Banking, payments, tokenization and financial markets.
A group of US lawmakers is calling for a permanent ban on a US central bank digital currency, arguing that a temporary block until 2031 is not enough. They warn a digital dollar could threaten financial privacy and give the government excessive control over Americans’ finances.
Tether has frozen $4.2 billion in USDT tied to suspected illicit activity over three years, reflecting growing cooperation with global authorities. As stablecoin issuers become key enforcement partners, USDT supply has also contracted amid shifting market liquidity.
AllUnity has launched CHFAU, a Swiss franc–pegged stablecoin issued under MiCA compliance after securing a BaFin license. The token targets institutional settlement use cases and expands the firm’s regulated stablecoin portfolio. While CHF stablecoins have historically seen limited adoption, AllUnity is betting that regulatory clarity will drive institutional demand.
Sygnum has launched a discretionary crypto asset management service targeting the $100 billion corporate treasury market. The bank is already managing $200 million under live mandates, aiming to bring traditional portfolio discipline to digital assets. The move reflects rising institutional demand for regulated, active oversight of crypto-heavy balance sheets.
Standard Chartered still expects the stablecoin market to reach $2 trillion by 2028, calling recent stagnation cyclical. However, it cut its forecast for stablecoin-driven T-bill demand to $800 billion–$1 trillion. The bank remains constructive on long-term crypto growth, even as it trims near-term Bitcoin price targets.
Citrini Research’s fictional 2028 memo imagines AI boosting profits and markets while hollowing out jobs and consumer demand. In that world, stablecoins and crypto rails become the preferred payment layer for AI agents. The scenario highlights both the promise of AI-driven growth and the risk of widening inequality and structural economic strain.
Bitdeer has sold all of its Bitcoin reserves, reducing corporate holdings to zero. The move comes alongside a $300 million convertible note raise and reflects mounting pressure on miners after the halving. As margins tighten, the industry is increasingly pivoting toward AI and data center revenue streams.
Kashkari says crypto hasn’t shown meaningful utility after a decade, while AI is already widely used. He also challenges stablecoin narratives, arguing they don’t offer clear advantages over existing payment apps and still face costly off-ramp friction in remittances.
Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund has exited its entire stake in ETHZilla, just months after backing the company’s Ether treasury strategy. The move highlights growing pressure on public firms built around ETH accumulation as volatility and debt exposure test the model’s resilience.
Steak ‘n Shake says accepting Bitcoin has helped drive double-digit same-store sales growth and build a $15 million BTC reserve. However, its treasury holdings are currently sitting at an unrealized loss, underscoring the volatility that comes with integrating crypto into corporate finance.
A global survey shows stablecoins are increasingly used for salaries and everyday spending, especially in emerging markets. Lower fees and faster cross-border transfers are key drivers. With regulatory clarity improving, stablecoins are gaining ground as practical payment infrastructure rather than purely trading instruments.
Metaplanet’s pivot to Bitcoin has delivered explosive revenue growth, with crypto now driving 95% of sales. However, mark-to-market losses tied to Bitcoin’s price drop pushed the company into a sizable net loss. The firm remains committed to an aggressive treasury strategy, betting on long-term digital asset appreciation.
Boerse Stuttgart and Tradias are merging to form a regulated European crypto infrastructure provider focused on institutional clients. The move highlights accelerating consolidation under MiCA, as traditional finance firms scale up to compete in Europe’s evolving digital asset market.
Figure Technology confirmed a data breach after a social-engineering attack, with hackers publishing customer data online. While crypto phishing losses have declined overall, sensitive personal data remains a prime target. The incident lands as Figure expands its public-market presence and tokenized equity ambitions.
Africa leads in stablecoin adoption but also records the highest conversion spreads globally. Costs vary sharply by country, driven largely by competition and liquidity rather than blockchain technology. Stablecoins may cut remittance friction, but local market dynamics still shape the final price users pay.
The UK’s financial watchdog has opened final consultations on 10 proposed crypto rules, aiming to apply traditional finance-style standards while acknowledging the sector’s inherent risks, with a new licensing regime for crypto firms expected to open applications in 2026.
Kansas lawmakers are considering a state-managed Bitcoin and digital asset reserve funded through unclaimed crypto rather than direct purchases, a proposal that mirrors federal plans to rely on forfeited assets, builds on earlier Kansas crypto initiatives, and reflects a broader trend of governments cautiously testing Bitcoin’s role in public finance.
The Bank of Italy says banks and central institutions will anchor digital money, with Governor Fabio Panetta arguing stablecoins rely on fiat pegs and can only play a supporting role despite efficiency benefits.