A kidnapping in Paris highlights the physical dangers tied to crypto fortunes (1:14). In Washington, stablecoin legislation hits a wall as bipartisan negotiations break down (2:45). Arizona shuts the door on holding bitcoin as a reserve asset (4:03), while PayPal celebrates as the SEC closes its investigation into PYUSD — a move that could reshape the stablecoin landscape (5:13).

Crypto Kidnapping in Paris, Stablecoin Bill Stalls, Arizona Vetoes Bitcoin, SEC Ends PayPal PYUSD Probe - This is your essential update on the forces shaping what's next in money.

More on stories and articles mentioned or referenced in this episode:

Kidnapped Father of French Crypto-Millionaire Rescued, Henri Astier, BBC News.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2ew98rllxyo

Democrats Reverse Course to Oppose Senate Crypto Bill, by Jasper Goodman, Politico.

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/03/crypto-democrats-senate-stablecoin-00325255

Arizona Governor Calls Crypto an 'Untested Investment,' Vetoes Bitcoin Reserve Bill, by Francisco Rodrigues and edited Aoyon Ashraf, CoinDesk.

https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2025/05/03/arizona-governor-calls-crypto-an-untested-investment-vetoes-bitcoin-reserve-bill

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs Informs the Arizona Legislature of Her Veto of Senate Bill 1025 (PDF): https://www.azleg.gov/govlettr/57leg/1r/sb1025.pdf

SEC Closes PayPal PYUSD Probe as Rollback of Gensler-Era Crypto Enforcement Barrage Continues, by David Okoya, Benzinga.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/sec-closes-paypal-pyusd-probe-141654440.html

The music in this episode was composed by Liborio Conti, and you can find more of his fantastic work at his YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/liborioconti

Trump's Stablecoin Stirs Controversy, Morgan Stanley Sets Up Crypto, James Howells' Bitcoin Treasure Hunt Goes Hollywood, and Mesh Integrates Apple Pay

Trump's new stablecoin makes waves in a $2 billion Binance deal — and draws sharp criticism in Washington (0:58). Morgan Stanley eyes crypto trading for millions of E*TRADE customers (2:36). The search for a lost bitcoin fortune heads to Hollywood as James Howells' story gets the documentary treatment (3:38). And Mesh takes crypto payments a step closer to the mainstream with its Apple Pay integration (5:25).

It's Friday, May 2, 2025 — and this is your essential update on the forces shaping what's next in money.

More on stories and articles mentioned or referenced in this episode:

Trump's Stablecoin Chosen for $2 billion Abu Dhabi Investment in Binance, Co-Founder says, by Federico Maccioni, Reuters.

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/wlfs-zach-witkoff-usd1-selected-official-stablecoin-mgx-investment-binance-2025-05-01/

Morgan Stanley Planning to Add Crypto Trading to E*Trade Platform, Report Says by Aaron McDade, Investopedia.

https://www.investopedia.com/morgan-stanley-planning-to-add-crypto-trading-to-e-trade-platform-report-says-11725555

Film to Be Made About Man Who Lost £570m of Bitcoin, by Eleri Griffiths, BBC.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c74zel3ng1vo

Stablecoin Payments Are Now Available on Apple Pay Through Mesh, PR Newswire.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stablecoin-payments-are-now-available-on-apple-pay-through-mesh-302443024.html

The music in this episode was composed by Liborio Conti, and you can find more of his fantastic work at his YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/liborioconti

Sam Altman's Worldcoin Comes to America, Visa Pushes Stablecoin Cards, North Carolina Bets on Crypto, and Kraken Powers Up. Full crypto update for May 1, 2025.

Sam Altman's biometric crypto project "World" is now live in the U.S., bringing iris-scanning orbs to six major cities (0:48). Visa teams up with Bridge to introduce stablecoin-linked payment cards across Latin America (2:21). North Carolina lawmakers pass a bill to allow crypto investments in public funds — a move that could reshape pension and reserve strategies (3:59), and Kraken launches "Embed," helping banks and fintechs offer crypto trading directly to their users (5:53).

This is your essential update on the forces shaping what's next in money.

