Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

The KyberSwap attacker has transferred another 2000 ETH to Tornado Cash, with over 80% of the stolen funds now laundered.

According to PeckShield’s monitoring, an address identified as the KyberSwap attacker has once again transferred 2,000 ETH to Tornado Cash. Over the past two years, this attacker has cumulatively transferred and mixed 16,100 ETH via Tornado Cash, equivalent to roughly $40 million at current prices, accounting for over 80% of the $48.8 million lost in the KyberSwap attack in November 2023. Some of the stolen funds have not yet been fully transferred.

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James Wynn closed out his 40x Bitcoin short position, netting $30,000 in profits, and shifted to opening a 50x S&P 500 short position.

According to monitoring by OnchainLens, James Wynn has liquidated his 40x leveraged Bitcoin (BTC) short position, pocketing roughly $30,000 in profit. He subsequently opened a new 50x leveraged S&P 500 (SP500) short position at a price of 334.42, betting on a future decline in the US stock market.

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Micron's conference call delivers strong signals: the memory shortage will continue until 2028, and AI long-term contracts are rewriting the industry cycle narrative.

Micron Technology (MU) revealed in its early-morning earnings call that its strategic customer agreements rose from 1 to 16 sequentially, covering roughly 20% of its DRAM shipments and around one-third of its NAND shipments. Of these deals, 14 calculated at minimum contract prices represent a cumulative remaining revenue of approximately $100 billion. CEO Sanjay Mehrotra said these agreements will "fundamentally transform" the company’s business model. The key takeaway for the market is that Micron is being repositioned from a highly cyclical memory stock to an AI infrastructure provider with far greater revenue visibility. During the call, Micron disclosed it expects industry tightness to persist beyond 2027, and even as supply gradually improves in 2028, there is no clear timeline for supply to catch up with demand. Management attributed this gap to the large scale, complexity, and long lead times of new semiconductor fab construction. CFO Mark Murphy noted that DRAM revenue jumped 343% year-over-year to $31.3 billion, while NAND revenue surged 361% YoY to $9.9 billion. DRAM prices rose in the low-60% range, and NAND prices increased in the mid-80% range. He explained that the quarter’s earnings, which handily beat market expectations, were driven more by pricing power and supply-demand imbalances rather than just shipment volume. The company forecasts capital expenditure of roughly $10 billion this quarter, and $27 billion for full fiscal 2026. Fiscal 2027 quarterly capex will exceed the FY2026 fourth quarter level, with more than half allocated to cleanroom construction. However, the CFO also stated that free cash flow for the current quarter is expected to continue rising sharply. Overall, the call’s messaging sent three key signals to the market: persistent memory shortages, customer willingness to sign long-term agreements, and further upside for prices. This drove Micron’s (MU) shares to surge nearly 16% in U.S. post-market trading.

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A poll shows that a majority of U.S. voters support federal unified regulation of prediction markets.

Two polls commissioned by the Coalition for Prediction Markets show that U.S. Republican and Democratic voters both prefer federal-level unified regulation of prediction markets over state-by-state oversight. Among Republican respondents, 48% support a federal regulatory framework, while only 27% back state-level regulation. For Democratic voters, 45% favor federal regulation, compared to 35% who support state-level rules. Only 8% of respondents believe prediction markets should be banned in the U.S., and a majority of voters support consumer autonomy to choose whether to participate in such markets. The survey also found that people under 35 have the highest acceptance of prediction markets, with more than half of young respondents expressing interest in using or having already used related platforms. Currently, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and prediction market platforms including Kalshi and Polymarket are in disputes with multiple state governments over regulatory authority, with the core focus being whether sports event contracts qualify as prediction market products subject to federal regulation.

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Analysis: Bitcoin miners face profit pressure, with around 20% of mining firms now operating below the break-even point.

Bitcoin miners' revenue continues to decline, with the current 7-day average daily income dropping to around $30 million, a notable pullback from the over $50 million level seen last summer. Meanwhile, on-chain transaction fee revenue has fallen to less than $250,000, accounting for an extremely small share of miners' total income. Data from JPMorgan Chase shows the average production cost is approximately $78,000, and Bitcoin’s price has remained below this level for five consecutive months — the longest such stretch in the current cycle. An estimated 20% of miners are already operating at a loss; some high-cost miners have begun frequently powering their mining rigs on and off in response to price fluctuations, leading to a stronger correlation between network hash rate difficulty and Bitcoin’s price. Additionally, Bitcoin’s mining difficulty was adjusted down by roughly 10% in the second week of June, marking the second pullback of the same magnitude this year. Publicly listed mining companies, meanwhile, are relying more on their balance sheets to sustain operations, selling over 32,000 BTC in the first quarter alone to cover operating costs. Analysts note that against the backdrop of continuously shrinking block subsidies and stagnant fee revenue, a recovery in miners’ profits will primarily depend on a rise in Bitcoin’s price.

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Japan and South Korea's stock markets opened higher, with South Korea's KOSPI index rising 2.9% and SK Hynix surging 11%.

According to Bitget market data, the Nikkei 225 index opened 1.4% higher at 70114.09. South Korea’s KOSPI index rose 2.9%. South Korean stocks SK Hynix gained 11%, while Samsung Electronics rose 5%.

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2 mins read March 14, 2024

MAP Protocol has joined the NVIDIA Developer Program, marking a significant step towards integrating artificial intelligence (AI) to advance blockchain interoperability, especially within the Bitcoin ecosystem. In partnership with NEAR Protocol, MAP Protocol is set to pioneer the development of cross-chain interoperability solutions powered by AI. This initiative, supported by official funding and highlighted at the NVIDIA AI Conference and NEARCON 2023. innovative blockchain-AI convergence. MAP Protocol has officially announced its entry into the NVIDIA Developer Program. The strategic collaboration is set to catapult the interoperability of Bitcoin into a new era, leveraging the formidable AI capabilities of NVIDIA. 

As a significant player in the Bitcoin ecosystem, MAP Protocol’s initiative to integrate AI for advancing interoperability research and implementation marks a pivotal step forward. Coupled with it, the alliance with NEAR Protocol, a leader in AI blockchain innovation, further underscores a concerted move towards fostering a seamless interaction between the Bitcoin L2 ecosystem and other blockchain platforms.

MAP Protocol and NIDIA harnessing AI for blockchain innovation The partnership between MAP Protocol and NVIDIA through the Developer Program is a vivid illustration of the transformative potential of combining blockchain with cutting-edge AI technology. By tapping into NVIDIA’s vast array of AI tools and resources, MAP Protocol is poised to explore and develop sophisticated interoperability solutions that were previously beyond reach.

The integration is not merely a technical collaboration but a visionary step towards unlocking a new dimension of blockchain capabilities, where transactions and interactions across different blockchain systems can occur seamlessly and efficiently. The use of AI in the context not only enhances the precision and functionality of interoperability solutions but also opens the door to new forms of blockchain innovation that are more adaptive, secure, and scalable.

The collaboration with NEAR Protocol, backed by official funding, marks a significant milestone for MAP Protocol in its journey towards achieving unparalleled interoperability within the blockchain domain. The forthcoming announcement at the NVIDIA AI Conference about NEAR’s commitment to evolving into an AI-centric blockchain platform further amplifies the significance of the partnership. At NEARCON 2023, the initiation of the NEAR Mission to enrich AI models through community participation underscored the symbiotic relationship between blockchain and AI.

Advancing cross-chain interoperability The decision by MAP Protocol to join the NVIDIA Developer Program and align its goals with NEAR Protocol’s AI-driven approach signifies a strategic move towards expediting the development of cross-chain interoperability. With the official grant from NEAR, MAP Protocol is set to pioneer interoperability between the AI-powered NEAR blockchain and other chains, thereby enhancing the fluidity and functionality of digital asset transactions across diverse blockchain ecosystems.

This effort not only demonstrates MAP Protocol’s commitment to innovation but also highlights the critical role of partnerships and collaborations in pushing the boundaries of what blockchain technology can achieve. The integration of AI into the blockchain sphere through initiatives like these is poised to revolutionize the efficiency, security, and usability of blockchain systems, making them more adaptable and accessible to users worldwide.

