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  • Amodei’s AI Forecasts Bitcoin’s 2026 Trajectory

    Amodei’s AI Forecasts Bitcoin’s 2026 Trajectory

    Bitcoin’s Tight Range Hints at Volatility Ahead as AI Predicts $150,000 Price

    With only 1.32 million coins remaining unmined and an estimated 4 million permanently lost, the dwindling supply of Bitcoin is poised to become a dominant narrative in the second half of the year, according to AI predictions. Claude Fable 5 forecasts a potential surge to $150,000 by December, a significant leap from its current trading price of $64,600.

    A Multifaceted Catalyst List

    The outlook is bolstered by an unusually extensive list of potential catalysts. Regulatory clarity, spearheaded by the CLARITY Act and closely followed by the GENIUS Act stablecoin framework, is leading the charge. Federal Reserve rate cuts are also expected to play a crucial role, particularly a widely anticipated dovish pivot once Jerome Powell’s term concludes in May. Persistent demand is further fueled by ETF holdings, which have already surpassed 1.5 million BTC.

    Behind the scenes, corporate treasuries are continuing their accumulation of Bitcoin. This is complemented by a burgeoning Bitcoin-backed lending market, which analysts project will exceed $100 billion this year. The historical pattern of post-halving cycles provides another layer of support, with demand for Bitcoin as a safe-haven asset during periods of macroeconomic stress serving as the final contributing factor.

    A Sobering Counterpoint

    However, the bullish outlook is tempered by recent market performance. June 2026 saw the worst monthly ETF outflow on record, amounting to approximately $4 billion. Bitcoin concluded the first half of the year down nearly 33%, a stark contrast to the rally experienced by tech stocks. Claude Fable 5 interprets this as a crypto-specific unwinding rather than a broader risk-off sentiment.

    The market is currently trading within a narrow band, oscillating between $63,900 and $65,000. Should the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) decision prove disappointing and outflows persist, the bearish scenario anticipates Bitcoin breaking key support levels and potentially falling towards $45,000.

    Charting the Recent Price Action

    The daily chart illustrates a complete price cycle. Bitcoin experienced a significant run from $75,000 last April to a peak near $126,000 in October. The subsequent unwind began in November, with prices falling to roughly $80,000 by December, followed by a brief recovery attempt.

    February marked a decisive downturn, with prices plummeting from $90,000 to $60,000. The spring saw a rebound, reaching $82,000 by May, only for June to erase these gains and return Bitcoin to $58,000. Since then, the price structure has consolidated into a tight base with incrementally higher lows.

    The latest closing price was $64,809, marking a 0.86% increase and a gain of $553 for the session. The daily trading range spanned from $64,103 to $64,910. Immediate support is identified at $63,900, followed by $60,000 and $58,000. Resistance levels are situated at $68,000, $72,000, and $76,000.

    The Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at 54.15, with the signal line at 49.64. This gap of approximately 4.5 points suggests a mild bullish leaning, albeit without strong conviction. Both indicators are hovering near the midpoint of their range, indicating a flattening momentum and a state of indecision.

    Claude Fable 5 characterizes the current price range as a “coiled spring,” with the FOMC outcome expected to dictate the direction of the next significant price movement.

  • Top 5 Global Payment Platforms for Businesses

    Top 5 Global Payment Platforms for Businesses

    Global Businesses Grapple with Complex Payment Challenges

    Companies operating across multiple countries and serving a diverse international customer base often encounter payment hurdles that traditional banking systems are ill-equipped to handle. These challenges can manifest as lengthy wire transfer clearing times, fees levied by correspondent banks at each stage, and significant delays for contractors in locations like Buenos Aires, Singapore, or Lagos, who may wait longer for payment than the duration of their work. While stablecoins offer some improvements by streamlining certain payment routes, they are not a universally perfect solution.

    This guide explores some of the leading payment platforms available to businesses today, detailing their fees, supported destinations, and regulatory oversight. Our evaluation considered published pricing, regulatory standing, the range of currencies and countries each platform serves, and the ease with which businesses could verify this information without needing to schedule a sales call. This last criterion proved to be a significant differentiator, with several established providers offering only a contact form, a fact we have noted where applicable.

