The small nation’s Ether staking adds to its expanding blockchain activity as it remains one of the few governments holding Bitcoin. Blockchain data shows the Royal Government of Bhutan has staked 320 Ether (ETH) worth roughly $970,000 through Figment, marking the latest onchain activity from the Himalayan state as it expands its crypto holdings and validator operations. Figment is a staking provider that helps large investors and institutions stake digital assets across multiple blockchains and earn rewards for securing proof-of-stake networks. The move adds to a growing wave of Ethereum-focused activity from Bhutan. In October, the South Asian nation of roughly 800,000 people began migrating its self-sovereign digital ID system from Polygon to Ethereum, allowing residents to verify their identities and access government services on the network. Read more
Real estate developer AFI has taken out a EUR537 million refinancing package for three major projects – AFI Cotroceni, AFI Brasov and AFI Ploiesti. This is the largest refinancing in the real estate business in Romania.
The financial services giant has filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission to launch a leveraged BTC financial product. Members of the Bitcoin community and supporters of Strategy, the largest corporate holder of BTC, are criticizing JPMorgan’s proposed Bitcoin-backed notes, accusing the bank of spreading fear, uncertainty and doubt about Strategy and other crypto treasury firms. JPMorgan’s notes are a leveraged investment product tied to the price of Bitcoin (BTC). The product tracks BTC but amplifies the outcome, giving holders 1.5 times the gains — or the losses — through December 2028. The notes are slated for a December 2025 launch, according to an SEC filing. The move drew sharp criticism from the Bitcoin community, with many saying that JPMorgan is now a direct competitor to BTC treasury companies and has an incentive to marginalize companies like Strategy to promote its own structured financial product. Read more