Crypto World
Kalshi Bans US Politician Over Insider Trading
A regulatory spotlight has intensified around prediction markets after Kalshi, a Commodity Futures Trading Commission-regulated platform, banned a high-profile political candidate for trading on his own candidacy. The case underscores how even modest bets on real-world outcomes can trigger fast discipline when they intersect with insider-trading rules, and it comes as lawmakers and agencies sharpen their focus on the speculative-use cases that have quietly grown alongside the crypto ecosystem.
Key takeaways
- Kalshi issued a five-year ban plus a $2,000 penalty after a former California gubernatorial candidate wagered on his own bid and publicized the action on social media, violating platform rules.
- The politician’s actions align with reports that the description matches Kyle Langford, who has shifted from a Republican to a Democrat run for California’s 26th Congressional District; Kalshi noted he is no longer seeking the governorship and is pursuing Congress instead.
- In a May 25, 2025 X post, Langford showed a Kalshi bet of $98.76 on the odds of his victory, a detail Kalshi disclosed as part of the enforcement case and the public record surrounding the incident.
- Separately, a YouTube editor—widely reported as Artem Kaptur of MrBeast notoriety—tolerated a roughly $4,000 accumulation on YouTube stream markets between August and September 2025, resulting in a two-year penalty and about $20,000 in fines for insider-trading violations.
- Kalshi has signaled a broader crackdown, stating it has investigated around 200 cases, frozen several flagged accounts, and now operates with a surveillance audit committee and a partnership with Solidus Labs to detect market abuse as prediction markets scale.
Market context: Kalshi’s enforcement actions occur as prediction markets move toward greater mainstream participation and face intensified regulatory scrutiny. The company has pointed to internal surveillance capabilities and industry collaboration to curb abuse, while lawmakers have floated bills to curb insider trading among government insiders on these venues. The evolving framework aims to balance innovation with investor protection in markets that resemble, in some respects, both traditional trading and decentralized crypto ecosystems.
Why it matters
For traders and ordinary users, the Kalshi cases emphasize a core truth of prediction markets: information asymmetry and improper access carry legal risk. When a participant leverages privileged information—whether real-time, non-public data or an enhanced awareness of an opponent’s strategy—the odds of a fair outcome are eroded. Kalshi’s enforcement actions demonstrate that even seemingly modest bets can become substantial violations if they breach platform rules or disclosures, and they highlight the tension between the novelty of prediction markets and established securities-like expectations of fairness and compliance.
The enforcement framework also signals to other platforms that regulators and market monitors will pursue insider-trading and market-manipulation cases with visible penalties. Kalshi’s public disclosures about the Langford case and the YouTube-creator episode reveal a broader ambition: to deter participants from exploiting private information or unusual access to information channels, whether through social media disclosures, behind-the-scenes connections, or content-driven data streams. The platform’s stance can be read as a commitment to strict governance as prediction markets integrate with mainstream media, political events, and high-profile personalities.
From a policy perspective, the incidents sit at an intersection of financial-market integrity and digital-age governance. The industry has long argued that prediction markets offer useful foresight on real-world events, yet skeptics warn about the potential for manipulation and the overhang of regulatory risk. The Kalshi actions echo broader conversations in Washington about how to supervise new betting formats that blend real-world outcomes with digital platforms, while ensuring that insiders do not gain unfair advantage or profit from information unavailable to the broader public.
Beyond Kalshi, the regulatory mood has grown louder. Congressional discussions and CFTC-led efforts point to a growing taxonomy of enforcement priorities—insider trading, information leakage, and market abuse—that now extend to online prediction platforms with real-money stakes. In parallel, related coverage around Polymarket and other venues has amplified calls for clear guardrails, while public officials outline steps to harmonize the rules with ongoing crypto-market developments. The tension between innovation and accountability remains central to the evolving narrative around prediction markets and crypto-linked financial ecosystems.
In this environment, enforcement actions that surface publicly—such as the Langford-related ban and the YouTube-creator incident—serve as high-profile reminders for participants to treat prediction-market markets with the seriousness they deserve. Kalshi’s leadership has framed these cases as part of a broader discipline strategy, noting that its surveillance apparatus, governance enhancements, and third-party partnerships are designed to identify, investigate, and address market abuse before it becomes systemic.
What to watch next
- Follow Kalshi’s ongoing enforcement docket for new cases and the status of active investigations, including any additional penalties or account suspensions.
- Monitor the CFTC’s predicted shift toward formal advisory collaboration with industry players on prediction-market integrity and insider-trading enforcement.
- Watch for any legislative developments in the United States that would constrain or guide insider trading in prediction markets, especially in relation to government insiders.
- Track updates on the Kalshi-surveillance partnership with Solidus Labs and how their joint framework shapes market abuse detection across listings and events.
- Observe related coverage around high-profile figures and content creators involved in prediction-market activities, including how platforms handle disclosures and potential MNPI issues.
