Crypto World
Crypto world faces growing pressure to relent on stablecoin rewards to win bigger prize
If you break down what’s standing in the way of advancing the crypto sector’s top goal in Washington — Clarity Act legislation — the part of the debate that the industry can control is narrow: stablecoin rewards.
That’s not the only issue that could potentially derail the bill to finally establish a tailored legal footing for crypto markets in the U.S., but it’s the one in which industry insiders have a strong say. Companies such as Coinbase have been vigorously defending that business turf, wanting to keep giving customers incentives for engaging with stablecoins on their platforms.
But Wall Street banking lobbyists rolled in and made an argument that getting yield on stablecoin accounts is a lot like getting interest on savings accounts, and if the former kills the latter, the death of the deposit business means the strangulation of bank lending. That argument stuck with enough lawmakers on both sides of the aisle that it stopped the Senate’s Digital Asset Market Clarity Act in its tracks.
Heels have been digging in, and the resulting impasse will get harder to break as the weeks fly by, until the Senate’s own calendar quirks could effectively shove the whole mess toward 2027.
Upper hand?
Until now, the crypto side has argued that it has the upper hand, because the crypto bill that already passed into law — the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act — seemed to allow third-party platforms such as Coinbase to offer rewards tied to other issuers’ tokens, such as Circle’s. However, a newly proposed rule from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency that’s implementing GENIUS concluded that such relationships may violate the intent of the law, leaving the crypto world’s confidence a little shaken.
The last time the crypto and banking negotiators sat down with White House officials, President Donald Trump’s crypto advisers seemed to favor a compromise that would allow some rewards — not for merely holding stablecoins, but for actually using them for transactions and to support crypto infrastructure. Crypto insiders felt confident in their leverage, with GENIUS behind them and the White House favoring certain rewards.
But bank representatives haven’t necessarily seen the White House in the driver’s seat, because the White House doesn’t get a vote in advancing the Senate’s bill. The bankers haven’t yet raised their hands to move beyond their earlier position that virtually all categories of rewards need to be banned, despite the White House having set the end of February as an informal (unmet) deadline for compromise.
So where does that leave things?
The banks can hold out, and if they continue to cast stablecoin rewards as an existential threat to the traditional financial system and Main Street lending, it could keep their allied lawmakers on their side at the fatal expense of the Clarity Act. What they risk is that the GENIUS Act remains the law of the land on this point. The OCC’s latest work may help bolster their confidence that strict rewards limits will be put in place, but that final agency rule would have to land on a very restrictive interpretation.
The crypto industry can also hold out, and if it can successfully lobby against the OCC’s proposed rule, it may still manage to preserve stablecoin reward programs it believes should be allowed under the wording of the GENIUS Act. But that may come at the cost of the Clarity Act, which is the single most important policy aim since the birth of crypto.
Regulations either way
Would an absence of Clarity mean that the industry continues without U.S. regulations? Probably not, because the U.S. markets regulators — the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission — are working on rules that will define their crypto jurisdictions. The drawback, though, is that it would be done without the foundation of new law, so the rules would be reasonably easy to peel back or revise under future leadership changes at those agencies.
As if that wasn’t enough for the crypto negotiators to consider, there’s this: If they were to capitulate somehow on stablecoin yield, and the bill advanced along party lines through the Senate Banking Committee (as it already was through the Senate Agriculture Committee), the crypto-industry sacrifice brings no guarantee the effort gets passed by the rest of the Senate.
The problem is that Democratic senators have asked for some other significant points in this bill, and so far, those requests have gone unanswered. They want more vigorous defenses against illicit finance in crypto, especially focused on the decentralized finance (DeFi) space, and some of the Democrats’ past ideas were bashed by the industry as DeFi death threats. They also want politically dicey limits on the personal crypto business ties of senior government officials — most significantly, President Trump. And they demand that vacant Democratic seats get filled in the CFTC and SEC.
None of the points represent impassable roadblocks, but in the months of talks, they haven’t been cleared, yet. Some of the requests — such as commission nominations — would depend on willingness from the White House.
