Crypto Journalist

Amin Ayan

Crypto Journalist

Amin Ayan

About Author

Amin Ayan is a crypto journalist with over four years of experience in the industry. He has contributed to leading publications such as Cryptonews, Investing.com, 99Bitcoins, and 24/7 Wall St. He has…

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July 19, 2025

Peter McCormack, well-known Bitcoin podcaster and owner of Real Bedford FC, has announced a bold plan to tackle rising crime in Bedford, UK, stepping into a role some liken to a real-life Batman.

Frustrated by what he calls the police’s failure to protect the community, McCormack is personally funding a pilot initiative deploying ten security guards to patrol the town center every Saturday.

In a post on X, McCormack said, “If the police won’t keep the town safe for our women and children, I will.”

Rising Crime in Bedford Sparks Business Closures

McCormack said his concerns center on a surge in crime, including aggressive begging, shoplifting, and harassment, which he says have driven shoppers away, forced stores to close, and left families feeling unsafe.

The Bedford-based entrepreneur and football club owner claims he issued a warning to local police before launching his plan, criticizing them for not addressing these issues.

Bedford, a town of around 185,800 residents located less than two hours from London, has seen McCormack become a vocal advocate for community safety.

Alongside his business ventures, he runs Real Bedford FC, a football club famously dubbed the “Bitcoin soccer team,” backed by investments from Gemini founders Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss.

McCormack has engaged local residents by surveying them about crime and has called for community meetings to build support for his security project.

Despite the initiative’s ambition, legal questions remain around how these private security personnel will operate in public spaces.

Vigilantism is illegal in the UK, and experts from JD Spicer Zeb Solicitors caution that such efforts must stay within legal boundaries.

It is suggested that the guards may function more as informants, gathering video evidence to assist police investigations, similar to the growing trend of traffic vigilantes in the country.

While the concept of privately funded security patrols might seem unconventional, it reflects a broader trend in areas facing police shortages.

Lieutenant Eric J. Altorfer of the San Francisco Police Department noted earlier this year that private security increasingly fills gaps left by understaffed law enforcement agencies.

However, Altorfer emphasized the importance of clear collaboration between private security firms and public police to ensure accountability and effectiveness.

Crypto Execs Hire Bodyguards Amid Influencer Kidnapping Concerns

As reported, crypto executives are turning to personal security services as targeted kidnappings and ransom attempts continue to escalate, particularly in France.

In May, private security firms such as Infinite Risks International, based in Amsterdam, reported a sharp increase in demand from crypto professionals seeking round-the-clock protection amid rising crypto kidnappings.

The rise in inquiries came after a spate of violent attacks, including multiple kidnapping attempts that have alarmed both investors and law enforcement.

In France, the father of a crypto millionaire was brutally attacked. And in New York, a tourist was tortured for over two weeks as kidnappers tried to extract his Bitcoin credentials.

Per the South Korean newspaper Hanguk Kyungjae, Lee made a series of pledges to younger voters while speaking at an event in North Chungcheong Province on May 6. The candidate said:

“I will create a safer environment for investment. That will help young people build up their assets and plan for the future.”

South Korean Presidential Frontrunner: I Will Legalize BTC ETFs

Lee said his government would institutionalize crypto spot ETFs. He also said that he would build an integrated monitoring system to police the crypto sector.

And Lee pledged to “reorganize the market” under his leadership. He said that he would “bring about a reduction in crypto transaction fees.”

It is unclear at this stage exactly how Lee would seek to fulfil this promise. In South Korea, crypto exchanges are currently free to set transaction fees as they see fit.

However, Lee’s government, should he win on June 3, could theoretically seek to impose a cap on exchange transaction fees.

In recent months, exchanges like Bithumb have sought to boost trading volumes by offering their clients commission-free trading for limited periods.

These promotions have proved enormously popular among South Korean traders, with Lee’s camp possibly taking note.

Candidates Courting Younger Voters?

Money Today reported that analysts think Lee is trying to win over younger voters by making manifesto pledges about “issues that are very important to young people.”

