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Editorial policyThe DeFi briefing
Crypto policy and legislative developments. Read dates and legislative stages carefully; proposals are not enacted rules.
26 articles · Updated
The Senate rejected cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R. 3633 on 15 September 2026, by 49–50. This was a procedural setback, not final passage or a new crypto law.
Read analysis →US agencies did not publish final GENIUS Act payment-stablecoin rules by the statutory 18 July 2026 date. NPRMs remain. The Act’s default effective date is 18 January 2027 unless finals start the 120-day clock first — a path that needed roughly mid-September 2026.
Read analysis →Historical June 2026 countdown: agencies were due to publish final GENIUS Act stablecoin rules by 18 July 2026. That deadline was missed — read the August recap for the January 2027 effective-date backstop.
Read analysis →Historical June 2026 coverage of the CLARITY Act’s Senate progress. The later 15 September procedural vote failed; see the updated canonical vote report for the outcome.
Read analysis →Hong Kong's virtual asset service provider (VASP) licensing regime — launched in 2023 — has now licensed over 30 crypto exchanges, with several major global platforms receiving approval to serve retail investors. Here is where Hong Kong's crypto regulation stands in mid-2026 and what it means for DeFi businesses eyeing Asia.
Read analysis →The EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) is now fully in force across all 27 member states. Crypto asset service providers have completed the authorisation process, stablecoin issuers have obtained e-money licences, and the first enforcement actions are emerging. Here is what MiCA means for DeFi users and crypto businesses operating in Europe.
Read analysis →The GENIUS Act — the first major US federal stablecoin legislation — has passed the Senate and is advancing to the House of Representatives. The bill establishes a licensing framework for stablecoin issuers, reserve requirements, and federal oversight. Here is what it means for USDC, USDT, and DeFi protocols that rely on stablecoins.
Read analysis →Cryptocurrency is legal in the UK. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies can be legally bought, sold, held, and used as payment by UK residents. This guide explains current UK crypto regulation under the FCA, HMRC tax obligations, and what the upcoming UK crypto regulatory framework means for investors in 2026.
Read analysis →Hong Kong's Monetary Authority granted its first stablecoin issuer licences in May 2026 — with HSBC and a consortium led by Standard Chartered among the first recipients. The move positions Hong Kong as a key hub for regulated stablecoin issuance in Asia.
Read analysis →This step-by-step guide explains exactly how to buy Bitcoin in the UK in 2026 — choosing a regulated exchange, passing identity checks, making your first purchase, and storing BTC safely. Includes guidance on UK tax treatment and which platforms are FCA-registered.
Read analysis →The GENIUS Act — Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins — passed in early 2026, giving the US stablecoin market its first comprehensive legal framework. Fidelity and major banks have described stablecoins as one of the defining financial themes of the year.
Read analysis →XRP trades above $1.40 as Ripple shifts focus from its concluded SEC litigation to aggressive expansion of cross-border payment corridors across Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, capitalising on an improved regulatory environment.
Read analysis →The global stablecoin market capitalisation surged to $321 billion in May 2026, driven by regulatory clarity from the GENIUS Act and institutional entrants including PayPal, BlackRock and World Liberty Financial challenging USDT's dominance.
Read analysis →US-listed Ethereum spot ETFs achieved their strongest monthly inflows of 2026 in April following the SEC's approval of staking capabilities for these products, enabling institutional investors to earn yield on their holdings.
Read analysis →Circle Internet Group's stock surged 20% on 28 April 2026 following Senate confirmation of a stablecoin rewards compromise under the CLARITY Act, which permits issuers to pass yield to USDC holders—a critical revenue mechanism for the $78.6bn stablecoin.
Read analysis →The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act advanced in the US Senate in late April 2026 after a compromise permitted stablecoin yield rewards. Circle's shares surged 20% on the legislative progress, which establishes regulatory clarity for digital asset trading.
Read analysis →The US Treasury has clarified that its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, capitalised solely through asset forfeiture, will not conduct open-market purchases. The hold-only approach aims to prevent historical losses from liquidating seized Bitcoin below market rates.
Read analysis →The US crypto regulatory landscape is undergoing historic transformation in 2026, with the GENIUS Act stablecoin framework now in effect and the CLARITY Act advancing through Senate, whilst the SEC adopts a more constructive stance toward digital assets.
Read analysis →PancakeSwap launched on Coinbase's Base App chain with a full DeFi suite covering trading, liquidity provision, yield farming, and token launches through CAKE.PAD — giving Coinbase's regulated retail onramp direct access to the Binance-ecosystem DEX.
Read analysis →A new joint study by Nomura and Laser Digital finds improving institutional sentiment across the board, with regulatory clarity, ETF approvals, and new product development driving deeper and more committed engagement with digital assets.
Read analysis →US regulators have approved staking inside spot Ethereum ETFs, a decision that reshapes the competitive landscape between institutional staking wrappers and native DeFi liquid staking protocols like Lido and Rocket Pool.
Read analysis →HSBC has successfully completed a tokenised deposit pilot on the Canton Network, demonstrating interoperable issuance, transfer, and atomic settlement for regulated institutions — a milestone that positions Canton as the emerging settlement rail for institutional DeFi.
Read analysis →Binance founder Changpeng Zhao has published his memoir 'Freedom of Money', documenting his rise from rural China to building the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, his 2024 conviction, and four-month US prison sentence for anti-money-laundering violations.
Read analysis →Hong Kong has unveiled new policies focusing on digital asset regulation and AI development, aiming to strengthen its regulatory framework to attract blockchain innovation while protecting investors.
Read analysis →Hong Kong is introducing regulatory licenses and tax breaks for cryptocurrency companies, aiming to compete with Dubai and Singapore as a leading global crypto hub.
Read analysis →The crypto community is closely following the U.S. presidential elections, with candidates' stances on digital asset regulation expected to significantly impact the industry's future.
Read analysis →We cover decentralized lending, stablecoins, protocol infrastructure, regulation and security. Each briefing separates reported facts from analysis and links to research that explains the underlying mechanisms.
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We prefer original protocol announcements, governance proposals and official legislative records. We identify issuer claims, distinguish proposals from live changes, and update earlier coverage when a development changes its conclusion.