• Stripe introduces accounts for businesses to hold and transact in USDC and USDB stablecoins.
•  Entrepreneurs in unstable currencies can now use stablecoins and easily convert them to fiat.
•  An AI-driven system to improve payment fraud detection and authorization rates was also unveiled
• Stablecoin adoption continues to rise with $35 trillion in annual transactions.

Global payments giant Stripe has taken a bold leap into the crypto arena, officially launching support for USDC stablecoin payments through its newly introduced Stablecoin Financial Accounts.

Seamless Conversions From Fiat to Crypto

This move, announced Wednesday, positions Stripe at the forefront of financial innovation, leveraging digital assets to power real-time, borderless transactions for businesses in over 100 countries.

The new financial accounts will allow companies to receive, hold, and send dollar-backed stablecoins like USDC, issued by Circle, and USDB, developed by Bridge.

https://t.co/x05K2TGQZA

— Stripe (@stripe) May 7, 2025

Stripe’s initiative is especially significant for entrepreneurs and small businesses operating in economies with volatile currencies, offering them a more stable and accessible alternative to traditional banking systems.

“These accounts will enable entrepreneurs in countries with unstable currencies to hedge against inflation and easily access the global economy,” Stripe stated in its announcement.

The company further emphasized the growing importance of stablecoins in creating financial inclusion and enabling seamless global commerce.

Commenting on the development , Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire congratulated Stripe on what he described as a “powerful launch,” calling the rollout of USDC-native financial accounts “an extraordinary opportunity” for global business. “USDC utility just expanded dramatically,” he added, underlining the broader impact of the move on the stablecoin ecosystem.

Stripe’s Crypto Journey

Stripe’s foray into crypto has been years in the making, with earlier steps including the acceptance of USDC and USDP as payment methods at checkout. Since its initial stablecoin integration in 2024, Stripe has seen rapid adoption across 70+ countries, with support for blockchain networks such as Ethereum, Solana, and Polygon.

Wednesday’s announcement thus builds on that momentum. With Stablecoin Financial Accounts, Stripe offers businesses an all-in-one solution for both fiat and crypto transactions. This means users can now send USDC to traditional bank accounts, with automatic conversions happening in the background, a seamless bridge between the old and the new financial systems.

Adding to its crypto momentum, Stripe also unveiled the Payments Foundation, an AI-driven backend system designed to optimize transactions by increasing approval rates and minimizing fraud. Co-founder and CEO Patrick Collison framed this dual embrace of AI and stablecoins as “two gale-force tailwinds” reshaping the global economy.

“Our job is to drive these technologies forward so that customers can benefit from them immediately,” Collison said.

Stripe’s crypto expansion comes at a time when demand for low-cost, efficient international payments is surging. Stablecoins, with their programmable, instant settlement capabilities, are increasingly seen as a viable solution to outdated financial systems.

Stablecoin Transactions Continue to Soar

That said, Stripe’s strategy reflects a broader shift in the payments industry, as stablecoins become a vital component of the evolving financial infrastructure. A March report by blockchain research firm Dune revealed that annual stablecoin transaction volume reached a staggering $35 trillion, more than double Visa’s volume in 2024. USDC alone has doubled its market cap over the past year, driven by global partnerships and regulatory breakthroughs.

1/ Stablecoins are reshaping finance 🏦

Explore all insights, market trends, asset deep dives, and more in "The State of Stablecoins 2025"— a comprehensive report by Dune & @artemis

Link at the end of the thread 🧵 pic.twitter.com/ociR0HJlsX

— Dune (@Dune) March 18, 2025

By integrating USDC and launching financial accounts tailored for global entrepreneurs, Stripe is not only entering the crypto space it’s helping to redefine it. The move signals a shift from experimentation to execution, where stablecoins are no longer a niche tool but a core component of Stripe’s financial offerings.

The post Stripe Enters Crypto Space with USDC Stablecoin Payments appeared first on CoinCentral.

• Bhutan now accepts crypto payments for tourism through Binance Pay.
• Tourists can use Bitcoin, BNB, USDC, and more to pay via QR codes.
• Local businesses get paid in Bhutanese ngultrum through DK Bank.
• More nations embrace crypto payments for tourism

Bhutan has taken a bold step toward revolutionizing its tourism industry by partnering with global crypto exchange Binance to enable seamless cryptocurrency payments for visitors.

Through a collaboration with local financial institution Druk Holding & Investments-backed DK Bank, the country has officially launched a system allowing tourists to pay for travel services using a wide range of cryptocurrencies via Binance Pay, as per a Wednesday announcement  by Binance.

