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Crypto World

Base Plans to Activate B20 Standard for Stablecoins and RWAs

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Crypto Breaking News

Coinbase-backed Layer-2 network Base is preparing to launch its new B20 token standard on mainnet, aiming to give developers a native way to issue stablecoins and other fungible assets such as tokenized real-world assets (RWAs). Base says the standard will be activated at 6 pm UTC, with developers able to start creating tokens under B20 once it goes live.

The rollout is positioned as a shift away from building and auditing custom token contracts. Instead, B20 provides an on-chain framework that supports issuer-side controls—features Base says are designed to simplify creation of both stablecoin- and asset-style tokens without developers having to implement their own token logic from scratch.

Key takeaways

  • Base will enable the B20 token standard on mainnet at 6 pm UTC, according to Base documentation.
  • B20 includes two variants—an asset format with configurable decimals and a stablecoin format with fixed six-decimal precision.
  • The standard is intended to reduce developer workload by avoiding the need to build and audit custom ERC-20 contracts for common token functions.
  • Base says B20 tokens remain compatible with ERC-20 while adding issuer controls such as supply limits and minting/burning permissions.
  • The launch comes after recent Base outages tied to sequencer infrastructure issues, including incidents on June 25 and June 26.

What B20 changes for token issuance on Base

Base’s B20 standard introduces a built-in token framework meant to standardize how fungible assets are created and governed on the network. In Base’s documentation for the “launch B20 token” process, the network describes B20 as a native mechanism that developers can use to issue tokens for use cases such as stablecoins, RWAs, and tokenized equities.

Base also outlines how B20 supports two variants:

  • Asset variant: allows decimals to be configured from six to 18.
  • Stablecoin variant: requires a fixed six-decimal format and asks issuers to specify a fiat currency denomination (for example, US dollar or euro).

Base says developers can begin creating B20 tokens once the standard is activated. The goal is not just convenience, but operational consistency: rather than each project writing its own token contract and testing it, B20 is designed to bundle common token behavior into a standardized structure.

Built-in controls designed to replace custom ERC-20 logic

Beyond simple compatibility, Base says B20 tokens are designed with issuer controls that typically require custom contract logic in many token deployments. According to Base, B20 tokens are compatible with standard ERC-20 tokens, but they include additional mechanisms that issuers can configure and manage.

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Base lists features under its issuer controls framework, including:

  • Supply limits
  • Transfer rules
  • Minting and burning
  • Pausing
  • Transaction notes

For builders, the practical implication is that B20 could streamline token deployments for use cases where permissions and operational safeguards matter—especially for stablecoin-style issuances and regulated or semi-regulated asset tokenization models. For users, standardized issuer control behavior can also make it easier to reason about how tokens are administered, though the exact implementation details will still depend on each issuer’s chosen parameters.

B20 ties back to the Beryl upgrade

B20 was introduced as part of Base’s Beryl upgrade, which Base says went live on June 26. Base’s documentation attributes B20’s introduction to this upgrade cycle and frames it as part of broader network changes.

In addition to enabling B20 functionality, the Beryl upgrade also reportedly shortened withdrawal waiting periods from seven days to five days. Base also pointed to technical changes intended to improve network performance as part of the same upgrade.

That context matters because B20 is not an isolated feature drop—it arrives alongside changes designed to affect both user experience (withdrawals) and developer/building conditions (network behavior and token standard availability). In other words, the B20 launch is tied to a larger upgrade narrative rather than a standalone deployment.

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Launch sequence after Base sequencer incidents

The timing of B20’s mainnet activation follows a period of operational disruption for Base, including outages linked to sequencer infrastructure.

On June 25, Base reported an outage caused by a consensus issue. At the time, the network said an invalid block had been sequenced, which prevented new blocks from being created. Base resumed block production on the same day after a nearly two-hour halt, as previously covered by Cointelegraph (Coinbase’s blockchain Base back online after 2-hour outage).

In a post-mortem, Base attributed back-to-back outages on June 25 and June 26 to a sequencer bug that triggered the first outage and then a second interruption following a reset-related race condition. The first incident reportedly lasted about 116 minutes, while the second lasted about 20 minutes after sequencers were unable to catch up following the reset.

Cointelegraph also reported on the post-mortem findings (Base post-mortem reveals sequencer bug behind back-to-back outages).

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These incidents also intersected with upgrade timing. Base said the first outage occurred hours before the scheduled Beryl upgrade. The Beryl upgrade was later delayed by one day due to a B20 activation registry timing issue, showing that B20-related coordination was already present during this rollout window.

For participants monitoring Base’s ecosystem, the key question is how token-standard activation and network reliability interplay during upgrade periods. The B20 launch signals a push to expand functionality, but recent outages highlight that the underlying sequencer infrastructure—and the operational processes around upgrades—remains a critical factor for stability.

With B20 now set to activate at 6 pm UTC, developers and token issuers will be watching to see how quickly real stablecoin and RWA-related products adopt the standard, and whether Base’s recent sequencer incidents remain isolated as more activity moves onto the new framework.

Risk & affiliate notice: Crypto assets are volatile and capital is at risk. This article may contain affiliate links. Read full disclosure

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Worst Crypto Prank Ever? Viral Prediction Market Pulls Off Shocking Joke

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World's daily on-chain volume, showing the pre-prank peak, Source: Dune/ario_57]

World, a week-old Solana (SOL) prediction market, staged a fake exit. On July 8, it said it was leaving Solana for Robinhood Chain, then admitted the whole thing was a crypto prank the following day.

