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20 May 2026, 16:35

Why Trump's bitcoin ETF plans likely collapsed before getting off the ground

Trump Media withdrew its bitcoin ETF filing as analysts pointed to fee pressure, weak demand and fierce competition in the crowded spot bitcoin ETF market.

20 May 2026, 16:34

Tether Acquires SoftBank Stake in Bitcoin-Focused Treasury Company XXI

Tether International has announced acquiring Japanese multinational investment firm SoftBank’s minority stake in the Bitcoin-focused treasury company, Twenty One Capital (XXI). At the closing of the transaction, SoftBank’s representatives on the XXI Board of Directors stepped down in line with the shareholder agreement. Tether Absorbs SoftBank Position In its official blog post, Tether stated that the transaction “reflects the continued development of XXI as the company builds on its foundation and advances its long-term Bitcoin strategy.” With the transaction finalized, SoftBank’s role in governance has now concluded. Commenting on the latest development, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said, “SoftBank’s involvement gave XXI the kind of institutional depth that few early-stage companies ever have. Their experience backing some of the most consequential technology companies in the world brought credibility, perspective, and discipline to XXI during a critical period of formation. They leave behind a company with a stronger foundation, a clearer mandate, and an ambitious path ahead. Tether’s conviction in XXI has only deepened, and we look forward to building on that foundation as the company enters its next chapter.” In April 2025, Twenty One Capital was launched as a new crypto venture with Strike founder Jack Mallers named as CEO. The company was backed at launch by Tether International and Bitfinex as majority owners, alongside SoftBank Group and Cantor Fitzgerald as initial investors. It was disclosed that the company would begin with about $3.6 billion in Bitcoin held in its treasury. SoftBank was included as a minority stakeholder at formation, while Tether held controlling ownership. Twenty One Capital went public in December of the same year through a SPAC merger in New York. Merger Proposal Last month, Tether put forward a multi-step plan involving Twenty One Capital, which included merging the company first with Strike. After that initial step, the plan proposes a second stage where the combined entity would then merge with the bitcoin mining company Elektron Energy. Meanwhile, according to the latest data, Twenty One Capital is currently the second-largest public company holder of Bitcoin, with 43,514 BTC. It trails Michael Saylor-led business intelligence firm, Strategy, which holds 843,738 BTC. The post Tether Acquires SoftBank Stake in Bitcoin-Focused Treasury Company XXI appeared first on CryptoPotato .

