Tag:

U.S

U.S. Xbox fans hit with another hardware price hike just four months after the last increase
Game Reviews

U.S. Xbox fans hit with another hardware price hike just four months after the last increase

by admin


Xbox consoles are about to become more expensive in the United States. Again.

The hike comes just months after Microsoft raised prices of its products in May, when the Xbox Series S and X increased by between $80 and $130, depending on the spec. While May’s cost hike was felt across the world, this time the increase is limited to the U.S., with Microsoft confirming: “Pricing in countries outside the U.S. remains the same”.

The prices for controllers, headsets, and products “in all other markets” also remain as they were.

Xbox + AMD: Powering the Next Generation of Xbox.Watch on YouTube

Here’s how the price changes impact the Xbox console range in the U.S. when they go live on 3rd October:

  • Xbox Series S 512: $399.99 (up $20 from $379.99)
  • Xbox Series S 1TB: $449.99 (up $20 from $429.99)
  • Xbox Series X Digital: $599.99 (up $50 from $549.99)
  • Xbox Series X: $649.99 (up $50 from $599.99)
  • Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition: $799.99 (up $70 from $729.99)

“Beginning on 3rd October, we will update the recommended retailer pricing for Series S and Series X consoles in the United States due to changes in the macroeconomic environment,” Microsoft explained.

“We understand that these changes are challenging, and they were made with careful consideration. Looking ahead, we continue to focus on offering more ways to play more games across any screen and providing value for Xbox players.”

Microsoft did not justify the price rise, but it’s possible the current U.S. administration’s import tariffs have had some bearing. That said, the company reported an 18 percent boost in profits at its last earnings call, and a 13 percent increase across its Xbox business.

If recent reports are true, we likely won’t be seeing Microsoft’s next-generation Xbox console until 2027 at the earliest. But that hasn’t stopped the company from teasing a couple of details as it announced a partnership with AMD to co-engineer the hardware.



Source link

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Grayscale launches multi-asset crypto ETF
NFT Gaming

Grayscale debuts first U.S. multi-asset crypto ETF on NYSE Arca

by admin



Grayscale just rolled out a multi-asset crypto ETP on NYSE Arca, introducing a fund that tracks five major cryptocurrencies. This offers a fresh approach for tapping into diversified exposure across the digital-asset class.

Summary

  • Grayscale launched the first U.S. multi-asset crypto ETF, listed on NYSE Arca.
  • The ETF tracks Bitcoin, Ether, XRP, Solana and Cardano, covering over 90% of crypto market cap.
  • The product shifts from OTC to exchange-traded, improving liquidity and access.

According to a September 19 press release, the Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF ticker kicked off trading on the NYSE Arca this Friday. It’s now the first U.S.-listed exchange-traded product that holds more than two digital assets.

The fund mirrors an index curated by CoinDesk Indices and includes Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), XRP, Solana (SOL), and Cardano (ADA). Shifting from its earlier over-the-counter listing, this move marks a major step up in accessibility and liquidity for the established product.

A first-of-its-kind product with broad market reach

Developed by Grayscale Investments, the world’s largest digital-asset manager, GDLC tracks the five most liquid and widely traded assets and is engineered to provide concentrated exposure to the market’s established leaders.

According to data from CoinDesk Indices as of late August, this basket captures more than 90% of the entire cryptocurrency market capitalization, a figure calculated by excluding stablecoins and memecoins from the top 100 tokens. This offers a pure play on the core value drivers of the digital-asset ecosystem through a single, tradable security.

The launch represents a maturation in how institutional and mainstream investors can access crypto. Instead of navigating the complexities of multiple wallets and exchanges, investors now have a streamlined vehicle for a diversified crypto strategy.

“Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF has met the growing investor demand for diverse exposure to crypto for nearly a decade and investors are increasingly turning to the ETP wrapper for their crypto exposure. GDLC is a purpose-built innovation designed to meet that demand, bringing simplicity and transparent access to the most liquid and largest crypto assets,” Grayscale CEO Peter Mintzberg said.

Despite its scope, GDLC is not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. This means the product does not offer the same regulatory protections or operate under the same strict guidelines as traditional ’40 Act–registered ETFs or mutual funds.



Source link

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Michigan
Crypto Trends

U.S. Treasury Takes Next Step in Turning GENIUS Act Into Stablecoin Regulations

by admin



The U.S. Treasury Department is pushing forward with a narrow comment window on its preliminary, formal efforts to solidify the recently established stablecoin law into a set of regulations.

