Coinbase's Deribit buy shows growing derivatives market

Coinbase’s agreement to buy Deribit highlights the increasing importance of financial derivatives for cryptocurrency exchanges, according to industry executives.  On May 8, Coinbase, the US’s largest crypto exchange by trading volume, agreed to acquire crypto derivatives platform Deribit for $2.9 billion in the crypto industry’s largest corporate acquisition to date.   The deal reflects increasing competition …

Bitcoin options could pave the path for new BTC price highs — Here is how

Key takeaways: 97% of the $8.3 billion in Bitcoin put options expire worthless at a $102,000 BTC price. Short covering above $105,000 could trigger a Bitcoin price rally to new highs. Bitcoin (BTC) soared above $101,000 on May 8, reaching its highest level in over three months. The 4.6% daily BTC price gain triggered $205 …

Former FTX exec's wife says gov't 'induced a guilty plea'

Michelle Bond, the wife of former FTX Digital Markets co-CEO Ryan Salame, who faces federal campaign finance charges, is pushing for dismissal on the grounds that US prosecutors deceived her husband in a plea deal. In a May 7 filing in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, Bond’s lawyers reiterated …

Mashinsky’s 12-year sentence sets tone of enforcement in Trump era

The US federal court for the Southern District of New York has sentenced former Celsius CEO Alex Mashinsky to 12 years in prison for fraud. Mashinsky’s legal team sought a light sentence. They highlighted his spotless record before the Celsius incident, along with his military service and willingness to plead guilty. But US prosecutors were …

Bitcoin hits $101.7K as US strategic reserve bills become law and BTC mass adoption accelerates

Key takeaways: Bitcoin rallies to $101,707 against a backdrop of strong fundamentals in the regulatory and traditional finance space. Traders are confident that $100,000 will hold as support. Bitcoin (BTC) price rallied above $100,000 on the heels of US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a “trade deal” with the UK, which could possibly include the …

US Stablecoin bill blocked as Democrats withdraw support

The Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins of 2025 Act, known as the GENIUS Act, failed to pass cloture in the United States Senate on May 8, dealing a slight blow to cryptocurrency regulation in the country. The bill, sponsored by Senator Bill Hagerty and co-sponsored by Senators Tim Scott, Kirsten Gillibrand, Cynthia …

Trump tricked into pushing XRP for crypto reserve: Report

US President Donald Trump was reportedly manipulated by a lobbyist tied to Ripple Labs into announcing the XRP token would be part of his plans for a national cryptocurrency reserve. According to a May 8 Politico report, an employee of pro-Trump lobbyist Brian Ballard gave the president the text to a social media post she …

SEC considers new rules easing security token issuance

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is considering rule changes to let companies more freely issue tokenized securities, SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce said in a speech published on May 8. The regulator is “considering a potential exemptive order” for firms using blockchain technology to “issue, trade, and settle securities” that would release them from …

Are layer 2s good for Ethereum, or are they ‘extractive?’

Layer 2s have been a great blockchain success story. They’ve reduced congestion on the Ethereum mainnet, driving down gas fees while preserving security. But maybe they’ve become too successful, drawing chain activity and fee income from the parent that spawned them? At least that’s what some are suggesting lately, most recently at Cornell Tech’s blockchain …

Missouri bill ending capital gains tax heads to governor for signature

Missouri House Bill 594, a bill that would eliminate capital gains tax in the US state, has passed a vote in the state House of Representatives and now heads to Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe’s desk for signature. According to attorney Aaron Brogan, the bill stipulates a 100% income tax deduction for any capital gains income …