hodler

9 May 2026, 21:30

New Fed Era Approaches: What Bitcoin Investors Should Expect Under Warsh

Over the last week, Bitcoin has continued to move higher after modest gains pushed prices into the $80,000 zone for the first time since January. The leading cryptocurrency is now reporting an approximately 13% gain over the last month, following the bullish resurgence that began in early April. Interestingly, the incoming chairman of the US Federal Reserve (Fed), Kevin Warsh, is set to take office by May 15. Given Bitcoin’s and other risk assets’ sensitivity to macro events, speculation continues to roll in about the asset’s future under the US monetary policy director. Related Reading: Crypto Titans Rally: Top US Exchanges Lobby For Risk Asset Easing In CLARITY Act Warsh: The Hawkish Policy Maker In a report by crypto analysts, XWIN Research Japan, Fed Chair-elect Kevin Warsh presents an interesting policy combination for crypto users. The former Fed governor and member of George W Bush’s Economic Team is regarded as a Hawkish regulator focused on proactive inflation control. During his Senate hearing in late April, Warsh may have hinted that there would be no changes to this policy stance, after kicking against speculation that he has agreed to implement rate cuts following his appointment by President Donald Trump. The incoming Federal Reserve Chairman stressed the independence of the apex bank in monetary policy decisions, despite the President’s pressure for interest rate cuts, which had sparked a year-long public spat with outgoing Chairman Jerome Powell. Bitcoin prices retraced to around $75,000 following Warsh’s statements, which doused hopes of lower interest rates that would encourage liquidity flows to risk assets, e.g., cryptocurrencies. According to XWIN Research Japan, Bitcoin has shown significant reactions to general macro policies in recent years. The premier cryptocurrency recorded an historic rally during the quantitative easing period between 2020 and 2021, while the ensuing liquidity-tightening era in 2022 triggered major price corrections. Notably, while Warsh’s statements reflect no urgency to cut interest rates, there is still considerable uncertainty, especially as other aspects of the prospective Fed Chair’s profile remain highly appealing to crypto investors. Warsh: The Crypto Enthusiast And Bitcoin Fan During his Senatorial hearing, Warsh also commended the evolution of digital assets, which he described as “part of the fabric of our financial services.” Mandatory asset disclosures showed that the new Fed Chair maintains active engagement with the cryptocurrency industry, with multiple investments across various projects. In particular, XWIN Research Japan reports that Warsh describes Bitcoin as the “digital gold” for younger citizens, which could potentially serve as a regulatory benchmark for digital assets. However, he also expresses significant skepticism toward altcoins, some of which he described as “software pretending to be money.” Analysts at XWIN predict that Warsh’s preferred hawkish approach may lead to short-term price pressure in Bitcoin. However, his crypto enthusiasm, understanding of Bitcoin, and documented opposition to CBDC development spell well for long-term institutional confidence.

9 May 2026, 20:30

BlackRock files for two new tokenized funds with the U.S. SEC on Ethereum

BlackRock on Friday filed two applications with the U.S. SEC aimed at expanding its footprint in tokenized finance, marking the firm’s biggest push into blockchain-based investment products since the launch of its BUIDL fund in 2024. One of the filings outlines plans for the BlackRock Daily Reinvestment Stablecoin Reserve Vehicle, a fund designed to hold cash, short-term U.S. Treasury securities, and overnight repurchase agreements backed by Treasuries. The fund would issue what BlackRock describes as “OnChain Shares” through a framework linked to multiple public blockchains. Records of Ownership for the shares would be maintained by Securitize Transfer Agent LLC, which would serve as the official transfer agent for the product . The filing did not name which blockchains the fund will support at launch. Entry requires a $3 million minimum investment, restricting access to institutional buyers. The second filing focuses on the BlackRock Select Treasury Based Liquidity Fund (BSTBL), a traditional money-market vehicle managing close to $7 billion. BNY Mellon Investment Servicing is expected to maintain shareholder records on Ethereum using the ERC-20 token standard. Blockchain transactions alongside off-chain identity verification would act as the fund’s official shareholder registry. This initiative would place one of BlackRock’s largest cash-management products directly on a public blockchain for the first time. BlackRock builds upon the BUIDL strategy Both filings extend a strategy BlackRock has pursued since 2024, when it partnered with Securitize to launch BUIDL, its first tokenized money-market fund . BUIDL has since accumulated roughly $2.5 billion in assets and found unexpected traction as collateral for borrowing along with leveraged trading across crypto markets. That secondary use case has driven institutional demand well beyond the product’s original scope. BlackRock CEO Larry Fink has publicly argued that blockchain-based settlement can compress transaction cycles, enable 24/7 trading, and add transparency to capital markets. The twin filings suggest the firm is acting on that thesis at scale and intentionally. RWA market is growing rapidly The filings arrive as the tokenized real-world asset (RWA) sector crosses $30 billion in total value, more than tripling over the past 12 months. According to data from rwa.xyz. A joint projection from Boston Consulting Group and Ripple estimated the market could reach $18.9 trillion by 2033. The market for tokenized U.S. Treasuries has grown rapidly, reaching a total value of $14 billion as of May 2026. This has indicated a rising institutional interest in blockchain-based fixed-income products. Major financial firms, including BlackRock and Circle, have emerged as key players driving the adoption of on-chain treasury products among institutional investors. Ethereum currently holds more than half of this market, equal to about $8 billion . BlackRock, which manages $14 trillion globally, is not the only traditional asset manager exploring tokenization and the RWA market. However, two filings in a single day from the world’s largest fund company are significant as regulators, competitors, and crypto-native firms continue to watch for more signals on institutional commitment. Neither product has received SEC approval as of the time of writing. No launch date has been confirmed for either fund. Don’t just read crypto news. Understand it. Subscribe to our newsletter. It's free .

