News linked to both this project and an event.
Odaily News: Former US Congressman George Santos has reached a settlement with the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The CFTC stated that Santos engaged in manipulative trading behavior while trading a prediction contract on Kalshi regarding whether he would attend the State of the Union address in February 2026, profiting over $17,500 from the trades.According to the CFTC's Friday announcement, Santos is required to pay $35,000 as part of the settlement, but neither admitted nor denied the regulator's findings.The CFTC stated that in the two weeks leading up to the State of the Union address, Santos repeatedly made public comments about whether he would attend the event, causing significant fluctuations in the price of the event contract. For example, while holding a "Yes" position indicating he would attend, he posted on X asking what he should wear to the State of the Union. Within hours, the price of the Yes position rose, after which Santos closed his position for a profit.The CFTC also alleged that Santos subsequently continued to post updates about his travel to Washington, D.C., including flights and train rides, and profited by trading back and forth based on market reactions to his public statements. The CFTC stated that Santos's conduct was intentional, or at least reckless. He traded in an event contract whose underlying outcome he could influence, and affected the contract price through misleading public statements or omissions of information, thereby profiting from his trading positions.Santos's attorney, Joseph W. Murray, stated in Friday's announcement that the State of the Union contract was Santos's first foray into prediction market betting.
the Hungarian Parliament has voted to abolish the crypto verifier requirement, eliminating the need for third-party approval for certain crypto transactions. This requirement originated from Hungary's 2024 Crypto Asset Act, which was originally set to mandate that from July 1, 2025, licensed verifiers must check asset sources, wallet ownership, and client information before issuing compliance statements. Hungarian Finance Minister Kármán András stated that the previous rules disrupted Hungary's crypto market, with some service providers ceasing local operations, leading the government to cancel the verification requirement. Broader licensing and compliance requirements continue to apply. On July 20, the Hungarian National Bank (MNB) granted authorization to Tiwala Solutions, the operator of the crypto platform CoinCash, under the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). The authorization covers custody, exchange between cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies, exchange between cryptocurrencies, transfers, investment advice, and portfolio management. CoinCash plans to gradually resume its services.
: The European Union (EU) has expanded its sanctions against Russia, targeting the A7 cross-border payment network and its newly established African connections, as well as the A7A5 stablecoin used to circumvent sanctions. The latest sanctions package extends transaction bans to 14 crypto-related platforms in countries including Georgia, the UAE, and Panama, and introduces a tool that can be used to comprehensively ban crypto asset services used by Russia. In addition to digital asset measures, the EU has imposed asset freezes and transaction bans on 94 banks and major financial institutions, and expanded transaction bans to another 33 Russian credit and financial institutions.
The Council of the European Union formally adopted the 21st sanctions package against Russia on July 23, focusing on strengthening restrictions on the Russian financial system, energy revenue, military industry, and crypto-asset services. In the financial sector, the EU imposed asset freezes on 94 banks and major financial institutions and expanded transaction bans on 33 Russian credit and financial institutions; meanwhile, 14 service platforms related to crypto-assets were included in the scope of restrictions, and for the first time, it was proposed that comprehensive bans could be implemented on crypto-asset services in third countries that assist Russia in evading sanctions.