Sources & verification
- Kalshi’s enforcement case page documenting the governance action and penalties tied to the California candidate case.
- Public X posts by Kyle Langford referencing his Kalshi bet and candidacy status.
- Reports surrounding Artem Kaptur and the YouTube-stream-market enforcement action, including Kalshi’s disclosures and penalties.
- Kalshi’s statements on expanding surveillance and partnering with Solidus Labs to address market abuse.
- CFTC leadership statements and the establishment of a prediction markets advisory to coordinate enforcement efforts.
Kalshi enforcement actions highlight insider-trading risk in prediction markets
A political candidacy became the focal point for a broader discussion about market integrity after Kalshi announced a five-year ban and a $2,000 penalty on a former California gubernatorial hopeful who bet on his own bid and publicized it on X. The company said the individual placed a wager of about $200 on his candidacy, and Kalshi emphasized that the account did not generate profits from the trade. The public references tied to this case align with a broader pattern in which prediction-market platforms maintain strict prohibitions against insider trading, and violations are met with tangible penalties and disqualification from the platform.
The athlete-candidate narrative quickly shifted to a widely discussed possible match to Kyle Langford, who has since pivoted to a bid for California’s 26th Congressional District. Kalshi confirmed that the description fits Langford, noting he is no longer pursuing the governorship and has turned his ambitions toward Congress. A May 25, 2025 post on X shows Langford sharing a video of himself placing the Kalshi bet—specifically $98.76 on the odds of victory. Kalshi stated that this account did not withdraw profits, and the case was reported to the CFTC for further review. The company’s decision to publicize the enforcement action underscores its commitment to transparency in maintaining a level playing field for all users.
In a separate enforcement action that drew public attention, Kalshi flagged a YouTube editor for insider-trading-like activity across YouTube stream markets during August and September 2025. The editor traded approximately $4,000 on Kalshi markets in ways that violated Kalshi’s internal rules, resulting in a two-year penalty and roughly $20,000 in fines. The platform described the trading as statistically anomalous, pointing to an unusually high success rate on markets with low odds. Kalshi’s investigators concluded that the individual likely had access to material non-public information, though the specific identity was not disclosed in the company’s public release. The coverage in mainstream media has widely identified the implicated party as Artem Kaptur, a member of MrBeast’s team, highlighting how public content creators can intersect with financial-market activity in novel ways.
Kalshi’s broader enforcement program is not limited to these cases; the platform has publicly disclosed investigations into around 200 cases and has frozen several flagged accounts. Earlier in the month, Kalshi announced the creation of a surveillance-audit committee and a collaboration with Solidus Labs to bolster its ability to detect market abuse and insider trading across its prediction markets. The aim is to raise the bar for governance, promote integrity, and deter would-be insiders from exploiting information asymmetries for personal gain as these markets continue to attract participation from a broader audience, including institutions and highly-visible public figures.
The intensified regulatory posture surrounding prediction markets is also reflected in political developments. US lawmakers introduced a bill aimed at curbing trading by government insiders after a Polymarket user earned more than $400,000 on bets tied to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro—trades executed hours before U.S. authorities captured Maduro in Caracas. In response, the CFTC chair signaled that the agency would not hesitate to pursue violators, stating that a new advisory group would work with industry participants to identify and address insider trading in prediction markets. The combined signal from Kalshi, policymakers, and regulators suggests a turning point for how these markets are policed as they move from niche experiments to potential mainstream financial instruments.
As this environment evolves, the line between innovation and enforcement becomes more pronounced. Kalshi’s actions, the high-profile cases, and the regulatory dialogue reflect a broader industry shift toward more robust surveillance, clearer governance, and stricter penalties for those who undermine market integrity. For users, developers, and participants in the growing ecosystem around event-based markets, these developments serve as a reminder to prioritize compliance, transparency, and responsible trading practices—an essential framework if prediction markets are to achieve scalable trust and sustainable growth.
Trump-backed World Liberty Financial has introduced a new proposal to overhaul its governance through a new Governance Staking System designed to incentivize long-term participation, redirect arbitrage profits to committed token holders, and deepen adoption of its USD1 stablecoin.
Summary
- WLFI proposes mandatory staking for unlocked tokens to participate in governance, with ~2% targeted APR for active voters.
- A new Node and Super Node tier system offers OTC USD1 conversion access and prioritized partnership discussions.
- The plan aims to redirect stablecoin arbitrage profits from market makers to long-term WLFI ecosystem participants.
World Liberty Financial aims to redirect USD1 arbitrage profits to token stakers
Under the proposal, holders of unlocked WLFI (WLFI) tokens will be required to stake their tokens in order to participate in governance voting. Staking will carry a minimum lock-up period of 180 days, with voting power determined by a non-linear square root formula that factors in both the amount staked and remaining lock duration.
Governance rights will be dynamic and non-transferable, adjusting as lock-ups decline.
