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26 May 2026, 02:44

Ondo Finance Announces The Unexpected Death Of CEO Nathan Allman

Ondo Finance, one of the leading decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms in the crypto industry, announced that its co-founder and CEO, Nathan Allman, has died. The company shared the news on Monday, May 25, and said it is also moving to ensure leadership continuity in the wake of the tragedy. Ondo Finance Confirms New CEO In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Ondo Finance said, “It is with profound sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of Nathan Allman, Ondo’s founder. Our hearts are with his family and loved ones.” Ondo also said the personal and industry impact of Allman’s contributions “cannot be overstated,” and noted that he played a key role in building a durable organization with experienced leaders across multiple areas of the business. Alongside the tribute, Ondo Finance announced a leadership change. The company said Ian De Bode, its longtime President, will take over as CEO. Ondo said it will continue building what Allman started, calling that effort the “most meaningful way” to honor him. Nathan Allman Remembered The news also drew reactions from other figures in the crypto ecosystem. Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget, said that since 2023, the two sides “achieved so much together,” noting the listing of Ondo Finance’s native token, ONDO, and support of its real-world asset (RWA) strategy. Chen added that as the industry continues, “we will continue pushing the boundaries of tokenization and carrying that shared vision ahead.” Nathan Allman co-founded Ondo Finance in 2021. Before launching Ondo, he worked as part of the Digital Assets team at Goldman Sachs, where he developed experience in asset management and blockchain technology. Following Ondo Finance’s statement, the price of ONDO dropped by 6.5% to $0.41. Nevertheless, the platform’s native token still records gains of 59% over the last thirty days. Featured image from The Street; chart from TradingView.com

26 May 2026, 02:32

Japan weighs OpenAI cyber tools as government rethinks AI nationalism

OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, wrapped up a sales pitch to Japan, offering the Japanese government and private companies its latest generative AI model specialized in cybersecurity. The company showcased a number of its cyber defense programs to Japanese media on May 21. It’s where OpenAI board member, Paul Nakasone revealed that the visit to Japan was intended for talks with government officials. Nakasone said they discussed cybersecurity measures across 15 critical sectors with the Japanese government. While talks are set to continue, OpenAI said it hopes to launch the service in Japan at “an early stage.” OpenAI is offering the specialized GPT-5.5 Cyber AI model to the Japanese government. Its standard GPT-5.5 with Trusted Access for Cyber (TAC) defensive tool will be offered to Japanese firms and businesses under an application and screening process. Protection against Mythos During the press conference, OpenAI’s Head of National Security Policy, Sasha Baker stressed that a cyber defense ‘ecosystem’ is needed to overcome powerful models. She pointed to Anthropic’s non-public Mythos, which can autonomously identify and exploit security flaws in software, web browsers, and operating systems. Nakasone said powerful AI also requires stronger governance and safeguards. “We will build robust security systems and stay ahead of malicious actors. We intend to expand these efforts broadly from finance and critical infrastructure to local governments and manufacturing supply chains.” Nakasone, who previously led U.S. Cyber Command under the Trump administration, described Japan as central to a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” and suggested OpenAI would deepen collaboration with the country. “We want the Japanese government and companies to use our most advanced models,” added Sasha Baker. The real threat is AI dependence OpenAI’s visit comes as the Japanese government intensifies its push for “sovereign AI.” Japan’s Basic AI Plan, finalized in December 2025, revolves around the concept of “trustworthy” AI. It stems from economic security concerns that foreign tech giants could control the entire AI supply chain. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) had proposed developing a large-scale domestic foundation model akin to a Japanese version of ChatGPT using government funding. When METI presented its proposal at an LDP Digital Society Promotion Headquarters meeting in October 2025, some lawmakers criticized the plan as reckless, arguing that Japan lacked the policy resources needed to compete with the U.S. and China. METI has since dropped its ‘Japanese ChatGPT’ goal, but the government is still determined to foster a homegrown AI stack, which includes foundation models, data centers, AI chips, as well as physical AI infrastructure . The government is preparing to revise its Basic AI Plan this summer. At an AI strategy meeting on May 19, lawmaker Kimi Onoda confirmed the revised draft will strengthen AI sovereignty from a national security stance. Japan’s AI reality check While some Japanese companies, such as Preferred Networks, Ricoh, SoftBank, NEC, Honda, and Sony Group, have begun developing foundation models, many in the industry privately acknowledge the difficulty of catching up to the U.S. and China. Japan was ranked 30th out of 69 countries in the IMD World Digital Competitiveness Score in 2025. There’s also a massive AI investment shortfall between Japan and its rivals. According to Japanese government data, the U.S. government invested approx. $329 billion in local AI development from 2019 to 2023. The Chinese government invested approx. $133 billion. The Japanese government, on the other hand, invested a meager $10 billion. The end of AI nationalism The government’s Digital Society Promotion Headquarters is preparing a proposal against an entirely Japanese AI stack. The proposal is urging the government to prioritize AI innovation in manufacturing, healthcare, and infrastructure sectors. It argues Japan could combine foreign-developed foundation models with applications developed by domestic industrial data to create a competitive advantage. On May 11, the Secretary General of the Digital Society Promotion Headquarters, Akihisa Shiozaki, said Japan is entering a post-LLM era that requires a major paradigm shift. He stressed the goal shouldn’t be building sovereign AI but rather diversifying suppliers. “What matters most is ensuring autonomy without becoming dependent on any single country, company, or provider. Rather than focusing solely on ‘sovereign AI,’ Japan needs to think about how to protect its AI sovereignty.” Don’t just read crypto news. Understand it. Subscribe to our newsletter. It's free .

