As of 2026, about 25 US asset managers directly offer crypto products (ETFs, trusts, or funds). But the five largest crypto-focused asset managers now collectively oversee well over $100 billion in digital asset products.
Their dominance reflects how deeply institutional capital has embedded itself into crypto through regulated ETFs.
Five Firms Control Nearly $100 Billion in Bitcoin ETFs
Spot Bitcoin ETFs alone surpassed $86 billion in combined assets under management as of this writing, according to Coinglass data.
Bitcoin Spot ETFs Total Net Assets. Source: Coinglass
The competition among issuers has intensified as fee wars, product variety, and institutional distribution networks determine who captures the most capital.
The fee on this will be very interesting. We should know soon. I’m setting over/under at 0.24% which is one bp lower than IBIT. What does @NateGeraci and @JSeyff think?
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) sits at $51.9 billion in AUM, representing approximately 45% of all spot Bitcoin ETF assets, according to SoSoValue data. During Q1 2026, IBIT pulled in $8.4 billion in net inflows, more than double any competitor.
The fund held approximately 782,180 BTC as of March 27, 2026, with BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) adding several billion more. This pushes total crypto ETF exposure near $60 billion.
BlackRock’s BTC Holdings. Source: BlackRock
Meanwhile, Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) manages $12.8 billion in AUM, holding approximately 187,813 BTC as of early March, and its Ethereum Fund (FETH) adds over $1.3 billion.
Fidelity attracted $4.1 billion in Q1 2026 net inflows, ranking second behind BlackRock.
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The firm’s self-custody model through Fidelity Digital Assets and its 0.25% fee structure have made it a preferred choice among compliance-focused institutional allocators.
Spot Bitcoin ETF Fee Comparison. Source: Fibo
Grayscale Defends Its Legacy
Still, Grayscale Investments remains the oldest and broadest crypto-focused asset manager, operating since 2013.
Its Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) held approximately 154,710 BTC as of this writing, valued at approximately $10 billion. The lower-fee Bitcoin Mini Trust (BTC) added another $3.4 billion, according to Grayscale.
Grayscale Fund Information. Source: Grayscale
GBTC outflows slowed to $1.2 billion in Q1 2026, a sharp decline from the multi-billion-dollar monthly outflows of 2024.
No Strategy buy announcement this week. But let’s talk about what just happened in Q1 2026. 🟠 📊 Q1 2026 Numbers: – 89,599 BTC acquired – $5.5 BILLION deployed – 2nd highest quarter in Strategy history – Buying ~2.5x faster than global mining – Supply vacuum: 53,149 BTC… pic.twitter.com/QbdzEPjw3n
Grayscale’s total platform exceeded $35 billion in AUM as of late 2025, and it maintains the broadest product pipeline, with a 36-asset watchlist for potential future ETF launches.
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Bitwise Wins on Variety and Altcoin Exposure
Elsewhere, Bitwise Asset Management surpassed $15 billion in client assets across more than 40 products. These span ETFs, separately managed accounts, private funds, hedge strategies, and staking.
Its standout position is in Solana ETFs. As of early January 2026, Bitwise controlled approximately 67% of all Solana ETF AUM, capturing $731 million out of the $1.09 billion total.
Galaxy Digital operates as a full-service merchant bank rather than a pure ETF issuer. Its asset management arm reported $9 billion in AUM with $2 billion in quarterly net inflows by Q3 2025.
By the end of 2025, total platform assets reached $12 billion, despite reporting a $482 million loss in the fourth quarter.
NOVOGRATZ’S GALAXY POSTS $482M LOSS IN CRYPTO CRASH Galaxy Digital reported a $482 million loss in the fourth quarter, far worse than expected, as falling crypto prices hit its portfolio. Bitcoin dropped 23% during the period, trading volumes fell 40%, and the firm’s shares slid…
Galaxy partners with State Street Global Advisors on actively managed digital asset ETFs and maintains exposure across trading, lending, staking, and venture capital.
Its hybrid model positions it as the go-to for institutions that need more than passive ETF access.
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Bar chart comparing AUM of top 5 crypto asset managers in 2026, Source: BeInCrypto
The 2026 crypto asset management race has a clear hierarchy.
BlackRock dominates on scale
Fidelity on institutional trust
Grayscale on history and breadt
Bitwise on product innovation, and
Galaxy on full-service infrastructure.
And then there is Morgan Stanley, which is not yet in the race but could reshape it entirely.
Morgan Stanley’s $160 Billion Wildcard Could Rewrite the Entire Leaderboard
The bank filed an amended S-1 for its spot Bitcoin ETF, MSBT, with a 0.14% fee that undercuts every existing competitor, including BlackRock’s 0.25%.
