During an interview with CNBC, Fundstrat Global Advisors co-founder Tom Lee said Bitcoin could easily reach new highs and is becoming the reserve currency of the cryptocurrency space. Lee also noted it’s been worth over $9,000 in only 4% of its history—and that Facebook’s Libra project is a validation of mainstream interest in cryptocurrencies.

Wall Street’s self-regulatory organization—Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)—has sat for months on some 40 applications from companies that deal in crypto assets. Some industry members think FINRA is waiting for clear guidance from the SEC on how cryptocurrencies are to be treated under securities laws… while others are convinced the SEC has explicitly told FINRA to hold off.

Oil and energy company Ziyen Inc. just announced it will tokenize oil assets. The energy company is the first such company to list oil assets on the Ethereum blockchain. The oil blockchain industry is being pushed by the security token sector… and we’ve seen similar efforts in other sectors, such as tokenizing gold bars or other metals.

The Coinbase Card will be available in Spain, Germany, France, Italy, Ireland, and the Netherlands. The card allows users to spend cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin in stores and online at any merchant that accepts Visa. This all comes as startups, banks, and tech companies are trying to make crypto payments and trading more accessible.

Facebook’s developing cryptocurrency has been kept secret by the social media giant, with few details publicly known. However, recent reporting suggests Libra (not “GlobalCoin,” as it was previously dubbed) will be a multicurrency-backed stablecoin used for purchases in products such as Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp with no fees. A whitepaper is expected to be released on June 18.

The introduction of blockchain technology into the Russian market is expected to facilitate greater levels of international trade for the country. Maersk CEO Yuriy Tsvetkov said the platform—called TradeLens—would bring greater levels of transparency to the contracting procedure by “distributing information about supply and demand, conditions, and operations between many participants of the transport and logistics processes.”

TradeCloud has announced the launch of the private round of its Swiss-based STO. The communications platform—designed specifically for the physical commodities industry—will offer an initial 25 million tokens for approximately $20 million over the private and public rounds. The TradeCloud Token (TCST) has both utility and security features, and holders will receive a portion of profits.

Karma International initial coin offering (ICO) may be joining the large list of token sale scams as its CEO dodges investors and fails to answer concerned participants… while seemingly enjoying lavish pool parties. Unfortunately, many ICO projects have taken undue advantage of the lack of regulations and laws surrounding investor protection in token sales.

Facebook is attempting to smooth out the regulatory landscape ahead of its crypto asset, currently dubbed GlobalCoin. There’s been considerable buzz around rumored plans for GlobalCoin, allegedly going live next year. The global payment network would span both the social media platform and its sister businesses Whatsapp and Instagram. Users would ostensibly be able to send each other funds, as well as make in-app purchases.

It’s not often you hear about the media industry taking notice of security tokens. However, film producer Ryan Kavanaugh is looking to change that. His firm, Proxima Media, is launching its own token called Proxicoin to allow for investment in various media content. Small investors will finally be able to take part in this booming industry through fractional ownership of film, television, music, and other IP-driven content.

The wait is over for non-accredited investors… In Q2 2019, the required holding periods for two digital securities will expire on the OpenFinance Network. OpenFinance was the first regulated platform for secondary trading of security tokens in the U.S. But only accredited investors have been able to participate in STOs, per U.S. regulators. Until now...

After accidentally tweeting images suggesting a margin trading service was in development, Binance has confirmed the cryptocurrency exchange will be launching the service. Margin trading refers to using borrowed funds from a broker or exchange to trade an asset. Other cryptocurrency exchanges—including Kraken, Coinbase’s GDAX, OKCoin, Huobi and Poloniex—already offer margin trading services.

Michael Novogratz, founder and CEO of cryptocurrency merchant bank Galaxy Digital, has suggested that one of the crypto assets created by social media giants will succeed. He reiterated his stance that Bitcoin is a store of value, comparing it to gold, while pointing out that something like Facebook’s coin will probably be used for payments.

Facebook has reportedly set up a fintech company dubbed Libra Networks in Switzerland. According to Reuters, the focus of the fintech is on the blockchain, payments, data analytics, and investing … The Switzerland move was done with no fanfare such as company press releases or blog posts. This seems to be the way Facebook has chosen to roll out its Project Libra. It’s keeping close to the chest even where the project will be launched...

Some of the world’s biggest banks are said to be investing around $50 million to build a blockchain-based digital cash settlement system. A Reuters report on Friday, citing “people familiar with the plans,” said possibly a dozen unspecified banks are involved in the project. The participating banks will reportedly be setting up a new entity called Fnality for the project, which could launch next year.

Securitize is partnering with one of the blockchain industry’s largest security token exchange companies as it open-sources the code behind its in-house protocol. Developers will be able to create dApps on top of the protocol, creating new opportunities for the market. Securitize co-founder and CEO Carlos Domingo said he believes the technology created by his team has “proven itself in the marketplace.”

The SEC’s role should be to guide innovation, not stifle it. Pierce voiced her concern over the SEC’s lack of meaningful action in the crypto space—and whether this will ultimately come back to haunt it. She asserted that the SEC is paralyzed with indecision, and this could hurt the cryptocurrency space in the long run.

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is willing to approve an ether futures contract, a senior official has told CoinDesk. The CFTC, which oversees derivatives markets in the U.S., has already allowed bitcoin futures markets to launch. Now the regulator is willing to oversee a similar product for ether, currently the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap.