The Hodl Up blog: crypto research, news & guides
Research notes, regulation reads & market commentary.
Blogs and news from us on crypto, regulation, prediction markets, RWAs, Web3 gaming, and the future of finance.
Blog & news archive
The Wisdom of Crowds Is the Wrong Slogan for a Market 3% of Traders Price
Roughly 3% of traders drive price discovery and the top 1% take 76.5% of profits. What the concentration evidence shows, and how Hanson and Sethi answer it.
What the Fed Found When It Tested Kalshi Against Its Own Decisions
A Federal Reserve working paper found Kalshi's macro markets well calibrated, with a perfect record before FOMC decisions. Why the result is narrower than it sounds.
Hyperliquid HIP-4: Staked, Slashable Resolution and What It Fixes
HIP-4 puts a slashable HYPE stake behind every resolution, unlike UMA's $750 bond. What it fixes, what the volume shows, and what it has not yet been tested on.
Prediction Markets vs Polls: The June 2024 Debate Settled Less Than You Think
Markets repriced within half an hour of the June 2024 debate while forecasting models were suspended. Where markets beat polls, and where the comparison breaks.
New York AG Files Complaint Against Prediction Market QCX LLC
The New York Attorney General's office has filed a complaint against QCX LLC, the entity behind the Polymarket prediction market, in a state court.
KalshiEX LLC Case Sees New Procedural Order in Maryland
The U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland recently recorded a new procedural order in the ongoing legal dispute between KalshiEX LLC and John Martin.
CFTC Attorney Files Appearance in Johnson Prediction Market Case
An attorney for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission recently filed a notice of appearance in the ongoing case of CFTC v. Johnson, et al., in a Texas federal court.
Sixth Circuit Reverses Kalshi Injunction, Rules Sports Contracts Not Swaps
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit reversed a preliminary injunction that had shielded Kalshi from Tennessee's state gambling regulations, determining that Kalshi's sports event contracts do not qualify as "swaps" under federal law.
Robinhood Files Supreme Court Petition on Prediction Market Legality
Robinhood Markets has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to clarify whether federal commodities law or state gambling regulations govern sports event contracts.
Indian Gaming Association: Prediction Markets Blocked on Tribal Lands
The Indian Gaming Association recently issued a report stating that prediction markets are currently barred from offering sports gambling on tribal lands.
AGA Study: Gamblers Show Higher Financial Literacy, Prediction Market Users Overestimate Math
A recent study by NORC at the University of Chicago, commissioned by the American Gaming Association, found gamblers more financially literate but prediction market users overestimating their math skills.
Rothera Explained: Why Robinhood Stopped Renting Kalshi's Exchange
Robinhood's share of Kalshi volume fell from 50% to 17.5% in a year after it bought an exchange with Susquehanna. What Rothera is and why distribution turned hostile.
Every Prediction Market Platform in 2026, and What Each One Actually Is
Kalshi, Polymarket, Rothera, Underdog, Hyperliquid HIP-4 and the oracle layer beneath them. What each platform is structurally, and which risks come with it.
Polymarket Lists New Texas House Race Event Contracts
Polymarket recently listed event contracts for four critical Texas House races, providing market-based probabilities for each contest along the southern border.
arXiv Study: Prediction Markets Outperform Weather Forecasts
A recent arXiv paper demonstrates that prediction markets, utilizing data from Kalshi, offer more accurate predictions for tomorrow's high temperatures than established weather forecasts.
Kalshi vs Polymarket: Volume, Fees, Custody and Legal Status Compared
Kalshi took 82% of August 2026 volume, but the two venues differ on custody, category mix and legal exposure. A full comparison from Hodl Up Research.
Nobody Knows How Big Prediction Markets Are, Including the Platforms
Venues count volume four different ways, aggregators revise months by billions, and up to 60% of one platform's volume was wash traded. Why no honest industry size exists.
Global Gaming Expo Adds Prediction Markets Panel to 2026 Main Stage
The Global Gaming Expo (G2E) will feature a main stage session on prediction markets in 2026, signaling increased industry interest in event contracts.
Nevada Federal Court Denies Injunction Against Kalshi, Remands Case
The U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada recently denied the State of Nevada's motion for a preliminary injunction against KalshiEX, LLC and remanded the case to state court.
Northern California Court Extends Robinhood Prediction Market Briefing
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California recently granted a stipulation to extend the deadline for a response brief in the Robinhood prediction market class action.
arXiv Paper Details Atomicity Violations in Onchain Prediction Markets
A recent arXiv preprint investigates atomicity violations, dubbed 'ghost-filled orders,' in non-custodial prediction markets, detailing detection methods and financial impact.
