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Ethereum surged by over 15% today, which catapulted it to an ATH of $4,885, higher than the 2021 ATH of $4,868.

The boost all took place in one day, with $ETH jumping from $4,231 to $4,885 and keeping its momentum even after dropping below the $4,800 mark.

At the time of writing this article, Ethereum is hovering around $4,700, which may suggest a consolidation phase before the next push.

While we may explain the increased investor interest as dip buying, this time may be different, as Trump’s GENIUS Act has just entered its months-long implementation phase.

Ethereum’s Surge Hints at a Coming Alt Season This Fall

Ethereum’s recent performance is an indicator of bigger things to come.

Trump’s GENIUS Act is currently the force behind the 2025 market thanks to the many changes it brings. The act now forces stablecoin issuers to back their stablecoin reserves on a 1:1 ratio with liquid assets like government bonds and the US dollar.

It also offers more clarity by requiring issuers to disclose their reserves monthly and focuses on protecting investors against scams and illicit crypto activity.

The Act has now entered its implementation phase, with the Treasury Department issuing a ‘Request for Comment Related to the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins,’

The directive offers interested individuals and companies the opportunity to ‘provide feedback on innovative or novel methods, techniques, or strategies that regulated financial institutions use, or could potentially use, to detect illicit activity involving digital assets.’

The GENIUS Act is creating a safer, more stable, and more predictable crypto landscape, which explains the surge in investor confidence.

Ethereum is naturally reaping the benefits, seeing how it’s been on a sustained push throughout August, doubling in value in less than 30 days.

More importantly, we may see additional gains as we push into the fall and more investors join the buy spree, which is already in full force.

According to CoinGecko data, 11 public institutions hold almost 2.8M $ETH or over 2.3% of the total supply. Bitmine is leading in the top with an $ETH reserve of 1.5M coins, valued at $7.1B.

Ethereum’s chart performance is likely to accelerate as the market rallies and Bitcoin recovers its lost ground.

In that context, projects like Best Wallet Token ($BEST) could see a surge in investor interest.

Why Best Wallet Token ($BEST) is Eyeing Massive Gains in 2025

Best Wallet Token ($BEST) is one of the best presales of 2025 after it raised over $15M so far. $BEST trades at the presale price of $0.025515 and supports the Best Wallet ecosystem, which aims to take over 40% of the crypto wallet market share by 2026.

$BEST offers not only great value, given that it’s trading at its presale price now, but also a variety of perks for holders. These include reduced transaction fees, community governance rights, and even exclusive access to partnered presales before they go public.

Because it supports Best Wallet, $BEST shows a lot of long-term growth potential. Our analysts expect the token to surge post launch, with our 2025 price prediction placing $BEST at $0.072.

This would mark a growth rate of 181% in just a few months.

By 2030, $BEST could push to $0.82 or higher, for a boost of 3,113% based on the current presale price. With Best Wallet experiencing mainstream adoption, there’s no telling how high $BEST could surge.

Best Wallet is a non-custodial, free crypto wallet with no KYC requirements and a user-friendly UI, making it a great choice for beginners and veteran traders alike.

The wallet comes with a variety of features, including the Market Insights, which allows you to gauge the market sentiment and identify hot trends, and the Token Launchpad, which lists partnered presales.

If you want to get involved, read our ‘How to buy $BEST’ guide, then go to the presale page and grab your $BEST today.

Is Ethereum Going Bull Again?

It’s safe to say that, after doubling in value in less than a month, Ethereum has just started its record-breaking run. We expect $ETH to reach another ATH by the end of the year, as the fall sets in and the GENIUS Act sees noticeable progress.

Best Wallet is likely to see an influx of investors as well, as $BEST is getting close to its public release.

This isn’t financial advice. Do your own research (DYOR) and invest responsibly.

Bitcoin had one of its most volatile weeks in recent months, marked by sharp swings that kept both bulls and bears on edge. The leading cryptocurrency surged to a new all-time high near $124,000, only to tumble below the $115,000 level within days. This swift reversal highlighted the fragility of momentum in overheated conditions but also underscored the market’s ability to rebound when macroeconomic catalysts emerge.

The turning point came during Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s speech at Jackson Hole, where a key statement triggered an immediate market reaction. Powell hinted at a potential shift in policy stance, suggesting that restrictive conditions could soon be adjusted. Within minutes, risk assets, including Bitcoin, surged as liquidity poured back into markets, sparking renewed optimism across the crypto space.

