3 Feb 2026, 13:34

Filings show Aave founder Stani Kulechov purchased £22M Victorian mansion in Notting Hill

Crypto entrepreneur Stani Kulechov has purchased a mansion in London’s Notting Hill district for £22 million, or about $30 million, one of the priciest residential deals in the city over the past year. According to a Tuesday report by Bloomberg, the DeFi lending platform Aave founder secured the property in November for about £2 million below the guide price. The home is a Victorian property spread over five floors and with wide views over the Notting Hill neighborhood. The acquisition comes as London’s high-end housing market struggles with falling prices, lower transaction volumes, and tax-driven headwinds that have affected properties in the “wealthy” side of London since November. Kulechov has previously voiced support for the UK as a potential region ripe for crypto innovation. He welcomed guidance from the UK tax authority HM Revenue and Customs, indicating that locking digital assets as collateral in DeFi lending would not in itself count as a taxable event. Aave founder buys property in struggling UK real estate market Kulechov is a Russian-born Finnish lawyer who founded the decentralized finance platform Aave in 2017, originally under the name ETHLend. The protocol has grown into one of the largest DeFi lending markets , with more than $50 billion in assets deposited in its pools. The transaction was made during a period that economists had dubbed difficult for London’s luxury housing sector. The market has been pressured by tax changes introduced under the Labour government, including higher stamp duties and the removal of a preferential tax regime previously used by wealthy foreign residents. According to researchers at LonRes, home sales above £5 million in December dropped by 40% compared with the same month a year earlier. Moreover, the top of the market is expected to face tough times ahead, as new levies are expected to take effect in 2028. That backdrop has led to cautious pricing, longer marketing periods, and more frequent discounts from asking prices in prime districts. Even so, West London neighborhoods have hosted several of the year’s most notable purchases. Some areas, such as Holland Park and Notting Hill, are still attracting high-value transactions, with the spot where Kulechov bought a house “holding up the strongest” for price growth among prime central London districts in the final quarter of the year. The UK Office for National Statistics data shows there were deeper price corrections in the capital’s most expensive boroughs, including a 4.6% annual drop in central London prices, following a 4.3% fall in October. The steepest declines appeared in areas traditionally favored by international buyers, with average prices in Westminster dropping 15.5% over the year to £866,000. In Kensington and Chelsea, prices dropped 16.3% to an average of £1.19 million. Economists believe some overseas owners have exited due to a drop in new foreign demand following the government’s revision of “non-dom” tax rules. On the other hand, outer London boroughs like Havering and Bromley saw annual price increases of 5.2% and 6% respectively. Uptick in values of properties in outer districts softened the citywide picture, yet London’s overall average house price still slipped 1.2% in the year to November, settling near £553,000. That followed a 2.6% annual decline recorded in October. Tax speculation dampens high-end house demand Towards the end of January, property portal Zoopla’s executive Richard Donnell said the speculation ahead of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ November Budget “hit demand and market activity at the upper end of the housing market”. Reeves later announced a council tax surcharge starting in April 2028 for homes valued above £2 million, most of which are in London and the South East. In a BBC poll of 1,000 people aged 25 to 45 in Greater London, 42% said they may be forced to leave the city despite not wanting to move. Nearly two-thirds of young respondents said they are using some form of borrowing to meet housing costs. Looking at the rest of the UK, the National House Building Council reported 115,350 new homes registered for construction in 2025, up 11% from 103,669 in 2024. Private sector registrations increased 12% year-on-year to 75,227. The rental and affordable housing segment recorded a 10% gain, with 40,123 homes registered, up from 36,404 a year earlier. Sharpen your strategy with mentorship + daily ideas - 30 days free access to our trading program

3 Feb 2026, 13:16

Financial groups design products as Japan's 2028 crypto ETF timeline draws criticism

