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Weekly Wrap: NYSE & Nasdaq Race to Tokenize Stocks, Stablecoin Bill, Hacks Cross $480M

Weekly Wrap: NYSE & Nasdaq Race to Tokenize Stocks, Stablecoin Bill, Hacks Cross 0M


Key Highlights

Trump’s TruthSocial post about “productive” Iran talks sent Bitcoin past $71,500 and wiped nearly $400M in leveraged positions, while Iran denied that any talks even happened. Strategy bought another 1,031 BTC, and CZ compared Bitcoin to gold.

NYSE and Nasdaq are now both building tokenized stock trading platforms, NYSE scrapped options limits on 11 crypto ETFs, and ICE dropped another $600M into Polymarket. Franklin Templeton went on-chain with Ondo.

The CLARITY Act stablecoin bill wants to restrict yield on stablecoins. Coinbase came out swinging against it, the CFTC set up a new crypto and AI task force, and CertiK says crypto hacks have already crossed $480M this year.

Welcome to this week’s crypto roundup. Last week was all about Bitcoin hitting a 40-day high and the CFTC giving the green light to crypto as derivatives collateral. This week? It was Wall Street going full speed on tokenization, lawmakers trying to figure out what to do with stablecoins (and getting it wrong, according to half the industry), India dealing with arrests and terror financing busts, and hackers having another very productive week.

We’ve got Trump moving markets with a single post, NYSE and Nasdaq in a literal race to put stocks on the blockchain, the CLARITY Act getting roasted by Coinbase, CoinDCX founders going from handcuffs to bail in three days, and an $80M stablecoin exploit that nobody saw coming. Let’s get into it.

Top headlines for this week

Below are the major headlines, giving an overview of what happened in the crypto market this week.

Trump posts about Iran, $400M in crypto gets liquidated

This one was wild. President Trump posted on TruthSocial that US-Iran talks had been“very good and productive” and said both sides had agreed to a five-day pause on US strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure. Bitcoin shot above $71,500 within minutes. Nearly $400 million in leveraged positions got wiped out.

Here’s where it gets interesting. Tehran came out and flat-out denied that any talks had happened. They called the strike pause a forced US retreat. So the market pumped on news that one side says never happened. Classic crypto.

The conflicting narratives whipsawed prices in both directions and proved, once again, that a single Trump post can move billions in the crypto market.

Binance Research separately put out a report warning that rising oil prices could trigger major Bitcoin volatility. With the Middle East situation still far from settled, that’s worth keeping in mind.

On the BTC accumulation side, Strategy kept buying, adding another 1,031 BTC to its already massive pile. At this point, it would be bigger news if Saylor stopped buying for a week. CZ also jumped in with his take, calling Bitcoin and crypto “hard assets” like gold. Coming from the former Binance CEO during a consolidation phase, that’s a statement worth noting.

Mt. Gox moved $500 worth of BTC after months of doing nothing, while $2 billion in creditor funds remain sitting there. A $500 transfer from a wallet holding billions. Nobody knows what to make of it, but Mt. Gox watchers are back on high alert.

Going the other way, MARA sold nearly $1 billion in Bitcoin to cut its debt by 30%. Even among the Bitcoin treasury companies, sometimes you have to sell the thing you’re supposed to be holding. Balance sheets don’t manage themselves.

NYSE and Nasdaq want to tokenize your stocks

This was probably the most important structural story of the week, and it happened almost simultaneously from both sides.

NYSE partnered with Securitize to build a 24/7 tokenized securities platform. The official announcement confirms Securitize as the first digital transfer agent eligible to mint blockchain-native securities for corporate or ETF issuers on the platform. Nasdaq is already working on its own “Digital Twin” model. The two biggest stock exchanges in the world are now in a straight-up race to put equities on the blockchain. That’s not a pilot program. That’s not an experiment. That’s Wall Street saying the future of stock trading runs on blockchain rails, and they want to own it.

On top of that, NYSE removed options trading limits on 11 Bitcoin and Ether ETFs. Position limits that used to cap exposure? Gone. This opens up way more volume and lets institutional players run more complex strategies around crypto ETF options.

Then there’s ICE, the company that owns the NYSE. They put another $600 million into Polymarket. Six hundred million. Into a prediction market. That tells you where institutional money thinks the next wave of financial products is headed.

Franklin Templeton brought its ETFs on-chain through a deal with Ondo. One of the biggest old-school asset managers is now running tokenized fund infrastructure. The line between TradFi and DeFi got a lot blurrier this week.

The CLARITY Act stablecoin bill and why Coinbase hates it

The US dropped a draft stablecoin bill called the CLARITY Act, and it wants to restrict yield payments on stablecoins. You can still get activity-based rewards, but straight-up yield? The bill wants to limit that.

The industry did not take it well.

Coinbase came out publicly against the bill, saying the yield restrictions would push stablecoin activity offshore and put US issuers at a disadvantage. When the most compliance-friendly exchange in the US tells lawmakers they got it wrong, that carries weight. This fight over whether stablecoins should be allowed to generate yield is going to be one of the biggest regulatory battles for the rest of the year.

Regulators were busy this week. Very busy.

The CFTC set up a brand new task force for crypto, AI, and prediction markets. It’s not just about commodities anymore. They’re widening the net into where tech and finance overlap.

The SEC Chair publicly acknowledged that there are still unresolved questions in crypto guidance. Not exactly breaking news to anyone who’s been following crypto regulation, but hearing the SEC admit it out loud is something.

A US lawmaker questioned why the Fed approved Kraken’s access to payment rails. The tension between crypto firms wanting banking access and traditional players wanting to keep them out isn’t going away anytime soon.

Prediction markets caught fresh heat as US senators introduced a new bill targeting the sector. California separately banned state officials from betting on insider info on prediction platforms. With ICE pouring $600M into Polymarket on one side and senators trying to regulate it on the other, the prediction market space is headed for a collision.

On the brighter side, there’s a real chance that Fannie Mae could start accepting crypto as mortgage collateral. From HODL to home loan. If this goes through, it would be a massive step for crypto’s legitimacy in everyday financial life.

A US court also dismissed a crypto developer case, but left the legal questions around developer liability wide open. So developers still don’t know where the line is. That ambiguity continues to hang over the space since the Tornado Cash situation.

CoinDCX founders arrested and bailed in 72 hours

In India, this was the headline of the week. The founders of CoinDCX got arrested on fraud charges and were out on bail within 72 hours. The exchange has had a rough year already, dealing with a $44 million hack, top executives leaving, and multiple investigations. This arrest was the peak of all that chaos.

The quick bail suggests the charges might not be as serious as the initial reports made them sound. But the reputational hit to CoinDCX in the Indian market is real, and users who’ve been watching the exchange stumble from one crisis to the next are not going to forget this easily.

In a separate and more serious India story, the Anti-Terrorism Squad arrested a 19-year-old student tied to an ISIS crypto financing network. A teenager moving money for a terror outfit through crypto. That’s the kind of story that gives regulators ammunition to clamp down harder.

$80M exploit, $480M in hacks, and supply chain attacks everywhere

It was a bad week for security. CertiK reported that crypto hacks have hit $480 million in 2026, and the year isn’t even a quarter done. The pace is picking up, not slowing down.

