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Crypto World

Strategy’s Bitcoin Shift, Open USD Launch, Fidelity Weighs In

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Strategy’s Bitcoin Shift, Open USD Launch, Fidelity Weighs In

For years, Michael Saylor’s Strategy built its brand around a simple mantra: Buy Bitcoin. Never sell. This week, that narrative changed.  

The company authorized up to $1.25 billion in Bitcoin sales under a new capital framework. At current prices, that equates to roughly 21,000 BTC that could eventually hit the market — a reminder that even Bitcoin’s most committed corporate holder isn’t immune to the realities of capital management.

This week’s Crypto Biz explores how the digital asset industry is entering a more pragmatic phase, where ideological purity is giving way to financial discipline. It also examines the intensifying stablecoin race as issuers compete for reserve yield, Fidelity’s latest defense of Bitcoin’s long-term security model and the crypto industry’s growing political influence ahead of the 2026 US midterm elections.

Strategy authorizes $1.25 billion in Bitcoin sales to fund dividends, buybacks

Strategy has authorized up to $1.25 billion in Bitcoin sales under a new capital framework that will fund shareholder dividends, bolster cash reserves and repurchase stock while preserving its long-term Bitcoin strategy.

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The company’s new “Digital Credit Capital Framework” raises the annual dividend on its STRC preferred stock from 11.5% to 12%, establishes a formal Bitcoin monetization program and expands capital return initiatives through buybacks of preferred securities and MSTR shares. Strategy also said its dedicated cash reserve has grown to $2.55 billion, enough to cover roughly 17 months of preferred dividends and interest payments.

The framework reflects an evolution in Strategy’s capital allocation. After years of insisting it would never sell Bitcoin, the company has now established a formal monetization program and disclosed selling 32 BTC in June. Strategy made no Bitcoin purchases last week, leaving its holdings unchanged at 847,363 BTC as it places greater emphasis on liquidity management alongside its Bitcoin accumulation strategy.

Source: Michael Saylor

Payments giants back new stablecoin to challenge USDT, USDC

More than 140 financial and crypto companies have joined forces to launch a new US dollar-backed stablecoin that lets participants retain the yield generated by its reserves, marking one of the industry’s biggest coordinated stablecoin initiatives to date.

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The Open USD (OUSD) project is backed by major payments companies, including Visa and Mastercard, alongside crypto companies such as Coinbase, Ripple, OKX and Bybit. Unlike traditional stablecoin models, OUSD will allow businesses to mint tokens without fees or volume limits while keeping the reserve earnings — a feature supporters say could help the token gain market share from incumbents Tether’s USDt (USDT) and Circle’s USDC (USDC).

The launch comes as the US adopts a more favorable regulatory stance toward stablecoins following passage of the GENIUS Act. Open Standard plans to roll out OUSD later this year, entering a market already worth more than $300 billion that many analysts expect to expand rapidly over the rest of the decade.

Source: Open Standard

Fidelity says Bitcoin’s long-term security isn’t threatened by halving

Fidelity Digital Assets is pushing back against claims that Bitcoin’s long-term security will weaken as mining rewards decline, arguing that rising transaction fees, market incentives and Bitcoin’s price appreciation should continue to keep the network secure.

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In a new research report, Fidelity said Bitcoin’s economic model extends beyond block subsidies, challenging the view that successive halving events will eventually undermine miners’ incentives. Research analyst Daniel Gray noted that although block rewards have steadily declined, average daily miner revenue has grown from $1.3 million between 2012-2016 to $40.2 million today. 

The report comes as Bitcoin miners grapple with mounting financial pressure following the latest halving. Many publicly traded mining companies are expanding into AI and high-performance computing to diversify revenue streams, even as Fidelity maintains that the network’s long-term security model remains intact.

Source: Fidelity Digital Assets

Crypto industry pours $189 million into 2026 US elections

Crypto companies have contributed roughly $189 million to the 2026 US election cycle, accounting for an estimated 37% of all corporate political spending so far, according to a new report by consumer advocacy group Public Citizen.

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The report found that crypto-backed political action committees (PACs) are once again driving much of the industry’s political influence. Fairshake has spent more than $82 million this cycle, while the pro-Trump MAGA Inc. Super PAC — heavily backed by Crypto.com — has spent more than $56 million. Public Citizen said the groups are following the same strategy used in 2024, backing candidates from both major parties who support the industry’s policy agenda.

Crypto’s political spending has already surpassed the roughly $170 million deployed during the 2024 election cycle, with more than four months remaining before November’s elections. 

Source: Public Citizen

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Moonbeam Announces Pivot to Base and Launches AI Agent Framework

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Crypto Breaking News

Moonbeam Network says it is shifting its focus from Polkadot to Ethereum layer 2 Base in order to build what it calls an “AI agent communication and settlement network.” The interoperability project framed the move as a strategic bet on autonomous, on-chain coordination between AI agents that can negotiate work and transact directly—without relying on a middleman.

