Crypto Breaking

A Minnesota lawmaker has introduced a bill that could ban virtual currency kiosks statewide after reports of scams tied to crypto ATMs. Bitcoin ATMs (CRYPTO: BTC) have emerged as a focal point in law-enforcement briefings, where operators have been accused of enabling irreversible transactions that are hard to trace. Rep. Erin Koegel unveiled House File 3642 during a Thursday session of the Commerce Finance and Policy Committee, arguing the technology behind crypto kiosks remains novel and minimally regulated. Minnesota voters have already seen a 2024 law intended to curb kiosk abuse by capping new-user deposits at $2,000 and requiring refunds to fraud victims, but Koegel’s measure would push toward a full ban if enacted. Supporters say it would shield residents from irreversible financial crimes, while opponents caution it could restrict access to legitimate crypto services and push activity underground. Koegel cited committee remarks and testimony during the session.

Key takeaways

House File 3642 would ban crypto kiosks across Minnesota if enacted, expanding beyond the state’s 2024 safeguards.

The 2024 law introduced a $2,000 deposit limit for new kiosk users and required refunds for fraud, signaling a trend toward consumer protections.

Law enforcement officials described cryptocurrency kiosks as a common scam vector, with aging populations identified as particularly vulnerable groups.

There are about 350 licensed crypto kiosks in Minnesota, operated by firms including Bitcoin Depot and Coinflip, according to the state’s findings.

Industry responses emphasize a broader regulatory debate about crypto ATMs, privacy, and access versus fraud risk, with related moves like ID-verification policies signaling a shifting risk profile.

Tickers mentioned: $BTC

Sentiment: Neutral

Market context: The Minnesota proposal sits within a broader regulatory moment as lawmakers and regulators reassess crypto kiosks amid ongoing fraud concerns. Across the U.S., states are weighing standardized protections for crypto ATM users, while operators consider compliance measures to balance customer access with risk controls. The trend toward enhanced identity checks and clearer fraud warnings reflects a shift in how the market perceives the balance between innovation and consumer protection.

Why it matters

The bill’s momentum highlights a policy question at the intersection of financial technology and consumer protection. Crypto kiosks offer convenient access points for the public to buy and sell digital assets, but their relative lack of traditional safeguards has made them attractive targets for scammers. Minnesota’s current framework—enacted in 2024—was designed to curb abuse by imposing a deposit cap and mandating refunds for fraud victims. Yet the proposed HF 3642 would push the state toward a more restrictive approach, potentially banning the devices altogether. The stakes are not merely about kiosks; they reflect a broader debate about how to regulate rapidly evolving crypto infrastructure without stifling legitimate use cases or hindering access to digital assets for ordinary residents.

Industry responses point to a practical tension: operators argue that well-defined rules can reduce abuse while preserving access. Bitcoin Depot, one of the largest operators in the U.S., has already begun a phased rollout of ID verification for all transactions at its machines, a policy aimed at curbing misuse while maintaining user convenience. The move signals a willingness among some players to embrace stronger controls in the name of compliance and consumer protection; it also foreshadows a regulatory environment in which basic access could be contingent on identity verification and heightened disclosures. The pressurized policy backdrop is further amplified by consumer advocacy groups that emphasize protections, such as fraud warnings and transaction-limits, as essential to preserving trust in mainstream crypto usage.

For the market, these developments touch on liquidity, risk sentiment, and the perceived legitimacy of on-ramp infrastructure. When a state with tens (and potentially hundreds) of kiosks contemplates a ban, it underscores the fragility and scrutiny surrounding crypto-on-ramp channels. While the debates unfold, observers watch for how other states respond to similar concerns and whether broader federal or regulatory moves could harmonize or clash with state-level approaches. The tension between enabling convenient access to digital assets and preventing harms linked to fraudulent activity remains a defining feature of the current regulatory landscape.

In parallel, consumer protection narratives continue to gain traction. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) has highlighted ongoing fraud protections in several states, urging operators to implement practical safeguards such as transaction limits and clear fraud warnings. As lawmakers weigh HF 3642 against the potential benefits of accessible crypto tools for everyday users, the interplay between policy, technology, and consumer trust will likely shape the contours of Minnesota’s crypto kiosk ecosystem in the months ahead. The discussion also echoes broader policy conversations about how to regulate novel financial technologies while preserving opportunities for legitimate innovation.

“Because of the nature of cryptocurrency, these fraudulent transactions are often irreversible and incredibly hard to track,” Koegel said, emphasizing the need for a coordinated, cross-partisan response to protect citizens from irreversible financial crimes.

The current environment therefore blends caution with pragmatism: protect vulnerable users and deter fraud, while acknowledging that kiosks can provide a straightforward entry point to digital assets for some residents. The outcome of HF 3642 remains uncertain, but the policy debate is unlikely to fade anytime soon as Minnesota and other states evaluate how to balance accessibility and security in an evolving crypto economy.

What to watch next

Progress of House File 3642 in the Minnesota House of Representatives, including committee votes and potential floor action.

Any Senate companion or changes in the legislative process that could influence the bill’s trajectory.

Updates to kiosk regulations and enforcement actions stemming from the 2024 deposit-limit law, and any new operator compliance measures.

Industry responses from crypto ATM operators regarding verification policies and fraud-prevention efforts, and how these may influence state debates.

Sources & verification

House File 3642 and committee materials from the Minnesota House of Representatives (HF 3642 – Commerce Finance and Policy Committee materials).

Committee hearing coverage and remarks, including Rep. Koegel’s statements and the discussion on the 2024 law, captured in the committee video (YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6hc8OkvaZE).

State data on licensed crypto kiosks in Minnesota (approximately 350 kiosks operated by Bitcoin Depot, Coinflip, and others).

Bitcoin Depot policy update requiring ID verification for all crypto ATM transactions (Cointelegraph: https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-depot-mandatory-id-verification-crypto-atms).

AARP’s guidance on crypto ATM fraud protections and related protections in multiple states (https://www.aarp.org/advocacy/crypto-atm-fraud-protections/).

This article was originally published as Minnesota Weighs Ban on Crypto Kiosks After Scam Reports on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

February’s tax-policy dialogue around crypto expanded across several jurisdictions, underscoring a global shift toward clearer reporting and new levies on digital assets. The year’s early momentum included a critical test for Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC), which struggled to reclaim the $70,000 level as policy debates intensified in Washington and abroad. While some governments signaled tighter controls, others moved toward formalizing frameworks that could steer crypto activity into more transparent channels. A snapshot of the month shows four countries weighing heavier capital-gains rules, new reporting standards, and targeted taxes on transfers, while the broader market wobbled amid tariff talk and uncertain regulatory progress.

Key takeaways

The Netherlands advanced a controversial Actual Return Act on Feb. 12, proposing a 36% capital gains tax on unrealized gains for savings, liquid investments, and crypto. The plan, backed by a majority in the lower house, faced steep criticism that it could drive capital out of the country and dampen crypto activity.

Israel’s Crypto Blockchain & Web 3.0 Companies Forum launched a lobbying push to reform crypto tax rules, seeking looser treatment for stablecoins and tokenization and a simpler path to compliance. Forum head Nir Hirshmann-Rub cited broad public exposure to crypto, with more than a quarter of the population engaging in crypto dealings in the past five years.

Hong Kong signaled that it would adjust its tax regime to align with the OECD’s Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF), expanding the region’s framework for reporting crypto activity and improving transparency for tax authorities.

Vietnam tabled a crypto-transaction tax proposal that would levy 0.1% personal income tax on transfers conducted through licensed service providers, while exempting typical value-added tax on crypto trading and transfers.

India persisted with a rigid tax structure—an approximate 30% tax on crypto gains with no losses offset—while calls for reform remained unaddressed in the 2026 Union Budget.