CFTC Finalizes Whistleblower Rule Amendments, Bolstering Enforcement
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission recently finalized amendments to its Part 165 regulations, effective October 16, 2026, to enhance its whistleblower award program.
NYSE Arca Files Proposed Rule Change for Binary KPI Options
NYSE Arca, Inc. has submitted a proposed rule change to the SEC to allow the listing and trading of Binary KPI Options, a new type of event contract.
arXiv Paper Explores CLOB and AMM Prediction Market Coexistence
A recent arXiv preprint by Chengqi Zang, Gabriel Andrade, and Tomoyuki Nakajima examines the dynamics of information aggregation and rent extraction in prediction markets utilizing both CLOB and AMM structures.
Kalshi Adds Counsel in Blue Lake Rancheria N.D. Cal. Case
Prediction market Kalshi has filed a notice of appearance for new legal counsel in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, signaling ongoing litigation.
U.S. Court Grants Extension in Lavery v. Kalshi Inc. Case
The U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada issued a minute order extending deadlines for reply briefs in the Lavery v. Kalshi Inc. lawsuit.
U.S. Senate Blocks CLARITY Act Amid Tribal Prediction Market Concerns
The U.S. Senate recently failed to advance the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, a bill that tribal organizations opposed due to its potential impact on prediction market regulation.
New arXiv Research Examines Polymarket Oracle Adjudication
A recent arXiv paper delves into Polymarket's oracle adjudication processes and the complexities of semantic governance, offering insights into the design of decentralized prediction markets.
Polymarket Details NFL Market Dynamics, Playoff Outlook
Polymarket's latest 'The Oracle' report examines NFL prediction markets, including team performance, playoff probabilities, and the evolving MVP race.
Prediction Markets 2026: The Truth Machine Got Rich
Our 2026 prediction markets report: Kalshi took 82% of August volume, up to 60% of Polymarket volume was wash traded, and 3% of traders set the price.
Privacy Is Normal, Not a Cult: Common S3nse 2026 Opens in Amsterdam
Common S3nse 2026, the rebranded ETHDam, opened at De Hallen in Amsterdam with two days of privacy, security and self-custody talks and a 99-builder hackathon. Hodl Up is an official media partner.
Wise to Resubmit US Bank Charter Application Under GENIUS Act
Wise's application for a US national trust bank charter was denied by the OCC due to compliance issues, prompting the company to plan a resubmission under the GENIUS Act.
Kweather, Flare Launch Pilot to Tokenize Weather Data for Derivatives
South Korean weather platform Kweather and blockchain network Flare have launched a pilot project to bring meteorological data on-chain, exploring tokenized weather derivatives and real-world asset (RWA) opportunities.
Fidelity Urges Senate to Pass CLARITY Act for Digital Asset Rules
Fidelity Public Policy recently urged the U.S. Senate to pass the CLARITY Act, advocating for a clear regulatory framework for digital assets to enhance investor confidence and U.S. market leadership.
Robinhood Chain Tokenized RWAs Surge Fivefold to $70M
Robinhood Chain's tokenized real-world assets have jumped fivefold to approximately $70 million, with daily trading volumes for tokenized stocks reaching $55 million.
Galaxy Digital Cuts CLARITY Act Passage Odds to 30%
Galaxy Digital Research has reduced its forecast for the CLARITY Act's passage by year-end to 30%, citing insufficient votes and strong Democratic opposition.
HTX Included in EU's 21st Russia Sanctions Package
The European Union has added cryptocurrency exchange HTX to its 21st sanctions package against Russia, imposing a transaction ban over alleged sanctions evasion.
B3 Registers First Tokenized Dairy Cow Loan for R$100,000
Brazil's B3 stock exchange has officially registered its first credit facility collateralized by tokenized live dairy cattle, enabling a R$100,000 loan for a local farm.
Uniswap Labs Launches Permissioned Pools for Regulated Tokenized Assets
Uniswap Labs has introduced Permissioned Pools on Uniswap v4, allowing regulated tokenized assets to trade onchain with integrated compliance checks.
Goldman Sachs CEO Backs Clarity Act for Stablecoin Regulation
Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon recently endorsed the CLARITY Act, a proposed crypto market structure bill, despite banking industry concerns over its stablecoin provisions.
MEXC July 2026 Proof of Reserves Shows 281% BTC Ratio
MEXC has released its July 2026 Proof of Reserves report, audited by Hacken, revealing a 281% BTC reserve ratio and over 100% for other major assets.
HTX Rotates Wallets Post-UK Sanctions, TRM Labs Reports
Crypto exchange HTX has been rapidly rotating its onchain hot wallets across four major blockchains since being sanctioned by the UK in May, according to TRM Labs.
Payward xStocks Expands Tokenized Equities to Hong Kong, UK, South Korea
Payward, the parent company of Kraken, is expanding its xStocks tokenized equities platform to include stocks from Hong Kong, the UK, and South Korea, in partnership with GTN.
