210.42K
1.29M
2025-09-20 15:00:00 ~ 2025-09-22 10:30:00
2025-09-22 12:00:00 ~ 2025-09-22 16:00:00
Total supply100.00M
Resources
Introduction
River is building a chain-abstraction stablecoin system that connects assets, liquidity, and yield across ecosystems. Powered by the omni-CDP stablecoin satUSD, users can earn, leverage, and scale across ecosystems.Beyond traditional models, River has pioneered PrimeVault and SmartVault, which combine collateral flexibility with automated, no-liquidation yield strategies, enabling seamless multi-chain expansion.
The U.S. Senate Banking Committee is set to mark up its long-awaited market structure legislation next week. This will reopen debate over whether stablecoin issuers should be allowed to offer rewards — an issue Congress had previously addressed under the GENIUS Act. The renewed focus on stablecoin rewards has surfaced late in the legislative process. It has introduced uncertainty around a policy area that industry participants believed had already been resolved. The outcome of the markup could shape how stablecoins compete in payments and onchain commerce as lawmakers finalise the framework governing digital assets. Stablecoin returns to the agenda Under the GENIUS Act, Congress established guardrails for stablecoins without prohibiting rewards. This structure was intended to balance consumer protection with innovation in digital payments. Revisiting the issue as part of the broader market structure bill risks reopening compromises that were reached earlier in the legislative cycle. The Senate Banking Committee’s markup next week will determine whether provisions restricting rewards are added, removed, or clarified before the bill advances. Lawmakers have not yet signalled a consensus, raising the prospect of late-stage amendments. Payments economics at the centre of the debate Supporters of stablecoin rewards argue that the issue is less about financial stability and more about competition in payments. In a post, Faryar Shirzad, chief policy officer at Coinbase, warned that reopening the rewards debate could undermine consumer choice as commerce increasingly moves onchain. Shirzad argued that stablecoins primarily compete with card networks and other payment rails rather than with bank lending. He pointed to data showing that U.S. banks generate significant revenue from payment-related activities, including card fees and interest on reserves, and framed opposition to rewards as rooted in protecting those revenue streams. Evidence cited on deposits and lending The argument that stablecoin rewards could drain deposits from community banks has also been challenged with empirical research. Shirzad cited a study by Charles River Associates that found no meaningful relationship between growth in USDC and community bank deposits, suggesting the two serve different users and use cases. Academic research has reached similar conclusions. Studies from Cornell University indicate that stablecoins do not materially reduce bank lending and that rewards would need to approach levels well above current offerings to meaningfully affect deposits. Current reward rates in the market remain far below those thresholds. Broader implications for the U.S. dollar Beyond domestic payments, the debate carries geopolitical overtones. Shirzad pointed to moves by other jurisdictions, including China’s experimentation with interest-bearing features in its digital yuan, as evidence that restricting rewards could weaken the U.S. dollar’s competitiveness in onchain commerce. While such arguments are contested, they highlight how stablecoin policy is increasingly viewed through the lens of payments leadership and currency influence, not just crypto regulation. What happens next The Senate Banking Committee’s markup will determine whether the market structure bill preserves the GENIUS Act’s treatment of stablecoin rewards or reopens the issue for further negotiation. Any change could ripple through an industry that has been operating under the assumption of regulatory continuity. For now, the return of the rewards debate underscores the fragility of late-stage legislative compromises. As Congress moves to finalise digital asset rules, even previously settled issues remain subject to revision — with implications for how stablecoins are used, priced, and adopted in the U.S. financial system. Final Thoughts The return of the stablecoin rewards debate ahead of next week’s Senate markup highlights how late-stage legislative changes can reintroduce regulatory uncertainty, even on issues previously addressed by Congress. How lawmakers handle rewards could shape competition in digital payments, influencing whether stablecoins evolve as consumer-facing payment tools or remain more limited instruments.
River adds 12 percent as bullish sentiment holds firm despite a stretched momentum signal. Open interest jumps above $108 million, hinting at strong leveraged exposure. The token’s 24-hour volume dips 10% while the price stays above $18, and trend support holds. River extended its new-year surge on Wednesday with a fresh 12% advance in the past 24 hours as buyers continued to assert control despite unmistakable signs of market overheating. The token traded near $18.69 by press time, lifting its market capitalization to roughly $366M and cementing its position as one of the strongest short-term performers in the sector. The upswing adds to a recovery that began at the early-January lows close to $7. From that level, River broke through the $9–$11 resistance zone that had held for months, converting it into firm support and establishing the base for its broader upward structure. A sharp 31% decline on Jan. 3 briefly disrupted momentum, yet the move proved fleeting as buyers re-entered quickly and restored the prevailing uptrend. Steady Uptrend Backed by Heavy Multi-Timeframe Gains Higher-timeframe charts paint an unusually consistent picture. Weekly performance now sits north of 216% from the swing low, a run that would normally cool sooner but hasn’t yet shown signs of cracking. The monthly chart is even more dramatic, posting a gain of more than 340%. Similarly, on a yearly basis, the advance edges toward 469%, the kind of stretch that keeps traders glued to the order book rather than the calendar. Not to leave out, trend indicators continue to fall in line with that strength. Source: TradingView The 20-day moving average sits far below the spot near $8.82, while the 50-day trails around $6.13. Those levels haven’t been tested in days. The distance between price and the averages is wide enough that any pullback toward them would likely be viewed as a normal drift rather than a structural threat. Momentum Tightens as Volume Eases Off the Highs Still, the rally has begun to show some strain. The relative strength index has been planted around the 70 overbought levels for most of January, hinting that the rally has been running hotter than usual. The market often takes a breather when readings stay stretched for too long, though timing any cooldown is difficult. Volume shifts add another wrinkle. River’s 24-hour trading turnover slipped nearly 10% to around $37M, which suggests traders were slightly less active after the latest burst upward. Even so, key technical areas remain clear. Support sits first around $17.35 at the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement, followed by $14.28 at the 50% zone. A deeper fade would bring the $11.22 region back into view, an area that previously hosted the breakout. On the other side of the chart, extensions map out potential upside levels near $21.71 and later around $25.11 if momentum recovers. Derivatives Activity Swells as Open Interest Builds On-chain and derivative flows added a sharper edge to River’s rally, offering a look at where the more aggressive traders have been positioning themselves. According to CoinGlass, Binance’s perpetuals desk carried most of the weight, accounting for roughly $2B of the token’s $3.5B in 24-hour derivatives turnover. More than 12.9M trades crossed there, a volume profile that hints at traders leaning hard on leverage and pushing liquidity deeper than spot