WHAT’S BREWING IN CRYPTO NEWS?

Are you in search of the best crypto casino? You’ve found it right here at Cafe Casino, where knowing all there is to know about the world of cryptocurrency is our jam.

To make sure you can stay up-to-date as well, we’re delivering key news stories for you to digest with your morning coffee. It’s the exhilarating world of crypto, one byte at a time.

Let’s see what’s brewing. 

This Week: Hong Kong Dollar-backed Stablecoin is in the Works

February 21, 2025

Standard Chartered, a London-based bank with a strong presence in Asia, is teaming up with Animoca Brands, a Web3 and blockchain investment firm, and HKT, a leading telecom and digital payments company in Hong Kong, to create a new stablecoin backed by the Hong Kong dollar. They’re forming a joint venture and plan to apply for a license from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) to get the green light.

Once approved, businesses and consumers in Hong Kong will benefit from smoother, faster, and more efficient payments, both domestically and across borders. Stablecoins are especially useful for international transactions since they have lower fees and faster settlements than traditional banking.

Each member of this venture brings something different to the table. Standard Chartered has banking expertise and solid infrastructure. They’ve already worked with stablecoin issuers like Paxos and have been involved in Hong Kong’s digital currency projects. Animoca Brands specializes in Web3 and blockchain, so they’ll help tap into crypto-native opportunities and explore new ways to use this stablecoin in the digital economy. HKT provides mobile payment solutions and will integrate the stablecoin into its payment platforms to help drive adoption.

Hong Kong is pushing hard to become a hub for digital assets, and this stablecoin is another brick in that foundation. Like any bold new initiative, there are hurdles to clear, but overcoming them ensures a safer, more reliable system for everyday users. To keep transactions secure and compliant, the HKMA is tackling potential risks with strict regulations, including KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) measures.

This Week: Nasdaq Files with SEC to List XRP and Litecoin ETFs

February 14, 2025

Nasdaq has officially filed to get the SEC to approve two new ETFs for cryptocurrencies: one for XRP and one for Litecoin. These ETFs would let people invest in XRP and Litecoin without actually owning the coins themselves, making it much easier for regular investors to put their money into crypto.

CoinShares, a European crypto investment firm, is behind these ETFs. They filed the paperwork with the SEC last month, and now Nasdaq is backing them up by submitting its own forms to list these ETFs on its exchange. If approved, the ETFs would track the price of XRP and Litecoin. As a result, investors would have a simple way to bet on these coins without dealing with crypto wallets or exchanges.

Among the two, Litecoin might have a better shot at approval than XRP. The SEC has never called Litecoin a security (a type of regulated investment), and it’s seen as more like Bitcoin, which already has an approved ETF. XRP, on the other hand, has been in a legal battle with the SEC, which could make its path to approval trickier.

Other asset management firms like Bitwise, WisdomTree, and 21Shares are also trying to launch XRP and Litecoin ETFs, so there’s a lot of competition to be among the first. Analysts think Litecoin could be the next crypto to get an ETF after Bitcoin and Ethereum, especially since the new SEC leadership seems more open to crypto.

If these ETFs get the green light, it could mean more money flowing into XRP and Litecoin, making them more popular and potentially driving up their prices. But for now, it’s a waiting game to see if the SEC gives the thumbs up.

This Week: Coinbase Gains FCA Approval – Now the Largest Firm in UK

February 7, 2025

The first week of February was a huge win for Coinbase. After a six-month grind to get the green light, the exchange giant finally secured its spot on the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) crypto register. With this approval, Coinbase now stands as the largest crypto exchange in the UK, ready to offer both crypto and cash services to its users.

Before this game-changing approval, Coinbase was limited in what it could offer in the UK. Its subsidiary, CB Payments Ltd., had been providing e-money services since 2018, but Coinbase couldn’t directly offer crypto services. Now, the exchange can roll out an arsenal of new features directly to people in the UK market, such as crypto staking and access to decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms.

At first, it might seem like no big news that another crypto firm has received the green light. But here’s the thing: getting on the FCA’s crypto register is tough – only 14% of applicants make the cut. Coinbase hustled hard for six months, overcoming challenges like a compliance hiccup in July 2024. Since then, they’ve tightened up their processes and strengthened their systems to meet the FCA’s high standards and gain approval.