It would be the first spot Bitcoin ETF issued directly by a major U.S. bank rather than an asset manager. However, the ETF is just one piece.
Morgan Stanley has also applied for a national trust bank charter through a new subsidiary called Morgan Stanley Digital Trust. This would handle custody, trading, staking, and transfers of digital assets under federal oversight.
With $8 trillion in wealth management assets and over 16,000 advisors, even a modest 2% allocation would represent $160 billion in potential demand, roughly three times the size of IBIT.
Morgan Stanley Wealth Management oversees about $8 trillion in AUM and recommends 0–4% bitcoin allocation. A 2% allocation would represent $160 billion, ~3X the size of IBIT. $MSBT: Monster Bitcoin. https://t.co/TNYLYRXPiz
If all these pieces come together, Morgan Stanley would not just enter the crypto race. It would be building the entire track.
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“They’re not just offering exposure anymore, they’re building the full stack. BNY Mellon + Coinbase as dual custodians is smart redundancy,” one user highlighted.
With spot Bitcoin ETFs now past $128 billion in combined AUM, the question is no longer whether institutions will adopt crypto. It is the managers who will capture the next wave of capital.
Ripple just locked in a deal with Mastercard, and XRP barely moved. The token sits at $1.35, down 64% from its $3.65 high, while the xrp price prediction crowd waits for a bounce that keeps stalling at the same ceiling.
That gap between what Ripple does behind the scenes and what XRP holders actually see in their wallets is the question that makes you rethink where the real returns come from.
There is another project that is currently attracting huge whale capital, Pepeto pulled in $8.84M faster than any meme token this year, and the xrp price prediction numbers show exactly why money keeps moving into this presale instead.
Ripple signed a deal with Mastercard to bring cross-border payment tools to the card giant’s network, as Motley Fool reported on April 3. XRP jumped to $1.37 on the news and gave it all back within days.
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24/7 Wall Street reports XRP ETFs lost $31 million in March while total assets dropped from $1.24 billion to $947 million. XRP trades at $1.35 on April 6 according to CoinMarketCap, down 64% from $3.65 with Fear and Greed at 13. The big names signed the deals. The xrp price prediction still has not followed.
Where the XRP Outlook and the Pepeto Presale Tell Two Different Stories
Pepeto: The Play That XRP’s Market Cap Cannot Give You
The xrp price prediction talk keeps holders glued to whether $1.30 holds or cracks, but Pepeto is where the whale wallets hunting for big multiples are sending money right now, and the tools behind the presale make the reason obvious.
What would XRP look like if zero-fee trading was baked into the token instead of relying on outside partners? Pepeto closes that gap. PepetoSwap runs every swap at zero cost so your buy price stays clean, and the token scanner reads each contract before you commit so the danger hits your screen before it hits your bag.
Think about holding XRP before the SEC case ended in August 2025, when it traded under $0.50 and nobody thought it would clear. The wallets that stacked during that panic turned small buys into a 7x within months. Every holder who caught that move says the same thing: they nearly walked away and they wish they had bought more.
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Pepeto sits in that exact kind of moment today. Over $8.84M pulled in at $0.0000001862 during Fear and Greed at 13, built by the Pepe cofounder with an ex-Binance dev lead who put the exchange together, and every contract cleared by SolidProof before the first dollar went in. Staking at 187% APY grows your bag while the listing gets closer. The big wallets loading this presale watched XRP levels before the ruling dropped, and they can see what the Binance listing does to this kind of entry.
XRP Price Prediction: Where Does XRP Go From $1.35?
XRP trades at $1.35 on April 6, sitting 64% under its $3.65 peak even after the SEC commodity tag and a new Mastercard partnership according to CoinMarketCap.
Standard Chartered dropped its target from $8 down to $2.80. The $1.28 floor has held every dip, with 24/7 Wall Street reporting heavy buying at that zone. The 50-day moving average at $1.38 acts as the first cap. Clearing it opens $1.60 and then a shot at $2.80. Losing $1.28 drops the path toward $1.11.
The xrp price prediction reality from an $82 billion market cap means even a 3x takes the kind of new money that arrives over quarters, and that limit is why wallets keep turning to presale plays where a single listing hands you what XRP takes years to produce.
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Conclusion
The xrp price prediction and Ripple’s Mastercard deal both tell you the same thing: a token with an $82 billion cap where every rally hits a wall of sellers cannot hand you the kind of gains that reshape your future, and Pepeto is where the numbers still add up.
The XRP holders who stacked under $0.50 before the SEC ruling all repeat the same line: they nearly passed and they wish they had gone heavier. That pattern is now playing out with Pepeto at $8.84M raised during Fear 13 and a Binance listing ahead.
