A clear guide to WLFI, the TRUMP memecoin and USD1, explaining how token sales, trading fees and treasury deals produced $802 million for Trump-linked ventures. Reuters estimates Trump-linked ventures earned $802 million in crypto in early 2025. Income came from WLFI tokens, the TRUMP coin and USD1 stablecoin yields. Alt5 Sigma’s deal and foreign buyers helped turn token value into cash. Read more
Nasdaq has reprimanded TON Strategy for its $272.7 million Toncoin purchase and PIPE deal, citing missed shareholder approval rules. TON Strategy, a publicly traded company that accumulates Telegram-linked Toncoin tokens and previously operated as Verb Technology Company, has been reprimanded by Nasdaq over rule violations related to its Toncoin purchases. Nasdaq has issued TON Strategy a letter of reprimand in connection with its $272.7 million Toncoin purchase and associated private investment in public equity (PIPE) financing. According to Nasdaq, TON Strategy failed to obtain shareholder approval for stock issuance under the PIPE financing to purchase Toncoin (TON), Nasdaq stated in an 8-K filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday. Read more
Following a presidential pardon that sparked debate over influence and access, crypto companies and PACs are ramping up political spending as the sector matures into a Washington power player. Crypto’s relationship with Washington is rapidly evolving as the industry takes a more assertive role in US politics, signaling a shift from outsider status to growing influence across the federal landscape. This week on Byte-Sized Insight, we examine how lobbying, political spending and access are reshaping crypto’s presence in the Capitol and what that may mean for decentralization, market competition and future policy. The recent presidential pardon of Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao catalyzed the conversation, prompting scrutiny into whether crypto’s expanding political footprint is driving outcomes. While some industry figures framed the case as government overreach, critics pointed to lobbying pressure and high-level connections as evidence of swelling influence. Against that backdrop, crypto advocacy in Washing...