hodler

21 Mar 2026, 06:24

Coinbase CEO believes aging will soon become optional

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has said getting old will soon become optional. The latest of his pro-longevity statements comes a few weeks after he disclosed that his startup NewLimit is “making some incredible progress.” The pro-longevity crypto founder is among the people who view aging as a disease. In a post Wednesday , Brian said that aging is a disease that kills over 100,000 people a day. Research data specifically shows that nearly 150,000 die around the world every day. Two-thirds of the deaths are due to conditions that worsen with age, like cancer, heart disease, and dementia, among others. Brian sold Coinbase stake to fund a longevity startup “Getting old shouldn’t be viewed as inevitable, just because it happens to everyone,” he wrote, adding that “hopefully it will be optional in the future.” Brian’s thesis to beat aging is to reprogram old human cells back to a younger state. Since major diseases are correlated with aging, he believes they could be prevented by restoring the function that was present in younger cells. In 2022, Brian sold 2% of his Coinbase holdings , investing an initial $110 million to co-found NewLimit in pursuit of extending human lifespan by reversing cellular aging. Last year October, NewLimit closed a $45 million funding round, valuing the company at $1.62 billion, which Brian said was “driven by progress.” Imagine if you could wake up and feel 25 again That's what we're trying to build at @NewLimit — Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong) February 3, 2026 NewLimit developed its first prototype medicine that restores multiple youthful functions in old hepatocytes around June last year. By November, the team announced they’ve been able to advance their 1st reprogramming medicine, making it 8x more precise and 1.6x potent. “We have the potential to radically extend human healthspan in the coming decades using epigenetic reprogramming,” Brian said. Crypto founders are betting heavily on anti-aging Coinbase’s CEO is not the only crypto exec heavily funding anti-aging initiatives. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has also donated millions in the past towards nonprofits and longevity projects. In 2018, Buterin donated $2.4 million worth of Ether (ETH) to the SENS Research Foundation, a nonprofit researching medicine to fight aging. Buterin also donated 1,000 ETH and 430 billion ELON tokens to the Methuselah Foundation, and $25 million in SHIB tokens to the Future of Life Institute, although he recently announced he no longer aligns with the organization due to its change of direction from initial research goals. Your bank is using your money. You’re getting the scraps. Watch our free video on becoming your own bank

21 Mar 2026, 06:00

Coinbase to Launch Stock Futures, Why This Is Big For Crypto

Coinbase, one of the largest cryptocurrency centralized exchanges (CEX) in the United States, has just announced the launching of stock perpetual futures for non-US traders. Coinbase Expands Beyond All Borders The CEX’s expansion, announced today in a blog post on its official website , isn’t just about stepping beyond U.S. borders to give global traders ongoing leveraged exposure via perpetual futures. It also marks Coinbase’s push beyond crypto into traditional assets, turning this rollout into a fresh bet on the growing trend toward tokenized stocks and 24/7 markets, driven by both TradFi and DeFi players. Recently, Europe’s largest asset manager Amundi announced the launching of a tokenized fund on Ethereum and Stellar, as covered by Bitcoinist just today. The stock market closes. These don’t. Stock perpetual futures are now live for: $AAPL $MSFT $GOOGL $AMZN $NVDA $META $TSLA $SPY $QQQ Now trading 24/7 for eligible traders outside the US. Read more: https://t.co/EeLpluhtxa pic.twitter.com/AvRN11X9Bh — Coinbase Markets (@CoinbaseMarkets) March 20, 2026 Coinbase frames this launch as part of its broader “Everything Exchange” strategy, aiming to bring crypto, traditional assets, and new tokenized products into one venue. Today, Coinbase expands its global derivatives offering with the launch of stock perpetual futures, becoming one of the first major centralized venues to offer this product. This launch strengthens Coinbase’s position in international derivatives and advances our long-term strategy of building the Everything Exchange where traders can access crypto, traditional, and emerging assets side by side. Over the past year, Coinbase has laid the regulatory and product runway for this leap. It first rolled out crypto perpetual futures to U.S. retail traders under CFTC oversight in mid‑2025, then pushed derivatives into Europe via a MiFID II license obtained through its Bux acquisition, reaching 26 countries in an earlier March 2026 expansion that landed alongside its stock index futures debut. A 24/7 US stock market The CEX itself describes perpetual futures as “a type of derivative contract that enables traders to speculate on the price of an asset (…) without needing to buy or own the underlying asset itself.” Unlike standard futures, never expire, so traders can keep positions open indefinitely as long as they meet the margin requirements. At launch, contracts cover the “Magnificent Seven” tech stocks: Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, NVIDIA, Meta Platforms, and Tesla. In certain permitted jurisdictions, perpetual futures on benchmark ETFs tracking, the S&P 500 (SPY) and the tech‑heavy Nasdaq‑100 (QQQ), are also available. Leverage goes up to 10x on individual stock perpetuals and up to 20x on ETF perpetuals. All contracts are settled in USDC, Coinbase’s preferred stablecoin. The platform uses unified margin across perpetual and spot positions, allowing more capital-efficient portfolio management and risk offsets. What This Means For Traders Coinbase is methodically weaving spot, futures, and now stock‑linked perpetuals into a single, always‑on risk platform that changes how both retail and institutions express views across markets. For traders, that unlocks new basis trades between spot stocks and perpetuals, tighter cross‑asset plays between crypto and U.S. equities, and more complex hedging around macro events and earnings. The flip side is obvious: deeper leverage stacks mean a higher risk of cascading liquidations and sharper, event‑driven volatility when the Fed speaks, data prints hit, or Big Tech reports. Cover image from Perplexity, BTCUSD chart from Tradingview

