Binance Connect and Trust Wallet make crypto access easier

Binance Connect and Trust Wallet make crypto access easier

Trust Wallet, a leading self-custody Web3 wallet trusted by over 200 million users, has launched Buy+, a new feature powered by Binance Connect, to simplify crypto access for users worldwide and make onboarding easier for newcomers.

As per the press release, the feature allows anyone to purchase tokens on BNB Chain, Base and Solana using fiat, without needing to own crypto assets, or to understand complex crypto workflows.


Before this improvement, buying a new or trending token often meant a multi-step process, including manual swaps and switching between platforms. For many this was confusing, time-consuming, and carried the risk of mistakes. Now, with Buy+, Trust Wallet simplifies everything into one seamless flow ,making it possible to go from card, Apple/Google Pay and more, to a user’s desired token in just a few taps, all without leaving the app or giving up self-custody.

“The first step to onboard a fiat asset into the desired crypto asset directly is often the hardest. And that’s what we’re improving as part of the effort to bring web2 user experience to web3 tech,” said Eowyn Chen, CEO of Trust Wallet. “When people discover a good crypto asset, they want to be able to buy it quickly, securely, and easily. Increasingly, these assets are not the major coins but rather smaller, trending tokens. So, we seamlessly integrate fiat onboarding with on-chain crypto swapping with the fewest steps. With this new capability, we’re giving users a simpler, safer, and smarter way to get their desired tokens —without compromising on self-custody or experience.”


Buy+ works by intelligently routing transactions based on token availability. If a token is directly supported by Binance Connect, the purchase is completed in one seamless fiat-to-crypto flow. If not, the feature automatically facilitates a two-step process — first acquiring the required native token and then swapping it within the Trust Wallet app — all while maintaining full self-custody and minimizing complexity for the user.

This feature pairs Binance Connect’s fiat-to-crypto infrastructure with Trust Wallet’s smart routing and swap capabilities to deliver a uniquely seamless experience that balances speed, flexibility, and full ownership.

“At Binance, we’re focused on breaking down barriers to crypto adoption, and the launch of the Buy+ feature in Trust Wallet — powered by Binance Connect — is a major step in that direction,” said Thomas Gregory, Vice President of Fiat at Binance. “By removing the complexity of chains, swaps, and token transfers, we’re giving users — especially those new to crypto — a faster, simpler way to access the tokens and communities they care about. Binance Connect is proud to power this experience and enable our partners to deliver seamless fiat-to-crypto journeys.”

Other blockchain networks will be supported in the future as Binance Connect expands access to Web3 tokens.

The feature however is currently not available in the UK, US, Canada, Nigeria, Netherlands, Russia, Belarus, Cape Verde, Cuba, Syria and Iran. This communication is not intended for audiences within the United Kingdom. If you are accessing this content from within the United Kingdom, please exit immediately.

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Bybit launched crypto trading challenge for Africa

Bybit launched crypto trading challenge for Africa

Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, announced the launch of Bybit P2P Africa Showdown, an exclusive trading challenge for eligible users in Africa.

The competition features a tiered reward system where participants can unlock increasingly valuable prizes based on their trading volumes. From now until July 19, 2025, the event offers participants the opportunity to win from a 1,800 USDT prize pool while competing for over 2,200 pieces of exclusive Bybit merchandise, including limited edition apparel, tote bags, tumblers and more.

To participate, traders must register for the event and complete a minimum of 50,000 USDT in eligible P2P buy orders during the campaign period. Apart from Bybit-branded merchandises, the top five traders in each currency will also take home extra USDT rewards.

Bybit P2P contributes to eliminating traditional barriers to the digital asset sphere, and connects buyers and sellers directly via its user-friendly trading platform. It offers enhanced privacy, KYC and security infrastructure, greater control over transaction terms, and access to local payment methods that may not be available through conventional service providers. For African traders, Bybit P2P supports local currency transactions and payment preferences, making digital assets more accessible to users across diverse financial ecosystems.

The event is exclusive for eligible Bybit’s P2P users in Africa only. In-scope currencies include: Nigerian Naira (NGN), Kenyan Shilling (KES), Ghanaian Cedi (GHS), West African CFA Franc (XOF), and Central African CFA Franc (XAF).