The Pepeto official website still has presale pricing live, and buying while fear keeps the crowd away is exactly what those early XRP wallets did to build what they have now. Passing on this presale could be the one choice you think about for the rest of the cycle.
What xrp price prediction levels matter after the Mastercard deal?
Support holds at $1.28 with the 50-day moving average at $1.38 as the nearest cap and $1.60 above that. Pepeto at $0.0000001862 offers presale pricing with a Binance listing closing in through the Pepeto official website.
Can the xrp price prediction match the returns Pepeto presale holders expect?
XRP needs years for a 3x from its $82 billion cap. Pepeto reaches those multiples in one listing event from current presale pricing at $0.0000001862 with 187% APY staking adding to positions daily.
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Disclaimer: This is a Press Release provided by a third party who is responsible for the content. Please conduct your own research before taking any action based on the content.
A new investigation published argues that the federal government is rushing into artificial intelligence the same way it rushed into cloud computing a decade ago, and with the same structural vulnerabilities still in place.
Summary
ProPublica reporter Renee Dudley draws on years of federal cybersecurity reporting to outline three cautionary lessons as the Trump administration pushes agencies to rapidly adopt AI tools from OpenAI, Google, and xAI at cut-rate government pricing
The first lesson: so-called free or cheap tech deals eventually lock agencies in; the second: oversight programs like FedRAMP have been gutted and lack resources to vet what they approve; the third: the third-party auditors rating AI providers are paid by those same providers
The White House is framing AI adoption as urgent and competitive, mirroring language the Obama administration used to push cloud computing, a transition ProPublica’s reporting found was riddled with cybersecurity failures
ProPublica’s Renee Dudley published an investigation on April 6 arguing that as the Trump administration encourages federal agencies to rapidly adopt AI from major tech companies, it is repeating the patterns that plagued Washington’s transition to cloud computing, where speed trumped security, oversight was defunded, and the government eventually became deeply dependent on contractors it had little leverage over.
The White House has positioned AI as a national competitiveness imperative. Agencies can now access OpenAI’s ChatGPT for $1, Google’s Gemini for 47 cents per user, and xAI’s Grok for 42 cents. The framing, Dudley writes, closely mirrors the language used when the Obama administration declared cloud computing a transformational priority in the early 2010s.
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Lesson one: There is no such thing as a free lunch. ProPublica’s investigation found that Microsoft’s pledge in 2021 to give the federal government $150 million in security services was, in practice, a lock-in mechanism. After agencies adopted the free upgrades, switching to a competitor would have been costly and disruptive. “It was successful beyond what any of us could have imagined,” one former Microsoft salesperson told ProPublica. As crypto.news has reported, Microsoft and OpenAI have since clashed over the terms of their own AI partnership, a signal of how fraught big-tech AI contracts can be even among the parties involved.
Lesson two: Oversight programs require actual resources. The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program, known as FedRAMP, was created in 2011 to vet cloud computing services before federal agencies were allowed to use them. ProPublica found that the agency wore down FedRAMP over five years to get approval for a major cloud product despite serious cybersecurity reservations. That was before DOGE. FedRAMP now says it operates “with an absolute minimum of support staff” and “limited customer service.” A GSA spokesperson defended the program, saying it “operates with strengthened oversight and accountability mechanisms,” but former employees told ProPublica it functions as a rubber stamp.
Lesson three: Independent reviews are only so independent. As FedRAMP’s in-house capacity has shrunk, third-party auditing firms have assumed more of the vetting function. Those firms are paid by the same cloud companies they are rating. Agencies, often understaffed, lack the capacity to conduct their own thorough reviews and largely rely on those ratings. As crypto.news noted, the broader concern across observers is that governments are consistently slower to govern transformative technology than the companies deploying it.
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A Pattern the White House Has Not Addressed
The GSA has acknowledged that AI “usage costs can grow quickly without proper monitoring and management controls” and has advised agencies to set usage limits and review consumption reports. But the underlying structural issues remain: underfunded oversight bodies, vendor-dependent reviews, and agencies with little leverage once adoption becomes entrenched.
Dudley’s conclusion is pointed: “The implications of this downsizing for federal cybersecurity are far-reaching” as agencies take on AI tools that process sensitive government data under the same weakened oversight framework that struggled to manage the cloud.
Chinese AI tracking companies with ties to the People’s Liberation Army are marketing detailed intelligence on US military movements during the Iran war, built entirely from publicly available satellite imagery, flight data, and shipping records, according to a Washington Post investigation.