Tickers mentioned: $BTC

Market context: February’s policy moves arrived as crypto markets faced a mix of regulatory signals, macro headwinds, and evolving tax reporting standards. The expansion of crypto ATMs remained a notable trend, with the number of kiosks approaching 40,000 globally and February adding about 290 machines to the network, per Coin ATM Radar data—an indication that on-ramps continue to grow despite policy frictions.

Why it matters

The policy shifts highlighted in February matter for users, investors, and builders because they delineate the path crypto assets may follow toward formal taxation and regulated activity. The Netherlands’ push for unrealized-gains taxation signals a broader trend toward treating crypto like other financial assets in the context of annual returns, even as the cabinet signaled a readiness to revisit the draft. If enacted, the plan could alter hold strategies for both individuals and institutions and influence cross-border capital flows within the eurozone and beyond. Regulators and industry players alike will be watching how the government balances taxation with maintaining competitiveness and preserving crypto innovation.

Israel’s lobbying push reflects a more nuanced approach to crypto regulation in jurisdictions with high public adoption. Forum leaders are arguing for a framework that relaxes certain restrictions around stablecoins and tokenization while making compliance simpler for businesses and individuals. If successful, the policy would reduce the friction for Israeli-based crypto ventures and broader adoption, potentially encouraging more crypto-related activity in the region and setting a model for nearby markets grappling with similar regulatory questions.

In Hong Kong, CARF adoption would integrate crypto activity into a standardized reporting framework designed to combat tax evasion and improve transparency. The move aligns Hong Kong with a growing global push to require crypto service providers to report on client activity, which could boost tax compliance and oversight while potentially affecting the cost and ease of doing business in the city’s vibrant crypto ecosystem.

Vietnam’s proposal laid out a targeted tax that could affect on-chain transfers routed through licensed providers while preserving an exemption for ordinary value-added tax on crypto trading. If enacted, the policy would further define the tax treatment of crypto transactions in a fast-growing market and add new considerations for crypto exchanges and custodians operating there. The country’s stance contrasts with other jurisdictions that treat crypto differently for VAT and income-tax purposes, underscoring the difficulty of creating a one-size-fits-all approach to digital assets across Asia.

India’s remain-rigid stance—30% gains taxation with no loss offset—continues to draw scrutiny from market participants calling for reform. As Asia’s second-largest crypto market by adoption, India’s tax approach can influence regional flows and investor confidence. The absence of reform in the 2026 Union Budget underscores the frictions between revenue-raising objectives and the desire to foster a healthy innovation environment for crypto tech and related services.

Beyond policy, February’s price narrative for Bitcoin revealed ongoing pressure from macro factors and regulatory headwinds. Analysts pointed to a lack of progress on the CLARITY Act in the U.S.—a proposed framework for crypto markets that has repeatedly stalled due to disagreements over ethics provisions and potential bailout measures. The stalemate, paired with tariff-related uncertainty, contributed to a cautious mood among traders, with Bitcoin often trading under the $70,000 mark during the month. Industry voices also underscored tariff policy as a drag on risk assets; for example, remarks from market participants highlighted tariffs as a significant factor shaping Bitcoin’s price trajectory in a period of broader market caution.

In parallel, the economic backdrop in Japan—where inflation in the yen slipped below 2%—added another layer of complexity. The market environment, including elections and a potential shift in consumer demand for risk assets, may influence how Bitcoin and other crypto assets perform in the near term in relation to traditional markets. The broader global context—ranging from central-bank policy to cross-border regulatory coordination—continues to shape how crypto assets are perceived, taxed, and utilized by both individuals and institutions.

On the corporate front, a prominent narrative in February involved bets on traditional finance institutions expanding exposure to Asia-focused opportunities. Berkshire Hathaway’s ongoing accumulation of Japanese trading-house investments signaled that blue-chip capital continues to seek diversification through overseas equities, which may indirectly influence risk sentiment surrounding crypto assets and the appetite for cross-asset diversification during times of policy flux.

What to watch next

Netherlands: The cabinet’s plan to revive or amend the Actual Return Act could reframe unrealized gains taxation in the eurozone; watching parliamentary debates and potential Senate discussions is essential in the coming weeks.

Israel: Regulatory push-and-pull around stablecoins and tokenization—monitor proposed bills or regulatory guidance, and any shifts in compliance requirements for crypto firms.

Hong Kong: Implementation timeline for CARF and any ancillary reporting rules that affect crypto service providers and custodians operating in the region.

Vietnam: The enforcement trajectory of the 0.1% personal income tax on licensed transfers, including guidance for exchanges and custodians serving Vietnamese users.

India: The 2026 budget process and potential reform proposals for crypto taxation; market participants will look for signals that losses may be offset or more favorable tax treatment might be introduced.

Sources & verification

Netherlands tax-law advancement and unrealized gains framework (Feb. 12) — https://cointelegraph.com/news/dutch-house-advances-36-tax-law

Discussion of unrealized gains tax and concerns about capital flight — https://cointelegraph.com/news/netherlands-unrealized-gains-tax-stocks-crypto-box-3

New Dutch cabinet comments on reconsidering the measure — https://nltimes.nl/2026/02/25/new-dutch-cabinet-pulling-back-box-3-asset-tax-plan-unrealized-gain-tax-fears

Israel crypto lobbying and reform discussions — https://cointelegraph.com/news/israel-crypto

Hong Kong CARF and tax-infrastructure tweaks — https://cointelegraph.com/news/hong-kong-expand-tokenized-bond-infrastructure-hkma-platform

Vietnam crypto-tax proposal and policy posture — https://cointelegraph.com/news/vietnam-crypto-tax-0-1-percent-trading-levy-draft-policy

India crypto tax stance in 2026 budget discussions — https://magazine.cointelegraph.com/eth-whale-panics-india-crypto-tax-asia-express/

February’s regulatory tinkering and Bitcoin’s price test

February’s policy reshaping of crypto taxation reflected a broader, global push toward greater transparency and stricter oversight of digital assets. The Netherlands’ proposed 36% unrealized-gains levy, if enacted, would change the calculus for savers, investors, and crypto holders who have benefited from tax-deferred gains in a relatively open market. The stance triggered swift counterpoints from opponents who warned about capital flight and reduced innovation. The cabinet’s decision to revisit the measure indicates a practical sensitivity to the political risks of sweeping asset taxation, and it preserves the possibility that policy may shift before a final vote.

In parallel, Israel’s engagement signals a pragmatic approach to policy that aims to balance investor protection with a permissive stance toward fintech innovation. The lobby’s emphasis on a simpler compliance regime and a more flexible stance on stablecoins suggests policymakers could carve out a niche that encourages crypto participation while maintaining tax visibility and controls. The public’s demonstrated familiarity with crypto—a substantial portion of the population already engaged—adds political weight to those arguments, potentially shaping future regulation.

Hong Kong’s alignment with CARF marks another step toward standardizing crypto-tax reporting in an era of cross-border digital finance. As jurisdictions seek to curb evasion and improve revenue collection, CARF participation could influence how service providers structure operations and how users report activity. Vietnam’s targeted approach—0.1% personal income tax on transfers through licensed providers—adds to a growing spectrum of country-specific tax policies, underscoring the complexity of harmonizing treatment for holders, traders, and platforms across Asia.

India’s unchanged stance—30% gains taxation with no loss offset—highlights the tension between revenue considerations and the desire to foster a robust crypto ecosystem. With investors watching for reform signals in the 2026 budget cycle, the Indian policy environment will likely shape regional flows and influence global risk sentiment in crypto markets. Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s price action remained cautious, with the asset hovering near but not breaching the $70,000 level in February. The absence of progress on the CLARITY Act, alongside tariff-related tensions in U.S. policy, contributed to a cautious mood among traders who weigh macro dynamics, regulatory clarity, and the evolving tax landscape as they map out next moves.

