Cryptocurrencies

Bitcoin takes centre stage as America’s new dream

Changpeng Zhao, former CEO of Binance, has declared that owning Bitcoin could soon replace home ownership as the American dream. Zhao praised the FHFA’s directive for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to consider cryptocurrencies in mortgage risk assessments.

The FHFA’s order asks these agencies first to explore using cryptocurrencies as mortgage reserve assets without converting them to US dollars. Prospective homeowners could use crypto holdings on regulated US exchanges as part of their mortgage applications if adopted.

FHFA Director Bill Pulte described the move as historic for cryptocurrency and mortgage industries. He credited President Donald Trump for helping position the US as a global crypto hub.

Meanwhile, during a recent White House press briefing, Trump praised Bitcoin, highlighting its benefits for the US dollar.

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Crypto adoption grows among Koreans aged 20 to 50 with Bitcoin leading the way

Crypto ownership in South Korea is rising rapidly, with 27% of people aged 20 to 50 now holding digital assets, according to new research by the Hana Institute of Finance. Among investors, 70% plan to grow their crypto holdings, with Bitcoin remaining the top choice.

Many now view digital assets as a serious tool for building wealth and planning for retirement. The report revealed that investment behaviour is becoming more structured.

Regular purchases jumped from 10% to 34%, while mid-term trading saw a similar rise. In contrast, short-term trading declined slightly. More investors also turn to official exchanges and data platforms, moving away from informal advice and word-of-mouth.

Economic hardship is driving the trend, particularly among younger Koreans. Youth unemployment remains high, and traditional investment options offer limited returns. Crypto has emerged as a perceived lifeline, with many viewing it as their best chance to gain financial stability or afford property.

While optimism about crypto’s growth remains strong, concerns persist. Market volatility still worries 56% of investors, and many say they would feel more confident if traditional banks were more involved.

Restrictions on linking multiple bank accounts with exchanges are also viewed as a barrier to greater adoption.

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Stablecoins surpass Visa and Mastercard in online transaction volume

According to Noam Hurwitz from Alchemy, stablecoins are now the leading medium for internet transactions, having overtaken Visa and Mastercard in on-chain volume. He described their adoption as ‘explosive’, highlighting their growing role as the ‘default settlement layer’ for digital payments.

Major fintech companies like PayPal, Stripe, and Robinhood are now integrating stablecoins to facilitate quicker, cheaper transactions using blockchain rails. Alchemy powers these operations, enabling stablecoin flows for prominent platforms.

Stablecoins are now widely used in global payments and decentralised prediction markets. They have also become significant holders of US Treasury debt, with Tether reportedly earning $13 billion in profits last year.

However, not everyone is convinced. The Bank for International Settlements has raised doubts about stablecoins serving as real money, arguing that they fail key economic tests and behave more like financial assets than currency.

Even so, the broader trend suggests stablecoins reshape how money moves online.

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Hacktivist attacks surge in Iran–Israel tensions

The Iran–Israel conflict has now expanded into cyberspace, with rival hacker groups launching waves of politically driven attacks.

Following Israel’s military operation against Iran, pro-Israeli hackers known as ‘Predatory Sparrow‘ struck Iran’s Sepah Bank, deleting data and causing significant service disruption.

A day later, the same group targeted Nobitex, Iran’s largest crypto exchange, stealing and destroying over $90 million in assets.

Cyber attacks intensified in the days before and after Israeli strikes. According to NSFOCUS, cyberattacks on Iran peaked three days before the military operation, suggesting pre-attack reconnaissance.

In retaliation, pro-Iranian hackers escalated attacks on Israel on 16 June, focusing on government systems, aerospace, and education.

While attacks on Iran have been fewer, Israeli systems have faced over 1,300 attacks in 2025 alone, with 37% of all global hacktivist activity aimed at Israel since the conflict began.

However, analysts note these attacks have been high in volume but limited in impact. Their malware tactics involve evading antivirus software, deleting data, and turning off recovery systems.

NSFOCUS warns that geopolitical tensions are turning hacktivist groups into informal cyber proxies. Though not formally state-backed, these loosely organised actors align closely with national interests.

As traditional defences lag, cybersecurity experts argue that national infrastructure must adopt more strategic, coordinated defence measures instead of fragmented responses, especially during crises and conflicts.

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TRON leads global stablecoin network

The USDT stablecoin supply on the TRON blockchain has exceeded $80 billion, reinforcing TRON’s role as the dominant network for stablecoin activity. Representing over 63% of the global stablecoin market, USDT issuance on TRON has grown by around $20 billion since January 2025.

TRON processes nearly 9 million transactions daily and leads all blockchains in transaction volume and user engagement.

TRON handles about 60% of global stablecoin payment volume as the preferred settlement network for stablecoins. The network supports over 315 million user accounts and facilitates $21.5 billion in daily USDT transfers.

With more than 1 million unique wallets transacting USDT daily, TRON commands 28% of active stablecoin wallets worldwide.

TRON’s speed, low fees, and scale have made it a vital platform for cross-border payments and financial access, particularly in emerging markets. Its ecosystem continues to evolve with growing institutional demand, exemplified by the recent launch of World Liberty Financial’s USD1 stablecoin on TRON.

