The Bit Gazette

Category: Crypto

U.S. crypto market structure bill clears Senate committee for first time as Trump predicts imminent passage
President Donald Trump declared Tuesday that the long-stalled U.S. crypto market structure bill will pass “very soon,” injecting fresh momentum into Senate negotiations days after the legislation cleared the Agriculture Committee by a narrow 12-11 vote — the first time any crypto market bill has advanced out of committee in the current Congress.

“This legislation will clear up years of uncertainty and is going to pass very soon,” Trump said in brief remarks from the White House briefing room. “It’s time we bring American leadership to the forefront of this industry, and this Crypto market structure bill is the vehicle to do that.”

If enacted, the Crypto market structure bill would provide the most comprehensive statutory framework for digital asset markets in U.S. history, defining regulatory boundaries between the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and laying out clear structural standards for exchanges, brokers, and digital commodities.

Senate Momentum After Months of Gridlock

The Senate Agriculture Committee in late January advanced the Crypto market structure bill in this case the Digital Commodity Intermediaries Act — by a narrow 12–11 vote, marking the first time a crypto market bill has moved out of committee in the 119th Congress.

Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), chair of the committee, called the move “a critical step toward creating clear rules for digital asset markets that protect consumers while allowing American innovation and businesses to thrive.”

Still, division remains palpable: Democrats on the committee withheld support, underscoring the broader partisan tensions shaping the bill’s trajectory.

Frameworks and Regulatory Goals

At its core, the proposed Crypto market structure bill seeks to assign primary jurisdiction over digital commodities — including Bitcoin and Ethereum — to the CFTC, a change that would resolve a years-long “turf war” with the SEC over oversight of crypto trading and custody.

Under the bill’s terms:
- Digital commodity exchanges, brokers, and dealers would have 180 days to register with the CFTC after enactment and obtain provisional status while final rules are written. This tight timeline is intended to reduce the current legal ambiguity under which many platforms operate.
- The CFTC and SEC would have 18 months to jointly issue coordinated rules covering complex sectors like mixed digital asset transactions and margin trading.
- Robust customer protections would be put in place, including segregation of customer assets and conflict-of-interest safeguards.
CFTC Chairman Michael S. Selig — who has publicly championed the bill — said that passage would set the United States up as the “gold standard” for digital assets, a status he said is overdue given the rapid growth of global crypto markets.

Industry Reaction: Support and Skepticism

Market participants have responded with a mix of optimism and caution. Pro-legislation groups argue clearing regulatory fog could spur institutional investment and innovation.

Jim Iuorio, a veteran market strategist, told Bloomberg that “clarity in market structure is the number-one thing institutional traders have been calling for; this bill could unlock trillions in capital that have been on the sidelines.”

Yet some major firms have raised concerns. Coinbase, one of the largest U.S. exchanges, previously criticized earlier iterations of digital asset regulatory proposals for imposing overly restrictive conditions on decentralized finance (DeFi) and stablecoins — warnings that continue to reverberate as the Crypto market structure bill evolves.

Deadlines, Next Steps, and Legislative Hurdles

The Senate must still reconcile differing versions of the Crypto market structure bill crafted by its Agriculture and Banking Committees, with the latter focusing more heavily on securities and mixing provisions. Once senators reach a compromise, the measure will need a full Senate vote before heading to the House and ultimately to the President’s desk.

A parallel piece of legislation — the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, which passed the House last year — is widely seen as complementary to the Senate’s version, setting out a jurisdictional split between the SEC and CFTC that the Crypto market structure bill would operationalize.

Still, obstacles loom: industry analysts caution that political strategy and partisan priorities could stretch final passage beyond 2026. A Washington research group at TD Cowen recently warned the bill might not be enacted until 2027, with enforcement delayed into 2029 without clear bipartisan consensus.

Market Implications and Broader Impact

For traders and investors, the impending Crypto market structure bill represents both opportunity and uncertainty. Clear regulatory rules could unshackle suppressed valuations for commodities currently hampered by litigation and enforcement pressure, but new compliance burdens may also reshape business models across the ecosystem.

Treasury officials, such as Secretary Scott Bessent, have urged Congress to act swiftly, framing the legislation as vital to market stability and growth. Speaking on CNBC earlier this week, Bessent said a comprehensive bill would provide “much-needed confidence” to both institutional and retail participants.

