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Dollar still king as euro stablecoin volumes halve. Here’s why, say analysts – DL News

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Dollar still king as euro stablecoin volumes halve. Here’s why, say analysts – DL News

  • Euro-denominated stablecoin spot volumes have plunged, according to a new report.
  • The tokens haven’t gained traction in the eurozone, where traders prefer dollar-dominated cryptocurrencies.
  • Still, some think the euro-backed stablecoin market is poised for rapid growth.

Dollar-denominated stablecoins are booming, but their euro-backed counterparts are failing to gain traction — at least for now.

Data compiled by crypto research firm Kaiko found that monthly euro-denominated stablecoin spot volumes plunged from near $200 million in early 2024 to around $100 million this year.

“Euro-backed stablecoins have collectively failed to generate meaningful trading activity despite MiCA’s regulatory framework intended to give an advantage to compliant European issuers,” Kaiko said in a report this week.

Stablecoins are a $315.8 billion market, according to DefiLlama data.

Since US President Trump signed the Genius Act last year to regulate tokens, top companies such as Visa, Mastercard, Amazon, and BlackRock have accelerated their stablecoin offerings and business ventures.

MiCA was supposed to help

The European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation, or MiCA, was enacted in 2023 and sets clear rules for entities seeking to issue cryptocurrencies such as stablecoins.

But despite the comprehensive legislation, euro-denominated stablecoins still aren’t being used, according to Kaiko.

Instead, traders use dollar-denominated tokens to make their bets. Their euro counterparts “add currency conversion friction without meaningful benefits,” Kaiko said.

Case in point: Tether, the issuer of the biggest stablecoin in existence, USDT, stopped minting the euro version of its flagship cryptocurrency in 2024.

Cary,,North,Carolina,-,August,12,2025:,Tether,Logo,On

The euro-backed token EURT had low trading volume compared to USDT before it was sunset.

“While volumes are at $1.5 billion to 2 billion monthly, this pales in comparison to USD stablecoins’ $1 trillion+ monthly, roughly a 200x difference that demonstrates regulatory approval cannot create adoption without underlying demand,” the report noted.

Still time for growth?

Others still think the eurozone could compete with the US on stablecoins.

In a report last month, S&P Global Ratings said it expected the European market to surge as banks rush to keep up with the US and ultimately earn fees from institutional clients dealing in blockchain-based assets.

Stablecoins will grow in Europe.

The credit rating agency said it expected the market to surge from €650 million to €1.1 billion by 2030 — or $749 million to $1.2 billion.

A group of 12 European banks — including UniCredit, BNP Paribas, and BBVA — have joined forces to launch a euro-denominated stablecoin, which is expected to be released this year.

Mathew Di Salvo is a news correspondent with DL News. Got a tip? Email at mdisalvo@dlnews.com.

NYSE Parent Firm ICE Finalizes $600M Investment In Polymarket — Details

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NYSE Parent Firm ICE Finalizes $600M Investment In Polymarket — Details

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In the latest development, Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), announced that it has completed a fresh $600 million direct cash investment in Polymarket. This move aligns with the firm’s earlier commitment to invest up to $2 billion in one of the world’s largest prediction market platforms.

ICE Investment In Prediction Markets Rises To $1.6 Billion

On Friday, March 27th, NYSE’s parent company, Intercontinental Exchange, revealed that it has completed a new $600 million direct cash investment in crypto prediction market platform Polymarket. This cash investment comes as the firm’s participation in an equity capital fundraising round by the prediction market platform.

According to the announcement, ICE also expects to complete the acquisition of up to $40 million of Polymarket securities from certain existing holders. As mentioned earlier, this equity injection ties into the $2 billion investment arrangement that the Intercontinental Exchange made with the platform late last year.

Polymarket

Source: The Intercontinental Exchange

In October 2025, ICE completed an initial $1 billion direct cash investment in Polymarket, with the latest $600 million deal bringing its commitment to $1.6 billion so far. With its bet on Polymarket particularly increasing, Intercontinental Exchange’s investments represent significant institutional validation for the burgeoning prediction markets industry.

