Asia & EMEA crypto roundup: Bitcoin tops $79K briefly; Western Union stablecoin; Strategy adds 3,273 BTC

A quick recap from today's Asia and EMEA sessions, via The Block: Bitcoin briefly traded above $79,000 as analysts pointed to subdued geopolitical tensions. Western Union said it will launch its stablecoin, USDPT, next month. South Korea's KBank reported it is working with Ripple on a proof-of-concept for onchain cross-border transactions. Luxor and MicroBT expanded their partnership through a $100 million mining rig deal, alongside a planned investment. CoinShares data showed global crypto investment products recorded $1.2 billion in weekly inflows, extending the streak to four consecutive positive weeks. In France, authorities charged 88 people tied to criminal groups accused of carrying out crypto 'wrench' attacks. Curve founder Michael Egorov put forward a market-based proposal aimed at recovering bad debt in lending protocols. Strategy disclosed it bought an additional 3,273 BTC for about $255 million at an average price of $77,906 per bitcoin, lifting total holdings to 818,334 BTC. TD Cowen reaffirmed its buy rating on Smarter Web Company, calling it the UK's only scaled bitcoin treasury vehicle. The Block named longtime media executive Steve Chung as CEO.