China and Russia have reportedly started using Bitcoin for settling certain energy transactions. It is a development that signals a shift away from the US dollar in global trade.
The move comes amid growing trade tensions and increasing interest in decentralised digital assets. According to Matthew Sigel, Head of Digital Assets Research at VanEck, Bitcoin’s role in trade is evolving beyond speculation.
The report highlights a growing trend of using digital assets in practical commerce, particularly in energy markets. Bitcoin’s neutral and decentralised nature makes it an appealing option for countries facing financial restrictions.
The shift may reinforce Bitcoin’s role as a hedge against monetary instability as international players are seeking alternative settlement methods.
Bolivia also plans to use cryptocurrency for power imports, while EDF is exploring Bitcoin mining to monetise surplus electricity.
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Thailand has introduced a new legal framework targeting foreign, unregulated peer-to-peer (P2P) crypto platforms to combat online financial crime. The Thai SEC announced cabinet approval of updated emergency decrees, imposing strict measures on digital asset businesses in the country.
The amendments impose severe penalties on foreign crypto platforms, including up to three years in prison, fines of 300,000 baht (around $8,700), or both, for violations.
The SEC’s updated rules also empower authorities to block suspicious transactions and demand that crypto service providers report any scam-related activity. Other sectors, such as commercial banks, telecom companies, and social media platforms, now have joint responsibilities for preventing cybercrime.
SEC Secretary-General Pornanong Budsaratragoon stated that the aim is to reduce money laundering risks and minimise damage from online crimes. It will be achieved through stronger enforcement in collaboration with digital agencies.
Despite these stringent measures, Thailand remains open to innovation in the crypto sector. The country has made strides toward adopting blockchain technology, such as planning a blockchain-based trading platform for securities firms. It is also considering a stablecoin backed by government bonds.
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Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash has permanently quit the social media platform X after his account was repeatedly hacked to promote a Solana-based meme coin. The attack, which occurred on 2 April, involved hackers using his verified account to falsely present the coin, called GUNS, as an official Guns N’ Roses project.
In his farewell tweet, Slash explained that his decision was driven by the repeated hacks. He signalled a shift in how he intends to stay connected with fans. He encouraged followers to explore his presence on other platforms.
The hack came just after April Fool’s Day, with hackers posting several promotional messages about the fake GUNS coin. The posts, which were eventually deleted, claimed the coin would launch soon and announced a $1M investment. While the token is still live, its market value has plummeted to around $3,300.
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On Thursday, President Donald Trump signed a resolution reversing an IRS rule. The rule would have required certain crypto brokers, including decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms, to report customer transactions to the tax agency.
The rule, scheduled to take effect in 2026, aimed to ensure tax compliance for crypto users but faced backlash from the industry.
The measure, part of the Biden administration’s efforts to strengthen crypto tax enforcement, was criticised for being technically difficult to follow and legally problematic. DeFi platforms do not act as intermediaries or possess user identities, which made the rule unworkable, according to industry leaders.
Lawmakers supporting the repeal argued that the rule hindered innovation, infringed on privacy, and would overload the IRS with unnecessary filings. Trump’s signature reflects his commitment to supporting the crypto industry and fostering a favourable environment for digital assets in the US.
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A Russian logistics firm, ETE Group, has requested that the Prime Minister establish a regulatory framework for using cryptocurrency in international trade. In a letter to the Prime Minister, the company called for changes to Russia’s Civil and Tax Codes to allow crypto transactions with foreign suppliers.
ETE Group, based in Moscow and Vladivostok, noted that the lack of regulation creates risks for businesses seeking to use cryptocurrency for payments. The firm has observed a significant rise in interest in crypto payments, with business sector interest increasing by 40% in 2024.
ETE Group believes that introducing regulations for crypto issuance, circulation, and accounting will help resolve ongoing issues with international payments. The firm particularly highlights delays caused by sanctions and the disconnection of Russian firms from the SWIFT network.
Russia’s sanctions, imposed after the war in Ukraine, have disrupted trade with countries like China and Kazakhstan, with payment delays often extending from weeks to months. ETE Group has stated that using crypto could offer a solution, bypassing traditional financial systems.
The company also highlighted that while Russian law currently prohibits crypto payments for goods, growing interest in the technology could prompt a policy change.