Balance Coin (BLC) Plummets 99% After $915K Oracle Exploit
Balance Coin (BLC), an algorithmic stablecoin, crashed over 99% today after an attacker exploited a price oracle vulnerability, draining approximately $915,000.
Russian Duma Passes Crypto Law with $3,800 Retail Cap
Russia's State Duma has passed a comprehensive crypto market law, introducing a $3,800 annual investment cap for retail investors and legalizing crypto for cross-border trade.
Augustus Secures $180M Series B for AI-Powered Clearing Bank
Augustus recently raised $180 million in Series B funding at a $1 billion valuation to expand its AI-driven clearing bank infrastructure for global dollar access and stablecoin transactions.
Network School Malaysia License Revoked, Ordered to Cease Operations
Malaysia's Iskandar Puteri City Council has revoked the business license of Balaji Srinivasan's Network School in Forest City, ordering it to cease operations by July 22, 2026, due to licensing and premises-use violations.
Exodus Cuts 25% Workforce, Pivots to Stablecoin Payments Platform
Exodus Movement, Inc. recently announced a 25% global workforce reduction to streamline operations and focus on building a full-stack stablecoin payments platform.
Hut 8 Secures $9.8B AI Data Center Lease, IREN Adds $2.8B Contracts
Hut 8 secured a second 15-year, $9.8 billion lease for its Beacon Point AI data center, while IREN announced $2.8 billion in new AI cloud contracts.
Tether USDT Faces July 2028 US Platform Deadline Under GENIUS Act
Tether's USDT faces a critical July 2028 deadline to comply with the U.S. GENIUS Act, which could restrict its availability on American crypto platforms.
Dunamu Faces South Korean FSS Sanctions Over Upbit's $32M Hack
South Korea's Financial Supervisory Service has initiated formal sanctions proceedings against Dunamu, Upbit's operator, following a November 2025 hack that resulted in 44.5 billion won ($32 million) in losses.
Broadridge Survey: 84% of Firms Prioritize Tokenization
A recent Broadridge survey indicates that 84% of financial institutions now consider tokenization a strategic priority, accelerating efforts in hybrid markets.
ANJ Orders ISPs to Block Polymarket in France Over Illegal Gambling
France's Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) has ordered internet service providers to block access to Polymarket, deeming the prediction market an illegal gambling platform.
FTX to Distribute $900M in Fifth Creditor Payout Round
FTX will commence its fifth distribution of approximately $900 million to eligible creditors on July 31, 2026, as part of its Chapter 11 reorganization plan.
SBI Holdings Completes Coinhako Acquisition After MAS Approval
SBI Holdings has finalized its majority acquisition of Singapore-based crypto platform Coinhako, a move approved by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
Knaken Declared Bankrupt by Dutch Court Over €7M Missing Funds
Dutch crypto platform Knaken Cryptohandel B.V. and its affiliated foundation were declared bankrupt by a Rotterdam court, with €7 million in client funds missing.
Visa Launches Stablecoin Platform (VSP) with Open USD Access
Visa has launched its new Stablecoin Platform (VSP) for financial institutions and fintechs, providing a unified environment to access, store, and redeem stablecoins, starting with Open USD (OUSD).
Ondo Finance, SBI Group Partner to Tokenize Japanese Equities
Ondo Finance and SBI Group have announced a strategic partnership to tokenize Japanese equities, utilizing SBI's JPYSC stablecoin for onchain settlement and collateral.
Alpaca Secures $135M Equity for Tokenized Markets Infrastructure
Alpaca has raised $135 million in equity funding, part of a $435 million total financing, to expand its brokerage infrastructure for tokenized markets and AI-native financial services.
What Is Blockchain? A Beginner's Guide to How It Works
A blockchain is a shared digital ledger that records transactions across many computers at once, so no single party controls it and no past entry can be quietly changed.
What Is Cryptocurrency? Everything Beginners Need to Know
Cryptocurrency is digital money that lives on a blockchain and can be sent directly between people without a bank in the middle.
What Is Bitcoin? A Complete Beginner's Guide
Bitcoin is the first and largest cryptocurrency, a form of digital money that lets people send value directly to one another over the internet, without a bank or government in the middle.
What Is Ethereum? A Beginner's Guide to ETH and Smart Contracts
Ethereum is a decentralized network that lets people run software and agreements directly on a blockchain, without any company hosting them.
What Is Solana? A Beginner's Guide to SOL
Solana is a high-speed blockchain built to process large numbers of transactions quickly and cheaply.
What Are Stablecoins? A Complete Guide
Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies designed to hold a steady value, usually pegged one-to-one to a currency like the US dollar.
What Is a Crypto Wallet and How Do You Choose One?
