Blockonomi

TLDR
BlackRock cut its Bitcoin-to-IBIT conversion minimum from $25 million to $1 million in July 2026.
Bitwise lowered its own threshold from $100 million to $3 million.
IBIT has processed more than $5 billion in Bitcoin swaps so far.
These conversions move existing Bitcoin into the fund rather than adding new cash.
The SEC approved in-kind ETF conversions in July 2025, making the process possible.
BlackRock has lowered the minimum amount of Bitcoin needed for large holders to swap into shares of its iShares Bitcoin Trust. The new threshold is $1 million, down from $25 million. The change took effect in July 2026.
The 96% cut opens the conversion option to a wider group of wealthy investors. Before this change, only the largest holders could use the process.
Bitwise made a similar move. The asset manager cut its own minimum from $100 million to $3 million, according to a Bloomberg report.
Neither number reflects what a regular investor needs to buy ETF shares through a brokerage account. Those purchases remain open to anyone at normal share prices.
How the Bitcoin Swap Process Works
The conversions use what is known as an in-kind creation process. A holder transfers Bitcoin into the ETF structure and receives shares in return.
This method skips the step of selling Bitcoin for cash and then buying ETF shares separately. It can lower trading costs and cut out extra steps.
Robbie Mitchnick, who leads digital assets at BlackRock, told Bloomberg the fund has processed more than $5 billion through these swaps. That figure was near $3 billion in October.
These transactions should not be treated as new money entering the fund. They simply move existing Bitcoin holdings into ETF form.
BlackRock’s fund page showed the trust holding about $60.65 billion in net assets as of August 25. The fund charges a 0.25% sponsor fee.
Each creation basket held about 22.65 Bitcoin that day, valued near $1.79 million. Basket values shift as Bitcoin’s price moves.
Only authorized participants can create or redeem shares directly with the trust. Most Bitcoin holders need a broker or trading desk to complete a swap.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approved in-kind creations and redemptions for spot crypto funds in July 2025. Before that ruling, funds could only use cash.
Bloomberg reported the swaps may help some holders avoid capital gains taxes tied to selling Bitcoin outright. The actual outcome depends on the investor, the intermediary, and the legal structure used.
BlackRock has now done $5b of tax deferred bitcoin to ETF swaps, which can now be done for as little as $1mil.. “It’s going to keep growing because we keep expanding the access,” said Robbie Mitchnick, head of digital assets at BlackRock. “People see things happen in the outside… https://t.co/lnhFLeVklM
— Eric Balchunas (@EricBalchunas) August 25, 2026
Why Some Investors Are Leaving Self-Custody
Mitchnick said some Bitcoin owners reconsider holding their own coins after hearing about hacks and other attacks on crypto holders. He said people see events happen elsewhere and decide to move some holdings into the fund instead.
An ETF removes the need to manage private keys or hardware wallets. Investors give up direct control over their coins in exchange for shares tied to Bitcoin’s price before fees.
Lower minimums could bring more large holders into the conversion process going forward. Access will still depend on brokers, trading desks, and each investor’s own tax situation.
The post BlackRock Lowers Bitcoin ETF Conversion Minimum to $1 Million appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Takeaways
Shares of SoftwareOne climbed more than 13% following the release of H1 2026 financials showing revenue of CHF 818.3 million, representing a 68.2% increase year-over-year
The firm’s adjusted EBITDA margin reached 24.9% for the half-year period, while Q2 margins accelerated to an impressive 28.9%, marking a 5.4 percentage point gain from the prior year
Management achieved CHF 100 million in annualized cost synergies, meeting the upper end of its projected range
Leadership transition saw Raphael Erb appointed as sole CEO starting August 1, accompanied by a reorganized three-region executive structure launching September 1
Management reaffirmed its 2026 annual outlook: mid-to-high single-digit top-line expansion and adjusted EBITDA margin exceeding 23%
Shares of SoftwareOne (SWON) skyrocketed over 13% during Wednesday’s trading session following the company’s disclosure of robust first-half 2026 financial performance, characterized by enhanced profitability and the successful conclusion of its Crayon acquisition integration.
Total IFRS group revenue climbed 68.2% compared to the year-ago period, reaching CHF 818.3 million. When measured on a combined like-for-like basis, revenue expansion stood at 11.6% in constant currency terms, while organic constant-currency growth registered 5%.
The equity was changing hands near CHF 9.78 during Wednesday’s morning session, showcasing strong investor confidence in the quarterly performance.
$SWON (SoftwareOne) H1 2026 Results
Strong like-for-like growth + sharp margin expansion…
synergies hit target, integration substantially complete, guidance reaffirmed
KEY METRICS (H1 2026 – Like-for-Like)
Revenue: CHF 818.3M (+11.6% constant currency) … pic.twitter.com/v8pYyvjqXC
— Emmanuel – Big Tech & AI Investor (@EmmanuelInvest) August 26, 2026
The company delivered adjusted EBITDA of CHF 203.8 million, bringing the profitability margin to 24.9% across the six-month period. This represents a substantial 4.5 percentage point expansion compared to H1 of the previous year.
Performance accelerated notably in the second quarter. The adjusted EBITDA margin surged to 28.9% during Q2, marking a 5.4 percentage point increase year-over-year. Like-for-like revenue expanded 10.4% at constant currency during the three-month period.
Adjusted net profit demonstrated exceptional momentum, more than doubling to reach CHF 70.6 million. The reported EBITDA margin similarly strengthened, advancing 5.2 percentage points to settle at 22.7%.
Integration of Crayon Acquisition Nearly Finalized
The company announced it achieved CHF 100 million in annualized cost synergies throughout the second quarter, successfully hitting the high end of its initially forecasted range.
Executives also indicated that an incremental CHF 5 million to CHF 10 million in synergy benefits are anticipated to materialize during the latter half of the fiscal year.
Leadership emphasized that the Crayon acquisition integration has now been substantially finalized. Strategic priorities are transitioning toward commercial performance and delivering enhanced customer value.
Executive Team Restructuring Underway
The software company has implemented several significant leadership modifications as it enters this new operational phase.
Raphael Erb assumed the position of sole Chief Executive Officer beginning August 1. Concurrently, the organization is streamlining its geographic footprint into three regional divisions under dedicated presidents, effective September 1.
Regina Manfredi will oversee the Americas region. Rico Andreoli assumes responsibility for EMEA, while Varun Paliwal will manage APAC operations. These three executives will join the Executive Board together with newly appointed Chief Channel and Ecosystems Officer Gudmundur Adalsteinsson.
Chief Operating Officer Oliver Berchtold will be departing from the organization.
The latest sell-side recommendation on SWON carries a Buy rating, accompanied by a price target of CHF 10.70.
Looking ahead to full-year 2026, SoftwareOne reiterated its previously issued guidance. The company continues to project mid-to-high single-digit revenue growth measured in constant currency, an adjusted EBITDA margin surpassing 23%, and cash conversion rates exceeding 60%.
The post SoftwareOne (SWON) Stock Rallies 13% on Strong H1 Results and Completed Crayon Merger appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR:
Sign and BNB Chain unveiled a sovereign stablecoin framework for regulated national currencies.
The framework splits duties between public blockchains and local financial institutions directly.
Kyrgyzstan’s KGST stablecoin already stands as the framework’s first real-world working example.
Sign says the model could support a future multi-currency onchain economy across many nations.
Sign and BNB Chain released a sovereign stablecoin framework on August 26.
The document guides governments toward launching regulated digital currencies tied to national money. It outlines how public blockchains and local institutions can share responsibility for issuance and settlement.
The framework points to Kyrgyzstan as an early example of the model in practice.
How the Sovereign Stablecoin Framework Works
The framework splits responsibilities between public infrastructure and local oversight. Public blockchains, including BNB Chain, handle settlement and distribution.
Local institutions manage issuance, reserves, and compliance under their own rules. This structure keeps the payment rail global while currency control stays local.
According to Sign, a sovereign stablecoin needs more than a token to function. It requires a clear legal claim, credible reserves, and reliable redemption.
Every Fiat Becomes a Stablecoin.
USD, EUR, SOM, BRL… The multi currency onchain economy is coming.
Together with @BNBCHAIN, we are publishing A Sovereign Stablecoin Framework, built from our work with governments.https://t.co/Ha3lH7hqdh pic.twitter.com/TyenzEy8sZ
— Sign (@Sign) August 26, 2026
Settlement, liquidity, compliance, and fiat connectivity round out the structure. Sign describes the token itself as only the interface, with the surrounding system generating trust.
Public authorities set the mandate under this model. They define issuer standards, reserve requirements, and redemption rules.
Supervision stays with local regulators throughout the process. Licensed institutions and infrastructure partners then build and operate within those boundaries.