Summary
Washington Post reporters Cade Cadell and Lyric Li identified at least two Hangzhou-based firms, MizarVision and Jinghan Technology, selling AI-generated military intelligence on US carrier movements, aircraft deployments, and base activity in the Middle East
The firms use open-source data including commercial satellite imagery, ADS-B aircraft tracking, and AIS vessel tracking, all processed through AI tools, to produce near real-time intelligence products
The House Select Committee on China warned that “companies tied to the CCP are turning AI into a battlefield surveillance tool against America,” and Planet Labs has since suspended satellite imagery services for the region at the US government’s request
Chinese AI tracking firms are turning public data into battlefield intelligence, and the US military is on the receiving end. The Washington Post reported that private Chinese technology companies, some holding official People’s Liberation Army supplier certifications, have been marketing detailed analyses of US force movements since the Iran war began five weeks ago. The information was not obtained through leaks or espionage. It was assembled from satellite imagery, flight tracking systems, and maritime data, all commercially available, and processed using AI to produce military-grade intelligence products.
MizarVision, based in Hangzhou and certified as a PLA military supplier, tracked the movements of the USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike groups during the buildup to Operation Epic Fury. The firm published detailed breakdowns of aircraft types and quantities at US bases in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Israel, including the Prince Sultan Air Base, which later sustained damage from Iranian airstrikes. It claimed on its website to have “cross-validated massive amounts of ship and flight data” covering more than 100 US warships.
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Jinghan Technology, also Hangzhou-based and described by analysts as “China’s Palantir,” counts China’s Central Military Commission among its clients. The firm posted audio it claimed contained communications from US Air Force B-2A stealth bombers in the early stages of the war, then deleted the post. It also claimed to have predicted the war approximately 50 days in advance by detecting unusual US force concentrations.
Data Sources and US Response
The companies draw from the Jilin commercial satellite constellation, Western flight and vessel tracking databases, and social media open-source intelligence, all filtered through AI. As crypto.news has covered, Washington has grown increasingly concerned about Chinese firms using commercial technology as a national security vector, a pattern that previously surfaced around Chinese-made crypto mining hardware operating near US military installations.
Planet Labs notified customers Sunday it would indefinitely suspend satellite imagery services for Iran and conflict-adjacent zones, a move widely interpreted as a US government-driven effort to cut off one data stream flowing to firms like MizarVision.
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Washington Raises the Alarm
“The proliferation of more and more capable private sector geospatial analysis companies in China will augment China’s defence capabilities and ability to contest US forces in a crisis,” Ryan Fedasiuk of the American Enterprise Institute told the Washington Post. The House Select Committee on China went further, warning that companies tied to the Chinese Communist Party are converting AI into a battlefield surveillance tool against the United States.
As crypto.news noted in reporting on Chinese tech and national security, the US has increasingly struggled to draw a clear line between China’s civilian commercial sector and its military-linked entities, a challenge that the Iran war has made significantly harder to ignore.
Share repurchase authorization elevated to $1.5 billion, demonstrating management conviction
CRWD stock stabilizes around $400 mark with minimal 0.26% session decline
Recent buyback activity totaled $150.6M following impressive fourth-quarter performance
Artificial intelligence integration fueling cybersecurity platform expansion and revenue targets
Enhanced repurchase program underscores management’s belief in current valuation opportunity
CrowdStrike Holdings (CRWD) experienced minimal downward pressure during trading while simultaneously reinforcing its shareholder value initiatives. The cybersecurity platform provider saw shares settle at $398.08, representing a slight 0.26% decrease, as the company unveiled an enhanced share repurchase framework reflecting strong institutional confidence in its artificial intelligence-powered growth trajectory.
CrowdStrike elevated its authorized share repurchase capacity to $1.5 billion, marking a significant increase from its prior authorization level. This strategic move followed the company’s recent acquisition of $150.6 million worth of shares at an average cost of $364.57 per share. Leadership emphasized maintaining operational flexibility for future repurchase execution.
The cybersecurity firm successfully completed the acquisition of more than 413,000 Class A common shares through its active repurchase initiative. These strategic transactions demonstrate a disciplined framework for returning value to shareholders while preserving financial flexibility. The program aligns seamlessly with the organization’s overarching financial strategy and competitive market position.
The repurchase framework operates without predetermined termination dates or mandatory purchase volumes. CrowdStrike maintains discretionary authority to execute transactions according to prevailing market dynamics and strategic priorities. This structure provides management with maximum flexibility regarding transaction timing, pricing strategies, and execution methodologies.
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Artificial Intelligence Drives Platform Innovation and Revenue Expansion
CrowdStrike consistently advances its cybersecurity ecosystem through cutting-edge artificial intelligence integration. The organization correlates its expansion roadmap with accelerating enterprise appetite for AI-enhanced security solutions. Management has established an ambitious target of achieving $20 billion in annual recurring revenue before the conclusion of fiscal year 2036.
