The New York Times investigates a $2 billion investment linking the Trump family, UAE interests, and the USD1 stablecoin (1:21). We also spotlight the rise of Fellowship, a pro-crypto super PAC with $100 million in early funding (3:30). Meanwhile, Israel cracks down on wallets allegedly tied to the IRGC (5:09), and France calls for tighter EU oversight of cross-border crypto licenses (6:57).

This is your essential update on the forces shaping what’s next in money.

More on stories and articles discussed or referenced in this episode:

“France Threatens to Block Crypto License 'Passporting' in EU Regulatory Fight.” Reuters, 15 September 2025, https://finance.yahoo.com/video/france-threatens-block-crypto-license-140555541.html.

Lipton, Eric, et al. “Anatomy of Two Giant Deals: The U.A.E. Got Chips. The Trump Team Got Crypto Riches.” New York Times, 15 September 2025, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/15/us/politics/trump-uae-chips-witkoff-world-liberty.html.

Nobel, Mitchell. “F.E.C. Form 1, Statement of Organization.” Fellowship P.A.C., Federal Election Commission, 7 August 2025, https://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/C00915181/1910480/.

Post by Fellowship PAC, X, 15 September 2025, https://x.com/Fellowship_PAC/status/1967619490482643135.

Walsh, Sheri. “Israel Links Crypto Wallets, $1.5B to Iran's Revolutionary Guard.” United Press International, 15 September 2025, https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2025/09/15/seizes-crypto-wallets-irgc/3101757969868/.

Wright, Turner. “Super PAC Backing ‘Pro-Crypto Candidates’ Raises $100M.” CoinTelegraph, 15 September 2025, https://cointelegraph.com/news/crypto-backers-political-action-committee-100.

The music in this episode was composed by Liborio Conti, and you can find more of his fantastic work at his YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/liborioconti.

The IRS is making crypto tax enforcement personal with sweeping powers, billions in seizures, and little legal pushback (1:19). Tether makes a move into U.S. markets with its new stablecoin, USAT, backed by Treasuries and managed by Cantor Fitzgerald (2:55). Pakistan opens its doors to licensed exchanges (4:32), while Türkiye slams its doors shut to unlicensed operators (6:26).

This is your essential update on the forces shaping what’s next in money.

More on stories and articles discussed or referenced in this episode:

Khan, Mubarak Zeb. “Pakistan Seeks Partners for Digital Future.” Dawn, 14 September 2025, https://www.dawn.com/news/1941811/pakistan-seeks-partners-for-digital-future.

Steer, George, et al. “Crypto Group Tether to Launch New Stablecoin with Eye on US Markets.” Financial Times, 12 September 2025, https://www.ft.com/content/f2329769-6bbc-489b-9a98-d9bbf7addf6f.

“Türkiye Blocks Access to Crypto Trading Platform Darkex.” Türkiye Today, 14 September 2025, https://www.turkiyetoday.com/business/turkiye-blocks-access-to-crypto-trading-platform-darkex-3206891.

V., Vismaya. “Inside the IRS’s Expanding Surveillance of Crypto Investors.” Decrypt, 14 September 2025, https://decrypt.co/339134/inside-irs-expanding-surveillance-crypto.

The music in this episode was composed by Liborio Conti, and you can find more of his fantastic work at his YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/liborioconti.

Polling from NBC News shows just how sharply U.S. crypto adoption splits by age, gender, and political affiliation (1:05). Avalanche makes a push to raise a billion dollars through new investment vehicles designed to bulk up its AVAX reserves (2:56). In Asia, Hong Kong is moving to ease capital rules for banks holding crypto (4:22), while South Korea is granting crypto firms coveted “venture company” status (5:48).

This is your essential update on the forces shaping what’s next in money.

More on stories and articles discussed or referenced in this episode:

Crawley, Jamie. “Hong Kong's Central Bank Plans to Ease Rules on Banks' Crypto Holding: Report.” CoinDesk, 11 September 2025, https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2025/09/11/hong-kong-s-central-bank-plans-to-ease-rules-on-banks-crypto-holding-report.