Sign describes this division as sovereignty without full self-construction. Governments retain control over policy while relying on existing infrastructure.
The approach lets countries avoid building blockchain systems from the ground up. Faster payments and DeFi access follow without surrendering currency oversight.
Kyrgyzstan’s KGST Shows the Model in Practice
Kyrgyzstan’s national stablecoin, KGST, applies these principles directly. Public authorities in the country set the operating rules.
Local financial institutions hold reserves and manage fiat conversion. The setup moves the framework from theory into a working system.
Sign supplies the infrastructure connecting these parts. BNB Chain provides the public settlement layer underneath the system.
Sign describes KGST as a working model rather than a universal blueprint. Other countries considering a sovereign stablecoin could adapt the structure to local conditions.
BNB Chain unveiled the framework at the EASY Residency event.
At @EASYResidency, @Sign unveiled its sovereign stablecoin framework, a blueprint for countries designing regulated digital currency programs.
The framework shows how public networks like BNB Chain can provide the settlement and distribution layer while governments keep control… https://t.co/DCkTTKUdLj
— BNB Chain (@BNBCHAIN) August 26, 2026
The announcement described it as a blueprint for countries designing regulated digital currency programs. It emphasized that public networks handle settlement while governments retain currency control.
Both companies positioned the release as guidance rather than a fixed template.
The framework’s authors argue public trust depends on clear redemption and risk policies. They frame the effort as groundwork for a multi-currency onchain economy.
Sign named the dollar, euro, Kyrgyzstani som, and Brazilian real as potential candidates. Each currency would still operate under its own national rules and oversight.
The post Sign and BNB Chain Unveil Sovereign Stablecoin Framework appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Highlights
Brent crude declined 2.6% to reach $86.30 per barrel while WTI decreased 2.7% to $80.18 on Wednesday
Tehran and Muscat resumed discussions regarding a temporary joint navigation passage through the Strait of Hormuz
Pakistani mediators indicate advancement in wider peace negotiations between Washington and Tehran
Vessel traffic through the strait dropped to just 5 commodity ships on Tuesday, significantly below the pre-conflict average of 15
American crude stockpiles increased by 4.2 million barrels, substantially exceeding the 600,000-barrel forecast
Crude oil markets experienced a sharp downturn exceeding 2% during Wednesday’s trading session as fresh diplomatic engagement concerning the Strait of Hormuz led market participants to reduce supply disruption premiums.
Brent crude futures declined 2.6% to settle at $86.30 per barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures retreated 2.7% to $80.18. Both major benchmarks had previously recorded losses surpassing 3% during Tuesday’s session.
Brent Crude Oil Last Day Financial Futures (BZ=F)
Tehran and Muscat Explore Provisional Shipping Channel
Officials from Iran and Oman verified they conducted negotiations in Tehran focused on establishing a collaborative temporary maritime corridor through the Strait of Hormuz. Both nations additionally committed to coordinating efforts on demining operations within the critical waterway.
BREAKING: Oil crashes over 5% below $81 as reports emerge that the US and Iran have reached a ceasefire.
Iran and Oman are now targeting a permanent Strait of Hormuz shipping route within 60 days.
The US has said there are no ongoing negotiations with Iran. pic.twitter.com/T9pPB1uY6v
— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) August 25, 2026
A high-ranking Iranian representative stated the strategic strait would remain partially closed until Washington fulfills obligations outlined in a preliminary ceasefire framework agreed upon in June. Pakistani diplomats facilitated that earlier agreement.
Russian news agency RIA Novosti published a report, referencing Pakistani and Iranian diplomatic sources, suggesting Washington and Tehran are nearing a fresh ceasefire arrangement. The reported agreement encompasses unrestricted navigation rights through Hormuz and may be unveiled within days. Investing.com could not independently confirm these claims.
Pakistan’s interior minister confirmed meaningful advancement occurred during Tehran discussions aimed at resolving the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, which commenced in February.
Prior to hostilities erupting, approximately one-fifth of global world’s oil supplies and liquefied natural gas shipments transited through the Strait of Hormuz. Maritime traffic has plummeted dramatically since conflict began.
During Tuesday alone, merely five commercial cargo vessels navigated through the passage. This represents a stark contrast to the 10-day moving average of 15 vessels and remains considerably beneath pre-war traffic volumes.
Washington’s Sanctions and Supply Reports Weigh on Markets
Earlier this week, the United States broadened its sanctions regime targeting Iran, warning of consequences for nations maintaining commercial ties with Tehran. American officials indicated a preference for economic measures rather than military interventions.
Market strategists at Vital Knowledge noted that a “geopolitical risk factor will be permanently embedded in the price” of crude oil, regardless of diplomatic progress.
The American Petroleum Institute disclosed U.S. crude stockpiles expanded by approximately 4.2 million barrels during the week concluded August 21. Market analysts had projected a modest increase of only 600,000 barrels. Official data from the Energy Information Administration was scheduled for release later Wednesday.
Mitsuru Muraishi, a market analyst with Fujitomi Securities, noted that ambiguity surrounding market direction was encouraging selective bargain purchasing, which prevented steeper declines. He suggested prices would probably remain confined within current trading ranges near-term.
Brent crude previously reached its weakest level since August 13 during Wednesday’s trading. WTI touched its lowest mark since August 10.
The post Crude Oil Prices Plunge as Hormuz Corridor Negotiations Signal Relief appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR:
AQAv2 directs USDC reserve yield toward HYPE buybacks and permanent token burns.
Circle serves as technical deployer while Coinbase manages treasury reserves for USDC.
Reserve income accrues over 30-day cycles before transferring to the Assistance Fund.
First AQAv2 payout is scheduled for October 3, following the August 26 accrual start.
Hyperliquid HYPE buyback activity has officially begun under a new framework called AQAv2. The protocol confirmed on August 26 that reserve yield from USDC will now fund market purchases.
That same reserve yield also funds permanent burns of the HYPE token. Circle will act as technical deployer, while Coinbase manages the treasury.
Roughly 90% of reserve yield moves to the Assistance Fund every 30 days to carry out the buybacks. The rollout marks a new phase for HYPE tokenomics on the platform.
How The HYPE Buyback Mechanism Works
The HYPE buyback structure sits inside a system named Aligned Quote Asset v2, or AQAv2. It channels a share of reserve revenue earned from stablecoins supplied to Hyperliquid back into the protocol itself.
Hyperliquid Officially Activates "AQAv2" to Buy Back and Burn HYPE with USDC Reserve Yield
Hyperliquid announced the activation of its "AQAv2 (Aligned Quote Asset v2)" framework starting August 26, which directs yield generated from USDC reserves toward programmatic market… pic.twitter.com/3Np1YerhyX
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) August 26, 2026
Stablecoin distributors contribute close to 90% of their reserve earnings, after operating costs, to this arrangement. That contribution forms the core funding source behind every HYPE buyback.
Circle handles the technical deployment side for USDC, and Coinbase serves as treasury deployer overseeing the reserves. The setup maintains a fixed ratio between linked contracts and financial addresses.
System transactions embedded in each HyperEVM block carry out this process automatically, without manual intervention from the protocol team.
Reserve income collected through this method builds up over a 30-day cycle. Once that period ends, the accumulated funds transfer automatically into Hyperliquid’s Assistance Fund, known as AF. This fund exists specifically to direct capital toward HYPE market purchases on a recurring schedule.
A grace period applies during the early rollout of AQAv2. Earnings started accruing on August 26, yet the first transfer into the Assistance Fund will not happen immediately. Hyperliquid confirmed the initial payout is scheduled for October 3.
Payout Timeline And Market Impact
The gap between the accrual start date and the first payout reflects the structure’s built-in settlement window. Calculations begin on August 26, but funds only move to AF once the 30-day cycle closes. October 3 marks that first transfer into the Assistance Fund.
Funds that reach the Assistance Fund get used to buy HYPE directly from the market. Every token purchased through this process is then burned, removing it from circulating supply. The same tokens are also removed from total supply permanently.
As USDC supplied to Hyperliquid increases, the yield generated from those reserves also tends to grow. That growth translates into a larger pool of funds available for future HYPE purchases. More funds available generally means more tokens burned each cycle.
Market estimates suggest the current USDC supply on Hyperliquid could generate meaningful annual returns. Combined with prevailing reserve yields, that figure could reach between $135 million and $160 million per year.
Hyperliquid has not issued this figure as an official forecast. Actual purchase volume will depend on USDC supply levels and yield rates over time.
The post Hyperliquid Activates AQAv2 to Fund HYPE Buybacks With USDC Reserve Yield appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR
LayerZero unveiled ATLAS, a new exchange infrastructure layer built on its Zero blockchain.
