World Liberty Financial (WLF), a new crypto platform in which President Donald Trump holds a financial stake, announced the launch of a strategic token reserve aimed at supporting Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other leading cryptocurrencies. The reserve is designed to help mitigate market volatility, support decentralised finance projects, and create a robust capital reserve for future investments. WLF also plans to seek partnerships with financial institutions to contribute tokenised assets to its reserve.
This announcement reflects the growing involvement of Trump and his family in the cryptocurrency world. In addition to WLF, the Trump family has a majority stake in Trump Media & Technology Group, a company recently pivoting into crypto-linked financial services. Trump’s ventures also include the $Trump meme coin, which has already generated significant revenue. With token sales reaching $500 million, WLF has made a strong entry into the market just months ahead of the US presidential election.
WLF’s launch is strategically timed to coincide with the increasing interest in bridging the gap between traditional finance and the crypto world. Donald Trump Jr. recently spoke at the Ondo Summit in New York, where he emphasised the importance of a regulatory framework to allow crypto to thrive. He described crypto as the ‘future of finance’ and a key component of maintaining American dominance in global finance. Trump and his affiliates hold a significant stake in WLF, with 60% ownership of the holding company and a large share of its revenues.
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A recent survey has revealed that despite nearly a third of central banks delaying their CBDC rollouts, 75% still plan to issue a central bank digital currency (CBDC). The survey, conducted by the Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum and Giesecke+Devrient, shows that 67% of central banks have maintained their stance on CBDCs, while 15% are now less inclined to pursue them compared to zero in 2022.
Privacy concerns and the potential for government surveillance have been major factors in the growing hesitancy. The pushback against CBDCs has intensified following President Donald Trump’s ban on digital dollar development in January and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s recent confirmation that a CBDC will not be issued during his tenure.
For those still pursuing CBDCs, the key motivation remains preserving central bank monetary sovereignty. However, adoption remains a challenge, particularly in emerging markets like Jamaica, Nigeria, and China, where CBDCs have struggled to gain traction. The survey found that 55% of emerging market central banks see low user adoption as their biggest concern.
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MicroCloud Hologram, a Nasdaq-listed technology company, has announced plans to invest up to $200 million in Bitcoin and other digital assets. The move is driven by the firm’s bullish outlook on cryptocurrency, as it sees blockchain, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing as key to future innovation. The company aims to diversify its capital reserves while positioning itself for growth in the expanding digital economy.
With cash reserves of around $257 million, MicroCloud Hologram follows the lead of companies like Strategy and Metaplanet, which have heavily invested in Bitcoin. The firm is particularly interested in assets with strong market impact and growth potential, signalling confidence in the long-term value of crypto. The planned investment is also expected to support the company’s broader capital strategy and expansion into blockchain technologies.
Bitcoin’s surge in 2024, reaching an all-time high above $109,000, has sparked increased interest from institutional investors. The growing demand for spot Bitcoin ETFs and favourable regulatory developments have fuelled optimism, reinforcing predictions of further convergence between AI and crypto. MicroCloud Hologram’s latest move highlights the accelerating adoption of digital assets in mainstream finance.
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Swedish payments giant Klarna is considering integrating cryptocurrency into its services, marking a potential shift in its approach to digital assets. CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski recently hinted at the company’s interest, asking his followers for ideas on how Klarna could embrace crypto. It comes as the firm prepares for a US initial public offering later this year, a move that could expand its influence in global financial markets.
Siemiatkowski acknowledged that Klarna is trailing behind competitors like PayPal and Revolut, both of which have already introduced a variety of crypto services. Industry leaders, including Circle CEO Jamie Allaire and Immutable’s Robbie Ferguson, have pitched ideas, suggesting stablecoin integration and crypto-friendly payment solutions. Klarna, which processes around $100 billion in transactions annually, could leverage its vast user base to bring digital assets into mainstream finance.
The CEO’s newfound enthusiasm for crypto contrasts with his earlier scepticism. In 2022, he dismissed Bitcoin as a “decentralised Ponzi scheme” and criticised high transaction fees. However, recent trends, including the rise of stablecoins and blockchain-based payments, seem to have reshaped his perspective. As Klarna moves towards its IPO, its evolving stance on digital assets could position it as a major player in the fintech-crypto convergence.
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North Carolina lawmakers have introduced a bill that would allow the state treasurer to invest up to 10% of state funds in Bitcoin and other qualifying digital assets. The proposed legislation sets strict criteria, requiring any eligible cryptocurrency to have a market capitalisation of at least $750 billion over the past year. Currently, only Bitcoin meets this threshold. Investments would be made through regulated exchange-traded products, ensuring compliance with financial safeguards.
The bill outlines that funds from the General Fund, Highway Fund, and 24 other special state funds could be allocated to Bitcoin. Oversight would be provided by the Governor and the Council of State, while third-party investment managers handling digital assets must manage at least $100 million in assets. The move aligns North Carolina with other states exploring Bitcoin as a financial hedge and long-term store of value.
