This week in crypto, institutional developments and regulatory shifts took centre stage as President Donald Trump unveiled the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and Digital Asset Stockpile, reinforcing the administration’s growing focus on digital assets. While the move highlights increasing government interest in cryptocurrency, price movements remained stable, with broader trends still driven by macroeconomic factors.

Trump’s Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and Digital Asset Stockpile marks a significant shift in U.S. digital asset policy. The initiative establishes Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset, while Ethereum, XRP, Solana, and Cardano fall under the Digital Asset Stockpile. David Sacks, the White House AI and Crypto Czar, reinforced the significance of the move, stating, “We’ve decided Bitcoin is scarce, it’s valuable.” As the leader of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, Sacks is overseeing efforts to build a legal framework for cryptocurrency regulation and AI governance.

The institutional landscape continues to evolve, with Bitwise launching a Bitcoin corporate treasury ETF, allowing firms to allocate BTC to balance sheets, while Abu Dhabi’s MGX Group injected $2 billion into Binance through a stablecoin investment. Meanwhile, Ripple secured a Dubai license to expand crypto payments in the UAE and moved closer to resolving its drawn-out SEC enforcement case. Institutional demand for XRP ETFs grew as Franklin Templeton filed to launch an ETF, joining Bitwise, ProShares, and 21Shares in seeking regulatory approval. VanEck registered an Avalanche ETF, and Cboe BZX filed for a Solana ETF with Franklin Templeton. The SEC has postponed its decision on XRP, Solana, Litecoin, and Dogecoin ETFs, following its usual process of delaying crypto ETF approvals, which is not expected to impact their eventual outcome.

Regulatory developments continued to shape the industry. David Sacks pushed back against a proposed crypto transaction tax, as the Trump administration considers tax and administrative reforms that could impact crypto markets. Russia announced a three-year crypto trial, allowing select investors to purchase digital assets under regulated conditions, while the Thailand SEC approved USDT and USDC for cryptocurrency trading, signalling growing stablecoin adoption in Asia.

In Web3, a long-dormant Bitcoin wallet linked to the Nucleus darknet marketplace moved $400 million in BTC, reigniting speculation about law enforcement activity and historical illicit funds resurfacing. Solana network revenue slumped 93% from January highs as the memecoin frenzy cooled, showing the fleeting nature of speculative mania. Meanwhile, Robinhood expanded its offerings, listing PENGU and POPCAT, highlighting that niche demand for memecoins remains despite broader market weakness. Elsewhere, the X account of Ben Chow, co-founder of Meteora, was hacked, leading to false accusations against memecoin founders before being rectified. The incident underscores the persistent cybersecurity risks in crypto, where high-profile figures remain frequent targets.

With continued regulatory discussions, ETF developments, and institutional moves shaping the market, all eyes remain on how crypto adoption and government policies evolve. As these factors play out, the coming weeks could provide more clarity on the direction of digital assets in both the U.S. and global markets.

More news stories circulating the block: 

• Ethereum gas fees have dropped 95% since the Dencun upgrade

• El Salvador has acquired over 13 BTC since March 1

• SGX plans to launch Bitcoin perpetual futures in H2 2025

• An Argentine lawyer requested an Interpol red notice for LIBRA coin creator

• North Korean-linked Lazarus Group send 400 ETH to Tornado Cash