ATLAS combines trade matching, clearing, settlement and risk management into one system.
ZRO token rose more than 16% after the announcement, trading near $1.26.
LayerZero plans to use 75% of leftover Open ATLAS fees to buy and burn ZRO.
The system is designed to serve trading venues, brokers and financial firms without competing with them.
LayerZero has introduced a new project called ATLAS. The system is built on Zero, the company’s own blockchain network. It is designed to give exchanges and financial firms the tools they need to run trading platforms.
The name ATLAS stands for Aggregated Trading, Liquidity and Settlement. LayerZero says it will act as a backend system rather than a public exchange. Companies that use it will keep control of their own users and interfaces.
https://t.co/VPz65GGwRa
— LayerZero (@LayerZero_Core) August 25, 2026
How ATLAS Works
ATLAS brings several functions together in one place. These include trade matching, clearing, settlement and risk management. Many financial firms currently handle these tasks through separate systems.
The system runs on Zero, a network LayerZero launched earlier this year. Zero uses zero-knowledge proofs to check trades on the blockchain. The network was built with input from firms including Citadel Securities, ARK Invest, and the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation.
LayerZero says Zero can handle up to 2 million transactions per second. ATLAS will launch with support for 200,000 transactions per second. The company reports sub-millisecond median latency during testing so far.
ATLAS will come in two forms. Open ATLAS is meant for crypto apps, prediction markets and other public products. Institutional ATLAS will let operators set their own rules for who can trade.
Both versions use the same trading engine. Market creators using the system can list assets such as crypto tokens, stocks, bonds, commodities and prediction contracts.
What This Means for the ZRO Token
The ZRO token will play a central role in the new system. It will secure the Zero network through staking. It will also serve as the network’s gas and governance token.
Trading venues that stake ZRO can earn higher fee rebates on ATLAS. The top rebate tier requires a stake equal to as much as 1% of the total ZRO supply.
Open ATLAS will charge one trading fee. Rebates for venues will range between 20% and 65% based on their stake or trading volume.
After rebates are paid, 25% of remaining fees go to the market creator. LayerZero says the other 75% will be used to buy ZRO tokens and burn them permanently.
Following the announcement, ZRO jumped more than 16% within 24 hours. The token was trading near $1.26 after the news broke.
LayerZero co-founder and CEO Bryan Pellegrino said the goal was to build a neutral backend for a growing range of assets. He said the world’s asset base is expanding and trading is becoming more continuous across markets.
The ATLAS launch comes after a difficult stretch for LayerZero’s cross-chain business. In April, attackers drained about $292 million in rsETH from a bridge tied to Kelp DAO that used LayerZero’s technology.
LayerZero said the issue was limited to a single verifier setup used by Kelp DAO. The company said its core protocol was not affected. It later stopped supporting single-verifier bridge configurations.
Kelp DAO disputed parts of LayerZero’s explanation. It later moved rsETH to Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol. Other projects made similar moves in the weeks that followed.
Jack Melnick, who leads strategy for Zero and ATLAS, said ATLAS is the first product built on the Zero network. He compared the move to how custodian banks expanded into trading services over time.
Excited to announce that I’ve joined LayerZero to lead Strategy, focusing on GTM of Zero & ATLAS.
For the last four years, I’ve worked as a protocol builder, flirting with the cutting edge of what is feasible (and responsible) to build on blockchain. Those that have worked with… https://t.co/X3NfTx2C5j
— Cap'n Jack (@jackmelnick_) August 25, 2026
LayerZero plans to launch ATLAS later this year. The company says its Omnichain Fungible Token standard has already processed more than $290 billion in cross-chain transfers.
The post LayerZero Launches ATLAS Trading Infrastructure on Zero Blockchain appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Takeaways
Stock futures showed minimal movement Wednesday morning with two critical market catalysts approaching
July’s PCE inflation report—the Federal Reserve’s favored price metric—scheduled for 8:30 a.m. ET with forecasts at 3.3%
Nvidia’s quarterly results due after market close, viewed as a crucial barometer for AI investment momentum
Jackson Hole economic symposium begins Thursday with Fed Chair Kevin Warsh expected to address monetary policy
Crude prices declined following Iran-Oman agreement on Strait of Hormuz shipping security measures
Wall Street futures hovered around unchanged levels Wednesday morning as market participants positioned ahead of dual catalysts: July’s Personal Consumption Expenditures inflation data and Nvidia’s quarterly financial report.
Dow Jones Industrial Average futures inched higher by 0.1%, though S&P 500 contracts dipped 0.1% and Nasdaq 100 futures retreated 0.2% during early trading. Markets had rallied broadly the previous session.
E-Mini S&P 500 Sep 26 (ES=F)
The Personal Consumption Expenditures index, regarded as the central bank’s go-to inflation indicator, was scheduled for release at 8:30 a.m. Eastern. Wall Street economists anticipated the core measure would hold at 3.3%, matching the previous month’s reading.
Central bank policymakers have consistently signaled that additional rate increases haven’t been ruled out should inflation prove sticky. This messaging has kept market participants cautious approaching Wednesday’s figures.
Chip Giant Takes Center Stage
Following Wednesday’s market close, Nvidia was scheduled to unveil its quarterly performance. The semiconductor powerhouse has transformed into a bellwether for gauging corporate artificial intelligence expenditures throughout the technology landscape.
Market anticipation surrounding the release ran high. Shareholders have been scrutinizing whether corporations can demonstrate tangible payoffs from their substantial AI capital outlays.
Certain market watchers noted that Marvell Technology’s Thursday earnings announcement could prove equally significant as Nvidia’s this week. Marvell has increasingly attracted attention as an alternative player in the AI semiconductor arena.
Wednesday’s reporting calendar also featured CrowdStrike, Williams-Sonoma, Okta, and Abercrombie & Fitch.
Central Bank Conference and Treasury Action
The Federal Reserve’s yearly Jackson Hole economic policy symposium commences Thursday. Chair Kevin Warsh is slated to deliver remarks regarding the institution’s rate trajectory.
Fixed-income markets displayed early signs of unease ahead of the gathering. The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield climbed to 4.643% while the 30-year advanced to 5.181% Wednesday morning.
Treasury rates had retreated Tuesday alongside declining crude prices. That movement reversed during early Wednesday action.
Oil prices tumbled approximately 2% following announcements from Iran and Oman regarding a cooperative agreement to enhance maritime safety through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude settled at $86.75 per barrel while West Texas Intermediate touched $80.18.
The confluence of PCE inflation data, Nvidia’s earnings release, the Jackson Hole conference, and volatility across energy and fixed-income markets positioned Wednesday among the most eventful trading sessions in recent memory.
Market observers remained focused on whether Nvidia’s numbers would meet elevated expectations and if inflation metrics would demonstrate continued moderation.
The post Nvidia (NVDA) Earnings and PCE Inflation Report Set to Rock Markets Wednesday appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Takeaways
AAPL has climbed 14% since the start of 2026, currently trading near $309.90 and outpacing turbulent chip and AI-focused technology equities
The company’s minimal commitment to AI infrastructure investment is viewed as a primary driver of its comparative market resilience
Updated Mac mini and Mac Studio machines debut featuring M6 and M5 Ultra processors, with entry-level pricing beginning at $899
Analyst consensus stands at Moderate Buy, with mean price projection of $336.63 suggesting approximately 9% potential appreciation
Q3 results showed EPS of $2.02, surpassing analyst expectations of $1.89, while revenue jumped 16.4% versus prior year
Shares of Apple (AAPL) began Wednesday’s session at $309.90, marking a 14% gain since the beginning of 2026, while numerous technology sector counterparts have experienced significant volatility during the same timeframe.
The equity currently trades substantially beneath its 52-week peak of $344.57 while maintaining a solid cushion above the annual low of $224.69. Technical indicators show the 50-day moving average positioned at $311.12, with the 200-day marker resting at $287.69.
A significant contributor to AAPL’s stability stems from its minimal participation in the aggressive AI infrastructure investment cycle. In contrast to Alphabet, Amazon, and Microsoft, Apple has avoided committing tens of billions toward accelerated data center expansion.
The Cupertino giant is instead prioritizing device-level artificial intelligence capabilities, a strategy market participants seem to regard as more prudent given current economic uncertainties.
The company recently unveiled refreshed Mac mini and Mac Studio desktop computers equipped with advanced M6 and M5 Ultra processors. Entry pricing for the Mac mini begins at $899, representing a $300 increase compared to the initial M4 model introduction.
Evercore analyst Amit Daryanani, maintaining a Buy recommendation alongside a $365 target, explained the pricing adjustment reflects elevated memory component costs plus enhanced AI processing power, processor velocity, and connectivity features.
