210.42K
1.29M
2025-09-20 15:00:00 ~ 2025-09-22 10:30:00
2025-09-22 12:00:00 ~ 2025-09-22 16:00:00
Total supply100.00M
Resources
Introduction
River is developing a chain-abstracted stablecoin system that connects assets, liquidity, and yields across different ecosystems. This system is powered by the omnichain CDP stablecoin satUSD, enabling users to access yield, leverage, and scalability across multiple ecosystems. Going beyond traditional models, River has innovatively introduced PrimeVault and SmartVault, which combine collateral flexibility with automated, liquidation-free yield strategies, thereby enabling seamless multi-chain expansion.
Solana is once again getting some major adoption as Visa announced on Tuesday that it would bring USDC settlement for some US banks on the Solana blockchain. Settlement is what happens behind the scenes, payments are what happens when the merchant confirms that you have the funds in your account, this happens instantly during the card transaction. Settlements, on the other hand, is when the money is later moved between the cardholder’s bank and the merchant’s bank via the Visa card network. Settlements can take one to three business days and only operate during banking hours, with this new announcement however settlement would happen on a blockchain practically instantly and 24/7. This would free up capital for banks, meaning that money can be put to work elsewhere instead of being on hold. Summary What Banks Are Involved? How Might this Affect the Sol price? Best Solana Wallets What Banks Are Involved? At the moment, two banks are involved in settling with Visa in USDC over the Solana blockchain, these are Cross River Bank and Lead Bank. Jack Forestell, Chief Product & Strategy Officer at Visa, said more banks are coming in 2026. Cross River Bank is actually the banking partner for Uphold wallet, for example your USD balance is held with Cross River and this is how they have FDIC insurance. Also, the Uphold Visa debit card is issued by Cross River Bank. Western Union has also been linked with building its own stablecoin payment network using Solana. No doubt, Solana was selected for this settlement model because of its low transaction fees and fast confirmation speeds. Also USDC is already deeply integrated with Solana. How Might this Affect the Sol price? First of all, Visa using the Solana blockchain brings a lot of attention and credibility to those who may not have been aware of Solana’s capabilities. Secondly, more usage of the Solana blockchain means more SOL transaction fees. Although the fees are low, it is still increasing the demand for SOL which should translate into a price rise over the long term. It’s likely banks will continue to follow this settlement model because it allows them to settle seven days a week instead of five, so it gives them a big advantage in being able to use that money elsewhere. Circle, the company that created and issues USDC, saw a 10% jump in its share price in the 24 hours following the announcement. Visa is not the only company using Solana, last week JPMorgan made one of the first debt deal tokenizations using the Solana blockchain and said that it plans to make more similar deals in the future. Best Solana Wallets As Solana adoption continues to grow in exciting ways, having a self-custody wallet with full support for Solana becomes increasingly important. Instead of using exchange wallets, which can be hacked or even suspend withdrawals like Upbit, many investors prefer to take full ownership of their crypto with a self-custody wallet. One option that is easy-to-use and with a strong emphasis on security is Best Wallet, a multi-chain self-custody wallet with full support for Solana. Its biggest selling point? Versatility! It is among the few non-custodial wallets that strike a balance between ease of use, security, and functionality. In terms of security, Best Wallet delivers perfectly through its self-custodial model, ensuring no one, not even the developers have access to users’ private keys. That alone keeps users in full control of their wallets, eliminating the risks of asset freezes or hacks common with centralized exchanges. What also reinforces Best Wallet’s appeal as a secure solution for all and sundry this year is its up-to-date security protocol, led by Fireblocks, which offers users both insurance and protection. More so, the platform doesn’t require KYC checks, even for advanced trading, giving users complete privacy and faster access to all features without unnecessary delays. The fact that users can seamlessly trade Solana-based tokens alongside assets from other blockchains without leaving the app gives it an edge over DEXes, which are limited to cryptocurrencies native to their own chains. In addition to Solana, supported blockchains include Bitcoin, Base, Ethereum, Polygon, Binance Smart Chain, giving users the flexibility to trade a wide variety of assets. The next defining attribute lies in its intuitive, easy-to-navigate interface, which empowers beginners to execute transactions quickly and without confusion. At the same time, it features a comprehensive suite of trading tools, ranging from fiat payment and cross-chain swaps to staking and a token launchpad. The wallet has been featured across multiple major crypto YouTube channels and websites, all of them dubbing it the best option for both day-to-day traders and long-term investors.
