Major US banking associations rejected the Clarity Act’s stablecoin yield compromise, splitting publicly from Coinbase and Circle

Major US banking associations publicly rejected the stablecoin yield compromise brokered by Senators Tillis and Alsobrooks in the Clarity Act. The banking groups argued the deal introduces systemic risk to traditional financial institutions, warning that yield-bearing stablecoins could drain trillions from the deposit base.

Standard Chartered analysts estimated the risk at up to $500 billion in deposit flight by 2028 if an open-ended yield provision were allowed.

Coinbase and Circle both backed the compromise immediately after it was announced, urging the Senate Banking Committee to proceed. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong posted “Mark it up” after the text dropped, and Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal said the language preserves activity-based rewards tied to real platform participation.

The split between banking associations and crypto trade groups now sits at the centre of the committee’s deliberations.

What the compromise actually says

The Tillis-Alsobrooks text draws a firm line: platforms cannot offer yield for simply holding a stablecoin. Rewards remain permissible only when tied to user activity, not passive balances. The framework gives the SEC, CFTC, and Treasury twelve months to define exactly what reward programs are permissible under the new language.

Banking associations, including the North Carolina Bankers Association, urged members to contact Senator Tillis’s office and demand changes, reopening a compromise they had helped negotiate just weeks earlier.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, speaking at Consensus 2026 in Miami on May 5, said he still believes the bill will pass, describing the past week as a “big positive shift” even as the committee vote remains unscheduled. The Memorial Day recess begins May 21, leaving a narrow window for either side to claim a win before the legislative clock runs out.

Congressman Steven Horsford told CoinDesk’s Consensus Miami conference Tuesday that his bipartisan PARITY Act is an incremental path forward in a Congress where Senate market-structure negotiations have stalled.

“PARITY is designed to set a durable floor, not to be the last word,” he said, noting that existing problems need to be resolved “clearly within the tax code’s jurisdiction in order to have the protection for the consumer, small businesses, and those who are owners of these assets to define whether it gets treated as income or capital gains.”

The Nevada Democrat co-authored the PARITY Act discussion draft with Republican Representative Max Miller of Ohio in December, and revised it on March 26. He told moderator Yesha Yadav that he prefers a narrow approach over comprehensive alternatives, including Sen. Cynthia Lummis’s proposal. The risk of a comprehensive bill, Horsford said, is that “it pairs genuinely helpful provisions with definitional language that is so broad that it creates other problems.”

PARITY’s headline provisions include a stablecoin-payments cost-basis test, a five-year tax-deferral election on staking and mining rewards and an extension of wash-sale rules to digital assets. Horsford said that while retirement account access is absent in present drafts, he considers it “something that I personally want to see, because in order to close the wealth gap, we have to be able to help people plan for their retirement. Digital assets are a way to do that. I know that there is genuine bipartisan appetite for us to work on this, but rushing it and just putting language in a bill without getting it right creates these unintended consequences.”

On the broader policy climate, Horsford said that Senate negotiations to advance the CLARITY Act between Senators Thom Tillis and Angela Alsobrooks seem to be “on hold.” When asked whether bipartisan crypto legislation could pass before the November midterms, he declined to commit to a timeline.

“It’s less about a timeline and more about getting it right,” he said. “You can rush and pass a bill in Congress that has unintended consequences that you won’t be able to fix later.”

Analysts arriving at a study of open interest and on-chain trading patterns say some market participants may have positioned before Robinhood’s crypto listing announcements. A Kaiko data debrief points to conspicuous activity that, in some cases, preceded public signals by more than an hour and could reflect either privileged access or highly effective front-running strategies based on public indicators.

In one notable example, a single wallet identified as 0xa1EE1c4cbB40A7b3D15E30a59d3633361Cfb177 opened a long position on Lighter (LIT) via the Hyperliquid decentralized venue at 11:05 UTC on Jan. 15 — roughly an hour before Robinhood disclosed that it would list the token at 12:12 UTC. The position was closed at 13:00 UTC, shortly after the listing was announced. The same address later opened a HOOD-linked perpetual short on April 28, just before Robinhood reported first-quarter revenue that missed expectations, and closed the position later that day as HOOD moved lower.

Kaiko’s researchers emphasized that the behavior from this wallet was not an isolated incident. A broader pattern emerged as the firm tracked open interest, funding-rate changes, and volume around multiple Robinhood listings, suggesting that sophisticated traders were reacting to market microstructure signals rather than relying solely on private information.

