Solana-Based TBD Raises $3M for Verified Opinion Markets

TBD, a Solana-based prediction market protocol focused on verified human opinion, has raised $3 million in a seed round led by crypto venture firms.

By Julia Sakovich Updated 1 min read

Solana-based protocol TBD has raised $3 million in a seed round co-led by CMT Digital and ParaFi, with participation from Jump Crypto, as it launches publicly following a private beta. The platform combines verified polling with permissionless prediction market trading, positioning itself at the intersection of identity, markets, and onchain data.

The protocol operates on the Solana network and requires World ID verification for voting while keeping market trading open to all participants. Each market is directly tied to a poll outcome, differentiating it from traditional event-based prediction platforms and emphasizing authenticated human sentiment in digital environments.

The raise comes as investors increasingly back infrastructure focused on verifiable identity and AI-resistant data sources. By linking identity-gated polling with onchain incentives and stablecoin rewards, TBD aims to create scalable mechanisms for measuring human opinion while generating revenue through trading fees and market activity.

Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.

DeFi & FinTech, Markets & Trading, News

Stripe Executive Sees Surge in AI Agent Commerce

Stripe’s co-founder John Collison expects rapid growth in AI agent-driven commerce powered by stablecoins and high-throughput blockchains.

By Julia Sakovich Updated 1 min read

John Collison, co-founder and president of Stripe, said AI-driven commerce could expand significantly as autonomous software agents begin handling real economic transactions. He noted that stablecoins and high-throughput blockchains are structurally suited to support automated payments, capital allocation, and machine-to-machine commerce.

Stripe has been expanding its crypto infrastructure, including enabling AI agents to transact using stablecoins through programmable payment standards integrated with blockchain networks. The approach reflects broader fintech efforts to align AI automation with digital asset rails that allow continuous, low-cost settlement.

The comments come amid growing industry investment in the so-called agentic economy, where AI systems manage wallets and execute transactions independently. While the model offers efficiency gains for digital payments and services, recent operational failures and safety concerns underscore the need for robust safeguards as autonomous financial activity scales.

Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.

DeFi & FinTech, News

21Shares Lists STRC Yield ETP in Europe

21Shares has launched a new ETP on Euronext Amsterdam offering European investors exposure to Strategy’s preferred stock backed by its Bitcoin treasury. The product expands regulated crypto-linked investment access in Europe.

By Julia Sakovich Updated 1 min read

Asset manager 21Shares has launched the Strategy Yield ETP on Euronext Amsterdam, providing European investors with regulated exposure to a preferred security issued by Strategy, a major corporate holder of Bitcoin. The product trades under the ticker STRC NA and is accessible to both institutional and retail investors through standard brokerage accounts.

The ETP is linked to Strategy’s perpetual preferred stock and is backed by the firm’s sizable Bitcoin treasury, which holds hundreds of thousands of BTC. The structure is designed to offer dividend income while bridging traditional financial instruments with crypto-related corporate exposure, reflecting growing institutional demand for regulated digital asset products.

The listing marks 21Shares’ expansion into equity-linked exchange-traded products beyond pure crypto trackers. It also underscores a broader market trend in which asset managers are developing structured vehicles tied to digital asset balance sheets, as regulated investment wrappers gain traction across European markets.

Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.

Markets & Trading, News

Hong Kong to Issue First Stablecoin Licenses in March

Hong Kong plans to approve its first stablecoin issuer licenses in March as part of a broader push to formalize digital asset regulation. The government will also introduce new rules for crypto dealers and custodians this year.

By Julia Sakovich Updated 1 min read

Hong Kong will grant its first batch of stablecoin issuer licenses in March, according to Financial Secretary Paul Chan, signaling a further step in the city’s structured approach to digital asset regulation. The licensing regime for fiat-referenced stablecoins is already in place, with authorities aiming to support compliant and risk-controlled innovation.

The government also confirmed plans to introduce legislation this year covering digital asset dealers and custodians, expanding oversight beyond trading platforms and stablecoins. The move reflects a broader effort to strengthen regulatory clarity while aligning with emerging global standards for crypto supervision and tax transparency.

Regulators are increasingly prioritizing market liquidity and product development for professional investors. The Securities and Futures Commission is expected to introduce measures to enhance market depth, including support for derivatives, margin financing, and innovation initiatives, alongside continued development of tokenization frameworks and digital settlement infrastructure.

Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.

DeFi & FinTech, News, Regulation & Policy

Tether Market Cap Contracts for Second Straight Month

Tether’s market capitalization is on track for a second consecutive monthly decline, reflecting softer capital flows in the crypto market. Analysts say stalled stablecoin growth could weigh on broader recovery momentum.

By Julia Sakovich Updated 1 min read

Tether’s market capitalization is set to decline for a second consecutive month, falling about 0.8% to roughly $183.6 billion after a 1% drop in January. The back-to-back contraction marks a rare pullback in the world’s largest stablecoin supply and reflects weaker liquidity conditions across digital asset markets.

Shrinking stablecoin supply is often viewed as a signal of capital outflows, as dollar-pegged tokens such as USDT serve as primary funding instruments for crypto trading and cross-border transfers. Analysts note that muted inflows into US-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs and subdued trading activity have coincided with the slowdown in stablecoin expansion.

Meanwhile, growth in USD Coin has stabilized after rebounding from January lows to around $75 billion in market value, though it remains largely flat year to date. The broader stall across major stablecoins suggests constrained market liquidity, which may limit near-term momentum in bitcoin and the wider crypto ecosystem.

Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.

Altcoins, Markets & Trading, News

Vitalik Buterin Reduces ETH Holdings amid Price Slide

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin reduced his ether holdings by about 17,000 ETH in February as the asset declined sharply. The sales were executed gradually through small on-chain swaps.

By Julia Sakovich Updated 1 min read

Vitalik Buterin reduced his ether holdings by approximately 17,000 ETH in February, according to on-chain data tracking his attributed wallets. Balances declined from about 241,000 ETH to 224,000 ETH, with transactions routed through CoW Protocol in multiple smaller batches to limit market impact.

The gradual sales coincided with a roughly 37% drop in ether’s price over the past month, with the asset trading near $1,900. Compressed staking yields around 2.8% and broader market weakness have contributed to softer sentiment across major holders of Ethereum’s native token.

Buterin previously earmarked a similar amount of ETH, valued at nearly $43 million, to fund privacy, security, and open hardware initiatives. The measured execution strategy suggests treasury reallocation rather than a single liquidity event, while ongoing price declines continue to weigh on institutional and corporate ETH balance sheets.

Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.

Ethereum, News

Bitcoin Depot Mandates ID for All Crypto ATM Transactions

Bitcoin Depot will require identification for every transaction at its crypto ATMs, tightening compliance amid rising regulatory scrutiny over fraud and money laundering.

By Julia Sakovich Updated 1 min read

Bitcoin Depot, the largest crypto ATM operator in the United States, is rolling out mandatory identification checks for every transaction across its kiosk network. The policy shift comes as regulators and lawmakers increase scrutiny of crypto ATM operators over concerns tied to fraud, scams, and money laundering.

The company said the expanded verification process is designed to strengthen real-time monitoring and prevent misuse, including identity theft and account sharing. Previously, identification was required only for new users. The updated framework applies to all customers and transactions, reflecting heightened compliance expectations at both federal and state levels.

Crypto ATMs have faced mounting legal and regulatory pressure, with several states enacting stricter consumer protection measures such as transaction limits and enhanced disclosures. Bitcoin Depot has also been subject to state-level enforcement actions, underscoring broader efforts to align crypto infrastructure providers with traditional financial compliance standards as digital asset access becomes more mainstream.

Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.

Bitcoin, News

Bitcoin ETFs See $258M Inflows amid Institutional Selling

US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $258 million in inflows, even as institutional investors sold roughly 25,000 BTC in late 2025 and sentiment remained cautious.

By Julia Sakovich Updated 1 min read

US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds recorded approximately $257.7 million in net inflows on February 25, reversing a recent streak of redemptions as Bitcoin stabilized near $65,000. The daily inflows were the strongest since early February and helped offset the prior session’s outflows, returning weekly flows to positive territory after several weeks of net withdrawals.

Issuer-level data showed strong participation from major asset managers, with Fidelity Investments and BlackRock leading the inflow totals. Despite the rebound, total assets under management across US spot Bitcoin ETFs have declined significantly in 2026, reflecting softer demand and broader risk-off positioning across digital asset markets.

