• Europe leads in cryptocurrency banking, with 55 banks offering crypto custody, trading, and fiat conversions, surpassing Asia and North America.
• The MiCA regulation boosts crypto adoption in Europe, providing clarity, security, and scalability, and attracting major global exchanges to the region.

Europe has taken the global lead in crypto banking, with 55 banks now offering services such as crypto custody, trading, and fiat conversions. These institutions, spanning Germany, Switzerland, the UK, and beyond, have embraced digital assets faster than their counterparts in Asia or North America.

A study by Coincub highlights that Germany alone has six banks actively engaged in cryptocurrency services, while the UK has five. Leading names in this space include SEBA Bank in Switzerland, Revolut in the UK, and Bankera in Lithuania. These banks offer services like secure crypto custody, staking, and asset tokenization.

The surge is largely driven by the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, which establishes a clear legal framework for crypto services. The regulation fosters transparency, security, and scalability for crypto businesses while encouraging banks to integrate digital assets into their portfolios.

Regulation Drives Europe’s Lead

MiCA has been a game-changer for Europe’s financial sector. Set to be fully implemented by December 2024, it provides structured guidelines for banks and crypto firms, reducing uncertainty and encouraging adoption. The regulation aims to create a safer environment for investors and streamline blockchain integration into the financial system.

“Clear framework should enable crypto-asset service providers to scale up their businesses on a cross-border basis and facilitate their access to banking services to enable them to run their activities smoothly,” states MiCA recital 6.

While the United States lags behind, its Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) only recently granted banks the authority to engage in cryptocurrency-related services. This hesitancy, combined with regulatory uncertainty, has left American banks trailing behind their European counterparts.

Despite its advantages, Europe’s crypto banking sector is not without its challenges. Price volatility, fraud, and strict Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know-Your-Customer (KYC) requirements present hurdles for financial institutions looking to expand their crypto offerings.

Global Crypto Exchanges Eye Europe

The regulatory certainty of MiCA has attracted major global crypto exchanges to Europe, solidifying its position as a prime destination for digital asset businesses.

OKX and Crypto.com both secured MiCA licenses in Malta in January 2025, demonstrating confidence in the EU’s transparent regulations. Bitpanda, an Austria-based exchange, obtained approval from German regulators, further reinforcing Europe’s status as a crypto-friendly hub.

Meanwhile, other regions continue to adopt divergent approaches to crypto regulation. In the United Kingdom, for example, regulatory approval has been slow, with only four out of 29 applications being approved by the Financial Conduct Authority in 2024. This sluggish response raises concerns about the UK’s competitiveness in the sector.

In contrast, former U.S. President Donald Trump once pledged to make the U.S. the “crypto capital of the planet.” While the sentiment suggested a shift in American policy, regulatory uncertainty continues to keep many institutions on the sidelines.

• Solana’s real economic value (REV) has dropped by 93%, primarily due to the sharp decline in meme coin trading activity.
• Trading volumes on Solana’s decentralized exchanges have plummeted 94% from their peak, with gas fee revenue heavily concentrated among just 0.95% of wallets.

Although Solana (SOL) price is currently showing strength, gaining 4.2% today and staying above the crucial support of $120, the overall blockchain activity has shown disappointing trends with network revenue crashing by a massive 90%.

Solana Investors Should Trade With Caution

Following the US CPI data release, Solana price has bounced by another 4.5% moving to $125 levels as of press time amid the broader crypto market recovery. This recovery comes following five days of consecutive losses in SOL.

However, for Solana to confirm the uptrends, it first needs to reclaim the $130 support, which is now acting as resistance. Solana remains down nearly 60% from its all-time high of $295, and bearish indicators persist. A “death cross” has already occurred between the 50-day and 200-day EMA lines, and the 100-day EMA is nearing a bearish crossover with the 200-day EMA. If this happens, it could signal further downside pressure for the asset.

Dropping Meme Coin Activity Hurts Network Revenue

Brandon Farmer, an analyst at ZeroKnowledge Polygon, has raised concerns about Solana’s real economic value (REV), citing a sharp decline in key network metrics. Farmer noted that Solana’s previous spike in REV was largely fueled by high meme coin trading activity on decentralized exchanges, which created a temporary surge in demand for block space.

