Hong Kong’s Legislative Council has passed the long-anticipated Stablecoins Bill, establishing a licensing regime for fiat-referenced stablecoin (FRS) issuers. This legislative move , announced by the Hong Kong government on May 21, aims to strengthen regulatory oversight on virtual asset activities, fostering both financial stability and innovation in the region. Ordinance To Regulate Stablecoin Advertisements And Issuers The newly enacted Stablecoins Ordinance mandates that any entity issuing an FRS within Hong Kong, or any FRS claiming to maintain a stable value against the Hong Kong dollar, must obtain a license from the Monetary Authority (MA). The licensing requirements will focus on several critical areas, including reserve asset management, proper segregation of client assets, and a robust stabilization mechanism. Additionally, issuers must ensure they can process redemption requests for stablecoin holders at par value under reasonable conditions. According to the government’s statement, these regulations are designed to enhance public protection and safeguard investors. Under the Ordinance, only licensed institutions will be permitted to offer FRS in Hong Kong, and retail investors will only have access to FRS issued by these licensed entities. To combat fraud and scams, the Ordinance stipulates that only advertisements for licensed fiat-referenced stablecoin issuances will be allowed, ensuring that the public is shielded from misleading promotional materials. Hong Kong’s Commitment To Digital Assets Mr. Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, emphasized that the Ordinance follows the principle of “same activity, same risks, same regulation.” This risk-based approach aligns with international regulatory standards and aims to create a solid foundation for Hong Kong’s digital asset market , ultimately promoting sustainable industry development while protecting user rights. Echoing these sentiments, Mr. Eddie Yue, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, highlighted the Ordinance’s pragmatic and flexible nature. He noted that a robust regulatory framework would foster healthy, responsible growth within Hong Kong’s stablecoin and broader digital asset ecosystem. The Stablecoins Ordinance is expected to come into effect later this year, allowing the industry ample time to familiarize itself with the new licensing requirements. Transitional arrangements will also be provided to assist businesses in applying for licenses and adjusting to the regulatory landscape . Looking ahead, the Hong Kong government remains committed to nurturing the virtual asset sector. Following the establishment of the regulatory regime for trading platforms and stablecoin issuers, the government plans to initiate consultations on over-the-counter (OTC) and custodian services for digital assets, along with releasing a second policy statement on crypto development. Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com
Minnesota Representative Tom Emmer has reintroduced the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act in Congress, with renewed bipartisan backing and industry support. The Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act seeks to clarify that developers and service providers who do not custody consumer funds, such as miners, validators, and wallet providers, should not be classified as money transmitters. By doing so, the bill aims to prevent these actors from facing licensing obligations under state or federal money services laws. Emmer, who co-chairs the Congressional Crypto Caucus alongside Democratic Representative Ritchie Torres, said in a May 21 notice that the measure provides “commonsense clarification” to protect innovation from being pushed overseas. He stressed that without legal certainty, the U.S. risks losing developers to crypto-friendly jurisdictions. Torres also echoed this view, describing the updated version of the bill as a “smarter, sharper framework” shaped by past feedback, offering clear rules without compromising oversight. “If we want to keep the next generation of builders in the United States, this kind of legal clarity is essential. We cannot afford to let outdated or misapplied regulations drive American talent and technology overseas,” he added. You might also like: Tom Emmer’s anti-CBDC bill clears US House Financial Services Committee Representative Emmer first unveiled the bill in 2018 to provide clarity around how non-custodial blockchain developers are treated under money transmission laws. Since then, it has seen multiple reintroductions . The most recent version prior to this came in 2023 as H.R. 1747 , but similar language was voted down in committee markup. Emmer and Torres say they’ve taken that feedback seriously and returned with a revised framework designed to address earlier concerns while still defending core innovation