    Here are five platforms and their primary use cases:

    Performa: Digital Asset Payment Infrastructure

    Performa provides payment infrastructure for companies that manage digital assets and require bidirectional movement of these funds. The platform enables businesses to accept payments via links and invoices, execute bulk payouts from CSV files, convert between cryptocurrency and fiat through vetted over-the-counter (OTC) partners, and monitor all wallet activity from a centralized treasury dashboard.

    For payroll, finance teams can upload a contractor list and process all payments in a single run, eliminating the per-transfer bank charges that can make small international payments uneconomical. Onboarding is offered in two tiers: simplified verification for basic account access, and full Know Your Business (KYB) verification to lift limits and unlock additional benefits. The platform supports both custodial and self-custodial wallets, allowing companies to retain control of their private keys if desired.

    In a nutshell:

    • Pros: Facilitates digital asset management and cross-border payments, streamlines payroll, offers flexible wallet options.
    • Cons: Specific details on fees and limitations require direct inquiry.

    BVNK: Global Stablecoin and Fiat Solutions

    BVNK, a London-based company, specializes in accepting stablecoins, holding balances, and converting them to fiat, with the added capability of API integration. The company processes approximately $30 billion annually across more than 200 markets. Mastercard acquired BVNK earlier in 2026 for $1.5 billion, with an additional $300 million tied to performance milestones, a deal that closed on August 3, ahead of its original December target. This acquisition was one of the largest stablecoin deals on record, following earlier acquisition talks by Coinbase valued at around $2 billion.

    BVNK boasts an extensive regulatory footprint, holding over 40 licenses and registrations across the UK, EU, and US, including an electronic money institution authorization from the Financial Conduct Authority. The platform operates on enterprise terms, with one significant restriction: [details not provided in source text].

    In a nutshell:

    • Pros: Extensive global reach, strong regulatory compliance, significant transaction volume, Mastercard backing.
    • Cons: Primarily enterprise-focused, specific restrictions apply.

    NOWPayments: Versatile Crypto Payment Gateway

    Launched by ChangeNOW in 2019, NOWPayments is a cryptocurrency payment gateway that supports over 300 cryptocurrencies and 75 fiat currencies, settling funds to a merchant-controlled wallet. Payments are routed through a one-time deposit address. Merchants can opt to convert received assets into different cryptocurrencies, with payouts automatically sent to their designated wallet. An optional Custody product allows for pooling funds within the platform, enabling merchants to make a single withdrawal rather than incurring network fees for each individual payment.

    The platform supports mass payouts of up to 1,000 transactions at a time, suitable for contractor payroll, refunds, and affiliate payments. The service fee is 0.5% for mono-currency payments (where the customer and merchant use the same coin). This fee increases to 1% for payments involving currency conversion, or when a fixed exchange rate or the fee-paid-by-user option is activated. Network fees are additional, with the company’s documentation indicating three per payment: one paid by the customer and two deducted from the deposit.

    In a nutshell:

    • Pros: Wide range of supported cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies, flexible settlement options, mass payout capabilities.
    • Cons: Network fees are additional to service fees, potential for multiple network fees per transaction.

    BitPay: Established Crypto Payment Processor

    BitPay has been processing cryptocurrency payments since 2011 and is recognized as one of the leading payment service providers and digital wallet applications. The New York Department of Financial Services licenses BitPay for virtual currency business activity under NMLS ID 1496848.

    The platform supports a broad array of assets, including BTC, BCH, ETH, XRP, LTC, DOGE, USDC, DAI, and EURC, among others. Fiat settlement is available in seven currencies, including the US dollar, euro, and British pound. Merchants can choose to receive payments in fiat, crypto, or a combination of both, with fiat funds typically arriving in their bank account daily. Fee structures are tiered: 2% plus 25 cents for transactions below $500,000; 1.5% plus 25 cents for transactions between $500,000 and $999,999; and 1% plus 25 cents for transactions of $1 million or more.

    In a nutshell:

    • Pros: Long-standing reputation, broad asset support, flexible settlement options, tiered fee structure.
    • Cons: Fiat settlement limited to seven currencies, transaction fees can be significant for smaller amounts.

