Second batch of Hong Kong stablecoin license applications is in progress, with Futu Securities and OSL Group competing

Pakistan Lifts an Eight-Year Ban: Central Bank Allows Banks to Serve Crypto Businesses, and the Virtual Assets Law Takes Effect

On April 14, 2026, the State Bank of Pakistan lifted its crypto-assets banking ban that has been in place since 2018, officially kicking off the Virtual Assets Act 2026. Banks may open accounts for licensed virtual asset service providers, but must establish a segregation-of-funds mechanism to ensure that customers’ funds are not affected. This policy change responds to domestic demand and demonstrates Pakistan’s growing role on the international stage.

The central bank issues a digital currency report—does it directly refute Qu Bo? If Taiwan issues a CBDC, merchants generally cannot refuse to accept it

The central bank released a report stating that Taiwan’s CBDC development will follow a phased promotion strategy. In the short term, it is not urgent to issue retail CBDC; the focus is on wholesale CBDC and the infrastructure for asset tokenization. The central bank emphasized that CBDC will not increase the money supply and will have legal standing. As a rule, merchants may not refuse to accept it, in order to prevent the payment market from becoming overly dependent on the private sector.

White House Report Challenges Stablecoin Yield Ban, CLARITY Act Advances in Senate

A White House report argues against banning stablecoin yields, highlighting minimal benefits for bank lending and reduced consumer earnings. Key officials support the CLARITY Act, but the Senate Banking Committee's timeline remains uncertain, affecting the bill's chances before summer recess.

Criticized for freezing too slowly: USDC freezes are taking too long! Circle CEO: We will definitely wait for a court order before freezing; we refuse to freeze it on our own

Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire said the company will not proactively freeze wallet addresses unless it receives a court order or law-enforcement requirement. Even amid allegations of hacker money laundering and community backlash, Circle continues to insist on operating under the rule of law. Jeremy Allaire sets Circle’s law-enforcement bottom line ----------------------------- As the global cryptocurrency market surges with uncertainty, Circle’s CEO Jeremy Allaire, at a press conference in Seoul, South Korea, made a clear stance on the market’s most sensitive issue of “asset freezes.” He noted that while Circle has technical means to freeze specific wallet addresses, unless it receives a court order or an official directive from law-enforcement agencies, the company will not

Can bypass FSC regulations on using credit cards to buy crypto? OdinTing introduces the Wallet Pro service for buying crypto with a U.S. debit card

The OwlPay and Wallet Pro services launched by OdinTin use stablecoin technology to enable B2B cross-border payments, and—by partnering with major international payment players—showcase its ambitions for expansion in the fintech sector. By operating from overseas, OdinTin bypasses Taiwan’s regulatory restrictions, providing fast virtual-asset trading. Meanwhile, as it faces the newly promulgated Virtual Asset Services Act, it is set to become a reference template for other foreign-invested companies entering the Taiwan market.

CLARITY Act Dropped From Senate Schedule; Crypto Bill Faces May Deadline to Avoid 2030 Delay

Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott has delayed advancing the CLARITY Act due to unresolved issues, including stablecoin disputes and DeFi provisions. With a critical May deadline approaching, the bill's future remains uncertain amid political challenges.