Regulation news

21:41 Regulation

CFTC Seeks to Classify Event Contracts as Swaps Amid Prediction Market Court Battles

CFTC moves to classify event contracts as swaps The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission issued an interim final rule and a companion proposal to treat event contracts traded on platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket as “swaps,” bringing them under CFTC oversight and limiting state gambling regulators’ reach. The proposal would fold those contracts into existing swap rules with a 30-day comment period, a move supporters say could strengthen the agency’s hand in ongoing court fights over prediction markets.

21:11 Regulation

US says it may seize $1 billion in Iran-linked crypto as sanctions campaign widens

Bessent says US could seize $1 billion in Iran-linked crypto this week U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Oct. 8 that authorities have located about $1 billion in Iran-linked cryptocurrency and could seize it this week, calling it part of an “absolute isolation campaign” against Tehran. He said officials know where the assets are held and are working to isolate them as Washington expands sanctions pressure, including new Treasury designations on 17 vessels over alleged Iranian oil shipments.

06:11 Regulation

ESMA Gives EU-Licensed Crypto Firms Three Months to Exit Non-MiCA Stablecoin Services

ESMA gives EU-licensed crypto firms until January 2027 to exit non-MiCA stablecoins ESMA told national supervisors that EU-licensed crypto firms have three months, until early January 2027, to wind down services for stablecoins that do not meet MiCA, covering both asset-referenced and e-money tokens. The opinion expands scrutiny to custody and transfers, and firms should block new purchases by EU clients with technical and contractual controls while offering only limited, time-limited exit services for existing holdings.

05:41 Regulation

Kyrgyzstan to Wind Down USDKG and Liquidate EVA and Coin Nomad Exchange

Kyrgyzstan to liquidate USDKG issuer and state-owned crypto exchange Kyrgyzstan is shutting down USDKG, its state-backed gold-backed stablecoin, and liquidating issuer EVA along with state-owned Coin Nomad Exchange. The project said operations will end under Cabinet Order No. 639-t dated Aug. 20, 2026, with all 50,140,738 USDKG to be consolidated and burned after holders are offered redemption in fiat or USDT. The move follows U.K. sanctions on EVA in May, though the government said the liquidation is aimed at optimizing state asset management.

05:26 Regulation

Binance to Restrict 8 Services and Delist 22 Tokens in Brazil From Oct. 27

Binance to restrict 8 services and delist 22 tokens in Brazil on Oct. 27 Binance will block Brazilian users from eight services, including Loans, Pool, Cloud Mining, margin trading and Launchpool, and remove 22 tokens from trading from Oct. 27 as it shifts local customers to new entities under Brazil’s central bank rules. Existing margin positions can stay open but no new orders or borrowing will be allowed, and users who refuse the migration must withdraw assets and close their accounts by that date.

03:41 Regulation

US ADAPT Act Proposes Use-Based Crypto Tax Rules and Stablecoin Purchase Relief

US lawmakers introduce ADAPT Act to rewrite crypto tax treatment US lawmakers have introduced the ADAPT Act, a bill that would tailor digital-asset tax rules by use case, with separate treatment for mining, staking, lending and DeFi. The proposal would exempt gains or losses on qualifying dollar-based stablecoins used for purchases and waive recognition for transaction-fee amounts of $10 or less, while also applying wash-sale and mark-to-market principles to bring crypto closer to traditional asset tax rules.

03:25 Regulation

Thailand Sets Oct. 16 Start for Bitcoin and Ether ETFs on the Stock Exchange

Thailand SEC finalizes rules for Bitcoin and Ether ETFs on SET Thailand’s SEC has finalized rules allowing crypto ETFs tied to Bitcoin and Ether to list on the Stock Exchange of Thailand from Oct. 16, 2026, creating a new route for local investors to get exposure through the stock market. The products must trade only on SET, brokers cannot offer margin loans for purchases, and retail investors still cannot access overseas crypto ETFs outside institutional and ultra-high-net-worth channels.

