The U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is moving to ease certain rules for cryptocurrency companies, signaling a more supportive approach to the fast-growing sector. According to a Financial Times report, the regulator will waive some traditional financial requirements, recognizing that crypto firms operate differently from banks and investment platforms.

While rules will be relaxed in several areas, the FCA plans to tighten regulations around industry-specific risks, such as cyberattacks. Firms may face less strict requirements regarding senior managers, systems, and controls, as cryptocurrency companies are not seen as posing the same systemic risk as traditional finance institutions. Customers may also forego cooling-off periods, reflecting the volatile nature of crypto prices.

David Geale, FCA executive director for payments and digital finance, emphasized that existing financial rules cannot simply be “lifted and dropped” onto crypto. The regulator aims to fully integrate cryptocurrency into its framework by 2026, adapting oversight to support innovation while addressing unique risks in the digital asset market.

Financial Times

In a significant development for corporate Bitcoin adoption, BTC Inc. and Strategy Inc. (Nasdaq: STRF/STRC/STRK/STRD/MSTR) have announced a five-year renewal of their strategic partnership for the Bitcoin for Corporations (BFC) initiative. The partnership aims to accelerate global corporate Bitcoin adoption through 2030, with BFC currently representing 38 member companies that collectively hold 69% of all corporate Bitcoin holdings.

The renewed agreement strengthens BFC’s position as the primary platform for Bitcoin treasury companies, service providers, and capital allocators working to integrate Bitcoin into corporate balance sheets. The initiative’s global reach now spans…

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Metaplanet, the Tokyo-based hospitality and real estate group turned Bitcoin treasury company, is accelerating its crypto strategy with the launch of two new subsidiaries. In Miami, the firm has established Metaplanet Income Corp., backed by $15 million in initial capital. The unit will focus on Bitcoin income generation and derivatives trading, creating a clear separation between the company’s core BTC holdings and revenue-generating operations. CEO Simon Gerovich will oversee the subsidiary alongside Dylan LeClair and Darren Winia.

In Tokyo, the company unveiled Bitcoin Japan Inc., headquartered in Roppongi Hills. The entity will drive domestic Bitcoin initiatives, overseeing media operations, events, and the management of the Bitcoin dot jp domain. It will also manage Bitcoin Magazine Japan and the Bitcoin Japan Conference, expanding Metaplanet’s presence in the country’s growing crypto community. Directors Gerovich and Yoshihisa Ikurumi will lead the initiative.

The moves come as Metaplanet strengthens its Bitcoin income business, launched late 2024. With 20,136 BTC on its balance sheet, the company is now the sixth-largest Bitcoin holder worldwide, trailing only giants like MicroStrategy and Mara Holdings.

Source

Metaplanet, a Tokyo Stock Exchange-listed company, has announced that it closed a massive $1.4 billion fundraise through an international share offering, with plans to buy Bitcoin with it. The announcement comes as Bitcoin price continues to trade above $116,000, highlighting growing institutional interest in Bitcoin treasury operations.

The Japanese Bitcoin treasury company announced multiple strategic initiatives today, including the establishment of new subsidiaries in both the United States and Japan, as well as the acquisition of the premium domain Bitcoin.jp.

The fundraising initiative attracted significant interest from global institutional investors, including sovereign wealth…

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Britain and the United States are preparing to strengthen ties on digital assets, signaling a major shift toward a more crypto-friendly approach. UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met Tuesday with top financial and crypto executives, including leaders from Coinbase, Circle, Ripple, Barclays, and Citi, to discuss aligning policies and boosting innovation, according to the Financial Times.

The talks come after UK crypto advocacy groups urged the government to adopt a more open stance, warning that cautious regulation has slowed adoption and investment. Stablecoins are expected to be a key part of any deal, echoing the Trump administration’s pro-crypto stance. Reeves reportedly believes closer coordination with the US will provide UK companies better access to American markets while attracting greater investment.

Industry voices see digital assets as a “huge opportunity” for Britain. Work is already underway to create cross-border regulatory sandboxes, giving firms room to test blockchain technologies and expand adoption in financial services.

Report

This evening, after an afternoon session with Bitcoin and crypto industry leaders, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) attended an intimate Bitcoin Voter PAC-sponsored event in downtown Washington, D.C. at which he made it clear that House Republicans plan to work closely with the Bitcoin and crypto industry to craft legislation that will enable the industry to thrive in the United States.

“We’re in this together,” Speaker Johnson told Bitcoin Magazine at the event.

“It was an extraordinary group of folks to have assembled on Capitol Hill [today] and a great benefit to the members of Congress to be able to associate with, talk with, and visit with all these leaders in the…

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