NYDIG is reportedly in advanced talks to acquire Alcoa’s idle Massena East smelter site in New York, a 435 MW hydropower-connected campus already used for bitcoin mining and home to roughly 54,000 machines.

Hong Kong's HKMA grants first stablecoin licenses to HSBC and Standard Chartered-led consortium, advancing digital asset hub plans. Strict rules including full reserves, $3.19M capital, and 1-day redemption. HSBC to launch HKD stablecoin in H2 2026, targeting payments and cross-border finance.

Bitcoin miner MARA Holdings sold 15,133 BTC (~$1.1B) to repurchase convertible notes, cutting debt by ~30%. CEO calls it strategic capital allocation towards digital energy and AI/HPC. Mixed market reactions reflect shifting industry trends.

Avihu Levy of Starkware has introduced QSB, a research-backed method for creating quantum-safe Bitcoin transactions using existing Bitcoin rules, though deployment remains limited by relay policy, wallet support, and engineering constraints.

Brazil's ruling party files bill to fully ban online gambling with fines up to $385M; Venezuelan economist proposes a national USD stablecoin to bypass currency controls; Latam markets surge as a safe haven amid Middle East conflict.

Hong Kong's HKMA has awarded its first stablecoin issuer licences to HSBC and a Standard Chartered-led consortium. Strict rules require full reserves, $3.19M capital, no interest, and same-day redemption. HSBC plans a HKD stablecoin in H2 2026, boosting the city's digital asset hub ambitions.

NYDIG is nearing the acquisition of Alcoa's idle Massena East aluminum smelter in New York, a 435 MW hydropower site already hosting ~54,000 bitcoin miners. The deal is expected to close by mid-2026, marking another major expansion for the mining infrastructure firm.

Starkware CPO Avihu Levy introduced QSB, a quantum-safe Bitcoin transaction scheme built entirely from existing Bitcoin rules, though the approach still faces relay, cost, and wallet adoption hurdles.