Crypto
Bitcoin Hits Record High After Stablecoin Bill Advances in Senate | PYMNTS.com
Bitcoin reportedly hit an all-time high of $109,730 Wednesday (May 21), driven in part by the Monday (May 19) news that a stablecoin bill advanced in the U.S. Senate.
The cryptocurrency reached its previous record high around the Jan. 20 inauguration of President Donald Trump, which heightened the market’s hopes for regulatory clarity around crypto, Bloomberg reported Wednesday.
Bitcoin has also benefited from some investors’ belief that it offers a haven from financial market turmoil, from some companies stockpiling the token, and from the greater variety of bitcoin exposure available to investors, according to the report.
The crypto industry-backed bill in the Senate is set for debate and could pass as soon as this week, per the report.
“It’s the shift of approach from [former Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler and the SEC] to this Trump administration, which has embraced our industry,” Michael Novogratz, founder and CEO of Galaxy Digital, told Bloomberg TV Wednesday. “That freed up the animal spirits both here and abroad.”
The Senate voted to advance the country’s first stablecoin legislation, the GENIUS Act, an acronym for Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins of 2025 Act, on Monday after weeks of political back-and-forth, PYMNTS reported Tuesday (May 20).
“Tonight’s vote is a welcome and long-overdue step toward asserting U.S. leadership in digital assets,” Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., said in a press release. “After playing politics, I’m glad many of my Democratic colleagues have returned to the table and are supporting a bipartisan product they helped shape. By moving forward on the GENIUS Act, we are one step closer to delivering a regulatory framework that keeps innovation in America, protects consumers, and safeguards our national security.”
After hitting its previous record high in January upon Trump’s inauguration, the price of bitcoin fell by as much as 30% when new tariffs led to a market downturn.
However, it rose back above the $100,000 mark for the first time in three months on May 8 amid anticipation for a relaxation of global tariff-related tensions following a new trade deal.
“It just speaks to the large amount of demand for digital assets in the industry, and especially bitcoin,” Cosmo Jiang of Pantera Capital told Bloomberg at the time.
Key Takeaways
- IHC executed a landmark $30 million transaction using the new DDSC token on ADI Chain.
- This milestone expands the UAE crypto market, following approvals for Mbank’s AE Coin and Zand’s AEDZ.
- Developers now plan to connect the Middle East with global markets via new DDSC digital trade corridors.
Major Institutional Transaction Executed
The Abu Dhabi-based global investment company, International Holding Company (IHC), has executed a $30 million (AED 110 million) transaction using a stablecoin backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) dirham, marking the first major institutional use of the stablecoin since receiving regulatory approval. The transaction was carried out using the DDSC stablecoin on ADI Chain, an institutional Layer-2 blockchain developed by the ADI Foundation.
Officials said the multimillion-dollar transaction demonstrates the digital currency ecosystem’s operational readiness and ability to handle institutional volumes. DDSC was created through a partnership among IHC, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Sirius International Holding, with technological support from the ADI Foundation.
The Central Bank of the UAE’s approval of the DDSC stablecoin earlier this year is part of a broader regulatory push that has already seen multiple dirham-backed tokens clear licensing hurdles. As per one report, the first AED stablecoin to secure central bank approval was the AE Coin, issued by Al Maryah Community Bank (Mbank). Additionally, Zand Bank recently obtained a license for AEDZ, distinguishing itself as the UAE’s first regulated, multi-chain AED-backed stablecoin designed to operate natively on public blockchains.
According to a media statement, the project aims to provide secure and regulated digital transactions for corporations and individuals while speeding up cross-border payments and trade settlements.
“This transaction demonstrates that the UAE’s digital infrastructure is live, resilient, and ready to support real institutional financial activity,” Syed Basar Shueb, chief executive officer of IHC, said in a statement. “Executing 110 million DDSC on ADI Chain is a clear signal that we are entering the next phase, where institutional-grade digital assets are not only viable, but operational at scale.”
Proponents of stablecoins argue they reduce the high costs, delays and complexities associated with traditional international banking systems, particularly in emerging markets.
