Invest ideasNews
28 May 2026, 20:55
Vitalik Buterin ties DeepSeek V4 to Ethereum’s privacy future
Vitalik Buterin has tied DeepSeek V4 to Ethereum’s privacy future, outlining a roadmap integrating local AI models into Ethereum’s access layer. The Ethereum co-founder specifically notes significant overlap between CROPS’ Ethereum Access Layer and CROPS AI. Buterin introduced the CROPS AI (Censorship-Resistant, Open-Source, Private, and Secure AI) concept at the ETH Mumbai conference on March 12, discussing reasons why AI could become the next major security risk for crypto. He argued that AI is becoming powerful enough to manage wallets and interact with blockchains, but noted that the current ecosystem is not designed with privacy and security in mind. Buterin believes that if AI agents are going to control crypto, they must be built very differently. He says this reflects how far AI models have come. According to Buterin, most people assume that AI models running locally on their devices are private. However, he emphasizes that this assumption is wrong. The Ethereum boss references the current state of local AI tools like the Qwen 3.5 series, locally running agent frameworks, and a growing stack of open-source software. He points out that while these models may appear independent on the surface, most of them make calls to OpenAI or Anthropic’s APIs whenever they need to perform a task they cannot handle on their own. Buterin says DeepSeek V4 is vital to realizing local private transactions Updating on the progress of the CROPS AI project he has been following, Buterin says that DeepSeek V4 (with a 2-bit quantized version running on 90GB of memory) is vital to realizing private, locally processed transactions. He notes that the CROPS Ethereum access layer overlaps with CROPS AI, including ZK-based paid remote LLM calls and private Ethereum RPC reads. He calls for more Ethereum-tuned AI models to improve the security of smart contracts and protocol code. “One other thing that has been on my mind is that there’s actually a lot of intersection between “CROPS Ethereum access layer” and “CROPS AI”. For example, we want a ZK way to make (paid) calls to remote LLMs. But if we have this, then it’s just as useful for solving another problem: private RPC reads in Ethereum.” – Vitalik Buterin , Co-founder of Ethereum The Ethereum co-founder points out that the connection between DeepSeek V4 and Ethereum’s privacy goals centers on the CROPS AI concept. He notes that users can query Ethereum data by using local models like DeepSeek V4 without revealing their metadata, IP addresses, or wallet balances to centralized RPC providers. DeepSeek V4’s ability to run on self-hosted local setups ensures that users rely on self-sovereign infrastructure rather than corporate cloud servers. Buterin suggests combining private local LLM calls with Ethereum ZK payments Buterin suggests combining private local LLM calls with Ethereum ZK proofs, allowing users to privately process their blockchain interactions off-chain. He says this helps in hiding on-chain transaction links, noting that DeepSeek V4’s low hardware requirements are key to this. However, DeepSeek V4’s 2-bit-quantized version can also run on high-end consumer workstations. Buterin further notes that the newly released DeepSeek V4 serves as the primary proof-point that this vision is hardware-viable today, not years away. Users running DeepSeek V4 locally can create a “cryptographic sanctuary” where their financial intentions never leave their physical machines until they are ready to be added to the public ledger. Regarding the next steps, Buterin urges users to watch out for DeepSeek V4 Flash optimization patches for AMD, which he cites as a key area of improvement. He also reminds users to ensure their hardware has at least 96GB-128GB of Unified Memory (for Mac) or VRAM (for PC) to handle the 90GB of quantization overhead. The push ties into a broader “Cypherpunk” revival in which AI acts as a fiduciary for users. Buterin emphasizes that this effectively mixes the requests, decoupling payments from users’ identities and rendering remote AI computations anonymous. Buterin also references warnings from the cybersecurity community, noting that a locally running AI might ping OpenAI’s servers when it gets confused. He notes that the mainstream open-source AI ecosystem does not care about the distinction, adding that most of these systems are optimized for capability rather than security. Don’t just read crypto news. Understand it. Subscribe to our newsletter. It's free .
