Bybit, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges, has announced the discontinuation of its NFT marketplace. The platform will also shut down its Initial DEX Offering (IDO) product pages.
The decision comes shortly after the platform suffered a devastating security breach in February 2025. During the breach, it lost approximately $1.5 billion to North Korean hackers.
Although Bybit has cited ‘efforts to streamline our offerings’ as the reason for the shutdown, many believe it is a direct consequence of the hack and subsequent security concerns.
The discontinuation will take effect on 8 April 2025, at 16:00 UTC. Users have been urged to manage their assets before the deadline.
The exchange provided alternative NFT trading platforms, including OpenSea, Blur, and Magic Eden, for Ethereum-based assets. IDO participants have also been advised to transfer their airdropped tokens to private Web3 wallets.
The platform’s decision to shut down its NFT and IDO services is seen as a move to mitigate further risks and potential compliance issues. Bybit’s shutdown follows a broader trend in the NFT market, where many platforms have closed.
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A recent survey commissioned by Coinbase and Hashdex has revealed that cryptocurrency has gained significant popularity in Brazil. It has surpassed traditional investment options like stocks and gold.
The survey found that savings accounts remain the most common investment tool for Brazilians. However, cryptocurrency has emerged as a strong contender, ranking ahead of both gold and the stock market.
Despite being the fifth most popular investment overall, cryptocurrency (16%) has outperformed other options such as dollars, foreign currency, and bonds.
Money under the mattress (24%) and investment funds (19%) are also ahead of crypto. The survey indicates that the growing acceptance of cryptocurrency is reshaping the Brazilian investment landscape.
Experts suggest that the high-risk, high-reward nature of cryptocurrency appeals to a significant portion of Brazilian investors. Many of them in Brazil are drawn to volatile assets, with 29% of participants viewing cryptocurrency similarly to betting.
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Binance has introduced Apple Pay and Google Pay as new payment options for depositing EUR via credit and debit cards. The feature is available on both the Binance website and mobile app, in Lite and Pro modes.
By integrating these popular digital wallets, Binance aims to offer users an easier way to fund their accounts for cryptocurrency trading.
To use these payment options, Binance users must log in and select the EUR deposit option. After choosing either Apple Pay or Google Pay, users can enter the amount they wish to deposit.
Mobile users must update their Binance app to the latest version to access the new payment methods.
In addition to this feature, Binance has been actively securing investments and enhancing its services. The exchange secured a USD 2 billion investment from Abu Dhabi’s MGX in March 2025.
It marks the largest institutional investment in a cryptocurrency firm. Binance has also been involved in a legal battle with the SEC, seeking a 60-day delay in the ongoing lawsuit.
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Panama has unveiled a new draft bill aimed at regulating cryptocurrencies and establishing a legal framework for blockchain-based services. The proposed law seeks to position the country as a leader in fintech in Latin America. It provides a clear structure for digital assets in financial transactions.
Under the bill, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and stablecoins are legally recognised as valid payment methods for goods, services, and debt settlements.
The legislation also mandates licensing requirements for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), including exchanges and wallets. These providers would need to register with Panama’s Financial Analysis Unit (UAF).
The bill addresses compliance measures, enforcing Know-Your-Customer (KYC) regulations. It enforces anti-money laundering (AML) regulations in line with international financial standards. Non-compliant entities face administrative sanctions or criminal penalties.
In addition to financial regulation, the bill encourages the use of blockchain technology in public administration. It includes digital identity systems and tokenized securities, promoting transparency and reducing inefficiencies.
The legislation also recognises smart contracts as legally enforceable, paving the way for innovative financial products and automated business processes.
The proposal marks a significant shift from previous crypto legislation in Panama, which faced partial vetoes in 2022. The draft bill is now under review in the National Assembly, with potential amendments before a final vote.
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As Canada nears a federal election, Coinbase urges the next government to prioritise clear crypto regulations. Coinbase’s Canadian country director highlighted that while Canada has been a leader in crypto adoption, regulatory uncertainty could hinder further progress.
Matheson cited statistics showing that five million Canadians already hold crypto. According to Coinbase, 86% of Canadians see room for improvement, 80% feel the system is unfair, and 76% view it as outdated. The growing dissatisfaction signals the need for forward-thinking financial policies.
Regulatory challenges have forced several crypto exchanges to exit Canada following stricter rules. Meanwhile, Mark Carney, a Liberal Party leader, has expressed scepticism towards Bitcoin, favouring central bank digital currencies instead.
Coinbase calls for reforms, including a government crypto task force within 100 days, federal stablecoin regulations, and clearer asset definitions.
The company also advocates for a national Bitcoin reserve and fewer barriers for mining. It further supports enabling banks to integrate crypto into their services. Without swift action, Canada risks falling behind in the global digital landscape.
