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Seoul, South Korea – In a landmark policy reversal, South Korean financial authorities are preparing to approve the listing of spot Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the second half of 2025. This move signals a major shift from the government's previously prohibitive stance and positions South Korea to align with other global financial hubs like the United States and Hong Kong.
The significant change in policy is reportedly driven by a new, more crypto-friendly political landscape. Recent reports indicate that the Financial Services Commission (FSC) has submitted a roadmap to the Presidential Committee on Policy Planning to prepare for the launch of local crypto ETFs. This follows election promises from the now-majority Democratic Party, which campaigned on a platform that included lifting the domestic ban on these popular investment products to prevent capital outflow and foster innovation.
This strategic pivot is expected to unlock a substantial wave of capital in one of the world's most active cryptocurrency markets. The introduction of regulated crypto ETFs will provide both institutional and retail investors with a secure and accessible way to gain exposure to digital assets through traditional brokerage accounts. The move is widely seen as a crucial step in legitimizing the domestic crypto market and enhancing investor protection.
Market analysts are closely watching the developments, anticipating that the approval could have a significant impact on the local market, including the dynamic of the famous "Kimchi Premium." By formally integrating crypto products into its regulated financial system, South Korea is not only responding to immense domestic demand but also ensuring it remains a competitive player in the rapidly evolving global digital asset space.
#CryptoNews #BitcoinETF #SouthKorea #CryptoRegulation #Bitcoin #Ethereum #FSC

Changpeng 'CZ' Zhao, the influential founder of Binance, has issued a public call for all cryptocurrency platforms to integrate a "will function," a feature designed to ensure the seamless transfer of digital assets to designated heirs after an owner's death. The proposal aims to tackle one of the longest-standing and most critical challenges in the crypto space: what happens to assets when the owner is no longer around.
In a statement posted on social media, CZ highlighted the massive and often permanent loss of funds that occurs when users pass away without leaving behind instructions or access to their private keys or accounts. It's estimated that billions of dollars in crypto have been rendered inaccessible for this reason. "This is a topic people avoid, but the fact is, humans cannot live forever yet," Zhao stated, emphasizing the need for a responsible, industry-wide solution. The proposed function would allow users to formally designate beneficiaries who could then undergo a verified process to claim the assets.
The call comes shortly after Binance itself implemented an enhanced inheritance feature, allowing users to name an emergency contact who can be notified after a prolonged period of inactivity to initiate an inheritance claim. CZ's advocacy for a universal standard suggests a push to make such features a core component of user protection and trust across all centralized exchanges. This move addresses a key barrier to mainstream adoption, as potential long-term investors are often concerned about the security and succession of their digital wealth.
While the proposal has been widely praised for its practicality, it also highlights the fundamental difference between holding assets on a centralized platform and in a self-custody wallet. A "will function" is a service that centralized entities can provide, contrasting with the absolute self-sovereignty of DeFi where the responsibility for succession planning lies solely with the individual user. Nonetheless, standardizing this process could represent a major step in maturing the digital asset industry and protecting the legacy of its users.
#CryptoInheritance #CZ #Binance #DigitalAssets #EstatePlanning #Crypto #Blockchain

BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, has added another 6,018.36 Ethereum (ETH) to its holdings, a transaction valued at approximately $15.1 million. This acquisition is the latest in a consistent stream of purchases for its iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA), the firm's spot Ethereum exchange-traded fund.
The ongoing accumulation underscores BlackRock's strategy to continuously match the fund's underlying assets with investor inflows. Since the launch of spot Ethereum ETFs, BlackRock has been a dominant force, consistently buying ETH from the open market to back the shares of its popular ETHA product. This latest purchase further solidifies its position as a major institutional holder of Ethereum.
These daily inflows into the ETHA fund are viewed by analysts as a strong indicator of sustained institutional demand for the second-largest cryptocurrency. While each individual purchase may vary in size, the overall trend demonstrates a significant and steady flow of traditional capital into the digital asset ecosystem via regulated investment vehicles.
For the broader market, BlackRock's relentless accumulation provides a source of consistent buying pressure for Ethereum. The transparency of these ETF-related flows offers a clear metric for tracking institutional sentiment, which remains robust as firms continue to build their strategic positions in ETH.
#BlackRock #Ethereum #ETH #Crypto #ETF