What to watch next

Israel’s regulatory roadmap—watch for concrete proposals or guidance detailing how stablecoins and tokenization might be taxed and regulated.

CARF implementation in Hong Kong—monitor dates and any sector-specific exemptions or reporting thresholds.

Vietnam’s enforcement timeline—track how the 0.1% tax applies to licensed platforms and the treatment of cross-border transfers.

India’s budget updates—note any shifts in crypto taxation or loss-offset rules that could affect market activity.

U.S. regulatory progress on the CLARITY Act and tariff policy—keep an eye on committee movements and potential bailouts or ethics provisions that may alter risk sentiment.

This article was originally published as Crypto Taxes Updated: Bitcoin Stuck Below $70K – Month in Charts on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

イギリスのギャンブル委員会は、国が金融行動監視機構（FCA）主導の新しい規制体制の下で暗号活動を取り入れる方向に進む中、暗号通貨がライセンスを持つオンラインギャンブルの消費者支払いオプションとして機能するかどうかを評価しています。委員会の研究および政策担当のエグゼクティブディレクターであるティム・ミラーは、ロンドンで開催されたベッティングおよびギャンブル評議会の年次総会で、政策立案者がグレートブリテンにおける暗号資産の支払いの「潜在的な進むべき道」を描きたいと考えていると参加者に語りました。彼は、規制が始まると、規制された暗号活動は2000年の金融サービスおよび市場法の下でFCAの承認を必要とすると指摘しました。ライセンスの枠組みは2027年を目指しています。

ビットコインは、週次チャートでの珍しい抵抗の重なりと対峙しており、この設定は、弱気相場のフェーズが3月に緩和されるか、より長く引きずるかを決定する可能性があります。価格の動きは、BTCが3つの主要な障壁のすぐ下の狭いゾーンを漂っている中で起こります：約$68,330の200週指数移動平均（EMA）、$69,000近くの長年の2021年の最高値、そして$70,000の丸い数字の心理的障壁です。最近の動きは、$70,040に達した週の中頃のピークの後にそれらのレベルを取り戻そうとする苦闘を示していますが、保持することには失敗しました。この背景は、トレーダーが持続的な反発の可能性とさらなる下落の可能性を天秤にかけており、市場は決定的な強気のシグナルを注視しています。

セキュリティに重点を置いたアップデートで、XRPレジャー財団（CRYPTO: XRP）は、RippleのXRPレジャーへの今後の修正案において重大な欠陥を修正したことを確認し、潜在的なオンチェーンの悪用を回避しました。2月19日に、CantinaのセキュリティエンジニアとそのAIアシスタントが、コードバッチの修正案に関連する署名検証ルーチンにおける論理的欠陥を検出しました。修正案は投票に入っていましたが、メインネットでは有効化されておらず、当局はその時点で資金が危険にさらされていないことを強調しました。この事件は、オンチェーンガバナンス、自動発見、および迅速なパッチ適用が、公共ブロックチェーンの進化するセキュリティ環境においてどのように相互作用するかを浮き彫りにしています。

ヴィタリック・ブテリンは、量子脅威に対抗するためにイーサリアムを強化するための4つの側面からなる計画を概説しました。最も脆弱な4つの領域は、バリデーターの署名、データストレージ、ユーザーアカウントの署名、およびゼロ知識証明です。ビットコイン（CRYPTO: BTC）やその他のチェーンに関する議論を含む、暗号全体にわたる量子リスクが注目される中、イーサリアムの共同創設者は、慎重で長期的なアップグレードの道筋が不可欠であると主張しています。木曜日の投稿で、彼はすべての署名のためにポスト量子ハッシュ関数を選択することに依存するロードマップを説明しました。この問題は、ネットワークのセキュリティ姿勢を数年にわたって決定する可能性があります。この議論は、2025年8月に提案されたジャスティン・ドレイクのリーン・イーサリアムアイデアを含む、以前の提案を反響させています。

ビットコインは$70,000のマークに向かって少し戻りましたが、トレーダーはデリバティブのシグナルが価格の回復を反映しないため警戒を続けています。水曜日には、基準となる暗号通貨が火曜日の約$62,500への下落後に一時的にそのラウンドレベルに達しました。この動きは、米国上場のビットコインETFへの新たな資金流入によって支持されました。しかし、デリバティブ市場のムードは依然として警戒を保っていました：スポット価格に対する年率先物プレミアムは2%近くで推移し、中立的な読みの範囲を大きく下回っており、オプション市場は価格の反発にもかかわらず慎重な姿勢を示しました。弱気の賭けの冷え込みとマクロおよび流動性に関する懸念が残る中、ブルたちは$75,000のような高いターゲットを再訪する前に、より持続的な触媒が必要になるかもしれません。文脈として、ビットコインは市場参加者が短期的なリスクとリワードのダイナミクスを考慮する中で、波乱のあるコリドールで取引されています。

ブロック、ジャック・ドーシーが共同創設した決済会社は、AI主導の大規模な改革の一環として、4,000以上の職を対象に大規模な人員削減を進めています。この動きは、今月の初めにブルームバーグが報じた、ブロックのスタッフの約10%が年間パフォーマンスレビューにおいて削減される可能性があるという報告を受けてのものです。ドーシーは、Xに投稿した従業員への手紙の中で、AI対応のツールとよりフラットで小規模なチームへのシフトを説明し、これが会社の運営方法を加速させると述べました。彼は、プロセスを引き延ばすことは、顧客や株主の間の士気と信頼を損なうと主張しました。ドーシーによって概説された退職金プランには、20週間の給与、勤続年数ごとに1週間の追加、6ヶ月の健康保険、社用デバイスの返却、および$5,000の移行手当が含まれています。コインテレグラフは、ブルームバーグの数字がより広範な再構築の範囲を示していると指摘しています。

Nasdaq has filed a proposed rule change to list the VanEck JitoSOL ETF, a fund designed to hold the Solana-based liquid staking token JitoSOL (CRYPTO: JTO). The instrument would give investors exposure to on-chain staking economics without the need to operate validator infrastructure, wrapping the underlying asset in publicly traded shares. If approved, the fund would reflect staking rewards in its net asset value rather than distributing separate yield payments, a detail highlighted by the Jito Foundation’s leadership. The token itself compounds rewards automatically, so each share would represent the SOL deposited and the staking yield accrued on the Solana network (CRYPTO: SOL).

The filing, submitted under Nasdaq Rule 5711(d) governing commodity-based trust shares, seeks approval to list and trade shares of a trust that would hold JitoSOL directly rather than track via futures or other derivatives. The move underscores the ongoing regulatory interest in expanding regulated access to on-chain staking economics, a path that has gained momentum as liquidity and investor demand for crypto yield products continue to evolve across jurisdictions.

The asset at the center of the proposal, JitoSOL, is a liquid staking token issued by the Jito Network and backed by SOL deposited into a Solana staking pool. It enables holders to earn staking rewards through a transferable token without the operational burden of running validators. In the broader regulatory dialogue, the filing references earlier SEC actions on spot crypto ETPs, noting the agency’s prior approvals for spot Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) and spot Ether (CRYPTO: ETH) exchange-traded products and arguing that a liquid staking token can be evaluated under the agency’s generic listing standards rather than requiring a dedicated futures framework. The document also cites the MarketVector JitoSol VWAP Close Index as the basis for valuing trust shares, a price construct derived from cross-platform pricing inputs that would undergird the ETF’s NAV. The trust would allow both cash and in-kind creations and redemptions, a mechanism that could help maintain price alignment with the underlying asset over time.

