Crypto World
MoneyGram brings Solana cash ramps to 170+ markets
MoneyGram expanded its blockchain payments strategy on Aug. 11 by launching MoneyGram Ramps on Solana, giving wallets, exchanges and developers access to its cash network through one API.
Summary
- MoneyGram Ramps now gives Solana applications cash withdrawals across more than 170 countries and territories.
- Cash deposits are available in over 25 countries through one developer API without banking integrations.
- Rift became the first Solana wallet to integrate MoneyGram Ramps for crypto and local currency.
- MoneyGram already operates a Solana validator after joining the network and developer platform in June.
- U.S. Ramps access excludes Alaska, Louisiana, Hawaii and New York, according to MoneyGram’s product page.
The company’s release says the integration supports cash deposits in more than 25 countries and cash withdrawals in more than 170 countries and territories.
Rift is the first Solana wallet to integrate the service. The launch builds on MoneyGram’s June entry into Solana as a validator and participant in the Solana Developer Platform, extending the relationship from network infrastructure into customer facing payment access.
MoneyGram Ramps gives Solana cash access in 170+ markets
MoneyGram says developers can obtain API credentials, use a sandbox and integrate software development kits without building separate banking connections. Solana has embedded Ramps in the payments module of its Developer Platform, allowing apps to connect onchain activity with MoneyGram’s physical cash network.
MoneyGram says its wider network serves more than 60 million active customers and includes nearly half a million retail locations. Solana’s announcement lists international payouts, stablecoin payroll and aid distribution as possible applications. Those are proposed use cases, not announced customer deployments.
MoneyGram’s corporate site says its broader network spans more than 200 countries and territories, with more than 480,000 retail locations and over five billion digital endpoints. Ramps does not mirror that full footprint: the product currently advertises crypto to cash access in more than 170 countries, while cash deposits are available in more than 25.

The current MoneyGram Ramps page describes customer flows using USDC. Users can add cash to a crypto wallet at participating locations or convert USDC into cash. The Solana announcement does not say MoneyGram’s MGUSD stablecoin is moving networks. MGUSD launched on Stellar in June, initially in the U.S., as crypto.news reported in its June stablecoin coverage.
U.S. access comes with state limits
The launch also carries a direct U.S. payments angle. MoneyGram Payment Systems is registered as a money services business with FinCEN and says it is authorized to do business in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories. However, its current Ramps page says the product is unavailable in Alaska, Louisiana, Hawaii and New York.
Solana developers can therefore connect to a U.S. regulated payments operator, but customer availability still depends on location and product rules. MoneyGram says it handles identity checks, compliance and real time stablecoin settlement within Ramps. Its existing licensing does not make every Ramps function available everywhere.
The product page says MoneyGram handles stablecoin settlement, fiat payout and compliance checks behind the integration. That setup lets a wallet or exchange add cash access without separately assembling MoneyGram’s underlying payment and compliance connections.
The integration follows MoneyGram’s June 22 move to become an active Solana validator and join the Solana Developer Platform, as crypto.news reported in its earlier validator coverage. MoneyGram said it stakes SOL, processes transaction blocks and participates directly in network consensus.
What happens next for MoneyGram’s Solana push
MoneyGram is positioning Ramps as a multichain product rather than replacing its Stellar work. Its latest official materials still identify MGUSD as natively issued on Stellar, while Solana now gains access to the company’s cash connectivity. The approach also puts MoneyGram alongside established payment firms expanding blockchain rails, including Western Union’s Solana expansion covered in related reporting.
MoneyGram CEO Anthony Soohoo described the launch as “another step toward building a truly open, global payments network.” The statement sets out the company’s objective, but the immediate measure will be adoption. MoneyGram has not announced another Solana wallet integration beyond Rift or provided a timetable for additional partners.
MoneyGram’s current Ramps page also marks bank, mobile wallet and card withdrawals, along with debit card and bank account funding, as “coming soon.” Those functions would extend Ramps beyond physical cash locations if released. No firm launch date is listed, so the Solana rollout currently centers on the cash access announced this week.
