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Somalia bans Telegram and TikTok

Somalia is the latest country to ban cryptocurrency-friendly messaging app Telegram, alongside TikTok social media app and the online-betting site 1XBet.

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Somalia is the latest country to ban cryptocurrency-friendly messaging app Telegram, alongside TikTok social media app and the online-betting site 1XBet.

Somalia’s Ministry of Communications and Technology officially announced on Aug. 20 that the government is shutting down Telegram, TikTok and 1XBet.

On Sunday, MOCT Minister Jama Hassan Khalif held a meeting on telecommunications and internet security in social media with the National Communications Agency and major Somali telecom firms. The minister said that the government of Somalia is “working to preserve the culture of Somali society,” as telecom and internet devices have “affected lifestyles and increased bad habits.”

According to online reports, Somalia’s move to ban TikTok, Telegram and 1XBet also aims to limit the spread of indecent content and propaganda.

“The minister of communications orders internet companies to stop the aforementioned applications, which terrorists and immoral groups use to spread constant horrific images and misinformation to the public,” Khalif reportedly said. He added that Telegram and other applications were ordered to suspend their operations in Somalia by Aug. 24. “Anyone who does not follow this order will face clear and appropriate legal measures,” the official reportedly stated.

The news comes just a few days after Iraq’s telecom ministry lifted the ban on Telegram in mid-August. The authority banned the messaging app in early August, citing personal data and security concerns.

In April, Telegram was temporarily suspended across Brazil as authorities were investigating neo-Nazi groups that were reported to use the messaging platform to incite school attacks. Telegram was reportedly fined roughly $186 million for not complying with an investigation into neo-Nazi activities on the platform.

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Celo, Chainlink, Hyperlane launch crosschain USDT on OP Superchain

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Celo, Chainlink, Hyperlane, and Velodrome have introduced a cross-chain version of Tether’s USDT on the OP Superchain. The newly launched “Super USDT” is backed by reserves locked on Celo and utilizes Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol and Hyperlane for seamless movement across networks. This innovation aims to enhance liquidity and reduce the fragmentation of stablecoins across the ecosystem.

The initiative aligns with Optimism’s goal of creating a unified, interoperable Superchain. Unlike traditional bridged USDT, which struggles with compatibility, Super USDT is designed to integrate with upcoming interchain standards and future native USDT upgrades. This is expected to simplify stablecoin transactions and increase adoption within the Superchain framework.

Chainlink’s business officer, Johann Eid, emphasized the significance of this development, noting that Chainlink’s Data Feeds have already secured billions in USDT lending markets. With the introduction of Super USDT, users will have greater flexibility in utilizing the stablecoin across multiple Optimism-based chains.

Tether’s USDT remains the dominant stablecoin, accounting for over 61% of the $231 billion stablecoin market. With stablecoin adoption surpassing Visa and Mastercard’s transaction volumes, interoperability solutions like Super USDT are becoming increasingly critical for ensuring seamless and efficient digital asset transfers. Read more.

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SEC Enforcement Division closes investigation into Robinhood Crypto

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The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has closed its investigation into Robinhood Crypto, informing the company on February 21 that no enforcement action would be recommended. This decision comes less than a year after Robinhood received a Wells notice regarding potential securities violations.

Robinhood Markets’ compliance officer, Dan Gallagher, criticized the investigation, stating that the company has always adhered to federal securities laws. The SEC had been examining Robinhood’s crypto operations since issuing the Wells notice in May 2024, which suggested possible enforcement action.

In January 2025, Robinhood reached a $45 million settlement with the SEC over multiple securities law violations. The company admitted to some findings in the SEC’s order but has since urged regulators to move away from a “regulation by enforcement” approach.

This development reflects a broader shift in the SEC’s stance on crypto regulation, with growing calls for clearer guidelines. Some experts speculate that pending enforcement actions against other major crypto firms could also be reconsidered. Read more.

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Hong Kong investment firm’s board gives nod to more Bitcoin buying

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HK Asia Holdings Limited has expanded its Bitcoin holdings to nearly 9 BTC, following board approval for additional purchases. The Hong Kong-based investment firm acquired approximately 7.88 BTC on February 20, spending around $761,705. This comes after its initial 1 BTC purchase a week earlier, which significantly boosted its stock price.

The company financed its Bitcoin acquisition using internal resources, bringing its total investment in the asset to roughly $861,500. The firm emphasized its growing interest in digital assets amid increasing cryptocurrency adoption in the business world.

Following the Bitcoin purchases, HK Asia’s stock price surged by nearly 93% after its first acquisition and continued to rise by 5.7% on February 24. If the trend holds, the stock could surpass its all-time high from June 2019, reflecting strong investor confidence in the firm’s crypto strategy.

HK Asia voluntarily disclosed its Bitcoin acquisitions, even though they remained below the legal threshold requiring disclosure. This move aligns with a broader trend of publicly traded firms incorporating cryptocurrency into their asset holdings.

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