as the world’s largest corporate bitcoin owner. Strategy Accelerates Accumulation Through Equity Sales The latest purchase was funded through proceeds from at-the-market sales of the company’s Class A common stock and its STRD perpetual preferred shares. Last week Strategy raised $928.1 million through…