CZ Denies WSJ Claims of Binance.US Deal and Pardon Request + Ripple Secures Major License

CZ Denies WSJ Claims of Binance.US Deal and Pardon Request, Calls It a Political Attack on Trump and Crypto

The Wall Street Journal reported that representatives of the Trump family discussed taking a financial stake in Binance.US, while Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) allegedly sought a pardon from the Trump administration after pleading guilty to anti-money laundering violations. The talks reportedly began as Binance tried to regain its U.S. market position after regulatory setbacks. The form of the Trump family’s potential stake remains unclear.

However, CZ strongly denied the report, stating on 𝕏 that the WSJ “got the facts wrong” and that he had “no discussions of a Binance US deal with … well, anyone.” He dismissed the claims as an attempt to manufacture a story, suggesting it was part of a broader attack on Trump and the crypto industry. CZ also noted that while any felon would welcome a pardon, he had not sought one and believed the article was driven by lingering hostility from the previous administration’s crackdown on crypto.

👉CHECK OUT BB PREMIUM

Ripple Secures First Middle East License in Dubai as XRP Legal Battle Nears Conclusion

Ripple has received regulatory approval to provide crypto payments and services in the Dubai International Finance Center (DIFC), making it the first blockchain payments provider licensed by the Dubai Financial Services Authority. This marks Ripple’s first license in the Middle East, a region where 20% of its customer base operates. CEO Brad Garlinghouse highlighted the UAE’s strong position for crypto growth, citing a $40 billion cross-border payments market and rising demand for instant settlements and stablecoins.

Meanwhile, Ripple’s legal battle with the SEC, which began in 2020 over XRP sales, may soon conclude. Recent developments suggest a shift in the SEC’s stance on crypto under new leadership, with reports indicating the reassignment of key litigators involved in the case.

Ethereum Faces Liquidation Risk as Price Drops, With $336M at Stake in Worst-Case Scenario

A further 20% decline in Ethereum’s price could trigger up to $336 million in DeFi liquidations, warns Kevin Rusher, founder of RAAC. If ETH falls to $1,857, around $136 million in liquidations could occur, while a drop to $1,780 might trigger another $117 million. The most severe risk comes if ETH reaches $1,500, potentially causing cascading liquidations.

👉CHECK OUT BB TERMINAL

A major concern is a $130 million ETH-backed loan in Sky (formerly Maker), which is close to collapse despite attempts to add collateral. Rusher advocates for integrating real-world assets like real estate and gold into DeFi to reduce volatility.

MoonPay Acquires Stablecoin Firm Iron in $100M+ Deal to Expand Crypto Payment Services

MoonPay has acquired API-focused stablecoin infrastructure company Iron in a deal worth at least $100 million, marking a major step in its expansion into enterprise-grade stablecoin solutions. The acquisition mirrors Stripe’s $1.1 billion purchase of Bridge last year and enables MoonPay to offer cross-border stablecoin payments, multi-currency treasuries, and yield-bearing assets like U.S. Treasury bills.

MoonPay CEO Ivan Soto-Wright emphasized that Iron’s technology will enhance instant, programmable payments for enterprises and fintechs. This follows MoonPay’s $175 million acquisition of Helio in January, reinforcing its push to provide seamless crypto payment services across multiple platforms.

Resources:

WSJ

𝕏