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26 Mar 2026, 19:05

BlackRock’s BUIDL Fund Embraces Chronicle for Unprecedented Verification of Tokenized Treasury Assets

BitcoinWorld BlackRock’s BUIDL Fund Embraces Chronicle for Unprecedented Verification of Tokenized Treasury Assets In a significant move for institutional blockchain adoption, BlackRock has integrated oracle provider Chronicle as a verification layer for its landmark BUIDL fund. This strategic partnership, first reported by The Block, aims to provide continuous, independent attestation of the fund’s U.S. Treasury-backed assets. Consequently, this development marks a pivotal step toward building verifiable trust in tokenized real-world assets (RWAs). BlackRock’s BUIDL Fund Adopts Chronicle for Asset Verification BlackRock’s BUIDL (BlackRock USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund) represents a cornerstone of the firm’s digital assets strategy. Launched on the Ethereum blockchain, the fund tokenizes ownership in short-term U.S. Treasury securities and repurchase agreements. Moreover, the integration of Chronicle’s Proof of Assets (PoA) system directly addresses a critical need for institutional participants: real-time, auditable proof of reserve backing . Chronicle, originally a product of MakerDAO’s development, functions as a decentralized oracle network. Its institutional-grade PoA layer will now independently verify and continuously publish attestations about BUIDL’s underlying asset composition. Therefore, token holders and regulatory observers can access a cryptographically secured, tamper-evident record of the fund’s integrity. The Critical Role of Proof of Assets in Tokenized Finance The 2022 market downturn highlighted catastrophic failures in asset verification across the crypto ecosystem. Several high-profile collapses stemmed from opaque or fraudulent reserve claims. In response, institutional entrants like BlackRock prioritize verifiable transparency from the outset. Chronicle’s system operates by autonomously collecting and verifying data from trusted, off-chain sources. Subsequently, it publishes this data on-chain in a format that smart contracts and external auditors can trustlessly consume. For BUIDL, this means the fund’s daily net asset value (NAV) and the specific composition of its Treasury holdings receive continuous, immutable attestation. This process effectively creates a public audit trail that functions 24/7. Expert Analysis on Institutional-Grade Infrastructure Market analysts view this integration as a benchmark for future tokenized funds. “BlackRock isn’t just adopting blockchain technology; it’s building the requisite audit and compliance layer directly into the product’s architecture,” observes a fintech research director from a major consultancy. This approach contrasts sharply with the post-hoc verification common in earlier crypto-native projects. Furthermore, by selecting an established oracle solution like Chronicle, BlackRock leverages battle-tested infrastructure rather than proprietary, closed systems. The following table outlines the core verification data Chronicle’s PoA provides for the BUIDL fund: Data Point Description Verification Impact Fund Net Asset Value (NAV) The total value of the fund’s assets minus liabilities. Provides real-time proof of total backing for issued tokens. U.S. Treasury Holdings Types, quantities, and identifiers of government securities. Attests to the quality and specificity of the underlying collateral. Repurchase Agreement Details Counterparty and terms of cash-equivalent instruments. Ensures short-term liquidity assets are properly recorded. Attestation Timestamp & Hash Cryptographic proof of data origin and time. Creates an immutable audit trail resistant to manipulation. Broader Implications for the Tokenization Ecosystem BlackRock’s action creates a powerful precedent. Other asset managers exploring tokenization, such as Franklin Templeton and WisdomTree, now face increased pressure to implement similar verification standards. This trend accelerates a broader shift toward on-chain finance (OnFi) where traditional financial instruments gain the transparency and efficiency of blockchain. Additionally, regulatory bodies, including the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), are closely monitoring these developments. Enhanced verification mechanisms may facilitate smoother regulatory approval for future blockchain-based products. The integration also strengthens the value proposition for BUIDL against competing yield-bearing stablecoins and money market funds. Investors receive not only exposure to U.S. Treasuries but also an unprecedented level of operational transparency. The Timeline and Strategic Context BlackRock announced the BUIDL fund in March 2024, with initial assets surpassing $400 million within months. The decision to integrate Chronicle follows a deliberate period of operational testing and reflects ongoing engagement with ecosystem partners. This move is part of a multi-pronged digital asset strategy that also includes a spot Bitcoin ETF. Ultimately, it signals that for institutional giants, trust through verification is non-negotiable for mainstream blockchain adoption. Conclusion BlackRock’s integration of Chronicle’s Proof of Assets system for its BUIDL fund establishes a new benchmark for transparency in tokenized finance. By providing continuous, independent verification of its U.S. Treasury collateral, the firm addresses a core concern of institutions and regulators alike. This development not only strengthens the BUIDL fund’s credibility but also propels the entire ecosystem toward more robust, auditable, and trustworthy financial infrastructure built on blockchain technology. FAQs Q1: What is the BlackRock BUIDL fund? The BUIDL fund is a tokenized money market fund from BlackRock that invests in U.S. Treasury securities and repurchase agreements, allowing investors to earn yield through a digital token on the Ethereum blockchain. Q2: What does Chronicle’s Proof of Assets (PoA) system do? Chronicle’s PoA is an oracle system that independently verifies and continuously publishes on-chain attestations about the composition and value of an asset pool, like BUIDL’s Treasury holdings, providing real-time proof of reserves. Q3: Why is this verification important for a tokenized fund? It solves the “trust but verify” problem by giving token holders and regulators a cryptographically secure, tamper-evident, and continuous audit trail, proving the digital tokens are fully backed by the claimed real-world assets. Q4: How does this affect other asset managers? It sets a new institutional standard for transparency. Competing firms launching tokenized products will likely need to implement similar, robust verification solutions to meet investor and regulatory expectations. Q5: Does this make BUIDL a stablecoin? No, BUIDL is a tokenized securities fund. Its value accrues based on the yield from its underlying assets (Treasuries), unlike a stablecoin which aims to maintain a peg to a flat currency like the US dollar. This post BlackRock’s BUIDL Fund Embraces Chronicle for Unprecedented Verification of Tokenized Treasury Assets first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

