Regulatory Policy

U.S. government confirms it did not sell Bitcoin seized from Samourai Wallet

The U.S. government has not sold the Bitcoin seized from Samourai Wallet, according to a confirmation from the Department of Justice (DOJ). The statement refutes earlier claims that the assets were liquidated, which would have violated Executive Order 14233 requiring forfeited Bitcoin to be retained. The DOJ clarified that the Bitcoin remains on the government’s balance sheet as part of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. On-chain data from Arkham supports this, showing no significant outflows from known U.S. government wallets. The confusion stemmed from historical precedent where seized Bitcoin was auctioned, but current policy under the executive order mandates holding such assets. The U.S. government continues to hold over 328,000 BTC, valued at more than $31 billion.

ambcrypto01/16 21:44

Crypto Coming To Capitol Hill? West Virginia Proposes State Investment Bill

bitcoinist01/16 21:02

Why Wall Street says ‘no bill is better than a bad U.S. crypto bill’

Industry players strongly oppose the recently proposed U.S. crypto market structure bill, arguing it fails to provide adequate regulatory clarity. While the legislation aims to classify digital assets and define regulatory roles, key figures like Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley and Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong criticize specific provisions—such as restrictions on asset tokenization and stablecoin rewards—as counterproductive. Armstrong notably stated, “no bill is better than a bad bill,” emphasizing that overly restrictive rules could limit competition and exclude Americans from emerging financial opportunities. Despite ongoing negotiations, concerns over consumer protection, pension risks, and rising crypto-related fraud continue to drive opposition. The industry seeks clearer guidelines, especially for DeFi and institutional involvement, but believes innovation will continue regardless of the bill’s outcome.

ambcrypto01/16 19:02

White House accuses Democrats of ‘bad faith’ over delayed crypto bill vote

The White House accused Senate Banking Democrats of acting in "bad faith" regarding the delayed crypto market structure bill, claiming they were prepared to unanimously oppose the bipartisan legislation despite numerous concessions. The bill's postponement has sparked mixed reactions within the industry. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong withdrew support, calling the draft flawed and preferring "no bill over a bad bill," while others, like Variant Fund's Jake Chervinsky, suggested removing contentious issues like tokenized securities to improve its chances. However, a16z's Miles Jennings disagreed, arguing the bill doesn’t prevent tokenized securities. Reports indicate industry leaders are split, with Ripple and a16z not sharing Armstrong's strong opposition. Regulatory clarity on asset classification and oversight between the SEC and CFTC remains pending as the timeline for the next markup is unclear.

ambcrypto01/16 14:02

Senators Signal Progress On Crypto Market Structure Bill Amid Key Vote Delay

Despite a delay in the markup for the CLARITY Act, a key crypto market structure bill, lawmakers remain optimistic about its passage. Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott described the postponement as tactical, emphasizing ongoing negotiations and bipartisan cooperation. However, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong withdrew support, raising concerns that the bill could restrict tokenized equities, DeFi, and expand government surveillance while shifting regulatory power to the SEC. White House crypto czar David Sacks urged the industry to resolve disagreements during the delay, noting that legislative progress is closer than ever. Experts and officials agree that federal regulation is essential for both innovation and consumer protection in the crypto market.

bitcoinist01/16 14:01

48 Hours to Transfer $1.5 Billion: How Did Iranian Elites Use Cryptocurrency to Bypass U.S. Sanctions?

Iran's leadership reportedly transferred $1.5 billion out of the country using cryptocurrency within 48 hours, including $328 million moved by the son of Supreme Leader Khamenei to Dubai, according to Israeli intelligence. This comes amid escalating U.S. sanctions, domestic protests, and severe economic crisis in Iran, with hyperinflation and currency collapse. Since 2018, Iran has systematically used crypto to evade international sanctions, leveraging energy resources for Bitcoin mining and operating through platforms like Nobitex. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) alone moved around $1 billion via UK-registered exchanges. The surge in crypto-based capital flight has coincided with significant price increases in privacy-focused cryptocurrencies like Monero and Dash. Cryptocurrency has become a key financial tool for Iran to bypass traditional banking restrictions amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