principles. Several industry advocacy groups have rallied behind the bill, including Coin Center, the Blockchain Association, the DeFi Education Fund, the Digital Chamber, and the Crypto Council for Innovation. According to Cody Carbone of The Digital Chamber, the bipartisan bill would “finally give [developers] the freedom to build in the United States.” The bill’s reintroduction comes amid rising political tension over digital assets, with several Democratic lawmakers growing increasingly resistant to crypto legislation, especially with scrutiny mounting over President Donald Trump’s ties to the industry. For the legislation to pass, it will need to secure majority support in both chambers of Congress, but it remains unclear whether Emmer and Torres have the necessary votes. While the bill has gained backing from key industry groups and bipartisan sponsors, broader congressional support has yet to fully materialize. Read more: Tom Emmer named Vice Chair of Digital Assets Subcommittee, slams SEC’s Gensler
Bitcoin has hit never-before-seen heights, with its market price rocketing to an astounding $109,500, a thrust that’s blasted it past its old record high of $109,241 set on January 20, 2017, the day that Donald Trump was inaugurated as president. The event seems especially timely, what with how uncertain the entire crypto market was just six weeks ago, when we were all worried about trade wars and tariffs. Bitcoin's market value has officially reached a new all-time high, climbing to $109,500, edging past its prior peak of $109,241 that was recorded back on Trump's inauguration day (Jan. 20th). This milestone comes just 6 weeks after the crypto community was exhibiting max FUD… pic.twitter.com/LNWcf3Y5OY — Santiment (@santimentfeed) May 21, 2025 Even with the chaos in the world economy, Bitcoin has somehow managed to break through its high/low ceiling, showing both resilience and growing confidence among institutional investors. This latest surge isn’t just being fueled by market optimism, though, and it isn’t just driven by retail investors who have been buying what some have called a new “bull” market. Institutional Investment Drives Bitcoin’s Growth The influx of institutional money into Bitcoin has pushed its price upward. BlackRock, the main force behind this trend, has not only been holding Bitcoin but also recently disclosed that it is now managing a spot Bitcoin ETF. The fund, IBIT, has now crossed the $20 billion mark, which in turn seems to be dragging up the price of Bitcoin. Whatever the amount might be, the presence of BlackRock in the Bitcoin arena seems to be many times more bullish than the presence of the company in the Bitcoin mine-safety space back in 2014. From a historical standpoint, markets usually gravitate toward the opposite vector of retail sentiment. They will oftentimes do what retail investors most fear. The Bitcoin rally that many are currently experiencing resembles a historical dynamic where retail investors are too fearful of tariffs and general uncertainty to take even a half step into the market. Meanwhile, institutional investors with a longer focus are pushing the price higher. Institutional investors are showing increasing interest in Bitcoin, which is slowly replacing the asset’s designation as merely speculative. German Government’s Missed Opportunity: A $2.46 Billion Mistake A recent prominent narrative in the Bitcoin market is about the German government selling a large amount of Bitcoin. Between June 19 and July 12, 2024, the German government sold 49,858 BTC. The sales were at an average price of $57,600 per Bitcoin, which gave the government $2.87 billion at the time. But now, with Bitcoin at $109,500, those same 49,858 BTC are valued at $5.33 billion. So, the German government’s sale of that huge amount of Bitcoin was a bad move, which cost them $2.46 billion in profits for the last four months. This is a narrative that paints a rather unfavorable picture for the authorities in Berlin. BTC is about to break its all-time high. The #German government sold 49,858 $BTC ($2.87B) at an average price of $57,600 between June 19 and July 12, 2024. Those 49,858 $BTC are now worth $5.33B, meaning they missed out on a $2.46B profit. https://t.co/rHdZjWpNpF pic.twitter.com/Kuvzgx6Ud3 — Lookonchain (@lookonchain) May 21, 2025 This sale’s timing has drawn some quite vocal criticism, especially because of how much Bitcoin’s price has grown in the short time since the sale. Lots of folks are wondering if the German government, which held these assets for several years, could have ridden along on this wave of growth if it had just held onto its holdings for a few more months. It’s a missed opportunity that serves to remind one of Bitcoin’s volatility and the risks of trying to manage such a dynamic asset. Spot Bitcoin ETFs See Record Inflows Institutional interest in Bitcoin is generally not restricted to direct investments in the cryptocurrency. Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have also been experiencing record inflows, which is being interpreted by many as a sign that the mainstream is embracing Bitcoin as something other than a digital cash system. On May 20, the spot Bitcoin ETFs actually registered a net outflow, but that was only the first such occurrence in five days; on the prior four days, the ETF in question had registered positive net inflows. On May 20, spot Bitcoin ETFs saw a total net inflow of $329 million, marking the fifth consecutive day of net inflows. Spot Ethereum ETFs recorded a total net inflow of $64.88 million, marking the third consecutive day of net inflows. https://t.co/SF4brkl9iI — Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) May 21, 2025 Institutions and small-hand investors can gain exposure to Bitcoin’s price movements through Spot Bitcoin ETFs. These investment vehicles, which are traded like stocks on exchanges, present a simple and secure way for Steak holders to bet on (or hedge against) Bitcoin’s future performance. ETFs offer a fully regulated way to hold a form of Bitcoin “ownership” without direct custodial or practical issues for Bitcoin network miners. Looking Ahead: Bitcoin’s Bullish Outlook Bitcoin’s new all-time high of $109,500 represents more than just a market milestone—it signifies something more profound: a change in what the cryptocurrency is within the global financial system. Institutional investors are the ones driving the new price surge. They are putting Bitcoin into diversified investment portfolios, and their behavior is increasingly making it seem as though Bitcoin is just another kind of portfolio investment—not a outrageous speculative vehicle. Analysts expect this trend to continue, with further price increases over the next months, and even year, as more and more institutional capital flows into this previously little-touched market. Although the German government’s decision to sell Bitcoin early may serve as a lesson in seizing opportunities, it highlights the Bitcoin asset class’s incredible growth potential. Mature market conditions with new institutional players and Bitcoin ETFs as investment vehicles make a price surge for Bitcoin seem like a very likely prospect. To wrap up, the increasing confidence in Bitcoin’s long-term value proposition is mirrored in its rise to new all-time highs. Institutional investors have been at the forefront of the push, and the demand from them and retail investors alike for Bitcoin-back financial products—ETFs, for instance—has been very strong. All this bodes well for the continued growth of the crypto market, which is now also the insistential investor market. If these trends hold, there’s a reasonably good chance that Bitcoin’s price will push to even greater heights in the next little while—volatility notwithstanding. Disclosure: This is not trading or investment advice. Always do your research before buying any cryptocurrency or investing in any services. Follow us on Twitter @nulltxnews to stay updated with the latest Crypto, NFT, AI, Cybersecurity, Distributed Computing, and Metaverse news !
On May 22, COINOTAG reported significant movements in the cryptocurrency market as whale investor James Wynn adjusted his position on the Hyperliquid platform. Notably, he partially closed a high-risk 40x
In a forceful and possibly linked series of happenings, Tether has minted another $2 billion in USDT today. This closely coincides with Bitcoin’s breakout past its previous peak. From data CoinGecko provides, the most popular cryptocurrency registered the price of $109,368 as its all-time high, which occurred just before our press time. It has since settled around $109,358. Whatever way you slice it, Bitcoin is up. And that is Tether. And how are those two things related? According to Coingecko, Bitcoin has surpassed $109,358, reaching a new all-time high. In the past 24 hours, approximately 99,000 traders were liquidated across the market, with total liquidations exceeding $300 million, including around $200 million from short… — Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) May 21, 2025 Bitcoin’s leap sent the entire market reeling. In the past 24 hours, around 99,000 traders saw their positions liquidated, with total liquidations accounting for more than $300 million. One astonishing aspect of this is that $200 million of this represented traders going from short to long positions in Bitcoin, which kind of shows where sentiment is headed. Going back to the previous paragraph, this fresh high is occurring just after Tether minted more USDT, and earlier, we suggested that large minting events might be linked to Bitcoin’s recent price ascent. Tether’s Growing Footprint and a Historic Year for USDT Minting Tether has been absolutely booming since the start of 2025. So