Bo Hines, executive director of the White House Crypto Council, has announced his departure to return to the private sector. Appointed in December 2024, Hines thanked the crypto community, calling his role ‘the honour of a lifetime’ and pledging ongoing support.
The council, formed to shape US digital asset policy, released a regulatory action plan in July. Despite progress, critics argued it failed to implement a strategic Bitcoin reserve. Deputy director Patrick Witt is expected to succeed Hines, though no official appointment has been made.
Hines strongly backed expanding the government’s Bitcoin holdings through budget-neutral strategies, which is in line with Trump’s January executive order that created a national crypto stockpile.
He previously suggested revaluing US gold reserves, which are priced far below market value. Part of the gains could then be converted into Bitcoin without impacting the federal budget.
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Google is testing a new AI-powered version of its Finance page, offering users advanced tools to explore stock market, financial, and cryptocurrency information.
The platform enables users to ask natural language questions about finance and receive detailed answers, accompanied by source links.
The new page features three main components: research, charting tools, and real-time data and news. Users can visualise financial data using technical charts such as moving averages and candlestick charts, and access live updates and news feeds related to financial markets and cryptocurrencies.
Google plans to roll out the AI-powered Finance page over the coming weeks via Google.com/finance, aiming to provide a more interactive and insightful experience for users interested in financial data and market trends.
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Paying rent in Bitcoin is no longer a niche concept, with cities worldwide embracing digital currencies for property leases. Remote workers, nomads, and tenants seeking alternatives to traditional banking are finding it easier to settle monthly payments in Bitcoin.
Blockchain-powered rental platforms and smart contracts have brought speed, security, and transparency to the process, reducing disputes and enabling global accessibility.
Tenants and landlords can choose between direct Bitcoin transfers and indirect payments via third-party services. Direct payments offer lower fees and decentralisation but carry price volatility risks.
Indirect transactions convert cryptocurrency to fiat, protecting landlords from market swings and ensuring regulatory compliance. Both methods are gaining traction as awareness and infrastructure improve.
Cities leading the Bitcoin rental movement include Miami, Lisbon, Berlin, Toronto, and Paris. Each offers varying degrees of direct and intermediary-supported payments, catering to crypto-savvy tenants and forward-thinking landlords.
Beyond these hubs, hotspots like El Zonte in El Salvador and Rosario in Argentina showcase how crypto rentals are gaining ground in emerging markets.
For tenants, the appeal lies in avoiding costly currency conversions, accessing flexible housing, and navigating global moves without banking hurdles.
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Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting TikTok Shop users through a phishing and malware campaign known as ‘ClickTok‘. The scheme uses fake Meta ads and AI-generated TikTok videos imitating influencers to lure victims to fraudulent domains resembling real sites.
These domains are used to steal credentials and distribute trojanised applications. More than 10,000 fake sites have been identified, luring shoppers with heavily discounted products and urgency tactics such as countdown timers.
Victims are prompted to make payments in Tether, allowing scammers to exploit the irreversible nature of cryptocurrency transactions. The fraudulent storefronts are designed to appear convincing, encouraging rash purchases.
TikTok Shop affiliate members are also being targeted with advance fee scams. Criminals pose as TikTok affiliates on WhatsApp and Telegram, convincing victims to deposit funds into bogus wallets in exchange for fake commission payments.
The report warns that the younger demographic on TikTok, particularly those aged 18 to 34, may be more vulnerable to such schemes. The trend shows scams shifting from Facebook and X to new e-commerce platforms.
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The United Arab Emirates is moving closer to a unified regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies after the SCA and the Dubai VARA announced a formal partnership. The agreement aims to harmonise crypto oversight nationwide while maintaining robust compliance and security standards.
Mutual recognition of virtual asset service provider (VASP) licences forms the partnership’s core. However, automatic passporting between emirates will not be permitted.
Each VASP licensed by one authority will undergo coordinated regulatory assessments, including Anti-Money Laundering and operational checks, to ensure national standards are upheld.
The collaboration promises more precise regulation, faster market entry, and reduced duplication for crypto firms operating in the UAE. Officials highlight the deal as a milestone that strengthens the country’s position as an innovation-focused and credible crypto hub.
