Author: Tristan Lodenberg

Taiwan should reconsider adopting Bitcoin as a reserve asset to hedge against geopolitical uncertainty and the risk of military conflict, according to a report by the Bitcoin Policy Institute. Research fellow Jacob Langenkamp stated Tuesday that if China attempts reunification with Taiwan through a blockade or full invasion, Bitcoin could remain the only reserve asset fully accessible and spendable. He argued that gold could be stranded or seized and US dollar reserves might face restrictions, while Bitcoin would remain accessible without physical transport. Central Bank Concerns and Exposure to Dollar Risks Nation-states have increasingly explored strategic Bitcoin reserves, but the…

U.S. B-2 stealth bombers have struck Iranian nuclear sites with significant force, reportedly leaving nuclear dust that could prevent access for months. President Donald Trump claimed in a national address that the U.S. has destroyed key elements of Iran’s military and is close to achieving its war objectives. Trump’s Claims and Iran’s Response Trump stated that U.S. goals are “nearing completion” and vowed to “finish the job.” He also claimed Iran had requested a ceasefire, a claim that Tehran officially denied. The US Department of Defense secretary posted on X simply: “Back to the Stone Age,” echoing Trump’s warning. Israel…

Elon Musk’s aerospace company SpaceX has filed confidentially for an initial public offering with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, moving closer to what could become the largest public listing in U.S. history. Sources indicate the IPO could be finalized as early as June. Trillion-Dollar Valuation and Potential Fundraising SpaceX is expected to target a valuation exceeding $1.75 trillion, surpassing Meta Platforms, Tesla, and Bitcoin. The IPO could raise up to $75 billion, more than double Saudi Aramco’s 2019 record. The filing follows SpaceX’s acquisition of xAI, competing with AI firms OpenAI and Anthropic. OpenAI recently secured $122 billion, raising…

Li Xiong, identified as a key member of an alleged crypto-linked criminal network, has been extradited from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to China to face fraud and money laundering charges. According to official statements, the transfer took place on April 1 after coordination between Chinese authorities and Cambodian officials. A task force sent by China’s Ministry of Public Security escorted Li back to China following his detention in Cambodia. Authorities described Li as a core figure within the Chen Zhi criminal syndicate. He previously served as chairman of Huione Group, an organization accused of supporting scam centers operating across Cambodia and…

Bitcoin prices declined while crude oil surged above $100 per barrel following a national address by Donald Trump regarding the ongoing conflict with Iran. During the speech, the president stated that US forces were “very close” to completing military objectives under Operation Epic Fury and warned that Iran would be hit “extremely hard” over the next two to three weeks. Crude oil prices climbed to approximately $105.59 per barrel after the address, reflecting rising supply concerns linked to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Bitcoin dropped roughly 2.5%, trading near $66,604 as market uncertainty increased. Middle East Conflict Drives…

South Korea-based crypto exchange Bithumb is reportedly delaying its initial public offering until sometime after 2028, extending its listing timeline following earlier restructuring and regulatory challenges. Company officials indicated that preparations for a potential listing will continue through 2027. Chief Financial Officer Jeong Sang-gyun stated during the company’s annual shareholder meeting that Bithumb is strengthening accounting policies and internal controls as part of its preparation process. The exchange has already signed an IPO advisory contract with Samjong KPMG to support compliance and readiness. Regulatory Issues and Leadership Changes Affect IPO Strategy Shareholders recently reconfirmed CEO Lee Jae-won for a two-year…

Hong Kong has missed its anticipated end-of-March timeline for issuing its first stablecoin licences, with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) confirming that the approval process is still underway. Officials stated that licensing decisions will be announced in due course, though no revised schedule has been provided. The delay follows earlier guidance from HKMA Chief Executive Eddie Yue, who told lawmakers in February that only a limited number of issuers would be approved in the initial phase. Authorities are reviewing applicants based on use cases, risk management standards, anti-money laundering controls and the quality of reserve backing. Strict Regulatory Requirements…

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has indicated that the bank is considering entering the prediction markets sector, reflecting growing institutional interest in this rapidly expanding field. Speaking publicly, Dimon said the bank could explore such offerings in the future but emphasized that certain categories, including sports and political markets, would be excluded. He also stressed that strict compliance rules around insider information would guide any future activity. The comments highlight how major financial institutions are evaluating new financial products as demand for event-based trading continues to grow across both traditional and crypto-linked platforms. Goldman Sachs and Industry Rivals Explore Similar…

Bitcoin ended the first quarter of 2026 down 23.8%, closing at $66,619, marking its worst Q1 performance since 2018. The decline extends losses from Q4 2025, when bitcoin dropped 23% from $114,057 to $87,508, resulting in a six-month decline of about 41.6%. Factors Driving the Decline Analysts cited several factors contributing to bitcoin’s first-quarter fall. ETF outflows played a significant role, with spot bitcoin ETFs seeing $496.5 million in net outflows during Q1, including $1.8 billion in the first two months, partially offset by $1.32 billion inflows in March. Macro uncertainty, sticky inflation, and cautious Federal Reserve policy further weighed…

Bitcoin mining firm Cango Inc. has received a formal warning from the New York Stock Exchange after its share price remained below the required $1.00 threshold. The exchange issued the notice on March 10, stating that the company has six months to restore compliance by achieving both a closing price and a 30-day average of at least $1.00 per share. As of mid-session trading, Cango shares were priced at approximately $0.40, reflecting continued pressure on the company’s market valuation. New Capital Raised to Support Expansion Plans In response to financial pressure, Cango secured fresh funding to strengthen operations and support…