03:11 Regulation

South Korea Says 89% of Delisted Crypto Tokens Were Listed on Only One Exchange

South Korea says 89% of delisted tokens were listed on only one exchange South Korea’s FIU and FSS said 68 of 76 virtual assets that lost trading support in the first half were single-listed tokens, highlighting risks around thin liquidity and volatility. Across exchanges, suspensions rose 64% to 108 while new listings fell 46% to 135; single-listed assets made up 35% of tokens in circulation and posted a 77% average peak-to-trough drop, versus 69% for all assets.

02:40 Regulation

French Lawmakers Back Stablecoin Tax Trigger and 10-Year Crypto Loss Offset

France’s lower house backs new crypto tax measures in budget review France’s Finance Committee in the National Assembly has adopted three crypto tax amendments during its review of the 2027 budget bill, including a rule to tax gains when crypto is converted into fiat-pegged stablecoins rather than only on cash-out. Lawmakers also backed an exit tax on unrealized gains for people leaving France after at least six of the past 10 years as tax residents if their crypto holdings exceed €800,000, and extended loss carryforwards on crypto trades to 10 years.

01:41 Regulation

UK Sanctions Cryptomus, Heleket and TokenSpot in Broader Russia Crackdown

UK sanctions hit Cryptomus, Heleket and TokenSpot over Russia links The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office sanctioned crypto payment processors Cryptomus and Heleket, operated by Xeltox Enterprises Ltd., and Kyrgyzstani exchange TokenSpot CJSC as part of a broader package targeting Russia’s wartime economy. Chainalysis said Cryptomus and Heleket had received funds from more than 15,000 illicit actors, while TokenSpot was linked to the A7A5 sanctions-evasion network through flows converging on an HTX deposit address that took in over $308 million.

00:26 Regulation

Moscow Exchange Targets Dec. 1 Launch for Direct Cryptocurrency Trading

Moscow Exchange sets Dec. 1 launch for direct crypto trading Moscow Exchange plans to start direct cryptocurrency trading on Dec. 1, senior managing director Boris Blokhin said, with testing already underway with professional market participants. Under Russia’s new framework, unqualified investors will be limited to major assets including Bitcoin, Ethereum and USDT and face annual investment caps, while qualified investors will have broader access.

21:40 Regulation

Blumenthal questions Cantor Fitzgerald over Tether reserve ties and sanctions controls

Blumenthal probes Cantor Fitzgerald over Tether reserves Sen. Richard Blumenthal, the top Democrat among Senate investigators, sent Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Brandon Lutnick a letter questioning the firm’s banking and sanctions controls over its partnership with Tether, whose USDT reserves are largely held in the U.S. under Cantor’s custody. He asked what steps Cantor took to investigate claims that USDT has been used in illicit finance, including Iran’s shadow banking network and Russia sanctions evasion. Neither Cantor Fitzgerald nor Tether immediately responded.

20:55 Regulation

Coinbase to End Sports Event Contracts for Michigan Users on Oct. 10

Coinbase to halt sports prediction markets in Michigan Coinbase Financial Markets will stop offering sports-related event contracts to Michigan customers and close any open positions by 12 a.m. ET on Oct. 10 under an agreement announced Oct. 7 by the Michigan Gaming Control Board. The move makes Coinbase the third platform to retreat from the state after Kalshi and Robinhood, as Attorney General Dana Nessel says Michigan intends to bring “all sports betting into compliance with the law.”

18:41 Regulation

UK sanctions crypto exchanges and payment firms over alleged Russia sanctions evasion

UK sanctions 3 crypto exchanges and 2 payment platforms over Russia links Britain on Oct. 8 sanctioned crypto-linked firms Xeltox Enterprises, TokenSpot, Processing KG, Tsunami Payments and payment platform Heleket, plus Processing KG director Ulan Bukabaev, as part of a 38-designation package tied to Russia’s war in Ukraine. The Foreign Office said it suspects the businesses helped Russia bypass sanctions, and said two of the targeted platforms processed or facilitated transactions involving the Kremlin-backed A7 network.

