24th September 2025 Digital Bytes
The need for stablecoins in the UK - the UK aspires to be a global crypto hub but lags rivals in regulatory clarity - even as the UK and US talk of closer crypto corporation with a focus on stablecoins. With the US’s GENIUS Act, the EU’s MiCA and Asia’s frameworks advancing, London risks losing ground and, although public fears of “programmable money” persist, evidence remains thin. Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Bank of England (BoE) consultations show caution, but delay risks dollarisation, innovation flight and diminished sterling influence. A key question arises: will Britain seize leadership in digital money or watch from the sidelines?
Centralised v decentralised cryptocurrency (Part 1) - the digital asset exchange debate reflects a deeper clash between trust and self-sovereignty, with centralised exchanges (CEXs) such as Coinbase, Binance, etc, offering liquidity, fiat integration and user-friendly features - but at the cost of custodial risk and regulatory exposure. Decentralised exchanges (DEXs), powered by automated market makers such as Uniswap and Pancake, forgo intermediaries whereby letting users trade peer-to-peer via smart contracts, maintain self-custody and enjoy greater privacy. The challenge though is at the cost of user responsibility, not a great user interface, variable liquidity and lack of fiat access. Furthermore, this choice reflects broader trade-offs between sovereignty and convenience in the evolving digital financial world.
A dual investment approach: why VCs are betting on both equity and tokens (Part 2) - the dual investment approach (combining equity and token holdings) is transforming Web3 venture capital. Equity provides governance and long-term value whilst tokens offer immediate liquidity and protocol influence. This strategy balances risks such as token volatility and regulatory complexity through diversification and legal structuring. Leading VCs such as 16z Andreessen Horowitz in the USA and Paradigm leverage it to capture both short-term market upside and sustained growth. Mastering this hybrid model is essential for navigating the evolving crypto investment landscape and maximising returns.
From e-commerce to d-commerce: why the future of trade is decentralised - decentralised commerce (d-commerce) offers benefits such as reduced fees, enhanced transparency and direct peer-to-peer transactions powered by blockchain and AI. It democratises trade by enabling shared ownership and real-time supply chain traceability. However, risks include regulatory uncertainty, complex user experiences, cybersecurity threats and challenges in replacing centralised logistics and dispute resolution systems. These hurdles must be overcome to unlock d-commerce’s potential as a fairer, more resilient alternative to centralised e-commerce platforms.