The post Exclusive: India’s Crypto Future Hinges on Clarity, Not Just Taxes — CoinSwitch Co-founder Speaks appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

India’s crypto story is moving forward, but not without friction. In an exclusive conversation with Coinpedia, Ashish Singhal, Co-founder CoinSwitch, breaks down where things stand, from CBDCs and UPI dominance to Budget 2026, taxation, and why startups are quietly looking offshore.

UPI Dominates, But CBDC Plays a Different Game

Singhal makes it clear that India isn’t lacking payment solutions. Unified Payments Interface has already made transactions effortless, whether it’s paying vendors or splitting bills.

But CBDC isn’t competing with UPI. It’s something deeper.

He explains that a CBDC is essentially digital cash issued by the central bank, like a ₹100 note, but on your phone. Its real strength lies in targeted use cases. Government subsidies can be programmed for specific spending, and emergency funds can reach citizens instantly without intermediaries.

In his words, UPI is the “road,” while CBDC becomes a new “vehicle” running on it. For users, the experience may not change, but the backend becomes far more powerful.

Budget 2026: Clarity Without Relief

India Budget 2026 kept crypto taxes unchanged, continuing with one of the toughest regimes globally.

Singhal doesn’t see this as an attempt to kill retail participation, but rather to control it. The framework has brought clarity and improved traceability, even if high taxes and 1% TDS have pushed some activity offshore.

He suggests the government is prioritizing responsible investing and compliance first. But going forward, a more balanced tax structure, aligned with other asset classes, could unlock real growth while keeping innovation within India.

Startups Are Watching… and Moving

Moreover, regulatory ambiguity remains a bigger concern than taxes.

Singhal points out that many Web3 founders are drifting toward hubs like Dubai, Singapore, and Hong Kong, where clearer rules make it easier to access banking, capital, and partnerships.

India still has a strong advantage, its massive developer base and user market. But without clear and proportionate regulation, that edge could slowly erode.

Bitcoin ETFs and What Comes Next

On the question of Bitcoin ETFs, Singhal takes a grounded view.

He says India is still figuring out the basics, how crypto assets are classified, who regulates them, and how investors are protected. Products like ETFs will only come after that foundation is set.

Still, global momentum, especially after U.S. ETF approvals, is hard to ignore. Institutional demand in India is already building, particularly among investors seeking exposure without directly holding crypto.

Why Regulation Is Slower Than Adoption

Singhal ends with a reality check.

Crypto isn’t just another sector; it touches capital controls, taxation, AML, and financial stability. That means multiple regulators are involved, which naturally slows things down.

India, he says, is taking a “risk-first” approach, building guardrails through taxation and compliance while watching how global frameworks evolve.

Adoption, meanwhile, doesn’t wait. It’s market-driven, fast, and already ahead of policy.

And that gap, between speed and structure, is where India’s crypto future will ultimately be decided.

The post XRP Could Lead the Tokenization Boom, Says Evernorth CEO appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Tokenization is moving from a niche concept to a mainstream financial trend, and industry leaders believe the shift could happen faster than expected.

Speaking at the XRP Las Vegas event, Evernorth CEO Asheesh Birla said tokenization is no longer just an emerging idea, it is becoming the future standard for how assets are issued, traded, and managed.

He compared the current stage of tokenization to the early internet era, when people used to ask whether businesses were online. Eventually, being on the internet became normal. Birla believes the same transformation is coming for tokenized assets.

“Within the next two years, people won’t ask if assets are tokenized—they will simply expect it,” he said.

Why Tokenization Could Become the Default

Today, asset tokenization remains limited, with adoption still in the early stages. However, better blockchain infrastructure, rising institutional participation, and growing investor awareness are accelerating the shift.

Tokenization allows traditional assets such as stocks, bonds, real estate, and gold to be represented on blockchain networks. This improves settlement speed, liquidity, transparency, and accessibility for both retail and institutional investors.

According to Birla, this transition is happening quickly as major financial firms increase their focus on blockchain-based finance.

Is XRP a Good Investment?

Birla said XRP is well-positioned to benefit because its ecosystem was built for financial use cases from the start.

