Ripple Stablecoin RLUSD, Cybercrime Crackdown & Tether Hire
Ripple and SBI Holdings will bring the RLUSD stablecoin to Japan in Q1 2026. This stablecoin expansion marks a key partnership in Asia.
Interpol led Operation Serengeti 2.0, arresting over 1,200 suspects and seizing $97.4 million in crypto assets from fraud networks. The crackdown underscores growing focus on cybercrime.
In U.S. regulatory news, VanEck filed for a JitoSOL ETF to track SOL liquid staking tokens, while the CFTC advanced its “crypto sprint” policy to clarify derivative rules. Meanwhile, a social engineering scam saw $91 million in BTC stolen from an investor.
Regional developments include South Korea’s talks with Tether and Circle to shape its stablecoin framework and Thailand’s delay of crypto tourist payments in its Tourist Wallet.
Institutional tokenization efforts accelerated. DBS Bank will issue structured notes on Ethereum. SkyBridge Capital plans to tokenize $300 million in hedge funds on Avalanche. SharpLink Gaming and Strategy added 143,593 ETH and 430 BTC, respectively, to their treasuries.
Tether appointed Bo Hines as strategic advisor for U.S. markets, reinforcing its expansion plans.
This week’s crypto headlines highlight stablecoin growth, regulatory actions, and ongoing tokenization trends.
Bullish
This roundup highlights substantial growth drivers across the crypto ecosystem. Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin launch in Japan and Korea’s forthcoming stablecoin framework signal wider regulatory acceptance and adoption of stablecoins. Major tokenization projects—DBS Bank on Ethereum and SkyBridge on Avalanche—reflect institutional appetite for on-chain assets. The CFTC’s “crypto sprint” and ETF filings by VanEck bring clearer rules to derivatives and liquid staking, reducing uncertainty for traders.
Meanwhile, large-scale purchases of ETH and BTC by SharpLink and Strategy demonstrate continued institutional demand for core cryptocurrencies. Even the Interpol crackdown, while negative in the short term for illicit actors, boosts market integrity long term. Bo Hines’s appointment at Tether underlines the stablecoin issuer’s U.S. growth ambitions.
Collectively, these developments point to stronger infrastructure, enhanced regulatory clarity, and increased institutional participation. Traders can expect improved liquidity and reduced volatility over time, making the current news fundamentally bullish for crypto markets.