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NewsBriefs - Justin Sun elected as prime minister of Liberland

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  • The Block

    Justin Sun elected as prime minister of Liberland

    Justin Sun, Tron founder, was elected prime minister of Liberland, a crypto-focused micronation between Croatia and Serbia. Liberland, established in 2015, was the first country to adopt Bitcoin as its official currency. The election used a blockchain-based system, promoting transparency. Sun's crypto expertise is expected to advance Liberland's blockchain projects. The micronation operates on a decentralized online platform, allowing resident participation in governance.

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    • Latest

    • The Block

      Paxos launches Paxos Labs to facilitate institutional DeFi integration

      Paxos has introduced a new subsidiary, Paxos Labs, designed to enable institutions to integrate decentralized finance (DeFi) and onchain products into their applications effortlessly. Paxos Labs offers APIs for issuing branded stablecoins, deploying tokenized yield strategies, and managing digital assets. Focused on serving consumer fintech apps, exchanges, and blockchain networks, Paxos Labs aims to simplify the incorporation of DeFi elements into traditional platforms, enhancing user engagement and monetization.

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    • The Block

      K33 predicts new strategic opportunities with upcoming spot altcoin ETFs

      K33 highlights that pending approvals for new spot altcoin ETFs by a more supportive SEC could enable innovative long/short trading strategies. Multiple filings for Solana and other crypto ETFs suggest increased SEC involvement and a potential inclusion of staking in these products. Differences in market dynamics from previous Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF launches, known as the "Grayscale effect", may influence new ETF setups, specifically impacting how Solana and Litecoin are positioned in the market.

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    • The Block

      DTCC lists VanEck's proposed spot SOL ETF, signaling potential SEC approval

      DTCC has placed VanEck's proposed spot Solana ETF, labeled VSOL, on its list tracking 'active and pre-launch' funds, signaling a probable near-future approval by the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Although currently non-redeemable, its inclusion on the list generally indicates readiness for SEC review. This action reflects DTCC's growing involvement in the crypto sector, amidst a broader context of the SEC considering similar crypto asset funds.

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    • Pump.fun

      X reinstates Pump.fun account, ElizaOS still blocked

      Pump.fun and related profiles, including those of its key executives, were reinstated on X after a recent suspension. The unblocking occurs just before Pump.fun plans a $1 billion token sale. Revenue-sharing mechanisms involving PUMP tokens and PumpSwap are also under consideration. However, ElizaOS accounts remain suspended.

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      Pump.fun

    • Alchemy Pay

      Alchemy Pay collaborates with Ripple to integrate RLUSD for simplified fiat on-ramp

      Alchemy Pay has partnered with Ripple to facilitate fiat on-ramp access through Ripple USD (RLUSD), enabling users in over 173 countries to purchase the USD-denominated stablecoin across its extensive fiat-crypto payment network. This integration supports various payment methods and strengthens the adoption of RLUSD, enhancing the bridge between traditional finance and crypto through a stable and regulated platform.

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      Alchemy Pay

    • Strategy

      Strategy buys 10,100 BTC for over $1B, achieves 19% YTD yield

      Strategy has acquired 10,100 bitcoins for approximately $1.05 billion, costing about $104,080 per token and achieving a Year-To-Date (YTD) yield of 19.1% as of June 15, 2025. The total holding stands at 592,100 bitcoins, purchased for around $41.84 billion at an average price of approximately $70,666 per bitcoin.

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      Strategy

    • The Block

      Vietnam legalizes crypto as property, introduces tax incentives

      Vietnam has passed the Digital Technology Industry Law, recognizing cryptocurrencies as property and creating a regulatory framework effective January 2026. This new legislation categorizes crypto into security, payment, utility, and mixed tokens, while offering tax exemptions and other incentives to bolster the digital economy and retain local talent. This move aligns Vietnam with other regions like the European Union and Dubai in establishing dedicated crypto regulations.

