Regulatory Policy

Kalshi, Polymarket Tighten Rules to Curb Insider Trading

Kalshi and Polymarket, two major prediction market platforms, are implementing new rules to combat insider trading and market manipulation amid increasing regulatory scrutiny. Kalshi has introduced new screening tools to prevent individuals, including elected officials and those in sports (athletes, coaches, referees), from trading on events they are involved in. The platform is shifting from a reactive enforcement approach to a more proactive one and has added a feature for users to report suspicious activity directly. Similarly, Polymarket has updated its policies to explicitly prohibit trading on stolen information, illegal tips, and by individuals who can influence an event's outcome. It has also broadened its rules against market abuse like spoofing and wash trading. Both platforms are enhancing surveillance, aligning more closely with traditional financial market standards due to concerns about manipulation in prediction markets.

TheNewsCrypto03/24 10:33

Warren Seeks Details Of MrBeast’s Crypto Plans, Orders Response By April 3

Senator Elizabeth Warren has formally requested detailed information from Beast Industries and its owner, YouTube star MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson), regarding the company's acquisition of Step, a fintech app for teenagers that previously allowed crypto trading. Warren's letter, dated March 23, expresses serious concerns about expanding financial services to young users, especially into crypto and DeFi, and demands strict compliance with legal protections. She highlights Step’s past advertising that promoted crypto and NFTs to minors, contrasting it with the company's own later warnings about the extreme risks of such assets. Warren also raises questions about Beast Industries' $200 million investment from BitMine Immersion Technologies and references past allegations of insider trading against MrBeast, though he has denied wrongdoing. Citing the platform’s appeal to young audiences and the need for safeguards, Warren has given Beast Industries until April 3, 2026, to respond to eleven specific questions about its plans for Step and user protection.

bitcoinist03/24 10:31

Tether Major Shareholder Invests £12 Million to Support the 'British Trump' in the Crypto Sphere

British political party Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage (often called the "British Trump"), received over £12 million in donations in 2025, with a significant portion from Christopher Harborne (also known as Chakrit Sakunkrit). A major Tether shareholder and Thai-based aviation fuel tycoon, Harborne is a key financial backer of the right-wing party. His donations align with Reform UK's pro-crypto policies, which include tax cuts and a national Bitcoin reserve—policies announced after his funding began. This mirrors a U.S. trend of crypto interests influencing politics. Harborne, a dual UK-Thai citizen and early crypto investor, holds ~12% of Tether’s parent company, making his financial support a strategic investment in favorable regulation. Reform UK is now a top-funded UK party, with rising poll numbers.

marsbit03/24 07:18

Venezuelan Businesses Likely Turning to Crypto Amid Dollar Scarcity

Venezuelan businesses are increasingly likely to turn to cryptocurrency due to a severe scarcity of US dollars. Small and medium enterprises report having their dollar bids rejected without explanation, while large corporations in sectors like food, beverage, healthcare, and chemicals receive preferential access. With dollar availability down 13% compared to the same period in 2025, these smaller firms are forced to raise prices and explore alternative markets. Additionally, Venezuela is suspected of holding significant Bitcoin reserves, estimated at nearly $22 million, potentially to circumvent international sanctions. These reserves, if liquidated, could impact the global crypto market. Meanwhile, crypto prices remained stable over the past 24 hours, with BTC trading above $70,000 and projections suggesting a potential rise to around $75,661 in the next month.