    Revolut: European Payment Giant with Crypto Integration

    Revolut stands as Europe’s largest payment processor, offering multi-currency balances, local account details, cards, expense management, and API access across markets including the UK, US, EEA, Singapore, Australia, and the UAE. Cryptocurrency is integrated as an investable asset within the Revolut Business app, allowing businesses to buy, hold, and sell over 220 tokens. The majority of funds are kept in cold storage, with permissions governing team member trading activities.

    However, it is crucial to understand Revolut’s limitations: businesses cannot receive cryptocurrencies from external accounts, nor can they send cryptocurrencies from their Revolut Business account. Funds originating from crypto dealing or trading are also prohibited under the terms. The crypto functionality primarily serves as treasury exposure, with payments still processed through traditional banking rails.

    Published pricing is available in a legal fee schedule: UK plans include Basic at £10 per month, Grow at £35 per month or £360 annually, Scale at £125 per month or £1,080 annually, and Enterprise with custom pricing.

    In a nutshell:

    • Pros: Comprehensive financial services, extensive market reach, integrated crypto investment for treasury.
    • Cons: Crypto functionality is limited to holding and trading within the platform; cannot send or receive crypto externally.

    Key Considerations for Choosing a Payment Platform

    When selecting a payment platform, businesses should consider the following steps:

    Step 1: Define Your Needs: Prioritize providers based on your primary requirements, whether it’s collecting payments, making payouts, holding balances, or currency conversion. Few platforms excel in all four areas.

    Step 2: Scrutinize Fees: Look beyond advertised transaction fees to include subscription, payout, and foreign exchange (FX) costs. Compare exchange rates against the mid-market rate, as FX spreads are often a significant hidden expense.

    Step 3: Verify Recipient Payouts: Confirm that recipients can receive local currency in local bank accounts if necessary, and assess whether bank transfers or stablecoin payouts are more suitable for your target markets.

    Step 4: Inquire About Settlement Times: Understand real-world settlement times, accounting for weekends, holidays, and compliance reviews, not just the best-case scenarios.

    Step 5: Assess Regulatory Status: Verify the provider’s registration and licensing. Different levels of oversight and protection are offered by various licenses and banking arrangements; confirm what applies and request license numbers.

    Step 6: Ensure Business Compatibility: Many providers impose restrictions on crypto-related activities. Thoroughly review the terms and conditions before integration to ensure your business operations are fully supported.

    Additional Factors for Payment Platform Evaluation

    Several factors warrant careful consideration when evaluating payment platforms:

    • Stablecoin Risk: A dollar held in USDC represents a claim on Circle’s reserves, while USDT is a claim on Tether’s. Neither is a bank deposit with insurance. This risk is amplified as two issuers dominate business stablecoin flows, meaning issues at either could impact most platforms in this guide, excluding those that do not accept stablecoins.
    • Key Management: Determine whether the platform holds your private keys or if you do, and understand the implications for your balance in the event of the company’s failure.
    • Irreversible Crypto Payments: While crypto payments shield merchants from chargeback fraud, they leave buyers without recourse. This characteristic shapes the types of businesses that can sensibly accept them.
    • Regulatory Landscape: Licensing regimes for digital asset payments vary significantly across jurisdictions like Singapore, the EU, and the US. A platform available in one market this year may not be in another next year.
    • Destination Matters: For well-served corridors like SEPA, a mid-market rate transfer through services like Wise may be more cost-effective than a stablecoin payout when conversion costs at both ends are factored in. Conversely, for markets with slow banking or restricted dollar access, USDC or USDT payouts are typically cheaper and faster.
    • Problem Solved: The value of crypto payments is highest when they address a specific problem. Businesses with customers paying by card and staff in well-banked countries may see little benefit. However, companies paying contributors across numerous countries or those whose customers prefer settling in stablecoins stand to gain significantly.
    • Tax Implications: In most jurisdictions, crypto is treated as property for tax purposes, meaning a transaction can result in a gain or loss between receipt and spending. Platforms that produce audit-grade records, such as Request Finance, are therefore more valuable than their feature lists might suggest. Seek local tax advice before running payroll this way.
    • Recipient Value: The recipient may end up with less value than the sender intended due to fees. Platforms that settle merchants in fiat absorb this risk in exchange for their fee. Those paying out in stablecoins pass this risk to the recipient, making it crucial for contracts to specify who bears this responsibility.
  • China Buys Most Gold Since 2023 Amid Bullion Price Surge

