On The Brink with Castle Island Weekly Roundup 01/30/26 (Fidelity's FIDD, Gold rally, Worldcoin and AI bots, digital alibis) (EP. 698)
21 snips
Jan 30, 2026 Heated debate over a controversial Hall of Fame snub and how voting and media shape outcomes. Fidelity launches an Ethereum-based stablecoin and lawmakers clash over market structure and stablecoin yield rules. Tether’s massive gold holdings and a metals rally versus Bitcoin’s silence. Worldcoin, biometrics and AI bots raise authentication and ethical questions. Blockchain timestamps and wearable ‘digital alibis’ for proving media origin.
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Belichick Hall Of Fame Outrage
- Matt Walsh rants about Bill Belichick being denied first-ballot Hall of Fame status despite a dominating resume.
- He blames media bias and bitter voters for the snub and uses it as motivation rhetoric.
Fidelity Enters Stablecoin Race
- Fidelity will launch FIDD, a dollar stablecoin on Ethereum managed from its OCC charter with retail and institutional access.
- Distribution via Fidelity's brokerage gives FIDD a clear competitive advantage over many issuers.
Market Structure Faces Partisan Hurdles
- The Senate Agriculture Committee passed the market-structure bill along party lines and rejected a Trump-family ban amendment.
- Success will need bipartisan Senate support and likely negotiations over stablecoin yield provisions.
