The World Crypto Report

Mercado Bitcoin is shifting from exchange to financial hub, prioritizing custody, asset management, tokenized credit, and PIX-linked remittances (1:07). Across Latin America, crypto usage is increasingly practical: stablecoins for savings, payments, and remittances, with Brazil pairing bottom-up adoption and top-down clarity (2:32). In Scotland, two men face trial over an alleged plan to steal more than £17 million in crypto (4:33). In Russia, police raids continue, but gray-market cash-to-crypto flows persist (5:59).

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

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

Goschenko, Sergio. "Analyst: Cash-to-Crypto Exchange Market Reaches Billions in Russia." Bitcoin.com News, 5 October 2025, https://news.bitcoin.com/analyst-cash-to-crypto-exchange-market-reaches-billions-in-russia/

"Latin America Emerges as a Crypto Powerhouse Amid Volatile Growth." Chainalysis Blog, 2 October 2025, https://www.chainalysis.com/blog/latin-america-crypto-adoption-2025/.

McCabe, Grant. "'Crypto Plot' Five Men Accused of £17M Cryptocurrency Theft Plot – Including Hooded House Robbery Bid." Scottish Sun, 5 October 2025, https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/15421125/five-accused-17m-cryptocurrency-plot/.

Roderigues, Francisco. "Brazil's Mercado Bitcoin Bets on 'Invisible Blockchain' Approach to Build Financial Super App." CoinDesk, 4 October 2025, https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/10/04/brazil-s-mercado-bitcoin-bets-on-invisible-blockchain-approach-to-build-financial-super-app.

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.

Thailand prepares diversified crypto ETFs—beyond Bitcoin to ETH and SOL—aimed at safer retail access and institutional participation (1:18). India's FIU issues notices to 25 offshore exchanges for AML non-compliance and seeks app/website blocks (3:12). Abu Dhabi (ADAFSA) bans crypto mining on farmland, citing sustainability and misuse of subsidized resources, with heavy penalties for violators (4:49). Japan faces a new heist: ~$21M drained from wallets linked to SBI Crypto, with on-chain evidence echoing DPRK-linked patterns and flows through Tornado Cash (6:20).

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

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

"Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU IND) Issues Notices for Non-Compliance to 25 Offshore Virtual Digital Assets Service Providers (VDA SPs) Under Section 13 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PML) Act, 2002." Ministry of Finance, India, 1 October 2025, https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2173758.

Munene, Kelvin. "Thailand SEC to Launch New Crypto ETFs Including Ethereum and Solana." CoinCentral, 2 October 2025, https://coincentral.com/thailand-sec-to-launch-new-crypto-etfs-including-ethereum-and-solana/.

Nguyen, Anuchit. "Thailand Crypto ETF Expands Beyond Bitcoin, Regulator Says." Bloomberg, 1 October 2025, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-10-02/thailand-crypto-etf-push-expands-beyond-bitcoin-regulator-says.

Rodrigues, Francisco. "Abu Dhabi Bans Crypto Mining on Farms, Citing Energy Use." CoinDesk, 2 October 2025, https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/10/02/abu-dhabi-bans-crypto-mining-on-farms-citing-energy-use.

Singh, Jagmeet. "India Cracks Down on 25 Crypto Exchanges Including BingX, LBank, CoinW Over Compliance Failures." TechCrunch, 2 October 2025, https://techcrunch.com/2025/10/02/india-cracks-down-on-25-crypto-exchanges-including-bingx-lbank-coinw-over-compliance-failures/.

Watson, RT. "Japan's SBI Crypto Hit by $21 Million Exploit, Funds Sent to Tornado Cash: ZachXBT." The Block, 2 October 2025, https://www.theblock.co/post/373081/japans-sbi-crypto-hit-by-21-million-exploit-funds-sent-to-tornado-cash-zachxbt.

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 break down Token2049's scale and signals from CME, Bitwise, and Circle (1:16); explain why new Treasury/IRS guidance on CAMT removes a costly "phantom tax" for corporate Bitcoin treasuries (3:06); and cover developments around Avalanche Treasury Co.'s $671M AVAX-focused vehicle (4:40). We close with Okta's findings on North Korea-linked IT operatives targeting remote roles across finance, healthcare, and beyond (6:06).

