The past week in crypto has been anything but quiet. Politics, regulation, corporate deals, and big institutional moves all made headlines and the ripple effect (pun intended) could be felt for months.
From President Trump opening the door to crypto in 401(k) plans to universities making major Bitcoin bets, here’s your quick rundown of the biggest stories.
Politics & Leadership Changes
- Trump Greenlights Crypto in Retirement Plans
In a major policy shift, President Trump signed an executive order allowing cryptocurrencies to be included in 401(k) retirement accounts. Wealth managers who have been avoiding crypto exposure may now have a reason to rethink. - Bo Hines Steps Down from Presidential Crypto Council
After being appointed by Trump in December 2024, Bo Hines is leaving his role on the Presidential Council of Advisors for Digital Assets to focus on private sector ventures. Patrick Witt is expected to take over as deputy and lead the “crypto council.”
Legal & Regulatory Developments
- Ripple vs. SEC Finally Over
The years-long battle between Ripple Labs and the U.S. SEC officially ended this week. Both sides dropped their appeals and will cover their own legal fees, closing one of the most high-profile cases in crypto history. - Paxos Pays $26.5M to Settle NY Charges
Stablecoin issuer Paxos agreed to pay a $26.5 million fine to resolve allegations from the New York State Department of Financial Services tied to its past Binance partnership. - Tornado Cash Creator Convicted
Roman Storm, co-founder of Tornado Cash, was found guilty of conspiring to operate an unlicensed money transmission business. Sentencing is still pending. - CZ Fights Back Against FTX Lawsuit
Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao is pushing to dismiss a $1.76 billion lawsuit from the FTX bankruptcy estate, arguing he wasn’t properly served and that U.S. courts lack jurisdiction.
Corporate Moves & Big Money Plays
- Ripple Buys Rail for $200M
Ripple is acquiring Toronto-based stablecoin payments platform Rail in a $200 million deal, expected to close in Q4 2025. - World Liberty Financial Eyes $1.5B Raise
Backed by the Trump family, World Liberty Financial is seeking $1.5 billion to launch a public company structure for its WLFI tokens. - Coinbase Rolls Out DEX Access
Coinbase announced integration with decentralized exchanges, opening the door for users to trade millions of assets that were previously inaccessible on the platform. - Animoca Brands Launches Stablecoin Venture
Partnering with Standard Chartered Hong Kong and Hong Kong Telecom, Animoca is launching “Anchorpoint” a licensed stablecoin issuer aimed at regulated markets.
Institutions Go Bitcoin
- Harvard & Brown Enter the BTC Game
SEC filings reveal Harvard Management Company invested $116 million in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust, while Brown University also disclosed Bitcoin holdings in similar reports.
Bottom Line:
This week’s developments show crypto’s growing reach from the Oval Office to Ivy League boardrooms. With political backing, institutional money flowing in, and major corporate expansions, the industry’s next chapter could be even bigger.
