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White House Adviser Says Banks Shouldn’t Fear

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Crypto Breaking News

The regulatory dispute shaping crypto markets intensified as lawmakers push the CLARITY Act, a proposal aimed at reconciling jurisdiction between the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) while introducing a formal taxonomy for digital assets. In this environment, White House crypto adviser Patrick Witt argued that allowing stablecoin reward programs offered by crypto platforms should not threaten traditional banks, urging room for compromise between the industry and incumbents. He described the current clash over stablecoin yields as “unfortunate,” insisting that platforms can offer yield products without disrupting existing bank models. A key line of debate centers on whether such yields amount to an unfair advantage or a natural extension of crypto services that banks are already pursuing through OCC charters.

Witt spoke publicly amid ongoing negotiations about the CLARITY Act, a comprehensive bill that would delineate regulatory authority between the SEC and CFTC and codify a framework for classifying crypto assets. He told Yahoo Finance that the industry and banks should be able to operate with shared, competitive product offerings, and that cooperation could unlock new services for customers while preserving financial stability. The interview underscored a broader stance within the administration: innovation should not be stifled, but it must be channeled through clear, enforceable rules.

“They can also offer stablecoin products to their customers, just the same as crypto. This is not an unfair advantage in either way, and many banks are now applying for OCC bank charters themselves to start offering bank-like products to their customers.”

As the debate continues, industry observers note that stablecoin yield programs—long a source of friction between crypto platforms and traditional banks—have become a focal point in how the market structures, and how lawmakers will eventually codify governance for digital assets. The tension has contributed to delays in passing the CLARITY market structure bill, even as proponents emphasize that regulatory clarity would reduce risk and foster legitimate growth. The discussion is not limited to the United States; its outcomes could influence international actors seeking a predictable framework for crypto activities and yield-bearing products.

The CLARITY Act is not just about power delineations; it is also about process. The proposal would establish a formal taxonomy for digital assets and set clear boundaries on which agency leads on what types of instruments. In doing so, it aims to reduce the ambiguity that many market participants say has slowed product development and investment decisions. Yet with the 2026 U.S. midterm elections looming, policymakers and industry executives warn that a shift in control or a politicized environment could derail momentum and threaten the timeline for implementing new rules.

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Supporters of the bill have argued that the current regulatory haze is a drag on innovation and market integrity alike. Opponents worry about overreach and the potential for regulatory fragmentation to create compliance burdens. The administration’s line, echoed by Witt, is that a pragmatic path exists: a framework that protects consumers and ensures fair competition while allowing crypto firms to compete on a level playing field with traditional financial institutions.

The debate has drawn attention from high-level voices inside and outside government. Some officials warn that if the House shifts control or if the midterms redraw the political map, the chance to finalize the act could slip away, raising the specter of a regulatory rollback under future administrations. In the meantime, proponents are pushing to keep the window open, arguing that a timely compromise would deliver much-needed clarity and enable continued innovation in a sector that has already reshaped payments, asset custody, and yield strategies for many users.

As markets watch for signs of movement, Witt cautions that a sense of urgency remains essential. The White House Crypto Council has signaled a preference to have the CLARITY Act signed into law before the midterms absorb all policy energy, a reflection of how election cycles can impact regulatory priorities in Washington. The broader industry context remains one of cautious optimism tempered by the reality that policy change in this arena tends to unfold incrementally, with multiple committees, hearings, and competing priorities shaping the final form of any legislation.

Key takeaways

  • The CLARITY Act seeks to resolve regulatory overlaps by defining clear jurisdiction for crypto markets between the SEC and CFTC and by creating an asset taxonomy.
  • Stablecoin reward programs offered by crypto platforms have emerged as a central flashpoint in negotiations, affecting how banks perceive competition and the potential for OCC charters to offer similar products.
  • White House and industry voices emphasize that allowing yield-bearing crypto products does not inherently threaten bank models and may spur collaboration between fintechs and traditional banks.
  • The approach hinges on political timing: the 2026 U.S. midterm elections could derail momentum, prompting urgency from policymakers to secure legislation before the election cycle dominates attention.
  • Market participants are watching for concrete signals on regulatory alignment, licence pathways for banks, and any new guidance from the White House Crypto Council ahead of meaningful legislative action.
  • Beyond domestic debates, the outcome of CLARITY could influence global regulatory expectations and how exchanges, lenders, and wallets structure risk and compliance moving forward.