TheNewsCrypto03/24 06:53

Crypto Vs. Banks: Key CLARITY Act Meetings This Week And What They Could Decide

Negotiations on the CLARITY Act, a key crypto market-structure bill, are nearing completion, though final language remains undisclosed. Senator Cynthia Lummis stated talks are "99% resolved" on stablecoin yields, a central issue where banks fear deposit flight and crypto firms seek viable yield options. A reported White House compromise with senators may limit yield on idle balances to address banking concerns. Crypto and banking groups are meeting with the Senate Banking Committee this week to review the draft. Unresolved areas include DeFi, token classification, and tokenization. A committee markup is anticipated in mid-to-late April.

bitcoinist03/24 06:36

Trump, the World's Largest Oil Trader

Donald Trump, described as the world's largest oil trader, used a post on Truth Social to claim "very good, productive" talks with Iran and announce a five-day pause in strikes on Iranian energy facilities. Minutes after the March 23 post, S&P 500 futures surged 2.7%, and Brent crude plummeted 13% to below $100, boosting U.S. stock market value by an estimated $1.7 trillion. Iran denied any talks, suggesting Trump manipulates oil prices weekly. Suspicious trading spikes occurred 15 minutes before the post, raising insider trading concerns, though regulators declined to comment. This mirrors a pattern: in 2020, Trump brokered OPEC+ cuts to raise prices, benefiting oil executives who funded his campaigns. Academic research confirms his social media moves oil markets. Now, his sons profit from military contracts: Donald Jr. invested in drone firms like Unusual Machines, which secured Army deals after his father’s election. With the Iran war boosting drone demand, the family benefits whether oil rises (more contracts) or falls (political wins). Trump’s power over oil—using policy, not money—makes him a unique market force.

marsbit03/24 04:05

SBF Legal Saga Continues: Prosecutors Question Authenticity Of FTX Founder’s Retrial Motion Letter

Federal prosecutors have raised significant doubts about the authenticity of a letter submitted by Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) from prison in support of his motion for a new trial. The DOJ highlighted multiple inconsistencies: the letter was sent via FedEx, which is prohibited for inmates; the return address incorrectly identified the facility; tracking showed it originated from Palo Alto, not the prison; and it was signed with an "/s/" rather than a physical signature. SBF, previously convicted and sentenced to 25 years for fraud, claims new evidence and judicial bias warrant a retrial. The DOJ has urged the court to deny his request, arguing the defense fails to meet legal standards for a new trial.

bitcoinist03/24 04:01

Trump's Post Leaked in Advance? Polymarket Abnormal Betting Points to US-Iran Ceasefire Before Next Week

Former US President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that "very good and productive discussions" were taking place to resolve the Middle East conflict. Prior to this public statement, several accounts on the prediction market platform Polymarket placed large bets, totaling approximately $160,000, that a ceasefire between the US would occur by March 31 or April 15. These bets, which would yield over $1 million if successful, were made by 10 newly created accounts and had already generated over $300,000 in floating profits after Trump's post. The timing and success of these wagers, particularly from an account with a history of profitable bets on geopolitical events, have raised suspicions of insider trading. In response, Polymarket announced new rules explicitly prohibiting trading on stolen confidential information, illegal insider knowledge, or by users who can influence event outcomes. Concurrently, unusual trading activity was detected in S&P 500 e-mini futures and WTI crude oil futures just minutes before Trump's post. A significant, isolated spike in volume occurred in these typically illiquid pre-market sessions. Shortly after the post, S&P futures surged over 2.5% while oil prices fell nearly 6%, suggesting that some entities may have traded on advance knowledge of the announcement. The SEC and CME Group declined to comment.

marsbit03/24 02:09

Crypto ETF options move closer to mainstream as NYSE Arca updates trading rules

NYSE Arca has proposed rule changes to expand options trading on Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, aligning them with standard equity options frameworks. Key updates include removing the 25,000-contract position limit, allowing larger positions and potentially increasing liquidity. The proposal also eliminates restrictions on Flexible Exchange (FLEX) options, enabling customization of strike price, expiration, and settlement terms for institutional strategies. Crypto ETFs must meet specific criteria, such as a minimum $700 million average market value, to qualify. This structural shift integrates digital assets deeper into traditional derivatives markets, encouraging institutional participation while potentially amplifying market volatility.

ambcrypto03/23 19:25

Polymarket tightens rules on insider trading and manipulation across DeFi, U.S. platforms

ambcrypto03/23 16:02