In the meantime, the clock is ticking away on 2026 Senate floor time for a major legislative accomplishment. Because this is a midterm election year, the lawmakers will scarcely be working in the Senate after the end of July. And apart from the scheduling practicalities, the nearness of hot-blooded campaigning erodes the chances of the parties getting together on a bill.
At this stage, insiders on the crypto side of the talks have expressed frustration over the unwavering position of the bankers, even as the digital assets businesses have seemed prepared to abandon stablecoin rewards on accounts in which the tokens are simply held (like a bank account). Still, people like Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong (“We’re going to reach a win-win-win outcome“) and Ripple CEO Brian Garlinghouse (predicting 80% odds of passage) have sought to maintain industry confidence.
That optimism seems to have kept Polymarket bettors favoring Clarity Act passage this year above a coin flip, currently at 70%.
In the coming weeks, the crypto industry may be forced to decide whether some kind of further sacrifice on stablecoin rewards is worth eliminating one of the major impediments to advancing a bill. And the banks may have to decide whether they can contend with the GENIUS Act’s treatment of stablecoins as it stands. So far, neither are moving, and tension is building.
Chainlink has enabled Coinbase cbBTC bridging to Monad, unlocking over $5B in Bitcoin-backed liquidity for decentralized finance applications.
Summary
- Chainlink CCIP will support bridging cbBTC from Base to Monad.
- More than $5B in Bitcoin-backed liquidity can enter Monad DeFi.
- Developers gain access to BTC-based lending and trading tools.
Chainlink (LINK) is now supporting the bridging of Coinbase Wrapped BTC from Base to Monad using its Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol.
According to Chainlink’s March 2 announcement, the rollout will open up new pathways for Bitcoin-backed liquidity across decentralized finance applications.
cbBTC enters the Monad ecosystem
The new bridge makes it possible for users to deploy cbBTC in lending, trading, and structured finance products on Monad. Early adopters include Curvance and Neverland, which are launching markets built around the token.
Coinbase issues cbBTC, which is backed 1:1 by Bitcoin that is kept in custody. More than $5 billion in cbBTC is currently in circulation across networks such as Ethereum, Base, Solana, and Arbitrum.
Thanks to the integration, developers can build products that use Bitcoin as a base asset and benefit from Monad’s fast settlement and cheap fees. These products include derivatives connected to Bitcoin prices, deeper spot markets, automated trading routes, and lending pools based on Bitcoin.
Chainlink says its CCIP system has already supported over $28 trillion in on-chain transaction value, offering a standardized security framework for cross-chain transfers.
Keone Hon of the Monad Foundation said the move gives builders a strong asset to design around. Johann Eid of Chainlink Labs added that the system allows billions of dollars in cbBTC to move across networks with institutional-grade protection.
What this means for Chainlink, Coinbase, and DeFi
The partnership strengthens Chainlink’s position as a leading provider of cross-chain infrastructure. The network controls a sizable portion of the oracle market, with over $100 billion in total value secured.
Its reach has also been extended beyond retail DeFi through recent partnerships with institutional networks. Coinbase continues to use cbBTC to connect traditional custody with on-chain activity.
The expansion to Monad supports its goal of giving users more ways to earn yield, borrow, and trade without selling their Bitcoin. cbBTC is already used in several lending and yield platforms, with some offering returns of up to 3%.
Monad will benefit from direct access to large Bitcoin-backed liquidity pools. The network, which targets up to 10,000 transactions per second and sub-second finality, is designed for high-frequency finance and capital-intensive applications.
With more than $5 billion in cbBTC now able to reach Monad, industry watchers expect higher activity in Bitcoin-based DeFi products, especially in lending, trading, and structured finance markets.
Editor’s note: Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are triggering a rapid market reaction, with oil and gold rallying while regional equities reel from disruptions. This editor’s briefing previews the immediate market response as UAE exchanges pause trading and investors weigh reopening scenarios. Market color from Josh Gilbert of eToro underscores the uncertainty and the central question: how long this disruption lasts and whether we see escalation or de-escalation in the coming days.
Markets hate uncertainty, and right now investors are facing one of the most unpredictable geopolitical backdrops in years. The key question is not just what has happened, but how long this disruption lasts and whether we see escalation or de-escalation in the coming days.
