August 2025 Crypto News Roundup

The cryptocurrency world saw a burst of activity in mid-August 2025. Key highlights included governments experimenting with crypto adoption and major exchanges exploring public listings. This roundup covers recently reported developments only, from new pilot programs to blockbuster IPOs, and why they matter for the crypto market.

• Thailand Launches Crypto Conversion Program for Tourists
• Dutch Firm Amdax Plans Bitcoin Treasury Company on Euronext
• Winklevoss’s Gemini Files for U.S. IPO
• CoinDesk’s Bullish Exchange Celebrates Booming NYSE Debut
• Brazil Launches Digital Real Pilot Program

Thailand Launches Crypto Conversion Program for Tourists

The Thai government announced an 18-month pilot program allowing foreign tourists to convert cryptocurrencies into Thai baht for local spending (Reuters). This initiative – reported on August 18, 2025 – aims to boost the country’s tourism industry by making it easier for visitors to use digital assets. Under the program, approved exchanges and travel operators will facilitate one-time conversions of major cryptocurrencies (such as Bitcoin or stablecoins) into baht. Thailand’s approach mirrors global efforts to integrate crypto into everyday travel needs, and signals official acceptance of digital assets for commerce (Reuters).

The program is explicitly targeted at non-residents, reflecting Thai authorities’ desire to spur tourism revenue without immediately affecting domestic currency controls. If successful, the government could consider expanding or extending the scheme. Industry experts note that Thailand’s move could pave the way for similar travel-related crypto services in other countries, effectively marketing crypto as a convenience for international visitors. As local media emphasized, the plan also aligns with wider efforts to modernize Thailand’s payment infrastructure and attract tech-savvy tourists (Reuters).

• Why it matters: By enabling easy crypto-to-baht conversion, Thailand is effectively facilitating mainstream crypto use in real-world commerce (Reuters).
• This pilot could set a precedent for other countries seeking to revive tourism in a digital economy, potentially easing crypto regulations for non-residents.
• It underscores growing acceptance of cryptocurrency as a payment method and may increase demand for crypto travel services and wallets in Southeast Asia.

Dutch Firm Amdax Plans Bitcoin Treasury Company on Euronext

Amdax, a Netherlands-based crypto trading platform, revealed plans to create a new company focused on accumulating bitcoin as a treasury asset, with the intent to list it on the Euronext Amsterdam exchange (Reuters). The proposal, announced in mid-August, calls for raising capital from private investors to fund the purchase of Bitcoin. CEO Lucas Wensing explained that the company aims to hold at least 1% of the total Bitcoin supply over time, essentially creating one of Europe’s first publicly traded bitcoin treasury firms (Reuters).

If approved by shareholders and regulators, this listing would allow traditional investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin’s price through a stock on a regulated exchange. The move has parallels with U.S. firms like MicroStrategy, but Amdax’s plan would be among the first in continental Europe. The proposal is still contingent on regulatory clearance, but it highlights growing appetite for institutional-style crypto investment products. Observers note that by becoming an exchange-listed “Bitcoin outfit,” Amdax hopes to boost credibility and attract more conservative investors to crypto (Reuters).

• Why it matters: Listing a bitcoin treasury company on a major European exchange marks a significant step in legitimizing cryptocurrency within traditional financial markets (Reuters).
• This structure could lower entry barriers for investors who believe in Bitcoin but have hesitated to buy it directly, thus deepening crypto market liquidity.
• Successful fundraising and listing would signal strong investor confidence in crypto and could inspire similar offerings in other jurisdictions.

Winklevoss’s Gemini Files for U.S. IPO

Reports surfaced in August 2025 that Gemini, the crypto exchange founded by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, has submitted paperwork for an initial public offering in the United States (Bloomberg). According to sources, Gemini’s filing indicates its intent to raise capital on national markets and follows a recent trend of crypto platforms seeking traditional funding. If approved by regulators, Gemini would join a wave of digital asset firms going public, signaling that top executives feel market conditions are favorable. The filing suggests Gemini plans to use the fresh capital to expand its product offerings and build new technology (Bloomberg).

The Gemini IPO news reflects the industry’s ongoing maturation. By pursuing a U.S. listing, Gemini is effectively subjecting itself to rigorous transparency and oversight standards, which could improve investor confidence. Analysts have pointed out that the move might encourage other large exchanges, including Binance and Kraken, to consider similar steps if Gemini’s IPO is well received. At the same time, going public will put Gemini under greater SEC scrutiny, reinforcing the regulatory legitimacy of its business. Industry watchers say that a successful IPO could validate digital asset exchanges as mainstream financial entities (Bloomberg).

