Regulation, enforcement, legislation, and crypto policy from around the world. 436 stories curated by CryptoCatalyst.
The U.S. Treasury has sanctioned a bitcoin-based insurance platform called Hormuz Safe, alleging it's part of a scheme to evade sanctions tied to IRGC-backed shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. This is the latest example of crypto being used to bypass international financial restrictions.
Shelbit, a Dubai-based crypto exchange, allegedly facilitated a $4 billion network evading Iran sanctions by moving funds through major exchanges like Binance. The scheme involved gambling sites and sanctioned Iranian entities, according to a Reuters report.
Binance.US CEO Stephen Gregory announced at a recent conference that the company will apply for a designated contract market license from the CFTC in August to launch a prediction market platform.
Aviva Investors has launched a tokenized share class of its US dollar liquidity fund on the XRP Ledger, approved by the Central Bank of Ireland. This allows eligible investors to access a regulated fund via blockchain technology while maintaining traditional custody arrangements.
A new interactive map shows Bitcoin's legal status in 140 countries, from full legalization to outright bans. This resource highlights the global patchwork of regulations affecting crypto users and businesses.
BlackRock, Fidelity, Goldman Sachs, Franklin Templeton, and SoFi have publicly endorsed the Clarity Act, a bill aimed at regulating crypto markets. The Senate's timeline for passing the bill is tightening, with a vote expected within weeks.
The Bank of Russia drafted rules establishing organized trading, equity requirements, and digital depositories for digital asset markets.
Securitize, a partner of BlackRock, has obtained an SEC adviser license, enhancing its ability to offer tokenized investment products. This move comes as regulators consider new rules for onchain securities. The license allows Securitize to advise on securities portfolios, a significant step for the tokenization industry.
The European Union has added HTX and seven other crypto platforms to its sanctions list against Russia. Transactions with these platforms will be banned starting August 23, 2026. The other platforms include EXMO, Rapira, BitPapa, Aifory Pro, WhiteBird, NoOnecrypto, and Exnode.
Fidelity has called on the US Senate to pass the CLARITY Act, a bill aimed at providing regulatory clarity for the crypto market. This move comes as part of a broader industry effort to establish a clear market structure for digital assets.
The Senate has just two weeks left to pass the Crypto Clarity Act before its summer recess. The bill aims to provide regulatory clarity for the crypto industry, but key hurdles remain.
Three major crypto advocacy groups—the Blockchain Association, the Chamber of Digital Commerce, and the Crypto Council for Innovation—have written to Senate leaders urging support for the Clarity Act, a bill that would establish a clear regulatory framework for digital asset markets.
Galaxy Digital has reduced the chances of the Clarity Act passing to 30%, citing concerns from Democratic negotiators about insufficient consumer and ethics protections. The bill, aimed at regulating the crypto industry, now needs a last-ditch effort to move forward.
The Clarity Act, a key crypto market-structure bill, faces delays as Democrats oppose GOP ethics language. Senate Majority Leader John Thune now says it likely won't pass before the August recess, reducing its chances significantly.
Russia's largest bank, Sberbank, plans to introduce a cryptocurrency trading platform by December 1, 2026. This move comes as Russia establishes regulations for crypto market participants and allows crypto assets in foreign trade operations.
The European Union has named Justin Sun's crypto exchange HTX in its 21st Russia sanctions package, accusing it of "significantly frustrating" sanctions enforcement. The EU stopped short of a full asset freeze, following the UK's similar move two months earlier.
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has issued a stern warning to prediction market platforms, cautioning them against using generic self-certification templates. This advisory comes amid concerns that firms are cutting corners in their compliance efforts.
Europe's new crypto regulations, like MiCA, are pushing companies to merge or partner with banks. This could reshape the industry by making it more stable but less competitive.
The Bitcoin Policy Institute and three partner organizations have been accepted into the US State Department’s digital freedom program, allowing employees to work alongside State Department officials on digital freedom issues.
BitMEX co-founders Arthur Hayes, Samuel Reed, and Benjamin Delo are facing a proposed class action lawsuit alleging insider trading and deliberate server freezes. The exchange is winding down operations, adding complexity to the legal situation.
Russia's largest bank, Sberbank, is preparing to offer crypto trading services by December 2026. New regulations for crypto trading, custody, and settlement in Russia will take effect on September 1, 2026, with licensing requirements starting in July 2027.
The European Union has included the HTX cryptocurrency exchange in its sanctions against Russia. This move follows similar action by the UK and targets entities defying EU measures. HTX is now one of 18 entities accused of providing crypto services in violation of sanctions.
Crypto advocacy groups are pushing for the passage of the CLARITY Act, a comprehensive crypto market structure bill, as the window for US lawmakers to act before the 2026 elections narrows. The push comes amid pushback from some lawmakers over ethics concerns.
The EU is considering a ban on third-country crypto service providers for the first time and is targeting 14 crypto companies, which it has not named yet, as part of its 21st sanctions package against Russia.