The gag drew millions of views and briefly fooled parts of the crypto industry. It also divided opinion on whether staged deception is smart marketing or a costly gamble for a young platform.

How the Crypto Prank Spread

World went live on Solana on July 1 inside the Phantom wallet, with Chainlink (LINK) handling data and settlement. Solana’s official account had promoted the debut just a week earlier.

Days later, the project told followers it was leaving for Robinhood Chain. It thanked the Solana Foundation and posted a polished logo for the supposed move.

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The target made the fake believable. Robinhood Chain is a real Arbitrum-based Layer 2 that launched on July 1 for tokenized stocks.

That same week, the network set a record daily volume of $563.9 million, according to DefiLlama. Meme coins, not tokenized stocks, drove the frenzy. It was arguably crypto’s hottest new chain.

Several outlets reported the migration as fact. Within a day, World revealed the joke.

The reception split. Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko amplified the gag, and CoinGecko co-founder Bobby Ong called it sharp marketing.

“I’m still trying to figure out if they moved to Robinhood Chain or staying at Solana. I think this is a parody and they are actually staying on Solana. I guess it triggered many folks and got them the attention that they really want, which is all that matters in consumer tech,” Ong remarked.

Critics, however, saw a bait-and-switch that erodes trust in a product handling real bets.

https://twitter.com/kriptosensei0/status/2075266456900526492?s=20

Follow us on X to get the latest news as it happens

Did the Joke Pay Off?

The on-chain record complicates any victory claim. An independent dashboard built by analyst ario_57 tracks World’s activity. It shows roughly $4.37 million in notional volume. Daily users peaked near 3,000 since the July 1 launch.

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World's daily on-chain volume, showing the pre-prank peak, Source: Dune/ario_57]
World’s daily on-chain volume, showing the pre-prank peak. Source: Dune/ario_57

Yet that volume crested around July 6, two days before the stunt. The cumulative totals cover the full launch week, not one viral afternoon. The prank coincided with World’s momentum. It did not create it.

The 2.3 million views were World’s own tally, a measure of attention rather than adoption. Meanwhile, prediction markets face fresh scrutiny, raising the cost of any misstep in trust.

For now, World has crypto’s attention and a working product behind the gag. Whether that attention becomes lasting users is the question the coming weeks will answer.

The post Worst Crypto Prank Ever? Viral Prediction Market Pulls Off Shocking Joke appeared first on BeInCrypto.

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Solana price prediction: Why analysts see more upside for SOL

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Solana price prediction
Solana price prediction
  • Solana (SOL) is up 18.5% over the past 30 days.
  • Analysts are watching the $85–$90 resistance zone.
  • B3 futures and FullSend add to Solana’s momentum.

Solana has regained momentum after a difficult stretch earlier this year, with the token climbing back above the $77 mark and extending its monthly recovery.

At the time of writing, SOL is trading at $77.73, up 0.8% over the past 24 hours after moving between $76.25 and $78.62 during the session.

Over the past month, the cryptocurrency has gained 18.5%, while its two-week performance stands at 21.6%.

The recent recovery has renewed interest in Solana’s outlook, particularly as technical indicators, institutional activity, and network developments begin to align.

While the token remains well below its all-time high of $293.31, several analysts believe the current trend has created room for further upside if key resistance levels are cleared.

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Technical picture points to key breakout levels

SOL’s latest rally follows a rebound of roughly 38% from its recent low near $60, bringing renewed attention to the asset’s technical structure.

The recovery also marked Solana’s first positive monthly performance in several months, suggesting that selling pressure has eased.

Market analyst Ali Martinez has identified the $85 to $90 region as an important resistance zone.

A sustained move above that range would bring the psychologically significant $100 level back into focus.

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Another closely watched analyst, Michaël van de Poppe, has highlighted the importance of the $73- $76 area, describing it as a major support zone that continues to underpin the broader recovery.

According to Poppe, as long as that area remains intact, the longer-term structure remains constructive from a technical standpoint.

Attention has also shifted to Solana’s performance against Bitcoin.

The SOL/BTC trading pair has shown signs of strengthening after spending months in decline.

According to technical analysis, a breakout above the long-term resistance around 0.00140–0.00145 BTC could indicate improving relative strength for Solana compared with Bitcoin.

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If that breakout is confirmed, technical projections place the next major value area between $140 and $150.

Those levels are based on historical trading activity rather than guaranteed price targets, meaning further confirmation would still be needed before the market could sustain such a move.

At the same time, focus is on the $75 to $78 range as an important near-term support area.

Holding above that zone would help preserve the current recovery, while a break below it could slow bullish momentum.

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Institutional adoption continues to expand

Beyond price action, Solana has also benefited from growing institutional participation.

Brazil’s stock exchange, B3, recently expanded its regulated cryptocurrency derivatives offering by introducing Solana futures alongside Ethereum futures and Bitcoin options.

The contracts are settled in US dollars and reference Nasdaq’s digital asset benchmark prices.

Each Solana futures contract represents 5 SOL, giving professional investors another regulated instrument for gaining exposure to the asset or managing risk through hedging strategies.

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B3 also reduced the size of its Bitcoin futures contracts to improve accessibility, a move that reflects broader efforts to increase participation in regulated crypto derivatives.

The expansion places Solana alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum within one of Latin America’s largest regulated exchange environments.