• Why it matters: Gemini’s IPO filing signals confidence in crypto market growth and trading, indicating that even decentralized-asset firms see value in public capital markets (Bloomberg).
• This step may set a precedent for other crypto exchanges, potentially opening the door to more public listings and broader investment in the industry.
• Increased transparency and regulatory compliance from a public IPO could boost trust among institutional investors considering crypto exposure.

CoinDesk’s Bullish Exchange Celebrates Booming NYSE Debut

Bullish, the cryptocurrency exchange owned by CoinDesk Media, made headlines in mid-August with a spectacular initial public offering in New York. The stock opened on the NYSE at $37 per share, and by the end of its first trading session the price had surged to roughly $118 (CoinDesk). This roughly 150% jump gave Bullish a valuation of over $13 billion – far above the original range (CoinDesk). The IPO raised about $1.11 billion in fresh capital, and the share pop reflected overwhelming investor demand for crypto-linked stocks.

Market analysts noted that Bullish’s debut may have reignited enthusiasm for crypto equities, especially in the wake of cooler IPOs last year. The strong performance underscores the backing of high-profile investors (including billionaire Peter Thiel) and suggests that confidence in crypto infrastructure remains high. Bullish’s success also paves the way for more token-related companies to consider flotation; several experts believe the stellar debut will encourage startups in the crypto space to go public sooner. At the same time, the wild volatility in Bullish’s stock price during its first day highlights that crypto remains a high-risk, high-reward arena (CoinDesk).

• Why it matters: Bullish’s blockbuster IPO and 150% first-day surge show robust investor appetite for crypto industry stocks, suggesting the sector is entering a new phase of mainstream financial acceptance (CoinDesk).
• The high valuation reflects optimism about the future of crypto trading platforms and may influence other crypto firms to seek public funding.
• The volatility of the stock’s debut serves as a reminder that crypto-linked equities can experience rapid swings, underscoring market risk even amid positive sentiment.

Brazil Launches Digital Real Pilot Program

Brazil’s Central Bank announced in August that it will begin an 18-month pilot of its digital currency, the “digital real” (Financial Times). The pilot aims to test the infrastructure for a central bank digital currency (CBDC) that could operate alongside traditional banknotes. Officials said the program will start later in 2025 and involve selected banks and payment providers. The digital real trial is intended to improve the efficiency of payments and potentially streamline cross-border transfers.

Central Bank President Roberto Campos Neto stated that the digital real could complement existing payment methods without disrupting the national currency. The pilot will explore use cases such as batch payments and instant settlements. Brazil’s move follows a global trend of exploring CBDCs; if successful, it would place Brazil among the first major economies to systematically test a digital currency for general use. Observers believe that such pilots help authorities understand risks like privacy and cybersecurity before a broader rollout (Financial Times).

• Why it matters: Brazil’s CBDC pilot indicates that major economies are moving forward with digital currency projects, which could encourage other countries to accelerate similar initiatives (Financial Times).
• Lessons learned from the pilot will inform regulatory policies on digital assets and could influence how stablecoins and crypto are regulated in Brazil.
• If the digital real proves practical, it could boost financial inclusion and cross-border payment innovation, potentially impacting cryptocurrency adoption rates.

⚠️ Market Caution: Cryptocurrency markets remain highly volatile and sensitive to regulation and security issues. Investors should do their own research and understand the risks involved in trading or holding digital assets.

Bottom Line

The stories above illustrate a clear trend: both governments and industry players are moving toward crypto integration and infrastructure. Pilot programs like Thailand’s and Brazil’s indicate emerging acceptance of digital currency in the mainstream economy. Meanwhile, crypto companies are increasingly tapping public markets, as evidenced by major exchange IPOs. Together, these developments suggest growing confidence in the crypto ecosystem’s future.

Nonetheless, the rapid changes come with caveats. Regulatory landscapes are still evolving, and security risks have not disappeared. Even the high-flying IPOs experienced wild swings, underscoring crypto’s volatility. As always, stakeholders should stay informed about policy changes and protect assets against cyber risks. Overall, August’s news shows momentum building for crypto—but reminds us that caution and oversight remain essential in this fast-moving field.