Kamisar, Ben. “Poll: Who Owns Cryptocurrency? More Young People, More Men and More Republicans.” NBC News, 11 September 2025, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/rcna230247.

Katte, Stephen. “South Korea Crypto Firms Get ‘Venture Company’ Status Next Week.” CoinTelegraph, 11 September 2025, https://cointelegraph.com/news/south-korea-crypto-firms-venture-certification-lifted.

Stafford, Philip and Antoine Gara. “Avalanche Blockchain Aims to Raise $1Bn for Crypto-Hoarding Companies.” Financial Times, 11 September 2025, https://www.ft.com/content/87b5cb20-e86c-4849-8959-ee1f87ffb388.

Wang, Xiaoqing. “Hong Kong Plans to Optimize Crypto Asset Capital Regulations to Help Banks Accept Compliant Stablecoins.” Caixin, 10 September 2025, https://finance.caixin.com/2025-09-10/102361170.html.

The music in this episode was composed by Liborio Conti, and you can find more of his fantastic work at his YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/liborioconti.

Hyperliquid’s contest to crown a homegrown stablecoin heats up as Stripe-backed Bridge, Paxos, and Circle compete for control of the USDH ticker (1:18). Coinbase winds down its Web3 Wallet feature, causing real losses for users who misunderstood custody (3:00). India signals it will delay new legislation, reflecting regulators’ caution as the U.S. and other countries press forward (4:31). And Chainalysis data shows Sub-Saharan Africa surging with grassroots adoption and retail demand (6:18).

More on stories and articles discussed or referenced in this episode:

Groshong, Chris. “Coinbase Users Lose Access to Crypto...The Web3 Wallet Shutdown.” Forbes, 10 September 2025, https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrisgroshong/2025/09/10/coinbase-users-lose-access-to-cryptothe-web3-wallet-shutdown/.

Ohri, Nikunj and Sarita Chaganti Singh. “Exclusive: India Resists Full Crypto Framework, Fears Systemic Risks, Document Shows.” Reuters, 10 September 2025, https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/exclusive-india-resists-full-crypto-081829131.html.

“Sub-Saharan Africa Emerges as Third-Fastest Growing Crypto Region with Strong Retail Activity.” Chainalysis Blog, 10 September 2025, https://www.chainalysis.com/blog/subsaharan-africa-crypto-adoption-2025/.

Weiss, Ben. “Crypto Companies Are Fighting in a ‘Bachelor’-Style Frenzy to Launch a Stablecoin that Will Power DeFi’s Hottest Exchange.” Fortune, 10 September 2025, https://www.aol.com/articles/crypto-companies-fighting-bachelor-style-191603895.html.

The music in this episode was composed by Liborio Conti, and you can find more of his fantastic work at his YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/liborioconti.

Gemini boosts its U.S. offering with Nasdaq on board, while blockchain lender Figure Technologies raises its sights with a higher target (1:18). In Asia, HashKey unveils a $500 million fund to build what it calls a Digital Asset Treasury ecosystem (3:01). On the cybersecurity front, researchers link North Korean hackers to a campaign that abuses trusted platforms to target crypto job seekers (4:50). And Alt5 Sigma outlines a $1.5 billion strategy centered on Donald Trump’s World Liberty Financial, with SEC filings showing shifting roles and unresolved legal issues (6:43).

This is your essential update on the forces shaping what’s next in money.

More on stories and articles discussed or referenced in this episode:

Ahmed, Deeba. “Lazarus Group Deploys Malware with ClickFix Scam in Fake Job Interviews.” Hack Read, 8 September 2025, https://hackread.com/lazarus-group-malware-clickfix-scam-fake-job-interview/.

Bhandari, Ateev. “Gemini Lifts IPO Price Range, Targets $3 Billion Valuation Amid Crypto Boom.” Reuters, 9 September 2025, https://www.reuters.com/business/gemini-lifts-ipo-price-range-targets-3-billion-valuation-amid-crypto-boom-2025-09-09/.