28 May 2026, 16:02
When Ripple Hired the DTCC CEO Who Stabilized the 2008 Crisis
In June 2015, Ripple Labs quietly made a hire that is drawing renewed attention. The company appointed Donald Donahue as an advisor. Donahue is no ordinary financial executive. He served as both COO and CEO of the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation (DTCC) during one of the most turbulent periods in modern financial history. Who Is Donald Donahue? Donahue led DTCC through the 2007-08 financial crisis. DTCC is the principal infrastructure organization supporting post-trade activities for U.S. securities and derivatives markets, processing transactions worth more than $1.6 quadrillion annually. During his tenure, Donahue worked directly with the U.S. Treasury Department alongside governmental and private-sector groups to strengthen physical and cyber security across the financial sector following September 11. His track record reflects deep experience in systemic financial stability. Why the Crypto Community Is Paying Attention Crypto researcher SMQKE (@SMQKEDQG) highlighted this appointment in a post on X. The post notes that Donahue’s experience navigating the 2008 crisis makes the hire significant because “Ripple’s technology has been identified as a solution to help prevent a similar financial collapse in the future.” The post also points out that Donahue worked directly with the U.S. Treasury on system-wide security during his time at DTCC. RIPPLE HIRED THE DTCC CEO WHO STABILIZED THE 2008 CRISIS TO PREVENT THE NEXT ONE Donald Donahue previously served as CEO of DTCC and led efforts to stabilize the financial system during the 2008 crisis. During this time he also worked directly with the U.S. Treasury on… https://t.co/EIapQFfhDg pic.twitter.com/zPcyLQ32kF — SMQKE (@SMQKEDQG) May 26, 2026 A Decade of Groundwork Ripple has long marketed its technology as a solution for cross-border payments and financial settlement. Bringing in an executive with Donahue’s credentials in 2015 signaled the company was actively pursuing credibility with traditional financial institutions from the start. His advisory role gave Ripple access to institutional knowledge built across regulators, banks, and government agencies during the most consequential financial crisis in recent decades. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 What Has Happened Since? The relationship between Ripple and DTCC has grown considerably. In April 2025, Ripple acquired prime brokerage Hidden Road , which processes over $3 trillion in transactions annually, for $1.25 billion. The deal closed in October 2025, creating Ripple Prime. A DTCC patent filed in May 2025 named XRP and the XRP Ledger as a bridge liquidity asset. In March 2026, Ripple Prime appeared on the NSCC directory , signaling active participation in U.S. clearing infrastructure. In May 2026, Ripple Prime joined DTCC’s tokenization pilot working group alongside BlackRock, JPMorgan, HSBC, and Bank of America. The Long Game For XRP holders and investors, the significance is clear. Ripple did not hire a mid-level banking consultant in 2015. It hired a person who sat at the center of the U.S. financial system during its worst crisis in decades. As regulatory clarity around digital assets continues to develop, that decade-long effort to build institutional credibility is becoming harder to dismiss. Disclaimer : This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are advised to conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses. Follow us on X , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post When Ripple Hired the DTCC CEO Who Stabilized the 2008 Crisis appeared first on Times Tabloid .
