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Project Overview
Decrypt is a Web3 media incubated inside ConsenSys Mesh from 2018 to 2022. In April 2022, it raised $10 million in funding and spun out. Its products include decentralized media PubDAO and NFT solution provider Decrypt Studios. Decrypt is laying the foundation for a new approach to media, leveraging Web3 applications to create a better future for everyone.
Privacy blockchain project Beldex completes $8 million funding round, led by Sigma Capital
Odaily News: Privacy blockchain project Beldex has announced the completion of an $8 million funding round, led by Sigma Capital, with participation from NTC, Nxgen, Digital Consensus Fund, EAK Ventures, and other institutions. The new funds will be used for developer tools, privacy applications, protocol security, AI infrastructure development, and ecosystem expansion.Beldex is exploring the use of its privacy technology to protect the identity, payments, communications, and data processing of AI agents, including privacy-preserving AI identities, encrypted AI communications, confidential payments, secure AI execution, as well as research into technologies such as fully homomorphic encryption (FHE) and secure memory. (Decrypt)
Base will invest $100,000 in each of 10 startups, launching an 8-week accelerator program focused on AI agents and other areas
: Base announced the launch of the Batches 004 accelerator program, which will select 10 startups over an 8-week program, with each receiving $100,000 in investment funded by the Base Ecosystem Fund. Applications close on September 9, and the program will hold Demo Day in New York in November. This round is aimed at pre-seed startups focused on trading, payments, funding, and AI agents, covering products that use stablecoins to support agent shopping, trading, and payments, as well as lending, e-commerce, and decentralized AI infrastructure. Teams may support multiple blockchains but must have Base as their primary network. Selected teams will receive dedicated advisors, weekly support, and exposure assistance within the Base ecosystem, and will present their projects to investors at Demo Day. Coinbase launched Agentic Wallets on Base in February and Coinbase for Agents in June, which respectively enable AI agents to hold USDC and pay via the x402 protocol, and to directly connect to user accounts. (Decrypt)
SEC Proposes Allowing Crypto Projects to Raise Up to $75 Million Annually Without Full Securities Registration
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Tuesday proposed new rules that would allow crypto projects to raise funds without full securities registration. The proposed "crypto asset regulation" includes two exemptions: projects raising no more than $5 million over a 4-year period, and issuers raising no more than $75 million every 12 months, subject to filing financial statements and ongoing reports. Both exemptions require information disclosure and remain subject to federal anti-fraud and anti-manipulation rules. The proposal also includes a conditional safe harbor, allowing issuers to "decouple" crypto assets from the investment contracts under which they were issued, provided SEC conditions are met. SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce stated that the exemptions will not cover all types of crypto projects, and the Commission will refine the rules based on market developments. The SEC canceled a related meeting last week citing "unforeseen scheduling issues," and resumed advancing the proposal days later. (Decrypt)
SEC Plans to Launch Tokenized Stock "Innovation Exemption," Allowing 24/7 On-Chain Trading of Stocks Like Apple
Odaily News: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) plans to unveil two crypto-related initiatives in the coming days, while Congress's CLARITY Act remains stalled at least until September. The SEC is expected to propose "Regulation Crypto" at a public meeting on Friday, allowing projects to raise funds through token sales without completing full securities registration. The SEC also plans to introduce an "innovation exemption" for tokenized stocks, with details potentially released on Friday. The exemption would allow tokenized versions of stocks such as Apple, Tesla, and Nvidia to trade on the blockchain 24/7, with support for fractional trading and near-instant settlement. Such tokens typically track the economic exposure of the underlying stock but do not carry voting rights or dividend entitlements. The initiative falls under SEC Chairman Paul Atkins's "Project Crypto" agenda, with Robinhood Chain, Solana, and Base all having advanced related on-chain markets. (Decrypt)
