Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

Table of contents

The most revealing statements at crypto conferences often come not from roadmaps or token announcements but from how industry veterans describe what their platforms are actually becoming. At the Digital Economy Conference (DECON) 2026 in Sydney, KuCoin’s Australian managing director James Pinch delivered a thesis that exchanges are now “the infrastructure behind everyday commerce,” according to the original report. The framing shifts the conversation away from exchange volumes and token listings toward a more structural role—one where the exchange stack powers a range of services that most end users never see.

The idea is not entirely new. Over the past two years, large centralized exchanges have aggressively built out custodial APIs, fiat on-ramp widgets, stablecoin issuance rails, and payment processing layers. What is changing is the strategic language: these are no longer side products but the core identity of the platform. An exchange, in this view, becomes the backend transaction engine for neobanks, e-commerce checkout flows, remittance corridors, and even corporate treasury management. The shift has implications for how we measure market share—not just in spot or derivatives volume, but in total transaction throughput across the digital economy.

From Trading Venue to Commerce Rail Pinch’s commentary at DECON 2026 points to a market evolution where the distinction between an exchange and a fintech infrastructure provider is collapsing. KuCoin, like several peers, has been investing in institutional-grade custody, wallet-as-a-service, and fiat-to-crypto rails that can be embedded into third-party applications. The pitch is simple: a merchant or a fintech app does not need to hold crypto, understand liquidity pools, or manage private keys; the exchange handles all of that behind the scenes while the user sees only a dollar balance and a familiar interface.

This is already happening at scale. Real-world asset tokenization crossed $20 billion on-chain, and with it came settlement infrastructure that relies heavily on exchange-like mechanisms. When tokenized Treasury funds settle via JPMorgan’s blockchain rails, the plumbing underneath often looks a lot like what centralized exchanges have built over the past decade: instant settlement, 24/7 custody, and programmable transaction layers. The main difference is that the exchange brand is no longer front-facing; it is the infrastructure.

What makes the timing notable is that stablecoin volumes alone now rival those of major card networks in certain corridors. An exchange that can offer a stablecoin settlement layer can effectively serve as a Visa or Mastercard alternative for cross-border B2B flows, without ever issuing a card. That is the type of adjacency that reframes regulatory discussions: is this still an exchange, or is it a systemically important financial infrastructure?

The Regulatory Shadow Over Infrastructure Plays Becoming invisible plumbing does not remove regulatory risk—it redraws the map. If an exchange powers the checkout flow of a thousand merchant apps, then a single operational or compliance failure can ripple outward in ways regulators have not yet fully mapped. The recent political fight in Washington illustrates just how fierce the battle over infrastructure classification has become. Banks tried to kill a landmark crypto bill days before a Senate vote precisely because they saw exchange-like infrastructure encroaching on their settlement territory. The muscle memory of the traditional financial system is to block any structure that looks like a payment rail unless it is inside their regulatory perimeter.

Pinch’s remarks at a Sydney conference might seem far removed from Washington lobbying, but they are connected. Australian regulators have been relatively progressive, yet the same questions apply: if a KuCoin-powered rail settles a large volume of AUD transactions between fintechs, does the exchange need a banking license? What happens when a commerce stack crosses from being a technology provider to a de facto financial market infrastructure? The industry has seen a preview already—with Binance’s regulatory challenges globally often hinging on whether it is an exchange or an unlicensed financial conglomerate. KuCoin’s deliberate framing suggests a bid to define itself on the right side of that line before regulators draw it for them.

What Changes for Users and Competitors For end users, the infrastructure shift should mean fewer steps and lower mental overhead. A person paying a freelancer in Brazil or buying a digital subscription in a currency they do not hold will not need to open an exchange account. The conversion, custody, and settlement happen invisibly through APIs. That is the promise. The risk is concentration: if a small number of exchanges become the rails, the failure of one could freeze a large swath of digital commerce activity that never even knew it depended on crypto infrastructure.

This vision also puts exchanges into direct competition with on-chain settlement layers themselves. Stablecoin networks on Ethereum, Solana, and newer L1s are also racing to become commerce infrastructure, often without a centralized intermediary. The KuCoin thesis implicitly argues that most commerce will still want a regulated, accountable entity in the middle—someone to handle compliance, chargebacks, fraud monitoring, and liquidity provision. The tension between decentralized rails and centralized infrastructure providers will define the next phase of the market.

Recent integrations show how real this is getting. Sui’s partnership with Paga, a fintech moving $11 billion in annual volume, is not about user-facing exchange widgets; it is about a blockchain layer powering payments infrastructure. Similarly, UXLINK and Origins Network partnered to build decentralized computing for AI-driven Web3 apps, where the value lies in backend scalability, not a flashy app. In both cases, infrastructure is the product. That is the very lane KuCoin is claiming as territory for exchanges themselves.

What remains uncertain is whether merchants, fintechs, and platforms will choose an exchange as their infrastructure layer or prefer a more modular approach that unbundles custody, liquidity, and compliance into separate providers. The answer will determine whether the exchange sector consolidates into a handful of giant plumbing firms or fragments into composable middleware. For now, the declaration from DECON 2026 signals that at least one major exchange is not waiting for the market to decide—it is actively positioning itself as the default backend for a generation of digital commerce that may never log into an exchange again.

AUTHOR

Kester is an experienced freelance content writer. His focus is primarily on blockchain technology and cryptocurrency. One might even refer to him as a "blockchain enthusiast." He has been following advancements in the crypto and blockchain area for several years, researching and writing his insights in the media. In addition to being a skilled content writer, Mushumir is also knowledgeable in SEO and digital marketing. He aspires to succeed as a content creator in the digital realm, dealing with customers in the finance and tech industries to generate traffic through engaging taglines and content. Mushumir enjoys traveling, reading, and playing cricket when he is not writing. He now works as a news and article writer for BlockchainReporter.

New QR-based payment access connects digital assets with familiar local payment platforms, including Argentina’s Transferencias 3.0 network and Peru’s Yape and Plin

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands, June 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Across Latin America, QR payments have become one of the dominant forms of everyday consumer finance — from small retail purchases to transportation, food delivery and peer-to-peer transfers. As mobile-first payment behavior accelerates across Argentina and Peru, digital wallets and interoperable QR payment networks are increasingly shaping how consumers and merchants move value.

Against this backdrop, KuCoin Pay, the innovative cryptocurrency payment solution from KuCoin, today announced the expansion of its QR-based payment capabilities in Argentina and Peru, enabling users to connect crypto and stablecoins with everyday scan-and-pay experiences. In Argentina, KuCoin Pay supports the Transferencias 3.0 network, enabling payments through interoperable QR codes from platforms such as Mercado Pago. In Peru, KuCoin Pay connects with widely used digital payment platforms including Yape and Plin, helping users bring digital assets into familiar retail, lifestyle and travel payment scenarios.

KuCoin Pay is designed to support this shift through universal QR connectivity, a core capability that enables localized payment routing. In QR-driven markets, users can simply scan and pay through KuCoin Pay, while the underlying system optimizes the payment route through supported local channels. This makes crypto payments feel closer to the payment methods users already know, instead of requiring a separate crypto-native process, and creates a strong foundation for crypto payments to move beyond trading and become part of real-world spending.

“Real-world utility will define the next phase of crypto adoption, and payments are where this shift becomes most visible,” said Alicia Kao, Managing Director of KuCoin. “KuCoin Pay reflects our commitment to building trusted, localized infrastructure that connects Web3 with the banking and payment systems people already rely on. As we further expand across Latin America, we are helping digital assets move beyond trading and become part of everyday financial activity, while supporting more inclusive and future-ready financial infrastructure in high-growth markets.”

Looking ahead, KuCoin Pay will continue to deepen its localization strategy, expand practical payment use cases and support broader crypto payment adoption across high-growth markets.

About KuCoin Pay

KuCoin Pay is a pioneering merchant solution that drives business growth by integrating cryptocurrency payments into retail. It offers a contactless, secure, and borderless payment system using a variety of cryptocurrencies and stablecoins. KuCoin Pay supports more than 50 cryptocurrencies, including KCS, USDT, USDC, BTC, which users can use to seamlessly pay for global products and services for both online and in-store purchases. Learn more about KuCoin Pay.

Learn more: www.kucoin.com/pay

Nickie Louise Posted On June 24, 2026

629 Views

KuCoin Pay is linking crypto and stablecoins to local payment rails in Bangladesh, Mexico, and Zambia, giving users access to services such as bKash, Nagad, SPEI bank transfers, and MTN and Airtel mobile money networks.

For years, one of crypto’s biggest promises has been simple: move money faster and more freely across borders. The harder part has been making that promise useful in places where people already rely on local bank transfers and mobile money apps for everyday payments. KuCoin thinks it has found a way to narrow that gap.

The crypto exchange’s payments arm, KuCoin Pay, said Wednesday it is rolling out transfer-based payment support in Bangladesh, Mexico, and Zambia, linking digital assets and stablecoins to local financial networks people already use. The expansion includes access to bKash and Nagad in Bangladesh, SPEI-compatible bank transfers in Mexico, and mobile money services such as MTN and Airtel in Zambia.

The move gives KuCoin Pay a bigger foothold in markets where bank transfers and mobile wallets are often more relevant than cards, and where remittances, merchant payments, and peer-to-peer transfers are part of daily financial life. Instead of asking users to leave familiar payment systems behind, KuCoin is trying to plug crypto into them.

That distinction matters. In many emerging markets, mobile money services and local bank rails already act as the financial backbone for millions of consumers and small businesses. Crypto firms have spent years pitching digital assets as a cheaper and faster way to move money, yet turning tokens into something people can actually spend or cash out locally has remained one of the industry’s weakest links. KuCoin’s latest push is aimed squarely at that problem.

KuCoin wants to make crypto work with the payment rails people already use KuCoin says its payment system routes transactions through local transfer networks from a single technical integration, sparing users and merchants from dealing with the backend complexity of different banking and mobile money systems, market by market. In practice, the company is pitching an experience that feels closer to using a domestic e-wallet or bank transfer app than a crypto trading platform.

“Crypto is emerging as a new asset class with growing relevance in the real economy, and payments are one of the most important ways for this value to reach users,” said Alicia Kao, Managing Director of KuCoin. “Through KuCoin Pay, we are building trusted and localized connections between digital assets and existing banking, mobile money and transfer rails. By integrating crypto with the financial systems people already use, we are helping digital assets move beyond holding and trading into practical financial activity, while supporting more inclusive and future-ready financial ecosystems in high-growth markets.”

The announcement comes at a time when crypto companies are under pressure to demonstrate they can do more than just support trading and speculation. Stablecoins, in particular, have become one of the clearest real-world use cases for digital assets, especially in cross-border transfers and payments in countries where local currencies can be volatile or access to dollar-based financial tools is limited. That has pushed exchanges, fintechs, and infrastructure startups to compete for a place inside the payment flows consumers already trust.

For KuCoin, the bet is that local compatibility will matter more than broad geographic reach alone. Bangladesh, Mexico, and Zambia are very different markets, but they share one trait: consumers already move money through domestic systems built around speed, convenience, and mobile access. By connecting crypto to those rails rather than forcing users into separate workflows, KuCoin aims to make digital assets feel less like a parallel financial system and more like an extension of the one people already use.

KuCoin Pay currently supports more than 50 cryptocurrencies, including KCS, USDT, USDC, and Bitcoin, for online and in-store purchases. The company said it plans to keep building out support for local banking and payment networks in more markets, with a focus on improving routing speed and widening the number of practical payment use cases tied to crypto.

