Task – Earlybirds Invest https://earlybirdsinvest.com Latest Crypto News Fri, 29 Aug 2025 20:27:42 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.7 https://i0.wp.com/earlybirdsinvest.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/cropped-New-Project-2024-12-17T235703.455.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Task – Earlybirds Invest https://earlybirdsinvest.com 32 32 240146708 Windows 11 KB5064081 update clears up CPU usage metrics in Task Manager https://earlybirdsinvest.com/windows-11-kb5064081-update-clears-up-cpu-usage-metrics-in-task-manager/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/windows-11-kb5064081-update-clears-up-cpu-usage-metrics-in-task-manager/#respond Fri, 29 Aug 2025 20:27:41 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/windows-11-kb5064081-update-clears-up-cpu-usage-metrics-in-task-manager/

Windows 11

​​Microsoft has released the KB5064081 preview cumulative update for Windows 11 24H2, which includes thirty-six new features or changes, with many gradually rolling out. These updates include new Recall features and a new way of displaying CPU usage in Task Manager.

The KB5064081 update is part of the company’s optional non-security preview update schedule, which releases updates at the end of each month to test new fixes and features coming to the next month’s  Patch Tuesday.

Unlike regular Patch Tuesday cumulative updates, monthly non-security preview updates do not include security updates and are optional.

You can install the KB5064081 update by opening Settings, clicking on Windows Update, and then “Check for Updates.”

Because this is an optional update, you will be asked if you want to install it by clicking the “Download and install” link unless you have the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re they’re available” option enabled, which will cause the update to automatically install.

KB5064081 preview update
KB5064081 preview update
Source: BleepingComputer

You can also manually download and install the KB5064081 preview update from the Microsoft Update Catalog.

Windows 11 KB5064081 highlights

Once installed, this optional cumulative release will update Windows 11 24H2 systems to build 26100.5074.

The August 2025 preview update features numerous new additions that are gradually rolling out, including an updated method for displaying CPU workload metrics in Task Manager.

For years, Windows Task Manager’s Processes tab displayed CPU usage using a “Processor Utility” metric, which could display confusing or incorrect results.

The method ignored the number of cores a processor had, so a single, maxed-out core on a 16-core CPU could show overall usage at 100%. It also compared workload against the chip’s base clock speed rather than its actual operating frequency, so when turbo boost pushed cores above their regular speed, usage could spike beyond 100% and then get clipped in the display.

These quirks meant the numbers shown in the Processes tab usually did not match what was displayed in the Performance or Users tabs, or within third-party monitoring tools.

According to WindowsLatest, Microsoft has now standardized CPU reporting throughout Task Manager, with the Processes tab now using the same formula already used in the Performance and Users tabs.

The new CPU load is calculated as:

(Δ Process CPU Time) ÷ (Δ Elapsed Time × Logical Processors)

This updated CPU utilization formula is now rolling out with this update.

For users who prefer the legacy view, Microsoft has added an optional “CPU Utility” column in the Details tab. However, by default, Task Manager will now show consistent CPU metrics across the entire application.

The complete list of changes that are gradually rolling out includes:

  • [Recall] New! Recall opens to a personalized homepage that puts your recent activity and top-used apps and websites front and center, making it easy to pick up where you left off. After turning on snapshot collection, the homepage highlights key productivity features like Recent Snapshots, which show the latest snapshots to help you quickly resume tasks, and Top Apps and Websites, which display the three apps and websites you’ve used most in the past 24 hours. You can set filters in Settings to control which apps and websites are saved in snapshots. A new navigation bar on the leftmost side of the screen provides quick access to Home, Timeline, Feedback, and Settings.

  • [Click to Do] New! When you launch Click to Do for the first time, you’ll see a quick interactive tutorial. It shows how to complete tasks faster by demonstrating actions on both text and images—such as summarizing large blocks of text or removing image backgrounds. To revisit the tutorial later, select More options  > Start tutorial.

  • [General] New! When an app requests access to location, camera, microphone, or other device capabilities, Windows shows a redesigned system dialog box. To emphasize the privacy prompt, the screen dims slightly, and the prompt appears at the center of the screen.