According to multiple reports, Polymarket’s fiercest competitor, Kalshi, recently completed a $1 billion raise with a $22 billion valuation, reflecting the rise of the prediction market industry. However, the industry has seen some regulatory hiccups over the past few months, especially with state-level authorities in the United States.

Despite receiving the Commodities Futures Trading Commission’s approval in 2025, Polymarket (and other prediction market platforms) have been banned from offering event contracts in certain US states. About 11 US states have taken legal action against prediction market platforms, accusing them of operating illegally in their jurisdiction.

Polymarket Outlines Insider-Trading Rules For Users

It hasn’t been all rosy for Polymarket on the federal level, either, as the issue of insider trading has generated significant scrutiny multiple times over the past few months. Specifically, this issue has sparked national security concerns as government insiders are feared to be trading using confidential information on the prediction markets.

Earlier, the prediction market platform unveiled an update to its “Market Integrity” rules to preemptively block politicians, candidates, and sports insiders from trading on related markets. The new language explicitly prohibits trading on stolen or confidential information if it would violate a duty of trust or confidence (classic insider‑trading standard).

These new guardrails, although they came after intense scrutiny, will be aimed at reducing instances of market manipulation and, ultimately, making the prediction markets fair and transparent.

Polymarket

The total crypto market cap on the daily timeframe | Source: TOTAL chart on TradingView

Featured image from The Information, chart from TradingView

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Tether signs KPMG to execute audit of $184bn stablecoin giant: Report – DL News

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Tether signs KPMG to execute audit of $184bn stablecoin giant: Report – DL News

  • KPMG and PwC will assist with Tether’s first-ever Big Four audit.
  • Tether CEO previously said the company was too risk for major accounting firms.
  • The company has paid hefty fines to US regulators in the past.

After more than a decade since its inception, two eight-figure settlements with US regulators, and ambitious expansion measures, Tether is finally getting its Big Four audit.

The Financial Times reported on Friday that the crypto industry’s largest stablecoin issuer had signed on KPMG to conduct an audit of the firm.

The outlet added that PwC would assist with preparing internal systems, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Tether and PwC did not immediately respond to a request for comment. KPMG declined to comment.

The 12-year-old stablecoin company, which boasted $10 billion in profits in 2025, announced the news on Tuesday but did not share the name of the auditing firm.

“At a scale rarely seen outside the world’s largest sovereign institutions and encompassing a uniquely complex mix of digital assets, traditional reserves, and tokenised liabilities, this audit marks a defining moment not only for Tether, but for the evolution of modern finance itself,” the company said.

The move comes just as larger financial institutions are taking a closer look at digital assets and landmark stablecoin legislation passed in the US last summer.

Now, Tether is looking to tap into this momentum — and clear its chequered past.

Hello! This chart will be available in a few moments

Tether’s USDT is the largest stablecoin on the market. Source: DefiLlama.

Big Four question answered

In 2024, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino told DL News that Big Four accounting firms — Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG — were afraid to work with Tether because they feared it would damage their reputations.

“So you are a Big Four auditing firm, and you have the entire banking industry that is your customer,” Ardoino said.

“Why would you risk 100,000 customers for a couple of stablecoins?”

Much has changed since then.

For starters, Tether’s USDT stablecoin is now worth $184 billion, more than 70% larger than in April 2024.

Second, stablecoins are now subject to federal supervision following the passage of the Genius Act last summer.

The bill also paved the way for the launch of Tether’s USAT stablecoin in the US. Bo Hones, who previously served an advisory role for the White House on crypto, is the CEO of the company’s US-based firm.

Ex-White House crypto lead Bo Hines joins Tether as $167bn stablecoin giant eyes US entrance.

This appears to have been enough to derisk taking on Tether’s business.