“Traders who understand microstructure could have noticed funding spikes, increases in volumes and open interest, and positioned accordingly,” said Laurens Fraussen, a research analyst at Kaiko. “The data shows that more than one participant acted on similar signals ahead of the announcements.”

While the activity raises questions about possible access to non-public listing timelines, Kaiko noted that the patterns could also reflect a disciplined response to publicly observable signals, rather than a single insider channel. The firm stressed that the behavior was consistent with a broader class of front-running strategies that exploit public information in the minutes surrounding a listing event.

Beyond LIT, Kaiko highlighted other listings that exhibited a pre-announcement drift in price and indicators such as open interest and funding rates. Tokens like Zcash (ZEC), Synthetix (SNX), and Near Protocol (NEAR) showed abnormal returns in the hours leading up to and immediately after Robinhood’s public listing announcements. In each case, the data pointed to a drift that traders could observe and exploit, raising questions about market microstructure surrounding exchange listings.

The takeaway for traders and investors is twofold. On the one hand, the presence of recognizable pre-listing patterns—spiking funding rates, surges in volume, and rising open interest—could provide a framework for risk assessment and positioning around future listings. On the other hand, the recurrence of these moves across multiple assets implies either broader visibility into the listing pipeline or a robust methodology built on public signals that allow for timely front-running or quick repositioning.

Kaiko’s analysis underscores a tension at the heart of crypto markets: as exchanges and listing processes become more interconnected with on-chain activity, the line between legitimate market anticipation and potentially privileged information grows harder to draw. The firm remains cautious about drawing sweeping conclusions, noting that the same signals could be a proxy for highly informed microstructure traders exploiting observable metrics rather than private disclosures.

For market participants, the episode serves as a reminder to monitor the evolving dynamics of token listings, funding-rate behavior, and open-interest shifts as a guide to potential liquidity and volatility around announcements. The research also highlights the importance of distinguishing between insider access and savvy interpretation of public signals when assessing risk and opportunity around listings.

Sources: Kaiko data debrief on front-running Robinhood on-chain evidence of informed positioning; mapped timeline of LIT, HOOD, ZEC, SNX and NEAR around listing announcements.

Key takeaways

• Kaiko identifies pre-listing activity tied to Robinhood crypto announcements, including a notable LIT trade on Hyperliquid before the public listing.
• A single wallet, 0xa1EE1c4cbB40A7b3D15E30a59d3633361Cfb177, opened a long LIT position shortly before the listing and closed it after the announcement, then opened a HOOD perpetual short ahead of Q1 results and closed the position later the same day.
• The patterns extend beyond a single token, with ZEC, SNX, and NEAR also displaying pre-announcement price drift and related activity in open interest and funding rates.
• Analysts caution that these moves could reflect privileged access to listing timelines or highly effective use of public signals, rather than simply insider information.
• The findings highlight evolving market microstructure around listings and the need for traders to distinguish between signals and potential information advantages when assessing risk and opportunity.

Pre-listing activity and a notable wallet

The January instance illustrates how on-chain activity can precede a public listing reveal. The wallet’s long position on LIT was established at 11:05 UTC on Jan. 15, about an hour before Robinhood announced the token’s listing at 12:12 UTC. The position was liquidated at 13:00 UTC, shortly after the listing became public. A separate action on April 28 saw the same address place a short on a HOOD-linked perpetual contract, timed ahead of Robinhood’s quarterly results, and closed the position later that day as the asset moved lower.

Kaiko framed these moves as part of a broader set of signals—funding-rate spikes, rising volumes, and open-interest growth—that traders could monitor to anticipate listing-induced volatility. The evidence suggests that such microstructure dynamics may be more widespread than a single insider scenario, though the possibility of privileged access to the listing pipeline cannot be ruled out.

Broader pattern across tokens and what it implies

In addition to LIT, Kaiko drew attention to a range of assets that exhibited pre-announcement drift around Robinhood’s listing cadence. Zcash (ZEC), Synthetix (SNX), and Near Protocol (NEAR) were cited as examples where prices and on-chain metrics moved in anticipation of listings. The firm noted that these episodes often featured “abnormal returns” in the hours surrounding announcements, coupled with shifts in funding rates and open interest.

Fraussen emphasized that while such patterns could indicate insider-like access, they more plausibly reflect the actions of traders who have refined techniques for interpreting public signals. The consistency of these moves across multiple assets points to a systematic effect in the market microstructure around listings, rather than isolated incidents tied to a single token.

As the crypto market continues to mature, observers are paying closer attention to how listing activity interacts with on-chain trading and whether regulatory or exchange-level safeguards can keep pace with increasingly sophisticated trading practices. The debate over insider access versus signal-based front-running remains unresolved, but the signals tracked by Kaiko illuminate how market participants are adapting to more transparent timing around announcements.

