Cryptocurrency exchanges, digital assets, ETFs and crypto regulation in the United States.
Bitcoin fell below $71,000 after the US announced a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a sharp rise in oil prices. The move reflects growing geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran. Despite the dip, Bitcoin remains up overall since the conflict began and continues to show resilience compared to traditional markets.
US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded their first back-to-back weekly inflows in five months, bringing in about $568 million this week. Ether ETFs also saw a second week of positive flows. The rebound hints that institutional demand for crypto ETFs may be returning after months of withdrawals.
A US federal judge dismissed a lawsuit accusing Binance and its founder Changpeng Zhao of helping terrorist groups move funds through crypto transactions. CZ said centralized exchanges have no incentive to support such activity. The case may still continue if plaintiffs file a revised complaint within 60 days.
Bitcoin and Ether fell after US-Israel strikes on Iran erased $128 billion from crypto markets. Investors rotated toward traditional safe havens, while derivatives data showed rising short-term risk aversion. The move extends Bitcoin’s broader post-October correction.
US spot Bitcoin ETFs saw $105 million in outflows as trading volumes cooled. Q4 filings revealed both aggressive buying and sharp reductions in IBIT holdings, including a surprise $436 million purchase by a little-known Hong Kong entity. Institutional positioning appears to be rotating rather than exiting the market altogether.
Arthur Hayes argues that Bitcoin’s divergence from tech stocks could signal a looming AI-driven credit crunch. He believes large-scale job losses may force central banks back into money printing, ultimately pushing Bitcoin to new highs.
Binance denies enabling Iran-linked sanctions breaches and says an internal review found no wrongdoing. The dispute comes as the exchange remains under regulatory oversight following its 2023 US settlement. The case highlights ongoing scrutiny of compliance controls at major crypto platforms.
Ark Invest used the recent Bitcoin dip to increase its exposure to Robinhood, Bullish and Circle, even as US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded fresh outflows. The move underscores continued volatility in institutional crypto flows, with selective equity buying contrasting broader ETF weakness.
US prosecutors say the case underscores the growing scale of relationship-based crypto fraud and renewed enforcement focus.
Kevin Warsh is expected to be nominated as the next Fed chair, replacing Jerome Powell. Markets are already pricing in a more hawkish policy shift, while Warsh’s past remarks on Bitcoin stand out for framing crypto as a potential check on fiscal excess.
A wallet linked to alleged theft of US government-seized crypto launched a Solana memecoin that crashed 97%, with onchain data showing heavy supply concentration and renewed concerns over memecoin launch risks.
Coinone is exploring the sale of major shareholder stakes, fueling takeover speculation as consolidation accelerates in South Korea’s highly active crypto market, with Coinbase rumored to be assessing a strategic entry despite no deal being confirmed.
Thailand’s SEC plans to introduce crypto ETF and futures regulations as institutional interest grows, with digital assets set to be recognized as an official asset class alongside portfolio limits and tighter rules for financial influencers, even as regulators step up enforcement, including the temporary suspension of KuCoin Thailand’s operations.
New SEC submissions spotlight rising tensions over self-custody and DeFi regulation, as industry groups push for clearer dealer rules while warning against weakened investor protections during ongoing CLARITY bill negotiations.
Sygnum expects clearer US crypto regulation to pave the way for sovereign Bitcoin reserves and broader adoption of tokenization by banks in 2026, arguing that early state adopters could accelerate Bitcoin’s emergence as a global store of value despite ongoing political constraints. At the same time, the firm sees tokenized bonds moving steadily toward the financial mainstream as major institutions prepare to issue and manage debt directly on blockchain-based infrastructure.
Pakistan is exploring the use of a Trump-linked stablecoin for regulated payments and remittances, marking a rare sovereign-level engagement with a politically connected crypto venture. The move underscores Islamabad’s ambition to become a global crypto hub while testing stablecoins as part of its evolving digital finance strategy.
Andreessen Horowitz has raised $15 billion to back technologies it sees as vital to America’s future, with crypto remaining a key focus despite no new allocation to its standalone crypto fund. The firm argues that blockchain and AI are now central to maintaining US competitiveness in the next global technology cycle.
US IPOs underperformed the S&P 500 in 2025 as crypto and AI listings delivered uneven returns after debut. While some firms saw strong openings, weak follow-through reinforced a market shift toward selectivity and fundamentals over speculative growth stories.