The World Crypto Report

Brazil eyes bitcoin as a strategic reserve (1:19). The Philippines introduces a bill to buy 2,000 bitcoin a year (2:46). Europe scrambles to future-proof the euro in a post-GENIUS Act world (4:16). And the U.S. IRS's top crypto official steps down as new tax rules take hold (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:

Asgari, Nikou. "EU Speeds Up Plans for Digital Euro After US Passes Stablecoin Law." Financial Times, 22 August 2025, https://www.ft.com/content/8ad60169-d1e5-4d2c-b928-d53d668f0ec6.

Basu, Anushka. "IRS Crypto Chief Trish Turner Exits Amid New Tax Rules." The Street, 22 August 2025, https://www.thestreet.com/crypto/markets/irs-crypto-chief-trish-turner-exits-amid-new-tax-rules.

House Bill Number 421, House of Representatives, Republic of the Philippines, https://docs.congress.hrep.online/legisdocs/basic_20/HB00421.pdf.

Luiv, Sven. "Philippines Proposes Bold 10,000 Bitcoin National Reserve Strategy." Brave New Coin, 24 August 2025, https://bravenewcoin.com/insights/philippines-proposes-bold-10000-bitcoin-national-reserve-strategy.

Stanley, Aaron. "Brazil's Congress Explores a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve." Forbes, 24 August 2025, https://www.forbes.com/sites/astanley/2025/08/24/brazils-congress-explores-a-bitcoin-strategic-reserve/.

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.

Ye launches a meme coin on Solana, YZY Money, backed by an entire financial ecosystem (1:27). Plus: SWIFT explores blockchain rails with Ripple and Hedera (3:02), China eyes a stablecoin strategy to internationalize the yuan (5:06), and Nigeria ramps up cybercrime crackdowns with mass deportations (6:35).

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:

Aydelotte, Bato. "Kanye West Steps into Cryptocurrency with YZY Token, Raising Hype—and Questions." Hot 97, 21 August 2025, https://www.hot97.com/news/kanye-west-steps-into-cryptocurrency-with-yzy-token-raising-hype-and-questions/.

"Exclusive-China Considering Yuan-Backed Stablecoins to Boost Global Currency Usage, Sources Say." Reuters, 21 August 2025, https://finance.yahoo.com/news/exclusive-china-considering-yuan-backed-115355632.html.

Muchai, Florence. "SWIFT Is Testing XRP and HBAR for Blockchain-Based Cross-Border Payments." Cryptopolitan, 21 August 2025, https://www.cryptopolitan.com/swift-testing-xrp-hbar-blockchain-payments/.

"Nigeria Deports 60 Chinese, 39 Filipino Convicted in Crypto Romance Scams." Al Jazeera, 22 August 2025, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/22/nigeria-deports-60-chinese-39-filipino-convicted-in-crypto-romance-scams.

Saponara, Michael. "Ye Launches Yeezy Money Meme Coin Cryptocurrency: 'A New Economy, Built on Chain'." Billboard, 21 August 2025, https://www.billboard.com/business/business-news/kanye-west-yeezy-money-meme-coin-launch-1236049036/.

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 slaps fresh sanctions on a ruble-backed stablecoin and the crypto networks fueling it (1:24). TRM Labs unveils a real-time blockchain crime response system backed by Coinbase, Binance, PayPal, and more (3:02). EminiFX's Eddy Alexandre faces mounting legal pressure (5:02). And yes, there's a bitcoin cartoon series for kids on the way (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:

Commodity Futures Trading Commission versus Eddy Alexandre and EminiFX, Inc. Opinion & Order, 19 August 2025: https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/cyrpto-fraudster-owes-millions-in-restitution-and-disgorgement.pdf.

Doughty, Stephen, MP. "UK Targets Sanctions Circumvention and Crypto Networks Exploited by Russia." Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK), 20 August 2025, https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-targets-sanctions-circumvention-and-crypto-networks-exploited-by-russia.

Gilbert, Aleks. "UK Sanctions Crypto Exchange Tied to Russian Ruble Stablecoin." DL News, 20 August 2025, https://www.dlnews.com/articles/regulation/uk-sanctions-kyrgyz-businesses-tied-to-ruble-stablecoin-a7a5/.

Nikolova, Maria. "EminiFX Receiver Secures Court Order Compelling Eddy Alexandre to Turn Over Assets." FX News Group, 20 August 2025, https://fxnewsgroup.com/forex-news/retail-forex/eminifx-receiver-secures-court-order-compelling-eddy-alexandre-to-turn-over-assets/.