Now, the crypto firm is celebrating as it can finally take a breath and smoothly operate in the UK market without the middleman of their subsidiary.

Overall, the UK has had a forward-thinking approach to crypto regulation, which has served it well for adoption. Already, around 12% of adults in the UK own crypto – that’s roughly 8.8 million people – and across Europe, the number jumps to about 65 million. Those numbers could easily skyrocket now that Coinbase – already a crypto giant – has its foot in the door.

This Week: Bitpanda Joins List of Crypto Businesses Operating in the EU

January 31, 2025

Crypto exchange Bitpanda is the latest crypto company to secure a MiCA license from Germany’s BaFin. It can now operate across the European Union under a unified regulatory framework without separate country approvals. This makes it much easier for Bitpanda to expand its services to all 27 EU member states, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

Europe has long been a leader in crypto-friendly regulation. The region is famous for its clear and forward-thinking approach, most recently due to its MiCA framework. This regulatory framework sets strict rules to protect consumers from fraud, improve transparency, and increase oversight of crypto services. For businesses, it simplifies compliance, reduces costs, and fosters innovation by creating one consistent set of rules across the region.

Before MiCA, crypto companies faced a patchwork of inconsistent regulations across EU countries. Cross-border operations were complicated, to say the least. For instance, Denmark had no crypto-specific rules, while France required licenses for crypto exchanges. The European Parliament adopted MiCA in 2023, and after a phased rollout, the framework became fully effective in December 2024.

Bitpanda has wasted no time capitalizing on this opportunity, and securing its MiCA license gives the company a golden opportunity to scale confidently within a 450-million-strong market.

Other major platforms have also grabbed MiCA licenses, taking advantage of streamlined operations throughout Europe.

Crypto.com and OKX received their licenses from Malta, and Boerse Stuttgart Digital was one of the first platforms to receive a MiCA license from Germany’s BaFin, the same regulatory authority that granted Bitpanda its approval. Other companies, including MoonPay, BitStaete, ZBD, and Hidden Road, have also gained approval in the past year. 

This Week: Wyoming Proposes Bill for Bitcoin Reserve

January 27, 2025

Wyoming has proposed a bill to create a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, cementing the state’s place as a national leader in cryptocurrency adoption. The visionary bill is called the “State Funds-Investment in Bitcoin” (HB0201), brought forward by Representative Jacob Wasserburger on January 17. If it passes, Wyoming can invest up to 3% of its general fund, mineral trust fund, and land fund into Bitcoin.

Here’s the key part: even though there’s a 3% cap on how much of these funds can be invested, it’s only based on the original investment. If the value of Bitcoin goes up and pushes the holdings above 3%, the state treasurer doesn’t need to sell any Bitcoin to bring it back down to that limit.

This legislation builds on Wyoming’s history of financial innovation, such as creating the Special Purpose Depository Institution (SPDI) framework and passing other Bitcoin-friendly laws. Senator Cynthia Lummis is a big supporter of Bitcoin, highlighting how its decentralized and inflation-proof nature could strengthen Wyoming’s financial future.

But Wyoming isn’t the only state to consider a Bitcoin reserve. Massachusetts and Texas are also exploring similar ideas, with Massachusetts even eyeing a bolder move to allocate up to 10% of its stabilization fund to digital assets. Across the country, around 15 states are kicking around the idea of Bitcoin reserve plans as part of their investment strategies. On the global stage, places like El Salvador and Bhutan have already worked Bitcoin into their financial game plans.

Wyoming’s plan aligns snuggly with the bigger push to use Bitcoin as a safety net against economic ups and downs, kind of like digital gold. If adopted widely and managed effectively, Bitcoin could help cut national debt and promote more economic freedom.

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This Week: Alpen Labs Raises $8.5M to Build Bitcoin Platform

January 20, 2025

Alpen Labs, a company building financial tools for Bitcoin, recently raised $8.5 million in funding. This transformative funding round was led by two groups called Cyber Fund and DBA, with additional support from Ribbit Capital, Castle Island Ventures, and Geometry, who had backed Alpen in earlier funding efforts.

