News
20 May 2025, 21:30
Bybit Launches Direct Trading of Global Stocks Using USDT
Bybit exchange has announced the launch of direct trading for top global stocks using USDT. This new feature, part of Bybit’s expanding Gold & Forex (MT5) product suite, allows users to trade 78 popular Contracts for Difference (CFDs), including Apple, Tesla, Meta, Nvidia, and Amazon, without the need for fiat onboarding. This provides traders with
20 May 2025, 21:30
Jeffrey Wilcke’s Recent $262 Million ETH Transfer Sparks Speculation, But No Immediate Sell-Off Indicated
Jeffrey Wilcke’s recent transfer of $262 million in ETH to Kraken has stirred the crypto community, igniting discussions about potential market impacts. The move, though initially alarming to investors, appears
20 May 2025, 21:21
Bancor Launches Historic Patent War Against Uniswap – Could This $40B DEX Battle Redefine DeFi IP Rights?
Key Takeaways: Bancor has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Uniswap Labs and the Uniswap Foundation over the origin of automated market maker (AMM) technology. The lawsuit raises fundamental questions about how intellectual property rights apply in a sector traditionally grounded in open-source development. If the court sides with Bancor, it could set a major legal precedent and impact how DeFi protocols are built, shared, and monetized in the future. Bancor launched a landmark patent lawsuit against Uniswap on May 20, accusing the dominant DEX of eight years of unauthorized use of its patented automated market maker (AMM) technology, threatening to upend DeFi’s open-source foundations and IP norms. The lawsuit , filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York by Bancor’s nonprofit Bprotocol Foundation and original developer LocalCoin, claims Uniswap’s protocol infringes on Bancor’s 2017 patents that transformed decentralized trading, demanding damages and challenging how DeFi innovation is protected and monetized. Legal Tussle Over AMM Patent Infringement Challenges DeFi Ethos Central to the dispute is Bancor’s claim that it invented and patented the constant product automated market maker (CPAMM) model that powers permissionless on-chain trades through smart contracts. Bancor noted that it filed the original patent application for its invention on January 8, 2017, and released a white paper the following month. The Bancor Protocol, launched in June 2017, was the first DEX powered by an AMM model. Bancor was granted two patents and launched the first CPAMM-based DEX that year. JUST IN: BANCOR SUES UNISWAP FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT ON DEX SMART CONTRACT TECHNOLOGY Source: TheBlock pic.twitter.com/pdNApyubEz — Mario Nawfal’s Roundtable (@RoundtableSpace) May 20, 2025 Uniswap, which launched its v1 protocol in 2018, has since grown into the dominant DEX in crypto with over $40 billion in total value locked. Bancor now alleges that Uniswap has been infringing on its patents from the beginning and has done so without licensing, authorization, or collaboration. “For the last eight years, Uniswap has been using our patented technology in its projects without our permission. As a result, we have taken legal action to defend our technology for the good of the entire DeFi community,” Bancor’s project lead, Mark Richardson, stated. The plaintiffs claim that Uniswap’s most recent protocol release, v4 , continues the use of the infringing CPAMM model. Bancor and LocalCoin are seeking damages and claim that allowing such unlicensed use threatens the incentive structure for innovation across the decentralized finance industry. “If companies like Uniswap can act unchecked without consequence, we fear it will hinder innovation across the industry to the detriment of all DeFi players,” Richardson added. The legal challenge brings new attention to intellectual property disputes in a sector that has historically thrived on open-source principles. Uniswap, often seen as the largest decentralized exchange, has yet to respond publicly. If the case proceeds, it could force the DeFi industry to confront questions about the role of patents and ownership over foundational blockchain technologies. Court Clears Bancor of U.S. Charges as Uniswap Skates Past SEC Probe As Bancor steps into a historic intellectual property battle against Uniswap, both protocols are emerging from very different regulatory backdrops. In September 2024, a Texas federal judge dismissed a securities class action lawsuit filed against Bancor’s operators, citing a lack of U.S. jurisdiction. The plaintiffs had accused Bancor of misleading investors with its now-suspended impermanent loss protection program, claiming over $2.3 billion was drawn into the protocol under false promises. But the court found Bancor’s ties to the U.S. too weak, pointing instead to Israel as a more appropriate venue for legal action. The ruling effectively shields Bancor from U.S. securities laws, at least for now. Meanwhile, Uniswap Labs secured a major win of its own. In February 2025, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission dropped its investigation into the firm, nearly a year after issuing a Wells notice . The SEC has already dismissed the probe against Robinhood Crypto, Coinbase, Uniswap and the latest being Gemini. #USSEC #CryptoEnforcement #Gemini https://t.co/g8r8i9liLo — Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) February 27, 2025 Bancor now has TVL at $58 million, 98% below its peak in May 2021, according to DeFiLlama. However, Uniswap is now commanding 23% of daily DEX volume and celebrating a $3 trillion all-time milestone. The coming patent war is shaping up not just as a legal fight but as a defining moment for DeFi’s future. The post Bancor Launches Historic Patent War Against Uniswap – Could This $40B DEX Battle Redefine DeFi IP Rights? appeared first on Cryptonews .
