Josh Andrews

Tether’s Record Asset Freeze and the Growing Regulation in Crypto Finance

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It has been a long-time coming, but crypto finance is maturing. Large issuers are becoming more deeply connected to global rules, and the rails that move digital dollars around the world are now firmly on regulators’ radar. A glaring showcase of this was when Tether froze more than $500 million in USDT connected to a suspected betting and money-laundering network in Turkey, in one of the largest asset freezes the crypto sector has seen.

CEO Paolo Ardoino said the action followed direct outreach from law enforcement. Tether reviewed the information, determined it fell within legal requirements, and moved to block the funds. The case adds to a growing list of interventions by the stablecoin giant, which says it has frozen more than $3 billion in assets over similar issues.

Dealing with the Inevitability of Regulatory Attention

USDT has become a core tool for moving money across crypto platforms because it is fast, dollar-pegged, and widely accepted. That combination makes it useful for everything from trading to funding accounts on digital platforms that operate outside traditional banking hours. But the same features that make stablecoins convenient also attract regulatory attention when funds flow through high-risk channels.

This latest freeze shows how much the landscape has shifted. Crypto was once framed as beyond the reach of traditional financial controls, yet major issuers like Tether now work closely with global authorities and can shut down large pools of funds when required. For everyday users, that is a reminder that stablecoins may run on blockchains, but the companies behind them still operate within legal systems.

With more than $187 billion USDT in circulation, Tether sits at the center of crypto liquidity. When it acts, markets notice. Enforcement actions of this size highlight both the scale of stablecoin adoption and the increasing pressure on major players to monitor how their tokens move.

Record Profits Regardless

While tightening cooperation with regulators, Tether is also expanding aggressively. The company reported around $10 billion in profit in 2025 and has been channeling that capital into a wider mix of assets and industries.

Recent investments include $150 million into Gold.com and a $100 million stake in Anchorage Digital, a federally regulated US digital asset bank. It is also funding Bitcoin mining operations and backing projects in areas like decentralized communications and artificial intelligence.

The strategy points to a company that is no longer just issuing a stablecoin but building a broad digital asset empire. As Tether’s reach grows, so does its influence over the infrastructure that underpins much of the crypto economy. While it gets crypto into the hands of more people, including online gamblers, there is still concern about whether it will fall back to what crypto gamblers were avoiding in the first place.

Crypto Casino Monkey Tilt Raises $51M and Rethinks Gambling Marketing

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Fast-rising crypto gambling operator Monkey Tilt is taking an unconventional route in the bitcoin gambling space, building its name through culture and spectacle as much as through gameplay. Since launching just a little over a year ago, the crypto-first casino has been rolling out a brand strategy that looks more like a media and lifestyle play than a traditional online gambling expansion.

Turning a Crypto Casino into a Culture Brand

Backed by $51 million in funding, including investment from Pantera Capital, Monkey Tilt has made it clear that it is not chasing growth through standard casino marketing alone. The company is aiming at bitcoin gaming, entertainment, and youth culture to become a recognizable lifestyle brand rather than just another wagering platform.

The unique outlook shapes everything from its partnerships to its live appearances, helping it stand out in a fast-growing but increasingly crowded crypto gambling market. But that is not all that it has going for it.

One of Monkey Tilt’s earliest strategic moves was aligning with PokerGO, the dominant poker streaming platform. PokerGO not only joined the company’s funding round but also connected the brand to a global network of professional players, tournaments, and avid poker fans.

That relationship places Monkey Tilt directly in front of a serious poker audience, a natural overlap with bitcoin gamblers who are often drawn to skill-based, high-stakes formats. Instead of relying purely on digital ads, the company embedded itself within an established poker ecosystem that already commands loyalty and international reach.

Bitcoin Gaming Hits the Road

While many crypto casinos live entirely online, Monkey Tilt pushed into the physical world through a high-profile collaboration with West Coast Customs. The partnership produced the “Tilt Truck,” a custom-built mobile casino and entertainment vehicle designed to grab attention well beyond typical gambling channels.