Following the speech, Bitcoin regained strength, climbing back above the $115K support zone. This recovery has reignited bullish sentiment, with traders eyeing the next resistance levels that could decide the short-term trajectory. The broader crypto market followed suit, with altcoins showing renewed momentum as investors reallocated capital.

Bitcoin Futures React To Powell’s Jackson Hole Speech

According to top analyst Darkfost, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s speech at Jackson Hole acted as a powerful catalyst for Bitcoin futures markets. In his remarks, Powell stated that “with policy in restrictive territory, the baseline outlook and the shifting balance of risks may warrant adjusting our policy stance.” This subtle yet impactful statement hinted at a potential easing of the Fed’s monetary policy, immediately sparking a surge of optimism across global markets.

The reaction in crypto was swift and decisive. Within just 15 minutes of Powell’s speech, over $300 million in fresh liquidity flooded into Binance’s Bitcoin futures market. This sudden inflow pushed Binance BTC Open Interest to approximately $13.3 billion, underscoring how sensitive the crypto derivatives market remains to macroeconomic cues.

Darkfost noted that this surge highlights the market-moving power of central bank communications, especially in an environment where liquidity conditions play a defining role in speculative demand. Bitcoin’s sharp reaction mirrored broader risk-on sentiment, as traders positioned themselves for the possibility of looser monetary conditions that would favor higher-yielding and alternative assets like BTC.

The event also reaffirmed the volatility of Bitcoin futures, where shifts in Open Interest can rapidly amplify price moves. In this case, the spike in demand aligned with BTC reclaiming key support zones, reinforcing bullish sentiment across the market.

BTC Testing Critical Resistance

The 4-hour chart for Bitcoin shows strong volatility following Powell’s Jackson Hole remarks, with BTC rebounding sharply from lows near $112K to $116.5K. This sudden spike highlights how macroeconomic catalysts can trigger liquidity inflows within minutes. The bounce aligns with the reclaim of the 200-period SMA (red line), which now sits just under current price and acts as critical short-term support.

Despite the rally, BTC remains below its recent $123,217 resistance, a level that has capped price twice this cycle. The mid-term structure still suggests consolidation, with the 50-SMA (blue) and 100-SMA (green) converging around $116K–$117K, creating a decision zone for bulls and bears. Sustaining above this area could open the path for another retest of the highs, while failure to hold risks a deeper pullback toward the $112K region.

Momentum indicators suggest buyers are attempting to regain control, but price action is not yet showing a clean breakout. For bulls, defending $115K–$116K is key to maintaining the bullish structure. Bears, however, will look for rejection below the SMAs to reinforce downside pressure.

Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView

Для предотвращения проникновения северокорейских IT-специалистов на биржу, Coinbase прекратила удаленный найм сотрудников и будет использовать в целях безопасности методы дактилоскопии, заявил генеральный директор компании Брайан Армстронг (Brian Armstrong).

The journey of XRP toward mainstream recognition is no longer theoretical, as businesses across different industries begin testing and adopting it in their financial operations. Because of this, the asset may play a much bigger role in global digital money in the years ahead. 

Institutional Catalysts For XRP: Gemini’s Card & JPM’s Outlook

This week, Gemini released a big teaser in New York City. The company put up a huge wraparound billboard showing an XRP-branded Mastercard. On the card was the date August 25, 2025, and the words “Issued by WebBank.” Gemini also posted the picture on X with the caption “Prepare your bags.” The sign and the post suggest that a major launch is coming. Many people believe this date could be significant for XRP, because it may mark the start of a new product that connects the asset directly with the global Mastercard network.

Crypto commentator John Squire quickly reacted to the news. He said mass adoption “is coming fast” and added that the date “could change everything.” The idea of an XRP card is exciting because it could let people make payments using XRP or convert their assets into regular money during a purchase. 

Another development came from JP Morgan as the bank released a report called “Sizing up the XRP ETP Opportunity.” According to a post shared on X by SMQKE, JP Morgan’s report suggests that XRP could generate $4.3 to $8.4 billion in its first year following the launch of an exchange-traded product. The bank also pointed out that the digital asset is very cheap to use, with each transaction costing only about $0.0004, which is far less than Ethereum or Bitcoin. 

