News Roundup — US Treasury sanctions Iran-linked crypto exchanges for first time

Major news stories this week;

1. US Treasury sanctions Iran-linked crypto exchanges for first time
2. Binance to convert $1B SAFU reserve from stablecoins to BTC in long-term bet
3. Nubank wins conditional US approval to form national bank
4. Norway sovereign wealth fund’s indirect bitcoin exposure grew 149% in 2025 to 9,573 BTC: K33
5. World Liberty Financial’s USD1 Tops $5B Market Cap as TRUMP Meme Coin Stumbles

Story Summaries;

1. US Treasury sanctions Iran-linked crypto exchanges for first time The US Treasury has taken enforcement action against two UK-incorporated digital asset exchanges alleged to be connected to Iran’s financial ecosystem. The move signals a broader willingness to use sanctions tools directly on crypto intermediaries, raising compliance expectations for platforms with cross-border exposure.
2. Binance to convert $1B SAFU reserve from stablecoins to BTC in long-term bet Binance plans to shift its $1 billion user protection reserve away from stablecoin holdings and into Bitcoin. The decision reflects a belief that BTC may offer stronger long-term robustness for an emergency fund designed to backstop customers during extreme market events.
3. Nubank wins conditional US approval to form national bank Nubank has secured conditional clearance from US regulators to proceed with forming a national bank, marking a meaningful step in its ambitions to expand within the US financial system. If completed, the structure could support a broader suite of regulated offerings, including services that sit alongside crypto-related products.
4. Norway sovereign wealth fund’s indirect bitcoin exposure grew 149% in 2025 to 9,573 BTC: K33 New research suggests Norway’s sovereign wealth fund has materially increased its “look-through” exposure to Bitcoin by holding public companies tied to the crypto economy. The allocation is achieved indirectly through positions in firms such as miners and major market infrastructure providers, highlighting how large institutions can gain BTC sensitivity without holding the asset outright.
5. World Liberty Financial’s USD1 Tops $5B Market Cap as TRUMP Meme Coin Stumbles World Liberty Financial’s USD1 has crossed the $5 billion market-cap threshold, supported by rising adoption from larger market participants. In contrast, a high-profile meme token has lost momentum, reinforcing how utility, liquidity, and credible demand drivers can separate durable projects from hype-led cycles.

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