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Sony Electronics Enables USDC Payments for Online Payments in Singapore

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Sony Electronics Singapore has enabled USDC payments for online purchases through its Sony Store Online, in partnership with Crypto.com. This integration allows customers in Singapore to use the USDC stablecoin, which is pegged to the U.S. dollar, to buy Sony products directly via Crypto.com Pay. This marks Sony Singapore’s first step into accepting cryptocurrency transactions locally, with plans to expand support for additional cryptocurrencies in the future. To encourage adoption, Sony is offering promotions: the first 50 customers spending at least S$300 (approximately $223 USD) in USDC will receive a free LinkBuds Speaker (worth S$299), and the first 150 customers spending at least S$100 will get 20 USDC credited to their Crypto.com accounts. These offers are valid until April 30, 2025, subject to availability.

The introduction of USDC payments by Sony Electronics Singapore via Crypto.com could have several impacts across different domains. By allowing USDC payments, Sony Singapore is normalizing the use of stablecoins for everyday purchases. This could encourage other retailers in Singapore and beyond to adopt crypto payment options, especially given Sony’s brand influence. Partnering with a major corporation like Sony could drive more users to Crypto.com, increasing its transaction volume and potentially its market share in the crypto payment space. Since USDC is a stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar, it reduces volatility concerns compared to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum.

This might make crypto payments more appealing to cautious consumers and businesses, potentially shifting preference toward stablecoins in e-commerce. Customers who already hold USDC or use Crypto.com can now seamlessly spend their digital assets on Sony products, potentially increasing convenience and loyalty among this demographic. The promotional offers (e.g., free LinkBuds Speaker or USDC credits) could attract new users to try crypto payments, especially those unfamiliar with or hesitant about digital currencies. Over time, if the experience is smooth, some consumers might prefer crypto payments over traditional methods like credit cards, especially if transaction fees are lower or rewards are better.

Technological and Operational Impacts

Sony Singapore’s integration of Crypto.com Pay demonstrates how traditional companies can adapt existing online payment systems to accommodate blockchain-based transactions, potentially setting a precedent for others. This rollout will test Crypto.com’s ability to handle real-world retail transactions at scale with a major partner, which could influence future partnerships or expose technical limitations. Sony’s plan to support more cryptocurrencies suggests ongoing investment in blockchain technology, which could lead to more sophisticated payment systems down the line.

Singapore’s Crypto Hub Status; As a financial and tech hub, Singapore’s adoption of crypto payments by a brand like Sony reinforces its position as a leader in fintech innovation, potentially attracting more crypto-related businesses. Competitors like Samsung or LG might feel pressured to explore similar crypto payment options to keep pace, especially if Sony’s move gains traction among tech-savvy consumers. If successful, this could influence smaller retailers in Singapore to adopt crypto payments, creating a ripple effect in the local e-commerce ecosystem.

Increased corporate adoption of crypto payments might prompt Singapore’s Monetary Authority (MAS) to refine or expand its already progressive crypto regulations, balancing innovation with consumer protection. Unlike proof-of-work cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, USDC operates on less energy-intensive blockchains (e.g., Ethereum post-merge). This could improve public perception of crypto payments as more sustainable, aligning with Sony’s corporate responsibility goals.

Sony Singapore’s acceptance of USDC payments could accelerate crypto adoption in retail, influence consumer and competitor behavior, and solidify Singapore’s role in the global fintech landscape—all while testing the practical viability of stablecoin transactions in mainstream commerce. The success of this initiative, especially with its promotional push, will likely determine its long-term impact.

Nigerian Fintech Earnipay Lays Off Staff Amid Shift to Business Lending Focus

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Earnipay, a financial technology (fintech) solution that provides flexible and on-demand salary access to income earners, has laid off a part of its workforce.

The company’s CEO Nonso Onwuzuike describes the move as a “difficult but necessary” decision, noting that it is part of a strategic shift toward business lending, the company’s most profitable segment.

While the number of laid-off staff was not disclosed, Earnipay will offer affected employees two months’ salary as severance, HMO coverage through year-end, subsidized access to work laptops, and job-seeking support. “This decision does not reflect your contributions”, the CEO said. “You have helped build Earnipay into what it is today.”

Amidst the shake-up of its workforce, the remaining staff have been urged to rally around the company’s new leaner vision, stabilizing operations and focusing on profitability.

Earnipay’s layoff of part of its workforce also reflects a wider downturn in African startup funding. In 2024, startups on the continent raised $2.01 billion, marking a 31% drop from $2.9 billion in 2023 and a steep decline from over $4 billion in 2022.

