Trump allows crypto in 401(k)s as Ripple case ends and stablecoin deals surge

The cryptocurrency sector experienced a series of significant developments this week, spanning regulatory policy, institutional investment, and corporate strategy. Among the most notable were a leadership shift in the White House’s digital asset advisory council, the final resolution of the Ripple-SEC legal case, and a major acquisition in the stablecoin sector.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order permitting the inclusion of cryptocurrency in 401(k) retirement accounts, a move expected to influence wealth management strategies and encourage broader institutional adoption of digital assets. This policy shift aligns with a growing acceptance of crypto among traditional financial institutions. Harvard Management Company, a subsidiary of Harvard University, allocated $116 million to BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust, while Brown University also disclosed Bitcoin exposure in its SEC filings, signaling a shift in institutional asset allocation toward cryptocurrencies [1].

In a related development, Bo Hines has stepped down from the Presidential Council of Advisors for Digital Assets, a position he held under Trump’s 2024 appointment. Deputy Patrick Witt is expected to assume the leadership role as Hines transitions to the private sector, marking a leadership change that may signal shifting priorities in the administration’s approach to digital assets [1].

The long-running legal battle between the Securities and Exchange Commission and Ripple Labs concluded as both parties voluntarily dismissed their appeals in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. The court filing indicated that each side will bear its own legal costs, resolving a case that had major implications for the classification of XRP and the broader cryptocurrency industry. The resolution was met with a positive market response, with crypto assets showing signs of recovery following the news [1][2].

Ripple also announced a $200 million acquisition of Rail, a Toronto-based stablecoin payments platform. The transaction is expected to be finalized in the fourth quarter of the year, reflecting Ripple’s strategic expansion into the stablecoin space [1]. Meanwhile, World Liberty Financial, a venture backed by the Trump family, is seeking $1.5 billion in capital to establish a public company structure that will hold WLFI tokens. The firm has reportedly engaged with cryptocurrency and technology investors to support its treasury company model [1].

Coinbase expanded its offerings by integrating decentralized exchange (DEX) capabilities, allowing users access to a broader range of digital assets. In a separate corporate development, Animoca Brands partnered with Standard Chartered’s Hong Kong division and Hong Kong Telecom to create Anchorpoint, a licensed stablecoin issuance venture. The joint venture aims to develop regulated stablecoin operations in the Hong Kong market [1].

Regulatory actions also continued this week. Paxos agreed to a $26.5 million settlement with New York State Department of Financial Services to resolve charges linked to its previous partnership with Binance [1]. In another legal development, Roman Storm, the creator of Tornado Cash, was convicted by a Manhattan jury of conspiring to operate an unauthorized money transmission service. Sentencing has yet to be scheduled, and it remains unclear whether prosecutors will retry Storm on remaining charges [1].

These developments collectively highlight a maturing market where regulatory clarity and institutional confidence are increasingly converging. As legal uncertainties ease and adoption grows, the crypto sector appears to be entering a new phase of mainstream integration.

Source: [1] White House shakeup, Ripple-Rail acquisition (https://crypto.news/white-house-shakeup-ripple-rail-deal-weekly-recap/)

[2] Snorter Bot: News & Updates - CryptoDnes EN (https://cryptodnes.bg/en/tag/snorter-bot/)