JitoSOL is designed to sit within the Solana ecosystem’s staking framework but to offer a ready-made exposure vehicle. The token is described as economically akin to SOL, with proponents arguing that an appropriately structured liquid staking token can be treated similarly to the underlying asset for aims of listing standards. The filing rests on the premise that regulators have, in recent months, acknowledged the potential for liquid staking and staking-receipt tokens to fit within existing regulatory frameworks, even as formal rulemaking continues to evolve.

The SEC’s review timeline for such listings typically provides a 45-day window from Federal Register publication to issue a decision, with possible extensions bringing the period to 90 days. The current status places the project in the exchange-review phase, a stage where Nasdaq lenders and the SEC assess disclosures, surveillance, and anti-fraud provisions before determining whether a listing may proceed. While the path forward remains contingent on regulatory signaling, the filing signals a growing appetite to broaden structured exposure to staking economics through traditional market infrastructure.

Staking exposure exists, but not liquid staking ETFs

Even as the VanEck JitoSOL ETF advances through regulatory review, the United States has yet to host a liquid staking token ETF of this explicit design. Market participants have, however, explored regulated access to staking economics through other vehicles. One notable example is the Rex-Osprey Solana + Staking ETF (SSK), which began trading in July and pairs spot Solana exposure with on-chain staking rewards distributed to shareholders. In September, Rex-Osprey expanded its lineup with the REX-Osprey ETH + Staking ETF (ESK), presenting Ether alongside staking-derived yields. Grayscale subsequently broadened staking exposure within its U.S. crypto-ETP roster, adding products tied to staking economics such as the Grayscale Ethereum Mini Trust ETF and Grayscale Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHE). Grayscale also introduced staking for the Grayscale Solana Trust (GSOL), which is seeking regulatory uplisting as an exchange-traded product. These products indicate a clear demand for regulated staking exposure, even as the regulatory framework for liquid staking tokens remains a developing area.

Regulatory guidance in the United States has been cautious. In May, the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance indicated that certain protocol staking activities generally do not involve the offer or sale of securities under federal law, and in August the agency published staff guidance on liquid staking and staking receipt tokens. These statements do not constitute formal rulemaking and do not automatically approve specific products. In Europe, meanwhile, 21Shares launched a Jito-staked Solana exchange-traded product in January, providing listed exposure to SOL with integrated staking features. Jito’s prominence in the liquidity and staking space is reflected in its TVL, which hovered around $1.1 billion after peaking above $3.0 billion in 2025, according to DefiLlama data.

The evolving landscape around liquid staking, staking revenues, and on-chain reward mechanics sits at the intersection of technology, regulation, and market structure. Investors are watching how these products align with existing surveillance, valuation standards, and consumer protection requirements as new variants of staking exposure enter mainstream trading venues. The debate over whether staking-derived yield should be treated as a security, a yield instrument, or a synthetic exposure continues to shape how products get approved and marketed in regulated markets.

Market dynamics outside the United States add texture to the conversation. As mentioned, Europe has already welcomed a Jito-backed exposure through 21Shares, signaling an appetite for product design that blends price exposure with staking rewards. The global appetite for regulated staking products reflects a broader trend toward translating on-chain value accrual into familiar investment constructs that traditional investors can access without direct operational responsibilities on a blockchain network.

Overall, the idea of a liquid staking ETF for JitoSOL sits at a crossroads of innovation and regulation. It highlights how asset ownership, reward compounding, and on-chain security contributions can be packaged into tradable vehicles while attempting to meet the same standards that govern more conventional assets. The regulatory path ahead is nuanced, but the direction—toward structured exposure to staking economics within established market frameworks—appears to be gaining momentum.

Why it matters

For investors, a Nasdaq-listed JitoSOL ETF would provide a regulated, transparent channel to participate in the Solana staking economy without the operational overhead of running validators. The vehicle would anchor staking yields within a familiar product structure, potentially improving accessibility and diversification for crypto yield seekers. For builders and validators, widespread ETF exposure could bolster liquidity and create more robust on-chain-to-off-chain capital links, potentially increasing the velocity of staking-derived rewards across markets. For regulators, the proposal foregrounds the importance of clear surveillance and custody standards when bridging on-chain activity with traditional financial markets, a dynamic that is likely to inform future rulemakings and product approvals.

From a market context perspective, the emergence of liquid staking-linked ETFs aligns with a broader push to offer regulated access to decentralized finance concepts. As liquidity, risk sentiment, and macro conditions shape crypto markets, these products may influence how institutions allocate crypto exposure and how retail participants manage yield-oriented strategies within a compliant framework. The success or failure of the JitoSOL listing could also influence the pace at which other liquid staking tokens pursue similar registrations, potentially widening the spectrum of staking-backed instruments available in U.S. markets.

What to watch next

Regulatory decision timeline: The SEC has a 45-day window from Federal Register publication to approve or disapprove, with possible extensions up to 90 days.

Nasdaq listing decision: The exchange’s review and any required disclosures will determine whether the JitoSOL ETF advances to the next stage.

Market acceptance: How traders price the trust and how NAV tracking via the VWAP index holds against on-chain SOL staking dynamics.

Comparative launches: Developments in European ETPs and U.S. competing staking-exposure products (SSK, ESK, ETHE, GSOL) may shape investor expectations and pricing.

Sources & verification

Nasdaq filing SR-NASDQ-2026-010 detailing the proposed listing of a JitoSOL-based ETF and the use of 5711(d) for commodity-based trust shares.

SEC commentary and staff guidance on spot BTC/ETH approvals and liquid staking considerations, as referenced in the filing and related communications.

MarketVector JitoSol VWAP Close Index as the basis for valuing trust shares and its methodology for price tracking.

DefiLlama data on Jito’s total value locked (TVL), cited as around $1.1 billion after a peak above $3.0 billion in 2025.

European exposure such as 21Shares’ Jito-staked Solana ETP and the Rex-Osprey U.S. staking ETF lineup including SSK and ESK, which illustrate broader market interest in staking-based products.

Nasdaq eyes listed exposure to JitoSOL amid a shifting staking landscape

Nasdaq’s bid to list the VanEck JitoSOL ETF marks a notable step in the maturation of on-chain staking products within traditional market structures. By directly holding JitoSOL (CRYPTO: JTO), the proposed vehicle would provide a regulated path to Solana’s staking economics, anchoring investor claims to a fungible token that represents staked SOL (CRYPTO: SOL) and the accrued rewards. The approach leverages a NAV framework that encapsulates compounded yields, contrasting with older yield-distribution models and aligning with how many conventional funds account for performance alongside custody and surveillance considerations.

The regulatory dialogue remains nuanced. While the SEC has signaled openness to generic listing standards as a vehicle to accommodate certain digital-asset exposures, it also demands rigorous disclosures and robust market safeguards. The absence of a regulated futures market for JitoSOL adds another layer of complexity, but the filing argues that a well-structured liquid staking token can still meet the standards required for listing through alternative means. If the proposal clears the review, it would join a small but growing set of US products attempting to bridge on-chain staking with mainstream investment channels.

Beyond the United States, the market has already shown appetite for staking-integrated exposure. Europe’s 21Shares has offered a Jito-staked Solana ETP since January, demonstrating demand for listed access to SOL-backed staking yields. In the U.S., comparable products such as the Rex-Osprey SSK and ESK funds and Grayscale’s staking-related ETFs indicate that investors are seeking institutional-grade vehicles to access staking economics without navigating on-chain complexities. The convergence of these products suggests that custody, governance, and surveillance standards will define the pace at which new staking-based vehicles arrive in both regulated markets and crypto-native platforms.