15:56 Regulation

El Salvador Continues Daily Bitcoin Purchases Despite IMF Warning on Public Holdings

El Salvador keeps buying Bitcoin despite IMF warning El Salvador added 7 BTC over the past week, taking its reported holdings to 7,798 BTC worth more than $643 million, the country’s Bitcoin Office said. The purchases continued after the IMF said the government had failed criteria on public-sector crypto holdings under its $1.4 billion facility and that no further bitcoin accumulation was expected beyond documented donations.

15:12 Regulation

EU Parliament urges crypto scrutiny in anti-corruption strategy recommendations

EU lawmakers urge tougher crypto scrutiny in anti-corruption plan The European Parliament on Oct. 8 adopted a nonbinding resolution calling on the European Commission to tighten scrutiny of crypto assets, hidden ownership structures and digital tools in its upcoming anti-corruption strategy. MEPs also pushed for stronger powers to trace, freeze, confiscate and recover criminal proceeds, with the Commission expected to present the strategy by the end of 2026.

09:56 Regulation

ESMA sets Jan. 8 deadline for EU crypto firms to wind down non-compliant stablecoin exposure

ESMA tells EU crypto firms to stop non-MiCA stablecoin services ESMA said EU crypto firms authorized under MiCA should stop offering services tied to stablecoins that do not comply with the bloc’s rules, and told national regulators to ensure existing exposures are addressed as soon as possible and no later than Jan. 8, 2027. The guidance covers trading, exchange, custody, transfers, advice and portfolio management, while allowing only temporary, closely supervised services to help clients exit positions.

02:12 Regulation

Cardano activates CIP-0113 for freezeable, compliance-focused native tokens

Cardano launches CIP-0113 for freezeable, compliance-enabled tokens The Cardano Foundation said CIP-0113 went live on mainnet on October 7, giving issuers of stablecoins and other regulated assets on-chain tools to freeze holdings, seize assets, restrict recipients, and enforce KYC, AML, sanctions, and transfer rules without a hard fork. The controls are opt-in and apply only to tokens that use the standard, not to ADA itself.

02:11 Regulation

South Korea FSC chief says digital-asset legislation will be accelerated

South Korea FSC chief vows to speed digital-asset legislation Financial Services Commission Chairman Lee Eog-weon told lawmakers on Oct. 8 he will push ahead with legislation to build a “sound” digital-asset ecosystem and tighten action against crypto-linked voice phishing, including wider suspicious-transaction detection. In the same parliamentary audit, Lee said the government would keep strict control over household debt while expanding support for vulnerable borrowers and end-user homebuyers.

22:11 Regulation

Hyperliquid’s Singapore Base Draws Regulatory Scrutiny Over MAS Jurisdiction

MAS says Hyperliquid may sit outside its jurisdiction Singapore’s Monetary Authority is not aware of Hyperliquid being regulated in any major jurisdiction and does not consider the decentralized trading protocol to be based in Singapore, the Financial Times reported, potentially putting it outside MAS oversight despite Hyperliquid Labs saying it is headquartered there. The company said Hyperliquid is unregulated and has “never claimed to be” licensed or authorized by MAS.

21:26 Regulation

French Hill Urges Crypto Law Push as Senate Faces 22-Day Post-Election Window

French Hill renews push for US crypto law before Senate’s 22-day window House Financial Services Committee Chair French Hill said SEC and CFTC crypto actions “fell short” of the permanent framework Congress must provide, and urged lawmakers to pass the CLARITY Act in the post-election lame duck session. The push comes after the Senate blocked debate on the bill in September, 49-50 on a motion that needed 60 votes, leaving just 22 scheduled session days after November’s elections.

