Nasdaq has chosen Pyth, an onchain financial data network, to distribute Nasdaq’s proprietary market data to blockchain applications and other software platforms, expanding how institutional trading feeds can be consumed by decentralized systems. The collaboration begins with access to Nasdaq TotalView, the exchange’s depth-of-book data feed that captures every displayed bid and ask across price levels, along with order imbalance information around the opening and closing auctions. For traders and developers, the emphasis is on richer liquidity visibility than standard quote feeds, since a full order book can help power more informed execution, market-making analytics, and trading logic. Key takeaways Nasdaq selected Pyth to make Nasdaq market data available to blockchain and other software platforms via onchain distribution. Initial coverage is Nasdaq TotalView , including full displayed order books and order imbalance data around opening and closing auctions. Pyth positions it...

By the end of 2025, artificial intelligence data centers worldwide had accumulated roughly 29.6 gigawatts (GW) of power capacity—about equal to the electricity demand of New York state at peak, according to Stanford University’s annual AI Index report. The broader implication for crypto investors is straightforward: compute looks cheaper and easier to source, but grid-connected power remains the scarcest “hard” asset in the AI buildout. One sector has been preparing for that bottleneck for years—Bitcoin miners. While the mining chips themselves cannot be repurposed for AI training or inference, miners’ larger advantage is the infrastructure around them: energized sites, power procurement, grid interconnection, and cooling capacity. As demand for AI-grade electricity accelerates, parts of the mining industry are positioning their facilities for AI and high-performance computing (HPC) work, with contracts increasingly tying valuation to compute pipelines rather than Bitcoin alone. Key ta...

Bitcoin Core has introduced version 31.1rc1 as a release candidate before the software reaches its stable mainnet release. The update improves privacy, strengthens network behavior, and adds several performance enhancements for node operators, wallet users, and developers. At the same time, the development team has opened the testing phase and encouraged community feedback before the final version becomes available. Bitcoin Core 31.1rc1 Strengthens Privacy And Network Performance Bitcoin Core 31.1rc1 represents the final testing stage before the next stable software release. The release candidate allows developers and community members to evaluate new features under real operating conditions. The testing process also helps identify remaining issues before the software reaches production. The latest release addresses an important privacy issue affecting the PrivateBroadcast feature. Under specific network conditions, a user's internet address could become visible instead of remainin...

Stablecoins are moving quickly from “crypto rails” toward mainstream corporate payment tools, according to a new survey from payments infrastructure firm Cybrid. The report suggests that a large share of businesses are already using stablecoins for cross-border transfers—and that confidence in further adoption will hinge heavily on clearer regulation. Cybrid’s findings indicate that 42% of surveyed companies are using stablecoins for cross-border payments today, while 88% of respondents said they are likely or very likely to use them within the next 12 months. Among those benefits cited, cost savings stand out: businesses reported average cross-border payment cost reductions of 35%, with firms processing more than $100 million per month reporting average savings up to 47%. Key takeaways Adoption is already underway: 42% of Cybrid’s surveyed businesses report using stablecoins for cross-border payments. Momentum looks set to accelerate: 88% said they expect to use stablecoins with...

Strategy’s recently updated capital framework—allowing the company to raise funds through potential Bitcoin sales—has drawn support from parts of Wall Street even as prominent industry figures questioned whether the change truly strengthens Strategy’s long-term Bitcoin thesis. On Monday, Benchmark Equity Research reiterated a Buy rating on Strategy’s Class A shares (MSTR) and kept a $570 12-month price target, according to a report reviewed by Cointelegraph. Strategy’s MSTR stock rose about 12.6% to roughly $92.70, while its STRC preferred shares climbed around 12.2% to about $83.70, based on figures cited by TradingView and Yahoo Finance. In Tuesday’s premarket trading, however, both names slipped as skepticism persisted about the durability and implications of the new framework. Key takeaways Benchmark reaffirmed a Buy rating for Strategy’s MSTR and maintained a $570 12-month price target after the company disclosed a revised capital framework. Under the update, Strategy authoriz...

