Decentralized finance and real-world asset tokenization platform Mantra Finance has received a virtual asset service provider (VASP) license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), allowing it to expand operations in the United Arab Emirates and the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. On Feb. 19, Mantra Finance announced that it secured a…

Tether co-founder Reeve Collins is launching a decentralized stablecoin that will compete with the original dollar-pegged token he helped create, upping the ante in a corner of the cryptocurrency market that has seen intense competition. According to a Feb. 18 Bloomberg report, Collins is now chairing Pi Protocol, a self-proclaimed decentralized project that will launch on…

KernelDAO enhances restaking by enabling stakers to reuse assets across Ethereum and BNB Chain through its Kelp, Kernel and Gain protocols. Many blockchain networks are shifting to a proof-of-stake model, where participants secure the system by locking up their tokens (staking) rather than relying on power-hungry computations. This method rewards stakers with newly issued tokens or fees…

BitGo CEO Mike Belsche has said that crypto companies going public are key to drumming up trust in digital assets and addressing traditional finance players. “One of the things I think, in order to address Wall Street, you’ll [need to] be a public company,” Belsche said on stage on Feb. 19 at Consensus Hong Kong…

Crypto stablecoin issuer Tether has inked an agreement with the African nation of Guinea for the country to explore the adoption of blockchain and peer-to-peer tech. Tether said in a Feb. 17 blog post that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that “hopes to establish the groundwork for the country’s adoption of blockchain technologies and create…

Italy’s central bank and securities regulator are in discussions with crypto service providers to ensure adequate safeguards against financial and cybersecurity risks, according to Bank of Italy Governor Fabio Panetta. Panetta discussed key issues related to crypto assets, digital finance and cybersecurity risks pertaining to global and European regulations at the 31st Assiom Forex Congress on Feb….

The CEO of German securities marketplace Deutsche Börse, Stephan Leithner, is calling for financial reforms in the European Union, including establishing a permanent digital euro to strengthen the region’s financial autonomy. In a policy paper published on Feb. 15, Leithner outlined a 10-step strategy to transform the EU’s Capital Markets Union (CMU) into a Savings…

Key takeaways Tokenizing assets on Bitcoin is attractive thanks to the blockchain’s security, recognition and robust infrastructure. Bitcoin ordinals enable the creation of non-fungible tokens on the Bitcoin blockchain for asset tokenization Tokenizing real-world assets on Bitcoin opens up new possibilities in real estate, art, and commodities by inscribing data onto individual satoshis Regulatory uncertainty…

Australia’s Anti-Money Laundering regulator has taken action against 13 remittance service providers and crypto exchanges, with over 50 others still being investigated regarding possible compliance issues. Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (AUSTRAC) CEO Brendan Thomas said in a Feb. 17 statement that the regulator refused registration renewal for six providers because key personnel were either convicted,…

The Texas Senate is set to hold a public hearing on Feb. 18 to discuss the establishment of a Bitcoin reserve, but market analysts say the move may be largely symbolic unless the state announces an immediate investment plan. The first public hearing for the establishment of a potential strategic Bitcoin reserve in Texas is scheduled…