Run-in with regulators

Tether has long been scrutinised for failing to execute a formal audit from a large accounting firm.

It’s also had run-ins with regulators over its reserves reporting.

In 2021, the company settled with the New York Attorney General’s office over misrepresentations regarding the backing of its USDT stablecoin. Tether and Bitfinex, its sister company also founded by Ardoino, paid $18.5 million.

That same year, Tether paid a $41 million fine to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission after the CFTC accused the stablecoin firm of making “untrue or misleading statements” regarding its US dollar reserves.

Update, March 27: KPMG declined to comment.

Liam Kelly is DL News’ Berlin correspondent. Contact him at liam@dlnews.com.

Ethereum price outperforms S&P 500 since Iran war. Ditch gold, buy crypto, says Tom Lee – DL News

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Ethereum price outperforms S&P 500 since Iran war. Ditch gold, buy crypto, says Tom Lee – DL News

  • Ethereum has outperformed global benchmarks like the S&P 500 and gold since the Iran war began.
  • Crypto has proven to be a better store of value than gold during the conflict, says Tom Lee.

Cryptocurrencies have lost almost half of their value since October — and this, Tom Lee says, is the perfect time to ditch your gold investments and bet on digital assets.

The head of research at Fundstrat Global Advisors and chair of Bitmine Immersion Technologies, a digital asset treasury that invests heavily in Ethereum, offered that advice in a clip posted on the former company’s YouTube channel on Thursday, just as Ether’s price took a 3% nosedive over the past 24 hours.

“For the next year, I think that’s a money trade,” Lee said.

“As a wartime store of value, crypto looks a lot stronger. Crypto has been outperforming since the war started while gold has actually underperformed,” he said.

The call comes amid a $2 trillion downturn in the crypto market since October that has left most tokens heavily bruised, while other asset classes, like gold and stocks, soared to new highs in early 2026. Bitcoin is down 45% from its October peak while Ethereum has fallen nearly 60%. Many popular memecoins have plunged over 90%.

Hello! This chart will be available in a few moments

Ethereum has fallen nearly 60% from its all-time high.

Ethereum bull case

But the tables have turned since the US-Israeli war on Iran began in late February — at least for Ethereum.

Since then, Ethereum is up 17% on a relative basis compared to the S&P 500, and has outperformed all major global market benchmarks including Bitcoin, Gold, Real Estate, MSCI World Energy and Mag-7 tech stocks, Fundstrat’s March research report shows.

To be sure, Lee warns of lingering risk stemming from the war in the Middle East.

“The US is at war with Iran. There’s misinformation. Investors are risk-averse. They want to sit on the sidelines. It’s very difficult to navigate markets like this,” he said.

Lee has long been a big supporter of Ethereum and forecasts the network’s Ether token will eventually hit $250,000.

Bitmine purchased another $133 million of Ether earlier this week, and now holds over $9 billion worth, the firm said.

Lee’s optimism is shared by institutions including BlackRock, the world’s largest investment manager overseeing $14 trillion, which launched a new Ethereum exchange-traded fund on March 12.

They see Ethereum as a key technology for tokenisation — the representation of traditional financial assets using blockchain-based tokens — as a means of lowering barriers to investment.

Despite the number two crypto stalling near $2,000, “key progress at the Ethereum protocol level continues to advance,” Tim Sun, senior researcher at HashKey, told DL News.

Sun said that Ethereum’s key thesis as an institutional-grade settlement layer remains intact, despite the market action.

“In this context, the market’s current discounting of Ether and related assets reflects a shift in sentiment and risk preference more than a fundamental rejection of the core thesis,” he said.

Lance Datskoluo is DL News’ Europe-based markets correspondent. Got a tip? Email him at lance@dlnews.com.

