Thailand Lets Tourists Pay with Crypto via QR Codes | Live Crypto Updates | Aug. 18, 2025
From the U.S. to Thailand, from Bitcoin to Ethereum, we’re tracking today’s most important crypto and AI stories as they unfold. This article will be updated throughout the day.
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Thailand Launches Crypto-to-Baht Scheme for Tourists
The Thai government will roll out a new “TouristDigiPay” program on Aug. 18 that allows foreign visitors to convert cryptocurrency into Thai Baht for electronic payments. The scheme aims to revive tourism after a slowdown in arrivals, particularly from China.
Tourists must open accounts with licensed digital asset businesses and e-money providers, subject to Know Your Customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering checks. The program will run in a regulatory sandbox, with safeguards including spending limits and a ban on direct cash withdrawals.
Japan to Approve First Yen-Pegged Stablecoin Issued by JPYC
Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) will allow the first domestically issued yen-backed stablecoin as early as this autumn, with fintech firm JPYC set to launch the token.
JPYC, based in Tokyo’s Chiyoda ward, is expected to be registered as a licensed fund transfer business later this month. The stablecoin will be pegged to the Japanese yen and operate under Japan’s revised legal framework for stablecoins.
Globally, the stablecoin market—dominated by U.S. dollar-pegged tokens—has surpassed $250 billion. Japan hopes yen-backed stablecoins can be used for purposes such as international remittances and digital payments, offering a regulated alternative in the growing sector.
Coinbase Smart Wallet Crosses 1 Million Accounts, Driven by Base App
Coinbase Smart Wallet account creations have surpassed 1,074,000, according to data shared by @defioasis.
On August 16 alone, 270,000 new accounts were created, marking the second-highest daily record. Nearly 279,000 accounts, or 25.9% of the total, were created in August following the launch of the Base app.
The Base app has emerged as a significant driver of adoption, accelerating growth for Coinbase’s smart wallet infrastructure.
Banning Crypto Trading Could Help Boost PH Stock Market, According to a PSE Trading Participant
The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) can move faster and higher and will get more attention from the public if cryptocurrency trading is prohibited in the Philippines, according to Joey Roxas, the president of Eagle Equities Inc.
- Eagle Equities Inc. is a trading participant in the PSE and holds the broker-dealer license that has the right to buy and sell securities directly on its trading platform.
- The PSE is supervised by the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission, which is also the regulator that recently published the rules on Crypto Asset Service Providers, more known as CASP rules.
Story Protocol Co-Founder Steps Down From Role, But Community Asked: ‘What Did You Build?’
Jason Zhao, the co-founder of Story Protocol, a blockchain-based project that claims to make intellectual property “programmable,” announced in an X post that he is stepping away from his full-time role after three and a half years of building the platform.
- However, the post did not receive positive comments from the crypto community, calling Story Protocol a “soft rug” project.
- Other comments include criticizing Zhao for building a protocol that “no one wants to use” and then resigning from his post months after the project’s token generation event.
- In February 2025, Story Protocol launched its native token, IP. It is currently trading at above the $5.80 mark.
Launched in 2021, Story Protocol has raised more than $130 million in venture funding.
- Leadership will now pass fully to co-founder SY Lee as CEO.
- Zhao, on the other hand, will still be the project’s strategic advisor, as he called his journey on the protocol his “most meaningful experience.”
- He will also focus on Poseidon, his new AI project that applies artificial intelligence to frontier industries such as science, biopharma, robotics, and space.
Canary Capital CEO Says BTC Could Reach $150K This Year Then Bear Market Next Year
Aside from this prediction, Steven McClurg, the CEO of digital asset and crypto fund management Canary Capital, also said that he does not believe that the ETH rally will continue further because Ethereum is an “outdated network.”
- His predictions are based on the rising demand from ETFs and an expanding base of institutional buyers, including sovereign wealth funds, pensions, and corporate treasuries.
“There’s a greater than 50% chance that Bitcoin goes to the $140,000 to $150,000 range this year before we see another bear market next year.”
Steven McClurg, Chief Executive Officer, Canary Capital
10 Years in the Waiting: Ethereum ICO Wallet Moves ETH Bought at $104
A crypto wallet that purchased 334.7 ETH during the Ethereum ICO in 2014 for $104 each has moved the assets to a fresh wallet with no activity.
- This means that if the owner decides to swap the ETH for USD, they would have $1.48 million with a return of around 14,269x at current prices.
Crypto Exchange Gemini Plans to Go Public via Nasdaq
Gemini announced that it has submitted a public S-1 filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to launch a planned initial public offering via the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker GEMI.
- Two months ago, the crypto exchange revealed that it also submitted a confidential filing with the regulator.
- There is no timeline released yet on when the IPO will happen.
- The number of shares to be offered and share price are also unannounced.
Gemini was founded in 2014 by Bitcoin investors Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, known for their role in the creation of Facebook.
This article, which will be updated within the day, is published on BitPinas: Thailand Lets Tourists Pay with Crypto via QR Codes | Live Crypto Updates | Aug. 18, 2025
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