In a Friday announcement, Moonbeam said the initiative is part of the “Moonbeam Protocol” and described the pivot as a reallocation of resources toward what it sees as the next major crypto frontier: agent-to-agent discovery, negotiation, and fully on-chain payments. The company did not provide a launch timeline for the Moonbeam Protocol.

Key takeaways

  • Moonbeam is pivoting from Polkadot to Base to support an AI agent communication and settlement network.
  • Moonbeam did not specify a launch date for the Moonbeam Protocol.
  • GLMR token holders are instructed to bridge from Moonbeam’s Polkadot parachain to Base before July 31, 2026.
  • Moonbeam says it will continue interoperability support on Polkadot during the transition and will not abandon existing builders or infrastructure providers.

Why Moonbeam is betting on Base for “agent settlement”

Moonbeam’s statement positions the Base pivot as more than a chain migration. The company argues that the most compelling long-term use case for blockchain is the emergence of autonomous AI agents that coordinate with each other on-chain and settle payments end-to-end.

That framing aligns with broader industry momentum around “agentic” workflows—an area where executives have repeatedly suggested that AI agents will become major users of blockchain-based payments. Cointelegraph previously reported on expectations from leaders including Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire that AI agents could drive demand for on-chain payments in the coming years.

Still, adoption has been uneven. Cointelegraph noted earlier that while Coinbase’s x402 payments protocol has been a high-profile catalyst for the agent-payments narrative, Artemis data indicated only about $2 million in trading volume facilitated through x402 over the past 30 days. In parallel, Big Tech experimentation has not always translated into faster production deployment; Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said on Thursday that agent tools had not accelerated the company’s workflows as quickly as expected, according to Cointelegraph coverage.

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Against that backdrop, Moonbeam’s move to Base suggests a strategic attempt to connect agent functionality with a more established Ethereum scaling ecosystem—while positioning its interoperability expertise as the connective tissue for cross-chain agent activity.

Community backlash and Polkadot ecosystem concerns

Not everyone welcomed the shift. Several community members characterized Moonbeam’s pivot as a setback for Polkadot, with some referring to Moonbeam as a flagship project for the ecosystem.

Moonbeam originally launched in January 2022 as a Polkadot parachain. At the time, it offered developers the ability to build Ethereum Virtual Machine-compatible applications within the Polkadot environment—an approach designed to lower the friction for Ethereum-native tooling and developer workflows while still benefiting from Polkadot’s broader interoperability vision.

Moonbeam’s new direction therefore changes the practical center of gravity for its future roadmap. Even if existing functionality remains supported for a transition period, the messaging implicitly signals that Moonbeam intends to prioritize agent-native settlement and coordination on Base going forward.

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Bridging instructions for GLMR before mid-2026

The most immediate operational change concerns token movement. Moonbeam said holders of its token, GLMR, will need to bridge assets from Moonbeam’s Polkadot parachain to Base before July 31, 2026. This includes GLMR exposure in lending markets, staking contracts, and other DeFi protocols connected to the parachain.

Moonbeam also clarified that users who hold GLMR through a centralized exchange will not need to take action, implying that the exchange layer will handle the migration on their behalf.

Importantly, Moonbeam said it will keep providing cross-chain interoperability services on Polkadot through the transition period. The company added that it is not abandoning existing builders or infrastructure providers—an assurance intended to reduce the risk that the shift could leave teams stranded on Polkadot immediately.

For participants, the decision raises a practical set of questions that will matter as the deadline approaches: how bridge support will be maintained across different contract types, how long existing integrations will remain fully functional on the parachain, and what future liquidity and settlement patterns will look like once the activity concentrates on Base.

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What investors and builders should watch next

Moonbeam did not provide a Moonbeam Protocol launch schedule, which leaves timelines and implementation details open. The next key items for market participants are likely to be: updates on the bridging process and user-facing tooling ahead of the July 31, 2026 deadline; clarification on how DeFi and staking setups will evolve during the transition; and—critically—whether Moonbeam’s agent-focused settlement network attracts real on-chain usage, particularly in light of past reports suggesting that agent payment adoption has been slow even where the concept has momentum.

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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Moonbeam Pivots From Polkadot to Base to Build AI Agents

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Moonbeam Pivots From Polkadot to Base to Build AI Agents

Polkadot-based interoperability protocol Moonbeam said it is pivoting to Ethereum layer 2 Base to launch an AI agent communication and settlement network, aimed at capturing a share of the emerging market. 

“This is a pivot to the most exciting frontier in crypto: autonomous AI agents that find each other, negotiate work, and pay each other entirely on-chain, without a middleman,” Moonbeam said in a statement announcing the Moonbeam Protocol on Friday. 

“We believe AI-native on-chain coordination represents a significant long-term opportunity. This transition allows us to focus resources around that direction,” Moonbeam added.

Moonbeam didn’t provide a launch timeline for the Moonbeam Protocol.