Next Crypto to $1? APEMARS Stage 14 Explodes With 3,090% ROI as SPX6900 & Pepe Hype

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Next Crypto to $1? APEMARS Stage 14 Explodes With 3,090% ROI as SPX6900 & Pepe Hype

Crypto markets are buzzing as SPX6900 surges following recent institutional backing, and Pepe captures headlines with viral social media attention. Traders everywhere are looking for the next big move, searching for the next crypto to hit $1. Amid this frenzy, APEMARS ($APRZ) enters the stage with a presale designed to reward early participants, offering astronomical ROI potential and a journey to Mars-themed profits.

The excitement around SPX6900 and Pepe shows that the market is ready for a breakthrough, but APEMARS presale is already outshining competitors. With Stage 14 live at only $0.00017238 and a listing price of $0.0055, investors are looking at a 3,090% ROI. Tokens are moving fast, holder count is growing, and the presale structure ensures scarcity and momentum, this is your chance to join the next crypto to hit $1.

Why APEMARS ($APRZ) Is The Next Crypto To Hit $1

The APEMARS ($APRZ) presale is creating massive FOMO in the crypto world. Currently at Stage 14 (DRIFT KING), with a price of $0.00017238 and listing price of $0.0055, investors are seeing the potential for a 3,090% ROI. Over 22.82 billion tokens have already sold, raising $345k+ with 1,485+ holders onboard. The presale is structured to reward early buyers, and each stage brings scarcity and momentum that can push the token towards $1.

Narrative-Driven Presale Structure: A Journey To Mars

APEMARS presale spans 23 stages, mirroring a 225M km journey to Mars. Each stage lasts one week or until sold out. Early stages offer higher supply and lower prices, while later stages tighten supply. This ensures momentum is always moving and early investors are rewarded with maximum potential returns.

Scheduled Burn System: Driving Scarcity And Value

APEMARS implements a deflationary model with burn events at Stages 6, 12, 18, and 23. Unsold tokens from completed stages are permanently burned, visibly reducing supply and increasing scarcity. Early participation is key, and these burns ensure lasting value for token holders.

How To Buy APEMARS ($APRZ)

Buying APEMARS ($APRZ) is simple:

  1. Visit the official APEMARS presale website.
  2. Connect your Ethereum-compatible wallet.
  3. Select the amount you wish to invest in Stage 14.
  4. Confirm transaction and secure your tokens instantly.
  5. Join the community and track presale progress for future stages.

Investment Scenario: Turn $4,000 Into Massive Profits

Imagine investing $4,000 in APEMARS ($APRZ) at Stage 14:

  • Stage 14 price: $0.00017238 → Listing price: $0.0055
  • ROI potential at listing: 3,090% → $4,000 could become $123,600
  • If APEMARS hits $1: $4,000 → $23,200,000
  • If it hits $5: $4,000 → $116,000,000

For investors struggling to find a project with true moon potential, APEMARS presale offers a rare, structured, and community-driven opportunity. Join now, secure your stake, and ride the next crypto to hit $1.

SPX6900: Institutional Support Drives Buzz

SPX6900 has been making waves recently with growing institutional interest, signaling confidence in crypto markets. While it garners attention, APEMARS presale remains the opportunity for early investors to maximize gains.

Institutional backing often acts as a strong validation signal, bringing liquidity, stability, and long-term confidence to a project like SPX6900. Analysts are closely watching its price action as smart money flows in, suggesting that larger players are positioning themselves early. However, history shows that the biggest profits are usually captured before institutions arrive, during early-stage entries like presales. This is where APEMARS creates a unique edge, giving retail investors a chance to enter before mainstream adoption kicks in.

Pepe: Viral Sensation Keeps Market Hype Alive

Pepe continues trending as social engagement drives price movement. Though Pepe captures headlines, APEMARS ($APRZ) presale offers real structure, scarcity, and astronomical ROI potential, making it the next must-buy crypto.

The strength of Pepe lies in its community-driven momentum, where viral trends and meme culture push rapid price spikes. Social media platforms continue to amplify its reach, attracting new traders looking for quick gains. However, such hype cycles can be unpredictable and short-lived. In contrast, APEMARS combines the excitement of meme culture with a well-planned presale structure, giving investors both hype and long-term value. This balance positions APEMARS as a smarter entry point for those seeking sustainable growth alongside explosive potential.

