Uphold stated it is seeking options to earn a yield on $XRP. They are experimenting with XRP staking via Flare Networks. The company shared an X post : “Welcome to smart contracts and DeFi opportunities, #XRPArmy. The company then asked its users to “Stay tuned for the beta.” Uphold intends to take root in the US in following Trump’s pro-crypto stance In the last quarter of 2023, Uphold released Vault , a self-custodianship wallet that the company says empowers user to have more ownership of their digital assets. The wallet launched initially with XRP as an option, in keeping with Uphold’s existing dedication to the token. The company has also highlighted the Flare Network (an EVM-compatible Layer 1 blockchain emphasizing cross-chain interoperability). The recent release of USDT₀, an omnichain variant of Tether’s USDT on Flare, has massively increased the network’s TVL, indicating surging demand for cross-chain DeFi utility. Uphold is further expanding its users’ functionality with the re-launch of its crypto debit card, which is available in the UK and US. It plans to extend the offering to other countries soon. The card (available in a virtual and physical version) offers people a way to spend digital currencies directly from their wallets and thus use crypto more as everyday money. The company’s broader push into the US market reflects a wider trend among crypto firms looking to capitalize on a more favorable regulatory climate under President Donald Trump’s administration. Uphold appears keen to position itself at the forefront of this shift. In March, Uphold reinstated staking rewards for US customers on 19 digital assets such as Ethereum, Solana, and NEAR. Concerning this, Uphold CEO Simon McLoughlin highlighted that staking is important in how blockchain works and the online economy. Based on his argument, users should be able to back this activity and earn rewards. He further stated that with the new focus on blockchain in the U.S., they are excited to provide staking services to their customers in the US once more. Building on that momentum, Uphold announced on May 30 that it will soon offer direct deposits with integrated rewards for US users. This feature includes a “Direct Salary Deposit” option, paired with the industry’s first 4% XRP-back reward. Additionally, users can earn 5% rewards on RLUSD, Ripple’s new USD-backed stablecoin. Through a mix of DeFi integrations, payment tools, and rewards, Uphold is aggressively expanding its footprint in the US while bringing greater utility to XRP and other digital assets. Uphold disabled staking amid regulatory uncertainties US staking was not available at Uphold as of 2023. The main reason was regulatory uncertainty regarding crypto staking. Staking firms failed to disclose enough information to their clients, specifically how they were securing their staked assets, the SEC complaint alleges. The agency also assessed whether staking services constituted unregistered securities offerings. Numerous of them were left with no choice but to pause or limit the staking offers in the United States. A significant instance of this regulatory move happened when the SEC reached a $30 million settlement with Kraken, a major crypto exchange, for providing unregistered staking services. This very public case warned the rest of the industry and likely caused Uphold to stop its staking services. That is why companies might hesitate to provide their stacking services. Uphold’s recent consideration to take root in the US in the staking sector marks a significant milestone in the crypto community. This is because as investors earn passive income through staking, liquidity, and stability will be achieved. This represents a giant bet on cryptocurrencies. KEY Difference Wire : the secret tool crypto projects use to get guaranteed media coverage
Ripple’s chairman Chris Larsen praised the crypto network’s move toward greener energy this week. He spoke after Ripple handed over the “Skull of Satoshi” artwork at the 2025 Bitcoin conference. Larsen said the gift was a way to recognize progress and to build a better rapport between the two camps. Related Reading: $400K Bitcoin? Analyst Says It’s Not A Dream—It’s ‘Coded’ Ripple Bridges A Divide According to posts on X, Larsen funded the “Change the Code, Not the Climate” campaign entirely on his own back in 2023. He spent six figures to back Canadian artist Benjamin Von Wong’s piece, which urged Bitcoin to swap its energy-guzzling proof-of-work system for something kinder to the planet. The plan didn’t pan out as he had hoped. Still, Larsen seemed upbeat about moving past that setback. He made clear Ripple itself didn’t put any cash into the drive. In early 2023 when I funded the “Change the Code” campaign, my goal was to see if there was a way to turn Bitcoin into an accelerator for direct air capture. The campaign didn’t work, and that’s ok! Note – Ripple did not fund this campaign. Bitcoin’s energy transition in the… https://t.co/qIcadDtzDu — Chris Larsen (@chrislarsensf) May 28, 2025 