A new report from blockchain intelligence firm TRM Labs reveals a fundamental schism in how nations deploy cryptocurrency, transforming it from a financial experiment into a core instrument of state power. Authoritarian regimes are aggressively exploiting blockchain’s borderless nature to evade sanctions and fund military ambitions, while democratic governments are channeling the same technology into regulatory oversight and financial modernization. This strategic divergence is quietly reshaping the foundations of global finance and geopolitics.
about Crypto Becomes Geopolitical Tool: Authoritarian vs Democratic State StrategiesMonetary Authority of Singapore
0 in Finance and 0 in Crypto last weekStraitsX Expands MAS-Licensed Stablecoins to Solana by 2026
In a significant move for regulated digital assets, Singapore-based StraitsX has announced plans to bring its Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)-licensed stablecoins, XSGD and XUSD, to the Solana blockchain by early 2026. This strategic expansion, developed in partnership with the Solana Foundation, aims to leverage Solana’s high-speed, low-cost infrastructure to power a new wave of AI-driven financial transactions, positioning Singapore at the forefront of institutional blockchain adoption.
about StraitsX Expands MAS-Licensed Stablecoins to Solana by 2026Ripple Expands in Singapore with MAS Payment License Approval
Ripple Labs has achieved a significant regulatory milestone in Asia, receiving approval from Singapore’s central bank to expand its payment activities through its local subsidiary. This development strengthens Ripple’s position as it aggressively pursues growth in institutional-focused crypto services, a strategy underscored by recent strategic acquisitions including crypto custody firm Palisade.
about Ripple Expands in Singapore with MAS Payment License ApprovalSingapore Tightens Stablecoin Rules, Expands CBDC Trials
Singapore’s central bank has announced that only fully regulated, reserve-backed stablecoins will qualify as settlement assets in the country. The Monetary Authority of Singapore is preparing new legislation while expanding central bank digital currency trials. This move signals an upcoming shakeout of unregulated stablecoins to protect financial integrity.
about Singapore Tightens Stablecoin Rules, Expands CBDC TrialsJapan’s Top Banks Launch Yen Stablecoin Pilot for 2026
Japan’s three largest banks have received regulatory approval to conduct proof-of-concept trials for a yen-denominated stablecoin, marking a significant advancement in the country’s digital currency infrastructure. MUFG Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp., and Mizuho Bank plan to have the jointly issued digital currency in practical use by March 2026, initially focusing on corporate payments while leveraging Tokyo-based fintech Progmat’s technical infrastructure. This development positions Japan alongside other Asian nations actively developing regulated stablecoin ecosystems, though adoption may face challenges in a market already dominated by advanced cashless payment systems.
about Japan's Top Banks Launch Yen Stablecoin Pilot for 2026MAS Warns AI Valuations Echo Dot-Com Bubble Risks
Singapore’s central bank has issued a stark warning about ‘stretched’ valuations in artificial intelligence companies, drawing parallels to the late-1990s dot-com bubble. The Monetary Authority of Singapore highlighted concerns about opaque financing structures and excessive investor exposure to the AI sector. This caution comes as companies like OpenAI and Anthropic see their valuations skyrocket into the hundreds of billions.
about MAS Warns AI Valuations Echo Dot-Com Bubble RisksBybit Partners with DigiFT for UBS Tokenized Fund Collateral
In a landmark move bridging traditional finance with digital assets, Bybit has partnered with regulated platform DigiFT to integrate UBS Asset Management’s tokenized money market fund as collateral on its trading platform. This strategic collaboration represents a significant advancement in making regulated real-world assets accessible within the cryptocurrency ecosystem, allowing institutional investors to unlock additional utility from their tokenized holdings while maintaining compliance standards.
about Bybit Partners with DigiFT for UBS Tokenized Fund CollateralSingapore Delays Crypto Banking Rules to 2027
Singapore’s central bank has postponed the implementation of new cryptocurrency prudential standards for banks by one year to 2027, responding to industry concerns that the proposed framework could disadvantage assets on permissionless blockchains and stifle innovation. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) will use the additional time to monitor global regulatory developments while maintaining its balanced approach between financial stability and technological advancement in the rapidly evolving digital asset landscape.
about Singapore Delays Crypto Banking Rules to 2027Swift & Chainlink Enable Banks to Use SWIFT for Onchain Transactions
In a landmark development for financial technology, Swift has partnered with blockchain oracle provider Chainlink to enable global banks to execute onchain transactions using their existing SWIFT messaging infrastructure. This integration, emerging from a pilot with UBS Asset Management and the Monetary Authority of Singapore, represents one of the first concrete products demonstrating how traditional banking systems can seamlessly connect with blockchain networks without requiring costly infrastructure overhauls. The breakthrough marks a significant step toward mainstream blockchain adoption in traditional finance, potentially transforming how financial institutions interact with digital assets.
about Swift & Chainlink Enable Banks to Use SWIFT for Onchain TransactionsChainlink, Swift & UBS Pilot Tokenized Fund Solution
In a landmark development for the $100 trillion global fund industry, Chainlink has partnered with Swift and UBS to create a breakthrough system that enables financial institutions to process tokenized fund transactions using their existing messaging infrastructure. This collaboration represents a significant step toward mainstream digital asset adoption by eliminating critical technical barriers that have hindered blockchain integration in traditional finance. The successful pilot demonstrates how legacy financial systems can seamlessly interact with blockchain networks without requiring costly overhauls of identity or custody systems.
about Chainlink, Swift & UBS Pilot Tokenized Fund SolutionPakistan Opens Market to Licensed Foreign Crypto Exchanges
Pakistan’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (PVARA) has issued a call for expressions of interest from foreign virtual asset service providers and exchanges, marking a significant opening of its digital asset markets. Only companies licensed by established regulators such as the U.S. SEC, U.K. FCA, EU VASP framework, UAE’s VARA, or Singapore’s MAS are eligible to apply. Applicants must submit comprehensive details including licenses, services, technology standards, and a Pakistan-specific operating model. The framework is designed to align with international standards set by FATF, IMF, and World Bank. This development comes as Pakistan ranks third globally in crypto adoption with approximately 20 million users, reflecting growing acceptance and the recent establishment of a government-backed Bitcoin reserve.
about Pakistan Opens Market to Licensed Foreign Crypto ExchangesSBI Group & Chainlink Partner for RWA Tokenization
SBI Group, Japan’s prominent financial conglomerate with over $200 billion in assets, has entered a strategic partnership with Chainlink to advance blockchain adoption and real-world asset (RWA) tokenization. The collaboration will utilize Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) to facilitate tokenized RWAs, funds, and regulated stablecoins, initially focusing on the Japanese market. Chainlink’s technology will provide on-chain verification of reserves for stablecoins and net asset value data for tokenized funds, enhancing transparency and operational efficiency. This partnership builds on previous collaborations under Singapore’s Project Guardian and aligns with growing institutional interest in RWA tokenization, as evidenced by recent Federal Reserve research and Ripple’s similar initiatives with SBI. The news has positively impacted Chainlink’s native token LINK, which has surged 40% in the past month.
about SBI Group & Chainlink Partner for RWA Tokenization