Author: Tristan Lodenberg

President Donald Trump said he is considering winding down the Iran war, stating that the United States is getting close to meeting its military objectives. While speaking before departing Washington, Trump said he did not support a ceasefire at this stage, arguing that ceasefires are not pursued when military pressure is ongoing. Later, he indicated that U.S. forces may reduce operations in the Middle East once objectives against Iran are achieved. Trump said on Truth social; Strait of Hormuz Security Dispute Trump also stated that the Strait of Hormuz should be guarded by nations that rely heavily on the route,…

Arkham On-chain data shows that Ethereum investor Thomasg.eth, who once held $538 million in crypto assets including ETH, WBTC, and DAI at the 2021 market peak, is rebuilding his portfolio. The crypto veteran has recently purchased $3 million worth of ETH, bringing his total accumulated holdings to $19.5 million this week. Accumulation Strategy Signals Confidence Thomasg.eth’s activity indicates renewed confidence in Ethereum as a long-term investment. Despite significant market fluctuations since 2021, the whale’s strategy of steadily stacking ETH suggests belief in potential price recovery and growth within the Ethereum ecosystem. Ethereum Market Context Ethereum “OGs” and long-term holders are…

Solana Foundation President Lily Liu stated that blockchain based gaming is unlikely to return, raising questions about billions invested in the sector. Her comments followed reports that major tech companies, including Meta, scaled back virtual world projects after heavy spending failed to attract sustained users. Blockchain gaming was once seen as central to the web3 and metaverse vision, enabling users to own and trade in game digital assets. Solana was considered a promising network due to its low transaction costs and fast speeds, ideal for real time gameplay. Play-to-Earn Models Face Criticism Critics note that many play-to-earn games focused more…

Rumors indicate that the White House and US lawmakers have reached an “agreement in principle” on the CLARITY Act, focusing on stablecoin yield and interest-bearing tokens. The prospective deal addresses key concerns for the banking industry, including the potential erosion of deposits. Senators Thom Tillis (R) and Angela Alsobrooks (D), members of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, are reportedly leading negotiations. Alsobrooks stated the agreement would protect innovation while preventing deposit flight and would prohibit stablecoin yield on passive balances. Specific terms are pending industry review before finalization. Industry and Lawmaker Reactions Senator Cynthia Lummis, a…

Proposed Nasdaq Listing for Hyperliquid-Based ETF Grayscale has filed to launch a new exchange-traded fund designed to track the native token of Hyperliquid, a Layer 1 blockchain focused on decentralized perpetual futures trading. According to the filing, the proposed Grayscale HYPE ETF would trade on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol GHYP if it receives regulatory approval. The filing states that the fund would rely on Coinbase Custody to safeguard assets, following the structure used in several existing crypto investment products. Pricing data for the fund would be sourced from established crypto benchmark providers. At present, staking of the HYPE…

Bitcoin has remained resilient during recent geopolitical tensions, outperforming traditional assets despite volatility linked to the Middle East conflict. However, a potential surge in oil prices toward $180 per barrel could introduce significant macroeconomic pressure, threatening the cryptocurrency’s upward momentum. Oil Price Shock Could Drive Inflation Higher A sustained spike in crude prices may sharply increase US inflation. Estimates suggest that a 70% rise in oil could push headline inflation close to 5%, well above the Federal Reserve’s target. Higher inflation would likely delay interest rate cuts, tightening financial conditions and reducing liquidity across markets. Historically, such environments weaken demand…

Prediction market platform Kalshi has been ordered to halt operations in Nevada after a state court issued a temporary restraining order lasting 14 days. The decision marks another development in the company’s ongoing legal conflict with state regulators over jurisdiction and licensing requirements. Nevada Court Halts Sports and Event Contracts The First Judicial District Court of Nevada directed Kalshi to stop offering sports, entertainment and election-related contracts within the state. The ruling followed a move by the Nevada Gaming Control Board, which previously sought enforcement action after claiming the firm operated without proper authorization. The court determined that allowing an…

Ethereum is showing early signs of a potential market bottom as a key onchain indicator reaches levels not seen since 2022. The 30-day average of positive net taker volume climbed to $142 million on March 17, reflecting stronger activity from aggressive buyers in derivatives markets. Rising Taker Volume Signals Possible Market Bottom The surge in net taker volume mirrors patterns observed during previous correction phases, including mid-2022 and 2020, when traders began repositioning near cycle lows. A positive reading suggests buyers are becoming more active, even as overall price momentum remains weak. At the same time, the Coinbase premium index…

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has approved a framework by Nasdaq to enable trading of tokenized stocks and ETFs using blockchain infrastructure. The move marks a significant step toward integrating blockchain technology into traditional equity markets while maintaining existing financial structures. Tokenized Equities Bring 24/7 Trading Potential Under the approved model, selected securities can be issued and settled as blockchain-based tokens alongside conventional shares. Investors may gain the ability to hold tokenized equities in digital wallets, while settlement processes will continue through the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation. This approach opens the door to faster settlement and the potential…

The White House has introduced a national artificial intelligence framework, urging Congress to adopt a unified federal approach to regulation. The proposal warns that a fragmented system of state-level laws could slow innovation and weaken the country’s global competitiveness in AI development. Federal AI Policy Focus Areas and Innovation Goals The framework outlines six priority areas: child safety and parental control, community protection, intellectual property rights, free speech, AI innovation, and workforce development. It emphasizes reducing regulatory barriers, expanding access to federal datasets, and introducing regulatory sandboxes to support experimentation. The administration also opposes creating a new standalone AI regulator,…