The crypto world has seen a historic week of breakthroughs. Bitcoin surged to a new all-time high, surpassing Amazon in market cap and cementing its place among the world’s most valuable assets.
Meanwhile, Circle’s stock skyrocketed by 500% as stablecoins continue to reshape global finance. Industry analysts now predict the stablecoin market could reach $2 trillion, driven by rising adoption and clearer regulation. In a bold political shift, Elon Musk’s new America Party declared Bitcoin a key pillar of its financial reform agenda.
Now, three more major developments are reinforcing the global momentum behind crypto adoption.
Emirates to enable crypto payments by 2026
Emirates Airlines has announced it will start accepting cryptocurrency payments by 2026, following a partnership with Crypto.com. The agreement, signed by Emirates Chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and Crypto.com’s UAE President Mohammed Al Hakim, will integrate Crypto.com Pay as an official payment option for flights.
The airline plans to offer greater payment flexibility, targeting younger, tech-savvy travelers who already embrace digital currencies. According to Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President, the move reflects both consumer demand and Dubai’s ambition to become a global leader in financial innovation.
Crypto.com believes the partnership will accelerate digital asset adoption in the Middle East. The companies also announced a joint marketing strategy to promote the use of cryptocurrency in everyday purchases like air travel. It might be the opportuniti positioning Dubai as a global hub for Web3 innovation.
Hong Kong prepares to regulate stablecoins
Hong Kong is attracting strong interest from major companies as it rolls out new stablecoin regulations under its Stablecoin Bill, which takes effect on August 1. Over 40 companies have initiated the license inquiry process, including top names such as JD.com, Ant Group, Standard Chartered, and Circle.
According to Cobo’s payments division head Alex Zuo, the majority of applicants are large mainland Chinese firms, while smaller players often lack the infrastructure or are using the narrative for marketing.
The use cases in development include stablecoin issuance, blockchain settlement infrastructure, and wallet tools to bridge fiat and crypto.
Experts see Hong Kong’s stablecoin framework as a benchmark for the Asia-Pacific region. Unlike crypto-native models, the city’s structure emphasises regulatory oversight and reserve backing. While licensing remains selective, it’s seen as a step toward mature stablecoin adoption. Other jurisdictions, including Singapore, Japan, and the EU, are also pushing forward with their own frameworks for regulated stablecoin use.
Czech central bank invests in Coinbase
In a rare move, the Czech National Bank (CNB) has revealed a crypto-related equity investment after purchasing over $18 million worth of Coinbase shares. The position was disclosed in a recent SEC filing and signals a growing institutional interest in crypto-linked stocks.
Coinbase was added to the S&P 500 index in May 2025, which likely influenced CNB’s decision under passive index-tracking strategies. The central bank also increased its holdings in Palantir, another disruptive tech stock.
While not a direct investment in crypto assets, CNB’s move reflects the increasing mainstream presence of crypto-related companies in global portfolios.
Stay informed,
Rodcas Consulting Group