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

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

Naón, Camila Grigera. "IRS Is About to Relax Tax Rules for Crypto Giants in the US." BeInCrypto.com, 1 October 2025, https://beincrypto.com/new-us-tax-rules-explained/.

Weiss, Ben. "Exclusive: Susquehanna Crypto CEO Departs to Lead $671 Million Avalanche Treasury Company." Fortune, 1 October 2025, https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/savingandinvesting/exclusive-susquehanna-crypto-ceo-departs-to-lead-671-million-avalanche-treasury-company/ar-AA1NGVdl.

Xin, Zhou. "Singapore's Token2049, World's Biggest Crypto Event, Draws 25,000 Amid US Policy Shift." South China Morning Post, 1 October 2025, https://www.scmp.com/tech/blockchain/article/3327492/singapores-token2049-worlds-biggest-crypto-event-draws-250000-amid-us-policy-shift.

Zimmerman, Micah. "US Treasury Softens Crypto Tax Rules, Easing Pressure on Bitcoin Taxes." Bitcoin Magazine, 1 October 2025, https://bitcoinmagazine.com/business/us-treasury-softens-crypto-tax-rules-easing-pressure-on-bitcoin-taxes.

Zorz, Zeljka. "North Korea's IT Workers Are Targeting Firms Beyond Tech, Crypto, and the U.S." Help Net Security, 1 October 2025, https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2025/10/01/north-korea-it-workers-worldwide/.

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.

Today's episode begins in Los Angeles, where a former sheriff's deputy has pleaded guilty to federal crimes connected to a crypto crime ring (1:17). Then we move to Kentucky, where lawsuits are piling up against Senator Brandon Smith over his failed bitcoin mining project (2:54). In Brazil, renewable energy producers are striking deals with miners to soak up excess wind and solar capacity (4:37). And finally, France's Société Générale brings its institutional grade stablecoins into decentralized finance on Ethereum (6:37).

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

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

Biraben, Amancai and Austin Horn. "State Senator Faces Lawsuits Over Failed Eastern KY Cryptocurrency Operation." Lexington Herald-Leader, 29 September 2025, https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article312162385.html.

Fucuchima, Leticia. "'There's Tons of Potential': Brazil's Clean Energy Oversupply Draws Crypto Miners." Reuters, 30 September 2025, https://www.fastcompany.com/91413319/crypto-mining-brazil-clean-energy-oversupply.

Omelchenko, Denis. "SocGen's Crypto Arm Deploys Euro, Dollar-Pegged Stablecoins in DeFi." The Defiant, 30 September 2025, https://thedefiant.io/news/tradfi-and-fintech/societe-generale-forge-stablecoins-morpho-uniswap.

Sheets, Connor. "Former L.A. County Deputy Admits Criminal Role in Crypto 'Godfather' Schemes." Los Angeles Times, 30 September 2025, https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-09-29/lasd-michael-coberg-plea.

"Societe Generale-Forge Deploys Its Euro and Dollar Stablecoins in Decentralized Finance via Its Partners." Press Release, Societe Generale-Forge, 30 September 2025, https://www.sgforge.com/sgf-deploys-eurcv-usdcv-in-dex/.

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 UK crypto fraud case ends in a historic guilty plea (1:22), Kazakhstan launches a yuan-pegged stablecoin and a sovereign crypto fund (2:54), Turkey clamps down on digital assets with FATF-aligned rules (4:59), and Poland ignites backlash with what critics call the EU's harshest crypto law (6:55).

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

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

"Bill No. 1424: Government Draft Bill on the Crypto-Asset Market." The Sejm, Poland, 26 September 2025, https://www.sejm.gov.pl/sejm10.nsf/PrzebiegProc.xsp?nr=1424.

Hassan, Anas. "Turkey to Give Authorities Power to Freeze Crypto Accounts in New AML Rules." Crypto News, 29 September 2025, https://cryptonews.com/news/turkey-to-give-authorities-power-to-freeze-crypto-accounts-in-new-aml-rules/.