Japan is laying the groundwork to allow cryptocurrency ETFs by 2028 through a coordinated rollout of securities law and tax reforms. If approved, crypto ETFs would allow Japanese investors to access crypto assets through ordinary securities accounts, improving access to both individual and institutional investors. Currently, crypto ETFs are not available on Japanese securities exchanges or by brokerage firms. Japanese investors looking for crypto exposure would need to open a crypto exchange account and manage private keys through digital wallets. It’s a time-consuming and complex process that has deterred some investors. Crypto ETFs in Japan are poised to launch some four years after the U.S. and Hong Kong. Bitcoin ETFs were introduced in the U.S. in January 2024. The market now manages approximately $130 billion worth of assets. U.S. pension funds, universities such as Harvard, and sovereign-linked funds have begun incorporating bitcoin ETFs into their portfolios. ETFs give crypto the credibility it lacks Director at Convano Consulting, Motoyuki Azuma told Cryptopolitan that the biggest hurdle with crypto has been credibility in the eyes of investors. “The credibility of holding BTC in our business portfolio sometimes faces scrutiny from certain Japanese investors,” said Azuma. “ETFs make crypto holdings look more official and more trusted, and easier to explain to investors.” A survey conducted in 2024 by Laser Digital Holdings, a subsidiary of Nomura Holdings, found that 54% of institutional investors said they plan to invest in crypto assets within the next three years. Despite the backdrop of inflation and a weakening Japanese yen, Azuma said short-term crypto strategies have become increasingly challenging. “Market to Bitcoin Net Asset Value (mNAV) strategies are harder than before, but if companies or individuals want to hold crypto assets as a part of a long term alternative asset plan, then crypto ETFS are going to be much easier.” Regulatory hurdles slow crypto ETFs Any crypto ETF would still require approval from the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Crypto ETFs are also contingent on an amendment to the Investment Trust Act, which would add crypto assets to the list of “specified assets” that investment trusts are permitted to hold. If authorized, the products would allow investors to gain exposure via existing securities accounts. Azuma expressed concern that the 2028 timeline is far too late. He suspects it is designed to give crypto exchanges as well as the Tokyo Stock Exchange time to update their structural and operational frameworks. Security breaches shape regulatory caution Japanese regulators emphasize the need for strict custody controls, asset segregation, and investor protection measures in light of previous security breaches within local crypto exchange platforms such as DMM. The exchange lost 48.2 billion JPY (approx. $306 million USD) in Bitcoin in 2024. North Korean hackers affiliated with the notorious Lazurus Group, TraderTraitor, are believed to be behind the theft. A legal shift that changes everything The FSA plans to recognize crypto assets as financial instruments under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (FIEA) in 2026. With that framework in place, regulators could move to approve crypto ETFs, potentially in tandem with new crypto tax rules. Currently, crypto assets in Japan are legally classified as a “means of payment” and are taxed as much as 55% under a “miscellaneous income” category. Under the government’s 2026 tax reform plan, certain types of crypto assets would be subject to a flat 20% tax, similar to stocks and investment trusts. The shift is expected to lower barriers for institutional and retail investors alike, helping unlock demand for regulated investment products. Industry projections suggest Japan’s crypto ETF market could reach roughly 1 trillion JPY ($6.5 billion) in assets after regulatory approval. Financial giants enter Japan’s crypto ETF race A host of Japanese financial institutions are preparing or studying crypto ETF products. These include Nomura Asset Management, SBI Global Asset Management, Daiwa Asset Management and Mitsubishi UFJ-linked subsidiaries. SBI Holdings is planning to launch the country’s first crypto ETF, which tracks both Bitcoin and XRP. It has released a mixed investment trust contingent on regulatory approval with a 51% allocation of gold-based ETFs and a 49% allocation of Bitcoin ETFs. Its second ETF product will consist of Bitcoin and XRP, which SBI aims to list on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. On January 28, Tomohiko Kondo, President and CEO of SBI Holdings subsidiary SBI VC Trade, told a small gathering of business leaders that crypto assets have moved beyond simple buying and selling. “Investors can now generate returns through funding income, hedging strategies and options transactions that reduce reliance on Bitcoin prices rising and falling.” 2026 marks the start, not the finish Still, that growing institutional sophistication does not mean crypto-linked financial products will be available to investors anytime soon. Nomura Holdings Senior Managing Director, Hajime Ikeda, told Japanese media that the changing law won’t make it possible to deliver crypto ETFs to the market right away. He said that while ETFs are an indispensable financial product for securities firms, rushed ETFs would be a mistake. Ikeda said there are a number of practical elements that remain undecided by the industry as a whole. These revolve around crypto asset custody, security, customer information protocols, and responsibility in the event of an incident such as theft. He said addressing these issues will be essential before crypto assets can transition from a standalone asset to being a part of a company’s core balance sheet. He said that 2026 is shaping up to mark the start of an evolution in Japan’s financial services sector. The smartest crypto minds already read our newsletter. Want in? Join them .

