Regulation & Policy

CFTC permits Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins as margin collateral with strict valuation haircuts and risk controls applied. Stablecoins receive lower capital charges than BTC and ETH, reflecting reduced volatility in margin calculations. Firms must meet reporting, cybersecurity, and ap

U.S. regulators established a framework to classify digital assets into five groups, enhancing jurisdiction clarity. This includes commodities overseen by the CFTC and securities by the SEC, with special treatment for stablecoins and utility tokens based on usage.

Brazil's Finance Minister Dario Durigan has suspended new crypto tax policies until after the 2026 presidential election to avoid divisiveness. Previously proposed public consultations on crypto taxes may now be postponed until 2027, while the country navigates its growing crypto landscape.

The tentative agreement on stablecoin rewards revives the stalled CLARITY Act, yet unresolved issues threaten its passage as the industry faces a tight deadline for comprehensive legislation this year.

Lawmakers have reached a bipartisan agreement to resolve the stablecoin yield dispute, a key roadblock for crypto legislation. The deal, involving Senators Tillis and Alsobrooks, aims to balance innovation and banking stability while moving the CLARITY Act forward. Further industry review is needed before finalizing details.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has released a 68-page interpretive document explaining the applicability of federal securities laws to specific crypto assets and transactions, while emphasizing the concept of non-security crypto assets. The SEC has coordinated with the CFTC to establish a classification framework that clarifies the legal status of activities such as protocol mining and staking, enhancing market transparency and aiming to address market demand for regulation.

US Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Paul Atkins proposed a new cryptocurrency asset regulatory framework that clarifies which tokens are not securities and simplifies compliance pathways through measures such as "startup exemptions" and "investment contract safe harbors," aimed at providing crypto enterprises with clearer fundraising guidance and signaling a policy shift in SEC oversight.

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) recently released an FAQ clarifying the rules for using cryptocurrencies as margin in derivatives markets, specifically setting capital deduction rates of 20% for Bitcoin and Ethereum and 2% for stablecoins. The pilot program will be limited to three coin types in the first three months, after which it will expand to additional cryptocurrencies and relax reporting requirements. Qualifying crypto assets may be used as margin, marking a gradual acceptance of blockchain assets within the U.S. financial system.

A Nevada court issued a temporary restraining order against Kalshi, preventing it from offering event-based contracts without proper licensing. This reflects growing regulatory scrutiny on prediction markets, which face challenges in classification and regulation, especially concerning gambling laws.

Lawmakers and regulators are making progress on crypto policy, with a stablecoin yield proposal anticipated soon. The SEC and CFTC classified most crypto assets as non-securities, designating several as digital commodities.

CFTC permits Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins as margin collateral with strict valuation haircuts and risk controls applied. Stablecoins receive lower capital charges than BTC and ETH, reflecting reduced volatility in margin calculations. Firms must meet reporting, cybersecurity, and

Senator Cynthia Lummis announced that the Senate Banking Committee will advance the CLARITY Act after Easter. Key issues like stablecoin yield and DeFi regulations have been resolved, aiming for passage by year-end despite legislative delays.

Lawmakers have reached a bipartisan agreement to resolve the stablecoin yield dispute, a key roadblock for crypto legislation. The deal, involving Senators Tillis and Alsobrooks, aims to balance innovation and banking stability while moving the CLARITY Act forward. Further industry review is needed before finalizing details.

The Bank of England faces rising opposition to a proposal limiting GBP stablecoin holdings to £20,000 for individuals and £10 million for businesses. Introduced to protect financial stability, critics argue it could disrupt lending and hinder growth in the crypto sector.

Citigroup has lowered its target prices for Bitcoin and Ethereum, indicating a cautious outlook on the medium-term prospects of the crypto market. The Bitcoin target price has been reduced from $143,000 to $112,000, while Ethereum's has been lowered from $4,304 to $3,175, mainly due to slow progress in U.S. cryptocurrency legislation. Although there is still room for upward movement over the next year, the market may remain volatile in the short term, with Ethereum's valuation becoming more reliant on fundamentals.

South Korea's National Tax Service plans to hire private custody providers for seized cryptocurrencies after a security breach revealed flaws in its storage system. This shift aims to enhance security and streamline asset management in light of increasing digital asset regulations.

Senator Kevin Cramer urged Congress to expedite the CLARITY Act before Easter to prevent legislative delays affecting crypto regulation. He discussed banking concerns and stablecoin reward structures, emphasizing the need for swift action to maintain U.S. leadership in digital assets.

Lawmakers and regulators are making progress on crypto policy, with a stablecoin yield proposal anticipated soon. The SEC and CFTC classified most crypto assets as non-securities, designating several as digital commodities.