More on stories and articles mentioned or referenced in this episode:

Americans can finally scan their eyeballs for crypto in return after Sam Altman-backed World launches in U.S., by Ben Weiss, Fortune.

https://fortune.com/crypto/2025/04/30/worldcoin-world-sam-altman-united-states-launch/

Visa and Bridge Partner to Make Stablecoins Accessible for Everyday Purchases, Visa and Stripe/Bridge joint press release.

https://usa.visa.com/about-visa/newsroom/press-releases.releaseId.21371.html

NC House passes state cryptocurrency investment bill over Democrats' objections, by Brian Gordon and Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi, The News and Observer.

https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article305329556.html

Kraken Launches Embed, a Crypto-as-a-Service Enabling Banks and Fintechs to Provide Clients Seamless Access to Crypto, Business Wire.

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250429878133/en/Kraken-Launches-Embed-a-Crypto-as-a-Service-Enabling-Banks-and-Fintechs-to-Provide-Clients-Seamless-Access-to-Crypto

The music in this episode was composed by Liborio Conti, and you can find more of his fantastic work at his YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/liborioconti

The UK Proposes Crypto Rules, The US Endures Bitcoin Mining Costs, and SoFi Makes a Digital Asset Trading Comeback. Full crypto update for April 30, 2025.

The UK proposes a new crypto regulation framework (0:40), the US solidifies its position as the world's capital of bitcoin mining (2:03), but do the economics of bitcoin mining still make sense (3:45)? Plus, after some time away, SoFi makes a bold return to the digital asset space (5:15).

This is your essential update on the forces shaping what's next in money.

More on stories and articles mentioned or referenced in this episode:

UK Drops an Astounding Crypto Regulation Draft in Parliament, by Anushka Basu, The Street.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/uk-drops-astounding-crypto-regulation-150222556.html

New Cryptoasset Rules to Drive Growth and Protect Consumers, Press Release from His Majesty's (HM) Treasury and The Right Honorable Rachel Reeves, Member of Parliament.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-cryptoasset-rules-to-drive-growth-and-protect-consumers

Regulatory Regime for Cryptoassets (Regulated Activities) – Draft SI and Policy Note, HM Treasury (PDF).

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-regime-for-cryptoassets-regulated-activities-draft-si-and-policy-note

US Solidifying Itself as Bitcoin Mining Hub, by Suzanne O'Halloran, Fox Business.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/energy/u-s-solidifying-itself-bitcoin-mining-hub

Bitcoin mining now just totes unprofitable, costing over $137,000 to mine just one BTC in the US and near $200,000 per coin in Germany, by Hope Corrigan, PC Gamer.

https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/bitcoin-mining-now-just-totes-unprofitable-costing-over-usd137-000-to-mine-just-one-btc-in-the-us-and-near-usd200-000-per-coin-in-germany/

SoFi CEO says fintech bank is bringing back crypto investing, by Hugh Son, CNBC.

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/29/sofi-crypto-investing.html

The music in this episode was composed by Liborio Conti, and you can find more of his fantastic work at his YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/liborioconti

Arizona Approves Bitcoin Investment Bills | UAE's New Stablecoin | Asia's Crypto Growth | Mastercard News. Full crypto update for April 29, 2025.

Arizona inches closer to Bitcoin-backed public reserves (0:42), Abu Dhabi sets the stage for a dirham-backed stablecoin (1:59), and Asia's crypto markets show signs of maturity (3:57). Plus, Mastercard expands its stablecoin payments network (5:26).

This is your essential update on the forces shaping what's next in money.

More on stories and articles mentioned or referenced in this episode:

Arizona Approves First Ever US Bitcoin Reserve, Set to Invest 10% of $31.5B State Assets, by Ibrahim Ajibade, FX Street.

https://www.fxstreet.com/cryptocurrencies/news/arizona-state-approves-first-ever-us-bitcoin-reserve-set-to-invest-10-of-315b-state-assets-202504282343

Abu Dhabi's IHC, ADQ and FAB to Launch Dirham-backed Stablecoin, by Aarti Nagraj, The National (free registration required).

https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/money/2025/04/28/abu-dhabis-ihc-adq-and-fab-to-launch-dirham-backed-stablecoin/

South Asian Crypto Investors are Cautious, Demand Advanced Crypto Awareness, Survey Shows, by Radhika Parashar and edited by David Delima, Gadgets 360.

https://www.gadgets360.com/cryptocurrency/news/crypto-users-cautious-advance-awareness-binance-survey-8278414

