Deutsche Bank plans to roll out a crypto custody service in 2026, partnering with Bitpanda’s technology arm to build the platform, Bloomberg reported Tuesday , citing sources familiar with the matter. Key Takeaways: Deutsche Bank will launch a crypto custody service in 2026 with support from Bitpanda and Taurus. The bank is exploring stablecoins and tokenized deposits, signaling a deeper commitment to digital assets. Major German banks, including Sparkassen and DZ Bank, are also moving into crypto services. The German banking giant’s corporate division will also maintain its collaboration with Swiss provider Taurus SA, which has been involved in Deutsche Bank’s custody plans since they were first unveiled in 2022. The custody push comes as major financial institutions ramp up digital asset efforts, spurred by evolving regulations in Europe and supportive moves in the U.S. following Donald Trump’s reelection. Deutsche Bank Expands Crypto Footing Deutsche Bank confirmed earlier this month that it is exploring stablecoins and tokenized deposits, which could involve issuing its own token or joining broader industry initiatives. The bank is also weighing the development of a tokenized deposit solution for payments. Notably, Deutsche Bank was among investors backing a $65 million funding round last year for Taurus , reflecting its growing commitment to the digital asset space. BREAKING Germany's largest bank, Deutsche Bank, to launch crypto custody services in 2026 pic.twitter.com/Bx0UbFcJMF — Quinten | 048.eth (@QuintenFrancois) July 1, 2025 Deutsche Bank’s crypto expansion comes as a number of major German banks have already begun integrating crypto services. Just recently, Germany’s Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe announced plans to launch crypto trading for its 50 million customers by summer 2026. Dekabank, owned by Sparkassen, will oversee the crypto offering through the group’s mobile banking app, enabling direct trading of Bitcoin and Ether. Likewise, DZ Bank, Germany’s second-largest lender, partnered with Boerse Stuttgart Digital last year to pilot crypto trading and custody services, aiming to expand offerings across its 700 cooperative banks after initial trials. Meanwhile, Landesbank Baden-Württemberg, the country’s biggest federal bank, announced plans in April 2024 to provide crypto custody services for institutional clients in collaboration with Bitpanda. The momentum isn’t limited to Germany. Speaking in April, Eric Trump warned that banks resisting crypto could become obsolete within a decade, highlighting issues of speed and cost in traditional finance. Big Banks Change Stance Toward Crypto Major banks including JPMorgan, Citigroup, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo are meeting with officials in Republican-led states like Texas and Oklahoma to address accusations of political bias, especially toward fossil fuel and firearms industries. Some states have blacklisted these banks from contracts, prompting banks to defend or adjust their policies. Citigroup ended its restriction on working with firearms vendors selling to buyers under 21, while JPMorgan and others clarified they don’t base lending decisions on political views. Banks are also retreating from climate-focused alliances and easing restrictions on coal financing to avoid further backlash. At the federal level, the Trump administration is considering an executive order to prohibit banks from denying services based on political or religious beliefs, which could affect banks’ participation in government business, including selling Treasury bonds. The post Deutsche Bank Taps Bitpanda to Launch Crypto Custody Service in 2026: Bloomberg appeared first on Cryptonews .
On July 1st, Webus International Limited (WETO), a US-listed mobile transportation service provider, experienced a significant intraday surge, peaking at an 87.44% increase before settling at a 22.4% gain. The
GameStop is diving deeper into Bitcoin. The retailer has raised over $4 billion through convertible note sales this year, and it plans to use a chunk of that to build a Bitcoin treasury . GameStop’s Convertible Note Play In March 2025, GameStop issued $1.48 billion in convertible notes, a type of debt investors can later turn into equity. A filing with the SEC revealed that proceeds would go toward “general corporate purposes, including the acquisition of Bitcoin.” That promise became reality in May when GameStop purchased 4,710 BTC, worth roughly $513 million at the time, marking the company’s first official Bitcoin buy. This month, GameStop doubled down. A second convertible note offering raised $2.25 billion, with investors quickly exercising an option to purchase an additional $450 million, bringing the total raised to $2.7 billion in June alone . GameStop’s move mirrors MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin strategy, which used corporate debt to accumulate over 200,000 BTC. Strategy’s stock now effectively trades as a Bitcoin ETF with leverage. While GameStop hasn’t gone that far, its board appears to see Bitcoin as a potential lifeline. The company has faced years of declining retail performance and sees crypto as a hedge, a growth bet, or maybe even both. If the company allocates most of its new war chest to BTC, its holdings could rival Strategy’s on a relative basis, representing nearly a third of GameStop’s total market cap. A Company-Wide Pivot? For now, GameStop is a retailer with a speculative treasury strategy. But if Bitcoin appreciates and GameStop continues to issue debt to buy more, it could evolve into a crypto proxy, a high-beta Bitcoin stock, or even a new kind of hybrid public company.
