Russia Considers Crypto Payments in Special Economic Zones to Counter Sanctions

September 3, 2026July 19, 2025 by Vaibhavv Ali

A Russian senator has proposed allowing companies registered in two of the country’s special administrative regions (SARs) to conduct settlements using cryptocurrencies. This move aims to facilitate digital transactions without clashing with the central bank’s current stance, which prohibits crypto payments within Russia’s main jurisdiction. The proposal comes from Alexander Shenderyuk-Zhidkov, deputy chairman of the … Read more

Shinhan Bank Pioneers Crypto Services on Mobile App, Signaling South Korea’s Mainstream Adoption Push

September 3, 2026July 18, 2025 by Vaibhavv Ali

Shinhan Bank, South Korea’s second-largest commercial bank, has taken a significant leap towards mainstream cryptocurrency adoption by integrating crypto services into its popular SOL mobile application. This pioneering move, initially reported by Field News, positions Shinhan Bank at the forefront of traditional financial institutions embracing the digital asset space in South Korea. The new features … Read more

Bank of America Confirms Stablecoin Plans as GENIUS Act Advances in Congress

September 3, 2026July 17, 2025 by Vaibhavv Ali

Bank of America (BofA) is officially preparing its entry into the stablecoin market, marking a significant strategic shift as major U.S. financial institutions increasingly embrace digital assets. While a definitive launch date has not been set, CEO Brian Moynihan confirmed today that extensive internal work is well underway to assess the practicalities and demand for … Read more

GameStop Eyes Crypto Payments Amidst Continued Bitcoin Accumulation

September 3, 2026July 16, 2025 by Vaibhavv Ali

GameStop, the electronics retail giant, is making a significant move further into the crypto space, not just as an investor but also by exploring the acceptance of cryptocurrency for payments. This comes after the company’s prior crypto ventures faced regulatory hurdles, hinting at a new chapter in its digital asset strategy. Bitcoin as an Inflation … Read more

Circle Seeks National Digital Currency Bank Charter to Bolster USDC and Digital Asset Custody

September 3, 2026July 16, 2025 by Vaibhavv Ali

Circle Internet Group, the issuer behind the prominent dollar-pegged stablecoin USDC, has formally applied to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to establish a new entity: First National Digital Currency Bank. Submitted on June 30, this strategic move aims to bring Circle’s stablecoin reserves under direct federal oversight and expand its digital … Read more

Czech National Bank Makes Strategic Move, Invests $18.1 Million in Coinbase Shares

September 3, 2026July 14, 2025 by Vaibhavv Ali

The Czech National Bank (CNB) has signaled a significant shift in its reserve management strategy, disclosing an investment of $18.1 million in Coinbase shares during the second quarter of 2025. This move, revealed in a 13F filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, saw the CNB acquire 51,732 shares of Coinbase Global. The investment … Read more

Emirates and Crypto.com Ink Deal to Explore In-Flight Crypto Payments, Paving Way for Aviation’s Digital Future

September 3, 2026July 10, 2025 by Vaibhavv Ali

Emirates, one of the world’s leading international airlines, has announced a significant stride towards mainstream cryptocurrency adoption in the aviation sector, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Crypto.com. The agreement will explore integrating Crypto.com Pay into Emirates’ payment systems, marking a major endorsement of digital assets by a global airline. This partnership is poised … Read more

Monad Foundation Acquires Portal Labs to Supercharge Stablecoin Payments on High-Throughput Blockchain

September 3, 2026July 10, 2025 by Vaibhavv Ali

In a strategic move to accelerate stablecoin adoption and expand payment capabilities on its high-throughput Layer-1 blockchain, the Monad Foundation announced Wednesday its acquisition of Portal Labs, the team behind Portal’s embedded stablecoin wallet infrastructure platform. This integration is set to create a comprehensive ecosystem for enterprise-grade stablecoin payments while maintaining Portal’s existing customer relationships … Read more

Metaplanet Eyes Digital Bank Acquisition Using Bitcoin Reserves

September 3, 2026July 8, 2025 by Vaibhavv Ali

Japanese investment firm Metaplanet is charting an aggressive expansion plan powered by Bitcoin. According to CEO Simon Gerovich, the Tokyo-listed company plans to leverage its growing Bitcoin (BTC) reserves to acquire profitable businesses—including the potential purchase of a digital bank in Japan. “We think of it as a Bitcoin gold rush,” Gerovich told the Financial … Read more

Crypto Companies Pursue Banking Licenses Amid Industry Shift Toward Regulation

September 3, 2026July 8, 2025 by Vaibhavv Ali

The growing interest in U.S. banking licenses by major crypto firms like Circle and Ripple Labs reflects a new phase in the evolution of digital assets — one that prioritizes regulatory alignment without entirely abandoning decentralization. Institutions Embrace Compliance Over the past week, crypto industry leaders have intensified their efforts to gain regulatory legitimacy by … Read more