Crypto Breaking

The 2026 FIFA World Cup turned into a major proving ground for crypto-based consumer activity, with blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis estimating $20 billion in blockchain-linked prediction market volume and $24 million in trades of FIFA-related digital collectibles during the tournament cycle.
In Chainalysis’s analysis, bettors placed about $5.7 billion in wagers over the five weeks of the World Cup itself, while activity tied to World Cup markets made up roughly 63% of all prediction market trading during that span. The numbers point to how quickly blockchain infrastructure can become embedded in mainstream global events—if platforms can onboard large audiences while keeping compliance controls effective.
Key takeaways
Chainalysis attributes $20 billion in blockchain-based prediction market volume to the 2026 World Cup, including trading before and during the tournament.
About $5.7 billion was wagered across the five-week event window, with World Cup markets representing approximately 63% of prediction market activity during that period.
More than 400,000 wallets participated in blockchain betting, with the United States and China leading in attributable volume.
Illicit exposure appears limited by wallet count: fewer than 1% of participating wallets had ties to illicit actors, though Chainalysis detected roughly $5.4 million in flows from sanctioned and other illicit sources.
Fan engagement extended beyond betting: around $24 million in FIFA Collect NFT trades and over 100,000 match tickets distributed through the platform, with sanctioned-linked users under 0.01%.
World Cup prediction markets draw large-scale participation
Chainalysis’s report frames the World Cup as a rare instance where blockchain-based prediction markets reached a broad, geographically distributed audience. According to the firm, participation came from every continent except Antarctica.
In terms of where attributable trading volume originated, the United States and China topped the list, followed by Canada, Thailand, and the United Kingdom. That distribution matters for investors and builders because it suggests these platforms are no longer confined to a small, crypto-native user base—at least for high-interest global events.
Chainalysis also noted that World Cup-related prediction markets dominated the sector’s activity during the five-week tournament window. With World Cup markets accounting for about 63% of prediction market trading during that period, the event effectively acted as a concentration point for demand, liquidity, and user attention.
Wagering volume is huge, but illicit activity stays comparatively low
While the scale of betting activity was significant, Chainalysis’s findings indicate that outright illicit participation was limited when measured by the number of wallets involved. The firm said fewer than 1% of wallets participating in World Cup prediction markets had ties to illicit actors.
However, the report does not claim the ecosystem was free of risk. Chainalysis identified roughly $5.4 million in flows that originated from sanctioned entities and other illicit sources. The distinction is important: even if bad-actor wallet counts are low, illicit flows can still materialize within total volume—especially in markets with high throughput during major events.
For platforms and users, the takeaway is not simply that “crime is small,” but that compliance controls likely play a central role in keeping participation cleaner as user numbers expand.
Digital collectibles and ticketing add another layer of on-chain engagement
Beyond prediction markets, Chainalysis highlighted growing usage of blockchain-based digital collectibles connected to major sports moments. Fans traded approximately $24 million worth of FIFA Collect NFTs during the tournament period.
The report also cited a distribution figure that is relevant to how tokenized collectibles can move beyond trading: more than 100,000 match tickets were distributed through the platform. Together, NFT trading and ticket distribution suggest that blockchain tooling is being used for both monetization and operational delivery of event-related assets.
Chainalysis further reported that wallets linked to sanctioned entities represented less than 0.01% of FIFA Collect users. The analytics firm attributed this low level, at least in part, to identity verification requirements implemented by the platform. That correlation between onboarding friction and lower sanctioned exposure is likely to remain a key design and regulatory consideration as more mainstream consumers join tokenized experiences.
Why Chainalysis’s analysis matters for the next wave of mainstream crypto
The World Cup data illustrates two simultaneous trends. First, blockchain ecosystems can absorb large numbers of users during mass-market events—pushing prediction markets to multi-billion-dollar volumes and turning collectibles into a meaningful consumer behavior. Second, scale increases the importance of compliance: even with sub-1% illicit wallet participation, the report still found millions in flows tied to sanctioned or illicit sources.
Chainalysis said its results point to blockchain playing a growing role in major global events, while also underscoring the need for compliance measures as platforms attract broader participation.
For market participants, the practical question going forward is whether the same pattern—high engagement combined with strong enforcement—will hold outside tournament peaks. Investors and traders will likely watch whether platforms can sustain clean onboarding and monitor activity as user bases expand beyond the temporary surges created by global championships.
As blockchain-based prediction markets and collectibles keep testing mainstream adoption, the next signals to monitor are how platforms refine identity verification, how compliance improves over time, and whether illicit flows remain constrained as user participation grows beyond event-driven demand.
This article was originally published as Chainalysis: World Cup Boosted Blockchain Prediction Markets to $20B on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Coinbase a fait état de résultats mitigés pour le deuxième trimestre, subissant une pression sur la rentabilité alors que l’activité globale de trading de crypto a ralenti—malgré le fait que la bourse a remporté une part record du volume mondial du marché. La performance de l’entreprise a mis en évidence une tension clé pour les grandes plateformes cette année : lorsque l’activité des utilisateurs et la volatilité diminuent, même de solides gains de parts de marché peuvent ne pas suffire à compenser les vents contraires sur les revenus.
Sur le trimestre, Coinbase a généré environ 1,2 milliard de dollars de revenus nets, globalement conforme aux attentes mais en baisse de 19 % par rapport à l’année précédente. La plateforme a publié une perte nette GAAP de 359 millions de dollars, s’écartant nettement des attentes des analystes, qui tablaient sur une perte d’environ 122 millions de dollars.

Evernorth Holdings, soutenue par Ripple, a fait avancer ses projets de marché public après avoir mis à jour son enregistrement auprès de la SEC. L’entreprise a finalisé les accords d’emploi des cadres et a soumis un autre dépôt modifié du Formulaire S-4. Entre-temps, les dernières divulgations ont également détaillé des packages de rémunération, l’avancement de la fusion et les impacts financiers liés à la récente faiblesse du cours de l’XRP.
Evernorth avec des bases Ripple finalise les accords de direction
Evernorth Holdings a déposé la modification n° 5 à sa déclaration d’enregistrement Formulaire S-4 auprès de la Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) des États-Unis. Le dépôt a finalisé les accords d’emploi pour les membres restants de l’équipe de direction exécutive. En conséquence, l’entreprise a finalisé les arrangements de rémunération avant sa cotation publique proposée.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has introduced new federal legislation aimed at creating an “Anti-Corruption Bureau” with the power to investigate, enforce, and prevent executive-branch corruption. The proposal also folds into a wider political fight over cryptocurrency ethics and market-structure reform, as Schumer’s remarks directly referenced President Donald Trump’s financial ties to crypto.
According to Schumer’s office, the bill—called the Anti-Corruption Bureau Creation Act—would establish a new agency designed to replace what he described as a fragmented system of oversight bodies. Schumer and cosponsors presented the effort as a targeted response to conflicts of interest they say stem from public office and lucrative crypto-related investments.
Key takeaways
Schumer introduced the Anti-Corruption Bureau Creation Act, proposing a dedicated US agency to investigate, enforce, and prevent executive-branch corruption.
The bill’s rationale ties to alleged Trump-linked financial gains, including references to crypto exposure mentioned in Schumer’s Thursday notice.
Schumer’s proposal would consolidate multiple ethics and oversight functions, grouping entities including the Federal Election Commission and other government ethics offices “under one roof.”
Supporters position the bureau as a “real teeth” enforcement mechanism, while passage could still face hurdles in the House and Senate—and a potential veto by Trump.
The timing overlaps with ongoing uncertainty around the Senate’s handling of the Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act, a major market-structure effort backed by many in the industry.
