Regulation & Policy

The U.S. Treasury's OFAC sanctions list includes 518 Bitcoin addresses that have significantly engaged in crypto transactions, currently holding about 9,306 BTC valued at $707 million, highlighting the relationship between cryptocurrency and financial regulation.

The SEC has adopted a more lenient stance on crypto regulation, allowing some interfaces to operate without broker-dealer registration, but has not given blanket approval for the industry. Recent guidance clarifies how crypto assets are categorized, emphasizing that federal securities laws apply mainly to digital securities. Enforcement activity has decreased as the agency focuses on fraud and market integrity.

Poland’s parliament failed to override the president’s veto of the cryptocurrency regulatory bill, stalling the process of digital-asset legislation and making it one of the few countries in the EU that has not yet implemented the MiCA framework. Differences between the president and the government over the bill’s content led to a political stalemate, affecting market confidence and legal transparency.

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.