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20 Mar 2026, 13:44
Kentucky crypto kiosk bill draws lack of blockchain understanding criticism
A late change to a Kentucky crypto kiosk bill has led some members of the crypto community to express concern that it may erode self-custody. Originally aimed at kiosk licensing and operator supervision, the 77-page Kentucky House Bill HB380 now includes a provision for hardware wallets, a mandate crypto experts claim does not account for the basic technical realities of private keys. Under the new Section 33 floor amendment, manufacturers of hardware wallets would have to include a reset function for all security credentials, allowing consumers to recover their accounts if they lose their seed phrase or private key . Nonetheless, the bulk of the bill sets out the framework for the crypto kiosk market, covering operator accountability, licensing requirements, and transaction transparency. The BPI warns that the ‘reset’ provision would only undermine self-custody According to the Bitcoin Policy Institute, the added clause will “effectively outlaw self-custody in Kentucky.” It explained that hardware wallets are engineered for total privacy; hence, requiring a “reset” function exposes a security flaw that undermines the entire point of self-custody. It remarked, “Requiring a backdoor for seed phrase recovery breaks Bitcoin’s fundamental security guarantees and pushes users toward centralized custodians that are vulnerable to hacks and failures.” Thus, it encouraged the Senate to drop this provision entirely before the bill is put to a vote. Moreover, the agency’s managing director, Conner Brown, had commented , warning X users, “Kentucky is suddenly about to ban self-custody.” Weighing in on the debate, BitAML Founder Joe Ciccolo also noted: “Policymakers often struggle with the concept of self-custody.” He clarified that, unlike legacy systems, there is no central authority to manage resets, adding that the alteration appears to be a technical oversight rather than a calculated move to control the technology. Much like the BPI, he warned that this mandate would force a total redesign that compromises self-custody—or worse yet, drive providers out of the state. “The very consumers the bill aims to protect would lose access to one of the safest ways to store digital assets,” he contended. However, he advised the crypto community and authorities to explore social recovery mechanisms and multi-signature security systems to increase safety without fracturing decentralization. He also claimed that crypto experts need to engage policy leaders, as the autonomy and security of everyday crypto users must be safeguarded, particularly when a proposal is based on a lack of technical understanding. Minnesota introduced a bill to ban crypto kiosks State lawmakers across the nation are increasingly focusing on crypto kiosks—and HB 380 is part of Kentucky’s strategy to limit fraud associated with physical machines. In Minnesota, however, lawmakers are leaning towards a total ban on crypto ATMs. The state’s elderly residents had lost a large share of their money to kiosk scams. The police had warned that seniors were spending their savings on people posing as tech support or government workers. In response, Rep. Erin Koegel introduced legislation to ban digital currency machines altogether. Before this, the state had tried to control the crypto ATM business in other ways. In 2024, it introduced a licensing framework for providers, including a $2,000 daily cap on new transactions and certain consumer refund rights. Meanwhile, Connecticut also suspended Bitcoin Depot’s money-transmission permit for its failure to meet kiosk-fee, disclosure, and fraud-refund requirements. Reports showed that the company was overcharging customers beyond the law’s 15% limit and failing to make full payments or meet compliance guidelines. But the company said that after suspending the network, it would ask customers for IDs before each transaction to enhance its organization’s compliance. Overall, according to FBI data, nationwide losses from crypto ATM scams surged to $333 million in 2025. If you're reading this, you’re already ahead. Stay there with our newsletter .
20 Mar 2026, 13:36
Morgan Stanley Is Making a Move No Major U.S. Bank Has Done Before — Will MSBT ETF Change Bitcoin Forever?