WASHINGTON D.C. – The U.S. Federal Reserve has held its benchmark interest rate steady, leaving the federal funds rate in the target range of 4.25% to 4.50%. The widely anticipated decision marks the fourth consecutive meeting where the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) has opted to maintain its current monetary policy, continuing a "wait-and-see" approach amidst an uncertain economic landscape.
In its official statement, the FOMC noted that while inflation has eased over the past year, it remains elevated. The committee reiterated its commitment to returning inflation to its 2% objective and stated it "does not expect it will be appropriate to reduce the target range until it has gained greater confidence that inflation is moving sustainably toward 2 percent." This cautious tone suggests that the "higher for longer" interest rate environment, which has significant implications for global markets, will persist.
For the crypto and digital asset markets, the Fed's decision to hold rates firm was largely priced in. Higher interest rates typically increase the appeal of traditional yield-bearing assets like bonds, creating headwinds for non-yielding risk assets such as Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. The continued restrictive stance means the cost of capital remains high, potentially tempering the aggressive inflows and bullish sentiment that often accompany looser monetary policy.
Market participants will now meticulously analyze the language from Fed Chair Jerome Powell's subsequent press conference and the updated economic projections, or "dot plot." Any hints regarding the future path of rate cuts will be critical. While the hold was expected, the Fed's forward guidance on inflation and economic growth will be the primary driver for market direction, determining whether assets like Bitcoin can sustain their momentum or if they face further consolidation under the current macroeconomic pressure.
#FederalReserve #FOMC #InterestRates #CryptoNews #Bitcoin #Macroeconomics

In a signal of growing optimism for digital asset regulation in the United States, White House AI and Crypto Czar David Sacks has indicated that a crypto bill is on the verge of becoming a reality. The statement comes as the industry sees its most significant legislative progress to date, reflecting a concerted effort by lawmakers and the administration to establish clear rules for the rapidly evolving market. Sacks, a prominent venture capitalist and senior advisor to the President, was appointed to foster a pro-innovation environment, and his comments underscore the high-level priority now being given to formalizing the legal framework for crypto in the U.S.
This momentum was solidified this week by a landmark bipartisan vote in the Senate, which overwhelmingly passed a stablecoin regulation bill. The historic legislation, which now heads to the House for consideration, marks the first time a comprehensive crypto bill has cleared the upper chamber. This success, combined with the earlier passage of the broader FIT21 market structure bill in the House, suggests that after years of debate, the U.S. is finally on a tangible path toward regulatory clarity, aligning with the positive outlook shared by Sacks.
#CryptoBill #USPolitics #CryptoRegulation #DavidSacks #Stablecoin #FIT21

واشنطن العاصمة - في خطوةٍ تاريخيةٍ لمكافحة الاحتيال في الأصول الرقمية، رفعت وزارة العدل الأمريكية دعوى مصادرةٍ مدنيةٍ لمصادرة أكثر من 225.3 مليون دولار من العملات المشفرة. ويُزعم أن هذه الأموال مرتبطةٌ بشبكةٍ ضخمةٍ ومتطورةٍ لغسل الأموال، استهدفت ضحايا "عمليات احتيال الثقة بالعملات المشفرة"، وهي عمليةٌ احتياليةٌ تُعرف عادةً باسم "الاحتيال المالي".
تُمثل هذه العملية أكبر عملية ضبط عملات مشفرة في تاريخ جهاز الخدمة السرية الأمريكية (USSS). ووفقًا للشكوى المقدمة اليوم في مقاطعة كولومبيا، استخدمت جهات إنفاذ القانون الفيدرالية، بما في ذلك جهاز الخدمة السرية الأمريكية ومكتب التحقيقات الفيدرالي (FBI)، تحليلات بلوكتشين متقدمة لتتبع الأموال المسروقة بدقة. وكشف التحقيق عن شبكة واسعة النطاق تضم مئات الآلاف من المعاملات المصممة لإخفاء الأصول غير المشروعة للأموال.