20 May 2025, 21:13
Ripple CEO Slams Sen. Lummis After Canceled Talks – $5B Circle Bid Looms
Key Takeaways: Garlinghouse’s criticism of Lummis comes as Ripple attempts to expand its influence in Washington while pursuing a $4–5 billion bid to acquire USDC issuer Circle. Circle rejected Ripple’s offer and is still in talks with both Ripple and Coinbase while targeting a $5 billion IPO valuation. Coinbase is viewed as a stronger suitor due to its equity stake in Circle and control over key aspects of the USDC infrastructure. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse blasted U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis on Monday for canceling their planned meeting and declining to reschedule, intensifying Washington drama as Ripple pursues a $4-5 billion grab for USDC creator Circle. According to a social media post published by Garlinghouse on May 19, the statement came ahead of his visit to Washington, where he said he was meeting with lawmakers to support legislation on stablecoins and market structure. Garlinghouse Invites Lummis to Re-engage on Public Crypto Dialogue Lummis, who chairs the Senate Digital Assets Subcommittee and represents Wyoming, was singled out for her absence. Garlinghouse said he hoped she would reconsider, describing her as a key figure in one of the most crypto-friendly states. In the post, Garlinghouse extended an open invitation to speak with Lummis publicly, either through a live-streamed X Space or in person at upcoming industry events. He linked the discussion to broader efforts by the Trump administration to position the U.S. as a leader in crypto. “I will continue to do everything possible to support that goal,” he wrote. Stablecoins are exploding globally for their real-world applications (the sheer amount of recent announcements across crypto, fintech and traditional finance should indicate as such). The sooner that the US can pass workable, clear rules, the faster it reaps the benefits of… https://t.co/jgDvHSJ4L4 — Brad Garlinghouse (@bgarlinghouse) May 9, 2025 Ripple’s Bid for Circle Raises Stakes in Stablecoin Power Struggle The recent confrontation between Ripple and Coinbase over Circle has added urgency to the stablecoin policy debate. Garlinghouse’s post came just days after reports that Ripple submitted a $4–5 billion offer to acquire Circle, the issuer of USDC, one of the largest dollar-backed stablecoins. The offer was rejected as too low, according to Bloomberg. Sources familiar with the matter say Circle is holding informal talks with both Ripple and Coinbase, even after filing for an IPO in April. While still pursuing a public listing, Circle is seeking a $5 billion valuation—setting the bar for any potential sale. The competing bids now place two of the industry’s most prominent firms in a direct contest over the future of USDC. Ripple’s offer likely included a mix of cash and XRP, tapping into its sizable token reserves. However, Coinbase is widely viewed as the stronger contender due to its equity stake in Circle and control over key aspects of the USDC framework. The two firms previously co-managed USDC through the now-dissolved Centre Consortium and still share revenue from the stablecoin’s reserves. What’s unfolding goes beyond corporate rivalry. The future of USDC carries implications for how private stablecoins are governed, distributed, and embedded into financial infrastructure. With legislation advancing slowly, acquisitions and strategic positioning may prove just as influential in shaping the rules that will govern stable digital dollars. For lawmakers, these corporate maneuvers add pressure to define not just who gets regulated, but who gets heard. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) What does this say about internal divides within the crypto industry? The clash demonstrates diverging priorities: Ripple promotes a multichain, enterprise-first vision, while some policymakers and insiders lean Bitcoin-first or stablecoin-conservative. These divisions are becoming more pronounced as regulation approaches. How are stablecoins becoming a proxy for industry power? Controlling a major stablecoin like USDC isn’t just about payments. It offers leverage over liquidity flows, partnerships, and regulatory negotiations. Ownership shows influence over how digital dollars function in the broader economy. What risk does a rejected acquisition pose for Ripple? If Ripple fails to secure Circle, it could fall behind in the race to shape the stablecoin layer of crypto infrastructure, especially if Coinbase gains even more control over USDC’s future direction. The post Ripple CEO Slams Sen. Lummis After Canceled Talks – $5B Circle Bid Looms appeared first on Cryptonews .