26 Mar 2026, 18:59

Ripple Keeps Burning RLUSD. What's Happening?

Ripple's stablecoin treasury executed a massive string of token burns on Thursday, destroying over 35 million RLUSD in a matter of hours and sparking widespread speculation across the cryptocurrency community.

26 Mar 2026, 18:45

Data Center Energy Use Under Senate Scrutiny as AI Power Demands Threaten Grid Stability

BitcoinWorld Data Center Energy Use Under Senate Scrutiny as AI Power Demands Threaten Grid Stability WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a significant move that signals growing political concern over the nation’s digital infrastructure, two U.S. Senators have launched a direct inquiry into the massive and escalating energy consumption of data centers. On Thursday, Sens. Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) sent a formal letter to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), demanding the establishment of a mandatory annual reporting system for these facilities. This bipartisan action highlights a critical and urgent challenge: the explosive growth of artificial intelligence and cloud computing is straining the U.S. electrical grid, prompting lawmakers to seek unprecedented transparency from one of the economy’s most power-hungry sectors. Data Center Energy Reporting Faces New Mandate The senators’ letter, viewed by Bitcoin World, urges the EIA to “establish a mandatory annual reporting requirement for data centers and other large loads.” They argue that the accelerating growth in electricity demand, after years of relative stagnation, creates significant risks for effective grid planning and oversight. Consequently, the current lack of reliable, standardized data poses a fundamental problem for utilities and regulators. This request follows a report by Wired on the legislative push. The EIA, a statistical agency within the Department of Energy, functions as a census bureau for the nation’s energy system. Established in 1977, it traditionally categorizes energy use into four broad sectors: residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation. However, data centers often fall into a blurred space between commercial and industrial classifications, obscuring their true aggregate impact. Bipartisan Push for Granular Power Data Hawley and Warren are requesting highly specific data points that go far beyond total consumption. Their demands include: • Hourly, annual, and peak energy loads for individual facilities. • The specific electricity rates paid by data center operators. • Details on required grid upgrades and their funding mechanisms. • Participation in demand response programs , where utilities pay users to reduce consumption during peak periods. Furthermore, the senators explicitly ask the EIA to distinguish between energy used for AI computing tasks and that used for general cloud services . This distinction is crucial, as AI model training and inference are notoriously energy-intensive compared to standard server operations. The letter calls on EIA Administrator Tristan Abbey, who in December 2024 stated the agency would be an “essential player” in tracking data center energy demand. The senators requested a reply by April 9. A Regulatory Trend Gains Momentum This letter is not an isolated event but part of a rapidly expanding regulatory front. Just one day prior, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) announced plans to introduce legislation that would halt new data center construction until Congress agrees on a regulatory framework for AI. These parallel efforts, from both progressive and conservative lawmakers, underscore the bipartisan nature of concerns linking technological growth, infrastructure resilience, and environmental sustainability. The underlying driver is an undeniable surge in energy use. For instance, Google reported that its data center electricity consumption doubled between 2020 and 2024. Industry projections suggest planned new data centers could nearly triple the sector’s total energy demand by 2035, a growth trajectory that existing grid planning models may not adequately capture. The Complex Path to New Energy Surveys Implementing a new mandatory survey is a complex, multi-year process. Administrator Abbey noted in December that launching a new survey from scratch “takes probably about two years.” The process must navigate