Author: John Smith

The XRP price CLARITY Act connection has never been tighter: with the Senate Banking Committee targeting a late April markup and Senator Bernie Moreno warning that failure to pass by May effectively kills the bill for 2026, the next three weeks in Washington are the most consequential period XRP has faced this year. Summary The Senate returns from Easter recess on April 13 with a CLARITY Act Banking Committee markup targeted for the second half of the month; if the bill does not reach the Senate floor by May, Senator Moreno warns it will not move again before the 2026…

President Trump’s DHS pay order has directed all Department of Homeland Security employees to be paid using redirected federal funds, but legal and budget experts say the administration may be violating a 150-year-old law that gives Congress sole control over federal spending. Summary Trump signed two executive directives — one on March 27 for TSA workers and an expanded memo on April 4 for all DHS employees — directing pay using funds from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, sidestepping the ongoing partial shutdown Legal experts warn the move may conflict with the Antideficiency Act, which bars the executive branch…

Circle’s Layer-1 blockchain Arc will launch at mainnet with an opt-in post-quantum signature scheme protecting users’ wallets from day one, as the USDC issuer warns that Q-Day could arrive by 2030 or sooner. Summary Arc will debut with a post-quantum signature scheme at mainnet launch, giving users the option to create quantum-resistant wallets without a forced network-wide migration Circle warned that adversaries may already be stockpiling encrypted data to decrypt later, and that Q-Day could arrive by 2030 or sooner, citing recent research from Google and Caltech The blockchain has been running on public testnet since October 2025, with USDC…

Polymarket will rebuild its core engine, introduce a hybrid CLOB, and launch Polymarket USD, a USDC‑backed stablecoin on Polygon aimed at cheaper, more institution‑friendly trading. Summary Prediction market Polymarket plans its “largest infrastructure upgrade” in the next 2–3 weeks, overhauling its matching engine and smart contracts. The upgrade will introduce a new hybrid CLOB model and a native stablecoin, Polymarket USD, pegged 1:1 to USDC on Polygon. The changes aim to cut gas costs, boost efficiency, and make the platform friendlier to institutions via EIP‑1271 and multi‑sig support. On‑chain prediction market Polymarket will roll out what it calls “the largest…

Korean super app Toss is weighing a custom Layer 1 or Layer 2 blockchain and native token to power its “Money 3.0” stablecoin push as Seoul finalizes a strict digital asset law. Summary South Korean fintech super app Toss is exploring a proprietary blockchain network and native cryptocurrency as part of its “Money 3.0” strategy. The firm has not yet chosen between a Layer 1 mainnet or a Layer 2 scaling design, with the decision closely tied to Seoul’s forthcoming Basic Law on Digital Assets. The move would deepen Toss’s push into stablecoins and tokenized finance, as the company posts…

Zcash price has rallied over 20% in the past month, surpassing the $250 mark. Is the token set for higher gains as it has confirmed a bullish setup, while adoption for its shielded transactions continues to expand across the ecosystem? Summary Zcash price rose over 20% in a month, crossing $250 amid rising demand for shielded transactions. Zcash Open Development Lab secured $25 million in funding from Paradigm and a16z crypto to expand ecosystem tools. Shielded pool holdings hit a record $5.17 billion, signaling increased adoption of Zcash’s privacy features. Zcash (ZEC) price rallied due to multiple fundamental and technical…

The United States, Iran, and a group of regional mediators are weighing terms for a temporary ceasefire that could extend into a permanent resolution, according to U.S., Israeli, and regional sources familiar with the discussions. Summary U.S., Iran, and regional mediators are discussing a two-phase ceasefire plan, though chances of a near-term deal remain limited. Pakistan has proposed an “Islamabad Accord” to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and prevent further escalation. An Axios report said prospects for a partial deal within the next 48 hours remain limited. Still, officials described the effort as the final opportunity to avoid a sharp…

North Korean-linked operators have spent years quietly integrating into crypto firms and DeFi teams, raising fresh concerns about insider risk after a string of high-value exploits tied to the country’s cyber apparatus. Summary North Korean-linked developers have worked inside more than 40 DeFi projects over the past seven years, according to a security researcher. Investigators and industry participants warn that many infiltration attempts rely on simple but persistent tactics through hiring channels and social engineering. Security researcher and MetaMask developer Taylor Monahan said these tactics stretch back to the early days of decentralized finance, with individuals tied to the Democratic…

Circle has set out a multi-stage plan to harden its upcoming layer-1 network, Arc, against the potential risks posed by quantum computing, outlining changes that will eventually span wallets, validators, and supporting infrastructure. Summary Circle outlined a phased plan to introduce quantum-resistant wallets and signatures on Arc at mainnet launch in 2026, with deeper infrastructure upgrades to follow. Warnings from Google and Caltech researchers that quantum systems may arrive sooner have added urgency, with concerns that exposed public keys could become vulnerable. Details shared Thursday indicate that the rollout will begin at launch, with Arc introducing quantum-resistant wallets and signature…

United States President Donald Trump has again warned that the U.S. army will target Iran’s infrastructure next if Tehran doesn’t comply by April 7. Summary Trump warned of strikes on Iran’s power plants and infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened by the latest deadline. Iran rejected the ultimatum and said it would respond in kind to any attack on its infrastructure. After attacking Iran’s Ghadir Bridge last week, the U.S. president on Sunday said that further attacks would target power plants across Iran unless the Strait of Hormuz is reopened. “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and…