Partnership to Boost Tourism in Bhutan

This strategic move aims to simplify crypto transactions for tourists and boost Bhutan’s appeal as a destination for tech-savvy travelers. With over 100 merchants already onboarding, including hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and even local street food vendors, visitors can now pay using Bitcoin, Binance Coin (BNB), USD Coin (USDC), and nearly 100 other supported digital assets simply by scanning QR codes.

Experience #Bhutan with the world’s first national crypto tourism payment system!

Powered by Binance Pay and DK Bank, it offers seamless crypto payments for flights, hotels, local crafts, and much more.

Over 100 local merchants await on this cashless adventure. @tourismbhutan… pic.twitter.com/FUYVo4HYMe

— Binance (@binance) May 7, 2025

DK Bank serves as the bridge between digital and traditional finance, instantly converting the crypto payments into Bhutan’s local currency, the ngultrum. This ensures merchants receive payments in fiat without exposure to crypto price volatility, while tourists enjoy a frictionless experience without the burden of high foreign exchange fees or international card issues.

Bhutan’s Bitcoin Gamble

The implementation comes at a time when Bhutan is increasingly positioning itself as a forward-thinking economy in the digital asset space. The Himalayan kingdom is one of the few nations with a sizable government-held Bitcoin reserve, reportedly the fifth-largest globally at over 12,000 BTC. Bhutan’s digital reserves are further supported by its eco-friendly crypto mining operations, powered by the country’s abundant hydroelectric energy.

Binance emphasized that this rollout will particularly benefit small businesses, many of which lack access to traditional payment infrastructure. With just a smartphone and QR code, vendors can now accept international payments with ease. For tourists, this removes the hassle of exchanging currency or worrying about their cards being declined in a foreign country.

“Our goal is to make Bhutan not only a destination of natural beauty and culture but also a model for modern financial innovation,” said a representative from Bhutan’s Department of Tourism. “By integrating crypto payments, we’re catering to a new generation of travelers and supporting local businesses with cutting-edge tools.”

That said, Bhutan is not alone in this pursuit. Other countries are increasingly adopting similar models to enhance their tourism sectors. Thailand, for example, launched a pilot program in January 2025 allowing tourists to use crypto in Phuket. El Salvador’s decision to make Bitcoin legal tender in 2021 set the stage for crypto tourism, and Malta continues to serve as a haven for digital asset users with many crypto-accepting establishments.

The post Bhutan Taps Binance to Roll Out Seamless Crypto Payments for Tourist appeared first on CoinCentral.

• Chainlink launched a new rewards program offering tokens from Build program projects to LINK stakers
• Space and Time (SXT) is the first partner, allocating 4% (200M) of its token supply
• Season Genesis begins May 8, with eligible LINK stakers able to claim 2% of SXT tokens
• To qualify, users must have been staking LINK before March 31
• The program aims to reward ecosystem participants while connecting them with Chainlink Build projects

Chainlink, the decentralized oracle network, announced on Monday the launch of “Chainlink Rewards,” a new incentive program designed to distribute ecosystem tokens from projects in its Build program to active participants and LINK token stakers. This move represents a fresh approach to community engagement within the Chainlink ecosystem.

The first collaboration in this program is with infrastructure firm Space and Time, a member of the Chainlink Build program. Space and Time will allocate 4% of its SXT token supply—totaling 200 million tokens—for distribution through the rewards program.

We’re excited to introduce Chainlink Rewards—a community engagement & rewards program.

This allows Chainlink Build projects to make their token claimable by ecosystem participants, including eligible LINK Stakers.

Season Genesis launches May 8 with @SpaceandTimeDB.

🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/2ARaCZx7az

— Chainlink (@chainlink) May 5, 2025

Half of this allocation, or 100 million SXT tokens (representing 2% of the total supply), will be made available to eligible LINK stakers starting May 8 when the program officially launches. The remaining 2% is being reserved for future Chainlink Rewards activations.

To be eligible for the initial claim period known as “Season Genesis,” users must have been staking LINK tokens prior to a March 31 snapshot. This criterion ensures rewards go to both longstanding and smaller stakers who have shown commitment to the network.

How the Build Program Supports Ecosystem Growth

The Chainlink Build program plays a central role in this new rewards mechanism. The program was created to accelerate growth for both early-stage and established projects within the Chainlink ecosystem.

Projects participating in Build receive various benefits from Chainlink, including go-to-market support and priority access to services. In exchange, these projects make a percentage of their token supply available to the Chainlink ecosystem, including LINK stakers.

