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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The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has officially approved options trading on spot Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
The approval covers several spot Ethereum ETFs, including BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust, Bitwise Ethereum ETF, Grayscale’s Ethereum Trust, and the Ethereum Mini Trust.
Options trading allows investors to speculate on the future price of Ethereum without owning the asset directly. The new development enables traders to employ strategies like covered calls or buffered exposure, adding depth to the Ethereum market.
The move follows the SEC’s green light for spot Ethereum ETFs last year, which have seen significant net inflows of $2.34 billion.
Ethereum’s market has faced challenges recently, with a 45% drop in value during the first quarter of 2025. Despite this, the introduction of options trading on Ethereum ETFs could provide fresh momentum for the asset. The approval is expected by October.
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The ECB has renewed its push for a digital euro to counter the growing dominance of US dollar-backed stablecoins in Europe. Piero Cipollone, an ECB executive board member, has raised concerns over the growing popularity of these stablecoins.
He argues that a central bank digital currency (CBDC) would protect the eurozone’s monetary sovereignty. Cipollone argued that a digital euro would prevent foreign currency stablecoins from becoming widely used in the euro area.
He warns that Europe’s reliance on foreign payment systems undermines its financial sovereignty. Concerns have arisen over the US’s push for dollar-backed stablecoins.
ECB called for a public-private partnership to create a digital euro, preserving European monetary independence under EU law.
Despite these efforts, the digital euro faces opposition, particularly over concerns around data privacy and consumer adoption. ECB acknowledges that digital payments are becoming increasingly prevalent, especially for online transactions.
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Ukraine’s securities regulator has outlined a new framework to tax crypto income at a combined rate of up to 23%. The proposal excludes crypto-to-crypto transactions and stablecoins. The aim is to offer lawmakers a basis for creating informed and balanced regulation.
Under the suggested model, crypto income would face an 18% tax and a 5% military levy. It would apply only when crypto is converted to fiat or used for goods and services.
Stablecoins backed by foreign currencies may be exempt or taxed at a reduced rate of 5% or 9%. Ukraine’s approach aligns with the tax policies of countries such as France, Austria, and Singapore.
The framework also addresses mining, staking, hard forks, and airdrops. Mining is considered a business activity, though a tax-free threshold is under consideration.
Staking could be taxed only when converted to fiat, while hard forks and airdrops may be taxed at receipt or conversion. Exemptions are being considered for crypto donations, family transfers, and long-term holders, though they may not apply to non-custodial wallets.
A draft bill to legalise cryptocurrencies has been under review since late 2023 and is expected to be finalised this year.
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Paul Atkins has been officially confirmed as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) following a 52–44 vote in the Senate. His appointment marks a significant leadership change at the regulator, mainly as reforms to digital asset rules are underway.
Atkins brings extensive experience to the post, having previously served as an SEC commissioner from 2002 to 2008. Since then, he has worked as a regulatory adviser to financial and crypto firms. He has also co-chaired the Token Alliance and consistently advocated for blockchain innovation.
Ethics filings revealed that he and his wife held millions in crypto-related assets. However, he has pledged to divest from all such holdings upon assuming office.
The appointment has not been without criticism. Senator Elizabeth Warren opposed the appointment, citing his industry ties and role in the 2008 financial crisis.
Many within the digital asset sector expect a shift in the SEC’s approach. They anticipate greater emphasis on regulatory clarity, fewer legal actions against crypto companies, and broader support for blockchain development.
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