Blockchain & Digital Assets Weekly Briefing - Week 15
- danae317
- Apr 11
- 6 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Week ending 11th April 2025
From a UK school accepting Bitcoin tuition to DOJ policy shifts and Kraken’s crypto payment cards, digital assets are entering the mainstream as regulation, innovation, and adoption collide on the global stage.
First UK school to accept Bitcoin for tuition payments.
DOJ Disbands Crypto Unit Amid Trump Administration's Continued Deregulation of Digital Assets.
Kraken and Mastercard Unlock Bitcoin Spending at 150M+ UK & EU Merchants.
Paul Atkins Confirmed as SEC Chair Following Senate Approval.
Pakistan Levels Up: CZ Joins Pakistan's Crypto Council as Nation Powers Bitcoin & AI with Surplus Energy.
Lomond School, first UK school to accept Bitcoin for tuition payments
Lomond School, a leading co-educational day and boarding school in Helensburgh, Scotland, has made headlines as the first private school in the UK to accept Bitcoin for tuition payments.
This innovative move reflects the school’s progressive approach and its desire to accommodate a growing number of international families who face challenges with traditional currency exchange.
By embracing cryptocurrency, Lomond School is aligning with principles rooted in Austrian economics, which advocate for sound money and minimal government intervention in financial systems. Bitcoin, underpinned by decentralized blockchain technology, offers a secure and transparent alternative to centralised banking—values increasingly appreciated in the global economy.
To ensure regulatory compliance, the school has partnered with FCA-registered firms CoinCorner and Musquet, converting all Bitcoin payments directly into pounds sterling while maintaining strict anti-money laundering protocols. This forward-thinking policy underscores Lomond’s commitment to innovation and financial literacy in education.
DOJ Disbands Crypto Unit Amid Trump Administration's Continued Deregulation of Digital Assets
The U.S. Department of Justice announced Monday that it is disbanding the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (NCET), a specialized unit focused on investigating crimes involving digital assets, "effective immediately". The move, effective immediately, was outlined in a memo from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who also served as President Donald Trump’s defense attorney during his 2024 criminal trial. In the memo, Blanche stated,
“The Department of Justice is not a digital assets regulator. However, the prior Administration used the Justice Department to pursue a reckless strategy of regulation by prosecution, which was ill conceived and poorly executed.”
NCET was established in 2021 under the Biden administration as a joint effort among DOJ prosecutors specializing in money laundering, cybercrime, and related areas. The unit played a central role in cases involving crypto exchanges, privacy-enhancing tools, and illicit use of digital assets. According to Blanche, the decision to dissolve the unit aligns with President Trump’s January executive order, which called for regulatory clarity and a streamlined approach to oversight in the digital asset sector.
Blanche also stated that
"the Justice Department [will] prioritize investigations and prosecutions that involve conduct victimizing investors, [...] Such enforcement actions are important to restoring stolen funds to customers, building investor confidence in the security of digital asset markets, and the growth of the digital asset industry."
Blanche further directed DOJ personnel to shift their focus toward prosecuting individuals who commit fraud against crypto investors, rather than targeting infrastructure providers such as exchanges, mixers like Tornado Cash, or offline wallets. The dissolution of NCET reflects a broader trend under the Trump administration to scale back federal enforcement actions in the cryptocurrency space.
Under the Justice Department’s new policy, prosecutors are allowed to treat Bitcoin and Ether as commodities when bringing charges. They are discouraged from challenging that classification, since both assets are widely recognized as commodities by regulators and the courts. Any attempt to argue otherwise would require special approval from senior DOJ leadership and is unlikely to be granted without strong justification.
Kraken and Mastercard Unlock Bitcoin Spending at 150M+ UK & EU Merchants
Mastercard has announced a major partnership with Kraken to enable real-world Bitcoin and cryptocurrency payments across the UK and Europe. This collaboration will allow Kraken users to spend their digital assets at over 150 million Mastercard-accepting merchants worldwide, marking a significant step toward mainstream adoption of crypto in daily commerce.