20:11 Regulation

Moody’s Assigns Sky Protocol a B3 Rating, Citing Thin Capital as Main Risk

Moody’s rates Sky Protocol B3, flags thin capital as key weakness Moody’s assigned Sky Protocol, formerly MakerDAO, a B3 rating with a stable outlook in what it said is its first rating of a stablecoin protocol, but called Sky’s capital position a “material credit weakness.” As of September, Sky held about $90 million in tangible common equity against roughly $10 billion in tangible managed assets; Moody’s also cited confidence-sensitive stablecoin liabilities, DAO governance, and the lack of audited financial statements.

08:11 Regulation

Russia Publishes First Licensed Crypto Exchange and Custody Operators

Russia registers first licensed crypto exchanges and custodians Russia’s central bank has published its first registers of authorized crypto operators under rules that took effect on Sept. 1, listing four exchange operators and five custodians, including Sberbank and VTB. Sberbank, Russia’s largest bank, said it plans to launch its first crypto products on Dec. 1 with support for Bitcoin, Ether and USDt across SberBank Online, SberInvestments and SberBusiness.

04:41 Regulation

Cardano Activates CIP-0113 for Regulated Tokens With Freeze and Transfer Controls

Cardano Foundation launches CIP-0113 for regulated asset controls Cardano Foundation has made CIP-0113 live on the network, a token standard for regulated stablecoins, funds and bonds that lets issuers restrict recipients and freeze, seize or transfer holdings under defined compliance rules. The standard enforces identity and sanctions checks on every transfer using existing Cardano capabilities, with no hard fork, and follows independent security audits.

03:11 Regulation

DAXA releases H2 2026 policy brief on South Korea’s digital-asset market

DAXA issues H2 2026 digital-asset policy roadmap for South Korea South Korea’s Digital Asset eXchange Alliance (DAXA) has published a policy brief for the second half of 2026 laying out steps to institutionalize the country’s digital-asset market. The roadmap covers stablecoins, RWA tokens and the Virtual Asset User Protection Act, with proposals on user protection, market surveillance, governance, payments and settlement, foreign investment, and AML.

00:40 Regulation

South Korea Moves to Mandate Reporting of Cross-Border Crypto Transfers

South Korea to mandate reporting of cross-border crypto transfers South Korea plans to require cross-border virtual-asset transfers to be reported to the Bank of Korea’s foreign-exchange network, with data shared with the National Tax Service, Korea Customs Service, Financial Supervisory Service, and Financial Intelligence Unit. A proposed revision to the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act enforcement decree would create a new “virtual asset transfer services” category, set registration rules, and allow one-strike revocation for illegal remittances, with the changes slated to take effect on Dec. 3.

22:56 Regulation

Hyperliquid Registered in Singapore but Reportedly Outside MAS Oversight

Hyperliquid registered in Singapore but outside MAS oversight, FT reports Hyperliquid has confirmed it is registered in Singapore, but the Monetary Authority of Singapore reportedly does not view the platform as under its jurisdiction because of its decentralized design, the Financial Times reported. MAS added Hyperliquid to its crypto warning list on June 26, saying the entry is a warning rather than a ban, while the platform said it never applied for a licence and that users keep control of their own funds.

22:40 Regulation

CFTC Proposes Federal Path for Retail Leveraged Crypto Exchanges

CFTC proposes federal regime for retail leveraged crypto trading The CFTC has proposed a new federal framework for crypto exchanges offering leveraged trading to retail customers, creating a registration path for a new “crypto asset market” category. Announced by Chairman Michael S. Selig on Oct. 5, the plan would add market surveillance, customer fund safeguards and possible proof-of-reserves rules, while treating assets sent to a customer’s external wallet within 28 days as generally meeting “actual delivery.”