The truck made its public debut during Super Bowl weekend in New Orleans as part of an activation alongside Complex, a major youth culture media brand. Visitors stepped inside to explore the space and try a headline-grabbing vault challenge that teased a $1 million prize. No one walked away with the top reward, but the event generated buzz, social coverage, and a strong visual identity tied to the Monkey Tilt name. Undeniably, it might just work for the company and other operators who might try out the approach.

DraftKings’ Crypto Deposit Option Comes with a Catch for Crypto Gamers

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DraftKings is inching a little closer to the crypto world, but not in the way many Bitcoin gamblers might hope. Instead of letting players fund their sportsbook accounts directly with digital assets, the operator is introducing a crypto to cash conversion route in a small group of US states.

Where DraftKings Now Fits into the Crypto Funding Picture

Players in Illinois, Kentucky, New Hampshire, and Vermont will soon be able to convert cryptocurrency into cash that can then be used to deposit into DraftKings sportsbook accounts. Regulators in those states have confirmed the setup, while others remain cautious. Massachusetts, for example, stepped back from joining the initial rollout after regulators signaled that crypto still raises compliance and consumer protection concerns.

The key detail is that this is not true crypto gambling. DraftKings is not holding or accepting BTC in wagering accounts. Instead, any crypto must be turned into traditional currency before it ever reaches a betting balance. The company has not yet clarified which coins will be supported, though Bitcoin and Ethereum are the most likely candidates given their size and liquidity.

This move lands at a time when funding options for US bettors have been tightening. DraftKings stopped accepting credit cards for sportsbook and iGaming deposits last year, and several states restrict or ban that method entirely. Debit cards, bank transfers, Apple Pay, and cash at retail locations remain common, but none of these appeal much to players who primarily operate in Bitcoin.

For years, major US sportsbooks have shown interest in direct crypto deposits, but regulators have largely pushed back. Wyoming stands out as the rare exception where operators can accept cryptocurrency straight from customers. Elsewhere, crypto users have had to rely on indirect paths, such as buying gift cards with digital assets and redeeming them for betting credit. The new crypto to cash option is more streamlined than gift cards, but still keeps crypto at arm’s length from the actual wagering environment.

The Tax Catch

Perhaps biggest consequence may not be convenience, but taxes. Converting Bitcoin or any other cryptocurrency into US dollars is considered a taxable event under federal rules. That means any gain in value since the coins were acquired could trigger capital gains tax when they are sold to fund a DraftKings account.

Short term gains on crypto held for under a year are typically taxed at ordinary income rates, while long term holdings may qualify for lower capital gains rates. Either way, every conversion used to top up a betting account potentially creates a paper trail and a tax obligation. For players used to moving BTC between wallets and crypto native gambling sites, that added reporting layer is a major difference.

For now, Bitcoin gamblers looking for fully on chain betting will still find that true crypto gambling largely lives outside the traditional US regulated market.

What Is ForbesPredict? Forbes’ Token-Based and Risk-Free Take on Prediction Markets

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Forbes is experimenting with prediction market mechanics, but crypto gamblers should not mistake it for a new on-chain wagering product. The media company has launched ForbesPredict, a token-based forecasting platform designed to increase reader engagement, not enable real-money or crypto betting.

At a glance, ForbesPredict may look familiar to users of other platforms, which may use stablecoins and blockchain settlement to price real-world outcomes. The similarity ends there. ForbesPredict operates entirely off-chain, with no smart contracts, no wallets, and no financial settlement of any kind. ForbesPredict does not allow users to risk capital. There is no trading, no liquidity, and no ability to cash out.

Instead, users earn internal tokens based on forecast accuracy. These tokens are non-transferable, have no monetary value, and function more like reputation points than crypto assets. Performance is tracked over time, allowing users to compare their accuracy against the broader audience.

Embedded Forecasting Inside News Content

ForbesPredict is integrated directly into articles as interactive widgets. Readers are prompted to answer outcome-based questions related to the story they are reading, covering politics, business, sports, entertainment, weather, and breaking news.

