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Hong Kong-based HK Asia Holdings has expanded its Bitcoin holdings, purchasing an additional 10 BTC for approximately $858,581. The purchase brings the firm’s total Bitcoin ( BTC ) holdings to 18.88 BTC, valued at around $1.72 million. The acquisition follows a Feb. 23 board approval allowing HK Asia to increase its Bitcoin investments. The company had previously purchased 1 BTC on Feb. 16 and 7.88 BTC on Feb. 20, financing the acquisitions through internal cash reserves. HK Asia sees Bitcoin as a store of value and hedge against fiat currency depreciation. The company voluntarily disclosed the purchase despite not being required under Hong Kong Stock Exchange rules. Following its initial Bitcoin purchase, HK Asia’s stock price nearly doubled, and its latest announcement saw shares climb another 5.7% on Feb. 24. The firm joins a growing list of publicly traded companies adding Bitcoin to their balance sheets. U.S.-based KURL Technology Group recently disclosed a $10 million Bitcoin investment, while Japan’s Gumi has announced plans to buy JPY 1 billion worth of BTC by May. Companies like Strategy and MetaPlanet have led the charge with periodic Bitcoin investments.

Crypto is in the midst of what Mintology CEO Zach Burks calls “crime season,” as hacks and illicit activity drive down investor confidence. So far in 2025, over $2.2 billion in crypto has been stolen, including a $1.5 billion heist by North Korea’s Lazarus Group . In a note to crypto.news, Burks warned that the rise in crime is damaging markets and posing a national security risk. “The increased perception of crime in crypto has caused the meme coin market to crash by 56% since December,” Burks said. “At the same time, Bitcoin has fallen from $106,000 to $83,000, and we could see it drop to $72,000 in the coming weeks.” He advises investors, especially those holding meme coins, to brace for continued volatility over the next six weeks. Burks argues that traditional regulatory bodies like the SEC and FCA are ill-equipped to handle crypto crime. The agencies “are inefficient in retrieving crypto funds and only seek to create more bureaucracy, taking crypto away from what it was created to achieve. ,” he wrote. Instead, he believes the industry needs a decentralized, community-driven approach. We need to build a network of community-led tacticians like Zach XBT , who can tackle illicit transactions executed by mass operations to bring trust back to crypto and prevent capital from being lost forever,” Burks said. Burks contends that the issue goes beyond safeguarding individual investors — it’s a matter of national security. Relying on politicians and bureaucracy won’t solve the problem. According to Burks, what is required are crypto pragmatists ready to advocate for a level playing field.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is holding its first crypto regulation roundtable, focusing on defining the security status of crypto assets. The event marks the beginning of a series of discussions by the SEC’s newly formed crypto task force, which could have significant implications for the broader cryptocurrency market. According to CNBC’s Tanaya Macheel, the SEC’s efforts aim to provide clearer guidelines on whether certain crypto assets should be classified as securities, an issue that has created tension between the SEC and the crypto industry. “The former administration’s SEC targeted many companies for their involvement with crypto, alleging most coins were unregistered securities but failing to give clear guidelines to follow to avoid being targeted,” Macheel said. Today’s roundtable could also have implications for Ethereum ( ETH ) exchange-traded funds. While the SEC recently stated that meme coins are not considered securities, the agency has yet to clarify its stance on staking services linked to crypto ETFs, a factor that could affect future growth in the market. “The appetite for ETH ETFs has been tepid compared to Bitcoin ETFs, and one of the big reasons is the inability to earn a staking yield on those funds,” Macheel said. “If the SEC can iron out some of the uncertainties about those services being potential unregistered securities, it could change the outlook for ETH ETFs.” Despite the regulatory uncertainty, Bitcoin ( BTC ) has remained stable in recent weeks. Macheel noted that Bitcoin is trading around its 200-day moving average near $84,000, which traders see as a key technical support level. “If it can hold the 200-day, that’s great,” she said. “Longer term, Ethereum to me is more peculiar. It’s just been left for dead. There are some big short positions with hedge funds, but Bitcoin has clearly outperformed.” Ethereum’s underperformance relative to Bitcoin has been a notable trend. While Bitcoin has held steady, Ethereum has struggled to gain momentum despite increasing institutional interest in ETH-based financial products. Macheel also pointed out that the broader crypto market has seen relatively subdued activity compared to other asset classes like gold . “Gold broke $3,000 this year while Bitcoin’s been sitting in the low $80,000 range,” she said. “Sometimes the most boring assets are the biggest winners.” Investors are watching closely to see if the SEC’s roundtable will provide clarity on staking and the broader regulatory framework for crypto assets. A more defined regulatory environment could pave the way for increased adoption and new financial products tied to crypto assets.

