Month: April 2025

Japanese Banking Giant SMBC Eyes Stablecoin Launch with Ava Labs

Key Notes Japan has been a leader in stablecoin regulations, classifying them as “Electronic Payment Instruments” in 2022. SMBC has been exploring Web3 innovations since 2022 when it launched Token Business Lab in partnership with HashPort. Stablecoin adoption has been growing worldwide, with global leaders like Donald Trump acknowledging their importance in global finance. Japan’s second-largest banking institution – Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMBC) – is working on a stablecoin launch in collaboration with Ava Labs and Fireblocks. This happens as big banking players have started understanding the importance of…

Coindesk CONSENSUS 2025 (Part 2) – AI and Blockchain

Khushi V Rangdhol Apr 02, 2025 18:05 AI and blockchain converge, enabling decentralized data ownership and real-time integration for better predictions. At Consensus Hong Kong 2025, one of the most captivating discussions revolved around the growing convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology. Key industry figures, including Clara Tsao (Founding Officer, Filecoin Foundation), Jing Sun (Co-founder, IoTeX & MachineFi Lab), and Mark Rydon (Co-founder, Aethir), delved into how decentralized technologies could democratize AI and address the trust issues surrounding centralized data…

Digital shift in Swiss economy shows ‘substantial opportunity’ for Swiss stablecoin, Bitcoin Suisse says

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Switzerland’s economy is showing early signs of complete digitalization, as digital transactions have now surpassed cash payments, according to a new survey. Switzerland has long favored cash, with the average person holding around $10,481 in bills and coins. It’s been a cultural norm, valued for privacy and ease. But a new survey from the Swiss National Bank appears to show that debit cards have now edged out cash as the most common way to pay. The survey found that in 2024, 35% of in-store purchases in Switzerland were made with…

Price analysis 4/2: BTC, ETH, XRP, BNB, SOL, DOGE, ADA, TON, LINK, LEO

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Bitcoin bulls are trying to clear a critical overhead hurdle at $88,000. Will large-cap altcoins follow? Bitcoin (BTC) bulls have pushed the price above the $87,000 level even as US trade tariffs are slated to kick in on April 2. Bitcoin may remain volatile in the near term, but analysts remain bullish for the long term. According to Fidelity analyst Zack Wainwright, Bitcoin is currently in an acceleration phase, which “can conclude with a sharp, dramatic rally” if history repeats itself. If that happens, Wainwright expects $110,000 to be the…

Whales Dump 760,000 Ethereum in Two Weeks — Is More Selling Ahead?

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Reason to trust Strict editorial policy that focuses on accuracy, relevance, and impartiality Created by industry experts and meticulously reviewed The highest standards in reporting and publishing Strict editorial policy that focuses on accuracy, relevance, and impartiality Morbi pretium leo et nisl aliquam mollis. Quisque arcu lorem, ultricies quis pellentesque nec, ullamcorper eu odio. Este artículo también está disponible en español. Ethereum continues to face strong headwinds as it trades below the $1,900 mark, with bullish momentum fading and market sentiment growing increasingly fearful. After a brief attempt to stabilize,…

NASDAQ-listed FAT Brands accepts Bitcoin for franchise payments

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FAT Brands, an iconic restaurant chain listed on the Nasdaq, has added cryptocurrency to its accepted payment methods. The global restaurant franchising company announced the move via a press release on April 2, noting that it now officially accepts Bitcoin (BTC) for royalty payments. The company now supports BTC for franchise payments at its more than 2,300 locations worldwide. FAT is the parent company of Round Table Pizza, Fatburger, Johnny Rockets, Twin Peaks, and 14 other restaurant franchises across the globe. It launched in 2003 with the acquisition of Fatburger,…

Avalanche (AVAX) To Outpace Both Bitcoin and Ethereum By End of 2029, Standard Chartered Predicts After Initiating Coverage

Avalanche’s AVAX token is poised for major gains in coming years that should outpace already bullish outlooks for both bitcoin and ether, according to Standard Chartered’s Geoff Kendrick. “The unique thing about Avalanche is how it is attempting to achieve scale. Unlike Ethereum or Solana, Avalanche (AVAX) uses a set of subnets, or sidechains,” Kendrick said in a note on Wednesday, initiating coverage on AVAX with a $55 price target for the end of 2025, $100 for 2026, $150 for 2027, $200 for 2028 and $250 by the completion of…

Bitcoin Tops $86K on ‘Liberation Day’

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The cryptocurrency is trading higher as markets brace for President Donald Trump’s official tariff announcement on Wednesday afternoon. BTC Ticks Upward as Markets Await Trump Tariff Announcement President Donald Trump is set to announce new U.S. tariffs on the country’s global trading partners on Wednesday afternoon and bitcoin is trending upward on the news. The […] Original

SMBC, Ava Labs, Fireblocks sign MoU for stablecoin framework in Japan

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Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMBC), a Japanese banking and financial services conglomerate, along with business systems firm TIS Inc, Ava Labs — the developer of the Avalanche network — and digital asset infrastructure company Fireblocks, have signed an agreement to explore a framework for commercializing stablecoins in Japan. Under a Memorandum of Understanding, the companies will focus on developing strategies around issuing and circulating stablecoins pegged to the US dollar and Japanese yen, according to a joint announcement. Additionally, the collaboration will explore stablecoins as a settlement mechanism for tokenized…

7-Eleven Joins South Korea’s CBDC Pilot Program

Key Notes 7-Eleven has begun participating in South Korea’s CBDC trials. The prospect of a Digital Won has long been in the works for the Bank of Korea. Other countries, like the Bank of England, are also trialing CBDC prospects. South Korea has launched a nationwide test for its Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). This will allow selected businesses and consumers to participate. 7-Eleven, Inc., a leading convenience store chain, is one of the businesses taking part in the experiment. The trial, which started on April 1 and will run…