Cryptobriefing.com reports that StarkWare successfully mined the first quantum-safe Bitcoin transaction on mainnet on August 26, 2026. The transaction, ID 305a24ffea912b9cf428f29ebf952321c96dab5bab284fc0d0801562f5abab07, utilizes the Quantum Safe Bitcoin construction developed by Avihu Levy. This method replaces ellipt-curve signatures with Lamport-style hash-based cryptography to protect against quantum computing threats without altering consensus rules. The implementation fits within existing Script limits, requiring no soft fork or protocol-level negotiations. However, the process demands significant off-chain computation, costing between $75 and $150 per transaction. These nonstandard transactions bypass typical mempool relays by going directly through MARA Slipstream. StarkWare CEO Eli Ben-Sasson described the initiative as a passion project demonstrating immediate asset protection for high-value holders.
u.today reports that the U.S. government moved a small amount of Bitcoin seized from Alameda Research accounts on Binance.US. Blockchain analytics firm Arkham flagged the transaction on August 26, noting the funds originated from accounts seized roughly three years ago. The report clarifies that the transfer does not necessarily represent a sale, as the destination wallet remains unspecified. This movement follows a pattern of recent government activity, including the transfer of over $288 million in Bitcoin and Ether to Coinbase Prime in July. These assets are part of a broader forfeiture effort stemming from the collapse of FTX, involving more than $700 million in total seized assets. The Department of Justice has authorized the use of recovered funds to compensate victims, with Judge Lewis Kaplan overseeing the process. Payments continue to be made to victims as part of the ongoing settlement of the Alameda forfeiture order.
Bitcoin Magazine reports that Bitcoin ETFs have continued their winning streak, attracting billions in new investment over the past week. U.S. investors injected $2.56 billion since last Monday, helping push the leading cryptocurrency’s price higher. This week alone, nearly $652 million in fresh cash hit products managed by BlackRock, Morgan Stanley, and Fidelity. Bitcoin recently traded for $78,302 after jumping nearly 25% over a seven-day period. The rise follows a sluggish June and July when the asset mostly traded below $65,000. Positive regulatory news from the White House and a debasement trade driven by U.S. borrowing concerns have spurred this activity. Gold and Bitcoin ETFs combined for a record $7 billion in flows over a five-day period.
www.manilatimes.net reports that Bitcoin is trading near $80,000, supported by a Bernstein price prediction of $150,000. The article highlights the viral crypto Pepeto, which has raised $10.845 million in its presale phase. Pepeto is positioned as a high-growth alternative to large caps like Bitcoin, leveraging an AI-driven DeFi exchange and zero-fee trading structure. The project cites a former Binance executive on its team and an audit by SolidProof to bolster credibility. Investors are drawn to Pepeto as a potential early entry point before its official listing. The report suggests that while Bitcoin offers stability, Pepeto targets life-changing returns similar to early Shiba Inu investors. This activity occurs as Bitcoin breaks above its 200-day moving average, signaling a continued bull cycle.
Bitcoin Magazine reports that VanEck’s Matthew Sigel argues Bitcoin does not require a Republican president to perform well. Sigel stated that former President Joe Biden was actually okay for Bitcoin, contrasting with the view that Democrats are uniformly anti-crypto. He noted that while the broader crypto sector might face challenges under Democratic leadership, Bitcoin’s decentralized nature remains valuable. This view aligns with Coinbase’s Faryar Shirzad, who described crypto as a bipartisan issue with generational divides among lawmakers. The Clarity Act, aimed at clarifying digital asset regulations, has been delayed from August to September due to Democratic opposition. Despite this legislative hurdle, Bitcoin’s price surged nearly 24% in the past week, reaching a high of $81,160 before settling lower. The asset is currently trading around $78,438 as lawmakers continue to debate the framework.
Cointelegraph.com reports that Better and Coinbase have launched a crypto-backed mortgage product for US homebuyers. The new offering allows buyers to pledge Bitcoin as collateral for a down payment without selling the asset. This enables users to retain their Bitcoin holdings while securing financing for a home purchase.