A new enforcement-focused anti-corruption bureau
In a Thursday press notice, Schumer said he introduced the Anti-Corruption Bureau Creation Act. He described the agency as one with enforcement authority, designed to “investigate, enforce, and prevent executive branch corruption.” The legislation also sets out “Congress’ findings” that Schumer claims include disclosures about Trump’s earnings from investments and additional crypto exposure connected to foreign governments through a family fund, as referenced in Schumer’s notice.
Schumer framed the proposal as an institutional fix. In remarks shared through a Public Citizen forum about the bill, he characterized the bureau as having “real teeth” and argued it would help harmonize enforcement across institutions that currently operate with overlapping or inconsistent authority.
The bill’s structure, as described in connection with the forum, calls for a bipartisan group of seven members to be confirmed by the Senate. It also includes mechanisms intended to allow private citizens and state authorities to seek recovery of funds they allege were stolen through corruption, according to descriptions tied to the proposal.
How crypto ethics enters the political equation
For Democrats weighing support for comprehensive crypto market structure legislation, President Trump’s business ties have become a central flashpoint. Many lawmakers, despite White House agreement to certain ethics provisions in the Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act, have argued that the offered safeguards do not fully address potential conflicts of interest.
Earlier coverage from Cointelegraph noted that debates around the CLARITY Act have kept ethics provisions at the center of discussions, with lawmakers saying the measures fall short. Schumer’s new anti-corruption bill adds a separate enforcement pathway to that same broader argument: that oversight should be strengthened to prevent public office from translating into private financial benefit, including in crypto-related business interests.
Consolidating enforcement and ethics offices
A notable feature of the anti-corruption proposal is its intent to gather multiple oversight functions under one organizational umbrella. As described in the coverage, the legislation would place the US Federal Election Commission, the Office of Government Ethics, and the Office of Special Counsel “under one roof” within the new bureau.
Supporters argue the consolidation would reduce the gaps they believe exist across current watchdog systems. Schumer’s messaging emphasized replacing “a broken patchwork of watchdogs” with a single agency capable of acting “anywhere, anytime corruption strikes.” Critics of the current system—particularly those focused on ethics enforcement—often point to jurisdictional complexity and uneven prioritization across agencies; this bill attempts to address that by reorganizing responsibilities rather than relying solely on incremental reforms.
Cointelegraph reported that it reached out to the White House for comment but did not receive an immediate response regarding the proposal.
Cosponsors, vote math, and what happens next
The bill was introduced by Schumer and has cosponsors including Senators Andy Kim, Alex Padilla, and Jeff Merkley. Passage would require Republican support in the House and Senate, where the party holds a slim majority.
Even if it advances before 2028, the president would have veto power. If Trump vetoed the legislation, Congress would need a two-thirds majority in both chambers to override it, according to the rules typically governing federal veto overrides.
The timing is also important because the Senate is approaching a break. As described in the coverage, the Senate had just over a week left before lawmakers planned to leave for a month-long state work period. That looming calendar could affect the speed at which both ethics-related and market-structure measures move in the upper chamber.
CLARITY Act uncertainty persists alongside the anti-corruption push
While Schumer’s anti-corruption proposal targets executive-branch conduct, it arrives in the midst of unresolved negotiations around the CLARITY Act, which many see as a key step toward a clearer US framework for digital assets.
As of Thursday, the Senate had not scheduled a vote on the CLARITY Act, despite pushes from Republican lawmakers and industry stakeholders. Cointelegraph previously highlighted that ethics provisions remain a sticking point for some Democrats, and this week’s status underscores how procedural timing may be just as decisive as policy design.
According to remarks attributed in the coverage to former SEC official John Reed Stark, after a public forum hosted by Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Van Hollen, it was unclear whether lawmakers would move the CLARITY Act during the available window. The same report cited statements from Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong referring to the bill nearing a critical stage, alongside continued advocacy from Senator Cynthia Lummis for a vote.
The political sequence matters for market participants: if crypto market structure legislation is delayed by calendar constraints, lawmakers may re-focus on broader political disputes about ethics and enforcement, potentially reshaping what “safe enough” looks like for legislators and regulators. Conversely, if the CLARITY Act advances, it could clarify the legislative pathway for industry—while leaving ethics and anti-corruption reforms to run in parallel.
For now, investors and builders should watch two developments closely: whether the Senate schedules and votes on the CLARITY Act before its break, and whether Schumer’s anti-corruption bureau proposal gains traction early enough to overcome House and Senate vote hurdles and any eventual veto risk.
This article was originally published as Schumer Pushes New Agency for Corruption Oversight, Targets Crypto Ties on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

L’or tokenisé a connu une forte hausse des échanges cette année, alors que les lingots physiques ont atteint des niveaux records. Toutefois, la majeure partie de l’offre d’or « on-chain » n’est toujours pas activement utilisée dans DeFi. Un nouveau rapport de RedStone met en évidence un goulot d’étranglement clair : seule une petite fraction de l’or tokenisé apparaît en tant que collatéral dans de grands protocoles de prêt, tels que Aave v3 et Morpho.
RedStone indique que le volume des échanges au comptant d’or tokenisé a atteint 90,7 milliards de dollars au premier trimestre, au cours d’une période où les contrats à terme sur l’or ont bondi au-dessus de 5 600 dollars par once troy. Pourtant, seulement environ 63 millions de dollars de Tether Gold (XAUT) et PAX Gold (PAXG) sont actuellement déposés comme collatéral sur Aave v3 et Morpho — soit environ 1,5 % de la capitalisation boursière combinée de 4,2 milliards de dollars de ces tokens.

Canadian crypto participation is rising quickly, according to fresh research from the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC). The regulator’s latest survey suggests that the share of Canadians who own cryptocurrencies has climbed to 25% in 2026, up from 10% in 2023—an expansion that also coincides with broader awareness of crypto assets.
The OSC released the findings Tuesday, based on a poll of 2,360 Canadians aged 18 and over conducted between December 2025 and January 2026. The study found that 59% of respondents said they are aware of crypto assets, while 25% reported that they currently hold cryptocurrencies.
Key takeaways
The OSC survey reports crypto ownership has reached 25% in 2026, compared with 10% in 2023.
Awareness increased alongside ownership, with 59% of respondents indicating they know about crypto assets.
About half of crypto owners said they check whether a platform is registered before using it.
Despite growing caution, the OSC found widespread confusion about regulation, insurance protections, and transaction capabilities.
Ownership and awareness move upward
The OSC’s survey points to a clear jump in both familiarity and direct engagement with crypto. In 2026, a majority of respondents—59%—reported awareness of crypto assets, while one-quarter said they hold cryptocurrencies.
That shift matters for regulators because it implies crypto is moving from a niche activity toward mainstream consumer behavior. As more Canadians participate, investor protection issues typically become more urgent, particularly around how users choose platforms, understand risk, and interpret what protections (if any) apply when assets are held or transacted through a service.
OSC executive vice president of strategic regulation Naizam Kanji said the regulator expects “emerging trends and behaviors” to help it anticipate opportunities and risks, with the goal of supporting investor protection while fostering fair and efficient markets.
Checking registrations—alongside continuing misunderstandings
One of the more actionable details in the OSC findings is how some users evaluate platforms. The survey indicates that about 50% of crypto owners reported checking whether a platform is registered prior to using it.
However, the report also suggests that heightened awareness does not necessarily translate into a correct understanding of the rules that govern crypto activity in Canada. The OSC said many respondents still had “some misunderstanding” around key issues—namely regulation, insurance protections, and transaction capabilities.
For investors, this mix of behavior is significant. Register checks can be a useful step, but misunderstanding the practical meaning of registration—or assuming protections exist where they do not—can expose users to avoidable losses. The OSC’s results imply that more effective education and clearer disclosures may be needed, even as adoption rises.
