Bitcoin News: Russia Develops Legal Framework to Sell Seized Bitcoin

Russia is taking steps to legalize the sale of Bitcoin confiscated during criminal investigations, marking a significant development in the country’s approach to cryptocurrency.

Russia Seeks Legal Framework for Selling Seized Bitcoin

Russia is moving closer to selling Bitcoin confiscated during criminal investigations. According to local media outlet RBC, Russia’s Federal Bailiff Service, in coordination with other government agencies, is leading efforts to turn seized crypto into government revenue. Dmitry Aristov, head of the Federal Bailiff Service, confirmed that the authorities are developing a legal and operational mechanism to convert seized Bitcoin (BTC) into state revenue. The initiative is expected to begin with a high-profile case involving a former official caught in a crypto bribery scandal.

Franklin Templeton Eyes Bitcoin ETP Launch in Europe

Global asset manager Franklin Templeton, overseeing $1.5 trillion in assets, is considering launching a Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Product (ETP) in Europe. As institutional demand for digital assets grows, major financial firms are increasingly entering the crypto space. A Bitcoin ETP would provide investors with a regulated and convenient way to gain exposure to Bitcoin without directly holding it. If approved, this move could strengthen Bitcoin’s presence in traditional finance and attract more institutional capital to the market.

Kentucky Drops Lawsuit Against Coinbase, Joining Vermont and South Carolina

Kentucky has dropped its lawsuit against Coinbase on April 1, following similar actions by Vermont and South Carolina. Governor Andy Beshear signed House Bill 701 on March 24, supporting Bitcoin rights and staking protections. Additionally, Kentucky is considering investing 10% of its excess reserves in crypto, aligning with other crypto-forward U.S. states. The joint dismissal of the lawsuit by Kentucky’s Department of Financial Institutions and Coinbase ends the legal dispute tied to Coinbase’s staking rewards program.

Bitcoin’s Stagnation Not Linked to Trade War, According to Indicators

Despite renewed trade war tensions, Bitcoin remains stagnant around $85,000. Some analysts have suggested a LINK between geopolitical tensions and BTC’s weakness, but indicators suggest otherwise. The market’s inertia is due to the absence of concrete catalysts and a shift towards safer assets, rather than geopolitics. To understand this, one must look beyond this quick analysis and focus on the true signals of the market.

Ted Cruz Introduces FLARE Act to Repurpose Flared Gas for Bitcoin Mining

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) has introduced the Facilitate Lower Atmospheric Released Emissions (FLARE) Act, aiming to turn waste energy into electricity for Bitcoin mining. The bill, introduced on March 31, 2025, incentivizes capturing gas that would otherwise be flared or vented and using it for crypto mining. Cruz specifically pointed to crypto mining as a direct output of this extra energy, hoping to make waste energy productive.