Texas Establishes a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve
Authorities in the state of Texas have approved a bill to create a strategic reserve in Bitcoin, which now awaits the governor’s signature. The initiative aims to strengthen the state’s economic independence and long-term resilience.
According to the document, the BTC reserves will be formed using budget surpluses and private donations. A special government body will manage the asset with mandatory transparent reporting. The reserve will be stored in cold wallets with multi-level security.
Lawmakers supporting the initiative believe Bitcoin can serve as a hedge against inflationary pressure and geopolitical risks. Additionally, this move symbolizes Texas’ openness to crypto innovation, especially amid the growing number of mining farms in the region.
Tether Mints 2 Billion USDT: Market Heats Up
Tether, the issuer of the largest stablecoin by market capitalization, USDT, has minted another 2,000,000,000 tokens — one of the largest issuances in recent times.
According to Tether representatives, the tokens were issued to boost market liquidity and meet potential demand on over-the-counter (OTC) platforms. Although USDT is fully backed by assets, such large-scale issuances repeatedly raise questions among analysts about transparency and potential risks.
Following the issuance, BTC and ETH saw slight price increases, possibly indicating preparation for institutional activity. However, critics note that overly aggressive USDT issuance has historically preceded significant price volatility — both upward and downward.
South Korea to Lift Crypto Ban for Institutions, But Tighten Controls
The South Korean government has announced the lifting of the ban on institutional investors participating in the digital asset market. This means that banks, funds, and insurance companies will be allowed to legally invest in cryptocurrency. Simultaneously, the authorities introduced a new set of strict AML/KYC requirements.
Specifically:
– All exchanges must implement enhanced customer identity verification (including biometric data);
– Mandatory monitoring of all large or suspicious transactions;
– Information sharing with national and international regulators.
This decision reflects South Korea’s effort to balance crypto market development with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing measures. The country remains one of the most technologically advanced centers in the digital asset space, especially amid growing interest in Web3, NFTs, and gaming tokens.
SEC Accuses Unicoin of $100M Fraud
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed a lawsuit against Unicoin, accusing the company of fraud totaling over $100 million. According to the regulator, Unicoin illegally sold investment products disguised as digital assets, misleading investors.
The SEC claims the company failed to disclose risks, lacked the proper licenses to raise investment, and used customer funds for personal expenses — including advertising, executive bonuses, and the repayment of personal debts.
This case once again highlights regulatory pressure on the crypto sector and shows the SEC’s willingness to actively combat all forms of misconduct. With tightening oversight, such lawsuits may become more frequent, particularly targeting startups that held token sales without adhering to legal standards.
Guatemala’s Largest Bank Integrates USDC for Cross-Border Transfers
Guatemala’s largest bank, Banco Industrial, has announced the integration of the USDC stablecoin for international money transfers. This will allow Guatemalan citizens to receive funds from the U.S. faster and more affordably than through traditional banking channels or systems like Western Union.
The decision was made in collaboration with Circle and local fintech companies. According to the official statement, using blockchain will:
– Reduce fees to below 1%;
– Accelerate transfers from several days to just a few minutes;
– Ensure transparency and traceability of transactions.
This move underscores the growing role of stablecoins in global cross-border finance and could serve as a model for other developing nations, where remittances make up a significant share of GDP.
Amid rising regulatory pressure and simultaneous adoption of cryptocurrencies across the globe, the industry continues to evolve along a complex but inevitable path. Texas is setting a precedent with a state-level Bitcoin reserve, Tether is flooding the market with liquidity, and banks — from Seoul to Guatemala — are embracing new digital opportunities. However, behind these developments lies a shadowy side — fraud, manipulation, and the need for strict oversight. Ultimately, the balance between innovation and responsibility will determine the future of the crypto economy.
