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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According to Global Ledger, a Swiss blockchain analytics firm, Garantex shifted liquidity and customer balances to the new platform after its official shutdown. On-chain and off-chain evidence points to the two exchanges being closely linked despite Garantex’s closure.
Global Ledger’s report revealed that Garantex laundered over $60 million worth of ruble-backed stablecoins, using a process of burning and reminting to erase transaction histories.
The funds were then channelled to Grinex, which began processing large transaction volumes soon after Garantex went offline. Blockchain data showed systematic fund transfers through temporary wallets before reaching Grinex’s deposit addresses.
Further evidence linking the two platforms includes user reports of previously blocked funds from Garantex appearing in Grinex accounts.
A Grinex staff member also confirmed that users were visiting Garantex’s office to move funds between the two platforms. Additionally, Grinex’s website and promotional materials strongly resemble those of Garantex, and it is listed as being founded by the same team.
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The Czech National Bank (CNB) remains cautious about adding Bitcoin to its reserves, with board member Jan Kubicek citing legal complexities and extreme price volatility as key concerns.
While the bank is evaluating various asset classes, Kubicek expressed scepticism about Bitcoin’s suitability as a central bank reserve asset.
Kubicek noted that Bitcoin’s unpredictable price swings undermine its stability, making it less attractive for reserve holdings.
He also highlighted the need for new accounting and auditing processes if Bitcoin were to be included. The CNB’s assessment of alternative assets, including corporate bonds and technology stocks, is expected to conclude by October.
The idea of holding Bitcoin in reserves was initially proposed by CNB Governor Ales Michl in January 2025, sparking interest in the crypto community but drawing scepticism from policymakers.
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde opposed the move, emphasising that central bank reserves must prioritise liquidity and security.
Despite concerns, several countries have already integrated Bitcoin into their strategic reserves. The US, under the Trump administration, has taken a more proactive stance on cryptocurrency, influencing global discussions on digital asset adoption.
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Pakistan is set to legalise cryptocurrency trading, joining a growing list of nations embracing digital assets. According to Bilal bin Saqib, CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council, a regulatory framework is in development to provide clarity on crypto-related activities.
The country’s shift highlights the rapid evolution of the cryptocurrency sector. Once associated with illicit activities, various nations are now exploring digital assets as reserves.
Pakistan’s interest in crypto reflects its ambition to attract foreign investment, leveraging its young, tech-savvy workforce. Saqib emphasised that Pakistan, with 60% of its population under 30, is well-positioned to become a Web3 hub.
With a projected population of 511 million by 2100, Pakistan ranks among the most populous countries. The nation already has 15 to 20 million cryptocurrency users, signalling strong domestic interest.
Saqib, recently appointed as the finance minister’s chief advisor for digital asset management, is leading efforts to integrate crypto and artificial intelligence into government operations.
Inspired by Donald Trump’s push to prioritise cryptocurrency in the US, Pakistan aims to follow suit. Saqib noted that as Trump advances a national crypto strategy, other countries will adopt similar approaches to remain competitive.
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A Brazilian lawmaker has introduced a bill to regulate salary payments in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Federal Deputy Luiz Philippe de Orleans e Bragança filed the proposal on 12 March, seeking to legalise voluntary crypto wage payments while ensuring at least 50% of salaries remain in the national currency, the Brazilian real.
The bill prohibits full salary payments in virtual assets, except for expatriate or foreign employees under Central Bank of Brazil regulations. Independent service providers may receive full compensation in cryptocurrency, provided specific contractual conditions are met. Employers must use an authorised exchange rate for crypto conversion, aligning with official financial regulations.
Orleans-Bragança, a descendant of Brazil’s former royal family, argues that the bill would strengthen the financial technology sector and attract crypto investment. He also emphasised that the measure promotes contractual freedom between employers and employees without undermining fundamental labour protections. The proposal follows global examples from countries like Japan, Switzerland, and Portugal, where regulated crypto payments have encouraged adoption and flexibility in financial transactions.
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Binance CEO Richard Teng has reiterated that Binance is not in deal talks with business entities linked to US President Donald Trump.
Speaking at the Blockworks 2025 Digital Asset Summit, Teng dismissed reports that Binance. US was considering selling an equity stake to Trump-affiliated firms, including World Liberty Financial.
His statement echoed denials from both Binance’s founder, Changpeng ‘CZ’ Zhao, and Trump.
Teng emphasised that Binance.US operates independently from its global counterpart, highlighting differences in shareholders, governance, and leadership.
Despite not directly operating in the US, he praised Trump’s pro-crypto stance, stating that Binance has benefited from policies supporting institutional adoption of digital assets.
He also noted that Trump’s push for a national crypto reserve could prompt other governments to take the sector more seriously.
The Wall Street Journal had reported that CZ was seeking a pardon from the Trump administration, suggesting a potential conflict of interest if a deal were struck.
Both CZ and Trump refuted the claims, with Trump dismissing the report as politically motivated. His recent involvement in crypto, including the launch of a meme coin and ties to World Liberty Financial, has sparked debate over presidential ethics and industry influence.
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The Bank of Russia has proposed allowing select investors to trade cryptocurrencies under a three-year experimental legal regime.
The initiative, aimed at increasing market transparency, would permit only investors with at least $1.1 million in securities and deposits to participate. The Central bank also suggested introducing penalties for violations of the proposed framework.
Despite this move, the Bank of Russia reiterated its strict stance on cryptocurrency payments within the country. Bitcoin and other digital assets for transactions remain banned under Russia’s existing crypto regulations.
However, the government continues exploring the use of crypto for cross-border payments, with ongoing trials in foreign trade.
The central bank’s proposal could also open the door for regulated corporate investments in crypto. If implemented, this could pave the way for Russian firms to follow the strategy of companies like Strategy, which has amassed a significant Bitcoin portfolio.
The plan includes regulatory measures to mitigate the risks associated with crypto investments while expanding financial opportunities for experienced investors.
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Indian authorities have arrested Aleksej Besciokov, an administrator of the Russian cryptocurrency exchange Garantex, at the request of the US.
Besciokov, a Russian resident and Lithuanian national, was taken into custody in Kerala on charges of money laundering and violating sanctions. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said he was planning to flee India, and Washington is expected to seek his extradition.
The arrest follows a joint operation by the US, Germany, and Finland to dismantle Garantex’s online infrastructure.
The exchange, under US sanctions since 2022, has processed at least $96 billion in cryptocurrency transactions since 2019. The US Justice Department recently charged two administrators, including Besciokov, with operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business.
Experts warn that sanctioned exchanges often attempt to bypass restrictions by setting up new entities. Blockchain research firm TRM Labs called the Garantex takedown a significant step in combating illicit finance but emphasised the need for continued vigilance against evasion tactics.
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