hodler

28 May 2026, 06:00

Coinbase’s Base Unveils New Infrastructure For AI-Controlled Crypto Wallets

Only $1.1 million in transaction volume has passed through Coinbase’s x402 payment protocol in the past 30 days. That number tells a lot about where AI-driven crypto payments actually stand right now. A New Layer For Crypto Transactions Base, the Ethereum layer-2 network operated by Coinbase, has rolled out a tool that lets AI agents carry out blockchain operations directly from a chat interface. Called Base MCP, the system works with AI models including Anthropic’s Claude and OpenAI’s ChatGPT, allowing users to transfer funds, swap tokens, check balances, and pull up transaction history without leaving the conversation window. The tool also connects to a range of crypto apps, including Morpho, Moonwell, Uniswap, Aerodrome, Avantis, Bankr, and Virtuals. Users interact with these platforms through the AI agent, which proposes actions that must then be approved by the user through a separate wallet window. The agent has no access to private keys. Confirmation Required Before Funds Move Lincoln Murr, Coinbase’s head of AI Product, described Base MCP as a wrapper on top of existing APIs. He told Fortune that unlike standalone agentic wallets confined to a terminal, the Base account syncs across both in-agent and in-app activity, carrying a user’s trade history and portfolio wherever they go. Base said every proposed transaction goes through the same review process users see with standard Base account requests. Asset changes are simulated before the user confirms anything. No funds move without a deliberate approval step. The launch is also expected to drive more activity through x402, the agentic payment standard Coinbase introduced in May 2025. The protocol is designed to let AI agents make small crypto payments as part of a broader micro-transaction economy. Data shows that economy is still getting started — x402 has processed just $1.1 million in volume over the last 30 days, according to x402scan. Security Researchers Flag Risks Not everyone is convinced the infrastructure is ready for wider use. A research paper from Google and several universities concluded that AI agents should be treated as untrusted components within any system. The research warns that bad actors can manipulate agents by embedding hidden instructions inside data the agent processes. Those concerns are not purely theoretical. The developer platform Socket recently uncovered malware targeting crypto developers that worked by injecting concealed instructions into AI coding tools to redirect their behavior. Reports indicate that Base MCP supporters argue the confirmation step addresses the core risk, but researchers say the problem runs deeper than any single safeguard can fix. Featured image from Coinbase, chart from TradingView

28 May 2026, 01:10

Trend Research Sells UNI and COMP at Estimated $40.3 Million Loss, On-Chain Data Shows

