hodler

11 Mar 2026, 18:05

Former Ripple CEO States the Biggest Misconception About XRP In 2026

Cryptocurrency markets often reward perception as much as execution. Traders frequently chase sudden price spikes, assuming that hype drives long-term growth. Yet for assets with deep institutional integration and practical utility, like XRP, the real story unfolds in the networks, protocols, and systems that solve tangible financial problems rather than in short-term speculation. Bullrunners recently highlighted remarks from former Ripple CTO David Schwartz during his March 2026 AMA at AIMA Sydney. Schwartz addressed what he considers the biggest misconception about XRP: that its next growth cycle will be driven by hype. Instead, he emphasized that XRP’s 2026 expansion will be powered by real-world adoption, functional utility, and financial infrastructure, rather than price-driven narratives. David Schwartz says the biggest misconception about XRP in 2026 is that the next cycle will be driven by hype. According to the Ripple CTO, the next phase is about real utility and real adoption. Not speculation. Infrastructure. That’s where #XRP comes in. pic.twitter.com/OZxvzBbizk — BULLRUNNERS (@BullrunnersHQ) March 10, 2026 XRP’s Utility-Centric Growth Schwartz stresses that XRP’s upcoming cycle differs fundamentally from earlier hype-fueled periods. He notes that on-chain activity and practical financial applications, such as cross-border payments and institutional liquidity solutions, will drive value. This focus positions XRP as a utility asset , bridging institutional and retail markets while enabling scalable, real-time financial solutions. By centering adoption on infrastructure, XRP avoids reliance on speculation. Schwartz frames the token’s role as providing a foundational layer for financial networks, where reliability, speed, and interoperability matter more than viral sentiment. This perspective suggests that XRP’s growth is structurally supported, rather than a product of market hype. Off-Ledger Liquidity and Institutional Integration Schwartz also highlights that XRP’s value extends beyond the XRP Ledger. The token functions as a bridge in off-ledger liquidity pools , including exchanges and ETFs, allowing seamless interaction between decentralized assets and traditional financial systems. This dual-layer utility enhances XRP’s relevance for institutional participants and retail investors alike, creating a network effect that strengthens adoption. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 By drawing parallels to the early enterprise phase of the internet, Schwartz suggests that XRP’s development mirrors a period of building infrastructure before mass adoption. Just as early internet systems enabled transformative enterprise use cases, XRP’s integration into financial rails, stablecoins, and liquidity solutions positions it for sustained long-term relevance. Implications for Investors For market participants, Schwartz’s insights underscore the importance of focusing on fundamental adoption and functional utility rather than short-term price movements. XRP’s trajectory in 2026 appears tied to real-world financial problem-solving , institutional integration, and multi-layer interoperability. Bullrunners’ coverage reinforces this message, framing XRP not merely as a speculative token but as essential infrastructure for the evolving digital financial ecosystem. Investors who recognize this distinction may view XRP as a strategic long-term asset, benefiting from adoption-driven growth rather than fleeting market hype. By emphasizing infrastructure, utility, and adoption, Schwartz provides a roadmap for understanding XRP’s next cycle—and why its value extends far beyond headline prices. Disclaimer : This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are urged to do in-depth research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses. Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post Former Ripple CEO States the Biggest Misconception About XRP In 2026 appeared first on Times Tabloid .

11 Mar 2026, 16:40

Bittensor Infrastructure Developer General Tensor Secures $5M in Strategic Funding Boost