Conclusion The strategic integration of MAP Protocol into the NVIDIA Developer Program, combined with its collaboration with NEAR Protocol, marks a significant leap forward in the quest for enhanced blockchain interoperability. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, these partnerships aim to unlock new possibilities for seamless and efficient interaction across different blockchain systems. As we move towards a future where blockchain and AI converge to create more sophisticated and user-friendly digital platforms, the initiatives led by MAP Protocol are not just innovative steps but giant leaps towards realizing the full potential of blockchain technology. The collaborative effort not only sets a new standard for blockchain interoperability but also paves the way for future innovations in the digital economy.

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2 Days To Halving, Here Are 4 Bitcoin Layer 2 Crypto To Buy For 2024 Bull Run

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MAP Protocol, a well-known Bitcoin L2 to increase cross-chain interoperability, has announced an exclusive development. As per MAP Protocol, the platform is launching comprehensive interoperability between the Bitcoin and Solana networks for seamless asset transfers. The platform disclosed this endeavor on its official social media account on X.

📢 MAP Protocol Officially Announces Interoperability Between Solana and Bitcoin Networks

MAP Protocol has officially announced the successful implementation and launch of interoperability between the Solana and Bitcoin networks. Users can now perform decentralized SOL-BTC… pic.twitter.com/6GjUV8STD0

— MAP Protocol (@MapProtocol) May 9, 2025 MAP Protocol Introduces Interoperability between Solana and Bitcoin Ecosystems MAP Protocol’s announcement of interoperability between the Bitcoin and Solana networks is a groundbreaking development. This endeavor focuses on opening latest possibilities when it comes to cross-chain interactions and advanced DeFi applications. The prominent apps, such as Cross-chain Swap, are already utilizing this breakthrough advancement. This development permits consumers to carry out $SOL-$BTC transfers without depending on intermediaries or centrally controlled exchanges.

The interoperability integration between the Bitcoin and Solana ecosystem leverages cutting-edge zero-knowledge proof technology. In addition to this, it also utilizes light user mechanisms to sustain an increased level of efficiency and security. In this respect, it guarantees a seamless and trustless consumer experience.

The development is specifically noteworthy as Bitcoin, dissimilar to the modern blockchains, does not have local smart contract functionality. Hence, this interoperability layer offers a matchless interaction with the high-performance blockchain of Solana. Solana is renowned for its low fees and rapid speeds. As a result of this initiative, MAP Protocol is reportedly leading toward increased blockchain composability.

Driving Utility, Interoperability, and Efficiency among Solana and Bitcoin Networks According to MAP Protocol, the interoperability solution for the Solana and Bitcoin networks is completely peer-to-peer and decentralized. It reinforces the platform’s endeavors to establish a trustless infrastructure. Specifically, consumers will retain complete control over assets during the entire process. Overall, this interoperability now just improves utility for Solana and Bitcoin consumers but also paves the way for a relatively efficient and interconnected Web3 landscape.

AUTHOR

Umair Younas is a cryptocurrency-related content writer linked with this work since 2019. Here, at Blockchainreporter, he serves as a news and article writer. He is a crypto, blockchain, NFTs, DeFi, and FinTech enthusiast. He has strong command over writing authentic reviews about brokers and exchanges and he has collaborated with our education team to write educational content as well. He has a dream to raise awareness among people about digital currencies. His works are well-researched and brimmed with information hence they provide fresh insights. Stay tuned to his posts if you want to stay up-to-date with the crypto-verse.

MAP Protocol has shut down its bridge connecting MAPO ERC-20 tokens and the MAPO mainnet after a reported exploit targeting Butter Bridge V3.1. The pause, a standard containment measure in crypto security incidents, is designed to prevent further damage while the team investigates the scope of the breach.

Cross-chain bridges remain one of the most attacked pieces of infrastructure in all of crypto. And this latest incident is a reminder that the plumbing connecting different blockchains is still, to put it charitably, a work in progress.

What happened MAP Protocol, which operates a peer-to-peer cross-chain infrastructure layer, confirmed that it paused bridge operations between its ERC-20 token (the Ethereum-based version of MAPO) and its native mainnet token. The exploit was linked to Butter Bridge V3.1, a component of the protocol’s cross-chain transfer system.

The specifics of how the exploit was carried out have not been disclosed. The extent of financial losses, if any, is also unclear at this point. Whether user funds were directly compromised remains an open question.

Here’s the thing about bridge exploits: they tend to fall into a few predictable categories. Flaws in message validation, weak contract authentication, or unauthorized minting functions are the usual suspects. Think of a bridge like a courier service between two countries. If someone figures out how to forge the courier’s credentials, they can walk off with whatever’s being transported. The specific forgery method in this case hasn’t been identified publicly yet.

By pausing the bridge entirely, MAP Protocol is effectively locking the doors while it figures out which window was broken. This is considered best practice in the industry, even if it temporarily inconveniences users who need to move tokens between Ethereum and the MAPO mainnet.

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Bridges: crypto’s perennial weak spot If you’ve been in crypto for more than a year, you’ve seen this movie before. Cross-chain bridges have been responsible for some of the largest and most devastating exploits in the industry’s history.

The Nomad Bridge hack in 2022 saw over $186M drained due to an authentication error that effectively allowed anyone to spoof transactions. That wasn’t a sophisticated nation-state attack. It was so easy to replicate that hundreds of copycats piled in once the first exploit went through, turning it into a free-for-all.

And Nomad was far from an isolated case. The Ronin Bridge exploit that same year, the Wormhole hack, and numerous smaller incidents have collectively cost the industry billions of dollars. Bridges are attractive targets for a simple reason: they hold large pools of locked assets on one chain that correspond to minted tokens on another. Compromise the bridge logic, and you can either drain the locked funds or mint unbacked tokens. Either outcome is catastrophic.

The fundamental challenge is that bridges must verify information across two separate blockchain environments, each with its own consensus mechanism, security model, and transaction finality rules. It’s like trying to get two different countries’ postal systems to agree on what constitutes a valid package, in real time, with billions of dollars on the line.

MAP Protocol’s approach uses a peer-to-peer model with light client verification, which is designed to be more secure than bridges that rely on trusted third-party validators. The theory is that by verifying cross-chain messages cryptographically at the protocol level rather than through a multisig committee, you reduce the attack surface. Whether that theoretical advantage held up in this case is exactly what the investigation needs to determine.

What this means for investors For MAPO holders, the immediate practical impact is straightforward: you cannot move tokens between the Ethereum version and the mainnet version until the bridge is reopened. If you hold MAPO ERC-20 tokens on Ethereum, they’re staying on Ethereum for now. If you hold native MAPO on the mainnet, same story.

The bigger concern is what happens to market confidence. Bridge exploits, even when they’re contained quickly, tend to spook liquidity providers and users. If the exploit turns out to be minor and quickly patched, the damage to MAP Protocol’s reputation could be limited. If it involved significant fund losses, the recovery process, both technically and in terms of user trust, gets substantially harder.

Look, the crypto industry has developed a somewhat predictable playbook for these situations. Pause operations, investigate, publish a post-mortem, patch the vulnerability, potentially offer a bug bounty or white-hat reward if the attacker is cooperative, and resume operations. How MAP Protocol executes on each of those steps will matter more than the exploit itself.

One thing worth watching is whether the exploit was specific to Butter Bridge V3.1’s implementation or whether it reveals a deeper architectural issue. A bug in one version of the bridge software is fixable. A fundamental flaw in the cross-chain verification model is a much bigger problem.

For the broader market, this incident reinforces a trend that seasoned crypto investors already know well: cross-chain interoperability remains one of the highest-risk areas in DeFi infrastructure. Protocols that rely heavily on bridge functionality carry inherent smart contract risk that doesn’t exist for single-chain applications. That’s not a reason to avoid them entirely, but it is a reason to size positions accordingly and never leave more value in a bridge-dependent protocol than you can afford to lose.

Investors should monitor MAP Protocol’s official channels for a post-mortem report detailing the attack vector, any fund losses, and the remediation plan. The speed and transparency of that communication will be as telling as the technical details themselves.

