Binance has announced the launch of the Plasma USDT Locked Product under its On-Chain Yields platform. Starting today at 12:00 (UTC), users can subscribe their USDT for a limited time to earn both daily USDT rewards and XPL airdrop rewards from the Plasma Protocol after its upcoming Token Generation Event (TGE).Key Details of the Plasma USDT Locked ProductSubscription Period: August 20, 2025, 12:00 (UTC) until Plasma’s Post-TGE, or until quota is filled.Total Subscription Limit: 250,000,000 USDT (subject to adjustments by Binance).Rewards:USDT Rewards – distributed daily to users’ Spot Accounts.XPL Rewards – distributed post-TGE from a pool of 100,000,000 XPL (1% of total supply).Reward Calculation: Based on multiple daily snapshots of users’ subscription amounts, similar to Binance’s HODLer Airdrop method.Redemption RulesEarly Redemption:Users retain all accrued USDT rewards up to the redemption date.XPL rewards are preserved based on historical snapshots already taken.Redeemed USDT will be credited back to Spot Accounts within three days.Reward Accrual Start: Rewards begin accruing the day after subscription (no rewards on the subscription day).Notes & DisclaimersProduct launches on Binance Earn are independent of any future Binance Listings.Participation does not guarantee XPL will be listed on Binance markets.Minimum/maximum subscription limits and lock duration requirements apply.Why It MattersThe Plasma USDT Locked Product offers users a dual incentive model—providing stable daily USDT income alongside exposure to Plasma’s native XPL token via an airdrop. With a capped supply pool and first-come, first-served allocation, early participation is expected to be competitive.

Binance has announced its role as a founding member of the Beacon Network, a first-of-its-kind real-time crypto crime response system developed by blockchain analytics firm TRM Labs. Backed by leading exchanges, payment providers, and law enforcement partners, the initiative aims to prevent illicit funds from leaving the blockchain by enabling instant, coordinated action.A New Era of Crypto Crime PreventionThe Beacon Network connects exchanges, stablecoin issuers, regulators, and law enforcement into a live intelligence-sharing system. When investigators flag suspicious addresses linked to hacks, scams, or fraud, the information is instantly distributed across the network.Participating platforms, including Binance, can immediately freeze or block flagged funds before they exit the ecosystem. This marks a shift from reactive approaches to proactive, real-time defense.“Blockchain has proven to be one of the most powerful tools to fight financial crime. Beacon Network further enables private and public sector collaboration to ensure that we continue to lower crime on the blockchain,” said Noah Perlman, Binance’s Chief Compliance Officer.Why It MattersWhile illicit activity accounts for less than 1% of all crypto transactions, hacks and scams still cost billions each year. The Bybit hack earlier this year, which saw over 10,000 transactions in its first month, underscored how quickly stolen funds can spread.Beacon Network is designed to address such threats by:Blocking ransomware payments and terrorism financing.Recovering stolen assets before they reach off-ramps.Strengthening cross-border law enforcement collaboration.Industry-Wide CollaborationAlongside Binance, other founding members of the Beacon Network include Coinbase, PayPal, Kraken, Ripple, Crypto.com, OKX, and Bitfinex, among others. Membership is also open to DeFi platforms, stablecoin issuers, and security researchers, with affiliate membership offered for free to encourage widespread adoption.The initiative highlights a broader industry trend: building trust and security as foundations of global crypto adoption.Binance’s RoleAs the world’s largest exchange, with over 280 million users and the deepest liquidity in the market, Binance’s participation significantly enhances the reach and effectiveness of Beacon Network alerts. Its ability to detect and freeze flagged funds strengthens the resilience of the entire crypto ecosystem.Final ThoughtsBeacon Network represents a milestone in crypto security, shifting the balance of power away from criminals and toward defenders. By combining blockchain transparency with real-time intelligence sharing, the network bolsters security and trust, paving the way for broader digital asset adoption.For Binance, joining as a founding member underscores its commitment to building a safer, more resilient crypto industry.

