News linked to both this project and an event.
Odaily A federal judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut has revived common law fraud claims in the Genesis Yield lawsuit against Digital Currency Group founder Barry Silbert, DCG, and other defendants, while allowing federal securities law claims in the case to proceed.The ruling amends a prior decision by the court from February of this year. The plaintiffs had argued that the court has jurisdiction to hear their state law claims under the Class Action Fairness Act. Judge Stefan Underhill accepted this argument and reopened the relevant state law claims.The case revolves around the defunct Genesis Yield lending program, which allowed users to deposit crypto assets and earn interest. Investors allege that Silbert, DCG, and other defendants misled customers about the company's financial health and risk controls before Genesis suspended withdrawals and filed for bankruptcy in early 2023.However, not all state law claims were revived. The court dismissed consumer protection claims from four states and stayed related claims from three others. Overall, the ruling re-centers the dispute regarding fraud liability for DCG and Silbert as a focal point of the case. (The Block)
tokenized sovereign debt startup M1X Global has completed a $5.5 million seed funding round, led by Paradigm, with participation from Breed VC and others.It is understood that M1X Global previously collaborated with the Republic of the Marshall Islands to assist in the issuance of the on-chain sovereign debt instrument USDM1. This product is a dollar-denominated tokenized sovereign debt instrument, 1:1 backed by U.S. Treasury bonds, and natively issued on a public blockchain by a sovereign nation. USDM1 was initially issued on Stellar and is now also available on Canton and Solana.Jordan Goldman, President and COO of M1X, stated that sovereign debt is one of the largest asset classes globally, but prior to USDM1, it did not exist in a native on-chain form. The company aims to establish USDM1 as on-chain sovereign collateral and expand its use within regulated financial markets.The initial application scenario for USDM1 is domestic government aid distribution. Citizens of the Marshall Islands can receive funds via the Lomalo wallet, with payments settling in seconds, bypassing the need for traditional correspondent banking networks. M1X also indicated that its recent integration with Bank of Guam, a U.S. FDIC-insured bank, further connects USDM1 to regulated banking infrastructure. (The Block)
According to The Block, Ripple announced it has obtained full MiCA CASP (Crypto-Asset Service Provider) authorization issued by the Luxembourg financial regulator CSSF, allowing it to legally provide crypto-asset services in all 30 countries of the European Economic Area.
South Korea's media regulatory body will give Polymarket a chance to respond before deciding whether to take corrective action against its prediction market platform. The regulator is reviewing whether Polymarket's services constitute illegal gambling, which is prohibited under South Korean law. (The Block)
Odaily, Tobias Adrian, Director of the Monetary and Capital Markets Department at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), stated that as assets migrate to shared digital ledgers, policy choices regarding the monetary system, market infrastructure, and legal frameworks will determine whether tokenization strengthens the integration of the financial system or leads to further fragmentation.The tokenized economy is forming three types of settlement assets: tokenized bank deposits, stablecoins, and tokenized central bank reserves. Tokenization is not just about faster payments or programmable assets; it involves migrating financial assets and liabilities to a unified ledger, compressing execution, clearing, and settlement into a synchronized process driven by software. This shift may also transfer risks from the balance sheets of traditional intermediaries to platforms, code, and infrastructure providers. (The Block)
On the eve of the U.S. Independence Day holiday, sentiment in the crypto market is gradually stabilizing. Bitcoin is holding above $61,000, and Ethereum has climbed above $1,700, continuing the rebound from the previous day. The unexpectedly weak U.S. non-farm payroll data earlier had cooled market expectations for further tightening by the Federal Reserve, rekindling demand for risk assets. Volatility in the options market has notably declined, with short-term implied volatility falling from recent highs into the low 30s range, as market sentiment shifts from panic hedging to relative calm. However, some institutions believe the data is not a one-sided "dovish signal." Accelerating wages and resilient consumer spending still support the Fed in maintaining a hawkish stance. The divergence between U.S. Treasury yields and stock market performance further indicates lingering disagreement over the policy path. (The Block)
U.S. CFTC Chairman Michael Selig has criticized Illinois for passing a 0.2% tax on cryptocurrency transactions, stating that the state's lawmakers have "hit the brakes on technological progress" and put local residents at a disadvantage in future digital asset innovation.Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed the "Digital Asset Tax Act" last month as part of the state's fiscal year 2027 budget plan. The act imposes a 0.2% tax on crypto transactions and is scheduled to take effect in January 2027.Selig stated that just as the internet changed the way information is transferred, blockchain will change the way value is transferred. He believes that in the future, almost all assets, from commodities and currencies to stocks and bonds, could be tokenized. He argued that Illinois' move diverges from Washington's direction of promoting digital asset innovation and could lead to capital, businesses, and tech talent flowing to other jurisdictions.Previously, industry organizations such as the Crypto Council for Innovation, the Digital Chamber, and the Illinois Blockchain Association also strongly opposed the tax, warning that it could become one of the most stringent and anti-crypto state-level tax systems in the United States. (The Block)
Crypto bank Anchorage Digital has announced its integration with Lido, the largest liquid staking protocol on Ethereum, offering institutional clients direct access to its derivative asset, wstETH. Institutional users can now mint and redeem wstETH, earning Ethereum staking yields while benefiting from Anchorage’s custody and governance compliance framework. (The Block)
