Cryptocurrency platform Lemon has decided to shut down its Brazilian operations and terminate approximately 15,000 local accounts after determining that the country's new crypto licensing capital requirements are too expensive for its business model.
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde personally intervened to prevent Greece from granting Binance an EU-wide MiCA license in late May, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Lagarde reportedly asked Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to reject the application over compliance concerns.
Britain's Financial Conduct Authority, along with HMRC and Metropolitan Police, took enforcement action against three London premises on September 10, issuing cease and desist letters for suspected illegal peer-to-peer cryptocurrency trading operations without proper registration.
The UK's Financial Conduct Authority has announced that crypto firms can apply for authorization from September 30, 2026 to February 28, 2027, ahead of the new regulatory regime taking effect on October 25, 2027. The authorization applies to overseas firms dealing, arranging, or safeguarding crypto assets for UK clients.
Payward, the parent company of cryptocurrency exchange Kraken, announced plans to bring onchain perpetual futures markets on Hyperliquid to eligible U.S. clients using regulated infrastructure. The offering would utilize CFTC-regulated Bitnomial for deployment, clearing and settlement, with NinjaTrader Clearing carrying customer accounts, making it the first U.S.-regulated venue to offer such products.
CoinEx announced it will cease operations on December 22, 2026, nine years after launching. The closure comes less than three months after a Wall Street Journal investigation highlighted the exchange's role as a hub for illicit Iranian cash transactions, amid broader challenges in the cryptocurrency market.
Poland's regulatory framework is preventing local cryptocurrency firms from beginning the licensing application process, while foreign EU firms with MiCA passports can continue entering the Polish market unimpeded.
South Korea's National Tax Service ruled on August 28 that residents must continue reporting cryptocurrency accounts held with bankrupt overseas exchanges under foreign financial account disclosure rules. The ruling clarifies that accounts opened with overseas virtual asset exchanges remain subject to reporting requirements under the Adjustment of International Taxes Act, even when the exchange operator goes bankrupt and trading or withdrawals are suspended.
Poland's Sejm fell 25 votes short of overriding President Karol Nawrocki's veto of crypto licensing legislation, leaving the country as the only EU member state without a domestic framework under MiCA regulations. Lawmakers are now preparing a fresh bill while roughly 2,000 local firms face regulatory limbo and foreign EU competitors gain market advantage through passporting rights.
Binance Holdings Ltd., the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, has continued operating in the European Union despite failing to obtain required regulatory licenses under the bloc's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework. The company is reportedly using regulatory workarounds and offshore routing to maintain service for some EU customers.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission warned that cryptocurrency companies operating under temporary regulatory relief must apply for a Financial Services License by September 30 or face penalties of up to 10% of their annual turnover.
Australia's securities regulator ASIC has issued a final warning to cryptocurrency firms operating under temporary regulatory relief, requiring them to apply for financial services licenses by September 30, 2026. Non-compliant firms face penalties including fines of up to 10% of annual turnover starting October 1.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission asked a federal court to dismiss CME Group's lawsuit challenging the agency's approval of Kalshi's cryptocurrency perpetual futures, arguing CME has no standing to claim competitive injury since nothing prevents it from listing similar products.
A layer-1 blockchain network froze operations for four hours in an emergency response to prevent a $4.9 million hack, then publicly characterized the incident as a routine upgrade. The emergency action jailed validators and disrupted exchange transfers while maintaining consensus-level security.
Five companies have passed an initial assessment under Vietnam's five-year digital asset market pilot program, though no crypto exchange licenses have been issued yet. The development marks progress in the country's regulated approach to cryptocurrency markets.
Hong Kong's securities watchdog has declared broker SBCFX and its affiliated entities unlicensed following a trading collapse that left thousands of gold investors unable to recover their USDT deposits.
Pakistan's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority has opened its licensing portal after notifying regulations governing crypto exchanges and other virtual asset service providers, with a September 5 deadline for compliance.
Pakistan's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) has launched its licensing portal, requiring all crypto firms operating in the country on or before March 5 to apply for a No Objection Certificate by September 5 or stop their services. The move marks Pakistan's transition from an unregulated crypto market to a full licensing regime.
