The biggest decentralization move bitcoin mining has seen in years just happened quietly, with seven of the largest pools agreeing to back the same open standard.

Foundry, AntPool, F2Pool, SpiderPool, MARA Pool, Block Inc, and DMND have all joined the Stratum V2 working group, the group announced last week.

Stratum V2 is an open-source protocol governing how mining pools communicate with the individual miners in those pools. The biggest practical change it introduces is letting individual miners construct their own block templates, meaning the choice of which transactions get included in each new block sits with the miner rather than whoever operates the pool.

Foundry alone controls 34.2% of global bitcoin hashrate, AntPool another 14.2%, F2Pool 11.3%, and SpiderPool 10.5%, with MARA Pool adding 4.7%, per Hashrate Index data. Together with the rest of the Stratum V2 signatories, the seven pools now backing the standard represent close to 75% of all bitcoin hashrate.

Under the current Stratum V1 standard, the transaction selection for nearly every new block sits with the pool operators rather than the individual miners actually doing the work. That concentration has been the loudest structural concern about modern mining for the past two years.

Stratum V2 does not change hashrate concentration, but it does change who decides what goes into each block, which is the part the Bitcoin community actually worries about.

A single pool controlling more than 30% of hashrate is less than ideal, as the same pool deciding the transaction order for that share of blocks is the actual risk people point to.

The protocol has existed since 2022, when Braiins and Spiral co-founded the working group. Until now it had been treated as a niche side project with limited adoption. Foundry and AntPool joining gives it real reach, with the working group framing the move as the start of a new phase of accelerated deployment.

The timing also matches what the broader mining cohort is dealing with. CoinShares estimates up to 20% of miners are currently unprofitable, with hashprice (the revenue a miner earns per unit of computing power) sitting at $38.57 per petahash per second per day, at or near breakeven for operators running mid-generation hardware.

Difficulty is set to rise again on May 15 from 132.47T to 135.64T, per CoinWarz. Network hashrate now sits at 998 exahash per second.

Bitcoin traded in a choppy session as geopolitical headlines dominated sentiment, with a dramatic swing after President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s counteroffer to a peace deal. The cryptocurrency briefly dipped below the 81,000 level before reclaiming ground and punching above 82,000 in a matter of hours.

Price data from CoinGecko show BTC slipping from around 81,430 to about 80,520 within 45 minutes, then rallying to a high near 82,347 less than three hours later. Derivatives data from Coinglass indicated roughly $64 million worth of short positions were liquidated in the four-hour window surrounding the move, underscoring the speed and sensitivity of markets to headlines. The broader backdrop remains a tense US-Iran dynamic, with oil prices advancing and U.S. stock futures nudging higher as the day progressed. Trump characterized Iran’s proposal as “totally unacceptable” in a Truth Social post addressing the offer.

The political flare-up sits atop a longer-running narrative around Middle East risk, the Strait of Hormuz, and the way macro forces translate into crypto and conventional assets. Oil prices rose about 4.6% to roughly $98.7 per barrel after Trump’s comments, while the S&P 500 futures index edged higher by about 0.13% in early trading. The headlines also intersect with regional instability and its potential to influence global risk sentiment, complicating an already nuanced environment for investors and traders in digital assets.

Key takeaways

• Bitcoin briefly dipped to around 80.5k and rebounded to about 82.3k within hours following Trump’s rejection of Iran’s counteroffer, showcasing BTC’s sensitivity to geopolitical headlines.
• About $64 million worth of short positions were wiped out in a four-hour window as the price moved higher, according to Coinglass data.
• Oil rose roughly 4.6% to near $98.7 per barrel, while U.S. equity futures showed modest gains, illustrating a broader risk-off/risk-on dynamic around the same headlines.
• Two potential catalysts in the U.S. Senate this week could inject regulatory clarity into the crypto sector: the confirmation vote for Kevin Warsh as Federal Reserve chair and the CLARITY Act markup.
• Bitcoin has climbed about 29.7% since the US-Iran conflict began on Feb. 28, outperforming the S&P 500 and gold over the same period, according to available market tallies.

Market pulse after headlines

The price action around BTC underscores how sensitive digital assets remain to real-time geopolitical developments. After a sharp downward move on the initial volley of headlines, Bitcoin’s bounce back above 82,000 signals persistent demand at the higher end of the trading range, even as risk sentiment flickers between caution and appetite for allocation in non-traditional assets. While some traders have continued to ride the volatility, others have used the volatility as an opportunity to adjust hedges or recalibrate risk exposure.

From a liquidity perspective, the short-covering burst highlighted in Coinglass’ data is notable: liquidations can amplify near-term moves as market participants recalibrate positions in response to headlines and evolving risk signals. In the same moment, the oil market’s reaction—the 4.6% jump to around $98.7 per barrel—reflects how macro shocks and geopolitical risk translate into both commodity and crypto markets, underscoring the interconnectedness of energy, equities, and digital assets.

