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August (previously, Fractal) is building web3 infrastructure allowing all on-chain financial assets to interact with and collateralize against each other via a universal margin account – starting with existing crypto assets and expanding to real world assets.
AI chip company Enflame Technology's STAR Market IPO approved
Odaily News According to the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) official website, the STAR Market IPO application of Shanghai Enflame Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Enflame") has been reviewed and approved by the exchange's listing review committee. Enflame initiated its IPO辅导 in August 2024 and completed the辅导 evaluation in January this year. Notably, the company changed its sponsor from CICC to CITIC Securities in October last year, and its listing application was accepted by the SSE on January 12, 2025.According to the prospectus, Enflame Technology plans to raise 6 billion yuan for the research and development and industrialization projects of its fifth-generation AI chip series, the research and development and industrialization projects of its sixth-generation AI chip series, and an advanced AI software and hardware collaborative innovation project. (Caixin)
NFT lending platform NFTfi to shut down frontend and cease operations on August 31
NFTfi, an NFT抵押借贷平台, officially announced on X that due to the shrinking NFT market resulting in potential revenue being insufficient to cover operational costs, it has decided to gradually shut down the project over the coming months.Starting today, the platform will no longer support initiating new loans. Existing loans can be refinanced until July 31. Borrowers can repay loans at any time before August 31, and all existing loans will be executed according to their original terms. NFTfi will cease operations and take down its frontend website on August 31, 2026. The smart contracts will continue to operate autonomously on-chain, and users can directly repay loans and claim collateral through the contracts thereafter. Before the shutdown, the official team will release detailed instructions for directly interacting with the smart contracts. The Discord channel will remain open during this period to provide support.
AIFC: 3.3 Billion WLFI to Be Used for Collateral and Lending, 3.5 Billion WLFI Fully Transferable on August 12
WLFI treasury company AI Financial Corporation has disclosed that the company currently holds WLFI tokens worth approximately $380 million, of which about half can be used for collateral, staking, or lending transactions.According to the Form 8-K filed today, 3,321,690,994 WLFI (worth approximately $180 million) are immediately available, and these tokens are expected to be fully transferable by August 12, 2026. The remaining 3,583,585,650 WLFI are subject to a 12-month contractual lock-up and will also unlock on the same date. The above valuations are based on a WLFI price of $0.055 (as of 19:00 Eastern Time Monday).CEO Tony Isaac emphasized that the availability of usable tokens does not mean the company intends to sell them; WLFI is viewed as a strategic asset to optimize the balance sheet and support the company's liquidity. He stated that the availability of these tokens helps alleviate the going concern uncertainty disclosed in the recent Form 10-Q, and the company expects to have sufficient funds to maintain operations and fulfill its obligations for at least the next 12 months.AI Financial describes itself as a fintech company, providing blockchain-based payment, trading, and settlement infrastructure with cumulative transaction volume exceeding $8 billion. The company has a market capitalization of approximately $94.91 million, and its stock price has fallen 93% over the past year to $0.68, with liquidity challenges persisting. (Investing)
CFTC sues Minnesota over its blanket ban on prediction markets
the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Department of Justice have filed a lawsuit against the state of Minnesota and Governor Tim Walz, opposing the state's newly signed ban on prediction markets.The new Minnesota law, set to take effect on August 1, prohibits users from engaging in prediction market trading related to outcomes in sports, weather, company valuations, and government events. In the lawsuit, the CFTC stated this is the first state-level law in the U.S. to explicitly impose a comprehensive ban on prediction markets.The CFTC and the Department of Justice argue that the relevant products fall under federally regulated derivatives and "swap" contracts, over which the CFTC holds exclusive regulatory authority, and that state governments are not permitted to classify them as illegal gambling or prohibit them.This lawsuit further escalates the jurisdictional conflict between federal regulators and state-level gambling oversight authorities. Previously, the CFTC had sued states such as Illinois, Arizona, and Connecticut to oppose their attempts to shut down prediction market platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket.
Senator: Senate Will Not Pass Crypto Bill Without Ethics Clause
Odaily reports, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand stated at the Consensus conference that cryptocurrency market structure legislation will not receive a floor vote unless it includes an ethics clause. Gillibrand pointed out that it is necessary to prohibit members of Congress, senior government officials, and the President and Vice President from using their insider positions to profit in the crypto industry. Currently, multiple Democratic senators have expressed concerns about President Trump and his family's crypto connections. Bloomberg estimates that Trump has already profited at least $1.4 billion through crypto ventures. The bill had previously stalled in the Senate over issues related to stablecoin reward handling. While a compromise has now been reached, the ethics clause has become a new obstacle. Gillibrand stated that she is working with the White House and both parties to ensure the clause is included, and is also pushing for the addition of consumer protection and anti-terrorism financing provisions. The bill is expected to pass before the August recess.
