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Emirates NBD, the Dubai government bank, launches cryptocurrency services through the Liv X app in Dubai, using the Aquanow infrastructure and storage services from Zodia, licensed by VARA
Emirates NBD, the Dubai government bank, is launching cryptocurrency services through the Liv X mobile app. Users will be able to buy and sell cryptocurrencies using the infrastructure of the Aquanow platform, licensed by the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). Asset storage will be provided by Zodia, a company supported by Standard Chartered. Dubai continues to strengthen its status as a cryptocurrency hub by offering clear and stable regulations for licensing, attracting major crypto exchanges such as Binance and Crypto.com.
The Cardano Foundation enters into a strategic partnership with SERPRO to implement blockchain technologies in Brazil's public sector and train 8,000 employees
The Cardano Foundation has entered into a strategic partnership with the largest IT company in Brazil, SERPRO, which is the main technological partner of the federal administration. This collaboration aims to accelerate the adoption of blockchain technologies in the public sector, focusing on innovation, education, and the integration of digital solutions. As part of the partnership, SERPRO will launch the Cardano Academy program for 8,000 employees, including 2,000 developers. This partnership supports the modernization of the Brazilian government apparatus, improving the transparency and quality of public services.
Texas has approved the creation of a strategic Bitcoin reserve for the state: the SB 21 bill passed through the Senate and will now be reviewed by the House of Representatives
The Texas bill SB 21, approved by the Senate with a vote of 25-5, creates a strategic reserve of Bitcoin, which will strengthen the state's financial stability. Supporters of the initiative argue that Bitcoin will help protect against inflation and economic shocks. The bill has been supported by key figures, including Pierre Rochard from Riot Platforms. If passed, Texas will become the first state to officially include Bitcoin in its financial strategy, which could influence other regions of the country.
The court dismisses the lawsuit against DOGE by Elon Musk, allowing access to data from the U.S. Department of Treasury despite concerns about leaks of confidential information
A federal judge in Washington dismissed the lawsuit against Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which sought to block the department's employees from accessing confidential data from the U.S. Department of Treasury. The judge acknowledged the concerns about potential data leaks but noted that the plaintiffs did not provide sufficient evidence of an immediate threat of harm. At the same time, in New York, DOGE's access to this data is limited by a decision from another court.
The EU exempts Bitcoin miners and PoS validators from strict reporting requirements under MiCA, supporting the crypto industry and the financial stability of the region
Binance launches a voting mechanism for the listing and delisting of tokens, providing users with more control and supporting new promising projects
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has been released from custody after the court overturned his arrest, which has sparked controversy in the country regarding his charges and the legitimacy of the decision
1inch was subjected to a hacker attack, losing more than $5 million due to a vulnerability in the smart contract, but user funds remained safe
Senator Tim Scott proposes a bill to exclude "reputational risk" in banking regulations, with the goal of stopping the de-banking of cryptocurrency companies and legal businesses
Elon Musk through D.O.G.E directs funds to SpaceX and Tesla, manipulating figures in government spending, which raises questions about conflicts of interest
President Trump signed an order to create the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and the National Digital Asset Reserve to strengthen the U.S. position in managing cryptocurrencies
Trump expanded the list of goods exempt from new tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico in response to economic and trade threats, despite the ongoing tension
Japan is reducing taxes on cryptocurrency and introducing new rules for regulating digital assets, including increased control over unregistered exchanges
The ruling party of Japan, the LDP, has proposed reducing the capital gains tax on cryptocurrencies to 20 percent and creating a separate category for digital assets. According to the reforms, cryptocurrencies will be separated from securities, and the taxation of crypto derivatives will be aligned with the taxation of spot investments. Investments in cryptocurrency will be taxed only when converted to fiat money. Japan is also tightening control over unregistered crypto exchanges, requiring Google and Apple to block apps that violate local rules.
World Liberty Financial and Sui are launching a strategic partnership to expand decentralized finance and improve access to innovative financial solutions in the US
World Liberty Financial (WLFI) and the blockchain platform Sui have entered into a strategic agreement to promote decentralized finance (DeFi). As part of the collaboration, WLFI will add Sui assets to its token reserve "Macro Strategy," contributing to expanding Americans' access to DeFi. The combination of Sui technologies and WLFI's ambitions will help accelerate the adoption of innovative financial solutions and enhance users' financial independence. This step reflects trends in blockchain developments and DeFi aimed at improving the security and transparency of financial services.
