Coins.ph Launches Nationwide Mall Activations to Boost Crypto Adoption
Coins.ph is hosting a series of in-person mall events across Metro Manila and nearby provinces from August 2 to 16, 2025, to make cryptocurrency more accessible to Filipinos. The activations offer hands-on assistance for creating accounts, buying and selling crypto, and cashing out to local banks or e-wallets, with exclusive rewards for on-site sign-ups and verification. CEO Wei Zhou says the initiative supports the company’s mission to educate and onboard more Filipinos into safe, simple, and practical use of digital assets, aligning with the country’s strong global standing in crypto adoption. (FinTech News)
Sharplink Gaming to Raise $200M for Ethereum Treasury Expansion
Sharplink Gaming is selling $200 million worth of common stock at $19.50 per share to institutional investors to grow its Ethereum holdings, currently valued at $1.9 billion. The sports gambling marketing firm aims to hold 1% of all ETH in circulation, building on its accumulation strategy launched in June. The raise follows a broader trend of public companies amassing large crypto reserves, with Ethereum recently trading at $3,812, near its two-year high. (Decrypt)
UAE Unifies Crypto Oversight Under SCA–VARA Partnership
The UAE’s Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) and Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) have formalized a strategic partnership to harmonize crypto regulations nationwide. The deal introduces mutual license recognition for virtual asset service providers (VASPs), streamlining approvals and reducing operational risks, though it stops short of automatic passporting. Key measures include a unified VASP registration framework, joint supervision, real-time data sharing, and coordinated AML/CFT oversight, alongside a Legislative Review Committee to align rules with global best practices. Officials say the move strengthens the UAE’s appeal as a transparent, innovation-driven hub for virtual assets. (Cointelegraph)
MetaMask Adds Sei Blockchain, Expanding Multi-Chain Access
MetaMask has integrated Layer 1 blockchain Sei, enabling its 100+ million users to access Sei-based dapps, tokens, NFTs, and DeFi directly from the wallet. The update includes native swaps, bridges, fiat onramps, and a dedicated Sei ecosystem page within MetaMask Portfolio. Sei, now processing 4.2 million daily transactions and holding over $600M TVL, recently launched its EVM-compatible Sei V2. The move reflects MetaMask’s broader push to support both EVM and non-EVM chains, joining networks like Arbitrum, Solana, and BNB Chain. (The Block)
OpenAI Rolls Out GPT-5 to All ChatGPT Users, Including Free Tier
OpenAI has launched GPT-5, its latest AI model, to all ChatGPT users, including those on the free plan, for the first time. The new model is faster, smarter, and less prone to hallucinations, with improved safety measures and 5,000 hours of testing. GPT-5 introduces reasoning capabilities to free users, while Plus and Pro subscribers get higher limits and exclusive access to GPT-5 Pro. The update is expected to help ChatGPT reach 700 million weekly active users, and developers can now access three API versions—gpt-5, gpt-5-mini, and gpt-5-nano—tailored for different performance and cost needs. (Watcher Guru)
KakaoBank Prepares to Enter South Korea’s Stablecoin Market Amid Policy Push
KakaoBank is exploring stablecoin issuance and custody services in collaboration with Kakao’s stablecoin task force, positioning itself for South Korea’s emerging won-based stablecoin market. The move aligns with President Lee Jae Myung’s push for a local stablecoin framework to curb capital flight, with supporting legislation already proposed. Backed by its role in the Bank of Korea’s CBDC trial and robust growth in H1 2025, KakaoBank is leveraging its tech capabilities and risk management expertise to compete in the evolving digital finance space. (The Block)
