‍New US Dietary Guidelines Prioritize Protein and Whole Foods, Impacting Health-Fi The U.S. has released updated dietary guidelines for 2025–2030, replacing the "MyPlate" icon with a food pyramid emphasizing whole foods and metabolic health. The new framework, led by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., advocates for increased protein intake (1.2–1.6g/kg), full-fat dairy, and limited added sugars to 2% of daily calories. This policy shift underscores the growing importance of supply chain transparency and Health-Fi. Blockchain protocols like VeChain and OriginTrail could be utilized to verify the provenance of "real food" products meeting stricter federal standards. Smart contracts on wellness platforms may also see increased adoption as policy shifts toward preventative care.
‍Senate Prepares Crucial Vote on Stablecoin Rewards The U.S. Senate Banking Committee is set to vote on a comprehensive crypto market structure bill next Thursday. A key point of contention is whether stablecoins should offer interest-like rewards. Community banking leaders express concern that such incentives could divert capital from local lending ecosystems. Conversely, digital asset advocates argue that stablecoin rewards are vital for maintaining the U.S. Dollar's global competitiveness and fostering on-chain innovation. Industry experts also draw parallels to international digital currencies, like China's Digital Yuan, which incorporate interest payments to boost adoption. The outcome of this vote will significantly influence the future of decentralized finance and the broader crypto market.
‍Iran Offers Crypto for Military Exports Amid Sanctions Iran's Ministry of Defence Export Center (Mindex) has updated its payment terms to include cryptocurrencies for international military sales, signaling a strategy to use digital assets amid international sanctions. The specific digital currency will be "agreed upon in the contract." Mindex lists a range of military hardware for export, from small arms to rockets and drones. This marks a notable instance of a nation publicly advertising crypto as a settlement option for arms transfers. The platform, however, appears to function more as a lead-generation tool than a direct e-commerce site, lacking typical transactional infrastructure. While Iran leverages digital assets for trade, the transparency of the blockchain offers regulators a means to monitor illicit flows. Experts note that entities linked to Iran have already transacted billions in cryptocurrency. This integration highlights the evolving use of decentralized alternatives by sanctioned entities, yet the inherent traceability of public ledgers presents risks to sanctions evasion tactics.