Russia excluded Bitcoin from national reserves, strengthening its positions in gold and the Chinese yuan as part of a financial strategy to ensure stability and liquidity
Russia has changed its financial strategy, excluding Bitcoin from the national reserves. Instead of cryptocurrency, the country continued to strengthen its positions in gold and the Chinese yuan, making them the main assets of the National Wealth Fund. This decision is driven by the volatility of cryptocurrencies, making them unsuitable for sovereign reserves, where stability and liquidity are essential. In light of changing foreign economic conditions, Russia has focused on strategic partnerships, especially with China, to ensure long-term financial stability.
The Indian district of Dantewada digitized 700,000 land records, securing them using the Avalanche blockchain to enhance transparency and prevent forgery
The administration of Dantewada district in Chhattisgarh, India, digitized over 700,000 land records and secured them using the Avalanche blockchain to ensure transparency and prevent forgery. This step has simplified access to land ownership data, eliminating long delays in obtaining them. Kiosks for information verification have been set up in every sub-district, guaranteeing confidentiality. The use of smart contracts ensures the security and integrity of documents, which is especially important for local farmers and residents.
Best news of the last 10 days
The U.S. Senate introduced a bill to repeal the "Broker DeFi Rule," which requires decentralized finance platforms to report user data to the IRS, drawing criticism from the industry
The US has begun returning Chinese cryptocurrency mining machines after their confiscation due to security regulations and trade sanctions against China
Tether froze $27 million USDT on the Russian exchange Garantex, leading to the suspension of all operations and withdrawals in response to international sanctions
The Ministry of Finance of Russia launches an experimental cryptocurrency initiative for superqualified investors within the framework of a new legal system
The court hearing in Do Kwon's case has been postponed until April 2025 due to the need to analyze 4 terabytes of new evidence in cryptocurrency fraud
The hearing in the case of former Terraform Labs co-founder Do Kwon in the US has been postponed until April 10, 2025. Prosecutors requested additional time to analyze 4 terabytes of new evidence, which includes information on electronic account orders and materials from third parties. Earlier, 600 gigabytes of data, including information from Kwon's mobile phones and cryptocurrency transactions, were provided to the defense. Kwon was arrested in Montenegro in March 2023, after which he was extradited to the US, where he will face trial on fraud charges.
The Dubai regulatory organization VARA has issued a VASP license to the platform Mantra, opening new opportunities for DeFi services and the tokenization of real assets in the region
The Dubai regulatory organization VARA has issued a VASP license to the platform Mantra, specializing in the tokenization of real assets. This is the first case for a DeFi platform in Dubai. The license allows Mantra to provide exchange, brokerage, and investment services for virtual assets. This is an important step for the growth of the cryptocurrency industry in the region, which is actively developing liberal regulation in the blockchain sphere. As part of its expansion, Mantra has signed strategic partnerships, including a deal with Damac Group worth one billion dollars for the tokenization of assets.
Sygnum Bank expands cryptocurrency custody services by integrating Deribit to enhance investor security and reduce the risks of storing assets on exchanges
Swiss digital bank Sygnum has expanded its cryptocurrency custody services by adding support for Deribit, one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges for options trading. As part of a partnership with Fireblocks, users can now securely store their assets at a licensed bank while continuing to trade on Deribit without the risk of losing funds on the exchange. This solution has become particularly relevant after major hacker attacks, such as the theft of $1.4 billion from Bybit. The partnership aims to reduce risks and enhance security for investors, making the use of regulated solutions for cryptocurrency custody increasingly necessary
Brendan Gunn is accused of cryptocurrency investment fraud amounting to 181,000 Australian dollars, and his trial is set for April 2025
Brendan Gunn, the director of the Australian company Mormarkets Pty Ltd, has been accused of cryptocurrency investment fraud. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) claims that he stole 181,000 Australian dollars from three victims by offering them cryptocurrency investments. Gunn has appeared in court and may face up to 3 years in prison or a fine of 37,800 Australian dollars. His sister, breakdancer Reagan, became famous after participating in the 2024 Olympics, causing a stir on social media.