Space and Time joined the Build program in September 2022. Since then, it has developed its decentralized database solution utilizing zero-knowledge proofs to deliver data analytics to smart contracts. In 2024, the project integrated Chainlink Functions to support the delivery of ZK-proven queries on-chain.

The claim period for Season Genesis will last 90 days. Any unclaimed tokens, along with the reserved portion, may be distributed in future reward seasons.

Chainlink describes Season Genesis as an “experiment” that will inform how the program evolves. Future plans include a more advanced claiming mechanism incorporating a collection of Chainlink Build projects.

The LINK token is currently priced at $13.66, down 2.8% in the last 24 hours but up 8% over the past month. Despite recent gains, the token remains 74% below its all-time high of $52.70 reached in May 2021.

Chainlink Rewards represents one of several airdrop programs announced for May 2025. Other recent announcements include the RICE token airdrop for FLOKI holders and ZORA’s launch on Base Network.

The post Chainlink Introduces Rewards Program with SXT Token Airdrop for LINK Stakers appeared first on CoinCentral.

• Shardeum launched its Mainnet, bringing an autoscaling Layer 1 blockchain with fees as low as $0.01
• The testnet phase attracted over 1.4 million participants and more than 171,000 validator nodes
• Key features include a permissionless validator network, autoscaling technology, and EVM compatibility
• The Mainnet launches with 256 validators across 2 shards, with plans to expand
• Shardeum is backed by investors including Struck Crypto, Amber Group, and Balaji Srinivasan

Shardeum, the autoscaling Layer 1 blockchain, has officially launched its Mainnet following a record-breaking testnet phase. The launch marks a major step in the project’s goal to solve the long-standing Blockchain Trilemma by offering decentralization, scalability, and affordability without compromises.

The launch comes after an extensive testnet that drew over 1.4 million participants globally. More than 171,000 physically run validator nodes were part of the testnet, which Shardeum claims is the highest number among Layer 1 blockchain testnets to date.

With transaction fees as low as $0.01, Shardeum is positioning itself as an affordable alternative in the blockchain space. The network is fully EVM-compatible, meaning it works with existing Ethereum tools and infrastructure.

The Mainnet launch represents the transition from years of research and development into a fully operational network. It brings with it the Token Generation Event (TGE) for Shardeum’s native token, SHM.

Technical Features and Architecture

Shardeum’s network begins with 256 validators spread across two shards. The project emphasizes the ease of setting up a node, claiming users can spin one up in under one minute via a single-command install.

No heavy hardware or large stake requirements exist for validators. This approach enables widespread community participation in network security and governance.

“We’ve built Shardeum with the conviction that the future of Web3 must be open, inclusive, and truly scalable,” said Srini Parthasarathy, Chief Technology Officer. “Mainnet is not just a technical milestone; it demonstrates that the blockchain trilemma – once seen as a tradeoff – is genuinely solvable.”

Shardeum’s autoscaling technology is active from day one. The transaction throughput automatically scales as more validator nodes join the network. This design aims to maintain consistently low gas fees even during periods of network congestion.

The network uses a proprietary consensus mechanism called Proof-of-Quorum Optimistic (PoQo). According to Shardeum, this allows the network to scale “near-infinitely” as more nodes join.

Rather than using traditional slashing penalties, Shardeum employs an innovative validator accountability system. This system automatically rotates out consistently underperforming nodes.

Ecosystem Support and Future Plans

Shardeum is launching with support from several ecosystem partners. These include PrimeVault for secure treasury operations, Mintair for validator and operator services, and Tokensoft for airdrop and token vesting management.

The project has attracted investment from various firms including Struck Crypto, Amber Group, Big Brain Holdings, Foresight Ventures, Arrington Capital, and Jane Street. Individual investors include Balaji Srinivasan.

Adam Struck, Managing Partner at Struck Crypto, commented on the launch: “Shardeum is proving that scale, security, and true community ownership can co-exist on a single Layer 1. They are building an autoscaling network, and anyone can help secure it in under a minute.”

At launch, Shardeum will have a circulating supply of 249 million SHM tokens. The token listings will align closely with the Mainnet rollout.

For developers, Shardeum will support popular explorer tools and integrate with major EVM-supporting wallets, including MetaMask. The project has 60+ open-source repositories with over 32,000 stars on GitHub.

In the second half of 2025, Shardeum expects developers to begin testing smart-contract functionality. Stable decentralized application deployments are expected to follow shortly after.

