Crypto holders in Australia can now use their Bitcoin to buy a home, as Block Earner launches the country’s first Bitcoin-backed home loan. The move comes after the fintech company won a major legal battle against ASIC, proving it did not need a financial services licence to offer the product. Block Earner said it is working closely with regulators to ensure full compliance, while helping Australians tap into their digital assets for real-world use.

The company highlighted how housing affordability has shifted when viewed through the lens of Bitcoin. In 2016, the average Australian home cost 627 BTC, while in 2024, that figure has dropped to just 4.3 BTC. Gold has followed a similar trend, falling from 350 ounces to about 170 ounces for the same home. Block Earner argues that long-term holders of inflation-resistant assets like Bitcoin now have stronger purchasing power.

The Bitcoin-backed home loan offers a new path to home ownership for crypto investors. It allows people to enter the property market without selling their Bitcoin, turning digital wealth into real estate opportunities.

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Sberbank, Russia’s largest lender, plans to offer custody services for cryptocurrency assets, aiming to lead the country’s digital asset infrastructure as demand for bitcoin and crypto services grows.

The move comes as Russia’s central bank has softened its stance on digital assets, recently supporting legislation that allows businesses to use bitcoin and crypto in international trade to bypass Western sanctions imposed on Russia over its conflict in Ukraine.

The executive director of Sberbank Anatoly Pronin said the bank has submitted proposals to the central bank regarding the regulation of bitcoin and crypto assets. He noted that more banks globally are starting to…

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PAX Technology, a global leader in payment solutions, has partnered with Lunu Pay to enable crypto payments across its network of over 80 million terminals. This move allows retailers worldwide to accept cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and more, with instant fiat conversion and zero volatility risk.

Merchants using PAX’s Android-based terminals can now accept over 30 cryptocurrencies without any additional hardware. Shoppers can pay using popular wallets such as MetaMask, Binance, and Trust Wallet, offering a flexible and modern checkout experience.

Lunu ensures instant crypto-to-fiat conversion, with same-day settlement in over 30 fiat currencies, including USD, EUR, and GBP. With PAX terminals active in more than 120 countries, this upgrade marks a major step in mainstream crypto adoption, making digital payments simple, fast, and secure for both businesses and consumers.

French lawmakers have submitted a new proposal to transform surplus electricity into economic value through Bitcoin mining. The bill, introduced on July 11, outlines a five-year experimental program that would allow energy producers to use excess power—particularly from nuclear and renewable sources—for mining Bitcoin. 

The initiative is designed to address France’s recurring issue of energy overproduction. Currently, electricity producers are often forced to sell surplus energy at a loss due to limited storage capabilities. “Electricity producers are often compelled to sell overproduced energy at a loss due to a lack of storage, which constitutes an ‘unacceptable…

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Thailand’s SEC and central bank are launching a crypto sandbox, allowing foreign tourists to convert digital assets into Thai baht for local spending. The move expands on a previous Phuket-based trial, enabling transactions through licensed operators and regulated e-money platforms.

Gulf Binance CEO, Nirun Fuwattananukul, said the sandbox builds on former PM Thaksin Shinawatra’s vision to support crypto use in tourist areas. Approved operators can offer services for 18 months, with extensions possible, under strict anti-money laundering rules, spending caps, and asset eligibility guidelines.

The Tourism Council of Thailand supports the initiative, but urges readiness across the ecosystem. Vice President, Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, said many Phuket stakeholders were unaware of the ongoing public hearing. Concerns remain about illegal businesses, crypto misuse, and the need for clear rules before implementation.

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Standard Chartered has made history by becoming the first global systemically important bank (G-SIB) to launch deliverable spot trading for bitcoin (BTC) and ethereum (ETH), a major milestone in the adoption of digital assets by traditional finance.

The UK-based bank announced that the new trading service will allow institutional clients—corporates, asset managers, and other large investors—to trade bitcoin and ethereum directly through its UK branch.

The trades will be settled with actual digital assets, not just derivatives or exposure through funds.

This puts Standard Chartered at the forefront of regulated bitcoin trading, offering a secure, compliant platform for…

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