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From the U.S. House announcing July 14 as Crypto Week to Saturobi game’s return on iOs, here is a roundup of the top crypto stories you may have missed.
U.S. House Declares July 14–18 as “Crypto Week”
The U.S. House of Representatives has designated the third week of July as “Crypto Week,” aiming to advance three major digital asset bills: the CLARITY Act, the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act, and the Senate’s GENIUS Act. The announcement was made by House Financial Services Chair French Hill and Agriculture Chair GT Thompson, alongside House leadership.
The legislative package is part of a broader effort to establish the U.S. as the global leader in digital innovation and blockchain policy under President Donald Trump’s pro-crypto administration.
Key goals include creating a clear regulatory framework for stablecoins and digital assets, blocking the implementation of a surveillance-focused Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), and aligning federal law with pro-business web3 innovation.
Pump.fun Confirms PUMP Token ICO Launch on July 12
Solana meme coin launchpad Pump.fun announced the launch of its native token $PUMP through an Initial Coin Offering (ICO) starting July 12 at 10:00 p.m., Philippine time, with 150 billion tokens up for grabs across major exchanges including Bybit, Kraken, KuCoin, Bitget, MEXC, and Gate.io.
Transfers will begin within 48–72 hours after the ICO ends, with the token going live by July 18 at the latest.
The ICO will exclude residents from the United States and the United Kingdom due to regulatory restrictions. Notably, Pump.fun has restricted access to UK users following a warning from the Financial Conduct Authority, which stated the platform may be operating without proper authorization.
Of the one trillion total supply, 33% is allocated to the ICO, 24% to community initiatives, 20% to the Pump.fun team, and 13% to existing investors. The remaining 10% will fund liquidity, live-streaming, and ecosystem growth.
An airdrop is confirmed to be “coming soon,” with further updates expected following the token sale.
Twitter Co-Founder Launches Decentralized Messaging App Bitchat
Block CEO and Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey released a white paper and beta version of Bitchat, a decentralized messaging platform that functions without internet access, via Apple’s TestFlight platform using Bluetooth mesh networks for fully encrypted, peer-to-peer communication.
Described by Dorsey as having “IRC vibes,” Bitchat allows ephemeral messaging, meaning no messages are stored centrally or tied to phone numbers, accounts, or emails.
Messages travel by hopping across multiple nearby devices using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), forming a dynamic mesh network that extends communication beyond standard Bluetooth range and is capable of handling group chats, private messages, and broadcasts.
Key features include:
- End-to-end encryption
- No internet or cellular connection required
- No centralized servers or user registration
- Store-and-forward caching for offline message delivery
- Future WiFi support for greater range and bandwidth
Scammers Use AI Deepfakes of Celebrities to Steal Millions in Crypto Fraud
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the principal investigative agency of the U.S. federal government, is warning the public about a surge in cryptocurrency scams involving fake celebrities and financial advisers, with billions reportedly lost in 2024.
Victims like Richard Lyons, who was deceived by an AI-generated Elon Musk impersonator, lost tens of thousands after being lured into fraudulent investment schemes. The scams often involve fake websites that simulate returns to build trust before siphoning funds.
Authorities emphasized the importance of skepticism and research when approached with online investment offers. Victims are encouraged to report incidents promptly, as early action can improve recovery chances. The FBI also urged the public to consult only verified financial professionals and avoid sending money to unknown individuals.
U.S. Secret Service Seizes Nearly $400M in Crypto Amid Major Fraud Crackdown
The U.S. Secret Service, a federal law enforcement agency, seized nearly $400 million in cryptocurrency over the past decade as part of an escalating crackdown on digital asset-related fraud, Bloomberg reported.
The operation is led by the agency’s Global Investigative Operations Center (GIOC), which specializes in tracking and dismantling large-scale scams such as pig butchering schemes and fake crypto investments that drain victims’ savings. Using a combination of forensic software, subpoenas, and spreadsheets, the GIOC claims to become a global leader in tracing illicit digital funds.
The agency’s partnerships with platforms like Coinbase and Tether have played a crucial role in tracking fraudulent wallets and freezing assets in real time.
Apple Approves ‘SaruTobi’ With Built-In Bitcoin Lightning Payments for iOS
Apple approved the return of SaruTobi, a jungle-themed iOS game that now features native Bitcoin Lightning payments for in-game extras.
Developed by Christian Moss and powered by ZBD’s Lightning Network integration, SaruTobi allows players to spend and earn small $BTC rewards, which are called satoshis or “sats,” without needing external wallets or redirects. The game was originally launched in 2013 and later delisted.
Apple’s App Store policies permit external payment systems for crypto use as long as they stay outside Apple’s in-app purchase framework.
This article is published on BitPinas: Crypto News You May Have Missed This Week | July 12, 2025
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