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Texas moves to rein in data-center growth, putting 20% of U.S. pipeline at risk

Texas’ data-center moratorium threatens to delay roughly 20% of the U.S. project pipeline, according to BloombergNEF. The policy adds friction to a buildout already strained by grid interconnection timelines, power pricing, and permitting.

For investors, the key question is whether this becomes a one-off pause or a longer structural constraint that raises costs for AI-heavy cloud operators and the infrastructure suppliers that serve them.

Source: SeekingAlpha


Clarity Act heads toward a September Senate vote after procedural delay

The U.S. Senate has advanced the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act toward consideration after an August delay, with a procedural cloture vote scheduled for Sept. 15. That vote is not the final passage decision, but it’s the gatekeeper step for whether the bill can move toward debate.

Negotiators still disagree on ethics provisions, illicit-finance protections, and language tied to the Agriculture Committee. For crypto markets and compliance teams, the bigger near-term impact is signaling: whether Congress can realistically assemble the bipartisan votes needed before the calendar tightens.

Source: FinanceFeeds


Circle expands USDC distribution on OKX’s X Layer with native support and CCTP

Circle launched native USDC on OKX’s Ethereum-compatible layer-2 network X Layer, along with its Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol (CCTP). The goal is to simplify liquidity and reduce reliance on wrapped token mechanics by moving native USDC across supported chains via burn-and-mint.

This matters for DeFi and payment use cases that depend on deep dollar liquidity, especially when networks compete on distribution, not just token issuance. Expect the commercial test to hinge on whether X Layer attracts sustained application activity—not just technical availability.

Source: FinanceFeeds


CFTC warns prediction markets against “American-style” sports betting odds—raising compliance stakes

The CFTC issued guidance to regulated prediction market operators cautioning against practices that could look too similar to traditional sports betting, including how odds are presented to customers. The agency’s focus is not merely cosmetics; it cites research suggesting wagering-style formats can encourage different risk behavior.

The warning also intensifies the broader jurisdiction dispute over who regulates event contracts—federal derivatives oversight or state gambling rules. Even if products remain within federal frameworks, operator marketing and UI/UX choices may face new constraints.

Source: FinanceFeeds


Bybit wins expedited discovery in $1.5B North Korea-linked hack case

Bybit secured expedited court authority to trace and pursue North Korea-linked stolen crypto from a 2025 theft attributed to the Lazarus Group. The move allows information requests from third parties before standard discovery would typically begin, aiming to identify intermediaries and potentially freeze assets.

However, the court record suggests only a small fraction of the original funds remains linked to identifiable wallets, with mixers, bridges, and OTC flows sharply reducing traceability over time. The case underscores how quickly recovery prospects can decay—making speed central to asset recovery litigation.

Source: FinanceFeeds


Berkshire Hathaway Q2: operating earnings up, cash pile down amid buybacks

Berkshire’s second-quarter operating earnings rose 16% year over year, while the company’s cash balance fell to about $365.5B amid ongoing stock buybacks and investment activity. The quarter also reflected a major investment gain driving reported profit higher.

For markets, the headline is capital allocation: Berkshire appears willing to keep deploying capital even as it maintains a very large liquidity buffer. Investors will watch whether the shift continues under Greg Abel’s stewardship and how that interacts with valuation levels across Berkshire’s holdings.

Source: SeekingAlpha


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Business — August 9, 2026 | Briefing24