Shardeum plans to host global community events and meetups to celebrate the launch. The project has outlined a transparent roadmap for future network upgrades, focusing on comprehensive smart-contract capabilities.

The post Shardeum Mainnet Goes Live: Autoscaling L1 Blockchain Aims to Solve Trilemma appeared first on CoinCentral.

• Vitalik Buterin proposes replacing Ethereum’s Virtual Machine (EVM) with RISC-V architecture
• The change aims to make Ethereum “close to as simple as Bitcoin” within five years
• The transition could boost performance up to 100 times while maintaining compatibility
• Simplification would reduce development costs, maintenance needs, and risk of bugs
• Ethereum’s market share has fallen to 7% in April with prices around $1,800

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has outlined a new vision for the blockchain platform in a May 3 blog post, proposing to replace the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) with RISC-V architecture. This change aims to boost performance while making the network simpler and more accessible.

Buterin believes Ethereum could “become close to as simple as Bitcoin” within five years. The comparison is deliberate, as he specifically praised Bitcoin’s protocol design in his post.

“One of the best things about Bitcoin is how beautifully simple the protocol is,” Buterin wrote. He explained that this simplicity brings key benefits that help make Bitcoin “a credibly neutral and globally trusted base layer.”

The proposal centers on adopting RISC-V, an open-source instruction set that defines how software communicates with processors. For Ethereum, this would cut out extra translation steps currently required by the EVM.

With RISC-V, applications could work directly on the execution layer. This could make some operations up to 100 times faster while preserving compatibility with existing smart contracts.

Simplifying the L1https://t.co/fVbQCkheX9

— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) May 3, 2025

Technical Advantages of RISC-V

The current EVM is custom-built for Ethereum and requires translation to other formats, which slows down processes. RISC-V, by contrast, can handle operations directly and is “simpler to reason about,” according to Buterin.

This simplification could increase the number of people who understand and can participate in protocol research. It could also reduce the cost of creating new infrastructure and lower long-term protocol maintenance costs.

Buterin states that the change would minimize the “risk of catastrophic bugs” and reduce the “social attack surface” by having fewer moving parts in the system.

The plan targets three major areas of simplification: Consensus Layer, Execution Layer, and sharing components across protocol layers. For the Consensus Layer, Buterin suggests implementing a ‘three-slot finality’ design to remove complex concepts.

For the Execution Layer, he points out that “The EVM is increasingly growing in complexity, and much of that complexity has proven unnecessary.”

Market Challenges and Criticisms

Despite these ambitious goals, Buterin admits to past failures in improving Ethereum. The network has often not met simplicity goals “sometimes because of my own decisions,” he wrote.

Not all analysts are convinced by the proposal. Dominick John, an analyst at Kronos Research, told Decrypt that Buterin’s latest proposal could “break backward compatibility, demand massive developer retraining, and rely on immature tooling.”

John also noted that Ethereum’s governance “requires broad consensus across fragmented stakeholders, a massive coordination challenge.”

Ethereum has struggled in the market recently, with its share collapsing to an all-time low of 7% in April. The cryptocurrency has been hovering around $1,800, remaining 63% below its 2021 all-time high.

By comparison, Bitcoin is only 13% down from its peak price earlier this year. Nevertheless, some analysts remain optimistic about Ethereum’s recovery prospects.

Thad Pinakiewicz, researcher at Galaxy, offered a more positive perspective. “Price isn’t the scoreboard for technological maturity,” he wrote in a recent newsletter. “Ethereum isn’t failing because the price is flat. It’s succeeding because it’s laying down infrastructure others are copying.”

Buterin ultimately frames the simplification effort as a long-term investment. “Caring about simplicity is, like decentralization, a short-term cost for the sake of benefits that do not appear immediately.”

The post Ethereum Founder Proposes Technical Overhaul to Boost Speed by 100x appeared first on CoinCentral.

• OpenAI is reportedly building an X-like social platform with AI image generation features
• The project is still in early development but has a prototype with a social feed
• CEO Sam Altman has been seeking feedback from outsiders about the concept
• This move intensifies rivalries with Elon Musk’s X and Meta’s planned AI assistant platform
• The development comes during ongoing legal battles between OpenAI and Musk

OpenAI is developing its own social media platform that could directly compete with Elon Musk’s X, according to reports from The Verge and confirmed by sources to CNBC. The project, still in its early stages, centers around a social feed integrated with ChatGPT’s popular image generation capabilities.

The move represents a new chapter in the growing rivalry between OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Elon Musk. This development comes as the two tech leaders are locked in an intensifying legal conflict.