Lee has been relatively quiet on crypto-related policy matters in the lead up to June’s poll. May 6’s comments are the first time he has spoken about his crypto stance on the campaign trail.

It is likely that his comments are a response to recent crypto pledges from Lee’s main rival in the polls, the ruling People Power Party (PPP)’s candidate Kim Moon-soon.

Earlier this month, Kim pledged to let South Korea’s state pension fund and the sovereign wealth fund make direct crypto investments.

The PPP has also rolled out seven crypto-related manifesto pledges ahead of June 3. The party says it plans to do away with restrictive banking rules for crypto exchanges.

How Sincere Are Crypto Manifesto Pledges?

Skeptics will likely cast a cautious eye on the two candidates’ comments. Hanguk Kyungjae noted that Lee’s Democratic Party pledged to green-light crypto spot ETFs ahead of last year’s legislative elections. The newspaper wrote:

“Although the party won a landslide victory in the election, there has been no significant progress made on the matter since then.”

Lee promised to build a “society that gives opportunities to young people.” He added: “A society that neglects young people will only regress.”

Recent opinion polls put Lee around 20 percentage points ahead of Kim, with almost 50% of popular support.

The election was sparked by the recent impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol, who unsuccessfully attempted to declare martial law in December 2024.

The post South Korean Presidential Frontrunner Pledges to Cut Crypto Transaction Fees appeared first on Cryptonews.

announcement It was It was held at the Emergency Response Committee meeting on Monday, April 28th, 2025. This is due to political tensions rising following the recent release of President Yoon Seok Yeol’s recent ammo each and removal over the illegal imposition of martial law.

Radioactive fallout was the setting for the SNAP presidential election on June 3, with crypto policy emerging as an important campaign issue.

Explore: 10 Best AI Crypto Coins to Invest in 2025

The ruling party pledges to legalize the Spot Crypto ETF

The heart of the PPP pledge is the legalization of Spot Crypto ETFs. This is a move aimed at aligning South Korea with global financial markets.

Citing the Securities and Exchange Commission’s decision in January to approve the Spot Bitcoin ETF, Congressman Park Soo-Min emphasized the urgency to pace it with international regulatory development.

Alongside the ETF push, the parties have pledged to dismantle the “one exchange, one bank” rules. This currently limits cryptocurrency exchanges to a single bank partner.

Critics argue that the policy has curtailed competition and consumer choices in the country’s fast-growing digital asset market. “It’s extremely restrictive to not be able to exchange virtual assets through your preferred bank,” Park said in a session in the Parliament.

Further proposals include expanding access to the crypto market For institutional players. If PPP maintains power, the plan allows nonprofit organizations to trade digital assets from the second quarter.

According to local news, the Korean People’s Power Party has vowed to abolish the “one exchange, one bank” policy, approve the Bitcoin Spot ETF in 2025, and to approve the Bitcoin Spot ETF in 2025. pic.twitter.com/7zywgfp4er

– Office area (@coinbureau) April 29, 2025

Bid on The PPP brings clarity and confidence to the market and proposes the establishment of a Virtual Assets Special Committee under the President’s Office.

This body will be supervised implementation of A new regulatory regime, including the Framework Act on the Promotion of Digital Assets. The proposed law will be introduced More clear Rules for exchange operations, asset lists, and transaction disclosures.

Explore: Best New Cryptocurrencies to Invest in 2025

PPP implementing Stablecoins regulatory systems

Rep. Choi Bo-Yoon pointed out that the PPP is aiming to implement a stubcoin regulatory system based on global standards, increasing transparency and investor protection.

The party’s platform reflects the recent deregulation trend in the United States, where former President Donald Trump advocated for rollbacks of debt broker rules. Cryptographic integration Towards a national financial strategy.

PPP presidential candidate Hong Joon-Pyo has embraced a similar stance, pledging to reduce regulatory barriers and expand the use of blockchain in public services.

Discover: Best Meme Coin ICO to Invest in April 2025

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The ruling post-Korea party has pledged to approve the Spot Crypto ETF until the end of the year.

The quake caused widespread flooding and extensive damage to infrastructure, particularly in Myanmar, where the epicenter was located roughly 10 miles from Mandalay.