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Source: Moonbeam

Agentic development has seen considerable adoption in the crypto industry, with Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire among the executives predicting that AI agents will become the dominant users of blockchain-based payments in the coming years.

Coinbase’s x402 payments protocol has been one of the biggest drivers behind that push, while layer 1 blockchains Aptos and Near have also rolled out infrastructure to support agent-driven onchain activity.

Adoption in blockchain-based payments space has struggled to take off, however, with data from Artemis showing that only $2 million in trading volume has been facilitated through the x402 protocol over the past 30 days. 

AI agent development is progressing slowly in Big Tech too, with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg stating on Thursday that the technology hasn’t accelerated the firm’s workflows as quickly as expected.

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Moonbeam pivot a blow to Polkadot

Several members of the crypto community said Moonbeam’s pivot marked a major setback for the Polkadot ecosystem, with one X user calling Moonbeam Polkadot’s “flagship project.” 

“That’s a real pain in the ass for Polkadot,” another X user said.

Moonbeam launched as a Polkadot parachain in January 2022, providing developers the ability to build Ethereum Virtual Machine-compatible applications directly in the Polkadot ecosystem.

Moonbeam users instructed to migrate tokens

Moonbeam (GLMR) holders will need to bridge their tokens from Moonbeam’s Polkadot parachain to Base before July 31, 2026, including GLMR tied in lending markets, staking contracts and other decentralized finance protocols, Moonbeam said.

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Related: Why a ‘safe’ AI can turn dangerous in the wrong company 

Those holding the token on a centralized exchange won’t need to take any action, Moonbeam said.

Moonbeam said it will continue providing its cross-chain interoperability services on the Polkadot parachain through the transition period and is not abandoning its existing builders or infrastructure providers.

Magazine: Bitcoin decouples from tech stocks, Ether eyes ‘selling wave’: Market Moves

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Why Investors Are Comparing IceBull, Ethereum and XRP Before the Next Bull Market

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Why Investors Are Comparing IceBull, Ethereum and XRP Before the Next Bull Market

As confidence gradually returns to the cryptocurrency market, one question continues to dominate investor conversations: what is the best crypto to buy now? For some, the answer lies in established blockchain giants like Ethereum or XRP, two projects that have spent years building their ecosystems and communities. For others, the biggest opportunities are often found much earlier, before a project reaches exchanges and the wider market begins paying attention.

That shift in mindset has placed crypto presales back in the spotlight.

While blue-chip cryptocurrencies continue to attract long-term investors, many market participants are once again researching emerging projects that offer something established assets simply can’t: the opportunity to invest at the earliest possible stage. Among the projects attracting increasing attention is IceBull, an Ethereum-based meme coin that has officially launched Stage 1 of its crypto presale.

Rather than competing directly with Ethereum or XRP, IceBull offers investors a different opportunity altogether, participating while the project is still in its earliest growth phase.

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Ethereum Continues to Set the Standard for Blockchain Innovation

Few cryptocurrencies have influenced the industry as much as Ethereum. Since introducing smart contracts, Ethereum has become the foundation for decentralised finance, NFTs, blockchain gaming and thousands of Web3 applications. Millions of users interact with Ethereum every day, making it one of the most widely adopted blockchain ecosystems in the world.

Its transition to Proof-of-Stake also transformed the network, allowing holders to stake ETH while significantly reducing energy consumption. For investors seeking long-term exposure to blockchain technology, Ethereum remains one of the strongest and most established assets available.

However, its maturity also means many investors now complement their portfolios with smaller projects that may offer greater upside if they successfully execute their roadmaps.

XRP Remains One of Crypto’s Most Recognisable Payment Networks

XRP has built its reputation around one core objective: making international payments faster and more efficient.

Over the years, it has remained among the cryptocurrency market’s largest digital assets despite periods of regulatory uncertainty. Its transaction speed, relatively low fees and established global community continue attracting investors looking for exposure to payment-focused blockchain technology.

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As institutional interest in digital assets continues evolving, XRP remains firmly on many investors’ watchlists.

Like Ethereum, however, XRP is already a mature project. While it continues developing, much of today’s attention is centred around adoption, regulation and ecosystem growth rather than early-stage discovery.

IceBull Offers Something Different

Unlike Ethereum and XRP, IceBull isn’t trying to replace existing blockchain infrastructure. Instead, it’s building an Ethereum-based community token centred around transparency, participation and long-term growth.

With IceBull Crypto Presale now officially live, investors can participate in Stage 1, where the lowest presale pricing is currently available before prices increase throughout the remaining stages.

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The project features a structured 16-stage presale, allowing token pricing to gradually increase as demand grows while giving participants complete visibility throughout the fundraising campaign.

Alongside its Ethereum foundation, IceBull also offers:

  • Audited smart contracts
  • Team allocation vesting
  • Up to 80% APY staking
  • Community-driven development
  • 10% referral rewards for both referrer and buyer on qualifying purchases
  • Transparent tokenomics

For investors looking beyond established cryptocurrencies, Stage 1 provides the earliest opportunity to join the project before future presale price increases and exchange listings.