While derivatives products do not directly determine price direction, they typically improve market efficiency by expanding trading and hedging opportunities for institutional participants.

Recent infrastructure developments have also focused attention on Solana’s ability to support high-volume financial applications.

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Privy, the wallet infrastructure provider acquired by Stripe, has partnered with Jito Labs to launch FullSend, a transaction routing system designed specifically for the Solana blockchain.

Instead of relying solely on traditional RPC infrastructure, FullSend routes transactions directly to the validator responsible for producing the next block.

According to the companies, the system has been operating in production since January and has processed millions of transactions with 99.999% landing reliability.

The technology also reduces transaction inclusion latency to approximately 50 milliseconds, compared with roughly 200 milliseconds or more under conventional routing methods.

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For developers building payment platforms, trading applications, or financial services, those improvements reduce failed transactions during periods of network congestion while simplifying transaction management.

Developers using Privy’s wallet infrastructure receive these routing improvements without implementing additional software.

The announcement also highlights Privy’s growing reach following its acquisition by Stripe.

The company supports approximately 140 million accounts across applications that collectively process billions of dollars in monthly transaction volume.

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The immediate focus now remains on whether buyers can push the token above the $85–$90 resistance range.

A successful breakout would place $100 at the centre of market attention, while continued strength in the SOL/BTC pair could reinforce the view that Solana is beginning to outperform Bitcoin once again.

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Billions flowing out of bitcoin ETFs and private credit funds suggest rising market risks

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Billions flowing out of bitcoin ETFs and private credit funds suggest rising market risks

Average requests rose to 10.3% of shares from 9.7% in Q1, but ranged widely (1.3%–38.1% at Blue Owl’s OTIC), Fitch said. Many requests were follow-ups from investors who were only partly satisfied last quarter. New inflows fell by about 56% on average, so most funds saw net outflows of roughly 3% of the prior quarter’s net asset value.

What’s concerning, for private credit, is that Fitch expects continued redemptions in the months ahead.

“With BDCs capping redemptions at 5% quarterly, unfulfilled requests will lead to persistent elevated redemptions for many firms in the coming quarters,” ratings agency Fitch warned,” the ratings agency said.

Same story, different structures

Bitcoin ETFs are liquid, exchange-traded vehicles, where outflows directly impact the spot price of BTC. Private credit BDCs are the opposite: illiquid, long-duration lending vehicles with built-in quarterly gates.

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Still, the fact that investors rushed for exit in both at the same time does point to broader caution around liquidity and risk appetite.

Amid all this, energy markets continue to send risk-off signals, with the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve at its lowest level since 1983. So, if the energy market remains disrupted, the government now has significantly less buffer to flood the market with oil and keep prices lower.

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Bitcoin Is in Deep Value Zone, Yet $53K Drop Cannot Be Ruled Out

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Bitcoin’s market appears to be in the later stages of a bear market, but the signals confirming a broader turnaround have not yet emerged. On-chain data shared by Glassnode shows the asset has recovered from $57,800 to nearly $63,000 over the past week, but it remains below both the True Market Mean of $76,600 and the Short-Term Holder Cost Basis of $72,200.

This leaves the asset in a “deep value” zone.

BTC Bottoming

Bitcoin has now spent about five months trading below both of these levels – one of the longest discount periods in its history. According to Glassnode, such long periods have historically provided the foundation for cyclical bottoms as investors accumulate at prices below the average cost of recent buyers and the broader active market. However, a further decline toward the Realized Price of roughly $53,000 remains possible.

The report identified long-term holders as the primary source of current selling pressure. Since early February, the share of realized value attributed to long-term holder losses has increased from 15% to 43%, which makes this cohort’s capitulation the largest contributor to downside pressure. These investors largely bought near the cycle peak and, after holding through months of losses, are increasingly selling as the downturn tests their conviction.

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Glassnode said that this steady wave of distribution has prevented Bitcoin from reclaiming the upper end of its current trading range. The report added that long-term holders’ realized losses, measured on a 30-day moving average basis, recently climbed to around $280 million per day, which is the highest level since December 2022. This was the second major spike recorded during the current bear market.

Unlike the previous spike, however, this wave of capitulation has not yet begun to cool. Glassnode believes that a decline in this metric will be necessary before a credible transition back to bullish conditions can be considered.

Off-chain indicators also continue to point to weak institutional demand despite exhibiting modest improvement. The 30-day average of US spot Bitcoin ETF net flows has remained negative since mid-May. The average daily outflows declined from a peak of $193 million in early June to approximately $88.9 million.

While the slower pace of withdrawals is viewed as a “tentative positive,” institutions are still reducing exposure overall, which means demand has yet to stabilize. ETF trading activity also remains low, as daily volume ranges between $650 million and $950 million, roughly 80% below the $4.4 billion daily peak recorded in October 2025.

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According to the report, both stronger trading activity and a return to neutral or positive ETF flows would be needed to confirm renewed institutional participation.

Defensive Positioning

Derivatives markets present a mixed picture. The options put/call ratio has fallen to 0.56, its lowest level this year, while perpetual futures funding rates indicate traders have cautiously rebuilt long positions after earlier de-risking. Despite this, the options market remained defensive.

“The 25-delta skew, the premium of downside protection over upside, is bid across every tenor. Every selloff since the winter has re-bid it, and late June’s spike to 24% was the most defensive the front end has been since the February selloff. Traders are still paying up to hedge each dip, even as the book leans long.”