Active participation is central to the design. Stakers must vote at least twice during their lock-up period to qualify for base staking rewards, targeted at roughly 2% APR and paid from the WLFI treasury.
The reward rate will be determined at WLFI’s discretion and is not tied to revenue or operational performance. Only staking participants will receive USD1 deposit incentives on WLFI Markets provided by Dolomite.
The proposal also introduces a tiered structure. “Nodes,” defined as participants staking at least 10 million WLFI, would gain access to over-the-counter USD1 conversion via licensed market makers at 1:1 parity.
World Liberty Financial plans to subsidize these conversions, redirecting arbitrage opportunities previously captured by institutional intermediaries, estimated at 10–15 basis points per cycle.
At the top tier, “Super Nodes” staking 50 million WLFI would receive guaranteed access to the WLFI team for partnership discussions and potential economic incentives, subject to compliance and commercial review.
The proposal requires a quorum of 1 billion eligible WLFI voting tokens and a simple majority to pass, with a seven-day voting window. If approved, implementation will roll out in three phases, beginning with governance staking activation.
Swiss digital asset bank Sygnum unveiled Sygnum Select, a new institutional crypto asset management service aimed at corporate treasuries overseeing roughly $100 billion in digital assets. Launched on Thursday, the discretionary mandate product applies the discipline of traditional private banking to the crypto frontier, offering strategic asset allocation, active rebalancing, and rigorous risk oversight for institutional clients. The service arrives with live mandates and about $200 million already under active management, according to a Sygnum spokesperson. Data from Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) holdings platform BitcoinTreasuries shows public companies hold 1.13 million BTC and private firms hold 287,990 BTC, collectively valued at about $97 billion. This snapshot underscores the scale at which corporations already engage with crypto assets, even as the market seeks mature infrastructure for professional management.
Key takeaways
- Sygnum launches Sygnum Select, a discretionary mandate service that brings traditional portfolio-management rigor to institutional crypto assets, with live client mandates already in place.
- The offering targets the growing market of corporate and public digital asset treasury entities (DATs), which collectively hold well over $100 billion in crypto assets, highlighting a broad demand for regulated, end-to-end management.
- Clients gain full execution authority within an agreed investment framework, including strategic asset allocation, active rebalancing, and risk oversight, bridging private banking discipline with crypto exposure.
- Live mandates cover a wide spectrum: spot, staking, hedging, derivatives, tokenized securities, and market-neutral strategies across traditional and crypto assets.
- Initially, the service will serve Swiss clients, with plans for broader geographic expansion as institutional demand and regulatory clarity evolve.
Tickers mentioned: $BTC, $ETH
Market context: The range of corporate crypto deployments is expanding as institutions seek regulated, scalable solutions amid ongoing debates about custody, risk controls, and tokenization in traditional finance. The broader market backdrop includes a rising interest in tokenized assets and state-backed crypto reserves, alongside ongoing regulatory developments in key jurisdictions.
Sentiment: Neutral
Price impact: Neutral. The article describes product launches and market demand rather than immediate price moves.
Trading idea (Not Financial Advice): Hold. The expansion of regulated, discretionary crypto management services could support institutional risk management and liquidity, without implying short-term price catalysts.
Market context: As institutional adoption accelerates, regulated infrastructure and holistic management solutions grow in importance for corporate treasuries, alongside shifts toward greater tokenization and crypto readiness in traditional finance. The Swiss regulatory environment and broader ETF and custody developments remain closely watched by market participants. For context on Switzerland’s regulatory landscape, see the overview of cryptocurrency regulations in Switzerland: here.
Why it matters
The launch of Sygnum Select marks a notable push toward integrating crypto exposure into the same disciplined framework that underpins private banking solutions for traditional assets. By offering a discretionary mandate, Sygnum signals that institutional clients are seeking more than custody or execution—they want an active partner who can manage a crypto portfolio with a holistic risk and governance approach. This shift aligns with the maturation of the asset class, where institutions expect outcomes that mirror established private-banking standards rather than bespoke, ad hoc arrangements.
The service also reflects a broader market reality: corporate and public sector DATs have accumulated substantial crypto holdings, with BitcoinTreasuries data illustrating a substantial reservoir of crypto on corporate balance sheets. As regulated, scalable services emerge to serve these needs, the industry could see stronger demand for multi-asset strategies, cross-asset hedging, and tokenized securities that enable traditional investors to participate in crypto markets through familiar risk controls. The combination of traditional asset management discipline and crypto-native execution logic is intended to reduce operational friction and counterparty risk for large holders navigating a rapidly evolving landscape.
At the same time, Sygnum’s own track record—such as its market-neutral Bitcoin fund and recent fundraising milestones—provides context for the platform’s credibility. The bank previously raised more than 750 BTC in January for its market-neutral Bitcoin fund, which delivered an annualized return in the fourth quarter of 2025. The bank’s growth narrative is underscored by a post-money valuation surpassing $1 billion after a notable early-2025 funding round. These dynamics matter because they offer institutional clients a clearer signal of the institution’s capacity to manage complex crypto strategies within a regulated framework, which remains a priority for many treasuries evaluating outsourcing options.
