Everything web3, crypto, defi, degen
In brief Stripe is working with crypto venture firm Paradigm to build a new layer-1 network for payments and stablecoins. The network is in private testnet, being built with design input from global firms like OpenAI, Shopify, and Visa. Tempo will feature low fees, a payments-first user experience, and opt-in privacy features. Stablecoins and payment…
In brief Europol said misuse of crypto is “becoming increasingly sophisticated,” straining national police resources. Experts have called for global standards and unbiased blockchain training to strengthen cross-border investigations. A recent conference highlighted the need for cooperation between public and private sectors as crypto crime evolves. The head of Europol’s European Financial and Economic Crime…
In brief A federal appeals court affirmed the Fed’s ability to deny crypto bank Custodia a master account. Custodia had argued the Fed had no choice but to award a master account to eligible banks. The Fed said it could deny Custodia an account based on the risk posed by crypto activity. Custodia said it…
In brief Kraken’s parent company, Payward, topped the list of spenders from the crypto industry. Payward spent between $323,000 and $430,000 in 2024. The EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation went fully into effect on December 30, 2024. Crypto exchanges spent millions lobbying the European Union in 2024, based on publicly available data, with many of…
Western Union will release a stablecoin via the Solana blockchain in 2026, the company said Tuesday.The international payments firm said in a joint announcement with the Solana Foundation that the new digital token will be called USDPT and issued by Anchorage Digital Bank.”Western Union will provide users with access to digital assets, and we look…
In brief Coinbase offers Bitcoin-backed loans as a technology provider. The exchange’s competitors have state-by-state licenses. Coinbase applied for a national trust charter this month. As Coinbase leans into its Bitcoin-backed lending product, the exchange is offering customers competitive rates by connecting them with lightly vetted pools of capital, which don’t require people to provide…
In brief In a report Monday, the Bank of Korea challenged the notion that technology alone can ensure currency stability. The central bank cited depegging risks, noting that major stablecoins like USDC fell to $0.88 during Silicon Valley Bank’s 2023 collapse. Meanwhile, South Korean companies are advancing won-pegged stablecoin pilots, including BDACS’s successful KRW1 test…
In brief IBM is launching a platform called Digital Asset Haven with support from crypto infrastructure firm Dfns. The platform will help governments and institutions engage with blockchain in what it says is a simple, secure platform. Shares of IBM are up modestly amid the news. Global computing firm IBM is making a fresh play…
In brief Custodia and Vantage have unveiled a live network for tokenized deposits across U.S. banks. The system enables switching between deposits and GENIUS Act–compliant stablecoins. The platform awaits final regulatory approval to start at scale, Custodia CEO Caitlin Long confirmed with Decrypt. Custodia Bank and Vantage Bank Texas have unveiled a live platform for…
In brief Blockchain.com received its MiCA license in Malta, joining firms including Gate and Gemini. EU regulators have warned Malta over inconsistent supervision under the new crypto regime. The move comes as the island nation tightens restrictions on new crypto mining and licensing practices. Blockchain.com has secured a MiCA license in Malta, the latest in…
