🌐 Ethena Labs Integrates USDe Synthetic Dollar into TON Blockchain

🚀 Ethena Labs is set to launch its synthetic dollar, USDe, and its staking version, tsUSDe, on The Open Network (TON) blockchain in May 2025. This move will provide Telegram's 1 billion users with access to dollar-denominated savings through self-custodial wallets.

➡️ In partnership with the TON Foundation, USDe will be integrated into popular TON-compatible wallets and decentralized exchanges (DEXes), including Telegram's native Wallet, Tonkeeper, and Mytonwallet. Users will have the ability to purchase and stake USDe, earning yields similar to existing options like toncoin (TON) or Tether's USDT.

💰 USDe serves as a crypto-native alternative to the dollar and can be staked to receive tsUSDe, which generates annual percentage yields (APY) paid in TON. To incentivize early participation, users holding up to 10,000 tsUSDe in qualifying wallets will receive an additional 10% APY boost in TON until the end of 2025.

📌 Ethena Labs has specifically designed tsUSDe for TON's decentralized finance (DeFi) framework to encourage greater community engagement. The companies also plan to introduce additional reward initiatives to promote the expansion of TON's DeFi ecosystem.

🔗 USDe will be the first major asset to connect with TON using Layerzero's cross-chain messaging infrastructure. Current USDe holders will be able to bridge their tokens to TON via Stargate Finance when the integration goes live.

💰 Crypto's Journey Towards Recognition as Money in Brazil

📈 In a recent development, Brazil has taken a significant step towards recognizing cryptocurrency as a form of money. A ruling from the National High Court of Brazil now allows for the seizure of crypto assets to settle outstanding debts. This decision reverses a previous ruling that prioritized debtor confidentiality over the search and seizure of digital assets.

Although unfortunate for some, this ruling has brought crypto’s value and significance to the public eye once more.

🔍 This move acknowledges cryptocurrency as property, bringing it closer to being considered money. It highlights the growing relevance of crypto in financial matters, especially for those storing their digital assets in local exchanges.

♾ Moreover, this ruling could aid creditors in cases of cryptocurrency scams. If funds linked to such crimes are held in exchanges, they can be easily blocked and seized by authorities. This provides law enforcement with an additional tool to combat crypto-related crimes.

⚖️ However, the battle for crypto recognition in Brazil is not over yet. Crypto advocates are currently opposing a forthcoming regulation that would prohibit stablecoin self-custody. This could potentially isolate Brazil from decentralized finance initiatives.

As I said before, one step forward and one backward.

💰 Trump's Cryptocurrency Ventures: A $2.9 Billion Boost

📈 President Donald Trump’s cryptocurrency investments have reportedly increased his wealth by approximately $2.9 billion over the past six months. This surge is detailed in a report by the State Democracy Defenders Fund, which suggests that Trump's crypto assets now represent nearly 40% of his total net worth of $7.7 billion.

💵 Among these assets are the meme coin official TRUMP and the recently introduced USD1 stablecoin, launched by World Liberty Financial, Inc. (WLFI), in which Trump's family-linked entity holds a 60% stake. The USD1 stablecoin is backed by U.S. Treasuries and cash equivalents.

📝 The report claims that Trump's executive order from January supported private-sector stablecoins while delaying a federal digital currency initiative, coinciding with WLFI’s USD1 launch. It also alleges that the Justice Department has eased its enforcement on digital asset cases unless they are related to terrorism or drug cartels.

⚖️ Ethics experts cited in the report express concerns about potential conflicts of interest arising from Trump's promotion of his crypto ventures, particularly through social media endorsements of TRUMP. The report notes that his assets are held in a trust managed by his sons rather than in traditional blind trusts used by previous presidents.

🌍 Additionally, there are implications under the Foreign Emoluments Clause as WLFI markets the USD1 stablecoin to foreign governments and sovereign wealth funds. While Congress is considering the GENIUS Act to regulate stablecoins, it has not proposed measures to prevent elected officials from owning such assets.

➡️ The report calls on lawmakers to address these loopholes that allow Trump to influence policies that could benefit his holdings. It also mentions that Trump is expected to provide more information about his crypto income in a financial filing due on May 15.

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💰 Bitcoin Surges Past $97,000 Amid Token2049 Dubai

📈 Last week, as trade war tensions eased, bitcoin soared above $97,000, marking an 18% rebound since March. This rally is driven by renewed institutional interest and the growing perception of bitcoin as a gold-like asset. The absence of major trade war news also contributed to the positive response from both traditional and crypto markets.

