News linked to both this project and an event.
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.
Odaily News Documentary Finding Satoshi was released on Wednesday, claiming that Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto is not an individual but a pseudonym jointly used by cryptographers Hal Finney and Len Sassaman. Directors Tucker Tooley and Matthew Miele, through a four-year investigation, pointed out that Hal Finney was responsible for writing the Bitcoin code, while Len Sassaman was responsible for writing the text content, including the whitepaper. Hal Finney's widow, Fran Finney, admitted in an interview that her husband may have been involved in the creation of Bitcoin. Investigators eliminated other candidates such as Adam Back through a process of elimination, noting that the online activity records of Hal Finney and Len Sassaman closely match those of Satoshi Nakamoto. Additionally, the film includes a 90-minute interview with Sam Bankman-Fried, but it was ultimately not used.
According to the Financial Times, UK-based startup Stratiphy will offer both cryptocurrency exchange-traded notes (ETNs) and innovative finance ISAs (IF ISAs), enabling investors to hold crypto assets within capital gains tax-free accounts. Stratiphy provides three ETNs issued by 21Shares—the largest European crypto ETP issuer—which track Bitcoin, Ethereum, and a Bitcoin-and-gold composite product. The platform currently manages approximately £4 million in assets and serves around 2,000 clients. In October last year, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority lifted its four-year ban on retail investors purchasing exchange-traded notes (ETNs).
Odaily News According to Etherealize's latest research report, which proposes the "Productive Money" theory, if Ethereum captures the combined monetary premium of approximately $31 trillion currently held by gold and Bitcoin, its implied price could exceed $250,000, far above the current level of around $2,300.The report points out that ETH not only possesses traditional monetary attributes such as scarcity, verifiability, and censorship resistance but can also generate an annualized yield of about 2%–4% through staking, achieving an "interest-bearing" monetary characteristic, thereby distinguishing it from non-productive assets like gold and Bitcoin.Furthermore, within the DeFi system, ETH serves a triple demand source as a "collateral asset + fee-burning mechanism + staking lock-up," forming a mechanism for supply contraction and value accumulation. The report believes that with the development of on-chain finance and asset tokenization, ETH is expected to simultaneously possess the dual attributes of a "store of value + productive asset."However, the report also notes that ETH's path to achieving this valuation still faces multiple uncertainties including regulation, technology, and competition. Its long-term value revaluation depends on the market's recognition of its monetary properties.
Odaily News The Russian State Duma (the lower house of parliament) has passed the "Digital Currency and Digital Rights Bill" in its first reading, marking a crucial step towards the legalization of crypto assets in the country. According to the bill, the Bank of Russia will become the core regulatory body for the crypto market, responsible for issuing licenses, approving or prohibiting related transactions, and defining the legality of transactions.The bill intends to recognize cryptocurrencies as "property" but explicitly prohibits their use as a means of payment within the country, with the ruble remaining the sole legal tender. However, against the backdrop of Western sanctions, crypto assets can be used for cross-border trade settlements, including scenarios such as service payments and intellectual property transfers.Furthermore, the bill allows Russian residents to legally invest in crypto assets through licensed institutions, but will implement an investor classification system, setting up tests and annual investment quota limits (with a suggested cap of 300,000 rubles) for ordinary investors. Initially, only high-market-cap mainstream assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum will be permitted for trading, with a whitelist to be established by the central bank.The bill is expected to be formally passed and take effect no later than July 2026. However, some lawmakers and banking industry figures have criticized it for being overly strict in regulation, potentially affecting market activity and even leading to funds remaining in the gray market. Simultaneously, supporting legislation is also planned to introduce criminal penalties, with illegal crypto transactions potentially punishable by up to 7 years in prison. (Cryptopolitan)
Odaily News Kevin Warsh stated during a Senate hearing that digital assets "have become part of the U.S. financial system" and supports their inclusion into the financial system to provide investors with more opportunities and protection.This statement is seen as a signal of a generally more open policy towards the cryptocurrency industry should he become the Federal Reserve Chair. Warsh has previously referred to Bitcoin as an "important asset that aids in policy-making."However, Elizabeth Warren expressed concerns during the hearing, mentioning potential risks in the crypto space such as "sock puppet" accounts, emphasizing the need for enhanced regulation and prevention of abuse.
On-chain investigator ZachXBT updated that funds related to the KelpDAO attack have begun moving: approximately $1.5 million has been cross-chained from Ethereum Mainnet to the Bitcoin network via Thorchain, and roughly $78,000 has been transferred via Umbra. The attacking address initially sourced its funds from Tornado Cash, and fund laundering and cross-chain transfers are ongoing.
Odaily News Grayscale has updated its ETF application document linked to Hyperliquid, changing the custodian to Anchorage Digital Bank, replacing Coinbase which previously served as the prime broker and custodian.This adjustment has garnered significant attention, as Coinbase has long dominated the crypto ETF custody space. Currently, almost all U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs (except Fidelity's) rely on its custody services.The filing shows that The Bank of New York Mellon will continue to serve as the transfer agent for this ETF (proposed ticker GHYP). The fund's staking functionality still requires regulatory approval and will utilize CoinDesk's Hyperliquid benchmark pricing data.Furthermore, Anchorage Digital Bank, as the first federally chartered crypto bank in the U.S., has been continuously expanding its institutional service capabilities in recent years, including areas such as stablecoins, wealth management, and token lifecycle management. (The Block)