MARA Cuts 15% of Workforce After Selling $1.1 Billion in Bitcoin to Pivot Business Focus

Kraken has launched a peer-to-peer payments app called Krak, enabling users to send and receive payments in over 300 currencies, including cryptocurrencies, to 110 countries. The app aims to compete with existing platforms like CashApp and Venmo, offering more ways to pay and earn rewards.

Bitcoin and Ethereum have remained relatively stable as Iran's Supreme Leader declared victory over the U.S., causing minor price fluctuations. The conflict between Iran and Israel has impacted the crypto market, with both coins experiencing slight decreases over the past month.

Altcoin ETF filings in the US have surged this year, with applications for memecoin ETFs like Dogecoin and Bonk. Despite the popularity of memecoins, Fartcoin, valued at nearly $1 billion, has yet to have an ETF filed for it, possibly due to concerns about brand damage or regulatory uncertainty.

P2P.org and Ton Whales have collaborated to offer a new staking solution for TON holders, allowing participation with as little as 10 TON. The service, accessible through TON Connect-compatible wallets, automatically distributes funds across network validators for a 4.7% APY.

ADA and LTC are backed by assets locked in Coinbase custody, minted and burned at a 1:1 ratio, with over 11,300 wrapped LTC and 2.9 million wrapped ADA already in circulation. Wrapped tokens enable onchain activities without selling original tokens, increasing Base's TVL to $3 billion.

Kraken has obtained a regulatory license from the Central Bank of Ireland, allowing it to provide crypto services in 27 EU member states and three EEA member states. This move aligns with the EU's Markets in Crypto Assets framework, emphasizing responsible innovation and regulatory compliance.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has appointed a panel to investigate the Australian Securities Exchange's internal operations, focusing on governance, capability, and risk management frameworks. The inquiry follows the ASX's failed blockchain project that cost $250 million and was abandoned in 2023.

Opyl Limited, an Australian AI-biotech company facing financial stress, recently acquired two Bitcoin through a non-dilutive finance facility to strengthen its treasury diversification. With just $64,000 in cash and pending deals, the company seeks fresh capital to sustain operations.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency has directed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to prepare for accepting cryptocurrency as a form of mortgage payment, aiming to expand access to homeownership for qualified borrowers. This move follows a previous instruction to study how crypto assets could impact mortgage qualification criteria.

The SEC is considering multiple altcoin-based ETF applications, including Solana, XRP, Dogecoin, Cardano, Polkadot, and Hedera. Staking, a contentious issue among regulators, is being clarified in ETF filings. Analysts predict high odds of approval for Solana, XRP, and Litecoin spot ETFs by 2025.