Category: crypto

Belarusian nationals and residents are now prohibited from owning or managing crypto-asset service providers regulated under the EU’s MiCA framework starting August 25, as part of the EU’s sanctions on Belarus. This comes as Belarus expands its domestic crypto sector and the EU tightens sanctions related to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

HashKey Cloud and BitGo have partnered to offer non-custodial staking services to institutional clients. HashKey Cloud will provide validators while assets remain within BitGo’s custody framework. The partnership targets exchanges, asset managers, ETFs, funds, and corporate clients seeking controlled onchain participation. They also plan to cooperate on tokenized assets and transaction settlement globally.

BPI has launched a pilot program using stablecoin settlement rails for cross-border payments to provide faster and lower-cost remittances to freelancers, virtual assistants, and overseas income earners. The pilot will run with BSP coordination and aims to combine blockchain-based settlement with conventional banking safeguards. Regulatory safeguards and oversight for stablecoins are also being tightened in…

Samsung plans to add stablecoin support to Samsung Wallet, expanding the app beyond payments and rewards. The company has not disclosed which stablecoins will be supported, the launch timeline, or technology partners. This move builds on Samsung’s recent crypto initiatives, including Coinbase integration and investments in South Korea’s digital asset market.

Upbit has removed TAIKO from its trading warning list after reviewing the project’s response to a security breach in June. TAIKO deposits will resume in three markets, and transfers will be processed in sequence. The token’s price rose after the delisting concerns eased, but Upbit warned of potential price volatility.

Brazil registered a rural loan of R$100,000 backed by 10 digitally identified dairy cows, marking one of the country’s first credit transactions using tokenized livestock as collateral. The cows, valued at R$120,000, were monitored by smart collars to track health, behavior, and location, reducing the need for physical farm inspections. Target FIDC structured the transaction…

Bitfinex has obtained a Digital Asset Service Provider license in El Salvador, allowing them to offer spot trading, crypto derivatives, and tokenized securities services locally. This approval adds to Bitfinex’s existing licensed operations in the country, making El Salvador a key part of their Latin American strategy for trading and capital markets.

Thailand’s SEC filed a criminal complaint against Bitkub and two former directors for false reporting related to a cyberattack in 2021. Bitkub delayed disclosing the hack to prevent a bank run and replaced stolen assets. Thailand is increasing enforcement and expanding regulations in the digital asset sector, including reviewing stablecoin transactions and recognizing cryptocurrencies as…

The European Union has accused Justin Sun-linked HTX and 17 other crypto companies of helping Russian users evade financial sanctions. HTX faces transaction restrictions but not an asset freeze. Separate rules will restrict Belarusian ownership of MiCA-regulated crypto firms. The EU also imposed sanctions on banks and financial institutions linked to Russia.

Odos Protocol will be shutting down its decentralized exchange aggregator, with users required to withdraw their assets by July 30. The closure follows a decline in trading volume, and the Odos DAO will continue independently. The ODOS token will remain onchain. Other crypto platforms have also announced shutdowns in 2026.