21 Mar 2026, 05:00

UK Moves To Shut Down Crypto Exchange Tied To Iran’s Military

A blockchain analytics firm found that nearly 90% of money processed by a UK-registered crypto exchange in 2024 was connected to Iran’s most powerful military organization. A Billion Dollars And A Fake Boss TRM Labs, which tracks cryptocurrency flows, reported that Zedxion Exchange and a related platform called Zedcex moved roughly $1 billion tied to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). In 2024, IRGC-linked payments made up about 87% of all transactions the two exchanges handled. Even as that share fell to roughly 48% in 2025, the raw dollar amounts connected to the Iranian military group remained massive. Now the UK is shutting the exchange down. Britain’s Companies House — the government body that registers businesses — has started a compulsory strike-off against Zedxion Exchange Ltd. Authorities say the company filed false information, including listing a director who never existed. Stock Photo, Fake Name, Real Money The fictitious director was registered under the name Elizabeth Newman, listed as a citizen of the Dominican Republic. An investigation by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) found that the woman behind the name was likely manufactured entirely — her image in company marketing videos traced back to a stock photo. Before Newman appeared in company records, a man named Babak Morteza held the director position. His details matched those of Babak Zanjani, an Iranian businessman who had previously been sentenced to death in Iran for stealing state oil funds. That sentence was reduced in 2024, and Zanjani resumed business operations. Morteza was listed as director and the person with significant control of Zedxion from October 2021 to August 2022. Zanjani is also said to head DotOne Holding Group, a conglomerate with operations across cryptocurrency, foreign exchange, logistics, and telecommunications — sectors that have been used in the past to sidestep international sanctions. Washington Acted First The UK crackdown follows US sanctions imposed in January by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Both Zedxion and Zedcex were named in that action. OFAC said Zanjani helped fund projects supporting the IRGC and the Iranian government more broadly. Company filings for the two exchanges also showed dormant accounts, a detail that stood in sharp contrast to the enormous transaction volumes blockchain analysts traced through them. The UK passed the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act in 2023, giving Companies House new authority to verify the identities of directors and check that registered businesses were set up for lawful purposes. The Zedxion case marks one of the more visible uses of those powers. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

21 Mar 2026, 03:00

Shiba Inu (SHIB) +200 Billion Exchange Inflow Threshold is Extremely Close: 24 Hours Increase

Shiba Inu seeing substantial inflow of funds on exchanges, which is not a good sign ahead of the weekend.