14:12 Regulation

South Korea Democratic Party Says Crypto Tax Should Start on Schedule in January

South Korea ruling party backs January start for crypto tax South Korea’s Democratic Party said crypto taxation should begin in January as scheduled, arguing the National Assembly should not reverse course after delaying the measure three times. Under the current Income Tax Act, income from transferring or lending virtual assets from Jan. 1 will be treated as miscellaneous income, with annual gains above 2.5 million won ($1,810) taxed at 22%, including local tax.

11:28 Regulation

IMF Releases $137.93 Million to El Salvador After Bitcoin-Related Waiver

IMF approves $138 million for El Salvador with Bitcoin waiver The IMF approved an immediate $137.93 million disbursement to El Salvador on Oct. 1 after its second and third EFF reviews, while waiving a breach tied to public-sector Bitcoin accumulation under the country’s $1.4 billion program. The board said the added BTC came from documented private donations, not government funds, and paired the waiver with tighter limits on future accumulation and demands for more disclosure.

11:26 Regulation

CFTC Opens Comment Process on Crypto Exchange Rules After Clarity Act Stalls

CFTC proposes crypto exchange rules after Clarity Act stalls The CFTC is seeking public comment on proposed rules for CFTC-registered crypto exchanges after the Clarity Act failed to clear the Senate in September. Chairman Michael Selig said the agency cannot require crypto assets to trade on CFTC platforms without Congress, but the rules would create a federal option for exchanges that want to operate under one regime and let retail customers trade on a margined, leveraged or financed basis.

07:42 Regulation

US Treasury Withdraws FinCEN Crypto Wallet and Mixer Reporting Proposals

US Treasury withdraws FinCEN crypto wallet and mixer rules The US Treasury has withdrawn two FinCEN proposals that would have expanded reporting on crypto transactions involving “unhosted wallets” and mixers. One rule would have required institutions to collect counterparty data on wallet transfers over $3,000 and file reports from $10,000; the other targeted mixer-linked activity tied to foreign jurisdictions. Coin Center called the move a major win for financial privacy.

19:26 Regulation

Binance to require extra disclosures for Brazil cross-border crypto transfers from Nov. 1

Binance to require extra data for Brazil international crypto transfers from Nov. 1 Binance told users in Brazil that from Nov. 1, every crypto transfer to or from outside the country will require the sender to state its purpose and identify the counterparty, with the exchange reporting those operations monthly to Brazil’s Central Bank. Withdrawals will not go through until the form is completed, and incoming transfers can be held or returned if the information is missing.

16:11 Regulation

CFTC proposes federal rules for leveraged crypto trades while spot-market gap remains

CFTC proposes new federal rules for leveraged crypto trading The U.S. CFTC has proposed two rules — Regulation CTX and Regulation CAM — to create a federal framework for leveraged, margined and financed crypto trades, while leaving direct spot trading outside the regime except for fraud and manipulation oversight. The plan would create registered crypto asset markets, require anti-manipulation controls and reserves verification for customer assets, use futures commission merchants for AML checks, and include an “actual delivery” exemption for some trades settled within 28 days.

07:29 Regulation

Greek police detain 17 over alleged FXO crypto Ponzi that drew 10,000 participants

Greek police detain 17 in alleged FXO crypto Ponzi scheme Greek authorities detained 17 people, including two alleged leaders, over the FXO platform, which investigators say promised to double crypto investments in 50 days and pulled in about $8 million from at least 10,000 people. The Hellenic Capital Market Commission had previously warned that FXO was unlicensed, and raids across multiple regions seized devices, bank and SIM cards, and €295,090 in cash.

07:15 Regulation

Hong Kong Plans Broader Virtual Asset Licensing Bill for Submission This Year

Hong Kong to roll out broader crypto licensing regime this year Hong Kong will submit amendments within the year to create a licensing regime covering virtual asset trading, custody, advisory and management services, Financial Services and the Treasury Secretary Christopher Hui told lawmakers on Oct. 5. The plan is part of the government’s 2026-2030 financial market strategy and comes alongside a review of legal changes to better detect and remove fraudulent AI-generated content.

