BlockchainReporter

A stablecoin alliance that advertised Samsung Electronics, Dunamu, KakaoBank, Hyundai Card, KB Kookmin Card, and Samsung Card as members ran into a wall of denials this week, with nearly all of the named Korean companies saying they never held formal discussions about joining. The confusion, first reported by Chosun Biz and surfaced by the original report, lands at a delicate moment for stablecoin projects that are trying to convert corporate brand names into market credibility.
Samsung Electronics stated it had no formal talks with the Open USD (OUSD) issuer and remained unclear about what role it was supposed to play. Dunamu and K Bank told local media that Open Standard, the entity behind OUSD, had merely asked whether they might be interested in participating. Another company representative said they learned they were included in the alliance list only by reading Korean news outlets. The gap between the public roster and what the companies themselves acknowledge is not just a marketing slip; it points to the brittle foundations on which some stablecoin legitimacy claims are being built.
A Roster Built on Assumptions
What makes the episode more than a routine partnership dispute is the scale of the names involved. Samsung alone carries industrial heft that any crypto project would want to attach itself to. When an alliance list includes a flagship Korean conglomerate, a major exchange operator, a digital bank, and multiple card issuers, the signal sent to retail users and potential investors is that the stablecoin has institutional anchoring. But if those names were never formally signed on, the signal is false.
The OUSD project, like many newer stablecoin initiatives, appears to be wading into a crowded field that already includes Circle, Tether, and a range of regulatory-conscious alternatives. Differentiating itself requires more than technical design; it demands trust. The way that trust is assembled—through actual partnership agreements, not assumption-laden outreach—determines whether the stablecoin can survive scrutiny from regulators and exchanges.
Why Credibility Matters for Stablecoin Alliances
Stablecoin alliances are not new. Networks of issuers, custodians, banks, and fintech platforms have formed around USDC, around tokenized deposit schemes, and around the broader tokenization of real-world assets. In each case, the credibility of the network directly influences liquidity adoption and the willingness of trading venues to list the asset. A stablecoin that cannot accurately report who is in its alliance faces a harder climb: market makers might steer clear, and exchanges could delay or deny listings.
Korean regulators, who have been tightening stablecoin and crypto rules in sync with global standards, are not likely to ignore exaggerated partnership claims that could mislead consumers. Already, legislative battles in other major jurisdictions show how seriously authorities view any distortion of institutional backing. The latest push to shape crypto legislation in the US, for example, has focused heavily on disclosure and accountability for stablecoin issuers.
The OUSD denials raise a practical question: if this many companies were listed without consent, how many other alliances in the digital asset space are papering over similar gaps? It is one thing to approach a firm with an invitation; it is another to publicly name that firm as a member before anything is signed. In a market where users rely on alliance lists to gauge legitimacy, that difference is not trivial.
The Path Forward for OUSD and Look-Alike Alliances
What remains unknown is whether Open Standard will revise the list, issue a public clarification, or face pressure from the companies that now say they were misrepresented. The listed firms have not announced any legal steps, but the reputational cost for them is clear: association with a stablecoin project that cannot keep its partnership claims straight creates an unnecessary distraction. For OUSD, the immediate challenge is to demonstrate that its core partnership base is real and that the public messaging will be cleaned up.
Market participants watching this unfold are likely to treat similar alliance announcements with more skepticism going forward. The longer-term lesson is that the race to assemble stablecoin consortiums cannot outpace the basic work of securing agreements. Without that, what looks like a broad industry coalition on paper may turn out to be little more than a collection of unanswered emails.

Crypto prices rarely move in a straight line, and this week is no exception. Some assets climb on fresh announcements, others ride short bursts of trading volume, and a few see both happen together. That mix is exactly what’s playing out right now among the top crypto gainers today, a list currently featuring BlockDAG, Solana, Audiera, and TAC Protocol.
Each one is drawing attention for its own reasons, shaped by different corners of the market moving at the same time. None of this happens in isolation, since broader sentiment still decides how far any single move can travel before it cools off. The sections below take a closer look at what’s behind each of these four coins.
1. BlockDAG Gains Attention With Launch of BDAG AI Model
Discussions around the top crypto gainers today often extend beyond daily price performance to include projects introducing significant ecosystem upgrades. BlockDAG is drawing attention through a series of announcements that combine technical development, product expansion, and promotional incentives within a relatively short period.
The recent launch of BDAG AI marks the project’s latest ecosystem milestone and was accompanied by an announced $500 million increase in valuation. At the infrastructure level, BlockDAG currently processes 5,500 transactions per second using its DAG-based architecture, which enables multiple transaction chains to operate simultaneously. A planned network upgrade over the coming days is expected to increase throughput to 7,000 TPS, further enhancing scalability.
Looking ahead, the project has also scheduled the release of its Futures & Spot Exchange and companion application in approximately two weeks. This upcoming platform is intended to broaden ecosystem utility while giving users additional ways to engage with the network.
Running alongside these developments is the World Cup Bonus campaign. Buyers can purchase BDAG at the advertised price of $0.00000066 and receive 100% extra BDAG through the promotion. The campaign also highlights direct coin delivery and participation in the announced $0.03 buyback program.
With AI integration, higher transaction speeds, an upcoming exchange launch, and promotional incentives arriving together, BlockDAG (BDAG) is building momentum across multiple areas. These ongoing developments explain why it is increasingly appearing in conversations surrounding the top crypto gainers today and projects attracting broader market attention.
2. Solana: A Leading Large-Cap Layer One Blockchain
Solana operates as a high-performance Layer 1 blockchain processing thousands of transactions per second with sub-second finality. It serves as the native ecosystem for various DeFi protocols, stablecoins, and AI tokens, boosted by a live staked spot ETF in the US.
Currently, SOL trades around $65–$75, benefiting from structural institutional inflows that elevate its market presence. Whenever risk-on rotation returns to altcoins following Bitcoin consolidation, SOL consistently emerges among the first large-caps to move, showcasing one of the cleanest technical setups available.
This makes it an ideal option for traders seeking meaningful percentage moves with deep liquidity. Consequently, SOL frequently positions itself among the top crypto gainers today for investors targeting balanced, large-cap risk-reward profiles.
3. Audiera: Web3 Music Gaming Driven By AI
Audiera is an innovative BNB Chain platform pioneering an “agent-native participation economy” where humans and autonomous AI agents interact equally within a Web3 music and rhythm gaming ecosystem. Driven by the BEAT token, users and AI agents create music, fight rhythm battles, and trade unique NFT assets.
After surging 1,500% in June 2026 to an all-time high above $11, BEAT consolidated within the $2–$4 range. An aggressive token burn mechanism linked to platform activity fuels organic demand, while a World Cup campaign alongside FanForce acts as a major near-term catalyst. It represents a prime target for high-risk momentum traders handling heavy volatility, routinely flashing on lists featuring the top crypto gainers today.
4. TAC Protocol: EVM Compatibility For Telegram Users
TAC Protocol stands as the first EVM-compatible blockchain purpose-built for the TON ecosystem and Telegram, enabling Ethereum DeFi applications to run natively without separate wallets.
Notably, it powered the infrastructure behind Telegram Wallet’s Yield Vaults in early 2026, opening decentralized finance access to millions of active users. The asset spiked 30%+ in late June 2026, pushing its market cap to roughly $110 million as pre-deployed protocols like Curve went live.
When Telegram-related news hits, TAC moves rapidly, presenting clean technical setups for agile swing traders. Capturing massive volume injections during ecosystem expansions, this asset frequently captures market attention, cementing its position among the highly watched top crypto gainers today.
Conclusion
Markets rarely hand out matching stories, and this week each coin wrote its own chapter instead of copying a trend. Solana kept leaning on institutional flow, Audiera stayed volatile on community energy, and TAC Protocol moved with Telegram-driven news.
BlockDAG, though, carried more weight, launching BDAG AI, lifting throughput toward 7,000 TPS, and confirming its Futures & Spot Exchange within two weeks. Priced at $0.00000066 during the World Cup Bonus, buyers currently receive 100% extra BDAG plus access to the $0.03 buyback, pointing to real ROI potential. For anyone tracking BlockDAG price movement, this presale window stands out clearly.
This article is not intended as financial advice. Educational purposes only.

The cryptocurrency market is entering a mature phase of development, characterized by steady structural enhancements and increasing institutional alignment. Instead of relying solely on short-term price momentum, participants are analyzing the core architecture and real-world utility that various networks provide to the global economic system.
Evaluating these technological milestones helps identify the best crypto to buy among prominent networks like BlockDAG, VeChain, Stellar, and XRP, each offering distinct solutions for scalability, supply chains, and international finance.
This steady foundational progress indicates a healthy, expanding digital asset ecosystem where long-term value creation takes priority over temporary market noise. Dive into the detailed analysis of these four distinct platforms to understand how their latest upgrades are defining the future of decentralized technology.
1. BlockDAG Bonus Offer Climbs to 100% Extra BDAG
Choosing the best crypto to buy often involves looking beyond price movements and focusing on projects that continue delivering measurable milestones. BlockDAG has recently introduced several developments that are designed to strengthen both its technology and ecosystem. Following the launch of BDAG AI, the project announced a $500 million increase in valuation while continuing to expand its blockchain infrastructure.
One of the most notable technical updates is the planned network upgrade from 5,500 TPS to 7,000 transactions per second. Powered by its DAG-based architecture, BlockDAG can process multiple transaction paths simultaneously, supporting greater scalability as ecosystem activity grows.
The project is also building toward another major release with its upcoming Futures & Spot Exchange and accompanying application, currently scheduled to launch in roughly two weeks. This addition aims to provide users with expanded trading functionality while increasing accessibility across the broader ecosystem.
Meanwhile, the active World Cup Bonus campaign offers buyers 100% extra BDAG when purchasing at the advertised price of $0.00000066. Participants are also promised direct coin delivery along with access to the announced $0.03 buyback initiative, adding further attention to the promotion.
Rather than highlighting a single announcement, BlockDAG is presenting several ecosystem upgrades at once, including AI integration, higher transaction capacity, exchange development, and promotional incentives. For those researching the best crypto to buy, this combination of expanding infrastructure, new products, and ongoing ecosystem growth places BlockDAG (BDAG) among the projects attracting increased attention.
2. VeChain (VET): Enterprise Blockchain for Supply Chain Tracking
VeChain stands out as a top layer-1 blockchain utilized by global enterprise giants. By employing a dual-token system, VET for transferring value and VTHO for gas, the platform tracks and authenticates physical goods across complex international supply chains. Its Renaissance roadmap introduced EVM compatibility and a delegated proof-of-stake model, delivering high throughput with minimal energy use.
Despite securing massive partnerships with Walmart China, BMW, and DNV GL, the token trades 98% below its peak. VeChain continues shipping its roadmap, introducing advanced AI-agent integrations through VeBetterDAO. Because it delivers measurable enterprise utility rather than speculative hype, many investors consider VET the best crypto to buy for long-term industrial adoption.
3. Stellar (XLM): Cross-Border Payments & Tokenized Asset Network
Stellar is a payments-focused blockchain network designed to facilitate rapid, low-cost cross-border value transfers. Co-founded by Jed McCaleb and championed by the Stellar Development Foundation, the platform features a built-in decentralized exchange. This allows diverse assets like fiat, gold, and tokens to trade on a single ledger.
XLM maintains a strong ecosystem as Circle expanded native USDC liquidity, while MoneyGram and Franklin Templeton continue expanding integrations. Furthermore, a BaFin-authorized euro stablecoin runs natively on the network.
An upcoming protocol upgrade introduces zero-knowledge proof capabilities, offering major corporations institutional privacy paired with regulatory compliance. This bridging of traditional banking makes XLM a premier candidate for the best crypto to buy.
4. XRP: Fast Global Payments and Institutional Settlement Network
The XRP Ledger is celebrated for delivering nearly instantaneous, low-cost global financial settlements, offering an edge over archaic traditional banking rails. Following exhaustive courtroom battles, Ripple and the SEC reached a conclusive final settlement.
The case concluded with absolute legal confirmation that XRP sold on secondary retail markets does not constitute a security, opening the floodgates for mainstream institutional adoption. The newfound regulatory clarity paved the way for spot XRP ETF launches, attracting over a billion dollars in net inflows.
With institutional custody expanding, legal friction eliminated, and potential integration into strategic digital asset reserves, XRP represents a uniquely de-risked asset class, making it widely regarded as the best crypto to buy for banking.
Conclusion
As blockchain architecture orchestrates a quiet revolution across global economic systems, selecting the ideal digital asset requires a thorough evaluation of project milestones. While VeChain, Stellar, and XRP strengthen enterprise supply chains and cross-border bank settlements, BlockDAG establishes itself as the best crypto to buy through rapid ecosystem evolution.
The project integrated advanced AI, engineered a network upgrade to 7,000 TPS, and scheduled its Futures & Spot Exchange launch. Furthermore, its World Cup Bonus offers a 100% match at the current $0.00000066 price, positioning participants for the projected $0.03 buyback initiative to deliver an exceptional long-term ROI and financial growth.
This article is not intended as financial advice. Educational purposes only.

