CoreWeave’s transformation from a crypto-mining operator to a large-scale AI infrastructure provider highlights a broader shift in how computing resources are reused across technology cycles. A recent briefing from The Miner Mag outlined how Ethereum’s move away from proof-of-work reduced demand for GPU-based mining, prompting CoreWeave and peers to redeploy GPUs toward AI training and other high-performance computing workloads as demand for compute power surged. As reported by Cointelegraph, CoreWeave began moving away from crypto mining as early as 2019, initially pivoting into cloud and high-performance computing before fully positioning itself as a GPU infrastructure provider for AI workloads. That pivot has gained momentum in recent quarters, aided by strategic capital injections that some observers see elevating CoreWeave to a leading role outside the largest hyperscale cloud providers. Market chatter around CoreWeave’s ascent intensified after Nvidia disclosed a $2 billion equit...

DeFi has entered an institutional phase, with large investors gradually testing the waters in crypto ETFs and digital asset treasuries. The shift signals the maturation of on-chain finance, introducing new instruments and digital counterparts to traditional assets. Yet as flows rise, so do questions about risk management and the resilience of underlying infrastructure. For institutions to participate with confidence, the ecosystem must harden its guardrails, standardize risk disclosures, and ensure liquidity access remains predictable even under stress. The broad arc is clear: move beyond yield chasing toward a structured, auditable framework that aligns DeFi with the expectations of regulated finance. Key takeaways Institutional participation in crypto is expanding beyond spot exposure to regulated products and digital asset treasuries, expanding on-chain liquidity and demand for governance-grade infrastructure. Three primary risk areas are highlighted: protocol risk driven by DeF...

Venture capital and institutional money are returning to digital asset companies as 2026 kicks off, with fresh industry data showing roughly $1.4 billion committed across venture rounds and public market listings. The momentum is being driven by large-scale financing rounds and high-profile tokenized offerings that signal a renewed appetite for infrastructure and on-chain capabilities, even as the broader crypto market faces cyclical pressure from a liquidity-constrained environment. One standout theme is the ongoing diversification of funding sources, spanning traditional venture backers, blockchain-native funds, and strategics drawn to regulated, scalable platforms. The year’s heavy hitters include a Visa-linked stablecoin issuer that reached a $1.9 billion valuation after a $250 million raise, and a crypto custodian that completed a multi-hundred-million-dollar IPO on the New York Stock Exchange in January. Together, these transactions underscore both the breadth and the depth o...

The European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation, commonly known as MiCA, has become the central reference point for how crypto assets are supervised across the bloc. Rather than a single policy note, MiCA is a comprehensive regulatory framework intended to harmonize rules for crypto markets among EU member states. The European Securities and Markets Authority provides the official public-facing overview of the regime, which serves as the primary reference for market participants, journalists, and policymakers. That documentation, available directly from ESMA, outlines how MiCA fits into the EU’s broader digital finance agenda and establishes a shared vocabulary for discussing crypto regulation across Europe. Key takeaways MiCA is the EU’s unified regulatory framework for crypto assets, referenced consistently in official communications. The authoritative public overview of MiCA is maintained by the European Securities and Markets Authority. ESMA’s documentation explai...

Arab Bank Group achieved strong financial performance for the year ending December 31, 2025, with a net profit after tax USD 1130 million compared to USD 1007 million in 2024, reflecting a growth of 12%. The Group's equity position also reflects financial stability and resilience, standing at USD 13.2 billion at year-end. The impressive results were driven by growth across various business segments and geographic markets, leveraging the Group's core strengths and sustainable growth strategy. Operating revenue grew by 6% to around USD 3.6 billion. Loans increased by 8% to USD 41.2 billion, leading to growth in total assets of 10% to reach USD 78.2 billion, while customer deposits increased by 10% to reach USD 57.2 billion. Based on this performance, the Board of Directors has recommended to the shareholders the distribution of 40% cash dividends. Commenting on these results, Mr. Sabih Masri, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Arab Bank, stated: "Building on Arab Bank...