🎤 The Token2049 Dubai conference featured notable discussions, including Eric Trump's remarks on digital sovereignty and the acceptance of bitcoin for apartment purchases in a new Trump Organization tower. Changpeng Zhao (CZ) highlighted Europe's lag in crypto reserve discussions compared to the U.S. and Asia, despite its advancements with MiCA regulations.

🎉 The event was a spectacle, featuring zip lines, climbing walls, and neon lights. Amidst the excitement, Eric Balchunas, a Senior ETF Analyst for Bloomberg, emphasized the growing importance of ETFs in the crypto ecosystem. He suggested that crypto companies may not be taking ETFs seriously enough, despite their significant impact on bitcoin's price movements.

📊 As ETF inflows are expected to increase over time, the bitcoin and crypto ecosystem must recognize their transformative power, similar to their effect on traditional equity markets.

🌍 Russia and China Move Away from the U.S. Dollar in Bilateral Trade

➡️ Russia and China have significantly reduced their dependence on the U.S. dollar in bilateral trade, opting to conduct transactions in rubles and yuan. This shift was highlighted by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a press conference following a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Moscow on May 8. Putin stated that almost all foreign trade operations between Russia and China are now carried out in their national currencies.

As a result, almost all Russian-Chinese foreign trade operations are carried out in rubles and yuan,

Putin emphasized. He further noted that a stable system of mutual trade has been established, which is protected from the influence of third countries and negative trends in global markets.

📈 The economic integration between Russia and China is evident, with China being Russia's largest trading partner in 2024, and bilateral trade reaching a record $245 billion. Putin also mentioned that there are about 90 priority Russian-Chinese projects worth approximately $200 billion underway in various sectors such as industrial production, transport, logistics, agriculture, and mining.

🌐 This move towards using national currencies is part of a broader trend among BRICS countries seeking de-dollarization and greater monetary independence. These nations are increasingly advocating for settling trade in local currencies to shield themselves from external financial pressures and sanctions, a trend that has gained momentum due to geopolitical developments and global monetary instability.

When you’ve got billions in crypto, regular shopping is for amateurs.

One guy buried $2M worth of treasures across the U.S. with clues hidden in a book. Another launched himself into space for $55M to grow mushrooms in zero gravity and scan his body with X-rays. And someone else? He literally ate a $5M banana on stage.

Meet the top 5 crypto eccentrics whose spending turned into performance art:

🔴 Chun Wang — paid $55M for a SpaceX mission and turned it into a science lab in orbit.
🔴 Justin Sun — ate an art banana live just to make headlines.
🔴 Djordje Novakovic — owns a pet orangutan and a baby tiger. Just because he can.
🔴 Volodymyr Nosov — bought the Eurovision trophy for 500 ETH, Freddie Mercury’s Rolls-Royce, and even a football club.
🔴 John Collins-Black — created a real-life crypto treasure hunt with $2M hidden in five chests across the U.S.

These aren’t just purchases—they’re stunts, brands, and power moves.

So, what would you do with a crypto fortune?

Read the full story here 👉 https://finbold.com/cryptos-billionaires-are-making-headlines-heres-what-theyre-buying/

🚫 World Liberty Financial Inc. Denies Ties to Bill Zanker

➡️ World Liberty Financial Inc. (WLFI), a cryptocurrency company affiliated with the Trump family, has dismissed claims of connections to Bill Zanker and his company as baseless. In a letter addressed to U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, WLFI's lawyers argued that the senator's correspondence with WLFI's founder, Zach Witkoff, contained "inaccuracies" and was based on "fundamentally flawed premises."

♾ Senator Blumenthal, a prominent member of the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, requested Zanker to disclose information regarding the ownership of his company, Fight Fight Fight LLC, which is alleged to have launched the TRUMP memecoin. The senator also sought details about foreign entities that purchased the memecoin and the measures taken to mitigate conflicts arising from the token sale.

📝 While Blumenthal's letter does not explicitly state that WLFI is under investigation, it does inquire about Zanker's relationship with the cryptocurrency firm. In response, WLFI's lawyers emphasized that their client operates transparently and adheres to U.S. laws. They stated,

WLFI is not operating in the shadows. It is building a next-generation, auditable financial infrastructure rooted in American trust, rule of law, and economic leadership.

💼 The lawyers further clarified that WLFI opposes the "misuse" of regulatory authority and the stifling of lawful innovation in the digital asset space. This stance aligns with the Trump administration's efforts to uphold the dominance of the U.S. dollar in the digital age.