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

A quadrillion‑token mint exploit caused MAP Protocol [MAPO] to plunge 96%, dropping from $0.003 to $0.0001. An all-time low price for the altcoin reflected panicked market sentiment following an inflationary attack of unprecedented scale in recent hours.

Source: CoinGecko The attacker had tricked Butter Bridge, the cross-chain bridge built on the MAP Protocol, into minting 1 quadrillion MAPO tokens. This was nearly 5 million times the 208 million supply. The minted tokens were sent to a new externally owned account (EOA).

In an hour, MAP Protocol announced in a post on X that the team was “aware and coordinating with external security partners on investigation and containment.” The announcement also detailed that the bridge between mainnet MAPO and MAPO ERC-20 was paused.

Butter Bridge also reiterated the message and stressed that user funds were not at risk. Pending swaps were held, the post assured.

How did the exploit occur? The attack was more than a compromised private wallet; it originated from the Solidity contract layer. According to blockchain security firm Blockaid, the attacker first submitted a legitimate oracle multisig‑signed message.

They then deployed a malicious contract to a targeted address and resent a manipulated retry message. Because the message produced the same hash structure, it appeared valid and enabled the exploit.

The bridge was thus tricked into the massive token mint.

Team will announce a new contract address The attacker used the EOA to dump nearly a billion MAPO tokens onto Uniswap liquidity pools, draining nearly 52 ETH worth $180k, Blockaid reported. The attacker also controls close to a trillion tokens.

This meant the MAP Protocol had to pause mainnet operations and start a migration process to a new contract address that will be announced soon.

Source: MAP Protocol on X It was reported that the latest exploit comes in a month when at least 18 DeFi and blockchain protocols were compromised, including THORChain [RUNE] and RetoSwap.

Therefore, cross-chain infrastructure remains the Achilles’ heel of DeFi, even in 2026.

Final Summary MAP Protocol faced an attack in which Butter Bridge was tricked into minting a quadrillion MAPO tokens, and a billion tokens were dumped.  The attack forced the MAP Protocol to pause mainnet operations and commence migration. It also exposed the fragility of cross-chain infrastructure.

PANews reported on April 6th that, according to Prnewswire, Nasdaq-listed BTC Digital announced a joint development and operation agreement with Aurora Energy to build an off-grid natural gas-powered computing infrastructure project in Alberta, Canada. The project aims to explore the integration of energy and AI computing power. The first phase of the project plans to construct 5–10 MW of natural gas-powered computing facilities, utilizing local idle natural gas resources to generate electricity on-site, providing stable and low-cost power for Bitcoin mining. The project also reserves the capability to expand to AI computing, data centers, and high-performance computing (HPC) applications. BTC Digital will reportedly provide Bitcoin mining equipment, computing power operation experience, and digital infrastructure solutions, and will prepare for the subsequent introduction of AI computing equipment and modular data centers.

Key Takeaways Oklo shares climbed more than 13% following NRC clearance of its Principal Design Criteria topical report for the Idaho-based Aurora powerhouse reactor The NRC used a fast-track review timeline, marking progress toward simplified licensing procedures for next-generation reactors Texas Capital Securities maintained its Buy recommendation with a $120 price objective after the announcement The company will report Q1 2026 financial results on May 12, providing another potential catalyst Fellow nuclear stocks including NuScale and Nano Nuclear posted gains alongside Oklo’s rally Shares of Oklo experienced a sharp uptick exceeding 13% during Tuesday’s midday session after the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission granted approval for a critical design framework related to the company’s Aurora powerhouse reactor being developed in Idaho.

Oklo Inc., OKLO

The equity peaked at $79.03 during intraday activity before settling near $78.45.

The regulatory body greenlit Oklo’s Principal Design Criteria topical report using an expedited evaluation timeline. This accelerated approach demonstrates the commission’s commitment to establishing streamlined authorization processes for advanced nuclear technologies.

This PDC clearance establishes the core safety standards, reliability benchmarks, and operational specifications that will inform subsequent licensing submissions and reactor engineering efforts. The approval also allows the document to serve as a reference point for upcoming applications, eliminating redundant regulatory assessments.

Chief Executive Jacob DeWitte characterized the development as a significant achievement, noting the approval demonstrates “strong work by the Oklo team and timely engagement by the regulator.” He emphasized that “performance-based licensing, clear criteria, and efficient reviews are important to advancing modern nuclear projects safely and responsibly.”

Analyst Maintains Bullish Stance Following the regulatory news, Texas Capital Securities analyst Nate Pendleton reaffirmed a Buy recommendation and $120 valuation target on Oklo. Pendleton characterized the PDC clearance as “another incremental step forward” while highlighting the “increasingly efficient regulatory path for advanced reactor solutions.”

The stock maintains a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating, bolstered by recent analyst coverage additions from Tigress Financial and HSBC.

The expedited NRC evaluation process connects directly to executive directives signed by President Trump in May 2025, designed to accelerate pathways for advanced nuclear energy initiatives. The approach also corresponds with the ADVANCE Act, legislation promoting streamlined deployment of innovative nuclear technologies.

Skeptics of Oklo have historically pointed to potential regulatory obstacles as a primary risk factor. Tuesday’s NRC determination weakens that bearish argument, although additional approvals remain necessary before commercial operations can commence.

As a pre-revenue enterprise, regulatory milestones serve as critical indicators of operational progress for investors monitoring the company’s development.

Broader Nuclear Industry Benefits The positive momentum extended beyond Oklo. NuScale Power and Nano Nuclear also posted gains as nuclear energy stocks experienced consecutive sessions of strength. General market conditions also provided support, with the S&P 500 advancing 1.08%, the Dow climbing 1.07%, and the Nasdaq rising 1.46%.

In addition to the Idaho facility, Oklo is collaborating with Meta Platforms on a 1.2 gigawatt nuclear energy initiative in Ohio designed to power Meta’s regional data infrastructure.

Oklo has scheduled its Q1 2026 earnings release and conference call for May 12.

Key Highlights The U.S. Department of Energy granted Preliminary Documented Safety Analysis approval for Oklo’s Aurora facility at Idaho National Laboratory. Shares increased 5.4% during premarket hours Thursday, reaching $56.92, despite a roughly 47% decline over the preceding six-month period. The DOE authorization encompasses hazard evaluation, accident mitigation design, and safety protocols for the Aurora-INL facility. The company participates in a federal pilot initiative aimed at operating a minimum of three experimental reactors at U.S. national laboratories by early July. Analyst outlook includes four upward earnings revisions, with UBS maintaining a Neutral stance and Wedbush rating the stock Outperform with a $110 target. Oklo achieved a significant regulatory advancement Thursday when the U.S. Department of Energy granted approval for the Preliminary Documented Safety Analysis concerning its Aurora facility at Idaho National Laboratory. Shares jumped 5.4% during premarket hours, reaching $56.92 following the announcement.

Oklo Inc., OKLO

The authorization originated from the DOE’s Idaho Operations Office and encompasses the preliminary safety framework for Aurora-INL, addressing hazard evaluation, accident modeling, safety systems, and engineering specifications.

Chief Executive Jacob DeWitte described the development as “an important milestone for Aurora-INL” and noted it “helps establish a foundation for future Aurora deployments.”

This authorization forms part of the DOE’s Reactor Pilot Program, which establishes a regulatory structure for constructing and operating next-generation nuclear facilities under federal supervision.

Oklo secured selection for the initiative in 2025 alongside approximately a dozen competing firms. The program operates under demanding time constraints, targeting operational status for at least three experimental reactors at U.S. national laboratories before early July.

Earlier in the week, the DOE announced that a design from competitor Antares Nuclear would become the first reactor to achieve criticality before the July 4 target date — a noteworthy development considering the competitive dynamics of the pilot initiative.

Aurora-INL: Project Specifications Aurora-INL represents Oklo’s inaugural fast fission energy facility. The plant will utilize recovered fuel from the Experimental Breeder Reactor-II, a reactor that ceased operations in 1994 following a governmental policy revision and congressional budget cuts.

Oklo secured rights to this recovered fuel material via a competitive DOE selection process initiated in 2019, coinciding with the company’s receipt of site authorization at Idaho National Laboratory.