Looking ahead, the Swiss focus of Sygnum Select—paired with reported intentions to expand geographically—illustrates a broader trend in which regulated, cross-border crypto asset management solutions become more widely available. While the initial rollout is Switzerland-centric, market participants will be watching to see how the product scales across jurisdictions with varying regulatory regimes, especially as tokenization, state-backed reserve concepts, and more sophisticated crypto instruments gain traction in traditional finance.
For readers tracking corporate crypto exposure, the push toward professional, institution-grade management infrastructure is a notable development. It complements existing flows into exchange-traded and custody services, while potentially broadening the set of investable crypto strategies available to treasuries and asset managers. As liquidity in the space continues to evolve and regulatory frameworks mature, Sygnum Select could serve as a blueprint for how crypto assets are managed within a regulated, multi-asset portfolio architecture, rather than in isolated, standalone crypto vehicles.
What to watch next
- Timeline and criteria for expanding Sygnum Select beyond Switzerland, including any regulatory approvals required for new jurisdictions.
- Uptake metrics: the pace at which additional client mandates are onboarded and the diversification of assets across traditional and crypto classes.
- Performance data for existing portfolios, including risk metrics and the impact of active rebalancing on portfolio drawdowns.
- Further product development, such as additional hedging instruments, derivatives capabilities, and tokenized securities offerings within the discretionary framework.
Sources & verification
- BitcoinTreasuries data on BTC holdings by public and private companies: https://bitcointreasuries.net/
- Cointelegraph reporting on Sygnum’s Bitcoin fund and related fundraising milestones: https://cointelegraph.com/news/swiss-bank-sygnum-raises-750-btc-market-neutral-fund
- Cointelegraph coverage of tokenization and Bitcoin reserves in 2026: https://cointelegraph.com/news/2026-sovereign-bitcoin-reserves-tradfi-tokenization-adoption-sygnum
- Cointelegraph overview of cryptocurrency regulations in Switzerland: https://cointelegraph.com/learn/articles/an-overview-of-the-cryptocurrency-regulations-in-switzerland
Market reaction and key details
Market participants will likely view Sygnum Select as part of a broader evolution in crypto asset management toward regulated, scalable, and holistic offerings. The emphasis on active portfolio management, multi-asset exposure, and risk oversight aligns with a growing demand from institutional clients seeking to integrate crypto into sophisticated investment programs rather than treat it as a stand-alone hedge or speculative play. As more corporate treasuries and DATs consider long-term crypto strategies, the availability of a regulated, institution-grade management solution could shape whether crypto becomes a durable component of diversified portfolios, or remains a jurisdiction-specific niche.
What the next steps could look like
If Sygnum successfully scales Sygnum Select beyond its Swiss launch, expect further clarity on governance frameworks, performance reporting standards, and interoperability with traditional private-banking platforms. The evolving landscape may also see regulators scrutinize product disclosures, risk controls, and cross-border suitability assessments as more institutions adopt such mandates. In parallel, ongoing developments in tokenization and liquidity solutions may broaden the range of assets available within discretionary crypto strategies, potentially expanding the addressable market and accelerating institutional adoption.
What to watch next
- Expansion announcements and regulatory milestones for onboarding new jurisdictions within the next 12–18 months.
- New performance disclosures and risk metrics for active portfolios under Sygnum Select.
- Partnerships or integrations with custody providers, insurers, or traditional asset managers to streamline compliance and reporting.
Update (Feb. 26 at 06:00 UTC): This article has been updated to include commentary from Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether]
US Federal agents in North Carolina seized more than $61 million worth of USDt (USDT) tied to a large‑scale “pig butchering” crypto investment scam that preyed on victims through fake online relationships and fraudulent trading platforms.
According to the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina in Raleigh on Tuesday, the scammers posed as romantic partners and claimed to have special trading expertise.
They then steered their victims toward convincing but fake crypto sites that displayed fictitious investment portfolios showing unusually high returns that enticed them to invest more, before the scammers blocked their withdrawals and demanded extra fees when victims tried to get their money back.
Investigators from Homeland Security Investigations traced the victims’ funds across multiple wallets used to launder the proceeds before identifying several addresses that still held substantial amounts, which were then seized and made subject to forfeiture.
Prosecutors noted that Tether cooperated in the investigation: “The Department of Justice and HSI acknowledges Tether for its assistance in transferring these assets,” the release states, in the latest example of stablecoin issuers working with authorities to freeze and recover funds flowing through US dollar‑pegged tokens like Tether’s USDt.
Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, said that the company’s cooperation with the DOJ highlighted the need for blockchain transparency to “empower law enforcement to act quickly and effectively against criminal activity.”