The USR stablecoin got hit with an $80 million exploit, and KyberSwap had to block the exploiter’s wallets. An $80M exploit on a stablecoin. That’s not a small DeFi protocol getting drained, that’s a stablecoin breaking down.

ZachXBT, the on-chain detective, called out Circle for freezing 16 active USDC wallets. The question of when and why a stablecoin issuer should freeze wallets is one the industry keeps coming back to, and there’s no clean answer.

Two major supply chain attacks also hit this week. LiteLLM got breached, with 300GB of data and 500,000 credentials stolen. Separately, an Apifox breach exposed sensitive data across crypto systems. Supply chain attacks are becoming one of the scariest threats in crypto because you don’t even need to hack the protocol itself. You hack the tools everyone uses to build on it.

Token chaos: WRX down 99%, SIREN dumps, MemeCore pumps

If you held WRX this week, it’s basically gone.WazirX’s token crashed 99% while Shardeum’s SHM also hit rock bottom. WazirX has been circling the drain in India for a while now, and the token finally reflected that reality.

SIREN crashed 62% in 24 hours after an X-fueled buying frenzy that, predictably, ended badly for everyone who bought in late: same story, different token.

MemeCore pumped 43% in a day as traders rotated into high-beta meme coins. Because when macro uncertainty hits, some traders don’t go to safety. They go full degen.

And then there’s James Wynn. The guy opened a 40x leveraged Bitcoin trade, got liquidated, and came right back to do it again. Revenge trading at 40x. Some things in crypto never change.

News you might have missed

Sen. Warren vs MrBeast: Senator Warren raised questions about MrBeast’s crypto plans aimed at young audiences. When the biggest YouTuber on the planet meets crypto, meets a senator who already doesn’t like crypto, things get interesting fast.

Tether Puts Gold on BNB Chain: Tether launched its gold-backed XAU₮ token on the BNB ecosystem. On-chain gold trading is now on Binance’s chain.

Anchorage Adds TRON: Institutional custodian Anchorage Digital added TRON to its supported chains. TRON keeps showing up in institutional conversations, whether people like it or not.

BitGo’s Revenue Jumps 424%, Still Loses Money: BitGo pulled in $16.2 billion in revenue but posted a $14.8 million loss. Revenue growth is great, but profitability is still a problem for crypto infrastructure companies.

Circle Heads to Pharos: Circle announced it’ll bring USDC and CCTP to Pharos before the network’s mainnet goes live. Another chain, another USDC expansion.

Binance Fined $6.9M in Australia: Australia hit Binance with a $6.9 million fine for messing up client classifications in its derivatives business. Compliance issues continue to follow Binance around the world.

Nvidia Crypto Lawsuit Goes Class Action: A court gave class action status to Nvidia’s crypto-related lawsuit. The pressure on the chipmaker just got a lot heavier.

Buzz of the week

The buzz this week belongs to Wall Street’s tokenization race, and it’s not even close. NYSE and Nasdaq both announced blockchain-based stock trading platforms in the same week. Let that sink in. The two biggest stock exchanges on the planet are now competing to see who can tokenize equities first. This isn’t some crypto startup talking about disrupting finance. This is finance disrupting itself.

The CLARITY Act backlash was the other big story. Coinbase pushing back hard on a stablecoin bill tells you the industry thinks the proposed rules go too far. Whether lawmakers listen is another question entirely, but this yield restriction fight is going to define stablecoin regulation for the rest of 2026.

And while all this institutional progress was happening, hackers stole $480 million, a stablecoin got exploited for $80 million, and supply chain attacks hit two major developer tools. For every headline about Wall Street embracing crypto, there’s another about someone finding a new way to steal from it.

What to expect for next week?

Next week is going to revolve around geopolitics. The Trump-Iran situation is far from resolved, and given how fast $400 million in positions got wiped out on a single TruthSocial post, any new development from either side could move markets hard.

The CLARITY Act debate will pick up steam. More crypto firms are expected to weigh in on the yield restrictions, and if the pushback grows loud enough, we could see lawmakers revisiting the draft before it moves further.

On the tokenization front, watch for NYSE and Nasdaq to reveal more details about their timelines. If either one announces an actual launch date for tokenized stock trading, it could change market expectations overnight.

In India, the CoinDCX fallout and the continuing crackdown on crypto-linked crime will keep shaping the sentiment for one of the world’s biggest crypto user bases.

The story of this week, really the story of 2026 so far, is the gap between where institutional adoption is going and where security stands. NYSE is tokenizing stocks, Franklin Templeton is putting ETFs on-chain, ICE is betting $600 million on prediction markets. But hacks keep climbing, supply chains keep getting compromised, and one social media post from the President can vaporize hundreds of millions in minutes. That gap has to close at some point. The question is how.


Disclaimer: The information researched and reported by The Crypto Times is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional financial advice. Investing in crypto assets involves significant risk due to market volatility. Always Do Your Own Research (DYOR) and consult with a qualified Financial Advisor before making any investment decisions.







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The Neuralink N1 Chip: Are We Ready to Hack Our Own Brains? | Metaverse Planet

The Neuralink N1 Chip: Are We Ready to Hack Our Own Brains? | Metaverse Planet


Have you ever stopped to look at a simple coin in the palm of your hand and wondered if something that small could completely rewrite the future of human evolution? I certainly hadn’t—at least, not until I started digging deep into what Elon Musk is actually doing with Neuralink.

When I first heard about the Neuralink N1 chip, my mind immediately jumped to those classic sci-fi tropes: cyberpunk dystopias, people plugging cables into their necks, and machines taking over. But after spending hours researching the actual mechanics and the real-world applications of this technology, I was genuinely floored. The boundary between human and machine isn’t just blurring anymore; it is officially disappearing. And the craziest part? The bridge between our biological minds and the digital universe takes just 15 minutes to build.

Let’s dive into what this coin-sized brain hacker actually is, why it matters, and how it’s about to change absolutely everything we know about consciousness, medicine, and our digital lives.

What Exactly is the Neuralink N1 Chip?

Parental Control (literally)

To understand the magnitude of this, I had to strip away the hype and look at the hardware. We aren’t talking about a clunky piece of metal. The N1 implant is an incredibly sophisticated, hermetically sealed device roughly the size of a quarter.

It is designed to be completely invisible once implanted, sitting flush with the skull. But the real magic lies underneath. Attached to this chip are 1,024 incredibly thin electrodes, distributed across 64 threads. To give you some perspective, these threads are so thin that human hands simply cannot handle them—they are significantly thinner than a single strand of human hair.

Here is what the N1 chip is actively doing inside the brain:

Reading Neural Spikes: It detects the electrical signals (spikes) generated by your neurons when you think about moving or taking action.Wireless Transmission: It processes these signals and transmits them wirelessly to an external device, like a computer or a smartphone.Battery and Charging: The chip is powered by a small battery charged wirelessly from the outside via a compact, inductive charger.

I’ll be honest: the idea of a wireless charger for my brain sounds wild, but from an engineering standpoint, it is an absolute masterpiece of miniaturization.