Why Crypto Presales Continue Attracting Attention

Presales have always occupied a unique position within the cryptocurrency market. Rather than buying after public trading begins, participants can evaluate a project while it’s still in its earliest phase. That doesn’t eliminate risk, but it does create opportunities that no longer exist once a token reaches exchanges.

Experienced crypto investors typically focus on several key areas before considering any presale:

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  • Transparent token supply
  • Clearly explained tokenomics
  • Realistic roadmap
  • Community engagement
  • Smart contract security
  • Long-term development plans

Projects that communicate these fundamentals clearly often inspire greater confidence than those relying purely on marketing.

With IceBull Crypto Presale now live, investors can purchase tokens directly through the official website during Stage 1. As the presale progresses through each stage, token prices increase according to the published pricing schedule, rewarding those who participate early.

IceBull, Ethereum and XRP Compared

Feature IceBull Ethereum XRP
Current Status Stage 1 Presale Live Live Live
Blockchain Ethereum Ethereum XRP Ledger
Exchange Listed No Yes Yes
Entry Stage Stage 1 Presale Established Established
Smart Contract Platform ERC-20 Native Native
Community Focus High High High
Staking Up to 80% APY Available Limited

Each project appeals to a different type of investor. Ethereum continues driving innovation across decentralised applications. XRP focuses on improving digital payments and financial infrastructure. IceBull, meanwhile, is aimed at investors looking to discover projects while they remain in the earliest stages of development.

Why Timing Matters

One of the biggest differences between established cryptocurrencies and crypto presales is timing. Ethereum and XRP are both available on major exchanges today. IceBull Crypto Presale, however, is currently in Stage 1, giving early participants access before future presale price increases and the project’s planned exchange listings.

For investors who enjoy identifying opportunities early, Stage 1 represents the earliest public entry point currently available. As with any cryptocurrency investment, carrying out independent research and understanding a project’s roadmap and tokenomics remains essential.

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Final Thoughts

There is no single answer to the question of the best crypto to buy now because every investor has different goals and risk tolerance. Ethereum continues to lead the smart contract ecosystem with one of the strongest developer communities in blockchain. XRP remains a significant player within digital payments and cross-border settlement.

Meanwhile, IceBull offers something different. With IceBull Crypto Presale now live in Stage 1, investors have the opportunity to participate while the project remains in its earliest phase. Featuring a structured 16-stage presale, audited smart contracts, staking rewards, referral incentives and an Ethereum foundation, IceBull is becoming one of the emerging crypto projects many investors are watching as the next market cycle approaches.

For More Information:

Website: https://www.icebull.com/

Telegram: https://t.me/IceBullCoin

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X: https://x.com/IceBullCoin

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best crypto to buy now?

The best crypto to buy now depends on your investment strategy. Some investors prefer established assets like Ethereum or XRP, while others are exploring early-stage opportunities such as IceBull Crypto Presale, which is currently live in Stage 1.

Is IceBull live?

Yes. IceBull is now live, and Stage 1 of the crypto presale is officially open. Investors can participate through the official website.

Why are investors watching IceBull?

IceBull combines a structured 16-stage presale, audited smart contracts, up to 80% APY staking, referral rewards, Ethereum-based infrastructure and a community-first approach, making it one of the emerging crypto projects attracting early attention.

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How can I join the IceBull Crypto Presale?

You can participate by visiting the official IceBull Crypto Presale, connecting a supported wallet and purchasing during Stage 1 before future presale price increases.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Cryptocurrency investments involve risk, and readers should always conduct their own research before making any investment decisions.


Disclaimer: This is a Press Release provided by a third party who is responsible for the content. Please conduct your own research before taking any action based on the content.

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World Cup Fever Fuels $5.6B Explosion in Prediction Markets

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The FIFA World Cup’s round of 16 matches are set to kick off on July 4, and football, or soccer as it’s known in the United States, has become the biggest driver of activity on prediction platforms, diverting attention from the political and macroeconomic markets they were originally built around.

This is according to data from research firm CryptoRank, which shows that the tournament has pushed prediction market volumes from just $65 million on June 1 to a monthly peak of $5.6 billion on June 22.

World Cup Drives Record Activity Across Prediction Platforms

Per CryptoRank’s data, throughout June, total trading volume across major prediction venues rose rapidly, from the aforementioned $65 million on June 1 to $340 million on June 8, just days before the World Cup started. A week later, on June 15, the volume had jumped to $2.2 billion, with 15 matches played, including the USA’s memorable 4-1 win over Paraguay in Los Angeles.

By the time 42 games had been played on June 22, trading on the platforms had gone up even higher, with CryptoRank reporting that volume had hit a high of $5.6 billion before showing a slight reduction seven days later, when about $5.4 billion in trades was recorded on June 29.

