Author: Charlotte

Key Highlights Avalanche blockchain powers FIFA’s innovative ticketing infrastructure for the 2026 World Cup to combat scalping and fraud Two distinct digital tokens enable the system: Right-to-Buy (RTB) for purchase priority and Right-to-Ticket (RTT) for conversion to actual tickets More than 100,000 RTBs distributed with secondary trading volume exceeding $25 million across both token types The platform allows FIFA to capture valuable fan data and reduce dependence on external resale marketplaces like StubHub and SeatGeek On the pitch, Colombia sits atop Group K following a commanding 3-1 victory against Uzbekistan The 2026 FIFA World Cup represents a landmark moment for…

Teddington School has become the first school in Richmond borough to receive a new clean air accreditation, with it achieving gold status. The Clean Air School Accreditation programme supports schools to raise awareness of air pollution among their pupils, families, and wider communities, and recognises those that show a real commitment to improving air quality in their local area. The award was announced as Richmond marked national Clean Air Day today (Thursday, 18 June).Councillor Alexander Ehmann, deputy leader and chair of the transport and air quality committee, said: “This gold status is brilliant recognition for Teddington School. “Staff and pupils…

U.S. regulators have proposed requiring certain payment stablecoin issuers to verify customer identities under a new rule issued as part of the GENIUS Act framework. Summary U.S. regulators have proposed requiring certain payment stablecoin issuers to adopt customer identification programs similar to those used by banks and credit unions. The proposed GENIUS Act rule would require issuers to verify customer identities while treating permitted payment stablecoin issuers as financial institutions under the Bank Secrecy Act. Regulators said secondary market stablecoin transactions generally would not trigger customer identification requirements, limiting the rules to direct relationships between issuers and customers. The Federal…

Lion Group Holding Ltd. (NASDAQ: LGHL) has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to acquire Aquila Hash, a U.S.-based developer and operator of AI infrastructure platforms, as the company seeks to expand its presence in one of the fastest-growing segments of the artificial intelligence market. Under the proposed transaction, Lion Group would acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Aquila Hash. Financial terms have not been disclosed and will be determined through future definitive agreements. The deal remains subject to due diligence, negotiation of final transaction documents and customary closing conditions. Lion Group noted that the memorandum of…

Key Highlights Fidelity unveils money market fund designed for GENIUS Act compliance Reserve fund invests in Treasuries, cash, and government securities Traditional finance firms compete for stablecoin reserve business New product extends Fidelity’s digital asset market presence Federal legislation creates opportunities for asset management industry Fidelity has introduced a specialized money market fund targeting stablecoin issuers who need compliant reserve solutions under the GENIUS Act framework. The Fidelity Reserves Digital Fund invests in cash holdings, short-duration Treasury securities, repurchase agreements, and government-backed money market instruments. This initiative positions Fidelity as a significant player in the emerging regulated stablecoin reserve sector.…

TL;DR:Significant Stablecoin Growth, But No “ChatGPT-Style” Boom Yet: Since the crypto market peak in September 2025, total stablecoin supply has grown from approximately $286 billion to roughly $316 billion — an increase of about 10.6%. While cumulative growth exceeds 50% when measured from the start of 2025, the sector as a whole still does not exhibit the exponential diffusion characteristic of ChatGPT’s early stages.Essentially an On-Chain Extension of the USD System: Mainstream stablecoins are pegged to assets like US dollar cash and short-term Treasuries via a 100% reserve mechanism. Their core function is migrating USD payment and settlement pathways onto blockchain networks,…

Here’s what you’ll learn when you read this story:A redevelopment project near a stream in the Netherlands revealed over 3,000 artifacts spanning from the Stone Age to World War II.Experts labeled 600 of the finds “of particular significance,” meaning that researchers have a bounty of pieces to investigate more fully.Most of the artifacts were small, but many are in “exceptionally good condition” and highlight cultural evolution over centuries.A nondescript Dutch valley has become a treasure trove of world history, with researchers churning up over 3,000 artifacts spanning the Stone Age to World War II. Experts unearthed ancient tools, a shockingly…

China defended its ​export control measures on critical mineral ‌supplies ​and urged the Group of Seven nations to respect market economy principles and international trading rules rather ‌favouring “small cliques”, its foreign ministry said on Thursday.The remarks followed an agreement by G7 leaders on Wednesday to step up coordination to cut their countries’ reliance on China ‌for critical minerals and including plans to align stockpiling and expand the ‌role of the International Energy Agency. “China’s efforts to standardise and improve its export control system are in line with international practices,” foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a regular briefing.”The…

ETF asset classes Equity continued to dominate ETF flows, pulling in $8.7 billion in May, down slightly from $9.6 billion in April but still more than double the $3.9 billion seen in May 2025. Bond ETFs added $2.6 billion, nearly double April’s $1.4 billion, while balanced and specialty ETFs brought in $1.1 billion and $1.0 billion respectively. Money market ETFs added $183 million. ETF assets by category at the end of May stood at $568.9 billion for equity, $162.5 billion for bond, $49.0 billion for balanced and $42.9 billion for specialty, with money market ETFs holding $36.4 billion. Year to…

Gold Prices Slipped, Reflecting A Decrease Of 0.43% Silver saw a sharper decline, trading at $69.11 per ounce (around Rs2,09,747 per kg), down 2.25%. Gaurav Garg, Research analyst, Lemonn markets desk.Mumbai, 18 June 2026: In today’s commodity market update, gold prices slipped to $4,340.10 per ounce (approximately Rs1,31,730 per 10 grams), reflecting a decrease of 0.43%, while silver saw a sharper decline, trading at $69.11 per ounce (around Rs2,09,747 per kg), down 2.25%. The downturn in precious metals can be attributed to a strengthening US dollar and easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which have led to a more cautious sentiment…