Mawari Corporation has launched an extended reality fan engagement platform designed to provide immersive 3D meet-and-greet experiences for Vtuber fans. Vtubexr Eliminates the Need for Specialized Studio Setups Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) project Mawari Corporation recently launched Vtubexr, an extended reality (XR) fan engagement platform enabling immersive 3D Vtuber-fan interactions. The platform is expected
Two of the world’s leading financial regulators took significant steps this week toward formalizing the role of cryptocurrencies in traditional finance. In the United States, the Labor Department officially reversed its 2022 guidance discouraging crypto assets in 401(k) retirement plans, restoring fiduciary discretion for plan managers. Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) opened a public consultation on proposed rules for stablecoins and crypto custody, aiming to support innovation while reinforcing market trust and consumer protection. US Labor Department Rescinds Biden-Era Crypto Retirement Investment Limits in Major Shift The US Department of Labor has formally rescinded a 2022 guidance that discouraged the inclusion of cryptocurrencies in 401(k) retirement plans, signaling a major pivot in federal retirement investment policy and reflecting a broader pro-crypto shift under the Trump administration. The announcement, made on May 28, revokes a controversial compliance bulletin that had urged fiduciaries to “exercise extreme care” when considering digital assets for retirement offerings. At the time, the Biden-era agency cited volatility, valuation uncertainty, and security risks as key reasons for opposing crypto exposure in employer-sponsored plans. But the current Labor Department, under Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, has now reversed that stance, calling the 2022 guidance an “overreach” and a break from the agency’s historically neutral approach to fiduciary responsibilities. The move is being framed as a return to a “principled-based” framework, in which plan managers, rather than federal regulators, assess whether digital assets are suitable for long-term retirement strategies. Chavez-DeRemer emphasized that fiduciaries are in the best position to weigh the merits and risks of cryptocurrencies based on the unique needs of plan participants, as opposed to receiving top-down prohibitive mandates from Washington. This change effectively grants retirement plan providers more discretion to include Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital assets in 401(k) offerings, potentially opening the door to broader mainstream adoption among long-term savers. The American Banking Association (ABA), which had previously criticized the 2022 guidance for being issued without public review or comment, applauded the rollback. The ABA argued that the prior administration’s action amounted to de facto rulemaking without transparency or due process. Backstory: A Cautious Past The original guidance issued in March 2022 by the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) was widely viewed as a chilling message to retirement providers. The memo warned that cryptocurrencies were speculative, volatile, and susceptible to fraud, and that offering them in 401(k) plans could place fiduciaries at legal risk under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). It also coincided with high-profile crypto market collapses, including the TerraUSD meltdown and the eventual implosion of FTX, which reinforced skepticism among regulators and the public. Several asset managers, including Fidelity Investments, pushed back against the guidance at the time, insisting that digital assets offered a valid diversification strategy, particularly for younger investors. Fidelity, one of the few major financial institutions to defy the Biden-era resistance, launched its Digital Assets Account (DAA) for 401(k)s in 2022, allowing plan sponsors to offer Bitcoin exposure to their employees. The investment giant structured the product with robust compliance measures and minimal fees, arguing that retirement savers deserved optional access to emerging asset classes. Fidelity’s pioneering effort sparked debate about whether mainstream investors should have crypto exposure in their retirement portfolios—debate that is likely to intensify in the wake of the Labor Department’s new stance. Broader Crypto Policy Under Trump The Labor Department's reversal is part of a larger trend under President Donald Trump’s current administration, which has adopted a decisively pro-crypto posture. Trump has pledged to make the US “the world capital of crypto,” and federal agencies have taken steps to dial back regulatory crackdowns on high-profile crypto platforms like Coinbase, Kraken, and Uniswap. Simultaneously, the administration has launched exploratory frameworks for tokenizing real-world assets ( RWAs ), such as bonds and commodities, and for defining clearer rules around digital asset classifications—efforts praised by many in the blockchain industry. Despite these advances, some lawmakers remain wary of the Trump administration’s close alignment with the crypto industry, citing the need for guardrails to prevent systemic risks and ensure retail investor protection. Critics have also called for more transparency regarding Trump's own business interests in the sector. The Labor Department's updated position does not constitute a blanket endorsement of cryptocurrencies in 401(k) plans. Rather, it shifts the responsibility and liability back to fiduciaries, who must still uphold their duty to act in the best interests of plan participants. Industry analysts expect many asset managers to proceed cautiously, balancing client demand with evolving legal and regulatory standards. Nevertheless, the reversal may pave the way for a surge in crypto retirement product development, including new portfolio options, managed funds, and potentially tokenized pension models in the coming years. UK’s FCA Unveils Draft Rules for Stablecoins and Crypto Custody, Opens Door to Public Feedback Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has taken another critical step toward formalizing its cryptocurrency regulatory framework. On May 28, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published a