News linked to both this project and an event.
Odaily News: On August 20 local time, the White House announced that U.S. President Trump has signed a memorandum proposing that by 2030, U.S. space transportation ranges and related facilities should be capable of supporting more than 1,000 launch and reentry missions annually. The memorandum states that the U.S. will expand and improve space launch and reentry infrastructure, requiring relevant agencies to promote the opening of federal launch sites to commercial users, encourage commercial investment, public-private partnerships, and joint infrastructure development, while accelerating facility permitting and environmental reviews. NASA has also been tasked with developing a commercial lunar logistics architecture, exploring commercial robotic Mars landings, and related architectures for commercial crewed round-trip missions to Mars. (CCTV News)
According to Yonhap News Agency, global virtual asset infrastructure company BitGo announced that its Korean entity, BitGo Korea, had its VASP (Virtual Asset Service Provider) registration application accepted by the Korea Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) on August 18, becoming the first overseas crypto corporate entity to directly complete VASP registration in Korea to date. Established in 2024, BitGo Korea chose to enter the market by directly complying with regulatory requirements this time, rather than adopting the common industry practice of acquiring existing VASP companies. Moving forward, it will officially launch virtual asset custody (Custody) and transfer services in Korea based on this foundation, focusing on expanding business to financial institutions and corporate clients.
Trump is expected to attend the White House crypto meeting on August 19, pushing for a final Senate vote on the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, with the bill's ethical provisions remaining the key sticking point.
Odaily News: Edward Zimbardi, a 59-year-old Georgia resident, appeared in U.S. federal court facing 12 counts of wire fraud, 12 counts of money laundering, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Fiji authorities handed him over to U.S. custody on August 14, in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. State Department.Prosecutors allege that Zimbardi operated a project called "The Crypto Program" from June 2022 to August 2023, luring participants with promises of a fixed 25% monthly return on advertising packages, requiring them to transfer cryptocurrency into wallets he secretly controlled. The government claims that thousands of individuals collectively transferred over $165 million into these wallets. Prosecutors stated that Zimbardi did not purchase advertising but instead funneled more than $34 million into high-risk forex trading, using funds from new investors to pay earlier ones. His personal spending totaled at least $10 million, including purchasing property for his son, buying luxury cars, and making alimony payments.The U.S. Department of Justice stated that after the project collapsed in August 2023, Zimbardi left the country and settled in Fiji in July 2025 upon learning of the FBI investigation. The FBI is urging affected investors to come forward with information. (Decrypt)
According to TechFlow Research, Nomura Securities' initiation report on August 19 indicated that Unitree Robotics is the company with the highest shipment volume of humanoid robots globally, with pure humanoid robot shipments exceeding 5,500 units in 2025, far surpassing peers, and is one of the few embodied AI companies globally to achieve profitability. Nomura issued a Buy rating and a target price of 370 yuan, representing 145% upside potential compared to the current stock price of 151 yuan. The company's core moat is full-stack self-developed hardware, compressing the cost of outsourced components to 14% to 18% of total costs. The gross margin of main operations rose from 44% in 2022 to 60% in 2025, with adjusted net profit reaching 590 million yuan (net profit margin approximately 35%). Nomura predicts revenue from 2026 to 2028 will reach 2.69 billion, 5.4 billion, and 13.18 billion yuan respectively, with year-over-year growth of 58%, 101%, and 144%. The research report judges that Unitree's product iteration speed and full-matrix layout constitute a first-mover advantage, covering the complete tech stack of "Mobility + Manipulation + Interaction" from quadruped robots to humanoid robots. However, the US FCC restricted list poses the biggest policy risk. In July 2026, the FCC will include foreign-produced advanced robot equipment in the restricted list. Unitree's models currently on sale have been authorized to continue sales, but new models will be prohibited from entering the US market. Nomura believes this risk is structural, and compliance paths are almost infeasible. The target price corresponds to 145% upside potential, with catalysts including the implementation of self-developed world models and the volume ramp-up of new products such as R1/H2.
