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CFTC defends prediction market enforcement as states challenge platforms

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CFTC defends prediction market enforcement as states challenge platforms

Michael Selig, President Donald Trump’s nominee to serve as Commodity Futures Trading Commission chairman, testifies in a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing on his nomination on Capitol Hill, Nov. 19, 2025.

Jonathan Ernst | Reuters

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission filed an amicus brief in federal court on Tuesday to assert the agency’s right to enforce prediction markets instead of individual states, according to its new chairman, Michael Selig.

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Selig argued in a Monday Wall Street Journal op-ed that the CFTC has always had authority over prediction markets and determining whether the event contracts constitute gambling, as critics allege. Selig noted nearly 50 active legal cases against prediction markets and said the CFTC would be stepping in to prevent state encroachment.

“The CFTC will no longer sit idly by while overzealous state governments undermine the agency’s exclusive jurisdiction over these markets by seeking to establish statewide prohibitions on these exciting products,” he wrote.

The move comes as prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket face legal challenges in multiple states over event contracts. The platforms allow users to bet on the outcomes of events in pop culture, sports, entertainment and more.

Critics of prediction markets have argued that the offerings amount to little more than gambling, though Kalshi has defended its platform and argued that it abides by federal regulations. Sports betting on the prediction platforms has drawn comparisons to legalized sports betting in the U.S.

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In his first public comments as CFTC chairman at the end of January, Selig said he was prepared to draft new, clear rules to govern prediction markets and revisit the agency’s rules on involvement in federal and circuit court cases.

“Where jurisdictional questions are at issue, the Commission has the expertise and responsibility to defend its exclusive jurisdiction over commodity derivatives,” he said at the time.

In his Monday op-ed, Selig said event contracts “serve legitimate economic functions” and operate under CFTC rules as “swaps” rather than gambling. He also posited that trading on event contracts is beneficial for the market and for Americans at large.

“These exchanges aren’t the Wild West, as some critics claim, but self-regulatory organizations that are examined and supervised by experienced CFTC staff,” Selig wrote.

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In a Tuesday video posted to X, Selig said his message to those who challenge the CFTC’s authority is clear: “We will see you in court.”

“Today, the CFTC is taking an important step to ensure that these markets have a place here in America and have the integrity and resilience and vibrancy that our derivative markets deserve,” he said.

Selig said the amicus brief would be filed in the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in support of Crypto.com in its dispute with the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

CNBC could not verify that the amicus brief had been filed.

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Disclosure: CNBC and Kalshi have a commercial relationship that includes a CNBC minority investment.

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Nakamoto Eyes $107M All-Stock Buy: BTC Inc, UTXO

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Crypto Breaking News

Nakamoto, the Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) treasury company formerly known as KindlyMD, has signed definitive agreements to acquire BTC Inc and UTXO Management GP, advancing its plan to build a Bitcoin-native operating company. The move consolidates media, events and capital allocation under a single public vehicle as the company pivots away from its prior healthcare focus. The arrangement underscores a broader push to formalize Bitcoin-centric businesses within a listed framework, linking media properties, advisory services and asset management under one umbrella.

Key takeaways

  • The all-stock deal values the acquisition at roughly $107.3 million, calculated from a fixed $1.12 per share under Nakamoto’s call-option framework combined with Friday’s close around $0.2951.
  • BTC Inc and UTXO Management GP shareholders will receive 363,589,816 shares of Nakamoto common stock on a fully diluted basis, diluting existing holders given the price disparity with the current trading level.
  • The transaction leverages a Marketing Services Agreement that granted Nakamoto a right to acquire BTC Inc, which itself owned a call option to acquire UTXO, tying three entities together through a stock-based consideration.
  • Nakamoto’s balance sheet currently includes 5,398 BTC, a figure that places it ahead of several other public Bitcoin treasury holders and aligns with its expanded treasury strategy long in the works.
  • The deal follows a broader Bitcoin treasury pivot, built on the idea that media, advisory and asset-management services can be bundled under a public company dedicated to Bitcoin, even as the broader market faces volatility and downcycles.