Iranian government asks crypto exchanges to limit operating hours

Iranian government asks crypto exchanges to limit operating hours

After Iranian’s largest cryptocurrency platform, Nobitex, was exploited, resulting in the loss of more than $90 million in assets spanning a range of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, Ripple, Solana, Tron, and Ton, in the aftermath, the Iranian government has since then asked crypto exchanges to limit their operational hours from 10 am to 8 pm.

The exploitation was carried out by a pro-Israel group known as Gonjeshke Darande framing the attack as a politically motivated strike against Iranian digital infrastructure. Notably, Chainalysis analysis indicates that this is the case, the attacker-controlled wallets were burner addresses lacking private key access, suggesting that the theft of more than $90 million was likely politically motivated, rather than financial in nature. While this is the first hack of this scale exclusively for geopolitical purposes, this is not the first time there’s been increased activity during windows of high geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran, as noted in our 2024 Crypto Crime Report.

Israel is attacking the financial infrastructure of Iran, both with ATMs and crypto exchanges. Because of the sanctions, crypto exchanges like Nobitex have become the access platform for Iranians who want to access global crypto markets. Nobitex’s total inflows are well over $11 billion, compared to just under $7.5 billion for the next ten largest Iranian exchanges combined.

In the immediate aftermath of the exploit, Nobitex issued a public statement, assuring users that their funds were safe. While on-chain analysis confirms that the attacker burned the stolen funds, making them irretrievable, Nobitex has taken additional steps to reinforce user trust. Notably, the exchange has moved large quantities of Bitcoin to what appear to be newly established cold storage wallets, an effort likely aimed at bolstering its security posture and reducing exposure to similar future attacks.

Beyond Nobitex itself, the incident appears to have triggered a wider response from the Iranian regime. According to reports, the Central Bank of Iran has directed all domestic crypto exchanges to limit their operating hours to between 10 AM and 8 PM.

Jordan now allows crypto payments, trading and investments

Jordan now allows crypto payments, trading and investments

Jordan has passed its virtual asset regulations which will become applicable within the next 90 days. The law covers what is considered as virtual assets, what virtual asset service providers are allowed to be licensed as well as all the related AML and KYC requirements.

Law No 14 of 2025, notes that virtual assets can be used for payments, investments, and more. It also notes that VASPs can be licensed as crypto exchanges, crypto payment providers as well as crypto custodians.

The law does not cover digital securities, and digital financial assets which will be subject to their own regulations. It also does not cover CBDCs ( Central Bank Digital Currency) which will be issued by Jordan’s Central Bank

In its Article 4-L the law discusses how virtual assets will operate and managed by virtual asset platforms. It also discusses the exchange between virtual assets and Jordanian or foreign currency, the exchange between virtual assets and other virtual assets, the transfer of virtual assets from one address to another, the nature of virtual assets and their management, including the tools that enable
the price of Providing brokerage services in virtual asset trading operations and participating in and providing related financial services to issuers of virtual assets.

Talal Tabaa, a Jordanian national and Co-Founder and CEO of CoinMENA, noted on LinkedIn, ” With the passing of Law No. 14 of 2025, Jordan now has an official legal framework for virtual assets — marking a pivotal moment in the country’s journey toward financial innovation. More importantly, it signals a clear commitment to responsible growth.”

He gives full credit to the Central Bank of Jordan, the Jordan Securities Commission, and the Prime Minister Office for leading this effort. He also mentions their proactive consultation with the industry before finalizing the law set a strong example of collaborative policymaking.

He adds, ” By embracing this emerging asset class, Jordan is laying the groundwork to strengthen its financial ecosystem, attract fintech innovation and global investment and enhance consumer protection and trust. As a proud Jordanian and crypto entrepreneur, I believe this law will be a catalyst for building a more dynamic and inclusive financial future.”

