Hey there, PoI readers! 💫

It's your favorite crypto connoisseur, Mochi, back with another serving of tantalizing tech and web3 news. From CZ's presidential pardon and ancient Bitcoin whales waking up to Kraken's monster Q3 earnings and the US government rolling out the red carpet for crypto miners, we've got a lot to unpack. So, buckle up and get ready for a wild ride through the wonderland of digital assets!

INTEL BRIEF

🟧 Former Binance CEO Changpeng "CZ" Zhao received a presidential pardon from Donald Trump, potentially clearing the path for his return to the crypto exchange he founded.

🟧 A dormant Bitcoin wallet from 2009 containing $442 million worth of BTC has awakened after 14 years, moving 150 Bitcoin in its first transaction since 2011.

🟧 Kraken posted $648 million in Q3 2025 revenue—a massive 114% year-over-year jump—as the exchange expands aggressively and edges closer to a potential 2026 IPO.

🟧 US Energy Secretary Chris Wright is pushing FERC to create fast-track rules allowing Bitcoin miners and AI data centers to connect directly to the high-voltage power grid, with reviews potentially completed in just 60 days.

CZ Just Got Pardoned by Trump and Could Be Heading Back to Binance

Former Binance boss Changpeng "CZ" Zhao just got himself a shiny presidential pardon from Donald Trump, and the crypto world is collectively losing its mind (in the best way possible).

According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump signed the pardon on Wednesday, though the official paperwork is playing hide-and-seek on the White House website. Binance later confirmed the news, basically throwing a digital party and thanking Trump for his "commitment to make the US the crypto capital of the world." Bold claim, but hey, we're here for the energy!

For those living under a blockchain rock, CZ pleaded guilty back in November 2023 to failing to implement proper Anti-Money Laundering (AML) programs at Binance—essentially breaking the Bank Secrecy Act. He agreed to step down from Binance, did four months in prison starting April 2024, and walked out in September. Classic redemption arc material.

But here's where it gets spicy: betting markets had been heating up for weeks about a possible pardon, especially after CZ mysteriously removed "ex-@binance" from his social media bio. Smooth move, CZ. The rumor mill went into overdrive when reports suggested Trump was "leaning toward" giving him clemency.

Now, with this pardon, CZ could potentially return to an executive role at Binance, where he remains the largest shareholder. It's speculated this could mark a triumphant return to the exchange that became the world's biggest crypto platform under his leadership.

And honestly? CZ's in good company. Trump's been on a crypto clemency spree, previously pardoning BitMEX co-founders (including the legendary Arthur Hayes) and Silk Road's Ross Ulbricht, who was serving what can only be described as an absolutely wild sentence.

CZ received a presidential pardon from Trump on Wednesday, confirmed by Binance

The pardon could allow CZ to return to an executive role at Binance as its largest shareholder

Trump's crypto pardon streak continues—CZ joins BitMEX founders and Ross Ulbricht on the clemency list

Someone Just Moved $16 Million in Bitcoin That Hasn't Been Touched Since 2009

"Satoshi-era" Bitcoin wallet decided to stretch its digital legs after a 14-year hibernation.

This OG crypto whale originally mined a whopping 4,000 Bitcoin between April and June 2009—literally months after Bitcoin's network went live. We're talking about the blockchain equivalent of being at Woodstock, folks. According to Whale Alert, this ancient address just moved 150 Bitcoin (worth over $16 million) in a single transaction on Thursday, and the crypto community collectively gasped.

Here's where the math gets absolutely bonkers: With Bitcoin currently trading around $110,604, this whale's entire stash is believed to be worth over $442 million. For perspective, back in 2010 when CoinMarketCap started tracking Bitcoin prices, these coins were worth a measly $194. Talk about a glow-up!

But wait, there's more! Blockchain analyst Emmett Gallic claims this whale might have once held 8,000 Bitcoin across multiple wallets and has been quietly selling off holdings "for years." The current balance shows 3,850 BTC remaining after the recent transfer. Gallic called it a "God Level DCA Strat" (Dollar Cost Averaging, for the uninitiated), and honestly, respect.

Now, before everyone starts panic-selling, let's pump the brakes. This whale isn't alone—another Satoshi-era address with 80,201 tokens started moving funds to Galaxy Digital back in July after being dormant for 14 years. Crypto analyst Willy Woo noted that whales holding more than 10,000 Bitcoin have been steadily selling since 2017.

But here's the thing: analysts told Cointelegraph that OG Bitcoiners cashing out is actually healthy for the market. New buyers are jumping in, which signals a maturing ecosystem. So basically, the old guard is passing the torch, and that's... kind of beautiful?