How Ottawa’s crypto proposals fit the trend
The OSC’s survey lands amid ongoing policy debate in Canada about the appropriate ways to regulate different crypto-related activities. According to the report, lawmakers in Ottawa have been considering measures tailored to how cryptocurrencies are used in practice.
Earlier this year, the federal government advanced a bill that could prohibit political donations made using crypto. The government also proposed banning crypto ATMs, citing concerns about scams and money laundering. Taken together, these proposals highlight a broad regulatory theme: as crypto use grows, authorities are focusing not just on trading and custody, but also on high-risk channels that can enable fraud.
While the OSC survey focuses on awareness, ownership, and user understanding, Ottawa’s legislative direction underscores a parallel concern among policymakers—reducing harm where crypto intersects with consumers and enforcement challenges.
What to watch next for Canadian investors
The OSC’s data suggests that Canada’s crypto base is expanding while gaps in consumer understanding remain. The most important question for users and market participants is whether regulators will translate these survey insights into clearer requirements, better consumer education, and more targeted enforcement—especially in areas where misunderstanding could lead to financial harm.
As the next rounds of research and policy developments emerge, Canadians should pay close attention to how platform registration is communicated in practice, what protections users can realistically expect, and which services regulators move to restrict or supervise more tightly.
This article was originally published as Ontario Survey Finds Canadian Crypto Ownership Rises to 25% on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Bitcoin traded with subdued volatility on Thursday as a rebound in US equities and a softer read on inflation reduced the pressure investors had placed on risk assets. In late US trading, BTC held near $64,500, largely steady from the prior day, after market attention shifted to June’s US Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) inflation release.
The PCE report showed inflation cooling to 3.7% year-on-year—matching expectations—while S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite gains reflected a broader “risk-on” tone. Even so, commentators cautioned that the numbers still sit well above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target, keeping the longer-term debate about the inflation path alive.
Key takeaways
Bitcoin largely shrugged off Thursday’s macro-driven volatility, holding around the $64,500 area as US stocks rebounded.
June PCE inflation came in at 3.7% year-on-year, in line with forecasts, ending a short-term uptrend in the data.
Despite the cooler print, inflation remains materially above the Fed’s 2% target, limiting “all clear” confidence.
Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan argued that future interest-rate moves may be smaller—potentially reducing how strongly BTC reacts to rate headlines.
BTC stays range-bound as equities recover
Charting from TradingView showed BTC/USD action focusing around $64,500, with price behavior described as broadly unchanged versus the previous day. Earlier in the week, crypto had faced a headwind from a broad sell-off in semiconductor stocks, a move that spilled into other risk assets during US trading. That pressure eased on Thursday, helping keep Bitcoin from forcing a sharp reaction to the day’s macro catalyst.
At the time of writing, the S&P 500 was up about 1% and the Nasdaq Composite gained roughly 2.3%, reflecting improving sentiment across markets following the inflation data release.
PCE cools to 3.7%—but remains far above the Fed target
June’s PCE inflation print provided the day’s primary momentum. The year-on-year reading of 3.7% matched market expectations, while May’s figure had been 4.1%, which was described as the highest in three years. PCE is widely treated as the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure because it is based on a broad basket of consumer spending and updates more quickly as consumer choices shift in response to prices. The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland describes this framing as a key advantage of the PCE approach.
In its release, the US Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) attributed the month’s increase in current-dollar PCE to higher spending—most notably services. The BEA said the $65.2 billion rise in current-dollar PCE reflected increases of $58.2 billion in spending on services and $7.0 billion in spending on goods.
Even with the cooling headline number—and the BEA noting a month-on-month decline—some market watchers treated the report as cautiously supportive rather than decisive. The Kobeissi Letter highlighted that the 3.7% rate was still the second-highest result since October 2024. The account also argued that inflation was running at nearly double the Fed’s 2.0% target.
Economist Steve Hanke also pushed back against complacency, describing inflation as a “genie the Fed just can’t put back in the bottle,” while emphasizing the mismatch between current inflation and the Fed’s goal.
Fed policy uncertainty persists—Bitwise expects weaker rate sensitivity
Beyond the inflation print, Thursday’s narrative also centered on interest-rate expectations. The Federal Reserve left rates unchanged at its latest meeting on Wednesday, with an emerging split among Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) members over the appropriate policy path.
Matt Hougan, chief investment officer at Bitwise, argued that Bitcoin’s sensitivity to future rate announcements may be lower than what investors have historically experienced. On social media, Hougan pointed to the pattern of rate swings during Bitcoin’s history—ranging across very wide levels—and suggested that future changes may be more incremental. His comment referenced CME Group’s FedWatch Tool, which implies a smaller trajectory for rates over the coming year compared with prior cycles.
Hougan also tied his view to expectations around leadership. He stated that new Fed chair Kevin Warsh is likely to echo former chair Alan Greenspan in terms of the scale of policy moves, contrasting that with Jerome Powell. In addition, he referenced earlier signals from US President Donald Trump suggesting Warsh would take a more dovish stance on policy, a development that, if realized, could support risk-asset performance and reduce the market’s fear of abrupt tightening.
What investors should watch next
Bitcoin’s muted reaction to Thursday’s macro headlines suggests investors are still willing to hold through volatility when equities stabilize, but the debate over whether inflation is truly on a sustainable path remains unresolved. The next key factor will be whether incoming PCE reads continue to ease toward the Fed’s target and whether rate expectations—tracked via tools like CME FedWatch—continue to shift more gradually rather than re-pricing abrupt policy changes.
This article was originally published as Bitcoin Holds Steady as US PCE Inflation Falls for First Time in 6 Years on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Telegram is facing a fresh legal fight in Australia after the country’s online safety regulator moved to seek civil penalties, alleging the messaging service did not adequately address terrorism-linked content.
According to a statement from Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, the regulator filed civil penalty proceedings against Telegram in the Federal Court on Thursday, accusing the platform of failing to meet obligations under the nation’s Online Safety Act.
Key takeaways
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has launched civil penalty proceedings against Telegram in Federal Court over alleged failures to tackle pro-terror content.
The regulator alleges Telegram did not respond sufficiently to multiple user complaints and that some reported material remained visible for as long as three weeks.
eSafety claims Telegram failed to take adequate preventive steps, including actions to remove or disrupt repeat violators such as channels and groups.
The case forms part of broader, escalating scrutiny of Telegram’s moderation practices in multiple countries.
eSafety says penalties could reach up to 54.6 million Australian dollars (about $35.8 million) for violations of the Online Safety Act.
Australia’s allegations focus on delayed takedowns and repeat violations
In its filing, eSafety says it conducted a year-long investigation and concluded that Telegram did not remove certain unlawful material after it became aware of it. The regulator alleges that, in some instances, reported content continued to be visible for up to three weeks.
eSafety further argues that Telegram’s approach was not only reactive but insufficiently protective against repeat behavior. The regulator alleges Telegram did not take adequate steps to prevent renewed violations, including removing accounts and groups used to distribute pro-terror material.
The regulator also contends Telegram failed to detect known extremist content in advance. eSafety cites examples that later were removed, including footage from the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings and the 2022 Buffalo mass shooting.
What the regulator is asking the court to decide
eSafety is seeking financial penalties, reflecting the seriousness of its claimed breaches of Australia’s online safety framework. Under the Online Safety Act, eSafety notes that violations can carry penalties up to 54.6 million Australian dollars (about $35.8 million).
Telegram has not publicly issued an official statement addressing the Australian proceedings. However, its official X account posted a video captioned “freedom of expression.”
Telegram did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the case.
Telegram’s moderation scrutiny extends beyond Australia
Australia’s action arrives amid intensifying pressure on Telegram’s leadership and the platform’s content-handling practices internationally.
