Binance is pressing forward with its licensing process under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regime, after reporting that the Greek regulator overseeing its application has completed an initial compliance review. The move comes amid reports that EU authorities may be preparing to reject the exchange’s bid for authorisation, which would materially affect its ability to provide services to customers in the bloc.

In a blog post published on Tuesday, Binance stated that Greece’s Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC) has reviewed the application and “considered it compliant with MiCA requirements,” while noting that the authorisation outcome remains subject to further review by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). The company’s comments followed a Reuters report that EU regulators were preparing to reject Binance’s licensing request, potentially limiting the exchange’s access to the EU market.

Key takeaways

• Binance says HCMC has completed its review of its MiCA application and found it compliant, subject to ESMA-level scrutiny.
• EU licensing deadlines under MiCA mean that a rejection could restrict Binance’s ability to operate legally for EU residents from July 1.
• Reuters reported that some EU regulators are preparing to reject the application, highlighting uncertainty around the authorisation timeline.
• Binance indicated it would update users by June 30, the MiCA application deadline.
• The development intersects with broader regulatory expectations for exchange compliance, including alignment with EU consumer and market integrity standards.

MiCA licensing timeline and the implications of a decision

MiCA establishes a harmonised licensing framework for crypto-asset service providers operating in the EU. For exchanges, the regulatory transition period has created tight execution deadlines. As Binance approaches the end of June, authorisation decisions tied to MiCA compliance determine whether firms can continue serving EU customers without falling out of the legal perimeter.

Binance’s situation is particularly sensitive because MiCA expects approved status for ongoing EU operations beginning on July 1. If an application is denied, the practical outcome is not simply administrative—firms may have to restrict or cease services for EU residents to remain compliant, affecting customer access, onboarding, and potentially the continuity of regulated products and services.

In its blog post, Binance argued that any delay or distortion in its MiCA pathway would have downstream impacts beyond the company itself, including effects on liquidity and competition within the EU market structure. While those arguments are commercial in tone, the underlying compliance issue remains regulatory: the authorisation process defines whether an exchange is permitted to operate under the EU’s market-wide conduct and prudential expectations.

What Binance says HCMC concluded, and what ESMA still controls

According to Binance, HCMC—an EU authority tasked with initial regulatory review under MiCA—has completed its assessment of Binance’s application submitted under the Greek framework. The exchange said HCMC “considered it compliant with MiCA requirements,” while emphasising that the assessment is still subject to review by ESMA, the EU’s securities oversight body.

This sequencing matters for institutional and compliance monitoring. Even where a national regulator indicates that an application is compliant, final authorisation decisions in MiCA involve EU-level scrutiny, reflecting the regime’s objective of consistent cross-border oversight. In the current case, Binance’s stated position suggests the file has progressed past initial national review, but the outcome is not insulated from ESMA’s assessment.

Binance also told Cointelegraph that it expected ESMA “intended to progress the licence and move to authorise at an upcoming board meeting.” The exchange did not provide immediate additional comment on the Reuters report indicating potential rejection, but it stated it would update users by June 30. That commitment aligns with MiCA’s application deadline, underscoring that the operational question for firms and customers is whether authorisation will be granted in time to avoid legal disruption.

Broader regulatory context: other MiCA approvals and the risk of fragmentation

Binance previously applied for MiCA licensing in Greece under HCMC in January. The exchange’s progress should be viewed against a wider backdrop in which multiple EU regulators have already approved licences for crypto firms seeking MiCA compliance, particularly as the regime’s deadlines tightened.

From a policy and enforcement standpoint, the degree of regulatory consistency across member states is a key concern. MiCA is intended to reduce fragmentation by creating a unified rulebook and coordinated oversight, but licensing outcomes can still differ depending on the regulator’s assessment, the completeness and sufficiency of documentation, and the handling of issues identified during review.

For regulated entities—such as banks, custody providers, brokers, and payment firms integrating crypto services—uncertainty in licensing outcomes can become a compliance risk in its own right. It affects due diligence processes, vendor onboarding criteria, and ongoing monitoring obligations under AML/KYC expectations. If a major exchange faces authorisation setbacks, counterparties may need to reassess exposure to the regulated services they rely on, including contingency planning for service continuity.

