Tokyo has launched a subsidy program for businesses creating yen-denominated stablecoin use cases, offering up to 40 million yen. Applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria and can face repayment penalties if use cases aren't developed or subsidies are misused.

Gate News message, according to an announcement from the LeverFi project team, the LeverFi (LEVER) token will soon be swapped for a new Sedunia (SED) token. Gate will delist the LeverFi (LEVER) trading service on April 18, 2026 at 11:00 (UTC+8), including the LEVER_USDT spot trading pair and quantitative grid. At the same time, Gate has suspended deposits for LEVER. Users need to complete the token swap themselves via the channels specified by the project team; it is recommended to withdraw LEVER tokens to your personal wallet before April 21. Any ongoing LEVER quantitative trading strategies must be adjusted in advance, otherwise they will be forcibly stopped before the delisting.

The Ethereum NFT marketplace Foundation has permanently shut down after its acquisition by BlackDove failed. With no plans for restoration, users must withdraw their NFT assets despite a year of continued media service.

Robert Dunlap has been sentenced to 23 years in federal prison for a $20 million cryptocurrency fraud scheme involving the sale of a fictitious coin, falsely backed by valuable assets. He was convicted of mail fraud and must pay restitution to nearly 1,000 victims.

Russia's central bank will require cryptocurrency traders to verify their identities and declare overseas holdings by July 2026. Transfers must go through official channels, with plans for a digital ruble to support transparency and compliance.

Gate News message: On April 13, the third-party trading market Atomicals Market in the Bitcoin ecosystem posted on the X platform announcing that it will officially stop operating on April 30. The platform said that the current order and bid data are all stored off-chain, and they will no longer be displayed after the shutdown. Users do not need to take any additional action regarding their orders or quotes, but they must transfer their assets or export the AM Wallet private key before the service is discontinued.

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Chen Weimin, said the timeline for issuing the second batch of stablecoin licenses is still uncertain and may be affected by the two institutions granted licenses in the first batch. In addition, China-funded institutions were advised to put their applications on hold, and the number of institutions ultimately granted licenses will be limited, with only a small number meeting the requirements of the “Stablecoin Ordinance.” HSBC Payme users can enable a stablecoin account, but they must be Hong Kong local residents.

Argentina’s National Securities Commission revises the definition of eligible investors, bringing virtual assets within the scope of recognition. In addition, investors must hold at least 350k UVA. Furthermore, new crowdfunding financing provisions have been added, allowing non-eligible investors to participate in certain offerings. The maximum investment per transaction is 3,000 UVA, with a total cumulative limit not exceeding 10k UVA.

Hong Kong Monetary Authority Deputy Chief Executive Officer Chen Weimin said that stablecoin issuers may choose to issue currencies such as Hong Kong dollars or renminbi based on their own discretion, but must obtain regulatory approval from the Mainland. As for the timetable for the second batch of stablecoin issuer licenses, there is no schedule yet. HSBC’s stablecoin will be integrated with PayMe and the HSBC HK App, supporting real-time transfers and person-to-merchant services.

Circle’s Chief Strategy Officer Dante Disparte responded to the Drift Protocol theft incident, emphasizing that freezing USDC is being carried out according to law, calling for stronger coordination between law and technology, and suggesting that DeFi protocols should draw on protection mechanisms from traditional markets to advance legal protection of property rights and financial privacy.