Kentucky lawmakers are advancing House Bill 380 to regulate cryptocurrency kiosks, enhancing consumer protections. Critics warn specific provisions may hinder non-custodial wallet compliance, risking user privacy and innovation. The outcome will shape the state's crypto landscape.

Companies House has shut down crypto firm Zedxion for submitting misleading information during its incorporation. This action highlights increasing regulatory scrutiny in the digital asset sector and emphasizes the need for compliance and transparency in company registrations.

The push for clearer cryptocurrency regulation in the United States is gaining momentum, as Cynthia Lummis reinforces her long-standing stance on the future of digital finance. In a recent statement, she emphasized that digital assets are not just a trend, but a transformative force that requires th

Senator Cynthia Lummis announced that the Senate Banking Committee will advance the CLARITY Act after Easter. Key issues like stablecoin yield and DeFi regulations have been resolved, aiming for passage by year-end despite legislative delays.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has released a 68-page interpretive document explaining the applicability of federal securities laws to specific crypto assets and transactions, while emphasizing the concept of non-security crypto assets. The SEC has coordinated with the CFTC to establish a classification framework that clarifies the legal status of activities such as protocol mining and staking, enhancing market transparency and aiming to address market demand for regulation.

Alvaro Rosenblüth, treasury and exchange manager at Banco de Crédito de Bolivia, stated that the Central Bank of Bolivia lifted the ban on cryptocurrency operations out of necessity. Stablecoins are now acting as a dollar proxy, enabling remittances and payments to combat the dollar shortage. Boli

US Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Paul Atkins proposed a new cryptocurrency asset regulatory framework that clarifies which tokens are not securities and simplifies compliance pathways through measures such as "startup exemptions" and "investment contract safe harbors," aimed at providing crypto enterprises with clearer fundraising guidance and signaling a policy shift in SEC oversight.

The UK has initiated dissolution proceedings against Zedxion Exchange due to the provision of false information in its company registration. An investigation revealed that the company was closely related to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and operated using fictitious identities. This dissolution represents the latest case of the UK strengthening regulatory oversight under new legislation, reflecting the country's efforts in combating sanctions evasion.

SEC Chair Atkins emphasized that the recently released crypto asset interpretive guidance is an important starting point for regulation, with the key next step being congressional legislation. The stablecoin bill is nearing completion, and the market structure bill is also progressing, both of which could improve the regulatory environment. However, administrative interpretations have limited stability, and true binding authority still requires legislation to ensure. Long-term regulation remains uncertain.

Kentucky recently passed a crypto ATM regulatory bill, but added provisions at the last minute requiring hardware wallet manufacturers to provide password reset mechanisms, which is viewed as imposing backdoors by design and undermining the principles of self-custody. This move has triggered industry warnings that it could harm user rights and contradicts legislation passed unanimously last year protecting self-custody rights.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) released a cryptocurrency asset classification framework, designating XRP as a "digital commodity" and ending a five-year regulatory dispute. Although this news temporarily boosted XRP's price, it subsequently declined due to interest rate policies and market sentiment. The market is focused on the March 27 deadline for XRP ETF applications, which could serve as a new catalyst if approved.

SEC Chair Paul Atkins stated that only one class of crypto assets is subject to securities laws, with most digital assets falling outside its jurisdiction, and emphasized that different regulatory approaches will be adopted. As the CLARITY Act advances, legislation is critical to providing a durable framework for crypto regulation. Stablecoin regulatory issues remain unresolved, with obstacles existing before the bill passes, but progress is optimistic.

Kentucky's HB380 Bill adds Section 33, requiring cold wallet providers to assist users in resetting access credentials. This contradicts the design principles of non-custodial cold wallets, which should not allow third parties to access private keys. This requirement could undermine cold wallet security and force users toward centralized institutions, creating a conflict that contradicts the already-enacted HB701 bill. Additionally, U.S. states are further tightening regulations on cryptocurrency ATMs.

The Korean National Police Agency is developing new digital asset seizure guidelines that for the first time incorporate management of privacy coins and software wallets, aiming to improve the digital asset management system. The new guidelines are designed to enhance professional management of privacy coins and address recent asset custody vulnerabilities. According to reports, the total value of digital assets seized over the past five years reaches approximately 54.5 billion Korean won. The police department plans to select private custodian institutions in the first half of 2026 and establish a more comprehensive digital asset security governance framework.

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and Major League Baseball (MLB) have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a framework for information exchange and technical cooperation regarding baseball prediction markets, aimed at enhancing market transparency and preventing violations. The agreement will strengthen regulatory oversight between both parties regarding suspicious trading activity and market anomalies, promote information sharing, reduce governance blind spots, and ensure the protection of participants' interests.

Senator Kevin Cramer urged Congress to expedite the CLARITY Act before Easter to prevent legislative delays affecting crypto regulation. He discussed banking concerns and stablecoin reward structures, emphasizing the need for swift action to maintain U.S. leadership in digital assets.