3 Feb 2026, 13:12

Pierre Rochard Slams Altcoins, Says They Ride Bitcoin’s Coattails

Bitcoin advocate Pierre Rochard reignited long-running tensions inside crypto when he dismissed altcoins as “bozos and clowns” while arguing that U.S. federal policy should focus on BTC alone. His comments landed as the flagship cryptocurrency slid below $75,000 during a broad market sell-off tied to macro pressure and regulatory uncertainty in Washington. Maximalist Rhetoric Amid Market Stress Rochard used strong language in a February 3 post on X to dismiss the value of all non-Bitcoin crypto assets. “I don’t want to hear a word from the altcoin crypto web3 NFT ICO XRP ETH ADA blockchain whatever bozos and clowns,” he wrote. He also asserted that these assets have been “purely riding on Bitcoin’s coattails” and should simply “be grateful for whatever happens.” This maximalist view was posted against a backdrop of significant market declines, with data showing BTC dropped by nearly 11% over the past week, erasing corporate paper gains. On February 2, Strategy, the largest corporate Bitcoin holder, disclosed a new purchase of 855 BTC for $75.3 million. However, with the asset’s price falling, the company’s unrealized gains have shrunk from nearly $8 billion last week to under $3 billion, with the broader crypto market losing an estimated $500 billion in value since late January. In his post, Rochard suggested a policy prescription to kickstart a Bitcoin bull market that centered on three U.S. government actions: securing a strategic Bitcoin reserve, making Bitcoin tax-exempt, and having the Federal Reserve accumulate Bitcoin. These ideas sparked debate online, with one user remarking, “Oh, so now everyone wants BTC to be treated like real money. funny how that works when taxes are involved.” The Bitcoin for Corps host countered, stating , “Bitcoin is not a foreign currency… it should actually be tax exempt.” Policy Focus Diverges From Washington Agenda Rochard’s proposed policy shift comes as Washington’s immediate focus lies elsewhere. On February 2, representatives from major crypto firms and traditional banking groups met at the White House for a working session. The meeting aimed to address disagreements over stablecoin yield regulations, a key sticking point in the stalled CLARITY Act legislation in the Senate. The Bitcoin Bond Company CEO replied to coverage of the event by journalist Eleanor Terrett with the comment, “The focus should be on tax exemption for Bitcoin and securing the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, not stablecoin yield. This is a big distraction.” The market context is challenging. Beyond crypto, a cross-asset sell-off has impacted commodities and equities. Precious metals such as silver and gold have recently experienced significant drops, while Bitcoin has fallen out of the top ten global assets by market capitalization and is now ranked 12th. As such, the current climate indicates that the volatility must be addressed for Rochard’s bullish policy ideas to succeed. The post Pierre Rochard Slams Altcoins, Says They Ride Bitcoin’s Coattails appeared first on CryptoPotato .