The increased activity led to a significant rise in transactions per second as speculative traders engaged in large volumes of trades. This phenomenon, described as the “SOL wealth effect,” drove up Solana’s price, generated additional liquidity, and boosted risk appetite among investors.

However, the recent price drop in Solana has caused traders to adopt a more risk-averse stance. Coupled with a sharp decline in meme coin activity, Solana’s REV has plummeted more than 93% over the past week, as mentioned in our previous news article.

Solana DEX Volumes Crashing Fast

Apart from the meme coin activity, the decentralized exchange (DEX) volumes on the Solana network have been dropping significantly, with trading volumes down 94% from their peak levels. This significant drop highlights dwindling user engagement on the network’s DEX platforms.

Adding to these concerns, Solana’s gas fee revenue has become highly concentrated, with just 0.95% of wallets responsible for generating 95% of the total fees on the blockchain. This uneven distribution points to reduced activity across the broader user base and a reliance on a small group of active participants.

• The US Bitcoin Reserve is gaining accolades from investment managers like Franklin Templeton.
• Standard Chartered believes the US Government may liquidate Gold to buy Bitcoin.

Global investment firm and asset manager Franklin Templeton has endorsed the United States’ strategic Bitcoin (BTC) reserve. The firm asserted that the initiative supports the country’s economic growth.

Impact of a Bitcoin Reserve on the US Economy

As we discussed earlier, discussions about the US Bitcoin strategic reserve have intensified since President Donald Trump signed an executive order. Franklin Templeton believes a Bitcoin reserve could help the US mitigate its financial struggles.

Taking to the X platform, the asset manager commended the US government for recognizing Bitcoin as a reserve asset. The firm said the creation of a Bitcoin reserve marks a landmark event in the history of Bitcoin. Franklin Templeton added that the Federal government stands to benefit from a strategic Bitcoin reserve, potentially alleviating deficit concerns.

The investment giant sees the initiative as a positive development for the industry despite acknowledging Bitcoin’s inherent volatility. Highlighting key details of the Bitcoin reserve, Franklin Templeton said taxpayers are not required to fund the initiative. Rather, funding would come from about 200,000 BTC, confiscated by the US government through criminal and civil proceedings.

The asset manager noted that the government does not intend to sell its Bitcoin, which may help create market stability. This strategy can also help eliminate the risk of a large-scale BTC dump, further boosting investors’ confidence. 

Additionally, the government’s budget-neutral approach to expanding its reserve signals strong global support for Bitcoin as a legitimate store of value. This move can potentially encourage further sovereign and institutional Bitcoin adoption.

Meanwhile, the positive sentiments surrounding the establishment of a Bitcoin reserve have failed to reflect in the coin’s price. As of this writing, BTC is trading at $79,065, down 1.4% in the last 24 hours. As we mentioned in our earlier article, some analysts expressed concerns that BTC could drop to $70,000.

Mixed Sentiments and More Details About US Bitcoin Reserve

Other proponents, in addition to Franklin Templeton, argue that a Bitcoin reserve could strengthen the U.S. economy, solidifying its leadership in digital assets. They add that the reserve could generate trillions in new demand for the dollar, potentially reducing long-term interest rates. 

In a recent update we covered, Solana Labs’ co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko likened Trump’s Bitcoin reserve Executive order to a scalpel. This statement represents the precision and clarity this initiative could bring to the crypto industry.

 On the other hand, opponents warn of increased volatility in an already unpredictable financial system. Peter Schiff mocked Trump’s reserve plans, sarcastically announcing the creation of his own BTC reserve.

In our last update, we examined Standard Chartered’s statement that the US government might sell part of its $800 billion gold reserves to buy Bitcoin. This move, if successful, could trigger volatility for gold and the crypto markets.

zondacrypto enters the Swiss market with a strong impact, expanding its sports sponsorship portfolio to a new discipline – ice hockey. The leading cryptocurrency exchange in Central and Eastern Europe has become a partner of HC Davos, the 31-time Swiss champion, as well as the title sponsor of the club’s hockey arena, which is now known as zondacrypto Arena. The neon with the new name of the stadium has been already installed on the ice stadium.

