Category: Bitcoin News

4 in 10 US Merchants Now Accept Crypto: PayPal

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Almost four in ten US merchants now accept cryptocurrency at checkout as customers have shown increasing interest in crypto for payments, according to a recent survey report from PayPal. Nearly nine in ten US merchants stated that they’ve received customer inquiries about crypto payments, PayPal reported on Tuesday, citing data from a National Cryptocurrency Association survey. The survey was conducted in October, with 619 payment-strategy decision-makers across several industries taking part.  “What we’re seeing both in this data and in conversations with our customers is that crypto payments are moving…

Crypto Must Be Indispensable if Bill Fails to Pass: Bitwise

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The crypto industry will need to become ingrained in everyday life in the US should Congress fail to pass a crypto market structure bill, or risk being set back by a change in administration, says Bitwise investment chief Matt Hougan. Hougan said in a note on Monday that legislation making its way through the Senate to clarify how regulators police crypto “would cement the current pro-crypto regulatory environment into law.” If the bill fails, Hougan said a future administration “could reverse today’s pro-crypto push,” and the industry will have three…

AI Data Centers Face Local Pushback Seen in Bitcoin Mining

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For years, Bitcoin miners expanding across the United States learned that access to cheap power and industrial land did not guarantee community acceptance. Now, as AI hyperscalers and developers race to build power-dense data centers, they are encountering similar local resistance over electricity demand, infrastructure costs and long-term environmental impact, according to the latest Miner Mag newsletter. The parallels are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Bitcoin mining projects often promised job creation and a stronger local tax base, but those benefits did not always materialize, fueling opposition in several regions. …

February is BTC’s Most Reliable Bullish Month: Analyst

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Bitcoin’s (BTC) monthly gains have been limited to just 2.2%, but February could mark a bullish shift. Since 2016, the week ending Feb. 21 has recorded the highest median return at 8.4%, with Bitcoin closing higher 60% of the time. Key takeaways: February has delivered a median 7% weekly BTC return historically, outperforming October’s seasonal strength. Early-February performance has reliably flagged bearish periods, with 2018, 2022, and 2025 all setting the tone within the first three weeks. Bitcoin Weekly Returns since 2016. Source: X/Timothy Peterson February’s seasonal edge and its…

Nomura-Backed Laser Digital Reportedly Applies for US Bank Charter

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Laser Digital, a full-service digital asset company backed by Japanese financial group Nomura, has reportedly filed for a US national bank trust charter, signaling that crypto-focused companies are seeking deeper integration into the US financial system amid a more permissive regulatory environment. Citing sources familiar with the matter, the Financial Times reported Tuesday that Laser Digital had submitted its application to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). The charter would allow the company to operate at the federal level without applying for state-by-state custody licenses. The company…

Privacy Blockchains Seek Stablecoin Access as USDC Expands

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Circle has introduced a privacy-focused version of its USDC stablecoin on Aleo, highlighting a broader push by privacy-oriented blockchains to gain access to regulated, dollar-backed assets as demand for onchain privacy tools grows. Circle and Aleo announced Tuesday that USDCx on Aleo is now available via Circle’s xReserve, a reserve-backed issuance model that allows USDC (USDC) to be represented on additional blockchains without relying on third-party bridges.  USDCx on Aleo is fully backed by USDC held in xReserve and is interoperable with USDC across other supported networks, including Ethereum and…

UK Avoids ‘US Malaise’ as FCA Finalizes Rules

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The UK’s top financial regulator is finalizing its framework for the crypto industry. The rulemaking process has been long, but industry observers note that the country has avoided the political tit-for-tat that is hampering the US CLARITY Act. On Jan. 23, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) released its final consultation. The public may now comment on its suggested framework, consisting of 10 regulatory proposals. The three-year process is expected to reach a conclusion in March, with full implementation by October 2027. The proposed rules have gone through multiple iterations since…

Tether Launches USAt Stablecoin Under GENIUS Act

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Tether, the issuer of USDt — the largest stablecoin by market capitalization — has officially launched USAt, a US dollar-pegged stablecoin built specifically to operate within the US. Following an initial announcement last year, Tether confirmed on Tuesday the formal market launch of its USAt stablecoin, with Anchorage Digital Bank serving as the issuer. Tether describes USAt as a “federally regulated, dollar-backed stablecoin” designed to function under the US GENIUS Act, which established the first federal framework for payment stablecoins in the US in July 2025. In last September’s announcement,…

Bitcoin-to-Gold Bottom Fractal is Breaking as BTC Looks for a Bottom

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For years, Bitcoin (BTC) traders have watched its price relative to gold (XAU) for clues on when BTC bottoms in US dollar terms. But in 2026, that BTC-to-gold signal is starting to look less dependable. Key takeaways: Bitcoin hits undervaluation versus gold and has slipped below its Power Law trend. BTC/XAU is already under the 200-2W EMA that historically lined up with bottoms. Gold’s next move likely dictates whether BTC gets a relief rally. Bitcoin keeps declining in gold terms This week, the BTC/XAU ratio, or the value of Bitcoin…

US ‘Crypto Capital’ Claim Meets Developer Pushback

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The White House praised President Donald Trump for making the United States the “crypto capital of the world,” and cast the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act as the catalyst in making the country the “global leader in cryptocurrency.” In a recent post on X, an official communication added, “promises made, promises kept,” to Trump ending the Biden era “crusade to crush crypto.”  Moving beyond the rhetoric, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced a joint event on…