News Roundup — Trump Orders Fed to Review Crypto Access to U.S. Payment System

Major news stories this week;

1. Trump Orders Fed to Review Crypto Access to U.S. Payment System
2. EU Opens MiCA Review on Stablecoins, DeFi, and Regulatory Gaps
3. Coinbase Launches USDF Stablecoin Infrastructure on Solana
4. Tether Takes Full Control of Twenty One Capital
5. U.S. Treasury Sanctions Crypto-Facilitated Sinaloa Cartel Operations

Story Summaries;

1. President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing financial regulators to review barriers that may be limiting crypto and fintech firms' access to the U.S. payment system. The initiative focuses on expanding opportunities for digital asset companies to connect with federally regulated institutions and could significantly accelerate the integration of crypto services into traditional financial infrastructure.
2. The European Union has launched a consultation process as part of its review of the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework. Regulators are seeking feedback on stablecoin rules, DeFi-related risks, and potential classification gaps, with the outcome likely to influence future crypto policy across the region.
3. Coinbase expanded its stablecoin infrastructure offering with the launch of Flipcash USDF, a USDC-backed stablecoin operating on Solana. The initiative reflects growing demand for white-label stablecoin solutions and highlights the increasing role of stablecoins in modern payment and settlement systems.
4. Tether has acquired SoftBank’s stake in Twenty One Capital, strengthening its control over the Bitcoin treasury company co-founded by Jack Mallers. The move gives Tether greater influence over the firm's future strategy and underscores the company's expanding presence within the Bitcoin ecosystem.
5. The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on individuals linked to the Sinaloa Cartel for allegedly using cryptocurrency to facilitate fentanyl trafficking operations. The action demonstrates regulators' continued focus on preventing illicit use of digital assets while reinforcing the importance of compliance and monitoring within the crypto industry.

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

‍

‍