With this proposal, North Carolina becomes the 20th US state to introduce Bitcoin reserve legislation. Recent bills in Montana, Florida, Maryland, Iowa, and Kentucky signal a growing trend of state governments integrating digital assets into financial strategies. These efforts reflect increasing confidence in Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation and a valuable reserve asset for public funds.
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Japan’s Financial Services Agency is moving to ease restrictions on cryptocurrency investments, signalling a major shift in regulatory policy. The agency is preparing to lift the existing ban on crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs), bringing Japan in line with markets like the United States and Hong Kong. In addition, cryptocurrencies may soon be treated similarly to traditional securities, paving the way for wider institutional adoption.
The regulator is also considering significant tax cuts, potentially lowering the maximum rate from 55% to 20%. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to strengthen investor protections by requiring virtual asset firms to provide greater transparency. A closed-door study session with market experts will assess whether Japan’s existing regulatory framework can support these changes.
Despite the easing stance, Japan’s financial authorities remain cautious, enforcing strict compliance measures to clamp down on unlicensed crypto operations. Recently, the FSA ordered Google and Apple to remove unregistered exchanges from their platforms. As Japan adapts to the global shift towards Bitcoin, its evolving policies could reshape the country’s crypto landscape in the coming years.
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James Howells, a Bitcoin miner from Newport, South Wales, is considering purchasing a local landfill where he believes his lost cryptocurrency, worth over £620 million ($768 million), is buried. Howells claims the hard drive containing 7,500 BTC, which he mined in 2009, was accidentally discarded at the landfill by his former partner in 2013. Despite a court ruling against his request last month, he continues to explore options, including buying the landfill outright.
The landfill contains over 1.4 million tonnes of waste, but Howells insists the hard drive is likely buried within a specific 100,000-tonne area. He has petitioned Newport City Council for permission to excavate the site, even offering a share of the fortune in return. However, the council has argued that local laws give them ownership over anything in the landfill, and the High Court dismissed Howells’ claims due to insufficient evidence and the passage of time.
Authorities plan to close the landfill in the 2025-2026 financial year and convert parts of it into a solar farm. Howells expressed shock at the decision, especially after the council argued that allowing the excavation would harm the people of Newport. Still, he has not ruled out escalating the case to the Supreme Court or purchasing the site, hoping that his lost Bitcoin could reach a value of $1.2 billion by 2026 if the market continues to rise.
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A United States federal judge has ruled that Coinbase must face a lawsuit from customers accusing the cryptocurrency exchange of illegally selling securities without registering as a broker-dealer. The judge rejected Coinbase’s argument that it did not qualify as a seller under federal securities law, citing claims that customers traded directly with the company rather than with third parties. Allegations under state laws in California, Florida, and New Jersey will also proceed.
The lawsuit, initially dismissed in 2023, was partially revived by an appeals court last year. Customers are seeking unspecified damages, while Coinbase maintains that it does not list or sell securities on its platform. The company remains confident it will prevail in court. Meanwhile, the U6S Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has also sued Coinbase, arguing that the exchange allowed trading of unregistered securities.
Coinbase has appealed a separate ruling that could clarify whether digital tokens qualify as investment contracts under US law. The company told the appeals court that a decision in its favour could remove regulatory uncertainty surrounding the cryptocurrency market. The outcome of these legal battles could have significant implications for the broader industry.
Hong Kong has officially recognised cryptocurrency as proof of assets for investment immigration, approving two cases where applicants used Bitcoin and Ethereum to meet the HK$30 million requirement. The latest approval, confirmed on 7 February, marks a significant step in integrating digital assets into the region’s financial and immigration policies.
The first case occurred in October 2024, when a Bitcoin holder successfully proved their wealth for residency. An Ethereum holder has followed suit, with both applicants coming from mainland China. Reports indicate that Invest Hong Kong, the government agency overseeing investment immigration, took a month to review the first case before approving it.
Despite this recognition, it remains uncertain whether direct cryptocurrency investments or crypto ETFs will count towards the required HK$30 million investment within six months of approval. Officials have specified that applicants must store their digital assets securely in cold wallets or on major exchanges such as Binance. With two more applicants under review, Hong Kong appears to be paving the way for broader crypto acceptance in its financial landscape.
Russia’s telecoms watchdog, Roskomnadzor, has blocked access to BestChange, one of the largest crypto over-the-counter aggregators in Eastern Europe. While the regulator has not provided an official reason, the platform has been added to the list of banned websites. BestChange’s legal team is already working to restore access, though no details on the ban’s cause have been disclosed.
It is not the first time BestChange has faced restrictions. It was first blocked in 2017 when a court in St Petersburg ruled that Bitcoin was a monetary surrogate, making enforcement difficult due to the blockchain’s irreversible transactions. Although that ban was lifted in 2018, Roskomnadzor imposed restrictions again in 2019, only to remove them months later.
The latest ban follows Russia’s recent law restricting crypto mining and digital asset advertisements. Under these new rules, advertisements for exchanges, mining, smart contracts, and wallet-tracking services are prohibited. Major platforms such as Yandex have already adjusted their policies, tightening restrictions on crypto-related promotions.
