Author: John Smith

Bitcoin has climbed back above $64,000 after Standard Chartered reaffirmed its $100,000 year-end 2026 price target and argued that recent selling linked to Strategy has not weakened Bitcoin’s long-term outlook. Summary Standard Chartered says Strategy-related concerns, not Bitcoin fundamentals, caused the recent market pullback. The bank has reaffirmed its $100,000 Bitcoin price target for the end of 2026 despite recent volatility. Wells Fargo increased its Strategy stake while trimming IBIT holdings and expanding its crypto options positions. Standard Chartered said the recent decline in Bitcoin was driven more by uncertainty over Strategy’s changing treasury approach than by any deterioration in…

Robinhood launched its own blockchain in July 2026, an Ethereum layer 2 where tokenized stocks trade around the clock and plug into DeFi as collateral. This guide explains what Robinhood Chain actually is, how it works under the hood, what Stock Tokens are and who can use them, how the chain differs from Base and the other corporate networks, and what it means for users, builders, and the industry’s biggest open questions. On July 1, 2026, one of the largest retail brokers in the United States switched on its own blockchain. Robinhood Chain launched its public mainnet at a London…

The x402 standard revives a dormant corner of the web’s original design, the 402 Payment Required status code, to let AI agents pay for services autonomously, per call, with no accounts and no cards. Ripple has moved to put the XRP Ledger and RLUSD inside that standard, betting that when machines become the economy’s newest customers, they will settle on its rails. Summary Ripple is integrating the XRP Ledger and RLUSD with the x402 payment standard to support autonomous AI agents making on chain payments. The analysis finds RLUSD is likely to handle most settlement flows while XRP could benefit…

Metaplanet has started a joint study into Bitcoin-backed digital credit products with stablecoin issuer JPYC, tokenization company Progmat and its securities arm in Japan. Summary Metaplanet will study Bitcoin-backed credit using JPYC settlement and Progmat’s security token infrastructure in Japan. No product has launched, while issuance timing, yields, terms, and distribution methods remain undecided. Project Nova seeks to turn Metaplanet’s Bitcoin treasury into collateral for regulated digital credit products. The study will assess whether Bitcoin can support digital corporate bonds and other credit products as collateral or a credit-enhancement asset. However, the companies said they have not decided to issue…

Former SWIFT Chief Innovation Officer Tom Zschach has rejected online claims that the global financial messaging network plans to integrate or support XRP. Summary Former SWIFT executive Tom Zschach rejected claims that the payment network plans to integrate XRP directly. SWIFT’s current blockchain project focuses on tokenized bank deposits and cross-border payment links between institutions. Ripple-related banks may join SWIFT pilots, but their involvement does not confirm XRP token adoption. Zschach responded to posts on X that claimed SWIFT would work with established public tokens rather than create its own digital asset. He described the alleged XRP integration as “not…

Goldman Sachs has prohibited employees from trading prediction market contracts tied to the bank, elections, financial markets, macroeconomic data, and geopolitics as companies respond to growing insider trading risks on event-based platforms. Summary Goldman Sachs has barred employees from trading prediction market contracts tied to the bank, elections, financial markets, and geopolitical events. The move comes as companies face rising pressure to strengthen insider trading safeguards after regulators brought their first corporate prediction market case. Google, lawmakers, and state regulators have also tightened oversight of prediction markets as legal and compliance scrutiny continues to grow. CNBC reported that the investment…

Polymarket has filed three registration applications with the National Futures Association as it seeks to introduce margin trading for U.S. users. Summary Polymarket filed three NFA registration applications as it seeks to offer margin trading in the U.S. The platform would still need CFTC approval before introducing leveraged event contracts. Kalshi affiliate Kinetic Markets secured similar NFA approvals in March 2026. According to the National Futures Association’s BASIC database, Polymarket affiliate Coming Home GBA LLC submitted the applications through PM Derivatives LLC on July 3. The filings seek registration as a futures commission merchant, an NFA member, and a swap…

Bitcoin has climbed back above $63,000, gaining about 2% over the past 24 hours, as lower oil prices and softer U.S. bond yields have improved sentiment toward risk assets despite the crypto market remaining in extreme fear. Summary Bitcoin has climbed above $63,000 as easing oil prices and lower Treasury yields lifted risk appetite. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index remains in Extreme Fear, showing investor confidence is still weak. Technical indicators suggest improving momentum, with Bitcoin testing key resistance near $63,235. According to data from crypto.news, Bitcoin (BTC) traded around $63,250 on Thursday after recovering alongside other major cryptocurrencies…

Bitdeer Technologies has unveiled a $36 million manufacturing facility in Nevada, bringing production of its SEALMINER Bitcoin mining machines to the United States. Summary Bitdeer will invest $36 million in a Nevada factory to produce SEALMINER Bitcoin mining machines. The new Sparks facility is expected to begin commercial production by the end of 2026. Bitdeer shares jumped 14.1% as the company reported stronger U.S. manufacturing and 921 BTC mined in May. According to Bitdeer, the new plant in Sparks, Nevada, will manufacture key components for the company’s SEALMINER mining rigs, with commercial production scheduled to begin before the end of…

Paul Grewal has announced that he will step down as Coinbase’s chief legal officer on July 31, handing over leadership of the exchange’s legal team just days before the US Senate is expected to resume work on the CLARITY Act. Summary Paul Grewal will leave his role as Coinbase chief legal officer on July 31 and become an adviser. Molly Abraham will become general counsel as Congress prepares to revisit the CLARITY Act. Coinbase continues pushing for crypto market structure legislation after its SEC lawsuit was dismissed. According to posts Grewal published on X and LinkedIn, he will move into…