Solana yield trading platform Exponent completes $5 million seed round, led by Multicoin Capital
Exponent Finance, a Solana-based yield trading platform, announced the completion of a $5 million seed funding round. The round was led by Multicoin Capital, with participation from Solana Ventures, RockawayX, L1D, Prelude, and Theia Blockchain, along with several key figures from the Solana ecosystem as angel investors. The round was initiated in May last year and closed in August, bringing Exponent's total funding to $7.1 million. Exponent stated that the funds will be used to expand its yield trading platform and upgrade it into a more comprehensive on-chain yield infrastructure, covering active yield management needs within the Solana ecosystem. (The Block)
CME Group plans to launch WTI crude oil and gold contracts supporting round-the-clock trading
the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group (CME Group) announced plans to launch gold and WTI crude oil futures products available for trading 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to meet global investors' demand for around-the-clock markets. It is reported that CME Group will launch the Micro WTI Crude Oil Futures contract on August 30, which will be one-tenth the size of the standard WTI crude oil futures contract. Meanwhile, the 1-ounce gold futures contract is planned to support 24/7 trading starting July 26. However, these products are still subject to regulatory approval. They will be listed for trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) and the New York Mercantile Exchange's precious metals market (COMEX), respectively, and will be cash-settled. (Bloomberg)
UK Financial Conduct Authority Proposes Allowing Authorized Funds to Hold Up to 10% in Crypto ETNs
the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has proposed allowing authorized investment funds (including UCITS schemes and most non-UCITS retail schemes) to allocate up to 10% of their assets to crypto Exchange Traded Notes (ETNs). This proposal is included in the FCA's Consultation Paper 52, with a five-week public and institutional comment period ending on July 13.The FCA stated that this move aims to bridge the regulatory gap between individual retail investors and authorized funds. Since the FCA lifted its four-year retail ban on crypto ETNs in August 2025, individual investors have been able to invest directly in ETNs, but funds had remained subject to an "effective ban." The FCA emphasized that the 10% limit is intentionally set, and exceeding this threshold could force a fund to be reclassified as a restricted mass-market investment product, impacting its retail fund status.Under the proposal, professional and qualified investor schemes are not subject to the cap; long-term asset funds and non-UCITS retail schemes operating as alternative investment funds are excluded. The FCA noted that cryptocurrencies do not align with the investment objectives of these funds.On the industry side, the Investment Association supports the proposal, believing that gaining exposure to crypto assets through regulated listed products is manageable in terms of risk, and that the 10% cap helps manage fund risk. Fund managers will need to ensure that holdings are consistent with the fund's disclosed investment objectives and risk profile, and disclose significant crypto ETN holdings.The FCA emphasized that it is not currently considering allowing authorized funds to hold crypto assets directly for investment purposes, and will decide after evaluating the impact of the upcoming crypto asset regulatory regime and client asset protection rules. (The Block)
Clarity Act Faces Pressure to Pass Before July 4, Crowded US Senate Schedule May Delay Bill Progress
the US Senate has returned from its Memorial Day recess, but with only about a four-week legislative window remaining before entering a two-week recess related to the July 4th Independence Day holiday, the crypto market structure bill, the Clarity Act, is facing time pressure to advance.The report indicates that during this period, the Senate must prioritize several agenda items, including the Department of Homeland Security appropriations, Pentagon budget supplements, and the extension of FISA Section 702 authorization, creating a highly congested legislative schedule. Even if the bill enters the deliberation phase, the associated voting process could take one to two weeks.Meanwhile, the bill itself is still in the coordination phase between versions from the Senate Banking Committee and the Agriculture Committee, with disagreements remaining on some key provisions, making negotiations relatively complex. The prolonged battles over issues such as stablecoin yields have already consumed significant political capital, while the current focus has shifted to unresolved clause differences within the Agriculture Committee's version.As the bill needs 60 votes in the Senate to overcome a filibuster, bipartisan consensus is critical. Several Democratic senators have indicated that ethical constraints on government officials' crypto asset holdings and the regulatory authority of enforcement agencies in the DeFi sector will be important prerequisites for supporting the bill.Analysts point out that even if it fails to pass before July 4, the bill could still advance before the August recess. However, if it is postponed deeper into the election cycle, its political momentum may face uncertainty. (Crypto In America)
Kraken Plans to Launch CFTC-Regulated Perpetual Futures Within 30 Days, Intensifying Competition in the U.S. Compliant Derivatives Market
According to CoinTelegraph, Kraken announced on May 30 that it plans to launch CFTC-regulated Bitcoin perpetual futures contracts via its subsidiary Bitnomial exchange within the next 30 days, targeting U.S. institutional clients. Earlier the same day, the CFTC formally approved perpetual futures contracts linked to the Bitcoin spot price, with KalshiEX becoming the first exchange to receive approval for listing such products. Meanwhile, Coinbase Financial Markets swiftly followed suit, leveraging Deribit—the world’s largest crypto options exchange, which it acquired in August 2025—to provide U.S. institutional clients with access to global crypto options and perpetual futures markets.
