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  • APLDUSDT Perpetual Contract Launches with 20x Leverage

    APLDUSDT Perpetual Contract Launches with 20x Leverage

    Bybit Launches APLDUSDT Perpetual Contract, Offering Up to 20x Leverage

    Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit has announced the listing of the APLDUSDT Perpetual Contract, allowing traders to engage with the underlying asset, Applied Digital Corporation (APLD), with leverage of up to 20 times.

    The new contract is also accessible through Bybit’s suite of Futures bots, including Futures Grid, Futures Martingale, and Futures Combo.

    The APLDUSDT Perpetual Contract utilizes USDT as its settlement asset. Key specifications for the contract include a tick size of 0.01, a maximum leverage of 20x, and a capped funding rate of 2.5%. Funding fees will be settled every eight hours, and trading will be available 24/7.

    Applied Digital Corporation’s official website can be found at https://www.applieddigital.com/.

  • Bybit to Support NEAR Protocol v2.13.0 Upgrade

    Bybit to Support NEAR Protocol v2.13.0 Upgrade

    Bybit to Support NEAR Protocol Network Upgrade

    Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit has announced its support for the upcoming v2.13.0 network upgrade of the NEAR Protocol. The upgrade is scheduled to occur on July 20, 2026, at 00:00 AM UTC.

    Service Suspensions

    To facilitate a seamless transition, Bybit will temporarily suspend deposits and withdrawals for the NEAR Protocol. This suspension will commence on July 19, 2026, at 11:30 PM UTC.

    Trading Unaffected

    The exchange has clarified that other trading activities on the platform will not be impacted by the network upgrade.

    Resumption Notifications

    Bybit will not issue further announcements regarding the resumption of NEAR Protocol deposit and withdrawal services. Users seeking to be notified when these services are back online are advised to visit the Deposit or Withdrawal page and select the “Set Alert” option.

    Further details regarding the NEAR Protocol upgrade can be found in the official release notes.

  • Citadel Securities Invests $400 Million in Crypto.com at $20 Billion Valuation Amid Market Downturn

    Citadel Securities Invests $400 Million in Crypto.com at $20 Billion Valuation Amid Market Downturn

    Citadel Securities has made a strategic investment of $400 million in the cryptocurrency exchange Crypto.com, valuing the company at $20 billion. This significant funding round, announced on Thursday, July 16, 2026, marks Crypto.com’s first institutional funding and signals continued traditional finance interest in the digital asset sector, even as the broader crypto market experiences a downturn.

    The investment aims to accelerate Crypto.com’s expansion into various asset classes, including tokenized securities and derivatives. “The size of the opportunity in front of us is staggering, as crypto increasingly becomes the rails for finance,” according to a statement from the company, framing the investment as pushing the industry into “a new era of institutionalization.”

    This deal hands the market maker founded by billionaire Ken Griffin a stake in the Singapore-based exchange. It is the latest in a series of traditional finance firms staking out positions in crypto infrastructure. Citadel Securities itself invested $200 million in rival exchange Kraken in November, alongside market-making competitor Jane Street. Intercontinental Exchange, which owns the New York Stock Exchange, has taken a stake in OKX, while Nasdaq invested $50 million in Gemini.

    Market Context
    The investment lands even as crypto prices sag. Bitcoin is down 28% this year, and the broader crypto market is valued at approximately $2.2 trillion. Crypto.com won conditional approval for a U.S. national trust bank charter in February, and Coinbase added stock trading for U.S. users in the same month, indicating a push by crypto platforms to broaden their offerings.

    Company Profile and Ties
    Crypto.com ranks 11th among exchanges by trading volume, according to CoinMarketCap. The exchange offers crypto, stocks, and prediction markets to retail traders. The company has also built ties with the Trump administration, acting as a business partner and investor in Trump Media & Technology Group, and its affiliated CRO token was used to pay bonuses to winners of a UFC bout staged on the White House lawn.