Cryptobriefing.com reports that the debasement trade is back as US debt exceeds $40 trillion and interest payments near $1 trillion. Investors are buying both gold and Bitcoin as hedges against fiscal anxiety, with gold surging past $4,700 and Bitcoin trading above $77,000. Ray Dalio recommends allocating 10-15% of portfolios to gold and a modest holding in Bitcoin to improve risk-adjusted returns. Research from Bitwise and JPMorgan shows a 15% combined allocation to these assets outperformed the standard 60/40 portfolio from 2018 to 2025. The correlation between gold and Bitcoin is historically low, but both tend to move up together during genuine fiscal stress. This shift represents a regime change in how investors view risk amid ballooning government debt.
news.bitcoin.com reports that Bitcoin fluctuated between $77,000 and $79,000 on Wednesday after climbing over 20% since August 17. The asset failed to breach the $79,000 threshold after 5:00 a.m. EST, peaking at $78,830 and leaving lower lows with each sell-off. Liquidations totaled $88 million, with leveraged long bets accounting for $77 million of that total. BitMEX founder Arthur Hayes linked the performance to U.S. Treasury actions, while Bybit analyst Han Tan remained cautious about the sustainability of the rally. Tan noted that bulls must overcome the 50-week simple moving average, with a return to $82,500–$83,000 needed to entice fresh ETF funds. The rally faces risks if U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent offers nuance on the 'Treasury twist' or if Fed Chair Kevin Warsh delivers a hawkish signal. As of 4:30 p.m. EDT, BTC traded just above $78,250, down roughly a percentage point for the day.
ambcrypto.com reports that Bitcoin dominance remains strong at over 60% despite a significant rally in altcoins. The market cap for crypto assets outside the top 10 rose by approximately 23%, breaking a long-term downtrend from the $150-160 billion support level. Total altcoin market capitalization exceeded $1 trillion, reaching near $1.03 trillion after adding roughly $215 billion in value between the 19th and 22nd. Mid and small-cap assets led this surge, with 56% of Binance-listed altcoins trading above their 200-day moving averages. However, Bitcoin dominance has not broken lower, staying firm around the 60% mark. This indicates that capital rotation is not yet complete, as a proper altseason typically requires dominance to fall alongside altcoin gains. CoinGlass’ Altcoin Season Index dropped to 36 from 46, suggesting Bitcoin still controls the market despite the recent altcoin strength.
U.today reports that Bernstein forecasts Bitcoin reaching $150,000 by mid-2027 and $300,000 by 2029 due to sovereign debt and institutional demand. Capriole Investments founder Charles Edwards argues this scenario requires Bitcoin Core to implement quantum-resistant cryptography in time. He estimates fear of quantum threats currently depresses the asset's price by 30% via a hidden risk discount. Bernstein's model relies on institutional capital, which is sensitive to protocol security risks like Shor's algorithm. Approximately 20% to 30% of existing BTC is exposed to this vulnerability, including early-era wallets. Meanwhile, Glassnode data suggests the current cycle peak lies between $134,000 and $180,000. Bernstein's long-term optimism faces immediate on-chain resistance near $70,920.
www.theblock.co reports that CryptoQuant says bitcoin has entered a bull market but needs to cross $83,000 for official confirmation. Bitcoin is currently trading at $78,539.14 with a 24-hour spot volume of $1,972,170,530.
Cryptopotato.com reports that Bitcoin whales have moved $5 billion into BlackRock's IBIT. This inflow coincides with Bitcoin trading at $78,539.14 on Binance.
Cryptobriefing.com reports that Stacks is recruiting another institutional participant for its self-custodial staking program. This move follows the PoX-5 upgrade that went live on July 29, 2026, and the onboarding of UTXO Management as the inaugural staker in late May. The platform aims to launch its Genesis Bond in late August 2026 to provide a formal entry point for institutions. Bitcoin holders lock their BTC on Layer 1 using a timelock script, keeping the coins under their control while pairing them with STX. The program targets a yield of roughly 3% APY in BTC, paid out over six-month periods from miner bids. Initial institutional capacity is capped at approximately 3,000 BTC during this managed bootstrap phase. This sequenced rollout builds confidence before scaling up the protocol's adoption.
