Animoca Brands Receives Virtual Asset Service Provider License from Dubai VARA

Arthur Hayes Warns of AI-Driven Credit Shock

Arthur Hayes, founder of BitMEX, warns that Bitcoin's recent sharp decline signals an underappreciated credit shock driven by AI. He argues Bitcoin acts as a "fiat liquidity fire alarm," and its drop while Nasdaq held steady indicates tightening dollar liquidity and rising deflation risk. Hayes calculates that AI could replace 20% of the 72.1 million US knowledge workers, many of whom hold significant consumer debt and mortgages. This could trigger an estimated $330 billion in consumer credit losses and $227 billion in mortgage losses, dealing a ~13% hit to US commercial bank equity. While large banks may withstand the shock, regional lenders could face severe stress, leading to credit contraction and weakened economic demand. Hayes points to warning signs like underperforming software stocks, rising credit card delinquencies, and gold outperforming Bitcoin as evidence of defensive positioning. Despite near-term risks, he remains structurally optimistic on Bitcoin, believing a deflationary shock will ultimately force the Federal Reserve to restart aggressive liquidity programs, and political pressure will lead to large-scale money printing.

TheNewsCrypto3 min fa

When AI Reshapes the Shopping Journey, How Much Time Does PayPal Have Left?

PayPal's recent $200 million acquisition of Cymbio signals a strategic pivot to remain relevant in the emerging era of "Agentic Commerce," where AI agents increasingly handle product discovery, decision-making, and purchasing on behalf of users. This move aims to transform PayPal from a Web2 payment button into an embedded infrastructure layer within AI-driven commercial workflows, covering discovery, checkout, and fulfillment. The competitive landscape is rapidly evolving: Google and Shopify are developing the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) to control the routing layer, while OpenAI and Stripe are advancing the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP) to enable AI agents to execute transactions. Stripe, in particular, is positioning itself as the default "action layer" for AI commerce, mirroring its success as the internet’s payment API. Major forecasts suggest Agentic Commerce could capture $1 trillion in U.S. retail sales by 2030, representing up to one-third of online retail. For PayPal, Stripe, and other fintech players, the challenge is to embed themselves into these new protocol-based ecosystems—or risk being sidelined. Banks retain advantages in clearing and compliance but must adapt quickly, while crypto remains largely absent from current frameworks, presenting both a risk and potential opportunity. PayPal’s acquisition is less an offensive move than a necessary bid to maintain its seat at the table.

marsbit22 min fa

Crypto Analyst Ted Pillows Points Out Breaking Zone for BTC Upside

Crypto analyst Ted Pillows highlights that Bitcoin (BTC) is consolidating around $68k, with ETFs potentially suppressing a rally. He notes that a break above the $70,000–$71,000 zone is needed for a strong upside, while decent spot bids exist between $60,000–$65,000. Another analyst, Lucky, calls Bitcoin attractive due to its fixed supply of 21 million coins and significant retail ownership (approx. 67%). Amid geopolitical and rate cut uncertainties, BTC is attempting a recovery after a 27.1% monthly drop. Predictions suggest a potential surge to around $76,805 or a more conservative $71,018. The Fed is expected to cut rates in June 2026.

TheNewsCrypto35 min fa

Gemini Loses Three Senior Leaders In Sudden Executive Departures

Cryptocurrency exchange Gemini is undergoing significant executive turmoil as three top leaders—Chief Operating Officer Marshall Beard, Chief Financial Officer Dan Chen, and Chief Legal Officer Tyler Meade—have departed abruptly. The resignations, disclosed in a regulatory filing, come just months after the company’s New York IPO. Analysts warn the exits may raise concerns about Gemini’s solvency. The company also announced preliminary 2025 results, projecting an adjusted pre-tax loss between $257 million and $267 million. Net revenue is expected to be $165–175 million, while operating expenses are forecast to surge to $520–530 million. Gemini’s stock fell nearly 15% to a record intraday low of $6.64 following the news. These developments follow earlier announcements of a 25% workforce reduction and the winding down of operations in the UK, EU, and Australia.

bitcoinist51 min fa

Peter Schiff to Saylor: ‘Congratulations’ after $168mln BTC buy but warns of…

ambcrypto57 min fa