Alex Harutunian

As central banks build digital currencies with tight control, they abandon the core innovation of blockchain—permissionless design. While CBDCs favor private ledgers, the U.S. turns to stablecoins running on public rails, balancing decentralization, oversight, and market-driven innovation.

Strategy’s Bitcoin-heavy model echoes the dotcom era: bold bets, speculative inflows, and sky-high valuations. With $30B in unrealized gains and a market cap nearly double its NAV, the company looks less like a business—and more like a leveraged crypto momentum play

QR codes have emerged as a global interface for digital payments, gaining ground from Asia to the U.S. for their simplicity, low cost, and security. As countries move toward unified standards, the shape of money is shifting—from coins and cards to scannable squares.

The GBBC’s 2025 Handbook captures a new phase of blockchain adoption: from renegade roots to institutional alignment. With compliant infrastructure and regulated tokenization, blockchain is no longer an outsider—it’s becoming the backbone.

The U.S. Senate has passed the GENIUS Act, a sweeping bill to regulate dollar-backed stablecoins while promoting private-sector leadership in digital finance. Backed by the Trump administration, the bill now heads to the House—marking a pivotal moment in the future of digital dollars.

Cork Protocol offers a novel way to hedge depeg risks through tokenized derivatives like Depeg Swaps and Cover Tokens. The model drew attention across DeFi, though a recent $12M exploit revealed critical vulnerabilities in its implementation.

Pakistan has launched its first government-led Bitcoin reserve, following a rapid policy shift in early 2025. Backed by high-level advisors and U.S. crypto ties, the move mirrors growing global interest—despite warnings from the IMF and World Bank about volatility and financial stability risks.

Circle's IPO opens the door for public investors to benefit from stablecoin seigniorage for the first time. Unlike crypto miners or exchanges, Circle profits from monetary demand for USDC—a zero-interest asset backed by interest-bearing reserves—and now shares that upside through equity.