Following the approval of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs in the US, ETF applications were also made for many altcoins such as XRP and Solana (SOL). While altcoin ETFs, especially XRP and Solana ETFs, are currently expected to receive approval by the end of 2025, the ETF expert stated that the SEC will decide on an important issue this week. Accordingly, The ETF Store President Nate Geraci said the SEC is set to make a final decision on the approval of the Grayscale GDLC ETF this week. The GDLC fund includes Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Ripple (XRP), Solana (SOL), and Cardano (ADA). Geraci, who shared from his X account, stated that he thought the SEC would green light Graysacle's GDLC ETF. Nate Geraci thinks that the Graysacle GDLC ETF has a good chance of getting approved, which could pave the way for individual altcoin spot ETFs to get approved in the future. “GDLC, which is awaiting final approval from the SEC this week, brings together major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Ripple (XRP), Solana (SOL), and Cardano (ADA). And it is highly likely that it will be approved. Individual spot ETF approvals for XRP, Solana (SOL) and Cardano (ADA) are also expected later.” Final SEC deadline this week on Grayscale Digital Large Cap ETF (GDLC)… Holds btc, eth, xrp, sol, & ada. Think *high likelihood* this is approved. Would then be followed later by approval for individual spot ETFs on xrp, sol, ada, etc. — Nate Geraci (@NateGeraci) June 29, 2025 *This is not investment advice. Continue Reading: All Eyes on SEC This Week! Will Decide on Spot ETFs Covering Five Cryptocurrencies Including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP!
BitcoinWorld Bifrost Elevates Web3 Innovation with AI Fusion Capital Partnership In the rapidly evolving landscape of decentralized technology, strategic alliances are the bedrock of progress. A recent announcement has sent ripples of excitement across the multi-chain ecosystem: Bifrost , the pioneering multi-chain middleware platform, has officially forged a powerful blockchain partnership with AI Fusion Capital (AIF), a prominent Japanese investment firm specializing in artificial intelligence. This collaboration is not just another headline; it signals a significant step forward in integrating cutting-edge AI capabilities into the robust infrastructure of Web3, promising enhanced network stability and exciting new possibilities for Web3 innovation . Understanding Bifrost: A Cornerstone for Multi-Chain Interoperability Before diving into the intricacies of this new alliance, it’s essential to grasp what Bifrost brings to the table. In a world where countless blockchains operate independently, the need for seamless communication and interoperability is paramount. Bifrost positions itself as a crucial middleware layer, designed to facilitate smooth interactions across diverse blockchain networks. What makes Bifrost unique? Multi-Chain Middleware: Bifrost acts as a bridge, enabling assets and data to flow freely between different blockchains, overcoming the inherent fragmentation of the crypto space. Enhanced Scalability: By abstracting away the complexities of cross-chain communication, Bifrost helps dApps and protocols achieve greater scalability and reach a wider user base. Developer-Friendly Environment: It provides a suite of tools and SDKs that empower developers to build multi-chain applications with ease, fostering a more interconnected decentralized ecosystem. Focus on DeFi and NFTs: While broad in its application, Bifrost has a strong emphasis on supporting cross-chain functionalities for decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). The platform’s commitment to creating a more unified and accessible blockchain environment makes it an attractive partner for firms looking to leverage the full potential of decentralized technologies. Who is AI Fusion Capital and Why This Partnership Matters? The other half of this compelling equation is AI Fusion Capital (AIF). Based in Japan, AIF is an investment firm with a keen focus on the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence. Their expertise spans various AI applications, from machine learning to data analytics, and their foray into the blockchain space underscores a growing trend of traditional tech and finance intersecting with Web3. The Strategic Role of AI Fusion Capital AIF’s involvement goes beyond mere investment. Critically, the firm is already operating a Validator Node on the Bifrost network. This hands-on participation is a strong indicator of their long-term commitment and belief in Bifrost’s vision. Operating a validator node means AIF is directly contributing to the security, decentralization, and operational integrity of the Bifrost network. Table: Key Contributions of a Validator Node Aspect Description Benefit to Network Transaction Validation Verifies and confirms blockchain transactions. Ensures data integrity and prevents double-spending. Block Production Creates new blocks to add to the blockchain. Maintains the continuous flow and growth of the network. Network Security Participates in consensus mechanisms to secure the chain. Protects against malicious attacks and ensures trust. Decentralization Distributes power and control across multiple entities. Reduces single points of failure and enhances censorship resistance. AIF’s expertise in AI can potentially bring advanced analytical capabilities to their validator operations, optimizing performance and potentially identifying