Coinbase is reportedly in advanced discussions to acquire Deribit, a leading crypto derivatives exchange specializing in Bitcoin and Ether options, according to Bloomberg. The companies have informed regulators in Dubai— where Deribit is licensed — about the ongoing negotiations, though no final agreement has been confirmed. Deribit is the dominant player in the crypto options market and was valued between $4 billion and $5 billion earlier this year. The platform saw nearly $1.2 trillion in trading volume in 2024, nearly doubling its activity from the previous year. Coinbase, primarily known for its spot trading business, would significantly strengthen its foothold in the derivatives space with this acquisition, aligning with its broader expansion strategy. The potential acquisition follows earlier reports that Kraken had also explored a bid for Deribit. Coinbase has been increasingly focused on growing its derivatives offerings, having already launched derivatives trading for U.S. retail users and obtained a license to offer crypto futures. With the derivatives market now accounting for a major share of crypto trading volumes, securing a platform like Deribit could give Coinbase a strong competitive advantage in the sector. While the negotiations have reached an advanced stage, Bloomberg reported that it remains unclear if the two firms will finalize a deal.

XRP, the digital asset associated with Ripple, appears to be on the cusp of a significant milestone, with market sentiment strongly pointing towards the approval of an XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) this year. Predictions from users on platforms like Polymarket indicate a high probability (83%), with Billmarket even predicting a 99% chance. This optimism reflects the shifting regulatory landscape and Ripple’s increasing influence within the financial sector Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse remains confident that XRP will soon be included in both national cryptocurrency reserves and ETF offerings. His recent statements suggest a more positive relationship between Ripple and U.S. regulators, potentially clearing the path for investment products linked to XRP. Garlinghouse has emphasized that regulatory acceptance is key to XRP’s potential inclusion in future ETFs. He noted that previous regulatory hurdles under the Biden administration had presented challenges. However, the current regulatory environment appears more favorable for Ripple. This shift has led to increased investor interest and inflows into XRP-backed investment vehicles. According to Garlinghouse, there are currently eleven ETF filings involving XRP awaiting approval from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Consequently, anticipation for an XRP ETF launch remains high in 2025. Related: Ripple’s SEC Victory: Appeal Dropped, But SEC Silence Leaves “Officially Over?” Question Hanging Garlinghouse also highlighted the U.S. government’s growing consideration of establishing a cryptocurrency reserve. This reserve could potentially include major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano, Solana, and XRP. Beyond these prominent assets, the reserve might also incorporate cryptocurrencies seized through law enforcement actions. If implemented, this strategy would further solidify XRP’s role within the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem. XRP’s improving regulatory outlook is fueling optimism within the market. Garlinghouse believes that the approval of an XRP ETF would provide further legitimacy to the asset and attract a wider range of mainstream investors. Garlinghouse noted that Ripple has moved from a position of struggling to engage with U.S. lawmakers to one where it is more readily accepted in regulatory discussions. This evolution could significantly enhance XRP’s appeal as an investment and strengthen its market position. XRP’s market activity reflects its shifting fortunes. XRP is currently trading at $2.40 , with a 24-hour trading volume of $4.55 billion. Related: Ripple General Counsel Remarks: SEC Wants to ‘Remake the Law’ Despite a 3.97% price decline in the past 24 hours, XRP has gained 4.39% over the past week. Its market capitalization stands at $139.46 billion, supported by a circulating supply of 58 billion XRP tokens. Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is for informational and educational purposes only. The article does not constitute financial advice or advice of any kind. Coin Edition is not responsible for any losses incurred as a result of the utilization of content, products, or services mentioned. Readers are advised to exercise caution before taking any action related to the company.