The T3 Financial Crime Unit, a joint effort with Tether and TRM Labs, has helped freeze over $160 million linked to illicit activities. Founder Justin Sun highlights TRON’s commitment to openness, efficiency, and real-world utility, positioning it as a key infrastructure player in the expanding digital dollar economy.

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UK bank limits crypto transactions amid consumer risks

Barclays Bank has announced it will block all cryptocurrency transactions made using its bank cards, including Barclaycard credit cards, starting 27 June 2025.

The decision reflects growing concerns about digital currencies’ risks to consumers, particularly the high volatility that can lead to debt. The bank’s statement cited the lack of consumer protections as a key factor.

Cryptocurrencies aren’t covered by the Financial Ombudsman or Compensation Scheme, leaving customers few options if transactions fail. Barclays warned that price falls could prevent some customers from repaying debts incurred from crypto purchases.

The cautious stance mirrors broader trends among UK banks and regulators. The Financial Conduct Authority has repeatedly highlighted the dangers of unregulated crypto markets. Barclays encouraged customers to educate themselves via the FCA’s resources.

Meanwhile, the Bank of England plans to introduce stricter rules limiting banks’ crypto exposure by 2026, aiming to safeguard financial stability.

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India urged to adopt clear Bitcoin strategy

Pradeep Bhandari, spokesperson for India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has called for a pilot Bitcoin reserve as part of a strategic move to boost economic resilience. He cites the US’s Bitcoin reserves and Bhutan’s state mining as signs of global finance shifting to crypto.

India’s approach to crypto remains uncertain, with a 30% tax on virtual digital assets but no formal regulatory framework. Under current law, crypto profits are taxed flatly, and a 1% tax is deducted at source on transactions exceeding approximately $115.

Despite this, the lack of regulation has created ambiguity around crypto’s legal status.

Highlighting global developments, Bhandari notes that the US is actively expanding Bitcoin reserves, and three US states have authorised Bitcoin as a reserve asset. He says India’s renewable energy could support a clear Bitcoin strategy that boosts innovation and protects investors.

The BJP spokesperson says a Bitcoin reserve pilot could help India adopt digital assets legitimately and boost its global economic standing with clearer regulations.

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AI crypto apps see explosive user growth in 2025

AI is rapidly gaining ground in the blockchain world, with user activity and funding hitting new highs in 2025. According to a report by DappRadar, AI-related on-chain activity has surged 86% since January, with 4.5 million daily users engaging with AI-powered decentralised apps.

AI DApps have grown their market share to 19%, just behind blockchain gaming’s 20%. DappRadar analyst Sara Gherghelas said the rise of AI agents reflects more than hype, calling it a structural shift in how users interact with Web3 platforms.

From DeFi copilots to gaming bots, AI agents are emerging as a new layer for on-chain interaction.

Investor interest is growing as well. AI agent projects have already raised $1.39 billion this year—9.4% more than in 2024. Gherghelas noted that funding for AI agents now rivals or exceeds other Web3 verticals, including blockchain gaming.

User growth is global, with most AI DApp interactions coming from Europe (26%), followed by Asia (22%) and North America (15.8%). A significant 33% of activity comes from anonymous or unspecified sources. Analysts believe AI agents are becoming essential to the decentralised ecosystem worldwide.

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TON introduces easy staking with just 10 tokens

TON holders will soon be able to stake their tokens with minimal effort, thanks to a new service offering 4.7% annual rewards. Developed by P2P.org and Ton Whales, the solution lets users stake with just 10 TON while offering institutional-grade security.

The service is aimed at custodians and exchanges and will be available through a widget compatible with all TON Connect-supported wallets. Funds will be automatically allocated across network validators, removing the need for complex manual setup by intermediaries.

Backed by Telegram’s expanding crypto ecosystem, TON has become the only blockchain officially integrated into the messaging platform’s apps. Over 156 million wallets are active, with over $2 billion worth of TON currently staked.

Users earn TON via in-app games and services and can spend it on Telegram.

Ton Whales plans to launch a staking-linked bank card this year, while tools are also in development to let early investors earn rewards on locked tokens. Despite growing adoption, many TON-powered apps have struggled to maintain user interest beyond initial financial incentives.

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Trump-backed crypto project receives $100 million investment

A UAE crypto fund has invested $100 million into World Liberty Financial, a blockchain project supported by President Donald Trump. Aqua 1 Foundation said the investment supports a blockchain ecosystem linking traditional and decentralised finance.

The platform’s native token, WLFI, is only available to accredited investors. According to the project’s team, WLFI enables token holders to vote on decisions within the system.

Meanwhile, its stablecoin, USD1, is already trading on major crypto exchanges and was used in a controversial $2 billion settlement involving Binance and an Abu Dhabi-based wealth fund.

Although details on the World Liberty platform remain limited, developers claim it will function as a decentralised borrowing and lending hub. Chase Herro, Zak Folkman, Eric Trump, and the Witkoff family—long-time Trump allies—lead the project.

Ethical concerns are mounting, particularly among Democratic lawmakers, as the Trump family has reportedly earned tens of millions from token sales.

President Trump disclosed a personal gain of over $57 million from the project, prompting Senator Richard Blumenthal to investigate its operations. The Trump-linked DT Marks DEFI LLC recently reduced its stake in the project from 60% to 40%.

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