🇺🇸 Trump Administration's Crypto Moves

• Trump Treasury Pick Opposes CBDC: Scott Bessent, Donald Trump's nominee for Treasury Secretary, sees no reason for a U.S. central bank digital currency (CBDC), aligning with conservative skepticism of government-backed digital money. Read more
• Trump's Executive Order on Crypto: A Bloomberg report suggests Trump plans to make crypto a national priority with an upcoming executive order, signaling a potentially friendlier regulatory approach. Read more

🌍 CBDC & Stablecoin Developments

• UK to Test Digital Pound: The Bank of England is launching a "digital pound lab" to explore CBDC innovations, reinforcing the UK's commitment to digital finance. Read more
• Swiss Bank Offers Ethereum Staking: PostFinance, a government-backed Swiss bank, is introducing Ethereum staking services, offering customers a regulated avenue for passive income. Read more
• Philippines Launches PHPX Stablecoin: Major Philippine banks have collaborated to launch PHPX, a stablecoin designed for cross-border payments, aiming to modernize the country's financial infrastructure. Read more
• Cambodia Regulates Stablecoins, Excludes Bitcoin: Cambodia’s central bank has approved stablecoins and backed digital assets but explicitly excluded Bitcoin, highlighting a selective regulatory stance. Read more

🏦 Crypto-Friendly Banking & Investment Trends

• Coinbase Launches Bitcoin-Backed Loans: Coinbase is introducing a Bitcoin-backed loan service for U.S. users, expanding crypto-based financial products in the market. Read more
• U.S. States Consider Bitcoin Reserves: Several U.S. states are exploring holding Bitcoin reserves, reflecting increasing government interest in crypto as an asset class. Read more
• UK Exempts Crypto Staking from CIS Rules: The UK has removed crypto staking from collective investment scheme regulations, reducing compliance burdens for staking service providers. Read more
• FV Bank Adds PayPal’s PYUSD: U.S.-based FV Bank has integrated PayPal’s PYUSD stablecoin for deposits and payments, furthering the adoption of digital assets in banking. Read more

🇪🇺 European Crypto Expansion

• Italy’s Largest Bank Embraces Bitcoin: Intesa Sanpaolo, Italy’s biggest bank, is reportedly exploring Bitcoin-related services, signaling growing institutional acceptance in Europe. Read more
• 1Money Raises $20M for Stablecoin Payments Network: The startup is building a Layer-1 blockchain tailored for stablecoin transactions, highlighting investor confidence in payment-focused blockchain solutions. Read more

🌏 Asia's Regulatory and Market Moves

• South Korea Plans Second Crypto Law in 2025: South Korea is set to introduce a second crypto regulatory framework in late 2025, aiming to refine oversight and investor protections. Read more
• Thailand Weighs Bitcoin ETFs: The Thai government is considering approving locally-based Bitcoin ETFs to stay competitive in the global crypto market. Read more
• Hong Kong Introduces Blockchain Banking Incubator: Hong Kong has launched a supervisory incubator to help banks adopt blockchain technology, showcasing its commitment to fintech innovation. Read more

🌍 Africa's Crypto Policy Shift

• Kenya Prepares to Legalize Crypto: Kenya's Treasury has announced plans to introduce a regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies, marking a significant step toward mainstream adoption. Read more

💰 Crypto Mergers & Acquisitions

• MoonPay Acquires Solana Payments Startup: MoonPay has acquired a Solana-based payments firm, reinforcing its push into blockchain-based financial services. Read more

📈 Global Crypto Market and Institutional Developments

• Standard Chartered Launches Crypto Custody in EU: Standard Chartered has obtained a license in Luxembourg, enabling it to offer cryptocurrency custody services across the European Union. This move underscores the growing demand for secure crypto storage solutions within regulated frameworks. Read more.
• JPMorgan Eyes Euro Stablecoins Amid MiCA Rollout: As Europe's MiCA regulations take effect, JPMorgan has shown interest in exploring euro-denominated stablecoins. The bank's engagement signals a shift toward greater integration of crypto into traditional finance. Read more.
• Bhutan Adds Bitcoin, Ethereum to Strategic Reserves: Bhutan's central bank revealed holdings in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Binance Coin as part of its foreign reserves strategy. The move aims at diversifying assets and strengthening economic resilience. Read more.
• South Korea Moves to Lift Institutional Crypto Trading Ban: Authorities in South Korea are reportedly considering removing restrictions on institutional cryptocurrency trading. The policy shift is expected to boost market confidence and institutional adoption. Read more.
• Swiss Legislator Advocates Bitcoin Constitutional Inclusion: A Swiss lawmaker is pushing for a referendum to embed Bitcoin in the nation's constitution, aiming to bolster Switzerland’s position as a crypto-friendly hub. Read more.

🌍 Geopolitical and Regulatory Trends

• IMF Urges Kenya to Clarify Crypto Regulations: The International Monetary Fund has encouraged Kenya to implement clear guidelines for digital assets to combat money laundering and terrorism financing risks. Read more.
• China Tightens Crypto Oversight Amid New Forex Rules: New regulatory measures are being enforced in China, targeting foreign exchange transactions related to crypto. This reflects ongoing scrutiny of the digital asset sector. Read more.
• Guangzhou Expands Digital Yuan Pilot Program: The Chinese city of Guangzhou is accelerating its efforts to integrate the digital yuan into the local economy as part of its 2025 blockchain action plan. Read more.
• Hong Kong Pushes Blockchain Banking Initiative: Authorities in Hong Kong have launched a project aimed at enhancing blockchain adoption in the banking sector to drive financial innovation. Read more.