According to his assessment, Apple leverages its Mac portfolio to validate its integrated approach combining proprietary silicon architecture with artificial intelligence functionality, supporting premium market positioning.
Wall Street Perspectives
BofA Securities analyst Wamsi Mohan maintained his Buy stance with a $380 target price. His thesis emphasizes Apple’s robust shareholder return program and competitive positioning in edge-based AI deployment.
Mohan also weighed in on executive succession, anticipating Apple’s fundamental business approach will continue unchanged under designated CEO John Ternus. He identifies wearable technology, connected home systems, and robotics as potential growth vectors receiving increased focus.
Bullish sentiment isn’t universal, however. Jefferies lowered AAPL to underperform while reducing its price objective to $263.66. Similarly, Seaport Research Partners downgraded from buy to neutral during mid-August.
Overall Street sentiment reflects a Moderate Buy rating, derived from 16 Buy recommendations, 11 Hold positions, and 4 Sell ratings. The consensus price target of $336.63 implies potential upside near 9% from present trading levels.
Financial Performance and Metrics
Apple delivered impressive results in its latest reporting period. Earnings per share reached $2.02, exceeding the Street’s $1.89 projection. Total revenue of $109.42 billion narrowly topped the $109.04 billion estimate, reflecting 16.4% year-over-year expansion.
Profitability metrics included a net margin of 27.62% alongside return on equity measuring 135.46%. Full fiscal year EPS projections center around $8.76.
The company distributed a quarterly dividend of $0.27 per share on August 13th, translating to an annualized dividend yield of 0.3%.
Regarding workforce adjustments, Apple eliminated more than 200 roles within its Siri and Vision Pro divisions, reallocating those resources toward AI advancement initiatives and smart eyewear development.
Institutional investors control 67.73% of outstanding shares. Vanguard Group maintains the largest position with over 1.4 billion shares, currently valued near $387 billion.
The post Apple (AAPL) Stock Maintains Momentum as AI Infrastructure Concerns Hit Tech Giants appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Takeaways
Shares of SYRE tumbled 14% during after-hours trading Tuesday following the company’s decision to discontinue SPY072 development as a standalone rheumatoid arthritis therapy
SPY072 demonstrated superiority over placebo across both dosing levels in the SKYWAY Phase 2 study, yet fell short of the company’s predetermined internal efficacy benchmark
The study included 143 patients; safety profile showed adverse events at or below placebo levels
Additional Phase 2 results for SPY072 in psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis are anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2026
Analysts maintain a Strong Buy rating on SYRE stock with a mean price target of $124.73
Shares of Spyre Therapeutics (SYRE) plummeted up to 14% in extended trading hours Tuesday after the biotech firm announced it would halt advancement of SPY072 as a monotherapy option for rheumatoid arthritis. Prior to the announcement, the stock was hovering near $107.36.
The determination came on the heels of top-line findings from the rheumatoid arthritis portion of the SKYWAY Phase 2 clinical study. While both dosing regimens of SPY072 demonstrated superiority over placebo across primary endpoints, the magnitude of improvement fell below Spyre’s predetermined efficacy threshold required to advance monotherapy development in this indication.
Breaking down the data, the SPY072 Low Dose arm achieved a DAS28-CRP change from baseline of -1.9 compared with -1.3 in the placebo group at the 12-week mark. The High Dose cohort demonstrated a 63% ACR20 response rate against 43% for placebo. The Low Dose arm achieved 38% on ACR50 compared to 19% in the control group.
The study evaluated three treatment arms encompassing 143 total participants. The High Dose group contained 48 subjects, the Low Dose arm included 48 patients, and 47 individuals received placebo.
From a safety perspective, the drug demonstrated a favorable profile. Treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 27% of SPY072-treated subjects compared to 36% in the placebo arm, with the majority classified as mild to moderate in severity.
Future Direction for SPY072 Development
Spyre is not abandoning the SPY072 program altogether. The biotechnology company intends to continue investigating it within combination treatment strategies, including its partnership with an IL-17A/F inhibitor as part of the SPY772 development program targeting hidradenitis suppurativa. Results from that combined therapy investigation are projected for late 2027 or the first quarter of 2028.
Additional pipeline milestones remain on the horizon. Phase 2 clinical data for SPY072 in both psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis indications are slated for release during the fourth quarter of 2026. These data releases will draw significant attention from investors following Tuesday’s rheumatoid arthritis setback.
According to Spyre, the trial outcomes continue to validate the broader therapeutic promise of its TL1A antibody platform across autoimmune conditions, especially when deployed as components within combination regimens rather than as single-agent treatments.
Analyst Community Remains Optimistic
Notwithstanding the after-hours decline, Wall Street’s outlook remains unchanged. SYRE maintains a Strong Buy consensus rating from analysts, supported by 13 Buy recommendations and a single Hold rating.
The consensus 12-month price target stands at $124.73, implying approximately 16% potential upside from the pre-announcement trading level.
From a chart perspective, SYRE was positioned above both its 20-day exponential moving average of $103.75 and its 50-day EMA of $96.37 prior to the announcement. The Williams %R indicator was also flashing a Buy signal, indicating the stock had not entered overbought territory.
The critical inflection point for SYRE investors will arrive with the Q4 2026 clinical data releases in psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis indications.
The post Spyre Therapeutics (SYRE) Stock Plunges 14% on SPY072 Rheumatoid Arthritis Trial Results appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Highlights
Nasdaq has provided Datavault AI with an additional 180-day period, extending the compliance deadline to February 22, 2027, for achieving the minimum $1.00 bid price
The stock is presently trading at $0.31 and must maintain a closing price of $1.00 or higher for ten consecutive trading sessions to meet requirements
Management is exploring the possibility of a reverse stock split to address the compliance issue
The company recently finalized the NYIAX acquisition, bringing in blockchain settlement technology and four U.S. patents
Barry Sine from Litchfield Hills maintains a Buy rating with a $2 price target, suggesting potential gains of approximately 546%
Nasdaq has granted Datavault AI (DVLT) an extended timeframe to restore its stock price above the minimum threshold required for continued listing on the exchange.
On August 25, the company secured an extra 180-day compliance window, pushing its deadline to February 22, 2027. This marks the second extension after Datavault failed to achieve the mandatory $1.00 minimum bid price during its initial compliance period.
Trading at $0.31 per share, DVLT must reach and maintain a closing price of at least $1.00 for a minimum of ten consecutive trading sessions before the February cutoff. Failure to meet this requirement will result in a delisting notification from Nasdaq.
The company has indicated it may pursue a reverse stock split as a potential remedy. According to regulatory filings, management acknowledged this possibility while emphasizing that no strategy is guaranteed to achieve compliance.
Recent Acquisitions and Strategic Partnerships
Despite compliance challenges, Datavault has remained active in expanding its business footprint. The company recently completed its acquisition of NYIAX, bringing exchange infrastructure, blockchain-based settlement systems, and four issued U.S. patents into its portfolio.
The acquired infrastructure will support specialized trading platforms across multiple sectors, including critical minerals, political advertising, name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights for athletes, healthcare data, and intellectual property.
Earlier this summer, Datavault announced a partnership with Fiserv, which will serve as the exclusive provider of embedded financial services and payment solutions across its exchange platforms, including the forthcoming NIL Exchange. Additionally, the company is collaborating with Available Infrastructure to develop its SanQtum edge-computing network, with initial rollouts targeted for New York and Philadelphia.
CEO Nathaniel Bradley has identified the latter half of 2026 as the critical timeframe when these strategic initiatives must begin generating meaningful revenue streams.
Wall Street Perspective
Barry Sine of Litchfield Hills represents one of the limited analyst voices covering DVLT on Wall Street. He maintains a Buy recommendation with a $2 price target, representing potential upside of roughly 546% based on Tuesday’s closing price.
Sine has characterized Datavault as “the best-positioned company globally to capitalize on the emerging tokenization economy,” highlighting its strategic partnerships with major enterprises including IBM, Fiserv, CLEAR, and Houlihan Lokey as significant competitive advantages.
Beyond his near-term target, Sine believes substantial long-term value exists, projecting a “double-digit share price in 2027” contingent upon successful execution of exchange launches and achievement of revenue targets.
The analyst has also noted the possibility of Datavault spinning off its Acoustic Science division, which would consolidate WiSA, ADIO, Event Citadel, and API Media into a standalone publicly traded company specializing in audio technology and event management.
Following Tuesday’s announcement of the Nasdaq extension, DVLT shares increased by one cent in after-hours trading, representing a 3% gain at current price levels.
