The US SEC unveils new disclosure guidance for crypto ETFs, Ukraine enforces sweeping sanctions on Russian-linked crypto networks, and EU regulators launch a probe into Robinhood’s tokenized equity offerings amid OpenAI concerns. Meanwhile, UAE authorities have refuted claims of a golden visa program for crypto investors, underscoring the evolving—and often conflicting—global approach to digital asset oversight.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has released new guidance on disclosure requirements for exchange-traded products tied to cryptocurrencies. This move marks the initial step toward the potential approval of numerous applications for ETFs linked to digital assets such as Solana, XRP, and a meme coin associated with former President Donald Trump.
Ukraine has imposed sanctions on 60 companies and 73 individuals linked to Russia's efforts to evade financial restrictions using cryptocurrency. The sanctions target Russian crypto networks involved in war financing and include foreign firms from Cyprus, Kazakhstan, and the UAE, as well as 55 Russian companies.
European regulators are investigating Robinhood’s private equity tokens, which provide indirect exposure to companies like OpenAI and SpaceX through derivatives. The probe follows warnings from OpenAI and SpaceX that these digital assets do not represent actual equity ownership, prompting concerns over the nature and marketing of the tokens.
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have denied the existence of a golden visa program for cryptocurrency or digital asset investors. In a joint statement, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security, the Securities and Commodities Authority, and the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority clarified that the eligibility criteria for the golden visa do not include digital currency investors. The Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority also emphasized that TON is not regulated in the country.
The IRS is planning a significant increase in compliance audits focused on cryptocurrency, as many taxpayers and CPAs continue to claim uncertainty about tax guidance despite over 16 years since Bitcoin's introduction. This move signals a historic effort to enforce tax rules in the crypto sector, catching many taxpayers unprepared.
Britain's Treasury has announced a new measure targeting crypto tax evasion, introducing £300 fines for individuals who refuse to provide personal information to crypto service providers. The policy will take effect in January 2026, with officials estimating it could generate up to £315 million in extra revenue by April 2030.
The Dubai Financial Services Authority has granted regulatory approval to the QCD Money Market Fund (QCDT), making it the first tokenized money market fund to operate in the Dubai International Financial Centre. The fund, launched by Qatar National Bank and DMZ Finance, marks a milestone in Dubai's efforts to advance real-world asset tokenization and digital asset finance.
In the past week, major cryptocurrency firms Circle and Ripple Labs have initiated efforts to obtain banking licenses in the United States. This move is seen as a step toward greater institutional adoption of crypto, though it has raised concerns among some enthusiasts who fear it may compromise the decentralized ideals of the industry.
Digital asset investment products recorded $1.04 billion in inflows last week, marking the 12th consecutive week of net inflows and pushing total assets under management to a record $188 billion, according to CoinShares. The majority of inflows came from Bitcoin ETPs, which saw $790 million, though this represented a slowdown from the previous three-week average of $1.5 billion. There was also a noted shift in investor interest toward Ethereum products.
The crypto market has rebounded with new gains following a slight decline last week, as investor sentiment improves. Bitcoin and meme coin prices have trended upward, with attention now turning to three key US decisions expected this week that could significantly impact the market's direction.
Wormhole Foundation Co-Founder Robinson Burkey highlighted the growing significance of interoperability in the crypto sector and addressed how real-world assets (RWAs) and stablecoins can operate across multiple blockchains, emphasizing the increasing interest and adoption of crypto by institutional players.
Business leaders with expertise in real-world assets onchain are discussing the demand prospects for tokenization of private equity, following Robinhood's OpenAI-linked token drop.
Analysts at Bernstein report that regulatory developments are likely to drive a significant increase in equity tokenization, despite recent controversy involving Robinhood and OpenAI.
Some of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges are moving their operations on-chain, creating hybrid platforms that combine the stability and user-friendly interface of centralized exchanges (CEXs) with the blockchain-powered features typical of decentralized exchanges (DEXs). This emerging model aims to deliver the benefits of blockchain technology while maintaining a familiar experience for traditional finance users.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has urged the crypto community to embrace “copyleft” open-source licensing, arguing that such licenses better promote open innovation as the sector becomes more competitive and mercenary. Buterin expressed concern that crypto is drifting away from its open-source roots and advocated for a shift back to these principles.
Kuru Labs, a decentralized finance startup operating on the Monad blockchain, has raised $11.6 million in a Series A funding round led by crypto investment firm Paradigm. The funding will support the development of Kuru Labs' DeFi liquidity engine.
NEXST has announced the launch of its new VR division, which leverages advanced AI, VR, Web3, and Real-World Asset technologies to create immersive digital entertainment experiences. The platform's first major collaboration features the global K-Pop group UNIS, who will make their virtual debut through this initiative.
Cloudflare has launched a bot paywall, a move that could accelerate the adoption of tokenized content models online. According to Ahmad Shadid, CEO at O.XYZ, this development addresses longstanding issues with the web's value exchange and may trigger significant changes in how digital content is monetized.
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