Japan is quietly preparing the most pro-crypto shift of any G7 nation. According to multiple reports from local media, the Financial Services Agency (FSA) is drafting a sweeping reclassification of digital assets that would bring Bitcoin, Ethereum, and around 100 other tokens under the same umbrella as stocks and investment funds. If the plan moves […]
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New York City Mayor Eric Adams just built a new power center for crypto inside City Hall. On Oct. 14, he signed Executive Order 57 and created the Office of Digital Assets and Blockchain Technology, a unit that sits in the Mayor’s Office, reports to the city CTO, and is led by Moises Rendon. City […]
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Two of the largest digital asset managers, Bitwise and 21Shares, have made a notable update to their Ethereum and Solana ETF filings that could signal a shift in how crypto exchange-traded products operate in the United States. According to amended S-1 statements filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), both issuers now reference […]
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Ripple’s chief legal officer says Americans want clear crypto rules and urges Congress to act, warning U.S. leadership is at risk without clarity.
Brian Armstrong told Fox Business that Coinbase aims to be users’ primary financial account while addressing U.S. crypto rules and pressure from banks.
Paul Atkins, the newly appointed chair of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has boldly declared that “crypto’s time has come,” marking a pivotal moment in the regulator’s approach to digital assets. Atkins Declares End To ‘Weaponization’ Of Regulation Delivering a keynote address at the inaugural OECD roundtable on global financial markets, Atkins expressed his commitment to unlocking the potential of digital assets in the United States, highlighting the impact of new technologies on global finance. Related Reading: WLFI Price Dips 7% As Eric Trump Leaves World Liberty Treasury Company ALT5 Sigma Atkins criticized the previous SEC approach under former chair Gary Gensler, which he described as a “weaponization” of regulatory powers that stifled the crypto industry. The Commissioner pointed out that this “enforcement-centric strategy” not only proved ineffective but also drove innovation overseas, burdening American entrepreneurs with costly legal defenses. He asserted that those days are over and that the SEC is embarking on a new chapter. The SEC under Atkins aims to establish “clear and predictable regulations” that will enable innovation to flourish. He indicated that the agency will no longer rely on ad hoc enforcement actions to set policy. As Congress works on legislation, the SEC is set to modernize its rules through what it has termed “Project Crypto.” This initiative seeks to adapt existing securities regulations to accommodate the digital asset landscape, ensuring that most crypto tokens are clearly classified as non-securities. Future Of Crypto Regulation Atkins also highlighted the need for regulatory efficiency, advocating for a minimum effective dose of regulation to protect investors without overburdening entrepreneurs with complex rules that only large incumbents can navigate. He emphasized the potential for innovation through “super-app” trading platforms that could combine trading, lending, and staking services under a unified regulatory framework. Related Reading: Solana And XRP ETFs Smash New Records In Canada Atkins further unveiled that the Securities and Exchange Commission also plans to collaborate with other regulatory bodies to create a cohesive environment that permits the trading of crypto assets alongside traditional financial services. The regulator praised the European Union (EU) for its stance on digital assets, specifically referencing the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, which he sees as a model for regulatory clarity. Atkins expressed a desire for the United States to learn from these efforts, ensuring that America remains a leader in fostering an economic climate conducive to financial innovation. In closing, Atkins articulated a vision for a future where breakthroughs in the financial industry are made on American soil, under American oversight, ultimately benefiting American investors. He welcomed the opportunity to work with international allies to enhance economic collaboration and extend the sphere of freedom and prosperity in the financial markets, including the fast-growing cryptocurrency space. Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com
In a recent address, pro-crypto Senator Cynthia Lummis revealed her efforts to expedite the passage of a crucial piece of legislation known as the Market Structure Bill. This initiative follows the recent enactment of several significant laws, including the GENIUS Act, the CLARITY Act, and the Anti-CBDC bills, all aimed at shaping the future of digital assets in the United States. Keys Behind The Responsible Financial Innovation Act Since the House of Representatives passed these key crypto bills last month, the Senate Banking Committee has been crafting its version of a comprehensive regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies. Under the leadership of Chairman Tim Scott and alongside Senators Lummis, Bill Hagerty, and Bernie Moreno, the committee introduced the draft of the “Responsible Financial Innovation Act of 2025.” This piece of crypto legislation seeks to provide much-needed regulatory clarity, promote innovation, and address the significant risks often associated with the evolving digital asset landscape. Related Reading: Expert Touts Chainlink Advantage Over XRP In Institutional Adoption Race The Senate’s proposed framework builds on the foundation laid by the Clarity Act, which primarily aimed to empower the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and classify digital assets as commodities. In contrast, the Senate bill grants the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) primary regulatory oversight over what it terms “ancillary assets.” Notably, the bill specifies that these ancillary assets should not be classified as securities, and transactions involving them would not fall under federal securities laws, including