Global Payments Expansion: Europe & Japan

Ripple’s progress in Europe and the U.K. is also getting attention as the company’s system now fits with upgrades in the region’s payment networks. The SEPA Instant Credit Transfer scheme completes euro payments in under ten seconds, and its adoption is growing. In the U.K., the Faster Payments Service (FPS) is already moving trillions of pounds each year, and the Bank of England is modernizing its Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) system to connect with new global standards.

 The fintech company is collaborating with partners like OpenPayd to integrate these systems with Ripple’s On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) solution, which means XRP could be utilized as a bridge to facilitate swift cross-border transactions. 

In Asia, Ripple is preparing to launch its Ripple USD (RLUSD) stablecoin in Japan during the first quarter of 2026. The rollout will happen through SBI VC Trade, which is part of SBI Holdings, a well-known Japanese financial company. RLUSD is backed by U.S. dollar deposits, Treasury securities, and other cash assets, with monthly audits to show transparency. 

As of August, RLUSD already had a market cap of $666 million, making it the eighth-largest stablecoin in the world. Ripple’s entry into Japan comes as the country gets ready to approve its first official stablecoins, making this move very timely. The launch follows the company’s approval in Dubai earlier this year and adds another region where RLUSD can operate. 

Власти Нигерии депортировали из страны более ста иностранных граждан, осужденных за мошенничество с криптовалютами, заявила Нигерийская иммиграционная служба (NIS).

With granddaddy cryptos like Bitcoin and Ethereum hitting new highs, the entire altcoin and meme coin market is on the cusp of an explosive rally.

Historically, every time $BTC and $ETH surge, altcoin season follows, and that’s exactly what could be unfolding right now.

And if you want to eke out the maximum possible gains, you need to look beyond the obvious.

This is where Maxi Doge ($MAXI) enters the picture. A brand-new presale meme coin, Maxi Doge is quickly proving it has what it takes to be the next breakout.

The biggest stamp of approval? A whale scooped up $32K worth of $MAXI in a single transaction just hours ago.

With the presale already raising over $1.45M, there’s little doubt this project is attracting massive attention, and that it could very well be the next crypto to explode.

Low-Cap Meme Coins Like $MAXI: Where the Real 1000x Potential Lies

When we think of meme coins, names like Dogecoin and Pepe instantly come to mind. But the fact of the matter is, while they once delivered 100x or even 1000x returns, those days are long gone.

Their popularity has pushed market caps so high that it’s virtually impossible for them to deliver moonshot gains today.

So what do you do. Lose out on those life-changing returns? Absolutely not. The key is to look at new, under-the-radar meme coins. Like $MAXI.

Thanks to their unique designs and low market caps, these projects are not only positioned to ride the broader crypto wave, but also offer far superior upside compared to the mainstream names.

Who Is Maxi Doge?

If you’ve looked at Maxi’s face and noticed an uncanny resemblance to Dogecoin, you’re not alone – and you’re not wrong either.

Maxi and Doge are, in fact, cousins. But here’s the twist: they couldn’t be more different.

Growing up, Doge, because of how ‘cute’ and wholesome it looked, and of course because it became the greatest meme coin on the planet, soaked up all the spotlight at every family gathering.

Maxi, on the other hand, was left in the shadows, ignored, and overlooked, even by his own mom. That’s when Maxi made a decision to become the anti-Doge.

Unlike Doge, he hit the gym, bulked up his muscles, downed protein shakes and caffeine, and set off on a mission to dethrone Doge as the best meme coin on the planet.

He studied candlesticks all day long, to the point that he took one of those fat green candles and turned it into a lightsaber to fight off Doge lovers and mediocre gains.

Maxi is a fierce Shiba who lives by the philosophy: never skip leg day, never skip the pump.

And that’s exactly the kind of raw degen energy meme coin investors crave. Because let’s face it: ‘cute’ might win attention, but it doesn’t win battles.

Maxi Doge: More Than Just a Meme

At first glance, Maxi Doge ($MAXI) might look like just another glamorous meme coin, one that prides itself on having no utility, no underlying value, and simply chasing big pumps out of thin air.

But in reality, the project’s developers have put forward a surprisingly strong roadmap.

For instance, 40% of the total token supply has been reserved for marketing, covering PR campaigns, influencer collaborations, and relentless social media blitzes, all designed to make Maxi one of the top trending cryptos in the space.

The gym-bro humor and viral meme culture behind it give $MAXI the potential to break beyond crypto circles and reach everyday audiences, driving mainstream appeal and popularity.