Sentiment: Neutral

Market context: The ongoing CLARITY discussions sit within a broader climate of regulatory scrutiny and evolving risk sentiment in crypto markets. Investors and institutions await a coherent framework that reduces ambiguity around asset classification, custody, and product permissions, all while remaining sensitive to political timelines and potential shifts in congressional control. As regulators debate jurisdiction, market participants recalibrate liquidity strategies and risk management practices in anticipation of clarity rather than ambiguity.

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Why it matters

The core significance of these negotiations lies in the potential for a formal, nationwide framework that makes it easier for crypto firms to operate with confidence while offering consumers clearer protections. A codified taxonomy and clarified agency responsibilities would reduce the current patchwork of guidance, enabling more predictable product development and risk management for platforms that offer yield-based services tied to stablecoins. For banks, the debate tests their willingness to engage with digital-asset ecosystems in a way that preserves safety and soundness while exploring new revenue streams through regulated, bank-like products.

For users, regulatory clarity could translate into more robust consumer protections, standardized disclosures, and a more consistent set of custodial and settlement practices. For builders—exchanges, wallets, and fintechs—a stable, rule-based environment lowers compliance risk and potentially unlocks new partnerships with traditional financial institutions. Yet until legislation passes, the sector remains exposed to policy fluctuations, with funding cycles, product launches, and strategic investments hinging on regulatory signals rather than market fundamentals alone.

In a sector that has repeatedly demonstrated the rapidity with which innovation can outpace policy, the CLARITY Act represents more than a legal instrument; it is a test of the industry’s ability to coexist with traditional finance under a framework that seeks to prevent systemic risk. The administration’s emphasis on timely action underscores the stakes: jurisdictions, product categories, and the balance of powers in financial regulation are all at stake as negotiators weigh how to translate high-level principles into enforceable rules. The outcome could set a template for how the United States integrates crypto assets into the broader financial system, with potential ripple effects across markets, liquidity flows, and investor confidence.

What to watch next

  • Progress in CLARITY Act negotiations in Congress, including committee votes and potential amendments (date-dependent).
  • Election results and the political balance of the House and Senate in the 2026 midterms and their impact on crypto policy agendas.
  • Official guidance or announcements from the White House Crypto Council regarding timelines for the bill’s signing or regulatory clarifications.
  • Any movement on OCC charter applications or other pathways for banks to offer crypto-related, yield-bearing products to customers.
  • Public disclosures or hearings that illuminate how the SEC and CFTC would implement the proposed asset taxonomy and jurisdictional boundaries.

Sources & verification

  • What the CLARITY Act is actually trying to clarify in crypto markets — Cointelegraph
  • White House crypto adviser says there’s no time to wait as CLARITY Act window closes — Yahoo Finance
  • Delays in passing the CLARITY market structure bill — Cointelegraph
  • White House crypto bill talks ‘productive,’ but no deal yet — Cointelegraph

Market reaction and key details

What the debate means for users and institutions

The conversations around the CLARITY Act reflect a pivotal moment for crypto policy: designers of the framework aim to secure a balance between encouraging innovation and maintaining financial stability. The tension over stablecoin yields reveals a deeper question about alignment between rapidly evolving digital-asset products and traditional financial services. As negotiators seek to codify roles and product allowances, market participants should monitor statements from policymakers and industry leaders, as these will influence funding choices, product roadmaps, and risk management practices in the near term.

Why it matters next

Regulatory clarity could enable more predictable product development and safer consumer experiences within the crypto-finance ecosystem. For lenders and exchanges, a clear taxonomy and jurisdictional split reduces the risk of misclassification and regulatory overlap, potentially easing cross-border participation and institutional involvement. For policymakers, the CLARITY Act offers a framework to reconcile innovation with oversight, aiming to prevent systemic risk while preserving competitive, diverse financial services in the digital asset space.

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Risk & affiliate notice: Crypto assets are volatile and capital is at risk. This article may contain affiliate links. Read full disclosure

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Crypto-native media lost 33% of traffic in 2025 as crypto became easier to follow without it

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Crypto-native media lost 33% of traffic in 2025 as crypto became easier to follow without it - 2

Disclosure: The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to the author and do not represent the views and opinions of crypto.news’ editorial.

Last year, traffic to crypto-native media fell even as activity across the crypto economy remained strong: stablecoin liquidity expanded, USDT transfer volume surged, and on-chain trading stayed active.

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Rather than pointing to fading interest in crypto, the divergence suggested that people were increasingly following and using the industry through channels beyond specialist media.