28 May 2026, 11:31
Lummis Warns of ‘Regulatory Dark Ages’ if CLARITY Act Stalls This Session
Senator Cynthia Lummis posted a stark warning on X this week: if the CLARITY Act fails to clear Congress in this session, American software developers will face prosecution simply for publishing code. She called the scenario a descent into ‘regulatory dark ages’, a direct indictment of the SEC’s regulation-by-enforcement posture that has defined U.S. crypto policy for the past three years. The stakes, in Lummis’s framing, are not abstract: this is the last realistic legislative window until at least 2030. If the Clarity Act doesn't pass this Congress, American software developers will be targeted again for prosecution in the near future just for publishing code. These are the stakes. — Senator Cynthia Lummis (@SenLummis) May 27, 2026 The Senate Banking Committee passed the CLARITY Act last week, but floor passage is a different calculation entirely. Crypto advocacy groups have been running an all-out lobbying campaign to sustain momentum, arguing that the bill represents the industry’s only near-term path to a defined market structure framework. Without it, the SEC’s case-by-case Howey Test application to digital assets continues unchallenged. Discover: The Best Crypto to Diversify Your Portfolio What the CLARITY Act Would Actually Change, and Why the SEC’s Current Approach Is the Baseline Risk The CLARITY Act’s core function is jurisdictional clarity. It would formally define ancillary assets , the category covering most altcoins, and establish which digital tokens linked to investment contracts are not securities, resolving the ambiguity the SEC has exploited to pursue enforcement actions without formal rulemaking. The bill would require the SEC to create Regulation DA , exempting certain ancillary-asset offerings from full registration if they raise $75 million or less over 4 years. Beyond registration thresholds, the legislation would direct the SEC to modernize its investment contract definitions and set examination standards targeting illicit finance, replacing informal supervisory pressure and guidance letters with binding rulemaking. Photo: Senator Cynthia Lummis That shift matters because the current framework gives the SEC discretion to threaten enforcement without triggering the procedural protections that formal rules would require. It also addresses stablecoins through 1:1 reserve mandates, a provision Lummis frames as critical to preserving the digital dollar’s credibility internationally. The CLARITY Act’s market structure provisions would split oversight between the SEC and CFTC based on asset classification, the same architecture that traditional finance already operates under. Lummis has argued that the absence of this framework is directly accelerating capital flight to offshore hubs in the UAE and Hong Kong, where institutional players can operate under defined rules. The SEC’s continued reliance on enforcement as policy is not a neutral holding position. It is actively reshaping where crypto infrastructure gets built. Discover: The Best Token Presales The post Lummis Warns of ‘Regulatory Dark Ages’ if CLARITY Act Stalls This Session appeared first on Cryptonews .
28 May 2026, 10:50
Upbit Halts Monad (MON) Deposits and Withdrawals Over Node Sync Error
BitcoinWorld Upbit Halts Monad (MON) Deposits and Withdrawals Over Node Sync Error South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Upbit, has temporarily suspended deposits and withdrawals for Monad (MON) due to a node synchronization issue. The exchange confirmed the halt on its official support channel, advising users that the functionality will be restored once the technical problem is resolved. What Caused the Suspension? The suspension stems from a node synchronization failure, a technical condition where the exchange’s node — a software client that maintains a copy of the Monad blockchain — falls out of sync with the network’s latest state. This prevents Upbit from accurately verifying incoming transactions and updating wallet balances, making deposits and withdrawals unreliable. Node sync issues are not uncommon in the cryptocurrency industry, particularly for newer or less established blockchain networks. They can result from software bugs, network congestion, or configuration errors. In Upbit’s case, the exchange has not disclosed the exact root cause but has stated that its technical team is actively working on the fix. Implications for MON Traders For users holding or trading Monad (MON) on Upbit, the suspension means that while spot trading may continue, no new funds can be deposited into the exchange, and existing MON balances cannot be withdrawn to external wallets. This creates a temporary liquidity constraint for MON holders who rely on Upbit for on- and off-ramp services. Historically, similar suspensions on major exchanges have led to short-term price volatility for the affected token, as traders react to reduced accessibility. However, the impact is often contained once the technical issue is resolved and normal service resumes. Upbit’s Track Record with Technical Issues Upbit, operated by Dunamu, is one of the most active cryptocurrency exchanges globally by trading volume. It has experienced similar technical halts in the past, including suspensions for tokens like WEMIX and SAND during network upgrades or node problems. In most cases, services were restored within a few hours to a day. The exchange typically provides updates through its official status page and social media channels. What Should MON Holders Do? Users with MON funds on Upbit should monitor