APEMARS

Conclusion

With SPX6900 and Pepe dominating the headlines, the crypto world is ready for the next breakout. APEMARS ($APRZ) presale is live, structured, and rewarding early participants with massive ROI potential. Stage 14 is already generating FOMO, and every token sold increases scarcity for later stages. Don’t miss this chance to invest in the next crypto to hit $1 and ride the momentum to Mars-themed profits.

The best crypto to buy now is clear: APEMARS ($APRZ). Early investors are securing their stake before prices rise exponentially. With a deflationary model, staking opportunities, and a growing community, APEMARS is designed to reward strategic participation. Join the presale today and ensure you don’t regret missing out on the next big crypto phenomenon.

Market comparisons highlighted here mirror the research shared by the best crypto to buy now.

APEMARS

For More Information:

Website: Visit the Official APEMARS Website

Telegram: Join the APEMARS Telegram Channel

Twitter: Follow APEMARS ON X (Formerly Twitter)

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Next Crypto To Hit $1

What Makes APEMARS ($APRZ) Special?

APEMARS presale offers structured stages, scheduled burns, and high ROI potential, making early participation highly rewarding for investors seeking the next crypto to hit $1.

How Can I Participate In The APEMARS Presale?

Connect an Ethereum-compatible wallet to the official APEMARS presale site, select your investment amount, confirm the transaction, and your tokens are instantly secured.

Is $APRZ A Good Investment Right Now?

With Stage 14 live, ROI potential of 3,090%, and listing price of $0.0055, APEMARS ($APRZ) is positioned as a high-potential crypto opportunity.

Can APEMARS Reach $1?

APEMARS ($APRZ) is designed with scarcity, deflationary burns, and structured presale stages, making the $1 target plausible for early investors.

Article Summary

APEMARS ($APRZ) presale is live and designed to reward early investors with astronomical ROI. Stage 14 offers 3,090% potential, and the deflationary burns increase scarcity. SPX6900 and Pepe maintain market hype, but APEMARS is structured for strategic investors aiming for the next crypto to hit $1.







Ethereum Struggles Below $2,000 As Volume Dries Up And Bears Dominate

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Ethereum Struggles Below $2,000 As Volume Dries Up And Bears Dominate

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Ethereum continues to struggle below the critical $2,000 level, with price losing momentum as volume fades and selling pressure builds. The lack of strong buyer interest leaves the market vulnerable, allowing bears to maintain control while key support levels come into focus.

$2,000 Breakdown Signals A Shift In Market Structure

Ethereum has just broken below the $2,000 level, a key zone that has been on watch for weeks. According to CyrilXBT, the price is currently trading around $1,985. This level has acted as a strong pivot for sentiment, and slipping beneath it signals a clear shift in control.

Each time Ethereum tested the $2,000 level, it managed to bounce and maintain strength. However, this time is different, as price has now closed below it, turning former support into potential resistance. That kind of transition often marks a bigger change in market behavior, especially when followed by continued weakness.

Volume has also declined noticeably, suggesting a lack of strong buying interest at this level. Without conviction, the price struggles to find the momentum needed for a meaningful recovery. This type of low-volume environment often leads to slower moves, but it can also precede larger impulsive drops if sellers step in aggressively.

Ethereum
Source: Chart from CyrilXBT on X

Looking ahead, the $1,750 macro trendline stands out as the last major support on the chart, and price is gradually approaching it. A break of that level would open the door to a deeper retracement, while a strong defense could spark a temporary relief bounce. On the upside, the EMA 200 at $2,758 remains far above current levels, emphasizing how much Ethereum has deviated from its broader trend.

A reclaim of $2,100, followed by a strong hold above it, would be necessary to shift the current outlook and signal that buyers are regaining control. Until then, Ethereum remains under pressure, with momentum favoring the downside, making it one of the weakest setups on the watchlist.