🛠 Technology Adoption and Strategic Innovations

• Revolut Taps Pyth Network for Real-Time Banking Data: Digital banking giant Revolut is leveraging the decentralized oracle platform Pyth Network to enhance its real-time financial data offerings. Read more.
• OCBC Launches Tokenized Bonds for Investors: Singapore-based OCBC Bank introduced tokenized bonds for corporate investors, highlighting increased blockchain adoption in traditional finance. Read more.
• BlackRock-Backed BUIDL Token Approved for Stablecoin Use: BlackRock’s BUIDL token is now an approved asset backing Frax Finance's FRxUSD stablecoin, showcasing growing institutional involvement in DeFi. Read more.

🌎 Regional Crypto Adoption and Economic Shifts

• Thailand Pilots Crypto Payments in Phuket: Thailand's government is testing cryptocurrency payment systems in tourist-heavy areas like Phuket as part of efforts to modernize its tourism economy. Read more.
• Portugal’s Big Bank Halts Crypto Transfers: A leading Portuguese bank reportedly stopped facilitating transfers to crypto platforms, reflecting potential regulatory pressures in the nation. Read more.
• El Salvador Holds Over 6,000 Bitcoin: El Salvador continues to solidify its Bitcoin adoption strategy, becoming the sixth country to amass over 6,000 BTC as a national reserve. Read more.
• Venezuelans Ditching Dollars for Crypto: Amid economic turmoil, Venezuelans are increasingly turning to cryptocurrencies as alternatives to the US dollar for everyday transactions. Read more.
• Syria Considers Bitcoin Legalization: Syrian authorities are evaluating potential legal frameworks for Bitcoin, signaling openness to crypto integration despite geopolitical challenges. Read more.

⚖️ Regulatory Leadership and Market Challenges

• CFTC Chair Resigns, Warns of Crypto Market Gaps: The outgoing chair of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission highlighted vulnerabilities in crypto regulation during his departure announcement. Read more.
• MiCA's Impact on Tether and EU Market Dynamics: Europe's MiCA regulations are challenging stablecoin issuer Tether, potentially reshaping the region’s crypto landscape. Read more.

🏦 Institutional and Regulatory Developments

• Groupe BPCE to Offer Crypto to 35M Users: France's Groupe BPCE is integrating Bitcoin and cryptocurrency investments for its extensive user base, signaling growing mainstream banking adoption. The initiative aligns with global trends in banking and crypto convergence. Read more.
• Germany Enhances Crypto Oversight with FinMaDiG: The Bundestag approved FinMaDiG, a law aimed at reinforcing crypto regulations under MiCA. The move strengthens Germany's commitment to financial stability in the digital asset market. Read more.
• Botswana Advocates Proactive Crypto Regulation: The Central Bank of Botswana has urged the implementation of robust crypto regulations to mitigate risks and future-proof the nation’s financial system. Read more.
• Philippines SEC Proposes Crypto Framework: The Philippines' securities regulator is advancing plans for a comprehensive framework to govern cryptocurrencies, focusing on investor protection and market integrity. Read more.
• Turkey Tightens Crypto AML Rules by 2025: Turkey plans to mandate stricter anti-money laundering protocols in crypto transactions by 2025, requiring detailed user information from exchanges. Read more.

🌍 Global Crypto Adoption

• Global Banks May Boost XRP Price: Adoption by major banks could significantly influence XRP's price trajectory, highlighting its utility in cross-border payment systems. Read more.
• Russia Expands Bitcoin Use in Foreign Trade: Russia’s Finance Minister confirmed broader use of Bitcoin for international trade amidst geopolitical pressures and sanctions. Read more.
• Thailand Mulls Bitcoin Pilot, Binance Involved: Thailand is exploring a Bitcoin-focused pilot project, with Binance expected to play a strategic role in advancing the initiative. Read more.
• Japan Wary of Bitcoin Reserves: Japan remains cautious about adopting Bitcoin as a reserve asset, citing stability concerns and regulatory complexities. Read more.‍
• Chivo Wallet Architect Calls for Shutdown: A key figure behind El Salvador’s Chivo wallet has advocated for its closure, citing inefficiencies and the need for a revamped strategy for Bitcoin adoption. Read more.

🛠️ Business and Industry Moves

• Securitize Eyes BlackRock’s BUIDL for Frax: Securitize has proposed integrating BlackRock's BUIDL token as collateral for Frax Finance's stablecoin, aiming to enhance institutional adoption. Read more.
• MoonPay Targets $150M Helio Pay Acquisition: Crypto payment platform MoonPay is pursuing a $150 million acquisition of Helio Pay to expand its service offerings and market share. Read more.
• Copper Withdraws UK Licensing Application: Custody provider Copper has retracted its UK Financial Conduct Authority application, signaling possible strategic shifts in compliance or focus. Read more.