News linked to this event type.
Odaily News: Kalshi originally planned to cancel prediction market trades placed by Michigan customers following a court order, but the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission intervened, stating that Michigan has no authority over the contracts. The CFTC prevented the company from complying with the court order, which stemmed from Michigan's recent attempt to halt sports-related trading. Michigan's Attorney General argued that such trades constitute illegal gambling. Michigan is one of several states where the derivatives regulator is defending its legal authority over prediction markets. (CoinDesk).
: The U.S. Department of the Treasury and HM Treasury have released recommendations from the Transatlantic Future Markets Working Group, covering stablecoin activities and tokenized finance. Both sides suggest that relevant agencies consider establishing private sector-led groups to test cross-border use cases for tokenized assets, and that U.S. financial institutions work with the Bank of England to determine a common approach to regulating tokenized assets. The U.S. and UK also issued a joint statement on stablecoins, stating their intention to promote regulatory coordination and build cross-border dynamic stablecoin markets. The statement also indicates that stablecoins should be fully backed by high-quality liquid assets at a minimum 1:1 ratio. Additionally, according to a report by an industry working group supported by the UK government, if the UK becomes a leading jurisdiction for tokenization, tokenization expands globally, and domestic adoption increases, tokenization could add up to $44 billion to the UK's annual economic output by 2035. (Cointelegraph)
Odaily News: Three Democratic U.S. Senators expressed opposition to the cryptocurrency CLARITY Act during a press conference in Washington, stating that unless the bill directly addresses the "corruption" issues related to President Donald Trump's personal cryptocurrency ties, it should not receive support. (CoinDesk)
Odaily News, Fox Business crypto reporter posted on platform X, stating that it is currently unclear what this means for the BRCA clause, nor whether other modifications will be made to the version passed by the Senate Banking Committee. Law enforcement support has become a key factor in the bill's negotiations, with some Democratic senators, including @CortezMasto and @MarkWarner, indicating they hope to address law enforcement's concerns before the full Senate supports the legislation.
the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom have jointly announced sanctions against a group of individuals involved in state-sponsored hacking organizations, cybercriminal groups, and their infrastructure providers. The targets are accused of causing billions of dollars in losses to global enterprises, critical infrastructure, and government agencies. Among them, the most notable is the EU's sanction against Russian cybercriminal Vitaly Nikolayevich Kovalev, also known as "Stern." The EU identified Stern as one of the core managers of the notorious Trickbot Group ransomware syndicate, which is behind high-risk ransomware variants such as Conti ransomware and Ryuk.On-chain analysis shows that wallet addresses linked to Stern have collectively received over $300 million in ransom payments, potentially making him the most prolific ransomware operator ever identified.According to the analysis, the $300 million figure represents only Stern's personal gains, while the total illicit income of the Trickbot Group could be significantly higher. On-chain fund flows indicate that Stern had transactional ties with multiple ransomware ecosystems, including Ryuk, Conti, Diavol, Karakurt, Royal, and Quantum.The investigation reveals that Stern played a role similar to a "CEO" within the Trickbot organization, responsible for budget management, personnel recruitment, infrastructure procurement, and attack planning. (Chainalysis)
AI compliance infrastructure company Hadrius has announced the completion of a $27 million Seed and Series A funding round, led by CRV, with participation from Y Combinator, Pathlight Ventures, as well as founders of Altruist, Jump AI, and FINNY. The new funds will be used to build AI-native compliance infrastructure for the financial services industry, leveraging Agentic AI technology to integrate scattered compliance reviews, risk monitoring, and regulatory document management into a single intelligent workflow. (Prnewswire)
Securitize announced the appointment of Rebecca Macieira-Kaufmann and Manolo Sánchez to its board of directors, strengthening its governance structure as a next-generation compliant capital market infrastructure provider. Rebecca held multiple executive roles at Citigroup for over 11 years, most recently overseeing its international personal banking business. She now founded RMK Group and serves as a director of Fifth Era Acquisition Corporation.