Although fintechs still led in funding, securing $882.43 million, access to capital has become more selective, especially for startups without a clear path to profitability. Nigeria, Earnipay’s home market, raised only $331.52 million in 2024, trailing behind Kenya and South Africa. This funding squeeze has pushed several startups which include Kuda, and Chipper Cash to implement layoffs and restructuring to extend their financial runway.

With no guarantee of raising additional capital, Earnipay is scaling back non-core services and doubling down on business lending, its primary revenue driver.

Notably, Earnipay downsizing of its workforce comes after three years when it raised $4 million to scale its operation in Africa and provide on-demand salaries to workers. The funding round was led by Canaan, with participation from XYZ Ventures, Village Global, Musha Ventures, Ventures Platform, Voltron Capital, and Paystack.

According to the company it disclosed to use the seed funding to accelerate the development of its technology platform to save large enterprise employers. By doing so, it will provide employees with the tools they need to make better financial decisions and improve the quality of their life.

However, this rapid expansion came at a high financial cost. According to Onwuzulike, Earnipay has been spending four times its revenue on product development and growth—particularly outside its lending segment. “We had hoped to grow into our cost structure,” he admitted, “but some products aren’t generating enough revenue to justify the burn.” Without restructuring, the company risked running out of money.

Founded by Nonso Onwuzulike in 2021, the company launched to improve employees’ financial well-being by partnering with employers and seamlessly integrating with their payroll system to offer its services to employees, who can then track and withdraw their accrued salaries via the app on any day of the month.

Earnipay has quickly established itself with a product built specifically for payroll behaviors in Nigeria, and early employer uptake is very strong. The fintech is systematically addressing the inefficiencies in how the African workforce interacts with salaries and will continue to build products and services with both employers and employees in mind. Aside from enabling employees to access part of their salary, the company has other product offerings which include loans (personalized for customers’ needs) and savings, which enable users to grow their funds with personalized plans.

Earnipay is backed by top investors which include Voltron Capital, Ventures Platform, Canaan Partners, XYZ, and Village Global. The company is driven by a mission to provide best-in-class financial services to businesses and their employees.

Amazon Joins Race for TikTok as U.S. Ban Deadline Nears—But Another Extension Seems Likely

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Amazon has submitted a last-minute bid to acquire TikTok, a Trump administration official revealed on Wednesday, just days before a U.S. ban on the popular social media platform is set to take effect.

The bid adds another twist to the high-stakes negotiations over TikTok’s fate in the United States.

The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly, confirmed that Amazon’s offer was communicated in a letter to Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. The New York Times was the first to report on the bid.

With the Saturday deadline fast approaching, President Donald Trump has remained firm on his demand that TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, must sell the platform to an approved U.S. buyer or face a nationwide ban. However, despite his strong rhetoric, signs are emerging that the deadline may be extended once again, as no deal appears to be close to completion.

Amazon has so far declined to comment on its bid, while TikTok has not responded to inquiries about the potential sale.

Will the Ban Deadline Be Pushed Again?

Although Trump has stated that TikTok must be sold before Saturday, insiders suggest that a last-minute extension is increasingly likely. This wouldn’t be the first time the U.S. government has set a firm deadline, only to push it back when it became clear that negotiations were still ongoing.

Over the past few months, several potential buyers have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s U.S. operations, but no deal has materialized. The complexity of the negotiations—ranging from valuation disputes to national security concerns—has slowed the process, making it difficult for any acquisition to be finalized before the weekend.

While Trump has framed the Saturday deadline as a hard stop, political analysts suggest that extending it could serve as a strategic move. The president could use the looming threat of a ban to extract further concessions from ByteDance while avoiding immediate economic fallout from shutting down a platform that boasts over 150 million U.S. users.

Amazon’s Entry into the Bidding War

Amazon’s bid introduces a new dynamic into the negotiations, raising questions about how the e-commerce giant would integrate TikTok into its broader business. The company has been aggressively expanding its digital advertising and streaming operations, making TikTok an attractive asset. However, Amazon’s involvement also increases regulatory scrutiny, as many believe that allowing the tech behemoth to acquire TikTok could create antitrust concerns.

Amazon’s bid puts it in competition with several other companies and investment groups that have been circling TikTok for months.

Among the strongest contenders is Oracle, which already holds a 12.5% stake in TikTok Global after securing a deal in 2020 to provide cloud services for the platform. Blackstone, one of the world’s largest investment firms, has also expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s U.S. operations.

Meanwhile, AI startup Perplexity AI has proposed a merger with TikTok’s U.S. operations, arguing that it is “singularly positioned to rebuild the TikTok algorithm without creating a monopoly.” The company insists that its approach would ensure TikTok’s infrastructure remains under American oversight, aligning with U.S. privacy regulations.

