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The White House just joined TikTok
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The White House just joined TikTok

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While it was President Joe Biden who signed the law that would force ByteDance to sell its stake in TikTok or face a ban, it’s his successor, Donald Trump, who has yet to fulfill his promise of arranging a deal to keep TikTok running, legally, in the United States. The current deadline for a deal is September 17th. Still, it hasn’t stopped Trump’s administration from creating @WhiteHouse on TikTok, which published its first post on Tuesday night: a video celebrating Trump’s accomplishments.

While Trump tried to ban TikTok in 2020, his stance softened during his re-election campaign once his team learned how many supporters Trump had on the platform. In 2024, the Trump campaign launched its own official account, @TeamTrump, and quickly dominated the platform, getting more followers and views on their content than former Vice President Kamala Harris’s now-dormant campaign account — 2.8 billion to 2.2 billion, according to journalist Kyle Tharp. A Republican digital operative close to the campaign heavily credited Trump, a former reality TV star, for his ability to generate attention-grabbing moments that could be transformed into viral content. “TikTok is primarily an entertainment app,” he previously told The Verge, “and our usage of it was just significantly more savvy than [the Democrats].”

Although the legality of and ulterior motives behind a TikTok ban remain a serious question, the Trump administration, for now, appears to find utility in maintaining an account on the platform. “Why would I want to get rid of TikTok?” Trump said on Truth Social in January, sharing a post about the billions of views his campaign account continued to rack up. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt repeated this stance after the government account was launched. “President Trump’s message dominated TikTok during his presidential campaign,” she said in a statement to The Verge, “and we’re excited to build upon those successes and communicate in a way no other administration has before.”





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Bo Hines Leaves White House Role And Lands At Tether

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Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

Bo Hines has joined Tether Inc. just days after stepping down from his role in US President Donald Trump’s crypto task force, taking a job that will push the company’s foray into the US market.

According to reports, Hines will serve as Strategic Advisor for Digital Assets and United States Strategy and will focus on aligning Tether’s business with incoming rules under the GENIUS bill.

He left the White House post on August 9 and, based on reports, fielded offers from about 50 projects before choosing Tether.

Rapid Transition To Private Sector

The move came fast. Reports have disclosed that Hines resigned and within a week became one of the most sought-after figures in crypto.

Paolo Ardoino, Tether’s CEO, framed the hire as part of a broader US expansion plan and said Hines’ knowledge of Washington will help the firm navigate new rules.

Hines had been involved in promoting a “Made in USA” angle while at the task force, and he spent roughly seven months in that role.

Thrilled to join @Tether_to! Huge thanks to @paoloardoino & the team for the warm welcome. Excited to help build an ecosystem of digital asset products that set the standard for compliance & innovation—empowering U.S. consumers and reshaping our financial system. The best is yet… https://t.co/DloARijWkh

— Bo Hines (@BoHines) August 19, 2025

GENIUS Bill Puts Spotlight On Stablecoins

Lawmakers are now advancing clearer rules for stablecoins, and the GENIUS bill focuses largely on fiat-backed tokens. Based on reports, USDT’s reserve mix — partially backed by fiat and heavily weighted in US Treasury bills — may not fit neatly into the bill’s main outlines.

That gap is one reason Tether wants someone with policy experience who can talk to regulators and explain how USDT could operate under stricter rules. Hines is expected to meet with policy makers and other stakeholders to press Tether’s case.

Total crypto market cap currently at $3.8 trillion. Chart: TradingView

Tether’s Scale And Crypto Growth

Tether is a massive player. Reports place the firm among the top 15 holders of US Treasury debt with about $120 billion in bonds.

Supply metrics in 2025 underline that scale: 50 billion new USDT were minted on TRON and Ethereum this year, taking total USDT from 117 billion in January to over 160 billion.

Usage is concentrated in the Asia Pacific region and Europe, while in the US some dollar-based trading has shifted toward more regulated options like USDC on centralized platforms.

