News Heat Trend
Project Overview
Union is a yper-efficient interoperability protocol connects all blockchains and rollups, across any ecosystem. It's based on consensus verification and has no dependencies on trusted third parties, oracles, multi-signatures, or MPC.
EU plans to impose sanctions on 11 crypto platforms cooperating with Russia
Kaja Kallas, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, stated that the EU plans to introduce restrictive measures against 11 crypto platforms in the next (21st) sanctions package, as these services are accused of assisting Russian authorities and enterprises in circumventing international sanctions.Furthermore, the EU will strengthen the ban on crypto asset-related service provisions targeting certain third countries, expand the sanctions list, and prohibit transactions with the aforementioned 11 crypto platforms. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the new sanctions aim to intensify pressure on entities that help Russia maintain channels for international financial transactions.In addition to crypto services, the new round of sanctions will also involve the traditional financial sector, with approximately 90 Russian banks potentially facing additional restrictions, 31 of which are planned to be completely banned from conducting transactions. Previously, in the 20th sanctions package, the EU had already imposed sanctions on suppliers and platforms registered in Russia that allow cryptocurrency transfers and exchanges. That ban took effect on May 24. (bits.media)
Zodia Custody Receives Luxembourg Payment Institution License, Expanding Stablecoin Service Footprint in the EU
: Institutional-grade digital asset custody platform Zodia Custody has announced that it has obtained a payment institution license from the Luxembourg financial regulator, the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF). This authorization allows the company to compliantly provide custody and transfer services for electronic money tokens (EMTs, i.e., stablecoins) within the European Union.Zodia Custody stated that this approval represents a further expansion on its existing MiCA license, enhancing its digital asset service capabilities for institutional clients. The company believes that as the use of stablecoins in payment settlement, liquidity management, and corporate treasury operations continues to grow, stablecoin custody and transfer capabilities will become a core component of digital asset infrastructure providers.Founded in 2020, Zodia Custody focuses on the institutional client market. Its shareholders include institutions such as Standard Chartered, Northern Trust, SBI Holdings, Emirates NBD, and National Australia Bank. Following the approval of this Luxembourg license, Zodia Custody has now obtained relevant regulatory permissions in multiple jurisdictions, including the UK, UAE, Hong Kong SAR, Singapore, Australia, and the EU. (The Block)
The UK House of Lords published a 71-page stablecoin regulatory report, criticizing the current regulatory proposals for lacking competitiveness.
According to the UK House of Lords’ Financial Services Regulation Committee’s report, “Stablecoins: Waiting for Regulation,” the global stablecoin market capitalization has exceeded $310 billion. However, the British pound (GBP) stablecoin market remains in its infancy, and the UK’s regulatory framework lags significantly behind those of the United States (the GENIUS Act) and the European Union (MiCA). The report levels several criticisms against the current regulatory proposals put forward by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Bank of England, with key concerns including: • The Bank of England’s requirement that systemic stablecoin issuers hold at least 40% of their reserve assets in non-interest-bearing central bank deposits is viewed by industry participants as severely undermining issuers’ profitability and the UK’s international competitiveness in this market; • The proposed holding limits—£20,000 per individual and £10 million per corporate entity—are considered operationally unworkable and potentially stifling to the development of the GBP stablecoin market; • The T+1 redemption requirement would impose substantial operational burdens on issuers; • The Prudential Regulation Authority’s (PRA) restriction prohibiting deposit-taking institutions from issuing stablecoins under independent brands is deemed overly stringent. The report does commend the Bank of England’s proposed liquidity-support lending facility, recognizing it as an innovative regulatory measure surpassing those adopted by other major jurisdictions. The Committee urges regulators to strictly adhere to the established timeline, ensuring the full regulatory framework enters into force on 25 October 2027. It further recommends adopting a principles-based, technology-neutral regulatory approach to strike an appropriate balance between financial stability and market innovation.
IG Europe partners with Bitpanda to expand crypto asset product offerings in the EU
According to The Block, IG Europe has partnered with Bitpanda to expand its digital asset product offerings across the European Union, driven by rising client demand for exposure to crypto assets. IG Europe stated that this move will provide European investors with a broader range of asset classes. IG Europe is part of IG Group and is regulated by Germany’s Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin). Recently, IG Group acquired Australian crypto exchange Independent Reserve, secured a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license enabling it to offer crypto products and services across the EU, and sold its previously acquired futures trading platform Small Exchange Inc. to Kraken. As of the end of 2025, Bitpanda had at least 7.4 million registered users.
