Crypto & Web3

Open Standard launches equity-sharing stablecoin to rival Tether and Circle

A new stablecoin issuer called Open Standard has entered the market with a model designed to compete with industry giants Tether and Circle. The company is introducing a stablecoin called Open USD, which takes a distinct approach to growth and distribution. CEO Zach Abrams stated that the overwhelming majority of Open Standard's equity will be distributed to partners over time. The equity allocation will be tied directly to how much each partner contributes to growing the stablecoin's adoption. This incentive-driven structure sets Open Standard apart from the fixed ownership models of its major competitors.

CFTC Sends Swap Definition Rules to White House Amid State Gambling Disputes

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has submitted two rules related to event contract and swaps definitions to the White House for review. The move comes as the agency is engaged in ongoing disputes with several U.S. states over the regulation of prediction markets. The proposed definitions could potentially counter state-level claims that certain prediction market contracts constitute illegal gambling. By seeking federal-level clarification, the CFTC appears to be working to assert regulatory authority over these financial instruments. The outcome of the review may have significant implications for how prediction markets are classified and governed across the country.

Crypto Long & Short: What will the AI agents run on?

UK Opens Crypto Regulatory Application Window Ahead of 2027 Framework

The United Kingdom has launched a five-month application window for crypto firms seeking regulatory approval. The deadline for submissions falls in February, giving businesses a limited timeframe to comply. This process precedes the planned introduction of a new comprehensive crypto regulatory framework in October 2027. The framework comes after several years of legislative development in the country. Crypto firms operating in the UK are expected to apply within this window to meet future compliance requirements.

Petrobras pilots Cardano blockchain to track clean fuel emissions data

Brazilian state oil company Petrobras is testing the Cardano blockchain through two separate research projects. The initiative focuses on improving transparency and accuracy in tracking cleaner jet fuel and diesel. One key goal is preventing double-counting of emissions reductions, a common challenge in carbon accounting. The other project aims to trace fuel data across the full production and consumption lifecycle. The pilot reflects growing interest in blockchain technology as a tool for verifiable environmental reporting in the energy sector.

A stronger dollar is a weaker threat to bitcoin than traders think

Your day-ahead look for Sept. 30, 2026

Bitget Hackers Move $4M in Zcash Into Privacy Pool to Obscure Trail

Hackers behind the Bitget breach have transferred approximately $4 million worth of Zcash (ZEC) into a privacy-shielded pool called Ironwood. The movement involved three separate transfers, accounting for roughly 15% of the total stolen ZEC. Ironwood is a private transaction layer within the Zcash network that conceals sender identities, recipient addresses, and transaction amounts. This deliberate use of privacy technology significantly complicates efforts by investigators to trace or recover the stolen funds.

SEC Moves to Modernize Transfer-Agent Rules Amid Blockchain Fragmentation Concerns

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is updating its transfer-agent regulations in a move seen as long overdue by industry observers. Fairmint's Joris Delanoue warns that fragmented ownership data across token wrappers, special-purpose vehicles, broker ledgers, and off-chain databases poses serious systemic risks. He argues this fragmentation could trigger a modern equivalent of the 1960s 'Paperwork Crisis', when Wall Street was overwhelmed by a surge in paper-based securities records. The concern is that blockchain-era financial infrastructure, if poorly coordinated, could replicate the same operational failures that once forced U.S. stock exchanges to close early. Delanoue urges regulators and industry players to ensure unified, coherent ownership records as digital securities markets evolve.

OpenAI, Google and Meta agree to voluntary AI safety audits in White House deal

OpenAI, Google, and Meta are among six technology companies that have signed a voluntary AI safety agreement brokered by the White House. The pact commits the companies to accepting external audits of their artificial intelligence systems. Key areas of concern covered under the deal include cybersecurity threats and the potential misuse of AI for biological harm. However, the agreement carries no legal penalties for non-compliance and sets no firm deadlines for implementing the required safety checks.

Metaplanet Directors Defend Executive Pay Plan Amid Shareholder Backlash

Metaplanet's independent directors have pushed back against shareholder anger over a controversial executive compensation plan. The directors justified the payout by citing management's role in navigating financial risk and leading the company's restructuring efforts. However, their response left key questions unanswered, including details about CEO Simon Gerovich's exercised shares. Shareholders have also sought clarity on the role of MMXX Ventures in the arrangement, but no explanation was provided. The unresolved issues are likely to sustain investor scrutiny over the company's governance practices.