Sources familiar with the matter indicate that while the concept remains in prototype form, Altman has begun soliciting feedback from outsiders. The timing coincides with the massive popularity of OpenAI’s newest image-generation tools, which reportedly led to an overloading of the company’s servers.

“Our GPUs are melting,” Altman posted on X in late March, referring to the graphics processing units powering the AI workloads. The company temporarily limited usage of the feature while working to improve efficiency.

Strategic Expansion into Social Media

The potential social network would place OpenAI in direct competition with both Musk’s X platform and Meta, which is reportedly planning to add a social feed to its upcoming AI assistant app.

This positioning isn’t accidental. When reports of Meta building a ChatGPT rival first emerged a few months ago, Altman responded on X: “ok fine maybe we’ll do a social app.”

A source at another major AI lab told The Verge: “The Grok integration with X has made everyone jealous, especially how people create viral tweets by getting it to say something stupid.”

Developing a social platform would give OpenAI access to its own real-time user data, a valuable resource that X and Meta already leverage to train their AI models. Musk recently merged X and xAI into a single company, allowing Grok to surface content directly from X in its results.

The social media project’s existence shows how OpenAI is thinking about expansion at a time when expectations for future growth are high. The company recently closed what amounts to the largest private tech funding round on record, raising $40 billion at a $300 billion valuation in March.

Legal Battles and Power Struggles

The social media development unfolds against the backdrop of escalating legal conflicts between OpenAI and Musk. Last week, OpenAI countersued Musk, accusing him of attempting a hostile takeover via a $97 billion offer and using “bad-faith tactics” to gain control of the company he co-founded.

OpenAI is seeking damages and a court order to block further interference from Musk. When Musk made his unsolicited offer to purchase OpenAI in February, Altman responded on X: “no thank you but we will buy twitter for $9.74 billion if you want.”

In March, Musk filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, claiming it abandoned its nonprofit roots. While a judge denied Musk’s request to block OpenAI’s transition to a capped-profit structure, the case has been fast-tracked for trial in fall 2025.

OpenAI claims that Musk was actually the first to advocate for a for-profit model, as long as he controlled it. The company released internal emails showing Musk proposing in 2017 to take control of the board and become CEO, writing, “I would unequivocally have initial control of the company.”

Since leaving OpenAI, Musk launched xAI, which recently merged with X in an all-stock deal valuing xAI at $80 billion. The company’s flagship AI model, Grok-3, debuted in February and is expected to scale further.

It remains unclear whether OpenAI plans to release the social network as a separate app or integrate it into ChatGPT, which became the most downloaded app globally last month. An OpenAI spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment.

The project is reportedly inspired by the viral popularity of OpenAI’s image generation tools, particularly the anime-style renderings of users’ uploaded photos that have spread across X and other platforms. Altman himself changed his X profile photo to an image generated by this new feature.

OpenAI’s latest image-generation tool, released in March, creates everything from diagrams and infographics to logos and business cards. The feature can also use existing images as starting points for art, such as custom pet paintings or edited professional headshots.

The post AI Wars Heat Up: OpenAI Plans X Competitor as Legal Battle with Elon Musk Intensifies appeared first on CoinCentral.

• Taurus has launched Taurus-Network (TN), an interbank network for digital assets
• The network includes participants such as Arab Bank Switzerland, Capital Union Bank, Misyon Bank, and Swissquote
• TN aims to improve collateral mobility, settlement speed, and reduce counterparty risk
• Participants retain full sovereignty over assets with automated compliance
• The network is blockchain-agnostic, supporting both public and permissioned distributed ledger technologies

Swiss cryptocurrency fintech Taurus has launched a new interbank network designed for regulated institutions involved in digital asset operations. The Taurus-Network (TN) aims to simplify and improve digital asset transactions between financial institutions worldwide.

Announced on April 9, the network focuses on enhancing collateral mobility, optimizing settlement speed, and reducing counterparty risk. It also aims to benefit capital and liquidity management in digital assets.

Vassili Lavrov, Taurus SA’s head of product infrastructure, told Cointelegraph that participants can retain full sovereignty over their assets. They can interact directly with counterparties and benefit from automated compliance without third-party intervention.

Banking Participants

The Taurus-Network launches with several banks already on board. Participants include Arab Bank Switzerland, Capital Union Bank, Flowdesk, ISP Group, Misyon Bank, and Swissquote.

According to Lavrov, these banks have all taken steps to integrate digital asset capabilities into their operations. Most are already offering custody of cryptocurrencies to their clients.

