News & Research

Blockchain technology developer Blockstream has acquired Swiss cryptocurrency services provider Berglinde AG, Bitcoin News reported.

The stablecoin project Plasma (XPL) is accelerating its expansion into Europe, CoinDesk reported. The project has acquired an Italian entity holding a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license, enabling it to offer cryptocurrency trading and custody services to users in Italy. Additionally, Plasma has opened a new office in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and has applied for a Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) license.

Hardware wallet manufacturer Ledger has unveiled a new device, the Nano Gen5, along with a new Ledger Wallet app and a multi-signature platform for businesses, The Block reported. The company's hardware wallets are being rebranded as Ledger Signer, and the new Nano Gen5 device offers enhanced security for assets, identities, and smart contracts.

Cryptocurrency market maker B2C2 has launched PENNY, a zero-fee stablecoin swap platform, according to CoinDesk. The platform is designed for institutional investors and supports USDT, USDC, USDG, RLUSD, PYUSD, and AUSD. It is available on the Ethereum, Tron, and Solana blockchains, as well as on select Layer 2 networks.

ReachMe, a paid chat platform on the BNB Chain designed to connect influencers with their fans, has announced it is shutting down all services and operations. The platform allowed users to pay 0.08 BNB to send direct messages to influencers, including Binance founder Changpeng Zhao. Users were eligible for a 50% refund if they did not receive a reply within five days.

As Bitcoin's price fluctuates below $110,000, one analysis suggests it could fall to $97,000 if it breaks below the $108,000 level. According to The Block, Timothy Misir, head of research at BRN, said that demand for BTC put options is increasing. He added that short-term holders are continuing to take profits after repeated failures to break through the $113,000 resistance level. Meanwhile, QCP Capital noted that the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI), scheduled for release tomorrow, is the only major indicator being published amid the government shutdown. The firm suggested that the result will likely determine the direction of BTC's price.

Zerobase (ZBT), a blockchain-based zero-knowledge proof network, announced it has bought back 26.3 million ZBT. The tokens, which represent 2.63% of the total supply, were originally part of an airdrop allocation intended for institutional investors.

KuCoin has launched a new mining pool service called KuPool, Decrypt reported. The service will support DOGE and LTC mining, with plans to add support for BTC in the future.

London-based neobank Revolut has secured a license under the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation from the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), DL News reported. The approval allows Revolut to offer cryptocurrency services throughout the European Economic Area (EEA).

Investors in Kraken's $500 million seed funding round from September included Apollo Global Management, Oppenheimer, Jane Street, and HSG (formerly Sequoia Capital China), Reuters reported. The exchange had previously announced the funding but had not disclosed the names of its backers at the time.