Bitcoin’s Shift To Renewables Based on reports from the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, about 50% of Bitcoin’s power now comes from renewable sources. That includes wind, hydropower and even nuclear energy. Miners have also tapped into waste gas projects, turning flared natural gas into fuel for their rigs. Five years ago, those numbers were far smaller. Today, the shift shows that Bitcoin can clean up its act without rewriting its code. Special guest at Bitcoin 2025 – the Skull of Satoshi, donated by @Ripple to the Bitcoin community. The Skull will now have a permanent home at the Bitcoin Museum in Nashville. pic.twitter.com/Eo3kNqRvGp — The Bitcoin Conference (@TheBitcoinConf) May 28, 2025 Skull Of Satoshi Donation At yesterday’s conference, Ripple formally handed the skull sculpture to the wider Bitcoin community. The gesture was more than a photo-op. It signaled that Ripple wants to ease the tension between XRP supporters and Bitcoin purists. In the past, the two groups have sparred over fees, speed and now environmental impact. By giving away an artwork meant to spark debate, Ripple is saying, “Let’s talk, not fight.” Call For A United Crypto Front Ripple’s CEO Brad Garlinghouse joined in the show of goodwill. He called on all crypto players to pull together. He urged regulators to carve out clearer rules, and asked industry insiders to focus on serving the unbanked. Garlinghouse stressed that XRP and Bitcoin fans have more in common than they might think. He said it’s time to unite against outside pressures, like tightening regulations and market skepticism. Related Reading: Tether’s 2-Year, $5 Billion Investment Blitz Fuels US Companies: CEO Looking ahead, Ripple’s move could set a tone for how rival networks interact. It proves that even tough critics can find common ground. And it suggests that big art—and big ideas—can help bridge divides. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView
Sui validators back recovery plan with over 10% pass rate as Cetus revenue surges on the process.
Ripple’s Chief Legal Officer, Stuart Alderoty, has publicly endorsed the newly introduced Digital Asset Market Clarity Act (CLARITY Act). He calls it a significant step toward establishing a clear and consistent regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies in the United States. Alderoty argued that “Clarity shouldn’t be controversial” and that the bill would allow for a practical and intelligent regulatory environment . The Ripple’s Chief Legal Officer thanked some prominent lawmakers for their role in leading the charge. This list includes Representatives French Hill, Congressman Glenn Thompson, Angie Craig, the GOP Majority Whip Dusty Johnson, Don Davis, Bryan Steil, Ritchie, and Davidson. Their work underscores the need for new regulatory guidelines that can be spun up and revised quickly as the digital assets space accelerates. Rep. Bryan Steil released the following statement regarding the CLARITY Act on X. The post mentions that the bill is designed to bring clarity to digital assets during this golden period. Supporters of the bill are united by a desire to enable the digital assets sector to expand by establishing a trustworthy and predictable set of laws. Right now, businesses and investors are often uncertain about which of their activities may delay the future of the industry. Bipartisan CLARITY Act redefines crypto oversight Introduced on May 29, 2025, by members of Congress from both sides of the aisle, the CLARITY Act seeks to clarify the regulatory roles of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) regarding digital assets. The bill is looking to categorize most cryptocurrencies as virtual commodities overseen by the CFTC rather than as a security regime, as is the current practice of the SEC. With the rising use of digital assets, now is a good moment for such a move. This is because their increasing adoption and market maturity offer opportunities for broader economic integration. The rising use of these assets is also a concept shared by MicroStrategy executive chairman Michael Saylor . Alderoty noted the bill’s significance in bringing “long-overdue clarity” to the digital asset landscape. The bill, he said, takes the industry closer to a “smart, workable framework” that creates an equilibrium between innovation and consumer protection. CLARITY Act safe harbor advances as Ripple calls for clear crypto rules The CLARITY Act also introduces a four-year safe harbor provision for primary token offerings if the underlying network reaches a “mature blockchain system” status and the total raise stays below $75 million during any 12-month window. Alderoty also supported the CLARITY Act, as Ripple remains committed to advocating for regulatory clarity regarding the cryptocurrency industry. He has sent a letter to the SEC requesting the commission to clarify when a digital asset ceases to be an investment contract . Not all of them, he contended, should be subject to the same securities regulations — especially not