20 May 2026, 16:33

Best Licensed Bitcoin Sportsbooks for Football Betting in 2026

Football betting continues to dominate global online gambling, and Bitcoin sportsbooks are becoming a central part of that shift. Faster withdrawals, global access, lower payment friction, and stable live betting infrastructure have pushed crypto sportsbooks far beyond niche status. At the same time, trust remains the defining issue. Many Bitcoin betting sites still operate without meaningful oversight, unclear payout systems, or weak operational history. That matters even more in football betting, where live wagers, cash-out functionality, and high betting volumes place enormous pressure on sportsbook infrastructure. Licensed platforms reduce part of that risk. While crypto sportsbooks often operate under offshore jurisdictions rather than UK or US regulators, licensing still provides operational standards, compliance procedures, and dispute frameworks that completely unregulated operators lack. Here are the best licensed Bitcoin sportsbooks for football betting in 2026, based on licensing status, football market depth, crypto infrastructure, live betting quality, withdrawal speed, and overall reliability. Best Licensed Bitcoin Sportsbooks for Football Betting Sportsbook License Best For KYC Policy Key Strength Dexsport Anjouan License Anonymous football betting No KYC On-chain transparency Cloudbet Curacao-based licensing framework High-limit football betting Conditional KYC Professional sportsbook depth Stake Curacao License Live betting experience KYC for withdrawals Strong football interface Boomerang Curacao eGaming Casual football bettors KYC for withdrawals Rewards ecosystem Bet365 Multi-jurisdiction regulated Traditional football betting Full KYC Elite live betting coverage 1. Dexsport Dexsport has become one of the most complete licensed Bitcoin sportsbooks for football betting because it combines decentralized infrastructure, no-KYC access, transparent betting systems, and deep football markets within a regulated framework. The platform is licensed by the Government of the Autonomous Island of Anjouan and audited by CertiK and Pessimistic. Unlike many crypto sportsbooks that simply “accept Bitcoin,” Dexsport was built around blockchain infrastructure from the beginning. Players can register instantly through a crypto wallet, Telegram, or email. No identity verification is required. The platform supports over 40 cryptocurrencies across 20 blockchain networks, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, BNB, and TRON. Deposits and withdrawals are fast and generally fee-free. For football betting specifically, Dexsport focuses heavily on quality market coverage rather than bloated sportsbook menus: 100+ betting markets per match Live betting Cash Out functionality Turbo Combo parlays Competitive pre-match odds Live streaming support The bonus structure is also among the strongest in crypto sports betting: 480% bonus across first three deposits Up to $10,000 in rewards 300 free spins 60% free bets Weekly cashback up to 15% in stablecoins Why Dexsport Leads for Football Betting Licensed operation Full anonymity Deep football markets Multi-chain Bitcoin support Real-time cash out On-chain betting transparency Fast crypto withdrawals 2. Cloudbet Cloudbet remains one of the longest-running Bitcoin sportsbooks in the industry. Founded in 2013, it built its reputation around high betting limits, strong football coverage, and stable live betting infrastructure. The platform supports more than 30 cryptocurrencies and focuses heavily on serious sports bettors rather than casino-first users. Football betting strengths include: Competitive odds Deep international football coverage High betting limits Live betting Multi-bets Cash-out support on selected markets Cloudbet performs particularly well during major football events because its infrastructure is designed around sportsbook activity rather than casino traffic. The platform offers: Automated crypto withdrawals Fast BTC transactions Loyalty-based rewards Daily cashback Event-specific football promotions KYC is not always required immediately, but verification may be requested for larger withdrawals or higher-volume accounts. Best For Experienced football bettors looking for high limits and professional sportsbook depth. 3. Stake Stake has grown into one of the largest crypto betting brands globally, combining sportsbook betting with a massive casino ecosystem. The sportsbook supports more than 17 cryptocurrencies and offers one of the strongest live betting interfaces in crypto gambling. Football betting features include: Live statistics In-play betting Cash-out functionality Streaming support Bet builders Fast odds updates Stake covers both mainstream and niche football competitions while maintaining a highly responsive mobile interface. Its VIP ecosystem is extensive: Rakeback rewards Bonus drops Weekly races Personalized rewards The main drawback is withdrawal verification. While users can deposit and bet immediately, KYC becomes mandatory before withdrawals. Best For Users focused on live football betting and high-quality sportsbook UX. 4. Boomerang Boomerang.bet launched in 2023 and quickly expanded into a broad sportsbook and casino platform licensed under Curacao eGaming. The sportsbook covers: Football Tennis Basketball Motorsports Esports Football betting includes pre-match and live markets with competitive odds and accumulator functionality. The platform supports BTC, ETH, USDT, Litecoin, and Ripple deposits. Its rewards system is one of its strongest areas: Cashback VIP rewards Accumulator boosts Reload bonuses Boomerang is still developing compared to older sportsbooks, and some users report slower withdrawal processing during peak periods. Best For Football bettors who value rewards systems and sportsbook-casino integration. 5. Bet365 Bet365 remains one of the most established football sportsbooks globally and operates under multiple top-tier regulatory licenses. Unlike crypto-native sportsbooks, Bet365 functions as a traditional centralized bookmaker with mandatory KYC and strict regional compliance. Bitcoin support is limited depending on jurisdiction, but the platform remains a benchmark for football betting quality. Its football betting ecosystem includes: Thousands of live matches daily Advanced in-play betting Detailed live statistics Cash Out functionality Extensive prop markets Real-time momentum tracking Bet365’s live betting infrastructure is widely considered among the strongest in the industry. The platform focuses less on aggressive bonuses and more on: Liquidity Market depth Odds quality Stability Best For Traditional football bettors who prioritize regulation and advanced live betting tools. Why Licensing Matters in Bitcoin Sports Betting Crypto betting removes banks from the equation, but it also shifts responsibility toward sportsbook infrastructure. Licensed sportsbooks generally provide: Operational oversight Compliance procedures Dispute resolution frameworks Security standards Financial controls That does not automatically guarantee perfect reliability, especially in offshore jurisdictions, but it significantly reduces risk compared to completely anonymous operators. What Makes a Good Football Bitcoin Sportsbook? Football betting creates unique infrastructure demands because of: Constant live betting activity Rapid odds movement High event volume Large simultaneous traffic spikes The best Bitcoin sportsbooks for football should offer: Fast Crypto Withdrawals Football bettors often move funds quickly during live tournaments and weekend schedules. Stable Live Betting Infrastructure Delays during live betting can seriously affect odds quality and bet execution. Deep Football Markets Strong sportsbooks provide: Correct score markets Player props Corners Cards Same-game combinations Cash-out options Transparent Terms Bonus conditions, withdrawal rules, and betting limits should be clearly visible. Final Thoughts Football betting and Bitcoin continue moving closer together as crypto payments become more normalized across online gambling. Dexsport currently offers one of the strongest combinations of licensing, anonymity, blockchain transparency, and football-focused sportsbook depth. Cloudbet remains one of the strongest platforms for experienced bettors, while Stake delivers one of the smoothest live betting experiences in crypto gambling. Boomerang appeals to users who prioritize promotions, and Bet365 continues to set standards for traditional football sportsbook infrastructure. For football betting specifically, operational stability matters far more than oversized bonus campaigns or flashy marketing. Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