Although Binance’s blog post frames the potential consequences as market-wide, the compliance angle is more precise: authorisation status is often a gating factor for whether EU-facing services can be offered lawfully, and the transition period can force operational changes on short timelines.

US enforcement history and the compliance expectations facing Binance

Outside the EU, Binance remains subject to scrutiny by US authorities. In 2023, Binance reached an agreement with US regulators in which then-CEO Changpeng Zhao stepped down and pleaded guilty to a felony charge. The company also agreed to a $4.3 billion settlement with the US Department of the Treasury and the Department of Justice, and to follow a monitoring program.

More recently, US lawmakers have pressed for further information related to Binance’s compliance amid broader geopolitical and sanctions-related concerns. Cointelegraph previously reported that US legislators sought answers regarding Binance’s handling of sanctioned entities, including claims that the exchange facilitated activity involving parties subject to sanctions.

While US enforcement and EU authorisation are separate legal processes, the combined scrutiny increases the importance of compliance evidence that can satisfy multiple regulators. Under MiCA, authorisation and ongoing supervisory expectations are structured around governance, consumer protection, market integrity, and robust controls relevant to crypto-asset service provision. For compliance teams, enforcement history tends to elevate the evidentiary bar for internal controls and transparency, especially where licensing decisions can influence whether the firm is permitted to provide services in regulated jurisdictions.

Closing perspective

With MiCA’s June 30 deadline approaching and ESMA-level review still pending, the key question for the EU-facing operation is whether Binance receives authorisation in time to continue services to EU residents on July 1. The next developments—especially ESMA’s actions and any official regulatory communications—will determine not only Binance’s legal posture in the EU, but also how regulated counterparties manage compliance uncertainty during the transition.

In the most shocking result of the 2026 FIFA World Cup so far, Cabo Verde held reigning European Champions Spain to a goalless draw on Monday.

The unexpected result has led to vast sums of money being lost on prediction market/de-facto sports betting platform Polymarket.

Indeed, the market’s biggest loser, a Polymarket veteran, lost $1.6 million banking on a Spain victory.

Read more: Memecoin ‘cult’ offered $50K to anyone willing to skydive into World Cup match

An hour before kickoff, the Polymarket Sports X account highlighted another million-dollar bettor, who stood to win just $87,000 on a $1 million dollar wager that Spain would win.

The account turned out to be the second biggest loser, followed by another mammoth $720,000 loss.

On the other side of the coin, one freshly-created account hit the jackpot. The account, named “fishalive,” placed two bets, against Spain winning and the match’s spread, netting over $8.5 million in total.

However, with such large sums placed on such low odds, these bets are likely hedging exposure elsewhere, via another profile or on another platform.

In all, Monday’s match in Atlanta saw a total of $64 million worth of Polymarket positions traded, just over half of which was placed on the overall ‘moneyline’ result.

As the game kicked off, the market put Spain’s odds of winning at 90%, and a draw at 7%.

By half time, the European champions’ odds were still around 80% but they plummeted as the second half wore on and Spain repeatedly failed to score despite a seemingly endless barrage of attacks.

Cabo Verde’s 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha has become an overnight sensation, and was awarded player of the match. However, in a post-game interview, he explained through tears that his mother was unable to attend the match due to not being able to afford a US visa.

Another key player in keeping Spain’s superstar forwards at bay, defender Roberto Lopes was reportedly recruited via LinkedIn while playing club football in Ireland.

The island nation’s population is just over half a million people, around 1% of rival Spain.

Read more: Strategy’s BTC sale sends Polymarket into disarray

Prediction markets or just sports betting?

Staggering amounts are being wagered on prediction markets such as Polymarket during this World Cup.

The World Cup Winner market has already seen almost $2.5 billion in volume, with over a month to go before the final match.

Spain are currently second favourites with 14% chance, behind France at 17%, and have dropped two percentage points since yesterday’s Cabo Verde match.

