News linked to both this project and an event.
: European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde stated that even stablecoins denominated in euros could pose risks to financial stability and the transmission of monetary policy. (Cointelegraph)
According to Cointelegraph, Marlon Ferro, a 20-year-old man from California known online as “GothFerrari,” was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $2.5 million in restitution for his involvement in a cryptocurrency theft ring responsible for over $250 million in losses. Prosecutors stated that when co-conspirators were unable to remotely breach victims’ systems or trick them into surrendering their crypto assets, Ferro carried out physical break-ins to steal hardware wallets containing the funds. The group operated from late 2023 through early 2025 and its members were also involved in database intrusions, target identification, scam phone calls, and money laundering. The investigation was led by the FBI and the IRS Criminal Investigation Division.
According to Cointelegraph, the domain name of BG Wealth Sharing—a suspected $150 million cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme—has been seized by U.S. law enforcement authorities. On-chain investigator ZachXBT revealed that individuals linked to the scheme attempted to launder over $92 million between April 27 and May 3. In collaboration with Tether, Binance, OKX, and U.S. law enforcement, more than $41 million in funds was successfully frozen. The scheme began operations in 2025 and heavily promoted itself via social media, promising daily returns of 1.3%–2.6%, primarily targeting retail investors. Prior to its shutdown, its CEO, Stephen Beard, instructed users to pay a 12% tax on their account balances, citing an “IPO regulatory process”—a move widely perceived by users as the final “harvesting” of retail investors.
According to Cointelegraph, a survey by the Dutch financial newspaper Het Financieele Dagblad (FD) found that although Polymarket was banned in February this year by the Dutch Gaming Authority (Ksa) for operating without a gambling license, Kalshi, crypto exchange Hyperliquid, and investment giant Interactive Brokers continue to offer prediction market services to Dutch users.
Polygon has launched a privacy-focused stablecoin payment feature, utilizing zero-knowledge proof technology to hide the sender, recipient, and transaction amount while maintaining regulatory compliance. (Cointelegraph)
: South Korea's crypto industry has expressed strong concerns over proposed amendments to anti-money laundering (AML) regulations, arguing that the rules could impose excessive compliance burdens on Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs).According to Yonhap News Agency, the Digital Asset eXchange Alliance (DAXA), representing 27 VASPs including Upbit, Bithumb, Coinone, Korbit, and Gopax, submitted comments opposing the classification of all overseas virtual asset transfers exceeding 10 million won (approximately $6,800) as suspicious transaction reports.DAXA warned that this rule could cause the number of suspicious transaction reports from South Korea's top five exchanges to skyrocket from approximately 63,000 last year to over 5.4 million—an increase of about 85 times—severely impacting the efficiency of actual compliance execution. Furthermore, the industry also opposes a new obligation requiring exchanges to verify the accuracy of customer information, arguing it exceeds the scope of current legal authorization.South Korea's Financial Services Commission (FSC) and Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) proposed the relevant amendments on March 30, which have now entered a public comment period, with final deliberation expected to be completed in July.Meanwhile, legal disputes between Korean exchanges and regulators over AML penalties continue. Multiple platforms are challenging previous business restrictions and fines through the courts, reflecting an escalating tension between regulatory tightening and the industry's execution capabilities. (Cointelegraph)
industry analysts point out that stablecoins and fintech companies still have about $112 billion in growth potential in the Latin American remittance market. The industry is currently overly concentrated on the $61.8 billion US-Mexico corridor, neglecting faster-growing remittance channels from the US to Central America and within Latin America itself. Cross-border routes such as Venezuela to Colombia, Argentina to Bolivia, and Spain to Ecuador are rapidly heating up, yet most institutions have not optimized their operations for these markets. Overall, the Latin American remittance market is estimated at around $174 billion.It is noted that Latin America is not a single market; countries differ significantly in regulations, payment infrastructure, and demand for stablecoins. Leading companies are adopting a "country-specific customization" strategy rather than a regional one-size-fits-all approach. In terms of trends, the core demand for stablecoins in Latin America is not for payments but for "holding dollars." Users tend to hold funds in stablecoins for the long term rather than just for transfers.Regarding the competitive landscape, traditional institutions like Western Union and MoneyGram are building stablecoin infrastructure, while crypto-native companies such as Binance are also accelerating their entry into this market. Overall, a closed-loop model (remittance-holding-consumption-yield) that combines local payment channels, stablecoin liquidity, and user trust is likely to dominate future competition. (Cointelegraph)
