Bitcoin Consolidates Near $65K as Market Eyes Possible Move Toward $70K

Mastercard has completed its acquisition of BVNK, a stablecoin infrastructure firm, in a deal valued at $1.8 billion. The transaction highlights how major payments companies and crypto platforms are competing for influence in a stablecoin market worth about $300 billion.

LMAX Group is assessing strategic alternatives with major advisers as the institutional trading platform weighs paths that could include a sale, SPAC merger or public listing. A Nasdaq listing is viewed by some people familiar with the discussions as the preferred route, though the firm is not under immediate pressure to move while crypto markets remain soft.

U.S. equity benchmarks moved higher as a 23,000-job payroll loss reshaped the rate debate and pushed yields lower before the opening bell. Softer WTI and Brent prices helped keep the inflation argument contained, though a reversal in crude remains a key risk for the rally.