Stablecoin

On June 23, the U.S. Department of Justice seized a cloud computing account used to run backend systems linked to Cambodia’s Huione Group, as authorities intensify efforts to disrupt crypto-enabled fraud laundering networks operating through messaging platforms and blockchains. The action targeted infrastructure supporting Huione Guarantee, a Telegram-based marketplace U.S. authorities allege served as an escrow hub for laundering illicit cryptocurrency proceeds. The details were set out in DOJ filings.

Congress has passed legislation that would bar the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency through Dec. 31, 2030. The measure, sent to President Donald Trump for signature, hands a major policy win to opponents of a U.S. digital dollar.

Crypto markets faced tighter liquidity conditions after the Federal Reserve held rates steady while signaling heightened inflation concerns. Wintermute said a more restrictive stance could slow liquidity entering crypto via ETFs, stablecoins and DATs. Fed projections also showed the median 2026 rate outlook moving higher, and markets repriced expectations for a December hike to about 77%.

Ripple said it has received preliminary approval under the EU’s Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regime for a Crypto Asset Service Provider license, a step that could allow it to expand regulated services across all 30 countries in the European Economic Area. The authorization positions the company to broaden its regulated offering across the region, according to Ripple.

Ripple said it has received preliminary approval for a Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) license in Luxembourg under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework. The approval, issued via a “Green Light Letter,” is still subject to final conditions. If fully granted, it could allow Ripple to roll out regulated cryptoasset services across the European Economic Area (EEA).

Binance recorded about $170 million in net USDT inflows over a 24-hour period. The stablecoin transfer activity is watched as a gauge of exchange liquidity and potential deployable capital. It can also be used to assess how traders may be positioning and how market sentiment is shifting.

South Korea’s Toss Bank has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Solana Foundation to test blockchain-based remittance and settlement infrastructure. Toss Bank, the country’s third-largest internet-only bank, said the agreement was signed in Seoul on June 19. The partners plan to start with a proof of concept focused on stablecoin-powered overseas transfers before any broader rollout.

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao described the current Bitcoin downturn as a typical four-year cycle, arguing that each cycle establishes a higher floor. He framed the pullback as relatively mild compared with prior drawdowns. Zhao said the key point is that the cycle’s floor keeps rising.

AI agents can’t open bank accounts, but they can hold crypto wallets and use stablecoins to pay one another. The x402 protocol turns the web’s “payment required” response into a machine-readable paywall. This makes it possible for software to purchase data, APIs, or services directly from other software without using cards or banks.

The Bank of England on June 22, 2026 published a policy statement and draft rules for systemic stablecoin issuers. The documents set out key elements of the United Kingdom’s proposed framework for systemic stablecoins.