Nobitex, Iran's largest cryptocurrency exchange, was founded by members of the Kharrazi family, who have close ties to Iran's supreme leadership. Investigations show the exchange was created by brothers Ali and Mohammad Kharrazi, who previously used the surname "Aghamir" to conceal their connection to the Kharrazi family. This family has long-standing, deep ties to Iran's political core, including historical links to Ali Khamenei and his successors.The report indicates that Nobitex currently serves over 11 million users, dominates the Iranian crypto market, and has continued operating throughout conflicts between Iran, the United States, and Israel, even processing transactions during nationwide internet blackouts. Analysts say its trading volume exceeded $100 million during wartime, with significant funds flowing overseas.Additionally, multiple on-chain analytics firms point out that the platform has processed transactions linked to sanctioned entities, with estimated volumes ranging from $22 million to $366 million. Other data shows that wallets associated with the Central Bank of Iran transferred hundreds of millions of dollars worth of crypto assets to Nobitex in 2025, allegedly to circumvent financial sanctions. Nobitex denies any connection to the government, stating that illegal transactions represent only a small fraction of its overall business. (Cointelegraph)
Chris Perkins, CEO of 250 Digital Asset Management, stated that even if the Clarity Act, aimed at clarifying the crypto regulatory framework, fails to pass Congress, the long-term development of the U.S. crypto industry will remain unaffected. He pointed out that the SEC and CFTC are already continuously building a regulatory framework to provide stability and certainty for the industry.Perkins stated that regulatory agencies are currently gradually clarifying the classification system for crypto assets through policies and practices. Compared to the restrictions previously imposed by defining tokens as securities, the relevant compliance paths are now becoming clearer. He also noted that if the Clarity Act eventually passes, it will further consolidate the regulatory framework, making future policies more difficult to reverse. Recently, market expectations for the advancement of the bill have increased, with multiple lawmakers and industry insiders expressing optimism that it could make progress in the short term. (Cointelegraph)
Odaily Odaily News, Michael van de Poppe, founder of MN Trading Capital, stated that Bitcoin's return to the $100,000 mark may not require a new market narrative to drive it; narratives will naturally form after the price increases. He pointed out that the current market focus has shifted to areas such as AI, putting relative pressure on Bitcoin's short-term performance. However, from a mathematical and statistical perspective, the current price range still holds accumulation value.Data shows that Bitcoin has not been above the $100,000 mark for nearly five months. The price has recovered from a low of around $60,000 in February this year to approximately $78,000, with a gain of about 14.49% over the past 30 days. The market is broadly focused on potential catalysts such as the Federal Reserve's interest rate policy, regulatory progress, and capital inflows into Bitcoin spot ETFs. However, some argue that even if the U.S. CLARITY Act is implemented, its direct impact on Bitcoin's price will be limited. (Cointelegraph)
the Central Bank of Brazil (BCB) has issued Resolution No. 561, prohibiting the use of virtual assets for settlement in regulated eFX international payment and transfer services. The resolution stipulates that payments and receipts between eFX service providers and their foreign counterparties must be conducted exclusively through foreign exchange transactions or non-resident Brazilian Real accounts, and the use of virtual assets is strictly forbidden.This regulation also applies to eFX providers in a transition period that have not yet been included in the approved category. These companies must apply for authorization from the Central Bank by May 31, 2027, if they wish to continue providing services. This move does not constitute a comprehensive ban on crypto asset transfers within Brazil but aims to confine cross-border payment flows within the regulated foreign exchange track.The Central Bank of Brazil stated that the decision is due to a surge in the use of stablecoins for cross-border payments, which has raised concerns regarding money laundering, tax issues, and monetary sovereignty. (Cointelegraph)
According to Odaily, Korean prosecutors have formally requested the court to sentence Jeong Sang-ho, the former CEO of crypto platform Delio, to 20 years in prison, charging him with large-scale economic fraud.During the closing arguments at the Seoul Southern District Court, prosecutors cited the local Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes, accusing the defendant of long-term deliberate deception and false advertising, which resulted in approximately 2,800 investors having their funds locked and facing difficulty with withdrawals. Prosecutors stated that the defendant had clear fraudulent intent, the losses involved were massive, and he subsequently refused to cooperate with the investigation and deliberately shifted blame, continuously exacerbating the losses and hardships of the victims. Therefore, they sought the maximum penalty in accordance with the law. (Cointelegraph)
According to Cointelegraph, Stable Sea, an enterprise treasury management platform, has integrated WisdomTree’s tokenized U.S. Treasury money market fund WTGXX onto its platform, enabling corporate clients to allocate idle funds into the fund to generate returns. As of April 28, WTGXX’s total assets under management stood at $857.6 million, with a daily yield of 3.43%. WTGXX primarily invests in short-term U.S. Treasury securities; its shares are recorded on-chain, supporting faster settlement and automated trading. Stable Sea’s core functionality automatically sweeps corporate cash balances into yield-bearing instruments—and this integration extends that capability to tokenized funds. Clients remain subject to standard compliance review processes. Tokenized money market funds are now accelerating institutional adoption. WisdomTree has received SEC approval for 24/7 trading of WTGXX; Franklin Templeton is collaborating with Binance to promote tokenized fund shares as over-the-counter (OTC) collateral; and Standard Chartered has launched a framework enabling BlackRock’s tokenized Treasury fund to serve as collateral for trading on OKX.