A Satoshi-era wallet from 2009 moved 150 Bitcoin ($16M) after being dormant since June 2011

The whale's total holdings are worth $442 million at current Bitcoin prices, originally mined in early 2009

Analysts say OG whales selling is healthy—new buyers entering means the market is maturing, not collapsing

Kraken Made $648 Million Last Quarter and Is Probably Going Public Soon

Kraken just dropped some seriously impressive numbers, and they're not being shy about it. The veteran crypto exchange reported a whopping $648 million in revenue for Q3 2025, representing a 114% increase from the same period last year. To put it mildly, they're having their best quarter ever, and they want everyone to know it.

But wait, the flex doesn't stop there! Adjusted EBITDA (that's the fancy finance term for earnings before all the boring stuff) jumped to $178.6 million, with profit margins swelling to a juicy 27.6%—up nine percentage points from last year. Translation? Kraken is printing money like it's going out of style.

The stats just keep coming: Total trading volume surged 106% year-over-year to a mind-boggling $561.9 billion, while assets on the platform ballooned 89% to $59.3 billion. Oh, and their user base? Yeah, that grew too—5.2 million funded accounts by quarter's end. Basically, everyone and their dog is trading on Kraken right now.

So what's fueling this rocket ship? Well, Kraken's been on an acquisition spree that would make even the most aggressive venture capitalists jealous. In July, they launched a derivatives arm in the US, giving traders access to CME-listed crypto futures. In September, they scooped up Breakout to enter the proprietary trading game AND announced a tokenized securities platform for European investors to get exposure to US stocks. Big moves only.

The exchange—which has been around since 2011 (making it a literal dinosaur in crypto years)—is clearly positioning itself for something major. According to Fortune, Kraken raised $500 million at a $15 billion valuation back in September, and word on the street is they're eyeing an IPO sometime in 2026.

"We are building what legacy financial systems were not designed to achieve," Kraken said, which is either incredibly bold or the perfect tagline for their eventual IPO roadshow. Probably both.

Kraken's Q3 revenue hit $648M—a 114% year-over-year increase, marking its strongest financial performance ever

Trading volume jumped 106% to $561.9B while assets on platform grew 89% to $59.3B with 5.2M funded accounts

Kraken raised $500M at $15B valuation in September and is believed to be preparing for an IPO in 2026

Bitcoin Miners Might Get Express Lane Access to America's Power Grid

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright just dropped a letter asking the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to create express lane rules for big energy consumers to plug directly into America's high-voltage power grid. And by "big energy consumers," we're talking Bitcoin mining operations and AI data centers—basically the two industries that consume electricity like it's going out of style.

Released on Thursday, Wright's letter asks FERC (the independent agency that keeps the interstate electricity grid running smoothly) to grant expedited reviews and standardized procedures for these power-hungry giants. The goal? Let them hook directly into the high-voltage transmission system, which has way more juice than your local grid and is typically reserved for massive industrial facilities.

Why the urgency? According to Wright, US electricity demand is about to explode thanks to home electrification, electric vehicles, and—most importantly—the rapid growth of data centers. Translation: America needs to level up its power game, and fast.

S. Matthew Schultz, CEO of Bitcoin mining company CleanSpark, was quick to celebrate the news. He said the new rules would require FERC to expedite connections for "flexible loads like Bitcoin mining and data centers." He called it a "major signal that DOE recognizes the value of flexible demand in strengthening the grid." Honestly? Big win for the crypto bros.

Here's the kicker: under Wright's proposal, these expedited reviews could be completed in just 60 days—assuming applicants agree to cover any necessary network upgrades. That's lightning speed in regulatory terms, folks.

Wright's asking FERC to respond within six months, with a deadline of April 30, 2026. No pressure or anything.

This comes at a crucial time, as Bitcoin miners and AI companies have been battling for access to cheap, sustainable energy. Both industries need massive amounts of power—miners to run their rigs and secure the blockchain, AI centers to train their increasingly sophisticated models. Some believe this competition could actually attract renewed institutional investment over the next decade, which would be... kind of wild.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright wants FERC to fast-track grid access for Bitcoin miners and AI data centers with 60-day review timelines

The new rules would allow direct connections to high-voltage transmission systems, benefiting "flexible loads" like mining operations

FERC has until April 30, 2026, to respond as Bitcoin miners and AI companies compete for access to cheap, sustainable energy

And that's a wrap, my lovely PoI readers! 💎 I hope this edition left you feeling informed, entertained, and maybe even a little bit richer (in knowledge, of course). From presidential pardons to Satoshi-era whales making moves, from Kraken crushing earnings to energy policy shaking things up—it's been quite the day in crypto land!

Remember to stay curious, stay informed, and keep spreading the love. Until next time, this is Mochi, signing off with a virtual high-five!

P.S. Don't forget to share your thoughts, questions, and favorite crypto puns with us. very voice matters in the PoI community! 📣❤️ Share the newsletter

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