Patrick Witt announced his departure from the White House last week.
Wall Street's fear gauge, the VIX index, spiked on Friday as stocks dropped. History says Friday panics usually fade on Monday. Seasonality and calm bitcoin suggest the same.
Parliament passed a law taxing crypto withdrawals above deposits rather than individual trades, featuring a one-time declaration mechanism.
Analytics firm Allium said stablecoin payments hit $482 billion this year so far, up 45%, as card spending surges and global payment firms add crypto rails.
Bitwise sees a potential return above $100,000, while LO:TECH expects a narrower trading range as interest-rate uncertainty weighs on the market.
The security firm found that 77% of third-quarter losses involved compromised suppliers, delayed fixes or systems outside the latest security reviews.
Private-sector partners flagged $11 million in funds that could be frozen, while officials reported cryptocurrency seizures without disclosing their value.
A 10-minute flush hit round-the-clock chip-stock contracts while U.S. markets were shut, leaving traders with no real share price to lean on.
Coinbase, Circle’s largest USDC partner, also backs Open USD, a rival network that passes reserve income to partners after a management fee.
TL;DR: Tokenization infrastructure firm Fission has raised $10 million in a funding round led by Pantera Capital. It wants to make it easier for eligible investors to sell tokenized private-market holdings without waiting for traditional fund redemption periods. The tokenization industry has spent years promising faster transfers of financial assets. Fission now wants to solve a more difficult problem: what happens when an investor wants their money back? The financial technology company announced on October 15 that it had raised $10 million in a round led by Pantera Capital, with participation from Circle Ventures and other investors. Its business focuses on liquidity for tokenized alternative investments, including private funds that are traditionally difficult to sell quickly. A Token Is Not The Same As A Buyer Representing ownership of a fund on a blockchain may make recordkeeping and transfers more efficient. It does not automatically create a liquid market. A private credit or private equity fund can still have transfer restrictions, limited redemption windows and few willing buyers. Fission is developing infrastructure to provide secondary-market liquidity for qualifying interests. Some transactions can be completed rapidly when liquidity is available, but that should not be confused with a guaranteed right to sell every asset instantly at full value. The company’s approach complements the industry’s wider interest in tokenized institutional investment products. The Next Stage Of Tokenization Investors increasingly want to know how tokenized assets can be financed, transferred and redeemed, not simply how they are issued. Fission plans to use the money to extend its infrastructure and support more asset managers. Pantera’s investment suggests that solving practical market problems may be at least as commercially significant as launching another blockchain-based security. Written by the News Desk and edited by Samuel Rae.
Increased regulatory scrutiny on AI models could reshape market dynamics, posing operational risks and impacting competitive positioning.
The post Anthropic draft bill proposes AI model shutdowns for major risks appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
Rising military tensions may lead to increased market volatility and potential airspace security measures impacting regional stability.
The post Saudi coalition intercepts Houthi missiles targeting Khamis Mushait appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
TL;DR: Strategy has conditionally declared daily STRC preferred-stock dividends for November 2026. The new cadence remains subject to shareholder approval and is intended to make the security more attractive to investors. Strategy is proposing another adjustment to the financing instruments supporting its Bitcoin treasury business, this time seeking approval to pay dividends on its STRC preferred stock every day. In an October 16 filing, the company outlined conditional daily dividend record dates for November. The announced rate was equivalent to approximately 12% annually, or $1 per preferred share for the month. The plan depends on amendments that shareholders are due to consider at an October 28 meeting. A Different Way To Attract Capital STRC, also known as Stretch, is a variable-rate preferred security developed as part of Strategy’s effort to finance Bitcoin purchases. Its appeal to investors is linked to recurring income and the company’s attempts to keep the share price close to its $100 reference level. More frequent distributions could reduce the time between earning and receiving a dividend. That does not automatically increase the total amount paid or guarantee daily compounding. Strategy has already used STRC-related financing to expand its Bitcoin holdings. The Costs Still Matter Preferred financing can raise money without immediately issuing more common shares, but it creates dividend obligations that require ongoing management. Those costs become particularly important during prolonged weakness in the Bitcoin market. If shareholders approve the changes and other conditions are met, the new STRC dividend schedule is expected to begin in November. Otherwise, existing arrangements will remain in place. For investors, the vote offers another indication of how sophisticated Strategy’s capital structure has become as its Bitcoin treasury grows. Written by the News Desk and edited by Samuel Rae.
TRX supply grew on all 108 days from July 1 through October 16 as burns fell short of newly issued rewards.
