Crypto Industry News & Market Trends

A digital shekel is here: Israel approves its first-ever regulated stablecoin

Israels Capital Market Authority granted approval for a stablecoin pegged to the shekel for the first time.　　Tel Aviv-based cryptocurrency exchange Bits of Gold received authorization to issue the token after a two-year evaluation and pilot process, the authority said in a post on LinkedIn.　　The token, BILS, was developed in collaboration with the Solana network and crypto custodian heavyweights Fireblocks with auditing oversight provided by Big Four consultancy firm EY, Bits of Gold said in an emailed statement.　　The size of the stablecoin sector — crypto tokens pegged to the value of a traditional financial asset, usually a fiat currency — has surged in the last 18 months to more than $300 billion fueled by the establishment of formal regulatory regimes in major markets such as the U.S.　　The overwhelming dominance of U.S. dollar-pegged tokens in the sector has prompted concerns in markets outside the U.S. about the threat of losing financial and digital sovereignty if onchain payments all default to dollars as their unit of account.　　“The Israeli shekel has emerged as one of the stronger performing fiat currencies among developed markets, supported by a resilient technology sector and consistent macroeconomic management,” Bits of Gold said in its Monday announcement.　　The shekel has gained

04-28Industry

Jack Dorseys Block Discloses $2.2B Bitcoin Holdings in Q1 Proof-of-Reserves Report

Jack Dorseys fintech firm Block published its first-quarter proof-of-reserves report on Monday, disclosing total Bitcoin holdings of 28,355 BTC, worth roughly $2.2 billion as of March 2026.Customer Bitcoin holdings totaled 19,357 BTC, valued at approximately $1.5 billion, while corporate treasury holdings comprised 8,997 BTC, worth about $692.3 million.The report allows independent verification of holdings using on-chain cryptographic signatures.　　Block Inc., the Jack Dorsey-led fintech company behind Square and Cash App, disclosed holdings totaling 28,355 BTC worth approximately $2.2 billion in its first-quarter proof-of-reserves report published Monday.　　The holdings include 19,357 BTC worth about $1.5 billion held on behalf of customers and 8,997 BTC worth about $692.3 million in corporate treasury, according to the report. Third-party auditors confirmed the findings.　　“People shouldnt have to trust that their Bitcoin is there, they should be able to verify it,” the company said in its disclosure. Block noted that anyone can independently confirm its holdings using on-chain signatures, with reserves “actively controlled, not just historically observed.”　　Blocks corporate treasury holdings of just under 9,000 BTC represent the 14th-largest Bitcoin holding among corporate treasuries, placing the firm just behind Trump Media, according to BitcoinTreasuries.net.　　Proof-of-reserves reporting became more widely adopted after the collapse of FTX in November 2022, with major

04-28Industry

Canada Moves to Ban Crypto Political Donations Amid Transparency Push

Canada is edging closer to banning cryptocurrency-based political donations under a new election reform initiative. Bill C-25, the , passed its second reading in the House of Commons on April 26, 2026, signaling broad legislative support. The proposed law aims to tighten election financing rules, specifically targeting digital assets, citing transparency concerns and risks of foreign interference.　　If enacted, the bill would prohibit political parties and candidates from accepting donations in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) or Ethereum (ETH). Lawmakers see the move as necessary to close loopholes in campaign finance regulations. While the legislation covers broader election reforms, crypto donations have been singled out due to issues with traceability and compliance with existing limits.　　The bill, initially introduced on March 26, 2026, now advances to committee for detailed review and potential amendments. No fixed date has been set for its next stage, leaving uncertainty around its final form and implementation timeline.　　Crypto Faces Scrutiny Despite Broader Adoption　　Canada has been making strides in integrating cryptocurrencies into its financial system. Regulatory bodies have advanced stablecoin frameworks, granting oversight powers to the Bank of Canada, and refined rules for crypto investment funds and custodians. This dual approach—embracing blockchain innovation while tightening its use in sensitive areas—reflects

