AI Agents Could Become the Main Users of Blockchain, Says NEAR Co-Founder
For many years, the cryptocurrency industry has been searching for its next major breakthrough — something as impactful as the DeFi summer or the NFT boom. While crypto continues to build infrastructure in the background, artificial intelligence has steadily become part of everyday life. Developers now use tools like AI assistants to help write code, while ordinary users rely on AI to draft emails, organize travel plans, and manage daily tasks. According to Illia Polosukhin, co-founder of NEAR Protocol, this gap between AI and crypto is about to close — but not in the way most people expect. Polosukhin believes that artificial intelligence will soon act as the primary interface for everything online, including cryptocurrency. Instead of individuals manually handling crypto wallets, checking blockchain explorers, or tracking transaction hashes, AI agents will perform these tasks automatically on behalf of users. In this vision, AI becomes the operating system of the internet, simplifying complex processes behind the scenes. He suggests that the real convergence between AI and blockchain is not mainly about launching new tokens, but about building strong infrastructure. As AI systems begin to take action for users — such as paying bills, hiring services, or even managing investments — they will need secure, transparent, and trustworthy systems to operate. This is where blockchain technology plays a critical role. Polosukhin emphasizes that blockchain provides neutral markets and neutral infrastructure. In other words, it offers a decentralized and reliable environment where AI agents can execute transactions safely and privately without relying on centralized control. If AI becomes the dominant layer through which people interact with the internet, cryptocurrency may no longer be something users directly engage with as an “app.” Instead, blockchain could function as an invisible settlement layer working quietly in the background, supporting AI agents as they manage digital and financial activities. In this future, the primary users of blockchain may not be humans at all — but intelligent AI systems acting on their behalf.
Eric Trump’s American Bitcoin Expands Mining Operations with 11,298 New ASIC Miners
American Bitcoin (ABTC), a company supported by the Trump $TRUMP family, is continuing to expand its bitcoin mining operations at a time when many other public mining companies are shifting their focus toward artificial intelligence (AI). While competitors are redirecting capital and infrastructure away from crypto mining, ABTC is choosing to strengthen its position in the bitcoin sector. The company recently announced that it has purchased 11,298 new ASIC miners. These machines are scheduled to be delivered and installed in March 2026 at the company’s mining facility in Drumheller, Alberta, Canada. This expansion is expected to increase ABTC’s total mining capacity by approximately 12%. With the addition of these miners, the company will gain around 3.05 exahashes per second (EH/s) of extra computing power. Based on current global network data, this represents nearly 0.3% of the world’s total bitcoin hashrate. Such an increase could allow the company to mine an estimated 42 bitcoins per month, which equals about 515 bitcoins annually. If bitcoin’s price remains close to $68,000, this production level could generate roughly $2.9 million in monthly gross revenue, or nearly $35 million per year. However, these figures do not account for expenses such as electricity costs, mining fees, or potential changes in network difficulty. Eric Trump, who serves as co-founder and chief strategy officer of American Bitcoin, emphasized the company’s long-term vision. He stated that as bitcoin continues to mature, it is important to build and maintain an American-owned and professionally managed mining operation. According to him, strengthening domestic hashrate capacity will help secure the network, promote innovation, and ensure American leadership in the future of bitcoin. Overall, while many mining companies are moving toward AI investments, American Bitcoin is taking a different path by reinforcing its commitment to bitcoin mining and expanding its operational scale.
Regional analysts warn: $NVDAon if Iran sustains pressure across the Gulf for 10–12 consecutive days, economic strain could accelerate fast — potentially pushing key Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, to seek urgent external mediation, even from figures like Donald Trump, to contain escalation. ⚠️ WHY THE TIMELINE MATTERS 🛢️ Energy chokepoints under stress The Strait of Hormuz reacts instantly. Shipping lanes, tanker insurance, and export flows price risk in real time. 🚢 Trade friction compounds daily It’s not about hours — it’s about sustained uncertainty. Multi-day tension disrupts logistics chains and raises regional operating costs. 💼 Capital gets cautious FDI, equities, and sovereign spreads start wobbling when instability lingers beyond the headline cycle. 🧠 REALITY CHECK Gulf economies are built on stability. Prolonged tension = higher freight costs, energy premiums, air-defense strain, and investor hesitation. When the pressure curve steepens, diplomacy often becomes the cheaper path. 📊 TRADER PLAYBOOK 🔴 Oil & freight → Headline-driven volatility 🟡 Gold → Classic geopolitical hedge 🟢 Crypto → Momentum spikes during macro shocks ⚡ One “mediation underway” headline can flip sentiment instantly. 🧩 CONTEXT CHECK This is strategic calculus — not certainty. States don’t “fold.” They reassess when economic interests demand recalibration. The next few days are critical. 🔥 BOTTOM LINE Time is the variable. Pressure sustained → Talks increase. Tensions cool → Risk premiums fade. Stay sharp. Stay nimble. 🧭
🇨🇳 China Urges Iran: Keep Hormuz Open — Energy Markets on Edge
🌍 Chines gas buyers say Beijing has privately pressed Tehran to avoid any disruption to oil and LNG flows through the Strait of Hormuz. 🗣️ China’s Foreign Ministry called the strait a “critical artery” for global energy trade and urged an immediate halt to military escalation to safeguard supply routes. ⛽ Why it matters: Nearly 20% of the world’s oil and gas passes through Hormuz. Even brief disruptions can spike freight rates, insurance premiums, and inject fresh risk premiums into crude prices.$ETHW 📈 Markets reacted fast in the latest tensions — oil prices jumped as traders tracked vessel rerouting, tanker traffic data, and tighter insurance coverage. ⚠️ Bottom line: China’s diplomatic push may ease short-term shock. But if the conflict widens, the “Hormuz open vs. closed” narrative remains the key trigger for inflation expectations, energy volatility, and overall risk sentiment.