SEC to Consider Regulation Crypto, Potentially Allowing Certain Crypto Projects to Raise Funds Without Full Securities Registration
Odaily News: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will hold a public meeting on August 14 to consider proposing a "Regulation Crypto" rule framework that would allow certain crypto projects to raise funds without completing full securities registration. If public comment is initiated, this would mark the SEC's first formal, long-term crypto industry rulemaking. The framework is expected to establish a pathway for exiting SEC oversight: after project developers raise funds, if they no longer actively manage the project and the project achieves decentralization, it may fall outside SEC jurisdiction. SEC Chair Paul Atkins has previously stated that the exemption period could last up to four years, though the announcement did not disclose funding amount thresholds. The U.S. Senate did not advance the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act before entering its August recess. The final rule will still take several months to complete, and the meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m. ET on August 14. (Decrypt)
巴西奶牛首次上链：农民以代币化牲畜为抵押在 B3 交易所完成融资
据 Decrypt 报道，巴西巴拉那州 Fazenda Engenho Velho 农场以 10 头奶牛为抵押，完成首笔在巴西证券交易所（B3）正式登记的代币化牲畜融资交易，贷款金额为 10 万雷亚尔（约 1.94 万美元）。每头奶牛通过农业科技公司 Cowmed 的 AI 传感器项圈采集健康、行为及位置数据，生成唯一加密数字身份，并以哈希方式写入信贷合约，全程无需实地农场核查。 该模式旨在解决银行对牲畜抵押普遍打折高达 60%的问题。背景方面，巴西农业破产申请 2025 年达 1990 件，较 2023 年的 534 件增长近四倍，农业信贷危机持续加剧。Cowmed 目前监控六国逾 10 万头奶牛，预计两年内将其中 20%（约 7760 万美元）纳入代币化抵押体系，并计划在 2026 年底前通过该模式撬动约 97 万美元信贷规模。
CME Group Chairman Terry Duffy and Kalshi Co-founder Luana Lopes Lara Clash Verbally at CFTC Roundtable
Odaily News CME Group Chairman Terry Duffy, the operator of the world's largest futures exchange, and Luana Lopes Lara, co-founder of prediction market platform Kalshi, clashed verbally during a U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) roundtable in Washington. Duffy questioned whether prediction markets face the same regulatory scrutiny as established exchanges and noted that certain contracts could be subject to manipulation.Terry Duffy stated that CME Group is not a "barker at the circus" and mocked some contracts offered by Kalshi, including the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest contract. Luana Lopes Lara responded that traditional markets and exchanges carry risks as well and that regulators are responsible for identifying and addressing such issues. DraftKings CEO Jason Robins subsequently called on both sides to stop attacking each other's business models.The dispute comes amid ongoing disagreements between federal regulators and states over the regulatory authority of prediction markets, with the central question being whether contracts involving sports, elections, and other real-world events are federally regulated derivatives or gambling products subject to state law. Last week, a Washington state judge ordered Kalshi to stop offering certain contracts. Two days ago, the CFTC instructed Kalshi to continue trading, pushing back against New York state's efforts to block its contracts. (Decrypt)
Donald Trump: Urges Congress to Pass a "Fair Version" of the Clarity Act
Odaily News: During a meeting at the White House with executives from crypto and financial firms, U.S. President Donald Trump urged Congress to pass a "fair version" of the Clarity Act, stating that market structure legislation is the next step in his digital assets policy.The meeting was attended by Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman Michael Selig, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Paul Atkins, White House crypto advisor Patrick Witt, as well as executives from Coinbase, Ripple, Robinhood, and Kraken.The Clarity Act would establish federal rules for digital assets and clarify the regulatory jurisdictions of the SEC and CFTC. The bill is expected to return to the Senate in September, where Republicans will still need support from about six Democratic senators to reach the 60-vote threshold. (Decrypt)
Mastermind Behind $165 Million Crypto Ponzi Scheme Extradited from Fiji to U.S.