The Aurora facility is under construction adjacent to Oklo’s Aurora Fuel Fabrication Facility, also situated at Idaho National Laboratory. That fabrication facility obtained its DOE safety authorization in December 2025, establishing it as the inaugural approval under the DOE’s Fuel Line Pilot Program.

Oklo is additionally investigating plutonium utilization as an interim fuel solution during the establishment of domestic high-assay low-enriched uranium supply infrastructure.

Latest Corporate Developments On June 4, Oklo finalized its purchase of ARMEC, a precision manufacturing and mechanical engineering company headquartered in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The transaction brought approximately 40 engineering and technical professionals into Oklo’s workforce.

The organization also conducted its 2026 annual stockholder gathering, during which three Class II board members were elected for terms extending through 2029.

Notwithstanding Thursday’s premarket increase, the stock has experienced a challenging period. OKLO closed at $54.02 before the announcement, representing nearly a 48% decrease across the previous six months, with a market capitalization around $9.4 billion.

Analyst perspectives remain divided. UBS recently lowered its price objective to $55 while maintaining a Neutral recommendation, highlighting capital needs and implementation challenges. Wedbush preserved its Outperform designation and $110 price objective, emphasizing Oklo’s operational approach as a strategic differentiator.

Four analysts have adjusted their earnings projections upward for the upcoming period, based on InvestingPro information.

Oklo remains engaged in NRC licensing procedures to facilitate future commercial deployments extending beyond the DOE pilot structure.

Engin “Maj3r” Küpeli is 35 years old, which in esports years makes him roughly the equivalent of a 50-year-old NFL quarterback. And yet the Turkish-French in-game leader is proving that experience still matters, guiding Aurora Gaming through the early stages of the IEM Cologne Major 2026 with a string of convincing results.

Aurora has advanced to Stage 3 of the tournament, which runs from June 11 to June 21 in Cologne, Germany. The team has posted multiple 2-0 victories in early matches, a level of dominance that suggests this isn’t just a hot streak.

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What’s happening in Cologne The IEM Cologne Major is one of the crown jewels of the Counter-Strike calendar. Organized by ESL, the 2026 edition features 32 teams, a prize pool estimated between $1.17 million and $1.25 million, and an expanded format for its third stage, raising the stakes for teams that survive the earlier rounds. Aurora Gaming earned their spot through VRS ranking, which is the competitive qualification system that determines which teams deserve a seat at the table.

Aurora’s roster features some serious firepower alongside Maj3r. The team includes XANTARES and woxic, two seasoned Turkish players with reputations for explosive individual performances.

The veteran’s long road to this moment Born on January 25, 1991, Maj3r has been competing professionally for years across multiple organizations. His career earnings in esports are estimated to exceed $180,000, a figure that reflects sustained relevance rather than a single breakout tournament.

What this means for Aurora’s future Aurora Gaming currently operates without any cryptocurrency-related sponsorships or partnerships, which is worth noting given the broader trend of crypto companies investing in esports organizations over the past few years. The team’s identity is rooted squarely in traditional competitive gaming, and their current success is built on roster construction and tactical preparation.

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

Irys Blog

2026-06-12

Technical

TL;DR: Upgrade to mainnet-3.0.4 before June 23. Just one command, a 5 minute migration, and your node is ready for both hardforks.

Irys's first two hardforks are scheduled. Aurora activates on June 23, and Borealis follows on June 30. Support for both ships in mainnet-3.0.4, which is out now and already running on Irys-operated mainnet mining nodes.

A hardfork is a coordinated change to the network's rules, where every node moves to the new rules together at a set time. Some changes can ship in a regular release, but changes to the rules every node uses to agree on the chain need everyone to switch at the same moment, or nodes on different rules would drift apart. That is why these two changes arrive as scheduled hardforks with activation times, and why a network's first hardforks are a milestone: they are the first proof that the network can change its own rules with every node switching together and staying in consensus. It is a capability every long-lived chain depends on, and this month Irys exercises it for the first time.

If you operate a node, upgrade to mainnet-3.0.4 before June 23. Nodes running older versions will stop following the chain when Aurora activates, so the upgrade is what keeps your node in sync.

What the hardforks do Aurora activates on June 23, 2026 at 12:00 UTC.

Commitment transactions are how miners register their obligations to the network: staking an address, pledging storage. They are part of how the chain knows who is responsible for what.

Until now, an encoding bug made these transactions hard to construct outside our own tooling, which kept most outside developers from building them.

Aurora corrects this. It introduces V2 commitment transactions with the fixed encoding and closes off new V1 transactions, so there is one correct format going forward. With the fix in, developers can build, sign, and submit commitment transactions from any language ecosystem.

Borealis activates on June 30, 2026 at 12:00 UTC.

Today, a miner's income arrives at two addresses: transaction fees for getting data into the submit ledger go to the miner address, while block rewards go to the reward address. After Borealis, every form of reward goes to the reward address.

Borealis also adds a new commitment transaction type that lets miners set and update their reward address directly. Previously, changing it meant re-staking the address. Now it is a single transaction.

How to upgrade Run the new version in place of the old one. No configuration changes are needed.

On first start, the node performs a one-time database migration that takes about 5 minutes. The node is offline for the duration, with no consensus participation or API access, and comes back up on its own once the migration completes.

The release is here: mainnet-3.0.4

If you run into anything during the upgrade, reach out to our team in the Irys Discord.

İsmailcan “XANTARES” Dörtkardeş just reminded everyone why he’s been one of Counter-Strike’s most mechanically gifted players for the better part of a decade. The Turkish rifler opened the second half of Aurora Gaming’s match against Natus Vincere at IEM Rio 2026 with a quad kill that made four professional players look like they’d wandered into the wrong server.

The play happened on April 15 during a group-stage best-of-3, with XANTARES wielding an M4A1-S while defending bombsite A. His team was down a player, facing a 4-vs-5 disadvantage. He responded by deleting four members of NAVI in rapid succession. Aurora went on to win the series 2-1.

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Breaking down the moment The M4A1-S is a suppressed rifle that trades raw damage output for accuracy and stealth. It’s a common choice for CT-side players, but it demands precise aim to compensate for its lower fire rate compared to the unsuppressed M4A4.

Being down 4-vs-5 typically means playing conservatively, holding angles, and hoping the attacking side makes a mistake. XANTARES chose violence instead, and it worked.

XANTARES and Aurora Gaming’s trajectory XANTARES joined Aurora Gaming in April 2025, adding his aggressive entry-fragging style to a roster that was looking to make noise on the international stage. Before Aurora, the 30-year-old had built his reputation through stints with Space Soldiers and Eternal Fire.

His career earnings exceed $1.5 million, a figure that puts him among the most successful Turkish esports players ever. That number reflects years of consistent high-level play across multiple iterations of Counter-Strike, from CS:GO through the transition to CS2.

IEM Rio 2026 carries a prize pool of $300K, making it a meaningful tournament on the competitive calendar. XANTARES has a documented history of producing highlight-reel moments at ESL-organized events, including multiple IEM tournaments throughout his career.

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

Özgür “w0xic” Eker is having the tournament of his life. The 27-year-old Turkish AWPer has been the driving force behind Aurora Gaming’s run into the IEM Cologne Major 2026 playoffs, picking apart opponents with the kind of precision that makes highlight reels feel redundant.

Aurora’s path through Stage 3 included a clean 2-0 sweep of Monte on June 11 and a nerve-shredding 2-1 comeback against G2, one of Counter-Strike’s most decorated rosters. For a Serbian org running a predominantly Turkish lineup, reaching the playoff stage of a $1.25 million major in Cologne is a statement performance.

The run through Stage 3 Aurora dropped the first map against G2 and then clawed their way back through two consecutive wins to close it out 2-1. The Monte match was more straightforward — a 2-0 result that Aurora controlled from start to finish. These two victories combined were enough to push the roster into the playoff bracket.

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W0xic’s career earnings now exceed $685,000, a figure that reflects years of competing at the highest level of Counter-Strike across multiple organizations. Born on September 2, 1998, he’s been a fixture in professional CS since his teenage years.

The IEM Cologne Major is running through late June 2026 in Cologne, Germany, with $1.25 million on the line.

