Bitcoin Magazine

Satsuma Shareholders Approve Bitcoin Liquidation, London Delisting

Satsuma shareholders have voted to unwind the company’s bitcoin treasury and pull its shares off the London Stock Exchange.

At a general meeting on July 20, holders passed two special resolutions: one to return substantially all of Satsuma’s capital to shareholders, the other to cancel the company’s listing on the FCA’s Official List. 

The capital return resolution carried 90.63% support, with 7,869,182,042 votes in favor against 813,703,719 opposed. The delisting resolution passed with near-identical margins, 90.59% in favor.

The board will now close out Satsuma’s trading operations and sell the company’s remaining bitcoin, roughly 668 BTC. 

The stock had traded as Satsuma Technology PLC (LSE: SATS), one of the UK’s bitcoin treasury vehicles, second in size only to The Smarter Web Company.

A timetable set out in the June 24 shareholder circular governs the wind-down. The record time for entitlement to B Shares falls at 6 p.m. on August 3, the deadline for warrant holders to exercise their warrants if they want the resulting ordinary shares included in the capital return. 

Once the total number of qualifying shares is fixed, Satsuma will petition the UK High Court to confirm the return of capital. A directions hearing is set for August 13, with a confirmation hearing to follow on September 8. 

Under that schedule, the listing cancellation lands on September 14, and payments and CREST transfers go out by September 28.

Satsuma’s bitcoin struggles

The vote caps a run of trouble for a company that built its identity around holding bitcoin on a public balance sheet. Satsuma bought most of its coins at an average price above $113,000. 

With bitcoin trading below $68,000 in July, the treasury sat on steep unrealized losses, and Satsuma’s shares fell more than 99% from their June 2025 peak near £14 to around 21 pence, a valuation below the worth of its own bitcoin holdings.

The company had already begun trimming its position under liquidity pressure. In December 2025, the company sold 579 of its 1,199 bitcoin for roughly £40 million, proceeds it used to retire £78 million in convertible loan notes that matured on December 31. That sale left the company with 620 BTC and about £90 million in cash. 

By April, Pantera Capital, which held a 6% to 7% stake, was publicly pushing Satsuma’s board to sell its remaining bitcoin and hand the cash back to shareholders rather than persist as a listed treasury company. 

That pressure, combined with a shareholder requisition from holders representing more than 20% of Satsuma’s issued capital, forced Wednesday’s vote.

The board itself split on the outcome. Four of six directors recommended shareholders reject the wind-down, arguing it would dismantle a listed bitcoin vehicle and close off the company’s existing strategy. Two directors backed the proposal, citing shareholder demand and the execution risk of continuing as a going concern.

Satsuma’s exit adds to a wave of distress among smaller bitcoin treasury companies as coin prices sit well below the levels at which many of them accumulated their holdings, leaving boards to choose between raising fresh capital or returning what remains to shareholders.

This post Satsuma Shareholders Approve Bitcoin Liquidation, London Delisting first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

United Stables Crosses $1B As stablecoin“>Chainlink Data Feeds Secure U Token Collateral

United Stables’ U token has crossed $1 billion in market capitalization, with Chainlink Data Feeds providing pricing and collateral data infrastructure across its deployment chains.

The milestone matters because stablecoins are becoming one of the clearest areas where oracle infrastructure is not optional. A dollar token needs users to trust its collateral, pricing, and redemption assumptions. If those data points are weak or opaque, the stablecoin becomes harder to integrate into DeFi.

Chainlink’s role here is to provide external data feeds that help support automated collateral auditing and pricing across the U stablecoin ecosystem.

That does not mean U’s growth directly creates guaranteed value for LINK holders. It does, however, show Chainlink continuing to sit close to one of crypto’s most important infrastructure categories: stablecoin collateral verification.

TL;DR

• United Stables’ U token has passed $1 billion in market capitalization.
• Chainlink Data Feeds are used for collateral and pricing infrastructure.
• The milestone strengthens Chainlink’s stablecoin infrastructure narrative, but does not automatically imply LINK token fee growth.

Why Stablecoin Data Matters

Stablecoins are only as credible as the data behind them.

Users want to know whether a token is properly backed, whether collateral is priced correctly, and whether the system can handle market stress. DeFi protocols need that information too, especially if they accept a stablecoin as collateral or use it inside lending, trading, or liquidity pools.

That is where oracles become important.

A stablecoin can exist on-chain, but the value of its collateral may depend on off-chain or cross-chain information. If a protocol is using tokenized assets, reserves, or multi-chain collateral, it needs reliable data to keep the system aligned.

Chainlink has spent years building that role across DeFi.

The U token crossing $1 billion gives the market another example of stablecoin growth depending on data infrastructure rather than just issuance.

Chainlink’s Role Is Infrastructure, Not Hype

Chainlink’s strongest use case has always been infrastructure.