Trending Now

Is Bitcoin’s Rise a Blessing or a Threat to Corporate Treasuries?

The Federal Reserve’s decision to cut interest rates this week indicates that the American economy is experiencing choppy market conditions. If history repeats itself, the crypto market will benefit as the economy unlocks fresh liquidity.

However, rate cuts this time may not boost crypto as they have in the past. According to experts, political and inflationary uncertainty, coupled with investor caution, could temper the impact. Still, they believe distinct sectors like Real-World Assets (RWAs), decentralized finance (DeFi), and stablecoins are well-positioned to benefit.

A Rate Cut, But with a CatchThe Federal Reserve’s decision to cut interest rates is typically met with a cheer from risk asset investors, a signal that cheaper money is coming. But this time feels different. 

Though Bitcoin’s price remained steady amid Powell’s decision to cut rates by 25 bps, its sustained momentum was largely due to institutional support, like ETF inflows, and commitment from long-term participants.

However, on-chain signals soon revealed that not every participant shared the same optimism.

⚠️⚠️ Interest rate cuts

At first glance, many people assume that when the Federal Reserve (Fed) cuts interest rates, it should boost the stock market because borrowing is cheaper, companies can expand, and consumers can spend more. And that can happen in the short term. But in… pic.twitter.com/YrIpqKfgx1

— Erik (@ero_crypto) September 17, 2025 As BeInCrypto recently reported, a decline in New Address Momentum suggests retail investors are pulling back. Fewer new entrants highlight fears of market saturation or a coming downturn.

The data represents a tension now defining the market—a rate cut injecting liquidity and confirming a weakening economy. 

“The reason for yesterday’s rate cut was ‘risk management’ per Powell, and it’s an appropriate term. The FOMC sees their objective balance tilting towards growth protection from inflation prevention, even while acknowledging that both are active risks. In other words, the specter of stagflation is spooking us again, and it’s not even Halloween,” Max Gokham, Deputy Chief Investment Officer at Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions, explained.

This single Fed move forces crypto investors to navigate a panorama more complex than a simple “buy the dip” narrative.

The Liquidity CatalystThe Federal Reserve’s rate cut has introduced a dynamic in which economic conditions and market liquidity appear to be in opposition. While the rate cut itself acknowledges a weakening economy, it also signals fresh liquidity that has historically served as a catalyst for cryptocurrency markets.

Analysts are observing this liquidity factor closely. 

“[Cuts] inject liquidity, lower discount rates, and force investors back into risk assets. This paradox is why equities and crypto can rally even when the Fed is essentially confirming slower growth. For now, markets are focused more on the liquidity impulse and the prospect of a soft landing than the drag from weaker fundamentals,” Komodo Platform Chief Technology Officer Kadan Stadelmann told BeInCrypto.

This perspective aligns with the historical record of past easing cycles, during which significant crypto rallies have followed. 

Bitcoin, in particular, has a history of front-running these events, with its price increasing in the run-up to an anticipated rate cut. It’s often followed by a “sell the news” dip, as traders who bought on the rumor take profits once the news is confirmed.

“In 2019, BTC rose from $4,000 to $13,000 in anticipation of cuts but didn’t explode right after the announcements. In the wake of the 2020 March cuts, as lockdowns gripped the world, Bitcoin crashed before being one of the first commodities to rebound—even ahead of gold,” Stadelmann added. 

However, this week’s rate cuts were made under circumstances that differ significantly from previous easing cycles.

Inflation, Tariffs, and UncertaintyWhile history offers a compelling roadmap for how liquidity can fuel a crypto rally, the current environment is defined by significant variables that could disrupt that pattern. 

As Bitget Wallet Chief Marketing Officer Jamie Elkaleh points out, this time, two key factors are different:

“First, the political backdrop: Fed independence is under scrutiny, and that can create credibility issues. Second, the inflation mix is less straightforward, with tariffs and supply chain risks complicating the picture. So while history suggests rate cuts should lift markets, the margin for error is narrower today.”

The political element adds a layer of uncertainty not seen in past cycles. The recent legal challenge against a Fed governor has raised concerns about the potential for political interference in monetary policy. This risk could undermine the market’s trust in the central bank.

Furthermore, unlike past cycles driven by strong demand, current geopolitical events, particularly tariffs and supply chain risks, further complicate inflationary pressures.

“Labor market data has softened, and tariffs have added pressure to the inflation outlook. The Fed is walking a fine line: it’s easing policy to prevent the slowdown from becoming something more severe, while still acknowledging that inflation hasn’t fully disappeared… the cut is less a ‘green light’ for growth, and more a recognition that the economy needs support,” Elkaleh added.

Despite the political and macroeconomic headwinds, the liquidity injection still needs to find a home. Some sectors may stand to benefit more than others.

A Look at the WinnersWhile Bitcoin remains a macro play, this easing cycle’s true “winners” may be found in distinct crypto categories most sensitive to a fresh influx of capital. 

For investors, three key categories are poised to be the most immediate and sensitive beneficiaries of a liquidity injection: DeFi, meme coins, and RWAs.

Everyone always waits for rate cuts

BUT not everyone knows how they actually work

I spent 19 hours doing a deep breakdown

Here’s how rate cuts affect the crypto market👇🧵 pic.twitter.com/CmlXJGqoFS

— ToraX (@torax_fi) September 18, 2025 DeFi thrives as lower borrowing costs and a “reach for yield” push investors away from less-attractive traditional finance products and into on-chain money markets. Meanwhile, meme coins are often the first to see a surge in speculative activity.

As XYO Co-founder Markus Levin told BeInCrypto:

“Categories like DeFi and meme coins are historically the most sensitive to fresh inflows, as retail speculation and trading volumes rebound first.”

The growth of RWAs is also a compelling narrative for this cycle. The RWA market is expanding, with tokenized Treasuries and private credit lending gaining institutional adoption. Hard data backs this growth: total value locked (TVL) in RWAs is up 31% quarter over quarter to $8.2 billion.

Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePINs) also hold important potential.

“Messari tracked over 400% growth for the industry in 2024. As of September 2025, CoinMarketCap’s category page for DePIN shows a collective market cap currently over $37 billion. The World Economic Forum projects it could scale into the trillions by 2028, reshaping computing through a more distributed infrastructure,” Levin added.

Meanwhile, stablecoins will grow significantly, serving as the foundation for much of the on-chain economy.

The Yield-Seeking NarrativeAs traditional finance products like government bonds become less attractive in a low-rate environment, the yields offered by DeFi stablecoin protocols become more appealing.

“Stablecoins sit at the center of this story. Lower policy rates compress yields in traditional cash products, while on-chain markets still offer mid-single to double-digit returns through lending, structured products, or tokenized T-bills. That relative spread makes stablecoins even more attractive as both a store of liquidity and a spendable currency,” Elkaleh explained. 

As the cost of money goes down, demand shifts to where the yield is greatest.

“With rate cuts expected through year-end, short-duration Treasuries may become less attractive relative to on-chain products that package credit, staking, or basis premia. This can support stablecoin deposits. Thus we expect a shift toward tokenized cash equivalents and yield-bearing stables, alongside tighter integrations with exchanges as issuers chase scale,” Gokham added.

This new reality presents a critical test for the crypto market. The true measure of this easing cycle will be whether these nascent, on-chain sectors can fully capitalize on the liquidity impulse and prove their resilience in an uncertain macro environment.

Nvidia’s recent investments in Intel and OpenAI mark a new era of strategic consolidation in the AI race. These moves represent a need for secure, domestic supply chain security and a bid to dominate the future of computing.

While the deals are not a direct play for crypto, their significance for the industry is profound. According to experts from BitMind and Komodo Platform, this partnership will create a new generation of powerful, cost-efficient hardware that will particularly benefit decentralized AI projects. 

From Archrivals to AlliesOnce archrivals, Nvidia and Intel spent decades competing fiercely in the high-performance computing space. This rivalry wasn’t just about market share; it was a battle for technological dominance, defined by a history of legal disputes and unsuccessful joint ventures that shaped the very foundation of the chip industry.

Last week, that all changed. Nvidia announced a $5 billion investment in Intel, acquiring a 4% stake and launching a new partnership to develop custom products for data centers and personal computers.

Though shocking, the news wasn’t met with surprise. With the dawn of the AI race, these companies have become indispensable. The training of AI models demands massive parallel processing, a function that relies entirely on essential hardware such as GPUs and CPUs.

“It signals an AI industry consolidating to gain strategic advantages over competitors like AMD and Arm while ensuring onshore US manufacturing, which is a strong move from Nvidia given the importance the current administration has put on domestic manufacturing,” said Ken Jon Miyachi, the Co-Founder of BitMind.

Nvidia also announced recently that it would invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI to power its next-generation infrastructure. Against this backdrop, Nvidia’s investment in Intel represents a strategic move to secure its supply and lock in a partnership with the only other US company with significant manufacturing capabilities. 

Why Now? The Geopolitical Game of ChipsThe motivations behind the recent Nvidia-Intel partnership are deeply rooted in the American semiconductor industry’s need to secure supply chains and maintain a competitive edge in an increasingly cutthroat race. 

This investment responds to Nvidia’s historically overwhelming reliance on the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) to produce high-end GPUs. A critical dimension of this partnership is geopolitical. TSMC manufactures over 90% of the world’s most advanced chips, including the high-end GPUs that power AI.

Nvidia can design the world's best AI chips, but they can't manufacture them at scale.

They rely on TSMC in Taiwan for production. Which is a massive geopolitical risk.

Intel owns something irreplaceable: advanced semiconductor fabs on U.S. soil. pic.twitter.com/o4S8eTjAxg

— Renç Korzay (@renckorzay) September 19, 2025 Given rising US-China tensions over Taiwan, this concentration of manufacturing presents a significant national security risk for the United States. Reducing reliance on a single foreign source aligns with the US government’s push for domestic production.

“The deal signals US tech dominance, aligning with CHIPS Act onshoring to counter China’s chip ambitions and their recent ban of Nvidia chips. It strengthens domestic AI manufacturing infrastructure, potentially reducing reliance on foreign foundries like TSMC,” Bitmind Co-founder Ken Jon Miyachi told BeInCrypto. 

By investing in Intel, Nvidia is committing to securing a domestic supply chain for its critical hardware.

Fusing Core StrengthsThe collaboration combines the two companies’ core strengths: Nvidia’s dominance in AI and GPU design and Intel’s legacy in x86 CPUs and vast manufacturing scale.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT $NVDA + $INTC DEAL

There are plenty of details still missing on timing, bandwidth & packaging, but Nvidia just gave Intel a $5B lifeline and rewrote where CPUs sit in the AI stack.

For years, Intel was treated like the boring middleman –just… pic.twitter.com/mpZ1qPJzfH

— Shay Boloor (@StockSavvyShay) September 18, 2025 This alliance is also a direct response to the rising influence of AMD, a US-based rival that has been gaining market share in CPUs and GPUs. It can also be seen as a “Plan B” for Nvidia after regulators blocked its high-profile attempt to acquire the UK-based chip designer Arm.

According to Komodo Platform Chief Technology Officer Kadan Stadelmann, the speed of AI development requires this kind of strategic consolidation. 

“In five years, AI technology will far exceed the capabilities of today’s LLM AI. The space is moving fast, and NVIDIA and Intel understand this,” he said.

While AI and crypto are distinct industries, they frequently overlap. This recent partnership, though indirect, could have a spillover effect on the broader crypto market.

