Retail investors in the UK will soon gain access to crypto exchange traded notes (cETNs), as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announces a significant regulatory shift. These cETNs must be traded on a UK-based, FCA-approved Recognised Investment Exchange (RIE), ensuring consumer protections and compliance with financial promotion rules.

According to David Geale, executive director of payments and digital finance at the FCA, the decision reflects the evolving crypto landscape. He stated that crypto products have become more mainstream and better understood, allowing for expanded investor choice while maintaining safeguards. Firms offering these products must follow the FCA’s Consumer Duty regulations, but investors won’t be protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

This move is part of the FCA’s broader effort to build a crypto regulatory framework. While access to cryptoasset derivatives remains restricted, the FCA continues to explore proposals on stablecoins and high-risk investments, aiming to strike a balance between innovation and investor safety.

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Japanese investment firm Metaplanet has filed a shelf registration to raise up to 555 billion yen, or $3.6 billion, through the issuance of perpetual preferred stock. The funds will support the company’s bold plan to acquire 210,000 Bitcoin by 2027, positioning it as a major player in the digital asset space.

The proposal includes creating two classes of perpetual preferred shares tailored to different investor risk profiles. Class A shares would offer up to 6% dividends and liquidation priority, functioning similarly to corporate bonds. Class B shares come with conversion rights into common stock through put options. Neither class carries voting rights, and no specific issuance date has been confirmed, pending shareholder approval and regulatory review.

Metaplanet currently holds 17,132 Bitcoin, valued at approximately $2 billion, with a 430.2% BTC yield year-to-date. Its stock trading volume soared to 1.86 trillion yen in June, nearly doubling from May. Shareholders will vote on the proposed changes at an extraordinary general meeting on September 1. The registration remains valid through August 2027.

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Bitcoin-focused firm Strategy has posted record-breaking Q2 2025 results, as it continues to benefit from the crypto’s surge to all-time highs. The company reported $14.03 billion in operating income, a massive jump from a $200 million loss a year ago. Net income reached $10.02 billion, or $32.60 per diluted share. The firm’s Bitcoin holdings now stand at 628,791 BTC, valued at $46.07 billion.

Strategy also surpassed its full-year BTC Yield goal, hitting 25 percent ahead of schedule, and has raised its targets to 30 percent yield and $20 billion in dollar gains. Revenues rose to $114.5 million, marking a 2.7 percent increase from last year. The company also filed for a $4.2 billion STRC offering, with plans to use the proceeds to buy more Bitcoin.

Executive Chairman Michael Saylor said the new STRC stock offers stable, high-yield returns and supports Bitcoin’s expanding financial ecosystem. Analysts believe Strategy could add over 17,000 BTC without diluting common equity over the next decade.

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Tether International (TI) has reported over $157B USD₮ in circulation and more than $127B in U.S. Treasury exposure in its Q2 2025 attestation, completed by top-five firm BDO. Total assets reached $162.5B while liabilities stood at $157.1B, confirming Tether’s reserves fully back the tokens in circulation. The report highlights growing trust in USD₮ as the world’s most transparent and resilient digital dollar.

TI posted a $4.9B net profit in Q2, bringing year-to-date earnings to $5.7B. Recurrent profits hit $3.1B with another $2.6B added from bitcoin and gold. Shareholder equity remains stable at $5.47B, reinforcing long-term strength. Over $13.4B in new USD₮ was issued during the quarter, adding $20B YTD—proof of accelerating global demand.

Tether has reinvested billions into AI, renewable energy, and digital platforms like Rumble. CEO Paolo Ardoino said the company is shaping global finance with USD₮ reaching 150+ countries. “Trust in Tether is accelerating,” he said, “We’re not just meeting demand—we’re driving it.”

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SEC Chairman Paul Atkins has announced the launch of Project Crypto, aiming to fast-track pro-crypto policies under President Donald Trump’s direction. Speaking at the America First Policy Institute, Atkins said the initiative will modernize securities regulations to help U.S. markets move on-chain. He instructed staff to draft simple, clear rules covering crypto distribution, custody, and trading, and emphasized that outdated laws must not block innovation.

Atkins stated that most crypto assets are not securities, challenging previous SEC leadership. He called for clear guidelines to help identify when digital assets fall under securities law and supported fit-for-purpose rules for ICOs, airdrops, and staking rewards. He stressed that a securities label should not be viewed as a negative mark on crypto projects.

The chairman also backed self-custody of crypto and supported the rise of crypto super-apps offering multiple services under a single license. He defended developers’ rights to publish open-source code and vowed to bring back crypto businesses that fled under past regulatory pressure.

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Fold Holdings has partnered with Blackhawk Network to launch the Fold Bitcoin Gift Card, making it easier for everyday Americans to access and gift bitcoin. This move brings bitcoin into the mainstream by offering it in a familiar, easy-to-use format. The gift card is now available online, with more retailers joining soon, and in-store options expected later this year.

The expansion allows users to purchase bitcoin through one of the largest retail networks in the U.S. Fold is leveraging BHN’s 400,000+ retail and digital touchpoints to distribute the card widely. Fold CEO Will Reeves said the goal is to make bitcoin as accessible as traditional gift cards, helping drive adoption by meeting consumers where they already shop and spend.

Launched in May 2025, the Fold Bitcoin Gift Card can be redeemed through the Fold App without the need for a crypto wallet or technical knowledge. This marks a major step forward in integrating bitcoin into everyday commerce and giving more people an easy entry point into digital assets.

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