Market Updates: Bitcoin Devs Push BIP-361 to Freeze Quantum-Vulnerable Coins; Bitwise CIO Sees BTC Overtaking Gold in Market Cap; Deutsche Börse Takes 1.5% Stake in Kraken Parent

Latest Market Updates: As of 15th April 2026.

Developers Propose Freezing Quantum-Vulnerable Bitcoin

A group of Bitcoin developers led by Jameson Lopp has introduced a draft proposal to secure the network against emerging quantum computing threats.

The proposal, known as BIP-361 and published on GitHub earlier this week, is part of a broader three-step roadmap focused on strengthening Bitcoin’s defenses in a post-quantum world.

Specifically, the proposal highlights risks tied to older Bitcoin addresses. Early Pay-to-Public-Key (P2PK) wallets are not resistant to quantum attacks. Estimates suggest roughly 1.7 million BTC are stored in such addresses.

To mitigate this risk, the authors propose freezing these coins before quantum computers can exploit them. Notably, this category includes dormant holdings linked to Bitcoin’s creator, currently valued at around $74 billion.

According to developers, this preemptive move would help contain systemic risk. While removing dormant coins from circulation could marginally increase scarcity, a large-scale theft enabled by quantum computing could severely undermine trust in the network.

Bitcoin’s Market Potential Could Surpass Gold: Bitwise CIO

Meanwhile, alongside these technical discussions, market analysts are increasingly optimistic about Bitcoin’s long-term trajectory.

For instance, in a recent X post, Matt Hougan, chief investment officer at Bitwise, argues that Bitcoin’s total addressable market could eventually surpass that of gold. He attributes this outlook to shifting global financial dynamics and Bitcoin’s expanding real-world utility.

As an example, Hougan pointed to reports that Iran is exploring the use of crypto payments for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. This development suggests Bitcoin is evolving beyond a store of value into a functional tool for cross-border transactions, particularly in geopolitically sensitive regions.

Furthermore, he noted that Bitcoin is gaining recognition as a neutral financial alternative, which could significantly broaden its use case. Based on this thesis, Hougan reiterated his earlier projection: if Bitcoin captures just 17% of the global store-of-value market, its price could approach $1 million per coin over time.

For context, Bitcoin is currently trading near $74,500, with a market capitalization of approximately $1.4 trillion, according to CoinGecko. Gold, by comparison, trades at around $4,854 and commands a market cap of roughly $33.7 trillion.

Kraken Signals IPO Intent Despite Earlier Doubts

In the corporate sector, crypto exchange Kraken appears to be moving forward with long-discussed plans to go public.

Specifically, speaking at the Semafor World Economy 2026 conference, Co-CEO Arjun Sethi confirmed that the company has confidentially filed for an IPO with U.S. regulators.

Although earlier reports suggested a potential delay due to unfavorable market conditions, Sethi did not directly address those claims. Nevertheless, his confirmation indicates that Kraken has not abandoned its IPO ambitions, thereby keeping the prospect of a major crypto listing firmly on the table.

Deutsche Börse Invests $200M in Kraken Parent

At the same time, Kraken has secured fresh backing from traditional finance.

In particular, Deutsche Börse Group has invested $200 million in Payward, Kraken’s parent company, acquiring a 1.5% stake. The deal values Kraken at $13.3 billion, representing a notable decline from its $20 billion valuation in November 2025.

Kraken stated that the investment is strategically focused on bridging the gap between crypto and traditional financial systems. Ultimately, the goal is to develop a unified infrastructure tailored to institutional clients.

US Lawmakers Struggle to Resolve Stablecoin Yield Dispute

On the regulatory front, uncertainty continues to weigh on the industry’s outlook.

U.S. lawmakers remain divided over how to handle stablecoin yield, a key issue that has stalled progress on broader crypto legislation. In response, Senator Thom Tillis is reportedly preparing a draft proposal to address the matter.

The debate centers on whether third parties should be allowed to offer yield on stablecoins. On one side, traditional banks favor restrictions, citing concerns about deposit outflows.

On the other hand, crypto firms strongly oppose such limits, as yield products are central to their business models.

According to Politico, Tillis acknowledged that disagreements persist, noting that some stakeholders have yet to review the full draft. He also confirmed that there has been partial progress on anti-evasion measures. However, key questions around enforcement and yield provisions remain unresolved.

So far, the White House has hosted three meetings between industry participants and regulators. If consensus remains elusive, a fourth session may be scheduled to reach a compromise.