hodler

26 May 2026, 05:57

Ripple's Schwartz Reacts to Passing of Ondo Finance Founder

Ondo Finance has appointed longtime President Ian De Bode as the new CEO to continue Allman's mission of bridging traditional and decentralized finance.

26 May 2026, 05:56

Rumor Alert Within XRP Army: Ripple Acquires Circle for 61 Billion USDC

Something significant may have just happened in crypto. A rumor is circulating that Ripple has acquired Circle, the company behind USDC, the $61 billion stablecoin. An official announcement is supposedly expected later today. Crypto commentator John Squire (@TheCryptoSquire) shared the news, capturing the community’s attention. If confirmed, this ranks among the most consequential deals in the history of digital assets. RUMOR ALERT It is being reported that Ripple has acquired Circle, the issuer of the $61B stablecoin USDC. An official announcement is supposedly expected later today. If true, this would be one of the BIGGEST moves in crypto history. pic.twitter.com/Lpr7o7eX4D — John Squire XRP (@TheCryptoSquire) May 25, 2026 Ripple Came for Circle Before This move did not come out of nowhere. Ripple made its first move on Circle back in 2025. Bloomberg reported that Ripple offered between $4 billion and $5 billion to acquire Circle. Circle rejected the bid as too low. At the time, Circle had its sights set elsewhere. The company had just filed for an IPO with the SEC, targeting a Class A listing on the NYSE. Ripple stayed interested. Reports indicated the company had not ruled out a second offer. Subsequent reporting suggested figures as high as $20 billion entered the conversation. The pursuit was serious, sustained, and strategic. XRP Enters a Different League XRP holders have reason to pay attention. According to Squire, “XRP is entering a whole different league.” Ripple built XRP as a tool for cross-border payments. It positions the token to move value across borders faster than legacy systems like SWIFT. That use case depends on adoption at scale. Acquiring Circle changes the scale entirely. USDC is used by major financial institutions, payment platforms, and DeFi protocols globally. Ripple would gain direct access to that infrastructure. XRP’s role within Ripple’s ecosystem could expand significantly as a result. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 RLUSD Just Got a Much Bigger Stage Ripple launched its own stablecoin, RLUSD, in late 2024. At the time of the original acquisition reports, RLUSD carried a market cap just above $300 million. USDC sat at over $60B. While RLUSD has grown significantly since then , it is a new product competing in a market dominated by other stablecoins. An acquisition closes that gap instantly. Ripple would control both tokens, giving it leverage across the stablecoin market that no single crypto company currently holds. Whether Ripple continues running both tokens, consolidates, or repositions RLUSD remains to be seen. The Market Is Watching No official confirmation has arrived yet. The deal remains a developing story. What is clear is that Ripple pursued this aggressively. The original rejected bid, the sustained interest, and the escalating offer figures. This is a company that decided USDC was worth owning. Today, that pursuit may have reached its conclusion. 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 advised to conduct thorough 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 X , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post Rumor Alert Within XRP Army: Ripple Acquires Circle for 61 Billion USDC appeared first on Times Tabloid .