consultation paper requesting public feedback on proposed regulations for stablecoins and crypto custody services. The initiative marks what the FCA described as a “milestone on the road to crypto regulation” as the UK pushes forward with plans to become a global leader in responsible digital asset innovation. The proposals aim to provide a robust and secure environment for crypto users and investors, while preserving the flexibility necessary for continued technological growth in the fintech space. The consultation will remain open in the coming weeks, inviting perspectives from both industry stakeholders and the general public. David Geale, Executive Director of Payments and Digital Finance at the FCA, emphasized the regulator’s dual commitment to innovation and integrity. “At the FCA, we have long supported innovation that benefits consumers and markets,” Geale said. “At present, crypto is largely unregulated in the UK. We want to strike a balance in support of a sector that enables innovation and is underpinned by market integrity and trust.” The new proposals reflect extensive input from roundtable discussions, industry consultations, and the broader global movement toward regulated digital assets. The FCA acknowledged that while crypto has become increasingly integrated into the UK’s financial ecosystem, the lack of clear rules has left investors vulnerable and market participants operating in a legal grey area. One of the FCA’s core objectives is to ensure that regulated stablecoins maintain their promised peg to a fiat currency, such as the British pound or US dollar. Under the proposed rules, issuers of qualifying stablecoins would be legally obligated to honor 1:1 redemption rights at par value, regardless of the fluctuating value of backing asset portfolios. “We propose to require issuers to provide holders with the right to redeem qualifying stablecoins at par value with the reference currency,” the FCA wrote, “with a payment order placed to an account in the name of the holder at the latest by the end of the business day following receipt of a valid request.” To reinforce consumer protections, stablecoin issuers would be required to appoint independent, third-party custodians to safeguard their reserve assets. Issuers must also disclose clear and accessible information about the structure and quality of the asset backing. This push for transparency comes amid growing global scrutiny over stablecoin reserve practices, especially after the collapse of poorly backed stablecoins like TerraUSD in 2022 triggered industry-wide contagion. Coordination with the Bank of England The FCA is working in tandem with the Bank of England (BoE) to construct a comprehensive framework for stablecoins, especially those that could operate at systemic scale. Sarah Breeden, Deputy Governor for Financial Stability at the BoE, confirmed that the central bank will release a complementary consultation paper later this year. In a separate discussion paper, the FCA introduced sweeping new requirements for firms providing crypto custody services. These proposals are designed to bolster investor confidence by ensuring that crypto assets are held securely and remain readily accessible at all times. Custodians will be expected to follow strict internal controls, implement high-security measures, and maintain transparent procedures for asset segregation, incident reporting, and recovery mechanisms. The proposed rules also seek to reduce both the likelihood and impact of institutional failure, in direct response to previous collapses such as Celsius, BlockFi, and FTX, where customers faced prolonged access delays or complete loss of assets.
“This is getting ridiculous,” exclaimed ETF Store President Nate Geraci on X on May 29, following the latest bumper inflow day for BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT). The BlackRock fund saw another large inflow day on May 28 with $481 million entering the ETF. This has culminated in 33 consecutive trading days without an outflow, the last of which was on April 9. Another nearly *$500mil* into iShares Bitcoin ETF… Starting to get ridiculous. Inflows 30 of past 31 days. Nearly $9.5bil in new $$$. IBIT comfortably in top 5 ETFs by inflows this year (out of 4,200+ ETFs). — Nate Geraci (@NateGeraci) May 29, 2025 Institutional Bitcoin Consumption IBIT is comfortably in the top 5 ETFs by inflows this year out of more than 4,200 funds, observed Geraci. Additionally, IBIT has seen $3.86 billion in inflows over the past fortnight, with a daily average of $430 million. In total, the fund has seen $48.8 billion in inflows since it launched in January 2024. It holds $71 billion in assets under management, which is equivalent to around 650,000 BTC. BlackRock was the only Bitcoin ETF to see an inflow on Wednesday, with Fidelity and Ark 21Shares outflowing $14 million and $34.3 million, respectively, according to Farside Investors. IBIT has been on fire lately, now has $72 billion in assets, which ranks it 23rd overall, “absolutely bonkers for a one-year-old,” said Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas. The big BlackRock figures emphasize the sentiment that this rally is institutionally driven, as large corporations are also adding Bitcoin to their balance sheets, the latest being GameStop , and retail appears to be absent . Balchunas opined that it feels like it’s inevitable that a “Big Boy US company” adds Bitcoin to its balance sheet soon. “Could definitely see Meta being the one to break the ice,” he added. “If a Meta or Microsoft adds BTC to its balance sheet, it will arguably have a bigger impact than all the smaller companies doing it, kinda like when Tom Hanks got COVID, everyone was like ‘oh shit Tom Hanks got it’ which made it feel real even tho the cases had already been mounting.” Crypto Market Outlook Spot markets have dipped 2% on the day, with total capitalization falling to $3.55 trillion. The fall has been led by Bitcoin, which failed to reclaim $108,000 during the Thursday morning Asian trading session and dipped 1% on the day. Ethereum was moving in the opposite direction, adding 4% on the day to top $2,750 at the time of writing, while most of the altcoins were flat. The post BlackRock Bitcoin ETF Sees 33-Day Inflow Run, $4B in Past Fortnight appeared first on CryptoPotato .