far this year, the company has created a staggering $15.7 billion worth of USDT, taking into account both fresh issuances and burned tokens. For the most part, this consistent growth has occurred on the Tron and Ethereum blockchains—Tether’s platforms of choice, thanks to their robust liquidity (and consequently, low slippage) and nearly universal presence across the crypto ecosystem’s exchanges and DeFi protocols. The newest issuance of $2 billion is not an isolated event but part of a clear pattern in recent months. From April 23 to May 7, Tether minted around $6 billion in USDT. During those same days, Bitcoin reemerged above the $100,000 line after three months of sitting below it, leading many to see a direct connection between the upward swing in Bitcoin and the newfound liquidity afforded by Tether. An analogous situation unfolded on May 15, when another $2 billion in USDT was created. Soon afterwards, Bitcoin price once more skyrocketed, this time punching through the $105,000 ceiling. With today’s stablecoin market being replenished to the tune of $2 billion, and Bitcoin price now well above $109,000, the correlation between those two events seems to have tightened in the mind of quite a number of traders and analysts. Tether minted another 2B $USDT an hour ago. Will this drive $BTC 's price up? In 2025, #Tether minted a total of 15.7B $USDT (including burns) on #Tron and #Ethereum . As shown in the image below, Tether's minting of $USDT has typically led to a rise in $BTC 's price. From April… pic.twitter.com/4fpiB1ad52 — Lookonchain (@lookonchain) May 21, 2025 Stablecoin Liquidity: Fueling the Fire or Following the Flame? The connection between Tether minting and Bitcoin price increases has been closely studied in the crypto community, though there remains some disagreement over what, exactly, these events signify. Some researchers argue that more Tether means more market demand for Bitcoin, even if Tether isn’t strictly a vehicle for getting Bitcoin into investors’ hands. Others think that when Tether is being minted, that’s a sign of rising Bitcoin demand, while also considering Tether a Bitcoin proxy of sorts. No matter which side of the argument one favors, the data is compelling. Every major USDT mint this year has synced up closely with big upward moves in Bitcoin. The consistent coupling of minting events and price surges has made Tether’s blockchain activity into a must-watch signal for traders. Market positioning is another essential element. Traders have been betting against a near-term breakout, as shown by the $200 million in liquidations that occurred in the past 24 hours. These forced liquidations create cascading buy orders that drive prices up and exacerbate volatility. In this scenario, the presence of Tether in the market ensures that there are enough capital and liquidity to absorb the buying pressure created by cascading forced liquidations without triggering a price reversal. Looking Ahead: A Tether-Bitcoin Tandem Rally? As Bitcoin keeps beating predictions and reaching new peaks, the importance of Tether and stablecoin liquidity is more relevant than ever. The pattern of large USDT mints being followed by Bitcoin price rallies is hard to miss, with the asset now comfortable above $109,000. There are no clear signs of it stopping, and with institutional demand seeming to only rise, some analysts have even foreseen targets of around $115,000 to $120,000 in the next few weeks. Currently, Tether has minted USDT amounting to $15.7 billion for 2025, and this underlines the scale at which the stablecoins are supporting the crypto market infrastructure. But will this trend continue? It is likely to depend on the more macro signals around the economy, the appetite from institutions to get involved, and the state of play of the regulatory landscape for both crypto and stablecoins. At present, however, one thing is unmistakable: whenever Tether replenishes its reservoir, Bitcoin appears primed to accelerate. Disclosure: This is not trading or investment advice. Always do your research before buying any cryptocurrency or investing in any services. Follow us on Twitter @nulltxnews to stay updated with the latest Crypto, NFT, AI, Cybersecurity, Distributed Computing, and Metaverse news !
Bitcoin (BTC) has achieved a significant new milestone, surpassing the $111,000 mark for the first time in its history. This unprecedented price surge underscores the cryptocurrency’s robust performance and growing investor confidence in the digital asset market. Uncharted Territory for Bitcoin Breaking past $111,000 propels Bitcoin into uncharted price territory, reflecting a strong bullish sentiment … Continue reading "Bitcoin Surpasses $111,000 Milestone for the First Time" The post Bitcoin Surpasses $111,000 Milestone for the First Time appeared first on Cryptoknowmics-Crypto News and Media Platform .
