hodler

26 Mar 2026, 09:00

Coinbase Dismisses Revised Clarity Act, Signals Ongoing Friction

In January, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong posted on X the night before a planned Senate Banking Committee markup, declared his company could not back the bill, and forced the hearing off the calendar. Now, after lawmakers unveiled fresh compromise language for the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, the exchange is signaling the same resistance. A Bill That Keeps Hitting Walls Senators Thom Tillis and Angela Alsobrooks announced the revised text March 20, with White House backing. The compromise bans rewards paid simply for holding a stablecoin but allows activity-based rewards tied to payments or platform use. Banks got what they wanted most. Crypto platforms got a narrow lane — though what qualifies as activity-based rewards remains, according to sources familiar with the draft, frustratingly vague. The SEC, CFTC, and Treasury would have 12 months to define the rules more precisely, a timeline that offers little immediate comfort to the industry. Crypto insiders who attended a closed-door Capitol Hill session Monday said the language was overly restrictive. One person familiar with the industry’s first look described the opening impression as a letdown. What’s At Stake For Coinbase The numbers behind Coinbase’s opposition are not hard to find. Stablecoin-related revenue made up roughly 20% of the company’s total earnings in the third quarter of 2025. Reports say the exchange pulled in $1.35 billion from stablecoins in 2025 alone, most of it from USDC distribution arrangements with Circle. Armstrong’s public argument has been that USDC rewards are not a deposit product — they are revenue sharing from interest earned on Treasury bills held in reserve. Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent has already criticized what he called recalcitrant actors resisting compromise, urging Senate passage this spring. Banks, other crypto firms, and the White House are increasingly aligned. Coinbase is not. A Fragile Timeline With New Complications The bill still faces multiple hurdles before it becomes law, including a full Senate floor vote requiring 60 votes and reconciliation with the House-passed version from July 2025. Senator Bernie Moreno has been direct: if the bill does not reach the Senate floor by May, crypto legislation risks going dark until after the midterm cycle. The stablecoin market sits at $316 billion. For now, the clock is running — and Coinbase has made clear it is not ready to get behind the deal. Featured image from Quakers and Business, chart from TradingView

26 Mar 2026, 08:13

XBASE secures crypto license from Dubai regulator

Amidst the ongoing situation in the Middle East, the Dubai Virtual Assets Authority is still moving full steam ahead, and has granted Xbase Virtual Assets Broker & Dealer Services LLC, part of RELM Group, a virtual asset service provider license allowing it to offer crypto brokerage services. As per the license , XBase, one of the subsidiaries of RELM group, will be able to offer spot OTC crypto trading to institutional and qualified investors. The license, unlike others, is active and not just issued. XBASE had received its in-principle approval in October of 2025. At the time, RELM had noted that the approval reinforced their commitment to building a secure, transparent, and fully regulated digital asset ecosystem in one of the most forward-thinking markets in the world. XBASE sought to have a fully compliant, multi-jurisdictional licensing, secure, and confidential OTC trade execution tailored for institutions and clients worldwide. XBASE was able to receive its license with the support of The Private Office of Sheikh Ahmed bin Faisal Al Qassimi for Consultancy and Project Development, CFC MENA, which offers crypto and fintech consultancy services, and Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). RELM has already executed over $1 billion in total trades across its large-order crypto and fiat trading and payments under its Trade Fluidity ecosystem. RELM boasts of deep liquidity as it aims to make crypto accessible to merchants across all market sectors and industries. RELM currently offers access to 140 fiat currencies and all major cryptocurrencies. Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority has issued to date over 43 VASP licenses ranging from crypto brokers to exchanges to investment management, crypto custody, and more. Your bank is using your money. You’re getting the scraps. Watch our free video on becoming your own bank

