Durov also argued that it is absurd to hold a platform’s executive personally liable for user actions. He said Telegram complies with lawful requests while refusing to compromise on privacy, but warned that the year-long ordeal damaged France’s image as a free nation. Meanwhile, Coinbase secured a pause in a lawsuit over alleged violations of Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act. A judge agreed to wait for a related appellate ruling that could set precedent. The case accuses Coinbase of improperly collecting and sharing biometric data, which only adds to its legal troubles after a data breach earlier this year. Telegram Founder Blasts French Charges Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, spoke out once again about his ongoing legal case in France, and described the criminal investigation against him as “struggling” to find any evidence of wrongdoing. In a Telegram post on Sunday, Durov called his arrest by French authorities in August 2024 “unprecedented” and explained that holding a technology executive personally responsible for the actions of independent users was both “legally and logically absurd.” He also explained that Telegram’s moderation practices are consistent with industry standards and held firm that the company always complied with every legally binding request from French authorities. Telegram post from Pavel Durov Despite this, Durov revealed that one year later he is still required to return to France every 14 days, with no appeal date yet set. He warned that the French government’s handling of the case already caused “irreparable damage” to France’s image as a free country. His arrest last year triggered a wave of backlash from the crypto community, human rights organizations, and free speech advocates, many of whom accused the French government of trying to pressure Telegram into adopting stronger censorship policies. French prosecutors charged Durov in connection with Telegram’s content moderation policies, and alleged that the platform was being used to host harmful material. After his arrest, he was barred from leaving the country. French President Emmanuel Macron defended the move at the time, and rejected accusations that the arrest was politically motivated. He insisted that it was made within the framework of protecting citizens’ rights and freedoms. However, his comments only fueled further criticism online. Mert Mumtaz, CEO of node provider Helius, responded sharply to Macron by asking why the French leader was not being held personally accountable for failing to prevent all crime within France. Durov consistently maintained that Telegram respects the rule of law and complies with law enforcement requests, but he has also vowed that the platform will never compromise user privacy by handing over encryption keys or building backdoors into its systems. Instead, he said Telegram would rather exit a jurisdiction than give in to demands that violate its principles. Judge Pauses Coinbase Biometric Privacy Lawsuit In other legal news, a federal judge in Illinois granted Coinbase’s request to pause proceedings in a lawsuit about violations of the state’s Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). The lawsuit was filed in May, and claimed that Coinbase collected users’ biometric data, including faceprints, as part of its Know Your Customer requirements without providing proper notice. Plaintiffs also alleged that the company shared this sensitive information with third-party verification providers without consent, which they said breached Illinois law. In a Thursday filing, Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman of the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division ruled in favor of Coinbase’s motion to stay the case while awaiting a decision from the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. The appellate court is currently reviewing a case involving Nuance Communications and Charles Schwab’s use of voice identification technology. This ruling could directly impact the Coinbase matter. Judge Coleman said staying the case will help simplify issues, reduce litigation burdens, and would not cause undue prejudice against the plaintiffs. Coinbase ID verification process (Source: CourtListener ) Illinois’ BIPA sets strict rules for how private entities handle biometric data. Violations that are deemed negligent can result in penalties of $1,000 per occurrence, while reckless or intentional violations can carry fines of up to $5,000 per instance. The plaintiffs in the Coinbase lawsuit are also seeking to recover litigation costs. The legal challenge comes as Coinbase still faces scrutiny over its handling of user data. In May, the exchange disclosed a data breach involving customer support contractors in India who were bribed to access user accounts. The individuals behind the breach allegedly tried to extort $20 million worth of Bitcoin from Coinbase, though the company refused to comply. The breach has since led to several lawsuits alleging mishandling of personal data,which only complicated Coinbase’s legal and regulatory challenges in the United States.
