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July 24, 2026

Regulation

OKX exchange app disappears from Google Play in the Philippines amid SEC crackdown

OKX trading app removed from Google Play in the Philippines OKX’s main exchange app is no longer available on Google Play in the Philippines, the latest fallout from the SEC’s campaign against unlicensed crypto platforms. The SEC flagged OKX and nine other exchanges on Aug. 1, 2025, and said it would seek website blocks and takedowns from companies including Google and Meta over licensing, investor-protection, and AML concerns.

Regulation

South Korea set to publish security token rules as broader market reforms continue

South Korea to issue security token rules this month South Korea’s Financial Services Commission plans to release subordinate regulations and guidelines for security tokens this month, setting standards for eligible fractionalized assets, disclosures, OTC exchange licensing and investor trading limits. The move is a key step in the country’s STO rollout ahead of the revised Electronic Securities Act and Capital Markets Act taking effect in February 2027.

July 23, 2026

Regulation

EU sanctions 14 crypto platforms and 94 banks in new Russia measures

EU sanctions 14 crypto platforms in new package against Russia The EU’s 21st sanctions package adds 14 crypto service platforms and 94 banks and financial institutions to its Russia blacklist, targeting providers in Georgia, Panama, the UAE, the Marshall Islands, Kyrgyzstan and Belarus that the Council says helped Russia-linked transfers. Adopted on July 23, the package also gives the bloc power to ban crypto-asset services tied to an entire third country if local platforms are used to evade sanctions.

Regulation

SEC’s Peirce says some crypto vaults and onchain lending products may face securities rules

SEC’s Peirce warns some crypto vaults may fall under securities laws SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce said July 22 that crypto vaults and onchain lending products can trigger U.S. securities rules depending on how they are structured, operated and managed. She said products where developers or managers choose investments, rates, loan-to-value ratios or liquidation thresholds may face closer scrutiny, and urged builders to engage with the SEC instead of assuming onchain activity sits outside federal law.

Regulation

Goldman Sachs CEO Backs Clarity Act as Senate Crypto Vote Nears

Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon backs Clarity Act ahead of Senate vote Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon said he supports moving the Clarity Act forward, breaking with JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon and banking trade groups as the crypto market-structure bill nears a possible Senate floor vote. Solomon told Politico the bill would help create market structure and a “level playing field,” while bank critics warn its stablecoin-yield provisions could pull deposits from traditional lenders.

Regulation

US freezes $130M IRGC crypto wallet as Iran financial crackdown widens

US freezes $130M IRGC crypto wallet in wider Iran crackdown The US Treasury Department has frozen a crypto wallet worth $130 million that officials say is controlled by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as Washington steps up efforts to disrupt Iran’s financial network. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the move is part of a broader push to track and block crypto tied to Iran, with investigators also tracing more accounts and other assets linked to the country’s leadership, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Regulation

EU approves new Russia sanctions package targeting 11 crypto platforms

EU agrees sanctions on 11 crypto platforms tied to Russia EU governments on Thursday approved a 21st sanctions package against Russia that targets 11 crypto platforms, most of them outside Russia, alongside 94 Russian banks and the Moscow Exchange. Officials have not named the platforms, but the move widens pressure beyond Russia’s domestic crypto sector while BTC and other cryptocurrencies remain legal to own and trade.

Regulation

FATF says crypto enforcement trails legislation as stablecoin and AI risks grow

FATF warns crypto enforcement is lagging behind new laws FATF’s 7th update on virtual asset rules found jurisdictions are passing crypto measures faster than they enforce them: 83% now have Travel Rule legislation, but 60% of those have taken no supervisory or enforcement action. The watchdog also flagged “freeze-resistant” stablecoins and AI-driven fraud as emerging risks, while saying wallet screening, blockchain analytics, and freezing or blocking tools should now be standard AML/CFT controls.

Regulation

Bitget added to New Zealand financial services register, joins IFSO complaints scheme

Bitget registers on New Zealand financial services provider register Bitget has been added to New Zealand’s Financial Service Providers Register and joined the IFSO Dispute Resolution Scheme, giving eligible customers an external channel for complaints. The FSPR registration covers services including foreign exchange, domestic and cross-border money transfers, client asset custody, portfolio and money management, and execution of financial product or FX transactions on behalf of clients.

