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24 Apr 2026, 11:24
EU targets Russia's sanctions evasion cryptos, allies in 20th package of sanctions

Russian ruble-pegged stablecoins like A7A5 and RUBx will be hit by the EU’s newest sanctions aimed at further cutting Moscow’s financial flows. The restrictions introduced by Brussels seek to thwart transactions using both traditional and digital currencies by attacking processing entities. Europe imposes ‘total ban’ on Russian crypto platforms The European Union is now banning all Russia-based service providers and platforms allowing the transfer and trading of crypto assets. The measure is part of the bloc’s 20th round of sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine, adopted by the European Council. It affects entities operating out of other jurisdictions as well. Announced as the biggest and most comprehensive package approved in the past two years, the set also targets 20 Russian banks and four financial institutions in third countries. The transaction ban has been slapped for bypassing EU restrictions or for connecting to Russia’s System for Transfer of Financial Messages (SPFS), the Russian alternative to SWIFT. Brussels is recognizing, however, that in the face of more impenetrable barriers in the traditional financial space, Moscow has been turning toward decentralized digital money. An official press release highlighted: “Due to sweeping sanctions on its financial sector, Russia is becoming increasing reliant on cryptocurrencies for international transactions.” EU aims at rubble-pegged stablecoins A7A5 and RUBx Indeed, Russia has been expanding the use of digital assets in foreign trade, most notably the stablecoin A7A5, which is backed by Russian ruble deposits in a sanctioned bank. The fiat-pegged cryptocurrency, reportedly created by the Russian company A7, is now issued by the Kyrgyzstan -registered firm Old Vector, which claims to be “fully independent.” On Thursday, the Council said: “Noting this trend, the EU is designating a Kyrgyz entity operating an exchange where significant amounts of the government backed stablecoin A7A5 is traded.” A7A5 was launched on the Tron and Ethereum networks in early 2025 and has since managed to take over nearly half of the global market for non-dollar stablecoins. It processed transactions worth more than $100 billion in less than a year, according to a report released by the blockchain analytics firm Elliptic in January 2026. The EU is banning transactions in another Russian cryptocurrency as well, RUBx. The latter is tied to the Russian national currency, too. Based on Tron, the digital token was developed and launched by the sanctioned state-owned defense and technology giant Rostec last summer. Brussels is also prohibiting all EU support for the development of the digital ruble , the central bank digital currency (CBDC) issued by the Bank of Russia. “Moreover, the Union is introducing a total sectoral ban on providers and platforms established in Russia that allow for the transfer and exchange of crypto assets,” the announcement emphasized. “Lastly, netting transactions with Russian agents are now forbidden to avoid the circumvention of EU sanctions,” as per the decision made by the leaders of the 27 member states. Belarus’ crypto role also targeted The latest EU sanctions are targeting another Russian ally, besides Kyrgyzstan. “Today’s package continues to address Belarus’ role in enabling Russia’s war of aggression,” the Council stated. The measures regarding Minsk are “intended to mirror those imposed on Russia” and include “measures on crypto and restrictions on the provision of cyber security services,” according to the statement. At the start of this year, its long-time leader, President Alexander Lukashenko, signed a decree authorizing the establishment of “crypto banks” in the country. This week, a top executive of its central bank told local media these institutions will be able to work with 26 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Toncoin (TON), and Solana (SOL). They will also be allowed to carry out 11 operations with them, including offering crypto deposits and loans, using coins as collateral, conducting staking operations, processing transfers, issuing their own digital tokens, and providing exchange and storage services. The European Council’s latest decision extends the Belarus sanctions regime until February 28, 2027. It comes alongside the final approval of a €90 billion loan for Ukraine. Your bank is using your money. You’re getting the scraps. Watch our free video on becoming your own bank
24 Apr 2026, 11:23
Pepe coin holds critical $0.00000350 support as buyers return

🚀 Pepe coin rebounds as buyers defend $0.00000350 support. Momentum shifts towards accumulation after an 85% drop in $PEPE. Continue Reading: Pepe coin holds critical $0.00000350 support as buyers return The post Pepe coin holds critical $0.00000350 support as buyers return appeared first on COINTURK NEWS .
24 Apr 2026, 11:20
Bitget Launches Pre-IPO Token Trading Starting With SpaceX on Solana

