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16 Apr 2026, 16:56
Cantor Fitzgerald Donates $10 Million to Crypto PAC Led by Tether Executive
Cantor Fitzgerald has donated $10 million to Fellowship PAC, a crypto-focused super PAC chaired by Tether’s U.S. head of government affairs Jesse Spiro, according to Federal Election Commission filings disclosed Wednesday. The donation comes at a moment when the line between traditional finance and crypto lobbying capital is becoming hard to define. The headline number is large enough to matter. Whether it buys the regulatory outcomes the industry wants – and on what timeline – is the harder question. Key Takeaways: Donor: Cantor Fitzgerald committed $10 million to Fellowship PAC, disclosed in February FEC filings. Total raised: Wednesday’s FEC filing revealed $11 million in total contributions, including donations from other sources alongside Cantor’s $10 million. PAC leadership: Fellowship PAC is chaired by Jesse Spiro, Tether’s U.S. head of government affairs, and was established in 2025. Anchorage Digital: The digital asset bank separately contributed $1 million to Fellowship PAC. Spending to date: Fellowship has deployed $3 million on advocacy advertising and $1.5 million backing three Republican candidates, including Kentucky Senate candidate Nate Morris and Georgia Representative Clay Fuller. Cantor-Tether history: Cantor Fitzgerald has served as custodian for Tether’s reserve assets since 2021, making this donation an extension of an already entrenched institutional relationship. Political context: Fellowship PAC secured over $100 million in funding commitments ahead of the prior election cycle, positioning itself alongside rivals Fairshake and Defend American Jobs. Watch: FEC filings through 2025 and 2026 for additional commitments toward Fellowship’s $100 million goal and candidate endorsement patterns ahead of pivotal congressional sessions on crypto regulation. How the Cantor-Fellowship Donation Actually Works, and What $10 Million Buys in Washington A super PAC operates without contribution limits from corporations or individuals, provided it does not coordinate directly with candidates. Fellowship PAC uses that structure to back pro-crypto candidates in federal races and fund issue-advocacy advertising – the $3 million already spent on advocacy ads is the clearest example of the latter in action. Cantor Fitzgerald’s involvement is not a new relationship dressed up as political altruism. The firm has custodied Tether’s reserve assets since 2021, putting it at the center of the world’s most systemically significant stablecoin operation. The push for pro-crypto leadership in Washington just gained massive momentum. Cantor Fitzgerald has contributed $10 million to Fellowship PAC, the Tether-backed Super PAC focused on electing digital asset advocates to office. pic.twitter.com/uGEDlQM1pm — Steffan (@Steffan0xd) April 16, 2026 When Howard Lutnick, then Cantor’s CEO, now U.S. Secretary of Commerce, faced Senate confirmation hearings, lawmakers pressed him specifically on those crypto ties and their implications for liquidity markets and counter-terrorism financing policy. Lutnick has since exited day-to-day operations; Cantor is now run by his sons. The $10 million donation follows that transition, which makes it a cleaner read on institutional intent rather than one executive’s personal calculus. The firm is making a deliberate bet that pro-crypto regulatory outcomes in Washington are worth funding at scale. The legislative target is not abstract. Congress is actively debating frameworks covering stablecoins and digital asset market structure under the CLARITY Act , and PAC money of this magnitude is aimed squarely at shaping who sits in the seats where those votes happen. Anchorage Digital’s concurrent $1 million contribution to Fellowship signals the same logic from the crypto-native banking side. Photo: Bo Hines / CEO of Tether’s U.S. arm The bullish read is straightforward: a $10 million check from a firm of Cantor’s standing signals that TradFi has moved from cautious observation to active political investment. That is not the same as regulatory clarity arriving on any particular schedule. PAC spending influences candidate selection and creates political goodwill, it does not write legislation or guarantee floor votes. The post Cantor Fitzgerald Donates $10 Million to Crypto PAC Led by Tether Executive appeared first on Cryptonews .
16 Apr 2026, 16:55
Bitcoin bull run ‘still too early’ to call as demand lags exiting capital: Analyst
Bitcoin trades below the profitability threshold for active holders, with early signs of BTC demand offering limited price support for now.