比推01/16 13:41

Trump’s Emergency Energy Strategy Signals a Turning Point for Bitcoin Miners

Former President Trump's proposed emergency energy strategy aims to address rising U.S. electricity prices by having large companies, particularly AI data centers, fund new power plants through 15-year contracts. This could unlock $15 billion in new power generation, increasing supply and stabilizing costs. For Bitcoin miners, who rely on cheap electricity, this offers potential relief from current pressures where high energy prices and competition from AI firms are forcing many to transition to AI-related work. If implemented, the plan may slow this shift by making mining more economically viable again, though benefits would take years to materialize. The proposal ultimately shifts power expansion costs to tech giants, potentially helping miners remain competitive in the long term.

TheNewsCrypto01/16 11:48

Democrats voice crypto ‘pay to play’ concerns citing Justin Sun

Democrats, including Maxine Waters, Sean Casten, and Brad Sherman, are pressuring the SEC to resume enforcement action against Tron founder Justin Sun. They allege the SEC's pause on his case is linked to a "pay-to-play" scheme, citing Sun's $75 million investment in a Trump family-backed crypto venture and subsequent case stay. The lawmakers also claim political interference influenced dropped cases against major crypto firms like Coinbase and Ripple, arguing these actions leave investors unprotected. Despite the allegations, Tron's price showed no immediate impact, aligning with broader market trends.

ambcrypto01/16 11:33

2026 Survival Guide for Non-Institutional Participants Under Hong Kong's Stablecoin Compliance Framework

"Hong Kong's 2026 stablecoin regulatory framework fundamentally redefines the compliance status of stablecoins for non-institutional participants. The HKMA now treats fiat-referenced stablecoins (FRS) as systemic payment tools, not just commodities. While holding offshore stablecoins like USDT is not illegal, their use within Hong Kong's licensed financial ecosystem (banks, VATPs) faces significant 'compliance friction' and 'asset isolation risk' due to stringent due diligence and travel rule requirements. The core shift is from global utility to onshore settlement safety. Licensed platforms act as risk filters, often suspending deposits from non-KYC'd wallets or those with tainted transaction histories. Banks rigorously scrutinize the Source of Funds (SOF) and Source of Wealth (SOW), leading to account restrictions for funds from unregulated channels. The upcoming FRS' licensed stablecoins offer a 'white list' alternative with legal protections: bankruptcy-remote reserves, a legal claim for holders, and guaranteed 1:1 redemption. This creates a secure, HKD-aligned digital payment medium, safeguarding against systemic risks like those seen with Terra/Luna or FTX. The government's goal is to prevent uncontrolled 'digital quasi-currencies' from eroding the Hong Kong dollar's status and to build a foundation for Real-World Asset (RWA) tokenization. The guidance for users is clear: segregate offshore speculative assets from onshore settlement assets, exclusively use licensed channels for fiat conversions, and understand that compliance is the key to security in the new digital finance order."

marsbit01/16 11:32

Bank Of America CEO Issues $6T Stablecoin Rewards Warning As Regulatory Debate Heats Up

Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan has issued a warning that up to $6 trillion in deposits could leave the US banking system for the stablecoin sector if proposed crypto legislation allows interest payments on such tokens. He stated this could reduce banks' lending capacity and increase borrowing costs, particularly harming small and medium-sized businesses. The warning comes amid heated debate over the new market structure bill, which has faced criticism from both banking associations and crypto industry leaders. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong expressed strong opposition, arguing the bill would be worse than the status quo by effectively banning stablecoin rewards and restricting key crypto sectors. Due to significant backlash, the Senate Banking Committee has postponed the bill's markup to further review.

bitcoinist01/16 11:04