In a post on X, Zhao expressed concern for those affected and said the donations would be distributed through Binance and Binance Thailand.

CZ Says Binance Will Distribute Earthquake Relief Funds If No Trusted On-Chain Platform Found

He noted that if a reliable third-party on-chain donation platform is not identified, Binance will directly handle the distribution of the disaster relief funds.

According to The Guardian, the earthquake has already claimed at least 144 lives, with over 700 others injured.

Rescue teams in both countries are working to recover those still trapped beneath the rubble, and the death toll is expected to rise.

Myanmar’s military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, has publicly appealed for international assistance to aid in the relief efforts.

The use of cryptocurrency in humanitarian aid has gained traction due to its speed, transparency, and ability to bypass traditional banking infrastructure.

In previous disasters, such as the 2023 earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, and the Maui wildfires, crypto-based platforms like The Giving Block helped raise millions of dollars for relief.

The Giving Block has also launched an emergency fundraiser this year for victims of the California wildfires, raising over $1 million to date.

CZ’s Charity Backfires (in a Good Way)

Earlier this month, CZ pledged 150 BNB (around $100,000) to help victims of the now-defunct LIBRA meme coin—only to end up receiving more crypto than he gave.

Zhao’s donation came in response to a campaign started by a college student named EnHeng, who raised $50,000 to support over 40,000 investors impacted by LIBRA’s collapse.

The Solana-based token, promoted by Argentina’s President Javier Milei, briefly soared to a $4 billion market cap before crashing by 91%, wiping out billions in investor funds.

After Zhao publicly shared his donation wallet, crypto contributions poured in, surpassing his initial donation.

“When you give money away, you get more back,” CZ quipped on X.

However, he made it clear he would not keep any of the additional funds, promising to redirect them to other meme coin victims, including those scammed by TST and Broccoli—named after his dog.

Zhao emphasized his actions should not be seen as an endorsement of any meme coins.

Meanwhile, President Milei is under investigation in Argentina for his role in promoting LIBRA, which is now at the center of a growing legal scandal involving fraud, insider trading, and investor deception.

The post Binance’s CZ Pledges to Donate 500 BNB Each to Thailand and Myanmar After Earthquake appeared first on Cryptonews.

Binance co-founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao is donating 500 BNB (BNB) each to Thailand and Myanmar following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that caused severe damage to buildings and widespread flooding.

Zhao plans to distribute the funds through Binance and Binance Thailand if a third-party onchain donation platform cannot be found to distribute the disaster relief funds.

“I hope everyone is safe in Thailand,” the Binance founder wrote in a March 28 X post before announcing the contributions to both countries affected by the earthquake.

According to The Guardian, at least 144 people are confirmed to have died as a result of the catastrophic earthquake as first responders in both countries continue rescue efforts to free people trapped under rubble.

Related: Thailand regulator approves USDT, USDC stablecoins

Disaster strikes Myanmar and Thailand

The earthquake struck on March 28 at approximately 1:20 PM local time. The epicenter of the earthquake was approximately 10 miles from Mandalay — the second-largest city in Myanmar.

The death toll in both countries is expected to rise as relief efforts continue, with 732 individuals reportedly injured as a result of the earthquake.

Myanmar’s junta chief Min Aung Hlaing has called upon any country willing to help with the disaster relief efforts to provide any aid it can.

Crypto donations amplify aid during times of crisis

The cross-border efficiencies, low transaction costs, and near-instant settlement times of cryptocurrencies make digital assets an ideal medium for disaster relief funds.

Following a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that impacted Turkey and Syria in February 2023, philanthropist Haluk Levent began collecting crypto disaster relief donations.

The Giving Block, a company that works with nonprofit organizations to facilitate crypto donations, also used crypto to raise funds for the victims of the Maui wildfires in 2023 and managed to give over $1 million to the relief effort.

More recently, in January, The Giving Block started an emergency relief fundraiser for those impacted by the California wildfires in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas.

At the time of this writing, the organization has raised over $1 million for the California wildfire relief fund.

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