Whether Nasdaq’s bid to introduce the JitoSOL ETF becomes a blueprint for future liquid-staking listings may depend on how the SEC interprets the evolving landscape of staking receipts and related on-chain activity. For market participants, the potential listing provides a focal point for assessing risk, yield, and regulatory alignment across a spectrum of products that connect the on-chain economy with traditional finance rails. The outcome could shape subsequent filings, influence how staking rewards are accounted for in NAV calculations, and influence investor expectations about the accessibility of staking-based yields through regulated exchanges.

This article was originally published as SEC Seeks Approval for JitoSOL Solana Liquid Staking Token ETF on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

米国の議員と規制当局は、ポリマーケットとアクシオンを巡る著名なインサイダー取引の物語が展開する中で、予測市場に対する焦点を強めています。中心には、オンチェーン調査員ザックXBTの主張があり、アクシオンの従業員であるブルックス・バウアーと他の者たちが、内部ツールを使用して敏感なユーザーデータにアクセスし、利益を上げるインサイダー取引を実行したとされています。この行為は、研究者によれば2025年初頭から続いている可能性があります。タイミングは注目に値します：ポリマーケットのトレーダーたちは、ザックXBTの開示の結果に対して大きな賭けを置いており、その活動は数千万ドルに迫っています。それに対し、アクシオンは、関与したツールへのアクセスを削除し、調査を行い、責任を持つ者を追及することを約束しました。このエピソードは、進化する予測市場エコシステム内でのガバナンスとユーザー保護の試練として位置付けられています。

The AI-driven data-center expansion is increasingly financed through debt, and lenders are weighing risk and opportunity in the AI-infrastructure and crypto-mining nexus. TheEnergyMag’s latest newsletter tracks roughly $33 billion in long-term senior notes raised over the past 12 months, excluding convertible debt, underscoring how traditional lenders view capture risk and growth potential in this space. In parallel, debt markets show widening spreads: AI- and crypto-linked issuers typically pay 7%–9% coupons, versus 4%–5% for regulated utilities. The momentum comes as Nvidia reports robust AI demand, while Bitcoin miners map a path toward dozens of gigawatts of new power capacity to support AI workloads.

Key takeaways

AI data-center issuers have raised about $33 billion in long-term senior notes over the past year, excluding convertible debt, illustrating the scale of capital chasing AI compute capacity tied to crypto operations.

Debt pricing shows a notable spread: AI/crypto-linked papers are typically priced around 7%–9% coupon, compared with 4%–5% for traditional regulated utilities.

Recent placements include CoreWeave at 9.25% in May 2025 and 9% in July 2025, Applied Digital at 9.2% in November 2025, TeraWulf at 7.75%, and Cipher Mining at 7.125% and 6.125% as part of diversified AI-infrastructure financing.

Nvidia’s fourth-quarter results underline sustained AI demand as a macro driver for data-center investments, with net income at about $43 billion and revenue near $68.1 billion, up sharply year over year.

Bitcoin miners are targeting roughly 30 gigawatts of new power capacity to run AI workloads, a figure that would nearly triple current capacity and signal a coordinated push into AI-centric compute.

Tickers mentioned: $BTC

Sentiment: Neutral

Market context: The move to finance AI infrastructure via high-yield debt sits at the intersection of AI demand, crypto mining expansion, and a debt market that increasingly values long-dated, growth-oriented assets with offtake risk. As lenders price risk, capital flows reveal how investors are balancing the prospect of AI-driven compute with the volatility and energy-intense nature of crypto operations.

Why it matters

The current financing environment highlights a broader redefinition of what counts as infrastructure in the digital era. Projects that blend AI compute with crypto mining—whether repurposed data centers or greenfield AI data-hub builds—are increasingly treated as growth credits rather than traditional utility-style assets. This shift matters for developers and investors because it widens the pool of potential capital, but at a higher financing cost reflective of perceived tail risks, project complexity, and energy demand. The elevated coupons imply lenders are pricing in uncertainties around offtake arrangements, energy supply contracts, and regulatory risk, even as long-term demand for AI workloads remains a tailwind for data-center-heavy businesses.

The Nvidia earnings backdrop reinforces how AI compute can catalyze investment waves across adjacent sectors. Nvidia’s fourth-quarter performance—net income of about $43 billion and revenue of $68.1 billion, with year-over-year profit growth approaching the mid-to-high double digits—signals robust demand for AI accelerators and the compute capacity that data centers must deliver. While Nvidia is not a crypto-specific company, its results illuminate the demand side of AI infrastructure that, in turn, informs how lenders price risk for related projects. In parallel, Bitcoin miners’ plans to pursue roughly 30 gigawatts of new power capacity for AI workloads suggest a deliberate alignment between hash-rate economics and AI compute needs, potentially shaping energy markets and grid usage for years to come.

The financing narrative also underscores why some observers view the AI-infrastructure supercycle as broader than crypto alone. The sector’s access to capital hinges on how easily developers can secure long-duration debt with credible offtake, and how regulators and utilities respond to aggregate energy demand. The mix of blue-chip AI demand signals and crypto-driven compute pipelines paints a picture of a market that is increasingly comfortable funding ambitious buildouts—yet only under terms that reflect the complexity and risk of these multi-use facilities.

For readers tracking the intersection of AI, crypto, and infrastructure finance, the core takeaway is clarity: lenders are increasingly differentiating between steady, regulated load and growth-oriented, asset-light models that rely on AI-driven demand. That distinction translates into a bifurcated debt market where some projects on the frontier of AI infrastructure can access capital at high yields, while others with less certain offtake or regulatory clarity may see more muted appetite. The practical implication is a potential deceleration in some buildouts if the cadence of funding slows or if risk pricing tightens further, even as marquee projects with visible AI demand and confirmed long-term offtake can attract funding dollars more readily. The convergence of AI compute, crypto mining, and energy capacity decisions therefore remains a critical lens for investors navigating 2026 funding cycles.

Links and references from the reporting track the contours of this evolution. For instance, recent bonds tied to AI infrastructure were highlighted by TheEnergyMag’s analysis, which cites deals ranging into the 7%–9% coupon band. The same narrative is echoed in a presentation from Janus Henderson Investors, drawing on research from BofA Global Research, that underscores selective issuance in the high-yield space for 2026. At the project level, public disclosures and industry reporting have highlighted strategic moves by miners and AI infrastructure players, including stakes and capacity expansions in U.S. sites and AI-driven data-center deployments, which you can corroborate through industry updates linked below.

Related coverage includes a Canaan-led expansion in Texas mining sites and a Google-backed stake in Cipher Mining as part of broader AI-deal strategies that tie mining assets to compute demand. These developments illustrate how the collateral base for crypto-related data centers is expanding beyond traditional power contracts to include AI workloads and software-defined infrastructure. The broader takeaway is that the convergence of AI and crypto compute is reshaping both the risk-return profile and the capital allocation frameworks for data-center projects across the sector.

For readers seeking the underlying documents and official statements shaping these conclusions, the linked materials offer direct insight into issuer terms, credit ratings, and the strategic narratives driving these financing choices. The discussion remains dynamic: as AI adoption accelerates, lenders will recalibrate risk premia, and developers will adapt by locking in offtake commitments, hedging energy costs, and exploring hybrid models that blend traditional infrastructure with growth-oriented, AI-enabled compute.

What to watch next

Upcoming bond issuances by AI-infrastructure developers and crypto-mining operators, including pricing, term sheets, and offtake arrangements.

Regulatory developments affecting data-center expansions, energy usage, and crypto mining operations that could influence debt pricing and project viability.

Updates on AI workload adoption by mining-centric or multi-use data centers, with potential implications for energy demand and grid resilience.

Further commentary from chipmakers and AI platforms on demand trajectories and capital expenditure plans that could influence future risk pricing.