Crypto World
EUR/USD and GBP/USD Await a Fresh Impulse from Inflation Data
The euro and pound are holding their ground against the US dollar, although the momentum in European currencies has become more subdued following their previous gains. Market participants are reluctant to establish new positions ahead of the release of the July US inflation report, which could alter expectations for the Federal Reserve’s future policy. Recent labour market data is also encouraging caution: a weak ADP report and a decline in the ISM employment component have added to signs of a gradual cooling in the US labour market.
Today, the main focus will be on the US Consumer Price Index (CPI). According to forecasts, annual inflation may slow to 3.4% from 3.5%, while monthly prices are expected to rise by 0.1% after falling 0.4% a month earlier. Core CPI is forecast at 2.5% year-on-year and 0.2% month-on-month. Weaker-than-expected figures could strengthen expectations of monetary policy easing by the Fed and put additional pressure on the dollar. If inflation comes in above forecasts or proves more persistent, the US currency could receive fresh support. Final inflation figures for Germany and Italy will also be released in Europe, although their impact is likely to remain limited in the absence of significant deviations from preliminary estimates. Therefore, US inflation data is likely to be the main driver for EUR/USD and GBP/USD during today’s session.
EUR/USD
In recent trading sessions, EUR/USD has been moving within a relatively narrow range of 1.1500–1.1580. Technical analysis suggests the possibility of another test of the lower boundary, as a Dark Cloud Cover pattern has formed on the daily timeframe. If sellers manage to establish a position below 1.1500, the pair could resume its downward move towards 1.1430–1.1460. Conversely, weaker-than-expected US inflation data could push the price towards 1.1600–1.1620.
Key events for EUR/USD:
- today at 09:00 (GMT+3): German Consumer Price Index (CPI);
- today at 11:00 (GMT+3): Italian Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP);
- today at 15:30 (GMT+3): US Consumer Price Index (CPI).

GBP/USD
GBP/USD buyers managed to push the pair to a new local high around 1.3500. Technical analysis indicates the possibility of further gains towards 1.3540–1.3560 if the 1.3480–1.3500 area is established as support. Stronger-than-expected US inflation data could support the dollar and trigger another test of the 1.3400 level in GBP/USD.
Key events for GBP/USD:
- tomorrow at 09:00 (GMT+3): UK GDP;
- tomorrow at 14:00 (GMT+3): NI’s monthly GDP tracker;
- tomorrow at 21:00 (GMT+3): US federal budget execution report.

Overall, EUR/USD and GBP/USD are holding their ground after their previous gains, but their next direction will largely depend on today’s US inflation report. Weaker CPI data could strengthen expectations of Fed easing and put additional pressure on the dollar, creating room for further gains in European currencies. If inflation comes in above forecasts, however, the US currency could receive fresh support, increasing the likelihood of EUR/USD and GBP/USD returning to their nearest support levels.
Trade over 50 forex markets 24 hours a day with FXOpen. Take advantage of low commissions, deep liquidity, and spreads from 0.0 pips (additional fees may apply). Open your FXOpen account now or learn more about trading forex with FXOpen.
This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.
Crypto World
Binance Security Chief Says Quantum Computers Are Not What Steals Crypto Today
Binance’s top security executive says quantum computing is not an immediate threat to crypto holders today. Instead, he points to phishing, malware, and stolen credentials as the attacks stealing funds now.
Jimmy Su, chief security officer at Binance, made the comments in a company Q&A on quantum computing.
What Binance Says Actually Threatens Crypto
Su addressed a common fear that quantum computers can already break the cryptography securing blockchains. He said the technology is not yet advanced enough to pose an immediate threat to users’ crypto holdings.
“Quantum computing is a real long-term security issue, but it’s not an immediate threat to your crypto today. The important thing is that we prepare before that changes,” he said.
According to him, the biggest risks are the ones users already face day to day.
“The threats most likely to steal your crypto today are still things like phishing, malware, social engineering, compromised credentials, and poor wallet security – not quantum computers,” Su mentioned.
Follow us on X to get the latest news as it happens
Where Crypto Losses Came From in 2026
Data from the first half of 2026 broadly reflects Su’s assessment. Attackers continue to exploit operational weaknesses, compromised infrastructure, and human error rather than quantum vulnerabilities.
