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Bank of Russia Releases Draft Regulatory Rules for Crypto Exchanges and Custodians
According to Cryptopolitan, the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) has released a draft of supporting regulatory rules for the cryptocurrency market, covering registration and operational requirements for crypto exchanges, digital depository institutions, and token issuers. The draft stipulates that the minimum net assets of digital depository institutions must range between 50 million and 250 million rubles (approximately $600,000 to $3 million), depending on the nature of the business. These rules will supplement the "Law on Digital Currency and Digital Rights" passed by the Russian State Duma earlier this month, which is expected to officially take effect on September 1, 2026. Under the new framework, non-qualified investors are limited to purchasing mainstream assets such as BTC, ETH, and USDT annually, with a cap of $4,000; industry participants will have a transition period until March 1, 2027, to complete compliance and approval procedures.
US Texas Crypto ATM Fraud Losses Reach $56.8 Million, Calls for Regulation Intensify
According to Cryptopolitan, approximately 1,200 people in Texas, USA lost a total of $56.8 million last year due to crypto ATM scams, the highest in the nation. The report noted that local crypto ATMs have long lacked state-level regulation, with scammers often impersonating law enforcement officers, courts, or utility companies to induce victims to deposit cash at the machines and convert it into cryptocurrency.
Kalshi Sues Illinois, Challenging Prediction Market Licensing Law
According to Cryptopolitan, prediction market platform Kalshi has filed a lawsuit against Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Attorney General Kwame Raoul, among other officials, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois over the state’s newly signed SB3019 bill. The bill requires prediction market platforms to obtain state-level operating licenses and imposes a 0.2% tax on digital asset transactions involving Illinois residents; it is set to take effect on July 1. Kalshi argues that, as a CFTC-registered platform, it is protected under the Commodity Exchange Act, which grants the CFTC exclusive jurisdiction over exchange-traded derivatives—a federal authority that conflicts with the state-level regulatory framework. The company has also sought both a temporary restraining order and a permanent injunction to prevent the bill from taking effect as scheduled.
Russia to Include USDC in Its Regulated Crypto Market, Full Regulatory Legislation to Be Completed by July
According to Cryptopolitan, Ivan Chebeskov, Deputy Minister of Finance of Russia, stated during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2026) that USDC will be added to Russia’s regulated cryptocurrency list alongside BTC, ETH, and USDT—previously approved cryptocurrencies. He also revealed that smaller stablecoins pegged to currencies of “friendly jurisdictions,” such as the Russian ruble or the UAE dirham, may also be granted market access. Russia’s draft “Law on Digital Currency and Digital Rights” must be finalized by July 1; upon enactment, non-accredited investors will gain legal access to cryptocurrency investments for the first time—though with an annual investment cap of 300,000 rubles (approximately USD 4,000).
Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party Pushes for Cryptocurrency ETF Legalization and Promotion of Yen-Backed Stablecoins in Asia
According to Cryptopolitan, Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Blockchain Promotion Group recently submitted a proposal to Finance Minister Kayoko Shiozawa, calling for the establishment of a legal framework for cryptocurrency ETF trading and promoting the yen-pegged stablecoin as a payment instrument in Asian markets. The proposal states that cryptocurrency ETFs are easier to operate than direct holdings of crypto assets and should receive formal recognition in the Japanese market. Meanwhile, LDP member Junichi Kanda expressed hopes of promoting the yen-pegged stablecoin policy during the 2027 Asian Development Bank Annual Meeting, which will be hosted in Tokyo. Currently, Japanese startup JPYC launched Japan’s first licensed yen-pegged stablecoin in October 2025, while Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, and Mizuho Financial Group have jointly initiated a stablecoin pilot project. Previously, Japan’s Cabinet approved reclassifying cryptocurrencies as financial products, laying the groundwork for implementing the ETF framework.
Former Hodlnaut CEO Zhu Juntao Charged with Six Fraud Counts Over Alleged False Statements Related to Terra
According to Cryptopolitan, Zhu Juntao, former CEO of Singapore-based crypto lending platform Hodlnaut, has been charged with six counts of fraud—each carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both—for allegedly making false statements regarding exposure to TerraUSD (UST). Prosecutors allege that Hodlnaut invested $317 million in user funds into Terra’s Anchor Protocol without disclosing this to users, resulting in losses of $189.7 million following the UST collapse in May 2022. Zhu Juntao has pleaded not guilty to all charges; a pre-trial conference is scheduled for June 2026.