For holders, the benefits don’t stop at potential price action. Owning Maxi unlocks access to weekly trading competitions, leaderboard prizes, and a thriving community of traders eager to share strategies.

The goal? To help everyone chase those outsized 1000x returns that are usually only reserved for institutional players with eight-figure capital.

Maxi’s mission is simple: bring those moonshot gains to the average Joe. And speaking of massive returns, the project isn’t stopping at CEX and DEX listings.

$MAXI is also eyeing futures listings, which could allow holders to take 1000x leverage bets, opening the door to life-changing profits for those willing to play the high-risk, high-reward game.

Best Time to Buy $MAXI? NOW!

As mentioned earlier, Maxi Doge ($MAXI) is currently in presale – just a few weeks in, in fact – meaning you can grab it at some of its lowest-ever prices.

Right now, 1 $MAXI is available at just $0.0002535, with the project having already pulled in over $1.45M from early investors.

To help you with the purchase process, here’s our step-by-step guide on how to buy Maxi Doge.

And for more information, visit $MAXI’s official presale website.

Disclaimer: None of the above is financial advice. The crypto market is highly volatile, so kindly do your own research before investing.

Постоянный парламентский комитет по внутренним делам Индии выступил против полного запрета криптовалют и порекомендовал разработать для них четкие правила регулирования.

BNB is entering a new phase of adoption after a landmark announcement from China Renaissance, a Hong Kong-listed investment bank with deep institutional influence. On August 22, 2025, the bank’s board of directors revealed that it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with YZi Labs, allocating $100 million toward Binance’s token. This initiative marks a strategic step in bridging the gap between traditional financial institutions and the crypto market, positioning BNB as a gateway for broader adoption in regulated environments.

The agreement outlines a cooperative framework that seeks to empower the Binance Chain ecosystem with China Renaissance’s financial expertise and access to high-quality investment opportunities. In turn, the bank expects to leverage BNB’s ecosystem for new business applications, signaling a mutually reinforcing relationship.

This announcement builds on the company’s earlier disclosure in June 2025 of its intent to pursue cryptocurrency investments. By formalizing its commitment with a large-scale allocation, China Renaissance is not only validating BNB as a viable institutional asset but also setting a precedent for other financial players in Asia and beyond. The partnership could prove pivotal in enhancing BNB’s role within global markets, where regulatory clarity and institutional credibility are key drivers of adoption.

BNB Surges As China Renaissance Commits $100M

Binance co-founder and former CEO, Changpeng Zhao, highlighted the significance of the deal, stating: “China Renaissance, a HK public company, buying $100m USD worth of BNB. In addition to buying BNB, many other long-term strategic partnerships are involved. Let’s build the ecosystem together!” His words reinforced the strategic importance of this cooperation, which goes beyond a simple investment and points to structural growth for BNB in regulated markets.

The immediate market reaction was explosive. The price surged to a new all-time high of $899, marking a milestone in its history. This price action reflects renewed confidence in the asset’s long-term prospects, especially as partnerships deepen and institutions signal commitment.

Related Reading: Dormant Bitcoin Whale Awakens: BTC OG Rotates Into $577M ETH Long

For BNB, the timing could not be more significant. While other altcoins are facing volatility, the chain is showing resilience and growth capacity. With China Renaissance’s institutional backing, and additional strategic partnerships in development, the token appears poised not just for price appreciation but also for broader adoption as a utility and infrastructure asset in global markets.

Price Analysis: Testing Uncharted Territory

Binance coin is showing strong bullish momentum, breaking into new all-time highs with its latest rally. On the weekly timeframe, BNB is trading at $898.29, closing in on the psychological $900 level after surging nearly 5% this week. This push comes right after the announcement of China Renaissance’s $100M allocation into BNB, fueling confidence among institutional and retail investors alike.

From a technical perspective, BNB’s trend remains intact, with the 50-week SMA at $654 and the 100-week SMA at $544 providing long-term support. The current distance between price and the moving averages highlights the strength of this parabolic move, but also signals caution, as extended gaps often precede periods of consolidation.

The price has broken decisively above its previous resistance zone at $780–$800, turning it into new support. If this level holds, the path toward $950–$1,000 opens up, supported by growing ecosystem developments and institutional demand. Structure signals continued strength, with institutional backing adding fuel to its breakout and positioning it for further upside in the coming weeks.

Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView

Chainlink recently broke $25 after an interesting few days, rising double-digits in a single day to stage a test of $27. The price was initially rejected at this level, which would suggest that the momentum does not have as much support as expected. This puts the altcoin in a precarious position as the next move could determine what trend takes form from here.

Chainlink Price At A Crossroads

In a TradingView post, crypto analyst CryptoPilot highlighted where the Chainlink price currently is and the difficulties it is facing. It continues to trade below the $27.3 resistance, and with the latest rejection, is now moving toward the lower boundary of the ascending channel.

In this case, the altcoin risks a price collapse toward the $15-$17 level before its overextended move. It also aligns with the previous price performances when the price has been rejected in similar patterns, leading to a further downward move.

There is also the possibility that the price will continue to rally, and that is only if there is a sustained move above the $27.3 resistance. Breaking this level with strong volume could trigger a rise toward the top of the channel. This channel top lies at the $45-$52 level, suggesting that the price could double if the bulls take control.

The major levels to watch now involve the resistance at $27.3, then with support lying low at $18-$19 before the channel support at $15-$17. Next is the resistance after breaking $27.3, which lies at $34, all of which lies within the ascending channel structure that began back in mid-2022.

Sellers Could Run Out Too

Another analyst who goes by irritated.eth on the X platform has mentioned that the current level where Chainlink is sitting is historically a sell zone. This is seen in the fact that whenever the price pushes upward a bit, sells mount and this breaks the price back down again. Given this, for Chainlink’s bullish trend to continue, the sellers would have to be exhausted, and the analyst points out a factor that could hint at this.

First up is whether the price keeps rising to this sell zone, but sell volume shrinks. This would manifest in a steady uptrend, meaning that sellers are running out of tokens. Then, there is the lack of sharp dips in this sell zone. Finally, if the price is able to break out of this zone above $40 and retest it as support, it would mean the sell-offs are exhausted.

After navigating significant challenges in the United States regarding money laundering allegations that led to the resignation of its former CEO, Changpeng Zhao (CZ), cryptocurrency exchange Binance finds itself under scrutiny once again, this time in Australia. 

Binance’s AML And CTF Controls Under Fire

The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC), the nation’s financial intelligence agency, has mandated that Binance’s local arm appoint an external auditor due to “serious concerns” about its anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) controls.

AUSTRAC’s concerns emerged following a recent independent review of Binance Australia’s operations, which the agency described as “limited in scope relative to its size, business offerings, and risks.”

The agency highlighted alleged issues from the exchange such as high staff turnover, inadequate local resources, and insufficient oversight from senior management. 

In a statement, AUSTRAC emphasized the need for robust systems that align with local regulatory requirements, particularly given the global nature of the exchange’s operations. 

Brendan Thomas, AUSTRAC’s chief executive, stressed the importance of effective customer identification, due diligence, and transaction monitoring in a high-risk environment. Thomas stated:

This is a global company operating across borders in a high-risk environment. We expect robust customer identification, due diligence and effective transaction monitoring.

Global Regulatory Challenges

Binance has been given a 28-day window to nominate external auditors to address these concerns. In response to the situation, Matt Poblocki, the general manager of Binance Australia and New Zealand, stated that the exchange has been engaging openly and transparently with AUSTRAC throughout recent months. 

The exchange’s executives reassured stakeholders and users in the country about the company’s commitment to maintaining high compliance standards and improving its capabilities.

Founded in 2017, Binance has rapidly ascended to become the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume. However, its journey has not been without difficulties. 

After initially operating in China, Zhao moved the company’s operations internationally due to a crackdown on the crypto sector by Chinese authorities. Despite its growth, Binance has faced accusations in multiple countries of facilitating the laundering of funds for criminal organizations.

Zhao pleaded guilty to violating US anti-money laundering laws in late 2023, resulting in a four-month prison sentence in 2024. However, Bitcoinist has reported that despite being banned from taking charge of the exchange, Zhao might be seeking a pardon from pro-crypto President Donald Trump.

These legal challenges have compounded the scrutiny on Binance with the exchange taking a new direction with its new CEO Richard Teng as regulators worldwide increasingly focus on ensuring compliance.

Despite recent scrutiny from Australia’s Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, Binance’s native token, BNB, reached an all-time high of $882 on Friday. The cryptocurrency has consistently surged over the past month, even as the broader market struggled.

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com 

Taiwanese authorities have wrapped up a major investigation into one of the country’s most high-profile crypto-related fraud cases, filing charges against 14 individuals linked to the BitShine exchange.