The Ripple Effect on CryptoThe Nvidia-Intel partnership primarily focuses on AI and high-performance computing, meaning its impact on major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin is limited. The fundamental shift in the crypto sector from general-purpose GPUs to more efficient, specialized ASICs for mining has largely decoupled the two industries. 

However, this alliance may still profoundly impact crypto. Experts particularly cited decentralized AI as the primary beneficiary of this partnership. 

These blockchain-based platforms aim to democratize AI by distributing the computational power needed for training and inference across a network of users, rather than relying on centralized tech giants. 

“The partnership… will be a boon to decentralized AI companies, most of which leverage blockchain technology in some way. Don’t be surprised if these companies begin making their way up the list of top coins in the space, as they incorporate improving AI technology,” Stadelmann told BeInCrypto.

Meanwhile, as new advanced hardware for AI is created through high-profile alliances, older but still powerful GPUs become more affordable. This increased availability allows decentralized projects to boost their capabilities without breaking the bank.

“[This] could be a great resource for decentralized AI projects to leverage either past-generation GPUs or any cost-efficient computing platform they release,” Miyachi said.

Ultimately, the alliance between Nvidia and Intel indicates that global technology is consolidating around AI. The real story for crypto lies in the ripple effect—a powerful catalyst that could finally cement the convergence of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology.

Expoin, a multi-chain decentralized exchange, built upon the powerful and secure technology of the Komodo blockchain platform. By integrating Komodo’s cutting-edge AtomicDEX technology, Expoin is set to redefine the cross-chain trading experience, offering users a truly decentralized, secure, and interoperable platform for digital asset exchange.

At the core of Expoin is the implementation of atomic swaps, a technology that enables peer-to-peer trading directly between users’ wallets without the need for a centralized intermediary. This eliminates the counterparty risk and custodial vulnerabilities that have plagued traditional cryptocurrency exchanges. Expoin leverages Komodo’s AtomicDEX, which has been in development since 2014 to provide a seamless and trustless trading environment.

By building on Komodo’s robust infrastructure, we are able to provide our users with a platform that is not only secure and reliable but also incredibly versatile. Our goal is to make cross-chain trading as simple and secure as possible, and Komodo’s technology is instrumental in achieving that vision.

In addition to its advanced trading capabilities, Expoin.io also benefits from Komodo’s Delayed Proof of Work (dPoW) security mechanism. This consensus protocol provides an additional layer of security by anchoring the Expoin blockchain to the Litecoin network, one of the most secure and established blockchains in existence. This makes the Expoin platform highly resistant to 51% attacks and ensures the immutability of its transaction history.

Expoin is committed to fostering a vibrant developer community and offers a comprehensive API for seamless integration with other applications and services. This allows developers to build custom trading solutions and further expand the capabilities of the Expoin.io ecosystem.

About Expoin.io: Expoin.io is a decentralized exchange platform that offers a secure, non-custodial, and cross-chain trading experience. By leveraging AtomicDEX technology, Expoin provides users with a truly decentralized and interoperable platform for digital asset exchange.

To learn more, visit https://expoin.io/.

Disclaimer: This is a Press Release provided by a third party who is responsible for the content. Please conduct your own research before taking any action based on the content.

Michelle DG

Michelle is an editor at CoinCentral & Blockonomi, covering the latest trends in crypto, blockchain, and digital finance. With a sharp eye for detail and a passion for emerging technologies. [email protected]

Updated Dec 1, 2025, 5:14 p.m. Published Dec 1, 2025, 1:00 p.m.

2 min read

Gleec buys Komodo’s cross-chain DeFi stack in $23.5M deal. (Pixabay, modified by CoinDesk)Summary

Gleec said it bought the full Komodo Platform ecosystem, including its tech stack, brand, token infrastructure and team.While the company declined to say how much it paid, it valued the acquisition at $23.5 million.Komodo’s atomic-swap trading stack will become part of Gleec’s regulated financial suite, enabling bridge-free, cross-chain swaps and expanded enterprise services.Gleec acquired the entire Komodo Platform ecosystem, bringing one of crypto’s earliest atomic-swap and cross-chain technology stacks under the umbrella of a licensed financial services provider, the digital asset platform said in a press release on Monday.

While the price paid was not disclosed, Gleec said the assessed value of the Kimodo ecosystem was $23.5 million.

The purchase includes Komodo’s brand, tech suite, token infrastructure and core developers, giving Gleec full ownership of a system that already powered parts of its decentralized exchange (DEX) and enabling faster integration with products such as its crypto debit card, virtual IBANs and fiat on- and off-ramps.

Gleec also plans to offer white-label DEX and blockchain services to institutions seeking cross-chain capabilities without relying on custodial bridges.

Komodo’s technology is built around native atomic swaps, allowing cross-chain trading without wrapped assets or bridges, an attack vector responsible for nearly half of all crypto value stolen to date, according to research from Chainalysis.

Gleec CEO Daniel Dimitrov said the acquisition embeds a mature decentralized trading stack into a regulated environment, while Komodo CTO Kadan Stadelmann, said in the release that the move gives the technology the compliance footing needed for wider adoption.

The Komodo ecosystem and KMD will continue under the Gleec umbrella for now, with a decision about the token in the future, whether it will be merged over to GLEEC or kept separate.

Gleec expects full integration of the Komodo stack in early 2026, with continued expansion of its B2B infrastructure.

Read more: Crypto Wallet Firm Exodus Buys Baanx and Monavate for $175M

CORRECT (Dec. 1, 17:10 UTC): Gleec clarifies that the assessed value of Kimodo was $23.5 million. An earlier version of this story said Gleec paid $23.5 million.

AI Disclaimer: Parts of this article were generated with the assistance from AI tools and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our standards. For more information, see CoinDesk's full AI Policy.

12345678910

DA Davidson Raises Micron’s Price Target to $2,000, Retains Buy Rating

U.S. investment bank DA Davidson released a research note stating that Micron Technology has entered a new phase with one of the best performance visibility in the semiconductor industry, a stark contrast to its past standing in the sector. Driven by another quarter of results that handily exceeded expectations and positive forward guidance, Micron’s stock price surged sharply. These signals indicate that the current memory chip boom cycle is far from over. While the company is ramping up capacity investments (with capital expenditure (CAPEX) projected to hit $10 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, which will bring additional supply), management expects the memory market to remain tight on supply and demand at least through 2027. Against this backdrop, DA Davidson reiterated its "Buy" rating on Micron and raised its price target from $1,500 to $2,000, equivalent to a 20x price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio based on the company’s 2026 calendar year expected earnings per share (EPS).

10 minutes ago

Morgan Stanley raises Micron's price target to $1,200, maintains 'Overweight' rating.

Morgan Stanley released a report raising Micron Technology (MU.O)’s price target from $1,050 to $1,200, while maintaining an "Overweight" rating. The investment bank lifted its fiscal 2027 earnings per share (EPS) forecast for the chipmaker by roughly 40% to $168, and upgraded its free cash flow (FCF) projection from $104 billion to $140 billion. Aligning with Micron’s management, the bank holds that AI will push DRAM demand to consistently outpace supply significantly after 2027. Micron’s last fiscal quarter results matched this trend, with both its quarterly performance and outlook showing notable upside potential.

10 minutes ago

US officials: Israel has withdrawn troops from parts of the buffer zone in southern Lebanon.

A U.S. State Department official said Israel has withdrawn from parts of the buffer zone in southern Lebanon, describing the move as a "goodwill gesture" toward the Lebanese government.

10 minutes ago

CBRS trades below IPO price post-earnings: Erases all gains six weeks after listing, two smart money firms net $5.8 million from first-day IPO shorts.

According to Hyperinsight monitoring, Cerebras (CBRS), the AI chip firm previously dubbed "Nvidia’s strongest challenger", saw its stock price fall in stages after reporting its first quarterly results since going public, as negative guidance overshadowed better-than-expected performance. The stock has dropped roughly 22% since the earnings release and officially broke below its IPO price today. On-chain whales are overall bearish. CBRS trades at $184 on the Hyperliquid platform, down 7.7% in 24 hours. Large-scale short positions (million-dollar level) total around $11.62 million, 2.39 times the long positions ($4.87 million). Two major short positions were placed precisely at high levels as early as the IPO day or even before the IPO: - Whale 0xe0ff: Shorted at $284.51 on May 14 with a 3x leveraged position of $6.13 million, generating an unrealized profit of $3.24 million (+104%); - Whale 0x9996: Shorted at $275.92 on May 11 with a 5x leveraged position of $5.48 million, generating an unrealized profit of $2.64 million (+162%). It is learned that both addresses currently hold short positions in both CBRS and SPCX, and have recorded substantial unrealized profits, preferring to place short positions at high levels before or on the day of major stock listings. With the realization of negative earnings news in this round, the combined unrealized profit of the two positions is around $5.88 million. Currently, the average entry price of CBRS short whales is around $275, and the current price is over 30% lower than that. The nearest short liquidation line is at $200.13, about 7% away from the current price.

10 minutes ago

Multiple high-performing domestic public mutual fund products have tightened their purchase restrictions.

E Fund Management announced in its latest filing that the E Fund Information Industry Select Fund, managed by Zheng Xi, has cut its purchase limit to 10,000 yuan. The same purchase limit reduction to 10,000 yuan applies to another fund under his management, E Fund Information Industry Fund, while E Fund Global Growth Select Hybrid Fund (QDII) has lowered its purchase limit to 10 yuan. In addition, Guolianan Preferred Industry Fund, Harvest Tech Innovation Fund, and Principal Performance-Driven Fund have also announced purchase limits or adjustments to their limits recently. Jin Zicai, a fund manager closely watched by the market, imposed additional purchase limits on multiple public offering funds under his management, with the four funds involved cutting their purchase limits to 500 yuan starting June 23. Purchase limits on high-performing funds likely stem from multiple considerations: they can avoid return dilution caused by short-term concentrated subscriptions, and proactive limits during overheated market conditions also send risk warning signals to the market. As the first half of the year draws to a close, such moves have become increasingly frequent. Overall, Wind data shows that since June alone, 19 funds with year-to-date net asset value returns exceeding 90% have suspended large subscriptions or adjusted their purchase caps. (Source: Cailian Press)

10 minutes ago

The US stock market's optical communication sector rises across the board in pre-market trading, with Corning up 9.28%.

According to Bitget market data, the U.S. stock market's optical communication sector saw broad pre-market gains, with MRVL rising 4.99%, LITE up 3.24%, Nokia up 3.11%, Corning up 9.28%, and AXTI up 6.69%.

10 minutes ago

KMD: Mandatory Komodo Daemon Update Before January 1, 2026

One of the more popular cryptocurrencies, Tezos, has skyrocketed by more than 70% in the past 24 hours. The movement came shortly after it was announced that the largest US-based cryptocurrency exchange, Coinbase, will allow Tezos to be staked on their platform and users would receive rewards for it.

Tezos Staking Rewards On Coinbase According to an official announcement from Coinbase, users will be able to stake Tezos (XTZ) on their platform and receive rewards for it.

Staking is not new to Tezos as investors can actually do it on their own. Still, according to Coinbase’s blog, it might be “confusing, complicated, and even risky with regard to the security of your staked Tezos. We are changing that with staking rewards on Coinbase.”

The US-based exchange would reportedly provide an estimated annual return of around 5%. The initial holding period is 35-40 days, and when it’s completed, the rewards will be transferred to each account every three days.

