Author: James Wilson
Charles Schwab has entered the prediction markets business through a partnership with Cboe Global Markets, introducing new contracts tied to the performance of the S&P 500. Summary Charles Schwab is partnering with Cboe to launch S&P 500 prediction-style options contracts in the coming months. The new product will use options contracts, differing from the futures-based markets offered by Kalshi and Polymarket. Schwab’s prediction market push comes as the firm expands crypto services for both retail investors and financial advisors. According to a Wall Street Journal report, the brokerage firm is working with Cboe to launch all-or-nothing options contracts that allow…
Bitcoin has climbed back above $63,000 after reports of an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire have renewed expectations that stalled diplomatic talks between the United States and Iran could resume before the end of June. Summary Bitcoin briefly reclaimed $63,000 after reports of an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire improved market sentiment. Polymarket traders continue to expect U.S.-Iran talks before month-end despite recent disruptions. Analysts and on-chain data suggest downside risks remain despite the geopolitical relief rally. According to Reuters, Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire that is set to take effect on Friday, citing a senior U.S. official. The development comes days after…
Sonic Labs has announced a leadership overhaul after the S token extended its long-running decline, with former chief technology officer Andre Cronje joining two other senior figures in stepping down from the organization’s board. Summary Andre Cronje, Michael Kong, and David Richardson have stepped down from Sonic Labs’ board. Sonic Labs appointed new executives and launched governance reforms amid community concerns. S token remains under pressure, with technical indicators pointing to continued bearish momentum. According to Sonic Labs, Andre Cronje, former Fantom Foundation chief executive Michael Kong, and executive chairman David Richardson have resigned from the board as the company…
The Philippine SEC has reinforced its support for real-world asset tokenization as four companies, including a tokenized real estate project, advance through its regulatory sandbox. Summary Philippine SEC says existing laws can support tokenized real-world assets and related investment products. Four companies are testing new financial products in the SEC’s Strategic Sandbox, including tokenized real estate. BSP has tightened crypto listing requirements while maintaining licensing scrutiny of digital asset firms. Speaking at Philippine Blockchain Week 2026, SEC Commissioner Rogelio Quevedo said the regulator is now confident that existing laws and its regulatory framework can accommodate tokenized assets. According to Quevedo,…
Jake Chervinsky has accused CME Group of using a lawsuit against U.S. crypto perpetual futures to protect its position in a market where the exchange reportedly controls about 92% of exchange-traded derivatives volume. Summary Jake Chervinsky called CME’s lawsuit against the CFTC a “shocking miscalculation” and an “unforced error.” Hyperliquid Policy Center cited Better Markets data showing CME controls about 92% of U.S. exchange-traded derivatives volume. CME argues crypto perpetual futures should be regulated as swaps, while regulators are reviewing derivatives definitions under Dodd-Frank. According to Jake Chervinsky, chief executive of the Hyperliquid Policy Center, CME’s legal challenge against the…
The XRP Ledger community has reported a growing list of software issues after the June 15 release of xrpld version 3.2.0, even as only 26% of network nodes have upgraded to the new software. Summary XRP Ledger’s latest xrpld upgrade has triggered multiple bug reports, including node synchronization failures. Developers identified issues affecting transaction relays, validator distribution, consensus routing, and ledger tracking. Despite ongoing investigations, maintainers report no network-wide disruption and only 26% node adoption. According to reports published on the XRP Ledger project’s GitHub repository, developers and node operators have identified synchronization failures, configuration parsing problems, and several networking-related…
Bio Protocol has launched OpenLabs, a platform that combines AI-assisted research development, community funding, and on-chain governance as its ecosystem surpasses $33 million in capital raised. Summary Bio Protocol launched OpenLabs, combining AI-assisted research development, collaboration, and funding in one platform. Researchers can seek funding through community voting, with BIO token holders participating in governance decisions. Bio Protocol said its BIO Genesis initiative has raised over $33 million to support decentralized science projects. According to Bio Protocol, the platform was introduced on June 19 during DeSci.Berlin 2026, an event held at KÖNIG GALERIE as part of Berlin Blockchain Week. How…
Attorney Ian R. Cohen has filed a new court rebuttal opposing efforts to revive a lawsuit that seeks control of roughly 3.8 million Bitcoin worth an estimated $238 billion, including wallets linked to Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto. Summary Ian Cohen has opposed efforts to revive a lawsuit targeting 39,069 Bitcoin wallets holding an estimated $238 billion. Cohen argues dormant self-custodied Bitcoin does not qualify as abandoned property under New York law. Galaxy researchers found recent activity in dozens of targeted wallets, challenging claims that the coins were abandoned. According to a June 20 X thread posted by Galaxy Digital research…
Strategy co-founder Michael Saylor has defended the company’s Bitcoin-backed capital strategy after its STRC preferred stock fell well below its $100 par value and triggered fresh criticism from market participants. Summary Michael Saylor defended Strategy’s Bitcoin strategy as STRC plunged below its $100 par value. Peter Schiff floated fraud allegations while questioning Strategy’s promotion of STRC shares. Jeff Dorman suggested selling up to $4 billion in Bitcoin could ease capital structure pressure. According to a June 20 X post by Saylor, Strategy’s Bitcoin and cash reserves currently exceed its outstanding debt by approximately $48 billion. He noted that the company…
Binance founder Changpeng Zhao has proposed freezing up to 1 million Bitcoin linked to Satoshi Nakamoto if those coins remain unmoved after a future transition to quantum-resistant cryptography. Summary CZ proposed freezing inactive Bitcoin addresses after a future migration to quantum-resistant cryptography. His plan could affect up to 1 million BTC believed to be linked to Satoshi Nakamoto. Bitcoin developers remain divided between protecting vulnerable coins and preserving property rights. Speaking during a June 18 appearance on the Galaxy Brains podcast hosted by Galaxy Research President Alex Thorn, Zhao said quantum computing does not pose an insurmountable threat to Bitcoin…