Odaily News: Edward Zimbardi, a 59-year-old Georgia resident, appeared in U.S. federal court facing 12 counts of wire fraud, 12 counts of money laundering, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Fiji authorities handed him over to U.S. custody on August 14, in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. State Department.Prosecutors allege that Zimbardi operated a project called "The Crypto Program" from June 2022 to August 2023, luring participants with promises of a fixed 25% monthly return on advertising packages, requiring them to transfer cryptocurrency into wallets he secretly controlled. The government claims that thousands of individuals collectively transferred over $165 million into these wallets. Prosecutors stated that Zimbardi did not purchase advertising but instead funneled more than $34 million into high-risk forex trading, using funds from new investors to pay earlier ones. His personal spending totaled at least $10 million, including purchasing property for his son, buying luxury cars, and making alimony payments.The U.S. Department of Justice stated that after the project collapsed in August 2023, Zimbardi left the country and settled in Fiji in July 2025 upon learning of the FBI investigation. The FBI is urging affected investors to come forward with information. (Decrypt)
SEC Proposes Allowing Crypto Projects to Raise Up to $75 Million Annually Without Full Securities Registration
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Tuesday proposed new rules that would allow crypto projects to raise funds without full securities registration. The proposed "crypto asset regulation" includes two exemptions: projects raising no more than $5 million over a 4-year period, and issuers raising no more than $75 million every 12 months, subject to filing financial statements and ongoing reports. Both exemptions require information disclosure and remain subject to federal anti-fraud and anti-manipulation rules. The proposal also includes a conditional safe harbor, allowing issuers to "decouple" crypto assets from the investment contracts under which they were issued, provided SEC conditions are met. SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce stated that the exemptions will not cover all types of crypto projects, and the Commission will refine the rules based on market developments. The SEC canceled a related meeting last week citing "unforeseen scheduling issues," and resumed advancing the proposal days later. (Decrypt)
Chainalysis sues U.S. government over ICE's $94.6 million contract awarded to TRM Labs
blockchain forensics firm Chainalysis Government Solutions filed a bid protest with the U.S. Court of Federal Claims on July 27, opposing the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) decision to award a contract worth approximately $94.6 million to competitor TRM Labs on a sole-source basis. The contract, covering the period from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, involves blockchain forensics software and support services for Homeland Security task forces investigating fraud, cybercrime, and sextortion cases. Chainalysis argues that ICE's decision was arbitrary and unreasonable. TRM Labs joined the case as an intervenor-defendant on July 28, defending the contract alongside the U.S. government. The court has allowed Chainalysis to temporarily seal its complaint, with oral arguments scheduled for September 2. ICE stated that after approximately six days of market research, it determined that none of the eight responding companies could meet the requirements. (Decrypt)
Bitpanda fined €70,000 by Austria's FMA, marking the first publicly disclosed MiCA penalty in Europe
Odaily News: Cryptocurrency platform Bitpanda has been fined €70,000 by the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA), making it the first publicly disclosed enforcement action under the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). The ruling is now legally binding. The FMA stated that Bitpanda failed to submit its crypto asset white paper to the regulator at least 20 working days before publication, and published marketing communications prior to the white paper's release. Another marketing communication also lacked a disclaimer stating that it had not been reviewed or approved by the regulator, as well as telephone and email contact information. The violations relate to procedural and disclosure requirements, and do not involve allegations of fraud or investor losses. The MiCA rules for crypto asset service providers took full effect at the end of 2024, and the transition period for existing firms is gradually coming to an end. Bitpanda holds a MiCA license and is expanding across Europe. The EU is expected to revisit the framework in 2027 and tighten oversight of non-EU stablecoin issuers. (Decrypt)
Fake crypto AML detection websites trick users into connecting wallets and authorizing transactions
Odaily News, Cybersecurity firm Malwarebytes has discovered that multiple fake cryptocurrency anti-money laundering (AML) detection websites are impersonating legitimate services such as AMLBot, tricking users into connecting their wallets and authorizing transactions. Legitimate AML checks only require a wallet's public address—there is no need to connect a wallet, approve permissions, or sign transactions.These websites simulate the service process through fake progress prompts and detection results. One of the sites even asks users to deposit a small amount of funds to pay so-called detection fees, after which it displays a "clean, low-risk" result regardless of whether a real check was completed. Connecting a wallet does not directly lead to asset theft, but it does expose the address and asset information, making it easier for scammers to craft transactions for users to approve.Malwarebytes noted that similar scams use the same design and process, only changing the names and logos. Users who have approved suspicious token permissions should revoke those permissions; users who have entered their mnemonic phrases or private keys should treat their wallets as compromised and transfer assets to a new wallet. (Decrypt)
Mastermind Behind $165 Million Crypto Ponzi Scheme Extradited from Fiji to U.S.