Goldman Sachs projects explosive growth in the global stablecoin market, forecasting a 40% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the next several years that could transform the sector into a trillion-dollar industry. The research highlights stablecoins’ role in payments, global dollar adoption, and U.S. Treasury demand.Stablecoins Poised for Rapid ExpansionAccording to the report, the current global stablecoin market is valued at roughly $271 billion. Driven by favorable regulations and growing payment use cases, Goldman expects stablecoins to capture a much larger share of the financial ecosystem. Notably, USD Coin (USDC) could expand to $77 billion by 2027 under this growth trajectory.Payments Market PotentialThe analysis cites Visa data, which pegs the global payments market at $240 trillion, with consumer payments making up $40 trillion. Stablecoins, backed by U.S. dollars or Treasury bonds, are positioned to disrupt this sector by offering faster, borderless, and more efficient settlement options.U.S. Policy SupportU.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has emphasized that stablecoins not only strengthen the U.S. dollar’s reserve currency role but also expand access to the U.S. economy while boosting demand for Treasury bonds. The recently enacted GENIUS Act provides a clearer regulatory framework, which Goldman says will accelerate market development.Goldman Sachs’ bullish stance adds to a growing consensus that stablecoins will play a central role in digital payments, DeFi, and cross-border settlement. Analysts believe regulatory clarity and institutional adoption could drive the next wave of mainstream growth.

U.S.-listed cryptocurrency-related stocks saw broad gains in pre-market trading on Wednesday, according to Mars Finance News.Key MoversCircle (CRCL): +1.05%Coinbase (COIN): +0.8%MicroStrategy (MSTR): +1%SharpLink Gaming (SBET): +2.01%Bitmine Immersion (BMNR): +2.73% (biggest gainer)BTCS Inc (BTCS): +3.07%The rally reflects improved sentiment in the digital asset sector, supported by Bitcoin’s resilience around the $110,000–$115,000 range and optimism over regulatory clarity in the U.S.Analysts note that crypto-related equities remain closely tied to Bitcoin’s price trajectory, with miner stocks and blockchain infrastructure firms often seeing amplified moves during periods of BTC volatility. 

The U.S. Federal Reserve’s monetary stance remains restrictive, with its balance sheet no longer acting as a catalyst for growth, according to Jefferies strategist David Zervos.Speaking via Jinshi Report, Zervos said the Fed’s balance sheet — once viewed as an “accelerator” for the economy during periods of quantitative easing — has lost its stimulative effect under current policy conditions.Fed Policy StanceZervos emphasized that the Federal Reserve’s policy is “quite tight”, reflecting a cautious approach to inflation and liquidity.The Fed continues its balance sheet reduction strategy, known as quantitative tightening (QT), which removes liquidity from the system.Markets are now focusing on whether weakening U.S. inflation data will shift expectations for potential interest rate cuts later in the year.Market ImplicationsThe strategist’s remarks underscore investor concerns that without the Fed’s balance sheet expansion, economic momentum may slow further. Risk assets, particularly equities and cryptocurrencies, remain sensitive to signals from both interest rate decisions and the Fed’s balance sheet management.

Binance, Bitfinex, Coinbase, Crypto. com, HTX, Kraken, PayPal, Poloniex, Ripple, and Zodia Custody, among others, have all signed on. source: https://www.theblock.co/post/367547/binance-coinbase-among-first-members-to-join-trm-labs-crime-stopped-beacon-network-alongside-law-enforcement?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