Rising Middle East tensions push oil and gold higher, rattling regional equities and shaping the near-term global outlook as markets await any de-escalation.
Key points
- Oil prices surged to around US$82 per barrel, with Brent rising on disruption fears in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Gold climbed above US$5,350 per ounce, reinforcing safe-haven demand amid geopolitical risk.
- Abu Dhabi and Dubai exchanges were closed, highlighting the seriousness of the situation and uncertainty around reopening.
- Risk assets weakened as capital rotated toward defensive positions, awaiting clarity on escalation or de-escalation.
Why this matters
As energy and precious metal prices respond to geopolitical risk, the near-term outlook for regional economies and global inflation remains sensitive to sentiment and policy signals. The UAE’s diversified, services-driven economy may weather disruption better than markets fear, but confidence and capital flows could face headwinds until de-escalation appears likely.
What to watch next
- Reopening trajectory for UAE exchanges after the pause, with the next 48–72 hours critical for sentiment.
- Oil price movement and its potential impact on transport costs and global inflation.
- Gold’s continued safe-haven demand versus any shift in risk appetite.
- Any changes in UAE tourism, aviation, and real estate activity tied to connectivity and confidence.
Disclosure: The content below is a press release provided by the company/PR representative. It is published for informational purposes.
Oil and Gold Surge as Middle East Tensions Rattle Global Markets
Abu Dhabi, UAE – 2 March 2026: Escalating tensions in the Middle East have sent shockwaves through global markets, pushing oil and gold sharply higher and raising fresh questions about the near-term outlook for regional equities.
Josh Gilbert, Market Analyst at eToro, said: “Markets hate uncertainty, and right now investors are facing one of the most unpredictable geopolitical backdrops in years. The key question is not just what has happened, but how long this disruption lasts and whether we see escalation or de-escalation in the coming days.”
The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) and Dubai Financial Market (DFM) remain closed on Monday and Tuesday in a rare move outside scheduled holidays, highlighting the seriousness of the situation. Investors are now focused on what reopening could look like once trading resumes.
“History shows that outcomes vary widely,” Gilbert added. “When Turkey suspended trading after the 2023 earthquake, markets rallied strongly on reopening. When Russia halted trading after invading Ukraine, the outcome was far more severe. For UAE markets, the next 48 to 72 hours will be critical.”
Oil in Focus
Oil has been the immediate flashpoint. Brent crude surged as much as 13% to around US$82 per barrel, driven by fears of disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, which carries roughly 20% of the world’s crude oil and LNG supply.
“Even without a full closure of the Strait of Hormuz, disruption to tanker traffic is enough to rattle energy markets,” said Gilbert. “Conflicting signals from Iran have added to the uncertainty investors are trying to price in.”
There are, however, short-term buffers in place. The global oil market entered this period with relative oversupply, and OPEC+ had already announced a production increase of 206,000 barrels per day for April. Major consumers such as the US and China also hold substantial strategic reserves, while Saudi Arabia has pipeline capacity to reroute some exports.
“These measures provide short-term cushioning,” Gilbert noted. “But if tensions persist, sustained higher oil prices will filter through to transport costs and ultimately inflation globally.”
Gold Surges, Risk Assets Weaken
Gold has once again acted as the clearest safe haven, climbing above US$5,350 per ounce and gaining roughly 22% year-to-date.
“Gold remains the asset investors turn to in times of geopolitical stress,” Gilbert said. “Unless we see meaningful de-escalation, that safe-haven demand is unlikely to fade.”
Meanwhile, higher-risk assets, including cryptocurrencies, have come under pressure as investors rotate toward defensive positions.
“In risk-off environments, capital typically flows to traditional safe havens rather than more volatile assets,” he added.
Direct Impact on the UAE
For the UAE, the implications extend beyond market volatility. Real estate, tourism, aviation, and retail — key pillars of economic diversification — are particularly exposed.
Dubai averaged approximately 13,000 home sales per month last year at an average price of AED 2.5 million, largely supported by foreign investment and expatriate inflows. With around 350,000 new units expected to come to market over the next two years, any sustained hit to confidence or capital flows could challenge demand absorption.