Odaily News: Edward Zimbardi, a 59-year-old Georgia resident, appeared in U.S. federal court facing 12 counts of wire fraud, 12 counts of money laundering, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Fiji authorities handed him over to U.S. custody on August 14, in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. State Department.Prosecutors allege that Zimbardi operated a project called "The Crypto Program" from June 2022 to August 2023, luring participants with promises of a fixed 25% monthly return on advertising packages, requiring them to transfer cryptocurrency into wallets he secretly controlled. The government claims that thousands of individuals collectively transferred over $165 million into these wallets. Prosecutors stated that Zimbardi did not purchase advertising but instead funneled more than $34 million into high-risk forex trading, using funds from new investors to pay earlier ones. His personal spending totaled at least $10 million, including purchasing property for his son, buying luxury cars, and making alimony payments.The U.S. Department of Justice stated that after the project collapsed in August 2023, Zimbardi left the country and settled in Fiji in July 2025 upon learning of the FBI investigation. The FBI is urging affected investors to come forward with information. (Decrypt)
Approximately 233,000 Bitcoin moved as a precaution, with around $15 billion involved following the Coldcard exploit
Odaily News: After a firmware vulnerability in Coldcard hardware wallets was exploited, approximately 2,100 Bitcoin were stolen, with losses nearing $130 million. On-chain data shows that in the days surrounding the incident, wallets held by long-term holders transferred out approximately 233,000 Bitcoin, valued at around $15 billion. Casa CEO Nick Neuman stated that some of the transferred funds came from Coldcard users migrating to multi-signature wallets, with Ledger and Trezor users also taking similar measures after the event. During the same period, approximately 22,000 Bitcoin were transferred into exchanges. Coinkite has advised users who generated seed phrases using firmware versions 4.0.1 through 4.1.9 to treat their wallets as compromised and immediately migrate to new seed phrases. These versions cover the period from March 2021 to July 2026. (Decrypt)
UK Parliamentary Crypto and Digital Assets APPG Writes to Major Banks, Demanding Clarification on Crypto Business Accounts and Payment Restrictions
Odaily News: Gurinder Singh Josan, Co-Chair of the UK Parliamentary Crypto and Digital Assets All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), along with Lord Vaizey of Didcot, has written to the CEOs of all major UK banks, demanding clarification on how they treat crypto and digital asset businesses. The letter raises six questions covering banks' current policies, whether they provide services to crypto businesses, related transaction restrictions and the factors determining them, and asks whether practices will be adjusted once the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulatory regime takes effect. The group noted that many crypto businesses struggle to open bank accounts in the UK, with some banks also restricting related payments. The letter stems from a parliamentary inquiry into banking service access launched on July 21, with written submissions open until August 31. A January survey by the UK Cryptoasset Business Council estimated that banks block or delay around 40% of transactions to crypto exchanges. HSBC, NatWest, Monzo, and Nationwide cap monthly transfers to crypto exchanges at between £5,000 and £10,000, while Starling and Chase UK prohibit such transfers altogether. UK Treasury Economic Secretary Lucy Rigby stated that the government does not want FCA-licensed firms to face banking restrictions solely because of their industry; the FCA completed related rules in June, with the regime becoming mandatory in October 2027. (Decrypt)
Bitcoin falls to around $63,000, with long-term holders selling at a loss accounting for over 65% of exchange inflows
Bitcoin was priced at approximately $63,020 on Friday, down 1.7% on the day and 50% lower than the record high of $126,080 set in October. Bitcoin failed to hold above $65,000 on Wednesday, dropping to an intraday low of $62,640, breaking through the $64,500 Put Wall associated with this week's option expiry. Glassnode数据显示，over 65% of Bitcoin flowing into exchanges comes from long-term holders selling at a loss. The firm noted that this reading aligns with early bear market phases, during which this group dominated the sell-side until selling pressure gradually exhausted. Tim Sun, Senior Researcher at Hashkey, stated that the global equity pullback and accelerated deleveraging of semiconductor and AI-related assets have dampened market risk appetite and reduced institutional exposure to Bitcoin. He pointed out that the derivatives market does not show crowded leverage, with selling pressure concentrated in the spot market. After a net outflow of $425 million on Monday, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs saw a net inflow of $181 million on Tuesday and $108 million on Wednesday. Related funds have attracted cumulative inflows of approximately $51 billion since their launch in 2024. (Decrypt)
The US government transferred $288 million in seized BTC and ETH to Coinbase Prime
