The school bell rings, and Jimmy Bill Bob is sprinting home, backpack flopping around, one shoelace basically giving up on existence.

Homework? What homework?.. This kid’s thinking ’bout that binder in his bag, stuffed with Pokémon cards.

He crashes through the front door, yeets his backpack onto the couch, and doesn’t even bother changing out of his crusty school uniform.

Ten minutes later, his friends pull up – X Æ A-12 with his shoebox full of cards, Candice with her deck held together by rubber bands, and Chad, whose older brother “knows the best trades.”

They spread everything out on the living room floor. It’s messy, it’s loud, and nobody actually knows the real rules. But who cares – it’s the best time of their lives right there.

Fast forward years later, and those cards that brought Jimmy Bill Bob so much joy are now bringing numbers to his net worth – because the Pokémon card market’s now a multibillion-dollar industry.

And these cards might do more than just make our boy JBB rich – some believe they could be crypto’s next big breakthrough.

Danny Nelson, a research analyst at Bitwise, thinks that Pokémon cards might be the first real-world asset (RWA) to move onto blockchain at a massive scale.

Think about what’s getting tokenized today – government bonds, real estate, gold.

Sure, putting these on blockchain makes trading cheaper and faster, but those markets already have pretty good digital systems. Crypto makes them more efficient, but it’s not really transforming anything fundamental.

Pokémon cards are completely different. This market runs almost entirely IRL: most trades still happen by mailing cards to each other, dealing with professional grading services, and waiting days or weeks for everything to settle.

Wildly inefficient, but the demand is still massive.

And that opens an opportunity

The Solana-based platform Collector Crypt is trying to fix the inefficiencies by letting people tokenize their physical cards.

You ship in your Charizard, they lock it in a secure vault, and mint an NFT that proves you own it. From there, you can trade the NFT around → no more risk of damage or scams during shipping.

And the numbers suggest people are actually using this thing:

Since launching, CollectorCrypt has minted over 30K NFTs;

Processed nearly $81M in pack purchases;

And attracted 4.3K+ buyers.

To keep users engaged, they’ve added features like the Gacha machine – where you deposit money and get a random tokenized Pokémon card back. This alone made $16.6M in sales last week.

And they also recently launched a token called CARDS, which powers the platform. The money raised from sales goes into buying more Pokémon cards, so the token essentially gives exposure to the card market.

Since it went live, the token’s price is up ~30%.

That said, only 20% of the tokens are in the hands of the community – most belong to early investors. If they sell, the token will only stay strong if there are enough new buyers.

Anyways, Nelson’s point is that you have a huge market that’s broken, and blockchain might actually fix it.

And he says this could turn Pokémon cards into crypto’s next big success story, similar to how Polymarket turned prediction markets from something niche into a mainstream crypto use case.

Optimistic take? Could be.

After all, many card collectors like physically holding their cards. Digital tokens can’t replace that experience.

Plus, most of the hype rn comes from crypto traders looking for something new to bet on, not collectors. The real test is whether people who actually collect cards will use these platforms.

If they do, this could be huge.

If not, it might just be another crypto trend with some impressive early numbers.

Crypto cards are beating traditional banks in Europe when it comes to small purchases, with 45% of crypto-linked card transactions under 10 euros ($11.7) — a category where cash has historically dominated.

According to a report by CEX.IO shared with Cointelegraph, crypto card holders are showing spending patterns that mirror traditional bank card users while embracing online payments at a faster pace.

The report noted a 15% rise in newly ordered CEX.IO crypto cards across Europe in 2025, signaling growing interest as more Europeans turn to digital assets for everyday payments.

Furthermore, while European Central Bank data shows 21% of all card payments across the euro area are online, CEX.IO’s figures reveal crypto card users already conduct 40% of their transactions on the internet — nearly double the average.