Bitcoin also trades about 6% below the options market’s aggregated max pain level of $66,000, the price at which the greatest number of outstanding options would expire worthless and around which spot price has often gravitated as expiry approaches.

The post Bitcoin Is in Deep Value Zone, Yet $53K Drop Cannot Be Ruled Out appeared first on CryptoPotato.

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International Business Machines (IBM) Stock Drops 1.3% Despite Quantum Computing Buzz

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IBM Stock Card

Key Highlights

  • Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma toured IBM’s Thomas J. Watson Research Center, sharing his quantum computing experience with his 1.3 million X platform followers.
  • The tech giant clarified the laboratory visit wasn’t sponsored — Kuzma initiated contact after publicly showing interest in quantum technology on social platforms.
  • Wall Street consensus rates IBM as “Moderate Buy” with a $306.47 average price target; Bank of America recently upgraded its forecast to $330.
  • Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group decreased its IBM holdings by 3.8% during Q1, divesting 91,570 shares, while institutional investors maintain 58.96% ownership.
  • The company announces Q2 2026 financial results on July 22; shares began Thursday trading at $302.18, declining 1.3% intraday.

International Business Machines enters earnings reporting season amid a distinctive convergence of events — including a high-profile facility tour, dividend increases, and active analyst coverage.


IBM Stock Card
International Business Machines Corporation, IBM

Kyle Kuzma, who plays forward for the Milwaukee Bucks, recently explored IBM’s Thomas J. Watson Research Center and documented the experience for his 1.3 million X platform audience. He expanded on the visit through a Monday LinkedIn update, stating: “Quantum could end up being the foundation that expands what AI is even capable of.”

IBM informed Barron’s that Kuzma’s visit materialized after the athlete publicly demonstrated curiosity about quantum computing technology via social channels. Company representatives verified no financial arrangement supported the visit.

Shares commenced Thursday’s session at $302.18, registering approximately 1.3% decline during trading. This valuation positions the stock considerably below its 52-week peak of $332.46, while maintaining distance above the $212.34 annual low.

The technology giant schedules its Q2 2026 earnings announcement for July 22. During the previous quarter, IBM delivered earnings per share of $1.91, surpassing analyst expectations of $1.81 by $0.10. Total revenue reached $15.92 billion, exceeding the projected $15.60 billion and representing 9.5% year-over-year growth.

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Wall Street’s Perspective

Current analyst coverage includes sixteen Buy recommendations and nine Hold ratings. The overall consensus classification stands at “Moderate Buy” with a $306.47 average price objective.

Bank of America elevated its price forecast to $330 in recent activity. Barclays commenced coverage during June with an “overweight” designation and $350 target. JPMorgan upgraded from neutral to overweight in late June, increasing its projection from $270 to $291.

Bearish sentiment exists among some analysts. KeyCorp downgraded to “sector weight” coinciding with JPMorgan’s upgrade. HSBC transitioned from “reduce” to “hold” during April, adjusting its target upward from $218 to $231.

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group reduced its IBM allocation by 3.8% throughout Q1, liquidating 91,570 units to conclude the quarter holding 2,348,360 units valued at approximately $569 million. Institutional investors collectively control 58.96% of outstanding shares.

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Quantum Computing Enters Mainstream Consciousness

Kuzma’s facility tour represents another indicator that quantum computing technology is penetrating broader public awareness. A $2 billion federal government investment package materialized in May, accompanied by two executive directives addressing quantum advancement. IBM separately unveiled plans for an independent quantum chip manufacturing facility supported by $1 billion Commerce Department funding — an announcement that propelled the stock to its strongest weekly performance in over twenty years.

Kuzma maintains an established pattern of technology company visits. He toured Meta’s corporate headquarters in late June and recently shared photographs featuring equipment from Lunar Outpost, an emerging company holding a $220 million NASA agreement.

Industry analysts and quantum computing executives consistently emphasize that genuine sector validation originates from revenue-generating customers — not celebrity endorsements. Current end users predominantly comprise academic institutions and government agencies, rendering consumer-oriented publicity primarily a brand awareness strategy.

IBM additionally increased its quarterly dividend distribution to $1.69 per share, distributed June 10, up from the previous $1.68. The annualized dividend yield currently stands at 2.2%.

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The corporation also introduced compact z17 and LinuxONE 5 computing systems this week, alongside unveiling Project Lightwell, an open-source security framework addressing software supply-chain vulnerabilities.

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Larger Blocks vs STARK Proofs

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Crypto Breaking News

StarkWare co-founder Eli Ben-Sasson argues that quantum-safety for Bitcoin is more likely to arrive through ZK STARKs—especially when used to compress the huge signature data expected from post-quantum (PQ) schemes—rather than by simply expanding blocks or accepting slower throughput. He also suggested that Adam Back, founder of Blockstream, aligns with the core idea, though Cointelegraph reported no response from Back to its outreach.

The broader debate has resurfaced this week as Ben-Sasson also drew attention for a separate, contentious proposal on X: raising Bitcoin inflation to 4% annually. However, his technical case for ZK STARK aggregation rests on a concrete concern—PQ signatures are far larger than today’s ECDSA/Schnorr signatures—and the resulting trade-offs for network capacity and decentralization.