Odaily News According to on-chain tracking platform Arkham, the US government on Monday transferred a total of $288.33 million in seized BTC and ETH to Coinbase Prime, including approximately 3,800 BTC valued at $235 million and around 30,000 ETH valued at $53 million. The assets originated from criminal cases involving Brian Krewson, BTC-e, and Ryan Farace. Tim Sun, Senior Researcher at HashKey, stated that Coinbase Prime serves as the custodian for the US government, and it remains unconfirmed whether these transfers are preparation for sale or merely for the consolidation and custody of seized assets. Arkham tracking shows that the US government wallet still holds $20.6 billion in crypto assets, including 324,552 BTC. (Decrypt)
CME Group Chairman Terry Duffy and Kalshi Co-founder Luana Lopes Lara Clash Verbally at CFTC Roundtable
Odaily News CME Group Chairman Terry Duffy, the operator of the world's largest futures exchange, and Luana Lopes Lara, co-founder of prediction market platform Kalshi, clashed verbally during a U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) roundtable in Washington. Duffy questioned whether prediction markets face the same regulatory scrutiny as established exchanges and noted that certain contracts could be subject to manipulation.Terry Duffy stated that CME Group is not a "barker at the circus" and mocked some contracts offered by Kalshi, including the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest contract. Luana Lopes Lara responded that traditional markets and exchanges carry risks as well and that regulators are responsible for identifying and addressing such issues. DraftKings CEO Jason Robins subsequently called on both sides to stop attacking each other's business models.The dispute comes amid ongoing disagreements between federal regulators and states over the regulatory authority of prediction markets, with the central question being whether contracts involving sports, elections, and other real-world events are federally regulated derivatives or gambling products subject to state law. Last week, a Washington state judge ordered Kalshi to stop offering certain contracts. Two days ago, the CFTC instructed Kalshi to continue trading, pushing back against New York state's efforts to block its contracts. (Decrypt)
Near 2,000 Hacked WordPress Sites Used to Distribute Malware and Deploy Ransomware
Odaily News: Cybersecurity firm Check Point Research has discovered that the StopAndProtect ransomware operation has been using nearly 2,000 compromised WordPress websites to spread malware, steal data, monitor victims, and deploy ransomware. The operation was first identified in mid-May.As of July 24, the operation had compromised more than 6,000 unique IP addresses, with 1,852 in the United States, and 630 each in Russia and India. The compromised websites were also used to host malware, relay commands, and store stolen files, screenshots, and activity logs.Attackers lured Windows users into running PowerShell commands through fake CAPTCHA prompts, enabling them to steal credentials and cryptocurrency wallet seed phrases, and spread further across networks and USB devices. Researchers collected more than 31,000 screenshots and over 700 compressed data archives, and believe the attackers may have accidentally infected themselves at some point. (Decrypt)
Fake crypto AML detection websites trick users into connecting wallets and authorizing transactions
Odaily News, Cybersecurity firm Malwarebytes has discovered that multiple fake cryptocurrency anti-money laundering (AML) detection websites are impersonating legitimate services such as AMLBot, tricking users into connecting their wallets and authorizing transactions. Legitimate AML checks only require a wallet's public address—there is no need to connect a wallet, approve permissions, or sign transactions.These websites simulate the service process through fake progress prompts and detection results. One of the sites even asks users to deposit a small amount of funds to pay so-called detection fees, after which it displays a "clean, low-risk" result regardless of whether a real check was completed. Connecting a wallet does not directly lead to asset theft, but it does expose the address and asset information, making it easier for scammers to craft transactions for users to approve.Malwarebytes noted that similar scams use the same design and process, only changing the names and logos. Users who have approved suspicious token permissions should revoke those permissions; users who have entered their mnemonic phrases or private keys should treat their wallets as compromised and transfer assets to a new wallet. (Decrypt)
"Odyssey" Pirated Files Hide Lumma Stealer, Can Bypass Two-Factor Authentication to Steal Crypto Wallets
According to Decrypt, cybersecurity company Bitdefender has issued a warning that malware disguised as HD pirated copies of the movie "Odyssey" has spread rapidly within days of the film's release. These files are disguised as normal torrent files with naming conventions such as WEBRip and Blu-ray, but are actually Windows executable programs that automatically install the Lumma Stealer information-stealing trojan upon execution. Lumma Stealer can steal browser passwords, payment information, autofill data, remote desktop credentials, and cryptocurrency wallets, and can also steal authentication cookies; even if the target account has two-factor authentication (MFA) enabled, it is not spared. Attackers also deliberately disguised the malicious file icons to resemble the VLC player, exploiting Windows' default feature of hiding extensions to deceive users.
