FDIC to Ease Crypto Rules Now Allowing Banks to Enter the Market

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🌍 Daily Crypto Market Overview

Global Stats:

• Cryptocurrencies: 10.86M+

• Exchanges: 781

• Market Cap: $3.23T (-0.04%)

• 24h Volume: $118.16B (-28.84%)

• Bitcoin Dominance: 60.5%

• Ethereum Dominance: 10.5%

• ETH Gas Price: 1.01 Gwei

• Fear & Greed Index: 35 (Fear)

🪙 Top 5 Cryptocurrencies by Market Cap:

🚀 Trending on DexScan:

1️⃣ CUPID/SOL +660%
2️⃣ USAID/SOL +371%
3️⃣ SerAlpha/SOL +293%
4️⃣ ROP/SOL +231%
5️⃣ cef/SOL +56.43%

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💹 Market Highlights:

• Total DeFi Volume: $6.65B (5.62% of total market volume)

• Stablecoins Volume: $110.07B (93.15% of total market volume)

• Coin with Highest % Change: GST (+43.20%)

📈 Preview On Today’s News:

1. - FDIC to Ease Crypto Rules Now Allowing Banks to Enter the Market

2. - Elon Musk Backs Blockchain for US Treasury Transactions 

3. - BlackRock Expands Bitcoin Investment Reach with European ETP 

Keep reading below for more!

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Today’s News:

1)

FDIC to Ease Crypto Rules Now Allowing Banks to Enter the Market

The US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is reportedly set to revise its guidelines, enabling banks to engage in cryptocurrency activities without requiring regulatory approval. This shift aligns with the pro-crypto stance of the Trump administration, which has been working to reshape policies on digital assets. Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan has indicated that, if the rules change, traditional banks will rapidly integrate crypto transactions, viewing them as just another form of payment. Analysts suggest that such regulatory clarity could drive mainstream adoption and contribute to Bitcoin’s projected rise to $500,000 by 2028.

• The FDIC plans to revise its guidelines, allowing banks to engage in crypto activities without regulatory approval, aligning with the broader pro-crypto shift in US policy.

• Bank of America’s CEO expects rapid banking sector adoption, with analysts predicting that regulatory clarity could accelerate mainstream crypto integration and drive Bitcoin’s price growth.

2)

Elon Musk Backs Blockchain for US Treasury Transactions 

Elon Musk, head of the US Department of Government Efficiency, has voiced strong support for implementing blockchain technology in US Treasury transactions, emphasizing the need for transparency and compliance with funding laws. In a recent post on X, Musk claimed Treasury officials routinely violate legal requirements when approving payments, calling for immediate reform. Reports suggest discussions are ongoing about using blockchain to track federal spending, secure data, and manage payments, though it remains unclear whether an existing blockchain like Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Dogecoin would be used or if a new system would be developed under Trump’s crypto task force.

• Musk advocates for blockchain integration in US Treasury transactions, citing ongoing legal violations and the need for financial transparency.

• Reports indicate ongoing discussions on leveraging blockchain to track federal spending, though details on implementation remain uncertain.

3)

BlackRock Expands Bitcoin Investment Reach with European ETP 

BlackRock, the $10 trillion asset management giant, is set to launch a Bitcoin Exchange Traded Product (ETP) in Europe, expanding access to its highly successful Spot Bitcoin ETF from the United States. The new fund is expected to be domiciled in Switzerland and could begin marketing as early as this month, according to sources familiar with the matter. This move comes as BlackRock’s US Bitcoin ETF, which tracks BTC and has grown to $58 billion in assets, continues to see strong investor interest. While Europe already hosts over 160 crypto ETPs, its market size remains smaller at $17.3 billion compared to the US. BlackRock has yet to confirm the launch publicly, but the expansion underscores the increasing global demand for regulated Bitcoin investment products.

• BlackRock plans to launch a Bitcoin ETP in Europe, extending access to its $58 billion US Spot Bitcoin ETF, with Switzerland as the likely domicile.

• The European crypto ETP market, currently valued at $17.3 billion, is smaller than its US counterpart, but BlackRock’s entry highlights growing global demand for Bitcoin investment products.

4)

SEC Reassigns Top Crypto Litigator Amid Policy Shift

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has transferred Jorge Tenreiro, a key figure in past crypto enforcement actions, to its IT department, signaling a major shift in the agency’s approach to digital assets. Under former Chair Gary Gensler, the SEC aggressively regulated crypto through enforcement, but since President Donald Trump’s second term began, the agency has softened its stance. Acting Chairman Mark Uyeda has prioritized a more collaborative approach, with the SEC now seeking peaceful resolutions with the crypto industry. The move also follows a broader restructuring, including the reassignment of another official involved in restrictive crypto banking policies.

• The SEC has reassigned Jorge Tenreiro, a key player in crypto enforcement, to its IT department, reflecting a shift away from aggressive regulatory actions.

• Under new leadership and Trump’s pro-crypto stance, the SEC is moving toward a more cooperative regulatory approach, with plans for a federal Bitcoin reserve.

5)

Bitdeer Expands Bitcoin Mining with $21M Land Purchase in Canada

Bitdeer has acquired a 19-acre site near Fox Creek, Alberta, for $21 million to develop a fully integrated Bitcoin mining facility. The site includes a licensed power project with approval for a 99 MW connection to the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) grid. Bitdeer plans to build an on-site natural gas power plant and a dedicated data center, requiring an additional $120 million in investment. The company aims for full operational capacity by Q4 2026, targeting record-low Bitcoin production costs through vertical integration, low energy rates, and excess power sales to the grid. Bitdeer has also expanded its Bitcoin holdings to 787 BTC and reported a 131% stock increase in 2024, benefiting from Bitcoin’s market rally.