MetaMask is rolling out a new way for users to earn yield on its wallet-native MetaMask USD (mUSD) stablecoin—while keeping the wallet self-custodial. The Consensys-backed team says its newly launched Money Account can provide up to 4% variable APY on eligible deposits, with funds intended to be spent via a card on the Monad blockchain. The launch lands at a moment when US regulators and lawmakers have been closely debating whether yield-bearing stablecoins—especially those that pay interest to token holders—should be treated like traditional financial products. MetaMask’s approach attempts to separate the stablecoin’s reserve backing from the mechanics of how returns are generated. Key takeaways MetaMask Money Account targets up to 4% variable APY on eligible mUSD deposits in supported jurisdictions. Yield is described as coming from DeFi lending activity , not issuer-paid interest. mUSD reserves are said to be backed 1:1 by US dollar assets held by Bridge , a Stripe compa...

OKX has launched a beta marketplace for artificial intelligence (AI) agents, positioning the platform as “economic infrastructure” for agentic commerce. The initiative lets developers list their own AI agents to earn revenue, while other agents and users can post tasks, find suitable agents, and complete work with onchain settlement and a shared reputation layer. OKX says the marketplace will connect an agent marketplace—where builders monetize agent services—with a separate task marketplace that matches incoming work to agents. The beta will run until OKX sees “consistent, repeat usage patterns” across users, with trading, onchain activity, and research tasks expected to be the first major categories. Key takeaways OKX’s AI agent marketplace connects a service-listing agent market with a task market for matching agent-to-agent work. Builders can get paid in stablecoins initially including USDT and USDG, with escrow for complex tasks and instant pay-per-call for standardized servic...

Michael Saylor’s Strategy has paused its Bitcoin (BTC) acquisitions and announced plans to bolster its USD reserves and approve a Digital Credit Capital Framework to manage capital. The Bitcoin treasury company is moving to overhaul its financing model, giving itself the power to buy back securities and sell up to $1.25 billion in BTC as it attempts to preserve liquidity and mitigate market pressure. Digital Credit Capital Framework The company disclosed the pause in acquisitions in an 8-K filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Instead of further acquisitions, Strategy plans to expand its USD reserves under a new Digital Credit Capital Framework. As part of the framework, the company has established a new policy to govern its USD reserve. The new policy mandates that the reserve be used only to support stock dividend obligations and interest payments on outstanding debt. The policy also mandates that the minimum USD reserve must cover at least 12 months...

Bitcoin’s “long-term holder” supply has climbed to new highs, a development that some analysts say could point to an earlier end to the current drawdown. Swan Bitcoin CEO Cory Klippsten highlighted that long-term investors are holding a record amount of BTC, a pattern he argues has historically coincided with cycle lows. At the same time, other market watchers continue to stress that macro signals and US regulatory uncertainty may still weigh on demand. Grayscale, for instance, tied potential downside pressure to the uncertain fate of the US CLARITY Act, while Galaxy Digital later reduced its odds that the bill would become law in 2026. Key takeaways Long-term holders reportedly reached 14.7 million BTC, described by Swan Bitcoin’s Cory Klippsten as “cycle low” territory in prior market turns. Glassnode data cited in the discussion links the increase in long-term holder supply to “continued conviction” among experienced investors. Coinglass data shows long-term holder supply is u...

Solana Company has entered a formal partnership aimed at building the blockchain and crypto infrastructure for Alatau City, Kazakhstan’s planned digital-first megacity. The Nasdaq-listed firm signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) during the Alatau City Roadshow in Shenzhen and Hong Kong in June, according to the report that said the event yielded 30 cooperation agreements with a combined investment potential of more than $6 billion. Solana Company chairman and CEO Joseph Chee said the parties plan to deepen their relationship and expand Solana’s ecosystem presence across the region. The agreement also adds to Kazakhstan’s growing exposure to Solana-related initiatives, including a Solana Economic Zone launched in Astana last year in cooperation with the Solana Foundation. Key takeaways Solana Company signed an MOU to advise on Alatau City’s blockchain and crypto infrastructure during the June roadshow in Shenzhen and Hong Kong. The collaboration is framed around institutional ...