"Kazakhstan Launches Its First Crypto Reserve - Alem Crypto Fund - For Long-Term Investment in Digital Assets." Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 29 September 2025, https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/maidd/press/news/details/1077013?lang=en&utm_.

Kosok, Firat. "Turkey Plans to Let Watchdog Freeze Bank and Crypto Accounts." Bloomberg News, 29 September 2025, https://news.bloomberglaw.com/crypto/turkey-plans-to-let-watchdog-freeze-bank-and-crypto-accounts.

Milmo, Dan. "Woman Admits UK Bitcoin Fraud Charges After 'World's Largest' Crypto Seizure." The Guardian, 29 September 2025, https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/sep/29/zhimin-qian-admits-uk-bitcoin-charges-after-worlds-largest-crypto-seizure.

Partz, Helen. "Poland Advances Strict Crypto Bill, Sparking Public Backlash." CoinTelegraph, 29 September 2025, https://cointelegraph.com/news/poland-parliament-passes-crypto-bill-criticism.

White, Thomas. "China's Yuan Stablecoin Debut in Kazakhstan Signals Blockchain Ambition." Reuters, 29 September 2025, https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/china-s-yuan-stablecoin-debut-in-kazakhstan-signals-blockchain-ambition/ar-AA1NvaB0.

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.

CZ's quiet influence, Kremlin-backed crypto laundering, and an actress-turned-embezzler: this week's episode covers the wild frontier of digital assets. We break down Aster's explosive rise (and risks) (1:12), a Kremlin-linked sanctions evasion network moving billions through stablecoins (2:56), a South Korean celebrity caught up in crypto crime (5:01), and Crypto.com's regulatory green lights in the U.S. derivatives market (6:18).

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

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

"The A7 Leaks: The Role of Crypto in Russian Sanctions Evasion and Election Interference." Elliptic Blog, 26 September 2025, https://www.elliptic.co/blog/the-a7-leaks-the-role-of-crypto-in-russian-sanctions-evasion-and-election-interference.

Butt, Mushumir. "Crypto.com Secures CFTC Approval to Offer Cleared Margined Derivatives in U.S." Blockchain Reporter, 28 September 2025, https://blockchainreporter.net/crypto-com-secures-cftc-approval-to-offer-cleared-margined-derivatives-in-u-s/.

"Crypto.com Obtains CFTC Margined Derivatives Licenses." Crypto.com Press Release, 26 September 2025, https://crypto.com/us/company-news/cryptocom-obtains-cftc-margined-derivatives-licenses.

"CZ Clarifies Limited Role in Aster, Sending Ripples Through Crypto Markets." Financial Content, 28 September 2025, https://markets.financialcontent.com/stocks/article/marketminute-2025-9-28-cz-clarifies-limited-role-in-aster-sending-ripples-through-crypto-markets.

Ga-Yeon, Kim. "Hwang Jung-Eum Receives Suspended Sentence for 4.3 Billion Won Embezzlement." Chosun (South Korea), 25 September 2025, https://www.chosun.com/english/kpop-culture-en/2025/09/25/5GWKRZPPZVG4PAKFIX4NJVZQXI/.

Redman, Jamie. "Binance Founder CZ Joins X Space to Clarify Aster Ties and Advisory Role." Bitcoin.com News, 27 September 2025, https://news.bitcoin.com/binance-founder-cz-joins-x-space-to-clarify-aster-ties-and-advisory-role/.

Rowley, Thomas. "Fugitive Moldovan Tycoon Recruits Top Russian Bankers to Run Sanctions-Busting Crypto Firm: Leak." Reporter.London, 15 September 2025, https://reporter.london/?p=1484.

"Russia Ally Used $8 Billion in Cryptocurrency to Evade Sanctions, Meddle in Moldova Vote, Study Finds." The Kyiv Independent, 26 September 2025, https://kyivindependent.com/russia-ally-used-8-billion-in-crypto-to-evade-sanctions-meddle-in-moldova-vote-study-finds/.

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.

