BitMine’s annual shareholder meeting in Las Vegas was billed as a routine governance event, with votes scheduled on board elections, executive compensation, and an increase in authorized shares. Instead, the session became a strategic coming-out moment, reframing the company from a simple Ethereum staking proxy into something far more ambitious. Distribution and Retail Onboarding Now Sit at the Core of BitMine’s ETH Strategy At the heart of that shift is BitMine’s progress toward its long-stated goal of ...

Ethereum USD has continued its strong start to 2026, holding steady above $3,300 as a different kind of buyer steps in to take control of the chart. Price strength held even as leveraged retail traders exited, a rare combination in crypto rallies. Zooming out, this move aligns with a broader 2025 trend in which long‑term holders and institutions replace short‑term speculation, as ETH has climbed by more than +10% since the beginning of the year. ETFs and publicly traded Ethereum Treasury firms have been ...

Core Insights - Companies holding Bitcoin on their balance sheets are expected to experience significant growth in 2026, with optimism that public companies will increase their Bitcoin treasury, building on momentum from 2025 [1][2] - The survey indicates that corporate Bitcoin balances are anticipated to rise, as companies are likely to buy in large quantities and hold for extended periods, reducing the number of coins available on exchanges [2][5] Corporate Behavior - Early adopters like Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) have shown the viability of holding Bitcoin, with the company accumulating over 673,000 BTC, which serves as a reassurance for other CFOs considering similar strategies [3] - The introduction of Spot Bitcoin ETFs by firms like BlackRock and Fidelity has attracted billions in investments, signaling Bitcoin's acceptance in the mainstream financial system [4] Market Dynamics - As of late 2025, over 170–190 publicly traded firms held Bitcoin, controlling approximately 5% of the circulating supply, with expectations for further growth in 2026 due to maturing treasury models and new entrants [5] - Corporate treasury purchases are likely to lock away large amounts of BTC in secure custody, reducing the available supply on exchanges, which may stabilize Bitcoin's price and market behavior [6] Long-term Market Impact - This shift in corporate behavior is expected to transition Bitcoin from a speculative asset to a more stable asset class, similar to gold, fostering greater institutional patience and reducing panic selling [7]

President Trump is reportedly set to announce an emergency power auction that would push tech companies to bankroll new power plants. This initiative aims to ease rising electricity costs. The plan could impact both the cryptocurrency sector and the broader economy in the lead-up to the 2026 midterms. What Is Trump's Emergency Power Auction? According to Bloomberg, Trump, together with governors from several Northeastern US states, is pushing PJM, the country’s largest electricity grid operator, to hold ...

Core Viewpoint - XRP has experienced a pullback to $2.07, driven by profit-taking near the $2.13 resistance level, despite ongoing institutional demand indicated by ETF inflows and decreasing exchange balances [1][2][3] Regulatory Developments - Ripple has received preliminary authorization for an e-money license in Luxembourg, enabling expansion of regulated digital-asset payment services across the EU [2] - The company is also pursuing a CASP license under the EU's MiCA framework, positioning the XRP ecosystem for compliance within the new regulatory environment [2] Institutional Interest - Institutional interest in XRP remains strong, with cumulative net allocations to spot XRP ETFs reaching approximately $1.26 billion and no recorded outflow days [3] - The supply of XRP held on exchanges has decreased to below 2 billion tokens, down from over 4 billion in late 2025, indicating reduced immediate sell-side liquidity [3] Technical Analysis - XRP declined by 3.7% over a 24-hour period, falling from $2.149 to $2.070, with significant selling pressure near the $2.13 resistance level [5][9] - The trading volume spiked to 102.7 million tokens during the U.S. session, approximately 133% above the 24-hour average, leading to a rejection of price near $2.131 [5] - A late-session flush saw XRP drop to $2.059, followed by a rebound to $2.07, but the overall market structure remains heavy below $2.13 [6][9] Market Sentiment - The current market sentiment is characterized as a "sell-the-rally" environment, with short-term traders taking profits near the $2.13 level [8] - As long as the $2.13 resistance holds, XRP's price is expected to remain range-bound rather than trending higher [8]

Coinbase Global Inc. (NASDAQ:COIN) CEO Brian Armstrong urged Congress on Thursday to enact laws ensuring fair competition, following the postponement of the cryptocurrency market structure bill.Armstrong Pushes For Stablecoin RewardsSpeaking to CNBC, Armstrong advocated for a “level playing field” while enacting legislation in Congress. “This is allowed, this is not allowed. Now, all American companies compete. Try to build the best products and services.” That’s great. What’s not great is if the banks can ...