Aave WLFI dispute erupted after conflicting claims about a 7% WLFI token allocation to Aave; the disagreement sparked immediate market volatility and an 8% AAVE price decline, highlighting governance and
Bitcoin custody risk has increased after a whale moved $806M into Ethereum and a report warned U.S.-based custodians face potential confiscation or rehypothecation. Investors should prefer direct Bitcoin ownership and
Bitcoin Magazine CEO David Bailey drew a very optimistic picture for Bitcoin (BTC) in his statement on the X platform. Bailey said, “There will be no more Bitcoin bear markets in the next few years. Every sovereign state, bank, insurance company, business, pension fund, and other institution will eventually hold Bitcoin. This process has officially begun, and we haven't even occupied 0.01% of the total market yet. The price of Bitcoin will rise much higher.” Meanwhile, Michael Saylor, chairman of Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy), shared a BTC chart on the X platform, once again showing buy points marked in orange. Saylor has been known to make official announcements about the company's Bitcoin accumulation shortly after releasing this data. Therefore, investors are expecting MicroStrategy to announce new BTC purchases next week. Related News: JUST IN: Ethereum (ETH) Reaches Over $4,900 for the First Time in Its History - Here Are the Details According to the data, MicroStrategy's Bitcoin portfolio currently holds 629,376 BTC, worth a total of $72.1 billion. With an average purchase price of $73,332, the company's investment represents a 56.22% profit at current prices. The last transaction took place on August 18, 2025. On that date, the company purchased 430 BTC for $119,666. The purchase cost approximately $51.4 million, with a current value of $49.26 million and a current loss of 4.16%. *This is not investment advice. Continue Reading: Big Bull Saylor Gives Another Signal Today – Another CEO Says, “Don’t Wait a Bear Market for a Couple of Years”
Asia stock rise on Monday following an upbeat session on Wall Street Friday after Fed Chair Jerome Powell signaled the possibility of a September rate cut during his Jackson Hole speech. China and Hong Kong markets led the region's gains, with local technology and artificial intelligence stocks performing particularly well. Silver prices held steady around $38.8 per ounce on Monday, hovering near their highest levels since 2011 amid bets on US Federal Reserve policy easing. Gold dipped to around $3,360 per ounce on Monday, following a more than 1% gain in the previous session. Japan ( NKY:IND ) rose 0.25% to above 42,900, while the broader Topix Index gained 0.5% to 3,116. The Japanese yen weakened to around 147.4 per dollar on Monday, giving back gains from the previous session, despite hawkish comments from Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda. Speaking at the Federal Reserve’s Jackson Hole conference on Saturday, Ueda said wages in Japan are expected to rise further amid a tightening labor market, signaling confidence that conditions for another interest rate hike are coming together. China ( SHCOMP ) rose 0.78% to above 3,860, while the Shenzhen Component climbed 1.8% to 12,384 on Monday, with the former hitting fresh ten-year highs as market momentum continued to strengthen, and the offshore yuan edged higher to around 7.16 per dollar on Monday, extending gains from the previous session to its highest level in four weeks. The People’s Bank of China injected a total of CNY 600 billion into financial institutions on August 25 through its one-year medium-term lending facility, aiming to maintain ample liquidity in the banking system. China has released draft regulations aimed at curbing unfair pricing practices on internet platforms, following widespread complaints from merchants and consumers. Hong Kong ( HSI ) rose 1.90% to 25,836 in Monday morning deals, extending gains for the second session and hitting their highest level in almost four years. India ( SENSEX ) rose 0.11% to 81,459 in morning trade on Monday, erasing losses from the previous session. The Indian rupee weakened to around 87.43 per dollar on Monday, marking its third straight session of losses. Trade talks with Washington are ongoing, but India has drawn firm redlines, Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said Saturday, underscoring the need to protect farmers and small producers. His comments come days before additional U.S. tariffs of up to 50% on Indian goods take effect, among the steepest levies imposed by Washington, in response to New Delhi’s increased Russian oil imports. Australia ( AS51 ) rose 0.01% moving back above the record 9,000 milestones breached last week. The Australian dollar weakened to below $0.648 on Monday, pulling back from a 1.1% surge in the previous session. Australia’s government has unveiled a set of urgent measures to accelerate home construction amid a deepening national housing crisis, Bloomberg News said. In the U.S. on Friday, all three major indexes ended higher after Fed Chair Powell signaled the possibility of a September rate cut during his Jackson Hole speech, sparking the strongest cross-asset rally since April. Canada said Friday it will lift its 25% tariff on about half of the U.S. goods targeted since March, in a bid to reset trade ties with Washington. U.S. stock futures held steady on Monday as investors awaited a busy week of corporate earnings: Dow -0.08% ; S&P 500 -0.06% ; Nasdaq -0.05% . Nvidia and CrowdStrike are set to report results on Wednesday, followed by Dell and Marvell on Thursday. Attention will also turn to Friday’s release of the July personal consumption expenditures price index, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge. Currencies: ( JPY:USD ), ( CNY:USD ), ( AUD:USD ), ( INR:USD ), ( HKD:USD ), ( NZD:USD ). More on Asia: Japan's core inflation tops forecasts in July, rose 3.1% Y/Y Japan's manufacturing sector shrinks less than expected to 49.9 in August, services growth slows to 52.7 Australia's manufacturing and services sectors show strongest growth in nearly three years PBOC keeps lending rates at record lows for third straight month Japan's economy accelerates by 0.3% in Q2, beating forecasts