Will shareholders greenlight Strive’s high-stakes bid for lost Mt. Gox Bitcoin before repayments shut the door? Strive aims to acquire 75,000 BTC via discounted Mt. Gox bankruptcy claims. Reverse merger
Bitcoin (BTC) has reached an all-time high of $111,878. This rise signals a new era of “price discovery” in the crypto market, this time driven by large institutional players rather than individual investors. Bitcoin Surpasses $111,000: New Record Hit by Wave of Institutional Demand According to crypto data platform CoinGecko, Bitcoin’s daily gain was around 3.5%, while the overall cryptocurrency market cap increased by 1.7%. However, at the same time, no significant movement was observed in other major altcoins such as XRP and Dogecoin (DOGE). According to experts, this rising wave is a movement driven by large institutional investors, unlike previous cycles. BTSE COO Jeff Mei said in a statement on Telegram, “The main driving force behind the Bitcoin rally is large institutions. Public companies using capital markets to raise cash and purchase BTC support this trend.” The increasing interest in spot Bitcoin ETFs is particularly striking. In May alone, net ETF inflows reached $3.6 billion. Expectations are also bullish in the derivatives market. On crypto derivatives exchange Deribit, options contracts with maturity dates of $110,000, $120,000 and even $300,000 due at the end of June are among the products with the most open interest. This suggests that investors believe Bitcoin can rise even higher during the summer months. The JPMorgan Effect: The Transformation of Traditional Finance The fact that the largest bank in the US, JPMorgan Chase, started offering its customers access to Bitcoin also had a great impact on the markets. It is thought that this development could be a breaking point in the perspective of crypto assets in the traditional finance world. “This move by a major institution like JPMorgan lends legitimacy to Bitcoin and could force other traditional financial institutions to take similar steps,” said Ryan Lee, Chief Analyst at Bitget Research. The macroeconomic environment remains challenging: rising bond yields, geopolitical uncertainty and risks like a U.S. credit rating downgrade remain. But QCP Capital noted in a note on Thursday that Bitcoin has shown “extraordinary resilience” despite all of this pressure. The QCP also warned: “New highs could also draw retail investors out of the market due to the FOMO effect and push prices even higher.” Conclusion: A New Rally May Be Beginning Bitcoin breaking a new record by breaking the $111,000 level is not just a technical move; it is also an indication that cryptocurrencies are gaining more institutional acceptance. In this new era where traditional finance and digital assets intersect, BTC’s direction may continue to be upward. It is not investment advice. Continue Reading: Bitcoin Continues Where It Left Off! All-Time High Surpassed Once Again! Here Are the Details
The Texas legislature is on the brink of a historic move, poised to establish a state-run Bitcoin reserve, marking a significant step towards integrating cryptocurrency into fiscal management. This initiative,
TL;DR Do you remember the Bitcoin Lamborghini meme, whose story began well over a decade ago? Well, now you can buy Lambos with just a single BTC instead of the 200+ spent in 2013. At least one community member remembers who found a pretty good one for sale in the US. The Lambo-Bitcoin Story The story goes back to late 2013 when an anonymous buyer went to the Lamborghini Newport Beach auto dealership, believed to be the first accepting bitcoin for payments, and purchased a brand new Gallardo (model 2014) that had an USD value of $208,315 for 216.8433 BTC. Lambo Purchase Order According to marketing director Cedric Davy, the buyer most likely made the transaction public, which was “a little surprise to us,” but led to a growing number of customers who wanted to buy cars using bitcoin. The story became the embodiment of the bitcoin dream where investors, usually early adopters, purchased the asset, employed the HODL strategy for a few years, and capitalized on the enormous gains when BTC’s price went parabolic from under $1 to over $1,000. It also became one of the most significant and used memes in the crypto community – W(h)en Lambo. How Much for a Lambo? Now, let’s fast-forward to today to see what’s available in the market. A quick search on Lamborghini Newport Beach’s website shows that the starting price of a Lamborghini Huracan (the replacement of the Gallardo used in 2013/2014) is $249,865. That’s obviously the cheapest (most basic) version, while the range-topping STO starts from $344,778. With bitcoin trading above $110,000 as it charted a new all-time high today, it’s more than evident that you don’t have to spend 216.8433 to buy a new one, as you can actually purchase an entire dealership for that amount ($24 million). However, you can’t buy a brand new Huracan (the entry-level Lambo) for just one bitcoin. Instead, you might need to go back to basics and review the used car market. Your Friend Andy did so and posted a used 2006 Gallardo that has done less than 17,000 miles and currently costs only one bitcoin. That’s coming a long way from the 216.8433 spent in the original transaction. All is right in the world. We’ve reached used Lamborghini price parity with Bitcoin again. pic.twitter.com/iGiCiyMWzQ — Your Friend Andy (@OhHaiAndy) May 22, 2025 The most popular US cars website shows that there are many Gallardos you can buy if you are willing to spend your one bitcoin. In fact, there are certain options that cost around 0.85 BTC, which means that you might have some BTC left to buy new tires or change the oil. It can be easier to pay with bitcoin for those transactions today than it was 12 years ago. The post When Lambo? Here’s What Just 1 Bitcoin Can Buy You Today appeared first on CryptoPotato .