    China Buys Most Gold Since 2023 Amid Bullion Price Surge

    China’s Gold Rush Accelerates, Fueling Price Surge

    China’s central bank made its largest monthly gold purchase in nearly three years in July, continuing a significant accumulation streak that mirrors a broader trend among global central banks to re-engage with the precious metal. This surge in demand is a key factor behind gold’s recent price resurgence, which saw the asset gain 8% over the past week.

    Record Purchases and Growing Reserves

    Data from The Kobeissi Letter reveals that the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) acquired approximately 640,000 troy ounces, or about 20 tons, of gold in July alone. This marks the largest single-month purchase since October 2023. The PBOC’s buying spree now extends to an impressive 21 consecutive months. At the end of July, China’s gold reserves stood at just over 76 million ounces, up from under 75.5 million ounces in June. The current market value of this substantial gold hoard exceeds $306 billion.

    Accelerating Pace of Acquisition

    What is particularly noteworthy is the accelerating pace of China’s gold acquisitions. After adding 160,000 ounces in March, the country progressively increased its purchases in the subsequent months. June’s accumulation of 480,000 ounces was already the largest in almost three years, a figure that was surpassed by July’s substantial acquisition.

    Strategic Relocation of Reserves

    Beyond sheer volume, Beijing has also been strategically relocating a significant portion of its gold reserves from London to Hong Kong. This move aligns with Hong Kong’s ambitions to establish itself as a major hub for precious metals trading. Analysts at The Kobeissi Letter noted that “The relocation is set to continue as Hong Kong launches a new gold-clearing system aimed at making the city a bigger center for global gold trading and pricing.”

    Global Central Bank Demand Peaks

    The trend of central bank interest in gold is not isolated to China. Data from the World Gold Council indicates that central banks collectively purchased a record 289 tonnes of gold in the second quarter, representing a substantial 74% increase compared to the same period last year.

    Contrast with Cryptocurrency Stance

    In stark contrast to its robust gold accumulation, China has tightened its cryptocurrency restrictions earlier this year, reaffirming the illegality of all digital asset-related business activities. The country has also broadened its scrutiny to include stablecoins and the tokenization of real-world assets.

    Gold’s Rebound and Performance Against Bitcoin

    The substantial accumulation by the PBOC and other central banks has been instrumental in halting gold’s recent price decline and facilitating a significant recovery over the past week. After falling from its all-time high of $5,600 per ounce to just under $4,000 within months, the precious metal rebounded by 8% in the last week, closing at $4,342. This recovery has brought gold back to a breakeven year-to-date price. While not in positive territory for 2026, gold has demonstrated a far stronger performance than Bitcoin, which continues to struggle around $65,000, down over 25% since the beginning of the year.

  • XRP Poised for Record Reversal, Polymarket Skeptical

    XRP Poised for Record Reversal, Polymarket Skeptical

    Ripple’s XRP Hovers Above Key Support as Analysts Debate Future Trajectory

    Ripple’s cross-border token, XRP, dipped to a critical support level just above $1.00 late last week, sparking concerns about a potential breach. The decline coincided with a delay in the CLARITY Act, leading some to question if a fall below this threshold was inevitable.

    However, XRP managed to hold its ground over the weekend, prompting a renewed sense of optimism among several analysts who now anticipate a significant rebound. One prominent analyst even described the potential recovery as “the strongest in history.”

    Technical Indicators Signal Bullish Reversal

    The token’s slide to $1.02 on Friday pushed its Relative Strength Index (RSI) into deeply oversold territory. According to popular analyst Dark Defender, this indicates that the indicator has reached a bottom on the weekly timeframe. Dark Defender explained this as the completion of a sub-wave structure within a larger “Grand Wave,” suggesting the end of a major correction.

