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Palau partners with Ripple & for national digital currency

Ripple has partnered with the Republic of Palau to help the Pacific island nation develop its own digital currency.

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Ripple has partnered with the Republic of Palau to help the Pacific island nation develop its own digital currency.

The initial focus of the partnership will see the improvement of a United States dollar-backed digital currency to help facilitate cross-border payments for the nation. The partnership could see the implementation of the world’s first government-backed national stablecoin in the first half of 2022.

Ripple suggested the national digital currency may not necessarily be just another central bank digital currency (CBDC). Palauan President believes that the national digital currency would provide the citizens of Palau with greater financial benefits.

The island nation, Palau is especially vulnerable to some of the effects of climate change, and Ripple said this was one of the reasons it was chosen for the job. The firm said the XRP Ledger is carbon-neutral and 120,000X more energy-efficient than Proof-of-Work blockchains.

Ripple is no stranger to climate and environmental considerations. In February an announcement was made that its goal of becoming carbon net-zero by 2030, starting by making XRP carbon net-zero with the help of the EW Zero tool.

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Nigerian court postpones Binance tax evasion case to end of April

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A Nigerian court has adjourned the high-profile tax evasion case against cryptocurrency exchange Binance and two of its executives to April 30, extending a legal saga that has drawn significant international attention.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) filed the charges, accusing Binance of failing to register with local tax authorities and of neglecting its obligations under Nigeria’s tax laws. The case also targets two Binance executives, including one still in custody, as part of the government’s broader crackdown on crypto-related financial activity.

The proceedings were delayed after defense lawyers requested more time to review the charges. The court granted the adjournment, with expectations that the next hearing could see more substantive arguments presented.

Binance has not publicly commented on the latest development, but the company has previously stated its intention to cooperate with Nigerian authorities. The case unfolds amid heightened regulatory scrutiny of crypto operations in the country, following concerns over illicit capital flows and economic disruption.

As the legal process continues, industry observers are closely watching the outcome, which could shape the future of crypto regulation and enforcement across Nigeria and potentially influence wider African markets.

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Spanish police arrest six over $20M AI-powered investment scam

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Spanish authorities have shut down a sophisticated investment scam that used artificial intelligence to defraud victims of more than $20 million. The operation, which spanned multiple countries, lured investors with promises of high returns through a fake AI-driven trading platform.

The National Police arrested four individuals and identified 14 others linked to the scheme, which used aggressive marketing tactics and fake online platforms to simulate trading activity. Victims were shown fabricated profits generated by what was advertised as an advanced AI algorithm capable of outperforming the market.

Once trust was established, the scammers convinced users to invest larger sums, only to block access to their funds when withdrawal requests were made. Authorities revealed that the network operated through a network of shell companies and call centers, targeting victims across Spain and other European countries.

The investigation uncovered nearly 300 victims, though officials believe the real number could be significantly higher. Spanish police worked in coordination with international agencies to trace the scam’s financial flows and dismantle its digital infrastructure.

This takedown highlights growing concerns over AI being exploited in financial frauds and the increasing need for cross-border collaboration to combat tech-enabled scams.

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Former Kraken execs acquire real state firm Janover, disclose SOL treasury plans

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Janover Inc. saw its stock price surge by more than 1,000% after announcing a bold shift into the crypto space, including the acquisition of a digital asset company and plans to add Solana (SOL) to its corporate treasury.

The fintech firm, known for its real estate capital markets platform, revealed it had acquired a crypto-native business to spearhead its entry into decentralized finance and blockchain infrastructure. The deal marks a significant pivot for Janover as it positions itself at the intersection of traditional finance and Web3 technologies.

In addition to the acquisition, the company disclosed plans to hold Solana as a treasury asset, citing the blockchain’s high-speed, low-cost architecture as an attractive alternative to more established assets like Bitcoin or Ethereum. The move follows a growing trend of public companies diversifying reserves with digital currencies.

CEO Blake Janover described the decision as part of a broader vision to integrate decentralized technologies into financial services and unlock long-term shareholder value.

The dramatic stock rally highlights investor excitement around the company’s strategic shift and signals strong market support for Janover’s embrace of the crypto ecosystem.

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