Economic

EU investors can now buy tokenised MSTR stock on Gemini

Crypto exchange Gemini has introduced a tokenised version of Michael Saylor’s Strategy (MSTR) stock for investors in the European Union. The launch allows EU users to invest in the Bitcoin-focused firm on-chain, bypassing many traditional market restrictions.

Gemini described tokenised stocks as a way to modernise financial rails and offer greater access with fewer limitations.

The platform partnered with US provider Dinari to offer tokenised stocks with greater liquidity, transparency, and full economic rights. Gemini offers only MSTR but announced plans to roll out additional tokenised stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) shortly.

Unlike traditional markets, on-chain stock trading offers frictionless, 24/7 access without moving assets between platforms.

Interest in tokenised US equities is rising across Europe, with other crypto platforms such as Robinhood, Kraken, and Coinbase also aiming to enter this market. Industry experts suggest the tokenised equities market could become a significant trillion-dollar sector in the coming years.

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Bitcoin takes centre stage as America’s new dream

Changpeng Zhao, former CEO of Binance, has declared that owning Bitcoin could soon replace home ownership as the American dream. Zhao praised the FHFA’s directive for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to consider cryptocurrencies in mortgage risk assessments.

The FHFA’s order asks these agencies first to explore using cryptocurrencies as mortgage reserve assets without converting them to US dollars. Prospective homeowners could use crypto holdings on regulated US exchanges as part of their mortgage applications if adopted.

FHFA Director Bill Pulte described the move as historic for cryptocurrency and mortgage industries. He credited President Donald Trump for helping position the US as a global crypto hub.

Meanwhile, during a recent White House press briefing, Trump praised Bitcoin, highlighting its benefits for the US dollar.

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Crypto adoption grows among Koreans aged 20 to 50 with Bitcoin leading the way

Crypto ownership in South Korea is rising rapidly, with 27% of people aged 20 to 50 now holding digital assets, according to new research by the Hana Institute of Finance. Among investors, 70% plan to grow their crypto holdings, with Bitcoin remaining the top choice.

Many now view digital assets as a serious tool for building wealth and planning for retirement. The report revealed that investment behaviour is becoming more structured.

Regular purchases jumped from 10% to 34%, while mid-term trading saw a similar rise. In contrast, short-term trading declined slightly. More investors also turn to official exchanges and data platforms, moving away from informal advice and word-of-mouth.

Economic hardship is driving the trend, particularly among younger Koreans. Youth unemployment remains high, and traditional investment options offer limited returns. Crypto has emerged as a perceived lifeline, with many viewing it as their best chance to gain financial stability or afford property.

While optimism about crypto’s growth remains strong, concerns persist. Market volatility still worries 56% of investors, and many say they would feel more confident if traditional banks were more involved.

Restrictions on linking multiple bank accounts with exchanges are also viewed as a barrier to greater adoption.

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Stablecoins surpass Visa and Mastercard in online transaction volume

According to Noam Hurwitz from Alchemy, stablecoins are now the leading medium for internet transactions, having overtaken Visa and Mastercard in on-chain volume. He described their adoption as ‘explosive’, highlighting their growing role as the ‘default settlement layer’ for digital payments.

Major fintech companies like PayPal, Stripe, and Robinhood are now integrating stablecoins to facilitate quicker, cheaper transactions using blockchain rails. Alchemy powers these operations, enabling stablecoin flows for prominent platforms.

Stablecoins are now widely used in global payments and decentralised prediction markets. They have also become significant holders of US Treasury debt, with Tether reportedly earning $13 billion in profits last year.

However, not everyone is convinced. The Bank for International Settlements has raised doubts about stablecoins serving as real money, arguing that they fail key economic tests and behave more like financial assets than currency.

Even so, the broader trend suggests stablecoins reshape how money moves online.