Sources & verification

TheEnergyMag newsletter tracking about $33 billion in long-term senior notes tied to AI data-center and related projects: https://www.minerweekly.com/p/33-billion-bonds-ai-arms-race?

Janus Henderson Investors article on high-yield bonds outlook citing BofA Global Research: https://www.janushenderson.com/en-ch/investor/article/high-yield-bonds-outlook-increasing-selectivity-in-2026/

Canaan’s stake expansion in Texas mining sites: https://cointelegraph.com/news/canaan-buys-49-stake-texas-bitcoin-mining-sites-40m

Google’s stake in Cipher Mining as part of an AI deal: https://cointelegraph.com/news/google-acquires-5-4-stake-in-bitcoin-mining-company-cipher-mining-in-ai-deal

AI infrastructure financing reshapes risk in crypto data centers

This article was originally published as High-Yield Bond Surge Flags Rising Risk, BTC Mining & AI Infra on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

In online crypto circles, a persistent debate has emerged around whether a quantitative trading firm could nudge Bitcoin’s price at the moment U.S. markets open. Proponents point to a recognizable 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time pattern as potential evidence of coordinated selling, while critics caution that such a signal is not definitive proof of manipulation and may reflect broader market mechanics. The discussion intensified a day after a court-appointed administrator overseeing Terraform Labs’ affairs filed a suit against Jane Street, alleging insider trading tied to Terra’s May 2022 collapse. The intersection of high-speed trading, ETF liquidity, and opaque hedging strategies has kept traders watching the clock as BTC moves through daily cycles.

Key takeaways

Allegations focus on a recurring 10:00 a.m. ET window at the market open, but analysts say this does not constitute conclusive manipulation or a sole driver of BTC’s price trajectory.

Public filings show Jane Street’s exposure to BlackRock’s IBIT ETF, alongside stakes in Bitcoin mining firms, suggesting hedging and liquidity strategies rather than a simple directional bet.

Industry voices argue that a single institution cannot control a global, liquid market as fragmented as Bitcoin, even if some trading strategies amplify volatility around open hours.

Delta-neutral approaches—holding spot exposure while selling futures—are cited as a common method for capturing spreads rather than betting on direction, according to market observers.

The discourse features a mix of on-chain data, trading analytics, and public posts from market observers, underscoring the complexity of disclosures and how net exposure can be obscured.

Contextual factors such as geopolitical risk and competition for investor attention from AI-related equities are cited as broader drivers of BTC price moves beyond any single firm’s activity.

Tickers mentioned: $BTC, $IBIT

Sentiment: Neutral

Market context: The dialogue unfolds amid a broader crypto environment characterized by liquidity fluctuations, evolving ETF dynamics, and ongoing regulatory and macro influences shaping how traders price risk and opportunities.

Why it matters

The debate touches on the core questions facing crypto markets: how liquidity, disclosure, and algorithmic trading intersect with real-world price discovery. If a large player can influence the clock at which liquidity sweeps occur or how efficiently a spot market absorbs ETF-related flows, that could have implications for price integrity and market education. Yet the consensus among many analysts is that Bitcoin’s price formation remains a product of multiple forces, including macro risk appetite, capital allocation shifts, and competitive attention toward AI-driven tech and growth narratives.

At stake is trust in market transparency. For traders, the issue highlights the importance of understanding how publicly reported positions, hedges, and complex derivatives can mask net exposure. For regulators and exchanges, it underscores the need for clear, timely disclosures that help market participants distinguish legitimate liquidity activity from attempts to edge the price. For investors, the episode reinforces a prudent approach: interpret open-hour moves in the context of the broader market regime rather than attributing them to a single actor.

The discourse also intersects with ongoing legal and regulatory developments. The Terraform administrator’s lawsuit against Jane Street and the ongoing scrutiny of ETF structures like IBIT keep the conversation anchored in concrete questions about governance, disclosure requirements, and the boundaries of high-frequency market making in a frontier asset class. While proponents of a conspiracy narrative may highlight specific posts or data points, skeptics point to a broader pattern: markets are influenced by a constellation of participants with diverse strategies, and attribution to one firm oversimplifies the dynamics at play.

What to watch next

Updates in the Terraform-related litigation against Jane Street, including any new filings or court rulings that may illuminate insider-trading claims.

New or amended 13-F filings from Jane Street that shed light on hedging strategies, including positions in IBIT and mining-related equities, and any disclosed derivatives that could affect net Bitcoin exposure.

On-chain and market data around the 10:00–10:30 a.m. ET window to assess whether any statistically significant patterns persist in the near term.

Regulatory or industry guidance on disclosure practices for large ETF components and liquidity providers that could affect how market participants interpret “hidden” exposure.

Monitoring broader market signals—geopolitical developments, liquidity conditions, and AI-sector performance—that could influence Bitcoin independently of any singular trading desk.

Sources & verification

Court-appointed administrator filing related to Terra/Labs and Jane Street, alleging insider trading tied to the May 2022 collapse.

Jane Street’s 13-F filings showing holdings in BlackRock’s IBIT ETF and stakes in Bitcoin mining companies such as Bitfarms, Cipher Mining, and Hut 8.

Public posts and commentary from market observers, including Bechler’s discussions on 10:00 a.m. ET moves and the contention that IBIT-related hedging could conceal net exposure.

CryptoQuant head of research Julio Moreno’s analysis on whether the described activity is unique to a single firm or part of delta-neutral trading patterns commonly used to capture spreads.

Industry analysts’ assessments of whether a single actor can meaningfully drive BTC price given the structure and depth of the market, including critiques of the “10 a.m. dump” narrative by researchers such as Alex Krüger.

Market reaction and key details

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) has long been a magnet for debate over who moves the market and when. In recent weeks, observers have spotlighted a recurring pattern that some traders interpret as a 10:00 a.m. ET “dump” coinciding with the U.S. market open. Proponents of the theory argue that a firm with deep liquidity, such as Jane Street, could deploy algorithmic sales to reap benefits from ETF inflows and to acquire spot Bitcoin at a discount on the open. A prominent critic of the narrative, however, notes that a single actor is unlikely to set the tone for a market as diffuse as Bitcoin’s, where liquidity is drawn from a wide array of exchanges and participants across multiple jurisdictions.

One thread of the debate centers on Jane Street’s disclosed exposure to the IBIT ETF, alongside positions in mining-related equities. Bechler, a crypto influencer, suggested that if Jane Street carries roughly $790 million in IBIT, the actual net Bitcoin exposure could be largely hedged away, masked by options and futures combinations rather than a straightforward long or short bet. This line of reasoning emphasizes that public filings reveal only a fragment of a much larger, more complex risk posture, where hedges might offset or even invert visible positions.

Yet others push back on the idea that the activity is unique to Jane Street. CryptoQuant’s Julio Moreno cautioned that many funds employ delta-neutral strategies—buying spot exposure while selling futures—to capture spreads without committing to a directional bet. In practice, these maneuvers can appear as divergent price actions around the open while serving to maintain neutral exposure in volatile markets. Moreno’s observations underscore a broader point: the mechanics of hedging frequently blend with price movement in ways that are not easily ascribed to a single firm’s choice of timing or size.

In the eyes of some researchers, even a credible pattern around the open does not translate into a bear-market engine powered by one institution. Nick Puckrin of Coin Bureau argued that Bitcoin’s price dynamics are inherently multifactorial, and a solitary actor—even one as large as Jane Street—cannot unilaterally dictate longer-term moves. He framed the conversation as part of a more nuanced reality: price action is shaped by geopolitical risk, global liquidity conditions, and the ongoing competition for attention among high-growth tech sectors, including AI.