“Godfather” cryptocurrency kidnapping case mastermind pleads guilty, faces up to 35 years in prison
According to Cryptopolitan, Adam Iza—a 25-year-old cryptocurrency entrepreneur from California, nicknamed “The Godfather”—formally pleaded guilty on June 1 to orchestrating the kidnapping of a couple from Connecticut. The incident stemmed from the couple’s son, Veer Chetal, who allegedly stole 4,100 bitcoins (valued at approximately $245 million) via social engineering. In response, Iza planned to kidnap Chetal’s parents to recover the stolen funds. On August 25, 2024, the criminal group staged a rear-end collision near Danbury High School, forcibly abducted the victims, and assaulted them. However, the operation quickly unraveled after multiple witnesses called the police and nearby FBI agents intervened; all six participants were apprehended and have since pleaded guilty. Additionally, in a separate case in California, Iza also pleaded guilty to charges including wire fraud, tax evasion, and directing law enforcement officers to conduct illegal surveillance for extortion purposes. California prosecutors are separately seeking a 35-year prison sentence.
North Korean hacker group Lazarus Group deploys fileless RemotePE Trojan to target cryptocurrency firms and banks
According to Cryptopolitan, the North Korea–linked hacker group Lazarus Group has been found deploying the fileless remote access Trojan RemotePE, primarily targeting banks, cryptocurrency exchanges, and fintech companies. This malware runs entirely in memory and employs process hollowing, anti-analysis detection techniques, and encrypted C2 communications—making it difficult for traditional antivirus and forensic tools to detect. The report states that attacks typically begin with Telegram-based social engineering: attackers impersonate employees of trading firms and lure victims into installing malicious software using forged Calendly and Picktime links, ultimately executing the payload without touching the file system.
Bank of Russia Releases Draft Regulatory Rules for Crypto Exchanges and Custodians
According to Cryptopolitan, the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) has released a draft of supporting regulatory rules for the cryptocurrency market, covering registration and operational requirements for crypto exchanges, digital depository institutions, and token issuers. The draft stipulates that the minimum net assets of digital depository institutions must range between 50 million and 250 million rubles (approximately $600,000 to $3 million), depending on the nature of the business. These rules will supplement the "Law on Digital Currency and Digital Rights" passed by the Russian State Duma earlier this month, which is expected to officially take effect on September 1, 2026. Under the new framework, non-qualified investors are limited to purchasing mainstream assets such as BTC, ETH, and USDT annually, with a cap of $4,000; industry participants will have a transition period until March 1, 2027, to complete compliance and approval procedures.
North Korean hacker group Lazarus Group deploys fileless RemotePE Trojan to target cryptocurrency firms and banks
According to Cryptopolitan, the North Korea–linked hacker group Lazarus Group has been found deploying the fileless remote access Trojan RemotePE, primarily targeting banks, cryptocurrency exchanges, and fintech companies. This malware runs entirely in memory and employs process hollowing, anti-analysis detection techniques, and encrypted C2 communications—making it difficult for traditional antivirus and forensic tools to detect. The report states that attacks typically begin with Telegram-based social engineering: attackers impersonate employees of trading firms and lure victims into installing malicious software using forged Calendly and Picktime links, ultimately executing the payload without touching the file system.
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Bank of Russia Releases Draft Regulatory Rules for Crypto Exchanges and Custodians
According to Cryptopolitan, the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) has released a draft of supporting regulatory rules for the cryptocurrency market, covering registration and operational requirements for crypto exchanges, digital depository institutions, and token issuers. The draft stipulates that the minimum net assets of digital depository institutions must range between 50 million and 250 million rubles (approximately $600,000 to $3 million), depending on the nature of the business. These rules will supplement the "Law on Digital Currency and Digital Rights" passed by the Russian State Duma earlier this month, which is expected to officially take effect on September 1, 2026. Under the new framework, non-qualified investors are limited to purchasing mainstream assets such as BTC, ETH, and USDT annually, with a cap of $4,000; industry participants will have a transition period until March 1, 2027, to complete compliance and approval procedures.