“By building on Taurus’ relationships with over 35 banking clients across four continents, the network is positioned to become the default infrastructure layer for compliant, high-trust digital asset activity,” Lavrov said.

Taurus has some heavyweight backing in the banking world. Its investors include Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Arab Bank Switzerland, and Pictet Group.

Other major financial institutions such as CACEIS, Santander, and State Street are among Taurus’ banking clients. State Street, the world’s second-largest global custodian, is a recent addition to Taurus’ client list.

Technical Features

Interoperability stands as a core strength of the Taurus-Network as the company aims to attract major global regulated financial institutions.

The network is blockchain-agnostic and supports both public and permissioned distributed ledger technologies. This design allows for seamless interaction across different digital asset types.

“It’s engineered to enable seamless interaction across different digital asset types, whether cryptocurrencies, tokenized securities, or digital currencies,” Lavrov explained.

He added that the network is designed to interoperate across public and permissioned blockchains. This ensures that institutions “aren’t locked into one system.”

Collateral Management

A major benefit of using the Taurus-Network will be improved liquidity and capital management. The network includes a collateral management solution that enables participants to pledge collateral in exchange for funds.

The system also supports banks participating in syndicated loans. This adds flexibility to the financial operations possible within the network.

“Network participants retain control of their assets and never rely on Taurus to enter or unwind transactions,” Lavrov stated.

According to a Taurus spokesperson, “Taurus-NETWORK stands out from similar networks as it offers customizable workflows for governance rules, settlement, and risk management processes among other features.”

The spokesperson added that integration with Taurus-PROTECT for wallet balance pledging and cold wallet trading reduces counterparty risk. This addresses what they describe as “a hurdle for collaboration in digital asset trading.”

Taurus is already known for its digital asset custody technology, Taurus-PROTECT. The new Taurus-NETWORK builds on this foundation to enable client collaboration on digital assets.

In February, Taurus also floated a private tokenization standard on permissionless blockchains. This move further demonstrates the company’s commitment to developing infrastructure for digital assets.

The post Swiss Crypto Fintech Taurus Creates New Digital Asset Network for Banks appeared first on CoinCentral.

• Trump administration plans to restructure USAID, renaming it to U.S. International Humanitarian Assistance (IHA) and placing it under direct State Department control
• Thousands of USAID employees have been cut and most foreign aid contracts canceled as part of government efficiency measures
• Blockchain technology will be incorporated into aid distribution and procurement processes for increased transparency and tracking
• Many experts question blockchain’s necessity in humanitarian aid, arguing existing systems can already track aid effectively
• The reorganized agency will focus on global health, food security, disaster response, and countering China’s influence

The Trump administration has unveiled a comprehensive plan to restructure the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The plan involves renaming the agency, cutting thousands of jobs, and implementing blockchain technology for aid distribution.

According to internal State Department memos, USAID will be renamed U.S. International Humanitarian Assistance (IHA). The agency will be placed directly under the control of the Secretary of State.

The restructuring follows weeks of disruption at USAID. Shortly after President Trump’s inauguration in January 2025, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, placed all USAID employees on administrative leave.

DOGE has slashed the agency’s workforce and halted payments to many partner organizations worldwide. This includes groups providing essential humanitarian aid in crisis zones.

“Inefective and Fragmened”

The Trump administration argues that USAID has become ineffective and fragmented. They believe the agency has been stretched too thin for too long, wasting taxpayer money on programs that lack clear outcomes.

The new plan shifts the agency’s focus to key priorities. These include global health, food security, disaster response, and countering China’s influence.

Every aid program will now have a clear end date and strict success measurements. The administration aims to rebuild USAID as a smaller, more results-driven agency that directly benefits U.S. interests.

In a move that has surprised many, blockchain technology will be central to the overhauled agency. According to the internal memo reviewed by WIRED, “All distributions would also be secured and traced via blockchain technology to radically increase security, transparency, and traceability.”

The memo does not specify whether this will involve cryptocurrency, stablecoins, or simply using blockchain as a ledger for tracking aid. The technology is intended to prevent waste and fraud in aid distribution.

Criticism

Experts in the humanitarian sector have expressed skepticism about the necessity of blockchain. Linda Raftree, a consultant who helps aid groups adopt new technology, told WIRED,

“It feels like a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist.”

Raftree explained that traditional systems can already track aid effectively. Giulio Coppi from Access Now pointed out that blockchain offers no real advantages over existing payment systems.

Despite the criticism, blockchain has been tested in some humanitarian efforts with limited success. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has used stablecoins to assist Ukrainians displaced by war.