Regulatory momentum could shape the Bitcoin roadmap

Beyond the immediate headlines, market observers say this week could mark an inflection point for regulatory clarity around digital assets in the United States. Markus Thielen, CEO of 10x Research, highlighted two upcoming Senate actions as potential catalysts that could “lean bullish” for Bitcoin by reducing institutional friction and smoothing the path for policy transitions.

“Two catalysts stand out this week: a Senate vote on Monday for Kevin Warsh’s confirmation as Federal Reserve chair and the Senate Banking Committee’s markup on the CLARITY Act on Thursday. Warsh is widely regarded as more hawkish on inflation than the current chair, Jerome Powell, but his confirmation could remove an overhang of uncertainty. The CLARITY Act represents what many in the industry view as the most significant crypto-legislation in years, potentially paving a clearer regulatory path for digital assets.”

Thielen’s view points to a broader narrative: regulatory clarity can lower the friction for institutional participation and foster a more predictable operating environment for crypto markets. In this framing, the two events could complement monetary policy dynamics, reducing policy uncertainty that often weighs on risk assets during leadership transitions and major legislative reviews.

Bitcoin’s resilience through the US-Iran conflict

Since the onset of the crisis — marked by events in late February that intensified after a U.S. airstrike targeted Iranian leadership figures — Bitcoin has advanced roughly 29.7%. That recovery places BTC ahead of the S&P 500 and gold over this span, suggesting that investors view digital assets as a potential hedge or diversification instrument even as traditional markets wrestle with geopolitical risk. The price trajectory adds a layer to a longer-running debate about Bitcoin’s role in macro risk-off or risk-on environments, and whether the asset can sustain a narrative of resilience during heightened tensions.

Looking back, Bitcoin’s volatility in response to geopolitical headlines is not a new phenomenon, but the current episode reinforces how macro shocks can intersect with sector-specific narratives around custody, liquidity, and regulatory clarity. If the regulatory tailwinds materialize in the coming weeks, the market could see a more stable path for institutional flows, potentially supporting a broader adoption arc for digital assets beyond a purely risk-on or speculative cycle.

As markets digest both diplomacy-focused headlines and policy signals, investors will be watching how the central bank’s leadership transition unfolds and what lawmakers deliver on crypto legislation. The coming days may reveal whether the combination of macro resilience and regulatory certainty can sustain Bitcoin’s momentum or whether volatility will reassert itself as geopolitical headlines evolve.

Readers should stay tuned for the next wave of regulatory updates and any fresh color on Fed leadership’s approach to inflation and market stability, as these factors will likely shape crypto volatility and institutional participation in the weeks ahead.

Digital Asset Holdings is reportedly raising about $300 million at a valuation near $2 billion, according to Bloomberg. 

The round is said to be led by Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto arm, a16z crypto, and could close in the coming weeks.

The company is known for developing Canton Network, a blockchain built for financial institutions. Bloomberg cited people familiar with the matter, while Digital Asset and a16z crypto did not comment on the report.

Canton Network draws institutional attention

Canton Network is designed for tokenized assets, payments, and settlement activity where privacy is required. Its model allows institutions to share selected transaction data while keeping sensitive details private.

That privacy focus has helped Canton attract major financial names. Visa joined Canton Network as a Super Validator in March 2026 and added Canton to its stablecoin settlement pilot in April.

Additionally, the reported round would follow Digital Asset’s $135 million raise in June 2025. That funding was backed by DRW Venture Capital, Tradeweb Markets, Goldman Sachs, Citadel Securities, DTCC, and other financial firms.

Digital Asset also raised $50 million in December 2025 from investors including BNY Mellon, Nasdaq, S&P Global, and iCapital, according to prior reports. The new round would mark a larger vote of confidence in Canton’s role in institutional blockchain infrastructure.

DTCC and tokenized assets add context

The funding talks come as DTCC prepares to test tokenized securities activity. As previously reported, DTCC has said it plans to pilot tokenized versions of some assets it custodies, with testing expected in July and a wider launch targeted for October.

Canton has also gained links with Moody’s, Japan Securities Clearing Corporation, and Swiss crypto bank Amina. These moves show how Digital Asset is positioning Canton for regulated finance rather than retail crypto trading.

XRP finally forced its way through the $1.45 area that had capped rallies for weeks, and the move came fast. Volume arrived all at once during the breakout, which usually points to larger positioning rather than retail chasing, though the rally started losing momentum as price approached the psychological $1.50 level.

News Background

• Traders had been watching XRP’s tightening range for days as multiple analysts pointed to bull flag and triangle formations building beneath resistance.

• Thin liquidity conditions across major exchanges added to expectations that any confirmed breakout could produce exaggerated moves in either direction.