In crypto, you are your own bank, and that cuts both ways. There is no fraud department to call, no chargeback, and no password reset if your coins are stolen. The good news: the vast majority of crypto losses come from a handful of preventable mistakes, not sophisticated hacks. This guide covers how to store crypto safely, the scams actually draining wallets right now, and a practical checklist you can apply today.
The one rule everything else follows from
Crypto security comes down to a single fact: whoever controls the private keys controls the coins. Your wallet does not “hold” crypto; it holds the keys that control it on the blockchain. Protect the keys, and you are protected. Expose them, and nothing else matters.
That is also the meaning of the most repeated phrase in crypto: “not your keys, not your coins.” Coins left on an exchange are controlled by the exchange’s keys, not yours. History, from Mt. Gox to FTX, shows why that distinction matters.
Hot wallets vs cold wallets: where should your crypto live?
The core storage decision is between convenience and security, and the right answer for most people is both, in layers.
A hot wallet is connected to the internet: a mobile or browser wallet like the ones used for DeFi and daily transactions. It is convenient and fine for small, active amounts, but its internet connection makes it the most exposed to malware and phishing.
A cold wallet keeps keys offline, most commonly a hardware wallet, a small physical device that signs transactions without exposing keys to the internet. For meaningful long-term holdings, a hardware wallet from a reputable manufacturer, bought new and directly from the maker, is the standard recommendation.
An exchange account is technically custody, not a wallet: the platform holds the keys. Reputable exchanges are reasonable for buying and active trading, but concentration of large, long-term holdings on any exchange carries counterparty risk you cannot control.
The sensible structure for most holders: an exchange for buying, a hot wallet with small amounts for activity, and a cold wallet for savings, the same way you carry some cash but keep savings in a safer place.
Seed phrase rules: the part people get wrong
Your seed phrase, the 12 to 24 words backing up your wallet, is the master key to everything. Most catastrophic losses trace back to mishandling it, so the rules are strict and worth following literally.
Write it on paper or stamp it in metal, and store it offline in a secure place. Never photograph it, never type it into a computer or phone, never store it in cloud notes, email, or a password manager’s synced vault, because anything digital can be exfiltrated by malware. Never share it with anyone, for any reason: no legitimate wallet, exchange, or support agent will ever ask for your seed phrase, and every request for it is a scam by definition. Consider a second copy in a separate secure location, because fire and loss are also risks. And if a phrase is ever exposed, move the funds to a fresh wallet immediately.
The scams actually draining wallets in 2026
Sophisticated exchange hacks make headlines, but everyday losses come from social engineering. These are the patterns to recognize.
Phishing remains the king: fake versions of wallet sites, exchanges, and dApps that capture your login or seed phrase. Always type URLs directly or use bookmarks, and treat links from search ads, DMs, and emails as hostile until proven otherwise.
Fake support is phishing’s twin: scammers posing as wallet or exchange staff in social media replies and DMs, “helping” you recover an issue by asking for your seed phrase. Real support never DMs first and never asks for keys.
Approval drains target DeFi users: a malicious site gets you to sign a token approval that lets it empty your wallet later. Sign only on sites you trust, read what you are approving, and periodically revoke old token approvals with a reputable revocation tool.
Address poisoning exploits copy-paste habits: scammers send dust transactions from addresses that visually resemble yours so you copy the wrong one from history. Always verify the full address, or at minimum the first and last several characters, before sending.
Giveaway and impersonation scams promise doubled coins from fake celebrity or exchange accounts. Nobody legitimate doubles your crypto. Ever.
Pig-butchering is the long con: a stranger builds rapport over weeks, then introduces a fraudulent investment platform showing fake profits until you try to withdraw. Any investment opportunity arriving through an unsolicited relationship is the scam itself.
Account hygiene: the unglamorous layer that works
Beyond wallets and scams, basic hygiene closes most remaining doors. Use a unique, strong password per exchange, with two-factor authentication from an authenticator app or hardware security key, never SMS, since SIM-swap attacks specifically target crypto holders. Add a withdrawal allowlist and anti-phishing code where your exchange offers them. Keep your devices updated, avoid installing random browser extensions (a major drainer vector), and never manage significant funds on public Wi-Fi. And practice discretion: publicly advertising your holdings makes you a target for everything above, including, in rare cases, physical threats.
A practical checklist
Sending crypto: verify the address character by character, send a small test amount first for large transfers, and remember transactions cannot be reversed. Storing crypto: hardware wallet for savings, hot wallet for pocket money, seed phrases offline on paper or metal, never digital. Interacting: bookmark your sites, distrust DMs and ads, read every signature request, revoke stale approvals. Accounts: unique passwords, app-based 2FA, withdrawal allowlists. Mindset: if something is urgent, too good to be true, or asks for your seed phrase, it is a scam.
Bottom line
Storing crypto safely is not about paranoia or technical genius; it is about a few habits applied consistently. Control your own keys for meaningful holdings, keep your seed phrase offline and secret, layer hot and cold storage by amount, harden your accounts with real 2FA, and treat every unsolicited message, link, and “opportunity” as hostile by default. The overwhelming majority of crypto theft exploits human shortcuts, not blockchain flaws, which means the overwhelming majority of it is preventable. Set it up once, and your future self will thank you.
FAQ
What is the safest way to store crypto? For meaningful long-term holdings, a hardware (cold) wallet bought new from a reputable manufacturer, with the seed phrase stored offline on paper or metal. Use a hot wallet only for small active amounts and exchanges mainly for buying and trading.
Should I keep crypto on an exchange? Exchanges are reasonable for buying and active trading, but they hold the keys to your coins, creating counterparty risk, as failures like FTX showed. The standard advice is “not your keys, not your coins”: move significant long-term holdings to self-custody.
How should I store my seed phrase? Write it on paper or stamp it in metal and keep it offline in a secure location, ideally with a backup copy elsewhere. Never photograph it, store it digitally, or share it. No legitimate service will ever ask for your seed phrase.
What are the most common crypto scams? Phishing sites, fake support agents asking for seed phrases, malicious token approvals that drain DeFi wallets, address poisoning, fake giveaways promising to double your coins, and long-con “pig-butchering” investment scams. Nearly all rely on social engineering rather than hacking.
Is SMS two-factor authentication safe for crypto? No. SIM-swap attacks specifically target crypto holders to intercept SMS codes. Use an authenticator app or a hardware security key for exchange accounts, and enable withdrawal allowlists where available.
Can stolen crypto be recovered? Almost never. Blockchain transactions are irreversible, and there is no fraud department to reverse them. That is why prevention, key control, seed phrase discipline, and scam awareness, is the entire game. Be wary of “recovery services,” which are usually a second scam.
This is not investment advice. Cryptocurrency is highly volatile and self-custody carries its own responsibilities. Always do your own research.

AI has produced one of the biggest wealth events in history, and most people who built that value never got a share of it. OpenAI moved from a research lab to an $852 billion valuation, and Anthropic crossed $965 billion. Elon Musk merged xAI, the company behind Grok, into SpaceX in February 2026, creating a combined entity valued at $1.25 trillion, with SpaceX now targeting a Nasdaq debut that could raise over $75 billion.
None of that growth reached the users who wrote the prompts and paid the subscriptions. Stargate was built to change that setup, giving its community a real ownership stake instead of just another monthly subscription bill.
The Chip Makers Cashed In Too
This story is not limited to the AI labs themselves. Nvidia turned a $1,000 investment into roughly $12,000 in five years, a gain of about 1,300%, as the company supplying the chips behind the AI buildout. Broadcom is up around 840% on accelerator revenue. AMD is up around 289% over the same period. The semiconductor industry as a whole has more than quadrupled in market cap since 2023, moving from $2.2 trillion to $9.4 trillion. Every one of these numbers points to the same outcome.
AI did not just create value, it created fortunes, and almost none of them were genuinely shared with the public that made the growth possible in the first place. The people running prompts, testing tools, and paying monthly fees were the fuel behind these numbers, yet they were never once given a real way to hold a piece of the outcome they helped build together.
This Buildout Is Still Early
None of this activity looks like it is close to finished. Global AI spending crossed $1.5 trillion in 2025, and infrastructure spending alone is projected to reach $3 to $4 trillion a year by 2030. Nvidia leadership has pointed to more than $1 trillion in forward demand visibility running through 2027, meaning orders are already booked years ahead of delivery. These are not projections built on hope.
They come from data centers already under construction, chip orders already placed, and government and corporate budgets already approved. The numbers suggest this buildout is still in its early stages rather than nearing a top. If spending scales the way these figures suggest, the next few years of AI growth could be larger than everything that has happened since ChatGPT launched. That timing matters, because it means the biggest opportunity to take part in this cycle may still be ahead rather than behind.
What Stargate Actually Built
Stargate was built around one idea: the platforms people already use should not be the only ones closed to them. It runs its own large language model, trained and operated by Stargate, rather than a version of an existing open-source model with new branding. It is also built to be private and crypto-first from the start, which means:
Wallet-based login instead of an identity-linked account
No query logging tied to a personal profile
Crypto-only payments with no bank account or credit card required
Access is designed for the roughly 560 million people who hold cryptocurrency worldwide
This approach targets users that mainstream AI platforms have largely ignored. Most major tools still require an email, a phone number, and a linked payment method before a person can even start a conversation. Stargate removes that requirement, giving people a private way to use AI tools without tying their identity to every question they ask.
A Real Stake for the Community
The part that separates Stargate from every other AI platform is ownership. Stargate is built so its community can hold a real stake in the platform rather than just paying into someone else’s valuation every month. Holders can participate through staking and earn rewards tied to platform usage as the service grows, a structure ChatGPT and Claude have never offered their users and are not built to offer, since neither one has a token or a public ownership layer attached to daily use.
That difference is the whole point. The billions in value captured by Nvidia, Broadcom, AMD, and the AI labs went to people who were positioned before the public had any access. Stargate takes that upside and opens it to anyone with a wallet from day one, instead of reserving it for a small group of early insiders the way every major AI company before it has done.
The Gap Stargate Is Closing
The past three years showed what happens when an entire industry grows without letting its users take part in the outcome. OpenAI, Anthropic, Nvidia, Broadcom, and AMD all built value, and almost none of it reached the people who used their products every day. Global AI spending is still rising, and most forecasts point to a bigger buildout ahead rather than a smaller one. Stargate was designed with that gap in mind, giving its community wallet-based access, real privacy, and a stake in the platform through staking and usage rewards, a different model where the people using an AI platform are also the ones who genuinely benefit as it grows.
This article is not intended as financial advice. Educational purposes only.

