News Roundup — CFTC expands payment stablecoin criteria to include national trust banks

Major news stories this week;

1. CFTC expands payment stablecoin criteria to include national trust banks
2. China bans stablecoin and RWA issuance by foreign and domestic companies
3. Brazil lawmakers move to outlaw algorithmic stablecoins like USDe, Frax
4. Tether deepens metals exposure with $150 million investment in Gold.com
5. Michael Saylor’s Strategy acquires another 855 BTC for $75 million as total bitcoin holdings briefly slip underwater

Story Summaries;

1. CFTC expands payment stablecoin criteria to include national trust banks The CFTC has updated its staff guidance to recognise national trust banks as eligible participants within its payment stablecoin criteria. The shift brings the agency’s approach closer to emerging U.S. policy direction on stablecoins and could encourage more bank-affiliated structures to enter the market under clearer expectations.
2. China bans stablecoin and RWA issuance by foreign and domestic companies China’s central bank has moved to prohibit the creation of stablecoins and tokenised real-world asset products by any issuer operating in the country, whether local or international. The decision reinforces Beijing’s preference for tight control over digital money and directly raises the compliance bar for firms that hoped to launch private, yuan-linked token products.
3. Brazil lawmakers move to outlaw algorithmic stablecoins like USDe, Frax Legislators in Brazil are progressing a proposal that would effectively remove algorithmic stablecoins from the domestic market by requiring stablecoin issuers to hold robust backing for their tokens. Given how heavily stablecoins are used in Brazilian crypto trading, stricter issuance rules could meaningfully influence liquidity, product availability, and issuer operating models.
4. Tether deepens metals exposure with $150 million investment in Gold.com Tether has increased its exposure to precious metals with a sizeable investment in Gold.com, signalling continued emphasis on diversification within its reserve strategy. By scaling its gold-linked position, the company appears to be strengthening alternative reserve components that may help it manage risk across market cycles.
5. Michael Saylor’s Strategy acquires another 855 BTC for $75 million as total bitcoin holdings briefly slip underwater Strategy has purchased an additional 855 BTC, maintaining its long-term accumulation approach even as the market price recently dipped below the firm’s aggregate cost basis. With one of the largest corporate bitcoin treasuries globally, the latest buy underscores its conviction-led positioning and willingness to add through volatility.

And that’s all for last week’s news! Wishing you a great week ahead!