CoinDesk

A major bank highlighted the **rapid expansion** of event markets beyond traditional sports betting. While these markets remain **small compared to stock markets**, they're increasingly covering: - Macro economic events - Policy risk scenarios - Broader financial outcomes This shift represents a **growing trend** where prediction markets are being used to hedge against or speculate on real-world economic and political developments. The expansion suggests institutional recognition of event markets as legitimate financial instruments for risk management.

**Pavel Durov** is positioning himself as a crucial catalyst for mainstream cryptocurrency adoption through Telegram's integration with blockchain technology. The messaging platform's CEO has consistently highlighted the **TON blockchain's role** in Telegram's Web3 transformation since 2023. Key developments: - Telegram's massive user base provides unprecedented reach for crypto adoption - TON blockchain integration creates seamless Web3 experience - Platform bridges traditional messaging with decentralized finance This strategic positioning could **accelerate mainstream crypto acceptance** by making blockchain technology accessible to Telegram's billion-plus users through familiar interfaces.

**Major Policy Shift at DOJ** Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche signed a memo directing the Department of Justice to **end regulation by prosecution** in the crypto sector. The crypto industry has **praised the directive**, marking a significant departure from previous enforcement approaches. **Background Context** - In April, the DOJ disbanded its crypto enforcement squad - Previous policy targeted crypto exchanges, mixers, and wallet providers for user actions - New directive signals more collaborative regulatory approach **Industry Impact** This policy change represents a **fundamental shift** in how federal authorities will engage with cryptocurrency businesses and could reduce regulatory uncertainty for the sector.

**ZachXBT continues to lead** as the cryptocurrency industry's most prominent pseudonymous investigator, earning recognition as the **"Sherlock Holmes of crypto."** The blockchain sleuth has built a reputation for: - Uncovering major crypto scams and fraud schemes - Tracking suspicious on-chain activities - Exposing threat actors across various platforms Previous investigations have shown ZachXBT's impact, including cases where **scammers have directly targeted him** - demonstrating both his effectiveness and the risks he faces. His work remains crucial for the crypto community's security and transparency efforts.

The upcoming **Tornado Cash developers trial** this summer serves as a stark reminder of the crypto industry's ongoing regulatory challenges. The case underscores how **unclear regulations** continue to create uncertainty for developers and users in the cryptocurrency space. Privacy-focused protocols like Tornado Cash remain in a legal gray area, with developers facing potential criminal charges for building tools that can be used for both legitimate privacy and illicit activities. This trial will likely set important precedents for: - How privacy tools are regulated - Developer liability for protocol misuse - The balance between financial privacy and compliance The outcome could significantly impact the future development of privacy-preserving cryptocurrency technologies and clarify the boundaries of what's legally permissible in the decentralized finance ecosystem.

Chainlink's co-founder dedicated 2025 to transforming core infrastructure into practical tools for financial innovation. **Key developments:** - Oracles evolved beyond data feeds into comprehensive financial infrastructure - Cross-chain messaging became a cornerstone for multi-blockchain operations - CRE (Cross-chain Interoperability Protocol) emerged as a critical component **Impact on tokenized funds:** These building blocks now enable seamless creation and management of tokenized investment vehicles across different blockchains. **On-chain finance expansion:** The infrastructure supports real-world asset tokenization and traditional finance integration with blockchain networks. This strategic pivot positions Chainlink as the backbone for institutional adoption of blockchain-based financial products.

A major company is currently holding nearly **4 million ether tokens** with approximately **$3 billion in unrealized losses**. This represents a significant position in the cryptocurrency market, as the firm previously announced goals to acquire 5% of ETH's total supply. - The company crossed 3 million ETH tokens in October - Current holdings now at nearly 4 million tokens - Unrealized losses estimated at $3 billion The substantial paper losses highlight the volatility risks associated with large cryptocurrency positions, even for institutional holders with long-term strategies.

**Tether's Bold Move Backfires** Stablecoin giant Tether attempted a massive **$1.1 billion takeover** of Italian football powerhouse Juventus - but was swiftly rejected. **Market Reactions Split** - Juventus shares **surged** on takeover speculation - Club's fan token experienced **double-digit decline** - Mixed investor sentiment despite rejection **Previous Connection** This wasn't Tether's first Juventus play. Earlier in 2025, Tether's investment arm acquired a **minority stake** in the Turin-based club, setting the stage for this ambitious takeover attempt. **What's Next?** The rejection leaves questions about Tether's sports investment strategy and Juventus's future ownership structure.

**Ripple expands stablecoin testing** across multiple blockchain networks as it prepares for broader market deployment. The payments company is currently testing its **U.S. dollar stablecoin** on four major platforms: - Optimism - Base - Ink - Unichain **More blockchains planned** for 2025, though expansion depends on regulatory approval. This multi-chain approach builds on Ripple's earlier announcement to launch the stablecoin on XRP Ledger and Ethereum. The testing phase suggests Ripple is taking a **measured approach** to stablecoin deployment while navigating regulatory requirements. The move positions Ripple to compete in the growing stablecoin market across multiple blockchain ecosystems.

**Bitcoin faces a fundamental tension** between individual wealth preservation and network vitality, according to Terahash co-founder Hunter Rogers. **The core issue:** - Most Bitcoin remains unmoved in long-term storage - This behavior protects individual wealth accumulation - But it simultaneously **starves the network** of transaction activity **Supporting evidence:** - On-chain analytics show long-term holders maintaining firm positions - Limited Bitcoin flow into exchanges restricts liquidity - The storage-focused usage pattern persists across market cycles This creates a paradox where Bitcoin's success as a store of value may limit its functionality as an active network. The tension highlights ongoing questions about Bitcoin's evolution and optimal usage patterns. *Consider how your own Bitcoin usage contributes to this dynamic.*