The escalating wave of crypto hacks in 2025 highlights an urgent imperative for centralized exchanges (CEXs) and decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms to enhance security protocols and collaborate on risk management
Prominent blockchain investigator ZachXBT has publicly accused Circle’s USDC of serving as “ primary infrastructure ” for North Korean IT workers to facilitate illicit payments, claiming the regulated stablecoin issuer allegedly does “nothing” to detect or freeze suspicious activity despite boasting about compliance. His allegations came just as the Financial Action Task Force warned that stablecoins have overtaken traditional cryptocurrencies as the primary tool for online financial crime, especially among state-sponsored actors, due to their speed, liquidity, and legitimacy. With virtual assets inherently borderless, regulatory failures in one jurisdiction can have global consequences. Read more in the Targeted Update on Implementation of the FATF Standards on Virtual Assets and VASPs: https://t.co/Gt5pyNU6DY #FATF #IllicitFinance #TravelRule pic.twitter.com/hgLyq6HNem — FATF (@FATFNews) June 26, 2025 ZachXBT alleged that he could trace recent transactions worth “high eight figures” linked to North Korean IT workers using USDC. The timing of these accusations coincides with FATF’s stark assessment that DPRK actors, terrorist financiers, and drug traffickers have increasingly turned to stablecoins as their preferred medium for cross-border money movement. Circle’s Compliance Claims Face Scrutiny as DPRK Operations Scale ZachXBT’s investigative credibility can be attributed to his successful exposure of major crypto fraud schemes that have led to prosecutions and hundreds of millions in asset recoveries. ZachXBT’s now-deleted post. Source: @Mikhailo478863 on X His assertion that DPRK IT workers systematically exploit USDC infrastructure may suggest that their operations have achieved significant scale beyond isolated incidents to systematic revenue generation schemes funding weapons programs. Circle’s position as a regulated stablecoin issuer makes Zach’s accusations particularly disturbing, given the company’s frequent public statements about robust compliance frameworks and cooperation with law enforcement agencies. The FATF report specifically cited North Korea’s execution of “the largest single virtual asset theft in history” this year, with hackers stealing $1.46 billion from the ByBit exchange , of which only 3.8% has been recovered through international enforcement efforts. Recent Department of Justice cases have also revealed how North Korean operatives embed themselves in Western companies as remote IT workers, using stolen identities to secure employment before exploiting access to steal cryptocurrency and sensitive data. Federal prosecutors described these schemes as part of a “cyber-enabled revenue generation network” designed to fund the DPRK’s weapons programs, with one recent case involving defendants who stole over $900,000 in cryptocurrency from their unwitting employers. DPRK-linked perpetrators landed in remote IT jobs using fake and stolen identities and exploited their company’s trust to steal and launder over $900,000 in crypto. #DPRK #NorthKoreaCrypto #CryptoScam https://t.co/6UvXug5OZp — Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) July 1, 2025 The FATF report further bolsters these concerns by noting that industry participants estimate approximately $51 billion in on-chain activity related to fraud and scams occurred in 2024 alone, with stablecoins playing a prominent role in these illicit flows. Meanwhile, global enforcement agencies have struggled to keep pace with increasingly sophisticated criminal networks that exploit regulatory gaps between jurisdictions, particularly as these groups migrate operations to regions with weaker oversight frameworks . Stablecoins Emerge as New Frontier in Global Financial Crime Wars The growing role of stablecoins in criminal finance particularly shows the uneasy balance between their usefulness in payments and DeFi and their potential for scale abuse. The FATF warned that widespread adoption could exacerbate the problem if regulation doesn’t keep pace quickly enough to contain cross-border risks. Nearly 100 countries are working on Travel Rule legislation to improve transparency in crypto transactions, but enforcement remains inconsistent. The EBA extends its Travel Rule to crypto exchanges, enforcing stricter AML and CFT standards. Learn more here. #EU #TravelRule https://t.co/Lrl2uzrqKB — Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) July 5, 2024 Recent enforcement actions, including the DOJ’s seizure of $225.3 million in USDT linked to “pig butchering” scams and investigations into Cambodia-based platforms that process $24 billion in criminal flows , further show the scale of the problem. Another recent report by the UN also detailed how transnational criminal groups have built vast underground economies using stablecoins, with platforms like Huione Guarantee supporting over 970,000 users while offering services from identity forgery to money laundering tools. UN warns of global crypto crime surge: Militias exploit stablecoins, illicit mining, and encrypted markets to launder billions and evade regulators. #UN #Stablecoins https://t.co/9cCaNaT4fE — Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) April 22, 2025 However, the disconnect between the borderless nature of stablecoins and the jurisdictional limitations of traditional law enforcement creates persistent vulnerabilities that criminal networks continue to exploit with apparent impunity. Looking forward, with the GENIUS Act nearing a positive conclusion , stablecoins may eventually be duly regulated, and enforcement measures to prevent misuse can be implemented. The post ZachXBT Slams USDC for Enabling North Korean Crime as FATF Issues Stablecoin Warning appeared first on Cryptonews .