9 May 2026, 20:00

Tether Ramps Up Wallet Freezes, Blocking Over $500M In USDT

Once frozen, a Tether-blacklisted wallet almost never comes back. Only 3.6% of addresses placed on the blocklist in 2025 were later removed, according to BlockSec data. More than half of the funds tied to those wallets were permanently destroyed using the contracts’ “destroyBlackFunds” function — a detail that underscores just how final these enforcement actions tend to be. Freezes Surge Across Tron And Ethereum In the past 30 days alone, Tether froze over $514 million in USDT across 370 addresses on the Ethereum and Tron networks. BlockSec’s USDT Freeze Tracker shows 328 of those addresses were on Tron, with about $506 million locked there. Ethereum accounted for 42 addresses and $8.73 million. The gap between the two networks points to Tron as the main front in Tether’s enforcement push. The pace is picking up. All of 2025 saw Tether blacklist 4,163 addresses and freeze a combined $1.26 billion. At the current rate, that annual total could be surpassed well before December. A broader study covering 2023 through 2025 put the cumulative figure at roughly $3.3 billion across 7,268 addresses — far ahead of rival stablecoin issuer Circle over the same period. Seeing Tether freeze over $500M in USDT across Tron and Ethereum really shows how much compliance still shapes crypto behind the scenes. This makes me appreciate using platforms like BingX while staying more aware of custody, liquidity, and where funds actually move onchain.… pic.twitter.com/K0cNTrcmWX — Crypto Axtrol (@CryptoAxtrol) May 8, 2026 Law Enforcement Plays A Growing Role Some of the largest recent freezes were tied directly to government investigations. In April, Tether coordinated with the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control to lock more than $344 million in USDT across two Tron addresses. Officials said those wallets were linked to suspected sanctions evasion involving Iran. Months earlier, in February, Tether assisted authorities in seizing over $61 million connected to pig butchering scams — a form of fraud where victims are manipulated into sending large sums under false pretenses. Tether had previously disclosed that it froze around $4.2 billion in tokens over three years due to links with illicit activity, with $3.5 billion of that amount locked since 2023 as law enforcement agencies stepped up crypto-related investigations. Broader Questions Around Freeze Powers The surge in blacklisting has sparked debate beyond stablecoins. Some decentralized finance projects have used upgradeable contracts and admin controls to halt or recover funds after major exploits, raising questions about who holds those powers and when they should be used. For stablecoins like USDT, issuers retain direct control over minting and burning. Data shows these freeze mechanisms are now a routine part of fraud, sanctions, and scam investigations — used not occasionally, but consistently and at scale. Featured image from Halo, chart from TradingView