Odaily News: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Paul Atkins introduced the "Regulation Crypto Assets" proposal on August 18, covering issuance pathways, disclosure obligations, and safe harbor conditions. Atkins stated that tailored exemptions could attract crypto issuers and investment back to the United States while preserving core investor protections, and expressed support for Congress's push for the CLARITY Act. SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce noted that the proposal was developed through public comment and staff engagement, with feedback from both industry supporters and critics shaping the framework's design. SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda pointed out that fixed thresholds and disclosure obligations could enhance issuers' compliance expectations; the proposal has not yet taken effect. (Bitcoin.com News)
According to the SEC official website, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission formally proposed the new rule "Regulation Crypto Assets" on August 18, 2026, aiming to create a dedicated securities offering framework for investment contracts involving crypto assets. The specific content includes two registration exemptions: first, a single fundraising cap of $5 million within four years; second, a fundraising cap of $75 million every 12 months (requiring financial statements and continuous information disclosure). Additionally, the rules also establish conditional safe harbor provisions, under which crypto assets meeting the conditions will not be deemed securities under "investment contracts". SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins stated that this move aims to provide compliant financing paths for crypto entrepreneurs, reduce the motivation for projects to operate offshore, and expand participation opportunities for U.S. investors. The proposal will be open for a 60-day public comment period after publication in the Federal Register.
Odaily News - Solana Policy Institute CEO Miller Whitehouse-Levine stated that the window for the Clarity Act to pass before the November midterm elections is closing rapidly. Speaking at the Wyoming Blockchain Symposium 2026, he estimated that the probability of the bill becoming law before the midterms is only about 10%.Whitehouse-Levine described the bill as currently being in "August recess purgatory." He noted that the Senate has been working on the legislation for over a year, but as time in the current Congress runs out, completing the legislative process is becoming increasingly difficult.He added that the procedural motion scheduled for September 15 is only the first step in a series of votes needed to move the bill forward, so he remains "hopeful, but realistic about the odds."This assessment is more pessimistic than that of prediction markets. Polymarket currently shows a 21% probability of the Clarity Act being signed into law by year-end, with trading volume exceeding $7 million on the relevant market; Kalshi puts the probability at 23%, down from 50% less than a month ago.
According to Odaily, Patrick Witt, the White House's chief crypto advisor, stated that despite ongoing controversies surrounding stablecoin yields and conflicts of interest involving Trump's crypto holdings, he remains optimistic that the Clarity Act will ultimately become law.Speaking at the SALT annual conference in Wyoming on Tuesday, Witt noted that lawmakers are currently in the August recess and are expected to return to Washington in mid-September. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has scheduled a procedural vote on the bill for September 15.Witt said the White House will sit down with Democrats to discuss points of disagreement and work to secure solid votes by September 15. He expressed that he is "genuinely optimistic and bullish" on the bill.The Clarity Act, spanning over 600 pages, aims to establish a comprehensive federal regulatory framework for the U.S. crypto industry, but has faced multiple setbacks over the past few months. Key disputes currently include how to treat stablecoin yields, as well as Democratic concerns over conflicts of interest involving Trump and his family's crypto business ventures.Overall, the September 15 vote will be a critical juncture for whether the Clarity Act can continue to advance. While the White House is attempting to send positive signals, the bill still requires bipartisan support, particularly in reaching compromises on issues such as stablecoins, ethics provisions, and regulatory division of labor.
According to TechFlow Research, Morgan Stanley's August 16 research report noted that Reuters reported PE giant Silver Lake is in talks to acquire Workday, driving a collective surge in the software sector last Friday. Workday has a market cap of approximately $50 billion. If acquired at a 30% to 40% premium, the valuation would be approximately 5x 2027 P/S ratio and 16x 2027 free cash flow, both below historical averages. Morgan Stanley believes this indicates software stocks may have become cheap enough to entice PE firms to re-enter the market; if the deal materializes, it will boost sector valuations. The report also noted that while open-source models suppress token prices, hyperscalers can still maintain 20% to 60% ROIC on their proprietary compute. Investor surveys show 52% expect increased divergence within software stocks, with bulls numbering approximately twice that of bears. Morgan Stanley expects Cursor's annualized ARR to reach $8 billion by year-end and $33 billion by 2030, maintaining an Underweight rating on Netcompany. PE returning to acquisitions, cost layering of open-source models, and investor confidence repair—these three signals indicate software sector valuations have been compressed to a critical point.