He explained that XRP has always focused on payments, cross-border settlements, and liquidity management, key areas that directly connect with tokenized finance.

“I do believe that XRP is going to be a leader there,” Birla said.

He added that the market is now beginning to recognize the original purpose behind XRP and its role in institutional finance.

XRP DeFi Growth Could Expand Utility

Birla also highlighted growing opportunities in XRP-based decentralized finance (DeFi).

He pointed to projects like Flare and Axelar, along with native developments on the XRP Ledger, as major growth drivers.

These projects could create new yield opportunities, improve interoperability, and bring more builders into the XRP ecosystem.

He stressed that long-term success depends on stronger developer activity and more on-chain financial products.

JPMorgan, BlackRock, and Franklin Templeton Expand Tokenization Push

The strongest signal, according to Birla, is coming from major institutions.

He said financial giants such as JPMorgan Chase, BlackRock, and Franklin Templeton are no longer testing tokenization through small pilot programs.

Instead, they are creating dedicated divisions focused entirely on tokenized assets and blockchain finance.

“It is not a matter of pilots anymore. We are starting entire divisions,” he said.

This suggests that traditional finance is preparing for large-scale adoption, with trillions of dollars potentially moving into tokenized markets.

Crypto Exposure in Portfolios Expected to Rise

Birla also expects crypto allocations in investment portfolios to grow significantly over time.

Currently, many portfolios maintain around 1% exposure to crypto assets. He believes this will increase through two major paths:

• More investors directly holding crypto assets
• Greater adoption of tokenized traditional assets like equities and gold

This would create a blended financial system where digital assets and traditional investments exist side by side.

“More and more people are going to want exposure,” he said.

XRP and Tokenized Finance

As tokenization moves from theory to real-world implementation, XRP could become one of the biggest beneficiaries.

With institutional adoption rising, blockchain infrastructure improving, and traditional finance entering the market at scale, the shift toward tokenized assets is accelerating.

If Birla’s outlook proves correct, XRP may not just participate in that future, it could help define it.

The post Bitcoin ETF Inflows Surge as BlackRock Adds $284M in One Day appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Bitcoin is quietly pulling big money back into the market as institutional investors increase exposure through spot Bitcoin ETFs. Asset management giant BlackRock is leading the latest wave of inflows, showing renewed confidence in Bitcoin as a long-term hedge.

On May 1 alone, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded a massive $629.8 million in inflows, with BlackRock contributing $284.4 million. At the same time, XRP and Solana ETFs saw outflows, signaling that investors are moving away from higher-risk altcoins and choosing Bitcoin as the safer crypto investment.

U.S. Spot Bitcoin ETF Inflows Hit $629.8 Million

The strong inflow marks one of the biggest single-day moves for Bitcoin ETFs in 2026. It also follows a powerful April, when Bitcoin ETFs collectively added $2.44 billion, making it the strongest month of the year so far.

BlackRock played a major role in April’s rally as well, reportedly purchasing nearly $2 billion worth of Bitcoin during the month. Market tracker Ash Crypto described this as a “strong start to May,” showing that institutional demand for Bitcoin remains strong.

This trend confirms that large financial institutions continue to use Bitcoin ETFs as their preferred entry point into the crypto market.

BlackRock Bitcoin Holdings Cross 810,000 BTC

The institutional strategy is becoming clearer as BlackRock now holds more than 810,000 BTC and manages over $50 billion in Bitcoin-related assets.

This demand is coming from pension funds, wealth advisors, and long-term capital allocators who increasingly view Bitcoin as a macro hedge against inflation, currency risks, and global economic uncertainty.

Even with Bitcoin trading near $78,000, accumulation remains strong. This suggests investors are focused on long-term value rather than short-term price speculation.

Fidelity and Institutional Investors Support Bitcoin ETF Growth

Alongside BlackRock, Fidelity Investments also posted strong inflows, adding $213.4 million.

This shows that major institutions are not slowing down. Instead, they are continuing to build positions in Bitcoin while reducing exposure to more volatile crypto assets like XRP and Solana.

The contrast highlights a growing market preference for Bitcoin over altcoins in the current investment cycle.