21 Mar 2026, 02:40

Coinbase New York Trading Expansion Unlocks ATH, RAY, NCT, and STRK in a Landmark Move

BitcoinWorld Coinbase New York Trading Expansion Unlocks ATH, RAY, NCT, and STRK in a Landmark Move In a significant development for the New York cryptocurrency market, Coinbase announced on X that it has officially enabled trading for four new digital assets: Aethir (ATH), Raydium (RAY), PolySwarm (NCT), and Starknet (STRK). This strategic expansion, confirmed on April 2, 2025, directly increases access to diverse blockchain ecosystems for residents of one of the world’s most stringent regulatory jurisdictions. Consequently, this move signals both Coinbase’s growing asset roster and a maturing relationship with New York regulators. Coinbase New York Trading Adds Four Key Digital Assets Coinbase’s latest announcement specifically enables trading for Aethir (ATH), Raydium (RAY), PolySwarm (NCT), and Starknet (STRK) for its customers in New York. This decision follows a rigorous internal review and compliance process aligned with the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) BitLicense framework. Each asset represents a distinct sector within the broader digital economy. For instance, Aethir focuses on decentralized cloud computing, while Starknet provides scaling solutions for Ethereum. Therefore, this listing provides New York investors with targeted exposure to infrastructure, DeFi, security, and scaling innovations. The inclusion of these tokens is not an isolated event. It is part of Coinbase’s consistent strategy to broaden its market offerings. The exchange routinely evaluates hundreds of assets based on security, compliance, and project roadmap criteria. Subsequently, only a select few pass the final review for listing in regulated markets like New York. This careful curation aims to balance innovation with investor protection, a principle paramount under the NYDFS. Deep Dive into the Newly Listed Tokens Understanding the utility of each token provides crucial context for this expansion. Below is a brief overview of their core functions: Aethir (ATH): Powers a decentralized cloud computing network designed for graphics-intensive applications like AI and gaming. Raydium (RAY): Serves as the native token of the Raydium automated market maker (AMM) and liquidity provider on the Solana blockchain. PolySwarm (NCT): Facilitates a decentralized marketplace for cybersecurity threat intelligence, allowing experts to monetize findings. Starknet (STRK): The governance token for the Starknet network, a Layer 2 validity rollup scaling solution for Ethereum. These assets collectively highlight a trend towards specialized, utility-driven cryptocurrencies. Unlike earlier cycles dominated by general-purpose currencies, these tokens grant access to specific technological services and governance rights. Their availability on a major, regulated platform like Coinbase potentially enhances their liquidity and mainstream visibility. Regulatory Implications and Market Impact The New York approval carries substantial weight in the crypto industry. The NYDFS BitLicense is notoriously difficult to obtain, creating a high barrier to entry. When an exchange like Coinbase lists a new asset in this jurisdiction, it implicitly signals a level of regulatory comfort. Market analysts often view such listings as a positive signal regarding a project’s long-term compliance posture. Furthermore, it can catalyze similar reviews by other exchanges and financial service providers, creating a network effect of legitimacy. Historically, listings on major U.S. exchanges have led to increased trading volume and price discovery for the involved assets. For New York-based traders and institutions, this expansion directly removes previous access barriers. They can now interact with these ecosystems through a familiar, regulated interface instead of relying on decentralized or international platforms. This accessibility is a key step in the institutional adoption narrative for the specific protocols represented by ATH, RAY, NCT, and STRK. The Path to Listing in a Regulated Market The journey for an asset to become tradable on Coinbase in New York is multifaceted. It extends far beyond technical integration. The process involves exhaustive legal analysis, security audits, and compliance checks. Coinbase’s legal team must ensure each asset does not qualify as an unregistered security under both federal law and New York’s Martin Act. They also conduct deep due diligence on the project’s team, funding, and operational history. Simultaneously, the exchange’s security team assesses the asset’s underlying blockchain for robustness against attacks and reviews the smart contract code for vulnerabilities. This dual-track review—legal and technical—can take several months. The public announcement on X is merely the final step in a lengthy, behind-the-scenes operation. This rigorous approach is a primary reason why New York listings are less frequent but carry more significance than those in less-regulated markets. Conclusion Coinbase’s activation of trading for Aethir (ATH), Raydium (RAY), PolySwarm (NCT), and Starknet (STRK) in New York represents a meaningful evolution for the state’s digital asset landscape. This Coinbase New York trading update provides regulated access to four high-utility tokens from the decentralized compute, DeFi, cybersecurity, and Layer 2 scaling sectors. The move underscores the exchange’s commitment to asset diversification within a strict compliance framework and reflects growing regulatory clarity for specific crypto subsectors. As the market continues to mature, such carefully vetted expansions are likely to set the standard for integrating innovative blockchain projects into the traditional financial fold. FAQs Q1: What exactly did Coinbase announce for New York users? Coinbase announced that residents of New York can now trade four specific cryptocurrencies on its platform: Aethir (ATH), Raydium (RAY), PolySwarm (NCT), and Starknet (STRK). Q2: Why is a New York listing significant for these cryptocurrencies? New York has one of the strictest financial regulatory regimes in the U.S. (the BitLicense). A listing here implies Coinbase and its regulators have conducted thorough due diligence, often boosting the project’s legitimacy and appeal to institutional investors. Q3: Can users in all U.S. states trade these tokens on Coinbase? Not necessarily. While these tokens may be available on Coinbase in many states, availability is subject to state-by-state regulations. The recent announcement specifically confirms access for users whose accounts are registered in New York. Q4: What are the primary use cases for the newly listed tokens? ATH is for decentralized cloud computing, RAY is for Solana-based DeFi and liquidity, NCT is for a decentralized cybersecurity marketplace, and STRK is for governance and fees on the Starknet Ethereum scaling network. Q5: Does this mean these tokens are now “approved” or “legal” in New York? It means Coinbase, a NYDFS-licensed entity, has received the necessary regulatory comfort to offer trading services for these specific tokens to its New York customers. It is an exchange-specific approval under its license, not a blanket endorsement by the state. This post Coinbase New York Trading Expansion Unlocks ATH, RAY, NCT, and STRK in a Landmark Move first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

