Brazil goes green with Bitcoin, China eyes rival to Tether

Top headlines:

Markets pause as traders rotate into Bitcoin

Congress preps “Crypto Week” with Trump-backed bills

Abu Dhabi tokenizes bonds in regional first

UK and Singapore expand AI–blockchain partnership

Japan and Switzerland lead stablecoin integration

Solo miner wins $350K block reward

$30M scam suspect arrested in UAE

Tether brings Bitcoin mining to Brazil

Bank of England warns on stablecoin risks

London gold miner adds Bitcoin to reserves

Web3 trend: AI memory and smoother onboarding

 

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Below is a breakdown of everything we covered today – Friday July 4, 2025 – from Switzerland to Brazil and AI to stablecoins. Make sure you tune in again tomorrow on YouTube and X to catch the news as it happens.

Markets pause as traders rotate into Bitcoin

Crypto markets took a breather on Friday, cooling off slightly after weeks of sustained momentum. The global market cap dipped just under 1% to $3.36 trillion, while trading volume remained steady between $110 and $113 billion.

Bitcoin held above $108,000 and Ethereum hovered around $2,547, suggesting consolidation rather than collapse. Altcoins including Solana, Dogecoin, and SUI saw minor losses.

With the Fear and Greed Index at 55 – neutral – the mood is one of caution rather than panic, as investors rotate into Bitcoin while reassessing the altcoin cycle.

Congress preps 'Crypto Week' with Trump-backed bills

The U.S. House of Representatives is preparing for what lawmakers are calling “Crypto Week,” with three major bills expected to go to vote in mid-July.

The CLARITY Act will define digital assets as either commodities or securities, the GENIUS Act sets rules for stablecoins, and the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act aims to block any U.S. central bank digital currency.

The legislative push aligns closely with Donald Trump’s pro-crypto platform, which is gaining traction – 73% of crypto holders approve of his digital asset policies, and over 60% say it’s influencing their investment behavior, according to a recent HarrisX poll.

Abu Dhabi tokenizes bonds in regional first

Abu Dhabi has launched its first tokenized government bond, working with HSBC and First Abu Dhabi Bank as part of a pilot within ADGM’s RegLab. The project digitizes bond issuance, settlement, and redemption using blockchain, offering faster and more transparent infrastructure for institutional finance.

HSBC acts as custodian, FAB handles settlement, and the pilot aligns with international compliance standards. The initiative places Abu Dhabi at the forefront of the real-world asset (RWA) tokenization trend, signaling its ambitions to lead in blockchain-powered finance.

UK and Singapore expand AI–blockchain partnership

The UK and Singapore have agreed to deepen collaboration on digital finance, blockchain infrastructure, and artificial intelligence. At a London summit, regulators from both nations shared updates on Project Guardian and Global Layer One – two initiatives aiming to streamline the trading of digital assets across borders.

The UK highlighted its National Data Library and AI zones, though it continues to face domestic backlash over controversial copyright proposals.

Singapore, meanwhile, is opting for a lighter regulatory touch focused on ethical guidelines, positioning itself as a pragmatic counterpoint to Europe’s tighter controls.

Japan and Switzerland lead stablecoin integration

Japan’s Minna Bank has completed a successful stablecoin pilot using Solana and Ethereum, with backing from Fireblocks and Progmat. The test supports both yen- and dollar-backed stablecoins and could reshape payments across Japan’s banking system.

Meanwhile in Switzerland, AMINA Bank (formerly SEBA) has become one of the first regulated banks to adopt Ripple’s RLUSD for custody and trading.

The moves from two traditional banking powerhouses mark a shift toward mainstream stablecoin adoption, with regulated financial institutions now leading the charge.

Solo miner wins $350K block reward

A solo Bitcoin miner in the U.S. successfully mined an entire block and earned 3.17 BTC – currently worth nearly $350,000. The odds of doing so without a major mining setup are between 1 in 4 million and 1 in 10 million, making the reward both rare and impressive.

It serves as a reminder that while mining has become largely institutionalized, the decentralized network still allows individuals to succeed – occasionally – against all odds.

$30M scam suspect arrested in UAE

Ildar Ilham, founder of WhiteRock Finance, has been arrested in the UAE for his alleged involvement in the $30 million ZKasino fraud. He is expected to be extradited to the Netherlands.

On-chain investigator ZachXBT had previously linked Ilham to the failed gambling platform using wallet data, personal emails, and suspicious transfers.

The arrest raises concerns for WhiteRock investors, some of whom worry the firm may face collapse following the scandal.

Tether brings Bitcoin mining to Brazil

Stablecoin issuer Tether is expanding its $2 billion mining strategy into South America, partnering with agro-industrial giant Adecoagro to mine Bitcoin using Brazil’s renewable energy.

Brazil’s grid is powered by over 80% renewable sources, making it an attractive base for cleaner crypto operations. Tether’s Mining OS will be deployed, with Adecoagro potentially adding Bitcoin to its balance sheet.

The move underscores Tether’s pivot from token issuance to infrastructure, and could position Brazil as a sustainable mining hub.

Bank of England warns on stablecoin risks

Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey has warned that unregulated stablecoins could undermine public trust in money if adopted widely. In a speech this week, Bailey said central banks may need to redefine their roles as digital payments continue to grow.

He emphasized the importance of regulation to ensure financial stability, especially as stablecoins begin to blur the line between private tech and public money.

Gold mining firm shifts strategy to Bitcoin

Hamak Gold, a London-listed mining company traditionally focused on gold, is now adding Bitcoin to its treasury strategy. Backed by £2.47 million in new funding and Qatari investment, the firm is seeking FCA approval for share readmission while expanding into digital assets.

The move signals growing institutional acceptance of Bitcoin as a long-term store of value – especially from resource-based companies looking to diversify reserves.

Web3 projects gain traction with smarter infrastructure

Today’s trend highlights web3 projects gaining real traction. Recallnet is building an AI memory layer for dApps, letting them remember user preferences and rewarding activity with fragments. It’s backed by $47 million and built on Ceramic and Tableland.

Meanwhile, Wallchain’s Avantis is quietly onboarding hundreds with smoother UX and strong community support. In a market craving real use cases, both projects show how AI and user-friendly infra are becoming the backbone of the next phase of crypto.