Bitcoin AI Generated News

The Philippine SEC is moving from caution to active experimentation on tokenization, saying the country’s existing securities laws can handle tokenized assets and that such products could reshape how securities are issued and traded. At Philippine Blockchain Week 2026, SEC Commissioner Rogelio Quevedo said regulators are now comfortable supervising tokenized offerings within the current legal framework. He argued tokenization can broaden capital-market activity, spur financial innovation and create new, regulated opportunities for investors — including overseas Filipino workers who often have capital but limited access to safe investment channels. That confidence underpins an expanded use of StratBox, the SEC’s regulatory sandbox. StratBox lets fintechs test new products and business models under regulator supervision, with temporary regulatory modifications or waivers available on a case-by-case basis. The SEC stresses that sandbox participation does not exempt firms from existing laws and cannot be used to sidestep obligations. In November 2025 the SEC disclosed four firms had been admitted into StratBox. Among them: one project testing tokenized real estate, two firms piloting products to provide access to U.S. equities, and BlockShoals Technologies, which received in-principle approval to trial crypto-related products and services in the sandbox. Quevedo also described a beefed-up enforcement posture as digital-asset activity grows. The SEC is deploying AI tools to detect investment scams and coordinating with major platforms such as Google and TikTok to remove illegal offerings aimed at Filipino investors. Meanwhile, the central bank — Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) — has tightened rules for virtual asset service providers. New guidance requires VASPs to perform more extensive due diligence before listing tokens, assessing factors such as issuer background, market maturity, use case, transparency and security standards, liquidity and legal compliance. Licensing remains a focus: reporting from BitPinas notes that neither Binance nor BlockShoals currently hold a BSP VASP license, which is required to offer crypto payment and transaction services in the Philippines. Taken together, regulators are signalling an appetite to foster innovation while shoring up investor protections: a sandbox-led approach to test tokenized products, paired with stricter listing and licensing standards and stronger enforcement tools. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Rep. Bryan Steil (R‑Wis.) on Thursday introduced new legislation aimed at cutting off a potential insider‑trading channel for lawmakers: the Stop Lawmakers from Predicting Act would bar members of Congress — as well as their spouses and dependent children — from placing wagers on prediction markets tied to legislation, government actions, or election outcomes. Steil, who chairs the House Administration Committee, framed the bill as a trust‑restoration measure. "The American people deserve to know their Member of Congress is not profiting off insider information," he said. "The Stop Lawmakers from Predicting Act ensures that cannot happen. This legislation is critical to restoring the public's trust in their elected officials. Lawmakers should be writing policy, not wagering on its outcome." Key provisions and penalties - Covered persons: members of Congress, spouses, and dependent children. - Prohibited activity: placing bets on prediction markets about legislation, government actions, or elections. - Penalties: violators would owe the greater of $2,000 or 10% of the wager, plus any profits from the bet. - Enforcement limits: fines could not be paid with official office funds, taxpayer allowances, or campaign donations; unpaid fines upon leaving office could be referred to the Justice Department for civil enforcement. Where this fits into broader reform efforts Steil’s bill builds on the Stop Insider Trading Act advanced by his committee in January and complements a broader congressional effort to limit financial conflicts of interest among lawmakers. He has previously signaled intent to fold similar restrictions into a wider ban on congressional stock trading — a bill that cleared committee in February but has since stalled, though Steil said he hoped for a House vote this summer. Why crypto and prediction‑market platforms are in the crosshairs The bill arrives amid rising bipartisan concern about members of Congress and government employees using commercial prediction platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket to bet on political events — including contests in which they have a direct stake. The Senate passed a resolution in April barring its members and staff from using prediction markets, and in May the House Oversight Committee opened investigations into Kalshi and Polymarket over alleged patterns of insider trading. The legislative activity follows a high‑profile criminal case tied to prediction‑market wagers: in April, Army Master Sergeant Gannon Ken Van Dyke was arrested and accused of using classified information to place Polymarket bets related to the January removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, reportedly netting more than $400,000. Van Dyke has pleaded not guilty; his trial is set for December. Potential implications for crypto markets For crypto-native prediction platforms like Polymarket — and regulated players such as Kalshi — the bill signals continued scrutiny from Washington. If enacted, the law would not ban private citizens from trading on these sites, but it would cut one potential source of politically linked liquidity and could spur platforms to tighten compliance measures for accounts with government ties. It also increases the legislative momentum toward broader trading restrictions on elected officials. Next steps The Stop Lawmakers from Predicting Act has been introduced; its fate will depend on committee consideration and floor action. It joins a suite of proposals and inquiries that together mark a shift toward more aggressive oversight of how political information can be monetized on prediction markets — especially those operating in or adjacent to the crypto ecosystem. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Nagłówek: Debata dotycząca zgodności w Europie ponownie stawia monety prywatności w centrum uwagi — Zcash na czołowej pozycji Wysoka presja Europy na zaostrzenie zasad przeciwdziałania praniu pieniędzy oraz ograniczenie gotówki do 10 000 € wznowiła debatę na temat prywatności finansowej — a Zcash (ZEC) jest jednym z największych beneficjentów nowego zainteresowania. Co to wywołało? Propozycje działań UE, które mają wejść w życie w 2027 roku, obejmują limit płatności gotówkowych do 10 000 € oraz surowsze wymagania AML. Wstępne analizy propozycji skłoniły niektórych komentatorów do stwierdzenia, że każda transakcja Bitcoin wymagałaby weryfikacji tożsamości, co szybko zapoczątkowało szerszą rozmowę o prywatności on-chain. Późniejsza analiza wyjaśniła, że zasady przede wszystkim dotyczą regulowanych dostawców usług kryptograficznych, a nie transferów peer-to-peer, ale obawy o erozję prywatności finansowej wciąż stały się gorącym tematem wśród traderów i analityków. Dlaczego Zcash jest na czołowej pozycji? CEO Helius, Mert, napędzał dużą część dyskusji, nazywając Zcash wiodącą siecią skoncentrowaną na prywatności, a posty z kont o wysokiej widoczności, takie jak WallStreetBets, nakreśliły potencjalną „erę prywatności” dla kryptowalut. W przeciwieństwie do całkowicie publicznego rejestru Bitcoina, Zcash wspiera opcjonalne transakcje zaszyfrowane, które ukrywają adresy portfeli i szczegóły transferów — cecha, która, jak twierdzą zwolennicy, może zyskać na atrakcyjności, jeśli zasady zgodności zostaną jeszcze bardziej zaostrzone. Reakcja rynku i ruchy cenowe Ta narracja jednak nie przyniosła natychmiastowego wzrostu ceny. ZEC handlował w pobliżu 451 $, a dzienny wolumen spadł o około 29% do około 365 milionów $. Stonowana reakcja tokena nastąpiła po gwałtownej wyprzedaży na początku tego miesiąca, gdy ZEC spadł o ponad 40% w ciągu jednego dnia wśród ciężkiej sprzedaży, związanej częściowo z aktywnością dużych posiadaczy i sprzedażami związanymi z współzałożycielem BitMEX, Arthurem Hayesem. Spojrzenie techniczne Analitycy techniczni pozostają podzieleni co do tego, co przyniesie przyszłość. Popularny analityk Altcoin Sherpa określił obecny obszar jako region wsparcia i powiedział, że nadal jest byczo nastawiony na dłuższą metę, prognozując, że ZEC może się poruszać w szerokim zakresie 350–500 $, śledząc w dużej mierze ruchy Bitcoina. Inny analityk, Ardi, zaznaczył poziom 440 $ jako krytyczny: pozostanie powyżej tego poziomu i utworzenie wyższego dołka mogłoby stworzyć warunki do kolejnego wybicia po wcześniejszym wzroście ZEC do około 520 $; spadek poniżej 440 $, jak powiedział, prawdopodobnie potwierdziłby makro niższy szczyt i otworzył drzwi do dalszego spadku. Podsumowanie Debata dotycząca zgodności w UE ponownie skupiła uwagę na monetach prywatności, a Zcash wyłonił się jako wysoko profilowany kandydat, jeśli presja regulacyjna zwiększy popyt na prywatność on-chain. Na razie jednak rynek obserwuje, czy nowe zainteresowanie przełoży się na silniejsze ruchy cenowe, czy ZEC pozostanie w trendzie bocznym, przetwarzając ostatnią zmienność. Przeczytaj więcej wiadomości generowanych przez AI na: undefined/news