The public testnet of Tempo, a blockchain focused on payments and native stablecoin support, went live. More than 40 infrastructure companies and dozens of major corporate partners already joined the trials. The Tempo team launched a testnet designed specifically for processing payment operations. The network provides transaction finality in roughly 0.5 seconds, a fixed fee of one-tenth of a cent, and the ability to pay for gas in stablecoins. According to the project team, leading global banks, FinTech companies, and technology corporations already joined the testing, evaluating the network using real payment scenarios. Tempo’s development began in September 2025 with support from Stripe and Paradigm. In just three months, the team moved from concept to a fully functional network available to external users. Early design partners included Anthropic, Coupang, Deutsche Bank, DoorDash, Lead Bank, Mercury, Nubank, OpenAI, Revolut, Shopify, Standard Chartered, and Visa. They were later joined by Brex, Coastal, Cross River, Deel, Faire, Figure, Gusto, Kalshi, Klarna, Mastercard, Payoneer, Persona, Ramp, and UBS. The testnet offers key features of the infrastructure focused on financial operations: Dedicated payment lanes. The protocol reserves blockspace for transfers, preventing competition with other types of blockchain operations. Gas payments in stablecoins. Transactions fully avoid volatile tokens; all payments and accounting can be conducted in dollar-denominated assets. Built-in decentralized exchange (DEX). The protocol automatically converts stablecoins for fee payments, ensuring a unified liquidity pool and simplifying swaps. Payment metadata. Each transaction can contain structured fields, for example, account numbers or cost centers, which simplifies integration with ERP, TMS, and accounting systems. Deterministic finality. Four validators operating in the testnet confirm blocks in roughly half a second. Future versions are expected to add partner validators. Modern signing mechanisms (passkeys). The protocol supports batch transactions, delayed payments, gas payment logic, and authorization via cryptographic keys. Tempo’s ecosystem already includes over 40 infrastructure partners providing developer tools, FX solutions, DeFi services, and other integrations. The network is currently used to test several categories of payment scenarios, including cross-border transfers, global mass payouts, embedded in-app payments, microtransactions, and the use of agent systems and tokenized deposits. The Tempo team emphasizes that low and predictable fees make micro-payment models economically viable, including API billing, content platforms, and IoT services. Meanwhile, the team is preparing to transition to a fully permissionless architecture. The client code is already open under the Apache license, and independent validators will be able to join the network in the future. The testnet will continue to scale, gaining new developer tools and throughput optimizations for real-world payment loads. Recently, Stable announced the launch of the mainnet for StableChain, built for stablecoin operations. A month earlier, the Inveniam Chain L2 protocol, focused entirely on tokenization and management of private commercial real-estate assets, began operating in test mode within the MANTRA blockchain ecosystem.
Deep Tide TechFlow news, on December 19, according to Cointelegraph, River data shows that 14 out of the top 25 banks in the United States are building bitcoin-related products for their clients.
Search engine giant Google has emerged as a silent architect behind Bitcoin miners' rapid pivot towards artificial intelligence (AI). Instead of acquiring mining firms, the Alphabet-owned company has provided at least $5 billion of disclosed credit support behind a handful of BTC miners' AI projects. While markets often frame these announcements as technology partnerships, the underlying structure is closer to credit engineering. Google’s backing helps recast these previously unrated mining companies as counterparties that lenders can treat like infrastructure sponsors rather than pure commodity producers. The mechanism for these deals is pretty straightforward. BTC Miners contribute energized land, high-voltage interconnects, and shell buildings. Fluidstack, a data-center operator, signs multi-year colocation leases with these firms for the “critical IT load,” the power delivered to AI servers. Google then stands behind Fluidstack’s lease obligations, giving risk-averse commercial banks room to underwrite the projects as infrastructure debt instead of speculative crypto financing. The Google backstops TeraWulf established the structural precedent at its Lake Mariner campus in New York. Following an initial phase, the miner announced a massive expansion, lifting the total contracted capacity above 360 megawatts. TeraWulf values the deal at $6.7 billion in contracted revenue, potentially reaching $16 billion with extensions. Crucially, the deal terms indicate Google increased its backstop to $3.2 billion and boosted its warrant-derived stake to approximately 14%. Notably, Google's role was also evident in Cipher Mining's AI pivot. Cipher Mining had secured a 10-year, 168-megawatt AI hosting agreement with Fluidstack at its Barber Creek site. While Cipher markets this as approximately $3 billion in contracted revenue, the financial engine is Google’s agreement to backstop $1.4 billion of the lease obligations. In exchange for this credit wrap, Google received warrants convertible into roughly a 5.4% equity stake in Cipher. Hut 8 Corp. further scaled the model on Dec. 17, disclosing a 15-year lease with Fluidstack for 245 megawatts of IT capacity at its River Bend campus in Louisiana. The contract holds a total value of $7 billion. Market sources and company disclosures confirm that JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs are structuring the project finance, a feat made possible only because Google “financially backs” the lease obligations. Why AI leases beat bitcoin margins These miners' structural pivot responds to deteriorating mining economics. CoinShares’ data puts the average cash cost to produce 1 BTC among listed miners at about $74,600, with the total cost including non-cash items such as depreciation closer to $137,800. With BTC trading around $90,000, margins for pure-play miners remain compressed, prompting boards to seek more stable revenue streams. That search now points to AI and high-performance computing. CoinShares reported that public miners have announced more than $43 billion in AI and HPC contracts over the past year. Through these deals, BTC miners have a better standing with financial institutions because banks can underwrite a 10 or 15-year AI capacity lease as recurring revenue and test it against debt service coverage ratios. Bitcoin mining income, by contrast, moves with network difficulty and block rewards, a pattern most institutional lenders are reluctant to anchor on. However, Google’s role bridges this gap. As a credit enhancer, it lowers the perceived risk of projects and enables miners to access capital closer to that of traditional data center developers. For Google, the structure improves capital efficiency. Instead of carrying the full cost of building data-center shells or waiting through interconnection queues, it secures future access to compute-ready power through Fluidstack. It also retains upside optionality through equity warrants in the miners. Operational risks