Millions of people pay for AI every month through ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity, and that money flows in one direction. The platforms grow, and the people using them own none of that growth. Stargate LLM was built to change that equation, and its presale just opened Batch 1 at $0.0005 per token.
That same question, who actually shares in the value a platform creates, applies just as much inside crypto as it does in mainstream AI. NEAR Protocol and Internet Computer are two of the strongest AI-adjacent blockchains on the market today, each with real technology and real usage behind them, NEAR trading near $1.88, and ICP holding near $2.14.
Stargate LLM: Built So Users Earn, Not Just the Team
Every major AI platform runs on the same basic model: users pay, the company grows, and the upside stays with the people who built it. Stargate LLM flips that structure from the ground up. Half of its entire 150 billion token supply, 75 billion tokens, is set aside specifically as Proof of Usage rewards, meaning the people using its chat, image, video, and private search tools are the ones the system is designed to pay first.
Vault staking, referral rewards, and usage-based rewards sit at the center of how the token works, not as extras layered on later. Stake STARGATE in the Vault and earn rewards tied to platform revenue. Refer active users and earn ongoing rewards as they stay engaged. Use the platform itself, and rewards flow back automatically. Using Stargate LLM and earning from it become the same action, which is a meaningfully different relationship than the one most people have with the AI tools they already pay for.
This is a platform built with real ambition behind it, spanning chat, image generation, video generation, private search, and its own agent marketplace. This can become the next ChatGPT. The difference is what happens after you sign up. ChatGPT doesn’t offer its users any ownership in the company behind it, no matter how long they’ve paid for it or how much they’ve used it. Stargate LLM does. Holding STARGATE gives users an actual stake in the platform’s growth, not just access to it, through Proof of Usage rewards, Vault staking, and revenue sharing voted on by the community that holds the token.
Batch 1 is open now at $0.0005 per token, the lowest point across the entire 9-batch presale, sitting well below both the batches that follow and the eventual $0.025 launch price. As more people join and use the platform, the reward pool built specifically for them grows right alongside it, since it draws directly from the 50% of total supply reserved for usage-based rewards. That’s the kind of setup people are searching for when they look for an AI crypto with 500x potential, a token designed from day one to share what it earns with the people actually using it, not just the people who bought in early and walked away.
NEAR Protocol: Infrastructure Built for an AI-Driven Future
NEAR has spent 2026 rolling out dynamic resharding, an upgrade that lets the network automatically scale itself as demand grows, without needing a manual protocol vote every time. It’s exactly the kind of groundwork that AI-driven, agent-heavy blockchains will need as usage increases.
NEAR Price Change | Source: changelly.com
The token has moved through an active stretch recently, currently trading near $1.88 after a pullback over the past week.NEAR Protocol has fallen by almost 16.09% in the last 7 days. NEAR remains one of the more credible AI-focused Layer 1 networks by developer activity, and its price today reflects a project that’s already been through a full market cycle.
Internet Computer: Positioning Itself as an Alternative to the Cloud Giants
Internet Computer’s pitch is straightforward: build a blockchain that can host full applications on-chain, at a fraction of the cost of traditional cloud providers. The network leads most blockchains in monthly transaction volume and has been expanding its tools for AI-driven applications.
A mid-June rally tied to renewed interest in decentralized AI gave the token a lift before it settled back near current levels. It’s a technically ambitious project with real usage, and like most established tokens, its price today reflects years of market cycles already priced in.
The Bottom Line
NEAR and Internet Computer are both genuine, working pieces of AI infrastructure, and holding either one means owning a stake in real blockchain technology. Stargate LLM takes a different approach to the same broader trend: instead of asking users to simply hold a token and wait, it’s built so that using the platform and earning from it are part of the same action, starting at Batch 1 pricing before the presale moves to its next stage. Different paths, same growing market, and each one is worth understanding for what it actually offers.
This article is not intended as financial advice. Educational purposes only.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | 30 June 2026: VAP Group announced the launch of VAP Ventures, its dedicated investment arm, marking a significant milestone in the company’s evolution from building global platforms for innovation to directly supporting the founders shaping the future of technology.
The announcement was made at the Global AI Show, Global Games Show, and Global Blockchain Show Riyadh 2026, from 29-30 June, where thousands of global industry leaders, innovators, investors and decision-makers have gathered to explore the technologies defining the next decade. The introduction of VAP Ventures represents one of the flagship announcements of this year’s Riyadh editions.
For years, VAP Group’s global stages have brought together founders, enterprises, governments and investors across AI, Web3, blockchain, gaming and emerging technologies. Through VAP Ventures, the company is taking the next step moving beyond creating opportunities for conversations to building the next generation of high-impact startups..
Over the next five years, VAP Ventures will back 100 startups by 2030 building across AI, Web3 & Blockchain, and Digital Games. The initiative reflects VAP Group’s long-term commitment to strengthening the global innovation economy through an integrated ecosystem that combines investment with market access and strategic growth support. Unlike traditional investment models, VAP Ventures is designed to provide more than funding. Each selected startup will receive a blended support with direct capital alongside access to VAP Group’s media ecosystem, marketing capabilities, talent network and globally recognised event platforms. The objective is to help founders move from early-stage ideas to scalable businesses with the resources needed beyond investment alone.
VAP Ventures will focus on technologies shaping the future of the digital economy, including enterprise AI, Web3 infrastructure, blockchain innovation and next-generation gaming ecosystems. The initiative is strategically aligned with the Kingdom’s vision of fostering innovation, entrepreneurship and knowledge-based industries while supporting globally ambitious founders.
Key Highlights
100 startups to be backed by 2030
Launching from Riyadh, KSA
Focus sectors: Artificial Intelligence, Web3 & Blockchain, and Digital Games
Support extending beyond capital to include media, marketing, talent and global stage access
“We gave founders a stage for years. Now we’re backing them. VAP Ventures will invest in more than 100 startups across AI, Web3, and gaming over five years in capital, media, talent, and reach, all under one roof. This is visibility turning into vital support” Vishal Parmar, Founder & CEO, VAP Group.
The launch of VAP Ventures reinforces VAP Group’s broader mission to strengthen the global innovation economy by bringing together capital, media, talent and international platforms under one roof. By expanding from convening innovators to backing them, the company aims to create lasting impact across the startup ecosystem while enabling the next generation of technology companies to grow from the region onto the global stage.
Startups interested in applying to VAP Ventures will be able to submit their details through the dedicated application platform, including company information and pitch materials, as the initiative begins building its inaugural cohort.
About VAP Group
With 13+ years of expertise, VAP Group is a premier global consulting and media powerhouse driving the next wave of technology-led growth.
Through its media ecosystem and flagship events, including the Global AI Show, Global Games Show, and Global Blockchain Show, VAP Group connects policymakers, enterprises, and innovators worldwide, enabling strategic communications, ecosystem-building, and talent solutions.
For more information: https://www.vapgroup.co/vap-ventures/
Media Enquiries:
media@vapgroup.com
This article is not intended as financial advice. Educational purposes only.

Crypto has its own language, and it can feel like a wall when you are starting out. What does HODL mean? What is a gas fee? Why is everyone talking about whales? This glossary explains more than 60 essential crypto terms and slang expressions in plain English, organized by category so you can actually learn them, not just look them up. Bookmark it, because the jargon is not going anywhere.
The absolute basics
Cryptocurrency. Digital money secured by cryptography and recorded on a blockchain, operating without a central bank. Bitcoin was the first.
Blockchain. A shared digital ledger that records transactions in linked “blocks,” maintained by a network of computers rather than one company. Once recorded, entries are extremely hard to alter.
Bitcoin (BTC). The first and largest cryptocurrency, created in 2009 by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto, with a fixed supply of 21 million coins.
Altcoin. Any cryptocurrency other than Bitcoin, from Ethereum down to the smallest tokens.
Token vs coin. A coin runs on its own blockchain (Bitcoin, Ethereum); a token is built on top of another blockchain (most DeFi and meme tokens live on networks like Ethereum or Solana).
Wallet. Software or a physical device that stores the keys controlling your crypto. The crypto itself lives on the blockchain; the wallet holds your access to it.
Private key. The secret code that controls your crypto. Whoever holds it controls the funds, which is why you never share it.
Seed phrase. A list of 12 to 24 words that backs up your wallet. Anyone with your seed phrase can take everything, and no legitimate service will ever ask for it.
Exchange. A platform for buying, selling, and trading crypto. Centralized exchanges (CEX) are run by companies; decentralized exchanges (DEX) run on smart contracts.
Fiat. Government-issued currency like dollars or euros, the “normal money” crypto is traded against.
Market and trading terms
Market cap. A coin’s price multiplied by its circulating supply, the standard measure of a cryptocurrency’s size.
Volume. The total value traded over a period, usually 24 hours. High volume means an active, liquid market.
Liquidity. How easily an asset can be bought or sold without moving its price. Low liquidity means wild swings.
Bull market. A sustained period of rising prices and optimism. A “bull” is someone who expects prices to rise.
Bear market. A sustained period of falling prices and pessimism, typically a drop of 20% or more from highs. A “bear” expects prices to fall.
All-time high (ATH). The highest price an asset has ever reached. Its opposite is the all-time low (ATL).
Correction. A price decline, usually of 10% or more, within a broader trend.
Volatility. How dramatically a price moves. Crypto is famously volatile in both directions.
Support and resistance. Price levels where an asset historically stops falling (support) or stops rising (resistance), the backbone of technical analysis.
Leverage. Borrowed money used to amplify a trade. It multiplies gains and losses alike, and is the fuel behind most liquidation cascades.
Liquidation. The forced closure of a leveraged position when the market moves against it, one of the main accelerants of crypto crashes.
Limit order / market order. A limit order buys or sells at a price you set; a market order executes immediately at the current price.
Dollar-cost averaging (DCA). Investing a fixed amount at regular intervals regardless of price, a strategy to reduce timing risk.
Bitcoin dominance. Bitcoin’s share of the total crypto market cap. Rising dominance usually means capital hiding in the safest asset; falling dominance often accompanies altcoin rallies.
Altseason. A period when altcoins broadly outperform Bitcoin, typically after Bitcoin dominance peaks.
ETF. An exchange-traded fund. Spot crypto ETFs let investors gain exposure to coins like Bitcoin through a regular brokerage account.
Culture and slang
HODL. Holding your crypto through volatility rather than selling. Born from a famous 2013 forum typo of “hold,” now backronymed to “hold on for dear life.”
FOMO. Fear of missing out, the urge to buy because prices are rising and everyone seems to be profiting. A leading cause of buying tops.
FUD. Fear, uncertainty, and doubt, used to describe negative news or rumors, sometimes legitimate, sometimes spread to push prices down.
DYOR. “Do your own research,” the standard disclaimer and genuinely good advice.
Whale. A holder large enough to move markets with a single trade. Whale wallets are tracked obsessively for signals.
Diamond hands. Holding through extreme volatility without selling. The opposite, selling quickly under pressure, is paper hands.
To the moon / mooning. A price rising dramatically. A “moonshot” is a bet on a huge rally.
Rekt. Slang for suffering catastrophic losses, usually from leverage.
Bagholder. Someone left holding a coin after its price has collapsed.
Pump and dump. A scheme where promoters inflate a coin’s price (“pump”) and sell into the hype (“dump”), leaving buyers with losses. Illegal in regulated markets, common in unregulated corners of crypto.
Rug pull. A scam where developers abandon a project and drain its funds, “pulling the rug” from under investors.
Shill. To promote a coin, often with an undisclosed financial interest.
Paper gains. Unrealized profits that exist only until you sell, as many discovered in every bear market.
NGMI / WAGMI. “Not gonna make it” and “we’re all gonna make it,” the pessimist and optimist chants of crypto social media.
Technology and DeFi terms
Mining. Validating transactions on proof-of-work blockchains like Bitcoin using computing power, rewarded with new coins.
Proof of Work (PoW). A consensus system where miners compete with computing power to secure the network. Bitcoin uses it.
Proof of Stake (PoS). A consensus system where validators lock up coins as collateral to secure the network. Ethereum and Solana use it.
Staking. Locking up crypto to help secure a proof-of-stake network and earning rewards in return, typically a few percent annually.
Validator. A participant in a proof-of-stake network that confirms transactions, analogous to a miner in proof of work.
Smart contract. A program on a blockchain that executes automatically when conditions are met, the building block of DeFi and NFTs.
DeFi. Decentralized finance: lending, borrowing, and trading services built from smart contracts instead of banks.
dApp. A decentralized application, an app built on a blockchain rather than company servers.
Gas fee. The fee paid to execute a transaction on a blockchain, most associated with Ethereum. Fees rise when the network is busy.
Layer 1 / Layer 2. A Layer 1 is a base blockchain (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana); a Layer 2 is a network built on top of one to make transactions faster and cheaper.
Stablecoin. A cryptocurrency pegged to a stable asset, usually the US dollar, used for trading and payments without volatility.
NFT. A non-fungible token, a unique blockchain asset representing ownership of a specific item like digital art.
DAO. A decentralized autonomous organization, a group governed by token-holder votes and smart contracts rather than executives.
Airdrop. Free tokens distributed to users, often to reward early adopters or promote a new project.
Fork. A change to a blockchain’s rules. A hard fork can split a chain into two, as when Bitcoin Cash split from Bitcoin.
Halving. Bitcoin’s programmed event, roughly every four years, that cuts the reward for mining new blocks in half, historically a major cycle driver.
Cold wallet / hot wallet. A cold wallet stores keys offline (like a hardware device) for maximum security; a hot wallet is connected to the internet for convenience.
Self-custody. Holding your own keys rather than leaving coins on an exchange, summarized by the mantra “not your keys, not your coins.”
KYC. “Know your customer,” the identity verification regulated exchanges require.
On-chain. Activity recorded directly on a blockchain, and by extension the analysis of that data (“on-chain analytics”).
Tokenomics. The economics of a token: its supply, issuance, burns, and incentives. Bad tokenomics sink good ideas.
Burn. Permanently removing tokens from circulation to reduce supply, as BNB does quarterly.
Memecoin. A cryptocurrency born from a joke or meme, like Dogecoin, driven by community and sentiment more than utility.
Fear and Greed Index. A popular sentiment gauge from 0 (extreme fear) to 100 (extreme greed), often read as a contrarian signal.
Bottom line
Crypto’s jargon exists for a reason: the industry invented genuinely new things, and the culture around it invented the rest. You do not need all 60 terms on day one. Start with the basics (wallet, private key, seed phrase, exchange), learn the market terms as you follow prices, and absorb the slang as you go. And whenever someone promises you a guaranteed moonshot, remember the two most important terms of all: DYOR, and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
FAQ
What does HODL mean in crypto? HODL means holding your cryptocurrency through volatility instead of selling. It originated from a misspelling of “hold” in a 2013 forum post and is now read as “hold on for dear life.”
What is FOMO and FUD in crypto? FOMO is the fear of missing out, the urge to buy because prices are rising. FUD is fear, uncertainty, and doubt, negative news or rumors that push prices down. Both describe emotion-driven market behavior.
What is a whale in crypto? A whale is a holder with enough cryptocurrency to move the market with a single trade. Traders track whale wallets closely because large movements can signal upcoming buying or selling pressure.
What is a gas fee? A gas fee is the payment required to execute a transaction on a blockchain, most commonly associated with Ethereum. Fees rise when the network is congested and fall when it is quiet.
What is the difference between a coin and a token? A coin runs on its own blockchain, like Bitcoin or Ethereum. A token is built on top of an existing blockchain, like most DeFi and meme tokens on Ethereum or Solana.
What crypto terms should a beginner learn first? Start with wallet, private key, seed phrase, exchange, and market cap, the terms that protect your money and help you read the market. Then add staking, gas fees, and stablecoins as you explore further.
This is not investment advice. Cryptocurrency is highly volatile. Always do your own research and never invest more than you can afford to lose.

Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – The Global AI Show Riyadh held from 29-30th June,2026 cementing its status as the definitive anchor for the Kingdom’s newly designated “Year of Artificial Intelligence.”
Defying the challenges of the prevailing geopolitical landscape, organized by VAP Group and powered by Times Of AI, the event emerged as a resounding success. Co-located with Global Blockchain Show Riyadh and Global Games Show Riyadh, the two-day summit attracted 15,000+ registrations, welcomed 6,723 attendees, featured 100+ global speakers and 100 exhibitors, and convened a 70% CXO-level delegation from 80+ countries. The unprecedented international participation reinforced Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s growing role as a global AI powerhouse while marking a decisive shift from experimental AI pilots to centralized, nation-scale AI deployment.
As a forward-looking platform, the Global AI Show served as an example of how to create an environment for collaboration, constructive dialogue, and ultimately action, connecting the newest technologies with large-scale, real-world applications across multiple sectors and government entities. The event also witnessed the announcement of VAP Group’s most ambitious initiative yet- The launch of VAP Ventures, a strategic initiative to back 100 startups by 2030 and accelerate the next chapter of the global innovation ecosystem.
The 2026 edition highlighted the “Human-AI Interaction” framework. Keynote tracks focused heavily on workforce planning, AI-driven recruitment, and upskilling programs designed to equip the next generation of Saudi talent with the tools required to steer autonomous digital agents.
A Worldwide Convergence of Thought Leaders and Visionaries
The Global AI Show welcomed attendees from all over the world, including AI enthusiasts, developers, and government officials. This diverse mix of attendees highlights that AI isn’t just a concept anymore; it’s being adopted across industries as a key component for optimizing workflows.
The first day of the Global AI Show witnessed an opening keynote by Dr. Mohammed Nasser Alshahrani, Executive Advisor to the Minister, Council of Economic and Development Affairs,Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on why data quality will define the winners of the AI era and how trustworthy, transparent AI systems can drive real-world impact.
Day 2 opened with the keynote speech by Nezar Al Turki, Chief Information Officer, Ministry of National Guard, outlining the shift from digital transformation to AI transformation and the leadership, governance, and workforce foundations required to scale AI-driven enterprises.
Actionable Insights Arise At The Global AI Show Riyadh
The two-day summit featured panel discussions, keynote speeches, informal discussions, and industry-relevant sessions. The discussions on the agenda included practical examples and opportunities for incorporating AI further into modern-day industries.
The summit explored the next frontier of artificial intelligence through discussions on agentic AI, sovereign AI infrastructure, enterprise AI transformation, responsible governance, AI-powered healthcare, financial services innovation, cybersecurity, workforce development, and the future of human-AI collaboration. Michael Lints, Founding Partner MENA, Golden Gate Ventures remarked, “The AI era is reshaping venture capital. Today’s founders need more than funding, they need access to infrastructure, strategic partnerships and global networks that help them move from breakthrough ideas to scalable businesses faster than ever before!”
The sessions also examined scalable AI deployment, investment opportunities, digital public infrastructure, intelligent automation, and the role of AI in accelerating Saudi Vision 2030 while strengthening cross-border innovation and economic collaboration
Few Notable Speakers Included:
Dr. Ibraheem Sheerah – Chief Transformation Officer, Digital Transformation & Technology, Saudi Arabian Airlines Holding (Saudia Group)
Eng. Layla AlSalehi – Director General, Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Paul Pacifico – Chief Executive Officer, Saudi Music Commission, Ministry of Culture
Nate Busa – Executive Director, AI & Emerging Technologies, NEOM
Amal Dokhan – Managing Partner, 500 Global MENA
Kalyana Sivagnanam – Group Chief Executive Officer, Petromin Corporation
Ayman Alhabib – Chief Data & AI Officer, D360 Bank
Abdulrahman Alonaizan – Head of Data & Artificial Intelligence, Arab National Bank (ANB)
Alyn Bailey – Chief Human Resources Officer, Albawani Holding
Abdulaziz Al-Ghufaili – AI & Digital Transformation Leader, Saudi Aramco
Abdullah Alshargi – AI & Innovation Executive, Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence (SDAIA)
Aamir Khalid Pirzada – Chief Technology Officer, Mozn
Dr. Mohamed Alhussein – Artificial Intelligence Advisor & Digital Transformation Leader
Global AI founders, policymakers, investors, researchers, and enterprise technology leaders representing 80+ countries, driving discussions on the future of agentic AI, enterprise transformation, and sovereign AI ecosystems.
Innovation and Exhibition Spotlight
The exhibition floor emerged as a vibrant hub of innovation, bringing together a diverse lineup of leading technology companies, AI pioneers, startups, and solution providers showcasing cutting-edge advancements shaping the future of artificial intelligence. From enterprise AI platforms and cybersecurity to HR technology, observability, autonomous systems, and intelligent infrastructure, exhibitors and sponsors demonstrated real-world solutions that fostered meaningful collaborations, sparked investment conversations, and accelerated technology adoption across industries.
Few Notable Exhibitors:
Zen HR
Netskope
Nournet
Magna AI
Sarj Digital Information Technology CO.
Edarat Group
NTT Data
Dynatrace
Scale AI
AQUIVIO Inc.
Takween
SAS
Thethinkthankx
ait
Emotii
OPM UAE
Fanruan Software
ManageEngine
Wakeb Data Company
Kamsora
Sigmix Inc.
Cloud Wave Telecommunications and Information Technology Company LLC
Spark.ai
Open
Sirma Group Holding
Wafra Greentech
AI Moves From Being An Afterthought To A Key Driver of Innovation
It’s not a surprise to see AI transforming how industries operate these days. From simply generating reports to optimizing workflows in critical areas like healthcare, the technology has made almost every aspect of work more efficient. The Global AI Show united innovators, regulators, and policymakers under one roof to ensure AI is scaled and incorporated into systems responsibly.
“What we’ve built with the Global AI Show goes far beyond a conference into a catalyst for global innovation. Seeing thousands of innovators, decision-makers, and entrepreneurs come together in Riyadh has been incredibly inspiring.Our vision has always been to create a platform where conversations lead to collaboration and collaboration leads to action. VAP Ventures is the natural next step in that journey, empowering founders who will shape the future of global innovation.” — Vishal Parmar, Founder & CEO, VAP Group
The momentum established at this summit will carry forward to the next Global AI Show set for Abu Dhabi on 12-13 November, 2026. This creates a perfect window for the discussions at Riyadh to materialize into something tangible and distribution-ready for the Abu Dhabi edition.
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About Global AI Show
The Global AI Show is the definitive international stage where the future of artificial intelligence is forged. Hosted by VAP Group, this premier AI summit and conference unites global CXOs, visionary policymakers, and tech pioneers to move beyond the hype and address the real-world impact of AI.
About VAP Group
With 13+ years of expertise, VAP Group is a premier global consulting and media powerhouse driving the next wave of technology-led growth.
Through its media ecosystem and flagship events, including the Global AI Show, Global Games Show, and Global Blockchain Show, VAP Group connects policymakers, enterprises, and innovators worldwide, enabling strategic communications, ecosystem-building, and talent solutions.
Media Enquiries: media@globalaishow.com
This article is not intended as financial advice. Educational purposes only.

Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Riyadh cemented its status as the world’s most vibrant sandbox for interactive media as the Global Games Show Riyadh held from 29-30th June, concluded its highly anticipated two-day B2B run. Shifting focus away from traditional console lifecycles, the event leaned heavily into technological innovations that transformed the back end of game development, including cloud gaming, AR/VR, and automated AI game design. It also focused on an emerging gaming platform: mobile phones.
Defying the challenges of the prevailing geopolitical landscape, organized by VAP Group and powered by Times Of Games, the event emerged as a resounding success. Co-located with Global AI Show Riyadh and Global Blockchain Show Riyadh, the two-day summit attracted 15,000+ registrations, welcomed 6,723 attendees, featured 100+ global speakers and 100 exhibitors, and convened a 70% CXO-level delegation from 80+ countries. Bringing together game developers, publishers, Web3 gaming pioneers, esports leaders, investors, content creators, technology providers, and policymakers, the event showcased how gaming is rapidly evolving into a multi-billion-dollar global ecosystem at the intersection of artificial intelligence, blockchain, immersive technologies, digital ownership, and entertainment. The event also witnessed the announcement of VAP Group’s most ambitious initiative yet- The launch of VAP Ventures, a strategic initiative to back 100 startups by 2030 and accelerate the next chapter of the global innovation ecosystem.
The Global Intersection For Entertainment And Digital Entertainment
The Global Games Show opened with a keynote by Johnson Yeh, Founder & CEO of Ambrus Studio, who explored the future of immersive gaming, highlighting how emerging technologies are redefining player experiences beyond traditional screens.
Also, a keynote by Virginia Villar Arribas, Director of the Private Sector Partnerships Service at the UN World Food Programme, who demonstrated how gaming and play can drive social impact by advancing global awareness, education, and humanitarian initiatives.
The Global Games Show Riyadh attracted game studios, publishers, Web3 gaming, esports, investment, technology providers, and game communities from across the globe. The event highlighted the fact that the world of gaming and digital entertainment has evolved at an unprecedented rate. Mobile-centric ecosystems took the center stage, and the discussions at the event have established this new platform as a key economic engine.
In this context, Charity Joy, CEO, Mirai said, “The future of gaming will be defined by immersive experiences, meaningful communities and the incredible talent building them. What excites us most about the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the ambition, creativity and passion of its young developers. They aren’t just participating in the future of gaming, they’re helping create it!”
Mobile gaming has also altered the competitive landscape, with discussions highlighting that expensive PCs and consoles aren’t a requirement to get into esports. Games like PUBG and Mobile Legends Bang Bang set the ball rolling, and other games are following suit all over the world.
Visionaries in Gaming Defined the Next Generation of Gaming
Over the course of the event, key visionaries and thought leaders discussed key aspects of gaming and esports. These themes and agendas included:
Few Notable Speakers Included:
Johnson Yeh – Founder & CEO, Ambrus Studio
Nayef BinHumaid – Chairman of the Board, Saudi Baseball and Softball Federation
Nadeem Bakhsh – Chief Executive Officer, webook.com
Virginia Villar Arribas – Director, Private Sector Partnerships Service, UN World Food Programme (WFP)
Hassan Yusuf – Head of Partnerships, Real Madrid Foundation – Education Football Program powered by Riyadh Schools
Kanessa Muluneh – Chief Executive Officer, Rise of Fearless
Yasmina Kazitani – President, Blockchain Game Alliance
Few Notable Exhibitors:
ClubMOS Technologies LLC
Cropr Digital Limited
Plotdex
JPYR
Arkonix
TorusChain Association
Smartflow
The Loopcraft
EGS
Setup Master the Art of Gaming
Venn Studio
Mobile Gaming and Digital Ownership At the Core of Digital Entertainment
As mobile gaming and digital ownership rapidly evolve, their combination is redefining how digital entertainment is perceived and consumed worldwide. The agenda featured deep dives into how decentralized architectures enable new avenues for player ownership, monetization, and community engagement, rewriting the traditional dynamic between developers and their audience. Furthermore, esports pioneers and gaming founders addressed the maturity of the mobile esports ecosystem across the MENA region, Asia, and LATAM, examining the next generation of tournament structures and revenue-generation models.
“The future of gaming belongs to those who can bring together technology, creativity, and community. Global Games Show is where those conversations begin, and we’re excited to see the ideas born in Riyadh evolve into the next generation of global gaming experiences.” – Vishal Parmar, Founder & CEO, VAP Group
Building the Future of Gaming By Addressing the Foundational Pillars of Gaming
The conclusion of Global Games Show Riyadh 2026 set the foundation for the evolution of interactive gaming and digital entertainment. The positive momentum generated by attendees, exhibitors, and speakers at this event will inform the decisions that will shape the discussions at the Global Games Show 2026 Abu Dhabi.
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About Global Games Show
The Global Games Show is the ultimate B2B gaming event for the next evolution of interactive entertainment. This elite event series is dedicated to uniting major industry titans, visionary developers, and investors to map out the future of gaming.
About VAP Group
With 13+ years of expertise, VAP Group is a premier global consulting and media powerhouse driving the next wave of technology-led growth.
Through its media ecosystem and flagship events, including the Global AI Show, Global Games Show, and Global Blockchain Show, VAP Group connects policymakers, enterprises, and innovators worldwide, enabling strategic communications, ecosystem-building, and talent solutions.
Media Enquiries: media@globalgamesshow.com
This article is not intended as financial advice. Educational purposes only.

Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia — The Global Blockchain Show Riyadh held from 29-30th June,2026 successfully wrapped up its exclusive two-day B2B run, charting an evolutionary path where decentralized networks, AI, and immersive digital platforms converge. The summit heavily prioritized structural tech innovations altering the back end of Web3, including chain abstraction and the massive data infrastructure needed to support future-ready enterprise tech.
Defying the challenges of the prevailing geopolitical landscape, organized by VAP Group and powered by Times Of Blockchain, the event emerged as a resounding success. Co-located with Global AI Show Riyadh and Global Games Show Riyadh, the two-day summit attracted 15,000+ registrations, welcomed 6,723 attendees, featured 100+ global speakers and 100 exhibitors, and convened a 70% CXO-level delegation from 80+ countries. The event leveraged Riyadh’s fast-growing position as a technological sandbox to accelerate deals between early-stage Web3 creators, enterprise infrastructure providers, and global financial backers. The event also witnessed the announcement of VAP Group’s most ambitious initiative yet- The launch of VAP Ventures, a strategic initiative to back 100 startups by 2030 and accelerate the next chapter of the global innovation ecosystem.
Rewriting Global Investment with Enterprise Protocols
Main-stage sessions in Riyadh delivered an overwhelming consensus: the blockchain ecosystem has definitively decoupled from pure speculation, maturing into a friction-free, parallel economic layer. Discussions highlighted how scalable architecture and interoperable networks are modernizing global commerce, allowing enterprises to bypass cumbersome legacy systems. The panel discussions reinforced blockchain’s transition from emerging technology to critical infrastructure, enabling secure digital finance, tokenized assets, and faster cross-border commerce.
A central theme of the summit was the push toward “invisible blockchain.” Experts detailed how gasless transactions and streamlined onboarding abstract away complex technical barriers, enabling corporations to secure digital identities and automate monetization on a multi-billion-dollar scale.
The Global Blockchain Show opened with a spotlight session by Meow, Co-Founder of Jupiter where he mentioned, “Decentralized finance has demonstrated that financial systems can be transparent, programmable and globally accessible. The next phase isn’t about replacing traditional finance, it’s about combining the strengths of both to create a more inclusive and resilient financial ecosystem.”
The summit also featured a keynote by Shabir Momin, President & Founder of TorusChain, who shared his vision for the future of blockchain, emphasizing innovation, enterprise adoption, and the technologies shaping the next generation of decentralized ecosystems.
Shaping the Decentralized Horizon
The summit explored the future of decentralized technologies through discussions on digital banking, decentralized finance (DeFi), AI and blockchain convergence, Web3 infrastructure, cybersecurity, tokenized ecosystems, digital identity, blockchain-powered enterprise transformation, and the evolution of decentralized infrastructure. Sessions also examined blockchain’s role in enabling secure digital economies, intelligent automation, cross-industry innovation, and advancing Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s vision as a global hub for emerging technologies.
The event featured 100+ distinguished global speakers from government, enterprise, academia, Web3, fintech, and global blockchain organizations.
Few Notable Speakers Included:
Meow – Co-Founder, Jupiter
Morrad Irsane – CEO & Co-Founder, Takadao
Dr. Mohammed Abdur Rahman – Full Professor & Chairman, Department of Cyber Security & Forensic Computing, University of Prince Mugrin
Ryan Turner – Founder & CEO, Arkonix
Alona Shevtsova – Chief Executive Officer, Sends
Mr. Ulysses Demos – Chief Global Data Officer, Red Sea Global
Nishanth Kumar Pathi – Director, Cybersecurity & Governance, Gulf Air Group
Billal Yamak – Chairman & Co-Founder, Web3 Alliance of Saudi Arabia (WASA)
Mostafa Abusamra – CEO & Co-Founder, HealthyGaming of Saudi Arabia
Talal Al Hammad – Editor-in-Chief, entArabi
Shabir Momin – President & Founder, TorusChain
Alongside leading blockchain founders, Web3 innovators, cybersecurity experts, fintech executives, enterprise leaders, and policymakers from across the global digital asset ecosystem, discussions centered on the future of decentralized infrastructure, intelligent finance, and the convergence of AI and blockchain technologies.
The Intersect of Tokenization, Entertainment, and Intelligent Networks
A primary pillar of the 2026 agenda was the powerful convergence of Artificial Intelligence, advanced gaming models, and secure blockchain networks. Industry leaders outlined how tokenization and decentralized finance (DeFi) are transforming global investment models through enhanced accessibility and digital ownership. Deep dives highlighted how these decentralized architectures create secure data provenance for both regional corporate ecosystems and global entertainment networks.
The exhibition floor brought together a dynamic mix of global blockchain innovators, Web3 pioneers, infrastructure providers, and enterprise technology leaders, creating a vibrant marketplace for collaboration, investment, and next-generation digital innovation.
Leading sponsors and exhibitors and other prominent Web3 ecosystem partners showcased cutting-edge solutions spanning decentralized finance, digital identity, enterprise blockchain, cybersecurity, tokenization, and intelligent infrastructure, reinforcing the event’s role as a catalyst for blockchain adoption in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and beyond.
Few Notable Exhibitors:
ClubMOS Technologies LLC
Cropr Digital Limited
Plotdex
JPYR
Arkonix
TorusChain Association
Smartflow
The Loopcraft
EGS
Setup Master the Art of Gaming
Venn Studio
Destination Abu Dhabi: Continuing the Web3 Momentum
“The conversations in Riyadh reaffirmed that the future of blockchain will be built through collaboration, not competition. Our commitment is to keep creating platforms where visionary founders, enterprises, and investors come together to build what’s next.” — Vishal Parmar, Founder & CEO, VAP Group.
The close of the Riyadh edition signals a massive leap forward for the regional digital ecosystem. The strategic discussions and corporate partnerships established here will directly inform the agenda for the upcoming Global Blockchain Show Abu Dhabi.
____________
About Global Blockchain Show
The Global Blockchain Show is the premier global conference for the decentralized ecosystem. Structured as a high-stakes business platform, it bridges the gap between the trailblazing builders architecture-ing the decentralized economy and institutional investors looking for the next breakout project.
About VAP Group
With 13+ years of expertise, VAP Group is a premier global consulting and media powerhouse driving the next wave of technology-led growth.
Through its media ecosystem and flagship events, including the Global AI Show, Global Games Show, and Global Blockchain Show, VAP Group connects policymakers, enterprises, and innovators worldwide, enabling strategic communications, ecosystem-building, and talent solutions.
Media Enquiries: media@globalblockchainshow.com
This article is not intended as financial advice. Educational purposes only.