Basically, staking suggests that the investor has a chance to earn income by participating in the network of that crypto. In order to do this, a certain amount of the asset has to be “locked,” and in exchange, the rewards are usually distributed in proportionate extent depending on the supply initially staked. With Tezos, for example, stakers get to vote and decide on major protocol changes and other important developments, as explained by Arthur Breitman in a recent interview with Cryptopotato. 

Interestingly enough, a recent research by Binance showed that over $6 billion worth of crypto is being staked at that moment.

Tezos Price Reacts Following the news, XTZ price was quick to react with a severe surge of over 70% at one point. It jumped from $0.90 to $1.52, and since then, it has retraced to around $1.20. The market capitalization is close to $800 million, and the trading volume has tripled according to Coingecko.

You may also like: Coinbase to Launch Tokenized Stocks For Non-US Customers Coinbase Launches Pre-IPO Perpetual Futures with SpaceX as First Asset Exchange-Owned OP Stack Chains Made Nearly $500M in Onchain Revenue, OP Labs Says XTZBTC Bitfinex. Source: TradingView News coming from major exchanges could sometimes be the reason behind a price movement in the cryptocurrency world in either direction. For example, Kraken recently listed Siacoin, and the price increased with 25%, but when Bittrex delisted ZClassic, it plunged with 66%.

It’s perhaps safe to assume that XTZ’s impressive gains over the last 24 hours are connected to the announcement from Coinbase. However, it’s also worth pointing out that Tezos reached its all-time high in 2017 at $10. With a price of $1.20 per coin now, it means a total decrease of almost 90% since then.

Tags:

In brief Gemini Custody plans to add support for Filecoin once the network is live. The Gemini exchange is also working with New York regulators to list Filecoin for trading. Filecoin will have some competition. And it's unclear how much of a market there is for blockchain-based data storage. Gemini Custody announced today that it would allow customers to store Filecoin when the network is ready. Further, it is working to gain approval from the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYSDFS) to offer Filecoin trading. This represents a win for Filecoin in an ongoing battle of blockchain-based storage providers.

Filecoin is a decentralized storage system that splits up data users want to store and stashes it in different places across the network, thereby guarding against data breaches. Don't worry, though: Through the magic of cryptography, the network can piece it all back together. Everyday users who make storage space available on their computer receive the Filecoin token (FIL) as a reward. Conversely, those who need to buy storage space brandish the token to use the service.

We are thrilled to announce upcoming support for the #custody of Filecoin $FIL. Filecoin is the reward and incentive token of the InterPlanetary File System (“IPFS”), a decentralized cloud storage network ☁️

Learn more about Filecoin here ⬇️https://t.co/cGJUxgYe0i

— Gemini (@Gemini) February 25, 2020

Protocol Labs, which created Filecoin, is also behind the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS). Whereas IPFS is a voluntary open-source system for data storage, Filecoin is meant to incentivize storage. The two protocols are different but work in tandem.

While IPFS has been up and running for a while—it was just integrated into Unstoppable Domains' new decentralized web browser this month, for instance—Filecoin's debut has long been anticipated. It raised $257 million in an initial coin offering from August to September 2017. The mainnet, initially scheduled for the end of 2019, was later pushed to March 2020. It has since been pushed again, this time to between June and July 2020, though worried investors have been able to comfort themselves with a December testnet launch.

Apparently, testing has gone well enough to appease Gemini. Its custody solution—a place to store and manage digital assets—currently handles 23 different assets, including the old standards: Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Zcash. Filecoin will be its 24th, though not its first token for decentralized cloud storage—that would be STORJ. The custodian added the Filecoin competitor in November 2019.

It's unclear how much of a market there is for blockchain-based data storage. On February 19, Storj Labs, which raised $30 million across three days in a 2017 ICO, reported that it had paid out $2 million in tokens thus far to community members storing data and that it had 5,500 active "storage node operators." Yet after selling at 50 cents, it's trading at $0.16 as of today, according to CoinMarketCap. By comparison, FIL sold for $5 at the time of its August 2017 ICO. Filecoin Futures are currently selling at $5.05.

A third company is far more troubled. The parent company of Sia settled with the SEC in September 2019 over an unregistered securities offering in 2014. While that's separate from Siacoin, which did not have an ICO, the going price of the latter sits at below $.01; it reports 352 storage providers.

As part of Gemini's announcement, it said Filecoin ICO participants could get their FIL straight into their Gemini custody account as soon as the network goes live.

Daily Debrief NewsletterStart every day with the top news stories right now, plus original features, a podcast, videos and more.

Top Performing Cryptocurrencies In February Including Ethereum (ETH), Chainlink (LINK) And Kyber Network (KNC)

Siacoin (SC) jumped as high as 20% in 24 hours as liquidity rotated around crypto’s $2 trillion market.

Siacoin is the native token decentralized cloud storage blockchain Sia, launched in 2015 for users to rent out unused storage. SC’s market cap increased to $733 million as the price rose, and its daily trading volume surged 38% to nearly $200 million per CoinMarketCap.

Siacoin price | Source: CoinMarketCap One of crypto’s underlying missions is fixing concerns in traditional and centralized services. Sticking to this ethos, Sia plans to provide trustless access to secure cloud storage at competitive rates compared to larger entities like Amazon and Google. 

Data uploaded on Sia’s blockchain is fragmented across 30 encrypted hosts. The network requires a minimum of 10 hosts to remain functional to support data retrieval. Users pay hosts in SC, and decentralized storage leasers lock the tokens via smart contracts as collateral. 

Siacoin operates with a proof-of-work (PoW) consensus, depending on miners adding new blocks to the network and emitting new coins. Bitcoin (BTC) is built around a PoW model as well. The idea is to bolster Sia’s blockchain against bad actors and hackers since this on-chain architecture requires expensive hardware and energy commitments to attempt attacks. 

Blockchain has become a go-to technology for offering cloud storage due to its cost-effectiveness and borderless access. Aurora Labs chief strategy officer Matt Henderson said blockchain makes an ideal pair for cloud storage as it allows flexibility, improves efficiency, and guarantees optimization.

Ad Disclosure

Ad Disclosure

We believe in full transparency with our readers. Some of our content includes affiliate links, and we may earn a commission through these partnerships. However, this potential compensation never influences our analysis, opinions, or reviews. Our editorial content is created independently of our marketing partnerships, and our ratings are based solely on our established evaluation criteria. Read More

Ad Disclosure

Ad Disclosure

We believe in full transparency with our readers. Some of our content includes affiliate links, and we may earn a commission through these partnerships. However, this potential compensation never influences our analysis, opinions, or reviews. Our editorial content is created independently of our marketing partnerships, and our ratings are based solely on our established evaluation criteria. Read More

Alan Draper

Head of Content

Alan Draper

Part of the Team Since

Jun 2023

About Author

Alan is the Chief Editor of guides and reviews on Cryptonews.com. He’s responsible for ensuring all the content on the site is accurate, up-to-date, and reliable.

Has Also Written

Fact Checked by

Ines S. Tavares

Evergreen Editor for Cryptonews

Ines S. Tavares

Part of the Team Since

Mar 2024

Author Categories

About Author

Ines is the Evergreen Editor at Cryptonews, where she edits, fact-checks, and creates content briefs on blockchain and cryptocurrency. Active in the industry since 2023, she first became fascinated...

Has Also Written

Ad Disclosure

Ad Disclosure

We believe in full transparency with our readers. Some of our content includes affiliate links, and we may earn a commission through these partnerships. However, this potential compensation never influences our analysis, opinions, or reviews. Our editorial content is created independently of our marketing partnerships, and our ratings are based solely on our established evaluation criteria. Read More

Last updated: 

June 19, 2026

Crypto markets are at an inflection point in mid-2026. Bitcoin has consolidated near its all-time high, institutional inflows via ETFs remain structurally positive, and Ethereum’s Pectra and Glamsterdam upgrades are actively reshaping its throughput. For investors entering now, the key question isn’t whether to buy crypto; it’s which assets match your time horizon and risk appetite.

We’ve done the work across three categories: lower-risk blue chips for long-term holding, higher-risk altcoins with real short-term momentum, and specialized utility and AI tokens targeting specific growth themes. Every pick below has been evaluated on market cap, on-chain activity, roadmap delivery, and genuine use cases, not just price performance.

The coins below are where our analysts see the best risk-adjusted opportunity right now. Let’s break down each one.

Table of Contents

In This Article In This Article 1. Bitcoin (BTC) — Original Digital Currency and Leading Store-of-Value Crypto 2. Ethereum (ETH) — Smart Contract Powerhouse for DeFi, dApps, and Web3 3. XRP (XRP) — Fast, Low-Cost Settlement Token for Global Payments Show Full Guide 1. Solana (SOL) — High-Speed, Low-Fee Blockchain for Scalable DeFi and dApps 2. BNB Coin (BNB) — Exchange Utility Token Powering Trading Fees and Perks 3. Cardano (ADA) — Research-Driven Blockchain Focusing on Security, Scalability, and Sustainability 4. Dogecoin (DOGE) — Meme-Based Cryptocurrency Used for Tipping and Online Payments 1. Bittensor (TAO) – Decentralized AI Network Rewarding Open Machine Learning Contributions 2. Hyperliquid (HYPE) — High-Performance Trading Chain for Derivatives and On-Chain Order Books 3. Hedera (HBAR) – Enterprise-Focused Network Using Hashgraph for Fast, Cheap Transactions 1. Define Your Goals 2. Understand the Project's Use Case 3. Analyze Project Fundamentals: Review the Whitepaper and Roadmap 4. Look Into Liquidity, Market Capitalization, and Trading Volume 5. Consider Tokenomics 6. Scrutinize the Team and Backers 7. Analyze Community Size and Strength 8. Study the Price History and Track Record 📈 High Volatility 🧑‍⚖️ Lack of Regulation 🔒 Security Risks 🧑‍💻 Scams and Hacks 🌎 Market Manipulation 🔍 Do Your Own Research 📚 Diversify Your Cryptocurrency Portfolio 🧑‍💼 Consult With a Professional 💸 Invest Only What You Can Afford to Lose Market Performance (25%) Utility and Use Cases (20%) Community and Adoption (15%) Development Team (15%) Security (15%) Regulatory Compliance (5%) Roadmap and Future Plans (5%) Key Takeaways: Best Crypto to Buy Now The best cryptos to buy right now include lower-risk, higher-risk, utility, and AI cryptocurrencies. These projects include Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), XRP (XRP), Solana (SOL), and BNB Coin (BNB). Some of the reasons why investors are buying crypto right now include institutional momentum, favorable policies, and improvements in technology. Investing in cryptocurrency can be risky, and you should evaluate a project before investing. To mitigate some risks from investing, consult a professional, diversify, DYOR, and never invest more than you can afford to lose. Top Crypto Tokens to Buy in 2026: Quick Comparison Asset Current Price Market Cap Risk Level Time Horizon Primary Use Bitcoin (BTC) $64,231.88 $1.29T Lower Long-term Store of value Ethereum (ETH) $1,740.99 $209.32B Lower Long-term Smart contracts & DeFi XRP (XRP) $1.15 $115.19B Lower Long-term Cross-border payments Solana (SOL) $73.34 $43.17B Higher Short/Long High-speed dApps & DeFi BNB (BNB) $587.80 $1.29T Higher Short/Long Exchange & ecosystem utility Cardano (ADA) $0.16 $7.35B Higher Long-term Proof-of-stake smart contracts Dogecoin (DOGE) $0.083 $12.42B Higher Short-term Meme liquidity & payments Bittensor (TAO) $233.03 $4.89B Higher Long-term Decentralized AI network Hyperliquid (HYPE) $70.93 $70.93B Higher Short-term On-chain derivatives trading Hedera (HBAR) $0.080 $4.03B Medium Long-term Enterprise dApps & tokenization Best Cryptos to Buy with Lower Risk for Long-Term Investment
With millions of digital assets across hundreds of chains, many investors wonder which crypto to buy today for the long term. The answer comes down to stability, which is why blue-chip cryptos should be first in line. They can help investors navigate the extreme volatility typical of this emerging industry.

