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Crypto Firms Shift to Stablecoins and DeFi Changes Under MiCA 2.0

The European Commission has opened a public consultation on proposed updates to the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, signaling that Brussels plans to refine how its landmark crypto rules address newer parts of the market. The consultation—initiated in May—comes as full application and enforcement of MiCA began on December 30, 2024, with the first licensing steps rolling out in the early months of 2025. Some in the industry have already started calling the expected revision “MiCA 2.0,” with regulators aiming to tackle gaps left by the initial law. According to Katie Harries, director and head of policy for Europe at Coinbase, refinements could help keep the EU’s framework “competitive” as digital-asset regulation moves into a second phase—particularly for decentralized finance (DeFi), stablecoins, and tokenization-related activity. Key takeaways Brussels’ consultation is structured to adjust MiCA’s scope and definitions, tighten rules for certain token categories, and b...
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Pudgy Penguins Brings Vibes Series 3 Trading Cards to Target Stores

Pudgy Penguins is pushing its NFT identity deeper into mainstream retail with a new chapter for its trading card game. The Ethereum-based NFT brand says its Vibes Series 3 rollout is arriving at Target stores across the United States, marking what it calls the largest retail expansion for the card game so far. In a press release shared with Cointelegraph, the company said the launch adds new gameplay mechanics and fresh artwork, alongside characters from its Moonbirds NFT collection. With Series 3, Pudgy Penguins also reports that a total of 15 million trading cards have been circulated. Key takeaways Pudgy Penguins’ Vibes Series 3 is being rolled out nationwide at Target, expanding retail distribution beyond earlier launches. The company says total circulated Vibes cards will reach 15 million with the new set. Series 3 introduces additional gameplay mechanics and features artwork and appearances tied to the Moonbirds collection. Pudgy Penguins continues building a consumer fra...
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Pudgy Penguins Boosts Retail Presence With Target Trading Card Debut

Pudgy Penguins is taking another step to move its NFT brand into mainstream retail with a new nationwide rollout at Target stores in the United States. The project says its Vibes Series 3 trading card set will be released through Target, expanding the reach of the trading card game beyond its earlier distribution. According to a press release shared with Cointelegraph, Vibes Series 3 represents the biggest retail expansion Pudgy Penguins has made for the card line so far and brings the total number of circulated cards to 15 million. The set is also positioned as a more feature-rich edition, adding new gameplay mechanics alongside original artwork, plus appearances from characters associated with the Moonbirds collection. Key takeaways Pudgy Penguins is expanding its Vibes trading card game into U.S. retail via a nationwide Target rollout. Vibes Series 3 is described as the project’s largest retail push to date and lifts total circulated cards to 15 million. The new card set inclu...
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Ex-contributor Warns Ethereum Core Funding Crisis as EF Cuts Spend

Ethereum is staring at a looming funding gap for its core development work, according to a warning from former Ethereum Foundation contributor Trenton Van Epps. In a blog post published Thursday, Van Epps argued that reductions in Ethereum Foundation spending and the April expiration of the Client Incentive Program leave the broader “core development ecosystem” needing roughly $30 million per year to sustain itself. Van Epps characterized the situation as a potential “slow-burning funding crisis,” while pointing to ongoing organizational churn at the Ethereum Foundation that has accelerated departures among leadership and staff. The concern is already colliding with a separate policy debate: Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has said the foundation’s remaining resources are limited and that it has been prioritizing “longevity over breadth” with less ETH selling. Key takeaways Van Epps estimates Ethereum’s core development funding need at about $30 million annually , citing spending...
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Kalshi Eyes IPO With Banks as Legal Scrutiny Grows Over Sports Bets

Kalshi, one of the best-known US prediction market platforms, is reportedly in early, informal discussions with investment banks about pursuing an initial public offering (IPO), according to a Friday report by The Information . The same report says Kalshi is exploring an IPO after surpassing $2 billion in annualized revenue. A Kalshi spokesperson declined to comment on the matter. Key takeaways Kalshi is reportedly in early, informal talks with investment banks about an IPO after reaching more than $2 billion in annualized revenue. Sports betting-related contracts appear to be the platform’s largest trading category, making regulatory risk especially prominent. Multiple US states are suing prediction market operators, arguing the platforms operate illegal or unlicensed sports betting. Regulators and operators disagree on whether these event contracts should be treated as swaps under federal commodities law or as sports betting needing state licensing. The CFTC has attempted t...
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Bitcoin Miners Shift Toward AI as Tokenized RWA Demand Rises

Bitcoin miners have long been treated as high-beta exposure to BTC’s price cycle, but the operating model is shifting. With margin pressure squeezing traditional mining economics and the demand for AI compute steadily rising, major miners and infrastructure players are increasingly looking at power, data center capacity, and machine-hosting as their primary differentiators. That broader pivot received fresh reinforcement this week after reporting that Nvidia was preparing a roughly $20 billion bond sale to fund the next phase of its AI expansion—underscoring how long-term capital spending in AI infrastructure is shaping adjacent parts of the crypto ecosystem. Key takeaways Bloomberg reports Nvidia is seeking to raise $20 billion via a multi-part bond offering tied to AI investment plans, highlighting sustained AI infrastructure spending. As mining margins tighten, Bitcoin miners are increasingly positioning their power and data center assets for AI hosting and high-performance comp...
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SEC Commissioner Says Philippines Is Prepared for RWA Tokenization

The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has indicated it is prepared to regulate tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs), arguing that the Philippines has both the legal basis and supervisory mindset to handle the technology. SEC Commissioner Rogelio Quevedo made the comments during Philippine Blockchain Week 2026, framing tokenized assets as a potential catalyst for innovation in the capital markets while also improving investor protection. In remarks shared with Cointelegraph, Quevedo said the SEC is “now fully convinced” that the country has the right laws and regulatory readiness to support asset tokenization. He also tied the development to a pressing local problem: scams that target overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) searching for legitimate places to invest. According to Quevedo, regulated tokenized investment products could offer OFWs a clearer path to putting their capital to work. Key takeaways The Philippine SEC, through Commissioner Rogelio Quevedo, says th...
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