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Fuel subsidy of $0.20 per gallon to El Salvadorians who pay in BTC

El Salvadors president Nayib Bukele has said that local consumers can benefit from a $0.20 per gallon reduction in petrol prices when paying using the  Bitcoin wallet, Chivo. The president announced the subsidy through Twitter on Sept. 30.

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El Salvadors president Nayib Bukele has said that local consumers can benefit from a $0.20 per gallon reduction in petrol prices when paying using the  Bitcoin wallet, Chivo. The president announced the subsidy through Twitter on Sept. 30.

The president  emphasized that there is no limit to the discount and that any local person or company can access the rebate. He added that the discount will erase “several increases in the international price of fuels” and “reduce transportation costs in supply chains.” 

Despite these developments some Salvadorans appear unconvinced that the subsidy ultimately benefits the public. Others were cynical of the government’s decision to offer the discount to only those who pay using Chivo, with Twitter accounts questioning why the administration did not move to offer relief on fuel prices at an earlier date.

Alongside the news that president also revealed that he has authorized a fund intended tostabiliz the domestic price of liquified gas. The president asserted that while the international market had planned a $1.17 rise in the price of 25-pound cylinders of liquefied gas, Salvadoran locals will experience a small reduction in cost.

El Salvador became the first country to legally recognize Bitcoin as legal tender and the president claimed that one-third of Salvadorans were already using Chivo less than three weeks after its launch. However, onlookers have expressed suspicion regarding Bukele’s reports of surging crypto adoption.

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US lawmakers advance anti-CBDC bill

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U.S. lawmakers have voted to advance a bill aimed at blocking the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC), marking a major step in the political pushback against the development of a digital dollar.

The bill, which passed through the House Financial Services Committee, would prohibit the Fed from directly offering accounts or issuing a CBDC to individuals, citing concerns over surveillance, privacy, and government overreach.

Supporters of the legislation argue that a digital dollar could pose significant risks to civil liberties, enabling real-time tracking of consumer transactions and expanding federal control over personal finances. They view the bill as a safeguard against what they describe as a “surveillance-style” monetary system.

Opponents of the bill, however, argue that restricting CBDC development could hinder U.S. innovation and global competitiveness in the evolving digital financial landscape.

The legislation now moves closer to a potential floor vote in Congress. Its progress underscores growing ideological divisions over the future of money in the United States, with CBDCs emerging as a new front in the broader debate over digital governance, financial freedom, and the role of government in the digital age.

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Gemini to open Miami office after judge stays SEC case

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Crypto exchange Gemini has opened a new office in Miami, reinforcing its commitment to expanding operations despite pausing its plans for an initial public offering (IPO) amid a continuing legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The Miami office signals the company’s long-term vision for growth in key U.S. markets, even as regulatory uncertainty clouds the broader crypto landscape. The expansion comes at a time when Gemini is facing heightened scrutiny from the SEC over its Earn program, which the regulator alleges involved unregistered securities.

While the IPO remains on hold, Gemini continues to strengthen its infrastructure and team, focusing on user growth, compliance, and regional outreach. The Miami hub is expected to play a strategic role in those efforts, leveraging the city’s growing status as a U.S. crypto hotspot.

Co-founders Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss remain vocal about the need for clear regulatory frameworks and have emphasized that Gemini will continue to fight for fair treatment while building responsibly in the U.S. and abroad.

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Coinbase Institutional files for XRP futures trading with CFTC

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Coinbase Institutional has officially filed with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to offer XRP futures trading, marking a significant move toward expanding institutional access to Ripple’s native token.

The filing, submitted through Coinbase Derivatives, signals the exchange’s intent to list XRP futures contracts in a regulated environment. If approved, it would allow institutional investors to gain exposure to XRP through derivative products, a key step in broadening the token’s presence in traditional financial markets.

This development comes amid a gradually improving regulatory climate for XRP, following a partial legal victory for Ripple in its ongoing case with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The outcome gave XRP a degree of legal clarity, opening the door for exchanges and financial institutions to re-engage with the asset.

Coinbase’s push to expand its derivatives offerings also aligns with its strategy to build a more robust institutional platform. Approval from the CFTC would position the exchange to capitalize on growing demand for regulated crypto investment vehicles.

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