Summary
gm, Major centralized exchanges are increasingly embracing DeFi capabilities. Bybit announced a DEX on Solana, Coinbase is integrating Base DEXs within its platform, and Kraken introduced Bitcoin staking through BABY tokens, reflecting a maturing DeFi infrastructure. In institutional news, Prenetics Global Limited made headlines with a $20 million Bitcoin treasury investment, while Revolut is exploring the launch of its own stablecoin amid growing regulatory clarity following the Senate's passage of the GENIUS Act. South Korea's financial regulator announced plans to introduce spot cryptocurrency ETFs by late 2025, marking a significant shift in the country's regulatory stance, while Bitcoin continues to trade sideways around the $104,000 level as market sentiment remains evenly divided between bullish and bearish outlooks.

News Headlines
💳 Visa Partners With Yellow Card to Roll Out Stablecoin Payments in Africa

  • Visa has partnered with Yellow Card Financial to enhance digital dollar adoption across Africa, aiming to promote stablecoin use for cross-border payments in emerging markets where access to US dollars is limited.
  • The collaboration plans to initiate stablecoin transactions with Visa in at least one African nation this year, addressing the significant demand for dollar-pegged stablecoins in the region, where they account for about 43% of total crypto transaction volume.

🔐 Kraken Debuts Bitcoin Staking Through BABY Tokens

  • Kraken has launched a Bitcoin staking feature allowing users to lock their BTC and earn rewards in $BABY tokens from the Babylon staking protocol, addressing the issue of idle Bitcoin held on the exchange.
  • The staking service will be available in the U.S. (except California and New York), the U.K., Australia, and UAE, following Kraken's previous regulatory settlement with the SEC regarding its staking services.

🏦 XBTO, Arab Bank Switzerland to Debut BTC Yield Product

  • XBTO has partnered with Arab Bank Switzerland to launch a Bitcoin yield product for the bank's wealth management clients, employing a "diamond-hands" strategy that sells BTC options to generate premiums and accumulate during market dips.
  • The product, regulated in Bermuda, targets annualized returns of approximately 5% with low volatility, reflecting growing institutional interest in Bitcoin yield products beyond traditional price appreciation methods.

🚀 Project 11 Raises $6M to Defend Bitcoin Against Quantum Computing Threats

  • Project 11 has secured $6 million in funding to enhance Bitcoin's security against the emerging threat of quantum computing, which could potentially compromise the cryptocurrency's cryptographic foundations.
  • As tech giants like IBM and Google advance quantum technology, the initiative aims to upgrade Bitcoin to quantum-safe cryptography, though some experts including Michael Saylor believe the risk is currently overstated compared to threats facing other systems.

🌐 Gradient Network Raises $10M to Develop AI Infrastructure Protocols on Solana

  • Gradient Network has raised $10 million to develop decentralized AI infrastructure protocols called Lattica and Parallax, which aim to utilize untapped computing power from everyday devices for running AI models.
  • The Solana-based solutions will enable peer-to-peer data communication and breaking down large AI models into smaller segments for local processing, preserving user privacy and potentially reducing costs compared to traditional cloud computing.

Market Metrics

Fundraising & VC
1. SparkChain AI (Strategic, $10.8M) - DePIN rollup and decentralized network
2. Units.Network (Undisclosed, $10M) - Modular Layer‑0 blockchain ecosystem

Regulatory
📱 Telegram's Durov Granted Permission to Leave France Temporarily

  • Telegram founder Pavel Durov has received court approval to temporarily leave France for a two-week trip to Dubai, following his arrest last year over allegations that Telegram was used to share illegal content.
  • French authorities previously allowed Durov to travel briefly under the condition of reporting to them twice weekly after paying a €5 million bond.

🌐 Coinbase Secures MiCA License for EU-Wide Operations

  • Coinbase has obtained a Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) license from Luxembourg, enabling it to operate across all 30 nations of the European Economic Area.
  • This achievement positions Coinbase alongside competitors like Bybit, OKX, and Crypto.com who have also secured MiCA licenses.

⚖️ Thailand's SEC Opens Consultation on Exchange Token Rules

  • Thailand's Securities and Exchange Commission has initiated a consultation on proposed regulations that would allow cryptocurrency exchanges to issue their own utility tokens.
  • The rules would require exchanges to disclose relationships with token issuers and implement measures to monitor illicit activities, including insider trading.

🏦 Kraken Relocates Global HQ to Wyoming, Citing Favorable Regulations

  • Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has moved its global headquarters to Cheyenne, Wyoming, establishing its first physical office since closing its San Francisco location in 2022.
  • The company cited Wyoming's favorable regulatory environment for digital asset companies as a key factor, with support from local lawmakers like Senator Cynthia Lummis.

⚡ Norway Considers Ban on New Crypto Mining Operations

  • Norway's government is exploring a temporary ban on new cryptocurrency mining operations that use power-intensive technology, potentially affecting Bitcoin and Dogecoin.
  • The ruling Labor Party argues that energy consumed by mining could be better allocated to community data centers and blockchain innovation that create jobs.

Technical Analysis
Bitcoin - Bitcoin is in a rising trend channel in the short term. This signals increasing optimism among investors and indicates continued rise. The currency is testing support at points 102400. This could give a positive reaction, but a downward breakthrough of points 102400 means a negative signal. Negative volume balance indicates that sellers are aggressive while buyers are passive, and weakens the currency. The currency is overall assessed as technically positive for the short term.

Ethereum - Ethereum has broken down from an approximate horizontal trend channel in the short term after investors have sold at ever lower prices. A negative signal has been triggered and further decline for the currency is indicated. The currency has broken down through support at points 2490. This predicts a further decline. Volume has previously been high at price tops and low at price bottoms. This weakens the trend break. The currency is overall assessed as technically negative for the short term.