The post $57M in USDC Frozen by Circle Amid LIBRA Token Lawsuit appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News Circle has frozen two wallets holding $57 million in USDC following a U.S. federal court order tied to a class-action lawsuit involving the LIBRA memecoin. The freeze comes as part of an ongoing legal battle over the controversial token. A court hearing is scheduled for June 9 to determine whether the funds will remain frozen. This move highlights growing legal pressure on projects tied to memecoins, as regulators and courts take a closer look at investor protections.
The post Metaplanet Bets Bigger on Bitcoin with $21M Zero-Interest Bond Raise appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News Metaplanet has issued another $21 million in zero-interest bonds to buy more Bitcoin, strengthening its commitment to the digital asset. This bold move enables the company to expand its BTC holdings without incurring any interest, demonstrating confidence in Bitcoin’s long-term potential. As traditional financial strategies face growing uncertainty, Metaplanet is turning to crypto as a key part of its strategy. The latest purchase is part of its ongoing effort to build a strong Bitcoin-backed treasury.
Elon Musk’s recent decision to step down from his role as the White House’s government cost-cutting czar highlights the ongoing challenges in federal budget management amid economic uncertainty. Musk’s exit
The three-judge Court of International Trade struck down U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed Liberation Day tariffs, barring most of the restrictions the President imposed on its trading partners. On Wednesday, Trump filed an appeal against the ruling, arguing that his actions aim to address what he called a national emergency. The court said it does not acknowledge the effectiveness of Trump’s use of tariffs as leverage, claiming it was impermissible because federal law doesn’t allow it. The verdict marked a significant setback to the Republican leader as he sought to revise the U.S. trading relationship with the world by forcing governments to the negotiating table through tough tariffs. Trump’s administration slams the Federal Trade Court ruling 🚨JUST IN: President Trump has filed an appeal against the ruling that struck down his Liberation Day Tariffs. pic.twitter.com/evOGXvBym1 — DK🇺🇸🦅🇺🇸 (@1Nicdar) May 29, 2025 The decision quashing the levies gave the White House 10 days to complete the bureaucratic process of halting the tariffs. The administration has already appealed the ruling. Trump’s administration argues that the judges have no right to assess the President’s actions, which the White House frames as a national emergency. Trump’s spokesman, Kush Desai, noted that the President pledged to put America first, and the administration is committed to using every lever of executive power to address the crisis and restore American greatness. Desai’s remarks did not mention any legal challenges, although reports indicated that Trump had already filed a notice of appeal on Wednesday. One of the President’s aides, Stephen Miller, took to social media to condemn what he called a judicial coup that he believed was out of control. The Justice Department has defended Trump’s trade strategy in court, arguing that the judiciary has very limited authority over his actions. The department also condemned the court’s claim that the White House was attempting to take over the power of the other branches of government. Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on April 2 on most trading partners, adding a baseline of 10% with steeper duties on several economies, including China and the European Union. Global markets plummeted but calmed after he paused the larger tariffs for 90 days to allow for negotiations. The court’s verdict also canceled levies that Trump imposed on Canada, Mexico, and China separately using emergency powers. The U.S. President acknowledged that Americans will reap the benefits of his “America First” trade posture, pointing to early successes in deals struck with Britain and China. The US Treasury Secretary mentioned on Friday that the lower 10% baseline tariff rate was contingent on countries or trading blocs that negotiated in good faith. Cryptopolitan Academy: Coming Soon - A New Way to Earn Passive Income with DeFi in 2025. Learn More
Elon Musk confirmed that he’s quitting as the White House’s government cost-cutting czar after admitting it was an “uphill battle” trying to slash federal jobs and programs. Musk’s status as a Special Government Employee leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) meant that by law, he could only serve for a maximum of 130 days, which was set to finish on May 30. Musk confirmed his exit in a May 29 X post, thanking President Donald Trump “for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending.” Reuters reported that a White House official said his “off-boarding will begin tonight.” Musk told The Washington Post for a May 27 report that the “federal bureaucracy situation is much worse” than he expected, and it was “an uphill battle trying to improve things in DC, to say the least.” In separate comments to CBS, Musk criticized the multi-trillion-dollar tax