Crypto & Web3

US Treasury sanctions Iranian crypto exchange for funding Revolutionary Guards

The US Treasury Department has sanctioned BitBank, a cryptocurrency exchange based in Tehran, Iran. Authorities allege the platform facilitated the movement of hundreds of millions of dollars in bitcoin to Iran's Revolutionary Guards. BitBank is also accused of processing payments collected from ships seeking safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route. The sanctions mark a significant escalation in US efforts to curb the use of digital assets to circumvent financial restrictions on Iran.

Solana cuts block time by 17% to 250ms, transaction throughput unchanged

Solana is reducing its target slot time from approximately 400 milliseconds to 250 milliseconds, making blocks faster to produce. This change gives decentralized applications access to fresher on-chain data more frequently. Validators will also hold shorter control windows over each block, which has implications for network security and fairness. However, the amount of computational work permitted per slot is being scaled down proportionally, meaning overall transaction throughput remains the same.

Corporate Bitcoin Buying Slows to 5,900 BTC in Three Months Amid Weak Demand

Corporate treasuries purchased only 5,900 bitcoin over a three-month period, signaling a notable slowdown in institutional accumulation. The figures reflect a broader cooling in demand for bitcoin from corporate buyers. Other key demand indicators beyond treasury purchases have also shown weakness during this period. The combined data points suggest that enthusiasm for bitcoin among corporate entities has dimmed considerably in recent months.

Ethereum Sets Glamsterdam Testnet Dates Amid Fake Builder Spam Concerns

Ethereum developers have confirmed the schedule for the Glamsterdam upgrade, beginning with deployment on the Sepolia testnet. However, client teams have raised concerns that they will have roughly half the usual time to review changes before the Sepolia launch. A key vulnerability involves fake builders who can use free test ether to outbid legitimate rivals and withhold transaction payloads, potentially disrupting the network. This behavior could stall block production on the chain if left unaddressed. Developers are working to assess the risk before the upgrade proceeds further.

Bitcoin Tops $77,000 While Ether and XRP ETFs Record Third Day of Outflows

Bitcoin surged past $77,000 as broader crypto markets posted gains across major tokens. Despite Ether's price rising, ETFs tied to the token recorded outflows for a third consecutive session. XRP ETFs also saw money exit during the same period. Zcash continued its upward momentum, extending a notable winning streak among altcoins.

Bank of Japan Raises Rates to 31-Year High, Bitcoin Gains Against Yen

The Bank of Japan raised its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points, pushing borrowing costs to their highest level in 31 years. Following the announcement, the Japanese yen declined in value against other assets. Bitcoin registered gains when measured against the weakening yen. The rate hike marks a significant shift in Japan's historically ultra-loose monetary policy stance.

SEC Outlines Regulatory Framework for Tokenized Stocks on Blockchain

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has proposed a regulated pathway for bringing real stocks onto blockchain networks. The framework aims to give tokenized equities a legitimate footing within the U.S. financial system. However, the SEC intends to maintain strict controls over trading volumes, investor access, and the rights of stock issuers. The move signals a cautious but notable shift toward integrating traditional securities with blockchain technology.

Ondo Finance founder's family in legal dispute over conservatorship in Hawaii

A Hawaiian court has received a petition from the estranged daughter of 77-year-old Kathleen Allman seeking a limited conservatorship over her parents. The petition alleges that Kathleen Allman suffers from dementia and alcoholism, and has engaged in reckless spending. The dispute centers on protecting the parents' share of a stake in Ondo Finance, a cryptocurrency firm. The legal action adds further complexity to an already unfolding succession crisis at Ondo Finance involving the Allman family.

Kevin O'Leary expects Congress to revisit crypto market structure bill in early 2025

Shark Tank investor Kevin O'Leary has predicted that the U.S. Congress will come under pressure to revive crypto market structure legislation early next year. His remarks come as lawmakers are actively working to establish clearer tax rules for digital assets. O'Leary was referring specifically to the CLARITY Act, which addresses how crypto markets should be regulated and structured. The push for tax legislation has renewed attention on the broader regulatory framework needed for the cryptocurrency industry.