and counterparty chains Despite the financial logic, the operational execution carries distinct risks. Bitcoin miners have traditionally optimized for the cheapest, most easily curtailed power they can secure. AI customers, by contrast, expect data-center grade conditions, including tight environmental controls and rigorous service-level agreements. So, the transition from “best-effort” mining to near-continuous reliability requires an overhaul of both operational culture and physical infrastructure. If cooling retrofits run over budget or interconnect upgrades face delays, miners will confront breaches of contract rather than simple opportunity costs. Furthermore, the structure introduces significant counterparty concentration. The economic chain relies on Fluidstack acting as the intermediary. Cash flows depend on Fluidstack’s ability to retain AI tenants and, ultimately, on Google’s willingness to honor the backstop for over a decade. If the AI hype cycle cools or tenants force lease renegotiations, this chain creates a single point of failure. Miners are effectively betting that Google will remain the ultimate backstop, but legal recourse flows through the middleman. Risks The broader implications of these deals reach beyond project finance into competition policy and Bitcoin’s long-term security budget. By relying on credit backstops rather than direct acquisitions, Google can aggregate access to energized land and power, the scarcest inputs in the AI build-out. This approach avoids the kind of merger review that a large asset purchase would invite. However, if this template scales across multiple campuses, critics could argue that Google has created a kind of “virtual utility.” It would not own the buildings but would still shape who can deploy large-scale computing on those grids. As a result, regulators may eventually find themselves asking whether control over long-dated AI capacity, even via leases, deserves closer antitrust scrutiny. For Bitcoin, the trade-off is straightforward. Every megawatt diverted from mining to AI reduces the pool of power available to secure the network. The market once assumed that hashrate would track price almost linearly as more efficient rigs and more capital came online. So, if the most efficient operators systematically redeploy their best sites into AI contracts, hashrate growth becomes more constrained and more expensive, leaving a greater share of block production to stranded or lower-quality power assets. The post Google is secretly bankrolling a $5 billion Bitcoin pivot using a shadow credit mechanism appeared first on CryptoSlate.
Bitcoin mining firm Hut 8 secured a 15-year, $7B lease this week to deliver large-scale AI data center capacity, backed financially by Google. The agreement covers 245 megawatts at Hut 8’s River Bend campus in Louisiana and marks one of the largest infrastructure commitments between a crypto-native company and hyperscale AI demand. The deal highlights a clear change in how crypto markets are being valued. Long-duration infrastructure revenue and institutional partnerships are now redefining how crypto assets are valued. Bitcoin Hyper price prediction models are now updating as capital rotates toward projects tied to real-world compute, energy, and scalability. Institutional AI infrastructure changes crypto narratives Hut 8’s agreement stood out because of its structure. Google provides a financial backstop that covers lease payments if the tenant fails to meet obligations. That level of risk mitigation is rare in crypto-adjacent infrastructure and signals how seriously institutions now view compute and power assets developed by crypto-native firms. Construction has already begun, with the first planned data hall opening in 2027. Financing relies largely on data-center-specific loans from major banks, which limits dilution and upfront capital strain. This structure reinforces the idea that crypto firms are evolving into infrastructure operators rather than pure speculative plays. Bitcoin Hyper price prediction models are getting a boost as the project focuses on scalability and compute efficiency. DeepSnitch AI is also a tool that traders hope will help them filter through hype from execution. Early glimpses of the utility have analysts whispering about possible 250x gains. DeepSnitch AI: Huge asymmetric upside DeepSnitch AI isn’t involved in raw infrastructure, but it’s part of the AI sector that is set to grow 25x by 2033. Many other AI tokens focus almost entirely on backend compute and infrastructure. They usually don’t deliver on their promises as much as DeepSnitch AI already is. Only a handful of AI tokens hold market caps above $1B, and none of them focus primarily on retail traders. Many view that gap as an opening where DeepSnitch AI could scale rapidly if adoption follows through. Two completed audits add legitimacy, while Telegram integration allows broad access across a massive user base. These factors help explain why some analysts are predicting 250x upside scenarios. Adding to the hype is speculation in the community about possible Tier-1 and Tier-2 listings for DeepSnitch AI. Even one major listing announcement could lead to a quick 50x gain during the launch window. Bitcoin Hyper price prediction: Showing exponential potential The Hut 8 deal reinforced how power, compute, and long-term contracts now anchor valuation. Bitcoin Hyper has the lofty goal of unlocking faster and cheaper Bitcoin transactions at scale. Traders tracking Bitcoin Hyper growth outlook trends focus on the project’s possible alignment with the broader transition toward AI-backed, power-efficient ecosystems. Hyper token analysis often compares early-stage upside with large-cap constraints. Bitcoin and Ethereum rarely offer outsized returns at this stage of the cycle. Tokens like DSNT and HYPER, in contrast, are where the big gains lie. BlockDAG: 5-10x gains are possible BlockDAG benefits from confirmed exchange listings, completed audits, and a clearly defined roadmap. Those factors reduce downside risk compared with smaller, less-proven launches. Most analysts expect moderate multiples rather than exponential moves. A 5-10x expansion in the next cycle is predicted if network usage grows and the broader market improves. It doesn’t stack up to the latest Bitcoin Hyper price prediction models, but is still a good fit in a balanced early-stage portfolio. Final verdict: A statement of intent for Bitcoin miners Hut 8’s $7B AI lease underscored how crypto-native firms are becoming serious infrastructure players. Power-first strategies, long-duration revenue, and institutional guarantees are changing how markets assign value. Bitcoin Hyper price prediction narratives now reflect that transition. DeepSnitch AI stands out as a utility-driven project aligned with AI adoption and early-stage growth potential. Analysts discussing 100x to 500x scenarios focus on execution, timing, and market structure rather than hype. DeepSnitch AI is already showing positive signs by ticking three of these boxes. FAQs Does DeepSnitch AI hold user funds? No. The platform does not take custody of user funds and focuses on data visibility and risk awareness. When will full features launch? Full feature rollout is planned after the presale concludes, with updates released incrementally. Does DeepSnitch AI provide financial advice? No. DeepSnitch AI offers data visibility and monitoring tools. It doesn’t give financial advice, trading signals, or any investment recommendations.