Price feeds, proof-of-reserve tools, cross-chain messaging, and data services are not always the loudest stories in crypto, but they are essential for serious financial applications. Stablecoins in particular need dependable data because they sit at the centre of trading and liquidity.

If a stablecoin grows quickly without strong data support, protocols may hesitate to list or integrate it.

By using Chainlink Data Feeds, United Stables is trying to provide a clearer foundation for collateral and pricing assumptions. That can make the U token easier for DeFi markets to evaluate.

The key point is that Chainlink is not making the stablecoin valuable by itself. It is providing part of the infrastructure that helps other systems interact with it more safely.

That distinction matters for readers and for LINK holders.

U’s Growth Shows Stablecoin Competition Is Widening

The stablecoin market is still dominated by the biggest names, but new issuers continue to find room.

A $1 billion market cap is not small. It suggests U has moved beyond a tiny experimental token and into a more serious liquidity category. The next question is whether that supply becomes active across DeFi, payments, or institutional flows.

Market cap alone is not enough.

A stablecoin can grow in supply but remain concentrated in a small number of wallets or protocols. The healthier signal is broad usage: trading volume, lending integrations, payment activity, and resilience during volatility.

That is what the market will watch next.

For United Stables, crossing $1 billion creates a credibility milestone. For Chainlink, the integration supports its case that stablecoin issuers need robust oracle infrastructure as they scale.

What LINK Holders Should And Should Not Read Into It

LINK holders will naturally pay attention to any stablecoin using Chainlink infrastructure.

That is reasonable. More integrations can strengthen Chainlink’s network position and reinforce its role as a default data layer for crypto finance. But the market should be careful not to overstate the direct token impact from one stablecoin milestone.

Using Chainlink Data Feeds does not automatically mean large fee accrual for LINK holders. The relationship between adoption, revenue, token economics, and price can be indirect.

The stronger takeaway is strategic.

Stablecoins are becoming more important, more regulated, and more infrastructure-dependent. Chainlink is positioning itself as a key provider for that environment. If more issuers rely on Chainlink for pricing, collateral, and reserve-related data, the network’s institutional relevance increases.

That is the real story here.

U crossing $1 billion is a stablecoin milestone. Chainlink’s role shows how much stablecoin growth now depends on reliable data infrastructure.

This article is based on Chainlink and DeFiLlama materials.

This article was written by the News Desk and edited by Samuel Rae.

This report is based on information released in official primary source disclosures at primary source documentation.

Russia’s State Duma has moved crypto regulation toward its final legislative stage, advancing a bill that would establish formal rules for mining, exchanges, and cross-border settlement activity.

The bill, listed as No. 636524-8, is aimed at creating a statutory framework for parts of the digital asset sector that have already become active inside and around Russia’s economy. The measures include mandatory registries for industrial miners, licensing requirements for crypto exchanges, and legal treatment for certain cross-border settlement uses.

That makes the legislation important even for markets outside Russia.

Crypto regulation is increasingly becoming a matter of national payment strategy, energy policy, sanctions exposure, and institutional oversight. Russia’s approach reflects that wider trend: governments are no longer asking whether crypto exists. They are deciding how to control it.

TL;DR

• Russia’s State Duma has advanced crypto legislation toward final readings.
• The bill covers industrial mining registries, exchange licensing, and cross-border settlement.
• The development matters because crypto regulation is becoming part of national financial infrastructure.

Why Russia’s Crypto Law Matters

Russia has been a major part of the crypto conversation for years, especially around mining and cross-border payments.

The country has access to energy resources, a technically skilled population, and strong incentives to explore alternative settlement channels. At the same time, it faces sanctions pressure and a complicated relationship with the global financial system.

That makes crypto regulation more than a domestic compliance question.

If Russia formalizes rules for mining and cross-border crypto settlement, it could affect exchange oversight, industrial power usage, institutional access, and international payment flows.

The bill appears to create a more structured environment rather than leaving activity in a grey zone.

For miners, mandatory registries could bring more oversight but also more legal clarity. For exchanges, licensing rules could define who is allowed to operate. For cross-border settlement, the law could give state-approved entities clearer permission to use digital assets in specific contexts.

Mining Is A Core Piece

Mining is one of the most important parts of Russia’s crypto policy debate.

Industrial mining consumes power, creates exportable digital assets, and can become a source of revenue. But it also raises questions around grid stability, taxation, regional energy use, and illegal operations.

A registry model gives the state more visibility.

That may help authorities separate approved industrial miners from informal or unauthorized activity. It can also create a route for taxation and compliance monitoring.

For the mining industry, the trade-off is familiar.

Regulation can add reporting burdens and costs, but it can also reduce uncertainty. Companies operating at scale often prefer a defined legal framework to constant ambiguity.

That is especially true when mining is connected to energy contracts, data centre infrastructure, and capital investment.