Cryptobriefing.com reports that Bitcoin and gold ETFs attracted $7 billion in inflows as investors sought safe havens amid growing fiscal concerns. This influx highlights a broader trend where anxiety over global economic policies and inflation is driving demand for these assets. Market participants are increasingly turning to these alternatives to traditional investments due to uncertainties in the economic landscape. The shift suggests that rising demand could influence future price movements for both cryptocurrencies and precious metals. Gold’s trajectory may be further impacted by ongoing trends, especially if fiscal anxiety persists. Investors are monitoring central bank activities, geopolitical developments, and inflation data as key indicators. The Federal Reserve’s rate decisions and geopolitical escalations are expected to significantly affect gold’s path toward $15,000 by the end of 2026.
Beincrypto.com reports that a NIRS survey reveals 77% of Americans view crypto in retirement plans as risky. This skepticism persists even as fears of a retirement crisis reach 80%. The data highlights a disconnect between the desire for security and trust in Bitcoin as a vehicle for it. These findings were published on the BeInCrypto platform.
Finance.yahoo.com reports that a National Institute on Retirement Security survey reveals Americans remain skeptical about including cryptocurrency in their retirement portfolios. The poll of 1,203 US adults found that 77% view crypto as risky and 46% consider it very risky within retirement plans. This caution persists even as regulatory guidance shifted, with the Labor Department removing its 2022 warning in May 2025 and President Trump directing the opening of 401(k)s to alternative assets in August 2025. Despite these moves, 53% of respondents oppose employers offering crypto, and 84% believe Washington leaders do not understand their financial struggles. Inflation concerns affect 73% of savers, while 76% fear Social Security cuts if Congress fails to act. Nearly half of Americans have less than $100,000 saved, highlighting the tension between regulatory encouragement and worker caution. Traditional pensions remain favored by 76% of respondents, contrasting with the growing regulatory push for crypto inclusion.
Bitcoin Magazine reports that Coinbase and Better Mortgage have announced the general availability of Bitcoin-backed mortgages for US residents. The service allows borrowers to pledge Bitcoin as collateral for a down payment without liquidating their holdings or facing margin calls. This follows the debut of the first such loan in June, which was secured by a Michigan couple. The offering is designed to help younger homeowners who hold significant wealth in digital assets. It is structured in accordance with Fannie Mae guidelines to ensure broader market acceptance. Coinbase One members are eligible for a rebate of up to $10,000 on their mortgage value. This expansion signals a move toward integrating crypto assets into traditional real estate financing.
cryptobriefing.com reports that Strive has crossed $10 million in proceeds from its at-the-market preferred stock program, converting those funds into over 130 Bitcoin. The company utilizes its Variable Rate Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock, trading as SATA on NASDAQ, which pays a 13% annualized dividend and trades near its $100 par value. This equity-based structure allows Strive to purchase Bitcoin without incurring debt or credit facilities, avoiding the liquidation risks faced by leveraged competitors like MicroStrategy. Recent activity from late August 2026 saw the company raise $40.35 million to buy approximately 510.69 Bitcoin and $32.9 million for around 440 Bitcoin. A Form 8-K filing confirmed the purchase of 1,110 Bitcoin between August 17 and 21 at an average cost of $73,409 per coin. This acquisition increased Strive's total holdings from 20,246 BTC to 21,356 BTC. The SATA program, authorized at $500 million in December 2025, is activated only when shares trade at or above par to minimize dilution.
BeInCrypto reports that GSR’s Andy Baehr views Bitcoin’s move past $80,000 as the start of a new market regime. He attributes this shift to a combination of ETF demand and short liquidations resetting the market structure. Baehr, who has 25 years of Wall Street experience, now applies this background to the crypto sector. The analysis suggests a fundamental change in how the asset is being priced and traded.
Decrypt.co reports that six Bitcoin wallets dormant for over a decade moved tens of millions in BTC between August 16 and August 26. These wallets woke up during a period of significant price appreciation to execute large transfers. The movement of these long-held coins adds a layer of supply dynamics to the current market environment. This activity coincides with a week of notable volume in the broader market.