break package that House Republicans approved on May 22, claiming it would increase the budget deficit and undermine the work that DOGE is doing. DOGE, which is named after the cryptocurrency, claims to have saved taxpayers $175 billion since Trump’s Jan. 20 return to the White House, a figure heavily disputed by multiple news outlets, which report the figures are overstated, have multiple errors and are inaccurate. The project’s claimed savings are only 8.5% of Musk’s initial ambition to cut $2 trillion from the federal budget, which he later revised down to $150 billion. According to the Reuters report, DOGE has cut almost 12%, or 260,000, of the 2.3 million federal workforce through layoffs, buyouts and early retirement offers. Despite the criticisms, Musk said on X that DOGE’s mission will “only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.” Source: Elon Musk It comes as a federal judge allowed a lawsuit to proceed that accuses Musk and DOGE of illegally exerting power over government operations. The lawsuit, filed by 14 states, alleged that Musk and DOGE violated the Constitution by illegally accessing government data systems, terminating federal employees and canceling contracts at federal agencies. Musk admits he spent too much time in politics In a May 28 interview with Ars Technica, Musk, the CEO of EV maker Tesla, admitted that he spent “a bit too much time” in politics, which some critics claim has impacted Tesla’s performance . “I think I probably did spend a bit too much time on politics,” Musk said. However, he added that the time he spent on DOGE wasn’t as significant as many believed, and he blamed media coverage for overrepresenting his involvement. “It’s not like I left the companies. It was just relative time allocation that probably was a little too high on the government side, and I’ve reduced that significantly in recent weeks.” When Musk announced in Tesla’s first quarter report that his time spent on DOGE would drop significantly in May, Tesla (TSLA) shares rose over 5% in after-hours trading, despite the company reporting an 80% drop in net income. As of March 31, Tesla still held 11,509 Bitcoin ( BTC ), currently valued at about $1.24 billion. Related: Musk confirms X Money beta testing ahead of planned 2025 launch Tesla shares are still down 5.9% year to date, in part due to Musk diverting his attention away from the company and Tesla’s sales falling considerably in the first quarter. However, the fall is in line with other Big Tech firms, including Apple (AAPL), Nvidia (NVDA), Amazon (AMZN) and Google (GOOG), which are also in the red in 2025. Magazine: Crypto wanted to overthrow banks, now it’s becoming them in stablecoin fight
The post Cardano ETF Delayed Again by SEC, ADA Price Dips 4% appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News In yet another ETF delay, the US SEC has hit a pause on Grayscale’s spot ETFs for Cardano and Avalanche. The decision date is now pushed from May 29 to July 13, and the final deadline for the ruling is on October 22, 2025. JUST IN: The SEC has delayed the Cardano $ADA ETF decision to a later date. https://t.co/DFftBwtodG — TapTools (@TapTools) May 28, 2025 Cardano slipped 4% and AVAX dropped over 2% after the news. A favorable decision was expected to push ADA past the $0.80 mark. However, the delay could now negatively impact the price. The MACD and short-term averages indicate selling pressure, but the long-term outlook is still positive for ADA. Traders on Polymarket are still positive, as it shows a 67% chance of a Cardano ETF approval by the year-end. The community is not surprised, as some see these setbacks as buying opportunities. They say that the regulators may slow the process, but they cannot stop the technology or the believers who keep accumulating. Grayscale filed for the Cardano Trust listing with NYSE Arca in February 2025, then updated the proposal for public feedback. The SEC had 45 days to decide, but pushed the deadline from April 14 to May 29, and now it’s delayed again. However, Cardano is back on eToro’s trading platform as it joined 12 other cryptocurrencies. This comes after eToro paid a $1.5 million fine to the SEC, settling issues that caused ADA to be delisted in 2021. SEC Keeps Delaying ETFs The agency is currently on a streak of delaying spot crypto ETFs, which has cooled off investor sentiment. The CoinShares spot XRP ETF is the latest to face a setback. Just last week, the SEC pushed back decisions on XRP and DOGE ETFs to June 17. ADA To Reach $10? ADA is currently trading at $0.754, down 0.3% in the past day. Analysts believe Cardano is showing signs of entering a major bullish phase, fueled by its integration with Bitcoin Ordinals and emerging as a Bitcoin DeFi layer. Key catalysts include the upcoming Midnight airdrop and the recent Leos upgrade, which boosts Cardano’s speed and scalability. While a short-term dip to the $0.65–$0.58 range is possible, weekly indicators like the MACD and risk models indicate that ADA could reaching $10 in the next bull cycle.
Shiba Inu (SHIB) is facing a challenging market scenario as technical indicators signal a potential downturn, raising concerns among investors. The Shiba Inu community experienced a brief surge in speculative