Politics

Two people with less than six months to live reveal contrasting views on assisted dying

Published

4 months ago

November 28, 2024

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Warning: This article contains references to suicide.

The case for: I want a good death under the oak tree in my garden

Clare Turner, 59, Devon

I want a good death underneath the oak tree in my garden, with my daughters playing guitar and people chatting in the background. I want to look up at the tree, see birds and insects and feel part of nature.

I live on a farm in Devon where right now the sunflowers are blackened by winter, drooping over in a field where birds feast on their oily seeds. Next year’s vegetables sleep in the soil below – everything that lives ends up dying.

Finding out I have stage four cancer was a shock but I have found acceptance. I hope my energy, my “Clare-ness”, will be released into the natural world to mingle with all those who have gone ahead of me, and all the living things which came before.

When I first told my daughters about my illness, Chloe, my eldest, was terrified about the type of death I would have. She works in a hospital and really wants people to have assisted dying as an option. My other daughter Izzy is fully supportive of that too.

I’ve done a straw poll of friends. One is absolutely against it because of his religious beliefs but others are overwhelmingly in favour of assisted dying.

My grandfather, Arthur Turner, was a campaigner who at the end of his life battled for safe, affordable housing. I don’t have the energy to fight due to my cancer, but I wanted to speak out now because it means a lot to me.

It is extraordinary to me that under our current laws, if we allowed one of the animals on this farm to suffer, a farmer would be prosecuted.

But assisted dying isn’t just about avoiding suffering. I used to be a counsellor working with adolescents around bereavement. There is a difference between the normal, natural process of death and situations where people become traumatised by the manner of it. That affects the brain in a different way.

My oncologist told me that without chemotherapy I have months to live. I’m just hanging on for my daughter to get through university but I’ve got no intention of eking out every single second. If the law doesn’t change, I plan to take my own life.

I wouldn’t want to get anyone in trouble, so I would choose to have a lonely death. I don’t think I deserve that. I’d be at home, but the idea of being surrounded by my loved ones and nature and then contrasting that to aloneness… I find that sad.

The case against: ‘Death isn’t like a video game where you pop back up’

Philip, Midlands.

I want to live until God wants me to die. He will sort that out, not me. I have no idea how it’s going to happen and I don’t want to know.

This world is temporary, and I have a better one coming. I have pancreatic cancer which not only affects my pancreas, but also my lungs. When we were told I had less than six months to live, my wife Pauline couldn’t stop crying. Sitting in the hospital we sung praises to God. It’s now five months, and I’m grateful for this time.

I don’t think people realise death is a one-way journey. It’s not like games that kids have on their consoles where you get killed then pop back up again.

These days, it seems like people are talking more openly about suicide, which because of my beliefs I see as a sin. Thirty-five years ago, one of my neighbours had lymphoma cancer and was given six months to live. He’s now 67 – imagine if he had taken his own life back then.

When I was 15, my mother suffered a slow and painful death from breast cancer. I would sit by her bed and pretend to wipe rats off her chest because she thought they were gnawing at her breasts. Two days before she died she prayed, “God, I want you to either heal me or take me”. She died naturally, with dignity.

Medical science has moved on since then. There is no reason why somebody with cancer should die in excruciating pain. Doctors can manage the pain, but the bigger problem is the lack of services in end of life or palliative care. I’ve paid taxes all my life so I see no reason why that care shouldn’t be available for me.

We all feel for those who want assisted dying but if you allow the law to be changed for just a few people, in a short time it becomes wider to include others.

We can see this in Canada and the Netherlands, where it started off with just people who were terminally ill and now there’s talk of allowing it for people with mental illness, children and even the homeless.

So you start to have a society where life’s value is lessened, where the state gets to decide who has had enough. That is horrendous. It’s not the sort of society I want to live in, or leave behind.

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK

Politics

Mantra unveils $108M fund to back real-world asset tokenization, DeFi

Published

2 hours ago

April 7, 2025

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Mantra unveils 8M fund to back real-world asset tokenization, DeFi

The Mantra blockchain network has launched a $108,888,888 ecosystem fund aimed at accelerating the growth of startups focused on real-world asset (RWA) tokenization and decentralized finance (DeFi), amid rising demand for stable, asset-backed digital products.