It is one of the most asked questions in crypto: can quantum computers break Bitcoin? The short answer today is no, not even close. The longer answer is that 2026 changed the conversation, with new research cutting the estimated resources needed by roughly 20 times and Bitcoin developers formally starting the defense. This guide explains the real threat, the real timeline, which coins are actually at risk, and what is being done, without the doomsday hype or the dismissive hand-waving.
The short answer
No quantum computer today can break Bitcoin (live BTC price on CoinGecko). Breaking the elliptic curve cryptography that secures Bitcoin signatures would require on the order of 1,200 to 2,330 stable “logical” qubits, while 2026’s best machines manage at most around a hundred, built on roughly 1,000 to 1,200 noisy physical qubits. Even against the most aggressive estimates, the hardware gap is about 400 to 500 times, on top of fault-tolerant engineering that does not yet exist.
For perspective on where public capability actually stands: in April 2026, a researcher won a 1 Bitcoin bounty from quantum security firm Project Eleven for breaking a 15-bit elliptic curve key on public quantum hardware. That was a 512-fold improvement over the previous public record, and still nowhere near Bitcoin’s 256-bit keys. The gap is enormous.
So why is everyone suddenly talking about this? Because the timeline just got shorter.
What changed in 2026
Three research developments compressed the threat timeline this year, and they are worth understanding.
The big one came in March 2026, when Google’s Quantum AI team, with co-authors including Ethereum researcher Justin Drake and Stanford cryptographer Dan Boneh, published a paper showing Bitcoin’s elliptic curve cryptography could theoretically be broken with fewer than 500,000 physical qubits in a runtime measured in minutes. The previous best estimate required roughly 9 million qubits, so this was about a 20-fold reduction in the required resources. Caltech researchers separately argued a useful fault-tolerant machine could arrive by the end of the decade.
The reaction was telling. Drake put the odds that a quantum computer recovers a Bitcoin private key from an exposed public key by 2032 at “at least 10%.” Governments moved too: 2026 was designated the “Year of Quantum Security,” Google set itself a 2029 internal deadline to migrate to post-quantum cryptography, and NIST’s roadmap calls for deprecating current encryption by 2030. None of this means Bitcoin breaks tomorrow. It means the comfortable “decades away” assumption is no longer the consensus, though respected skeptics like Blockstream’s Adam Back still argue the real threat is 20 to 40 years out. The honest summary: expert timelines now range from the early 2030s to mid-century, and they keep compressing.
What “Q-Day” would actually threaten
Q-Day is the nickname for the moment a quantum computer can break current cryptography. Two clarifications matter, because most coverage gets them wrong.
First, the threat is to signatures, not mining. A quantum computer running Shor’s algorithm could derive a private key from an exposed public key, letting an attacker steal coins. It would not “take over” Bitcoin mining or rewrite the blockchain.
Second, not all wallets are equally exposed. The vulnerable coins are those whose public keys are already visible on-chain: old legacy addresses (the kind starting with “1” or “3”) and any address that has been reused after sending a transaction. Researchers estimate over $700 billion in Bitcoin sits in such quantum-vulnerable wallets, including coins attributed to Satoshi Nakamoto. Modern practice, using fresh addresses and newer formats, keeps public keys hidden until spending, which dramatically narrows the attack window.
There is also the “harvest now, decrypt later” problem: adversaries can record exposed keys today and wait for the hardware. That is why preparation cannot wait for Q-Day itself.
How Bitcoin is preparing
The defense formally began this year, and it is further along than most people realize.
In February 2026, BIP-360 was merged into Bitcoin’s code repository. It introduces a new quantum-resistant address type (pay-to-merkle-root, with “bc1z” addresses) that removes the quantum-vulnerable spending path, protecting newly stored coins. Its companion proposal, BIP-361 from Jameson Lopp and co-authors, goes further: a phased migration that would eventually block transfers to legacy addresses, sunset old signatures, and offer a zero-knowledge-proof recovery path for holders with their seed phrases. It is aggressive and controversial, because it could freeze coins that never migrate, but it shows the community is planning seriously.
Ethereum is moving too, forming a dedicated Post-Quantum Security team in January 2026 built around hash-based signatures and account abstraction, and newer chains are building quantum resistance in from the start. The NIST post-quantum standards the whole industry will migrate to already exist. The technology is not the bottleneck; coordinating a decentralized migration is, and analysts note a full Bitcoin migration could take five to seven years, which is exactly why it is starting now.
So should you worry?
The balanced take: quantum computing is a real, bounded, and mitigable threat, not a reason to panic and not a reason to dismiss. No machine capable of attacking Bitcoin exists, the hardware gap remains hundreds of times, and the defense is underway. At the same time, the 2026 research genuinely shortened the timeline, and the migration will take years, so the race is real.
For individual holders, the practical steps are simple: avoid reusing addresses, prefer modern address formats, and if you hold coins on very old legacy addresses, plan to migrate them as quantum-resistant options mature. The risk to a careful holder today is effectively zero; the risk of industry complacency over the next decade is the real story.
Bottom line
Quantum computers cannot break Bitcoin today, and the gap between current hardware and the required capability remains enormous. But 2026’s research, led by Google’s 20-fold reduction in resource estimates, compressed the timeline from “someday” to “plausibly within a decade or two,” and Bitcoin’s defense has formally begun with BIP-360 merged and a migration debate underway. The threat targets exposed public keys, not mining, and over $700 billion in old wallets is the real exposure. Watch the quantum hardware milestones and Bitcoin’s post-quantum upgrade progress. This is a marathon both sides have now openly started running.
FAQ
Can quantum computers break Bitcoin today? No. Breaking Bitcoin’s cryptography would require thousands of stable logical qubits, while today’s best machines manage about a hundred at most. The hardware gap is roughly 400 to 500 times even against aggressive estimates, and the fault-tolerant systems needed do not yet exist.
What is Q-Day? Q-Day is the hypothetical moment a quantum computer becomes powerful enough to break current cryptography, including the signatures securing Bitcoin. Expert estimates range from the early 2030s to several decades away, with 2026 research compressing the timeline.
Which Bitcoin wallets are vulnerable to quantum computers? Wallets whose public keys are exposed on-chain: legacy addresses starting with “1” or “3” and any reused addresses. Researchers estimate over $700 billion sits in such wallets. Modern single-use addresses keep public keys hidden, greatly reducing exposure.
What changed in 2026? A Google Quantum AI paper cut the estimated resources to break Bitcoin’s cryptography by about 20 times, a researcher broke a 15-bit key for a Project Eleven bounty, and Bitcoin merged BIP-360, its first quantum-resistant address proposal. The timeline debate shifted from “decades” to “possibly within one.”
Is Bitcoin doing anything about the quantum threat? Yes. BIP-360, merged in February 2026, introduces quantum-resistant addresses, and the BIP-361 proposal outlines a phased migration away from vulnerable ones. Ethereum formed a post-quantum team in January 2026. NIST post-quantum standards already exist for the industry to adopt.
Would a quantum computer take over Bitcoin mining? No. The quantum threat targets signatures via Shor’s algorithm, meaning theft from exposed public keys. Mining relies on hashing, which is far more quantum-resistant, so a quantum computer could not rewrite the blockchain or seize the network.
This is not investment advice. Cryptocurrency is highly volatile. Always do your own research.

UQUID, a decentralized Web3 shopping platform and payment gateway, has introduced a new method of crypto payment through the launch of the Cursor Artificial Intelligence (AI) Payment Card. This Card permits users to purchase Cursor Pro subscriptions instead of a traditional bank card. The hidden purpose of this launch is to reduce dependence on traditional banking cards.
🚀 ANNOUNCEMENT: The Cursor AI Payment Card is now available on Uquid. Unlock Cursor Pro with USDT, USDC, and other cryptocurrencies—making it easier than ever to access one of the most powerful AI coding tools without relying on a traditional bank card. Instant delivery for YOU… pic.twitter.com/VjBemtu4ha
— UQUID | Digital Commerce Infrastructure (@uquidcard) July 2, 2026
This Cursor Pro card opens trading in many cryptocurrencies like USDT, USDC, and many others, making it easier to access powerful AI coding tools instead of depending on a traditional bank card. This Cursor Pro allows users to enjoy limit-free access to advanced AI models, higher AI usage, Cloud agents, and powerful coding help for writing. UQUID has shared this news through its official social media X account.
UQUID and Cursor Pro Simplify AI Tool Access with Crypto Payments
The unification of Cursor Pro and UQUID is no less than a wonder because UQUID is known for its expertise in Web3 shopping and also acts as an opening pathway for different payments. Cursor Pro is the premium version of Cursor, which provides developers with AI-assisted coding, debugging, refactoring, and code generation, and faster software development workflows.
In this digital world, where there is a complex network of interconnected payment methods along with lots of facilities, there is a need for advancement in every aspect of life. Therefore, this payment method is linked with different cryptocurrencies like USDT, USDC, and many other supported digital assets.
UQUID Simplifies Cryptocurrency Payments with Cursor Pro Card
UQUID is bringing a very impactful and beneficial development for the entire world in terms of improving its payment method while living in an advanced world. Through this Cursor Pro Card, users will be able to receive the digital payment card immediately, enabling quick activation of their Cursor Pro subscription for every payment transaction.
This advancement is very meaningful and worthy for various people, especially for traders, regarding purchasing and dealing. In other words, it is the opening of multiple doors for smooth cryptocurrency payments at any stage of life. This is the need of the hour to adopt with constantly changing world.

The XRP Ledger is flashing one of the most extreme on-chain readings in its 12-year history. Short-term and long-term traders are sitting on losses that have never been deeper on a combined basis, according to the Santiment update. The 30-day Market Value to Realized Value (MVRV) ratio hit -45%, while the 365-day MVRV slumped to -47%. Both cohorts are deeply underwater at the same time, a setup that historically preceded at least a temporary bounce.
The MVRV metric measures the average profit or loss of all coins currently in circulation. A reading far below zero means most XRP holders are holding positions that are worth less than when they were acquired. When both short-term speculators and long-term believers are this red, panic selling usually exhausts itself. Santiment’s data suggests XRP has never posted lower average returns across these two timeframes simultaneously. Yet even with this signal, the on-chain platform notes that prices can still dip further if the broader crypto market continues to struggle.
Risk-Reward Shifts at Extremes
Extreme MVRV compression doesn’t guarantee an immediate reversal, but it does alter the risk calculus. When most of the selling has already been absorbed, incremental downside tends to be shallower. The -45% and -47% readings mean that a large chunk of the potential losses have already been realized by those who exited earlier. New buyers entering at these levels are effectively stepping in after the damage, not before.
This is the kind of setup that contrarian traders watch closely. In previous XRP cycles, multi-month lows in the combined MVRV preceded aggressive relief rallies, often when on-chain sentiment hit its worst point. The logic is straightforward: with so many holders underwater, the urge to sell fades, and any positive catalyst can trigger a squeeze. Still, the signal is not a standalone buy trigger. It works better as a contextual filter for assessing whether a position has become overly crowded on the downside.
Regulatory Overhang and Altcoin Divergence
One reason the pain has persisted this long is the lingering regulatory uncertainty hanging over XRP and the wider altcoin market. Even as some tokens see sharp moves—recent weekly gainers like TON and SIREN for instance—XRP remains stuck in a downtrend, partly because the legal playbook for US-based crypto projects is still being rewritten. Banks are actively trying to derail the biggest crypto bill in US history just days before a critical Senate vote, adding to the climate of uncertainty. For an asset like XRP that has historically been tied to regulatory headlines, the floor may not be found solely by on-chain metrics.
The divergence among altcoins is also notable. While XRP prints historic MVRV lows, a handful of niche tokens are posting outsized weekly gains, suggesting capital is flowing toward momentum plays rather than value-oriented entries. That rotation could change quickly if XRP’s extreme undervaluation signal begins to align with a shift in risk appetite. For now, the on-chain pain point is laid bare, and the market will decide whether this is the bottom or just one more stop on the way lower.