26 May 2026, 05:55

Alps Blockchain Begins Bitcoin Mining at Decommissioned Bolivian Gas Plant

BitcoinWorld Alps Blockchain Begins Bitcoin Mining at Decommissioned Bolivian Gas Plant Italian energy company Alps Blockchain, in partnership with Bolivian firm Kuruvika, has launched a Bitcoin mining operation at a decommissioned 127-megawatt (MW) natural gas power plant in Cochabamba, Bolivia. The facility currently uses approximately 27 MW of power and operates with a hashrate of 1.23 exahashes per second (EH/s), according to a report from Beets. The company plans to increase power consumption to 45 MW by the end of the year. Repurposing Stranded Energy for Crypto Mining The partnership represents a growing trend in the cryptocurrency mining industry: repurposing stranded or underutilized energy infrastructure for digital asset production. The Cochabamba plant, previously offline, now hosts mining hardware that draws power directly from the site’s natural gas supply. This approach can reduce energy waste and provide a revenue stream for otherwise idle assets. Alps Blockchain, which specializes in energy-intensive blockchain operations, sees Bolivia as a strategic location due to its available natural gas reserves and relatively low energy costs. Expansion Plans and Local Impact Alps Blockchain’s current 27 MW operation is just the first phase. The company aims to scale up to 45 MW by late 2024, which would significantly increase the site’s hashrate and mining output. The expansion could create local jobs in maintenance, security, and operations. For Bolivia, a country with limited cryptocurrency adoption and regulatory uncertainty, this project marks one of the first large-scale Bitcoin mining ventures. The partnership with Kuruvika, a local firm, may help navigate regulatory requirements and community relations. Why This Matters for the Crypto Mining Industry The Bolivia project highlights a broader shift in Bitcoin mining toward using flared or stranded natural gas. Miners are increasingly seeking locations where energy is cheap or otherwise wasted, reducing both operational costs and environmental criticism. If successful, this model could be replicated in other regions with decommissioned power plants or surplus gas. However, the venture also faces risks, including potential regulatory changes in Bolivia, fluctuating Bitcoin prices, and the technical challenges of operating in a remote location. Conclusion Alps Blockchain’s launch of Bitcoin mining at a decommissioned Bolivian gas plant demonstrates the practical reuse of stranded energy assets for cryptocurrency production. With current power usage at 27 MW and plans to reach 45 MW, the project could serve as a case study for similar initiatives worldwide. The partnership with local firm Kuruvika underscores the importance of regional expertise in emerging crypto-mining markets. The long-term viability will depend on energy prices, regulatory clarity, and Bitcoin’s market performance. FAQs Q1: What is Alps Blockchain’s role in this project? Alps Blockchain is the Italian energy company leading the Bitcoin mining operation. They provide the mining hardware and operational expertise, while Bolivian partner Kuruvika handles local logistics and regulatory compliance. Q2: How much power does the mining facility currently use? The facility currently consumes approximately 27 megawatts of power, with plans to expand to 45 megawatts by the end of 2024. The plant has a total capacity of 127 megawatts. Q3: Why is a decommissioned power plant being used for Bitcoin mining? Decommissioned power plants often have existing electrical infrastructure and access to cheap or stranded energy sources, such as natural gas. This reduces mining costs and repurposes assets that would otherwise remain idle, aligning with the industry’s push for energy efficiency. This post Alps Blockchain Begins Bitcoin Mining at Decommissioned Bolivian Gas Plant first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

