It was eventful in the crypto space over the past weekend, with major institutions like IG Group and Stripe broadening digital asset access, while South Korea’s election promises and nonprofit activity signaled growing mainstream adoption. Regulatory clarity—such as the SEC’s staking guidance and increased scrutiny of stablecoins—boosted market confidence even as risks around fraud, hacks, and high-stakes trading persisted. Amid heightened enforcement actions and continued security threats, the market remains energized by renewed capital inflows, product innovation, and evolving global policy frameworks.
UK-listed IG Group has launched crypto trading for retail investors, expanding its previous crypto-based contracts for differences offering. This move broadens access to digital assets for individual traders in the UK.
The FTX Recovery Trust is distributing over $5 billion in cash and stablecoins to creditors, with funds expected to reach accounts within three business days. Analysts suggest this influx could have a positive impact on crypto markets and potentially benefit altcoins.
James Wynn, a prominent pseudonymous trader on Hyperliquid known for his bold strategies, has drawn significant attention after being fully liquidated following risky bets totaling billions. Previously, Wynn gained notoriety for a $1 billion bitcoin short and was celebrated as crypto's 'Inverse Cramer' due to his reported million-dollar profits. The dramatic reversal in fortune has sparked widespread discussion within the crypto community about the risks of high-stakes trading.
World Vision became the first nonprofit in South Korea to trade crypto after the ban was lifted, cashing out nearly $1,500 in Ether from a March donation campaign. This marks the first institutional crypto sale since the regulatory change.
Orange Cap Games has acquired the Moonbirds, Mythics, and Oddities NFT collections from Yuga Labs, marking a significant shift just a year after Yuga Labs' own acquisition of these assets.
The stablecoin sector is approaching a $250 billion market cap, with business-to-business (B2B) stablecoin payments increasing 30-fold over the past two years, according to a report from Artemis, Dragonfly, and Castle Island. This rapid growth is drawing heightened scrutiny, as the OCC prepares to play a larger role in shaping policy for both centralized and decentralized players. Dragonfly's Hadick emphasizes that the stablecoin 'book is just starting to be written,' reflecting the sector's early momentum and ongoing debates about its utility and future. The intersection of regulatory oversight and accelerating B2B adoption will be a key area to watch.
Citigroup reports that stablecoins are increasingly important in both crypto and traditional finance, boosting demand for treasury bills and reflecting the ongoing dominance of the US dollar.
Stripe is in early talks with banks to integrate stablecoins into its payments platform, reflecting the growing importance of digital tokens for global transactions, according to company president John Collison.
Experts discuss how crypto op-eds are shaping public perception, policy, and the future of Web3 storytelling, highlighting the growing impact of opinion pieces in the crypto industry.
Xend Finance and Risevest have launched a platform enabling African investors to access global real estate and stock markets through tokenized fractional shares using stablecoins. This initiative aims to expand financial inclusion and investment opportunities across the continent.
Traders are focusing on short-term profit strategies as long-term economic prospects become less clear due to tariffs, according to Web3 CEO Arrash Yasavolian. The shift reflects growing caution in the market as participants respond to evolving macroeconomic pressures.
Fabio Panetta of the European Central Bank cautioned that banks face reputational risks from offering crypto-asset services, warning that losses in the sector could undermine public confidence in banks. He called for closer monitoring of these risks.
Samourai Wallet's co-founders are seeking dismissal of U.S. criminal charges, arguing in court that the DOJ's case conflicts with FinCEN guidance. The outcome could impact how privacy-focused crypto apps are regulated in the U.S.
The U.S. Treasury's OFAC sanctioned Funnull Technology for providing technology to websites allegedly involved in pig butchering scams, along with two crypto wallets linked to Huione. The move targets illicit crypto activity and aims to disrupt scam operations.
The SEC clarified that protocol staking is not a securities transaction, a move hailed as a major win for US crypto regulation. This decision could pave the way for staking ETF approval and provides clarity for industry participants.
Bank of Italy governor Fabio Panetta argues that MiCA has had limited impact on compliant stablecoin adoption in Europe, highlighting the need for a digital euro to better manage crypto risks.
The US government has urged the Supreme Court to reject Coinbase user James Harper's attempt to block the IRS from accessing his crypto transaction records, arguing he has no such right. The case could set a precedent for privacy and regulatory oversight in crypto.
Both major candidates in South Korea's upcoming election have pledged to legalize spot crypto ETFs, relax regulations, and introduce a won-backed stablecoin, signaling positive momentum for the country's crypto sector regardless of the vote's outcome.
French authorities have charged 25 individuals, including teens and minors, for attempting to kidnap the daughter of a wealthy crypto businessman and for criminal conspiracy, according to the Paris court.
Blockchain analysts warn that exposure to wallets linked to suspected Garantex successor Grinex is rising, but their warnings are being ignored as $1.66 billion flows through crypto exchanges.
MEXC reported a 200% increase in fraudulent activity in Q1, mainly due to social engineering scams targeting inexperienced users. A separate report highlights India and Indonesia as leading regions in this surge, reflecting a broader trend of rising crypto fraud.
Coinbase reminds users it will not call to warn of account compromise, addressing a frequent scam tactic targeting crypto holders. Users should remain vigilant against unsolicited calls claiming to be from exchanges.
BitMEX security researchers have uncovered significant operational security lapses in the Lazarus Group hacker network, revealing amateur-level mistakes and vulnerabilities in their operations.
PeckShield reports 20 major crypto hacks in May, totaling $244.1 million in losses. Despite the significant sum, hack-related losses fell by 40% compared to previous periods, indicating improved security or fewer large-scale incidents.
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