Kalshi Sues Minnesota, Joins Forces with CFTC to Defend Legitimacy of Prediction Markets
According to CoinDesk, prediction market platform Kalshi has filed a federal lawsuit challenging a new Minnesota law set to take effect on August 1 that criminalizes operating, hosting, or promoting prediction market platforms. Kalshi argues the law is unconstitutional, asserting it infringes upon the Commodity Exchange Act’s grant of exclusive federal jurisdiction over derivatives markets to the CFTC and violates the First Amendment by restricting advertising. Earlier, on May 19, the CFTC filed a motion making the same constitutional challenge against the state law. U.S. President Trump has also publicly voiced support for the CFTC’s sole regulatory authority over prediction markets. Kalshi previously secured preliminary injunctions in similar enforcement actions brought by New Jersey and Arizona.
Paxos receives SEC clearing agency registration approval
blockchain infrastructure platform and stablecoin issuer Paxos has announced that its subsidiary, Paxos Securities Settlement Company, has obtained registration as a clearing agency with the U.S. SEC, allowing it to provide clearing and settlement services as a central securities depository in the United States. In October 2019, the SEC issued a no-action letter to Paxos, permitting a pilot for blockchain-based U.S. stock settlement services, which went live in February 2020. Paxos stated that the pilot achieved same-day settlement, reduced costs, and improved operational efficiency within a regulated framework. Stablecoins and digital assets issued by Paxos include PayPal USD, Global Dollar, and Pax Gold. The SEC issued a Wells Notice to Paxos in 2023 regarding the issuance of Binance USD and concluded its investigation in 2024. Additionally, Paxos reached a $48.5 million settlement with the NYDFS in August 2025 concerning compliance issues related to Binance and BUSD. (Cointelegraph)
HyperLiquid Upgrades to AQAv2 Mechanism: USDC Balances in Contract and Treasury Addresses Maintain Dynamic 1:9 Ratio
: HyperLiquid has announced an upgrade to the AQAv2 mechanism. The system will use on-chain automated trading to maintain a dynamic 1:9 balance of USDC between two core addresses in each HyperEVM block, corresponding to the contract execution layer and the treasury reserve layer, respectively.According to the mechanism design, this ratio is used for functional stratification between "high-frequency trading and liquidation liquidity" and "long-term reserves and yield pools," aiming to enhance system stability and isolate trading risks.On the technical side, the balancing process is executed automatically by the system without manual intervention. Circle is responsible for the technical deployment, while Coinbase undertakes the treasury deployment and management.Regarding the yield mechanism, AQAv2 stipulates that stablecoin issuers must distribute approximately 90% of their cost-adjusted reserve earnings generated within the Hyperliquid ecosystem to the protocol. Settlement occurs on a 30-day cumulative cycle, and the earnings will be automatically transferred to the Assistance Fund on the 8th day after the cycle ends.Additionally, the mechanism includes a transition period arrangement:1. Start of yield accrual: August 26;2. First yield payment: October 3.The market believes this design marks the evolution of stablecoins from traditional custody structures toward an on-chain infrastructure model characterized by "protocolized capital stratification + automated yield distribution."