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In a post on X on July 2, the firm said that Kalshi had accounted for much of that June activity, with its dashboard at the time of writing showing open interest, or the total value of active positions that have yet to be settled, standing at $1.84 billion. Of that amount, roughly $1.45 billion was on Kalshi while Polymarket held about $390 million.

During the previous week, open interest remained relatively stable on Kalshi at around $1 billion, while on Polymarket, it peaked at $475 million on June 30, the day Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands were knocked out of the competition in dramatic style.

BitMart pointed to similar trends on its own platform. With multiple research institutions projecting that the total global trading volume on prediction markets could reach $10 billion, the crypto exchange said that most of that traffic has so far been directed to centralized platforms like it, given their lower barriers to entry compared to on-chain prediction products that require private keys and gas fees as well as contract approvals that need several steps to complete.

As such, the CEX reported that its monthly prediction market volumes skyrocketed 1,500% from May after the World Cup started. It also said active users increased 4.6 times, while completed orders went up nearly 9 times.

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Furthermore, according to the exchange, nearly 44% of newly registered users placed their first trade through its prediction markets, with football markets being the main attraction for the newcomers before some of them expanded into crypto price predictions.

An Industry With Some Baggage

Polymarket’s more subdued performance in the World Cup month compared to Kalshi has come against a backdrop of criticism on several fronts. For instance, a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) investigation published in June alleged that the platform has been using staged winning bets in promotional videos.

There was also a recent dispute that made headlines, in which a user accused Polymarket of changing the rules of a market tied to Strategy’s Bitcoin sale, raising questions about how such firms resolve contested outcomes.

The post World Cup Fever Fuels $5.6B Explosion in Prediction Markets appeared first on CryptoPotato.

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MicroStrategy CEO Calls Bitcoin ‘United States of Money’

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MicroStrategy chief executive Phong Le has called Bitcoin (BTC) the “United States of money.” On-chain tracker Arkham says the $1 million bet he made on the firm’s preferred stock is back to break-even.

The purchase, in a securities filing, doubles as a personal wager on the company Le runs. Strategy, formerly MicroStrategy, is fighting to hold its Stretch preferred stock (STRC) near par after a Bitcoin slump.

$1 Million Bet Back at Break-Even

A June 22 filing shows Le bought 11,000 STRC shares through his family trust. He paid a weighted-average $90.80 apiece, or about $998,756. He framed it as a long-term hold, not a trade.

That price was below STRC’s stated $100 value. Strategy designed the stock to trade near that $100 par value, adjusting its dividend monthly to defend the peg.

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The company has since lifted STRC’s annual dividend to 12%, up from 9% at its July 2025 debut. That has pulled the shares back toward par. Arkham now pegs Le’s position at break-even.

The recovery matters because STRC anchors a preferred-stock stack now worth more than $13 billion. MicroStrategy recently outlined a new Bitcoin sales policy that could fund those dividends by selling some of its holdings.

“I bought $1 million of $STRC today. Will hold it until it reaches par, likely longer,” Le described the buy in a June post.

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

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Why Le Calls Bitcoin the United States of Money

Le laid out his case for Bitcoin, describing it as money set by transparent rules and a fixed supply that no government can inflate away. The asset, he argued, shields wealth from inflation, censorship, and political pressure.

“Bitcoin is the United States of money. It aspires to do for money what the American Constitution aspired to do for government: create a system governed by transparent rules rather than the discretion of individuals…But beyond that, Bitcoin is hope,” he stated.

He tied the view to his own past. He linked his family’s refugee journey from Vietnam to the belief that people should control their own money. Le has predicted Bitcoin could become a global reserve asset within a decade.

The conviction carries weight because Le runs Strategy, the largest corporate Bitcoin holder at 818,334 BTC.

Top 100 Public Bitcoin Treasury Companies
Top 100 Public Bitcoin Treasury Companies. Source: Bitcoin Treasuries

Founder Michael Saylor pioneered that treasury model in 2020. Le points to banks like Goldman Sachs and Citi adding Bitcoin services as proof that the shift is real.

Not everyone shares the optimism. Bitwise has said Strategy is no longer Bitcoin’s dominant buyer. The firm also booked a $12.5 billion quarterly loss as bitcoin fell. Rival corporate Bitcoin treasuries have kept accumulating through the slump.

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Whether the break-even holds depends on how STRC and Bitcoin’s bear market play out from here. For now, Le’s balance sheet and his personal account are pointing in the same direction.

The post MicroStrategy CEO Calls Bitcoin ‘United States of Money’ appeared first on BeInCrypto.

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Kraken Adds Tokenized Stocks as Margin Collateral for Leverage

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Crypto Breaking News

Crypto exchange Kraken has started accepting select tokenized stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as collateral for futures and margin trading. The change is designed to let eligible users open leveraged positions without first selling the tokenized assets they already hold.

Kraken’s initial rollout supports 10 tokenized instruments, including tokenized shares of major US technology companies such as Apple, Nvidia, and Tesla, alongside tokenized ETF and strategy-related products such as Strategy, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF, and Invesco QQQ Trust.

