Author: Blockto Team

Sale of Peak Mining raises governance questions amid regulatory scrutiny and major acquisition talks Bitcoin mining divestment by Northern Data has drawn renewed attention after filings revealed that the buyers were companies controlled by senior executives of its majority shareholder, Tether. The transaction, completed shortly before a major acquisition announcement, highlights ongoing concerns around transparency, governance, and regulatory oversight in the digital asset sector. Northern Data sold its bitcoin mining subsidiary, Peak Mining, in November for a price reported to be up to $200 million. Subsequent corporate filings show the buyers were entities linked to Tether’s co-founder and chairman Giancarlo…

Proposed “payment account” could reshape access to US central bank infrastructure without full banking privileges The US Federal Reserve has opened a public comment period on a proposed account structure designed to modernize access to its payment systems. The initiative, referred to as a “payment account”, could offer fintech and crypto-focused firms a direct but limited connection to central bank infrastructure, reflecting broader changes in how payments and financial services operate. The proposed payment account sometimes described as a “skinny master account” would allow eligible institutions to clear and settle certain transactions without meeting all the requirements associated with traditional…

Bipartisan push aims to modernize staking tax rules and reduce burden on US crypto participants bipartisan group is urging the Internal Revenue Service to revise how crypto staking rewards are taxed, arguing that current rules unfairly burden taxpayers and discourage participation in blockchain networks. The effort seeks action before 2026 to ensure tax treatment reflects actual economic gains rather than paper income. Eighteen members of the US House of Representatives have formally requested that the IRS review existing guidance on crypto staking taxation. At the center of the concern is what lawmakers describe as “double taxation”staking rewards are taxed as…

Decentralized governance slows Bitcoin’s response to future quantum threats As quantum computing advances, questions are growing around Bitcoin’s long-term cryptographic security. While experts largely agree there is no immediate quantum threat to Bitcoin, migrating the network to post-quantum standards could take far longer than many expect. Industry voices suggest the process may span most of the next decade due to Bitcoin’s decentralized nature. Bitcoin relies on distributed consensus, meaning no single company or authority can mandate protocol upgrades. Unlike centralized software systems, changes to Bitcoin require widespread agreement among developers, node operators, miners, and users. This collective action problem significantly…

Real-world asset tokenization accelerates market access, efficiency, and capital flow Tokenization is rapidly emerging as a transformative force in global finance, with industry leaders arguing it will reshape financial markets faster than digital technology disrupted traditional media. By bringing real-world assets onchain, tokenization is changing how assets are issued, traded, and settled, creating a financial system that is more efficient, accessible, and continuous. From legacy finance to onchain infrastructure Tokenization refers to the process of converting traditional financial assets such as funds, bonds, or deposits into blockchain-based digital tokens. Much like newspapers and music labels were forced to adapt during…

UNIfication upgrade introduces token burns and revised fee mechanics The Uniswap community is preparing for one of the most significant protocol changes in its history as the long-awaited Uniswap fee switch moves closer to activation. A governance proposal known as UNIfication has surpassed the required voting threshold, paving the way for changes that could reshape the protocol’s token economics and long-term incentives. The proposal crossed the critical 40 million vote requirement, with more than 62 million votes cast in favor ahead of the scheduled voting deadline. The overwhelming support signals strong consensus among token holders for modifying how protocol fees…

Casino-style financial features may undermine long-term customer retention As fintech platforms race to add prediction markets and event-based trading, concerns are growing that these features could harm long-term customer value. While prediction markets promise short-term engagement and revenue, some industry leaders argue they introduce risks that ultimately drive users away rather than build durable financial relationships. Prediction markets allow users to place bets on outcomes such as elections, sports, or economic events. According to industry analysis, these products behave similarly to high-risk speculative games, where the probability of account depletion increases over time. Once users are liquidated, they exit the…

Persistent selling pressure keeps ATOM capped, highlighting weak momentum despite brief stabilization attempts. Cosmos (ATOM) continued to trade below the $2.00 psychological level, failing to stage a meaningful recovery after its recent decline. The token attempted a short-term bounce but quickly lost traction, reinforcing the view that bearish pressure remains dominant. With ATOM hovering near recent lows, market participants are closely monitoring whether demand can strengthen or if further downside risk persists. Recent price behavior shows ATOM struggling to reclaim former support levels that have now turned into resistance. Each recovery attempt toward $2 has been met with selling, suggesting…

Tokenized private credit and stablecoins could redefine global capital markets by 2026 The distinction between decentralized finance and traditional finance may soon disappear as blockchain technology becomes the default infrastructure for global markets. According to industry leaders, onchain systems are evolving beyond niche use cases and positioning themselves as the settlement layer for everything from private credit to everyday payments. The claim that “DeFi is dead” does not suggest a collapse of decentralized finance, but rather the end of treating it as a separate financial sector. The argument is that all capital markets activity will increasingly settle on public blockchains,…

Blockchain-based universal income targets financial inclusion and banking resilience The Marshall Islands have launched an innovative pilot program that distributes universal basic income through cryptocurrency, marking a significant step in the use of blockchain for public finance. The initiative replaces cash and paper-based payments with a digital token issued on the Stellar blockchain, aiming to improve financial access, resilience, and social equity in a nation long challenged by limited banking infrastructure. Crypto-based universal income explained Under the national ENRA program, approximately 40,000 citizens receive payments in USDM1, a digital token built on Stellar and delivered through Lomalo, a user-friendly digital…