alone could support. The pace of activity, though, also tends to pull volatility along with it. Open interest told a similar story. Source: CoinGlass It jumped from about $75M on Jan. 5 to more than $108M, a rise that usually indicates new positions coming in rather than older ones being unwound. That shift often reflects a market leaning confidently into its momentum. Still, concentrated leverage on a single venue has a way of magnifying every mood swing, and River has not been an exception when that dynamic takes hold. Related: SUI Extends Bullish Run With 40% Year-to-Date Gain After Supply Unlock Market Holds Its Structure as Traders Track Key Levels The concentration of activity around a single venue creates its own tension. Liquidity is deep, but positioning can become one-sided, and that often leads to wider swings. For now, though, the broader structure remains intact. Multi-timeframe gains, supportive trend levels, and elevated derivatives participation have kept River anchored in a strong posture even as momentum indicators flag exhaustion. With volume thinning and leverage rising, the next stretch of trading may reveal whether the market wants consolidation or another leg up. Either way, the roadmap is clear, and the reaction around those nearby levels will likely tell the story first. Tags Altcoin News Price Analysis
In a remarkable display of market momentum, the River (RIVER) chain abstraction stablecoin system has recorded a staggering $3.5 billion in 24-hour trading volume, a surge directly linked to public backing from cryptocurrency pioneer Arthur Hayes. This volume, concentrated on global exchanges as of early 2025, notably surpasses established assets like Dogecoin and signals a significant shift in trader attention toward innovative DeFi infrastructure. River RIVER Trading Volume Reaches Historic Highs Data from major cryptocurrency exchanges reveals unprecedented activity for the River token. Specifically, the Binance perpetual futures market accounted for approximately $2 billion of this volume. Consequently, River’s daily trading activity on that single platform exceeded that of major assets including Sui (SUI), Dogecoin (DOGE), and the meme-coin Pepe (PEPE). This comparison highlights a substantial capital rotation within the crypto derivatives space. Market analysts attribute this liquidity influx to a combination of strategic investment and growing recognition of the project’s underlying technology. Key Volume Metrics: 24-Hour Global Volume: Over $3.5 billion. Binance Perpetuals Dominance: Roughly $2 billion. Price Performance: RIVER traded at $19.34, marking a 24-hour gain of 29.71% according to CoinMarketCap. The Arthur Hayes Catalyst and Market Reaction The catalyst for this volatility traces back to January 5, 2025. On that date, Maelstrom, the family office of BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes, publicly disclosed an investment in River. Following this announcement, the RIVER token price surged approximately 36%, moving from $19 to around $26. Hayes, a highly influential figure in crypto finance, has since amplified market interest through his communications. On the social media platform X, he suggested that RIVER could see listings on additional major exchanges. Furthermore, in a recent blog post, Hayes outlined an investment strategy focused on privacy and decentralized finance (DeFi) altcoins, a category which River’s chain abstraction model appears to fit. Expert Analysis of Strategic Investment Trends This event exemplifies a broader trend in the 2025 cryptocurrency landscape where endorsement from established industry figures can rapidly accelerate market validation. Hayes’s public track record with BitMEX provides a layer of perceived expertise and authoritativeness to his investment choices. Market participants often interpret such moves as signals of a project’s long-term viability and technological merit. Therefore, the trading volume spike reflects not just speculative interest, but also a reassessment of River’s potential role within the evolving DeFi ecosystem. The focus on a “chain abstraction stablecoin system” suggests a solution aimed at improving interoperability and user experience across different blockchains, a persistent challenge in the sector. Understanding Chain Abstraction and Stablecoin Systems To comprehend River’s market movement, one must understand its proposed utility. Chain abstraction is a technical design paradigm that seeks to hide the complexities of interacting with multiple blockchains from end-users. In practice, a user could transact without needing to manually bridge assets or pay gas fees on different networks. A stablecoin system built on this principle would theoretically allow for seamless, cross-chain transactions using a price-stable digital asset. This addresses critical pain points around liquidity fragmentation and user experience in decentralized finance. River’s recent metrics suggest the market is assigning significant value to this proposed solution, especially as the broader industry pushes toward greater interconnectedness. Comparative Market Impact (Sample 24-hr Volume): Asset Approx. Volume (Binance Perpetuals) Category River (RIVER) $2.0 Billion DeFi / Stablecoin System Dogecoin (DOGE) < $2.0 Billion Meme Coin / Payment Pepe (PEPE) < $2.0 Billion Meme Coin Sui (SUI) < $2.0 Billion Layer 1 Blockchain Broader Implications for the DeFi Sector The concentration of volume on Binance perpetual futures indicates strong interest from leveraged traders and institutional participants. This activity often precedes or accompanies increased spot market liquidity and exchange listings. For the decentralized finance sector, a successful chain abstraction model could enhance capital efficiency and reduce barriers to entry. However, such high volatility also underscores the nascent and speculative nature of the market. Regulatory bodies worldwide continue to scrutinize the stablecoin and DeFi landscapes, making technological execution and compliance future critical factors for projects like River. Conclusion The River RIVER token’s ascent to over $3.5 billion in daily trading volume marks a pivotal moment, demonstrating the powerful market influence of strategic backing from figures like Arthur Hayes. This event transcends mere price speculation, highlighting growing investor appetite for foundational DeFi infrastructure that solves real interoperability problems. While the short-term volatility is pronounced, the focus remains on River’s long-term potential to deliver a functional chain abstraction stablecoin system. The project’s ability to convert this trading surge into sustained technological development and adoption will be the true measure of its success in the competitive 2025 cryptocurrency ecosystem. FAQs Q1: What is River (RIVER)? River is a cryptocurrency project described as a chain abstraction stablecoin system. It aims to simplify cross-blockchain transactions by abstracting away technical complexities for users, utilizing a stable digital asset. Q2: Why did River’s trading volume surge? The primary catalyst was a public investment from Arthur Hayes’s family office, Maelstrom, announced on January 5, 2025. Hayes’s subsequent comments about potential new exchange listings further fueled market interest and trading activity. Q3: How does River’s volume compare to Dogecoin? On the Binance perpetual futures market, River’s approximate $2 billion daily volume recently surpassed the daily trading volume of Dogecoin (DOGE), Pepe (PEPE), and Sui (SUI) on the same platform. Q4: What is chain abstraction? Chain abstraction is a technical approach in blockchain that seeks to create a seamless user experience across multiple networks. It allows users to interact with various applications and assets without managing separate wallets, gas tokens, or bridges for each chain. Q5: What is Arthur Hayes’s connection to River? Arthur Hayes, the co-founder of the derivatives exchange BitMEX, invested in River through his investment vehicle, Maelstrom. He has publicly commented on the project, aligning it with his stated focus on privacy and DeFi altcoins.
