Author: James Wilson
Nomura-backed Laser Digital has become Japan’s first newly registered crypto asset exchange service provider in about four years, securing approval as the country prepares to move digital assets under a financial-instruments framework. Summary Laser Digital has become Japan’s first newly registered crypto asset exchange service provider in about four years. The Nomura-backed firm will initially provide liquidity services to domestic virtual asset service providers. Laser Digital plans to expand into institutional digital asset trading, though no launch date has been announced. Japan is preparing to bring crypto under its financial instruments framework, with new rules expected to take effect in…
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse said on Aug. 20 that the company is aggressively adopting artificial intelligence as it pursues further revenue and workforce growth. Summary Garlinghouse said Ripple has adopted artificial intelligence aggressively to accelerate growth across its expanding business. Ripple employs about 1,500 people globally and plans continued hiring as revenue grows further worldwide. Garlinghouse expects Ripple to more than double annual revenue during 2026, despite continuing market weakness. Ripple currently lists 94 roles publicly, including engineering positions focused on AI driven operations worldwide. Ripple Prime clears more than $3 trillion annually for over 300 institutional customers across markets.…
Hungary has repealed its mandatory crypto conversion validation system and removed two related criminal offenses that exposed users and service providers to prison terms of up to eight years. Summary Hungary has removed mandatory validation checks for crypto conversions. Two crypto offenses carrying prison terms of up to eight years have been repealed. The rules took effect on Aug. 7 after Parliament approved the repeal on July 31. The changes remove a separate national compliance layer alongside the EU’s MiCA framework. The Hungarian Parliament passed Act XXXVIII of 2026 on the Repeal of Certain Statutory Provisions Concerning Crypto-Asset Conversion Services,…
Strategy’s Bitcoin treasury briefly returned to an unrealized profit on Aug. 21 after Bitcoin climbed above the company’s $75,385 average acquisition price. Summary Strategy holds 840,447 Bitcoin acquired for $63.36 billion at $75,385 per coin including expenses overall. Bitcoin climbed above Strategy’s average acquisition price during an 8.5% daily market rally on Friday. At $75,613, Strategy’s holdings carried approximately $192 million in unrealized gains before prices changed again. BitMine reported 5,815,164 ETH with 5,067,309 tokens staked through its validator network currently in operation. Ethereum near $2,371 leaves BitMine’s treasury deeply below the reported $3,366 average cost estimate currently. Bitcoin reached…
Most Americans believe President Donald Trump and his family should not earn money from cryptocurrency while he holds office, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Aug. 19. Summary 63% of surveyed Americans called Trump family crypto profits inappropriate, while 32% considered them appropriate. 69% of Republicans considered the profits appropriate, while 92% of Democrats described them as inappropriate. 1,166 adults participated in the four-day Reuters/Ipsos poll with a three-point overall sampling error margin. Reuters calculated more than $1.4 billion in 2025 crypto income from Trump’s financial disclosure filing. 69% said private business interests influence presidential decisions, extending concern beyond…
The UK’s HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) sent 81,172 tax warning letters, emails and text messages to crypto investors during the 2025/26 financial year, according to figures reported on Aug. 20. Summary 81,172 warnings reached crypto investors in 2025/26, up from 64,982 during the previous financial year. HMRC treats crypto sales, swaps, purchases and most gifts as potential taxable disposals for investors. UK service providers began collecting customer details under the Cryptoasset Reporting Framework in January 2026. Platforms must submit their first reports covering 2026 activity to HMRC by May 31, 2027. Unpaid domestic tax can attract penalties reaching 100%…
Ethos Network has scheduled a September 1 auction for 20% of the WHUF token supply, setting its opening fully diluted valuation at $1 million and its maximum valuation at $99 million. Summary 20% of the total WHUF supply will be offered through the September 1 auction. Bidding will begin at a $1 million FDV and cannot exceed a $99 million FDV. Buyers can qualify for protection covering 85% of their purchase price for 12 months. Contributor XP and qualified referrals will determine additional token rewards. Ethos Network said in an Aug. 20 X post that registration had opened for the…
Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only. XRP rebounds 10% as Bitcoin short liquidations top $1 billion, while UE Crypto expands cloud mining access Summary XRP rebounds 10.17% near $1.10 as Bitcoin surges 8%, triggering more than $1B in short liquidations. Bitcoin hits $72,281 after a sharp rebound, fueling a major short squeeze and lifting XRP toward $1.10. XRP and BTC volatility sparks interest in UE Crypto’s contract-based cloud mining as an alternative income option. XRP has recently staged a strong rebound, with its price briefly…
Bitcoin has climbed toward $73,000 after a record short squeeze and falling U.S. Treasury yields powered an 11% rally, but analysts have warned that continued ETF and spot demand will decide whether the breakout holds. Summary Bitcoin has gained about 11% in 24 hours and reached a two-month high near $73,000. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs drew $517 million on Aug. 19, their strongest inflow since May. Nearly $2.7 billion in bearish crypto positions were liquidated as Bitcoin broke above $70,000. Analysts see ETF demand, Treasury yields and U.S. political progress as the next tests. Bitcoin’s short squeeze has accelerated the…
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has said Bitcoin could be entering its next bull cycle as the asset trades above $72,000 ahead of a key U.S. Senate vote on crypto legislation. Summary Bitcoin has climbed above $72,000 after gaining more than 11% within 24 hours. Armstrong identified the September CLARITY Act vote as the market’s next major policy event. The Sep. 15 Senate action is a procedural vote, not a final decision on the bill. US spot Bitcoin ETFs attracted $517 million on Aug. 19, according to SoSoValue. Armstrong sees a possible Bitcoin bull cycle In an Aug. 20 interview with…