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AI's growth is constrained by resource and infrastructure limits, impacting investment strategies and delaying self-improvement breakthroughs.
The post Ben Horowitz says AI fast takeoff is unlikely as key conditions go unmet appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
Investor skepticism and market dynamics may lead to a downward adjustment of Anthropic's IPO valuation, impacting future tech IPOs.
The post Anthropic’s slowing revenue growth raises questions on $2T IPO valuation appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
TL;DR: Circle says it generated roughly $1.4 billion in first-half 2026 revenue while spending $819 million on distribution partners and related costs. The disclosure highlights the expense of building a widely used stablecoin payment network. Circle’s USDC business is generating substantial revenue, but its latest disclosures show how much of that income is needed to support distribution and infrastructure. The stablecoin issuer reported approximately $1.4 billion of revenue in the first half of 2026. It said around $819 million went to partners and transaction-related costs, while another $473 million supported operational, compliance and technology spending. That leaves a much smaller proportion of revenue as retained profit than the headline size of USDC might suggest. The Economics Of A Digital Dollar Circle holds reserves backing USDC in cash and highly liquid financial instruments. Those assets can produce interest income, creating an important revenue stream for the issuer. But USDC’s usefulness depends on its presence across exchanges, wallets, payment services and other financial applications. Those distribution arrangements can be expensive. Coinbase is among Circle’s most important commercial partners, reflecting its role in making the stablecoin accessible to users. As NewsBTC has previously explained, USDC aims to maintain its value against the dollar while remaining transferable across supported networks. Competition Raises The Stakes New stablecoin issuers and conventional financial institutions are entering the market. They will compete not only on the reliability of their reserves but also on distribution, redemption and cost. Circle’s revenue also depends partly on interest rates. Lower yields on reserves could compress income even if USDC’s circulation remains relatively strong. The latest figures reveal an important part of the stablecoin business: issuing the digital dollar may be only the first step. The partners enabling people to use it can command a considerable share of the economic value. Written by the News Desk and edited by Samuel Rae.
Microsoft's investment in Anthropic highlights the competitive AI landscape, emphasizing strategic partnerships to enhance product performance.
The post Microsoft plans to pay Anthropic over $2B a year to keep Copilot competitive appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
Applied Optoelectronics told the WSJ it objected because it was unsure how tokenization would affect its stock price, liquidity and volatility.
Institutional shifts in Bitcoin ETF flows highlight market volatility and strategic reallocations, impacting broader cryptocurrency investment dynamics.
The post Bitcoin ETFs log $228M in weekly sales as monthly outflows near $618M appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
The breach highlights the growing need for robust security measures in AI platforms, as attackers exploit vulnerabilities for competitive advantage.
The post OpenCode discloses distillation attack that hit 1.4% of Console users appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
TL;DR: Charles Schwab is expanding its direct Bitcoin and Ethereum services, including phased external wallet transfers. The move brings digital asset ownership further into the company’s conventional brokerage experience. Charles Schwab is moving its cryptocurrency service closer to the features customers expect from a dedicated digital asset platform. The brokerage has been rolling out direct Bitcoin and Ethereum trading to eligible clients, and its latest account documentation explains how approved customers can transfer supported assets to and from external wallets. For Schwab, that is a meaningful step beyond providing market exposure inside an investment account. Buying Crypto Is Only The Beginning Brokerage customers increasingly want to decide whether to hold digital assets with a financial institution or move them to another approved custody arrangement. Schwab’s transfer functionality is being introduced in phases. Users must meet identity verification requirements and may encounter security checks and waiting periods for approved wallet addresses. The platform also continues to distinguish cryptocurrency from conventional insured bank deposits. The value of Bitcoin and Ethereum is not protected by FDIC insurance merely because the assets are held through a Schwab service. As NewsBTC reported when Schwab introduced direct crypto trading, the rollout has been deliberately gradual. Traditional Brokerages Become Serious Rivals Schwab already has millions of brokerage relationships and well-established infrastructure. Adding cryptocurrency ownership makes those relationships increasingly valuable in a market where digital asset exchanges are competing with conventional financial firms. The company has also discussed expanding its supported assets beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum. The wider trend is clear: investors are increasingly being offered cryptocurrency services through the same institutions they use for stocks and other financial products. The competitive question is no longer simply whether traditional brokerages will support cryptocurrency. It is how much of the customer experience they intend to control. Written by the News Desk and edited by Samuel Rae.