  • [Taskbar] 

    • New! The larger clock with seconds is now back in the notification center, displayed above the date and calendar. To turn this option on, go to Settings > Time & language > Date & time, and turn on Show time in the Notification Center.

    • Fixed: If you accidentally click and drag your mouse across the taskbar preview thumbnail, the preview might stop working.

  • [Search on the Taskbar]

    • New! When you use Search from the Windows taskbar, a new grid view will help you more quickly and accurately identify the desired image within your search.

    • New! Search on the taskbar now provides clearer status information. If your search results are incomplete while your PC is organizing files in the background, Windows shows a notice with a link to check progress. You can dismiss the notice when you’re done. There is also a status for files and folders, so you can easily tell whether they’re available online (cloud) or stored on your device.

  • [Lock screen] New! More widget options and support for lock screen widget personalization (previously referred to as “Weather and more”) are rolling out. After initial launch with Windows Insiders in the European Economic Area (EEA), these updates are expanding to all regions. You can add, remove, and rearrange lock screen widgets such as Weather, Watchlist, Sports, Traffic, and more. Any widget that supports the small sizing option can be added. To customize your lock screen widgets, go to Settings > Personalization > Lock screen.

  • [File Explorer] ​​​​​​​

    • New! Dividers now separate top-level icons in the File Explorer context menu.

    • New!​​​​​​​ When you’re signed in with a work or school account (Entra ID), File Explorer will display people icons in the Activity column and the Recommended section at the top of File Explorer Home. Hover over or select a person’s icon to open their Microsoft 365 Live Persona Card, which shows who they are and how they’re connected to the file.

    • Fixed: If you try to use the unblock open in Properties for a file, it still shows as blocked when you open Properties the next time.

  • [Windows Hello]

    • New!​​​​​​​ As part of the enhanced passkey features released in September 2023, you’ll see a redesigned Windows Hello interface. These modernized visual updates support fast, clear communication that appear across multiple authentication flows, including the Windows sign-in screen, passkey, Recall, the Microsoft Store, and more.

       The Windows security credential experience for passkey offers a cleaner, more intuitive interface designed to support fast, secure sign-in. You can now easily switch between authentication options such as passkeys or connected devices.

    • Fixed: Windows Hello might recognize your face on the login screen, however it would still fail and then prompt you to enter your pin. If you continue experiencing issues, you might need to go to the Facial Recognition section under Settings Accounts >Sign-in options and select Improve recognition.

    • Improved: Fingerprint login after standby is now more robust.

  • [Settings] 

    • New!  Windows activation and expiration prompts match the Windows 11 design and appear as system notifications when action is required. There also have been improvements to messaging under Settings > System > Activation.

    • New! You can go to Settings > Privacy & security > Text and Image Generation to see which third-party apps have recently used generative AI models provided by Windows. You can also choose which apps are permitted to use them—putting you in charge of your device’s AI experience.

    • New! As part of the Copilot+ PC experience, the agent in Settings helps you quickly find and change settings. Initially available on Snapdragon®-powered Copilot+ PCs, agent in Settings now supports AMD- and Intel™-powered Copilot+ PCs. It currently works only when your primary display language is set to English.

    • Fixed: Settings might crash if you attempt to add a security key under Settings > Account > Sign-in options.

  • [Task Manager] New! Task Manager now uses standard metrics to show CPU workload consistently across all pages, aligning with industry standards and third-party tools. If you prefer the previous view, you can enable a new optional column called CPU Utility in the Details tab to display the earlier CPU usage value shown on the Processes page.

  • [Widgets]

    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​New! Multiple dashboards are now available in your Widgets Board. This gives you more space for your favorite widgets and helps you stay informed with a feed that connects you to current events. A new navigation bar on the left side makes it easy to switch between your widget’s dashboard and other views like the Discover feed. After initial launch in the EEA, these updates are expanding to all regions.

    • New!  A new visual experience is available for the Discover feed on the Widgets Board. The layout is more organized, personalized, and engaging. Copilot-curated stories are now included, offering a well-rounded view of each topic with summaries, videos, and images from trusted MSN premium publishers. To customize your feed, go to Widgets > Discover dashboard > Personalization settings.

