NewsBriefs - Leveraged ETFs tied to Bitcoin stacker Strategy plunge nearly 50% in five days

Feb 25, 8:36 PM The Block

Leveraged ETFs tied to Bitcoin stacker Strategy plunge nearly 50% in five days

Two leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs) linked to the bitcoin stockpiler Strategy, MSTX and MTSU, saw nearly a 50% drop in value within five days. This decline coincided with a significant drop in bitcoin price, which fell to below $87,000. The ETFs, which are designed to amplify returns by using derivatives and debt, experienced increased trading volumes and high risk, leading to steep losses. The equity market also faced challenges, influenced by upcoming tariffs announced by the US president, exacerbating the volatile trading environment.

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• May 9, 7:43 PM The Block

  BlackRock discusses staking and options for crypto ETFs with SEC

  BlackRock met with the US Securities and Exchange Commission to discuss regulatory issues for crypto staking and options on crypto ETFs. The meeting explored facilitating ETFs with staking features and determining parameters for options trading on these ETFs, highlighting challenges and the potential for advancements in the crypto ETF sector.

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• May 9, 8:18 AM The Block

  German authorities seize $38 million in crypto from eXch exchange

  German authorities have confiscated approximately 34 million euros ($38.2 million) in crypto assets from eXch, a defunct crypto swapping platform known for its lack of anti-money laundering and KYC measures. The seizure, which included Bitcoin, Ether, Litecoin, and Dash, along with over 8 terabytes of data and server infrastructure, is linked to suspicions of commercial money laundering and operation of a criminal trading platform. eXch, operational since 2014, enabled anonymous crypto transactions and is implicated in laundering part of the crypto stolen by the North Korean hacker group Lazarus.

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• May 9, 3:23 AM Metaplanet

  Metaplanet issues $21 million in zero-interest bonds to buy Bitcoin

  Metaplanet has issued its 14th series of ordinary bonds, allocating the entire issuance to EVO FUND and raising $21,250,000. These zero-interest bonds, set to be redeemed in November 2025, are designated for purchasing Bitcoin and ensuring funds for bond redemption. The bonds were issued as per previous announcements related to stock acquisition rights and future financial management plans.

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• May 8, 6:32 PM The Block

  US Senate votes to delay stablecoin regulation bill amid Trump's rising crypto involvement

  The US Senate has postponed the advancement of a stablecoin regulation bill due to increasing bipartisan tensions influenced by President Donald Trump's involvement in the crypto sector. The Senate's decision follows Democratic concerns about the bill's provisions on foreign issuers and anti-money laundering, as well as ethical issues tied to Trump's personal crypto activities. The bill, known as the GENIUS Act, aims to enforce stringent rules on stablecoin issuance, including reserve requirements and restrictions on foreign issuers.

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• May 8, 2:00 PM The Block

  Superstate launches Opening Bell to introduce SEC-registered public equities on Solana

  Superstate announced the launch of Opening Bell, a platform that allows for the issuance and trade of SEC-registered public equities on blockchain, starting with Solana. This platform supports regulatory-compliant shares that are directly tradable with crypto wallets and DeFi protocols, offering real-time settlements and continuous trading by leveraging blockchain technology. SOL Strategies will be the first company to list its shares on this platform, highlighting the shift towards blockchain-based public markets.

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• May 8, 12:04 PM Ethereum Foundation

  Ethereum Foundation commits $32M in grants for Q1 2025 to enhance community programs and infrastructure

  The Ethereum Foundation has allocated $32 million in grants for the first quarter of 2025, targeting enhancements in community programs, developer tools, zero-knowledge proofs, and core infrastructure. The funding supports a diverse array of projects, ranging from educational initiatives and developer experience improvements to cryptography research and execution layer development, reflecting Ethereum's commitment to fostering broad ecosystem growth.

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• May 8, 4:39 AM The Block

  OCC allows US banks to buy and sell crypto on behalf of customers

  The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has authorized national banks to buy and sell crypto assets for their customers and allowed them to outsource related custody and trade execution services to third parties. This decision underscores a flexible regulatory approach, providing banks can manage associated risks effectively. This move aligns with recent regulatory changes under President Donald Trump's administration that favor a more crypto-friendly environment.