Key takeaways

  • Post-quantum signatures are much larger than Bitcoin’s current signature schemes, potentially forcing major capacity changes.
  • ZK STARK aggregation could compress many large signatures from a block into a much smaller proof, reducing on-chain data pressure.
  • Simply increasing block size is an alternative, but it may raise costs for nodes and revive decentralization concerns.
  • Bitcoin’s governance and Script limitations are the main bottlenecks for adding native STARK verification at the base layer.
  • StarkWare’s roadmap points to a different approach via account abstraction, making post-quantum upgrades operationally easier on systems like Starknet.

The core constraint: PQ signatures don’t fit like today’s

Ben-Sasson’s argument starts with the mismatch between Bitcoin’s existing cryptographic footprint and the expectations around post-quantum schemes. Adding PQ signatures “by itself,” he says, does not make the chain quantum-safe in a practical sense; it introduces an engineering problem first: the new signatures are orders of magnitude larger.

According to the article, the current set of PQ signatures approved by the US-based National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are roughly 10 to 100 times larger than Bitcoin’s prevailing ECDSA and Schnorr signatures. The practical risk is throughput and verification overhead—one oft-cited concern is that a block could end up supporting far fewer transactions.

Ben-Sasson’s counterproposal is to move the bulk of that data off the chain and replace it with a compact cryptographic statement. In his view, the signatures for all transactions in a block could be aggregated into a single ZK STARK proof, which would be significantly smaller than including the original signatures. That, he argues, could preserve or even improve effective efficiency compared with a naive on-chain PQ upgrade.

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“If they don’t allow for ZK STARK aggregation, then definitely it will be a very unfortunate move because it won’t really solve the problem … where the problem is ‘can everyone actually use Bitcoin?’” Ben-Sasson said.

“So for that you need massive scale. And for that, you need things like signature aggregation and just increasing the block size isn’t enough.”

Block size as the “simple engineering” fix—and why it’s controversial

One alternative Ben-Sasson acknowledges, via commentary from other experts, is increasing Bitcoin’s block size. The dispute is not about whether it works—it’s about the cost structure and the governance path.

Marin Ivezic, author of PostQuantum.com and founder of Applied Quantum, told Cointelegraph that Bitcoin’s SegWit scheme reduced the impact of larger signatures by up to 75%. But Ivezic’s modeling of NIST’s ML-DSA-44 scheme (described in the article as having 2,420 bytes per signature) suggests block capacity could drop to roughly 500 to 700 transactions under those conditions—down from 2,500 to 3,000 “today.”

That figure is what makes block-size debates feel inevitable: if PQ signatures drive transaction sizes sharply upward, the network needs somewhere for that data to go. Yet, as the article notes, critics see block growth as a blunt instrument because it pushes more storage, bandwidth, and verification work onto all nodes. Over time, that can mean higher operating costs and potentially less hardware diversity—an outcome that opponents argue could shift Bitcoin toward centralization.

The article also points to Blockstream Research’s recent experiments compressing hash-based post-quantum signature schemes for Bitcoin. It cites SHRINCS and SHRIMPS, with “everyday” signatures said to be around five times larger than current Bitcoin signatures, and up to 40 times larger in recovery scenarios such as wallet resurrection. The implication is that even with compression, larger signatures remain a throughput challenge unless block sizes increase.

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“Raising capacity natively is the simple engineering answer and the hardest governance answer,” Ivezic said. “We just don’t have time for those debates.”

Why ZK aggregation could matter more than capacity alone

The attraction of ZK STARK aggregation is not simply that it is smaller. It’s that it changes the economics of what must be stored and verified by nodes.

At a high level, ZK proofs let one side prove that some statement holds without exposing all underlying details. In the Bitcoin setting described in the article, a STARK proof could certify that the necessary conditions for multiple transactions—tied to signatures—are satisfied, without requiring the chain to carry the full set of individual signature bytes.

The operational claim from Ben-Sasson is that generating a proof for a single block is a job that likely needs to be done once (with optional redundancy), and that the proving hardware could be far cheaper than commercial mining setups. The article further notes that verifying proofs could be feasible on very modest devices, pointing to Lean Ethereum’s specification benchmarks—where proving equipment is described as potentially under $100,000 and verification could run on almost any equipment, even something like a Raspberry Pi.

Ben-Sasson also argues the momentum for ZK STARKs existed among early Bitcoin developers. He claimed that figures such as Greg Maxwell and Mike Hearn were “very bullish about ZK STARKs,” citing their belief that STARKs provide post-quantum security without trusted setup. In the article, he adds that he thinks Bitcoin Core developer Luke Dashjr and Adam Back are aligning more with the idea, though Cointelegraph states it did not receive a response from Back.

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One complication raised in the article is that Ethereum researcher Justin Drake has described a desire for Bitcoin to adopt Lean Ethereum’s ZK proof aggregation approach. However, political constraints might make that difficult to implement in practice—even if the technical path exists.

What would it take for Bitcoin to verify STARKs?

The question for Bitcoin is less about whether ZK STARKs are cryptographically credible and more about whether Bitcoin can verify them in a practical, acceptable way. That brings the discussion to Bitcoin Script and governance.

The article suggests a more politically pragmatic starting point may be re-enabling OP_CAT, an opcode Satoshi introduced and later removed. Ben-Sasson argues that if OP_CAT is enabled, it could unlock capabilities needed for STARK proofs and aggregation and thereby support post-quantum security.

Still, while OP_CAT drew attention in earlier months (as the article frames it, 12 to 24 months ago), it has “lost momentum” more recently. It remains a governance-dependent path, with Bitcoin’s deliberative culture cited as a key factor.