Our recent Outset Data Pulse report, built on traffic data from Outset Media Index, showed that across crypto-native outlets, global visits reached 1.12 billion in 2025, but monthly traffic moved steadily lower as the year progressed. It started at 105.85 million visits in January and ended at 70.78 million in December.

There were temporary rebounds, including a notable jump in July, but not enough to change the broader trend. By the fourth quarter, crypto-native traffic was sitting at its weakest levels of the year.

On-chain growth continued even as media traffic fell

While media traffic declined, there was an expansion of the on-chain economy. Stablecoin supply, one of the cleanest ways of tracking liquidity inside crypto, rose from $216.95 billion in January to $307.76 billion by December.

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That disconnect became clearer in the underlying market data. Tether’s USDT transfer volume, a common proxy for how much value is moving across blockchain networks, soared in the second half and reached $18.92 trillion for all of 2025.

Crypto-native media lost 33% of traffic in 2025 as crypto became easier to follow without it - 2
Image source: Outset Data Pulse

Decentralized exchange spot volume also climbed to $1.76 trillion and hit its yearly peak in October, showing that trading activity on-chain remained strong. Taken together, the data pointed to three things rising at once: more liquidity in the system, more money moving through it, and more trading happening directly on-chain.

Taken together, this was an active market, not a shrinking one. In other words, crypto-native media traffic fell when money, settlement activity, and trading continued to move through the crypto ecosystem at scale.

Crypto became easier to follow outside crypto media

Financial technology and general news outlets that include crypto in their coverage generated 6.91 billion visits in 2025. Their traffic also grew sharply during the year, rising from 366.71 million visits in January to 585.73 million in December. That alone suggests crypto lives inside a wider media environment than it once did.

Naturally, it is wrong to assume every mainstream visit was for a crypto story. But it does mean crypto no longer needs its own niche ecosystem in the same way it once did.

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A few years ago, specialist crypto publications served as the default entry point into the industry. Articles explained the basics, simplified complex developments, and tracked market sentiment. They helped readers figure out what mattered most. Anyone who wanted to keep up with the sector would typically check out a crypto-native outlet first.

That competitive advantage has weakened, not because crypto got less important, but because crypto got easier to interact with elsewhere.

Today, a reader can follow crypto developments through mainstream finance coverage, follow their favourite projects and individuals on X, watch podcasts and interviews on YouTube, interact with fellow enthusiasts on Telegram, and more.

Crypto-native media lost 33% of traffic in 2025 as crypto became easier to follow without it - 3
Image source: Outset Data Pulse

Crypto participation no longer depends on crypto media traffic

What this means is crypto-native outlets no longer have the monopoly on attention they once enjoyed. The structure of crypto media itself also matters. The top ten crypto-native outlets accounted for just a quarter of total traffic in 2025, with smaller publications making up the rest.

It is a crowded and decentralized landscape where no single player dominates and attention is dispersed across a large number of brands. That fragmentation made sense when crypto media was the centre of the industry’s information flow.

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But now it exists alongside far more competition than just other crypto sites. It competes with finance media, tech media, creators, aggregators, trading interfaces, and the networks themselves.

Just as importantly, crypto-native media traffic and blockchain activity did not move together in any clean way. The analysis did not find a consistent one-month lead or lag relationship between the two. Rising on-chain activity did not reliably follow rising media traffic. Nor did rising media traffic reliably predict stronger blockchain usage in the following month.

That suggests crypto media traffic is not a proxy for crypto participation. Traffic is an important metric. But mainstream outlets cover many subjects beyond digital currencies and assets. Their overall audiences are not the same thing as crypto readership.

Monthly data can also miss shorter attention surges that happen over hours or days. But even with that, the divergence is hard to ignore. Crypto-native traffic fell while the broader crypto economy grew.

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Crypto-native media lost 33% of traffic in 2025 as crypto became easier to follow without it - 4
Image source: Outset Data Pulse

Crypto-native media still matters, but its role is changing

Crypto-native media has not lost its value but its place in the ecosystem is definitely becoming different. As crypto gets easier to discover, talk about, and use through mainstream platforms, social media, and on-chain apps, specialist outlets matter less as the first stop and more as the place people go when they want to understand what is actually going on.
That change says something bigger about crypto too. If the industry can keep growing while specialist media traffic falls, then attention is no longer the main thing holding it up. Crypto-native media still matters – just in a different way now. Less as the centre of the market, and more as the place that helps make sense of it once the noise settles.

Disclosure: This content is provided by a third party. Neither crypto.news nor the author of this article endorses any product mentioned on this page. Users should conduct their own research before taking any action related to the company.