Following the successful transaction, developers said they plan to expand institutional participation and establish new digital trade and payment corridors connecting the Middle East with global markets.
This week was a rollercoaster ride in the world of cryptocurrency and NFTs. From Michael Saylor and Kevin O’Leary sharing their insights on Bitcoin, to the surprising performance of XRP ETFs and SpaceX revealing its Bitcoin holdings ahead of its IPO. Not to forget, the popular NFT brand Pudgy Penguins is extending its partnership with Manchester City Soccer Club.
Let’s dive into the details.
Michael Saylor’s Bitcoin Perspective
Michael Saylor, CEO of MicroStrategy Inc., stated that Bitcoin would have been trading between $40,000 and $50,000 without his company’s involvement. MicroStrategy is the world’s largest corporate holder of Bitcoin, owning approximately 818,000 units. Saylor believes that even without his company, Bitcoin would have found success, but MicroStrategy’s involvement accelerated its price appreciation.
Read the full article here.
Kevin O’Leary’s Take On Bitcoin
Kevin O’Leary, the “Shark Tank” star, emphasized the need for a crypto bill to pass for Bitcoin and tokenization to move beyond the fringes for major institutional players. He believes that global compliance within the SEC through the passage of a bill will change everything. With the midterms approaching in November, O’Leary sees the present as the perfect opportunity to pass this bill.
Read the full article here.
XRP ETFs Vs Bitcoin ETFs
While Bitcoin ETFs saw a loss of $1.4 billion, XRP-linked funds attracted $42 million. This stark contrast in performance has left many wondering about the future of these cryptocurrencies. XRP held near $1.37, down 1% on the day.
Read the full article here.
SpaceX’s Bitcoin Holdings
SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, revealed that it holds more than $1 billion in Bitcoin on its balance sheet. The company disclosed 18,712 BTC on hand as of March 31, recognized at a fair value of $1.29 billion. At current prices, this stash would be worth $1.45 billion.
Read the full article here.
Pudgy Penguins And Manchester City
The popular NFT brand Pudgy Penguins announced the extension of its collaboration with English soccer club Manchester City. This follows the successful launch of a limited-edition collectible and hoodie earlier this year. The brand promises to create exciting experiences at the intersection of physical and digital, bringing Pengu and Pudgy Penguins to City fans worldwide.
Read the full article here.
Binance In The Eye Of The Storm
Read the full article here.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image via Shutterstock
Key Takeaways
- The Libra Trust got 71 apps and will next fund Argentine firms seeking to grow.
- To fight scam claims, Hayden Davis sent funds on Nov 22 to the trust, which will distribute grants by November.
- To restore market trust, the fund could next pay Viva La Libertad victims filing claims before Nov 22, 2025.
Libra Trust Set up to Empower Argentine Companies After the Token’s Demise
Over a year after the Viva La Libertad project, also known as the Libra token, faced its demise, leaving thousands of investors affected, the funds kept from token purchases seem to be, at last, fulfilling its original purpose.
Proceeds from Libra’s token sale, infamously promoted by Argentine President Javier Milei on social media, are now in the hands of the Libra Trust, which received the funds from alleged Libra creator Hayden Davis on November 22 as a defense strategy to disprove the scam allegations made against Davis in a lawsuit.
According to Argentine media, the trust, whose purpose is to bring these funds to Argentine companies seeking grants to support their growth, has already received 71 applications to access part of these funds.
In the next few days, the Trust will begin organizing these applications and running checks on their feasibility and origin before delivering any funds. While there are no set dates for this, the Trust indicated that the grants will start being delivered before November.
“The timing of the distributions will depend on the promptness with which funding applicants respond to the questions that will be sent in the coming days,” the Trust stated.
“Financing decisions will be made based on the needs of the selected applicants. The trust funds will be managed prudently to enable the financing of strong applications that merit support,” it revealed, without giving further details on how this support would be distributed.
Nonetheless, the trust also opened a path for Libra’s victims to apply for compensation, for Argentine nationals who filed claims regarding alleged losses arising from the investment in the Libra token before November 22, 2025.
Even so, there is no certainty in how many of these funds will be distributed.
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