Lawmakers and regulators are making progress on crypto policy, with a stablecoin yield proposal anticipated soon. The SEC and CFTC classified most crypto assets as non-securities, designating several as digital commodities.

The American Securities and Exchange Commission, under the leadership of Paul Atkins, has introduced new clarity regarding how NFTs are treated from a regulatory standpoint. According to the statement, most NFTs are classified as digital collectibles rather than securities. This distinction is

The Algorand Foundation has reduced its workforce by 25% amid market uncertainty, even as the SEC clarified ALGO’s status as a digital commodity. The move reflects a strategic reset rather than a retreat from long-term growth. Layoffs Hit Algorand as Market Pressures Collide With Regulatory

FBI Director Kash Patel admitted during Senate testimony that the FBI has tracked U.S. citizens by purchasing location data without court search warrants, sparking strong criticism from Senator Ron Wyden, who argued the practice violates the Fourth Amendment and called for legislative reform to restrict such conduct. This finding reveals that the government's use of commercial data poses widespread surveillance risks.

The Korean National Police Agency is developing new virtual asset seizure management guidelines, incorporating handling of privacy coins for the first time. The new regulations will clarify software wallet management, address virtual asset custody gaps, and improve law enforcement efficiency. Police plan to designate private custodian institutions, while experts recommend establishing a centralized public custody mechanism to reduce risks. This reform has been prompted by recent Bitcoin theft incidents, driving the management system's transition toward the digital asset era.

Polymarket will open a themed bar called The Situation Room in Washington, D.C., offering real-time situation monitoring experiences where customers can track global political, military, and market dynamics. This move has prompted Democrats to introduce the Financial Prediction Market Public Integrity Act of 2026, which aims to regulate insider trading risks. As markets and policy intersect, the neutrality of prediction markets has come under scrutiny.

Israeli *Times of Israel* military reporter Emanuel Fabian recently disclosed that after reporting on an Iranian ballistic missile that struck an empty field in Beit Shemesh, a suburb of Jerusalem, he faced sustained harassment from bettors associated with Polymarket, including receiving death threats. This incident is particularly striking not only because it involves frontline war reporting and a prediction market with a funding pool exceeding $14 million, but also because it reveals an increasingly acute question: when market participants' profits begin to depend on media narratives, public information, and even violent events themselves, is the prediction market truly "price discovery," or is it creating dangerous incentives for the real world? Why did a frontline report trigger a mob of bettors? "That day, I reported on the *Times of Israel*'s live blog that the missile struck an empty field, with no

SEC and CFTC introduced a framework classifying tokens into securities, commodities, and digital tools. Regulators said mining, staking, and airdrops do not qualify as securities under federal law. The guidance marks a shift toward clearer rules, with formal proposals expected in coming w

Senator Cynthia Lummis announced that the Senate Banking Committee will advance the CLARITY Act after Easter. Key issues like stablecoin yield and DeFi regulations have been resolved, aiming for passage by year-end despite legislative delays.

Canada has increased its action against crypto firms. Reports say dozens of companies linked to crypto are now under pressure. Recent updates claim that up to 50 money services businesses (MSBs) lost their registrations this year. Out of these, many were tied to crypto operations. However,

The race to regulate digital assets in the United States is entering a decisive phase. Lawmakers now face mounting pressure to advance the Clarity Act, a bill that could finally define how cryptocurrencies operate under federal law. With political timelines tightening, the next few weeks may

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) released a formal 68-page interpretive guidance document explaining how federal securities laws apply to specific crypto assets. The document states that many crypto assets themselves are not securities, but may be subject to regulation in certain contexts due to involvement in "investment contracts." Additionally, the SEC and CFTC established a crypto asset classification framework that emphasizes the concept of non-security crypto assets and provides clear definitions for activities such as protocol mining and staking, aiming to provide the market with clearer regulatory guidance.

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service has extended the temporary exemption on cryptocurrency tax compliance through December 31, 2026, to address delays in broker technology readiness. Taxpayers can avoid automatic application of FIFO rules by maintaining records of specific asset identification information, but the exemption does not apply to self-custodied assets.

US Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Paul Atkins proposed a new cryptocurrency asset regulatory framework that clarifies which tokens are not securities and simplifies compliance pathways through measures such as "startup exemptions" and "investment contract safe harbors," aimed at providing crypto enterprises with clearer fundraising guidance and signaling a policy shift in SEC oversight.

The essay discusses evolving U.S. regulations for digital assets, focusing on SEC Chair Paul Atkins' proposed safe harbor framework. This framework includes exemptions for startups and fundraising, aiming to clarify when crypto assets are subject to securities laws while preserving investor protections.