The post Datavault AI (DVLT) Secures Additional 180 Days to Meet Nasdaq Compliance Requirements appeared first on Blockonomi.

Quick Summary
Shares of Bloom Energy climbed 5% in Tuesday trading following the disclosure that Nancy Pelosi acquired 15,000 shares and 200 call options in late July.
Second-quarter revenue reached $1.07 billion, representing a 166% year-over-year increase, while earnings per share of $0.78 surpassed analyst expectations of $0.39.
The company elevated its 2026 full-year revenue outlook to a range of $3.9 billion to $4.2 billion, driven by artificial intelligence data center infrastructure needs.
Analyst consensus stands at “Moderate Buy” with a mean price target of $248.05, suggesting approximately 21% potential upside from current levels.
Key concerns include an elevated forward P/E ratio near 74, recent insider stock sales, and pending securities litigation regarding alleged China supply chain disclosures.
Shares of Bloom Energy began Tuesday’s session at $213.55, marking a gain from the previous closing price of $204.02, following congressional financial disclosure documents that revealed Nancy Pelosi’s household established a new stake in the fuel-cell manufacturer.
By midday, the stock reached an intraday peak of $214.34, with trading volume exceeding 4 million shares.
Congressional filings made public on August 21 revealed two separate Bloom Energy Class A stock acquisitions executed on July 24 and July 28, comprising a total of 15,000 shares. The documentation additionally noted 200 call option contracts carrying a $100 strike price with a June 2027 expiration date.
According to the disclosure ranges mandated by congressional reporting requirements, the aggregate position value falls between approximately $4.25 million and $14.5 million.
These transactions represent Pelosi’s initial documented investment in Bloom Energy.
Pelosi’s investment activity attracts significant attention from retail market participants. A MarketWise survey conducted in July revealed that 34% of investors who replicate congressional trades monitor her transactions, ranking her just behind Warren Buffett at 35%. According to Quiver Quantitative tracking data, her portfolio has delivered cumulative gains of 965% since 2014, substantially outpacing the S&P 500’s 313% return over the same period.
The same disclosure documents showed Pelosi also acquired Intel shares and call options. Intel maintains a customer relationship with Bloom Energy, tying both investments to the broader AI infrastructure investment theme.
Impressive Q2 Earnings Contributed to Momentum
Pelosi’s disclosed position came on the heels of robust quarterly performance. Bloom reported second-quarter revenue of $1.07 billion, representing a 166% year-over-year surge and marking the company’s first time surpassing the $1 billion threshold in a single quarter. Earnings per share of $0.78 significantly exceeded the Wall Street consensus forecast of $0.39.
Company leadership increased its full-year 2026 outlook to a revenue range of $3.9 billion to $4.2 billion, with gross margin projections of 34% and earnings per share guidance between $2.55 and $2.85.
Analyst projections anticipate current-year revenue growth of approximately 103% to reach roughly $4.13 billion, with further expansion to more than $6.77 billion anticipated in 2026.
An expanded partnership agreement with Oracle, potentially supporting up to 2.8 gigawatts of fuel-cell infrastructure, was highlighted as a primary growth catalyst. Management indicated that its AI infrastructure customer base now encompasses nearly two dozen clients and approximately 250 MW of capacity beyond the Oracle partnership.
Valuation Considerations and Risk Factors
Despite positive momentum, Bloom’s current valuation metrics warrant scrutiny. The forward non-GAAP price-to-earnings multiple stands near 74, substantially exceeding the S&P 500’s approximate average of 20. Shares have retreated from a year-to-date peak approaching $350.
The Street consensus rating is “Moderate Buy” with a mean price objective of $248.05. Among 26 analysts providing coverage, three assign Strong Buy ratings, 10 recommend Buy, 12 suggest Hold, and one rates it Sell.
Recent insider selling activity presents an additional consideration for investors. Board member Jeffrey Immelt disposed of 30,000 shares on August 17 at an average execution price of $238.91. Insider Satish Chitoori sold 2,053 shares on August 14. Cumulative insider sales during the most recent quarter totaled approximately 144,000 shares valued at $38.5 million.
Active securities fraud litigation alleging the company provided misleading information regarding its China supply chain dependencies continues to progress, with a lead-plaintiff deadline established for September 28.
JPMorgan maintains an Overweight rating on the stock with a $314 price target.
The post Bloom Energy (BE) Stock Surges 5% Following Nancy Pelosi’s Disclosure appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Takeaways
HOOD shares climbed 8.2% to reach $112.09 on Tuesday, propelled by Bitcoin’s recovery and increased retail investor engagement
Speculation surrounding potential elimination of U.S. day-trading restrictions enhanced outlook for transaction-based revenue expansion
Event contracts have emerged as Robinhood’s most rapidly expanding segment, with Bernstein analysts projecting annual volumes could reach $1 trillion by 2030
Second-quarter results exceeded forecasts with earnings per share of $0.62 versus $0.44 consensus, while revenue climbed 32.5% annually to $1.31 billion
Analyst consensus stands at Strong Buy with mean price objective of $123.58, suggesting approximately 10% potential appreciation
Shares of Robinhood Markets (HOOD) experienced an impressive 8.2% rally on Tuesday, finishing the session at $112.09, as cryptocurrency market strength, favorable regulatory prospects, and robust business expansion combined to elevate the stock.
Bitcoin momentarily surpassed the $80,000 threshold during trading hours, sparking renewed retail enthusiasm for cryptocurrency investments. Such price movements typically generate substantial trading volume increases across Robinhood’s platform, where digital assets represent a significant revenue component.
Another major driver was growing anticipation that American financial regulators might eliminate the existing day-trading restriction, which limits transaction frequency for smaller account holders. Should this regulation be removed, retail trading activity could experience significant expansion, delivering a meaningful uplift to Robinhood’s transaction revenue streams.
Mizuho’s Dan Dolev observed that the cryptocurrency recovery appears sustainable. He highlighted reduced leverage throughout the ecosystem, robust ETF capital flows, and emerging indicators of retail investor reengagement. Bitcoin exchange-traded funds attracted approximately $1.9 billion in fresh capital during the preceding week, marking the strongest momentum since late 2025.
Dolev explicitly identified Robinhood as his preferred selection within the sector, emphasizing its commanding retail market position and substantial operating leverage characteristics.
Event Contracts Accelerating Growth
Chief Executive Vlad Tenev has characterized prediction markets as Robinhood’s most rapidly expanding revenue stream. Bernstein research anticipates prediction market transaction volume could approach $240 billion during 2026 and potentially expand to approximately $1 trillion on an annual basis by decade’s end.
Such expansion potential has captured significant market interest. The platform is simultaneously entering tokenized equity trading while launching Robinhood Ventures Fund II, which provides everyday investors exposure to early-stage private enterprises.
The equity’s 50-day moving average currently registers at $101.13, with HOOD trading comfortably above this technical indicator, confirming the positive near-term momentum.
Strong Quarterly Performance Supports Rally
Robinhood’s latest quarterly disclosure, released July 29, provided investors with substantial fundamental support. The firm delivered earnings per share of $0.62, considerably surpassing the $0.44 analyst estimate. Revenue totaled $1.31 billion, representing 32.5% year-over-year growth and marginally exceeding the $1.29 billion projection. Net profit margin reached 42.01%.
Current analyst projections anticipate full-year earnings per share of $2.03 for Robinhood.
Sanford C. Bernstein elevated its price objective to $160 in July, maintaining an outperform designation. Deutsche Bank increased its target to $113 with a buy recommendation. The prevailing consensus among 21 covering analysts stands at Moderate Buy, with a mean price target of $120.52.
Regarding insider transactions, Director Meyer Malka acquired 250,000 shares at $80.74 during June. Chief Executive Vladimir Tenev divested 375,000 shares at $116.17 in July through a previously established Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement.
The Street’s Strong Buy consensus, derived from 15 buy recommendations and three hold ratings issued over the past quarter, reflects an average price objective of $123.58.
The post Robinhood (HOOD) Stock Climbs 8% as Bitcoin Rally and Regulatory Optimism Fuel Gains appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR
BlackRock cut the minimum Bitcoin value required for direct IBIT conversions from $25 million to $1 million.
The 96% reduction makes the service more accessible to wealthy investors and institutions holding Bitcoin directly.
IBIT has processed more than $5 billion in Bitcoin-to-ETF conversions, up from about $3 billion in October.
Bitwise also lowered its conversion threshold sharply, reducing the minimum from $100 million to $3 million.
Security concerns, including hacks and crypto-related kidnappings, are encouraging some holders to move away from self-custody.
BlackRock has reduced the minimum Bitcoin value needed for direct conversion into shares of its spot Bitcoin ETF, IBIT, to $1 million. Bloomberg reported that the previous threshold stood at $25 million, marking a 96% cut.
