Core Insights - The Russian Central Bank plans to conduct a large-scale audit of the nation's crypto holdings and transactions in early 2026, reflecting its growing attention to the risks and opportunities in the crypto space [1][2][3] Group 1: Audit and Review Plans - The Central Bank will review individual investments in digital financial products tied to cryptoasset prices, likely focusing on crypto derivatives launched on the Moscow Exchange [2][3] - A survey will be conducted over the first two months of 2026 to assess the volume of investments in cryptocurrencies by regulated entities, including for risk hedging purposes [3] Group 2: Regulatory Environment - The Central Bank and the Ministry of Finance have differing views on crypto policy, with the Ministry seeking to regulate and tax the industry while the Bank prefers to restrict crypto's role in the economy [4] - The information from the upcoming survey is expected to help form regulatory policy aimed at legalizing the market to generate tax revenue [5] Group 3: Current Market Dynamics - The Central Bank has ordered the Moscow Exchange and commercial banks offering crypto derivatives to provide monthly reports on transactions and volumes [3] - There are indications that several companies are engaging in direct crypto-powered trade with international partners [7]

The past week has been a defining one for U.S. crypto regulation, marked by high-level roundtables, new probes, and bold policy proposals. While the tone from regulators suggested greater cooperation than in years past, uncertainty still looms over custody, compliance, and the road toward tokenized capital markets. Here’s a breakdown of the key developments shaping the crypto regulation environment. ‘Harmonization, Not Merger’ Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Paul S. Atkins dismissed specul ...

India cracked down on crypto exchanges as the Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) issued notices to 25 platforms, including Huione, BingX, Paxful, LBank, CoinW, and ProBit Global, over violations of anti-money laundering (AML) compliance rules. In an October 2 official release, the finance ministry confirmed that the regulator has also ordered these crypto exchanges to withdraw their apps and websites from public access in India. Source: India Ministry of Finance According to CoinMarketCap data, ...

Crypto.com's latest license approval from the CFTC delivers on President Trump's promise to reshape U.S. crypto regulation. | Credit: Getty Images. Key Takeaways Crypto.com has secured a full house of CFTC licenses. The exchange can now offer margined derivatives products without relying on the CME. Opening up the U.S. market to leverage trading is a victory for Trump’s pro-crypto agenda. Crypto.com has become the first American crypto exchange to secure a full house of licenses from the U.S. Comm ...

Following the Federal Reserve’s (FED) rate cut earlier this month, Coinbase’s shares jumped 6.85%, marking a positive start to the week despite persistent bearish headwinds. On 29 September 2025, Coinbase’s shares hit a high of $334.38 before closing at $333.99, pushing its market value to $85.81 Bn. (Source: Nasdaq) The overall crypto market saw a 2.5% boost, pushing the total value to $3.86 Tn. rose to $113k while rose by 2.8%. The rally was fueled by a major investment from BlackRock, which deposite ...

Core Viewpoint - Australia's newly proposed crypto regulation aims to impose fines of up to $16.5 million on digital asset platforms that fail to comply, introducing two new financial product categories: digital asset platforms and tokenized custody platforms [1][2]. Regulatory Framework - Providers will be required to obtain an Australian financial services license and demonstrate operations that are "efficiently, honestly and fairly" [2]. - The regulations will enforce a ban on misleading conduct and unfair contracts, while mandating stronger transparency for consumers [2]. Compliance and Exemptions - Non-compliant platforms could face fines of up to $16.5 million or 10% of annual turnover [2][6]. - Smaller operators will be exempt if they hold less than $5,000 per customer or process under $10 million in transactions annually, mirroring exemptions for traditional financial products [3]. Government Intentions - The proposed regime is designed to eliminate bad actors while supporting legitimate businesses, aiming to provide certainty for businesses and confidence for consumers [3]. - The exposure draft is open for consultation until 24 October, after which the government will refine the bill [4]. Industry Reaction - The move has been broadly welcomed by exchanges and blockchain firms, with Coinbase's Asia-Pacific managing director calling the bill a "meaningful step" that could enhance trust and growth [4][6]. - Many Jiang of CloudTech Group described the proposal as a "defining" moment for the sector, suggesting that mainstream adoption and institutional investment would accelerate under a clearer regulatory framework [7].