Antithesis's funding surge highlights the growing demand for robust software testing solutions amid the AI-driven code expansion.
The post Antithesis raises $105M at $525M valuation as AI code floods the zone appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
In early October, customers in Southeast Asia discovered that their crypto had disappeared from Ledger hardware wallets that still seemed to be working normally. They bought the devices through CryptoBilis, an authorized reseller, and believed their private keys were protected inside a device built for that purpose. What they couldn't see was a second piece…
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AI data centers' water-saving measures shift environmental burdens upstream, potentially influencing future regulatory landscapes and policies.
The post AI data centers save water on-site, boost power plant consumption: Bloomberg appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
Police reportedly seized $7.15 million in cash, six cold wallets, seven firearms and 1,400 rounds of ammunition in searches of 15 addresses.
TL;DR: An October 8 Public Citizen report links corporations and individuals benefiting from cancelled federal enforcement actions to approximately $210.5 million in donations and pledges to Trump-aligned political committees. Major cryptocurrency companies feature among the reported contributors. A report examining corporate political donations and changes to federal enforcement has placed several major cryptocurrency businesses under renewed public scrutiny. Consumer advocacy organisation Public Citizen said companies and individuals connected to beneficiaries of cancelled or curtailed enforcement actions had contributed or pledged roughly $210.5 million to Trump-aligned political committees. The research, originally published October 8, includes cryptocurrency firms such as Crypto.com and Gemini. It should not be described as a brand-new October 16 investigation. The Crypto Industry’s Political Spending According to the report, Crypto.com-associated contributions included $35 million to MAGA Inc. and another $2 million to a separate Trump-aligned committee. Public Citizen also examined contributions involving Gemini and the Winklevoss brothers, alongside regulatory matters affecting the exchange. The watchdog argues that the scale of political spending deserves attention, particularly where companies also benefit from changes in how government agencies pursue enforcement. But political contributions are not proof of an illegal arrangement. The report does not establish that the named donors purchased specific regulatory decisions. A Broader Political Debate The cryptocurrency industry has become increasingly involved in Washington, advocating for clearer legislation and a more predictable business environment. NewsBTC has previously reported on substantial cryptocurrency political contributions, part of a larger push to influence rules affecting exchanges, stablecoins and token issuers. Supporters of those efforts argue that previous regulation created unnecessary uncertainty. Critics say large corporate donors may enjoy disproportionate access to policymakers. Public Citizen’s findings add to that debate while leaving the central legal distinction intact: correlation between donations and enforcement outcomes does not establish corruption. Written by the News Desk and edited by Samuel Rae.
Iran's judiciary crackdown may destabilize political dynamics, potentially influencing leadership changes and affecting market perceptions.
The post Iran judiciary crackdown raises political instability concerns appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
Bitcoin's role in intelligence highlights privacy concerns, impacts illicit activity tracking, and influences global tech competition dynamics.
The post CIA deputy director says Bitcoin is a tool for intelligence collection appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
TL;DR: Binance.US is reportedly seeking up to $100 million from private investors at a proposed valuation of approximately $1 billion. The financing discussions come as the American exchange attempts to rebuild after several difficult years. Binance.US is reportedly pursuing a $100 million fundraising round as it seeks to strengthen its presence in the American cryptocurrency market. Bloomberg reported on October 15 that the exchange was discussing an investment at a valuation of approximately $1 billion. If completed on those terms, it would represent a sharp reduction from the $4.5 billion valuation attached to its 2022 funding round. The discussions have not been announced as a closed transaction, and the proposed figures could change. Rebuilding A Damaged Business Binance.US once competed aggressively for American cryptocurrency traders but faced major regulatory and operational difficulties. The Securities and Exchange Commission’s earlier proceedings complicated the company’s relationships with banks and other commercial partners. As NewsBTC covered at the time, those disputes included an emergency application involving assets connected to the platform. Conditions have since changed, with US regulators adopting a different approach to digital asset businesses. But a friendlier environment alone does not guarantee that customers return. Fresh funding could support compliance, technology development and new products, while giving Binance.US greater flexibility to compete with established exchanges and brokerages. What The Valuation Suggests A proposed $1 billion valuation is not itself a completed market transaction, but it is a reminder of how substantially expectations for cryptocurrency platforms have evolved since 2022. The next challenge for Binance.US will be demonstrating that investment capital can translate into stronger trading activity and sustainable growth. For now, the fundraising discussions show renewed ambition rather than a finished recovery. Written by the News Desk and edited by Samuel Rae.