Regulation

France Orders Nationwide ISP Block on Polymarket, Company Prepares Court Challenge

France orders ISPs to block Polymarket nationwide French gaming regulator ANJ ordered internet providers to block Polymarket before the FIFA World Cup final, arguing the site was still promoting unauthorized betting by showing live market odds. Polymarket plans to challenge the order in French courts, saying it had already stopped French users from placing bets in late 2024 and only continued offering market data and event probabilities.

Regulation

Peirce Says Some Crypto Vaults and Onchain Lending May Fall Under Securities Rules

SEC’s Peirce flags crypto vaults and onchain lending for securities review SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce said some crypto vaults and decentralized lending models could fall under existing U.S. securities laws, warning that blockchain technology alone does not put products outside federal oversight. She said platforms with human managers, portfolio-style asset allocation, or lending terms such as interest rates, collateral rules and liquidations may face closer scrutiny, and urged developers to engage with the SEC early.

Regulation

Injective Seeks SEC Transfer Agent Status to Support On-Chain Securities Records

Injective files SEC transfer agent registration for on-chain securities records Injective has filed Form TA-1 with the US Securities and Exchange Commission to register as a transfer agent, seeking a role in official recordkeeping for securities ownership on blockchain rails. If approved, the registration could support tokenized stocks, funds and credit products on Injective’s infrastructure; the filing does not register the INJ token as a security.

July 22, 2026

Regulation

Hester Peirce Says Some DeFi Vaults Could Fall Under US Securities Laws

Peirce warns SEC could treat some DeFi vaults as securities SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce said on-chain DeFi vaults may fall under US securities laws if a pool or strategy is managed by a team rather than an autonomous algorithm. She warned that human control over interest rates or capital allocation could make a project a securities issuer, investment company, or even an unregistered investment adviser, and said tokenizing assets on-chain does not remove legal responsibility.

Regulation

CLARITY Act’s Section 604 Seeks to Redefine Money-Transmitter Liability in DeFi

CLARITY Act Section 604 targets DeFi money-transmitter liability Section 604 of the CLARITY Act would make non-custodial developers and software publishers that never control user funds exempt from money-transmitter status under the Bank Secrecy Act, aiming to settle a dispute sharpened by the Tornado Cash and Samourai Wallet cases. The fight matters because operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business can be prosecuted under 18 U.S.C. Section 1960, while exchanges, custodial wallets and payment processors would remain regulated.

Regulation

EU digital euro talks advance as lawmakers target deal within six months

Digital euro talks move ahead with possible ECB decision by 2027 EU negotiations on the digital euro are underway, with lawmakers aiming to reach a legislative agreement within six months and a possible ECB issuance decision by 2027. The proposed CBDC would be fully backed by the ECB and offered through banks and payment providers, while critics warn it could expand surveillance and control despite promises of cash-like privacy for offline payments.

Regulation

Draft CLARITY bill would let crypto projects self-certify token maturity

CLARITY bill would let crypto projects self-certify token maturity A draft CLARITY framework would flip US crypto classification by letting an issuer, affiliate, or even a DAO certify that a blockchain is mature, starting a rebuttable presumption the SEC has 60 days to challenge. If unchallenged, the token would move out of SEC oversight and originator disclosures into CFTC jurisdiction as a digital commodity, using a maturity test centered on network functionality and a 20% control cap.

Regulation

South Korea Moves to Fast-Track Existing Curbs on Single-Stock Leveraged ETFs

South Korea to speed rollout of single-stock leveraged ETF curbs President Lee Jae-myung’s call for a “swift and bold” response on single-stock leveraged ETFs is not a push for extra restrictions, presidential policy chief Kim Yong-beom said on July 22, but an order to implement existing measures faster. The package raises the minimum deposit to 30 million won, allows only cash as deposits, lifts the trading unit to 20 shares, and tightens accountability for tracking gaps, while regulators may discuss limited flexibility on that rule with the industry.