04:41 Regulation

Japan Adds Russian Crypto Exchange Garantex to Asset-Freeze Sanctions List

Japan freezes Garantex under Russia sanctions Japan added Russian crypto exchange Garantex to its asset-freeze list on Oct. 2, extending sanctions to a platform the U.S. Treasury says handled more than $100 million tied to ransomware, terrorism and other illicit activity. The move follows U.S. sanctions in 2022, a domain seizure in March 2025 and EU action, while Treasury has said Garantex staff shifted customer deposits to successor exchange Grinex.

22:11 Regulation

Russia Finance Ministry Begins Salary Payments in Digital Rubles

Russia Finance Ministry starts paying some salaries in digital rubles Russia’s Finance Ministry said some employees have been receiving salary payments in the digital ruble since Oct. 1, marking the ministry’s first payroll use of the CBDC. Participation is voluntary, and the ministry did not disclose how many workers were paid or the total amount, but said the same mechanism was used in a 2025 federal budget spending pilot that distributed about 16 million digital rubles.

13:26 Regulation

RBI Repeats Crypto Warnings as India Expands Tokenization and Digital Rupee Pilots

RBI reiterates crypto caution while expanding tokenization and CBDC pilots India’s central bank said it remains cautious on cryptocurrencies because of risks to monetary sovereignty, monetary policy and capital flows, while continuing to back tokenization, DLT and CBDC projects. Governor Sanjay Malhotra said the RBI is advancing pilots for tokenized certificates of deposit and corporate bonds settled with the wholesale digital rupee, and sees cross-border payments as a stronger use case than domestic crypto payments.

13:26 Regulation

Japan Adds Garantex to Russia Sanctions Package Covering 33 Entities

Japan sanctions crypto exchange Garantex in new Russia asset-freeze package Japan added Garantex to a Russia sanctions package that freezes assets of 33 entities and nine individuals and restricts services to 35 vessels. Under the measures, payments and capital transactions with designated parties now require government permission under Japan’s foreign exchange law. Existing vessel contracts signed before Oct. 2, 2026 can continue only until Nov. 1, 2026.

10:55 Regulation

US Sanctions Alleged Hamas Funding Network Using Charities and Crypto

US sanctions network accused of sending $2M to Hamas via charities and crypto The US Treasury’s OFAC sanctioned Saleem al-Zaq, Faouzi Barika, Amel Oualid, and charities Association Baraka and Ensemble C Mieux, accusing them of moving more than $2 million to Hamas through sham aid campaigns and crypto transfers. Treasury said Barika and Oualid sent al-Zaq hundreds of thousands of dollars in digital assets; the DOJ also unsealed charges against al-Zaq and announced six arrests.

08:56 Regulation

Russia expands digital ruble pilot into payroll after first salary payments

Russia Finance Ministry starts paying some staff in digital rubles Russia’s Finance Ministry made its first regular payroll payments in digital rubles on Oct. 1, extending the CBDC into government salaries after its Sept. 1 rollout. The ministry said it and the Federal Treasury used nearly 16 million rubles in 2025 trial transactions for selected salaries, stipends and government contracts before expanding budget use from January 2026 to eligible state-owned, budget-funded and autonomous institutions.

19:25 Regulation

Russia Begins Digital Ruble Wage Payments as ATM Cashouts Are Discussed

Russia’s Finance Ministry starts paying wages in digital rubles Russia’s Finance Ministry said some employees received salary payments in digital rubles on October 1 through accounts on the Bank of Russia platform, after the CBDC launched on September 1. The ministry said wage conversion into digital rubles is available to any citizen on request, while State Duma financial committee head Anatoly Aksakov said ATMs could be linked to the platform next year to allow cash withdrawals.

