News linked to this event type.
: Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has signed a Virtual Asset Executive Order aimed at regulating virtual assets and cracking down on unregistered operators. The measure has taken immediate effect and will establish a new oversight framework to coordinate the fragmented regulatory environment. A newly established Virtual Asset Committee will serve as the primary policy-making and coordination body, chaired by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), with the Nigerian Tax Authority and the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission (NSEC) serving as vice-chairs. A Virtual Asset Office will be set up within the CBN to handle daily inter-agency operations and information sharing. Securities-related financial activities will be managed by the NSEC, while payment, settlement, and custody services for non-securities virtual assets will be under the CBN's jurisdiction. The CBN plans to launch a regulatory sandbox, allowing qualified operators to test virtual asset products and blockchain solutions in a monitored environment. The Virtual Asset Committee is required to formulate an implementation framework for the executive order within 30 days.
, New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte recently signed HB 639, the Blockchain Basic Laws, to increase legal protections for digital asset users, developers, miners, validators, and businesses, and to safeguard digital asset usage and self-custody rights. The bill also authorizes the creation of a dedicated docket for blockchain-related disputes. New Hampshire's 2025 law allows the State Treasurer to invest up to 5% of specific public funds in precious metals and qualifying digital assets, with Bitcoin currently being the only asset meeting the market cap threshold. Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed SB 21 in June 2025, establishing the Texas Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. State lawmakers appropriated $10 million, and Texas subsequently made an initial investment of approximately $5 million via spot Bitcoin ETFs. A 2025 proposal in Wyoming to allow up to 3% of certain state funds to be invested in Bitcoin did not pass. However, the state continues to advance its specialized banking framework and the Frontier Stable Token. FRNT became publicly available in January 2026 and is described as the first state-issued stable token in the United States.
: Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) is exploring the commercialization of real-time information feeds on its Truth Social platform, offering institutional clients high-speed access to Trump's posts at a price of up to $100,000 per month. Sources indicate that Trump Media & Technology Group has proposed a six-figure monthly fee plan to potential clients, allowing quicker access to the latest updates from U.S. President Donald Trump on Truth Social. The service is primarily aimed at institutional investors seeking to track policy signals, market sentiment, and the impact of political events with low latency.As one of Trump's primary channels for public communication, Truth Social's content has long been a focus of financial markets. Information such as Trump's policy views, tariff measures, and regulatory statements has repeatedly triggered volatility in stocks, foreign exchange, and cryptocurrency markets. However, it remains unclear whether the high-speed data service has secured any clients yet, or how many institutions are willing to pay the listed fees. (Financial Times)
the French National Gambling Authority (ANJ) announced on July 17 that it will block access for users within France to the prediction market platform Polymarket, following a prior ban on accepting financial transactions from French accounts on the platform.The ANJ stated that although France had already restricted financial transactions linked to Polymarket since November 2024, the platform's website remained accessible to French users, with user traffic continuously growing. Therefore, it decided to implement further web-blocking measures.Data shows that Polymarket allows users to engage in predictive trading on the outcomes of future events, including politics, economics, and sports. Since the platform displays betting odds for different events in real-time, French regulators believe this constitutes promotion of unauthorized gambling websites.The ANJ noted: "Promoting unauthorized betting or gambling websites in any manner is a criminal offense." The relevant violations could result in a maximum fine of 100,000 euros (approximately 147,000 Singapore dollars).Regulators indicated that although French accounts are no longer able to conduct related transactions, access from French IP addresses has continued to rise, reaching 578,751 visits in June.This blockade further highlights the attention European regulators are paying to prediction market platforms. As decentralized prediction markets like Polymarket grow rapidly worldwide, how to define them—whether as financial innovation, information markets, or gambling businesses—is becoming a focal point of regulatory discussions across nations. (Straitstimes)
U.S. Representative Bryan Steil optimistically stated on Fox News that the CLARITY Act is expected to pass in the Senate next week, and emphasized that the U.S. needs to establish a regulatory gold standard in the digital asset sector.
Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas stated that the 22-year development history of gold ETFs may provide the closest reference path for Bitcoin ETF investors. Both are packaging vehicles for non-yielding, non-cash-flow store-of-value assets, with their performance primarily driven by investor sentiment rather than earnings, coupons, or policy support.
as the market sees a lower probability of a major shock to the U.S. dollar in the short term, the cost for investors to hedge against dollar volatility has fallen to its lowest level this year.Data shows that the Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index's 1-month implied volatility gauge, which measures expectations for dollar fluctuations, dropped to its lowest level since last December this week. This marks a clear decline from the market volatility peak triggered by the outbreak of the Iran war in March this year.Market participants believe that despite ongoing uncertainty over the Federal Reserve's monetary policy outlook and escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, traders are not currently anticipating a risk of sharp volatility for the dollar.As the world's primary reserve currency, the dollar's safe-haven demand and interest rate trends have always been closely watched by the market. The current decline in dollar volatility reflects investors' reduced concerns about the future exchange rate environment, while also indicating that the market is awaiting the emergence of new macro catalysts. (Bloomberg)
Crypto journalist Eleanor Terrett posted on X, stating that Republican members of the U.S. House Financial Services Committee will hold a live hearing in New York at 10:00 AM Eastern Time, focusing on how the CLARITY Act can drive innovation in the digital asset sector.This hearing is an informational session aimed at gathering industry opinions and discussing policy implications, and it will not affect the Senate's current legislative process for the bill.Meanwhile, the updated legislative text of the CLARITY Act has still not been released. Previously, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Republican senators regarding related ethical provisions, but as of now, the new bill text has not been officially published.Eleanor Terrett cited industry sources, noting that crypto industry leaders currently expect the release of the updated text to be delayed until next week.Market participants are closely watching the CLARITY Act, which serves as a key component of the U.S. crypto market structure regulatory framework. Its final text and pace of advancement will influence the future compliance pathways for digital asset companies, trading platforms, and institutional investors.
Ethereum Layer 2 infrastructure Optimism has officially announced a tripartite strategic collaboration, joining forces with Upbit operator Dunamu, fintech platform Toss, and DB Securities to comprehensively expand into the Korean market. On the cooperation front with Dunamu, both parties will upgrade the GIWA public chain based on the OP Stack and promote its global development. A three-month technical verification will be conducted with Toss to build a compliant Korean won digital financial infrastructure. Optimism and DB Securities are focusing on the STO and RWA sectors, planning to transform Jeju Island's smart agriculture, livestock assets, and Korean intellectual property into tokenized securities and real-world asset products. This will facilitate the phased on-chain commercialization of local physical assets, with the entire cooperation framework tailored to align with Korea's financial regulatory framework.
: On-chain digital asset management neobank ether.fi has selected Nexus Mutual to provide ETH slashing coverage, covering slashing penalties for its validators up to 15,000 ETH. ether.fi stated that it operates a large-scale validator set on Ethereum, and slashing is a tail risk. This coverage is used to cover validator losses, with a scale exceeding the total historical ETH slashing losses. ether.fi currently manages over $6 billion in assets across products such as Cash, Stake, and Liquid. Since 2019, Nexus Mutual has provided over $7 billion in coverage for smart contract attacks, slashing, and other digital asset risks. (Decrypt)
a16z has published an article by U.S. Representative Patrick McHenry titled “The time for Clarity is here: The next-generation Telecoms Act.” The article points out that the advancing crypto market structure legislation, the “CLARITY Act,” holds historical significance similar to the 1996 Telecommunications Act, potentially laying a vital foundation for the next wave of financial innovation in the United States.Patrick McHenry stated that his over 20 years of service in Congress have shown him that timely legislation can propel the nation forward, while legislative stagnation may force the U.S. to play catch-up in critical technological fields. America stands at a crossroads: either maintain its position as the world's leading technology and financial hub, or cede this advantage to competitors challenging its dominance. The CLARITY Act represents one of the few forward-looking financial legislative opportunities in recent years. Like the 1996 Telecommunications Act, it aims to establish consumer protection mechanisms while embracing emerging technological developments. The bill has garnered broad bipartisan support and involves coordination across multiple congressional committees.Patrick McHenry believes that U.S. financial regulation has long been stuck in a “crisis response mode.” Since the 2008 financial crisis, most major financial reforms have primarily targeted past risks, failing to establish an institutional framework for future technological innovation. He argues that crypto market structure legislation has the opportunity to break this pattern and become the first significant reform in nearly 30 years to proactively build the financial system of the future.Regarding the view that existing securities laws are sufficient to cover the crypto industry, this perspective does not reflect market realities. Companies and entrepreneurs are not rejecting regulation; rather, they seek clear rules. “When entrepreneurs know where the boundaries are, they can innovate with greater confidence.” If the CLARITY Act is passed, it will provide regulatory certainty for the digital asset industry, protect consumers and investors, and equip enforcement agencies with tools to combat crime and bad actors. Multiple crypto-related legislative efforts, including the stablecoin regulation bill the GENIUS Act, have gained bipartisan support. An increasing number of lawmakers recognize that digital assets are not going away, and the U.S. needs to establish clear rules to maintain its competitive edge.Other countries around the world are actively advancing digital asset regulatory frameworks. Capital and innovation will flow to markets with clear rules. The CLARITY Act is not just about crypto assets; it concerns whether the U.S. can continue to lead economic development in the 21st century and establish the rules for global technological innovation.
