‍MicroStrategy's Bitcoin Holdings Surge to $77.4 Billion as BTC Reclaims $120K MicroStrategy's Bitcoin treasury has reached a new all-time high, valued at $77.4 billion. The firm holds 640,031 BTC, representing 3.2% of Bitcoin's total supply and 48% of all BTC held by public and private companies. This significant accumulation occurs as Bitcoin returns to the $120,000 mark.
‍SWIFT Selects Linea for New Blockchain Payments System Global financial messaging giant SWIFT has confirmed its new payment settlement platform will be built on Linea, an Ethereum layer 2 solution. This marks a significant integration of traditional and decentralized finance. Consensys CEO Joe Lubin shared that the banking sector responded positively to the news, emphasizing the need to bridge DeFi and TradFi. Linea, developed by Consensys, utilizes zk-EVM rollup technology for cost-effective transactions. Major institutions like Bank of America, Citi, and JPMorgan Chase are expected to participate in trials.
‍Afterprime Introduces Revolutionary 'Pay-to-Trade' Model Afterprime has launched Afterprime 2.0, featuring the world's first 'Pay-to-Trade' model, which rewards traders for their trading flow. Verified to offer 40-70% lower costs than competitors, this model aligns broker and trader incentives. Orders are routed to liquidity providers, with rewards shared with clients. This approach prioritizes transparency and cost efficiency, potentially setting a new standard for crypto brokerage.
‍Crypto Spells Hit Etsy Amid Volatile Markets An unusual trend sees "Etsy witches" offering spells and rituals to boost cryptocurrency portfolios, despite Etsy's ban on metaphysical services. Listings range from custom crypto spells for $20 to "crypto millionaire spells" for $73, alongside Bitcoin Oracle Cards and Dogecoin wealth rituals. These services, often accompanied by disclaimers for "spiritual guidance and entertainment," tap into the human desire for control and quick riches in the speculative crypto space. While the crypto community largely meets this trend with amusement and skepticism, dismissing it as irrational, it highlights the psychological allure of manifestation in high-stakes markets. Ultimately, experts stress that thorough research and sound investment strategies remain the most reliable paths to success.
‍Donald Trump Jr. Links Media Failures to Crypto's Mission at Token 2049 Donald Trump Jr. stated at Token 2049 that mainstream media's shortcomings are driving adoption of alternative platforms, including crypto. He cited his family's experiences with deplatforming and debanking as catalysts for developing decentralized solutions. Trump Jr. highlighted independent journalism and podcasts as vital for "real" conversations, aligning with crypto's ethos of censorship resistance and direct interaction. Industry leaders echoed the need for transparency and accountability, noting that alternative media better understands crypto culture. The shift underscores a broader movement towards unfettered communication and financial sovereignty.
‍Senator Ted Cruz Blocks Privacy Bill, Sparking Concerns for Crypto Holders Texas Senator Ted Cruz has blocked Senate Bill 2850, a privacy bill designed to protect Americans from data brokers. While supporting privacy, Cruz cited concerns that the bill's broad scope could impede law enforcement access to essential data. This action has raised alarms within the cryptocurrency community, which highly values privacy and decentralization. The bill aimed to prevent the sale of sensitive personal information, which can be exploited for criminal activities. Data brokers' practices directly conflict with crypto's ethos of individual sovereignty and data control. The exposure of personal data significantly increases the risk of security breaches and targeted attacks on crypto holders, with over 50 such attacks reported in 2025 alone, often involving data obtained from brokers.
‍Crypto.com Integrates Morpho Lending on Cronos for Stablecoin Yield Crypto.com enhances its DeFi offerings by integrating Morpho Lending on the Cronos blockchain. This allows users to deposit wrapped assets like ETH and BTC to borrow stablecoins and earn yield. Morpho, the second-largest lending protocol with a TVL of ~$7.7 billion, aims for a user-friendly experience with robust DeFi infrastructure. The integration allows US users to access stablecoin lending yields, circumventing regulations like the Genius Act by separating lending activities from stablecoin issuance. This move seeks to provide attractive yields while navigating the evolving regulatory landscape.
‍New York Proposes Energy Tax on Bitcoin Miners New York lawmakers have introduced Senate Bill S8518, proposing an excise tax on proof-of-work cryptocurrency miners. The bill aims to offset increased electricity costs for citizens by taxing operations with high energy consumption. The proposed tax is tiered based on energy usage, ranging from 2 to 5 cents per kWh for operations consuming over 2.25 million kWh annually. Mining facilities utilizing sustainable energy sources would be exempt. Revenue generated is intended for New York's Energy Affordability Programs. This move reflects ongoing scrutiny of the energy footprint of PoW cryptocurrencies.