US NCUA Releases Proposed Rules on Payment Stablecoin Issuance Standards
Odaily Odaily News: The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) has announced a proposed rule to establish operational and risk management standards for NCUA-supervised Payment Stablecoin Issuers (PPSI) under the framework of the GENIUS Act.NCUA Chairman Kyle Hauptman stated that the rule aims to ensure credit unions are not disadvantaged in terms of stablecoin regulatory standards and seeks to align as closely as possible with proposed standards for bank subsidiaries.The proposed rule is now open for public comment in the Federal Register, with the comment period ending on July 17, 2026.
Poland’s Sejm Passes Revised Cryptocurrency Bill on Third Attempt
On Friday, May 15, Poland’s Sejm (lower house of parliament) approved the government-backed Markets in Crypto-Assets bill (Bill No. 2529) during its 57th session, with 241 votes in favor and 200 against. The bill aims to formally integrate Poland’s cryptocurrency market into the European Union’s Regulation on Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA). Earlier versions of the bill had been vetoed twice by President Karol Nawrocki. Under the bill, the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF) will be granted explicit authority to supervise market participants, impose administrative penalties, and temporarily freeze accounts and transactions. The bill has now been forwarded to the Senate for deliberation, and the President retains the possibility of issuing another veto.
France charges 88 suspects in crypto "wrench attack" cases, including over a dozen minors
the French National Organized Crime Prosecutor's Office (PNACO) issued a statement on Friday stating that France has launched judicial investigations into 12 cryptocurrency kidnapping cases orchestrated by organized crime groups, and has indicted 88 suspects, including more than 10 minors.According to statistics, since 2023, France has recorded 135 cryptocurrency-related attacks, including 18 in 2024, 67 in 2025, and 47 so far in 2026. The accused individuals face charges including kidnapping, illegal detention, extortion, and money laundering. Recently, police arrested six suspects in two operations targeting kidnapping cases, and all individuals are currently in preventive detention. CertiK blockchain intelligence analyst Jonathan Riss stated that the masterminds behind such criminal gangs are typically located outside the European Union.
Grinex Ceases Operations, Potentially Delivering a Heavy Blow to Russia’s Sanctions-Evasion Shadow Financial System
According to DL News, Russian cryptocurrency exchange Grinex announced last Wednesday that it would cease operations after suffering a cyberattack that resulted in the theft of over 1 billion rubles—approximately $13 million. The report states that Grinex had processed nearly $100 billion in trading volume for the sanctioned stablecoin A7A5 in 2025. Its shutdown is expected to weaken Russian companies’ ability to convert rubles into usable international currencies and deliver a severe blow to Russia’s shadow financial system designed to circumvent sanctions. Grinex was viewed as the successor to Garantex, which had previously been sanctioned and shut down. Both Grinex and Old Vector—the issuer of A7A5—were sanctioned in August 2025 by the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom.
The UK House of Lords published a 71-page stablecoin regulatory report, criticizing the current regulatory proposals for lacking competitiveness.
According to the UK House of Lords’ Financial Services Regulation Committee’s report, “Stablecoins: Waiting for Regulation,” the global stablecoin market capitalization has exceeded $310 billion. However, the British pound (GBP) stablecoin market remains in its infancy, and the UK’s regulatory framework lags significantly behind those of the United States (the GENIUS Act) and the European Union (MiCA). The report levels several criticisms against the current regulatory proposals put forward by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Bank of England, with key concerns including: • The Bank of England’s requirement that systemic stablecoin issuers hold at least 40% of their reserve assets in non-interest-bearing central bank deposits is viewed by industry participants as severely undermining issuers’ profitability and the UK’s international competitiveness in this market; • The proposed holding limits—£20,000 per individual and £10 million per corporate entity—are considered operationally unworkable and potentially stifling to the development of the GBP stablecoin market; • The T+1 redemption requirement would impose substantial operational burdens on issuers; • The Prudential Regulation Authority’s (PRA) restriction prohibiting deposit-taking institutions from issuing stablecoins under independent brands is deemed overly stringent. The report does commend the Bank of England’s proposed liquidity-support lending facility, recognizing it as an innovative regulatory measure surpassing those adopted by other major jurisdictions. The Committee urges regulators to strictly adhere to the established timeline, ensuring the full regulatory framework enters into force on 25 October 2027. It further recommends adopting a principles-based, technology-neutral regulatory approach to strike an appropriate balance between financial stability and market innovation.