Ongoing talks with regulators like Abu Dhabi Global Markets support the UAE’s broader strategy for regulatory alignment and cross-border cooperation in virtual assets.
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US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to include cryptocurrencies and other alternative assets in 401(k) retirement accounts. The initiative aims to reduce regulatory and legal hurdles that have limited retirees from accessing higher returns and greater asset diversification.
The Secretary of Labour and SEC have been tasked with easing access to alternative investments in defined contribution plans. The order also calls for clarifying or revising existing rules to reduce industry legal uncertainties.
Despite the opportunity for higher returns, critics caution that these investments come with increased risks, less transparency, and higher fees than traditional retirement options.
Recent legislative activity reflects growing US government attention to digital assets. The Senate passed a bill regulating stablecoins, introducing reserve requirements and consumer protections.
Experts highlight that cryptocurrencies have evolved beyond speculative assets. They have become integrated into the global financial system and are sensitive to changes in regulatory and political landscapes.
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Laser Digital, a subsidiary of Japan’s Nomura, secured Dubai’s first licence to offer over-the-counter (OTC) crypto options under the Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority’s (VARA) pilot programme. The company is the sole firm authorised to offer regulated OTC crypto derivatives to institutional clients in the city.
Operations will begin with Bitcoin vanilla options, structured according to International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) contracts. The approach relies on traditional finance legal frameworks to define rights and obligations for each trade.
Laser Digital aims to build trust by starting with simple, medium-term options rather than complex derivatives.
Plans for future services include lending, spot trading, and yield-generating products, but any expansion depends on further regulatory approvals. The company plans to expand its offerings as market demand and regulatory approval permit, though no timeline has been given.
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Most cryptocurrency exchanges in Poland may shut down by the end of 2025 due to the high costs of complying with the EU’s MiCA regulation and national requirements. Smaller platforms struggle to afford expensive licences, capital, and compliance systems.
Under MiCA, providers must pay costly licence fees—up to 3 million złoty ($800,000)—and maintain significant capital. One Warsaw operator called the rules ‘a death sentence for local players.’
Meanwhile, global firms like Binance and Coinbase are better positioned to meet these demands.
While investors could gain more protection, market consolidation may reduce competition and raise fees. Poland is debating legislation to ease fees and attract crypto investment, but uncertainty remains as the MiCA deadline approaches.
Some firms welcome the changes, seeing a chance to compete fairly with traditional finance. Poland’s largely unregulated crypto market is entering a major transformation.
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China’s top security agency has raised concerns over crypto-related projects collecting biometric data, warning they may threaten national security. A recent MSS bulletin warned that crypto firms trading tokens for iris scans could misuse personal data.
While the agency didn’t explicitly mention Worldcoin, the description aligns with its practice of exchanging tokens for biometric scans in over 160 countries.
Officials described iris recognition as a sensitive form of identification that, once leaked, cannot be changed. The bulletin warned that fake facial data may be used by foreign agencies for espionage and infiltration.
In response to privacy concerns, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin recently proposed a pluralistic identity system. The concept combines multiple sources of verification rather than relying on a single, centralised ID.
He argued that current models risk eliminating anonymity and may favour wealthy participants in verification systems.
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Indonesia is considering adding Bitcoin to its national reserves, with support from the Vice President’s office and other key parties. The proposal suggests allocating about $18.3 billion to Bitcoin through the Daya Anagata Nusantara Investment Management Agency (BPI Danantara).
Proponents say this could help reduce national debt and diversify reserves.
Bitcoin advocates recently presented to the Vice President’s office, proposing Bitcoin mining as part of the national reserve strategy. Discussions focused on Bitcoin’s potential to strengthen Indonesia’s economy long-term, aligning with milestones like the country’s centenary of independence.
BPI Danantara, launched in February 2025, manages state assets independently to boost development. The Bitcoin allocation could secure up to 200,000 BTC, generating profits to ease debt pressures.
If approved, Indonesia would be among the first Southeast Asian countries to include Bitcoin in its sovereign wealth fund, marking a significant step in the region’s crypto landscape.
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