Ripple has decided to stay private despite raising $500 million at a $40 billion valuation, using the funding to expand through acquisitions and product development. The company processed over $95 billion in payments in 2025 and strengthened its stablecoin and institutional crypto services, backed by major investors like Citadel and Fortress.
WeatherlyCambodia has arrested Prince Group chair Chen Zhi and deported him to China after months of joint investigations into alleged crypto fraud and forced labour scams. US, UK and Asian authorities have also seized and frozen billions of dollars in Bitcoin and assets linked to his network, tightening pressure on one of the region’s largest alleged scam groups.
AnaisCrypto.com has partnered with Stripe to let users pay with cryptocurrency at online stores, with payments instantly converted to the merchant’s local currency. Merchants benefit from easy settlement and protection from crypto price changes, while customers can use digital assets like stablecoins directly at checkout.
WeatherlyRumble has launched a built-in crypto wallet that lets viewers tip creators directly using bitcoin, USDT, and Tether Gold, without banks or payment processors. The wallet is fully non-custodial, meaning users keep control of their funds while payments move straight between viewers and creators.
AnaisFireblocks has agreed to acquire crypto accounting and tax platform TRES Finance for $130 million to offer institutions a single system for managing digital asset operations and financial reporting. The deal will integrate TRES’ technology into Fireblocks’ platform, giving clients audit-ready, tax-compliant records while allowing the TRES team to continue operating independently.
WeatherlyThe Trump family’s World Liberty Trust has applied for a US national banking charter to issue and safeguard its USD1 stablecoin. The token is already worth $3.4 billion and used in major crypto deals, with the trust aiming to offer custody and conversion services to institutional clients.
AnaisUS President Donald Trump said he will not pardon jailed FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, who is serving 25 years for fraud. Bankman-Fried’s appeal is still in progress, but Trump made clear his support for crypto does not extend to forgiving financial crimes.
AnaisPolymarket refused to pay out over $10.5 million in bets after the U.S. captured Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, saying the operation did not meet their definition of an invasion. Traders are angry, arguing the action clearly counted as an invasion, while concerns have also been raised about possible insider trading on the platform.
WeatherlyCathie Wood said the US government may start buying Bitcoin to build a national strategic reserve, which so far only holds confiscated BTC. She added that Trump is likely to support crypto because of his family’s stake in the industry and its role in his election success.
AnaisThe UK is considering banning Elon Musk’s X app after its Grok AI allegedly created sexualised images of children and adults. Regulators, including Ofcom, are investigating and could impose fines or block access if the platform fails to remove the illegal content.
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