Cross-Border Settlement Is The Sensitive Part

The cross-border settlement provisions are likely to attract the most international attention.

Digital assets can move across borders without relying on traditional correspondent banking rails. That makes them useful in some trade contexts, but also sensitive from a sanctions and compliance standpoint.

Russia’s interest in crypto settlement should be viewed through that lens.

A legal framework could allow certain companies or institutions to use digital assets in international trade under state-approved conditions. That would not mean all crypto payments become legal or unrestricted. It would mean Russia is creating a formal route for specific use cases.

The key is how narrow or broad those permissions become.

If the law is tightly controlled, it may mostly support selected trade channels. If it is broader, it could create a larger domestic market for crypto-linked settlement services.

Either way, the development is part of a global pattern. Countries are exploring how digital assets fit into payment systems, sanctions policy, and trade infrastructure.

Regulation Does Not Mean Liberalization

It is important not to confuse regulation with openness.

A government can legalize certain crypto activities while still maintaining strict control. Licensing, registries, and approved settlement channels often mean more oversight, not less.

Russia’s bill appears to move crypto into a more formal state-supervised framework.

That may help compliant firms, but it may also limit unlicensed activity. Exchanges and miners could face clearer obligations, and cross-border settlement may be restricted to approved participants.

For markets, the important signal is that crypto continues to move into formal legal systems.

The early era of ignoring or banning digital assets is giving way to more detailed frameworks. Some are investor-focused. Some are enforcement-focused. Some are designed around national payment strategy.

Russia’s legislation fits the third category especially closely.

The final details will matter, but the direction is clear: the State Duma is moving crypto regulation deeper into law, and the result could shape how mining, exchanges, and settlement operate in one of the world’s most geopolitically sensitive markets.

This article is based on Russian State Duma legislative materials.

This article was written by the News Desk and edited by Samuel Rae.

This report is based on information released in official primary source disclosures at primary source documentation.

Reference: DefiLlama

Solana Stablecoin Market Cap Hits $15B As Network Liquidity Deepens

Solana’s stablecoin market capitalization has crossed $15 billion, according to DeFiLlama data, giving the network another liquidity milestone as stablecoin activity spreads across its ecosystem.

The figure reflects cumulative stablecoin value on Solana and points to a deeper base for trading, payments, DeFi, and on-chain settlement. Stablecoins are not always the loudest part of a blockchain ecosystem, but they are often one of the most important.

For Solana, the milestone helps separate real liquidity growth from pure speculative activity.

Meme coins and retail trading have brought attention to the network, but stablecoins are what make a chain more useful for financial activity. They give users dollar exposure, help power trading pairs, support lending markets, and make payments easier.

A $15 billion stablecoin base shows Solana is becoming a more serious settlement environment.

TL;DR

• Solana stablecoin market cap has crossed $15 billion.
• DeFiLlama data points to deeper liquidity across the network.
• The milestone supports Solana’s DeFi and payments narrative, but usage quality still matters.

Why Stablecoins Matter More Than Hype

Crypto markets often focus on price moves, token launches, and trading narratives.

Stablecoins are less dramatic, but they are more useful. They are the working capital of on-chain finance. Traders use them to enter and exit positions. Protocols use them for lending and liquidity pools. Payment apps use them for settlement. Users in many markets use them as digital dollar access.

That is why Solana’s stablecoin growth matters.

A chain can have attention without deep liquidity. That attention can fade quickly. Stablecoins create more durable utility because they make it easier for users and applications to transact.

Solana’s low fees and fast confirmations already make it attractive for stablecoin transfers. The larger the stablecoin base becomes, the stronger that advantage can be.

A $15 billion milestone does not guarantee dominance, but it does show that the network is attracting serious dollar liquidity.

Solana’s Liquidity Stack Is Broadening

The latest milestone also fits with the growth of alternative stablecoins on Solana.

USDC and USDT remain the two dominant stablecoins across crypto, but Solana’s stablecoin ecosystem is becoming more diverse. That matters because a broader mix can create more integration options for DeFi protocols, payment apps, and institutional products.

At the same time, more stablecoins mean more complexity.

Users need to know which assets are liquid, which are redeemable, which are supported by major apps, and which carry higher issuer or liquidity risk. A bigger stablecoin market is useful only if it remains reliable.

For Solana, the next phase is not just about adding supply. It is about turning that supply into active usage.

That means trading volume, lending demand, payment flows, and real settlement activity.

DeFi And Payments Benefit Most

Stablecoin growth has direct implications for Solana DeFi.

Lending markets can deepen. Decentralized exchanges can support larger trades with less slippage. Payment apps can settle more value. Wallets can become more useful because users have access to dollar-denominated assets without leaving the ecosystem.

This is where Solana has a clear advantage.

The network is already known for speed and low cost. Stablecoins make those technical features more practical. A fast chain is useful for payments only if users have assets they actually want to move. A cheap chain is useful for trading only if liquidity is deep enough.