Blockchain analytics firm TRM Labs recorded about $972 million stolen across 207 hacks in the first half of 2026.
Most of the money came from infrastructure and operational compromises. These drove roughly 76% of losses despite making up about 15% of incidents.
SlowMist’s data also shows where crypto attacks are occurring most often. It found that contract and logic vulnerabilities accounted for the most incidents, with private key and credential compromises ranking second. Supply chain attacks followed in third place.
The data points to the same everyday threats Su named, not quantum machines. For now, he recommended that users continue following basic crypto security practices, including:
- Keeping recovery phrases and private keys secure.
- Using reputable wallet software.
- Installing software and security updates promptly.
- Limiting unnecessary address reuse where applicable.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch leaders and journalists provide expert insights
The post Binance Security Chief Says Quantum Computers Are Not What Steals Crypto Today appeared first on BeInCrypto.
Crypto World
Bitget Expands CFD Business with Institutional-Grade Liquidity Solutions
Bitget, the world’s largest Universal Exchange (UEX), has expanded its CFD business with the launch of Institutional-Grade Liquidity Solutions, a dedicated offering for quantitative trading teams, proprietary trading firms (Prop Firms), funds, retail brokers, and high-net-worth professional traders. The solution brings together 100% Straight-Through Processing (STP), deep multi-tier liquidity, sub-millisecond order matching, and FIX API connectivity for clients managing large-volume and automated trading strategies.
The launch comes as automation plays a growing role in global trading. Quantitative strategies, high-frequency trading, futures-spot arbitrage, and Expert Advisor (EA) models place different demands on execution compared with typical retail activity. At higher volumes and frequencies, market depth, order routing, latency, and connectivity to proprietary systems can have a direct impact on execution quality.
Bitget has built the new offering around a 100% STP execution model. Orders are routed directly to external liquidity pools without manual dealing intervention, giving clients a clear path from order submission to the underlying liquidity provider. The model is designed for firms running sustained order flow and strategies that require consistent market access across different conditions.
Bitget aggregates liquidity across institutional sources, including Tier-1 banks and non-bank market makers, with multiple levels of market depth available to clients. For firms placing larger orders or executing continuously, deeper order books can help reduce slippage and market impact when the liquidity available at the top of the book cannot absorb the full trade at a single price. Bitget’s trading servers are deployed in major financial data centres, including London (LD4) and Tokyo (TY3), with dedicated networks and direct fibre connectivity supporting sub-millisecond order matching. The solution also supports FIX API, allowing quantitative teams, brokers, and other institutional clients to connect existing proprietary systems, bridges, and liquidity aggregators directly to Bitget’s CFD environment.
“As trading becomes more automated and sophisticated, the quality of the infrastructure behind every trade becomes increasingly important,” said Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget. “Professional traders need consistent execution, deep liquidity and reliable connectivity to run their strategies effectively at scale. With our institutional liquidity offering, we are strengthening the foundation of our CFD business to serve these clients better and support the next stage of Bitget’s growth across global markets.”
Client assets are segregated from Bitget’s operational funds and held through independent custody accounts, alongside compliance reviews and third-party auditing standards. This framework provides institutional clients with greater visibility into how assets are managed as they scale their activity on the platform.
The launch broadens Bitget’s CFD offering as the company continues to develop its multi-asset trading ecosystem. Retail users will be able to access Bitget’s standard CFD environment through the App, Web, and MT5, while institutional clients can use a dedicated setup built for higher-volume strategies, deeper liquidity requirements, and direct system connectivity. The expansion allows Bitget to serve a wider range of trading activity as its CFD business grows globally.
About Bitget
Bitget is the world’s largest Universal Exchange (UEX), serving over 125 million users and offering access to over 2M crypto tokens, 500+ tokenized stocks, ETFs, commodities, FX, and precious metals such as gold. The ecosystem is committed to helping users trade smarter with its AI agent, which co-pilots trade execution. Bitget is driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships such as MotoGP™. Aligned with its global impact strategy, Bitget has joined hands with UNICEF to support blockchain education for 1.1 million people by 2027. Bitget currently leads in the tokenized TradFi market, providing the industry’s lowest fees and highest liquidity across 150 regions worldwide.
