Bitcoin has dropped below the $62,000 mark after U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened another round of military strikes against Iran, raising concerns that the conflict could intensify further.

According to President Trump, speaking at the NATO Summit in Ankara, the United States is likely to launch more strikes on Iran later tonight after carrying out military operations the previous evening. The comments came shortly after he declared that the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran was effectively over, accusing Iran of violating the agreement.

Trump argued that Iran had repeatedly failed to honor commitments made during negotiations. He claimed Iranian officials often agreed to proposals behind closed doors before publicly denying those discussions had taken place.

Reiterating his long-standing position on Tehran’s nuclear program, the president stated that Iran could not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon and described the country as a long-term destabilizing force in the Middle East.

Bitcoin weakens as geopolitical tensions return

Crypto markets reacted as investors reassessed geopolitical risk. Bitcoin fell below the psychological $62,000 level after trading above $63,000 earlier in the day, leaving the world’s largest cryptocurrency down more than 2% from its intraday high.

The decline came as traders weighed the possibility of a broader military confrontation after Trump’s latest remarks. While no direct link between the price move and military action has been officially confirmed, the selloff followed renewed uncertainty surrounding the U.S.-Iran conflict.

Elsewhere in the digital asset market, investors also watched traditional safe-haven assets and energy markets for clues about broader risk sentiment. The renewed tensions have added another source of volatility alongside existing macroeconomic concerns.

Oil market faces fresh supply concerns

Alongside his warning of further military action, Trump suggested that the United States could target higher-level Iranian assets if the conflict escalates. He also said Washington could consider taking control of Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export terminal, while adding that the U.S. may restore a naval blockade at the Strait of Hormuz that would apply only to Iranian vessels.

The president linked the latest escalation to Iran’s reported attacks on oil tankers operating near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest energy shipping routes.

Meanwhile, Iranian officials have continued to reject U.S. pressure over the waterway. According to the report, Tehran has maintained that it will not surrender control over the Strait of Hormuz and intends to continue imposing tolls on ships passing through the passage despite U.S. objections.

Energy markets responded quickly to the developments. TradingView data showed West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures climbing more than 5% on the day to around $74 a barrel as traders priced in the possibility of supply disruptions if tensions continue to rise around the Gulf.

Although Trump acknowledged that discussions with Iran had taken place in recent months, he expressed skepticism about reaching a lasting agreement to end the conflict, which the report said began in February this year.

His latest remarks suggest Washington is preparing for additional military action rather than an immediate return to negotiations, leaving financial markets focused on further developments from the region.

Tokenization specialist Dinari and broker-dealer tZERO are working together to offer broker-dealers a turnkey platform for tokenized U.S. equities, as competition intensifies over how public stocks should move onto blockchain networks.

The companies said Wednesday they will combine Dinari’s tokenized stock platform with tZERO’s brokerage, custody, clearing and settlement infrastructure, allowing financial firms to launch blockchain-based equity offerings without assembling the underlying market infrastructure themselves.

“Tokenized equities won’t reach mainstream adoption until broker-dealers can offer them as naturally as they offer traditional securities,” Dinari CEO Gabriel Otte said in a statement.

The move comes as tokenized equities emerge as the next battleground in real-world assets. After U.S. Treasury funds became the first institutional trend for tokenization, firms are increasingly turning to public stocks, betting blockchain can modernize trading, settlement and shareholder recordkeeping.

Some firms, such as Robinhood and Kraken’s xStocks initiative, focus on creating blockchain-based representations of publicly traded shares via offshore structures, often called synthetic tokens, offered to non-U.S. investors.

Long-standing digital publisher launches comprehensive casino journalism initiative and player comparison tools, emphasizing transparency and responsible gaming practices

AlienWP, a digital publishing platform operating since 2013, has revealed its strategic entry into the iGaming sector through the introduction of comprehensive online casino journalism, operator reviews, regulatory updates, and responsible gaming resources. This expansion represents a significant milestone for the organization as it widens its editorial scope to address both gambling enthusiasts and industry stakeholders with objective, journalism-focused material.