26 May 2026, 02:30

Bitcoin Seizure Links Chinese National’s Binance Account to DOJ Case

Federal prosecutors are seeking forfeiture of bitcoin tied to a synthetic drug importation case involving Binance records, blockchain tracing, and cooperation with Chinese authorities. Investigators said the seized cryptocurrency was linked to accounts and payments connected to alleged drug shipments routed through Georgia. Bitcoin Seizure Anchors Savannah Drug Forfeiture Case The U.S. Department of Justice

26 May 2026, 02:30

What Are The 1% Cardano Investors Doing? Crypto Pundit Breaks It Down

With volatility across the cryptocurrency market building, the Cardano price has persistently struggled with downside pressure, dropping below the $0.25 level. The altcoin has fallen sharply from its all-time high, but one thing that has captured the attention of the community is the activity among top-tier ADA investors. ADA Investors In the Top Tier Are Making Moves Cardano’s price action is not the major thing currently about the leading altcoin, but rather the sentiment and activity of its investors. As the asset continues to endure downside pressure, a crypto pundit known as Cheeky Crypto is shedding light on the behavior of a key segment of Cardano investors. While everyday retail traders conclude that Cardano is dead, Cheeky Crypto stated that a hidden group of ultra-wealthy whales is quietly front-running the market. His analysis suggests that in the face of waning price momentum and increased market uncertainty, the top tier of ADA holders may be modifying their strategies. According to the data, retail investors are currently capitulating over short-term price drawdowns. Meanwhile, the top 1% holders are aggressively scooping up the liquid supply. With prices declining, it may appear that these investors are capitalizing on recent dips, but rather, they are accumulating because they recognize a paradigm shift in institutional infrastructure that the entire public is completely overlooking. Cheeky Crypto highlighted that this deep dive investigation brings to light the secret plumbing that is holding back the large-scale capital from enterprises. At the same time, the ledger is becoming an institutional powerhouse as a result of the crucial Oracle latency improvements. Amid this renewed accumulation from top-tier investors, the network is witnessing a sharp growth as observed in the rise in its Total Value Locked. Data shared by Dave, a market expert and Cardano DRep , shows that the network’s TVL increased by over 1.14% in a 24-hour period. Cardano’s TVL continues to climb and has been in an upward trend since September 18, 2025, when it was sitting at 382.16 million ADA. As of today, the TVL is valued at over 542.71 million ADA, representing a sharp increase of roughly 42%. Related Reading: Cardano (ADA) Price Now At A Critical Level Following Strong Whale Activity Furthermore, the network’s Decentralized Exchange (DEX) volume has experienced notable growth, rising by approximately 39.58% over the past week. After this increase, the DEX volume is now sitting at over $10.26 million. Transaction Counts On The Network Hits New Milestone Activity on the Cardano network continues to grow, with transactions rising sharply. OG Blockchain explorer Cexplorer recently revealed a milestone as the number of transactions carried out on the network has surged to a new all-time high. As seen in the data, the transaction count has crossed 121 million on the mainnet, suggesting growing interest in the leading network. This milestone also reflects sustained confidence among investors in Cardano and its long-term network capabilities .