The Kenya Red Cross has also experimented with blockchain for aid distribution. These examples show the technology can speed up money transfers in some cases.

However, critics warn that blockchain introduces new costs and complications. This is especially challenging for small non-governmental organizations that often work on the front lines of disaster response.

A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction against the dismantling of USAID. Despite this, the administration appears determined to proceed with its plans to cut the agency and incorporate it into the State Department.

The integration of blockchain aligns with broader efforts by the Trump administration to modernize federal technology. According to Bloomberg, Musk has been exploring blockchain to enhance various government processes.

DOGE’s focus includes improving tracking of federal expenditures, securing data, and streamlining payments. This could potentially create the largest government blockchain project in U.S. history.

The post Blockchain Technology to Power Trump’s Reformed Foreign Aid Agency appeared first on CoinCentral.

• Jed McCaleb, a cryptocurrency billionaire and founder of Mt. Gox and co-founder of Ripple, is funding Vast to build the first commercial space station
• McCaleb is willing to risk $1 billion of his fortune on the venture, which aims to launch the Haven-1 space station by May 2026
• Vast has partnered with SpaceX for components, launches, and crew transport, and hired industry veterans including CEO Max Haot
• The company hopes to win a lucrative NASA contract in 2026 to replace the International Space Station (ISS)
• Future plans include developing artificial gravity systems and a larger Haven-2 station by 2028, though commercial viability depends heavily on securing the NASA contract

Cryptocurrency entrepreneur Jed McCaleb is using his digital fortune to reach for the stars.

The billionaire founder of Mt. Gox exchange and co-founder of Ripple and Stellar is the sole financial backer of Vast, an ambitious venture to build the world’s first commercial space station.

McCaleb founded Vast in 2021 with his sights set on a lofty goal. The company is racing to construct and launch Haven-1, a space station designed to host human crews in orbit.

The stakes are high for this venture. McCaleb has stated he’s prepared to lose up to $1 billion on the project. If successful, Vast could win a lucrative NASA contract next year to replace the aging International Space Station.

“It’s super important that people take this leap from where we are today to this potential world where there’s a lot of people living off the Earth,”

McCaleb told Bloomberg in a recent interview. The 50-year-old entrepreneur sees space habitation as the next frontier.

Unlike other space industry leaders, McCaleb comes from a background in technology startups rather than aerospace. The University of California at Berkeley dropout made his fortune through a series of successful tech ventures.

His first major success came with eDonkey, an early file-sharing service founded in 2000. The platform generated millions in advertising revenue before shutting down in 2006 after a legal settlement with the recording industry.

McCaleb’s next venture was Mt. Gox, one of the world’s first Bitcoin trading platforms. He founded the exchange in 2010 but sold his majority stake a year later. Mt. Gox later collapsed in 2014 in what was then the largest crypto failure in history.

By that time, McCaleb had already co-created XRP, the cryptocurrency trading on the Ripple protocol. After leaving Ripple in 2013 following disputes with co-founders, he retained his 9% ownership of the tokens.

The crypto boom of 2017-2018 saw XRP’s value skyrocket. McCaleb netted approximately $3.2 billion from selling his XRP holdings and Ripple equity between 2014 and 2022.

Now McCaleb is channeling that wealth into space. Vast has rapidly expanded to 740 employees, up from fewer than 200 less than a year ago. The company operates around the clock at its Long Beach, California headquarters.

In 2023, McCaleb brought on Max Haot as CEO after acquiring Haot’s rocket startup, Launcher. This acquisition added experienced aerospace talent to Vast’s team. Many of Vast’s personnel previously worked at SpaceX.

Vast has formed a close partnership with Elon Musk’s SpaceX. The company is using SpaceX components, including a docking adapter for Dragon capsules and Starlink internet connectivity. Vast has also booked SpaceX flights to transport its hardware and crew to orbit.

Haven-1, Vast’s first space station prototype, is currently under construction. The structure stands roughly 33 feet tall and 14.5 feet wide, designed to fit inside a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket’s nose cone.

The station will provide about 1,600 cubic feet of habitable space, approximately double that of an average RV. It will feature personal sleeping quarters, a large window, wood paneling, and a communal table for a four-person crew.

Haven-1 Construction

Vast began construction on Haven-1 in January, with a launch targeted for May 2026. This date represents a delay from an earlier goal of August 2025. The company recently tested a prototype to confirm the structure could withstand internal atmospheric pressure.