Mantra, a layer-1 (L1) blockchain built for tokenized RWAs, launched the Mantra Ecosystem Fund (MEF) to accelerate the growth and adoption of projects and startups building on its network, according to an April 7 announcement shared with Cointelegraph.

Mantra said it will deploy the capital over the next four years among “high-potential blockchain projects” worldwide, with investment opportunities sourced through Mantra’s network of partners. The fund’s backers include a wide range of institutional partners including Laser Digital, Shorooq, Brevan Howard Digital, Valor Capital, Three Point Capital and Amber Group.

Mantra CEO John Patrick Mullin said the fund will operate an “open-arms policy, welcoming projects at any developmental stage globally with a particular focus on RWA’s and DeFi.” Mullin told Cointelegraph:

“The MEF thesis is to invest in top-tier teams building RWA and DeFi applications, as well as complimentary infrastructure, that will both directly and indirectly support the broader ecosystem.”

Mantra aims to become the underlying infrastructure layer for tokenized asset issues worldwide, Mullin said.

Mantra unveils $108M fund to back real-world asset tokenization, DeFi — *Source:* *Mantra*

The launch of the fund comes a month after Mantra became the first DeFi platform to obtain a virtual asset service provider (VASP) license under Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA).

Investor demand grows for RWAs

The timing of the fund’s launch aligns with growing institutional interest in RWAs, which are seen by some as a hedge against crypto market volatility and broader economic uncertainty.

Global fears and uncertainty around US President Donald Trump’s tariffs have impacted investor sentiment across markets.

Despite a broader market slump triggered by US tariff-related concerns, the value of tokenized RWAs recently surged to a record high. According to data from RWA.xyz, total RWA market capitalization reached more than $19.6 billion as of early April, up from $17 billion in early February.

Industry watchers previously told Cointelegraph that Bitcoin’s lack of upside momentum may drive RWAs to a $50 billion all-time high before the end of 2025.

The world’s largest asset manager, BlackRock, has also signaled support for the RWA space.

BlackRock’s USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund (BUIDL) saw an over three-fold increase in the three weeks leading up to March 26, from $615 million to $1.87 billion.

Magazine: Financial nihilism in crypto is over — It’s time to dream big again

Politics

Hong Kong introduces crypto staking rules, reaffirms Web3 commitment

Published

4 hours ago

April 7, 2025

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Hong Kong introduces crypto staking rules, reaffirms Web3 commitment

Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has introduced new guidelines for crypto exchanges offering staking services.

In an April 7 announcement, the SFC announced new guidelines for crypto exchanges offering staking services and locally authorized funds exposed to digital assets involved in staking. The announcement follows recent remarks from Christina Choi, the SFC’s executive director of investment products, who said during a speech at the Hong Kong Web3 Festival:

“The SFC is committed to supporting Hong Kong’s Web3 journey.”

In its announcement, the regulator said it “recognizes the potential benefits of staking in enhancing the security of blockchain networks and allowing investors to earn yields.” Consequently, the latest guidance allows crypto exchanges to provide staking service offerings.

Chen Wu, co-founder and CEO of Hong Kong-based and SFC-licensed crypto exchange Ex.io, told Cointelegraph that the firm appreciates the regulator “allowing licensed platforms to offer staking services under clear and responsible guidelines.” She said:

“The SFC’s announcement signals that more doors are opening — not just for staking, but for a wider range of Web3 products to take shape under a regulated and trusted framework.”

“Hong Kong is positioning itself not just as a compliant market, but as a real hub for Web3 adoption, where users’ interests are protected without slowing down progress,” Wu added.

New rules for staking services

The new rules were communicated by the regulator in its latest circular sent to crypto exchanges under its jurisdiction. The SFC requires crypto exchanges to obtain written approval before offering staking services, retain control over staked virtual assets and not delegate custody to third parties.

Cryptocurrency exchanges engaged in staking must disclose all relevant risks and details concerning fees, minimum lock-up periods, unstaking processes, outage processes and custodial arrangements to their customers. Lastly, the providers must report on their staking activities to the SFC.

A similar circular was sent to SFC-regulated crypto fund operators, with the new rules being relevant to funds with more than 10% of their net asset value invested directly or indirectly in digital assets. Funds can only acquire virtual assets that are also directly available to the local public and rely on SFC-authorized platforms. Leveraged exposure is prohibited.