Crypto exchange Bitget’s flagship wallet, Bitget Wallet , has partnered with payments giant Mastercard and infrastructure provider Immersve to launch a new crypto-linked card. According to the press release, the card will enable its holders to pay directly from their digital wallets at more than 150 million merchants globally, wherever Mastercard is accepted. Initially, the team will launch the product in the United Kingdom and the European Economic Area. The announcement highlights plans to expand to other regions “in the coming months,” namely Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand. Earlier this year, Alvin Kan, COO of Bitget Wallet, highlighted the wallet’s growth in Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, where user numbers surged over 1,000% in 2024. Really proud of this one. We think it’s the best UX and onboarding experience around but you tell us! https://t.co/MhPrgt6Cxy — immersve (@immersve) July 1, 2025 Moreover, the new product “aims to drive ease of use and efficiency in the crypto card space.” It’s a self-custodied, USDC -based card. It comes with instant approval and no top-up fee, the team says. The card includes a bonus for completing identity verification, optional incentives such as transaction-based rewards, and yield on idle balances. Furthermore, Bitget notes what it describes as “continued interest in practical crypto applications.” Also, the payments ecosystem is attempting to connect blockchain-enabled solutions to the financial mainstream, it claims. The new card is meant to fit right in, they suggest. It’s a way to broaden the use of self-custodied assets into everyday commerce. “Crypto payments should be as seamless and secure as traditional transactions,” said Jamie Elkaleh, CMO at Bitget Wallet. “We’re seeing massive demand for real-world crypto utility,” and the collaboration with Mastercard and Immersve provides the infrastructure to make it happen. You may also like: Bitget Wallet Integrates Solana Pay – Scan-to-Pay Crypto Goes Global Bitget Wallet, a leading non-custodial crypto wallet, announced the integration of Solana Pay on Tuesday for its global user base.In a press release shared with CryptoNews, the firm said this move improves the wallet’s utility for real-world transactions, aligning with Bitget Wallet’s mission to make crypto not just tradable, but spendable.According to the firm, with Solana Pay, users can scan QR codes to complete payments using stablecoins like USDC or other Solana-based tokens,... “Critical Step in Bringing Digital Assets Closer to Mainstream Utility” Bitget Wallet claims to have over 80 million users globally. Its card is now available through the Bitget Wallet app. It supports real-time funding via onchain swaps and deposits. The crypto card leverages Mastercard Digital First technology to enable users to apply for the card digitally. “Within minutes,” they can add it to their mobile wallets and use it at both physical and online merchants. Moreover, Immersve is a principal member of the Mastercard network and a registered Financial Services Provider. Its issuing-as-a-service platform supports both centralized and decentralized payment experiences, the announcement says. The partnership with Immersve allows transactions to settle onchain through crypto-to-fiat conversion. At the same time, it abides by Mastercard’s regulatory requirements, including KYC and AML. Meanwhile, the partners announced the new product at the Ethereum Community Conference today. “Digital wallets are quickly becoming as ubiquitous as email addresses,” said Scott Abrahams, executive vice president, Global Partnerships at Mastercard. “We’re committed to working with innovative companies like Bitget Wallet and Immersve to make crypto transactions simple, secure, and accessible at scale. This is a critical step in bringing digital assets closer to mainstream utility.” Partnering with teams like Mastercard and Bitget Wallet is “exactly how we scale real-world crypto use,” adds Immersve CEO Jerome Faury. “We’re allowing users to spend crypto as easily as they spend fiat—on a global scale.” Meanwhile, in January this year, the wallet revealed its PayFi (Payment Finance) strategy . The goal is to redefine crypto’s role in personal finance by shifting it from a passive investment to an active financial tool for everyday use, the team said. In late April, Bidget Wallet announced its integration with the universal crypto payment gateway Paydify . This allows merchants to accept stablecoin payments from Bitget Wallet users. You may also like: Bitget Wallet Launches ‘Shop with Crypto’ In-App Marketplace Non-custodial Bitget Wallet has launched ‘Shop with Crypto’, its novel in-app marketplace that allows users to spend cryptocurrencies directly on goods and services.Per the blog post, the company’s PayFi (Payment Finance) feature will include new functions, namely Pay Direct, Scan to Pay, and Tap to Pay. This, the team argues, will increase both crypto adoption and payment efficiency. Unlike services that convert crypto into fiat, this one allows crypto-native checkout from within the... The post Mastercard, Bitget Wallet, and Immersve Launch Crypto Card in UK and EU appeared first on Cryptonews .
