UK lawmakers are urging a ban on cryptocurrency donations in political campaigns over fears that such contributions are hard to trace and vulnerable to foreign interference. Minister Pat McFadden said UK political funding must stay transparent and trusted by public.
While crypto donations have gained traction in the US—with figures like President Donald Trump embracing digital assets—the UK’s stance reflects growing caution.
The Reform UK party recently became the first in Britain to accept Bitcoin donations, sparking concerns from anti-corruption groups about the risk of criminal or foreign funds influencing elections.
Ireland and several US states have already banned crypto donations to political campaigns, citing transparency and election integrity issues.
As crypto donations increase globally, governments continue to debate how to regulate digital assets to protect democratic processes.
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The EU’s Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) has warned that fragmented oversight and inconsistent rules pose significant risks to the bloc’s financial integrity. Chair Bruna Szego urged regulators and crypto firms to prepare for stricter anti-money laundering rules.
The Frankfurt-based agency, now operational, will oversee the enforcement of new EU-wide anti-money laundering regulations. Szego stressed the importance of identifying the beneficial owners of crypto platforms and ensuring they are not linked to criminal networks.
Concerns over inconsistent controls across EU countries and diverging interpretations of MiCA requirements have grown. Crypto firms must be prepared to meet the different standards across all jurisdictions they plan to operate.
From July 2027, crypto platforms will be required to block anonymous wallets and provide authorities with complete, real-time access to account data.
Major firms like Binance have already faced regulatory penalties, with ongoing investigations highlighting the rising pressure on the sector.
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Fairshake, a crypto-backed political action committee (PAC), now holds $141 million as it ramps up influence efforts ahead of upcoming US elections. With $52 million raised in the first half of 2025, PAC has surpassed its spending from the last election cycle.
Formed in 2023, Fairshake has already spent over $2 million in special elections this year through its affiliates. It previously funded pro-crypto candidates during the 2024 US elections and is now targeting congressional races through 2026.
Industry giants such as Ripple, Kraken, and Gemini founders have also contributed to aligned candidates, though Fairshake itself hasn’t directly supported Trump’s campaign.
The group’s rising influence coincides with growing Republican support for crypto legislation. The current GOP majority in both chambers includes over 270 lawmakers viewed as crypto-friendly.
Fairshake-backed candidates recently secured key House seats in Florida, aiding the party’s push for new laws on stablecoins and market structure.
Looking ahead, Fairshake plans to use its record-breaking war chest to shape the legislative landscape on digital assets. With the 2026 midterms on the horizon, crypto lobbying may play a critical role in how the US regulates digital currencies.
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Countries including Vanuatu, Portugal, El Salvador, Dominica and Saint Lucia now offer legal residency or citizenship in exchange for crypto-funded investments. Bitcoin, Ether and stablecoins are increasingly accepted—either directly or via licensed agents—giving digital asset holders new options for global mobility.
Vanuatu offers one of the fastest second passports, processed in under two months. Applicants donate at least $130,000, and crypto can be used through licensed intermediaries
Caribbean nations Dominica and Saint Lucia also allow crypto to be converted into fiat by agents, with donations starting from $200,000. Both programmes are remote and include family members.
Portugal’s golden visa now favours investment funds over property, with some allowing crypto-converted fiat and exposure to blockchain assets. Applicants need only minimal stays, and the path to citizenship may extend from five to ten years. Tax conditions remain favourable, especially for long-term crypto gains.
El Salvador leads with its Freedom Visa, accepting a direct $1-million investment in Bitcoin or USDT for citizenship. The programme, limited to 1,000 applicants yearly, is fully crypto-native and offers fast-track approval.
With rising interest in crypto migration, more governments may soon follow suit.
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The EU regulator ESMA has criticised Malta’s fast approval of crypto licences under the MiCA rules. The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) granted licences quickly but overlooked key compliance and risk checks.
Since January 2025, Malta has issued five licences to crypto firms like OKX and Crypto.com. While MFSA has adequate resources, some areas—such as governance and AML controls—were not fully assessed before approval.
ESMA urges Malta to slow the process and improve oversight as licence applications grow. The report stresses that all EU states must ensure thorough checks to protect the evolving crypto market.
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As Indian equities plateau and fixed-income instruments underperform, the country’s wealthiest investors are increasingly turning to cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin’s recent surge past $123,000 and global institutional support have made digital assets a compelling addition to long-term portfolios.
Family offices, institutional players and high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) are shifting strategies, prioritising allocation plans and custody options over crypto’s legitimacy. Major Indian exchanges report rising volumes mainly from sophisticated investors, not retail traders seeking quick gains.