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Ripple Treasury puts XRP and RLUSD inside corporate finance for the first time

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Ripple Treasury puts XRP and RLUSD inside corporate finance for the first time

Ripple on Thursday introduced native digital asset capabilities inside its enterprise treasury management system, letting corporate finance teams hold, view and manage XRP and RLUSD alongside traditional fiat balances for the first time within a single platform.

The two features, called Digital Asset Accounts and Unified Treasury, are built on GTreasury, which Ripple acquired in 2025. That system processed $13 trillion in payments volume last year for clients ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. The digital asset layer adds to that existing infrastructure rather than replacing it.

Digital Asset Accounts let treasury teams create a Ripple-native digital asset account inside the platform. Balances in XRP, RLUSD, and other supported tokens appear alongside cash positions with real-time fiat valuations using live exchange rates.

Transactions are recorded automatically with native notional amounts, fiat equivalents, and market price at the time of each event, creating an audit trail without manual entry. The system captures balances at 15-decimal precision to match on-chain accuracy and eliminate rounding discrepancies that cause reconciliation problems.

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Unified Treasury connects digital asset holdings from multiple external custodians through the same API connectivity layer Ripple Treasury already uses for bank integrations.

“Digital assets have arrived at the CFO’s desk, and the question has shifted from whether to engage to how to do so without disrupting existing operations,” said Renaat Ver Eecke, SVP at Ripple Treasury.

The launch positions Ripple Treasury ahead of competing TMS providers, none of which currently offer native digital asset management.

Ripple said the two features are the first in a broader digital asset framework that will expand to cross-border settlement, intercompany payments, and overnight yield on idle cash through repo markets, all powered by stablecoins.

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China takes custody of alleged Huione Group-linked figure Li Xiong

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China takes custody of alleged Huione Group-linked figure Li Xiong

A key figure allegedly behind the Huione network has been extradited to China, where he will face fraud and money laundering charges.

Summary

  • Li Xiong, linked to the Huione network, has been extradited from Cambodia to China to face fraud and money laundering charges.
  • Authorities have tied Huione Group to a vast illicit marketplace that processed over $89 billion in crypto tied to scam operations across Asia.
  • Despite U.S. enforcement actions, including FinCEN restrictions, the network has continued operating through new domains and active Telegram channels.

A report from Hong Kong-based news outlet Ta Kung Wen Wei noted that Li Xiong, who was part of a group that helped scam rings in Asia launder illicit funds, was escorted back to China from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, citing a statement from China’s Ministry of Public Security on WeChat.

Xiong was a core member of the Chen Zhi criminal syndicate, according to the report, and had previously served as chairman of Huione Group, a network that supported scam centers carrying out “pig butchering” schemes and other investment frauds to extract funds from victims across the globe.

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For those unfamiliar, the Huione network has been linked to one of the largest illicit online marketplaces in operation, processing more than $89 billion in cryptoassets.

Xiong’s arrest and extradition come just months after the detention of Chen Zhi, the head of Prince Group, which operated Huione Group. The U.S. Department of Justice had earlier seized over 127,000 Bitcoin tied to Zhi’s operations.

The report added that several other members of Zhi’s criminal syndicate have also been apprehended, according to statements from Chinese public officials.

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Efforts to cut off Huione’s financial network have been underway in the U.S. over the past few years.

Last year, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network labelled the group a primary money laundering concern and subsequently directed financial institutions to cut off access linked to its operations.

However, third-party reports suggest that the network has resurfaced under new domains and continues to operate across platforms such as Telegram, maintaining activity despite enforcement pressure.

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Why is the crypto market crashing today? (April 2)

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Why is the crypto market crashing today? (April 2)

The crypto market has started tanking once again, dropping 2.6% to 2.37 trillion as US President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. campaign against Iran would be entering a final phase over the coming weeks to end the conflict once and for all.

Summary

  • Crypto market fell 2.6% to $2.37 trillion as escalating U.S.–Iran tensions triggered risk-off sentiment across global markets.
  • Rising oil prices above $100 fueled inflation fears, reducing expectations of Fed rate cuts and adding pressure on risk assets.

Bitcoin (BTC), the world’s largest crypto asset, fell over 4% to $66,250 amid souring market sentiment over a potential drop to $65,000, which many consider the last line of defense for a potential recovery.

