Author: Ian Mutwiri

Bybit becomes the first exchange to receive UAE’s full Virtual Asset Operator License. The license strengthens Bybit’s compliance-first strategy and global regulatory roadmap. Bybit plans major UAE expansion with 500 hires and new Web3 initiatives. Bybit achieved a new milestone as the first Virtual Asset Platform Operator License was issued to the company by the Securities and Commodities Authority in the UAE. The license will enable the exchange to provide regulated crypto trading, brokerage, custody, and fiat conversion services throughout the nation. The action helps in the UAE ambition of being the top international hub in digital resources and financial…

PayPay’s 40% stake in Binance Japan strengthens integration between crypto and digital payments. Partnership aims to enable seamless crypto purchases and withdrawals through PayPay’s vast network. Binance Japan and PayPay collaboration accelerates Japan’s transition toward mainstream Web3 financial adoption. PayPay Acquires 40% Stake in Binance Japan The Japanese branch of Binance, the world leader in the crypto market Binance Japan Co., Ltd. has signed a capital and business partnership with PayPay Corporation, which is one of the largest providers of cashless payment services in Japan. In this arrangement, PayPay has purchased a 40% equity interest in Binance Japan, indicating a…

The Bank of France urges ESMA-led crypto oversight to prevent fragmented EU supervision. Villeroy warns dollar-backed stablecoins could undermine euro and EU monetary sovereignty. Unified regulation under ESMA is seen as crucial for investor protection and market stability. France urges unified EU crypto supervision under ESMA The Bank of France seeks the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) to have direct crypto oversight by the European Union. Governor Francois Villeroy de Galhau, speaking at the ACPR-AMF Fintech Forum in Paris, said the single system is crucial to financial sovereignty. He cautioned that national regulators do not enforce regulations on the…

Coinbase launches in-app DEX trading for U.S. users, excluding New York residents. Integration with 1inch enables secure, non-custodial swaps within the Coinbase app. Base-native tokens lead the rollout, bridging centralized and decentralized finance markets. Coinbase has expanded its on-chain capacity as it has officially launched in-app DEX trading to its U.S. clients, but not New York customers because of regulatory limitations. The new functionality enables users to read and trade about millions of assets in the Coinbase application seconds after their launch. The company seeks to connect the centralized and decentralized finance by providing a smooth and secure point of…

VARA fined 19 firms for unlicensed crypto operations and marketing violations. Penalties ranged from AED 100,000 to 600,000 to enforce strict compliance. Dubai strengthens virtual asset oversight to balance innovation and investor protection. VARA Tightens Oversight of Virtual Asset Operators The Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) in Dubai has been enforcing more vigorous actions by fining 19 companies that have unofficially worked and violated the marketing laws. In an official statement on Tuesday, the regulatory authority issued cease-and-desist orders and fined between AED 100,000 and AED 600,000 (approximately $27,000-163,000). These actions highlight Dubai’s increasing focus on preserving credibility and compliance…

India accelerates digital rupee rollout to strengthen financial transparency and efficiency nationwide. Government discourages cryptocurrencies lacking tangible assets to maintain monetary system stability. Despite restrictions, India remains global leader in crypto adoption and blockchain innovation. India is one step away to a fully digitalized financial ecosystem as the government is on its way to scale up the central bank digital currency (CBDC) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Addressing the Doha Digital conference, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal noted that the digital rupee is soon going to be put into a wider rollout. The stance of the government…

The U.S. moves closer to a formal Bitcoin reserve, signaling mainstream federal crypto adoption. The Treasury confirms $15–20 billion in seized Bitcoin already under federal control. Texas and Trump-backed legislation drive momentum toward a nationwide Bitcoin reserve policy. The United States has been progressing towards a state where its government supports a Bitcoin reserve as a component of its new digital asset policy. Senator Cynthia Lummis declared that the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR) might start funding anytime, and it is a historic milestone in federal crypto policy. Her comments follow on Bitcoin shooting to $126,000, which bolsters institutional trust in…

Vietnam will license only five crypto exchanges under its new pilot program. No firms have applied yet as regulations and coordination frameworks are finalized. The pilot aims to integrate digital assets into Vietnam’s regulated financial system. Finance Ministry limits crypto exchange pilot to five licenses The Ministry of Finance (MoF) of Vietnam has stated that it will license no more than five businesses to take part in its pilot crypto asset exchange program. The limit was announced by Deputy Finance Minister Nguyen Duc Chi in a government press conference on October 5, claiming that the move is intended to pilot…

China Financial secures HK$86.5M to launch a new Crypto-AI investment platform. Innoval Capital, led by Antalpha CEO Moore Xin Jin, acquires 69.38M shares. Hong Kong’s pro-crypto policy drives institutional interest in digital asset investments. China Financial Leasing Group Limited has announced a proposed amount of HK$86.5 million (or around 11.1 million) to invest in its cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence (AI) investment business. The Hong Kong listed investment company stated that the funds would create a new Crypto-AI digital asset investment platform in its corporate group. The relocation is in line with the Hong Kong policy agenda of establishing itself as…

Coinbase seeks OCC charter to expand services nationwide without state-by-state approval. Federal oversight strengthens Coinbase’s custody foundation while enabling payments and settlement growth. Industry peers like Circle and Ripple also pursue federal supervision for uniform regulation. Coinbase has shifted towards increasing its regulatory setup and its presence within the digital asset sector. The company stated that it has also submitted a national trust charter application to the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). In case it passed the charter, Coinbase would be able to expand beyond custody services but be subjected to direct federal oversight. The shift…