Author: Tristan Lodenberg

Bitcoin remained above $71,000 on Friday, showing resilience even as global macroeconomic indicators signaled tighter financial conditions. The cryptocurrency traded around $71,500 while several traditional market signals typically associated with pressure on risk assets moved higher. The U.S. Dollar Index climbed above 100 for the first time since late November, indicating a stronger dollar against major global currencies. At the same time, benchmark U.S. Treasury yields continued rising, with the 10-year yield moving above 4.2%. Oil Prices and Equity Markets Add Pressure Energy markets also reflected inflation concerns, with Brent Crude and West Texas Intermediate crude trading near $100 per…

The Bitcoin Policy Institute says it plans to challenge the way Bitcoin is treated under global banking standards as US regulators prepare to introduce new rules tied to international capital requirements. The group stated it will review a forthcoming proposal from the Federal Reserve regarding how American banks should apply risk-weighting guidelines developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision. These rules determine how much capital financial institutions must hold against various assets listed on their balance sheets. According to the institute, the Basel framework currently assigns Bitcoin a 1,250% risk weighting, which critics argue classifies the digital asset as…

Several Democratic lawmakers say they will closely monitor a reported investigation by the United States Department of Justice into potential sanctions violations involving the cryptoexchange Binance. Chris Van Hollen, Elizabeth Warren and Ruben Gallego said in a joint statement that they intend to ensure authorities conduct a thorough inquiry and hold the company accountable if wrongdoing is confirmed. The comments followed reports suggesting that individuals linked to Iran may have used the platform to bypass international sanctions.The lawmakers argued that the claims raise serious questions about whether the exchange has again failed to comply with US sanctions laws. Reported Investigation…

Crypto market maker Wintermute says many Bitcoin miners are struggling to maintain profitability as traditional mining economics weaken. According to the firm, miners may need to explore alternative revenue strategies such as artificial intelligence infrastructure hosting or actively using their Bitcoin holdings to generate yield. The report notes that mining companies have spent years developing large scale energy infrastructure in regions with low electricity costs. That same infrastructure, particularly power capacity and data center capabilities, closely matches the growing demands of the artificial intelligence industry, which requires significant computing resources and reliable energy access. AI Infrastructure Hosting Emerging as a…

Executives at Coinbase have rejected allegations that the company lobbied against a tax exemption for small Bitcoin transactions. The claims circulated on social media suggesting the exchange opposed a de minimis tax rule for Bitcoin payments while supporting tax relief for stablecoins. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong dismissed the claims as misinformation, stating that he has actively supported efforts to introduce a Bitcoin de minimis exemption. Company executives also reiterated that Coinbase has not lobbied against such a measure. Under current U.S. tax rules, each Bitcoin transaction can trigger a taxable event, which many advocates say limits its practical use as…

BlackRock began trading its new staked Ethereum exchange-traded fund, the iShares Staked Ethereum Trust (ETHB), with approximately $15.5 million in trading volume during its first day on the market. Data from Nasdaq shows that about 592,804 shares changed hands on Thursday, marking a solid debut for the newly listed crypto investment product. The fund is designed to invest in and stake Ethereum, allowing the ETF to generate yield through blockchain validation rewards. These rewards are typically estimated at around 4% annually and are expected to be distributed to investors on a monthly basis. Bloomberg ETF analyst James Seyffart noting on X that ;…

The team behind the TRUMP has launched a new promotional campaign offering exclusive event access to major token holders. The initiative includes invitations to a crypto and business conference scheduled for April 25 at Mar-a-Lago. Participation will be determined through a leaderboard measuring time-weighted average holdings of the TRUMP token between March 12 and April 10. According to the event details, the top 297 holders will receive invitations to the conference and luncheon. VIP Access for Largest Investors The top 29 holders are expected to receive additional perks, including entry to a private VIP reception and a champagne toast with…

The United States Senate voted to include an amendment in the 21st Century Road to Housing Act that would prohibit the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency. The measure passed with an 89–10 vote and would keep the restriction in place until Dec. 31, 2030. The amendment states that the Federal Reserve or any regional reserve bank may not create or distribute a digital currency directly or indirectly through financial institutions or intermediaries. Stablecoins Excluded From the Ban The provision does not apply to privately issued digital currencies that are open, permissionless and private. As a result,…

Hester Peirce said regulators should avoid micromanaging financial markets and instead focus on simplifying corporate disclosure requirements. Speaking before the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Investor Advisory Committee, she warned that overly detailed rules may distort capital allocation and reduce clarity for investors. Peirce argued that public companies often spend significant time preparing mandatory disclosures that do not always improve transparency. She suggested the regulator consider streamlining these requirements so investors receive clearer and more relevant information. Tokenized Securities and Innovation Exemption The commissioner also addressed the growing debate around tokenized securities and blockchain-based financial infrastructure. According to Peirce, SEC…

John Thune, the Senate majority leader, reportedly said lawmakers are unlikely to advance legislation establishing a digital asset market structure before April. The chamber is expected to prioritize the SAVE America Act, which would require voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship in person when registering to vote. Thune indicated that the Senate plans to address the crypto market structure proposal only after completing work on the voting bill and other pending legislation. Market Structure Bill Still Under Review The proposed digital asset framework, known as the CLARITY Act, aims to define regulatory oversight for cryptocurrencies and expand authority for…