By Shikha Singh
By Shikha Singh Ripple Secures Dubai License To Offer Crypto Payments In UAE
Blockchain payment provider Ripple received full regulatory approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to offer cross-border crypto payment services in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The company announced on March 13 that it had secured its DFSA license, allowing it to operate in the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), a UAE free-economic zone with its own tax policies and regulatory framework. The announcement came almost six months after the company announced its receipt of an in-principle approval of the DFSA license.
Rumble Embraces Trump-Era Crypto Strategy With $17mn BTC Purchase
Video-sharing platform Rumble says it had purchased more than $17 million worth of Bitcoin as part of a previously announced investment strategy. In a March 12 notice, Rumble said it had added 188 Bitcoin to its treasury for roughly $17.1 million. The investment, suggested by CEO Chris Pavlovski in November following Donald Trump winning the US presidential election, was touted as a hedge against inflation and part of a broader move to deepen ties to the crypto industry.
Crypto Exchange OKX Secures MiFID II License In Europe
Cryptocurrency exchange OKX has acquired a key European Union license that will enable the company to offer derivatives products throughout the region, potentially opening the door to a more advanced segment of the trading community. In a March 12 announcement, OKX’s Europe CEO, Erald Ghoos, confirmed that the exchange acquired a Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II) license. The license will allow OKX to launch derivatives trading products for institutional investors across the EU. The announcement came less than two months after OKX secured a preauthorization under the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, which allows the exchange to offer localized services across 28 markets within the European Economic Area.
SEC Postpones Ruling On Fidelity Ether ETF Options
The US Securities and Exchange Commission has postponed ruling on whether or not to permit Cboe BZX Exchange to list options tied to asset manager Fidelity’s Ether exchange-traded fund (ETFs). The agency has given itself until May 14 to approve or disapprove of Cboe BZX’s request to list options tied to Fidelity Ethereum Fund (FETH), according to a March 12 SEC filing. Cboe BZX initially requested to list options on Fidelity’s Ether ETFs in January, the filing said. Listing options on Ether funds is an important step in attracting institutional capital to the cryptocurrency.
Lazarus Group Sends 400 ETH to Tornado Cash, Deploys New Malware
The Lazarus Group, a North Korean hacking collective, has been laundering stolen crypto through Tornado Cash, with CertiK detecting a 400 ETH deposit on March 13. The group was behind the $1.4 billion Bybit hack and $29 million Phemex hack and has stolen $1.3 billion in crypto across 47 incidents in 2024, more than doubling 2023 figures. Lazarus has also deployed new malware targeting developers to steal credentials and crypto data. Cybersecurity firm Socket identified six malicious packages in the NPM ecosystem, using typosquatting to trick developers.
Coinbase Halts FLOKI, TURBO, GIGA Trading in New York
Coinbase is suspending trading for meme coins Floki (FLOKI), Turbo (TURBO), and Gigachad (GIGA) in New York, effective April 14. While these coins will remain listed on the platform, users in New York will no longer be able to trade them. This move follows Coinbase’s previous legal challenges, including a $100 million settlement with New York regulators in 2023 for compliance issues and a recent lawsuit related to the sale of unregistered securities. This suspension is seen as a precautionary measure to address regulatory risks. Despite the announcement, market reactions have been mixed, with FLOKI and GIGA declining in value, while TURBO saw an increase.
Nebraska Governor Says State “Open for Businesses” in Crypto Space, Enacts Crypto ATM Bill
Nebraska’s Governor, Jim Pillen, announced the state is open for crypto businesses, emphasizing efforts to become a leader in the crypto space while ensuring proper regulation. The state aims to attract legitimate crypto companies while addressing fraud concerns. The Nebraska Department of Banking will oversee transparency and prevent crypto fraud. Additionally, Governor Pillen signed Bill LB609, establishing the “Controllable Electronic Record Fraud Prevention Act” to protect residents from crypto ATM and kiosk fraud. This law is a response to growing crypto-related fraud, including a significant increase in losses reported by the FBI.
Crypto.com to Offer Crypto Services to 4 mn UAE Tawasal Superapp Users
Tawasal Al Khaleej, a UAE-based AI, blockchain, and tech firm, has partnered with Crypto.com, a regulated global crypto exchange in the UAE, to offer crypto services through Tawasal’s 4 million-user mobile messenger app, Tawasal Super. The two-stage deal will initially see Tawasal refer Crypto.com to its local partners, followed by integrating Crypto.com services into the app. The partnership aims to expand crypto adoption and offer simplified access to cryptocurrency, boosting Crypto.com’s visibility and market reach in the UAE. Tawasal’s services, combined with blockchain and digital assets, will provide a secure and user-friendly experience for customers.
FTX/Alameda Redeems 185k SOL, Totaling 7 mn SOL Since Nov 2023
FTX/Alameda redeemed 185,328 SOL worth about $23 million from staking on March 13, 2025, and distributed it to 38 addresses, many of which transferred the tokens to Coinbase and Binance. Since November 2023, FTX/Alameda has unstaked and transferred a total of 7.845 million SOL, valued at roughly $1.01 billion. The withdrawal caused a slight dip in SOL’s price and increased trading volumes on Solana-based decentralized exchanges. FTX’s bankruptcy estate has been distributing assets, with the first round of creditor repayments starting in February 2025. However, the repayment process is expected to be lengthy. FTX also plans to distribute more funds in April and May 2025.
Turkey Tightens Crypto Regulations With New Rules For Exchanges, Custodians
On March 13, 2025, Turkey’s Capital Markets Board (CMB) introduced new regulations for cryptocurrency asset service providers (CASPs), such as exchanges, custodians, and wallet providers. The regulations give the CMB full oversight of these platforms, ensuring compliance with national and international standards. CASPs will be required to invest in compliance infrastructure, establish risk management teams, and set up price monitoring systems to detect suspicious activity. The regulations also strengthen Turkey’s anti-money laundering (AML) measures, requiring CASPs to record detailed transaction data. These new rules align with global standards, including Europe’s MiCA and U.S. SEC regulations.
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