Market Overview - Bitcoin has reclaimed the $113,000 level, indicating a potential slowdown in the recent pullback [1][2] - Ether is trading lower at $4,167, while FTX's FTT token surged nearly 21% following a post from founder Sam Bankman Freed's account [2] Morgan Stanley and Crypto Trading - Morgan Stanley is preparing to offer retail crypto trading through its Erade platform, expected to launch in the first half of 2026 [3] - The investment bank is collaborating with crypto firm Zero for liquidity, custody, and settlement services [3] Zero Hash Funding and Valuation - Zero Hash has secured over $100 million in Series D funding, with a valuation of $1 billion [4][5] - The funding round was led by Interactive Brokers and included traditional finance players like Morgan Stanley and SoFi [4] Stellar Development Foundation Integrations - The Stellar Development Foundation has integrated PayPal's PayyUSD and tokenized real estate, totaling around $3 billion in assets [8][7] - The goal of these integrations is to enhance interoperability and usability of assets for everyday financial services [9][10] Regulatory Environment and Future Goals - The CFTC announced an initiative for tokenized collateral, indicating a focus on regulatory clarity in the crypto space [11] - The Stellar Development Foundation emphasizes the importance of transparency, consumer protection, and interoperability in regulatory discussions [13][14] Global Adoption and Market Access - The Stellar Development Foundation aims to lower barriers to entry for financial services, particularly in regions like Latin America and Africa [19][20] - The foundation's mission includes creating equitable access to the global financial system through partnerships with financial institutions [21] Privacy and Compliance in Crypto - Privacy is identified as a key focus for the future of crypto, with discussions ongoing about balancing transparency and user protection [23][24] - The foundation is engaging with regulators to ensure that new technologies incorporate privacy while maintaining the benefits of blockchain [28][30]

Core Perspective - The crypto industry requires safe markets rather than safe havens, emphasizing the need for environments conducive to building rather than merely hiding from risks [1]. Regulatory Landscape - The crypto industry has faced a decade-long regulatory struggle, with innovators advocating for less oversight and skeptics warning against the risks of insufficient regulation, a divide exacerbated by the FTX collapse in November 2022 [2]. - Many crypto businesses adopted a "safe haven" strategy, seeking jurisdictions with minimal regulation, which allowed for rapid scaling but resulted in markets lacking investor protection and inconsistent enforcement [3][4]. UAE's Regulatory Approach - The UAE has established a balanced regulatory framework for crypto, focusing on innovation while ensuring safety through entities like the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) [5]. - The UAE aims to create an ecosystem prioritizing safety and supervision, contrasting with the earlier trend of attracting companies seeking regulatory shortcuts [6]. Institutional Investment Trends - Institutional investors, including pension funds and sovereign wealth funds, are increasingly drawn to markets with proven strategies and reliable regulatory frameworks, favoring jurisdictions with consistent and transparent enforcement [7].

Group 1 - Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase, predicts Bitcoin price will reach $1 million within the next 5 years, driven by current industry outlook and sentiments [1][2] - Armstrong emphasizes the importance of robust regulatory frameworks in the US, such as the GENIUS Act, which could significantly boost Bitcoin prices [3] - Institutional adoption of Bitcoin is increasing, with firms like Strategy and Metaplanet accumulating substantial amounts of Bitcoin [4] Group 2 - Nasdaq-listed Fold Holdings is set to launch a Bitcoin Rewards Credit Card in collaboration with Stripe and Visa, indicating growing mainstream adoption of Bitcoin [5] - Armstrong points out Bitcoin's fixed maximum supply of 21 million, which contributes to scarcity and is expected to trigger a price rally [6] - Other prominent figures in the crypto space, including Jack Dorsey and Cathie Wood, have expressed similar bullish sentiments regarding Bitcoin's price potential [7]

Core Viewpoint - The CFTC is proposing a plan to allow stablecoins as collateral in US derivatives markets, which could lower the entry barrier for retail traders in traditional finance [1][2][5] Group 1: Regulatory Actions - The CFTC, under Chair Caroline Pham, is actively pursuing pro-crypto regulatory measures to integrate stablecoins into derivatives trading [2][4] - The current plan is non-binding and aims to gather stakeholder feedback before final implementation [2][3] Group 2: Industry Support - The proposal has garnered support from major crypto firms such as Coinbase, Circle, and Ripple, indicating strong institutional backing for the initiative [1][3][4] - Public comments on the plan are open until October 20, allowing for broader industry input [3] Group 3: Market Implications - The integration of stablecoins as collateral is expected to facilitate easier trading for retail investors, potentially increasing their participation in derivatives markets [5] - The CFTC's recent actions, including considering cryptoassets in mortgage loan applications, suggest a broader acceptance of digital assets in traditional finance [5]