‍Exodus to Expand Onchain Payments with $175M Acquisition Funded by Bitcoin Holdings Crypto wallet provider Exodus is set to acquire W3C Corp, parent company of payment infrastructure firms Monavate and Baanx, for $175 million. This strategic move aims to create a vertically integrated onchain payment ecosystem, allowing Exodus to manage custody, card issuance, and processing. The acquisition is financed by Exodus's cash reserves and a loan secured by its Bitcoin holdings. This expansion aligns with broader industry trends as major networks like Visa and Swift explore blockchain and stablecoin integration for payments.
‍ZetaChain Introduces ZetaClient Upgrade for Enhanced Cross-Chain Interoperability and AI Integration ZetaChain has released a significant ZetaClient upgrade, advancing cross-chain interoperability with the ability to execute multiple EVM calls in a single cross-chain interaction on its Universal EVM. This update facilitates complex, multi-step operations across blockchains, reducing the need for external orchestration and improving capital efficiency for DeFi and DEX applications. The upgrade also includes technical refinements for improved network stability and aims for a two-second block time. Notably, it enables the integration of AI agent intentions into cross-chain workflows, paving the way for AI-driven dApps.
‍Bitcoin Shows Rare Bullish Signals: Sharpe Ratio and Heater Metrics Suggest Buying Opportunity Bitcoin's risk-reward profile is flashing rare bullish signals. Key on-chain metrics like the Sharpe Ratio and Bitcoin Heater have entered favorable "green" zones, historically preceding significant price trends or market bottoms. The Sharpe Ratio has reached multiyear lows, mirroring conditions seen in 2019, 2020, and 2022, indicating an increasingly attractive risk-adjusted landscape. The Bitcoin Heater metric is at its lowest since November 2022. Despite some market skepticism, these indicators suggest potential buyers may find an attractive opportunity.
‍VanEck Files for Spot BNB ETF on Nasdaq VanEck Digital Assets has submitted a proposal to the SEC for a spot BNB ETF, aiming for listing on Nasdaq under the ticker VBNB. The ETF will directly hold BNB tokens, with asset valuation based on the MarketVector BNB Index. The trust does not currently engage in staking, and any future staking would be via a third-party provider with prior investor notification. It is not regulated under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or by the CFTC. The proposed ETF carries a high investment risk, including potential total loss of investment, reflecting the volatility of cryptocurrencies. This filing signals continued demand for regulated crypto products and potential institutional interest in a wider range of digital assets.
‍"OG Whale" Makes $44.5M Bet on Ether Amid Market Speculation An influential cryptocurrency investor known as the "OG Whale" has established a significant $44.5 million long position in Ether (ETH). This move follows the investor's previous success in profiting nearly $200 million from the October market crash. Data from Arkham Intelligence shows the whale added $10 million to their ETH holdings, already seeing over $300,000 in profit within an hour. The investor's identity remains unknown, adding intrigue to their market actions. ETH currently trades around $2,900, with broader market sentiment showing a potential bottom formation.
‍Ourbit Joins CODE Travel Rule Alliance for Global Compliance Ourbit has integrated with the CODE Travel Rule Alliance to enhance its compliance with international virtual asset service provider (VASP) regulations, including Korean Travel Rule and FATF standards. This move strengthens Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorist Financing (CTF) practices. Tom, CEO of Ourbit, stated, "Compliance is not just about ticking boxes—it’s about protecting our users and building a sustainable, global business." The integration facilitates secure, automated, and encrypted cross-VASP transfers, making compliance "invisible but impactful." This initiative is part of Ourbit's broader investment in technology, AML systems, and risk controls, aiming to set a higher standard for security and compliance in the digital asset space.
‍Bitcoin's Sharpe Ratio Nears Zero Amidst High On-Chain Activity Bitcoin's Sharpe ratio is approaching zero, a historical indicator of market bottoms and potential 'smart money' entry points. Analyst I. Moreno notes this zone was last seen in 2019, 2020, and 2022, often preceding new uptrends. Concurrently, over 8% of circulating Bitcoin has been transacted recently, a rare event seen previously in December 2018 and March 2020. This occurred alongside a significant price drop. These converging factors suggest a critical market juncture.
‍Berachain Co-founder Addresses Nova Digital Refund Rights Berachain co-founder Smokey the Bera clarified reports regarding a $25 million refund right granted to Nova Digital (Brevan Howard subsidiary). He stated this was a standard compliance requirement, not a special concession. Nova Digital led Berachain's Series B funding round on identical terms to other investors. The refund clause was requested by Nova's compliance team as a safeguard in case Berachain failed to execute its Token Generation Event (TGE) and secure exchange listings, which could affect the eligibility of locked BERA tokens for Nova's liquidity strategies. This highlights the meticulous due diligence of institutional investors.
‍Musk: X and Tesla Data Crucial for AGI Breakthroughs Elon Musk's xAI aims to achieve Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) with its upcoming Grok 5 model in early 2026. Musk believes proprietary data from X (formerly Twitter) and Tesla offers a unique advantage. X provides real-time global data, while Tesla's fleet contributes billions of miles of driving data for AI development and Optimus robots. Musk anticipates Grok 5, a six-trillion-parameter model with multi-modal capabilities, has a 10% chance of achieving AGI.
‍DOGE Department Denies Closure Reports The US Government Efficiency Department (DOGE) has denied reports of its dissolution. Reuters cited US Office of Personnel Management Director Kiran Ahuja stating the department "no longer exists" as a "centralized entity." However, DOGE officials dismissed the report as inaccurate, with Ahuja clarifying her remarks were selectively quoted. The department reaffirmed its mandate to modernize federal government operations and reduce waste. Last week, DOGE announced the termination of 78 wasteful contracts, saving $3.35 million.