Man from Washington State, USA, sentenced to 5 years for aiding in money laundering of nearly $100 million in cryptocurrency
the U.S. Department of Justice stated in a press release that a 47-year-old resident of Newcastle, Washington, Geoffrey K. Auyeung, has been sentenced to 5 years in prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering.Geoffrey K. Auyeung assisted overseas scammers in transferring nearly $100 million in investment fraud proceeds through bank accounts and cryptocurrency exchanges. The scammers deceived victims into investing in the oil and gas industry, luring them to transfer funds into so-called escrow accounts. To facilitate this, Geoffrey K. Auyeung established at least nine entities to receive funds, which were then transferred overseas or exchanged for cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, and USDC via exchanges like Gemini, Coinbase, and BitStamp. Most of these cryptocurrencies were subsequently sent to Binance accounts controlled by individuals in Nigeria and Russia.Geoffrey K. Auyeung opened at least 81 bank accounts across 24 financial institutions and 19 accounts across 8 cryptocurrency exchanges, receiving a total of $97.1 million in wire transfers and deposits. Through his involvement in the scheme, he earned at least $4 million in commissions and received an additional $400,000 in commissions through accounts under his wife's name between August 2024 and December 2025. Auyeung pleaded guilty in February of this year. He will forfeit approximately $2.3 million seized from bank accounts and his home, an Audi SQ8, and has agreed to forfeit approximately $7.1 million worth of cryptocurrency. (The Block)
Wintermute: BTC’s Drop Below $62K Not Due to Strategy’s Token Sale; Real Selling Pressure Comes from U.S. Institutions
market maker Wintermute released a weekly market analysis report stating that Bitcoin fell below $62,000 last week, with a weekly decline of approximately 14%, hitting a new low since September 2024. Wintermute believes that although Strategy founder Michael Saylor disclosed the sale of 32 BTC, drawing market attention, the scale of this transaction is negligible. The real reason for the market's weakness is the continuous reduction of positions by U.S. institutional investors and the outflow of funds from spot Bitcoin ETFs.Wintermute pointed out that the U.S. added 172,000 non-farm jobs in May, far exceeding the market expectation of approximately 80,000. Meanwhile, job openings rose to a near two-year high, and the service price index hit a new high since August 2022. Strong economic data has weakened market expectations for a Fed rate cut, pushing the 10-year Treasury yield to 4.55%, creating a "good news is bad news" macro environment that pressures risk assets.Meanwhile, the rally in AI concept stocks has shown signs of weakening, with the Nasdaq index falling 4.7% for the week and the S&P 500 recording its first weekly decline since March. Wintermute believes that the pullback in the AI sector, rising yields, and the upcoming SpaceX IPO have collectively dampened market risk appetite.In the crypto market, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs have experienced net outflows for 10 consecutive trading days as of May 30, with total outflows of approximately $2.97 billion. The net outflow in May reached $2.43 billion, marking the worst monthly performance since 2026. Wintermute OTC data shows that retail funds continue to flow into U.S. stocks, while U.S. institutional investors have recently turned bearish and are leading the selling.However, Wintermute believes there are also positive signals in the market, including long-term capital gradually building positions at current price levels. From a perspective of more than one year, Bitcoin's risk-reward ratio is becoming more attractive. The report stated that the SpaceX IPO on June 12 will serve as an important barometer for observing market risk appetite. If the issuance is smoothly absorbed, it could help boost market sentiment; conversely, it may exacerbate the pressure on risk assets.
Wintermute: Institutional Buying Dries Up, Crypto Market Diverges from Stock Market
Wintermute stated that, as of May 25, BTC was trading at approximately $76,600 (down 1.5% weekly), while ETH traded at around $2,140 (down 1.7% weekly). Meanwhile, the U.S. equity market’s S&P 500 Index hit a new all-time high during the same period—highlighting a pronounced divergence between crypto and equities. BTC spot ETFs saw outflows of roughly $1.26 billion for the week, bringing cumulative outflows over two weeks to over $2 billion. Institutional buying—previously instrumental in driving BTC from $70,000 to $80,000—has clearly receded. The ETH/BTC ratio hit a fresh 10-month low, down 35% cumulatively from its August peak. On the macro front, the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index plunged to a historic low of 44.8, while the one-year inflation expectation rose to 4.8%. NVIDIA reported Q1 revenue growth of 85% year-on-year and issued a Q2 revenue guidance of $91 billion—but saw virtually no after-hours reaction, suggesting AI-related trades are already fully priced in. Wintermute noted that BTC’s key support currently lies between $75,000 and $76,000; holding this range could enable a retest of $80,000, whereas a break below would rapidly open the $70,000–$72,000 zone. The near-term direction hinges on whether institutional capital returns to the market.