Aurora’s crypto connection: the Polymarket partnership On June 10, 2026, just one day before their Monte victory, Aurora Gaming announced a title partnership with Polymarket, the crypto-native prediction market platform. The partnership is structured so that Aurora’s match outcomes can directly influence trading activity on Polymarket.

Aurora is also backed by a crypto-focused funding platform, which gives the organization a financial foundation that differs from the traditional esports sponsorship model, making the Polymarket deal a natural extension of the org’s existing crypto ecosystem alignment.

What this means for crypto and esports investors Polymarket operates on blockchain rails, meaning trades are transparent, settlement is automated, and the platform doesn’t rely on conventional bookmaking middlemen. For Polymarket, sponsoring a team that’s actively competing in a major tournament creates a feedback loop: strong Aurora performances drive attention to the platform, which drives trading volume.

The risk is that prediction markets tied to team performance introduce volatility that traditional sponsorships avoid. A first-round playoff exit would dampen both the competitive narrative and the trading interest simultaneously.

The playoffs will determine both the team’s share of that $1.25 million prize pool and the trading volume on their sponsor’s platform — a level of alignment between performance and commercial outcome that distinguishes this deal from conventional esports sponsorships.

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

Key Takeaways Oklo inked a letter of intent with Centrus Energy (LEU) for a multi-year domestic HALEU fuel supply agreement Initial HALEU shipments scheduled for 2029, sufficient to operate up to five Aurora nuclear facilities Oklo shares advanced 2.7% in premarket activity; Centrus surged 6.8% Centrus’s American Centrifuge Plant in Pike County, Ohio will serve as the fuel source The agreement may feature prepayment terms from Oklo to Centrus, mirroring Oklo’s January 2026 Meta deal structure Shares of Oklo advanced 2.7% in premarket session Thursday following the company’s announcement of a letter of intent with Centrus Energy to obtain a reliable domestic source of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU). Centrus shares surged 6.8% on the announcement.

Oklo Inc., OKLO

This agreement represents significant progress in tackling one of the advanced nuclear sector’s most persistent obstacles: securing adequate fuel supplies to operate next-generation reactor technology.

The arrangement calls for Centrus to provide sufficient HALEU to fuel up to five of Oklo’s Aurora nuclear facilities across multiple years. Initial shipments are targeted to commence in 2029.

Fuel availability remains one of the biggest constraints facing advanced nuclear.

Today, Oklo and @Centrus_Energy signed a Letter of Intent for the supply of domestically sourced HALEU to support Oklo’s planned Aurora powerhouse deployment and 1.2 GW Clean Energy Campus in… pic.twitter.com/BRs3vZ4ALj

— Oklo (@oklo) June 18, 2026

The HALEU will originate from Centrus’s American Centrifuge Plant located in Pike County, Ohio. Notably, Oklo is developing a 1.2 gigawatt power campus in the same area, strategically aligning fuel production with power generation infrastructure.

A final contract remains outstanding. This letter of intent serves as a preliminary framework, with comprehensive terms to be hammered out through subsequent negotiations.

The arrangement may incorporate advance payments from Oklo to Centrus, a financing mechanism Oklo has employed previously. Earlier in January 2026, Oklo announced a comparable structure with Meta that featured upfront payments to strengthen project execution certainty for its Aurora powerhouse campus development.

The HALEU Supply Bottleneck HALEU remains scarce in commercial markets. Currently, only Russia and China possess the capability to manufacture it at commercial scale. Following the U.S. prohibition on Russian uranium imports, establishing domestic production capacity became a national imperative.

The U.S. Department of Energy previously awarded Centrus a $900 million HALEU task order. The company now intends to leverage that federal backing alongside billions in private investment to expand production capacity.

Oklo has been navigating the fuel scarcity challenge through alternative means. Its initial Aurora powerhouse at Idaho National Laboratory is slated to operate using recovered fuel from the Experimental Breeder Reactor-II, which ceased operations in 1994.

The company has additionally proposed utilizing surplus plutonium as an interim fuel source during the buildout of domestic HALEU supply infrastructure.

Agreement Details The letter of intent interconnects domestic fuel production, nuclear power generation plans, customer requirements, and project implementation—all concentrated in southern Ohio.

Centrus characterizes the agreement as enhancing fuel supply certainty for Oklo’s Aurora rollout during a period when HALEU availability represents one of the primary bottlenecks confronting advanced nuclear developers.

The partnership creates mutual benefits. For Centrus, securing a long-term supply customer bolsters the business rationale for expanding production at its Ohio operation.

Neither company has revealed specific financial details apart from potential prepayment provisions, which will be addressed in ongoing negotiations.

Oklo has not yet commenced construction on its Ohio campus, and the 2029 delivery schedule provides ample runway for both parties to finalize a binding agreement.

Aurora Gaming just delivered one of the more convincing performances of the IEM Cologne Major 2026, dismantling BetBoom Team 13-6 on Nuke in the quarterfinals. The June 18 result sends Aurora deeper into the playoffs of one of Counter-Strike 2’s premier events, but what makes this particular win interesting extends well beyond the server.

Eight days before the match, Aurora announced a title sponsorship deal with Polymarket, the crypto prediction market platform. That means a CS2 team is now directly linked, by branding and by implication, to a platform where people are betting real money on its match outcomes. The Aurora vs. BetBoom quarterfinal alone generated $437K in prediction market trading volume.

The match and what it means for Aurora’s run Aurora’s roster, which includes XANTARES, woxic, MAJ3R, Wicadia, and Soulfly, was acquired from the former Eternal Fire lineup. The IEM Cologne Major 2026 runs from June 11 through June 21 in Cologne, Germany, with a prize pool estimated between $1.17M and $1.25M.

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Where crypto meets competitive Counter-Strike The $437K in prediction market volume for a single quarterfinal match is a number worth sitting with. That’s nearly half a million dollars changing hands on one CS2 map, on one platform, in what amounts to a crypto-native parallel to traditional sports betting. For context, that figure represents a meaningful fraction of the entire tournament’s prize pool flowing through prediction markets on just one best-of series.

Aurora’s deal with Polymarket, announced on June 10, positions the organization as something of a test case for how crypto prediction markets can integrate with competitive gaming. Polymarket isn’t just slapping a logo on jerseys. The platform’s core product is literally trading on match outcomes.

The contrast with BetBoom is almost too neat. One team carries the name of a traditional bookmaker. The other is sponsored by a decentralized prediction market built on blockchain rails. They met in the quarterfinals of a Major, and the crypto-backed squad won decisively.

What this means for investors watching the crypto-esports overlap Prediction markets have quietly become one of crypto’s most legitimate use cases. Polymarket demonstrated that during the 2024 US presidential election cycle, and now the platform is extending into esports. The $437K in volume on a single CS2 match suggests there’s genuine demand for this kind of market.

There’s risk here, too. Regulatory scrutiny around prediction markets remains an open question in multiple jurisdictions. The line between a prediction market and a gambling platform is one that regulators in the US and Europe are still drawing.

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

https://us.furia.gg/

FURIA has secured a place in the IEM Cologne Major 2026 Grand Final following a decisive victory over Aurora Gaming in the semifinals. This result places the Brazilian Counter-Strike 2 team just one step away from the championship title. The match, part of the playoffs at IEM Cologne Major 2026, was conducted in a single-elimination format, with all matches except the Grand Final being best-of-three. FURIA’s current roster for the event includes well-known players such as FalleN, KSCERATO, molodoy, YEKINDAR, and yuurih.

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Market pricing on the scenario “Will FURIA reach the Grand Final at IEM Cologne Major 2026?” reflects the team’s confirmed advancement, with odds now at 96% for a YES outcome. This marks a significant increase from 58% just 24 hours prior and 28% a week ago, consistent with FURIA’s strong performance and market expectations. The result effectively resolves the question of FURIA reaching the final as a YES, aligning with the team’s continued progress through the tournament bracket.

