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The Trump family appears to have a much bigger stake in the crypto world than most people realized. New data from Arkham Intelligence shows that wallets linked to Donald Trump, his son Barron, and several associated tokens hold more than $620 million in crypto assets. Trump’s $620 million in crypto covers Bitcoin, Ethereum, and memecoins, making it one of the biggest political wallets on record. Barron’s Alleged Role Behind the Scenes One of the most surprising parts of the report is the alleged connection between Barron Trump and the Solana-based memecoin $DJT. The top wallet holding the token, currently worth around $170 million, is linked to other wallets previously tied to Donald Trump. Arkham Intelligence suggests this is no coincidence. Donald Trump Net Worth Gets a Crypto Boost, $620M in Just Months! US President Donald Trump’s name has long been tied to big hotels, golf resorts, and fancy condos. But now, in just a few months, Trump and his family have made more than $620 million by diving into the world of… pic.twitter.com/fA4MVb3m8j — Topnotch Crypto (@Topnotchcrypto_) July 3, 2025 Rumors have been swirling that Barron played a key role in the creation or launch of the coin. While nothing has been confirmed by the Trump team, on-chain behavior and overlapping wallet histories have fueled speculation. It would not be the first time the Trump family mixed branding with finance, but if Barron was involved directly, it signals a more active role in the crypto space than expected. DISCOVER: Best New Cryptocurrencies to Invest in 2025 Breaking Down the Holdings The full breakdown reveals a wide net. Roughly $320 million is held in Ethereum, $180 million in Bitcoin, and the rest in memecoins like $TRUMP and $DJT. These numbers come from wallet analysis linked to past projects such as Trump’s NFT collection and recent token activity. The timeline of acquisitions and token launches lines up with public appearances and business initiatives tied to the campaign trail. BitcoinPriceMarket CapBTC$2.15T24h7d30d1yAll time Trump has made millions from NFT royalties alone, despite previously dismissing crypto. His recent tone has softened, likely in response to the growing support for digital assets among younger voters. The wallets connected to him and his brand suggest that behind the scenes, the former president and his circle are paying very close attention. DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 Memecoins, Politics, and Influence Memecoins tied to political figures have exploded over the last year, becoming a strange intersection of financial speculation and political tribalism. While coins like $TRUMP and $BODEN have been seen as jokes or campaign side-shows, $DJT is shaping up differently. Source: Shutterstock If Barron was indeed involved, this would be the first time a direct family member of a major presidential candidate helped create or advise a token that reached nine-figure territory. That’s a development with real financial and political consequences. Even without formal confirmation, the market is watching closely. What This Means The Trump family’s presence in crypto is no longer just about NFTs or fan-driven tokens. It now includes serious money, strategic wallets, and questions about where politics meets blockchain. If Donald Trump moves forward with a crypto-friendly agenda, these holdings could play a role in shaping public policy. At the same time, the $DJT story adds fuel to ongoing debates about transparency and influence in the digital asset world. Whether the coin remains a speculative bubble or becomes a campaign war chest, it puts the Trumps firmly in the crypto spotlight. DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 Join The 99Bitcoins News Discord Here For The Latest Market Updates
Spanish authorities, supported by Europol and enforcement teams from France, Estonia, and the United States, have taken down a sprawling crypto money laundering operation that moved over $540 million in criminal proceeds. Five people have been arrested in connection with the scheme. Three of them were found in the Canary Islands, and the other two were apprehended in Madrid. The coordinated action marks one of the most significant crypto-related crackdowns in the region to date. Following the Europol crypto bust, regulators are expected to tighten oversight on exchanges and enforce stricter KYC policies. A Blended Network of Cash and Crypto The criminal group is accused of creating a sophisticated network of shell companies in Hong Kong that operated as fake payment processors. These firms opened bank accounts using false documents and used them to route funds between Europe and Asia. Once the money was inside the system, it was transferred across several accounts, mixed with cryptocurrency transactions, and reintroduced into the traditional banking sector as if it had clean origins. BREAKING: Spanish police bust a massive crypto fraud ring, arresting 5 suspects linked to a $540M scheme! Over 5,000 victims targeted. The operation involved global law enforcement, with Europol stepping in. Online fraud is an epidemic! Stay safe out there, fam!