26 May 2026, 02:25

Ethereum Foundation’s Kohaku Releases SDK to Embed Privacy Protocols Directly Into Wallets

BitcoinWorld Ethereum Foundation’s Kohaku Releases SDK to Embed Privacy Protocols Directly Into Wallets The Ethereum Foundation’s privacy-focused initiative, Kohaku, has released a software development kit (SDK) designed to integrate privacy protocols directly into Ethereum wallets, eliminating the need for third-party intermediaries. The tool, first reported by The Defiant, allows wallet developers to embed protocols such as Railgun, Tornado Cash, and Privacy Pools natively into their applications. How the Kohaku SDK Works The SDK currently supports integration with Railgun, a protocol that enables private transactions by decoupling sender and receiver addresses. Kohaku has also launched a version that includes a 4337 mempool relay, which facilitates private transaction processing through account abstraction. This allows users to send transactions without exposing their wallet address or transaction history to the public mempool. Integration for Tornado Cash and Privacy Pools is reportedly under active development, though no timeline has been provided for their release. The Ethereum Foundation originally announced Kohaku last year as an open-source privacy initiative aimed at enhancing security and confidentiality within the Ethereum ecosystem. Why This Matters for Ethereum Users Privacy remains one of the most debated topics in cryptocurrency. While Ethereum’s public ledger offers transparency, it also exposes transaction data to anyone with blockchain access. For users who require financial privacy—whether for personal security, business confidentiality, or regulatory compliance—the lack of native privacy tools has been a persistent gap. By offering an SDK that allows developers to integrate privacy protocols directly into wallets, Kohaku lowers the technical barrier for implementing these features. Instead of relying on external services or complex manual processes, wallet providers can now offer built-in privacy options, potentially increasing adoption among mainstream users. Implications for Wallet Developers and the Ecosystem For wallet developers, the SDK provides a standardized framework for adding privacy features without building the underlying cryptographic infrastructure from scratch. This could accelerate the availability of privacy-preserving wallets across the Ethereum ecosystem, from self-custodial mobile wallets to browser extensions. The inclusion of account abstraction (ERC-4337) support is particularly noteworthy, as it enables more flexible transaction models. Combined with privacy protocols, this could pave the way for wallets that offer both privacy and advanced features like social recovery, batched transactions, and gas sponsorship. Regulatory and Industry Context The release comes amid ongoing regulatory scrutiny of privacy tools in cryptocurrency. Tornado Cash, for example, was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department in 2022, leading to legal challenges and debates about the legality of privacy-preserving smart contracts. By providing an open-source SDK, the Ethereum Foundation positions itself as a facilitator of privacy technology while leaving implementation decisions to individual developers and jurisdictions. Industry observers note that the Kohaku SDK could also serve as a foundation for future compliance-focused privacy solutions, such as zero-knowledge proof-based identity verification that preserves user anonymity while satisfying regulatory requirements. Conclusion The Ethereum Foundation’s Kohaku SDK represents a significant step toward making privacy a native feature of the Ethereum wallet experience. By enabling direct integration of protocols like Railgun, Tornado Cash, and Privacy Pools, the initiative addresses a long-standing user need while maintaining the open-source ethos of the ecosystem. Developers and users alike will be watching closely as additional protocol integrations roll out in the coming months. FAQs Q1: What is the Kohaku SDK? The Kohaku SDK is a software development kit released by the Ethereum Foundation’s privacy initiative, Kohaku, that allows wallet developers to integrate privacy protocols like Railgun, Tornado Cash, and Privacy Pools directly into their wallets without relying on third-party intermediaries. Q2: Which privacy protocols are currently supported? As of the initial release, the SDK supports Railgun integration, along with a 4337 mempool relay for private transactions. Support for Tornado Cash and Privacy Pools is under development. Q3: Why is this SDK important for Ethereum users? The SDK simplifies the process of adding privacy features to wallets, making it easier for developers to offer built-in transaction privacy. This helps users protect their financial data without needing to use external tools or services, potentially increasing the adoption of privacy-preserving practices in the Ethereum ecosystem. This post Ethereum Foundation’s Kohaku Releases SDK to Embed Privacy Protocols Directly Into Wallets first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

