News linked to both this project and an event.
Ripple has announced a further deepening of its long-term partnership with Bullish, a digital asset trading platform for institutional investors. The two parties will open Bullish's options market to Ripple Prime users.According to the agreement, institutional clients of Ripple Prime will gain direct access to Bullish's regulated Bitcoin options market, which is reportedly the second-largest trading market by open interest for crypto-settled BTC options. The offering also covers products such as spot, perpetual swaps, and futures contracts. Additionally, both parties stated that the stablecoin Ripple USD (RLUSD) will be used as a settlement and trading instrument in Bullish options trading, further enhancing institutional trading efficiency. (Crowdfundinsider)
Odaily Bitcoin remained consolidating above $77,000 on Wednesday, with markets cautious ahead of the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision. According to market data, Bitcoin fluctuated within the range of approximately $75,689 to $77,837 during the session, and is currently trading around $77,100.This FOMC meeting is seen as a pivotal event. Markets widely expect interest rates to remain unchanged, but the real focus is on whether Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell will signal a "higher-for-longer" hawkish stance. Additionally, this meeting may be his last as Fed Chair, with markets simultaneously pricing in uncertainty regarding policy direction and potential power transitions.On the capital front, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs saw a reversal after nine consecutive days of net inflows. SoSoValue data shows that on April 28, ETFs recorded net outflows of approximately $89.68 million. Among them, BlackRock's IBIT saw a single-day outflow of about $112 million. Meanwhile, Ethereum ETFs also logged net outflows of $21.8 million.On-chain data also signals caution. CryptoQuant noted that on April 27, exchange net inflows reached 9,905 BTC, the largest single-day inflow in nearly 30 days. Exchange reserves have also rebounded recently. If these inflows are not quickly absorbed, prices could retest the support range of $74,000–$75,000.On the macroeconomic front, fluctuations in crude oil prices and shifts in the Middle East energy landscape continue to influence inflation expectations. Some analysts believe this could limit the Fed's room for future easing. Meanwhile, market liquidity continues to weaken, with institutional trading volumes and perpetual contract activity both at low levels. This means any policy surprise could amplify price volatility.Overall, Bitcoin remains in a "low liquidity + high event risk" structure and may continue to oscillate within the $72,000 to $80,000 range in the short term, awaiting further clarity on the Fed's policy path. (The Block)
Odaily Macro investor and hedge fund manager Paul Tudor Jones stated in a recent podcast interview that Bitcoin is the "unequivocally the best inflation hedge" and called it a "knockout opportunity" in the market.Paul Tudor Jones pointed out that truly major trading opportunities often arise when market structures are imbalanced, assets are underallocated, or when policymakers misjudge the situation. He believes that due to its scarcity and decentralized characteristics, Bitcoin outperforms gold in inflation trades. He emphasized that Bitcoin's total supply is capped at 21 million coins, with less than 1 million remaining to be mined, while gold's supply continues to increase annually. Therefore, Bitcoin holds a stronger advantage in the dimension of scarcity.Paul Tudor Jones recalled that in 2020, against the backdrop of Federal Reserve and fiscal expansion, Bitcoin became one of the most outstanding inflation-hedging assets at the time, and he subsequently increased its allocation to around 5% of his investment portfolio. However, he also warned of risks: in the event of large-scale "momentum conflicts" or cyber warfare-level incidents, the electronic asset system could face systemic disruption risks, and Bitcoin may also be impacted. Additionally, future cryptographic risks driven by quantum computing and AI could become a source of long-term uncertainty. (The Block)
According to QCP Capital’s market report, as the geopolitical risk premium gradually subsided last week, market sentiment turned cautious, and investors’ attention has refocused on policy direction, the interest-rate path, and the economic growth outlook. Equities have been trading near recent highs but lack momentum for an upside breakout. The Federal Reserve’s FOMC decision is due today. A pause in rate hikes is now the baseline market expectation; however, with no new CPI or employment data released since the prior meeting, markets are highly sensitive to Chair Powell’s commentary—any hawkish signal could swiftly reprice front-end rates and tighten financial conditions. Meanwhile, growing attention is turning to potential leadership changes at the Fed. Kevin Warsh has gained increasing traction in market forecasts. His hawkish stance on inflation and skepticism toward quantitative easing stand in marked contrast to current policy approaches. Should he assume leadership, liquidity-driven assets—including crypto—could face pressure, given crypto markets’ particular sensitivity to rising real yields and a stronger U.S. dollar. Regarding Bitcoin: after a strong performance in April—supported by ETF inflows and sustained institutional accumulation—the price has entered a range-bound phase. Funding rates remain subdued, volatility continues to narrow, and the broader market is in a wait-and-see mode. QCP believes Bitcoin’s next directional move will hinge more on Fed signals and macroeconomic data than on crypto-native flows. Additionally, the upcoming tech earnings season, alongside releases of the PCE and GDP price indices, will further test the validity of the “soft landing” narrative.