Regulation

Kim Min-seok backs won stablecoin rules and tokenized securities framework

Kim Min-seok puts won stablecoins, tokenized securities at center of reform agenda Former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said he will make the institutionalization of won stablecoins and tokenized securities a core part of his financial reform agenda, including a Framework Act on Digital Assets and a party-led special committee on public assets and financial innovation. The Financial Services Commission is separately drafting detailed rules on stablecoin issuers, reserve assets and redemption rights, while tokenized securities rules are further along under planned legal amendments.

Regulation

Pakistan FIA forms digital-asset crime unit under national control center

Pakistan FIA sets up digital-asset crime unit Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency has created a Digital Assets Crime Investigation Team under the National Command and Control Center to investigate cases involving digital assets, including money laundering and terrorist financing, The Block reported on July 22. The unit will work with the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, while FIA Counter Terrorism Wing director Muhammad Athar Waheed proposed similar teams at the cybercrime agency and Anti-Narcotics Force.

Regulation

UK Lawmakers Investigate Bank Blocks on Crypto Transfers and Account Access

UK lawmakers open inquiry into banks’ crypto restrictions A cross-party group of UK lawmakers has launched an inquiry into whether bank account closures, payment blocks and transfer limits on crypto firms and users are undermining Britain’s digital asset ambitions. The Crypto and Digital Assets APPG will review access to banking, payments and insurance, with written submissions open for six weeks until Aug. 31 before it publishes recommendations to the government.

Regulation

Interactive Brokers Suspends Stablecoin Deposits for Clients in the Philippines

Interactive Brokers halts stablecoin deposits for Philippine clients Interactive Brokers has suspended stablecoin deposits for Philippines-based clients, telling users it cannot process such transfers under local rules for virtual asset services and that any stablecoins sent to previously issued wallet addresses will not be credited. The move leaves Philippine users with traditional funding methods like bank wires and third-party payment services instead of USDC deposits.

July 21, 2026

Regulation

Reported White House ethics deal boosts prospects for Senate crypto market bill

White House reportedly clears ethics hurdle for Senate crypto market bill Bitcoin climbed back above $66,000 after journalist Eleanor Terrett reported on July 20 that the White House had agreed on an ethics package for the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act and sent the language to some Senate Republicans, easing the main obstacle to a floor vote before the August recess. The text is still not public, and the bill still needs enough Democratic support to clear the Senate’s 60-vote threshold.

Regulation

Ripple secures MiCA authorization for EU and EEA crypto payment services

Ripple wins MiCA authorization for EU and EEA payments Ripple has secured full MiCA authorization for its European corporate payments entity, giving it a compliant route to offer crypto-asset payment services across EU and EEA markets under the bloc’s new framework. The approval is a licensing milestone for Ripple’s business operations, not blanket regulatory clearance for XRP trading, but it could help the company expand with banks, fintechs, and institutional clients in Europe.

Regulation

Russia’s Duma Passes Crypto Bill Tightening Control Over Domestic and Cross-Border Trading

Russia’s Duma passes bill to put crypto trading under licensed control Russia’s State Duma approved Bill No. 1194918-8 in its second and third readings on July 21, creating a licensed domestic system for crypto trading and cross-border settlements while keeping crypto payments inside Russia banned. Retail users would have to pass a test and face a 300,000-ruble annual limit through each intermediary, while from July 1, 2027 banks would block direct payments to unlicensed foreign exchanges; the bill still needs approval from the Federation Council and President Vladimir Putin.

Regulation

Circle shares rise after OCC approves national trust bank charter

Circle stock jumps 10% after OCC approves national trust bank charter Circle (NYSE: CRCL) rose about 10% on July 21 after CEO Jeremy Allaire said the company’s new OCC-approved national trust bank, Circle National Trust, will help it comply with the GENIUS Act and support wider institutional use of digital dollars. Allaire called it a landmark approval and said the charter lets Circle directly manage USDC and offer custody for stablecoins, digital assets and other tokenized assets before the law takes full effect in January 2027.

