The FBI and CISA warned users to avoid unencrypted text messaging between iPhones and Android devices, urging the use of end-to-end encrypted apps like Signal and WhatsApp amid rising spyware and interception risks.

MUFG says current USD/IDR valuations suggest the Indonesian rupiah has fundamental support through 2025. Backed by over $140 billion in FX reserves, commodity export inflows, and improving fiscal metrics, Indonesia may be better positioned than regional peers despite Fed and global risk uncertainties.

South Korea now has two stablecoins both named KRWQ: TokenSquare's BSV-based KRWQ for payment infrastructure, and IQ/Frax Finance's KRWQ listed on EDX Markets for institutional derivatives trading. The split reflects regulatory uncertainty and the global shift of non-USD stablecoins from trading pairs to full payment rails.

Standard Chartered has officially rolled out spot Bitcoin trading for institutional clients through its UK branch, marking a major step in the bank’s broader digital asset strategy. The service is integrated into the bank’s existing trading infrastructure, allowing institutions to access Bitcoin and crypto markets through familiar FX-style interfaces rather than separate crypto-native platforms. Clients will also be able to choose their preferred custodian, including Standard Chartered’s own digital asset custody solution, while Bitcoin and crypto non-deliverable forwards are expected to follow soon. The launch operates within a regulated framework and is registered with the UK Financial Conduct Authority, addressing one of the biggest barriers for institutional investors: trusted access through compliant financial infrastructure. Standard Chartered says the goal is to help clients transact, trade, and manage digital asset risk safely and efficiently as demand for regulated crypto exposure continues to rise. This move also fits into a broader expansion. In May 2026, the bank partnered with digital asset broker FalconX to improve settlement and FX capabilities for institutions. Around the same time, Geoffrey Kendrick, the bank’s head of digital assets research, raised his Q2 Bitcoin target from $120,000 to $200,000 after citing more than $5.3 billion in ETF inflows, and projected Bitcoin could reach $500,000 by 2029. Together, these developments show how major banks are positioning themselves for the next wave of institutional Bitcoin adoption.

Standard Chartered has officially launched a spot Bitcoin trading service for institutional clients via its UK branch, fully integrated with existing FX platforms and compliant with FCA regulation. The bank also plans to offer Bitcoin and crypto non-deliverable forwards (NDFs) soon. CEO Bill Winters emphasized digital assets as foundational to financial services evolution. Meanwhile, the bank's digital assets research head Geoffrey Kendrick revised his Q2 2026 price target from $120,000 to $200,000, citing over $5.3 billion in ETF inflows, and projected a $500,000 Bitcoin price by 2029 driven by sovereign exposure. This launch follows a strategic partnership with FalconX and positions Standard Chartered as a major player in institutional crypto adoption.