The trend is further fuelled by global signals, including the return of Donald Trump to the US presidency and bipartisan support for crypto regulation. International exposure and the rise of Bitcoin ETFs have also influenced Indian investor sentiment, particularly among those with cross-border holdings.
Despite the momentum, India’s 30% capital gains tax and 1% TDS continue to hinder broader participation. While the ultra-wealthy can absorb these costs, the crypto industry argues that friendlier tax rules are essential for innovation and mainstream adoption.
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Hungary has introduced strict penalties for individuals and companies involved in unauthorised cryptocurrency trading or services. Under the updated Criminal Code, using unauthorised crypto exchanges can lead to two years in prison, with longer terms for larger trades.
Crypto service providers operating without authorisation face even harsher penalties. Sentences can reach up to eight years for transactions exceeding 500 million forints (around $1.46 million).
The updated law defines new offences such as ‘abuse of crypto-assets’, aiming to impose stricter control over the sector.
The implementation has caused confusion among crypto companies, with Hungary’s Supervisory Authority for Regulatory Affairs (SZTFH) yet to publish compliance guidelines. Businesses now face a 60-day regulatory vacuum with no clear direction.
UK fintech firm Revolut responded by briefly halting crypto services in Hungary, citing the new legislation. It has since reinstated crypto withdrawals, while its EU entity works towards securing a regional crypto licence.
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Bitcoin surged to $118,245 early today, marking a 1.1% increase over 24 hours and an 8.7% rise over the past week. Both institutional and retail investors have maintained a strong interest, supporting Bitcoin’s steady upward trend.
Ethereum followed closely, trading near $3,160 with a 5.9% daily gain and a 20.1% weekly increase. Network activity and capital inflows contributed to Ethereum’s robust performance.
XRP stood out with a 26% weekly gain, reaching $2.93 amid high trading volumes exceeding $6 billion in 24 hours.
Other notable altcoins such as Cardano, Dogecoin, and Solana also posted solid weekly gains between 6.8% and 25.2%. Meanwhile, TRON showed steady growth, supported by consistent trading activity. The Lido Staked Ether token mirrored Ethereum’s rise, reflecting growing demand for liquid staking.
Among smaller tokens, Seraph led daily gains with a 53.3% increase, followed closely by Mamo and Renzo. The market showed broad strength, with major cryptocurrencies driving renewed investor confidence and speculative interest.
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El Salvador’s national Bitcoin stash has soared past $760 million following the latest price surge above $123,000, marking a major milestone in President Nayib Bukele’s crypto strategy. With more than 6,237 BTC in reserves, purchased at an average of $42,000, the country’s investment has nearly tripled in value.
President Bukele first made Bitcoin legal tender in 2021, enduring global backlash, internal debate, and a long bear market. Despite international pressure, including proposed US legislation and IMF disapproval, the country has continued adding to its Bitcoin reserves.
Some analysts view El Salvador’s gains as a potential model for other governments. Pranav Agarwal called El Salvador’s gains a strong case for sovereign crypto reserves, noting such strategies can pay off over several years.
Bitcoin’s continued climb is also attracting market attention, with analysts pointing to $124,000–$125,000 as the next target. For now, El Salvador’s bold move is reshaping the conversation around crypto and national finance.
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Mastercard’s Chief Product Officer, Jorn Lambert, has highlighted that stablecoins still face significant hurdles before becoming widely used for everyday payments.
While the technology offers advantages such as fast transactions, 24/7 availability, low fees, and programmability, these features alone do not ensure consumer adoption. A seamless user experience and broad accessibility remain essential.
Mastercard envisions itself as a crucial infrastructure provider connecting crypto and traditional finance. The company has partnered with Paxos to support USDG stablecoin operations and backs other stablecoins like USDC and PYUSD.
Mastercard’s goal is to enable stablecoins to scale by integrating them into existing payment networks, combining global acceptance with regulatory compliance.
Currently, about 90% of stablecoin transactions are linked to crypto trading rather than retail purchases. User adoption is hindered by friction at checkout and limited merchant acceptance. Lambert compares stablecoins to prepaid cards, usable with some merchants but lacking widespread utility.
Furthermore, converting between fiat and stablecoins adds costs related to foreign exchange, regulation, and settlement.
Regulatory clarity, particularly in the US, is encouraging banks and institutions to explore stablecoin offerings. The evolving legal landscape may also prompt governments to issue their own digital currencies or regulate private stablecoins to prevent risks like dollarisation.
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