Looking Ahead

As lawmakers press toward resolution, the next few weeks will be pivotal. Trump’s public endorsement — and his prediction that the Crypto market structure bill will pass soon, has injected fresh energy into negotiations at a time when years of legislative progress risk stalling.

Should the bill cross the finish line, it would mark a watershed moment in U.S. crypto policy and redefine the regulatory landscape for the industry.
02/18/2026
‘People just want clarity’: UK crypto CEOs warn regulatory delays are costing London its digital finance lead

The U.K.’s long-promised push to become a world-leading digital asset hub is running into a familiar obstacle: time. While policymakers insist progress is being made, industry leaders argue UK crypto rules are advancing at a pace that threatens the country’s competitiveness in an increasingly fast-moving global market.

That concern was voiced sharply by Andrew MacKenzie, chief executive of sterling stablecoin issuer Agant, who said the regulatory direction is broadly correct but unfolding far too slowly. MacKenzie warned that UK crypto rules are not yet aligned with the government’s ambition to turn London into a global center for digital assets.

Successive U.K. administrations have pledged to make Britain a magnet for crypto innovation. However, comprehensive legislation covering stablecoins and broader crypto activity is not expected to be finalized by Parliament until later this year, with full implementation unlikely before 2027.

For MacKenzie, that delay highlights a widening gap between political ambition and regulatory execution, leaving UK crypto rules lagging behind faster-moving jurisdictions.

“I think the most damaging thing today has been the time that it’s taken to get to where we are just now,” MacKenzie said. “People just want clarity. If there’s anything I’d like to see from the regulators, it’s just an acceleration in the pace with which we can do things.”

Regulatory progress, but at a cost

The slow evolution of UK crypto rules is especially evident in the Financial Conduct Authority’s registration process. Agant recently became one of a limited number of cryptoasset businesses approved under the FCA’s anti-money laundering regime, a requirement for operating certain crypto services in the U.K. The process is widely viewed as one of the toughest globally, praised for rigor but criticized for its length.

For Agant, the approval is less about retail expansion and more about institutional credibility. The firm plans to issue GBPA, a fully backed pound sterling stablecoin designed for payments infrastructure, settlement, and tokenized financial markets. In that context, UK crypto rules are not just compliance hurdles but signals of trust to banks, asset managers, and payment providers.

MacKenzie said Agant maintains ongoing dialogue with HM Treasury, the FCA, and the Bank of England, describing the engagement as constructive but iterative. Still, he remains vocal about areas of concern, including proposed limits in the central bank’s stablecoin framework, which he believes could restrict innovation if applied too conservatively.

“The most promising aspect when we speak to regulators is the fact that they’re willing to implement changes if there’s true justification there,” he said, suggesting UK crypto rules could evolve more dynamically if the process were accelerated.

Stablecoins as monetary infrastructure

Debate over stablecoins has intensified globally, with some central banks and commercial lenders arguing they pose risks to financial stability. MacKenzie rejects that view, framing stablecoins as tools that can extend, rather than weaken, monetary sovereignty when governed by sensible UK crypto rules.

“When you see the penny drop with central bankers, you realize this is actually an amazing way for them to export sovereign debt,” he said.

By issuing a pound-backed digital token, companies like Agant could distribute sterling-denominated assets worldwide, potentially lowering funding costs and increasing demand for the pound.

Rather than undermining central banks, he argued, stablecoins designed within robust UK crypto rules could enhance the global reach of national currencies. “We can go and sell pounds globally,” MacKenzie said. “The cost of carry for the central bank is just reduced somewhat.”

Commercial banks often raise a different concern: that deposits could migrate from traditional accounts into stablecoins, shrinking their lending capacity. MacKenzie dismissed that argument as outdated. In his view, UK crypto rules should encourage competition that forces banks to modernize, not protect incumbents from technological change.

“I don’t think it is a valid argument,” he said. “What it really brings to the table is that banks need to become more competitive.”

Banks warming to blockchain reality

According to MacKenzie, attitudes inside U.K. banks are already shifting. What was once a niche technology discussion has moved firmly into executive boardrooms. “It’s now a C-suite conversation,” he said, adding that banks increasingly see blockchain-based settlement, reconciliation, and cross-border payments as efficiency gains rather than threats.

That momentum could clash with the slow pace of UK crypto rules. While bankers recognize the long-term nature of transformation—MacKenzie estimates a 30-year transition, similar to the digitization of banking—the competitive landscape is changing quickly. Jurisdictions in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia are rolling out clearer frameworks, threatening to outpace Britain if regulatory timelines slip further.