Western Union Launches Stablecoin USDPT, Actively Accelerating the Erosion of Its 174-Year-Old Business Model
According to Forbes, Western Union will launch its stablecoin USDPT on the Solana blockchain in May 2026. Issued by Anchorage Digital Bank, USDPT will be accompanied by a digital asset network designed to connect crypto wallets and exchanges. Analysts note that this move represents Western Union’s deliberate disruption of its core profit model: traditionally, the company relies heavily on foreign exchange spreads in cross-border remittances, but near-instant settlement via stablecoins will render such spreads transparent and unsustainable. At the same time, Western Union must still bear substantial fixed costs associated with its extensive offline agent network—a burden absent from crypto-native remittance firms from day one. The company’s Q1 financial report already reflects mounting pressure, with net income halved year-on-year to $65 million.
US NCUA Releases Proposed Rules on Payment Stablecoin Issuance Standards
Odaily Odaily News: The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) has announced a proposed rule to establish operational and risk management standards for NCUA-supervised Payment Stablecoin Issuers (PPSI) under the framework of the GENIUS Act.NCUA Chairman Kyle Hauptman stated that the rule aims to ensure credit unions are not disadvantaged in terms of stablecoin regulatory standards and seeks to align as closely as possible with proposed standards for bank subsidiaries.The proposed rule is now open for public comment in the Federal Register, with the comment period ending on July 17, 2026.
Poland’s Sejm Passes Revised Cryptocurrency Bill on Third Attempt
On Friday, May 15, Poland’s Sejm (lower house of parliament) approved the government-backed Markets in Crypto-Assets bill (Bill No. 2529) during its 57th session, with 241 votes in favor and 200 against. The bill aims to formally integrate Poland’s cryptocurrency market into the European Union’s Regulation on Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA). Earlier versions of the bill had been vetoed twice by President Karol Nawrocki. Under the bill, the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF) will be granted explicit authority to supervise market participants, impose administrative penalties, and temporarily freeze accounts and transactions. The bill has now been forwarded to the Senate for deliberation, and the President retains the possibility of issuing another veto.
Polish Sejm Passes Revised Crypto Bill to Bring Market into MiCA Framework
Polish lawmakers on Friday approved a government-backed bill to bring the country’s cryptocurrency market under the European Union’s MiCA framework for crypto asset regulation, following two previous vetoes of earlier versions of the bill by President Karol Nawrocki. According to official parliamentary records, the vote took place during the 57th session of the Sejm in Warsaw on Friday, with 241 lawmakers voting in favor and 200 against the legislation. The approved Bill No. 2529, backed by the Ministry of Finance, grants the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF) the power to oversee market participants, impose administrative penalties, and temporarily freeze accounts and transactions.
The Bank of Italy urges the EU to consider building a tokenized version of the SEPA payment system.
According to Cointelegraph, the Bank of Italy is urging the European Union to consider building a tokenized version of the SEPA payment system to keep pace with financial innovation. SEPA—the Single Euro Payments Area—aims to standardize cross-border payments within the eurozone. The Bank of Italy believes that, as tokenization and blockchain-based payments advance, the EU must assess pathways for upgrading its existing payment infrastructure.