Hackers exploit macOS Screen Sharing vulnerability to compromise Macs and implant Monero mining programs.
据 Decrypt 报道，荷兰国家网络安全中心（NCSC）发出警告，攻击者正在积极利用 macOS 屏幕共享功能中的一个身份验证漏洞（CVE-2026-65400，严重性评分 7.1），对将 5900 端口暴露于公网的 Mac 设备发起攻击，成功获取 root 权限后植入门罗币挖矿程序。
Hackers Exploit macOS Screen Sharing Vulnerability to Gain Root Access and Mine Monero
Odaily News: The Dutch National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has reported that attackers are exploiting a vulnerability in Apple's macOS Screen Sharing feature to take control of devices and install Monero mining programs. Multiple systems with port 5900 exposed to the internet have been compromised, with attackers gaining root access. The vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2026-65400, has a severity score of 7.1 out of 10. It stems from a state management error in the authentication process, allowing remote attackers to bypass login verification without valid credentials. Public proof-of-concept code has already been circulated. Apple has addressed the issue in macOS Sequoia 15.7.9, Sonoma 14.8.9, and Tahoe 26.6.1. The NCSC advises users to update their systems promptly and avoid exposing the Screen Sharing service directly to the internet. (Decrypt)
Near 2,000 Hacked WordPress Sites Used to Distribute Malware and Deploy Ransomware
Odaily News: Cybersecurity firm Check Point Research has discovered that the StopAndProtect ransomware operation has been using nearly 2,000 compromised WordPress websites to spread malware, steal data, monitor victims, and deploy ransomware. The operation was first identified in mid-May.As of July 24, the operation had compromised more than 6,000 unique IP addresses, with 1,852 in the United States, and 630 each in Russia and India. The compromised websites were also used to host malware, relay commands, and store stolen files, screenshots, and activity logs.Attackers lured Windows users into running PowerShell commands through fake CAPTCHA prompts, enabling them to steal credentials and cryptocurrency wallet seed phrases, and spread further across networks and USB devices. Researchers collected more than 31,000 screenshots and over 700 compressed data archives, and believe the attackers may have accidentally infected themselves at some point. (Decrypt)
Coinbase Base App Integrates Hyperliquid, Launches Over 290 Perpetual Contract Markets
According to Decrypt, Coinbase announced the official launch of perpetual futures trading in the Base App via Hyperliquid integration. Eligible users can access up to 50x leverage across over 290 perpetual contract markets, including BTC, ETH, tokenized stocks, and commodities. Coinbase Head of Engineering Chintan Turakhia noted that perpetual contracts constitute approximately 75% of current crypto trading volume and are the most requested feature among high-frequency Base App users.