Bitget has launched IPO Prime, a platform offering tokenized exposure to private companies before they go public, with SpaceX as the first listing via a derivative token called preSPAX minted on the Solana blockchain. The offering is issued through Republic, a private markets investment platform, and began trading after a brief subscription window, giving retail investors near-immediate liquidity on a pre-IPO name that has been off-limits to almost everyone outside Sand Hill Road. The core question this raises: whether tokenized pre-IPO derivatives represent a genuine democratization of private market access, or a new category of structured risk that regulators have not yet caught up with. Key Takeaways Product launch: Bitget’s IPO Prime platform offers tokenized exposure to private companies ahead of public listings. First listing: preSPAX, a derivative token tracking SpaceX’s economic performance, issued via Republic on Solana. Token structure: preSPAX is a derivative – not equity – designed to mirror financial outcomes tied to SpaceX’s post-IPO valuation. Mechanics: Users commit stablecoins into a pool and receive tokens proportional to total demand; tokens trade on a spot market immediately after distribution. Chain: Solana, increasingly positioned as a settlement layer for tokenized real-world assets. Watch item: Whether the SEC or equivalent regulators classify preSPAX-style instruments as unregistered securities will determine how fast IPO Prime can scale globally. Discover: The best pre-launch token sales How IPO Prime Actually Works, and What a preSPAX Buyer Actually Holds The mechanics are straightforward but the product structure deserves precision. Users deposit stablecoins into a subscription pool during a defined window; token allocations are then distributed based on total pool demand rather than fixed lots. Once distributed, preSPAX trades on Bitget’s spot market, letting holders enter and exit as sentiment around a SpaceX IPO shifts. preSPAX launch sale in now LIVE on Bitget IPO Prime! > Total supply: 94,000 preSAPX > Subscription price: 1 preSPAX = $650 > Implied SpaceX valuation: $1.5T > Commit token: USDT or USDGO Subscription period: Apr 18, 06:00 – Apr 21, 06:00 (UTC) FCFS, join now ↓ — Bitget (@bitget) April 18, 2026 What a buyer actually holds is a derivative, not a share, not a convertible note, not a SAFE. preSPAX is structured to mirror the financial outcomes tied to SpaceX’s valuation at the point of a public debut. Republic, which specializes in private market access, issues the token; Solana handles settlement and custody of the on-chain instrument. The distinction from equity ownership is not a footnote, it is the entire legal architecture of the product. This structure breaks the traditional pre-IPO lock-up model, where venture stakes in private firms can sit illiquid for three to seven years. IPO Prime’s spot market creates an exit valve that did not previously exist for retail participants. That is genuinely new. What it does not provide is voting rights, pro-rata rights, or any direct claim on SpaceX assets. What the SpaceX Hook Reveals About Retail Demand for Pre-IPO RWA Exposure Tokenization of real-world assets has expanded rapidly across bonds, money market funds, and commodities, but pre-IPO equity exposure has remained structurally inaccessible to retail. SpaceX is not an arbitrary first listing. The company has reportedly filed confidentially for an IPO, making it one of the most anticipated market debuts in years, with retail demand that has no conventional outlet. Bitget’s choice of Solana as the settlement chain aligns with a broader trend. Solana has absorbed an increasing share of RWA tokenization activity in 2025 and 2026, drawn by throughput and low transaction costs relative to Ethereum mainnet. Republic’s involvement adds a layer of private market credibility that a pure crypto-native issuer would lack. The competitive pressure here is real. Exchanges are racing to extend product surface area beyond spot and derivatives into structured exposure products. Bitget’s IPO Prime is a direct response to that dynamic, and a signal that pre-IPO tokenization is moving from niche experiment to exchange-tier product category. Explore the top RWA presale projects now The post Bitget Launches Pre-IPO Token Trading Starting With SpaceX on Solana appeared first on Cryptonews .
24 Apr 2026, 11:18
Bitcoin’s will-it-won’t-it rally fails again as global stocks remain mixed

Bitcoin is trading near $77,911, up 0.67%, but the rally is still failing to break cleanly higher. Open interest is at $122.62B, down 0.81%, while liquidations fell to $163.29M. USDC on Binance rose from about $4.5B in March to $7.51B by April 21. Gold is down this week, while the dollar and 10-year Treasury yields are rising.
24 Apr 2026, 11:17
Bitcoin, dollar move in near-perfect opposition. It hasn't been this extreme in almost 4 years.

What you need to know for April 24, 2026
24 Apr 2026, 11:09
Bitcoin Holds a Strong Base—But $80K Break Will Decide the Next Leg











































