Fears are mounting that MicroStrategy’s massive Bitcoin treasury strategy could unravel after the company acknowledged it might sell Bitcoin for the first time. The firm’s stock has plunged 30% in a month as Bitcoin declined, raising comparisons to historic corporate collapses like Enron and Lehman Brothers and challenging the notion that the company is ‘too big to fail.’
about MicroStrategy's Bitcoin Bet Faces Collapse Fears as Stock PlungesSilicon Valley Bank
0 in Finance and 0 in Crypto last weekBank of Korea Warns on Won Stablecoin Risks
South Korea’s central bank has issued a stark warning about the risks of privately-issued won-denominated stablecoins, challenging the notion that blockchain technology alone can ensure currency stability. The Bank of Korea emphasized that currency reliability depends on institutional trust rather than technological innovation, citing historical currency failures and recent stablecoin depegging events as evidence of inherent vulnerabilities in private-sector issuance.
about Bank of Korea Warns on Won Stablecoin RisksIran Bank Collapse: Global Warning for Financial Systems
Iran’s financial system has been rocked by the dramatic collapse of Ayandeh Bank, one of the country’s largest private lenders, exposing deep vulnerabilities in both emerging and developed financial markets. The bankruptcy, involving $5.2 billion in losses and $3 billion in debt absorbed by state-owned Melli Bank, occurs amid Iran’s simultaneous hyperinflation and severe recession, with depositors facing limited insurance coverage of just $930. This crisis highlights Bitcoin’s emerging role as a hedge against systemic financial risk, mirroring recent U.S. banking failures and revealing the universal fragility of trust in traditional finance.
about Iran Bank Collapse: Global Warning for Financial SystemsInverse ETFs: Betting Against Regional Bank Turmoil
The ghosts of 2023’s regional banking crisis are stirring again as the September bankruptcy of auto parts giant First Brands Group exposes hidden vulnerabilities in private credit markets. With $1 trillion in commercial real estate loans looming and fears of more undisclosed bad loans, the SPDR Regional Banking ETF has slid 10% in a month, creating opportunities for risk-tolerant investors through inverse ETFs. These high-leverage instruments offer speculative plays against further declines but carry significant risks that demand careful positioning and short-term strategies.
about Inverse ETFs: Betting Against Regional Bank TurmoilErebor Gets US Bank Charter for Digital Assets Post-SVB
Erebor, the financial services company backed by billionaire Peter Thiel, has received preliminary banking charter approval from U.S. regulators, marking one of the most significant regulatory endorsements for digital assets since the 2023 regional banking crisis. The approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency positions Erebor to potentially fill the void left by Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse, signaling growing acceptance of cryptocurrency activities within the traditional banking system.
about Erebor Gets US Bank Charter for Digital Assets Post-SVBDogecoin Nears $0.25 Amid ETF Hype and Market Rebound
Dogecoin is trading around $0.25 as renewed interest in meme coins and broader cryptocurrency momentum drive significant market activity. With a market capitalization of $33 billion and $5.8 billion in 24-hour trading volume, DOGE faces critical technical tests while market participants await potential ETF developments that could dramatically impact price direction. Both short-term traders and long-term holders are closely monitoring whether the cryptocurrency can break through key resistance levels or faces a bearish reversal.
about Dogecoin Nears $0.25 Amid ETF Hype and Market ReboundSEC’s Gensler Text Deletion Sparks Crypto Industry Outrage
The SEC’s Office of the Inspector General disclosed that former Chair Gary Gensler’s text messages from October 2022 through September 2023 were permanently lost due to a chain of IT failures. The agency’s device management system failed to detect Gensler’s phone had stopped syncing for 62 days, leading to it being flagged as lost/stolen. During recovery attempts, staff mistakenly performed a factory reset that erased all messages. The crypto industry has reacted strongly, noting the period covers pivotal events including FTX’s collapse, Silvergate Bank’s liquidation, and the Silicon Valley Bank crisis. Coinbase’s Chief Legal Officer called it evidence destruction relevant to ongoing litigation, while Custodia Bank’s CEO highlighted the timing’s significance. The SEC has since disabled texting on most devices and implemented new backup measures.
