SEC Ends Binance Case, Clarifies Staking Rules, Targets $200M Pig Butchering Scam | May 30, 2025
Release Date: 05/30/2025
Robinhood Peeves OpenAI, Ripple Pursues Bank Charter, and Lummis Proposes Crypto Tax Shakeup | July 4, 2025
The World Crypto Report
Robinhood’s new crypto offering in the EU faces backlash from OpenAI (0:58). Senator Cynthia Lummis introduces a bill to simplify crypto taxes and legitimize everyday transactions (2:31). The IMF shuts down Pakistan’s plan to support crypto mining with cheap power (4:14). And Ripple applies for a U.S. banking license to bring its stablecoin under federal oversight (5:41). This is your essential update on the forces shaping what’s next in money. More on stories and articles mentioned or referenced in this episode: OpenAI Condemns Robinhood’s ‘OpenAI Tokens’. Maxwell Zeff....
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Luckey and Lonsdale Look to Lend, Deutsche Launches a Stablecoin, and Coinbase Lands Liquifi | July 3, 2025
The World Crypto Report
Tech investors launch Erebor, a new digital-only US bank designed for crypto, AI, and defense startups (1:14). In Europe, a Deutsche Bank-backed euro stablecoin enters the scene under MiCA rules (2:36). Coinbase acquires token management platform Liquifi (4:02). And security researchers uncover a dangerous crop of fake crypto wallets in Firefox’s add-on store (5:33). This is your essential update on the forces shaping what’s next in money. More on stories and articles mentioned or referenced in this episode: Peter Thiel Joins Tech Billionaires Backing New Lender Erebor to Rival Silicon...
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Crypto Tax Break Rejected, Binance Stays Put, and North Korea Strikes Again | July 2, 2025
The World Crypto Report
The U.S. Senate passes the One Big Beautiful Act — but shuts out key crypto reforms (1:04). Arizona’s governor blocks a state-run Bitcoin reserve, despite growing interest nationwide (2:34). North Korean hackers strike again, targeting an Atlanta-based blockchain startup (4:10). And in Singapore, Binance stays steady as regulatory pressure pushes others out (5:36). This is your essential update on the forces shaping what’s next in money. More on stories and articles mentioned or referenced in this episode: The One Big Beautiful Act Passes in the U.S. Senate — Without Bitcoin Tax...
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Spain Busts Crypto Fraud, Robinhood Ups Its Crypto Game, Sparkassen Offers Crypto Trading, and Pennsylvania Regulates Crypto Transfers | July 1, 2025
The World Crypto Report
Spain cracks down on a massive crypto scam (1:10), Robinhood expands its blockchain game (2:43), Germany’s Sparkassen Bank prepares for Bitcoin trading (4:12), and Pennsylvania tightens its crypto rules (5:35). This is your essential update on the forces shaping what’s next in money. More on stories and articles mentioned or referenced in this episode: Cryptocurrency fraud ring busted in Spain after laundering $540 million, Europol says. Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta. Editing by William Maclean. Reuters. Crypto investment fraud ring dismantled in Spain after defrauding 5,000 victims...
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IRS Crypto Crackdown, California’s Seizure Bill, IntelBroker Unmasked, and Corporate America Goes Big on Bitcoin | June 30, 2025
The World Crypto Report
The IRS is sending out a wave of crypto tax warning letters (1:03), California wants to seize dormant exchange accounts (2:27), and the FBI tracks down a notorious hacker using blockchain forensics (4:07). Plus: Corporate bitcoin holdings just hit a record high, and Trump Media is buying in (5:47). This is your essential update on the forces shaping what’s next in money. More on stories and articles mentioned or referenced in this episode: Bitcoin and Crypto Investors Hit with Flood of IRS letters, Say Tax Experts. Ben Weiss. Fortune. California Passes Bill Allowing State Agencies to Accept...
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Crypto and Conflict: Boko Haram, Bolivia’s Crisis, and $100 Million for Trump-Linked DeFi | June 27, 2025
The World Crypto Report
Boko Haram is funding terror with crypto (1:09). The Trump family’s DeFi venture lands a massive $100 million investment from the UAE (2:42). And Bolivians turn to Bitcoin as inflation and dollar shortages choke the economy (4:29). Plus: Kraken launches its new all-in-one app, Krak (6:00). This is your essential update on the forces shaping what’s next in money. More on stories and articles mentioned or referenced in this episode: Boko Haram Uses Cryptocurrency to Finance Terrorism Secretly. U.S. Africa Command. Africa Defense Forum. UAE’s Aqua 1 Invests $100 Million in Trump-Linked...