Polymarket is in communication with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), seeking to reopen its main platform to users in the United States. If approved, this could mean the lifting of restrictions on U.S. users that have been in place since its 2022 settlement with the CFTC.According to the report, Polymarket had already made a limited return to the U.S. market through the regulated QCEX structure. A full return would further intensify the competitive landscape of the U.S. prediction market. (Cointelegraph)
According to Cointelegraph, Aptos recently launched its privacy token, Confidential APT, on the mainnet. Confidential APT is pegged 1:1 to APT and uses zero-knowledge proofs to conceal token balances and transfer amounts, while preserving wallet address visibility and transaction verifiability. Sherry Xiao, founding engineer at Aptos Labs, stated that the token aims to resolve the long-standing tension between blockchain privacy and regulatory transparency, and can mitigate sensitive on-chain information exposure—such as payroll distributions, treasury operations, and trading strategies. From a compliance perspective, enabling audit keys requires approval via on-chain governance voting. The launch of Confidential APT follows a governance proposal that passed with near-unanimous support. Xiao expects individual users to adopt the token more rapidly than enterprises; if the mainnet operates stably for six months and demonstrates strong trading volume, it could help shorten the sales cycle for enterprise adoption.
According to Cointelegraph, Israel’s Authority for Capital Markets, Insurance, and Savings has approved the virtual asset trading platform Bits of Gold to launch BILS, a stablecoin pegged to the Israeli shekel. BILS previously completed a two-year pilot on the Solana blockchain. Per the announcement, BILS reserve assets will be held in designated, segregated accounts within Israel. This initiative is also part of the Israel Tax Authority and Ministry of Finance’s efforts to establish a regulatory framework for the crypto industry, specifically covering certain stablecoin activities.
The Canadian House of Commons has passed the second reading of Bill C-25, which proposes to ban political parties and candidates from accepting cryptocurrency political donations. Introduced on March 26 as part of electoral law reforms, the bill aims to enhance transparency, strengthen enforcement, and reduce the risk of foreign interference. It will proceed to committee review and may still be subject to amendments. No fixed review date has been set yet.Meanwhile, Canada is advancing a regulatory framework for stablecoins and refining rules related to crypto investment funds, custody, and cold storage. (Cointelegraph)
According to Cointelegraph, Vanessa Perrée, France’s National Prosecutor for Organized Crime, stated that French law enforcement has charged at least 88 individuals—including 10 minors—in connection with 12 “crypto heists” targeting cryptocurrency holders; 75 of those charged are currently in pre-trial detention. Such incidents typically involve violent methods—including home invasions and kidnappings—to coerce victims into surrendering assets stored in their crypto wallets. Perrée noted that some suspects are linked to multiple cases, and investigations have uncovered an organized criminal network behind these crimes. Official records from French authorities indicate 18 such cases in 2024, rising to 67 in 2025, and reaching 47 thus far in 2026.
: The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that a 22-year-old California man, Evan Tangeman, has been sentenced to 70 months (approximately 5 years and 10 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for his involvement in a criminal organization that stole approximately $263 million in crypto assets through social engineering fraud and home invasions.According to court documents, Tangeman pleaded guilty in December 2025, admitting to helping the criminal network launder at least $3.5 million in illicit funds.The criminal group allegedly used the stolen funds for lavish spending, including multi-million dollar nightclub bills, Lamborghini sports cars, and high-end assets like Rolex watches.U.S. District Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, stated in a release that the organization "built a criminal system based on nearly absurd greed," emphasizing that Tangeman not only participated in money laundering but also destroyed evidence after his accomplices were arrested, demonstrating clear criminal intent.This sentencing comes as data shows that the crypto industry suffered $482 million in losses from scams and hacks in the first quarter of 2026, with social engineering fraud and physical violent robberies on the rise. (Cointelegraph)
According to Cointelegraph, Flying Tulip—a decentralized finance platform founded by Andre Cronje—has implemented a withdrawal circuit breaker mechanism. This mechanism delays or queues withdrawals during abnormal capital outflows, thereby limiting potential losses and buying time for the team to investigate. The mechanism operates differently across products: for the Perpetual PUT product, withdrawals may be reverted, requiring users to retry later; for ftUSD, withdrawals are queued and can be claimed after a delay. Flying Tulip states that this mechanism follows a “fail-open” design—meaning transactions continue to execute even if the safety mechanism fails.