Bitcoin and ether sank after the U.S. president told Iran the “clock is ticking,” sending oil higher and triggering broad crypto liquidations.
Goldman Sachs cut its crypto ETF exposure in Q1 2026, exiting XRP and Solana funds while trimming Bitcoin and Ether ETFs and reshaping equity bets.
SpaceX's IPO could reshape capital markets, drawing significant institutional funds and impacting tech investment dynamics globally.
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The entry of Kalshi and Polymarket into India could reshape the global prediction market landscape, potentially influencing regulatory frameworks.
The post Kalshi and Polymarket open doors to Indian users, creating a prediction market duopoly in one of the world’s largest betting markets appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
Your look at what's coming in the week starting May 18.
Heightened geopolitical tensions could disrupt global oil markets, impacting economic stability and complicating diplomatic resolutions.
The post G7 meets in Paris as Iran plans Strait of Hormuz transit fees amid tensions appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
XRP is back in focus following reports of exposure from Italy’s largest banking group. The disclosure, highlighted by crypto analyst @Xfinancebull on X, reveals a position tied to the Grayscale XRP Trust, which has drawn renewed attention across the market as investors assess the scale and implications of the holding. The $18 Million Position Making Waves According to recent reports, Italian banking heavyweight Intesa Sanpaolo, a financial institution managing roughly $1.1 trillion in assets, expanded its cryptocurrency exposure substantially between late 2025 and the first quarter of 2026. Verified figures show that the institution’s crypto-related holdings climbed from approximately $100 million in the fourth quarter of 2025 to nearly $235 million by the end of March 2026. Within that expansion was a newly established position tied to the cryptocurrency through the Grayscale XRP Trust. Related Reading: What’s Going On With Ethereum And Why Is Price Moving This Way? As of March 31, the bank held 712,319 shares of the Grayscale XRP Trust, a position valued at around $18 million. This makes it one of the most notable institutional allocations disclosed by a major European bank this year. The exposure was not obtained through direct purchases of tokens on exchanges. Instead, the bank gained access through Grayscale’s investment trust product, which allows institutions to participate in XRP-related investments through regulated financial vehicles. That distinction matters because many traditional financial institutions still prefer regulated exposure routes instead of directly holding crypto assets on-chain. The move immediately drew attention across the community, especially because it arrived during a period when parts of the market remained uncertain about short-term price direction. @Xfinancebull referenced the development as evidence that large institutions continue positioning themselves despite ongoing volatility in the broader crypto market. XRP Is Part Of A Bigger Crypto Strategy The XRP allocation was only one part of a much larger crypto expansion strategy unveiled during the quarter. Alongside the new XRP position, Intesa Sanpaolo also increased its Bitcoin exposure and added Ethereum-related investments for the first time. The bank reportedly gained Ethereum exposure through purchases linked to the iShares Staked Ethereum Trust. At the same time, its Bitcoin holdings also grew significantly through several ETF-related products, including ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF and iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF. Related Reading: Is It Time To Sell? Bitcoin Price Enters Redistribution Phase That Previously Led To A 78% Crash Interestingly, while exposure to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP increased, the institution sharply reduced its position connected to Solana. Holdings tied to the Bitwise Solana Staking ETF reportedly fell from more than 266,000 shares at the end of 2025 to just 2,817 shares by March 2026. Rather than taking small experimental positions, the bank appears to be actively restructuring its crypto exposure across multiple major digital assets. For XRP supporters, the $18 million position stands out because it represents participation from one of Europe’s largest financial institutions. Although the investment remains relatively small compared to the bank’s overall asset base, the move still adds to growing evidence that traditional financial players are increasingly willing to gain exposure to XRP-related products as the digital asset sector continues evolving. Featured image created with Dall.E, chart from Tradingview.com
AFX, a sovereign Layer 1 purpose-built for decentralized derivatives trading, has officially commenced the operation of its L1 Mainnet, signaling a definitive end to the era of trade execution compromised by general-purpose blockchain congestion.
Bitcoin started the week with a dip toward new May lows as ongoing BTC price pressures included "collapsing" US bond markets.
Rising bond yields could shift investment away from risk assets, impacting crypto and equities, while central banks face policy challenges.
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The 25th-largest Bitcoin treasury company acquired $15 million worth of BTC as one of only four treasury firms to announce a corporate Bitcoin investment during May.
Heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz could disrupt global shipping routes, impacting oil markets and international trade stability.
The post Iran warns US as tensions rise in Strait of Hormuz shipping corridor appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
Increased military tensions could destabilize regional security, hinder diplomatic efforts, and impact global markets and alliances.
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Bernstein analysts said the Senate Clarity Act markup and yield compromise strengthen Circle's model as dollar stablecoin supply grows.
Metaplanet's engagement with Japanese lawmakers could accelerate Bitcoin's integration into national policy and traditional markets.
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US investment in Intel may reshape global chip dynamics, impacting trade policies and tech dependencies, while challenging TSMC's dominance.
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Crypto analyst Michaël van de Poppe says this week’s market action showed how most altcoins still lack strong conviction. According to him, altcoins continue moving alongside Bitcoin, but the moment BTC slows down or corrects slightly, many of them fall much harder. The analyst admitted he made a mistake rotating funds between altcoins too early …
Iranian media reported the launch of Hormuz Safe, a bitcoin-settled insurance platform tied to Strait of Hormuz cargo transit.
The EU's shift away from Chinese suppliers could reshape global supply chains, impacting costs, innovation, and geopolitical dynamics.
The post European Union plans to mandate sourcing from non-Chinese suppliers by May 29 appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
The potential automation of white-collar jobs by AI could reshape workforce dynamics, necessitating rapid adaptation and policy responses.
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The CLARITY Act could be signed into law in the week of Aug. 3 if Congress keeps pace after a bipartisan Senate Banking Committee vote moved the crypto market structure bill into its next phase, Galaxy Digital’s research arm said. Galaxy Research raised its estimate of the bill’s chances of becoming law in 2026 to […]
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Capital B said it raised a total of $20 million from three capital increase contracts, involving Blockstream CEO Adam Back.
SpaceX's IPO could reshape market dynamics, blending aerospace, AI, and crypto, while challenging investors to assess high valuation risks.
The post SpaceX could IPO at $2T valuation while holding $637M in Bitcoin appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
Rising oil prices and bond selloff signal potential economic instability, prompting concerns over inflation and future Fed rate hikes.
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Sygnum has completed Switzerland’s first live AI-agent digital asset transactions by a regulated bank, allowing blockchain trades through plain-language client instructions. The pilot showed AI can execute complex on-chain transactions while customers keep custody, consent and full control of wallets and assets. Thomas Frei, head of AI and Data Analytics, said the system combines faster …
The easing of US-China trade tensions could foster global economic stability, potentially benefiting digital asset markets and emerging economies.
The post US Treasury Secretary Bessent calls China visit ‘very successful’ as trade tensions ease appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
Solana (SOL) price continues to face mounting bearish pressure as the token plunges below the crucial $85 level, extending its weekly losses beyond 13%. The latest drop comes amid growing market-wide weakness, increasing liquidation pressure, and fading bullish momentum across major altcoins. Despite the correction, derivatives activity surrounding SOL remains unusually elevated, with perpetual trading …
Bitcoin Depot has entered voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings to wind down operations and sell assets after mounting regulatory pressure battered its business model. The company said stricter state compliance rules, transaction limits, lawsuits and enforcement actions made Bitcoin ATM operations increasingly unsustainable. Its entire ATM network has already been shut offline. CEO Alex Holmes …
Iran's crypto toll system in the Strait of Hormuz could reshape global trade dynamics, challenge sanctions, and influence crypto regulations.
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Singapore-based SGX FX has integrated Chainlink technology to bring institutional foreign exchange pricing onto blockchain networks. Using Chainlink DataLink, the platform will distribute benchmark OTC FX data across more than 75 blockchains, initially covering spot and one-month forward rates for major currency pairs. The move strengthens infrastructure connecting traditional finance with tokenized assets and decentralized …