If you searched “why is crypto crashing,” you are not alone: it is one of the most asked questions in finance this year. The short answer: crypto fell roughly 50% from its 2025 highs under the combined weight of institutional outflows, a hawkish Federal Reserve, and capital rotating into AI stocks. The newer development: the market is now staging its strongest rebound of the correction, and for the first time, the recovery signals are firming. Both halves of the story are below. This page is updated regularly as conditions change.
Where the market stands right now
As of July 3, 2026, the market is rallying hard. Bitcoin trades near $61,565 after breaking back above $61,000, Ethereum surged 6.4% to about $1,719, Solana broke the key $80 level at $80.84 (up 15% on the week), and XRP reclaimed $1.10 (live prices on CoinGecko). CoinDesk described it as the “first real bounce of the selloff.”
Three things drove the turn. Fed Chair Kevin Warsh said inflation risks had eased, his first dovish signal since the hawkish June meeting that crushed the market. A short squeeze liquidated about $281 million in bearish bets, nearly double the longs, accelerating the move. And most importantly for the structural picture: spot Bitcoin ETFs have now logged five straight days of inflows led by BlackRock’s IBIT, while BlackRock’s new staked Ethereum fund drew $100 million on day one. The institutional demand whose disappearance caused the crash is showing its first sustained return.
The market remains roughly 50% below its 2025 peak, so the crash question still deserves its full answer. Here is what actually caused it.
The five real reasons crypto crashed
1. Institutions stopped buying, then started selling. The single biggest driver. Spot Bitcoin ETFs, which powered the 2024-2025 bull run by absorbing supply, flipped to sustained outflows, running as long as seven consecutive weeks. Annual ETF holdings growth stalled to near zero, meaning the market’s most reliable buyer disappeared. Without that steady demand, every rally got sold.
2. The Fed turned hawkish under a new chair. The June 2026 FOMC meeting was a shock: new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh scrapped forward guidance, and the dot plot showed nine of 18 officials projecting a rate hike in 2026, a complete reversal from earlier cut expectations. Higher rates strengthen the dollar and pull capital toward bonds and away from non-yielding assets like crypto.
3. Money rotated into AI stocks and mega-IPOs. Crypto lost the competition for capital as investors rotated into the AI trade and record listings like the SpaceX IPO, which drained liquidity as investors sold coins to buy shares. Crypto still often trades in sympathy with AI stocks, in both directions.
4. Leverage amplified every drop. Repeated liquidation cascades turned dips into crashes, including a single late-June day with about $397 million in forced liquidations, over 80% from long positions. Notably, the same mechanism just worked in reverse: this week’s squeeze liquidated the bears.
5. Even the biggest holders changed behavior. Strategy, the largest corporate Bitcoin holder, adopted a framework permitting Bitcoin sales, a shift from its “never sell” stance, while analysts flagged a multi-billion-dollar supply overhang meeting weakened demand. When the most committed buyers turn cautious, the market notices.
Why did Bitcoin drop so hard?
Bitcoin’s fall to 20-month lows near $58,189 surprised many because its “digital gold” story remained intact. The explanation was flows, not fundamentals: ETF outflows removed the structural bid, the strong dollar pressured all dollar-priced assets, and June’s $10.5 billion options expiry weakened the $60,000 support wall. None of that changed Bitcoin’s supply cap or adoption; it changed who was buying and selling. Which is why the current five-day inflow streak matters so much: it is the first evidence the flow problem is healing.
Will crypto recover?
The honest answer has two parts, and this week strengthened the first.
The case for recovery, now with evidence. Corrections of this scale are normal in crypto’s history, and recoveries begin exactly like this: flows turning first. The five-day Bitcoin ETF inflow streak, BlackRock’s $100 million staked-ETH launch, and a dovish shift from Warsh are the three signals this page has said to watch, and all three appeared this week. Beneath them, the structural positives kept building through the crash: Ethereum’s exchange reserves at record lows with staking at record highs, Solana’s tokenized-stock boom (now bigger than its memecoin activity), corporate buyers like Metaplanet still accumulating, and the CLARITY Act hearing on July 17 as the next regulatory catalyst.
The case for patience. One strong week does not confirm a bottom. Some credible voices still see more downside: miner Jiang Zhuoer projects a potential bottom between October and December 2026, possibly in the $42,000 to $44,000 range for Bitcoin, and Standard Chartered just cut its XRP target citing stalled fund inflows. The market has staged bounces before that failed when flows reversed. A durable recovery needs the inflow streak to extend from days into weeks, and Bitcoin to reclaim its 200-week average near $62,500.
The balanced read: the crash’s causes are fading but not gone, and the recovery has moved from hope to early evidence. Recoveries usually take quarters, not weeks, and they begin amid disbelief, which describes this moment well.
What to watch for a real recovery
Four signals matter more than any prediction. First, ETF flows staying consistently positive, the streak is five days and counting, and its extension is the single most important variable. Second, the Fed: Warsh’s dovish turn needs confirmation from data, starting with the US jobs report. Third, Bitcoin holding $61,000 and reclaiming the $62,000 to $64,000 zone including its 200-week average. Fourth, the July 17 CLARITY Act hearing. Several of these are now flashing for the first time; when they hold for weeks rather than days, the recovery case becomes the base case.
Bottom line
Crypto crashed because its biggest buyers left (ETF outflows), money got more expensive (hawkish Fed), capital found a shinier trade (AI and mega-IPOs), leverage amplified every drop, and even committed holders turned cautious. Roughly 50% below the 2025 peak, that damage is real and recent.
But the recovery question just got its first real evidence: five straight days of ETF inflows, a $100 million institutional Ethereum launch, and a dovish turn from the Fed chair, the exact signals this page flagged. Watch whether the inflows extend, whether Bitcoin holds $61,000, and the July 17 CLARITY hearing. This page is updated as the situation develops.
FAQ
Why is crypto crashing today? The 2026 decline stemmed from sustained Bitcoin ETF outflows, a hawkish Fed under new Chair Warsh, capital rotating into AI stocks and IPOs, liquidation cascades, and cautious behavior from major holders. As of early July, the market is staging its strongest rebound of the correction.
Is crypto recovering now? Early evidence says the recovery is starting: Bitcoin ETFs logged five straight days of inflows, BlackRock’s staked Ethereum fund drew $100 million on day one, and Fed Chair Warsh signaled inflation risks have eased. Confirmation requires the inflows to extend from days into weeks.
Why did Bitcoin drop so hard in 2026? ETF outflows removed Bitcoin’s structural bid, a strong dollar pressured it, and June’s options expiry weakened the $60,000 support, driving a fall to 20-month lows near $58,189. Its fundamentals did not change; its flows did, and those flows are now turning.
How low can Bitcoin go? The bear case remains: miner Jiang Zhuoer projects a potential $42,000 to $44,000 bottom by late 2026 if the recovery fails. The bull case strengthens if Bitcoin holds $61,000 and reclaims its 200-week average near $62,500 with continued ETF inflows.
When will crypto recover? No one knows the date, but the watchlist is flashing: ETF inflows (five days and counting), a dovish Fed shift, Bitcoin above $61,000, and the July 17 CLARITY Act hearing ahead. Past cycles suggest recoveries take quarters and begin amid disbelief.
Is this the end of crypto? No. Crypto has survived multiple 70%+ crashes and recovered to new highs each time. The 2026 decline is severe but within historical norms, and structural adoption, from ETFs to tokenized stocks on Solana, continued growing straight through it.
This is not investment advice. Cryptocurrency is highly volatile. Always do your own research and never invest more than you can afford to lose.

The SEC processes roughly 200 ETF applications each month. That volume alone would strain any regulatory filing office. But a top agency official now says the Commission is actively working on a more orderly approval framework—one that may include confidential filings to protect product innovation and stop copycat behavior.
Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas cited SEC Investment Management Division official Brian Daly in the original report. Daly said the agency is studying a more robust approval process, which would allow some ETF applications to be filed confidentially. The goal is twofold: safeguard the intellectual property embedded in novel strategies and reduce the wave of me-too filings that often follow a single innovative proposal.
The Copycat Problem and Prediction Market ETFs
Copycat ETF filings are a known headache. Issuers spend months building a unique index or strategy only to see rivals file identical products within days. The SEC’s current public filing system makes details immediately visible, erasing any first-mover advantage. A confidential path would mirror how the agency handles certain corporate filings—like draft IPO registrations—giving innovators time to refine products before competitors jump in.
Daly specifically noted that the 200 monthly applications include prediction market products. Those instruments let investors bet on outcomes like elections or policy decisions, and they sit at the intersection of financial innovation and political sensitivity. The SEC has historically been cautious about prediction markets, but a confidential review process could allow sponsors to test the waters without triggering a public frenzy before a filing is even deemed complete.
The timing is notable. The ETF industry has spent years pushing for faster approvals and clearer guidelines, especially for crypto-linked products. While spot bitcoin ETFs finally arrived, a patchwork of delayed or denied applications for other digital asset funds suggests the pipeline remains clogged. A streamlined, partly confidential process could be the operational upgrade that makes the difference—provided it applies consistently across traditional and digital asset proposals.
What a Modernized Process Means for Crypto Structures
For crypto-native issuers, confidentiality would not mean less oversight. It would mean they can engage with SEC staff without immediately tipping their hand to the entire market. That matters when structuring products around volatile assets or complex custody arrangements. If the agency formalizes this approach, it could accelerate the next wave of crypto ETFs that go beyond bitcoin and ether—covering staking, basket indices, or on-chain yield strategies.
The push for better process also lands against a backdrop of high-stakes regulatory fights. The ongoing legislative battle over crypto regulation highlights how banks and digital asset firms are both maneuvering for advantages in the rulemaking process. A more efficient SEC filing system could reduce some of the friction that drives long application delays—but it will not resolve deeper disputes over what qualifies as an exchange-traded product in the eyes of the law.
Meanwhile, the broader market backdrop is one of rapid institutionalization. The rapid tokenization of real-world assets and the push for on-chain finance are creating demand for regulated wrappers like ETFs. If the SEC can modernize its intake process, it could help the agency keep pace with product innovation instead of reacting years later.
What Remains Uncertain
Still, the devil will be in the details—which have not been released. It is unclear whether confidential treatment would be discretionary or automatic, how long the quiet period would last, and what standards would trigger public disclosure. If the rules favor only the largest asset managers, smaller crypto-native firms could find themselves locked out of a supposedly more efficient system.
There is also the question of enforcement. A confidential filing can protect an innovative strategy only if the SEC has the resources to police potential copycat behavior that skirts the rule. Without robust monitoring, the process could become another layer of complexity rather than a shield.
The signal, however, is unmistakable. The SEC understands that its current process is not scaling. As developer activity across major blockchains continues to evolve and new product ideas emerge, the filing pipeline will only grow. A more orderly system, with confidentiality where warranted, could be the quiet structural fix that shapes the next era of ETF launches.

XRP is at $1.10. Up 4.4% today. Up 5% on the week.
A week ago it was four cents from losing $1. Now it is sitting exactly on the level that analysts say separates a dead-cat bounce from a convincing recovery. And it picked an interesting month to do it.
Let me lay it out.
The line: $1.10
Here is the setup in one sentence: XRP broke above $1.07, pushed through $1.09, and now trades right at $1.10, the level market watchers have flagged as the one XRP must reclaim and hold “before the recovery looks convincing” (live XRP price on CoinGecko).
Why this level? Because every bounce during the correction died below it. Reclaiming $1.10 with follow-through would be the first higher structure XRP has printed in months. Sitting on it, like right now, is the market deciding.
The tailwind is broad: Fed Chair Warsh turned dovish on inflation, a short squeeze torched $281 million in bearish bets, Bitcoin took back $61,000 with five straight days of ETF inflows. Rising tide. XRP is riding it.
The stat nobody expected: XRP has never had a red July
Now the seasonal detail that has XRP holders buzzing. Since 2020, XRP has never closed July in the red. Not once. Every June weakness, and June 2026 was ugly, a 22% drop, has been followed by a July relief bounce or the start of an outright trend change. The most famous case: June 2020 fell 13.5%, then July 2020 exploded 48%, ending a two-year downtrend.
Seasonality is not a law of physics. But six straight green Julys is a pattern, and this July has already started green. Add a fresh technical signal, the TD Sequential indicator flashing a monthly buy alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum, the kind of macro-reversal signal analysts like Ali Martinez track, and the setup gets interesting.
The on-chain pulse is picking up
Underneath the chart, the network is warming. New XRP wallet creation just hit a three-month high, and large-holder activity has strengthened, with whales moving coins off exchanges. Two weeks ago we covered active addresses jumping 72%; the trend has not stopped. Meanwhile Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin has quietly settled over $2.5 billion in volume on the XRP Ledger, real utility stacking up while the price was busy going nowhere.
And the calendar catalyst is close: the CLARITY Act hearing on July 17, two weeks out, the nearest shot at the regulatory clarity XRP has waited years for.
The cold water, because you need it
Balance, fast. Standard Chartered, long one of XRP’s loudest institutional bulls, just slashed its price target from $8 to $2.80, citing ETF inflows that have nearly stopped after a hot $1.3 billion launch. That is a real downgrade from a real bank, and it says the institutional money has not confirmed this move yet. The CLARITY Act remains stalled until at least the 17th. And XRP is still one bad macro day from re-fighting the $1 battle.
So the recovery case is live, not proven. That is exactly why $1.10 matters.
The levels
Up: hold $1.10, then $1.16, the resistance analysts flagged for confirming a trend change, then $1.20.
Down: $1.07 is the first support from the breakout, then $1.00. Below $1, everything resets.
Bottom line
XRP at $1.10 is sitting precisely on the line between bounce and recovery, with the wind finally at its back: a dovish Fed, wallet creation at three-month highs, whales accumulating, RLUSD volume building, a monthly buy signal flashing, and a six-year streak of green Julys daring history to repeat. Against that: a stalled catalyst until July 17 and a major bank cutting its target because fund flows went quiet.
Watch $1.10 on the daily closes. Hold it and press $1.16, and this recovery earns the word. Lose it and XRP goes back to grinding. Either way, the next two weeks, from this level to the CLARITY hearing, are the most important stretch XRP has had all year.
FAQ
What is the XRP price today? XRP is trading at $1.10 on July 3, 2026, up 4.4% on the day and 5% on the week, sitting exactly on the level analysts say must hold for the recovery to look convincing.
Why is XRP going up? XRP is riding a market-wide rally sparked by dovish Fed comments and a $281 million short squeeze, plus its own signals: new wallet creation at a three-month high, whale accumulation, a TD Sequential monthly buy signal, and RLUSD stablecoin volume passing $2.5 billion.
Has XRP ever had a red July? Not since 2020. Every June weakness has been followed by a July relief bounce or trend change, including July 2020’s 48% surge that ended a two-year downtrend. June 2026 fell 22%, and this July has opened green. Seasonality is a pattern, not a guarantee.
Why did Standard Chartered cut its XRP target? Standard Chartered lowered its XRP target from $8 to $2.80, citing ETF inflows that nearly stopped after a strong $1.3 billion launch. It is a reminder that institutional flows have not yet confirmed the recovery.
What are the key XRP levels to watch? Hold $1.10, then $1.16 to confirm a trend change, then $1.20. Support is $1.07, then the critical $1.00. The July 17 CLARITY Act hearing is the next major catalyst on the calendar.
This is not investment advice. Cryptocurrency is highly volatile. Always do your own research.

