Shopify has teamed up with Coinbase and Stripe to let merchants in 34 countries accept USDC payments through its platform. The system uses Coinbase’s Base network and allows payouts in either USDC or local currency, with no cross-border fees.
WeatherlyHong Kong Customs and Excise Department has partnered with the University of Hong Kong to develop a crypto tracking tool amidst rising money laundering cases involving digital assets, aiming to strengthen detection and investigation of illicit transactions.
CatherineRipple and the SEC have jointly asked a US court to lift a ban on XRP sales to institutions and cut Ripple’s fine from $125 million to $50 million. They hope this will end the long-running legal case before a key 16 June deadline.
AnaisThe US Senate will hold a final vote on the GENIUS Act on 17 June, aiming to regulate stablecoins. While the bill has bipartisan support, critics argue it lacks strong consumer protections and raises concerns over Trump-related conflicts. If passed, it moves to the House for further review.
KikyoTencent is in talks to buy Nexon's parent company for around $15 billion as it looks to grow in Web3 gaming. The deal would give Tencent control of blockchain-based games like MapleStory N, though it's unclear if Nexon could keep its independence.
AnaisA Chinese man was arrested at Don Mueang Airport while trying to flee to Singapore after being accused of stealing over $6 million in Bitcoin from two investors. Thai police had been tracking him since April and stopped him just before he boarded the flight.
WeatherlyThe SEC has withdrawn over a dozen proposed Biden-era rules, including key measures targeting DeFi and crypto custody—marking a shift away from Gary Gensler’s regulatory agenda and raising new questions about the future of US crypto oversight
CatherineThe Philippines has introduced strict new rules for crypto companies, requiring them to register, hold at least PHP 100 million in capital, and have a physical office in the country. Firms that fail to comply could face heavy fines or jail time, as the government moves to tighten control and protect users.
AnaisVietnam’s National Assembly has passed a major digital law that establishes clear crypto regulations and strict AML standards, while also offering incentives for AI, semiconductors, and digital infrastructure—signalling its ambition to become a global tech and investment hub.
CatherineA 26-year-old TikTok influencer and crypto trader was reportedly kidnapped in France and held for a €50,000 crypto ransom. But when the kidnappers found he had been all-in on XRP since 2018 and had little to show for it, they released him—allegedly sending $1,000 in USDT before letting him go.
Kikyo