the Office of Management and Budget’s review, which includes a mandatory public comment period. However, Abbey also indicated that authorities exist for faster, more targeted surveys that could provide a “sharper signal” in a shorter timeframe. The EIA currently lacks the formal authority to compel specific industries to report data without a mandate or revised survey approval. Therefore, the senators’ letter serves as both a formal request and a political signal to accelerate administrative action. The agency’s response will be closely watched by utility companies, technology firms, and environmental groups alike. Historical Context and Future Grid Planning The U.S. grid is undergoing its most significant transformation in decades. The rise of intermittent renewable energy, the electrification of transportation and heating, and now the soaring demand from data centers create a perfect storm for grid planners. Historically, load growth was predictable and slow. Today, utilities face the prospect of large, concentrated, and immediate demand from single facilities that can consume as much power as a medium-sized city. Without accurate, timely data on where and how quickly these loads are coming online, long-term investments in transmission lines, substations, and generation capacity become high-risk guesses. This data gap threatens both grid reliability and consumer electricity costs , as the expense of emergency upgrades or generation is often socialized across ratepayers. Conclusion The bipartisan Senate letter to the EIA marks a pivotal moment in the recognition of data centers as critical national infrastructure with profound energy implications. The push for mandatory, granular energy reporting reflects a fundamental shift from viewing these facilities as mere commercial tenants to treating them as primary actors in national energy security and climate policy. As AI continues its rapid expansion, the tension between technological innovation and physical infrastructure limits will only intensify. The outcome of this regulatory push will shape not only the future of the tech industry but also the resilience, cost, and environmental footprint of the American electrical grid for decades to come. FAQs Q1: What exactly are Senators Hawley and Warren asking the EIA to do? They have requested that the U.S. Energy Information Administration create and implement a mandatory annual reporting requirement specifically for data centers. This would force these facilities to disclose detailed information on their electricity consumption, costs, and impact on the local grid. Q2: Why is data center energy use such a concern now? Energy consumption by data centers has exploded recently, primarily driven by the intensive computational needs of artificial intelligence. This growth is sudden, massive, and concentrated in specific regions, posing unprecedented challenges for grid planning and stability that existing data collection methods cannot adequately track. Q3: How does AI computing differ from traditional data center workloads in terms of energy? AI model training and inference require immense, sustained processing power from specialized chips (like GPUs) that draw significantly more electricity and generate more heat than standard servers handling cloud storage or web hosting. This makes AI workloads far more energy-intensive per rack. Q4: What is the EIA, and what is its role? The U.S. Energy Information Administration is a federal statistical agency under the Department of Energy. It collects, analyzes, and disseminates independent data on the entire energy system, from production and prices to consumption and efficiency, serving as a primary source for policymakers, markets, and the public. Q5: What happens if the EIA establishes this mandatory reporting? If implemented, it would provide regulators, utilities, and the public with the first comprehensive, standardized, and reliable dataset on data center energy use. This data would be crucial for making informed decisions about grid investments, energy policy, and understanding the environmental footprint of the digital economy. This post Data Center Energy Use Under Senate Scrutiny as AI Power Demands Threaten Grid Stability first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

26 Mar 2026, 18:00

XRP Price Prediction: Ripple To Run Once Clarity Act Passes?