SEC Launches 5-Year Pilot to Allow Tokenized U.S. Stock Trading

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has opened a pathway for tokenized U.S. stock trading through a five-year experimental program. The initiative is expected to benefit decentralized finance-style trading platforms, tokenization companies, and liquidity providers. The framework creates a regulated route for these entities to operate within the U.S. market. However, synthetic stock tokens have been excluded from the program's scope, leaving that segment outside regulatory coverage.

UK launches multi-agency raids on peer-to-peer crypto hubs in regulatory shift

UK authorities have conducted coordinated multi-agency raids targeting peer-to-peer cryptocurrency hubs, signaling a clear departure from the country's previously lenient approach to crypto oversight. The enforcement action marks a significant toughening of the UK's stance toward unregulated digital asset activity. The crackdown coincides with the release of detailed regulatory guidance directed at cryptocurrency firms operating in the country. This guidance is intended to prepare the industry ahead of a comprehensive regulatory framework set to come into full effect in late 2027.

SEC explores 24/7 trading as it greenlights tokenized securities

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has begun laying groundwork for around-the-clock stock trading, a model already standard in cryptocurrency markets. The agency held a dedicated event to discuss the possibility of continuous trading in traditional securities markets. The same morning, the SEC also approved tokenized securities, signaling a broader push toward modernizing market infrastructure. The dual developments suggest regulators are increasingly open to adopting practices long associated with digital asset markets.

Crypto for Advisors: Beyond bitcoin and ether

U.S. Crypto Industry Faces Setback as Clarity Act Stalls in Congress

The failure of the Clarity Act to advance is expected to put the United States at a competitive disadvantage against foreign crypto markets in the near term. The crypto industry has been seeking clear legal frameworks to operate with greater certainty and confidence. Without dedicated legislation, the sector may look to more crypto-friendly jurisdictions abroad for growth and development. However, existing regulatory oversight from the SEC and CFTC is expected to provide some foundational structure for the industry in the interim.

S&P Global Acquires Blockchain Security Firm OpenZeppelin

S&P Global has acquired OpenZeppelin, a blockchain security and smart contract auditing firm, marking its latest move into the digital asset space. The acquisition is aimed at addressing technological risks that banks and asset managers face when operating onchain. This deal follows S&P Global's recent market-data investment in crypto analytics firm Kaiko, signaling a broader push into tokenized finance infrastructure. The purchase positions S&P Global to offer risk assessment capabilities tailored to the growing tokenized financial ecosystem.

SEC grants 5-year exemption for tokenized securities trading without exchange registration

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has introduced a long-anticipated exemption allowing venues to list and trade tokenized securities without registering as a formal exchange. The relief is broad in scope, applying as a blanket provision across eligible platforms. The exemption is set to last for a period of five years, giving industry participants a defined window to operate under relaxed regulatory requirements. The move signals a notable shift in the SEC's approach toward blockchain-based financial instruments. It is expected to provide regulatory clarity and breathing room for firms exploring tokenized securities markets.

Ethereum Testnet Hits 200M Gas Limit Ahead of Glamsterdam Upgrade

Ethereum's development team has successfully rehearsed a major capacity upgrade on its test network. The trial involved raising the gas limit per block toward 200 million, a significant increase in transaction throughput. This rehearsal is part of preparations for the Glamsterdam upgrade, which aims to expand the network's overall capacity. Developers are now targeting an October 6 public testnet launch as the next milestone before a broader rollout.

Zcash miner Fortitude appoints ex-Hut 8 CEO Jaime Leverton ahead of Nasdaq listing

Zcash mining company Fortitude has named Jaime Leverton, former chief executive of Hut 8, as its new CEO. The Digital Currency Group-owned firm is preparing to go public on the Nasdaq through a proposed merger with HeartSciences. Leverton's appointment positions experienced crypto-industry leadership at the helm during this critical transition. The move signals Fortitude's intent to accelerate its path toward a public listing.

Circle's Arc Blockchain Overrun by Memecoins on Launch Day

Circle's newly launched Arc blockchain experienced an unexpected start as memecoin traders flooded the network on its very first day of operation. The activity was largely speculative, with traders rushing to deploy memecoins on the new platform shortly after launch. However, the momentum proved short-lived, as most of those traders had already abandoned the network by Thursday morning. The episode highlights the persistent challenge blockchain platforms face in attracting sustainable, long-term use cases over short-term speculative activity.

Optimism creeps back into crypto, with the 2022 test still to come

Your day-ahead look for Sept. 17, 2026