    Consequently, Dark Defender has adopted a strongly bullish stance, advising investors to “expect the strongest reversal in history” once XRP reclaims the $1.05 zone, which is currently being tested from below.

    Fellow analyst Gerla echoed this sentiment, noting that XRP “just swept the lows and bounced straight from major support.” Gerla pointed out that while the price printed a lower low, the RSI simultaneously charted a bullish divergence. As long as XRP remains above $1.02, Gerla believes it has the potential to reclaim $1.08, a move that could trigger a “serious reversal.”

    Long-Term Outlook and Contrasting Predictions

    Other optimistic analysts, including ChartNerd and EGRAG CRYPTO, have presented long-term charts suggesting a significant breakout is on the horizon for XRP. While their price targets, which range in the low to mid-double-digit figures, may seem ambitious given current market conditions, they align with an expectation of substantial future gains.

    In stark contrast to these bullish forecasts, traders on the prediction market platform Polymarket appear largely convinced that XRP’s immediate future involves a drop below the $1.00 mark. The odds for such a decline by the end of the month have risen to 65%. Conversely, the probability of a rise to $1.20 stands at a much lower 17%, with a more substantial rebound to $1.40 having a negligible 2% chance.

    Historical Performance Fuels Bearish Sentiment

    XRP’s historical performance in August may be contributing to this bearish outlook. The asset has closed in negative territory in all four previous Augusts, and has only seen positive returns in the month a mere four times since 2013.

  • Grayscale: Crypto’s Plan B Without Clarity Act

    Grayscale: Crypto’s Plan B Without Clarity Act

    CLARITY Act Stalled, Grayscale Outlines Crypto’s Path Forward

    The CLARITY Act has been caught in political limbo as lawmakers depart for their August recess, prompting Grayscale to detail a potential roadmap for the U.S. cryptocurrency industry should Congress fail to enact the long-awaited market structure legislation this year.

    While acknowledging that a delay would initially represent a setback, the digital asset manager believes a path forward exists. Grayscale has previously commented on the bill’s potential and, in its latest analysis, conceded that an agreement within the current year remains technically feasible. However, the realities of the Senate’s schedule and the approaching midterm elections have made official passage increasingly challenging.

    The report emerges as Senate Majority Leader John Thune filed for cloture on the motion to proceed with the legislation before lawmakers left Washington last week. This procedural vote is slated for September 15 and requires 60 votes to succeed. Crucially, this is not a final vote on the bill itself, but rather a determination of whether senators can move forward to formally consider it.

    Should this procedural hurdle not be cleared, Grayscale argues that Washington possesses alternative avenues to advance crypto regulation, even in the absence of comprehensive congressional action. Foremost among these is the role of regulatory agencies.

    Both the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have demonstrated a more accommodating stance toward the crypto industry in recent years. These bodies can continue to develop rules and interpretations governing the market, even if Congress remains inactive.

    Nevertheless, these regulators face limitations in their ability to achieve significant progress without new legislation, particularly concerning the establishment of clear and permanent jurisdictional boundaries between them. Despite these constraints, they can still address key industry inflection points, including tokenized securities, custody, and trading.

    On a more positive note, institutional involvement in the crypto space has surged over the past few years, driven by the introduction of spot ETFs, stablecoins, tokenized real-world assets (RWAs), and increasing Wall Street participation, all occurring while the CLARITY Act remains in legislative flux. Zach Pandl, Grayscale’s Head of Research, highlighted that the GENIUS Act already provided a federal framework for payment stablecoins, which he described as a significant achievement.

    The bill’s stagnation at the close of the business week was a blow to the industry, though Thune’s cloture filing offered a glimmer of hope. However, several critical issues persist, including ethical disagreements, rules surrounding illicit finance, and specific language originating from the Senate Agriculture Committee.

    Republicans currently lack sufficient votes to advance the legislation independently, even with unanimous support from their party, as they require at least seven votes from Democrats or independents. These persistent difficulties, with no clear resolution in sight, have diminished expectations for the bill’s passage this year, leading Galaxy Research to reduce its probability estimate from 50% to just 30%.