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Beyond OP_CAT, the article mentions other proposals such as OP_STARK_VERIFY, an opcode-oriented idea designed to verify STARKs more efficiently on Bitcoin, and a concept called BitZip associated with Ethan Heilman. Heilman’s framing (as quoted in the article) outlines two broad routes: enhancing Bitcoin with general-purpose opcodes to support rollup-like constructions, or supporting STARKs at the consensus layer. He also referenced weaker aggregation schemes—like CISA (Cross Input Signature Aggregation)—as potential partial help.

Even if the crypto is strong, the practical gating factor is that Bitcoin Script cannot verify STARKs today. The article quotes Ivezic’s assessment that a base-layer STARK verifier is realistically a 2030s governance conversation, noting that consensus-layer changes carry far more surface area than small signature-related opcodes—even ones like OP_CAT that have already faced years of debate.

By contrast, the article highlights that other networks may find post-quantum transitions easier. It notes that Ethereum is targeting 2029 for post-quantum transition and that Solana has experimented with post-quantum signatures. For Starknet specifically, the article ties StarkWare’s three-phase quantum-secure transition to native account abstraction, which allows upgrades of underlying cryptography without forcing every user to migrate accounts manually.

“On Starknet, we have this big advantage that we have already native account abstraction and smart wallets, which means that nothing is enshrined so its very easy to upgrade the wallets and the infrastructure to be post quantum.“

The strategic implication, as Ben-Sasson presents it, is that post-quantum roadmaps on networks without flexible account layers could be “extremely hard,” while Starknet’s design choices reduce lock-in risk.

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For Bitcoin readers, the next watchpoints are straightforward: whether any OP_CAT-related or STARK-verification discussions regain momentum, and whether the community gravitates toward aggregation-first proposals that preserve decentralization—rather than defaulting to block-size increases that may raise node burdens. The cryptography may be solvable, but Bitcoin’s ability to verify it at scale hinges on governance and Script capabilities.

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Can Cardano (ADA) Reclaim $1 in 2026: 3 AIs Weigh in

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June was not kind to Cardano’s native token, whose price briefly crashed below $0.14, marking the lowest point since 2020.

Fortunately for the bulls, the asset started July on the right foot, temporarily recovering to roughly $0.20, and is currently trading at around $0.17, representing a 14% increase over two weeks.

It will be interesting to see whether ADA can extend its positive momentum in the following months and reclaim the major milestone of $1 before the end of the year. Below is the perspective of three of the most widely used AI-powered chatbots.

Possible But Quite Difficult Task

ChatGPT estimated that ADA could reach $1 sometime this year, but warned that this will be extremely challenging given current levels. OpenAI’s platform claimed that the biggest problem is usage, noting that Cardano’s ecosystem and activity still look small relative to the valuation needed for such a milestone.

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“$1 is possible only in a full bull scenario — Bitcoin strong, altcoins rotating, ETF optimism rising, and Cardano showing real DeFi/stablecoin growth. A more realistic recovery path would first be $0.30–$0.50. If ADA clears that zone with volume, then $0.75–$1 becomes a serious target. If the broader market stays weak, ADA may struggle even to reclaim $0.30,” it stated.

Perplexity also didn’t rule out the possibility, but argued that an explosion of that magnitude would require three things to happen simultaneously: Bitcoin-led market strength, a clear acceleration in the Cardano ecosystem, and a major re-rating of large-cap altcoins.

The chatbot claimed that the most realistic scenario for ADA this year is to reach a maximum of $0.80, as it could spend parts of the year closer to $0.30-$0.50, especially if catalysts like CME futures, Hydra, and improved DeFi usage start to matter more.

Uphill Battle

Google’s Gemini said an ascent to $1 for ADA in 2026 is mathematically possible but highly improbable. The chatbot addressed the ongoing problems of Cardano, which continues to struggle with user growth, DeFi traction, and actual daily transaction volume compared to its competitors like Solana and Ethereum.

Moreover, Gemini touched upon Charles Hoskinson’s recent statements, which have posed hurdles to ADA’s price action. Recall that Cardano’s founder shocked the community last month when he said he’s “taking a break” and warned of an upcoming “wave of failures in the ecosystem.”

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“>”Hoskinson is known for his unfiltered, highly transparent communication style. While his supporters praise his honesty, markets hate uncertainty. Right now, Cardano is going through a painful transition phase, and Hoskinson’s public commentary is magnifying those growing pains,” Gemini stated.

The post Can Cardano (ADA) Reclaim $1 in 2026: 3 AIs Weigh in appeared first on CryptoPotato.

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UK Lawmakers Consider Making Crypto Donations Ban Permanent After Farage Scandal

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UK Labour MPs are preparing to push for a permanent ban on crypto donations to political parties and candidates, arguing that recent allegations around Nigel Farage’s funding have underscored risks of undue influence in British politics.

According to The Guardian, the party is looking to overhaul existing donation rules after a March moratorium on crypto contributions was introduced and then prompted further scrutiny. The renewed push is linked to Farage’s resignation from Parliament and reporting that he received large “gifts” connected to the digital-asset industry.

Key takeaways

  • Labour MPs are considering making the March crypto-donation moratorium permanent, moving from temporary restraint to a lasting rule change.
  • The push follows Farage’s resignation and claims that he accepted millions in donations described as “gifts” from crypto-linked figures.
  • UK lawmakers plan to review proposed amendments next week, potentially tightening political funding limits for digital assets.
  • A by-election in Farage’s constituency will be triggered, but major parties reportedly plan not to run candidates, leaving the contest to voters.

