This week, we saw major regulatory moves and strategic national adoption plans in the crypto sector. Additionally, deepening integrations between traditional finance and blockchain were also seen. We have selected 4 top news from this week that were worth featuring our weekly review. The first news is the SEC’s investigation into Coinbase’s 2021 IPO user figures. The second one is Ukraine’s bill for a national Bitcoin reserve. These headlines point to growing scrutiny and legitimacy in the sector.
Meanwhile, Dubai took a bold step by enabling crypto payments for public services. MoonPay teamed up with payments giant Mastercard to bring stablecoin payments to millions of merchants globally. Keep reading below for more details.
SEC’s Investigation of Coinbase Over Alleged User Data Misstatement in 2021 IPO
The most significant news of the week is the the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s investigation of Coinbase over claims that it may have overstated the number of verified users during its 2021 IPO. While Coinbase reported over 100 million verified users at the time, recent filings appear to conflict with that figure, prompting scrutiny from regulators.
The probe reportedly began under the Biden administration and continues as part of the SEC’s broader push for accuracy in crypto-related disclosures. Coinbase’s Chief Legal Officer, Paul Grewal, referred to the matter as a “holdover issue” and confirmed the company is cooperating fully.
Ukraine Finalizes Plan for Strategic Bitcoin Reserve
Ukraine is nearing the introduction of a bill to create a national Bitcoin reserve. This marks a strategic move as the country faces ongoing economic challenges due to the war with Russia. The proposal is now in its final drafting stage and focuses solely on Bitcoin ($BTC), not broader crypto adoption.
Lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak confirmed the bill will soon be submitted to parliament. Initially intended to cover multiple digital assets, the plan has narrowed to Bitcoin as Ukraine looks to integrate it into national financial planning. Binance has expressed support for the initiative. However, its regional head, Kirill Khomyakov, warned that legal hurdles and the slow pace of legislative reform could delay implementation. If passed, Ukraine would join a small group of countries pursuing Bitcoin at the state level.
Crypto.com and Dubai Government Launch Crypto Payment System for Public Services
Crypto.com has partnered with the Dubai government to enable cryptocurrency payments for government services. This marks one of the first instances of a government-wide crypto payment system globally. Under the agreement, signed by Dubai’s Department of Finance, residents will be able to pay government fees using crypto through secure wallets. The move supports Dubai’s Cashless Strategy, which aims for 90% of financial transactions to go digital by 2026.
Officials say the initiative strengthens Dubai’s position as a leader in financial innovation. Crypto.com called the partnership a milestone for crypto adoption and economic modernization in the region.
MoonPay and Mastercard Team Up to Enable Global Stablecoin Payments
MoonPay has partnered with Mastercard to launch stablecoin-based payments at over 150 million merchants worldwide. The initiative allows users to spend crypto using virtual, stablecoin-backed Mastercards through supported wallets, eliminating the need to convert to fiat. The move aims to boost real-world crypto utility by integrating stablecoins into Mastercard’s global network. MoonPay says the partnership marks a step toward merging DeFi with traditional finance and advancing blockchain-driven global commerce.
As the crypto landscape continues to evolve, this week’s top stories highlight a growing convergence between regulation, national strategy, and real-world adoption. From heightened scrutiny by regulators to governments and corporations embracing digital assets, these developments underscore the maturing role of crypto in global finance. We’ll be watching closely to see how these initiatives unfold, and what new shifts emerge in the weeks ahead.