on secondary market transactions — and he offered a safe harbor to shield compliant crypto issuers from enforcement risk. As XRP regains attention as a top crypto buy with the Ripple SEC lawsuit nearing resolution, uncertainty lingers following SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce’s recent “New Paradigm” speech. Ripple’s letter directly responds to the pivotal question posed in the speech: “When does a digital asset separate from an investment contract?” Ripple referenced established securities law analysis from legal experts like Lewis Cohen in its response. Cohen’s analysis contends that current US investment contract law does not consider routine transfers of most fungible crypto assets in secondary markets as securities. With the CLARITY Act, the US may finally start taking concrete steps to provide regulatory clarity for the crypto industry. While the bill gets consideration in the legislative committee, its passage would lay a benchmark for the future of how US regulators will oversee digital assets. Your crypto news deserves attention - KEY Difference Wire puts you on 250+ top sites
Bitcoin (BTC) continues to face challenges, recently down 5.3% amid signs of increased whale activity that may signal reaccumulation efforts. Despite the recent downturn, heightened volatility and potential bearish signals
The Bank of England might explore acquiring Bitcoin amid crypto interest. Nigel Farage's Reform UK proposes a Bitcoin reserve and reduced crypto taxes. Continue Reading: Bank of England Considers Bold Move into Bitcoin Reserves The post Bank of England Considers Bold Move into Bitcoin Reserves appeared first on COINTURK NEWS .
Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that incorporate staking for Ethereum and Solana could hit the U.S. market in the coming weeks, following a notable regulatory filing by ETF provider REX Shares. Analysts suggest the move employs strategic regulatory workarounds to bypass conventional SEC procedures. Unique Structure Behind the REX ETFs According to ETF analyst James Seyffart, the REX filings utilize an unusual structural classification. “These ETFs are structured as c-corps. Which is very rare in the ETF world,” he explained on May 30. REX confirmed that the fund would be taxed as a C-corporation, meaning both current and deferred tax expenses will be factored into the fund’s Net Asset Value (NAV). This model deviates from the norm and raises questions about its implications for investors. Staking as a Missing Puzzle Piece Staking has been one of the most anticipated features for spot Ethereum ETFs since their debut in July 2024. Many industry executives believe the absence of staking has made these products incomplete. ETF Store President Nate Geraci called REX’s approach a “regulatory end-around” and expressed confidence in their imminent launch. Bypassing the SEC’s Traditional Path Seyffart noted that the REX funds are 40-act funds and thus avoid the usual 19b-4 regulatory review process. This is a critical workaround, particularly in light of the SEC’s recent delay on Bitwise’s application to add staking to its own Ether ETF. “This was one way to get some level of signoff from the SEC,” Seyffart said. Fund Mechanics and Market Entry REX’s proposed ETFs will gain spot exposure to Ether and Solana through Cayman-based subsidiaries. The structure is designed to allow staking of at least 50% of each token, marking a significant shift from earlier offerings. Seyffart added, “All of this, assuming they launch in the near future, is a bunch of clever legal and regulatory workarounds to get these products to market.” The launch, though not yet dated, appears imminent based on regulatory patterns and market positioning. BlackRock Perspective Adds Weight On March 20, BlackRock’s head of digital assets, Robbie Mitchnick, described their own Ether ETF as a “tremendous success.” However, he admitted the lack of staking made the product “less perfect.” The addition of staking capabilities is seen by many as essential for ETFs aiming to fully capture the benefits of Ethereum and Solana’s proof-of-stake networks. The developments from REX could potentially open the floodgates for similar fund structures, signaling a new phase of innovation in crypto-linked investment vehicles.
With bitcoin still hovering above the $100,000 mark but slipping since hitting its record high, four vintage wallets from 2011 sprang to life this week, moving 221.99 BTC—worth over $23 million—for the first time in nearly 14 years. Dormant Bitcoin From 2011 Springs to Life Early-era bitcoin stashes from 2009, 2010, and 2011 rarely move
In a strategic move impacting global markets, President Trump declared on May 30th his decision to escalate tariffs on imported steel from 25% to a substantial 50%. This announcement was
According to a recent report by Benzinga, **Lunar Digital Assets** has unveiled the **LitVM** network, enhancing the **Litecoin ecosystem** with zero-knowledge Layer-2 capabilities. This innovative network, which is built on