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Pump.fun, a platform for creating and trading memecoins, is facing a class action lawsuit alleging it violated U.S. securities laws by facilitating the creation of unregistered securities and engaging in pump-and-dump schemes. The lawsuit claims that all tokens generated on Pump.fun's platform are securities and that the company earned nearly $500 million in fees from these activities.
Kraken has relaunched its staking service in the U.S. for 17 blockchains, including Ethereum and Solana, nearly two years after settling SEC charges and paying a $30M fine for failing to register its staking program. Initially available in 37 states, this move comes amid a more crypto-friendly regulatory environment under the new U.S. administration.
Jupiter Mobile has launched Magic Scan, a new feature that allows users to scan, paste, or share images and text to quickly detect token symbols, wallet addresses, and WalletConnect QRs. Currently live on iOS and coming soon to Android, this tool aims to simplify crypto trading with seamless Scan-To-Trade functionality.
Securitize has integrated with Solana to expand tokenized real-world assets using the network's fast, scalable infrastructure for institutional-grade financial products like the Apollo Diversified Credit Securitize Fund ($ACRED). This milestone enhances on-chain finance by optimizing high-throughput financial applications and broadening investment opportunities globally.
Native USDC is now live on Aptos, enabling developers and users to access the stablecoin without bridging while leveraging Aptos' fast, scalable L1 blockchain for DeFi, payments, and cross-border transactions. With Circle Mint support, the integration improves liquidity, supports ecosystem growth, and facilitates migration from bridged USDC, positioning Aptos as a key player in the future of on-chain finance.
Andre Cronje, DeFi pioneer, admits that relentless SEC investigations led to his departure from DeFi in 2022, despite launching Yearn and Keep3r with no token sales, raises, or personal financial benefits. The SEC's investigation evolved from examining potential securities violations to scrutinizing Yearn's vaults as investment vehicles, forcing Cronje to dedicate time and resources to compliance while halting development work. Though Cronje stepped away from public engagement, he continued working privately on DeFi and scaling solutions and is now preparing to release new primitives.
With Abstract's mainnet now live, users can start earning XP - points that could lead to a bigger airdrop in the future. To get started, set up your profile, earn public badges by trading and upvoting dApps, discover secret badges by interacting with top apps, maximize your XP bonus with certain assets, and, if you're a creator, start streaming on Abstract.
FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried's parents are reportedly seeking a presidential pardon from Donald Trump and are meeting with lawyers and Trump administration figures to explore clemency possibilities. SBF is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence following his conviction on seven fraud charges related to the collapse of FTX, where he was found guilty of misusing customer funds and operating a fraudulent enterprise. While Trump's recent pardon of Ross Ulbricht has encouraged white-collar defendants to seek clemency, SBF's case differs significantly from Ulbricht's, which was widely viewed as an example of regulatory overreach rather than fraud.
MoviePass is exploring a potential expansion into blockchain and is surveying customers about their interest in web3 while building on existing partnerships with Animoca Brands and the Sui blockchain for USDC payments for subscribers. The company envisions implementing onchain rewards for moviegoers and movie investment opportunities, though similar initiatives by other platforms like Patreon have faced user resistance.
ECB President Christine Lagarde reaffirmed that bitcoin will not be included in the eurozone's central bank reserves, citing concerns over liquidity, security, and regulatory scrutiny.
Starknet is set to become the first network to settle on both Bitcoin and Ethereum, with its first Bitcoin use case expected to launch in Q1 this year.
Hedge fund Elliott Management, led by Paul Singer, has warned investors that the "inevitable collapse" of the crypto bubble could have unpredictable consequences, citing its speculative nature and growing political ties.
SocialFi is experiencing a resurgence in 2025, with apps like Tribe, Vector, Yapster, and Clout innovating in social trading, gamified engagement, creator tokens, and onchain content.