XRP price is trading at $1.37, down as much as 3.1% in the last 24 hours, and the frustrating part is that none of the recent bullish prediction and catalysts have mattered. Goldman Sachs became the largest XRP ETF buyer. Mastercard integrated Ripple into its payments program on March 11. Whales accumulated 1.3 billion XRP in early March. The price barely flinched. But one regulatory event could change all of that, and it’s hanging by a thread in the Senate. The CLARITY Act would formally classify XRP as a digital commodity under federal law, placing it on the same statutory footing as Bitcoin and Ethereum. The bill cleared the House 294–134 with bipartisan support, but has stalled in the Senate over a stablecoin yield dispute. XRP- Clarity Act Drama Could stall 70% chane Of Passage? – Franklin Templeton + Ripple & XRP? YES pic.twitter.com/lGZPdwiEqH — Digital Perspectives (@DigPerspectives) March 26, 2026 Regulatory uncertainty continues to weigh on the broader crypto market, and Galaxy Digital has warned that the bill must clear the committee by the end of April, or it is likely dead for 2026. This deadline is now just weeks away. With macro headwinds still in play and technicals deteriorating, the XRP price structure deserves a close look before assuming a CLARITY Act bounce is already priced in. Discover: The best pre-launch token sales XRP Price Prediction: Can Ripple Breach $1.51 Before the Senate Deadline? XRP rejected hard at $1.60 earlier this week, printing a bearish pin bar that triggered a 3.3% single-day drop, according to Finance Magnates analysts . Price is now consolidating at just around $1.37, with the 50-day SMA sitting at $1.43 acting as immediate overhead resistance. RSI reads 50, neutral, but trending lower. The sentiment dashboard shows 26 of 30 technical indicators flashing bearish. XRP USD, TradingView The critical floor is at $1.27, the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement level. A defense of that level opens a path back toward $1.51. Failure sends price toward $1.11–$1.13, a rangeanalysts are actively targeting on the downside. The longer-term bull thesis, Elliott Wave targets of $5 then $27, depends entirely on legislative clarity materializing before institutional flows rotate elsewhere. That’s a meaningful “if.” Discover: The best crypto to diversify your portfolio with Bitcoin Hyper Attracts Early Movers as XRP Tests Key Support For those watching XRP stall below resistance while a Senate deadline looms, the risk/reward calculus shifts. At the current market cap, a 2x from XRP requires billions in new capital. Even the most aggressive XRP targets remain constrained by its existing scale. Early-stage infrastructure plays offer a different entry profile. Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is positioning as the first-ever Bitcoin Layer 2 with Solana Virtual Machine (SVM) integration, combining Bitcoin’s security with transaction throughput that its developers claim surpasses Solana itself. The project targets Bitcoin’s three core limitations: slow finality, high fees, and absence of programmable smart contracts. Wow! Now this looks like it'll lead somewhere nice. Bitcoin just found its fast lane. https://t.co/VNG0P4GuDo pic.twitter.com/ayZQyRm7m3 — Bitcoin Hyper (@BTC_Hyper2) March 26, 2026 The presale has raised more than $32 million at a current token price of $0.0136 , with staking available at high APY for early participants. Research Bitcoin Hyper here. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Crypto assets are volatile. Always do your own research before investing. The post XRP Price Prediction: Ripple To Run Once Clarity Act Passes? appeared first on Cryptonews .

