News linked to both this project and an event.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
Kenya's 2026 Finance Bill proposes a 10% consumption tax on Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs).The bill also requires crypto companies to pay a one-time licensing fee of 150 million Kenyan shillings and an annual renewal fee of 2 million Kenyan shillings before operating locally. Additionally, they must submit annual reports containing user and transaction details to the Kenya Revenue Authority.Analysts suggest this move could push some crypto platforms and users to relocate to countries more favorable to the crypto industry, potentially weakening Kenya's position in the African crypto market.Furthermore, Gen Z-led protests have resumed in cities like Nairobi, opposing rising taxes on digital services, cryptocurrencies, mobile phones, and financial transactions. (Cryptopolitan)
the Finance Committee of the German Bundestag has rejected a cryptocurrency tax reform proposal put forward by the Green Party.The proposal originally aimed to abolish the policy that exempts capital gains tax on cryptocurrencies sold after being held for more than one year. Under current German law, individuals are exempt from capital gains tax when selling crypto assets held for over a year.The Green Party argued that crypto assets should be subject to the same tax rules as other investment assets. However, opponents pointed out that the proposal could result in a higher tax burden for crypto investors compared to ordinary stock investors. The Green Party estimated that scrapping the relevant tax exemption could generate an additional approximately €11.4 billion in tax revenue annually for Germany. (Cryptopolitan)
According to Cryptopolitan, U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis told CNBC in an interview that large banks are attempting to block legislation aimed at clarifying cryptocurrency regulation because they cannot compete with the crypto industry. She emphasized that Bitcoin’s adoption is unstoppable: “This will become the financial system of the future.”
Odaily News The Russian State Duma (the lower house of parliament) has passed the "Digital Currency and Digital Rights Bill" in its first reading, marking a crucial step towards the legalization of crypto assets in the country. According to the bill, the Bank of Russia will become the core regulatory body for the crypto market, responsible for issuing licenses, approving or prohibiting related transactions, and defining the legality of transactions.The bill intends to recognize cryptocurrencies as "property" but explicitly prohibits their use as a means of payment within the country, with the ruble remaining the sole legal tender. However, against the backdrop of Western sanctions, crypto assets can be used for cross-border trade settlements, including scenarios such as service payments and intellectual property transfers.Furthermore, the bill allows Russian residents to legally invest in crypto assets through licensed institutions, but will implement an investor classification system, setting up tests and annual investment quota limits (with a suggested cap of 300,000 rubles) for ordinary investors. Initially, only high-market-cap mainstream assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum will be permitted for trading, with a whitelist to be established by the central bank.The bill is expected to be formally passed and take effect no later than July 2026. However, some lawmakers and banking industry figures have criticized it for being overly strict in regulation, potentially affecting market activity and even leading to funds remaining in the gray market. Simultaneously, supporting legislation is also planned to introduce criminal penalties, with illegal crypto transactions potentially punishable by up to 7 years in prison. (Cryptopolitan)