Ripple’s journey through February 2nd encapsulates the volatile intersection of regulatory progress, market turbulence, and unexpected controversy. The blockchain firm secured a transformative full Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license in Luxembourg, cementing its European expansion strategy. Simultaneously, its name surfaced in the newly released Jeffrey Epstein documents, casting a shadow of historical intrigue. Meanwhile, its native token, XRP, plunged to a 14-month low, testing investor resolve despite signs of potential institutional confidence.
about Ripple's EU License, Epstein Files Link, and XRP Price CrashFCA
0 in Finance and 2 in Crypto last weekStop Using DAO Treasuries for Personal Branding: A Call for Transparency
A critical governance failure is plaguing the Web 3.0 ecosystem: the systematic misuse of decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) and project treasuries to bankroll influencer personal branding under the guise of marketing. This practice, which diverts community and investor funds toward individual reputation-building rather than product promotion, is drawing regulatory fire and eroding trust. As argued by Catie Romero-Finger, CEO of advisory firm BABs, the solution demands rigorous transparency, enforceable accountability, and a fundamental reorientation of marketing spend toward user education and verifiable outcomes.
about Stop Using DAO Treasuries for Personal Branding: A Call for TransparencyTokenised Assets to Surpass $100B in 2026 as RWA Market Booms
Tokenisation is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of global finance, with the tokenised real-world asset (RWA) market surging past $35 billion in 2025. As traditional institutions accelerate adoption, 2026 is poised to bring unprecedented scale and deeper market integration, with the market projected to more than double to at least $100 billion.
about Tokenised Assets to Surpass $100B in 2026 as RWA Market BoomsUK Crypto Ownership Drops to 8% as Regulation Looms
Cryptocurrency ownership among UK adults has fallen sharply to 8% in 2025, down from 12% just a year earlier, according to new research commissioned by the Financial Conduct Authority. This marks the first decline in overall ownership in four years, signaling a significant contraction in retail participation even as awareness remains near-universal at 91%. The findings emerge as UK regulators intensify efforts to establish formal oversight of the cryptoasset sector by October 2027.
about UK Crypto Ownership Drops to 8% as Regulation LoomsUK FCA Proposes New Crypto Rules for Exchanges, DeFi & Staking
The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has launched a landmark consultation on a comprehensive new regulatory framework for digital asset markets. Spanning three detailed papers, the proposals target crypto trading platforms, staking, lending, borrowing, and decentralized finance (DeFi), with an unusually long feedback window open until February 12, 2026. The initiative represents a critical balancing act, aiming to foster innovation while mandating greater transparency and consumer protection in a high-risk sector.
about UK FCA Proposes New Crypto Rules for Exchanges, DeFi & StakingUK Proposes £20K Stablecoin Cap, Industry Warns of Innovation Exodus
The Bank of England’s proposal to cap individual stablecoin holdings at £20,000 and business holdings at £10 million has ignited a fierce debate, with industry leaders and politicians warning it will stifle innovation and drive digital finance activity overseas. As the UK seeks to establish a framework for sterling-backed “systemic stablecoins,” critics argue the restrictive measures, including stringent reserve requirements, place the nation at a competitive disadvantage against jurisdictions like the United States, which have adopted more permissive approaches.
about UK Proposes £20K Stablecoin Cap, Industry Warns of Innovation ExodusEx-Jefferies Banker Charged With UK Insider Trading
The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority has charged former Jefferies banker Bobosher Sharipov with insider dealing, marking another significant enforcement action in the regulator’s ongoing crackdown on market abuse. Sharipov allegedly leaked confidential information about GCP Student Living Plc’s potential takeover to his business associate Bekzod Avazov, who then traded on this privileged knowledge to generate approximately £70,000 ($92,407) in profits during 2021. This case underscores the persistent challenges financial regulators face in maintaining market integrity, particularly when trusted advisors breach their fiduciary duties.
about Ex-Jefferies Banker Charged With UK Insider TradingWazirX Reopens After Hack as FCA Cracks Down on Crypto
The global cryptocurrency landscape is undergoing significant regulatory shifts as Indian exchange WazirX resumes operations following a year-long shutdown triggered by a massive 2024 security breach. Simultaneously, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority is intensifying its enforcement campaign against unregistered crypto platforms, issuing warnings to hundreds of exchanges including Justin Sun’s HTX, while Russia’s finance ministry prepares additional regulatory measures, signaling a broader trend of increased government oversight across multiple jurisdictions.
about WazirX Reopens After Hack as FCA Cracks Down on CryptoFCA Cracks Down on Unregistered Crypto Exchanges
The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority is intensifying its regulatory assault on unregistered cryptocurrency exchanges operating within British jurisdiction. In a significant escalation of enforcement actions, the financial watchdog has issued hundreds of warnings against unauthorized platforms and initiated legal proceedings against prominent exchange HTX for promoting services to UK residents without proper authorization, signaling a tougher stance on digital asset regulation.
about FCA Cracks Down on Unregistered Crypto ExchangesBlackRock Bitcoin ETP Launches on London Stock Exchange
BlackRock has launched its iShares Bitcoin exchange-traded product on the London Stock Exchange following regulatory easing by UK authorities, marking a significant milestone in mainstream cryptocurrency adoption within traditional financial markets. The ETP, structured as a Bitcoin-linked security, enables UK retail investors to purchase fractional Bitcoin units starting at approximately $11, providing regulated crypto exposure through traditional brokerage accounts without direct asset ownership.
about BlackRock Bitcoin ETP Launches on London Stock ExchangeKraken Acquires CFTC-Licensed Exchange in $100M Deal
Crypto exchange Kraken has acquired Small Exchange, a CFTC-licensed derivatives market, for $100 million from IG Group. This strategic move strengthens Kraken’s position in regulated US derivatives markets and expands its global trading infrastructure. The acquisition represents a significant step in Kraken’s push to offer comprehensive derivatives products to US customers.
about Kraken Acquires CFTC-Licensed Exchange in $100M DealKraken Buys Small Exchange for $100M, Gains US Derivatives License
In a strategic $100 million acquisition, cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has purchased U.S. contract market Small Exchange, securing its first license to offer derivatives trading in the United States under CFTC oversight. The deal, consisting of $32.5 million in cash and $67.5 million in stock from Kraken’s parent company Payward, represents a significant milestone in Kraken’s expansion strategy and follows recent positive regulatory developments that have created clearer pathways for crypto derivatives in the U.S. market.
about Kraken Buys Small Exchange for $100M, Gains US Derivatives License