26 Mar 2026, 17:20

Federal Reserve Interest Rates: Crucial Reuters Poll Signals Steady Policy Until September

BitcoinWorld Federal Reserve Interest Rates: Crucial Reuters Poll Signals Steady Policy Until September A pivotal Reuters survey of economists delivers a clear forecast for 2025: the Federal Reserve intends to maintain its benchmark policy rate within the 3.50% to 3.75% range until at least September. This projection underscores a deliberate shift toward a prolonged period of monetary policy stability following several years of aggressive adjustments. Consequently, markets and consumers must now prepare for an extended phase of steady borrowing costs. Federal Reserve Interest Rates Enter a Holding Pattern The latest Reuters poll crystallizes a significant consensus among financial analysts. Specifically, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) appears committed to its current policy stance. This decision directly stems from recent economic data showing inflation moderating toward the Fed’s 2% target, albeit with persistent pressures in services sectors. Furthermore, labor market resilience provides the committee with room to assess incoming data without immediate action. Historically, the Fed has utilized such pauses to evaluate the lagged effects of previous rate hikes. The current cycle, which began in 2022, represents one of the most rapid tightening phases in decades. Therefore, holding steady allows previous policy moves to fully permeate the economy. This cautious approach aims to avoid overtightening, which could trigger an unnecessary recession. Analyzing the Reuters Poll Methodology and Findings Reuters conducted its survey between March 10 and March 15, 2025, polling 100 economists from major banks and research institutions. The results show remarkable alignment. Reuters Poll: Fed Funds Rate Forecast 2025 Period Median Forecast Percentage of Economists in Agreement Q2 2025 (April-June) 3.50%-3.75% 92% Q3 2025 (July-September) 3.50%-3.75% 85% Q4 2025 (October-December) 3.25%-3.50% 65% The data reveals strong conviction for stability through September. However, a minority expects a potential 25-basis-point cut by year’s end. Key drivers for this outlook include: Core PCE Inflation: Sticky around 2.5%, above the 2% target. Unemployment Rate: Holding below 4.0%, indicating a tight labor market. GDP Growth: Projected at a moderate but positive 1.8% for 2025. Global Factors: Stabilizing energy prices and contained geopolitical risks. Expert Analysis on the Fed’s Strategic Patience Senior economists emphasize the Fed’s data-dependent framework. “The committee has clearly entered a watchful waiting phase,” notes Dr. Anya Sharma, Chief Economist at the Global Policy Institute. “Their forward guidance, combined with recent FOMC meeting minutes, prioritizes confidence in the inflation trajectory over calendar-based decisions.” This perspective is widely shared across Wall Street research desks. Market pricing, as reflected in Fed Funds futures, largely corroborates the Reuters poll. Currently, futures assign an 80% probability to unchanged rates at the June, July, and September FOMC meetings. This alignment between survey data and market instruments strengthens the forecast’s credibility. Moreover, the Fed’s own Summary of Economic Projections (SEP) from March 2025 showed a median dot-plot prediction consistent with this holding pattern. Real-World Impacts of Sustained Interest Rates For consumers and businesses, a steady policy rate until September carries significant implications. Mortgage rates, which loosely track the 10-year Treasury yield, will likely remain elevated compared to the pre-2022 era. This stability, however, provides predictability for long-term financial planning. Auto loans and credit card APRs will also plateau, affecting household budgets. Corporate investment decisions may proceed with greater certainty. A known cost of capital reduces one major variable in business planning. Conversely, savers will continue to benefit from higher yields on savings accounts and certificates of deposit. The broader economic impact suggests a continuation of moderated, stable growth without the stimulus of rate cuts or the drag of further hikes. Historical Context and the Path Beyond September The projected pause until September 2025 would mark one of the longest steady periods in the current cycle. To understand this, one must examine the timeline of recent monetary policy. 2022-2024: Aggressive hiking cycle from near-zero to 5.50%. Late 2024: Initial pivot to a hold, followed by two 25-basis-point cuts. Early 2025: Establishment of the current 3.50%-3.75% range. Looking beyond September, the policy path remains contingent on data. The Reuters poll indicates a divergence in views for Q4 2025, with a slight majority expecting a cut. The primary risk to the hold scenario is a unexpected downturn in employment or a sharper-than-expected decline in inflation. Conversely, a resurgence of price pressures could extend the holding period further. Conclusion The Reuters poll provides a crucial data point for understanding the Federal Reserve’s trajectory. The consensus for holding the policy rate at 3.50%-3.75% until at least September 2025 signals a mature phase in the monetary policy cycle. This period of stability offers markets and the economy a chance to adjust to the new interest rate environment. Ultimately, the Fed’s commitment to its data-dependent framework will guide all future decisions, with the Reuters survey serving as a key benchmark for analyst expectations. FAQs Q1: What is the current Federal Reserve policy rate? The Federal Reserve’s target range for the federal funds rate is 3.50% to 3.75%, as of March 2025, according to the latest FOMC statement and Reuters survey data. Q2: Why would the Fed hold rates steady for so long? The Fed is likely holding rates steady to fully assess the impact of previous rapid hikes on inflation and the economy, ensuring it does not cut rates prematurely and risk a resurgence of inflation. Q3: How does this Reuters poll affect mortgage and loan rates? A projected steady Fed policy rate suggests mortgage, auto, and personal loan rates will remain relatively stable in the near term, as they are influenced by longer-term Treasury yields which correlate with Fed policy expectations. Q4: What economic conditions could force the Fed to change course before September? A sudden spike in inflation, a significant weakening of the labor market, or a major financial stability event could prompt the Fed to either hike or cut rates before its projected September hold date. Q5: Where can I find the official source for the Reuters poll data? The poll data is published by Reuters news agency. The findings are typically summarized in their economic news coverage and detailed in reports from their polling team, which surveys a wide panel of economists. This post Federal Reserve Interest Rates: Crucial Reuters Poll Signals Steady Policy Until September first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