Donald Trump: Urges Congress to Pass a "Fair Version" of the Clarity Act
Odaily News: During a meeting at the White House with executives from crypto and financial firms, U.S. President Donald Trump urged Congress to pass a "fair version" of the Clarity Act, stating that market structure legislation is the next step in his digital assets policy.The meeting was attended by Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman Michael Selig, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Paul Atkins, White House crypto advisor Patrick Witt, as well as executives from Coinbase, Ripple, Robinhood, and Kraken.The Clarity Act would establish federal rules for digital assets and clarify the regulatory jurisdictions of the SEC and CFTC. The bill is expected to return to the Senate in September, where Republicans will still need support from about six Democratic senators to reach the 60-vote threshold. (Decrypt)
Base will invest $100,000 in each of 10 startups, launching an 8-week accelerator program focused on AI agents and other areas
: Base announced the launch of the Batches 004 accelerator program, which will select 10 startups over an 8-week program, with each receiving $100,000 in investment funded by the Base Ecosystem Fund. Applications close on September 9, and the program will hold Demo Day in New York in November. This round is aimed at pre-seed startups focused on trading, payments, funding, and AI agents, covering products that use stablecoins to support agent shopping, trading, and payments, as well as lending, e-commerce, and decentralized AI infrastructure. Teams may support multiple blockchains but must have Base as their primary network. Selected teams will receive dedicated advisors, weekly support, and exposure assistance within the Base ecosystem, and will present their projects to investors at Demo Day. Coinbase launched Agentic Wallets on Base in February and Coinbase for Agents in June, which respectively enable AI agents to hold USDC and pay via the x402 protocol, and to directly connect to user accounts. (Decrypt)
Chainalysis sues U.S. government over ICE's $94.6 million contract awarded to TRM Labs
blockchain forensics firm Chainalysis Government Solutions filed a bid protest with the U.S. Court of Federal Claims on July 27, opposing the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) decision to award a contract worth approximately $94.6 million to competitor TRM Labs on a sole-source basis. The contract, covering the period from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, involves blockchain forensics software and support services for Homeland Security task forces investigating fraud, cybercrime, and sextortion cases. Chainalysis argues that ICE's decision was arbitrary and unreasonable. TRM Labs joined the case as an intervenor-defendant on July 28, defending the contract alongside the U.S. government. The court has allowed Chainalysis to temporarily seal its complaint, with oral arguments scheduled for September 2. ICE stated that after approximately six days of market research, it determined that none of the eight responding companies could meet the requirements. (Decrypt)
Bitpanda fined €70,000 by Austria's FMA, marking the first publicly disclosed MiCA penalty in Europe
Odaily News: Cryptocurrency platform Bitpanda has been fined €70,000 by the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA), making it the first publicly disclosed enforcement action under the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). The ruling is now legally binding. The FMA stated that Bitpanda failed to submit its crypto asset white paper to the regulator at least 20 working days before publication, and published marketing communications prior to the white paper's release. Another marketing communication also lacked a disclaimer stating that it had not been reviewed or approved by the regulator, as well as telephone and email contact information. The violations relate to procedural and disclosure requirements, and do not involve allegations of fraud or investor losses. The MiCA rules for crypto asset service providers took full effect at the end of 2024, and the transition period for existing firms is gradually coming to an end. Bitpanda holds a MiCA license and is expanding across Europe. The EU is expected to revisit the framework in 2027 and tighten oversight of non-EU stablecoin issuers. (Decrypt)
Related news
CME Group Chairman Terry Duffy and Kalshi Co-founder Luana Lopes Lara Clash Verbally at CFTC Roundtable
Odaily News CME Group Chairman Terry Duffy, the operator of the world's largest futures exchange, and Luana Lopes Lara, co-founder of prediction market platform Kalshi, clashed verbally during a U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) roundtable in Washington. Duffy questioned whether prediction markets face the same regulatory scrutiny as established exchanges and noted that certain contracts could be subject to manipulation.Terry Duffy stated that CME Group is not a "barker at the circus" and mocked some contracts offered by Kalshi, including the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest contract. Luana Lopes Lara responded that traditional markets and exchanges carry risks as well and that regulators are responsible for identifying and addressing such issues. DraftKings CEO Jason Robins subsequently called on both sides to stop attacking each other's business models.The dispute comes amid ongoing disagreements between federal regulators and states over the regulatory authority of prediction markets, with the central question being whether contracts involving sports, elections, and other real-world events are federally regulated derivatives or gambling products subject to state law. Last week, a Washington state judge ordered Kalshi to stop offering certain contracts. Two days ago, the CFTC instructed Kalshi to continue trading, pushing back against New York state's efforts to block its contracts. (Decrypt)
