From mass data collection to AI-driven analysis, surveillance capabilities are expanding beyond the post-Snowden era More than a decade after the Snowden disclosures exposed large-scale government surveillance, leading security technologist Bruce Schneier warns that state monitoring has not diminished — it has evolved. According to Schneier, advances in artificial intelligence are enabling governments to move from mass data collection into what he describes as “bulk spying,” a far more powerful and intrusive model. The 2013 revelations surrounding the PRISM program showed how intelligence agencies accessed vast amounts of user data from major technology platforms. While public outrage led to legal…
Author: Blockto Team
Institutional clients gain onchain cash tools as markets move toward always-on settlement A major global custodian has taken a significant step into blockchain-based finance with the launch of tokenized bank deposits for institutional clients. The initiative reflects a broader shift across traditional finance toward onchain infrastructure designed to support faster settlement, improved liquidity management and round-the-clock market operations. The newly launched service allows institutional clients to hold onchain representations of bank deposits, issued on a permissioned blockchain network operated internally. These tokenized deposits function as digital claims on cash balances, enabling more efficient use of capital while maintaining the regulatory…
ETF outflows, altcoin repricing and selective DeFi strength define early 2025 crypto market dynamics Bitcoin traded steadily around the $90,000 level this week, signaling relative resilience as broader crypto markets navigated shifting liquidity conditions. After a brief rally early in the week, the market entered a consolidation phase, shaped by reversing ETF flows, ongoing altcoin valuation resets, and renewed but selective interest in decentralized finance. Bitcoin Price Action and ETF Flow Trends Bitcoin reached a weekly high above $94,000 before pulling back toward $90,000, where buying support appeared to hold. This stabilization came as US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded consecutive…
Automated strategies gain momentum as traders adapt to narrowing volatility and sideways price action As cryptocurrency markets spent much of 2025 moving within tight ranges, traders increasingly turned to automated trading bots to extract profits from short-term price fluctuations. With sustained breakouts harder to maintain, algorithmic strategies offered a more consistent way to navigate choppy conditions. Exchange data from 2025 shows a sharp rise in the use of grid trading bots, particularly on spot markets. Overall grid trading volume increased by nearly 100% year over year, while the amount of capital committed to these strategies roughly doubled. The growth was…
Democrats Draw Firm Line on Conflicts of Interest in Digital Asset Policy US lawmakers are intensifying scrutiny over ethics and conflicts of interest as Congress debates sweeping crypto market structure legislation. Democratic senators are reportedly insisting on strict safeguards to prevent elected officials from profiting from the digital asset industry, warning that the bill cannot advance without these protections. Several Democratic leaders on key Senate committees are demanding amendments to the Responsible Financial Innovation Act (RFIA) that would introduce clear conflict-of-interest prohibitions. These provisions would bar public officials — including the US president — from benefiting financially from ties to…
Crypto Index Products Gain Momentum as Institutional Demand Grows Global financial market operators Nasdaq and CME Group have partnered to introduce the Nasdaq-CME Crypto Index, marking a significant step toward standardizing crypto benchmarks for institutional and professional investors. The move reflects rising demand for simplified, diversified crypto exposure as the digital asset market grows more complex. The newly branded index builds on the former Nasdaq Crypto Index and tracks a diversified basket of leading digital assets. These include Bitcoin, Ether, XRP, Solana, Chainlink, Cardano, and Avalanche, offering broader market representation beyond a single asset. According to Nasdaq, the goal is…
Fintech Funding and Regulation Drive Stablecoin Payments Into the Mainstream Stablecoin-powered payment cards are expected to become one of the most significant developments in crypto adoption by 2026, according to leading venture capital voices. The prediction follows a major $250 million funding round for fintech startup Rain, signaling growing confidence in stablecoin-based payment infrastructure. Industry executives argue that stablecoin cards bridge blockchain technology with familiar payment experiences, allowing users to transact in dollars without needing to understand the underlying crypto rails. These cards enable faster settlement, lower transaction costs, and global accessibility, while maintaining compatibility with existing payment systems. As…
Crypto and AI Framed as Core Pillars for Long-Term U.S. Leadership Venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, commonly known as a16z, has raised more than $15 billion in fresh capital, reinforcing its commitment to technologies it believes are essential for securing America’s technological and economic leadership over the next century. Among these priorities, crypto remains a central focus, alongside artificial intelligence. According to a16z leadership, the United States faces growing competition from global rivals that have rapidly advanced in emerging technologies. The firm argues that winning the future depends on owning the core architectures of innovation, specifically AI and crypto, which…
POL Token Recovers as Buyers Step In at Key Demand Zone POL jumped nearly 12%, staging a strong rebound after printing fresh multi-month lows near the $0.10–$0.11 range. The move followed an extended downtrend that accelerated in late 2025, pushing price well below its prior consolidation range. The primary catalyst behind the surge was a clean technical reversal. Price reacted aggressively after sweeping a weak low, triggering short-covering and fresh dip-buying. On the daily chart, POL formed a change of character, signaling a potential pause in bearish momentum. The rebound carried price back toward $0.15, an area now acting as…
Funding round follows rapid card growth and global expansion plans U.S.-based stablecoin payments provider Rain has raised $250 million in fresh capital, marking a major milestone for the Visa-linked platform as it accelerates international expansion. The latest funding values the company at $1.95 billion, reflecting strong investor confidence in stablecoin-based payment infrastructure. Series C Funding and Investor Backing The Series C round was led by global investment firm Iconiq and included participation from several existing backers. With this raise, Rain’s total funding has reached $338 million, following earlier rounds completed in March 2024 and August 2025. The continued support from…