Don’t get me wrong — this doesn’t mean blue-chips aren’t prone to wild fluctuations. However, their large market capitalizations are like the keels of a vessel, maintaining balance with their massive weight. The best long-term crypto assets represent large markets with millions of users and high trading volumes.

Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP are established ecosystems with entire markets built around them. They are suitable for conservative investors still open to crypto exposure. However, one of their main drawbacks is that they can’t offer the upside potential of early-stage projects.

We selected these three lower-risk crypto assets based on factors like market capitalization, trading volume, active user base, and ecosystem size. Let’s look closer at these top options.

1. Bitcoin (BTC) — Original Digital Currency and Leading Store-of-Value Crypto Key Information:

Bitcoin price: $64,231.88 Market cap: $1.29T All-time high: $126,173.18 24-hour price change: +1.10% 7-day price change: -0.43% Year-to-Date (YTD) return: -26.64% Bitcoin BTC +1.10% is the oldest and most widely adopted cryptocurrency. It has a flawless 15-year track record, a market cap of $1.29T, and is recognized as legal tender in countries like El Salvador. It has officially been classified as a commodity by both the SEC and CFTC. Overall, its decentralized proof-of-work network is unmatched in security and scale.

With more than half of the whole crypto market’s value and growing interest from Bitcoin ETFs, Bitcoin is still leading the pack. It’s easy to buy and sell, keeps getting small upgrades, and many investors treat it like a long-term reserve asset.

2. Ethereum (ETH) — Smart Contract Powerhouse for DeFi, dApps, and Web3 Key Information:

Ethereum price: $1,740.99 Market cap: $209.32B All-time high: $4,946.23 24-hour price change: +1.81% 7-day price change: +3.51% Year-to-Date (YTD) return: -41.50% Ethereum ETH +1.81% is the backbone of Web3, powering most decentralized apps, NFTs, and DeFi protocols. Its Pectra upgrade has enhanced scalability and performance, reinforcing its position as the most widely used blockchain globally.

In 2026, Ethereum focuses on scaling and resilience. The Glamsterdam fork (mid-2026, planned from Q1) targets parallel processing and higher gas limits (about 60M toward over 200M), aiming to cut congestion and improve throughput via ZK proofs. The Heze-Bogota preview strengthens privacy, censorship resistance, and decentralization for tougher regulatory climates.

3. XRP (XRP) — Fast, Low-Cost Settlement Token for Global Payments Key Information:

XRP price: $1.15 Market cap: $115.19B All-time high: $3.84 24-hour price change: +1.20% 7-day price change: +0.16% Year-to-Date (YTD) return: -36.95% XRP XRP +1.20% is a digital asset built for fast, low-cost, cross-border payments. Transactions settle in seconds for less than a penny, making it ideal for banks, remittance providers, and payment networks moving money globally.

In 2026, the XRP Ledger gets upgrades that make it simpler and more useful. The new Permissioned Domains (XLS-80) allow you to use human-readable addresses as opposed to the long wallet strings. The roadmap also introduces improved privacy measures, more intelligent app features, and quicker network monitoring via the XRPL Hub. With native lending features being built in, XRP leans on payments and finance utility, so it can be a solid buy if you want function over hype.

Top Cryptos to Buy with Higher Risk for Short-Term Investment
Growth-oriented investors leaning toward more risk would be more tolerant of volatility. In fact, short-term gains derive from price fluctuations, so it makes sense to explore the most volatile crypto assets.

These altcoins have more upside potential than blue chips, often showing larger percentage moves. But as you know, the catch is that volatile assets are unpredictable and can swing against you at any moment.

To eliminate extreme risks, such as sudden collapses or rug pulls, we handpicked the best short-term crypto assets among the countless options. Unlike blue chips, these more volatile cryptocurrencies are suitable for day trading.

Our list of scalable altcoins may be the ideal starting point for anyone asking which crypto to buy today for the short term. It includes Solana, BNB, Cardano, and Dogecoin, offering a mix of large Web3 ecosystems and community-backed meme coin exposure.

We paid attention to their market cap, ecosystem activity, relevant partnerships, and social media traction. Below are the top choices.

1. Solana (SOL) — High-Speed, Low-Fee Blockchain for Scalable DeFi and dApps Key Information:

Solana price: $73.34 Market cap: $43.17B All-time high: $294.16 24-hour price change: +5.09%
7-day price change: +6.62% Year-to-Date (YTD) return: -40.91% Solana SOL +5.09% is a very fast blockchain, handling around 960 transactions per second as of June 2026, with almost no fees, even when many people use it at once. Its built-in time-stamping system helps it stay quick and smooth, making it a favorite for DeFi apps, NFTs, and busy trading platforms.

It is all about reliability and speed in the Solana 2026 story. Firedancer introduces a second validator client, eliminating the risk of cutover, and pushing higher throughput. Alpenglow is seeking higher finality and reduced latency. As the compute limits become larger and the token transfers reduce in cost, the fees decline. The latter combination facilitates the operation of DeFi, gaming, and meme trading.

2. BNB Coin (BNB) — Exchange Utility Token Powering Trading Fees and Perks Key Information:

BNB price: $587.80 Market cap: $81.81B All-time high: $1,370.98 24-hour price change: +1.11% 7-day price change: -3.58% Year-to-Date (YTD) return: -31.30% BNB BNB +1.11% is widely viewed as a good buy thanks to its utility, broader applications, and being the native token of the BNB ecosystem. It makes paying trading fees on Binance much cheaper, as the platform usually offers discounts of around 25%, increasing profit for frequent traders. It also gives holders access to exclusive token sales and new project launches on Binance Launchpad.

BNB Chain’s 2026 upgrades focus on speed, smoother trading during traffic spikes, and better reliability. The chain is also moving to a dual-client setup, so one client prioritizes stability while the other pushes performance. If you use DeFi often, that combination can make BNB more practical to hold and use.

3. Cardano (ADA) — Research-Driven Blockchain Focusing on Security, Scalability, and Sustainability Key Information:

Cardano price: $0.16 Market cap: $7.35B All-time high: $3.10 24-hour price change: +0.15% 7-day price change: -5.06% Year-to-Date (YTD) return: -50.83% Cardano is a leading blockchain platform that uses proof-of-stake consensus, called Ouroboros, to support smart contracts and dApps. Its main goal is security, as it focuses on providing a highly secure and scalable infrastructure while emphasizing academic research and peer-reviewed development.

If you want a slower-and-steadier chain in 2026, Cardano is built for that. Recent upgrades gave ADA holders more control over governance, while scaling work like Hydra aims to make transactions faster and cheaper for apps. Midnight adds privacy features for real-world finance use cases. You can also stake ADA for rewards while you wait.

4. Dogecoin (DOGE) — Meme-Based Cryptocurrency Used for Tipping and Online Payments Key Information:

Dogecoin price: $0.083 Market cap: $12.42B All-time high: $0.75 24-hour price change: +0.10% 7-day price change: -4.62% Year-to-Date (YTD) return: -31.03% Dogecoin DOGE +0.10% is a solid option for high-volume traders thanks to its deep liquidity on major exchanges and steady daily turnover. It runs on a Scrypt-based Proof of Work system, keeping the network decentralized and still mineable with widely available hardware.

Low fees and fast transactions make it ideal for tipping and micro-payments. As adoption grows and community support stays strong, DOGE is well-positioned for continued momentum through 2026, especially as more payment platforms and retailers begin to accept it as a real currency.

Best Crypto Projects for Specialized Investors — Utility and AI Tokens
While large smart contract networks like Ethereum, Solana, and BNB Chain cover many use cases, some investors prefer clearer themes. Utility and AI tokens stand out because they focus on specific services, link directly to real-world demand, and can show more obvious growth paths.

Some of the best utility tokens include HYPE and HBAR, which power a trading hub and a dApp ecosystem, respectively. A special category to explore is Layer 2 solutions built around Ethereum, which have become indispensable for their scaling potential.

Elsewhere, top AI crypto coins like TAO have also been among trending coins since the AI craze began. Growth-oriented investors may look to these and other utility tokens for day trading and short-term gains.

We selected a few coins that dominate their niches, have gained traction, represent mature markets, and remain well-positioned for future growth. Check them out below.

1. Bittensor (TAO) – Decentralized AI Network Rewarding Open Machine Learning Contributions Key Information:

TAO price: $233.03 Market cap: $4.89B All-time high: $769.13 24-hour price change: +2.03% 7-day price change: -11.11% YTD return: +4.39% Bittensor TAO +2.03% is a decentralized blockchain protocol tailored for machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI). It offers an open marketplace where developers and users can share, train, and even exchange AI models without requiring permissions.

When buying Bittensor, it rewards contributors with the native token TAO, encouraging them to become a collaborative intelligence economy. Moreover, Bittensor’s core architecture combines subnets, a blockchain layer, and an API that, mixed together, offer a wide range of AI services and applications.

2. Hyperliquid (HYPE) — High-Performance Trading Chain for Derivatives and On-Chain Order Books Key Information:

HYPE price: $70.93 Market cap: $70.93B All-time high: $76.76 24-hour price change: +2.23% 7-day price change: +16.49% Year-to-Date (YTD) return: +182.25% Hyperliquid HYPE +2.23% is redefining crypto trading with ultra-fast, on-chain perpetual futures that rival centralized exchanges. Built on a custom Layer 1, it offers sub-second settlement while maintaining full transparency and self-custody — an ideal blend for serious traders.

Hyperliquid is moving beyond perpetuals with HIP-4, adding “Outcome Trading” for prediction markets and bounded, options-style contracts. You post full collateral upfront, so there’s no leverage, margin calls, or liquidations. Markets can be time-limited and priced via auctions instead of external oracles. Trades settle in USDH, and builders can create custom event markets.

3. Hedera (HBAR) – Enterprise-Focused Network Using Hashgraph for Fast, Cheap Transactions Key Information:

HBAR price: $0.080 Market cap: $4.03B All-time high: $0.56 24-hour price change: +0.10% 7-day price change: +2.63% Year-to-Date (YTD) return: -24.32% Hedera HBAR +0.10% is powered by Hashgraph, not traditional blockchain, enabling thousands of fast, secure transactions per second with sub-cent fees. Its enterprise-grade tech is built for real-world use, attracting major partners like Google, IBM, and Dell for applications in tokenization and micropayments.

With its innovative structure, Hedera is tackling problems others haven’t solved, like fair transaction ordering and sustainable scalability. Its tech is already being used in CBDCs, supply chains, and AI data validation.

Why Are Investors Buying Crypto Right Now?
Investors buying crypto now are positioning ahead of a potential macroeconomic and market-cycle turn, even as short-term volatility remains elevated. Despite recent price swings, several structural and behavioral factors are supporting renewed buying interest.

One major driver is the expectation of easier monetary policy. Many investors believe interest rates are closer to their peak than to another meaningful rise. Historically, crypto assets, particularly Bitcoin and Ethereum, have benefited when liquidity conditions improve.