Tickers mentioned: $BTC, $NAKA

Sentiment: Neutral

Price impact: Negative. The stock traded lower after the announcement as dilution concerns weighed on investors.

Market context: The deal arrives amid a testing phase for corporate treasury strategies in crypto markets. Bitcoin’s price has experienced a steep swing in recent quarters, with the asset retreating from previous peaks and testing investor appetite for Bitcoin-focused corporate moves. The broader market environment has underscored the tension between ambitious, asset-backed business plans and the need for actionable, near-term value delivery to shareholders.

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Why it matters

The proposed acquisition acts as a strategic centripetal force for Nakamoto’s ambitions to create a Bitcoin-native operating ecosystem. By bringing BTC Inc, known for Bitcoin Magazine and The Bitcoin Conference, together with UTXO Management GP, which provides advisory services and connections to Bitcoin-focused capital, Nakamoto aims to streamline the decision-making and capital allocation process around Bitcoin. This consolidation could shorten the path from media coverage and thought leadership to real-world investment and capital deployment in the Bitcoin space.

From a portfolio perspective, Nakamoto’s 5,398 BTC on its balance sheet places the company among the more substantial publicly disclosed Bitcoin treasuries. The tally is frequently cited by market trackers such as BitcoinTreasuries.NET, which catalogs corporate bitcoin holdings and related disclosures. The combination of media influence, conference branding and asset-management capabilities under one roof positions Nakamoto to influence both public perception and practical investment flows around Bitcoin. The move follows a broader industry pattern where companies seek to align communications, investor relations and treasury management under a single corporate entity to maximize efficiency and visibility.

The background of the deal is also noteworthy: Nakamoto rebranded from KindlyMD after facing headwinds in its healthcare business, including a subpar share price performance that spurred a strategic repositioning toward Bitcoin. This pivot — from healthcare services to a Bitcoin-focused treasury and media strategy — illustrates how public markets reward clear alignment between asset exposure and governance, as well as a coherent long-term plan for capital allocation in an asset class that remains highly cyclical and sensitive to macro shifts.

In the context of the crypto downturn, where Bitcoin’s price has declined from peaks observed during the previous cycle, investors are closely watching how treasury-centric models can sustain growth and deliver cash flow in a public market setting. As Cointelegraph and other outlets have reported, treasury adoption and the formation of Bitcoin-focused public vehicles have faced pressure during periods of downturn, making the current deal a critical test case for the viability of a diversified, Bitcoin-centric public platform.

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Related coverage has highlighted the interplay between Bitcoin media, events and investment vehicles as a potential accelerator for mainstream adoption, even as the sector contends with volatility and evolving regulatory scrutiny. The current transaction, with its all-stock consideration and fixed-price framework, emphasizes a willingness to prize strategic alignment and long-term value creation over near-term share-price parity.

What to watch next

  • Regulatory approvals and closing conditions for the acquisition of BTC Inc and UTXO Management GP, including any required shareholder votes.
  • Completion of the stock issuance: timing, share registrations and any subsequent adjustments to the fully diluted share count.
  • Performance of BTC Inc and UTXO assets under Nakamoto’s ownership, especially how BTC Inc’s media assets (Bitcoin Magazine) and conference operations scale within the public vehicle.
  • Monitoring Nakamoto’s treasury strategy as new corporate cash flows emerge from the consolidated platform and whether additional acquisitions or partnerships follow.

Sources & verification

  • Nakamoto Holdings announces definitive agreements to acquire BTC Inc and UTXO Management GP, with details of the all-stock consideration and call-option framework.
  • The Marketing Services Agreement (MSA) underlying the call option and acquisition structure, including the right to acquire BTC Inc and its implications for the deal’s valuation.
  • Nakamoto’s disclosed Bitcoin holdings (5,398 BTC) and the company’s public market status on Nasdaq under NAKA, as reflected in industry trackers and the company’s filings.
  • Bitcoin Inc’s role as the parent entity for Bitcoin Magazine and organizer of The Bitcoin Conference, and UTXO’s advisory relationship with 210k Capital.
  • BitcoinTreasuries.NET and publicly accessible market data pages showing Nakamoto’s position relative to other public Bitcoin treasury holders and the company’s market capitalization trends.