Tourism is another critical sector. Travel and tourism accounted for around 13% of UAE GDP in 2025. With hundreds of flights cancelled and temporary airport disruptions reported, the impact is already being felt.
“Dubai’s retail and hospitality ecosystem depends on connectivity,” Gilbert said. “Any prolonged disruption to airspace or tourism confidence will weigh on near-term growth.”
While higher oil prices may offer fiscal support, the UAE economy today is far more diversified and services-driven than it was a decade ago.
“That means disrupted tourism, grounded flights, and shaken investor sentiment matter more than ever,” Gilbert explained.
Staying Focused on the Long Term
Gilbert cautioned against reactive decision-making.
“The instinct in moments like this is to act, but for most long-term investors, doing very little is often the wiser approach. Selling into panic rarely proves to be the right decision in hindsight.”
He concluded: “There is room for volatility when UAE markets reopen, particularly as very little geopolitical risk had been priced in. However, if de-escalation emerges quickly, the long-term fundamentals of the UAE — strong infrastructure, a pro-business regulatory framework, and its role as a regional hub — remain intact. Short-term turbulence does not undo decades of structural progress.”
About eToro
eToro is the trading and investing platform that empowers you to invest, share and learn. Founded in 2007 with the vision of a world where everyone can trade and invest in a simple and transparent way, today eToro has 40 million registered users from 75 countries.
eToro believes in the power of shared knowledge and that investors can become more successful by investing together. The platform has built a collaborative investment community designed to provide users with the tools they need to grow their knowledge and wealth. On eToro, users can hold a range of traditional and innovative assets and choose how they invest: trade directly, invest in a portfolio, or copy other investors.
While US Senate lawmakers have been working to pass a comprehensive digital asset market structure bill since July, some industry observers in Washington say progress could be “on hold” due to government gridlock.
Since the House of Representatives passed the CLARITY Act last summer and sent the legislation to the other chamber, lawmakers have faced a historically long government shutdown, partisan divides on ethics and debates over stablecoin yield that have likely slowed progress on the bill, which could be further hampered by the upcoming US midterm elections in November.
Eight months ahead of the midterms, one version of the market structure bill focused on commodities regulations has passed the Senate Agriculture Committee, while members of the Senate Banking Committee have yet to address a bill on securities laws and regulations after the panel cancelled a markup in January.
Rebecca Liao, co-founder and CEO at Web3 and AI protocol Saga and a former adviser to then-US President Joe Biden during his 2020 campaign, told Cointelegraph last week that the legislation was effectively “on hold.” She also pushed back against comments by Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno, who said in February that Congress could pass market structure “hopefully by April,” citing a lack of steam for advancing the bill.
Related: US lawmakers move to protect blockchain devs from prosecution
“Earlier, when crypto markets were doing very well, when it seemed that every TradFi institution was coming up with a crypto strategy, looking to load up on the main assets, there was a lot more urgency around any sort of new legislation or new administrative policy coming out of the SEC, CFTC, etc,” said Liao.
“But now that the markets have cooled significantly, and even people within crypto are saying ‘we don’t know, honestly, if the Trump family ended up being a good thing for crypto or not’ a lot of the wind has been taken out of the sails.”
She added:
“It is not easy to get any sort of legislation through this Congress, and when it’s on a topic that most Americans honestly still find pretty obscure, it’s even harder. And it’s an election year.”
Stablecoin debate rages, with the Trump administration in the middle
Further complicating the matter in the Senate is the debate around stablecoin rewards, which has resulted in a reported three meetings at the White House between Trump officials and representatives from the crypto and banking industries. Some in banking have argued that having the market structure bill include provisions allowing yield payments to stablecoin holders on third-party platforms could undermine the industry.
Crypto advocacy organization Digital Chamber CEO Cody Carbone spoke to Cointelegraph after attending the World Liberty Financial forum during which Moreno laid out his timeline on the bill. The trade group leader said the mood among some at the event, such as Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, was “very optimistic” on finding resolutions to move the bill forward, but outside of Moreno’s April goal, “there wasn’t a lot of specifics.”