Morgan Stanley wants to be the first major U.S. bank to launch a spot Bitcoin ETF. The investment giant just filed an amended S-1 with the SEC. Ticker is locked in: MSBT. Listing target is NYSE Arca. This is not a exploratory move. This is a bank actively pushing toward approval. What makes this different from BlackRock and the rest? Morgan Stanley has a massive advisory network and plans to use it for direct distribution. That is a serious edge if this gets the green light. The filing includes seed capital and custody details. That is usually the last step before a launch decision gets made. The window is closing fast. Key Takeaways Ticker & Listing: The Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust will trade under MSBT on the NYSE Arca with an initial seed basket of 50,000 shares. Infrastructure: BNY Mellon will handle cash custody and administration while Coinbase serves as the prime broker for Bitcoin holdings. Market Position: This marks the first major U.S. bank to attempt direct issuance of a spot Bitcoin ETF rather than merely distributing third-party products. The Mechanics of the Morgan Stanley S-1 Amendment Filing Explained An amended S-1 is not just paperwork. It means the SEC is asking questions and Morgan Stanley is answering them. That is an active conversation, not a waiting game. Morgan Stanley reveals MSBT as the ticker for its spot Bitcoin ETF in latest SEC filing. pic.twitter.com/DSrZhbvFbN — TFTC (@TFTC21) March 19, 2026 The latest filing gets specific. Basket size is set at 10,000 shares. Seed basket is 50,000 shares, expected to raise around $1 million. They even bought 2 shares on March 9 just for auditing. Small moves, but these are exactly what happens right before a listing. Custody is sorted too. BNY Mellon handles cash and transfers. Coinbase holds the Bitcoin. That split model is becoming the industry standard and the SEC likes it. Here is the bigger picture though. BlackRock and Fidelity own the asset management lane. Morgan Stanley owns wealth management. Over $1.8 trillion in assets and a direct line to advisor-managed portfolios. By issuing its own ETF, it keeps the management fee instead of handing it to someone else. The bank is not just selling other people’s products anymore. It is building its own. The ticker is claimed, the infrastructure is ready, and the distribution network is just waiting to be switched on. Discover: The best new crypto in the world The post Morgan Stanley Is Making a Move No Major U.S. Bank Has Done Before — Will MSBT ETF Change Bitcoin Forever? appeared first on Cryptonews .
20 Mar 2026, 13:05
Senator Bernie Moreno Just Issued a Warning About XRP That Nobody Is Pricing In
The cryptocurrency market rarely waits for certainty. It moves ahead of clarity, often rewarding those who recognize structural shifts before they become obvious. While traders fixate on charts and short-term price swings, a deeper force is quietly shaping the next phase of the market—regulation. For XRP, that force may now be approaching a critical deadline with far-reaching implications. Ripple Bull Winkle, in a recent post on X, highlighted a warning from Bernie Moreno about the urgency of passing the CLARITY Act . According to the analysis, if lawmakers fail to pass the bill by May, the process may not simply face delays. Instead, it could stall indefinitely, pushing meaningful regulatory clarity for digital assets as far out as 2027. A Binary Market Few Are Pricing In XRP does not currently trade on fundamentals alone. The asset reflects a market caught between two sharply defined outcomes. Either regulators establish a clear framework that unlocks institutional participation, or uncertainty persists, limiting large-scale capital inflows. Senator Bernie Moreno just issued a warning about XRP that almost nobody is pricing in. And the deadline is closer than people think. — Ripple Bull Winkle | Crypto Researcher (@RipBullWinkle) March 19, 2026 Markets typically struggle to price binary events efficiently. Many participants wait for confirmation before acting, but that delay often results in missed opportunities. In XRP’s case, this hesitation creates a disconnect between price action and the underlying structural changes taking shape. Signs of Progress in Washington Recent signals from policymakers suggest that momentum is building. Tim Scott has confirmed that lawmakers are close to reaching a compromise, with discussions expected to conclude within days. The primary sticking point involves stablecoin yield, a contentious issue that reflects the broader tension between traditional finance and the crypto sector. Banks continue to resist yield-bearing stablecoins due to concerns over competition and financial stability. Meanwhile, crypto firms advocate for yield mechanisms as a core component of decentralized finance innovation. The emerging compromise, reportedly leaving “everyone a little unhappy,” signals that negotiations have reached a realistic and actionable stage. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 Why XRP Stands to Benefit XRP occupies a strategic position within the digital asset ecosystem. Its infrastructure focuses on cross-border payments and liquidity solutions, areas that institutions actively explore. Regulatory clarity would remove a major barrier, allowing financial entities to engage with greater confidence. If the legislation passes, institutions could move capital into crypto markets with defined rules and reduced legal risk. XRP, already aligned with financial use cases, could see increased relevance as part of that transition. A Growing Disconnect Between Price and Structure Retail investors continue to watch price movements, but institutions focus on structural developments. This difference creates a delay where the market doesn’t realize how fast things are changing. The most significant market moves rarely begin with clear signals. They start when overlooked factors gain recognition. For XRP, that moment may arrive as regulatory progress shifts from uncertainty to action, leaving those who waited for confirmation behind. 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 Senator Bernie Moreno Just Issued a Warning About XRP That Nobody Is Pricing In appeared first on Times Tabloid .