Binance, the well-known centralized crypto exchange, has officially become a part of the Philippines market. In this respect, the SEC has granted the conclusive authorization to BlockShoals Technologies Inc. to begin testing the financial services and products under the Strategic Sandbox model. As per Yi He, the Chief Customer Service Officer and Co-Founder of Binance, the platform will play the role of BlockShoals’ global crypto-asset service provider (CASP) partner. Hence, BlockShoals will operate in line with a crypto-asset intermediary framework, letting Philippine-based consumers leverage selected services and products through Binance.
Binance officially enters the Philippines. 币安正式进入菲律宾。 pic.twitter.com/TVd1k0qVQN
— Yi He (@heyibinance) July 2, 2026
BlockShoals Selects Binance as CASP Partner in Philippines after SEC Sandbox Approval
The Strategic Sandbox approval from the SEC permits BlockShoals to leverage Binance as a CASP partner to offer crypto-related services and products in the Philippines. Thus, Binance will be a critical player to onboard consumers after the completion of the integration with the native partners. The SEC approval delivers a controlled setting for fintech entities to test cutting-edge products while guaranteeing regulatory compliance.
For BlockShoals, this authorization is a gateway to unveiling advanced crypto-asset services within the Philippine market. With the use of the global infrastructure of Binance, BlockShoals endeavors to connect native demand with the wider international expertise. In this respect, it guarantees that consumers leverage transparent and secure digital asset access.
Apart from that, the collaboration highlights the rising significance of the exclusive regulatory sandboxes when it comes to advancing innovation while making no compromise on investor protection. Over ninety days, BlockShoals is to officially integrate its mechanisms with a regional virtual asset service provider collaborator. The respective integration is crucial to ensure that its operational models align with the fine international practices and local compliance benchmarks.
Binance Drives Strategic Expansion in Southeast Asia
Binance considers this move as a key development for its wider adoption. According to Yi He, this serves as Binance’s strategic expansion into one of the top crypto markets in Southeast Asia. At the same time, the initiative reaffirms Binance’s wider commitment to integrating with regional networks while maintaining the worldwide reach. Overall, as integration moves forward, Philippine consumers can anticipate comprehensive access to diverse digital asset services, supported by international infrastructure and regulatory safeguards.

Yesterday I told you $80 was the test that would decide whether Solana’s rally was another bounce or a trend change. Well, the test just happened. SOL is trading at $80.84, up 4.3% on the day and nearly 15% on the week, cleanly through the level that rejected it three times during this correction (live SOL price on CoinGecko). And while the price was breaking out, the network quietly hit two milestones that make this rally different from the failed ones. Let me show you both, and then the honest work that still remains.
The breakout, and why this attempt is different
First, the price. SOL pushed through $80 with the broad market at its back: Fed Chair Warsh signaled inflation risks have eased, a short squeeze liquidated $281 million in bearish bets, and Bitcoin reclaimed $61,000 with five straight days of ETF inflows. Solana, already the strongest major coin for weeks, led the charge again.
The chart now reads like this: the next resistance sits at $82.73, and analysts see a clean break there opening the path toward $87, with the bigger recovery scenario toward $120 that traders have been eyeing since the $80 debate began. Support is $77, the level the breakout needs to defend. Momentum indicators are healthy but stretched, which is normal after a 15% week: strong trends pause, and a pause is not a failure.
Milestone one: tokenized stocks just beat memecoins
Here is the development that genuinely excites me, because it answers Solana’s oldest criticism. For the first time ever, tokenized stocks overtook memecoins as a share of Solana’s daily trading, and a day later tokenized stock volume hit an all-time high of $644 million in a single session.
Think about what that means. The knock on Solana was always that its impressive numbers ran on speculative memecoin churn that could vanish overnight. Now the biggest activity category on the network is real-world equities trading on-chain, the use case Wall Street actually cares about. Add the freshest proof point: Securitize, on the day of its NYSE debut, tokenized $295 million of its own stock on Solana, the largest issuer-sponsored tokenized stock ever at launch. The network is not just hosting the tokenized-stock boom; it is becoming its home field, with roughly 95% of global volume.
Milestone two: Solana got a formal voice
The second milestone is quieter but matters for the long game: Solana launched on-chain governance this week. Validators with at least 100,000 SOL delegated can now open formal proposals that go to a stake-weighted vote, and stakers can even overrule how their validator votes.
Why care? Because one criticism of Solana versus Ethereum has been informal, foundation-heavy decision-making. A formal, stake-weighted governance system professionalizes how the network evolves, exactly the kind of institutional maturity that matters as Wall Street moves billions onto the chain. Combined with the Alpenglow upgrade, which co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko says could hit mainnet as early as Q3, cutting settlement from about 12 seconds to 150 milliseconds, the network’s grown-up era is arriving on schedule.
Now the honest part, because I promised
Two caveats deserve your attention. First, an uncomfortable detail in the tokenized-stock triumph: Solana’s fees are so cheap that billions in stock trading translate into surprisingly little direct demand for the SOL token itself, and SOL’s own ETFs were roughly flat in June. This rally is being carried by traders and network momentum, not fund flows, which means it has to keep proving itself week by week.
Second, the usual macro truth: SOL just rose 15% in a week, indicators are stretched, and if the jobs data or the Fed disappoints, the highest-beta winners give back gains fastest. A pullback to retest $77, or even the $73 support below it, would be normal and healthy, not a broken thesis.
The levels worth watching
Above: $82.73 is the immediate gate, then $87, with the $120 recovery scenario alive as long as the breakout holds. Below: $77 is the line the bulls must defend, then $73. Holding above $77 keeps this a confirmed breakout; losing $73 would send it back to the drawing board.
Bringing it together
Solana at $80.84 just passed the test we flagged, breaking the level that stopped it three times, with a 15% weekly gain, tokenized stocks overtaking memecoins for the first time, a $644 million single-day tokenization record, the Securitize NYSE-day listing, and formal on-chain governance going live. The breakout has real substance behind it.
The work now is holding it: $77 must survive any pullback, the $82.73 gate is next, and the rally needs fund flows to eventually join the party. But step back and look at what changed this month: Solana went from “the resilient one” to the network Wall Street trades stocks on, with a breakout chart to match. Watch $82.73 above and $77 below, and enjoy a test passed honestly.
FAQ
What is the Solana price today? Solana is trading at $80.84 on July 3, 2026, up 4.3% on the day and nearly 15% on the week, breaking above the key $80 resistance that had rejected it three times during the correction.
Why is Solana going up? SOL broke out amid a market-wide rally sparked by dovish Fed comments and a $281 million short squeeze, on top of Solana-specific strength: tokenized stocks overtook memecoins on the network for the first time, hitting a record $644 million in one day, and on-chain governance launched.
What happens after Solana breaks $80? The next resistance is $82.73, with a clean break opening the path toward $87 and keeping the larger $120 recovery scenario alive. Support at $77 is the level the breakout must defend, with $73 below it.
What are Solana’s tokenized stock milestones? Tokenized equities overtook memecoins as a share of Solana’s daily trading for the first time, single-day volume hit an all-time high of $644 million, and Securitize tokenized $295 million of its own stock on Solana during its NYSE debut. Solana handles roughly 95% of global tokenized stock volume.
What is the risk to Solana’s rally? SOL’s fees are so low that tokenized-stock volume creates little direct token demand, and its ETFs were flat in June, so the rally runs on trader momentum rather than fund flows. After a 15% week, a pullback to retest $77 or $73 would be normal.
This is not investment advice. Cryptocurrency is highly volatile. Always do your own research.

After ten straight sessions of net outflows that had many market watchers questioning the staying power of institutional crypto demand, US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds posted $221 million in fresh inflows on Thursday. The inflow, the strongest single-day tally since early May, snapped the longest outflow streak since the products launched in January 2024. Details were first reported by the original report from CoinDesk market data.
Breaking the Outflow Streak
The prior ten-day run of redemptions had erased significant assets under management across the spot Bitcoin ETF complex and raised concerns about a shift in investor positioning. Daily fund data had shown a persistent bleed, with few signs the trend would reverse in a market that remained skittish about macro conditions and regulatory signals. Thursday’s abrupt reversal, while just one data point, at least interrupts the narrative that large allocators were quietly reducing exposure to crypto vehicles.
A Broader Base of Demand
A notable detail in the day’s data was that BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) did not lead the charge. Instead, other funds — potentially from Fidelity, ARK, Bitwise, or smaller issuers — accounted for the bulk of the $221 million intake. That distribution suggests the renewed buying was not a single large mandate but a broader market move, possibly reflecting end-of-quarter rebalancing or a return of conviction among a wider set of institutions. It also implies that demand for Bitcoin exposure is not overly concentrated in one product, which is a structural positive for the ETF category.
The inflows arrived as Washington’s crypto policy battles intensify. With a landmark Senate vote approaching, traditional banking groups are pressing for changes to a bill that could reshape digital asset custody and stablecoin rules, a story covered recently by BlockchainReporter in its look at how Banks Are Trying to Kill the Biggest Crypto Bill in US History Four Days Before the Senate Vote. Regulatory clarity — or the lack of it — remains a key variable for institutional allocation to crypto products, and any progress on Capitol Hill would likely be read as a tailwind for ETF flows.
Institutional Flows Beyond ETFs
While spot Bitcoin ETF flows have been volatile recently, other corners of the institutional crypto market show robust activity. The tokenization of real-world assets just crossed $20 billion on-chain, driven by major moves like Bullish’s $4.2 billion acquisition of Equiniti and the first live settlement of tokenized Treasuries between Ondo and JPMorgan, as detailed in BlockchainReporter’s Weekly Tokenization Roundup. That divergence suggests ETF outflows may reflect short-term trading dynamics rather than a wholesale retreat by institutions. Capital is still finding its way into digital assets, just through different channels.
Similarly, institutional staking activity — highlighted by a Nasdaq-affiliated firm’s move that helped Sui surge 18% on $1.2 billion volume according to BlockchainReporter’s SUI Price Today report — shows that allocated capital is still flowing, just not always through ETF wrappers. The spot Bitcoin ETF may be the most visible vehicle, but it is not the only one institutions use to express a view on the crypto sector.
What Comes Next
One heavy inflow day does not reverse a trend. The key question is whether Thursday’s shift reflects genuine re-accumulation or a temporary bounce driven by quarter-end rebalancing or short covering. Spot Bitcoin ETFs have become a liquidity bellwether for the broader crypto market, so traders will closely watch the next few sessions. Volumes across ETF shares, as well as correlated futures and options markets, will offer more clues. With Bitcoin price itself trading in a tight range, the signal from ETF flows may be the nearest proxy for institutional directional bias right now.