Institutional positioning also remained a key factor in market dynamics. Analysts estimated that advisers and hedge funds sold roughly 25,000 BTC in the fourth quarter of 2025, a relatively small portion of Bitcoin’s overall market capitalization but indicative of portfolio rebalancing. The mixed signals suggest that while long-term allocations persist, macro uncertainty and underwater supply levels continue to shape institutional engagement with crypto exposure.

Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.

Bitcoin, Markets & Trading, News

Polymarket Bets Top $3M on ZachXBT’s Next Crypto Exposure

A Polymarket market on which crypto firm ZachXBT may expose next has attracted nearly $3 million in volume. Traders currently assign the highest odds to Solana platform Meteora.

By Julia Sakovich Updated 1 min read

A prediction market on Polymarket tracking which crypto company investigator ZachXBT may accuse of insider trading has drawn nearly $3 million in trading volume ahead of a promised report. The on-chain analyst teased a “major investigation” set for release on February 26 but has not disclosed the target.

Traders currently assign the highest probability to Solana-based liquidity platform Meteora, with other candidates including Axiom, Pump.fun, Jupiter, and MEXC at lower odds. Market pricing reflects speculative positioning rather than verified evidence, as participants allocate capital based on expectations surrounding the upcoming disclosure.

The surge in activity underscores the growing role of blockchain-based prediction markets as sentiment indicators for unresolved events in the digital asset sector. While such markets aggregate trader conviction in real time, they do not provide factual confirmation and instead signal perceived risk, narrative momentum, and market attention across the crypto ecosystem.

Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.

DeFi & FinTech, Markets & Trading, News

Terraform Estate Sues Jane Street over 2022 TerraUSD Trades

Terraform’s wind-down trust has filed a lawsuit against Jane Street over alleged trading tied to the 2022 TerraUSD collapse. The case centers on claims of using non-public liquidity information.

By Julia Sakovich Updated 1 min read

The Terraform Labs wind-down trust has sued trading firm Jane Street, alleging it used non-public information to profit during the May 2022 collapse of TerraUSD. The complaint claims the firm gained advance insight into internal liquidity decisions and positioned trades as the algorithmic stablecoin lost its dollar peg.

The lawsuit follows earlier legal action targeting other trading firms tied to the Terra ecosystem’s collapse. Jane Street denied the allegations, calling the claims unfounded and stating it will defend itself in court. The case is expected to focus on whether privileged access to protocol communications constitutes a form of insider liability in crypto markets.

Terraform’s collapse in 2022 erased billions in investor value and contributed to broader market stress across the crypto asset sector. Legal proceedings tied to the fallout continue to shape regulatory and legal scrutiny around market conduct, information asymmetry, and accountability in decentralized finance.

Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.

Altcoins, Markets & Trading, News

Step Finance Winds Down After $40M Treasury Hack

Solana-based Step Finance is shutting down after a $40 million security breach drained its treasury. The firm said financing and acquisition efforts failed in the aftermath.

By Julia Sakovich Updated 1 min read

Solana-based portfolio management platform Step Finance said it will cease operations after a January 31 security breach drained approximately $40 million from its treasury and fee wallets. The company stated that efforts to secure external financing or pursue acquisition talks were unsuccessful in the weeks following the incident.

The shutdown affects Step Finance and its subsidiaries, including media outlet SolanaFloor and tokenized equities platform Remora Markets. While SolanaFloor will maintain an archive of past content, new reporting will stop. Remora Markets said it remains operationally isolated from the breach and is developing a redemption process for rToken holders.

Founded in 2021, Step Finance positioned itself as a dashboard aggregating liquidity pools, yield farms, and positions across most Solana protocols. The closure underscores ongoing security and liquidity risks within decentralized finance, particularly for platforms heavily reliant on treasury reserves to sustain operations.

Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.

News, Technology & Security

RedotPay Considers US IPO at $4B Valuation

Stablecoin payments firm RedotPay is reportedly evaluating a US IPO that could raise over $1 billion and value the company above $4 billion. The move follows a year of significant fundraising and rapid user growth.

By Julia Sakovich Updated 1 min read

Hong Kong-based stablecoin payments firm RedotPay is reportedly considering a US initial public offering that could raise more than $1 billion and value the company at over $4 billion, according to a report citing sources familiar with the matter. The company is said to be working with major investment banks on a potential New York listing, though terms remain under review and subject to change.