Kraken Redeems $107M ETH from EigenCloud, Restaking Sector TVL Down Over 64% from Peak
According to Odaily, crypto analyst EmberCN (@EmberCN) reported that 11 hours ago, Kraken redeemed 50,600 ETH from the restaking project EigenCloud (formerly EigenLayer), valued at approximately $107 million.EmberCN noted that the total TVL in the restaking sector has dropped from approximately $31 billion in August 2025 to the current level of around $11 billion. Among them, EigenCloud, as the sector leader, has also seen its TVL decline from about $22 billion to $5.5 billion.
Hyperliquid’s single-day net inflow of USDC surged past $173 million, hitting a 10-month high.
According to Hyperinsight monitoring data, Hyperliquid’s cross-chain bridge has seen a significant increase in capital inflows. As of yesterday (approximately 10 hours ago) UTC time, USDC bridged into Hyperliquid over the past 24 hours exceeded $268 million—its highest level since February 7. Net inflows surpassed $173 million, reaching the highest level in nearly 10 months (since August 22 last year). On the same day, the total value locked (TVL) across Hyperliquid’s cross-chain bridges reached $4.02 billion. At press time, Hyperliquid’s trading volume over the past 24 hours stood at $7.84 billion, with open interest totaling $9.6 billion. Meanwhile, trade.xyz recorded a 24-hour trading volume of $2.59 billion and open interest of $2.49 billion during the same period.
Bitcoin Carjacking Accomplice Pleads Guilty, Faces Up to 20 Years in Prison
the US Department of Justice stated Saif Faiq has pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in a Bitcoin-related kidnapping and extortion case, facing a maximum of 20 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for August 28.The case occurred in 2024. Faiq and his brother Adam Iza were accused of plotting to kidnap the parents of a crypto millionaire, recruiting six men from Florida to carry out the operation in Connecticut. The suspects carjacked the victims' Lamborghini Urus in broad daylight, assaulting them and briefly holding them captive.The victims were Sushil and Radhika Chetal, whose son Veer Chetal was previously involved in a social engineering fraud case, stealing approximately 4,100 Bitcoins, and has already pleaded guilty to the theft. Faiq and his brother have both acknowledged conspiring to interfere with commercial activities through robbery.
“Godfather” cryptocurrency kidnapping case mastermind pleads guilty, faces up to 35 years in prison
According to Cryptopolitan, Adam Iza—a 25-year-old cryptocurrency entrepreneur from California, nicknamed “The Godfather”—formally pleaded guilty on June 1 to orchestrating the kidnapping of a couple from Connecticut. The incident stemmed from the couple’s son, Veer Chetal, who allegedly stole 4,100 bitcoins (valued at approximately $245 million) via social engineering. In response, Iza planned to kidnap Chetal’s parents to recover the stolen funds. On August 25, 2024, the criminal group staged a rear-end collision near Danbury High School, forcibly abducted the victims, and assaulted them. However, the operation quickly unraveled after multiple witnesses called the police and nearby FBI agents intervened; all six participants were apprehended and have since pleaded guilty. Additionally, in a separate case in California, Iza also pleaded guilty to charges including wire fraud, tax evasion, and directing law enforcement officers to conduct illegal surveillance for extortion purposes. California prosecutors are separately seeking a 35-year prison sentence.
Resolv Foundation announces recovery plan and launches RWA business line Vault Street
The Resolv Foundation has announced its recovery plan following the protocol security incident. USR/wstUSR tokens held and snapshot-recorded prior to the incident will be redeemed for USDC at a 1:1 ratio, while USR/wstUSR acquired after the incident will be redeemed at a 1:0.5 ratio. RLP holdings will be restored at a core redemption rate of 0.71 USDC per token, with additional RESOLV token allocations based on a reference price of $0.03. The Foundation stated that eligible users may claim their recovery funds between May 26, 2026, and August 26, 2026.
Developer proposes to fork Bitcoin eCash, reallocate Satoshi Nakamoto's BTC holdings
Paul Sztorc, a developer who has long focused on Bitcoin scaling solutions, proposed a Bitcoin hard fork named eCash, set to occur at block height 964,000 in August 2026. Users holding BTC at the time of the fork will receive eCash on a 1:1 basis, and the new chain will introduce the Drivechains sidechain architecture. The controversy mainly centers on the plan to pre-allocate a portion of the eCash corresponding to the Satoshi Nakamoto address on the new chain to early investors, a move that has drawn criticism from the community, with some accusing it of "stealing" tokens. Paul Sztorc stated that this initiative aims to provide incentives for development and collaboration before the project's launch.
