The World Crypto Report

Violent attacks targeting crypto holders have seen a disturbing rise in 2025 (1:26). The UK adjusts its crypto approval process (3:02), while Fiji holds fast to a blanket crypto ban (4:38). Plus: BitGo's IPO filing reveals stunning revenue growth and sets the stage for one of the busiest crypto listing seasons since 2021 (6:09).

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:

Arnold, Martin. "UK Watchdog Speeds Up Crypto Approvals in Response to Critics." Financial Times, 21 September 2025, https://www.ft.com/content/c146250f-9821-44f3-ad21-4a3edf843e65.

Bastardo, Javier. "Reported Physical Attacks on Bitcoin Holders Surge 169% This Semester." Forbes, 20 September 2025, https://www.forbes.com/sites/digital-assets/2025/09/20/reported-physical-attacks-on-bitcoin-holders-surge-169-this-semester/.

Bhandari, Ateev and Prakhar Srivastava. "Crypto Custody Startup BitGo Reveals Near Fourfold Revenue Jump in US IPO Filing." Reuters, 19 September, 2025, https://tech.yahoo.com/business/articles/crypto-custody-startup-bitgo-files-205855831.html.

Chand, Anish. "No Room for Crypto Firms in Fiji, Says Anti-Money Laundering Body." Fiji Times, 19 September 2025, https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/no-room-for-crypto-firms-in-fiji-says-anti-money-laundering-body/.

Lopp, James. "Known Physical Bitcoin Attacks." GitHub, https://github.com/jlopp/physical-bitcoin-attacks/blob/master/README.md.

"National Anti-Money Laundering Council of Fiji Reaffirms Prohibition on Virtual Asset Service Providers." National Anti-Money Laundering Council of Fiji, Ministry of Justice, 10 September 2025, https://www.justice.gov.fj/national-anti-money-laundering-council-of-fiji-reaffirms-prohibition-on-virtual-asset-service-providers/.

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.

Banerjee, Neil. "Elon Musk's Favourite Cryptocurrency Completes 'Revolutionary' Takeover of Italian Side as House of Doge CEO Says Venture Goes 'Far Beyond Football' - but Club Have Just Been Deducted 13 Points." Goal, 18 September 2025, https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/elon-musk-s-favourite-cryptocurrency-completes-revolutionary-takeover-of-italian-side-as-house-of-doge-ceo-says-venture-goes-far-beyond-football-but-club-have-just-been-deducted-points/blt543e145b7ac1dd55.

Nawrocki, Tom. "Grayscale Gains Approval for First Crypto Mutual Fund." Payments Journal, 18 September 2025, https://www.paymentsjournal.com/grayscale-gains-approval-for-first-crypto-mutual-fund/.

"RCMP Say $56-million Cryptocurrency Seizure Is Biggest in Canadian History." The Canadian Press, 18 September 2025, https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/business/rcmp-say-56-million-cryptocurrency-seizure-is-biggest-in-canadian-history/article_457ae977-f3dc-5942-999e-79d2368d485d.html.

Rubin, James. "Kevin Durant Regains Access to Bitcoin Held in Coinbase Account." Decrypt, 18 September 2025, https://decrypt.co/340285/kevin-durant-access-bitcoin-coinbase-account.

"SEC Approves Generic Listing Standards for Commodity-Based Trust Shares." U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, 18 September 2025, https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2025-121-sec-approves-generic-listing-standards-commodity-based-trust-shares.

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.

David Sacks, the Trump administration's crypto and AI advisor, faces political pressure over potential conflicts of interest and ethics rule violations (1:35). Chainalysis data shows North America's continued lead in crypto adoption (3:25), the UK proposes big exceptions for crypto oversight (5:34), and New York sets some aggressive new blockchain compliance rules (6:59).

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:

Alms, Natalie. "Democrats Launch Ethics Investigation into AI and Crypto Czar David Sacks." NextGov, 17 September 2025, https://www.nextgov.com/people/2025/09/democrats-launch-ethics-investigation-ai-and-crypto-czar-david-sacks/408175/.

Campbell, Ian Carlos. "Democrats Are Investigating Trump Crypto Advisor David Sacks Over a Possible SGE Violation." Engadget, 17 September 2025, https://www.engadget.com/general/democrats-are-investigating-trump-crypto-advisor-david-sacks-over-a-possible-sge-violation-215758087.html.

"From ETFs to Treasuries: How the U.S. Is Shaping Digital Finance." Chainalysis, 17 September 2025, https://www.chainalysis.com/blog/north-america-crypto-adoption-2025/.