26 May 2026, 02:20

Native Markets Initiates Wind Down of Hyperliquid-Based Stablecoin USDH

BitcoinWorld Native Markets Initiates Wind Down of Hyperliquid-Based Stablecoin USDH Native Markets, a decentralized exchange built on the Hyperliquid (HYPE) blockchain, has announced the beginning of a structured wind-down process for its native stablecoin, USDH. The project confirmed the decision via its official X account, outlining a series of steps that will culminate in the cessation of new market creation and certain trading benefits. Timeline and Key Actions According to the announcement, Native Markets will unstake its HYPE tokens on May 27. This move is necessary to maintain USDH’s status as a trading settlement currency under the AQA/PQA framework. Following the unstaking, the creation of new markets and associated AQA benefits will be suspended. Existing USDH-denominated HIP-3 markets will continue to operate after the unstaking, though liquidations will be left to the discretion of each HIP-3 deployer. In contrast, HIP-1 spot markets will be terminated, and all open orders will be canceled. Implications for USDH Holders Native Markets has assured USDH holders that they will retain the ability to swap their tokens for USDC through the HyperCore order book after the unstaking is complete. This provides a clear exit path for users holding the stablecoin. The decision to wind down USDH appears to be a strategic move by Native Markets to streamline its operations, potentially in response to market conditions or regulatory considerations within the decentralized finance (DeFi) space. Broader Context in the DeFi Ecosystem The wind-down of USDH comes at a time when stablecoins, particularly those built on emerging blockchain networks like Hyperliquid, face increasing scrutiny regarding their sustainability and peg stability. Native Markets’ decision to revert to USDC—a more established and widely used stablecoin—reflects a broader trend among DeFi protocols to prioritize liquidity and user trust over native token experiments. The move may also signal a shift in how Hyperliquid-based projects approach tokenomics, focusing on long-term viability rather than short-term market creation. Conclusion Native Markets’ wind-down of USDH marks a significant operational change for the platform and its users. While existing HIP-3 markets will continue for now, the suspension of new markets and termination of HIP-1 spot markets indicate a phased exit. USDH holders are advised to convert their tokens to USDC before any further changes take effect. The development underscores the evolving nature of stablecoin projects and the importance of liquidity and regulatory clarity in the DeFi sector. FAQs Q1: What is happening to USDH? Native Markets is winding down its Hyperliquid-based stablecoin, USDH. The project will unstake HYPE tokens on May 27, after which new markets and AQA benefits will be suspended. Q2: Can I still use my USDH tokens after May 27? Yes, existing USDH-denominated HIP-3 markets will continue to operate, but HIP-1 spot markets will be terminated. USDH holders can swap their tokens for USDC through the HyperCore order book. Q3: Why is Native Markets winding down USDH? The decision appears to be strategic, focusing on operational efficiency and potentially responding to market or regulatory conditions. The move to USDC provides users with a more liquid and established stablecoin option. This post Native Markets Initiates Wind Down of Hyperliquid-Based Stablecoin USDH first appeared on BitcoinWorld .