A crypto wallet is a tool that stores the keys used to access and manage your cryptocurrency. It does not hold coins the way a physical wallet holds cash.
What Are Crypto Tokens? Types and Use Cases
Crypto tokens are digital assets created on top of an existing blockchain rather than having a blockchain of their own.
What Is DeFi? A Beginner's Guide to Decentralized Finance
DeFi, short for decentralized finance, is a set of financial services that run on public blockchains instead of through banks or brokers.
What Does HODL Mean in Crypto?
HODL means holding onto your cryptocurrency for the long term instead of selling during price swings.
How to Start Investing in Crypto: A Step-by-Step Guide
Starting to invest in crypto comes down to a few clear steps: learn the basics, choose a reputable platform, set up a wallet, make a first small purchase, and keep your holdings secure.
How to Keep Your Crypto Safe: A Security Checklist
Keeping your crypto safe comes down to protecting your keys, guarding against scams, and following a few consistent habits.
What Is a Seed Phrase and How Do You Keep It Safe?
A seed phrase is a list of 12 or 24 random words generated when you set up a crypto wallet. It's the master key: anyone who has it can restore your wallet and spend everything in it, on any device, with no password needed.
How to Set Up Your First Crypto Wallet (Step-by-Step)
Setting up a crypto wallet takes about ten minutes: pick a wallet type, install it, back up your seed phrase, and send a small test transaction before you move real money. Here's the process end to end.
Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA) in Crypto: A Beginner's Guide
Dollar-cost averaging (DCA) means investing a fixed amount at regular intervals, say $50 every week, instead of trying to time a single "best" moment to buy.
Common Crypto Scams and How to Spot Them
Crypto scams follow a small number of repeating patterns, such as fake support, fake giveaways, and promises of guaranteed returns, dressed up in different branding each time.
How Does a Blockchain Actually Work? Blocks, Nodes, and Consensus
A blockchain works by grouping transactions into "blocks," linking each block to the one before it with a cryptographic fingerprint, and having thousands of independent computers agree on which block comes next.
Proof of Work vs. Proof of Stake, Explained Simply
Proof of Work and Proof of Stake are the two main ways a blockchain gets its network of computers to agree on what's true, without a central authority. PoW rewards computational effort; PoS rewards a financial stake.
How Do Cryptocurrencies Get Their Value?
Cryptocurrencies get their value the same basic way any asset does: from what buyers and sellers agree it's worth, shaped by supply and demand, what the asset is actually useful for, how scarce it is, and how the market feels at any given moment.
Coins vs. Tokens: What's the Difference?
A coin is the native asset of its own blockchain, while a token is built on top of someone else's blockchain rather than having one of its own.
How to Evaluate a Cryptocurrency Before You Buy
Evaluating a cryptocurrency before buying comes down to checking who's behind it, what problem it actually solves, how its supply and incentives are structured, and whether you can get in and out of a position without moving the price yourself.
How Does Bitcoin Mining Work?
Bitcoin mining is the process of using specialized computers to solve a cryptographic puzzle, in competition with everyone else on the network, in exchange for the right to add the next block and collect a reward.
What Is the Bitcoin Halving and Why Does It Matter?
The Bitcoin halving is a built-in event, roughly every four years, that cuts the reward miners earn for adding a new block in half, permanently slowing how fast new bitcoin enters circulation.
Bitcoin vs. Ethereum: Key Differences Explained
Bitcoin and Ethereum are the two largest cryptocurrencies, but they're built for different purposes: Bitcoin is designed primarily as a store of value and payment network, while Ethereum is a programmable platform for running applications.
What Are Smart Contracts and How Do They Work?
A smart contract is a program stored on a blockchain that runs automatically when its predefined conditions are met, without needing a person or company to execute it manually. They're the foundation of most applications built on Ethereum.
Solana vs. Ethereum: How Do They Compare?
Solana and Ethereum are both programmable blockchains for running applications, but they make different trade-offs: Solana prioritizes speed and low fees, while Ethereum prioritizes a longer track record and a larger, more decentralized validator base.
Types of Stablecoins: Fiat-Backed, Crypto-Backed, and Algorithmic
Stablecoins aim to hold a steady value, usually pegged to the US dollar, but the three types of stablecoin do it in fundamentally different ways: backed by real fiat reserves, backed by other crypto assets, or held stable algorithmically without full collateral.
USDT vs. USDC: What's the Difference?
USDT (Tether) and USDC (Circle) are the two largest fiat-backed stablecoins, both aiming to hold a steady $1 value, but they differ in who issues them, how transparent their reserves are, and where they're most commonly used.
Are Stablecoins Safe? Risks You Should Understand
Stablecoins are generally safer than volatile cryptocurrencies but are not risk-free. The main dangers are the coin losing its peg, the issuer failing to honor redemptions, and shifting regulation.