The 15-Minute Surgical Ballet

When I read that the implantation takes about 15 minutes, I had to double-check my sources. Brain surgery is historically an exhausting, multi-hour ordeal. How is a 15-minute procedure even possible?

The answer is the R1 Surgical Robot. Because those neural threads are too delicate for even the most skilled neurosurgeon, Neuralink had to build a robot to do the sewing. This machine uses advanced optics and sensors to map the brain’s surface, actively avoiding tiny blood vessels to prevent bleeding, and inserts the threads exactly where they need to be. It’s like a hyper-advanced, microscopic sewing machine. Watching the conceptual videos of this robot at work gave me chills—it is a level of precision that feels almost alien.

Curing the Incurable: Why This Matters

It is easy to get caught up in the “Matrix” of it all, but we have to look at the immediate, real-world mission of the N1 chip. This isn’t just about scrolling through Twitter with your mind (though, theoretically, you could). It is about restoring human dignity and capability.

The First Step: Telepathy

Neuralink’s first major product is fittingly called Telepathy. The primary goal here is to allow people with severe paralysis—such as those with ALS or severe spinal cord injuries—to control a computer or a smartphone purely through thought.

Imagine being trapped in a body that refuses to move, unable to communicate with your loved ones. Now, imagine simply thinking about moving a cursor to type a message, and watching it happen on a screen. When the first human patient used the chip to play chess and control a computer mouse, I actually felt a wave of emotion. This isn’t just tech; this is giving people their lives back.

The Next Frontier: Blindsight

If you thought Telepathy was groundbreaking, Musk’s next promise, Blindsight, sounds like a literal miracle. The concept is to bypass the optic nerve entirely. Even if someone has been completely blind since birth and has lost their eyes or optic nerves, as long as the visual cortex in the brain is intact, Neuralink aims to feed camera data directly into that cortex.

Essentially, they want to bring light to blind eyes by speaking the electrical language of the brain. If they pull this off, it will be one of the greatest medical achievements in human history.

The Cyborg Reality: My Take on the Future

WifeOS 7.0.1 – Emotion Filter Installed. Upgrade to ‘Actual Listening’ for $9.99?

As much as I am in awe of the medical breakthroughs, I can’t help but look at the broader picture. Once the FDA approvals clear, and once the technology scales, where do we draw the line?

If a chip can read our thoughts to move a cursor, can a future version write information into our brains? Musk has frequently talked about humans needing to merge with AI to avoid being left behind as artificial general intelligence (AGI) evolves. He envisions a future of high-bandwidth Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) where we can download knowledge, communicate telepathically with each other, and essentially become a symbiotic species.

I find myself torn. On one hand, the idea of having instant, thought-based access to the entire internet sounds incredibly liberating. On the other hand, the cybersecurity implications are terrifying. We already worry about our phones getting hacked—what happens when someone hacks our literal perception of reality? What happens to privacy when your search history is generated by your subconscious thoughts?

The Metaverse Connection: Full-Dive Reality

Since we are talking about the Metaverse here at Metaverse Planet, I have to connect the dots. Right now, to enter the Metaverse, we strap bulky VR headsets to our faces and hold plastic controllers. It is immersive, but it is still heavily mediated by clumsy hardware.

The Neuralink N1 chip is the ultimate key to a true Metaverse. With a direct brain-to-computer link, we wouldn’t need screens or headsets. The digital world could be rendered directly into our visual and auditory cortexes. We could feel digital objects, taste virtual food, and experience fully immersive worlds without ever moving a muscle. It is the realization of the “Full-Dive VR” anime concept. The Metaverse won’t be something we look at; it will be something we inhabit purely through consciousness.

Final Thoughts: The Ultimate Choice

We are standing on the edge of the most significant evolutionary leap since humans discovered fire. The N1 chip proves that our brains are, fundamentally, complex biological computers, and we are finally learning how to write the code for them.

I am incredibly excited to see paralyzed individuals regain their independence, and I am watching the Blindsight trials with bated breath. But as this technology inevitably shifts from medical necessity to consumer enhancement, we are going to have to make some very tough choices about what it means to be human.

I’ve shared my hopes and my fears, but I want to turn this over to you. It’s easy to read about this as a distant concept, but let’s make it personal. Imagine the clinic is open tomorrow, the 15-minute robotic surgery is safe, and the chip is ready.

Here is the real question: Would you dare to connect your mind directly to a computer? Let me know your honest thoughts in the comments below! 👇

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US Senate Pushes Crypto ATM Crackdown After $333M Lost to Scams

US Senate Pushes Crypto ATM Crackdown After 3M Lost to Scams


Key Highlights

Crypto ATM scams led to losses of over $333.5 million in 2025, marking a sharp 33% increase compared to 2024.

The proposed bill sets a $2,000 daily deposit limit and introduces a 30-day window for victims to request refunds.

Data shows that around 85% of victims are aged 60 and above, with average losses reaching nearly $17,000 per case.

New Hampshire’s state Senate passed a consumer protection bill on March 26 that would, for the first time, regulate cryptocurrency ATMs operating in the state. The legislation, Senate Bill 482, cleared the chamber on a voice vote and now moves to the House, where its toughest provisions may face a serious fight.

The push for reform has been building for some time. Law enforcement officials and advocacy groups say New Hampshire’s lack of any regulation on crypto ATMs has turned the state into something of a soft target for scammers, particularly those running government impersonation, tech-support, and business fraud schemes that funnel victims toward these machines.

The scale of the problem

Ray Lamy, a fraud and financial crimes investigator with the Manchester Police Department, told the Senate Commerce Committee that between 2021 and 2025, his unit handled 66 fraud cases tied to the 22 crypto ATMs operating in the city, with victims losing an average of $17,000 per case. The average victim, he said, was 73 years old.

Hampton Police Chief Alex Reno painted an even bleaker picture. Since the end of 2024 alone, residents of his town lost $2.6 million to scammers directing them to one of the 30 crypto ATMs within a 15-mile radius. He described one case involving an 80-year-old woman who had been trying to close an online retail account and was talked into bringing $17,000 in cash to a machine. She only realized she had been robbed after a friend stepped in.

Senate Majority Leader Regina Birdsell, R-Hampstead, went through a list of losses in her own district during debate: $1 million from a 63-year-old in Derry, another million in Epping, $100,000 in Litchfield, $17,000 in Littleton. “This is getting to be a scourge on our elderly,” she said. “They have decided New Hampshire is a great place to do this.”

AARP’s New Hampshire chapter said its survey data found 85% of those scammed through the machines in the state were 60 years or older. New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella’s office estimates approximately 250 such machines are currently operating across the state. Twenty-four states, including neighboring Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, have already adopted limits on these machines.

The numbers at the national level are just as alarming. The FBI reported $333.5 million in crypto ATM scam losses from January through November 2025 alone, up roughly 33% from $250 million in 2024. The FTC found that in the first half of 2024, people over 60 were more than three times as likely as younger adults to report losing money at a crypto ATM, accounting for about 71% of all reported losses through these machines during that period.

What SB 482 would do

The bill, as passed by the Senate, would impose four main requirements on crypto ATM operators doing business with New Hampshire residents, regardless of where in the country the machine is physically located.