Related: Kraken taps Mastercard to launch crypto debit cards in Europe, UK

Crypto cards used for everyday spending

Spending patterns show crypto cardholders are using their cards for everyday spending. According to CEX.IO data, groceries make up 59% of purchases, near the ECB’s 54% benchmark, while dining and bars account for 19%, above the average for in-person food and drink spending.

Notably, the average crypto card transaction sits at 23.7 euros ($27.8) compared to 33.6 euros ($39) for bank cards, based on Q1 2025 Mastercard data.

“What we’re seeing in Europe is that crypto card users aren’t just experimenting with new tech — they’re showing us what everyday spending might look like in a truly cashless future,” said Alexandr Kerya, vice president of Product Management at CEX.IO.

“With average card payment volume rising 24% in just the last month, this shift is clearly gaining momentum,” he added.

The data further shows that stablecoins power 73% of transactions, with other major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), Litecoin (LTC) and Solana (SOL) also being used for groceries, dining and transportation.

The trend is consistent across other providers. For instance, Oobit reported strong spending on everyday essentials among European users, while Crypto.com noted similarly high volumes in online shopping transactions.

Related: Floki, Mastercard launch 13-crypto debit card in Europe

Barclays to block crypto purchases on credit cards

Despite the surge in crypto card adoption, Barclays has announced plans to ban crypto transactions on its Barclaycard credit cards. The bank cited fears of customers falling into unmanageable debt due to crypto market volatility and highlighted the lack of investor protections in the sector.

Barclays explained that crypto asset purchases carry no recourse through the Financial Ombudsman Service or the Financial Services Compensation Scheme if something goes wrong, leaving consumers exposed.

Magazine: GENIUS Act reopens the door for a Meta stablecoin, but will it work?

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/crypto-cards-outpace-banks-in-micro-spending-in-europe-report/feed/ 0 44610 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/mass-bank-fraud-scheme-taken-down-after-woman-found-with-suitcase-filled-with-fake-drivers-licenses-credit-cards-and-ids-doj/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/mass-bank-fraud-scheme-taken-down-after-woman-found-with-suitcase-filled-with-fake-drivers-licenses-credit-cards-and-ids-doj/#respond Thu, 26 Jun 2025 15:58:27 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/mass-bank-fraud-scheme-taken-down-after-woman-found-with-suitcase-filled-with-fake-drivers-licenses-credit-cards-and-ids-doj/

A North Carolina woman was sentenced to more than four years behind bars for carrying out an identity theft and bank fraud scheme that enabled her to spend money using the personal information of her victims.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of North Carolina, Jessica Bailey Sowell engaged in the scheme from March 2023 to February 2024.

Court records show that she created fraudulent identification documents using compromised personal identifying information (PII) that were obtained through stolen mail, the internet and other sources.

Sowell then used the fake documents at banks, hotels and retail stores. Investigators found that she had letters, bank cards and checks belonging to at least 26 victims of identity theft.

The 32-year-old was apprehended after a federal search warrant was executed at a hotel room where she was staying.

Investigators found a suitcase containing hundreds of mail with various names and addresses and another suitcase with store-tagged merchandise, two handwritten journals with the names and credit information of several individuals and 23 driver’s licenses from different states that show Sowell’s photograph and the PII of the identity theft victims.

They also seized from the rental vehicle that Sowell was using a credit card under the name of an ID theft victim, receipts for goods that were bought using the victim’s credit card, an identity card printer, multiple blank identity cards and holographic stickers.

Sowell, who is prohibited from possessing firearms, also kept a Taurus G3 9mm handgun in the hotel room.

On Monday, she was sentenced to 57 months of jail time followed by five years of supervised release for bank fraud, aggravated identity theft and unlawful possession of a firearm. She was also ordered to pay restitution to her victims in the amount of $47,190.25.

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One of the biggest financial institutions based in the United Kingdom (UK) is blocking all crypto transactions on its bank cards.

