Aug 10, 2026
Blockchain.com secured a definitive Virtual Asset Service Provider custody license from the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority on July 22, 2026, upgrading from conditional approval granted in December 2025. The license authorizes the company to offer regulated custody services, crypto-to-fiat exchange, and other virtual asset services.
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed legislation on August 4, 2026, creating Russia's first comprehensive regulatory framework for cryptocurrency trading, exchanges, and digital assets. The law, effective September 2026, allows retail and qualified investors to purchase crypto through licensed intermediaries while maintaining a ban on crypto payments for domestic transactions.
Robinhood's UK unit has been added to the Financial Conduct Authority's register of cryptoasset firms on July 31, 2026, enabling the trading platform to offer cryptocurrency services in the United Kingdom ahead of new regulatory requirements.
Circle secured a limited-purpose trust charter from the New York Department of Financial Services, allowing it to operate Circle Internet Trust Company and adding state-level oversight to its existing federal OCC national trust approval.
The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act remains stuck in the Senate despite clearing the House and Senate committee, with Republican Senator Cynthia Lummis criticizing Democrats for delaying the 600-page bill that includes over 100 compromises from 11 months of negotiations.
The Bank of Russia has published draft regulations to establish organized cryptocurrency markets by extending existing securities market rules to digital assets, a move that follows fresh Western sanctions against the country.
Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon endorsed the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act on July 23, splitting from major banking trade groups who oppose the bill's stablecoin provisions. Solomon argued the legislation would provide needed regulatory certainty.
The Senate's CLARITY Act, a major cryptocurrency regulatory framework bill, is expected to miss its vote before the August recess despite industry pressure. The legislation has become mired in controversy over provisions that would ban federal officials, including presidents, from issuing digital assets—a measure targeting concerns about President Trump's crypto holdings.
The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has officially recognized Tether Gold (XAU₮) as an Accepted Spot Commodity, allowing regulated firms within the international financial center to offer services involving the tokenized gold product subject to their own regulatory approvals.
Vietnam has issued Decree No. 284/2026/NĐ-CP imposing fines of up to 50 million dong ($1,900) on individual investors who trade cryptocurrencies on unlicensed platforms like Binance, OKX, and Bybit, with penalties taking effect September 1, 2026 as part of the country's pilot digital asset market regulations.
Brazil's Comissão de Valores Mobiliários (CVM) has launched a working group to develop an experimental regulatory framework for tokenized securities based on distributed ledger technology, with a primary proposal due within 60 days and a comprehensive framework expected within 120 days.
Canada has introduced updated cryptocurrency regulations that establish new compliance requirements for crypto exchanges and modify rules affecting individual investors. The changes represent a significant shift in how digital assets are regulated in the country.
Japan's National Diet passed FIEA amendments on July 15, 2026, formally reclassifying cryptocurrencies as financial instruments under securities law. A linked tax proposal would cut the maximum gains rate from 55% to a flat 20%, with implementation targeted for January 2028.
South Korea will conduct a 2027 pilot program connecting tokenized government bonds to its institutional central bank digital currency infrastructure, moving sovereign debt tokenization from proposal to implementation.
Stablecoin issuer Circle received final regulatory approval from the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to establish a national trust bank, marking a landmark moment for cryptocurrency regulation. The company's shares jumped 7-8% following the announcement.
The US Securities and Exchange Commission proposed eliminating Rules 611 and 610(e) of Regulation NMS, which could remove major legal barriers preventing tokenized US stocks from trading on blockchain platforms. Analysts say this represents a significant regulatory shift for digital securities.
Stand With Crypto and more than 200 companies and organizations sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on June 7, 2026, pressing them to bring the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act to the Senate floor for a vote.
The Senate Banking Committee has publicly released the full text of the Clarity Act, a digital asset market structure bill that will establish a regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies. The committee is scheduled to vote on the legislation on Thursday.
Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) approved SIX's plan to merge its digital central securities depository (SIX Digital Exchange) into its traditional CSD, SIX SIS, consolidating digital and traditional securities infrastructure.
Russia's State Duma passed the first reading of a comprehensive crypto regulation bill that formally legalizes digital assets for cross-border international settlements while restricting domestic payments.