Users can indicate confidence levels using a sliding scale and see how their forecast compares with others in real time. As events unfold, Forbes sends updates through email, SMS, push notifications, or onsite alerts, encouraging users to revisit predictions.

For crypto gamblers familiar with live markets that reprice continuously, this experience is closer to sentiment polling than market making. There are no odds, no spreads, and no arbitrage opportunities. Keeping that in mind, Forbes is positioning ForbesPredict as a gamified engagement layer, not a betting or prediction market product. The company is focused on increasing session depth, repeat visits, and daily usage as traditional traffic sources decline.

New users receive a limited number of tokens to test the platform. Registered users unlock performance tracking, prediction history, and additional prompts. Forbes has also indicated that tokens may be awarded for non-predictive actions such as completing user profiles, reinforcing that the system is designed around engagement rather than risk. This is in contrast to platforms where capital commitment is central to signal strength and market pricing.

Why Crypto Gamblers Should Pay Attention

ForbesPredict highlights a clear divide emerging in the prediction market ecosystem. This model may appeal to users who enjoy outcome analysis but want zero wallet friction and zero downside. It also reflects a broader trend as mainstream publishers borrow mechanics pioneered in crypto markets while stripping out financial risk.

Unlike media outlets that partner directly with real-money or crypto prediction platforms to display market prices, Forbes is keeping predictions internal. Monetization will come through sponsorships, branded prediction prompts, and advertising placements within the widgets.

Beyond engagement, ForbesPredict feeds sentiment data into ForbesOne, the company’s first-party data platform. This allows Forbes to build audience segments based on opinions and confidence around specific topics, brands, and trends. They certainly came in well prepared.

Web3 Gaming Infrastructure Evolves as Golem and Salad Push Decentralized Compute Forward

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As crypto gambling and Web3 gaming platforms continue to scale, the infrastructure powering them is becoming just as important as the games themselves. A new collaboration between Golem Network and Salad.com is could potentially show how decentralized computing could play a central role in the next phase of Web3-native gaming ecosystems.

Rather than pitching theory, the partnership focuses on live, production-level testing. Salad, a GPU cloud marketplace that aggregates idle computing power from devices around the world, is beginning to mirror parts of its existing workloads onto Golem’s decentralized compute network. It is a unique test of whether permissionless infrastructure can reliably support real-world demand while reducing reliance on centralized cloud providers.

Why Infrastructure Matters for Web3 Gaming and Crypto Casinos

Modern crypto casinos and blockchain games depend heavily on compute-intensive systems. Live dealer streaming, AI-driven game logic, real-time odds engines, and provably fair mechanics all require scalable and cost-efficient backend infrastructure.

Decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN) like Golem present a compelling alternative. By sourcing compute from a global pool of independent providers and settling transactions in crypto, these networks offer a model that aligns naturally with Web3 principles of transparency, accessibility, and borderless participation.

It further creates a unique opportunity for crypto-based settlement, and decentralized coordination can simplify payments, billing, and rewards. These are all areas that still rely on centralized systems despite their distributed compute layer.

Putting Web3 Compute to the Test

In a recent announcement, Salad confirmed it has begun deploying a range of existing customer workloads onto Golem’s protocol. These include AI inference, 3D rendering, and simulation-heavy tasks, all services already supported within Salad’s platform.

Instead of building new use cases from scratch, the engineering teams are directly mapping current demand onto Golem’s decentralized marketplace. With this, they get to evaluate performance, reliability, and settlement efficiency under real operating conditions, while exploring how crypto-native payments could lower overhead and increase flexibility.

Salad CEO Bob Miles described the initiative as a step toward turning long-held decentralized computing concepts into practical infrastructure. By combining Salad’s global device network with Golem’s permissionless execution layer, the teams are exploring how workloads, revenue flows, and reward systems could operate fully on Web3 rails.

Salad CTO Kyle Dodson also noted that the architectural similarities between the two platforms made the integration a natural fit. This is particularly critical as Salad prepares to introduce crypto payments, a feature frequently requested by users.

