From Sony’s new web3 project to new updates from Bybit, here’s a roundup of the top crypto stories you may have missed.
Sony Web3 Project: Solo Leveling Digital Collectible
Sony launched the Anime Art Festival, a Web3 initiative that blends anime fandom with blockchain technology, debuting with a digital collectible based on the hit anime Solo Leveling.
The collectible is available via Sony’s proprietary Layer-2 blockchain, Soneium. It was developed with San FranTokyo’s Anime ID and Animoca Brands’ AIR Kit. Fans can mint collectibles, earn digital badges and build on-chain reputations based on their engagement, with hints of future utilities tied to their participation. Additional features include linking MyAnimeList accounts to integrate anime viewing history and participate in giveaways and writing contests.
NFT trader faces jail for tax evasion on CryptoPunk profits
Waylon Wilcox, a 45-year-old NFT trader, pleaded guilty to underreporting nearly $13 million in profits from selling CryptoPunk NFTs across 2021 and 2022. He earned approximately $7.4 million in 2021 and another $4.9 million in 2022 from 97 total sales but filed false tax returns to conceal these earnings. In doing so, he reduced his tax liability by more than $3 million across the two years. Wilcox now faces a maximum of six years in prison, supervised release and potential fines, though the final sentence has yet to be determined. (Read more: Then vs. Now: Top NFT Collections and How Much Their Prices Have Crashed Since 2021)
Federal prosecutors and the IRS emphasized the seriousness of financial crimes involving digital assets, noting that Wilcox had intentionally misled authorities by denying any digital asset transactions on his tax forms.
Google to Enforce MICA Rules on Crypto Ads
Starting April 23, Google will enforce new advertising rules for cryptocurrency services in Europe under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework and Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) regulations.
Crypto exchanges and wallet providers must now be licensed under these regulations and certified by Google to run ads across most EU countries. The policy aims to align with local and national-level legal requirements, though violators will receive a warning at least seven days before account suspensions.
Trump family to Launch a Monopoly-inspired Crypto Game
The Trump family is reportedly preparing to launch a crypto-based game inspired by Monopoly by the end of April, led by Bill Zanker, a close associate who previously worked with Donald Trump on NFT projects and the Trump meme coin.
The game is said to feature in-game currency that may tie into crypto elements, though exact details about its mechanics and tokenomics remain vague.
Slovenia to Tax Crypto Profits at 25%
Slovenia’s finance ministry proposed a 25% tax on capital gains from cryptocurrency starting in 2026. The tax would apply to profits from selling crypto for fiat currency or using it for goods and services, but would exclude swapping one cryptocurrency for another.
The tax is expected to generate between €2.5 million and €25 million annually and will be assessed on the difference between the acquisition and sale prices, minus transaction fees. The Finance Ministry is seeking public feedback on the proposal.
OpenSea Integrates Solana on Its OS2 Platform
OpenSea has integrated the Solana blockchain network into its OS2 platform, allowing users to trade Solana-based meme coins. The move aims to expand cross-blockchain compatibility for NFTs and other digital assets.
The integration supports token trading for Solana and is currently available to a select group of beta users, with broader access coming soon. The initiative is part of OpenSea’s larger goal to enhance its OS2 platform, which will eventually support more than 20 blockchain networks and provide a more unified experience for NFT and token trading.
CZ Reveals His Crypto Portfolio
Binance co-founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao publicly revealed his crypto portfolio using Binance Square’s new trader profile feature. He listed BNB as his dominant asset at 98.48%, followed by Bitcoin (1.32%), EURI (0.17%) and USDT (0.03%).
ByBit Shutdowns 4 More Web3 Services
Bybit is significantly scaling back its web3 operations, announcing the shutdown of several services, including its Cloud Wallet, Keyless Wallet, NFT marketplace, multi-chain DEX (DEX Pro), and the Swap & Bridge widget, all effective by May 31.
The move follows the earlier closure of its NFT marketplace and comes alongside the discontinuation of Web3 Points, NFT Pro, Apex Pro gateway, fiat-to-crypto on-ramp and its initial DEX offering service on April 28. These changes are part of a broader strategic shift following a $1.4 billion hack that hit the platform in February.
BIS Calls for “Containment” of Crypto Risks
A new report from the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) calls for stronger regulation and a “containment” approach to crypto and DeFi risks as their integration with traditional finance deepens.
Titled Cryptocurrencies and Decentralised Finance: Functions and Financial Stability Implications, the report warns of potential spillovers into the real economy through developments such as crypto ETFs and tokenized real-world assets. While the BIS acknowledges that an outright ban on crypto is neither feasible nor desirable, it argues that tighter oversight—including KYC requirements and professional standards—is needed due to persistent risks like scams, anonymity and information asymmetry.
This article is published on BitPinas: Crypto News You May Have Missed This Week | April 21, 2025
What else is happening in Crypto Philippines and beyond?