The $15 billion stablecoin mark strengthens that case.

It also helps Solana compete with other major settlement networks. Ethereum has deeper institutional DeFi. TRON has enormous USDT transfer volume. Base has Coinbase distribution. Solana’s argument is that it can combine low-cost performance with growing liquidity and consumer-friendly apps.

Stablecoins are central to that pitch.

The Market Will Watch Activity, Not Just Supply

The important question now is whether the stablecoins are active.

A high market cap is positive, but dormant liquidity does not help much. Traders will watch whether the stablecoin base is being used across decentralized exchanges, lending protocols, payments, and cross-chain flows.

They will also watch whether liquidity remains stable during volatility.

Stablecoin supply can grow quickly in good markets and shrink if users move funds elsewhere. Solana’s challenge is to make the liquidity sticky by building applications that users want to keep using.

Still, crossing $15 billion is a meaningful signal.

It shows Solana is not only a speculative trading chain. It is building the liquidity foundation needed for larger financial activity. If that base continues to grow and circulate, Solana’s DeFi and payments narrative becomes stronger.

For now, the milestone gives the network a cleaner fundamental story at a time when investors are looking for activity that lasts beyond hype cycles.

This article is based on DeFiLlama stablecoin data.

This article was written by the News Desk and edited by Samuel Rae.

This report is based on information released by DefiLlama. at DefiLlama

Reference: DefiLlama

Solana Alternative Stablecoin Supply Hits $4.81B As Liquidity Diversifies

Solana’s alternative stablecoin supply has reached $4.81 billion, according to DeFiLlama data, showing that liquidity on the network is becoming less dependent on the two largest dollar tokens.

The figure refers to stablecoins outside the usual USDC and USDT base. That distinction matters because Solana already has a deep stablecoin market, but a growing alternative stablecoin segment suggests the ecosystem is becoming more diverse.

Key contributors identified in the validated materials include USD1 at roughly $1.02 billion and USDG at around $1 billion. Together, they point to a broader trend: Solana is attracting more stablecoin types, not just more stablecoin volume.

That is important for DeFi, trading, payments, and on-chain liquidity.

TL;DR

• Solana’s non-USDC/non-USDT stablecoin supply has reached $4.81 billion.
• DeFiLlama data shows growing liquidity diversity across the network.
• The milestone does not mean alternative stablecoins are outpacing USDC and USDT in usage.

Why Stablecoin Diversity Matters

Stablecoins are the liquidity layer of crypto.

They sit inside decentralized exchanges, lending markets, trading venues, payment apps, bridges, and treasury flows. A chain with deep stablecoin liquidity is easier to use because users can move in and out of positions without relying entirely on volatile assets.

For Solana, stablecoins have become especially important.

The network’s low fees and fast transactions make it a natural environment for payments and high-frequency trading. But liquidity depth matters just as much as speed. If the stablecoin base is thin or overly concentrated, DeFi growth becomes more fragile.

A larger alternative stablecoin supply helps diversify that base.

It gives protocols more assets to integrate, gives users more options, and may reduce dependence on a single issuer or token. That does not mean every stablecoin is equally safe or equally useful. It simply means Solana’s liquidity stack is becoming broader.

USDC And USDT Still Dominate The Market

The $4.81 billion milestone should be framed carefully.

USDC and USDT remain the dominant stablecoins across crypto. On Solana, they still matter enormously for exchanges, wallets, DeFi pools, and payments. Alternative stablecoins growing does not mean the two largest tokens are losing relevance.

Instead, the better read is that Solana’s stablecoin market is expanding at the edges.

Newer or alternative dollar tokens can serve specific users, issuers, regions, or applications. Some may be designed for institutional use. Some may be tied to payment networks. Others may aim at DeFi-specific integrations.

That kind of diversity can be healthy if the assets are transparent, liquid, and well-integrated.

It can also introduce complexity. Users need to understand issuer risk, redemption mechanics, reserves, liquidity, and where each stablecoin can actually be used.

More stablecoins does not automatically mean better stablecoins.

Solana DeFi Gets A Liquidity Boost

For Solana DeFi, the growth is still useful.

A broader stablecoin base can support deeper trading pairs, more lending collateral, better payment flows, and more resilient liquidity across protocols. It can also make Solana more attractive to issuers looking for a high-throughput chain with active retail and institutional users.

Solana’s stablecoin story has become one of its strongest ecosystem signals.

Meme coins may generate attention, but stablecoins generate financial utility. They are used when people actually need to transfer value, settle trades, manage risk, or hold dollar exposure on-chain.

That is why stablecoin growth often matters more than speculative volume.

If Solana can continue expanding stablecoin liquidity while keeping costs low, the network strengthens its case as a payments and DeFi settlement layer.

The Next Test Is Real Usage

The headline supply number is only one part of the story.