Key takeaways

  • Kraken will accept tokenized stocks and ETFs as margin and futures collateral for eligible clients.
  • The initial list includes Apple, Nvidia, Tesla, Strategy, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF, and Invesco QQQ Trust, among others.
  • Assets receive collateral haircuts that reduce their effective lending value, with broad ETFs discounted by 10% and certain higher-volatility names discounted by 30%.
  • Collateral limits vary by asset type, including up to $1 million for broad-market ETFs and up to $250,000 for most individual stocks.
  • Support is limited to eligible clients outside the United States, with different collateral rules depending on the jurisdiction.

How Kraken will treat tokenized collateral

Kraken says each eligible tokenized asset is subject to a collateral “haircut,” a risk-based adjustment that lowers the amount it can contribute to a user’s borrowing power. In the exchange’s rollout, broad-market ETFs receive the lowest haircut at 10%, while more volatile stocks—including Strategy and Robinhood—are discounted by 30%.

Alongside haircuts, Kraken also sets collateral caps per asset. Broad-market ETFs are limited to up to $1 million in collateral value, while most individual stocks are capped at $250,000. Kraken also applies lower caps to tokenized gold and Circle shares, which it places at $100,000.

Importantly for active traders, Kraken notes that both collateral limits and haircuts will be reviewed periodically and remain subject to change.

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Which tokenized assets are included at launch

The feature initially covers 10 tokenized stocks and ETFs. The list named by Kraken includes tokenized Apple, Nvidia, and Tesla, as well as tokenized Strategy. It also includes tokenized broad-market exposure such as the SPDR S&P 500 ETF and Invesco QQQ Trust.

Beyond these examples, Kraken’s announcement indicates that some higher-volatility holdings are assigned larger discounts. In particular, the exchange cited a 30% haircut for Strategy and Robinhood, illustrating how collateral treatment may differ materially even within single-stock collateral categories.

Regional access and venue-specific support

Kraken restricts the service to eligible clients outside the United States. The exchange further differentiates where each use case is available.

Kraken states that tokenized stocks can be used as collateral for futures trading in the European Economic Area. For margin trading, Kraken says tokenized collateral support applies in other eligible jurisdictions outside the EEA.

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For users, this means they may need to check both their residency and the specific product they intend to trade—futures collateral rules may not mirror margin collateral rules across regions.

Why this fits the push for tokenized assets in mainstream finance

Kraken’s move aligns with a broader industry trend: converting traditionally held financial instruments into tokenized formats that can plug into crypto-native trading, settlement, and financing workflows. In recent months, multiple market participants have focused on expanding the utility of tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) beyond simple custody or spot trading—particularly by making them eligible collateral in regulated-style market infrastructure.

Earlier this year, Franklin Templeton and Binance launched a program that allows institutions to use tokenized money market fund shares as trading collateral while the underlying assets remain in regulated off-exchange custody. BlackRock’s tokenized US Treasury fund, BUIDL, is also described as accepted collateral on Binance, as well as on Crypto.com and Deribit.

Other examples highlight how tokenization is being tested at the level of market operations. Earlier this week, Tradeweb reportedly executed what it said was the first real-time purchase and sale of a tokenized US Treasury settled against tokenized cash on the Canton Network. Taken together, these developments point to experimentation not just with new assets, but with how those assets move through financial plumbing.

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RWA.xyz estimates that tokenized real-world assets have grown to roughly $32.6 billion in distributed value, while tokenized stocks rose to about $2 billion from roughly $381 million a year earlier. While these totals don’t measure trading volume alone, they offer a sense of how much tokenized equity exposure has expanded over the past year—making exchanges’ collateral policies more consequential as tokenized products multiply.

What to watch next

With Kraken saying haircuts and collateral limits will be reviewed over time, traders using tokenized stock and ETF collateral should monitor future updates to the eligible asset list and any changes to discount rates. The next key question is whether Kraken expands eligibility beyond the initial 10 instruments and how collateral treatment evolves as tokenized stock and ETF liquidity develops.

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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Bitcoin Miner IREN Falls After $700 Million CEO Stock Award

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Bitcoin Miner IREN Falls After $700 Million CEO Stock Award

IREN handed its two co-CEOs 18.2 million restricted stock units worth about $700 million, a grant equal to roughly 5% of the company and locked up through fiscal 2033.

The award went to Daniel and William Roberts, the former Macquarie bankers who founded IREN in 2018. Its calendar stretches to the end of the decade, ending on the year a rare piece of founder control expires.

A Grant Built to Run Until 2033

IREN sits among the Bitcoin miner stocks retooling for AI. The board approved 9,099,328 units for each brother on June 30. The units vest over four years, and each tranche is subject to a two-year sale ban.

The last shares come free only in fiscal 2033. Neither executive can collect another equity grant before fiscal 2031.