26 May 2026, 05:52

ONDO drops 7% after Ondo Finance confirms founder Nathan Allman’s death

ONDO has fallen more than 7% after Ondo Finance confirmed the unexpected death of founder and CEO Nathan Allman, triggering a wave of risk-off selling. According to Ondo Finance’s statement posted on X, Allman died unexpectedly, though the company did not disclose the cause of death. https://twitter.com/OndoFinance/status/2059054473775894797 The announcement pushed ONDO from around $0.444 to nearly $0.409 before buyers stepped back in, with the token later recovering part of the losses during volatile trading. Ondo described Allman as the figure who shaped “every part” of the company, pointing to his role in building the firm into one of crypto’s largest tokenized asset platforms. A Brown University graduate, Allman founded Ondo in 2021 after working on Goldman Sachs’ digital assets team, where he focused on blockchain and institutional finance initiatives. For traders, the reaction quickly turned into a “key person risk” event, especially because Ondo’s business is closely tied to institutional partnerships and regulated financial products rather than speculative DeFi activity alone. Products such as USDY and OUSG helped position the company as a major player in tokenized US Treasuries and yield-bearing blockchain assets. Market participants also appeared concerned about whether the leadership transition could affect Ondo’s relationships with financial firms and distribution partners. The project has expanded in recent years through integrations with MetaMask, Hyperliquid’s HyperEVM, and tokenized ETF initiatives involving Franklin Templeton. At the same time, Ondo moved quickly to contain uncertainty by naming company president Ian De Bode as the new CEO. In its statement, the firm said De Bode had already been overseeing strategy, product development, and daily operations for more than two years. De Bode later said on X that Ondo’s direction would remain unchanged and added that the company would continue executing Allman’s vision. The company also stated it remained committed to building “a more open, accessible financial system.” The leadership change arrives during a period of rapid growth for the tokenized real-world asset market. According to DefiLlama, Ondo Finance’s total value locked briefly rose above $4 billion this month, while Ondo Global Markets reportedly crossed $1 billion in TVL. Ondo Finance TVL. Source: DefiLlama. ONDO price analysis On the 4-hour chart, ONDO has started pulling back after failing to hold recent highs near the $0.44 region. ONDO/USD 4-hour price chart. Source: TradingView. At the time of publication, the token was hovering around $0.422, with price slipping below the 20-period EMA near $0.424 while still remaining above the 50-period EMA around $0.409. The move suggested that short-term momentum had weakened following the news-driven selloff, though buyers were still defending higher support levels created during May’s rally. Volume also picked up sharply during the decline, indicating aggressive repositioning after the announcement. Meanwhile, the Relative Strength Index on the 4-hour timeframe dropped toward the neutral 50 zone after recently touching overbought territory above 70. The RSI cooling from elevated levels is often a sign that bullish momentum may be fading, though it does not yet confirm a full trend reversal. As long as ONDO stays above the 50 EMA and the 100 EMA near $0.389, the structure from the recent breakout remains intact on the higher timeframe. A recovery back above the 20 EMA could reopen the path toward the $0.44 to $0.45 resistance range, where sellers previously emerged. On the downside, failure to hold the $0.409 support area may expose the token to another retest of the $0.389 region. Beneath that level, the 200 EMA near $0.358 could become the next major support that traders watch if sentiment around the leadership transition deteriorates further. The post ONDO drops 7% after Ondo Finance confirms founder Nathan Allman’s death appeared first on Invezz

26 May 2026, 05:49

Bitcoin Dips on Renewed US Strikes on Iran: Is the Peace Deal Off?

Bitcoin prices slid back below $76,500 on Tuesday morning, down 1.5% from its intraday high of $77,700 on Monday. The move followed reports that the United States had resumed strikes on Southern Iran, targeting missile sites and boats attempting to place mines. The strikes were carried out “to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces,” but the military was “using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire,” said US Central Command in a statement. Deal or No Deal? Just hours before, President Trump posted on Truth Social that negotiations with Iran are “proceeding nicely.” “It will only be a Great Deal for all or no Deal at all — Back to the Battlefront and shooting, but bigger and stronger than ever before — And nobody wants that!” Over the weekend, Trump claimed that a deal was “largely negotiated,” leading to hopes that it would be finalized this week. Crude oil prices, which dipped below $90 for the first time this month on Monday, were back up around 2% as the conflict resumed. Jeff Mei, chief operations officer at the BTSE exchange, remained optimistic. “We believe that if US attacks on Iran are limited, it’s unlikely that Bitcoin will fall lower than the $70k mark,” he said. “However, if the conflict looks like it may be sustained over a longer period of time, Bitcoin could very well drop back to the $60k floor reached at the beginning of the conflict.” Jeff Ko, chief analyst at CoinEx, agreed, telling CryptoPotato on Tuesday that technically, $70,000 remains the “next defended floor for Bitcoin,” while $65,000 would be the “next key stress level” if the macro or geopolitical backdrop deteriorates further. “That said, I think Bitcoin’s ability to absorb recent macro shocks has actually been quite constructive,” he added. “The asset has not broken down despite the geopolitical uncertainty, which suggests the market is consolidating rather than entering a full risk-off phase.” Is BTC About to Fall Further? Macro trader Jason Pizzino remained bearish, opining on X that Bitcoin looks to be getting ready to test the lows again, like it does every bear market. “Falling volume, lack of social interest (search volume), and a structure reminiscent of further weakness,” he said. Bitcoin looks to be getting ready to test the lows again like it does every bear market (or 4-year cycle). Falling volume, lack of social interest (search volume), and a structure reminiscent of further weakness. The perma bears will be calling lower and lower prices, while the… pic.twitter.com/KwowfhSWzb — Jason Pizzino (@jasonpizzino) May 26, 2026 BTC was trading at $76,480 at the time of writing, with further losses looking imminent. The post Bitcoin Dips on Renewed US Strikes on Iran: Is the Peace Deal Off? appeared first on CryptoPotato .