Kraken, a leading crypto exchange with over 15 million global users, will leverage Mastercard’s payment infrastructure to launch both physical and digital debit cards, "to bridge the gap between the crypto economy and everyday spending".
The initiative builds on the momentum of Kraken Pay, a recently launched feature offering fast, borderless crypto and fiat payments. In just three months, over 200,000 users have activated their personal “Kraktag,” enabling simple money transfers—just like sending a text.
UK and European users can now join the waitlist for the upcoming crypto debit cards, signaling a new chapter in how Bitcoin and other digital assets are used in the real world.
"Our clients want to easily pay for real-world goods and services using their cryptocurrencies or stablecoins," said David Ripley, Co-CEO of Kraken.
This move follows Mastercard’s ongoing commitment to crypto innovation, including its recent collaboration with Mercado Bitcoin to launch the Mastercard Crypto Credential, simplifying peer-to-peer blockchain transactions.
Kraken customers interested in joining the waitlist for this new crypto payment offering can sign up by following the link below.
Paul Atkins Confirmed as SEC Chair Following Senate Approval
The U.S. Senate confirmed Paul Atkins as Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) yesterday by a 52-44 vote. A former SEC commissioner from 2002 to 2008, Atkins was nominated by President Donald Trump and is widely known for his market-friendly regulatory approach and strong advocacy for digital asset innovation. He has consistently called for clearer, more consistent rules governing cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology, positioning him as a prominent voice within the crypto policy landscape.
Before rejoining the SEC, Atkins founded Patomak Global Partners, a financial consultancy advising firms on regulatory compliance, and co-chaired the Token Alliance, a key industry group promoting best practices in the token economy. His confirmation faced some delays due to scrutiny over financial disclosures, particularly investments linked to his spouse’s family, which include holdings in crypto-related firms.
Atkins is expected to lead the SEC with a focus on regulatory clarity, especially in areas like stablecoins and decentralized finance, while maintaining investor protections. Industry stakeholders are closely watching his next steps, anticipating a more constructive and innovation-friendly environment for digital assets under his leadership.
Pakistan Levels Up: CZ Joins Pakistan's Crypto Council as Nation Powers Bitcoin & AI with Surplus Energy
Pakistan is taking strategic steps to position itself as a hub for emerging technologies by utilizing surplus electricity to power Bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. This initiative aims to address the country’s energy overcapacity while generating new economic opportunities through digital innovation. By attracting mining firms and investing in digital infrastructure, Pakistan seeks to turn a long-standing energy challenge into a tech-driven solution.
In parallel with these efforts, the country’s crypto ambitions have received a significant boost with the appointment of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) as Strategic Advisor to the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC). CZ’s involvement signals growing international confidence in Pakistan’s Web3 potential and aligns with the broader vision to integrate blockchain and digital assets into the national economy.
“We are sending a clear message to the world: Pakistan is open for innovation. With CZ onboard, we are accelerating our vision to make Pakistan a regional powerhouse for Web3, digital finance, and blockchain-driven growth" said Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, Finance Minister of Pakistan and Chairman PCC.
As part of his advisory role, CZ will help guide the development of blockchain infrastructure, offer insights on regulatory frameworks, and support national initiatives including digital currency adoption, crypto mining, and youth education in blockchain and emerging technologies.
CZ’s appointment marks a pivotal step forward, positioning Pakistan alongside global leaders like Singapore, Dubai, and Switzerland as a forward-thinking nation ready to embrace the Web3 future.
WHAT WE ARE READING
Bitcoin hashrate tops 1 Zetahash in historic first, trackers show
China Raises Tariffs on US to 125% and Says It Won’t Go Higher
The Risk-Free Asset Class Is Looking a Lot Riskier These Days
Tether Explores New US Stablecoin Launch Targeting Institutions
New York Bill Aims to Explore Blockchain for Safer Elections
Bitcoin mining expansion in U.S. at risk as tariffs hit equipment imports
Ukraine Considers Up to 23% Personal Income Tax on Crypto in Newly Proposed Tax Scheme