The Salad–Golem collaboration is just one of the notable ones across the tech industry, where companies are increasingly blending Web2 user experiences with Web3 infrastructure rather than attempting abrupt transitions. Major cloud providers like Microsoft and Google Cloud are already experimenting with blockchain tooling, validator services, and decentralized data platforms. At the consumer level, ecosystems such as TON demonstrate how Web3 incentives can scale when integrated into familiar environments.

These hybrid models offer a clear path forward, and we cannot wait to see how they take shape in 2026.

Memecoin Market Rebound Signals New Opportunities for Online Crypto Casinos

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2026 is finally here, and memecoins seem to be making a remarkable comeback, and the trend is already influencing online crypto casino activity. After a challenging year marked by fading interest and intermittent rallies, community-driven tokens are posting substantial gains, reigniting excitement among traders and crypto gambling enthusiasts.

This has been quite rapid. In just a few days, memecoins added more than $8 billion in market capitalization, bringing the total to nearly $47 billion. Trading volumes have surged alongside prices, driven in part by short liquidations and renewed retail participation.

What It Means for Crypto Casinos

The early memecoin surge is close enough to patterns seen in previous bull cycles, often preceding larger rallies later in the year. Historically, this has created opportunities for online crypto casinos to capitalize on heightened player activity. Platforms that accept memecoins for deposits and wagers are likely to see spikes in user traffic, particularly in promotions, leaderboard competitions, and high-stakes token-based events.

Top performers in the current rally highlight the momentum. PEPE surged 65.6%, including a 34% gain in just 24 hours, DOGE broke a multi-year downtrend with a 20% increase, while SHIB rose 18.9% on the week. Other popular tokens, including BONK and FLOKI, are also seeing gains. There is, consequently, widespread market optimism, which can directly translate into growth for online casino ecosystems where these tokens work as payment options.

How to Approach It

Several indicators suggest this could be a pivotal moment for online crypto casino engagement. On-chain data shows accumulation in popular memecoins, social sentiment on platforms like X has turned sharply bullish, and retail inflows are increasing. These factors can drive higher wagering activity, particularly in blockchain-integrated games and jackpot competitions where token volatility amplifies both risk and reward.

Even so, market experts caution that the rally could still prove short-lived if trading volumes decline or macroeconomic pressures intensify. However, if momentum continues, the memecoin market capitalization could approach $69 billion within the first quarter.

In some ways, we can liken it to the conditions that fueled the explosive memecoin-driven surge in 2021. Crypto casino operators can jump on this as an opportunity to attract players, increase deposits, and create new token-based promotional strategies. The extent to which this will happen will chart the course for yet another year of sustained optimism regarding the future of crypto-powered iGaming and the crypto sector as a whole.

Dubai Hosts Binance Blockchain Week 2025

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Dubai sparkled last week, not just for the UAE’s 54th National Day, but as the launchpad for Binance Blockchain Week 2025. For its outgoing CEO Richard Teng, the stage was not just ceremonial. It was building confidence that crypto is moving beyond hype, becoming a force that increasingly touches real-world payments, institutional capital, and even the next generation of users.

Taking Stablecoins From Niche Tool to Global Infrastructure

Teng did not waste time on small talk. He dove straight into one of crypto’s top story drivers of the year. Stablecoins. Once a tool for traders and arbitrage, stablecoins are now rewriting the rules of money. And the scorecard is quite impressive to say the least.

Market capitalization jumped nearly 50% this year.
Wallets holding stablecoins swelled to 130 million.
Daily transaction volumes now surpass Visa, a feat once considered unimaginable.
Over $10 billion in stablecoin payments move across blockchain rails every single day.

Regulatory clarity, particularly in the United States, is a major driver. But some of the most striking examples come from emerging markets. Bhutan, Teng highlighted, rolled out the world’s first nationwide crypto payments system using Binance Pay. This was a bold move that exemplified what digitally native financial systems could look like tomorrow.

Scaling Up and Gaining Trust

Binance’s own growth mirrors the industry’s surge. The platform now serves close to 300 million users globally. Binance Pay has expanded from 12,000 to nearly 21 million merchants in just one year, processing $272 billion in transactions.