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Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) released a discussion paper on 10 April, titled ‘Examining the Structure of Regulatory Frameworks Related to Crypto Assets’. The paper highlights key issues such as regulatory oversight and transparency. It also addresses insider trading prevention and industry-specific regulations, including the travel rule and staking practices.
A significant proposal in the paper is the classification of crypto assets into two categories. Type 1, Funding/Business Crypto Assets, refers to assets raised for fundraising purposes, such as some utility tokens. Type 2, Non-Fundraising/Non-Business Crypto Assets, covers assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum, which are not linked to fundraising efforts.
The FSA aims to bridge the information gap for Type 1 assets, focusing on the intended use of raised funds. However, the agency faces challenges in linking Type 2 assets to specific issuers, complicating the enforcement of disclosure rules.
Additionally, Japan’s FSA plans to introduce a crypto bill by 2026, aiming to classify cryptocurrencies under traditional securities laws and subject them to insider trading regulations.
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New Hampshire’s Bitcoin reserve bill, House Bill 302, has passed the state’s House of Representatives. It becomes the fourth state to advance such legislation.
The vote on 10 April was 192-179 in favour of the bill, following a 16-1 vote by the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee in March. The bill now moves to the Senate for further debate before potentially being signed by Governor Kelly Ayotte.
If approved, HB302 would allow the state treasurer to allocate up to 10% of New Hampshire’s general fund and other approved funds into digital assets. It would also cover Bitcoin and precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum.
To qualify for the reserve, a cryptocurrency must have a market capitalisation of at least $500 billion, a threshold currently met only by Bitcoin.
Supporters of the bill argue it could provide new revenue streams and diversify state finances. Republican Representative Jordan Ulery said it could generate significant earnings for the state through strategic investments in assets like Bitcoin.
Meanwhile, New Hampshire is also reviewing other blockchain-related proposals, including bills on stablecoins and broader blockchain regulations.
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Bitget Wallet has launched a new feature that enables traders to assess potential risks before investing in tokens. The tool is currently available for six major blockchains. It helps users identify vulnerabilities that may indicate higher trading risks, such as token centralisation or active minting permissions.
The feature, found within the wallet’s candlestick chart interface, provides crucial data on a token’s permission status, distribution among top holders, and burn ratios. These indicators allow traders to assess the risk of manipulation, price dumps, or rug pulls.
For example, a high concentration of tokens in a few wallets can signal manipulation, while a low burn ratio might indicate poor project transparency.
Bitget Wallet’s COO, Alvin Kan, emphasised the importance of providing accessible tools for risk evaluation. It is particularly crucial as decentralised finance continues to grow.
The platform aims to offer users more security and confidence when navigating Web3. The new risk detection feature is part of its broader strategy to enhance transaction safety.
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Tokenised gold trading has surpassed $1 billion for the first time since the 2023 US banking crisis. The surge reflects a renewed investor shift towards safe-haven assets.
The renewed interest follows President Donald Trump’s import tariffs, fuelling trade war fears and boosting demand for safer assets.
Data from CEX.io shows a sharp rise in digital gold activity since Trump’s first tariff announcement in January.
Paxos Gold (PAXG) trading volume surged by over 900%, Tether Gold (XAUT) by more than 300%, and Kinesis Gold (KAU) by over 83,000%.
Since the start of 2025, tokenised gold has recorded a 21% increase in market capitalisation and a trading volume boost of over 1,000%.
Physical gold has also reached record highs, trading above $3,100 per ounce at the end of March.
Analysts say tokenised gold is gaining traction as a diversification tool among crypto-native investors. However, it remains in the early stages compared with traditional gold markets.
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A new bill in New York aims to explore the potential of blockchain technology in securing voter records and election results. The bill directs the state Board of Elections to conduct a study on how blockchain could enhance election security.
The proposed legislation mandates the creation of a report within a year, assessing blockchain’s ability to protect election data.
Study will include insights from experts in blockchain, cybersecurity, voter fraud, and election record-keeping. Their expertise will help evaluate the feasibility of integrating blockchain into New York’s voting processes.
The bill is part of a broader trend to apply blockchain technology to elections. Earlier this year, Tennessee’s Williamson County used the Bitcoin network to secure the results of a local Republican Party election.
Blockchain advocates argue that the technology could improve election transparency and public trust. They believe it would ensure that votes are immutable and verifiable.
Experts caution that the system’s reliability depends on the quality of the data entered. Blockchain guarantees the integrity of stored data but cannot validate the accuracy of the original input.
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