Core Initiative

The platform will now deliver consistent editorial content encompassing online gambling operators, sector developments, operator evaluations, promotional offerings, regulatory frameworks, and player security. The organization’s mission centers on providing audiences with transparent, evidence-based insights into the digital gambling landscape, avoiding hyperbolic marketing language or misleading assertions.

This strategic pivot into iGaming journalism leverages AlienWP’s established reputation as a veteran digital publishing entity. According to company representatives, this transition addresses increasing consumer appetite for credible, unbiased intelligence regarding online gambling platforms, especially concerning regulatory compliance, financial transaction security, and responsible gaming frameworks.

Platform Development

Complementing its editorial operations, AlienWP is concurrently building a distinct consumer-facing platform branded as Alien Wise Play. This web application functions as an interactive dashboard enabling users to evaluate online gambling operators, bookmark preferred platforms, monitor promotional offers, and examine regulatory credentials prior to engagement.

Alien Wise Play maintains a strictly informational role—it neither operates gaming services, handles financial transactions, nor dispenses gambling recommendations. The platform serves as a comparison and educational resource, sustained through affiliate commercial arrangements while diverging from conventional affiliate website models. According to AlienWP, transparency and consumer safeguarding form the foundational principles guiding platform development.

Central to Alien Wise Play’s functionality is the Wise Play Score, a proprietary evaluation framework that judges gambling operators across multiple dimensions including regulatory authorization, trustworthiness, financial transaction dependability, operational transparency, customer service quality, and consumer protection infrastructure. AlienWP has disclosed plans to integrate crowdsourced user assessments and artificial intelligence-powered analytics into subsequent iterations of the evaluation methodology, while preserving editorial autonomy.

Additional details about the platform can be found at Alien Wise Play.

Official Statement

Oliver Dale, company representative for AlienWP, commented: “Consumers investigating online gambling platforms frequently encounter difficulty locating transparent, unbiased intelligence. Our objective through this strategic expansion involves delivering accessible casino journalism and operator assessments, while simultaneously constructing Alien Wise Play as an instrument empowering consumers to reach educated conclusions, with responsible gaming principles and operational transparency anchoring our entire approach.”

Roadmap and Development

AlienWP intends to progressively broaden its iGaming journalism and review operations throughout upcoming quarters, concurrent with ongoing enhancement of Alien Wise Play and refinement of the Wise Play Score methodology. Development priorities include integration of community feedback mechanisms and machine learning-enhanced analytical capabilities into evolved versions of the assessment framework, while preserving editorial separation from evaluated gambling operators.

Company Background

Established in 2013, AlienWP operates as a publishing entity specializing in online gambling operators, iGaming sector journalism, operator evaluations, regulatory frameworks, promotional offerings, responsible gaming advocacy, and industry analysis. The organization is simultaneously constructing Alien Wise Play, a consumer-oriented dashboard facilitating operator comparison, promotional tracking, and accessible regulatory and safety intelligence. Additional information can be accessed at alienwp.com.

Press Inquiries

Oliver Dale
AlienWP
Website: https://alienwp.com

India’s tax authorities have reportedly identified major gaps in how crypto gains are being declared, underscoring a growing enforcement challenge that is emerging alongside the country’s long-running debate over crypto regulation. According to documents reviewed by Reuters, less than a quarter of people who reported making crypto transactions were actually declaring them on tax returns for the year ending in March 2023.

The same set of government documents reportedly estimates that India had roughly 39 million crypto traders holding assets worth more than $2.1 billion by the end of May. With offshore venues, private wallets, and peer-to-peer (P2P) activity increasingly common, the findings point to why tax authorities may struggle to track transactions and recover revenue—even if policy shifts are already being discussed at the central bank level.

Key takeaways

• Reuters reports India’s crypto tax reporting gaps: fewer than 25% of 645,000 individuals who transacted in the year ending March 2023 declared those trades.
• Government documents cited by Reuters estimate about 39 million crypto traders in India holding over $2.1 billion in crypto as of end-May.
• The tax issue adds a new dimension to India’s policy debate, shifting attention from only financial-stability concerns to offshore trading and tax compliance.
• India is not alone: a separate disclosure effort in Israel also underperformed against expectations, according to local reporting.