First, it would cap deposits at $2,000 per day. That is a significant step down from the original bill sponsored by Sen. Tim McGough, R-Merrimack, which would have allowed $5,000 for first-time users and $15,000 for established ones. Second, customers who believe they have been scammed would have 30 days to request a full refund from the operator. 

No state that has already enacted regulations has a refund window shorter than 14 days, and Maine and Vermont both allow 90 days. Third, operators would be required to provide receipts that break down all transaction details, including fees, which can run as high as 30% on some machines compared to roughly 1.5% for buying crypto through an online exchange. 

Fourth, machines would have to display prominent fraud warnings, both on the kiosk itself and visually to the user, before any transaction is completed.

McGough, who had originally filed a version more favorable to the industry, fully backed the final amendments. “We can’t always prevent someone from making a bad decision or getting scammed, but industry and advocacy have come together,” he said. “This is the right thing to do for our citizens.”

Birdsell said she intends to keep pushing for stronger measures in the House, pointing to the 90-day refund windows in Maine and Vermont as a benchmark worth matching.

Christina FitzPatrick, director of New Hampshire’s AARP chapter, called the Senate vote an important step forward and noted that AARP has made cracking down on crypto ATM fraud a national legislative priority, with federal legislation also being pursued in Congress. A federal bill, the Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act of 2025, has been introduced in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol level as well.

The industry pushback

Not everyone is on board. House Majority Floor Leader Keith Ammon, R-New Boston, who is considered a legislative expert on digital finance in the chamber, said the bill misidentifies the problem. He argued that scammers exploit every payment channel available, including gift cards, wire transfers, Venmo, and even gold bars, and that singling out crypto ATMs with restrictions that would not apply to comparable payment methods sends the wrong message.

“I look forward to crafting an approach that protects consumers without punishing a legitimate industry for the actions of criminals,” Ammon said.

He also raised concerns about New Hampshire’s carefully built reputation as a leader in digital asset policy. The state was the first in the country to pass a crypto reserve law, and its Business Finance Authority recently structured what has been described as the world’s first Bitcoin-backed municipal bond. Ammon co-authored the crypto reserve legislation and has noted that the first prototype of a cryptocurrency vending machine was built in Manchester and demonstrated in Nashua back in 2013.

Industry representatives had already warned the Senate Commerce Committee that Vermont’s $1,000 deposit limit caused most crypto ATM operators to simply pull their machines from the state entirely.

Ammon sits on the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee, which will be the next stop for the bill. That committee has a well-established pro-business record, and observers say the limits the Senate approved are likely to represent the ceiling rather than the floor of what eventually reaches the governor’s desk.

A public hearing in the House committee is expected sometime next month.

Also Read: $100K Gone: Crypto Investment Scam Hits Canada Resident


Disclaimer: The information researched and reported by The Crypto Times is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional financial advice. Investing in crypto assets involves significant risk due to market volatility. Always Do Your Own Research (DYOR) and consult with a qualified Financial Advisor before making any investment decisions.







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David Sacks Transitions From Crypto Czar to Key Policy Advisor

David Sacks Transitions From Crypto Czar to Key Policy Advisor


Key Highlights

David Sacks stepped down as White House AI and crypto czar after completing his 130-day term as a Special Government Employee.

He will now serve as co-chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST).

Sacks will continue influencing AI and cryptocurrency policy through PCAST.

David Sacks, the White House advisor for artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrency, said he has completed his 130-day term as a Special Government Employee (SGE) and is stepping down from his role.

In an interview with Bloomberg, he said he has “used up” his time in the position and will now serve as co-chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), where he will provide recommendations on a broader range of technology topics.

“I think moving forward as co-chair of PCAST, I can now make recommendations on not just AI but an expanded range of technology topics,” Sacks said.

PCAST is a federal advisory committee composed of experts from universities and businesses who study technology and science and give advice to the president.

Sacks’ role in AI and crypto policy

During his time, Sacks advised the Trump administration on policy related to digital assets and AI. He worked on unifying the U.S. AI strategy, noting that “currently, 50 states regulate this area differently, creating a patchwork regime that makes it difficult for innovators to comply. Therefore, the president has called for unified rules.” He also supported the release of the Trump administration’s AI framework.

In addition, he was involved in the regulatory efforts for the cryptocurrency industry. He helped develop recommendations for the President’s Working Group on Financial Markets and supported legislative initiatives such as the GENIUS Act, which focuses on stablecoins, and the CLARITY Act, which sets clear rules for digital money. Before joining the White House, Sacks sold his cryptocurrency holdings to avoid any conflict of interest.

Transition to PCAST

The SGE role limits experts to 130 days of service in a year. After reaching this limit, Sacks could no longer hold the czar position. However, through PCAST, he is expected to continue influencing government decisions on AI, cryptocurrency, and other technologies. 

PCAST has 13 members from major technology companies, including Jensen Huang (Nvidia), Mark Zuckerberg (Meta), Larry Ellison (Oracle), Lisa Su (AMD), Marc Andreessen (Andreessen Horowitz), and Michael Dell (Dell Technologies). The council studies key issues and gives recommendations to the president.

Sacks’ background 

Sacks began his technology career in 1999 at PayPal, working alongside Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, and Reid Hoffman. He later founded Yammer, a platform for workplace communication, and co-founded the venture capital firm Craft Ventures in 2017. 

Although he is no longer the dedicated AI and crypto czar, Sacks is expected to remain engaged in shaping policy on AI, cryptocurrency, and other technology matters through his new role on PCAST.

The White House has not announced a replacement for Sacks’ previous position, and it is unclear if the responsibilities will go to a new person or be shared among existing advisors.

Also Read: Prediction Markets Face Scrutiny as U.S. Senators Introduce New Bill


Disclaimer: The information researched and reported by The Crypto Times is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional financial advice. Investing in crypto assets involves significant risk due to market volatility. Always Do Your Own Research (DYOR) and consult with a qualified Financial Advisor before making any investment decisions.







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Wall Street Accelerates Migration To On-Chain Infrastructure, Says a16z Crypto’s Jason Rosenthal  

Wall Street Accelerates Migration To On-Chain Infrastructure, Says a16z Crypto’s Jason Rosenthal  


In Brief

Jason Rosenthal of a16z crypto said traditional financial institutions are actively moving onchain, using tokenization to increase transaction speed, reduce friction, and create opportunities for new financial infrastructure.

 

Wall Street Accelerates Migration To On-Chain Infrastructure, Says A16z Crypto’s Jason Rosenthal

An operating partner at a16z crypto, the venture capital arm of Andreessen Horowitz focused on crypto and Web3, Jason Rosenthal shared his perspective on the ongoing shift of traditional financial institutions toward blockchain-based infrastructure. 

According to his latest post on social media platform X, Wall Street is no longer merely exploring blockchain; it is actively moving onchain. Jason Rosenthal described the trend as the largest infrastructure upgrade in capital markets since the transition to electronic trading three decades ago, cautioning that most market participants will not recognize the shift until it is largely complete.

