Bank of Korea and Bank of France hold talks on digital assets

The Bank of Korea and Bank of France are hosting a two-day seminar on digital assets and climate change to explore their effects on the economy and central bank roles, according to Yonhap, South Korea’s main national news. The forum will conclude on Wednesday, bringing together central bank researchers and academic experts from both countries. Participants discussed central bank digital currencies, payment systems, macroeconomic risks, and financial policy challenges as part of an ongoing academic exchange program alternating between the two countries. The seminar is the latest in a recurring…

The growth of crypto betting in the digital economy

The rapid evolution of digital finance has created new opportunities across multiple industries, and online betting is no exception. With the rise of cryptocurrencies, betting platforms are becoming faster, more secure, and easier to access for users around the world. As blockchain technology continues to reshape financial systems, crypto betting is emerging as a strong alternative to traditional online gambling. One of the biggest reasons behind this shift is the growing trust in decentralized systems. Cryptocurrencies remove the need for banks or third-party intermediaries, allowing users to make direct and…

Digital bank Monzo ends US venture to double down on Europe

Monzo, the UK’s largest app-based digital bank with more than 15 million customers, is closing its short-lived US expansion chapter to prioritize home markets after struggling to establish a strong presence. Monzo, one of Revolut’s main frenemies, entered the US market in 2020 and swiftly chased a banking license before backing off in October 2021 as regulators raised concerns and its valuation took a hit. In late 2025, reports suggested Monzo was evaluating a renewed application under a more accommodating regulatory climate, though it ultimately chose to exit the market.…

Dana Syracuse: OCC’s proactive engagement is reshaping stablecoin licensing, the demand for clear regulatory rules is growing, and specialized regulation fosters digital asset innovation

Key takeaways The OCC is experiencing significant engagement from companies applying for stablecoin licensing. Regulatory environments for stablecoin issuers have shifted towards a demand for clear rules. Obtaining a banking charter requires rigorous processes including business plan development. Successful crypto projects need both product market fit and regulatory fit. A responsive regulatory body is crucial for developing new crypto products. Jurisdictions like New York are showing commitment to specialized digital asset regulation. Regulators need to supervise a critical mass of similar entities to improve effectiveness. The Genius legislation creates a…

Company Partnering with Marshall Islands to Boose Digital Sovereign Bond

The company behind the Republic of the Marshall Islands’ universal basic income (UBI) program using a US dollar-pegged sovereign financial instrument has attracted some significant crypto-tied backers. In a Tuesday notice shared exclusively with Cointelegraph, M1X Global announced that it had launched following a $3 million angel investment round by current and former executives connected to crypto and financial services companies. According to the company, the funding will support the development and adoption of the USDM1 digital sovereign bond which allows citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to…

STS Digital Launches Structured Crypto Products With Kraken

Crypto derivatives firm STS Digital said on Wednesday it had launched a structured products platform for digital assets, with Kraken as its first distribution partner. STS Digital said the platform allows clients to access options-based strategies packaged into predefined payoff structures. Kraken has integrated the platform via an API and is using it to power its Dual Investment product, which offers eligible clients fixed returns on Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH).  The launch reflects a broader trend of firms packaging derivatives into structured products that can offer yield or downside…

ECB’s Cipollone Targets Summer for Digital Euro Standards

European Central Bank Executive Board member Piero Cipollone said on Tuesday that the ECB expects by this summer to announce the European standards it will use for a potential digital euro, a step aimed at helping payment providers and merchants prepare their systems ahead of any issuance decision. Cipollone told European Union lawmakers that, once those standards are announced, the ECB will work with market participants so they can begin embedding them into payment terminals and other solutions as soon as possible. Cipollone said finalizing the rulebook would let new…

Institutions Expect Digital Asset Prices to Rebound in 2026

Institutional demand for crypto is holding up despite ongoing turbulence, with new data showing large investors are preparing to increase allocations even after the market’s sharp sell-off since October. At the same time, stablecoins are gaining traction across both retail and institutional channels. Japan is moving ahead with regulated USDC (USDC) lending products, while new models tied to real-world assets are beginning to take shape. Elsewhere, crypto companies continue to tap traditional capital markets, with Abra pursuing a public listing via a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) deal. Together, the…

Digital Assets Move Into Core Finance, Ripple Survey Finds

In a survey released on Thursday, Ripple said 72% of more than 1,000 global finance leaders believe companies must offer digital asset solutions to stay competitive. The survey found stablecoins were the most prominent use case, with 74% of respondents saying they can boost cash flow and unlock trapped capital. The report polled around 1,000 finance firms globally, including banks, asset managers, fintechs and corporates, on adoption, stablecoins, tokenization and custody priorities. The findings suggest many financial firms are focusing less on whether to engage with digital assets and more…

World Gold Council plans to build shared infrastructure platform for digital gold

The World Gold Council (WGC), a London-based industry body established to promote gold markets on behalf of leading mining companies, has proposed “Gold as a Service,” a shared infrastructure that connects physical gold custody with digital issuance and management. The initiative aims to make it much easier for companies to launch gold-backed products by providing a ready-made, trusted system instead of building everything from scratch, as noted in a whitepaper co-authored with Boston Consulting Group (BCG). With “Gold as a Service,” WGC wants to reduce complexity when it comes to…