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Litecoin is now available in Telegram’s Wallet, expanding the app’s growing cryptocurrency ecosystem. Non-US users can buy, sell, and trade LTC within the wallet, alongside Bitcoin, Toncoin, and Tether.
With Telegram boasting nearly 1 billion monthly users, the integration could boost Litecoin’s adoption. However, external transfers are currently unavailable, meaning users cannot send LTC outside the wallet at this time.
Telegram continues expanding its cryptocurrency offerings, recently announcing plans to support more tokens, including meme coins. Passive rewards for holding TON and USDT will also be introduced.
To encourage adoption, Telegram is offering fee-free Litecoin purchases for the first seven days, making it easier for users to explore the new feature.
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Michael Saylor’s Strategy has surpassed 500,000 Bitcoin, acquiring 6,911 BTC for $584 million during the recent market dip.
The purchase, made between 17 March and 23 March, has boosted the company’s holdings to a total of 506,137 BTC. The average purchase price was approximately $84,529 per Bitcoin, marking a total acquisition value of around $33.7 billion.
The latest move comes shortly after the company announced the pricing of its preferred stock, which raised approximately $711 million.
Despite global concerns over trade wars and market uncertainty, Strategy remains confident in its Bitcoin investments. Analysts caution that market volatility, influenced by tariff concerns, could affect both traditional and digital assets until at least April.
Strategy’s continued accumulation of Bitcoin amid potential risks from global tariffs signals the company’s commitment to long-term cryptocurrency growth. The decision is made despite external market pressures.
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Monero’s price has been climbing for three consecutive days, reaching its highest point since April 2022. The privacy-focused cryptocurrency surged to $216.3, marking a 110% gain from its lowest level in 2024 and outperforming major assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
The rally followed a key US court decision concerning Tornado Cash, a privacy tool previously sanctioned by the Treasury Department.
A judge ruled that smart contracts operating autonomously cannot be classified as property, leading to the lifting of sanctions. This decision fuelled optimism for privacy coins, which have faced regulatory scrutiny over concerns of illicit use.
Due to this scrutiny, major exchanges such as Binance, Kraken, and Coinbase delisted Monero in recent years. However, the Tornado Cash ruling may prompt some platforms to reconsider their stance, potentially restoring Monero and similar tokens like Dash, Zcash, and Horizen to wider markets.
Technical indicators suggest continued bullish momentum, with Monero trading above the 50-week Exponential Moving Average. If the price breaks above its current ascending channel, further gains towards $290—a key resistance level from April 2022—could be expected.
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US President Donald Trump’s recent endorsement of the $TRUMP meme coin on Truth Social has led to a temporary price surge. Trump called the coin ‘the greatest of all,’ sharing his excitement with his 9.3 million followers.
The post sent the token’s price to a high of $12.17, before settling around $11.85. Despite the boost, the coin remains down by 84% from its all-time high of $73.4, reached shortly after its launch in January.
The Solana-based $TRUMP token was launched in January 2025, reaching a peak market value of over $14.5 billion just before Trump’s inauguration.
However, the coin has raised concerns about unregulated financial influence and potential risks to investors, especially with its connection to the President’s brand.
While Trump had previously expressed limited knowledge about the coin, his latest post has reignited interest.
Lawmakers, including Rep. Sam Liccardo, have also raised alarms, with some pushing for regulations such as the MEME Act to prevent federal officials and their families from profiting off meme coins.
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Russian Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina has once again urged the government to enforce a nationwide cryptocurrency ban, preventing residents from trading digital assets within the country.
Speaking at a press conference, she proposed prohibiting crypto settlements outside the experimental legal regime (ELR), a Central Bank-controlled regulatory sandbox.
The ELR currently allows selected businesses to use cryptocurrencies for transactions and provides a controlled framework for miners to sell their holdings internationally.
While the bank has suggested that qualified investors could trade within the sandbox, Nabiullina remains strongly opposed to broader crypto use. She reiterated calls for strict regulations, including criminal penalties for violations, to ensure crypto remains excluded from the mainstream economy.
Despite her firm stance, other Russian financial authorities appear more open to digital assets. The Ministry of Finance recently proposed a category of ‘super-qualified’ investors who could legally trade crypto.
Industry leaders, including Alexander Shokhin of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, argue that Russia should reconsider its position, particularly in light of global developments such as the US accumulating Bitcoin and Ethereum reserves.
Nabiullina, however, remains steadfast, dismissing any possibility of integrating crypto into the Central Bank’s reserves. While the debate over digital assets continues in Moscow, the Central Bank remains committed to shielding retail investors from a highly risky market.
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