26 Mar 2026, 07:20

Bitcoin falls below $70k amid uncertainty over Iran war, US regulation

26 Mar 2026, 06:34

Oil Prices Today: US Attempts to Stabilize Fuel Prices as Crisis Deepens

Global oil markets remain on edge as the tensions between the US and Iran continue despite efforts from President Donald Trump to de-escalate. Iran has officially stated their demands to secure a potential treaty, and markets seem to be pricing in the uncertainty. Oil prices remain elevated at $92.3 per barrel at the time of this writing, up 4% in the past 24 hours. Iran States Demands US President Donald Trump insists that they are close to making a deal with Iran. The latter has officially rejected the peace proposal and set fixed conditions to end the war. These include : Immediate end to attacks and assassinations on Iran. Establishment of “concrete guarantees” against future US attacks. “Clear determination and guaranteed payment” for war damages. International recognition of Iran’s authority over the Strait of Hormuz. An end to the war across all fronts, including for all Iranian proxies in the region. The US is yet to respond. Meanwhile, the country’s parliament speaker also warned that Tehran was monitoring US troop movement after multiple sources reported that the Pentagon had ordered 2,000 airborne troops to the region. Oil Crisis Spreads The war in Iran and the resulting challenges for the international oil trade have affected economies worldwide. The Kobeissi Letter reported that over 500 gas stations in Australia have now run out of fuel. 187 of these have run out of diesel, while 32 service stations are out of all types of fuel. But it’s not just that. Other markets are also suffering due to the Strait of Hormuz’s disrupted operations. Fertilizers, for example, are also getting increasingly expensive. Top exporters from China and Russia are also curbing their crop nutrient sales, which further tightens the supply. This comes right before the spring planting session, and could translate directly to higher food prices and skyrocketing inflation. Meanwhile, the US is attempting to stabilize fuel prices through a variety of measures, including: Possible coordinated release of 400 million barrels of oil. Support for tanker insurance through the Strait of Hormuz. Temporary flexibility on sanctioned Russian oil purchases. Removal of barriers to expand E10 supply, and more. Crypto markets remain uncertain. Bitcoin’s price fell by close to 1.7% over the past 24 hours, with total industry capitalization at $1.4 trillion. The post Oil Prices Today: US Attempts to Stabilize Fuel Prices as Crisis Deepens appeared first on CryptoPotato .

26 Mar 2026, 06:00

UK Regulator Eases Bitcoin Access - But Is It Really Open?

UK regulators have eased restrictions on bitcoin products, but banking limits, tax treatment and regulatory ‘safeguards’ continue to limit access for retail investors.

26 Mar 2026, 05:30

Strategic Move: Nasdaq-listed Tron Acquires Additional 160,835 TRX to Bolster Corporate Treasury