Price Action Summary

• XRP climbed from $1.4176 to $1.4524 during the 24-hour session, trading within a 6.5% range.
• The breakout accelerated during the May 10 16:00–17:00 window, when volume surged above 169M and pushed price through $1.4450.
• XRP later reached a session high of $1.5073 before pulling back toward the $1.45 area as traders locked in profits.

Technical Analysis

• The move above $1.45 matters because that level had repeatedly rejected upside attempts since April.
• Breakout volume was unusually strong, suggesting real participation behind the rally rather than a thin squeeze higher.
• Momentum cooled quickly near $1.50, where sellers stepped back in and triggered short-term liquidation pressure.
• Despite the pullback, XRP is still holding above the prior breakout zone, keeping the broader bullish structure intact for now.

What traders should watch

• $1.44-$1.45 is now the key support area. Holding above it keeps the breakout structure alive.
• $1.50 remains the immediate resistance level after the sharp rejection from session highs.
• A sustained move above $1.50 could reopen momentum toward $1.56 and potentially the $1.80 area highlighted by several analysts.
• Failure back below $1.44 would increase the risk of a retracement toward the $1.38-$1.40 range.

Bitcoin may have already bottomed in early February at around $60,000 and is unlikely to go lower this year, according to a crypto analyst, despite expectations of another downturn.

“The dozens of bottom signals only flashed in synchrony at the bottoms. They were not flashing in the middle. Yet they all flashed in Q1 2026 at 60k,” Matthew Hyland said in an X post on Friday.

“To compare the current price action to mid bear market price action has major visible flaws because you did not have bottom signals flashing in the middle; they flashed at the bottoms,” Hyland said, pointing to chart movements in prior cycles.

Source: Matthew Hyland

Analysts are divided over whether $60,000 was the bottom

Bitcoin (BTC) analysts have recently been divided over whether the asset already bottomed in February or if it still has further downside in this cycle.

Veteran trader Peter Brandt said in March that $60,000 may not be the lowest level for 2026, forecasting that Bitcoin could retest or even move “slightly lower” in September or October this year.

Bitcoin analyst Willy Woo said in an X post on March 17 that, from a liquidity perspective, Bitcoin is about one-third of the way “through the bear market.”

More recently, in an X post on Friday, MN Trading Capital founder Michael van de Poppe pointed to a forming pattern on Bitcoin’s short-to-long-term realized value ratio chart to argue that Bitcoin is nearing the end of the bear phase.

“The levels are hit again, which shows that we’re at the end of the bear market, and not at the start,” van de Poppe said.

Source: Michael van de Poppe

Bitcoin recently reached its highest price in three months

Bitcoin reached $82,499 on Wednesday, its highest price since Jan. 31. At the time of publication, Bitcoin is trading at $79,646, approximately 32.74% higher than the $60,000 level it reached in February, according to CoinMarketCap.

Related: Bitcoin bulls target $115K by December: Does data back the expectation?

Bitcoin analyst Kyle Chasse pointed out the price increase in an X post on Thursday, saying he expects further upside in the near term.

“$82,000 this week. Up 5% in five days. Crypto legislation is moving through Congress. Iran peace talks reducing risk-off pressure,” Chasse said.

“The technicals are clean. Bull-stacked moving averages. Shorts getting squeezed,” Chasse said, adding that the “next wall” is $85,000.

“Above that, the path to $100k opens back up,” Chasse said.

Magazine: XRP ‘probably going to $12,’ Bitcoin ETFs add $1B: Market Moves

Digital Asset Holdings, the enterprise blockchain company behind the Canton Network, a permissioned blockchain network for financial institutions with privacy features, is reportedly raising fresh capital at a $2 billion valuation.

The $300 million round is being led by venture capital firm a16z crypto, and is expected to close in several weeks, according to Bloomberg, which cited unidentified people with knowledge of the deal.

The report comes less than a year after Digital Asset announced it had raised $135 million in a strategic funding round led by DRW Venture Capital and Tradeweb Markets. A company spokesman on Sunday declined to comment in response to an email query from Cointelegraph.

In December, Digital Asset, the Canton Network and Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) announced a partnership to enable the tokenization of DTCC-custodied assets on the Canton Network.

Canton Network topology. Source: Canton Network Whitepaper

Last week, DTCC announced plans to pilot trading of tokenized versions of some of the $114 trillion in liquid assets that it custodies beginning in July with a goal of a full service launch in October.

Related: Canton, ZKsync clash over how blockchains enforce rules

Financial institutions are onboarding or experimenting with Canton Network

While the Canton Network has drawn mixed reactions from the crypto community over its role in the blockchain ecosystem and its level of decentralization, it continues to onboard global financial institutions, banks and government entities.

In March, financial rating agency Moody’s deployed its ratings data on the network, allowing financial institutions to use the data directly within blockchain workflows, making it the first credit ratings firm to publish its data onchain, according to an announcement from the firm.