Hot Wallets vs. Cold Wallets: Which Do You Need?
A hot wallet is connected to the internet and convenient for everyday use; a cold wallet stores your keys offline and is built for security.
Custodial vs. Non-Custodial Wallets Explained
A custodial wallet means a third party, like an exchange, holds your private keys on your behalf. A non-custodial wallet means you hold your own keys directly.
Utility, Security, and Governance Tokens Compared
Crypto tokens generally fall into three functional types: utility tokens that grant access to a service, security tokens that represent an investment contract or ownership stake, and governance tokens that grant voting rights over a protocol.
What Is a Meme Coin (and What Are the Risks)?
A meme coin is a cryptocurrency created around a joke, internet trend, or cultural reference rather than a specific technical use case.
What Is Staking and How Does It Work?
Staking means locking up cryptocurrency to help secure a Proof of Stake network, in exchange for a share of the rewards that network pays out.
Long-Term vs. Short-Term Crypto Strategies
Long-term crypto strategies hold assets through market cycles on the belief that value grows over years; short-term strategies aim to profit from price swings over days, weeks, or months.
How Much of a Portfolio Should Be in Crypto?
There's no universal answer to how much of a portfolio should be in crypto.
What to Do If Your Wallet Is Compromised
If your wallet is compromised, the priority is moving any remaining funds to a new, secure wallet immediately and cutting off the attacker's access.
Do You Pay Taxes on Crypto? A Plain-English Overview
In most jurisdictions, yes. Crypto is generally taxed, though the details depend heavily on where you live and what you actually did with it.
Public vs. Private Blockchains: What's the Difference?
A public blockchain is open for anyone to join, read, and transact on; a private blockchain restricts participation to an approved set of members.
What Is a Blockchain Node and Why Do Nodes Matter?
A blockchain node is a computer that stores a copy of the blockchain and helps validate new transactions and blocks against the network's rules.
What Is Market Cap in Crypto and Why Does It Matter?
Market cap in crypto is a cryptocurrency's price multiplied by its circulating supply, giving a rough sense of the asset's total value and relative size compared to others.
What Is Gas on Ethereum? Transaction Fees Explained
Gas is the fee paid to process a transaction or run a smart contract on Ethereum, compensating the network for the computing resources a transaction consumes.
What Is an ERC-20 Token?
ERC-20 is a technical standard that defines how tokens work on Ethereum, covering things like how balances are tracked and how tokens are transferred between addresses.
Ethereum Layer 2s Explained: Arbitrum, Optimism, and Beyond
Ethereum Layer 2 networks process transactions separately from Ethereum's main chain, then settle the results back to it, allowing far cheaper and faster transactions while still relying on Ethereum's underlying security.
What Are SPL Tokens on Solana?
SPL is Solana's token standard, defining how tokens are created and transferred on the Solana blockchain. It's the direct equivalent of Ethereum's ERC-20, but built for Solana's architecture, part of the wider Solana ecosystem.
Why Are Solana Transactions So Fast and Cheap?
Solana achieves fast, cheap transactions through a combination of technical choices, including a unique timing mechanism and processing transactions in parallel, that let it handle far more throughput than many other blockchains, part of Solana's core design.
How to Earn Yield on Stablecoins
Earning yield on stablecoins generally means lending them out, providing liquidity, or staking them through a platform or protocol, in exchange for a return, but every yield source carries some risk, despite the underlying asset being designed to hold a steady value, a nuance we cover in our guide to how stablecoins actually work.
Private Keys vs. Public Keys: What's the Difference?
A public key is like an address others can send funds to; a private key is the secret that proves ownership and authorizes spending from that address.
What Are NFTs and How Do They Work?
An NFT, or non-fungible token, is a unique, non-interchangeable token on a blockchain, typically used to represent ownership of a specific digital or real-world item.
What Is Tokenization of Real-World Assets?
Tokenization of real-world assets means representing ownership of something like real estate, bonds, or commodities as a token on a blockchain, making that ownership easier to divide, transfer, and trade.
Staking vs. Yield Farming: What's the Difference?
Staking means locking a single asset to help secure a Proof of Stake network in exchange for rewards; yield farming means moving funds across various DeFi protocols, often involving multiple assets, to chase the best available returns.
What Are Liquidity Pools and How Do They Work?
A liquidity pool is a shared pot of two or more tokens, locked in a smart contract, that lets people trade between those assets without needing a traditional buyer and seller matched directly.
What Is a DEX (Decentralized Exchange)?
A decentralized exchange, or DEX, lets people trade crypto directly from their own wallets using smart contracts, without a company holding funds or matching trades on their behalf. It's one of the core applications of decentralized finance.