Crypto fraud scams on the rise
This latest case comes at a time of explosive growth in crypto fraud, including pig butchering schemes that blend romance scams with bogus trading opportunities.
Data from Chainalysis’ 2026 Crypto Scams report found that crypto scam losses in 2025 reached $17 billion, with artificial intelligence (AI) driven impersonation and social engineering scams increasing by 1,400% year‑on‑year and becoming far more profitable than traditional phishing or giveaway schemes.
Related: How pig-butchering crypto scams turn trust into a financial weapon
In one incident in December 2025, a Bitcoin investor said he lost his retirement savings after being groomed by an online “trader” who used AI‑generated images and a fabricated persona to build trust before convincing him to move his coins into a fake investment platform.
US prosecutors have started to secure major sentences against the perpetrators of these networks.
In February, a key figure in a pig butchering‑linked crypto laundering operation involving over $70 million was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, reflecting how seriously courts are now treating this category of crime.
Magazine: South Korea gets rich from crypto… North Korea gets weapons
Global digital asset banking group Sygnum has announced the launch of an institutional crypto asset management service targeting the $100 billion corporate crypto treasury sector.
Sygnum Select, launched on Thursday, is described as a “discretionary mandate service” that applies Swiss banking’s established portfolio management model to crypto assets.
The service launches with live client mandates, client assets, and $200 million in actively managed portfolios already in place, a Sygnum spokesperson told Cointelegraph.
The move comes amid solid growth in corporate and public digital asset treasury companies (DATs) over the last few years, which now hold over $100 billion in crypto assets.
“Yet many lack the infrastructure for professional, institutional-grade management,” which creates “strong demand” for regulated services offering such products and addressing the gap, stated Sygnum.
There are currently 1.13 million BTC held by public companies and 287,990 BTC held by private firms worth a combined $97 billion, according to BitcoinTreasuries.
Not all DATs have been success stories. Ether treasury ETHZilla rebranded to “Forum” on Wednesday as part of a pivot out from holding crypto, with the new focus on tokenized assets following a 20% stock slide year to date.
Meanwhile, the world’s largest BNB treasury company, CEA Industries, has crashed 94% from its high last year, reportedly blaming the family office of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, YZi Labs, for a “secret side agreement.”
Sygnum said there has been a shift in client needs
Sygnum Select takes full execution authority within a client’s agreed investment framework, handling strategic asset allocation, active rebalancing, and risk oversight.
“As digital assets mature and institutional adoption accelerates, we’re seeing a clear shift in what clients need,” said Sygnum chief investment officer Fabian Dori.
He added that crypto foundations and corporate treasuries are no longer simply looking for custody and trading, “they want a trusted, regulated counterparty who can actively manage their assets with the same discipline and holistic approach as a traditional private bank.”
Related: Sygnum sees tokenization and state Bitcoin reserves taking off in 2026
The live mandates include spot, staking, hedging, derivatives, tokenized securities, and market-neutral strategies, and most portfolios include multiple asset classes across traditional and crypto assets, according to Sygnum.
“Clients can now access bespoke portfolio management that combines what traditional asset managers or crypto-native firms can offer,” explained Markus Haemmerli, Sygnum’s head of portfolio management.
The service is initially available only to Swiss clients, but broader geographic expansion is planned.
Sygnum raised more than 750 BTC in January for its market-neutral Bitcoin (BTC) fund, which posted an annualized return of 8.9% in the fourth quarter of 2025.
The Swiss crypto bank reached a post-money valuation of more than $1 billion after securing $58 million in an oversubscribed strategic growth round in January 2025.
Magazine: Clarity Act risks repeat of Europe’s mistakes, crypto lawyer warns
South Korean authorities have arrested two suspects in connection with the theft of 22 bitcoins that had been held as evidence by the Gangnam Police Station, officials announced on Wednesday.
Summary
- Two suspects were arrested in South Korea for allegedly stealing 22 bitcoins seized as evidence in a 2021 case.
- The missing Bitcoin, worth about $1.5 million, was discovered during a nationwide audit of police custody practices triggered by other digital asset losses.
- Law enforcement plans to implement stronger custody procedures for seized digital assets, including dual custodians and secure storage protocols.
Suspects detained as South Korea police probe disappearance of seized Bitcoin
The digital assets, seized in November 2021 and valued at roughly ₩2.1 billion (about $1.5 million) at current market prices, were discovered missing during a nationwide audit of law enforcement’s virtual asset custody practices.
The Gyeonggi Northern Provincial Police Agency apprehended the two individuals on February 25, 2026, on suspicion of embezzling the Bitcoin (BTC) after it was held in connection with a criminal investigation that has since been suspended.
The audit was triggered following a separate high-profile incident in which 320 bitcoins went missing from the Gwangju District Prosecutors’ Office custody.
Investigators revealed that while the cold wallet device, a USB-based storage intended to secure the private keys, remained physically in police possession, the bitcoins it contained had been transferred out to an external address without authorization.
