Bitcoin Mining Power Shifts as US Public Miners Lose Ground in Q1 2026

A blockchain analytics firm has detected cross-chain money laundering patterns that resemble previous North Korean state-linked operations. **Key findings:** - Tracing challenges specific to Solana network identified - Patterns mirror known North Korean crypto operations - Cross-chain laundering techniques observed The discovery highlights ongoing difficulties in tracking illicit crypto flows across different blockchain networks, particularly on Solana where transaction tracing presents unique technical obstacles.

A crypto asset manager reports that investors are currently cautious due to ongoing Middle East tensions. However, the firm notes that cryptocurrency valuations remain resilient despite geopolitical uncertainty. **Key observations:** - Market participants are taking a wait-and-see approach - Valuations have held up relatively well during the uncertainty - Structural adoption trends continue to develop in the background The asset manager suggests these factors could position the market for potential growth once geopolitical concerns ease.

Coinbase's agentic commerce protocol **x402** has secured backing from major tech companies including **Google, Cloudflare, and Stripe**. The protocol represents Coinbase's continued push into on-chain payment infrastructure, building on their earlier Coinbase Commerce platform that enabled merchants to accept cryptocurrency payments. **Key supporters:** - Google - Cloudflare - Stripe This coalition of major technology companies signals growing institutional interest in blockchain-based commerce solutions. The x402 protocol aims to facilitate automated, agent-driven transactions on-chain. The development marks a significant step in bridging traditional tech infrastructure with cryptocurrency payment systems.

A regulated bank has launched a new service allowing companies to hold traditional dollars, convert them to stablecoins, and transfer funds instantly. This development builds on earlier moves by wallet providers to simplify international transfers through automatic dollar-to-stablecoin conversion. **Key features:** - Companies can maintain dollar balances within the bank - Instant conversion to stablecoins when needed - All transactions occur within a regulated banking environment - Enables faster cross-border payments The service represents a bridge between traditional banking and digital assets, offering businesses the stability of regulated institutions while accessing the speed advantages of blockchain-based transfers.

A new testnet built with D-Wave's quantum computing hardware and expertise has attracted **13,000 sign-ups** and engagement from **six research teams**. **Key Details:** - Platform developed with advice and hardware access from quantum computing company D-Wave - Currently operates as an experimental testnet, not a production mainnet - Designed for controlled testing of blockchain and emerging infrastructure technologies - Serves as a sandbox environment before potential wider deployment The testnet represents an early exploration of how quantum computing capabilities might integrate with blockchain systems, though it remains firmly in the research and development phase. The significant number of sign-ups suggests strong interest from the developer and research community in quantum-enabled blockchain infrastructure. The platform continues D-Wave's involvement in blockchain experimentation, building on infrastructure established for testing emerging technologies in controlled environments.