network vulnerabilities or efficiencies that human operators might miss. This synergy between AI and blockchain infrastructure is a powerful catalyst for future Web3 innovation . The Significance of this Blockchain Partnership: What Does it Mean for Web3? This collaboration between Bifrost and AI Fusion Capital is more than just a business deal; it’s a testament to the evolving nature of the decentralized web. It highlights a growing trend where specialized firms are not just investing in crypto projects but actively participating in their core operations. Mutual Benefits of the Alliance Enhanced Network Robustness: With AIF operating a Validator Node , Bifrost’s network gains another layer of security and decentralization, making it more resilient and trustworthy. Strategic Capital and Expertise: AIF brings not only financial backing but also invaluable insights from the AI sector, which can inform Bifrost’s future development and strategic direction. Bridging AI and Blockchain: This partnership exemplifies the potential for AI to enhance blockchain infrastructure, from predictive analytics for network health to automated security protocols. This intersection is crucial for pushing the boundaries of Web3 innovation . Market Expansion: AIF’s strong presence in Japan can open new doors for Bifrost in the Asian market, fostering adoption and growth in a key region for technological advancement. The collaboration is a clear signal that the future of Web3 is interconnected, drawing strength from diverse fields like AI, traditional finance, and cutting-edge blockchain development. It reinforces the idea that the most impactful advancements will come from interdisciplinary efforts. Deep Dive into Validator Node Operations: Why AIF’s Role is Key The operation of a Validator Node is a critical function within proof-of-stake (PoS) blockchain networks like Bifrost. Validators are the backbone of these systems, responsible for maintaining network integrity, processing transactions, and ensuring consensus. When a firm like AI Fusion Capital takes on this role, it signifies a deep level of commitment and trust in the underlying technology. The Impact of a Professional Validator Increased Uptime and Reliability: Professional validators typically employ robust infrastructure and monitoring systems, leading to higher uptime and more reliable network performance. Expertise in Network Maintenance: AIF, with its tech-savvy background, is likely to bring sophisticated operational practices to its validator node, optimizing its performance and contributing to the overall health of the Bifrost network. Security Best Practices: Operating a validator node involves significant security responsibilities. A firm like AIF would implement stringent security measures to protect its node from attacks, thereby safeguarding the entire network. Active Participation in Governance: Validators often play a role in network governance, voting on protocol upgrades and changes. AIF’s participation could bring a valuable, AI-informed perspective to Bifrost’s future development. This direct operational involvement by AI Fusion Capital ensures that the partnership is not merely superficial but deeply integrated into Bifrost’s core infrastructure, promising long-term benefits for the platform and its users. Broader Implications for Web3 Innovation: A Fusion of AI and Blockchain The synergy between Bifrost ‘s multi-chain capabilities and AI Fusion Capital ‘s AI expertise is a microcosm of a larger trend: the convergence of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology. This convergence is poised to unlock unprecedented levels of Web3 innovation . How AI Can Supercharge Blockchain Imagine a future where: AI-Powered Security: AI algorithms could analyze blockchain transaction patterns in real-time to detect and prevent fraudulent activities or anomalous behaviors more effectively than traditional methods. Optimized Network Performance: AI could predict network congestion, optimize routing for cross-chain transactions, and dynamically adjust parameters for improved efficiency and lower costs. Smarter Smart Contracts: AI could be integrated into smart contracts to enable more complex decision-making, automated risk assessment, or even self-evolving decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). Enhanced Data Analytics: AI can process vast amounts of on-chain data to provide deeper insights into market trends, user behavior, and network health, benefiting developers and investors alike. This blockchain partnership serves as an early example of how such integrations can begin at the infrastructure level, with AI firms actively participating in the operational aspects of decentralized networks. It sets a precedent for how specialized technology firms can contribute beyond just capital, bringing their core competencies to strengthen the Web3 ecosystem. The Path Forward: What’s Next for Bifrost and AI Fusion Capital? While the initial announcement on X (formerly Twitter) was concise, the implications are far-reaching. This partnership is likely the beginning of a deeper collaboration that could see AI Fusion Capital not just as a Validator Node operator but as a strategic advisor or even a development partner for Bifrost . Potential Future Synergies Joint Research & Development: Exploring AI-driven solutions for cross-chain liquidity, oracle services, or decentralized identity. Educational Initiatives: Collaborating on content or events to educate the broader market on the benefits of