Citing the China Earthquake Networks Center via Sina Finance, the 5.8-magnitude quake struck Honshu at a depth of 70 kilometers, at 1:00 local time on August 23.

By 4:00 local time, Saitama Prefecture had reported nine injuries, and by 5:00 Kanagawa Prefecture had reported three injuries; one person in Tokyo was injured by broken glass.

The Tokyo Fire Department said it had received about 30 earthquake-related emergency calls by 3:00 local time on August 23. Several train lines, including those operated by East Japan Railway Company, were temporarily suspended.

Haneda, Narita, and Ibaraki airports had not confirmed any impact.

The Japan Meteorological Agency urged residents to stay vigilant for about a week and warned that another quake with shaking around the lower-5 on the seismic intensity scale could occur.

On the 22nd, Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said that despite rising tensions with Turkey over Syria, Jerusalem does not intend to escalate the dispute. The remarks were reported by Sina Finance.

Saar emphasized that Israel has long pursued a diplomatic course and does not plan to intensify its confrontation with Ankara, reaffirming a commitment to maintaining the current status quo.

He also stated that Israel will not tolerate Turkey establishing a military base in Syria.

Grayscale's research head Zach Pandl argues that Bitcoin's structural adoption trend persists, and the current bear market has entered a deeper phase, even as the macro backdrop remains generally favorable.

He cited three drivers that may support long-term investors: deficits widening government spending, broader use of blockchain technology in financial services, and generational shifts in asset allocation. The downturn has persisted for roughly 10 months, nearing the length of earlier cycles, which averaged 11 to 12 months.

Pandl noted that macro risks depend on real interest rates and Federal Reserve policy. The Federal Open Market Committee left the federal funds rate at 3.5% to 3.75% in July, with further hikes posing downside risk for Bitcoin.

Bitcoin briefly rose to $79,461 on August 21 before retreating to around $77,000.

In a post on X, Brian Armstrong said that agents can trade derivatives in the United States.

According to Odaily, Armstrong did not offer any additional details.

BNB moved past the 700 USDT level, trading at 700.169983 USDT according to Binance Market Data, as of 20:40 UTC on Aug 22, 2026.

The 24-hour price change stands at a 3.78% increase.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary, Rezaei, warned that any nation that collaborates with the United States to impose economic restrictions on Iran will be regarded as an enemy.

The remarks were cited by Jin10.

Paramount Skydance representatives are set to meet Monday with the California attorney general's office to discuss a possible settlement path in the antitrust lawsuit aimed at blocking Paramount's planned takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta said any settlement would require robust structural remedies to resolve the case.

The lawsuit, filed in July by 12 state attorneys general, challenges the roughly $110 billion deal that would merge Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery's film studios with streaming services Paramount+ and HBO Max, creating the largest portfolio of U.S. TV networks.

Paramount has agreed to delay the closing of the acquisition to as late as June 2027 due to the suit, with a trial set for March. If the closing is delayed beyond September 30, Paramount would owe Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders a ticking fee of about $650 million per quarter, and if the transaction collapses, Paramount would owe WBD a $7 billion breakup fee.

X Money is a new digital payments platform built into X (formerly Twitter) as part of Elon Musk's vision of transforming the social network into an "everything app." The service allows users to send and receive money, link bank accounts, store U.S. dollar balances, and make everyday purchases using a Visa debit card.

Initially, X Money is available to Premium and Premium+ subscribers in the United States, with a wider rollout expected in the future.

Key Features of X Money

X Money combines social networking with financial services, offering several features:

• Instant peer-to-peer (P2P) money transfers between X users.

• Digital wallet for storing U.S. dollar balances.

• Bank account linking for deposits and withdrawals.

• Physical Visa debit card accepted anywhere Visa is supported.

• Up to 3% cashback on eligible purchases.

• 6% APY on eligible balances.

• FDIC-insured cash sweep program providing coverage of up to $10 million per user through partner banks.