20 Mar 2026, 13:00
Russia reports $9B March revenue from fossil fuel as fighting strains Iran exports
Russia has earned billions from fossil fuel sales since the United States and Israel started hitting Iran at the end of February, new stats are showing. Moscow’s revenues are rising with surging energy prices, which led Washington to ease sanctions on Russian oil. The U.S. Treasury has just issued a new license. Russian fuel earnings grow amid ongoing war Russia’s income from fuel shipments jumped in the first two weeks after surprise American-Israeli strikes sparked the current war in the Persian Gulf, effectively halting oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Between March 1 and 15, Moscow received around €372 million a day from oil exports alone, which is 14% higher than its average daily earnings in February, Euronews reported. Quoting data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), the broadcaster revealed that Russia made €7.7 billion (over $8.9 billion) from fossil fuel exports during the said period, including oil, gas and coal. That’s approximately €513 million a day, compared to an average daily total of €472 million registered the previous month, according to figures from the nonprofit think tank. The joint airstrikes on the Islamic Republic began on February 28, immediately pushing global oil prices up, with Brent crude approaching $120 a barrel on Thursday. Meanwhile, Iran continues to hit oil and natural gas installations in Arab states across the region, in retaliation for Israel’s bombing of its huge South Pars offshore gas field in the Gulf. U.S. issues new waiver for sanctioned Russian oil Besides the high prices, which naturally benefit oil-exporting nations, Moscow is taking advantage of another development that pulls it out of isolation. Last week, the U.S. permitted purchases of Russian oil stranded at sea to calm down the markets. The waiver announced by the Department of the Treasury is valid until April 11. Restrictions were lifted for crude oil and petroleum products of Russian Federation origin already loaded on tankers as of March 12, 2026. On March 19, the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued a new license for the same purpose, replacing the original 30-day permit. While the terms of the latest waiver are almost identical to those of the earlier one, as noted by Reuters, the document now explicitly excludes transactions involving North Korea, Cuba, and the annexed Crimea. The easing of sanctions started earlier in March, when the Trump administration allowed India to buy it, with the U.S. President promising additional steps to tame prices. In the first two weeks of March, India bought some €1.3 billion (over $1.5 billion) worth of Russian fuels. At the time, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent emphasized that the “short-term” measure is “narrowly tailored,” insisting on social media that it will not provide significant financial benefit to Moscow, as it concerns oil already in transit. Europe determined to maintain Russia sanctions America’s move has added to tensions between Western allies on both sides of the Atlantic, with the EU remaining resolved to keep the restrictions on Russian energy that have been mounting since Ukraine was invaded more than four years ago. European leaders, including the European Commission’s President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron, have urged to maintain the sanctions on Moscow, Euronews pointed out. That’s despite the two wars in Iran and Ukraine, pushing fuel prices up across the Old Continent and threatening to turn off the oil taps and trigger an energy crisis in the bloc. While the Middle East conflict cut oil supplies from the Persian Gulf, the EU continues toward fully phasing out Russian energy imports, despite opposition from some members like Hungary and Slovakia. Although it still purchases around €50 million worth of Russian fossil fuels daily, according to CREA, the decrease has been significant. Before the invasion of Ukraine, Russia supplied nearly half of Europe’s natural gas and over a quarter of its oil. India and China combined now account for approximately three-quarters of Russia’s oil revenues. Moscow has been threatening to stop energy flows toward Europe, even before Brussels shuts the door, and redirect exports elsewhere. The smartest crypto minds already read our newsletter. Want in? Join them .
20 Mar 2026, 12:47
Eightco boosts OpenAI investment by $40M to $90M
More on Bitmine Immersion Technologies, Eightco Holdings, etc. Nadella's Flip-Flop OpenAI's Dilemma Bitmine Immersion Technologies: This Could Be The Bottom As Legislation Becomes More Likely OpenAI reportedly plans launch of desktop ‘Superapp’ to refocus, simplify user experience OpenAI secures HBM4 supply from Samsung to build its first AI chip, Titan: report
20 Mar 2026, 12:34
Morgan Stanley advances MSBT Bitcoin ETF with amended SEC filing
Morgan Stanley filed a second amended S-1 for its MSBT spot Bitcoin ETF, detailing seed capital, listing plans and Wall Street partners.