AI-blockchain convergence. Expansion into New Verticals: Leveraging AIF’s network to explore new use cases for Bifrost’s multi-chain technology in sectors heavily reliant on AI, such as supply chain management or healthcare. The success of this blockchain partnership will undoubtedly serve as a blueprint for future collaborations between AI and Web3 entities, accelerating the pace of innovation across both domains. It underscores the growing maturity of the decentralized space, attracting sophisticated players from diverse technological backgrounds. Conclusion: A Powerful Alliance for the Future of Web3 The strategic alliance between Bifrost and AI Fusion Capital marks a significant milestone for both entities and for the broader Web3 ecosystem. By combining Bifrost’s robust multi-chain middleware capabilities with AIF’s specialized expertise in artificial intelligence and its direct involvement as a Validator Node operator, this partnership is poised to drive substantial Web3 innovation . It highlights a future where interoperability, enhanced security, and intelligent automation are not just aspirations but tangible realities, built upon strong, collaborative foundations. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, such strategic alliances will be crucial in unlocking the full potential of decentralized technologies and shaping a more connected, efficient, and intelligent Web3. To learn more about the latest crypto market trends and the intersection of AI and blockchain, explore our article on key developments shaping Web3 innovation and institutional adoption. This post Bifrost Elevates Web3 Innovation with AI Fusion Capital Partnership first appeared on BitcoinWorld and is written by Editorial Team
This latest purchase boosts Metaplanet’s holdings to 13,350 BTC—which is valued at approximately $1.45 billion. It also puts Metaplanet ahead of Tesla, Coinbase, and Block Inc. The firm financed its Bitcoin expansion with a strategic bond refinancing move, issuing $208 million in 0% bonds, which also allowed it to buy back existing debt. CEO Simon Gerovich also mentioned a 349% year-to-date yield and revealed ambitious new targets of 100,000 BTC by 2026 and 210,000 BTC by 2027. Meanwhile, Bitcoin mega-holder Strategy continues its aggressive accumulation streak with 11 consecutive weeks of BTC purchases, which recently brought its total holdings to over 592,000 BTC. Inspired by these moves, Spanish café chain Vanadi Coffee also pivoted to a Bitcoin-centric model, and now holds 54 BTC. It plans to become a crypto-centric investment play in the European market. Metaplanet Buys 1005 BTC Japanese Bitcoin treasury firm Metaplanet overtook mining company CleanSpark to become the fifth-largest corporate holder of Bitcoin. This happened after a purchase of 1,005 BTC for $108 million. This brings the company's total holdings to 13,350 BTC, which was acquired at an average price of around $97,832 per coin. At current market prices, Metaplanet’s Bitcoin treasury is valued at approximately $1.45 billion. The milestone places Metaplanet ahead of Tesla, Hut 8, Coinbase, and Block Inc., leaving only Strategy, Marathon Digital, Twenty One Capital, and Riot Platforms ahead in total Bitcoin holdings. The purchase follows Metaplanet’s announcement of a bond refinancing plan to help expand its Bitcoin reserves. The firm issued 30 billion yen ($208 million) in 0% ordinary bonds from its EVO fund, enabling it to both buy more Bitcoin and buy back and cancel 1.75 billion yen ($12 million) of its third series bonds that carried a 0.36% interest rate. This effectively allowed Metaplanet to secure an interest-free float to boost BTC accumulation. CEO Simon Gerovich stated that the latest acquisition was made at an average price of $107,601 and that the firm achieved a 349% year-to-date yield on its Bitcoin investments. Earlier this month, Metaplanet revised its long-term strategy by raising its 2026 target to 100,000 BTC and unveiling an even more ambitious goal of acquiring 210,000 BTC by 2027. If achieved, this will position the firm as the world’s second-largest corporate Bitcoin holder. After the announcement, Metaplanet’s stock price surged 9% on Monday, extending its year-to-date gains to over 360%. This is according to Google Finance . Metaplanet YTD stock price (Source: Google Finance ) Saylor Signals More BTC Buys Meanwhile, Strategy co-founder Michael Saylor signaled the company’s 11th consecutive week of Bitcoin purchases, a streak that began on April 14. In a recent post to his followers on X, Saylor wrote, “In 21 years, you’ll wish you’d bought more.” Over the past year, Saylor added roughly one million followers, which serves as great proof of his growing influence in the crypto space. The company’s most recent acquisition took place on June 23, when it bought 245 BTC for $26 million, pushing its total holdings to 592,345 BTC,. This is valued at over $63.6 billion. It also firmly cemented Strategy as the largest known corporate holder of Bitcoin, with a treasury more than double that of the next 20 public companies combined, according to data from BitcoinTreasuries . Top public Bitcoin treasury companies (Source: BitcoinTreasuries.NET ) While some analysts argue that Strategy’s relentless accumulation could trigger a supply shock and push BTC prices higher, others are voicing concerns about the long-term sustainability of this model. Critics point out that several companies emulating Strategy’s debt- and equity-financed BTC strategy could face serious trouble if Bitcoin’s