TLDR
- Hong Kong It issued the first batch of stablecoin issuance licenses.
- HSBC and Anchor Fintech Limited were listed in the first batch in Hong Kong.
- Iran Crypto toll charges planned for oil tankers loaded in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Launched CZ the biography on April 8 in English and Traditional Chinese.
- The SEC’s safe harbor review and FDIC’s draft stablecoin guidelines added policy focus.
Cryptocurrency markets faced a busy news cycle this week. Czechoslovakia’s CV sparked sharp reactions, Hong Kong named its first stablecoin licensor, and Iran moved to collect cryptocurrency toll payments from oil tankers during a ceasefire.
CZ CV has become a new focus in the cryptocurrency space
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 proceeds will go to charity.
The release sparked controversy across the cryptocurrency sector. The discussion focused on writing conditions in the prison, the abandoned FTX rescue plan, and notes about the SBF and Star Xu.
WuBlockchain Weekly: CZ bio sparks heated debate, Hong Kong issues first stablecoin licenses, Iran tests crypto oil fees, DeFi revenues drop below TradFi, strategy expands BTC holdings, BitMine builds $11.4 billion ETH treasury, SEC moves closer to approving safe haven, Binance employees move… pic.twitter.com/bujoyd07cb
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) April 10, 2026
CZ described writing the first draft in prison as having strict limits. He said the inmates shared six phones and four computers. Each session lasted 15 minutes, and messages were delayed and monitored.
He also said he was considering helping FTX in 2022. This plan ended after the SBF team failed to submit a complete balance sheet within 24 hours.
Hong Kong issues first stablecoin licenses as US rules advance
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has announced the first batch of stablecoin issuer licenses. Two licenses were issued. The group includes HSBC and Anchor Fintech Limited.
Anchor Fintech Limited is a joint venture associated with Standard Chartered BankAnimoca Brands and Hong Kong Telecom. The review covered business plans, risk controls, use of applications and legal compliance, the regulator said.
This political move came at a time when US agencies were also developing the work of stablecoins. SEC Chairman Paul Atkins said the crypto safe harbor proposal entered White House review through OIRA.
The proposal includes a roughly four-year exemption for startups with disclosure duties. It also includes a safe harbor for the investment contract and guidelines on token classification.
Travis Hill, head of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), said the agency issued draft guidance for the issuance of stablecoins by banks and fintech units. The draft covers reserves, recoveries, capital rules and business scope, and will be open for comment.
Iran toll plan and market data add pressure to cryptocurrency narrative
Iran said it plans to impose duties on fully loaded oil tankers during its two-week ceasefire with the United States. The fee is around $1 per barrel and can be paid in digital assets such as Bitcoin.
Under the plan, carriers must email shipment details. After review, payment instructions will follow. Empty carriers may be exempt from fees.
Hamed Hosseini said that the measure aims to track traffic and prevent the transfer of weapons. He said the ships would only have seconds to pay off after Iran completed its assessment.
Meanwhile, market data showed a decline DeFi returns. Aave’s USDC deposit APY was around 2.61%, and the USDT deposit’s APY was around 1.84%. Lido’s stETH yield was around 2.53%.
These rates were lower than Interactive Brokers’ idle cash rate of 3.14%. Only a few products remained on the rise, including Ethena’s sUSDe and Sky’s USDS Savings.
The broader market also tracks treasury and fundraising activity. The strategy reported an unrealized Bitcoin loss of $14.5 billion in the first quarter, while several cryptocurrency companies announced new funding rounds.