Another factor is “buy-the-dip” cycle thinking. Following a sharp pullback and the clearing of excess leverage, market sentiment has shifted from overheated optimism to cautious realism. For long-term investors, this reset is viewed as constructive rather than bearish, creating opportunities to accumulate assets at more attractive valuations.

Institutional normalization also continues, even if short-term flows look weak. While ETF inflows have softened recently, crypto is now a recognized component of diversified portfolios. Many institutions keep allocating gradually.

On the supply side, there is growing conviction around scarcity. Long-term holders have largely remained inactive, reducing the amount of supply available on exchanges. This dynamic reinforces the belief that downside risk may be more limited unless broader macro conditions deteriorate sharply.

Importantly, crypto demand is no longer driven solely by price speculation. On-chain utility, including stablecoins, payments, tokenization, and decentralized finance, continues to show real-world usage even during downturns. For some investors, buying crypto represents exposure to financial infrastructure rather than a short-term trade.

Finally, contrarian sentiment is playing a role. Periods of fear and negative headlines often attract experienced investors looking for asymmetric upside. When sentiment indicators are depressed, the risk-reward profile can become more compelling if conditions stabilize or improve.

How to Evaluate a Cryptocurrency Before Investing
In bull cycles, a crypto market can uphold numerous assets, yet they are not the ones that are resilient in the long term. It is advisable to perform a careful assessment of the cryptocurrencies before committing financial resources to them that extends beyond their price. These are some of the main factors to be considered.

1. Define Your GoalsCryptocurrencies have become a diverse market, so it’s important to start by defining your specific goals. Do you seek long-term, steady growth, or are you ready to actively trade for short-term gains? Blue-chip coins may be better suited for long-term growth, while scalable altcoins can offer quicker returns, although they carry higher risk.

2. Understand the Project’s Use CaseOnce you select a cryptocurrency that fits your goals, you should check its use case and see what specific problems it solves.

Evergreen Editor for Cryptonews, Cryptocurrency Market Specialist

Evergreen Editor for Cryptonews, Cryptocurrency Market Specialist

Some crypto coins may power one-stop, industry-agnostic chains, while others focus on specific sectors. Always check whether the use case is still relevant and offers long-term value. For example, metaverse projects are currently in standby mode, while AI and payment coins are thriving.

3. Analyze Project Fundamentals: Review the Whitepaper and RoadmapMost crypto assets have a whitepaper outlining their mission and key concepts. Ideally, this comes with a well-designed webpage and a clear roadmap. Take your time to read these.

Sometimes, whitepapers introduce revolutionary innovations. Think about zkSNARKs, decentralized AI networks, oracles, or restaking. If you catch these trends early, you could get in before most investors even notice.

Bitcoin whitepaper4. Look Into Liquidity, Market Capitalization, and Trading VolumeMarket capitalization, trading volume, and liquidity are also key metrics of a crypto asset, which are important factors. High market capitalization is an indication that the investors have confidence in a certain undertaking. High volume of trade and growth in its market size indicate that the project is being captured very fast.

Typically, the coins with large capitalization can be assumed to be more responsible, whereas small-cap and early-stage projects have low liquidity and considerable volatility.

5. Consider TokenomicsTokenomics refers to the economic principles defining aspects like a token’s total supply, pace of token unlocks (vesting schedule), distribution model, allocation, deflationary mechanisms, and other financial dynamics.

You should look for healthy tokenomics models that prioritize organic growth and community building rather than benefiting the team and private investors in a disproportionate way.

BNB tokenomics breakdown6. Scrutinize the Team and BackersSpeaking of the team, you should do a background check and analyze the history of team members. Have they held key executive roles at reputable companies in the past? Many blockchain developers and managers come from established fintechs or other well-known entities.

For example, the team behind Facebook’s abandoned Libra project split into two main groups and went on to build Aptos and Sui, two Layer 1 chains that have experienced rapid growth.

When it comes to meme coins and small-cap crypto projects, anonymous teams have become the norm. Still, there are specialized security firms that can audit team profiles without revealing their identity.

7. Analyze Community Size and StrengthYou’d be interested in crypto coins backed by large and engaged communities. This is a strong indicator of a project’s strength and momentum, especially in the case of meme coins. In fact, for them, community engagement can be the primary driving force.

Check the cryptocurrency’s social media presence, including activity on X, Telegram, Discord, or Reddit. Projects with passionate and loyal communities can be more resilient during market downturns.

8. Study the Price History and Track RecordIf you want to invest in established crypto projects (a.k.a. dino coins), look at their past price charts and how they handled tough periods, such as the 2022–2023 crypto winter. Newer projects may not have much history, but you can still study how their sector performed or compare them with coins that have similar token structures.

What Are the Risks of Investing in Cryptocurrency?
Cryptocurrencies represent a new asset class that is still finding its place alongside traditional markets. In the meantime, they carry a significantly higher risk, which is to be expected of emerging trends.

Take the dot-com bubble in the 2000s, for example. While many low-quality online projects failed, it didn’t mean the internet itself had no value. Similarly, as the crypto market matures, here are the main risks you should know about.

📈 High Volatility Crypto assets are notorious for their volatility. This is a significant risk even for blue-chip coins. Still, Bitcoin and Ethereum are creating the trends rather than following them. Therefore, they’re more stable and resilient.

Small-cap coins show much higher volatility and carry significant risk for traders using leverage.

🧑‍⚖️ Lack of Regulation One of the big problems of crypto is that its regulatory environment is very fragmented and inconsistent across jurisdictions. For example, in China, the world’s second most populous country, crypto is completely banned, while in the European Union, it has a dedicated and relatively friendly regulatory framework.

In the US, still the biggest crypto market by volume and usage, the rulebook is patchy and varies across regulators and states. Things are slowly getting clearer, though, with FIT21 passing the House in 2024 and the GENIUS Act now outlining how stablecoins and watchdog roles should be handled.

🔒 Security Risks You will often hear that blockchain offers unmatched security. While this is true for Bitcoin and perhaps a few other established Layer 1 chains, the broader Web3 ecosystem built around these chains is plagued by security risks, such as vulnerable smart contracts and coding flaws.

In late 2025, two major incidents reflect the security weakness in decentralized finance (DeFi). Balancer Protocol lost over $116 million in a cross-chain exploit targeting its V2 pools, marking one of the largest crypto security breaches this year.

A few hours later, Stream Finance discovered that an external fund manager had lost $93 million of its fund assets, causing its stablecoin Stream USD (xUSD) to lose its peg and crash.

To reduce the risk of similar events, it’s safer to use crypto projects that have been audited by well-known security firms such as Certik or Halborn.

🧑‍💻 Scams and Hacks Due to the lack of crypto literacy, criminals and hackers are taking advantage of the situation and carrying out social engineering activities and using hacking attacks targeting both centralized and decentralized systems.

Chainalysis noted in October 2025 that illicit organizations had close to 15 billion dollars worth of funds, and stolen funds constituted the biggest portion. It is a new record peak, in part, explained by an increase in the price of crypto assets in 2025.

Rug pulls, Ponzi schemes, pig butchering, and other social engineering devices are all scams that are constantly being developed by criminals, and with AI getting more popular, diversity increases.

🌎 Market Manipulation While analyzing key metrics, you should know that data can be distorted due to market manipulation, as many small projects use bots to inflate market cap and volume figures to create the false impression of success. This is a serious problem in crypto, affecting DeFi, NFTs, and the broader Web3 sector.

For example, CryptoSlam found that 42.52% of NFT trading on Ethereum links to wash trading, a manipulative practice where the same group buys and sells NFTs to inflate volume data.

Risk Management Tips for Investing in Crypto Projects
Many investors find the crypto space appealing for its high-growth opportunities, but the risks are also high. Here are a few basic principles and steps to protect your capital.

🔍 Do Your Own Research Before investing in any crypto project, take the time to research it thoroughly. Check out our guide on evaluating a cryptocurrency, and review each aspect, from the whitepaper and team to tokenomics and community engagement.

Don’t just rely on social media hype or your friend’s advice.

📚 Diversify Your Cryptocurrency Portfolio One of the best ways to mitigate risk is to diversify your crypto exposure by allocating across different cryptocurrency types, including blue-chip and small-cap coins.

Example of portfolio allocation to diversify across blue-chips, altcoins, and new cryptos. 🧑‍💼 Consult With a Professional If you have capital but aren’t sure how to get started in crypto or what the legal and tax implications might be, it’s wise to consult with a financial advisor or crypto-savvy professional.

Again, don’t believe anyone promoting themselves as a crypto expert — look for a reputable individual or firm that can guide you.

💸 Invest Only What You Can Afford to Lose It may sound like a cliché, but never invest more than you can afford to lose. Crypto markets are highly speculative, and you should never sell your car or house, or dip into your savings, chasing the “next big thing.”

Methodology: How We Rated the Best Cryptos to Buy
To curate this list of the best cryptos to buy, our crypto analysts collectively dedicated over 300 hours to research. They evaluated factors like historical performance, long-term potential for growth, current price, utility, and security. Here’s how we researched and weighted each criterion. For more information, please read our full research methodology.

Market Performance (25%) We reviewed the coin’s price action over the past week and up to 12 months, examining both short-term fluctuations and longer-term trends. We also considered its overall market value to understand its position and weight in the wider crypto market.

Utility and Use Cases (20%) We looked at how cryptocurrency is used in real life, paying attention to any features or applications that make it stand out. We also reviewed the technology behind it and recent updates that strengthen its practical use.

Community and Adoption (15%) To analyze the adoption by the community, we have examined the relevance and liveliness of the project on X, Reddit, Telegram, and other forums. We also examined the practical applications, both among merchants and applications themselves, as well as by regular people, since broader usage tends to be more indicative of a healthier ecosystem.

Development Team (15%) We researched the development team’s track record and reputation; while we don’t dismiss newcomers, past experience and successful projects help build credibility. We also checked how open the team is with updates, progress reports, and challenges, because the more the community knows, the more confident people feel about buying and holding the coin.

Security (15%) We evaluated the security design of the blockchain, including its consensus mechanism and resistance to common attack vectors. On top of that, we reviewed any past security incidents or bugs and assessed how quickly and effectively the team responded and fixed them.

Regulatory Compliance (5%) We checked whether the cryptocurrency operates in line with relevant regulations in its main regions, since compliance is key for long-term survival and institutional interest.

Roadmap and Future Plans (5%) We reviewed the project’s roadmap to see if it sets out clear, realistic updates and milestones that can guide future growth.

These scores together gave us a full view of each cryptocurrency’s strengths and potential, allowing us to assign a rating to every coin recommended on this page.

Conclusion: Our Take on the Best Crypto to Buy Right Now
The best cryptos to buy right now include XRP, Bitcoin, Solana, and Ethereum. XRP stands out in terms of real-world adoption, while Bitcoin remains the most reliable long-term store of value.

To determine if a crypto is worth buying, you need a data-driven approach, analyzing its key metrics, long-term potential, real-world utility, tokenomics, regulatory compliance, and unique selling point.

However, even when arguments are backed by fundamentals, choosing the “best” cryptocurrencies ultimately depends on your financial goals and risk tolerance. Aggressive growth-oriented investors will likely be interested in tokens with strong upside potential, while conservative investors may stick with blue chips.

Match your goals and your risk appetite to the right asset, and never invest more than you can afford to lose.

Buy Crypto with Best Wallet

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Disclaimer: Crypto is a high-risk asset class. This article is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice. You could lose all of your capital.

