Regulation news

22:00 Regulation

Ripple Payments Europe added to ESMA MiCA register, gaining EU-wide passporting rights

Ripple Payments Europe added to ESMA MiCA register ESMA’s latest MiCA register update added Ripple Payments Europe SA as an authorized crypto-asset service provider, bringing the total number of approved firms to 294. The approval gives Ripple’s European payments unit passporting rights across 29 EU countries and, alongside its Luxembourg EMI license, lets it offer regulated crypto asset and stablecoin payment services to banks, fintechs and corporate clients across the EEA.

19:31 Regulation

Bolivia Reviews Framework to Recognize USDT for Payments and Savings

Bolivia weighs recognizing USDT for payments and savings Bolivia is reviewing a framework that would recognize Tether’s USDT as a payment currency, Economy and Public Finance Minister Jose Gabriel Espinoza said. The proposal would let USDT circulate alongside the boliviano and the US dollar for payments and savings, with anti-money laundering safeguards, as demand for dollar-denominated alternatives rises amid the country’s prolonged US dollar shortage.

18:32 Regulation

Nigeria Puts Crypto Exchanges Under SEC Licensing Rules in 2026

Nigeria brings crypto exchanges under SEC licensing regime Nigeria’s Investments and Securities Act 2025 classifies digital assets as securities and puts exchanges, custodians and other crypto service providers under SEC oversight. From 2026, platforms serving Nigerian users are expected to be licensed; using unlicensed exchanges can mean blocked naira deposits and withdrawals, possible domain restrictions, and no legal recourse if funds are lost.

14:31 Regulation

Russia Defers Crypto Exchange Prison Bill Until After September Duma Elections

Russia delays crypto prison bill until after September elections Russia’s State Duma has pushed the second and third readings of a bill criminalizing unlicensed cryptocurrency exchange to the new parliament’s autumn session after the Sept. 20 elections. The proposal would ban crypto exchange outside Central Bank-registered entities and set penalties of up to seven years in prison, with the rules due to take effect on July 1, 2027; committee head Anatoly Aksakov said penalty calibration is still unresolved.

00:47 Regulation

Congress Considers Clarity Act to Set Federal Rules for U.S. Crypto Markets

Congress weighs Clarity Act as broad U.S. crypto market structure bill Congress is considering the Clarity Act, a bill that would create a federal framework for digital asset markets, pairing clearer operating rules for crypto firms with consumer and investor protections. Former House Financial Services Committee chair Patrick McHenry called it a chance to move beyond “reactive regulation,” arguing the measure could strengthen law enforcement tools and help keep U.S. crypto capital and innovation from moving to markets with clearer rules.

00:15 Regulation

Pakistan Regulator Seeks Shariah Exemption for Asset-Backed Digital Tokens

Pakistan regulator seeks Shariah carve-out for asset-backed digital tokens Pakistan’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority is asking Jamia Darul Uloom Karachi to clarify the difference between speculative cryptocurrencies and asset-backed digital tokens after a fatwa declared crypto purchases unlawful. Chairman Bilal bin Saqib said PVARA is working with scholars to define at least two Shariah-safe token categories, including blockchain-recorded sukuk and gold-backed tokens with enforceable claims, as it builds a licensing framework and advances stablecoin and real-world asset tokenization plans.

22:46 Regulation

Bitpay gains MiCA authorization to offer crypto payment services across the EU

Bitpay wins MiCA license for EU-wide crypto payments The Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets has authorized Bitpay B.V. as a crypto-asset service provider under the EU’s MiCA rules, giving the company a regulatory base to offer cryptocurrency and stablecoin payment services across all 27 EU countries. Bitpay said the approval, granted on July 16, covers payment processing, cross-border transfers, consumer spending, and partner-supported buying, selling, and swapping.

16:17 Regulation

US Senate Backs Resolution Opposing Any Clemency for Sam Bankman-Fried

US Senate unanimously opposes clemency for Sam Bankman-Fried The U.S. Senate on July 15 unanimously approved S.Res. 772, a bipartisan resolution opposing any presidential pardon or commutation for former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried while his clemency petition is pending. Introduced by Sens. Ruben Gallego and Cynthia Lummis, the nonbinding measure says clemency would undermine confidence in U.S. financial markets and the message sent to victims after his conviction on seven counts and 25-year sentence.