    Why This Matters
    This investment by Citadel Securities in Crypto.com underscores a broader trend of traditional financial institutions increasing their engagement with digital asset infrastructure. Despite a current downturn in the crypto market, evidenced by Bitcoin’s 28% year-to-date decline, such investments signal a strategic bet on the future evolution of financial markets. The convergence of traditional finance and digital asset infrastructure, as highlighted by this deal, points to potential improvements in market efficiency and the expansion of crypto platforms into new asset classes like tokenized securities and derivatives, according to the FactSheet.

  • Prediction Markets in 2026: A Guide to Leading Platforms and Their Features

    Prediction Markets in 2026: A Guide to Leading Platforms and Their Features

    Prediction markets have evolved significantly, moving from a niche crypto experiment into a more mainstream area of interest. As of July 2026, a variety of platforms offer users the ability to trade contracts on real-world events, with prices reflecting collective probabilities. This guide examines five key platforms: Polymarket, Kalshi, Limitless, Myriad, and Azuro, detailing their operational models, trading mechanisms, fees, and unique selling points.

    Polymarket: The Global Leader
    Polymarket is described as the largest prediction market globally. The company has seen substantial investment, with Intercontinental Exchange committing up to $2 billion at a valuation around $9 billion, and X partnering with Polymarket. In late June 2026, Polymarket reported annualized revenue exceeding $1 billion. The platform operates both an international, on-chain venue offering self-custody in USDC and utilizing UMA’s optimistic oracle for outcome decisions, and a separate, CFTC-regulated US exchange. The US exchange, acquired for $112 million in 2025, requires full identity verification and operates under its own rulebook. However, Polymarket’s international venue has faced market disputes, including a $16 million market that experienced significant delays in April 2026.

    Kalshi: The Regulated Contender
    Kalshi, a CFTC-designated contract market since 2020, offers a federally regulated venue. Valued at $2 billion after a recent funding round, Kalshi’s World Cup winner market alone attracted over $1.4 billion in wagers. While initially US-only, Kalshi now accepts customers from approximately 143 countries, though it remains restricted in about 54 jurisdictions. Trading on Kalshi involves depositing dollars, passing KYC, and trading Yes/No contracts on an order book. Fees for takers range from 7 cents to $1.75 per 100 contracts. Kalshi’s sports contracts have faced legal challenges, with varying court rulings across different states.

    Limitless: Speed and Crypto Native
    Limitless is highlighted as a fast-growing, crypto-native prediction market built on Base. It focuses on rapid-fire trading with hourly and 15-minute crypto price markets. Trading on Limitless is wallet-based with no default KYC, settled in USDC. The platform uses a central order book for most markets, with an AMM handling others. The Limitless LMTS token launched in October 2025, and the team filed an application with the CFTC in May 2026 to launch a regulated US exchange, which is still pending.

    Myriad: Embedded Markets
    Myriad takes a different approach by embedding prediction markets within articles, apps, and games. It functions as a non-custodial AMM where outcome prices always sum to $1. Myriad markets operate on Abstract, BNB Chain, and Linea, with funds remaining in the user’s wallet. Chainlink serves as its official oracle. This model is suggested for casual entry without needing to visit a dedicated exchange.

    Azuro: The Liquidity Layer
    Azuro is described as a liquidity layer for prediction and betting frontends, rather than a direct prediction market. Users interact with Azuro through various frontends, such as bookmaker.XYZ, DexWin, and PinWin. All plugged-in applications share the same liquidity pool, with costs built into the odds spread. The user experience on Azuro depends on the chosen frontend and the protocol’s overall scale.

    Prediction Markets vs. Sports Betting
    Prediction markets differ from sports betting in several key ways. In prediction markets, users trade against each other with floating prices and the ability to exit positions before resolution, locking in profits or cutting losses. Sportsbooks, conversely, offer fixed odds against the house. The margin on prediction markets is typically a visible fee or spread, unlike the shaded odds often found in sports betting.