Are Cryptocurrencies Legal? A Global Snapshot
In most countries, yes, owning and trading cryptocurrency is legal, though the specific rules around it vary widely and some countries restrict or ban it outright.
Aave V4 Deploys on Avalanche, Targets $1 Billion in Real-World Assets
Aave has officially launched its V4 protocol on the Avalanche network, marking its first expansion beyond Ethereum and aiming to attract $1 billion in real-world asset deposits.
White House to Meet Senators on Clarity Act Ethics Concerns
U.S. White House officials are slated to meet with senators to address unresolved ethics provisions within the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, critical for its legislative path.
South Korea to Classify Crypto as National Assets Under New Law
South Korea's Ministry of Economy and Finance announced plans to introduce the National Asset Basic Act, classifying cryptocurrencies as national assets and paving the way for tokenized government bonds and real estate.
Anchorage Digital Launches Institutional TRX Custody, Staking Planned
Anchorage Digital, the first federally chartered crypto bank, has rolled out institutional custody for TRON's TRX token, with native staking to follow in later phases.
Tether Leads $7M Series A in Pact Labs for USA₮ Stablecoin Expansion
Tether has led a $7 million Series A funding round in Pact Labs to accelerate the adoption of its USA₮ stablecoin across U.S. payroll, payments, and credit systems.
Velocity Secures $38M Series A for Enterprise Stablecoin Platform
Velocity, a London-based fintech, recently raised $38 million in a Series A round led by Dragonfly and FirstMark to advance its enterprise stablecoin platform.
CLARITY Act: Trump Urges Senate Passage Amid Ethics Debate
President Trump recently urged the U.S. Senate to pass the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, a key piece of cryptocurrency legislation, via a Truth Social post.
Bolivia Evaluates Tether's USDT for National Payments System
Bolivia's Economy Minister José Gabriel Espinoza recently confirmed the government is technically evaluating integrating Tether's USDT into its national payments system.
Empery Digital Sells 1,400 BTC to Fund AI Data Center Investment
Empery Digital sold 1,400 Bitcoin for $87.1 million to fund a $65 million stake in an AI data center and repay $10 million in debt.
Robinhood Launches Chain Mainnet, Tokenized Stocks Go Live Globally
Robinhood has launched the public mainnet of Robinhood Chain, an Ethereum Layer-2 network built on Arbitrum for tokenized real-world assets and DeFi.
Bitcoin, Ether ETFs End Eight-Week Outflow Streak with $282M Inflow
Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds collectively recorded $281.82 million in net inflows for the week ending July 10, marking the first positive week in over two months.
Stablecoin Market Cap Shrinks $10 Billion Since May
The total market capitalization of stablecoins has decreased by approximately $10 billion since May 2026, with June alone seeing a $7.7 billion reduction.
Pakistan PVARA Seeks Dialogue After Islamic Crypto Payment Ruling
Pakistan's virtual assets regulator, PVARA, has called for dialogue on digital asset treatment following a fatwa from a leading Islamic scholar deeming crypto payments impermissible.
Ripple CEO: Company Considered Shutdown, XRP Distribution
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse revealed that the company's founders once contemplated shutting down operations and distributing XRP to shareholders before deciding to fight the 2020 SEC lawsuit.
IMF Paper: Dollar Stablecoins Improve FX Access But May Amplify Currency Runs
A recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) working paper suggests that while dollar stablecoins can enhance foreign exchange access in economies with fixed exchange rates, they also carry the risk of intensifying currency runs during periods of severe stress.
U.S. Housing Act Becomes Law, Includes Temporary CBDC Ban
The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act officially became law today, July 11, 2026, without the President's signature, notably including a provision that prohibits the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency until December 31, 2030.
Meta CDO Alex Schultz: Agentic Commerce, Fueled by Stablecoins, is Next Business Tier
Meta's Chief Data Officer Alex Schultz recently stated that agentic commerce, powered by stablecoins, represents the next significant tier of business for the company, with stablecoins already an internal assumption.
Trump Delays Housing Bill with CBDC Ban Over Voter ID Demands
President Trump has delayed signing the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a bipartisan bill that includes a provision banning the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency until the end of 2030.
Circle Secures Final OCC Approval for National Trust Bank
Circle has received final approval from the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to establish First National Digital Currency Bank, N.A., operating as Circle National Trust, a significant regulatory milestone for the stablecoin issuer.
ESMA Launches EU-Wide Review of MiCA Crypto Custodians' Operational Resilience
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has initiated a Common Supervisory Action (CSA) across the EU to assess the digital operational resilience of crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) focusing on custody services, following the full enforcement of MiCA.