3 Feb 2026, 13:05

Another Huge Win for Ripple and XRP In Luxembourg. Here’s the Latest

Ripple continues to separate itself from much of the crypto industry by prioritizing regulatory clarity over short-term hype. As global regulators tighten oversight and institutions demand compliance-first partners, Ripple has steadily expanded its footprint across jurisdictions that value structured financial governance. This long-term approach has increasingly positioned the company as a serious payments provider rather than a speculative blockchain firm. That strategy reached a major milestone following a report by Watcher.Guru, which confirmed that Luxembourg has granted Ripple full authorization as an Electronic Money Institution within the European Union. The approval represents one of Ripple’s most significant regulatory wins in Europe to date, signaling growing trust from one of the continent’s most respected financial hubs. JUST IN: Luxembourg grants Ripple $XRP full EU Electronic Money Institution license. pic.twitter.com/u9CNX8EanT — Watcher.Guru (@WatcherGuru) February 2, 2026 What the EMI License Allows Ripple to Do An Electronic Money Institution license authorizes Ripple to issue electronic money and provide regulated payment services across the European Union, allowing for passporting rules to be applied. This status places Ripple in the same regulatory category as established financial service providers rather than crypto-only entities. With this license, Ripple can expand its payment solutions for banks, fintech firms, and enterprises operating across multiple EU jurisdictions. The approval strengthens Ripple’s ability to deliver a compliant cross-border payment infrastructure while meeting strict regulatory, capital, and operational standards. Luxembourg’s Importance in European Finance Luxembourg holds a strategic position within Europe’s financial system. The country serves as a global hub for banking, asset management, and payment services, attracting institutions that require regulatory certainty and cross-border reach. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 Ripple already maintained a regulated presence in Luxembourg before this development. Ripple had previously obtained necessary preliminary approval to operate in Luxembourg, establishing a compliant presence and fostering relationships with local financial stakeholders. The newly granted EMI license builds on that foundation and significantly expands Ripple’s legal and operational capabilities across the EU. Strengthening Ripple’s European Regulatory Strategy The Luxembourg license adds momentum to Ripple’s broader European expansion at a time when the region advances comprehensive digital asset regulation under the Markets in Crypto-Assets framework. By securing licensing ahead of full MiCA implementation, the company positions itself as a ready-made infrastructure partner for institutions preparing for regulated blockchain adoption. This approach contrasts sharply with Ripple’s historical regulatory challenges in the United States, highlighting how Europe has become a key growth region for the company’s payments business. What This Means for XRP Going Forward While the license does not directly alter XRP’s market mechanics, it strengthens the ecosystem supporting XRP’s institutional use case. Ripple’s regulated payment rails remain closely tied to XRP’s role as a bridge asset for liquidity and settlement. As Watcher.Guru reported that Luxembourg’s approval reinforces Ripple’s credibility within Europe’s financial system. It also confirms that Ripple’s compliance-first strategy continues to unlock meaningful regulatory wins, positioning both the company and XRP for deeper institutional integration over time. Disclaimer : This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are urged to do in-depth research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses. Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post Another Huge Win for Ripple and XRP In Luxembourg. Here’s the Latest appeared first on Times Tabloid .

3 Feb 2026, 13:00

Trump: ‘Didn’t Know’ About $500M Abu Dhabi Bet On WLFI

US President Donald Trump said he was unaware of the $500 million investment by an Abu Dhabi royal into World Liberty Financial, pushing responsibility to his sons as questions mount over foreign money, crypto rails, and US policy decisions. Asked at the White House on Feb. 2 about a The Wall Street Journal report that the Abu Dhabi royal family invested “hundreds of millions of dollars” into the Trump-linked venture, Trump flatly denied knowledge and framed the operation as a family-run side project. “Well, I don’t know about it. I know that crypto is a big thing and they like it. A lot of people like it,” Trump said. “The people behind me like it. My sons are handling that. My family is handling it. And I guess they get investments from different people. But I’m not.” He then pivoted to geopolitics: “I have all I can handle right now with Iran and with Russia and Ukraine and with all the things we’re doing.” Trump says he knows nothing about the $500M Abu Dhabi investment in his family’s WLFI crypto project. “I don’t know about it… my family is handling it.” pic.twitter.com/sBEfXO1FCK — TFTC (@TFTC21) February 2, 2026 Why The Trump Deal Raises Questions The denial lands amid a fast-building paper trail around World Liberty Financial’s cap table and its ties to Gulf-linked capital. According to the report, a firm associated with Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, an Abu Dhabi royal tied to the emirate’s state investment machinery, acquired roughly 49% of World Liberty Financial in a deal valued at about $500 million, with documents reviewed by the Journal indicating the agreement was struck just days before Trump took office. The report also describes why the timing is politically combustible: months after the reported stake purchase, the Trump administration moved ahead with supplying the United Arab Emirates with advanced US-made AI chips despite prior concerns about diversion risks to China, intensifying the perception that business and statecraft are entangled. World Liberty Financial, for its part, has rejected the suggestion that any government action was influenced by the investment. A spokesperson said that neither Trump nor Steve Witkoff was involved in the transaction and called claims tying it to the chips decision “100% false,” while White House counsel said the president has no involvement in business deals that would implicate his constitutional responsibilities. The controversy has a second, crypto-native layer: the same Abu Dhabi orbit has already shown it is willing to use World Liberty-linked instruments as settlement rails. Abu Dhabi-backed MGX used World Liberty’s dollar-pegged stablecoin (USD1) to settle a $2 billion investment into Binance, a deal publicly discussed by World Liberty co-founder Zach Witkoff at TOKEN2049 in Dubai. That combination has given critics an easy narrative hook: foreign state-linked capital gaining proximity to a US president’s family business while policy decisions affecting the same country move through Washington. At press time, WLFI traded at $0.13.