US Texas Crypto ATM Fraud Losses Reach $56.8 Million, Calls for Regulation Intensify
According to Cryptopolitan, approximately 1,200 people in Texas, USA lost a total of $56.8 million last year due to crypto ATM scams, the highest in the nation. The report noted that local crypto ATMs have long lacked state-level regulation, with scammers often impersonating law enforcement officers, courts, or utility companies to induce victims to deposit cash at the machines and convert it into cryptocurrency.
Kalshi Sues Illinois, Challenging Prediction Market Licensing Law
According to Cryptopolitan, prediction market platform Kalshi has filed a lawsuit against Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Attorney General Kwame Raoul, among other officials, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois over the state’s newly signed SB3019 bill. The bill requires prediction market platforms to obtain state-level operating licenses and imposes a 0.2% tax on digital asset transactions involving Illinois residents; it is set to take effect on July 1. Kalshi argues that, as a CFTC-registered platform, it is protected under the Commodity Exchange Act, which grants the CFTC exclusive jurisdiction over exchange-traded derivatives—a federal authority that conflicts with the state-level regulatory framework. The company has also sought both a temporary restraining order and a permanent injunction to prevent the bill from taking effect as scheduled.
Russia to Include USDC in Its Regulated Crypto Market, Full Regulatory Legislation to Be Completed by July
According to Cryptopolitan, Ivan Chebeskov, Deputy Minister of Finance of Russia, stated during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2026) that USDC will be added to Russia’s regulated cryptocurrency list alongside BTC, ETH, and USDT—previously approved cryptocurrencies. He also revealed that smaller stablecoins pegged to currencies of “friendly jurisdictions,” such as the Russian ruble or the UAE dirham, may also be granted market access. Russia’s draft “Law on Digital Currency and Digital Rights” must be finalized by July 1; upon enactment, non-accredited investors will gain legal access to cryptocurrency investments for the first time—though with an annual investment cap of 300,000 rubles (approximately USD 4,000).
“Godfather” cryptocurrency kidnapping case mastermind pleads guilty, faces up to 35 years in prison
According to Cryptopolitan, Adam Iza—a 25-year-old cryptocurrency entrepreneur from California, nicknamed “The Godfather”—formally pleaded guilty on June 1 to orchestrating the kidnapping of a couple from Connecticut. The incident stemmed from the couple’s son, Veer Chetal, who allegedly stole 4,100 bitcoins (valued at approximately $245 million) via social engineering. In response, Iza planned to kidnap Chetal’s parents to recover the stolen funds. On August 25, 2024, the criminal group staged a rear-end collision near Danbury High School, forcibly abducted the victims, and assaulted them. However, the operation quickly unraveled after multiple witnesses called the police and nearby FBI agents intervened; all six participants were apprehended and have since pleaded guilty. Additionally, in a separate case in California, Iza also pleaded guilty to charges including wire fraud, tax evasion, and directing law enforcement officers to conduct illegal surveillance for extortion purposes. California prosecutors are separately seeking a 35-year prison sentence.
Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party Pushes for Cryptocurrency ETF Legalization and Promotion of Yen-Backed Stablecoins in Asia
According to Cryptopolitan, Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Blockchain Promotion Group recently submitted a proposal to Finance Minister Kayoko Shiozawa, calling for the establishment of a legal framework for cryptocurrency ETF trading and promoting the yen-pegged stablecoin as a payment instrument in Asian markets. The proposal states that cryptocurrency ETFs are easier to operate than direct holdings of crypto assets and should receive formal recognition in the Japanese market. Meanwhile, LDP member Junichi Kanda expressed hopes of promoting the yen-pegged stablecoin policy during the 2027 Asian Development Bank Annual Meeting, which will be hosted in Tokyo. Currently, Japanese startup JPYC launched Japan’s first licensed yen-pegged stablecoin in October 2025, while Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, and Mizuho Financial Group have jointly initiated a stablecoin pilot project. Previously, Japan’s Cabinet approved reclassifying cryptocurrencies as financial products, laying the groundwork for implementing the ETF framework.