Bitcoin Slides Below $84,000 as Markets Await Key US Inflation Data

Bitcoin fell below $84,000 as traders adopted a cautious stance ahead of the release of the PCE inflation report, the Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation. Markets have been on edge following a month of oil-driven speculation around potential rate hikes. This sentiment pushed 30-year US Treasury yields to their highest levels since 2002. Investors are also watching Micron's upcoming earnings report for further market direction.

Bitcoin holds at $83K as Treasury yields surge; Lighter drops 17% on Robinhood news

Bitcoin remained steady near $83,000 even as the 30-year U.S. Treasury yield climbed above 5.6%, signaling broader macroeconomic pressure on risk assets. DeFi tokens, which had previously gained, reversed course during the same period. Lighter, a DeFi-related token, saw a sharp 17% decline following an announcement by Robinhood regarding plans to launch perpetual futures trading in the United States. The Robinhood perpetuals offering is seen as direct competition to existing decentralized derivatives platforms like Lighter. The developments highlight how traditional finance entrants continue to influence sentiment and pricing across the crypto market.

OpenAI Seeks $30B Funding Round at $1.4 Trillion Valuation

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is seeking $30 billion in new funding at a reported valuation of $1.4 trillion. The fundraising push comes after the company decided to delay its initial public offering. OpenAI has continued to expand its suite of artificial intelligence tools even as safety concerns surrounding its technology grow. The latest funding round signals strong investor appetite for the AI firm despite the postponed IPO timeline.

Gemini upgrades to Zcash's Zakura nodes, cutting block time to 25 seconds

Crypto exchange Gemini, owned by the Winklevoss twins, has switched to new Zakura software for its Zcash network nodes. The upgrade was made in anticipation of faster 25-second block times on the Zcash blockchain. In Gemini's deployments, the new Zakura nodes synced with the network in just over six hours. This marks a significant improvement over the exchange's previous software, which required nearly a full day to complete the same process.

HANetf Lists Currency-Hedged Bitcoin ETCs in London, Frankfurt and Paris

Asset management platform HANetf has launched new bitcoin exchange-traded commodities (ETCs) on major European exchanges. The products are listed in London, Frankfurt, and Paris, giving investors access to bitcoin exposure. The ETCs are hedged in pound sterling and euro, shielding European investors from fluctuations in the US dollar. This allows investors in the UK and eurozone to gain bitcoin exposure without taking on additional currency risk tied to the dollar.

Key Bitcoin Price Level in Focus as Bulls Brace for Potential Breakdown

Bitcoin is at a critical juncture as analysts closely monitor a key support price level. Market observers warn that a break below this level could signal trouble for bullish investors. The outcome at this price point is seen as a significant indicator of near-term market direction. Traders and analysts are watching closely to determine whether bulls can successfully defend the level.

Robinhood to Launch 24/7 AI Trading Agent and Crypto Perpetuals for Users

Robinhood has announced plans to introduce an AI-powered trading agent that can execute trades on behalf of its customers at any hour of the day. The feature aims to provide round-the-clock trading capability, even during off-hours such as the early morning. In addition to the AI agent, Robinhood is also set to offer crypto perpetual contracts, with leverage of up to 10x. The move signals Robinhood's push to expand its suite of advanced trading tools for retail investors. No specific launch date has been announced for either feature.

Brazil's $4T Fund Operator Mirrors Investment Records on XRP Ledger

A regulated Brazilian financial operator has begun recording investment fund ownership data on the XRP Ledger (XRPL). The initiative covers selected investment funds and reflects a broader move toward blockchain-based record management. However, the operator's existing internal database remains the official and authoritative record. The XRPL is being used as a mirroring layer rather than a replacement for the primary system. The development marks a significant institutional adoption of blockchain technology in Brazil's financial sector, which oversees approximately $4 trillion in assets.

Bitcoin Bull Momentum Fades Despite Key On-Chain Gauge Nearing Peak

Bitcoin's recent rally is showing early signs of losing steam, according to on-chain data from analytics firm CryptoQuant. A trend indicator tracked by the firm, referred to as a 'bull score' gauge, is approaching its maximum possible reading. Despite this near-perfect bullish signal, the buyers who pushed Bitcoin to an eight-month high are already beginning to retreat. The divergence between the indicator's peak reading and weakening buyer activity suggests the rally may be running out of fuel.

Robinhood Adds AI Tools, Crypto Derivatives and Weekend Trading for Active Users

Robinhood is rolling out a suite of new features aimed at attracting more active traders to its platform. The brokerage is expanding its trading hours to include weekends, giving users more flexibility to execute trades. It is also introducing perpetual futures, a form of leveraged cryptocurrency product popular among advanced crypto traders. Additionally, Robinhood is integrating AI-powered agents to enable automated trading capabilities. These moves signal the company's push to compete more aggressively for experienced, high-frequency investors.