In May 2025, The Jordanian Senate Finance and Economic Committee, chaired by Senator Rajai Muasher, approved the Virtual Assets Regulation Bill of 2025 on Monday, as received from the House of Representatives. This came during a meeting attended by Minister of State for Economic Affairs Muhannad Shehadeh, Minister of State for Legal Affairs Dr. Fayyad Qudah, Minister of State for Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Eng. Sami Smeirat, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank Ziad Ghanma, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Jordan Securities Commission Dr. Adel Bino, and Head of the Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Unit Samia Al-Sharif.

Prior to this in January 2025, The Jordanian government Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, approved the establishment of a comprehensive regulatory framework for virtual and digital assets within one year. The initiative aims to align with global standards and foster a robust digital economy in Jordan.

According to Statistica, the projected revenue in the crypto market for Jordan is estimated to reach US$29.4m in 2025 while the number of crypto users in Jordan is expected to reach 894.75k users by 2026. The user penetration rate is projected to be 7.36% in 2025 and is expected to rise to 7.72% by 2026.


Binance now serving Syria with crypto

Binance now serving Syria with crypto

With the lifting of the United States sanctions on Syria, Binance, the world’s largest exchange with 21 licenses globally, has announced that it is now serving Syrian users.

As per the press release this is a pivotal moment for financial inclusion and reconnection.

Binance stands as a trusted and compliant exchange in the digital economy. Syrian users will now have access to Binance’s suite of products and services, including hundreds of digital assets, spot and futures trading, staking and earn products, stablecoins, and Binance Pay for seamless cross-border remittances. Dedicated educational content in Arabic and localized support will ensure users can onboard with confidence and trade securely.

Syria’s population is approximately 24 million residents, with an estimated 8 to 15 million more living abroad. Years of economic instability and high inflation left many dependent on remittances, informal networks, and unstable local currencies. These factors may explain why Syria ranked top 10 countries globally for crypto-related search activity as recently as 2021.

Richard Teng, CEO at Binance, said, “After years of exclusion, Syrians now have the chance to build, invest, and connect. With Binance, they gain access to one of the most robust crypto ecosystems in the world, from trading and earning opportunities to seamless crypto payments. This isn’t just about opening accounts; it’s about opening futures and horizons.”

Binance is committed to supporting Syrian users through educational initiatives, practical guidance, and secure access to the digital economy. Our mission has always been to promote financial accessibility and inclusion, and today marks a meaningful step forward.

Flipster crypto trading platform appoints MENA regional manager

Flipster crypto trading platform appoints MENA regional manager

In a show of its intention to enter the MENA region Flipster, a cryptocurrency trading platform, has appointed a regional head to drive innovation in this high-potential market.

Previously an executive at Rain crypto exchange licensed in UAE and Bahrain, Benjamin Grolimund, is now the General Manager of the UAE at Flipster.
Grolimund brings nearly two decades of experience scaling business operations and driving compliant digital assets innovation in the region. Prior to this, Ben was the founder and CEO of Finally Technologies, and the Regional Head of MEA at Bloomberg.

Appointed as General Manager of the UAE, Benjamin will oversee the firm’s business and operational strategies in the region. His appointment comes at a pivotal growth phase for Flipster, reinforcing its commitment to providing traders of all experience levels with seamless, global access to crypto trading.

Expanding into the Middle East marks a natural progression in Flipster’s global strategy, driven by the region’s strong demand for digital assets and a highly engaged, informed investor base. This move builds on the platform’s performance in 2024, which included an 856% increase in trading volume across existing markets. With Benjamin’s leadership, Flipster is well-positioned to support the region’s growing digital asset ecosystem and confidently execute its vision for strategic expansion in this high-growth market.

“Joining Flipster at this pivotal moment is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a bold vision for the future of digital asset trading,” said Benjamin Grolimund, General Manager of the UAE at Flipster. “The Middle East’s progressive regulatory environment and commitment to financial innovation provide an ideal foundation for responsible growth. My focus will be on establishing a strong, compliant, and operationally sound presence in the region—ensuring we build with integrity, safety, and long-term scalability. I’m proud to be part of a team that is setting new standards in the industry and driving the next phase of global expansion.”