… — ChainGPT AI Agent (@ChainGPTAI) June 30, 2025 Investigators believe the group laundered around 460 million euros by layering cash deposits, wire transfers, and digital assets to avoid detection. Funds were frequently cycled through crypto platforms, adding another layer of complexity to tracking the money trail. DISCOVER: Next 1000X Crypto: 10+ Crypto Tokens That Can Hit 1000x in 2025 A New Level of Enforcement Collaboration What stands out about this case is the level of coordination across borders. Europol provided operational support, intelligence sharing, and digital forensics. Spanish police led the investigation, with other countries stepping in to help with evidence gathering and data tracing. Authorities say the international cooperation was essential in tracking the funds and linking them to real-world actors. BitcoinPriceMarket CapBTC$2.17T24h7d30d1yAll time This isn’t the first time cryptocurrency has been at the center of a financial crime ring, but it may be one of the largest in terms of structure and geographic scope. The group’s setup relied heavily on regulatory gaps across jurisdictions, making use of weak identity checks and light oversight in some regions to move money with minimal scrutiny. DISCOVER: 9+ Best High-Risk, High-Reward Crypto to Buy in July2025 Regulators Are Catching Up Just a few years ago, tracing this type of criminal activity would have been a much steeper challenge. The tools and regulatory frameworks have improved significantly, especially in Europe. Governments now have access to better blockchain analytics, closer inter-agency relationships, and stronger compliance expectations from crypto businesses. Cases like this show that digital assets are no longer outside the reach of enforcement. The ability to track transactions on public blockchains, combined with improved know-your-customer rules, makes it harder for these kinds of operations to stay under the radar. What’s Next for the Investigation The suspects will now face trial in Spain, though authorities expect further action in other countries where connected companies or individuals may have played a role. Europol stated that the investigation is ongoing, and officers are following new leads and preparing for additional arrests. As this case unfolds, it may become a benchmark for future prosecutions involving crypto-related laundering. It also adds more pressure on regulators to tighten standards and close the loopholes that allow these schemes to grow. This Europol crypto bust shows how law enforcement is catching up with digital finance crimes using advanced blockchain tracking. DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 Join The 99Bitcoins News Discord Here For The Latest Market Updates Key Takeaways
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has finally given crypto ETF issuers something they’ve been asking for: clarity. On July 1, the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance dropped a detailed guide outlining what applicants need to include in their filings if they want any shot at getting a cryptocurrency ETF approved. The crypto ETF guidance comes at a time when interest in Ethereum-based products is continuously rising. It’s not exactly light reading, but it’s a serious step forward for firms hoping to launch funds tied to digital assets like Ethereum or token baskets. Rather than keep issuers guessing, the SEC is laying it all out, from valuation to custody to who’s checking the math behind the scenes. The Fine Print The new instructions make it clear that the SEC expects full transparency. Under the crypto ETF guidance, issuers need to explain how they calculate net asset values, where price data comes from, and how the crypto itself is stored. If a fund sponsor or a connected firm plays multiple roles, such as managing the fund and securing the assets, the agency requires them to explain how they’re handling those roles to avoid conflicts. Source: Shutterstock Another important demand is how the fund will handle large movements of capital. If there’s a sudden wave of buying or selling, the application has to show how that liquidity crunch would be managed. On top of that, the SEC wants assurances that fraud and manipulation won’t fly under the radar. That means surveillance systems need to be strong enough to flag anything unusual, and someone has to be responsible for reviewing that data. DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 Why It’s Getting Attention Now This guidance didn’t come out of nowhere. The SEC has already approved spot Bitcoin ETFs, and issuers are now racing to file similar products tied to Ethereum and other assets. As demand rises, the agency is ensuring firms understand what is expected, especially since digital assets still raise concerns about volatility, thin markets, and custody risks. EthereumPriceMarket CapETH$303.86B24h7d30d1yAll time There’s also talk that the SEC may allow some ETFs to skip the traditional exchange listing approval process. If that happens, filings could go through much faster, provided they meet the new requirements. That alone has sparked fresh interest in getting applications right on the first try. DISCOVER: Best New Cryptocurrencies to Invest in 2025 How the Industry Is Responding Firms are already combing through the guidance and cross-checking it against their own filings. Some say the clarity is helpful and long overdue. Others worry that the requirements set the bar too high for smaller players who lack the legal and technical muscle to meet them. What’s clear is that the early filers will set the tone. The SEC will likely use those applications to refine what it wants to see, so getting it wrong now could mean delays or denials. Most asset managers are quietly working with legal teams and data providers to tighten up their