News linked to both this project and an event.
Odaily News: As concerns grow across the United States over AI data centers' water usage, electricity consumption, and impact on local infrastructure, tech companies such as OpenAI and Meta are adding community relations staff to reduce the risk of local opposition to data center projects. A Gallup survey shows that about 70% of Americans oppose the construction of data centers in their areas, and in the first three months of this year, at least 75 data center projects with a total value of approximately $130 billion were blocked or delayed due to local opposition.Among them, OpenAI is hiring a head of community engagement to mitigate opposition to its data center projects in Ohio and Georgia, while Meta is recruiting a community engagement manager to build relationships with local officials and school districts. Additionally, OpenAI announced this week that it is investing $40 million to establish a community fund in Ohio, Meta has spent millions of dollars on advertising campaigns promoting data centers, and Microsoft has stated it will no longer seek local tax incentives for new data center projects. (Bloomberg)
Odaily News Tim Duy, Chief US Economist at SGH Macro Advisors, said that the recent appearance of multiple Fed officials casting dissenting votes on rate decisions has become more common over the past few years. Especially during periods when the economy faces multiple pressures and the policy path is unclear, strong disagreements among officials are likely, leading to more dissenting votes.Regarding the upcoming release of the Fed's meeting minutes, Duy believes the market's core focus will be on how widespread officials' concerns about inflation truly are. He noted that at the time, inflation was clearly running above the Fed's target, and policymakers worried that inflation would not quickly return to target levels. Meanwhile, the labor market was seen as having stabilized, which led some officials to strongly believe the Fed should raise rates to curb inflationary pressures. As a result, the market will closely watch how many Fed officials share this assessment, and whether concerns about inflation have formed a broader consensus within the decision-making ranks. The degree of divergence among officials over the policy path will also serve as an important clue for judging the future direction of interest rates.
Odaily News - Hyperliquid Policy Center announced that it has recently submitted a joint comment letter with Douro Labs to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), supporting the SEC's proposal to rescind Rule 611 of Regulation NMS (the "Trade-Through Rule") and calling on regulators to establish a clearer Best Execution regulatory framework for on-chain markets.The Hyperliquid Policy Center believes that the current Trade-Through Rule is built on traditional securities market structures and is clearly incompatible with blockchain-native trading models. HPC and Douro Labs put forward three recommendations in their joint comment letter:First, they support the SEC in rescinding the Trade-Through Rule. The two companies argue that this rule relies on a traditional quote system that cannot accurately reflect the on-chain trading environment, and its continued application could hinder the development of on-chain financial markets.Second, the SEC should establish clear best execution guidance for on-chain trading. On-chain markets feature new factors that do not exist in traditional markets, such as quote-less trading, 24/7 operation, blockchain network fees, and MEV (Maximal Extractable Value). Brokers need clearer regulatory standards to ensure they can execute trades on behalf of clients.Third, the regulatory framework should be principles-based and recognize independent price reference mechanisms. HPC and Douro Labs suggest that when the traditional NBBO cannot cover on-chain markets, the SEC should recognize independent price reference data formed through transparent, manipulation-resistant mechanisms. For example, the Pyth Network, which Douro Labs helped build, provides price oracle services for on-chain markets by aggregating real-time data supplied by exchanges and market participants.
Odaily News: Hyperliquid is seeking a compliant path to bring its perpetual contract business into the U.S. market, and the platform is currently not open to U.S. users.Previously, the Hyperliquid Policy Center, funded by the Hyper Foundation, has been conducting policy research and advocacy work in Washington, D.C., promoting a regulated access framework for on-chain perpetual contracts and decentralized market infrastructure in the United States.If the relevant regulatory pathways are clarified, it would create conditions for Hyperliquid to offer products such as perpetual contracts to U.S. users. (The Information)
According to WIRED, California has recently seen a series of violent cargo theft cases targeting AI data center hardware, with criminal organizations employing new adversarial tactics to intercept trucks transporting servers and related equipment. Gerardo Pachuca, a former Los Angeles detective and consultant with 25 years of experience investigating cargo theft, stated that the prevalence of such acts is "unprecedented." Currently, these incidents have put the entire freight industry on high alert. Analysts point out that as demand for AI infrastructure construction surges, high-value server hardware has become a key target for organized crime.
