Digital Assets

The period defined by 'long bitcoin, short the bankers' is ending as large traditional finance (TradFi) entities begin embracing digital assets.

Q2 adjusted earnings were reported as bullish and remained in line with expectations. This financial stability was achieved because a rise in subscription revenue successfully offset a slowdown observed within digital assets.

The U.S. SEC has set a meeting to propose Reg Crypto. This regulatory effort aims to provide support for specific digital assets offerings.

Kimsuky is conducting cyberattacks by integrating generative AI into its methods. They use this technology to produce phishing documents that are themed around various financial areas, including digital assets, investment strategies, and fintech services. These attacks primarily target the crypto and finance sectors.

The US Treasury sanctioned two Iranian firms, including Hormuz Safe, for accepting Bitcoin and other digital assets. OFAC, a Treasury agency, imposed the sanctions.

AMLBot, a crypto forensics company, launched an AI-powered tool called AI Tracer that enables users without specialist knowledge to trace their digital assets, even after they have been stolen.

The IRS warns crypto holders about fraudsters sending fake letters to steal digital assets or data. Increased IRS correspondence on crypto is due to requirements for taxpayers to disclose activity.

The US Treasury sanctioned HormuzSafe, an Iranian maritime firm, for accepting Bitcoin and other digital assets to evade sanctions and generate revenue for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The American Arbitration Association has launched the Web3 Panel to address disputes in blockchain, smart contracts, digital assets, and autonomous transactions. The panel specializes in resolving conflicts related to emerging technologies in the crypto space.

Senate Democrats rejected the GOP's ethics provision in the latest Clarity Act draft, citing concerns over the Department of Justice as the sole enforcer. Majority Leader John Thune expressed doubt about passing the crypto market-structure bill before the August recess, while Republicans and Democrats continue negotiations over enforcement roles and consumer protections.

Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Bengaluru uncovered a $35 million cryptocurrency over-the-counter (OTC) scam and seized digital assets worth 8,700 USDT.

South Korea’s Economy Ministry plans to include digital assets and intellectual property under the country’s new state-asset management framework.

Japan's SBI Holdings is making significant investments in crypto through recent deals. The moves highlight how traditional finance is engaging with digital assets.

Alfa-Bank, Russia's largest private bank, is testing cryptocurrency trading for qualified investors. The move aligns with Russia's efforts to regulate digital assets and banks developing new crypto services.

Vanguard has hired a Head of Digital Assets as crypto majors decline due to the U.S. military strike on Iran ending a ceasefire. A meme coin frenzy is occurring on the Robinhood chain.

India's central bank has called for banks to be barred from exposure to crypto assets and reiterated support for tighter restrictions on digital assets.

The SEC has listed proposed rule changes for crypto broker-dealers, digital assets on national securities exchanges, and potential safe harbors as part of its 2026 agenda. The focus is on regulatory updates related to cryptocurrency and digital asset trading frameworks.

Vanguard is hiring a head of digital assets to lead its strategy for tokenization, stablecoins, blockchain infrastructure, and client-facing products. The move comes after years of crypto skepticism from the asset manager.

Vanguard, a multi-trillion-dollar asset manager, is hiring a crypto executive to lead its digital assets strategy for personal wealth clients and engage with regulators.

Vanguard has begun searching for a digital assets leader, signaling a shift in its approach to cryptocurrency. The move indicates the firm's evolving strategy toward digital assets.

Sovereign wealth funds invest in digital assets through regulated vehicles such as spot bitcoin ETFs, publicly traded companies with crypto exposure, blockchain infrastructure firms, and venture capital funds. Direct ownership of bitcoin or other tokens is uncommon due to governance rules, custody requirements, and political accountability.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand proposed a restriction to prevent members of Congress, the US president, and their spouses from issuing or sponsoring their own digital assets.

A UK law firm tested an AI chatbot to draft a will for a fictional client, finding that while the document appeared convincing, it omitted critical legal considerations like inheritance tax planning and financial vulnerabilities. The firm emphasized that AI-generated wills lack the depth and safeguards provided by human solicitors, who ask follow-up questions to address complex legal and personal circumstances.

The UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has relaxed capital and disclosure requirements for digital assets after industry complaints that the new rules were overly burdensome. The changes aim to ease the regulatory burden on crypto firms.

A CoinShares survey revealed that many EU-based wealth management companies have policies restricting digital asset investments or offering no guidance. Half of UK wealth advisers report that clients' cryptocurrency holdings are 'invisible' to them.

Indonesia’s financial regulator will require influencers promoting crypto and other digital assets to hold certifications. The move aligns with global efforts to tighten oversight of finfluencers.

Garth Howat, a fintech leader, is working on connecting traditional finance with digital assets. The article highlights the infrastructure behind modern finance.

The crypto market experienced a decline as a selloff in Nasdaq technology stocks extended into digital assets. The drop highlights a broader market trend impacting both traditional tech sectors and cryptocurrency markets.

The CLARITY Act, formally the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, is a proposed U.S. cryptocurrency market structure bill aimed at establishing a federal framework for issuing, trading, and regulating digital assets. It focuses on ensuring crypto firms comply with federal laws and clarifying regulatory oversight.

The Irish government has released its first assessment on digital assets in seven years, highlighting risks including money laundering, terrorism financing, sanctions violations, and bribery. The assessment indicates Ireland is considering safeguards to address these financial risks associated with cryptocurrencies.

Coinbase is enabling ACATS stock transfers, allowing users to move stock portfolios, as the crypto exchange expands its trading products beyond digital assets into traditional finance.

A community bank group is launching an ad campaign to highlight risks associated with digital assets, specifically targeting the Clarity Act's stablecoin reward language. The campaign aims to warn about potential dangers in the digital asset space.

House lawmakers are set to debate cryptocurrency tax bills as questions remain about how tax rules should apply to digital assets.

The Crypto Council for Innovation has launched a coalition aimed at promoting regulatory clarity for crypto vaults. These vaults are an increasingly popular method for depositing digital assets and generating yield.

Senator Cynthia Lummis has led a group of lawmakers urging financial regulators to provide 'fair capital treatment for on-balance sheet treatment of digital assets.' The effort is part of a push by Senate Republicans to clarify crypto capital rules.

Russia is targeting a British 17-year-old for allegations that digital assets were circumventing sanctions. The teenager's father, Bill Browder, claims his son is the first high school student to face sanctions from an authoritarian regime over a report on the ruble-pegged stablecoin A7A5.

Senate Republicans are urging financial regulatory agencies to revise capital rules for digital assets. They seek to clarify capital standards for these assets.

Zodia CEO Julian Sawyer claims every bank will soon need to hold digital assets. The statement highlights a potential shift in banking requirements toward digital asset adoption.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) published its Draft Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2026–2030, prioritizing digital assets and blockchain technologies. The plan emphasizes creating a regulatory framework to support innovation while protecting investors, resolving jurisdictional conflicts with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and modernizing capital formation processes for small businesses.

The SEC has designated digital assets as a strategic priority through 2030, outlining a five-year roadmap that includes clearer crypto regulations, support for tokenization, and the development of a framework for staking and onchain markets.