في خطوة استراتيجية كبيرة ضمن نظام التوسع في Ethereum، أعلن الشريك المؤسس لبوليجون، جوردي بايلينا، عن تشكيل Zisk، وهي شركة مستقلة مكرسة لتعزيز تكنولوجيا المعرفة الصفرية (ZK). يظهر المشروع الجديد كفرع من بوليجون لابز، ويضم الفريق والملكية الفكرية السابقة وراء بوليجون zkEVM.
سيركز Zisk على تطوير آلة افتراضية ذات معرفة صفرية (zkVM) عالية الأداء ومفتوحة المصدر وذات زمن استجابة منخفض. تتيح هذه التقنية التحقق من الحسابات دون الكشف عن البيانات الأساسية، وهي حجر الزاوية لبناء تطبيقات blockchain أكثر قابلية للتوسع والخصوصية. وفقًا للاتصالات الرسمية، تم تأسيس Zisk داخل بوليجون لابز قبل أن تصبح كيانًا مستقلًا رسميًا في 13 يونيو 2025، مع مهمة بناء مشروع zkVM المرجعي في مساحة Web3.

A new contender has entered the social media arena with a mission to overhaul how creators earn a living. Own.App has officially launched its public beta on iOS and Android, introducing a suite of monetization tools built on blockchain technology. The platform aims to empower creators by providing them with direct ownership of their content and a significantly larger share of the revenue they generate.
At the core of Own.App's model is the principle of "true ownership." By leveraging the Base Layer 2 blockchain, the platform ensures that every piece of content is verifiable and that creators maintain control over their work. This infrastructure powers a new, more equitable ecosystem where monetization is not a privilege for the few but a right for all. Unlike traditional platforms that impose high fees and opaque payment structures, Own.App offers creators substantially higher payouts: 80% from tips, 90% from brand sponsorships, and 95% from their integrated "Own Shop."
The platform was co-founded by a team with a formidable track record in both mainstream and Web3 applications, including CEO Amir Kaltak, COO Katia Zaitsev, and Chief Creator Officer Sarah Mick, who was instrumental in designing the user experiences for Tinder and Bumble. Their vision is to create a new economy where talent is rewarded directly and transparently. The platform pays creators in its native $OWN token, which is backed by a share of the platform's revenue and is fully tradable, providing real-world value from day one.
The launch follows a successful invite-only phase that attracted a waitlist of nearly 40,000 users, signaling strong market demand for a fairer social media model. By removing barriers like minimum follower counts and geographical restrictions, Own.App is championing a future of global equal pay for creative work. "Owning your content, global equal pay, and fair compensation should be the norm, not the exception," stated CCO Sarah Mick, encapsulating the platform's disruptive mission.
#OwnApp #CreatorEconomy #Web3 #Crypto #Blockchain #Monetization #Decentralization

In a significant move underscoring growing institutional conviction in cryptocurrency, Paris-listed firm The Blockchain Group (Euronext Growth: ALTBG) has announced the acquisition of an additional 182 Bitcoin (BTC). The purchase, valued at approximately $19.6 million (€17 million), further solidifies the company's strategy as a dedicated "Bitcoin Treasury Company."
This latest acquisition brings The Blockchain Group's total Bitcoin holdings to an impressive 1,653 BTC. At current market prices, the company's digital asset reserve is now valued at over $170 million. This continues a deliberate and aggressive accumulation strategy that has positioned the French technology firm as a notable player in the corporate adoption of Bitcoin as a treasury asset.
The company has stated that the funds for this substantial purchase were raised through a series of recently completed convertible bond issuances. This financing strategy highlights the innovative methods companies are employing to gain exposure to the digital asset market, leveraging traditional financial instruments to build their Bitcoin reserves. The move signals strong investor confidence in The Blockchain Group's vision and its digital-first approach to corporate treasury management.
This purchase further enhances what the company refers to as its "BTC Yield," a metric that reflects the growth in Bitcoin held per fully diluted share. The consistent increase in its Bitcoin holdings is a core part of its mission to offer shareholders an alternative store of value and a hedge against traditional market volatility. As institutional interest in Bitcoin continues to mature, The Blockchain Group's proactive treasury strategy places it at the forefront of this global trend.
#Bitcoin #Blockchain #InstitutionalInvestment #CryptoNews #BTC #DigitalAssets