Key Takeaways FURIA’s advancement to the Grand Final appears to have resolved the market question affirmatively, with pricing now firmly at 96% YES. The win against Aurora Gaming suggests market participants view FURIA as a strong contender for the championship. The observed pricing shift, from 28% to 96% over a week, indicates substantial confidence in FURIA’s prospects among market participants. What to Watch FURIA’s performance in the Grand Final will be crucial in determining their ultimate success at the IEM Cologne Major 2026. Observers will be keen to see how the team capitalizes on their momentum. Any developments regarding team strategy or roster changes could influence market perceptions. The final match’s outcome will conclusively resolve the tournament’s champion, with market pricing likely to adjust accordingly.

Get prediction market intelligence as a structured API feed. Early access waitlist.

Term Structure

Contract Odds Δ since publish Volume 24h June 21 2026 100% +0.1¢ — View market → June 21 2026 57% — — View market → June 21 2026 100% +57.5¢ — View market → June 21 2026 0.1% — — View market → Updated 2min ago

The KyberSwap attacker has transferred another 2000 ETH to Tornado Cash, with over 80% of the stolen funds now laundered.

According to PeckShield’s monitoring, an address identified as the KyberSwap attacker has once again transferred 2,000 ETH to Tornado Cash. Over the past two years, this attacker has cumulatively transferred and mixed 16,100 ETH via Tornado Cash, equivalent to roughly $40 million at current prices, accounting for over 80% of the $48.8 million lost in the KyberSwap attack in November 2023. Some of the stolen funds have not yet been fully transferred.

1 seconds ago

James Wynn closed out his 40x Bitcoin short position, netting $30,000 in profits, and shifted to opening a 50x S&P 500 short position.

According to monitoring by OnchainLens, James Wynn has liquidated his 40x leveraged Bitcoin (BTC) short position, pocketing roughly $30,000 in profit. He subsequently opened a new 50x leveraged S&P 500 (SP500) short position at a price of 334.42, betting on a future decline in the US stock market.

1 seconds ago

Micron's conference call delivers strong signals: the memory shortage will continue until 2028, and AI long-term contracts are rewriting the industry cycle narrative.

Micron Technology (MU) revealed in its early-morning earnings call that its strategic customer agreements rose from 1 to 16 sequentially, covering roughly 20% of its DRAM shipments and around one-third of its NAND shipments. Of these deals, 14 calculated at minimum contract prices represent a cumulative remaining revenue of approximately $100 billion. CEO Sanjay Mehrotra said these agreements will "fundamentally transform" the company’s business model. The key takeaway for the market is that Micron is being repositioned from a highly cyclical memory stock to an AI infrastructure provider with far greater revenue visibility. During the call, Micron disclosed it expects industry tightness to persist beyond 2027, and even as supply gradually improves in 2028, there is no clear timeline for supply to catch up with demand. Management attributed this gap to the large scale, complexity, and long lead times of new semiconductor fab construction. CFO Mark Murphy noted that DRAM revenue jumped 343% year-over-year to $31.3 billion, while NAND revenue surged 361% YoY to $9.9 billion. DRAM prices rose in the low-60% range, and NAND prices increased in the mid-80% range. He explained that the quarter’s earnings, which handily beat market expectations, were driven more by pricing power and supply-demand imbalances rather than just shipment volume. The company forecasts capital expenditure of roughly $10 billion this quarter, and $27 billion for full fiscal 2026. Fiscal 2027 quarterly capex will exceed the FY2026 fourth quarter level, with more than half allocated to cleanroom construction. However, the CFO also stated that free cash flow for the current quarter is expected to continue rising sharply. Overall, the call’s messaging sent three key signals to the market: persistent memory shortages, customer willingness to sign long-term agreements, and further upside for prices. This drove Micron’s (MU) shares to surge nearly 16% in U.S. post-market trading.

1 seconds ago

A poll shows that a majority of U.S. voters support federal unified regulation of prediction markets.

Two polls commissioned by the Coalition for Prediction Markets show that U.S. Republican and Democratic voters both prefer federal-level unified regulation of prediction markets over state-by-state oversight. Among Republican respondents, 48% support a federal regulatory framework, while only 27% back state-level regulation. For Democratic voters, 45% favor federal regulation, compared to 35% who support state-level rules. Only 8% of respondents believe prediction markets should be banned in the U.S., and a majority of voters support consumer autonomy to choose whether to participate in such markets. The survey also found that people under 35 have the highest acceptance of prediction markets, with more than half of young respondents expressing interest in using or having already used related platforms. Currently, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and prediction market platforms including Kalshi and Polymarket are in disputes with multiple state governments over regulatory authority, with the core focus being whether sports event contracts qualify as prediction market products subject to federal regulation.

1 seconds ago

Analysis: Bitcoin miners face profit pressure, with around 20% of mining firms now operating below the break-even point.

Bitcoin miners' revenue continues to decline, with the current 7-day average daily income dropping to around $30 million, a notable pullback from the over $50 million level seen last summer. Meanwhile, on-chain transaction fee revenue has fallen to less than $250,000, accounting for an extremely small share of miners' total income. Data from JPMorgan Chase shows the average production cost is approximately $78,000, and Bitcoin’s price has remained below this level for five consecutive months — the longest such stretch in the current cycle. An estimated 20% of miners are already operating at a loss; some high-cost miners have begun frequently powering their mining rigs on and off in response to price fluctuations, leading to a stronger correlation between network hash rate difficulty and Bitcoin’s price. Additionally, Bitcoin’s mining difficulty was adjusted down by roughly 10% in the second week of June, marking the second pullback of the same magnitude this year. Publicly listed mining companies, meanwhile, are relying more on their balance sheets to sustain operations, selling over 32,000 BTC in the first quarter alone to cover operating costs. Analysts note that against the backdrop of continuously shrinking block subsidies and stagnant fee revenue, a recovery in miners’ profits will primarily depend on a rise in Bitcoin’s price.

1 seconds ago

Japan and South Korea's stock markets opened higher, with South Korea's KOSPI index rising 2.9% and SK Hynix surging 11%.

According to Bitget market data, the Nikkei 225 index opened 1.4% higher at 70114.09. South Korea’s KOSPI index rose 2.9%. South Korean stocks SK Hynix gained 11%, while Samsung Electronics rose 5%.

1 seconds ago

The KyberSwap attacker has transferred another 2000 ETH to Tornado Cash, with over 80% of the stolen funds now laundered.

According to PeckShield’s monitoring, an address identified as the KyberSwap attacker has once again transferred 2,000 ETH to Tornado Cash. Over the past two years, this attacker has cumulatively transferred and mixed 16,100 ETH via Tornado Cash, equivalent to roughly $40 million at current prices, accounting for over 80% of the $48.8 million lost in the KyberSwap attack in November 2023. Some of the stolen funds have not yet been fully transferred.

1 seconds ago

James Wynn closed out his 40x Bitcoin short position, netting $30,000 in profits, and shifted to opening a 50x S&P 500 short position.

According to monitoring by OnchainLens, James Wynn has liquidated his 40x leveraged Bitcoin (BTC) short position, pocketing roughly $30,000 in profit. He subsequently opened a new 50x leveraged S&P 500 (SP500) short position at a price of 334.42, betting on a future decline in the US stock market.

1 seconds ago

Micron's conference call delivers strong signals: the memory shortage will continue until 2028, and AI long-term contracts are rewriting the industry cycle narrative.

Micron Technology (MU) revealed in its early-morning earnings call that its strategic customer agreements rose from 1 to 16 sequentially, covering roughly 20% of its DRAM shipments and around one-third of its NAND shipments. Of these deals, 14 calculated at minimum contract prices represent a cumulative remaining revenue of approximately $100 billion. CEO Sanjay Mehrotra said these agreements will "fundamentally transform" the company’s business model. The key takeaway for the market is that Micron is being repositioned from a highly cyclical memory stock to an AI infrastructure provider with far greater revenue visibility. During the call, Micron disclosed it expects industry tightness to persist beyond 2027, and even as supply gradually improves in 2028, there is no clear timeline for supply to catch up with demand. Management attributed this gap to the large scale, complexity, and long lead times of new semiconductor fab construction. CFO Mark Murphy noted that DRAM revenue jumped 343% year-over-year to $31.3 billion, while NAND revenue surged 361% YoY to $9.9 billion. DRAM prices rose in the low-60% range, and NAND prices increased in the mid-80% range. He explained that the quarter’s earnings, which handily beat market expectations, were driven more by pricing power and supply-demand imbalances rather than just shipment volume. The company forecasts capital expenditure of roughly $10 billion this quarter, and $27 billion for full fiscal 2026. Fiscal 2027 quarterly capex will exceed the FY2026 fourth quarter level, with more than half allocated to cleanroom construction. However, the CFO also stated that free cash flow for the current quarter is expected to continue rising sharply. Overall, the call’s messaging sent three key signals to the market: persistent memory shortages, customer willingness to sign long-term agreements, and further upside for prices. This drove Micron’s (MU) shares to surge nearly 16% in U.S. post-market trading.

