El Salvador has paused public sector Bitcoin purchases to meet conditions set by the IMF for its $1.4 billion loan. Despite this suspension, President Nayib Bukele continues to acquire Bitcoin through private funding channels. The country still aims to use Bitcoin as part of its economic strategy, even while adhering to IMF requirements, which focus ...
Local governments in China are trying to find ways to sell seized cryptocurrencies, despite the country’s ban on crypto trading. The lack of clear guidelines for managing these assets has created inconsistent practices, raising concerns about potential corruption. Reports indicate that local authorities are partnering with private companies to sell around 15,000 Bitcoins, worth approximately ...
A top official from the White House has revealed that the Trump administration is exploring ways to revalue old gold certificates to increase the country’s Bitcoin holdings without adding to the federal deficit. Bo Hines, who leads the President’s Council of Advisers on Digital Assets, discussed various creative strategies for acquiring more Bitcoin, emphasizing the ...
In 2009, Bitcoin became the world’s first cryptocurrency. Fast forward to today, President Trump has signed an executive order to establish the “Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and United States Digital Asset Stockpile.” This new initiative aims to shape the future of cryptocurrency in the U.S. On this episode of The Indicator from Planet Money, we explore ...
US President Donald Trump has shifted focus to cryptocurrency as a key part of his economic strategy, marking a significant change for the blockchain industry. This was highlighted during a White House Crypto Summit on March 7, where Trump announced plans to prioritize crypto policy and establish the US as a global leader in blockchain ...
Bitcoin is gaining attention as a potential alternative to the US dollar due to its limited supply, which some believe makes it a stable store of value against inflation. Recently, former President Donald Trump proposed creating a strategic reserve of cryptocurrencies, aiming to make the US a leader in digital assets. This plan, however, faces ...
Russia’s Central Bank has announced the indefinite postponement of its blockchain-based “Digital Ruble” launch, which was previously set for July 1, 2025. Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina addressed the public, mentioning that more discussions with banks are needed to finalize the economic model for the digital currency. Although pilot tests have shown participation from several ...
Donald Trump’s recent executive order banning a US digital dollar highlights the urgent need for Western countries to adopt central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). A new book, “Smart Money,” warns that the West’s hesitation could weaken its financial power and allow countries like China to take the lead in shaping future monetary systems. As more ...
The United States is considering adopting a Bitcoin reserve as individual states increasingly embrace cryptocurrency. Matthew Sigel, Chief of Digital Assets Research at VanEck, emphasizes that this strategy could enhance U.S. economic dominance by positioning it as a leader in innovation and technology. Sigel believes that a Bitcoin reserve would not only act as a ...
On January 20, 2025, El Salvador’s National Bitcoin Office announced the strategic purchase of 12 new bitcoins, increasing its total reserves to 6,044 BTC valued at over 617 million dollars. This move highlights President Nayib Bukele’s steadfast commitment to Bitcoin, even amidst a recent agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) aimed at modifying some ...