Police have not confirmed whether the stolen cryptocurrency has been recovered.
Authorities are tightening procedures for handling seized digital assets. New protocols to be introduced will include assigning dual custodians for wallets and sealing both hardware and recovery phrases, with plans to entrust assets to specialized custodians within the year.
A police official stated that steps will be taken to strengthen safeguards to prevent similar breaches going forward.
The arrests mark a significant escalation in the investigation into internal vulnerabilities related to law enforcement’s management of cryptocurrency evidence, prompting broader scrutiny and calls for overhauled digital asset custody standards.
The crypto market capitalization has moved higher over the past day, with broad gains across major coins reflecting improving investor sentiment.
At the same time, the rebound has squeezed bearish positions, with over $468.5 million in short liquidations recorded during the 24-hour window.
Crypto Liquidation Wave Hits Short Sellers
According to BeInCrypto Markets data, total market capitalization has increased by 4.29%. The majority of the top 10 cryptocurrencies have posted gains over the past 24 hours.
Dogecoin (DOGE) jumped 9.10%, marking the strongest performance among the 10 largest cryptocurrencies. Lido Staked Ether (STETH) followed, advancing 8.83%. Ethereum (ETH) ranked third among the top performers, jumping 8.75% and reclaiming the $2,000 level.
Bitcoin (BTC) also posted notable gains, climbing 4.76% over the past day. The flagship cryptocurrency briefly touched $70,027 on Binance yesterday before retracing slightly to trade at $68,647 at press time.
BeInCrypto reported that the rally benefited some long traders who recorded profits amid ETH’s latest rise. However, traders betting on further downside saw losses.
According to Coinglass, 128,348 traders were liquidated over the past 24 hours, with total liquidations reaching $575.59 million. Short traders bore the brunt of the losses, accounting for $468.53 million in liquidations, compared to $107.06 million in long positions.
Bitcoin alone accounted for roughly 40% of total liquidations, with approximately $194.95 million in short positions liquidated. ETH recorded $203.8 million in total liquidations during the same period, with $175.16 million stemming from short positions.
The largest single liquidation order occurred on Hyperliquid for the BTC-USD pair, valued at $10.41 million.
Analysts Warn Crypto Relief Rally May Not Signal Full Trend Reversal
The recent rally has sparked optimism, but analysts warn it may not mark a full trend reversal. According to XWIN Research Japan, Open Interest has fallen sharply from prior highs, signaling a broad deleveraging phase.
“The recent drop in price was accompanied by falling OI, suggesting that liquidations and derivatives-driven unwinds — rather than aggressive spot selling — played a major role in the decline. This type of reset can stabilize the market, but it does not automatically signal renewed structural demand,” XWIN Research Japan wrote.
At the same time, Binance’s Fund Flow Ratio remains low at around 0.012. Since this metric tracks BTC inflows relative to total exchange holdings, a low reading suggests limited immediate sell pressure.
The analysis added that during the drop toward the mid-$60,000 range, the ratio did not spike. This suggested there was no panic-driven spot selling.
However, XWIN Research Japan noted that weak inflows do not imply strong accumulation. The medium-term trend of the Fund Flow Ratio’s moving averages is trending downward. It indicates that structural demand has not yet shifted upward.
“When leverage remains suppressed, upward price moves can easily trigger short squeezes. In that case, the rally is driven more by position unwinding than by expanding structural demand,” the post read.
Analyst Darkfost also stressed that an increase in spot trading volume will be necessary for any bullish recovery or solid market bottom to develop.
A senior US lawmaker launched a congressional inquiry into crypto exchange Binance following reports that the platform processed about $1.7 billion in transactions tied to sanctioned Iranian entities and Russia’s oil “shadow fleet.”
On Tuesday, Senator Richard Blumenthal, ranking member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, sent a letter to Binance CEO Richard Teng requesting documents and internal records related to the exchange’s sanctions controls and compliance practices.
Citing reporting from the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and Fortune, Blumenthal said Binance compliance staff had identified two partner entities, including Hexa Whale and Blessed Trust, as intermediaries enabling trade with Iranian government-linked organizations. Internal investigators also reportedly traced transfers to wallets associated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and payments to crews operating tankers used to bypass sanctions on Russian oil exports.
“Binance appears to have ignored clear warning signs, knowingly allowed illicit accounts to operate, and even provided hands-on support to entities engaged in money laundering,” the senator said. He requested communications, account records and internal compliance reports, including any materials related to users connected to Iran and participants in Russian sanction-evasion networks.
Related: Binance stablecoin reserves have sunk 19% since November
Binance denies sanctions allegations
A Binance spokesperson told Cointelegraph that the recent allegations are inaccurate, saying that the platform identified and reported suspicious activity. The exchange disputed earlier media coverage and maintained that it does not allow Iranian users on the platform.