According to Bloomberg, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently issued an internal letter explicitly exempting asset-backed securities (ABS) related to AI data centers from core investor protection regulations introduced after the 2008 financial crisis, including the "risk retention" clause requiring issuers to retain a portion of the debt. The SEC determined that data centers are not financial assets that liquidate over time, therefore securities linked to them should not be subject to the same regulatory constraints as ABS related to auto loans or mortgages. Although this move does not constitute a formal rule change, since companies had previously voluntarily complied with relevant regulations out of compliance prudence, the substantive impact cannot be underestimated. In terms of market size, the annual issuance volume of data center ABS has surged from $2.4 billion in 2020 to $15.5 billion in 2025, growing more than sixfold in five years, and is expected to hit a new record high in 2026.
According to Cointelegraph, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), in conjunction with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, raided nine unregistered cryptocurrency exchanges within the Moscow International Business Center (Moscow City), arresting over 20 employees. The FSB accused the aforementioned exchanges of acting as money laundering channels, converting funds from victims of Russian phone scams into cryptocurrency and transferring them to accounts related to scam call centers within Ukraine. Investigations revealed that some couriers aged 18 to 25 were responsible for collecting cash from victims and delivering it to the exchanges for crypto conversion; the young people involved mostly came from various regions of Russia and lacked financial knowledge. Currently, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs has launched a criminal investigation into large-scale fraud, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment under Russian law. The FSB stated that the case is still ongoing, with further identification of victims and assessment of compensation plans underway.
Odaily News: Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) conducted surprise raids on 9 unregistered cryptocurrency exchange service providers in Moscow, alleging they were involved in transferring funds obtained through fraud abroad via crypto assets. More than 20 employees were detained at the Moscow International Business Center.The FSB stated that these exchanges converted stolen funds from Russian phone scam victims into cryptocurrency and transferred them to accounts of what it claims are Ukrainian processors. The operation was carried out jointly by the FSB and the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs.Russia's Ministry of Internal Affairs has launched a criminal investigation into large-scale fraud, which under Russian law carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. The FSB said it is continuing to identify victims and assess potential compensation. (Cointelegraph)
The Hyperliquid Policy Center announced that HPC attended the CFTC Agriculture Advisory Committee meeting on August 7 and submitted a formal statement. The statement centered on three points: First, agricultural end-users need diversified market choices, and historical bans on agricultural options have proven the cost of excessive restrictions; Second, the CFTC's phased approach to perpetual contracts is the correct path, and end-user demand should drive the adoption of new derivatives; Third, public blockchains help modernize clearing and settlement infrastructure, while improving collateral liquidity and retaining the market integrity protection mechanisms of the Commodity Exchange Act. HPC stated it will continue to collaborate with the agricultural community to promote the regulated implementation of perpetual contracts in the U.S. market.
Odaily News - Hyperliquid Policy Center (HPC) announced that it has submitted a policy statement regarding the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting, supporting U.S. users' participation in the on-chain derivatives market and calling on regulators to adopt a gradual path to promote the development of innovative products such as Perpetual Futures.HPC stated that the U.S. derivatives market originated in agriculture. In the 19th century, grain exchanges in the U.S. Midwest used futures contracts to help farmers and traders discover prices and manage future delivery risks. Since 1922, the U.S. futures market had been regulated under the Department of Agriculture for a long period, until Congress established the CFTC in 1974, placing oversight of the agency under the jurisdiction of the Senate and House Agriculture Committees. Modern derivatives regulation should still revolve around the actual users of the market. Agricultural producers and processors have always been important constituents served by the CFTC, and market participants' needs for product choice, risk management tools, and market innovation should also serve as important references for the evolution of regulatory policy.HPC noted that perpetual futures are now becoming an important innovative derivative in the digital asset era. The committee's discussions on product choice, risk management gaps, and market modernization are highly relevant to current regulatory efforts to explore a regulatory framework for on-chain derivatives. In the submitted statement, HPC put forward three key points:1. Market choice is crucial for risk management. Users in agricultural and other derivatives markets need more tool options. Past experience with restricting innovative products suggests that closing off market choices without adequate evaluation can impose costs.2. A phased approach by the CFTC to regulating perpetual futures is a reasonable direction. HPC stated that the development of new derivatives should be driven by end-user demand rather than relying solely on regulatory presuppositions.3. Public blockchains can enhance the efficiency of financial infrastructure. HPC believes that blockchain technology can modernize clearing and settlement systems, improve collateral liquidity, while continuing to comply with the Commodity Exchange Act's requirements regarding market integrity and risk protection.
According to CNBC reports, U.S. Representative from California Ro Khanna plans to propose a "Data Center Bill of Rights" resolution, centered on granting local communities the right to reject data center construction. The resolution proposal includes: prohibiting data center construction within 2,500 feet of residences, schools, daycare centers, hospitals, and nursing homes; ensuring communities can veto relevant construction applications through a transparent process; allowing states to pause new data center approvals before issuing policies to protect residents' electricity bills and water resources; and requiring data centers to use clean energy and comply with pollution emission standards.
