Cryptocurrency is actively reshaping global finance as governments and institutions introduce major policy changes and adoption accelerates. In the U.S., new executive orders open 401(k) retirement accounts to crypto and private equity while targeting banking barriers for crypto firms. At the same time, crypto salaries are surging with stablecoins leading payroll settlements. Internationally, Russia now allows travelers to carry unlimited crypto abroad, signalling growing acceptance of digital assets in cross-border trade. Together, these shifts mark crypto’s growing integration into mainstream finance worldwide.
El Salvador paves the way for Bitcoin investment banks
El Salvador has passed its groundbreaking Investment Banking Law, enabling investment banks to hold Bitcoin and other digital assets on their balance sheets. These banks, classified separately from commercial banks, can now serve “sophisticated” investors with services ranging from underwriting to crypto custody.
The law requires a Digital Asset Service Provider (PSAD) license for banks that want to operate entirely as Bitcoin banks, positioning the country as a financial hub for institutional crypto services. While critics argue the policy primarily benefits large businesses and the government, officials say it will attract foreign investment and deepen El Salvador’s role in the global Bitcoin economy.
President Nayib Bukele also met with Pakistan’s state minister of crypto to discuss strategies for nation-state Bitcoin adoption. Meanwhile, El Salvador’s crypto regulator signed a deal with Bolivia’s central bank to promote cryptocurrency use amid Bolivia’s dollar shortage.
Institutions dominate the crypto narrative
According to B2 Ventures founder Arthur Azizov, traditional financial institutions are now the driving force behind crypto’s mainstream narrative. With ETFs, stablecoins, and regulatory clarity on the horizon, big banks are expected to roll out crypto products within months of receiving the green light.
However, this shift has caused tension between the cypherpunk community, which champions decentralization, and institutions prioritizing compliance with AML and KYC rules. Governments see regulation as a way to attract talent and tech firms, but critics warn it undermines the permissionless nature of DeFi.
Harvard bets big on Bitcoin ETFs
Harvard Management Company revealed a $116 million stake in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin ETF, making it the endowment’s fifth-largest holding. The fund now manages $86 billion in assets, and recent SEC approval to expand options contracts could fuel even greater demand. The move marks one of the strongest signals yet that elite U.S. universities are embracing regulated Bitcoin investment vehicles, solidifying Bitcoin’s role in institutional portfolios.
Bo Hines departs White House Crypto Council amid leadership changes
Bo Hines, Executive Director of the White House Crypto Council, is stepping down to return to the private sector after leading the council through a period of heightened engagement with the crypto industry. During his tenure, Hines worked closely with AI and Crypto Czar David Sacks, helping position the United States as a global leader in digital asset policy. His initiatives included pushing the GENIUS Act, organising the first White House crypto summit, and delivering the administration’s landmark digital assets report.
In a statement posted to X, Hines called it an “honor” to serve in President Trump’s administration and thanked the industry for its “unwavering support,” adding that he intends to continue backing the crypto ecosystem from the private sector. While stepping down from his full-time post, he will remain connected as a special government employee, advising Sacks on both crypto and artificial intelligence initiatives.
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Rodcas Consulting Group