Earlier coverage from Cointelegraph noted that Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) announced it had charged Telegram founder Pavel Durov with facilitating terrorist activity and initiated steps to place him on an international wanted list. The Russian authorities alleged Telegram failed to remove channels, chats and bots that they say were used by Ukrainian intelligence services, terrorist groups and extremist organizations to coordinate attacks, recruit operatives and conduct cyber fraud.
Telegram has not issued an official response to the latest legal developments in Russia, though it has posted content related to Durov on its social channels.
Broader legal pressure on Durov in Europe
Durov also remains under investigation in France following his arrest in August 2024 at Le Bourget Airport, as previously reported by Cointelegraph. French prosecutors have charged him with offenses including complicity in the distribution of illegal content, including material connected to organized crime, through Telegram.
Durov has in the past criticized what he described as increasing threats to online privacy, warning that governments were rolling back protections for a free internet.
In an October 2025 post on X, Durov wrote that “What was once the promise of the free exchange of information is being turned into the ultimate tool of control.”
Why this matters for investors and platform users
Even beyond the immediate legal stakes, regulators targeting moderation and takedown performance could reshape how Telegram handles harmful content at scale—especially if courts accept eSafety’s allegations about delayed removal and insufficient preventive measures. Readers should watch for the court’s findings and any changes Telegram makes to notice-and-action processes, repeat-violation handling, and detection workflows.
This article was originally published as Australia Sues Telegram Over Alleged Extremist Content on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Les marchés crypto sud-coréens ont connu une forte explosion d’activité après que le KOSPI a subi de lourdes pertes cette semaine, mettant en lumière la façon dont les ventes sur le marché actions peuvent rapidement détourner l’attention vers les actifs numériques — et les produits associés négociés à l’étranger. D’après des données d’Upbit, les échanges entre le won coréen et le Tether (USDT) se sont accélérés rapidement au moment de la baisse de l’indice.
Pendant ce temps, des analystes mettent en avant une autre trame en parallèle : malgré la pression macroéconomique qui pèse sur les actifs à risque, le Bitcoin a fait preuve d’une relative solidité par rapport aux grands indices boursiers américains. D’après les dernières recherches de Bitwise, la performance de la cryptomonnaie devient de plus en plus remarquable à mesure que les conditions financières se resserrent.

Samsung SDS, la branche de services informatiques du groupe Samsung, affirme explorer une coopération avec Dunamu — l’opérateur de la bourse sud-coréenne Upbit — autour d’infrastructures de stablecoin, de systèmes d’actifs numériques et de modèles de paiement activés par l’IA. Les échanges ont été présentés lors de la conférence sur les résultats du deuxième trimestre de Samsung SDS jeudi, d’après des propos du PDG Lee Jun-hee.
L’effort se traduit également par le fait que Samsung Electronics continue d’étendre son empreinte dans les actifs numériques, notamment avec des projets récents visant à ajouter la prise en charge des stablecoins à Samsung Wallet. Ensemble, ces initiatives indiquent une volonté plus large, portée par des entités liées à Samsung, de s’orienter vers des rails de finance digitale réglementée plutôt que vers des fonctionnalités de crypto exclusivement destinées au grand public.

La Réserve fédérale a laissé inchangés ses taux d’intérêt directeurs à 3,5 % et 3,75 %. Toutefois, trois responsables ont voté contre et se sont prononcés en faveur d’une hausse d’un quart de point.
Les analystes estiment que le marché avait déjà anticipé la décision, les cryptomonnaies, dont le bitcoin (BTC), n’enregistrant que de faibles variations après la réunion. La principale cryptomonnaie est en hausse de 1,45 %, s’échangeant autour de 64 491 $.
Taux d’intérêt inchangés
La Réserve fédérale a laissé les taux d’intérêt inchangés après un vote de 9 contre 3 en faveur de la décision. Les présidents de la Fed de Cleveland, de Dallas et de Minneapolis ont voté contre la décision, préférant une hausse d’un quart de point. Le bitcoin a brièvement franchi les 64 000 $ après la décision, mais est ensuite retombé vers 63 000 $ avant de reprendre les 64 000 $.

Samsung SDS, la branche de services informatiques du groupe Samsung, explore une coopération avec Dunamu—opérateur de la bourse sud-coréenne Upbit—dans les domaines de l’infrastructure de stablecoins, des systèmes d’actifs numériques et des modèles de paiement activés par l’IA, selon des commentaires du PDG de Samsung SDS, Lee Jun-hee, lors de l’appel aux résultats du deuxième trimestre de la société, jeudi.
Ces discussions indiquent que Samsung SDS cherche à transformer ses travaux existants en matière de tokenisation et de règlement en offres commerciales dans la finance numérique, à un moment où la Corée du Sud façonne activement son approche des stablecoins.

Hedge fund Situational Awareness, founded in 2024 by former OpenAI researcher Leopold Aschenbrenner, is reportedly seeking new funding after taking substantial losses during a recent sell-off in artificial intelligence stocks. The Financial Times said the firm has approached investors and lenders for additional capital, and in some cases has offered investors the chance to buy assets from its portfolio.
The fund—tied to a strategy centered on the infrastructure underpinning AI—was reported by the Wall Street Journal to manage roughly $20 billion in assets under management as of June 8. However, the FT reported that the scale of losses and the amount of capital being sought were not disclosed in the discussions it reviewed, which included a July 24 investor letter.
Key takeaways
Situational Awareness is reportedly raising fresh capital after losses tied to the July sell-off in AI-related equities.
According to the Financial Times, borrowing amplified the impact of the downturn on the fund’s leveraged positions.
The fund’s reported AI-infrastructure focus includes trades connected to data centers and power, with past disclosures referencing stakes in Bitcoin mining firms.
In addition to seeking funding, the firm has reportedly offered some investors the option to purchase portfolio assets.
Why the AI sell-off became a funding story
The immediate catalyst for Situational Awareness’s capital push appears to be the market turbulence that hit AI stock momentum in July. The FT linked the losses to the broader “AI stock collapse” during that rout and emphasized that the fund’s risk profile was made more severe by increased borrowing.
While the FT did not provide a dollar figure for losses or the size of the capital requirement, it reported that Aschenbrenner’s fund had gained 439% after fees through June, as described in the July 24 investor letter. The same letter suggests that strong earlier performance did not prevent a rapid drawdown once AI equities sold off—particularly because leverage can magnify both gains and losses.
That leverage detail matters to investors because it helps explain how a thematic equity thesis—AI infrastructure—can still unravel quickly when valuation compression and liquidity pressures hit the complex simultaneously. The situation also reflects a recurring pattern in crowded “platform” trades: when the market reprices the expected earnings power of AI beneficiaries, funds exposed to those segments may require external capital to stabilize their balance sheets.
What Situational Awareness is betting on
Situational Awareness’s strategy has been described as focused on the physical backbone of AI: the power generation, data centers, and related infrastructure that enable compute-heavy systems. In earlier reporting, Cointelegraph noted that the fund made a notable bet around that infrastructure theme, including investments connected to Bitcoin miners pivoting into AI computing.
Cointelegraph previously pointed to a March filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that showed approximately $1.11 billion in positions across seven Bitcoin miner stocks. The stocks cited in that disclosure included IREN, Core Scientific, Riot Platforms, and CleanSpark, among others.
That matters in the current context because it ties the fund’s AI infrastructure thesis to a sector that has its own cycle of operational risk, capital intensity, and market sensitivity. Even if the longer-term narrative is about compute supply, short-term market swings can still create liquidity and valuation pressures for holders of infrastructure-linked equities.
Investors were also offered a chance to buy assets
The Financial Times reported that the fund’s efforts have not been limited to classic fundraising. It said Situational Awareness has offered some investors the option to buy portfolio assets—an approach that can be used when a manager wants to reduce exposure or improve liquidity without immediately selling positions into a weak market.