In April, Japan Securities Clearing Corporation (JSCC), a financial clearinghouse and settlement service for equities, commodities and derivatives, announced it was testing onchain government bonds on the Network.

More specifically, JSCC is testing whether ownership of Japan’s government bonds can be transferred onchain and used as digital collateral. 

The Canton Coin’s price action since December 2025. Source: CoinMarketCap

Earlier this month, Swiss crypto bank Amina, announced custody and trading support for Canton Coin, the utility token of the Canton Network.

Amina is the first bank regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) to announce support for the Canton token, according to an announcement from the crypto bank.

Magazine: One metric shows crypto is now in a bear market: Carl Moon

Bitcoin briefly dipped before surging over $82,000 on Sunday as US President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s counteroffer to a peace deal, which could prolong tension in the Middle East. 

“I don’t like it — TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE, Trump said in a post to Truth Social on Sunday after reading Iran’s proposal to end the war. Iran has previously requested that the US pay for war reparations and unfreeze blocked Iranian financial assets.

Bitcoin (BTC) fell from $81,430 to $80,520 within 45 minutes of Trump’s post before whipsawing nearly 2.3% to $82,347 less than three hours later, according to CoinGecko data. Bitcoin’s rise also resulted in nearly $64 million worth of short positions being wiped out over the last four hours, according to Coinglass data.

Bitcoin’s change in price over the last 24 hours. Source: CoinGecko

The US-Iran war and dispute over control of the Strait of Hormuz — which handles one-fifth of oil trade — has caused significant disruption in the financial markets over the past ten weeks, particularly in oil markets, which rose another 4.6% to $98.7 per barrel on Trump’s latest comments.

The S&P 500 futures index has risen 0.13% since the market opened about two hours after Trump’s post.

Trump’s refusal to accept Iran’s counteroffer dashes hopes of an imminent end to the war on Wednesday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said the war won’t be over until Iran’s uranium sites are dismantled.

Source: Rapid Response 47 

Bitcoin could see more regulatory momentum in US this week

Bitcoin’s strength at the $80,000 level could be supported by two favorable decisions in the US Senate this week, 10x Research CEO Markus Thielen told Cointelegraph.

“Two catalysts stand out this week,” a Senate vote on Monday for Kevin Warsh’s confirmation as Federal Reserve chair and the Senate Banking Committee’s markup on the CLARITY Act on Thursday, Thielen said.

Related: Bitcoin price may dip toward $70K as Fed estimates hotter inflation print 

Thielen noted that while “Warsh is widely regarded as more hawkish on inflation” than the current Fed Chair, Jerome Powell, his confirmation would remove “uncertainty overhang.”

Thielen described the CLARITY Act as the “most significant piece of crypto legislation in years,” adding that it could be a “turning point for regulatory certainty across digital assets.” 

“Both events lean bullish for Bitcoin: regulatory clarity reduces institutional friction, and a smooth Fed leadership transition avoids the policy uncertainty that typically pressures risk assets.”

Bitcoin up 29.7% since the US-Iran war began

Despite the US-Iran conflict, Bitcoin has now risen 29.7% since the US-Iran conflict started on Feb. 28, when a US airstrike killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Bitcoin has outperformed the S&P 500 and gold since the US-Iran war started, clawing back some lost ground from October when Bitcoin hit a high of $126,080.

Magazine: Adam Back says current demand is ‘almost’ enough to send Bitcoin to $1M

A bitcoin whale came back to life Sunday, moving coins worth $40 billion to a new address after more than a decade of inactivity.

The transfer took place at around 19:16 UTC, according to blockchain tracking service Whale Alert. The coins were moved from address “1KAA8GGhVjjUjVTz1HKAjCyGNzAKQd882j” to “bc1qm6m6d33d02edr0k8yj9jgt027zl6dvx6thjrxy.”

The wallet had remained inactive since November 2013, when BTC was originally acquired and subsequently held untouched for more than a decade.

The reason behind the latest transfer remains unclear. Large holders often move coins between wallets for address management or security purposes, though such activity can also precede sales or transfers to exchanges. In this case, the destination address does not appear to be linked to a known exchange wallet.

Dormant bitcoin wallets have increasingly resurfaced since BTC first crossed the $100,000 mark in late 2024. Several early investors and miners have moved long-held coins over the past year, with some ultimately taking profits after bitcoin’s massive rally.

The trend was most intense in July last year, when blockchain analytics firms flagged eight Satoshi-era wallets, each holding 10,000 BTC, moving their coins for the first time in 14 years. Those transfers came as bitcoin traded above $100,000 and hovered near all-time highs.

As of writing, bitcoin changed hands near $80,700, down over 1% since midnight UTC, according to CoinDesk’s market data.