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AI governance through the lens of magical realism

AI today straddles the line between the extraordinary and the mundane, a duality that evokes the spirit of magical realism—a literary genre where the impossible blends seamlessly with the real. Speaking at the 20th Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Lillestrøm, Norway, Jovan Kurbalija proposed that we might better understand the complexities of AI governance by viewing it through this narrative lens.

Like Gabriel García Márquez’s floating characters or Salman Rushdie’s prophetic protagonists, AI’s remarkable feats—writing novels, generating art, mimicking human conversation—are increasingly accepted without question, despite their inherent strangeness.

Kurbalija argues that AI, much like the supernatural in literature, doesn’t merely entertain; it reveals and shapes profound societal realities. Algorithms quietly influence politics, reshape economies, and even redefine relationships.

Just as magical realism uses the extraordinary to comment on power, identity, and truth, AI forces us to confront new ethical dilemmas: Who owns AI-created content? Can consent be meaningfully given to machines? And does predictive technology amplify societal biases?

The risks of AI—job displacement, misinformation, surveillance—are akin to the symbolic storms of magical realism: always present, always shaping the backdrop. Governance, then, must walk a fine line between stifling innovation and allowing unchecked technological enchantment.

Kurbalija warns against ‘black magic’ policy manipulation cloaked in humanitarian language and urges regulators to focus on real-world impacts while resisting the temptation of speculative fears. Ultimately, AI isn’t science fiction—it’s magical realism in motion.

As we build policies and frameworks to govern it, we must ensure this magic serves humanity, rather than distort our sense of what is real, ethical, and just. In this unfolding story, the challenge is not only technological, but deeply human.

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Cybercrime surge hits airlines across North America

According to the FBI and cybersecurity experts, a well-known cybercrime group has launched fresh attacks on the airline industry, successfully breaching the networks of several airlines in the US and Canada.

The hackers, identified as ‘Scattered Spider’, are known for aggressive extortion tactics and are now shifting their focus to aviation instead of insurance or retail, their previous targets.

Airline security teams remain on high alert despite no flights or operations being disrupted. Hawaiian Airlines and Canada’s WestJet have acknowledged recent cyber incidents, while sources suggest more affected companies may step forward soon.

Both airlines reported no impact on day-to-day services, likely due to solid internal defences and continuity planning.

The attackers often exploit help desks by impersonating employees or customers to access corporate systems. Experts warn that airline call centres are especially vulnerable, given their importance to customer support.

Cybersecurity firms, including Mandiant, are now supporting the response and advising firms to reinforce these high-risk entry points.

Scattered Spider has previously breached major casinos, insurance, and retail companies. The FBI confirmed it is working with aviation partners to contain the threat and assist victims.

Industry leaders remain alert, noting that airlines, IT contractors, and vendors across the aviation sector are at risk from the escalating threat.

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SoftBank shifts focus to AI and next-generation chips

Masayoshi Son, founder and CEO of SoftBank, has indicated his readiness to pass the leadership baton after decades at the helm. Speaking to shareholders in Tokyo, the 67-year-old entrepreneur said he had mentally prepared to step aside and had already identified internal candidates.

However, he noted that revealing a successor prematurely could affect dynamics within the company.
While succession planning is underway, Son focuses on positioning SoftBank as a global leader in artificial superintelligence (ASI).

The company is pursuing aggressive investments, including a proposed $30 billion stake in OpenAI, the acquisition of UK-based Graphcore, and a potential purchase of US firm Ampere Computing.

Plans are also in motion to build a central tech hub in Arizona, modelled on Shenzhen, featuring advanced chip infrastructure and a possible partnership with TSMC.

SoftBank’s reach extends well beyond the US and Japan. India has invested over $10 billion across 24 companies, including Paytm, Ola Electric, and Swiggy. These ventures have spurred rapid growth and successful IPOs, reinforcing SoftBank’s influence over the country’s digital economy.

Shareholder confidence plays a crucial role in sustaining SoftBank’s bold innovation strategy. Many Japanese retail investors have remained loyal for decades, drawn by Son’s enduring vision and the promise of future breakthroughs.

