Crypto Industry Venture Funding, M&A Deals Surge

The UK's Financial Conduct Authority is seeking feedback on regulating crypto activities before implementing legislation to bring them under regulation. The regulator's discussion paper, released Friday, covers topics including intermediaries, staking, lending, borrowing, and decentralized finance, with a focus on consumer protection and market integrity.

Japanese firm Metaplanet has issued $24.8 million (3.6 billion yen) in bonds to buy more Bitcoin for its corporate treasury, with EVO FUND as the sole buyer. The bonds have no interest and will mature in 2025, funded by stock acquisition rights. The company may repay the bonds early if stock rights proceeds surpass certain levels.

Claynosaurz, known for NFTs on Solana, is expanding to Sui blockchain for new interactive digital experiences. The move includes launching collectibles, gaming, and an achievements system on Sui, while original NFTs remain on Solana.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune is pushing for a vote on the GENIUS Act, a bill regulating stablecoins tied to the U.S. dollar. The legislation, sponsored by Senator Bill Hagerty, aims to establish a regulatory framework for digital assets and maintain the dollar's global dominance.

Playtron, a gaming startup, revealed plans to introduce a stablecoin on Sui for gaming purposes. The Game Dollar, set to launch in Q4, will be utilized for transactions and rewards within the Playtron GameOS ecosystem.

Movement Labs suspended co-founder Rushi Manche amid a governance probe after Rentech dumped 66 million MOVE tokens. The Foundation believed it was contracting Web3Port for liquidity, but Rentech misrepresented its role.

The U.S. Treasury Department's FinCEN proposed actions to sever Cambodia-based Huione Group from the U.S. financial system due to alleged money laundering activities, including processing $4 billion in illicit proceeds. The proposed rule aims to restrict Huione's access to correspondent banking, hindering money laundering capabilities.

Rep. Lance Gooden from Texas is proposing to install crypto ATMs in federal buildings to support the financial needs of a diverse consumer base. Gooden believes this initiative aligns with President Trump's vision of U.S. dominance in blockchain and crypto innovation.

Kraken's routine job interview turned into an intelligence-gathering operation after suspicions arose about a North Korean operative. The candidate used fake identities, coaching, and digital deception, highlighting the need for vigilance against state-sponsored infiltration attempts.

The Black Mirror Experience introduces the Black Mirror token, utilizing the KOR Protocol to track user behavior and assign reputation scores through a virtual assistant named Iris. Participants can earn tokens by engaging with decentralized communities and maintaining high social scores.