OdailyOdaily reports that the European Union has further tightened restrictions on crypto assets concerning Belarus, prohibiting Belarusian citizens and residents from owning, controlling, or managing crypto service providers regulated under the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation.According to Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1847, adopted by the Council of the European Union on July 24, this measure is an extension of the EU's sanctions framework targeting Belarus's involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The new rules will take effect on July 24, with the expanded restrictions on the crypto industry slated for implementation from August 25.As defined by MiCA, the affected services include operating crypto trading platforms, exchanging crypto assets, executing and transmitting customer orders, crypto asset issuance services, asset transfer services, investment advisory, and portfolio management. These restrictions come as the MiCA transitional period ended on July 1. The EU had previously required unauthorized crypto firms to cease relevant operations or face regulatory enforcement.The EU stated that this expansion is part of its efforts to combat the use of crypto platforms to evade sanctions against Russia. Earlier, in its 21st round of sanctions against Russia, the EU had extended trading bans to 14 foreign crypto service platforms and established a mechanism to potentially prohibit transactions with any foreign crypto service providers deemed to be assisting Russia in sanctions evasion.Market participants point out that with the full implementation of the MiCA regulatory framework, the EU is further tightening its oversight of the crypto industry through licensing systems and sanction mechanisms. (Cointelegraph)
Kalshi and Polymarket processed a combined trading volume of over $44 billion in 2025. As of April 2026, the monthly trading volume on the two platforms has risen to $24 billion, surpassing the average monthly betting volume of legal sports platforms in the United States. Kalshi reported $263.5 million in fee revenue last year, with its annualized revenue exceeding $1.5 billion since then. Prediction markets operate on a binary contract exchange model, where the platform matches buyers and sellers without placing bets, holding positions, or bearing the risk of event outcomes. Its primary revenue comes from transaction fees, with additional revenue sources including data licensing, API access for institutional traders, and, in some cases, market creation fees on the platform. In the U.S. market, Kalshi is a Designated Contract Market (DCM) registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Polymarket re-entered the U.S. market at the end of 2025 by acquiring the CFTC-regulated QCEX for $112 million. Some states still classify prediction market contracts as gambling, and related federal and state-level lawsuits remain ongoing. The European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) does not directly define the attributes of prediction market contracts, and classification varies among member states. If a platform uses crypto settlement and provides custody or transfer services to EU users, it must also obtain a license as a Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP).
the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom have jointly announced sanctions against a group of individuals involved in state-sponsored hacking organizations, cybercriminal groups, and their infrastructure providers. The targets are accused of causing billions of dollars in losses to global enterprises, critical infrastructure, and government agencies. Among them, the most notable is the EU's sanction against Russian cybercriminal Vitaly Nikolayevich Kovalev, also known as "Stern." The EU identified Stern as one of the core managers of the notorious Trickbot Group ransomware syndicate, which is behind high-risk ransomware variants such as Conti ransomware and Ryuk.On-chain analysis shows that wallet addresses linked to Stern have collectively received over $300 million in ransom payments, potentially making him the most prolific ransomware operator ever identified.According to the analysis, the $300 million figure represents only Stern's personal gains, while the total illicit income of the Trickbot Group could be significantly higher. On-chain fund flows indicate that Stern had transactional ties with multiple ransomware ecosystems, including Ryuk, Conti, Diavol, Karakurt, Royal, and Quantum.The investigation reveals that Stern played a role similar to a "CEO" within the Trickbot organization, responsible for budget management, personnel recruitment, infrastructure procurement, and attack planning. (Chainalysis)
the European Central Bank (ECB) has selected 36 banks and payment companies to participate in the digital euro pilot project, preparing for the potential issuance of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) possibly in 2029. Selected institutions include Deutsche Bank, Revolut, Adyen, SumUp, UniCredit, and Worldline. The list was selected from 50 applicant institutions.The digital euro pilot program is scheduled to launch in the second half of next year, lasting for 12 months. It will test the Beta version of the digital euro across various payment scenarios, including: online person-to-person transfers, offline payments, in-store payments, and e-commerce payments. The pilot scope will cover the ECB and the central banks of 19 eurozone countries. ECB employees and staff from national central banks will participate as users, while some restaurants, cafes, and online merchants will support digital euro payments.Although the digital euro currently lacks legal tender status, its design will closely align with the relevant legislative framework being developed by the European Union. The ECB stated that the final decision on whether to issue a digital euro will await the passage of relevant regulations and a decision by the ECB's Governing Council.One of the key reasons for the ECB's push for a digital euro is concern that the development of private dollar-pegged stablecoins could impact Europe's monetary sovereignty. In recent years, dollar-backed stablecoins like Tether's USDT and Circle's USDC have grown rapidly in global payment volumes, drawing the attention of European regulators to financial autonomy.However, the CBDC project still faces privacy controversies. Some privacy advocacy groups worry that a central bank digital currency could lead to transaction tracking or even pose a risk of restricted account access. In contrast, the United States has recently passed laws restricting the Federal Reserve System from issuing a digital dollar before the end of 2030.Currently, Europe's digital euro project is entering its practical testing phase, while EU legislative bodies are advancing the relevant legal framework. If the regulatory process proceeds smoothly, the digital euro could potentially be officially launched as early as 2029. (CoinDesk)
