BitMine’s 4.3% Ethereum Stake and Tether’s $1 Billion Quarter

BitMine just bought 101,745 more Ethereum and now owns 5.18 million ETH, representing 4.3% of the entire supply. Tether reported a $1.04 billion profit for Q1 2026 with reserves growing to a record $8.23 billion. The U.S. seized nearly $500 million in Iranian crypto assets. Meanwhile, an AI model was tricked into transferring $150,000, Western Union launched a stablecoin on Solana, and Bitcoin surpassed $80,000 again. Here’s a clear look at the most important crypto and tech stories making headlines.

BitMine Now Owns 5.18 Million ETH, 4.3% of Total Supply

BitMine purchased 101,745 ETH last week, increasing total holdings to approximately 5.18 million ETH. The company now controls 4.3% of Ethereum’s entire supply.

One company owning 4.3% of all Ethereum is staggering. That’s over $10 billion worth of ETH at current prices. When a single entity accumulates this much of a major cryptocurrency, they become a systemic player who can influence markets just by moving funds.

Tether Reports $1.04 Billion Q1 Profit, Reserves Hit $8.23 Billion

Tether reported a profit of $1.04 billion for Q1 2026, with reserve buffer growing to a record $8.23 billion. The stablecoin issuer continues generating massive profits despite market volatility.

Tether making over a billion dollars in one quarter shows how profitable stablecoin issuance has become. They hold billions in Treasury bonds and other assets backing USDT. The interest and profits from those holdings create an $8 billion cushion above what they need to back circulating stablecoins.

U.S. Seizes Nearly $500 Million in Iranian Crypto Assets

The U.S. seized Iranian crypto assets worth nearly $500 million as part of Operation Economic Fury. The seizure represents one of the largest government confiscations of cryptocurrency.

Five hundred million dollars seized from Iran proves governments can track and confiscate crypto at massive scale. Operation Economic Fury shows the U.S. using crypto seizures as economic warfare. When sanctions don’t work, they go after the digital assets directly.

AI Model Tricked Into Transferring $150,000 in Tokens

An AI model named Grok was manipulated to transfer around $150,000 in DRB tokens. The exploit demonstrates vulnerabilities in AI systems with access to crypto wallets.

Someone tricked an AI into sending $150,000 by manipulating how it understood commands. AI agents controlling crypto wallets create new attack vectors. You don’t need to hack the wallet. You just need to convince the AI that it should send money somewhere.

Tether Mints 1 Billion USDT

Tether minted 1 billion USDT. The massive issuance adds significant liquidity to crypto markets and signals institutional demand for stablecoins.

One billion new USDT means a billion real dollars just entered the crypto ecosystem. Tether doesn’t randomly print stablecoins. Someone deposited a billion dollars to get these tokens. This level of minting usually precedes major buying activity.

Western Union Launches USDPT Stablecoin on Solana

Western Union launched a stablecoin, USDPT, on the Solana blockchain. The move brings one of the world’s largest money transfer companies into stablecoin issuance.

Western Union entering stablecoins is massive for mainstream adoption. They move billions in remittances annually using traditional rails. Launching USDPT on Solana means they see blockchain as cheaper and faster than their existing infrastructure.

Polymarket Fees Hit $43.36 Million in April

Polymarket fees reached $43.36 million in April, equivalent to approximately $520 million annually. The platform dominates the blockchain prediction market space.

Polymarket generating $43 million in fees in one month means they’re processing serious volume. Annualized, that’s over half a billion in fee revenue. When prediction markets reach this scale, they’re becoming real financial infrastructure.

Bitcoin Surpasses $80,000 Again

Bitcoin surpassed $80,000 once again. The price recovery shows renewed market confidence after months of decline.

Bitcoin back above $80,000 reverses the trend that saw it drop 22% in Q1. When the price crosses major psychological levels like $80K, it signals a change in sentiment. Buyers are willing to pay more again.

Tether Buys Over 6 Tons of Gold, Total Holdings Exceed 132 Tons

Tether purchased over 6 tons of gold in Q1 2026, bringing total holdings to over 132 tons. The stablecoin issuer continues diversifying reserves with physical precious metals.

Tether holding 132 tons of gold worth over $11 billion means they’re treating precious metals as a reserve asset alongside Treasury bonds. A stablecoin backed partially by gold creates interesting dynamics. If gold prices rise, Tether’s reserve buffer grows automatically.

Solana Founder Warns AI Threatens Post-Quantum Cryptography

Solana founder Anatoly Yakovenko stated that AI poses a significant threat to cryptography by finding vulnerabilities in post-quantum algorithms faster than developers can address them. The warning highlights new security challenges facing blockchain networks.

AI finding vulnerabilities faster than developers can fix them creates an arms race crypto might lose. The industry is rushing to implement post-quantum cryptography. But if AI can break those algorithms quickly, then quantum-resistant crypto might not stay resistant for long.

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

These stories show institutions accumulating crypto at unprecedented levels while new threats emerge. BitMine owns 4.3% of all Ethereum. Tether made $1 billion in one quarter and holds 132 tons of gold. Western Union launches a stablecoin. But AI models get tricked into sending $150,000. The U.S. seizes $500 million in crypto. AI threatens post-quantum cryptography. Crypto is simultaneously reaching new levels of institutional adoption and facing sophisticated new attack vectors. The industry is growing faster than security solutions can keep pace.

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.