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Circle expands USDC in Brazil and Mexico with local banking integrations

Circle has connected its stablecoin USDC (COIN:USDCUSD) to payment systems in Brazil and Mexico, enabling corporate access via local bank integrations. In Brazil, USDC is accessible through PIX, and in Mexico, via SPEI. This expansion comes as Circle plans to bring USDC to the Sui Network (COIN:SUIUSD). Stablecoins are widely used in emerging markets for cross-border payments and currency conversion, boosting adoption in Latin America.

TON Foundation and Curve Finance partnership boosts stablecoin swap

The TON Foundation (COIN:TONCOINUSD) and Curve Finance (COIN:CRVUSD) have joined forces to incubate a stable swap project on the TON blockchain, aiming to improve stablecoin trading efficiency. The collaboration, announced on September 17, will feature an independent team led by Curve’s founder Michael Egorov. veCRV holders will receive airdrops of native tokens. This initiative comes amid TON’s rapid growth, reaching $700 million in USDT within four months. However, DeFi challenges persist, with a lack of robust lending infrastructure requiring further expansion to compete with networks like Ethereum and Solana.

Trump launches World Liberty Financial and WL Token

Donald Trump unveiled the World Liberty Financial cryptocurrency project, with the WL token set to launch on September 30, and presales scheduled for September 25. Built on Ethereum, the WL Token aims to optimize transactions within a DeFi ecosystem, offering services such as lending and staking without banking intermediaries. The Trump family highlighted user financial empowerment, but technical details are still pending. The sale will be regulated by the SEC, generating anticipation, although volatility and regulatory issues remain, especially amid increasing political scrutiny of cryptocurrencies.

Bitcoin volatility increases with Fed’s expected rate cut

Bitcoin (COIN:BTCUSD) price is under pressure ahead of the Fed’s interest rate decision on September 18. The price ranged from a low of $57,620.27 to a high of $61,373.41 on Tuesday, staying above the $60,000 mark at the time of writing. Bitfinex analysts indicate that volatility will increase depending on a 25 or 50 basis point cut, with potential fluctuations in ETFs and perpetual markets. Many expect a rally in the coming months if the cut is implemented.

Bitcoin ETF inflows drop after record surge

On September 16, Bitcoin ETFs saw a positive flow of $12.8 million, while on September 13, they had recorded inflows of $263.2 million. On Monday, five of the nine tracked ETFs, including Bitwise (AMEX:BITB) and Ark (AMEX:ARKB), reported no inflows. Grayscale (AMEX:GBTC) contributed with a $20.8 million outflow, while BlackRock’s ETF (NASDAQ:IBIT) offset this with a $15.8 million inflow.

At the same time, Ethereum ETFs recorded a net outflow of $9.4 million, driven by Grayscale’s $13.8 million withdrawal (AMEX:ETHE). Over September, Ethereum ETFs had only two days of positive inflows.

Binance denies responsibility for WazirX hack and Nischal Shetty’s accusations

Binance denied involvement in the $235 million WazirX hack in July and rejected accusations from co-founder Nischal Shetty. The company stated that it never controlled or acquired the Indian exchange, calling Shetty’s claims “misleading.” Binance emphasized that it was not responsible for choosing WazirX’s custody provider and that its efforts to assist in the hack investigation were ignored by the WazirX team.

DBS Bank offers crypto options and structured notes trading

Singapore’s DBS Bank will launch over-the-counter crypto options and structured notes tied to Bitcoin and Ether. Starting in Q4 2024, institutional clients can use these instruments to hedge against market volatility, according to Cointelegraph. The bank aims to expand institutional access to crypto markets and facilitate advanced strategies for managing digital asset portfolios.

Ripple co-founder invests $10 million in Yellow Network

Chris Larsen, Ripple’s co-founder, led a $10 million funding round for Yellow Network, a decentralized platform focused on solving liquidity fragmentation and scalability issues in the cryptocurrency market. Yellow Network’s protocol promises greater capital efficiency and faster trade execution, positioning itself as essential for the sector’s growth.

Howard Winklevoss donates $4 million in Bitcoin to Grove City College

Howard Winklevoss, father of Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, donated $4 million in Bitcoin to Grove City College, where he developed his interest in sound money and Austrian economics. The donation, the college’s first in Bitcoin, will fund new business programs. The new business school will be named “Winklevoss School of Business” in recognition of his contribution, with the ceremony scheduled for November.

Capstone raises $5.45 million to expand blockchain project

Capstone Technology, a blockchain and AI company based in the UAE, raised $5.45 million to fund the development of the GAYA project. The initiative aims to create a network for entrepreneurs in gaming, AI, and entertainment, while strengthening the sustainable digital economy. The funds will be used to manage technological assets, develop Web3 applications, and expand regionally.

US lawmakers aim to pass crypto oversight before year-end

Lawmakers Patrick McHenry and Cynthia Lummis aim to pass cryptocurrency oversight legislation before year-end, though this depends on attaching it to a mandatory spending package. CoinDesk reports Lummis mentioned a bipartisan Senate effort that could boost approval, but if delayed, the bill could be pushed to 2025. McHenry noted momentum in the House but acknowledged that final approval may not meet the anticipated timeline.

Bhutan accumulates over $780 million in Bitcoin

Bhutan, located between India and China, has accumulated more than $780 million in Bitcoin (COIN:BTCUSD), representing nearly a third of its GDP. Unlike other governments, the country’s BTC holdings stem from mining operations that have grown significantly since 2023. In 2023, reports surfaced of a partnership with Bitdeer (NASDAQ:BTDR) to expand mining capacity, likely boosting Bhutan’s state Bitcoin reserves and strengthening its economic strategy.