If Haven-1 proves successful, Vast plans to launch the first module of Haven-2 by 2028. This larger station is designed to eventually replace NASA’s International Space Station, which is scheduled for retirement by the end of 2030.

One of Vast’s long-term goals is to develop artificial gravity systems for space habitation. This would involve rotating modules that create centrifugal force, replicating Earth-like conditions for astronauts. Such technology could prevent the biological damage caused by extended stays in microgravity.

Vast faces competition from several other companies aiming to build commercial space stations. Rivals include Axiom Space, Blue Origin (founded by Jeff Bezos), Voyager Space Holdings, and Lockheed Martin.

However, Vast has a key advantage in McCaleb’s willingness to self-fund the venture. “Vast is the only one that’s coming up with a solution that is primarily self-funded and ready to go,” said Chad Anderson, founder of Space Capital, an investment company focused on the space industry.

The company’s future viability hinges on winning a NASA contract expected to be awarded in mid-2026. This program aims to jump-start commercial space stations that could replace the ISS. It comes with a guarantee that NASA will purchase time and space on successful stations.

“Without the NASA contract, the commercial viability of any space station is doubtful,” Haot stated. “It’s a matter of existence for us to win that competition.”

Both McCaleb and Haot have expressed willingness to board flights to their station themselves. For McCaleb, the project represents both a business venture and a personal passion. “As a kid, I spent a lot of time outside exploring, looking up at the sky to see how amazing it is,” he said.

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• Dubai Land Department (DLD) launched pilot phase of ‘Real Estate Tokenisation Project’, becoming first in Middle East to implement blockchain for property title deeds
• Project developed with Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and Dubai Future Foundation (DFF)
• DLD forecasts tokenized real estate market to reach AED 60 billion ($16 billion) by 2033, representing 7% of Dubai’s total real estate transactions
• Tokenization allows fractional property ownership, enabling investors to own portions of properties without full purchase
• Project aims to attract global tech firms, diversify property ownership, and strengthen Dubai’s position as a regional and global hub for virtual assets

The Dubai Land Department (DLD) has begun the pilot phase of its ‘Real Estate Tokenisation Project.’ This makes DLD the first real estate registration entity in the Middle East to implement tokenization on property title deeds using blockchain technology.

The project was launched in collaboration with the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) through Sandbox Dubai. This initiative is part of the Real Estate Innovation Initiative ‘REES’ and aligns with the Dubai Real Estate Sector Strategy 2033.

DLD expects this project to drive growth in the real estate tokenization sector. They forecast the market value will reach AED 60 billion ($16 billion) by 2033, which would represent 7% of Dubai’s total real estate transactions.

Marwan Ahmed Bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Land Department, explained the value of the project. “By converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology, tokenization simplifies and enhances buying, selling, and investment processes.”

He added that the project aligns with DLD’s vision. They aim to achieve global leadership in real estate investment and leverage technology to develop new real estate products.

Key Goals

The Real Estate Tokenisation Project has several key goals. It seeks to attract global technology firms and open new investment paths for the investor market.

The project will allow multiple investors to co-own a single property through tokenized real estate assets. This system enables fractional property ownership based on an investor’s budget and financial strategy.

This approach differs from crowdfunding. While crowdfunding grants investors access with small investments through digital platforms, tokenization offers a more structured model for real estate investment.

Scott Thiel, co-founder and CEO of Tokinvest, called the initiative a “transformative moment” for the sector. “The initiative not only reinforces Dubai’s leadership in blockchain adoption but also paves the way for a more inclusive, liquid, and efficient real estate market,” he told Cointelegraph.

Thiel, who works at a VARA-regulated RWA platform, believes the project will expand Dubai’s real estate market. “Tokenisation is no longer a concept. It’s a reality that will open up Dubai’s real estate market to a global pool of investors like never before,” he said.

Dubai as Hub for Virtual Assets

The initiative also aims to strengthen Dubai’s position as a hub for virtual assets. This will enhance its competitiveness on both local and international levels.

The project promotes investment awareness in virtual asset services and products. It encourages real estate innovation and supports the development of cutting-edge solutions in the sector.

Furthermore, the initiative aims to attract investments and virtual asset companies to Dubai. The program ensures the necessary regulatory frameworks are in place to protect investors and stakeholders.

As part of the launch, DLD organized a workshop on ‘Real Estate Tokenization.’ This event brought together leading proptech companies, including top global firms that specialize in real estate asset tokenization.

Dubai Land Department continues its commitment to achieving the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. This agenda prioritizes adopting digital solutions to shape a smart and advanced economy.

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