21 Mar 2026, 02:10

Worldcoin OTC Deal: Shocking $35 Million Transaction Revealed by On-Chain Sleuths

BitcoinWorld Worldcoin OTC Deal: Shocking $35 Million Transaction Revealed by On-Chain Sleuths In a significant development for the digital asset sector, the Worldcoin (WLD) team appears to have orchestrated a major over-the-counter transaction valued at approximately $35 million. On-chain analyst Onchain Lens first identified the potential deal, sparking intense scrutiny across cryptocurrency markets. This transaction involves substantial movements of USDC stablecoin and WLD tokens between major institutional platforms. Consequently, the event raises important questions about market liquidity and strategic treasury management. The analysis provides a clear window into the often-opaque world of large-scale crypto asset transfers. Worldcoin OTC Deal: Dissecting the $35 Million Transaction According to detailed blockchain data, an address associated with Worldcoin project entities received 35 million USDC. This stablecoin inflow originated from two prominent crypto institutions: Binance and FalconX. Subsequently, the same address deposited a massive 117 million WLD tokens to a cryptocurrency exchange. At prevailing market rates, this WLD transfer was worth approximately $38.73 million. Onchain Lens, the analyst who uncovered the activity, suggested the address could belong to a market maker (MM) working on behalf of the project. Market makers provide liquidity by facilitating large trades, often off public order books. Over-the-counter (OTC) trades are private transactions negotiated directly between two parties. They are common for moving large volumes of assets without causing immediate price slippage on public exchanges. For context, a $35 million OTC deal represents a substantial liquidity event. It typically indicates strategic rebalancing, investor onboarding, or treasury diversification. The use of USDC, a fully-regulated dollar-pegged stablecoin, highlights a preference for settlement asset stability. This practice is standard among institutional participants in the crypto economy. Understanding the Mechanics of Cryptocurrency OTC Desks OTC desks serve as crucial infrastructure for the digital asset industry. They enable large investors, projects, and funds to execute sizeable orders discreetly. Unlike retail trades on spot exchanges, OTC transactions do not broadcast limit orders to the public. This confidentiality helps prevent front-running and minimizes market impact. Major exchanges like Binance and specialized firms like FalconX operate robust OTC services. These platforms connect buyers and sellers, often guaranteeing execution prices and providing settlement assurance. The typical process for an OTC deal involves several key steps. First, both parties negotiate the terms, including price, volume, and settlement assets. Second, they agree on a settlement method, often using a multi-signature escrow or the OTC desk’s custody. Finally, the assets transfer simultaneously to prevent counterparty risk. The Worldcoin transaction follows this pattern precisely. The receipt of USDC likely represented the fiat-equivalent payment for the WLD tokens. The subsequent deposit of WLD to an exchange may signal the buyer’s intent to take custody or begin distribution. Expert Analysis of On-Chain Evidence Blockchain analysts employ sophisticated tools to track fund flows. They cluster addresses, analyze timing patterns, and cross-reference known entity wallets. For this Worldcoin deal, the evidence points to coordinated action. The nearly simultaneous movement of stablecoins in and tokens out is characteristic of an OTC swap. Furthermore, the involvement of Binance and FalconX as counterparties adds credibility. These are established, regulated entities with strict compliance procedures. Their participation suggests the transaction underwent standard due diligence checks. Market makers play a vital role in such transactions. They often act as intermediaries, holding inventory to facilitate instant trades. A market