• Bitdeer acquired a 19-acre site in Alberta for $21 million, with plans to develop a 99 MW Bitcoin mining facility, a natural gas power plant, and a data center, requiring $120 million in additional investment.

• The company aims for full operations by Q4 2026, leveraging vertical integration for lower production costs while also expanding its Bitcoin holdings and reporting a 131% stock rise in 2024.

6)

South Korean City to Enforce Crypto Seizures on Tax Evaders

The city of Gwacheon is set to introduce an electronic system for seizing cryptocurrency from tax evaders, reinforcing South Korea’s push for stricter tax compliance. While the country has delayed its 20% crypto tax until at least 2027, local authorities have been granted powers to confiscate digital assets from residents under investigation for tax evasion. The enforcement initiative, launching in the first half of 2025, will give individuals a chance to settle outstanding debts before asset seizures proceed. This effort aligns with South Korea’s broader crackdown on crypto-related crimes, including the formalization of a permanent Joint Investigation Unit (JIU) for Virtual Asset Crimes, which has already indicted 41 individuals and seized 141 billion won in illicit assets.

• Gwacheon will roll out a crypto seizure system in 2025, targeting tax evaders and allowing them to pay debts before confiscation.

• South Korea is intensifying crypto crime enforcement, making its Joint Investigation Unit permanent after already seizing 141 billion won in illicit assets.

7)

MicroStrategy Rebrands to ‘Strategy’ and Doubles Down on Bitcoin

MicroStrategy, the business intelligence firm known for its Bitcoin-focused strategy, has officially rebranded to "Strategy" and adopted a Bitcoin-themed visual identity. Announced on February 5, the rebrand signifies the company’s continued commitment to both business intelligence software and its aggressive Bitcoin treasury strategy. MicroStrategy, led by co-founder and Bitcoin advocate Michael Saylor, remains the largest corporate BTC holder with 471,107 BTC, valued at over $45.6 billion. Inspired by its success, other firms like Metaplanet and Semler Scientific have also integrated Bitcoin into their treasury reserves, seeing significant stock gains. More details on the rebrand are expected in the company's earnings call.

• MicroStrategy has rebranded to “Strategy,” reinforcing its Bitcoin-centric business model and maintaining its leadership as the largest corporate BTC holder.

• Following its success, companies like Metaplanet and Semler Scientific have adopted Bitcoin treasury strategies, boosting their stock performance.

8)

SEC Reshuffles Crypto Enforcement, Signaling Regulatory Shift

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has reassigned Jorge Tenreiro, a key prosecutor in the Ripple and Coinbase cases, to a non-legal role amid a broader restructuring of its crypto enforcement unit. This move comes as the agency reduces its focus on crypto regulation following Donald Trump’s return to office. Mark Uyeda, the newly appointed acting SEC chair, has established a crypto task force led by Hester Peirce to provide clearer guidelines for digital assets and streamline the registration process. Additionally, the SEC has retracted SAB 121, a controversial accounting rule affecting crypto custodians, further underscoring a shift toward more industry-friendly policies. The impact of these changes on ongoing enforcement actions against Ripple, Coinbase, and Binance remains uncertain.

• The SEC reassigned Jorge Tenreiro and is downsizing its crypto enforcement unit under Trump’s administration, signaling a regulatory shift.

• Acting SEC Chair Mark Uyeda launched a crypto task force led by Hester Peirce to clarify asset classifications and streamline regulations while retracting SAB 121, an accounting rule impacting crypto firms.

9)

U.S. Lawmakers Debate Banking Restrictions on Crypto Firms

Congressional hearings this week examined the financial barriers faced by cryptocurrency companies, with concerns that regulatory measures, referred to as “Operation Choke Point 2.0,” are politically motivated. The Senate Banking Committee convened a session featuring experts like Brookings Institution researcher Aaron Klein and Anchorage Digital CEO Nathan McCauley to discuss the Biden administration’s financial policies. Meanwhile, the House Financial Services Subcommittee heard from Coinbase’s Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal and NYU professor Austin Campbell, who analyzed the restrictive banking environment. Participants debated whether these financial constraints reflect legitimate risk management or a targeted effort against crypto firms. Lawmakers stressed the need for equitable treatment of all legal businesses, with some warning that political influence may be shaping financial regulations in ways that unfairly impact the industry.

• Congressional hearings scrutinized banking restrictions on crypto firms, with some experts arguing that the measures are politically motivated.

• Lawmakers emphasized fair access to financial services for all legal enterprises, highlighting the regulatory challenges faced by the crypto industry.

10)

Ondo Finance Launches Tokenized Access to U.S. Securities

Ondo Finance has introduced Ondo Global Markets (Ondo GM), a new platform that enables global investors to access U.S. stocks, bonds, and ETFs through tokenized, freely transferable assets. By leveraging blockchain technology, the platform ensures transparency, liquidity, and cross-platform interoperability, offering a seamless trading experience with 24/7 access, reduced fees, and enhanced asset management. Initially designed as a permissioned system, the model evolved to function more like stablecoins, allowing instant minting and redemption without restricting transferability. Ondo GM also provides APIs and SDKs, allowing third-party developers to build financial applications within the ecosystem, further expanding market accessibility and liquidity.

• Ondo GM enables global investors to trade U.S. stocks, bonds, and ETFs as tokenized assets, enhancing liquidity and accessibility with blockchain technology.

• The platform supports third-party app development via APIs and SDKs, while its stablecoin-like model ensures unrestricted transferability, instant redemption, and 24/7 market access.

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