According to the FT, the account relied on people briefed on the discussions. The report also cited the fund’s July 24 investor letter while noting that the specific amounts involved were not disclosed publicly.
For investors, asset-purchase offers can create a different decision set than a capital raise. Instead of simply assessing whether to contribute more cash, counterparties may need to evaluate the underlying securities at a point in time when market prices may reflect fear or forced selling. That dynamic can produce opportunities for investors willing to underwrite longer-term fundamentals, but it also introduces questions about what happens next if market conditions remain unsettled.
Aschenbrenner’s AGI expectations and the timing
Beyond the immediate funding pressure, the broader storyline includes how closely the fund’s emergence aligned with Aschenbrenner’s public discussion of artificial general intelligence. Cointelegraph previously reported that he authored a series of essays on artificial general intelligence in mid-2024, around the time he launched Situational Awareness, discussing how he believed AGI machines could outpace college graduates by the end of the decade.
Those views help frame why the fund may have been positioned for a sustained build-out of AI-related infrastructure rather than a short-term trade. Yet the funding request underscores an important asymmetry: even a conviction-driven infrastructure thesis can still be pressured by market mechanics—especially when leverage is used to scale returns.
As of publication, Cointelegraph said it contacted Situational Awareness for comment and had not received a response.
What to watch next
Investors watching this situation should focus on two things: whether Situational Awareness secures the capital it seeks without further destabilizing its leveraged positions, and how any asset-buyback offers to investors are priced relative to the market’s ongoing repricing of AI-exposed equities. The next reports—particularly any updates that clarify the scale of losses, borrowing, and proposed restructuring—will determine whether this becomes a one-off liquidity event or a longer process of portfolio adjustment.
This article was originally published as FT: $1.1B Hedge Fund in Bitcoin Miner Stocks Looks for Capital After AI Drop on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Robinhood reported record second-quarter results, highlighting strong growth in transaction-based revenue overall while acknowledging a meaningful pullback in cryptocurrency-specific earnings. In its latest earnings report, the online brokerage said crypto transaction revenue fell to $100 million, down from roughly $160 million a year earlier.
Despite the decline in crypto-related income, the company delivered an overall quarter marked by rising profitability and expanding platform activity. Total revenue climbed 32% year-over-year to $1.31 billion, and net income increased 48% to $573 million, according to the earnings release.
Key takeaways
Crypto transaction revenue fell 38% to $100 million, even as Robinhood’s broader transaction-based revenue rose.
Quarterly revenue and earnings reached records: revenue rose to $1.31 billion and net income grew to $573 million.
Crypto notional trading volume totaled $40 billion: $18 billion on the Robinhood app and $22 billion via Bitstamp.
Robinhood is scaling beyond trading: it launched parts of Robinhood Chain and introduced tokenized U.S. stocks and a decentralized lending product.
Management reiterated a tighter cost outlook for 2026: it narrowed adjusted operating expenses and share-based compensation guidance.
Crypto revenue dips as overall transaction business grows
Robinhood’s results show a split between the performance of its crypto segment and the rest of its transaction engine. While cryptocurrency was the only major transaction category to decline during the quarter, the company pointed to strength in other areas that more than offset the weakness.
Crypto transaction revenue decreased to $100 million from about $160 million a year earlier, the company said. At the same time, transaction-based revenue rose 44% to $776 million, supported by higher contributions from categories outside digital assets.
The company also reported $40 billion in crypto notional trading volume for the quarter. Of this total, $18 billion came from the Robinhood app, down 35% year-over-year, while $22 billion came from Bitstamp. Robinhood acquired Bitstamp in June 2025, as referenced in earlier coverage here.
Market pricing reflected the mixed nature of the quarter ahead of the report: shares were down about 3.15% on Wednesday before the earnings release, based on Yahoo Finance data.
Robinhood’s crypto playbook shifts toward infrastructure and new products
Even with lower crypto transaction revenue, Robinhood used the quarter to push forward with its wider digital asset strategy. The company said it completed its acquisition of WonderFi, a Canadian crypto platform, continuing its efforts to broaden what it offers beyond pure trading.
After the quarter ended, Robinhood also rolled out additional ecosystem components. It unveiled the public mainnet of Robinhood Chain after previously reporting activity around bridged assets. The company further introduced tokenized U.S. stocks to eligible users in more than 120 countries and debuted its first decentralized lending product, Robinhood Earn.
On the Ethereum layer-2 side, DefiLlama data shows Robinhood’s new network posted $348 million in total value locked as of Thursday. The same dataset referenced stablecoins exceeding $500 million and more than $1 billion in bridged assets, illustrating that the platform’s activity is not limited to trading fees.
For investors, this matters because it reframes what “crypto performance” can mean for a brokerage. Transaction revenue can soften when market activity slows or user behavior shifts, but an expanding chain ecosystem—particularly one involving bridges and lending—can create alternative revenue pathways over time.
Non-crypto categories and platform metrics keep momentum
Robinhood’s earnings report emphasized that its broader product suite absorbed the crypto slowdown. The company said growth in event contracts, options, and equities more than offset the weakness in digital assets.
It reported that event contract revenue surged more than tenfold to $156 million, options revenue rose 29% to $342 million, and equities revenue jumped 95% to $129 million.
At the platform level, Robinhood posted record net deposits of $21.7 billion during the quarter. Total platform assets rose 32% year-over-year to $369 billion, and funded customers grew 7% to 28.4 million.
These metrics suggest that the company’s customer and balance-sheet expansion continued regardless of the crypto segment’s year-over-year revenue decline. For traders and users, that combination indicates a continued push to keep engagement broad—spreading attention across multiple asset classes and contract types rather than relying primarily on crypto transaction activity.
Guidance narrows as adjusted EBITDA grows
Robinhood also addressed expenses and profitability guidance. The company lowered and narrowed its 2026 outlook for adjusted operating expenses and share-based compensation to between $2.675 billion and $2.775 billion, down from a previously provided range of $2.7 billion to $2.825 billion.
On profitability, adjusted EBITDA rose 35% to $741 million. Total operating expenses increased 33% to $734 million, reflecting continued investment while still targeting more controlled growth at the operating level.
When viewed alongside the company’s digital asset expansion, the tighter expense guidance suggests management is trying to balance growth in new areas—like tokenization and decentralized lending—while keeping cost discipline in focus.
Going forward, investors will likely watch whether Robinhood Chain’s early traction translates into sustained engagement and monetization, and whether crypto transaction revenue stabilizes as broader platform growth continues to diversify away from purely crypto-dependent earnings.
This article was originally published as Robinhood Reports Record Quarter as Crypto Revenue Drops 38% on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

L’Australie a engagé une action en justice contre Telegram, l’accusant d’avoir manqué à son obligation de supprimer du contenu extrémiste de sa plateforme. L’affaire intervient alors que la Russie a déposé des accusations pénales contre le fondateur de Telegram, Pavel Durov. Par ailleurs, GRAM s’échangeait à 1,41 $, après avoir rebondi suite à une forte baisse hebdomadaire, malgré une pression réglementaire croissante.
L’Australie vise Telegram en vertu de la loi sur la sécurité en ligne
La Commission eSafety de l’Australie a entamé une procédure de sanctions civiles contre Telegram devant la Cour fédérale. Le régulateur affirme que la plateforme de messagerie n’a pas respecté ses obligations de sécurité prévues par la loi australienne sur la sécurité en ligne (Online Safety Act). Les autorités demandent des pénalités pouvant atteindre 54,6 millions de dollars australiens si le tribunal conclut que Telegram a enfreint la loi.