BitcoinWorld Trend Research Sells UNI and COMP at Estimated $40.3 Million Loss, On-Chain Data Shows A cryptocurrency address linked to the research firm Trend Research has liquidated its holdings of Uniswap (UNI) and Compound (COMP) tokens, incurring an estimated total loss of approximately $40.29 million, according to on-chain data shared by blockchain analyst EmberCN. Details of the Trade and Loss Calculation Blockchain tracking data reveals that the address deposited 2,705,000 UNI tokens, valued at roughly $8.71 million at the time of the transfer, alongside 114,000 COMP tokens, worth approximately $2.13 million, to the Binance exchange. EmberCN calculated the realized loss based on the address’s historical average purchase price of $9.50 per UNI token and $49.30 per COMP token. At the time of the report, market data from CoinMarketCap showed UNI trading at $3.09 and COMP at $18.14, representing significant declines from their purchase prices. Market Context and Implications The sale comes during a prolonged period of depressed prices for many DeFi (decentralized finance) tokens, including UNI and COMP, which have fallen substantially from their all-time highs. The decision by a research-focused entity to exit these positions at a steep loss may signal a shift in sentiment or a strategic reallocation of capital. For market observers, such large-scale moves by known addresses can influence short-term price action and provide insight into the behavior of institutional or professional traders. What This Means for Retail Investors While the loss is substantial, it is important for retail investors to understand that such trades are part of the high-risk, high-volatility nature of cryptocurrency markets. The sale does not necessarily indicate a fundamental flaw in the Uniswap or Compound protocols themselves, but rather reflects the market’s current pricing and the specific cost basis of this particular investor. Events like these serve as a reminder of the importance of risk management and the potential for significant losses even among professional research firms. Conclusion The on-chain record of Trend Research’s sale of UNI and COMP at a combined loss of over $40 million provides a clear, verifiable example of the financial risks inherent in cryptocurrency trading. As blockchain analytics continue to offer transparency into market movements, such data points become valuable for understanding broader market sentiment and the behavior of key participants. FAQs Q1: Who is Trend Research? A1: Trend Research is a cryptocurrency research and analysis firm. The specific address used in this transaction has been linked to the firm by blockchain analysts, though the firm has not publicly commented on the trade. Q2: How was the loss calculated? A2: The loss was calculated by blockchain analyst EmberCN using the average purchase price of the tokens (UNI at $9.50, COMP at $49.30) compared to the market price at the time of the deposit to Binance (UNI at $3.09, COMP at $18.14). The total loss is estimated at $40.29 million. Q3: Does this sale affect the value of UNI or COMP? A3: Large sales can create short-term selling pressure, but the long-term value of UNI and COMP depends on the fundamentals of their respective protocols, market demand, and broader crypto market conditions. This single trade is not necessarily indicative of a trend. This post Trend Research Sells UNI and COMP at Estimated $40.3 Million Loss, On-Chain Data Shows first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

28 May 2026, 00:20

Grayscale Says Hyperliquid Could Become a DeFi Juggernaut

Grayscale Research cast Hyperliquid as a standout DeFi contender with potential to scale into a major on-chain financial services platform. Its report points to trading growth, exchange-style network effects, and token mechanics linked directly to platform demand. Grayscale Sees Hyperliquid as a DeFi Breakout Grayscale Research presented Hyperliquid as one of crypto’s clearest examples of

27 May 2026, 21:30

OpenAI is committing $250 million to help workers cope with AI-driven job displacement

The OpenAI Foundation unveiled on Wednesday plans to invest $250 million into grants, collaboration initiatives, and other efforts aimed at helping people cope with AI-related job displacements. This is the first-ever OpenAI spending initiative targeting the issue of automation-related labor displacement. Three main priorities guide the allocation of the funds as per the foundation’s statements; conducting research on how AI impacts employment, giving out immediate assistance to communities facing job losses, and experimenting with policies to ensure more widespread sharing of AI profits. What the $250 million will fund Per the announcement, specific programs have not been named, but the first initiatives are expected before year-end. On research, the foundation wants better measurement infrastructure for labor markets globally, tracking employment, wages, and corporate behavior. It flagged particular interest in low- and middle-income countries where AI could widen inequality or expand access to services, per Quartz. For direct worker support, the foundation cited gaps in unemployment insurance, wage-loss protection, and retraining pipelines. Traditional retraining programs have produced inconsistent results, the foundation acknowledged. It also said workers should have greater input into how AI tools are deployed at their jobs. Policywise, the OpenAI Foundation would like to translate concepts into practical designs. It outlined several promising models to consider, such as reducing taxes on labor and putting them on capital; windfall profits plans; and sovereign wealth funds. Norway’s Government Pension Fund and Alaska’s Permanent Fund were cited as reference points. The foundation also expressed interest in AI-powered economic simulations that project how labor markets might evolve as AI capabilities expand. Block cut 40%, Standard Chartered is cutting 7,000 positions AI-powered tools for coding, marketing copy, and customer service have moved from demos into production over the past year, and companies are acting on the savings. Block CEO Jack Dorsey cut 4,000 employees in February, roughly 40% of the company’s workforce. “We’re already seeing that the intelligence tools we’re creating and using, paired with smaller and flatter teams, are enabling a new way of working which fundamentally changes what it means to build and run a company,” Dorsey wrote on X. Block shares jumped 25% in after-hours trading after the announcement Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters announced last week that the bank would eliminate over 7,000 positions by 2030. In some cases, we are replacing lower-value human capital with the financial capital and the investment capital we are deploying. Bill Winters Amazon cut 16,000 jobs in January. Meta began shedding 8,000 roles. The tech industry alone cut nearly 80,000 positions in Q1 2026, with roughly half tied to AI, according to industry-tracking data. According to OpenAI Foundation, “The rate of change we are seeing means that our window for getting this right is shorter than we are accustomed to and the consequences of failing to do so are dire.” The foundation sits on $130 billion in OpenAI stock OpenAI’s corporate restructuring last year left the nonprofit with a 26% ownership stake in the company’s commercial arm. The value of the stake was estimated to be around $130 billion, thus making the foundation one of the largest charities in terms of assets. According to Reuters, OpenAI pledged to give away not less than $1 billion via the foundation in the next twelve months for projects related to artificial intelligence in life sciences and communities. The $250 million labor program falls under this commitment, but it marks the first time that a particular amount of money has been allocated for workforce disruption. The foundation said it is hiring staff to run certain programs directly rather than operating purely as a pass-through for grants. Funding will reach nonprofits and a broader set of organizations beyond the traditional philanthropic pipeline. OpenAI CEO of Applications Fidji Simo acknowledged that AI could concentrate wealth and power if its benefits are not widely distributed. Her warning echoes Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei’s earlier projection that AI could eliminate half of all entry-level white-collar jobs within one to five years. The smartest crypto minds already read our newsletter. Want in? Join them .