BitcoinWorld Strategic Move: Nasdaq-listed Tron Acquires Additional 160,835 TRX to Bolster Corporate Treasury In a significant corporate treasury maneuver, the Nasdaq-listed entity Tron (ticker: TRON) has strategically acquired an additional 160,835 TRX tokens. This purchase, announced on March 21, 2025, from the company’s global headquarters, substantially increases its direct exposure to the native asset of the blockchain network it champions. The transaction underscores a growing trend of public companies integrating digital assets directly onto their balance sheets as a core component of long-term value creation strategies. Furthermore, Tron commits to unprecedented transparency by planning to disclose these holdings through a publicly viewable on-chain wallet. Tron’s Expanding Treasury: A Deep Dive into the TRX Purchase The recent acquisition of 160,835 TRX represents a deliberate capital allocation decision by Tron’s management. Consequently, the company’s total holdings now stand at approximately 688.5 million TRX. To provide context, this volume represents a notable percentage of the token’s circulating supply, highlighting the firm’s substantial skin in the game. Corporate treasury strategies have evolved dramatically since the early 2020s, moving from pure cash and traditional securities to include Bitcoin and, increasingly, other established digital assets. Tron’s consistent buying activity positions it alongside a small but growing cohort of publicly traded firms actively building cryptocurrency reserves. Analysts often compare such moves to corporate share buyback programs. Essentially, a company uses its capital to purchase assets it believes are fundamentally undervalued, thereby enhancing per-share value for stockholders. Tron’s explicit statement about enhancing shareholder value through these purchases aligns directly with this rationale. The commitment to on-chain disclosure, however, adds a novel layer of accountability rarely seen in traditional finance. Stakeholders can independently verify holdings in real-time, reducing information asymmetry and fostering greater trust. The Broader Context of Corporate Crypto Adoption Tron’s latest purchase does not occur in a vacuum. It reflects a maturing institutional landscape for digital assets. Following the landmark adoption of Bitcoin by firms like MicroStrategy and Tesla in the early 2020s, regulatory clarity in several jurisdictions has provided a more stable framework for corporate holdings. The Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB) updated accounting rules, which require companies to report crypto holdings at fair value, have also reduced a significant barrier to entry. These developments have created a more hospitable environment for a Nasdaq-listed company like Tron to execute its strategy confidently. Expert Analysis on Treasury Strategy and Market Impact Financial strategists point to several potential impacts of such concentrated buying. Firstly, it can reduce the liquid supply of TRX on exchanges, potentially affecting market dynamics. Secondly, it signals strong insider confidence in the long-term utility and value of the underlying blockchain network. “When a company whose core business is intertwined with a blockchain ecosystem invests heavily in its native token, it’s a powerful alignment of incentives,” notes Dr. Alisha Chen, a professor of fintech at Stanford Graduate School of Business. “It transforms the token from a mere medium of exchange on the network to a strategic reserve asset on a public company’s balance sheet. This fundamentally changes the investment thesis for public market investors.” The following table compares Tron’s approach with other notable corporate crypto strategies: Company Primary Asset Held Disclosure Method Stated Rationale Tron (TRON) TRX Planned On-Chain Wallet Enhance Shareholder Value, Ecosystem Alignment MicroStrategy (MSTR) Bitcoin (BTC) Quarterly Filings, Public Addresses Long-Term Store of Value Block, Inc. (SQ) Bitcoin (BTC) Quarterly Earnings Reports Financial Empowerment, Economic Participation Transparency and the Future of On-Chain Disclosure Tron’s pledge to use an on-chain wallet for real-time holding disclosure could set a new standard for corporate transparency in the digital asset space. Traditionally, investors rely on quarterly SEC filings (10-Qs and 10-Ks) for updates on corporate assets. These reports, while thorough, operate on a significant delay. An on-chain wallet allows for instantaneous verification. This move addresses a key concern among cryptocurrency investors: the need for provable, auditable reserves without relying solely on third-party attestations. However, this approach also introduces new considerations for corporate governance and security. Protecting the private keys to a wallet holding hundreds of millions of dollars in assets becomes a paramount operational priority. Experts anticipate that specialized custody solutions and sophisticated multi-signature schemes will become standard for public companies engaging in this practice. The technological implementation of this transparency promise will be as closely watched as the financial strategy itself. Conclusion Tron’s purchase of 160,835 TRX is a multifaceted strategic decision with implications extending beyond a simple asset acquisition. It reinforces the company’s commitment to its ecosystem, aims to directly enhance shareholder value, and pioneers a model of radical financial transparency through on-chain disclosure. As corporate adoption of digital assets continues to mature, Tron’s actions provide a compelling case study in how publicly traded entities can integrate blockchain-native strategies. The success of this Tron TRX purchase strategy will likely influence other technology and blockchain-focused firms considering similar treasury diversification moves in the evolving financial landscape of 2025 and beyond. FAQs Q1: How much TRX does the Nasdaq-listed Tron company own after this purchase? The company now holds approximately 688.5 million TRX tokens in total following its latest acquisition of 160,835 TRX. Q2: Why would a public company like Tron buy its own network’s cryptocurrency? Public companies may purchase associated digital assets to align corporate and network incentives, signal confidence in the ecosystem’s long-term value, and strategically deploy capital to potentially enhance shareholder value, similar to a stock buyback program. Q3: What does “on-chain wallet disclosure” mean for investors? It means Tron plans to hold its TRX in a public blockchain wallet address. Anyone can view the wallet’s balance and transaction history in real-time, providing a level of immediate transparency that surpasses traditional quarterly financial reports. Q4: How does Tron’s purchase compare to other companies buying Bitcoin? While the strategy of allocating treasury funds to crypto is similar, the assets differ. Companies like MicroStrategy buy Bitcoin primarily as a store of value. Tron’s purchase of TRX is more directly tied to the utility and growth of its specific blockchain ecosystem and business operations. Q5: Are there risks for a public company holding large amounts of cryptocurrency? Yes, primary risks include high price volatility affecting the balance sheet, complex accounting and regulatory requirements, and significant cybersecurity responsibilities for safeguarding the digital assets from theft or loss. This post Strategic Move: Nasdaq-listed Tron Acquires Additional 160,835 TRX to Bolster Corporate Treasury first appeared on BitcoinWorld .