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SEC Drops Case Against Winklevoss-Founded Gemini

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The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has agreed to dismiss its enforcement case against cryptocurrency exchange Gemini, founded by billionaire twins Tyler Winklevoss and Cameron Winklevoss, after investors in its lending programme recovered their assets in full.

The SEC and Gemini filed a joint stipulation in federal court in Manhattan on Friday, citing the complete return of crypto assets to Gemini Earn investors through the Genesis Global Capital bankruptcy process between May and June 2024.

In 2023, the SEC charged Genesis and Gemini Trust Company with illegally selling securities via the Gemini Earn programme, which allowed customers to lend crypto assets to Genesis in exchange for interest. At its peak, the programme held about $940 million in assets before Genesis froze withdrawals in November 2022.

Unlike several crypto firms that collapsed after the 2022 market downturn, Genesis ultimately returned customers’ crypto in kind rather than liquidating assets and paying cash. The SEC said this full recovery made dismissal of the claims appropriate, while stressing the decision does not set a precedent for other cases.

The move reflects a broader shift in U.S. crypto enforcement under President Donald Trump, who has pledged a more industry-friendly regulatory approach. Gemini did not immediately comment on the dismissal.

UBS Explores Crypto Investing for Select Private Banking Clients, Report Says

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Swiss banking giant UBS is exploring plans to offer cryptocurrency investment services to select private banking clients, according to a report by Bloomberg News, citing people familiar with the matter.

Under the proposal, UBS would initially allow a limited group of its private banking clients in Switzerland to buy and sell major digital assets such as bitcoin and ether. The bank is said to be in the process of selecting external partners to support the crypto offering. Bloomberg reported that the service could later be expanded to other regions, including Asia-Pacific and the United States.

UBS declined to comment directly on the report, but said it continues to assess opportunities linked to digital assets. A spokesperson told Reuters that the bank actively monitors developments in line with client demand, regulatory frameworks, market trends and risk management considerations, while acknowledging the importance of blockchain technology that underpins cryptocurrencies.

The move reflects growing interest in digital assets among wealthy clients and forms part of a broader trend of institutional adoption. Other major banks have also moved cautiously into the space, as regulatory clarity improves in some markets. Analysts say UBS’s potential entry would mark another milestone in the mainstream acceptance of crypto investing within global wealth management.

Crypto Custody Firm BitGo Targets Up to $1.96 Billion Valuation in U.S. IPO

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BitGo said on Monday it is seeking a valuation of up to $1.96 billion in its planned U.S. initial public offering, aiming to capitalize on renewed investor appetite for cryptocurrency-related companies. The Palo Alto, California-based firm and some existing shareholders plan to raise as much as $201 million by offering 11.8 million shares priced between $15 and $17 each.

The IPO market is expected to continue its gradual recovery in 2026, extending momentum that began in 2025, despite headwinds such as tariff-related volatility, a prolonged U.S. government shutdown, and a late-year selloff in AI stocks. Within this environment, crypto firms are cautiously returning to public markets after a turbulent period marked by sharp price swings across digital assets.

Several crypto companies are preparing for listings, including exchange Kraken, following high-profile market debuts last year by stablecoin issuer Circle and crypto exchange Bullish. However, the sector faced renewed pressure after a sharp crypto selloff in October, raising the bar for companies seeking strong investor backing.

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Analysts say recent pressure on AI and broader tech valuations has intensified scrutiny of risk assets, prompting investors to favor more regulated and infrastructure-focused firms. Lukas Muehlbauer, an IPO research analyst at IPOX, said this “flight to quality” positions BitGo as a more defensive play within the crypto sector compared with more speculative ventures. He added that the company is looking to take advantage of early 2026 market momentum, when small- and mid-cap index outperformance has created a favorable window for mid-sized offerings.

Founded in 2013, BitGo has grown into one of the largest crypto custody providers in the United States, storing and safeguarding digital assets for institutional and corporate clients. Its role has become increasingly critical as institutional participation in cryptocurrency markets expands.

The IPO is being underwritten by Goldman Sachs and Citigroup. BitGo plans to list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “BTGO.”