🪙 India's Supreme Court Urges Government for Clear Cryptocurrency Regulations

⚖️ The Supreme Court of India has expressed its concerns regarding the absence of definitive cryptocurrency regulations from the government. During a recent hearing related to a cryptocurrency fraud case, the court questioned the Centre's inaction in establishing clear crypto policies.

🗣 Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh remarked that unregulated Bitcoin trading resembles a more sophisticated version of Hawala, suggesting that regulation could help monitor the sector and reduce its involvement in illegal activities. The court emphasized,

Why does Centre not come out with a clear-cut policy on regulating cryptocurrency?

highlighting the potential economic impact of unregulated crypto trading.

🚫 The court also pointed out that nearly two years ago, it had sought clarification on India's position regarding digital assets. It stated that banning cryptocurrencies would not be a prudent move, but regulation is necessary. The justices noted,

Nobody is saying to stop it, because wouldn’t not be wise for the economy

and urged for expert consultation on the matter.

💰 Additionally, the court mentioned that the 30% tax on Bitcoin trading profits indicates a form of legal recognition. It questioned,

If it is already acknowledged in this manner, why not regulate it?

📉 This is not the first instance of the Supreme Court addressing the government's lack of regulatory action on cryptocurrencies. Earlier this month, legal authorities pointed out the growing discrepancy between the surge in Bitcoin trading and the absence of adequate regulations. The same two-judge bench reiterated that the legality of Bitcoin trading in India remains unclear.

🚨 SUI Liquidity Provider Suffers $260M Hack, Price Dumps 15%

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🚀 Arthur Hayes Predicts Bitcoin Surge: $250K by Year-End and $1 Million by 2028

💰 Arthur Hayes, co-founder of Bitmex and chief investment officer of Maelstrom, has made bold predictions about Bitcoin's future during an interview at Token2049 in Dubai. Despite facing regulatory challenges in the past, Hayes has emerged as a strong advocate for digital assets and is now betting on Bitcoin's dominance in the crypto market.

📈 He predicts a significant surge in Bitcoin's price and dominance in the coming months, stating,

I think bitcoin dominance continues to go up. I think bitcoin in this next little run could go close to $200,000. And then altcoin season comes around and we’ll see some interesting things. And by the end of the year bitcoin price target is about $250,000.

Hayes attributes this potential rise to the current macroeconomic environment, particularly expanding U.S. fiscal deficits and liquidity injections through the Treasury.

⚡️ Looking further ahead, Hayes envisions an even more staggering future for Bitcoin. He reiterates his prediction of $1 million by the end of 2028 amidst concerns over unsustainable U.S. government spending and monetary debasement. He states,

I think by the end of Trump’s presidency, the end of 2028 bitcoin will be about $1 million.

This prediction underscores his belief that Bitcoin will emerge as a global safe-haven asset.

🌟 While Hayes anticipates increased activity in altcoins later in the cycle, he emphasizes that Bitcoin will remain central to both Maelstrom's strategy and his personal investment outlook.

🪙 Bitcoin's Market Analysis: May 26, 2025

📈 On May 26, 2025, Bitcoin was trading at $107,259 with a market cap of $2.13 trillion. The past 24 hours saw a trading volume of $24.98 billion and an intraday price range of $106,954 to $109,225, indicating short-term volatility.

📊 The hourly BTC/USD chart shows Bitcoin stabilizing around $106,765 after a micro downtrend. There are signs of a potential double bottom formation or a bullish divergence between price and volume. Volume has been decreasing during downward moves but has increased slightly with upward price movements, suggesting a possible momentum shift. Intraday traders might find scalping opportunities between $107,000 and $107,300, while more cautious traders may wait for a break above $108,000 before entering.

📉 On the 4-hour chart, Bitcoin is following a rounded top pattern after peaking at $112,000. A series of lower highs and lows has emerged, with increased bearish volume during the drop from $111,000 to $107,000. Short-term traders might see an opportunity if the price rebounds from the $106,500–$107,000 range with decreasing sell volume. However, a bullish crossover above $108,500 with supporting volume could signal a valid reversal entry point.

➡️ From a daily perspective, Bitcoin remains in a broader uptrend despite facing resistance at $112,000. Support is noted between $104,000 and $106,000, which should be monitored for stabilization and potential bullish reversal signals. Recent volume data indicates a surge in selling during the retreat from $112,000, suggesting profit-taking rather than structural weakness.