VTB Pushes to Open Russia’s First Bank-Run Bitcoin Trading Desk as Kremlin Moves to Classify Mining as an Export

Bitcoin Treasury Twenty One Capital is set to begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange next week, backed by a substantial $4 billion Bitcoin treasury. This move marks a significant milestone for the company as it transitions to a publicly traded entity, following a successful merger with Cantor Equity Partners.

Italy has initiated a thorough review of retail crypto-investment safeguards in response to increasing risks associated with the growing links between cryptocurrencies and the financial system. This move comes amid concerns that the current regulatory framework may not adequately protect investors from potential losses.

A 2012 video featuring Brian Armstrong pitching Coinbase has resurfaced, showcasing his early vision that contributed to the platform becoming America's largest Bitcoin exchange. The video highlights Armstrong's foresight in the cryptocurrency space, which has evolved significantly over the past decade.

Shareholders at CEP's Extraordinary General Meeting have approved the merger with Twenty One Capital, which is backed by significant investments from Tether and SoftBank, positioning the firm to hold 42,000 BTC and prepare for its public debut on Nasdaq.

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has approved federally regulated spot Bitcoin and cryptocurrency trading, with Bitnomial's exchange set to launch next week. This marks a significant step in the regulatory landscape for digital assets in the U.S.

A senior Kremlin adviser has proposed that Russia classify Bitcoin mining as an official export, emphasizing the need to reflect the significant volume of Bitcoin and related import payments in the nation's trade data. This proposal comes amid ongoing discussions about the role of cryptocurrency in the Russian economy.

Bitcoin's price is currently hovering around $93,117, nearing the $94,000 mark, driven by strong institutional demand and a significant trading volume of $81 billion in the last 24 hours. This bullish setup follows a recovery from a recent dip, indicating renewed investor confidence in the cryptocurrency market.

BlackRock CEO Larry Fink has publicly acknowledged a significant shift in his perspective on Bitcoin, transitioning from a critic to viewing it as a potential hedge and valuable portfolio asset. This change comes as BlackRock expands its involvement in cryptocurrency and asset tokenization, indicating a broader acceptance of digital assets within traditional finance.