Regulation

BIS study says dollar stablecoins may weaken capital controls in emerging markets

BIS study says dollar stablecoins can bypass capital controls A Bank for International Settlements study of more than 130 economies found dollar-backed stablecoin inflows rise during macroeconomic stress, much like foreign-currency deposits, but show little response to capital controls or FX restrictions. The researchers said this points to a new form of “digital dollarization” that could undermine monetary sovereignty in emerging markets by letting users shift into dollars outside the banking system.

Regulation

CFTC outlines penalty relief for self-reporting across derivatives and digital commodity markets

CFTC sets penalty relief framework for self-reporting, including crypto firms The CFTC has issued an enforcement advisory laying out how civil penalties may be reduced when firms self-report violations, cooperate with investigators, and take corrective action. The policy applies across CFTC-regulated markets, including derivatives and digital commodities, and does not create a crypto-specific exemption; incomplete, late, or post-investigation disclosures may receive less benefit.

Regulation

India’s July 31 tax deadline highlights strict crypto reporting rules

India’s ITR deadline puts crypto reporting in focus India’s July 31, 2026 ITR deadline is approaching, and crypto investors must report all virtual digital asset transactions under Schedule VDA. Profits from selling or transferring crypto and NFTs are taxed at a flat 30%, transactions above the threshold attract 1% TDS, and losses cannot be offset against gains. Wallet transfers between addresses owned by the same person are exempt.

Regulation

Gate Europe CEO says MiCA costs could force some licensed crypto firms out of the EU

Gate Europe warns MiCA costs may squeeze some licensed crypto firms Gate Europe director Giovanni Cunti said some MiCA-licensed crypto companies in Europe may struggle to sustain the bloc’s compliance costs, arguing the stricter regime makes it harder for new entrants to compete and could push startups to launch elsewhere. ESMA’s register now lists 294 authorized crypto-asset service providers after 14 new additions, as the market shifts from thousands of operators to hundreds.

Regulation

Pakistan sets up FIA crypto unit as broader virtual asset rules take shape

Pakistan’s FIA launches crypto crime unit amid exchange licensing push Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency has created a dedicated cryptocurrency investigation unit within its National Command and Control Centre to target money laundering and terrorism financing tied to virtual currencies, while the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority oversees licensing and regulation. FIA official Dr Muhammad Athar Waheed said the NC3 will combine AML and crypto-investigation desks with Interpol coordination, cyber patrolling and dark web probes.

Regulation

South Korea says it is coordinating to block unregistered overseas crypto operators

South Korea moves to block illegal overseas crypto operators South Korea’s Financial Services Commission said July 21 it is working with the Korea Communications Standards Commission to block access to unregistered overseas virtual-asset operators, citing money-laundering risks and the need to protect domestic users. The FSC denied the two agencies had delayed reviews or shifted responsibility, after local media reported illegal exchanges were being left unchecked.

Regulation

UK Parliament investigates banks’ treatment of crypto businesses and payment limits

UK Parliament opens inquiry into banks’ treatment of crypto firms A cross-party group of UK lawmakers has launched an inquiry into whether banks have unfairly denied crypto firms access to banking services, closed accounts, or imposed disproportionate limits on crypto-related payments. The review will collect evidence from banks, fintechs and digital asset companies before issuing recommendations to the government, as the UK continues building its digital asset rules.

Regulation

Russia Set for Final Vote on Crypto Trading Rules While Keeping Payment Ban

Russia to vote July 21 on regulated crypto trading framework Russian lawmakers are set to hold a final vote on July 21 on a bill that would legalize regulated cryptocurrency trading under Bank of Russia oversight while keeping crypto banned for domestic payments. The draft would let licensed exchanges, brokers and custodians operate, cap non-qualified investors at 300,000 rubles a year, and expand the use of digital assets for cross-border settlements. If passed, it could take effect on September 1.

Regulation

Vietnam sets fines and suspensions under pilot crypto market decree

Vietnam sets crypto fines and license suspensions under pilot market rules Vietnam has issued Decree No. 284/2026/NĐ-CP, imposing penalties across its pilot crypto market framework from Sept. 1, 2026, including fines of up to VND200 million for organizations and VND100 million for individuals, license suspensions, asset confiscation, and 1–12 month operating bans for violations such as unlicensed crypto activity, reporting failures, and AML/CTF breaches. The rules also require issuers and service providers to be licensed, fine retail investors for trading outside licensed platforms, and mandate refunds or repayment of illegal profits within set deadlines.