The market still needs to see how these alternative stablecoins are used. Are they sitting idle, or are they moving through DEXs and lending protocols? Are they backed by transparent reserves? Are they supported by major wallets and exchanges? Can users redeem them easily?

Those questions will decide whether the $4.81 billion milestone becomes a durable ecosystem advantage.

For now, the signal is positive. Solana’s liquidity base is expanding, and the growth is not limited to the biggest stablecoin brands. That makes the ecosystem more flexible and potentially more resilient.

But the quality of the stablecoin mix matters.

Stablecoin history has shown that not all dollar tokens are equal. Solana’s next challenge is to turn broader supply into reliable, trusted, active liquidity.

This article is based on DeFiLlama stablecoin data.

This article was written by the News Desk and edited by Samuel Rae.

This report is based on information released by DefiLlama. at DefiLlama

I bounce between Linux programs like a bad habit. I'm constantly trying new applications, suites of programs, and replacements—especially when I'm trying to find something that "just feels right." In my search for the perfect file manager, I've used GNOME Files (Nautlius), Thunar, PCManFM, Nemo, Krusader, and more.

People often describe great BBQ by its smoky flavor, but taste is only part of what makes it memorable. The texture of slow-smoked meat plays an equally important role. A tender slice of brisket, perfectly pulled pork, or ribs with just the right amount of bite all require time, patience, and careful attention throughout the cooking process. Those details may not always be visible, but they’re what separate an ordinary meal from one that’s worth talking about long after the last bite.

Low and Slow Is More Than a Saying

The phrase “low and slow” isn’t just a barbecue tradition. It’s a cooking method that gives tougher cuts of meat the time they need to become tender. As the meat slowly cooks, connective tissues gradually break down, creating the juicy texture that barbecue is known for.

Trying to rush that process can leave meat dry or chewy, which is why patience remains one of the most important ingredients in authentic barbecue.

Every Cut Cooks a Little Differently

Not all smoked meats respond to heat in the same way. Brisket contains plenty of connective tissue that softens over several hours, while pork shoulder develops its signature pull-apart texture through a slightly different process. Ribs require their own balance, becoming tender without losing the structure that gives each bite its satisfying texture.

Understanding how each cut behaves during cooking allows pitmasters to bring out its best qualities instead of treating every piece of meat the same.

Resting Matters More Than Most People Realize

Once the meat comes off the smoker, the cooking process isn’t quite finished. Allowing it to rest gives the juices time to redistribute throughout the meat instead of running out with the first slice. That extra patience helps preserve moisture while creating a richer, more satisfying bite.

It’s one of those small steps that often makes a noticeable difference on the plate, especially when preparing exceptional BBQ.

The Details Make Every Meal Better

Great barbecue isn’t the result of a single technique. It comes from dozens of small decisions made throughout the cooking process, from selecting the right cut of meat to monitoring temperature, smoke, and timing. Those details may happen behind the scenes, but they’re what create the flavor and texture people remember.

Experience Barbecue Crafted With Care at Code 1 BBQ

Whether you’re stopping in for smoked brisket, ribs, pulled pork, or another favorite, Code 1 BBQ is passionate about serving authentic BBQ that’s prepared with patience and attention to detail. Check out our menu and visit us soon to enjoy a meal where every bite reflects the time and care that went into making it!

 

Follow us on Facebook for behind-the-scenes barbecue, featured menu items, and upcoming events you won’t want to miss!

The post Why Patience Is the Secret Ingredient in Great BBQ appeared first on Code 1 BBQ.

Join Federal News Network for a candid conversation on the gaps agencies still face in identity security, the fragmented legacy infrastructure slowing progress and what it really takes to bring human and machine identities under one governed, converged platform.

© Getty Images/HAKINMHAN

Learn what Google’s major AI models do, including Gemini, Veo, Imagen, Nano Banana, Gemma, Lyria, Chirp, and Gemini Nano.

The post Google AI Models Explained: Gemini, Veo, Nano Banana & More appeared first on TechRepublic.

Learn what Google’s major AI models do, including Gemini, Veo, Imagen, Nano Banana, Gemma, Lyria, Chirp, and Gemini Nano.

The post Google AI Models Explained: Gemini, Veo, Nano Banana & More appeared first on TechRepublic.

"The real power here is to have the different inputs to kind of form that overall estimate of where somebody is on a given competency," said Julia Brown.

© AP

Which is worse, sailing your superyacht through the city where your company just made mass job cuts, or getting named to a U.S. Federal Reserve panel on jobs and productivity three days after announcing thousands of layoffs?

It might not be a full Zuck, but Microsoft Xbox CEO Asha Sharma is getting lots of attention, and not in a good way, for the latter this week.

Sharma was named Thursday to co-lead a new Federal Reserve “Productivity and Jobs” task force, charged with assessing the economic impact of AI and other new technologies on the labor market. Her co-leaders: Marc Andreessen, the venture capitalist and vocal AI booster, and Stanford economist Charles I. Jones, who is currently on leave at Anthropic, maker of the Claude AI chatbot.