Bitcoin ETFs Recover Quickly After Recent Outflows

The latest inflow surge is even more significant because it comes after Bitcoin ETFs experienced a short three-day outflow streak.

Instead of signaling weakness, the market quickly reversed. BlackRock and Fidelity consistently absorbed selling pressure from other funds, showing strong institutional conviction.

Trading activity also remained healthy, with daily ETF volumes staying above $1.4 billion and total Bitcoin ETF assets once again crossing $100 billion.

This recovery strengthens confidence that institutional demand is supporting Bitcoin’s price stability.

Is the Traditional Bitcoin Four-Year Cycle Breaking?

Blockchain intelligence platform Arkham notes that Bitcoin has historically followed a four-year cycle:

• Accumulation phase
• Pre-halving rally
• Post-halving price surge
• Bear market correction

However, the rise of spot Bitcoin ETFs, institutional capital, and macro liquidity is creating debate around whether this traditional cycle is changing.

Bitcoin may become less dependent on old halving patterns and more influenced by ETF demand, interest rates, and global liquidity conditions.

The post Taiwan Pushes Bitcoin Reserve Strategy to Reduce Dollar Dependence appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Taiwan is stepping deeper into crypto policy discussions as lawmaker Dr. Ko Ju-Chun presented a proposal to add Bitcoin to the country’s national reserves. The report, backed by the Bitcoin Policy Institute, was delivered directly to Premier Cho Jung-tai and central bank Governor Yang Chin-long during a formal Legislative Yuan session.

This move signals a clear shift, bringing Bitcoin from theory into serious government-level consideration.

Why Taiwan Is Looking at Bitcoin Reserve Strategy

Taiwan currently holds around $602 billion in foreign exchange reserves, with over 80% tied to U.S. dollar assets. This heavy concentration has raised concerns about exposure to geopolitical risks and currency instability.

Dr. Ko urged the government to explore allocating a portion of these reserves into Bitcoin as a strategic hedge. He also asked the central bank to submit a new report within one month on stablecoins and digital asset reserves.

As BPI researcher Jacob Langenkamp explained, “Taiwan faces a unique convergence of geopolitical risk and reserve concentration,” adding that Bitcoin could remain accessible even in extreme scenarios where traditional assets are restricted.

Bitcoin’s Strategic Advantage

The core argument behind the proposal is simple. Bitcoin offers decentralization and resistance to seizure. Unlike gold or fiat reserves, it does not rely on physical transport or a single government system.

Sam Lyman highlighted the importance of the move, saying, “Dr. Ko’s decision… demonstrates the seriousness with which Taiwan’s lawmakers are evaluating Bitcoin as a strategic asset.”

This positions Bitcoin as more than just an investment; it’s being framed as a national security tool.

Central Bank Still Not Sure

Despite the momentum, Taiwan’s central bank remains careful. It had previously rejected Bitcoin in 2025 due to concerns over volatility, liquidity, and custody risks.

However, the stance is evolving. The bank has already begun testing digital assets through a sandbox using seized Bitcoin, suggesting openness to further exploration.

What Happens Next

The proposal now moves to the executive branch and the central bank for review. Their response could shape not just Taiwan’s strategy, but also influence how other nations approach Bitcoin reserves in the future.

The post Ethereum Hack Hits 500 Long-Dormant Wallets, $800K Lost appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

A new security incident has shaken the crypto space after more than 500 long-dormant Ethereum wallets were suddenly drained, resulting in losses of nearly $800,000. The attack, first flagged by analyst WazzCrypto, is raising deeper concerns about old wallet vulnerabilities and long-forgotten private key exposure.

Old Ethereum Wallets Become New Targets

The affected wallets had been inactive for years, with many untouched for four to eight years. Despite their inactivity, attackers managed to move over 260 ETH, worth around $600,000, into a single address labeled Fake_Phishing2831105 on Etherscan.

From there, funds were further routed, including a transfer of 324.741 ETH to THORChain Router v4.1.1, suggesting attempts to obscure or redistribute the stolen assets.

What makes this case unusual is that these were not active wallets or recent phishing victims. Instead, they were quiet, long-held accounts, indicating the vulnerability may have existed for years before being exploited.

What Caused the Breach?

