Japan is set to introduce its first cryptocurrency-backed credit card, thanks to a partnership between Slash Vision Labs and a Japanese credit card issuer. While specific details about the issuer remain under wraps, the deal is expected to bring the Slash Card to market in 2025. The card will be fully compliant with Japan’s cryptocurrency and payment regulations and aims to make cryptocurrency payments more accessible, with unique features such as ‘Pay-to-Earn’ airdrops for global and domestic crypto projects.
Slash, known for supporting memecoin projects like Chiitan Coin (CTAN), has also made moves to integrate crypto into various aspects of Japanese pop culture. Through its platform, Slash has already enabled payments for manga content on Comilio, a platform allowing users to pay for manga with cryptocurrency. The company’s broader mission includes introducing cryptocurrency payment solutions and expanding Web3 opportunities in Japan.
The move aligns with Japan’s growing interest in integrating cryptocurrencies into mainstream finance and entertainment, marking another step in the country’s embrace of digital assets and their growing role in daily transactions.
As part of the partnership, Binance will also include USDC in its corporate treasury operations, highlighting its growing use in on-chain financial transactions. Circle, in return, will provide the necessary technology, liquidity, and tools to enhance USDC’s infrastructure, supporting its use in a range of financial services.
Both CEOs expressed optimism about the partnership’s potential. Richard Teng of Binance highlighted that it would create new opportunities for users to engage with USDC through more trading pairs and promotions. Jeremy Allaire of Circle emphasised the potential for USDC to become ubiquitous on Binance’s platform, strengthening its position in the global digital asset market.
The partnership comes amid the increasing adoption of stablecoins in the financial world, with more companies exploring their use as a payment method and a bridge into the crypto market. Stablecoins like USDC have become key drivers of crypto adoption, facilitating billions of transactions worldwide.
Microsoft shareholders have voted against a proposal to add Bitcoin to the company’s balance sheet during the firm’s annual meeting on 10 December. The resolution, presented by the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR), suggested that diversifying into Bitcoin could offer significant value to shareholders by tapping into the growing cryptocurrency market.
The NCPPR argued that Bitcoin adoption would not only generate potential profits but also mitigate risks for Microsoft’s investors. The proposal recommended investing between 1% and 5% of the company’s profits into Bitcoin, citing the example of major investors like BlackRock, who offer Bitcoin ETFs. However, the company’s board dismissed the proposal, stating that it was unnecessary and that Microsoft already carefully considered its investments.
Microsoft’s board emphasised that Bitcoin’s volatility made it unsuitable for the company’s treasury, which requires stable and predictable investments. Despite the push from Bitcoin proponents like Michael Saylor, who argued that Bitcoin could add trillions to Microsoft’s market value, shareholders sided with the board’s recommendation, rejecting the resolution. The NCPPR has made a similar proposal to Amazon, which will be discussed at its 2025 meeting.
The Bank of England is exploring how emerging privacy technologies, such as zero-knowledge proofs (ZK-proofs), could enhance data privacy in a potential digital pound. In its report ‘Enhancing the Privacy of a Digital Pound,’ the bank suggests these technologies may limit data sharing, giving users greater control over their information while maintaining privacy between the central bank and payment intermediaries.
Following its 2023 public consultation, the Bank of England, alongside HM Treasury, assured the public that personal data would remain inaccessible to both the government and the central bank. Collaborating with MIT’s Digital Currency Initiative, the bank continues to research privacy-enhancing technologies while acknowledging the challenges of balancing privacy with regulatory requirements.
The digital pound initiative began in 2020 and has since undergone detailed evaluations. While no decision has been made on launching the currency, the central bank emphasises the need to adapt to declining cash use and advancements in payment technologies.
A new report by Bitcoin exchange River reveals that over 13 nations now hold Bitcoin, with El Salvador standing out as the only country to make direct purchases. President Nayib Bukele’s government has accumulated 5,900 BTC, achieving profits of $333.59 million from an initial $269.74 million investment, fuelled by Bitcoin’s recent surge past $100,000.
The United States leads global holdings with 208,100 BTC, most acquired through enforcement actions. The United Kingdom holds 61,200 BTC, while China has 15,000 BTC. Other nations, such as Bhutan and Norway, rely on mining or wealth funds to gain Bitcoin exposure, avoiding direct purchases due to political risks and lack of secrecy.
El Salvador, which adopted Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021, faces scrutiny from the International Monetary Fund. The country is negotiating a $1.3 billion loan, potentially making Bitcoin adoption voluntary instead of mandatory for businesses. This agreement could secure an additional $2 billion in funding from international institutions if finalised.