BitcoinWorld Bittensor Infrastructure Developer General Tensor Secures $5M in Strategic Funding Boost In a significant development for decentralized artificial intelligence infrastructure, General Tensor has successfully secured $5 million in combined seed and pre-seed funding rounds, positioning the Bittensor network for accelerated growth and technological advancement throughout 2025. General Tensor’s Strategic Funding Milestone General Tensor, formerly operating as General TAO Ventures, completed its funding rounds with leadership from Goodmorning Holdings, an affiliate of global investment banking giant Goldman Sachs. This financial injection represents a substantial vote of confidence in both the company’s technical vision and the broader Bittensor ecosystem. The funding announcement, initially reported by The Block, highlights increasing institutional interest in decentralized AI infrastructure projects. Furthermore, this development follows a broader trend of traditional finance entities exploring blockchain-based artificial intelligence solutions. The company’s founding in early 2024 coincided with growing recognition of Bittensor’s unique approach to machine learning decentralization. General Tensor’s specific focus encompasses three critical infrastructure areas: Mining Infrastructure: Developing hardware and software solutions optimized for Bittensor’s proof-of-intelligence consensus mechanism Validation Systems: Creating robust validation frameworks to ensure network integrity and performance Subnet Development: Building specialized subnetworks for specific AI tasks and applications Bittensor’s Expanding Decentralized AI Ecosystem Bittensor operates as a peer-to-peer marketplace for machine intelligence, where participants contribute computational resources and AI models to earn the network’s native TAO cryptocurrency. The platform’s architecture enables collective intelligence generation through decentralized coordination. Consequently, General Tensor’s infrastructure work directly supports this ecosystem’s scalability and reliability. The network has demonstrated remarkable growth since its inception, with total value locked and active participants increasing substantially throughout 2024. Comparative analysis reveals Bittensor’s distinctive position within the decentralized AI landscape: Network Primary Focus Consensus Mechanism Key Differentiator Bittensor (TAO) Machine Learning Marketplace Proof-of-Intelligence Decentralized AI Model Coordination Render Network GPU Computing Power Proof-of-Render Decentralized Graphics Rendering Akash Network Cloud Computing Marketplace Proof-of-Stake Decentralized Cloud Infrastructure Institutional Validation of Decentralized AI Infrastructure Goodmorning Holdings’ participation as lead investor signals growing institutional recognition of decentralized AI’s potential. Goldman Sachs’ affiliate involvement follows the investment bank’s established track record in technology infrastructure financing. This development suggests traditional finance institutions now view decentralized AI networks as legitimate investment opportunities rather than speculative ventures. Moreover, the funding round’s structure indicates careful due diligence and strategic alignment with long-term infrastructure development goals. The timing coincides with increased regulatory clarity surrounding cryptocurrency and AI integration. Regulatory frameworks emerging in 2024 and 2025 have provided more defined parameters for blockchain-based AI projects. Simultaneously, technological advancements in zero-knowledge proofs and scalable consensus mechanisms have addressed previous limitations. These factors collectively create favorable conditions for infrastructure-focused investments like General Tensor’s funding round. Technical Implications for Bittensor Network Development General Tensor’s infrastructure development directly addresses several technical challenges facing decentralized AI networks. Mining optimization represents a particular focus area, given Bittensor’s unique computational requirements. The network’s proof-of-intelligence mechanism differs substantially from traditional proof-of-work or proof-of-stake systems. Consequently, specialized hardware and software configurations become necessary for efficient participation. Validation infrastructure development ensures network security and model quality maintenance. As Bittensor expands, robust validation mechanisms prevent malicious actors from compromising the intelligence marketplace. Furthermore, subnet development enables specialized applications within the broader ecosystem. These subnets can focus on specific