Ethereum Breakout Potential: No Certainty

In a recent analysis by Bitcoinsensus, Ethereum is seen pressing against a well-defined trendline that has already been tested multiple times. The repeated rejection from this line highlights its strength as a key resistance zone, where sellers continue to step in and defend control.

Each retest adds more pressure beneath the surface, gradually weakening the level over time. While the structure continues to hold for now, the more price interacts with this resistance, the more fragile it becomes, increasing the probability of a decisive move.

Another attempt could be enough to trigger a breakout if buying momentum steps in with enough strength. However, no outcome is guaranteed at this stage, and the price could easily face another rejection from this zone.

Ethereum
ETH trading at $1,997 on the 1D chart | Source: ETHUSDT on Tradingview.com

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from Tradingview.com

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.

Cathie Wood’s Ark Invest Dumps Meta, Nvidia and Bitcoin ETF Shares in Major Tech Sell-Off

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Cathie Wood’s Ark Invest Dumps Meta, Nvidia and Bitcoin ETF Shares in Major Tech Sell-Off

In brief

  • Ark Invest parted with nearly $41 million in META and $26 million in NVDA shares on Thursday.
  • Cathie Wood’s firm also dumped around $11 million worth of shares in its Bitcoin ETF.
  • The sales come amid a sustained market downturn as uncertainty in Iran shakes stocks and crypto.

Ark Invest, the investment firm of notable tech investor Cathie Wood, shed millions of dollars’ worth of shares of major tech stocks on Thursday, significantly trimming positions in Nvidia and Meta while also diminishing its exposure to Bitcoin via its own Bitcoin ETF. 

The firm’s Thursday activity saw it part with nearly $41 million worth of Meta (META) and more than $26 million in Nvidia (NVDA), both of which have fallen further since the opening bell on Friday, dropping 2.98% and 1.55%, respectively. 

The prominent tech stocks have fared much worse over the last month, with META dropping more than 17% over that time to change hands around $531. The bulk of those losses—around 10%—have come in the last week as the social media platform lost a pair of social media addiction lawsuits that said it failed to protect young users. 

Nvidia has held up better, but still dipped around 5% in the last month as uncertainty surrounds the conflict in Iran. The firm was also hit with a class action lawsuit over alleged crypto mining revenue gaps. 

The actively managed ARK ETFs also saw considerable decreases in other popular tech stocks, like Google parent Alphabet (GOOG) and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), which it sold around $2.5 million and $7.5 million worth of, respectively. The pair have not been spared in Friday trading, dropping 1% and 2.27% since trading began.

Beyond the tech stocks, Ark Invest also divested from some crypto exposure on Thursday. The firm shed around $11 million worth of shares in its spot Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) and about $6.5 million in shares of crypto exchange Bullish. It also dumped nearly $5 million worth of Bitcoin proponent Jack Dorsey’s firm, Block (XYZ), which has a number of Bitcoin-centric products.

Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency, has now fallen around 4.8% in the last 24 hours to change hands around $66,020, briefly touching its lowest price since March 2 below $66,000. Meanwhile, Bullish has fallen nearly 3.5% in the last 24 hours, and is now down nearly 44% in the last six months of trading as the entire crypto market slides. 

Wood has been outspokenly optimistic about the future of Bitcoin, providing ambitious price forecasts—like $1.2 million per coin by 2030. But after Thursday’s sales, the firm only holds around $100 million in ARKB, enough to make it the 35th largest holding among actively managed ARK ETFs out of 96 total positions, according to data from Cathie’s Ark. 

Earlier this year, Wood said that she was not concerned about a bubble in AI, instead pointing to precious metals and the run in gold as the real bubble. As of Friday, gold was down around 20% from its yearly high, recently changing hands around $4,483 per ounce.