Mastercard Unveils End-to-End Capabilities to Power Stablecoin Transactions – from Wallets to Checkouts, Mastercard official statement.

https://www.mastercard.com/news/press/2025/april/mastercard-unveils-end-to-end-capabilities-to-power-stablecoin-transactions-from-wallets-to-checkouts/

The music in this episode was composed by Liborio Conti, and you can find more of his fantastic work at his YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/liborioconti

Pakistan signs groundbreaking crypto agreements with World Liberty Financial (0:38). The SEC's new Crypto Task Force signals a major regulatory shift (2:12). Switzerland's central bank pushes back against Bitcoin reserves (3:46). And Nike faces a class action lawsuit over its now-defunct NFT unit (5:18).

This is your essential update on the forces shaping what's next in money.

More on stories and articles mentioned or referenced in this episode:

Pakistan Crypto Council and World Liberty Financial Sign Landmark Agreements, Express Tribune.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2542418/pakistan-crypto-council-and-world-liberty-financial-sign-landmark-agreements

Trump-backed crypto firm joins hands with Pakistan Crypto Council to boost blockchain innovation, Hindustan Times.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/trumpbacked-crypto-firm-joins-hands-with-pakistan-crypto-council-to-boost-blockchain-innovation-101745729220005.html#google_vignette

SEC Chair Atkins says crypto innovation 'has been stifled' as regulators push for change, MacKenzie Sigalos, CNBC.

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/25/sec-chair-atkins-says-crypto-innovation-been-stifled-at-roundtable-.html

Remarks at the Crypto Task Force Roundtable, Paul S. Atkins, Chairman, Securities and Exchange Commission.

https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/speeches-statements/atkins-remarks-crypto-task-force-roundtable-042525

Swiss central bank chief rejects holding bitcoin in reserves, Swiss Info.

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/banking-fintech/swiss-central-bank-chief-rejects-holding-bitcoin-in-reserves/88947727

Nike sued over closure of crypto business, by Jonathan Stempel and edited by Cynthia Osterman, Reuters.

https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/nike-sued-over-closure-crypto-210318294.html

The music in this episode was composed by Liborio Conti, and you can find more of his fantastic work at his YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/liborioconti

Crypto crime surged to new highs in 2024, with seniors hit hardest — that's according to the FBI's latest internet fraud report (0:37). Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve is rolling back crypto oversight (2:25), Ohio is pushing to accept Bitcoin for government services (3:54), and Russia is launching a tightly regulated crypto exchange for the elite (5:16).

This is your essential update on the forces shaping what's next in money.

More on stories and articles mentioned or referenced in this episode:

FBI Releases Annual Internet Crime Report, Federal Bureau of Investigation.

https://www.fbi.gov/news/press-releases/fbi-releases-annual-internet-crime-report#:~:text=If%20you%20or%20your%20business,and%20contact%20local%20law%20enforcement.

Link to the full FBI Report (PDF):

https://www.ic3.gov/AnnualReport/Reports/2024_IC3Report.pdf

Federal Reserve Board announces the withdrawal of guidance for banks related to their crypto-asset and dollar token activities and related changes to its expectations for these activities, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/bcreg20250424a.htm

Paying with cryptocurrency? Ohio takes step toward accepting Bitcoin for state fees, by Jessie Balmert, Cincinnati Enquirer.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/paying-cryptocurrency-ohio-takes-step-193438468.html

Ohio House Bill 116:

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb116

Ohio Senate Bill 57:

https://ohiosenate.gov/legislation/136/sb57

Russia Developing Cryptocurrency Exchange Limited to High-Net-Worth Investors, by Maisie Morrison, MoneyCheck.

https://moneycheck.com/russia-developing-cryptocurrency-exchange-limited-to-high-net-worth-investors/

The music in this episode was composed by Liborio Conti, and you can find more of his fantastic work at his YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/liborioconti

Brandon Lutnick of Cantor Fitzgerald, and son of the U.S. Commerce Secretary, is leading a $3 billion crypto investment push with Tether, SoftBank, and Bitfinex (0:54). Meanwhile, Ripple's JavaScript toolkit gets hijacked (2:23), Kuwait bans crypto mining (3:40), and Ghana unveils sweeping new regulations (5:30).

This is your essential update on the forces shaping what's next in money.

