Asia & EMEA crypto wrap: $100M bitcoin-backed bonds, BTC's worst Q1 since 2018, 10 indicted for wash trading
The New Hampshire Business Finance Authority is preparing to sell $100 million of bitcoin-backed bonds, a deal rated "Ba2" by Moody's Investors Service.
Bitcoin finished the first quarter of 2026 down 23.8%, its weakest Q1 showing since 2018.
In the U.S., federal grand juries indicted 10 foreign nationals linked to crypto market makers over alleged "wash trading" aimed at boosting reported volumes and prices.
Liquidity provider and trading firm B2C2 named Solana as its primary network for institutional stablecoin settlement.
Australia passed legislation requiring crypto platforms to hold financial services licenses, a major step in formal regulation of the fast-growing sector.
Security losses continued to mount. PeckShield said crypto hacks and exploits caused $52 million in losses across 20 major incidents in March.
CoinShares began trading on the Nasdaq after completing a $1.2 billion merger with a special purpose acquisition company, bringing the firm into U.S. public markets.
Franklin Templeton has reportedly agreed to acquire 250 Digital, a CoinFund spinoff, to broaden its crypto investment lineup.
The Uniswap Foundation said current funding should cover operations into early 2027, citing a treasury position of about $85.8 million.
Looking ahead, K33 said bitcoin traders are showing "aggressive caution" into the typically low-volume Easter period, pointing to recent weak price action, Iran-led uncertainty, and renewed quantum computing warnings.