EthSystems announces its official establishment. The company was founded by the original team of the Ethereum Foundation's "Institutional Privacy Working Group" and has received support from Bitmine, Sharplink, Joe Lubin, and others. It primarily develops Ethereum-based privacy and compliance technology for regulated entities such as banks and asset management institutions, aiming to support institutions in conducting on-chain financial activities without disclosing sensitive information such as transaction details and client identities.
Odaily reports, as the value of the artificial intelligence industry rapidly increases, political and tech circles in the United States have begun discussing how to share the immense wealth generated by AI with the public. A series of proposals all point in the same direction: having the government or public institutions hold equity in AI companies.Recently, Sam Altman discussed the possibility of granting the U.S. government or other public entities partial ownership in OpenAI. Meanwhile, the U.S. government already holds approximately 10% of Intel's shares, and it has indicated it may receive a certain percentage of revenue from NVIDIA's chip sales to China.U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders proposed that major AI laboratories contribute half of their shares to a new sovereign wealth fund, allowing the public to share in the growth dividends of the AI industry.Observers suggest that these plans essentially aim to redistribute some of the economic benefits from AI development back to society. However, critics point out that most current proposals boil down to one model: having the government hold equity in AI companies.Supporters argue that AI could become the most significant productivity transformation in the coming decades, and involving the government in revenue distribution could alleviate wealth concentration. Opponents, however, worry that direct government ownership of stakes in tech companies could impact market competition, corporate governance, and innovation incentives.As the valuation of the AI industry continues to rise, how to distribute the economic benefits generated by artificial intelligence is becoming a core topic of debate among U.S. policymakers and the tech industry. (The Information)
the European Central Bank (ECB) has selected 36 banks and payment companies to participate in the digital euro pilot project, preparing for the potential issuance of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) possibly in 2029. Selected institutions include Deutsche Bank, Revolut, Adyen, SumUp, UniCredit, and Worldline. The list was selected from 50 applicant institutions.The digital euro pilot program is scheduled to launch in the second half of next year, lasting for 12 months. It will test the Beta version of the digital euro across various payment scenarios, including: online person-to-person transfers, offline payments, in-store payments, and e-commerce payments. The pilot scope will cover the ECB and the central banks of 19 eurozone countries. ECB employees and staff from national central banks will participate as users, while some restaurants, cafes, and online merchants will support digital euro payments.Although the digital euro currently lacks legal tender status, its design will closely align with the relevant legislative framework being developed by the European Union. The ECB stated that the final decision on whether to issue a digital euro will await the passage of relevant regulations and a decision by the ECB's Governing Council.One of the key reasons for the ECB's push for a digital euro is concern that the development of private dollar-pegged stablecoins could impact Europe's monetary sovereignty. In recent years, dollar-backed stablecoins like Tether's USDT and Circle's USDC have grown rapidly in global payment volumes, drawing the attention of European regulators to financial autonomy.However, the CBDC project still faces privacy controversies. Some privacy advocacy groups worry that a central bank digital currency could lead to transaction tracking or even pose a risk of restricted account access. In contrast, the United States has recently passed laws restricting the Federal Reserve System from issuing a digital dollar before the end of 2030.Currently, Europe's digital euro project is entering its practical testing phase, while EU legislative bodies are advancing the relevant legal framework. If the regulatory process proceeds smoothly, the digital euro could potentially be officially launched as early as 2029. (CoinDesk)
EthSystems, an institutional privacy technology company for Ethereum, has officially launched, securing strategic funding from ecosystem supporters including Bitmine, Sharplink Gaming, and Joe Lubin.EthSystems focuses on developing privacy technologies tailored for banks, asset management firms, and other regulated institutions, enabling them to execute financial transactions at scale on the Ethereum network while protecting sensitive information such as transaction details and client identities. The company was founded by the core team of the Ethereum Foundation's Institutional Privacy Task Force (IPTF). The team had previously conducted a year-long open-source research and development effort on the EthSystems official website and established collaborations with multiple central banks, regulatory bodies, large banks, and asset management institutions.EthSystems stated that while institutions have begun exploring stablecoins, tokenized assets, and Ethereum-based settlement solutions, widespread adoption still faces privacy and compliance challenges. Financial institutions require more than just access to the blockchain network; they need a complete infrastructure that meets the requirements for protecting trade secrets, complying with regulations, and ensuring compatibility with existing financial systems. The goal is to build a "selective disclosure" privacy architecture, allowing transaction participants to view only the information they are authorized to access, while preserving Ethereum's core advantages of decentralization, security, and openness, and complementing two other organizations:Ethlabs: Focused on core Ethereum protocol and infrastructure research and development;Ethereum Institutional: Responsible for institutional collaboration, education, market research, and ecosystem coordination;EthSystems: Concentrated on application-layer technology, translating institutional needs into operational privacy protocols and financial systems.