Institutional players are following suit. Partnerships with financial industry giants are not just headlines anymore. They are evidence that digital assets are earning a seat at the table of mainstream finance.

Amid this growth, security is non-negotiable. Binance intercepted nearly $7 billion in potential scams in 2025, protecting around 9 million users. Trust for the company is the foundation of a sustainable crypto ecosystem, and the company is very keen on keeping it a priority.

Building for the Future

Looking forward, Binance is experimenting with AI-driven tools designed to simplify trading and enhance user experience. But the company is not only thinking about today’s traders. Binance Junior, a supervised app for ages 6–17, is meant to teach digital finance responsibly. It goes without saying how important it is to nurture financial literacy at a time when crypto is poised to become everyday infrastructure, as already seen in the iGaming space.

By the time the event closed, the message was unmistakable. Stablecoins are still reshaping payments, institutional adoption is accelerating, and Binance is positioning itself at the intersection of that growth, trust, and education. For an industry often defined by volatility, especially for people who are not risk-takers, this feels like the moment crypto starts acting like real-world finance.

Can No-KYC Casinos Survive Increasing Compliance Demands?

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The conversation around crypto casinos is increasingly shifting thanks to the question of whether no-Know Your Customer models can truly survive as the industry evolves. These casinos grew rapidly because they offered something traditional operators could not. From instant access, no identity checks, and a philosophy rooted in complete user freedom, there was simply nothing that came close.

For a segment of players who value privacy, dislike oversight, or use cryptocurrency that is not easily traceable, this approach still holds strong appeal. However, the viability of this model is becoming more complex. No-KYC casinos operate with minimal barriers, attracting individuals who want unrestricted entry, extremely fast withdrawals, and no document verification of any kind.

However, the lack of any checks also means the absence of structural accountability. There is no dependable framework for preventing underage gambling, detecting fraud, protecting vulnerable players, or ensuring dispute resolution. For many operators, this poses long-term issues.

Why Stronger Know Your Customer Requirements Are a Big Deal

The broader gambling landscape has been moving steadily toward higher standards, and crypto-focused companies eventually began recognizing the importance of more formal KYC processes. Without verified identity information, operators cannot meaningfully assess risk, verify legal age, detect problematic behavior, or ensure financial protections for the business itself.

This shift was not purely regulatory. It highlights a growing awareness that Know Your Customer procedures are central to long-term stability. As larger crypto operators introduced stronger verification structures, they gained better access to payment systems, more reliable financial partnerships, and a foundation for operating outside the grey market.

The Search for Alternatives

When major crypto casinos began tightening their Know Your Customer frameworks, a new wave of smaller operators emerged, positioning themselves as “no Know Your Customer” alternatives. This pivot is clearly visible in search data. Terms such as “no Know Your Customer casino” and “anonymous casino” experienced rapid growth. This closely ties to the moment when the larger crypto brands adopted structured verification. It also aligns with markets where cryptocurrency adoption is high and access to regulated gambling is limited.

Although no-KYC casinos continue to attract a committed audience, the direction of the wider industry is clear. Established crypto brands are moving toward compliance, licensing, and more refined internal governance. Regulatory bodies are slowly adapting, and financial institutions increasingly expect verifiable identity standards from any operator working with cryptocurrency.

The future of crypto gambling is likely to be shaped by the balance between freedom and protection. No-KYC casinos may continue to operate, but their long-term viability will be challenged by the rising demand for secure transactions, responsible gambling practices, and stronger consumer safeguards. The market is entering a phase where the most successful crypto casinos will likely be those that combine efficient onboarding with intelligent, transparent, and effective Know Your Customer procedures.

Global Crypto Prediction Markets May Face Scrutiny as Romania Blacklists Polymarket

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Romania’s National Office for Gambling (ONJN) has officially blacklisted Polymarket, one of the world’s largest blockchain-based prediction markets, accusing it of operating as an unlicensed gambling platform during the country’s recent presidential and municipal elections.