Related news
EU plans to impose sanctions on 11 crypto platforms cooperating with Russia
Kaja Kallas, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, stated that the EU plans to introduce restrictive measures against 11 crypto platforms in the next (21st) sanctions package, as these services are accused of assisting Russian authorities and enterprises in circumventing international sanctions.Furthermore, the EU will strengthen the ban on crypto asset-related service provisions targeting certain third countries, expand the sanctions list, and prohibit transactions with the aforementioned 11 crypto platforms. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the new sanctions aim to intensify pressure on entities that help Russia maintain channels for international financial transactions.In addition to crypto services, the new round of sanctions will also involve the traditional financial sector, with approximately 90 Russian banks potentially facing additional restrictions, 31 of which are planned to be completely banned from conducting transactions. Previously, in the 20th sanctions package, the EU had already imposed sanctions on suppliers and platforms registered in Russia that allow cryptocurrency transfers and exchanges. That ban took effect on May 24. (bits.media)
Zodia Custody Receives Luxembourg Payment Institution License, Expanding Stablecoin Service Footprint in the EU
: Institutional-grade digital asset custody platform Zodia Custody has announced that it has obtained a payment institution license from the Luxembourg financial regulator, the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF). This authorization allows the company to compliantly provide custody and transfer services for electronic money tokens (EMTs, i.e., stablecoins) within the European Union.Zodia Custody stated that this approval represents a further expansion on its existing MiCA license, enhancing its digital asset service capabilities for institutional clients. The company believes that as the use of stablecoins in payment settlement, liquidity management, and corporate treasury operations continues to grow, stablecoin custody and transfer capabilities will become a core component of digital asset infrastructure providers.Founded in 2020, Zodia Custody focuses on the institutional client market. Its shareholders include institutions such as Standard Chartered, Northern Trust, SBI Holdings, Emirates NBD, and National Australia Bank. Following the approval of this Luxembourg license, Zodia Custody has now obtained relevant regulatory permissions in multiple jurisdictions, including the UK, UAE, Hong Kong SAR, Singapore, Australia, and the EU. (The Block)
Nvidia-backed robotics AI startup Generalist AI completes $400 million funding round at $2 billion valuation
: Robotics AI startup Generalist AI has completed a new $400 million funding round, led by Radical Ventures, with participation from 8VC, Union Square Ventures, Hanabi Capital, and existing investors Nvidia and Bezos Expeditions. The company is valued at $2 billion post-investment. Founded by Pete Florence, Andy Zeng, and Andy Barry, the company focuses on leveraging cutting-edge AI technology to iterate robot models and develop intelligent robot products capable of handling complex tasks. The proceeds from this round will be used for advanced AI model research and development, as well as expanding robot application scenarios. (Bloomberg)
The UK House of Lords published a 71-page stablecoin regulatory report, criticizing the current regulatory proposals for lacking competitiveness.
According to the UK House of Lords’ Financial Services Regulation Committee’s report, “Stablecoins: Waiting for Regulation,” the global stablecoin market capitalization has exceeded $310 billion. However, the British pound (GBP) stablecoin market remains in its infancy, and the UK’s regulatory framework lags significantly behind those of the United States (the GENIUS Act) and the European Union (MiCA). The report levels several criticisms against the current regulatory proposals put forward by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Bank of England, with key concerns including: • The Bank of England’s requirement that systemic stablecoin issuers hold at least 40% of their reserve assets in non-interest-bearing central bank deposits is viewed by industry participants as severely undermining issuers’ profitability and the UK’s international competitiveness in this market; • The proposed holding limits—£20,000 per individual and £10 million per corporate entity—are considered operationally unworkable and potentially stifling to the development of the GBP stablecoin market; • The T+1 redemption requirement would impose substantial operational burdens on issuers; • The Prudential Regulation Authority’s (PRA) restriction prohibiting deposit-taking institutions from issuing stablecoins under independent brands is deemed overly stringent. The report does commend the Bank of England’s proposed liquidity-support lending facility, recognizing it as an innovative regulatory measure surpassing those adopted by other major jurisdictions. The Committee urges regulators to strictly adhere to the established timeline, ensuring the full regulatory framework enters into force on 25 October 2027. It further recommends adopting a principles-based, technology-neutral regulatory approach to strike an appropriate balance between financial stability and market innovation.
Western Union Launches Stablecoin USDPT, Actively Accelerating the Erosion of Its 174-Year-Old Business Model
According to Forbes, Western Union will launch its stablecoin USDPT on the Solana blockchain in May 2026. Issued by Anchorage Digital Bank, USDPT will be accompanied by a digital asset network designed to connect crypto wallets and exchanges. Analysts note that this move represents Western Union’s deliberate disruption of its core profit model: traditionally, the company relies heavily on foreign exchange spreads in cross-border remittances, but near-instant settlement via stablecoins will render such spreads transparent and unsustainable. At the same time, Western Union must still bear substantial fixed costs associated with its extensive offline agent network—a burden absent from crypto-native remittance firms from day one. The company’s Q1 financial report already reflects mounting pressure, with net income halved year-on-year to $65 million.
IG Europe partners with Bitpanda to expand crypto asset product offerings in the EU
According to The Block, IG Europe has partnered with Bitpanda to expand its digital asset product offerings across the European Union, driven by rising client demand for exposure to crypto assets. IG Europe stated that this move will provide European investors with a broader range of asset classes. IG Europe is part of IG Group and is regulated by Germany’s Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin). Recently, IG Group acquired Australian crypto exchange Independent Reserve, secured a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license enabling it to offer crypto products and services across the EU, and sold its previously acquired futures trading platform Small Exchange Inc. to Kraken. As of the end of 2025, Bitpanda had at least 7.4 million registered users.