Market microstructure impulses and investor watchpoints

For investors and traders, the implications are clear: listing announcements can trigger a sequence of on-chain and derivatives signals that precede the public reveal. The pattern observed by Kaiko suggests that a subset of market participants actively monitors funding-rate volatility, volume surges, and open-interest trajectories as early indicators of impending volatility. While these signals can present opportunities, they also underscore the risk of price movements that precede official disclosures and the potential for front-running behavior in a nascent but increasingly efficient market.

The broader takeaway is not to assume a single explanation but to recognize that the crypto market’s listing events are becoming more predictable in their microstructure dynamics. Traders who can interpret the interplay of funding pressure, liquidity shifts, and public signals may position more effectively, while others may face elevated risk around these disclosures.

Readers should watch for further Kaiko analysis as Robinhood continues to refine its listing cadence and as more asset classes and exchanges become intertwined with on-chain data. The evolving picture of how information, timing, and liquidity interact around listings will likely shape risk management and strategy for years to come.

XRP Evernorth has named Robert Kaiden, CFO of the OpenAI Foundation, to its board of directors

XRP Evernorth, the Ripple-backed treasury company building an XRP-denominated balance sheet ahead of a Nasdaq listing, has appointed two senior executives to its board. Robert Kaiden, CFO of the OpenAI Foundation, and Derar Islim, COO of Antalpha, join as independent directors.

The appointments were announced on May 4. XRP Evernorth is targeting a Nasdaq listing under the ticker XRPN, positioning itself as a publicly traded vehicle for institutional XRP exposure. The addition of Kaiden in particular connects the company directly to one of the most prominent AI organisations in the world.

Board composition signals institutional intent

Kaiden’s appointment is notable given the OpenAI Foundation’s profile in Washington and Silicon Valley. His financial oversight background gives XRP Evernorth a credible voice on governance and capital markets strategy as it prepares for public scrutiny. Institutional appetite for XRP-linked products has grown sharply since Ripple’s legal dispute with the SEC moved toward resolution.

Islim brings exchange infrastructure expertise through Antalpha, a firm closely tied to mining and crypto asset management at scale. The combination of an AI finance executive and a crypto infrastructure operator on the same board reflects the increasingly converged landscape of institutional digital asset investment.

Grayscale and other asset managers have moved aggressively into tokenized and listed crypto products in recent months, with the race to launch exchange-traded crypto vehicles accelerating. XRP Evernorth’s Nasdaq bid enters a market where institutional-grade governance is becoming a baseline expectation. BlackRock’s move of $140 million in crypto assets to Coinbase Prime earlier this year underlined how seriously major institutions are treating infrastructure and custodial credibility.

Shares of Figure Technology Solutions have risen nearly 10% over the past month, but the stock still appears undervalued as the company pivots beyond its roots as a fintech lender, according to Bernstein.

In a Tuesday research note, the firm reiterated its “Outperform” rating on Figure (FIGR), with a $67 price target, implying roughly 67% upside from current levels, and maintained its previous outlook.

Figure Technology Solutions (FIGR) stock. Source: Yahoo Finance

Bernstein’s thesis centers on Figure’s transition from a home equity line of credit (HELOC) originator into a broader platform spanning blockchain infrastructure and AI-driven credit markets.

A key part of that shift is tokenization — in this case, converting loans into tradable onchain assets that can settle in real time. Bernstein estimates the addressable market for tokenized credit at around $4 trillion, positioning Figure to tap into a significantly larger opportunity than traditional HELOC lending.

The note also pointed to strong momentum. Loan volumes reached $1.34 billion in April, up 108% year over year and marking the second consecutive month above $1 billion. Bernstein expects that growth to continue, projecting total loan volumes to climb to $16.5 billion by 2027 from $8.4 billion in 2025 .

Related: RedStone launches settlement layer to address RWA liquidity gap in DeFi lending

Tokenized credit market could draw from wide swath

Bernstein’s estimate of a $4 trillion addressable market refers to the total annual volume of credit origination across multiple loan categories that could eventually move onchain as tokenized assets.

That includes lending such as mortgages, auto loans, home equity lines of credit and small-business loans — segments where Figure is expanding beyond its core business.

Tokenized credit market. Source: RWA.xyz

To be sure, tokenized credit remains a small segment of the broader real-world asset (RWA) market. However, industry data shows the sector is currently valued at around $5.5 billion, highlighting the gap between today’s adoption and the longer-term growth opportunity Bernstein outlines.

