In this post: “The country added a few items to its zero-tariff bracket on select products imported from the United States,” said Pichai Chunhavajira, Thailand’s finance minister. In an effort to convince the United States to lower its 36% tariff rate on Thai goods, Thailand simultaneously reduced tariffs on 90% of its exports to the […]

In this post: Millions of customers will be able to trade Bitcoin and other digital assets directly through Sparkassen’s banking app as the biggest banking group in Germany makes a historic entry into the cryptocurrency market. The action is more than just a new product introduction. Sparkassen’s decision represents a larger institutional shift toward acknowledging digital assets as a valid component of the financial future in a nation where traditional banking has traditionally influenced consumer finance. The German Savings Banks Association (DSGV), which had resolved a few years ago not to offer crypto services, is making a significant policy change with the launch, which is scheduled for the upcoming year. The new service will be made possible by DekaBank, the primary securities service provider that is controlled by about 350 Sparkassen. Sparkassen enters the cryptocurrency space due to client demand and MiCAR clarification The change follows the introduction of the Markets in CryptoAssets Regulation (MiCAR) by the European Union, which establishes a uniform legal framework for crypto assets throughout EU member states. Even the most conservative banks in Europe appear to have been unable to ignore the dynamics created by MiCAR’s regulatory clarity, competitive pressure, and indisputable customer demand, according to DSGV. In a formal statement, the organization stated, “Therefore, we will enable interested self-determinants to access DekaBank’s crypto offering via the Sparkasse app in the future.” The program is intended to be self-serve and will not offer in-branch support or investment advice. Consumers will be clearly warned about the extreme volatility and potential for complete loss that come with investing in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. “Self-determined” investors looking for direct access to digital assets are the product’s target market. With many traditional banks providing access to cryptocurrency while avoiding advisory liability in a changing regulatory landscape, this cautious approach is indicative of broader industry changes. The timing is in line with the landmark EU Markets in CryptoAssets regulation, which gave banks entering the market a long-awaited set of rules. Sparkassen could now construct a compliance framework supported by DekaBank’s securities infrastructure, eliminating the need to negotiate a gray area.However, the urgency cannot be explained by regulation alone. In an April interview with Bloomberg, Matthias Dießl, chairman of the Bavarian Savings Banks Association, alluded to the true motivator, saying, “Our clients are asking for this.” Sparkassen ran the risk of becoming obsolete if it did not respond to the competition from German cooperative banks like Volksbanken, which were already vying for crypto services. Fintech pressure and growing demand for Bitcoin force legacy institutions to change Sparkassen’s entry into the cryptocurrency market comes after its rivals have taken comparable actions. The Stuttgart Stock Exchange and DZ Bank, the national bank for Germany’s cooperatives, are collaborating on a cryptocurrency trading pilot that will grow this year. Meanwhile, traditional banks are under pressure to innovate as fintech companies like Trade Republic have grown significantly to cater to retail cryptocurrency investors. Additionally, the date aligns with a renewed interest in Bitcoin, which in late May reached an all-time high of $111,970. With more than 200 businesses currently keeping Bitcoin in their corporate treasuries, institutional adoption has sped up. Philippe Laffont, the founder of hedge fund Coatue Management, said he added Bitcoin to his firm’s Fantastic 40 list, a collection of investments it sees as major winners through […]

In this post: For new wallets, Ledger will include a new key recovery capability that will enable offline access to the private key. Since Ledger’s devices were promoted as a means of rendering private keys inaccessible, the move raised a number of security issues. In the future, Ledger will provide a key recovery function to […]

In this post: After more than six years of ecosystem development, Pi Network launched its Open mainnet on February 20, 2025, and has now completed its first 100 days. With the introduction, Pi’s blockchain gained external connectivity, allowing for real-time functionality and increasing access for developers, merchants, and more than 13 million mainnet users worldwide. […]