Velocity, a stablecoin payment infrastructure startup, announced the completion of a $38 million Series A funding round. This round was led by crypto investment firm Dragonfly, with participation from Coinbase, Capital One Ventures, Wintermute, and other institutions. Velocity CEO Eric Queathem did not disclose the latest valuation. Founded in 2025, Velocity focuses on providing stablecoin payment solutions for enterprises, payment service providers, fintech companies, and financial institutions, helping them leverage dollar-pegged tokens to optimize cross-border payments, fund settlement, and treasury management processes.Currently, Velocity has covered markets in the United States, parts of Europe, and Australia. The company plans to use the new funds to apply for licenses, expand into Africa and Latin America, while also investing in building more secure asset custody infrastructure and developing new features, including stablecoin yield products. (Fortune)
According to Odaily Planet Daily, Ethereum ZK Layer2 Starknet has officially launched the compliant privacy framework STRK20, providing native privacy transaction capabilities for various digital assets on-chain. The framework operates based on a privacy pool mechanism. Once user assets are deposited into the privacy pool, all transactions are encrypted, with details such as transfer addresses and amounts being invisible to the outside. Developers can quickly integrate this privacy system using the accompanying SDK and wallet API, catering to the private transfer needs of various ERC-20 assets. STRK20 incorporates a complete compliance process: users must undergo pre-screening before entering the privacy pool; only upon receiving a legally effective formal query request and after an independent assessment, will the platform selectively disclose specific users, corresponding time periods, or designated transfer records, without revealing the private data of unrelated users.
HM Revenue and Customs issued a policy paper proposing that, effective from April 6, 2027, a "no gain no loss" treatment will apply to certain cryptoasset loans and liquidity pool arrangements participated in by individuals and trusts, deferring Capital Gains Tax until an economic disposal occurs.
: White House Crypto Council Executive Director Patrick Witt will conclude his final working day at the White House on July 18. He will begin attending the Georgia Army National Guard Judge Advocate Officer training on July 27. Witt was previously responsible for negotiations on the CLARITY Act, which is expected to face a full Senate vote around July 20. Deputy Director Harry Jung will take over the relevant negotiations and will also lead efforts on the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and the GENIUS Act. The consolidated draft of the CLARITY Act is expected to be released this week. The bill needs 60 votes to pass the filibuster threshold, requiring at least seven Democratic supporters. Democrats are demanding the inclusion of ethics clauses regarding the president's personal crypto asset exposure. Disclosure information shows that Trump earned over $1.4 billion from crypto-related businesses last year. (Bitcoin.com News)
The Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs stated that it is investigating the "Network School" tech commune founded by former Coinbase Chief Technology Officer Balaji Srinivasan. The project is located in Forest City, Johor, where earlier social media allegations claimed that the commune hosted Israeli individuals who entered the country holding non-Israeli passports.