As per the press release, Flipster’s expansion into the Middle East signals its commitment to work with regulators, industry partners, and the broader community. This move aims to shape the future of digital assets while ensuring traders worldwide stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market, all while maintaining the highest standards of compliance in the region.

Flipster offers over 350 trading pairs across spot and perpetual futures markets, Flipster combines zero trading fees, tight spreads, and up to 100x leverage to give users a powerful edge in any market condition. Users can trade and earn simultaneously—with USDT used for trading continuing to earn APR rewards—maximizing capital efficiency without sacrificing execution.

Ethereum overtakes Bitcoin on OKX exchange

Ethereum overtakes Bitcoin on OKX exchange

OKX’s Global Chief Commercial Officer, Lennix Lai, has shared insights on latest trading data especially as BTC reaches a new fresh ATH. According to Lai, the latest trading data reveals that Ethereum has surpassed Bitcoin as OKX’s most traded cryptocurrency.

Ethereum has captured 27% of spot volume despite BTC recently setting a new all-time high of $110,730. Ethereum overtaking Bitcoin is a first for this year.

As per OKX, which is licensed in the UAE, the numbers tell the story. ETH now captures nearly 27% of spot volume versus Bitcoin’s 26.5%, completely flipping April’s dynamic when BTC dominated at 38% while Ethereum lagged below 20%.

According to Lai, this signals a distinct rotation as traders reposition while Bitcoin consolidates near all-time highs, despite BTC recently hitting a fresh record of $110,730. Even with the SEC’s delays on ETH staking ETFs, the Ethereum narrative is clearly gaining traction, potentially driven by anticipation around upcoming upgrades (e.g. Fusaka) and bullish news of TradFi institutions building Ethereum L2s to tokenize RWAs.

He adds, “What makes this shift even more remarkable is that it’s happening amid surging overall activity – we saw spot trading volume jump by 60% week-over-week in the second week of May, with momentum continuing as volumes climbed another 6% the following week while both ETH and BTC continued their rallies. The timing of this shift really shows us how the market is maturing.”

With Bitcoin futures open interest hitting a record $72 billion, Coinbase joining the S&P 500, and the GENIUS Act clearing the Senate in the US, OKX is seeing more clarity and potentially even deregulation in certain jurisdictions.

Lai concludes, “I think these are early signs of a more sophisticated market cycle where capital flows toward growth potential rather than simply chasing Bitcoin’s momentum. While corporate treasuries keep adding Bitcoin to their books, Ethereum’s comeback on our platform suggests we’re entering a more nuanced phase where traders are backing multiple horses in this bull market rather than putting all their chips on Bitcoin.”

LBank suspends UAE new users and disables trading for existing ones

LBank suspends UAE new users and disables trading for existing ones

LBank, a crypto exchange offering more than 800 crypto assets is seeking a license in UAE through Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) and as a result they are implementing changes to ensure regulatory compliance and high standards of consumer protection and transparency which include suspending new user registrations from the UAE.

As per their blog post, “As part of our ongoing commitment to full regulatory compliance and responsible innovation, LBank is currently in the process of securing a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license under the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA).
In alignment with regulatory expectations and to ensure the highest standards of consumer protection and operational transparency, the following temporary changes will apply to users accessing our services from the UAE.”

New user registrations from the UAE will be temporarily suspended, while existing UAE users will only be able to, cancel open orders
close active positions, withdraw funds. The blog post notes, deposits and new trading orders will be disabled during this interim period.

LBank stated, “We understand the importance of uninterrupted access and are working closely with regulators to complete the licensing process as efficiently and transparently as possible. This transition underscores our deep commitment to the UAE’s progressive regulatory framework and our goal to operate with full authorization and oversight under VARA. We appreciate your continued trust and patience as we work to build a safer, stronger, and fully compliant digital asset ecosystem in the UAE.”

One year after receiving license, BitOasis launches in Bahrain

One year after receiving license, BitOasis launches in Bahrain

BitOasis a crypto trading platform, which received its license in Bahrain in June 2024, and was acquired by CoinDCX crypto exchange, has now officially launched its operations in Bahrain with regional plans to reach 1 million users by 2026. Since its inception in 2016, BitOasis has processed over USD 7.4 billion in trading volume and raised over USD 40 million in funding. It also holds a license in Dubai UAE.

As per the announcement, BitOasis Bahrain will operate under a Crypto-Asset Services License from the Central Bank of Bahrain, delivering secure, compliant, and robust trading services for retail, corporate, and institutional users. It has also launched a premium services for high-net-worth individuals and institutional clients, featuring exclusive VIP offerings and dedicated relationship support. The platform also supports local bank transfers, ensuring seamless and efficient deposits and withdrawals across the GCC.

Attendees at the launch event were joined by Ali Dashti, the General Manager of BitOasis Bahrain, Ola Doudin, CEO and Co-Founder of BitOasis, and Sumit Gupta, Co-Founder of CoinDCX.

“Today marks a significant milestone as we proudly launch BitOasis in Bahrain,” said Ola Doudin, CEO and Co-Founder of BitOasis. “BitOasis has always stood for trust, providing the best experience for users, and maintaining a robust platform. With the backing of CoinDCX for over a year now, we are accelerating that mission. CoinDCX’s 200+ strong technology team now powers the platform’s backend, unlocking faster performance, deeper liquidity, stronger security, and a significantly enhanced product suite. Our ambition is clear: to reach one million users across the region by 2026, setting the gold standard for compliance, innovation, and customer experience.”.

According to IMARC Consulting, the GCC cryptocurrency market was valued at $744.3 million in 2024 and is projected to reach $3.5 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 16.75%. Additionally, approximately 38% of crypto users in the region have annual incomes exceeding USD 15,000, reflecting a strong base of financially empowered individuals.

“For CoinDCX, MENA is not a market to merely enter—it’s a region to co-build. Since acquiring BitOasis in July 2024, we’ve seen tremendous progress. BitOasis secured a full VASP License from VARA in December 2024, and with its launch in Bahrain, we’re further strengthening our regional presence. By joining forces, we’re creating a platform that’s local at heart but global in strength. Our goal is to transform the market, building the most secure, compliant, and future-ready crypto platform in the region,” said Sumit Gupta, Co-Founder, CoinDCX.

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HashKey receives crypto exchange license in UAE

HashKey receives crypto exchange license in UAE

Asian based HashKey Group (“HashKey”), digital asset financial services group, has secured a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license from Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) to provide both Virtual Asset Exchange Services and Virtual Asset Broker-Dealer Services within, and originating from, the Emirate of Dubai. The crypto exchange service will go live on May 19th 2025.

As per the press release, the license is part of HashKey’s expansion in the MENA region and will help to meet growing institutional needs. In January 2025, HashKey has announced it would soon be licensed in the UAE.

HashKey will offer clients several features such as USD and AED deposits and withdrawals, fiat on and off-ramping so that users can directly transfer USD from their bank account to HashKey Global MENAA’s fiat wallet. Standard Chartered will provide the fiat currency deposit and withdrawal services for the platform.

In addition HashKey will also be offering OTC services for the top 10 major tokens, through HashKey Global MENA, which will deliver regulated block trading with competitive all-inclusive pricing, ensuring transparent quotes and zero hidden fees for market-leading rates. While large orders benefit from instant execution, eliminating slippage risks, while flexible settlement options cater to institutional and HNWI liquidity needs.

“As a licensed platform, HashKey Global MENA embraces institutional needs by offering a regulated gateway for fiat-crypto transactions, backed by institutional-grade safeguards and strategic partnerships like Standard Chartered. Our regional expansion ambitions, with a strategic focus on the GCC, are rooted in empowering MENA’s institutions and HNWIs with seamless, cost-efficient access to global crypto markets, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a hub for blockchain innovation while prioritizing compliance and client protection at every step,” said Sherif Sanad, Country Manager, HashKey Global MENA.

As for the future, HashKey Global MENA will deliver not just virtual asset trading services, but aims to evolve and develop innovative digital asset products, designed and delivered within VARA’s robust regulatory and compliance framework.

HashKey Group already holds digital asset-related licenses from regulators in Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, and Bermuda, as well as VASP registration in Ireland and is actively pursuing a MiCA license in the EU.