Hines’ hire signals that Tether sees both risk and opportunity in the US. According to statements, he’ll work to make Tether’s activities compatible with US rules and to push product work that aims for “stability, compliance, and innovation” — language Hines used to describe his goals.

Featured image from Allison Joyce/Getty Images, chart from TradingView

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.





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Arizona House Clears Bitcoin Reserve Bill Funded by Seized Crypto

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In brief

  • The Arizona House passed HB 2324, creating a state-run Bitcoin and digital asset reserve funded through seized crypto.
  • The bill establishes rules for the seizure, storage, and sale of digital assets obtained in criminal investigations.
  • It follows HB 2749, signed in May, which allows Arizona to hold unclaimed crypto in its native form and divert staking rewards to a state fund.

Arizona’s revived push to bring Bitcoin into state coffers is one signature away from becoming law.

The Arizona House of Representatives approved House Bill 2324 on Tuesday in a 34-22 vote, reviving a measure that failed its first final vote in May. 

The legislation creates a framework for Arizona to establish a “Bitcoin and Digital Assets Reserve Fund” that would be managed by the state treasurer and funded exclusively through digital assets seized in criminal investigations.

HB 2324 would mark Arizona’s second digital asset reserve law this year, joined only by House Bill 2749, which Governor Hobbs signed in May. 

That law changed unclaimed property regulations to allow crypto to be held in native form, with staking rewards diverted into a state crypto fund.

HB 2324 further amends Arizona’s forfeiture laws to explicitly cover digital assets, including Bitcoin, stablecoins, and other virtual currencies.

It establishes protocols for seizure, storage, and sale, with proceeds divided between law enforcement, the state general fund, and a new digital asset reserve.

The first $300,000 from any forfeited digital asset would be directed to the Attorney General’s office, with additional proceeds split between state coffers and the reserve fund.

Lawmakers revived HB 2324 last month through a series of procedural motions after it failed a final House vote on May 7. 

The Senate passed the amended measure by a narrow 16-14 margin last Thursday, clearing the way for Tuesday’s House vote.

Governor Hobbs’ record shows support for stricter oversight, but hesitation toward exposing state funds to crypto markets.

In May, Hobbs vetoed Senate Bill 1025, the Arizona Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act, which would have allowed up to 10% of state treasury and pension funds to be invested in Bitcoin. 

She also blocked Senate Bill 1373, a proposal to create a state-managed reserve for digital assets obtained through seizures or legislative appropriations, citing market instability.

At the same time, Hobbs has signed bills aimed at regulating the industry, including House Bill 2387, which imposes stricter rules on crypto ATMs to combat fraud and money laundering.

House Bill 2324 now puts another major crypto policy decision in the governor’s hands.

Edited by Sebastian Sinclair

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The Whatsapp logo in disguise, with a big moustache..
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U.S. House of Representatives memo reveals WhatsApp has been banned from employee devices, citing “a high risk to users due to the lack of transparency in how it protects user data” and security concerns

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Messaging apps are one of the banes of my existence. Every time I connect with someone new it seems there’s some back and forth on what app we should use to communicate. Often a part of this includes explaining to folks why I don’t use things like WhatsApp, due to the mix of ownership, security, and general distaste. It’s a horrible conversation where I look like an elitist jerk, but it warms my heart a little to know that now, everyone who works in the US House of Representatives will have to do the same thing.

According to Reuters, a memo went around the House of Representatives staff on Monday explaining that the popular messaging app has been banned. The Meta (Facebook) owned WhatsApp messaging service has been deemed too much of a security risk to be allowed on employees devices.

The memo reads the “Office of Cybersecurity has deemed WhatsApp a high risk to users due to the lack of transparency in how it protects user data, absence of stored data encryption, and potential security risks involved with its use.”