“Over the last several years, Binance has undergone one of the industry’s strongest compliance transformations, which has allowed us to achieve our current regulatory milestones,” the spokesperson said.
Binance has repeatedly pushed back against the recent media reports. Last week, the exchange denied a Fortune report alleging it processed over $1 billion in Iran-linked transactions and dismissed investigators who raised concerns.
On Tuesday, Binance CEO Richard Teng also criticized a Wall Street Journal report alleging $1.7 billion in Iran-linked transfers, calling it defamatory and demanding a retraction. In a blog post Monday, Binance said it has sharply cut exposure to sanctioned and high-risk jurisdictions, claiming a roughly 97% drop since January 2024 to about 0.009% of exchange volume.
Related: Binance confirms employee targeted as three arrested in France break-in
Senate probe questions Binance compliance
The inquiry follows Binance’s 2023 settlement with US authorities, in which the company agreed to pay $4.3 billion for Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and sanctions violations. Founder Changpeng Zhao stepped down as CEO and later served a four-month prison sentence. Binance also agreed to be monitored and pledged to strengthen compliance controls.
Blumenthal wrote that the newly reported activity could raise questions about the exchange’s adherence to that agreement. He set a March 6 deadline for Binance to provide the requested materials.
Magazine: How crypto laws changed in 2025 — and how they’ll change in 2026
Bitcoin (BTC) rallied toward $66,000 after Tuesday’s gains in the US stock market, as cryptocurrencies sought to halt their 2026 slump.
Key takeaways:
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Bitcoin rallied above $66,000 on Wednesday, recovering alongside US stocks.
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Bitcoin Coinbase Premium Index flipped positive amid $258 million in ETF inflows.
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While BTC’s correlation with stocks and gold is at its weakest since 2022, it historically signaled significant upside upon reversion.
BTC price recovers in tandem with US equities
Bitcoin’s recovery Wednesday aligns closely with similar rebounds in the US stock market, with AI and tech stocks leading the market higher.
The tech-focused Nasdaq led the recovery with 1.05% daily gains, while the S&P 500 rose 0.68%. The Dow locked in a 421-point gain, closing the trading day on Tuesday 0.86% higher.
Related: Bitcoin bounces to $66K as rumors swirl over Jane Street selling algorithm
Crypto-related stocks also saw moderate gains, with crypto exchange Coinbase (COIN) rising by 1.12% and Strategy (MSTR) gaining 0.73%.
The swift recovery of US equity markets appears to have played a role in easing negative pressure on crypto investors looking to cut risk asset exposure.
This is evidenced by the Bitcoin Coinbase Premium Index, a metric that tracks the price difference between BTC on Coinbase and Binance, which has flipped positive for the first time since Jan. 15.
This means “US buyers are stepping in,” said analyst Nic in a post on Wednesday, adding that the index needs to stay positive to ensure sustained buying pressure.
The return of demand in the US was also reflected by Bitcoin ETFs, which recorded $258 million in net inflows on Tuesday.
Bitcoin won’t stay disconnected forever: Analysis
Bitcoin, which is often viewed as a risk asset in the short term, has frequently moved in tandem with the stock market, particularly the S&P 500.
The past six months have seen a sustained period of this correlation breaking. The daily correlation coefficient index between BTC price and the US benchmark index, the S&P 500 index, is currently 0.32, and -0.45 with gold.
“Since late August, gold has surged +51%, the S&P 500 has gained +7%, and Bitcoin has fallen -43%,” onchain data provider Santiment said in a recent post on X.
This marks the weakest correlation between Bitcoin and stocks since the FTX chaos in late 2022.
“Historically, when an asset that is usually correlated breaks away in this dramatic fashion, it typically does not stay disconnected forever,” Santiment said, adding:
“In the long term, this unusual separation actually argues for significant upside for Bitcoin and altcoins.”
If Bitcoin returns to its historical pattern of tracking equities during economic expansions, “it may have significant room to catch up,” Santiment concluded.
This view was echoed by the founder and CIO of trading company QCP Capital, Darius Sit, who argued that the “Bitcoin vs. gold” debate is often misread as a price contest, when the “more important driver is liquidity and market structure.”
The divergence between stocks and BTC “reflects position unwinds and leverage-driven flows, not a failure of Bitcoin’s longer-term narrative,” Sit said, adding:
“Bitcoin still behaves like a long-term inflation hedge and an increasingly legible form of collateral.”
As Cointelegraph reported, Bitcoin’s adoption by institutions, banks, merchants, public companies and nation-states surged in 2025, confirming it as a maturing asset class for investors.
This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information.
A governance dispute inside the Aave ecosystem intensified after two detailed reports offered contrasting interpretations of the protocol’s past funding and contributions ahead of a vote on a proposed $50 million package for Aave Labs.
Aave Chan Initiative (ACI) founder Marc Zeller on Wednesday published what he called a transparency report reviewing Aave Labs’ historical funding and applied a return-on-investment framework to past DAO grants. Hours earlier, Aave Labs released its own contributions report outlining its role in building the protocol since 2017.