Robinhood’s Q2 revenue grew 32% year-over-year, hitting a record $1.31 billion as growth across options, equities, and event contracts surged. Wall Street had predicted $1.26 billion in revenue for Robinhood during Q2.
Despite the impressive numbers, the platform’s crypto revenue fell substantially, declining 38% year-over-year to $100 million.
Robinhood’s Record Quarter
Robinhood has reported robust growth across its equities, events contracts, and options segments. According to the company’s earnings report, its net income grew 48% year-over-year to $573 million, while diluted earnings per share increased 48% to $0.62. The quarterly results also include $129 million in gains tied to the deconsolidation of the Robinhood Ventures Fund I. Chief Financial Officer Shiv Verma stated,
“We delivered record revenues and drove new highs across equity, option, and event contract volumes, as we continue to win market share.”
Robinhood’s record numbers were primarily driven by a surge in transaction-based revenue, which increased 44% year-over-year to $776 million. The platform generated $156 million from events contracts, a 10x increase from the previous year. Revenue from options jumped 29% to $342 million, and equities revenue jumped 95% to $129 million. Revenue from net interest rose 9% to $389 million. However, these gains were partly offset by lower short-term interest rates and securities lending activity. CEO Vlad Tenev stated,
“Whether it’s the Robinhood Chain, Robinhood Ventures, or Trump Accounts, our product velocity is focused on one goal: making everyone an owner.”
Meanwhile, Robinhood’s operating expenses rose 33% year-over-year to $734 million, largely due to investments in marketing and growth, restructuring charges linked with its June workforce reduction, and other expenses related to Trump Accounts and Rothera. Lastly, Adjusted EBITDA rose 35% to $741 million. Despite the strong numbers, HOOD is trading around $89.84, down over 3%.
Crypto Business Struggles
While Robinhood’s numbers are impressive, its crypto business struggled, declining 38% year-over-year to $100 million. The decline can be attributed to a broader downturn in the cryptocurrency market due to geopolitical and policy headwinds. However, the trading platform reported record trading activity, including an equity notional trading volume of $956 billion, 774 million options contracts, and 13.6 billion events contracts. Robinhood reported a crypto notional trading volume of $40 billion, with $18 billion through the Robinhood app and $22 billion through Bitstamp.
Analysts Bullish On Robinhood
Market analysts are bullish on Robinhood, with Bernstein raising its price target on HOOD from $130 to $160. Analysts expect the platform’s retail trading, prediction markets, and equities businesses will drive significant growth. They also expect new revenue from perpetual futures and Robinhood Chain. Bernstein analysts have applied a calendar-year earnings-per-share estimate of $4.56 for 2028, with revenue from prediction markets estimated to reach $1.7 billion by 2028.
Robinhood debuted in the prediction markets space in October 2024, offering presidential-election contracts. It launched a dedicated prediction markets hub in March 2025, and Rothera, a CFTC-licensed exchange and clearinghouse, in June. Rothera is independently managed via a joint venture with Susquehanna International Group.
Robinhood Chain
Robinhood recently launched Robinhood Chain, a layer-2 network built using Arbitrum’s tech stack. The total value locked (TVL) in Robinhood Chain is $325 million as of Tuesday. CEO Vlad Tenev stated Robinhood Chain has seen “great initial traction,” and decentralized exchanges have processed over $12 billion in trading volume. Tenev added that Robinhood Chain has already surpassed 150 million transactions and was the fastest to reach 100 million.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
This article was originally published as Robinhood Reports Record $1.3B Q2 Revenue, Crypto Declines 38% on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has taken Telegram to court, launching civil penalty proceedings in the Federal Court over allegations that the messaging platform failed to address terrorism-linked content under the country’s Online Safety Act. The action was filed on Thursday, according to an eSafety statement.
The regulator’s complaint focuses on what it describes as repeated failures to remove pro-terror material after becoming aware of it, along with insufficient steps to prevent repeated breaches. The case is likely to add pressure to Telegram as governments across Europe and beyond continue testing how large platforms should moderate harmful content.
Key takeaways
eSafety says Telegram breached obligations under Australia’s Online Safety Act by not responding adequately to multiple user complaints about pro-terror content.
The regulator alleges some unlawful material remained visible for as long as three weeks after Telegram was aware of it.
eSafety also claims Telegram did not take sufficient measures to curb repeat distribution, including removing accounts, channels, and groups tied to the content.
The proceedings seek civil penalties, with potential fines under Australia’s online safety rules reaching up to 54.6 million Australian dollars.
The case follows heightened legal scrutiny of Telegram and CEO Pavel Durov in other countries, including recent Russian actions.
Australia’s civil penalty case centers on alleged moderation failures
In its filing, Australia’s online safety regulator alleges Telegram failed to remove certain unlawful material after it had notice of the content. eSafety described a year-long investigation that, in its view, showed Telegram did not act in time once it became aware.
According to eSafety, the issue wasn’t limited to a single piece of content. The regulator alleged that reported pro-terror material continued to be visible for up to three weeks, even after warnings were raised. It also claims Telegram did not do enough to prevent repeat violations by adequately disrupting the accounts and communities used to distribute the content.
The allegations include failures to detect known extremist material—specifically footage connected to two major mass shootings: the 2019 Christchurch mosque attack and the 2022 Buffalo mass shooting—before the material was later removed, eSafety said.
Why this matters for Telegram users and platform compliance
Beyond the immediate legal stakes, the case underscores how regulators are increasingly tying platform expectations to concrete operational outcomes: timeliness of takedowns, responsiveness to reports, and the ability to limit repeat distribution. For Telegram users, the dispute highlights a growing tension between broad claims about speech and encryption-based design choices versus statutory duties that require platforms to manage certain categories of harmful content.
For Telegram, the compliance challenge is not only about removing content after it is identified, but also about demonstrating systems that can detect and disrupt known extremist material and prevent reappearance via networks of channels, groups, and related accounts. eSafety’s emphasis on alleged repeated violations suggests the regulator may treat moderation as an ongoing obligation rather than a one-off response to individual reports.
Regulatory pressure is widening internationally
The Australian proceedings arrive amid a broader wave of legal scrutiny targeting Telegram’s moderation approach. The case adds to pressure on both the company and its CEO, Pavel Durov, as multiple governments seek more direct accountability from major communication platforms.
eSafety’s move comes a day after Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) charged Durov with facilitating terrorist activity and said it had started steps to add him to an international wanted list. Russia’s allegations include claims that Telegram failed to remove channels, chats, and bots used by Ukrainian intelligence services, terrorist groups, and extremist organizations to coordinate attacks, recruit operatives, and carry out cyber fraud.
Telegram has not issued an official statement on the Australian case. However, the platform’s official X account posted content described as related to “freedom of expression.” In response to international criticism, Telegram has repeatedly framed moderation and legal pressure through the lens of free speech and user rights.
France and Russia-related cases continue to develop
Durov is also facing legal exposure in France following his August 2024 arrest at Le Bourget Airport. French prosecutors have charged him with offenses that include complicity in the distribution of illegal content, including material related to organized crime, through Telegram.
The broader regulatory environment has also shaped Telegram’s public positioning. Durov has criticized what he described as increasing threats to online privacy, arguing that governments were rolling back protections for the free internet. In a post on X dated October 2025, he warned that the promise of free information exchange was being turned into a “tool of control.”
While the Australian case is not identical to the allegations in Russia or France, the common thread is that regulators are increasingly testing whether Telegram’s platform model can meet legal expectations around harmful content—particularly content connected to terrorism and violent extremism.
As the Australian proceedings move forward, investors, traders, and builders will likely watch not only for any outcomes in court, but also for whether Telegram changes its moderation and enforcement processes in a measurable way—especially around response timelines, repeat distribution, and the handling of clearly identified extremist media.