Regulation

BSP reviews remaining InstaPay fees after banks move to free transfers

BSP reviews GCash, Maya and others over remaining InstaPay fees The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is checking whether financial institutions and e-wallet operators still charging for InstaPay transfers comply with Circular No. 1238, after providers including GCash and Maya cut fees to ₱10 but did not remove them. Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan said firms were asked to submit cost breakdowns to justify charges beyond minimal switch costs of about ₱1.50, and penalties remain possible after the review.

July 20, 2026

Regulation

Bank of Korea to Expand CBDC Pilot to 500,000 Users in September

Bank of Korea expands CBDC pilot to 500,000 users in September The Bank of Korea will start Phase 2 of Project Hangang in September, expanding its CBDC pilot from seven to nine banks and raising the user cap to 500,000 for live deposit-token payments. The new phase adds biometric payments, person-to-person transfers and, for the first time, government subsidy disbursements using programmable tokens, as the central bank says it is laying the groundwork for commercialization after Phase 1 saw 81,000 wallets and 114,880 transactions.

Regulation

Tinubu signs order to unify Nigeria’s crypto oversight and tax coordination

Tinubu signs order to unify Nigeria’s crypto oversight Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed an executive order on Friday to harmonize virtual asset regulation, create a virtual asset council led by top financial regulators, and tighten coordination among financial, tax and capital markets agencies. The order keeps existing agencies’ powers intact, while aiming to close oversight gaps that let unregistered operators evade regulation and to strengthen fraud protection without stifling innovation.

Regulation

Lummis Says CLARITY Act Would Shield Customer Crypto in Exchange Bankruptcies

Lummis says CLARITY Act would protect customer crypto in exchange failures Sen. Cynthia Lummis said the CLARITY Act would make customer cash and digital assets legally remain customer property if a covered crypto intermediary fails, closing a gap exposed by the Celsius and Voyager bankruptcies. The bill would require segregation of customer assets and generally bar brokers, dealers and exchanges from using them without authorization; it has passed the House but not the Senate.

Regulation

Vietnam to fine users up to $1,900 for trading on unlicensed crypto platforms

Vietnam sets crypto fines of up to $1,900 for unlicensed platform use Vietnam will fine domestic investors 30 million-50 million dong ($1,140-$1,900) for trading on crypto platforms without Ministry of Finance approval from Sept. 1 under Decree 284/2026/NĐ-CP. The rules, signed July 16, also impose penalties for unlicensed crypto services, unauthorized marketing, AML failures and improper data handling as Vietnam prepares to launch its pilot regulated crypto market, which Deputy Finance Minister Nguyen Duc Chi said could begin in Q3 2026.

Regulation

EU’s MiCA regime has yet to approve any tokenized gold products

EU’s MiCA approved zero gold-backed tokens in two years The EU created a MiCA category for gold-backed crypto under its asset-referenced token rules, but has approved none since the regime took effect in 2024. That leaves the $4.4 billion PAXG and XAUT market operating outside the bloc’s regulatory perimeter, with Europeans accessing tokens via offshore venues, self-custody, or issuer workarounds rather than MiCA-backed redemption rights and protections. Brussels is now reviewing whether to soften, scrap, or keep the ART framework, a decision that could determine whether tokenized gold finally enters the EU rulebook or stays in a legal gap.

Regulation

Brazil’s CVM launches task force to draft tokenized securities framework

Brazil’s CVM sets up working group for tokenized securities rules Brazil’s securities regulator CVM has created a working group to draft an experimental framework for tokenized securities, targeting core issues including ownership records, private key custody, transaction reversibility and system liability. A first proposal is due within 60 days of the group’s installation, with a broader review set for 120 days and a possible 30-day extension.

Regulation

Russia’s Duma set for final readings on crypto regulation bill

Russia’s Duma to hold final votes on crypto regulation bill Russia’s State Duma is set to take the second and third readings Tuesday on bill No. 1194918-8, “On Digital Currency and Digital Rights,” which would set investor limits and rules for cross-border crypto payments. The draft caps non-qualified investors at 300,000 rubles a year in purchases through one intermediary and 100,000 rubles in transfers abroad; the main provisions would take effect Sept. 1 if passed.

