MegaETH, the Ethereum scaling solution backed by notable investors, including Vitalik Buterin, launched its public testnet on Friday. The team takes an opinionated stance on scaling that runs counter to the “rollup-centric roadmap” that scales Ethereum through multiple Layer 2s.

Decentralized social media protocol Farcaster has launched the mainnet for its “blockchain-like” data layer called Snapchain.The launch coincided with the debut of Farcaster’s “Airdrop Offers” program, which rewards active use of the decentralized social media platform.

Former DOJ prosecutor Katie Haun’s venture firm is raising $1 billion in fresh capital to invest in early and late-stage blockchain startups.The firm previously raised $1.5 billion, which it deployed slowly following the crypto market downturn in 2022. 

The SEC’s approach to crypto wasn’t working, said a16z crypto General Counsel Miles Jennings at the roundtable. The SEC has a new beginning and a “restart of the Commission’s approach to crypto regulation,” Commissioner Hester Peirce said on Friday. 

The U.S. Treasury Department has lifted sanctions on crypto mixer Tornado Cash after an appeals court ruled that its Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) exceeded its authority in November 2024.Japanese investment firm Metaplanet has appointed the U.S. President’s second son, Eric Trump, to its Strategic Board of Advisors.

Coinbase Product Director Michael Rihani explains how the goal of Coinbase’s new bitcoin-backed loans is to make DeFi more accessible for everyday consumers

Germany’s financial regulator BaFin halted Ethena GmbH, an Ethena Labs subsidiary based in Frankfurt, from offering the firm’s USD-pegged stablecoin USDe. “Ethena GmbH took advantage of a transitional arrangement under the European MiCAR regulation to enter the German market,” BaFin stated. Ethena Labs stated that no assets have been frozen and that Ethena GmbH’s application won’t be approved within the EU’s crypto regulatory framework, MiCA. 

Coinbase is exploring the acquisition of the bitcoin and ether options trading platform Deribit and the talks have reached an “advanced” stage, according to Bloomberg, which cited anonymous sources.

Cody Carbone will lead The Digital Chamber as CEO in April, replacing its current chief Perianne Boring, according to a statement released by the group this week. In his new role, Carbone said he is focused on stablecoin and market structure bills. The Chamber said it is pivoting from its past “defensive stance.” 

The move comes after an appeals court ruled that the Office of Foreign Assets Control exceeded its authority by sanctioning Tornado Cash in November 2024.Additionally, a U.S. District Court in Texas ordered Tornado Cash’s sanctions to be reversed in January. OFAC sanctioned Tornado Cash in 2022 after claiming North Korean cyber hackers used the platform to launder illicitly obtained cryptocurrency. 

Strategy has announced the pricing of its STRF perpetual preferred stock offering, upsizing the deal to $722.5 million.Strategy intends to use the proceeds for general corporate purposes, including the acquisition of bitcoin.

Since Binance launched BNB in 2017, exchange tokens have become a standard feature, offering trading fee discounts and IEO participation. However, most follow a similar centralized model. $HTX, launch

The Australian government has unveiled plans to develop a “fit for purpose” digital asset regime that balances innovation with consumer protection.In collaboration with industry representatives, regulators and the broader community, plans include creating a new framework for digital asset platforms and stablecoins.

Trump administration officials have crafted a proposal to rebrand USAID and leverage blockchain technology as part of a more transparent procurement process, according to a document purportedly circulating the State Department.The proposal follows the Elon Musk-led DOGE unit, which recently recommended a slew of cuts to USAID, in exploring options for putting federal government systems onchain.

LG will close its NFT platform by June to “explore new opportunities.”The NFT market has recently seen less than $100 million in weekly trade volume, a significant decline from its peak.