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The timing is not incidental. IREN was listed on Nasdaq in 2021, and the brothers each hold one B Class share that carries 15 votes for every ordinary share they own, per the IPO prospectus.

That gap is wide. In August, each founder held 2.3% of the equity but 21.8% of the vote, IREN’s proxy shows. Together they command nearly 44%.

Those rights expire around November 2033. The Council of Institutional Investors urges dual-class sunsets of seven years or fewer.

The dilution thins their grip further. Share count rose from about 272 million last August to 341 million by March, funding its pivot toward AI compute.

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Investors Sold the News

IREN stock fell about 10% to $38.82 on July 2, according to TradingView data. The drop stung even by the standards of volatile crypto mining stocks.

IREN Stock Performance. Source: TradingView

Short seller Jim Chanos flagged the size. He put the award near 17% of IREN’s projected cumulative adjusted net income from fiscal 2027 through 2030. The shares vest on time served, not performance.

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IREN’s board said it weighed performance and hybrid designs first. It cast the award as the close of a multi-year pay plan.

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“The Equity Grants are designed to retain and incentivize the Co-CEOs to lead the Company through its next phase of growth and the execution of its long-term strategic plan,” IREN said in its filing.

By fading founder votes and locking fresh stock to 2033, the deal reads as alignment or entrenchment. The answer will follow the wider mining-to-AI transition and what the brothers deliver.

The post Bitcoin Miner IREN Falls After $700 Million CEO Stock Award appeared first on BeInCrypto.

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Kraken Enables Tokenized Stock Collateral for Leveraged Trades

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Crypto Breaking News

Kraken has started accepting select tokenized stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as collateral for futures and margin trading, enabling eligible customers to take leveraged positions without first selling those tokenized holdings.

The feature initially covers 10 tokenized instruments, including major single-name equities such as Apple, Nvidia, and Tesla, as well as tokenized ETFs including Strategy, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF, and Invesco QQQ Trust.

Key takeaways

  • Kraken now accepts specific tokenized stocks and ETFs as collateral for futures and margin trading, reducing the need to liquidate existing positions.
  • Eligible assets receive risk-based collateral “haircuts,” with broad-market ETFs discounted less than more volatile stocks.
  • Collateral limits apply per asset class, with broad-market ETFs capped at up to $1 million in collateral value.
  • Access is limited to eligible clients outside the United States; futures collateral in the European Economic Area and margin collateral in other eligible jurisdictions.

How Kraken’s collateral framework works

According to Kraken, each supported tokenized stock or ETF is assigned a collateral haircut, which reduces the lending value of posted collateral depending on perceived risk. Broad-market ETFs receive the lowest discount at 10%, while certain more volatile holdings are discounted more heavily—Kraken states that Strategy and Robinhood are discounted by 30%.

In addition to haircuts, Kraken also set collateral limits for each asset. Broad-market ETFs can be posted up to $1 million in collateral value. Most individual stocks have a limit of $250,000. Tokenized gold and Circle shares are capped at $100,000.

The exchange emphasized that both the haircut percentages and the collateral limits are subject to periodic review and may change over time.

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Scope: which tokenized assets are included

Kraken’s initial rollout supports 10 tokenized stocks and ETFs. The list includes widely followed names such as Apple, Nvidia, and Tesla, along with Strategy.

For broad market exposure, the exchange includes tokenized ETF products such as the SPDR S&P 500 ETF and Invesco QQQ Trust. The collateral program also extends to tokenized gold and Circle shares, though these carry different collateral caps compared with the equity and ETF set.

Geographic limits and trading use cases

Kraken said the collateral support is available only to eligible clients outside the United States. Tokenized stocks can be used as collateral for futures trading in the European Economic Area.

Margin collateral support is available in other eligible jurisdictions outside the European Economic Area. Kraken did not indicate that the tokenized-collateral feature is generally available worldwide, so customers should confirm eligibility in their region before planning trades around it.

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Why this matters for tokenized markets

Kraken’s decision aligns with a broader push to expand the real-world utility of tokenized assets beyond simple trading. The core investor benefit is straightforward: if tokenized securities can be posted as collateral, they can help users access leverage and financing-style trades without triggering a sale that may be subject to liquidity constraints or other execution considerations.

It also fits into a wider pattern of exchange and market infrastructure developments aimed at making tokenized securities usable across more parts of capital markets—particularly as collateral, settlement components, and building blocks for structured lending.

For example, earlier this year, Cointelegraph reported that Franklin Templeton and Binance launched a program allowing institutions to use tokenized money market fund shares as trading collateral while the underlying assets remained in regulated off-exchange custody. Separately, BlackRock’s tokenized US Treasury fund, BUIDL, has been accepted as trading collateral on platforms including Binance, Crypto.com, and Deribit, reflecting growing interoperability for tokenized government and cash-like instruments.