The global race to integrate crypto into traditional finance is progressing in Asia, dominating the crypto market news today. South Korea’s securities exchange operator, KRX, has officially shown its operational readiness to support crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and derivatives. South Korea targets 24-hour crypto trading South Korea is moving aggressively to shed its “Korea discount” and accept the premium valuations often seen in the crypto sector. Speaking at the New Year’s trading ceremony, KRX chairman Jeong Eun-bo declared that the exchange is operationally prepared to launch crypto ETFs and derivatives. This bold statement shows a growing coordination between market operators and policymakers as the country evaluates how to integrate digital assets into its traditional financial system. While regulatory approval is still pending, the infrastructure build-out is a clear signal that South Korea intends to be a global leader in regulated crypto finance. Jeong also pointed to a gradual shift toward 24-hour trading and digital finance readiness. Best coins to buy in the crypto market news today Unlike speculative meme coins that rely on fleeting hype, DeepSnitch AI delivers live, tangible utility that becomes more valuable as the market grows more complex. SnitchGPT is already live, answering complex queries about market trends and token safety in seconds, while SnitchScan provides real-time security audits that are essential in a high-speed trading environment. SnitchFeed is also live. Additionally, more than 27 million tokens have been staked by the community, removing a significant portion of the circulating supply before the token even hits public exchanges. And with rumors of Tier 1 exchange listings for DeepSnitch AI, the chance to secure your position at the Stage 4 price is reducing by the hour. River (RIVER) crypto market news today The token has seen a staggering price increase of 383% in the last seven days as of January 2nd, massively outperforming the general crypto market. However, the trading volume has reduced by 45% in the last 24 hours, indicating that the initial buying frenzy may be cooling off. River’s volatility is rated as extremely high at 34%, making it a dangerous coin for the faint of heart. Additionally, the 14-Day RSI is screaming overbought at 81.15, a classic technical signal that a correction is imminent. The price prediction forecasts a further rise of 94% by January 2027. Aster (ASTER) crypto market news today Aster had a price increase of 6% in the last seven days, within the same period, outperforming the global market average. However, despite the green candles, the sentiment remains stubbornly bearish. The market seems unconvinced by Aster’s recent moves, likely due to a lack of groundbreaking market-wide updates. The price prediction for Aster forecasts a rise of 114% to reach $1.62 by January 2027. The bottom line South Korea’s move toward crypto ETFs and 24-hour trading confirms that the market is changing into an institutional powerhouse. However, DeepSnitch AI provides the essential infrastructure for this new era. That’s why in the latest crypto market news today, it is the best crypto to buy. Stage 3 is wrapped up, and Stage 4 is live. Those who joined early are already up by more than 110% and there’s more to come, especially with its launch approaching. FAQs What is the latest crypto market news regarding South Korea? Latest crypto market news today confirms that South Korea’s KRX is operationally ready for crypto ETFs. Why is DeepSnitch AI Stage 4 significant? In the crypto market news today, DeepSnitch AI Stage 4 is significant because it marks a price increase to $0.03205 and shows continued momentum with over $1.07 million raised. What are today’s crypto headlines about ETFs? Today’s crypto headlines focus on KRX chairman Jeong Eun-bo’s announcement that the exchange is ready for crypto ETFs and derivatives.
According to Odaily, market data shows that RIVER has surged past 18 USDT and is now trading at 18.63 USDT, with a 24-hour increase of 53%.
In a significant move for decentralized finance infrastructure, the chain abstraction stablecoin protocol River announced on March 21, 2025, that it has secured a strategic investment from Maelstrom, the family office of BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes. This pivotal funding round will accelerate River’s core mission of simplifying cross-chain asset movement through its innovative stablecoin system. The investment signals growing institutional confidence in abstraction-layer solutions designed to solve blockchain interoperability, a persistent challenge in the digital asset ecosystem. River Protocol’s Strategic Maelstrom Investment River confirmed the strategic investment from Arthur Hayes’ Maelstrom family office this week. Consequently, the protocol will allocate the new capital toward two primary objectives. First, it will fund further development of its core chain abstraction technology. Second, the capital will support expansion initiatives across the broader digital asset landscape. The specific investment amount remains undisclosed, as is common for private strategic rounds. However, industry analysts view the backing from a figure like Hayes as a substantial validation of River’s technical thesis. Arthur Hayes, through Maelstrom, has consistently invested in foundational crypto infrastructure projects. His involvement often precedes significant sector growth. For instance, Maelstrom’s portfolio includes early-stage bets on decentralized exchange protocols and scaling solutions. Therefore, this investment in River aligns with a pattern of supporting technologies that reduce friction for end-users. The move highlights a strategic shift in venture focus toward the “plumbing” of Web3, rather than just consumer-facing applications. Understanding Chain Abstraction and River’s Role Chain abstraction refers to a suite of technologies designed to hide blockchain complexity from users. Essentially, it allows users to interact with assets and applications across multiple networks without managing separate wallets, gas tokens, or bridges for each chain. River protocol specifically applies this concept to stablecoins. It aims to create a single, unified stablecoin that can natively operate on any connected blockchain, maintaining its value and liquidity seamlessly. The Technical and Market Problem Currently, stablecoin users face significant fragmentation. A user holding USDC on Ethereum cannot easily use those funds on a decentralized application on Avalanche or Solana without employing a bridge, which introduces security risks, delays, and fees. River’s proposed system would abstract this process, allowing the stablecoin to exist as a single asset with multi-chain presence. This solves a critical pain point for both retail users and institutional participants in DeFi. The following table outlines the core comparison between the current state and River’s proposed abstracted state: Aspect Current Multi-Chain Reality River’s Chain Abstraction Vision User Experience Manage multiple wallets, bridges, and gas tokens. Single wallet interaction; the protocol handles chain logistics. Stablecoin Liquidity Fragmented across chains; bridging creates silos. Unified liquidity pool accessible from any connected chain. Security Model Relies on external bridge security, a major hack vector. Native cross-chain messaging with minimized trust assumptions. Developer Integration Must integrate with each chain and its bridges separately. Integrate once with River’s abstraction layer for multi-chain access. This technological approach positions River not as another stablecoin issuer, but as a interoperability layer. Major protocols like LayerZero and Chainlink’s CCIP work on generalized messaging. In contrast, River focuses specifically on the stablecoin asset class, which represents the largest use case for cross-chain movement. Arthur Hayes and Maelstrom’s Investment Thesis Arthur Hayes co-founded BitMEX, one of the first major cryptocurrency derivatives exchanges. After stepping down, he established Maelstrom as his personal investment vehicle. Maelstrom’s mandate focuses on early-stage, high-conviction bets within the cryptocurrency and blockchain sector. Hayes is known for his macroeconomic analysis of digital assets and his public advocacy for Bitcoin and Ethereum as foundational technologies. His investment in River through Maelstrom follows a clear logic based on