    Navigating the prediction market landscape in 2026 requires understanding the distinct features of each platform. Whether prioritizing deep liquidity, regulatory oversight, self-custody, or fast-moving crypto markets, users have diverse options. However, it is essential to understand the rules governing market resolution, fee structures, and any applicable jurisdiction restrictions. Every figure in this guide was checked against primary data in July 2026.

    Why This Matters

    The materials describe a narrow update: The article reviews five leading prediction market platforms (Polymarket, Kalshi, Limitless, Myriad, Azuro) in 2026, assessing their liquidity, market breadth, fees, access, regulation, custody, and trading experience. The exact launch date and details of Polymarket’s POLY token and airdrop.

    Broader Context

    Source materials place the listicle in this context: The article is a guide to prediction markets published on CryptoPotato.

  • XRP Price Performance Diverges from Ripple’s Business Expansion Over Past Year

    XRP Price Performance Diverges from Ripple’s Business Expansion Over Past Year

    Over the past year, XRP has experienced a notable price depreciation, falling approximately 70% from its all-time high, even as its parent company, Ripple, has achieved numerous significant business developments. XRP’s peak price of $3.65, recorded approximately one year prior to this report, has since been followed by a decline, with the token trading at $1.08 as of press time, according to current data.

    This period of price action for XRP contrasts with a year of notable expansion and strategic moves by Ripple. The company’s achievements include the acquisition of Hidden Road for $1.25 billion, the launch of its Ripple Prime service, and receiving initial approval to establish Ripple National Trust Bank. Furthermore, Ripple secured a MiCA license in Europe, signaling progress in regulatory compliance within the European Economic Area. The company has also focused on global expansion, with operations and approvals extending to regions such as Australia, Singapore, Japan, and Brazil. A key development for the broader XRP ecosystem was the greenlighting of XRP ETFs in the US in November 2025.

    Despite these corporate milestones, XRP’s market performance has diverged from the company’s fundamental progress. The token’s price trajectory over the past year has been marked by volatility. Following its all-time high, XRP saw a considerable drop, reaching $1.08 by the time of writing. Data from CoinGecko indicates that XRP’s previous all-time high was $3.40, and while it briefly spiked to $3.50, it has not approached these levels in the subsequent year. The asset experienced a significant downturn, with prices falling to lows of $1.60 on some exchanges and $1.10 on others during an October market correction, before a rebound to $2.60. The $2 support level was lost, and the $1 major support level has been challenged.

    The disparity between Ripple’s business successes and XRP’s market valuation raises questions about the factors influencing the token’s price. While Ripple has been actively building its infrastructure and expanding its reach, the market has not reflected these developments in XRP’s price appreciation. It remains uncertain whether XRP’s price decline is attributable to fundamental issues with the asset or company, or if it is primarily a reflection of broader market trends and corrections.

    Ripple’s strategic initiatives, such as the acquisition of Hidden Road and the development of Ripple Prime, aim to enhance its payment network and services. The regulatory progress, including the MiCA license in Europe and the approval of XRP ETFs in the US, are significant steps that could influence future adoption and market sentiment. Nevertheless, the current price action of XRP indicates a complex interplay of factors beyond corporate performance, including overall market sentiment and macroeconomic conditions.

    As of press time, XRP is trading at $1.08. The past year has presented a challenging environment for the token’s price, despite Ripple’s consistent efforts to strengthen its business operations and global presence. The ongoing market dynamics and the eventual impact of regulatory approvals and business developments on XRP’s valuation remain subjects of observation.

    Why This Matters

    The materials describe a narrow update: XRP reached an all-time high of $3. Whether XRP’s price decline was due to fundamental issues with XRP and Ripple or a classic bear-market correction.

    Broader Context

    Source materials place the factual news in this context: The article is framed around the one-year anniversary of XRP’s all-time high.

  • XRP Price Could Double as Ripple Pushes for Clarity Act

    XRP Price Could Double as Ripple Pushes for Clarity Act

    XRP is currently trading near $1.09 as market momentum remains subdued. While the $1.00 level continues to serve as a critical psychological support, buyers have yet to establish firm control. For the time being, the asset’s next significant move may be dictated less by technical charts and more by legislative developments in Washington.

    Ripple’s Legislative Push

    Ripple has maintained active engagement with U.S. lawmakers as stablecoin legislation advances through Congress. The company contends that establishing clearer digital asset regulations would bolster blockchain-based payment infrastructure, a sector where XRP has long been positioned as a bridge asset. Following years of legal uncertainty, the prospect of regulatory clarity is being viewed by many as a vital development for the ecosystem.

    Ripple’s Chief Legal Officer, Stuart Alderoty, recently warned that rejecting the CLARITY Act would only serve to preserve the regulatory gaps that have historically been exploited by bad actors. He emphasized that opposition to the act effectively maintains the status quo of uncertainty.

    This regulatory advocacy has begun to attract institutional participants who largely remained on the sidelines during Ripple’s protracted legal battle with the SEC. Despite improved sentiment surrounding recent hearings, price action has remained notably stagnant.

    Market Liquidity and Technical Outlook

    XRP’s 24-hour trading volume currently hovers near $1.03 billion, with a market capitalization of approximately $68.1 billion. This level of liquidity is sufficient to facilitate sharp price movements should a definitive catalyst emerge.

    Technically, XRP is consolidating within a range of $1.09 to $1.13, with immediate support established at $1.05. Should this level fail to hold, the next meaningful floor is situated near $0.85. Conversely, resistance begins at $1.13, with stronger selling pressure expected near $1.32.

    The bullish case for XRP—potentially pushing the price toward the $2 mark—hinges on the CLARITY Act making substantive progress in the Senate. Such a move would reinforce XRP’s utility as a compliant payment asset rather than a purely speculative token, fundamentally shifting market perception. From a technical perspective, a sustained breakout above $1.13 could open the path to $1.32, with further upside potential toward $1.46. Analysts are also monitoring exchange reserves, as a reduction in available supply could amplify price volatility once momentum returns.

    The Current Landscape

    The base case for the near term remains a sideways market between $1.05 and $1.13, pending clearer direction from lawmakers. Delays in the legislative process or renewed regulatory friction could drag the price back toward the $0.85 support zone; a weekly close below that level would significantly undermine the current bullish outlook.

    While the potential for significant gains remains, investors are mindful of the $68 billion market cap, which requires substantial fresh capital to drive meaningful appreciation. This has led some market participants to explore early-stage infrastructure projects, such as Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER), which aims to address Bitcoin’s throughput and programmability challenges by integrating the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM) onto a Bitcoin-secured base layer.

    As the market waits for a regulatory catalyst for XRP, capital continues to rotate toward narratives centered on Bitcoin scalability and infrastructure, highlighting the ongoing search for asymmetric exposure in the current crypto environment.

  • 1win Expands Prediction Markets to Include Cryptocurrency Forecasts

    1win Expands Prediction Markets to Include Cryptocurrency Forecasts

    1win, an international betting brand, has expanded its Markets product to incorporate cryptocurrency-themed prediction markets, allowing users to speculate on major industry milestones and events. This strategic move aligns with a growing trend of cryptocurrency speculation within the broader prediction market space.

    The new crypto-themed forecasts on 1win Markets utilize a simple binary format, where users can make ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ predictions on various crypto-related topics. According to 1win, this approach makes speculating on digital asset industry events interactive and easy to understand, even for those unfamiliar with traditional betting.

    “Crypto-related forecasts are becoming a natural extension of prediction markets, giving users another way to engage with some of the biggest narratives in the crypto industry. Though on 1win Markets, we have made it an interactive and easy-to-understand format,” stated Mike Danshin, CMO 1win Crypto.