Pakistan's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) has launched its licensing portal, requiring all crypto firms operating in the country on or before March 5 to apply for a No Objection Certificate by September 5 or stop their services. The move marks Pakistan's transition from an unregulated crypto market to a full licensing regime.
Authorities in Dubai and Sharjah detained Binance employees for questioning as part of an investigation into a bank account the cryptocurrency exchange uses to hold customer funds. The incident echoes a similar 2023 probe involving US regulators and associates of former CEO Changpeng Zhao.
Laser Digital Japan, backed by Nomura Holdings, completed registration with Japanese regulators as a Crypto Asset Exchange Service Provider. This marks the first new crypto exchange approval in Japan since 2022.
Capital.com's affiliate Capital Vault obtained a virtual asset dealing and custody license in the UAE, while BitGo Korea became the first foreign crypto firm to receive approval as a virtual asset service provider in South Korea.
BitGo Korea became the first foreign cryptocurrency firm to receive regulatory approval as a virtual asset service provider in South Korea, while lawmakers introduced legislation to expand authorities' power to investigate unregistered crypto businesses.
BitGo Korea became the first foreign cryptocurrency firm to receive regulatory approval as a virtual asset service provider in South Korea, while lawmakers introduced legislation to expand authorities' power to investigate unregistered crypto businesses.
Pakistan announced a new regulatory framework for cryptocurrency after nearly a decade-long ban, while South Korea approved BitGo Korea as the first foreign crypto firm to receive a virtual asset service provider license. The moves signal growing regulatory acceptance of digital assets across Asia.
President Trump indicated US efforts to bring the Hyperliquid crypto platform under domestic regulation, while evidence emerged that Kraken may be testing a compliant decentralized exchange on Hyperliquid's testnet. The developments sparked significant trading activity in crypto markets.
People claiming to be BitMart employees took control of the exchange's Chinese X account, demanding the CEO provide answers by August 19 about frozen user funds and unpaid wages after the exchange shut down.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has issued warnings and taken down websites for Yepbit and Yepbit Exchange after receiving multiple reports from investors unable to withdraw funds from the digital assets and futures trading platform. The action joins similar alerts from regulators in other jurisdictions.
ARP Digital, a Bahrain-based institutional digital asset infrastructure provider, has secured a broker-dealer license from Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), enabling the firm to offer regulated cryptocurrency services in Dubai.
Flowdesk Omega FZE, the Dubai subsidiary of French digital asset firm Flowdesk, has been granted a full broker-dealer license by the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). The BlackRock-backed liquidity provider and trading technology firm can now offer crypto broker-dealer services in the UAE.
Cryptocurrency exchange Bitget has signed a cooperation agreement with Bhutan's Gelephu Mindfulness City Authority to establish a local presence and pursue a financial services license under the city's virtual assets framework. The move positions Bitget in Bhutan's emerging crypto-friendly special economic zone.
Japan's Financial Services Agency and National Police Agency jointly urged crypto exchanges to introduce withdrawal delays and other safeguards as authorities respond to increasingly sophisticated scams involving digital assets.
European financial watchdogs have issued warnings about fraudsters impersonating regulators and licensed crypto firms to exploit confusion following the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation deadline, which forced over 1,700 unlicensed crypto service providers to cease EU operations.
European financial watchdogs have issued warnings about fraudsters impersonating regulators and licensed crypto firms to exploit confusion following the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation deadline, which forced over 1,700 unlicensed crypto service providers to cease EU operations.
India's Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has revised its global tax reporting framework to include crypto-assets, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), and digital money products, aligning with international Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) standards. The new RCASP framework mandates annual reporting of crypto transactions by exchanges and financial institutions.
Nigeria's tax authority has released the country's first comprehensive framework for taxing virtual assets, requiring crypto exchanges to verify customers with Tax Identification Numbers and imposing penalties up to ₦10 million ($7,000) for non-compliance. The guidelines include corporate tax rates, stamp duties, and mandatory registration requirements for crypto businesses.
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.
Cryptocurrency exchange Bitget announced it will terminate services for Japan residents by the end of 2026 after receiving a warning from Japan's Financial Services Agency for operating without proper registration. New user registrations will cease from August 3, 2026, with phased service restrictions to follow.