20 May 2025, 20:31
Justin Sun Revealed as $18M $TRUMP Whale Ahead of Trump’s Controversial Gala Dinner
$18 million in Trump meme coins sits in the wallet of Tron founder, Justin Sun, as the Chinese-born crypto mogul prepares to dine with President Trump at a gala reserved for holders of the cryptocurrency just outside of Washington D.C. this week. Justin Sun Confirms Wallet Speculation “Honored to support @POTUS and grateful for the invitation from @GetTrumpMemes to attend President Trump’s Gala Dinner as his TOP fan,” Sun wrote in an early morning May 20 X post. “As the top holder of $TRUMP , I’m excited to connect with everyone, talk crypto, and discuss the future of our industry,” he added. The biggest 220 investors of $TRUMP are slated to attend a gala dinner hosted at Trump National Golf Club on May 22, where they will dine alongside the sitting U.S. president. The top 25 investors will also be eligible to attend an “exclusive reception” alongside Trump ahead of the dinner, which includes a “special VIP tour” for attendees. Honored to support @POTUS and grateful for the invitation from @GetTrumpMemes to attend President Trump’s Gala Dinner as his TOP fan! As the top holder of $TRUMP , I’m excited to connect with everyone, talk crypto, and discuss the future of our industry. https://t.co/FYb39LTwDz — H.E. Justin Sun (@justinsuntron) May 20, 2025 According to CNBC , a wallet listed as “Sun” currently holds around $18 million worth of $TRUMP coins. Sun, who previously invested $75 million in the Trump-affiliated crypto platform World Liberty Financial, has now given $93 million to Trump-oriented crypto ventures. Critics Question $TRUMP Foreign Influence Critics of the gala dinner argue that the event is unethical, as foreign investors may be able to buy favor with Trump via his namesake meme coin . Just this week, a Bloomberg report uncovered that 19 out of the top 25 wallets are based outside of the U.S. Sun, a Chinese-born crypto executive, was previously at the center of litigation from the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for allegedly violating U.S. securities laws, though the Tron founder and the regulating agency are now in resolution talks. The post Justin Sun Revealed as $18M $TRUMP Whale Ahead of Trump’s Controversial Gala Dinner appeared first on Cryptonews .
20 May 2025, 20:06
Kraken Unveils Europe’s Largest Regulated Crypto Derivatives Platform – Will It Reshape the Market?
