CZ Autobiography Stirs Crypto Debate As HK Approves First Stablecoin Firms

TLDR

• Hong Kong issued two first-batch stablecoin issuer licenses.
• HSBC and Anchor Fintech Limited were included in Hong Kong’s first batch.
• Iran planned crypto toll fees for loaded oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
• CZ released his autobiography on April 8 in English and traditional Chinese.
• SEC safe harbor review and FDIC stablecoin draft guidance added policy focus.

Crypto markets faced a packed news cycle this week. CZ’s autobiography drew sharp reactions, Hong Kong named its first stablecoin licensees, and Iran moved to collect cryptocurrency toll payments from oil tankers during a ceasefire period.

CZ autobiography becomes a new focus in crypto

Binance founder CZ announced the full release of his autobiography on April 8. The book is available in English and traditional Chinese. He said all personal proceeds and royalties will go to charity.

The release sparked debate across the crypto sector. The discussion focused on prison writing conditions, the abandoned FTX rescue plan, and remarks about SBF and Star Xu.

CZ described writing the first draft in prison with strict limits. He said inmates shared six phones and four computers. Each session lasted 15 minutes, and messages were delayed and censored.

He also said he considered helping FTX in 2022. That plan ended after SBF’s team failed to provide a complete balance sheet within 24 hours.

Hong Kong issues first stablecoin licenses as US rules advance

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority announced the first batch of stablecoin issuer licenses. Two licenses were issued. The group included HSBC and Anchor Fintech Limited.

Anchor Fintech Limited is a joint venture linked to Standard Chartered Bank, Animoca Brands, and Hong Kong Telecom. The regulator said the review covered business plans, risk controls, application use, and legal compliance.

The policy move came as US agencies also advanced stablecoin work. SEC Chair Paul Atkins said a crypto safe harbor proposal entered White House review through OIRA.

The proposal includes a startup exemption for about four years with disclosure duties. It also includes an investment contract safe harbor and guidance on token classification.

FDIC Chair Travis Hill said the agency issued draft guidance for stablecoin issuance by banks and fintech units. The draft covers reserves, redemption, capital rules, and business scope, and it will be open for comment.

Iran toll plan and market data add pressure to crypto narrative

Iran said it plans to charge toll fees on fully loaded oil tankers during a two-week ceasefire with the United States. The fee is about $1 per barrel and may be paid in digital assets such as Bitcoin.

Under the plan, tankers must send cargo details by email. After review, payment instructions would follow. Empty tankers may be exempt from the fee.

Hamid Hosseini said the measure is meant to track traffic and prevent weapons transfers. He said vessels would have only seconds to pay after Iran completed its assessment.

At the same time, market data showed lower DeFi yields. Aave’s USDC deposit APY was about 2.61%, and USDT deposit APY was about 1.84%. Lido’s stETH yield was about 2.53%.

Those rates were below the 3.14% idle cash rate at Interactive Brokers. Only a few products stayed higher, including Ethena’s sUSDe and Sky’s USDS Savings.

The broader market also tracked treasury activity and fundraising. Strategy reported a $14.5 billion unrealized Bitcoin loss in the first quarter, while several crypto firms announced new financing rounds.

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