Ripple is significantly increasing its presence in the Middle East through a new strategic partnership with Bahrain Fintech Bay (BFB), a key fintech ecosystem builder in the region. Announced on October 9th, the collaboration aims to integrate blockchain and stablecoin infrastructure into Bahrain’s regulated financial markets. Ripple and BFB will work together on pilot projects … Read more
According to a Fortune report, both Coinbase and Mastercard are engaged in advanced discussions to acquire BVNK, a London-based stablecoin startup. The potential sale price is estimated to be between $1.5 billion and $2.5 billion. The report suggests that Coinbase currently has an advantage over Mastercard in the negotiations. If the acquisition is finalized, it … Read more
Binance Japan, the local unit of the global crypto exchange, has announced a major capital and business alliance with PayPay Corporation, one of Japan’s largest digital payment services. As part of the deal, PayPay has acquired a 40% equity stake in Binance Japan. The strategic partnership aims to bridge PayPay’s extensive network of 70 million … Read more
Square, a division of Jack Dorsey’s Block Inc., has launched Square Bitcoin, a new platform enabling its over four million US merchants to seamlessly accept and manage Bitcoin directly within their existing Square systems. This move is seen as Block’s strategic effort to push Bitcoin from a niche investment into a mainstream commercial settlement tool. … Read more
The price of XRP moved just above $3.00 on Sunday, October 5, holding steady around its recent five-day average. While it slightly underperformed Bitcoin and Ethereum (which both rallied over 3%), this divergence suggests XRP may be primed for a delayed surge as liquidity from Bitcoin’s record run spills into large-cap altcoins. Ripple’s Banking License … Read more
The Russian Central Bank has announced it will conduct a “large-scale audit” of the nation’s cryptocurrency holdings and transactions in early 2026. This comprehensive review, reported by the newspaper Izvestia, aims to assess the volume of crypto investments and lending activities among companies and individuals. Purpose of the Crypto Survey The Central Bank plans to … Read more
Recent ledger data shows that XRP has experienced a dramatic spike in on-chain payment volume, hitting 1.58 billion XRP in a single day. This abrupt surge indicates renewed momentum and utility on the network. Institutional Use and Price Implications The significant increase in payments suggests increased institutional or settlement activity, as movements of this scale … Read more
BBVA, Spain’s second-largest bank, has officially launched 24/7 Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) trading and custody for its domestic retail clients, becoming the first major Spanish lender to integrate cryptocurrencies into its core mobile banking platform. Key Highlights of the Launch: Mainstream Integration: Customers can now buy and sell crypto directly through the BBVA mobile … Read more
Global payments giant Visa has unveiled plans to launch its own stablecoin under the Visa Direct initiative. The announcement, made at SIBOS 2025, aims to significantly improve global money movement by lowering transaction fees, enhancing cross-border payments, and unlocking additional market liquidity. Scheduled for a 2025 launch, this initiative will enable businesses to fund cards … Read more
The Bank of Korea (BOK) has proposed stringent new regulations for issuers of won-based stablecoins, suggesting they may be required to deposit their reserve assets directly at the central bank. This proposal was submitted to the National Assembly’s finance committee on October 1, ahead of the government’s expected release of its first draft bill on … Read more