Get the latest insights on Bitcoin, Ether and altcoins, along with a round-up of key cryptocurrencymarket news
Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Monday (August 17) as of 10:00 p.m. UTC.
Bitcoin price update
Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$64,260.59, up by 2 percent over the past 24 hours.The price rebounded from Sunday’s (August 16) close as US equities turned lower amidst heightened geopolitical tension.
QCP Capital highlighted Bitcoin’s resilience, observing that the cryptocurrency continues to hold its trading range despite facing headwinds: “Rather than treating individual price levels as directional signals, the more useful observation is that BTC remains close to the lower end of its recent range. A sustained move outside that range would provide more information about market positioning than the relatively contained moves seen within it.”
CryptoQuant said the derivatives market funding rates, which hit 20-month highs last week, indicate that most traders are taking long positions, a sign of positive sentiment within Bitcoin’s current price range.
Bitcoin price chart
Chart via the Investing News Network.
Bitcoin price performance, August 17, 2026.
Ether and altcoin price update
- Ethereum (ETH) was priced at US$1,906.42, trading 1.3 percent higher over the last 24 hours.
- XRP (XRP) was priced at US$0.99, trading 0.1 percent higher over the past 24 hours.
- Solana (SOL) was trading at US$75.71, trading 0.8 percent higher over the past 24 hours.
Today’s crypto news to know
Read on for a round-up of the biggest cryptomarket news
- JPMorgan cut ties with Polymarket over regulatory concerns
- OCC conditionally approves bank charter for World Liberty Financial
- BUZZ HPC, HIVE Digital share updates
- Binance plans FCA application in UK
JPMorgan cut ties with Polymarket over regulatory concerns
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) terminated its banking relationship with prediction market platform Polymarket last year October due to regulatory concerns, people familiar with the matter told the Financial Times.
The bank cut ties as prediction markets surged in popularity following the 2024 US presidential election and attracted intense scrutiny from state and federal regulators.
A Polymarket spokesperson strongly disputed suggestions of a rift, stating the company maintains close operational integrations and handles customer fund flows with JPMorgan across multiple entities.
The spokesperson highlighted that Polymarket’s CEO spoke at three flagship JPMorgan events during the past year.
New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin recently accused major prediction market startups of using predatory marketing practices that target young traders. Meanwhile, New York’s attorney general sued rival prediction platform Kalshi last month for violating state gambling laws.
OCC conditionally approves bank charter for World Liberty Financial
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) conditionally approved a national trust bank charter application for World Liberty Trust Company, a venture linked to President Donald Trump and his family.
The federal charter allows World Liberty Trust to directly issue its USD1 stablecoin, manage customer reserves, and handle nationwide asset custody under direct OCC supervision.
World Liberty previously relied on crypto firm BitGo to manage custody and issuance for its US$4 billion USD1 stablecoin, which now ranks as the fourth-largest stablecoin by market capitalization.
To satisfy regulatory conditions, the OCC required non-US investors and Trump family members, including Eric Trump, to sign passivity agreements promising not to exert operational control over the bank.
The OCC also mandated that World Liberty Trust maintain at least US$20 million in capital, hire an internal audit manager, and report any major business plan changes.
Democratic lawmakers condemned the charter approval as a severe conflict of interest for Trump-appointed Comptroller Jonathan Gould.
BUZZ HPC, HIVE Digital share updates
HIVE Digital Technologies (TSXV:HIVE,NASDAQ:HIVE) and its subsidiary BUZZ HPC announced updates on Monday.
First, BUZZ HPC said it secured a five year, US$350 million contract with an enterprise customer in a deal that adds US$70 million in annualized revenue (ARR), bringing its total to US$180 million. The partnership involves deploying a dedicated AI cluster of over 2,000 NVIDIA GPUs powered by renewable energy in BC.
Additionally, HIVE reported US$79.1 million in revenue, an increase of 73.5 percent year-on-year, and US$13.4 million in adjusted EBITDA, though it recorded a US$142.9 million GAAP net loss, largely due to a contested tax assessment.
The company is expanding its operational capacity to 540 megawatts by Q4 and growing its digital currency revenue.
Binance plans FCA application in UK
Cryptocurrency exchange Binance plans to apply for a Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) license to relaunch certain UK services in 2027, according to the Telegraph. A string of regulatory crackdowns from the FCA has previously hindered efforts to function in Britain. The FCA banned Binance’s UK arm from regulated activities in June 2021, and Binance halted onboarding new UK users in 2023 over financial promotion rules.
Additionally, Binance is reportedly being investigated by US authorities over claims it allowed Iran to evade sanctions and transfer billions to finance the Revolutionary Guard.
Law enforcement documents reviewed by Reuters on Monday also show Russian investigators used Binance-supplied data as evidence against IT specialist Yuri Belenkiy, who was detained in September 2025 and awaits trial in Russia.
Russia’s Investigative Committee claims Belenkiy transferred over US$700 in crypto between January 2023 and March 2024 to Ukraine’s military and the banned Azov Brigade.
At the request of Russian authorities, Binance provided Belenkiy’s transaction records, contact details, address, date of birth, passport number and copies of his Russian passport and Bulgarian residency permit.
Binance has not issued a formal statement on application speculation or existing UK operations.
Under the FCA’s new framework, applications are open from September through February 28, 2027, ahead of an Octotber 25, 2027, launch. FCA Executive Director David Geale stated that the rules will align crypto firms with standards for traditional financial services.
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Technology for real-time news updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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