The following match, between Belgium and Egypt saw one user, the aptly named “Leeeroyjenkins,” lose $8.7 million betting on Belgium. The match also resulted in a draw.

At the club level, La Liga club Osasuna was caught up in reports of hedging its relegation risk via Polymarket rival Kalshi. The club insisted that it had simply taken out an insurance policy and that the exact mechanics were down to the provider.

Spain temporarily banned prediction markets Polymarket and Kalshi last month.

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Senator Cynthia Lummis has pushed back against criticism of the Clarity Act as debate over crypto rules intensifies. She said the bill strengthens fraud enforcement and directs new money toward digital asset investigations. The defense comes as lawmakers weigh developer protections, crime risks, and wider market oversight.

Clarity Act Funding Takes Center Stage

Lummis framed the Clarity Act as a law enforcement tool, not a rollback of oversight. She said the bill provides $150 million to help agencies pursue crypto scams and bad actors. Therefore, her message directly answered claims that the measure could weaken compliance standards.

The funding provision has become a key argument for supporters of the crypto market structure bill. They say enforcement agencies need clearer authority and stronger resources to police digital asset activity. However, critics argue that some language may narrow the reach of financial crime rules.

The latest dispute followed White House discussions with law enforcement officials over the bill’s impact. Those talks focused on developer protections and their possible effect on illicit finance cases. As a result, the enforcement debate now sits at the center of the Senate process.

Developer Protections Remain a Major Flashpoint

Solana Institute President Kristin Smith urged lawmakers to preserve the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act language. She argued that developers, validators, and node operators should not face money transmitter rules. She said the protection should apply when those participants never control customer funds.

Supporters of that provision say it creates a clear line between software builders and financial intermediaries. They argue that open-source code writers and node operators do not hold user money. Therefore, they should not carry the same duties as custodial crypto platforms.

Opponents have raised concerns that broad exemptions could complicate enforcement against illicit finance networks. They worry that bad actors may hide behind technical roles or decentralized systems. Still, backers say the bill keeps fraud enforcement intact and targets real control over funds.

Senate Talks Add Pressure to Crypto Rulemaking

The Clarity Act has gained momentum as Senate talks move toward a possible floor vote. Lawmakers continue to shape the Senate version after the House advanced earlier market structure work. Meanwhile, policy groups and industry leaders are preparing for more discussions in Chicago.

Rep. Dusty Johnson remains one of the key figures tied to the earlier House Agriculture Committee version. His role matters because the bill divides oversight between market regulators and financial enforcement agencies. Therefore, House views may still influence the Senate draft.

Journalist Eleanor Terrett has said she wants to track how House Agriculture members view the Senate version. That question matters because both chambers must align before final passage. If major gaps remain, the bill could face new delays or revisions.

Industry Leaders Reject Weaker Oversight Claims

JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon recently drew attention after criticizing the Clarity Act debate. His remarks triggered pushback from crypto executives who support clearer federal rules. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse then argued that the bill improves compliance oversight rather than reducing it.

Garlinghouse said claims about weaker oversight misrepresent the measure and its enforcement goals. His position aligned with Lummis, who pointed to dedicated funding for fraud probes. Together, their comments reflect a broader industry effort to defend the bill’s compliance structure.

The Clarity Act now sits at a decisive stage in Washington’s crypto policy fight. Supporters present it as a framework for rules, enforcement, and innovation. Critics continue to test whether its protections could limit action against digital asset crime.

State Street Investment Management has introduced a new money market fund aimed at stablecoin issuers, giving them a regulatory-aligned way to park reserve assets in US government securities and related instruments. The firm said the product is designed to fit within the reserve requirements created by the GENIUS Act—U.S. legislation signed on July 18, 2025 that established the first federal framework for payment stablecoins.

The fund is structured as a Rule 2a-7 government money market fund and is intended for investors including State Street Bank and Anchorage Digital, according to State Street. The move highlights how quickly traditional asset managers are trying to capture the emerging pool of “reserve-adjacent” capital that stablecoin compliance requires.

