Author: Tristan Lodenberg

Tether has officially launched its USAT stablecoin, marking a significant step into the U.S. regulated market. Designed as a U.S. dollar-backed digital asset, USAT aims to operate fully within the federal regulatory framework providing American users with a secure and compliant stablecoin option. This launch follows the passage of the GENIUS Act, a legislative measure that formalizes the regulatory landscape for stablecoins in the United States. USAT Brings Federally Regulated Dollar-Backed Stability Unlike Tether’s flagship USDT,which is not available to U.S. customers despite a market supply of $187 billion USAT is explicitly designed for the American financial ecosystem. Anchorage Digital…

SPECTRE AI is a Web3 startup focused on AI-powered market research tools for cryptocurrency traders and investors. The project provides a suite of analytical products that include sentiment analysis, technical metrics, and on-chain data insights designed to help users make informed decisions in volatile markets. Its flagship offering is an AI-driven search engine and research platform that consolidates diverse analytical functions in one interface. Core Functionality and Tools The SPECTRE platform delivers comprehensive market research tools such as sentiment scores based on social data, on-chain activity charts, technical indicators, and trend performance pages. The platform also integrates AI-based models that…

Stablecoins pose a material threat to bank deposits, both in the United States and globally, according to new analysis from Standard Chartered. The warning comes as the US CLARITY Act, which seeks to restrict interest on stablecoin holdings, faces delays, reinforcing concerns about the impact of digital dollars on traditional banking. Deposit Outflows and Market Size Standard Chartered estimates that US bank deposits could decline by roughly one-third of the stablecoin market capitalization, which currently stands at $301.4 billion for US dollar-pegged stablecoins. The risk is tied directly to deposits, which are critical for generating net interest margin (NIM) income,…

Japan’s financial regulator has opened a public consultation until Feb. 27, 2026, seeking feedback on draft rules that define which bonds can be used as reserve assets for yen-pegged stablecoins. The proposal forms part of the implementation of the 2025 Payment Services Act, which reshaped the country’s framework for settlement and electronic payment instruments. Rules for Stablecoin Reserve Assets Under the draft standards, reserve collateral would be limited to high-credit-quality foreign bonds. Eligible bonds must meet strict rating thresholds and be issued by entities with at least 100 trillion yen in outstanding issuance, ensuring liquidity and financial stability. These assets…

In a recent interview, Tucker Carlson challenged long-time gold advocate Peter Schiff on whether Bitcoin could emerge as a new global reserve currency as confidence in the US dollar continues to erode. Schiff firmly rejected the idea, describing Bitcoin as a speculative asset with no real-world utility and warning that proposals for a US Bitcoin strategic reserve would amount to a taxpayer-funded bailout for early adopters. Schiff Criticizes Crypto and Economic Policy Schiff also criticized official inflation data, arguing that Americans are misled about the true cost of living. He blamed fiscal policy and government spending, calling recent legislation a…

More than 60% of the leading US banks are actively entering the Bitcoin market, offering services such as trading and custody, according to recent industry insights. This trend signals a growing acceptance of cryptocurrencies within traditional finance. Top Banks Leading the Charge Among the Big Four US banks, JPMorgan Chase is considering crypto trading, Wells Fargo provides Bitcoin-backed loans to institutional clients, and Citigroup is exploring institutional custody solutions. Combined, these three banks manage over $7.3 trillion in assets, reflecting the scale of institutional involvement in digital assets. River shared a list of the top 25 institutions in X post on Monday,  ;…

Fundstrat managing partner Tom Lee has suggested that crypto markets may rebound once the rally in gold and silver slows. Speaking on CNBC, Lee highlighted that record highs in precious metals are currently overshadowing digital assets, but historical trends indicate a potential surge for Bitcoin and Ethereum once safe-haven buying subsides. Precious Metals Impact on Crypto Gold recently reached an all-time high of $5,100, up 17.5% since the start of the year, while silver hit $110, marking a 57% gain. Lee noted that investors’ FOMO into precious metals has diverted capital away from crypto, even as conditions like a weaker…

Republican Senator Roger Marshall has decided to hold back an amendment targeting credit card swipe fees in the Senate’s upcoming crypto market structure bill markup. The amendment, initially filed last week, aimed to force companies to compete on swipe fees but was later withdrawn after private discussions, ensuring the bill’s progress. Committee Delays and Legislative Strategy The Senate Agriculture Committee postponed the bill markup from Thursday to Tuesday, Feb. 3, due to severe winter weather across much of the US. Lawmakers have also delayed discussions to encourage bipartisan support, with the White House reportedly involved to prevent amendments that could…

Layer-1 blockchain Hyperliquid has reached a new milestone as its HIP-3 (Builder-Deployed Perpetuals) framework records $793 million in open interest (OI). The growth is fueled by a surge in commodities trading, highlighting the platform’s rising adoption among builders and traders creating onchain perpetual futures markets. HIP-3 Framework and Market Launch HIP-3, which went live in mid-October, enables anyone to launch perpetual futures contracts for any asset with a valid price feed. A key requirement for deploying a market is staking 500,000 HYPE tokens, ensuring commitment from market creators and maintaining network security. The framework is fully permissionless, allowing developers to…

Digital asset manager Bitwise has announced plans to roll out non-custodial onchain vaults through a partnership with decentralized lending protocol Morpho. The initiative reflects a broader shift toward blockchain-based investment products designed to offer transparency, flexibility, and direct access to decentralized finance yields. Bitwise Onchain Vault Strategy Explained The first vault strategy is designed to target approximately 6% annual percentage yield, achieved through overcollateralized lending pools on Morpho. These vaults allow users to deposit assets directly onchain while Bitwise oversees strategy selection, risk controls, and portfolio curation.\ Unlike traditional staking or lock-up products, the vaults are structured to allow deposits…