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The ban actually comes just in time, as Meta gets ready to add ads to make the messaging app a bit more like Instagram. This memo has likely saved many in the House of Representatives from some pretty invasive targeted advertising.

Naturally Meta is none too pleased with this development and disagrees “in the strongest possible terms,” to the move to ban the app. A spokesperson from Meta also stated that WhatsApp has a higher level of security than other messaging apps that are still allowed. But it’s likely not just the security level, but also the likelihood of being targeted that singled WhatsApp out for this ban.

WhatsApp being so popular, and not exactly having the best security around has made it the target of bad actors in the past. This includes Israeli spyware companies like Paragon Solutions. It also means that it’s so much easier for hackers to get access via someone you know, due to the apps prevalence, especially with those not so security minded.

Other messaging apps were recommended as alternatives in the memo from the chief administrative officer. Weirdly we don’t see Discord, for the gamers in the House (of reps). Instead, these include Microsoft Teams, Amazon’s Wickr, Apple’s iMessage and FaceTime, and my pick of the bunch, Signal.

Signal is an end-to-end encrypted messaging app I’ve been using for years. It’s an independent nonprofit dedicated to privacy, so there’s no ads or tracking. Most importantly, they can’t see your chats and neither can anyone else, so it’s usually the one I push for in that “what messaging app do you use” conversation from earlier.

Hopefully this will see more people give WhatsApp the boot in favour of exploring some slightly less partial messaging providers. If it’s not good enough for the United States House of Representatives, then is it really good enough for you? I don’t think so! Maybe consider this the time to treat yourself to a safer, more transparent messaging system that isn’t owned by one of the world’s richest men.

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US House reportedly bans WhatsApp on government devices
Gaming Gear

US House reportedly bans WhatsApp on government devices

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US congressional staffers have reportedly been told that they’re no longer allowed to use WhatsApp on government devices. The House of Representatives’ chief administrative officer (CAO) is said to have informed workers on Monday that the app — including the mobile, desktop and web-based versions — is not permitted on House-managed devices.

“The Office of Cybersecurity has deemed WhatsApp a high risk to users due to the lack of transparency in how it protects user data, absence of stored data encryption and potential security risks involved with its use,” the CAO wrote in an email, according to Axios. Microsoft Teams, Wickr, Signal (despite how easy it might be to accidentally invite a reporter to a sensitive group chat), iMessage and FaceTime were reportedly cited as acceptable alternatives, and the CAO reminded workers to be vigilant regarding potential phishing scams.

“We disagree with the House Chief Administrative Officer’s characterization in the strongest possible terms,” Meta spokesperson Andy Stone wrote on X. “We know members and their staffs regularly use WhatsApp and we look forward to ensuring members of the House can join their Senate counterparts in doing so officially. Messages on WhatsApp are end-to-end encrypted by default, meaning only the recipients and not even WhatsApp can see them. This is a higher level of security than most of the apps on the CAO’s approved list that do not offer that protection.”

The step follows limitations on congressional staffers’ use of other apps (including generative AI ones) that the CAO has deemed to be risky. Those include ChatGPT, TikTok, DeepSeek (which some states and federal departments have also banned from government devices) and Microsoft Copilot.



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Arizona Senate Passes Bitcoin Reserve Bill for Seized Crypto, Heads to House For Debate

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In brief

  • The bill passed the Senate 16-14 after procedural manoeuvres and now heads to the House for a final vote.
  • Arizona’s bill is part of a broader national push for state-level crypto legislation under Trump.
  • The state has already passed one Bitcoin bill, but others have been vetoed.

Arizona’s Senate has passed a revived version of the so-called Bitcoin Reserve Bill, clearing the way for the proposal to head to the House for a final vote.

House Bill 2324 (HB 2324), which would establish a fund for digital assets seized through criminal asset forfeiture, passed the Senate Thursday by a 16-14 margin. 

Initially introduced in February, the bill made early progress through both chambers but failed a final vote in the House last month.