This article was originally published as Australia Files Suit Against Telegram Over Alleged Terror Content Failures on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

MoonPay has introduced PayBox, a “payment vault” designed to let AI assistants such as ChatGPT and Claude execute crypto actions inside a conversation—while keeping users in control of their wallet permissions. The company positions the product as a safer way for AI to perform tasks like swapping tokens, bridging assets, and interacting with DeFi, using natural-language instructions from the user.
In practical terms, users connect a crypto wallet and payment methods to the AI assistant. The assistant then prepares transactions—such as token swaps, cross-chain transfers, or DeFi calls—based on what the user asks. MoonPay says approval can be handled via a passkey or through spending limits that allow the AI to carry out certain actions automatically within predefined boundaries.
Key takeaways
PayBox aims to put consent first, offering per-transaction approval or limited autonomous execution based on user-set permissions.
MoonPay says it protects wallet keys using multi-party computation and trusted execution environments to reduce direct access by both the AI assistant and MoonPay.
PayBox supports multiple payment rails, including debit cards, bank accounts, Apple Pay, and PayPal, in addition to crypto wallets.
The vault integrates with AI apps via an SDK, allowing developers to embed PayBox functionality into their own assistant experiences.
x402 momentum continues, with public dashboards showing large recent transaction volumes across participating services.
PayBox: AI-driven crypto payments with user-controlled permissions
MoonPay’s central pitch with PayBox is control. The platform is built around the idea that an AI assistant should be able to request or construct crypto transactions from within a chat, but that the user retains authority over how those actions happen.
MoonPay says users can require approval for every transaction, or choose an approach where the AI is allowed to act automatically only within limits the user defines. Those limits can function as guardrails for autonomy—constraining what the assistant can do without additional confirmation.
To address key management and custody concerns, MoonPay states PayBox uses multi-party computation and trusted execution environments. The goal is to prevent either the AI assistant or MoonPay from independently accessing user funds. While the user initiates actions through the AI interface, the underlying design is intended to reduce the risk of unilateral fund movement.
From swaps to bridges: where PayBox fits in an AI workflow
PayBox is positioned for common “agent” behaviors in crypto—actions that are often difficult for users to execute safely or quickly. MoonPay says the system can support transaction types including:
Token swaps initiated from chat prompts
Cross-chain bridging and transfers across networks
DeFi interactions constructed as transactions based on user intent
MoonPay also highlights that PayBox works with multiple blockchains and multiple payment methods. According to the company, users can combine crypto wallets with fiat-to-crypto and payment rails such as debit cards, bank accounts, Apple Pay, and PayPal.
For developers, MoonPay indicates the product can be integrated through a software development kit (SDK), suggesting a strategy beyond serving end-users directly and instead enabling other AI-driven apps to embed transaction authorization and execution flows.
PayBox’s parallel track: x402 and the push for AI-native payments
PayBox also supports x402, an open payment protocol originally developed by Coinbase. x402 is intended to enable AI agents to make internet-native payments, aligning with the broader trend of “agentic” applications that can transact without requiring users to manually navigate payment steps.
In April 2026, the x402 protocol was contributed to the Linux Foundation. The Linux Foundation said the protocol is now governed as an open, vendor-neutral industry standard, through the launch of the x402 Foundation. Earlier coverage from Cointelegraph also noted growing ecosystem activity around x402.
Why the x402 ecosystem growth matters
Coinbase has continued expanding the x402 toolset. In June, the crypto exchange launched features aimed at helping AI agents accept USDC payments, trade crypto, discover paid services through an AI marketplace, and process high-frequency micropayments more efficiently—capabilities designed to reduce friction for automated transactions.
Other industry participants have moved in the same direction. Amazon Web Services integrated x402 into its Bedrock AgentCore Payments service, while Fireblocks launched an x402-compatible payments framework for AI agents and joined the x402 Foundation. Together, these efforts point to a broader attempt to standardize how AI agents receive payment instructions and complete transactions.
Network activity is another indicator that adoption may be accelerating. According to Chainalysis, agentic payments on Coinbase’s Base network surpassed 100 million transactions within roughly nine months, as reported in a June 3 report. Chainalysis also noted early usage could have been influenced by speculative applications, underscoring that transaction volume alone doesn’t always map directly to stable commercial demand.
Still, the public x402scan dashboard shows more than 12.7 million transactions over the past 30 days across participating services, indicating that activity continues to build across the ecosystem.
What to watch next
As PayBox and x402-related infrastructure mature, the key question for users and builders is whether safety controls and key protection can scale smoothly alongside growing transaction throughput—so far, the trend suggests more AI payment workflows are moving from experiments into repeatable, permissioned execution. The next signal to monitor will be how widely these tools are adopted across real assistant experiences and whether transaction growth translates into robust, non-speculative usage.
This article was originally published as MoonPay Launches PayBox AI Vault for ChatGPT and Claude Payments on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Crypto exchange Luno is reportedly cutting around 20% of its workforce as it restructures operations and shifts more focus toward institutional clients, financial infrastructure, and business-to-business services. The move follows earlier headcount reductions and comes as many crypto firms continue to prioritize cost control and automation amid uneven market conditions.
In a report published by Bloomberg on Tuesday, Luno CEO James Lanigan said the company has invested in automation and other operational improvements, changing the resources required to run the business. He also indicated that further cost trimming will be paired with ongoing investments in compliance, core infrastructure, and retail products. According to the filing discussed in earlier coverage, Luno is owned by Digital Currency Group and operates in Africa and the Asia-Pacific region, serving roughly 16 million users.
Key takeaways
Luno is reportedly reducing headcount by about 20%, citing automation and operational changes that alter staffing needs.
The exchange says it will also pursue cost reductions while continuing investment in compliance, core infrastructure, and retail offerings.
This is not Luno’s first major restructuring; the company previously cut 35% of staff in January 2023.
July 2026 saw a cluster of disclosed layoffs and restructurings across crypto, with industry tracker CryptoJobsList recording hundreds of roles affected.
Several firms point to AI and efficiency upgrades as a common factor behind staffing changes, though the scale and drivers vary by company.
Luno’s restructuring and why staffing is changing
Luno’s reported layoffs are framed as an outcome of “run-rate” changes rather than a simple demand shock. Bloomberg reports that CEO James Lanigan attributed the restructuring to investments in automation and broader operational improvements, which in turn reduced the staffing required for core functions. The company also plans to trim costs in line with market conditions, while directing resources toward areas it views as strategic—compliance, core infrastructure, and retail products.
For users and customers, this type of restructuring can translate into slower expansion in some areas, but it can also mean that teams previously handling manual processes are redeployed toward system reliability, risk controls, and institutional service delivery. Luno has previously expanded beyond retail trading into infrastructure and institutional offerings, including providing crypto infrastructure for banks and fintech firms—an angle that typically requires different operational capabilities than consumer exchange experiences.
Importantly, Luno has already gone through a larger round of reductions before. In January 2023, Cointelegraph reported that DCG-affiliated companies laid off more than 500 employees, with Luno cutting 35% of its staff—affecting nearly 330 employees—during a period of turbulence across parts of the technology and crypto sectors.
Automation, AI, and cost controls spreading across the sector
Luno’s stated rationale echoes a pattern other crypto companies have cited in recent months: automation, AI, and efficiency improvements are often presented as reasons to reduce staffing. While the details differ by firm—ranging from internal process upgrades to product and platform changes—the theme is consistent: companies are trying to maintain or improve service levels while reducing operating costs.
One reason this matters for the industry is that layoffs can reshape what businesses prioritize. Where consumer-focused teams previously led growth efforts, many companies now appear to be redirecting investment toward infrastructure, compliance, and enterprise-grade services—areas where budgets can be more predictable and where automation may reduce operational friction.
