Last updated on August 31st, 2025 at 12:31 pm
Hey crypto fam,
It’s been quite a week in crypto! The U.S. Treasury is cracking down hard, sanctioning Russian, Chinese, and North Korean operatives for laundering stolen digital assets and funding weapons.
But that’s not all, industry giants are pressuring U.S. lawmakers for developer protections, the Trump Coin ETF is in the works, MetaMask is lowering barriers for new users, and KuCoin is tokenizing government bonds.
Whether it’s regulation, innovation, or global drama, we’ve got the highlights you don’t want to miss. Hit subscribe so you never miss the latest crypto news!
U.S. Sanctions Russian, Chinese, and North Korean Actors for Laundering Stolen Crypto
The U.S. Treasury has sanctioned Russian national Vitaliy Andreyev, North Korean trade official Kim Ung Sun, Chinese shell company Shenyang Geumpungri Network Technology, and Korea Sinjin Trading Corporation for laundering stolen cryptocurrency and embedding North Korean IT operatives abroad. Authorities say Andreyev moved over $600,000 in stolen crypto into dollars to support sanctioned North Korean entities, while Kim acted as a diplomatic facilitator. Shenyang Geumpungri allegedly earned over $1 million by placing North Korean workers in foreign tech firms under false identities, fueling Pyongyang’s illicit financing.
Treasury officials emphasized that these networks are central to North Korea’s efforts to bypass sanctions and fund weapons development through cyber-enabled schemes. Korea Sinjin Trading was also exposed for its direct ties to the Ministry of People’s Armed Forces, serving as a conduit for illicit payments. The crackdown highlights Washington’s growing urgency in targeting North Korea’s shadow cyber-financing system, though officials warn the regime’s reliance on front companies and stolen digital assets remains a persistent global threat.
Other News Making Waves
- A coalition of 112 crypto firms, including Coinbase, Kraken, and a16z, told U.S. senators they will only support market structure legislation if it provides explicit protections for software developers, warning that misclassification and prosecution under financial laws threaten innovation. (More)
- Canary Capital has filed with the SEC to launch a Trump Coin ETF, aiming to bring the political memecoin into traditional markets despite volatility and high regulatory hurdles. (More)
- CFTC Commissioner Kristin Johnson will step down on September 3, leaving the agency with just one confirmed member and raising concerns about delays in U.S. crypto market regulation. (More)
- CFTC has adopted Nasdaq’s market surveillance technology to modernize fraud detection and strengthen oversight of crypto derivatives, enabling real-time monitoring, automated alerts, and cross-market analysis. (More)
- MetaMask has introduced Google and Apple logins for wallet creation and recovery, lowering barriers for new users while maintaining self-custody of keys. (More)
- KuCoin has become the first global exchange to support Thailand’s tokenized government bond, the G-Token, giving retail investors blockchain-based access to sovereign debt. (More)
- Crypto trader “White Whale” says MEXC froze $3.1M and pressured him to fly to Malaysia for KYC, sparking a $2M NFT-driven campaign to unlock funds. (More)
- A Bitcoin whale rotated $2.7B into Ether, triggering a $45B market cap wipeout, while Willy Woo warned OG holders’ selling now needs $110K per BTC in new inflows. (More)
- Former Binance CEO CZ called CBDCs “outdated,” saying stablecoins backed by regulation and adoption have overtaken them as governments pivot away from costly pilots. (More)
- Eric Trump said his family embraced crypto after being “debanked” post-Capitol riots, calling it a hedge against politically motivated financial restrictions. (More)
- Telegram founder Pavel Durov blasted France’s “absurd” probe tying him to user crimes, as TON token struggles amid ongoing legal battles restricting his movements. (More)
Around the World: Bold Moves and Crypto Regulations
- Iran’s crypto flows fell 11% in 2025 as a war with Israel, a $90M Nobitex hack, and Tether blacklisting triggered capital flight, liquidity issues, and declining trust in local platforms. (More)
- Venezuelans are increasingly turning to crypto and stablecoins to escape hyperinflation, with shops, salaries, and remittances shifting to digital assets as the bolívar collapses. (More)
- The UAE holds 6,300 BTC worth nearly $700M, mined via Citadel Mining—not seized—ranking sixth among sovereign holders, ahead of El Salvador. (More)
- Japan’s Finance Minister endorsed crypto as part of diversified portfolios, signalling tax reforms and stablecoin regulation as Metaplanet joins the FTSE Japan Index. (More)
Market Trends: Winners and Losers
Top 5 Gainers 📈
According to data from CoinGecko, these are the five biggest gainers of the week:
- WOLF +118.2%, from $0.01962069 to $0.04280809
- Neon +86.9%, from $0.081680 to $0.152702
- Numeraire +99.2%, from $8.97 to $17.87
- Cronos +117.1%, from $0.152274 to $0.330634
- Donkey +70.7%, from $0.02103075 to $0.03589119
Top 5 Losers 📉
According to data from CoinGecko, the five biggest losers of the week are:
- Huobi −27.1%, from $0.738072 to $0.537953
- EGL1 −40.4%, from $0.074593 to $0.04448236
- DORA −30.8%, from $0.274644 to $0.190144
- Wilder World −39.1%, from $0.435173 to $0.265088
- OKB −14.5%, from $198.84 to $169.97
Project Spotlight
Aave Labs Launches Horizon to Bridge RWAs and DeFi
Aave Labs has launched Horizon, an Ethereum-based lending market that allows institutions to borrow stablecoins against tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) such as U.S. Treasuries and credit products. Built on Aave Protocol v3.3, Horizon enables institutional borrowers to unlock liquidity while stablecoin lenders earn yield. Backed by partners like Chainlink, Circle, Ripple, and VanEck, the platform combines compliance with risk oversight from Llama Risk and Chaos Labs, ensuring transparency and security.
Why It Matters:
Horizon connects traditional finance with DeFi, unlocking liquidity from RWAs and positioning Aave at the forefront of institutional adoption in a trillion-dollar market.
Disclaimer: This article is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be considered trading or investment advice. Nothing herein should be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice. Trading or investing in cryptocurrencies carries a considerable risk of financial loss. Always conduct due diligence.
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