More on stories and articles mentioned or referenced in this episode:

Cantor strikes $3.6bn crypto venture deal with SoftBank and Tether, Financial Times (paid subscription required).

https://www.ft.com/content/501210ad-d39b-4d7b-b649-bbd08ceffe6f

Brandon Lutnick, Tether, SoftBank Back $3 Billion Bitcoin Venture, by Murtuza J. Merchant, Benzinga.

https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44948500/brandon-lutnick-tether-softbank-back-3-billion-bitcoin-venture

Ripple cryptocurrency software library hit by major security issue, wallets under threat, by Sead Fadilpašić, Tech Radar.

https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/ripple-cryptocurrency-software-library-hit-by-major-security-issue-wallets-under-threat

Kuwait Bans Bitcoin Mining Citing Energy Strain and Legal Violations, by Karthik Subramanian, Finance Feeds.

https://financefeeds.com/kuwait-bans-bitcoin-mining-citing-energy-strain-and-legal-violations/

Bank of Ghana to Implement Cryptocurrency Regulations by September 2025, News Ghana.

https://newsghana.com.gh/bank-of-ghana-to-implement-cryptocurrency-regulations-by-september-2025/

The music in this episode was composed by Liborio Conti, and you can find more of his fantastic work at his YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/liborioconti

A British gang launches a meme coin to clean drug money (0:55). Trump Media partners with Crypto.com to jumpstart a fintech empire (2:36). And in the Caribbean, St. Kitts and Nevis is now accepting crypto as a path to second citizenship (3:50). We also break down a key regulatory push in Illinois that could reshape how the state handles digital assets (5:34).

This is your essential update on the forces shaping what's next in money.

More on stories and articles mentioned or referenced in this episode:

UK drug dealers create their own cryptocurrency to launder dirty money: How street-level crime gang developed new coin in first case of its kind in Britain, by Rory Tingle, Daily Mail.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14631539/UK-drug-dealers-create-cryptocurrency-launder-dirty-money-case-kind-Britain.html

Trump Media Enters Deal with Crypto Trading Platform, by Matthew Goldstein, New York Times (soft paywall).

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/22/business/trump-media-crypto.html

St. Kitts and Nevis Embraces Cryptocurrency in CBI Program, The Street.

https://www.thestreet.com/crypto/newsroom/st-kitts-and-nevis-crypto-in-cbi-program

State senator: IL bill regulating cryptocurrency will put 'brick on growth', by Jim Talamonti, The Center Square.

https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_b74375dd-0e41-4208-8200-4fe2a6cda798.html

Bill Status of Senate Bill 1797, Illinois General Assembly:

https://ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=1797&GAID=18&GA=104&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=160946&SessionID=114

The music in this episode was composed by Liborio Conti, and you can find more of his fantastic work at his YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/liborioconti

We look at Circle and BitGo's bank charter ambitions (0:50), the latest social engineering scam targeting crypto traders via Zoom (2:41), and Wisconsin's proposed crypto pilot project (4:26). Plus, a look at how small businesses in Virginia are quietly experimenting with digital currency payments (5:50).

This is your essential update on the forces shaping what's next in money.

More on stories and articles mentioned or referenced in this episode:

Crypto Knocks on the Door of a Banking World That Shut It Out, by Gina Heeb and Vicky Huang, Wall Street Journal (paid subscription required).

https://www.wsj.com/finance/currencies/crypto-knocks-on-the-door-of-a-banking-world-that-shut-it-out

North Korean Cryptocurrency Thieves Caught Hijacking Zoom 'Remote Control' Feature, by Ryan Naraine, Security Week.

https://www.securityweek.com/north-korean-cryptocurrency-thieves-caught-hijacking-zoom-remote-control-feature/

Dem bill aims to support cryptocurrency innovation, WisBusiness News.

https://www.wisbusiness.com/2025/dem-bill-aims-to-support-cryptocurrency-innovation/

The Wisconsin Innovation Network Bill.

https://www.thewinbill.com

Meet Richmond-area Businesses that Take Cryptocurrency, by Eric Kolenich, Richmond Times-Dispatch (soft paywall – limited number of free articles).

https://richmond.com/news/local/business/article_118f9eb8-8432-4ccf-8e99-cfbfc2c9a68c.html

The music in this episode was composed by Liborio Conti, and you can find more of his fantastic work at his YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/liborioconti