Alpen Labs is a company that creates tools to expand Bitcoin’s usefulness beyond payments. This hefty $8.5 million will be used to build a new system called Strata. Strata’s goal is to make Bitcoin easier to use by adding features like secure, self-managed wallets and private, user-friendly payment options.

Strata will officially launch in February, but people can start exploring it next month when the test version, called a “testnet,” becomes available. Developers can start even sooner with a special developer version.

Strata will be an open platform, meaning anyone can use or build on it. The goal is to expand Bitcoin’s functionality beyond your standard buying and selling. For example, Strata will operate through self-custody, meaning people can store their Bitcoin without needing a bank or middleman. It also promises to make payments simple and private, connect Bitcoin with other systems, and introduce stablecoins. Strata will even allow Bitcoin to back loans, so you can borrow money without selling your Bitcoin.

For many people, Bitcoin is a digital currency used mainly for investments or speculative trading. But with Strata, Bitcoin will transform into a practical tool for everyday use.

This funding marks a big step forward for Alpen Labs as they work to launch Strata. It packs Bitcoin with more features and makes it accessible to everyone, not just tech-savvy users.

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This Week: Jeju Island Plans NFT Cards to Reel in Young Tourists

January 13, 2025

Jeju Island, South Korea’s tropical hotspot, is turning to NFTs to reel in younger visitors. The island plans to roll out NFT-powered tourist cards aimed squarely at millennials and Gen Z. These cards, debuting with a trial run in late 2025, come packed with goodies like travel subsidies, membership perks, and discounts at local attractions – basically a sweet deal to get folks coming back for more while boosting local businesses.

The NFT cards are tied to Jeju’s local digital currency, Tamna Jeon. This stablecoin has been around since 2019, powering prepaid cards for merchants and residents. Now, tourists can benefit, too, using the currency to snag deals as they explore. Plus, they’ll have a chance to document their trips – think dates, photos, and all the fun stuff – on a blockchain platform connected to the NFTs.

During the pandemic, domestic tourism on Jeju island tanked, especially among younger visitors. Now, by incorporating NFTs into its tourism strategy, the island is aiming to bounce back and pump some fresh energy into the economy.

South Korea has some strict rules on crypto, but Jeju’s leaders seem pretty confident, especially given that the island is no stranger to blockchain. This is just the latest in a string of tech-savvy moves, including the launch of Tamna Jeon and blockchain-based services like traffic management and VAT refunds for tourists.

If you’re getting excited – you should be! Jeju’s new NFT cards could set the standard for travel hotspots worldwide, meaning you could swim and sunbathe with the breezy perks of NFTs.

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This Week: 2025 Crypto Predictions – A Bullish Year Ahead

December 26, 2024

What a year, folks!

The 2024 crypto market was on fire with big moves and breakthroughs. Bitcoin ETFs grabbed the attention of institutions and everyday investors. Ethereum and Solana hit new highs with Layer 2 scaling, and Bitcoin capped off the year by shattering records with over $106,000. With clearer regulations and crypto adoption picking up speed, 2025 is shaping up to be another blockbuster year. Let’s see what’s potentially in store.

1. Bitcoin’s Ascent to $200K

As corporations and governments increasingly show interest in Bitcoin and we see a continuation in ETF inflows, Bitwise Asset Management predicts Bitcoin’s price could reach $200,000 in 2025.

2. Ethereum’s Layer 2 Boom

Layer 2 solutions are getting more popular as companies like Sony and Kraken jump into blockchain projects. These solutions make Ethereum faster and cheaper to use. The Pectra upgrade is also on the horizon, and it’ll boost network efficiency and improve how everything runs.

3. Tokenized Real-World Assets

Tokenization is about to go mainstream. People are already looking at tokenizing unconventional assets like churches. This shift could completely change how we think about investment portfolios. Some say by 2025, the market for tokenized assets could blow past $50 billion.

4. AI-Powered Meme Coins

AI-powered meme coins made a mark in 2024 when a chatbot helped propel one to a shocking 1.5 billion market cap. Some analysts predict 2025 will be their breakout year with smarter designs, real utility like AI-driven trading tools, and a healthy dose of irreverent pop culture.

Here we go! Innovation is building every day, and 2025 will be a pivotal year for cryptocurrency. Hold on to your wallets, and saddle up for the crypto bull ride.

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