16 Apr 2026, 16:55
Bitcoin BIP-361 Warning: Hoskinson’s Alarming Claim of 1.7M BTC Freeze
BitcoinWorld Bitcoin BIP-361 Warning: Hoskinson’s Alarming Claim of 1.7M BTC Freeze Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has issued a stark warning about a proposed Bitcoin upgrade, claiming it could permanently lock away approximately 1.7 million BTC. His analysis, centered on Bitcoin Improvement Proposal 361 (BIP-361), challenges the cryptocurrency community’s understanding of a critical quantum computing defense mechanism. This development, reported by CoinDesk, raises fundamental questions about Bitcoin’s future security and the integrity of its earliest assets. Bitcoin BIP-361 Proposal and the Quantum Threat BIP-361 represents a technical response to a looming technological challenge: quantum computing. Experts widely acknowledge that future quantum computers could break the cryptographic algorithms securing Bitcoin wallets. Consequently, developers have proposed BIP-361 as a preemptive defense. The proposal aims to migrate vulnerable coins to a new, quantum-resistant security system before any attack occurs. However, the implementation method has become a major point of contention within the developer community. Traditionally, Bitcoin upgrades occur through two primary mechanisms: Soft Fork: A backward-compatible upgrade where new rules are introduced, but old nodes still recognize new blocks as valid. Hard Fork: A permanent divergence in the blockchain, creating two separate networks if all nodes do not adopt the new rules. Proponents of BIP-361 have classified it as a soft fork, suggesting a smoother, more consensus-driven upgrade path. Conversely, Hoskinson vehemently disputes this classification, arguing the technical reality dictates a hard fork outcome. Hoskinson’s Core Argument: A Mislabeled Hard Fork Charles Hoskinson’s central critique focuses on the technical execution of BIP-361 and its impact on early Bitcoin. He asserts that the proposal’s mechanics would not allow for backward compatibility. Specifically, the upgrade would require moving coins from old, vulnerable addresses to new, secure ones. For coins mined after 2013, this process is theoretically straightforward because owners can prove ownership with modern seed phrases or private keys. The critical problem, according to Hoskinson, lies with the approximately 1.7 million BTC mined before 2013. During Bitcoin’s earliest years, the ecosystem lacked standardized wallet practices. Many early miners, including the enigmatic creator Satoshi Nakamoto, likely stored keys in rudimentary ways. Some may have used simple text files, paper wallets, or early software clients that did not generate modern seed phrases. Therefore, proving ownership to migrate these coins under BIP-361’s rules could be impossible. The Satoshi Nakamoto Conundrum This issue directly impacts the roughly 1 million BTC attributed to Satoshi Nakamoto. These coins have remained untouched since their creation, symbolizing the founder’s belief in the project. Hoskinson’s warning suggests BIP-361 would effectively freeze this legendary cache forever. Furthermore, it would lock hundreds of thousands of other early-mined coins whose owners may have lost access or lack the specific proof required by the new protocol. This scenario creates a significant ethical and economic dilemma for the Bitcoin network. Technical and Community Implications The debate extends beyond a simple technical disagreement. It touches on core Bitcoin principles like decentralization, immutability, and network consensus. Labeling BIP-361 as a soft fork could influence how miners and node operators vote on its adoption. Many participants might support a soft fork under the assumption of minimal disruption. However, if Hoskinson’s analysis is correct, the result would be a contentious hard fork with substantial unintended consequences. Industry observers note this is not the first time upgrade classification has caused controversy. The 2017 Segregated Witness (SegWit) activation involved a complex soft-fork mechanism. Similarly, the Bitcoin Cash split resulted from a fundamental disagreement on block size, leading to a definitive hard fork. The table below compares key aspects of these historical events with the current BIP-361 debate. Event Type Key Issue Outcome SegWit (2017) Soft Fork Transaction Malleability & Scaling Successfully Activated Bitcoin Cash (2017) Hard Fork Block Size Increase Permanent Chain Split BIP-361 (Proposed) Disputed (Soft vs. Hard) Quantum Defense & Legacy Coin Migration Pending Community Decision This historical context shows that protocol changes can have lasting network effects. The potential freezing of 1.7 million BTC would represent a permanent reduction in Bitcoin’s circulating and liquid supply. Market analysts suggest such an event could have profound implications for Bitcoin’s scarcity narrative and long-term valuation models. Expert Perspectives and the Path Forward The cryptocurrency community has reacted with a mix of concern and skepticism. Some developers agree that the migration of pre-2013 coins presents a unique challenge. Others argue that Hoskinson’s assessment may overstate the risks or that technical solutions could emerge. The broader consensus emphasizes that any quantum defense must be thoroughly vetted. Furthermore, it must maintain the network’s foundational integrity. Quantum computing researchers estimate that a machine capable of breaking Bitcoin’s ECDSA cryptography is likely a decade or more away. This timeline provides the development community with crucial breathing room. It allows for extensive testing, alternative proposal development, and broader stakeholder consultation. The ultimate decision will require balancing urgent security needs with the preservation of Bitcoin’s entire historical ledger. Conclusion Charles Hoskinson’s warning about the