Axelar has cut off its bridge connections to Secret Network after a security incident that saw roughly $4.67 million in bridged tokens stolen. What happened - The exploit targeted assets moved from the Axelar chain into Secret Network via the Cosmos Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) framework. Early investigation points to a problem in the Secret-side ICS-20 smart contract that handles these IBC transfers — not a failure in Axelar’s core infrastructure. - In response, Axelar’s emergency committee disabled the Secret and Secret-SNIP connections to stop further outflows and said it has alerted relevant exchanges and law enforcement while the probe continues. - Axelar also stressed that its core protocol stayed online during the incident and that, based on current findings, other IBC channels, Secret-native assets, and additional Axelar integrations do not appear to be affected. Why this matters - Secret Network is a privacy-focused blockchain that encrypts transaction data while keeping smart contract code verifiable on-chain. Through Axelar’s integration, developers have been able to build private cross-chain use cases — confidential DeFi, private NFT transfers, and anonymous governance — which are now at least temporarily curtailed for assets bridged from Axelar. - With the bridge routes disabled, developers and users relying on Axelar-to-Secret transfers will be blocked until engineers finish reviewing the attack path and quantify the full extent of losses. Next steps - Axelar expects to publish a full post-mortem when the investigation concludes. For now, affected routes remain offline as teams dig into the vulnerability and recovery options. Wider context - The incident is the latest in a run of hacks and security events that have shaken infrastructure projects and protocols. Earlier this month Humanity Protocol dealt with a June 8 exploit that prompted replacement H tokens via an audited ERC-20 airdrop after stolen credentials — not contract bugs — were blamed. Crypto payments platform Pyra also announced plans to wind down after the Drift exploit left it unable to recover. - Research from Binance Research highlighted the broader impact on the sector: DeFi exploits in April contributed to around $13 billion in TVL outflows, and on-chain leverage rose as liquidity contracted. Axelar says it will provide more details as its investigation progresses. For now, the focus is containment and forensic analysis to prevent similar cross-chain losses. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

UE zaostrza przepisy dotyczące monet prywatnych, ale pozostawia nietknięte transfery Bitcoin P2P. Unia Europejska zatwierdziła szeroką paczkę przepisów przeciwdziałających praniu pieniędzy (AML), która zaostrza wymagania KYC dla firm kryptograficznych i zakazuje regulowanym usługom wspierania tokenów zwiększających prywatność — jednocześnie nie wymuszając kontroli tożsamości na bezpośrednich transferach Bitcoin między portfelami self-custodied. Kluczowe punkty - Rozporządzenie (UE) 2024/1624 wchodzi w życie 10 lipca 2027 roku. Podnosi wymagania dotyczące weryfikacji dla dostawców usług związanych z aktywami kryptograficznymi (giełdy, powiernicy, brokerzy) i zakazuje anonimowych kont kryptograficznych oraz usług, które zwiększają zamazywanie transakcji — w tym listowania, powierzenia lub ułatwiania transakcji monetami prywatnymi na regulowanych platformach. - Regulowane firmy muszą przeprowadzać pełną weryfikację klientów (CDD) dla okazjonalnych transakcji kryptograficznych powyżej 1 000 € (~ 1 150 $). Dla transakcji poniżej 1 000 € muszą nadal identyfikować klientów, ale niekoniecznie stosować tę samą pełną CDD, co w przypadku większych transakcji lub trwalszych relacji. - Regulacja wyjaśnia, że te obowiązki dotyczące ID odnoszą się do regulowanych dostawców, a nie do każdego transferu on-chain. Bezpośrednie transfery między portfelami self-hosted pozostają poza reżimem KYC dostawcy — co oznacza, że transakcje Bitcoin P2P bez pośrednika nie wywołują wymaganych przez UE kontroli tożsamości. - Zasada podróży (Rozporządzenie (UE) 2023/1113) pozostaje w mocy: regulowani dostawcy muszą przekazywać informacje o nadawcy i odbiorcy przy przetwarzaniu transferów. Dodatkowe kontrole wchodzą w życie, gdy transfery z portfeli self-hosted osiągają 1 000 € lub więcej i jest zaangażowany regulowany pośrednik. Szerokie środki AML poza kryptowalutami - Prawo harmonizuje również pułap 10 000 € dla komercyjnych płatności gotówkowych w całej UE (państwa członkowskie mogą utrzymać niższe krajowe limity). Transakcje gotówkowe wynoszące 3 000 € (~ 3 450 $) lub więcej wymagają od traderów i innych podmiotów zobowiązanych weryfikacji tożsamości klientów i przeprowadzenia należytej staranności. - Depozyty bankowe i płatności przez instytucje płatnicze lub emitentów e-pieniędzy nie są objęte limitem gotówki; te pozostają regulowane przez istniejące systemy monitorowania i raportowania podejrzanej działalności. Nowe sektory i zasady przejrzystości - Zakres podmiotów zobowiązanych został rozszerzony o sektory wcześniej poza centralnymi obowiązkami AML: profesjonalne kluby piłkarskie i agenci, platformy crowdfundingowe, dostawcy usług migracji inwestycyjnej, dealerzy dóbr luksusowych i inni — wszyscy teraz muszą przeprowadzać kontrole zgodności i zgłaszać podejrzaną działalność. - Przejrzystość własności beneficjalnej została wzmocniona: podmioty prawne muszą rejestrować ostatecznych właścicieli w krajowych rejestrach, zazwyczaj przy progu 25% własności i do 15% dla niektórych wyżej ryzykownych struktur. Fundacje, fundusze powiernicze i niektóre podmioty spoza UE zaangażowane w działalność biznesową lub nieruchomości w UE również podlegają ujawnieniu; powiernicy muszą aktualizować informacje o własności w ciągu 28 dni kalendarzowych. Co to oznacza dla użytkowników kryptowalut i firm - Regulowane giełdy i powiernicy nie będą mogli listować ani przechowywać monet prywatnych ani oferować usług zaprojektowanych w celu anonimizacji transakcji, skutecznie odcinając te aktywa od zgodnych szlaków i rozwiązań powierniczych w UE. - Osoby fizyczne pozostają wolne do posiadania lub korzystania z monet prywatnych prywatnie; jednak ich konwersja przez regulowane kanały będzie ograniczona. - Użytkownicy Bitcoin P2P, którzy dokonują transakcji bezpośrednio z self-custody, nie będą musieli przechodzić automatycznej weryfikacji ID na podstawie nowych zasad, ale każda interakcja z regulowanym pośrednikiem spowoduje przesyłanie danych zgodnie z zasadą podróży i, w przypadku osiągnięcia progów, wzmocnione kontrole. Podsumowując: Nowy reżim AML UE zaostrza kontrolę nad regulowaną infrastrukturą kryptowalutową i zamyka usługi anonimowości w ramach zgodnych platform, jednocześnie zachowując rozróżnienie między KYC opartym na dostawcach a bezpośrednimi, self-custodied transferami on-chain. Przeczytaj więcej generowanych przez AI wiadomości na: undefined/news