Prosecutors allege the group conspired with criminal networks to siphon NT$1.27 billion (approximately $41 million) from more than 1,500 victims through a scheme that combined fraudulent investment pitches with unlicensed cryptocurrency operations.

According to Taiwan’s Central News Agency, BitShine operated under the cover of legitimacy, having reportedly passed financial compliance checks, while using its brand to conceal the activities of another firm, Biying Technology, which had not been approved by regulators.

Investigators allege that the two entities worked in tandem to funnel customer deposits into crypto purchases, particularly USDT, before moving the funds overseas through a series of complex transfers designed to obscure their origins.

Structure of the Fraud Network

Prosecutors identified a man surnamed Shih as the head of the operation in Taiwan, with his wife serving as Asia-Pacific director and another suspect, surnamed Yang, responsible for business management.

Working with organized crime affiliates, the group allegedly instructed victims to transfer funds into wallets controlled by the network. The tokens were then routed through multiple layers of transactions in what officials described as deliberate efforts to launder the money and evade detection.

Between January 2024 and April 2025, investigators estimate the operation laundered more than NT$2.3 billion ($75 million). Of that, NT$1.27 billion was directly tied to 1,539 identified victims.

Law enforcement seized NT$60.49 million in cash, 640,000 USDT, additional digital assets, and luxury items including cars during raids earlier this year.

Authorities stated that the group misled investors by claiming to be the only exchange authorized by Taiwan’s Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC), a tactic that helped attract significant deposits.

They also reportedly established more than 40 franchise-style storefronts across Taiwan under the names CoinW and BiXiang Technology Co., Ltd., collecting over one million yuan in fees and deploying “deposit machines” to process victims’ cash.

Indictments and Sentencing Requests

The Shilin District Prosecutor’s Office indicted Shih and 13 others on charges of fraud, money laundering, providing unregistered virtual asset services, and organizing a criminal enterprise under Taiwan’s Organized Crime Prevention Act.

Prosecutors are seeking a 25-year sentence for Shih, citing his refusal to plead guilty and lack of remorse. Other defendants who confessed or pledged to return illicit gains may face reduced penalties.

In addition to confiscating the seized digital assets and cash, prosecutors have asked the court to order the forfeiture of NT$1.275 billion in criminal proceeds.

The case was overseen by Chief Prosecutor Luo Weiyuan, who emphasized that the suspects had conducted unlicensed financial operations in violation of Taiwan’s anti-money laundering laws.

The investigation also uncovered a separate fraud targeting the BitShine operators themselves. Prosecutors said a man surnamed Gu defrauded Shih and his associates of NT$3 million by falsely promising he could secure anti-money laundering registration approvals. Gu has also been indicted.

Featured image create with DALL-E, Chart from TradingView

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has announced the next phase of the agency’s “Crypto Sprint” initiative, which aims to examine and implement recommendations from the White House.

CFTC Launches New “Crypto Sprint” Phase

On Thursday, CFTC acting chair Caroline Pham announced that the agency would begin the next phase of its initiative to advance President Donald Trump’s vision and is seeking the public’s feedback on the recommendations in the President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets report.

Pham highlighted that the Trump administration has “made it clear that enabling immediate trading of digital assets at the Federal level is a top priority,” adding, “The Trump Administration has ushered in a new dawn for crypto, and it’s up to market participants to seize this opportunity to be a part of the Golden Age of innovation.”

The agency has initiated stakeholder engagement and invited all interested parties to submit feedback and suggestions on all recommendations for the CFTC in the White House’s recent digital assets report by October 20, 2025.

“The public feedback will assist the CFTC in carefully considering relevant issues for leveraged, margined or financed retail trading on a CFTC-registered exchange as we implement the President’s directive,” Pham stated.

As reported by Bitcoinist, the CFTC unveiled its “Crypto Sprint” on August 1, which started with a spot crypto trading initiative. Following the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) launch of its “Project Crypto,” Pham revealed that the agency would work closely with SEC Chairman Paul Atkins and Commissioner Hester Peirce to provide regulatory clarity and foster innovation in the digital assets market.

“I am pleased with the many thoughtful letters from stakeholders in support of the CFTC’s listed spot crypto trading initiative, which, in coordination with the SEC’s Project Crypto, answers President Trump’s call to action for American leadership,” said the CFTC acting chair on Thursday.

Chaos In The Regulatory Agency?