According to Bitcoin.com, the EU adopted the 21st package of sanctions against Russia on July 23, further tightening controls in the cryptocurrency sector. The new regulations impose trading bans on 14 crypto service platforms in Georgia, Panama, the UAE, Belarus, and other locations, and starting from August 25, prohibit Russian and Belarusian citizens from holding any position or ownership in crypto service providers under the EU's MiCA framework. Additionally, new provisions authorize the EU to impose comprehensive trading bans on third countries that "systemically and persistently fail to prevent" sanctioned crypto activities, granting extraterritorial effect to the relevant regulations.
Odaily News: Sheldon Lee, founder of cryptocurrency exchange BitMart, stated that a post on X claiming users were unable to withdraw funds and that some employees had not received their July salaries is a "fabricated rumor," adding that the exchange's Chinese-language account had been hacked. Critics, including users and on-chain investigator ZachXBT, have demanded that BitMart resume withdrawals or undergo an independent third-party audit. BitMart is gradually winding down operations, with the final trading day set for August 26. Troubled investment firm Echo Base said it had proposed a funded restructuring plan to BitMart but received no response. The firm warned that resolving a large volume of customer claims may require proceedings through the courts. (CoinDesk)
Odaily News The U.S. Department of the Treasury released on August 17 a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) regarding the implementation rules for the GENIUS Act (Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins), and is seeking public comments to advance the establishment of a U.S. regulatory framework for payment stablecoins.Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the Trump administration and Congress have driven the passage of the GENIUS Act, establishing a "landmark regulatory framework and clear rules" for payment stablecoins, and the Treasury is accelerating the implementation of related systems. He stated that the Treasury hopes to support innovation and development by U.S. companies by providing regulatory certainty, while consolidating the U.S. dollar's status as the global reserve currency and positioning the United States as a global hub for crypto assets.Under the GENIUS Act, starting January 18, 2027, any entity seeking to issue payment stablecoins in the United States will generally be required to obtain an appropriate federal or state license. Additionally, digital asset service providers will generally be prohibited from offering, selling, or distributing payment stablecoins issued by foreign entities to the U.S. market, unless the foreign issuer has the technical capability to comply with U.S. regulatory requirements and can adhere to relevant arrangements reached between the United States and the issuer's jurisdiction.Starting July 18, 2028, the Act further requires that digital asset service providers generally may not offer or sell payment stablecoins to "U.S. persons" unless the relevant stablecoins are issued by a licensed issuer.The Treasury's draft rules primarily provide regulatory interpretation on two key issues: first, clarifying what constitutes "issuing payment stablecoins in the United States" to help issuers determine when they need to obtain a license under the GENIUS Act; second, clarifying what constitutes "offering or selling payment stablecoins to U.S. persons" to provide compliance guidance for companies participating in the U.S. stablecoin market.The U.S. Department of the Treasury stated that the public comment period will last 60 days following publication in the Federal Register, during which the public and industry participants may submit comments.
According to QCP, the preliminary U.S. University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index for August dropped to 51.0, July retail sales fell 0.6% month-on-month, and combined with previously weak employment data, market expectations for the Fed's short-term policy tightening have declined, with federal funds futures showing a probability of about 30% for a 25 basis point rate hike in September.
Multiple BitMart users and employees jointly signed and issued a public accountability statement, demanding that BitMart founder Sheldon and his partner Lee Yi publicly respond to the following issues by August 19: the whereabouts of user assets and verifiable proof of reserves, the decision-making process regarding withdrawal limits, investigations into affiliated accounts and fund flows, payment arrangements for overdue employee salaries and compensation, and a specific, executable user repayment plan. The statement noted that a large number of users are still unable to withdraw assets normally, and some employees have not even received their salaries for the last month or the compensation they are owed. The signatories stated that if a complete and transparent response is not received by August 19, they will submit relevant materials and leads on fund flows to law enforcement agencies, regulatory bodies, and media across various regions, demanding further investigation.
