Ethereum Co-Founder Joe Lubin: 'Clear Heads Will Prevail' Over Crypto Regulation

Robinhood has introduced tokenized stock trading and crypto perpetual futures for European users on the Ethereum layer-2 scaling network, Arbitrum. The company aims to provide an all-in-one investment app powered by crypto, leveraging a custom layer-2 network.

Kazakhstan's National Bank plans to create a state Bitcoin and crypto reserve, reflecting a shift in the country's stance on Bitcoin amid increasing institutional adoption. The bank is developing a framework for managing these reserves through a specialized subsidiary, aligning with efforts to regulate the crypto market.

Benchmark analyst Mark Palmer initiated coverage of Metaplanet with a buy rating and a ¥2,400 price target, citing its aggressive Bitcoin strategy aiming for 210,000 BTC by 2027. The company's '555 Million Plan' involves issuing moving strike warrants to raise funds for Bitcoin purchases.

Metaplanet Inc. purchased an additional 1,005 BTC, bringing its total holdings to 13,350 BTC, worth around $1.27 billion. The company aims to reach 210,000 BTC by 2027 through aggressive monthly acquisitions.

The Bank of Korea has halted its central bank digital currency project, which was in the pilot program development stage with participating banks. President Lee Jae-myung had promised to support a won-based stablecoin market during his election campaign.

Five individuals have been arrested by Spanish police for their involvement in a crypto investment fraud ring that laundered nearly $540 million from over 5,000 victims. The operation, which began in 2023, included law enforcement from Spain, Estonia, France, and the U.S.

Barclays, along with other UK banks like Chase UK and Nationwide, has restricted cryptocurrency transactions due to concerns about potential debt and lack of financial protections. The move follows the Financial Conduct Authority's consideration of a ban on credit card crypto purchases to prevent consumers from taking on unsustainable debt.

Hwang Dong-hyuk, the creator of Squid Game, believes the show's wealthy villains, like Elon Musk, mirror real-world billionaires shaping global events. Musk's companies, Tesla and SpaceX, have not yet commented on the comparison.

Hong Kong is set to regulate stablecoins for fiat-referenced issuers starting August 1, aiming to challenge U.S. dollar dominance in the region. The new law will require licensed entities to comply with strict regulations, including reserve asset management and AML controls.

Vanadi Coffee, a struggling Spanish café chain, plans to accumulate up to $1.17 billion in Bitcoin to address financial challenges, despite deepening annual losses and thin liquidity. The company aims to redefine its business model by using Bitcoin as its primary reserve asset.