Can Ethereum truly challenge Bitcoin's dominance, or even lead a new "altcoin season?"
Japan’s friendly, steady approach to trade talks is under pressure as President Donald Trump pushes for an agreement before new U.S. tariffs kick in on July 9. So far, Japan’s careful approach hasn’t worked, raising worries it could be an easy target as Washington pushes for quick wins. Tokyo relies on the United States for both trade and security, and has avoided direct confrontation, unlike China, which has taken a tougher stance. Japan’s chief negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, has flown to Washington seven times in recent months to continue smooth negotiations. Yet, on his most recent trip, he couldn’t meet Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in person, and he only spoke twice by phone with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, according to Bloomberg . “Most times I’m taking off from Haneda Airport without a confirmed schedule of meetings,” Akazawa said after returning to Tokyo on Tuesday. Domestic politics also shape Tokyo’s approach. officials don’t want to give up too much before the key national vote on July 20th. “The government is stuck between US expectations and domestic pressure not to give up too much before the election,” said Rintaro Nishimura of The Asia Group. Meanwhile, Trump has publicly slammed Japan for not buying enough American cars and for refusing to import U.S. rice, posting that Japan has a “massive rice shortage.” Japanese leaders have responded carefully to avoid escalating tensions, hoping for an agreement. “We expect a package to span various fields and become quite extensive,” he said, adding that both reciprocal and sector-specific tariffs must be resolved. Investors, for now, seem unfazed. “The bark is worse than the bite,” said Rajeev De Mello, a portfolio manager in Geneva, predicting that any new duties will remain around 10%. Tokyo focuses on jobs and autos as key to U.S. trade talks Tokyo’s offer to Washington is based on jobs and investment, with a special focus on the auto industry. Trade Minister Koichi Ishiba’s team wants to cut the 25% levy on Japanese cars and lower planned 24% duties on other goods set to start on July 9. Moreover, Japan has offered to collaborate on shipbuilding and boost purchases of American semiconductors and liquefied natural gas. A similar strategy helped Nippon Steel win approval for its takeover of U.S. Steel, but experts say Tokyo may need a larger package to meet Washington’s demand for something big. Source: US Census Bureau Japan’s auto sector is critical; about 10% of the nation’s GDP and some 8% of its workforce depend on it. Officials hope to bring car tariffs closer to 10% to show progress before the election. One possible trade-off is to open Japan’s rice market, but that risks alienating rural voters. Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi supports talks that maximize benefits for Japan, and chief negotiator Akazawa has ruled out sacrificing farmers to protect auto interests. According to policy expert Kenichi Kawasaki of the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, Japan may also need to eliminate non-tariff barriers on car imports and cut duties on its own farm products, including rice. Even so, another 10% U.S. levy on cars seems likely. Trump has warned he may skip negotiations and simply send countries a letter with their new tariff rates. Asked if he would alert the press if such a letter arrived, Akazawa smiled and said, “If it comes to that, I think you’ll find that President Trump will have announced it already on Truth Social.” Japan’s business outlook stays strong A Bank of Japan survey released Tuesday showed large manufacturers’ confidence rose slightly to +13 in June, up from +12 in March and beating forecasts of +10. But the same tankan survey found firms slashed profit projections and expect conditions to worsen over the next three months. Confidence among big non-manufacturers dipped to +34 from +35, as rising labor costs and weaker luxury-goods sales to tourists weighed on sentiment. Some companies reported higher profits by passing on cost increases, while others said wage hikes and fewer foreign visitors hurt their earnings. The survey, covering April through June, suggests Japan’s economy remains resilient despite growing trade uncertainty, even as firms brace for the impact of new U.S. duties. Policymakers at the Bank of Japan will review these findings at their July 30–31 meeting, weighing whether to begin tightening policy later in the year. Marcel Thieliant, head of Asia-Pacific research at Capital Economics, said the survey supports a tightening cycle before year-end. Japan’s economy shrank at an annual rate of 0.2% in the first quarter, hurt by weak consumer spending. With U.S. car tariffs set back at 25% and 24% on other goods after July 9, exporters face fresh headwinds. Your crypto news deserves attention - KEY Difference Wire puts you on 250+ top sites
This content is provided by a sponsor. PRESS RELEASE. Mumbai, India | July 1, 2025, In a promising move to redefine India’s digital asset landscape, eXchange1, a European-regulated crypto exchange, has officially launched operations in India. Backed by the bold vision of “1 World · 1 Exchange,” this marks a major milestone in the platform’s