The CFTC’s initiative comes amid rumors of chaos in the regulatory agency. On Friday, Bloomberg, citing anonymous sources, affirmed that “turmoil continues as the agency’s responsibilities, and the potential market risks, are multiplying.”

According to the report, enforcement has significantly slowed, and the commissioner’s shortage has allegedly made it difficult to carry out critical agency business. “The CFTC’s curtailment coincides with a looming expansion of the agency’s responsibilities,” Bloomberg noted, as the highly anticipated market structure bill is expected to shift most of the crypto market oversight to the CFTC.

A White House spokesperson denied that the agency is in disarray, telling the news media outlet that “President Trump has made it a priority to make America the crypto capital of the world, and in doing so has called for the revitalization of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to play a larger role in securing this promise. Acting Chairman Caroline Pham has done a good job beginning this effort, and the Trump Administration is thankful for her leadership and dedicated public service.”

Meanwhile, the agency also remains in a leadership limbo after the US Senate Agriculture Committee delayed the vote on President Trump’s nominee for CFTC chairman, Brian Quintenz, days before the August recess.

The committee reportedly delayed the vote following a request from the White House. Notably, Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, Gemini exchange co-founders, allegedly pressed President Trump in July to reconsider his CFTC nominee, arguing that Quintenz wouldn’t “shake up the CFTC enough” and is not “aligned with Trump’s agenda.”

Earlier this week, a group of crypto organizations sent a letter to the US President in support of Quintenz, arguing that installing a permanent chairman is “absolutely critical” to realize the agency’s goals.

“Mr. Quintenz possesses a singular capacity to advance sound and clear regulation that will foster responsible growth and innovation. He is, quite simply, the right person at the right time to lead the CFTC,” the letter concluded.

South Korea’s biggest banks are reportedly in talks with Tether and Circle to discuss potential stablecoin partnerships and distribution in the country.

Four Major South Korean Financial Groups Looking Into Stablecoins

As reported by YonHap, major South Korean financial groups will see their top executives meeting with Tether and Circle this week. Tether and Circle are the issuers of the two largest stablecoins: USDT and USDC, respectively.

Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies that have their price pegged to a fiat currency. This means that unlike assets such as Bitcoin, these tokens normally don’t face any major fluctuations, hence the “stable” in their name.

South Korea has been making a push toward digital assets and stablecoins under the leadership of pro-crypto President Lee Jae Myung. One of the promises made by the President was to establish a market for Korean won-based stablecoins. The country’s financial regulator is expected to release its stablecoin framework in October, as Bitcoinist reported earlier in the week.

Now, it seems major players in the country are also laying the groundwork for diving into the space. As per the report, Shinhan Financial Group CEO Jin Ok-dong and Hana Financial Group CEO Ham Young-joo are set to have separate meetings with Heath Tarbert, the president of Circle, on Friday. The latter is also expected to meet with a Tether official.

Two other big financial groups, KB Financial Group and Woori Bank, will also see executives meeting with Tarbert, but the details of their talks aren’t yet known to the public.

YonHap notes,

The banking heads are expected to discuss areas of partnership, including the distribution and transactions of dollar-pegged stablecoins in South Korea, as well as the issuance of won-backed stablecoins.

Elsewhere in Asia, Hong Kong launched its legislation on stables at the start of this month. Big names like Standard Chartered in its joint-venture have lined up to obtain an issuer license in the city.

Speaking of stablecoins, on-chain data shows the Tron network has observed huge shifts from USDT mega wallets in the past day, as explained by an analyst in a CryptoQuant Quicktake post.

As the above chart displays, 57% of the latest USDT transactions on the blockchain involved a size greater than $100 million, indicating elevated activity from institutional-grade entities. In total, the largest of USDT wallets on Tron have seen a balance change of a whopping $6.95 billion alongside these transactions.

BTC Price

Bitcoin fell under $112,000 earlier in the day, but it appears the cryptocurrency has found a slight rebound as its price is back at $113,700.

In the face of rising prices and renewed interest in the cryptocurrency market, North Korean hackers are intensifying their illicit activities, specifically targeting exchanges like Coinbase. CEO Brian Armstrong revealed that the company has had to adapt its policies significantly to counteract these threats from North Korea.

Coinbase CEO Warns Of North Korean IT Workers 

Armstrong highlighted the alarming trend of North Korean information technology (IT) workers attempting to exploit Coinbase’s remote work policy to gain employment and access sensitive systems within the exchange. 