Ridley, Kirstin. "UK Regulator Proposes Exempting Crypto Firms from 'Integrity' and Other Rules." Reuters, 17 September 2025, https://finance.yahoo.com/news/uk-regulator-proposes-exempting-crypto-122534107.html.

Shittu, Hassan. "New York Orders Banks to Embrace Blockchain Analytics in Crypto Crackdown." Cryptonews, 17 September 2025 https://cryptonews.com/news/new-york-orders-banks-to-embrace-blockchain-analytics-in-crypto-crackdown/.

Warren, Elizabeth. "Warren, Stansbury, Members of Congress Launch Investigation into Trump Crypto & AI Czar's Ethics Conflicts." Press Release, 17 September 2025, https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-stansbury-members-of-congress-launch-investigation-into-trump-crypto-and-ai-czars-ethics-conflicts.

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 U.S. and U.K. are teaming up on crypto regulation, with a potential joint sandbox in the works (1:29). Google launches a protocol to let A.I. agents handle crypto payments (3:23). Stablecoin adoption is exploding in real-world commerce, driven by commodity traders and emerging market infrastructure (5:17). And the U.S. Treasury targets Iranian operatives using crypto to fund military activities (7:11).

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:

Asgari, Nikou, et al. "UK Set to Announce Closer Co-Operation with US on Cryptocurrencies." Financial Times, 16 September 2025, https://www.ft.com/content/3b814ced-16f5-45f4-815d-cbfb8d2c63a6.

"Counter Terrorism Designations." Office of Foreign Assets Control, U.S. Department of the Treasury, 16 September 2025, https://ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actions/20250916.

"OFAC Sanctions a Crypto-Enabled Financial Network for Facilitating Iranian Oil Smuggling." Elliptic Blog, 16 September 2025,https://www.elliptic.co/blog/ofac-sanctions-financial-facilitators-front-companies-for-supporting-iran-in-evading-sanctions-seven-crypto-addresses-listed.

Ortiz, Sabrina. "Google's New Open Protocol Secures AI Agent Transactions - and 60 Companies Already Support It." ZDNet, 16 September 2025, https://www.zdnet.com/article/googles-new-open-protocol-secures-ai-agent-transactions-and-60-companies-already-support-it/.

Parikh, Stavan and Surapaneni, Rao. "Powering AI Commerce with the New Agent Payments Protocol (AP2)." Google Cloud AI & Machine Learning Blog, 16 September 2025, https://cloud.google.com/blog/products/ai-machine-learning/announcing-agents-to-payments-ap2-protocol.

Stanley, Aaron. "Stablecoins Aren't Just for Crypto Trading Anymore." Forbes, 16 September, 2025, https://www.forbes.com/sites/astanley/2025/09/16/stablecoins-arent-just-for-crypto-trading-anymore/.

"Treasury Targets Financial Network Supporting Iran's Military." U.S. Department of the Treasury, 16 September 2025, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0248.

"US Sanctions Iranian Financiers, Others Over $100M in Cryptocurrency Transfers from Iran Oil Sales." The New Arab, 16 September 2025, https://www.newarab.com/news/us-sanctions-iranians-over-100m-crypto-oil-sales.

Wynn, Sarah. "US and UK to Deepen Crypto Collaboration: Financial Times." The Block, 16 September 2025, https://www.theblock.co/post/370930/us-and-uk-to-deepen-crypto-collaboration-financial-times.

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 New York Times investigates a $2 billion investment linking the Trump family, UAE interests, and the USD1 stablecoin (1:21). We also spotlight the rise of Fellowship, a pro-crypto super PAC with $100 million in early funding (3:30). Meanwhile, Israel cracks down on wallets allegedly tied to the IRGC (5:09), and France calls for tighter EU oversight of cross-border crypto licenses (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:

"France Threatens to Block Crypto License 'Passporting' in EU Regulatory Fight." Reuters, 15 September 2025, https://finance.yahoo.com/video/france-threatens-block-crypto-license-140555541.html.

Lipton, Eric, et al. "Anatomy of Two Giant Deals: The U.A.E. Got Chips. The Trump Team Got Crypto Riches." New York Times, 15 September 2025, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/15/us/politics/trump-uae-chips-witkoff-world-liberty.html.

Nobel, Mitchell. "F.E.C. Form 1, Statement of Organization." Fellowship P.A.C., Federal Election Commission, 7 August 2025, https://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/C00915181/1910480/.

Post by Fellowship PAC, X, 15 September 2025, https://x.com/Fellowship_PAC/status/1967619490482643135.