India’s reporting gap highlights a tracking problem

Reuters, citing government documents, says the tax department found that crypto activity is not being reflected consistently in tax filings. The Reuters report frames this as a practical enforcement issue: when trading happens on offshore exchanges, through private wallets, or via P2P arrangements, linking transactions to taxable income becomes harder.

The scale of the issue—reported involvement by 645,000 individuals in the year ending March 2023—makes it more than a niche compliance problem. If fewer than a quarter reported their activity, tax leakage could remain substantial, particularly as retail participation appears to be large. Reuters’ cited estimate of around 39 million crypto traders and more than $2.1 billion in holdings at end-May suggests that the affected population may continue to expand.

India’s standing in adoption metrics adds context. The Reuters report notes India was ranked first in Chainalysis’ 2025 Global Crypto Adoption Index, which implies widespread on-the-ground usage. When adoption rises faster than tax compliance, authorities often face a widening gap between real-world activity and reported taxable events.

Central bank containment guidance meets tax enforcement reality

The Reuters findings land during a period when India’s central bank has signaled strong constraints on crypto usage in the financial system. Earlier coverage referenced that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) backed a “containment” approach, arguing for keeping banks and financial institutions insulated from cryptocurrencies and privately issued stablecoins.

On July 3, the RBI reportedly urged lawmakers to preserve that containment stance. Reuters’ summary indicates the central bank reiterated that prohibition remained an available policy option, while also recommending steps aimed at preventing digital asset use in payments and settlements. In other words, the RBI’s primary focus has been on limiting crypto’s reach into mainstream financial plumbing.

But the new tax documentation shifts emphasis. Even with banking and payment rails constrained, crypto trading can continue through offshore platforms and decentralized or private channels. That creates a different policy challenge: authorities may still need tools to identify taxable transactions and enforce reporting obligations, regardless of whether the regulated banking sector is deeply exposed.

Cointelegraph attempted to obtain a comment from India’s Central Board of Direct Taxes but reported it had not received a response by the time of publication.

Israel’s disclosure program also fell short

India’s compliance struggle echoes a broader pattern seen in other jurisdictions. In Israel, a voluntary disclosure program aimed at bringing previously undisclosed crypto profits into the tax net reportedly did not meet expectations, according to a June 3 report by Globes.

Globes reported that the Israel Tax Authority (ITA) expected the program to raise between 2 billion and 3 billion Israeli shekels (roughly $650 million to $986 million). The scheme offered criminal immunity to taxpayers who disclosed hidden capital. However, local reporting says only 289 disclosure requests were submitted after the program started in August 2025.

Globes further reported reported capital of 676.5 million shekels and an estimated tax due of 40.9 million shekels—far below the initial expectations and also below what was characterized as the size of the crypto tax gap.

Tax experts cited by Globes pointed to a key design issue: the lack of an anonymous disclosure track. If taxpayers believe they will be identifiable, the incentive to come forward may weaken, especially when enforcement risk and reputational concerns are perceived as high.

What investors and builders should watch next

For market participants, the practical question behind the headlines is whether governments can close the compliance gap without simply chasing an ever-shifting set of on/off-ramps. India’s reported figures suggest that enforcement is becoming a major pillar of policy—one that depends on data visibility across offshore trading, P2P activity, and private custody.

Investors and crypto users should watch for the next steps from tax authorities and regulators: whether India moves toward tighter reporting requirements, improved information-sharing, or more targeted compliance measures aimed specifically at harder-to-trace trading routes. Until then, the tension between widespread adoption and incomplete tax reporting is likely to remain a defining risk for the sector.

Ripple has secured a five-year sponsorship with the University of Kansas that will place the XRP logo on Jayhawks athletics uniforms, creating the first crypto jersey sponsorship for a major NCAA Division I athletics program.