The gaming press, as you can imagine, is having a field day. The headline from Kotaku sums it up: “Xbox CEO Will Advise Federal Reserve On Jobs After Mass Layoffs.”

PC Gamer, for its part, noted that the task force is supposed to represent a “commitment to price stability and maximum employment.” However, that’s the Fed’s broad mandate, as described by Chairman Kevin Warsh. It’s actually not the specific mission of the Productivity and Jobs task force, which is narrower: assessing what AI and other new technologies are doing to the economy.

In a separate sign of the backlash, Microsoft communications chief Frank Shaw took to X on Friday to knock down claims that the Xbox cuts were made to replace employees with foreign workers, calling it “bad information” and noting that the H-1B visa figures being cited are company-wide renewals, not Xbox-specific. He also pointed out that Sharma is “an American born, raised, and educated CEO, from Wisconsin.”

Also lost in the coverage of the Fed appointment is the fact that Sharma is less than five months into the job, having taken over as Xbox CEO in February with a mandate to turn around and preserve a gaming division that spent more than $20 billion over five years while its core revenue shrank. The restructuring announced this week is a key part of that effort.

What’s more, it’s hard to imagine that this is the timing Microsoft or Sharma wanted. Announcements like this are often outside the control of the participants. The Federal Reserve sets its own schedule.

Still, it’s tough timing for an executive who announced plans this week to cut 3,200 gaming jobs — about 1,600 immediately, with the rest over the coming year — amounting to roughly 20% of Xbox’s workforce. Sharma herself called it the most significant restructuring in the division’s history.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s superyacht Launchpad, for the record, is currently cruising the waters off Juneau, Alaska, a full 900 miles from Seattle.

Base crossing $2 billion in total value locked is a milestone that changes the way the network should be discussed. This is no longer just Coinbase’s experimental layer-2. It is a meaningful DeFi venue with enough liquidity to affect the broader Ethereum scaling conversation.

TVL is not perfect, but it is still useful. When capital moves into a chain and stays there, the market gets a clearer signal than it does from branding alone.

For more details, visit the official DeFiLlama platform.

TL;DR

• Base total value locked has crossed the $2 billion mark.
• DeFiLlama data points to growth driven by DEX pools and layer-2 DeFi activity.
• The milestone reinforces Base as one of Ethereum’s most important scaling ecosystems.

Why $2 Billion Matters

The $2 billion level suggests Base has moved beyond early curiosity. Liquidity is forming around DEXs, yield venues, and applications that give users a reason to keep funds on the network.

Aerodrome and Uniswap activity are especially important because DEX liquidity often becomes the foundation for everything else. Once trading depth exists, other DeFi products have a better chance of developing around it.

Coinbase Distribution Is The Edge

Base benefits from something most layer-2 networks do not have: direct association with Coinbase. That gives it a possible distribution path to millions of users who may never choose a chain manually.

The challenge is turning that distribution into real on-chain activity. The TVL milestone suggests that process is already underway, even if the network is still early relative to Ethereum mainnet and older DeFi ecosystems.

The Layer-2 Race Gets More Concrete

Layer-2 competition used to revolve around technical promises. Now it is increasingly measured by users, liquidity, applications, and fees. Base performing well on those metrics makes the race more tangible.

For the market, the takeaway is simple: Base has become too large to treat as a side project. It is now one of the main venues to watch in Ethereum scaling.

The Practical Angle

The useful way to read this story is not as a standalone headline about Base, but as part of the wider pressure building around DeFi coverage this week. Markets have been jumping quickly from one catalyst to the next, so the cleaner value for readers is in separating the actual development from the instant reaction around it. In this case, the source material gives us a concrete event to work from, rather than a loose rumour or a recycled social-media talking point.

That distinction matters because crypto readers are being asked to process a lot at once: ETF flows, regulatory actions, exchange listings, protocol upgrades, wallet movements, and political signals. A story like this is most useful when it helps them understand where TVL fits into that broader map. It does not need to be inflated into a guaranteed price call to be worth covering. It simply needs to explain what changed, who is affected, and why the market is paying attention today.

The caveat is also important. Even clean source-backed developments can be overinterpreted when traders are hunting for a fast narrative. A listing does not automatically create lasting demand, a regulatory update does not immediately settle every legal question, and an on-chain movement does not always translate into a finished sale. The better read is to treat the development as a fresh data point and then watch whether follow-up activity confirms the direction of travel.

For Bitcoinist readers, that means keeping the focus on what can actually be verified from the source and avoiding the temptation to turn every update into a sweeping market verdict. The story is strong enough on its own terms: it gives investors and traders another piece of context around DeFi, while leaving room for the next filing, dashboard update, wallet movement, governance vote, or exchange notice to decide whether the angle grows into something bigger.