Poireault, Kevin. "TRM Launches Industry-Wide Platform to Fight Crypto Crimes." Infosecurity Magazine, 20 August 2025, https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/trm-labs-beacon-network-fight/.

"TRM Labs Launches Beacon Network, the First Real-time Crypto Crime Response Network." TRM Blog, 20 August 2025, https://www.trmlabs.com/resources/blog/trm-labs-launches-beacon-network-the-first-real-time-crypto-crime-response-network.

Whittock, Jesse. "Kartoon Studios Prepping 'Bitcoin Brigade' Kids Animated Series." Deadline, 20 August 2025, https://deadline.com/2025/08/bitcoin-brigade-adventures-satoshi-city-kartoon-studios-1236492990/.

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 DEA targets a Colombian cartel with a covert crypto laundering sting (1:29), South Korea orders an abrupt halt to crypto lending services (3:08), Wyoming launches the first U.S. state-issued stablecoin (4:43), and Tether makes a strategic hire as it eyes U.S. expansion (6:12).

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:

Brewster, Thomas. "The Wiretap: The DEA Laundered $19 Million of Cartel Drug Money into Cash and Crypto." Forbes, 19 August 2025, https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2025/08/19/the-wiretap-the-dea-laundered-19-million-of-cartel-drug-money-into-cash-and-crypto/.

Hollerith, David. "Former White House Cryptocurrency Adviser Bo Hines Joins Tether." Yahoo! Finance, 19 August 2025, https://finance.yahoo.com/news/former-white-house-cryptocurrency-adviser-bo-hines-joins-tether-134729416.html.

Park, Danny. "South Korea Orders Exchanges to Halt Crypto Lending Services Until New Guidelines Established." The Block, 19 August 2025, https://www.theblock.co/post/367368/south-korea-halt-crypto-lending.

Parker, Hannah. "Wyoming Is the First U.S. State to Issue a Stablecoin." Quartz, 19 August 2025, https://qz.com/wyoming-first-us-state-issue-stablecoin.

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 White House issues a public call for innovation centered on a secure national digital identity framework (1:16). At the state level, Illinois is moving forward with its own consumer protections, signing two bills to regulate crypto exchanges and cash-to-crypto kiosks (2:48). Meanwhile, Wall Street is preparing for a landmark IPO from Figure Technologies, the fintech company using blockchain to bring liquidity to traditional financial assets like mortgages and private equity (4:13). And a critical security warning for developers as researchers uncover an "infostealer" malware campaign targeting the Solana ecosystem, with a potential geopolitical motive behind the attack (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:

Form S-1: Registration Statement Under the Securities Act of 1933. Figure Technology Solutions, Inc., 18 August 2025, https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2064124/000162828025040673/ftintermediateinc-sx1.htm.

Kimery, Anthony. "U.S. Pushes Digital Identity as Cornerstone of Crypto Ambitions." Biometric Update, 18 August 2025, https://www.biometricupdate.com/202508/u-s-pushes-digital-identity-as-cornerstone-of-crypto-ambitions.

Main, Frank and Tom Schuba. "Pritzker, Taking Aim at Trump, Crypto 'Bros,' Signs Laws to Regulate Digital Currency Industry, Crypto ATMs." Chicago Sun-Times, 18 August 2025, https://chicago.suntimes.com/2025/08/18/crypto-jb-pritzker-donald-trump-digital-currency-cryptocurrency-scam-illinois.

Sharwood, Simon. "Someone's Poking the Bear with Infostealers Targeting Russian Crypto Developers." The Register (UK), 18 August 2025, https://www.theregister.com/2025/08/18/solana_infostealer_npm_malware/.

Wheatley, Mike. "Crypto Lending Firm Figure Technology Files for Nasdaq IPO." SiliconANGLE, 18 August 2025, https://siliconangle.com/2025/08/18/crypto-lending-firm-figure-technology-files-nasdaq-ipo/.

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 prepares for its long-awaited Nasdaq debut with Wall Street's biggest banks backing the IPO, despite big losses (1:13). New revelations link North Korea's Lazarus Group to a high-profile UK crypto theft (2:35). The Federal Reserve winds down its "novel activities" program, signaling a policy turn in Washington's approach to digital assets (3:46). And Thailand introduces "TouristDigiPay," a system allowing foreign visitors to pay in crypto while traveling (5:14).

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:

"Federal Reserve Board Announces It Will Sunset Its Novel Activities Supervision Program and Return to Monitoring Banks' Novel Activities Through the Normal Supervisory Process." Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 15 August, 2025, https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/bcreg20250815a.htm.