Odaily News Employees of the BitMart platform posted on X, publicly addressing BitMart's management and relevant parties in charge, raising five demands concerning platform user assets and employee salaries. These include requiring BitMart to disclose its wallets, assets, liabilities, and available reserves, explain the reasons why users cannot withdraw funds normally, investigate the flow of funds related to user assets, and pay employees' overdue wages and compensation.Additionally, the user demands that BitMart publish an executable user repayment plan before August 19, specifying remaining assets, total liabilities, the user repayment ratio, repayment priority, and timeline, and submit to independent third-party audits.
Odaily News, August 14 — The Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) announced a €70,000 fine against crypto asset trading platform Bitpanda. The FMA stated that this is the first legally binding penalty case under the MiCA framework. The FMA noted that Bitpanda violated Article 8 of MiCA by failing to notify the authority and submit a whitepaper at least 20 days before the relevant crypto assets were approved for trading. Additionally, Bitpanda issued marketing notices without first publishing the required whitepaper, in violation of Article 1 of MiCA. The FMA stated that MiCA has moved from mere regulation to the enforcement phase, emphasizing that even though Bitpanda is the first publicly penalized case, it will not receive special treatment. Markus Miller stated that a license can only build trust if the relevant rules are continuously complied with. (Bitcoin.com News)
Odaily News, Tornado Cash founder Roman Storm stated that if the logic behind the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) case against him holds, tech companies Google and OpenAI should also be held liable for North Korean hackers abusing their products. Those involved reportedly used ChatGPT to write code and Google Gemini for forgery and image manipulation. Storm was convicted in August 2025 of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money-transmitting business. He pointed out that the Tornado Cash case could set a legal precedent where software developers are penalized for criminal acts committed by users, emphasizing that criminals should be held accountable rather than the developers of tools. The CLARITY Act for digital asset markets is intended to provide protections for software developers by distinguishing developer liability from the potential misuse of protocols for illegal activities. However, although a final motion for consideration of the bill has been scheduled for a vote, its current chances of passage remain low. (Bitcoin News)
Odaily Odaily News: In an operation codenamed "Lightning Strike," Hong Kong police arrested 14 men and 3 women aged between 20 and 54, including 13 Malaysians and 4 locals. They also raided 3 locations and seized HK$3.67 million in cash, believed to be criminal proceeds. The scam syndicate recruited Malaysians from overseas, arranging their flights and accommodation to come to Hong Kong as runners. They would pose as relatives of elderly victims, falsely claiming they had been arrested by police and demanding bail money, then arranging runners to collect the cash. Police investigations revealed that the syndicate collected a total of HK$4.67 million in fraudulent proceeds between June 4 and August 14. The case involves 22 victims, with reported losses totaling HK$2.47 million. On August 14, police arrested 5 individuals, including 2 local men, 2 local women, and 1 Malaysian man, all of whom are currently detained for investigation. Police also recovered HK$200,000 in fraudulent funds. Police stated that some foreign currency or virtual currency exchange shops were exploited by the syndicate to process or transfer fraudulent funds, and reminded these shops to verify customer backgrounds, transaction purposes, and fund sources, while also watching for abnormal cash and virtual currency transactions. Conspiracy to defraud carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison. (HK01 NFT)
Odaily News: Cryptocurrency exchange Binance will stop processing transactions involving 16 crypto asset service providers, with restrictions taking effect in three batches on August 7, August 13, and August 23. Users will not be allowed to send or receive assets directly or indirectly with the relevant entities after the corresponding dates. The affected platforms include Shelbit, Aban Tether Exchange, A7 Nigeria, A7 Africa, HTX, EXMO, Rapira, Bitpapa, and Exnode, among others. Transactions initiated after the effective dates may be temporarily withheld and subject to compliance review, and affected wallets may face temporary restrictions. The United States has imposed sanctions on Shelbit and Aban Tether, which are linked to an Iranian crypto network; the UK has also imposed sanctions on Russia-related trading platforms and the A7 network. A7 claims it transferred over $90 billion in funds last year. (Bitcoin.com News)