Founded in 2023, RedotPay offers stablecoin-linked payment cards, multicurrency wallets, and cross-border payout services. The company claims to serve around 6 million users and process roughly $10 billion in annualized payment volume, positioning itself within the expanding digital payments infrastructure segment.

The reported IPO discussions follow a strong fundraising year in 2025, during which RedotPay secured $194 million across three funding rounds and reached unicorn status. The development reflects continued institutional interest in stablecoin-focused payment platforms as venture capital increasingly targets crypto infrastructure and financial technology integration.

Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.

DeFi & FinTech, Markets & Trading, News

Binance Stablecoin Reserves Drop amid Liquidity Tightening

Stablecoin reserves on Binance have declined nearly 19% since November, reflecting weaker inflows and broader liquidity tightening across crypto markets.

By Julia Sakovich Updated 1 min read

Stablecoin reserves on Binance have fallen roughly 18.6% since November, declining from about $50.9 billion to near $41.4 billion, according to market analytics data. The drop comes as crypto markets face a prolonged liquidity slowdown, with stablecoin flows often used as a proxy for investor capital ready to be deployed into digital assets. Despite the contraction, Binance still holds the majority share of exchange-based stablecoin reserves, underscoring its systemic role in market liquidity.

Analysts note that falling exchange reserves typically signal capital moving off-platform or back into fiat rather than remaining in stablecoins for reinvestment. The trend aligns with broader stagnation in total stablecoin market capitalization, which has plateaued after a multi-year expansion and now reflects more cautious investor positioning across risk assets.

Macro conditions are also contributing to the liquidity backdrop. With interest rates expected to remain elevated and monetary policy staying restrictive, cross-market capital flows into crypto have softened. In this environment, sustained stablecoin inflows are increasingly viewed by institutional participants as a key indicator of renewed market momentum and improved trading depth.

Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.

Altcoins, DeFi & FinTech, Markets & Trading, News

Canaan Expands into Texas Mining Infrastructure

Canaan acquired a 49% stake in three operational Texas mining facilities for nearly $40 million, deepening its shift from hardware manufacturing to infrastructure ownership.

By Julia Sakovich Updated 1 min read

Canaan has purchased a 49% stake in three operating Bitcoin mining projects in Texas for $39.75 million, expanding its footprint beyond hardware manufacturing into infrastructure operations. The assets, known as the ABC Projects, include 120 megawatts of power capacity and approximately 4.4 EH/s of hashrate, with renewable-focused partner WindHQ retaining a 51% stake.

The deal also includes 6,840 deployed Avalon A15Pro mining rigs and access to low-cost electricity priced below $0.03 per kilowatt-hour within the ERCOT grid. The acquisition was financed through a share issuance, reflecting a capital-light strategy to secure long-term exposure to operational power and scalable mining capacity in a competitive market environment.

The move aligns with a broader industry trend of miners vertically integrating into energy and infrastructure as margins tighten and institutional competition increases. With several mining firms reallocating power assets toward AI and high-performance computing, Canaan’s investment highlights the growing convergence between crypto mining, energy markets, and data center infrastructure.

Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.

Bitcoin, News

Austria Halts New Business at KuCoin EU Exchange

Austria’s financial regulator has barred KuCoin’s EU entity from onboarding new customers, citing gaps in key AML and sanctions compliance roles.

By Julia Sakovich Updated 1 min read

Austria’s Financial Market Authority has prohibited KuCoin’s EU exchange from conducting new business, citing deficiencies in internal organizational requirements tied to anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing, and sanctions oversight. The Vienna-based entity is now restricted from onboarding new customers or launching new products until critical compliance functions are adequately filled.

KuCoin said the issue followed the recent departure of two compliance professionals responsible for AML and sanctions roles, adding that recruitment efforts were already underway and some onboarding activities had been voluntarily paused. The exchange emphasized that the matter is operational in scope and not expected to materially alter its broader European expansion strategy.

The intervention comes only months after the firm secured a MiCA license, underscoring the tighter supervisory environment emerging across the European Union. Regulators are increasingly signaling that authorization under MiCA does not shield firms from ongoing governance scrutiny, particularly around staffing and compliance infrastructure, as Europe moves toward a more standardized and enforcement-driven crypto regulatory framework.

Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.

DeFi & FinTech, News, Regulation & Policy