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FHFA to Bless Crypto-Backed Mortgages? | Russian Ruble Stablecoin | SoFi Reboots | Barclays Bans Crypto | June 26, 2025
The World Crypto Report
The FHFA signals a shift in U.S. mortgage policy, directing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to start preparing for crypto asset inclusion (0:56). In Kyrgyzstan, a ruble-pegged stablecoin is fueling billions in cross-border flows that may be helping Russia evade sanctions (2:06). SoFi reenters the crypto space with onchain money transfers and fresh support for token trading (3:40). And Barclays bans crypto purchases on its credit cards, citing volatility and lack of consumer protections (4:57). This is your essential update on the forces shaping what’s next in money. More on stories and articles...
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Coinbase Gives an Assist to the Secret Service | Türkiye Crypto Crackdown | Mastercard–Chainlink Deal | June 25, 2025
The World Crypto Report
A massive crypto seizure led by the U.S. Secret Service shows how blockchain forensics—and Coinbase—are reshaping crypto crime investigations (0:57). Türkiye announces sweeping new anti-money-laundering rules for crypto platforms (2:47), Japan signals a move toward Bitcoin ETFs and tax reform (4:36), and Mastercard joins Chainlink to bring crypto to traditional payment cards (6:05). This is your essential update on the forces shaping what’s next in money. More on stories and articles mentioned or referenced in this episode: Consumer Protection Tuesday: How Coinbase Helped the Secret...
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Fiserv Brings Stablecoins to Small Banks | China to Test Yuan-Backed Tokens in Hong Kong? | Telegram’s Trouble with Crypto Scams | June 24, 2025
The World Crypto Report
A major shift may be coming for thousands of US banks, as Fiserv prepares to roll out a stablecoin platform linked to Solana, Circle, and Paxos (1:01), while China eyes Hong Kong as a testbed for yuan-backed digital tokens (2:40). This episode also covers Anthony Pompliano’s $1 billion bitcoin treasury initiative (4:13), and new reporting on Telegram’s struggle—or refusal—to crack down on crypto-enabled scams (5:44). This is your essential update on the forces shaping what’s next in money. More on stories and articles mentioned or referenced in this episode: Stablecoin World Opens Up...
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Texas Officially Has a Bitcoin Reserve | Norway Clamps Down on Mining | Teenage Bitcoin Hacker Pleads Guilty | June 23, 2025
The World Crypto Report
Texas launches the first stand-alone state-run Bitcoin reserve (1:09), while Norway prepares to restrict power-hungry crypto mining (2:22). Phoenix Group eyes AI expansion and a potential U.S. stock listing (3:49). Plus: a 19-year-old hacker pleads guilty in one of the largest Bitcoin thefts ever (5:04). This is your essential update on the forces shaping what’s next in money. More on stories and articles mentioned or referenced in this episode: Texas Governor Greg Abbott Signs Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Bill into Law. Zack Abrams. The Block. Norway Plans Temporary Ban on Power-Intensive...
info_outlineThe SEC ends its high-profile lawsuit against Binance (1:04), clarifies its stance on staking (2:20), and signals a broader shift in regulatory strategy. Meanwhile, U.S. agencies take aim at the infrastructure behind crypto investment scams, targeting a sanctioned Philippine firm (3:50) and a multimillion-dollar pig butchering ring linked to two Chinese nationals (5:41).
This is your essential update on the forces shaping what’s next in money.
More on stories and articles mentioned or referenced in this episode:
SEC Drops Binance Lawsuit, Ending One of Last Remaining Crypto Enforcement Actions. MacKenzie Sigalos. CNBC.
Statement on Certain Protocol Staking Activities. Division of Corporate Finance. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
OFAC Sanctions Funnull Technology Inc. for Supporting Pig Butchering Scams. Chainalysis.
https://www.chainalysis.com/blog/ofac-sanctions-funnull-technology-pig-butchering-scams-may-2025/
Targeting a Major Backer of Virtual Currency Investment Scams. Tammy Bruce, Department Spokesperson. U.S. Department of State.
https://www.state.gov/targeting-a-major-backer-of-virtual-currency-investment-scams/
Treasury Takes Action Against Major Cyber Scam Facilitator. U.S. Department of the Treasury.
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0149
Feds Target Chinese Couple Accused in $9 Million Crypto ‘Pig Butchering’ Scam. Trevor Hughes. USA Today.
The music in this episode was composed by Liborio Conti, and you can find more of his fantastic work at his YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/liborioconti