Funds can engage in staking if it is consistent with the fund’s objectives, while providing clear disclosure and robust controls. An investor notice and possibly shareholder approval may be required if staking implementation leads to material strategy or risk profile changes.

Hong Kong bets on Web3

During her recent speech, SFC’s Choi recognized that the Web3 space is still evolving and that “its full benefits will unfold in time, likely with twists and turns.” She cited the speculative industry of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) as a cautionary tale that justifies caution in the current regulatory approach:

“Therefore, rather than chasing every new spark, we believe in a pragmatic approach — strengthening the fundamentals and fostering a supportive ecosystem where Web3 can thrive in a sustainable manner.“

The official’s comments follow recent reports that cryptocurrency exchange Bybit announced the shutdown of its NFT marketplace as the market is running out of steam. The decision follows a similar decision by major NFT marketplace X2Y2 announced in late March.

The non-fungible token market is seeing a significant downturn. Daily NFT trading volume was over $18 million 364 days ago before Bybit’s announcements and stood at $5.34 million when the decision to shut down the platform was made public — a 70% fall.

When arguing why Web3 companies should choose Hong Kong as their headquarters, Choi pointed out that Hong Kong ranks third in the Global Financial Centres Index. Furthermore, local regulators have set clear guidelines for crypto industry firms, and Hong Kong provides easy access to Asian markets.

In her closing statements, Choi said, “We stand today at the crossroads where traditional finance and the digital economy are converging to drive promising outcomes for our financial markets.” She added:

“The zero-to-one breakthrough has been made, and its future success would very much depend on how we nurture this convergence, that is, how we go from one to 100.“

Her statements echo Hong Kong’s financial technology sector, which has seen 250% growth since 2022. The SFC recently introduced a new roadmap to position the city as a global cryptocurrency hub.

The “ASPIRe” roadmap hopes to future-proof the local virtual asset ecosystem. It involves 12 initiatives spread across five broad categories, which include providing market access, optimizing compliance and frameworks and improving blockchain efficiency.

Magazine: Korea to lift corporate crypto ban, beware crypto mining HDs: Asia Express

Politics

Stablecoins are the best way to ensure US dollar dominance — Web3 CEO

Published

19 hours ago

April 6, 2025

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Stablecoins are the best way to ensure US dollar dominance — Web3 CEO

Stablecoins are the single best tool for the United States government to maintain the US dollar’s hegemony in global financial markets, according to LayerZero Labs CEO and founder Bryan Pellegrino.

In an interview with Cointelegraph, the CEO of LayerZero Labs, which created the LayerZero interoperability protocol recently chosen by Wyoming to be the distribution partner for the Wyoming stablecoin, said that the cross-border accessibility of dollar-pegged tokens makes them an obvious choice to drive US dollar demand. Pellegrino added:

“Stablecoins for the US dollar are the single best tool — the last Trojan Horse or vampire attack on every single other currency in the world — whether it is Argentina, whether it is Venezuela, whether it is all of the countries that have massive inflation.”

The CEO said he expects support for stablecoins on both the federal and state levels to grow because of the obvious boost stablecoins give to the US dollar in foreign exchange markets and the financial moat stablecoin-driven demand will create around the US dollar’s global reserve currency status.

Dollar, US Government, Stablecoin — *Stablecoin market overview. Source:* *RWA.XYZ*

US government looks to stablecoins to protect US dollar

Pellegrino cited Tether’s emerging role as one of the largest buyers of US Treasury bills in the world as evidence of the demand for US debt instruments from stablecoin issuers.

Tether recently became the seventh-largest holder of US Treasuries, beating out Canada, Germany, Norway, Hong Kong, and Saudi Arabia.

Speaking at the White House Crypto Summit on March 7, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Trump administration would leverage stablecoins to extend US dollar hegemony and indicated this would be a top priority for officials in 2025.

According to a 2023 report from Chainalysis, over 50% of all the digital asset value transferred to countries in the Latin American region, including Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Mexico, and Venezuela was denominated in stablecoins.

The low transaction fees, relative stability, and near-instant settlement times for dollar-pegged stablecoins make these real-world tokenized assets ideal for remittances and stores of value for residents in developing countries suffering from high inflation and capital controls.

Magazine: Bitcoin payments are being undermined by centralized stablecoins