Regulation & Policy

Polish lawmakers failed to override President Nawrocki's veto on a cryptocurrency regulation bill aimed at aligning with EU standards. Tensions rise as accusations emerge of Russian influence in a major crypto exchange amid liquidity issues and lack of regulation.

Patrick Witt announced at the Solana Policy Institute summit that the White House mediated a stablecoin dispute to advance the Clarity Act. The compromise allows banks and crypto firms to together address regulatory concerns, with future focus on crypto taxation and blockchain integration strategies among financial institutions.

The Hong Kong SFC warns that prediction markets are speculative and not investment products, lacking regulatory protection. They involve gambling elements, potentially making them illegal. The committee urges the public to differentiate between investment and gambling.

Alejandro Grisanti, head of Ecoanalitica, proposed issuing a national USD stablecoin as part of a series of measures to lift currency controls in Venezuela. This system would complement the current auction system, allowing the excluded sector to receive dollars via blockchain rails. Key

Senator Elizabeth Warren accused SEC Chair Paul Atkins of misleading Congress about enforcement actions' decline. With only 456 new cases in 2025, concerns arise regarding the SEC's effectiveness and the regulatory landscape for cryptocurrency and market oversight.

Lawmakers are delaying the CLARITY Act due to ongoing negotiations on stablecoin provisions, with timing uncertain and potential markup pushed to late April or early May. Kevin Warsh’s financial disclosures add complexity to regulatory discussions.

Democratic senators are scrutinizing the Trump administration's oversight of a cryptocurrency exchange linked to $1.7 billion in Iranian transactions, questioning its AML controls and a lenient bank settlement on sanctions evasion.

French Finance Minister Roland Lescure urged for greater use of euro-pegged stablecoins and active involvement from European banks to enhance competitiveness in the digital asset market, highlighting the need for deposit tokens to bridge traditional finance and blockchain technology.

SEC Chair Paul Atkins launched his podcast "Material Matters," featuring Commissioners Hester Peirce and Mark Uyeda. They discussed a pro-innovation regulatory approach, criticizing past leadership and advocating for an open regulatory environment for digital assets.

China plans to enhance its network legal system to address the needs of internet development, focusing on legislation for AI, digital economy, and other tech sectors. By December 2025, over 180 laws are expected, though current regulations still lag behind public expectations.

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal has requested clarification from the DOJ and FinCEN regarding compliance monitors for a major cryptocurrency exchange, amid concerns over compliance failures linked to substantial funds associated with Iran.

Kim Sang-hun, chairman of the Democratic Party's Digital Asset Special Committee, urged for prompt legislation on stablecoins to maintain monetary sovereignty and provide market clarity, while avoiding equity disputes that could hinder progress.

Hong Kong's government has suspended its basketball betting project due to concerns over the rapid growth of prediction markets linked to illegal gambling. With monthly trading volumes rising dramatically, authorities aim to enhance public education and collaborate on measures against gambling.

Andrew Forrest is suing Meta, arguing it cannot claim Section 230 protections against liability for deceptive ads using his image to promote scams. A judge allowed his claims to proceed, potentially tightening Section 230 defenses for platforms regarding third-party ads.

Meta Platform Inc. is discontinuing its Libra cryptocurrency project due to regulatory pressures and is considering selling its assets through the Diem Association. The initiative faced significant setbacks from government scrutiny and loss of key partners.

Bitcoin developers are working on BIP-361 to protect against quantum computing threats by migrating funds to safer formats, potentially freezing 1.7 million BTC. Charles Hoskinson critiques the plan, arguing it may lead to permanent freezing of vulnerable coins. The debate highlights tensions in adapting Bitcoin's protocols.

Hong Kong has suspended the legalization of basketball betting this week, while also planning to launch a study to assess the impact of prediction markets in Hong Kong and their level of adoption. Macie Mak, Commissioner for Home and Youth Affairs in Hong Kong, said that the monthly trading volume of prediction markets has grown from less than $100 million two years ago to more than $13 billion last year, with about 40% related to sports.

Prediction market platform Kalshi has appealed a ruling by the state of Nevada banning its event contracts, and the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals held oral arguments on April 17, but did not issue an immediate decision after the hearing. The core dispute in the case is whether Kalshi’s event contracts are “swap agreements” that fall under the jurisdiction of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), or whether they must be regulated by state-level activity under gambling licensing regimes. Multiple legal experts predict that the case may ultimately be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

In a House hearing, U.S. CFTC Chairman Selig emphasized a “zero-tolerance policy” toward market fraud and manipulation. He responded to questions regarding a $500 million oil futures transaction and said the CFTC is drafting rules to regulate prediction markets. Selig also mentioned a cooperation memorandum of understanding with the SEC to strengthen oversight of digital assets. Given that the CFTC currently has only one commissioner—himself—Selig emphasized operational efficiency and will hire new staff to enhance regulatory capacity.

MTN Nigeria has suspended its Xtratime service due to new regulatory compliance from the FCCPC. While normal purchases continue, the suspension aims to align with upcoming digital lending rules. The company does not foresee significant financial impact and will monitor user response.