Major News Headlines for Today

1. Circle Shares Hits Record High After Senate Passes GENIUS Bill
The stock price of Circle, the issuer of the stablecoin USDC, surged 16% on the news of the Senate passage of the GENIUS bill on Jun. 18, reaching an all-time high of $176 during the day.

2. China Central Bank "Digital Yuan Expands to International Settlement"
China's central bank has announced that it will expand the scope of its use of the digital yuan(e-CNY) internationally for the purpose of challenging U.S. dollar hegemony. At the Lu Jia Zui Forum, where executives from global financial regulators participate, Bank of China Governor Pang Gong-sung explained on Jun. 18 that various currencies are envisioning a "multipolar" currency format that supports the global economy and will seek international expansion of the digital yuan as part of that.

3. Norwegian Firm K33 Issues Bonds for 1000 Bitcoin Purchases
Norwegian cryptocurrency company K33 announced on Jun. 18 that it will issue about 85 million krona for the purpose of buying 1,000 Bitcoin(BTC).

4. Cynthia Lummis "GENIUS Passes Through, Just the Beginning"…Pointing At Possible Loss Of Crypto Leadership
Sen. Cynthia Lummis said in a speech on Capitol Hill shortly after the Senate passage of the GENIUS bill on Jun. 18 that if the U.S. does not pass the cryptocurrency market structure bill as soon as possible, global leadership could be lost. Lummis emphasized that clear transaction regulations and establishment of supervisory authority are key to market transparency and consumer protection. The GENIUS bill is currently set to be deliberated by the House of Representatives, and Senator Elizabeth Warren maintains her opposition, citing conflicts of interest between President Trump and private stablecoin issuance.

권승원 기자 ksw@blockstreet.co.kr