The coin was developed by World Liberty Financial, a company where Trump is listed as “chief crypto advocate” and his sons serve as “Web3 ambassadors.” The token, launched shortly after Trump’s re-election, has already sold over US$550 million worth of coins — much of it after November.

The deal was announced in Dubai by Zach Witkoff, son of Trump’s former envoy to the Middle East, who appeared on stage with Eric Trump. Democrats have accused the move of being a front for corruption, with Senator Elizabeth Warren calling it “a shady deal backed by a foreign government.”

With Trump set to visit the UAE and Saudi Arabia in two weeks, critics say the overlap between his private interests and foreign diplomacy has never been more naked.

Strategy doubles down on Bitcoin with fresh US$21 billion raise

Michael Saylor’s Strategy (NASDAQ:MSTR) reported a US$16.5 billion quarterly loss and a massive US$5.9 billion writedown on its Bitcoin stash — but that hasn’t slowed its hunger for more.

Instead, the firm announced a new US$21 billion stock offering, the proceeds of which will go toward purchasing even more Bitcoin. As of April, Strategy held 553,555 BTC acquired at an average cost of US$68,459 — now worth around US$53 billion at current prices. The company is targeting a 25 percent BTC yield and a US$15 billion gain by the end of the year, signaling a long-term vision despite short-term pain.

Morgan Stanley moves toward crypto trading on E*Trade

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) is reportedly gearing up to launch direct crypto trading for users of E*Trade, its retail investment arm, in a major leap toward integrating digital assets with mainstream finance.

The bank, which acquired E*Trade in 2020, currently only offers crypto ETF access, but new plans would allow clients to buy and sell actual tokens. Insiders say Morgan Stanley is in talks with multiple crypto-native firms to provide backend infrastructure, signaling a shift from hesitancy to full participation. The move comes just days after the US Federal Reserve scrapped prior crypto-related restrictions, effectively greenlighting banks to enter the space.

With more than 5 million active users, E*Trade could become one of the largest onramps into crypto for average investors if the plan moves forward.

CIA deputy director discusses Bitcoin’s role in intelligence

During an appearance on Anthony Pompliano’s podcast, Michael Ellis, deputy director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), said the agency is increasingly incorporating Bitcoin as a tool in its counter-intelligence operations, also noting that working with the cryptocurrency is a matter of national security.

“People may have thought Bitcoin was anonymous, but I’d say it’s synonymous, and there’s a lot of work that we do with law enforcement to try to track illicit crypto payments by bad actors,” he said.

“Whether they’re drug cartels or terrorist groups, outlaw regimes use cryptocurrency,’ Ellis continued.

“There is tremendous potential for law enforcement and the intelligence community to be able to use cryptocurrency to help track what our adversaries are doing to disrupt it.”

Coinbase to delist MOVE token

Coinbase Global (NASDAQ:COIN) will halt trading of the Movement Network token (MOVE) starting May 15.

In a Thursday (May 1) announcement on X, the exchange said the decision is due to MOVE’s inability to meet its listing requirements. Following this news, the price of MOVE dropped to below US$0.20.

Later, Movement Labs confirmed the suspension of co-founder Rushi Manche due to a controversial market maker agreement he facilitated, which led to an external investigation and Coinbase’s delisting.

Metaplanet issues bonds to increase Bitcoin holdings

Japan’s Metaplanet (OTCQX:MTPLF,TSE:3350) issued 3.6 billion yen, equivalent to roughly US$25 million, in bonds on Friday, earmarked to buy more Bitcoin. The newly issued bonds, which according to a filing were sold entirely to EVO FUND, carry no interest and can be redeemed at par value by October 31, 2025.

Metaplanet has been actively acquiring Bitcoin throughout 2025 and currently holds 5,000 BTC worth over US$485 million following its most recent purchase of 330 BTC on April 20.