A Spar market, located in Zug Switzerland, has started to accept payments in Bitcoin through the new lightning network. This is an extension of an initiative that has now brought together over 1,000 companies throughout Switzerland, including very large chains such as Hotelplan and Ochsner Sport, into Bitcoin payments. OpenCryptoPay is used as the payment system, as an open peer to peer standardized in-person crypto payment system, which incorporates paying directly at the checkout via Bitcoin.
Yemen Deals In Defi Amidst US Sanctions
In response to US sanctions being targeted to Houthi groups, many Yemeni civilians have started to opt for decentralized financial platforms such as online currency exchange services. According to a report by TRM labs, almost 63% of Yemen’s crypto related traffic is being accounted for by decentralized platforms. While centralized platforms only account for about 18%, such a sudden shift is expected as the country heads toward a shaky future.
US President Trump Criticizes Federal Reserve Chair Powell
The US President, Donald Trump, has blasted Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell for being slow at cutting interest rates, especially in light of the recent cuts by the European Central Bank. Trump’s comments on Truth Social include calling Palmer “Too Late” and saying that his termination “cannot come fast enough.” Public airing of the grievance breaks long-standing convention in American politics to keep the central bank independent. Powell has disclosed his intention to finish his term, which ends in May 2026.
These developments highlight the growing integration of cryptocurrency into everyday transactions, the role of DeFi in providing financial solutions amid geopolitical challenges, and the ongoing debates surrounding monetary policy and central bank independence.