Leadership identified a valuation discrepancy between the company’s operational performance and current market pricing. This perceived undervaluation served as a catalyst for amplifying the repurchase authorization while simultaneously maintaining aggressive growth investment levels. The company continues scaling its comprehensive platform architecture to capture expanding enterprise market opportunities.
The cybersecurity industry has experienced substantial momentum in adopting artificial intelligence-powered threat intelligence and automated response technologies. CrowdStrike embeds these advanced capabilities throughout its flagship Falcon platform to maximize operational effectiveness and efficiency. The organization balances continuous innovation initiatives with prudent capital management strategies.
CrowdStrike equity experienced marginal downward pressure throughout the trading session despite periodic recovery momentum. The stock maintained positioning immediately beneath the psychological $400 threshold, suggesting a period of technical consolidation. Price behavior indicates underlying stability rather than fundamental deterioration.
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Intraday fluctuations represented equilibrium between profit realization activities and persistent institutional accumulation. Strategic buyers provided support following midday softness, effectively preventing more pronounced declines. Near-term resistance around the $400 level continues limiting immediate upside advancement.
CrowdStrike preserves a constructive technical structure underpinned by its comprehensive growth strategy and capital allocation framework. The expanded repurchase authorization signals strong management conviction regarding future operational performance and valuation normalization. The company successfully navigates the balance between technological innovation, revenue growth acceleration, and consistent shareholder value creation.
Charles Schwab will launch Schwab Bitcoin Ethereum trading in Q2 2026, giving its 38.9 million active brokerage clients direct spot access to crypto for the first time through a new service called Schwab Crypto.
Summary
Schwab confirmed a phased rollout of direct spot Bitcoin and Ethereum trading in Q2 2026, operated through its banking subsidiary Charles Schwab Premier Bank and branded as Schwab Crypto
CEO Rick Wurster first signaled the move in mid-2025, confirmed the Q2 timeline in a March 2026 interview with Barron’s, and said the company is “ready to compete in spot Bitcoin and Ethereum trading”
Schwab manages $12.22 trillion in client assets, saw a 400% spike in crypto site traffic in 2025, and plans to follow the spot launch with a stablecoin product once the GENIUS Act is in effect
Charles Schwab Schwab Bitcoin Ethereum trading is now confirmed and imminent. As crypto.news reported, the firm confirmed it “remains on track to launch our spot crypto offer in the first half of 2026, starting with bitcoin and ether,” with a rollout beginning in Q2. The service will be operated through Charles Schwab Premier Bank, SSB, a regulated banking subsidiary, and is branded as Schwab Crypto. A waitlist for early access is already open.
CEO Rick Wurster confirmed the timeline in a March 2026 interview with Barron’s. He said the company is “ready to compete in spot Bitcoin and Ethereum trading,” framing the launch as the natural next step in a deliberate, multi-year build-out.
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The service represents a structural departure from Schwab’s prior crypto model. Until now, clients could access Bitcoin and Ethereum only through ETFs, futures contracts, and Schwab’s Crypto Thematic Index ETF. Schwab Crypto will allow clients to hold actual cryptocurrency through Schwab’s banking infrastructure, eliminating the need to open a separate account at a crypto-native exchange.
The rollout will be phased: internal employee testing comes first, followed by a limited client launch, then a broader rollout to the wider brokerage base. The service will not initially be available in New York or Louisiana. Not all applicants will qualify.
The Scale of What This Represents
Schwab manages $12.22 trillion in client assets across 38.9 million active brokerage accounts. As crypto.news noted, the firm reported a 400% increase in traffic to its crypto site in 2025, with 70% of that traffic coming from non-clients, a signal of how large the untapped demand pool is among mainstream investors who prefer a familiar brokerage environment over crypto-native platforms.
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Schwab’s March 2026 internal research characterized Bitcoin as a “matured mainstream asset,” a shift in institutional framing that helped clear the path for the launch. The Trump administration’s rollback of SEC accounting restrictions on crypto and the Federal Reserve’s loosening of bank crypto guidelines provided the regulatory runway Schwab had been waiting for since Wurster first flagged the plan.
Competitive Implications
The competitive threat to existing crypto exchanges is significant. Schwab’s scale could allow it to undercut existing platforms on fees, and the firm’s existing brokerage relationship with tens of millions of retail investors gives it a distribution advantage that no crypto-native exchange can replicate. Morgan Stanley is also preparing a comparable launch through its E*TRADE platform.
Schwab has additionally indicated plans to introduce a stablecoin product once the GENIUS Act clears, a sign that the firm is treating spot trading as the start of a more comprehensive crypto build-out rather than a one-time product launch.