‘We are excited to expand into Swiss ice hockey with HC Davos. Ice hockey is one of the two most popular sports in Switzerland, next to football. The historic club, 31-time national Champion, is the perfect partner for us in our journey on the Swiss market, as Switzerland with its regulatory compliance is a great place to develop new, innovative crypto concepts. Speaking about them through the language of sports is what gets the message across, as our experience from other markets indicates,’ said Przemysław Kral, CEO of zondacrypto.

‘The partnership with zondacrypto is a stroke of luck for the HCD and Swiss ice hockey. It lays the groundwork for continued sporting success while giving us access to an innovative industry,’ added Gaudenz F. Domenig, Chairman of the HCD Board of Directors.

A New Chapter in the History of HC Davos

Hockey Club Davos is the most successful club in Swiss hockey history, with an impressive 31 national championship titles. The club’s home arena, one of the most iconic ice rinks in Switzerland, has a seating capacity of 7,080 spectators. After a seven-year hiatus, the venue once again has a title sponsor and will officially be known as zondacrypto-Arena.

As part of this collaboration, a striking zondacrypto-Arena neon sign has been installed on the arena’s facade, symbolizing a new era in the club’s history.

This marks the first-ever sponsorship of a sports facility by a leading European cryptocurrency exchange.

A Strong Presence in the World of Sports

zondacrypto has been actively involved in sports sponsorships across various disciplines. After supporting football (Juventus FC, three clubs from Italy’s Serie A, and AS Monaco), basketball (AS Monaco Basket), cycling (Giro d’Italia, Tour de Pologne), and tennis (collaboration with Magdalena Fręch), the company now expands into ice hockey.

Additionally, zondacrypto recently welcomed Arthur Leclerc as its brand ambassador. The talented racing driver is a rising star in motorsports. His precision, ambition, and innovative mindset align perfectly with zondacrypto’s vision, making him an ideal representative of the brand.

Trade tomorrow, today

zondacrypto is one of the largest regulated cryptocurrency trading platforms in Europe. Founded in 2014, the company serves over 1.35 million users, providing secure and intuitive solutions for buying, selling, and storing digital assets. With a modern app and extensive educational resources, zondacrypto makes the world of cryptocurrencies accessible to everyone.The company’s ecosystem includes zondacrypto pay (a crypto-fiat payment gateway) and the ZND platform (a comprehensive solution for cryptocurrency investors). In Switzerland, zondacrypto collaborates with Incore Bank and other key industry players to provide regulated and secure services.

The XRP ecosystem is witnessing a surge in investor activity as BlocScale, the first IDO launchpad built on the XRP Ledger, achieves a major milestone, surpassing 15% of its $BLOC Token sales allocation. This rapid progress highlights growing interest in BlocScale as the go-to platform, positioning itself as the gateway for new projects launching on XRP.

The Rising Demand for BlocScale’s $BLOC Token

BlocScale’s mission is simple, to bring the next wave of innovation to XRPL by providing startups and real-world businesses with the tools to tokenize assets and raise capital seamlessly.

With 15% of the total BLOC token allocation already sold, early adopters are securing their positions ahead of expected exchange listings and upcoming product expansions.

JOIN BLOCSCALE SEED SALE 

Why Investors Are Rushing to BlocScale?

Several factors are driving demand for $BLOC tokens, including:

• XRP’s Growing Ecosystem: XRP’s increasing institutional adoption is drawing more developers and businesses to its ecosystem. BlocScale is set to become the primary launchpad onboarding these projects.

• Early-Stage Investment Opportunity: With the seed round still open, investors have a unique chance to acquire $BLOC tokens at a discounted price before it gets listed on decentralized exchanges (DEXs).

• Strategic Partnerships & Media Coverage: BlocScale has been featured in major crypto media outlets, reinforcing its credibility and attracting institutional investors looking for exposure to the XRP ecosystem.

$BLOC Seed Round Details

With investor demand rising, the BlocScale Seed Sale is still live, offering an exclusive chance to secure early access before the platform’s next major expansion.