BlackRock has now done $5b of tax deferred bitcoin to ETF swaps, which can now be done for as little as $1mil.. “It’s going to keep growing because we keep expanding the access,” said Robbie Mitchnick, head of digital assets at BlackRock. “People see things happen in the outside… https://t.co/lnhFLeVklM
— Eric Balchunas (@EricBalchunas) August 25, 2026
The change makes the service available to more wealthy investors and institutions that hold Bitcoin directly. Bitwise also reduced its conversion minimum to $3 million from $100 million, according to the same report. BlackRock reported IBIT net assets of about $60.65 billion on Aug. 25, while the fund charged a 0.25% annual sponsor fee.
BlackRock sees growth in in-kind conversions
The transactions use an in-kind creation process. Eligible holders transfer Bitcoin into the ETF structure and receive IBIT shares with similar market exposure. This process removes the need to sell Bitcoin first and then buy ETF shares.
Robbie Mitchnick, BlackRock’s head of digital assets, said IBIT has processed more than $5 billion through these conversions. The total was about $3 billion in October. These transfers move existing Bitcoin into the fund and do not always represent new cash inflows.
Security concerns drive custody changes
Mitchnick said hacks, kidnappings, and other crypto-related crimes have pushed some holders to reconsider self-custody. Investors who hold Bitcoin directly must protect private keys, seed phrases, and hardware wallets from theft or loss.
An ETF removes that personal custody burden. However, IBIT shareholders do not control the underlying Bitcoin. They cannot withdraw the coins, send them to a private wallet, or use them for payments. They instead hold Nasdaq-listed shares that track Bitcoin’s market value before fees.
Tax treatment depends on structure
Bloomberg reported that some investors can use in-kind conversions to avoid selling Bitcoin before buying ETF shares. That structure may help them avoid triggering an immediate taxable sale in some cases.
However, tax treatment can vary by investor, intermediary, country, and transaction structure. The SEC approved in-kind creations and redemptions for spot crypto exchange-traded products in July 2025, but the rule did not create special tax treatment for investors. BlackRock’s latest filings confirm that authorized participants can conduct in-kind transactions with the trust. Ordinary investors can still buy and sell IBIT shares on Nasdaq without using the direct creation process or meeting these thresholds.
The post BlackRock Cuts IBIT Bitcoin Swap Minimum by 96% appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Takeaways
Wolfe Research boosted Netflix’s price objective to $95 from $84, maintaining an Outperform stance
Analyst Peter Supino attributes Q2 subscriber softness to content release scheduling rather than demand issues
New York Times reports indicate Netflix may allow users to purchase competing streaming services through its platform
The streaming giant expanded its NFL partnership through the 2029-30 season, strengthening live content and advertising opportunities
Analyst consensus on NFLX stands at Strong Buy with a mean price objective of $96.22
Shares of Netflix (NFLX) advanced 2.1% during Monday’s mid-day session, reaching an intraday peak of $81.74, as two positive developments reignited investor enthusiasm.
The initial trigger was a price objective increase from Wolfe Research. Analyst Peter Supino elevated his forecast to $95 from $84 while maintaining an Outperform designation, noting the stock is “positioned for upward movement as audience engagement strengthens.”
Supino identified content release scheduling as the culprit behind Netflix’s disappointing Q2 performance, dismissing concerns about weakening consumer appetite. Programming with new seasons debuting in Q3 had previous installments accumulate 1.3 billion hours in top-10 viewership, contrasting sharply with 765 million hours for content that premiered in Q2.
The shares have declined approximately 34% over the trailing twelve months, bouncing back from a 52-week trough of $65.08. Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman revealed a fresh position in mid-August, contributing to the recent recovery momentum.
Aggregator Platform Speculation Builds Excitement
The secondary catalyst emerged from a New York Times piece indicating Netflix is evaluating a framework that would enable subscribers to purchase and control access to competing platforms like Peacock and Fox One directly within the Netflix application.
No agreements have been finalized. However, the concept mirrors aggregation strategies deployed by Amazon and Apple, potentially unlocking additional transaction-based revenue streams while extending user engagement within the Netflix environment.
The overall market context also proved favorable, with the Nasdaq advancing 0.5% and the S&P 500 climbing 0.2% throughout the trading session. Netflix outperformed both benchmarks driven by its company-specific developments.
Sports Broadcasting and Advertising Strategy Take Center Stage
Netflix expanded its NFL broadcasting arrangement through the 2029-30 season, incorporating additional live sporting events into its content portfolio. Live game broadcasts attract substantial concurrent viewership, strengthening Netflix’s value proposition when negotiating with premium advertisers.
Netflix is projecting approximately $3 billion in advertising income for 2026, representing a doubling from the previous year’s performance. The organization anticipates full-year 2026 revenue between $51.0 billion and $51.4 billion.
Free cash generation is forecast to reach approximately $12.5 billion this year, although quarterly variations are expected. During Q2, free cash flow decreased to $1.53 billion compared to $2.27 billion in the year-ago period.
NFLX currently trades at roughly 22 times forward earnings estimates. The company has been deploying free cash flow toward share repurchases, which deliver greater value at present valuations compared to when the stock was trading near all-time highs.
One critical area requiring attention is advertising implementation. Netflix recently separated from its vice president overseeing ads product, a transition occurring as advertising revenue assumes greater significance in the company’s expansion narrative.
Competitive pressures persist, with YouTube and alternative streaming services continuously vying for identical audiences and advertising expenditures.
Wall Street maintains a Strong Buy consensus rating on NFLX, supported by 24 Buy recommendations, 7 Hold ratings, and zero Sell ratings across the past three months. The mean analyst price objective stands at $96.22, suggesting approximately 17% potential appreciation from present trading levels.
The post Netflix (NFLX) Stock Gains Momentum: Analyst Upgrade and Streaming Hub News Fuel Rally appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR
Robinhood Chain recorded a new daily RWA trading volume high of $85.1 million on August 25.
Tokenized stocks led activity with $66.6 million, representing about 78% of total daily volume.
Memecoin-versus-stock pairs contributed $10.4 million, down sharply from their dominant share in late July.
ETFs and treasuries generated $4.8 million, while commodities added another $3.3 million.
Robinhood Crypto recently added 100 new stock tokens, bringing the total available to more than 190.
Uniswap now provides nearly 99% of stock token liquidity on Robinhood Chain, with Uniswap v4 accounting for about 73%.
Robinhood Chain recorded a new real-world asset trading volume high of $85.1 million on August 25. Stock tokens led activity, accounting for $66.6 million, or about 78% of total volume across the platform. A Dune dashboard compiled by analyst adam_tehc showed $10.4 million from memecoin-stock pairs, $4.8 million from ETFs and treasuries, and $3.3 million from commodities.
100 more Robinhood Stock Tokens are now live on Robinhood Chain, bringing the total to 190+.
Supported across Robinhood Chain and any compatible self-custody wallets. pic.twitter.com/88hzZdU0N5
— Robinhood Crypto (@RobinhoodCrypto) August 13, 2026
Robinhood Chain Stock Trading Takes Lead
The data marks a change from late July. On July 26, memecoin-versus-stock pairs accounted for about 73% of daily volume. By August 25, that share had fallen to 12%, while direct stock token trading became the main source of activity.
The shift followed weeks of rising equity trading. Stock token activity grew as traders gained access to more listed assets and deeper liquidity. The August 25 record also came after Robinhood Crypto expanded the number of stock tokens available.
More Stock Tokens Expand Trading Choices
Robinhood Crypto added 100 stock tokens earlier in August, lifting the total available to more than 190. The wider selection gave traders more companies and additional trading pairs.
Liquidity increased across the network. Uniswap now accounts for almost 99% of stock token liquidity on Robinhood Chain. Uniswap v4 represents about 73% of that amount, according to the cited data.
Several Uniswap pools pair individual stock tokens with SPY, the token linked to the S&P 500 exchange-traded fund. These pools use assets that often move in similar directions, which can reduce price differences between paired assets.
Ten of these pools generated more than $33 million in trading volume from over 11,000 traders in 12 days. Higher liquidity can support larger trades by reducing the price movement caused by individual orders.
Nvidia Earnings Add Market Activity
The record arrived one day before Nvidia was scheduled to report earnings after the U.S. market close on August 26. Nvidia remains among the most traded stock tokens on Robinhood Chain, making the earnings event a source of trading interest.
Robinhood Chain operates continuously, allowing tokenized stock trading outside normal U.S. market hours. The network averaged about $25 million in daily activity through much of August. Future trading data will show whether the higher volume continues after the Nvidia earnings period.