Circle plans phased quantum resistance across Arc, starting with opt-in post-quantum signatures at mainnet launch
Arc design allows users and developers to adopt quantum-safe features gradually without disrupting existing systems
Roadmap addresses risks of future decryption threats by enabling early protection against quantum computing advances
Infrastructure layers, including validators, will integrate quantum resistance over time for full network security
Circle has outlined a phased roadmap for its Arc blockchain, focusing on long-term security against quantum computing risks.
The plan introduces post-quantum cryptography at launch, while maintaining flexibility through opt-in adoption across wallets, validators, and core infrastructure layers.
A recent update shared by Wu Blockchain on X detailed Circle’s approach to building Arc with quantum resilience in mind.
The roadmap shows a structured path toward securing every layer of the network, starting from wallets to deeper infrastructural components.
Circle announced the quantum-resistant roadmap for its L1 blockchain Arc, adopting a phased approach to full-stack quantum resistance across wallets, private state, validators, and infrastructure. The mainnet will introduce post-quantum signatures with an opt-in model. Circle… pic.twitter.com/dDCudfOWbm
The mainnet launch will introduce post-quantum signature support as an optional feature. This allows users to create wallets secured against future quantum threats without forcing immediate system-wide changes. At the same time, existing cryptographic standards remain usable during the transition period.
This phased design reduces disruption across the ecosystem. Developers can continue building without rewriting applications, while users retain control over when to upgrade their security settings. As a result, the network maintains stability during gradual adoption.
Circle’s roadmap also addresses concerns tied to “harvest now, decrypt later” scenarios. In such cases, encrypted data collected today could become vulnerable once quantum computing advances. By enabling early adoption of quantum-resistant tools, Arc aims to reduce that exposure over time.
The update further notes that quantum computing could challenge public-key cryptography by 2030 or earlier. This timeline has shaped the decision to embed quantum resistance directly into the network’s foundation rather than relying on future upgrades.
The roadmap places strong focus on the mainnet phase, where post-quantum signatures will be introduced. This step marks the first practical implementation of Arc’s long-term security strategy within a live environment.
Users will have the option to create wallets secured by post-quantum cryptographic schemes at launch. This approach avoids forcing migrations while still offering advanced protection for those who choose it early. Over time, adoption can expand based on user preference and ecosystem readiness.
The design also ensures forward compatibility. As new cryptographic standards evolve, the network can integrate updates without requiring disruptive resets. This supports continuity for both developers and institutions operating on the platform.
Validators and infrastructure layers are also included in later phases of the roadmap. These components will gradually adopt quantum-resistant mechanisms, aligning the entire system under a unified security framework.
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Circle’s approach reflects a shift toward building infrastructure prepared for future risks. Instead of reacting to emerging threats, Arc’s roadmap introduces security measures during early development stages. This method reduces the need for urgent fixes later.
The structured rollout ensures that each layer of the network evolves without breaking existing functionality. At the same time, it allows stakeholders to adapt at their own pace while maintaining network integrity.
Georgia’s legislature adjourns today, April 6, having sent three AI-related bills to Governor Brian Kemp’s desk, the most notable being a Georgia AI chatbot bill that mandates disclosure, child protections, and crisis response protocols for self-harm.
Summary
Georgia’s SB 540, a chatbot disclosure and child safety bill, requires operators to notify users they are interacting with AI, limit certain actions by minors, offer privacy tools, and follow protocols when users express suicidal ideation or intent to self-harm
Two additional bills also await the governor: SB 444, which bans AI-only health insurance coverage decisions, and SR 789, a resolution creating a study committee on AI’s broader societal impact
Georgia’s SB 540 stands out nationally because it contains no carve-out for chatbots embedded within larger platforms, meaning major tech companies including Meta and Google would need to comply
Georgia’s 2026 legislative session is closing today with three AI bills awaiting Governor Brian Kemp’s signature, including a Georgia AI chatbot bill that is drawing national attention for its breadth and lack of industry exemptions, according to the Transparency Coalition AI’s legislative tracker. The package arrives as more than 27 states advance chatbot safety legislation in 2026, creating a fast-moving patchwork of AI regulations that the White House has publicly warned against.
Georgia’s SB 540 passed the Senate on March 6, cleared the House on March 25, and received Senate agreement on the reconciliation version on March 27. The bill requires chatbot operators to notify users that they are interacting with AI, implement steps that limit certain interactions with minors, provide privacy tools, and establish response protocols when users express suicidal ideation or self-harm intent.