the European Union is considering amendments to its Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). The European Commission is soliciting feedback from relevant stakeholders, with the deadline set for September 30. According to multiple sources familiar with the matter, the Commission is evaluating whether to broaden MiCA's regulatory scope to encompass emerging areas such as tokenization and non-EU stablecoin issuers. MiCA officially came into effect in December 2024, with most service providers granted a transition period to complete compliance adjustments, which lasts until July 1 of this year. (The Block)
the business combination between Securitize and SPAC Cantor Equity Partners II (NASDAQ: CEPT) is expected to raise approximately $400 million (including PIPE, before deducting related expenses). Upon completion of the merger, the new company will be renamed Securitize Corp., and its common stock is planned to begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker "SECZ" starting July 2. The CEPT shareholder meeting is scheduled to vote on the transaction on June 29, with the current redemption rate below 30%. Securitize claims to have obtained regulatory licenses related to digital securities infrastructure in both the United States and the European Union, managing over $4 billion in on-chain real-world assets. (PR Newswire)
According to the UK’s Financial Times, Binance will cease serving certain customers in the European Union starting next week due to its failure to obtain a license under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), and has already notified customers in Poland, Italy, Spain, and France to withdraw their funds.
According to an official announcement, Gate Europe has taken the lead in obtaining the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license and the Payment Institution (PI) license, further consolidating its compliance foundation in the European market. These two key regulatory credentials provide solid support for Gate Europe's business operations within the European regulatory framework, while also strengthening the platform's capabilities in compliant operations, risk management, and long-term development.Leveraging the dual MiCA and PI licenses, Gate Europe will continue to offer European users safer, more efficient, and compliant digital asset services. The company will also persistently improve its internal controls, risk management, operational oversight, and regulatory reporting systems, striving for a deep integration of advanced technological capabilities with regulatory requirements. The goal is to build a sustainable compliance operating system that caters to both institutional and retail users. At the same time, Gate Europe will further enhance communication and cooperation with European regulators and industry partners, actively responding to policy developments to ensure all business operations consistently meet local regulatory demands.Dr. Giovanni Cunti, CEO of Gate Europe, stated that Europe is establishing a high-standard regulatory framework for the digital asset industry, and compliance remains the core foundation for the company's long-term sustainable development. Looking ahead, Gate Europe will continue to increase investment in compliance capability building, talent development, and operational resilience. With compliance, security, and innovation as its pillars, the company is committed to the healthy advancement of the global digital asset ecosystem.
According to CoinDesk, Tanya Denisova, former Chief Operating Officer of Robinhood Crypto, has officially joined stablecoin infrastructure company Agora as Head of Operations. She will also serve as Chief Operating Officer of Agora’s proposed national trust bank—a role that will take effect upon approval by the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) of Agora’s application for a national trust charter. Denisova spent six years at Robinhood Crypto, leading the department’s expansion from a team of three to a multi-billion-dollar business operating regulated entities in both the United States and the European Union. Her responsibilities spanned core areas including settlement, liquidity, trading, execution quality, and custody.
According to PYMNTS, on June 22, the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) issued a proposed rulemaking requiring payment stablecoin issuers (PPSIs) under its supervision to comply with provisions of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and the GENIUS Act, and mandating that they implement anti-money laundering/combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) programs, sanctions programs, and reporting requirements administered by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). The rule would also establish an OCC supervisory and enforcement framework for PPSIs’ AML/CFT obligations and clarify coordination mechanisms between the OCC and FinCEN in enforcement actions. Previously, the OCC had jointly sought public comment with the Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) regarding requirements for stablecoin issuers to establish customer identification programs.
according to two informed sources, Binance's license application submitted in Greece is expected to be rejected by regulators. This could potentially result in the exchange losing its eligibility to provide services to clients within the European Union.The report indicates that if the license application is ultimately denied, Binance's compliance strategy in the EU market will face a significant setback. However, as of now, the relevant decision has not yet been officially announced. (Reuters)
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)
: 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)
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.
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.
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.