The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is moving from blockchain pilots to a wider rollout of blockchain-based payments after signing a new agreement with the Stellar Development Foundation. The initiative builds on 16 months of testing in multiple countries and aims to define how UNDP country offices can use blockchain payments across a broader set of development and humanitarian programs. According to UNDP, the new phase will focus on creating a repeatable process that offices can apply, following pilot projects in Haiti, Syria, Kenya, Guatemala and The Gambia, with additional work reported in Colombia and Papua New Guinea. UNDP said the pilots generated measurable outcomes that helped justify the next step. Key takeaways UNDP has signed an agreement with the Stellar Development Foundation to expand blockchain-based payment usage across programs beyond initial pilots. Pilot results cited by UNDP include lower distribution costs in Syria and continued payments during a ce...
Bitmine Immersion Technologies says it has boosted its Ethereum treasury, adding $74 million worth of ETH to bring its holdings to 5,742,237 tokens as of Sunday. The update marks a sizable increase from the company’s previous reported balance and comes as US lawmakers move toward a vote on the proposed CLARITY Act, legislation that could reshape how digital assets are regulated. In the same period, Strategy—one of the most prominent Bitcoin treasury companies—reported selling $216 million worth of BTC to fund dividend payments, cutting its total holdings. Together, the two moves highlight a developing split in how major crypto treasuries are allocating capital across ETH and BTC. Key takeaways Bitmine reported ETH holdings of 5,742,237 as of Sunday, up by 42,197 ETH from its previously disclosed figure. The company estimates the latest purchases were worth about $74 million based on ETH’s prior valuation at the time of reporting; ETH has since moved higher. Bitmine’s chair Tom Le...