submissions before updates are due. What Comes Next Filings are expected to reflect this new guidance in the weeks ahead. It’s going to be a learning curve, but it could also pave the way for better-structured, safer ETF products. For the SEC, this isn’t just about approving new listings, it’s about making sure the market doesn’t get ahead of the rules. And for the public, that could be a good thing. If fewer crypto ETFs come out as a result of stricter reviews, at least the ones that do launch will be more secure and easier to understand. They’ll have tested systems behind them, clear pricing models, and oversight that makes sense. In other words, fewer surprises and stronger safeguards, all without slowing innovation to a crawl. DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 Join The 99Bitcoins News Discord Here For The Latest Market Updates Key Takeaways
Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission have agreed to call it quits on one of the most closely watched legal battles in crypto. Both sides are dropping their appeals, bringing an end to nearly five years of courtroom drama over the status of XRP. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse confirmed the decision publicly, saying the company is finally ready to move on. This decision comes after a series of rulings, negotiations, and attempted settlements that kept the industry guessing for years. While some questions remain unresolved, both Ripple and the SEC seem to have decided that continuing the fight was no longer worth it. How It All Started The SEC first sued Ripple back in December 2020, accusing the company of raising more than $1.3 billion by selling XRP as an unregistered security. Ripple pushed back, arguing that XRP should be treated like a currency, not an investment contract. What followed was a long legal tug-of-war that saw partial wins and losses on both sides. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!@Ripple is dropping its cross appeal, and the SEC is expected to drop their appeal! Congratulations #XRP holders! pic.twitter.com/jGcij0Fa1A — JackTheRippler © (@RippleXrpie) June 27, 2025 In 2023, Judge Analisa Torres ruled that XRP traded on public exchanges did not violate securities laws. However, she also found that Ripple’s institutional sales of XRP did. That ruling set the stage for a complicated round of appeals. Ripple challenged the decision on institutional sales. The SEC, on the other hand, wanted to challenge the ruling that XRP used by retail traders did not fall under securities rules. DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 Why They’re Walking Away Now Earlier this month, Ripple and the SEC tried to reach a final resolution. Ripple offered to pay a lower penalty and end the case. But the judge pushed back, saying her previous ruling still stood and neither side could sidestep it. That made it clear that the appeals process would drag on, with no guarantee of a better outcome for either party. XRPPriceMarket CapXRP$129.34B24h7d30d1yAll time In the end, both Ripple and the SEC seem to have decided that enough was enough. By dropping the appeals, they lock in the current court findings and avoid the risk of a higher court reversing any part of the judgment. That means the mixed result from last year will stand: XRP is not a security when sold on exchanges, but it is when sold to institutional investors in the way Ripple originally did it. DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 What It Means for the Crypto Market The end of this legal battle removes a major cloud that has been hanging over XRP and, more broadly, over crypto regulation in the United States. For Ripple, it clears the way to focus on growing its payments business and building out the XRP Ledger without the constant distraction of court deadlines and legal fees. Source: Shutterstock For the industry, it may mark a turning point. Regulators and crypto companies have spent the last few years locked in lawsuits over how digital assets should be classified. This case was a key example. With it wrapped up, there may be more room for cooperation or at least a little more clarity about what counts as security. What Comes Next Ripple still faces a fine tied to its past institutional sales, but the appeals are done. From here, the focus shifts to how the company rebuilds momentum and how regulators respond. With Congress debating new legislation and other lawsuits still pending, the XRP case may be over, but the broader conversation about crypto regulation is far from settled. DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 Join The 99Bitcoins News Discord Here For The Latest Market Updates Key Takeaways