Key takeaways

• State Street Investment Management launched a Rule 2a-7 government money market fund for stablecoin issuers’ reserves under the GENIUS Act framework.
• The fund will invest in assets commonly used for stablecoin backing, including US government securities and repurchase agreements.
• Anchorage Digital—described by State Street as a federally chartered crypto bank—was named among the initial investors.
• The launch arrives amid an expanding race among major financial institutions to offer compliant stablecoin reserve and cash-management products.
• Stablecoin issuance has grown since the GENIUS Act was signed, with DefiLlama data cited by State Street.

A compliant “reserve vehicle” enters the market

For stablecoin issuers, reserve management is no longer just an operational choice—it is increasingly tied to regulatory structure. State Street’s newly launched fund is built to provide a pool of high-quality, short-term assets that can be used as reserves, using a regulatory wrapper investors are already familiar with.

State Street said the fund’s design is meant to comply with reserve requirements established by the GENIUS Act. By positioning the product as a Rule 2a-7 government money market fund, the firm is effectively mapping traditional money market infrastructure to the stablecoin compliance problem: holding liquid, yield-bearing instruments that regulators can view as suitable backing.

While the underlying asset categories—US government securities and repurchase agreements—are familiar to fixed-income investors, the significance lies in how the assets are bundled and offered specifically for stablecoin reserve use cases. In practice, that can reduce friction for issuers that must demonstrate compliance and maintain consistent liquidity profiles.

State Street’s stablecoin-related product expansion

This launch also follows State Street’s introduction of a tokenized liquidity product. The company previously unveiled the “State Street Galaxy Onchain Liquidity Sweep Fund (SWEEP),” developed with Galaxy Digital, which is designed to enable onchain cash management using stablecoins.

That sequence matters: it suggests a strategy that pairs onchain liquidity tooling with off-chain reserve management products under a federal regulatory framework. As the stablecoin industry develops clearer compliance rails, traditional finance players appear to be working to cover both ends of the workflow—capital movement on-chain and reserve handling in regulated vehicles.

GENIUS Act competition heats up among major firms

State Street’s entry is part of a broader wave of filings and product launches targeting stablecoin reserve assets since the GENIUS Act took effect. According to details cited in the source, several major institutions have already moved to build compliant offerings.

In May, JPMorgan filed plans for JLTXX, described as a tokenized money market fund intended to hold assets backing stablecoins while complying with the GENIUS Act’s requirements. The filing indicated that the fund would invest in US Treasury bills and overnight repurchase agreements—again aligning with the instruments widely used in stablecoin reserve strategies.

Earlier, Morgan Stanley introduced a “Stablecoin Reserves Portfolio,” a money market-style approach allowing stablecoin issuers to hold reserve assets and earn interest. Coinbase also disclosed an investment in the ProShares GENIUS Money Market ETF, a Treasury-focused fund that invests in assets eligible to back payment stablecoins under the law, framing the move as aligned with its growing stablecoin and cash-management activities.

Taken together, these efforts show a competitive pattern: rather than each issuer reinventing reserve operations, the market is increasingly offering standardized pools and wrappers—some tokenized, some traditional—that claim compatibility with the GENIUS Act’s reserve expectations.

Why reserve management has become a business battleground

The push into stablecoin reserve products is supported by the growth of the stablecoin sector itself. State Street cited DefiLlama data indicating the stablecoin market has expanded to around $315 billion, up from roughly $260 billion at the time the GENIUS Act was signed. The cited projections from Citi referenced by State Street suggest global stablecoin issuance could reach between $1.9 trillion and $4 trillion by 2030.

Those figures matter because reserve assets scale with issuance. As more stablecoin dollars come into circulation, the amount of assets that must be held—often in cash-like instruments—can increase, creating demand for vehicles capable of meeting both liquidity and regulatory requirements.

The reserve management challenge is visible in transparency reporting from major issuers as well. For example, Tether’s March 2026 reserves report, linked in the source, states that it held approximately $191.8 billion in assets backing USDT, with US Treasury bills forming the majority of its cash-equivalent reserves. While different issuers use different reserve mixes, the overall pattern—heavy reliance on Treasury bills and similar short-dated instruments—lines up closely with the asset categories referenced in State Street’s new fund.