observable market trends. Firstly, the total value locked (TVL) in cross-chain bridges has grown exponentially, yet security incidents have eroded trust. Secondly, stablecoins consistently dominate transaction volume across all smart contract platforms. Therefore, a protocol that can securely unify stablecoin liquidity addresses a multi-billion dollar market need. Hayes has previously written about the “fragmented liquidity” problem, making River a direct solution to a challenge he has identified. Furthermore, Maelstrom’s investment provides more than capital. It offers strategic guidance and a network effect. Hayes’s public platform and deep industry connections can accelerate partnerships and adoption for River. This type of value-add investment is often more sought after than pure capital in the current venture landscape. Context Within the 2025 Digital Asset Landscape The investment occurs amid a broader industry trend toward consolidation and usability. After the rapid expansion of Layer 1 and Layer 2 blockchains from 2020-2024, the market has entered an integration phase. Developers and users now prioritize solutions that connect these disparate ecosystems efficiently. Regulatory clarity around stablecoins in several major jurisdictions has also increased confidence for builders in this subsector. River’s development roadmap likely accounts for these regulatory developments, aiming to ensure compliance across jurisdictions—a factor that would be critical for a strategic investor like Hayes. Implications for System Development and Market Expansion River’s announcement states the funds will be used for “system development and expansion across the digital asset space.” This typically translates into several concrete initiatives. The development funds will likely expand the team of cryptographers and engineers working on the protocol’s core cross-chain security model. Additionally, resources will go toward auditing and formal verification to ensure the system’s robustness before mainnet launch. Expansion efforts will focus on business development and integration. Key activities include: Protocol Integrations: Forming partnerships with major DeFi lending protocols, decentralized exchanges, and payment platforms across multiple chains. Chain Onboarding: Technically integrating with additional blockchain ecosystems beyond any initial launch partners. Developer Outreach: Creating grants, documentation, and software development kits (SDKs) to encourage builders to use River’s abstraction layer. Go-to-Market Strategy: Planning the phased public launch and liquidity incentive programs to bootstrap the network effect. The ultimate goal is to position River’s abstracted stablecoin as the default medium of exchange and store of value for users navigating a multi-chain world. Success would not necessarily compete with existing stablecoin issuers like Circle (USDC) or Tether (USDT), but rather provide a superior distribution and usability layer for them or for a new native asset. Conclusion The strategic investment from Arthur Hayes’ Maelstrom into the River protocol marks a notable milestone for the chain abstraction sector. It underscores a growing consensus that the future of digital assets is multi-chain, and that seamless interoperability is not a luxury but a necessity for mainstream adoption. River’s focus on abstracting complexity for stablecoins, the largest asset class in crypto, addresses a critical market need. With new capital and the strategic backing of a seasoned industry figure like Hayes, River is poised to accelerate its development and expand its reach. The progress of this protocol will be a key indicator of whether chain abstraction can deliver on its promise to unify a fragmented blockchain landscape, ultimately making decentralized finance more accessible and secure for all users. FAQs Q1: What is chain abstraction? A1: Chain abstraction is a technological approach that hides the underlying complexity of interacting with multiple blockchains from the end-user. It allows users to manage assets and use applications across different networks without needing separate wallets, gas tokens, or manual bridging for each chain. Q2: Who is Arthur Hayes and what is Maelstrom? A2: Arthur Hayes is the co-founder of the BitMEX cryptocurrency derivatives exchange. Maelstrom is his personal family office and investment vehicle, which focuses on strategic, early-stage investments in cryptocurrency and blockchain infrastructure projects. Q3: How will River protocol use the investment funds? A3: According to the announcement, River will allocate the capital toward core system development—enhancing its chain abstraction technology—and for expansion efforts across the digital asset space, including business development, new chain integrations, and ecosystem growth. Q4: Why is chain abstraction important for stablecoins? A4: Stablecoins are the most widely used assets for transactions and trading in crypto. Currently, their liquidity is fragmented across dozens of blockchains. Chain abstraction aims to unify this liquidity, allowing a single stablecoin balance to be used seamlessly on any connected network, improving user experience and capital efficiency. Q5: Does this investment mean Arthur Hayes is launching a new stablecoin? A5: No. The investment is in the River protocol, which is building the abstraction layer technology. River may facilitate the use of existing stablecoins across chains or issue its own native asset that operates with this abstraction. The investment is in the infrastructure, not necessarily the direct issuance of a currency.
Contents Top 5 gainers of the last 7 days 1. River (RIVER) 2. Collect on Fanable (COLLECT) 3. Ore (ORE) 4. Uselss Coin (USELESS) 5. Pepe (PEPE) During a bullish week in the crypto markets, in which Bitcoin’s price surged from $86,000 levels above $93,000, other digital assets recorded impressive price gains. Some tokens reached a new ATH. Top 5 gainers of the last 7 days Top 5 gainers of the week 1. River (RIVER) RIVER surged by more than 197% in the past seven days. The digital asset debuted a price surge from approximately $4 on December 30, reaching $19 on January 2, its new ATH. At the moment of writing this article, RIVER is trading above $15.3 with a market cap of more than $301 million. RIVER 7-day price in USD River is a project that builds a chain-abstraction stablecoin system that connects assets, liquidity, and yield across multiple chains. On December 30, River announced its $10,000 reward distribution for all eligible OAT holders. 2. Collect on Fanable (COLLECT) COLLECT surged by almost 103% in the past seven days. The digital asset debuted an ascendant trajectory from $0.03 levels on December 30, reaching a top above $0.09 on January 1st, marking its new ATH. At the moment of writing this article, COLLECT is trading above $0.08 with a market cap of over $43,8 million. COLLECT 7-day price in USD The project allows collectors to transact Pokemon cards, comic books, and trading cards 24/7, and offers secure storage in physical vaults. It’s worth noting that on December 26, Binance Wallet announced Collect as its 43rd TGE. 3. Ore (ORE) ORE surged by over 80% in the past week. The digital asset debuted a notable surge from $75 levels on January 1st, hitting a top above $178 on January 4th. At the moment of writing this article, ORE is trading above $160 with a market cap of over $67 million. ORE 7-day price in USD ORE is Solana’s store of value token, and the project announced on January 3rd, that the ORE shield pool has broken a new deposit record of over 500 ORE, marking an ATH. 4. Uselss Coin (USELESS) USELESS surged by over 71% in the past seven days. The digital asset debuted a price surge from $0.06 levels on January 1st, hitting a top above $0.12 on January 4. At the moment of writing this article, USELESS is trading above $0.11 with a market cap of over $113 million. USELESS 7-day price in USD USELESS is a Solana-based meme coin launched in May 2025 via the LetsBONK platform. 5. Pepe (PEPE) PEPE surged by over 61% in the past week. PEPE debuted a notable surge from a market cap of over $1,794 billion on January 1st, reaching a top above $3,01 billion on January 5. At the moment of writing this article, PEPE is trading above $0.05 with a market cap of over $2,8 billion. PEPE 7-day price in USD PEPE price rallied, along with DOGE’s sister, NEIRO, and other meme coins at the beginning of 2026, marking renewed optimism for a new meme coin season.