1 seconds ago

A poll shows that a majority of U.S. voters support federal unified regulation of prediction markets.

Two polls commissioned by the Coalition for Prediction Markets show that U.S. Republican and Democratic voters both prefer federal-level unified regulation of prediction markets over state-by-state oversight. Among Republican respondents, 48% support a federal regulatory framework, while only 27% back state-level regulation. For Democratic voters, 45% favor federal regulation, compared to 35% who support state-level rules. Only 8% of respondents believe prediction markets should be banned in the U.S., and a majority of voters support consumer autonomy to choose whether to participate in such markets. The survey also found that people under 35 have the highest acceptance of prediction markets, with more than half of young respondents expressing interest in using or having already used related platforms. Currently, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and prediction market platforms including Kalshi and Polymarket are in disputes with multiple state governments over regulatory authority, with the core focus being whether sports event contracts qualify as prediction market products subject to federal regulation.

1 seconds ago

Analysis: Bitcoin miners face profit pressure, with around 20% of mining firms now operating below the break-even point.

Bitcoin miners' revenue continues to decline, with the current 7-day average daily income dropping to around $30 million, a notable pullback from the over $50 million level seen last summer. Meanwhile, on-chain transaction fee revenue has fallen to less than $250,000, accounting for an extremely small share of miners' total income. Data from JPMorgan Chase shows the average production cost is approximately $78,000, and Bitcoin’s price has remained below this level for five consecutive months — the longest such stretch in the current cycle. An estimated 20% of miners are already operating at a loss; some high-cost miners have begun frequently powering their mining rigs on and off in response to price fluctuations, leading to a stronger correlation between network hash rate difficulty and Bitcoin’s price. Additionally, Bitcoin’s mining difficulty was adjusted down by roughly 10% in the second week of June, marking the second pullback of the same magnitude this year. Publicly listed mining companies, meanwhile, are relying more on their balance sheets to sustain operations, selling over 32,000 BTC in the first quarter alone to cover operating costs. Analysts note that against the backdrop of continuously shrinking block subsidies and stagnant fee revenue, a recovery in miners’ profits will primarily depend on a rise in Bitcoin’s price.

1 seconds ago

Japan and South Korea's stock markets opened higher, with South Korea's KOSPI index rising 2.9% and SK Hynix surging 11%.

According to Bitget market data, the Nikkei 225 index opened 1.4% higher at 70114.09. South Korea’s KOSPI index rose 2.9%. South Korean stocks SK Hynix gained 11%, while Samsung Electronics rose 5%.

1 seconds ago

The UK Treasury has selected HSBC Holdings, Europe’s largest bank by assets, and Ashurst, a prominent international law firm, to lead a pilot program for digital gilt, a move that could make the UK the first G7 country to issue sovereign bonds directly on a blockchain.

The pilot will take place in the Bank of England’s digital sandbox, providing a regulated environment to test tokenized government securities.

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Digital gilts are government bonds issued as digital tokens on distributed ledger systems. The project will leverage HSBC’s Orion platform to issue, manage, and settle the pilot bonds, known as DIGIT, while Ashurst will support regulatory and legal aspects.

Orion, introduced in 2023, uses blockchain technology to digitize traditional financial assets and settlement currencies for institutional clients. It provides atomic settlement, connects with global clearing networks, and streamlines institutional trade and back-office processes.

To date, the platform has facilitated more than $3.5 billion in digital bond issuances worldwide, including deals like the European Investment Bank’s GBP-denominated bonds under Luxembourg regulation.

The pilot demonstrates the UK’s intent to integrate blockchain with traditional capital markets, formalize the legal status of digital assets, and demonstrate leadership in financial innovation. It also aims to attract investment, reduce operational costs, and create a framework for future tokenized government securities.

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

HSBC to Support UK Government Digital Bond Pilot

TLDR: HSBC joins Canton Network’s validator set, planning to prototype regulated financial market use cases under its Digital Assets initiatives. Validators on Canton Network will no longer earn liveness rewards after April 30th, making durable transaction volume the only profitable path. HSBC’s entry brings $3T in assets and 40M customers to Canton Network, giving the blockchain rare institutional-grade transaction flow. Analyst Heslin Kim noted Canton’s compliance-ready model is pulling institutional flows away from general-purpose EVM and SVM blockchains. HSBC has joined the Canton Network validator set, marking a concrete step toward institutional blockchain adoption at scale.

The development could quietly expose more than 40 million customers across 62 countries to distributed ledger infrastructure.

With trillions in annual cross-border flows and over $3 trillion in assets, HSBC carries the operational weight to drive real transaction volume on the network. This move builds on the bank’s existing digital asset strategy.

HSBC Deepens Blockchain Commitment Through Canton Network Integration HSBC has been building toward this position for some time now. The bank launched the HSBC Orion tokenized asset platform and expanded tokenized settlement across both bonds and private assets. Those steps laid the groundwork for broader blockchain participation.

Crypto analyst Heslin Kim observed the development on X, drawing attention to the validator reward change. Kim noted that validators will no longer earn liveness rewards after April 30th.

According to Kim, durable transaction volume becomes the only profitable path for any Canton validator going forward.

🚨 HSBC JOINS CANTON NETWORK VALIDATOR SET🚨

40M clients might start using the world’s largest banking and institutional blockchain rails without ever noticing.@HSBC is deepening its roots in the blockchain industry, from launching the HSBC Orion tokenized asset platform and… pic.twitter.com/SGCjutD4HK

— Heslin Kim (@HeslinKim) March 28, 2026

The Canton Network validator proposal takes HSBC’s commitment a step further. The bank plans to run an HSBC-managed validator node on the Canton Network testnet. HSBC intends to contribute to network resilience and deliver operational feedback throughout the process.

Beyond technical participation, the proposal includes plans to prototype regulated financial market use cases. These prototypes will fall under HSBC’s existing Digital Assets initiatives.

Internal developers will also be onboarded, and potential partner projects will be evaluated across the Canton ecosystem.

Institutional Scale and Validator Economics Position HSBC as a Key Network Actor John O’Neill, Group Head of Digital Assets & Currencies at HSBC, addressed the strategic rationale directly. He stated that driving liquidity in digital asset markets requires ecosystems with strong connectivity and market access. That statement reflects the bank’s broader outlook on digital infrastructure investment.

HSBC’s financial profile makes its validator entry particularly meaningful under the new reward structure. The bank holds a market capitalization above $300 billion and recorded roughly $71 billion in annual revenue for FY 2025. Its balance sheet carries over $3 trillion in total assets.

With over 40 million customers across 62 countries, HSBC can generate consistent and real-world transaction flow on the network.

That scale positions the bank as one of the more consequential validators in the Canton ecosystem. Few institutions globally carry that kind of operational reach.

Kim’s post also noted that Canton’s compliance-ready model is drawing institutional flows away from general-purpose blockchains.

The post added that purpose-built solutions are meeting institutional demand where EVM and SVM networks have fallen short. Kim referenced the Zenith Foundation as a connected participant in this broader shift.

Cardano has highlighted its technology, but has lacked a strong institutional infrastructure. The new fund plans to change this by adding venture-capital discipline, connecting with a global investor network, and bringing in a Silicon Valley accelerator.

The Cardano Foundation and Draper Dragon have launched the Draper Dragon Ecosystem Fund, also known as the Orion Fund, with a target of $80 million.