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    • The Block

      Metaplanet surpasses Coinbase in BTC holdings with new acquisition

      Metaplanet's stock rose by over 17% after the firm announced purchasing 1,112 additional Bitcoin, boosting its total holdings to 10,000 BTC and surpassing Coinbase's 9,267 BTC. The Japanese investment firm acquired this batch for $117.2 million and plans further crypto investments, having launched a $5.4 billion equity offering aimed at expanding its Bitcoin portfolio. Metaplanet's aggressive acquisition strategy includes a revised target of holding over 210,000 BTC by 2027.

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    • Europe 1

      TikTok trader with 40,000 followers kidnapped for crypto ransom in France

      A crypto trader with 40,000 TikTok followers was kidnapped in Juvisy-sur-Orge, France, by four individuals. The captors, who forced the trader into a stolen car, demanded a ransom of €50,000 in crypto. Upon finding his account balance insufficient, they released him. The trader received a six-day medical leave, and the case has been escalated to the Organized and Specialized Crime Division.

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    • New York Post

      Trump reports over $57M from World Liberty Financial crypto venture

      President Trump declared an income exceeding $57 million from World Liberty Financial, a crypto venture involving his family. This income, disclosed in his financial documentation released by the Office of Government Ethics, marks one of his most substantial earnings. World Liberty Financial, a decentralized finance platform, was co-founded by his three sons and others, consolidating its status as a major income source.

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      New York Post

    • The Block

      Franklin Templeton, Galaxy Digital, VanEck, and Fidelity submit updated filings for Solana ETFs

      Franklin Templeton, Galaxy Digital, VanEck, and Fidelity have submitted updated S-1 filings for US Securities and Exchange Commission approval to list spot Solana ETFs. The updates come after the SEC, which has approved Bitcoin and Ethereum spot ETFs, requested adjustments in filings related to in-kind redemptions and staking. The move suggests increased likelihood of approval for Solana ETFs, potentially within two to four months.

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    • Globe Newswire

      SharpLink Gaming becomes world's largest publicly traded ETH holder with $463 million acquisition

      SharpLink Gaming has acquired 176,271 ETH for a total of $463 million, making it the world's largest publicly traded holder of ETH, surpassing even the Ethereum Foundation. This acquisition is part of SharpLink's strategic initiative to use ETH as its primary treasury reserve asset, aiming to provide significant economic exposure to ETH for its investors and advocate for blockchain's transformative potential in various industries.

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      Globe Newswire

    • Cointelegraph

      ASIC bans Australian financial adviser for 10 years over $9.6M crypto scam

      The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has imposed a 10-year ban on Glenda Maree Rogan, a financial adviser, for allegedly redirecting AUD 14.8 million ($9.6 million) from clients, family, and friends into a fraudulent cryptocurrency investment with Financial Centre, an unlicensed platform flagged as untrustworthy. Rogan reportedly misled investors about the investment's nature and risks from March 2022 to June 2023, and is currently under ongoing investigation by ASIC.

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      Cointelegraph

    • The Block

      Coinbase to launch American Express-powered card offering up to 4% BTC rewards

      Coinbase announced the introduction of a new crypto rewards credit card for Coinbase One subscribers, offering up to 4% in Bitcoin rewards. The card, powered by American Express, will launch this fall and offers rewards based on the user's digital asset holdings.

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    • Tether

      Tether acquires significant stake in Elemental Altus to bolster gold and asset-backed strategies

      Tether Investments, affiliated with Tether, has purchased a significant ownership in Elemental Altus, a Canadian gold royalty company. The acquisition of approximately 31.9% of Elemental's shares from La Mancha Investments is a key component of Tether's strategy to incorporate stable assets like gold and Bitcoin into its financial ecosystem. This investment aims to develop a robust, decentralized infrastructure for the digital economy, enhancing both stability and transparency. Additionally, Tether has an option to acquire further shares from AlphaStream, subject to certain conditions.

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      Tether