The platform is currently licensed to operate in more than 40 U.S. states through X Payments and has partnered with Visa and Cross River Bank to provide payment infrastructure.

First Public Transaction

Shortly after the official launch, an X user sent $25 directly to Elon Musk using X Money's peer-to-peer payment system. Musk publicly confirmed receiving the payment, demonstrating that the service was fully operational.

A separate viral screenshot claiming Musk had accepted a $5,000 payment request was later proven to be fake.

Is X Money a Cryptocurrency Wallet?

Despite speculation from the crypto community, X Money does not currently support cryptocurrencies.

The platform focuses entirely on traditional (fiat) financial services, including:

• U.S. dollar balances

• Bank transfers

• Visa debit card payments

• Peer-to-peer transfers

Although Elon Musk has repeatedly expressed support for Dogecoin, and the cryptocurrency briefly gained after the announcement, the current version of X Money contains no built-in crypto functionality.

Will Crypto Be Added?

Crypto integration remains a possibility but has not been officially confirmed.

Earlier this year, X's Head of Product Nikita Bier stated that crypto-related features could arrive through Smart Cashtags, allowing users to access market information and links to exchanges. However, X does not currently plan to act as a cryptocurrency exchange or brokerage.

Elon Musk has also shared posts discussing potential future crypto support, but the company has not announced a launch date.

Competing With PayPal and Venmo

X Money enters a highly competitive fintech market currently dominated by services such as PayPal, Venmo, and Cash App.

However, the platform differentiates itself by combining:

• Social media

• Digital payments

• Banking features

• Cashback rewards

• High-yield balances

Unlike many competitors, eligible balances are protected through an FDIC-insured cash sweep program that can provide insurance of up to $10 million by distributing funds across multiple partner banks.

Why the 6% APY Matters

One of X Money's most talked-about features is its advertised 6% annual percentage yield (APY) on eligible balances.

This rate is significantly higher than most traditional U.S. savings accounts and rivals many money market funds. Analysts believe the generous yield could accelerate user adoption, although regulators may closely examine how the returns are funded.

The launch also comes as U.S. lawmakers continue debating legislation related to digital assets and yield-bearing financial products. While X Money is not a stablecoin platform, it targets many of the same consumers looking for higher returns on idle cash.

The Bigger Picture

X Money represents another major step toward Elon Musk's long-term goal of turning X into a comprehensive financial and communication platform. By integrating messaging, payments, banking services, and potentially cryptocurrency in the future, X aims to become a single application that users rely on for both social interaction and everyday financial activities.

While the service currently focuses on fiat payments in the United States, future expansion into additional states, countries, and possibly digital assets could make X Money one of the most significant fintech launches in recent years.

In 2026, buying Bitcoin has become very easy. Technology has made investing much simpler, and almost anyone can start. Bitcoin has become especially popular, and many people are interested in how to buy it because they believe it has long-term potential.

Bitcoin is the first digital currency based on blockchain technology. Simply put, it is a system where all transactions are recorded in a shared ledger and cannot be changed or falsified. This makes Bitcoin transparent and relatively secure.

Today, buying Bitcoin is very fast. In the past, it was complicated, but now you only need to register on a crypto platform such as Binance or another trusted exchange. The process is usually simple: create an account → verify your identity → deposit funds → buy Bitcoin. It can all be done in just a few minutes.

It is important to know that you can start with a small amount of money. You do not need to invest a large sum. Many beginners start small just to understand how the market works and how prices move.

Bitcoin is also convenient because it can be sent anywhere in the world quickly. It has no borders like traditional banking systems. That is why it is very popular in today’s digital world, where speed and convenience matter.

However, it is important to remember that Bitcoin’s price can change a lot. It may go up or down quickly. That is why it is important to plan carefully and understand the risks before investing.

Despite this, many people see Bitcoin as a good long-term investment. Its supply is limited, while demand continues to grow, so some believe its value may increase over time.

In conclusion, buying Bitcoin in 2026 is not difficult at all. The key is to understand the basics, choose a reliable platform, and invest carefully.