AI domains like natural language processing, computer vision, or predictive analytics. General Tensor’s work therefore supports both horizontal scaling and vertical specialization within the Bittensor network. Market Context and Competitive Landscape The decentralized AI sector has experienced accelerated growth throughout 2024, with total market capitalization increasing approximately 300% year-over-year. This expansion reflects broader recognition of AI’s transformative potential and growing concerns about centralized AI development. Major technology companies currently control significant portions of the artificial intelligence landscape. Decentralized alternatives like Bittensor offer contrasting approaches emphasizing transparency, accessibility, and collective ownership. Investment patterns reveal shifting capital allocation toward infrastructure layers rather than application layers. Venture capital firms increasingly prioritize foundational technologies that enable multiple applications. General Tensor’s funding aligns with this trend, focusing on infrastructure supporting the entire Bittensor ecosystem. The $5 million investment compares favorably with similar early-stage infrastructure rounds in adjacent sectors like decentralized storage and computing. Future Trajectory and Development Roadmap General Tensor’s funding enables accelerated development across its three focus areas throughout 2025 and 2026. The company has outlined specific milestones including testnet deployments, validator onboarding programs, and subnet launch initiatives. These developments will likely increase Bittensor’s network capacity and attract additional participants. Moreover, improved infrastructure typically correlates with enhanced network effects in decentralized systems. The broader Bittensor community anticipates several tangible outcomes from this infrastructure investment: Reduced barriers to entry for new network participants Improved network performance and reliability metrics Enhanced security through advanced validation mechanisms Increased specialization through dedicated subnet development Industry analysts project that successful infrastructure development could position Bittensor for mainstream AI integration. Potential applications span numerous sectors including healthcare diagnostics, financial modeling, and scientific research. The decentralized approach offers particular advantages for sensitive applications requiring transparency and auditability. Conclusion General Tensor’s successful $5 million funding round represents a pivotal moment for Bittensor infrastructure development and the broader decentralized AI ecosystem. The investment, led by Goldman Sachs affiliate Goodmorning Holdings, validates the technical and economic potential of decentralized machine intelligence networks. This development supports Bittensor’s continued expansion while addressing critical infrastructure requirements. As decentralized AI gains mainstream recognition, infrastructure investments like General Tensor’s funding will likely play crucial roles in shaping the technological landscape throughout 2025 and beyond. FAQs Q1: What is General Tensor’s relationship to Bittensor? General Tensor operates as an infrastructure developer specifically focused on the Bittensor network, building mining, validation, and subnet infrastructure to support the decentralized AI ecosystem. Q2: Who led the funding round for General Tensor? The $5 million seed and pre-seed funding rounds were led by Goodmorning Holdings, an affiliate of global investment bank Goldman Sachs, indicating significant institutional validation. Q3: How does Bittensor’s approach differ from traditional AI development? Bittensor creates a decentralized marketplace for machine intelligence where participants contribute computational resources and AI models to earn cryptocurrency, contrasting with centralized corporate AI development models. Q4: What technical areas will General Tensor focus on with this funding? The company will develop optimized mining infrastructure, robust validation systems, and specialized subnetworks to enhance Bittensor’s scalability, security, and functionality. Q5: Why is decentralized AI infrastructure gaining investment attention? Decentralized AI addresses concerns about centralized control of artificial intelligence while offering transparent, accessible alternatives, with infrastructure investments supporting the foundational layer enabling multiple applications. This post Bittensor Infrastructure Developer General Tensor Secures $5M in Strategic Funding Boost first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