price drops. A recent report from venture capital firm Breed pointed out that only a small number of Bitcoin treasury firms are likely to survive a market downturn. The report suggests that failures in the space could lead to a wave of acquisitions and industry consolidation, with stronger players absorbing distressed firms. Breed’s analysts explained that new entrants face even greater risks, as they have to secure capital at steeper terms and with higher leverage than Strategy. Despite the risks, Strategy’s position seems very secure due to its massive BTC reserves and its proven resilience during previous bear markets. The company’s commitment to steady accumulation even during down cycles has been referred to as a key trait of successful Bitcoin treasury firms. Meanwhile, market analyst Jeff Walton recently projected that Strategy has a 91% probability of joining the S&P 500 index by Q2 of 2025. Vanadi Coffee Shifts to Bitcoin Strategy Vanadi Coffee, a Spanish cafe chain with six locations, also recently made a bold pivot in its business strategy by approving a €1 billion ($1.17 billion) Bitcoin investment plan. This decision follows a challenging fiscal year for the company, which reported a €3.3 million ($3.86 million) loss in 2024. This was a 15.8% increase from the previous year’s deficit. Faced with mounting losses, Vanadi is turning to Bitcoin as a core part of its financial future, and plans to adopt the cryptocurrency as its primary reserve asset. In an official statement, the company said it began incorporating various financial instruments to support its Bitcoin-focused direction last April. By adopting Bitcoin as a strategic store of value, Vanadi Coffee is signaling a long-term commitment to both crypto investment and broader involvement in the digital asset ecosystem. The company also stated that it plans to diversify into Bitcoin management and other crypto-related ventures. This will reshape its traditional coffee business into a hybrid model that embraces decentralized finance. Vanadi’s decision is inspired by major players in the Bitcoin treasury space like Strategy and Japan’s Metaplanet, both of which have accumulated huge BTC reserves as part of their corporate strategies. Vanadi plans to become one of the few publicly listed BTC treasury firms in the Spanish and EU markets, which could potentially create a unique investment opportunity for European investors who are looking for exposure to crypto through traditional equities. In a separate announcement , Vanadi revealed that it bought an additional 20 BTC on Sunday, increasing its total holdings to 54 BTC—valued at approximately $5.8 million. The company partnered with Bit2Me, a well-known Spanish cryptocurrency firm, as its exclusive provider of liquidity and custody services. Vanadi Coffee shares over the past month (Source: Google Finance ) Investor sentiment seems to be responding favorably so far. According to Google Finance data , shares of Vanadi Coffee on Spain’s BME Growth exchange have tripled in value this month, after the announcement of its Bitcoin accumulation strategy.
Bitcoin defied its typical June downturn by surging during early Asian trading, aligning with the stock market’s recent record highs. This uptick was influenced by positive developments in Washington, where
BNB Chain’s Maxwell upgrade has activated today, dramatically reducing block times from 1.5 seconds to 0.75 seconds in the network’s most aggressive speed optimization yet. The upgrade positions BNB Smart Chain as the fastest major blockchain, achieving sub-second finality while maintaining the $0.04 average transaction fees that helped capture the #1 ranking in daily DEX volume. Less than 5 days until Maxwell. Sub-second blocks, smarter networking, and a faster BNB Smart Chain. Here’s what you need to know before mainnet https://t.co/Qjnh6pp9E9 pic.twitter.com/dS0EoqopEE — BNB Chain Developers (@BNBChainDevs) June 25, 2025 The Maxwell upgrade implements three critical proposals. First is the BEP-524, which establishes 0.75-second block intervals, BEP-563 enhances validator network communication, and BEP-564 introduces smarter block fetching protocols. These technical improvements build upon the successful Lorentz hardfork that previously reduced block times from 3 seconds to 1.5 seconds, while also decreasing network reorganizations from five daily to two. This timing coincides with BNB Chain’s explosive growth trajectory, with Q1 2025 revenue surging 58.1% to $70.8 million , despite the BNB token facing a 14.8% decline in market cap. The network processed 4.9 million daily transactions, representing 20.9% quarterly growth, while daily active addresses increased 26.4% to 1.2 million users. Technical Revolution Transforms Network Performance Standards The Maxwell upgrade represents BNB Chain’s most ambitious performance enhancement, implementing consensus mechanisms that enable block production in 0.75 seconds without compromising network stability. BEP-524 serves as the foundation, halving previous block intervals while maintaining validator coordination through enhanced peer-to-peer messaging protocols established in BEP-563. Source: GitHub / bnb-chain Advanced block synchronization is also enabled through BEP-564’s introduction of the GetBlocksByRangeMsg and RangeBlocksMsg protocols, allowing validators to request and receive multiple blocks simultaneously. This innovation significantly accelerates sync speeds across the network, enabling faster validator consensus despite reduced time windows. The