26 May 2026, 05:45

Abu Dhabi’s IHC Executes Landmark $30M Transaction Using Dirham-Pegged Stablecoin

BitcoinWorld Abu Dhabi’s IHC Executes Landmark $30M Transaction Using Dirham-Pegged Stablecoin Abu Dhabi-based global investment firm International Holding Company (IHC) has completed a $30 million transaction using a stablecoin pegged to the UAE Dirham, marking the first major institutional deployment of the digital asset since it received regulatory approval. The transaction was conducted using the DDSC stablecoin on the ADI Chain, an institutional Layer 2 blockchain developed by the ADI Foundation. First Major Institutional Dirham Stablecoin Transaction The $30 million transfer represents a significant milestone for the integration of fiat-pegged digital currencies into mainstream corporate finance in the Middle East. IHC, one of the most valuable holding companies in the region, utilized the DDSC stablecoin — a digital asset designed to maintain a 1:1 peg with the UAE Dirham. The transaction was executed on the ADI Chain, a permissioned Layer 2 blockchain optimized for institutional use, offering higher throughput and lower transaction costs compared to public mainnets. The ADI Foundation, which developed the ADI Chain, has positioned the network as a regulated infrastructure for large-scale financial operations. The successful execution of this transaction by a firm of IHC’s stature signals growing confidence in Dirham-backed stablecoins for corporate treasury and cross-border settlement. Regulatory Context and Market Implications The DDSC stablecoin received regulatory approval from UAE authorities earlier this year, part of a broader push by the country to establish itself as a global hub for digital asset innovation. The UAE Central Bank has been actively exploring a central bank digital currency (CBDC), while the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) has developed a framework for regulating virtual assets. This transaction demonstrates that regulated stablecoins can serve as a practical bridge between traditional finance and blockchain-based settlement systems. Industry observers note that the use of a Dirham-pegged stablecoin for a transaction of this size could encourage other regional corporations and financial institutions to explore similar digital asset strategies. Stablecoins offer advantages such as near-instant settlement, 24/7 availability, and reduced counterparty risk compared to traditional banking channels. Why This Matters for Institutional Crypto Adoption The IHC transaction provides a real-world use case that moves beyond speculative trading. For institutional investors and corporate treasurers, the ability to transact in a stable, regulated digital asset pegged to a national currency reduces volatility risk while offering operational efficiencies. The use of a Layer 2 blockchain like ADI Chain also addresses scalability and privacy concerns that have historically deterred large institutions from using public blockchains. This development aligns with a broader trend of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries exploring digital currencies. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have jointly piloted the ‘Aber’ CBDC project, while Bahrain has established a comprehensive crypto regulatory framework. The IHC transaction adds practical momentum to these policy initiatives. Conclusion The $30 million transaction by International Holding Company using the DDSC Dirham stablecoin on ADI Chain represents a tangible step forward for institutional stablecoin adoption in the UAE. It demonstrates that regulated digital assets can be integrated into the operations of major investment firms, potentially paving the way for broader corporate and financial sector use. As regulatory frameworks continue to mature, transactions of this nature are likely to become more common, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a leader in digital finance innovation. FAQs Q1: What is the DDSC stablecoin? DDSC is a digital stablecoin issued by the ADI Foundation, pegged 1:1 to the UAE Dirham. It is designed for institutional use and operates on the ADI Chain, a permissioned Layer 2 blockchain. Q2: Why is the IHC transaction significant? It is the first major institutional transaction using a Dirham-pegged stablecoin since receiving regulatory approval, demonstrating real-world utility for corporate treasury and settlement. Q3: How does the ADI Chain differ from public blockchains? ADI Chain is a permissioned Layer 2 blockchain optimized for institutional use, offering higher transaction throughput, lower costs, and enhanced privacy compared to public networks like Ethereum. This post Abu Dhabi’s IHC Executes Landmark $30M Transaction Using Dirham-Pegged Stablecoin first appeared on BitcoinWorld .