According to CBC News, the Canadian federal government has announced plans to implement a nationwide ban on cryptocurrency ATMs to protect the public from fraudsters. This measure was formally proposed in the government’s spring economic update, which characterizes cryptocurrency ATMs as “a primary tool used by fraudsters to deceive victims and by criminals to launder money.” Cryptocurrency ATMs allow users to deposit cash and exchange it for cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, which are then transferred to any digital wallet worldwide. CBC News’ prior investigative report, “Feeding Fraud,” revealed that these machines have become the main channel through which fraudsters in Canada obtain victims’ funds. Canada’s financial intelligence agency, FINTRAC, reached the same conclusion in its February 2023 analytical report. Canada currently has the highest number of cryptocurrency ATMs per capita globally—nearly 4,000 units nationwide—yet still lacks industry-specific regulatory legislation. The government stated that, following implementation of the ban, the public will still be able to purchase virtual currencies through physical money service businesses.
after ASOS co-founder Quentin Griffiths died in a fall from a building in Thailand, approximately $4 million in assets from his Bitcoin wallet were transferred out. The funds were moved from his online account to an unknown destination in three separate transactions within days of his death. His eldest son, Joel, reported the incident to the police six weeks after his father's passing. Thai police are currently investigating the asset theft case. Prior to his death, Quentin Griffiths was under investigation for suspected fraud and faced multiple legal lawsuits and family property disputes before and after the fall.
U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis stated at the "Bitcoin 2026" conference that she plans to push the CLARITY Act into the deliberation process in May and work towards its final implementation, establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework for the U.S. crypto market.Lummis also stated that Bitcoin, with its characteristics of not requiring a trusted third party and its limited total supply, is "true freedom money," and believes that the United States should become the global core for this asset.
SEC Chairman Paul Atkins and CFTC Chairman Mike Selig stated at the Bitcoin 2026 Conference that U.S. digital asset regulation is entering a "new phase." The two agencies are working together to advance a regulatory framework for crypto assets and encourage related businesses to remain based in the United States.The two officials mentioned that a jointly released token classification guide has already distinguished between digital commodities, collectibles, and tokenized securities, and will push for clearer, forward-looking regulatory rules. Paul Atkins also said the SEC is preparing to launch an "innovation exemption," which could allow companies to test on-chain tokenization and securitization tools in a regulated environment within the coming weeks.