speed is reflected in DEX volume BNB processes compared to other chains. Source: Dune Consensus parameter adjustments support the acceleration, with the epoch length increasing from 500 to 1000 blocks while the TurnLength doubles from 8 to 16 blocks. Fast Finality achieves confirmation in approximately 1.875 seconds, significantly improving transaction certainty for DeFi applications that require rapid settlement. Notably, the upgrade also creates challenges for MEV searchers who must adapt strategies to sub-second block windows. MEV builders face compressed bidding timeframes under one second per block, potentially eliminating specific arbitrage strategies while creating opportunities for more sophisticated algorithms. Testnet validation required meeting strict exit criteria, including stable 0.75-second block production, maintained reorganization frequencies, validator consensus without sync delays, and confirmed compatibility across explorers, RPCs, and indexers. These requirements ensure that mainnet deployment maintains the network’s reputation for reliability. Ecosystem Momentum Accelerates Amid Performance Gains BNB Chain’s technical achievements coincide with a remarkable ecosystem expansion, with stablecoin transfers and wallet-to-wallet transactions comprising 74.4% of network activity during the Q1 growth surge . Stablecoin usage alone rose 28% to 1.2 million daily transactions while wallet transfers surged 50.9% to 835,000 per day. DeFi engagement remains robust despite broader market volatility, with Total Value Locked growing 14.7% in BNB terms to claim fourth position in TVL rankings. Notably, PancakeSwap maintains its dominance with 91.8% of DEX activity, supported by a 95.2% increase in trading volume, which contributed to an average daily DEX volume of $2.3 billion. Revenue diversification also grows as wallet-to-wallet transaction fees surge 122.6%, overtaking DeFi as the primary revenue contributor. This shift shows BNB is maturing beyond speculative trading toward genuine utility adoption, supported by ecosystem developments, including Venus Finance’s stability and Kernel’s 655.6% TVL increase to over $500 million. Furthermore, strategic initiatives, including the $100 million liquidity program, extended zero-gas-fee campaigns, and AI HACK hackathons, drive developer engagement. Security-wise, the BNB Good Will Alliance also achieved over 90% reduction in sandwich attacks. Meanwhile, the Pascal hardfork introduced Ethereum-compatible features, including EIP-7702 smart contract wallets and BLS12-381 cryptography. Security improvements contributed to a 67% reduction in financial losses, from $162 million in 2023 to $53 million in 2024, while the number of security incidents decreased by 66%. These factors have propelled BNB past $650, surpassing Solana’s market position, with analysts even targeting breakout levels of $800 . The post BNB Chain Maxwell Upgrade Goes Live Today, Slashes Block Times to 0.75 Seconds appeared first on Cryptonews .
The post SEC-EDGAR Filing Employees Charged for $1M Insider Trading Scheme appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News Two men from Brooklyn have been charged with insider trading after allegedly stealing confidential corporate information to make illegal profits. According to a report from Bloomberg , the pair earned around $1 million by accessing sensitive data from companies before it was made public. Brooklyn Duo Charged in $1M Insider Trading Justin Chen, 31, and Jun Zhen, 29, worked at EdgarAgents.com, a private company that handles SEC filings for businesses. Chen served as an operator and assistant manager, while Zhen worked as a typeset manager and operator. Authorities say they used their positions to secretly gather non-public information about several companies, including Purple Innovation, Ondas Holdings, SigmaTron, and Signing Day Sports, and then traded on that information to make quick profits. However, former SEC official Marc Fagel reacted to the news and wrote on social media, “Misleading headline. They don’t work for the SEC; they worked for a private firm that helps companies with their EDGAR filings.” Secret Merger Trades Point to Team Trading Prosecutors revealed that between March and June 2025, they used secret merger information to buy stocks before the news was public. Chen and Zhen placed trades within minutes and hours of each other, which shows that they were involved in a coordinated scheme. According to a federal complaint, Chen and Zhen bought the stocks before merger news broke and quickly sold them after the announcements for big gains. They reportedly made over $1 million in profits from the trades. The FBI agents arrested Chen and Zhen on Friday night at the John F. Kennedy International Airport, just as they were about to fly to Hong Kong. They are now facing securities fraud charges that carry up to 25 years in prison. A judge ordered them held without bail after they appeared in Brooklyn federal court on Saturday. Insider Trading Crackdown Hits Top Executive In related news, Terren Peizer, former CEO of Ontrak and former protégé of junk bond king Michael Milken, was recently sentenced to 3.5 years in prison for insider trading . He was fined $5.25 million and ordered to forfeit over $12.7 million in profits. Peizer was found guilty of misusing SEC Rule 10b5-1 trading plans, rules that were meant to protect company insiders from fraud claims. He used them to sell $20 million in Ontrak shares before bad news about a major client, Cigna, was made public.