  • [Windows Backup for Organizations] New!​​​​​​​ Windows Backup for Organizations is now generally available! Experience seamless device transitions with enterprise-grade backup and restore. Whether you’re refreshing your organization’s devices, upgrading to Windows 11, or deploying AI-powered PCs, this solution helps sustain productivity with minimal disruption, ensuring business continuity and organizational resilience.

  • [PowerShell 2.0] Starting in August 2025, Windows 11, version 24H2, will no longer include Windows PowerShell 2.0. This legacy component was introduced in Windows 7 and officially deprecated in 2017. Most users won’t be affected, as newer versions such as PowerShell 5.1 and PowerShell 7.x remain available and supported. If you use older scripts or tools that depend on PowerShell 2.0, update them to avoid compatibility issues.

  • [Live captions] Fixed: Changing the opacity of live captions in Settings > Accessibility > Captions > Caption Style, has no effect.

  • [Input]  

    • Fixed: Attempting to type Chinese with an IME after copying something with CTRL + C can result in the first character not displaying.

    • Fixed: An underlying issue related to textinputframework.dll could result in certain apps like Sticky Notes and Notepad crashing.

  • [dbgcore.dll] Fixed: An underlying issue with dbgcore.dll could result in certain apps, including explorer.exe, crashing.

  • [Kerberos]​​​​​​​ Fixed: There might be an underlying crash in Kerberos when attempting to access a cloud file share.

  • [Login] Improved: Addressed some underlying cases which could lead to you seeing a blank white screen, or a screen saying, “just a moment”, for a few minutes when logging into your PC.

  • [Miracast] Fixed: An issue where, on certain devices, audio would initially play but stop a few seconds after casting to a TV.

  • [Audio] Improved: Addressed an underlying audio service stops responding which could impact the ability to play audio in certain cases.

The good news is that some fixes or improvements in the KB5058502 update are available immediately:

  • [Device management] Fixed: This update addresses an issue that prevented some system recovery features from working properly due to a temporary file sharing conflict. This affected certain device management tools and disrupted key functions on some devices.

  • [File system]​​​​​​​ Fixed: An issue in Resilient File System (ReFS) where using backup apps with large files could sometimes exhaust system memory.

  • [Input]  

    • Fixed: This update addresses an issue with the Chinese (Simplified) Input Method Editor (IME) where some extended characters appear as empty boxes.

    • [Fixed This update addresses an issue that prevents typing on the touch keyboard when using the Microsoft Changjie, Microsoft Bopomofo, or Microsoft Japanese Input Method Editors (IMEs). The issue occurs after switching to a previous version of the IME.

  • [Performance] Fixed: This update addresses an issue that slows application installation on ARM64 devices. Some installers might take longer to complete.

Microsoft reports two known issues with this release: a bug that causes incorrect CertificateServicesClient (CertEnroll) errors to appear, and lag/stuttering in audio and video performance when using Network Device Interface (NDI) to stream or transfer feeds between PCs.

The company is now rolling out a fix for the CertificateServicesClient (CertEnroll) errors , but it is gradually rolling out over the next four weeks. 

The full release notes for KB5064081 can be found in this support bulletin.

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SEC’s Crypto Task Force Will Tour U.S. to Hear From Small Startups on Policy Reform https://earlybirdsinvest.com/secs-crypto-task-force-will-tour-u-s-to-hear-from-small-startups-on-policy-reform/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/secs-crypto-task-force-will-tour-u-s-to-hear-from-small-startups-on-policy-reform/#respond Sun, 03 Aug 2025 02:09:00 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/secs-crypto-task-force-will-tour-u-s-to-hear-from-small-startups-on-policy-reform/

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s new Crypto Task Force will begin a cross-country tour this month to meet with small crypto startups and expand the number of people who are heard in crypto policymaking.

Led by Commissioner Hester Peirce, the task force plans to visit 10 cities from August to December, it announced in a press release.

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The sessions are primarily aimed at crypto-related projects with fewer than 10 employees and under two years in operation. Meetings will be held in cities including Berkeley, Boston, Dallas, Chicago, and New York.

“We want to hear from people who were not able to travel for the roundtables that took place this past spring in Washington, D.C.,” Peirce said in a statement.

“The Crypto Task Force is acutely aware that any regulatory framework will have far-reaching effects, and we want to ensure that our outreach is as comprehensive as possible.”