Near 2,000 Hacked WordPress Sites Used to Distribute Malware and Deploy Ransomware
Odaily News: Cybersecurity firm Check Point Research has discovered that the StopAndProtect ransomware operation has been using nearly 2,000 compromised WordPress websites to spread malware, steal data, monitor victims, and deploy ransomware. The operation was first identified in mid-May.As of July 24, the operation had compromised more than 6,000 unique IP addresses, with 1,852 in the United States, and 630 each in Russia and India. The compromised websites were also used to host malware, relay commands, and store stolen files, screenshots, and activity logs.Attackers lured Windows users into running PowerShell commands through fake CAPTCHA prompts, enabling them to steal credentials and cryptocurrency wallet seed phrases, and spread further across networks and USB devices. Researchers collected more than 31,000 screenshots and over 700 compressed data archives, and believe the attackers may have accidentally infected themselves at some point. (Decrypt)
Privacy blockchain project Beldex completes $8 million funding round, led by Sigma Capital
Odaily News: Privacy blockchain project Beldex has announced the completion of an $8 million funding round, led by Sigma Capital, with participation from NTC, Nxgen, Digital Consensus Fund, EAK Ventures, and other institutions. The new funds will be used for developer tools, privacy applications, protocol security, AI infrastructure development, and ecosystem expansion.Beldex is exploring the use of its privacy technology to protect the identity, payments, communications, and data processing of AI agents, including privacy-preserving AI identities, encrypted AI communications, confidential payments, secure AI execution, as well as research into technologies such as fully homomorphic encryption (FHE) and secure memory. (Decrypt)
Fake crypto AML detection websites trick users into connecting wallets and authorizing transactions
Odaily News, Cybersecurity firm Malwarebytes has discovered that multiple fake cryptocurrency anti-money laundering (AML) detection websites are impersonating legitimate services such as AMLBot, tricking users into connecting their wallets and authorizing transactions. Legitimate AML checks only require a wallet's public address—there is no need to connect a wallet, approve permissions, or sign transactions.These websites simulate the service process through fake progress prompts and detection results. One of the sites even asks users to deposit a small amount of funds to pay so-called detection fees, after which it displays a "clean, low-risk" result regardless of whether a real check was completed. Connecting a wallet does not directly lead to asset theft, but it does expose the address and asset information, making it easier for scammers to craft transactions for users to approve.Malwarebytes noted that similar scams use the same design and process, only changing the names and logos. Users who have approved suspicious token permissions should revoke those permissions; users who have entered their mnemonic phrases or private keys should treat their wallets as compromised and transfer assets to a new wallet. (Decrypt)
Coinbase Base App Integrates Hyperliquid, Launches Over 290 Perpetual Contract Markets
According to Decrypt, Coinbase announced the official launch of perpetual futures trading in the Base App via Hyperliquid integration. Eligible users can access up to 50x leverage across over 290 perpetual contract markets, including BTC, ETH, tokenized stocks, and commodities. Coinbase Head of Engineering Chintan Turakhia noted that perpetual contracts constitute approximately 75% of current crypto trading volume and are the most requested feature among high-frequency Base App users.
Bitcoin approaches $70,000, driving crypto-related stocks sharply higher; Strategy surges over 12%
Odaily News As Bitcoin approaches $70,000 and triggers a large-scale short squeeze, crypto-related stocks on U.S. exchanges are rallying across the board. Strategy (MSTR) rose 12.68% to $104.25, Coinbase (COIN) climbed 9.05% to $159.47, Circle (CRCL) gained 9.56% to $78.59, and BitMine (BMNR) advanced 10.72% to $20.24.During the same period, Bitcoin's short-squeeze rally led to over $1 billion in short positions being liquidated within an hour. Additionally, the U.S. Treasury announced it would at least double the scale of its long-term Treasury buyback program starting in September, pushing risk assets broadly higher. Strategy and Coinbase are particularly noteworthy, as both are among the large-cap stocks heavily shorted on Wall Street. Coinbase is currently the fifth-most-shorted stock in the financial sector. As such, this rally not only squeezed shorts in the crypto derivatives market but may also force U.S. equity investors shorting MSTR and COIN to cover their positions. (Decrypt)