Form S-1: Registration Statement Under the Securities Act of 1933. Gemini Space Station, Inc., 15 August 2025, https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2055592/000110465925079323/tm255912-12_drsa.htm.

"Gemini Files Registration Statement with SEC for Proposed Initial Public Offering." Gemini Space Station, Inc., 15 August 2025, https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gemini-files-registration-statement-with-sec-for-proposed-initial-public-offering-302531396.html.

Korosec, Kirsten. "Winklevoss Twins' Crypto Company Gemini files for IPO." TechCrunch, 15 August 2025, https://techcrunch.com/2025/08/15/winklevoss-twins-crypto-company-gemini-files-for-ipo/.

Qureshi, Mehab. "Federal Reserve Removes Massive Hurdle for Crypto Bankers." The Street, 15 August 2025, https://www.thestreet.com/crypto/markets/federal-reserve-removes-massive-hurdles-for-crypto-bankers.

"Thai Government Launches Crypto-to-Baht Scheme to Boost Tourism." The Nation (Thailand), 16 August 2025, https://www.nationthailand.com/business/digital-assets/40054107.

Titcomb, James. "North Korea Accused of £17M Crypto Heist that Killed British Start-Up." The Telegraph (UK), 17 August 2025, https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/north-korea-accused-17m-crypto-100000193.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.

The US Treasury Department sanctions Russian-linked exchange Garantex for its alleged role in laundering over $100 million for ransomware groups and other cybercriminals (1:16), and Citigroup plans to offer custody services for stablecoin reserves and other crypto products (3:12). Also: we review the soaring valuation of the Trump family's cryptocurrency firm, World Liberty Financial, the growth of its USD1 stablecoin, its partnership with PancakeSwap on the Binance blockchain, and the political questions surrounding the venture (4:41). Finally, we look at the rise of hyper-niche tokens with the launch of Animecoin, a new cryptocurrency designed for the global anime fandom (6:35).

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:

Bautzer, Tatiana and Hannah Lang. "Citigroup Considers Custody and Payment Services for Stablecoins, Crypto ETFs." Reuters, 14 August 2025, https://finance.yahoo.com/news/citigroup-considers-custody-payment-services-175259025.html.

Berwick, Angus and Patricia Kowsmann. "The Recipe Behind the Trump Family's Crypto Riches: PancakeSwap." Wall Street Journal, 12 August 2025, https://www.wsj.com/finance/currencies/trump-family-crypto-1e7ab14a.

Bruce, Tammy. "U.S. Targets Cryptocurrency Exchange, Offering Rewards Totaling Up to $6 Million." U.S. Department of State, 14 August 2025, https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2025/08/u-s-targets-cryptocurrency-exchange-offering-rewards-totaling-up-to-6-million/.

Fathepure, Anusha. "Texas Esports Firm GameSquare Signs On as Animecoin Agency of Record, Reflecting Fandom Crypto Trend." Houston Chronicle, 14 August 2025, https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/trending/article/gamesquare-animecoin-cryptocurrency-20816101.php.

Goncharova, Olena. "U.S. Sanctions Russian Crypto Exchange Over Cybercrime — Day Before Trump-Putin Summit in Alaska." Kyiv Independent, 14 August 2025, https://kyivindependent.com/us-sanctions-russian-crypto-exchange-over-cybercrime-day-before-trump-putin-summit-in-alaska/.

"Treasury Sanctions Cryptocurrency Exchange and Network Enabling Sanctions Evasion and Cyber Criminals." U.S. Department of the Treasury, 14 August 2025, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0225.

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.

Bullish makes its market debut with a billion-dollar IPO and a rollercoaster first day of trading (1:10). Public Citizen says U.S. regulators are easing off crypto enforcement — and big political donations may be part of the story (2:38). Older Americans face growing losses in crypto-related scams, as fraudsters shift to high-dollar digital asset schemes (4:30). Plus, Google Play tweaks its licensing rules for wallet apps after industry pushback (5:50).

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:

Claypool, Rick. "Deleting Tech Enforcement: Trump 2.0 Is Dropping Lawsuits and Investigations Against the $1 Billion-Spending Technology Sector." Public Citizen, 13 August 2025, https://www.citizen.org/article/deleting-enforcement-trump-big-tech-billion-report/.

Conley, Jake. "Bullish Stock Ends First Day at $70 with 90% Gain, Giving Crypto Exchange Market Cap Above $10 Billion." Yahoo! Finance, 13 August 2025, https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bullish-stock-ends-first-day-at-70-with-90-gain-giving-crypto-exchange-market-cap-above-10-billion-133442763.html.