Strategy, formerly MicroStrategy, has moved approximately 7,383 BTC worth $796 million to new wallets, signaling a strategic upgrade in institutional Bitcoin custody. This transfer highlights the company’s commitment to enhanced
Legendary short-seller Jim Chanos is taking aim at the rise of Bitcoin treasury companies that raise funds solely to stockpile the cryptocurrency. Key Takeaways: Jim Chanos slammed Bitcoin treasury firms like Michael Saylor’s Strategy. He warned that investors are being misled into believing stockpiling Bitcoin alone generates real economic value. Chanos also cautioned that the AI boom could face a sharp pullback. In a recent live interview for the Odd Lots podcast , Chanos criticized the business model popularized by Michael Saylor’s Strategy, calling its approach “financial gibberish.” Chanos noted that Strategy’s market capitalization now tops $100 billion, nearly double the roughly $60 billion worth of Bitcoin it holds on its balance sheet. Chanos Dismisses Saylor’s ‘Risk-Free’ Bitcoin Treasury Pitch Saylor has defended Strategy’s valuation, arguing that the company’s ability to raise capital at a premium effectively renders its strategy “risk-free.” Chanos, however, rejected that logic outright. “There’s a wonderful sales job that’s being done about the fact that this is an economic engine in and of itself,” he said. “And so therefore, terms like ‘Bitcoin yield’ are used and I’ve called them financial gibberish because they are.” His pointed comments continue a long-running feud with Saylor over Strategy’s true value, which Chanos argues is wildly disconnected from the worth of its Bitcoin holdings. He warned that investors are being misled by flashy narratives into believing these companies generate meaningful economic activity simply by accumulating digital assets. Famed short seller, Jim Chanos is going long BTC, shorting MSTR. At Sohn Conference, he said: “We’re buying Bitcoin, selling MicroStrategy stock—an arbitrage play, buying for $1, selling for $2.50.” Betting against MSTR’s premium. pic.twitter.com/PdN0mg5w9T — Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) May 15, 2025 Alongside his critique of Bitcoin treasuries, Chanos turned his attention to the red-hot artificial intelligence sector, cautioning that the AI boom could face a sharp correction. He drew parallels to the late-1990s frenzy surrounding networking giants like Cisco and Lucent, which rode the early internet wave to towering valuations before seeing orders collapse during the TMT bust. “There is an ecosystem around the AI boom that is considerable, as there was for TMT back in ‘99 and 2000,” Chanos said. “But it is a riskier revenue stream because if people pull back, they can pull back CapEx very easily.” He explained that corporate spending on data centers and semiconductors could quickly dry up if macroeconomic headwinds, like a cooling labor market or rising tariffs, force companies to pause investments. While Chanos acknowledged the AI sector has yet to hit a tipping point, he warned that many investors may be underestimating the risk of a sudden reversal in corporate demand. VanEck Raises Concerns Over Corporate Bitcoin Strategies Matthew Sigel, head of digital asset research at VanEck, has also voiced concerns over the Bitcoin treasury strategies adopted by some publicly traded firms, warning that aggressive BTC accumulation could ultimately hurt shareholders. Sigel singled out the use of at-the-market (ATM) share issuance programs, arguing that these can become dilutive if a company’s stock price nears its Bitcoin net asset value (NAV). As reported, over the past week, at least nine UK firms, from web design startups to mining businesses, have announced plans to buy Bitcoin or revealed recent purchases to add the cryptocurrency to their corporate treasuries. Among the UK firms, AI services provider Tao Alpha disclosed plans to raise £100 million after revealing a bitcoin treasury plan that triggered investor interest. Smarter Web Company, a small website design firm, saw its market value rocket from £4 million to over £1 billion in just two months after announcing its Bitcoin purchases in April, although shares have since cooled. The post Legendary Short-Seller Chanos Slams Bitcoin Treasuries as ‘Financial Gibberish’ appeared first on Cryptonews .
