Flash News

TREE NEWS reports: Chainalysis has identified over 29,000 cryptocurrency addresses linked to child sexual abuse material (CSAM) networks across 125 countries through its ‘Operation Lighthouse’ initiative. The investigation highlights the use of crypto in illicit activities and the firm’s role in aiding law enforcement. This underscores ongoing efforts to combat financial crimes in the digital asset space.

TREE NEWS reports: The retrial of Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm has been postponed to April 2027. This delay extends the legal uncertainty for the crypto privacy tool, with implications for developers and the broader DeFi ecosystem.

TREE NEWS reports: Russian telecom operators and e-commerce platforms will begin accepting the digital ruble for payments starting in September. This marks a significant step in the rollout of Russia’s central bank digital currency (CBDC), expanding its use beyond pilot phases.

TREE NEWS reports: Dunamu, the operator of Upbit, has become the first cryptocurrency exchange in South Korea to integrate with the government’s administrative information sharing system. This move enhances regulatory compliance and operational transparency for the exchange.

TREE NEWS reports: Meta is reportedly discussing a settlement with multiple state attorneys general over a high-stakes lawsuit, potentially avoiding a lengthy trial. The talks are ongoing, and terms have not been disclosed.

TREE NEWS update: Caixin reports that Zhou Guren, the largest backer of the Trump family’s token, has been listed as a dishonest person (失信人) in China. This development raises concerns about the credibility and regulatory implications surrounding the token’s promotion.

TREE NEWS reports: Binance has brought in two senior compliance executives from Crypto.com to bolster its regulatory and compliance efforts. The move signals Binance’s continued focus on strengthening its global compliance posture amid ongoing regulatory scrutiny.

TREE NEWS reports: Crypto infrastructure firm Zerohash has submitted a second application for a trust bank charter with the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). This move underscores the growing trend of crypto firms seeking traditional banking status to offer regulated custody and trust services.

TREE NEWS reports: Kraken reported that a ‘dust attack’ originating from a sanctioned HTX wallet has locked out some customers. The exchange is investigating the incident, which involves small amounts of crypto sent to users, potentially triggering compliance protocols.

TREE NEWS update: The US Treasury has added Iran’s digital asset industry to its sanctions list, targeting crypto activities linked to the Iranian regime. This move aims to curb the use of digital currencies to bypass economic restrictions. The action underscores growing regulatory scrutiny over crypto’s role in sanctions evasion.

TREE NEWS update: Prediction market Kalshi has raised approximately $1.12 billion through equity financing, according to SEC filings, with a total offering size of $1.5 billion. The funds will support its expansion in the prediction market space.

TREE NEWS update: The US Treasury is intensifying efforts to cut off Iran’s access to the crypto economy, targeting its use of Bitcoin to evade sanctions. This move signals a broader crackdown on crypto-based sanctions evasion.

TREE NEWS reports: Kalshi launched the first CFTC-approved spot bitcoin perpetual futures on June 3, with $5.5B in trading volume in the first two weeks. The product targets US institutions, but critics warn of high risks for retail investors. Recent bitcoin volatility triggered $529M in liquidations in one hour.

TREE NEWS reports: MEXC has announced its withdrawal from the Dutch market, advising users to transition to Bybit EU, which operates under the MiCAR license. This move aligns with the European Union’s new crypto regulatory framework.

TREE NEWS update: A crypto trade group cautioned regulators that extending KYC requirements to peer-to-peer wallet transfers under the GENIUS Act would ‘cripple the industry.’ The warning comes as implementation of the stablecoin law begins.

TREE NEWS update: Coinbase has submitted a response to the CFTC and SEC regarding the definition of perpetual derivatives. The move aims to clarify regulatory treatment of these products, potentially impacting the broader crypto derivatives market.

TREE NEWS reports: Japheth Dillman, founder of Block Bits Capital, was convicted of fraud for misleading investors about the functionality of its ‘Autotrader’ software, which was not operational. He raised nearly $1 million from victims.