Walsh, Sheri. "Israel Links Crypto Wallets, $1.5B to Iran's Revolutionary Guard." United Press International, 15 September 2025, https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2025/09/15/seizes-crypto-wallets-irgc/3101757969868/.

Wright, Turner. "Super PAC Backing 'Pro-Crypto Candidates' Raises $100M." CoinTelegraph, 15 September 2025, https://cointelegraph.com/news/crypto-backers-political-action-committee-100.

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 IRS is making crypto tax enforcement personal with sweeping powers, billions in seizures, and little legal pushback (1:19). Tether makes a move into U.S. markets with its new stablecoin, USAT, backed by Treasuries and managed by Cantor Fitzgerald (2:55). Pakistan opens its doors to licensed exchanges (4:32), while Türkiye slams its doors shut to unlicensed operators (6:26).

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:

Khan, Mubarak Zeb. "Pakistan Seeks Partners for Digital Future." Dawn, 14 September 2025, https://www.dawn.com/news/1941811/pakistan-seeks-partners-for-digital-future.

Steer, George, et al. "Crypto Group Tether to Launch New Stablecoin with Eye on US Markets." Financial Times, 12 September 2025, https://www.ft.com/content/f2329769-6bbc-489b-9a98-d9bbf7addf6f.

"Türkiye Blocks Access to Crypto Trading Platform Darkex." Türkiye Today, 14 September 2025, https://www.turkiyetoday.com/business/turkiye-blocks-access-to-crypto-trading-platform-darkex-3206891.

V., Vismaya. "Inside the IRS's Expanding Surveillance of Crypto Investors." Decrypt, 14 September 2025, https://decrypt.co/339134/inside-irs-expanding-surveillance-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.

Polling from NBC News shows just how sharply U.S. crypto adoption splits by age, gender, and political affiliation (1:05). Avalanche makes a push to raise a billion dollars through new investment vehicles designed to bulk up its AVAX reserves (2:56). In Asia, Hong Kong is moving to ease capital rules for banks holding crypto (4:22), while South Korea is granting crypto firms coveted "venture company" status (5:48).

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:

Crawley, Jamie. "Hong Kong's Central Bank Plans to Ease Rules on Banks' Crypto Holding: Report." CoinDesk, 11 September 2025, https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2025/09/11/hong-kong-s-central-bank-plans-to-ease-rules-on-banks-crypto-holding-report.

Kamisar, Ben. "Poll: Who Owns Cryptocurrency? More Young People, More Men and More Republicans." NBC News, 11 September 2025, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/rcna230247.

Katte, Stephen. "South Korea Crypto Firms Get 'Venture Company' Status Next Week." CoinTelegraph, 11 September 2025, https://cointelegraph.com/news/south-korea-crypto-firms-venture-certification-lifted.

Stafford, Philip and Antoine Gara. "Avalanche Blockchain Aims to Raise $1Bn for Crypto-Hoarding Companies." Financial Times, 11 September 2025, https://www.ft.com/content/87b5cb20-e86c-4849-8959-ee1f87ffb388.

Wang, Xiaoqing. "Hong Kong Plans to Optimize Crypto Asset Capital Regulations to Help Banks Accept Compliant Stablecoins." Caixin, 10 September 2025, https://finance.caixin.com/2025-09-10/102361170.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.

Hyperliquid's contest to crown a homegrown stablecoin heats up as Stripe-backed Bridge, Paxos, and Circle compete for control of the USDH ticker (1:18). Coinbase winds down its Web3 Wallet feature, causing real losses for users who misunderstood custody (3:00). India signals it will delay new legislation, reflecting regulators' caution as the U.S. and other countries press forward (4:31). And Chainalysis data shows Sub-Saharan Africa surging with grassroots adoption and retail demand (6:18).

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

Groshong, Chris. "Coinbase Users Lose Access to Crypto...The Web3 Wallet Shutdown." Forbes, 10 September 2025, https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrisgroshong/2025/09/10/coinbase-users-lose-access-to-cryptothe-web3-wallet-shutdown/.

Ohri, Nikunj and Sarita Chaganti Singh. "Exclusive: India Resists Full Crypto Framework, Fears Systemic Risks, Document Shows." Reuters, 10 September 2025, https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/exclusive-india-resists-full-crypto-081829131.html.

"Sub-Saharan Africa Emerges as Third-Fastest Growing Crypto Region with Strong Retail Activity." Chainalysis Blog, 10 September 2025, https://www.chainalysis.com/blog/subsaharan-africa-crypto-adoption-2025/.