What to watch next

State Street’s fund launch underscores that GENIUS Act compliance is quickly becoming a product opportunity rather than only an operational hurdle. Investors and builders should watch how quickly reserve-focused funds scale their adoption with issuers, and whether more tokenized or traditional money market offerings appear that explicitly target stablecoin reserve allocations under the new federal framework.

Crypto exchange data is pointing to a notable shift in how XRP is moving between wallets and trading venues. Since June 3, more than 720 million XRP has left exchanges across major platforms, while Upbit’s share of XRP wallet flows has risen to its highest level since May 2024.

The backdrop to the flow changes is a rebound in XRP price to around $1.30 on Monday, alongside continuing activity from large holders that is shaping withdrawal patterns. Still, key risk metrics remain mixed, suggesting investors should not assume the latest inflow-outflow trends automatically translate into an immediate sustained rally.

Key takeaways

• Between June 3 and June 14, large daily XRP outflows on multiple exchanges totaled roughly 722 million XRP, per CryptoQuant.
• Binance accounted for about 425 million XRP of those large outflows, underscoring continued whale influence in exchange flow data.
• Upbit’s dominance in XRP net wallet flows climbed to 31% on June 14, up from 13% a week earlier, according to CryptoQuant analyst Amr Taha.
• On Binance, the whale-versus-retail withdrawal spread is near 90%, indicating withdrawals of 100,000 XRP or more remain the majority driver.
• XRP’s Sharpe ratio is still negative (near -0.36, down from 0.18 in May), a condition that has historically coincided with stronger gains but can also align with “market pain.”

Exchange outflows rise, with whales leading the pattern

CryptoQuant data cited by analysts shows XRP’s multi-exchange daily outflow has been characterized by repeated withdrawals above 1 million XRP per transaction. Across the period from June 3 to June 14, major crypto platforms logged approximately 722 million XRP in large daily outflows—activity described as the most sustained whale-sized behavior since early February.

Within that total, Binance whales were responsible for about 425 million XRP in outflows. This is important for how to interpret exchange-flow indicators: while large withdrawals do not prove that holders are accumulating for the long term, they can reduce the immediate supply available for sale on exchange order books.

In other words, the data is more directly about positioning on trading venues than it is about confirmed intent. Traders often watch these metrics because persistent withdrawals can shift short-term liquidity conditions, even if price impact depends on broader demand.

Upbit captures a larger share of XRP wallet flows

A second exchange-flow metric points to where XRP holders are leaning when they move funds. According to crypto analyst Amr Taha, Upbit’s dominance in XRP net wallet flows rose to 31% on June 14—its highest level since May 2024—after increasing from 13% just a week earlier.

Taha also linked XRP’s roughly 5% rebound to about $1.30 on Monday with a “rotation” toward Upbit. In his view, deposit-wallet activity became increasingly concentrated on the South Korean exchange while several other major platforms lost relative share.

This kind of venue concentration matters because exchange-specific order books can respond differently to shifts in deposits and withdrawals. When a larger portion of flows begins concentrating on one trading venue, near-term volatility and depth can diverge across platforms, even if the overall market trend remains unchanged.

Binance whale-to-retail spread stays elevated

Beyond totals, CryptoQuant also highlighted a Binance-specific measure: the Binance Whale vs. Retail Spread. This metric compares the difference between whale-sized withdrawals—defined as 100,000 XRP or more—and retail-sized withdrawals below that threshold.

At the time of reporting, the spread sat near 90%, which implies large holders continue to account for most XRP outflows from Binance. Taha previously flagged that repeated declines toward the May 2024 range suggested a shift in Binance’s withdrawal profile away from the bullish period seen in 2024–2025.

Crucially, the analyst cautioned that the indicator should not be treated as a direct bullish or bearish trading signal. As he framed it, the spread tracks withdrawal behavior rather than measuring exchange selling activity outright. That distinction can help investors avoid over-interpreting exchange flows as instant momentum, particularly when other risk factors—such as volatility and return efficiency—are not clearly improving.

