hodler

1 Apr 2026, 20:20

Solana Stablecoin Volumes Triple Month-Over-Month as Geopolitical Tensions Drive Demand for Digital Dollars

The stablecoin transactions on the Solana blockchain reached a record $650 billion in February and are on track to record a similar surge in March.

1 Apr 2026, 20:20

StrictlyVC San Francisco Unveils Electrifying Speaker Lineup with TDK Ventures and Replit Leaders

BitcoinWorld StrictlyVC San Francisco Unveils Electrifying Speaker Lineup with TDK Ventures and Replit Leaders The venture capital landscape prepares for a significant convergence as StrictlyVC announces its first major 2025 gathering in San Francisco, California, on April 30. This exclusive event, hosted at the Sentro Filipino Cultural Center, promises to assemble pivotal figures from corporate venture capital and artificial intelligence, offering founders a critical platform for connection and insight during a complex funding environment. StrictlyVC San Francisco: A Nexus for Innovation and Capital StrictlyVC events have consistently served as vital junctions where startup ambition meets institutional investment. The upcoming San Francisco edition arrives at a crucial moment. According to recent data from PitchBook, early-stage venture deal activity has shown selective resilience, with investors prioritizing startups demonstrating clear paths to revenue and robust unit economics. Consequently, this event provides a timely forum for founders to understand shifting investor priorities firsthand. The agenda strategically balances perspectives from established corporate venture arms and disruptive technology founders. This dual focus addresses two dominant trends in the current market: the growing influence of strategic corporate capital and the transformative impact of generative AI on software development and information integrity. The Corporate VC Perspective: TDK Ventures Takes the Stage Nicolas Sauvage, President of TDK Ventures, will initiate the evening’s discussions. Leading a $500 million fund dedicated to early-stage investments, Sauvage’s track record includes steering TDK into 45 startup investments and backing three unicorns: Groq, Ascend Elements, and Silicon Box. His conversation with Connie Loizos, Editor-in-Chief of Bitcoin World, will demystify the operational ethos of corporate venture capital. Corporate VCs like TDK Ventures often bring distinct advantages to their portfolio companies, including: Strategic Alignment: Access to manufacturing, supply chains, and global distribution networks. Patient Capital: Investment horizons that may extend beyond traditional fund cycles. Technical Validation: Deep industry expertise for product development and scaling. For founders, understanding what captures the attention of a strategic investor like Sauvage is invaluable. Typically, this involves technology synergies with the parent corporation’s core business in electronics and materials, coupled with a scalable business model. AI Trust and the Future of Software Construction The program then shifts to the forefront of artificial intelligence, featuring two leaders tackling different dimensions of the AI revolution. First, Campbell Brown, former head of news at Meta and now co-founder and CEO of Forum AI, will address the escalating challenge of information veracity in large language models (LLMs). As public reliance on AI for advice grows, her work focuses on developing frameworks to vet, verify, and sustain trustworthy information outputs—a critical hurdle for widespread enterprise and consumer adoption. Following this, Amjad Masad, CEO of Replit, will offer a ground-level view of the software development transformation. His platform, which popularized accessible, cloud-based “vibe coding,” sits at the intersection of AI-assisted programming and developer tooling. Masad’s insights are particularly relevant as competitors like Anthropic and OpenAI push deeper into the coding assistant space, signaling a rapid evolution in how software is built and who can build it. StrictlyVC San Francisco 2025 Speaker Highlights Speaker Role Key Discussion Theme Nicolas Sauvage President, TDK Ventures Corporate Venture Capital Strategy & Founder Insights Campbell Brown Co-founder & CEO, Forum AI Building Trust and Veracity in AI Information Systems Amjad Masad Co-founder & CEO, Replit The AI-Driven Future of Software Development & Coding The Unannounced Speaker and the Power of Networking The event organizers have reserved one additional speaker announcement, maintaining an element of anticipation. However, the concluding networking session is often cited by past attendees as the core value proposition. These gatherings consistently attract a concentrated mix of serial founders, angel investors, and partners from top-tier venture firms, facilitating the serendipitous connections that can define a startup’s trajectory. Conclusion The StrictlyVC San Francisco event on April 30 represents a strategic opportunity within the venture ecosystem. It delivers direct access to the decision-makers at TDK Ventures and the pioneering minds from Replit and Forum AI, all within an environment designed for meaningful engagement. For AI innovators and founders actively navigating the 2025 fundraising landscape, the insights gleaned from these conversations could provide a decisive edge. Tickets for this limited-capacity event are currently available. FAQs Q1: What is the date and location of the StrictlyVC San Francisco event? The event will be held on April 30, 2025, at the Sentro Filipino Cultural Center in San Francisco, California. Q2: Who are the confirmed speakers for the StrictlyVC event? Confirmed speakers include Nicolas Sauvage (President of TDK Ventures), Campbell Brown (CEO of Forum AI), and Amjad Masad (CEO of Replit), with one additional speaker to be announced. Q3: Why is the perspective of a corporate VC like TDK Ventures important for founders? Corporate venture capitalists often provide not just capital but also strategic resources, industry expertise, and potential commercial partnerships, which differ from the model of traditional financial VCs. Q4: What key topics will be discussed regarding artificial intelligence? Discussions will cover building trustworthy AI platforms and information verification (Forum AI) and the impact of AI on the future of software development and coding practices (Replit). Q5: Who should attend the StrictlyVC San Francisco gathering? The event is particularly valuable for startup founders, especially in AI and deep tech, seeking funding, as well as investors and tech executives interested in venture capital trends and innovation ecosystems. This post StrictlyVC San Francisco Unveils Electrifying Speaker Lineup with TDK Ventures and Replit Leaders first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