Bitcoin (BTC) and other major cryptocurrencies dipped on Thursday after a key crypto market structure bill stalled in the U.S. Senate, further cooling sentiment after a recent rally. Bitcoin pulled back to almost $95,000 after rising to a two-month high near $97,000, with trading volume down 13% over the past 24 hours. Ether (ETH) remained range-bound around $3,300, while XRP (XRP) and dogecoin (DOGE) fell 2.66% and 4.23%, respectively. The pullback followed news that the Senate Banking Committee postpo ...

Core Viewpoint - The anticipated digital asset bill in the Senate has been delayed due to intense debates over stablecoin regulations, leading to growing anxiety in the cryptocurrency industry, which was previously optimistic following Trump's return to the White House [1] Group 1: Legislative Developments - The Senate Banking Committee postponed discussions on the digital asset bill, with Coinbase announcing its withdrawal of support for the latest version of the bill [1] - The bill includes provisions that would restrict cryptocurrency companies from offering yields or rewards on stablecoins held for users, which has faced strong opposition from platforms like Coinbase [1][4] - The delay raises concerns that the U.S. may lag behind other markets in establishing a regulatory framework for stablecoins, which have seen increased usage since the relevant legislation was passed last July [1] Group 2: Market Reactions - Following the news, Coinbase's stock fell by 4%, while shares of stablecoin issuer Circle and cryptocurrency platform Gemini dropped by approximately 5% [4] - The proposed ban on providing yields on stablecoins could disadvantage U.S. regulated cryptocurrency companies compared to their overseas counterparts, as the regulatory terms remain ambiguous [5] Group 3: Industry Perspectives - Executives express that restrictions on rewards could place U.S. cryptocurrency firms at a competitive disadvantage, as unclear regulations may lead to varied interpretations [5] - The unique nature of stablecoin reward mechanisms spans payment settlements, savings-like financial products, and market incentives, complicating the legislative process [4] Group 4: Broader Implications - The U.S. banking sector is cautious about the development of stablecoins, warning that interest-bearing stablecoins could divert traditional bank deposits [6] - Coinbase's strong opposition to the bill highlights the increasing influence of the cryptocurrency industry in Washington, with its CEO Brian Armstrong citing numerous issues with the bill [6] - Despite the delay, some industry experts believe the bill will eventually pass during the current administration, though the final form of the legislation remains uncertain [6]

Core Viewpoint - Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong expressed concerns over a Senate crypto bill that he believes unfairly favors banks, suggesting that the industry should compete on a level playing field [1][4]. Group 1: Industry Concerns - Armstrong stated that many in the cryptocurrency industry share Coinbase's concerns regarding the legislation, emphasizing the negative impact on customers who may receive worse deals from banks due to the bill's provisions [1][2]. - The disagreement centers around whether stablecoin holders should receive reward payments, highlighting the conflict between banks and crypto firms [4]. Group 2: Legislative Actions - The Senate Banking Committee has postponed a vote on the crypto market structure legislation amid pushback from the industry, indicating significant opposition to the proposed bill [2]. - Armstrong felt it was necessary to advocate for customers and all Americans, reflecting the broader implications of the legislation [2]. Group 3: Banking Relationships - Despite the ongoing disputes, Armstrong acknowledged that some banks are adopting a positive approach towards digital assets and are engaging in partnerships with Coinbase for crypto and stablecoin infrastructure [6][7]. - He criticized the lobbying efforts of banks, suggesting they aim to eliminate competition rather than foster a collaborative environment [9].

Ripple has approved a new $150 million plan tied to a deal with UK-based trading group LMAX. The goal is to help more large financial firms use Ripple’s new dollar stablecoin, RLUSD, for everyday trading and settlement. XRP’s price barely moved after the announcement, which suggests traders saw this as a long-term business move rather than quick trading news. It also lines up with what a lot of banks and institutions want right now, blockchain tools that actually fit into how real financial markets alread ...