XRP’s Sharpe ratio remains negative despite the rebound

While exchange outflows and whale activity suggest positioning may be tightening on trading venues, XRP’s risk-efficiency snapshot remains under pressure. CryptoQuant data referenced in the article shows XRP’s Sharpe ratio continues to sit below zero, a range that has historically corresponded with bearish consolidation phases.

For context, the Sharpe ratio measures returns relative to volatility—essentially whether investors have been compensated for the risk they took. The report notes XRP recorded a Sharpe ratio of -1.097 in September 2022 when the token traded near $0.33. It then peaked at roughly 2.07 in January 2025 as XRP approached $3.14.

Currently, the reading is near -0.36, down from a positive 0.18 in May. CryptoQuant’s historical observation is that XRP has sometimes delivered some of its strongest gains when the Sharpe ratio was negative. During those stretches, average returns reportedly exceeded 50%, while performance tended to moderate once the ratio turned positive.

That said, another view adds nuance. In April, market analyst Teddy (via X) argued that deep negative Sharpe readings often reflect “market pain” rather than smooth, efficient trends. According to that framing, such periods can still create the conditions associated with long-term accumulation zones—but additional downside remains possible even if eventual upside historically follows.

What to watch next

If the June withdrawal surge persists and Upbit’s share of net wallet flows continues to rise, investors may see tighter exchange liquidity and shifting venue dynamics. However, with XRP’s Sharpe ratio still negative, traders should watch whether volatility compresses and whether risk-adjusted performance improves—signs that would better confirm whether the rebound can extend beyond a temporary relief move.

Coinbase is allowing users to transfer existing stock portfolios onto its platform, marking another step in the company’s push beyond cryptocurrency trading and toward becoming a full-service financial platform.

On Tuesday, Coinbase unveiled expanded stock and exchange-traded fund (ETF) trading through Coinbase Advanced, its platform for active traders, allowing US users to transfer existing portfolios from other brokerages directly onto the exchange. The update builds on the stock and ETF trading service Coinbase launched earlier this year, which initially provided access to roughly 6,000 securities.

The company is also offering zero-commission trading, TradingView charting tools, fractional shares and up to 3.5% rewards on eligible USDC (USDC) balances.

A Coinbase spokesperson told Cointelegraph that users will be able to physically transfer their holdings to the platform through the Automated Customer Account Transfer Service (ACATS), which enables securities and cash to move between brokerages without being sold.

Screenshot from a Coinbase account. Source: Coinbase

The expansion positions Coinbase to compete more directly with traditional brokerages and fintech platforms such as Robinhood by allowing users to manage stocks, ETFs and cryptocurrencies from a single account rather than across multiple services.

Coinbase’s Tuesday announcement also revealed a broader expansion of its trading offerings, including crypto and stock options, thematic equity index perpetual futures, pre-IPO perpetuals and expanded prediction markets. While some features are available immediately, others will roll out over the coming months.

Related: Coinbase launches 24/7 stock perps for non-US traders

Coinbase expands as crypto trading revenues fluctuate

Coinbase’s continued expansion beyond crypto comes as competition in the online brokerage industry intensifies and the company looks to diversify revenue streams that have historically been tied to digital asset markets.

The company’s financial performance has often tracked crypto price cycles. For example, Coinbase reported stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter 2024 earnings, with a post-election rally fueling a 130% jump in revenue. 

More recently, however, it posted a surprise loss in the first quarter of 2026 as weaker cryptocurrency prices weighed on trading activity. The company reported a loss of $1.49 per share on $1.41 billion in revenue, missing analysts’ expectations for earnings of 27 cents per share on $1.52 billion in revenue.

A summary of Coinbase’s Q1 2026 earnings. Source: Coinbase

Although spot crypto trading remains Coinbase’s primary source of revenue, expanding into stocks, ETFs and other financial products could help reduce its dependence on the volatility of digital asset markets.

Related: Exodus launches tokenized stock marketplace with Ondo, adds 200-plus onchain equities

BlackRock CIO Rick Rieder has maintained that Bitcoin can still climb considerably higher despite competition from AI-linked stocks, yield-focused investments, and emerging opportunities in credit markets.