Regulation

FATF says gaps in crypto rules and Travel Rule adoption still enable illicit finance

FATF flags stablecoin misuse and offshore crypto firms in new global review The Financial Action Task Force said in its 7th update on virtual asset rules that 11 jurisdictions are still developing crypto regulations and Travel Rule measures, leaving gaps criminals can exploit. FATF warned in particular about offshore VASPs in weak regimes and the misuse of stablecoins, citing a Cambodia-based money-laundering node that issued a token marketed as immune to asset freezing.

Regulation

South Korea Weighs Crypto Account Freezes and Rewards for Market Abuse Tipsters

South Korea weighs account freezes and whistleblower rewards for crypto trading abuse South Korea’s financial authorities are preparing tougher enforcement under the second phase of the Digital Asset Act, including a capital-markets-style account-freeze system and rewards for tipsters who report unfair virtual-asset trading. Since the Virtual Asset User Protection Act took effect, regulators have investigated more than 40 cases, referred over 30 to investigators, identified 25 suspects, and found average illicit gains of about 1.4 billion won per case.

July 19, 2026

Regulation

South Korea identifies 25 suspects in crypto market manipulation cases under new law

South Korea flags 25 suspects in crypto market-rigging probes South Korea’s financial authorities said they identified 25 suspects and investigated more than 40 unfair virtual-asset trading cases in the two years since the Virtual Asset Investor Protection Act took effect on July 19, 2024. Most cases involved price manipulation, with average illicit gains of about 1.4 billion won ($1 million), and more than 30 cases were referred or reported to investigative agencies.

July 18, 2026

Regulation

CLARITY Act Still Awaits Senate Action One Year After Bipartisan House Passage

CLARITY Act still stalled in Senate a year after House approval A year after the House passed the CLARITY Act with support from nearly 80 Democrats, lawmakers used a July 17 hearing at Federal Hall in New York to renew pressure on the Senate to act. The delay leaves unresolved questions around digital asset classification, registration and federal oversight, with House Republicans arguing the U.S. still lacks a functioning crypto market structure despite bipartisan backing.

Regulation

Russia Draft Bill Would Limit Retail Access to Foreign Stablecoins

Russia’s draft crypto bill would restrict purchases of foreign stablecoins to professional and qualified investors, carving stablecoins out as a separate legal category rather than treating them like other cryptocurrencies. The proposal would also limit retail access to foreign digital instruments to products approved by the Bank of Russia, while the central bank separately wants all stablecoin trades routed through licensed exchanges or authorized exchange offices under state supervision.

Regulation

France orders ISPs to block Polymarket after regulator cites unauthorized operation

France orders ISPs to block Polymarket France’s gambling regulator ANJ ordered internet service providers to block Polymarket after saying the platform kept operating without authorization despite a November 2024 ban on financial transactions. The agency said the site logged 578,751 visits from French IPs over the past month, and warned that promoting an unauthorized gambling site is a criminal offense punishable by fines of up to €100,000.

Regulation

Australia to End 50% Capital Gains Tax Discount for Crypto and Other Assets in 2027

Australia approves 2027 overhaul of capital gains tax Australia has passed the Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Act 2026, ending the 50% capital gains tax discount for crypto, shares and real estate from July 1, 2027. Gains realized after that date will instead use cost-base indexation and face a minimum 30% CGT rate, while gains earned before the deadline keep the current treatment. Investors will need detailed records to separate pre- and post-July 2027 gains.

July 17, 2026

Regulation

Tinubu Executive Order Creates New Council to Coordinate Nigeria Crypto Oversight

Tinubu signs executive order to unify Nigeria’s virtual asset oversight Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu signed an executive order that takes immediate effect, creating a Virtual Asset Council led by the central bank to coordinate crypto oversight and crack down on unregistered operators. The order keeps existing agencies in place, splits supervision between the NSEC and CBN by asset type, and gives the new council 30 days to set the rollout framework.