The 2026 election season has already kicked off in some US states, with party primaries scheduled for Tuesday in Arkansas, North Carolina and Texas ahead of the November general election. The Senate will also likely take about a month away for a state work period in August, returning two months before the election.
Magazine: Clarity Act risks repeat of Europe’s mistakes, crypto lawyer warns
Riot stock price rose by over 1.2% on Monday as Bitcoin and other altcoins rose despite the ongoing geopolitical risks. It also rose as traders waited for its financial results.
Summary
- Riot Platforms stock rose as the crypto market rebounded.
- The company will publish its financial results on Monday.
- The stock has formed a diamond reversal pattern, pointing to a potential reversal.
RIOT stock rose to $16.50 from the intraday low of $15.45. It remains 40% above its lowest level in February, with the market capitalization soaring to over $6.14 billion.
Wall Street analysts expect the upcoming results to show that the Bitcoin (BTC) mining giant did well in the last quarter, with its revenue rising by 10% to $158 million. Its annual revenue is expected to come in at $658 million, up by 75% YoY.
The most recent showed that its revenue jumped to $180 million in the third quarter from $84 million in the same period in 2024. This growth was driven by its mining operations, whose revenue rose from $67 million to $160 million. Its engineering revenue rose to $19 million from $12 million.
Like other Bitcoin mining companies, Riot Platforms is facing major challenges as the coin remains in a technical bear market after falling by over 40% from its all-time high. As a result, it is expanding to the data colocation industry, which is booming as companies boost their capital expenditure.
It recently acquired 200 acres of land in Texas to expand its mining operations. Also, it entered a data center leasing agreement with AMD, a top semiconductor company. Its initial deal is for 25 MW of IT capacity.
Riot Platforms is under pressure from Starboard Value, an activist investor, who believes that it should accelerate its transition into a data center operator. It wants it to accelerate the rollout of its data centers, a move that will make it more attractive to hyperscalers. For example, IREN has already inked deals worth over $10 billion, while CoreWeave has a backlog of over $50 billion.
Riot Platforms stock price technical analysis
The daily chart shows that the Riot Platforms share price has rebounded from the year-to-date low of $11.85 in February to the current $16.50.
It remains between the 50% and 38.2% Fibonacci Retracement level. It also moved slightly above the 100-day Exponential Moving Average.
However, the stock has also formed a diamond reversal pattern, which often leads to a bearish breakdown.
Therefore, it will likely have a bearish breakdown after its earnings. If this happens, the next key target to watch will be the psychological level at $15.
Bitcoin price impulsive rally is approaching a dense resistance cluster, raising concerns that the move could evolve into a bull trap.
Summary
- Price testing channel high and Fibonacci resistance
- Declining volume signals weakening bullish momentum
- Rejection risks rotation toward $60,000 channel support
Bitcoin (BTC) price has staged a sharp recovery from recent lows near $60,000, pushing price back toward the upper boundary of its broader trading channel. While the rally has improved short-term sentiment, the technical landscape suggests caution.
Multiple layers of resistance now converge above price, creating conditions where upside continuation may struggle to sustain momentum.
Bitcoin price key technical points
- Channel Resistance: Price approaching upper boundary of established trading channel.
- Fibonacci Confluence: Overhead resistance aligns with key swing high and moving averages.
- Volume Concern: Declining participation signals potential bull trap formation.
Bitcoin price recent rally has carried price above the channel midpoint, signaling short-term strength within the broader range. However, the move is now testing the upper channel boundary, an area that has repeatedly capped upside since $60,000 was established as the weekly low. This level represents a key structural ceiling within the ongoing consolidation phase.
Adding to the resistance confluence is the presence of a significant Fibonacci retracement level, which overlaps with a prior swing high and descending moving average resistance. When multiple technical indicators align within a narrow price zone, markets often react decisively. In this case, the overlapping resistance cluster increases the probability of rejection rather than breakout continuation.
Volume dynamics further reinforce caution. Despite the impulsive appearance of the rally, trading volume has steadily declined as price approaches resistance. Healthy breakouts typically require expanding participation to confirm strength.
Instead, fading volume suggests that buying pressure may be weakening, a classic precursor to bull trap scenarios, particularly as roughly 46% of Bitcoin supply is currently held at a loss, nearing levels seen during the 2022 bear market.