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ripple ceo says clarity act will pass soon – DL News

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ripple ceo says clarity act will pass soon – DL News

  • Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has said Clarity Act negotiations have “not been pretty.”
  • Still, he told FOX Business he’s confident the bill will get passed.
  • The Clarity Act has been in a deadlock as banking representatives and the crypto industry disagree over stablecoins.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has said that while the timeline for getting the Clarity Act over the line has been postponed, the crypto industry and lawmakers are closer than ever.

Speaking to Fox Business Friday, Garlinghouse said that the US needs to get the legislation over the line in order for America to be the “crypto capital of the world.”

“We need the Clarity act to get done,” he said. “I’m very optimistic — I was at dinner two days ago in Washington, DC, sat next to people who are much smarter than I am about how law gets made.”

“I’ll say that watching the sausage getting made here has not been pretty, but they gave me more optimism that we are going to get there,” he added.

Crypto executives, US banking representatives and regulators are currently hashing out the Clarity Act — or market structure bill —at the White House. Banking chiefs have clashed with the crypto industry over whether stablecoins will be able to pay customers yield.

US President Donald Trump this month appeared to side with the crypto industry, urging them to get the legislation over the line and telling banks not to hold the vital legislation hostage.

Sticking points

Garlinghouse added that the timeline has been slower-than-expected but that the bill should be ready by the end of May.

The bill, which aims to set in stone digital asset regulation, has been in a deadlock since January, after the US’ biggest crypto exchange, Coinbase, pulled support for the bill.

The digital asset industry wants to pay clients yield on the stablecoins they hold but banking representatives have warned they could lose their deposit base as a result as customers flock to more attractive offers from crypto exchanges.

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon this month said crypto companies like Coinbase should be regulated like banks if they want to pay stablecoin rewards.

President Trump earlier this month said that he wanted Americans to “earn more money on their money.”

“The Banks are hitting record profits, and we are not going to allow them to undermine our powerful crypto agenda that will end up going to China, and other countries if we don’t get the Clarity Act taken care of,” he wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social.

Garlinghouse added that the legislation would ultimately help banks.

“If we get [the Clarity Act] codified into law, I think you’ll see more of the largest financial institutions in the United States and the world lean in more to the [crypto] industry,” he said.

‘Chat GPT moment of crypto’

Garlinghouse went on to say that stablecoins are what traditional financial firms will use to slowly edge into the crypto space.

Since President Trump signed the Genius Act last year to regulate tokens, top companies like Visa, Mastercard, Amazon, and BlackRock have accelerated their stablecoin offerings and business ventures.

Capitol,Hill,Building

“We’re seeing a ton of interest, and it’s partly because people are more aware of what’s going on in stablecoins,” he said.

“As a Citibank analyst said, it’s the Chat GPT moment of crypto — people are seeing stablecoins as they kind of the entry point into other blockchain-based and crypto solutions.”

Ripple, whose founders created XRP, now the fifth biggest cryptocurrency by market value, debuted its own stablecoin in 2024.

Mathew Di Salvo is a news correspondent with DL News. Got a tip? Email at mdisalvo@dlnews.com.

Tech stocks lead Friday selloff as crypto breaks lower and gold and silver spike

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Tech stocks lead Friday selloff as crypto breaks lower and gold and silver spike

Technology stocks fell Friday as a broader market selloff intensified, with geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran, rising Treasury yields, and mounting concerns over AI spending all weighing on sentiment.

The Magnificent Seven led the decline. Microsoft has been the weakest performer in recent weeks, down about 24% year to date and roughly 2% on Friday. Meta dropped around 4.3% on the day and is down about 18% this year, while Nvidia slipped 1.9% Friday and is off roughly 11% year to date.

Alphabet fell about 2.4% on the day and is down near 12% this year, Tesla dropped roughly 3% and is down around 17% year to date, and Amazon declined about 3.2% Friday with losses near 11% this year. Apple has been the most resilient, down about 7% year to date and only slightly lower on the day.