Binance faces fresh regulatory pressure in Europe as the MiCA transition deadline approaches Reuters has reported — citing people familiar with the matter — that Binance may be at risk of losing the ability to offer services across the European Union if its Greek licensing route does not secure the necessary authorization under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework. The case centers on Binance’s application via Greece and comes ahead of a July deadline by which many crypto firms must complete their MiCA transition arrangements. Why the Greek route matters MiCA was designed to create a single, clearer authorization path for crypto-asset service providers across the EU. In practice, a firm licensed in one member state can “passport” those permissions to serve customers across the bloc. That passporting mechanism is why Binance’s Greek application is so consequential: if it cannot secure the appropriate authorization, offering services to EU users could become far more complicated once the transition period ends. What’s at stake For large exchanges like Binance, MiCA is more than a compliance box to tick. The regime affects where products can be listed, which stablecoins can be supported, how customer disclosures and governance must work, and whether a platform can operate region-wide. Binance has already adjusted its European business around evolving stablecoin and compliance expectations — but failure to satisfy EU requirements could mean access restrictions, product curbs, or the need to restructure service lines. Treat this as uncertainty, not a ruling It’s important to stress that Reuters’ report is based on sources; a regulator’s final public rejection would be a different, definitive outcome. Until the Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC) or Binance issues a formal statement, the most accurate description is licensing uncertainty rather than a confirmed ban. Market implications Regulatory uncertainty tends to have direct market effects. BNB — Binance’s native token — is sensitive to perceptions of the exchange’s global standing, even if the legal links are complex. Traders and investors often react to licensing headlines before processes are resolved, particularly with a hard deadline looming. What to watch next - Any formal decision or public comment from the Hellenic Capital Market Commission. - A company update from Binance clarifying its Greek application and contingency plans. - Further guidance from European authorities or ESMA on MiCA enforcement timing. - Market moves in BNB and related EU trading volumes. Until authorities or Binance issue clear confirmations, treat the story as an active licensing risk with potentially wide implications for how one of the world’s largest exchanges operates in Europe. (Reporting based on the Reuters story; edited for crypto readers.) Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Senate negotiations over the CLARITY Act have hit another round of stops and starts, with Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman pointing to a surprising barrier: many senators still don’t fully grasp what’s in the bill. What happened - Senators met June 18 to push forward work on the market-structure legislation for digital assets. Much of the bill sits in the Agriculture Committee, which places Boozman and his panel squarely at the center of efforts to reach a floor vote, Punchbowl News reports. - After the meeting Boozman said talks are moving forward but warned that a knowledge gap among lawmakers remains one of the biggest hurdles to building broader Senate support. Where the disagreements actually are - Despite headlines about big policy fights, several sources suggest the remaining disputes may be narrower than they appear. David Nage, managing director and portfolio manager at Arca, told crypto.news that conversations with Senate offices indicate roughly 80–85% alignment between lawmakers and industry on the bill’s core elements. - Nage said stablecoin yield provisions — once a flashpoint and still criticized by figures like JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon — are no longer the focal issue. Instead, lawmakers are turning their attention to ethics and conflict-of-interest rules that would govern government officials’ involvement with crypto businesses. - According to Nage, debates now center on how to implement and enforce those restrictions rather than whether they should exist — making the divide more political and procedural than conceptual. Timing and next steps - Lawmakers face pressure to tidy up outstanding provisions before Washington empties for the August recess. Senate offices have scheduled a string of last-minute meetings to reconcile remaining language. - Nage’s base-case scenario: negotiators resolve the ethics language and reconcile competing proposals in the coming weeks, allowing the bill to reach the Senate floor after Congress returns from recess on July 13. - Political optimism varies. Senator Bill Hagerty told FOX Business he hopes to finish work before the July 4 recess, and White House crypto advisor Patrick Witt has also voiced hopes for an Independence Day timeline. Senator Cynthia Lummis, however, cautioned that a floor vote before the August recess is more likely than passage before July 4. What the bill would do - Supporters say the CLARITY Act would clarify the division of authority between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and set compliance standards for digital asset firms. - The proposal also includes about $150 million in funding aimed at combating illicit cryptocurrency activity. The stakes - Backers warn that missing this legislative window could push meaningful federal market-structure reform for crypto out for years. Lummis has warned that failure to advance the bill now could delay action until 2030. Bottom line: Major alignment exists on the bill’s core, but limited lawmaker familiarity and political wrangling over ethics and enforcement details are slowing progress as negotiators race a summer calendar. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Headline: Japan’s FSA halts moomoo Securities’ new account openings after probe finds compliance, AML and cybersecurity lapses Summary: Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) has ordered moomoo Securities — the local arm of Nasdaq‑listed Futu Holdings — to stop accepting new accounts for three months and to overhaul its internal controls after a Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission (SESC) investigation uncovered multiple regulatory failures. The suspension runs from June 19 through Sept. 18, and moomoo must submit a detailed remediation plan to regulators by July 21. What regulators found - New-account freeze and business improvement order: The FSA barred moomoo from soliciting or accepting new accounts for three months and issued a formal business improvement order requiring clarified executive accountability and a plan to prevent recurrence. - NISA mislabelling: Between early 2025 and early 2026, moomoo displayed 78 U.S. ETFs and ETNs on its smartphone platform as eligible for Japan’s Nippon Individual Savings Account (NISA) tax benefits — when those products did not actually qualify. Retail customers subsequently bought those products thinking they would receive tax‑free treatment. - Poor customer remediation: After discovering the error, moomoo did not proactively notify affected customers or restore annual NISA allowances impacted by the transactions, according to regulators. - Transfer restrictions: Since early 2024, the brokerage reportedly declined customer requests to transfer domestic Japanese stocks to other brokers, restricting clients’ ability to move assets off the platform. - AML shortcomings: Over 1,500 rejected or flagged account applicants were not properly reviewed for suspicious activity because the firm believed screening rules applied only to approved accounts. Regulators said required suspicious transaction examinations and filings were not done for an extended period. - Cybersecurity gaps: Management lacked a complete inventory of critical transaction systems and failed to properly assess vulnerabilities affecting key infrastructure. Why it matters to the crypto community - Group implications: Although the action targets moomoo Securities in Japan, the firm is a