A bull trap typically forms when price briefly breaks above resistance, attracting breakout buyers, only to reverse sharply and close back below key levels. Should Bitcoin fail to hold above the channel high and instead fall back into the channel structure, it would signal weakness and confirm the trap setup. A bearish close back within the channel would likely shift momentum downward.
If rejection occurs, the next logical destination would be the lower boundary of the trading channel. Notably, the channel support has not been retested since the $60,000 weekly low was formed. Markets frequently revisit untested support zones to rebalance liquidity before determining the next major direction.
From a broader market structure perspective, Bitcoin remains range-bound rather than in confirmed bullish expansion. Without a decisive breakout supported by strong volume, rallies into resistance carry elevated failure risk.
The confluence of Fibonacci resistance, moving averages, and structural channel highs strengthens the argument that this zone may cap upside in the near term, particularly as Bitcoin navigates a defensive liquidity backdrop amid escalating US–Iran tensions and broader market volatility.
What to expect in the coming price action
Bitcoin’s rally remains vulnerable while testing confluence resistance with declining volume. A rejection from this zone would confirm a potential bull trap and increase the probability of a corrective move back toward channel support near $60,000.
Only a strong breakout with volume confirmation would shift the outlook decisively bullish.
U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs added 21,000 BTC worth $1.45 billion, marking the first major accumulation wave since mid-October 2025.
Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) recorded one of their best days for weeks in terms of inflows on February 25, marking their first meaningful increase in holdings since mid-October 2025.
The shift comes as analysts point to falling retail flows and heavy unrealized losses among newer buyers as signs that market structure could be turning.
The Institutional Signal vs. Retail Exit
In a March 2 market update, analyst Amr Taha tracked two key data points that suggest a major shift in how Bitcoin moves between different types of investors. The first chart tracks 30-day cumulative Bitcoin inflows to Binance, separated into retail inflows (small investor flows) and whale inflows (large investor flows).
According to the chart, between February 6 and March 2, retail inflows dropped significantly, going from $14.1 billion down to $9.05 billion, a total contraction of approximately $5 billion.
What makes this interesting, Taha explained, is that nearly identical patterns appeared twice in 2025, with retail inflows contracting by about $8 billion from March 5 to April 7 of that year and falling by around $5 billion from June 6 to June 22. In both cases, the drop in retail inflows happened right before significant market movements.
The second chart tracks the total Bitcoin held by all US spot ETFs combined. Here, Taha observed something important occurring on February 25: for the first time since mid-October, ETF holdings increased meaningfully. Approximately 21,000 BTC flowed into the funds, equivalent to $1.45 billion at current prices, marking what Taha called the first noticeable accumulation wave after months of stagnation.
“Historically, rising ETF demand tends to be constructive for price, while declining demand often aligns with price weakness,” the crypto trader noted.
However, data from SoSoValue and FarSide show a different number. Both sites claim that the actual net inflows on February 25 were just over $500 million, or almost three times less than what Taha suggested. Nevertheless, it was still the best day for net inflows since mid-January.
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Market Situation and Sentiment
The broader backdrop for this on-chain signal has been brutal, with Bitcoin posting five consecutive monthly losses for the first time since 2018, after ending February with a nearly 15% drop. The asset is currently trading just above $66,000, down by over 20% in the past month and sitting 47% below its October 2025 all-time high.
Analyst Crypto Dan offered additional context on market psychology, noting that most investors who purchased Bitcoin within the past two years are currently in loss positions.
“In the investment market, sharp reductions often follow when the majority of people are making big profits, and conversely, strong rallies tend to begin after most people experience significant losses,” he pointed out.
Dan suggested that if Bitcoin’s price drops below $60,000, putting the majority of investors (excluding very long-term holders) into loss territory, it could represent an accumulation opportunity for those with clear entry criteria.
As it is, Taha’s data suggests institutional buyers are already making that calculation, even as retail traders step back.
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Fold, a publicly traded Bitcoin financial services company, has eliminated $66.3 million in convertible debt, removing a potential source of share dilution and simplifying its balance sheet as it prepares to expand its product lineup.