3 Feb 2026, 12:39

French prosecutors raid X's Paris offices, summon Musk and ex-CEO Linda Yaccarino

French law enforcement raided the Paris offices of Elon Musk’s social media company X on Tuesday as authorities expand their probe into suspected wrongdoing on the platform. The move adds to mounting regulatory pressure across Europe. Paris prosecutor s or dere d Mu sk and Linda Yaccarino, who previously served as X’s chief executive, to appear for questioning on April 20. They’ll face inquiries as the people effectively running the platform, according to a statement from the prosecutor’s office. Other employees from X will also be called in. Lawmaker s ac cused X of hosting and spreading child sexual abuse material. The platform also allegedly carries posts denying crimes against humanity. Investigators are looking into claims of fraudulent data extraction and falsification. Prosecutor Laure Beccuau said the investigation aims to take “a constructive approach, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that X complies with French law.” X has drawn scrutiny in France before Authorities opened an investigation last year into how the platform’s algorithms work, examining possible bias and manipulation. Prosecutors asked for access to the recommendation system and information about user content. X refused, calling it a “politically-motivated criminal investigation.” The inquiry now includes Grok , an artificial intelligence chatbot owned by X. Regulators in several countries raised concerns after people used it to generate images showing children and women without clothes, then shared those images on X. The women never gave permission. xAI , the company that owns X, says it turned off the feature letting people create sexualized images of real individuals using Grok. Musk has said the company maintains “zero tolerance” for child sexual abuse material and nude images created without consent. In July, he rejected the initial accusations and described the French investigation as politically driven. The European Commission launched a separate formal investigation on January 27 into whether X properly handled the Grok controversy. EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said platforms like X have “very clear obligations” to restrict illegal content. The Commission wants to know how X assessed and reduced risks as Grok became more integrated into its services. X could face fines up to 6% of its worldwide annual revenue if it violated the Digital Services Act. Virkkunen confirmed the Commission has been talking with X throughout the process, though Musk has publicly criticized EU regulations. The January probe follows an earlier penalty. In December, the EU fined X 120 million euros, equal to about $140 million, for breaking the bloc’s digital regulations. That marked the first time the EU issued a non-compliance decision under the Digital Services Act. European regulators said X’s blue checkmarks violated rules against deceptive design practices. Before Musk bought the platform in 2022, the checkmarks were mainly for celebrities, politicians and influential accounts. After the purchase, X started selling them to anyone willing to pay $8 monthly. The Commission said this made it hard for users to judge if accounts were authentic. X also faile d tr ansparency requirements for its advertising database. The platform must provide details about who paid for ads and their target audience, but the database wasn’t searchable or reliable. The Trump administration pushed back hard against the December fine. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called i t an attack on American tech platforms and the American people. Vice President JD Vance accused the Commission of trying to force X into censorship. French authorities cut ties with the platform Cybercrime specialists are handling the French case with police investigators and Europol. The investigation started after a French parliament member contacted prosecutors about concerns that biased algorithms on X were distorting how automated data systems operated. The Paris prosecutor’s office announce d it will no longer use X for official communications. It plans to shift to LinkedIn and Instagram instead. LinkedIn is owned by Microsoft, while Instagram belongs to Meta. Other X employees called to testify will appear as witnesses. The prosecutor’s office hasn’t said how many staff will be questioned or when those hearings will happen. French authorities say they want platforms operating within the country to follow national laws. The smartest crypto minds already read our newsletter. Want in? Join them .