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Pro crypto groups in Ukraine announce Web3 roadmap

Blockchain4Ukraine which is a group of pro-crypto Ukrainian lawmakers and the citizen group Virtual Assets of Ukraine publicized a joint roadmap for promoting and developing Web3 in the country.

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Blockchain4Ukraine which is a group of pro-crypto Ukrainian lawmakers and the citizen group Virtual Assets of Ukraine publicized a joint roadmap for promoting and developing Web3 in the country.

The roadmap proposes a set of measures for promoting Web3, such as the launch of a regulatory sandbox for blockchain and Web3 projects, creation of a national blockchain-backed land and realty register, preparation of a blockchain plan to rebuild the country after the war, and integration of Ukraine into the European blockchain community.

VAU and Blockchain4Ukraine also intend to work on a self-sovereign identity pilot project and to seek ways of implementing blockchain into Ukraine’s healthcare and education systems.

The list of potential partners of the roadmap includes civil society and nongovernment organizations as well as business and scientific communities. The group working on the roadmap will prepare a set of bills to promote its initiatives on the legal level.

Ukraine became the third country outside of the European Union to join the European Blockchain Partnership, an initiative derived by the EU’s 27 member states to deliver cross-border public services. VAU CEO Konstantin Ermolenko revealed Ukraine’s interest in running test-node of the European Blockchain Services Infrastructure and pilot use cases of the cross-border public services based on blockchain technology.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed the country’s first major cryptocurrency-related legislation, on Virtual Assets. The bill establishes the National Securities and Stock Market Commission of Ukraine and the National Bank of Ukraine as two major regulators of the crypto market. Ukraine has managed to gather over $100 million in cryptocurrency donations through its government-curated Crypto Fund of Ukraine.

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Vitalik Buterin criticizes crypto’s moral shift toward gambling

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Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has expressed concerns over a “moral reversal” in the crypto industry, particularly regarding criticism of Ethereum’s stance on blockchain gambling. In a recent AMA, he noted that some have condemned Ethereum for not welcoming casinos, while other blockchains have embraced them. Buterin stated that if the community continues to shift its values in this direction, he may reconsider his role in the space.

Despite these concerns, Buterin emphasized that in-person interactions with the Ethereum community reassure him that core values remain intact. He urged developers to work toward a decentralized future aligned with ethical principles rather than just profit-driven ventures.

His comments coincide with the Ethereum Foundation’s shift in its funding approach. Following criticism of its Ether sales, the foundation recently allocated 45,000 ETH into DeFi platforms like Aave and Compound. This move was widely praised as a step toward supporting decentralized finance without market disruptions.

As Ethereum navigates these challenges, Buterin’s remarks highlight the ongoing debate about blockchain ethics and the industry’s future direction. The conversation around gambling applications and decentralized finance underscores the tension between financial innovation and maintaining a moral compass in crypto.

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UAE saw 41% increase in crypto app downloads in 2024

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Crypto app downloads in the UAE surged by 41% in 2024, reaching 15 million, with a record 2.8 million installs in December, according to AppsFlyer. This increase was largely driven by market trends and rising adoption, especially in the latter half of the year.

Donald Trump’s election win and pro-crypto stance reportedly played a role in boosting adoption, with his surprise memecoin launch further attracting first-time investors. This trend also contributed to a rise in crypto app downloads in the U.S.

Aggressive marketing campaigns accounted for 60% of traffic, though retention remained a challenge, as one in five apps was uninstalled within 30 days. Despite this, crypto app downloads in the UAE hit 3.5 million in January, surpassing half of 2023’s total.

With 2025 projected to be a record-breaking year, market experts suggest crypto companies should continue leveraging marketing strategies to expand their user base. The UAE’s rapid growth in crypto adoption highlights the region’s increasing role in the digital asset industry.

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Brazil approves first spot XRP ETF as local bank eyes stablecoin on XRPL

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Brazil has approved its first spot XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF), the Hashdex Nasdaq XRP Index Fund, which will soon begin trading on the country’s B3 exchange. The fund, managed by Hashdex, joins a growing list of crypto investment products in Brazil, including Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. The approval comes as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reviews multiple spot XRP ETF filings from major firms like CoinShares and WisdomTree.

In response to this development, XRP saw an 8% price increase, reaching $2.72, bringing it within 20% of its all-time high. This surge reflects growing investor confidence in XRP-based financial products. Meanwhile, market analysts expect the approval of additional crypto ETFs worldwide as regulators reassess their stance on digital assets.

Simultaneously, Braza Group, a financial institution in Brazil’s interbank market, announced plans to launch BBRL, a stablecoin pegged to the Brazilian real. Built on the XRP Ledger, BBRL aims to enhance international payments and digital asset accessibility in South America. Initially, the stablecoin will be available only to institutional clients, with broader adoption expected in 2025.

Braza Group’s participation in Brazil’s central bank blockchain initiative, DREX, underscores the country’s efforts to integrate digital assets into its financial system. With crypto adoption surging, Brazil’s latest moves in stablecoin and ETF approvals signal growing institutional confidence in blockchain-based finance. Read more.

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