This report is based on data from DeFiLlama.

This article was written by the News Desk and edited by Samuel Rae.

Source: DeFiLlama

Modern cinema relies very heavily on quadrotor drones, because they make for very smooth, very easy to position platforms. From slow pans to chase shots, drones are great– if your shots can be taken at a high enough altitude. Close to the ground, things get a bit dodgier. That’s where [Transistor Man]’s camera chase vehicle comes in— it’s a rover, so it excels close to the ground. In fact, it can’t go anywhere else, except perhaps if provided with a jump. It’s got a hefty gimbal to hold the camera steady on any terrain, a decade-old surplus radio to provide full HD FPV to the remote driver, and a powerful 1/5th scale radio control rally chassis to make it all go. Plus googly eyes, because everything is better with googly eyes.

It looks like an enormous amount of fun to drive, but more importantly it provides smooth, cinematic shots from the professional Sony camera held in the gimbal. One big takeaway is that when 3D printing something that will bounce around this much, you can’t rely on pure strength– flexible filaments are your friend. Just about everything printed ended up remade in TPU if it didn’t start that way. The other takeaway is that we’ve reached enough of a technological plateau that if you scrounge around, you can build something to take a top-of-the-line footage with decade-old castoffs, like the gimbal and radio used in this project, which is a great thing for hobbyists and small studios.

If you can’t find surplus, you could always DIY a gimbal. We’re not filmmakers, but we find ourselves wondering how shots made with this rover would compare to a camera slider.

Europe’s stablecoin rulebook is becoming much more real. ESMA’s finalized MiCA guidelines add another layer of detail to how stablecoin issuers and service providers are expected to operate inside the bloc, especially where non-euro-denominated tokens are concerned.

That matters because stablecoins are no longer a side issue in crypto regulation. They are one of the main battlegrounds between market demand, monetary sovereignty, and financial supervision.

For more details, visit the official ESMA platform.

TL;DR

• ESMA published finalized MiCA guidance for stablecoin activity.
• The rules put sharper limits and obligations around non-euro-denominated stablecoins in Europe.
• The update shows the EU stablecoin regime is moving from theory into enforcement detail.

Why Non-Euro Stablecoins Are Sensitive

Dollar-linked stablecoins dominate crypto liquidity, but that dominance creates an obvious tension in Europe. Regulators want digital asset markets to develop without making euro-area users overly dependent on non-euro settlement units.

MiCA is the framework designed to manage that tension. ESMA’s guidance helps translate the law into operational expectations for issuers, exchanges, and other crypto asset service providers.

What This Means For Issuers

Stablecoin issuers now face a more demanding European environment. Licensing, disclosure, reserve management, transaction limits, and operational controls all become part of the conversation.

For major issuers, the message is clear: European access will increasingly depend on compliance infrastructure, not just market popularity. That could favour firms with local licensing strategies and hurt those relying on global scale alone.

A Market Structure Shift

For traders, the effect may show up gradually through exchange restrictions, product adjustments, and liquidity changes. The biggest stablecoins will not disappear overnight, but their European use could become more segmented.

The broader takeaway is that MiCA is no longer just a future deadline. It is starting to define how stablecoin liquidity can actually move through the European market.

The Story Beneath The Headline

The useful way to read this story is not as a standalone headline about ESMA, but as part of the wider pressure building around Stablecoins coverage this week. Markets have been jumping quickly from one catalyst to the next, so the cleaner value for readers is in separating the actual development from the instant reaction around it. In this case, the source material gives us a concrete event to work from, rather than a loose rumour or a recycled social-media talking point.

That distinction matters because crypto readers are being asked to process a lot at once: ETF flows, regulatory actions, exchange listings, protocol upgrades, wallet movements, and political signals. A story like this is most useful when it helps them understand where MiCA fits into that broader map. It does not need to be inflated into a guaranteed price call to be worth covering. It simply needs to explain what changed, who is affected, and why the market is paying attention today.

The caveat is also important. Even clean source-backed developments can be overinterpreted when traders are hunting for a fast narrative. A listing does not automatically create lasting demand, a regulatory update does not immediately settle every legal question, and an on-chain movement does not always translate into a finished sale. The better read is to treat the development as a fresh data point and then watch whether follow-up activity confirms the direction of travel.

For NewsBTC readers, that means keeping the focus on what can actually be verified from the source and avoiding the temptation to turn every update into a sweeping market verdict. The story is strong enough on its own terms: it gives investors and traders another piece of context around Stablecoins, while leaving room for the next filing, dashboard update, wallet movement, governance vote, or exchange notice to decide whether the angle grows into something bigger.

This report is based on information from ESMA.

This article was written by the News Desk and edited by Samuel Rae.

Source: ESMA

Benchmark-backed Ollama has amassed 176,000 stars, and nearly 17,000 forks on GitHub by helping developers easily run AI on their PCs.