Lawmakers brought HB 2324 back to life through a series of procedural “motions to reconsider” filed in both chambers. If passed, the legislation would create a Bitcoin and Digital Assets Reserve Fund overseen by the state treasurer. 

The fund would manage digital assets seized in criminal investigations, with options to store them in state-approved wallets, sell through licensed crypto exchanges, or retain the assets in native form depending on market and security conditions.

It also amends Arizona’s forfeiture laws to formally include digital assets and outlines custodial requirements.



Arizona is one of dozens of states that have introduced crypto-related legislation since President Donald Trump’s return to power, spurred by a broader national push to define digital asset frameworks at the state level. 

While some bills have been successful, others have faced opposition or an executive veto.

Earlier this year, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs signed House Bill 2749, the state’s first successful digital asset reserve legislation. The measure created a digital asset fund focused on abandoned assets.

The governor also approved House Bill 2387, which imposes consumer protection rules on crypto ATMs operating in Arizona.

However, Hobbs has also blocked two more aggressive crypto proposals. In early May, she vetoed Senate Bill 1025, which would have allowed state investment of up to 10% of treasury and pension funds in digital assets, calling it too risky for public retirement systems.

She also vetoed Senate Bill 1373, which called for the creation of a reserve fund for crypto obtained through seizures and legislative appropriations. 

Edited by Sebastian Sinclair

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Arcade rail-shooter House of the Dead 2: Remake release date announced
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Arcade rail-shooter House of the Dead 2: Remake release date announced

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Those of you keen to revisit The House of the Dead 2 via its souped-up remake will be able to do so later this summer.

Publisher Forever Entertainment and developer MegaPixel Studio have announced their rail-shooter The House of the Dead 2: Remake will release across Steam, GOG and Nintendo Switch on 7th August. It will retail for $24.99 (I have asked for clarification on UK pricing).

“Take on the lone role of a secret agent as James or Gary, or team up in co-op mode to neutralise the dangerous creatures standing in your way,” reads the official blurb for The House of the Dead 2: Remake. You can check out a trailer for the remake below.

The House of the Dead 2: Remake – Switch and PC Release Date Trailer. Watch on YouTube

As for what this remake will include, the developer promises features such as:

  • Remastered music (with the classic soundtrack also available in the game)
  • Modern graphics
  • Gameplay faithful to the original game
  • Co-op mode
  • Multiple endings and branching levels

Meanwhile, The House of the Dead 2: Remake will also include various game modes:

  • Classic Campaign: Almost two years after the events of the first installment, AMS agents James Taylor and Gary Stewart are deployed to investigate a city seized by undead creatures.
  • Boss Mode: Take on the challenge of defeating the game’s bosses as fast as you can.
  • Training Mode: Polish your skills in several available training scenarios to improve your abilities before deploying on a mission.

Image credit: MegaPixel / Forever Entertainment

This is the second of the team’s zombie games to get the remake treatment. However, reception to the first House of the Dead: Remake’s reception was pretty mixed.

Elsewhere, The House of the Dead is also set for the big screen, with Paul WS Anderson on board to write and direct. Anderson will also serve as a producer, alongside his partner Jeremy Bolt. The duo have also worked on adaptations for the likes of Mortal Kombat (1995) and Monster Hunter (2020), as well as multiple Resident Evil films.



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Trump Pushes House to Pass GENIUS Act as Lawmakers Debate Crypto Oversight

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In brief

  • Trump has urged the House to pass the GENIUS Act without delay or amendments.
  • The bill would create a framework for issuing and trading stablecoins in the U.S.
  • But critics have raised concerns over White House crypto ties and conflicts of interest.

U.S. President Donald Trump is urging lawmakers in the House of Representatives to move quickly to pass the GENIUS Act, a stablecoin-focused bill that cleared the Senate in a 68-30 vote on Tuesday.