Everson, Zach. “Eric Trump Removed from Board Role After Firm Consults Nasdaq.” Forbes, 9 September 2025, https://www.forbes.com/sites/zacheverson/2025/09/09/eric-trump-world-liberty-financial-alt5-sigma-nasdaq-crypto/.

Form 8-K, Alt5 Sigma Corporation, United States Securities and Exchange Commission, 25 August 2025, https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/862861/000164117225026082/form8-k.htm.

Macheel, Tanaya. “Nasdaq to Invest $50 Million in Winklevoss-Founded Crypto Exchange Gemini.” CNBC, 9 September 2025, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/09/nasdaq-to-invest-50-million-in-winklevoss-founded-crypto-exchange-gemini.html.

Shittu, Hassan. “HashKey Unleashes $500M+ Fund to Build Asia’s ‘Largest Institutional Bridge’ to Crypto.” Cryptonews, 8 September 2025, https://cryptonews.com/news/hashkey-unleashes-500m-fund-to-build-asias-largest-institutional-bridge-to-crypto/.

Wang, Echo. “Exclusive: Stablecoin Issuer Figure Technologies Upsizes IPO as Crypto Interest Soars.” Reuters, 9 September 2025, https://www.reuters.com/business/stablecoin-issuer-figure-technologies-upsizes-ipo-crypto-interest-soars-2025-09-09/.

The music in this episode was composed by Liborio Conti, and you can find more of his fantastic work at his YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/liborioconti.

Wall Street’s Dan Ives is going all-in on Worldcoin, taking the helm of a tiny Nasdaq firm with a $250M plan to stockpile WLD tokens (1:24). CoinShares charts a U.S. expansion in a billion-dollar SPAC deal (3:21). Also: a fast-moving NPM hack targeting crypto wallets (5:09), and D.C. goes after a Bitcoin ATM firm accused of exploiting seniors (7:02).

This is your essential update on the forces shaping what’s next in money.

More on stories and articles discussed or referenced in this episode:

Di Salvo, Mathew. “Crypto Asset Manager CoinShares to Trade on Nasdaq in $1.2 Billion SPAC Deal.” Decrypt, 8 September 2025, https://finance.yahoo.com/news/crypto-asset-manager-coinshares-trade-164609911.html.

District of Columbia versus Athena Bitcoin, Inc. Complaint, Superior Court of the District of Columbia, 8 September 2025, https://oag.dc.gov/sites/default/files/2025-09/2025-09-02-Athena-Complaint-FINAL-.pdf.

Domingo, Ida. “DC Sues Crypto ATM Operator for 'Exploiting' Residents.” ABC News 7 (Washington), 8 September 2025, https://wjla.com/news/local/dc-attorney-general-schwalb-sues-athena-bitcoin-crypto-atm-cryptocurrency-scams-washington-seniors-fraud-financial-exploitation-hidden-fees-teller-machines-consumer-protection-lawsuit-investigation.

Gatlan, Sergiu. “Hackers Hijack NPM Packages with 2 Billion Weekly Downloads in Supply Chain Attack.” Bleeping Computer, 8 September 2025, https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/hackers-hijack-npm-packages-with-2-billion-weekly-downloads-in-supply-chain-attack/.

Macheel, Tanaya. “Dan Ives to Become Chair of Company that Will Buy Sam Altman-Backed Worldcoin for Its Treasury.” CNBC, 8 September 2025, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/08/dan-ives-to-become-chair-of-company-that-will-buy-sam-altman-backed-worldcoin-for-its-treasury.html.

The music in this episode was composed by Liborio Conti, and you can find more of his fantastic work at his YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/liborioconti.

Justin Sun says his WLFI tokens have been frozen, despite being one of the project’s top investors (1:03). France’s GIGN rescues a kidnapped Swiss man after a ransom demand in crypto (4:04). Brazilian asset giant Itaú launches a dedicated crypto unit, signaling deeper institutional commitment (5:36). We also break down what it really means to be blacklisted on-chain and what it says about how centralized crypto can still be (2:40).

