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HSBC rolls out cryptocurrency services in Hong Kong

HSBC the biggest bank in Hong Kong has reportedly introduced its first local cryptocurrency services.

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HSBC the biggest bank in Hong Kong has reportedly introduced its first local cryptocurrency services.

According to the report, HSBC will specifically offer cryptocurrency ETFs listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. At the time of writing, the exchange lists three crypto ETFs, including CSOP Bitcoin Futures ETF, CSOP Ethereum Futures ETF and Samsung Bitcoin Futures Active ETF.

The move aims to expand local users’ exposure to cryptocurrencies in Hong Kong. According to online reports, HSBC Hong Kong had 1.7 million active mobile customers as of March 2022. About 95% of all retail transactions of HSBC in Hong Kong are reportedly processed online.

The new services come alongside HSBC reportedly launching the Virtual Asset Investor Education Center. The initiative is designed to protect investors from cryptocurrency-related risks, requiring them to read and confirm educational materials and risk disclosures before investing.

The education center is reportedly available on HSBC’s virtual asset-related products like the HSBC HK Easy Invest app, HSB CHK Mobile Banking app and online banking.

The news comes soon after some media reports suggested in mid-June that the Hong Kong Monetary Authority pressured major banks to accept crypto exchanges as clients. The region’s central bank and regulator specifically questioned companies like HSBC and Standard Chartered on why they were not taking any crypto exchanges as clients.

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Tether USDT stablecoin seen on Bolivian store price tags

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Retailers across Bolivia are now quoting prices in Tether’s USDT stablecoin for everyday goods like chocolates, sunglasses, and snacks, according to Tether CTO Paolo Ardoino.

The shift reflects growing reliance on stable digital currency as Bolivians seek protection against volatility in the boliviano, with USDT providing a more predictable value for both consumers and merchants.

Ardoino highlighted that using digital dollars at the point of sale offers practical advantages for everyday shoppers, and analysts suggest this could serve as a model for other countries facing currency instability.

This development builds on earlier steps toward crypto integration in Bolivia—most notably, the launch of USDT custody services by Banco Bisa in October 2024, under the oversight of the country’s financial regulator.

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Metaplanet shares jump after $5.4B plan to buy Bitcoin

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Tokyo-based Metaplanet has unveiled plans to significantly boost its Bitcoin reserves, targeting the acquisition of 100,000 BTC by the end of 2026—up from its previous goal of 21,000 BTC. The announcement, shared via X on June 6, follows a recent purchase increasing its holdings to 8,888 BTC and signals a bold move to expand its crypto presence .

The firm intends to buy at least an additional 91,112 BTC over the next 18 months. CEO Simon Gerovich emphasized that this accelerated acquisition is a deliberate response to global financial shifts, including geopolitical tensions, excessive sovereign debt, and growing doubts over traditional safe-haven assets like bonds and gold.

To fund this plan, Metaplanet will issue up to 555 million new shares via stock acquisition rights, supplementing its existing 210 million-share program. The issuance is expected to raise around ¥770.3 billion (approximately $5.32 billion) at an initial strike price of ¥1,388 per share.

Looking ahead, the company aims to hold over 210,000 BTC by the end of 2027—roughly 1% of Bitcoin’s fixed supply cap. This ambitious growth trajectory cements Metaplanet’s status as Asia’s leading corporate Bitcoin holder—a strategy that echoes the approach taken by U.S. firm MicroStrategy.

As Metaplanet positions itself for further expansion, its aggressive accumulation strategy and large-scale capital raising mark a transformative shift in how non-financial firms are using corporate treasury to gain exposure to cryptocurrencies.

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Coinbase says it’s tackling frozen accounts in ‘major issue’

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Coinbase announced it has cut back on unnecessary account freezes by 82%, following extensive user complaints about prolonged access limitations. CEO Brian Armstrong acknowledged this issue on June 6 via a post on X, describing account freezes as “a major issue” that had been tolerated for “longer than is acceptable.” He confirmed the problem is now being prioritized and urged affected users to contact Coinbase Support.

The improvement follows sustained frustration among users who reported being locked out of their accounts—sometimes for weeks or months—without clear explanations or timely support. Armstrong credited the swift progress to the recent hiring of product expert Dor Levi, whose team revamped Coinbase’s machine learning systems to minimize false positives in fraud detection.

Despite reducing “false positives,” both Armstrong and Levi cautioned that certain freezes will still occur in cases involving legal requirements or fraud prevention. Levi admitted the current level of support still “doesn’t meet [his] own bar” and pledged to continue refining the process. Meanwhile, user sentiment remains divided, as many continue to report lingering issues and slow customer service.

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