Policy News — Page 4

Crypto regulation, legislation and public-policy developments.

South Korea’s First Won-Backed Stablecoin to Launch on Circle’s Arc Network

Circle’s Arc blockchain is gaining momentum as BDACS prepares to launch South Korea’s first won-backed stablecoin, KRW1, connecting Korean fintech to global crypto infrastructure. The move comes amid debate over whether banks should control stablecoin issuance — highlighting Korea’s balancing act between regulation and innovation.

Thai Regulators Raid World Iris Scanning Site Over Unlicensed Crypto Operations

Thailand’s SEC and cybercrime police raided a World iris scanning site for allegedly operating an unlicensed crypto service linked to its WLD token. The move adds to mounting international regulatory pressure on Sam Altman’s digital identity project, which continues to face privacy and compliance challenges across multiple countries.

Hong Kong Approves First Spot Solana ETF — Beating the U.S. to the Punch

Hong Kong’s approval of the ChinaAMC Solana ETF marks another milestone in the global expansion of regulated digital asset products — and underscores how far the U.S. still trails. With major players like Bitwise predicting Solana will underpin the next generation of tokenized finance, Asia is cementing its lead in institutional crypto innovation.

Australia’s Financial Watchdog May Soon Have Power to Ban Crypto ATMs Under New Law

Australia’s government plans to grant AUSTRAC new powers to restrict or ban crypto ATMs amid concerns about financial crime. While Minister Tony Burke stressed that a full ban isn’t planned, the move highlights the country’s cautious stance toward crypto infrastructure — even as adoption surges and providers push for fair regulation.

Grayscale Stakes $150M in Ether as SEC Prepares to Rule on Altcoin ETPs

Grayscale has staked $150 million in Ether after becoming the first U.S. asset manager to offer staking rewards through exchange-traded products. The move comes as the SEC prepares to rule on 16 altcoin ETPs this month, including key Ethereum and Solana funds, even as regulatory decisions face potential delays due to the U.S. government shutdown.