Crypto Signals Daily

Today’s headlines are dominated by crypto-related crimes and controversy.  In Paris, a botched kidnapping attempt targeting a crypto businessman's daughter has sparked urgent debate on personal security and the misconception that crypto is untraceable, as law enforcement intensifies its crackdown. Meanwhile in the US, Senate will vote on a bipartisan stablecoin bill next week, as Trump pushes for crypto reforms and executives lobby amid concerns over his crypto ties. In a surprising twist, former SEC Chair Gary Gensler is exposed for privately backing crypto, despite leading one of the industry’s most aggressive crackdowns.

Today's Highlights

💡 Paris crypto kidnapping attempt prompts security talks and traceability debate

A masked gang's attempt to kidnap the daughter of a French crypto businessman in Paris was foiled by a shop-owner wielding a fire extinguisher. Reuters reports a rise in violent attacks on crypto-affluent individuals. French prosecutors are investigating. The interior minister will also meet crypto firms to address security concerns. Chainalysis CEO Jonathan Levin notes that criminals' misconceptions about crypto's traceability may be fueling such crimes, as law enforcement intensifies efforts.

Reuters 1 , Reuters 2 , Cointelegraph 1 , Cointelegraph 2

💡 Senate stablecoin bill advances as crypto leaders lobby DC and Trump eyes August signing

The US Senate is poised to vote on a bipartisan stablecoin bill next week after removing provisions targeting Donald Trump and his family's crypto interests. Crypto executives, including Coinbase's CEO, are lobbying lawmakers in Washington, DC to influence the bill, while Democrats have requested Treasury reports on Trump's crypto ventures over bribery concerns. Meanwhile, President Trump aims to sign stablecoin and market structure legislation before the August congressional recess, reflecting ongoing momentum in US crypto policy reform.

Coindesk 1 , Coindesk 2 , Cointelegraph 1 , Cointelegraph 2 , Cointelegraph 3

Business & Institutional Moves

💡 CFTC Commissioner Mersinger to Lead Blockchain Association

CFTC Commissioner Summer Mersinger will become CEO of the Blockchain Association in June, marking a significant leadership shift as the crypto sector intensifies its advocacy efforts in Washington.

Reuters

💡 Standard Chartered partners with FalconX for institutional crypto banking

Standard Chartered has expanded its institutional crypto banking services by partnering with digital asset broker FalconX, aiming to provide a comprehensive suite of banking solutions to the cryptocurrency industry.

Cointelegraph

🐮 Coinbase eyes further M&A after Deribit acquisition

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong signals ongoing interest in mergers and acquisitions following the $2.9B purchase of crypto derivatives platform Deribit, highlighting the firm's expansion strategy.

Cointelegraph

🐮 Mastercard and MoonPay launch global stablecoin card services

Mastercard partners with MoonPay to introduce global stablecoin card services, further expanding its crypto offerings as competition with Visa intensifies.

Decrypt

💡 Coinbase CEO Recruits Ex-DOGE Staff

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has invited staff departing the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to join the crypto exchange, offering them a new opportunity within the industry.

Coindesk

Regional Developments

💡 Asia's wealthy pivot from US dollar to crypto and gold

UBS reports high-net-worth clients in Asia are moving away from US dollar investments, increasingly favoring gold, cryptocurrencies, and Chinese assets for diversification and potential growth.

Cointelegraph

🐮 Kazakhstan aims for Central Asia crypto leadership

Kazakhstan is positioning itself as Central Asia's leading crypto hub, with officials highlighting the nation's $1.4 billion crypto market and potential for further growth if regulatory barriers are eased.

Cointelegraph

💡 Nebraska set to regulate large-scale crypto mining

Nebraska lawmakers have approved a bill to regulate crypto miners using over 1 MW of electricity. If signed by the Governor, the law will take effect in October, introducing new limits for large-scale mining operations in the state.

Decrypt

Opinions & Analyses

💡 Anchorage Digital CEO denies DHS probe reports

Anchorage Digital CEO Nathan McCauley publicly refuted claims of a Department of Homeland Security investigation into the crypto bank, labeling the reports as “bullshit” during a Consensus 2025 panel. No additional headlines directly reference this story.

Coindesk

💡 Equities in TradFi poised for disruption by DeFi

Despite growing institutional interest in crypto and promises of democratized investing, most people remain excluded from equity markets. Mike Cahill, CEO of Douro Labs, argues that equities are the most ripe for disruption by decentralized finance.

Cointelegraph

💡 Central banks retain monetary policy power in tokenized finance

A joint report finds central banks can still conduct effective monetary policy—and potentially act more nimbly—even as financial systems become more decentralized and tokenized.

Reuters

💡 Crypto Startup Valuations Deter VC Funding

Crypto startups are pushing away venture capital by seeking valuations up to 80 times their revenues, warns 10T Holdings CEO Dan Tapeiro. High pricing expectations are making it difficult for these companies to secure necessary funding.

Cointelegraph

🐮 Investors rotate into altcoins as altcoin season brews

Analysts highlight a shift as investors allocate capital from Bitcoin to major altcoins, narrowing the BTC-ETH gap and fueling talk of an impending altcoin season. Market sentiment suggests increased risk appetite and potential for further altcoin rallies.

Theblock

Crime, Security, and Scams

💡 Telegram shuts down suspected $8B Chinese crypto crime channels

Telegram has closed thousands of channels linked to suspected Chinese crypto-crime marketplaces, following research by Elliptic. The crackdown targets illicit activity reportedly operating out of Colorado and involving billions in crypto transactions.

Coindesk

💡 Gensler's private crypto support revealed

Former SEC Chair Gary Gensler reportedly supported crypto privately, despite his public stance, according to US Representative Patrick McHenry.

Cointelegraph

💡 Zerebro dev faked death as memecoin hit $100m

Zerebro developer Jeffy Yu was found alive after faking his suicide, which sparked a posthumous memecoin surge past $100 million. Yu's case highlights a pattern of crypto personalities vanishing, dying, or misleading the community.

Cointelegraph

💡 Europol dismantles $23M mafia crypto bank

Europol and Spanish police arrested 17 suspects linked to a 'mafia crypto bank' accused of laundering over $23 million in crypto for criminal groups in China and the Middle East.

Cointelegraph

💡 Cartel leaders indicted as crypto tracing exposes fentanyl profits

US authorities charged alleged Sinaloa cartel bosses with narco-terrorism after blockchain investigators traced drug profits laundered through crypto, highlighting the role of digital assets in illicit finance.

Decrypt