According to Bloomberg, the United States is drafting a ban intended to restrict imports of certain Chinese data center components to protect its artificial intelligence infrastructure security. Affected by this news, stock prices in China's optical sector fell sharply, with Zhongji Innolight, one of the world's largest transceiver suppliers, falling more than 14% at one point during trading, and Eoptolink Technology, a peer of Huagong Tech's Huagong Zhengyuan, dropping by 11%. Reuters previously reported that Zhongji Innolight could become one of the main targets of this ban.
According to Decrypt, protests surrounding AI data centers across the United States have continued to expand this year, with at least 37 people arrested in related protests. Protesters are primarily focused on issues caused by data centers, including power consumption, water usage, environmental pollution, and government transparency. Typical incidents include: an Oklahoma resident arrested for exceeding speaking time limits at a data center hearing, an Indiana resident arrested for refusing to identify themselves at an Amazon data center public meeting, and a Kansas physics teacher handcuffed and removed for applauding at a zoning hearing. The current wave of opposition has evolved from local "NIMBY movements" into a national political movement. The advocacy group "Humans First" organized 142 protests across 42 states in the U.S. in July, and legislators are also calling for stricter regulation on rapidly expanding AI infrastructure.
According to The Bell, Alexander Samoilov, an official from the 12th Center of the Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB), disclosed at the KROS Network Technology Annual Conference held in Sochi in May 2026 that the FSB plans to extend SORM (System for Operative Investigative Activities) installation requirements to cryptocurrency exchanges and gaming platforms, mandating them to share user data with security departments in real-time. It is worth noting that Samoilov also admitted that although 10 years have passed since the "Yarovaya Law" was enacted in 2016, the implementation rate of relevant provisions is only about 80%, and market participants believe this estimate is still on the high side. According to The Bell's investigation, after the Crocus City Hall terrorist attack, the FSB's Second Service further strengthened its control over the Russian internet by taking the opportunity of a large-scale inspection of the SORM system.
According to TechFlow Research, Goldman Sachs' July AI Adoption Tracker Report shows that the U.S. corporate AI adoption rate rose to 21.5%, an increase of 0.9 percentage points from the previous month, and is expected to reach 24.3% in six months. The Gallup survey shows that 47% of U.S. employees stated that their organizations have adopted AI, higher than 41% in the previous quarter. Semiconductor revenue is expected to reach $834 billion by the end of 2026; AI-related hardware investment has surpassed 2022 levels, reaching $463 billion, accounting for 1.4% of GDP. Data center-related construction jobs have increased by 290,000 since 2022, with an average monthly increase of about 14,000. Layoffs caused by AI cumulatively reached 102,000 in the first half of the year. Goldman Sachs believes that AI is moving from the proof-of-concept stage to the actual deployment stage, economic penetration is accelerating, but the labor impact remains concentrated in specific industries. Academic research shows that AI boosts productivity by an average of about 23%, and industries with higher adoption rates have shown signs of accelerated productivity growth. Goldman Sachs' judgment is that AI is reshaping the economic structure, and the market may be underestimating the depth of AI's integration into the economic system. Goldman Sachs Research Report Analysis: Corporate AI adoption rate rose to 21.5%, data center construction jobs increased by 290,000.
According to Forbes, Siemens' latest "Infrastructure Transformation Monitor" (ITM) shows that against the backdrop of rising operating costs and stricter ESG compliance requirements, digital infrastructure and AI are gradually becoming core tools for commercial real estate portfolio management. The report shows that 52% of commercial real estate leaders expect digital technology to bring significant productivity improvements, and 59% of respondents expect AI to deeply reshape building operation models within the next three years, with main application scenarios covering predictive maintenance, HVAC optimization, automatic fault detection, and energy management. However, currently only 37% of organizations have reached maturity in digital system integration, and 36% of organizations stated they are scaling AI and digital twin technology; fragmented data environments and insufficient system interoperability remain the main bottlenecks. The report cites the practical case of the Pennsylvania Convention Center: the center reduced energy consumption by 18% through digital transformation, achieving approximately $686,000 in operating savings, and successively obtained LEED Gold and GBAC STAR certifications, confirming the substantive role of digital investment in reducing operating costs and enhancing the long-term value of assets.