Robinhood has announced the official launch of the public mainnet for its proprietary Layer 2 network, Robinhood Chain. Built on the Arbitrum technology stack, the chain is positioned as an institution-grade, permissionless, AI-native network specifically designed for Real World Assets (RWA).Robinhood Chain's launch partners include Uniswap, Pleiades, Alchemy, BitGo, and Chainlink. Among them, Uniswap will deploy a dedicated AMM on the chain as the primary public liquidity protocol, while Pleiades will deploy its own AMM as the primary proprietary trading venue. The chain will also offer basic DeFi functionalities such as lending.Eligible users can trade tokenized stocks 24/7 on Robinhood Chain. Simultaneously, Robinhood Earn will introduce USDG-based decentralized lending products within the main app. In certain jurisdictions, the new version of Robinhood Wallet will also support access to Lighter's perpetual contract trading.Robinhood also announced the expansion of its European perpetual contract product range, its official entry into the Canadian market, and the acquisition of a Singapore Capital Markets Services license. Furthermore, Agentic Accounts for crypto trading are planned to begin rolling out in the US soon, allowing AI agents to participate in trading and fund management.Robinhood stated that this update represents its most ambitious global expansion and product vision to date, with the goal of establishing a more direct connection between traditional finance and DeFi, integrating stocks, crypto, RWA, perpetual contracts, and AI trading into a unified financial experience. (The Block)
According to The Block, the Legislative Yuan of Taiwan, China passed the "Virtual Asset Service Act" on July 1 upon third reading. The bill has been submitted to Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te for signature, and the implementation date is expected to be announced within 10 days. The core points of the bill are as follows: • Licensing Requirements: Virtual asset service providers must apply for permission from the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC). Platforms that have completed AML registration have a 12-month application period and a 21-month approval period. • Stablecoin Regulation: Issuing or managing stablecoins requires dual approval from both the Central Bank and the FSC, and sufficient reserves must be maintained. • Compliance Requirements: Covering aspects such as cybersecurity, segregation of customer assets, and internal controls. • Criminal Penalties: Illegal operation carries a maximum sentence of 7 years imprisonment and a fine of up to NTD 100 million (approximately USD 3.14 million); crypto market manipulation carries a maximum sentence of 10 years and a fine of up to NTD 200 million (approximately USD 6.28 million). Industry insiders noted that crypto businesses previously operating in legal gray areas will no longer be able to rely on regulatory ambiguity. Traditional financial institutions will also be allowed to apply for VASP licenses in the future, and existing crypto businesses may face more intense competitive pressure.
the U.S. SEC stated on Tuesday that it is publicly seeking comments on the regulatory approach for "novel ETFs," evaluating whether existing fund registration and listing processes need adjustments. This review comes amid the rapid expansion of crypto ETFs and an increase in applications for prediction market-related ETFs.SEC Chairman Paul Atkins said the regulator wants to hear market opinions to ensure that the U.S. ETF market can effectively serve investors while continuing to grow and innovate. Since Atkins took over as SEC Chairman in April 2025, the SEC has approved multiple crypto ETFs beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum, including products tracking assets like SOL and DOGE.Currently, market attention is shifting towards prediction market ETFs linked to political and economic outcomes. The SEC has not yet approved such funds for listing and trading and has delayed several related applications. Atkins previously stated that the SEC will evaluate these products in a "transparent and prudent" manner.In this request for comment, the SEC is asking whether a standardized listing framework should be established for ETFs meeting specific criteria and whether certain novel ETFs need to register as investment companies. TD Cowen analysts believe that this request for comment could potentially lead to rule changes as early as 2027, allowing the SEC to permit a wider range of ETF types, including products based on event contracts, crypto assets, and single-stock strategies. (The Block)
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is seeking public comments on "novel ETFs" to evaluate its regulatory framework and market rule design. In the document, the SEC noted its ongoing attention to market interest in a variety of innovative products, including funds related to crypto assets, investment opportunities based on blockchain technology, and novel financial derivatives such as "event contracts."This request for comments is seen as a further proactive exploration by the SEC regarding the boundaries of ETF regulation. Particularly against the backdrop of sustained growth in demand for crypto ETFs, on-chain asset exposure products, and structured derivatives, regulators are attempting to find a new balance between innovation and risk control. (The Block)
According to The Block, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) officially released the final draft of the comprehensive crypto regulatory framework on Tuesday, covering prudential capital requirements, market abuse control, and stablecoin standards. The mandatory authorization regime will officially take effect on October 25, 2027. The framework applies to crypto trading platforms, custodians, stablecoin issuers, lending and staking service providers, as well as some DeFi entities with identifiable controlling entities. Market abuse rules cover insider trading and market manipulation. Stablecoin issuers must meet requirements for reserve backing, safeguarding of funds, and redemption disclosures, with the capital ratio reduced from 2% to 1%. The FCA will open the authorization application window from September 30, 2026 to February 28, 2027, and will provide pre-application support meetings starting from July this year. Existing anti-money laundering registration status will not be automatically converted, and relevant institutions must reapply for authorization. FCA Executive Director David Geale stated that the framework aims to provide regulatory certainty for the industry while preserving room for innovation.