the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970. This comes on the heels of statements from SEC Chair Paul Atkins, who suggested that only a small number of tokens could be classified as securities, depending on how they are packaged and marketed. Crypto Legislation’s Thanksgiving Deadline The bill also takes a stance on combating illicit financial activities associated with digital assets. It mandates new regulations for anti-money laundering (AML) efforts and countering the financing of terrorism. The draft unveils that one of the most pressing challenges in developing a robust digital asset market is determining how traditional banks and financial institutions fit into this evolving ecosystem. Related Reading: Solana Is Not Dead? This Upper Boundary Retest Could Set The Stage For $268 An increasing number of banks such as Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, and Bank of America, are now considering the integration of crypto assets, particularly stablecoins, as a means to overcome traditional payment barriers. The proposed legislation aims to address this issue by explicitly allowing banks and financial holding companies to engage in a variety of digital asset activities, including custody and trading. During a recent conversation at the SALT conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Senator Lummis expressed her confidence in the crypto bill’s momentum, stating, “We will have it on the President’s desk before Thanksgiving.” Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com
The U.S. House of Representatives has designated the week starting July 14 as “Crypto Week,” as lawmakers consider three landmark bills: the CLARITY Act, the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act, and the Senate’s GENIUS Act, in a comprehensive push to establish the United States as a global leader in digital assets. Prominent crypto trader and influencer […]
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The broker raised its price target for the crypto exchange to $421 from $301 and reiterated its buy rating on the stock.
Welcome to Slate Sundays, CryptoSlate’s new weekly feature showcasing in-depth interviews, expert analysis, and thought-provoking op-eds that go beyond the headlines to explore the ideas and voices shaping the future of crypto. Unlike the Coinbases, Fidelities, and Galaxies of the crypto world that frequently make the headlines, core infrastructure providers quietly building out the rails of […]
The post The crypto industry’s ‘silent partners’, how Talos is quietly fueling institutional adoption appeared first on CryptoSlate.
The U.S election shined a spotlight on crypto, with promises to clarify regulations — will we see similar developments in other countries and jurisdictions?
The government's plan will direct different parts of the government to research different aspects of digital assets, including tokenization and CBDCs.
An Argentine prosecutor has requested a judge to issue an Interpol “Red Notice” for Hayden Davis, an American citizen allegedly involved in the launch of the controversial LIBRA memecoin that has entangled Argentine President Javier Milei in a dramatic political scandal. LIBRA Memecoin Scandal The request, made by prosecutor Gregorio Dalbón, reviewed by Fortune, accuses Davis of being a key figure behind the LIBRA memecoin. The token gained significant attention after President Milei endorsed it on Valentine’s Day. Following Milei’s endorsement, LIBRA’s market capitalization soared to over $4.5 billion. However, its value quickly collapsed, plummeting by more than 99% to approximately $18 million. Blockchain analysts later revealed that certain insiders sold large amounts of the token shortly after Milei publicly supported it. Related Reading: Solana Price Crash To $90? Why A 26% Decline Could Rock This Crypto In his request for the Red Notice, Dalbón expressed concerns that Davis might evade justice, citing his financial resources that could facilitate his flight or concealment. “The possibility that Davis will abandon his country of residence or hide to avoid answering for his alleged acts appears to be aggravated by the economic resources he possesses,” Dalbón stated, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. Interpol, the International Criminal Police Organization, facilitates international cooperation among law enforcement agencies in its 196 member countries, including the US and Argentina. A Red Notice serves as a request for member countries to locate and provisionally arrest individuals pending extradition. Federal Investigation Launched Into Javier Milei’s Endorsement Davis has not publicly responded to the allegations, nor have his family members, including his brother Gideon and father Charles, who are involved in their family crypto venture, Kelsier Ventures, Fortune reported. Yet, the controversy surrounding LIBRA is further complicated by its connection to former President Donald Trump, who recently launched his own memecoin named TRUMP. Trump’s endorsement of cryptocurrency has been characterized as part of his broader strategy to position himself as a pro-crypto advocate. Related Reading: Bitcoin Bottom Confirmed? Data Shows 87.5% Chance The Worst Is Over Following Milei’s endorsement, Davis openly acknowledged his role as an advisor to the Argentine president, stating, “I am indeed Javier Milei’s advisor.” He also claimed responsibility for the launch of a separate memecoin associated with Melania Trump. The fallout from the LIBRA launch has prompted legal inquiries, including a federal investigation into Milei’s actions. Both Milei and Davis have denied any wrongdoing, but the political implications of this incident are significant, as it raises questions about the accountability and regulation of cryptocurrencies in Argentina. At the time of writing, the memecoin is trading at $0.060, down over 90% from its all-time high reached on Valentine’s Day. Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com
