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Several UK trade associations have urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office to prioritize the cryptocurrency and blockchain sectors, advocating for a dedicated action plan and the appointment of a special envoy for digital assets. In a letter sent on March 31, the coalition of six trade bodies, including the UK Cryptoasset Business Council and techUK, emphasized the need for a strategic focus to foster investment, growth, and job creation within the crypto industry. They highlighted the US’s recent policy shift under President Trump, which saw the appointment of a "crypto czar," and suggested that the UK should mirror this approach to position itself as a leader in blockchain and digital asset technologies.
The trade associations argued that the crypto and blockchain industries could significantly boost the UK economy, potentially generating £57 billion ($73.6 billion) over the next decade. They also noted that leveraging the country’s strengths, such as its talent pool, capital access, and academic institutions, could support the development of digital assets and emerging financial technologies. The coalition called for a high-level engagement forum between industry, government, and regulators to ensure well-informed decisions and collaboration, and warned that if the UK does not act swiftly, it risks falling behind other global markets like Dubai and Singapore in this rapidly growing sector. Source
Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by volume, has launched a new feature enabling users to trade between centralized exchanges (CEX) and decentralized exchanges (DEX). This feature allows users to trade tokens directly through their Binance Wallet, using funds from their spot or funding accounts. The new capability supports transactions across multiple blockchain networks, including Ethereum, Solana, Base, and BNB Smart Chain, and facilitates token trading on decentralized platforms via stablecoins. Binance's aim is to bridge the gap between centralized and decentralized finance, offering users a more seamless way to purchase tokens on-chain.
The release of this feature coincides with Binance CEO Richard Teng’s comments on the factors that could drive the mass adoption of crypto assets. In a recent interview, Teng emphasized the importance of regulatory clarity and institutional involvement in the crypto space. He argued that clearer regulations would offer protection to users and foster confidence in the market, while institutional participation could reduce volatility and increase market stability. With these elements in place, Teng believes the crypto market could experience larger growth and greater long-term sustainability. Source
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has withdrawn its 2018 advisory on the listing of virtual asset derivatives, removing a regulatory barrier for crypto-related financial instruments. The advisory, known as CFTC Staff Advisory No. 18-14, was issued to provide guidelines for the enhanced review of derivative contracts tied to cryptocurrencies, such as futures and options, and to ensure proper risk management and market surveillance. It was introduced due to concerns over the volatility and risks of the crypto market at the time.
However, the CFTC has now determined that the advisory is no longer necessary, citing increased experience with crypto derivatives products and the growing maturity of the market. The agency's Division of Market Oversight (DMO) and Division of Clearing and Risk (DCR) believe that the initial concerns outlined in 2018 have been addressed through market evolution, making the advisory obsolete. This move is expected to ease the process for new virtual currency derivative listings, further integrating crypto assets into regulated financial markets. Source
AI technology is increasingly being integrated into the cryptocurrency space, promising greater autonomy, efficiency, and scalability for blockchain networks. AI agents have shown success in areas such as crypto trading, risk management, and enhancing interoperability between traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi). With AI-powered agents expected to grow exponentially in number, their ability to quickly analyse data and make decisions reduces human error and offers improved market performance. These agents also streamline processes like cross-border transactions and liquidity management, creating opportunities for fully automated financial systems, such as the “DeFAI” concept, where AI autonomously controls financial operations. Projects like Edwin and ElizaOS are making strides in enabling decentralized finance platforms to integrate these autonomous agents, further demonstrating their potential in revolutionizing the industry.
However, the rise of AI in crypto is not without scepticism and concerns. Critics raise ethical issues, such as the risk of market manipulation by AI trading algorithms and the potential for price inefficiencies due to AI collusion. There are also security risks, as AI agents could be vulnerable to hacking or poor programming, leading to significant financial losses. Despite these concerns, the growing market capitalization of AI agents in the crypto space and the continued integration of AI in blockchain ecosystems suggest that digital autonomy through AI is an inevitable and transformative development, albeit one that requires careful consideration of its associated risks. Source
Crypto hacks in Q1 2025 totalled $1.63 billion, a 131% increase compared to the same period in 2024, with the Bybit breach accounting for over 92% of the losses. February saw the most significant impact, with $1.53 billion lost, primarily due to the Bybit attack, and additional hacks totalling $126 million. March, however, saw a dramatic drop in losses to just $33 million, though notable incidents like a $13 million exploit on Abracadabra.Money and an $8.4 million hack on Zoth still occurred. Some funds were returned, including a $5 million theft from 1inch, where the hacker returned 90% of the stolen assets after a bounty was offered. Despite a decrease in March, the overall number of crypto hacks in Q1 2025 remains alarmingly high, with more than 60 incidents reported. Source
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The Markethive Wallet is an advanced financial management tool designed to streamline business operations within the Markethive ecosystem. It serves as a secure hub for tracking and managing various financial activities, such as micropayments, subscription fees, staking rewards, and income from the sale of products and services. The wallet also oversees the distribution of Promo Codes, encourages customer loyalty, and facilitates loan transactions tied to investments like the E1 Upgrade. Additionally, Markethive offers a comprehensive financial infrastructure, integrating diverse digital assets, including Markethive Credits, Hivecoin, and ILP tokens, ensuring a seamless and secure user experience.