One of the attractions of buying at the bottom end of the electronics market by mail order from China is that you never quite know what will come your way. Sometimes it’s a diamond in the rough, while with others it’s a mess. Occasionally along comes something which should work but doesn’t, and that’s the moment when you wonder if you could fix it. [Nyanpasu64] had just such a device, an HDMI to VGA converter with audio that didn’t work. What could be wrong?

The HDMI to VGA chip has an onboard audio digital-to-analog converter (DAC), and it’s a delta-sigma design. This type of DAC is frequently used in audio applications because it works by shifting its switching frequency many times higher than the input sample rate, thus reducing considerably the distortion. This one wasn’t performing as advertised though, and the problem turned out to be that switching frequency being all over the output. Clearly the filter wasn’t working, which led to the design of a new filter. The write-up is therefore an extensive dive into filter design, and in part also a discovery of the effect of impedance on them.

For a super-cheap module to cause so much work, one might ask why not simply spend a few more dollars and get a better one. But had they done that we wouldn’t have seen this write-up, so we’re sticking with team cheap.

We’ve looked at audio DACs, in the past.

Base crossing the $2 billion TVL line is one of those milestones that matters because it is hard to fake. Liquidity can move, of course, but total value locked still gives a useful read on where users and capital are actually choosing to spend time.

And right now, Base is proving it belongs in the serious layer-2 conversation.

For more details, visit the official DeFiLlama platform.

TL;DR

• Base network TVL climbed past the $2 billion mark.
• The growth reflects rising capital deployment across Base-native and imported DeFi apps.
• It is another sign that the Ethereum layer-2 race is being measured in real liquidity, not just branding.

Why TVL Still Matters

TVL is not a perfect metric, but it remains one of the clearest ways to see whether an ecosystem has gone beyond launch buzz. When users are deploying capital into lending, DEXs, and liquidity venues, the network starts to look more durable.

Base benefiting from names like Aerodrome and Uniswap also shows how quickly a chain can gather momentum when distribution and developer attention align.

The Real Layer-2 Battle

The broader takeaway is that layer-2 competition is not just about throughput claims anymore. It is about where liquidity settles, where users stay, and which networks can build enough gravity to keep both.

Base hitting this level reinforces that the L2 race is being decided in increasingly measurable terms.

This article is based on data from DeFiLlama.

This article was written by the News Desk and edited by Samuel Rae.

This report is based on information from DeFiLlama. at DeFiLlama

The Y Combinator-backed company started a vibe-coding platform and later built an agent-creation product.

Enterprise software company LogicGate is establishing a Bellevue, Wash., office and rapidly expanding its Seattle-area executive team, betting on the region’s deep technology talent pool as it embarks on a new chapter under newly appointed CEO Diego Panama.

The Chicago-based governance, risk and compliance software company recently signed a lease in Bellevue with space for up to 25 employees and expects to have about 20 people working there by the end of the year.

It also recently recruited two Seattle-area executives to its leadership team: veteran marketing executive Michael Schultz as chief marketing officer and David Rostov as chief financial officer, whose appointment is being announced today.

“The tech talent market here is really second to none,” said Panama, the former LiveRamp and Microsoft sales leader who took the helm of the company in April. “As we looked to create a hub with a vibrant office culture, Bellevue is really a stand-out option.”  

The expansion comes as Panama succeeds co-founder Matt Kunkel in a planned leadership transition that the company hopes will position LogicGate for its next phase of growth.

“We are eyes wide open — this is hard to get right — and really proud/excited about how we are going about it,” said Panama. One of his main goals as CEO is to transform LogicGate from a cloud-based software-as-a-service business into an AI-centric company where agents and humans work seamlessly together.

Founded in 2015 and now employing about 200 globally, LogicGate develops governance, risk and compliance software used by enterprises to manage regulatory, cybersecurity and operational risk.

Rostov is a longtime Seattle technology finance executive who previously served as CFO at Avalara and Identity Digital before co-founding Aurion Biotech. Based in Seattle, he will oversee LogicGate’s finance and legal organizations while helping expand the company’s Pacific Northwest operations.

“We have a leadership team that can match the ambition of what we’re creating at LogicGate,” Panama said in a statement.

Rostov said he was drawn by both the market opportunity and the company’s strategy around AI.

“Enterprise GRC is at an inflection point, and companies need a trusted AI-focused platform that scales alongside their risk and compliance demands,” he said in a statement.

The Bellevue office reflects the company’s belief that the Seattle region’s concentration of enterprise software, cloud computing and AI talent can help fuel its next stage of growth as it expands both its leadership team and its AI capabilities.

LogicGate’s investment also adds another enterprise software company to a growing roster of firms choosing the Seattle area as a base for executive leadership, alongside engineering and product talent. GeekWire’s engineering center list now includes more than 100 companies with outposts in the region.