In that context, UK crypto rules may become the decisive factor in whether the country attracts or repels the next generation of financial infrastructure builders. MacKenzie believes the framework itself is broadly sound; the problem is timing.

Ultimately, the question is not whether Britain can design smart regulation, but whether it can move fast enough. As global competition intensifies, UK crypto rules may determine whether London fulfills its ambition as a digital asset hub—or watches that future develop elsewhere.

02/17/2026
ClankerZone launches as crypto’s first social trading platform built exclusively for autonomous agents

An independent contributor within the Abstract ecosystem has launched ClankerZone, an experimental trading platform built exclusively for autonomous agents, where participants keep up to 80% of trading profits, a design that has already generated roughly 200 ETH in volume since its February 17 debut despite no formal backing from the Abstract core team.

The platform was unveiled on February 17 by Abstract Chain contributor 0xCygaar, who published a detailed post outlining the vision and mechanics behind ClankerZone. While the project has drawn early attention for its novel design, it remains explicitly unaffiliated with the core Abstract team, underscoring its experimental status.

What ClankerZone Is Building

At its core, ClankerZone is positioned as a social trading environment where smart entities—also referred to as agents—can interact, trade, and share token-related perspectives with one another. Unlike traditional copy-trading platforms aimed at human users, ClankerZone is built specifically for autonomous agents operating within what developers describe as the “Smart Entity Economy.”

The platform is built exclusively for the OpenClaw agency and is backed by infrastructure providers including Privy, Clanker, and the ERC-8004 standard. Together, these components allow agents on ClankerZone to initiate trades, publish opinions about tokens, and observe or react to the behavior of other agents in real time.

According to the original post, the aim of ClankerZone is not merely execution, but coordination. Agents are encouraged to signal conviction, express dissent, and form informal consensus around assets—effectively simulating a social layer for machine-native traders.

Profit Retention and Agent Incentives

One of the more eye-catching elements of ClankerZone is its economic design. A newly launched token, created using Clanker’s v3.1 SDK, allows participating agents to retain up to 80% of their trading profits. That structure stands out in a market where fees and protocol-level skimming often reduce net returns.

The high profit retention rate is meant to incentivize agent experimentation and long-term participation. In practice, this means that agents operating on ClankerZone can compound gains more efficiently, reinforcing behaviors that the system deems effective.

While Clanker itself does not yet have a native platform token, the trading mechanics embedded into its design hint at future monetization paths—though no such plans have been formally announced.

Cross-Chain Access via Privy

To lower friction for participation, users who sign up for ClankerZone are issued a Privy-powered agent wallet. This wallet enables cross-chain trading and interaction without requiring agents to be siloed on a single network.

The inclusion of Privy infrastructure aligns with the broader goal of ClankerZone: abstraction. By removing manual wallet management and simplifying cross-chain execution, the platform allows agents to focus on strategy, signaling, and interaction rather than operational overhead.

As one ecosystem developer familiar with agent tooling put it privately, “The real innovation isn’t just that agents can trade—it’s that they can observe each other, learn, and react in public.”

Experimental by Design, Not Endorsed

Despite growing curiosity around ClankerZone, 0xCygaar was explicit in noting that the platform has not been endorsed by the Abstract core team. That distinction matters, particularly in an environment where unofficial experiments are sometimes mistaken for roadmap commitments.

Instead, ClankerZone is framed as a live sandbox—an opportunity to test how smart entities behave when given social context, profit incentives, and shared visibility. Its existence reflects a broader trend in crypto development: shipping early, observing behavior, and iterating in public.

So far, the experiment appears to be gaining traction. According to the post, trading volume on ClankerZone has already reached approximately 200 ETH, suggesting meaningful early engagement despite the absence of a native token or formal marketing push.

The emergence of ClankerZone highlights a subtle but important shift in crypto market structure. As autonomous agents take on larger roles in trading, liquidity provision, and execution, the need for agent-native social layers becomes more pressing.

Traditional DeFi assumes rational, isolated actors. ClankerZone challenges that assumption by embedding visibility and interaction directly into the trading environment. Agents don’t just act—they observe, comment, and adapt.

For proponents of the Smart Entity Economy, ClankerZone represents a prototype of what machine-to-machine financial coordination could look like. For skeptics, it is a reminder that experimentation often precedes standardization.

Source: ClankerZone

Either way, ClankerZone has entered the conversation at a moment when attention is shifting from raw throughput to behavior, incentives, and emergent dynamics.