04-28Industry

AI builds 2026 U.S. midterms stock portfolio

As the stock market heads toward the 2026 United States midterms, insights from an artificial intelligence model have identified three equities to watch during the election period, which is typically marked by volatility.　　In this line, data shared by financial commentary platform shows the Dow Jones Industrial Average has followed a consistent seasonal pattern in midterm years since 1896.　　From May through October, the index has delivered an average return of 1.2%, below the 2.2% average in non-midterm years.　　At the same time, from November through April, returns average 10.5%, compared to 3.5% in other years.　　The roughly 9.3 percentage point gap between summer and winter returns highlights a shift in investor behavior, driven by policy uncertainty ahead of elections and renewed risk appetite once outcomes become clear.　　The market is bracing for a volatile midterm election year:　　Since 1896, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has posted an average return of just +1.2% from May 1st through Halloween of a midterm election year.　　To determine which stocks are worth buying ahead of the midterms, Finbold sought insights from OpenAIs ChatGPT, which identified three picks.　　Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA)　　At the top is semiconductor giant Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), which stands out as the portfolios highest-beta post-election rebound play. The company controls

04-28Industry

CoinUp Jazz Night Concludes in Hong Kong, Highlighting Web3’s Global Convergence

On April 28, 2026, CoinUp successfully hosted its CoinUp Jazz Night at The Murray Hotel in Hong Kong. Held from 19:00 to 23:00, the event brought together traders, project teams, investors, industry KOLs, and media from around the world for an evening that blended live jazz, industry dialogue, and high-value networking against the backdrop of Victoria Harbour.　　As a steadily growing global cryptocurrency exchange, CoinUp continues to strengthen its core capabilities in liquidity provision, product innovation, and global ecosystem expansion. This Jazz Night not only served as a showcase of the platform‘s brand strength, but also marked a key step in deepening its presence in Hong Kong’s Web3 ecosystem and connecting with global industry resources.　　High-Quality Participants Driving Meaningful Industry Connections　　The event saw strong demand, with over 1,000 registrations and more than 1,500 attendees on-site. Peak attendance exceeded 600 people, with the venue reaching full capacity at multiple points throughout the night.　　Participants included builders, traders, VCs, project teams, KOLs, and leading media representatives, forming a diverse and well-structured Web3 networking environment. In a relaxed and open setting, industry insights, trading experience, and collaboration opportunities flowed efficiently, elevating the event beyond casual networking into a platform for real business connections.　　From Macro to Structure:

04-28Industry

HUF: Market repricing supports stable policy – Commerzbank

Finance　　HUF: Market repricing supports stable policy – Commerzbank　　Commerzbanks Michael Pfister expects an uneventful Hungarian National Bank (MNB) meeting, with all surveyed economists and market pricing pointing to unchanged rates over the next six months. Earlier expectations for more than 60 basis points of hikes have been repriced to more realistic levels, suggesting a quiet session for the Hungarian Forint (HUF) after its strong post‑election rally, which the bank sees as potentially welcome.　　Unspectacular MNB meeting after rally　　“The Hungarian National Bank (MNB) is holding its monthly meeting today, but it would be a major surprise if interest rates were to change.”　　“All economists surveyed by Bloomberg anticipate this outcome, and market expectations also suggest that rates will remain unchanged over the next six months.”　　“This is particularly important to note, given that prior to the last central bank meeting at the end of March, the market had priced in more than 60 basis points of rate hikes for the coming months.”　　“We were already sceptical back then as to whether the MNB could truly meet such high expectations. Following this repricing, however, market expectations now look significantly more realistic.”　　“In short, there are unlikely to be any surprises from the MNB today, suggesting a quiet day

04-28Industry

AUD/USD Price Forecast: Likely display one-sided strong move post Aussie Q1 CPI data

AUD/USD trades slightly lower at around 0.7175 at the press time. The pair holds a bullish near-term bias as spot remains above the 20-day exponential moving average (EMA) at 0.7107, suggesting underlying demand on shallow pullbacks.　　The Relative Strength Index (RSI) at about 61 stays in positive territory, hinting that upside momentum is still intact even as price consolidates near recent highs.　　On the downside, immediate support is seen at the 20-day EMA around 0.7107, where buyers are likely to defend the current advance and maintain the broader uptrend structure. A daily close below this level would soften the constructive tone and open room for a deeper correction towards the psychological level of 0.7000.　　Looking up, the price could approach 0.7300 if it manages to break decisively above the multi-year high of 0.7222.　　Economic Indicator　　Quarterly Consumer Price Index (YoY)　　The Consumer Price Index (CPI), released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on a quarterly basis, measures the changes in the price of a fixed basket of goods and services acquired by household consumers. The quarterly CPI data series are calculated as the average of the three relevant monthly CPIs. The YoY reading compares prices in the reference quarter to the same quarter a year earlier.