In a recent disclosure, Fold said it retired two outstanding convertible notes, which are debt instruments that can be converted into equity at a later date. By paying them off, the company reduces the risk that new shares would be issued in the future, which may dilute existing shareholders.
Fold also said it released 521 Bitcoin (BTC) that had been pledged as collateral against the debt. With the notes retired, those Bitcoin holdings are no longer encumbered and can now be used for corporate purposes.
The company said the restructuring leaves it with fewer financing restrictions and greater operational flexibility. Fold plans to use that flexibility to support growth initiatives, including the rollout of a consumer-targeted Bitcoin rewards credit card that offers BTC instead of traditional points or cash-back rewards.
Founded in 2019, Fold went public on the Nasdaq in February 2025 through a SPAC merger with FTAC Emerald Acquisition, becoming one of the first Bitcoin-focused financial services companies to trade on a major US exchange.
Related: ProCap boosts Bitcoin holdings to 5,457 BTC, aims to narrow NAV discount
Crypto rewards cards compete for users
Fold built its brand as a Bitcoin rewards platform, offering a debit card that allows users to spend US dollars while earning Bitcoin cashback on everyday purchases. Over time, the company expanded its services to include savings features and merchant partnerships aimed at encouraging Bitcoin accumulation rather than direct crypto spending.
Competition is fierce in the crypto rewards space, with a number of other companies offering similar products.
The Coinbase Card, for example, allows users to spend cryptocurrency balances directly and earn crypto rewards on purchases. It is now part of Coinbase’s broader “super app” strategy announced last fall, which aims to integrate payments, trading and other financial services into a single platform.
Rival offering Nexo Card lets customers borrow against their crypto holdings to make purchases without selling their assets, while earning rewards. Bybit and Crypto.com offer Visa-branded cards that provide cashback in crypto tokens tied to their platforms.
More recently, Mastercard and MetaMask launched a US crypto-linked card that allows users to spend digital assets at any merchant that accepts Mastercard, with crypto converted to fiat at the point of sale.
Related: PayPal draws takeover interest following 46% stock slide: Report
TLDR
- Turkey proposed a new bill that introduces a 10% tax on cryptocurrency income and gains.
- Lawmakers stated that platforms must withhold the tax on a quarterly basis for all users.
- The bill allows the president to adjust the withholding rate between 0% and 20%.
- Service providers would pay a 0.03% transaction tax on every crypto trade they facilitate.
- Authorities confirmed that tax enforcement will rely on detailed records kept by platforms.
- The bill connects all crypto definitions to the existing Capital Markets Law for consistency.
Turkey’s ruling party advanced a new plan that would introduce a 10% tax on cryptocurrency gains, and lawmakers presented the draft to parliament as they moved to update current tax laws while outlining new rules for service providers.
Proposed Crypto Tax Framework
Turkey introduced a draft bill that creates a new structure for crypto taxation, and lawmakers placed the proposal before the Grand National Assembly as they sought clear rules for the sector. They stated that platforms regulated under the Capital Markets Law must withhold a 10% tax on quarterly income and gains, and officials confirmed that this applies to residents and non-residents.
The bill grants the president the power to adjust the withholding rate, and officials said it could move between 0% and 20% depending on asset type. They also linked the tax rate to holding periods and wallet usage, and they highlighted that different token categories may face different rules.
The legislation introduces a 0.03% transaction tax for service providers, and it applies to the sale amount or market value of assets. Lawmakers said this measure covers platforms that facilitate trades, and they reported that brokers must maintain detailed records.
Authorities emphasized that incomplete user information may trigger enforcement, and the tax agency would pursue shortfalls directly from the user. The bill ties terms such as “crypto asset,” “wallet,” and “platform” to existing financial regulations, and it ensures consistent definitions across the law.
Market Context and International Comparisons
Chainalysis reported that Turkey recorded $200 billion in crypto activity between July 2024 and June 2025, and analysts stated that rising volumes followed economic pressure in recent years. They wrote that Turkey’s economic conditions pushed many users toward digital assets, and the report said people used crypto for alternative savings.