  • ChatGPT: XRP’s Fate Below $1 Amid CLARITY Act Delay?

    ChatGPT: XRP’s Fate Below $1 Amid CLARITY Act Delay?

    CLARITY Act Delay Rattles Altcoins, XRP Faces Most Significant Downturn

    The postponement of the US CLARITY Act, announced at the close of the business week, has negatively impacted several altcoins, with XRP experiencing the most substantial price decline among major cryptocurrencies.

    Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) managed to maintain their support levels on Friday, holding above or at critical thresholds of $64,000 and $1,900, respectively. XRP, however, saw its price fall to just above $1. In light of these developments, ChatGPT was consulted for an analysis of the situation and its outlook on whether Ripple’s token will continue to face headwinds.

    Regarding the possibility of XRP inevitably crashing below $1, the AI’s response was “not necessarily, but the risk has increased.” It highlighted that the cross-border payment token has become uniquely intertwined with US regulatory developments, a situation stemming from the lawsuit against the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) nearly six years ago.

    Unlike Bitcoin, which benefits from institutional demand and ETF applications, or Ethereum, which gains from tokenization, stablecoins, and treasury accumulation by entities like Bitmine, much of XRP’s positive narrative in recent years has been predicated on achieving regulatory clarity.

    The passage of the CLARITY Act was expected to solidify its status as a commodity in federal law, offering greater certainty for banks, institutions, and ETF issuers. The delay, therefore, postpones these potential capital inflows rather than eliminating them entirely.

    OpenAI’s AI model observed that XRP has historically seen aggressive rallies driven by regulatory optimism earlier in market cycles, making it more susceptible to disappointment when such catalysts subside. Some analysts concur with the view that XRP could indeed dip below $1 in the near future, but they also suggest this could pave the way for a more significant recovery.

    However, ChatGPT does not consider this the most likely outcome. Instead, it posits that XRP has several catalysts that could prevent such a decline. Arguably the most significant support comes from Ripple, the company behind the token, and its substantial expansion over the past few years, which has included major partnerships, acquisitions, and regulatory successes in other jurisdictions.

    The AI also pointed out that markets often exhibit an overreaction to legislative delays, noting that such postponements do not necessarily signal the bill’s ultimate failure. If investors begin to price in eventual approval rather than fixating solely on the timing, Ripple’s token could stabilize before Washington reconvenes in September.

    Nevertheless, the AI did not entirely dismiss the possibility of a dip below $1.00, particularly if the broader cryptocurrency market sentiment deteriorates and BTC loses key support levels. Furthermore, macroeconomic news or an escalation of geopolitical conflicts could trigger another downward movement, factors that lie outside the scope of the regulatory delay itself.

  • XRP Ledger Upgrade Eyes Institutional Adoption, But Challenges Remain

    XRP Ledger Upgrade Eyes Institutional Adoption, But Challenges Remain

    XRPL Upgrade Aims to Bolster Institutional Tokenization with Enhanced Privacy and Efficiency

    The XRP Ledger (XRPL) has unveiled version 3.3.0, a significant update that advances its ambition to become a foundational infrastructure for institutional tokenization. The release introduces several proposed amendments designed to enhance privacy, streamline payments, and facilitate the management of real-world assets (RWAs).

    Confidential Transfers: A Key Privacy Feature

    A standout innovation in this release is “Confidential Transfers.” This feature is engineered to allow institutions to obscure the balances and transaction amounts associated with Multi-Purpose Tokens (MPTs). While specific financial details remain private, the accounts involved and the type of asset transacted will still be publicly visible. The technology leverages cryptographic proofs to validate transactions without disclosing the underlying monetary values, addressing a critical concern for financial institutions. This could overcome a major hurdle for entities seeking the transparency and settlement advantages of a public blockchain while simultaneously safeguarding sensitive position sizes and transaction values.

    RWA Landscape on XRPL

    Data from RWA.xyz indicates that approximately $850 million of the $1.38 billion in RWAs currently distributed on the XRPL originates from Ripple’s own stablecoin, RLUSD. The remaining $530 million comprises tokenized assets from other prominent players in the RWA sector, including Ondo, Archax, Societe Generale, and VERT Capital.