Grinex Ceases Operations, Potentially Delivering a Heavy Blow to Russia’s Sanctions-Evasion Shadow Financial System
According to DL News, Russian cryptocurrency exchange Grinex announced last Wednesday that it would cease operations after suffering a cyberattack that resulted in the theft of over 1 billion rubles—approximately $13 million. The report states that Grinex had processed nearly $100 billion in trading volume for the sanctioned stablecoin A7A5 in 2025. Its shutdown is expected to weaken Russian companies’ ability to convert rubles into usable international currencies and deliver a severe blow to Russia’s shadow financial system designed to circumvent sanctions. Grinex was viewed as the successor to Garantex, which had previously been sanctioned and shut down. Both Grinex and Old Vector—the issuer of A7A5—were sanctioned in August 2025 by the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom.
HyperLiquid Upgrades to AQAv2 Mechanism: USDC Balances in Contract and Treasury Addresses Maintain Dynamic 1:9 Ratio
: HyperLiquid has announced an upgrade to the AQAv2 mechanism. The system will use on-chain automated trading to maintain a dynamic 1:9 balance of USDC between two core addresses in each HyperEVM block, corresponding to the contract execution layer and the treasury reserve layer, respectively.According to the mechanism design, this ratio is used for functional stratification between "high-frequency trading and liquidation liquidity" and "long-term reserves and yield pools," aiming to enhance system stability and isolate trading risks.On the technical side, the balancing process is executed automatically by the system without manual intervention. Circle is responsible for the technical deployment, while Coinbase undertakes the treasury deployment and management.Regarding the yield mechanism, AQAv2 stipulates that stablecoin issuers must distribute approximately 90% of their cost-adjusted reserve earnings generated within the Hyperliquid ecosystem to the protocol. Settlement occurs on a 30-day cumulative cycle, and the earnings will be automatically transferred to the Assistance Fund on the 8th day after the cycle ends.Additionally, the mechanism includes a transition period arrangement:1. Start of yield accrual: August 26;2. First yield payment: October 3.The market believes this design marks the evolution of stablecoins from traditional custody structures toward an on-chain infrastructure model characterized by "protocolized capital stratification + automated yield distribution."
CME Group plans to launch WTI crude oil and gold contracts supporting round-the-clock trading
the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group (CME Group) announced plans to launch gold and WTI crude oil futures products available for trading 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to meet global investors' demand for around-the-clock markets. It is reported that CME Group will launch the Micro WTI Crude Oil Futures contract on August 30, which will be one-tenth the size of the standard WTI crude oil futures contract. Meanwhile, the 1-ounce gold futures contract is planned to support 24/7 trading starting July 26. However, these products are still subject to regulatory approval. They will be listed for trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) and the New York Mercantile Exchange's precious metals market (COMEX), respectively, and will be cash-settled. (Bloomberg)
NFT lending platform NFTfi to shut down frontend and cease operations on August 31
NFTfi, an NFT抵押借贷平台, officially announced on X that due to the shrinking NFT market resulting in potential revenue being insufficient to cover operational costs, it has decided to gradually shut down the project over the coming months.Starting today, the platform will no longer support initiating new loans. Existing loans can be refinanced until July 31. Borrowers can repay loans at any time before August 31, and all existing loans will be executed according to their original terms. NFTfi will cease operations and take down its frontend website on August 31, 2026. The smart contracts will continue to operate autonomously on-chain, and users can directly repay loans and claim collateral through the contracts thereafter. Before the shutdown, the official team will release detailed instructions for directly interacting with the smart contracts. The Discord channel will remain open during this period to provide support.