• Total Allocation: 10,000,000 BLOC

• Soft Cap: 50,000 XRP

• Min Buy: 200 XRP

• Max Buy: 20,000 XRP

• Price: 1 XRP = 50 $BLOC

• Start Date: February 27, 2025

Interested investors can participate in the $BLOC Seed Sale Round through the BlocScale Token Sale Portal here:

BlocScale’s Role in the Future of XRPL

The Blocscale launchpad isn’t just about raising funds, it’s fueling real-world adoption by helping businesses tokenize assets such as real estate, equity, and commodities directly on the XRP Ledger.

What’s Next for BlocScale?

BlocScale’s roadmap includes:

• New Project Onboarding – More Web3 startups and real-world asset tokenization initiatives will soon launch via the platform.

• Exchange Listings – $BLOC token is expected to debut on major XRP DEXs, increasing liquidity.

• Community Governance – $BLOC holders will soon vote on project listings and platform upgrades.

Final Thoughts: Is $BLOC XRP’s Next Big Thing?

With $BLOC tokens selling fast and the XRP Ledger gaining mainstream attention, BlocScale is uniquely positioned to drive innovation, onboard new projects, and enhance investor confidence in the XRP ecosystem.

Stay Connected With Blocscale Launchpad; For more information, Visit: 

Website | BlocScale Launchpad Portal | X | Telegram | WhitePaper

• Arkham introduces the Key Opinion Leader (KOL) tag to track blockchain activity of influential figures in the crypto industry.
• Over 1,000 blockchain addresses, including those of Vitalik Buterin and Donald Trump, are labeled under Arkham’s new KOL classification.

Arkham Intelligence, a blockchain analytics platform, has introduced the Key Opinion Leader (KOL) label to identify cryptocurrency wallets belonging to influential individuals.

More than 1,000 addresses—including those of Vitalik Buterin, Justin Sun, Arthur Hayes, and Donald Trump—have been identified. Reactions to the decision have been diverse, ranging from privacy issues to appreciation for transparency.

NOW: ANALYTICS PLATFORM ARKHAM HAS INTRODUCED A “KEY OPINION LEADER” TAG FOR BLOCKCHAIN ADDRESSES OF PROMINENT INDIVIDUALS.

OVER 1,000 ADDRESSES ARE ALREADY LABELED, INCLUDING THOSE OF VITALIK BUTERIN, JUSTIN SUN, ARTHUR HAYES, AND DONALD TRUMP. pic.twitter.com/NCqvTovErT

— Mario Nawfal’s Roundtable (@RoundtableSpace) March 10, 2025

Understanding the KOL Label: Who’s Under Surveillance?

The KOL label serves more than just a show-piece. To compile the list, Arkham looks at social media following count among other factors. Someone with more than 100,000 followers on platform X most certainly has something on Arkham’s radar.

Many investors find new insights from this feature. Examining the movement of assets owned by well-known personalities helps one to deduce what strategies are under use. Some, meanwhile, view this as too much monitoring.

What if one wants to do a transaction without the public knowledge? Is not one of the main principles of blockchain technology privacy?

Arkham Expansion and New Features

Previously, Arkham Exchange was officially opened in the United States on March 1, 2025. This expansion gives users in the US access to their trading platform, which offers a variety of digital asset-related services.

Besides that, Arkham has launched the “Top Holders Filter,” a feature enabling users to view the biggest holders of a given cryptocurrency asset on February 26, 2025. This is a fascinating feature, particularly for people who wish to grasp token distribution and read possible market movements.

Then, on March 5, 2025, Arkham Intelligence declared a collaboration with Coin Bureau, one of the most well-known sources of crypto education worldwide. Although the specifics have not been revealed yet, this cooperation is expected to improve the blockchain analytics ecosystem and offer the crypto community more in-depth understanding.

Arkham and Solana: Connecting Data with Strategy

Arkham has also established a close relationship with the Solana ecosystem. According to CNF, Arkham linked its system with the Solana blockchain, allowing real-time monitoring of money movements and trading activity by means of integration.

Moreover, this function enables users to monitor the moves of top investors on the Solana network, which may surely be a guide for traders trying to make smarter choices. Having access to this type of information might make all the difference in the fast-paced world of digital asset trading between success and failure.

Between Transparency and Privacy: Where’s the Line?

One issue still begs: How far does openness have to go before it becomes overly invasive given all this innovation? Some people find that knowing where the money of the major players is going helps them make better decisions. For others, though, mapping out personal wallets seems like invading what ought to be a private space.