    This expansion signifies a convergence between cryptocurrency communities and binary prediction platforms. Users are increasingly interested in predicting outcomes beyond traditional areas like sports and politics, extending their speculative interests to the digital asset industry. By adding these crypto-focused markets alongside existing categories such as sports, politics, technology, entertainment, and global events, 1win aims to broaden its crypto-driven ecosystem.

    Founded in 2016, 1win operates as a crypto entertainment platform across Asia, Latin America, and Africa. The brand has established collaborations with various public figures, including Luis Suarez, Jon Jones, Gable Steveson, Tyga, and Ilia Topuria. For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, football legend Luis Suarez will serve as the official 1win football expert.

    While the expansion is noted, specific details regarding the exact cryptocurrency topics or the precise nature of the ‘major industry milestones’ available for prediction are not yet detailed. The introduction of these markets on July 17th, 2026, however, positions 1win to capitalize on the growing user interest in predicting changes within the dynamic digital asset sector.

    Why This Matters

    The materials describe a narrow update: 1win, an international betting brand, has added new cryptocurrency prediction markets to its Markets product, allowing users to speculate on major industry milestones and events using a simple binary ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ format. Specific cryptocurrency topics covered in the new prediction markets are not detailed.

    Broader Context

    Source materials place the factual news in this context: Cryptocurrency has become one of the fastest-growing categories within prediction markets, as traders and investors increasingly look beyond price charts to speculate on major industry milestones.

  • Pi Network Updates Mining App; PI Token Faces Market Uncertainty

    Pi Network Updates Mining App; PI Token Faces Market Uncertainty

    The Pi Network Core Team has implemented a redesign of its mining app and app profile page, aiming to enhance user experience and navigation. This update introduces a new side menu for easier access to key features and includes a dark mode, representing the initial phase of a broader refresh based on user feedback. These user-centric enhancements coincide with the PI token facing market challenges, including recent price declines and an upcoming significant token unlock.

    The redesigned mining app, used by over 60 million engaged Pioneers, now features a side menu that consolidates important information and ecosystem components. According to the Pi Network Core Team, this aims to make features such as the Mainnet Checklist, mining information, and featured Pi Apps more accessible and understandable. The update also incorporates a dark mode and an improved visual hierarchy, reflecting the team’s stated goal of enhancing clarity, style, and usability while maintaining core functionalities. This iterative approach to design changes is presented as a response to extensive user feedback, with the team emphasizing the need for thoughtful and gradual implementation.

    Despite these development efforts, the PI token has experienced a downturn in its market performance. The token recently fell below the $0.10 support level, reaching a new all-time low of just over $0.07, according to CoinGecko data. While there was a subsequent rebound, challenging $0.085, this upward movement was reportedly short-lived, with the price falling back to $0.073 before a minor daily increase saw it trading at $0.078.

    Adding to market concerns, PiScan data indicates that approximately 130 million PI coins are scheduled for unlocking in the next month. The implications of this unlock on the PI token’s price remain a point of uncertainty.

    The Pi Network’s current situation presents a divergence between ongoing development aimed at improving the user experience within its ecosystem and the performance of its native token in the broader cryptocurrency market. The long-term impact of the app redesign on user engagement and the PI token’s market value, particularly in light of the upcoming unlock, remains to be seen. The Core Team’s strategy focuses on iterative improvements to the user interface, while market dynamics continue to present challenges for the PI token.

    Why This Matters

    The materials describe a narrow update: The Pi Network Core Team has launched a redesign of its mining app and app profile page, introducing a new side menu for easier access to features like the Mainnet Checklist, mining information, and featured Pi Apps. The long-term impact of the app redesign on user engagement and the Pi Network ecosystem.

    Broader Context

    Source materials place the factual news in this context: Amid all the controversial feedback and token price moves as of late, Pi Network’s Core Team continues with outlining new initiatives aimed at improving the overall user experience.