Foresight News reports that according to Bitget market data, RIVER briefly reached 3.46 USDT and is now quoted at 3.3 USDT, with a 24-hour increase of 62.44%.
Publicly tradedbitcoin mining company Hut8 (HUT) saw its stock price soar after the company signed a new $7 billion, 15-year agreement—with support from Google—with Fluidstack to provide power for high-performance computing through its 245MW data center at the River Bend campus in Louisiana. Shortly after the market opened on Wednesday, HUT was trading at $42.55, up more than 15%. HUT has risen nearly 13% in the past month and is up more than 150% over the past six months. Hut8 CEO Asher Genoot said in a statement: "This agreement is the result of our rigorous and patient execution, as we focus on ensuring we make the right deal, not just the first deal." He added: "We are working hand in hand with Louisiana, Entergy, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, Vertiv, and Jacobs, aiming to deliver next-generation AI and high-performance computing infrastructure at scale. We are committed to maintaining the same rigor and long-term vision as we commercialize our broader development projects." The agreement also includes a renewal option of up to 15 years, with the total contract value potentially reaching $17.7 billion. While Google is providing financial backing, this latest move will also establish connections with JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs for transaction financing and loan underwriting. Noah Wintroub, Chairman of Global Investment Banking at JPMorgan, said in a statement: "The River Bend project demonstrates that when Hut8 combines innovative thinking, a goal-aligned team, and institutional discipline in a rapidly evolving industry, it can translate into real, lasting value." This deal is the latest trend of bitcoin miners significantly expanding into the AI computing sector, with some deals backed by Google. In September, Cipher Mining's stock price soared.A $3 billion AI cloud hosting agreementwas supported by Google. The situation is similar for bitcoin miner TeraWulf.It reached an agreement with Google-backed Fluidstackand the tech giantincreased its stake in the mining company in August. Other mining companies, such as MARA, are expanding their AI services while continuing bitcoin mining, while Bitfarms is fully focused on this.Gradually winding down its bitcoin businessto focus on providing AI computing services. Hut8 expects the construction of its new mining site to create up to 265 jobs in Louisiana. The first data center at River Bend is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2027. The company operates five bitcoin mining sites in the US and Canada. The company has not yet responded to this. Decrypt Request for comment.
Bitcoin miner Hut 8 has signed one of the largest infrastructure agreements ever signed by a Bitcoin company. Specifically, Hut 8 hassecureda 15-year, $7 billion lease agreement with a cryptocurrency miner to provide large-scale AI data center capacity at its River Bend campus in Louisiana. This agreement demonstrates that cryptocurrency miners are leveraging their computing power and infrastructure to meet the growing demand for AI computing. The lease agreement between Hut 8 and AI infrastructure company Fluidstack covers 245 megawatts (MW) of IT capacity, with an annual rent increase of 3%. Meanwhile, Google is providing financial backing for the lease project, and will step in if Fluidstack is unable to pay the rent on time. This reduces risk and enhances confidence in Hut 8's strategy. The agreement also gives Fluidstack the option to lease up to an additional 1,000 MW of power as the campus develops. Google Backstop and JPMorgan Financing Reduce Risk In fact, Google's involvement as a financial guarantor throughout the lease term is a notable feature of this deal. In addition, Hut 8 and Fluidstack plan to sign an operations services agreement for ongoing data center management, which will also be supported by Google's payment backing. The project will be primarily financed through loans, with banks providing up to 85% of the funding. JPMorgan is the lead underwriter, with Goldman Sachs also participating, which will reduce the upfront capital Hut 8 needs to invest. Hut 8 expects the deal to generate approximately $6.9 billion in total net operating income over 15 years, or about $454 million per year. Construction Timeline Extended to 2027 Construction work on the River Bend data center has already begun. The first data center hall is expected to be operational in the second quarter of 2027, with more halls coming online later that year. CEO Asher Genoot stated that the project reflects Hut 8's "strength-first, innovation-driven" approach, focusing on finding the right partners rather than just pursuing speed. Hut 8 Stock Reaction After the announcement, Hut 8's share price rose by about 20% in pre-market trading. This indicates that investors are excited about the company's transformation from bitcoin mining to artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. Notably, this move builds on Hut 8's previous strategy of entering the AI sector. In 2024, the company established its Highrise AI subsidiary and deployed over 1,000 Nvidia H100 GPUs to offer GPU-as-a-service products. Cryptocurrency Miners Enter the AI Sector Meanwhile, Hut 8's deal is also part of a trend of cryptocurrency companies transitioning into the AI sector to create new revenue streams. Core Scientific signed a $3.5 billion, 12-year agreement with CoreWeave, expected to generate about $290 million in annual revenue. Galaxy Digital has expanded its Helios AI data center in Texas and signed a long-term lease agreement with CoreWeave, expected to generate about $1 billion in annual revenue. Cipher Mining has also reached a high-performance computing agreement with Google-backed Fluidstack. These deals show that the power, land, and infrastructure built for bitcoin mining are now being repurposed for large-scale AI, which will bring billions of dollars in revenue to cryptocurrency companies over the next decade.