More on stories and articles discussed or referenced in this episode:

Bertolucci, Gustavo. “Itaú cria primeira divisão focada em criptoativos.” [“Itaú Creates Its First Division Focused on Crypto Assets.”] Livecoins (Brazil), 4 September 2025, https://livecoins.com.br/itau-cria-primeira-divisao-focada-em-criptoativos/.

“France Indicts Seven Suspects in Swiss Cryptocurrency Kidnap.” Swiss Info, 5 September 2025, https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/various/swiss-man-kidnapped-in-france-for-cryptocurrency-kidnappers-indicted/89954673.

Howcroft, Elizabeth and Lawrence Delevingne. “Top Trump Crypto Backer Justin Sun Says His World Liberty Tokens 'Unreasonably' Frozen.” Reuters, 5 September 2025, https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/top-trump-crypto-backer-justin-sun-says-his-world-liberty-tokens-unreasonably-2025-09-05/.

“Le GIGN libère un Suisse retenu en otage sur fond de cryptomonnaies.” [“GIGN Frees Swiss Hostage Over Cryptocurrency Scandal.”] Le Dauphiné Libéré, 4 September 2025, https://www.ledauphine.com/faits-divers-justice/2025/09/04/un-jeune-suisse-retenu-en-otage-plusieurs-jours-sept-personnes-en-garde-a-vue.

Rodrigues, Francisco. “Brazil’s Largest Private Asset Manager Itaú Launches Crypto-Focused Division.” CoinDesk, 6 September 2025, https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/09/06/brazil-s-largest-private-asset-manager-itau-launches-crypto-focused-division.

The music in this episode was composed by Liborio Conti, and you can find more of his fantastic work at his YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/liborioconti.

Stripe and Paradigm debut a new stablecoin-native blockchain called Tempo with backing from OpenAI, Shopify, and Deutsche Bank (1:41). The SEC unveils its pro-crypto agenda under Chair Paul Atkins (3:23). Nasdaq imposes stricter oversight on companies raising crypto-focused capital (4:56). And the UK moves forward with targeted crypto regulation reform (6:41).

This is your essential update on the forces shaping what’s next in money.

More on stories and articles discussed or referenced in this episode:

Asgari, Nikou. “Why Struggling Companies Are Loading Up on Bitcoin.” Financial Times, 8 August 2025, https://www.ft.com/content/8a160bd3-c96d-468a-8052-b0aae43e5aea.

Avan-Nomayo, Naga. “Nasdaq Tightens Scrutiny of Companies Raising Cash to Buy Crypto: Report.” The Block, 4 September 2025, https://www.theblock.co/post/369497/nasdaq-tightens-scrutiny-of-companies-raising-cash-to-buy-crypto-report.

Lang, Hannah. “US SEC Unveils Agenda to Revamp Crypto Policies, Ease Wall Street Rules.” Reuters, 4 September 2025, https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-sec-unveils-agenda-revamp-crypto-policies-ease-wall-street-rules-2025-09-04/.

Morris, James, et al. “UK Drafts Changes to Money Laundering Regulations.” Linklaters Firm Blog, 3 September 2025, https://financialregulation.linklaters.com/post/102l2qm/uk-drafts-changes-to-money-laundering-regulations.

“Proposed Amendments to the Money Laundering Regulations - Draft SI and Policy Note.” HM Treasury (UK) Policy Paper, 2 September 2025, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/proposed-amendments-to-the-money-laundering-regulations-draft-si-and-policy-note.

Schwartz, Leo. “Stripe and Paradigm Announce New Payments-Focused Blockchain Tempo.” Fortune, 4 September 2025, https://finance.yahoo.com/news/stripe-paradigm-announce-payments-focused-160000068.html.

Yang, Yueqi. “Nasdaq Steps Up Scrutiny of Companies Loading Up on Crypto.” The Information, 4 September 2025, https://www.theinformation.com/articles/nasdaq-steps-scrutiny-companies-loading-crypto.

The music in this episode was composed by Liborio Conti, and you can find more of his fantastic work at his YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/liborioconti.