Early Signal, Not a Final Product

It is still early days. ClankerZone remains an experiment with limited scope, no governance token, and no guarantees of longevity. But its rapid volume growth and clear design philosophy suggest it is more than a throwaway demo.

As agent frameworks mature and standards like ERC-8004 gain adoption, platforms like ClankerZone may offer valuable insights—whether they succeed, fail, or evolve into something unexpected.

For now, ClankerZone stands as a live case study in social trading for smart entities: unfinished, unendorsed, and undeniably intriguing.

02/17/2026
CZ says AI cloned his voice so convincingly it was “scary” as deepfake scams and bot traffic erode crypto’s digital trust

Changpeng Zhao says an AI-generated voice clone of himself was so convincing he “couldn’t distinguish it” from his own — a warning that arrives as fraudsters using fully synthetic AI identities tricked a Hong Kong finance team into wiring $25 million, and analytics platforms worldwide are flooded with ghost traffic designed to mimic human behavior.

Over recent months, publishers, corporations, and even U.S. government agencies have reported sharp spikes in traffic from locations such as Lanzhou and Singapore.

Yet these so-called visitors often leave no server logs, no firewall traces, and no tangible engagement footprints. Despite that, the sessions flood Google Analytics 4 dashboards, skewing metrics and campaign performance data.

Security analysts describe the phenomenon as “ghost sessions” — automated measurement calls triggered by bots designed to simulate basic user behavior.

The rise in Chinese bot traffic is not merely technical noise. For smaller publishers, a few hundred artificial visits can distort engagement rates, inflate advertising yield projections, and flip performance trends overnight.

“It creates a fog,” said one digital risk consultant familiar with the pattern. “You think you’re seeing growth. But it’s synthetic. And you don’t know who—or what—is behind it.”

Chinese bot traffic meets AI identity fraud

The spike in Chinese bot traffic is colliding with a second, more insidious threat: AI-generated impersonation.

Changpeng Zhao, founder of Binance, recently admitted that an AI-generated voice clip in fluent Mandarin was so convincing that he “couldn’t distinguish that voice from [his] real voice.” He described the experience as “scary,” warning that even video-based identity checks may soon be obsolete.

His concerns follow a high-profile incident in Hong Kong in which fraudsters reportedly used fully AI-generated meeting participants to convince a finance team to transfer approximately $25 million in corporate funds.

In that context, Chinese bot traffic becomes more than a marketing nuisance. It is part of a broader erosion of digital trust, where fake traffic, fake executives, and fake proof blur the line between signal and manipulation.

The privacy paradox

Zhao has linked these threats to what he sees as a deeper contradiction in crypto’s architecture. Public blockchains were designed for radical transparency. Every transaction is visible. Every address is traceable. But once real-world identities are linked to wallet addresses through Know Your Customer (KYC) rules, that transparency can expose sensitive business data.

“Privacy is a fundamental human right,” Zhao has said publicly. Yet he argues that current blockchains “provide too much transparency” for practical corporate use.

The presence of Chinese bot traffic flooding analytics systems underscores his point. On one side, hyper-visible transaction graphs and public dashboards create rich datasets for scrapers and malicious actors. On the other, AI tools fabricate believable identities ult is a digital environment where both excess transparency and synthetic deception coexist.

Zhao has warned that fully transparent crypto payroll systems could reveal employee salaries by simply tracing sender addresses. Vendor payments, operational flows, even consumer preferences could become trivial to analyze once identities are linked.

In an AI-saturated era amplified by Chinese bot traffic, such exposure could compound corporate risk.

Hardening transparency, not abandoning it

Zhao’s proposed solution is not secrecy, but smarter design. He has advocated for privacy-preserving technologies such as zero-knowledge proofs, which allow verification without revealing underlying data.

In practical terms, that means building systems where origin and authenticity can be cryptographically confirmed, while granular financial details remain shielded. If implemented correctly, such tools could counteract both Chinese bot traffic distortions and deepfake identity fraud.

Cybersecurity experts agree that verification frameworks must evolve.

“Digital identity systems need to prove authenticity without broadcasting everything else,” said a blockchain policy advisor based in Europe. “Otherwise, you’re creating a surveillance economy that criminals can exploit.”

Markets as a stress indicator

These structural concerns are unfolding as crypto markets continue to act as barometers of macroeconomic risk appetite.

Bitcoin has hovered near the high-$60,000 range in recent sessions, with daily trading volumes exceeding tens of billions of dollars. Ethereum has shown similar volatility, while Solana has traded in the $200–$220 corridor amid strong on-chain liquidity.

In this climate, Chinese bot traffic and deepfake fraud are not isolated technical issues. They influence investor confidence, corporate adoption strategies, and even regulatory debate.

When analytics dashboards are inflated by ghost sessions routed through global servers, and executive identities can be convincingly forged, fundamental questions arise: Who is interacting? Who is transacting? Who is authentic?

A turning point for digital trust

The convergence of Chinese bot traffic and AI-driven impersonation is forcing crypto leaders to confront uncomfortable truths. Transparency alone does not guarantee trust. Nor does decentralization automatically secure identity.

Instead, privacy and verifiability must coexist.

For crypto payments to gain broader institutional adoption, Zhao argues, privacy tools must mature. Otherwise, businesses will hesitate to move payroll, supplier payments, or treasury operations onto public chains.

At the same time, regulators are likely to scrutinize how platforms mitigate the risks amplified by Chinese bot traffic and synthetic identities.

For now, the lesson is stark. In an ecosystem flooded with synthetic signals, authenticity is becoming the scarcest asset of all. Whether through stronger privacy frameworks or advanced verification systems, the next chapter of crypto’s evolution may depend less on price action—and more on rebuilding trust in a digital world increasingly shaped by bots and artificial faces.

02/17/2026
Keir Starmer calls for tougher rules on AI chatbots to protect children from harm

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has signalled that the UK government may extend the Online Safety Act to cover AI chatbots, warning that conversational AI systems pose distinct risks to children that existing social media regulations were not designed to address.

In a recent public update, Starmer warned that rapidly evolving AI systems are reshaping childhood in ways lawmakers can no longer afford to overlook. While online harms debates have traditionally centered on social media platforms, he argued that AI Chatbot Regulation must now catch up with technologies capable of generating real-time, human-like interactions.

“Protections for young people must evolve as technology evolves,” Starmer wrote, framing AI Chatbot Regulation as a natural extension of the UK’s broader online safety reforms.

Expanding the scope of online safety laws

The UK already has one of the world’s most comprehensive digital frameworks in the form of the Online Safety Act 2023, which places new duties of care on tech platforms. However, policymakers are now assessing whether the legislation sufficiently captures AI-driven services that function differently from traditional social media feeds.

Under potential reforms, AI Chatbot Regulation could explicitly extend to conversational systems embedded in apps, search engines, gaming platforms, and standalone AI services. These tools, often powered by large language models, engage users in personalized dialogue that can mimic empathy, authority, or companionship.

For children and teenagers, Starmer cautioned, such systems may blur the boundaries between neutral information and persuasive influence—making AI Chatbot Regulation a pressing matter.

Unique risks posed by AI chatbots

Unlike static content platforms, AI chatbots generate responses dynamically. This real-time generation makes moderation significantly more complex. Harmful or inappropriate responses cannot always be pre-screened in the same way as uploaded content.

Starmer pointed to concerns ranging from exposure to explicit material and misleading advice to emotional dependency. Child development experts have warned that young users may form attachments to conversational AI systems, particularly when interactions feel private and personalized.

“Children deserve the space to grow without being shaped by opaque algorithms,” Starmer said, underscoring why AI Chatbot Regulation must address both content risks and design features that encourage prolonged engagement.

Digital safety advocates have echoed that sentiment. Andy Burrows, CEO of the Molly Rose Foundation, has previously argued that AI tools “must not repeat the mistakes made with social media,” adding that proactive AI Chatbot Regulation could prevent harm before it becomes systemic.

Parliamentary powers and faster enforcement

One of the core challenges facing AI Chatbot Regulation is the speed at which AI capabilities are advancing. Chatbots today can simulate emotional support, provide educational guidance, or even role-play complex scenarios. Tomorrow’s iterations may be even more immersive.

Starmer suggested that Parliament may require enhanced regulatory flexibility to respond swiftly as these technologies develop. This could involve empowering the communications regulator Ofcom with expanded authority to oversee AI-driven services under the Online Safety Act.

Ofcom already holds enforcement powers over major platforms, including the ability to levy substantial fines for non-compliance. Incorporating AI systems into its remit would represent a significant step forward for AI Chatbot Regulation in the UK.

A spokesperson for Ofcom previously stated that the regulator is “closely monitoring the development of generative AI services” and stands ready to implement parliamentary directives if legislation evolves.