The exact cause is still unclear, but several possible reasons are being discussed.

Possible causes include:

• Stolen seed phrases
• Weak private key creation in older wallet tools
• Exposure through outdated wallet software
• Leaked details from password managers
• Unsafe storage of recovery phrases

Some users also pointed to older storage habits, where seed phrases were saved in insecure places, making them easier to access later.

Unlike common DeFi hacks, where a smart contract problem can be found, this case appears linked to wallet access itself, making it harder to trace.

As analyst WazzCrypto noted, “These were not active wallets, which makes the incident far more concerning for long-term holders.”

April’s Exploit Wave Gets Worse

This wallet drain comes during a particularly volatile period for crypto security. April alone saw around 28 to 30 major incidents, with total losses exceeding $635 million, according to DeFiLlama-linked data.

Recent attacks, including exploits involving admin keys, bridge verification failures, and signer workflows, highlight a recurring issue: security weaknesses often lie outside the visible smart contract layer.

What Users Should Do Now

The incident highlights a key risk that inactive wallets are not safe if their keys are compromised. Users with older wallets should move funds to new secure setups and avoid entering seed phrases into unknown tools or services.

Community Reaction 

The Reddit community reaction is largely split between concern and skepticism. Many users see this as a serious wake-up call, arguing that old wallets being drained proves how fragile crypto security still is and why mass adoption remains slow. Others believe the attacker likely had access to private keys, pointing to weak early wallet tools or poor key storage practices. 

A smaller group even questions whether it was an “attack” at all, suggesting it could be the original owner consolidating funds, though most dismiss that, given the laundering patterns. 

Overall, the sentiment leans cautious, with growing anxiety around long-term wallet safety and self-custody risks.

The post CLARITY Act Update: Senate Makes Big Decision on Stablecoin Yield Rewards appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

The long-running battle over stablecoin yield rules in the Digital Asset Market Structure CLARITY Act has finally reached a turning point, with the final text now public and a compromise in place between banks and the crypto industry. 

The update, first reported by Punchbowl News, resolves one of the most contentious issues in the bill just weeks before a critical Senate markup expected in mid-May.

Yield Debate Ends With a Split Decision

At the center of the agreement is a clear line: passive yield is out, activity-based rewards stay.

The final text, shaped by Senators Thom Tillis and Angela Alsobrooks, bans rewards that are “economically or functionally equivalent” to deposit interest. In simple terms, stablecoin issuers and platforms can no longer offer passive, bank-like returns just for holding assets.

However, rewards tied to actual usage, such as payments, transfers, or on-chain activity, remain protected. The structure also closes loopholes that could have allowed firms to bypass restrictions through affiliates.

Crypto Industry Claims a Strategic Win

Despite tighter restrictions, major voices in the crypto space framed the outcome as a net positive. Coinbase Chief Policy Officer Faryar Shirzad said the industry managed to protect what truly matters.

“The ability for Americans to earn rewards, based on real usage of crypto platforms and networks,” he said, calling the compromise a step forward for innovation and U.S. competitiveness.

Coinbase’s Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal echoed that view, arguing that much of the earlier debate was driven by “imagined risks” rather than how crypto systems actually function. He added that preserving activity-based rewards aligns with what even bank lobbyists initially pushed for.

Not Everyone Is Fully Convinced

Still, concerns remain. Ji Kim of the Crypto Council for Innovation warned that the restrictions go “far beyond” earlier proposals like the GENIUS Act, potentially limiting consumer incentives and weakening U.S. leadership in a global market where most crypto activity already happens offshore.

At the same time, policymakers are balancing these concerns with broader systemic risks, particularly fears around deposit flight from traditional banks.

What Comes Next

With the yield issue largely settled, attention now shifts to unresolved areas, including DeFi provisions, ethics rules for officials, and aligning the Senate bill with the House version.

Crypto analyst Adam Minehardt noted that the mid-May markup is now “in full view,” with the key question being whether bipartisan support will hold.

After months of negotiations involving the White House, U.S. Treasury, and Senate leaders, the CLARITY Act is entering its final stretch. For the industry, this moment could define how innovation, regulation, and capital flow into crypto markets in the years ahead.