Coinbase and Ripple execs join California officials to streamline state operations

House Republicans just shut down an attempt to attach a politically charged amendment about releasing the infamous Epstein files to a major crypto bill. The move comes as Congress debates three big digital asset laws during "Crypto Week." Democrats had pushed for the amendment, which would’ve forced the DOJ to disclose those controversial documents, but GOP lawmakers blocked it—keeping the focus (for now) on crypto regulation rather than mixing in the Epstein case.

Editor’s Note: This is less about the Epstein files themselves and more about how messy legislative sausage-making gets. Lawmakers often try to hitch unrelated, contentious issues to must-pass bills—sometimes as a bargaining chip, sometimes as a distraction. By blocking this, Republicans avoided a side debate that could’ve derailed crypto talks, but it also highlights how polarizing topics keep creeping into even niche policy fights. For crypto watchers, the real story is whether these landmark bills can survive the political crossfire.

Bitcoin took a nosedive below $117,000 as long-term investors cashed in a staggering $3.5 billion in profits—one of the biggest sell-offs this year. On-chain analysts at Glassnode spotted the trend, noting that seasoned holders led the charge, likely locking in gains after Bitcoin's recent rally.

Editor’s Note: When long-term Bitcoin investors start taking profits en masse, it often signals a cooling-off period or even a short-term top in the market. This sell-off could shake up trader confidence and trigger more volatility, especially if retail investors panic and follow suit. It’s a reminder that even in crypto’s bull runs, nothing goes up forever.

BigONE, a cryptocurrency exchange, just got hit with a major security breach—someone attacked one of their third-party service providers and made off with $27 million from the exchange’s hot wallets. They’ve confirmed the incident, but details on how it happened are still scarce.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another "crypto hack" headline—it’s a reminder that even exchanges with solid security can be vulnerable if their partners slip up. Hot wallets (which are connected to the internet for quick transactions) are always a juicy target, and third-party risks are becoming a bigger headache for the industry. If you’re holding crypto on exchanges, this is yet another nudge to consider cold storage for anything you’re not actively trading.

Crypto prices took a hit today as fresh U.S. inflation numbers made investors rethink the likelihood of the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates soon. The dip also comes as some traders cashed out after recent rallies, causing a broader pullback across digital assets.

Editor’s Note: Crypto markets are still tightly tied to traditional finance—when inflation worries flare up, traders often ditch risky bets like Bitcoin and Ethereum. This drop shows how sensitive digital assets are to Fed policy speculation, even if the long-term crypto narrative stays unchanged.

A company called BTC Digital just dropped $1 million on Bitcoin, signaling strong institutional interest in the cryptocurrency. While it’s not a massive purchase in the grand scheme of things, it’s another sign that businesses are betting on Bitcoin as a long-term asset—even amid market ups and downs.

Editor’s Note: Big-money moves like this matter because they add legitimacy to Bitcoin as an investment, not just a speculative plaything. When companies keep stacking sats (even during quieter market periods), it suggests confidence in crypto’s staying power—and could encourage other firms to follow suit. For everyday investors, it’s a reminder that institutional players aren’t leaving the scene anytime soon.