15:18 Regulation

Ukraine widens Russia sanctions to crypto firms and all ruble-backed digital assets

Ukraine expands Russia sanctions to crypto and ruble-backed stablecoins President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree updating Ukraine’s sanctions regime to block Russia’s use of crypto, digital asset firms and related services to evade financial restrictions. The measures ban Russia-linked virtual asset transactions and cover all ruble-backed tokens, going beyond the EU’s latest packages as Kyiv says Moscow uses tools like A7A5 for cross-border payments that may exceed $5 billion a month.

12:46 Regulation

UK FCA sets 2026-2027 authorisation window for crypto exchanges

UK sets FCA authorisation window for crypto exchanges in 2026-2027 The UK’s FCA will open applications for full crypto authorisation on 30 September 2026, with firms required to apply by 28 February 2027 to keep operating legally before the regime takes effect on 25 October 2027. Exchanges without approval face enforcement action, banking restrictions and possible criminal penalties, while AML-registered firms can continue during the review period.

11:46 Regulation

Paymonade obtains MiCA license to keep fiat settlement services across the Euro Area

Paymonade wins MiCA license for EU-wide crypto services Damoon Technology (Europe) AG, trading as Paymonade, has received a MiCA license from Liechtenstein’s FMA, allowing it to offer regulated crypto-asset services across all 30 Euro Area nations after the July 1 deadline. The approval puts Paymonade among roughly 280 fully authorized firms still operating in the market; the company said it handled $1.8B in annualized transaction volume in H1 2026.

04:30 Regulation

Trump to meet senators as CLARITY Act faces pre-recess Senate push

Trump to meet senators as CLARITY Act heads toward Senate push President Donald Trump is due to meet several senators at the White House on Thursday as negotiators try to move the CLARITY Act before the Senate’s August recess. Politico reported Sen. Bernie Moreno and Sen. Cynthia Lummis will attend; Moreno said they will brief Trump on the bill and its “path to success,” while Lummis said a revised draft should be introduced in the next few days and could reach the Senate floor next week.

02:47 Regulation

Triple-A receives Dubai VARA in-principle approval for broker-dealer services

Triple-A wins VARA in-principle approval for Dubai broker-dealer license Singapore-based payments firm Triple-A has secured in-principle approval from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority for broker-dealer services, moving it closer to a full license in a jurisdiction where fewer than 50 entities are fully licensed. The company said it now has a defined window to meet operational readiness and other post-approval conditions, with final licensing expected in the coming months.

02:01 Regulation

BlockShoals registered with Philippine AMLC under anti-money laundering law

BlockShoals registers with Philippines AMLC as covered person BlockShoals Technologies said it has been registered with the Philippines’ Anti-Money Laundering Council as a covered person under the AMLA, after receiving its Certificate of Registration on June 18, 2026. The company is operating as a Crypto-Asset Intermediary under the SEC’s Strategic Regulatory Sandbox and said the status means it must meet AML, counter-terrorism financing and counter-proliferation financing obligations as a CASP.

23:31 Regulation

Regulators and firms explore perpetual CFDs as 24/7 trading demand grows

Push grows to recast perpetual swaps as regulated CFDs Market participants and regulators are pushing to adapt perpetual instruments into regulated formats such as perpetual CFDs, as 24/7 trading demand exposes the limits of fixed exchange hours for a global retail market. The shift aims to preserve nonstop exposure and liquidity while adding stronger supervision, margin and capital rules, disclosures, reporting, and retail investor protections.

21:15 Regulation

Japan Moves to Clarify Crypto Status Under Financial Rules as ETF Path Comes Into Focus

Japan moves to classify crypto as financial instruments Japan’s Financial Services Agency has moved to classify crypto more clearly within its financial-instrument framework, a step that could help guide approvals for spot crypto ETFs in the country. The July 15 update could also affect tax treatment and investor protections, but it stops short of final legal certainty as implementation details still need to follow.

20:00 Regulation

South Korea Advances Crypto Tax System as Repeal Efforts Remain Stalled

South Korea builds crypto tax system ahead of 2027 launch South Korea’s tax agency is expanding its crypto enforcement framework even as repeal efforts stall in the National Assembly. Under the current law, gains from transferring or lending virtual assets after Jan. 1, 2027 will be taxed above an annual 2.5 million won deduction at an effective 22% rate, while the National Tax Service is setting up a Digital Assets General Division and a system combining exchange and blockchain data to track transactions and detect evasion.

