Bitcoin tumbled below $66,000 early this week after President Trump escalated rhetoric against Iran, promising to send the country back to the "stone age." The aggressive tone reversed gains from a relatively conciliatory statement the day prior. Across the broader crypto derivatives market, total liquidations hit $440 million, with longs taking the brunt. The sharp selloff broke a short-term uptrend, though Bitcoin found a temporary floor near $65,800.
Coinbase Receives Conditional OCC National Trust Charter
Coinbase announced Thursday it secured conditional approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) for a national trust company charter. The charter is structured as a non-insured national trust, meaning Coinbase cannot take deposits or issue loans but can offer custody, staking, and related fiduciary and trust functions to institutional clients. The move aligns Coinbase with Ripple and Circle, which hold similar charters. Analysts say the approval enhances Coinbase's regulatory standing and credibility with large asset managers.
Whale Dormant Since 2014 Moves 500 BTC
A Bitcoin wallet that had been inactive since May 2014 transferred 500 BTC across five transactions on Tuesday. Historically, long-dormant whale addresses awaken to take profits after price appreciation. However, this particular wallet from 2014 faces elevated risk from aging private keys. One plausible explanation is that the holder is migrating funds to quantum-resistant wallets—a growing trend as the crypto community debates quantum computing's potential threat to older key formats.
Metaplanet Adds 5,075 Bitcoin in Q1, Total Reaches 40,177 BTC
Japan's largest corporate Bitcoin holder, Metaplanet, purchased 5,075 BTC during the first quarter of 2026, lifting its total stack to 40,177 BTC. The company went from zero Bitcoin two years ago to one of the top corporate holders globally. Despite paper losses on its balance sheet during price downturns, Metaplanet has not slowed its buying. The firm's Bitcoin-per-share metric has consistently risen each quarter, signaling unshaken conviction in long-term accumulation.
BlackRock Bitcoin Premium Income ETF Edges Closer With BITA Ticker
BlackRock pushed deeper into Bitcoin-linked income strategies, filing an amendment revealing the ticker BITA for its Bitcoin Premium Income ETF. The vehicle aims to generate monthly premium income by writing (selling) covered call options primarily on IBIT shares, and occasionally on ETP indices. If approved, the ETF would offer investors exposure to Bitcoin price movements while providing regular yield through options premiums.