  • Bybit to Support Cardano (ADA) v2.2.0 Network Upgrade

    Bybit to Support Cardano (ADA) v2.2.0 Network Upgrade

    Bybit to Support Cardano (ADA) v2.2.0 Network Upgrade

    Bybit has announced its support for the upcoming Cardano (ADA) v2.2.0 network upgrade, which is scheduled to occur on July 18, 2026, at 9:45 p.m. UTC.

    To facilitate a seamless transition, the exchange will temporarily suspend deposits and withdrawals via the Cardano network beginning at 9:00 p.m. UTC on July 18, 2026.

    Trading activities for ADA will remain unaffected throughout the upgrade process.

    Bybit will not issue further announcements regarding the restoration of deposit and withdrawal services. Users who wish to be notified when these services resume may navigate to the Deposit or Withdrawal page and select the “Set Alert” option.

    For additional information regarding the technical specifications of the upgrade, please consult the official Cardano release notes.

  • AI Chatbots Offer Divergent Bitcoin Price Predictions for 2026 Amid Market Uncertainty

    AI Chatbots Offer Divergent Bitcoin Price Predictions for 2026 Amid Market Uncertainty

    Artificial intelligence chatbots are speculating on Bitcoin’s potential recent price action for 2026, presenting a wide range of outcomes that underscore the inherent uncertainty in forecasting the volatile cryptocurrency market.

    OpenAI’s ChatGPT estimates a 45% chance of Bitcoin reaching $100,000 by the end of 2026, while also assigning a 15% probability to a decline to $30,000, and a 40% likelihood that neither scenario will occur. According to ChatGPT, a more realistic year-end range might be $70,000 to $90,000, with the $100,000 mark contingent on Bitcoin reclaiming $75,000-$80,000 and increased ETF demand.

    Perplexity offers a more conservative outlook, suggesting a maximum “reasonable” price for Bitcoin in 2026 around $70,000 to $80,000. Google’s Gemini, however, posits that a jump to $100,000 is “mathematically and structurally” more probable than a fall to $30,000. Gemini notes that a drop to $30,000 would require Bitcoin to trade significantly below the collective cost basis of most investors, a situation historically seen only during systemic black swan events, such as the March 2020 COVID crash.

    These AI-generated forecasts emerge against a backdrop of recent market fluctuations and evolving macroeconomic conditions. Bitcoin’s price hovered around $64,000 at the time of reporting, having recently dipped below $60,000 before recovering. The recent drop in US CPI to 3.5% has eased pressure on the Federal Reserve, potentially signaling future interest rate cuts that could favor riskier assets like cryptocurrencies.

    Conversely, the market faces headwinds, including significant outflows from spot Bitcoin ETFs in recent months. This trend suggests a reduction in exposure from conservative investors like pension funds and hedge funds, a notable activity given that institutional appetite has historically been a crucial driver of Bitcoin’s performance.

    The divergence in AI predictions highlights the speculative nature of financial forecasting. Factors such as geopolitical tensions, monetary policy shifts, and sustained institutional interest remain critical variables that are difficult for any model, including AI, to predict with certainty. The possibility of unforeseen “black swan” events further introduces unpredictability.

    Ultimately, the AI chatbots’ forecasts for Bitcoin’s 2026 price should be viewed as speculative scenarios rather than definitive outcomes. While AI can process vast amounts of data, its predictions are limited by the data it is trained on and the inherent unpredictability of future market events. Investors are advised to consider these AI outputs as one data point among many, emphasizing fundamental analysis and robust risk management strategies when navigating the cryptocurrency landscape.

    Why This Matters

    The materials describe a narrow update: Three AI chatbots were asked to predict whether Bitcoin’s price is more likely to collapse to $30,000 or jump to $100,000 in 2026. Whether Bitcoin has reached its cycle bottom or if the worst is yet to come.

    Broader Context

    Source materials place the market analysis in this context: The article discusses the debate on X regarding Bitcoin’s cycle bottom and future performance.