The Crypto Task Force was launched in January under acting SEC Chair Mark Uyeda, in a bid to develop clearer regulations for the cryptocurrency industry.

Read more: SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce on the New Crypto Task Force

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SEC’s crypto task force to hit the road with 10 roundtables across the US https://earlybirdsinvest.com/secs-crypto-task-force-to-hit-the-road-with-10-roundtables-across-the-us/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/secs-crypto-task-force-to-hit-the-road-with-10-roundtables-across-the-us/#respond Fri, 01 Aug 2025 22:05:36 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/secs-crypto-task-force-to-hit-the-road-with-10-roundtables-across-the-us/

US SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce will hit the road this fall, leading a 10-city tour as part of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s new crypto outreach initiative. The regulator announced a roundtable series on Friday aimed at gathering feedback from industry stakeholders, developers and investors as the agency weighs future digital asset rules.

“The Crypto Task Force is acutely aware that any regulatory framework will have far-reaching effects, and we want to ensure that our outreach is as comprehensive as possible,” Peirce said in a statement.

The agency’s crypto task force is “particularly interested” in meeting with crypto startups less than two years old and with 10 or fewer employees. The roundtable discussions will take place between August and December.

Many of the 2025 roundtable discussions hosted by the SEC have featured input from crypto and traditional heavyweights like a16z Crypto and asset management companies BlackRock. In its previous roundtables, the crypto task force has discussed the regulation of crypto, custody, tokenization and decentralized finance.

Founded in 1934, the SEC oversees and enforces US securities laws. While the agency had an often antagonistic relationship with the crypto industry, its approach has shifted under the administration of President Donald Trump. Enforcement actions against high-profile firms such as Coinbase, Uniswap and Kraken have been dropped, and the agency is now signaling a willingness to engage in open dialogue with players.

It is unclear whether the SEC has conducted this type of outreach before or how much it will cost. The agency receives its budget through the congressional appropriations process. Cointelegraph reached out for comment but had not received a response at time of publication.

Related: Coinbase seeks SEC approval for ‘tokenized equities’ — Report

Trump’s crypto promises gain momentum

The SEC’s initiatives come months after Trump said he would make the US the “world capital of crypto.”

On July 18, Trump signed the GENIUS Act, a bill that regulates stablecoins and their issuers, a moment hailed as a win by the crypto industry. Meanwhile the CLARITY Act, a market structure bill, has passed the House of Representatives, while the Senate is considering legislation addressing similar crypto market structure issues.

Other government agencies are also following the Trump administration’s lead. In June, the Federal Reserve cut the “reputational risk” category critics say was used to debank crypto companies. The US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has eased restrictions on how banks can engage with the crypto industry.

Magazine: Trump’s crypto ventures raise conflict of interest, insider trading questions

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LINK Jumps in Price As Chainlink Labs Joins the SEC’s Crypto Task Force To Discuss Tokenized Assets https://earlybirdsinvest.com/link-jumps-in-price-as-chainlink-labs-joins-the-secs-crypto-task-force-to-discuss-tokenized-assets/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/link-jumps-in-price-as-chainlink-labs-joins-the-secs-crypto-task-force-to-discuss-tokenized-assets/#respond Sun, 20 Jul 2025 06:48:12 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/link-jumps-in-price-as-chainlink-labs-joins-the-secs-crypto-task-force-to-discuss-tokenized-assets/

The decentralized oracle network Chainlink (LINK) defied the overall crypto market dip and witnessed a mild bump in price after Chainlink Labs announced that it had joined the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Crypto Task Force.

The project announced on the social media platform X that it had joined the task force to “discuss the need for standards enabling the compliant issuance and trading of tokenized assets at scale.”

“For the blockchain industry to reach its full potential and tap institutional capital, meeting regulatory requirements is essential. Only Chainlink provides the compliance, privacy, cross-chain, and data infrastructure needed to scale digital asset adoption in a single platform.

Chainlink’s Automated Compliance Engine (ACE) enables developers and institutions to define and enforce compliance policies directly within smart contract workflows, providing a framework for tokenized assets to remain compliant with regulatory requirements as they move across the on-chain economy.”