According to Ripple and Kansas Athletics, the agreement takes effect immediately, with XRP branding appearing on football, basketball, and other Jayhawks uniforms. The partnership also includes financial literacy and technology education programs funded by Ripple for student-athletes and members of the campus community.

The announcement comes days after Ripple strengthened its regulatory position in Europe. As previously reported by crypto.news, the company received a Crypto-Asset Service Provider license from Luxembourg’s Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets framework.

According to Ripple, the approval allows it to provide regulated crypto services across all 27 European Economic Area member states.

Partnership extends beyond jersey branding

Kansas Athletics described the agreement as a landmark partnership that brings the XRP brand to one of the country’s best-known college sports programs. The university said the arrangement is built on a shared focus on innovation and excellence while giving Ripple access to millions of college sports fans through the Jayhawks.

In a statement released by Kansas Athletics, Director of Athletics Travis Goff said Ripple selected Kansas Athletics as a platform to introduce XRP to a national audience. He added that displaying the XRP logo on Jayhawks uniforms demonstrates a shared commitment to innovation and excellence between the two organizations.

Ripple said the agreement goes beyond marketing through uniform sponsorships. According to the company, it will also support educational initiatives covering financial technology and digital assets for both student-athletes and the broader university community.

The relationship between Ripple and the university predates the sponsorship. The University of Kansas operates an official XRP Ledger validator through its engineering school with support from Ripple’s University Blockchain Research Initiative, which has provided the institution with a multimillion-dollar grant for blockchain research and education.

Brad Garlinghouse highlights personal connection as XRP ecosystem expands

Ripple Chief Executive Officer Brad Garlinghouse called the announcement a rare moment where his professional and personal worlds come together. Writing on social media, Garlinghouse noted that XRP has become the first cryptocurrency to appear on the jersey of a major college athletics program before adding, “XRP Family, meet the Jayhawks.”

Garlinghouse’s comments carry added significance because the University of Kansas is his alma mater. His remarks accompanied Ripple’s announcement as the company continues expanding its ties with the university through athletics, education, and blockchain research.

Elsewhere in the XRP ecosystem, developers and validators continue preparing for the XRPL 3.2.0 upgrade, which supporters expect will improve tokenization capabilities and decentralized finance scalability on the network.

The sponsorship news arrives as XRP trades in a volatile market. XRP changed hands at about $1.08 after moving between $1.08 and $1.13 over the previous 24 hours. Meanwhile, XRP futures activity is picking up, with open interest rising by more than 1% over the past four hours, including gains of 0.33% on CME and 0.75% on Binance.

Despite recent price weakness, crypto.news previously reported that spot XRP exchange-traded funds have recorded inflows for nine consecutive weeks.

There are also signs of seller exhaustion and believer accumulation. As seen in prior market bottoms, BTC can find a floor when few sellers remain and when accumulation from holders with conviction picks up. This is playing out with around 45% of long-term holder supply sitting at a loss, per data from Checkonchain, with levels associated with prior market bottoms. It suggests many of the sellers are already out, leaving only convicted holders, who are not only able to withstand the volatility but who may also be adding to their positions. This is showing up in the data, with BTC supply held by long term holders climbing to a record high in recent weeks. Meanwhile, on-chain movements of longer-held BTC have abated from last year, alleviating earlier pressures.

The situation today

BTC has been in a down market since October, fighting a rotating set of headwinds largely unrelated to bitcoin’s underlying attributes. The question now is what happens when those headwinds change to tailwinds. With growth in money supply accelerating, sentiment and momentum could soon turn around.

There are also signs of seller exhaustion and believer accumulation. As seen in prior market bottoms, BTC can find a floor when few sellers remain and when accumulation from holders with conviction picks up. This is playing out with around 45% of long-term holder supply sitting at a loss, per data from Checkonchain, with levels associated with prior market bottoms. It suggests many of the sellers are already out, leaving only convicted holders, who are not only able to withstand the volatility but who may also be adding to their positions. This is showing up in the data, with BTC supply held by long term holders climbing to a record high in recent weeks. Meanwhile, on-chain movements of longer-held BTC have abated from last year, alleviating earlier pressures.