Siacoin (SC) price rose to above $0.02, its highest level since December 2021. SC, the native token of decentralized cloud storage platform Sia, was up 55% in the past week and 120% up over the past two weeks. Siacoin (SC) rose to its highest level since December 2021, breaking above $0.02 to mark a two-year high.

SC, the native token of decentralized cloud storage platform Sia, was among top performers on Friday. With SC/USD changing hands near the intraday highs, the double-digit gains pushed Siacoin’s market cap to above $1 billion. Per CoinMarketCap, Siacoin ranked 70 among largest cryptocurrencies by market cap at the time of writing.

Today’s gains have pushed the weekly upside for the altcoin to 55%, while it’s 120% up over the past two weeks.

Why is Siacoin price up today? Siacoin’s gains, which put it among top gainers on the day alongside Avalanche DEX platform Pangolin (PNG), comes amid renewed confidence in the future of the project.

A recent update from the Siacoin Foundation injected optimism within the Sia community. According to the platform’s February 2024 update, there’s a lot in the pipeline for the Sia network.

Key milestones set to enhance network stability and performance include an upcoming hardfork dubbed Utreexo. The implementation for the hardfork as set in the RHP4 aims at enhancing network scalability and efficiency.

As SC price rose, the amount of short liquidations increased. According to data from Coinglass, the last 24 hours had seen a total of over $64k in shorts liquidated.

Meanwhile, Open Interest has increased 21% to $12.77 million amid the buy pressure.

As the market anticipates an imminent bull rally, ChatGPT recommends the top five altcoins under $0.01 for a profitable $1,000 investment.

Despite the recent turbulence in the crypto market, investors remain confident about seeing a massive bull rally before the end of the 2024/2025 season. 

Several analysts believe this season will usher in the most significant bull cycle ever since the inception of the crypto market.

This optimism is fueled by multiple events this year, including the introduction of Bitcoin spot-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and the recently concluded Bitcoin halving. 

These events usually serve as catalysts for potential massive bull runs. In anticipation of this massive run, investors seek good and affordable crypto projects that could participate in the upcoming rally. 

Top 5 Altcoins Under $0.01 For a $1,000 Investment  Consequently, we queried ChatGPT to highlight the top five altcoins under $0.01 suitable for an investment of $1,000.  

Shiba Inu (SHIB)  The AI chatbot ranked Shiba Inu (SHIB) at the top of the list. ChatGPT recommended that the investor allocate a capital of $300 to the canine-themed token for a chance to record huge returns. 

At the current price of $0.00002512, a $300 investment in Shiba Inu today would give 11,942,675 (11.94 million) SHIB tokens.  

According to ChatGPT, the reason behind SHIB’s selection is that Shiba Inu has a strong community and boasts high liquidity. Another reason why ChatGPT selected Shiba Inu as a suitable investment opportunity is due to SHIB’s potential for growth based on its market trends and community activities. 

At press time, Shiba Inu is ranked as the 11th-largest cryptocurrency, with a market cap of $14.75 billion. SHIB boasts a 24-hour trading volume of $409.65 million.

Holo (HOT)  Holo (HOT) is the second recommendation on ChatGPT’s list of crypto assets under $0.01 for a $1,000 investment. For context, Holo is an ERC-20 token redeemable for the upcoming HoloFuel token, which will be used to pay costs for services within the Holochain. Of the $1,000 capital, ChatGPT recommended that the investor should invest $250 into HOT. 

At the current price of $0.00228, a $250 investment in Holo today would give 109,649 HOT tokens.  

The reason behind HOT’s selection is that the asset offers a new approach to decentralized applications, with an emphasis on scalability and data integrity. Holo is ranked as the 170th-largest cryptocurrency, with a market cap of $394.62 million. 

BitTorrent (BTT)  Launched in 2001, BitTorrent is a decentralized data-sharing platform. In 2018, Tron acquired BitTorrent, which has since bolstered its decentralization. ChatGPT highlighted BitTorrent’s native token, BTT, as the third altcoin under $0.01 suitable for an investor with a $1,000 capital.

The chatbot advised that the investor commit $200 out of the $1,000 capital. This $200 investment would fetch 163,666,121 (163.66 million) BTT tokens at the current price of $0.000001222 per token. 

BTT’s selection is due to its integration with the Tron blockchain and its utility in the decentralized file-sharing sector. It is currently ranked as the 73rd-biggest cryptocurrency, with a market cap of $1.18 billion. 

Siacoin (SC)  ChatGPT highlighted Siacoin as the fourth altcoin under $0.01, which is suitable for an investor with a capital of only $1,000. For the uninitiated, Siacoin is the native token of the prominent blockchain-based cloud storage crypto project Sia. 

ChatGPT recommends that investors only channel $150 out of the $1,000 capital. With SC changing hands at $0.007335, one can acquire 20,449 Siacoins using $150. The token has a market cap of $413 million, which places it as the 159th-biggest crypto.

Electroneum (ETN)  The last recommendation in the list is Electroneum (ETN). It boasts a market cap of $53.97 million, ranking it as the 589th-largest cryptocurrency. According to ChatGPT, investors with a $1,000 capital can allocate $100 to ETN. At the current rate of $0.003, one can purchase 333,333 ETN tokens with an investment of $100.  

ChatGPT added ETN to the list of altcoins under $0.01 for a $1,000 investment due to Electroneum’s focus on mobile-based payments and microtransactions. The chatbot also expects Electoreum to give investors huge returns due to its role in providing financial inclusion to the unbanked population. 

DisClamier: This content is informational and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author's personal opinions and do not reflect The Crypto Basic opinion. Readers are encouraged to do thorough research before making any investment decisions. The Crypto Basic is not responsible for any financial losses.

With a network overhaul just days away, the Sia Foundation is urging users to take control of their coins before it’s too late.

The Sia network is about to get its biggest upgrade yet, with a major v2 hardfork set for June 6, giving users only a short time to update their wallets and software to stay connected. Once live, it will effectively shut out anyone still using outdated software or storing their Siacoin (SC) on exchanges that haven’t upgraded.

The Sia Foundation has described the move as more than a technical refresh. According to a Monday blog post, the fork introduces an entirely new architecture, reworks the core file-sharing protocol, and splits functionality into modular components. Calling it a “foundational overhaul” and even a “rebirth,” the Foundation has framed v2 as a clean break from the legacy system.

Under the new rules, nodes still running the old siad software will stop syncing. Wallets will become unusable. Storage contracts will no longer be valid. To stay on the network, users must switch to the v2-compatible stack — renterd, hostd, and walletd — and migrate their wallets accordingly.

That creates a high-stakes situation for users who rely on centralized exchanges.

Who will support Sei fork Several crypto exchanges have confirmed they’ll support the transition, including Binance, Kraken, and Poloniex. Yet, others, such as BitMart, CoinW, and Gate.io, remain uncommitted or in technical discussions. Some exchanges, including Bybit and Bithumb, have not publicly confirmed whether they’ll support the new upgrade at all.

Crypto exchanges notified by Siacoin Foundation about v2 hardfork | Source: Siacoin Foundation The Foundation has urged caution, saying that “it’s unlikely every exchange will upgrade immediately,” and adding that some may delay support, as they have during previous forks.

Technical details At the core of the upgrade is Utreexo, a cryptographic structure that significantly reduces the size of the blockchain’s state. Instead of downloading large amounts of unspent transaction data, new nodes can validate with compact proofs. The result: syncing a node in minutes rather than days, making it easier for users to spin up full nodes without high resource requirements.

That aligns with a broader goal: greater decentralization. Smaller, faster nodes lower the barrier to participation and could pave the way for browser-native apps and mobile clients. It also helps future-proof the network against scalability issues.

In addition, the new Renter-Host Protocol 4 improves how users interact with the storage layer. Features include faster file transfers, smarter contract handling, prepaid balances, and easier integration into web-based environments. Combined with the modular design of the v2 software stack, the system will be more flexible for developers and streamlined for users.

The old all-in-one siad daemon will be replaced with specialized components so that users could run only what they need, whether it’s uploading files, offering storage, or managing a wallet. Developers, in turn, gain access to clearer interfaces and better documentation, potentially making it easier to build on Sia in the future.

Market response Despite the technical leap, Siacoin has yet to reflect the enthusiasm in its price. As of press time, SC is trading at around $0.003 — down roughly 96% from its 2018 peak of $0.069. Even as the broader crypto market has experienced multiple rallies, SC has remained relatively flat.

SC-USDT price on 3-month timeframe since 2018 | Source: crypto.news Exchange support remains another critical challenge. The Foundation says it’s working closely with every exchange that has responded, but ultimately, support is voluntary. If large trading platforms don’t onboard the v2 upgrade promptly, user access could remain fragmented and onboarding could stall — regardless of the protocol’s technical merits.

What’s next From a technical perspective, the v2 fork appears to mark a meaningful evolution for the Sia network, though the developers say the upgrade is the beginning of a “new phase built for scalability, accessibility, and long-term growth.”

The Foundation is aiming for a more modular, lightweight architecture, one that could, in theory, make the protocol easier to use and build on. Features like Utreexo and the revamped RHP4 point toward a shift in focus: less friction, more flexibility, and a better fit for modern applications.

“This progress means users will soon interact with Sia the same way they do with traditional cloud storage — only with greater privacy, stronger security, and full ownership of their data.”

The Sei Foundation

Nonetheless, the long-term impact of the upgrade likely won’t hinge on engineering alone. Broader adoption may depend on how actively the community engages, whether developers embrace the new tooling, and if major exchanges follow through with support in a timely manner.

DeepSeek AI Predicts 4 Cryptocurrencies That Could 1000x by 2026

Sat 20 Jun 2026 ▪ 3 min read ▪ by Fenelon L.

Summarize this article with:

The Ironwood hard fork of Zcash is approaching, and Keystone does not want to miss the start. The hardware wallet maker announces compatible firmware from the first day of the network switchover, after the recent fix of a flaw in the Orchard pool. ZEC holders in self-custody now have a clear roadmap. 

In brief Keystone announces support from the launch of Ironwood thanks to a dedicated firmware update. The Nexus application integrates network compatibility and TEX and T3 addresses for Zcash. The Ironwood hard fork definitively seals the Orchard pool after the urgent security patch was deployed. Why Ironwood intervenes after the Orchard patch The Orchard pool, which ensures transaction privacy on the Zcash network, had a vulnerability theoretically allowing the creation of counterfeit ZEC without immediate detection. The development team deployed an emergency patch to isolate the threat before it could be exploited, according to information published by Shielded Labs.

Ironwood comes to definitively seal this pool. The upgrade also restores users’ ability to independently verify the protocol’s issuance limits, a fundamental point for any privacy-focused crypto. This security fix also caused a spectacular rebound of ZEC by 17% in ten hours, with more than 13 million dollars of short positions liquidated.

Wallet and application providers must update their software before the network change to avoid any service interruption.

What Keystone is concretely preparing for ZEC users Keystone confirmed that its next firmware update will be compatible with Ironwood from its release. ZEC holders in self-custody will then be able to migrate their protected funds from Orchard to Ironwood via the zodl app, once it is updated. The final schedule nonetheless depends on the availability of this application.

At the same time, Keystone’s Nexus app will receive several improvements: an updated consensus branch identifier, expanded support for TEX addresses used during transfers to exchanges, and the addition of T3 addresses dedicated to multi-signature wallets.

These additions prepare for smoother use of Zcash after Ironwood, especially for users interacting with exchanges requiring transparent transfers.

