Kalam Crypto #154: Celebrating Ethereum’s Decade & TradFi’s Blockchain Surge

“Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity, not a threat.”

— Steve Jobs

Ahlan wa sahlan! Welcome to the latest edition of Kalam Crypto, your trusted source for crisp, insightful updates on everything crypto across the globe and the MENA region. This week, we celebrate Ethereum’s 10th anniversary, spotlight Rakbank’s groundbreaking move into crypto trading, and explore how traditional finance giants are doubling down on blockchain innovation. All this and more in this week’s Kalam Crypto! Let’s dive in👇

Global News 🌍

🎉Celebrating 10 Years of Ethereum!

Ethereum just turned 10, and what a journey it’s been! From inventing smart contracts and fueling DeFi and NFTs to completing the Merge, Ethereum has shaped the crypto landscape like no other. With a decade of breakthroughs behind it, ETH continues to lead the charge in blockchain innovation. At CoinMENA, we’re excited to celebrate this milestone and make it easier than ever for you to be part of Ethereum’s next chapter.

Metaplanet Buys 463 BTC Amid August Dip Japanese investment firm Metaplanet kicked off August by purchasing 463 Bitcoin for $53.7 million. This brings its total holdings to 17,595 BTC, worth over $2 billion, making Metaplanet the seventh-largest corporate Bitcoin holder. The company aims to reach 210,000 BTC by 2027 and is funding its strategy through a $3.7 billion perpetual preferred stock offering.

TradFi Giants Double Down on Blockchain Citigroup, JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, and Japan’s SBI Group are leading traditional finance’s push into blockchain, according to a new Ripple report. From 2020 to 2024, global banks took part in 345 blockchain startup investments, mostly early-stage, with Citi and Goldman Sachs leading at 18 deals each. Banks also backed 33 mega-rounds ($100M+), funding projects in trading infrastructure, tokenization, custody, and payments. In the survey of 1,800 finance leaders worldwide, a strong majority anticipate major change. Roughly 9 in 10 respondents said blockchain and digital assets will reshape financial services within the next three years. This trend highlights how traditional finance is embracing blockchain technology as a fundamental part of the future financial landscape.

Satoshi Nakamoto Statue Recovered After Vandalism The iconic statue of Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto, reported stolen from Parco Ciani in Lugano, Switzerland, has been recovered from Lake Lugano by municipal workers. Installed by art collective Satoshigallery, the statue was found in pieces, suggesting an act of vandalism rather than theft. Unveiled in October 2024 by artist Valentina Picozzi, the statue had become a symbol of the Bitcoin movement.

Tether Reports $4.9 B Q2 Profit as Stablecoins Surge Tether posted a $4.9 billion profit in Q2 2025; a 277% year-over-year jump as stablecoins gain momentum amid regulatory clarity. With $5.7 billion in profit so far this year, Tether’s USDT remains dominant, holding 61.7% of the stablecoin market. The company now holds $127 billion in U.S. Treasurys, making it the 18th-largest holder globally.

Local News 📍

🇦🇪 A Major First for Crypto in the UAE! Rakbank has officially become the first traditional bank in the UAE to offer crypto trading for retail users. This milestone move, powered by Bitpanda and regulated by Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), allows users to buy, sell, and swap crypto seamlessly using AED from their bank accounts. At CoinMENA, we welcome this step forward for regional crypto adoption and regulation, and we’re excited to see traditional institutions embracing digital assets and opening new doors for everyday users in the UAE!

Blog of the Week ✍️

Check out the latest blog post by our Founder and Managing Director, Dina Sam'an. She shares her thoughts on how remote work became a key strength for CoinMENA, fostering collaboration, trust, and a strong sense of belonging across borders.

Keep an eye on 👀

Bitcoin Mining Difficulty Bitcoin mining difficulty just hit a record 127.6 trillion and is expected to dip slightly on August 9. This metric shows how challenging it is to mine new BTC — the higher it is, the more secure and scarce the network becomes. With 94% of Bitcoin’s 21 million supply already in circulation, rising difficulty helps maintain controlled issuance and reinforces its deflationary nature.

Bitcoin mining difficulty over time. Source: CryptoQuant

Post Of The Week 🐥

The Ethereum Foundation marked Ethereum’s 10-year anniversary with over 140 community-led events around the world. A powerful reminder that Ethereum isn’t just technology, it’s a global movement powered by people.

CoinMENA News 🗞️

Have You Tried the Upgraded CoinMENA App Yet?

Last week, we launched our redesigned CoinMENA app, engineered for today’s crypto landscape with smoother navigation and fast trading for leading stablecoins and cryptocurrencies. This upgraded app delivers a faster, smarter, and more secure trading experience, all wrapped in a sleek new look. Read more about the new upgrade on our latest blog post, which is now accessible directly from the app.

Quiz Corner ✅ 

Last week’s question: What does the GENIUS Act regulate?  

The correct answer is: B) Stablecoins  

This week’s question is: What year was the Ethereum network officially launched?

• 2013

• 2014

• 2015

• 2016

See the answer in next week’s newsletter. Or check out our learning platform https://university.coinmena.com/