DIGITAL CURRENCY
Russia Advances Crypto Bill as First Reading Passes State Duma
Russia's parliament moves forward with a crypto bill mandating licensed intermediaries and imposing strict penalties on unregistered platforms.
HKMA Concludes e-HKD Pilot Program, Sets Future Path for Digital Currency
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has concluded the e-HKD Pilot Programme, unveiling findings and future plans for the digital currency, focusing on wholesale applications.
Global Fiat Money to Go Digital by 2030, Tether Exec Predicts
Cryptocurrency hack losses dropped 37% in Q3 2025, but September saw a record number of million-dollar attacks. Hackers shift focus from code flaws to wallet and operational vulnerabilities, posing evolving threats to digital asset platforms.
BRICS Coin 2025: What a Common Digital Currency Would Mean for the Rupee
In 2025, there's no official BRICS coin; instead, a focus on local-currency deals and payment interoperability is emerging, benefiting India's rupee without replacing it.
Saudi Digital Riyal Pilot: SAMA Tests "Oil-Linked" CBDC on mBridge for Cross-Border Settlements
Saudi Arabia's Central Bank (SAMA) is pilot-testing a wholesale CBDC, potentially enabling oil sales to China in digital currencies. This project aims to modernize payments and reduce reliance on U.S. dollars, aligning with Vision 2030 goals. While risks exist, such as liquidity issues and regulatory challenges, successful pilots could establish a payments system linked to the nation’s oil resources.
Riksbank's Final Report on e-Krona Explores Offline Payment Solutions
Sweden's Riksbank concludes its e-Krona pilot, highlighting the development of offline payment technologies like "shadow wallets" and payment cards.
Hong Kong HKMA Advances CBDC Development with Phase 2 of e-HKD Pilot
The HKMA has initiated Phase 2 of the e-HKD pilot program, focusing on the tokenization and programmability of digital currency.
Honduras Imposes Crypto Trading Ban Amid Fraud and Laundering Concerns
Honduras' CNBS regulator bans cryptocurrency transactions within financial institutions due to fraud, money laundering, and regulatory inability to regulate multi-jurisdictional digital platforms amid global debate.
UAE Central Bank Pioneers Digital Dirham Transfer to China via mBridge
The UAE Central Bank achieved a significant milestone by executing its first cross-border digital dirham transfer worth 50 million dirhams ($13.6 million) to China using the mBridge platform on January 29, marking a new era in digital currency transactions.
BIS Advances Technology in Finance: Quantum, AI, and Green Initiatives for 2024
The Bank for International Settlements announces six innovative projects for 2024, focusing on quantum security, AI, and green finance, to enhance global financial system resilience.
Circle's 2024 USDC Economy Report Reveals Significant Growth in Stablecoin Adoption
Circle's 2024 report on the USDC economy highlights significant growth in stablecoin adoption and usage, with a 59% increase in USDC wallets and over $12 trillion settled in blockchain transactions since its inception.
Bitcoin's Road to $1.5 Million: Cathie Wood's Bold 2030 Prediction
Ark Invest CEO Cathie Wood predicts Bitcoin to reach $600,000 by 2030, with potential for $1.5 million in a bull market scenario.
Web3 Security 2023 State Revealed, Nearly $2 Billion Lost
CertiK's "Hack3d: The Web3 Security Report 2023" provides a thorough analysis of Web3 security incidents in 2023, highlighting key vulnerabilities and trends in the blockchain and smart contract security landscape.
ECB's Digital Euro Development: An In-Depth Look at the Rulebook's Progress
The European Central Bank's Rulebook Development Group is enhancing the digital euro framework, focusing on operational models, technical architecture, and participant rights for seamless integration into the financial system.
CBDC Surveillance Concerns Spark Legislative Action
Congressman Tom Emmer's CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act aims to address surveillance risks in government-issued digital currencies, emphasizing privacy and autonomy in the evolving digital financial landscape.