The executive explained that the primary driver of the migration is the anticipated increase in the velocity of money. Drawing a parallel with the electronic trading revolution of the 1990s, he noted that the introduction of ECNs and online brokerages transformed trading by collapsing spreads, reducing commissions, and dramatically increasing market participation. He argued that tokenization offers a similar opportunity across global financial markets, enabling 24/7 trading, instant settlement, cross-border distribution, fractionalized access to previously high-minimum assets, and real-time collateral movement.

He further clarified that tokenized assets are digital representations of real-world assets, including Treasury bonds, company shares, or real estate deeds, recorded on blockchain networks as programmable tokens. Unlike traditional systems where ownership is tracked through centralized databases, these assets can be transferred, programmed, and settled instantly across time zones. He described tokenization as “not a derivative, but the real asset with better plumbing.”

Institutional Players Drive Tokenization Of Financial Markets, Unlocking Opportunities For New Infrastructure

Jason Rosenthal highlighted that several institutions have already initiated practical steps toward this migration. In December 2025, the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) received a No-Action Letter from the US Securities and Exchange Commission authorizing it to tokenize real-world assets on approved blockchains. The DTCC, which processed $3.7 quadrillion in transactions in 2024, is planning to launch a tokenization service for US Treasury securities in the first half of 2026. In January 2026, the New York Stock Exchange announced a platform for continuous on-chain trading and settlement of US equities and ETFs, in partnership with BNY Mellon and Citi, allowing fractional shares, instant settlement, and stablecoin funding. Tradeweb executed the first fully on-chain U.S. Treasury financing against USDC in August 2025, involving Bank of America, Citadel Securities, DTCC, and Virtu Financial. The executive observed that the scope of these initiatives is expanding quarterly, including cross-border and intraday settlements, suggesting a broader migration rather than isolated experiments.

Furthermore, the executive addressed the inefficiencies of current market structures, describing the existing financial system as “structured around intermediaries rather than markets.” He explained that a typical securities transaction involves multiple fees extracted by brokers, prime brokers, exchanges, transfer agents, custodians, and clearinghouses. While US markets have recently transitioned to T+1 settlement, capital often remains idle overnight. According to the executive, smart contracts and atomic settlement on blockchain can collapse this cost structure, enabling instant, on-chain finality. He added that the margins captured by existing intermediaries represent opportunities for new entrants to build foundational infrastructure.

Regulatory clarity was identified as another key enabler. The executive noted that the momentum of reforms such as the CLARITY Act could facilitate mainstream adoption of tokenized financial markets in a manner similar to prior stablecoin legislation. He emphasized that the institutions moving quickly are unlikely to build the middleware, compliance tools, or cross-border distribution systems themselves, positioning them instead as customers for new infrastructure providers. Drawing a historical comparison, he cited the 1990s when exchanges provided the foundations but did not build platforms such as E*TRADE or Bloomberg, which were created by independent founders who anticipated market needs.

The A16z Crypto partner concluded that tokenization will result in faster transaction velocity, lower friction, increased liquidity, and larger markets. He urged builders and entrepreneurs to seize the opportunity to develop foundational infrastructure for the emerging tokenized financial system while the market window remains open.

Disclaimer

In line with the Trust Project guidelines, please note that the information provided on this page is not intended to be and should not be interpreted as legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of advice. It is important to only invest what you can afford to lose and to seek independent financial advice if you have any doubts. For further information, we suggest referring to the terms and conditions as well as the help and support pages provided by the issuer or advertiser. MetaversePost is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice.

About The Author


Alisa, a dedicated journalist at the MPost, specializes in cryptocurrency, zero-knowledge proofs, investments, and the expansive realm of Web3. With a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies, she delivers comprehensive coverage to inform and engage readers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital finance.

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Alisa, a dedicated journalist at the MPost, specializes in cryptocurrency, zero-knowledge proofs, investments, and the expansive realm of Web3. With a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies, she delivers comprehensive coverage to inform and engage readers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital finance.








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BingX Introduces 24/7 TradFi Trading, Unlocking Continuous Access to Global Markets

BingX Introduces 24/7 TradFi Trading, Unlocking Continuous Access to Global Markets


BingX Introduces 24/7 TradFi Trading, Unlocking Continuous Access to Global Markets

BingX, a leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3-AI company, today shared the expansion to its BingX TradFi suite of round-the-clock (24/7) trading support for a wide range of popular assets, marking a significant addition to seamless global market access on the platform. As one of the few exchanges with 24/7 TradFi asset support, BingX users can now trade commodities, indices, and equities at any time, eliminating traditional market hour constraints and enabling continuous portfolio management.

Through BingX TradFi, users will gain 24/7 access to globally recognized commodities Gold, Silver, WTI Crude Oil and Brent Crude Oil, as well as a variety of other major global TradFi assets including major stocks and stock indices.

With a wide range of TradFi assets available on the platform, a multi-billion dollar daily trading volume, and complete integration across the BingX ecosystem, BingX TradFi allows users to manage both crypto and traditional assets within a single account. This unified experience simplifies global asset allocation while maintaining flexibility and accessibility across markets.

About BingX 

Founded in 2018, BingX is a leading crypto exchange and Web3-AI company, serving over 40 million users worldwide. Ranked among the top five global crypto derivatives exchanges and a pioneer of crypto copy trading, BingX addresses the evolving needs of users across all experience levels.

Powered by a comprehensive suite of AI-driven products and services, including futures, spot, copy trading, and TradFi offerings, BingX empowers users with innovative tools designed to enhance performance, confidence, and efficiency.

BingX has been the principal partner of Chelsea FC since 2024, and became the first official crypto exchange partner of Scuderia Ferrari HP in 2026.

For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected]

For more information, please visit: https://bingx.com/

Disclaimer

In line with the Trust Project guidelines, please note that the information provided on this page is not intended to be and should not be interpreted as legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of advice. It is important to only invest what you can afford to lose and to seek independent financial advice if you have any doubts. For further information, we suggest referring to the terms and conditions as well as the help and support pages provided by the issuer or advertiser. MetaversePost is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice.

About The Author


Gregory, a digital nomad hailing from Poland, is not only a financial analyst but also a valuable contributor to various online magazines. With a wealth of experience in the financial industry, his insights and expertise have earned him recognition in numerous publications. Utilising his spare time effectively, Gregory is currently dedicated to writing a book about cryptocurrency and blockchain.

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Gregory, a digital nomad hailing from Poland, is not only a financial analyst but also a valuable contributor to various online magazines. With a wealth of experience in the financial industry, his insights and expertise have earned him recognition in numerous publications. Utilising his spare time effectively, Gregory is currently dedicated to writing a book about cryptocurrency and blockchain.



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Zoomex Launches Earning Initiative as Inflation Drives Shift Toward Capital Efficiency in Crypto Markets

Zoomex Launches Earning Initiative as Inflation Drives Shift Toward Capital Efficiency in Crypto Markets


Zoomex Launches Earning Initiative as Inflation Drives Shift Toward Capital Efficiency in Crypto Markets

Crypto exchange Zoomex has introduced a new user initiative focused on its earning products, as rising inflation and uncertain interest rate expectations continue to reshape how traders manage capital across digital asset markets.

The move comes amid a broader shift in investor behavior. With interest rates remaining elevated across major economies and macro conditions becoming less predictable, market participants are increasingly looking beyond trade execution to how capital is managed between positions.