According to The Block, JPMorgan Chase Co-Head of Global Payments Umar Farooq and CEO of Digital Assets and Blockchain Solutions Peter Muriungi jointly published an article calling for the United States to establish a comprehensive digital asset regulatory framework as soon as possible. The two executives did not directly name the Clarity Act but clearly opposed the legalization of yield-bearing stablecoins, warning they could evolve into "shadow banking," triggering bank run risks and undermining financial stability. The article emphasized that stablecoins should adhere to the same regulatory standards as traditional deposit products, and digital asset innovation should advance within the existing securities and banking rules framework.
Binance founder CZ stated that the company's MiCA license application in Greece fully met regulatory requirements before its withdrawal and was close to approval. However, the process was ultimately disrupted due to the intervention of "external political factors."In an interview, CZ mentioned that several countries within the EU had expressed interest in the license, with some even showing a degree of "competitive pursuit." Ultimately, the regulatory progress was affected by factors outside the regulatory sphere, forcing the withdrawal of the application. Binance formally withdrew its Greek application last week and stated it would pursue MiCA authorization in other EU member states. Addressing market rumors linking him to high-level EU political figures, CZ said he had not seen any verifiable documents and had only encountered similar claims online, which he could not confirm.CZ also noted that the MiCA transitional period in the EU is set to end on July 1st. After that date, platforms without a license must cease related services. National regulatory bodies have made it clear there will be no extensions. He described the outcome as a "lose-lose situation" and, citing the regulatory histories of Japan and Singapore, emphasized that compliance processes often require a longer cycle.Furthermore, when discussing Strategy's STRC preferred stock product, CZ described its structure as "too complex" and said he found it difficult to fully understand its mechanism. However, he stressed that he was not making a judgment on the credibility of its founder, Michael Saylor, whom he considers a "staunch Bitcoin supporter." (The Block)
blockchain IP project Story Protocol has announced its transition into the DATA Foundation, shifting its core focus from general intellectual property (IP) infrastructure to an AI training data network. This move addresses the rapidly growing demand for "licensable and traceable training data."Alongside this transition, the project launched a new product called Trace. As an on-chain AI training data registration and auditing system, Trace generates verifiable on-chain "contribution certificates" for each piece of data. These certificates record the source, licensing terms, user consent, and payment information, helping AI model trainers confirm data compliance and traceability. (The Block)
According to The Block, South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Commission fined cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb 210 million Korean won (approximately USD 136,000) for transferring users’ personal information to overseas platforms without obtaining adequate user consent.
According to The Block, Ripple’s USD-pegged stablecoin RLUSD has received regulatory approval from Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) and has officially launched in Japan, classified as a “new type of electronic payment instrument” under the Payment Services Act. The stablecoin is available to institutional and retail users via SBI VC Trade, the cryptocurrency platform operated by Japanese financial conglomerate SBI Holdings.
According to Odaily, within the ten days leading up to the World Cup, Polymarket's soccer category trading volume exceeded $2 billion, a 300% increase compared to the previous ten days. The average daily trading volume rose from $53 million before the tournament to approximately $220 million. Meanwhile, last Thursday, Kalshi's open interest reached a record $1.16 billion, surpassing the $1 billion mark for the first time and growing 350% since the beginning of the year.Although Polymarket's open interest levels remained relatively stable during the World Cup, the open interest on Polymarket's U.S. branch only saw moderate growth, failing to reach the highs from April 2026. Kalshi's open interest has grown faster than its trading volume, indicating that its user base holds positions for longer periods and has established larger directional positions. Its CFTC-regulated channel and direct USD deposit gateway have attracted U.S. institutions and high-net-worth dollar investors. (The Block)
this week that Kalshi has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Governor JB Pritzker, and other state officials.Kalshi stated that the state's budget bill, SB3019, which requires prediction market platforms to obtain state-level licenses and is set to take effect on July 1, conflicts with the federal preemption provision of the Commodity Exchange Act, putting it in a position of either violating federal or state law. According to Kalshi, if it ceases to offer sports event contracts in Illinois to comply with the bill, it would violate the uniformity requirements of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission and harm its business interests. Kalshi has requested the court to grant a temporary restraining order, a preliminary injunction, and a permanent injunction to prevent Illinois from enforcing the law. (The Block)