Solana is once again getting some major adoption as Visa announced on Tuesday that it would bring USDC settlement for some US banks on the Solana blockchain. Settlement is what happens behind the scenes, payments are what happens when the merchant confirms that you have the funds in your account, this happens instantly during the card transaction. Settlements, on the other hand, is when the money is later moved between the cardholder’s bank and the merchant’s bank via the Visa card network. Settlements can take one to three business days and only operate during banking hours, with this new announcement however settlement would happen on a blockchain practically instantly and 24/7. This would free up capital for banks, meaning that money can be put to work elsewhere instead of being on hold. Summary What Banks Are Involved? How Might this Affect the Sol price? Best Solana Wallets What Banks Are Involved? At the moment, two banks are involved in settling with Visa in USDC over the Solana blockchain, these are Cross River Bank and Lead Bank. Jack Forestell, Chief Product & Strategy Officer at Visa, said more banks are coming in 2026. Cross River Bank is actually the banking partner for Uphold wallet, for example your USD balance is held with Cross River and this is how they have FDIC insurance. Also, the Uphold Visa debit card is issued by Cross River Bank. Western Union has also been linked with building its own stablecoin payment network using Solana. No doubt, Solana was selected for this settlement model because of its low transaction fees and fast confirmation speeds. Also USDC is already deeply integrated with Solana. How Might this Affect the Sol price? First of all, Visa using the Solana blockchain brings a lot of attention and credibility to those who may not have been aware of Solana’s capabilities. Secondly, more usage of the Solana blockchain means more SOL transaction fees. Although the fees are low, it is still increasing the demand for SOL which should translate into a price rise over the long term. It’s likely banks will continue to follow this settlement model because it allows them to settle seven days a week instead of five, so it gives them a big advantage in being able to use that money elsewhere. Circle, the company that created and issues USDC, saw a 10% jump in its share price in the 24 hours following the announcement. Visa is not the only company using Solana, last week JPMorgan made one of the first debt deal tokenizations using the Solana blockchain and said that it plans to make more similar deals in the future. Best Solana Wallets As Solana adoption continues to grow in exciting ways, having a self-custody wallet with full support for Solana becomes increasingly important. Instead of using exchange wallets, which can be hacked or even suspend withdrawals like Upbit, many investors prefer to take full ownership of their crypto with a self-custody wallet. One option that is easy-to-use and with a strong emphasis on security is Best Wallet, a multi-chain self-custody wallet with full support for Solana. Its biggest selling point? Versatility! It is among the few non-custodial wallets that strike a balance between ease of use, security, and functionality. In terms of security, Best Wallet delivers perfectly through its self-custodial model, ensuring no one, not even the developers have access to users’ private keys. That alone keeps users in full control of their wallets, eliminating the risks of asset freezes or hacks common with centralized exchanges. What also reinforces Best Wallet’s appeal as a secure solution for all and sundry this year is its up-to-date security protocol, led by Fireblocks, which offers users both insurance and protection. More so, the platform doesn’t require KYC checks, even for advanced trading, giving users complete privacy and faster access to all features without unnecessary delays. The fact that users can seamlessly trade Solana-based tokens alongside assets from other blockchains without leaving the app gives it an edge over DEXes, which are limited to cryptocurrencies native to their own chains. In addition to Solana, supported blockchains include Bitcoin, Base, Ethereum, Polygon, Binance Smart Chain, giving users the flexibility to trade a wide variety of assets. The next defining attribute lies in its intuitive, easy-to-navigate interface, which empowers beginners to execute transactions quickly and without confusion. At the same time, it features a comprehensive suite of trading tools, ranging from fiat payment and cross-chain swaps to staking and a token launchpad. The wallet has been featured across multiple major crypto YouTube channels and websites, all of them dubbing it the best option for both day-to-day traders and long-term investors.
The public testnet of Tempo, a blockchain focused on payments and native stablecoin support, went live. More than 40 infrastructure companies and dozens of major corporate partners already joined the trials. The Tempo team launched a testnet designed specifically for processing payment operations. The network provides transaction finality in roughly 0.5 seconds, a fixed fee of one-tenth of a cent, and the ability to pay for gas in stablecoins. According to the project team, leading global banks, FinTech companies, and technology corporations already joined the testing, evaluating the network using real payment scenarios. Tempo’s development began in September 2025 with support from Stripe and Paradigm. In just three months, the team moved from concept to a fully functional network available to external users. Early design partners included Anthropic, Coupang, Deutsche Bank, DoorDash, Lead Bank, Mercury, Nubank, OpenAI, Revolut, Shopify, Standard Chartered, and Visa. They were later joined by Brex, Coastal, Cross River, Deel, Faire, Figure, Gusto, Kalshi, Klarna, Mastercard, Payoneer, Persona, Ramp, and UBS. The testnet offers key features of the infrastructure focused on financial operations: Dedicated payment lanes. The protocol reserves blockspace for transfers, preventing competition with other types of blockchain operations. Gas payments in stablecoins. Transactions fully avoid volatile tokens; all payments and accounting can be conducted in dollar-denominated assets. Built-in decentralized exchange (DEX). The protocol automatically converts stablecoins for fee payments, ensuring a unified liquidity pool and simplifying swaps. Payment metadata. Each transaction can contain structured fields, for example, account numbers or cost centers, which simplifies integration with ERP, TMS, and accounting systems. Deterministic finality. Four validators operating in the testnet confirm blocks in roughly half a second. Future versions are expected to add partner validators. Modern signing mechanisms (passkeys). The protocol supports batch transactions, delayed payments, gas payment logic, and authorization via cryptographic keys. Tempo’s ecosystem already includes over 40 infrastructure partners providing developer tools, FX solutions, DeFi services, and other integrations. The network is currently used to test several categories of payment scenarios, including cross-border transfers, global mass payouts, embedded in-app payments, microtransactions, and the use of agent systems and tokenized deposits. The Tempo team emphasizes that low and predictable fees make micro-payment models economically viable, including API billing, content platforms, and IoT services. Meanwhile, the team is preparing to transition to a fully permissionless architecture. The client code is already open under the Apache license, and independent validators will be able to join the network in the future. The testnet will continue to scale, gaining new developer tools and throughput optimizations for real-world payment loads. Recently, Stable announced the launch of the mainnet for StableChain, built for stablecoin operations. A month earlier, the Inveniam Chain L2 protocol, focused entirely on tokenization and management of private commercial real-estate assets, began operating in test mode within the MANTRA blockchain ecosystem.
Deep Tide TechFlow news, on December 19, according to Cointelegraph, River data shows that 14 out of the top 25 banks in the United States are building bitcoin-related products for their clients.
Search engine giant Google has emerged as a silent architect behind Bitcoin miners' rapid pivot towards artificial intelligence (AI). Instead of acquiring mining firms, the Alphabet-owned company has provided at least $5 billion of disclosed credit support behind a handful of BTC miners' AI projects. While markets often frame these announcements as technology partnerships, the underlying structure is closer to credit engineering. Google’s backing helps recast these previously unrated mining companies as counterparties that lenders can treat like infrastructure sponsors rather than pure commodity producers. The mechanism for these deals is pretty straightforward. BTC Miners contribute energized land, high-voltage interconnects, and shell buildings. Fluidstack, a data-center operator, signs multi-year colocation leases with these firms for the “critical IT load,” the power delivered to AI servers. Google then stands behind Fluidstack’s lease obligations, giving risk-averse commercial banks room to underwrite the projects as infrastructure debt instead of speculative crypto financing. The Google backstops TeraWulf established the structural precedent at its Lake Mariner campus in New York. Following an initial phase, the miner announced a massive expansion, lifting the total contracted capacity above 360 megawatts. TeraWulf values the deal at $6.7 billion in contracted revenue, potentially reaching $16 billion with extensions. Crucially, the deal terms indicate Google increased its backstop to $3.2 billion and boosted its warrant-derived stake to approximately 14%. Notably, Google's role was also evident in Cipher Mining's AI pivot. Cipher Mining had