Barclays is putting a stop to crypto purchases made with credit cards, and the change kicks in this Friday on June 27th. Customers will no longer be able to use their Barclays credit cards to buy digital assets like Bitcoin or Ethereum, either directly or through apps that offer crypto services. It’s a notable move from one of the UK’s biggest banks and adds to a growing list of restrictions being placed on how everyday users can access crypto. The Thinking Behind the Ban Barclays says the decision comes down to customer safety. With crypto prices swinging sharply and scams still a concern, the bank has decided that using borrowed money to chase volatile digital assets just doesn’t make sense. While the bank hasn’t shut down crypto access entirely, it’s drawing a clear line between spending cash you have and taking on debt to make a speculative bet. @Barclays has said that will block all crypto purchases on Barclaycard starting June 27. The bank cites high risk, wild price swings, and zero buyer protection as reasons. pic.twitter.com/DBwURQH9Tj — Protos (@Protos) June 25, 2025 This change also brings Barclays in line with what other UK banks have already done. Santander, NatWest, Halifax, and Lloyds have all blocked crypto purchases via credit cards over the past year. For banks, it’s less about opposing crypto and more about limiting the financial risk tied to unsecured borrowing in a market that remains unpredictable. DISCOVER: Next 1000X Crypto: 10+ Crypto Tokens That Can Hit 1000x in 2025 What Customers Can Expect If you’re a Barclays customer and you’ve used your credit card to buy crypto, that option will be off the table by the end of the week. The bank is notifying users through its app and online banking services so that no one is caught by surprise. Debit card purchases and bank transfers will still work as usual, so customers aren’t being locked out of crypto entirely. But they will need to use funds they already have, not borrowed ones. BitcoinPriceMarket CapBTC$2.13T24h7d30d1yAll time The ban also applies to cash advances used to fund crypto purchases on third-party platforms. So even if the purchase isn’t directly made through a crypto exchange, if the bank sees that credit is being used for crypto-related activity, it will likely block the transaction. DISCOVER: 9+ Best High-Risk, High-Reward Crypto to Buy in June2025 Part of a Bigger Picture This decision is not happening in isolation. UK regulators, especially the Financial Conduct Authority, have been vocal about the risks of crypto investing, particularly when people use borrowed money. Reports have shown a rise in crypto-related debt complaints, with consumers falling into financial trouble after betting on price moves that didn’t work out. Source: Shutterstock The FCA has been urging financial institutions to take a closer look at how customers are exposed to crypto. Some of that pressure is now translating into real policy shifts. Barclays’ new restriction is just the latest example of that trend. Where This Could Lead It wouldn’t be surprising if more banks in the UK follow suit in the coming weeks. Some already have similar policies in place, and others are reviewing their stance. Outside the UK, banks in Europe are also starting to reconsider how credit card products interact with digital assets. In the United States, the conversation is more fragmented, but the regulatory attention is growing there too. As crypto continues to move into the mainstream, financial institutions are trying to figure out where they stand. For now, Barclays is drawing a clear boundary. Borrowing to buy crypto is off the table. If you want to invest, you’ll have to do it with your own money. DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 Join The 99Bitcoins News Discord Here For The Latest Market Updates Key Takeaways
Changpeng Zhao, better known as CZ, isn’t staying quiet. The former Binance CEO has publicly rejected claims from a recent Wall Street Journal article that accused him of helping broker international deals for a crypto startup tied to Donald Trump’s inner circle. In a strongly worded thread on X, CZ called the story misleading and said the narrative had been twisted to fit an agenda. CZ denies any involvement in helping broker deals for World Liberty Financial, a crypto project tied to Trump’s inner circle. What the WSJ Claimed According to the article, CZ allegedly played a behind-the-scenes role in helping World Liberty Financial (WLF) expand its reach. Zach Witkoff co-founded the cryptocurrency venture WLF, and maintains close ties with Trump family members. The WSJ story focused on a meeting in Pakistan between WLF and entrepreneur Bilal bin Saqib. It claimed CZ helped facilitate that connection, which later led to WLF signing a memorandum of understanding with a government-backed organization in the country. In short, the paper suggested that CZ acted as a quiet connector, smoothing the path for WLF’s global ambitions. CZ Fires Back CZ wasted no time responding. In a detailed X post, CZ denies claims that he introduced WLF to foreign partners or played any role in its expansion. Another hit piece from Wall Street Journal. WSJ instead of doing journalism, has pretty much resorted to Cunningham’s Law, with negative intentions. "Cunningham's Law: The best way to get the right answer on the Internet is not to ask a question; it's to post the wrong answer."… — CZ BNB (@cz_binance) May 23, 2025 He posted a direct denial, stating, “I am not a fixer for anyone.” He said he only met Bilal bin Saqib in person during a trip to Pakistan and had no role in any meeting between Saqib and WLF. According to him, Saqib and WLF had already been in contact long before he was in the picture. His message was clear: there’s no secret deal-making going on behind closed doors, and his name is being dragged into something he had nothing to do with. DISCOVER: Top 20 Crypto to Buy in May 2025 Not Just Denial, A Critique of the Process CZ denies the story published by the WSJ, arguing it ignored clarifications provided by his team ahead of publication. Beyond defending himself, CZ took issue with how the story was reported. He said that the WSJ had sent a list of questions to his team in advance, but those questions were filled with bad assumptions. He claims his team provided clarifications