SEC Halts Crypto ETF Approvals as Japanese Giant Embraces Bitcoin – Trump Dynasty Enters the Fray

Regulators hit pause on crypto ETFs – again. Meanwhile, a major Japanese manufacturer flips the script by adopting BTC for treasury reserves. And yes, the Trump family just can’t resist the crypto spotlight.

Here’s why Wall Street’s ETF obsession keeps crashing into regulatory reality. (Spoiler: the SEC still loves its ‘careful consideration’ theater.)

Tokyo’s corporate whale dives into Bitcoin. One manufacturing titan just sidelined traditional finance – converting cash reserves into hard-capped digital gold.

The Trumps double down on crypto relevance. Love it or hate it, political dynasties keep betting on blockchain’s staying power.

Funny how ‘disruptive’ asset classes still beg for old-school approvals. The more crypto evolves, the more Wall Street’s playbook stays the same.

SEC Halts Crypto Index Fund Conversions Amid Regulatory Uncertainty

The Securities and Exchange Commission delivered mixed signals this week on crypto index funds. The regulator approved Bitwise’s plan to convert its $1.68 billion crypto index fund into an ETF. However, the SEC immediately paused the approval pending further commission review.

Bitwise’s fund holds 90% in bitcoin and Ethereum with remaining assets across eight altcoins. The product would become America’s first multi-asset crypto index ETF if approved. Grayscale’s similar Digital Large Cap Fund faced identical treatment earlier this year.

Market observers suggest the SEC hesitates on index funds containing unapproved standalone crypto ETFs. This regulatory approach could delay index fund approvals until individual altcoin ETFs receive clearance. The commission continues reviewing multiple crypto ETF applications from major asset managers including Franklin Templeton and Fidelity.

Historic Japanese Textile Firm Embraces Bitcoin Treasury Strategy

Kitabou Co., a traditional textile manufacturer in Hakusan City’s UNESCO Geopark region, announced plans to purchase $5 million in Bitcoin. The company will acquire the digital asset through periodic purchases on domestic crypto exchanges over time. Kitabou plans to lend portions of its Bitcoin holdings to crypto-related businesses for generating steady interest income.

The established firm allocated an additional $1.3 million for crypto mining operations and infrastructure by December 2028. Management is actively exploring joint ventures with overseas partners to accelerate comprehensive cryptocurrency business development across borders. The strategic move represents Japan’s legacy manufacturers increasingly diversifying their portfolios into digital assets for growth.

Kitabou’s innovative strategy successfully blends traditional manufacturing roots with cutting-edge digital finance in Asia’s rapidly evolving blockchain ecosystem. The significant announcement highlights growing corporate adoption of bitcoin treasury strategies across the entire region.

Trump’s DeFi Platform Accelerates Ethereum Accumulation Strateghty

President Trump’s family DeFi platform World Liberty Financial (WLFI) is once again accelerating its Ethereum purchases. According to on-chain data analyst AI, WLFI-related addresses purchased an additional 1,740 ETH (worth approximately $6.5 million) early on the 23rd.

WLFI’s recent Ethereum purchases are being evaluated as a comprehensive concentrated investment strategy that goes beyond simple “dollar-cost averaging.” Over the past six days, three WLFI-related wallets have accumulated a total of 5,608.48 ETH (approximately $19.46 million).

WLFI 关联地址 2 分钟前再次加仓 1740 枚 $ETH ，价值 650 万美元

过去六天三个 WLFI 已累计买入 5608.48 ETH（约 1946 万美元），均价 $3469.66，该部分已浮盈 145.7 万美元

钱包地址https://t.co/rDEeOYYVfwhttps://t.co/xqNGtZ9gGehttps://t.co/QJh4Nci3GA https://t.co/LUgcIyZhko pic.twitter.com/ntYswp6rh8

The average purchase price is around $3,469.66 per ETH, and based on the current ethereum price (around $3,700), this represents an unrealized gain of approximately $1.45 million. Even after these purchases, WLFI maintains Ethereum as more than 65% of its total assets.

Paul Kim and Shigeki Mori contributed.