Coinpedia - Fintech & Cryptocurreny News Media| Crypto Guide

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has proposed ending its 2021 ban on crypto exchange-traded notes (cETNs) for retail investors. Under the new plan, retail access would be allowed for cETNs listed on FCA-recognized exchanges. The goal is to support the growth of the UK’s crypto market while maintaining investor protections through existing financial promotion rules. Until now, only professional investors could access these products, but the change could open up broader market participation.

Michael Saylor’s Strategy has increased its $STRD offering from $250 million to $1 billion to support additional Bitcoin purchases. On June 5, 2025, the company priced its initial public offering of 11,764,700 shares of 10% Series A Perpetual Stride Preferred Stock at $85 per share. Strategy expects to raise about $979.7 million in net proceeds, which will be used for general corporate purposes and to strengthen its growth plans.

Metaplanet has announced a ¥770.9 billion (~$5.4 billion) equity raise focused on Bitcoin by issuing 555 million moving strike warrants, the first in Japan to be priced above market value. The company plans to hold 100,000 BTC by the end of 2026 and increase to 210,000 BTC by 2027, representing roughly 1% of Bitcoin’s total supply. This ambitious move underscores Metaplanet’s dedication to becoming a leading force in the Bitcoin space.

Blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis reported that a crypto wallet linked to the defunct dark web marketplace Alphabay was behind a $31 million Bitcoin donation to Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht. The 300 Bitcoin, donated earlier this month, likely came from a major Alphabay vendor with access to significant funds. Alphabay, active from 2014 to 2017, was a predecessor to Silk Road, showing continued ties within the dark web crypto ecosystem.

Binance has announced the listing of $SKATE on its Alpha platform, with trading set to begin on June 9, 2025, at 10:00 UTC. Just 30 minutes later, at 10:30 UTC, the exchange will roll out SKATE/USDT perpetual futures, offering up to 50x leverage. This move gives traders access to both spot and leveraged futures trading for SKATE, enhancing market participation and liquidity for the newly listed asset.

Trump Media and Technology Group has filed an S-3 registration statement with the SEC to move forward with its previously announced $2.3 billion Bitcoin treasury deal. This capital was raised through recent debt and equity agreements with about fifty investors, marking one of the largest Bitcoin treasury acquisitions by a public company. The funds will be used to build the company’s Bitcoin reserves and support general corporate purposes, reinforcing its commitment to expanding its presence in the cryptocurrency space.

Hong Kong’s financial regulators are moving to legalize trading in Bitcoin and crypto derivatives. This step aims to boost the city’s position as a major crypto hub and attract more investors. By creating clear rules and allowing these new financial products, Hong Kong hopes to provide safer, more transparent markets. The move reflects growing global acceptance of cryptocurrencies and could open the door for more innovation in the region’s financial sector.

MoonPay has officially received regulatory approval from the New York State Department of Financial Services, securing both a BitLicense and a Money Transmitter License. These licenses allow MoonPay to legally offer and expand its cryptocurrency services within New York. This regulatory green light is a significant step for MoonPay as it strengthens its presence in a key market, ensuring compliance with state laws while providing secure and reliable crypto transactions to New York users.

Semler Scientific has expanded its Bitcoin holdings by purchasing 185 BTC for $20 million, bringing its total to 4,449 BTC. This move reflects the company’s ongoing confidence in Bitcoin as a long-term asset. So far in 2025, SMLR has earned an impressive 26.7% yield on its BTC holdings. The acquisition highlights SMLR’s commitment to strengthening its digital asset strategy while benefiting from strong market performance. As Bitcoin gains momentum, companies like SMLR are securing a solid position in the crypto space.

Russia’s biggest exchange, the $14 trillion Moscow Exchange, has started offering futures trading for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. This new service is available only to qualified investors, marking a significant step for crypto trading in the country. By introducing futures, the exchange allows investors to speculate on the price movements of digital assets without owning them directly. This move could increase crypto market activity and offer more options for Russian investors looking to engage with cryptocurrencies.