LINK is trading at $17.49 at time of writing. The 17th-ranked crypto asset by market cap is up nearly 3% in the past 24 hours, more than 12% in the past seven days and more than 33% in the past month.

By comparison, the overall crypto market is down 3.6% in the past 24 hours, according to data from CoinGecko.

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Disclaimer: Opinions expressed at The Daily Hodl are not investment advice. Investors should do their due diligence before making any high-risk investments in Bitcoin, cryptocurrency or digital assets. Please be advised that your transfers and trades are at your own risk, and any losses you may incur are your responsibility. The Daily Hodl does not recommend the buying or selling of any cryptocurrencies or digital assets, nor is The Daily Hodl an investment advisor. Please note that The Daily Hodl participates in affiliate marketing.

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SEC Crypto Task Force head warns assets remain securities regardless of tokenization https://earlybirdsinvest.com/sec-crypto-task-force-head-warns-assets-remain-securities-regardless-of-tokenization/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/sec-crypto-task-force-head-warns-assets-remain-securities-regardless-of-tokenization/#respond Wed, 09 Jul 2025 21:18:02 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/sec-crypto-task-force-head-warns-assets-remain-securities-regardless-of-tokenization/

Hester Peirce, head of the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Crypto Task Force, said that putting securities on a blockchain “does not have magical abilities to transform the nature of the underlying asset.” 

In a July 9 statement, Peirce emphasized that tokenized shares, notes, or entitlements “are still securities,” requiring issuers, intermediaries, and traders to adhere to existing federal law when creating, selling, or transferring them.

Legal obligations

Peirce’s bulletin notes that tokenization can occur in two ways: an issuer can mint blockchain versions of its own shares, or a custodian can wrap third-party securities and issue receipts.

She warned that the second model introduces counterparty risk because the token holder depends on the custodian’s solvency and control of the underlying shares. 

Peirce urged distributors to consult the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance’s “staff statement” on disclosure duties and to meet with agency staff early if they seek bespoke exemptions.

She also flagged that the rules might classify specific token formats as “receipts for a security” or, if they lack beneficial ownership rights, as “security-based swaps” barred from off-exchange retail trading.

Peirce wrote:

“The same legal requirements apply to on- and off-chain versions of these instruments.” 

Growing on-chain stock activity

Peirce’s remarks arrive as tokenized equity volumes accelerate. Solana-based stock tokens issued under Backed Finance’s xStocks framework reached a combined market value of $48.53 million as of July 4.

Dashboard snapshots from data provider RWA.xyz show that the total surpassed the $50 million mark on July 6.

Furthermore, xStocks is now moving to other venues. BNB Chain announced that it will list Apple, Tesla, and other equity tokens as BEP-20 assets in partnership with Kraken and Backed, providing users with 24-hour access and DeFi composability.

Market participants largely welcomed the clarity. Backed Finance co-founder Adam Levi said in a statement that the company “designed xStocks to mirror traditional equity custody so regulatory treatment remains straightforward.” 

Kraken added that DeFi integrations on BNB Chain will let users post tokenized stocks as collateral without altering their securities status.

Separately, Bitget integrated xStocks into its on-chain platform on July 9, enabling customers to trade the same tokens from their spot accounts without the need for separate wallets.

Peirce closed by signaling openness to modernization, saying the Commission “stands ready to work with market participants to craft appropriate exemptions and modernize rules” where technology exposes gaps. 

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JPMorgan Chase Meets With Crypto Task Force to Discuss Regulation of Digital Assets https://earlybirdsinvest.com/jpmorgan-chase-meets-with-crypto-task-force-to-discuss-regulation-of-digital-assets/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/jpmorgan-chase-meets-with-crypto-task-force-to-discuss-regulation-of-digital-assets/#respond Thu, 19 Jun 2025 05:00:25 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/jpmorgan-chase-meets-with-crypto-task-force-to-discuss-regulation-of-digital-assets/

One of the world’s leading financial services firms has met with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Crypto Task Force to discuss the regulations of digital assets.

According to a recent memo, three members of JPMorgan Chase met with the regulator to talk about moving existing traditional capital markets on-chain and the banking giant’s business footprint in the crypto industry.

Says the memo.