This arm of President Donald Trump’s administration has opened what’s known as an “advance notice of proposed rulemaking” on Friday, which is an early step taken to gather information that will be used to put together an actual proposal. In this case, the government is asking for data on building out its requirements under the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act (GENIUS) Act, including prohibitions on issuers, sanctions obligations, anti-money laundering compliance, the balance between state and federal oversight, tax matters and any further need from the industry for clarity.

A one-month period is now open in which the public — and crypto businesses — can weigh in on these complex issues before it closes on October 20. The notice posted dozens of questions, such as, “Is additional clarity necessary regarding the extent to which reserve assets are required to, or should, be held in custody?” and “Are there foreign payment stablecoin regulatory or supervisory regimes, or regimes in development, that may be comparable to the regime established under the GENIUS Act?”

The Treasury Department’s role in GENIUS is varied, including requirements to address sanctions compliance, tax treatments and how foreign jurisdictions will interact with U.S. regulations. The Friday action is meant to build on a less formal effort announced last month to start gathering input on how best to detect illicit activity in crypto.

The GENIUS Act was the first major U.S. crypto legislation to become law, and it marked a huge win for the industry, which has shifted focus now onto an even bigger legislative effort to establish rules for the wider industry. That market structure bill is a focus of lawmakers from both parties in the Senate, who are also in talks with their House of Representatives counterparts who already approved a similar bill, the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act.

Republicans in Congress and atop the federal financial regulators are trying to speed ahead to meet orders from President Trump to establish friendly crypto regulations that will help the U.S. become a global hub for the sector.

Also on Friday, JP Morgan said in a research note that the overall crypto market needs to expand significantly for continued growth in the stablecoin sector, or new stablecoins may start cannibalizing each other.

Read More: U.S. Treasury Department Starts Work on GENIUS, Gathering Views on Illicit Activity



Source link

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
BAFTA shares $375,000 in grants to "86 talented creatives" to launch their careers in the UK and U.S.
Esports

BAFTA shares $375,000 in grants to “86 talented creatives” to launch their careers in the UK and U.S.

by admin


BAFTA has awarded over $375,000 (£277,000) in grants to 86 “emerging creatives” in the UK and North America.

In a celebratory breakfast attended by actor and director Peter Capaldi, BAFTA says the increased number of bursaries this year will help the next generation of filmmakers, game designers, actors, producers, editors, and more who face “financial barriers to breakthrough and progress in their careers.”

BAFTA has also named its next selection of UK Scholars who will each receive up to around $16,000 (£12,000) in funding towards tuition fees or living costs in addition to mentoring and free access to BAFTA’s year-round events.

U.S. applicants receive packages worth up to $60,000 to support study at leading institutions, including Duke, UCLA, USC, NYU and the American film Institute, as well as mentoring and career support.

Awards for creatives working in the UK’s video game sector include game producers Aidan Sealy and Matthew Stevens. Several artists, illustrators, animators, and sound professionals were also included, while Frances Acton received a scholarship to study BA Computer Arts in Abertay University as a BAFTA Reuben Scholar.

Jane Millichip, CEO of BAFTA, said: “Opening doors for the next generation of storytellers is at the heart of BAFTA’s mission. Our bursaries and scholarships remove the practical and financial barriers that too often stand in the way of talented people starting out in film, games, and television. From driving lessons to specialist equipment and tuition fees, this support can make the difference between someone having to step back from their ambitions or moving forward with confidence.

I’m immensely proud of the impact these programmes have had to date, and deeply grateful to the many patrons who continue to champion the creatives of tomorrow.”



Source link

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Crypto Platform Bullish Wins New York BitLicense, Clearing Path for U.S. Expansion
Crypto Trends

Crypto Platform Bullish Wins New York BitLicense, Clearing Path for U.S. Expansion

by admin



Bullish (BLSH), the parent company of CoinDesk, has secured a coveted BitLicense from the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS), a key regulatory approval that will allow the institutional digital asset platform to offer spot trading and custody services to customers in New York, the company said in a press release on Wednesday.

The BitLicense, also known as a Virtual Currency Business Activity License, is considered one of the most rigorous state-level crypto approvals in the U.S.

With it, Bullish’s U.S. entity, Bullish US Operations LLC, can now cater to institutional clients and advanced traders in the country’s financial capital.

“New York is widely recognized as being at the forefront of virtual currency regulation,” said Tom Farley, CEO of Bullish, in the release.