Europe’s shift to the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) is creating fresh friction for international exchanges, with ESMA stressing that EU crypto clients must be handled through MiCA-authorized entities after the bloc’s July 1 transitional deadline. The guidance arrives as questions grow over how global platforms can keep servicing customers across the EU and EEA while meeting the licensing rules. According to ESMA, crypto asset service providers (CASPs) must hold MiCA authorization to serve clients across the EU and European Economic Area. ESMA also clarified that MiCA protections apply only to the specific legal entity that is licensed in the EU—not to any other group entity located outside the bloc. Key takeaways ESMA says EU/EEA clients should be served through a MiCA-authorized legal entity after July 1, rather than through non-EU arms. Reverse solicitation under MiCA is narrow: non-EU firms can only serve EU clients when the client initiates the relationship without...

A Michigan judge has temporarily blocked Kalshi from allowing residents to place bets on sporting events while the state pursues claims that the platform is violating gambling laws. The decision, issued by Ingham County Circuit Court Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, is set to last 14 days and expires on July 13. According to a court filing provided through a Thomson Reuters Law360 document, the court said Kalshi could be fined $120,000 for each day it fails to meet the order’s geolocation requirements. Aquilina also argued that Michigan residents risk “irreparable harm” by being “exploited by Kalshi's sports betting operation masquerading as an investment opportunity.” Key takeaways Michigan’s temporary restraining order halts Kalshi’s sports event betting for now and emphasizes compliance with geolocation requirements. Kalshi faces financial exposure under the order, with a cited $120,000-per-day penalty for noncompliance. The move follows similar court-ordered pressure in Nevada a...

Ionic Digital, the company formed out of the Celsius Mining restructuring, has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to list on the Nasdaq via a direct listing. The move is designed to create a public trading venue for existing shareholders rather than to generate fresh funding for the business. In a registration statement submitted on Monday, Ionic said registered stockholders may sell up to 10.8 million shares of Class A stock under the proposed ticker “IOND,” according to the SEC filing: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2007691/000118518526002704/ionicdigis1061026.htm . Key takeaways Ionic Digital has filed for a Nasdaq direct listing that would allow existing shareholders to sell Class A shares, not to raise new capital. The company plans to trade under the proposed ticker “IOND,” with up to 10.8 million Class A shares available for sale by registered stockholders. Ionic’s strategy is shifting from Bitcoin mining toward AI and high-performance computin...

Tech-focused asset manager ARK Invest has moved to buy additional shares of several major crypto-adjacent companies during the market’s recent pullback, totaling about $43.5 million across the past three trading days. The purchases arrive as sentiment has cooled around cryptocurrency-related equities, with multiple names down sharply over the last month. According to ARK Invest’s own trading data, the firm added 122,544 shares of Coinbase worth approximately $18.6 million and bought 169,777 shares of Circle for about $12.9 million in the same period. ARK also bought positions in Bullish (BLSH) and Robinhood (HOOD), both of which have also been drawing attention as firms explore or expand tokenization and other crypto-related initiatives. Key takeaways ARK Invest deployed roughly $43.5 million in new buys over three trading days, led by Coinbase and Circle. Coinbase shares are down about 16.9% and Circle is down roughly 27.6% over the past month, reflecting broader caution toward cr...

Australia’s “travel rule” for cryptocurrency transfers is set to take effect on Wednesday, tightening how regulated exchanges handle information when users send and receive digital assets. The change is designed to improve traceability of transfers and reduce opportunities for money laundering, terrorist financing, and crypto-enabled scams. From July, crypto moved to and from locally regulated exchanges will require users to provide extra data—such as the counterparty’s name and the platform involved. While the added steps raise concerns for users who value privacy, industry representatives say the process is largely a one-time confirmation for many customers. Key takeaways Australia’s travel rule begins Wednesday, bringing the country in line with similar requirements already used in the EU, US, and UK. Starting in July, transfers involving Australian regulated exchanges will require additional originator/beneficiary information to be collected. Transfers from regulated exchange...