9 May 2026, 17:55

Goldman Sachs Revises Yuan Forecast Higher on China Export Momentum

BitcoinWorld Goldman Sachs Revises Yuan Forecast Higher on China Export Momentum Goldman Sachs has revised its forecasts for the Chinese yuan upward, citing sustained strength in China’s export sector as a primary driver. The adjustment reflects a reassessment of the currency’s trajectory amid robust trade performance and a widening surplus. Revised Forecast Details The investment bank now expects the yuan to trade stronger against the U.S. dollar over the coming months, a shift from earlier projections that anticipated greater depreciation pressure. Analysts at Goldman Sachs pointed to China’s resilient export data, which has consistently exceeded expectations, as a key factor underpinning the revised outlook. The trade surplus, bolstered by strong global demand for Chinese manufactured goods, has provided a steady flow of foreign currency inflows, supporting the yuan. Context and Implications This forecast revision comes at a time when many global currency markets are navigating a complex landscape of divergent central bank policies and geopolitical uncertainties. The yuan’s performance is particularly significant given its role in international trade and its increasing inclusion in global reserve baskets. A stronger yuan can have mixed effects: it lowers import costs for Chinese businesses and consumers, potentially curbing inflationary pressures, but it may also make Chinese exports marginally more expensive on global markets. What This Means for Investors and Businesses For multinational corporations with exposure to China, the revised forecast signals a need to reassess currency hedging strategies. Importers may benefit from improved purchasing power, while exporters could face tighter margins. For financial markets, a firmer yuan often correlates with increased investor confidence in China’s economic stability and policy direction. The revision also highlights the divergence between China’s current account strength and the broader economic challenges it faces, including a struggling property sector and subdued domestic demand. Conclusion Goldman Sachs’ updated yuan forecast underscores the outsized influence of China’s export engine on its currency valuation. While domestic headwinds persist, the trade surplus continues to provide a powerful buffer, shaping a more optimistic near-term outlook for the renminbi. Market participants will closely watch upcoming trade data and policy signals from Beijing for further direction. FAQs Q1: Why did Goldman Sachs raise its yuan forecast? Goldman Sachs raised its forecast primarily due to stronger-than-expected Chinese export performance and a widening trade surplus, which have increased foreign currency inflows and supported the yuan’s value. Q2: How does a stronger yuan affect the Chinese economy? A stronger yuan reduces import costs, which can help control inflation, but it may also make Chinese exports more expensive, potentially reducing their competitiveness in global markets. Q3: What is the current outlook for the yuan against the U.S. dollar? According to Goldman Sachs’ revised forecast, the yuan is expected to trade stronger against the U.S. dollar in the near term, driven by export strength, though broader economic factors and policy decisions will continue to influence its trajectory. This post Goldman Sachs Revises Yuan Forecast Higher on China Export Momentum first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

9 May 2026, 15:30

Spot Bitcoin ETFs See Strongest Buying Streak In 9 Months

Bitcoin’s exchange-traded funds closed last week on a rough note — outflows hit $277 million on Thursday, followed by another $145 million on Friday. Yet when the dust settled, the week still ended in positive territory, extending a run that has now lasted six straight weeks. Related Reading: XRP Flashes Historic Rally Signal, Fueling $12 Price Speculation Inflows Total $3.4 Billion Since Early April US spot Bitcoin ETFs have recorded net inflows every week since April 2, pulling in a combined $3.4 billion over that stretch, according to data from SoSoValue. That makes it the longest consecutive inflow streak in more than nine months — the last time funds saw a run this long was a seven-week period between June 13 and July 18, 2025, which drew in roughly $7.57 billion. The current streak’s best week came in mid-April. For the week of April 17, inflows reached $996 million. The most recent week logged $622 million, while the streak’s weakest showing was its very first — just $22 million for the week of April 2. Last week’s numbers told a story of two halves. Monday and Tuesday alone brought in $532 million and $467 million respectively. Then Wednesday slowed sharply to $46 million, before Thursday and Friday swung into outflow territory, nearly erasing what had been a strong start. Macro Pressure Kept Traders On Edge Reports from Bitunix analysts point to broader market caution ahead of the US April Non-Farm Payrolls report. Consensus estimates called for payroll growth of just 62,000 — a steep drop from the prior reading of 178,000 — which reinforced expectations that the labor market was cooling. An ADP report earlier in the week showing 109,000 jobs added complicated that picture, leaving investors uncertain heading into the data release. Geopolitical tensions also weighed on sentiment. Reports indicate that the US and Iran exchanged fire near the Strait of Hormuz, though both sides were said to be leaving room for negotiations. A partial understanding on maritime issues between the two countries was reportedly reached. Bitcoin slipped below $80,000 on Thursday. Analysts flagged heavy liquidity clustering around the $78,000 level, warning that a break below it could set off cascading liquidations. Dense short positioning between $82,000 and $83,000 kept the market caught between two forces. Related Reading: Altcoins Aren’t Going Anywhere — Even After Brutal Crashes: Arthur Hayes Ether ETFs Bounce Back After Prior Week’s Losses Ether ETFs also returned to positive ground. For the week ending May 8, they posted a little over $70 million in net inflows after recording $82 million in outflows the week before. The recovery followed a strong three-week run from April 10 to April 24, which brought in a combined $618 million, with the week of April 17 alone accounting for $276 million. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

9 May 2026, 15:28

Swiss central bank bitcoin reserve push fails over signature shortfall

The initiative sought to amend Switzerland's constitution, requiring the Swiss National Bank (SNB) to hold BTC alongside gold and foreign-currency reserves.