Blockchain Settlement

Business

Visa Doubles Down on Digital Frontiers: Stablecoin Settlements and Crypto Access Take Center Stage

Visa is aggressively expanding its footprint beyond traditional card payments, launching new initiatives in stablecoin settlements, renter-focused commerce, and streamlined crypto-to-fiat conversions. These partnerships aim to embed Visa's network into the burgeoning worlds of blockchain-based finance and essential housing expenditures.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Circle's Arc Blockchain Gains Traction with Intuit Deal and Federal Banking Approval

Circle Internet Group (NYSE: CRCL) unveils a strategic 2026 roadmap for its Arc blockchain, secures a landmark partnership with Intuit, and receives conditional approval to establish a federally supervised digital currency bank, signaling a major push to bridge crypto and traditional finance.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Optimism Launches Enterprise-Grade Blockchain Suite, Posing a Strategic Choice for Financial Institutions

The Optimism Collective has unveiled OP Enterprise, a comprehensive blockchain infrastructure platform designed to give financial technology firms and institutions direct control over revenue and operations. The launch signals a pivotal shift towards institutional-grade Web3 solutions as regulatory clarity emerges.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Franklin Templeton Posts Record Inflows, Touts AI and Blockchain as Key Growth Drivers

Franklin Templeton reported robust first-quarter results, with record long-term inflows of $118.6 billion, driven by strong demand across public and private markets. CEO Jenny Johnson highlighted the firm's strategic positioning in AI, blockchain tokenization, and integrated portfolio solutions as investors seek resilience amid ongoing market volatility.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Beyond the Hype: Wall Street Eyes Crypto's Infrastructure Winners as Analyst Picks MSTR, COIN, and HOOD

While fintech has streamlined user interfaces, the backbone of finance remains slow. Cryptocurrency's native digital settlement presents a structural shift. Amid regulatory uncertainty, Cantor Fitzgerald identifies three public companies positioned to bridge the gap between traditional finance and the blockchain ecosystem.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Fidelity, Broadcom Reach Settlement in Critical Software Access Dispute

Fidelity Investments and Broadcom have settled a legal dispute that threatened Fidelity's access to business-critical software, averting a potential operational crisis. The agreement, reached just before a key court hearing, ensures continued service for a Fidelity subsidiary.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Solana's Jupiter Secures $35M Strategic Investment from ParaFi, Pioneers JupUSD Settlement

Leading Solana DEX aggregator Jupiter has finalized a $35 million strategic investment from ParaFi Capital, with the landmark deal to be settled entirely in its native stablecoin, JupUSD. The move signals strong institutional validation and a push for JupUSD adoption.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

From Hurricanes to Sentiment: Wintermute Predicts Crypto Prediction Markets Will Upend Insurance by 2026

A new report from crypto market maker Wintermute Ventures forecasts a seismic shift, arguing that blockchain-based prediction markets will begin displacing traditional insurance by making hyper-specific risks tradable. The firm outlines a future where decentralized infrastructure becomes the new clearing layer for a programmable global economy.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Google Settles Android Data Privacy Lawsuit for $135 Million

Google has agreed to a $135 million settlement to resolve a class-action lawsuit alleging unauthorized data collection by its Android operating system, pending court approval. The deal also mandates clearer user controls and disclosures.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

OpenClaw AI Agents Go On-Chain: How Autonomous Software Is Reshaping Crypto Markets

The rapid adoption of OpenClaw, an open-source autonomous AI agent platform, is moving beyond social media buzz to directly execute transactions on blockchain networks, prompting both excitement about efficiency and deep concerns over market stability and accountability.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Moscow Claims Capture of Prydorozhnie in Zaporizhzhia, Advancing Southern Front

Russian forces have reportedly seized the settlement of Prydorozhnie in southeastern Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, according to a defense ministry statement. The claim, yet to be independently verified, marks the latest in a series of incremental territorial gains.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Crypto Crime Surges: $370M Stolen in January Marks Worst Month in Nearly a Year

Blockchain security firm CertiK reports a dramatic spike in cryptocurrency thefts for January 2026, with losses hitting $370.3 million—the highest monthly figure in 11 months. The surge is driven by a mix of sophisticated social engineering attacks and persistent on-chain exploits, highlighting the evolving threats facing the digital asset space.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Story Protocol Delays $IP Token Unlock to 2026 Amid Stalled Adoption and Market Jitters

Citing weak network usage and a need to strengthen its economic model, the IP-centric blockchain Story Protocol has pushed back its major token supply unlock by six months to August 2026, aiming to mitigate sell-off risks and buy time for growth.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

CrossCurve Bridge Exploit Highlights Persistent DeFi Security Woes, $3M Drained

Cross-chain protocol CrossCurve has been exploited for an estimated $3 million, with a critical smart contract flaw allowing unauthorized fund withdrawals across multiple blockchains. The incident renews scrutiny on bridge security and user protections in decentralized finance.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Unsealed Files Detail Jeffrey Epstein's Final Bequests: Private Island, Millions to Girlfriend and Associates

Newly released court documents reveal the disgraced financier's last will, signed days before his 2019 death, which directed his fortune—including Little St. James island—to his girlfriend, staff, and accomplices, though most assets remain tied up in victim settlements.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Panera, Krispy Kreme Face Legal Fallout Amid Surging Wave of Data Breaches

Panera Bread confirms a second major data security incident in two years, while Krispy Kreme agrees to a $1.6 million settlement over a 2024 breach, as the foodservice industry grapples with escalating cyber threats and consumer lawsuits.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

DXC and Ripple Forge Alliance to Bridge Traditional Banking with Digital Asset Infrastructure

In a strategic move to modernize financial services, DXC Technology partners with Ripple to embed digital asset custody and payment solutions directly into legacy core banking systems, aiming to facilitate institutional adoption of blockchain technology.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Northland Cuts Bitdeer Price Target to $25 After December Update, Maintains Bullish Stance

Northland Capital has revised its price target for Bitdeer Technologies (BTDR) downward to $25, citing a more conservative valuation approach following the company's latest operational update. The firm, however, reaffirmed its Outperform rating, signaling continued confidence in the blockchain and high-performance computing firm's long-term strategy.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Krispy Kreme Settles Data Breach Lawsuit for $1.6 Million, Affecting Over 160,000 Employees

The doughnut giant has agreed to a multimillion-dollar settlement following a 2024 cyberattack that compromised personal data of current and former staff, though it admits no fault.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Visa's 2026 Outlook: Steady Growth Amid Economic Headwinds, But Is It Time to Buy?

As the global payments giant prepares to report its fiscal year results, analysts forecast continued strong fundamentals for Visa. However, its recent underperformance against the broader market and a cautious consumer climate raise questions for investors seeking value.

Feb 2, 2026