Stablecoins
Legal
Ripple agrees to pay $50M fine and drop cross-appeal to settle SEC lawsuit
The settlement is now pending the SEC's vote, and will end the XRP lawsuit if approved.
Regulation
FDIC ends use of reputational risk criteria, Crypto Czar calls it ‘a big win’
The FDIC's decision follows an identical movement by the OCC on March 20, potentially prompted by criticism from crypto industry figures.
Analysis
Bitcoin trading activity cools as market liquidity contracts and investor caution grows
Bitcoin still awaits clearer signs indicating which path the macroeconomic scenario is heading.
RWA
RWA protocols cross $10B in TVL for the first time, sector leads YTD performance
BlackRock's BUIDL leads the RWA market, propelled by over $1 billion investment from Ethena Labs.
Exchanges
Kraken reportedly exploring $1 billion debt raise ahead of potential IPO
The move comes one week after the San Francisco-based exchange acquired derivatives platform NinjaTrader for $1.5 billion.
DeFi
Berachain launches Proof of Liquidity to redefine block rewards distribution
The new framework incentivizes applications to direct rewards for Berachain users.
Regulation
SEC holds first crypto roundtable to reassess regulatory framework
Despite presenting contrasting arguments, advocates and skeptics conceded that crypto needs regulatory clarity in the US.
Analysis
Bitcoin faces pressure from potential whale selling and weak investor sentiment
Sentiment retracted to September levels, while Bitcoin whales move assets to exchanges.
Regulation
German regulator rejects Ethena Labs’ license application in the EU, suspects sUSDe is a security
According to the BaFin, the sUSDe offer "profit promises," potentially classifying it as a security.
Deals
Coinbase reportedly in advanced talks to acquire crypto derivatives exchange Deribit
Coinbase would tap a huge avenue for options market, as Deribit processed $1.2 trillion in derivatives and spot volume last year.
CBDCs
ECB reiterates need for a digital euro to counter influence of dollar-based stablecoins
This marks the third time this year that the European Central Bank urged for the digital euro launch.
Regulation
SEC confirms PoW crypto mining exempt from securities law
The SEC clarifies that proof-of-work miners and pools are free from securities laws as their activities focus on network security and transaction validation.