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What makes the bill unusual nationally is that it does not include a carve-out for chatbots embedded within a broader service, an exemption that most similar bills include and that would otherwise shield platforms like Meta and Google from having to comply. As crypto.news reported, the global push for chatbot child safety regulation gained momentum earlier this year when UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer signalled plans to bring AI chatbots under stricter online safety rules, citing identical concerns around emotional dependency and unregulated AI-generated advice to minors.
The Other Two Bills on Kemp’s Desk
SB 444 prohibits health insurance coverage decisions from being based solely on AI systems or software tools, requiring human involvement in coverage determinations. It addresses a growing concern that automated denial systems are replacing clinical judgment without appropriate oversight.
SR 789 is a Senate resolution creating a Senate Study Committee on the Impact of Artificial Intelligence, a recognition that Georgia’s legislature intends to keep engaging on the issue after adjournment.
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A State-Level Wave the White House Is Watching
As crypto.news has noted, the acceleration of AI safety regulation without clear standards risks creating a compliance landscape where enforcement is inconsistent and under-resourced. The Trump administration has explicitly warned states against “onerous” AI laws and is pushing for a national standard to preempt state-level patchworks. A 10-year moratorium on state AI laws was proposed in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act last summer but was removed from the final legislation in a 99-to-1 Senate vote.
Tennessee’s Governor Bill Lee recently signed an AI therapy bot ban into law. Idaho approved four AI bills before session end. With Georgia now adjourning, the 2026 state AI legislative wave has not peaked.
“SB 540 is a chatbot disclosure and child safety bill, requiring notification of AI nature, steps to limit certain actions by minors, provide privacy tools, and protocols for response to suicidal ideation or self-harm,” the Transparency Coalition AI wrote in its April 3 legislative update. Whether Governor Kemp signs or vetoes the bills will be one of the first signals of how Republican-led states will navigate Washington’s pressure to stand down on AI regulation.
April deadline set for Senate Banking Committee vote on comprehensive crypto framework
Legislators work to clarify jurisdictional boundaries between SEC and CFTC
Election cycle considerations accelerate timeline for digital asset legislation
Policy disputes over stablecoins and token classification near resolution
Committee markup process represents critical milestone for regulatory clarity
The United States Senate is positioning itself for a significant advancement in digital asset policy as April emerges as the critical month for legislative action. With the Senate Banking Committee preparing to restart formal proceedings, a comprehensive regulatory framework may finally transition from prolonged discussions to concrete legislative measures.
Committee Leadership Confirms April Restart for Digital Asset Legislation
Senator Bill Hagerty has publicly confirmed that the Senate Banking Committee intends to reconvene discussions on cryptocurrency policy during April. Committee leadership has expressed determination to advance the proposed legislation through formal markup procedures in the coming weeks. This commitment reflects a significant shift in momentum following extended periods of legislative inactivity.
Lawmakers temporarily suspended earlier initiatives following political challenges and persistent disagreements over fundamental policy elements. Nevertheless, committee participants now demonstrate greater consensus regarding the necessity of moving forward with structured legislative action. Consequently, the upcoming month represents a potentially transformative period for federal cryptocurrency policy development.
Before any consideration reaches the full Senate chamber, the Banking Committee must complete its comprehensive review and formal approval procedures. Additionally, collaboration with the agriculture committee remains essential given the overlapping supervisory responsibilities for commodity-related digital assets. Therefore, successful advancement requires sustained cooperation across multiple legislative bodies.
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Regulatory Authority Division Remains Central to Legislative Framework
The proposed legislative structure focuses extensively on establishing clear jurisdictional boundaries between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Presently, both regulatory agencies maintain competing claims over various categories of digital assets. This ambiguity has created an environment where enforcement actions substitute for comprehensive regulatory guidance.
The SEC’s approach typically classifies numerous digital tokens as securities requiring registration and disclosure compliance, whereas the CFTC designates prominent cryptocurrencies as commodities subject to futures market oversight. Such divergent interpretations have resulted in fragmented enforcement rather than coherent industry standards. Accordingly, the pending legislation attempts to establish definitive jurisdictional parameters and eliminate regulatory overlap.
Draft provisions include mandatory licensing frameworks for cryptocurrency exchanges and custodial service providers. Additional requirements would establish standardized disclosure obligations for entities issuing new tokens. These measures collectively aim to create predictable compliance pathways throughout the digital asset ecosystem.
Electoral Considerations and Stakeholder Engagement Shape Legislative Schedule
The accelerated timeline for cryptocurrency legislation reflects increasing awareness of digital asset policy as an electoral consideration ahead of 2026 congressional elections. Legislative leaders acknowledge the expanding political influence exercised by cryptocurrency advocacy organizations and industry coalitions. This recognition has elevated regulatory clarity to a matter of strategic political importance.