For more information, visit: Website | X | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord
Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.
The post Bitget Expands CFD Business with Institutional-Grade Liquidity Solutions appeared first on BeInCrypto.
Crypto World
Erebor Bank nears $1.5B raise at $8B pre-money valuation
Crypto friendly Erebor Bank is nearing a roughly $1.5 billion funding round at an $8 billion pre-money valuation, according to people familiar with the discussions cited by the FT.
Summary
- Financial Times reports Erebor is nearing a $1.5 billion raise at $8 billion pre-money valuation.
- Regulatory data show Erebor held $4.06 billion in deposits by June 30, according to filings.
- The Financial Times reported deposits rose further to $4.6 billion by the end of July.
- Erebor led a $200 million Valar Atomics credit facility alongside JPMorgan and two other lenders.
- Regulators require Erebor to maintain at least 12% Tier 1 leverage ratio for three years.
The talks come only six months after the Columbus, Ohio lender received final approval to open as a U.S. national bank. Erebor has not announced the financing and declined to comment to the newspaper, meaning the size, valuation and investor commitments remain subject to change.
Lux Capital, Human Capital, Valor Equity Partners, Andreessen Horowitz and SV Angel are expected to make commitments, while existing investors 8VC and Haun Ventures are also reportedly participating. The $8 billion figure is before the proposed new capital is added. If the full $1.5 billion closes on those terms, the resulting valuation would be about $9.5 billion.
Erebor Bank deposits have climbed above $4 billion
Regulatory figures give some support to the growth behind the fundraising talks. Erebor’s latest call report showed about $4.06 billion in deposits and roughly $4.66 billion in assets at the end of June, compared with around $1.1 billion in deposits at March 31.
The FT reported that deposits increased further to $4.6 billion by the end of July, citing a person familiar with the figures. That July total has not yet appeared in a quarterly regulatory filing. The same source said Erebor had surpassed $100 million in annualized recurring revenue, another figure that has not been independently confirmed through public filings.
As previously reported, Erebor’s deposits had already climbed above $4 billion by early July, up sharply from its first quarter level. The earlier fundraising discussions were already targeting a valuation of at least $8 billion, making the latest reported $1.5 billion round an extension of talks that were underway before August.
U.S. charter gave Erebor room to pursue crypto clients
Erebor began operating after receiving its national bank charter on Feb. 6. The FDIC’s public records list the bank as established on that date, while the agency had approved its deposit insurance application in December 2025.
The bank was created to serve what its charter application called the U.S. innovation economy, including companies involved in digital assets, artificial intelligence, defense and advanced manufacturing. Erebor also planned to provide services to high and ultra high net worth individuals connected to those sectors. The OCC granted preliminary conditional approval in October 2025.
As previously reported, Erebor secured preliminary approval for its national bank charter after the OCC said legally permissible digital asset activities could be conducted by federally chartered banks when handled safely.
That policy direction has continued. The OCC said this week that digital asset firms engaged in permissible activities should have a route into the national banking system, as Comptroller Jonathan Gould pushes to revive de novo bank formation.
Erebor faces stricter capital requirements during early growth
Erebor’s rapid deposit expansion also raises the importance of its regulatory capital obligations. The FDIC approval requires the bank to maintain at least a 12% Tier 1 leverage ratio during its first three years, a higher threshold than many established banks operate under.
That requirement means fresh equity can support balance sheet growth as Erebor moves beyond deposits into lending. The bank has already appeared in a large industrial financing. Valar Atomics said on Aug. 3 that it closed a $200 million credit facility led by Erebor as administrative agent and JPMorgan, alongside Crescent Cove and Hercules Capital.
The facility accompanied Valar’s $1 billion Series B financing and gives an early example of Erebor targeting capital intensive companies outside conventional software startups. That fits its stated strategy of serving defense, energy, AI infrastructure and other sectors that often require larger credit facilities.