11 Mar 2026, 16:10

Bitcoin Miners Pivoting to AI Are Sitting on a Gold Mine: VanEck Exec Reveals Lucrative Strategy

BitcoinWorld Bitcoin Miners Pivoting to AI Are Sitting on a Gold Mine: VanEck Exec Reveals Lucrative Strategy NEW YORK, March 2025 – Bitcoin mining companies are strategically repositioning themselves as critical infrastructure providers for the artificial intelligence revolution, creating what one top analyst calls a “gold mine” of undervalued opportunity. According to Matthew Sigel, Head of Digital Assets Research at global investment manager VanEck, these firms possess unique assets that position them for significant stock market gains as they pivot to meet surging AI power demands. Bitcoin Miners AI Pivot: A Strategic Power Play The convergence of cryptocurrency mining and artificial intelligence represents one of 2025’s most significant technological shifts. Consequently, Bitcoin mining operations are leveraging their substantial infrastructure for new revenue streams. These companies originally built robust facilities for energy-intensive proof-of-work computations. Now, they are repurposing this same infrastructure for AI model training and inference workloads. Matthew Sigel explained this transition during a recent CNBC interview. He highlighted the unique advantage miners possess. “Amid surging power demand, Bitcoin miners are effectively sitting on a gold mine,” Sigel stated, according to a report by The Block. His analysis focuses on the tangible assets these companies control, particularly their access to reliable, high-capacity power and pre-built data center space. The Undervalued Data Center Disconnect A core component of Sigel’s thesis centers on market valuation. He points to a substantial pricing gap between traditional data center stocks and Bitcoin mining equities. Specifically, when analysts compare companies based on market capitalization relative to their operational megawatt capacity, mining stocks appear significantly discounted. Expert Analysis on Comparative Valuations This valuation disconnect stems from several factors. Initially, public markets categorized Bitcoin miners purely as volatile crypto plays. However, their underlying business is fundamentally about secure, high-uptime computing at scale. This operational reality aligns perfectly with the needs of large-scale AI developers, who require immense, stable power and cooling. Sigel’s research suggests the market has been slow to price in this strategic optionality. The global AI infrastructure race is accelerating demand. Tech giants and startups alike are scrambling for GPU clusters and the electricity to run them. Traditional data center providers face multi-year construction backlogs and complex permitting processes. In contrast, Bitcoin miners often operate in regions with power surpluses and have existing relationships with utility providers. This positions them to deploy AI computing capacity much faster than ground-up developments. Key Infrastructure Advantages: Miners vs. Traditional Data Centers Factor Bitcoin Mining Company Traditional Data Center REIT Power Procurement Existing long-term contracts, often in energy-rich regions New contracts subject to grid capacity and utility negotiations Speed to Market Existing facilities can be partially repurposed in months Greenfield construction typically takes 18-36 months Core Expertise High-density compute, 24/7 operations, thermal management Enterprise colocation, connectivity, managed services Market Perception Seen as crypto-centric, potentially higher risk Viewed as stable infrastructure investment The Real-World Impact on Energy and Technology This pivot carries profound implications for global energy markets and technological development. Bitcoin miners have historically been flexible power consumers, often acting as a “buyer of last resort” for stranded or intermittent energy. Their shift toward serving AI’s baseload demand could change grid dynamics in several regions. Furthermore, this trend provides a natural hedge for mining companies against Bitcoin’s price volatility. By generating revenue from AI compute services, these firms can stabilize cash flows. This financial stability, in turn, allows for more strategic planning and investment in next-generation hardware for both Bitcoin and AI workloads. Several publicly traded miners have already announced pilot projects or partnerships with AI cloud providers, validating the business model. Power as a Strategic Asset: Access to scalable, low-cost electricity is the new bottleneck for AI progress. Infrastructure Reuse: Mining facilities require similar specs (power, cooling, security) as AI data centers, enabling efficient conversion. Financial Re-rating Potential: As revenue diversifies, stock valuations may converge with traditional infrastructure peers. The technological symbiosis is also noteworthy. The push for more efficient mining ASICs has driven advances in chip design and cooling. These innovations directly benefit AI hardware deployment. Similarly, the operational experience of running global, distributed computing networks is highly transferable to managing AI inference clusters. Conclusion The analysis from VanEck’s Matthew Sigel underscores a fundamental market evolution. Bitcoin miners are no longer single-asset enterprises. They are morphing into diversified high-performance computing infrastructure providers. Their pivot to supplying power and capacity for artificial intelligence positions them at the nexus of two transformative technologies. While their stocks may currently trade at a discount, the strategic value of their assets in an AI-driven world suggests significant potential for revaluation. The coming years will likely see this Bitcoin miners AI pivot accelerate, reshaping both the crypto mining landscape and the foundational layer of AI development. FAQs Q1: Why are Bitcoin miners well-suited to provide AI infrastructure? Bitcoin miners possess key infrastructure assets ideal for AI: pre-built, secure facilities with massive power contracts, robust cooling systems, and expertise in managing 24/7 high-density computing operations, allowing for faster deployment than building new data centers. Q2: What did Matthew Sigel mean by miners “sitting on a gold mine”? Sigel referred to the undervalued nature of miners’ physical assets—primarily their power capacity and data center space—in a market where demand for AI computing is exploding. He believes the market has not yet priced in the true value of this optionality. Q3: How does this pivot affect Bitcoin’s network security? Initially, it could redirect some hash rate and investment away from pure Bitcoin mining. However, it also provides miners with more stable revenue streams, potentially leading to healthier, more resilient companies that can continue to invest in the Bitcoin network long-term. Q4: Are all Bitcoin mining companies making this shift? Not universally. The pivot is most feasible for larger, publicly-traded miners with significant capital and established infrastructure. Smaller operators may lack the scale or flexibility to repurpose their operations effectively. Q5: What are the risks associated with this business model shift? Key risks include execution challenges in repurposing hardware, potential competition from well-funded traditional data center operators, fluctuations in both crypto and AI demand, and the technological risk of AI hardware evolving rapidly, requiring continual new investment. This post Bitcoin Miners Pivoting to AI Are Sitting on a Gold Mine: VanEck Exec Reveals Lucrative Strategy first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

11 Mar 2026, 15:51

Top Bitcoin Mining Pool Operator Foundry Is Getting Into Zcash

Foundry Digital said it plans to offer a mining pool for Zcash next month, enabling people to earn the coin using shared resources.

