What's Trending

The original voice of internet culture 🔥 Covering creators, trends + tech since 2011

[What's Trending @WhatsTrending]

Who’s actually shaping culture in 2026? 👀 ⁠
⁠
The Affinity 100, a new ranking from us here at What’s Trending and media cartographer Evan Shapiro, sponsored by Whalar Group, looks beyond follower counts to spotlight the creators with the strongest audience connection and cultural impact. ⁠
⁠
The takeaway? Influence isn’t just about reach, it’s about affinity. 🔥 ⁠

For the full list ⬇️

https://t.co/bA0z553viy

[What's Trending @WhatsTrending]

Trump’s family-backed crypto company received preliminary approval for a national trust bank charter tied to its USD1 stablecoin.

The move expands the family’s crypto business but raises conflict-of-interest concerns. @ByteFederal

To find a bitcoin ATM near you, head to https://t.co/dbqYiM0Kex

[What's Trending @WhatsTrending]

Sam Altman’s other company scans your eyeballs — and it just raised $52.5M by selling its own crypto at a discount. Tinder, Zoom and Docusign are already in. Would you? @ByteFederal

To find a Bitcoin ATM near you head to https://t.co/HiJWzLUFqd

#sponsored

[What's Trending @WhatsTrending]

A 600-page bill would decide who’s actually in charge of crypto in America — and it’s stuck on one provision 👇 @ByteFederal

To find a bitcoin ATM near you head to https://t.co/HiJWzLUFqd

#sponsored

[What's Trending @WhatsTrending]

The viral photos of a baby Lamine Yamal meeting Lionel Messi at a UNICEF photoshoot more than 18 years ago are real, and fans can't get over the full-circle moment.

The images have resurfaced after Spain's World Cup triumph over Messi's Argentina, with many pointing out that the baby once photographed with the football legend is now a world champion himself.

Social media has called the photos "unbelievable" as they continue to spread across platforms.

[What's Trending @WhatsTrending]

Craig Melvin addressed the shocking security breach at Today's New York City studio, reassuring viewers that the intruder was quickly apprehended and emphasizing, "We are just very happy that everyone is safe."

The co-anchor thanked fans for their support after the incident, while NBC confirmed it is cooperating with law enforcement and reviewing its security protocols following the confrontation.

#todayshow #craigmelvin

[What's Trending @WhatsTrending]

A KTLA live report has gone viral after reporter Rachel Menitoff stayed remarkably composed while a cockroach crawled across her shirt, neck, and microphone during a broadcast about Southern California's heat wave.

Menitoff later said she knew the insect was on her but chose to power through the segment, earning praise from viewers and colleagues for her professionalism.

#viralclip #tvreporter #losangeles

[What's Trending @WhatsTrending]

According to a new study from romance fiction platform Galatea, explicit romance novels may be more popular than ever—thanks in large part to BookTok—but many readers still feel embarrassed or worry they'll be judged for enjoying "smut."

The study found that fans often view spicy romance as emotionally meaningful and empowering, even as lingering cultural stigma leads some to hide their reading habits or describe the genre as a "guilty pleasure."

The findings highlight the disconnect between the genre's mainstream success and the social perceptions that still surround it.

[What's Trending @WhatsTrending]

President Donald Trump's latest financial disclosure reports more than $1.4 billion in income from cryptocurrency ventures, including hundreds of millions from World Liberty Financial and his $TRUMP meme coin, making crypto his largest reported source of income.

The disclosure has intensified scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest as Trump continues to promote pro-crypto policies while critics question whether his business interests overlap with his role in shaping cryptocurrency regulation. @ByteFederal

To find a bitcoin ATM near you head to https://t.co/4vR4lf1Zmv

#sponsored

[What's Trending @WhatsTrending]

Bitcoin ATMs are becoming the center of a growing political debate. But are they really the problem?

Here’s what’s happening 👇

To find a Bitcoin ATM near you head to https://t.co/HiJWzLUFqd

@ByteFederal

[Byte Federal @ByteFederal]

World Premier: Ban it All, the antithesis of 1776.