27 May 2026, 21:05

Undervalued Bitcoin-Holding Firms Present New Opportunity, Says 10X Research

BitcoinWorld Undervalued Bitcoin-Holding Firms Present New Opportunity, Says 10X Research Companies that strategically hold Bitcoin and Ethereum are now trading at a discount to their net asset value (NAV), according to a new analysis from 10X Research. The research firm suggests this undervaluation could present a fresh opportunity for investors, drawing a parallel to the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) discount seen in late 2022. Understanding the NAV Discount 10X Research compared the current situation to December 2022, when GBTC traded at a 47% discount to its NAV. At that time, investors could effectively buy Bitcoin at under $10,000 per coin through the trust, a discount that vanished after its conversion into a spot Bitcoin ETF. The firm noted that while many investors assumed such products would always trade at a premium to their underlying BTC holdings, they actually behave more like options. Their share prices rise above NAV during periods of high volatility but fall below it as volatility subsides. A Shift in Market Dynamics The research firm highlighted that it had warned in August 2025 that these companies’ stock prices could fall below the value of their actual assets. That scenario has now materialized. However, 10X Research suggested that this discount is now transforming into a potential investment opportunity, rather than a warning sign. The key question for investors is whether the current discount will close as quickly as the GBTC discount did, or if it will persist for a longer period. Implications for Investors For investors, the situation offers a chance to gain exposure to Bitcoin and Ethereum at a discount through publicly traded equities. However, it also carries risks, including the possibility that the discount could widen further if market volatility continues to decline. The analysis underscores the importance of understanding the structural differences between direct crypto holdings and equity-based exposure. Conclusion The current NAV discount on Bitcoin- and Ethereum-holding companies, as identified by 10X Research, echoes a historical pattern that previously led to significant gains for investors who recognized the opportunity early. While the situation is not identical, the core dynamic—buying assets below their intrinsic value—remains a compelling thesis for those willing to navigate the volatility. FAQs Q1: What does it mean when a company trades at a discount to NAV? A discount to NAV means the company’s stock price is lower than the total value of its assets (like Bitcoin or Ethereum) divided by the number of shares. Investors can buy the assets indirectly at a cheaper price through the stock. Q2: Why did the GBTC discount disappear in 2022? The GBTC discount closed after the trust converted into a spot Bitcoin ETF, which allowed for easier creation and redemption of shares, aligning the market price more closely with the underlying Bitcoin value. Q3: Is this a guaranteed investment opportunity? No. While the NAV discount presents a potential opportunity, it carries risks, including the possibility of the discount widening further or the underlying crypto assets declining in value. Past performance is not indicative of future results. This post Undervalued Bitcoin-Holding Firms Present New Opportunity, Says 10X Research first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