U.S. Representative Nick Begich stated at the Bitcoin 2026 conference that he plans to reintroduce his Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Act in the coming weeks, renaming the original "BITCOIN Act" to the "U.S. Reserve Modernization Act." The bill aims to codify President Trump's executive order into law, establishing a permanent Bitcoin reserve. It requires Bitcoin to be held for an "extended period" and to acquire 1 million BTC over five years through a "budget-neutral strategy." Begich stated that the renaming is intended to help Congress and the American people better understand the bill's objectives, ensuring Bitcoin is treated as a reserve asset. He also noted that given the uncertainty surrounding the next administration's stance on digital assets, now is the opportune moment to lock in gains by having Congress take action. (The Block)
: US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Paul Atkins recently reiterated the push for "Project Crypto" and announced plans to jointly develop a digital asset classification framework with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). This framework will clarify when a token is deemed a security, while also introducing an "innovation exemption" to support the on-chain trading of tokenized securities.The market believes that the series of initiatives pushed by Paul Atkins represent one of the most aggressive shifts in crypto regulation in SEC history, marking a formal abandonment of the old “regulation by enforcement” model in favor of clear rule-making. This move could release a stronger entry signal for institutional capital that has been on the sidelines, potentially driving Bitcoin's price back above $80,000. Currently, Bitcoin is trading at approximately $77,586. The market is now focused on Atkins's further statements at the Bitcoin 2026 conference in late April. (Forbes)
the open interest (OI) for options on the Bitcoin spot ETF, IBIT, issued by BlackRock, rose to $27.61 billion on Friday, surpassing the $26.9 billion in the Bitcoin options market on the crypto derivatives platform Deribit for the first time.According to Volmex data, the call options holdings in IBIT are primarily betting that the Bitcoin price will rise to $109,709 in the short term, approximately 41% higher than the current level of around $77,400. Meanwhile, the Deribit market mainly expects Bitcoin to rise to about $106,000. Additionally, the average time to maturity of IBIT options is about two months longer than those on Deribit, indicating that investors in the regulated U.S. market are more inclined towards long-term holdings and stronger bullish sentiment. This further highlights the accelerating trend of institutionalization in the Bitcoin market. (CoinDesk)
Fu Peng, Chief Economist of Xinhuo Group, posted on X stating that commodity ETFs are essentially regulatory-compliant products packaging the business model of “holding commodities long-term and generating rental income continuously.” Fund companies focus not on the commodity market’s outlook but rather on the asset’s ability to generate “rent” consistently. Since BitMEX launched the world’s first BTC perpetual contract and introduced the funding rate mechanism on May 13, 2016, long-term BTC holders have been able to earn rental income through hedging operations—transforming BTC from a pure faith-based speculative asset into a “rental asset” with stable positive cash flow logic. The costs paid by retail participants when trading derivatives constitute the foundation for large-position holders’ risk-free hedging rental income. This income is then packaged into ETF-like products sold to liquidity providers (LPs), whose raised capital is subsequently used to purchase Bitcoin—creating a virtuous cycle that reduces volatility and reinforces BTC’s income-generating attributes.
Odaily BlockBeats News Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has signed a bill banning cryptocurrency ATM operations statewide, making Tennessee the second state to implement a complete ban after Indiana.The bill (HB 2505) has officially taken effect and will be enforced starting July 1. Under the new regulations, installing or operating a "virtual currency kiosk" (i.e., a Bitcoin ATM) will be classified as a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of $2,500. Additionally, merchants who allow such machines on their premises will also face legal liability.Currently, most U.S. states have strengthened oversight through measures such as licensing systems and transaction limits, but full bans remain rare. Data indicates that since 2026, 30 states have proposed related legislation, with 20 having passed laws, reflecting a continuous tightening of regulations around crypto ATM fraud risks.
According to The Block, OSL Group has announced a partnership with Circle’s affiliated entities to expand USDC integration across its payment and trading platforms. Through OSL Global, users can exchange USD for USDC at a 1:1 ratio and trade BTC, ETH, SOL, USD, and USDT pairs in a dedicated USDC trading zone. Meanwhile, OSL has adopted USDC as its unified margin asset and integrated USDC into its payment services to support compliant digital dollar settlement and payment use cases. OSL also stated that it plans to support Circle’s tokenized money market fund, USYC, subject to regulatory requirements and platform eligibility criteria.