maker might acquire tokens from a project treasury and then sell them gradually to institutional clients. This process helps maintain orderly markets and provides project teams with immediate liquidity. The analyst’s hypothesis that a market maker controlled the address is therefore plausible. It aligns with standard operational models for managing large token allocations post-launch. Broader Implications for the Worldcoin Ecosystem The Worldcoin project, co-founded by Sam Altman, aims to create a global digital identity and financial network. Its WLD token distribution is intrinsically linked to its biometric identity verification system, called World ID. Large OTC deals are a natural part of scaling such an ambitious ecosystem. They enable the project to onboard strategic partners, fund operations, and manage its treasury. However, transparency around these transactions remains paramount for community trust. This $35 million deal occurs within a specific regulatory and market context. Global regulators are increasing scrutiny on cryptocurrency transactions, especially large transfers. Projects must navigate securities laws, anti-money laundering (AML) rules, and tax reporting requirements. OTC desks like those at Binance and FalconX provide essential compliance frameworks. They perform Know Your Customer (KYC) checks and monitor for suspicious activity. Therefore, the use of these platforms indicates adherence to financial regulations. The transaction also has potential implications for WLD tokenomics and market dynamics: Liquidity Provision: Moving tokens to an exchange increases available supply for trading. Price Discovery: Large OTC trades can influence market sentiment and valuation benchmarks. Treasury Management: Converting tokens to stablecoins helps projects fund development and operations with reduced volatility risk. Investor Relations: OTC deals are often used to distribute tokens to venture capital firms and long-term holders. Conclusion The reported $35 million Worldcoin OTC deal underscores the maturation of cryptocurrency markets. It demonstrates the professional infrastructure now supporting major blockchain projects. On-chain analysis provides unprecedented transparency, allowing the community to monitor significant fund movements. While the exact purpose of this specific Worldcoin transaction remains subject to interpretation, its mechanics align with standard institutional practice. As the digital asset industry evolves, such OTC activities will likely become more frequent and sophisticated. They represent a critical bridge between innovative crypto projects and the traditional financial world. FAQs Q1: What is an OTC deal in cryptocurrency? An Over-The-Counter (OTC) deal is a private transaction between two parties, negotiated directly rather than on a public exchange. It is used for large trades to avoid impacting the market price. Q2: Why would the Worldcoin team use an OTC desk? Using an OTC desk allows for the discreet movement of large token volumes. It prevents price slippage, provides settlement security, and often includes compliance services from regulated counterparties. Q3: What are Binance and FalconX’s roles in this transaction? Binance and FalconX are likely the counterparties or facilitators. They may have provided the USDC stablecoin in exchange for the WLD tokens, acting as the OTC desk or market maker in the deal. Q4: How do analysts track these kinds of transactions? Analysts use blockchain explorers and clustering software to follow the flow of funds between addresses. They identify patterns, link addresses to known entities, and analyze timing to infer the nature of a transaction. Q5: Does a large OTC sale indicate a problem for Worldcoin? Not necessarily. Large OTC transactions are a normal part of treasury management for crypto projects. They can fund operations, facilitate strategic partnerships, or provide liquidity to institutional investors. This post Worldcoin OTC Deal: Shocking $35 Million Transaction Revealed by On-Chain Sleuths first appeared on BitcoinWorld .