Paradigm has raised $1.2 billion for a new venture fund focused on artificial intelligence and robotics, according to a Wednesday report from Bloomberg.

The firm’s third venture fund reflects growing interest in AI and defense technology, though it does not signal an exit from digital assets.

“Crypto was the first frontier for us, and it continues to be a really exciting one, but there’s so much else happening right now that’s pretty hard to ignore,” managing partner Alana Palmedo told Bloomberg.

Paradigm has already deployed capital from the new fund into several companies, Bloomberg reported. Those include autonomous drone delivery company Zipline International, which was valued at $7.6 billion in January, and space defense startup True Anomaly, which reached a $2.2 billion valuation in April.

Founded in 2018 by Matt Huang and Coinbase co-founder Fred Ehrsam, Paradigm built its reputation as one of crypto’s largest venture investors. The firm launched a $2.5 billion flagship crypto fund in November 2021, then the largest dedicated crypto fund, before raising an $850 million fund for early-stage blockchain startups in 2024.

Tomorrow marks one year since memecoin platform Pump Fun announced that an airdrop for its PUMP token would be “coming soon.” Users are still waiting.

The promise was made on July 9, 2025, during a Pump Fun marketing push that tried to paint itself as a competitor against social media giants Facebook, TikTok, and Twitch. 

It also announced its ICO of the platform’s token, PUMP, which is now down almost 75% since its launch almost a year ago.  

Pump Fun Chief Operating Officer, Alon Cohen, tempered expectations one day after the airdrop pledge, saying that it wouldn’t be happening in the “immediate future.”

Users, including crypto influencer Ansem (real name Zion Thomas), have been begging for Pump Fun to make good on its airdrop promise ever since.

Read more: PUMP lost $700M in market cap as Alon Cohen shut down airdrop rumor

On the Market Bubble podcast this week, Ansem called for Pump Fun to align more with its community and said that if he had the keys to the firm, he would start to plan for an airdrop. 

He claimed that the promised airdrop would’ve involved 24% of PUMP’s allocation, and added that users “are mad as fuck at Pump Fun for a ton of different reasons, but one of them is they never airdropped to their core users.”

Last month, Ansem launched his own Pump Fun token called The Black Bull, which has managed to reach a market cap of $175 million in just seven days. He’s already airdropped almost $7 million across 700 wallets. 

Bubblemaps noted one wallet received over $1 million, six wallets received over $100,000 each, 40 wallets received over $10,000 each, 300 wallets received over $1,000 each, and 400 wallets received over $150 each. 

Read more: Bounty-chasing Pump Fun users are tattooing crypto tickers on their faces

A Pump Fun airdrop of sorts already took place in December 2025 after the platform acquired memecoin trading terminal, Padre. 

After the acquisition, Pump Fun said it would no longer support the usage of the terminal’s PADRE token, and the price of PADRE sank 67%.

There was intense backlash among PADRE holders, and eventually Pump Fun agreed to distribute a PUMP airdrop to those holders affected by the price swing. 

Pump Fun is doing everything but airdropping 

Pump Fun was launched in January 2024 as a memecoin generator. Since then, it’s been busy trying out new ventures and different ways to monetize its operations since it announced the supposedly imminent airdrop. 

One day after announcing the ICO and airdrop, it acquired the wallet tracker Kolscan.

Then, in April 2026, the platform announced that it had burned $370 million worth of PUMP tokens that it had bought back (around 36% of the circulating supply) in an attempt to “gain trust with our community.”

It also committed to buying back and burning future PUMP tokens using 50% of its revenue across the next year. This post alone is filled with Pump Fun users demanding an airdrop. 

In response to the closure of X Communities, in May this year, Pump Fun announced its own space for crypto communities.

One month later, it released a controversial bounty program that saw some crypto traders promise to pay $50,000 to anyone willing to skydive into an ongoing World Cup match and invade the pitch.