Panama, July 29, 2025 – HTX, a leading global crypto exchange, recently announced its robust performance for the first half of 2025, demonstrating resilient growth in both user base and trading volume despite macro headwinds and a shifting regulatory environment. To mark the occasion, HTX held a livestreamed strategy session on July 22, hosted by Molly, a leading voice within the HTX DAO ecosystem. The session featured a detailed review of HTX and HTX DAO’s achievements in the first half of the year, alongside a preview of key initiatives planned for the second half. From user acquisition and asset expansion to DAO governance upgrades and global compliance, both platforms continue to push the boundaries of user empowerment and ecosystem growth in the crypto space. A Growth Paradigm Backed by Strategic Focus While many crypto exchanges experienced stagnation or even recession in the first half of 2025, HTX defied market gravity with strong double-digit growth: ● User base surged past 50 million, marking a 14% increase in the past six months ● Trading volume rose by 17% YoY, with traders increasing by 11% ● In Q1, HTX stood out as the only Top 10 exchange to post positive trading volume growth, despite broad market weakness The third-party data strongly supports HTX’s resilience. As of end-May, at a time when global capital inflows became increasingly selective, HTX led the industry across 24H/7D/30D net inflows, reinforcing its status as a trusted “safe harbor” amid volatility. Behind these numbers lies HTX’s long-term commitment to high-quality assets, emerging narratives, and enhanced user experience. The platform secured early spots in key narratives like meme coins, AI, and stablecoins, and was among the first to launch breakout tokens in these sectors. HTX has also reportedly emerged as a first mover in stablecoin infrastructure. Spotting early signals from regulators and institutions this year, HTX identified stablecoins as a critical bridge between traditional finance and Web3, essential for broader crypto adoption and large-scale application. Prioritizing long-term ecosystem value over short-term profit, the platform launched six major stablecoins, including USD1, in May, accelerating its exploration in this sector. Meanwhile, HTX DAO continued to build its system infrastructure beyond token price, introducing a $HTX deflationary mechanism and deepening community governance. In Q2, $HTX burn volume rose by 15% quarter-over-quarter, bringing total burned value to $136 million, nearly 10% of its market cap. This demonstrates HTX DAO’s commitment to value anchoring and deflationary tokenomics. *View the full H1 2025 HTX performance report: https://square.htx.com.de/htx-releases-2025-mid-year-report-50-million-users-6-4-billion-assets-and-hot-crypto-surging-850-securely-positioned-among-the-worlds-top-exchanges/ Charting the Future with User Empowerment at the Core After a foundational first half, HTX is doubling down on its long-term goal of building a decentralized, fully transparent “People’s Exchange,” while HTX DAO is entering a new phase centered on community-driven governance. ● Climbing the compliance curve via on-chain value allocation According to Molly, HTX DAO is actively exploring partnerships with compliant U.S.-based exchanges. While regulatory complexity has slowed progress, the strategic intent remains clear and unwavering. Additionally, a newly updated HTX DAO whitepaper, now under legal review, will enshrine a mechanism to burn 50% of quarterly revenue in $HTX. “This signals HTX DAO’s shift toward deeper compliance and true decentralization,” said Molly. “By transparent revenue allocation and token burn mechanism, we’re reinforcing community trust and creating long-term value for $HTX holders.” ● Shifting governance and rewarding rights to the community through token empowerment HTX DAO’s second-half priority is token-based empowerment. Beyond the existing voting and token recommendation mechanisms, new initiatives will further decentralize governance and incentivize participation: 1. DAO Treasury System : A share of trading fees will flow into a community-managed treasury, funding ecosystem growth and innovation. 2. On-Chain Point-Based Reward System: Community engagement, such as posting, content sharing, or project referrals, will be recorded on-chain. Contributors will be rewarded via future token airdrops, transforming participation into yield. Molly claimed that these mechanisms represent a pivot handover of platform governance and revenue allocation rights, and they will redefine the user-platform relationship in the Web3 era. “It is just getting started,” she added. “More token utility and holder rewards are in the pipeline.” ● A comprehensive product upgrade for an improved experience In today’s market, a long-term vision and user-centric products are paramount. HTX is responding with a renewed focus on product innovation to create a more secure and intuitive trading experience. In H1 2025, HTX launched P2P Premium, the industry’s first P2P trading zone featuring high quality. With risk-factor detection, strict KYC enforcement, and 24/7 manual reviews, the platform guarantees zero payment anomalies and zero fund freezes, a new benchmark for P2P trading safety. In Q3, HTX brings a full app upgrade across 20+ products, including spot, margin, and futures trading. Users will enjoy enhanced UX, visual refreshes, and seamless order execution. A Fair, Transparent Path for Quality Asset Listings The live stream also addressed the community’s questions on token recommendation standards for listing. HTX’s listing framework is built around three pillars of strong community demand, a proven team and clear tokenomics, and the long-term commitment to community-building and value creation (e.g., $CFX). “Backed by robust liquidity and an active user base, HTX helps premium projects attract immediate market attention. With the global reach of our advisor Justin Sun, HTX listings often spark industry-wide momentum,” said Molly. To protect the integrity of the token recommendation, strict quality thresholds and anti-rigging safeguards are in place. Ultimately, Justin Sun plays an influential advisory role, offering strategic expertise and insights to support HTX’s leadership, ensuring fairness and preventing manipulation or bribery. HTX is taking the “bold yet cautious” approach to decentralization. During the DAO’s governance maturation phase, temporary centralized safeguards ensure system stability. HTX’s ultimate goal is to institutionalize a fully decentralized, user-governed exchange model with verifiable on-chain accountability. The post From Trading to Empowerment: HTX Unveils 2025 Mid-Year Performance and Strategic Roadmap first appeared on HTX Square .
