Good morning. The future is looking bright for crypto. The U.S. could become a leader in the cryptocurrency sector under the new Trump administration, according to finance expert Loretta Joseph. While acknowledging the risks inherent in cryptocurrency, she advocates for the benefits of digital assets, including their cross-border mobility and resilience against confiscation. Meanwhile, Thailand’s former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, believes the new IR industry will create 20,000 jobs per site, with an average monthly salary of $580. In Macau, Jefferies estimates Galaxy Entertainment Group will see a 10 percent year-over-year increase in adjusted EBITDA of $385.3 million in the last quarter of 2024.
What you need to know
- Donald Trump’s election pushes forward a tech-centric administration that understands the value of cryptocurrency’s future.
- Thailand’s entertainment complexes will create 20,000 jobs per site, with open bidding for casino licenses, as stated by Thaksin Shinawatra.
- Galaxy Entertainment Group should report an adjusted EBITDA of $385.3 million in the last quarter of 2024, a 10 percent rise year-over-year, brokerage Jefferies estimates.

On the radar
- The Star seeks tax rebates as it goes into safe harbor to protect executive decisions.
- Waterfront Manila Hotel & Casino plans soft opening, including casino, in 1Q26.
- Macau’s visitor arrivals expected to exceed 38M in 2025.
- China calls for strong ASEAN cooperation to combat online gambling.
AGB Intelligence
CRYPTO

Trump’s presidency: A new era for cryptocurrency in the U.S.
The world is at a pivotal moment as Donald Trump’s presidency, beginning January 20th, 2025, signals a potential shift towards a more crypto-friendly U.S. stance on cryptocurrency, with finance expert Loretta Joseph telling AGB this could position the U.S. as a leader in the sector. Despite previous legal ambiguities creating challenges, the rise of decentralized finance (DeFi) offers new opportunities, particularly with stablecoins and the significant ascent of Bitcoin as a recognized asset class.
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