In brief Bitcoin mining firm Hut 8 landed a $7 billion deal for an AI data center with Google's financial backing. The deal has renewal options that can expand the total value to $17.7 billion. Hut 8 shares have now soared more than 15% since the opening bell. Decrypt’s Art, Fashion, and Entertainment Hub. Discover SCENE Shares in publicly traded Bitcoin miner Hut8 (HUT) are soaring after the firm booked a new $7 billion, 15-year deal with Fluidstack—backstopped by Google—to provide power for high-performance computing via a 245MW data center at its River Bend campus in Louisiana. HUT was recently changing hands at $42.55 shortly after the opening bell on Wednesday, a gain of more than 15%. HUT is up nearly 13% in the last month, and better than 150% in the last six months. “This agreement is the result of disciplined, patient execution as we focused on securing the right transaction, not just the first,” said Hut8 CEO Asher Genoot, in a statement. “Together with the State of Louisiana, Entergy, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, Vertiv, and Jacobs, we expect to deliver next-generation AI and high-performance computing infrastructure at scale, and we are committed to applying the same rigor and long-term focus as we advance commercialization across our broader development pipeline,” he added. The firm’s deal also includes up to 15 years of renewal options that can take the contract value to $17.7 billion. While Google is providing the financial backstop, the firm’s latest initiative will also hold ties to JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs on deal financing and loan underwriting. “River Bend demonstrates how, when Hut 8 brings together the combination of innovative thinking, an aligned team, and institutional discipline to a rapidly evolving sector, it translates into real, enduring value,” said JPMorgan Global Chairman of Investment Banking Noah Wintroub, in a statement. The deal is the latest in a trend that has seen Bitcoin miners expand significantly into AI compute, some with Google’s backing. In September, Cipher Mining shares boomed on a $3 billion AI cloud hosting deal that was backstopped by Google. Bitcoin miner TeraWulf similarly had a deal with Fluidstack backed by Google, and the tech giant upped its stake in the miner in August. Other miners like MARA are expanding their AI services alongside Bitcoin mining, while Bitfarms is completely winding down its BTC operations to focus on providing AI compute. Hut8 anticipates that the construction of its new site will create up to 265 jobs in Louisiana. The first data hall at River Bend is expected to be completed in Q2 2027. The firm operates five Bitcoin mining sites across the United States and Canada. A representative for the firm did not immediately respond to Decrypt’s request for comment.
According to Deep Tide TechFlow, on December 17, official sources announced that River will conduct the final snapshot for Season 3 (S3) on December 19, and launch Season 4 (S4) on December 22. S3, as the verification and expansion phase, has completed stress testing, reaching a peak TVL of $650 million, with satUSD circulation at $350 million (ranked 25th on DeFiLlama), and has completed integrations with Pendle, Morpho, ListaDAO, and others. S4 will last approximately 90–120 days, with incentives shifting focus to long-term alignment and active participation with $RIVER, centered around three core paths: Omni-CDP (satUSD) usage and liquidity, $RIVER staking, and River4FUN social engagement. Among them, satUSD-related strategies offer 2×–25× reward multipliers; $RIVER staking rewards must be claimed within 3 months or they will expire. S3 rewards will be available for claiming next week, while S4 rewards are expected to be distributed after 90–120 days (subject to official announcements).
Bitcoin miner-turned-AI diversifier Hut 8 announced a partnership with Anthropic and Fluidstack to accelerate the deployment of hyperscale AI infrastructure in the United States, marking a major expansion of its data center development pipeline. Under the agreement, Hut 8 will develop and deliver at least 245 megawatts and up to 2,295 megawatts of AI data center capacity for Anthropic, using high-performance compute clusters operated by Fluidstack. The partnership is structured across multiple tranches. The first phase will launch at Hut 8's River Bend campus in Louisiana, where the company and Fluidstack plan to develop an initial 245 megawatts of IT capacity supported by 330 megawatts of utility power. Subsequent phases include a right of first offer for up to 1,000 additional megawatts at River Bend and the potential joint development of up to 1,050 megawatts across Hut 8's broader pipeline. While bitcoin mining ASIC machines are not suited for AI workloads, mining operators often control power, sites, and cooling infrastructure that can be adapted for GPU hosting, making AI data center diversification attractive across the sector amid rising demand. "Scaling frontier AI infrastructure is, at its core, a power challenge," Hut 8 CEO Asher Genoot said in a statement. "Through our partnership with Anthropic and Fluidstack, we are aligning power, data center design, and compute deployment into an integrated platform capable of delivering at gigawatt scale." Hut 8 signs $7 billion, 15-year data center lease deal Alongside Wednesday's partnership announcement, Hut 8 also disclosed that it has signed a 15-year, triple-net lease with Fluidstack for the initial 245 megawatts of IT capacity at River Bend, valued at $7 billion over the base term. A triple-net lease (NNN) is a lease structure where the tenant, not the landlord, pays property tax, insurance, maintenance, and operating costs, on top of base rent. The agreement includes three five-year renewal options that could lift the total contract value to approximately $17.7 billion, as well as a right of first offer for up to 1,000 megawatts of future expansion at the site, the firm said. Google is providing a financial backstop covering lease payments and related obligations for the 15-year base term, while Hut 8 expects the project to generate $6.9 billion in cumulative net operating income over that period. The initial data center is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2027, with additional facilities coming online later that year. Hut 8 said it plans to finance the project with up to 85% loan-to-cost funding, with JPMorgan expected to serve as lead loan underwriter and Goldman Sachs also acting as a loan underwriter, subject to final agreements and customary closing conditions. The River Bend campus is being developed in coordination with Louisiana State, local stakeholders, and Entergy Louisiana, which has secured an initial 330 megawatts of utility capacity with the potential to scale by a further 1,000 megawatts. Hut 8 expects around 1,000 construction workers at peak buildout and projects more than 265 direct, indirect, and induced jobs once the site becomes operational, with employment expected to rise as future phases advance. "At first glance, this HUT deal looks like one of the strongest AI/HPC colocation deals disclosed so far," VanEck Head of Digital Assets Research Matthew Sigel said on X. "Question for the bears: if AI power is a bubble, why do deal economics keep improving?" Following the news, Hut 8's stock gained over 25% at one point in pre-market trading on Wednesday, according to The Block's price page, trading at $46.24 compared to Tuesday's closing price of $36.85. It is currently changing hands for $45.45 — having gained around 75% year-to-date. HUT/USD price chart. Image: TradingView.
