This week’s crypto landscape has been anything but quiet, as political, regulatory, and security developments collide with blockchain innovation and controversy. From a memecoin dinner hosted by Donald Trump to a multimillion-dollar protocol breach on the Sui network, here’s your roundup of the most significant headlines:
Trump Hosts Memecoin Holders at Private Dinner
Former U.S. President Donald Trump made waves in the crypto world after hosting a private dinner for the top 220 holders of his Official Trump (TRUMP) meme coin. Held Thursday night at the Trump National Golf Club in Washington, the event was described as an “exclusive engagement” for loyal token holders.
However, the gathering sparked immediate criticism from ethics experts and bipartisan lawmakers who argue the dinner may violate federal bribery and influence laws by monetizing political access. The White House insists the event adhered to ethical guidelines, but officials have refused to disclose guest identities, raising further transparency concerns.
Polygon Co-Founder Bjelic Steps Down
Polygon (POL) saw a leadership shift this week as co-founder Mihailo Bjelic announced his departure from the Polygon Foundation board. While he will reduce day-to-day involvement with Polygon Labs, Bjelic’s impact on the development of Ethereum’s leading scaling solution remains undeniable.
Fellow co-founder Sandeep Nailwal acknowledged Bjelic’s contributions and extended his support for future endeavors. Polygon continues to build its next-generation ecosystem under the recently rebranded POL token.
World Liberty Financial Rejects Binance Ties
World Liberty Financial (WLFI) pushed back against a Wall Street Journal report alleging Binance founder Changpeng Zhao played a behind-the-scenes role in facilitating foreign introductions for the Trump-linked DeFi platform.
Zak Folkman, WLFI’s co-founder, called the claims “laughable” and “categorically false,” emphasizing that Zhao had no role in securing partnerships or acting as a facilitator for WLFI’s global operations. The denial comes amid increasing scrutiny of political affiliations within the DeFi sector.
Cetus Protocol Suffers $223 Million Hack on Sui Network
The Sui blockchain experienced its largest security breach to date when Cetus Protocol, its leading DEX and liquidity platform, reported a $223 million exploit. The Cetus team stated that $162 million in stolen tokens has been “paused,” with recovery efforts underway in partnership with the Sui Foundation.
The incident raises renewed concerns over DeFi security and the challenge of safeguarding multi-chain ecosystems as protocols scale.
Semler Scientific Buys $50M in Bitcoin
Publicly traded medical equipment company Semler Scientific has continued its Bitcoin accumulation strategy, purchasing 455 BTC worth approximately $50 million. The average price was $109,801 per Bitcoin, signaling continued institutional interest even amid volatile markets.
The company reported a 22.2% year-to-date BTC yield in Q1 2025, solidifying its pivot toward a Bitcoin treasury strategy.
Major US Banks Consider Joint Stablecoin Project
In a surprising twist, traditional finance may be ready to embrace crypto. JPMorgan, Citi, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo are reportedly in talks to launch a collaborative stablecoin initiative. While no public details have been confirmed, the project could redefine banking interoperability and settlement efficiency in the U.S.
FIFA Chooses Avalanche for Blockchain Expansion
Football’s global governing body has selected Avalanche to build its dedicated Layer-1 blockchain. The FIFA Blockchain will aim to power digital collectibles, event ticketing, and fan engagement, signaling a major leap in sports-based Web3 adoption.
Other Noteworthy Headlines:
- Bitcoin Hits New High: BTC surged past $111,880, although trader enthusiasm remained muted compared to past bull runs.
- SafeMoon CEO Convicted: Braden John Karony was found guilty of fraud and faces up to 45 years in prison.
- World Token Raises $135M: Sam Altman’s World project closed a private token sale with backing from a16z and Bain Capital Crypto.
- Unicoin Sued by SEC: The securities watchdog alleges false statements during the company’s $100 million raise.
- India’s Supreme Court Demands Clarity on Crypto Policy: Judges questioned the government’s delay in establishing a concrete regulatory framework.
- Genesis Sues DCG Again: The bankruptcy committee filed a new lawsuit seeking recovery from Barry Silbert and DCG executives.
- GENIUS Act Revived: The U.S. Senate revived the stablecoin-focused legislation, clearing a procedural hurdle for potential passage.
As global finance increasingly intersects with crypto innovation and political agendas the industry finds itself at the center of cultural, legal, and ethical conversations. Stay tuned as regulatory clarity, market dynamics, and tech evolution continue to shape the future of decentralized finance.
