Former UK Chancellor and current Coinbase adviser George Osborne says the UK is falling behind in the cryptocurrency market, particularly when it comes to stablecoins.

Coinbase turns lobbying efforts to UK in scathing op-ed

Europe’s top central bank is firm on one thing: banknotes aren’t going 
anywhere. On Monday, ECB Executive Board member Piero Cipollone vowed that 
euro coins and bills will remain at the heart of payments, even as Brussels 
moves ahead with plans for a state-backed digital euro. Related Reading: Spot 
Bitcoin ETFs Bleed Over $800 Million: Second‑Largest Exit Ever – Details He 
warned that without a public digital option, privately issued stablecoins 
could gain too much ground—especially in cross-border transfers. ECB’s Cash 
And Digital Push According to a blog post by Cipollone, the digital euro will 
sit alongside physical money, not replace it. He wrote that cash and digital 
euros, both with full legal tender status, will give consumers more choice. 
Reports have disclosed that on April 8, Cipollone said a digital euro would 
curb the rise of foreign-pegged stablecoins in Europe. He added that failing 
to launch it would leave risks on the table and forgo key opportunities. Cash 
is indispensable as a way to pay and to store value, says Executive Board 
member Piero Cipollone. We are modernising banknotes, ensuring they remain 
accessible and widely accepted. A digital euro will complement this by 
bringing the benefits of cash to digital payments. — European Central Bank 
(@ecb) August 4, 2025 Private Coins Are Growing Fast Crypto payments are on 
the rise. Stablecoins now handle many everyday buys and cross-border deals. 
Data shows that these digital coins often tie to the US dollar and escape 
strict banking rules. That worries regulators who fear a shift away from the 
euro. By building its own digital currency, the ECB plans to keep control 
firmly in its hands. Public Interest Remains Low A working paper published on 
March 13 found that Europeans aren’t exactly lining up for a digital euro. 
When people were asked to split 10,000 euros (about $10,800) among different 
assets, only a small slice went to the digital version. Cash still dominated. 
Based on reports, that survey showed nearly all respondents kept most of their 
mix in coins, bills or traditional bank deposits. Calls For Stablecoin Rules 
Some analysts say the world needs a stablecoin rulebook, pointing out that 
strong global coordination is vital to check the power of dollar-pegged coins. 
Other financial experts agree, highlighting the significance of options like 
regulated euro-pegged stablecoins, distributed ledger applications and the 
digital euro itself. Related Reading: Slow And Steady: Bitcoin’s Current Rise 
Feels Different—Study By stressing that cash is here to stay, the ECB sends a 
clear message: innovation must not come at the cost of stability. The plan is 
to roll out the digital euro in a way that works for all Europeans—whether 
they live in a city with fast internet or a town where ATMs are lifelines. 
Featured image from Meta, chart from TradingView

Cash Isn’t Going Anywhere, ECB Says — But It’s Getting A Digital Twin

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Verb Technology is raising $558 million and rebranding as TON Strategy Co., 
becoming the first public company to hold Toncoin as a treasury asset.

Verb stock soars 200% after announcing TON treasury plan

Blockchain intelligence firm Arkham has revealed that the Chinese mining pool 
Lubian was the target of a sophisticated 2020 cyberattack in which hackers 
stole 127,426 bitcoin. A Timeline of the Attack Blockchain intelligence firm 
Arkham has said their on-chain analysis points to the Chinese mining pool 
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Largest Bitcoin Theft Ever? Chinese Mining Pool Hacker Now Ranks Among BTC Elite

Grayscale Investments has announced the return of founder Barry Silbert as 
board chairman in a move that also saw the digital asset manager expand its 
management team with new board hires. Barry Silbert’s return comes as 
Grayscale prepares for the…