"SEC Clarifies: Meme Coins Are Collectibles, Not Securities"

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has clarified its stance on meme coins, stating that they are not considered securities under federal definitions and are more akin to collectibles. This classification exempts meme coin transactions from registration requirements under the Securities Act of 1933, and as a result, meme coin traders and holders do not receive protections under federal securities laws.

The SEC's Division of Corporation Finance issued this guidance, which aligns with the agency's previous statements on the matter. The classification of meme coins as collectibles is significant, as it allows for greater flexibility in their trading and use, while also reducing regulatory burdens for those involved in the meme coin ecosystem.

This clarification comes amidst a broader shift in the SEC's stance on cryptocurrencies under new leadership. The agency has recently closed investigations into several major crypto firms without pursuing enforcement actions, including the crypto exchange Gemini. Additionally, the SEC and crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun are exploring a potential resolution in their ongoing legal case involving Tron and BitTorrent.

The growing integration of traditional finance and blockchain technology is evident in recent collaborations. Ondo Finance, a tokenized real-world asset issuer, has joined the Mastercard network to facilitate cross-border payments and provide business access to yield through tokenized assets. Meanwhile, the Avalanche Foundation has launched a Visa card to boost crypto usability, enabling users to purchase with Avalanche tokens (AVAX), wrapped AVAX, and stablecoins USDT and USDC at any Visa-accepting location.

In the realm of Web3 gaming, Immutable, a leading Web3 gaming platform, has partnered with Japan's premier mobile gaming developer to launch TOKYO BEAST on its Web3 platform. This partnership marks Immutable's third with a unicorn developer and further solidifies its leadership in the Asian Web3 gaming market.

However, the crypto landscape is not without its challenges. Scammers are using a malware-infused app called 'GrassCall' in new crypto job scams, targeting crypto wallets and stealing user information. Hackers are also creating numerous fake GitHub projects to spread malware that steals crypto and user credentials, with a notable focus on Russia, Brazil, and Turkey.

Despite these challenges, the crypto industry continues to innovate and expand. PayPal plans to enhance stablecoin PYUSD adoption, targeting global merchant transactions, while Hamster Kombat, a popular Telegram