More than 200 public companies have jumped into crypto-treasury strategies this year; now those companies face growing scrutiny from the SEC and FINRA (1:22). A violent crypto-fueled kidnapping shocks Minnesota (2:56). Morocco pivots from crypto prohibition to regulation (4:02), and Australia pushes to license digital asset platforms like traditional financial institutions (5:41).

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

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

Amer, Oumaima Moho. "Inside Morocco's Crypto Paradox: The Bitcoin Remains Prohibited Yet Growing." Morocco World News, 24 September 2025, https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2025/09/260521/inside-moroccos-crypto-paradox-the-bitcoin-remains-prohibited-yet-growing/.

Huang, Vicky Ge. "Unusual Trading Ahead of Crypto-Treasury Deals Draws Scrutiny from U.S. Regulators." Wall Street Journal, 25 September 2025 https://www.wsj.com/finance/regulation/sec-crypto-treasury-deal-trading-21d631ae.

Mori, Shigeki. "Australia to Require Licenses for Crypto Exchanges and Custodians." Be In Crypto, 25 September 2025, https://finance.yahoo.com/news/australia-require-licenses-crypto-exchanges-114534931.html.

"Regulating Digital Asset Platforms – Exposure Draft Legislation." Australian Government, the Treasury, 24 September 2025, https://consult.treasury.gov.au/c2025-701519.

Sepic, Matt. "Minnesota Family Held Hostage in $8M Crypto Kidnapping, Texas Brothers Charged." Minnesota Public Radio, 25 September 2025, https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/09/25/texas-brothers-charged-in-8m-crypto-kidnapping-of-minnesota-family.

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.

New SEC rules have cracked the door open for the next generation of crypto ETFs, and Solana may be first in line (1:31). Chainalysis has a new report out detailing the explosive growth of crypto activity across Asia-Pacific, where countries like Japan, India, and South Korea are carving out unique regulatory paths (3:03).

Then: A U.S. Senate ethics inquiry tied to the Trump and Witkoff families puts World Liberty Financial in the crosshairs (5:20). Plus, a cross-border investment scam leaves European victims out more than $100 million, and a coordinated police effort takes down the group responsible (6:57).

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

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

"APAC Crypto Adoption Accelerates with Distinct National Pathways." Chainalysis, 24 September 2025, https://www.chainalysis.com/blog/asia-pacific-crypto-adoption-2025/.

"Eurojust Coordinates Action to Halt Cryptocurrency Fraud of Over 100 Million Euros Across Europe." Press Release, Eurojust: European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation, 23 September 2025, https://www.eurojust.europa.eu/news/eurojust-coordinates-action-halt-cryptocurrency-fraud-over-100-million-euros-across-europe.

Lakshmanan, Ravie. "Eurojust Arrests 5 in €100M Cryptocurrency Investment Fraud Spanning 23 Countries." Hacker News, 23 September 2025, https://thehackernews.com/2025/09/eurojust-arrests-5-in-100m.html.

Lipton, Eric and David Yaffe-Bellany. "Trump Aides' Involvement in Giant Chips and Crypto Deals Draws Ethics Scrutiny." New York Times, 24 September 2025, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/24/us/politics/trump-witkoff-sacks-saudi-chips-crypto.html.

McGee, Suzanne and Hannah Lang. "Crypto ETFs Set to Flood US Market as SEC Streamlines Approvals." Reuters, 24 September 2025, https://finance.yahoo.com/news/crypto-etfs-set-flood-us-100554382.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.

Gen Z embraces "financial nihilism," with crypto playing a central role in their high-risk investment strategy (1:26). Plus, World Liberty Financial reveals a new app and debit card tied to its stablecoin (2:50). Morgan Stanley brings digital asset trading to E*TRADE (4:28), and the CFTC launches a sweeping initiative on tokenized collateral (6:14).

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

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

"Acting Chairman Pham Launches Tokenized Collateral and Stablecoins Initiative." U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission Press Release, 23 September 2025, https://www.cftc.gov/PressRoom/PressReleases/9130-25.