“Receiving our BitLicense and Money Transmission License from the New York Department of Financial Services is a testament to Bullish’s commitment to regulatory compliance and our dedication to building trusted, institutional-grade digital asset infrastructure in key global markets,” he added.

The license win follows the firm's successful initial public offering in August. It marks the second crypto exchange, after Coinbase (COIN), to go public in the U.S.

Bullish is also among several crypto-native companies that have recently gone public under the Trump administration's more digital asset-friendly regulatory approach. Stablecoin issuer Circle (CRCL) and exchange Gemini (GEMI) also recently IPO'd.

Chris Tyrer, president of Bullish Exchange, called the approval “a significant regulatory milestone” and said it strengthens the company’s credibility with institutions. “We believe that clear regulation drives responsible market evolution and institutional engagement,” Tyrer said in the release.

Key catalyst

The milestone adds to Bullish’s growing list of regulatory credentials.

The exchange is now regulated in the U.S., Germany, Hong Kong and Gibraltar, and positions itself as a venue designed for institutional-grade liquidity, combining a central limit order book with automated market making.

The BitLicense clears the path for the crypto platform to expand in the U.S., which Wall Street analysts noted as a key catalyst for the stock.

Investment bank Canaccord said that with Bullish licensed in Europe and Asia, securing a BitLicense would open access to U.S. institutional clients.

Meanwhile, broker Bernstein said that Bullish could compete with rivals such as Coinbase if the platform successfully launches in the U.S. in 2026. “We expect Bullish to capture ~8% market share in U.S. spot institutional crypto volumes by 2027E, while global spot market share remains at ~7%,” Bernstein's analysts wrote.

Investment bank KBW also said near-term U.S. expansion was a catalyst for growth for Bullish, and the firm's differentiated tech stack, competitive fees and deep liquidity positioning it to gain market share.

Read more: Bullish Gets a New $55 Price Target from KBW With U.S. Entry Seen as Key Catalyst



Source link

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
U.s. And U.k. To Announce Closer Cooperation On Crypto Regulation
GameFi Guides

U.S. and U.K. to Announce Closer Cooperation on Crypto Regulation

by admin



The UK and the US are set to announce a new agreement on digital assets, with the goal of adopting closer regulatory alignment and boosting investment. The move, which comes amid President Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK, is seen as a direct response to growing concerns that British companies are falling behind their US counterparts in the digital asset space.

On the other side of the Atlantic, businesses want higher valuations. Because of this, they are shifting their listings from the London Stock Exchange to the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq. This has caused a lot of political stress, which has now been followed by a push.

The topic about closer cooperation between both the countries was a central one during a meeting between UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday. 

The discussion included key figures from major financial institutions and crypto firms like Coinbase, Circle, and Ripple, as well as banks such as Citi and Bank of America. According to Financial Times the meeting was organized following a letter from UK crypto industry groups urging the government to prioritize digital assets during the state visit.

Change in UK Strategy

The agreement represents a shift for the UK, which has been criticized by some in the industry for its cautious regulatory approach. The Trump administration has taken a more supportive stance toward the crypto industry, and UK officials believe that aligning with US policies is “vital to unlocking adoption” in Britain.

Former Conservative Chancellor George Osborne, now with Coinbase, has publicly stated that the UK is being “completely left behind” in the cryptocurrency sector. This sentiment is shared by many in the British crypto community who feel that regulatory uncertainty is driving businesses to more favorable jurisdictions, particularly the US.

Stablecoins and Digital Sandboxes

The new agreement is expected to specifically address stablecoin cryptocurrencies pegged to traditional currencies. The UK and US are reportedly working on developing digital securities sandboxes. These would allow companies to test blockchain-based financial services in a controlled environment. 

The concept of a joint US-UK digital sandbox was previously proposed by SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce to give regulators more data and allow companies to serve both markets simultaneously.

Reeves had previously emphasized the need for the UK’s capital markets to remain competitive and has noted Commissioner Peirce’s proposals for collaboration on digital topics. While the Treasury declined to comment on the specifics of the new proposals, Reeves’ public statements underscore the government’s focus on attracting investment and strengthening the UK’s financial sector.

Also Read: SEC And CFTC Launch Joint Push for Crypto Regulation Clarity



Source link

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Image Of Ripple's XRP Token
NFT Gaming

REX-Osprey to launch first XRP ETF in U.S. this week

by admin



REX Shares will launch the first spot exchange-traded fund on XRP this week, according to an update the company shared on Monday.

