Everything web3, crypto, defi, degen
In brief Tammy Carvey of Michigan used ChatGPT to pick Powerball numbers, and won $100,000 in the draw. AI tools marketed as “lottery predictors” show no proven accuracy, experts say—they mimic randomness. AI helps lotteries detect fraud and monitor gambling, but doesn’t boost players’ winning chances. Tammy Carvey’s $100,000 Powerball win is turning heads—not for…
In brief Evernorth is a new publicly traded digital asset treasury focused on accumulating the Ripple-linked asset, XRP. The firm’s treasury will be built with more than $1 billion in net proceeds, with contributions from Ripple and notable crypto firms. Ripple executives, including CEO Brad Garlinghouse, will act as strategic advisors to the firm. Ripple…
In brief Strategy added 168 Bitcoin worth $18.8 million to its stockpile. That represented its third smallest Bitcoin purchase of the year. The company hasn’t issued any common shares this month. Strategy notched its third smallest Bitcoin purchase of the year, disclosing that it had spent $18.8 million on 168 Bitcoin last week, according to…
In brief BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin ETP is now available to UK retail investors on the London Stock Exchange, backed by bitcoin held through Coinbase custody. BlackRock’s U.S. Bitcoin ETF became the firm’s most profitable fund in just 21 months, though it fell short of the $100 billion milestone amid last week’s market crash. BlackRock CEO…
In brief Assembly Bill 9138, introduced Friday in the New York State Assembly, would tax proof-of-work miners based on electricity consumption, with rates ranging from 2 to 5 cents per kilowatt-hour. The companion bill to Senate Bill 8518 would funnel collected taxes into New York’s Energy Affordability Programs for low- to moderate-income households. Mining operations…
In brief Bitcoin’s energy consumption remains large, at an estimated 138TWh as of 2025. Recent academic research explores the broader environmental cost of Bitcoin mining, adding in carbon dioxide, water, e-waste, and land impacts. Policy pressure is rising as governments focus on what kind of power Bitcoin mining uses, where it is sited, and what…
In brief Stablecoin behemoth Tether donated $250,000 to OpenSats this week, prompting Jack Dorsey to criticize the amount of the gift. Dorsey highlighted his own $21 million donation and drew mixed reactions from the Bitcoin community. Udi Wertheimer later called out Dorsey over his investment in Ocean, a Bitcoin mining pool that has attracted controversy.…
In brief Stripe’s blockchain project Tempo has reportedly raised $500 million at a $5 billion valuation, in a Series A round co-led by Greenoaks and Thrive Capital. Tempo also hired Dankrad Feist, a leading Ethereum Foundation researcher, sparking debate across the crypto community. While Vitalik Buterin supported Feist’s move, others criticized it as a blow…
In brief MrBeast filed a trademark for MrBeast Financial, a planned app offering crypto exchange, payment processing, banking, and insurance services. The YouTuber would need FinCEN registration, state money transmitter licenses, and SEC/CFTC approval to launch such a platform—none filed yet. This joins 52 trademarks owned by his company, though not all have become actual…
In brief Bitcoin dropped early Friday amid uncertainty over Trump’s proposed China tariffs, with analysts watching the critical $103,000 support level. Short-term holders who bought around $113,000 are selling, while the “Coinbase premium” has turned negative, signaling weakened U.S. demand. Broader market pressure from U.S. banking concerns and $1.2 billion in liquidations over 24 hours…