Authorities in India have apprehended Aleksej Besciokov, the alleged co-founder of Garantex, a cryptocurrency exchange reportedly implicated in “extensive money laundering activities (MLA).” $60 Billion In Transactions Linked To Criminal Activity Besciokov, a 46-year-old Lithuanian national, was reportedly arrested while vacationing with his family in Varkala, a coastal city in the Indian state of Kerala. His arrest comes after an indictment unsealed by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) on March 7. The DOJ’s indictment charges Besciokov and his co-founder, 40-year-old Aleksandr Mira Serda, a Russian national residing in the United Arab Emirates, with conspiracy to commit money laundering. Related Reading: This Is The Last Opportunity To Buy Dogecoin ‘Relatively Cheap,’ Predicts Analyst Garantex, which launched in 2019, was sanctioned by the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control in April 2022 for its role in facilitating the movement of criminal proceeds. Reports indicate that the exchange has processed over $60 billion since sanctions were imposed, raising significant concerns regarding its operations. According to the blockchain analysis firm Elliptic, Garantex has been involved in various forms of unlawful activity, including facilitating ransomware attacks, drug trafficking, and evading sanctions imposed on Russian elites. The firm noted that the exchange has enabled Russian oligarchs to transfer their wealth abroad, particularly following the invasion of Ukraine. DOJ Alleges Garantex Co-Founder Operated Under Hacker Alias “Proforg” The US Department of Justice also alleges that Besciokov served as Garantex’s primary technical administrator, responsible for maintaining critical infrastructure and approving transactions. In conjunction with the indictment, German and Finnish law enforcement agencies seized servers that hosted Garantex’s operations, and US authorities have frozen over $26 million linked to the exchange’s money laundering activities. In a notable twist, Besciokov is said to have operated under the hacker handle “proforg,” a nickname associated with a long-running Russian-language forum known for its explicit content. The charges against him include conspiracy to violate the International Economic Emergency Powers Act, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business, which could lead to an additional five years of imprisonment. Related Reading: Bitcoin Price Risks Further Crash As S&P Monthly LMACD Turns Bearish, Why Bulls Have Only 20 Days Besciokov is scheduled to appear in a Delhi court on March 14, where he will face these serious charges. If found guilty of any offenses alleged, he will forfeit to the United States any property—whether real or personal—that was involved in the commission of the offense or any property traceable to such assets. Furthermore, if convicted of the offense detailed in Count II of the indictment, Besciokov will also forfeit any property that constitutes or is derived from proceeds traceable to the offense. Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com
Scaramucci also described Trump's official memecoin as "bad for the industry."
Following Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20th, Bitcoin (BTC) has remained range-bound, trading between $101,000 to $110,000. However, a new report by CryptoQuant states that behind this routine price action, Bitcoin ‘whales’ are quietly back to accumulating the premier cryptocurrency. Bitcoin Whales Back In Accumulation Mode According to the report, large BTC holders – commonly referred to as Bitcoin ‘whales’ – have re-entered the accumulation phase. Recent data shows a significant uptick in the monthly percentage growth of BTC holdings among these large investors. Related Reading: Bitcoin Price Forecast Of $150,000 ‘Too Low’ Amid Rising Adoption, Crypto Trader Says Notably, Bitcoin whale holdings increased from a decline of -0.25% on January 14 to a growth of 2% by January 17, marking the highest monthly growth rate since mid-December. In absolute terms, these investors’ BTC holdings rose from 16.2 million on November 4 to 16.4 million as of January 24. The surge in whale accumulation appears to be driven by several bullish developments early in Trump’s administration. For example, the US president has already signed an executive order establishing a Working Group on Digital Asset Markets. This Working Group has been tasked with proposing a federal regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies – including stablecoins – within six months. Additionally, the group will evaluate the potential creation of a national digital asset stockpile, fueling speculation about a potential US strategic Bitcoin reserve. Besides growth in whale holdings, selling pressure for BTC has declined sharply since major profit-taking in December. This aligns with a recent report which found that BTC profit-taking has dropped by 93% from its December peak. The report reads: Bitcoin holders realized daily profits as high as $10 billion as Bitcoin approached $100K in December. However, daily realized profits have fallen to levels around $2-$3 billion in January, which indicates market participants may have finished selling Bitcoin for the most part. Moreover, the traders’ unrealized profit margins have declined near zero, a level which typically marks a price floor during bull markets. However, the report also highlights that overall Bitcoin spot demand has weakened over the past month, raising concerns about the likelihood of another bullish rally. Specifically, the rate of demand growth for Bitcoin has fallen from 279,000 BTC in early December to just 75,000 BTC at the time of writing. Analysts Confident Of Another BTC Rally Despite the cooling of on-chain demand, crypto analysts remain optimistic about another major price rally for Bitcoin. For instance, a recent report suggested that BTC could target a price as high as $249,000 during Trump’s presidency. Related Reading: Could Bitcoin Hit Its Peak In Summer 2025? Analysts Weigh In Another report by Bitfinex predicted that BTC is likely headed to $200,000 by mid-year amid mild price pullbacks. However, a lot depends on how the US Federal Reserve handles interest rate adjustments this year. From a technical standpoint, BTC’s cup-and-handle pattern projects a price target of as high as $275,000. At press time, BTC trades at $106,074, up 0.1% in the past 24 hours. Featured image from Unsplash, Chart from TradingView.com
The biggest challenge in MiCA compliance was allocating resources to build the required infrastructure, Gemini’s head of Europe said.