A temporary ban becomes a permanent proposal

The legislative debate centres on the March moratorium on crypto donations, which was announced by the UK government as part of a broader effort to protect democratic processes. The government’s move included a cap on donations from overseas electors and a ban on crypto donations, framed explicitly around safeguarding the integrity of elections.

Labour now wants that crypto restriction to be extended beyond its initial window. The Guardian reports that MPs have tabled amendments aimed at turning the moratorium into a permanent measure.

Liam Byrne, a Labour MP for Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North and chair of the business select committee, is among the figures backing the changes. He argued that the scale of the alleged inflows—cited in the report as “$268 million”—could fuel a wider political media ecosystem that benefits populist movements.

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In a post on X, Byrne reiterated his view that stronger donation safeguards are needed, linking the current push to evidence of how crypto-related money could intersect with political influence.

Farage’s resignation reignites the funding controversy

Farage announced his resignation on Tuesday, following reporting about contributions he accepted while serving as MP for Clacton. He said the UK parliamentary standards commissioner was investigating the donations, while maintaining that he “did nothing wrong.”

The allegations described in the reporting include a $6.7 million “gift” from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne and additional support—such as staff, security, transport, and accommodation—linked to George Cottrell, described as a convicted fraudster connected to a crypto casino.

Earlier coverage from Cointelegraph noted Farage’s resignation was tied to the controversy over crypto donations and gifts. That resignation is expected to keep the issue at the top of the UK political agenda, particularly as Labour seeks to lock in lasting limits.

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What Labour MPs want to change—And why it matters

Under the reported plan, Labour lawmakers intend to consider amendments to the representation of the people measures next week. If adopted, a permanent crypto donation ban would represent a significant tightening of rules around how digital-asset wealth can flow into electoral politics.

For investors and builders in the crypto economy, the practical implication is straightforward: policy risk around political funding could shift from a temporary, trial-like restriction to a durable compliance requirement—one that may influence how crypto-linked businesses think about political engagement in the UK.

It also changes the timeline for uncertainty. A moratorium implies a watch-and-review period; a permanent ban implies long-term regulatory expectations. Market participants typically price in policy duration, and longer-lived restrictions tend to reduce the odds of sudden rule reversals—either tightening further or reversing course.

There is also a governance angle. Labour’s framing, as reported, focuses on democracy-protection rather than market conduct. That means the next step for observers is not just how the crypto donation ban is written, but how enforcement is handled and whether standards investigations evolve into broader election-law reforms.

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By-election dynamics and the leadership question

Farage’s resignation automatically triggers a by-election in Clacton. He told constituents that “the people of Clacton should be the judges of my actions,” according to the reported coverage. However, the major party landscape is expected to be unusual: The Guardian reports that Labour, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, and Greens will reportedly not field candidates.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has described Farage’s move as a “desperate stunt,” a characterization that signals the political conflict around the donation allegations is likely to remain sharply contested.

Separately, a potential political leadership transition could affect how quickly Labour pushes the crypto donation issue through parliament. Earlier this week, a week-long window reportedly opened for Labour MPs to nominate candidates for the party’s next leader, who would also become prime minister if Labour wins.

Cointelegraph previously noted that Andy Burnham—a Labour MP and former mayor of Greater Manchester—has been positioned as a contender following Starmer’s resignation. As mayor, Burnham backed the idea of making the city a “Web3 powerhouse” and supported using digital technology for economic development.

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If Burnham secures enough support to win the leadership contest, he may face immediate pressure to address both the proposed crypto donation ban and broader questions about how UK regulators oversee crypto activity, including the Financial Conduct Authority’s role.

What to watch next

Next week’s consideration of Labour’s proposed amendments will be the key milestone. Observers should watch whether the party’s push results in a permanent statutory ban on crypto donations and, equally important, how any enforcement mechanisms and parliamentary standards findings develop around the Farage-linked allegations.

Risk & affiliate notice: Crypto assets are volatile and capital is at risk. This article may contain affiliate links. Read full disclosure

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Ethereum Price Prediction: Hoskinson Accuses ETH of Taking Cardano Ideas Without Credit

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eth logo

Ethereum price has slipped as fresh ecosystem drama landed, which may bring its prediction down. All the while, buyers tried to defend the mid $1,700 area.

The latest spark came from Ethereum researcher Toni Wahrstätter, who proposed adding native UTXO-style payments to Ethereum. The design would keep only a small spent marker in the network state. With this, most payment data would stay in blockchain history, cutting permanent storage needs by as much as 99.8%.

That proposal quickly caught Charles Hoskinson’s attention. The Cardano founder argued that Ethereum was borrowing ideas from Cardano’s Extended UTXO model without giving credit. His comments revived the familiar Cardano versus Ethereum rivalry, proving that some crypto debates are never-ending.

For traders and holders, the technical argument matters less than the market reaction. Ethereum’s roadmap continues to evolve, and every major proposal invites fresh scrutiny. That uncertainty can create opportunity, although it also keeps volatility close at hand. In crypto, the comment section sometimes moves almost as fast as the charts.

Discover: The Best Crypto to Diversify Your Portfolio

Ethereum Price Prediction: Recover to $1,800?

Ethereum price hovered around $1,730 as traders eased off the gas after the latest rally. During the past day, it moved between $1,710 and $1,785. Over the last week, ETH climbed as high as $1,830 before slipping back, showing buyers are still around even if they are no longer chasing every green candle.