Hyperliquid Policy Center and Phantom Urge CFTC to Modernize On-Chain Protocol Regulation
Hyperliquid Policy Center and Phantom recently submitted a joint comment letter to the CFTC, advocating for a clear distinction between on-chain protocol developers and regulated financial service providers.
AI Contracts, Not Bitcoin, Now Drive Miner Valuations; Cipher and TeraWulf Undervalued
Compass Point analysts argue that the market undervalues Bitcoin miners Cipher Mining and TeraWulf, as their significant AI data center contracts are not fully reflected in current valuations.
Supreme Court Expands Presidential Power Over Agencies, Impacts Crypto Regulation
The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that the President can remove heads of most independent federal agencies at will, a decision that could significantly reshape crypto rulemaking by the SEC and CFTC.
Dinari and tZERO Launch Turnkey Platform for Tokenized U.S. Equities
Dinari Inc. and tZERO Group, Inc. have partnered to introduce a comprehensive platform enabling broker-dealers to seamlessly offer tokenized U.S. equities to their clients.
Bull Bitcoin Challenges French DAC8 Decree, Citing Surveillance and Physical Risks
Bull Bitcoin has recently petitioned France's highest administrative court to annul a national decree implementing the EU's DAC8 directive, arguing it creates significant surveillance and physical safety risks for crypto holders.
SEC Outlines 2026 Regulatory Agenda for Crypto Asset Rules
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission recently unveiled its 2026 regulatory agenda, signaling upcoming rule changes for crypto asset capital raising, custody, and trading by market participants.
Vanguard Seeks Head of Digital Assets to Shape Crypto Strategy and Regulatory Engagement
Global asset manager Vanguard recently posted a job opening for a Head of Digital Assets, Personal Wealth, signaling a strategic shift towards developing its crypto offerings and engaging with regulators.
Coinbase Secures UK MiFID License for Equities and Derivatives Trading
Coinbase has obtained a UK investment services authorization from the Financial Conduct Authority, enabling it to offer equities to retail users and derivatives to advanced traders.
AVAX One Names Pete Wylie Interim CEO After Jolie Kahn's Resignation
AVAX One Technology Ltd. recently announced that CEO Jolie Kahn has resigned, with Chief Operating Officer Pete Wylie stepping in as interim CEO while a search for a permanent successor begins.
USDC Transaction Volume Surpasses USDT, Driven by Record $1.79T Stablecoin Activity in June
Circle's USDC has significantly outpaced Tether's USDT in transaction volume, capturing 67% of the record $1.79 trillion in adjusted stablecoin activity in June, according to Visa data.
Securitize Eyes Strategic Acquisitions After NYSE Debut, Bolstered by $400M Capital
Securitize, a leading tokenization platform, recently debuted on the NYSE with $400 million in capital, with its CEO indicating plans for strategic acquisitions to expand its institutional offerings.
NYLIM Executive Foresees Personalized Portfolios as Tokenization's Next Frontier
Thomas Sy, head of multi-asset solutions at New York Life Investment Management, recently stated that personalized portfolio construction is poised to become the next significant application for asset tokenization.
Kraken Enables Tokenized Stocks and ETFs as Collateral for Leveraged Trading
Kraken recently announced that eligible traders can now use select tokenized stocks and ETFs as collateral for futures and margin trading, enhancing capital efficiency.
Revolut to Delist USDT by August 31 Citing Regulatory and Risk Concerns
Digital banking platform Revolut recently notified customers it will delist Tether's USDT stablecoin by August 31, 2026, citing regulatory and risk considerations.
Samsung, Dunamu Dispute Inclusion in Open Standard's OUSD Stablecoin Consortium
South Korean giants Samsung Electronics and Dunamu, alongside other firms, have reportedly denied formal agreement to join the Open Standard alliance for its newly announced Open USD (OUSD) stablecoin, despite being listed as members.
EU MiCA Transition Period Ends, Unauthorized Crypto Firms Face Stricter Enforcement
The European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation's transition period for crypto-asset service providers officially concluded on July 1, 2026, ushering in a new era of strict enforcement.
Farage Reported to UK Standards Watchdog Over Alleged Crypto Lobbying
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has been reported to the UK Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards over allegations of lobbying the Bank of England on crypto policy that could benefit a major donor.
FBI Director Kash Patel's Late MicroStrategy Stock Disclosure Sparks Ethics Debate
FBI Director Kash Patel recently disclosed a six-figure purchase of MicroStrategy stock, made last November, months beyond the federal 45-day reporting deadline, igniting ethics concerns.
US Treasury Sanctions 134 ISIS-K Crypto Addresses, Tether Freezes Funds
The U.S. Department of the Treasury's OFAC recently sanctioned 134 cryptocurrency addresses linked to ISIS-K, with Tether freezing assets on 131 TRON wallets that moved over $1.4 million.