Jinse Finance reported that bitcoin mining company Hut 8 announced on X that it has signed a 15-year data center lease agreement with Fluidstack, valued at $7 billion, to lease its 245 MW data center located in the River Bend campus. Additionally, Fluidstack may add up to 1,000 MW of capacity during future expansion phases at the campus, with the specific term depending on the installed capacity of the campus.
Interest in Bitcoin (BTC) and cryptocurrencies in the US has been increasing exponentially in recent years. While major institutional companies are also reacting to this trend, banks have also joined in the growing interest in cryptocurrencies. Recent analysis at this point has revealed that 14 of the 25 largest banks in the US have developed Bitcoin products. According to River, a Bitcoin-focused financial services company, 14 of the 25 largest banks in the US are currently developing Bitcoin products for their clients. River's data shows that Bitcoin integration has gone from skepticism to a strategic priority for the majority of major American banks. @media only screen and (min-width: 0px) and (min-height: 0px) { div[id^="wrapper-sevio-d098b0a7-6bf7-478a-a0ee-0619d281a09c"] { width:320px; height: 100px; } } @media only screen and (min-width: 728px) and (min-height: 0px) { div[id^="wrapper-sevio-d098b0a7-6bf7-478a-a0ee-0619d281a09c"] { width: 728px; height: 90px; } } window.sevioads = window.sevioads || []; var sevioads_preferences = []; sevioads_preferences[0] = {}; sevioads_preferences[0].zone = "d098b0a7-6bf7-478a-a0ee-0619d281a09c"; sevioads_preferences[0].adType = "banner"; sevioads_preferences[0].inventoryId = "709eacfd-152a-4aaf-80d4-86f42d7da427"; sevioads_preferences[0].accountId = "c4bfc39b-8b6a-4256-abe5-d1a851156d5c"; sevioads.push(sevioads_preferences); Indeed, the banking sector's attitude towards Bitcoin has undergone a remarkable transformation. Just a few years ago, leading banking executives described Bitcoin as a speculative asset, a tool for illicit activity, or a passing fad. However, today, it is observed that the largest banks in the US are actively developing Bitcoin products. River stated that the main products offered include Bitcoin custody services, trading and brokerage services, and integration with existing asset management platforms. According to River's table, the banks that have launched or are developing Bitcoin-related products include the following: @media only screen and (min-width: 0px) and (min-height: 0px) { div[id^="wrapper-sevio-d098b0a7-6bf7-478a-a0ee-0619d281a09c"] { width:320px; height: 100px; } } @media only screen and (min-width: 728px) and (min-height: 0px) { div[id^="wrapper-sevio-d098b0a7-6bf7-478a-a0ee-0619d281a09c"] { width: 728px; height: 90px; } } window.sevioads = window.sevioads || []; var sevioads_preferences = []; sevioads_preferences[0] = {}; sevioads_preferences[0].zone = "d098b0a7-6bf7-478a-a0ee-0619d281a09c"; sevioads_preferences[0].adType = "banner"; sevioads_preferences[0].inventoryId = "709eacfd-152a-4aaf-80d4-86f42d7da427"; sevioads_preferences[0].accountId = "c4bfc39b-8b6a-4256-abe5-d1a851156d5c"; sevioads.push(sevioads_preferences); “JPMorgan (Bitcoin trading services), Citibank (custody and trading services for high net worth clients), Goldman Sachs (Bitcoin services for high net worth clients), PNC Group (Bitcoin custody and trading services)”
Visa has expanded its stablecoin settlement business to the United States, allowing banks and fintech companies to use USDC tokens for transactions. The credit card payment giant announced on Tuesday that Circle issuers and acquirer partners can now leverage stablecoins to settle transactions using Circle’s stablecoin USDC. This move follows the company’s announcement a day earlier of the launch of a stablecoin advisory practice aimed at facilitating stablecoin adoption. Visa Introduces Stablecoin Settlement in the US According to Visa’s report, as of November 30, its stablecoin settlement volume had reached an annualized run rate of $3.5 billion. Circle’s USDC has played a crucial role in Visa’s global transactions. Now, the company has enabled US financial institutions to enjoy instant and convenient transactions linked to stablecoins. They can now transfer funds quickly around the clock, even on holidays, and the experience of using Visa cards remains unaffected. USDC is the second-largest stablecoin in the stablecoin sector, which has a market capitalization of over $315 billion. Its issuer, Circle, is the developer of the Arc network, while Visa is a design partner of the Arc network. The choice of Circle’s USDC as the US settlement stablecoin further consolidates the long-term partnership between the two companies. Visa began piloting USDC in its stablecoin settlement program in 2021. Two years later, it became one of the first top payment companies to use stablecoins for transaction settlement. Since then, Visa has continued to promote the adoption of stablecoins, providing users with flexible payment options. Initial Partnerships Meanwhile, Cross River Bank and Lead Bank are the first participants in this project. Tuesday’s report shows that they have already started using the Solana network and USDC to settle Visa card transactions. In addition, Visa plans to expand these services to more US financial institutions by 2026. It encourages interested clients to participate in the promotion and adoption of stablecoins through its client team. Notably, Visa has been deepening its involvement in the blockchain sector in recent years. Last month, Visa tested paying creators and freelancers in stablecoins using USDC.It launched the Visa Tokenized Asset Platform to support institutions wishing to use stablecoin payment channels.