secured a 10-year, 168-megawatt AI hosting agreement with Fluidstack at its Barber Creek site. While Cipher markets this as approximately $3 billion in contracted revenue, the financial engine is Google’s agreement to backstop $1.4 billion of the lease obligations. In exchange for this credit wrap, Google received warrants convertible into roughly a 5.4% equity stake in Cipher. Hut 8 Corp. further scaled the model on Dec. 17, disclosing a 15-year lease with Fluidstack for 245 megawatts of IT capacity at its River Bend campus in Louisiana. The contract holds a total value of $7 billion. Market sources and company disclosures confirm that JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs are structuring the project finance, a feat made possible only because Google “financially backs” the lease obligations. Why AI leases beat bitcoin margins These miners' structural pivot responds to deteriorating mining economics. CoinShares’ data puts the average cash cost to produce 1 BTC among listed miners at about $74,600, with the total cost including non-cash items such as depreciation closer to $137,800. With BTC trading around $90,000, margins for pure-play miners remain compressed, prompting boards to seek more stable revenue streams. That search now points to AI and high-performance computing. CoinShares reported that public miners have announced more than $43 billion in AI and HPC contracts over the past year. Through these deals, BTC miners have a better standing with financial institutions because banks can underwrite a 10 or 15-year AI capacity lease as recurring revenue and test it against debt service coverage ratios. Bitcoin mining income, by contrast, moves with network difficulty and block rewards, a pattern most institutional lenders are reluctant to anchor on. However, Google’s role bridges this gap. As a credit enhancer, it lowers the perceived risk of projects and enables miners to access capital closer to that of traditional data center developers. For Google, the structure improves capital efficiency. Instead of carrying the full cost of building data-center shells or waiting through interconnection queues, it secures future access to compute-ready power through Fluidstack. It also retains upside optionality through equity warrants in the miners. Operational risks and counterparty chains Despite the financial logic, the operational execution carries distinct risks. Bitcoin miners have traditionally optimized for the cheapest, most easily curtailed power they can secure. AI customers, by contrast, expect data-center grade conditions, including tight environmental controls and rigorous service-level agreements. So, the transition from “best-effort” mining to near-continuous reliability requires an overhaul of both operational culture and physical infrastructure. If cooling retrofits run over budget or interconnect upgrades face delays, miners will confront breaches of contract rather than simple opportunity costs. Furthermore, the structure introduces significant counterparty concentration. The economic chain relies on Fluidstack acting as the intermediary. Cash flows depend on Fluidstack’s ability to retain AI tenants and, ultimately, on Google’s willingness to honor the backstop for over a decade. If the AI hype cycle cools or tenants force lease renegotiations, this chain creates a single point of failure. Miners are effectively betting that Google will remain the ultimate backstop, but legal recourse flows through the middleman. Risks The broader implications of these deals reach beyond project finance into competition policy and Bitcoin’s long-term security budget. By relying on credit backstops rather than direct acquisitions, Google can aggregate access to energized land and power, the scarcest inputs in the AI build-out. This approach avoids the kind of merger review that a large asset purchase would invite. However, if this template scales across multiple campuses, critics could argue that Google has created a kind of “virtual utility.” It would not own the buildings but would still shape who can deploy large-scale computing on those grids. As a result, regulators may eventually find themselves asking whether control over long-dated AI capacity, even via leases, deserves closer antitrust scrutiny. For Bitcoin, the trade-off is straightforward. Every megawatt diverted from mining to AI reduces the pool of power available to secure the network. The market once assumed that hashrate would track price almost linearly as more efficient rigs and more capital came online. So, if the most efficient operators systematically redeploy their best sites into AI contracts, hashrate growth becomes more constrained and more expensive, leaving a greater share of block production to stranded or lower-quality power assets. The post Google is secretly bankrolling a $5 billion Bitcoin pivot using a shadow credit mechanism appeared first on CryptoSlate.
Bitcoin mining firm Hut 8 secured a 15-year, $7B lease this week to deliver large-scale AI data center capacity, backed financially by Google. The agreement covers 245 megawatts at Hut 8’s River Bend campus in Louisiana and marks one of the largest infrastructure commitments between a crypto-native company and hyperscale AI demand. The deal highlights a clear change in how crypto markets are being valued. Long-duration infrastructure revenue and institutional partnerships are now redefining how crypto assets are valued. Bitcoin Hyper price prediction models are now updating as capital rotates toward projects tied to real-world compute, energy, and scalability. Institutional AI infrastructure changes crypto narratives Hut 8’s agreement stood out because of its structure. Google provides a financial backstop that covers lease payments if the tenant fails to meet obligations. That level of risk mitigation is rare in crypto-adjacent infrastructure and signals how seriously institutions now view compute and power assets developed by crypto-native firms. Construction has already begun, with the first planned data hall opening in 2027. Financing relies largely on data-center-specific loans from major banks, which limits dilution and upfront capital strain. This structure reinforces the idea that crypto firms are evolving into infrastructure operators rather than pure speculative plays. Bitcoin Hyper price prediction models are getting a boost as the project focuses on scalability and compute efficiency. DeepSnitch AI is also a tool that traders hope will help them filter through hype from execution. Early glimpses of the utility have analysts whispering about possible 250x gains. DeepSnitch AI: Huge asymmetric upside DeepSnitch AI isn’t involved in raw infrastructure, but it’s part of the AI sector that is set to grow 25x by 2033. Many other AI tokens focus almost entirely on backend compute and infrastructure. They usually don’t deliver on their promises as much as DeepSnitch AI already is. Only a handful of AI tokens hold market caps above $1B, and none of them focus primarily on retail traders. Many view that gap as an opening where DeepSnitch AI could scale rapidly if adoption follows through. Two completed audits add legitimacy, while Telegram integration allows broad access across a massive user base. These factors help explain why some analysts are predicting 250x upside scenarios. Adding to the hype is speculation in the community about possible Tier-1 and Tier-2 listings for DeepSnitch AI. Even one major listing announcement could lead to a quick 50x gain during the launch window. Bitcoin Hyper price prediction: Showing exponential potential The Hut 8 deal reinforced how power, compute, and long-term contracts now anchor valuation. Bitcoin Hyper has the lofty goal of unlocking faster and cheaper Bitcoin transactions at scale. Traders tracking Bitcoin Hyper growth outlook trends focus on the project’s possible alignment with the broader transition toward AI-backed, power-efficient ecosystems. Hyper token analysis often compares early-stage upside with large-cap constraints. Bitcoin and Ethereum rarely offer outsized returns at this stage of the cycle. Tokens like DSNT and HYPER, in contrast, are where the big gains lie. BlockDAG: 5-10x gains are possible BlockDAG benefits from confirmed exchange listings, completed audits, and a clearly defined roadmap. Those factors reduce downside risk compared with smaller, less-proven launches. Most analysts expect moderate multiples rather than exponential moves. A 5-10x expansion in the next cycle is predicted if network usage grows and the broader market improves. It doesn’t stack up to the latest Bitcoin Hyper price prediction models, but is still a good fit in a balanced early-stage portfolio. Final verdict: A statement of intent for Bitcoin miners Hut 8’s $7B AI lease underscored how crypto-native firms are becoming serious infrastructure players. Power-first strategies, long-duration revenue, and institutional guarantees are changing how markets assign value. Bitcoin Hyper price prediction narratives now reflect that transition. DeepSnitch AI stands out as a utility-driven project aligned with AI adoption and early-stage growth potential. Analysts discussing 100x to 500x scenarios focus on execution, timing, and market structure rather than hype. DeepSnitch AI is already showing positive signs by ticking three of these boxes. FAQs Does DeepSnitch AI hold user funds? No. The platform does not take custody of user funds and focuses on data visibility and risk awareness. When will full features launch? Full feature rollout is planned after the presale concludes, with updates released incrementally. Does DeepSnitch AI provide financial advice? No. DeepSnitch AI offers data visibility and monitoring tools. It doesn’t give financial advice, trading signals, or any investment recommendations.
Foresight News reports that according to Bitget market data, RIVER briefly reached 3.46 USDT and is now quoted at 3.3 USDT, with a 24-hour increase of 62.44%.