In a new post, UK banking titan Barclays says it is barring all digital asset-related transactions on its proprietary payment cards starting on June 27th due to the volatile price of cryptocurrencies and because they are uninsured assets.

“It’s not possible to make cryptocurrency transactions using a Barclaycard. From 27 June 2025, we’ll block crypto transactions made with a Barclaycard because we recognize there are certain risks with purchasing cryptocurrencies.

We’re doing this because a fall in the price of crypto assets could lead to customers finding themselves in debt they can’t afford to repay. There’s also no protection for crypto assets if something goes wrong with a purchase, as they’re not covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service and Financial Services Compensation Scheme.”

However, despite the recent ban on crypto assets, previous reports indicate that Barclays has invested hundreds of millions of dollars into IBIT, BlackRock’s Bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded fund (ETF), which launched in January 2024 and is currently the largest BTC-based ETF by trading volume.

In February, the bank disclosed to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that it holds 2,473,064 shares of IBIT, worth nearly $137 million at the time.

IBIT is trading at 60.98 at time of writing, representing a 1.5% increase over the last 24 hours.

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Crypto analyst ChartNerd has predicted that the XRP price could reach double digits in this market cycle. The analyst earlier alluded to the Fibonacci levels in previous cycles as the reason why the altcoin can record such a parabolic surge in this market cycle. 

XRP Price Eyes Rally To $27 In This Cycle

In an X post, ChartNerd declared that an XRP price rally to between $8 and $27 is still loading. He made this statement while alluding to a previous analysis, in which he noted that the altcoin met both of its 1.272 and 1.1618 Fibonacci levels. The analyst then remarked that this cycle’s Fib 1.272 and 1.618 levels are $8.40 and $27. 

Crypto analyst Egrag Crypto has also predicted that the XRP price can rally to as high as $27 in this market cycle. The analyst had previously highlighted several reasons why the altcoin can reach this target, including alluding to the 2017 market cycle when XRP recorded a legendary gain of around 63,000%. The analyst is confident that the altcoin can replicate this run. 

Related Reading: XRP Price Enters Accumulation Phase – Why $2.08 Must Hold Or Risk A Crash

Meanwhile, in one of his most recent analyses, Egrag Crypto stated that the signal points to a target of $10, $18, and $27 for the XRP price. His accompanying chart showed that the altcoin can reach this target in the second half of this year. Meanwhile, the analyst also recently highlighted a bullish candle formation, which showed that XRP can at least reach $22. 

Crypto analyst Dark Defender predicted that the XRP price is about to witness an upcoming surge to $23. He noted that the altcoin is forming another Wave Structure in the weekly timeframe, creating the potential rally to this target. The analyst added that this new wave structure aligns with the previous targets and historical pattern in November 2024. 

What To Expect In The Short Term

In an X post, Dark Defender provided insights into what to expect from the XRP price action in the short term. The analyst stated that, on the weekly chart, XRP is moving towards the primary resistance level at around $2.40. The support level to watch on this move is $2.2222, while $5.85 is the target as the altcoin eyes a rally to the upside. 

Commenting on the short-term move for the XRP price, Egrag Crypto stated that XRP has to close above $2.30, $2.35, $2.36, $2.45, and $2.65 to have a bullish breakout. The analyst claimed that $2.65 is the ‘Go-Go’ signal as the altcoin eyes a rally to a new all-time high (ATH). 

At the time of writing, the XRP price is trading at around $2.12, down almost 3% in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

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Thailand has recently announced plans to introduce a novel initiative that would allow international tourists to spend cryptocurrencies through credit card-linked payment systems.

The ambitious move, announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira at an investment seminar in Bangkok, is part of the country’s broader efforts to integrate digital assets into its financial infrastructure and modernize its overall economic system.

Facilitating Crypto Adoption for Tourists

Under the proposed scheme, tourists will have the capability to connect their cryptocurrency holdings to credit cards, facilitating local transactions. Merchants receiving payments would continue to obtain funds in Thai baht, thus remaining unaware that cryptocurrencies were initially used.

