Dubai-based DWF Labs has invested $25 million in World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a decentralised finance project supported by Donald Trump and his sons. As part of the deal, DWF Labs acquired WLFI tokens via a private transaction, giving the firm governance rights in the protocol.
The company said the investment aligns with its strategy to support USD-pegged stablecoins and DeFi adoption.
The collaboration includes providing liquidity for WLFI’s stablecoin, USD1, which launched in March on both Ethereum and BNB Chain.
While the stablecoin is not yet tradable, DWF Labs aims to boost its development. The market maker provides liquidity to over 60 exchanges, enabling smoother trade execution.
DWF Labs is also expanding into the United States and has opened a New York office. The move is expected to bolster the company’s partnerships with banks, asset managers, and fintech firms.
WLFI has raised over $600 million since launching in September 2024. Initial token sales brought in $550 million, with an additional $30 million investment from Tron founder Justin Sun.
Web3Port and Oddiyana Ventures have also contributed to the funding, further signalling strong interest in the Trump-backed DeFi platform.
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Russia is preparing to amend its criminal code to include cryptocurrency-related terms. The change would assist law enforcement in confiscating coins during investigations.
The bill, drafted by the Ministry of Justice, is set to be presented to the State Duma shortly. At present, cryptocurrency lacks legal status in general criminal cases, causing complications for police and prosecutors.
The absence of legal definitions for crypto-related terms has made investigations and confiscations challenging, especially for assets held in online wallets. Experts note that the bill will clarify crypto handling procedures but may raise questions about previous court seizures.
Some legal professionals have welcomed the move, but concerns have been raised about protecting the rights of law-abiding citizens. Others stress the need for law enforcement to be properly equipped and trained before implementing such changes.
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The US Secret Service, in collaboration with Canadian officials, launched ‘Operation Avalanche‘ to target compromised wallets on the Ethereum blockchain.
The operation focused on disrupting an ongoing approval phishing scam, which had already cost victims $4.3 million.
Approval phishing occurs when scammers trick victims into signing illicit blockchain transactions, allowing fraudsters to drain funds from their wallets.
The US Secret Service assisted Canadian officials, helping to disrupt the scam and prevent further losses.
Both US and Canadian authorities have committed to continuing their efforts to identify stolen assets and return them to the victims. The operation highlights the importance of global law enforcement collaboration in combating crypto-related crimes.
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A senior Russian finance official has called for domestic stablecoins after EU sanctions led to the freeze of over 2.5 billion roubles held by Garantex. It raised concerns about reliance on foreign-issued assets.
Osman Kabaloev suggested Russia explore creating its stablecoins, possibly pegged to local currencies, as an alternative to USDT. Stablecoins are widely used in the cryptocurrency space for their stability, particularly in regions facing financial sanctions or restrictions.
In Russia, USDT has been used by businesses for international transactions. The trend has grown as access to global payment systems has become more restricted due to Western sanctions.
While Russia has allowed limited experimental use of cryptocurrency for cross-border payments, domestic use of crypto remains restricted. The call for a homegrown stablecoin reflects Russia’s growing concerns over digital asset security and sovereignty.
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Panama City has announced that it will accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins like USDC and Tether as payment for public services. The decision marks a significant step forward in the country’s growing acceptance of cryptocurrencies. Locals will be able to use these digital assets to pay for taxes, permits, fees, and tickets.
The city’s council approved the proposal this week, and Mayor Mayer Mizrachi confirmed the move on social media. Panama City will partner with banks to facilitate the conversion of cryptocurrencies into fiat currency. It will make payments easier and more accessible for residents.
While Panama City’s stance on crypto has evolved, lawmakers have not always been in favour of digital assets. In 2022, President Laurentino Cortizo vetoed a bill to regulate Bitcoin and decentralised organisations, citing the need for better alignment with Panama’s financial system.
However, Panama’s move mirrors the increasing global adoption of cryptocurrencies. Other nations like El Salvador and the Central African Republic have already recognised Bitcoin as legal tender. Some Swiss regions have also started accepting digital currencies for public services.
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Ethena Labs has shut down its German subsidiary, Ethena GmbH, following regulatory issues with BaFin. The German regulator had ordered the company to stop public sales of USDe due to MiCAR noncompliance.
Minting and redemption of USDe are now handled through Ethena Limited in the British Virgin Islands.
BaFin flagged flaws in Ethena GmbH’s approval process and raised concerns over unregistered sUSDe token sales. The regulator froze reserves, shut down the website, and banned new sign-ups. Secondary market listings of USDe remain unaffected.
Ethena expressed disappointment over the MiCAR denial but stated it is exploring alternative regulatory options.
The company’s exit from the German market underscores the increasing regulatory pressure on crypto issuers in Europe, especially in the lead-up to MiCAR’s full implementation.
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Moscow is set to host the Global Blockchain Forum 2025 from 23-24 April, attracting over 15,000 crypto enthusiasts worldwide.
The event will feature prominent figures from the crypto industry, including Justin Sun, founder of Tron, and Ivan Chebeskov, Russia’s deputy finance minister.
The forum’s primary aim is to strengthen ties between Russia and the global crypto community. The vision is to make Russia a leading hub for blockchain and cryptocurrency innovation.
The forum will cover critical topics, including global crypto adoption. Bitcoin’s future in 2025 will also be discussed, along with Russia’s stance on cryptocurrencies amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. Over 100 experts from more than 100 countries will contribute to the discussions.
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A report from El Salvador’s central bank shows that only 11% of registered Bitcoin service providers are currently operational.
Out of 181 companies listed, just 20 meet the country’s legal standards set under its Bitcoin Law, according to local outlet El Mundo.
The law, which made Bitcoin legal tender, requires firms to implement anti-money laundering measures and record assets and liabilities accurately. It also mandates that companies establish cybersecurity programmes tailored to the nature of their services.
However, 89% of providers have failed to comply with these rules and remain non-operational. Some companies, including the government-backed Chivo Wallet, Crypto Trading & Investment, and Fintech Américas, have managed to meet the legal criteria.
President Nayib Bukele has insisted the government will continue buying Bitcoin despite the IMF’s request to halt public sector purchases.
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The exchange’s APAC Managing Director, John O’Loghlen, described the current policy environment as vague and unfit to support long-term growth in the sector.
The company outlined five urgent priorities for the next government. These include forming a crypto taskforce within 100 days and addressing the country’s worsening debanking problem. It also called for enabling stablecoin use and providing clearer tax rules for Web3 projects.
Despite high adoption rates, the blog post stressed that unclear regulation is pushing talent and investment overseas.
Coinbase noted that wealthy Australians still hold limited crypto, suggesting caution. Despite recent proposals, it says stronger legislation is needed to keep Australia competitive.
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