With AI now firmly at the centre of SoftBank’s roadmap, the company is betting big on a future it hopes to shape.

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Hacktivist attacks surge in Iran–Israel tensions

The Iran–Israel conflict has now expanded into cyberspace, with rival hacker groups launching waves of politically driven attacks.

Following Israel’s military operation against Iran, pro-Israeli hackers known as ‘Predatory Sparrow‘ struck Iran’s Sepah Bank, deleting data and causing significant service disruption.

A day later, the same group targeted Nobitex, Iran’s largest crypto exchange, stealing and destroying over $90 million in assets.

Cyber attacks intensified in the days before and after Israeli strikes. According to NSFOCUS, cyberattacks on Iran peaked three days before the military operation, suggesting pre-attack reconnaissance.

In retaliation, pro-Iranian hackers escalated attacks on Israel on 16 June, focusing on government systems, aerospace, and education.

While attacks on Iran have been fewer, Israeli systems have faced over 1,300 attacks in 2025 alone, with 37% of all global hacktivist activity aimed at Israel since the conflict began.

However, analysts note these attacks have been high in volume but limited in impact. Their malware tactics involve evading antivirus software, deleting data, and turning off recovery systems.

NSFOCUS warns that geopolitical tensions are turning hacktivist groups into informal cyber proxies. Though not formally state-backed, these loosely organised actors align closely with national interests.

As traditional defences lag, cybersecurity experts argue that national infrastructure must adopt more strategic, coordinated defence measures instead of fragmented responses, especially during crises and conflicts.

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Google Doppl, the new AI app, turns outfit photos into try-on videos

Google has unveiled Doppl, a new AI-powered app that lets users create short videos of themselves wearing any outfit they choose.

Instead of relying on imagination or guesswork, Doppl allows people to upload full-body photos and apply outfits seen on social media, thrift shops, or friends, creating animated try-ons that bring static images to life.

The app builds on Google’s earlier virtual try-on tools integrated with its Shopping Graph. Doppl pushes things further by transforming still photos into motion videos, showing how clothes flow and fit in movement.

Users can upload their full-body image or choose an AI model to preview outfits. However, Google warns that the fit and details might not always be accurate at an early stage.

Doppl is currently only available in the US for Android and iOS users aged 18 or older. While Google encourages sharing videos with friends and followers, the tool raises concerns about misuse, such as generating content using photos of others.

Google’s policy requires disclosure if someone impersonates another person, but the company admits that some abuse may occur. To address the issue, Doppl content will include invisible watermarks for tracking.

In its privacy notice, Google confirmed that user uploads and generated videos will be used to improve AI technologies and services. However, data will be anonymised and separated from user accounts before any human review is allowed.

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TRON leads global stablecoin network

The USDT stablecoin supply on the TRON blockchain has exceeded $80 billion, reinforcing TRON’s role as the dominant network for stablecoin activity. Representing over 63% of the global stablecoin market, USDT issuance on TRON has grown by around $20 billion since January 2025.

TRON processes nearly 9 million transactions daily and leads all blockchains in transaction volume and user engagement.

TRON handles about 60% of global stablecoin payment volume as the preferred settlement network for stablecoins. The network supports over 315 million user accounts and facilitates $21.5 billion in daily USDT transfers.

With more than 1 million unique wallets transacting USDT daily, TRON commands 28% of active stablecoin wallets worldwide.

TRON’s speed, low fees, and scale have made it a vital platform for cross-border payments and financial access, particularly in emerging markets. Its ecosystem continues to evolve with growing institutional demand, exemplified by the recent launch of World Liberty Financial’s USD1 stablecoin on TRON.

The T3 Financial Crime Unit, a joint effort with Tether and TRM Labs, has helped freeze over $160 million linked to illicit activities. Founder Justin Sun highlights TRON’s commitment to openness, efficiency, and real-world utility, positioning it as a key infrastructure player in the expanding digital dollar economy.

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