Summary

  • REX-Osprey’s XRP exchange-traded fund will debut this week, REX Shares revealed.
  • The spot fund, REX-Osprey XRPR ETF, joins others on Solana and Dogecoin that REX Shares has filed for under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

The REX-Osprey XRPR ETF, a spot exchange-traded fund structured as a spot ETF under the securities laws of the Investment Company Act of 1940, will hold real XRP, cash, derivatives and Treasuries.

In this case, XRPR is set to be the first ETF to allow spot exposure to XRP (XRP) in the United States.

While the Securities and Exchange Commission is yet to greenlight multiple spot crypto ETFs structured under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, the REX Shares and Osprey Funds have already seen their REX-Osprey Solana + Staking ETF go live. 

The product, with the ticker SSK, debuted at the end of June 2025, bringing to the market the first U.S.-listed ETF that gives investors spot exposure to Solana (SOL) as well as staking rewards. Investors can benefit from both direct exposure and SOL staking, with this possible directly from an investor’s securities brokerage account.

A Dogecoin (DOGE) spot ETF that brings a similar Act 40 registration structure, is also in the pipeline for debut this week after an anticipated rollout last week failed. XRPR also gets into the spotlight as REX-Osprey’s “short cut” sees the ETFs offered in an environment where they are more regulated than the traditional spot products.

Interestingly, the debut of Act 40 funds has not dampened investor anticipation around the multitude of crypto ETF applications before the SEC. Despite the agency postponing its decision across, investor sentiment is extremely high. 

According to timelines provided for under the U.S. securities laws, the regulator is expected to deliver its final decision on filings for many of these proposals in October. 

XRP price

As noted, the REX-Osprey XRP spot ETF fund will invest in and hold XRP (XRP), a cryptocurrency launched by Ripple and which rose to an all-time high of $3.84 in January 2018. 

In recent months, particularly after Ripple-related legal victories against the SEC, the XRP token’s price has skyrocketed to near the all-time peak. XRP traded around $3.00 at the time of writing, up more than 400% in the past year and with a market capitalization of over $178 billion.



Source link

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Tether Launches New U.s. Stablecoin, Usat, Tapping Bo Hines As Ceo
GameFi Guides

Tether Launches New U.S. Stablecoin, USAT, Tapping Bo Hines as CEO

by admin



Tether, the company behind the world’s largest stablecoin, USDT, today unveiled a new U.S.-regulated stablecoin called USAT, designed specifically for the American market. The announcement, made during an event in New York City, also revealed the appointment of Bo Hines as the future CEO of Tether’s new American division.

The move comes amid a period of significant growth for the stablecoin sector, which has seen its total market capitalization expand from $208 billion to $287 billion this year. This expansion has been supported by new regulatory clarity, including the passage of the GENIUS Act in mid-July. The law, signed by President Donald Trump, establishes a federal framework for stablecoin issuers.

USAT is designed to be fully compliant with the new GENIUS Act. Tether has partnered with federally regulated crypto bank Anchorage Digital, which will serve as the token’s issuer. Cantor Fitzgerald will manage the reserves, ensuring the stablecoin is backed 1:1 by the U.S. dollar with disclosed reserves, a critical component of the new regulatory standards.

“For over a decade, Tether – as the creator of the stablecoin industry – has issued USD₮, the backbone of the digital economy, and today the U.S dollar stablecoin for hundreds of millions of underserved people living in emerging markets, proving that digital assets can deliver trust, resilience, and freedom on a global scale. Today, with the introduction of USA₮ and Bo Hines’s appointment as future CEO of Tether USA₮, we are taking the next natural step, bringing that same strength to the U.S. under a world-leading U.S.-regulatory framework,” said Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether.

According to Ardoino, the motivation behind the new stablecoin is to bring the benefits of digital dollars to the U.S., the world’s most prominent financial market. While Tether’s existing USDT stablecoin has a market cap of $169 billion and is widely used in emerging markets, USAT is being framed as a product tailored for U.S. businesses and institutions.

Bo Hines, CEO-Designate of Tether USA₮, a lawyer and former director of the White House Crypto Council, will lead the new U.S. entity. In a statement, Hines expressed, “I am honored to lead USA₮ as we prepare for its launch, creating a U.S.-regulated dollar-backed stablecoin designed to strengthen America’s role in the global economy,” he added,. “By building USA₮ with compliance, transparency, and innovation at its core, we are ensuring that the dollar remains the foundation of trust in the digital asset space.”