From Market Timing to Capital Efficiency

While volatility remains a defining feature of crypto markets, Zoomex notes that trading activity alone is no longer sufficient in the current environment.

A key issue, according to the platform, is idle capital — funds that remain unutilised outside active positions.

“Traders have traditionally focused on timing the market, but in a high interest rate environment, the bigger question is what happens to capital when it is not being deployed,” said Fernando, Marketing Director at Zoomex.

This dynamic is becoming more visible as users balance short-term trading opportunities with longer holding periods, particularly during phases of macro-driven uncertainty.

Industry Shift: From Fragmented Tools to Integrated Strategies

The growing demand for yield-generating strategies has led many platforms to introduce earning products. However, these offerings are often fragmented, requiring users to move assets across multiple interfaces or sacrifice flexibility for returns.

According to Zoomex, this structure limits capital efficiency and adds operational complexity for users attempting to manage assets dynamically.

Instead, the platform sees trading, strategy, and earning as interconnected components of a broader capital management approach.

A Multi-Layer Approach to Continuous Capital Deployment

Zoomex integrates multiple modes of capital deployment within a single system, allowing users to shift between strategies without transferring funds across products or platforms.

The framework consists of:

Trading Layer — enabling users to capture market volatility through spot and futures trading

Strategy Layer — including tools such as grid trading, designed to systematically deploy capital in ranging or uncertain market conditions

Earning Layer — allowing assets to generate yield when not actively used in trades

Together, this structure supports more continuous capital utilisation, whether through active trading, automated strategies, or passive yield generation.

“The market is no longer just about whether you are in or out of a trade,” Fernando added. “It’s about whether your capital remains productive across different market conditions.”

Beyond trading and earning within the platform, Zoomex is also expanding how capital can be utilized in real-world scenarios through the introduction of the Zoomex Card.

The card enables users to access and spend their digital assets more seamlessly, bridging the gap between on-platform capital management and everyday financial use. By allowing assets to remain connected to the broader Zoomex ecosystem, users can maintain flexibility while extending the utility of their funds beyond trading environments.

This development reflects a broader view of capital efficiency — not only in terms of generating yield or executing trades, but also in enabling liquidity and usability in daily life without unnecessary friction.

Importantly, the system is designed to remain accessible, reducing the need for complex allocation strategies or multi-platform management.

Zoomex Expands Access to Earning Tools Through New User Initiative

As part of this shift, Zoomex has introduced a new user campaign focused on its Earning products, aimed at improving accessibility for users entering the platform.

The initiative is designed to guide users through earning features, providing structured entry points into yield-generating strategies at a time when interest rate considerations are becoming increasingly central to investment decisions.

The company stated that the campaign is intended to simplify onboarding while helping users understand how to balance trading activity with capital efficiency.

Zoomex March New User Benefits |200% APY 

Platforms Evolve Into Capital Management Systems

The development reflects a broader transition across the industry, where trading platforms are increasingly evaluated not only on execution performance, but on their ability to support capital management across varying market conditions.

Metrics such as:

capital utilisation

yield accessibility

and strategy flexibility

are becoming more central to how users assess platform value.

“Users are no longer choosing between trading and earning — they expect both to function seamlessly within the same environment,” Fernando said.

As macroeconomic uncertainty persists, the role of crypto platforms is expected to expand beyond trade execution toward integrated capital management.

In this context, the ability to maintain productive capital allocation — even outside active trading periods — may become a defining factor in how users navigate both volatility and long-term portfolio growth.

Zoomex indicated that its product development will continue to align with this shift, with a focus on enabling more efficient, flexible, and continuous capital strategies for users globally.

About ZOOMEX

Founded in 2021, Zoomex is a global cryptocurrency trading platform with over 3 million users across more than 35 countries and regions, offering 700+ trading pairs. Guided by its core values of “Simple × User-Friendly × Fast,” Zoomex is also committed to the principles of fairness, integrity, and transparency, delivering a high-performance, low-barrier, and trustworthy trading experience.

Powered by a high-performance matching engine and transparent asset and order displays, Zoomex ensures consistent trade execution and fully traceable results. This approach reduces information asymmetry and allows users to clearly understand their asset status and every trading outcome. While prioritizing speed and efficiency, the platform continues to optimize product structure and overall user experience with robust risk management in place.

As an official partner of the Haas F1 Team, Zoomex brings the same focus on speed, precision, and reliable rule execution from the racetrack to trading. In addition, Zoomex has established a global exclusive brand ambassador partnership with world-class goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez. His professionalism, discipline, and consistency further reinforce Zoomex’s commitment to fair trading and long-term user trust.

In terms of security and compliance, Zoomex holds regulatory licenses including Canada MSB, U.S. MSB, U.S. NFA, and Australia AUSTRAC, and has successfully passed security audits conducted by blockchain security firm Hacken. Operating within a compliant framework while offering flexible identity verification options and an open trading system, Zoomex is building a trading environment that is simpler, more transparent, more secure, and more accessible for users worldwide.

For more info: Website | X | Telegram | Discord

Disclaimer

In line with the Trust Project guidelines, please note that the information provided on this page is not intended to be and should not be interpreted as legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of advice. It is important to only invest what you can afford to lose and to seek independent financial advice if you have any doubts. For further information, we suggest referring to the terms and conditions as well as the help and support pages provided by the issuer or advertiser. MetaversePost is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice.

About The Author


Gregory, a digital nomad hailing from Poland, is not only a financial analyst but also a valuable contributor to various online magazines. With a wealth of experience in the financial industry, his insights and expertise have earned him recognition in numerous publications. Utilising his spare time effectively, Gregory is currently dedicated to writing a book about cryptocurrency and blockchain.

More articles


Gregory, a digital nomad hailing from Poland, is not only a financial analyst but also a valuable contributor to various online magazines. With a wealth of experience in the financial industry, his insights and expertise have earned him recognition in numerous publications. Utilising his spare time effectively, Gregory is currently dedicated to writing a book about cryptocurrency and blockchain.



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From Wall Street To Web3: Understanding How Tokenized Stock Trading Works

From Wall Street To Web3: Understanding How Tokenized Stock Trading Works


In Brief

Tokenized stock trading is transitioning from experimental crypto products to regulated, institutional-grade structures, offering faster, more accessible, and fractionalized equity trading while facing regulatory and liquidity challenges.

From Wall Street To Web3: Understanding How Tokenized Stock Trading Works

The tokenization of stocks is experiencing a structural shift to institutional-grade structures as tokenized stocks shift out of experimental crypto products and into regulated ones. As the big operators such as Nasdaq are now ready to embrace tokenized equities, as well as conventional shares, it has become important that investors, traders, and even general market participants have a clue about how the new mechanism works. 

The tokenized stock trading is no longer a marginalized idea. It is becoming one of the most significant events that defines the future of international finance.

In its most basic form, tokenized stock trading involves the trading of blockchain-based tokens representing real stocks of the company. The tokens are being issued on shared registries and reflect the worth of accrued equity like Apple or Tesla, which means that investors receive exposure to stock markets using blockchain infrastructure as opposed to traditional brokerage frameworks.