The SEC has halted Nasdaq's approval of QBTC Bitcoin options to reconsider the decision after CME Group filed a legal challenge, arguing the approval process was flawed and gave Nasdaq an unfair competitive advantage.
A court dismissed the majority of a lawsuit accusing Coinbase, the largest U.S. cryptocurrency exchange, of illegally selling securities without proper registration as an exchange or broker-dealer. The ruling represents a significant legal victory for the company in ongoing disputes over cryptocurrency regulation.
Thailand's Securities and Exchange Commission filed a criminal complaint against crypto exchange Bitkub and two former directors for allegedly submitting false reports after a 2021 hack that resulted in $47 million in losses.
Chainlink has extended its Proof of Reserve oracle service to provide onchain reserve data across Ethereum, Base, Monad, and Ink networks, as the crypto industry continues emphasizing asset verification following the 2022 FTX collapse.
Cryptocurrency exchange Bitget is preparing to enter the U.S. market through a regulated entity, with CEO Gracy Chen stating the expansion will proceed whether or not Congress passes the pending CLARITY Act. The Seychelles-registered exchange plans to seek necessary money-transmitter, derivatives, and broker-dealer licenses.
Federal Judge Marcelo Martínez De Giorgi froze dozens of crypto wallets tied to the LIBRA investigation and ordered six international exchanges including Binance, Bybit, and OKX to hand over complete client files after the token's crash.
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.
CEO Stephen Gregory outlined plans to recapture 20% of the U.S. crypto exchange market through 0% maker fees, 0.02% taker fees, and expansion into derivatives and prediction markets, following a two-year regulatory disruption that included an SEC civil lawsuit and loss of banking relationships.
Crypto exchange AscendEX ceased operations effective July 1, 2026, citing lack of EU MiCA license compliance. The platform moved all withdrawal requests to manual review starting July 6, with reports indicating hot wallets lack sufficient funds to process user withdrawals.
The European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation ended its transitional period on July 1, 2026, requiring all crypto service providers to obtain proper licensing. ESMA ordered unauthorized firms to wind down operations, leaving an estimated 10 million or more users searching for new compliant platforms.
Multiple users reported stuck withdrawals from cryptocurrency exchange AscendEX, with blockchain investigator ZachXBT stating the platform's known hot wallets hold insufficient funds to cover user balances, suggesting possible liquidity issues.
Binance has formally withdrawn its Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license application with Greece's Hellenic Capital Market Commission and will pursue authorization in a different EU jurisdiction before the July 1 deadline for unlicensed firms.
Binance, the world's largest crypto exchange, is reportedly set to lose permission to serve EU clients after its Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license application in Greece faces rejection, according to Reuters citing two sources familiar with the matter.
Russia's State Duma passed a sweeping crypto regulation bill in first reading that would license exchanges, permit cryptocurrency use in foreign trade settlements to circumvent sanctions, while banning domestic payments and imposing retail investment caps. The legislation is set to take effect in phases through July 2027.
Web3 investigator ZachXBT flagged RAVE token as a potential pump-and-dump scheme after it surged over 4,500% with nearly 90% of supply concentrated in three wallets. Binance and Bitget have committed to investigating the token's suspicious price movement.
Russian crypto exchange Grinex halted trading services following a $13-15 million exploit that the exchange attributes to 'Western special services' or 'hostile states.' The exchange has been linked to sanctioned Garantex, with liquidity and users flowing between the platforms.
The UK's FCA launched a consultation on proposed crypto regulations covering stablecoins, trading platforms, custody, and staking, with rules set to take effect by October 2027. The regulator is seeking industry feedback on its interpretation of regulated cryptoasset activities under the upcoming framework.
Australia has passed legislation mandating that digital asset platforms and tokenized custody platforms obtain an Australian Financial Services Licence within six months. The bill establishes a formal regulatory framework for crypto exchanges and custody services.
A US court ordered KuCoin operator Peken Global Limited to pay a $500,000 penalty to the CFTC and permanently block American traders from its platform, following a separate $297-300 million DOJ settlement over similar conduct.
Australia's Federal Court fined Binance Australia Derivatives $6.9 million after the exchange misclassified 524 retail clients as wholesale investors, exposing them to high-risk crypto derivatives without required protections. The penalty follows Binance's admission that the clients lost $6 million trading these products.