1 Apr 2026, 20:13

Solana DeFi Exchange Drift Protocol Exploited, Upwards of $285 Million Stolen

Solana-based perpetuals DEX Drift Protocol has suffered an exploit impacting more than $200 million in funds.

1 Apr 2026, 20:00

Strategic Move: Tether Executive Takes Helm of Pro-Crypto Super PAC Ahead of Critical Midterm Elections

BitcoinWorld Strategic Move: Tether Executive Takes Helm of Pro-Crypto Super PAC Ahead of Critical Midterm Elections In a significant development for cryptocurrency political influence, Jesse Spiro, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at Tether, has accepted a pivotal leadership role at The Fellowship, a pro-crypto Super PAC. This strategic appointment, reported by journalist Eleanor Terrett, signals a major escalation in the digital asset industry’s political engagement as the United States approaches crucial midterm elections. Consequently, the crypto sector demonstrates its commitment to shaping regulatory frameworks through direct political action. Tether Executive Assumes Leadership of Crypto Super PAC Jesse Spiro now leads The Fellowship, a political action committee dedicated to supporting cryptocurrency-friendly candidates. Significantly, Spiro brings extensive regulatory expertise from his tenure at Tether, the world’s largest stablecoin issuer. Additionally, his background includes roles at PayPal and blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis. Therefore, his appointment represents a calculated move by crypto interests to leverage regulatory knowledge for political gain. The cryptocurrency industry faces increasing regulatory scrutiny globally. Meanwhile, stablecoins like Tether’s USDT play crucial roles in digital asset markets. Furthermore, political decisions directly impact blockchain innovation and adoption. As a result, industry leaders recognize the necessity of political participation. Subsequently, The Fellowship plans to release its first candidate endorsements soon. Political Strategy and Midterm Election Impact The timing of this leadership change holds particular importance. Specifically, the United States midterm elections will determine control of Congress. Moreover, numerous congressional committees oversee financial technology and digital asset regulations. Consequently, cryptocurrency organizations seek to influence these critical races. For instance, The Fellowship will begin deploying election funds to support selected candidates. Super PACs, or independent expenditure-only committees, operate under specific campaign finance rules. Importantly, they can raise unlimited funds from corporations, individuals, and unions. However, they cannot coordinate directly with candidate campaigns. Nevertheless, they can spend independently to advocate for candidates or issues. Below is a comparison of traditional and crypto-focused political action: Traditional Industry PACs Crypto-Focused Super PACs Often represent banking or energy sectors Represent blockchain and digital asset firms Focus on established regulatory frameworks Navigate emerging technology regulations Typically support incumbent candidates May support challengers with crypto expertise Utilize conventional lobbying methods Combine digital advocacy with traditional outreach Expert Analysis of Regulatory Implications Industry observers note several important implications from this appointment. First, cryptocurrency companies increasingly recognize political engagement as essential for survival. Second, regulatory experts like Spiro provide valuable insight into compliance requirements. Third, stablecoin issuers face particular scrutiny from financial regulators. Therefore, Tether’s involvement signals the stablecoin sector’s political maturation. Previously, cryptocurrency political efforts remained somewhat fragmented. However, recent initiatives show increasing coordination. For example, the Blockchain Association and Coinbase’s advocacy efforts complement Super PAC activities. Meanwhile, regulatory clarity remains elusive for many digital assets. Consequently, political solutions become more attractive to industry participants. Background and Context of Crypto Political Action The cryptocurrency industry’s