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• May 7, 1:06 PM Crypto.com

  Crypto.com to open new regional office in Washington

  Crypto.com announced its plan to establish a new North America regional office in Washington, D.C., strategically positioned near the White House to enhance its public and government affairs efforts within the US. This expansion reflects the company's commitment to the US market as central to its growth strategy and aims to bolster its presence amidst a developing regulatory landscape.

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• May 7, 5:59 AM Binance

  Bhutan and Binance Pay introduce world's first national crypto tourism payment system

  Bhutan has launched the world's first national crypto tourism payment system in collaboration with Binance Pay and DK Bank. This innovative initiative enables tourists to use crypto for all travel-related expenses across Bhutan's tourism ecosystem, including flights, visas, accommodations, and even small purchases at local markets. Over 100 local merchants are already part of this system, allowing for a cardless, cashless travel experience powered by crypto. The system represents a significant step towards digital integration and economic inclusivity, giving even remote businesses in Bhutan the chance to participate in the global economy.

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• May 6, 7:47 PM The Block

  Bitwise files for NEAR spot ETF with the SEC

  Bitwise, a digital asset management firm, has submitted a registration statement to the US Securities and Exchange Commission for a spot NEAR exchange-traded fund (ETF). This NEAR ETF aims to offer investors exposure to the NEAR token through traditional brokerage accounts, similar to Bitwise's spot Bitcoin ETF, without requiring direct ownership of the crypto. This filing follows an initial application in Delaware, marking a strategic move towards the launch of the ETF.

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• May 6, 12:55 PM Tether

  Tether's Hadron platform integrates Chainalysis for enhanced compliance in tokenization

  Tether has integrated Chainalysis' monitoring tools into its Hadron platform, enhancing regulatory compliance for tokenizing real-world assets. Hadron by Tether now features institutional-grade oversight, comprehensive transaction monitoring, and full Know Your Transaction support, positioning it as a secure, compliant marketplace for asset management and token issuance. This collaboration furthers Tether's commitment to security and regulatory adherence, helping transform the platform into a future-proof infrastructure for digital assets.

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• May 6, 11:58 AM The Block

  IntoTheBlock and Trident merge to launch Sentora with $25 million Series A funding

  IntoTheBlock and Trident Digital have merged to create Sentora, a new institutional DeFi platform. Sentora has launched with $25 million in Series A funding led by New Form Capital, joined by Joint Effects, Tribe Capital, and strategic investors such as Ripple and Bankai Ventures. The new platform aims to offer compliance-driven access to DeFi markets, addressing institutional needs with analytics, risk management, and tailored financial services such as tokenization, lending, and hedging.

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• May 6, 4:24 AM Cointelegraph

  Florida withdraws bills for Bitcoin reserve as Arizona pushes forward

  Florida has stopped efforts to establish a state-level Bitcoin reserve by withdrawing House Bill 487 and Senate Bill 550 from legislative consideration. Despite extending the session for budget discussions, these crypto-focused bills failed to advance, contrasting with Arizona's continuing attempts to pass similar legislation.

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• May 5, 9:33 PM OpenAI

  OpenAI reaffirms nonprofit status, scraps for-profit conversion plans

  OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has decided to maintain its nonprofit status, halting its previous plans to transform into a for-profit entity. Instead, the company confirmed it would convert its for-profit business unit into a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC), which would still operate under nonprofit oversight. This decision aligns with OpenAI's foundational principles and ensures continued control by the nonprofit, despite the previously considered shift towards a for-profit model to facilitate funding for advancing AI technologies.

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• May 5, 2:02 PM Chainlink

  Chainlink partners with Space and Time to launch Chainlink Rewards Season Genesis

  Chainlink introduces Chainlink Rewards, a program designed to boost engagement within the Chainlink Network by making native tokens from Chainlink Build projects claimable for ecosystem participants. The first initiative under this program, Season Genesis, starts on May 8, 2025, with Space and Time offering 100,000,000 SXT tokens to eligible LINK Stakers. This pilot phase will help gauge the feasibility of a broader token claiming mechanism involving multiple Chainlink Build projects in the future.

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