26 Mar 2026, 17:09

Historic verdict holds Meta and YouTube accountable for addictive design and harm to young users

A California jury rule d We dnesday that Meta and YouTube are responsible for harming users through how their platforms are designed. Legal experts are calling it historic and drawing comparisons to the tobacco industry battles from the 1990s. The case finished up i n the Lo s Angeles Superior Court after six weeks of proceedings that started back in late January. A young woman identified in court documents as K.G.M., or Kaley, claime d sh e became addicted to Instagram and YouTube as a child. Jurors began deliberatin g on Fr iday, March 13. They spent nearly 44 hours across nine days before reaching their decision. Both companies were found to have played a substantial role in causing mental health damage. Meta’s on the hook for 70 percent of the $3 million in compensatory damages, with YouTube covering the rest. There’s also punitive damages – another $3 million, with Meta paying $2.1 million and YouTube $900,000. Families whose children were allegedly harmed by social media hugged each other outside the courthouse when the verdict came down. Two jurors spoke with reporters. The foreman only gave his first name – Matthew. He sai d th ey worked hard to keep their personal feelings out of their discussions. “We stuck to following the law and how it was presented to us. ” Another juror, Victoria, didn’t mince words. “We wanted them to feel it,” she said. “We wanted them to realize this was unacceptable.” “For years, social media companies have profited from targeting children while concealing the addictive and dangerous design features built into their platforms,” attorney Mark Lanier said. “Today, we finally have accountability.” Tech giants plan appeals Meta says it disagrees with the verdict and plans to appeal, calling teen mental healt h “p rofoundly complex” and insisting you can’t link it to one app. Google’s also planning to appeal. Just a day earlier, on Tuesday, Meta took another hit. A New Mexico jury found the company deliberately violated state consumer protection laws. Attorney General Raúl Torrez accused Meta of failing to protect children from online predators. That case resulted in $375 million in damages. Critics argue whether these fines will actually make a di fference A Fox Business correspondent said in an X post, “If it’s just money that they have to pay in the end, it’s just a speeding ticket as they have deep pockets of cash”. Meta pulls in more than $100 billion every year. So a $375 million penalty? That’s not going to fundamentally change anything. It’s basically a business expense. There’s a similar story with Google. Courts have found the company runs a search monopoly. That’s not speculation – it’s been legally established. But here’s the thing: nobody broke the company up. There was no major overhaul. Instead, some limited fixes were put in place, and Google’s control over search remains pretty much untouched. The Los Angeles case is serving as a bellwether for similar lawsuits throughout California. TikTok and Snap were originally defendants but settled befor e tr ial started. They’re still involved in other legal proceedings though. A federal trial’s scheduled for this summer in Northern California. That one combines claims from school districts and parents nationwide against Meta, YouTube, TikTok, and Snap over alleged mental health harms to young users . Get seen where it counts. Advertise in Cryptopolitan Research and reach crypto’s sharpest investors and builders.