Japan’s biggest financial institutions are quietly dismantling the correspondent banking system using stablecoins, and the infrastructure is already live. Key Takeaways: Japan’s Payment Services Act, revised in June 2023 and updated through 2026, created the world’s strictest stablecoin issuer rules. Project Pax, backed by MUFG, SMBC, and Mizuho, targets 1 trillion yen in B2B stablecoin

A handful of banking institutions would be trialing this token to streamline interbank settlements, taking advantage of the benefits JPM Coin can bring in terms of costs, speed, and efficiency, as regulators evaluate lifting the ban on banks offering crypto services. Key Takeaways: CMF and other banks are testing JPMorgan’s JPM Coin in phase one

Japan’s regulators are raising concerns over disclosure gaps, investor risks, and speculative trading, as the Financial Services Agency signals a more cautious approach that could tighten oversight without limiting market innovation. Key Takeaways: Japan raises serious concerns that could drive sweeping new regulations across crypto markets. The FSA signals tougher oversight through more effective and

India is intensifying scrutiny of cryptocurrency activity as tax authorities flag system-estimated income that may not reflect actual profits, issuing reassessment notices that could reopen past filings and pressure traders to justify discrepancies. Key Takeaways: India is issuing Section 148A notices that can reopen past crypto filings for review. Systems may flag estimated income that

Peter Berezin, chief global strategist at BCA Research, says the Iran conflict has pushed U.S. recession odds to 40% and warns that a sustained oil supply shock could send crude prices to $200 a barrel, hitting everything from fertilizer to plastics across the global supply chain. Risks are even higher for other nations. Key Takeaways:

The Solana Foundation and Asymmetric Research launched STRIDE on Monday, a tiered security program built to protect decentralized finance ( DeFi) protocols across the Solana ecosystem with ongoing evaluations, threat monitoring, and formal verification. The initiative follows the Drift Protocol hack that saw $286 million pilfered in 12 minutes last week. Key Takeaways: The Solana

Bitcoin ETFs managed a modest weekly gain despite sharp swings, while ether extended its outflow trend. Solana and XRP also declined in a shortened trading week. Key Takeaways: Blackrock IBIT helped drive $22.34 million bitcoin ETF inflows, but volatility signals weak conviction ahead. Ether ETFs saw $42.15 million outflows, led by Blackrock ETHA, showing selective

By the numbers, prediction markets recorded their second-highest notional volume over a two-year period. Data compiled by Dune Analytics shows that roughly seven platforms tallied $25.7 billion in notional volume in March, with most of that activity concentrated on Polymarket and Kalshi. Key Takeaways: Dune Analytics logs $25.7B March volume; Polymarket, Kalshi dominate as activity

U.S. stocks posted modest gains Monday as investors tracked ceasefire talks in the Middle East and waited on President Donald Trump’s Tuesday deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Key Takeaways: The S&P 500 gained 0.4% Monday but remains 4% below pre-conflict levels as Iran tensions persist. Trump’s Tuesday deadline for Iran to

Bitcoin Magazine Rwanda Reaffirms Crypto Ban After Bybit Adds Franc Support National Bank of Rwanda reaffirmed its ban on cryptocurrency use involving the Rwandan franc after Bybit introduced P2P trading support, warning of financial risks and lack of legal protections. This post Rwanda Reaffirms Crypto Ban After Bybit Adds Franc Support first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.