Publicly tradedbitcoin mining company Hut8 (HUT) saw its stock price soar after the company signed a new $7 billion, 15-year agreement—with support from Google—with Fluidstack to provide power for high-performance computing through its 245MW data center at the River Bend campus in Louisiana. Shortly after the market opened on Wednesday, HUT was trading at $42.55, up more than 15%. HUT has risen nearly 13% in the past month and is up more than 150% over the past six months. Hut8 CEO Asher Genoot said in a statement: "This agreement is the result of our rigorous and patient execution, as we focus on ensuring we make the right deal, not just the first deal." He added: "We are working hand in hand with Louisiana, Entergy, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, Vertiv, and Jacobs, aiming to deliver next-generation AI and high-performance computing infrastructure at scale. We are committed to maintaining the same rigor and long-term vision as we commercialize our broader development projects." The agreement also includes a renewal option of up to 15 years, with the total contract value potentially reaching $17.7 billion. While Google is providing financial backing, this latest move will also establish connections with JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs for transaction financing and loan underwriting. Noah Wintroub, Chairman of Global Investment Banking at JPMorgan, said in a statement: "The River Bend project demonstrates that when Hut8 combines innovative thinking, a goal-aligned team, and institutional discipline in a rapidly evolving industry, it can translate into real, lasting value." This deal is the latest trend of bitcoin miners significantly expanding into the AI computing sector, with some deals backed by Google. In September, Cipher Mining's stock price soared.A $3 billion AI cloud hosting agreementwas supported by Google. The situation is similar for bitcoin miner TeraWulf.It reached an agreement with Google-backed Fluidstackand the tech giantincreased its stake in the mining company in August. Other mining companies, such as MARA, are expanding their AI services while continuing bitcoin mining, while Bitfarms is fully focused on this.Gradually winding down its bitcoin businessto focus on providing AI computing services. Hut8 expects the construction of its new mining site to create up to 265 jobs in Louisiana. The first data center at River Bend is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2027. The company operates five bitcoin mining sites in the US and Canada. The company has not yet responded to this. Decrypt Request for comment.
Bitcoin miner Hut 8 has signed one of the largest infrastructure agreements ever signed by a Bitcoin company. Specifically, Hut 8 hassecureda 15-year, $7 billion lease agreement with a cryptocurrency miner to provide large-scale AI data center capacity at its River Bend campus in Louisiana. This agreement demonstrates that cryptocurrency miners are leveraging their computing power and infrastructure to meet the growing demand for AI computing. The lease agreement between Hut 8 and AI infrastructure company Fluidstack covers 245 megawatts (MW) of IT capacity, with an annual rent increase of 3%. Meanwhile, Google is providing financial backing for the lease project, and will step in if Fluidstack is unable to pay the rent on time. This reduces risk and enhances confidence in Hut 8's strategy. The agreement also gives Fluidstack the option to lease up to an additional 1,000 MW of power as the campus develops. Google Backstop and JPMorgan Financing Reduce Risk In fact, Google's involvement as a financial guarantor throughout the lease term is a notable feature of this deal. In addition, Hut 8 and Fluidstack plan to sign an operations services agreement for ongoing data center management, which will also be supported by Google's payment backing. The project will be primarily financed through loans, with banks providing up to 85% of the funding. JPMorgan is the lead underwriter, with Goldman Sachs also participating, which will reduce the upfront capital Hut 8 needs to invest. Hut 8 expects the deal to generate approximately $6.9 billion in total net operating income over 15 years, or about $454 million per year. Construction Timeline Extended to 2027 Construction work on the River Bend data center has already begun. The first data center hall is expected to be operational in the second quarter of 2027, with more halls coming online later that year. CEO Asher Genoot stated that the project reflects Hut 8's "strength-first, innovation-driven" approach, focusing on finding the right partners rather than just pursuing speed. Hut 8 Stock Reaction After the announcement, Hut 8's share price rose by about 20% in pre-market trading. This indicates that investors are excited about the company's transformation from bitcoin mining to artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. Notably, this move builds on Hut 8's previous strategy of entering the AI sector. In 2024, the company established its Highrise AI subsidiary and deployed over 1,000 Nvidia H100 GPUs to offer GPU-as-a-service products. Cryptocurrency Miners Enter the AI Sector Meanwhile, Hut 8's deal is also part of a trend of cryptocurrency companies transitioning into the AI sector to create new revenue streams. Core Scientific signed a $3.5 billion, 12-year agreement with CoreWeave, expected to generate about $290 million in annual revenue. Galaxy Digital has expanded its Helios AI data center in Texas and signed a long-term lease agreement with CoreWeave, expected to generate about $1 billion in annual revenue. Cipher Mining has also reached a high-performance computing agreement with Google-backed Fluidstack. These deals show that the power, land, and infrastructure built for bitcoin mining are now being repurposed for large-scale AI, which will bring billions of dollars in revenue to cryptocurrency companies over the next decade.
In brief Bitcoin mining firm Hut 8 landed a $7 billion deal for an AI data center with Google's financial backing. The deal has renewal options that can expand the total value to $17.7 billion. Hut 8 shares have now soared more than 15% since the opening bell. Decrypt’s Art, Fashion, and Entertainment Hub. Discover SCENE Shares in publicly traded Bitcoin miner Hut8 (HUT) are soaring after the firm booked a new $7 billion, 15-year deal with Fluidstack—backstopped by Google—to provide power for high-performance computing via a 245MW data center at its River Bend campus in Louisiana. HUT was recently changing hands at $42.55 shortly after the opening bell on Wednesday, a gain of more than 15%. HUT is up nearly 13% in the last month, and better than 150% in the last six months. “This agreement is the result of disciplined, patient execution as we focused on securing the right transaction, not just the first,” said Hut8 CEO Asher Genoot, in a statement. “Together with the State of Louisiana, Entergy, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, Vertiv, and Jacobs, we expect to deliver next-generation AI and high-performance computing infrastructure at scale, and we are committed to applying the same rigor and long-term focus as we advance commercialization across our broader development pipeline,” he added. The firm’s deal also includes up to 15 years of renewal options that can take the contract value to $17.7 billion. While Google is providing the financial backstop, the firm’s latest initiative will also hold ties to JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs on deal financing and loan underwriting. “River Bend demonstrates how, when Hut 8 brings together the combination of innovative thinking, an aligned team, and institutional discipline to a rapidly evolving sector, it translates into real, enduring value,” said JPMorgan Global Chairman of Investment Banking Noah Wintroub, in a statement. The deal is the latest in a trend that has seen Bitcoin miners expand significantly into AI compute, some with Google’s backing. In September, Cipher Mining shares boomed on a $3 billion AI cloud hosting deal that was backstopped by Google. Bitcoin miner TeraWulf similarly had a deal with Fluidstack backed by Google, and the tech giant upped its stake in the miner in August. Other miners like MARA are expanding their AI services alongside Bitcoin mining, while Bitfarms is completely winding down its BTC operations to focus on providing AI compute. Hut8 anticipates that the construction of its new site will create up to 265 jobs in Louisiana. The first data hall at River Bend is expected to be completed in Q2 2027. The firm operates five Bitcoin mining sites across the United States and Canada. A representative for the firm did not immediately respond to Decrypt’s request for comment.