What Tokenized Stocks Are and How They Work

A tokenized stock, in other words, is an electronic form of a conventional share, which is produced in the process of asset tokenization. This means that ownership rights of a physical asset can be transferred to a blockchain-based token, and this can be transferred peer-to-peer.

There are two main forms of tokenized stocks, depending on the way they are organized. Other ones are fully supported by actual shares owned by custodians, in which each token directly represents an actual stock and may carry associated rights, such as dividends or voting rights. The rest are synthetic, i.e., they only follow the price of a stock without owning it, acting as derivatives do.

The tokenized trading mechanics depend greatly on smart contracts, which automate such processes as issuing, transferring, and dividend (in some instances) distribution. When an investor purchases a tokenized stock, the transaction gets registered in a blockchain registry as opposed to a central exchange registry. This common ledger provides a state of transparency and enables ownership to be checked in real time. 

How Tokenized Stock Trading Actually Happens

Trading tokenized stocks is different compared to other traditional equity trading in terms of infrastructure and accessibility. Rather than being linked to a particular country or exchange via a brokerage account, investors can tend to gain access to tokenized markets via digital wallets and blockchain-centered platforms.

After issuing tokens, one may list them on crypto exchanges or hybrid financial services that admit both digital and traditional assets. These tokens can then be bought, sold, or transferred by investors in a similar way to cryptocurrencies, and many times do not have as many geographical barriers as traditional stock trading.

The current institutional designs, including the one that the company under consideration, Nasdaq, is investigating, imply that tokenized stocks will be available on the same order books as the traditional shares. It is a hybrid system whereby investors can decide the formats to use, but at the same time, pricing and regulatory compliance will be similar.

Another significant difference is settlement. Days may be required to complete traditional stock trades (through the clearing process) compared to blockchain-based transactions, which may take nearly no time to complete, minimizing delays and counterparty risks.

The Benefits of Driving Adoption

The emergence of tokenized stock trading has increased tremendously in a short period, owing to its convenience compared to the old systems. Fractional ownership is one of the greatest advantages. The tokenization enables shares to be subdivided into smaller units, enabling the investor to buy small divisions of high-valued stocks that would not have been able to buy otherwise.

Round-the-clock trading is another important asset. Contrary to the conventional stock market systems that require trading during specific trading periods, the blockchain-based markets are capable of running throughout, meaning that investors are capable of responding to global events in real-time.

There is also increased accessibility of tokenized stocks. They are opening up the world equity markets to more people by eliminating geographic barriers and also by avoiding dependency on middlemen. They make equity markets in the rest of the world available to everyone, including investors in parts of the world with limited access to the traditional financial systems.

Their appeal is also increased by lower transaction costs and enhanced liquidity. The blockchain infrastructure will help to save the costs linked to middlemen, and the time to pay and sell assets can be done in seconds.

Another commonly mentioned advantage is transparency. Due to the recording of transactions on a public ledger system, investors are able to check ownership, secure supply, and trace activity in ways they would not in conventional markets. 

The Risks and Limitations

In spite of this promise, tokenized stock trading has serious risks attached to it, which investors should be aware of. Among the major issues is regulatory uncertainty. Although tokenized stocks are typically considered securities, the regulation of their issuance and trade is still in the process of development in most jurisdictions.

The other big problem is the distinction between the real and the synthetic tokens. Not every tokenized stock is owned by a company. Others offer price exposure only, so the investor is not paid any dividends or even voting rights, hence they may be confused or make wrong decisions.

There is market fragmentation as well. In the event that the tokenized stocks are not exchanged at the traditional exchanges, discrepancies in prices and liquidity problems may occur. This is dealt with by the hybrid models; complete integration is yet to be achieved.

One should also account for security risks. Although blockchain is, in general, a secure technology, the platforms, wallets, and smart contracts of tokenized trading are susceptible to hacks or technical failures.

Lastly, the issue of liquidity is still a hindrance to extensive adoption. Despite the increased liquidity that tokenization offers, most of the tokenized markets are still relatively small, and there is limited trading volume that can be compared to the traditional equity markets.

The Role of Institutions and Regulation

The entry of large financial institutions is hastening the validity of tokenized stock trading. Regulatory certainty is starting to take shape as regulators start focusing on the idea that tokenized stocks and bonds are subject to securities regulations, but other crypto assets might not be. 

New trends, including Nasdaq receiving permission to pilot tokenized equities, indicate an increase in regulator readiness to allow controlled experimentation. These are the projects that seek to unite the effectiveness of blockchain with the risk minimization of traditional finance to develop a more reliable implementation environment.

Meanwhile, the international world and financial institutions are spending millions on tokenization infrastructure, indicating that this transition is here to stay and is part of a wider change in the nature of asset trading.

Disclaimer

In line with the Trust Project guidelines, please note that the information provided on this page is not intended to be and should not be interpreted as legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of advice. It is important to only invest what you can afford to lose and to seek independent financial advice if you have any doubts. For further information, we suggest referring to the terms and conditions as well as the help and support pages provided by the issuer or advertiser. MetaversePost is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice.

About The Author


Alisa, a dedicated journalist at the MPost, specializes in cryptocurrency, zero-knowledge proofs, investments, and the expansive realm of Web3. With a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies, she delivers comprehensive coverage to inform and engage readers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital finance.

More articles


Alisa, a dedicated journalist at the MPost, specializes in cryptocurrency, zero-knowledge proofs, investments, and the expansive realm of Web3. With a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies, she delivers comprehensive coverage to inform and engage readers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital finance.








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Fake NFTs Explained: How to Spot, Avoid, and Protect Yourself in 2026 | NFT News Today

Fake NFTs Explained: How to Spot, Avoid, and Protect Yourself in 2026 | NFT News Today


Fake NFTs have become one of the most persistent issues in the digital asset space. While blockchain records ownership transparently, it doesn’t confirm whether the person minting an NFT actually owns the underlying content. That gap has allowed scams and copy-minted collections to spread across marketplaces.

Based on marketplace activity and reported takedowns between 2024 and 2026, fake NFTs are no longer rare edge cases, they’re a routine risk buyers need to understand before making a purchase.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.

What Are Fake NFTs?

Fake NFTs are tokens created without proper authorization, often copying existing artwork, collections, or brand identities. The blockchain records that a token exists, but it doesn’t verify whether the creator had the right to mint it.

Most NFTs today are built using standards like ERC-721 or ERC-1155, which define how tokens function on-chain. These standards ensure consistency, but they don’t enforce copyright ownership.

Common types include:

Direct copies of existing NFTs

Impersonation collections mimicking well-known projects

AI-generated images designed to resemble popular styles

According to Ethereum Foundation documentation, token standards define structure and behavior—but ownership of content remains off-chain unless legally enforced.

Why Fake NFTs Exist

The NFT ecosystem is open by design. Anyone with a wallet can mint a token in minutes, often without identity verification. That accessibility has helped innovation, but it has also made abuse easier.

Scammers rely on speed and volume. They create lookalike collections, list them quickly, and hope buyers act without verifying details. The rise of generative AI tools has made this even easier, allowing near-instant production of convincing visuals.