According to The Block, Bernstein stated that before the compliant computing power futures planned by CME Group and Intercontinental Exchange are approved, AI computing power derivatives adopting crypto market mechanisms have already launched. Currently, Architect's offshore trading platform AX has launched GPU perpetual futures, while Kalshi has listed GPU rental price event contracts regulated by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
According to the latest poll released by CNBC, American pessimism over the economic outlook has intensified, with 61% of respondents expressing pessimism about the current economic conditions and future trajectory — the highest level since December 2023. Only about a quarter of respondents hold an optimistic view. The survey shows that a majority attribute economic pressures to President Trump's economic policies. Regarding Trump's handling of the economy, 60% of respondents expressed dissatisfaction, while only 38% approved — one of the lowest ratings on this metric in his political career.Micah Roberts, a partner at Public Opinion Strategies, stated that the overall mood among voters is currently low, with those expecting the situation to worsen outnumbering those expecting improvement by 41% to 29%. Market confidence is entering a trough phase ahead of the midterm election cycle.Meanwhile, rising living costs are forcing American consumers to cut spending. The survey found that 47% of respondents are reducing spending on necessities such as food and healthcare — up 6 percentage points from April. About two-thirds of consumers are cutting back on non-essential spending like dining out.A separate study conducted by Bain & Company in collaboration with NielsenIQ showed that U.S. grocery purchases in June fell by 1.8% year-over-year, a sharp reversal from the 0.1% growth recorded during the same period last year.Kurt Grichel, head of Bain's U.S. retail practice, noted that a typical grocery run that cost around $300 in 2019 may now require $400. The "sticker shock" from price increases is now affecting a broader range of consumers, including higher-income households.Analysts point out that high food prices, elevated fuel costs, and the Trump administration's cuts to certain social welfare programs are collectively increasing pressure on consumers. The survey found that four out of five U.S. consumers are trying to reduce spending, with more than a quarter actively cutting back on food purchases. Among them, over half have switched to cheaper brands, while 49% are buying fewer items. (ibtimes)
Odaily Planet Daily reported that the District Court of Rotterdam, Netherlands, has declared the cryptocurrency trading platform Knaken Cryptohandel BV and its affiliated foundation bankrupt. Earlier, the public prosecutor's office stated that approximately 7 million euros (around 8 million US dollars) in client assets from the platform are unrecoverable. The court ruled on Thursday that since Knaken has suspended its platform services and restricted user access to accounts, initiating bankruptcy proceedings will facilitate an orderly liquidation of the company's assets. The court noted that the company's current assets are insufficient to fully repay user funds, and users also lack sufficient information to assess their own legal rights.The Dutch Public Prosecution Service filed the bankruptcy petition on June 30, having already launched a criminal investigation into the missing funds. The Dutch Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD) also raided Knaken's offices in late June, seizing related equipment and assets.Knaken was founded in 2017, headquartered in Rotterdam, and ceased operations in early June this year. According to Dutch media NL Times, the company was not listed on the register of authorized crypto asset service providers maintained by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM).The AFM previously stated that after the Netherlands concluded the transition period for the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) on June 30, 2025, it has begun taking regulatory and enforcement actions against unauthorized crypto asset service providers. (Cointelegraph)
Odaily Odaily News Former White House Crypto and AI Director David Sacks posted on X, stating that the Chinese AI model Kimi K3 has topped the Frontier Code Arena front-end coding benchmark for the first time, and has reached or approached industry-leading levels in several other benchmark evaluations. This trend is noteworthy. While China's AI capabilities are rapidly improving, the US is mired in internal strife due to regulatory controversies. He criticized some US politicians and regulatory bodies for restricting new data center construction, increasing state-level regulatory requirements, and promoting the establishment of new federal agencies for pre-approval of frontier AI models.David Sacks warned that if the US slows down innovation due to excessive regulation, it may lose its competitive edge in the global AI race. "The US won the internet era through permissionless innovation, and it can win the AI era the same way; otherwise, we will see our leading position gradually erode." While AI development still needs to address safety risks, regulation should be precise, not hinder technological innovation. His remarks have once again sparked discussion on AI regulation, computing infrastructure construction, and the competitive landscape between China and the US.