27 May 2026, 19:05

China Tightens Grip on AI Talent: Travel Restrictions Signal Strategic Shift

BitcoinWorld China Tightens Grip on AI Talent: Travel Restrictions Signal Strategic Shift China is increasingly restricting the international movement of its top artificial intelligence researchers, startup founders, and executives, marking a significant shift in how Beijing manages what it now considers a critical national asset. The measures, which include requiring government approval for overseas travel, reflect a broader strategy to prevent a brain drain in the AI sector as global demand for expertise surges. Escalating Restrictions on Key Figures In March 2025, the Wall Street Journal reported that Chinese authorities had begun advising top AI founders and researchers to avoid traveling to the United States, an early indication of the government’s heightened concern over losing talent to competitors. The restrictions have since intensified. According to The Financial Times, China has barred the two co-founders of the AI startup Manus from leaving the country while regulators investigate whether Meta’s proposed $2 billion acquisition violates foreign investment rules. The co-founders are reportedly exploring options to comply with Beijing’s demands to unwind the deal, including raising approximately $1 billion from external investors to buy back the company. A Broader Strategic Realignment The travel restrictions are part of a wider pattern of economic countermeasures. In 2025, Beijing imposed two rounds of export controls on 14 rare earth materials critical to high-tech military manufacturing. Separately, the government barred state-funded data centers from deploying foreign AI chips. In April 2026, Bloomberg reported that China plans to require government sign-off before tech companies such as Moonshot AI, StepFun, and ByteDance can accept American capital, further limiting U.S. influence over its AI ecosystem. Narrowing the Gap with the U.S. The AI race between the East and the West is closer than ever. Stanford University’s data shows the performance gap between top U.S. and Chinese AI models has shrunk to just 2.7% as of March 2026, down from approximately 31% in 2023. While the United States still leads in model quality and high-impact patents, China is rapidly catching up—and in some areas, outpacing American labs—in publications, citations, and patent volume. This convergence raises fresh questions about how long America can maintain its lead. Why This Matters For investors, tech executives, and policymakers, China’s tightening controls signal a more protectionist and strategically minded approach to AI development. The restrictions could slow cross-border collaboration, increase costs for foreign companies seeking access to Chinese talent, and accelerate the fragmentation of global AI research. For the broader tech industry, the moves underscore the growing entanglement of AI with national security and economic policy. Conclusion China’s travel restrictions on its top AI talent represent a calculated effort to retain expertise and control over a sector it views as central to its future competitiveness. As the technological gap with the U.S. narrows, these measures are likely to deepen, reshaping the global landscape for AI research, investment, and collaboration. FAQs Q1: Why is China restricting AI researchers from traveling abroad? Beijing views AI as both an economic asset and a national security priority. The restrictions aim to prevent a brain drain and retain top talent critical to maintaining China’s competitive edge in the global AI race. Q2: How close is China to matching U.S. AI capabilities? Stanford University data shows the performance gap between top U.S. and Chinese AI models has narrowed to 2.7% as of March 2026, down from 31% in 2023. China leads in publication and patent volume, though the U.S. still leads in model quality and high-impact patents. Q3: What impact could these restrictions have on global AI development? The restrictions could slow cross-border collaboration, increase costs for foreign firms, and accelerate the fragmentation of global AI research. They also signal a more protectionist approach that may affect international investment and partnerships. This post China Tightens Grip on AI Talent: Travel Restrictions Signal Strategic Shift first appeared on BitcoinWorld .