Authorities reported that during the elections, crypto-based wagering on Polymarket surged past $600 million, raising red flags about the platform’s compliance with national gambling laws. Despite its blockchain foundation, regulators ruled that Polymarket’s operations squarely fall under Romania’s gambling framework.

Far-Reaching Implications

Romania’s crackdown adds to a growing list of international actions against Polymarket. The United States, France, Belgium, Poland, Singapore, and Thailand have all restricted or fined the platform for operating without proper authorization.

In 2022, the U.S. the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) fined Polymarket $1.4 million for running unregistered derivatives markets and required it to block American users. Regulators across these regions share a common concern. That is, decentralized prediction markets blur the line between financial trading and gambling, often without sufficient oversight.

Despite these challenges, Polymarket has continued to expand its global footprint and investor appeal. The Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, invested $2 billion in Polymarket in mid-2025, which was a strong sign of the growing interest in blockchain-powered betting platforms even amid legal uncertainty.

What Now?

Well, regulators argue that decentralized markets like Polymarket, which allow users to speculate on real-world outcomes using crypto, blur the line between trading and gambling. Authorities warn that unlicensed “counterparty betting” platforms can facilitate money laundering, evade taxation, and lack consumer safeguards that protect players in traditional betting systems.

ONJN officials stressed that technological innovation does not exempt operators from national law. The agency fears that without oversight, blockchain-based prediction markets could disguise gambling as financial speculation, undermining decades of established gaming regulation.

Meanwhile, Polymarket continues to position itself as an “information market” rather than a gambling operator, aiming to re-enter the U.S. market under a regulated framework by late 2025. Still, it could extend beyond that.

As more countries draw lines between crypto trading and online gambling, Polymarket’s fate could shape the future of decentralized prediction markets. If the platform succeeds in achieving regulatory legitimacy, it might pave the way for a new era of compliant blockchain betting. Further growth of these decentralized prediction markets will depend on whether these platforms can bridge the gap between innovation and compliance. This is a balance that will define the next phase of crypto wagering worldwide.

Elantil Bets Big on Online Poker with EvenBet Partnership

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Elantil, a next-generation iGaming technology company, has made a strategic move into the fast-growing world of crypto poker through a new partnership with EvenBet Gaming. The collaboration introduces Elantil’s first poker product to its online marketplace, positioning the company at the intersection of digital innovation, blockchain adoption, and online entertainment.

It all comes at a time when cryptocurrency is reshaping how players engage with online poker. By integrating EvenBet’s award-winning platform, Elantil now enables operators to offer seamless poker experiences that support major digital currencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. That means players can enjoy access to faster transactions, enhanced privacy, and borderless gameplay across multiple jurisdictions.

Leveraging A Crypto-Ready Poker Ecosystem

EvenBet Gaming brings over two decades of experience powering online card rooms across global markets. Its software currently serves 200 operators and 72 million players in 41 countries, with more than 40 poker variants available, including popular mixed games like Omaha Hi/Lo and H.O.R.S.E.

Crucially, the system’s cryptocurrency compatibility allows operators to connect with new demographics. This is especially true for the growing segment of Bitcoin poker enthusiasts seeking alternatives to fiat-based platforms. This takes poker from a traditional game of skill to a global, decentralized entertainment experience.

The integration also grants Elantil’s partners access to EvenBet’s shared network, allowing them to launch independent poker rooms or join existing pools that share player databases and tournaments. This liquidity model increases engagement, ensures vibrant competition, and enhances profitability for both operators and players.

Built to Grow

Elantil’s marketplace was built to connect iGaming operators directly with trusted software providers, offering a customizable and transparent contracting model. According to John Debono, Chief Technical Officer at Elantil, the integration represents a flexible and cost-effective way for operators to enter the booming online poker and crypto gaming sectors.

EvenBet Gaming CEO Dmitry Starostenkov described the collaboration as a strong vote of confidence in his company’s technology. He noted that being the first poker provider featured on Elantil’s marketplace underscores a shared commitment to scalability, reliability, and innovation.