“On June 17, Crypto Task Force Staff met with representatives from JPMorgan Chase. The topic discussed was approaches to addressing issues related to regulation of crypto assets…

Agenda:

  • Overview of existing business footprint, including Repo on existing JPMC platforms of Digital Financing and Digital Debt Services. Additional discussion on the potential competitive angle as markets evolve.
  • Area of analysis reviewing the potential impact of existing capital markets activity migrating to public blockchain. Specifically what areas of the existing model might change, and how firms could assess the risk and benefits of those changes.
  • Future engagement with the Task Force.”

Earlier this week, JPMorgan Chase filed for a trademark to launch JMPD, its very own crypto service provider and deposit token. In the filing, the bank said it would provide trading, exchange, transfer, and payment processing services for digital assets as well as issue them.

Walmart, Amazon, and other corporate giants are also reportedly contemplating starting their own stablecoins as a means of streamlining payments and avoiding credit fees.

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Disclaimer: Opinions expressed at The Daily Hodl are not investment advice. Investors should do their due diligence before making any high-risk investments in Bitcoin, cryptocurrency or digital assets. Please be advised that your transfers and trades are at your own risk, and any losses you may incur are your responsibility. The Daily Hodl does not recommend the buying or selling of any cryptocurrencies or digital assets, nor is The Daily Hodl an investment advisor. Please note that The Daily Hodl participates in affiliate marketing.

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SEC Crypto Task Force discusses securities tokenization with Nasdaq, DeFi startups https://earlybirdsinvest.com/sec-crypto-task-force-discusses-securities-tokenization-with-nasdaq-defi-startups/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/sec-crypto-task-force-discusses-securities-tokenization-with-nasdaq-defi-startups/#respond Tue, 27 May 2025 06:38:52 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/sec-crypto-task-force-discusses-securities-tokenization-with-nasdaq-defi-startups/

Last week, the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Crypto Task Force intensified studies on how public blockchain technology can support the issuance and trading of tokenized securities.

The group held separate meetings with Nasdaq, Plume Network, and Etherealize on how securities can be issued and traded on public blockchains.

All three meetings resulted in the suggestion of the concept of a regulatory sandbox.

Nasdaq presses for digital asset-friendly venues

According to the log from a May 21 meeting, Nasdaq executives urged the Task Force to let tokenized shares, bonds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) remain subject to existing registration rules.

Additionally, they asked for authorization for a new “ATS-Digital” venue where firms can list digital asset investment contracts alongside commodity-style tokens.

The exchange operator also asked regulators to create a joint safe harbor with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) for assets whose status is uncertain.

This idea, often called a “regulatory sandbox,” would allow issuers to self-certify classifications while meeting light-touch disclosure standards. In April, SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda signaled support for such an effort.

Nasdaq added that tokenization should not weaken national market system protections and that any move toward atomic settlement must balance liquidity and operational risk.

Plume advocates a sandbox for on-chain markets

Arbitrum-based Plume Network told the SEC at a May 22 meeting that permissionless blockchains are best suited for real-world asset tokenization. Furthermore, they proposed a regulatory sandbox covering the 1933 Securities and 1934 Exchange Acts.

The company’s agenda calls for safe harbor relief that explicitly factors in decentralized finance mechanics and “credible neutrality,” plus tools to calibrate rules across primary offerings and on-chain secondary trading.

In their brief meeting log, Plume also sought guidance on tokenizing US and non-US equities subject to the Regulation National Market System and other regimes.

Etherealize seeks overhaul of transfer agent rules

Etherealize and policy firm MetaLeX focused on back-office infrastructure, telling the Task Force that legacy transfer agent regulations force issuers to keep parallel off-chain ledgers and negate blockchain efficiencies.

A transfer agent is a financial institution acting as a record-keeper for a company’s shareholders.

Their proposal asks the SEC to recognize suitably secure blockchains as authoritative share registers, exempt issuers using decentralized tokenization protocols from transfer agent registration, and create a fast lane for agents specializing in tokenized securities.

They also urged a pilot to test smart contract equivalents for corporate actions such as dividend distribution and shareholder voting.

Converging themes

Across the meetings, industry participants pressed for clear taxonomy, modular rulebooks, and phased pilots.