A separate consortium led by billionaire businessman Frank McCourt has reportedly offered ByteDance $20 billion in cash, with Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian advising the group. Other investors include Jesse Tinsley, founder of Employer.com, who has proposed a bid exceeding $30 billion, and Wyoming-based entrepreneur Reid Rasner, who has offered approximately $47.5 billion.

The National Security Concern At The Center of Push for TikTok’s Sale

The fight over TikTok’s ownership has been driven by U.S. national security concerns. Both the FBI and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have warned that ByteDance could be compelled to share American user data—including browsing history, location, and biometric identifiers—with the Chinese government. TikTok has denied these allegations, maintaining that it has never shared data with Beijing and would not do so if asked. The U.S. government has yet to present concrete evidence that ByteDance has engaged in such activities.

While the national security argument has been central to Trump’s push for TikTok’s sale, the issue has also taken on a political dimension. Trump has millions of followers on TikTok and has credited the platform with helping him connect with younger voters. His decision to temporarily pause the ban on Inauguration Day was widely seen as an attempt to avoid alienating young supporters.

However, his long-term position on the app remains uncertain. During his first term, he took a hardline stance, issuing executive orders aimed at banning both TikTok and the Chinese messaging app WeChat. Now, with re-election looming, Trump faces a delicate balancing act—maintaining a tough stance on China while not shutting down a platform that has become a key tool for political engagement.

With just days remaining until the ban deadline, the pressure is mounting for a resolution. If ByteDance refuses to sell TikTok, the U.S. government will be forced to decide whether to proceed with the ban, extend the deadline, or seek another legal workaround.

The SEC and Gemini Jointly Requested for 60-Day Delay on Litigation

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The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Gemini Trust Company jointly requested a 60-day delay in their ongoing legal case from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. This request aims to allow both parties to explore a “potential resolution” to the lawsuit, which began in January 2023 when the SEC accused Gemini of illegally raising billions of dollars through its Gemini Earn program by offering unregistered securities. The motion does not specify whether this resolution might involve a settlement, dismissal, or another outcome, but both parties argue that pausing the case could conserve judicial resources and serve the public interest.

If approved, they will submit a joint status report within 60 days. This development follows a broader trend of the SEC easing its enforcement actions against cryptocurrency firms under the current administration, with Gemini having previously announced in February 2025 that the SEC closed a separate investigation into the company without charges. The SEC’s request for a 60-day delay in the Gemini case, filed jointly with Gemini on April 1, 2025, carries several potential implications for the parties involved, the cryptocurrency industry, and regulatory enforcement trends.

The joint motion suggests that both the SEC and Gemini see a path toward resolving the lawsuit, which centers on allegations of unregistered securities offerings through the Gemini Earn program. A settlement could involve Gemini paying a fine, agreeing to compliance measures, or restructuring its offerings without admitting liability—common outcomes in SEC cases. Alternatively, a resolution could mean the SEC dropping some or all claims, especially given its recent closure of a separate Gemini investigation in February 2025 without charges. This ambiguity leaves open whether Gemini might avoid significant penalties or if the SEC is refining its approach.

Shift in SEC Enforcement Strategy: The delay aligns with reports of the SEC softening its stance on crypto enforcement under the current administration. This could signal a pragmatic pivot—perhaps prioritizing negotiation over litigation—especially as the agency faces resource constraints and mixed success in court against crypto firms. A resolution here might set a precedent for how the SEC handles similar cases against other platforms, like Coinbase or Kraken, potentially favoring settlements over prolonged battles.

For Gemini, a pause offers breathing room to negotiate terms that could limit financial and reputational damage. A favorable outcome might strengthen its position in the competitive crypto market, especially after weathering the Earn program’s fallout tied to Genesis Global Capital’s bankruptcy. However, any settlement requiring operational changes could still impose costs or restrictions, affecting its business model. A resolution could clarify regulatory expectations for crypto lending and yield products, which remain a gray area under U.S. securities law. If the SEC secures concessions from Gemini, other firms might preemptively adjust their offerings to avoid similar scrutiny.

Conversely, a perceived SEC retreat could embolden the industry to push back against future enforcement, interpreting this as a sign of regulatory fatigue or shifting priorities. The joint motion’s emphasis on conserving judicial resources hints at mutual recognition that a drawn-out trial might not serve either side’s goals. A negotiated outcome could also align with public interest by reducing uncertainty for Gemini’s users and the market, though critics might argue it lets Gemini off lightly if no clear accountability emerges.

The next 60 days (assuming the court grants the delay) will be critical. The joint status report due afterward—around early June 2025—should reveal whether a deal is struck or if litigation resumes, providing further insight into the SEC’s evolving crypto strategy and Gemini’s fate. Until then, the implications hinge on speculation, but the move suggests a preference – at least temporarily – de-escalating tensions in this high-stakes regulatory standoff.