16:01 Regulation

India Keeps Crypto Adoption Open While Tightening Tax and AML Controls

India signals tighter crypto oversight as adoption stays high India’s crypto market may keep expanding over the next five years, but policy is moving toward stricter compliance, not broader legalization. The Finance Ministry says virtual digital assets remain unregulated, private crypto is not legal tender, and trading will stay subject to tax and AML rules, while exchanges face stronger reporting and identity checks under IT Act and FIU requirements.

13:46 Regulation

South Korea proposes refund rules for crypto lost in voice phishing scams

South Korea to extend fraud refunds to virtual assets South Korea’s FSC said on July 15 it will open public consultation on rules that would let victims of telecom financial fraud get refunds for virtual assets, not just cash. Refunds would be calculated by token type and quantity using the market price at the time payment is suspended, and a designated institution would help sell refundable crypto so victims can be paid in cash. The comment period runs from July 15 to Aug. 24.

13:04 Regulation

Cash App Agrees to $45 Million Multistate Settlement Over Fraud Allegations

Block’s Cash App agrees to $45M multistate fraud settlement Block Inc. agreed to a $45 million settlement with 46 states over allegations Cash App misled users about fraud protections and customer support, including lax verification, years without phone support, delayed fraud probes and account lockouts that blocked recovery of stolen funds. The deal requires 24-hour support, an end to deceptive marketing, and a restitution program for users hit by unauthorized transactions.

12:32 Regulation

UK Fraud Review Urges Judge Training for Crypto Laundering and AI Scam Cases

UK review urges mandatory judge training for crypto and AI fraud cases A government-backed UK fraud review warned that magistrates and judges in England and Wales are not prepared for a likely surge in crypto money laundering and AI-enabled fraud cases, and urged the Judicial College to review training for the whole judiciary. It said regional courts lack experience with complex cases involving cross-border transfers and cryptocurrencies, and suggested replacing or updating the current optional course with a bespoke module that could be mandatory for judges handling serious fraud.

12:31 Regulation

Revolut gets in-principle VARA approval to expand crypto services in the UAE

Revolut wins in-principle Dubai crypto approval Revolut has received in-principle approval from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority to expand its regulated crypto business in the UAE. Subject to final authorization, the fintech plans to offer broker-dealer, management, investment and exchange services, with eligible users able to buy, sell and hold digital assets through its main app and Revolut X.

11:16 Regulation

Ben McKenzie Urges U.S. Senators to Oppose CLARITY Act

Ben McKenzie lobbies senators against CLARITY Act Actor and crypto critic Ben McKenzie met with U.S. senators in Washington on Tuesday to urge them to vote against the CLARITY Act, journalist Eleanor Terrett reported. The bill is one of the most significant crypto market structure proposals before Congress and would create a clearer regulatory framework for digital assets in the US, making McKenzie’s push a direct intervention as lawmakers debate the measure.

09:16 Regulation

South Korea clears Project Hangang Phase 2, expanding CBDC pilot to 500,000 users

South Korea approves Project Hangang Phase 2 for 500,000 CBDC users South Korea’s Financial Services Commission has designated the Bank of Korea’s Project Hangang Phase 2 as an innovative financial service, clearing the next CBDC deposit-token pilot to expand from 100,000 to about 500,000 users. The new phase adds wallet-to-wallet transfers, treasury fund disbursement tests and broader business use, while BNK Kyongnam Bank and iM Bank join as payment and settlement providers.

08:15 Regulation

Japan Approves Law Treating Crypto as Financial Products and Opens Path to Spot ETFs

Japan approves law to classify crypto as financial products Japan’s House of Councillors has given final approval to amend the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, moving crypto regulation from the Payment Services Act and classifying crypto assets as financial products for the first time. The law also tightens penalties for unregistered operators and lays the groundwork for spot crypto ETFs, while a separate tax shift from rates of up to 55% to about 20% could follow after implementation, potentially from 2028.

04:31 Regulation

Alaska sets July 21 deadline for Bitcoin Depot kiosk scam claims

Alaska sets July 21, 2026 deadline for Bitcoin Depot scam claims Alaskans who lost money through Bitcoin Depot kiosks have until July 21, 2026, to seek a share of Bitcoin Depot Operating LLC’s bankruptcy estate, the Alaska Department of Law said. The company filed for bankruptcy in the Southern District of Texas, and officials urged victims to verify eligibility before filing. State Senator Cathy Tilton tied the notice to her SB 249 push for licensing, identity checks and other safeguards for crypto-kiosk operators.

