Heritage Distilling Now Takes Bitcoin Payments Following Reserve Plans

Sen. Richard Blumenthal criticized World Liberty Financial's inadequate response to a Senate inquiry about its business practices, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest and national security risks. The company, partially owned by President Trump, faces investigations over possible violations of government ethics requirements.

Coinbase's stock surged 9% after being added to the S&P 500 and receiving an analyst upgrade, despite recent data breach and ongoing regulatory scrutiny. Benchmark Equity Research raised its target price to $301, anticipating increased investment inflows due to S&P 500 inclusion.

Eric Council Jr. from Alabama was sentenced to 14 months in prison for his involvement in hacking the SEC's account to falsely announce Bitcoin ETF approval. He used a fake ID to secure a replacement SIM card, allowing access to the @SECGov account on X (formerly Twitter).

Coinbase disclosed a $400 million cybersecurity breach due to an overseas contractor's bribery, compromising sensitive user data. The company refused to pay $20 million in blackmail and set up a bounty for information on the criminals. The firm's stock will debut on the S&P 500 next week, while crypto firms Galaxy and eToro launched on the Nasdaq in recent days.

Méliuz, a Brazilian fintech company, recently transformed into the first Bitcoin treasury company in South America by purchasing over $28 million worth of Bitcoin. This move caused its stock to surge by 26%, following the footsteps of other companies like MicroStrategy.

Basel Medical Group, a publicly traded healthcare company, is in talks for a $1 billion Bitcoin investment to strengthen its balance sheet. The CEO stated this move would support their growth strategy in Asia while maintaining financial stability.

Nyan Heroes, a Solana cat-themed hero shooter game, is closing due to funding issues despite attracting over one million players and planning a full game launch. The closure has negatively impacted the NYAN token, now down nearly 40% in value over the last day.

Christy Goldsmith Romero, a CFTC commissioner, will leave the agency at the end of the month. She highlighted the growth and stability of derivatives markets during her tenure, emphasizing the importance of reports and forums on finance issues.

World Liberty Financial's USD1 stablecoin, backed by U.S. Treasuries and fiat reserves, has integrated with Chainlink's CCIP to operate across multiple blockchains. The stablecoin, reaching $2 billion in market capitalization, was recently used as part of a $2 billion investment into crypto exchange Binance. Chainlink's infrastructure provides security for cross-chain movement.

Steak ‘n Shake has officially integrated Bitcoin payments via the Lightning Network, allowing customers to pay for meals with BTC at their locations across the United States. This move signifies a significant step in mainstream Bitcoin adoption, with the chain serving over 100 million customers annually.