CZ’s Role in Aster’s Rise, Russia’s Shadow Stablecoin Network, a South Korean Actress’s Crypto Conviction, and Crypto.com Gets Cleared for US Derivatives | September 29, 2025
Description
CZ’s quiet influence, Kremlin-backed crypto laundering, and an actress-turned-embezzler: this week’s episode covers the wild frontier of digital assets. We break down Aster’s explosive rise (and risks) (1:12 ), a Kremlin-linked sanctions evasion network moving billions through stablecoins (2:56 ), a South Korean celebrity caught up in crypto crime (5:01 ), and Crypto.com’s regulatory green lights in the U.S. derivatives market (6:18 ).
This is your essential update on the forces shaping what’s next in money.
More on stories and articles discussed or referenced in this episode:
“The A7 Leaks: The Role of Crypto in Russian Sanctions Evasion and Election Interference.” Elliptic Blog, 26 September 2025, https://www.elliptic.co/blog/the-a7-leaks-the-role-of-crypto-in-russian-sanctions-evasion-and-election-interference.
Butt, Mushumir. “Crypto.com Secures CFTC Approval to Offer Cleared Margined Derivatives in U.S.” Blockchain Reporter, 28 September 2025, https://blockchainreporter.net/crypto-com-secures-cftc-approval-to-offer-cleared-margined-derivatives-in-u-s/.
“Crypto.com Obtains CFTC Margined Derivatives Licenses.” Crypto.com Press Release, 26 September 2025, https://crypto.com/us/company-news/cryptocom-obtains-cftc-margined-derivatives-licenses.
“CZ Clarifies Limited Role in Aster, Sending Ripples Through Crypto Markets.” Financial Content, 28 September 2025, https://markets.financialcontent.com/stocks/article/marketminute-2025-9-28-cz-clarifies-limited-role-in-aster-sending-ripples-through-crypto-markets.
Ga-Yeon, Kim. “Hwang Jung-Eum Receives Suspended Sentence for 4.3 Billion Won Embezzlement.” Chosun (South Korea), 25 September 2025, https://www.chosun.com/english/kpop-culture-en/2025/09/25/5GWKRZPPZVG4PAKFIX4NJVZQXI/.
Redman, Jamie. “Binance Founder CZ Joins X Space to Clarify Aster Ties and Advisory Role.” Bitcoin.com News, 27 September 2025, https://news.bitcoin.com/binance-founder-cz-joins-x-space-to-clarify-aster-ties-and-advisory-role/.
Rowley, Thomas. “Fugitive Moldovan Tycoon Recruits Top Russian Bankers to Run Sanctions-Busting Crypto Firm: Leak.” Reporter.London, 15 September 2025, https://reporter.london/?p=1484.
“Russia Ally Used $8 Billion in Cryptocurrency to Evade Sanctions, Meddle in Moldova Vote, Study Finds.” The Kyiv Independent, 26 September 2025, https://kyivindependent.com/russia-ally-used-8-billion-in-crypto-to-evade-sanctions-meddle-in-moldova-vote-study-finds/.
The music in this episode was composed by Liborio Conti, and you can find more of his fantastic work at his YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/liborioconti.
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