03:31 Regulation

US freezes over $130 million in crypto tied to Iran central bank

US freezes $130M in crypto linked to Iran’s central bank The US Treasury sanctioned multiple wallets tied to the Central Bank of Iran and froze more than $130 million in cryptocurrency, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on July 14. The action was part of a broader OFAC package targeting more than 50 individuals, entities and vessels linked to Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani’s oil-shipping network under Executive Order 13902.

23:01 Regulation

EU sanctions Vitaly Kovalev, identifies him as ‘Stern’ behind Trickbot and Conti

EU sanctions Trickbot boss Vitaly Kovalev as “Stern” The EU has sanctioned Russian national Vitaly Nikolayevich Kovalev and, for the first time in a sanctions listing, tied him by name to the “Stern” alias linked to the Trickbot and Conti ransomware groups. The move was coordinated with the US and UK, and published Kovalev’s wallet addresses to make it harder for him to move funds through crypto exchanges and financial services.

17:32 Regulation

North Carolina Enacts Crypto ATM Law With Fee Caps, Limits and Refund Rights

North Carolina signs crypto ATM consumer protection law North Carolina has enacted the Virtual Currency Kiosk Consumer Protection Act, adding new rules for crypto ATM operators including fraud warnings, a $2,000 daily limit for new customers, and a 12% cap on fees. The law also requires operators to be licensed as money transmitters under the Commissioner of Banks, and lets scam victims seek refunds within 30 days after reporting an incident.

11:02 Regulation

HMRC to defer CGT on certain crypto lending and liquidity pool transactions from 2027

HMRC to defer CGT on certain crypto loans and liquidity pool moves from 2027 HMRC said certain cryptoasset loan and liquidity pool transactions will be treated as “no gain, no loss” from 6 April 2027, deferring Capital Gains Tax until an economic disposal. The change applies to individuals and trustees, covers lending and AMM liquidity pool arrangements where users put in and receive the same type of cryptoasset, and is expected to affect about 700,000 people by easing burdens created by HMRC’s 2022 guidance.

08:22 Regulation

Cumberland receives full Singapore MPI licence for crypto payment services

Cumberland wins full Singapore MPI licence Cumberland said it has received a Major Payment Institution licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore, allowing its local unit to offer regulated digital payment token and cross-border money transfer services under the Payment Services Act. The crypto trading and liquidity arm of DRW had received in-principle approval in March and said the full licence supports its expansion of compliant services for institutional clients in Singapore.

05:16 Regulation

South Korea to draft digital asset law and seek rules for won stablecoins and spot ETFs

South Korea to draft digital asset law and open path to spot Bitcoin ETFs South Korea said it will draft a Basic Digital Asset Act this year to formalize won-denominated stablecoins and overhaul rules for the digital-asset industry, as part of its 2026 economic growth strategy announced July 14. The government is also seeking revisions to the Capital Markets Act to allow spot ETFs for digital assets such as Bitcoin, while reviewing rules for cross-border stablecoin transactions and related foreign-exchange law changes.

04:00 Regulation

US transfers $297M in seized Bitcoin and Ether to Coinbase Prime

US moves $297M in seized BTC and ETH to Coinbase Prime The US government transferred 3,940 BTC worth $243.95 million and 30,014 ETH worth $53.09 million to Coinbase Prime on Monday, Arkham data shows, reviving speculation the seized assets could be sold. The Bitcoin came from funds seized from Ryan Farace and BTC-e, while the Ether was linked to Brian Krewson; a sale would appear to clash with Donald Trump’s March 2025 order to keep seized Bitcoin in a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, though the transfers do not confirm any sale.

21:07 Regulation

New Hampshire signs HB 639, expanding legal protections for blockchain activity

New Hampshire signs blockchain rights law Gov. Kelly Ayotte has signed HB 639, the “Blockchain Basic Laws” act, giving legal protections in New Hampshire to crypto self-custody, blockchain developers, miners, validators, entrepreneurs and businesses, while allowing a special blockchain dispute docket in superior court. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Keith Ammon, said it is meant to position the state as a national leader in blockchain innovation.

14:45 Regulation

Bolivia studies possible USDT role in national payment system, minister says

Bolivia weighs adding USDT to national payment system Bolivia is technically assessing whether USDT can be integrated into the national payment system and circulate alongside the US dollar and the boliviano, Acting Economy Minister Jose Gabriel Espinoza said. He added that no rollout can happen before a full crypto framework is in place, with rules aligned to FATF anti-money laundering requirements as Bolivia remains on the watchdog’s grey list.