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Coinbase representatives and allied industry participants have reported meaningful progress in resolving previously contentious policy matters. Outstanding concerns regarding stablecoin interest-bearing functionality and ethical questions surrounding asset tokenization appear closer to compromise. These developments suggest that major obstacles to bipartisan support may be diminishing.
Political action committees focused on cryptocurrency issues have substantially increased their financial participation and campaign engagement throughout recent election cycles. This expanding political footprint continues to influence legislative agenda-setting within Congress. Subsequently, digital asset regulation has become intertwined with broader electoral strategy considerations.
Lawmakers recognize the strategic value of securing committee approval before campaign activities intensify later in the year. However, several technical specifications and jurisdictional details require additional negotiation and refinement. Accordingly, while legislative momentum has clearly increased, final passage remains contingent on resolving these remaining complexities.
Achieving a positive committee vote would establish the first comprehensive legislative framework for digital assets at the federal level. Such progress would significantly reduce the regulatory uncertainty that has constrained domestic innovation and market development. Ultimately, this legislative initiative could fundamentally alter the United States’ approach to digital financial infrastructure and establish a model for coordinated regulatory oversight.
President Trump’s Tuesday deadline to Iran creates a pivotal moment for Bitcoin as it continues to decouple from gold.
While a ceasefire could boost equities, Bitcoin’s $75,000 path depends on its role as a hedge against fiscal instability.
BTC may benefit from (no) US-Iran ceasefire
There is a high probability that US President Donald Trump’s Tuesday deadline to Iran could be the catalyst needed for a Bitcoin (BTC) rally above $75,000.
Should a deal fail to materialize, Bitcoin’s risk perception could strengthen due to its unique decentralized properties. Conversely, a positive outcome in negotiations would likely propel risk assets, including Bitcoin.
President Trump issued an ultimatum to Iran on Sunday, warning the nation would be “living in Hell” if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened by Tuesday at 8:00 pm ET. However, CNBC reports that Trump has been “vacillating” between productive dialogue and the intensification of military action.
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Senior Iranian officials reportedly stated the strait will remain blocked until Iran receives compensation for war damages.
Gold/USD (left) vs. Bitcoin/USD (right). Source: TradingView
These mixed signals failed to convince market participants on Monday, as US stock markets traded mostly flat. In contrast, Bitcoin jumped above $69,000 for the first time in over 10 days—a trend made more notable by gold prices holding near $4,650, down 17% from a $5,600 all-time high.
Bitcoin slowly catching up to gold
Traders are increasingly concerned that central banks will be forced to liquidate their gold reserves. The Turkish Central Bank reported sales of 50 tonnes of gold for the week ending March 20, the sharpest decline in over seven years.
According to Reuters, Turkey has also sold $26 billion in foreign currencies to stabilize markets since the US and Israel-Iran war broke out in late February. Similarly, Russian gold reserves measured in tons have dropped to their lowest levels in four years.
A ceasefire in Iran, even if temporary, would almost certainly bolster risk markets, though the implications for Bitcoin are less certain.
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Traditional corporations remain heavily dependent on energy costs and global logistics. Therefore, any reduction in geopolitical risk is immediately reflected in equity prices.
However, a deal between the US and Iran would likely have a less direct impact on Bitcoin, as a resolution would likely strengthen the demand for US Treasuries.
Crude West Texas Oil (left) vs. US 5-year Treasury yield (right). Source: TradingView
Yields on the US 5-year Treasury note surged to 4% from 3.55% in late February, signaling that investors are demanding higher returns to hold those bonds. While part of this selling pressure stems from fears of sticky inflation driven by high oil prices, there is also the added burden on the US fiscal debt due to increased spending on military operations.
An eventual ceasefire and renewed confidence in the US Treasury reduces the necessity for alternative hedges and independent financial systems such as Bitcoin.
However, even if the Strait of Hormuz is reopened, Mohit Mirpuri, an equity fund manager at SGMC Capital, warned that “the damage to confidence and supply chains is already done — things don’t just snap back to normal.”
Predicting that the Bitcoin price will rally 8% by Tuesday based solely on a potential resolution to the US and Israel-Iran war seems far-fetched. Investors are gradually adjusting to President Trump’s characteristic back-and-forth, especially when negotiations involve unreliable third parties.
Traders are unlikely to provide the benefit of the doubt in this instance, so sustainable bullish momentum for risk markets could take longer to materialize. Nevertheless, the case for a $75,000 Bitcoin rally remains possible in the event of a positive outcome by Tuesday.
This article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice or recommendations. All investments and trades carry risk; readers are encouraged to conduct independent research before making any decisions. Cointelegraph makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information presented, including forward-looking statements, and will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from reliance on this content.
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