CEX.IO has expanded its services in the United Kingdom, launching spot trading for UK-based customers. The move provides local users with access to over 100 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, top altcoins, and popular meme coins such as Dogecoin and PEPE. The new feature brings UK customers in line with CEX.IO’s offerings for European Union users.
The addition of spot trading aims to improve liquidity in the UK market, allowing traders to execute transactions without significantly impacting prices. This will lead to a more cost-effective and healthier trading environment, according to Rich Evans, managing director of CEX.IO in the UK.
The launch follows the exchange’s reentry into the UK market in September 2024 after a brief exit due to regulatory pressures. CEX.IO had paused its operations in October 2023 while complying with new regulations set by UK authorities. The introduction of spot trading further demonstrates CEX.IO’s commitment to adhering to the Financial Conduct Authority’s anti-money laundering standards.
The expansion of services in the UK comes as exchanges across Europe work to meet evolving regulatory requirements, such as the Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regulation, which allows providers to offer services across EU jurisdictions once approved.
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South Korea is set to gradually lift its ban on corporate cryptocurrency trading, according to the latest announcement from the Financial Services Commission. The phased approach will begin with law enforcement agencies, non-profits, universities and school corporations being permitted to sell Bitcoin and Ethereum for the purpose of cashing out in the first half of the year.
In the second phase, listed companies and corporations will be allowed to buy and sell digital assets under a pilot programme. The expansion, expected in the latter half of the year, will be regulated under South Korea’s Capital Markets Act, providing a structured framework for professional investors.
The ban, imposed in 2017 to tackle speculation and financial crime, is being eased following the implementation of the Virtual Asset User Protection Act. Authorities argue that stronger safeguards now allow for regulated institutional participation, aligning with global trends where businesses are increasingly integrating digital assets.
To ensure a smooth transition, the Financial Services Commission will form a task force in collaboration with banks, regulators and crypto exchanges. The group will develop internal control standards and trading guidelines, ensuring South Korea’s corporate sector can engage in digital assets securely and transparently.
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Michigan has introduced a bill to create a strategic cryptocurrency reserve, joining 19 other US states exploring similar initiatives. The proposal, put forward by Representatives Bryan Posthumus and Ron Robinson, would allow up to 10% of the state’s general and economic stabilisation funds to be invested in digital assets.
The bill grants the state treasurer authority to manage crypto holdings using secure custody solutions or regulated investment products. It also permits lending cryptocurrency to generate additional returns, provided it does not increase financial risk. Additionally, any crypto tax payments must be converted into fiat currency before being allocated to state funds.
Michigan’s proposal follows a similar bill in Texas and reflects a growing trend amongst states to embrace digital assets. The move builds on Michigan’s previous crypto investments, including its significant holdings in Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds.
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A Chicago family and their nanny were kidnapped for five days in October by armed men demanding a ransom in cryptocurrency. The kidnappers stole $15 million in digital assets, including Bitcoin and Ether, and forced the victims to transfer funds from their crypto accounts before releasing them.
The incident began when one of the suspects pretended to be at the door to fix a damaged garage, only to overpower the family with a gun. The victims were then transported to an Airbnb and later to another location, where they were threatened with death unless they complied with the kidnappers’ demands.
FBI agents were able to track the suspects using surveillance footage and forensic evidence. The investigation led to six arrests, with one suspect, Zehuan Wei, apprehended while trying to re-enter the US in January. The remaining suspects are believed to have fled to China.
This case highlights the growing trend of crypto-related kidnappings, as criminals target individuals with access to digital currencies. Recently, other high-profile kidnappings for cryptocurrency ransom have also made headlines, including the abduction of a Ledger co-founder and a Toronto CEO.
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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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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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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.
