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From former President Donald Trump’s surprising cryptocurrency profits to Ripple’s progress with regulatory settlements, the past week has been pivotal for the digital asset landscape. Here’s a comprehensive recap of the top stories in the world of cryptocurrencies, investments, and emerging blockchain technologies.

Trump Reports Significant Cryptocurrency Earnings

Former U.S. President Donald Trump disclosed cryptocurrency holdings valued between $1 million and $5 million, alongside gold investments worth $250,000 to $500,000. Additionally, World Liberty Financial reportedly generated $57.4 million for Trump last year, solidifying his presence in the digital asset market. This revelation highlights the growing adoption of crypto among high-profile individuals.

Charles Hoskinson Proposes $100 Million Cardano DeFi Boost

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has suggested leveraging $100 million in ADA tokens from the Cardano Foundation’s treasury to strengthen the platform’s DeFi ecosystem. The proposal includes investing in assets such as Bitcoin and Cardano-native stablecoins like USDM, USDA, and IUSD. This move aims to enhance liquidity and foster growth within the Cardano network.

SharpLink Gaming Builds Ethereum Treasury

Minnesota-based affiliate marketing firm SharpLink Gaming has invested approximately $463 million to acquire 176,270.69 Ethereum. This strategic purchase positions SharpLink as the second-largest institutional Ethereum holder, following only the Ethereum Foundation. The acquisition underscores Ethereum’s role as a cornerstone asset for institutional investors.

Ripple and SEC Move Closer to Settlement

Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have jointly filed a motion to release the $125 million civil penalty currently held in escrow. Under the proposed settlement, $50 million would be allocated to the SEC, while the remaining $75 million would be returned to Ripple. This development signals progress in Ripple’s regulatory battle, which has significant implications for the broader cryptocurrency sector.

SEC Focuses on Solana ETFs

The SEC has requested issuers of proposed Solana-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to update their S-1 filings. This indicates active regulatory review and hints at potential approval decisions, which could further legitimize Solana as an investment asset.

Tether Acquires Stake in Precious Metals Company

The stablecoin issuer Tether has purchased a 31.9% stake in Elemental Altus Royalties Corp., a Canadian precious metals royalty company. This acquisition, executed through Tether Investments, highlights the company’s diversification into traditional asset markets while maintaining its focus on blockchain innovation.

Strategy Expands Bitcoin Holdings and Launches New Stock

On Wednesday, Strategy launched its STRD securities on the Nasdaq, marking a new development with its 10% Series A Perpetual Stride Preferred Stock. The stock debuted with a modest 0.24% gain.

In addition, the company acquired 1,045 Bitcoin for $110.2 million, averaging $105,426 per Bitcoin. This purchase brings Strategy’s total holdings to approximately 582,000 Bitcoin, reaffirming its commitment to Bitcoin as a store of value.

Ant Group Eyes Stablecoin Licenses

The international arm of Ant Group, the owner of Alipay, plans to apply for stablecoin issuer licenses in Hong Kong and Singapore once regulatory frameworks are established. The company is also exploring licensing opportunities in Luxembourg, signaling its intent to expand into the stablecoin market globally.

Pudgy Penguins Partners with NASCAR

The popular NFT collection Pudgy Penguins has announced a collaboration with NASCAR to bring its brand to racing fans worldwide. Although details remain limited, the partnership reflects the growing integration of NFTs into mainstream entertainment and sports industries.

Stripe Acquires Cryptocurrency Wallet Provider Privy

Payments giant Stripe has acquired Privy, a cryptocurrency wallet provider. Operating as an independent product under Stripe, Privy aims to accelerate its development and improve service delivery. This acquisition underscores Stripe’s commitment to expanding its footprint in the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

Circle Launches USDC on World Blockchain

Circle, the issuer of the USDC stablecoin, has deployed its token on the World blockchain, a project spearheaded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. This expansion follows Circle’s recent public offering on the New York Stock Exchange, further solidifying its position in the stablecoin market.

Sandeep Nailwal Becomes CEO of Polygon Foundation

Polygon co-founder Sandeep Nailwal has officially assumed the role of CEO at the Polygon Foundation. Nailwal plans to focus on AggLayer, Polygon’s cross-chain liquidity protocol, to drive the platform’s development and adoption. Polygon continues to evolve as a leading player in the blockchain and Web3 space.

Stay updated with the latest cryptocurrency news, trends, and insights to make informed investment decisions in this rapidly evolving market.

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