Weiss, Ben. "Crypto Companies Are Fighting in a 'Bachelor'-Style Frenzy to Launch a Stablecoin that Will Power DeFi's Hottest Exchange." Fortune, 10 September 2025, https://www.aol.com/articles/crypto-companies-fighting-bachelor-style-191603895.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.

Gemini boosts its U.S. offering with Nasdaq on board, while blockchain lender Figure Technologies raises its sights with a higher target (1:18). In Asia, HashKey unveils a $500 million fund to build what it calls a Digital Asset Treasury ecosystem (3:01). On the cybersecurity front, researchers link North Korean hackers to a campaign that abuses trusted platforms to target crypto job seekers (4:50). And Alt5 Sigma outlines a $1.5 billion strategy centered on Donald Trump's World Liberty Financial, with SEC filings showing shifting roles and unresolved legal issues (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:

Ahmed, Deeba. "Lazarus Group Deploys Malware with ClickFix Scam in Fake Job Interviews." Hack Read, 8 September 2025, https://hackread.com/lazarus-group-malware-clickfix-scam-fake-job-interview/.

Bhandari, Ateev. "Gemini Lifts IPO Price Range, Targets $3 Billion Valuation Amid Crypto Boom." Reuters, 9 September 2025, https://www.reuters.com/business/gemini-lifts-ipo-price-range-targets-3-billion-valuation-amid-crypto-boom-2025-09-09/.

Everson, Zach. "Eric Trump Removed from Board Role After Firm Consults Nasdaq." Forbes, 9 September 2025, https://www.forbes.com/sites/zacheverson/2025/09/09/eric-trump-world-liberty-financial-alt5-sigma-nasdaq-crypto/.

Form 8-K, Alt5 Sigma Corporation, United States Securities and Exchange Commission, 25 August 2025, https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/862861/000164117225026082/form8-k.htm.

Macheel, Tanaya. "Nasdaq to Invest $50 Million in Winklevoss-Founded Crypto Exchange Gemini." CNBC, 9 September 2025, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/09/nasdaq-to-invest-50-million-in-winklevoss-founded-crypto-exchange-gemini.html.

Shittu, Hassan. "HashKey Unleashes $500M+ Fund to Build Asia's 'Largest Institutional Bridge' to Crypto." Cryptonews, 8 September 2025, https://cryptonews.com/news/hashkey-unleashes-500m-fund-to-build-asias-largest-institutional-bridge-to-crypto/.

Wang, Echo. "Exclusive: Stablecoin Issuer Figure Technologies Upsizes IPO as Crypto Interest Soars." Reuters, 9 September 2025, https://www.reuters.com/business/stablecoin-issuer-figure-technologies-upsizes-ipo-crypto-interest-soars-2025-09-09/.

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.

Wall Street's Dan Ives is going all-in on Worldcoin, taking the helm of a tiny Nasdaq firm with a $250M plan to stockpile WLD tokens (1:24). CoinShares charts a U.S. expansion in a billion-dollar SPAC deal (3:21). Also: a fast-moving NPM hack targeting crypto wallets (5:09), and D.C. goes after a Bitcoin ATM firm accused of exploiting seniors (7:02).

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:

Di Salvo, Mathew. "Crypto Asset Manager CoinShares to Trade on Nasdaq in $1.2 Billion SPAC Deal." Decrypt, 8 September 2025, https://finance.yahoo.com/news/crypto-asset-manager-coinshares-trade-164609911.html.

District of Columbia versus Athena Bitcoin, Inc. Complaint, Superior Court of the District of Columbia, 8 September 2025, https://oag.dc.gov/sites/default/files/2025-09/2025-09-02-Athena-Complaint-FINAL-.pdf.

Domingo, Ida. "DC Sues Crypto ATM Operator for 'Exploiting' Residents." ABC News 7 (Washington), 8 September 2025, https://wjla.com/news/local/dc-attorney-general-schwalb-sues-athena-bitcoin-crypto-atm-cryptocurrency-scams-washington-seniors-fraud-financial-exploitation-hidden-fees-teller-machines-consumer-protection-lawsuit-investigation.

Gatlan, Sergiu. "Hackers Hijack NPM Packages with 2 Billion Weekly Downloads in Supply Chain Attack." Bleeping Computer, 8 September 2025, https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/hackers-hijack-npm-packages-with-2-billion-weekly-downloads-in-supply-chain-attack/.

Macheel, Tanaya. "Dan Ives to Become Chair of Company that Will Buy Sam Altman-Backed Worldcoin for Its Treasury." CNBC, 8 September 2025, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/08/dan-ives-to-become-chair-of-company-that-will-buy-sam-altman-backed-worldcoin-for-its-treasury.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.