[What's Trending @WhatsTrending]

Netflix is using AI to recreate Gene Wilder's iconic voice for its upcoming reality competition series, Wonka's The Golden Ticket, in partnership with AI company ElevenLabs and with the approval of the late actor's estate.

Karen B. Wilder said she supports the project, calling it a way to honor her husband's beloved performance while introducing his version of Willy Wonka to a new generation.

The decision has sparked debate among fans and industry observers over the use of AI to recreate the voices of deceased performers, even when their families have given consent.

[What's Trending @WhatsTrending]

Denmark’s national ice hockey federation is piloting a blockchain-based “verified fan” identity system with crypto company Concordium, exploring how digital identity could reshape online fandom by distinguishing real supporters from bots and bad actors.

The initiative sits at the intersection of sports, crypto, and digital culture, testing whether verifiable identities can foster more authentic communities and deeper engagement while navigating ongoing skepticism around blockchain adoption and token economics. @ByteFederal

To find a bitcoin ATM near you head to https://t.co/dbqYiM0Kex

#cryptonews

[What's Trending @WhatsTrending]

Sam Bankman-Fried, the jailed founder of FTX, has applied for a presidential pardon from Donald Trump after serving two years of a 25-year sentence for fraud related to the collapse of FTX and its affiliated trading firm.

If granted, the pardon would effectively forgive his federal crimes, though no indication has been given that the application will be approved.

To find a bitcoin ATM near you head to https://t.co/dbqYiM0Kex

@ByteFederal

[Shira Lazar (she/her) 📍Los Angeles, CA @shiralazar]

This is what happens when Hollywood embraces AI tools. 👇

Got an exclusive look at the new @Artlist_io Studio at their LA launch, which was all about control for filmmakers from AI powered workflows to character consistency. They also announced an AI film with @secret__level that is Union compliant.

PS. Comment “ARTLIST” and I’ll send you a special link to get 2 bonus months when you sign up for a plan.

[What's Trending @WhatsTrending]

Meta has begun testing payouts to content creators using the USDC stablecoin on the Polygon blockchain, aiming to speed up payments and simplify cross-border transfers.

The program, currently piloted in Colombia and the Philippines, is expected to expand to over 160 countries, giving creators faster access to earnings and easier conversion to local currency.

To find a bitcoin ATM near you, head to https://t.co/dbqYiM0Kex

[What's Trending @WhatsTrending]

Musician G. Love says he lost about $440,000 worth of Bitcoin—his long-built retirement savings—after accidentally downloading a fake cryptocurrency app that gave scammers access to his wallet.

He shared the story publicly as a warning about increasingly sophisticated crypto scams, noting the funds were quickly drained and later traced to exchange accounts as authorities and investigators attempted to respond.

To find a Bitcoin ATM near you head to https://t.co/dbqYiM0Kex

[What's Trending @WhatsTrending]

AI-driven disruption is now impacting not just tech but also crypto, with major companies like https://t.co/YM6XkBjGXP, Block, Meta, and Atlassian laying off significant portions of their workforce while citing AI as a key factor.

Industry leaders warn this trend could worsen, with predictions that automation may drive new college graduate unemployment as high as 30% in the coming years.

To find a bitcoin ATM near you head to https://t.co/dbqYiM0Kex

[What's Trending @WhatsTrending]

Bitcoin’s rally has stalled as retail investors continue buying while large holders reduce their positions.

On-chain data shows smaller wallets steadily accumulating even as whales trim exposure, creating a clear market split.

This divergence is keeping Bitcoin locked in sideways, range-bound price action instead of a breakout.

To find a bitcoin ATM near you go to https://t.co/dbqYiM0Kex

🔗 https://t.co/afik5ZcISY

[What's Trending @WhatsTrending]

Bitcoin’s price pulled back toward the $64,000–$65,000 range as renewed uncertainty from U.S. tariff developments shook risk assets and traders reassessed momentum.

Despite this macro-driven swing, moments of strength pushed Bitcoin and some altcoins back up near the $68,000 level at times. #CryptoNews

To find a Bitcoin ATM near you head to https://t.co/dbqYiM0Kex

🔗 https://t.co/6NupDpv8E5