Author: Max Bauer

While quantum computing is often touted as a potential threat to Bitcoin’s security, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino believes it’s more likely to unlock lost Bitcoin fortunes, including the estimated 1.1 million Bitcoin held by the cryptocurrency’s enigmatic creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. Ardoino recently suggested that advancements in quantum computing could eventually crack older, inaccessible Bitcoin wallets, reintroducing potentially millions of Bitcoin back into circulation. Although he acknowledges that the technology is “still very far” from posing an immediate threat, he anticipates that Bitcoin will transition to quantum-resistant addresses before the issue becomes critical. Bitcoin’s security currently relies on elliptic curve cryptography,…

Pumpfun, a prominent token launch platform on the Solana blockchain, is reportedly preparing to launch its own token through a public offering using a Dutch auction model. The platform, which has generated approximately $572 million in fees and transferred around $386.8 million to Kraken, is currently collaborating with several centralized exchanges (CEXs) to develop the system for the token sale. The move towards a Dutch auction model aligns with recent industry discussions around innovative token sale mechanisms. Binance co-founder He Yi previously highlighted the potential of Dutch auctions for Initial Exchange Offerings (IEOs) during a recent Ask Me Anything (AMA)…

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has revealed ongoing discussions with Ripple executives regarding the potential integration of Cardano’s planned stablecoin, Real USD (RLUSD), with Ripple’s technology. In a recent statement, Hoskinson confirmed talks with both David Schwartz, Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer, and Brad Garlinghouse, the company’s CEO. He indicated a “strong possibility” of a negotiated agreement, but noted that Ripple has advised Cardano to wait until March, following the conclusion of their legal battle with the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS). Hoskinson expressed willingness to comply, stating that they will “pick that back up in a month and a…

The Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) reversal of Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) 121 has been met with relief by the US cryptocurrency and banking sectors. The now-rescinded guidance had presented a significant obstacle for banks seeking to custody digital assets. According to cryptocurrency journalist Eleanor Terrett, industry insiders and banking professionals viewed SAB 121 as a deliberate attempt by SEC Chair Gary Gensler to restrict traditional banks’ involvement in the cryptocurrency market. This move was perceived as part of a broader Biden administration strategy to curb the industry through stringent regulation. The controversy surrounding SAB 121 extended beyond the crypto…

The Open Network (TON) is undergoing a notable market shakeup, with recent data from cryptocurrency analytics firm CryptoQuant highlighting a dramatic deleveraging phase across its ecosystem. According to the report, the Total Value Locked (TVL) in decentralized exchanges (DEXs), centralized exchanges (CEXs), derivatives, and options tied to TON has plummeted, reflecting widespread investor disillusionment and aggressive position liquidation. This sharp decline in speculative activity suggests that retail traders have reached a “point of maximum pain,” with many capitulating and offloading their holdings. However, CryptoQuant argues that such conditions historically create fertile ground for large-scale investors, or “whales,” to accumulate assets…

Hopes of seeing the Dogwifhat meme, the face of the Solana-based token WIF, emblazoned on the Las Vegas Sphere have been dashed. A spokesperson for the iconic venue confirmed to Decrypt on Friday that no agreement exists with the Dogwifhat team, contrary to recent suggestions by the project’s organizers. Earlier this week, the official Dogwifhat account on X (formerly Twitter) posted an image hinting at a Q1 2025 appearance on the Sphere, accompanied by the phrase “Officially confirmed. Viva hat vegas.” This announcement, later amended to remove the “officially confirmed” claim, fueled a 34.7% surge in WIF’s price, pushing it…

Could President Donald Trump’s recent executive order on cryptocurrencies disrupt Bitcoin’s historical four-year cycle? According to Matt Hougan, Chief Investment Officer at Bitwise Asset Management, the answer is a resounding maybe. In a note to clients on Wednesday, Hougan acknowledged the traditional pattern of three years of growth followed by a significant correction. “If we were following the classic four-year cycle, 2025 would be a great year for crypto,” he wrote, predicting Bitcoin could double to over $200,000 this year, fueled by ETF inflows and institutional adoption. He even suggested this prediction might be conservative. However, Hougan also pointed to…

Just months after his release from prison, Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, the billionaire founder of Binance, has re-entered the cryptocurrency arena with a significant investment. His newly formed venture capital firm, YZi Labs, has led a $16 million funding round for Sign, a startup specializing in simplifying token distribution and on-chain credential verification. Zhao, who served a four-month sentence ending in September for AML compliance failures at Binance, emphasized the importance of secure and transparent token distribution in a statement: “Proper distribution builds trust, and verification is an essential part of it. As more people move on-chain, this is a critical…

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and self-described head of the “Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE),” has waded into a heated crypto community debate, arguing that Bitcoin Cash advocate Roger Ver should not receive a presidential pardon due to his renounced U.S. citizenship. “Roger Ver gave up his US citizenship. No pardon for Ver. Membership has its privileges,” Musk posted on X, referencing Ver’s 2014 decision to relinquish his American status. The remarks carry weight given Musk’s reported influence over President Donald Trump, who last week fulfilled a campaign promise by pardoning Silk Road creator Ross Ulbricht — a…

Cryptocurrency analytics firm CryptoQuant has unveiled a fresh analysis highlighting the growing dominance of “new whales” in the Bitcoin market, with their share of realized capitalization among large holders now reaching 60%. According to CryptoQuant, “new whales” are defined as entities holding over 1,000 BTC acquired within the last 155 days. These participants contrast with “old whales” (long-term holders with >1,000 BTC), who typically adhere to passive, multi-year strategies. New whales, however, are more reactive to market fluctuations, frequently trading during phases of accumulation, growth, or profit-taking. The report reveals that new whales’ share of the total realized capitalization among…