Other projects are already experimenting with bringing credit onchain. Centrifuge has expanded its decentralized finance platform to include tokenized credit and US Treasury products on new blockchain networks, aiming to connect institutional-grade assets with DeFi liquidity.

Figure has moved into areas such as auto loans through its Hastra ecosystem, where tokenized credit products are designed to plug into decentralized finance and broader blockchain markets.

Related: Crypto Biz: Capital has no consensus

Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently.

OpenWorld moves to tokenize its equity onchain

OpenWorld is taking a significant step toward the future of capital markets by announcing plans to tokenize its equity on the blockchain. The company has entered into an agreement with Figure Technology Solutions to issue tokenized shares through its Onchain Public Equity Network (OPEN), in parallel with a proposed Nasdaq listing.

The move reflects a broader shift in financial markets as companies explore blockchain infrastructure to modernize how equities are issued, traded, and managed.

A dual listing model combining Nasdaq and blockchain

Under the proposed structure, OpenWorld aims to offer investors exposure to its shares both through traditional markets and via blockchain-based ownership on OPEN.

This dual approach could introduce new flexibility for investors, including:

• direct ownership of blockchain-based shares
• the ability to lend assets and earn yield
• cross-collateralization between crypto and equities

These features highlight how tokenization could expand the functionality of traditional financial instruments.

Real-world asset tokenization gains momentum

The agreement reinforces OpenWorld’s broader strategy around real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, a sector that continues to gain traction among institutional players.

By tokenizing its own equity, the company is effectively using its balance sheet as a test case for the infrastructure it promotes globally.

According to the company, this approach is intended to demonstrate real-world applicability to partners, including sovereign entities and institutional investors.

Regulatory clarity accelerating adoption

Recent developments from U.S. regulators, including the SEC and CFTC, have contributed to increased clarity around digital assets and tokenized securities.

This evolving regulatory environment is creating a window of opportunity for companies seeking to establish a leadership position in compliant blockchain-based capital markets.

Figure’s OPEN network aims to reshape equity markets

Figure’s OPEN network is designed to rebuild public market infrastructure using blockchain technology, enabling real-time settlement and reducing operational inefficiencies.

The platform also introduces programmable financial features that are not typically available through traditional brokerage systems.

A broader shift toward onchain capital markets

The partnership between OpenWorld and Figure reflects a larger industry trend: the gradual transition of financial infrastructure toward blockchain-based systems.

As tokenization expands beyond private markets into public equities, initiatives like this could play a key role in shaping the next generation of capital markets.

Bitcoin bears likely consider $80,000 as an area to take profits around, but onchain data suggests it is the opposite.

Bitcoin’s net realized profits, the metric that tracks the dollar value of coins sold above their original purchase price across the network, spiked to $207.56 million on Sunday, the highest reading in a month, per data from onchain analytics firm Santiment.

The print arrived as bitcoin briefly crossed $80,000 for the first time since January before reversing to $79,000 late Monday and rising above $80,000 again in Asian morning hours Tuesday.

Realized profit spiking during a rally — rather than a sell-off — is indicative of holders sitting on gains realizing profits and newer participants entering the market at current levels.

The cost-basis suggest a change in the underlying market structure.

Cost basis refers to the price at which a holder originally bought their coins, and it shapes how they react to future price moves. Old holders cashing out on Sunday transferred their coins to buyers willing to pay around $80,000, which raises the average entry price across the network.

That thickens the layer of holders whose break-even point sits close to current levels, and they tend to be the most likely to panic if prices drop. New buyers at are unlikely to dump on a routine pullback as they just got in.

The size of the move also fits the bullish read. The $207 million print is a one-month high, not an all-time high. Genuine cycle tops produce realized profit events that climb into the multiple billions, after which the market typically rolls over within days.

The onchain read aligns with the options-market positioning that CoinDesk reported earlier Tuesday.

Volatility markets did not chase the breakout, as traders are still paying more to protect against a drop than to bet on a sharp move higher, which shows the broader market remains cautious.

But options desks are also seeing demand for cheap call ratio trades, a structure that works best if bitcoin keeps climbing steadily without exploding through a higher strike. This suggests directional traders remain cautious while more sophisticated options flow is positioning for a steady grind higher.

Whether the breakout extends depends on the macro tape that the on-chain data cannot see, with the Iran-U.S. ceasefire fraying. Strategy reporting earnings later on Tuesday the April nonfarm payrolls print dropping Friday. Any of those can override what the chain is signalling.