Ethereum (ETH) was down 3.4%, approaching the $2,000 support, while other major crypto assets such as XRP (XRP), BNB (BNB), Solana (SOL), and Dogecoin (DOGE) posted losses between 2% and 6%. The majority of the top 100 crypto assets also shared the downward trend in the red.

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As crypto prices fell, they triggered over $420 million in liquidations across leveraged markets as traders unwind their positions. The majority of this tally came from long liquidations, which saw $255 million wiped out, with Bitcoin and Ethereum accounting for around $64 million in long liquidations each, which accelerated the selloff.

The Crypto Fear and Greed Index, which shows market psychology, fell by 5 points to 27, showing increasing fear and anxiety in the market as investors expect more volatility.

Crypto prices began slipping downwards shortly after Trump said in an address to the nation on Wednesday that the U.S. military is going to hit Iran extremely hard over the coming 2 to 3 weeks to try to secure a decisive win in the ongoing war in the Middle East.

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Trump warned that the U.S. would target Iranian energy infrastructures if no deal is reached. He also urged Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and his allies in the region to pressure Tehran to relinquish control over the Strait of Hormuz.

Despite the rhetoric, Trump mentioned that discussions are ongoing for a ceasefire between both sides. Iran, for its part, has demanded a permanent end to the war, compensation for damages during the war, and the full withdrawal of U.S. military presence from the region.

The fresh threat of escalation pushed crude oil prices back above $100, leading to a broad selloff through crypto, stocks, and traditional safe-haven assets such as gold. Gold prices fell 4% to $4,590 today, while silver fell 7.5%. Asian stocks such as Japan’s Nikkei 225 were down 2.5% as investors moved to cash.

Surging oil prices are triggering fears of runaway inflation over the coming months. As such, the market expects the Federal Reserve to continue to hold interest rates steady or even hike them as they combat the inflation spike caused by oil prices.

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Lower expectations for Fed rate cuts typically weigh heavily on risk assets like cryptocurrency.

Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.

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Former FTX Engineer Nishad Singh Fined $3.7M in CFTC Fraud Case

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Former FTX Engineer Nishad Singh Fined $3.7M in CFTC Fraud Case

Nishad Singh, the former head of engineering at FTX, will pay $3.7 million to resolve his case with the US commodities regulator over his alleged role in the collapse of the crypto exchange and the misappropriation of user funds.

As part of the supplemental consent order, Singh will be required to pay a disgorgement of $3.7 million and imposes a five-year ban on trading in markets and an eight-year registration ban, blocking him from obtaining a license to operate in the sector, the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) said in a statement on Wednesday.

“The initial consent order and supplemental consent order resolve the CFTC’s enforcement action against Singh,” it added.

FTX’s bankruptcy in November 2022 sent shock waves through the crypto industry, erasing billions in market liquidity, shattering user confidence and prompting authorities to accuse its leadership of fraud.

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David Miller, the CFTC’s director of enforcement, ruled out additional restitution or civil monetary penalties for now and said the current penalties reflect Singh’s cooperation with authorities.

“The defendant engaged in, and aided, significant violations of the Act and CFTC regulations as the former FTX head of engineering, and the consent orders reflect the severity of these violations,” Miller said.

Source: US Commodity Futures Trading Commission

“But this resolution also reflects the Commission’s commitment to rewarding and incentivizing material assistance in Division investigations,” he added.

Singh charged by multiple agencies after FTX collapse

Attorneys for Singh said he was grateful this latest matter was at an end, and were “pleased that the CFTC recognized our client’s limited role in the underlying conduct and his extensive cooperation,” according to Bloomberg.

The CFTC accused Singh of personally misappropriating millions of dollars in assets and charged him in February 2023 with two counts: fraud by misappropriation and aiding and abetting fraud committed by former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried.

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Related: FTX Recovery Trust to distribute $2.2B to creditors in March

In April 2023, Singh entered into the consent order, was found liable for the charges and agreed to cooperate with the commission’s investigators. The regulator originally sought a range of penalties, including restitution, civil monetary penalties and permanent trading and registration bans.

In a separate case brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission in February 2023, Singh was accused of misusing customer funds and committing fraud by misappropriation, in violation of securities laws. The case was settled in December with Singh receiving an eight-year industry ban.

After FTX collapsed, US prosecutors also indicted Singh and four of his colleagues on charges including fraud and campaign finance violations. He faced decades in prison if found guilty, but after testifying against Bankman-Fried and cooperating with prosecutors, he received time served and three years of supervised release.

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Magazine: Ripple joins Singapore sandbox, Bhutan’s big Bitcoin selloff: Asia Express