Investment manager VanEck released a new report forecasting that Bitcoin (BTC) will hit $180,000 by the end of 2025, citing strengthening market signals, record mining activity, and rising demand from institutions.The report, authored by VanEck analyst Nathan Frankovitz and Head of Digital Assets Research Matthew Sigel, reviews Bitcoin’s performance between mid-July and mid-August. While the outlook remains bullish, the authors also highlight risks facing Bitcoin treasuries and discrepancies in the equity performance of Bitcoin mining companies.Key Highlights from the VanEck Bitcoin ReportYear-End Prediction: BTC price projected to hit $180,000 by December 2025.Market Structure: CME futures funding rates hit a six-month high of 9%, while the options call/put ratio surged to 3.21x, the most bullish signal since June 2024.Institutional Demand: In July, ETFs and Digital Asset Treasuries (DATs) purchased 126,000 BTC combined, signaling a renewed wave of corporate buying.Bitcoin Dominance: Fell from 64.5% to 59.7% amid rising Ethereum popularity.Mining Power: Network hashrate reached 902 EH/s, a new record, while U.S.-based mining now accounts for 31% of global share.Ordinals Growth: Ordinals minting surged 43% in 30 days, with Bitcoin Core set to remove arbitrary data limits in October.DATs Under Pressure: Net asset values of companies like MicroStrategy (MSTR -16%), MTPLF (-62%), and SMLR (-12%) have declined due to reduced Bitcoin volatility and debt constraints.Market Trends Supporting the ForecastBitcoin reached a record-breaking price on August 13, 2025, with transfer volume spiking to $77.7 billion – up 34% month-over-month and 60% year-over-year. Median transaction fees fell by 13%, supporting higher network activity.VanEck notes that while mining equities show mixed results, overall miner revenue has climbed to its highest level in eight months, at $59,400 per EH/s.Bullish but CautiousVanEck acknowledges downside risks, particularly from weakening Digital Asset Treasury performance and reduced ability to leverage convertible debt. However, analysts say that extreme pessimism among retail investors and rising institutional accumulation point to higher price potential.“Despite the risks, our models indicate Bitcoin could reach $180,000 by year-end 2025,” the report concludes.This prediction is a revision of VanEck’s December 2024 forecast, which expected Bitcoin to hit $180,000 in Q1 2025. While the earlier call overshot, current market strength makes the updated projection more realistic, according to Crypto.news.com

Crypto firm has entered into a credit agreement with crypto exchange Gemini ahead of the latter’s initial public offering (IPO). The crypto exchange revealed the details of this agreement in its IPO filing, with the amount expected to be used to finance some costs that may arise during the public offering. Details Of Ripple’s Agreement With Gemini In its IPO filing with the SEC, Gemini revealed that it entered into a credit agreement with Ripple in July. Under the agreement, the crypto exchange can make lending requests of no less than $5 million each, and up to an aggregate commitment amount of $75 million source: https://www.newsbtc.com/ripple-2/ripple-agreement-with-gemini/

Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman told an audience in Wyoming that regulators risk misunderstanding blockchain if their staff remain […] The post Top Fed Official Wants Staff to Own Crypto – Here’s Why appeared first on Coindoo. source: https://coindoo.com/top-fed-official-wants-staff-to-own-crypto-heres-why/

The Blockchain Association and the Crypto Council for Innovation pushed back against recent claims by the banking industry. source: https://www.theblock.co/post/367561/crypto-groups-genius-stablecoin-law?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

Recommended reading tonight: 1. Google invests $132 million in crypto mining: Why did it choose TeraWulf? 2. Interest rate cut expectations, DAT speculation, and market indicators: When will the bull market top? 3. BTC will remain the world's best-performing asset over the next 10 years.

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OpenAI is planning a secondary share sale that could see employees cashing out around $6 billion, potentially valuing the company at $500 billion. The move comes as revenue surges from ChatGPT growth and the firm expands with new funding, acquisitions, and AI development.

Shein’s high-stakes push for a public listing has taken a new twist. The fast-fashion giant is reportedly considering shifting its corporate base back to China from Singapore in a bid to win Beijing’s approval for a Hong Kong initial public offering (IPO), according to Bloomberg.

Is it because there are too many Ethereums waiting to be unlocked that has caused market concerns and triggered the decline in Ethereum?

Can stablecoins like ETH and BMNR continue to rise? Cathie Wood discusses the investment logic behind BitMine, the Ethereum treasury. Golden Finance discusses ARK's bet on the crypto and tech boom of the next decade.

BTC, market, why did Bitcoin crash? Will $112,000 be the final bottom? Golden Finance, the market is beginning to question whether this bull run is nearing its end.

Bank of America is exploring entry into the stablecoin market, but will move forward only if U.S. regulations are clear. CEO Brian Moynihan said the bank plans to work with industry partners to ensure compliance while offering faster, more efficient digital payments.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker pointed his fingers at President Donald Trump, calling him responsible for the degrading of the crypto laws in the United States after letting so-called "Crypto bros" write the federal policy.

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