The president-elect can only serve a four-year term before the Oval Office is contested between two new presidential candidates in 2028.
Once finalized, the license will let Crypto.com operate across the EU under a unified regulatory framework.
Crypto investors and commentators are hopeful ahead of Trump’s inauguration, anticipating innovation-friendly regulations from his first day in office.
"You must ensure your staff cease and desist destruction of all materials and end retaliatory actions immediately," Lummis wrote.
Upbit must respond to the FSC’s suspension notice by Jan. 20 or face restrictions on new registrations on the platform for six months.
“This bill is about protecting the hard-earned money of Oklahoma’s citizens,” Representative Cody Maynard said upon introducing the act.
Federal judge John G. Koeltl has directed BitMEX to pay a $100 million fine, representing the latest development in an ongoing legal dispute regarding money laundering infractions in the US. BitMEX Faces Major Legal Setback The legal challenges for BitMEX stem from activities between 2015 and 2020, during which the exchange reportedly failed to adhere to the United States Bank Secrecy Act (BSA). The BSA requires financial institutions to assist government agencies in detecting and preventing money laundering. Related Reading: What Bitcoin Election Patterns Could Signal For Its Price Ahead Of January 20 Inauguration Despite BitMEX’s attorneys arguing that a previous $110 million fine and earlier guilty pleas from the exchange’s founders were sufficient punishment, Judge Koeltl deemed additional financial penalties necessary. In 2022, BitMEX’s founders, Arthur Hayes, and Benjamin Delo, admitted guilt to comparable charges, with both consenting to pay a $10 million criminal penalty. Exchange Implements Enhanced KYC And AML Measures In a statement following the ruling, the company expressed disappointment over the additional financial penalty but noted that the amount was significantly lower than the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) initial demands, which exceeded $200 million during plea negotiations and rose to approximately $420 million during sentencing discussions. The exchange emphasized its commitment to compliance, stating that it has made significant improvements to its operations since the period covered by the BSA charges. This includes implementing a robust user verification program and comprehensive Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) systems. BitMEX asserts that these advancements have been recognized by users, partners, and regulatory stakeholders. Related Reading: Pundit Says Bitcoin Price Will Break Above $100,000 If This Happens “We stand firm by the statement that the BSA charge is old news,” the company remarked in its statement. BitMEX expressed a desire to move past these legal challenges and focus on innovation and service delivery for its users. The exchange aims to maintain its position as a leading, trusted, and financially stable crypto derivatives platform, continuously launching new products and innovations to meet user demands. Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com
The Open Network (TON) Foundation, closely associated with Telegram, is setting its sights on an ambitious expansion in the United States. This strategic move comes amid expectations of a more favorable regulatory environment under the incoming administration led by Donald Trump. TON Foundation Appoints Manny Stotz As New President The foundation announced the appointment of […]
In a recent interview with CNBC’s Squawk Box, outgoing US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler offered a nuanced perspective on the digital asset landscape, particularly focusing on Bitcoin (BTC) and the broader crypto market. His remarks come amid increased scrutiny of the industry, which has faced regulatory challenges and calls for greater […]
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has proposed a significant shift in Thailand’s approach to online gambling and cryptocurrency regulation. Speaking at a public event in Bangkok, Thaksin outlined the economic potential of legalizing online gambling, a move he estimates could generate over 100 billion baht ($2.89 billion) annually in government revenue. Related Reading: Advisers […]
In a recent interview with CBS News, JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon reiterated his longstanding skepticism toward Bitcoin, stating, “Bitcoin itself has no intrinsic value.” Bitcoin’s Resilience Amid Dimon’s Doubts Dimon emphasized the cryptocurrency’s alleged association with illegal activities, including money laundering and human trafficking, which he believes tarnishes its reputation. “I just don’t feel great […]
Tether, the world’s largest stablecoin issuer, announced on Monday its plans to relocate its headquarters to El Salvador. This decision follows the successful acquisition of a Digital Asset Service Provider (DASP) license, a critical milestone in Tether’s ongoing mission to bolster global Bitcoin adoption. Tether Eyes El Salvador For HQ In an interview with Reuters, […]