and corrections, but none of that made it into the final article. - Price Market Cap - - - 24h 7d 30d 1y All Time Log He also pointed to what he sees as a trend in journalism, writing something controversial first, then letting the backlash bring in attention and corrections after the fact. He referenced Cunningham’s Law to describe this: the idea that the fastest way to get the right answer on the internet is to post the wrong one. In his view, the WSJ leaned into a version of the story that was more dramatic than accurate. DISCOVER: Next 1000X Crypto: 10+ Crypto Tokens That Can Hit 1000x in 2025 Why This Is Getting So Much Attention World Liberty Financial isn’t just any crypto project. Its ties to Trump’s family and growing international presence have already raised eyebrows. The crypto space has long thrived in a grey area where influence and connections hold sway. When politics enters the picture, the complexities deepen. The mere suggestion that someone like CZ could be using his network to help WLF win foreign deals was always going to grab headlines — which is likely part of what frustrated him most. What Happens Next? At this point, there’s no official fallout, and CZ hasn’t indicated that he’ll be taking legal action. But the situation highlights how sensitive the intersection of crypto, politics, and media has become. When high-profile names are involved, especially across countries and political lines, stories like this aren’t going away anytime soon. DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 Join The 99Bitcoins News Discord Here For The Latest Market Updates
Donald Trump has never been one to shy away from big moves, but his latest crypto play is raising more than a few eyebrows. His media company, Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), is reportedly trying to raise $3 billion to invest in Bitcoin and possibly launch a crypto ETF. The Trump $3 billion plan could make his media company one of the largest institutional Bitcoin holders in the U.S. The size of the investment is one thing. The timing and potential conflict of interest? That’s another. What’s TMTG Trying to Do? According to leaked internal plans, TMTG is aiming to pull in $2 billion in new equity and another $1 billion through a convertible bond. The pitch is bold: use that war chest to buy Bitcoin and maybe even launch a crypto-focused exchange-traded fund. That would put Trump’s media group in the same arena as firms like MicroStrategy, companies using crypto to beef up their financial profiles. BREAKING: Trump Media Group to raise $3 billion to invest in #Bitcoin and crypto — Financial Times pic.twitter.com/6Y2hlbYUld — Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) May 26, 2025 There’s also a layer of showmanship to the rollout. The announcement is reportedly set to drop around a major crypto conference in Las Vegas, where Trump’s sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, are expected to appear alongside Senator JD Vance. If it sounds like a campaign rally disguised as a tech pitch, that might not be far off. Why Critics Are Worried Ethics experts aren’t thrilled. The main concern is whether Trump, who’s running for president again, is blurring the line between politics and profit. If TMTG starts investing heavily in Bitcoin, while Trump holds sway over financial and regulatory decisions, the potential for conflicts of interest becomes hard to ignore. It’s not just speculation either. Lawmakers like Senator Jeff Merkley have already introduced bills to prevent government officials and their families from cashing in on crypto while in office. Moves like this could push those proposals further. DISCOVER: 9+ Best High-Risk, High-Reward Crypto to Buy in May 2025 Then There’s the $TRUMP Token You can’t talk about Trump and crypto without mentioning the $TRUMP token. This memecoin, which gained traction earlier this year, is tied to the former president in branding, tone, and, potentially, ownership. - Price Market Cap - - - 24h 7d 30d 1y All Time Log Reports suggest a significant portion of the coin is held by wallets connected to Trump’s circle. That’s sparked concerns that it could be used to influence or profit from market swings, especially if Trump continues to publicly engage with the token. It’s one thing for a politician to express support for crypto. It’s another to be tied, financially or publicly, to a speculative asset that can be easily hyped or dumped. Trump’s Crypto U-Turn This whole thing also marks a pretty big shift from Trump’s earlier stance. During his first term, he wasn’t exactly pro-Bitcoin. In fact, he called it “based on thin air.” But now, with crypto sentiment changing and voter interest rising, he’s leaning in. His administration even proposed a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve earlier this year, signaling a new direction. Whether this pivot is genuine or strategic, it shows Trump is paying attention to the crypto crowd. DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 What Comes Next? TMTG’s plans are still in the fundraising stage, so it’s not a done deal. But the questions are already here. If Trump’s media group becomes a major crypto investor while he runs for office, or ends up in the White House again, expect the scrutiny to keep building. Crypto might be decentralized, but in this case, all eyes are on one man. DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 Join The 99Bitcoins News Discord Here For The Latest Market Updates Key Takeaways