the exchange’s official announcements for restoration timelines. Attempting to deposit or withdraw MON during the suspension will likely result in failed transactions or lost funds. It is advisable to wait for confirmation from Upbit that the node sync issue has been fully resolved before initiating any transfers. Conclusion The temporary suspension of Monad (MON) deposits and withdrawals on Upbit is a technical precaution to protect user funds during a node synchronization problem. While disruptive, such measures are standard practice in the crypto exchange industry to prevent transaction errors. Upbit has not provided an estimated time for resolution, but similar issues in the past have been resolved within a day. Traders and holders should stay updated via official channels and avoid making transfers until services are fully restored. FAQs Q1: Why did Upbit suspend MON deposits and withdrawals? Upbit suspended MON services due to a node synchronization issue, which prevents the exchange from accurately processing transactions on the Monad network. Q2: When will MON deposits and withdrawals resume on Upbit? Upbit has not provided a specific timeline. Services will be restored once the node sync issue is resolved. Users should monitor Upbit’s official announcements for updates. Q3: Can I still trade MON on Upbit during the suspension? Spot trading of MON may still be available on Upbit, but deposits and withdrawals are temporarily disabled. Check the exchange’s trading page for current status. This post Upbit Halts Monad (MON) Deposits and Withdrawals Over Node Sync Error first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
28 May 2026, 09:51
Biggest stock movers Thursday: UMAC, SNOW, crypto, and more
More on Snowflake, Marvell, etc. Marvell Technology, Inc. (MRVL) Q1 2027 Earnings Call Transcript Snowflake Inc. 2027 Q1 - Results - Earnings Call Presentation Snowflake: A Great Time To Buy While The Market Got It Wrong Snowflake surges 35% after Q1 results see bullish views from analysts Drone stocks rally after report Trump administration explores funding deals
28 May 2026, 00:55
BIS completes Project Agorá tokenization pilot with seven central banks
BitcoinWorld BIS completes Project Agorá tokenization pilot with seven central banks The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) has concluded a prototype test for Project Agorá, its ambitious initiative to develop a token-based international wholesale payment system. The pilot was conducted in collaboration with seven central banks and over 40 private financial institutions, marking a significant step in the exploration of distributed ledger technology (DLT) for cross-border settlements. How the prototype works According to a BIS report, the prototype tokenizes both central bank reserves and commercial bank deposits on a shared distributed ledger. This design allows for atomic settlement, a mechanism that eliminates credit and settlement risks by ensuring transactions are either completed in full or not at all. The system processes payments in seconds and enables all parties to monitor payment status in real-time, a significant improvement over current multi-day settlement processes. Participants and expansion Central bank participants included the Bank of Korea, the New York Federal Reserve Bank, the Bank of England, and the Bank of Japan. South Korean commercial banks involved in the pilot were KB Kookmin Bank, Shinhan Bank, and Hana Bank. On the same day the BIS announced the completion of the prototype, the Bank of Canada also confirmed it had joined the project, signaling growing international interest in the initiative. Why this matters for global payments Project Agorá addresses a long-standing inefficiency in cross-border payments: the reliance on correspondent banking networks that introduce delays, costs, and settlement risks. By using a shared ledger and tokenized assets, the BIS aims to create a more transparent, faster, and secure system. While still a prototype, the successful test demonstrates that central banks and commercial banks can operate on a common platform, potentially reshaping the infrastructure for international wholesale payments. Conclusion The completion of Project Agorá’s prototype test represents a concrete milestone in the evolution of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) for wholesale use. With continued participation from major central banks and the addition of new members like the Bank of Canada, the project is positioned to influence the future design of global payment systems. Further development and regulatory considerations will determine whether this prototype transitions into a live operational system. FAQs Q1: What is Project Agorá? Project Agorá is a BIS-led initiative to explore a token-based wholesale payment system using a shared distributed ledger. It aims to improve the speed, transparency, and security of cross-border payments between central banks and commercial banks. Q2: What is atomic settlement? Atomic settlement is a mechanism that ensures a transaction is either fully completed or not executed at all, eliminating the risk of one party fulfilling their obligation while the other does not. In Project Agorá, this is used to remove credit and settlement risks. Q3: Which central banks participated in the pilot? The pilot involved the Bank of Korea, the New York Federal Reserve Bank, the Bank of England, and the Bank of Japan. The Bank of Canada has since joined the project. This post BIS completes Project Agorá tokenization pilot with seven central banks first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