The post Robinhood Chain Stock Tokens Drive $85M Trading Day appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Points
Anthropic pursues a $2 trillion public offering that would eclipse SpaceX’s $86.2 billion market debut
Financial losses approached $42 billion in 2025 despite revenue forecasts reaching $65 billion annually
Interview process now includes questions about commitment if shares become worthless
CEO Dario Amodei cautions that concentrated AI wealth threatens social stability
Legal conflict with Trump administration continues over military AI model access restrictions
The artificial intelligence firm Anthropic, creator of the Claude model series, is advancing toward a public market offering with a potential $2 trillion price tag. This valuation would position it among the largest initial public offerings ever recorded, dwarfing SpaceX’s $86.2 billion June listing.
wtf Anthropic’s IPO pitch: more than $30 trillion in potential revenue, topping SpaceX and xAI’s $28.5 trillion estimate.
Anthropic may tell investors that the work Claude and other AI models could eventually perform represents a market worth more than $30 trillion.
The company… https://t.co/9VKONlDmcM pic.twitter.com/BhrpKbZIKG
— Chubby (@kimmonismus) August 25, 2026
Established in 2021 by former OpenAI leadership, the San Francisco company counts CEO Dario Amodei and his sister Daniela, who holds the president title, among its founding team. Current workforce numbers approximately 5,000 employees.
The organization has carved out a distinct market position compared to OpenAI. Rather than pursuing diverse applications like video generation and browser development, Anthropic concentrated resources on developer-focused coding solutions.
This focused approach shows positive results. Claude Code, the company’s programming assistant, ranks among its most successful offerings. Current revenue projections point toward $65 billion annually.
Financial Realities Behind Ambitious Projections
The optimistic revenue outlook contrasts sharply with Anthropic‘s current financial performance. Reports indicate the firm hemorrhaged approximately $42 billion throughout 2025, with expectations for continued deficits extending into future years.
Investment materials reportedly highlight revenue possibilities exceeding $30 trillion, according to Wall Street Journal sources.
Following a May funding round that brought in $65 billion, Anthropic achieved a valuation approaching one trillion dollars. Company officials maintain that public market access remains essential for securing the computational resources necessary for developing and operating advanced AI systems.
Leadership Questions Employee Motivations
As the anticipated $2 trillion valuation stands to generate substantial wealth for its 2,500-plus workforce, Anthropic has introduced an unusual interview question for prospective employees.
Job seekers now face inquiries about their reaction if the organization abandoned its safety-focused mission and share prices collapsed to nothing, Axios reports.
Dario Amodei, whose personal wealth stands at approximately $15.5 billion, has voiced worries that substantial financial rewards might distract team members from organizational priorities.
Anthropic compensation packages for staff software engineering positions range from $320,000 to $405,000 in base salary. Some applicants reportedly invest over $4,000 in specialized interview preparation services.
Amodei recently announced plans to donate 80% of his fortune, joined by Anthropic’s six other co-founders in this commitment. He has publicly challenged other technology industry leaders to prioritize charitable giving.
“The thing to worry about is a level of wealth concentration that will break society,” Amodei wrote in a public letter earlier this year.
Government Relations and Legal Challenges
The company faces ongoing tensions with the Trump administration. Government officials terminated contracts with Anthropic in March and designated the firm a supply chain security concern following its refusal to provide military agencies with unrestricted AI model access.
Anthropic contested the action as violating constitutional principles. The parties remain engaged in litigation that may extend for several years.
Meanwhile, OpenAI has postponed its previously announced 2025 IPO plans until 2027. Anthropic appears committed to proceeding with its public market debut on its original schedule.
The post Anthropic’s $2 Trillion IPO Plans Face Scrutiny as CEO Warns of AI Inequality appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Takeaways
Intuit shares plummeted more than 10% in after-hours trading to $320.88 following disappointing fiscal 2027 guidance
The apparent earnings “miss” stems primarily from an accounting methodology shift that now incorporates stock-based compensation into adjusted metrics
The genuine issue lies in revenue projections: $23.28B to $23.51B for FY2027, representing 9-10% growth versus last year’s 14%
TurboTax experienced a 2% decline in units during the quarter; Mailchimp projections range from flat to marginally negative
CEO Sasan Goodarzi admitted the company faces mounting AI-driven competition and may implement price reductions to defend market position
Intuit delivered strong results for its fiscal fourth quarter, with adjusted earnings per share of $4.03 surpassing analyst expectations of $3.59. The company’s revenue reached $4.35 billion, marking a 14% year-over-year increase and exceeding the consensus estimate of $4.27 billion. Credit Karma demonstrated robust performance with 16% growth to $743 million, while the Global Business Solutions Group expanded 14% to $3.4 billion.
INTUIT $INTU Q4’26 EARNINGS HIGHLIGHTS
Revenue: $4.4B (Est. $4.27B) ; +14% YoY
Adj. EPS: $4.03 (Est. $3.58)
FY27 Guide:
Revenue: $23.3B-$23.5B (Est. $23.72B)
Adj. EPS: $22.88-$23.12 (Est. $27.32)
Q1 Guide:
Revenue: $4.29B-$4.31B (Est. $4.36B)
… pic.twitter.com/EkDpXXyTVz
— Wall St Engine (@wallstengine) August 25, 2026
However, the positive momentum evaporated when management unveiled its forward-looking projections.
Shares of Intuit finished regular trading at $357.46, already declining 3.37%. In extended trading, the stock shed an additional $36.58, representing approximately 10%, settling at $320.88.
Management projected fiscal 2027 adjusted EPS between $22.88 and $23.12, significantly below the Street’s consensus of approximately $27.30. On the surface, this represented a substantial disappointment.
However, the reality is more nuanced. Effective August 1, Intuit modified its adjusted earnings methodology to incorporate stock-based compensation expenses. This accounting change alone represents $5.81 per share of the perceived shortfall. Excluding this adjustment, the guidance actually exceeds previous analyst expectations.
Revenue Deceleration Emerges as Primary Concern
The genuine source of investor concern centers on revenue performance. Intuit forecasts FY2027 revenue between $23.28 billion and $23.51 billion, representing growth of 9% to 10%. This falls short of analyst projections of $23.7 billion and marks a significant deceleration from this year’s 14% expansion.
Customer acquisition is advancing at merely 3%, indicating the company depends heavily on pricing increases and product mix optimization rather than expanding its user base.
TurboTax experienced a 2% unit decline during the quarter. Mailchimp guidance suggests performance ranging from a 1% contraction to flat results. The legacy desktop segment is anticipated to contract in the low single digits.
Credit Karma and the Global Business Solutions Group present brighter prospects, with anticipated growth of 11-13% and 13-14% respectively.
Management characterizes this approach as intentional, emphasizing customer acquisition and market share expansion over maximizing immediate revenue per customer.
Artificial Intelligence Competition Intensifies
CEO Sasan Goodarzi acknowledged in a media appearance that Intuit confronts genuine competitive threats from AI technologies and may need to reduce pricing to maintain market share. These remarks, delivered simultaneously with the guidance announcement, amplified the after-hours decline.
Intuit’s stock had already suffered more than 40% depreciation year-to-date prior to the earnings release, pressured by broader software sector concerns that AI capabilities could displace traditional subscription revenue models.
The company has taken steps to address this challenge. It enhanced Intuit Intelligence within QuickBooks Online Advanced and Intuit Enterprise Suite, incorporating conversational AI functionality. Additionally, Intuit established a multi-year partnership with OpenAI, committing over $100 million to integrate Intuit-powered financial applications into ChatGPT.
As of July, the company maintained $7.2 billion in cash reserves, repurchased $5.5 billion in stock over the past year, and retains $7.9 billion in remaining buyback authorization.
Analyst consensus currently stands at Moderate Buy, reflecting 13 Buy ratings, 6 Hold ratings, and 2 Sell ratings from 21 covering analysts. The mean price target of $404.15 suggests approximately 13% upside potential from Tuesday’s closing price.
The post Intuit (INTU) Stock Plunges 10% in After-Hours Trading on Disappointing FY2027 Outlook appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR
Hyperliquid activated AQAv2 on August 26, directing about 90% of USDC reserve yield toward HYPE buybacks and burns.
The first AQAv2 payout is scheduled for October 3, with future executions expected roughly every 30 to 38 days.
More than $5 billion in USDC reserves could generate about $135 million to $160 million in annualized yield for the program.
Hyperliquid has already burned about 462 million HYPE tokens worth roughly $1.27 billion since the token launched.
AQAv2 passed the required 66.67% validator approval threshold before activation.
Hyperliquid activated its AQAv2 framework on August 26, 2026, creating a new revenue channel for HYPE token buybacks and burns. The system directs most yield earned from the protocol’s USDC reserves into the Assistance Fund, which buys HYPE on the open market and removes the tokens from circulation.