political evolution follows a recognizable pattern. Initially, most efforts focused on educational outreach to policymakers. Subsequently, companies established government relations teams. Meanwhile, industry associations formed to coordinate messaging. Recently, however, direct political contributions and endorsements have increased substantially. Several factors drive this political engagement acceleration: Regulatory uncertainty creates business challenges for crypto firms Global competition pushes for favorable domestic policies Mainstream adoption increases political relevance of digital assets Technological innovation outpaces existing regulatory frameworks Furthermore, the stablecoin sector faces particular regulatory attention. Specifically, Tether’s USDT maintains the largest market capitalization among stablecoins. Moreover, policymakers express concerns about reserve backing and systemic risk. Therefore, Tether’s regulatory executive leading a Super PAC demonstrates strategic positioning. Future Outlook for Cryptocurrency Political Influence The Fellowship’s activities will likely influence upcoming electoral outcomes. Additionally, other crypto Super PACs may emerge following this model. Meanwhile, traditional financial industry PACs will probably respond with increased opposition spending. Consequently, cryptocurrency regulation may become a more prominent campaign issue. Political analysts identify several potential developments. First, cryptocurrency issues may feature in candidate debates and platforms. Second, voter education efforts could increase regarding blockchain technology. Third, regulatory proposals may receive more nuanced consideration. Finally, bipartisan support for sensible crypto regulation might develop. Conclusion The appointment of Tether executive Jesse Spiro to lead The Fellowship Super PAC represents a milestone in cryptocurrency political engagement. This strategic move signals the industry’s commitment to influencing regulatory outcomes through direct political action. As midterm elections approach, cryptocurrency interests will deploy resources to support favorable candidates. Ultimately, this development reflects the digital asset sector’s maturation and recognition of political reality. FAQs Q1: What is a Super PAC and how does it differ from a traditional PAC? A Super PAC, or independent expenditure-only committee, can raise unlimited funds but cannot coordinate directly with candidate campaigns. Traditional PACs have contribution limits but can donate directly to candidates. Q2: Why is Tether involved in political activities through a Super PAC? As the largest stablecoin issuer, Tether faces significant regulatory scrutiny. Political engagement helps shape favorable regulatory frameworks and ensures industry representation in policy discussions. Q3: What expertise does Jesse Spiro bring to this political role? Spiro has extensive regulatory experience from positions at Tether, PayPal, and Chainalysis. This background provides valuable insight into financial technology regulation and compliance requirements. Q4: How might this Super PAC influence cryptocurrency regulation? By supporting candidates who understand blockchain technology, the Super PAC can help elect officials more likely to develop sensible, innovation-friendly regulatory approaches. Q5: Are other cryptocurrency companies involved in similar political efforts? Yes, numerous crypto firms participate in political advocacy through trade associations, lobbying, and individual contributions, though Super PAC involvement represents a more direct approach. This post Strategic Move: Tether Executive Takes Helm of Pro-Crypto Super PAC Ahead of Critical Midterm Elections first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

1 Apr 2026, 19:50

Drift Protocol halts operations after suspected $285m exploit as funds move across wallets

Drift Protocol has paused operations following an active attack, with early estimates suggesting losses near $285m

1 Apr 2026, 19:27

Solana Ecosystem Faces One of Largest Hacks Ever

Drift Protocol, a prominent decentralized exchange (DEX) built on the Solana blockchain, has suffered a massive $270 million exploit.