Draper Dragon will manage the fund, and the Cardano Foundation will oversee it, but will not make investment decisions. Meanwhile, Draper University will support the fund by offering founder programs from its Silicon Valley campus.

The fund will invest its capital in stages over six years, and each stage will need separate community approval. The current vote is on the first and smallest stage and will determine whether the larger plan moves forward.

Focus on RWA, Institutional DeFi and more The fund will focus on Real-World Assets and institutional DeFi, which match Cardano’s technical strengths. Cardano uses an extended UTXO model, like Bitcoin, which connects Bitcoin’s liquidity to Cardano’s smart contracts.

The Orion Fund will support projects that use this link, helping builders enable Bitcoin holders to use advanced financial apps while preserving the security of the UTXO model.

The fund will offer a public dashboard with real-time performance data and will hold community roundtables every quarter, following Cardano’s on-chain governance principles. A special-purpose vehicle called Arouet Holdings was established to manage the return of value to the Cardano treasury over time.

The fund differs from Cardano’s grant program in that it focuses on equity. Instead of disbursing funds without return, any investment profits will go back to the Cardano treasury. This makes the fund a long-term investment in Cardano’s financial health.

The fund’s institutional strength comes from Draper Dragon’s role in the Draper venture network, which Tim Draper founded. His portfolio includes early investments in Coinbase, Skype, Baidu, and Hotmail. Draper Dragon has also invested in Ledger, Gemini, EtherFi, Centrifuge, and Coinflow, showing its experience in Web3 infrastructure.

The fund’s goal is to raise Cardano’s TVL to over $3 billion, which would significantly increase the network’s on-chain economic activity. The effect of the Draper network’s institutional reach will be reviewed over the six-year period.

TLDR: Cardano and Draper Dragon launched the $80M Orion Fund to drive institutional adoption and on-chain growth. The fund targets Real-World Assets and Institutional DeFi to expand Cardano’s Total Value Locked. Cardano and Bitcoin’s shared UTXO model creates a bridge for liquidity and smart contract utility. Projects undergo 400+ hours of vetting via Draper University before receiving any fund investment. Cardano and Draper Dragon have announced the Draper Dragon Ecosystem Fund, known as the Orion Fund. The $80M initiative targets Cardano-native and Cardano-integrated companies.

It focuses on expanding on-chain utility and strengthening the broader ecosystem. Draper Dragon will manage the fund, while the Cardano Foundation serves as constitutional administrator.

Draper University joins as the acceleration partner, running programs from its Silicon Valley campus.

Orion Fund Targets Real-World Assets and Institutional DeFi The Orion Fund directs capital toward two high-growth sectors: Real-World Assets (RWA) and Institutional DeFi. These areas align with Cardano’s goal of building sustainable, institutional-grade financial infrastructure. The fund aims to grow Cardano’s Total Value Locked (TVL) and boost on-chain activity over time.

Unlike traditional grant models, the Orion Fund takes an equity-first approach. This structure allows the ecosystem to share in the long-term capital growth of each successful project. Entrepreneurs receive support in building scalable, compliant solutions for global financial markets.

The Cardano Foundation confirmed its role in a formal announcement, stating it is “proud to serve as constitutional administrator, providing essential technical and ecosystem support.”

The Foundation clarified it holds no management role in the fund itself. Instead, it contributes community insight and supports the administrative framework.

Cardano and @DraperDragon today announce the initial phase of the strategic $80M Draper Dragon Ecosystem Fund, the @OrionFund, to drive institutional adoption.

The Cardano Foundation is proud to serve as constitutional administrator, providing essential technical and ecosystem… pic.twitter.com/LKY4YXb3CW

— Cardano Foundation (@Cardano_CF) April 7, 2026

A key part of that framework is Arouet Holdings, an ownerless special-purpose vehicle. This structure is designed to return value generated through Orion back to the Cardano treasury over time. The setup reflects a long-term commitment to ecosystem-wide benefit rather than centralized gain.

UTXO Alignment Between Cardano and Bitcoin Opens New Opportunities One strategic priority of the Orion Fund involves the technical link between Cardano and Bitcoin. Both platforms use the UTXO accounting model, which provides a secure and predictable base for smart contracts. This shared architecture creates a natural bridge between the two networks.

The fund will prioritize projects that connect Bitcoin’s liquidity with Cardano’s advanced functionality. The goal is to attract billions in value and bring millions of new users into the ecosystem. Cardano is positioned as a trusted gateway for Bitcoin holders seeking sophisticated financial tools.

The Orion Fund also draws on the broader Draper network, which has backed over 400 companies globally. That network includes early investments in Tesla, Skype, Baidu, and Coinbase. Founded by Tim Draper, it carries decades of venture capital expertise across multiple technology cycles.

Before receiving investment, projects go through up to 400 hours of technical and operational vetting via Draper University.

This process signals institutional quality to external investors and follow-on capital. The fund also includes a public dashboard for real-time KPIs and quarterly ecosystem roundtables to maintain transparency.

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson confirmed a meeting with Draper Dragon, the firm selected to manage a newly approved treasury-backed venture fund seeded with 50 million ADA. 

His disclosure follows the approval of the Orion Fund proposal, signaling deeper collaboration between the Cardano ecosystem and blockchain-focused venture capital firms.

Key Points  Charles Hoskinson confirmed he recently met with Draper Dragon, which will manage Cardano’s newly approved venture fund.  The Cardano community approved the Orion Fund, allocating an initial 50 million ADA to the ecosystem treasury.  The fund will support early-stage Cardano-native and integrated startups building on the network.  Following his meeting with Draper, Hoskinson described the team as “good people with a good strategy.” Cardano Community Approves Treasury-Backed Venture Fund  The Cardano community recently approved the Draper Dragon Orion Fund through its on-chain governance system. The initiative allocates an initial 50 million ADA (about $15 million) from the treasury to seed the fund, with oversight from the Cardano Foundation.

The fund will support early-stage Cardano-native and integrated startups through direct investments, venture studio programs, and accelerator initiatives developed alongside Draper University. 

Moreover, it targets a total size of at least $80 million, with future allocations subject to further governance approval.

Hoskinson Backs Draper Dragon Partnership  Following the approval, Hoskinson stated that he met with the Draper Dragon team, describing them as “good people” with a “good strategy”. His comments reflect confidence in both the partnership and the fund’s direction. 

Furthermore, his endorsement signals a broader shift toward professionally managed investment structures designed to bring capital, networks, and operational expertise into the ecosystem. This approach strengthens Cardano’s ability to compete for high-quality startups and institutional backing. 

Met with the Draper Dragon team today. Good people and good strategy https://t.co/73XLZi0YKL

— Charles Hoskinson (@IOHK_Charles) April 9, 2026

Orion Fund Introduces Structured Investment Model  Meanwhile, the Orion Fund marks one of Cardano’s first large-scale treasury-backed venture initiatives. Instead of relying solely on grants, it introduces a structured investment model to support projects across infrastructure, decentralized finance (DeFi), payments, and real-world asset (RWA) platforms.

Under this model, Draper Dragon will deploy capital across three key areas. These include direct investments, venture studio programs for product development and scaling, and accelerator programs to onboard new founders. 

To ensure transparency, an ownerless special-purpose vehicle, dubbed Arouet Holdings, will represent the treasury’s interests, while the Cardano Foundation will act as the constitutional administrator.

The move highlights the growing importance of venture partnerships as blockchain ecosystems compete on more than technology alone. If successful, the Orion Fund could accelerate Cardano’s growth by improving access to capital, expanding developer pipelines, and connecting startups to global venture networks. 

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.

PANews reported on June 10 that, according to the Korea Economic Daily, Kookmin Bank of Korea successfully issued $100 million in blockchain digital bonds, marking the first such issuance by a Korean bank. The bonds were issued through HSBC's digital asset platform, Orion, and will subsequently be integrated into the clearing and settlement system of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority's Central Depository & Clearing Corporation. Kookmin Bank will also utilize the Hong Kong Monetary Authority's digital bond subsidy scheme to reduce some of the issuance costs. The bank stated that this issuance is part of KB Financial Group's "transformation and expansion" strategy, accelerating its digital financial transformation following the completion of verification of its Korean won stablecoin payment and settlement technology.