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The first level to beat is still $1,820 to $1,830. ETH has tested that area more than once and keeps getting turned away. On the downside, $1,700 to $1,725 has been the spot where buyers keep showing up. Lose that, and the mood could change fast.

Ethereum (ETH)
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Right now, this looks more like traders cashing in than running for the exits. After a strong move, some cooling off is hardly shocking. Price can drift sideways for a while without wrecking the trend, especially if buyers refuse to give up the $1,700 level.

If ETH climbs back above $1,830, the conversation quickly shifts to $2,000 again. If it closes below $1,700 instead, sellers could drag it toward $1,600. For now, Ethereum feels like someone standing outside a party, checking twice before ringing the bell again.

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LiquidChain Targets Early Mover Upside as Ethereum Tests Key Levels

ETH at $1,740 is still 64% below its all-time high. The upside math is compelling on paper, but at this market cap, getting a 10x from here requires a full-cycle bull run that may or may not materialize in the near term.

Early-stage infrastructure plays with smaller floats have historically moved faster in the early innings of a cycle, which is exactly the window some traders are watching. The Cardano situation is a useful reminder that even strong technical foundations don’t automatically translate to price performance.

LiquidChain ($LIQUID) is a Layer 3 infrastructure project attempting to solve a problem that the ETH-Cardano UTXO debate underscores: liquidity fragmentation across siloed chains. Its core proposition is a Unified Liquidity Layer that fuses Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana liquidity into a single execution environment. With Liquid, developers deploy once and access all three ecosystems.

The presale is priced at $0.01478, with $890K raised to date. Standout technical features include Single-Step Execution and Verifiable Settlement, targeting the exact cross-chain friction that makes multi-chain development expensive.

Research LiquidChain here before making any allocation decisions.

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Anthropic Soars to $1.2 Trillion Secondary Valuation, Eclipsing OpenAI

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Brian Armstrong's Bold Prediction: AI Agents Will Soon Dominate Global Financial

Key Takeaways

  • Secondary market valuations place Anthropic at $1.2 trillion, representing a 550% surge year-over-year
  • Investor appetite dramatically outweighs available shares, with current shareholders reluctant to part with equity
  • Special purpose vehicles facilitate the majority of transactions, despite the company’s official disapproval
  • OpenAI’s secondary market standing now sits at $908 billion, trailing its competitor
  • A confidential IPO filing was submitted to the SEC by Anthropic in early June 2026

The artificial intelligence firm Anthropic, creator of the Claude AI assistant, has achieved a staggering $1.2 trillion valuation in secondary market trading. This milestone positions the company as the world’s highest-valued private artificial intelligence venture, surpassing its primary competitor OpenAI.

This remarkable $1.2 trillion valuation marks a 550% climb compared to the same period last year, as reported by Javier Avalos, who serves as cofounder and chief executive of Caplight, a platform specializing in private secondary market transactions.

Avalos characterized Anthropic as representing “the most sought-after company the venture secondary market has ever seen.”

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Limited Supply Creates Transaction Bottleneck

While investor interest remains extraordinarily high, actual completed deals remain surprisingly scarce. Glen Anderson, who heads Rainmaker Securities as CEO, verified that transactions are indeed occurring at the $1.2 trillion valuation mark, though successful closings happen infrequently.

“The demand outstrips the supply in Anthropic so much that it’s rare to get a trade done because no one’s selling,” Anderson told Business Insider.

Since neither Anthropic nor OpenAI trades on public exchanges, interested investors must navigate secondary markets to acquire ownership stakes. This requires finding employees or early-stage backers willing to liquidate their positions — a challenging endeavor given most stakeholders prefer to hold.

Some eager investors have resorted to extraordinary measures in their pursuit of Anthropic equity, including proposals to trade residential properties in exchange for company shares.

Special Purpose Vehicles Dominate Trading Activity Despite Corporate Resistance

The transactions that do materialize predominantly utilize special purpose vehicles, commonly known as SPVs. These financial structures aggregate capital from numerous investors to execute a single unified transaction.

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Anthropic has taken a firm public stance against this approach. The company’s official website includes a clear warning: “Invest at your own risk: if someone offers you a way to participate, even on an indirect basis, in an investment in Anthropic, assume that it is invalid.”

Avalos additionally highlighted that SPV arrangements frequently carry substantial fees that buyers must absorb.

Anthropic’s most recent formal capital raise, a Series H round finalized in late May 2026, established the company’s valuation at $965 billion. Current secondary market pricing of $1.2 trillion represents a significant premium over that official figure.

OpenAI, which maintained valuation superiority over Anthropic for an extended period, currently trades at $908 billion on the Caplight platform.

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This valuation divergence between the two AI leaders also manifests in their latest primary funding rounds. OpenAI secured an $852 billion valuation following its March 2026 financing, while Anthropic commanded $965 billion in its Series H.

Investor enthusiasm for OpenAI had experienced a relative lull until recent developments. The company’s launch of its GPT-5.6 model family, featuring the premium “Sol” model alongside the cost-effective “Terra” variant, has sparked renewed purchasing interest, Anderson observed.

Regarding the comparative demand between the two organizations, Avalos estimated approximately five potential Anthropic investors for every two seeking OpenAI exposure.

Anthropic submitted a confidential initial public offering prospectus to the Securities and Exchange Commission in early June 2026. Company representatives have indicated that the ultimate timing for any public market debut will be determined by prevailing market conditions.

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