AIFC: 3.3 Billion WLFI to Be Used for Collateral and Lending, 3.5 Billion WLFI Fully Transferable on August 12
WLFI treasury company AI Financial Corporation has disclosed that the company currently holds WLFI tokens worth approximately $380 million, of which about half can be used for collateral, staking, or lending transactions.According to the Form 8-K filed today, 3,321,690,994 WLFI (worth approximately $180 million) are immediately available, and these tokens are expected to be fully transferable by August 12, 2026. The remaining 3,583,585,650 WLFI are subject to a 12-month contractual lock-up and will also unlock on the same date. The above valuations are based on a WLFI price of $0.055 (as of 19:00 Eastern Time Monday).CEO Tony Isaac emphasized that the availability of usable tokens does not mean the company intends to sell them; WLFI is viewed as a strategic asset to optimize the balance sheet and support the company's liquidity. He stated that the availability of these tokens helps alleviate the going concern uncertainty disclosed in the recent Form 10-Q, and the company expects to have sufficient funds to maintain operations and fulfill its obligations for at least the next 12 months.AI Financial describes itself as a fintech company, providing blockchain-based payment, trading, and settlement infrastructure with cumulative transaction volume exceeding $8 billion. The company has a market capitalization of approximately $94.91 million, and its stock price has fallen 93% over the past year to $0.68, with liquidity challenges persisting. (Investing)
Man from Washington State, USA, sentenced to 5 years for aiding in money laundering of nearly $100 million in cryptocurrency
the U.S. Department of Justice stated in a press release that a 47-year-old resident of Newcastle, Washington, Geoffrey K. Auyeung, has been sentenced to 5 years in prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering.Geoffrey K. Auyeung assisted overseas scammers in transferring nearly $100 million in investment fraud proceeds through bank accounts and cryptocurrency exchanges. The scammers deceived victims into investing in the oil and gas industry, luring them to transfer funds into so-called escrow accounts. To facilitate this, Geoffrey K. Auyeung established at least nine entities to receive funds, which were then transferred overseas or exchanged for cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, and USDC via exchanges like Gemini, Coinbase, and BitStamp. Most of these cryptocurrencies were subsequently sent to Binance accounts controlled by individuals in Nigeria and Russia.Geoffrey K. Auyeung opened at least 81 bank accounts across 24 financial institutions and 19 accounts across 8 cryptocurrency exchanges, receiving a total of $97.1 million in wire transfers and deposits. Through his involvement in the scheme, he earned at least $4 million in commissions and received an additional $400,000 in commissions through accounts under his wife's name between August 2024 and December 2025. Auyeung pleaded guilty in February of this year. He will forfeit approximately $2.3 million seized from bank accounts and his home, an Audi SQ8, and has agreed to forfeit approximately $7.1 million worth of cryptocurrency. (The Block)
Wintermute: BTC’s Drop Below $62K Not Due to Strategy’s Token Sale; Real Selling Pressure Comes from U.S. Institutions
market maker Wintermute released a weekly market analysis report stating that Bitcoin fell below $62,000 last week, with a weekly decline of approximately 14%, hitting a new low since September 2024. Wintermute believes that although Strategy founder Michael Saylor disclosed the sale of 32 BTC, drawing market attention, the scale of this transaction is negligible. The real reason for the market's weakness is the continuous reduction of positions by U.S. institutional investors and the outflow of funds from spot Bitcoin ETFs.Wintermute pointed out that the U.S. added 172,000 non-farm jobs in May, far exceeding the market expectation of approximately 80,000. Meanwhile, job openings rose to a near two-year high, and the service price index hit a new high since August 2022. Strong economic data has weakened market expectations for a Fed rate cut, pushing the 10-year Treasury yield to 4.55%, creating a "good news is bad news" macro environment that pressures risk assets.Meanwhile, the rally in AI concept stocks has shown signs of weakening, with the Nasdaq index falling 4.7% for the week and the S&P 500 recording its first weekly decline since March. Wintermute believes that the pullback in the AI sector, rising yields, and the upcoming SpaceX IPO have collectively dampened market risk appetite.In the crypto market, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs have experienced net outflows for 10 consecutive trading days as of May 30, with total outflows of approximately $2.97 billion. The net outflow in May reached $2.43 billion, marking the worst monthly performance since 2026. Wintermute OTC data shows that retail funds continue to flow into U.S. stocks, while U.S. institutional investors have recently turned bearish and are leading the selling.However, Wintermute believes there are also positive signals in the market, including long-term capital gradually building positions at current price levels. From a perspective of more than one year, Bitcoin's risk-reward ratio is becoming more attractive. The report stated that the SpaceX IPO on June 12 will serve as an important barometer for observing market risk appetite. If the issuance is smoothly absorbed, it could help boost market sentiment; conversely, it may exacerbate the pressure on risk assets.
Related news
AI chip company Enflame Technology's STAR Market IPO approved
Odaily News According to the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) official website, the STAR Market IPO application of Shanghai Enflame Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Enflame") has been reviewed and approved by the exchange's listing review committee. Enflame initiated its IPO辅导 in August 2024 and completed the辅导 evaluation in January this year. Notably, the company changed its sponsor from CICC to CITIC Securities in October last year, and its listing application was accepted by the SSE on January 12, 2025.According to the prospectus, Enflame Technology plans to raise 6 billion yuan for the research and development and industrialization projects of its fifth-generation AI chip series, the research and development and industrialization projects of its sixth-generation AI chip series, and an advanced AI software and hardware collaborative innovation project. (Caixin)
MSX Founder: First Unlock Window for SpaceX $SPCX VC/CVC Expected on July 24
Bruce J, founder of MSX, posted on platform X stating that the unlocking timeline for most VC and CVC investors of SpaceX $SPCX has been announced. The accompanying image shows that the first unlock window is expected to be on July 24, with subsequent unlock windows distributed from August to December.