Turkey experienced inflation that peaked at 85% in late 2022, and the rate later stabilized near 30% by early 2025. Officials believe tax reform can support regulatory oversight, and they said the new framework aims to match existing market behavior.
Lawmakers referenced international trends, and they pointed to a Dutch plan that proposed a 36% capital gains tax on digital holdings. They acknowledged that the Dutch proposal awaits a Senate vote, and they said the measure could start in 2028.
The Turkish draft includes a VAT exemption for crypto deliveries covered by the transaction tax, and lawmakers confirmed that service providers fall under the updated expenditure rules. They also stated that foundation university hospitals will lose corporate tax exemptions in 2027, and they kept this clause in the broader bill.
TLDR
- Chainlink enabled the transfer of Coinbase’s cbBTC to Monad through its CCIP system.
- The integration opened new access to Bitcoin-backed liquidity for developers building on the Monad Foundation network.
- Early adopters such as Curvance and Neverland prepared markets built around cbBTC on Monad.
- Coinbase confirmed that cbBTC remains backed 1:1 by Bitcoin held in custody across multiple networks.
- CCIP now supports more movement of tokenized Bitcoin and enables new trading and lending products on high-speed systems.
The update links Coinbase’s cbBTC with Monad through Chainlink’s CCIP, and the move expands access to Bitcoin-backed liquidity while it also provides developers a direct route to build new on-chain financial products across the network.
Chainlink Expands cbBTC Access Through CCIP
Chainlink enabled the transfer of Coinbase’s cbBTC to Monad through its CCIP system, and the rollout opened new routes for Bitcoin-backed liquidity across DeFi. The network confirmed the integration on March 2, and it stated that it aims to support developers building on fast-settlement environments.
The bridge now moves cbBTC from Base to Monad, and users can place the asset in lending or trading markets without delays. Curvance and Neverland adopted the token early, and the two platforms plan to deploy structured products built around cbBTC.
Coinbase issues cbBTC with a 1:1 Bitcoin backing, and the asset holds more than $5 billion in circulation across multiple chains. The supply spans Ethereum, Base, Arbitrum, and Solana, and the new pathway expands distribution further into high-speed environments.
Chainlink said CCIP has processed over $28 trillion in on-chain value, and the protocol uses a standardized security model for cross-chain transactions. “The system moves assets with institutional-grade protection,” said Johann Eid, and he emphasized that the design supports broad multi-network activity.
Keone Hon of the Monad Foundation said the integration gives developers a strong base asset, and he stated that builders gain faster ways to expand Bitcoin-based markets. The network expects growing use cases that center on automated routing and high-frequency strategies.
cbBTC Liquidity Extends to Monad
cbBTC now enters markets that target high-speed settlement, and developers can design products that use Bitcoin-backed liquidity with lower fees. The network targets up to 10,000 transactions per second, and it aims for sub-second finality.
The integration creates access to deeper liquidity pools, and teams can design derivatives tied to Bitcoin prices with improved execution. Lending markets will also expand, and early platforms have begun preparing launch timelines.
Users gain additional ways to earn returns on Bitcoin-backed assets, and some current cbBTC markets already offer returns near 3%. The new route brings that activity to Monad, and teams intend to scale borrowing products around the asset.
The addition of cbBTC also increases available capital for automated trading programs, and developers gain predictable settlement times. This pairing aligns with the network’s push toward capital-intensive applications, and builders will test new strategies anchored to Bitcoin.
Monad now receives more than $5 billion in potential inflows from cbBTC, and teams across the ecosystem expect rising on-chain liquidity as markets expand access to Bitcoin-backed instruments.
Strategy (MSTR), the world’s largest publicly traded corporate holder of bitcoin, expanded its position last week by acquiring 3,015 BTC for approximately $204.1 million, or an average price of $67,700 each.
Bitcoin is trading at $66,000 on Monday morning, with MSTR shares flat in early action.
To fund the buys, Strategy raised roughly $229.9 million through common stock sales, along with $7.1 million in net proceeds of its Variable Rate Series A Perpetual Stretch Preferred Stock, STRC, according to a Monday filing.
Following the latest purchase, the company now holds 720,737 BTC acquired for roughly $54.77 billion, or an average price of approximately $75,985 per coin.
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