Key figures and next steps

Nakamoto broadens Bitcoin treasury play with all-stock acquisitions

Nakamoto’s latest pivot marks a concerted effort to transform a niche treasury strategy into a scalable, publicly traded platform. By acquiring BTC Inc, which operates Bitcoin Magazine and The Bitcoin Conference, and UTXO Management GP, which provides Bitcoin-focused advisory services, the company is positioning itself as a one-stop shop for Bitcoin media, events, strategy and asset management. The stock-based consideration, fixed at $1.12 per share, is substantial relative to the current trading price, underscoring a willingness to accept significant dilution to accelerate the consolidation of these assets under a single corporate umbrella. The resulting combined entity would have a diversified revenue stream spanning media properties, event-driven revenue and Bitcoin advisory and asset services, all tethered to the performance of the Bitcoin ecosystem itself. The size of the consideration — 363,589,816 shares on a fully diluted basis — reflects both the ambition of the deal and the complexity inherent in cross-entity stock swaps tied to a volatile asset class.

From a governance perspective, the transaction hinges on a stock-for-assets approach that aligns incentives with Nakamoto’s long-term growth strategy. The fact that Nakamoto’s stock trades on Nasdaq under NAKA, with a market capitalization around a few hundred million dollars, adds pressure to deliver tangible upside for investors beyond mere consolidation. The market’s initial reaction appeared negative, as indicated by a post-announcement decline in Nakamoto’s share price, a typical response when large pools of new shares enter the float. Yet the strategic logic remains: a public vehicle that can coordinate Bitcoin media reach, capital-formation activities and wallet-level treasury strategies may unlock synergies that are not as easily realized through standalone entities.

Historically, Nakamoto’s Bitcoin holdings have been a cornerstone of its narrative. With 5,398 BTC on its balance sheet, the company sits ahead of several peers in the public-treasury space, positioning it as a reference point for others evaluating whether to scale similar approaches. The integration of BTC Inc’s media empire and UTXO’s advisory reach could deepen liquidity for Bitcoin-focused assets and accelerate capital allocation to Bitcoin-related ventures, potentially smoothing the path for new fundraising or strategic partnerships.

As this process unfolds, observers will watch how the combined entity manages governance, treasury allocation, and the delivery of near-term earnings or cash flows that can validate the business model. The deal’s all-stock structure implies a forecast of growth fueled by equity rather than immediate cash, a choice that emphasizes confidence in long-run value creation but also invites closer scrutiny of dilution effects and ongoing capital discipline.

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In summary, the acquisition represents a deliberate bet on the breadth of the Bitcoin ecosystem — media influence, conference-driven engagement, and advisory and asset-management services — converging in a single public platform. If executed thoughtfully, the new entity could become a template for how Bitcoin-centric businesses scale within public markets while maintaining alignment with the asset’s core network and community dynamics. The coming quarters will reveal whether the expected synergies translate into sustained shareholder value as Bitcoin’s market cycles continue to shape corporate strategy in this evolving sector.

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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MYX Oversold for the First Time

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MYX Correlation To Bitcoin

MYX Finance has entered a critical phase after weeks of intense selling pressure. The token has suffered a steep decline amid broader bearish crypto market conditions. 

Heavy profit-taking and forced exits accelerated the fall. MYX has now become a focal point of concern among traders

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MYX Finance Token Forms History

MYX’s correlation with Bitcoin has shifted sharply since February 8. The coefficient improved from negative 0.42 to positive 0.47. This change indicates that MYX is increasingly tracking Bitcoin’s price movements.

However, this alignment presents risk. Since February 8, Bitcoin has remained in consolidation without meaningful recovery. A stronger positive correlation suggests MYX may continue mirroring Bitcoin’s weakness. Without a BTC breakout, bearish conditions could persist for MYX.