What happens next for Erebor’s $1.5 billion round
The financing has not closed. People familiar with the discussions told the FT that demand was strong and the transaction could be completed within weeks, but no final date has been announced. Erebor has also not publicly confirmed the investors, valuation or amount.
If completed at the reported terms, the round would mark another rapid valuation increase after Erebor was valued at about $4.35 billion in an earlier financing. For now, the more verifiable measure of its expansion is the balance sheet: deposits grew from roughly $1.1 billion in March to more than $4 billion by June, while lending has begun to expand into large technology and industrial projects.
Crypto World
Bitcoin at $63,600 as Japan’s Metaplanet moves 3,881 BTC between wallets
Metaplanet shifted 3,881 BTC, worth about $247 million, across several transactions over three hours on Wednesday, per Arkham data.
The move went from the company’s cold wallets to new addresses it also controls, not to an exchange.
Transfers to fresh self-custody wallets don’t add to tradable supply the way deposits to an exchange do, so on their own they aren’t selling.
Metaplanet has done this before. It moved nearly 5,000 BTC in March in the same pattern, test transactions followed by larger amounts into new wallets, and analysts then read it as internal custody reshuffling rather than distribution. Nothing in Wednesday’s on-chain data points anywhere different.
Metaplanet bought its roughly 43,000 BTC at an average of about $96,000, so with bitcoin near $63,600 the company is sitting on an unrealized loss of about $1.4 billion, down 34%.
Metaplanet has been one of the most aggressive corporate buyers since April 2024, with a stated target of 210,000 BTC.
Crypto World
Harmony Token Falls to Record Low After Exploit Mints 4 Billion ONE
Harmony (ONE) fell to an all-time low of $0.0005735 during early Asian trading on Wednesday after a reported exploit minted roughly 4 billion tokens without authorization.
The minted amount equals about 26% of ONE’s total supply. Harmony said it is coordinating with exchanges to freeze funds while it develops a patch and evaluates rollback options.
Harmony Exploit and the Price Collapse
On-chain analyst Juiceberg reported that the supply was minted through empty blocks. Around 2.8 billion of those tokens moved quickly to exchanges, according to the analysis.
The sell pressure sent ONE tumbling. The token traded near $0.00087 at press time, down about 29% on the day, after touching its record low earlier in the session.
Follow us on X to get the latest news as it happens
Harmony later named four wallet addresses tied to the incident. The team asked all exchanges to block and freeze funds traced to them:
- one1uap8dx2z0qsjxqthm5flgcxkeepsz3gsrghnfn (0xe7427699427821230177dd13f460d6ce43014510)
- one17u300a40ll5wphd8kj5hktryhdjq3ml9f4phy4 (0xf722f7f6afffe8e0dda7b4a97b2c64bb6408efe5)
- one1a5hur07z5vtvzhr35zkw8tfqedemkz8t88xgd7 (0xed2fc1bfc2a316c15c71a0ace3ad20cb73bb08eb)
- one1h56hkxmua0uzfv07fu04cudvtrl35u96pq47vy (0xbd357b1b7cebf824b1fe4f1f5c71ac58ff1a70ba)
“We are working with our team and appropriate exchanges to stop and freeze the funds. We are working on a patch and rollback options. Will update when we have new information,” the post read.
The event marks the network’s second major security breach. In 2022, its Horizon Bridge lost roughly $99.6 million in an attack linked to North Korea’s Lazarus Group.
Harmony has not disclosed the root cause of the incident yet. BeInCrypto has reached out to Harmony for comment.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch leaders and journalists provide expert insights
The post Harmony Token Falls to Record Low After Exploit Mints 4 Billion ONE appeared first on BeInCrypto.
Crypto World
Hardware Wallets Aren’t the Problem, Says Ledger Exec. AI Attackers Are
The $116 million Coldcard hack rattled Bitcoin holders last week. Ledger’s top security executive says the headline missed the point entirely.
Speaking to Bloomberg, Ian Rogers, Ledger’s Chief Human Agency Officer, argued the attack was not evidence that self-custody or hardware wallets are inherently risky. The real story, he said, is what AI lets attackers do to systems built on weak randomness.