As the market digests these viewpoints, the intersection of legality, disclosure, and market structure remains a live area of inquiry. The Terra-related lawsuit and the ongoing discourse about ETF flows highlight the need for transparency in how large players interact with both spot markets and derivative instruments. The broader takeaway is not a verdict on manipulation, but a reminder that the Bitcoin market’s depth and fragmentation make it resistant to easy explanations or simple villains.

This article was originally published as Analysts Rebuke Jane Street 10am Dump; Bitcoin Not Easily Manipulated on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

暗号専門家が攻撃を受けています：偽の会議リンクがデジタル資産業界を狙っています

暗号通貨とWeb3エコシステムは常に革新、機会を引き寄せてきましたが、残念ながらますます洗練された詐欺も増えています。

最近数ヶ月で、デジタル資産、取引、ベンチャーキャピタル、ブロックチェーン開発に従事する専門家が、デバイスを妥協させ、機密アカウントへのアクセスを得るために設計された非常に説得力のあるソーシャルエンジニアリングの試みを報告しています。

従来の明らかなミスで満たされたフィッシングメールとは異なり、これらの新しい攻撃は慎重に構築され、忍耐強く、非常に個別化されています。

編集者の注記：以下のブリーフィングは、Kasperskyによって発見された新しいフィッシングキャンペーンの概要を示しています。このキャンペーンは、正当なGoogle Tasksの通知をハイジャックして企業の資格情報を盗みます。攻撃者は信頼できるサービスを装い、@google.comドメインや社内の手がかりを利用して標準のフィルターを回避し、ユーザーに迅速に行動するよう圧力をかけます。被害者はリンクをクリックして詐欺的な従業員確認フォームを完成させるよう求められ、無許可のアクセスを許す可能性のある機密資格情報が暴露されます。この助言は、犯罪者が馴染みのあるツールを利用して悪用する進化する戦術と、企業環境における警戒の重要性を強調しています。

編集者からのメモ：Nvidiaの最新の収益発表は、急成長しているAIインフラストラクチャサイクルを強調しており、同社は期待を上回り、FY2027年第1四半期の780億ドルをガイダンスしています。データセンター部門が成長を牽引し、マージンは堅調に推移しています。ハイパースケール顧客はAI展開を拡大しています。このプレビューは、AI対応データセンターがデジタルトランスフォーメーションの中心的なエンジンになりつつあるというより広範な傾向を示しています。Nvidiaはその波の中心に位置しています。

主なポイント

NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) は、FY2027年第1四半期の収益中央値を780億米ドルとガイダンスを示し、コンセンサスを上回ります。

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates— Senior leaders from global finance, digital asset infrastructure, and regulatory institutions will convene in Abu Dhabi on May 13, 2026, for the inaugural Digital Assets Forum Abu Dhabi — a highly curated gathering examining the adoption of digital assets under the UAE’s progressive regulatory framework.

The forum comes amid rapid institutional momentum across the Gulf. The UAE has emerged as a global leader in digital asset regulation, providing structured licensing regimes, sovereign-backed innovation programs, and a robust ecosystem where banks, asset managers, and institutional investors are actively deploying capital and forming strategic partnerships.

Following the successful third edition of Digital Assets Forum in London — which gathered nearly 2,000 senior attendees from global banks, asset managers, and infrastructure providers — the forum now expands to the Middle East at a pivotal moment.

“Across our successful London editions, we have seen how regulatory clarity drives institutional engagement,” said Victoria Gago, Co-Founder of Digital Assets Forum. “Abu Dhabi is now at the center of a structural shift in global finance, with capital concentration, infrastructure buildout, and global firms relocating headquarters. This forum brings together the decision-makers who are shaping the future of digital finance and turning strategy into action.”

Confirmed institutional speakers include Christoph Richter, Head of Digital Assets & AI at ADGM; Sebastian Widmann, Head of Dubai at Komainu; Karl Naim, Group Chief Commercial Officer at XBTO Middle East; Yan Ma, Executive Director at Spartan Group; Catrina Wang, General Partner at Portal Ventures; Elliot Andrews, CEO of Aspen Digital; and Rachel Conlan, Global Chief Marketing Officer at Binance.

DAF Abu Dhabi  will examine UAE digital asset regulation versus other jurisdictions, institutional digital asset management and portfolio strategies, stablecoins, payments and CBDCs, DeFi and TradFi integration, real-world asset tokenisation (RWA), the state of crypto ETFs, liquidity, custody and institutional market infrastructure, and institutional risk management frameworks — all with a focus on practical outcomes that enable investment, capital allocation, and partnership execution.

Digital Assets Forum Abu Dhabi is designed as a highly curated, executive-level gathering focused on deal-making, capital deployment, and strategic partnership formation. The format includes main-stage panels, closed-door sessions, dedicated one-to-one meeting areas, and private briefing rooms. The objective is not retail awareness, but to translate dialogue into tangible agreements and coordinated investment strategies for 2026 and beyond.

About Digital Assets Forum

Digital Assets Forum is a global institutional series bridging traditional finance and digital assets.

The Abu Dhabi edition marks its expansion into the Middle East, following established editions in London.

Launched in 2018 in Barcelona, the European Blockchain Convention — organiser of Digital Assets Forum — has become one of Europe’s leading blockchain platforms for financial institutions, policymakers, and infrastructure providers integrating blockchain into mainstream finance.

For tickets and information:

You can get 15% Discount General Pass with our Code: CRYPTOBREAKING15: www.eblockchainconvention.com/digital-assets-forum-abu-dhabi/

This article was originally published as UAE Institutional Leaders Gather in Abu Dhabi as Digital Asset Strategy Accelerates Across the Gulf on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

中東の地政学的緊張の高まりが、投資家がリスクを評価する方法に影響を与えており、安全資産が注目を集めています。株式市場や暗号市場が再調整する中で、新たな指標はヘッジ行動が定着していることを示しています：イランからの石油流出は増加しており、主要市場での金の需要も高まっています。トレーダーは潜在的な混乱やマクロのボラティリティに対抗するためのバラストを求めています。同時に、暗号市場はリスク感情を左右できる流入のミックスに反応しており、イランの核政策やより広範な政策リスクに関する継続的な対話が市場の議論の中心である理由を強調しています。

Gate, the crypto exchange behind a platform that serves millions of users worldwide, has cleared another regulatory milestone in Europe. The Malta-based group received a Payment Institution license from the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), authorizing Gate Technology to provide regulated payment services across the European Union under the PSD2 framework. The move broadens Gate’s EU footprint beyond trading and custody into fiat and stablecoin payment rails within the bloc, reinforcing its strategy to fuse traditional payments infrastructure with Web3 capabilities in Europe. Gate notes that its global user base surpasses 49 million, underscoring the potential reach of an EU-wide payments platform. This latest authorization complements Gate’s prior MiCA license achievement, which granted cross-border exchange and custody capabilities across member states starting in 2025.

Key takeaways

Gate Technology received a PSD2-based Payment Institution license from MFSA, enabling regulated payment services across the EU.

The license expands Gate’s EU operations from crypto trading and custody into fiat and stablecoin payment infrastructure with passporting across member states.

The development builds on Gate’s prior MiCA authorization, announced on Oct. 1, 2025, which allowed exchange and custody services throughout the EU.

The MFSA listing confirms the authorization covers payment accounts and related operations, signaling a broadening of Gate’s regulated activities beyond crypto custody.

The move reflects a broader industry trend, with other exchanges like OKX also securing Malta payment licenses to support euro-denominated payments within regulated rails.

Tickers mentioned:

Market context: The industry is increasingly aligning crypto services with traditional payments regulation in the European Union, particularly under MiCA and PSD2, to enable regulated, cross-border flows for crypto-related payments and stablecoins.

Sentiment: Neutral

Price impact: Neutral. The licensing news signals regulatory alignment and potential product expansion, but does not by itself indicate immediate price moves.