In terms of security, Markethive has implemented robust measures, such as advanced encryption protocols, multi-factor authentication, and regular security audits to protect users' digital assets and ensure safe transactions. Beyond its core functions, the wallet also acts as a gateway to a suite of Markethive services, including promotional tools, crypto exchanges, and third-party wallet integration. By supporting multiple cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Solana, and Hivecoin, the wallet allows users to manage assets across a range of platforms while maintaining a high level of security. The Markethive Wallet empowers entrepreneurs with the tools and autonomy to manage their finances, grow their businesses, and engage in the Markethive ecosystem's various opportunities, fostering a decentralized and secure financial environment. Source
Metaplanet, Japan’s largest Bitcoin treasury company, has issued a new $13.3 million bond to accelerate its Bitcoin buying strategy, continuing its shift towards using Bitcoin as a core treasury reserve asset. The Tokyo-based firm, which is also an investment company owning a hotel, announced that it would use the proceeds from this zero-coupon bond to purchase more Bitcoin. CEO Simon Gerovich mentioned that Metaplanet is "buying the dip," aiming to expand its Bitcoin holdings as part of a strategy similar to that of MicroStrategy, a prominent U.S. firm that has secured its position as the largest Bitcoin treasury holder globally. Metaplanet has already accumulated 3,200 BTC, worth over $268 million at current prices.
Metaplanet's aggressive Bitcoin acquisition strategy is part of its broader goal to reach 21,000 BTC by 2026, as part of what it terms "Asia’s largest ever raise." The company raised $25.9 million last month through zero-interest bonds to further bolster its digital asset reserve. While Metaplanet's stock has seen fluctuations, including an 8% dip recently, it has experienced a significant 51% rise over the past month. By adopting Bitcoin as its primary reserve asset, Metaplanet hopes to emulate the success of American firms like MicroStrategy, which has seen substantial stock gains since it started its Bitcoin accumulation strategy. Source
The Sei Foundation, a blockchain developer, has proposed acquiring 23andMe, aiming to give users control over their genetic data through encrypted transfers on the Sei blockchain. This acquisition would allow individuals to decide how their data is accessed and monetized, in contrast to the current centralized control over health data. However, experts are skeptical about the practicality of using blockchain for storing vast amounts of genetic data, citing challenges related to data storage, security, and regulatory compliance. While Sei promises secure data management and sovereignty, critics question whether blockchain technology is capable of handling the scale of 23andMe’s 15 million user datasets, and whether the solution will be able to maintain privacy and security effectively. Legal concerns, including data protection laws, and the potential risks of blockchain vulnerabilities, such as those experienced by other platforms, further complicate the feasibility of this ambitious project. Source
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong is advocating for legislative changes in the U.S. to allow stablecoin holders to earn "onchain interest" on their holdings, similar to how savings and checking accounts work at banks. Armstrong believes that allowing stablecoin issuers to directly pay interest to consumers would create a free-market environment that benefits both individuals and the broader economy. He argues that if stablecoins could pay interest, U.S. consumers could earn significantly higher yields—around 4%—compared to the current average of 0.41% for traditional savings accounts, potentially boosting economic activity by increasing spending, saving, and investment.
Currently, two competing stablecoin bills, the STABLE Act and the GENIUS Act, are being debated in Congress. Both of these bills, however, do not allow for onchain interest-generating stablecoins, with the STABLE Act even prohibiting payment stablecoin issuers from offering yield to holders. Armstrong sees this as a missed opportunity for the U.S. to leverage the digital dollar's global dominance and extend the use of U.S. dollar stablecoins. By enabling onchain interest, Armstrong argues, the U.S. could increase the flow of dollars back into U.S. treasuries, fueling economic growth and capturing billions in potential USD users and trillions in cash flows. Source
Privacy Pools, a new privacy tool for Ethereum, launched on March 31 with the goal of enabling private transactions while ensuring compliance with regulations to prevent illicit activity. Developed by Ethereum builders 0xbow.io, the tool allows users to deposit funds into anonymous pools that are screened to ensure they are not linked to illicit actors like hackers or scammers. The system uses "Association Sets" to batch transactions together, and if a deposit is later flagged as illicit, it can be removed from the set without disrupting others. The tool was supported by Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, who made one of the first deposits, and it has already seen more than 21 ETH deposited into Privacy Pools.
This launch follows increasing regulatory concerns about privacy tools like Tornado Cash, which was sanctioned by the US Treasury for its use in money laundering activities. 0xbow.io aims to address these concerns while making privacy more accessible in the crypto space. The tool has received backing from prominent figures such as Buterin, Jacob Illum from Chainalysis, and investors like Number Group and BanklessVC. Despite initial limits on deposits, the tool's potential for privacy and compliance is seen as a positive step forward in the evolution of Ethereum's privacy features. The platform has already passed a successful audit and gained significant attention in the cryptography community. Source
Crypto-backed mortgages allow borrowers to use their cryptocurrency holdings, such as Bitcoin or Ether, as collateral to secure financing for real estate purchases without selling their digital assets. These loans come in different forms, including purchase mortgages, cash-out refinancing, and bridge loans, with the primary appeal being the ability to access real estate funds while retaining ownership of cryptocurrencies. However, borrowers must carefully consider the risks, as cryptocurrencies are volatile, and the value of the collateral can fluctuate. The loan process generally involves a quicker approval, automated through smart contracts, and may require overcollateralization to protect against value drops in the crypto assets used as security.
While crypto-backed mortgages offer benefits like faster approval, liquidity without selling assets, and potential tax advantages, they also present challenges such as higher interest rates, price volatility, and limited market adoption. Regulatory uncertainty also remains a concern, as the legal framework for such loans is still developing. Borrowers need to assess their financial status, risk tolerance, and the terms of the loan carefully, with diversification of collateral being a useful strategy to mitigate risk. Consulting with financial experts familiar with crypto lending is advisable to navigate this relatively new financial product. Source
Disclaimer: These articles are provided for informational purposes only. They are not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other advice.
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