04-28Industry

Worldcoin (WLD) Price Down 97% From ATH — Top Reasons Why the Downtrend Still Isn’t Over

Tech　　Worldcoin (WLD) Price Down 97% From ATH — Top Reasons Why the Downtrend Still Isnt Over　　The post Worldcoin (WLD) Price Down 97% From ATH — Top Reasons Why the Downtrend Still Isnt Over appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News　　Worldcoin is down over 97% from its highs, yet it has failed to trigger even a basic relief rally. Bearish pressure has intensified since September 2025, with the price dropping nearly 85% from local highs around $2.20, signaling sustained weakness and a lack of demand.　　The absence of a meaningful bounce is the bigger signal. WLD price remains pinned below key levels, with every recovery attempt fading into persistent sell pressure. This raises a critical question: can Worldcoin initiate a rebound, or does the current structure point to a prolonged downtrend？　　Worldcoin Price Maintains a Strong Downtrend　　Worldcoin (WLD) continues to trade within a well-defined descending channel on the higher timeframe, reinforcing a sustained bearish structure. Price has consistently respected the channel boundaries, with each rally failing to break above the upper trendline, confirming continued seller control.　　The formation of lower highs and lower lows remains intact, with recent price action drifting toward the lower boundary of the channel near $0.20–$0.25. This area is acting as

04-28Industry

Google Stock Forecast: AI Deal Drives GOOG Higher

in premarket, up $0.14 or 0.04% after closing at $348.52, which marked a 1.81% gain in the previous session. The move comes as investors react to a new defense-focused AI agreement with the US government that expands Googles role in classified workloads and national security infrastructure.　　Pentagon AI Agreement Expands　　Google signed an agreement with the US Department of Defense that allows Pentagon teams to use its AI models for classified workloads. The agreement also permits the deployment of Google AI systems for any lawful government purpose.　　The company updated an existing contract to expand access to its artificial intelligence tools and aligned technical safeguards with government requirements. What does this mean in practice？ It allows defense teams to run Googles latest models across secure systems while operating within US legal frameworks defined by federal agencies.　　Shift From Past Military Stance　　Google reversed its earlier position on military AI projects after years of internal debate. In 2018, employee pressure pushed the company away from Project Maven, a defense program focused on drone image analysis. In 2024, Google restarted limited collaboration with the Department of Defense through unclassified AI work.　　By early 2025, the company removed policy language that blocked weapon or surveillance applications, which opened the

04-28Industry

Nearly Half a Million Users Utilize Bitget’s AI-Trading Infrastructure, Messari Report Highlights

Bitget, the world‘s largest Universal Exchange (UEX) highlighted findings from a newly published Messari Pulse report documenting early adoption across its AI trading stack, a four-layer product system built as part of Bitget’s broader trading infrastructure serving 125 million users worldwide.　　The Messari report identifies four core layers within Bitgets AI architecture: GetAgent for conversational market analysis, GetClaw for autonomous execution, Agent Hub for developer access to exchange functions, and Gracy AI, a strategic guidance interface built around the public market voice of Bitget CEO Gracy Chen. Together, these products extend AI across analysis, executions, infrastructure, and user engagement inside the Bitget platform.　　According to Bitget data cited in the report, Gracy AI attracted more than 460,000 users and generated over 2.6 million replies within its first eleven days after launch in February, producing over 390 million impressions in the same period. GetAgent has also surpassed 450,000 registered users since its launch. Its invite-only phase, which ran from July to August 2025, drove 100 million+ impressions and a waitlist exceeding 25,000 users.　　Messari also highlights Agent Hub, infrastructure layer for connecting AI systems directly to exchange functions. Launched in February 2026, it supports MCP Server, Skills, REST and WebSocket APIs, and a command-line

04-28Industry

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