This week’s crypto headlines span regulatory crackdowns, token launches, institutional adoption, and regional bans. From India’s $9B offshore probe to Ripple’s new license in Dubai, here are the top stories shaping digital assets.
MELANIA token tumbles after fund-movement questions
The MELANIA meme token plunged almost 98% from its all-time high after scrutiny over large on-chain sales and a delayed response from the project team, Cryptopolitan reported.
On-chain analytics cited in the story indicate that approximately $30 million was transferred from team wallets, and an additional $10 million was withdrawn from community pools and sold earlier in the year. The token briefly spiked after an AI-generated promotional post, but that move failed to restore confidence amid investor concern about transparency.
Blockchain trackers also flagged a pattern of staggered sales leading up to major price moves, which analysts said resembles dollar-cost-averaging liquidation.
The article notes that the team has not publicly clarified the fund movements, and critics have pointed to previous controversies surrounding associated developers. The episode highlights the volatility and governance risks around celebrity-linked meme tokens.
India targets $9B network of offshore crypto exchanges
India has intensified enforcement against an estimated $9 billion network of offshore crypto exchanges used to route local customers and allegedly evade domestic rules, Cryptopolitan reported. The story outlines coordinated actions by Indian authorities aimed at curbing unauthorized offshore platforms that offer rupee-on/off ramps and services to Indian users.
Officials cited in the article are focused on tightening compliance and tracing cross-border flows, including investigating payment service providers and gateway operators that process deposits for such exchanges. The crackdown reflects New Delhi’s broader push to regulate crypto activity while channeling large flows through licensed entities and formal banking rails.
The report says enforcement will combine financial monitoring, legal action, and coordination with foreign platforms where possible. The move could reshape where and how Indian retail traders access crypto services abroad.
Cryptopolitan
Ethereum posts strongest quarterly rebound since 2021
Ethereum staged its most robust quarterly performance since 2021, outpacing broader markets as traders rotated into the asset, according to CryptoSlate. The piece details that ETH’s return over the quarter reflected a mix of renewed demand for layer-1 exposure, a pick-up in decentralized finance activity, and inflows tied to token-specific narratives.
Price gains were accompanied by improvements in on-chain metrics, including rising active addresses and increased fee-based activity in key DeFi protocols. CryptoSlate’s analysis highlights that Ethereum’s rebound was more pronounced than Bitcoin’s in the same period, suggesting selective strength among smart-contract platforms.
The story notes that, while volatility remains a factor, the quarter’s performance signals a notable shift from previous consolidation into a clearer uptrend for ETH. It frames the rebound as the strongest quarterly outperformance for Ethereum since its 2021 run.
US government shutdown risks weighed for XRP
CryptoSlate examined how a potential U.S. government shutdown could affect XRP markets, noting several transmission channels between federal disruption and crypto activity. The article outlines that a shutdown could delay regulatory actions, filings, or court schedules tied to ongoing XRP litigation and related policy work.
That uncertainty might affect trading volumes and short-term sentiment, particularly for stakeholders awaiting legal clarity. CryptoSlate also discussed operational impacts, such as pauses in non-essential government services that interface with banking and compliance processes, which could indirectly affect fiat rails used by exchanges.
The piece stresses that while an immediate shock to XRP’s fundamentals is unlikely, timing and procedural delays could amplify volatility until legal and regulatory timelines resume normal function. Investors tied to XRP should monitor court calendars and official government communications.
Abu Dhabi bans Crypto Mining on Agricultural lands, imposes fines
Abu Dhabi has introduced a strict ban on cryptocurrency mining activities on agricultural lands and attached steep fines for violations, The Times of India reported. The measure aims to protect farmland, preserve irrigation and crop viability, and prevent the misuse of irrigation land for energy-intensive mining operations.
Local authorities said the ban responds to rising instances where mining set-ups were established in farming districts, straining electricity and water resources. The regulation includes enforcement measures and penalties intended to deter operators from repurposing agricultural plots for crypto mining.
