Author: Tristan Lodenberg

TD Securities believes tokenization is approaching a critical institutional milestone following the New York Stock Exchange move toward launching a tokenized equities alternative trading system. Reid Noch, vice president of electronic trading at TD Securities, described the initiative as more than a technological experiment, calling it a meaningful development for market structure. The proposed platform would allow 24-hour trading and near-instant settlement of tokenized stocks and ETFs, pending regulatory approval. Unlike crypto-native exchanges operating outside traditional finance, the system would function within existing U.S. regulations. Settlement and custody would remain connected to the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, while pricing…

The United States Department of Justice has filed a civil forfeiture action seeking to recover approximately $327,829 in Tether (USDT) allegedly tied to an online romance fraud scheme. According to a notice issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, the funds were connected to a scam that began in 2024 and targeted a Massachusetts resident. The suspect, identified in court documents as “Linda Brown,” allegedly persuaded the victim to transfer crypto under false pretenses. Investigators traced a portion of the stolen funds to several unhosted cryptocurrency wallets, which authorities seized in August 2025. Prosecutors argue that…

Near Protocol (NEAR) emerged as one of the strongest performers in the crypto market, climbing 13% over the past 24 hours. The sharp move reflects improving sentiment across digital assets and renewed interest in blockchain ecosystems showing measurable on-chain growth. Trading activity accelerated as investors responded to strengthening fundamentals rather than short-term speculation. The rally stands out against a more cautious tone in traditional equity markets, highlighting a shift in capital flows. On-Chain Metrics and Tightening Token Supply Recent data points to rising total value locked (TVL) within the Near ecosystem, signaling increased usage across decentralized applications. At the same…

Authorities in Hong Kong and Shanghai have agreed to explore a blockchain powered platform aimed at improving the efficiency of cross border cargo trade and trade finance. The initiative brings together the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Shanghai Data Bureau, and the National Technology Innovation Center for Blockchain under a newly signed memorandum of understanding. The partnership will focus on studying how a shared blockchain infrastructure can connect cargo trade data, electronic bills of lading and financial services applications. The research will be conducted within the framework of Project Ensemble, a program launched in 2024 to explore tokenized market infrastructure…

South Korea has initiated a cross-agency investigation into how public institutions manage seized digital assets after a serious operational failure exposed weaknesses in crypto custody practices. The review was ordered by Deputy Prime Minister Koo Yun-cheol following an incident involving the National Tax Service (NTS). Authorities confirmed that an official press release mistakenly included a photograph of a hardware wallet displaying its full recovery seed phrase. The wallet contained approximately 4 million Pre-Retogeum (PRTG) tokens, valued at nearly 6 billion won, or about $4.8 million. Shortly after publication, the funds were drained by unknown parties. Digital Asset Oversight Review Expands…

Bitcoin surged above $69,000 in early U.S. trading , rebounding from weekend lows even as geopolitical tensions escalated following U.S. strikes on Iran. The move came as equity markets proved more resilient than initially feared. Overnight, U.S. stock index futures had signaled losses of more than 2%. However, about an hour into the cash session, major benchmarks were only modestly lower, suggesting investors were digesting the geopolitical shock with caution rather than panic. Crypto Market Reaction and Macro Data Support The broader crypto market moved higher alongside bitcoin, while gold gained roughly 2% and crude oil jumped 7%. The U.S.…

Blockchain security firm PeckShield reports that crypto related hacks and scams totaled $26.5 million in February, marking the lowest monthly loss since March 2025. The figure represents a 69.2% decline compared to January, when losses exceeded $86 million. Out of 15 recorded incidents during the month, two exploits accounted for the majority of the damage. The largest involved a $10 million price manipulation attack on YieldBlox’s DAO-managed lending pool on Feb. 21. The second major incident targeted IoTeX, where attackers exploited a compromised private key, resulting in losses of approximately $8.9 million. Notably, February did not experience any large-scale “mega-hacks”…

Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has introduced legislation that would formally tax crypto gains and integrate digital assets into the country’s existing financial regulations. The draft bill, now under review in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, proposes a 10% withholding tax on profits earned through regulated crypto platforms. Under the proposal, licensed platforms operating within Turkey’s Capital Markets framework would deduct the tax quarterly, applying it to both individuals and corporations, regardless of residency status. Digital Asset Regulation and Presidential Authority The legislation also includes a 0.03% transaction tax on crypto service providers based on the…

Michael Saylor’s company, Strategy, has acquired an additional 3,015 bitcoin for approximately $204.1 million, according to a recent regulatory filing. The purchase was executed at an average price of $67,700 per bitcoin between Feb. 23 and March 1. With this latest transaction, the firm’s total bitcoin holdings now stand at 720,737 BTC, valued at roughly $47.5 billion at current market prices. The aggregate acquisition cost for these holdings is approximately $54.8 billion, including fees and expenses, translating to an average purchase price of $75,985 per bitcoin. Measured against bitcoin’s fixed 21 million supply cap, the company now controls just over…

U.S. equity futures moved lower in pre market trading after escalating hostilities between the United States, Israel and Iran unsettled global markets. The Nasdaq-100-tracking Invesco QQQ fell 1.5%, though losses showed signs of stabilizing later in the session. Oil and Gold Prices Pull Back After Surge Energy markets were volatile following reports of a Saudi refinery strike. West Texas Intermediate crude briefly touched $75 per barrel before easing below $72, still up roughly 8% over 24 hours. Gold climbed more than 2% to $5,400 per ounce, nearing record territory around $5,600, before retreating as traders locked in gains. Meanwhile, the…