Visa has significantly expanded its crypto-related products and services by officially launching stablecoin reconciliation for banks in the US. According to a company statement, Visa is opening its US payment network to the settlement of transactions made with the USDC stablecoin issued by Circle Internet Group. The new system will operate on the Solana blockchain and will initially be used by Cross River Bank and Lead Bank. While Visa has previously conducted limited stablecoin settlement trials outside the US, this step marks the first full-scale implementation within the country's banking system. In July, President Donald Trump signed a federal regulatory framework for stablecoins, paving the way for such services to be implemented in the US. The regulation aims to enable crypto assets pegged to fiat currencies to offer faster and lower-cost payment solutions. @media only screen and (min-width: 0px) and (min-height: 0px) { div[id^="wrapper-sevio-d098b0a7-6bf7-478a-a0ee-0619d281a09c"] { width:320px; height: 100px; } } @media only screen and (min-width: 728px) and (min-height: 0px) { div[id^="wrapper-sevio-d098b0a7-6bf7-478a-a0ee-0619d281a09c"] { width: 728px; height: 90px; } } window.sevioads = window.sevioads || []; var sevioads_preferences = []; sevioads_preferences[0] = {}; sevioads_preferences[0].zone = "d098b0a7-6bf7-478a-a0ee-0619d281a09c"; sevioads_preferences[0].adType = "banner"; sevioads_preferences[0].inventoryId = "709eacfd-152a-4aaf-80d4-86f42d7da427"; sevioads_preferences[0].accountId = "c4bfc39b-8b6a-4256-abe5-d1a851156d5c"; sevioads.push(sevioads_preferences); Luca Cosentino, Senior Vice President of Products at Cross River Bank, stated that demand from fintech and crypto companies is rapidly increasing, and that stablecoin consensus will create new business opportunities for banks. He emphasized that in the long term, stablecoins will become a fundamental part of payment infrastructure. Visa announced that it will also provide support for Circle's Arc blockchain network and will integrate with it when it goes live. The company, along with rivals like Mastercard, has entered a technology race that could transform the traditional payment processing role. According to Bloomberg Intelligence, stablecoins could reach over $50 trillion in annual payment volume by 2030. Visa aims to strengthen its position in the digital asset space by launching a global stablecoin advisory service for banks, fintech companies, and retailers in response to growing demand. @media only screen and (min-width: 0px) and (min-height: 0px) { div[id^="wrapper-sevio-d098b0a7-6bf7-478a-a0ee-0619d281a09c"] { width:320px; height: 100px; } } @media only screen and (min-width: 728px) and (min-height: 0px) { div[id^="wrapper-sevio-d098b0a7-6bf7-478a-a0ee-0619d281a09c"] { width: 728px; height: 90px; } } window.sevioads = window.sevioads || []; var sevioads_preferences = []; sevioads_preferences[0] = {}; sevioads_preferences[0].zone = "d098b0a7-6bf7-478a-a0ee-0619d281a09c"; sevioads_preferences[0].adType = "banner"; sevioads_preferences[0].inventoryId = "709eacfd-152a-4aaf-80d4-86f42d7da427"; sevioads_preferences[0].accountId = "c4bfc39b-8b6a-4256-abe5-d1a851156d5c"; sevioads.push(sevioads_preferences);
COINOTAG News reports that on December 16, Visa disclosed that U.S. institutions will be able to settle transactions using USDC on the Solana blockchain. The move aims to streamline on-chain settlement and broaden the role of stablecoins in mainstream banking rails. Early adopters, including Cross River Bank and Lead Bank, will pilot the service to clear and settle payments with USDC. The initiative leverages Visa‘s settlement infrastructure to enhance liquidity, reduce latency, and improve visibility across digital-dollar transfers. As a design partner of Circle‘s Arc blockchain, Visa will back the integration when the Arc network launches, signaling closer interoperability between Circle’s ecosystem and traditional banking rails. Share News:
BlockBeats News, December 16th, today Visa announced that it will allow US institutions to use the USDC stablecoin for transaction settlement on the Solana blockchain. Cross River Bank and Lead Bank are among the first banks to use this service. Visa, as a design partner of Circle's Arc blockchain, will also support it once the Arc network is launched.