Also Read: OKX and Tether Join Forces to Simplify Cross-Chain USDT Transfers



Source link

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Polymarket prepares for U.S. debut with $10B funding round
GameFi Guides

Polymarket prepares for U.S. debut with $10B funding round

by admin



Prediction platform Polymarket is preparing for its latest funding round, with the potential to reach a valuation of $10 billion.

Summary

  • Polymarket is preparing for a U.S. debut with the latest funding round
  • The company’s valuation could range from $3 billion to $10 billion
  • Polymarket secured a green light to restart its U.S. operations after Donald Trump Jr. joined its board

Investor interest in blockchain platforms is rising, and crypto firms are seeking to capitalize on it. Global prediction platform Polymarket is preparing for another funding round that could send its valuation to $10 billion. According to a Business Insider report on Friday, Sept. 12, investor interest in the platform is high.

Insiders believe that the company could achieve a valuation of at least $3 billion and as much as $10 billion. In its last funding round, closed in the summer of 2025, the company was valued at $1 billion.

Polymarket prepares for U.S. debut

The news comes as Polymarket prepares for the relaunch of its U.S. operations for the first time since January 2022. At the time, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission charged the firm with offering off-exchange “event-based binary options” without registering.

However, under new management, the CFTC has rescinded its earlier decision. On Sept. 3, Polymarket’s founder, Shayne Coplan, revealed that they had received a green light to once again enable U.S. investors to trade.

Polymarket has been given the green light to go live in the USA by the @CFTC.

Credit to the Commission and Staff for their impressive work. This process has been accomplished in record timing.

Stay tuned https://t.co/NVziTixpqO

— Shayne Coplan 🦅 (@shayne_coplan) September 3, 2025

The news came after Donald Trump Jr joined the company’s advisory board following an investment from 1789 Capital on Aug. 26. The connection to the U.S. president’s son could have given Polymarket the regulatory weight it needed in Washington.

“Polymarket is the largest prediction market in the world, and the U.S. needs access to this important platform,” said Donald Trump Jr. “Polymarket cuts through media spin and so-called ‘expert’ opinion by letting people bet on what they actually believe will happen in the world.”





Source link

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
XRP price coiled for breakout as first U.S. spot ETF nears launch
NFT Gaming

XRP price coiled for breakout as first U.S. spot ETF nears launch

by admin



The XRP price recovery stalled at the key resistance level of $3 as traders awaited the first launch of a spot XRP exchange-traded fund on Friday, Sept. 12.

Summary

  • The Rex-Osprey XRP ETF will launch on Friday.
  • It will be the first spot XRP ETF in the United States.
  • The SEC is expected to approve other spot ETFs in October. 

Rex-Osprey XRP ETF set to launch on Sep. 12

The XRP price will be in the spotlight tomorrow as Rex-Osprey launches the first spot ETF. This fund will have a first-mover advantage compared to those filed by companies like Franklin Templeton, Bitwise, and Invesco.

While the fund’s goal is to track the Ripple (XRP) price, it will be different from the others. The main difference is that it is based on the Investment Company Act of 1940, while the others are based on Act 33. Using the 1940 Act allowed Rex-Osprey to complete the 75-day review.

The other difference is that it will provide investors with exposure to XRP through a wholly owned Cayman Islands company. 

This fund will be similar to the Rex-Osprey SOL + Staking ETF that has accumulated over $240 million in assets. As such, it is likely to be more expensive than the other upcoming XRP ETFs, given its 0.75% expense ratio. 

While the new XRP ETF will be notable, the main catalyst for XRP will be the other funds, which will likely be approved in October. Polymarket data shows that the odds of these spot ETFs happening this year have jumped to 92%.

Analysts expect these funds will have substantial inflows within the first few months, which may boost the XRP price. SoSoValue data shows that spot Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) funds hold between 5% and 7% of their market capitalization. If XRP achieves this, then the main ETFs could attract more than $9 billion in assets in the first year.

XRP price technical analysis

XRP price chart | Source: crypto.news

The daily time frame chart shows that the XRP price has formed a few chart patterns that may trigger more gains in the near term. It has formed a double bottom at $2.70 and a neckline at $3.38.

Most importantly, it has formed a falling wedge pattern and has already moved above its upper side, confirming a bullish breakout. It has remained above the 100-day exponential moving average.

The Relative Strength Index has moved above the neutral point at 50, while the two lines of the Percentage Price Oscillator have crossed. Therefore, XRP will likely rebound and potentially hit an extreme overshoot level near $4.30.



Source link

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Close