Division of Consumer Response and Operations Staff. "False Alarm, Real Scam: How Scammers Are Stealing Older Adults' Life Savings." U.S. Federal Trade Commission, 7 August 2025, https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/data-visualizations/data-spotlight/2025/08/false-alarm-real-scam-how-scammers-are-stealing-older-adults-life-savings.

L33tz, L0la. "Google Play Store Bans Wallets That Don't Have Banking License: New Google Play Store Policy Now Requires FinCEN Registration, State Banking License, or MiCA License for Non-Custodial Wallets." The Rage, 13 August 2025, https://www.therage.co/google-play-store-ban-wallets/.

Sobrado, Boaz. "Google Play Store Requires Government Licenses for Crypto Wallet Apps." Forbes, 13 August 2025, https://www.forbes.com/sites/boazsobrado/2025/08/13/google-play-store-requires-government-licenses-for-crypto-wallet-apps/.

Wignall, David. "Scams Against Elderly Americans Are Getting Worse, and Crypto Is Often Involved." Barron's, 13 August 2025, https://www.barrons.com/advisor/articles/fraud-ftc-elderly-americans-crypto-7c89cd7c.

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.

Do Kwon pleads guilty in the U.S. over the Terra-USD and Luna collapse, admitting to misleading investors and hiding rescue efforts during a 2021 depegging (1:16), while a former Los Angeles police officer faces life in prison after an alleged crypto-related kidnapping and robbery in Koreatown (2:41). Also: Texas' Public Utility Commission takes its fight over Bitcoin mining data to court, pitting security concerns against transparency advocates (3:57). Finally, Kazakhstan dismantles a multi-million-dollar illegal power network feeding cryptocurrency miners, seizing luxury assets and tightening regulations (5:33).

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:

Chavez, Paloma. "Former Cop Joins Group in Violent Home Invasion to Steal Crypto, CA Officials Say." Sacramento Bee, 12 August 2025, https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/article311676604.html.

"Kazakhstan Dismantles the Largest Network for Supplying Electricity for Cryptocurrency Mining." Arabic Trader, 12 August 2025, https://www.arabictrader.com/en/news/cryptocurrencies/191800/kazakhstan-dismantles-the-largest-network-for-supplying-electricity-for-cryptocurrency-mining.

Ostroff, Caitlin, Sam Kessler, and Alexander Osipovich. "Crypto Entrepreneur Do Kwon Pleads Guilty to Fraud Charges Stemming From Crypto Crash." The Wall Street Journal, 12 August 2025, https://www.wsj.com/finance/currencies/crypto-entrepreneur-do-kwon-pleads-guilty-to-fraud-charges-stemming-from-crypto-crash-50c032fe.

Peters, Keaton. "State Utility Commission Sues Texas Attorney General to Avoid Releasing Data on Crypto Companies' Power Use." Straight Arrow News, 11 August 2025, https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/11/texas-public-utility-commission-cryptocurrency-mining-power-lawsuit/.

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.

Do Kwon's expected guilty plea in the high-profile TerraUSD and Luna collapse case could mark the end of a two-year legal saga (1:04). Bullish, backed by Peter Thiel, is raising its IPO target to $1 billion and boosting its valuation (2:10). Paxos is making another push for a U.S. national trust bank charter as the stablecoin market expands under new federal rules (3:17). And in a futuristic twist, Shift4 Payments and Blue Origin will now let you pay for spaceflights with cryptocurrency (4:52).

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:

"Blue Origin Spaceflights Aboard New Shepard Can Now Be Purchased with Crypto and Stablecoins Through Shift4." Shift4 Payments, Inc., 11 August 2025, https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250811596411/en/Blue-Origin-Spaceflights-Aboard-New-Shepard-Can-Now-Be-Purchased-With-Crypto-and-Stablecoins-Through-Shift4.

Cohen, Luc. "Crypto Exec Do Kwon, Charged with Fraud, Expected to Plead Guilty." Reuters, 11 August 2025, https://finance.yahoo.com/news/crypto-exec-kwon-charged-fraud-202214092.html.

Lang, Hannah. "Paxos Joins Spate of Crypto Companies Applying for US Trust Bank Licenses." Reuters, 11 August 2025, https://finance.yahoo.com/news/exclusive-paxos-joins-spate-crypto-144209798.html.

Macheel, Tanaya. "Crypto Exchange Bullish Raises IPO Size, Seeks Nearly $5 Billion Valuation." CNBC, 11 August 2025, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/11/crypto-exchange-bullish-raises-ipo-size-seeks-nearly-5-billion-valuation.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.