According to Deep Tide TechFlow, on December 17, official sources announced that River will conduct the final snapshot for Season 3 (S3) on December 19, and launch Season 4 (S4) on December 22. S3, as the verification and expansion phase, has completed stress testing, reaching a peak TVL of $650 million, with satUSD circulation at $350 million (ranked 25th on DeFiLlama), and has completed integrations with Pendle, Morpho, ListaDAO, and others. S4 will last approximately 90–120 days, with incentives shifting focus to long-term alignment and active participation with $RIVER, centered around three core paths: Omni-CDP (satUSD) usage and liquidity, $RIVER staking, and River4FUN social engagement. Among them, satUSD-related strategies offer 2×–25× reward multipliers; $RIVER staking rewards must be claimed within 3 months or they will expire. S3 rewards will be available for claiming next week, while S4 rewards are expected to be distributed after 90–120 days (subject to official announcements).
Bitcoin miner-turned-AI diversifier Hut 8 announced a partnership with Anthropic and Fluidstack to accelerate the deployment of hyperscale AI infrastructure in the United States, marking a major expansion of its data center development pipeline. Under the agreement, Hut 8 will develop and deliver at least 245 megawatts and up to 2,295 megawatts of AI data center capacity for Anthropic, using high-performance compute clusters operated by Fluidstack. The partnership is structured across multiple tranches. The first phase will launch at Hut 8's River Bend campus in Louisiana, where the company and Fluidstack plan to develop an initial 245 megawatts of IT capacity supported by 330 megawatts of utility power. Subsequent phases include a right of first offer for up to 1,000 additional megawatts at River Bend and the potential joint development of up to 1,050 megawatts across Hut 8's broader pipeline. While bitcoin mining ASIC machines are not suited for AI workloads, mining operators often control power, sites, and cooling infrastructure that can be adapted for GPU hosting, making AI data center diversification attractive across the sector amid rising demand. "Scaling frontier AI infrastructure is, at its core, a power challenge," Hut 8 CEO Asher Genoot said in a statement. "Through our partnership with Anthropic and Fluidstack, we are aligning power, data center design, and compute deployment into an integrated platform capable of delivering at gigawatt scale." Hut 8 signs $7 billion, 15-year data center lease deal Alongside Wednesday's partnership announcement, Hut 8 also disclosed that it has signed a 15-year, triple-net lease with Fluidstack for the initial 245 megawatts of IT capacity at River Bend, valued at $7 billion over the base term. A triple-net lease (NNN) is a lease structure where the tenant, not the landlord, pays property tax, insurance, maintenance, and operating costs, on top of base rent. The agreement includes three five-year renewal options that could lift the total contract value to approximately $17.7 billion, as well as a right of first offer for up to 1,000 megawatts of future expansion at the site, the firm said. Google is providing a financial backstop covering lease payments and related obligations for the 15-year base term, while Hut 8 expects the project to generate $6.9 billion in cumulative net operating income over that period. The initial data center is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2027, with additional facilities coming online later that year. Hut 8 said it plans to finance the project with up to 85% loan-to-cost funding, with JPMorgan expected to serve as lead loan underwriter and Goldman Sachs also acting as a loan underwriter, subject to final agreements and customary closing conditions. The River Bend campus is being developed in coordination with Louisiana State, local stakeholders, and Entergy Louisiana, which has secured an initial 330 megawatts of utility capacity with the potential to scale by a further 1,000 megawatts. Hut 8 expects around 1,000 construction workers at peak buildout and projects more than 265 direct, indirect, and induced jobs once the site becomes operational, with employment expected to rise as future phases advance. "At first glance, this HUT deal looks like one of the strongest AI/HPC colocation deals disclosed so far," VanEck Head of Digital Assets Research Matthew Sigel said on X. "Question for the bears: if AI power is a bubble, why do deal economics keep improving?" Following the news, Hut 8's stock gained over 25% at one point in pre-market trading on Wednesday, according to The Block's price page, trading at $46.24 compared to Tuesday's closing price of $36.85. It is currently changing hands for $45.45 — having gained around 75% year-to-date. HUT/USD price chart. Image: TradingView.
Jinse Finance reported that bitcoin mining company Hut 8 announced on X that it has signed a 15-year data center lease agreement with Fluidstack, valued at $7 billion, to lease its 245 MW data center located in the River Bend campus. Additionally, Fluidstack may add up to 1,000 MW of capacity during future expansion phases at the campus, with the specific term depending on the installed capacity of the campus.
Interest in Bitcoin (BTC) and cryptocurrencies in the US has been increasing exponentially in recent years. While major institutional companies are also reacting to this trend, banks have also joined in the growing interest in cryptocurrencies. Recent analysis at this point has revealed that 14 of the 25 largest banks in the US have developed Bitcoin products. According to River, a Bitcoin-focused financial services company, 14 of the 25 largest banks in the US are currently developing Bitcoin products for their clients. River's data shows that Bitcoin integration has gone from skepticism to a strategic priority for the majority of major American banks. @media only screen and (min-width: 0px) and (min-height: 0px) { div[id^="wrapper-sevio-d098b0a7-6bf7-478a-a0ee-0619d281a09c"] { width:320px; height: 100px; } } @media only screen and (min-width: 728px) and (min-height: 0px) { div[id^="wrapper-sevio-d098b0a7-6bf7-478a-a0ee-0619d281a09c"] { width: 728px; height: 90px; } } window.sevioads = window.sevioads || []; var sevioads_preferences = []; sevioads_preferences[0] = {}; sevioads_preferences[0].zone = "d098b0a7-6bf7-478a-a0ee-0619d281a09c"; sevioads_preferences[0].adType = "banner"; sevioads_preferences[0].inventoryId = "709eacfd-152a-4aaf-80d4-86f42d7da427"; sevioads_preferences[0].accountId = "c4bfc39b-8b6a-4256-abe5-d1a851156d5c"; sevioads.push(sevioads_preferences); Indeed, the banking sector's attitude towards Bitcoin has undergone a remarkable transformation. Just a few years ago, leading banking executives described Bitcoin as a speculative asset, a tool for illicit activity, or a passing fad. However, today, it is observed that the largest banks in the US are actively developing Bitcoin products. River stated that the main products offered include Bitcoin custody services, trading and brokerage services, and integration with existing asset management platforms. According to River's table, the banks that have launched or are developing Bitcoin-related products include the following: @media only screen and (min-width: 0px) and (min-height: 0px) { div[id^="wrapper-sevio-d098b0a7-6bf7-478a-a0ee-0619d281a09c"] { width:320px; height: 100px; } } @media only screen and (min-width: 728px) and (min-height: 0px) { div[id^="wrapper-sevio-d098b0a7-6bf7-478a-a0ee-0619d281a09c"] { width: 728px; height: 90px; } } window.sevioads = window.sevioads || []; var sevioads_preferences = []; sevioads_preferences[0] = {}; sevioads_preferences[0].zone = "d098b0a7-6bf7-478a-a0ee-0619d281a09c"; sevioads_preferences[0].adType = "banner"; sevioads_preferences[0].inventoryId = "709eacfd-152a-4aaf-80d4-86f42d7da427"; sevioads_preferences[0].accountId = "c4bfc39b-8b6a-4256-abe5-d1a851156d5c"; sevioads.push(sevioads_preferences); “JPMorgan (Bitcoin trading services), Citibank (custody and trading services for high net worth clients), Goldman Sachs (Bitcoin services for high net worth clients), PNC Group (Bitcoin custody and trading services)”
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