Why Ledger Was Not Affected
The Coldcard vulnerability traced back to a 2021 firmware bug that routed seed generation through a software pseudorandom number generator instead of the device’s hardware chip.
That produced entropy of roughly 40 to 72 bits, a small enough address space for an AI-powered attacker to scan systematically and locate private keys. TRM Labs traced 1,082 BTC drained in the first wave’s 41-minute sweep on July 30.
Ledger generates entropy entirely in hardware, Rogers told Bloomberg, using a certified secure chip with no software fallback. The resulting address space is, in his words, “the number three with 67 zeros behind it.” No attacker can brute-force that.
It is not the first time Ledger has caught this kind of flaw. In 2022, the company identified a similar bug in Trust Wallet and worked through responsible disclosure to help users move funds to safety. BeInCrypto’s coverage of Coldcard’s ongoing theft waves shows how fast and systematic the exploitation became once the vulnerability was known.
3 Ways AI Has Changed the Threat
Rogers laid out three compounding threats.
First, AI gives attackers more firepower to find vulnerabilities in any system, not just crypto. He cited attacks on US water infrastructure as part of the same trend, since the underlying tools are general purpose.
Second, AI-assisted development means more code ships faster across the industry, expanding the attack surface for everyone. BeInCrypto reported on how AI-powered smart contract exploits now outpace the tools built to detect them.
Third, and this is where Rogers goes beyond the Coldcard story, enterprises are deploying agents that hold access to internal secrets like email, Slack, and credentials. Bloomberg framed the Coldcard exploit as a hardware story. Rogers frames it as an early signal of a much broader AI-era security problem.
The Agentic Threat Rogers Warned About
At the end of last year, Rogers described a future where people hand AI agents their passwords, credit cards, and identities as a dangerous, unmanaged risk. Few people understood what he meant at the time. They do now.
His analogy compares AI agents and secrets to a teenager and car keys. The keys do not live in the teenager’s room. A parent decides, based on context, when access is appropriate. A Monday morning drive to school is fine. A Friday night after a party is not. The same logic, Rogers argues, must govern what any agent can access and when.
Ledger already offers tools that let an agent hold a wallet without holding the private keys. The principle is the same one that has always governed hardware security: protection by design, not by policy.
Wherever your assets are stored, you should be interested in the level of security that’s protecting them.
Rogers told Bloomberg.
The post Hardware Wallets Aren’t the Problem, Says Ledger Exec. AI Attackers Are appeared first on BeInCrypto.
Crypto World
Harmony considers rollback after suspected exploit inflates ONE supply

Harmony is working with exchanges to freeze funds and is preparing a patch after claims that 2.8 billion unauthorized ONE hit trading platforms.
Crypto World
Harmony’s ONE falls 26% after attacker allegedly mints 4 billion tokens
That can prevent an attacker from keeping newly created tokens still on the network, but becomes harder once funds have reached exchanges or moved onto other systems. Many in the industry, however, view a rollback as antithetical to blockchain’s core principle of immutability.
The apparent exploit comes a day after Ravencoin, another smaller blockchain built from Bitcoin’s code, faced its own possible rollback after parts of its network accepted invalid blocks.
In that case, miners moved to rebuild the chain from before the flaw, putting several days of transactions at risk of reversal. Ravencoin is separate from Harmony, but the two incidents show the trade-off involved in a rollback – that undoing an attack can also undo legitimate transactions made after it.
Not the first hit
Harmony has dealt with unauthorized creation of ONE before.
In December 2023, a bug in its staking system caused about 146.3 million ONE to be created when tokens that should have stopped receiving payouts continued to receive them. Harmony said at the time that 74 addresses were involved, with one receiving 51.2 million ONE, and that about 16.4 million was subsequently moved to an exchange.
The network responded to that incident with an emergency software update and blacklisted addresses holding the improperly created tokens.
Crypto World
Bitwise CIO Says Bitcoin May Be Near Crypto Winter’s Bottom
Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan told Bloomberg that Bitcoin’s (BTC) refusal to react to negative headlines may signal the bear market has run its course. He pointed to a string of setbacks the asset shrugged off in recent months.