Furthermore, each called for technology-specific tweaks, but none challenged the SEC’s core investor-protection mandate.

The Task Force staff took the materials under advisement, indicating that future rule proposals could weigh sandbox models, dedicated trading venues, and updated transfer agent obligations.

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Libra Scandal Task Force Disbanded—But Court Case Heats Up https://earlybirdsinvest.com/libra-scandal-task-force-disbanded-but-court-case-heats-up/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/libra-scandal-task-force-disbanded-but-court-case-heats-up/#respond Wed, 21 May 2025 14:51:23 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/libra-scandal-task-force-disbanded-but-court-case-heats-up/

Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, has ended the official investigation into the Libra meme coin scandal, also known as Libragate.

A formal order signed on May 19 by President Milei and Justice Minister Mariano Cúneo closed the Investigation Task Unit (UTI). The statement claimed the group had “fulfilled its purpose”, though no clear explanation was given.

The task force had been gathering information on the Libra token, which gained sudden attention after President Milei promoted it on X in mid-February. That post led to a jump in Libra’s market value, which briefly reached $4.5 billion. However, the price suddenly dropped by over 97% within hours.

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Lawmakers from opposing parties criticized the decision. Julia Strada shared on X that the investigation unit was never meant to work properly.

Additionally, Lawmaker Maximiliano Ferraro posted on X that the administration was “doing everything it can to prevent the truth from coming out“.

However, according to a report from Clarín, a local media outlet, Judge María Servini continues her review and has ordered banks to provide financial records for several people connected to the Libra case. This includes President Milei, his sister Karina, Mauricio Novelli, Manuel Terrones Godoy, and Sergio Morales.

The judge’s request covers account history, investment activity, and any large or unusual asset changes starting from 2023.

Meanwhile, Caroline Crenshaw, the only Democrat currently serving on the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), voiced concerns about the agency’s changing approach to crypto oversight. What did she say? Read the full story.

Having completed a Master’s degree in Economics, Politics, and Cultures of the East Asia region, Aaron has written scientific papers analyzing the differences between Western and Collective forms of capitalism in the post-World War II era.
With close to a decade of experience in the FinTech industry, Aaron understands all of the biggest issues and struggles that crypto enthusiasts face. He’s a passionate analyst who is concerned with data-driven and fact-based content, as well as that which speaks to both Web3 natives and industry newcomers.
Aaron is the go-to person for everything and anything related to digital currencies. With a huge passion for blockchain & Web3 education, Aaron strives to transform the space as we know it, and make it more approachable to complete beginners.
Aaron has been quoted by multiple established outlets, and is a published author himself. Even during his free time, he enjoys researching the market trends, and looking for the next supernova.


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BlackRock Meets SEC Crypto Task Force to Push Staking and Tokenization Talks https://earlybirdsinvest.com/blackrock-meets-sec-crypto-task-force-to-push-staking-and-tokenization-talks/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/blackrock-meets-sec-crypto-task-force-to-push-staking-and-tokenization-talks/#respond Sat, 10 May 2025 12:17:50 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/blackrock-meets-sec-crypto-task-force-to-push-staking-and-tokenization-talks/

BlackRock has met with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Crypto Task Force to discuss the regulatory treatment of staking in crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs) and the broader potential of tokenizing traditional securities.

The conversation signals growing momentum for integrating blockchain technologies into mainstream finance.

According to a memo published by the SEC on May 9, BlackRock aimed to share perspectives on enabling staking within ETPs.

BlackRock Says Ethereum ETFs Incomplete Without Staking Option

BlackRock has previously argued that Ethereum-based ETFs would be more complete if staking were permitted.

Staking allows users to lock up tokens to support blockchain operations in return for yield—a key feature of proof-of-stake networks like Ethereum and Solana.

BlackRock is not alone in advocating for this functionality. In February, the New York Stock Exchange proposed a rule change to allow staking services for Grayscale’s spot Ether ETFs.

The SEC has since delayed a final decision on the matter, but approval could pave the way for staking-enabled ETFs across other blockchains, including Solana.

The meeting also covered tokenization—transforming traditional securities like stocks and bonds into blockchain-based tokens.

Tokenized securities offer advantages such as 24/7 trading, faster settlements, and reduced operational costs compared to legacy financial systems.

