Skip to main content

Posts

CoinShares: Germany crypto adoption rises as UK lags behind

Germany is seeing faster crypto adoption than the UK, with CoinShares researcher Luke Nolan pointing to stronger institutional involvement and younger investors treating digital assets as a more accessible place to deploy inherited wealth. Speaking to Cointelegraph, Nolan said German demand is being driven by a mix of family offices, wealth managers and individual advisors—while the UK remains constrained by regulatory lag. Behind the headline difference is a clear divide in regulatory momentum: Germany and the wider EU have been working through Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) licensing, while the UK’s crypto market is still “nascent” after the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) only recently resumed retail access to certain crypto exchange-traded products. Key takeaways CoinShares’ Luke Nolan says Germany’s crypto adoption is advancing quickly, led by advisors and younger investors seeking exposure to inherited wealth. Nolan argues the UK is behind largely because FCA retail crypto...
Post a Comment
Read more
Recent posts

S&P Global to Buy OpenZeppelin as Blockchain Security Push Grows

S&P Global has announced an agreement to acquire OpenZeppelin, a blockchain security firm known for its open-source smart contract tooling and security review services. The move is designed to broaden S&P Global’s ability to evaluate risk across the digital asset ecosystem, particularly where smart contracts and onchain infrastructure are central to financial activity. The companies did not disclose financial terms. S&P Global said the transaction is still subject to customary closing conditions. Key takeaways S&P Global’s planned acquisition of OpenZeppelin targets stronger smart contract and onchain technology risk assessment capabilities. The deal does not include publicly disclosed pricing; the agreement remains subject to closing conditions. OpenZeppelin’s software and contracts library will remain free and publicly maintained on GitHub. OpenZeppelin will operate as a separate business unit within S&P Global, with its CEO continuing in a leadership role...
Post a Comment
Read more

World Debuts Self-Custody “Super App” World Money Wallet

World has rolled out “World Money,” a new self-custody financial super app that combines stablecoin payments, digital asset rewards and in-app trading. The launch began Thursday in more than 150 countries, with some functions varying by region, according to World’s announcement on its website ( https://world.org/blog/announcements/world-money ). The app is designed to let users move supported digital assets—such as stablecoins—to recipients using a World username, deposit eligible assets to earn rewards, and buy or sell digital assets via built-in exchange access. World is also positioning the product around its broader ecosystem, including “Mini Apps” that bring third-party services into the same interface. Key takeaways World Money launches in 150+ countries , with feature availability tailored by location. Self-custody wallet functions include stablecoin transfers to a World username , rewards for eligible deposits, and trading access. Mini Apps extend functionality through...
Post a Comment
Read more

World’s ‘World Money’ Launches Self-Custody Super App

World has launched World Money , a new self-custody financial “super app” designed to bring stablecoin payments and digital-asset features into one place. The rollout began Thursday across more than 150 countries , though specific capabilities are expected to vary by region, according to World. The new app supports sending supported digital assets—including stablecoins—to recipients using a World username . It also allows users to deposit eligible assets to earn rewards and to buy and sell digital assets through exchange integrations . World further says the experience is built around its identity layer while giving users direct control of their funds. Key takeaways World Money rolls out in over 150 countries , with feature availability dependent on location. Users can send supported assets (including stablecoins) via World usernames , not just blockchain addresses. The app adds third-party “Mini Apps” such as Kalshi, Credit and Morpho. A partnership with Stripe enables top-...
Post a Comment
Read more

US Treasury Sanctions BitBank After “Hormuz Safe” BTC Payments Linked to IRGC

U.S. authorities have announced new sanctions targeting an Iranian cryptocurrency exchange, alleging it was used to process Bitcoin payments tied to maritime traffic through a strategic choke point in the Middle East. On Thursday, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated BitBank, accusing the platform of helping move cryptocurrency-linked funds connected to vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The action is part of a broader push to restrict Iran’s access to international financial channels, including through digital assets. Key takeaways OFAC sanctioned Iranian digital asset infrastructure tied to BitBank, alleging it facilitated Bitcoin payments connected to Strait of Hormuz shipping. Treasury said Hormuz Safe Marine Services Authority transferred funds received to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) using BitBank. The U.S. linked the alleged setup to Iranian financier Babak Zanjani, portraying it as part of an IRGC-c...
Post a Comment
Read more

US Sanctions Iran’s BitBank Over “Hormuz Safe” BTC Payments

U.S. authorities have announced new sanctions targeting an Iranian crypto exchange known as BitBank, accusing it of helping move Bitcoin payments tied to maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. Treasury says the exchange was used to transfer funds received through a Hormuz-related payments authority to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). In a press release issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the government described BitBank as part of an alleged sanctions-evasion “infrastructure” associated with Iranian financier Babak Zanjani. OFAC’s action forms part of a broader effort to restrict Iran’s access to the global financial system, including through targeting digital asset service providers. Key takeaways OFAC sanctioned Iranian crypto exchange BitBank, alleging it processed Bitcoin payments connected to ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The Treasury alleges BitBank transferred funds received by the Ho...
Post a Comment
Read more

Zcash Miner Fortitude Names Ex-Hut 8 CEO as Public Listing Lead

Fortitude Mining, a Zcash-focused cryptocurrency miner backed by Digital Currency Group, has named former Hut 8 CEO Jaime Leverton as its new chief executive as it moves toward going public. The leadership change comes alongside progress on a proposed merger with HeartSciences, which would take Fortitude to the Nasdaq subject to approval. Leverton is set to succeed current CEO Andrea Childs on Sept. 21, with Childs transitioning to chief operating officer. The company says the transition reflects its evolution from a private mining operator into a vertically integrated platform preparing for a public-market listing. Key takeaways Jaime Leverton will become Fortitude Mining’s CEO on Sept. 21, replacing Andrea Childs, who will shift to chief operating officer. Fortitude has mined 72,696 ZEC in the first half of 2026, representing about 28% of total Zcash network output for the period. The firm reported $20.9 million in revenue for Q2 and operates 60+ megawatts of power capacity acr...
Post a Comment
Read more