Ian Allison
Ian Allison is a senior reporter at CoinDesk, focused on institutional and enterprise adoption of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. Prior to that, he covered fintech for the International Business Times in London and Newsweek online. He won the State Street Data and Innovation journalist of the year award in 2017, and was runner up the following year. He also earned CoinDesk an honourable mention in the 2020 SABEW Best in Business awards. His November 2022 FTX scoop, which brought down the exchange and its boss Sam Bankman-Fried, won a Polk award, Loeb award and New York Press Club award. Ian graduated from the University of Edinburgh. He holds ETH.
28 articles
Europe's MiCA Framework Faces Review and Potential Revisions
Europe's Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regime is under review, colloquially termed 'MiCA 2.0', as it prepares for updates in light of stablecoin adoption and recent regulatory changes, according to CoinDesk. As the consultation period approaches its September deadline, discussions focus on supervisory control and the implications for stablecoins and their role in the Eurozone monetary landscape.
4 days ago·CoinDesk·Reported by Ian Allison
Europe's Unlicensed Crypto Firms Face Closure as MiCA Deadline Approaches
The European Securities and Markets Authority has urged unlicensed crypto companies to dissolve as the Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) transition period expires on July 1, according to CoinDesk. Estimates suggest that up to 80% of Europe's crypto firms may lose their operating status, compelling them to close due to non-compliance with new regulations.
last week·CoinDesk·Reported by Ian Allison
BitMEX Removes CEO, CFO, and Chief Growth Officer Amid Strategic Shift
Crypto exchange BitMEX has removed its CEO, CFO, and chief growth officer as the firm seeks a buyer, according to CoinDesk. Peter Wilkinson, former global general counsel, has stepped in as the new CEO following these executive changes.
last week·CoinDesk·Reported by Ian Allison
Kraken Files Lawsuit Against PowerTrade Over Misappropriated Funds
Kraken's parent company, Payward, has initiated legal proceedings against the derivatives platform PowerTrade, claiming the wrongful appropriation of approximately $7.2 million in digital assets. The lawsuit alleges unauthorized transactions that transformed Kraken's positive balance into a nearly $2 million deficit, according to CoinDesk.
2 weeks ago·CoinDesk·Reported by Ian Allison
Baillie Gifford Launches Tokenized Fund on Solana and Ethereum with BNY
On June 22, 2026, Baillie Gifford announced the launch of its Enhanced Yield Fund, enabling access to a managed portfolio of corporate bonds via Ethereum and Solana. The project, developed in partnership with BNY, aims to provide direct ownership to investors through tokenization, according to CoinDesk.
2 weeks ago·CoinDesk·Reported by Ian Allison
Alchemy's AgentCard Gains Visa Integration for AI Payments
Alchemy's AgentCard service now connects to the Visa network, enabling AI agents to conduct transactions. This service allows these agents to make online purchases without requiring user intervention, as reported by CoinDesk.
3 weeks ago·CoinDesk·Reported by Ian Allison
BitGo Provides MiCA Compliance Solutions for Crypto Firms in Europe
BitGo announces a compliance solution to assist European crypto companies with the impending MiCA licensing deadline, as reported by CoinDesk. The platform aims to help firms navigate the complexities of the Markets in Crypto Assets regulation without building their own operational infrastructure.
3 weeks ago·CoinDesk·Reported by Ian Allison
DBS Bank Launches Tokenized Gold for Retail Customers
Singapore's DBS Bank announces plans to offer tokenized gold trading to retail customers, expected in the second half of 2026, as reported by CoinDesk. Each token will be backed by one gram of gold stored in their Singapore vault, marking an effort to diversify access to precious metals through blockchain technology.
4 weeks ago·CoinDesk·Reported by Ian Allison
Coinbase and Cardless Launch Stablecoin-Backed Credit Card
Coinbase and Cardless introduce a credit card allowing stablecoin users to use their crypto as collateral. This card aims to assist those who cannot qualify for a traditional credit card, according to reporting by CoinDesk.
4 weeks ago·CoinDesk·Reported by Ian Allison
Goldman Sachs Partners with Apex and Archax for Tokenized Real Estate Fund
Goldman Sachs collaborates with Apex Group and Archax to launch a tokenized real estate fund, utilizing blockchain technology. The fund aims to combine traditional fund structures with blockchain-native issuance to enhance operational efficiency and governance, as reported by CoinDesk.
last month·CoinDesk·Reported by Ian Allison
Stripe, Visa, and Mastercard Back New Stablecoin Platform
Stripe, Visa, and Mastercard are reportedly backing a forthcoming stablecoin platform, according to CoinDesk. Coinbase is also considering participation in the project, which comes as stablecoins continue to gain traction in the payments landscape.
last month·CoinDesk·Reported by Ian Allison
Copper Seeks $500 Million Sale Amid Increased Crypto Merger Activity
Crypto custody firm Copper is reportedly pursuing a sale valued at around $500 million, with Cantor Fitzgerald engaged to facilitate the process, according to CoinDesk. Copper's primary asset is its ClearLoop settlement system, which serves numerous institutional clients and enables secure asset transactions without onchain risks.
2 months ago·CoinDesk·Reported by Ian Allison
Consensys Delays Potential IPO Until Fall Amid Market Challenges
Consensys, the Ethereum-focused development firm, has postponed its potential IPO until fall 2026 due to market conditions, according to CoinDesk. The company had planned to file a draft registration with the SEC by the end of February 2026 but has delayed those plans amidst a downturn in the crypto markets.
2 months ago·CoinDesk·Reported by Ian Allison
Binance CMO Rachel Conlan to Depart, Eowyn Chen to Interim Role
Rachel Conlan, Binance's chief marketing officer, will leave the company on June 15, 2026, after three years with the firm. Eowyn Chen, former CEO of Trust Wallet, will serve as interim CMO during her transition, as reported by CoinDesk.
2 months ago·CoinDesk·Reported by Ian Allison
Anchorage Adjusts Role in USDG Consortium and Emphasizes Neutrality
Anchorage Digital, co-founded by CEO Nathan McCauley, announces a shift in its involvement with the Global Dollar stablecoin consortium, which includes firms like Robinhood and Kraken. The company aims to adopt a more neutral stance on stablecoins while supporting the initiative as it continues to partner with a growing number of clients seeking to issue their own stablecoins, according to CoinDesk.
2 months ago·CoinDesk·Reported by Ian Allison
Anchorage Digital Hosts Pipeline of 20 Firms Looking to Issue Stablecoins
Anchorage Digital CEO Nathan McCauley announced at Consensus Miami 2026 that up to 20 banks and tech firms are queued to issue stablecoins through the company. The firm, known as the U.S.'s first federally chartered crypto bank, has capitalized on the newly established regulatory environment since the passage of the Genius Act, according to CoinDesk.
2 months ago·CoinDesk·Reported by Ian Allison
Bridge Executive Critiques Tether and Circle's Stablecoin Dominance
On May 6, 2026, Ben O’Neill, head of money movement at Bridge, expressed concerns regarding the dominance of Tether and Circle in the stablecoin market, stating it could hinder competition and innovation. O’Neill emphasized the need for more tailored stablecoins to better serve specific use cases, according to CoinDesk.
2 months ago·CoinDesk·Reported by Ian Allison
Taurus Receives MiFID II License in Cyprus, Expands into EU Capital Markets
Crypto custody firm Taurus secures a MiFID II investment license from the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, as reported by CoinDesk. This license enables Taurus to offer tokenized financial instruments and secondary trading services to banks across the European Union.
2 months ago·CoinDesk·Reported by Ian Allison