A broad pullback in crypto investment products coincided with a broader market softness, as the total crypto market capitalization slipped roughly 6% on Thursday. Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) and Ether (CRYPTO: ETH) funds together recorded nearly $1 billion in outflows, among the year’s largest single-day moves, according to SoSoValue. Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) led the retreat, shedding about $817.9 million and marking the largest daily outflow since November 2025. The dip arrived as risk-off sentiment extended beyond digital assets, with gold retreating about 4% after a recent spike above $5,300 per ounce, based on TradingView data. The day’s market mood also reflected pointers from the traditional technology space, as AI-related stock worries and a sharp slide in Microsoft shares added to the caution in equities. Key takeaways Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) and Ether (CRYPTO: ETH) funds registered nearly $1 billion in net outflows on Thursday, one of the year’s largest moves, under...

Key Insights Binance is converting its $1 billion Secure Asset Fund for Users (SAFU) entirely into Bitcoin (BTC) within 30 days. The fund will be maintained at $1B, with top-ups if the value drops below $800 million. Although SAFU is an emergency reserve, the move signals growing confidence in Bitcoin. Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange by trading volume, has announced plans to convert its $1 billion SAFU reserve from stablecoins into Bitcoin. The conversion is planned to be completed within the next 30 days following the announcement made on Friday, 30th. The announcement , which came in the form of an open letter to the community, noted that this move was influenced by the exchange's belief that BTC serves as the core asset in the crypto ecosystem and represents long-term value. Although this sounds like a bold move, it exposes the funds to the regular Bitcoin price swings, which could devalue the reserve. As a measure, the exchange noted that it will conduct r...

Bitcoin (BTC) traded lower against gold in January, sparking renewed debate about whether current prices offer an appealing entry point ahead of a potential shift in crypto market dynamics. Historical parallels are frequently cited: during the 2015–2017 cycle, BTC climbed from roughly $165 to $20,000 in around two years, a gain of about 11,800%. The latest data suggest BTC may be testing a similar setup—at a time when macro conditions and sentiment toward risk assets remain in flux. Bitwise Europe’s data on the BTC/XAU ratio highlighted a rare moment when the digital asset’s value, after adjusting for global liquidity, approached levels associated with major bottoms in prior cycles. The ratio’s trajectory has drawn attention from technicians and strategic investors alike. A decline toward the -2 z-score zone on Bitwise Europe’s chart has historically marked periods of extreme undervaluation, coinciding with capitulation or significant turning points. That framing underpins the argument...

Hong Kong’s regulatory arc for digital assets is moving from consultation to drafting, with officials outlining a concrete timetable for 2026. In remarks prepared for the Legislative Council’s Finance Committee, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui said the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau and the Securities and Futures Commission plan to submit a draft ordinance this year, aimed at governing providers of crypto advisory services. The comments come after a December digital asset consultation paper, and they signal a broader push to formalize rules around asset- and advisory-related activities while preserving room for innovation. Separately, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority is processing license applications for stablecoin issuers and exploring tax reporting measures tied to the OECD framework—an effort that could tie Hong Kong’s tax transparency to international standards by 2028. The combination of these steps reflects a calibrated approach to c...

January delivered a mix of on-chain momentum and macro headwinds, spotlighting how activity on major networks can surge even as prices wobble. In particular, Solana and Ethereum posted notable milestones, while Bitcoin miners in the United States faced weather-driven disruption. Beyond network metrics, the month also underscored the growing role of crypto in everyday commerce as PayPal highlighted rising merchant adoption. The month’s narrative wove together rapid token launches, upgrade-driven efficiency gains, and geopolitical jitters that reverberated through risk assets, leaving investors weighing the pace of innovation against real-world constraints. Key takeaways Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) saw a 115% jump in active daily addresses by Jan. 28, regularly surpassing 5 million, driven by renewed memecoin minting and an ecosystem push around token launches. Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) activity surged 25% in January after a December milestone where the network surpassed several major Layer 2s...

The United States tightened its Iran sanctions regime by targeting digital asset platforms for the first time, signaling a new phase in how financial enforcement leverages crypto infrastructure. In a Friday statement, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced the designation of two UK-registered cryptocurrency exchanges—Zedcex Exchange Ltd. and Zedxion Exchange Ltd.—as entities linked to Iran’s financial network and to individuals tied to the Islamic Republic’s broader apparatus. The move arrives as Tehran faces intense international pressure over internal repression and its use of alternative financial channels to skirt sanctions. OFAC named Eskandar Momeni Kalagari, Iran’s interior minister who oversees the Law Enforcement Forces, among those sanctioned, arguing that Tehran’s leadership profits from a system that constrains its population while exploiting illicit finance routes. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent—speaking in tandem with the designation...