Crypto regulation, legislation and public-policy developments.
Plume Network has become an SEC-registered transfer agent, allowing it to manage tokenized securities under U.S. law. The move marks a milestone in integrating traditional finance with blockchain, giving Plume regulatory clearance to automate share registries and compliance directly onchain — a key step toward mainstream adoption of real-world asset tokenization.
Japan’s new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, has sparked optimism across stock and crypto markets with her pro-growth stance. Analysts expect her policies — including monetary easing and regulatory support — to drive renewed demand for digital assets like Bitcoin, especially as global macro pressures intensify.
A U.S. judge dismissed a lawsuit against Yuga Labs, ruling that BAYC NFTs and ApeCoin do not qualify as securities under the Howey Test. The court found no evidence of a common enterprise or explicit promises of profit, reinforcing precedent that NFTs are primarily collectibles rather than investment contracts.
Coinbase has applied for a U.S. National Trust Company Charter, aiming to expand services and strengthen regulatory credibility without becoming a bank. The move would reduce reliance on partner banks for fiat access and aligns Coinbase with other crypto giants like Circle and Ripple pursuing similar licenses.
The Trump administration has withdrawn Brian Quintenz’s nomination to chair the CFTC, amid reports of pushback from Gemini founders Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss. The move leaves the CFTC without a permanent leader as Congress debates the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, which could make the agency a key overseer of Bitcoin and Ethereum regulation.
The SEC’s Division of Investment Management has issued a no-action letter allowing advisers to use state trust companies as crypto custodians, marking an interim step toward custody rule modernization. While the move was praised by Commissioner Hester Peirce, Senator Cynthia Lummis, and industry analysts, Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw criticized it as bypassing formal rulemaking and disadvantaging federally chartered firms.
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov says he has relied on Bitcoin — not Telegram revenue — to finance his lifestyle, revealing he bought thousands of BTC in 2013. While predicting Bitcoin could hit $1 million, he also highlighted TON’s role in Telegram’s blockchain ecosystem despite regulatory hurdles.
Dragonfly’s Rob Hadick says tokenized equities will reshape Wall Street but may not benefit Ethereum or the wider crypto ecosystem if institutions stick to private chains. The SEC is advancing tokenized stock discussions, but the sector remains nascent, with less than $1 billion in assets onchain.
Circle has partnered with Deutsche Börse to integrate its EURC and USDC stablecoins into Europe’s financial market infrastructure. The move leverages MiCA rules but comes as regulators debate a potential ban on multi-issued stablecoins. The collaboration could reshape settlement and custody workflows across European markets.
Wisconsin lawmakers have introduced a bill that would exempt crypto mining, staking, and peer-to-peer digital asset transactions from money transmitter licensing. Backed by Republican sponsors, the measure still faces hurdles but could make Wisconsin one of the most crypto-friendly states in the US.
The Tuttle Capital Government Grift ETF (GRFT), designed to track the stock trades of US lawmakers and politically connected firms, could launch as soon as Friday. With Trump’s crypto-linked holdings possibly in scope and the SEC streamlining ETF approvals, the fund underscores the growing overlap between politics, traditional finance, and digital assets.
The SEC has suspended trading in QMMM Holdings until Oct. 13, citing concerns of potential stock manipulation linked to social media promotions. While QMMM recently pivoted to a crypto treasury model, analysts say the halt is focused on illegal trading activity, not its digital asset strategy. The move comes as regulators expand probes into the fast-growing crypto treasury trend on Wall Street.
Adrienne Harris is stepping down as NYDFS superintendent after four years, with Kaitlin Asrow named acting head effective Oct. 18. Harris’ tenure was marked by major influence on US crypto and stablecoin policy, as well as efforts to strengthen transatlantic regulatory cooperation.
Massachusetts’ Joint Revenue Committee will hold a hearing on a Republican-led bill to establish a state Bitcoin reserve. While Democrats’ supermajority makes passage unlikely, the proposal adds to a growing wave of state and federal efforts to treat Bitcoin as a strategic asset.
The U.S. faces a looming government shutdown that could stall progress on the Senate’s crypto market structure bill. Already delayed until October, the legislation risks being pushed back further as lawmakers focus on funding negotiations.
Crypto ETPs saw $812M in outflows last week, led by Bitcoin and Ether, but Solana funds gained $291M in inflows on ETF optimism. Analysts expect the next two weeks to be pivotal as the SEC prepares to decide on multiple altcoin ETF applications.
Poland’s parliament has advanced a sweeping crypto bill that introduces strict licensing requirements, fines of up to $2.8M, and potential prison terms. Critics warn the law could cripple the nation’s crypto industry, while President Nawrocki, who pledged to protect innovation, faces pressure to intervene.
The SEC is set to decide on 16 crypto ETF applications in October, covering altcoins such as Solana, XRP, and Dogecoin. Analysts call it “ETF month,” with approvals potentially sparking a new altcoin rally. Recent SEC rule changes also suggest an easier path for future crypto ETFs.