Hougan said wealth management platforms, not short-term hype, will be the next driver pulling fresh capital into Bitcoin. He also weighed in on how much of an investor’s holdings belong in an exchange-traded fund (ETF) versus cold storage.
Bad News Stops Moving the Market
Hougan listed several setbacks Bitcoin absorbed without much price damage.
Strategy Executive Chairman Michael Saylor has started selling his Bitcoin reserves through the company, and the firm’s STRC preferred stock slid toward $75. STRC, nicknamed “Stretch,” is Strategy’s preferred share designed to trade near $100 par. One of Bitcoin’s biggest backers flinched, and the price hardly moved.
Meanwhile, odds of the Clarity Act passing, a bill setting federal rules for digital asset markets, fell from the mid-40s into the teens, Hougan also pointed out. Hougan also referenced the $116 million Coldcard hardware wallet exploit, which again barely moved Bitcoin’s price, unlike past cycles, when bear markets tend to overreact to bad news and ignore good news.
“We’re maybe overindexing to good news. I think it’s a sign that we may be at the bottom of this crypto winter and that we may have a strong end of the year.” Hougan said.
Hougan stopped short of calling a firm bottom, framing it instead as a signal worth watching rather than a certainty.
Wealth Platforms as the Next Catalyst
Hougan said large wealth management platforms represent Bitcoin’s next marginal buyer, describing it as a slow-moving shift rather than a single event.
He noted several advisory platforms approved Bitwise’s own Solana (SOL) staking ETF, BSOL, even during a market down roughly 50% from its highs, which he attributed to advisor demand rather than speculation.
He also estimated, without exact figures on hand, that Bitwise has processed $600 million to $700 million in tax-free in-kind ETF conversions over the past year.
ETFs Versus Self-Custody
Asked how a hypothetical million-dollar Bitcoin holder should split assets, Hougan said most should sit in ETFs, punting his own company’s options, like the Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB). He added that a smaller portion should be kept in cold storage as an opt-out option. He added that ETFs are not necessarily the final form these products will take as the industry matures.
Hougan’s framing rests on Bitcoin’s response to bad news rather than a specific price target. The next round of negative headlines will show whether that resilience holds.
The post Bitwise CIO Says Bitcoin May Be Near Crypto Winter’s Bottom appeared first on BeInCrypto.
-
Fashion5 days agoWeekend Open Thread: Mattifying Sunscreen
-
Fashion5 days agoFrugal Friday’s Workwear Report: Cap-Sleeve Pointelle Crewneck Sweater
-
Sports6 days agoJordan Coyle & Cordiamo take Laya Arena Stakes at RDS
-
News Videos4 days agoCan Astrology Help Find Gold and Silver Trends? A Financial Astrology Guide
-
Business6 days agoUS stocks: Dow closes at record on Mideast optimism; SpaceX, AMD drag Nasdaq
-
Politics6 days agoReform UK And Greens Sink To Lowest Favourability Ratings To Date
-
Business6 days agoSupply chain issues impact Ingredion
-
Tech4 days agoRinn Pharma & Biopharma to join NordicPharmaTrain network
-
Business3 days agoHow to Start a Cleaning Business: A Step-by-Step Guide
-
Business3 days agoDatadog: Best Of Breed For Multiple Reasons
-
Business3 days agoBDC Weekly Review: Private BDC Q2 Numbers Are Strong
-
NewsBeat8 hours agoCommunication cards help banking customers access services or report scams
-
Sports6 days ago
Spider-Man: Brand New Day ending explained: Is Peter Parker alive?
-
Fashion7 days agoSuit of the Week: Me + Em
-
Crypto World7 days agoRobinhood files $200M second venture fund focused on YC startups
-
Tech5 days agoPrice Hikes May Be Coming for PC Motherboards Next
-
Fashion7 days agoBirthstone pendant necklaces for women by ottomanhands – 18ct gold plated
-
Crypto World6 days agoGalaxy Digital Stock Slides 14% as Crypto Prices Hit Earnings
-
Business5 days agoBrightwater secures funding for WA-first dementia projects
-
Politics6 days agoComedian Jimmy Cricket Has Died, Aged 80

You must be logged in to post a comment Login