The broader market also weakened. The S&P 500 fell about 1.3% on Friday and is down roughly 6.5% year to date, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.8% on the day and nearly 15% this year. Treasury yields hovering near 4.5% are tightening financial conditions and raising the hurdle for risk assets.

Crypto, which had held up relatively well through early March, joined the selloff. Bitcoin fell below $66,000, Ethereum dropped under $2,000, and broader altcoins moved lower, reflecting a shift toward a more risk off environment across asset classes.

At the same time, traditional safe haven assets moved higher. Gold rose about 2.5% to near $4,500, while silver gained roughly 2% to around $70. Despite the rally, both metals remain in a broader downtrend, suggesting the move is more a short term reaction to geopolitical risk than a structural shift.

Geopolitics remain a key driver. Iran has threatened to disrupt traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil supply, while conflicting signals between US and Iranian officials on potential negotiations have added uncertainty. The risk of escalation has pushed energy prices higher and reinforced inflation concerns.

Investors are also increasingly questioning whether aggressive AI spending will translate into returns. Companies including Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon are expected to ramp capital expenditures into 2026, raising concerns that the return on investment may take longer to materialize.

Cost pressures are already showing up in workforce decisions. Meta this week cut around 700 employees as part of ongoing restructuring tied to its AI push, while Amazon has previously announced plans to reduce its workforce by about 16,000 roles.

One relative outlier has been Apple. Analysts point to its strategy of leaning on partnerships with OpenAI and Google for AI capabilities rather than building fully in house, helping limit near term spending pressure and supporting its relative performance.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Estefano Gomez. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.

Liberate Surpasses $100B in Premiums Processed Through the Industry’s First ‘System of Action for Insurance’

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Liberate Surpasses $100B in Premiums Processed Through the Industry’s First ‘System of Action for Insurance’

Liberate, the AI company purpose-built for insurance now processes premium volume exceeding $100B on behalf of insurers.

Liberate fundamentally shifts how insurance carriers and agents operate and serve their customers. Powered by an “always-on” AI agent Nicole, the Liberate System of Action for Insurance enables carriers and agencies to amplify policyholder satisfaction and unlock significant new growth and profitability by automating voice, SMS, email, and digital interactions so sales, service, and claims operations can become strategic advantages rather than cost centers.

“Our System of Action for Insurance represents a profound change in the insurance industry, which is quickly becoming the flagship vertical for enterprise AI adoption,” said Liberate Co-Founder and CEO, Amrish Singh. “Insurance companies are spending over $250B a year on a human middleware problem, where employees engage with numerous systems of record where policy, claims, billing, and customer data exists. But as AI becomes increasingly insurance-savvy, it’s clear the old model is inefficient, expensive, and ripe for transformation. The Liberate System of Action natively integrates with existing systems and executes insurance processes end-to-end.”

For years, the insurance industry has been driven by manual processes, requiring humans to key data into multiple systems. It’s an expensive, labor-intensive model, making it an ideal target for AI-driven efficiency gains.

Liberate already helps its insurer customers drive more than 10% revenue growth while cutting operating costs by 25% or more. Liberate’s AI agent, Nicole facilitates long-form conversations with customers in their native language, completes workflows inside core systems, and escalates exceptions to humans with full context 24/7.

Key to Liberate’s success is the speed at which they’re able to bolt-in to customers’ operations and deliver ROI. In some cases, Liberate fully onboards and delivers results in as little as six weeks. Additionally, Liberate provides insurers with several other powerful differentiators:

  • Insurance-Native System of Action: Liberate executes end-to-end insurance workflows in core systems resolving FNOL, quoting, payments, and more.
  • Supervisor Layer for Governance, Safety, and Auditability: A built-in control plane enables human oversight, audit trails, and strict guardrails to meet insurance-grade compliance and risk needs.
  • Production-Validated Long-Form Regulated Conversations: Liberate handles long, regulated, multi-turn insurance conversations across channels and is proven in production with leading insurers.

Learn more and request a demo at liberateinc.com. 

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