Regulation, enforcement, legislation, and crypto policy from around the world. 323 stories curated by CryptoCatalyst.
Malta's regulator is seeking feedback on a legal framework for decentralized finance (DeFi) and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), arguing that many DeFi projects are not fully decentralized. This move aims to bring more clarity to the rapidly evolving DeFi space under the MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) regulations.
As the MiCA grace period closes, only a fraction of registered firms hold full licenses, setting up the prospect of a wave of consolidation.
Alexander Mashinsky, the founder of failed crypto lender Celsius, had earlier been imprisoned for fraud and is now formally banned from CFTC registration.
Ireland has identified crypto-asset misuse as a top threat in its new National Risk Assessment. A 30-point action plan aims to tighten checks on crypto funds to combat financial crime.
Malta's financial regulator is exploring whether parts of decentralized finance (DeFi) should fall under the EU's MiCA regulations. The MFSA is seeking feedback on how to assess decentralization, treating it as a spectrum rather than a binary concept.
Outgoing CME chief Terry Duffy says perpetual futures are actually swaps under Dodd-Frank, and that the exchange will file suit Thursday.
Kentucky is moving to regulate prediction markets, putting it at odds with Donald Trump's stance that states should avoid firms like Kalshi and Polymarket. This clash highlights growing tensions between state-level innovation and federal policy in crypto-related markets.
Illinois has quietly added a new 0.2% tax on any business activity involving digital assets, catching the crypto industry off guard. The tax, included in the state's latest budget, is expected to stay in place, according to insiders.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the Digital Asset Tax Act into law, imposing a 0.20% tax on the gross value of digital assets exchanged, transferred, or stored, effective January 1, 2027. This marks the most aggressive state-level crypto tax in the U.S.
Australia’s High Court unanimously ruled that Block Earner required a financial services licence, overturning a 2025 appeal decision.
Illinois has become the first state to impose a financial transaction tax on crypto, sparking backlash from industry leaders. The 0.1% tax applies to crypto trades over $1,000 and is expected to generate $300 million annually.
While legacy banks keep corporate money idled in slow regional accounts, a new protocol allows software systems to settle multi-currency trade instantly. This could unlock trillions in global trade efficiency.
US lawmakers have included a temporary ban on a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in a housing bill, pushing any potential launch until at least 2030. The 21st Century Road to Housing Act aims to address housing affordability but includes this significant crypto-related provision.
Abdulla Kanoo, heir to a 135-year-old Gulf trading dynasty, is building blockchain settlement infrastructure for the growing flow of trade between emerging economies, a market that could reach $32 trillion by 2030.
Binance could be forced to exit the European Union after Greece is expected to reject its application for a MiCA license. This decision could impact millions of EU-based crypto users who rely on the platform.
Binance said it believes it is compliant as a regulatory deadline in the European Union nears—and a report says it's likely to lose access.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has hired a former SEC crypto task force adviser known for blockchain forensics. This move comes as Congress considers the CLARITY Act to redefine regulators' roles in digital assets. The new hire, Ian Darrow, brings deep experience in tracking illicit crypto transactions and enforcing compliance. The CFTC's decision highlights the growing importance of blockchain forensics in regulating the crypto space. The CLARITY Act, if passed, could significantly reshape how federal agencies oversee digital assets, potentially leading to clearer guidelines and more coordinated enforcement efforts.
The Philippines' central bank has tightened crypto oversight with new rules governing how exchanges assess and monitor digital assets, including an explicit ban on privacy coins.
South Korea's finance ministry has declared tokenized stocks as securities, not crypto assets, which could lead to taxation as early as the second half of 2026. This move may impact investors and the broader crypto market in the region.
Tokenized treasury markets have hit $14.6 billion, showing growing crossover between traditional finance and crypto. Centralized exchange trading volumes dropped over 11% to $4.61 trillion, the lowest since late 2024.
The U.S. Treasury is considering new regulations to restrict the use of crypto mixers and privacy coins. This could impact users seeking financial privacy and developers building privacy-focused tools.
A clash between derivatives veterans is exposing a deeper discussion over how U.S. regulators should classify crypto perpetual contracts, with Kalshi's new product at the center of the debate.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki has vetoed a bill to implement the EU's MiCA framework for the third time. The move comes just weeks before the end of the transitional period for the EU's crypto regulations.
Avalanche Treasury shares fell sharply on their first day of trading after a $675 million merger. The company plans to acquire over $1 billion in AVAX tokens over time to support ecosystem growth.