BlackRock already manages BUIDL, a tokenized fund backed by U.S. Treasury assets with a market cap of $2.9 billion—the largest of its kind.

Competitors include Franklin Templeton’s BENJI fund. Robinhood is also reportedly exploring tokenized securities, developing a blockchain to let European retail users trade U.S. stocks.

As institutional players push for regulatory clarity, these discussions may help shape the future of blockchain in traditional markets.

BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF Surpasses Gold Rival

BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) has recorded $6.96 billion in net inflows since the start of 2025, surpassing the SPDR Gold Trust (GLD) to become the sixth most popular ETF by inflows.

GLD, the world’s largest physically backed gold ETF, slid to seventh place on Monday with $6.5 billion in net inflows.

Despite Bitcoin’s recent price dip, which is down more than 10% from its January peak, investors appear confident in the cryptocurrency’s long-term value.

In contrast to Bitcoin, gold has climbed more than $3,000 this year amid concerns over inflation, global trade tensions, and geopolitical instability.

Bloomberg’s senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas noted on X that the strong inflows into IBIT are “a really good sign for the long term” and support projections that Bitcoin ETFs could eventually hold three times as much capital as their gold counterparts.

While spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs have already received approval, the SEC has yet to greenlight any ETF product with staking functionality — something already seen in markets like Canada and Europe.

In a parallel development, the Crypto Council for Innovation, backed by major firms including a16z crypto, Consensys, and Kraken, has called on the SEC for regulatory clarity on staking.

Currently, more than 70 crypto ETF applications are awaiting a decision from the SEC, according to Bloomberg.

The post BlackRock Meets SEC Crypto Task Force to Push Staking and Tokenization Talks appeared first on Cryptonews.

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BlackRock meets SEC Crypto Task Force to discuss tokenization, ETP rules https://earlybirdsinvest.com/blackrock-meets-sec-crypto-task-force-to-discuss-tokenization-etp-rules/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/blackrock-meets-sec-crypto-task-force-to-discuss-tokenization-etp-rules/#respond Sat, 10 May 2025 07:36:48 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/blackrock-meets-sec-crypto-task-force-to-discuss-tokenization-etp-rules/

BlackRock representatives met with the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Crypto Task Force on May 9 to seek guidance on a range of crypto regulatory issues, including tokenization, staking, and approval frameworks for exchange-traded products (ETPs).

According to the meeting memo, BlackRock reviewed its digital asset offerings, including the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), the proposed iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA), and the BlackRock USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund (BUIDL).

The firm used the opportunity to solicit input on how current and future products might be regulated under federal securities laws, particularly as the digital asset market matures.

The meeting included senior representatives from regulatory affairs, legal, digital assets, and ETF markets. Following a prior session on April 1, BlackRock continues directly engaging with the SEC on crypto policy matters.

Last month, the firm discussed technical elements of in-kind redemptions for crypto ETPs and shared a detailed document on existing workflows under the current cash model. 

Additionally, the firm outlined how those systems might adapt to support alternative models for crypto-based funds.

Product scope and regulatory ambitions

BlackRock also outlined its views on incorporating staking features into ETPs, aligning with other recent industry proposals reviewed by the SEC. 

Staking has become a central issue in ongoing discussions over whether proof-of-stake asset exposure within ETPs can be designed to meet regulatory expectations without compromising liquidity or investor protections.

The meeting also addressed tokenization, with BlackRock requesting feedback on how tokenization efforts could be structured within the existing securities framework. Tokenization is the process of representing traditional assets in the blockchain as digital tokens. 

The firm also suggested interim standards for crypto ETP issuers, asking the SEC to consider codified guidance that might apply ahead of broader rulemaking.

BlackRock additionally discussed criteria under Section 6(b) of the Exchange Act that could be used to evaluate whether a crypto ETP satisfies regulatory thresholds for exchange listing. These criteria include assessments of market integrity and investor safeguards.

Lastly, the meeting with the SEC Crypto Task Force covered options on crypto ETPs, with BlackRock raising technical questions about position and exercise limits. The firm requested clarity on how such limits could be structured regarding liquidity thresholds for the underlying crypto or ETP shares.

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