What July’s layoff data suggests (and what it can’t tell)
Beyond Luno, the broader wave of job cuts continues to show up in public trackers. CryptoJobsList, which monitors crypto and crypto-adjacent workforce reductions, recorded layoffs or restructurings at 12 crypto and crypto-adjacent companies in July. Disclosed figures totaled 894 jobs affected, according to the tracker’s reporting.
CryptoJobsList’s data is meant to be an indicator of sector activity rather than a complete measure of all crypto-related cuts. The tracker notes that its figures include adjacent financial technology firms, and they are also skewed by unusually large reductions such as Block’s reported 4,000-person layoff in February.
Still, the concentration of announcements in a short period gives investors and builders a practical signal: staffing is being reassessed across multiple segments of the crypto ecosystem, and companies appear to be acting faster than in downturn cycles when cost reductions sometimes lag demand shifts.
Other notable restructurings in July
Earlier in July, Cointelegraph reported that crypto wallet company Exodus announced plans to cut 25% of its staff while reorganizing around a full-stack card-issuance and stablecoin-payments platform. Exodus said the changes could produce between $10 million and $13 million in annual operating savings, positioning the restructuring as an effort to concentrate resources on a specific product direction.
Separately, blockchain infrastructure developer Gnosis took a different approach to workforce reductions. In July, the company invited organizations hiring across roles including engineering, product, design, marketing, developer relations, and customer relations to contact it for introductions to former employees affected by a recent restructuring. In a statement dated July 17, Gnosis said it reduced its workforce following a review of its consumer-facing Gnosis App.
These examples show how restructuring rationales can vary: some companies cite platform efficiency and automation, while others tie changes to product review cycles or a strategic pivot. For employees, the practical impact differs as well—some reorganizations focus on relocating talent, while others involve more direct role elimination.
What to watch next
With Luno’s reported cut and a continuing pattern of restructurings recorded across the sector, the next question for readers is whether these moves translate into measurable improvements—such as higher reliability, faster enterprise onboarding, or more consistent compliance execution—or whether they mainly reduce capacity at the cost of long-term growth. Investors and builders should keep an eye on how companies balance automation-driven efficiency with the operational load required by regulators, institutional clients, and evolving product demands.
This article was originally published as Luno Lays Off 20% of Staff as July Crypto Job Cuts Expand on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

The U.S. Treasury has sanctioned two Iranian maritime insurance-related companies, alleging they are part of an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-backed network that used cryptocurrency payments to help evade Western sanctions. In its action, the Treasury said one of the firms accepted Bitcoin and other digital assets from commercial vessels as part of a requirement to obtain approved coverage before transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
The designations were issued by the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on Wednesday. OFAC named Persian Gulf Marine Insurance Company and HormuzSafe Marine Services Authority as entities it says were “integral” to an IRGC-aligned insurance structure targeting shipping flows through one of the world’s most strategically important chokepoints.
Key takeaways
OFAC sanctioned two Iranian maritime insurance firms, alleging they supported an IRGC-linked network requiring approved coverage for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
OFAC alleges HormuzSafe accepted Bitcoin and other crypto as part of efforts to bypass sanctions while generating revenue for the IRGC.
The action follows earlier reporting and speculation that Iran was exploring crypto-based maritime insurance or payment mechanisms for ships moving through the strait.
Treasury also expanded the campaign by sanctioning additional entities tied to Iran’s “shadow fleet” and identifying vessels as blocked property.
Treasury alleges a crypto-enabled insurance gate for Hormuz shipping
According to the U.S. Treasury, Persian Gulf Marine Insurance Company and HormuzSafe Marine Services Authority were connected to a sanctions-evasion scheme tied to maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. OFAC said the network operated by requiring commercial vessels to buy approved insurance before proceeding through the waterway—effectively positioning insurance as a control point for shipping.
OFAC further stated that the companies were designated for operating in Iran’s financial sector and that the alleged network helped channel revenue in support of the IRGC. In its announcement, Treasury described the broader objective as enabling Iran to exert greater leverage over shipping through the strait while sidestepping U.S. and allied restrictions.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent framed the move as a response to threats to global commerce, saying the United States “will not allow Iran to hold global commerce hostage.”
From reported proposal to sanctioned service
The sanctions come after earlier reports that Iran was considering a Bitcoin-based maritime insurance platform. On May 18, screenshots of a HormuzSafe website circulated online, reportedly offering “digital insurance” for maritime cargo with policies payable in Bitcoin. At the time, coverage noted that the platform’s accessibility was limited when checked, and reporting suggested Iran was still evaluating the model.
State-linked media at the time, including Fars News Agency, suggested the proposed system could generate substantial revenue by issuing insurance policies and certificates related to financial responsibility. While those earlier reports were speculative and based on online materials, Wednesday’s OFAC action indicates U.S. authorities believe the crypto-enabled insurance structure was already being used—or at least that it was sufficiently operational to warrant enforcement.
For investors and market participants, the key implication is less about near-term price moves and more about how sanctions enforcement is increasingly targeting payment rails. If maritime insurance functions as a gatekeeper for transit, then the Treasury’s focus on crypto payment acceptance suggests regulators are monitoring how sanctioned actors might monetize critical infrastructure chokepoints.
Why Bitcoin, and why insurance matters
OFAC said HormuzSafe accepted BTC and other digital assets as part of efforts to evade sanctions, alleging the platform generated revenue on behalf of the IRGC while strengthening Iran’s control over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
This approach aligns with a broader logic U.S. authorities have cited before: sanctioned entities may favor crypto because certain assets do not rely on a centralized issuer that can freeze balances. Earlier coverage had pointed out that centralized stablecoins could be frozen by issuers, while Bitcoin’s mechanics do not feature a central operator capable of directly blocking funds in the same way. The U.S. has previously acted against crypto tied to Iran, including by freezing USDT associated with Iranian activity.
Insurance is also an especially consequential lever in international trade. The ability to secure coverage can determine whether commercial vessels can transit restricted routes. In the context of the Strait of Hormuz—which earlier reporting noted handles about one-fifth of global oil trade—any system that influences access or compliance requirements can reverberate across energy logistics.
Earlier reporting cited the Bitcoin Policy Institute in relation to claims that Iran accepted oil toll payments using a mix of payment types including Chinese yuan, USDT, and Bitcoin. However, that earlier account also emphasized that there was no onchain evidence of Bitcoin payments occurring at the time. Wednesday’s enforcement therefore represents a shift from reported consideration to alleged operational enforcement.
Broader sanctions campaign: shadow fleet and blocked vessels
This latest OFAC action does not stand alone. The Treasury said it also sanctioned eight companies linked to Iran’s “shadow fleet” and identified eight vessels as blocked property. While the details of every entity and vessel were not repeated in Wednesday’s summary, the combined package signals a wider effort to disrupt maritime activity tied to sanctions evasion.
For the industry, this means compliance risk may extend beyond ship-to-ship transactions or cargo handling. If insurance approval is part of the operational workflow, then insurers, shipping counterparties, and compliance teams may face increased scrutiny and additional due diligence requirements—particularly around payment methods and counterparties involved in risk coverage and transit documentation.
It also highlights how sanctions enforcement is converging across sectors: Treasury’s approach ties together maritime control, financial services, and crypto payment channels in a single enforcement narrative.
What to watch next
Readers should watch for follow-on enforcement actions and for how shipping and insurance counterparties adjust their compliance processes, especially regarding any crypto-related payment requests connected to transit coverage through the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. Treasury’s allegations suggest that regulators view digital asset rails not as a peripheral topic, but as part of the infrastructure that can enable sanctions-evasion in high-impact trade corridors.
This article was originally published as US Sanctions Iran-Linked HormuzSafe, Points to Bitcoin Payments on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.