Metaplanet has once again expanded its Bitcoin reserves , acquiring 103 tokens for 1.736b yen, or about $11.8m, as part of its ongoing treasury strategy. The Tokyo-listed company now holds 18,991 Bitcoin in total, purchased at an average price of 15.05m yen per coin. In dollar terms, its stash is valued at more than $2.14b at current exchange rates. The move comes just a week after Metaplanet added 775 Bitcoin to its balance sheet, showing its rapid accumulation pace. This latest buy is part of what the firm calls its Bitcoin Treasury Operations, a strategy formalized last year to position Bitcoin as a core corporate reserve asset. Under this approach, Metaplanet taps capital markets through share issuances and bond programs, then channels the proceeds directly into Bitcoin acquisitions. *Metaplanet Acquires Additional 103 $BTC , Total Holdings Reach 18,991 BTC* pic.twitter.com/kCDNFw2zTy — Metaplanet Inc. (@Metaplanet_JP) August 25, 2025 Partial Redemption Of 19th Series Bonds Signals Balance Sheet Optimization As part of its balance sheet management, Metaplanet also redeemed 3b yen (about $20.4m) of its 19th Series Ordinary Bonds. The partial redemption reflects the company’s effort to optimize liabilities while continuing to allocate aggressively into Bitcoin. Metaplanet has attracted attention across financial markets for its aggressive pivot into digital assets. Often dubbed “Asia’s MicroStrategy” by industry watchers, the firm has mirrored the US software company’s strategy of leveraging corporate financing to build a massive Bitcoin war chest. Recent disclosures show the company actively uses stock acquisition rights to raise capital. Earlier this month, more than 4.9m new shares were issued following the exercise of warrants, further funding its crypto purchases. Metaplanet’s Strategy Anchored On Long-Term Bitcoin Value Over Fiat Reserves The company’s filings also outline its use of unique performance metrics such as “BTC Yield” and “BTC Gain” to measure shareholder value in Bitcoin terms rather than traditional profit and loss. In the quarter to date, Metaplanet reported a 29.1% BTC Yield, showing how its holdings per share continue to rise despite equity dilution. Its rapid accumulation also reflects Japan’s growing role in digital assets, at a time when regulatory clarity in the US has driven renewed institutional interest. The company’s aggressive stance comes against a backdrop of volatile markets. Bitcoin has been trading around $113,000 in recent days, pulling back slightly after setting record highs earlier this month. For Metaplanet shareholders, the wager is clear. Management has repeatedly argued that Bitcoin offers superior long-term value preservation compared with fiat cash reserves, and that the company’s role is to maximize Bitcoin per share through disciplined financing. The post Metaplanet Pushes Bitcoin Holdings Higher With Fresh $11.8M Buy, Now Holds Near 19K BTC appeared first on Cryptonews .
RWA tokenization is the process of representing real-world financial assets as onchain tokens, enabling fractional ownership, faster settlement, and broader liquidity. Recent data shows tokenized real-world assets reached an all-time
COINOTAG reported that, per on-chain analysis, trader “Brother Ma Ji” Huang Licheng initiated significant leveraged longs on the Hyperliquid venue, taking a 25x exposure on 15,600 ETH and a 40x