He noted that the threat posed by these hackers is escalating, reflecting a continuous influx of new talent emerging from North Korea. “It feels like there’s 500 new people graduating every quarter from some kind of school they have,” Armstrong remarked.

In response to these security concerns, Coinbase has mandated that all employees travel to the United States for in-person orientation. Additionally, anyone with access to sensitive information must be a US citizen and undergo fingerprinting.

The FBI recently issued an updated warning regarding North Korean IT workers who engage with private companies to generate illicit revenue for the regime. 

These workers reportedly collaborate with both “witting and unwitting” accomplices in the US, facilitating their activities by reshipping company laptops, attending virtual interviews on behalf of North Korean candidates, and even setting up front businesses. 

New Facility In Charlotte And Stricter Employee Controls

To further secure its hiring processes, the crypto exchange has implemented measures such as requiring prospective employees to activate their cameras during interviews. This step is intended to ensure that candidates are genuine and not being coached or manipulated by external forces. 

Armstrong emphasized that the need for rigorous security protocols has led Coinbase to enhance its customer support operations, particularly with the establishment of a new facility in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Armstrong also pointed out the increasing importance of verifying physical presence in an era characterized by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfake technology. He noted that as the stakes in cybersecurity rise, certain aspects of remote work may need to be reevaluated.

In addition to external threats, Coinbase is actively working to mitigate internal risks. Armstrong mentioned that malicious actors have offered significant bribes to customer service agents in exchange for sensitive information. 

To combat this, Coinbase has implemented strict controls over the information its employees can access and has made it clear that any violations will have serious consequences. 

Armstrong stated, “When we catch people, we don’t walk them out the door; they go to jail.” He reiterated that no amount of money is worth the risk of losing one’s freedom.

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com 

In a major policy shift, federal prosecutors are changing how they approach decentralized finance, or Defi.

After years of uncertainty around liability for coders and software developers, officials are now drawing a clear line between creating technology and committing a crime.

The US Justice Department has announced it will no longer target software developers who build Defi platforms without proof of criminal intent.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Galeotti made the remarks Thursday during a digital assets summit in Wyoming. He said that writing code alone does not constitute a crime.

This signals a significant change from earlier enforcement strategies where prosecutors charged developers for operating unlicensed money transmission businesses.

Debate Over Money Transmission Rules

Regulators have long applied stringent rules to companies in the money remittance business, but the rise of Defi systems is putting those standards to the test.

Traditional payment platforms face clear obligations, while DeFi projects say those same rules don’t make sense in a code-driven environment.

Money transmitters such as PayPal and Cash App must secure licenses and comply with anti-money laundering obligations. They also have to verify customers and report suspicious transactions.

But decentralized exchanges argue these rules don’t fit their model since they have no control over user activity on their platforms.

NEW: US DOJ’S ACTING AAG MATTHEW GALEOTTI SAYS “OUR VIEW IS THAT MERELY WRITING CODE, WITHOUT ILL INTENT, IS NOT A CRIME. INNOVATING NEW WAYS FOR THE ECONOMY TO STORE AND TRANSMIT VALUE AND CREATE WEALTH, WITHOUT ILL INTENT, IS NOT A CRIME”https://t.co/iyGVBr0BCZ

— DEGEN NEWS (@DegenerateNews) August 21, 2025

On Defi, Hiding Money & Ill Intent

The issue came under the spotlight after a New York jury recently convicted Roman Storm, co-founder of Tornado Cash, on conspiracy charges linked to operating an unlicensed money transmitting business.

Tornado Cash is a privacy service specifically designed to make Defi and cryptocurrency transactions more difficult to trace.

Jurors could not reach a decision on whether Storm committed money laundering or violated sanctions.

Prosecutors said the service allowed illicit finance, while critics of the case argued Storm had only written code.

Prosecutors Will Prioritize Evidence Of Intent

According to Galeotti, future cases in the Defi and crypto space will require proof that a developer knowingly aided fraud, sanctions evasion, or laundering.

“Innovating new ways for the economy to store and transmit value and create wealth, without ill-intent, is not a crime,” he said.

He added that laws banning unlicensed money transmission will not apply to developers unless there is evidence of deliberate wrongdoing.

The focus of the US justices will remain on fraud, Ponzi schemes, and global laundering networks, including those based in China and other countries suspected of carrying out illicit transactions.

Featured image from Getty Images, chart from TradingView