Visa has begun supporting US financial institutions in settling transactions using USDC on Solana, with Cross River Bank and Lead Bank being the first institutions to use this service. As a partner of Circle Arc blockchain, Visa will also provide support after Arc goes live.
Key Notes Tempo blockchain separates transaction lanes to prevent congestion and offers stable fees at one-tenth of a cent per transaction. Major financial institutions including UBS, Deutsche Bank, and Cross River Bank are testing the payments-focused network's capabilities. The platform accepts dollar-denominated stablecoins like USDT and USDC for transaction costs and targets microtransaction use cases. Stripe and Paradigm opened Tempo’s public testnet on Tuesday, expanding the operational capacity of the payments-focused blockchain unveiled in September. A Bloomberg report on Tuesday detailed how the rollout invites any company to begin building stablecoin payment applications on the network. The companies confirmed that Tempo’s newest group of partners includes UBS, Cross River Bank, and prediction-market operator Kalshi. They join existing participants such as Deutsche Bank, Nubank, OpenAI, and Anthropic, which have been testing live workloads to validate the chain’s performance. Other partners mentioned include DoorDash, Shopify, Standard Chartered , Visa , Coupang, and Revolut, with more firms like Klarna, Brex, Coastal, Mastercard , Ramp, Payoneer, Persona, and Figure joining after the initial announcement . Tempo’s testnet is live! Any company can now build on a payments-first chain designed for instant settlement, predictable fees, and a stablecoin-native experience. Tempo has been shaped with a wide group of partners validating real workloads including @AnthropicAI , @Coupang ,… pic.twitter.com/tHcjuBRGZb — tempo (@tempo) December 9, 2025 According to details, the Tempo blockchain applies a payments-first architecture that separates transaction lanes from the broader network to avoid congestion common on public blockchains. The design targets predictable settlement times and fee stability, aiming to prevent disruptions often triggered by spikes in speculative trading. With a fixed fee of one-tenth of a cent per transaction, Tempo offers an alternative to traditional card rails that charge between one and three percent plus fixed costs. This model also aligns with rising interest in microtransactions across fintech and AI firms, which increasingly prefer usage-based fees instead of monthly billing. Tempo also accepts any dollar-denominated stablecoin for transaction costs, including USDT and USDC, the two largest tokens in circulation. Companies building on the Tempo blockchain can begin testing integrations today, according to project documentation. "Working with Tempo allows Coastal to test and co-create the next generation of financial infrastructure. It’s not just about improving speed or efficiency — it’s about unlocking new capabilities for the broader ecosystem of fintech and embedded finance partners. Together, we’re… https://t.co/grxZmHHBKO — Coastal (@CoastalBankWA) December 9, 2025 Coastal Bank President Brian Hamilton said his institution is testing how the network’s structure could unlock new capabilities across fintech and embedded-finance partners. Related article: Fintech Giant Klarna Launches Stablecoin on Tempo Blockchain Matt Huang, managing partner at Paradigm, which leads the project’s development effort, told Bloomberg his team will focus on real-world use cases for stablecoins. The move continues a year-long trend of US institutional participation in crypto, further accelerated by the GENIUS ACT regulatory framework signed into law by President Donald Trump in July 2025.
Quick Breakdown Kevin Hassett is now seen as Trump’s top contender to replace Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve chair. Hassett’s deep involvement in crypto policy and personal holdings in Coinbase add weight to his candidacy. Trump’s broader shortlist features several crypto-friendly figures who align with his push for further rate cuts. Crypto-friendly White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett is reportedly rising to the top of President Donald Trump’s shortlist to replace Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell when his term ends in May. According to a Bloomberg report citing sources close to the matter, Trump’s advisers and allies believe Hassett aligns closely with Trump’s push for aggressive rate cuts, positioning him as the most likely successor. Hassett’s crypto credentials strengthen his case Hassett currently heads the National Economic Council, where he oversees the White House’s digital asset working group created by Trump earlier this year. The group issued a policy-focused crypto report in July, reinforcing the administration’s interest in digital assets . His personal financial disclosures reveal strong ties to the industry; he holds at least $1 million in Coinbase stock. He earned over $50,000 from Coinbase for serving on its Academic and Regulatory Advisory Council. He also previously advised One River Digital Asset Management, a major crypto investment firm. When asked on Fox News whether he would accept the role of Fed chair, Hassett replied that he would “have to say yes,” noting he has discussed the possibility with Trump. Source : Fox News Trump’s Fed shortlist packed with crypto supporters Hassett isn’t the only crypto-friendly name in the mix. Trump has also reportedly vetted Chris Waller, a Fed governor who publicly encouraged banks to explore decentralized finance. Michelle Bowman, the Fed’s vice chair for supervision, suggested that Fed staff should be able to hold small amounts of crypto to understand the technology better. Regardless of who ultimately gets the nod, analysts expect Trump to push his next chair toward lower interest rates. The Fed has already cut rates twice this year, by a total of 50 basis points. Market expectations lean heavily toward another 25-basis-point cut in December, with CME’s FedWatch tool placing the odds near 85%. Take control of your crypto portfolio with MARKETS PRO, DeFi Planet’s suite of analytics tools.”
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