subsidiary of Hong Kong‑based Futu Holdings, which continues to expand its digital-investing footprint globally. Moomoo Crypto — a separate Futu subsidiary — has been expanding U.S. crypto services (recently into Texas) offering 52 digital assets and direct external wallet transfers. Heightened scrutiny of one unit can raise reputational and regulatory questions across the group. - Regulatory momentum in Japan: The enforcement follows broader tightening of Japan’s digital finance rules. Earlier this year the FSA proposed tougher standards for stablecoin reserves and extra oversight for crypto-related services under an updated digital asset framework. What’s next - Remediation deadline: Moomoo Securities must submit a comprehensive business improvement plan by July 21 that addresses governance, AML, customer remediation, transfer processes, and cybersecurity. - Watch for customer impact: Affected customers should check account notices, confirm NISA treatment and annual allowances, and contact the brokerage if they suspect they were misclassified or prevented from transferring assets. Regulators may require customer remediation as part of the improvement plan. - Broader oversight: The case signals increased regulator appetite to police both traditional brokerage practices and digital-asset activity in Japan — something crypto companies and customers operating in the market should monitor closely. Background on moomoo and Futu Moomoo Securities is the Japanese subsidiary of Futu Holdings, an online brokerage listed on Nasdaq. The moomoo app has grown rapidly in Japan — surpassing 2 million downloads — by promoting low-cost trading in U.S. stocks. The Futu group’s separate crypto arm operates in several U.S. states and supports spot trading and direct wallet transfers, making this enforcement action relevant to market participants tracking cross-border crypto and brokerage compliance. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

A senior House Republican on Thursday rolled out new legislation aimed squarely at prediction markets — the real-money platforms where users bet on everything from legislation to election outcomes — proposing to bar members of Congress and their immediate families from placing those wagers. Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Wis.), chair of the House Administration Committee, introduced the Stop Lawmakers from Predicting Act, saying the move is intended to prevent elected officials from profiting on information they may see before the public. “The American people deserve to know their Member of Congress is not profiting off insider information. The Stop Lawmakers from Predicting Act ensures that cannot happen,” Steil said. “This legislation is critical to restoring the public’s trust in their elected officials. Lawmakers should be writing policy, not wagering on its outcome.” What the bill would do - Prohibits members of Congress, their spouses and dependent children from placing bets on prediction markets tied to legislation, government actions or election results. - Imposes a penalty of $2,000 or 10% of the wager’s value (whichever is greater), plus any profits from the bet. - Bars the use of official office funds, taxpayer-funded allowances or campaign donations to pay fines. - Allows unpaid fines from departed lawmakers to be referred to the Justice Department for civil enforcement. Context and momentum Steil’s office says the measure builds on the Stop Insider Trading Act advanced earlier this year by the House Administration Committee. It also complements a broader, stalled effort to ban congressional stock trading — a separate bill that would already prevent lawmakers, spouses and dependents from buying new stocks and impose comparable penalties. That stock-trading bill cleared committee in February but has not reached the floor; Steil has said he hopes the House could vote on it this summer. The new prediction-market ban comes amid growing bipartisan concern in Washington about political wagers on platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket. The Senate passed a resolution in April barring its members and staff from using prediction markets, and in May the House Oversight Committee opened probes into Kalshi and Polymarket over suspected patterns of insider trading. High-profile case feeding scrutiny The controversy was amplified by the April arrest of Army Master Sgt. Gannon Ken Van Dyke, who federal prosecutors say used confidential information to place a series of Polymarket bets around the January removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, reportedly netting over $400,000. Van Dyke has pleaded not guilty; his trial is scheduled for December. Why it matters for crypto and markets Prediction markets have emerged as a lightning rod for debates over market integrity, insider trading and the regulatory reach of traditional rules into crypto-adjacent platforms. If passed, Steil’s bill would extend explicit prohibitions to lawmakers and their families, tightening ethics guardrails around a growing, real-money corner of the digital markets ecosystem. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

The EU has approved a wide-ranging anti-money laundering package that clamps down on anonymity in crypto — but stops short of blanket ID rules for direct Bitcoin transfers between private wallets. Key takeaways - New regulation: Regulation (EU) 2024/1624 takes effect July 10, 2027. - Privacy coins restricted for regulated firms: Exchanges, custodians and other regulated crypto-asset service providers will be banned from offering accounts or services that enable transaction anonymization, including support for anonymity-enhancing cryptocurrencies (e.g., Monero, Zcash). Regulated firms cannot list, custody or facilitate transactions in those assets — though private ownership and use by individuals is not outlawed. - Customer checks and thresholds: Providers must carry out full customer due diligence (KYC) for occasional crypto transactions worth €1,000 (~$1,150) or more. For transactions below €1,000, providers must still identify customers but are not required to apply the full verification standard used for larger or ongoing relationships. - Peer-to-peer Bitcoin transfers unaffected: The regulation targets crypto-asset service providers, not every on-chain transaction. Direct transfers between self-hosted wallets remain outside the mandatory identification obligations. However, existing Travel Rule rules (Regulation (EU) 2023/1113) still require regulated intermediaries to pass sender and recipient data for transfers, and extra checks kick in when transfers involving self-hosted wallets reach €1,000 or more and a regulated intermediary is involved. - Broader AML measures: - A harmonized EU-wide cap of €10,000 (~$11,500) on commercial cash payments is introduced; member states may keep lower national limits if they wish. - For cash payments of €3,000 (~$3,450) or more, traders and other obliged entities must verify customer identity and carry out due diligence. - The €10,000 cap does not apply to bank deposits or payments through regulated payment institutions, which remain subject to existing monitoring and suspicious-activity reporting. - Expanded scope of obliged entities: New sectors — including professional football clubs, football agents, crowdfunding platforms, investment migration businesses, luxury goods dealers and others — will now fall under EU AML compliance and reporting duties. - Stronger ownership transparency: Legal entities must disclose ultimate beneficial owners in national registries, generally at a 25% ownership threshold, reduced to 15% for certain higher-risk structures. Trusts, foundations and non-EU entities involved in EU business or real estate transactions will face disclosure rules; trustees must update ownership data within 28 calendar days. What this means for the crypto market - Regulated platforms will need to delist, stop custodying, or refuse to facilitate privacy-focused coins and any services that materially enhance transaction obfuscation. - Ordinary holders can still own and transfer privacy coins privately, but interacting with regulated intermediaries with those assets will be constrained. - Peer-to-peer Bitcoin users retain a degree of anonymity for wallet-to-wallet transfers, but using exchanges or intermediaries will trigger KYC/Travel Rule obligations once the relevant thresholds are met. The package tightens Europe’s AML regime across cash, corporate transparency and a wider set of industries, while carving a focused path for crypto: reduce anonymity through regulated channels, leave unmediated on-chain transfers outside direct ID requirements, and increase reporting and transparency across the economy. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Nagłówek: Axelar wyłączył most do Secret Network po exploicie IBC wartym ~$4.7M Axelar zamknął swoje połączenia mostowe do Secret Network po incydencie, który doprowadził do kradzieży około 4,67 miliona dolarów w tokenach mostowych. Protokół interoperacyjności informuje, że strata dotyczyła aktywów przeniesionych z łańcucha Axelar do Secret za pośrednictwem ramienia Cosmos Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC). Początkowe śledztwo wskazuje na kontrakt ICS-20 po stronie Secret — komponent, który obsługuje transfery tokenów IBC na Secret Network — a nie na infrastrukturę rdzeniową Axelar. W oświadczeniu Axelar stwierdzono, że problem wydaje się być izolowany do tego kontraktu po stronie Secret i obecnie nie ma dowodów na to, że inne kanały IBC, aktywa natywne Secret lub dodatkowe integracje Axelar zostały dotknięte. Rdzeniowy protokół Axelar pozostał operacyjny przez cały czas. Natychmiastowa reakcja - Komitet kryzysowy Axelar wyłączył połączenia Secret i Secret-SNIP, aby powstrzymać dalsze straty. - Zespół powiadomił odpowiednie giełdy i organy ścigania oraz kontynuuje swoje badania kryminalistyczne. - Pełny raport po incydencie zostanie opublikowany po zakończeniu śledztwa. Do tego czasu dotknięte trasy mostowe pozostaną offline, podczas gdy inżynierowie będą śledzić ścieżkę ataku i oceniać szkody. Dlaczego to ważne Secret Network to blockchain skoncentrowany na prywatności, który szyfruje dane transakcji, jednocześnie pozwalając na weryfikację kodu smart kontraktów na łańcuchu. Dzięki integracji z Axelar, deweloperzy mogli tworzyć prywatne aplikacje międzyłańcuchowe — od poufnych działań DeFi i prywatnych NFT po anonimowe zarządzanie. Eksploit wpływa zatem na użytkowników polegających na tych prywatnych przepływach międzyłańcuchowych, a nie na natywnych aktywach Secret. Szerszy kontekst Incydent ten dołącza do fali ostatnich problemów z bezpieczeństwem dotykających infrastrukturę kryptowalutową. Wcześniej w czerwcu Humanity Protocol ujawnił exploit, który zmusił go do wycofania swojego oryginalnego tokena H; dotknięci użytkownicy mają otrzymać zamienne tokeny za pomocą audytowanego airdropu ERC-20, a Humanity obwiniał skradzione dane uwierzytelniające za tę lukę. Dostawca płatności kryptowalutowych Pyra ogłosił również plany zakończenia działalności po tym, jak exploit Drift uniemożliwił mu odzyskanie środków. Tymczasem badania Binance zauważyły, że exploity DeFi z kwietnia przyczyniły się do wypływu około 13 miliardów dolarów w TVL i zwiększyły dźwignię on-chain do poziomów, jakich nie widziano od 2021 roku. Co dalej Axelar mówi, że podzieli się dodatkowymi szczegółami po zakończeniu śledztwa. Na razie użytkownicy i projekty polegające na mostach Axelar-Secret powinni przyjąć, że te trasy są wyłączone i monitorować oficjalne kanały Axelar i Secret Network w poszukiwaniu aktualizacji. Przeczytaj więcej wiadomości generowanych przez AI na: undefined/news

Fidelity is moving deeper into the plumbing behind stablecoins — not by launching its own token, but by offering a regulated money-market product designed for the reserve needs of token issuers. What Fidelity launched Fidelity Reserves Digital Fund (ticker: FYMXX) is a traditional money market fund built around the kinds of short-term assets stablecoin issuers typically use for reserve backing: US Treasury bills, repurchase agreements (repos), and cash-equivalents. Crucially, FYMXX is a conventional TradFi vehicle, not an on-chain or tokenized fund. Why this matters Stablecoins depend on liquid, high-quality reserves to maintain their dollar peg and meet redemptions. As the stablecoin market grows, the infrastructure that manages those reserves — yield, liquidity, compliance, and operational scale — becomes increasingly valuable. Fidelity is positioning FYMXX to serve that institutional reserve role, offering issuers familiar money-market mechanics and regulatory oversight rather than a blockchain-native alternative. Regulatory timing and positioning Fidelity’s materials explicitly frame FYMXX to align with eligible reserve asset criteria under proposed US legislation such as the GENIUS Act. That signals readiness for a future where stablecoin reserves are subject to clearer, formal rules. But FYMXX is not a one-size-fits-all regulatory fix: laws, reserve rules, and issuer obligations could evolve, and issuers will still need to meet changing compliance requirements. Risk realities acknowledged Fidelity also highlights the key risk: concentration and liquidity pressure. If a large stablecoin suffers a confidence shock, depeg, or a sudden mass redemption, issuers may need to withdraw significant assets quickly. A fund heavily exposed to stablecoin reserve flows could face correlated liquidity stress in such scenarios. In short: scale brings opportunity — and correlated risk. Bigger picture Fidelity’s move underscores how stablecoins are evolving from niche exchange tools into institutional bridges between tokenized payments, Treasury markets, settlement rails, and traditional asset management. If regulation sharpens, more big financial firms may compete to manage reserves — potentially improving transparency and safety, but also concentrating more of crypto’s dollar plumbing inside major TradFi players. What FYMXX signals The fund shows where the stablecoin business is heading: tokens stay on-chain, but the cash-and-Treasury layer behind them is becoming a serious institutional battleground. For issuers, partnering with experienced money-market managers could simplify reserve reporting, liquidity management, and compliance. For the market, it raises questions about systemic concentration and how best to balance robustness with decentralization. This article was written by the News Desk and edited by Samuel Rae. Report based on information from Fidelity Institutional. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

South Korea may expand its upcoming cross-border crypto transfer regime beyond traditional exchanges, opening the door for fintechs to compete in a market long dominated by a few major players. What’s happening - The government has started drafting enforcement rules for amendments to the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act that were promulgated on June 2 and include a six‑month grace period. The new regime — which classifies cross‑border virtual asset transfers as regulated foreign exchange activity — takes effect in December. - Under the law, businesses that facilitate overseas crypto transfers must register with the Ministry of Economy and Finance and report transactions through the Bank of Korea’s foreign‑exchange reporting network. Applicants will also need existing Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) registration, system connections to authorities that relay FX and digital‑asset transaction data, and to meet facility and personnel standards to be set by presidential decree. Why it matters Cross‑border crypto transfers previously fell outside South Korea’s foreign‑exchange oversight, creating gaps that authorities say raised illicit FX and anti‑money‑laundering risks. Bringing these flows under formal supervision forces operators to report transfers and comply with stricter controls — a major shift for cross‑border crypto flows. Who could apply Current VASP rules have largely limited eligible firms to registered crypto exchanges and certain custodians — meaning big domestic platforms such as Upbit and Bithumb were expected to dominate the new system. But regulators are now weighing whether fintech firms capable of executing cross‑border transfers should also be eligible to register. Regulatory signals and industry response - Bank of