BitcoinWorld AI Consulting: Unleashing Transformative AI Disruption in the Future of Consulting In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology, the convergence of artificial intelligence and traditional industries is creating unprecedented opportunities and challenges. For those keenly following the cryptocurrency and blockchain space, the concept of decentralization and radical transformation is familiar. Now, a similar wave of change is sweeping through established sectors, particularly in the realm of professional services. The conversation around AI consulting is no longer theoretical; it’s a pressing reality that promises to redefine how businesses operate and how value is created. Navin Chaddha, managing director at the venerable Silicon Valley venture firm Mayfield, offers a compelling vision of this future, suggesting that AI will profoundly reshape industries like consulting, law, and accounting. The Dawn of AI Disruption in Services: A $5 Trillion Market at Stake Navin Chaddha posits that the $5 trillion market encompassing law firms, consulting companies, and accounting services is ripe for complete reimagination by AI-first enterprises. This isn’t merely a PowerPoint presentation concept; it’s a conviction born from decades of observing technological shifts, from mainframes to the cloud, and now, the AI era. Chaddha views AI as a 100x force, a multiplier that will team up with humans to enhance capabilities and fundamentally reimagine business processes. Just as e-business transformed brick-and-mortar operations and offshoring reshaped software services, AI disruption is set to be the next monumental wave. The core idea is simple yet powerful: repetitive tasks will increasingly be handled by AI, freeing human talent for more complex, relationship-driven work. This transformative shift will manifest in two primary models: organic growth through AI integration within existing structures, and inorganic growth through strategic acquisitions that infuse AI capabilities. The implications for productivity and efficiency are vast, paving the way for a new paradigm in service delivery. Rethinking AI Business Models : From Time to Outcome One of the most radical shifts AI brings to the service industry is a departure from traditional time-based billing. Imagine implementing a complex system like Salesforce. Traditionally, this involves human consultants billing by the hour. Chaddha envisions a future where AI takes the lead, acting as the primary ‘horse’ for the task. The human remains ‘in the loop’ for elements AI cannot yet handle, but the bulk of the work is automated. This transition enables customers to pay for AI services only when they are utilized, much like cloud billing or electricity consumption. This is the essence of outcome-based pricing, a stark contrast to the hourly or monthly contractor fees prevalent today. This innovative approach to AI business models allows for dramatically higher gross margins. While human-led services might yield 30% to 40% margins, AI-driven work can achieve an impressive 80% to 90%. This blend could result in overall margins of 60% to 70%, translating into substantial net income for service companies. This financial model stands in contrast to many tech companies that often rely heavily on venture capital and public market funding for profitability. The shift to outcome-based pricing, facilitated by AI, could make service businesses inherently more profitable and sustainable. Real-World Impact: How AI Consulting is Already Delivering To illustrate the tangible impact of AI, Chaddha points to Gruve, an AI tech consulting startup that recently secured Series A funding from Mayfield. Gruve’s founders, seasoned entrepreneurs with a track record of building and scaling successful service companies, identified a critical opportunity in managed security services. They acquired a $5 million security consulting firm and immediately integrated AI into its operations, focusing all future growth through AI-powered solutions. Within six months, Gruve’s revenue soared from $5 million to $15 million, boasting an astounding 80% gross margin. Their approach epitomizes outcome-based pricing: customers pay zero upfront but are charged only if a security event occurs or if specific services are rendered upon detection. This model resonates deeply with clients like Cisco, who prefer paying for guaranteed outcomes rather than for the mere presence of security personnel. This example powerfully demonstrates how AI consulting is not just a concept but a proven strategy for rapid growth and profitability, particularly in specialized, high-value areas like cybersecurity. Navigating the Future of Consulting : The Innovator’s Dilemma and Market Expansion A crucial question arises: why can’t established giants like McKinsey, Accenture, or Infosys simply acquire these AI capabilities? Chaddha argues that this is where the ‘innovator’s dilemma’ comes into play. Much like enterprise software companies struggled to transition from perpetual licenses to SaaS models due to entrenched revenue streams, large consulting firms face a similar challenge. Their existing business models, based on predictable, often time-based revenue, make it difficult to embrace a utility-based, outcome-driven model that could initially decrease their reported revenues. This inertia creates a massive opportunity for startups. Instead of directly competing with the Accentures of the world, Chaddha advises targeting the ‘neglected masses’ – the 30 million small companies in the U.S. and 100 million worldwide that cannot afford traditional knowledge workers. AI can serve these fragmented markets by providing services as software, charging per event rather than per hour or month. Imagine AI-powered receptionists, schedulers, website builders, or even startup funding form generators with human oversight for negotiations. This strategy not only avoids head-on competition but also significantly expands the overall market for consulting services, democratizing access to expertise previously out of reach. While today’s small AI firms aren’t competing with the giants, Chaddha predicts that in a decade, these agile, AI-first companies will be formidable rivals, shaping the true future of consulting . The Strategic Advantage: Investing in Service Industry AI Mayfield’s commitment to this vision is evident in its allocation of $100 million from its recently raised funds specifically for ‘AI teammates.’ Chaddha clarifies that an AI teammate is not merely a tool or a copilot but a digital companion that collaborates with humans on shared goals to achieve superior outcomes. The aim is not replacement but augmentation and collaboration. While job displacement is an inevitable short-term consequence of technological advancement, Chaddha maintains an optimistic long-term view. Humans are adaptable, acting as the ‘jockey’ to AI’s ‘horse.’ Past waves, from Microsoft Word to Excel, Uber to Lyft, initially sparked fears of job loss but ultimately led to market expansion and the creation of new roles. This principle applies profoundly to the service industry AI landscape. AI will perform work where human talent is currently unavailable, particularly in emerging markets that leapfrogged landlines for cellular technology. Investing in this market requires more than just chasing buzzwords; it demands discipline, a clear ‘North Star,’ and immunity to FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). Chaddha emphasizes that venture capital is fundamentally a money management business, focused on multiplying capital, not just collecting logos. While significant wealth will be generated in this AI cycle, he cautions that many will also incur losses due to a lack of strategic discipline. Success, he suggests, is an art honed over years of practice and navigating various market cycles. A New Era of Collaboration and Opportunity The rise of AI marks a pivotal moment for the service industry, promising an era of unprecedented efficiency, accessibility, and profitability. While the path to this future may involve short-term pain in job displacement, the long-term outlook, as articulated by Navin Chaddha, is one of expansive opportunity and reimagined human potential. The transformation from time-based billing to outcome-based pricing, the focus on underserved markets, and the development of collaborative AI teammates are not just trends; they are foundational shifts that will reshape the economic landscape. Businesses and investors who embrace these changes with foresight and discipline stand to gain immensely in this powerful new AI-driven world. To learn more about the latest AI business models, explore our article on key developments shaping AI, Models, etc. institutional adoption. This post AI Consulting: Unleashing Transformative AI Disruption in the Future of Consulting first appeared on BitcoinWorld and is written by Editorial Team
Disclosure: The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to the author and do not represent the views and opinions of crypto.news’ editorial. Artificial intelligence is quietly reshaping every corner of modern life. From how we search the web to how we invest, learn, and vote, AI models now mediate some of our most critical decisions. But behind the growing convenience lies a deeper, more urgent concern: the public has no visibility into how these models work, what they’re trained on, or who benefits from them. This is déjà vu. You might also like: AI could destroy crypto within five years | Opinion We’ve lived through this before with social media, entrusting a small group of companies with unprecedented power over public discourse. This resulted in algorithmic opacity, monetized outrage, and the erosion of shared reality. This time, it’s not just our feeds at risk, but our decision-making systems, legal frameworks, and core institutions. And we’re walking into it with our eyes wide shut. A centralized future is already taking shape Today’s AI landscape is dominated by a handful of powerful labs operating behind closed doors. These companies train large models on massive datasets—scraped from the internet, sometimes without consent—and release them in products that shape billions of digital interactions each day. These models aren’t open to scrutiny. The data isn’t auditable. The outcomes aren’t accountable. This centralization isn’t just a technical issue. It’s a political and economic one. The future of cognition is being built in black boxes, gated behind legal firewalls, and optimized for shareholder value. As AI systems become more autonomous and embedded in society, we risk turning essential public infrastructure into privately governed engines. The question isn’t whether AI will transform society; it already has. The real issue is whether we have any say in how that transformation unfolds. The case for decentralized AI There is, however, an alternative path—one that is already being explored by communities, researchers, and developers around the world. Rather than reinforcing closed ecosystems, this movement suggests building AI systems that are transparent by design, decentralized in governance, and accountable to the people who power them. This shift requires more than technical innovation—it demands a cultural realignment around ownership, recognition, and collective responsibility. In such a model, data isn’t merely extracted and monetized without acknowledgment. It is contributed, verified, and governed by the people who generate it. Contributors can earn recognition or rewards. Validators become stakeholders. And systems evolve with public oversight rather than unilateral control. While these approaches are still early in development, they point toward a radically different future—one in which intelligence flows peer-to-peer, not top-down. Why can’t transparency wait The consolidation of AI infrastructure is happening at breakneck speed. Trillion-dollar firms are racing to build vertically integrated pipelines. Governments are proposing regulations but struggling to keep up. Meanwhile, trust in AI is faltering. A recent Edelman report found that only 35% of Americans trust AI companies, a significant drop from previous years. This trust crisis isn’t surprising. How can the public trust systems that they don’t understand, can’t audit, and have no recourse against? The only sustainable antidote is transparency, not just in the models themselves, but across every layer: from how data is gathered, to how models are trained, to who profits from their use. By supporting open infrastructure and building collaborative frameworks for attribution, we can begin to rebalance the power dynamic. This isn’t about stalling innovation. It’s about shaping it. What shared ownership could look like Building a transparent AI economy requires rethinking more than codebases. It means revisiting the incentives that have defined the tech industry for the past two decades. A more democratic AI future might include public ledgers that trace how data contributions influence outcomes, collective governance over model updates and deployment decisions, economic participation for contributors, trainers, and validators, and federated training systems that reflect local values and contexts. They are starting points for a future where AI doesn’t just answer to capital but to a community. The clock is ticking We still have a choice in how this unfolds. We’ve already seen what happens when we surrender our digital agency to centralized platforms. With AI, the consequences will be even more far-reaching and less reversible. If we want a future where intelligence is a shared public good, not a private asset, then we must begin building systems that are open, auditable, and fair. It starts with asking a simple question: Who should AI ultimately serve? Read more: Big Tech’s biggest nightmare? Decentralized AI | Opinion Author: Ram Kumar Ram Kumar is a core contributor at OpenLedger, a new economic layer for AI where data contributors, model builders, and application developers are finally recognized and rewarded for the value they create. With extensive experience handling multi-billion-dollar enterprise accounts, Ram has successfully worked with global giants such as Walmart, Sony, GSK, and the LA Times.