Key Takeaways: Kraken has introduced a regulated crypto derivatives platform in Europe, offering perpetual and fixed maturity contracts under the MiFID II framework. This move positions Kraken as a leading provider of regulated crypto derivatives in the European Economic Area. Kraken’s expansion indicates the growing demand for compliant digital asset trading solutions in Europe. Crypto exchange Kraken has launched what it says is the largest regulated crypto derivatives platform in Europe, expanding its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing digital asset markets, according to an annoucement on May 20. The offering is available to clients and partners across the European Economic Area (EEA) and comes under the European Union’s Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II). Will this regulatory milestone cement Kraken’s dominance in Europe’s rapidly evolving crypto ecosystem? Kraken Pro FUTURES trading is now regulated across Europe! 100+ crypto assets Go long or short with up to 10x leverage Deep liquidity and low fees (0.01% taker) In Europe? Get started now https://t.co/wdGjczTvUC *Geo restrictions apply pic.twitter.com/2VYlc7dlBE — Kraken Pro (@krakenpro) May 20, 2025 Kraken Launches Crypto Derivatives Platform Regulated Under MiFID II The new platform allows users to trade a range of derivatives, including perpetual and fixed maturity contracts. The platform will be offered through a Cyprus-based investment firm, Payward Europe Digital Solutions (CY) Ltd, which Kraken acquired earlier this year. The launch follows Kraken’s recent acquisition of a MiFID-regulated investment firm in the region, opening the door for fully compliant futures trading within the bloc. “Europe is one of the fastest-growing regions for digital asset trading and investment, with some of the most sophisticated and demanding clients and institutions,” Kraken’s head of exchange, Shannon Kurtas, stated. “The launch of Kraken’s regulated derivatives in Europe, the largest offering of its kind, is well-timed to meet this growing demand,” he added. Kraken’s derivatives platform seeks to deliver institutional-grade infrastructure with strong local fiat support and flexible collateral options. The exchange says these features are designed to help traders improve capital efficiency and risk management while maintaining compliance with European regulations. The launch positions Kraken as one of the first regulated brokers in Europe offering crypto perpetual contracts. It also builds on the company’s earlier acquisition in 2019 of the first regulated crypto derivatives venue. Since then, Kraken has grown into one of the most liquid crypto derivatives markets globally. Kurtas emphasized that institutional clients increasingly seek a complete trading experience under a recognized regulatory regime. “Clients and partners increasingly seek comprehensive offerings within a regulated framework,” Kurtas stated. Kurtas said that following the deployment of the new derivatives products, “they [users] can seamlessly trade futures as part of a full suite of products” on the platform. Kraken’s move indicates growing demand for regulated digital asset products and a maturing European market. As more institutions seek compliant access to crypto derivatives, Kraken’s entry could help shape the next phase of growth for the region’s crypto trading sector. Kraken Eyes Global Expansion, IPO as Derivatives Market Heats Up Kraken’s unveiling of Europe’s largest regulated crypto derivatives platform comes on the heels of a major acquisition of futures trading firm NinjaTrader . The deal, finalized earlier this month, gives Kraken a direct foothold in the U.S. futures market through a CFTC-regulated entity, accelerating its pivot toward multi-asset trading beyond crypto. The acquisition boosts Kraken’s ability to offer traditional derivatives to U.S. clients while also opening new doors across the UK, continental Europe, and Australia. Kraken’s aggressive derivatives push comes as competitors like Coinbase, Gemini, and Synthetix ramp up their own efforts to capture global demand for regulated crypto trading products. @Coinbase announces acquisition of @DeribitOfficial to “significantly advance” its derivatives business and "enhance" profitability. #Crypto #Coinbase #Deribit https://t.co/mS9588DS8a — Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) May 9, 2025 Coinbase recently announced its acquisition of Deribit , while Gemini secured regulatory approval to offer derivatives across the EU. @synthetix_io , a leading DeFi derivatives protocol, has proposed a $27 million acquisition of crypto options platform @derivexyz through a token swap deal. #Synthetix #Derive https://t.co/ef6YG5Ozxm — Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) May 14, 2025 Meanwhile, DeFi protocol Synthetix is working to re-acquire Derive , a crypto options platform, indicating growing competition. Kraken reported $472 million in Q1 2025 revenue, up 19% year-over-year, driven by increased market volatility during President Trump’s second term. Despite a 7% drop from Q4 2024, the company noted strong derivatives performance. The company is now eyeing a potential IPO in early 2026 and is exploring a debt package of up to $1 billion to fund the effort. The post Kraken Unveils Europe’s Largest Regulated Crypto Derivatives Platform – Will It Reshape the Market? appeared first on Cryptonews .