Harring, Alex. "Young Adults Embrace 'Financial Nihilism' with Risky Crypto, Stock Bets as American Dream Feels Unattainable." CNBC, 23 September 2025, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/23/young-people-crypto-meme-stocks-options-risk-financial-nihilism.html.

Irene, Nellius. "CFTC Explores Stablecoins and Tokenized Collateral for Derivatives." Cryptopolitan, 23 September 2025, https://www.cryptopolitan.com/cftc-explores-stablecoins-collateral/.

Jafri, Assad. "Morgan Stanley to Kick Off Proprietary Crypto Trading Services via Digital Platform in 2026." CryptoSlate, 23 September 2025, https://cryptoslate.com/morgan-stanley-to-kick-off-proprietary-crypto-trading-services-via-digital-platform-in-2026/.

Park, Danny. "World Liberty Financial to Launch Debit Card 'Very Soon,' Co-Founder Zak Folkman Says." The Block, 22 September 2025, https://www.theblock.co/post/371766/world-liberty-financial-debit-card-very-soon.

Verma, Aniket. "Trump Family's World Liberty Financial Platform Gears Up to Introduce Debit Card, Retail App: Report." Benzinga, 23 September 2025, https://finance.yahoo.com/news/trump-familys-world-liberty-financial-095203863.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.

Anthony Scaramucci and Hivemind Capital detail their $700 million AVAX One tokenization project (1:27), and Vivek Ramaswamy's Strive makes an all-stock deal with Semler Scientific and to massive increase its bitcoin holdings (2:24). A new US-UK taskforce could shape the future of global capital markets (3:28), and the UAE commits to international tax transparency under the OECD's Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (5:12). Plus: crypto-related financial crime is exploding in South Korea (6:43).

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

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

Avan-Nomayo, Naga. "Vivek Ramaswamy's Strive to Buy Semler Scientific in All-Stock Deal, Boosting Combined Bitcoin Treasury Above 10,900 BTC." The Block, 22 September 2025, https://www.theblock.co/post/371637/vivek-ramaswamys-strive-to-buy-semler-scientific-in-all-stock-deal-boosting-combined-bitcoin-treasury-above-10900-btc.

"Boosting Collaboration Between U.K. and U.S. Financial Systems to Drive Innovation and Growth in Global Markets." His Majesty's Treasury (U.K.), 22 September 2025, https://www.gov.uk/government/news/boosting-collaboration-between-uk-and-us-financial-systems-to-drive-innovation-and-growth-in-global-markets.

Huang, Vicky Ge. "Scaramucci-Backed Crypto Treasury Company Launches With $550 Million Fundraising Plan." Wall Street Journal, 22 September 2025, https://finance.yahoo.com/news/scaramucci-backed-crypto-treasury-company-110000567.html.

Jeong-Jin, Kim. "Suspected Illegal Virtual Asset Transactions Surge; the Number of Transactions from January to August This Year Surpasses the Previous Two Years." Yonhap News Agency (South Korea), 22 September 2025, https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20250921025700001.

Knight, Oliver. "U.S., U.K. Form Task Force to Align on Crypto and Capital Markets." CoinDesk, 22 September 2025, https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/09/22/u-s-u-k-form-task-force-to-align-on-crypto-and-capital-markets.

Reguerra, Ezra. "U.A.E. Signs Agreement for Automatic Exchange of Crypto Tax Data." CoinTelegraph, 22 September 2025, https://cointelegraph.com/news/uae-signs-oecd-crypto-tax-reporting-carf.

"Strive, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASST) and Semler Scientific, Inc. (Nasdaq: SMLR) Announce Bitcoin Treasury Merger in All-Stock Transaction." Strive Press Release, 22 September 2025, https://investors.strive.com/news-releases/news-release-details/strive-inc-nasdaq-asst-and-semler-scientific-inc-nasdaq-smlr.

"U.A.E. signs Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement on the Automatic Exchange of Information Under the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework." United Arab Emirates Ministry of Finance, 20 September 2025, https://mof.gov.ae/uae-signs-multilateral-competent-authority-agreement-on-the-automatic-exchange-of-information-under-the-crypto-asset-reporting-framework/.

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.