    Additional Proposed Amendments

    Beyond Confidential Transfers, version 3.3.0 includes three other notable amendments: Batch, Sponsor, and Permission Delegation.

    The “Batch” amendment proposes the ability to group up to eight transactions together. This includes an atomic mode, ensuring that either all transactions in the batch are successfully executed or the entire batch fails. This functionality is anticipated to streamline complex settlements, swaps, and institutional transactions.

    “Sponsor” is designed to permit one account to cover the transaction fees and reserve requirements for another user. This could enable companies to onboard new customers without necessitating that they first acquire XRP to interact with an application.

    The “Permission Delegation” amendment will allow account holders to grant specific transaction permissions to a third party without relinquishing complete control of their wallet. This feature is intended to work in conjunction with Dynamic MPT, offering issuers greater flexibility by enabling certain token characteristics to be altered post-issuance.

    It is important to note that these amendments are not yet active on the XRP Ledger Mainnet. The XRPL’s governance process requires each amendment to garner support from at least 80% of trusted validators for two consecutive weeks before it can be implemented.

  • Crypto Scammers Exploit MiCA Deadline to Target Users

    Crypto Scammers Exploit MiCA Deadline to Target Users

    Scammers Exploit MiCA Deadline to Target Crypto Holders

    Scammers are impersonating financial regulators and licensed exchanges, preying on cryptocurrency holders who are still in the process of moving assets five weeks after the European Union’s licensing deadline under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA).

    Several regulatory bodies, including France’s Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF), the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM), and the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), have identified this pattern and alerted the Financial Times.

    Fraudsters are reportedly contacting customers of firms that failed to secure authorization. They then pose as officials from a regulator or an exchange, directing victims to websites or accounts controlled by the criminals. Regulators emphasize that they never initiate contact with consumers to instruct them to send funds to a specific account.

    The transitional period under MiCA concluded on July 1. As of an August 4 update, ESMA’s register listed 322 authorized crypto-asset service providers across 26 member states. Any provider not included on this list has lost the right to serve clients within the EU.

    In a public statement issued on June 23, ESMA directed unauthorized providers to “immediately stop onboarding new EU clients” and to limit services to “actions necessary to sell or transfer crypto-assets, reallocate assets, or close positions.” Custodial services were permitted only for the period strictly required to complete an orderly exit.

    The same statement advised clients to consult the register and, if their provider was unauthorized, to transfer their holdings “to an authorized CASP, where one is identified, or to a self-hosted wallet.”

    Regulators have pointed out that this overlap—the legitimate instruction for users to move funds within a specific timeframe—is precisely what fraudsters are exploiting.

    Authorizations saw a significant surge leading up to the deadline. In June, 76 firms were added to the register, marking the busiest month since the regime’s inception, with an additional 31 firms authorized in July. Erald Ghoos, OKX’s European CEO, had previously predicted that 80% of crypto companies would not survive the MiCA compliance requirements and would be forced to exit the bloc.

    Chainalysis reported a 1,400% year-over-year increase in impersonation scams in 2025, with the average payment rising from $782 to $2,764. The firm estimated total crypto scam and fraud losses for the year to be close to $17 billion.

    CryptoPotato previously reported on a case where £2.1 million in Bitcoin was stolen from a cold wallet after an individual posed as a senior UK police officer and directed the victim to a website that captured their seed phrase. The FBI has also issued a warning about a fake token on the Tron network, disguised with an “FBI message” subject line, designed to steal wallet access.

    ESMA has stated that national competent authorities are actively engaging with the affected firms and are now in a position to take coordinated action against unauthorized providers, given that the transitional period has ended.

  • Senate to Vote on CLARITY Act September 15

    Senate to Vote on CLARITY Act September 15

    CLARITY Act Set for September 15 Senate Vote as Majority Leader Forces the Issue

    The most anticipated cryptocurrency legislation in the United States will not be voted on in August, but new details have emerged regarding its timeline in the Senate.