SBI Holdings, a major Japanese financial group, has obtained relevant approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to complete the acquisition of Coinhako, a Singapore-licensed crypto exchange and digital wallet service provider. Coinhako is a licensed digital asset platform in Singapore, offering services including cryptocurrency trading and asset custody. (coinhako)
据官方公告，Bitget 新增 22 只美股代币（rToken）支持周末交易，包括 rMRNA（莫德纳）、rAMAT（应用材料）、rORCL（甲骨文）等标的。本次更新后，平台支持周末交易的股票代币数量增至 61 只。 在美股休市期间，平台将基于周五收盘价、做市商报价及市场预期综合生成周末连续交易价格。该功能支持限价单及止盈止损设置。为防范异常波动，系统对周末限价单设有约 ±20% 的保护限制。 据悉，以字母 r + 股票代码（如英伟达为 rNVDA）为标识的 rToken，由 Bitget 旗下持牌 RWA 协议 Reality 发行，通过与合规券商 Alpaca 合作直连纳斯达克、纽交所等全球流动性池。其特点包括：底层资产 1:1 储备并由持牌托管机构托管、股票股息以代币形式 1:1 派发、拆合股等公司行为同步映射，且持仓可作为统一账户及 U 本位合约的联合保证金，让用户在持有全球股票资产的同时，仍能灵活管理资金。
Odaily Odaily News Polymarket traders pushed the probability of the CLARITY Act being signed into law this year to 35% on July 17, recovering from a low of 24% on July 13. The contract had approached 74% in May, before falling to 48% in June as negotiations dragged on. Senate Republicans plan to release the final text of the CLARITY Act after meeting with US President Donald Trump. Senator Bernie Moreno said the updated text will be released after the meeting, with the target for Senate floor consideration set for the week of July 20. The bill needs 60 votes in the Senate to pass. Republicans currently hold 53 seats, requiring at least 7 Democratic votes in support. Democratic negotiators say the draft to be submitted to the chamber is not the version they agreed to. The dispute centers on ethics clauses involving Trump's business interests in the crypto industry.
Argentine Federal Judge Marcelo Martinez ordered the identification and freezing of a group of wallets linked to Libra, after the Federal Police Cybercrime Technical Department tracked the flow of related funds across multiple crypto networks since May. The investigation involves 8 wallets labeled "Libra team," which are directly connected to the token issuance.The report shows that 4 of these wallets had funneled nearly $57 million to an address, which was previously frozen and then unfrozen by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. On May 10, related funds were transferred to a Tron address via an interoperability protocol, with the amount close to $500,000. At least 10 out of 17 transactions passed through Binance, while another 8 wallets are associated with Bybit, 2 with OKX, and 2 with Bitfinex. Some users involved in the $8.2 million in funds could potentially be identified through the KYC rules of centralized exchanges. The remaining funds are currently managed by Libra Trust, which plans to distribute them as grants to Argentine companies by November. There are already 71 applications pending approval.
According to reports from Lianhe Zaobao, Taiwan's largest virtual currency merchant, Bixiang Technology, colluded with fraud groups to launder 2.3 billion New Taiwan Dollars (approximately 92.13 million Singapore Dollars). The Shilin District Court issued a first-instance verdict on July 16. The mastermind, company head Shi Qiren, who had a background in the Tiandao Alliance gang, was sentenced to 22 years in prison, and criminal proceeds exceeding 43.71 million New Taiwan Dollars were confiscated. It is reported that Shi Qiren was the head of the Taiwan region of the offshore virtual asset exchange CoinW (CoinWin). Since CoinW had not completed the anti-money laundering compliance registration with the Taiwan Financial Supervisory Commission, he acquired Bixiang Technology, which had passed the compliance declaration, as a shell company for 19.2 million New Taiwan Dollars in October 2023. Subsequently, 45 physical stores were opened across Taiwan to illegally sell Tether (USDT), collaborating with fraud groups to deceive the public through methods such as fake investments, fake friendships, and fake recruitment. Between January 2024 and April 2025, a total of 1,539 victims suffered losses, with the defrauded amount reaching 1.275 billion New Taiwan Dollars, and the overall money laundering amount exceeding 2.3 billion New Taiwan Dollars.