Korea officials have told media they do not see a need to limit transfer services strictly to incumbent VASPs if other firms can deliver the service, though such firms would still be subject to foreign‑exchange registration and reporting duties. - The Bank of Korea is meeting with industry participants to guide them on registration and integration with the FX reporting network. Industry attention is focused on whether the enforcement decree—due before the December rollout—will allow new entrants beyond trading platforms. - Many fintechs have struggled to enter the digital‑asset space because of VASP registration hurdles and difficulties obtaining real‑name banking relationships. A distinct licensing route for virtual‑asset transfers could create fresh opportunities in blockchain remittances and FX services. Next steps The Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Bank of Korea are continuing consultations with industry as they finalize the detailed rules ahead of December. The outcome will shape who can legally operate cross‑border crypto transfer services in South Korea going forward. Broader regulatory context This initiative follows other moves to fold blockchain products into existing financial frameworks. The Ministry has said tokenized stocks could fall under current securities tax rules if the Financial Services Commission (FSC) classifies them as securities. The FSC is expected to publish updated token‑securities guidance in July and continues to develop a roadmap for tokenized versions of conventional assets, including listed equities. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

One in five upper-tier UK SMEs say customers want crypto payment options, new survey finds A new whitepaper from payments firm DECTA, shared with crypto.news, reveals rising interest in crypto payments among larger British small and medium-sized enterprises — even as security and simplicity remain merchants’ top priorities. Survey details - 500 UK SME decision-makers surveyed by Censuswide, March 13–20, 2026. - Overall, 11.8% of merchants said customers want the option to pay in cryptocurrency. - That figure jumps to 20.7% among businesses with annual turnover of £50m–£99.99m. Where crypto fits in merchants’ priorities Merchants rank payment factors in this order of importance, with crypto well down the list: - Payment security: 48.6% - Simplicity: 42.2% - Speed: 37.2% Other priorities cited include multiple payment options, refunds, guest checkout and Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL). Cryptocurrency placed eighth overall at 11.8%, while BNPL was a top customer priority for nearly 20% of respondents. DECTA noted open banking and crypto are attracting disproportionate interest from larger firms. “Alternative payment methods continue to gain traction among merchants,” said Scott Dawson, DECTA CEO and chair of the Payments Innovation Forum. DECTA warns that payment providers who ignore crypto risk losing favor with some of their largest merchant clients. Cross-border pain points and priorities The report also highlights the growing importance of international payments: - 53.8% of UK SMEs already sell products and services globally. - 20.2% of merchants involved in global trade said their international payments experience has worsened. Top business payment challenges were slow access to funds (19.4%), fraud and security concerns (16%), and lack of transparency around payment processing fees (14.2%). More than half (51.8%) of surveyed merchants would prioritize security over lower fees and access to the latest payment tech — rising to 62.1% among micro-businesses (1–9 employees). Regulatory backdrop These adoption signals come amid heightened UK regulatory scrutiny of crypto. This month the Financial Conduct Authority warned football clubs about sponsorship deals involving unauthorised crypto firms, and continues to develop a wider crypto framework. Under the FCA’s timetable, crypto firms can apply for authorisation from September 30, 2026, with the full cryptoasset regime set to take effect October 25, 2027. Separately, UK authorities sanctioned Huobi Global S.A. (linked to HTX) in May as part of an enforcement action focused on alleged ties to the A7 network. That followed FCA legal action against HTX over alleged unlawful crypto promotions in the UK. Takeaway Crypto payments remain a minority preference among UK SMEs overall, but the DECTA survey shows meaningful demand among higher-turnover and internationally active merchants. For payment providers and crypto firms, the message is clear: while security and simplicity still rule, offering crypto and other alternative payment rails could be increasingly important to win and retain larger, globally trading clients. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Hong Kong moves to put wholesale CBDC at the heart of after-hours derivatives trading Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) have launched a pilot testing the use of e-HKD — the city’s wholesale central bank digital currency — to settle margin payments for after-hours trading (AHT) in the derivatives market. The trial targets a practical pain point in the current system and marks one of the clearest real-world deployments of a wholesale CBDC in tokenized financial markets. What the pilot does - The program will let clearing participants use e-HKD to transfer advance margin outside normal banking hours, enabling margin recognition for after-hours sessions without relying on traditional interbank cutoffs. - HKEX has invited clearing members under HKFE Clearing Corporation Limited to take part in voluntary, real-value trial transactions. Any wider rollout will depend on regulatory sign-off, market readiness and operational considerations. Why it matters - Today, clearing participants must submit advance margin deposit requests to HKFE Clearing Corporation by 3 p.m. to have funds recognised for the following AHT session. Using a 24/7 wholesale CBDC aims to remove that constraint, reducing operational friction and strengthening risk management during after-hours activity. - The pilot shows how programmable, tokenised central bank money can be integrated into core market plumbing — a significant step beyond consumer payment tests and toward institutional settlement use cases. Official perspective Vanessa Lau, HKEX Chief Operating Officer, framed the initiative as both a practical fix and a strategic push: by exploring CBDC for outside-business-hours payments, HKEX and the HKMA hope to provide more flexible, timely options and address longstanding operational issues while bolstering market resilience and Hong Kong’s international finance role. Howard Lee, Deputy Chief Executive of the HKMA, said the exercise will test a wholesale CBDC application in a live market environment — part of the authority’s pivot following earlier trials. Background and broader context The pilot builds on the HKMA’s 2025 conclusion from the second phase of its digital currency programme: e-HKD and tokenised bank deposits can enable programmable, cost-effective transactions across financial services. That phase involved banks, tech firms and other financial institutions testing digital money in real use cases. Authorities later reported stronger institutional demand than retail interest, prompting a shift toward wholesale deployments — including tokenised markets and trade settlement applications. The HKEX pilot is an early, concrete example of that institutional focus. Implications for crypto and tokenised finance For crypto markets and tokenisation advocates, the pilot is noteworthy because it places central-bank-issued digital money directly into post-trade flows, potentially accelerating integration between tokenised assets, programmable money and traditional market infrastructure. If successful and scaled, such use cases could cut settlement risk and operational constraints, and help mainstream tokenised finance within regulated markets. Next steps HKEX and the HKMA will proceed with the trials with participating clearing members, and any expansion will await regulatory approvals and evidence of market readiness. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Headline: Japan’s FSA suspends moomoo Securities’ new account openings until Sept. 18 after compliance, AML and cybersecurity failures Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) has ordered moomoo Securities — the Japanese arm of Nasdaq-listed Futu Holdings — to stop soliciting and accepting new account applications from June 19 through Sept. 18, and slapped the brokerage with a business improvement order after regulators uncovered a string of compliance, customer-protection, anti-money‑laundering and cybersecurity lapses. The FSA said the action follows an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission (SESC), which found that moomoo expanded its services without putting adequate compliance and risk-management systems in place. Regulators demanded the firm clarify executive accountability and submit a detailed remedial plan by July 21 to prevent repeat failures. Key findings from the SESC investigation - Mislabeling NISA eligibility: Between early 2025 and early 2026, moomoo displayed 78 U.S. ETFs and ETNs as eligible for Japan’s tax-advantaged Nippon Individual Savings Account (NISA) on its smartphone trading platform, even though those products did not qualify. Retail customers subsequently bought instruments that did not receive tax-free treatment, and the firm did not promptly contact affected investors or restore their annual investment allowances after discovering the error. - Restrictions on stock transfers: Since early 2024 the brokerage reportedly declined customer requests to transfer domestic Japanese stocks to other brokerages, restricting clients’ ability to move assets off the platform. - AML shortcomings: More than 1,500 rejected or flagged account applicants were not sufficiently reviewed for suspicious activity because the company had incorrectly assumed screening duties applied only to approved accounts. Regulators found the firm failed to carry out required examinations or suspicious-activity reporting for an extended period. - Cybersecurity and operational control gaps: Management lacked a complete inventory of critical transaction systems and did not properly assess vulnerabilities affecting important infrastructure, leaving operational risk controls wanting. Business impact and broader context Moomoo Securities has grown rapidly in Japan through its mobile trading app — surpassing two million downloads while marketing low-cost access to U.S. stocks. The FSA’s enforcement targets that fast expansion, forcing the firm to shore up governance and internal controls before taking on new retail customers. The move comes as other parts of the Futu group continue to push overseas. Moomoo Crypto, a separate subsidiary, recently launched crypto trading services in Texas (adding to operations in California, New Jersey and Pennsylvania), offering 52 digital assets and supporting direct transfers between external crypto wallets and customer accounts. Regulatory momentum in Japan The enforcement against moomoo is part of a wider tightening of digital-finance oversight in Japan. Earlier this year the FSA proposed tougher rules on stablecoin reserve assets and increased supervisory requirements for financial institutions involved in crypto services under the country’s updated digital-asset framework. What’s next Moomoo Securities must submit a business improvement plan to regulators by July 21 and demonstrate strengthened governance, AML controls and cybersecurity measures. Until then, it cannot accept new Japanese retail accounts — a significant operational constraint as the firm seeks to maintain growth and trust in a market under close regulatory scrutiny. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Franklin Templeton has taken a bold step into hybrid equity-crypto investing, filing to launch two ETFs that would automatically channel U.S. stock dividend income into Bitcoin exposure. The firm’s registration, submitted Thursday, proposes the Franklin US Equity Bitcoin DRIP Index ETF and the Franklin US Innovation Bitcoin DRIP Index ETF, with an anticipated effective date of Sept. 1, 2026. Both funds would track VettaFi indexes (a broad US large-cap 500 Bitcoin DRIP Index and an innovation-focused variant) that convert dividends paid by the underlying stock portfolios into Bitcoin-linked investments instead of leaving them as cash or paying them out to shareholders. How it would work - Dividend reinvestment: Dividends from the equity sleeves would be redirected into Bitcoin exposure via spot Bitcoin exchange-traded products, futures, options, or other permitted instruments, according to the filing. - Starting allocation: Portfolios would begin with roughly 95% U.S. large-cap equities and 5% Bitcoin exposure. - Rebalancing and caps: Quarterly rebalancing would trim any Bitcoin allocation above 5% back to 4.5%, while an interim cap would prevent Bitcoin exposure from exceeding 20% between rebalances. Index make-up and scale As of April 30, the equity index contained approximately 498 constituent securities, with company market caps ranging from about $7.5 billion to $4.9 trillion — a broad large-cap footprint. Where this fits in Franklin’s crypto push The filing builds on Franklin Templeton’s expanding digital-asset lineup, which already includes spot crypto ETFs, tokenized funds and blockchain-based investment products. Data from SoSoValue shows Franklin’s spot Bitcoin ETF (ticker EZBC) held $358.9 million in net assets and had attracted $329.6 million in cumulative net inflows as of this week. Recent related moves - June 15: Franklin Templeton said it would work with Ondo Finance to issue tokenized ETF versions tradeable directly from crypto wallets 24/7 for investors outside the U.S., covering U.S. equities, fixed income and gold. - Early June: The firm integrated its BENJI tokenized money market fund into MoonPay Trade, enabling institutional clients to swap stablecoins (USDC, USDT) for BENJI via on-chain infrastructure. - May: Franklin partnered with Payward (Kraken’s parent) to list BENJI on Kraken as a collateral and cash-management product for institutions and signaled plans to develop more tokenized offerings through Payward’s xStocks platform. Why it matters If approved, these “Bitcoin DRIP” ETFs would offer a novel, automated route for equity investors to gain incremental Bitcoin exposure without buying crypto directly — effectively turning dividend streams into a crypto allocation. The structure raises familiar trade-offs: simplified access and dollar-cost averaging into Bitcoin versus added complexity and crypto-related risks within a traditional equity ETF wrapper. This filing is the latest sign of mainstream asset managers experimenting with hybrid products that bridge conventional markets and crypto infrastructure. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

HIVE Digital Technologies’ stock jumped after the company announced a landmark $220 million, three-year GPU cloud contract with Bell Canada and Cohere — a major signal that the miner is accelerating its move into high-performance AI computing. Quick deal highlights - Value/duration: $220 million over three years - Provider: HIVE’s BUZZ High Performance Computing (BUZZ HPC) unit will deliver the GPU cloud layer - Hardware: 2,304 Nvidia Grace Blackwell GPUs deployed at Bell AI Fabric’s data centre in Merritt, British Columbia - Roles: Bell supplies the data centre and network services; Cohere runs foundation models and enterprise AI tools; Hypertec provides Canadian-built hardware - Data residency: The compute layer will remain in Canada to meet sovereign-data requirements - Timeline: Commercial deployment expected late 2026 to early 2027 Why it matters - Revenue boost: The contract could add roughly $70 million in annual recurring revenue, pushing HIVE’s contracted high-performance computing revenue above $100 million when combined with its existing run rate. Prior to this deal, BUZZ HPC had about $35 million in contracted recurring revenue. - Growth track: HIVE’s HPC revenue rose 94% year-over-year to $19.5 million in fiscal 2026, underlining momentum beyond its legacy Bitcoin-mining business. - Strategic positioning: The project is designed to host Cohere’s enterprise AI models for Canadian government and corporate customers, supporting