According to CoinDesk, the cryptocurrency market weakened overall on Friday, with BTC hovering near $77,800—its upward momentum since Wednesday’s rally from $65,000 notably slowing. ETH traded at $2,300, down approximately 0.8% over the past 24 hours, underperforming BTC. Market pressure stems primarily from two sources: First, Japan’s March Corporate Services Price Index rose 3.1% year-on-year—above expectations—and core inflation accelerated, raising market expectations that the Bank of Japan may signal an interest rate hike at its next policy meeting; a stronger yen could trigger unwinding of global risk-asset carry trades. Second, the ongoing Iran conflict continues disrupting oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz; WTI crude futures have surged over 40% since the outbreak of hostilities, reaching $96 per barrel. The U.S. Department of Defense warned that mine clearance will take at least six months, implying persistent global inflationary pressures and further constraining the Federal Reserve’s room to cut interest rates.
According to Decrypt, Bitcoin financial services company Fold has launched a “Bitcoin Bonus Program” that allows businesses to distribute recurring bonuses to employees in Bitcoin. Steak ’n Shake is the first partner, offering over 10,000 hourly workers a Bitcoin bonus of $0.21 per hour worked, fully vesting after two years. The program is operated by Fold Business, which handles all custody and compliance requirements—enabling traditional enterprises to offer crypto-based incentives without managing technical infrastructure. Fold plans to expand its enterprise offerings to include payroll disbursement, corporate Bitcoin treasury management, and corporate cards.
According to the Belarusian state news agency BELTA, Alexander Yegorov, First Deputy Chairman of the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus, revealed at the “Digital Banking–2026” conference that Belarus has adopted Decree No. 19, formally establishing a regulatory framework for crypto banks. Under the decree, crypto banks will support 26 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), TON (Toncoin), Solana (SOL), and multiple stablecoins. They will also be authorized to conduct 11 types of operations, such as crypto deposits, crypto lending, crypto staking, crypto collateralization, crypto transfers, issuance of proprietary tokens, and crypto storage and exchange. Yegorov stated that the current list of supported cryptocurrencies and permitted operations is not final and will be continuously updated and refined in response to investor demand and emerging ideas.
Fold Holdings, a Nasdaq-listed bitcoin financial services company, has announced the launch of the "Bitcoin Bonus Program", providing enterprises with a simple employee reward tool. This tool enables employers to deliver recurring bitcoin bonuses to employees through existing payroll systems without the need to modify payroll systems or assume custody or compliance responsibilities. It is reported that the Bitcoin Bonus Program will incorporate a "vesting structure," allowing employees to track, hold, and grow their assets over time. Its first partner is Steak 'n Shake. (Globenewswire)
According to The Wall Street Journal, Bitcoin financial services company Fold has announced the launch of its Bitcoin Bonus Program, enabling employers to issue recurring Bitcoin bonuses to employees—including vesting schedules—without modifying their existing payroll systems and without assuming custody or compliance responsibilities. This program is Fold Business’s first offering. Fold disclosed that Steak ’n Shake has joined as the flagship partner, extending the program to thousands of hourly employees.
According to Decrypt, Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, stated during a hearing before the U.S. House Armed Services Committee that the U.S. government is currently operating a Bitcoin node for cybersecurity-related testing—but is not engaged in mining. Paparo said the U.S. military’s interest in Bitcoin centers primarily on its value as a computer science tool—including cryptography, blockchain, and reusable proof-of-work mechanisms—with the aim of leveraging the Bitcoin protocol to strengthen cybersecurity and enhance military capabilities. This effort remains in the “experimental phase.” He also noted that maintaining the U.S. dollar’s global dominance aligns with U.S. military interests and offered positive remarks about the stablecoin legalization bill—the GENIUS Act—signed by former President Trump last summer, stating that the legislation helps reinforce the dollar’s global standing.