In sum, Keystone offers ZEC holders structured preparation for a complex network upgrade. Compatible firmware from day one, new address options in Nexus, secure migration via zodl: the three levers are identified. It remains to monitor the zodl app schedule and the exact date of the Ironwood hard fork to adjust the custody strategy. For privacy-focused cryptos, this type of transition is rarely trivial.

Maximize your Cointribune experience with our "Read to Earn" program! For every article you read, earn points and access exclusive rewards. Sign up now and start earning benefits.

Join the program

A

A

Lien copié

Fenelon L.

Passionné par le Bitcoin, j'aime explorer les méandres de la blockchain et des cryptos et je partage mes découvertes avec la communauté. Mon rêve est de vivre dans un monde où la vie privée et la liberté financière sont garanties pour tous, et je crois fermement que Bitcoin est l'outil qui peut rendre cela possible.

DISCLAIMER

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author, and should not be taken as investment advice. Do your own research before taking any investment decisions.

Eli Ben-Sasson, cofounder of StarkWare and a founding scientist of Zcash, has shared his view on the recent debate around the Ethereum Foundation. 

Summary

Eli Ben-Sasson said Ethereum should weigh merit and technology more heavily than ecosystem alignment debates. His comments followed Foundation exits and warnings about core development funding pressure within coming months. StarkWare’s past choices on STARKs, Cairo and zkVM were once viewed as misaligned by critics. His comments came as Ethereum faces questions over leadership changes, funding pressure and the role of layer-2 teams in the wider ecosystem.

Ben-Sasson said he was not joining criticism of the foundation and was not claiming that Ethereum is near its end. He also said he was not trying to defend the foundation by saying everything was fine. “Ethereum has many strengths, and it also has its politics,” he wrote.

StarkWare history frames his point Ben-Sasson said StarkWare’s first paid project in 2019 and 2020 focused on a post-quantum secure, scalable ZK-STARK system for Ethereum. He said the work aimed to help Ethereum scale and become more ready for future quantum security risks.

My view on the Ethereum Foundation turmoil:

I'm not here to join those bashing EF, or saying this is the end of Ethereum. I’m also not here to defend it and say all is rosy. Ethereum has many strengths, and it also has its politics.
I'm here to share my point of view as a friend…

— Eli Ben-Sasson | Starknet.io (@EliBenSasson) June 21, 2026 He also pointed to StarkWare’s later choices, including STARKs, Cairo, zkVM work, native account abstraction and Bitcoin scaling. He said those choices were not always popular and were sometimes viewed as “misaligned.” Ben-Sasson said he was glad the team made them because he sees them as the right technical decisions.

Exits and funding worries add pressure His comments came during a tense period for the Ethereum Foundation. As previously reported by crypto.news, Hsiao-Wei Wang stepped down as co-executive director and board member after returning from a sabbatical. Her exit followed other staff changes and came after Tomasz Stańczak also left a co-executive director role.

The debate also includes funding concerns. Former Ethereum Foundation contributor Trent Van Epps warned that Ethereum core development could face a funding gap within three to nine months. He linked that risk to spending cuts and the end of the Client Incentive Program. Tom Lee later rejected that warning, saying there was “zero chance” of such a crisis.

Merit versus alignment becomes the issue Ben-Sasson’s main point centered on how Ethereum should judge teams and ideas. He said the ecosystem placed too much weight on whether teams appeared aligned or misaligned. He argued that technical merit should matter more than social labels or political positioning.

“As part of the ecosystem and supporter of all things crypto, I hope the new system that will arise will give a lot of weight to merit and technology, and less for alignment,” Ben-Sasson wrote. 

He added that he would want to work more closely with that system if it moved in that direction.

That framing also answers past complaints that StarkWare moved outside Ethereum’s preferred path. In his view, useful engineering can start outside consensus and still become part of the broader stack later. The post did not propose a formal governance plan for the wider ecosystem.

His comments place StarkWare’s experience inside a wider Ethereum governance debate. Layer-2 teams depend on Ethereum, but they also make independent technical choices. That can create tension when foundation priorities, roadmap work and community expectations do not move at the same pace.

Zcash miner Fortitude Mining Holdings is set to merge with medical technology company HeartSciences in a deal that will allow Fortitude to become publicly traded without pursuing a traditional initial public offering.

The all-stock transaction announced Tuesday will see Fortitude’s management team assume control of the combined company, which will operate under the Fortitude name and is expected to trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol TUDE, subject to regulatory approval. Existing HeartSciences shareholders will retain a minority ownership stake.

HeartSciences CEO Andrew Simpson hinted at the rationale behind the transaction, saying it would free the company from “the constant cycle of raising capital” while providing what it believes is the best path forward for shareholders.

While the combination brings together two unrelated businesses — Fortitude mines digital assets, while HeartSciences develops AI-enabled cardiac diagnostics — the deal is effectively a reverse merger that gives Fortitude access to the public markets through an existing Nasdaq-listed company. For HeartSciences, which has faced ongoing capital needs, the transaction offers shareholders continued exposure to a publicly traded business while allowing its healthcare unit to continue operating under Simpson’s leadership.

The structure is similar to other crypto companies that have reached the public markets through mergers rather than traditional IPOs. For example, Bitcoin miner Core Scientific listed via a SPAC merger in 2022, while Cipher Mining also went public through a SPAC transaction.

Shares of HeartSciences, which continue to trade on Nasdaq under the ticker HSCS pending completion of the transaction, rose as much as 91% on Tuesday, according to Google Finance data.

HeartSciences stock. Source: Google Finance

HeartSciences remained unprofitable before merger dealHeartSciences has yet to achieve meaningful commercial revenue and has reported net losses for several consecutive years. According to MarketScreener, the company generated minimal revenue in fiscal 2025 while its net loss widened to $8.77 million from $6.61 million a year earlier.

Despite its financial challenges, HeartSciences advanced its product roadmap in fiscal 2025, launching its MyoVista Insights software platform, which is designed to modernize existing ECG management systems.

As a privately held company, Fortitude has disclosed little about its finances. However, it said it had scaled its annualized production to 157,000 Zcash (ZEC) as of May 31. ZEC was last trading at about $413 apiece, CoinMarketCap data showed at time of publication. That gave the token a market cap of $6.92 billion.

Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently.

THE BLOCK: Barry Silbert's Zcash miner proposes merger, sends Nasdaq stock soaring despite rough month for ZEC

Zcash miner Fortitude Mining Holdings has secured a path to the public markets through an all-stock merger with HeartSciences, a transaction that will place the crypto mining company on the Nasdaq without a traditional IPO.

Summary

Fortitude will go public through an all-stock merger with Nasdaq-listed HeartSciences. HeartSciences shares surged as much as 91% after the transaction was announced. The deal comes as renewed attention on Zcash boosts interest in privacy-focused crypto firms. According to a joint announcement released Tuesday, Fortitude and HeartSciences have agreed to combine in a deal that will leave Fortitude’s management team in control of the merged company. The business is expected to operate under the Fortitude name and trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol TUDE, subject to regulatory approvals.

Under the terms of the transaction, existing HeartSciences shareholders will retain a minority ownership stake. HeartSciences, which develops AI-powered cardiac diagnostic technologies, will continue operating under the leadership of chief executive Andrew Simpson.

Explaining the decision, Simpson said the merger would help remove what he described as the “constant cycle of raising capital” while offering what the company believes is the most favorable outcome for shareholders.

Although the two companies operate in unrelated industries, the structure effectively gives Fortitude access to public equity markets through an already listed Nasdaq company.

For HeartSciences, the agreement provides continued exposure to a publicly traded entity while allowing its healthcare operations to remain active.

Fortitude gains public listing without an IPO Rather than pursuing a conventional stock market debut, Fortitude is following a route that several crypto firms have previously used to reach public investors. According to the companies, the transaction is structured as a merger that will result in Fortitude taking over the public listing.

Similar approaches have been used elsewhere in the sector. Bitcoin mining company Core Scientific entered public markets through a SPAC merger in 2022, while Cipher Mining also became publicly traded through a merger-based structure instead of a traditional IPO.

Investor reaction was immediate. According to data from Yahoo Finance, shares of HeartSciences, which continue to trade under the ticker HSCS until the transaction closes, climbed as much as 91% during Tuesday’s session.

Source: Yahoo Finance The announcement arrives at a time when interest in Zcash and privacy-focused cryptocurrencies has increased. Recent discussions surrounding the European Union’s planned anti-money laundering framework and proposed €10,000 (about $11,500) cash payment cap have drawn renewed attention to privacy-preserving digital assets.

Earlier this month, according to public comments shared on social media, Helius chief executive Mert Mumtaz described Zcash as one of the strongest privacy-focused crypto networks. His remarks came as market participants debated how future compliance requirements could affect cryptocurrency users across Europe.

HeartSciences remains loss-making as Zcash output grows Financially, the two companies enter the merger from very different positions.

According to MarketScreener data, HeartSciences remained unprofitable in fiscal 2025, reporting a net loss of $8.77 million compared with a loss of $6.61 million a year earlier. The company generated limited revenue during the period but continued developing its healthcare products.

During fiscal 2025, HeartSciences launched its MyoVista Insights software platform, which the company said is designed to modernize existing ECG management systems.

Fortitude, meanwhile, has disclosed little financial information because it remains privately held. Even so, the company reported that its annualized production reached 157,000 Zcash as of May 31.

According to data from crypto.news, Zcash (ZEC) was trading near $417 per token, with a market capitalization of approximately $6.99 billion at the time of writing.

DCG-Backed Miner Takes the Reverse Merger RouteFortitude Mining Holdings, the Zcash mining platform wholly owned by Digital Currency Group (DCG), has agreed to merge with Nasdaq-listed HeartSciences (HSCS) in an all-stock transaction. The combined company is expected to trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol "TUDE" and the deal is targeted to close in the second half of 2026.

The merger is structured as an all-stock deal, giving Fortitude a Nasdaq listing without a traditional initial public offering. Fortitude's management team will take control of the combined company, while existing HeartSciences shareholders will retain a minority ownership stake after the merger closes. DCG will hold approximately 95% ownership post-merger.

Upon completion, Fortitude believes it will be the first publicly traded venture mining platform with a track record of identifying high-conviction, early-stage proof-of-work opportunities. HeartSciences CEO Andrew Simpson will continue to lead the healthcare business unit, while Fortitude CEO Andrea Childs will head the combined company's leadership team.

A Zcash Operation Built Over Six YearsFortitude began mining ZEC, the native token of the Zcash network, in 2019 and has scaled its annualised production to 157,000 ZEC, approximately 366 ZEC per day, as of May 31, 2026. The company operates six sites with 48 megawatts of owned power capacity and plans to grow that to 80 megawatts by the end of 2026. Fortitude reported $90 million in gross revenue in fiscal 2025 on a debt-free balance sheet.

Launched in 2016 from Bitcoin's codebase, Zcash shares Bitcoin's defining attributes, including a fixed 21 million coin supply, while adding robust privacy technology. Zcash delivered a trailing twelve-month return of approximately 1,000% as of June 15, 2026.

The public listing is intended to give Fortitude access to capital markets to expand its proof-of-work mining platform, according to CEO Andrea Childs. The listing offers investors a public equity opportunity tied to ZEC price, mining difficulty, and production costs, with Fortitude leveraging its vertically integrated mining platform and long-term power contracts to maintain competitive costs.

Sources:
Fortitude and HeartSciences announce business combination (BusinessWire)
HeartSciences Form 8-K filing, Exhibit 99.1 (SEC.gov)
Fortitude and HeartSciences announce merger to form public Zcash mining platform (RTTNews)