Ondo Finance Debuts SEC-Aligned Tokenized Stocks of BlackRock ETF, Micron Shares
Ondo Finance recently launched the first SEC-aligned tokenized U.S. securities, including BlackRock's iShares Core S&P 500 ETF and Micron shares, in partnership with Broadridge.
CACEIS, Crédit Agricole's Arm, Launches MiCA-Compliant EURXT Euro Stablecoin on Ethereum
CACEIS, the asset servicing arm of French banking giant Crédit Agricole, has launched EURXT, a euro-pegged stablecoin on the Ethereum blockchain for institutional clients.
Europe's MiCA Regulation Fully Enforced, Sparking Debate on Market Impact
The European Union's landmark Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation is now fully in effect across all member states, concluding its phased rollout and transitional periods, which has intensified discussions over its real-world benefits for consumers versus larger industry players.
MiCA Leaves Crypto Derivatives Largely Unaddressed, Raising Regulatory Concerns
The European Union's landmark Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, now fully applicable for stablecoins and soon for crypto-asset service providers, does not comprehensively cover the vast and complex crypto derivatives market, prompting concerns about potential regulatory gaps.
Tether Gold (XAUT) Now Usable as Collateral for Loans on Ledn Platform
Tether Gold (XAUT) holders can now leverage their tokenized gold as collateral for loans on the digital asset lending platform Ledn, offering new liquidity options.
Binance EU Users Face Service Curbs as MiCA Deadline Looms; Coinbase, OKX Offer Incentives
Binance is restricting services for European Union users from July 1 after failing to secure a MiCA license, prompting rivals Coinbase and OKX to offer transfer bonuses to attract affected customers.
EU Lawmakers Urge Commission to Assess DeFi, Staking, NFT Regulation Under MiCA
The European Parliament's economic affairs committee has recommended the European Commission evaluate the need for regulation covering decentralized finance, staking, non-fungible tokens, and crypto lending services.
Spain's CNMV Confirms No MiCA Extensions for Crypto Firms, Deadline Looms
Spain's National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) has affirmed that there will be no extensions or exceptions for crypto firms failing to secure MiCA licenses by the June 30, 2026 deadline.
EBA and NYDFS Sign MoU for Enhanced Cross-Border Stablecoin Supervision
The European Banking Authority and the New York State Department of Financial Services have formalized an agreement to enhance cooperation in supervising international stablecoin activities.
Tether's USDT Stablecoin Surpasses $100 Billion in Cumulative Transaction Volume
In August 2019, Tether's USDT, the leading stablecoin by market capitalization, achieved a significant milestone by recording over $100 billion in cumulative transaction volume since its inception.
Stablecoin Google Searches Decline 54% as Supply Growth Stalls in June
Google searches for 'stablecoin' have fallen by an estimated 54% month-over-month in June 2026, coinciding with a halt in aggregate stablecoin supply expansion.
SBI Holdings to Acquire Bitbank, Creating Japan's Largest Crypto Exchange
Japanese financial giant SBI Holdings has agreed to fully acquire cryptocurrency exchange Bitbank for approximately $289 million, consolidating its position as Japan's largest crypto trading group.
Chainlink, European & Korean Banks Launch Project Pangea for Real-Time FX Settlement
Chainlink, alongside European consortium Qivalis and Korean alliance UniKA, has launched Project Pangea to develop a real-time, stablecoin-based cross-border foreign exchange settlement network.
Tether-Backed Oobit Enables USDT Payments on Brazil's PIX Network
Oobit, a mobile payments application backed by Tether, has integrated with Brazil's widely adopted PIX instant payment network, allowing users to spend USDT directly.
Dash Explores Philippines for Crypto Payments Amid Evolving Regulatory Landscape
Dash is evaluating the Philippines for a crypto payments expansion, navigating a complex regulatory environment while leveraging recent integrations like DashPay Maya Swaps.
Tokenized Real-World Assets Surge Amidst Calls for Regulatory Clarity
The market for tokenized real-world assets has seen remarkable growth in 2026, expanding by nearly 600% despite persistent regulatory uncertainties.
EU Commission Consults on MiCA 2.0, Targeting Stablecoins and DeFi Revisions
The European Commission has launched a public consultation to review its Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, seeking feedback on stablecoins, DeFi, and other emerging crypto areas.
Privacy Is Losing Ground.
Privacy tools are niche products for technical users with threat models most people do not have.
Your Keys, Your Problem. The Hardware Wallet Is Growing Up.
Hardware wallets are still a thing, no matter how normie-friendly the crypto industry gets.
Crypto Wanted to Kill Financial Institutions... The Opposite Happened.
For years, "institutions are coming" was crypto's most reliable hype line. Every conference, every bull run, every whitepaper that needed a demand thesis fell back on it. And then, slowly, they came.
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