From Solo Mining Wins to Institutional Flows: What’s New in Crypto

The cryptocurrency landscape continues to shift rapidly, marked by unexpected wins, regulatory advancements, and major institutional movements.

In this week’s Paybis roundup, we explore how a solo miner beat staggering odds, why Bitcoin is under downward pressure, and how regulators and major financial institutions are reshaping the sector. Let’s dive into the stories defining this week’s market momentum.

Solo Bitcoin Miner Wins 3.146 BTC (~$266K)

A hobbyist miner operating a small solo rig pulled off an extremely rare feat by successfully mining a full Bitcoin block, earning 3.146 BTC, worth about $266,000.

Despite running at just a tiny fraction of the hash rate that large industrial miners use, this solo setup beat the outsized odds, demonstrating that luck still plays a role in mining. The block was confirmed by a mining pool, which noted how uncommon such solo wins are in today’s landscape.

Bitcoin Slips Below $93,000 Amid Profit-Taking

Bitcoin’s price dipped under the $93,000 mark last week, pressured by rising liquidations and short-term profit-taking. Some traders were closing positions to lock in gains, while ETF outflows added to the downward pressure. Analysts suggest that this drop may reflect short-term mechanical moves rather than a broad-based loss of confidence.

Japan Approves $135 B Stimulus – Implications for Crypto

Japan’s government has approved a sweeping ¥21.3 trillion (roughly $135 billion) stimulus package aimed at fueling economic growth. The plan includes substantial general spending and tax cuts to boost domestic demand amid economic uncertainty. However, the package has triggered concerns among investors: the yen weakened, and government bond yields are climbing.

Binance’s Crime-Fighting Role Highlighted by Analysts

Binance is being credited by security experts for playing a central role in reducing illicit activity across the crypto space. Through robust collaboration with law enforcement, Binance’s investigations team has helped track suspicious transactions and freeze ill-gotten assets.

The exchange has also invested heavily in compliance infrastructure and training programs for regulators and law enforcement around the world.

Ethereum Proposes a Unified Layer-2 Experience

The Ethereum Foundation has put forward a concept called the Ethereum Interoperability Layer (EIL), designed to bring together multiple Layer-2 networks under a single, seamless experience.

By leveraging account abstraction, EIL would allow users to authorize cross-chain transactions with a single signature, eliminating reliance on external relayers. If implemented, EIL could dramatically reduce friction for users navigating between rollups.

US Regulators Allow Banks to Hold Crypto for Network Fees

US regulators have clarified that national banks can hold crypto assets, but specifically for the purpose of paying blockchain transaction (gas) fees, not for speculative trading. This guidance marks a big step for banks that want to support on-chain services internally. The restriction to “reasonably foreseeable” operational needs ensures holdings are used for business functions, not investment.

Harvard Triples Its BlackRock Bitcoin ETF Holdings

Harvard University has significantly increased its exposure to Bitcoin via BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust, tripling its stake to around $442.8 million. This move signals strong institutional confidence in Bitcoin as a long-term strategic asset. Though it’s still a modest portion of Harvard’s overall endowment, the scale of the investment is noteworthy.

First-Ever $100 Million Bitcoin-Backed Municipal Bond Approved

In a groundbreaking step, a US municipal authority has approved a $100 million bond backed by Bitcoin, making it one of the first in the world. This bond structure allows companies to borrow against over-collateralized Bitcoin held in trusted custody, providing a bridge between traditional finance and digital assets.

The deal does not put the state on the hook for risk – instead, the bond is asset-backed, with built-in protections like automated liquidation if collateral value drops.

GANA Payment Project Exploited – $3.1 Million Lost

A hacker exploited a vulnerability in the GANA Payment protocol on Binance Smart Chain, draining more than $3.1 million from its smart contracts. The attack reportedly manipulated the contract’s ownership controls, enabling the attacker to misuse the unstake function and extract large amounts of tokens. Stolen funds were moved through Tornado Cash and bridged to Ethereum, with part of the assets still held in a dormant wallet.

Jeff Bezos Returns as Co-CEO of $6.2 B AI Startup

Jeff Bezos is stepping back into a major operational role as co-CEO of a new AI company called Project Prometheus, which has secured $6.2 billion in funding. The startup will focus on applying AI to physical industries, including manufacturing, aerospace, computing, and more, rather than just software-based applications. He’ll share leadership with Vik Bajaj, a physicist and chemist who previously worked at Google’s X lab.

About Paybis

Paybis is a global cryptocurrency exchange platform that provides fast, secure, and user-friendly digital asset transactions. Founded in 2014, the company specializes in fiat-to-crypto and crypto-to-fiat conversions, enabling users to buy, sell, and swap Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies using various payment methods, including credit/debit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets.

With a strong focus on security and compliance, Paybis is registered with regulatory authorities and implements industry-leading AML/KYC procedures. The platform is known for its intuitive interface, 24/7 customer support, and competitive exchange rates, making it a preferred choice for both beginners and experienced traders.

Wrapping Up

This week showcased the full spectrum of crypto’s unpredictability – from a solo miner’s extraordinary windfall to volatility dragging Bitcoin below key price levels. Regulatory actions in the US and Japan, alongside Ethereum’s ambitious interoperability plans, signal that the industry continues to mature despite short-term market turbulence.

Meanwhile, Harvard’s growing Bitcoin ETF allocation highlights increasing institutional conviction. Stay tuned to Paybis as we continue tracking the developments shaping the future of digital assets.

Written by

Rem Vasilenko

Rem Vasilenko is a Growth Operations Manager at Paybis. With a keen interest in FinTech, Rem brings a unique perspective to the evolving digital finance landscape. He combines his passion for FinTech with his marketing and business skills to drive innovative strategies. Find him on LinkedIn.