about SEC's Gensler Text Deletion Sparks Crypto Industry OutrageEx-CFPB Director Rohit Chopra on Banking Regulation Post-2008
In this interview, Rohit Chopra, former director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), discusses the bureau’s evolution since its creation after the 2008 financial crisis. He provides a candid look at the CFPB’s operations under the Trump administration and shares his experiences handling regulatory decisions during high-profile bank failures, including Silicon Valley Bank. Chopra emphasizes the complexities of regulating an industry where traditional banking practices intersect with modern financial challenges. His insights shed light on the ongoing debates around financial oversight and consumer protection in a rapidly changing economic landscape.
about Ex-CFPB Director Rohit Chopra on Banking Regulation Post-2008Billionaires Launch Erebor Bank for Crypto, Startups Post-SVB
Peter Thiel and other billionaires are planning to launch Erebor Bank, a new financial institution targeting crypto firms and startups left stranded by Silicon Valley Bank’s (SVB) 2023 collapse. SVB, which previously banked nearly half of all venture-backed tech and life sciences companies in the U.S., left a significant gap in the market after its downfall. The new bank, named after a ‘Lord of the Rings’ reference, aims to provide much-needed financing to these sectors, which have faced tighter lending standards since SVB’s collapse. While First Citizens Bank acquired SVB’s assets, no institution has yet replicated SVB’s unique role—until now. Erebor Bank could become a critical player in revitalizing funding for innovation-driven companies.
about Billionaires Launch Erebor Bank for Crypto, Startups Post-SVBTech Billionaires Launch Erebor Bank for Crypto & AI Startups
Tech billionaires, including Peter Thiel and Palmer Luckey, are backing Erebor, a new commercial bank designed to support venture-backed startups in crypto, AI, and defense technology. The bank has filed for a national charter and aims to cater to firms overlooked by traditional banks, much like the now-defunct Silicon Valley Bank (SVB). Erebor plans to hold stablecoins and is led by former Circle adviser Jacob Hirshman and Argus co-founder Owen Rapaport. The move comes amid a regulatory push under the Trump administration, including the Genius Act, which supports stablecoin adoption. Bitcoin’s recent surge and increased crypto M&A activity further highlight the sector’s growth potential.
about Tech Billionaires Launch Erebor Bank for Crypto & AI StartupsPeter Thiel Launches Crypto-Friendly Bank Erebor
PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel, alongside other tech billionaires, is reportedly launching Erebor, a new bank designed to serve crypto startups and fill the void left by Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse. According to the Financial Times, Erebor will offer both traditional banking services and crypto-related products, targeting industries like AI, defense, and digital assets. The bank aims to differentiate itself by serving underserved clients, particularly those lacking access to credit from traditional or disruptive financial institutions. Thiel and his partners have been planning Erebor since SVB’s downfall, positioning it as a hybrid solution for businesses and individuals navigating the evolving financial landscape.
about Peter Thiel Launches Crypto-Friendly Bank EreborPeter Thiel’s Erebor Bank to Fill SVB Crypto Gap
Following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), which had strong ties to crypto and venture capital, a consortium of billionaires including Peter Thiel plans to launch Erebor Bank. The new institution aims to cater to startups and cryptocurrency companies, filling the void left by SVB’s downfall. According to the Financial Times, the group has applied for a US bank charter, with Thiel’s Founders Fund as an early investor. Other notable backers include Palmer Luckey of Anduril and Joe Lonsdale of 8VC. The move signals continued confidence in the crypto and startup sectors despite recent banking turmoil.
about Peter Thiel's Erebor Bank to Fill SVB Crypto Gap