A 2023 report cited by OpenSea noted that a significant percentage of newly minted NFTs showed signs of plagiarism or spam behavior, highlighting how widespread the issue has been.

How to Spot Fake NFTs

Most fake NFTs follow recognizable patterns. Once you know what to look for, they become easier to identify.

Key Red Flags

Collections with slightly altered names are common traps. A project that looks familiar but isn’t linked to official channels should raise concern. Newly created creator accounts with no history are another warning sign.

Pricing can also reveal inconsistencies. Extremely low prices are often used to attract quick buyers, while irregular pricing across similar items can indicate a lack of legitimacy.

Low engagement is another clue. If a project claims popularity but shows minimal real interaction, it may not be genuine.

Simple Verification Checklist

Start with the contract address. Compare it with links shared on official websites or social profiles. Then review the creator’s transaction history using tools like Etherscan to confirm consistency.

Finally, cross-check announcements through verified community channels. Authentic projects maintain clear and consistent communication.

Does Blockchain Prevent Fake NFTs?

Blockchain ensures transparency, not authenticity. Every transaction is recorded and visible, but the system doesn’t verify whether the creator owns the content they tokenize.

Two NFTs can point to the same image or file. One may come from the original creator, while the other is a copy minted by someone else. The blockchain treats both as valid tokens, even though only one is legitimate in terms of rights.

This distinction is widely acknowledged in blockchain documentation from organizations like the Ethereum Foundation, which emphasizes that on-chain data does not automatically confirm off-chain ownership.

What Happens If You Buy a Fake NFT?

Buying a fake NFT usually results in immediate loss of resale value. Once identified as inauthentic, the asset becomes difficult to sell, especially to informed buyers.

Refunds are uncommon. Marketplaces such as OpenSea and Blur may remove fraudulent listings, but transactions are typically final.

There’s also reputational risk. Collectors who repeatedly purchase questionable assets may lose credibility within communities, which can affect future opportunities.

Legal and Copyright Issues

Owning an NFT does not automatically grant copyright ownership. This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of digital assets.

Unauthorized minting can violate copyright law, depending on jurisdiction. However, enforcement is inconsistent and often complicated by the global nature of blockchain networks.

Marketplaces provide reporting tools for copyright infringement. According to OpenSea’s help documentation, creators can submit takedown requests with proof of original ownership, though resolution times vary.

How to Avoid Fake NFT Scams

Avoiding scams requires a mix of patience and verification. Many bad purchases happen during high-demand moments where buyers feel pressured to act quickly.

A practical checklist:

Buy from verified collections whenever possible

Confirm contract addresses through official sources

Avoid rushing due to hype or limited-time claims

Review creator history and wallet activity

Verify links through official websites and social channels

Even experienced collectors rely on these steps to reduce risk.

For Creators: How to Protect Your Work

Creators face a different challenge preventing unauthorized minting of their content. Establishing a clear digital footprint helps prove authorship. This includes maintaining consistent social profiles and publishing work with timestamps.

Monitoring tools can help track where your content appears. If a fake NFT surfaces, reporting it quickly increases the chance of removal.

Some creators are also adopting wallet-based identity systems, which link their work directly to a recognized on-chain identity, making impersonation more difficult.

Are NFT Marketplaces Doing Enough?

Marketplaces have introduced verification systems, but they are still evolving. Platforms like OpenSea and Blur rely on a combination of automated detection and user reporting.

There’s a balance to maintain. Strict controls could limit participation, while minimal oversight allows scams to spread more easily. For now, responsibility is shared platforms provide tools, but users must still verify what they’re buying.

The Future of Fake NFTs

The situation is improving, though slowly. AI detection systems are becoming better at identifying duplicate content and suspicious patterns. Blockchain analytics tools are also helping track fraudulent behavior across wallets.

Regulation may introduce clearer standards, especially around identity verification and intellectual property enforcement. As the market matures, awareness among users is likely to remain one of the strongest defenses.

Key Takeaways

Fake NFTs are a persistent issue that affects both collectors and creators. Blockchain technology provides transparency, but it doesn’t confirm authenticity on its own. Careful verification, combined with a measured approach to buying, remains the most effective way to avoid scams.

As tools improve and awareness grows, the risks can be reduced—but informed decision-making will always be the most reliable safeguard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about this topic:

Can NFTs be duplicated?

Yes. Multiple NFTs can reference the same file, even if only one is legitimate.

Are fake NFTs illegal?

They can be, particularly in cases involving copyright infringement or fraud.

How do I verify an NFT before buying?

Check the contract address, review the creator’s history, and confirm links through official sources.

Can I get a refund for a fake NFT?

In most cases, no. Transactions are usually final on NFT marketplaces.

Are verified collections always safe?

They are safer, but caution is still necessary.

What tools detect fake NFTs?

Blockchain explorers like Etherscan and analytics platforms can help identify suspicious activity.



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Brazil Targets Crime With Crypto Law as Bitcoin Reserve Looms

Brazil Targets Crime With Crypto Law as Bitcoin Reserve Looms


Key Highlights

Brazil’s new law allows seized crypto to fund public security operations.

Authorities gain expanded powers to track, freeze, and restrict digital assets.

Parallel Bitcoin reserve proposal signals a wider policy shift toward crypto.

Brazil has introduced a new legal framework allowing authorities to seize and use cryptocurrency tied to criminal activity as part of public security efforts.

Signed by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the law enables investigators to freeze, block, and confiscate both traditional and digital assets during ongoing probes. With court approval, some of these assets can be used before a final conviction to fund policing, intelligence work, and training.

Focus on organized crime and financial networks

The legislation targets organized criminal groups, including militias and networks operating through digital channels. It expands the scope of offenses and increases penalties for activities such as territorial control and obstruction of law enforcement. Authorities are also empowered to restrict access to crypto wallets, exchanges, and online platforms during investigations, with longer-term measures applied after conviction.

A key part of the law is improved coordination. It introduces mechanisms for international cooperation, allowing Brazilian agencies to work with foreign counterparts to trace and recover illicit funds. Domestically, a centralized database will map financial links between criminal groups, aiming to streamline information sharing between police, prosecutors, and courts.

Bitcoin reserve proposal returns to spotlight

Last month, lawmakers revived a proposal to build a national Bitcoin reserve. The plan, known as RESBit, outlines a phased approach to acquiring up to one million bitcoins over several years.

The proposal includes provisions to retain seized Bitcoin rather than liquidating it, integrate digital assets into public finance, and adopt secure storage practices such as cold and multisignature wallets. If advanced, the initiative would place Brazil among a small group of countries exploring sovereign Bitcoin holdings.

Energy and mining enter the conversation

Separately, energy developments are beginning to intersect with crypto policy. Projects like large-scale solar plants are evaluating whether excess capacity could be redirected toward Bitcoin mining or related infrastructure.

This reflects a broader trend where digital assets are being considered not just in financial policy, but also in energy and industrial strategy.

Also Read: U.K. Sanctions Illegal Marketplace Over Role in Crypto Scam Laundering


Disclaimer: The information researched and reported by The Crypto Times is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional financial advice. Investing in crypto assets involves significant risk due to market volatility. Always Do Your Own Research (DYOR) and consult with a qualified Financial Advisor before making any investment decisions.







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