According to comments made by Rieder during an interview on Bloomberg TV, the BlackRock executive remains positive on Bitcoin’s long-term outlook even after the cryptocurrency retreated roughly 50% from its all-time high. When asked whether Bitcoin remains attractive at its current levels, Rieder said he believes the asset will ultimately trade much higher over time.

His remarks arrived as Bitcoin (BTC) gave back part of a recent rally that was fueled by positive geopolitical developments.

Over the past week, the cryptocurrency rose more than 10%, reaching a high of $67,203 on June 15 after reports that the U.S. and Iran had reached a framework peace agreement that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz and ease concerns about energy supplies and inflation.

The advance, however, lost some momentum on Tuesday, June 16, after Iranian officials disputed suggestions that regional tensions had been fully resolved.

Competition from AI and income products remains a challenge

While expressing confidence in Bitcoin’s long-term prospects, Rieder explained that his mutual fund continues to maintain only moderate exposure to the cryptocurrency.

According to Rieder, Bitcoin is now competing for investor capital against several fast-growing areas of the market. He pointed to technology stocks, income-generating financial products, and developing opportunities in credit markets as alternative destinations for capital.

The comments come as investors continue pouring money into artificial intelligence-related companies, a trend that has intensified following recent gains across major technology stocks. Public market enthusiasm surrounding newly listed companies such as SpaceX has also drawn attention away from digital assets at times, creating additional competition for investment flows.

Despite those headwinds, Rieder said substantial amounts of capital remain on the sidelines. During the Bloomberg interview, he noted that investors could redeploy as much as $9 trillion currently parked in money market funds following the announcement of the U.S.-Iran peace deal.

BlackRock expands Bitcoin offerings despite market outflows

Rieder’s latest comments coincide with BlackRock’s expansion of its Bitcoin investment products.

As reported by crypto.news, the asset manager recently launched the iShares Bitcoin Premium Income ETF under the ticker BITA on Nasdaq.

According to the fund’s prospectus, the product seeks to generate annual yields of between 15% and 25% while retaining exposure to Bitcoin-linked returns through a covered-call strategy tied to BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin ETF holdings.

BlackRock already manages the largest spot Bitcoin ETF in the U.S. through the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT). Per SoSoValue data, the fund currently holds approximately $51 billion in net assets, making it the dominant product in the U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF market.

Even so, Bitcoin ETFs have faced persistent selling pressure in recent weeks. Spot Bitcoin funds, including IBIT, have recorded sizable outflows during the market downturn, a trend that has weighed on Bitcoin’s price performance.

Beyond digital assets, Rieder also used the interview to discuss monetary policy. According to the BlackRock executive, the Federal Reserve should avoid raising interest rates despite lingering inflation concerns, arguing that higher borrowing costs could create additional pressure on sectors where inflation remains difficult to bring down.

Rieder had previously been mentioned among candidates for Federal Reserve chair before President Donald Trump selected Kevin Warsh for the role.

The company is simultaneously broadening its derivatives business. New products include perpetual futures tied to thematic baskets such as artificial intelligence, defense and Chinese equities, as well as pre-IPO perpetual futures that provide exposure to private companies including SpaceX (SPCX), which went public earlier this month. Coinbase said contracts tied to OpenAI and Anthropic, which are anticipated to go public later this year, are expected to follow.

The exchange is also betting heavily on prediction markets, an area that has grown rapidly across crypto and traditional finance. New offerings include short-term crypto prediction contracts and bundled wagers that allow traders to combine multiple forecasts into a single position.

A major focus of the update is artificial intelligence.

Coinbase introduced Coinbase Advisor, which it described as one of the first SEC-registered AI-powered investment advisory tools. Initially available to Coinbase One subscribers in the U.S., the service aims to provide portfolio recommendations, tax-loss harvesting guidance and market analysis.

The announcements reflect CEO Brian Armstrong’s long-term vision of turning Coinbase into a full-service financial platform that combines trading, payments, lending and asset management. Competition continues intensifies across crypto and traditional finance, with exchanges increasingly racing to become the primary destination for trading stocks, digital assets and tokenized financial products from a single account.