Bitcoin BIP-361 proposal highlights a critical juncture for the world’s leading cryptocurrency. The potential to freeze 1.7 million BTC, including the coins held by Satoshi Nakamoto, underscores the high stakes of protocol evolution. As the community grapples with the quantum computing threat, the debate between soft and hard fork implementations will intensify. The final outcome will test Bitcoin’s governance, its resilience, and its commitment to preserving every satoshi ever created. The path forward demands rigorous technical scrutiny and transparent dialogue to ensure the network’s security does not come at the cost of its soul. FAQs Q1: What is BIP-361? BIP-361 is a Bitcoin Improvement Proposal designed to defend the network against future attacks from quantum computers by migrating coins to a quantum-resistant cryptographic system. Q2: Why does Charles Hoskinson say it could freeze 1.7 million BTC? Hoskinson argues that coins mined before 2013, including Satoshi Nakamoto’s, may lack the modern proof-of-ownership (like seed phrases) required to migrate under BIP-361’s rules, making them permanently inaccessible. Q3: What is the difference between a soft fork and a hard fork? A soft fork is a backward-compatible upgrade, while a hard fork creates a permanent split in the blockchain, resulting in two separate networks if consensus is not universal. Q4: How imminent is the quantum computing threat to Bitcoin? Most experts believe a quantum computer powerful enough to break Bitcoin’s encryption is at least 10-15 years away, providing time for careful solution development. Q5: What happens to Bitcoin if Satoshi’s coins are permanently frozen? Freezing Satoshi’s 1 million BTC would permanently remove them from the potential circulating supply, potentially increasing scarcity but also raising philosophical questions about preserving the original blockchain’s state. This post Bitcoin BIP-361 Warning: Hoskinson’s Alarming Claim of 1.7M BTC Freeze first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
16 Apr 2026, 16:54
Polkadot price retests $1.30 but bearish pressure remains
Polkadot (DOT) has surged 12% over the last 24 hours, reaching $1.30 amid heightened trading activity as daily volume spiked 40% to $341 million, reflecting renewed interest in buying. Although bearish forces linger, a key technical indicator shows a potential upside continuation after bouncing from oversold conditions. DOT's intraday gain may alsso energize bullish sentiment in the short term, with the altcoin benefitting from a resilient Bitcoin. BTC currently hovers around $74,000 after retesting highs of $76,000 amid the latest developments in the US-Iran ceasefire talks. A surge for equities, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq wiping out losses seen after the war broke out on February 28. DOT price reaction post Hyperbridge exploit Polkadot faced a notable security breach on its cross-chain bridge last week, resulting in losses of around $269,000. The Hyperbridge attacker minted 1 billion DOT tokens on the Ethereum network, which they looked to swiftly launder through Tornado Cash, raising alarm across the ecosystem. Most importantly, the exploit highlighted vulnerabilities in cross-chain infrastructure, and prominent exchanges like Upbit and Bithumb temporarily suspended DOT deposits to prevent further illicit activity. Despite the incident, DOT’s price demonstrated resilience. Polkadot’s announcement quickly calmed nerves, with the team noting via X: “The exploit only affects DOT on Ethereum that is bridged through Hyperbridge and does not affect DOT in the Polkadot ecosystem, or DOT bridged through other bridges. Polkadot, its parachains, and native DOT remain secure and unaffected.” Polkadot price analysis Although the token dipped briefly below $1.20 in the immediate aftermath, bargain hunters stepped in and have helped stabilize the asset. Market observers note that the swift response helped contain panic selling, with on-chain data showing increased staking activity as holders locked in positions. The DOT token maintains a bearish technical posture, characterized by sustained selling pressure and positioning below critical trendlines. Polkadot price daily chart by TradingView Short-term forecasts suggest consolidation within the $1.24-$1.50 corridor, as buyers struggle to breach overhead resistance. Analysts say key momentum indicators reinforce the downtrend outlook, including the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) and Average Directional Index (ADX). However, an oversold bounce of the Relative Strength Index (RSI), currently at 47, indicates selling exhaustion. From a chart perspective, DOT trades beneath the 50-day and 200-day exponential moving averages (EMAs). The 50-day EMA currently acts as the immediate resistance near $1.36. A breakout above this level could allow buyers to target $1.50, while the 200-day EMA sits around $2.08. However, failure might extend losses toward the $1.10 support. Polkadot fell to an all-time low of $1.13 on Feb. 6, 2026, while its record high of $55 dates back to November 2021. The coming sessions are expected to offer clearer direction on the token’s price trend. The post Polkadot price retests $1.30 but bearish pressure remains appeared first on Invezz
16 Apr 2026, 16:52
Shiba Inu investors pull 82.5 billion tokens in 24 hours
🚨 SHIB investors moved 82.5 billion tokens off exchanges in 24 hours. SHIB’s price rose 4.26% during the same period. Continue Reading: Shiba Inu investors pull 82.5 billion tokens in 24 hours The post Shiba Inu investors pull 82.5 billion tokens in 24 hours appeared first on COINTURK NEWS .
16 Apr 2026, 16:50
U.S. CFTC's Selig says AI has helped make up for staffing cuts at key crypto watchdog
Chairman Mike Selig faces explosive new market duties with crypto and prediction markets, where he said "numerous investigations" have begun.