The legislation, which would establish a federal framework for the issuance and trading of stablecoins, was described by Trump as “incredible” and a path to making “America the UNDISPUTED Leader in Digital Assets.”

“The House will hopefully move LIGHTNING FAST, and pass a ‘clean’ GENIUS Act. Get it to my desk, ASAP — NO DELAYS, NO ADD ONS,” Trump posted on Truth Social Wednesday.

“This is American Brilliance at its best, and we are going to show the World how to WIN with Digital Assets like never before,” he added.

Despite Senate passage, the GENIUS Act faces a more contentious path in the House. Lawmakers are divided over whether to pass the bill in its current form or combine it with other crypto-related legislation such as the CLARITY or STABLE Acts. 

Others are demanding stricter provisions due to perceived conflicts of interest stemming from the Trump family’s involvement in the digital asset space.

The House must now pass the bill before it can be signed into law. While Senate Republicans have called for it to be enacted by July 4, House Republicans are weighing whether to fold it into broader crypto market legislation to improve its chances. 

Among them, the House Republicans are pushing their own stablecoin bill, the STABLE Act.

The Senate vote itself came only after a series of amendments, including language on conflicts of interest, which helped regain support from some Democrats. 

However, the final version still allows the sitting president and vice president, along with their families, to be involved with stablecoin ventures.

Critics argue the bill legitimizes and potentially enables ongoing conflicts. Most prominently, USD1, a stablecoin launched by the Trump family’s platform World Liberty Financial, is currently the eighth-largest stablecoin in the world by market capitalization.

“In advancing these bills, lawmakers forfeited their opportunity to confront Trump’s crypto grift—the largest, most flagrant corruption in presidential history,” Bartlett Naylor of Public Citizen previously told Decrypt.

Senator Elizabeth Warren warned that the legislation could allow tech giants to exploit consumer data under the guise of innovation. 

“If Congress doesn’t fix it, billionaires like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg could launch stablecoins that track your purchases, exploit your data, and squeeze out competitors,” she said.

Edited by Sebastian Sinclair

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Trump Urges House To Pass Genius Act “Asap” Without Changes
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Trump Urges House to Pass GENIUS Act “ASAP” Without Changes

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Donald Trump has urged the U.S. House of Representatives to approve the GENIUS Act as soon as possible and not to make any amendments. The bill, that will make the U.S. a global leader in stablecoin innovation, was recently passed by the Senate with a bipartisan majority.

In a Truth Social post shared on X, Trump praised the Senate’s decision and stressed the importance of passing a “clean” version of the bill. “Get it to my desk, ASAP – NO DELAYS, NO ADD ONS,” he wrote. He believes the GENIUS Act will help make the U.S. the undisputed leader in digital assets.

( @realDonaldTrump – Truth Social Post )
( Donald J. Trump – Jun 18, 2025, 8:01 PM ET )

The Senate just passed an incredible Bill that is going to make America the UNDISPUTED Leader in Digital Assets — Nobody will do it better, it is pure GENIUS! Digital Assets are the future,… pic.twitter.com/knDBKQnywP

— Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸 TRUTH POSTS (@TruthTrumpPosts) June 19, 2025

The GENIUS Act short for Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins seeks to provide clear rules for stablecoin issuers. It now heads to the House for final approval. 

If passed without changes, it goes straight to Trump’s desk for signature. Any amendments, however, would send it back to the Senate, slowing the process.

There are concerns that the House might try to merge it with its version of the bill, the STABLE Act, but the White House has shown stronger support for GENIUS.

The Senate’s passage has already sparked market excitement. Circle stock surged 30%, and both Tether and Ripple quickly minted new stablecoins. Industry giants like Coinbase and Gemini praised the move.

Trump has consistently backed stablecoins as a way to maintain U.S. dollar dominance. With the GENIUS Act, he aims to lock in America’s leadership in digital finance.

Also Read: Ripple Mints Another 10 Million RLUSD as Senate Passes GENIUS Act





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