Officials framed the policy as part of a broader land-use protection initiative, balancing energy and environmental considerations for the emirate. The move highlights how regional regulators are tailoring crypto-specific rules to local resource and land-management priorities.
The Times of India
QNB Adopts JPMorgan’s Kinexys Blockchain for Corporate Payments
Qatar National Bank has selected JPMorgan’s Kinexys blockchain network to streamline corporate payments, Cointelegraph reported. The integration positions QNB to leverage distributed ledger rails for faster cross-border and intra-bank transactions among corporate clients.
Cointelegraph’s coverage notes that the adoption aims to reduce settlement times and improve transparency across payment workflows, while aligning with broader bank modernization efforts. JPMorgan’s Kinexys offers tokenized settlement mechanisms and standardized connectivity for participating financial institutions.
QNB’s move reflects a trend among regional banks exploring permissioned blockchain solutions to enhance treasury and corporate banking services. The article indicates initial pilots will focus on specific corridors and use cases, with potential extensions if the system meets operational and regulatory expectations.
Cointelegraph
Binance launches “Sharia Earn” for faith-Conscious Staking Investors
Binance has introduced “Sharia Earn,” a new staking product tailored to faith-conscious Muslims seeking Sharia-compliant crypto yield, as reported by MENA News. The offering is framed as a bridge for investors requiring products that align with Islamic finance principles, combining staking returns with Sharia oversight.
MENA News explains that the product incorporates compliance checks and structuring intended to avoid interest (riba)-like constructs, aiming to make crypto staking more accessible to faith-based savers. Binance positioned the product as part of its regional expansion to meet local investor preferences.
The story highlights growing demand in the Middle East for crypto products that respect cultural and religious norms, and suggests such tailored services may broaden crypto adoption among conservative investor segments.
MENA Digital News
ADX to List MENA’s first DLT-based Digital Bond
The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) is set to list the region’s first distributed-ledger-technology (DLT) based digital bond, marking a significant advance in tokenized finance, as reported by MENA News.
The article states the digital bond will be issued and recorded on a permissioned ledger, enabling faster settlement, improved transparency, and automated compliance checks. ADX framed the initiative as part of its strategy to modernize capital markets and attract institutional and retail participation through digital asset innovation.
The MENA News piece explains that tokenized bonds can unlock broader investor access via fractionalization and streamline post-trade processes. Authorities and issuers expect the pilot listing to serve as a template for future tokenized securities in the region if the framework proves effective.
This move signals a promising future for tokenized finance in the region, offering exciting opportunities for investors and issuers alike.
Crypto.com faces customer-service backlash in Middle East.
Crypto.com is facing criticism in the Middle East due to poor user reviews and strained customer support experiences, according to MENA News. The article aggregates user complaints citing slow resolution times, limited regional support channels, and issues with local payment methods.
Reported problems include delayed withdrawals, account verification bottlenecks, and inconsistent responses from support teams. MENA News noted an increase in social-media activity from frustrated users and urged platforms to strengthen localized customer operations to match regional expectations.
The piece suggested that such reputation pressures could push crypto firms to improve onboarding and post-trade support as regional adoption expands. Crypto.com’s local teams have not been quoted in the article itself.
Ripple Secures full DFSA Approval to Offer Crypto Payments in the UAE
Ripple has gained full approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to offer cryptocurrency payment services in the UAE, according to MENA News. The DFSA authorization covers Ripple’s payment products in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), enabling the firm to operate under regulated frameworks for digital payments and settlement.
MENA News notes the approval signals regulatory openness in the UAE toward licensed crypto payment providers, and could accelerate enterprise adoption of blockchain-based cross-border payment solutions.
The article quotes industry sources who view the move as a milestone for mainstreaming crypto payments within the region’s financial infrastructure. Ripple’s DFSA clearance aligns with other recent moves to integrate regulated crypto services into established financial centers in the Gulf.