According to Minister Pichai, the approach is specifically designed to mitigate risks associated with directly using cryptocurrencies in domestic transactions, safeguarding the stability of Thailand’s national currency.

The adoption of crypto spending for tourists aligns with Thailand’s strategic intent to attract tech-savvy international visitors and to position itself as a “forward-thinking, digitally inclusive economy.”

This method, currently being reviewed by the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Thailand, aims to leverage existing payment infrastructures, thus facilitating easier and immediate integration once regulatory approvals are secured. Implementation is expected to commence following comprehensive infrastructure assessments and the establishment of necessary regulatory frameworks.

Minister Pichai emphasized that the planned system would be straightforward to implement, provided that all supportive technological and regulatory components are strongly established.

The pilot phase will serve as a practical evaluation of the approach, which if successful, could serve as a model for further integration of digital assets within Thailand’s financial ecosystem.

Broader Financial Regulatory Reform

Asides its cryptocurrency initiative for tourists, Thailand is also advancing significant financial regulatory reforms aimed at unifying the regulatory environment for traditional capital markets and the emerging digital asset sector.

Currently, these two financial sectors operate under distinct sets of regulations, and the proposed unification would streamline operations and enhance market clarity.

Additionally, the Thai government is considering modernizing restrictions on institutional investors, allowing major financial entities, such as life insurers and large investment funds, greater access to equity markets and private-sector investments.

This shift represents a considerable move away from current limitations, where institutional investors are largely restricted to safer assets such as government bonds.

The Ministry of Finance is further drafting legislation intended to enhance the enforcement capabilities of the Thai Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Under the new law, the SEC would potentially gain the authority to directly escalate major legal violations to prosecution stages, thereby strengthening overall regulatory oversight and market fairness.

As part of this broader financial evolution, Minister Pichai also introduced the concept of “G-Tokens,” blockchain-based fractional government bonds accessible to retail investors. This initiative aims to improve investment returns for smaller investors and boost Thailand’s international financial profile.

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Mastercard is expanding its involvement in cryptocurrency infrastructure through a new partnership with MoonPay, introducing payment cards that allow users to transact using stablecoins.

The underlying infrastructure will be provided by Iron—a stablecoin payments company acquired by MoonPay in March—and is expected to launch later this year, though no specific timeline or countries have been confirmed.

The service is intended for both individuals and businesses and will automatically convert stablecoins into fiat at the point of sale.

What can we expect from the stablecoin payment cards?

The new card service will allow users to make purchases and receive payments in stablecoins, with transactions automatically converted into fiat currency. This approach is designed to allow merchants and cardholders to interact with stablecoins without dealing with the complexity of managing crypto wallets or dealing with market volatility directly.

Iron, the infrastructure provider now owned by MoonPay, will handle the technical backend of the service. Whilst the specific stablecoins to be supported have not been disclosed, such products typically use well-known assets like USDC or USDT, both of which are pegged to the US dollar.

The rollout is planned to be global, though both companies have not detailed which regions will be prioritised.

Ongoing Regulatory Developments

In the United States, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued guidance in April stating that some stablecoins do not qualify as securities. However, it did not offer clarity on yield-bearing or algorithmic stablecoins, leaving parts of the market in a legal grey area.

The SEC also recently closed an investigation into PayPal’s stablecoin without taking enforcement action, signalling a possible shift toward more defined regulatory boundaries. Even so, the broader legal framework for stablecoins—particularly those used in financial products or payment systems—is still under development in many countries.

Despite this, large payment networks are continuing to experiment. Visa recently launched a stablecoin pilot programme across six Latin American countries, with plans to expand to other continents. Mastercard’s own series of partnerships, including the latest with MoonPay, indicates that the firm views stablecoins as a viable component of future payment infrastructure.