Canada’s push for domestic AI infrastructure. “Canada has the talent and innovation to lead in AI,” Bell AI Fabric executive Michel Richer said. Cohere’s Michael Pelosi emphasized enterprise and government buyers need clarity on “where those models run” and how data is kept protected. Broader context HIVE’s deal illustrates a growing trend among Bitcoin miners pivoting to AI and cloud services. Mining companies already own the power contracts, cooling systems, technical teams and facilities that can be repurposed to run GPU workloads when mining margins are weak. Other mining-linked firms such as IREN and Bitdeer have started converting data centre capacity for AI customers as well. The Bell–Cohere contract also strengthens HIVE’s longer-term Canadian AI ambitions — including a previously announced proposed Toronto “super factory” with 320 MW of capacity and more than 100,000 GPUs — by giving the company a high-profile commercial customer and a clearer path to scale sovereign cloud infrastructure in Canada. Bottom line: The $220 million deal not only lifted HIVE’s share price but also advances its strategic pivot from pure Bitcoin mining to becoming a credible player in the fast-growing market for onshore, enterprise-grade AI compute. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Senate negotiators are back at the table on the CLARITY Act, but progress is being slowed less by hardline policy fights than by a basic problem: many senators still don’t fully understand what’s in the bill. Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman told reporters after a June 18 meeting — reported by Punchbowl News — that while discussions are moving forward, “most members do not fully understand the bill.” Because much of the CLARITY Act falls under the Agriculture Committee’s jurisdiction, that panel is central to shepherding the measure toward a full Senate vote. Boozman said that the knowledge gap among lawmakers remains one of the biggest obstacles to building broader support. Negotiators are under time pressure. Leaders want to resolve outstanding issues before lawmakers break for the August recess, and a series of last-minute meetings are ongoing to work through contested provisions of the digital-asset market-structure legislation. Inside baseball on the disagreements: industry and some Capitol Hill observers say the split may not be as wide as it looks. David Nage, managing director and portfolio manager at Arca, told crypto.news that conversations with Senate offices left him with the impression that lawmakers and industry are roughly 80%–85% aligned on the bill’s core elements. According to Nage, debate has moved away from stablecoin yield restrictions — which drew high-profile criticism from figures like JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon — and toward ethics and conflict-of-interest rules for government officials engaged in crypto-related business. Nage said the remaining disputes are largely about how to craft and enforce those ethics rules, not about whether they should exist. In his base case, negotiators would agree on the ethics language and reconcile competing proposals in the coming weeks, positioning the bill to reach the Senate floor after Congress returns on July 13. But timing is still uncertain. Senator Bill Hagerty told FOX Business he hopes the Senate can finish work before the July 4 recess, saying regulatory clarity would help the U.S. crypto industry grow domestically. White House crypto advisor Patrick Witt has also expressed optimism about an Independence Day timeline. Others expect a longer road: Senator Cynthia Lummis has pushed back expectations, suggesting a floor vote before the August recess is more likely than passage ahead of July 4. Lummis also highlighted that the bill includes $150 million aimed at combating illicit cryptocurrency activity and warned that failure to act in this window could push meaningful reform as far out as 2030. Supporters say the CLARITY Act would clarify the respective responsibilities of the SEC and CFTC and set compliance standards for digital-asset firms — a potential milestone for U.S. crypto regulation. As negotiations continue, the focus for many appears to be education and compromise rather than headline-grabbing policy fights: lawmakers need to get up to speed on the details and agree on enforcement and ethics language before a final push to the floor. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Base has pushed a major protocol upgrade, Beryl, to the Sepolia testnet and plans to flip it on mainnet on June 25. The release brings a native token standard, shorter withdrawal windows to Ethereum, and several node-level improvements designed to make token issuance faster, cheaper, and more integrated with existing infrastructure. What’s new - B20: a protocol-level token standard that makes tokens first-class citizens in Base’s node software rather than ordinary smart contracts. B20 implements the full ERC‑20 spec plus ERC‑2612 permit functionality, meaning familiar wallets, exchanges, and indexers can support B20 tokens without modification. - Faster withdrawals: the default withdrawal route most bridges use will see the delay to Ethereum cut from seven days to five days. - Reth V2: an updated Rust-based execution client that reduces storage demands for full, minimal, and archive nodes and allows higher block gas targets without overwhelming sequencer or RPC infrastructure. Why B20 matters Unlike ERC‑20 tokens that run as smart contracts on the EVM, B20 runs as precompiled contracts written in Rust and executed directly by the protocol. That makes token operations more efficient and native to the chain. Base also ships an Issuer Toolkit with the upgrade that provides role-based permissions and issuance controls tailored for regulated or institutional issuers: - minting and burning controls - optional supply caps - transfer restrictions - freeze and seizure capabilities - choice between a general-purpose asset model or a stablecoin model with six-decimal precision and customizable currency codes Security and compatibility Base says B20 is built on code audited by its own team and security firm Spearbit. The standard supports ERC‑2612 permits, enabling gasless approval workflows via signatures, and existing ERC‑20-compatible infrastructure should be able to adopt B20 assets without code changes. Base also flagged a planned future enhancement that would let issuers pay transaction fees with their own B20 tokens instead of ETH. Context on withdrawals and Azul Beryl builds on work introduced in Azul, Base’s earlier upgrade that brought Multiproofs — a hybrid verification path combining trusted execution environment proofs and zero-knowledge proofs to speed up withdrawals. Multiproofs can finalize some withdrawals in about a day when both proof systems agree, but high ZK proof costs have limited its use. Beryl instead targets the withdrawal route most users rely on: by narrowing the role of the old seven-day fault-proof delay to monitoring and disabling faulty provers, Base can safely shorten the standard delay to five days. Performance and infrastructure Reth V2 replaces legacy OP Stack clients (a change started with Azul) and trims node storage requirements while enabling higher block gas targets. Base says moving to a unified technology stack—dropping a shared dependency on Optimism’s OP Stack—has sped its release cadence: Beryl landed on Sepolia roughly four weeks after Azul hit mainnet. What’s next Base is already looking ahead: the next upgrade, Cobalt, is targeted for September. Cobalt is expected to introduce native account abstraction with protocol-level smart accounts, gas sponsorship (meta‑transactions), transaction batching, expanded B20 functionality, and a unified node binary that merges consensus and execution clients. Bottom line Beryl makes tokens native to Base, shortens withdrawal waits for the most-used route to Ethereum, and brings client and node optimizations that should improve scalability and issuer onboarding—features likely to appeal to stablecoin issuers, exchanges, and regulated institutions while preserving compatibility with existing ERC‑20 tooling. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news