Other market plumbing has also been advancing. Cointelegraph noted that Tradeweb executed what it described as a first real-time purchase and sale of a tokenized US Treasury settled against tokenized cash on the Canton Network. While those developments differ in mechanism from Kraken’s collateral haircuts, they collectively point to a trend: tokenized assets are increasingly being integrated into the operational flows that support trading and financing.

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Market growth signals: tokenized stocks remain a fast-rising segment

Data compiled by RWA.xyz suggests tokenized real-world assets have grown to roughly $32.6 billion in distributed value. Within that broader total, tokenized stocks reportedly increased to about $2 billion from approximately $381 million a year earlier.

That growth backdrop helps explain why exchanges are moving to make tokenized holdings more functional. As the number and variety of tokenized securities increase, collateral acceptance can become a competitive differentiator—especially for users who want to maintain exposure while accessing leverage or margin capacity.

For readers tracking the sector, RWA.xyz maintains an accessible overview of tokenized stock distribution, including categories under RWA.xyz stocks.

Going forward, investors and traders should watch for Kraken’s next rounds of updates: whether additional tokenized equities and ETFs are added, how haircuts and collateral caps change with volatility and market conditions, and how the exchange expands availability across jurisdictions outside the United States.

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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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Tokenization’s next use case is personalized portfolios, NYLIM executive says

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Tokenization's next use case is personalized portfolios, NYLIM executive says

NYLIM was the latest entrant to the list of asset management giants making moves in tokenization, teaming up with Centrifuge (CFG) to bring one of its high-yield corporate bond strategies onchain.

For NYLIM, tokenization is less about launching blockchain versions of existing funds than improving how portfolios are assembled.

Sy said customized investment strategies often combine ETFs, bonds, private credit and other assets, creating operational complexity that makes personalization difficult to scale.

“The end goal is to embed the customization within the asset itself, rather than the customization sitting around the operations around the different assets,” he said.

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Tokenization could also streamline transfer agency, settlement and other back-office processes, reducing costs that ultimately benefit investors.

“If you can bring that down by 10% or 20%, that’s a better outcome for our clients,” Sy said.

DeFi awaits

Sy said stablecoins have become the first practical bridge bringing traditional financial institutions onchain.

The stablecoin market has grown to over $300 billion, and its increasingly used for cross-brder payments

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As banks, payment firms and fintech companies adopt stablecoins for cross-border payments and treasury management, many will eventually look for institutional-grade tokenized assets where those balances can earn yield instead of remaining in cash.

“Stablecoins were probably one of the biggest unlocks in the past two years,” Sy said. “Adopting stablecoins was the gateway to get them onchain.”

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Kraken Expands Tokenized Stocks into Leveraged Trading

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Kraken Expands Tokenized Stocks into Leveraged Trading

Crypto exchange Kraken has begun accepting select tokenized stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as collateral for futures and margin trading, allowing eligible users to open leveraged positions without selling their holdings.

The feature initially supports 10 tokenized stocks and ETFs, including Apple, Nvidia, Tesla, Strategy, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF and Invesco QQQ Trust. Eligible users can post those holdings as collateral without selling them first.

Each eligible asset is assigned a collateral haircut that reduces its lending value based on risk. Broad-market ETFs receive the lowest haircut at 10%, while more volatile stocks such as Strategy and Robinhood are discounted by 30%.

Kraken also imposed collateral limits on each asset, with broad-market ETFs capped at up to $1 million in collateral value, most individual stocks at $250,000 and tokenized gold and Circle shares at $100,000. The exchange said both collateral limits and haircuts will be reviewed periodically and remain subject to change.

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The feature is available only to eligible clients outside the United States. The exchange said tokenized stocks can be used as collateral for futures trading in the European Economic Area, while margin collateral support is available in other eligible jurisdictions outside the bloc.

Related: STS Digital launches structured crypto platform with Kraken as first partner

The launch comes about a week after Kraken partnered with Maple to launch an onchain warehouse financing facility for institutional crypto lending, allowing the exchange to expand its lending business through blockchain-based structured credit.

Tokenized assets gain broader financial utility

Kraken’s move adds to a series of efforts aimed at expanding the role of tokenized real-world assets in financial markets. Recent launches have focused on using blockchain-based securities as collateral, settlement assets and components of institutional lending infrastructure.

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In February, Franklin Templeton and Binance launched a program allowing institutions to use tokenized money market fund shares as trading collateral while the underlying assets remained in regulated off-exchange custody. BlackRock’s tokenized US Treasury fund, BUIDL, is also accepted as trading collateral on Binance, as well as Crypto.com and Deribit.

Earlier this week, Tradeweb executed what it said was the first real-time purchase and sale of a tokenized US Treasury settled against tokenized cash on the Canton Network.

According to RWA.xyz, tokenized real-world assets have grown to roughly $32.6 billion in distributed value, while tokenized stocks have climbed to about $2 billion from roughly $381 million a year earlier.

Source: RWA.xyz

Magazine: Japanese pension fund tips 1% in crypto, G7 urges action on NK hackers: Asia Express

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