The dispute centers on the “Aave Will Win” framework, a proposal asking tokenholders to approve funding worth up to $42.5 million in stablecoins and 75,000 AAVE (AAVE) tokens. In return, Aave Labs would route 100% of revenue from Aave-branded products to the Aave DAO treasury under a DAO-funded operating model, according to the proposal and related forum posts.
The debate has broadened beyond the size of the funding request to include questions about accountability standards, revenue attribution and who maintains the protocol’s core infrastructure.
It follows the recent announcement that BGD Labs, a core technical contributor, will conclude its involvement with the DAO on April 1.
Competing views on funding and value
Zeller’s report said Aave Labs has received about $86 million in lifetime capitalization, including its 2017 initial coin offering (ICO) proceeds, venture funding and DAO payments.
He argued that future DAO grants should be evaluated using measurable revenue impact and clearer disclosure standards.
ACI, a service provider to the Aave DAO and not a neutral party in the debate, questioned whether governance votes should be unbundled to separate funding, revenue alignment and V4 ratification.
Zeller wrote that funding decisions should be tied to performance benchmarks and transparent reporting.
Aave Labs, in its contributions report, highlighted its role in designing and shipping Aave V1, V2 and V3, and highlighted features it said underpin the protocol’s current revenue model, including flash loans, the Safety Module and Efficiency Mode.
Aave Labs argued that counting governance proposals or forum posts does not reflect the full scope of research, development, security and infrastructure work required to maintain a protocol used by millions of users.
What tokenholders are voting on
Under the “Aave Will Win” framework, Aave Labs would transition to a DAO-funded operating model while directing product-level revenue, including from aave.com and planned consumer-facing products, to the DAO.
Related: Curve Finance founder says disagreement within a DAO is a healthy sign
The proposal also seeks ratification of Aave V4 as the protocol’s long-term technical foundation and outlines plans for a new foundation to steward the Aave brand.
Some community members have previously raised concerns about the size of the funding package and the inclusion of 75,000 AAVE tokens, which carry voting power.
On Feb. 13, critics called for clearer definitions of revenue and greater transparency around governance holdings.
The Snapshot vote, scheduled for Thursday, is an initial offchain vote that gauges community sentiment before any binding onchain proposal is submitted.
Magazine: Hong Kong stablecoins in Q1, BitConnect kidnapping arrests: Asia Express
The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) selected four companies to join a dedicated stablecoin cohort within its long‑running Regulatory Sandbox.
In a Wednesday press release, the FCA said it chose Monee Financial Technologies, ReStabilise, Revolut and VVTX from a pool of 20 applicants to test how their stablecoin services perform under the UK’s proposed rules in a “safe environment.”
The UK regulator said that its testing would focus primarily on stablecoin issuance and that the four companies would pilot a range of use cases, including payments, wholesale settlement and crypto trading, with findings intended to inform the UK’s final stablecoin rules.
Matthew Long, director of payments and digital assets at the FCA, said that the regulator would support UK stablecoin issuers to ensure that they could “be trusted for payments, settlement and trading.”
He said that the FCA’s involvement would “benefit consumers and financial transactions,” and that it would help to “deliver the FCA’s strategy and the Government’s National Payments Vision.”
Sandbox permits testing in controlled environment
The FCA’s sandbox was launched in 2016 under Project Innovate, and the stablecoin‑specific cohort opened for applications in November 2025, aimed at prospective UK stablecoin issuers wanting to pilot pound or other fiat‑backed tokens and related payment use cases while the country’s permanent stablecoin regime is being finalized.
The four companies chosen for the cohort are expected to begin testing in the first quarter of 2026, and their findings will “help shape the UK’s final stablecoin rules later in 2026,” the release states.
Related: Gemini exit a ‘blow for policymakers’ with UK crypto hub ambitions
All companies will need to be authorized under the new regime once it goes live in October 2027.
The regulator had previously flagged sterling‑denominated stablecoin payments as a priority for everyday use and has already brought in projects like regulatory technology firm Eunice to explore disclosure standards and market data frameworks for crypto markets.
FCA’s stablecoin plans face industry criticism
Despite the FCA’s efforts, industry leaders such as Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong have warned that the UK’s emerging stablecoin regime risks undercutting the country’s competitiveness in the digital economy.
In a Wednesday X post, Armstrong pointed to proposals from the Bank of England to cap the amount of stablecoin individuals and businesses can hold, arguing that such caps would act as an “innovation blocker” at a time when other jurisdictions are moving quickly to attract stablecoin and blockchain businesses.
He urged UK residents to support a pro‑innovation strategy for blockchain and stablecoins by signing a petition coordinated by advocacy group Stand With Crypto UK that has already garnered over 80,000 signatures, highlighting the tension between the UK’s cautious, payments‑first approach and industry calls for looser limits on stablecoin use.
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