According to CNBC reports, Frank Pallone (New Jersey), the ranking Democratic member of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, wrote to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on July 29, requesting that he provide relevant records regarding its xAI Memphis data center by August 11 and allow an onsite visit. Pallone accused SpaceX of extensively using natural gas combustion turbines to power the Colossus and Colossus 2 data centers without obtaining permits or installing pollution control equipment, posing "significant health risks" to surrounding communities. Notably, the Trump administration's Department of Justice has sought to intervene to assist xAI in defending against relevant lawsuits filed by environmental organizations and the NAACP. A May Gallup poll showed that 70% of Americans oppose building AI data centers locally, as public resistance to the expansion of AI infrastructure by major tech companies continues to intensify.
the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, in coordination with the U.S. Secret Service's Washington Field Office, announced that investigations into multiple international cyber fraud cases have led to the seizure of over $25 million in cryptocurrency. The funds were allegedly linked to crypto investment scams targeting residents of the United States and Canada.This action is part of the "Scam Center Strike Force," an initiative launched in 2025 by District of Columbia Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. To date, the task force has recovered assets totaling over $800 million. U.S. prosecutors stated that on July 21, 2026, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia filed five civil forfeiture complaints in the U.S. District Court, seeking the forfeiture of over $25 million in crypto assets recovered from various fraud investigations.Investigators indicated that these cases involve multiple money laundering networks with victims worldwide. Criminal groups lured victims into investing through fake crypto investment platforms and online romance scams, then laundered the funds through multi-layered wallet addresses and mixing operations to conceal the source of funds. The seized funds are associated with five major investigations:In one case, Canadian law enforcement provided the U.S. Secret Service with wallet addresses suspected of being used to transfer illicit proceeds. Investigators froze the relevant addresses and traced over 270 suspected victim transactions, involving approximately $10.4 million;The second case involved an online romance scam that defrauded over 200 victims. Illicit funds were transferred through hundreds of intermediate wallet addresses and commingled with funds from other victims, involving approximately $12.08 million;The third case involved a victim from the U.S. capital region who participated in a fraudulent crypto investment project. After failing to withdraw funds, the victim lost contact with the scammers, with the involved amount being approximately $1.23 million;In the fourth case, a victim transferred millions of dollars in cryptocurrency to a fake investment account. Investigators traced some of the funds to six wallet addresses and froze approximately $2.39 million;In the fifth case, scammers impersonated an agency that "recovers stolen funds" to trick victims into paying fees, with the involved amount being approximately $285,000.The U.S. Secret Service stated that these cases remain under active investigation. Law enforcement officials are tracking down the suspects behind the fraud network and will cooperate with international law enforcement agencies to hold them accountable.
the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) of Pakistan has established a cryptocurrency investigation unit within its newly inaugurated National Command and Control Center (NC3) to probe money laundering and terrorist financing activities conducted through virtual currencies.Dr. Muhammad Athar Waheed, head of the FIA's Counter-Terrorism Department, stated that the new unit will investigate the criminal use of cryptocurrencies. The newly formed Pakistan Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (PVARA) will be responsible for overseeing digital assets. Dr. Waheed also urged the National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency and the Anti-Narcotics Force to establish similar departments to address the use of cryptocurrencies in cybercrime and drug trafficking.The NC3 integrates the FIA's financial crime tools onto a single platform, including anti-money laundering and virtual currency investigation units, an Interpol coordination point, open-source intelligence, cyber patrolling, and dark web investigation departments. Pakistan previously lifted its eight-year ban on cryptocurrency banking, created the PVARA, and is advancing the licensing of cryptocurrency exchanges. (Decrypt)
one year after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Clarity for Digital Assets Act (CLARITY Act), the bill remains stalled in the Senate, facing opposition from the banking industry and partisan divisions. Supporters anticipate a potential vote before the Senate's August recess. Industry organizations Coin Center and the Blockchain Association have identified Section 604 as a key provision for protecting open-source innovation. This provision aims to prevent non-custodial blockchain developers, node operators, and validators from being classified as federal money transmitters. Stefan Muehlbauer, Head of U.S. Government Affairs at CertiK, stated that removing Section 604 could conflate software development with financial services, subjecting developers to the Bank Secrecy Act and triggering First Amendment-related constitutional challenges. Iana Dimitrova, CEO of Openpayd, noted that the expanding use of stablecoins for cross-border value transfer has made the need for a federal regulatory framework more apparent. The bill also addresses accounting standards, acknowledges the rescission of SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin SAB 121, and prohibits the SEC from reimposing equivalent crypto custody accounting requirements without a full notice-and-comment rulemaking process. Mark Zalan, CEO of Gomining, pointed out that Bitcoin still faces regulatory gaps, such as tax treatment.