11 Mar 2026, 14:00

Alibaba's AI Agent Mined Crypto Without Permission. Now What?

Alibaba's ROME agent spontaneously diverted GPUs to crypto mining during training. The incident falls into a gap between AI, crypto, and cybersecurity regulation.

11 Mar 2026, 13:59

Bitcoin Miners Resume BTC Sales as Rising Costs Pressure Profitability

Bitcoin miners are beginning to sell their Bitcoin holdings once again, signaling a shift in strategy as profitability concerns mount. The latest actions by Marathon Digital Holdings (MARA) and Core Scientific highlight the growing trend of miners liquidating reserves to stay operational in a challenging market. MARA’s Policy Shift and Bitcoin Sale BTC miner MARA recently moved 298 BTC to Cumberland, just after announcing a new policy allowing it to sell its Bitcoin reserves. This move marks a change in the company’s strategy, signaling that Bitcoin miners are now more willing to liquidate holdings to support their operations and strengthen their balance sheets. The recent sale follows MARA’s filings that reveal their mining costs are significantly high. According to the company’s estimates, the average cost of mining a single Bitcoin is approximately $70,027. This number includes the cost per petahash per second (PH/s) and operational hash rate. With around 23.3 BTC mined daily, this hefty cost structure raises concerns for profitability. Source: X Other Bitcoin miners like Core Scientific have also engaged in similar strategies. Core Scientific recently sold 2,174 BTC that had been accumulating since December 2024. These sales reflect a broader trend where miners are liquidating some of their holdings to fund other operational needs, such as AI infrastructure expansion, while maintaining balance sheets. Rising Mining Costs and Profitability Concerns Bitcoin mining isn’t cheap, and the price of mining operations is climbing. As seen with MARA’s filings, the cost of producing Bitcoin is averaging around $70,027 per coin. This cost is driven by factors such as hardware efficiency, electricity costs, and power usage effectiveness (PUE), all of which have a significant impact on mining profitability. Source: X Miners operating more efficiently with advanced hardware and lower power costs can produce Bitcoin for around $45,000 per coin. However, the profitability of these operations heavily depends on the location and the costs associated with running the infrastructure. As miners continue to face these rising operational costs, many are reconsidering their strategies and selling off some of their Bitcoin holdings to offset these expenses. This trend has become more apparent in recent months, as several miners, including MARA, have chosen to liquidate part of their Bitcoin reserves. Geopolitical Tensions and Market Uncertainty The broader cryptocurrency market is facing a period of heightened uncertainty, with geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic factors influencing investor sentiment. Bitcoin traders, including those on Polymarket, have become more cautious about the future price of Bitcoin. For instance, traders have assigned only an 51% probability that Bitcoin will reach $90,000 by the end of 2026. Source: Polymarket These uncertain market conditions are contributing to the decision of many miners to sell off their Bitcoin holdings. The behavior of these traders suggests that scarcity alone may not be enough to drive the price of Bitcoin higher. Moreover, currently, they are assigning only 48% odds that Bitcoin will dip to $45,000, indicating a cautious outlook. Despite Bitcoin reaching the milestone of 20 million coins mined, signaling scarcity, the market remains volatile. This dynamic is placing pressure on miners who must carefully manage their reserves to avoid further losses. Apparent Demand and Market Consolidation Following a large sell-off in the Bitcoin market, Apparent Demand briefly showed signs of recovery. This brief uptick indicated that opportunistic buyers were stepping in after the price decline. However, the recovery was short-lived, with demand quickly turning negative again. The lack of sustained buying pressure suggests that market participants remain cautious and unwilling to accumulate aggressively at current levels. The CryptoQuant Bull Market Cycle Indicator, which tracks market behavior, signals that Bitcoin is in a phase typically associated with bear market consolidation. This phase is marked by short-term volatility and sideways price action, which can be psychologically taxing for investors. Many participants lose interest or reduce exposure during these periods, leading to a slower recovery or further declines. Additionally, Long-Term Holder SOPR (Spent Output Profit Ratio) has shown signs that even long-term Bitcoin holders are beginning to realize losses. This metric, which has dropped below the key threshold of 1, indicates that prolonged uncertainty is affecting even the most steadfast investors. Historically, this phase coincides with the redistribution of Bitcoin from long-term holders to new participants who have lower cost bases.