Stablecoins

The European Union has just released its 19th sanction on Russia, putting in place even stricter regulations that cut off cryptocurrency platforms and a ruble-backed stablecoin used by Russian entities to bypass financial restrictions.

Tether’s USDT stablecoin has surpassed 500 million users worldwide, marking a major milestone in global financial inclusion. The company says this growth shows how digital dollars are becoming a vital tool for savings and payments, especially in emerging markets.

China has reportedly stepped in to halt stablecoin initiatives by Ant Group and JD.com in Hong Kong, reigniting the debate over who holds the “right of coinage” in the world’s second-largest economy.

Singapore merchants can now accept stablecoin payments through HitPay and Triple-A. Payments are instantly converted to fiat, letting businesses receive funds quickly and securely.

Ripple has partnered with Absa Bank to offer institutional digital asset custody in South Africa. Absa will use Ripple’s technology to securely store and manage cryptocurrencies for its clients.

Stripe has launched a new feature allowing US businesses to accept recurring payments in stablecoins like USDC, USDP, and USDG across multiple blockchains. The system uses smart contracts for easier payments, supports over 400 wallets, and lets companies receive fiat settlements while managing subscriptions from their Stripe dashboard.

Nguyen Hoa Binh, famously known as Shark Binh from Shark Tank Vietnam, was arrested by the Hanoi police for his role in the collapsed AntEx cryptocurrency project. Once hailed as a visionary investor and a household name in Vietnam’s startup ecosystem, Binh now faces intense scrutiny and legal jeopardy following mounting investor complaints.

Circle has no immediate plans to launch a Hong Kong dollar stablecoin and is focusing on growing its USDC and EURC tokens. The company remains open to partnerships with local firms and is exploring multi-currency stablecoin opportunities.

Japan’s incoming prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is set to break more than one barrier. Not only will she be the first woman to lead the nation, but she may also become the first leader to steer Japan out of its post–Mt. Gox regulatory paralysis — and toward a new era of crypto innovation.

Coinbase and Mastercard are in advanced talks to acquire London-based stablecoin startup BVNK, with the deal potentially valued between $1.5 billion and $2.5 billion. Sources indicate Coinbase is currently leading the negotiations as both firms aim to strengthen their positions in the growing stablecoin payments market.