Want more token insights like this? Sign up for Editor Harsh Notariya’s Daily Crypto Newsletter here.

MYX Correlation To Bitcoin
MYX Correlation To Bitcoin. Source: TradingView

The Money Flow Index highlights the intensity of recent selling. The indicator shows severe capital outflows as investors rushed to exit positions. Panic selling, combined with leveraged liquidations, intensified downward pressure.

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This wave of capitulation has pushed MYX into oversold territory for the first time in its trading history. Typically, oversold conditions suggest selling may slow as value-focused buyers step in. In many cases, such readings precede short-term relief rallies.

MYX MFI
MYX MFI. Source: TradingView

However, context matters. Oversold signals alone do not guarantee immediate recovery. Broader market weakness and fragile sentiment could delay accumulation. If Bitcoin fails to stabilize, MYX may struggle to attract fresh capital despite extreme technical readings.

MYX Price Bounce Back Unlikely

MYX price is down nearly 30% in the past 24 hours. The token trades at $1.50 at the time of writing. This sharp drop compounds a 70% decline recorded since February 8, reinforcing the scale of the correction.

Current technical and macro signals suggest further downside risk. Continued correlation with Bitcoin and persistent outflows could pressure MYX lower. A retest of the $1.22 level appears plausible before oversold conditions trigger meaningful stabilization.

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MYX Price Analysis.
MYX Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

Conversely, investor behavior could shift sooner than expected. If holders halt selling and begin accumulating at discounted levels, momentum may change. Reclaiming the $1.68 support level would mark an early recovery signal. A confirmed bounce could open MYX price’s path toward $2.01 and potentially higher, invalidating the prevailing bearish outlook.

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Stripe-Owned Bridge Gets OCC Conditional Approval for Bank Charter

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Stripe, Government, Banks, Stablecoin

Stablecoin platform Bridge, owned by the payments processor Stripe, said it had received conditional approval to operate as a federally chartered national trust bank under the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).

In a Tuesday notice, Bridge said it had received conditional approval from the banking regulator, allowing the company to “operate stablecoin products and services under direct federal oversight” once fully approved. Bridge said the charter would allow it to offer custody of digital assets, issue stablecoins and manage stablecoin reserves.

“Our compliance framework already positions Bridge to be GENIUS ready,” said the company, referring to the stablecoin bill signed into law in July 2025. “Now achieving a national trust bank charter will provide our customers the regulatory backbone they need to build with stablecoins confidently and at scale.”

Stripe, Government, Banks, Stablecoin
Source: Bridge

Bridge is one of several crypto-aligned companies seeking a national trust bank charter from the OCC following the passage of the GENIUS Act. In December, the agency conditionally approved applications from BitGo, Fidelity Digital Assets and Paxos to convert their respective state-level trust companies, and conditionally approved Circle and Ripple for national trust bank charters.

Related: Bankers push OCC to slow crypto trust charters until GENIUS rules clarified

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According to OCC records, Bridge applied for a bank charter in October and was given approval on Feb. 12. Stripe acquired the platform in 2025 as part of a $1.1 billion deal for the company to support stablecoin payments.

In a Wednesday letter, the American Bankers Association (ABA) urged the OCC to slow its approval of crypto companies for national bank trust charters, saying rules under the GENIUS Act were still unclear. According to the banking group, companies could use national trust charters to essentially bypass oversight by US financial regulators.

“[…] ABA strongly encourages OCC to be patient, not measure its application decisioning progress against traditional timelines, and allow each charter applicant’s regulatory responsibilities to come fully into view before moving a charter application forward,” said the letter.

US policymakers still considering how to handle stablecoin rewards

As US lawmakers in the Senate advance bills to establish a comprehensive digital asset market structure framework, White House officials continue to meet with representatives from the crypto and banking industries to address stablecoin yield. Addressing stablecoins within the market structure bill, as well as issues related to tokenized equities and conflicts of interest, could be a sticking point for many lawmakers ahead of a potential vote in the Senate.

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