ETH to $10K? XRP to $7? Don’t Miss the Altcoin That Could Dominate 2025’s Rally!

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As predictions fly about Ethereum reaching unprecedented levels and Ripple making significant gains, attention is turning to an emerging digital asset that could outshine them all. Amid the focus on the big players, this under-the-radar cryptocurrency may be gearing up to lead the next major market surge. It’s time to explore the potential frontrunner of the 2025 rally.

Price Prediction for XYZVerse ($XYZ): Is a 30x Jump Possible?

XYZVerse has entered the meme coin market at a time when community-driven tokens continue to dominate speculative trading. The rise of meme coins like PEPE, Dogwifhat, and Bonk proves that strong branding, viral marketing, and community engagement can drive massive gains.

The broader market sentiment also plays a key role in XYZVerse’s potential. As the altcoin season is about to start, lower-cap meme coins are seeing increased investor interest. Given that XYZVerse is still in presale, it could benefit from this wave if it secures strategic exchange listings and maintains community hype post-launch.

Key Strengths of XYZVerse in the Current Market:

  • Strong branding with sports and influencer partnerships, broadening its appeal
  • Deflationary mechanics (17.13% token burn) to reduce supply pressure
  • Liquidity allocation (15%) to support stability after launch
  • Community incentives (10%) fostering engagement and holding

Price Prediction for $XYZ

  • Current Presale Price: $0.003333
  • Projected Post-Presale Target: $0.10 (as per project’s estimates)
  • Potential ATH (First 1-2 Weeks Post-Launch): $0.15 – $0.25 (if demand surges and listings drive FOMO)
  • Long-Term Potential (6-12 Months): $0.20 – $0.40 (if the project secures major partnerships and listings)

Buy $XYZ Early to Increase Its Profit Potential

Realistic Expectations: Will XYZ Hit $0.10?

A 30x jump from presale to $0.10 is possible but depends on:

  • Strong Exchange Listings – If XYZVerse lands on major CEX platforms like KuCoin, OKX, or Binance, its price could skyrocket on launch day.
  • Sustained Community Growth – Meme coins need viral momentum. If XYZVerse delivers on its sports influencer partnerships, it could drive massive social media engagement.
  • Market Conditions – If Bitcoin and altcoins remain bullish, speculation-driven assets like XYZVerse tend to benefit.

Is a 3000% Surge Possible for $XYZ?

XYZVerse has the ingredients for a strong launch, but its long-term success depends on execution. If the team delivers strong marketing, high-profile listings, and real community engagement, the $0.10+ target, which is around 3000% from the current price, could be achievable.

Invest in $XYZ Before It Surges

Ethereum (ETH)

Ethereum (ETH) has seen its price decline recently. In the past week, it dropped by 9.54%. Over the last month, the decrease was 15.29%. In the past six months, ETH’s price fell by 24.69%. This shows a steady downward trend.

Currently, ETH is trading between $1683.26 and $2018.74. The closest support level is at $1558.58. If the price drops to this level, it would be about 7% lower from the current price range. The nearest resistance level is at $2229.54. For ETH to reach this level, it needs to rise by roughly 32% from the current range.

Technical indicators suggest that the price may continue to fall. Some measures show that the market is not yet oversold. The average price over the last 10 days is lower than the average over the last 100 days, which could mean the downward trend might persist.

Ripple (XRP)

Over the past six months, XRP’s price has soared by 281.92%, reflecting strong long-term growth. However, recent trends show a decrease of 14.44% in the past month and 13.23% in the last week. These declines suggest a short-term downward trend despite the impressive half-year performance.

XRP is currently trading between $1.96 and $2.41. The nearest support level is $1.79, which may halt further declines. The nearest resistance is at $2.68; surpassing this could signal renewed upward movement. The 10-day simple moving average is $2.05, slightly below the 100-day average of $2.12, indicating possible short-term bearish sentiment.

Technical indicators show bearish signals. The Relative Strength Index is 38.84, nearing oversold territory. The stochastic indicator is at 25.16, also suggesting oversold conditions. The MACD level is negative at -0.0197, pointing to potential continued decline. XRP may test the support at $1.79 but could rebound toward the $2.68 resistance, offering a possible gain of about 25% from current levels.

Conclusion

While ETH and XRP show promise, XYZVerse (XYZ) emerges as the standout, uniting sports fans and aiming for unprecedented growth in the 2025 rally.

You can find more information about XYZVerse (XYZ) here:

https://xyzverse.io/, https://t.me/xyzverse, https://x.com/xyz_verse