HyperLiquid Upgrades to AQAv2 Mechanism: USDC Balances in Contract and Treasury Addresses Maintain Dynamic 1:9 Ratio
: HyperLiquid has announced an upgrade to the AQAv2 mechanism. The system will use on-chain automated trading to maintain a dynamic 1:9 balance of USDC between two core addresses in each HyperEVM block, corresponding to the contract execution layer and the treasury reserve layer, respectively.According to the mechanism design, this ratio is used for functional stratification between "high-frequency trading and liquidation liquidity" and "long-term reserves and yield pools," aiming to enhance system stability and isolate trading risks.On the technical side, the balancing process is executed automatically by the system without manual intervention. Circle is responsible for the technical deployment, while Coinbase undertakes the treasury deployment and management.Regarding the yield mechanism, AQAv2 stipulates that stablecoin issuers must distribute approximately 90% of their cost-adjusted reserve earnings generated within the Hyperliquid ecosystem to the protocol. Settlement occurs on a 30-day cumulative cycle, and the earnings will be automatically transferred to the Assistance Fund on the 8th day after the cycle ends.Additionally, the mechanism includes a transition period arrangement:1. Start of yield accrual: August 26;2. First yield payment: October 3.The market believes this design marks the evolution of stablecoins from traditional custody structures toward an on-chain infrastructure model characterized by "protocolized capital stratification + automated yield distribution."
CME Group plans to launch WTI crude oil and gold contracts supporting round-the-clock trading
the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group (CME Group) announced plans to launch gold and WTI crude oil futures products available for trading 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to meet global investors' demand for around-the-clock markets. It is reported that CME Group will launch the Micro WTI Crude Oil Futures contract on August 30, which will be one-tenth the size of the standard WTI crude oil futures contract. Meanwhile, the 1-ounce gold futures contract is planned to support 24/7 trading starting July 26. However, these products are still subject to regulatory approval. They will be listed for trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) and the New York Mercantile Exchange's precious metals market (COMEX), respectively, and will be cash-settled. (Bloomberg)
NFT lending platform NFTfi to shut down frontend and cease operations on August 31
NFTfi, an NFT抵押借贷平台, officially announced on X that due to the shrinking NFT market resulting in potential revenue being insufficient to cover operational costs, it has decided to gradually shut down the project over the coming months.Starting today, the platform will no longer support initiating new loans. Existing loans can be refinanced until July 31. Borrowers can repay loans at any time before August 31, and all existing loans will be executed according to their original terms. NFTfi will cease operations and take down its frontend website on August 31, 2026. The smart contracts will continue to operate autonomously on-chain, and users can directly repay loans and claim collateral through the contracts thereafter. Before the shutdown, the official team will release detailed instructions for directly interacting with the smart contracts. The Discord channel will remain open during this period to provide support.
AIFC: 3.3 Billion WLFI to Be Used for Collateral and Lending, 3.5 Billion WLFI Fully Transferable on August 12
WLFI treasury company AI Financial Corporation has disclosed that the company currently holds WLFI tokens worth approximately $380 million, of which about half can be used for collateral, staking, or lending transactions.According to the Form 8-K filed today, 3,321,690,994 WLFI (worth approximately $180 million) are immediately available, and these tokens are expected to be fully transferable by August 12, 2026. The remaining 3,583,585,650 WLFI are subject to a 12-month contractual lock-up and will also unlock on the same date. The above valuations are based on a WLFI price of $0.055 (as of 19:00 Eastern Time Monday).CEO Tony Isaac emphasized that the availability of usable tokens does not mean the company intends to sell them; WLFI is viewed as a strategic asset to optimize the balance sheet and support the company's liquidity. He stated that the availability of these tokens helps alleviate the going concern uncertainty disclosed in the recent Form 10-Q, and the company expects to have sufficient funds to maintain operations and fulfill its obligations for at least the next 12 months.AI Financial describes itself as a fintech company, providing blockchain-based payment, trading, and settlement infrastructure with cumulative transaction volume exceeding $8 billion. The company has a market capitalization of approximately $94.91 million, and its stock price has fallen 93% over the past year to $0.68, with liquidity challenges persisting. (Investing)