Crypto markets surged as Bitcoin eyed new highs, fueled by record ETP inflows and heightened institutional interest, while political and regulatory scrutiny intensified, particularly around Donald Trump’s crypto ties and industry calls for clearer U.S. guidance. Meanwhile, global developments—from regulatory crackdowns in China to policy shifts in Pakistan, Thailand, and Dubai—highlighted the sector’s evolving landscape amid ongoing security concerns and high-profile scams.
Trump Media Group is reportedly seeking to raise about $3 billion to invest in cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, a move that has triggered both speculation and concerns, including a funding controversy involving Harvard. Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate is intensifying scrutiny of Donald Trump's crypto connections as it debates stablecoin regulation, with Democrats pushing for more transparency. Separately, a high-profile gala dinner for crypto investors who bought Trump’s meme coin drew mixed reactions, as some attendees—such as a TikTok influencer who paid six figures—were disappointed by the brief presidential appearance and lackluster food. These developments underscore growing political and investor attention on Trump’s expanding role in the crypto sector.
Asia-based trading firm Caladan is opening a New York City office, reflecting renewed interest from crypto firms in the US amid Trump-era reforms and a perceived shift in US crypto policy.
Chinese authorities have shut down Weibo accounts accused of illegally promoting crypto trading and unauthorized stock recommendations, intensifying the country's ongoing crackdown on digital asset activities.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has appointed Bilal Bin Saqib, CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council, as his special assistant on blockchain and crypto. The appointment, effective immediately under Rule 4(6) of the Rules of Business, 1973, grants Saqib the status of minister of state. He will serve in this role without salary or official benefits, according to reports.
Cryptocurrency industry groups are urging the SEC to provide formal guidance on staking, highlighting ongoing regulatory uncertainty for Web3 infrastructure providers. The lack of clarity has prompted calls for the SEC to address the issue directly.
Dubai has launched the first licensed tokenized real estate project in the MENA region, signaling growing interest in real-world asset tokenization within a major crypto hub. The initiative aims to digitize property assets and could pave the way for broader adoption in the region.
Thailand plans to allow tourists to spend cryptocurrency via credit card-linked platforms as part of efforts to modernize its financial system and embrace digital assets. The initiative is part of a broader regulatory reform strategy.
Crypto industry members and city officials gathered at Eric Adams' summit to discuss leveraging crypto and blockchain technology in New York City, with notable criticism of the state's BitLicense. The event featured an all-day open bar as participants debated regulatory challenges and opportunities.
The crypto market continues its upward momentum, with analysts optimistic about Bitcoin's path to $150,000. Market maturity and global economic uncertainty are contributing to the rally.
Crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs) saw record inflows of $3.3 billion last week, driven by investor reactions to U.S. economic uncertainty and Moody's downgrade, which shook confidence in traditional markets. Year-to-date inflows have now surpassed $10.8 billion, with total assets under management exceeding $187.5 billion. The surge highlights growing investor confidence in digital assets as a hedge against instability in conventional financial sectors.
Digital assets worth $3.3 billion are set to enter circulation in June as vesting periods for several major projects expire, according to Tokenomist. This large-scale token unlock could impact market dynamics as new supply enters the ecosystem.
Christopher Giancarlo, former CFTC chairman, has joined Sygnum as an advisor to help the crypto bank navigate global regulations and support its institutional growth.
Coinbase is reportedly considering acquisitions such as Circle, Securitize, Chainalysis, and Alchemy to expand its reach, even as it faces legal action and a class action lawsuit over a recent data breach that exposed investors to losses.
Coinbase is facing a lawsuit from a crypto investor who claims the exchange failed to disclose key details about its business dealings with regulators and bad actors, resulting in significant losses and damages for shareholders.
A crypto investor lost $2.5 million in stablecoins after falling victim to two phishing scams within three hours. The incident highlights ongoing risks in digital asset security and the sophistication of phishing attacks targeting crypto holders.
A report by Humanity Research Consultancy alleges Cambodia supports criminal networks exploiting crypto for a $19 billion scam empire, with officials reportedly tied to forced labor operations. The findings highlight significant risks and illicit activity linked to crypto in the region.
A crypto trader lost over $2.6 million USDT in a sophisticated phishing attack, suffering two major losses within three hours. The incident highlights ongoing risks and the increasing sophistication of scams targeting digital asset holders.
Sam Bankman-Fried, former FTX CEO, may be released from prison in December 2044, over four years earlier than originally sentenced, according to multiple reports. The reduction stems from adjustments by the Bureau of Prisons.
A second suspect, reportedly a Swiss crypto investor, is expected to turn himself in to New York City police in connection with a high-profile crypto kidnapping case. This follows recent reports of arrests in France linked to similar crypto-related abductions.
Binance Square, the social network from Binance, has introduced a livestream feature aimed at traders, marking a move to compete with other social media platforms and enhance real-time trading experiences.
Yat Siu of Animoca Brands shares insights on the potential comeback of crypto gaming, noting the persistent role of financial speculation in the current bitcoin-driven market meta.
Academic studies reveal that derivatives markets now lead Bitcoin price discovery and have increased BTC's volatility, highlighting their growing influence on digital asset markets.
AI art platform Civitai now accepts eight cryptocurrencies for its virtual currency after being banned by credit card processors over explicit AI content, aligning with other NSFW businesses turning to crypto solutions.
Michael Saylor, executive chair of Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy), argues that institutions posting onchain proof-of-reserves is a 'bad idea' due to potential security risks. He suggests that current conventional methods may be safer for institutional crypto holdings.
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