Author: Tristan Lodenberg

Crypto services firm Nexo is returning to the United States market more than three years after withdrawing operations amid regulatory disputes. Company confirmed it will relaunch its digital asset platform, citing improved clarity in the US regulatory environment. Nexo US Expansion and Product Offerings The revamped US platform will provide flexible and fixed term yield products, a spot crypto exchange, crypto-backed credit lines, and a loyalty program tailored for American clients. Trading infrastructure will be supported by Bakkt, a US based digital asset firm serving institutional customers. According to company statements, certain services will operate through partnerships with licensed US…

Bitcoin is hovering below the $70,000 mark as institutional outflows and heavy short positioning keep the market on edge. The world’s largest cryptocurrency recently traded near $68,600, extending a difficult start to the year. Quarter-to-date, Bitcoin is down more than 21%, marking its weakest first-quarter performance since 2015. Bitcoin ETF Outflows Reflect Weak Institutional Demand Spot BTC ETF recorded approximately $360 million in net outflows last week, while Ether products saw $161 million exit. Over the past month, digital asset investment products have shed roughly $3.7 billion, underscoring cautious institutional sentiment. Although selective capital rotation is visible, broader conviction remains…

Onchain analyst Willy Woo has warned that growing concerns around quantum computing are beginning to challenge Bitcoin’s long-standing valuation premium over gold. Woo argued that markets may be factoring in the possibility of a future “Q-Day” — the point at which quantum computers become powerful enough to break current public-key cryptography. Such a breakthrough could potentially expose older Bitcoin addresses whose public keys are already visible onchain. Estimates suggest roughly 4 million BTC — often considered “lost” coins — sit in addresses that could be vulnerable in a quantum attack scenario. If quantum machines were capable of deriving private keys…

Crypto exchange Binance has denied allegations that it facilitated sanctions-violating transactions connected to Iranian entities and dismissed staff who flagged compliance concerns. The claims stem from a recent media report alleging that over $1 billion in transfers linked to Iran moved through the platform between March 2024 and August 2025. According to the report, the transactions involved Tether (USDT) issued on the TRON network. It also alleged that multiple internal investigators were terminated after documenting the activity. Binance has categorically rejected the claims, stating that an internal review conducted with external legal counsel found no evidence of sanctions violations. The…

Metaplanet expects operating profit to climb 81% in 2026 after posting a 17 fold increase last year, driven largely by premiums earned from writing options. The firm reported operating profit of 6.29 billion yen ($40.8 million) in 2025, while revenue jumped 738% to 8.9 billion yen. Options premiums alone surged to 7.98 billion yen, highlighting the growing contribution of derivatives strategies to earnings. Bitcoin Holdings Impact Net Income Despite strong operating performance, the company recorded a non-cash valuation loss of 102.2 billion yen ($650 million) as Bitcoin fell from its peak near $125,000 to below $90,000 by year-end. Net income…

Animoca Brands has received a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license from the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, strengthening its presence in the Middle East’s rapidly developing digital asset market. The approval, issued on Feb. 5, authorizes the company to provide broker-dealer and investment management services for virtual assets in and from Dubai, excluding the Dubai International Financial Centre. The license enables Animoca Brands to serve institutional and qualified investors under VARA’s regulatory framework. Established in 2022, VARA oversees digital asset activities across Dubai’s mainland and designated free zones, positioning the emirate as a structured and compliance-focused crypto hub. Institutional Focus…

Harvard Management Company trimmed its exposure to Bitcoin exchange-traded funds in the fourth quarter while initiating a sizable position in an Ethereum-linked fund, according to a recent regulatory filing. The endowment manager reduced its stake in the iShares Bitcoin Trust by 21%, cutting holdings from 6.81 million shares to 5.35 million shares. As of Dec. 31, the remaining position was valued at approximately $265.8 million. Despite the reduction, Bitcoin remains Harvard’s largest publicly disclosed equity holding, exceeding positions in major technology companies. $86.8 Million Allocation to Ethereum ETF During the same quarter, Harvard opened a new $86.8 million position in…

Global crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs) recorded a fourth consecutive week of net outflows with $173 million exiting funds last week, according to data from CoinShares. Over the past month total withdrawals have reached $3.74 billion, reflecting sustained caution among investors. While outflows have slowed compared to the $1.7 billion weekly redemptions seen earlier in the month, sentiment remains fragile. Trading volumes in crypto ETPs fell sharply to $27 billion, down from a record $63 billion the previous week, signaling reduced speculative activity. U.S. Crypto Funds Lead Outflows as Europe Attracts Inflows Regional data highlights a clear divergence. U.S. listed crypto…

Bitcoin is on track for its weakest first quarter since 2018 after falling 22.3% since the beginning of the year. The digital asset started January trading near $87,700 and has since declined to around $68,000, erasing roughly $20,000 in value in less than three months. If losses persist through March, this would mark Bitcoin’s poorest Q1 showing since the 2018 bear market, when prices plunged nearly 50% in the first three months, according to historical market data. Over the past 13 years, Bitcoin has closed the first quarter in negative territory seven times, highlighting the period’s volatility. Recent declines include…

XRP surged after Brad Garlinghouse joined the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission Global Markets Advisory Committee, a development viewed as strengthening Ripple’s regulatory standing in Washington. The committee, which includes executives from major crypto firms, focuses on digital asset policy, market structure and financial innovation. Garlinghouse’s appointment signals deeper engagement between industry leaders and U.S. regulators at a time when clearer oversight frameworks are being shaped. For investors, the move represents a constructive shift following years of legal scrutiny surrounding Ripple’s operations. Markets reacted swiftly, pushing XRP higher before the token later retraced part of its gains. On-Chain Data Shows…