20 May 2026, 16:31

Crypto Long & Short: Bitcoin-backed loans belong in the cost-of-capital conversation

In this week’s Crypto Long & Short Newsletter, Alec Beckman on why BTC-backed lending is not a crypto story, but a capital efficiency story. Then, Serena Sebastiani on how stablecoins aren’t a crypto product; they’re becoming the settlement infrastructure global finance forgot.

20 May 2026, 16:30

Bitcoin Whales Are Accumulating Again: Are They Preparing for a Rally?

20 May 2026, 16:30

While Crypto Funds Bled by $1.07B Due to Iran-Linked Risk-Off, XRP Defied the Odds Pulling in $67.6M

XRP Stands Firm as Crypto Funds Bleed $1.07B Amid Iran-Driven Market Panic Renewed geopolitical tensions linked to Iran sparked a broad risk-off shift last week, triggering a sharp pullback in institutional crypto exposure. CoinShares reported $1.07 billion in outflows from crypto investment products, abruptly ending a six-week inflow streak that had driven market optimism. Bitcoin bore the brunt of the downturn, with institutional investors withdrawing nearly $982 million from Bitcoin-linked products as geopolitical tensions fueled a broad risk-off move and a rush to de-risk volatile positions. Ethereum also came under pressure, recording about $249 million in outflows, marking one of its softest institutional weeks this year. Amid the broad market retreat, XRP stood out as a rare bright spot. While most major digital assets faced heavy selling pressure, XRP still pulled in $67.6 million in inflows, making it one of the few tokens continuing to attract institutional capital during the downturn. Solana also held up with $55.1 million, but XRP’s resilience was especially notable given the intensity of the wider market selloff. XRP’s Institutional Moment: Utility, Regulation, and Real-World Adoption Drive Bullish Outlook The divergence points to a notable shift in institutional perception of XRP. Instead of viewing it as a speculative crypto asset, investors are increasingly valuing its role in real-world financial infrastructure. Its focus on cross-border payments, liquidity provisioning, and settlement efficiency continues to set it apart from purely speculative tokens. The inflows further underscore XRP’s rising relevance in discussions around tokenized finance and institutional blockchain adoption. As traditional financial systems steadily incorporate digital asset infrastructure, capital is increasingly flowing toward payment and settlement-focused networks viewed as long-term infrastructure plays rather than short-term trades. Momentum is also being shaped by growing anticipation around the proposed CLARITY Act. Within the XRP community, the bill is seen as a potential regulatory inflection point, particularly Section 105, which supporters argue could reinforce XRP’s legal clarity following the SEC v. Ripple Labs ruling. If enacted, it would help cement the view that secondary market XRP transactions are not securities, a shift many believe could significantly boost institutional confidence. Adding to this optimism is the continued expansion of XRP’s real-world asset ecosystem, which recently hit a record $3.53 billion in total value locked. This milestone has further strengthened bullish sentiment, with market participants increasingly pointing to accelerating on-chain utility as a driver of longer-term valuation potential.