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 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 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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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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The European Commission is reportedly preparing new guidance to ease restrictions on foreign-issued stablecoins such as USDC and USDT. Under the plan, these tokens would match EU-registered versions, removing a key barrier to broader use in Europe’s financial system.
The shift comes despite strong objections from the European Central Bank, which has repeatedly warned that unrestrained access to foreign stablecoins could destabilise the eurozone.
ECB President Christine Lagarde has voiced concerns over capital outflows and a potential erosion of monetary control, urging tighter oversight of stablecoin issuers.
The EU’s MiCA regulation requires issuers to maintain reserves in European banks and uphold euro-based redemption rights. The changes would exempt some dollar-backed tokens under the EU oversight, bringing rules closer to those in the US and Asia.
The Financial Times reports that the move aims to prevent the EU from becoming a ‘flyover zone’ in global crypto adoption. Officials are considering compromises, including giving national regulators more discretion in assessing risks tied to foreign stablecoins.
If adopted, the plan could increase the dollar’s influence in Europe’s digital economy while positioning the EU as a more attractive crypto hub.
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The top eight South Korean banks are forming a joint venture to issue a won-pegged stablecoin to cut reliance on foreign digital currencies. Backed by the Financial Supervisory Service and blockchain groups, the move marks the country’s first joint entry into the digital asset market.
The launch is expected by late 2025 or early 2026, pending regulatory approval.
The group is weighing two issuance models: a trust-based system where customer funds are segregated and a deposit token model that links digital tokens to bank liabilities on a 1:1 basis. The stablecoin will comply with South Korea’s proposed Digital Asset Act.
Although separate from the central bank’s CBDC project, the token could connect to national systems later. Planned use includes domestic payments, cross-border transfers, and Web3 services. Legal clarity and public trust are essential for the project’s success.
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Japan’s Financial Services Agency has proposed classifying cryptocurrencies as financial products under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act.
The change would pave the way for crypto ETFs and apply a flat 20% capital gains tax, replacing the current progressive system, which taxes some gains at rates up to 55%. The proposal is part of the government’s broader ‘New Capitalism’ strategy to boost investment.
Interest in crypto has surged nationwide, with over 12 million active accounts and holdings exceeding 5 trillion yen. The FSA noted that crypto now surpasses traditional products like FX and bonds in popularity among retail investors.
Japanese regulators hope the shift will attract domestic and international institutional investors, following global trends such as spot Bitcoin ETF adoption in the US.
Japan is also moving towards stablecoin adoption. In April, SMBC and Ava Labs began exploring stablecoins pegged to the yen and dollar to settle tokenised assets. Meanwhile, SBI VC Trade secured Japan’s first stablecoin-handling licence, preparing to support USDC issuance.
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Turkey’s Ministry of Treasury and Finance has introduced new regulations to curb illicit activities in the digital asset space. Platforms must now verify more detailed transaction data, including a written explanation for each transfer and proof of fund origin.
The move is expected to improve transparency and allow authorities to detect suspicious activity earlier.
A mandatory waiting period has been introduced for crypto withdrawals. Assets must remain on the platform for 48 hours after being purchased or exchanged, with a 72-hour delay for first-time withdrawals.
Daily and monthly limits of $3,000 and $50,000 have also been placed on stablecoin transfers, though fully compliant platforms may operate with doubled limits.
Authorities clarified that market-making, arbitrage, and liquidity provision transactions would remain unrestricted. However, platforms that fail to comply risk fines, licence suspensions, or complete bans.
These measures form part of a wider framework introduced in March under Capital Markets Law No. 6362, which mandates capital requirements, audits, and user protections. The new rules build on earlier regulations introduced in early 2025 to align with global anti-money laundering standards.
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South Korea’s central bank wants stablecoins introduced slowly, starting with regulated commercial banks.
Deputy governor Ryoo Sangdai said banks offer the highest level of oversight and could act as a safety net, limiting risks to consumers and markets.
Expansion to the broader financial sector would follow only after initial stability is ensured.
Despite limited support, the Bank of Korea remains cautious. Officials warned that stablecoins could accelerate capital outflows and complicate foreign exchange policy. Governor Rhee Chang-yong raised concerns about managing a won-based stablecoin in global markets.
To counter risks, the central bank is advancing its digital currency. A CBDC pilot is set to end by 30 June, with future trials depending on legal clarity and bank coordination.
While South Korea moves carefully, countries like the UAE, Russia, and several African nations are rapidly embracing stablecoin development.
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Bitcoin is trading around $106,533 after returning from early June lows and holding above the key $100,000 mark. Despite brief dips below $99,000 due to geopolitical tensions, strong support remains.
Resistance lies between $105,000 and $107,000, with a potential breakout targeting $112,000 to $114,000.
Technical charts show a possible cup and handle formation and a golden cross, supporting a bullish outlook.
Institutional accumulation and crypto fund inflows suggest continued long-term confidence, though short-term indicators signal caution as Bitcoin nears overbought levels.
Ethereum trades near $2,437, consolidating above $2,400 within a defined range. A cup and handle pattern, a nearing golden cross, and bullish signals indicate possible gains if resistance at $2,589 is surpassed. Recent on-chain buying supports Ethereum’s recovery from a flash dip to $2,224.
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