Russian State Duma Deputy Anton Tkachev has proposed the creation of a strategic bitcoin reserve for the nation. Tkachev, representing the New People party, submitted the proposal to Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, advocating for bitcoin reserves to complement Russia’s traditional currency reserves.
In the proposal, Tkachev highlighted the risks of relying solely on traditional reserves like the dollar, euro, and yuan, citing their vulnerability to inflation and international sanctions. He argued that bitcoin could be an independent financial buffer to enhance Russia’s economic stability.
This move aligns with a growing trend among nations, including El Salvador, Brazil, and Poland, to adopt Bitcoin reserves. Recent comments from President Vladimir Putin, affirming the legality and inevitability of Bitcoin’s growth in Russia, may bolster support for the initiative.
The National Center for Public Policy Research, a Washington DC-based think tank, has proposed that Amazon consider adopting a Bitcoin corporate treasury strategy. The proposal will be tabled at the company’s April 2025 shareholder meeting, highlighting concerns over inflation risks eroding Amazon’s $88 billion in cash and short-term cash equivalents. According to the proposal, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) underestimates true inflation, with authors suggesting that the actual rate may be twice the reported figure, posing risks to shareholder value.
Bitcoin is presented as a potential hedge against these economic pressures. The think tank points to Bitcoin’s performance as evidence, noting that the cryptocurrency outperformed corporate bonds by 126% over the past year and saw a 1,246% increase over the last five years. They recommend Amazon allocate at least 5% of its assets to Bitcoin to safeguard its financial reserves, drawing on the success of MicroStrategy’s own Bitcoin treasury strategy as a proven example. MicroStrategy’s holdings are currently valued at over $40 billion, putting the company at about $17 billion in profit.
The idea is gaining traction among other companies as well. MARA, formerly Marathon Digital, recently raised $1 billion through a 0% interest convertible note offering to purchase 6,474 Bitcoin for its corporate treasury. Additionally, artificial intelligence firm Genius Group has converted a portion of its treasury into Bitcoin, having acquired 110 BTC at an average price of $90,932 each. These moves suggest that a Bitcoin treasury strategy is becoming an increasingly popular choice for companies looking to strengthen their financial positions amid market uncertainty.
Polish authorities have detained Dmitry V., the former head of Russia’s crypto exchange WEX, in Warsaw following an extradition request from the US Department of Justice. During his tenure at WEX, Dmitry V. was suspected of fraud and money laundering. He is facing potential extradition to the US, where charges could carry a maximum 20-year prison sentence.
Dmitry V. has been linked to WEX, a successor to BTC-e, once Russia’s largest cryptocurrency platform before its collapse in 2018. The exchange was infamous for lax identity checks and ties to high-profile crypto hacks, including the Mt. Gox breach. Around $450 million remains unaccounted for from WEX, which had processed over $9 billion in transactions during its operation.
This is not Dmitry V.’s first arrest; he was previously detained in Poland in 2021 and later apprehended by Interpol in Croatia in 2022. His history also includes a 2019 arrest in Italy, which was short-lived due to errors in the extradition process.
Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, appeared in a Paris court on 6 December to address allegations that the messaging app has facilitated criminal activity. Represented by his lawyers, Durov reportedly stated he trusted the French justice system but declined to comment further on the case.
The legal proceedings stem from charges brought against Durov in August, accusing him of running a platform that enables illicit transactions. Following his arrest at Le Bourget airport, he posted a $6 million bail and has been barred from leaving France until March 2025. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of 500,000 euros.
Industry experts fear the case against Durov reflects a broader crackdown on privacy-preserving technologies in the Web3 space. Parallels have been drawn with the arrest of Tornado Cash developer Alexey Pertsev, raising concerns over government overreach and the implications for digital privacy.
The Czech Republic has introduced a landmark law exempting bitcoin holdings of over three years from capital gains tax. Approved unanimously by parliament on 6 December, the new rule will take effect on 1 January 2025, offering significant incentives for long-term cryptocurrency investors.
Under the law, individuals can benefit from tax exemptions if their annual income from crypto transactions remains under CZK 100,000 ($4,000) or if digital assets have been held for over three years. Prime Minister Petr Fiala highlighted the law as a step towards modernising financial regulations and fostering a favourable environment for cryptocurrency adoption.
The tax exemption also includes provisions for assets acquired before 2025, encouraging retroactive benefits under specified conditions. The reforms align with the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, placing the Czech Republic among global leaders like Switzerland and the UAE in promoting crypto-friendly policies.
