Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) recently opened up in a rare interview, sharing his inspiring story of growing up in poverty, becoming a tech prodigy, and ultimately building the world’s largest crypto exchange. He also addressed his recent legal troubles in the U.S. and offered his perspective on Bitcoin’s future and Binance’s path forward.

BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has turned into an unexpected revenue powerhouse, surpassing the annual fee income of IVV—BlackRock’s flagship S&P 500 ETF and the third-largest ETF in the U.S.—despite having just a fraction of its assets. The milestone highlights a dramatic shift in investor appetite toward adding Bitcoin exposure to traditional portfolios, even at a premium cost.

A new strategy, dubbed the “Pennsylvania Plan,” is making waves on Wall Street. According to Deutsche Bank strategist George Saravelos, this approach could become a cornerstone of former President Trump’s economic playbook, leveraging stablecoins and domestic incentives to reduce America’s reliance on foreign buyers of U.S. debt — and potentially restore the dollar’s dominance on the world stage.

At the main stage of the Token2049 summit in Dubai, OKX CEO Star announced the official launch of OKX Pay, positioning it as the first crypto payment wallet fully integrated with a comprehensive compliance framework. According to Star, OKX Pay will enable users worldwide to instantly and securely send and receive USDT and USDC.

Following its IPO ambitions, stablecoin issuer Circle has confirmed it has applied to the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) for a National Trust Bank Charter. The move could pave the way for Circle to establish the First National Digital Currency Bank, offering digital asset custody services under direct federal oversight — a significant step toward integrating stablecoins into the regulated banking ecosystem.

Japan is preparing for a major shift in its crypto landscape. At a recent Financial System Council meeting, the country’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) proposed integrating crypto assets more closely into traditional financial systems and revising tax policies to make the sector more appealing to investors. If realized, these changes could reignite Japan’s stagnant crypto trading volumes and attract institutional players from both home and abroad.

South Korea’s central bank has suspended its planned second phase of digital won (CBDC) trials, shifting the country’s policy momentum firmly toward stablecoins. The sudden pause comes as commercial banks lose interest in the state-led digital currency project, redirecting resources toward private stablecoin initiatives, a trend reinforced by President Lee Jae-myung’s vocal support for crypto-friendly policies.

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The European Central Bank (ECB) has raised concerns that stablecoins could spark a bank run, warning they might pose significant risks to financial stability in the Eurozone. In response, the European Commission released a report on June 25 stating that the risks posed by stablecoins remain within a manageable range under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA).