SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce urged regulators to adopt zero-knowledge proof technology to allow cryptocurrency firms to conduct KYC checks while collecting less personal data. The proposal comes as federal agencies advance stablecoin regulation under the GENIUS Act.
SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, known as 'Crypto Mom' for her advocacy of digital assets, announced her resignation effective next week after years of service. In one of her final speeches, she called for reducing KYC data collection and implementing zero-knowledge proofs to protect privacy.
Ethereum Name Service DAO tokenholders voted to transfer administrative control of a $65 million endowment to the newly established ENS Foundation. The proposal passed with 1.27 million ENS tokens in favor and 480,690 against, despite opposition from co-founder Alex Van de Sande who argued the DAO was being removed from the endowment's control chain.
Zero-knowledge proof technology, which allows users to verify information without revealing underlying data, is emerging as a key privacy solution in blockchain systems. Midnight blockchain is highlighted as a leading implementation enabling compliance and identity verification without data exposure.
Mastercard is testing its Crypto Credential standards-based identity framework with stablecoin orchestration network Borderless.xyz to enable trusted cross-border stablecoin payments through shared compliance and verification signals. The pilot aims to help wallet providers, liquidity networks, and transfer services verify counterparties in stablecoin transactions.
Cloud computing firm Cloudflare announced a new service enabling AI agents to autonomously purchase APIs, data, and online content using stablecoin-based programmable wallets and verifiable digital identities. The system, which includes cloudflare.id for authentication and uses the x402 protocol, aims to facilitate 'agentic commerce' where AI bots can conduct transactions without human intervention.
Announced at the AI for Good Global Summit on 9 July 2026, ITU launched the Focus Group on Trust and Identity for Humans and Agentic AI to develop international standards frameworks ensuring accountability and human control over autonomous AI agents.