11:02 Regulation

Webull EU gets Dutch MiCAR approval for crypto custody rollout

Webull EU wins Dutch MiCAR approval for crypto custody launch Webull EU said it has received MiCAR approval from the Netherlands’ AFM, allowing it to launch regulated crypto-asset custody services in the Netherlands later this year and expand across the EU through passporting once approved. Client assets will be custodied by Webull EU, while trade execution will run through Coinbase Luxembourg S.A., making Webull one of the first dual-regulated investment firms in the Netherlands with MiCAR authorization.

08:05 Regulation

China weighs new judicial rules for virtual currency money laundering cases

China proposes tougher judicial rules for crypto money laundering cases Chinese legal experts have proposed new judicial guidelines to tighten virtual currency money laundering enforcement, including mandatory dual probes into both laundering and the underlying crime, wider use of blockchain analysis tools, and updated evidence standards that would recognize verifiable on-chain records and compliant analytics reports in court. The plan also calls for a national system to manage, value and dispose of seized crypto assets, plus stronger cross-border asset recovery cooperation.

07:17 Regulation

FBI warns Kentucky residents of scams demanding crypto to avoid fake legal trouble

FBI warns of rising crypto payment scams targeting Kentuckians The FBI’s Louisville field office says scammers posing as police or other government officials are pressuring Kentucky residents to send crypto, often via crypto ATMs, by claiming they face arrest warrants or jury duty problems. The agency said IC3 logged 475 such complaints in Kentucky in 2025, with losses above $3.15 million, while nationwide complaints topped 39,949 and losses exceeded $833 million.

05:15 Regulation

Thailand expands anti-money laundering checks to USDT and large cash transactions

Thailand to audit high-volume USDT transfers in anti-money laundering push Thailand’s central bank and the Securities and Exchange Commission will audit high-volume stablecoin transactions, with a focus on USDT, as part of a broader crackdown on money laundering and the country’s “gray money” economy. The move expands compliance checks across banks, cash networks, currency exchanges and gold trading, while cash deposits above 5 million baht ($150,000) will require full disclosure and high-value cash transactions will need source-of-funds declarations.

18:20 Regulation

Crypto Lobbying Push Tests CLARITY Act’s Senate Prospects

Law enforcement groups split as CLARITY Act heads toward Senate vote Support for the crypto market structure bill shifted this week as the Major County Sheriffs of America dropped its opposition and moved to neutral after talks over Section 604, while NOBLE became the first major law enforcement body to endorse it. The moves add momentum before a possible Senate floor vote ahead of the August recess, but four other law enforcement and attorneys groups warned the bill’s exemptions could create oversight gaps criminals may exploit.

19:49 Regulation

Ripple secures full MiCA crypto license in Luxembourg for EEA expansion

Ripple gets full MiCA crypto license in Luxembourg Luxembourg’s financial regulator on July 6 upgraded Ripple to a full Crypto-Asset Service Provider license under the EU’s MiCA rules, letting it offer regulated custody, exchange and related crypto services across the EEA through passporting. Combined with Ripple’s earlier Luxembourg EMI authorization, the approval gives it a single European base for both fiat and crypto flows.

15:08 Regulation

European Parliament sends digital euro plan to talks with member states

EU Parliament advances digital euro to talks with member states The European Parliament voted to move the digital euro into the next legislative phase, clearing the way for negotiations with member states on a final proposal for the eurozone CBDC. The proposal includes free basic digital euro services, privacy safeguards and holding caps to protect bank liquidity, while lawmakers say the currency would complement, not replace, cash.

14:07 Regulation

Meta disputes EU finding on Facebook and Instagram’s alleged addictive design

EU says Meta’s Facebook and Instagram breach DSA over addictive design The European Commission issued a preliminary finding that Facebook and Instagram’s design for minors and vulnerable adults breaches the Digital Services Act, citing infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications and personalized recommendations. If confirmed, Meta could face fines of up to 6% of global annual revenue and orders to switch off autoplay and infinite scroll by default and add screen breaks.

13:29 Regulation

Russia Advances Bill to Track Crypto Transfers Over 60,000 Rubles in Real Time

Russia moves to track crypto transfers above 60,000 rubles Russia’s State Duma Financial Markets Committee approved for second reading a bill that would give Rosfinmonitoring real-time data on crypto transactions above 60,000 rubles, down from 100,000, including wallet address, name, physical address, date of birth and TIN of both sides. The package, expected to take effect on Sept. 1, would also let the Central Bank ban crypto deals it deems a threat to investors or financial stability.