Trading idea (Not Financial Advice): Hold. As Gate expands its EU payments capabilities, strategic execution and regulatory milestones will influence momentum, but investors should watch timelines and product launches for concrete impact.

Market context: The Maltese authorization sits within a broader EU push to regulate crypto-enabled payments. With MiCA shaping governance of crypto-asset providers and PSD2 guiding payment services, exchanges are increasingly obtaining cross-border licenses to deliver euro-denominated, regulated payments alongside crypto trading.

Why it matters

The MFSA’s decision to grant Gate Technology a PSD2-based Payment Institution license elevates Gate’s position from a crypto-trading platform to a dual-rails provider that can handle both digital assets and fiat payments within Europe. This is not merely a compliance tick-box; it expands the company’s ability to offer payment services that connect traditional financial rails with Web3 applications. For users, this could translate into streamlined on- and off-ramps, simpler fiat-to-crypto exchanges, and potentially cost-efficient mechanisms for transferring value across borders within the bloc.

From a strategic perspective, Gate’s move aligns with a growing trend among major crypto firms seeking to embed themselves more deeply in regulated payment ecosystems. By leveraging PSD2, Gate can passport payment services across EU member states, a capability that complements its MiCA authorization which already opened the door to cross-border exchange and custody. In practice, this means Gate aims to provide a more seamless experience for institutions and retail customers who rely on both crypto services and conventional payment rails—for example, funding accounts with cash or withdrawing funds into traditional bank accounts, all within a tightly regulated framework.

While the public benefits are clear, several questions remain. Gate did not specify which payment products it intends to launch first or the exact rollout timeline across EU markets. Industry observers will be watching for details on whether Gate will introduce fiat-to-crypto gateways, card-based payments, or stablecoin-enabled transfers tied to EU payment rails. The MFSA listing confirms that payment accounts and related operations are within Gate’s scope, but product-level specifics will determine how quickly end users experience tangible advantages.

In this environment, Gate’s competitors are also pursuing similar regulatory paths. OKX, for instance, obtained a Malta Payment Institution license to support products such as OKX Pay and the OKX Card, illustrating a coordinated push among exchanges to secure regulated access to euro-denominated payment channels. Under MiCA, providers that integrate stablecoin payments into regulated rails must stay aligned with EU payments law, which makes these licensing steps an increasingly common prerequisite for exchanges seeking broader European reach. As such, Gate’s PSD2 authorization is best understood as part of a wider shift toward regulated, interoperable crypto-financial services in Europe.

What to watch next

Clarified product roadmap: Gate should reveal which payment services will launch first (fiat on/off ramps, card integration, or stablecoin payments) and the expected rollout timeline across EU member states.

Regulatory cadence: Any MFSA-guided milestones or updates to Gate’s obligations under PSD2 and MiCA, including governance, reporting, or consumer protection enhancements.

Merchant and institution adoption: Partnerships with banks, merchants, or fintechs that can leverage Gate’s regulated payment rails, potentially accelerating euro-denominated payment flows for crypto users.

Cross-border usage: Practical tests of passporting capabilities across multiple EU jurisdictions and any friction points in onboarding or KYC processes for EU customers.

Sources & verification

Gate Technology’s Malta PSD2 license grant announced by Gate via its public announcements.

The MFSA public authorization catalogue listing Gate Technology as a licensed Payment Institution under Malta’s Financial Institutions Act.

Gate’s earlier MiCA authorization announcement, confirming cross-border exchange and custody permissions across EU member states.

OKX Malta Payment Institution license announcement as part of the broader EU compliance trend among major exchanges.

Gate expands EU payments with PSD2 license in Malta

Gate has openly described its Malta MFSA authorization as a strategic bridge between established payment infrastructure and emerging Web3 services across the European Union. The Maltese license is a formal recognition that Gate Technology can perform a spectrum of regulated payment activities, including initiating transfer operations, maintaining payment accounts, and enabling funds movement that originates from or terminates in the EU. In practical terms, Gate can, under PSD2, facilitate the kinds of payments that users expect when interacting with crypto platforms—cash-in and cash-out flows, transfers between wallets and bank accounts, and perhaps merchant-enabled payments that bridge crypto and fiat rails—without stepping outside regulatory boundaries.

The MFSA’s listing also underscores Gate’s ambition to deliver a fully compliant suite of services that integrate traditional financial rails with digital-asset tools. While the company has not named specific products for immediate launch, the authorization confirms a regulatory green light for operations that handle customer payments in a way that mirrors conventional financial institutions. This is particularly relevant for entities dealing with stablecoins, where staying within the ambit of regulated payment and electronic-money frameworks can facilitate smoother operations across borders while preserving consumer protections and compliance standards.

Market observers will be watching how Gate leverages this license to grow its European footprint, especially given the substantial scale of its user base. Gate reports a global user count exceeding 49 million, a figure that, if translated into EU activity, could significantly boost demand for euro-denominated payment solutions tied to crypto services. Yet the company’s reluctance to disclose a detailed EU user composition or a concrete product launch schedule hints at a cautious approach as it integrates new regulatory capabilities with its existing product lineup. In a sector where regulatory clarity is a competitive differentiator, Gate’s PSD2 license is a meaningful step toward a more seamless, compliant, and enterprise-friendly crypto ecosystem in Europe.

This article was originally published as Gate Gains Malta Payments License, Expands EU Fiat & Stablecoins on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Kraken introduces Flexline for Pro users

Kraken has introduced Kraken Flexline, a crypto-backed loan product to Kraken Pro members. The service enables users to borrow against supported digital assets without the need to sell their holdings. The company targets advanced and institutional traders through its Pro platform.

Flexline provides two-day to two-year-term, fixed-rate loans. Borrowers will be able to get proceeds in cryptocurrencies or stablecoins. Therefore, eligible users may trade the funds on the platform or withdraw them, depending on jurisdictional rules. Kraken has restricted access in several countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom.

Annual percentage rates range from 10% to 25%, according to the exchange’s website. Kraken has not disclosed specific loan-to-value ratios. Users may repay loans early through their account balances, although early repayment fees apply.

Collateral structure and risk controls

Kraken demands borrowers to post supported cryptocurrencies as collateral. The funds are credited to the platform virtually immediately upon approval. The exchange maintains collateral in segregated wallets and incorporates it into its Proof of Reserves attestations, which certify client assets on a 1:1 basis.

Source: Kraken

Kraken can sell off collateral in case a borrower does not meet maintenance obligations or does not repay the loan before the maturity date. According to the exchange, these controls are meant to contain credit risk and ensure transparency. The company markets the product as a formalized alternative to unstructured crypto lending services at variable rates.

Crypto-backed lending gains momentum across exchanges, DeFi and traditional finance

Kraken’s launch follows renewed revival of crypto-backed lending markets. Coinbase has recently increased its collateral loan provision. US eligible users are now able to borrow up to $100,000 in USDC with collateral against assets like XRP, Dogecoin, Cardano, and Litecoin.

Holding XRP, DOGE, ADA, or LTC?

Now you can unlock the value of your portfolio without giving up your position.

Borrow up to $100k in USDC against your tokens, instantly, without selling.

Available now in the U.S. (ex. NY). pic.twitter.com/Uozxim3t7C

— Coinbase (@coinbase) February 18, 2026

Decentralized finance lending protocols also continue to grow. DeFiLlama data indicates that the sector carries a total value of approximately $51.9 billion, of which nearly $30.8 billion is borrowed. Apollo Global Management also ventured into the space by partnering in the blockchain-based lending infrastructure.

The trends signal continued interest in crypto-backed liquidity solutions in exchanges, DeFi and traditional finance.

This article was originally published as Kraken launches Flexline fixed-rate crypto loans for its Pro Users on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

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