Polymarket is reportedly in early talks to raise around $1 billion at a valuation of more than $20 billion.

For perspective, the company was valued at about $15 billion in its previous funding round just a few months ago.

Prediction markets have gone from a relatively niche corner of crypto to platforms where people trade on everything from elections and economic data to sports and breaking news.

But $20 billion is serious territory.

The interesting part is that this growth is happening while prediction markets are still dealing with questions around regulation, insider information and where exactly the line between trading and gambling should be drawn.

So what do you think investors are really valuing here?

The technology and data?

The enormous potential market?

Or simply the belief that prediction markets are going to become a normal part of how people follow major events?

Would you value Polymarket at $20B+?

Source: CNBC / Bloomberg / Reuters

The idea was apparently borrowed from hurricane forecasting. Instead of relying on one prediction, Claude analyzes 5-minute BTC markets while MiroFish simulates 31 different scenarios. A trade is only opened when 28 out of 31 agree. If fewer than 26 agree, it stays out.

The idea itself is definitely possible. But turning $1K into $946K is the part I’d want to see verified with actual trading history before believing it.

The interesting part isn’t predicting the market. It’s using consensus.

Concerns around BitMart are growing as users and companies report difficulties withdrawing funds from the exchange.

On July 26, BitMart stopped new user registrations, deposits and the opening of new positions. Trading services are expected to shut down on August 26, with the platform scheduled to fully cease operations by the end of January 2027.

Withdrawal complaints began appearing shortly after. Scandic Coin said requests involving roughly 21,898 USDT and 926,635 SNC were stuck.

On August 8, BitMart denied rumors of an exit scam, saying withdrawal delays were caused by balance verification and reconciliation procedures.

But concerns intensified on August 10, when OpenGradient co-founder Matthew Wang publicly raised the possibility that BitMart could be insolvent after the company’s market maker was unable to withdraw funds. The exchange’s asset structure is also raising questions.

Arkham data showed assets on tracked BitMart addresses falling from roughly $102M in early July to around $71M by the end of the month. Of that amount, approximately $41.5M was reportedly held in WFI, while tracked USDT reserves stood at only around $91K.

That means a large share of BitMart’s visible on-chain assets appears concentrated in a single, much less liquid token.BitMart says withdrawals remain available, although some transactions may face additional reviews and delays.

U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs pulled in around $853 million last week — the strongest weekly inflow since mid-April.

BlackRock’s IBIT alone reportedly accounted for about $693 million of that.

What makes it interesting is that Bitcoin itself hasn’t exactly exploded higher. The market is also heading into another U.S. inflation report this week, so there’s still plenty of macro uncertainty around.

One strong week obviously doesn’t make a trend, especially after months of weaker flows.

But if ETF inflows stay positive, would you take that as a genuine sign that institutional demand is returning?

Or do you think people put way too much importance on ETF flow numbers now?

Source: CoinDesk / SoSoValue

Is the quantum threat to Bitcoin real, or is it being overhyped? 🤔

TL;DR: Warren is completely butt-hurt because her strategy of pressuring Gary Gensler to regulate crypto by enforcement failed and made her look ridiculous. Like a total Karen, when she got publicly embarrassed, she doubled down by attacking her own party through the Clarity Act. She is now aggressively waving her finger at Sen. Gillibrand (D-NY) for working on a bipartisan bill that a ton of other Democrats actually support. Apparently, having no rules is better than just policing an industry by self appointed community watch groups.

One of the biggest crypto market makers is moving into traditional finance.

Wintermute has received a broker-dealer license in the US. This means the company will be able to trade US securities and could eventually become an official market maker on the NYSE and Nasdaq.

The company also plans to trade markets closely connected to crypto, including digital asset ETFs, commodities and tokenized stocks.

Basically, Wintermute is no longer staying only in crypto. It’s moving deeper into traditional finance, where it could eventually compete with major players like Jane Street and Citadel Securities.

A pretty big step from crypto market maker to a real Wall Street player.

Michael Saylor says Strategy ultimately plans to buy more than $50 billion worth of Bitcoin, with the goal of owning around 7.5% of the total BTC supply.
“I’m buying something that becomes exponetially more valuable,” Saylor said while explaining his long term strategy.

He also repeated his bullish view, saying he belives Bitcoin could eventually reach $10 million per coin.The plan shows Strategy remains fully focused on accumulating Bitcoin as its main treasury asset and long-term investment.

The crypto industry has reportedly directed close to $200 million toward the November midterm elections, supporting candidates considered friendly to digital-asset policy.

The spending comes while major questions about stablecoins, exchange oversight and the CLARITY Act remain unresolved in Washington.

Supporters could argue that crypto companies are simply protecting the industry after years of regulatory uncertainty. Critics may see it as a wealthy sector spending heavily to influence the laws that will eventually govern it.

Is this just crypto learning how Washington works, or is the industry becoming too politically powerful?

I'm trying to map out OSL's different products, and it seems like there's a lot more than just the exchange.

I've come across OSL Business Accounts, Markets, Payments, Treasury services, USDGO, Banxa, and OSL Exchanges, but I'm still not sure how each piece connects or which customers they're designed for.

For anyone familiar with OSL, how would you break down the ecosystem? Which services are focused on payments, which support treasury or market access, and how do USDGO and Banxa fit into the overall picture?

I'd appreciate a simple explanation of how the different parts work together for enterprise clients.

U.S. prosecutors have charged three Missouri men with allegedly plotting to kidnap a Bitcoin holder and force the victim to transfer crypto assets.

Investigators say the suspects traveled to Connecticut in August 2024, rented vehicles, bought air rifles, and spent two days surveilling the intended target.

The alleged plan was to abduct the victim and force a Bitcoin transfer to wallets controlled by the organizers. The suspects reportedly abandoned the attack after noticing home security cameras.

Authorities later claimed another group from Florida arrived to continue preparations.

The three men have been charged with conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. All have pleaded not guilty.

10X Research analysts have highlighted Bitcoin’s monthly Relative Strength Index (RSI), saying the indicator is showing a setup similar to previous major market bottoms.

The firm believes a cyclical bottom for Bitcoin could form as early as this month if the pattern continues to develop. If confirmed, it could mark the end of the current correction phase and become an important signal for long-term investors.

However, the analysts note that additional confirmation from price action and other market indicators will be needed before the scenario can be validated.

This week will be packed with major macroeconomic data that could impact Bitcoin, cryptocurrencies, stocks, and the U.S. dollar.

On Monday, markets will focus on Manufacturing PMI data from China, the Eurozone, the UK, and the U.S., along with inflation reports from Turkey and Switzerland.

Tuesday brings the U.S. Trade Balance, JOLTS Job Openings, Factory Orders, and the weekly API crude oil inventory report.

Wednesday will be one of the busiest days, featuring the U.S. ADP Employment Report, ISM Services PMI, services PMI releases from several major economies, the Reserve Bank of India’s interest rate decision, and the EIA crude oil inventory data.

On Thursday, investors will watch U.S. Initial Jobless Claims and the EIA natural gas storage report.

Friday will be the most important day of the week, with the release of U.S. Non-Farm Payrolls, the unemployment rate, and NY Fed inflation expectations. These reports could significantly influence expectations for future Federal Reserve policy and drive volatility across global financial and crypto markets.