Gate's June 2026 transparency report shows the platform is continuously improving its global stock investment service system. It has built a 7×24 trading network covering the three major markets of US stocks, Hong Kong stocks, and Korean stocks, supporting users in investing in global stocks with a one-stop solution using USDT through a unified account. The platform also offers services such as a minimum investment of 0.01 shares, stock dividends, cross-broker transfer, and stock splits/consolidations. Concurrently, Gate has launched a Direct IPO product and its first project, SpaceX (SPCX), forming a complete investment chain covering Pre-IPOs, Direct IPOs, and secondary stock market trading, further expanding global asset allocation capabilities. Additionally, the platform has officially introduced Gate Wealth, integrating digital assets, stocks, ETFs, foreign exchange, commodities, and primary market investment opportunities, providing users with a more diverse selection for global asset allocation.Alongside building a one-stop comprehensive financial service platform, Gate is also strengthening its security, transparency, and global compliance efforts. According to the latest reserve data, as of June 22, Gate's total reserve size reached $8.182 billion, with an overall reserve ratio of 115%, covering nearly 500 types of user assets. This reserve level is higher than industry security benchmarks. Gate is accelerating its global compliance layout, with several of its entities having completed relevant regulatory registrations, filed for licenses, or obtained authorization and approval in jurisdictions such as Malta, the Bahamas, Japan, the United States, Australia, and Dubai. By securing multi-jurisdictional regulatory permits and registrations, it solidifies its global business foundation. Looking ahead, Gate will continue to deepen the integration of traditional finance with digital assets. Under the premise of safety and compliance, it will enhance its service systems for trading, investment, wealth management, and payments, accelerating the construction of a comprehensive financial services ecosystem covering global markets.
According to an announcement from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California, former Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) deputy Scott Allen Simpkins (34 years old) was sentenced by a federal court on July 13 to 18 months imprisonment and fined $10,000 for obstructing a judicial investigation. Simpkins was previously employed by a private security company under businessman Adam Iza, who claims to be the "godfather" of cryptocurrency. In August 2021, he witnessed Iza threaten party planner R.C. with bullets at his Bel Air mansion, forcing him to transfer $25,000. During the federal investigation in November 2024, Simpkins lied multiple times to the FBI and federal prosecutors, falsely claiming he did not witness the ammunition and financial transactions, thereby interfering with the criminal investigation into Iza. Iza has currently pleaded guilty to multiple federal charges, including conspiracy to violate rights, wire fraud, tax evasion, and suspected kidnapping and robbery involving Bitcoin, among others, and is awaiting sentencing. This case was jointly investigated by the FBI and the IRS Criminal Investigation Division.
According to Crypto in America, White House Chief Crypto Advisor Patrick Witt will depart for the Georgia Army National Guard to participate in JAG (Judge Advocate General) training starting July 27, and is expected to conclude his work at the White House by next Friday. The timing of this departure is sensitive, coinciding with Senate Republicans accelerating the crypto market structure legislation, the CLARITY Act, striving to complete legislation before Congress's August recess; otherwise, this session of Congress may miss the window for passage. Witt had previously postponed the training originally scheduled to start in April to continue leading the CLARITY Act negotiations, including coordinating core controversies such as stablecoin yields, ethics clauses, and law enforcement agency concerns, but a second postponement is no longer possible. During his absence, Deputy Director Harry Jung will take over related responsibilities. Witt previously also led important policy issues such as the implementation of the strategic Bitcoin reserve and the enactment of the GENIUS Act; whether he will return after the training ends remains unclear.
Odaily News: The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association stated on July 10 that it has submitted a letter to the U.S. Senate Banking Committee supporting the CLARITY Act, while calling for amendments to strengthen decentralized finance (DeFi) accountability and preserve investigators' existing powers. This bill has previously received support from the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, marking the second endorsement from a major U.S. law enforcement organization. (Cointelegraph).