15:11 Regulation

US prosecutors move to forfeit nearly $84 million tied to Montana payments firm Capstone

US prosecutors seize nearly $84M tied to Montana payments firm Capstone U.S. prosecutors filed a civil forfeiture case to seize nearly $84 million from bank accounts and crypto wallets tied to Capstone, a Montana money services business allegedly linked to Tether. Prosecutors said Capstone posed as an IT company to open bank accounts while moving money for crypto firms; about $81 million was seized at Wells Fargo, $2 million at JPMorgan, and roughly $1.2 million in USDT. Tether said it had no knowledge of the alleged conduct, and the DOJ did not allege wrongdoing by Tether.

10:41 Regulation

Coins.ph Suspends Incoming Peso Cash-Ins After BSP Order on Internal Controls

Coins.ph pauses inbound peso transfers after BSP directive Coins.ph has temporarily suspended incoming PHP cash-ins via InstaPay, PESONet and inbound QRPh after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas ordered its operating entity, DCPay Philippines Inc., to strengthen internal controls. Outbound transfers, merchant QRPh payments, bill payments and crypto trading remain available, while fresh fiat deposits are blocked until the channels are restored.

09:24 Regulation

Bitnomial Lists Certified Ondo-Linked US Dollar Futures Product in CFTC Database

Bitnomial certifies Ondo-linked futures contract in CFTC filing Bitnomial’s “Ondo US Dollar Spot” was listed as a certified futures product in the CFTC’s designated contract market database on October 1, adding an ONDO-linked contract to the exchange’s regulated US derivatives lineup. The filing covers the listed product itself: certification is a self-certification status under the Commodity Exchange Act, not a broad CFTC endorsement of ONDO or the Ondo protocol.

09:12 Regulation

Hester Peirce to Leave SEC as Crypto Rulemaking Moves Into Formal Proposal Stage

SEC’s Hester Peirce exits as US crypto rulemaking accelerates SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce will leave the agency on October 2, ending a tenure in which she became one of the SEC’s most visible voices on digital-asset policy and led its Crypto Task Force. Her departure comes as the Commission advances major crypto proposals on custody, token classification and market structure, but SEC Chairman Paul Atkins and Commissioner Mark Uyeda said that work will continue.

09:10 Regulation

EU consumer authorities scrutinize 9 game companies over virtual currency practices

EU opens consumer-law probe into 9 game companies over virtual currencies European consumer authorities have launched coordinated action against Crytek, InnoGames, King, Mojang, Plarium, PLR Worldwide Sales, Riot Games, Supercell and Ubisoft over in-game currency practices in titles including Minecraft, Candy Crush Saga and Clash of Clans. The CPC Network said it is examining whether players were misled on real-money prices, pushed to buy excess currency, denied clear checkout information or withdrawal rights, and whether safeguards for children were adequate.

05:40 Regulation

South Korea details tokenized securities rules before planned February 2027 launch

South Korea proposes tokenized securities rules ahead of 2027 launch South Korea’s Financial Services Commission has proposed detailed rules for issuing and trading tokenized securities, including a 4 billion won ($2.8 million) minimum equity capital requirement for firms that issue tokens while directly managing customer accounts. The plan would also create a new OTC license for debt securities and cap retail investors at 100 million won ($70,000) in annual net purchases per OTC exchange, with the framework set to take effect on Feb. 4, 2027 after public consultation runs to Nov. 11.

05:26 Regulation

IMF Releases $138 Million to El Salvador After Waiving Bitcoin Program Breach

IMF approves $138M for El Salvador, waives Bitcoin program breach The IMF approved an immediate disbursement of about $138 million to El Salvador after completing two reviews of its $1.4 billion program and waiving missed conditions, including a Bitcoin accumulation restriction. The Fund said the breached accumulation came from private donations, not public money, but urged El Salvador to keep shrinking the state’s crypto role, unwind remaining public exposure to Chivo, and avoid any further Bitcoin buildup beyond verified donations.