    Senate Majority Leader John Thune filed for cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R. 3633, the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, shortly before the Senate adjourned for its August recess. This filing has clarified the bill’s path through the chamber, with lawmakers now scheduled to vote on it on September 15. According to the Senate Press Gallery’s official floor log, Thune’s filing occurred at 4:52 AM ET on Saturday, following an overnight session.

    Journalist Eleanor Terrett subsequently confirmed that senators reached an agreement to schedule the cloture vote for 2:15 PM ET on Tuesday, September 15. This date falls on the day after the Senate reconvenes from its month-long break.

    It is important to note that a cloture vote does not guarantee the passage of the CLARITY Act on that day. Senators will not be voting on the legislation itself at this stage. Instead, the vote will determine whether the Senate can limit debate on the motion to proceed, thereby advancing the bill toward formal consideration.

    The measure requires 60 votes to proceed. Given that Republicans hold 53 Senate seats, they will need the support of at least seven Democrats or independents, even if all Republican senators back the bill.

    As previously reported, the CLARITY Act was postponed to September after Democrats declined to support a procedural vote before the August recess. This delay represents another setback for legislation that had previously appeared to enjoy substantial bipartisan backing.

    However, experts and prediction platforms suggest that the bill’s chances of becoming law this year have diminished. Galaxy Research recently revised its probability estimate downward from 50% to 30%.

    Key points of contention remain, including ethics provisions, rules concerning illicit finance, and the integration of language developed by the Senate Agriculture Committee. The September 15 date does not resolve these outstanding issues.

    A bipartisan proposal from Republican Senator Thom Tillis and Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego aims to strengthen restrictions on public officials issuing or sponsoring cryptocurrencies and grant state attorneys general a significant role in enforcement. However, the White House has not yet responded to this proposal.

    The upcoming November midterm elections also cast uncertainty on the bill’s prospects, as most Democrats continue to oppose it, and their influence is expected to grow.

  • Senate Advances Crypto Bill, Clarity Act Survives

    Senate Advances Crypto Bill, Clarity Act Survives

    Senate Advances Crypto Bill, Setting September Vote

    The U.S. Senate has taken its initial formal step toward a vote on the Clarity Act, with leadership moving early Saturday to schedule a vote on the cryptocurrency market structure legislation and set a September date.

    Senate Majority Leader John Thune filed the motion to proceed on the bill, initiating the multi-step cloture process the chamber employs to overcome the 60-vote threshold for contested legislation. The filing occurred too late to allow for a vote before senators depart for their August recess. However, it sets the stage for an initial procedural vote shortly after their return, with the first test scheduled for 2:15 p.m. ET on Tuesday, September 15.

    The cloture filing on the motion to proceed to H.R. 3633 represents a procedural first step, not final passage, but it signals Republican leadership’s intention to prioritize the bill upon the Senate’s reconvening.

    If enacted, the Clarity Act would establish a formal legal framework for the majority of cryptocurrency activities in the United States, delineating jurisdictional boundaries between the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and placing much of the industry under the latter’s oversight. The bill is widely expected to provide a significant boost to the crypto market, fostering greater confidence among traditional financial institutions to engage with the sector.

    Today’s Senate action follows Majority Leader Thune’s decision this week to postpone the vote until after the recess, rather than forcing it before lawmakers adjourned. This delay was attributed to Democratic reluctance to advance the bill. Republicans still require approximately six Democratic crossovers to reach the 60-vote threshold, a gap that has persisted since the measure cleared the Senate Banking Committee in May with support from only two Democrats.

    Negotiators now have several weeks to address the outstanding disputes that continue to challenge the bill. These include the specifics of its illicit finance and law enforcement protections, the unresolved debate over stablecoin yields and rewards, and government ethics provisions concerning President Donald Trump’s cryptocurrency holdings.

    Lawmakers are still working to secure a bipartisan agreement on the provisions governing President Trump’s crypto holdings. This addendum, negotiated with the White House, would mandate his divestment from crypto-related businesses. As of yet, there has been no official word from the White House regarding the proposed addendum.

    Should the bill successfully pass the Senate, it would return to the House of Representatives for another vote before reaching President Trump’s desk. With the September window rapidly closing ahead of midterm campaigning, the coming weeks are widely viewed as the last realistic opportunity for the legislation to become law this year.