Hyperliquid scheduled the first AQAv2 payout for October 3. The program will operate on cycles of about 30 to 38 days, creating a recurring source of buyback activity that does not depend only on trading fees.
Hyperliquid Directs USDC Yield Into HYPE
AQAv2, short for Aligned Quote Asset v2, sends about 90% of yield generated from Hyperliquid’s USDC reserves to the Assistance Fund. The fund then uses that revenue to purchase HYPE before permanently burning the acquired tokens.
Hyperliquid Officially Activates "AQAv2" to Buy Back and Burn HYPE with USDC Reserve Yield
Hyperliquid announced the activation of its "AQAv2 (Aligned Quote Asset v2)" framework starting August 26, which directs yield generated from USDC reserves toward programmatic market… pic.twitter.com/3Np1YerhyX
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) August 26, 2026
USDC balances on the platform exceed $5 billion. At an estimated yield near 3%, AQAv2 could generate about $135 million to $160 million in annual revenue. Some estimates place the figure closer to $200 million if reserve balances remain higher.
Hyperliquid already generates substantial revenue from trading fees, with annualized estimates ranging from $600 million to $950 million. AQAv2 adds a separate income stream tied to stablecoin reserves instead of trading volume.
The protocol has also maintained an aggressive buyback program. Since HYPE launched in November 2024, Hyperliquid has burned about 462 million HYPE tokens worth roughly $1.27 billion. Trading fees funded most earlier purchases, making buyback levels more dependent on market activity.
Validator Support Clears Activation Threshold
AQAv2 required validator approval before activation. Support exceeded the 66.67% threshold needed for network consensus, allowing Hyperliquid to begin the new framework on August 26.
Coinbase and Circle each staked 500,000 HYPE in support of AQAv2. Circle issues USDC, while Coinbase operates one of the largest US crypto exchanges. Their participation formed part of the validator backing required for the mechanism.
Market participants will now watch the first scheduled execution on October 3. That payout will provide the first test of how much USDC yield enters the Assistance Fund under AQAv2 and how many HYPE tokens the fund removes from circulation during each cycle.
The new structure also separates part of Hyperliquid’s token demand from daily trading conditions. Reserve yield can continue to fund purchases even when fee revenue slows, as long as USDC balances remain on the platform over the coming months.
The post Hyperliquid Launches New HYPE Buyback Revenue Engine appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR
AMD stock gained nearly 5% as investors reacted to stronger AI and data center growth.
Q2 2026 revenue reached $11.536 billion, marking a 50% increase from a year earlier.
Data center revenue surged 107% year over year to $6.7 billion, accounting for 58% of total sales.
AMD guided Q3 2026 revenue to about $13 billion, representing 41% annual growth.
A fresh analyst upgrade raised AMD’s price target from $565 to $641, adding momentum to the stock.
AMD ended the quarter with $13.11 billion in cash, supporting further investment in AI products and data center expansion.
AMD stock moved higher on August 26, 2026, after Advanced Micro Devices reported strong second-quarter growth and received a bullish analyst upgrade. The chipmaker posted Q2 revenue of $11.536 billion, up 50% from a year earlier, as data center demand continued to drive sales.
AMD Stock Gains on Data Center Growth
AMD generated $6.7 billion in data center revenue during Q2 2026, a 107% increase from the same period last year. The segment produced 58% of total company revenue, showing how much AI and cloud demand now shapes AMD’s business.
Profitability also improved during the quarter. AMD reported a 56% non-GAAP gross margin and a 54% GAAP gross margin. Non-GAAP net income reached $2.76 billion, while adjusted earnings came in at $1.66 per share.
AMD expects Q3 2026 revenue of about $13.0 billion. That target represents 41% year-over-year growth and a 13% increase from Q2. The forecast adds about $1.464 billion in expected revenue compared with the prior quarter.
The guidance follows stronger results earlier in 2026. AMD previously reported quarterly revenue of $10.3 billion and adjusted earnings of $1.37 per share. The company had guided Q2 revenue to $11.2 billion, plus or minus $300 million.
Analyst Upgrade Adds Support
A securities firm upgraded AMD shares to a strong buy and raised its price target from $565 to $641. The firm tied the call to rising demand for server processors used in AI inference and automated AI tasks.
AMD shares gained about 4.9% on August 26, with one market report placing the close at $491.18. Technical levels show support near $451.86, followed by $430.34 and $410.31. Resistance stands near $499.35 and $517.64.
AMD ended Q2 with $13.11 billion in cash, giving the company room to fund product development and AI expansion. Its Helios AI platform and Ryzen AI chips extend its reach across data centers and consumer devices. Investors are now watching whether AMD can meet its Q3 revenue target and continue gaining share in AI computing.
The latest quarterly figures also place AMD among the fastest-growing large semiconductor companies in 2026. Its data center mix, rising revenue outlook and improved earnings remain the main figures shaping market attention around the shares today.
The post AMD Stock Surges on Data Center Growth—What’s Driving It? appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Highlights
The precious metal is hovering near a three-month peak at approximately $4,660 per ounce following a weekly surge exceeding 7%
Declining crude oil prices combined with reduced US Treasury yields are alleviating inflation concerns, bolstering gold’s value
Diplomatic discussions between Iran and Oman focused on establishing a temporary maritime passage to reopen the Strait of Hormuz
Market participants are closely monitoring Fed Chair Kevin Warsh’s upcoming Jackson Hole address on Friday for monetary policy insights
Wednesday’s PCE inflation release will provide traders with additional perspective on the US economic landscape
The precious metal experienced a modest pullback on Wednesday while maintaining proximity to its three-month peak, buoyed by declining crude prices and softer Treasury yields that have diminished inflation worries.
Spot gold traded near $4,660 per ounce, with futures contracts climbing slightly to $4,699. Silver advanced 0.7% to reach $69.05, while platinum posted a 0.3% increase.
Gold Dec 26 (GC=F)
The yellow metal has climbed more than 7% during the previous week, a surge partially attributed to the US Treasury’s decision to accelerate buybacks of longer-dated government securities.
This initiative has reignited what market participants refer to as the “debasement trade,” where investors acquire gold as a hedge against fiscal deficits and currency depreciation. This strategy contributed to gold’s unprecedented rally in 2025 and has returned to prominence.
Crude Price Decline Eases Fed Pressure
Oil prices retreated on Tuesday following diplomatic discussions between Iran and Oman regarding the establishment of a temporary shared maritime passage that could facilitate renewed shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz.
Crude price movements are significant for gold because energy expenses directly influence inflationary pressures. When crude costs decline, inflation typically moderates, diminishing the necessity for the Federal Reserve to maintain elevated interest rates.
Elevated interest rates typically act as a constraint on gold since the metal generates no yield. When rates remain high, income-producing assets become comparatively more appealing.
Treasury yields declined by approximately five to seven basis points throughout the curve on Tuesday, providing additional upward momentum for gold prices.
Boston Fed President Susan Collins indicated her support for maintaining current rate levels, provided inflation continues its trajectory toward the Fed’s 2% objective.
Market Attention Shifts to Jackson Hole and PCE Release
Market participants are focused on two critical upcoming events that could influence gold’s trajectory in the immediate term.
The first is Wednesday’s US Personal Consumption Expenditures report. The PCE serves as the Fed’s primary inflation metric and will deliver updated insights into price dynamics within the economy.
REMINDER: US PCE INFLATION DROPS TODAY AT 8:30 AM ET!
Previous: 3.7% · Forecast: 3.6%
IF PCE > 3.6% → risk off
IF PCE < 3.6% → risk on
Last inflation print before Kevin Warsh speaks at Jackson Hole on Friday. pic.twitter.com/Jn9GCjhwWR
— Crypto Rover (@cryptorover) August 26, 2026
The second is Friday’s Jackson Hole symposium, where Fed Chair Kevin Warsh will present his inaugural major address since assuming his position.
Warsh has encountered criticism for not articulating his economic perspectives clearly. Market observers are anticipating Friday’s speech will provide enhanced clarity regarding the Fed’s stance on potential rate reductions.
ANZ analysts observed that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent offered no fresh indications regarding debt management strategies, though market reports indicate the Treasury may utilize cash reserves to repurchase older, higher-yielding securities.
The US Dollar Index remained relatively unchanged at 99.01, holding steady following a minor decline in the prior session.
Gold’s immediate price trajectory will likely be determined by the signals emerging from the PCE data release and the content of Warsh’s address concerning inflation trends and Federal Reserve policy direction.
The post Gold Hovers at 3-Month Peak Amid Declining Oil and Treasury Yields appeared first on Blockonomi.