Balancing innovation and protection

Starmer was careful to stress that the government does not intend to stifle innovation. The UK has positioned itself as a global hub for artificial intelligence research and development, hosting major AI safety discussions and courting private-sector investment.

However, he insisted that innovation must not come at the expense of child safety. In his view, AI Chatbot Regulation is about ensuring responsible design and deployment, not blocking technological progress.

“Tech companies must take greater responsibility for how their tools are built and used,” Starmer said, signaling that voluntary safeguards may no longer suffice.

This stance aligns with broader international trends. The European Union’s AI Act and ongoing discussions in the United States reflect growing consensus that generative AI requires clearer guardrails—particularly when minors are involved.

Public consultation and next steps

The UK government is expected to launch a public consultation to gather evidence on how AI-driven services are being used by minors and where regulatory gaps exist. The findings will inform the next phase of AI Chatbot Regulation, potentially leading to legislative amendments.

Stakeholders likely to participate include child welfare organizations, educators, AI developers, and digital rights advocates. The consultation process will examine technical feasibility, enforcement mechanisms, and proportionality—key pillars of effective AI Chatbot Regulation.

Legal analysts note that extending existing law may be more efficient than drafting entirely new statutes. By adapting the Online Safety Act framework, lawmakers could integrate AI Chatbot Regulation without creating regulatory overlap or confusion.

A defining test for digital governance

As AI tools become embedded in everyday life—from homework assistance to mental health advice—the stakes are rising. The UK’s approach to AI Chatbot Regulation may serve as a model for other democracies grappling with similar questions.

For Starmer, the issue is ultimately about safeguarding childhood in a digital age. He framed the initiative as part of a broader mission to “give children the space to grow” free from manipulation or unchecked algorithmic influence.

With consultation on the horizon and political momentum building, AI Chatbot Regulation is poised to become a central pillar of the UK’s evolving tech policy. Whether lawmakers can craft rules that protect young users while preserving innovation will determine not just the future of AI oversight—but the digital environment shaping the next generation.

02/16/2026
Binance disappears from Philippine Google Play Store amid ongoing regulatory crackdown

Binance has disappeared from the Philippine version of the Google Play Store, with local users reporting that searches no longer return the app, as regulatory pressure from the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission continues to escalate against the world’s largest crypto exchange.

Multiple Filipino users reported that searches for “Binance” on the Play Store no longer return the main Binance application. Instead, users are redirected to local platforms such as Coins.ph or to region-specific Binance apps like Binance TH and Binance TR, which are designed for Thailand and Turkey, respectively.

The development has reignited debate around the scope and enforcement of the Binance Philippines ban, which regulators began signaling more forcefully late last year.

On Reddit, a user posting under the handle “realitynofantasy” questioned whether the disappearance was the result of a technical glitch or a deliberate move tied to the Binance Philippines ban. Similar concerns quickly spread across local crypto communities, with users sharing screenshots and error messages.

Beyond the app store issue, access problems extend to the exchange’s main website. Several Filipino users reported being unable to load Binance’s primary domain, encountering browser warnings such as “Privacy Error” and “Site can’t be reached.” These access issues have further fueled speculation that the Binance Philippines ban is now being actively enforced at both the app and web levels.

As of press time, Binance has not released an official statement directly addressing the app’s removal in the Philippines. However, the timing aligns closely with regulatory actions taken by Philippine authorities, suggesting the situation is unlikely to be accidental.

Regulatory pressure behind the Binance Philippines ban

The Binance Philippines ban** has its roots in actions taken by the Securities and Exchange Commission, which has repeatedly warned foreign crypto platforms against operating without proper authorization. In late 2024, the regulator sent formal requests to both Google and Apple, urging them to remove the Binance app from their respective Philippine app stores.

At the time, the SEC alleged that Binance was offering unregistered securities to Philippine residents and acting as an unlicensed broker, in violation of the country’s Securities Regulation Code. These claims formed the legal backbone of the Binance Philippines ban, which authorities framed as a consumer protection measure rather than an outright rejection of crypto activity.

The SEC’s actions were reinforced by the National Telecommunications Commission, which previously ordered internet service providers to block access to Binance’s website nationwide. That move marked a significant escalation and signaled that regulators were willing to use infrastructure-level controls to enforce the Binance Philippines ban.

App store removal raises enforcement stakes

The disappearance of the Binance app from the Play Store suggests regulators may now be closing remaining access points. App store removals are particularly impactful, as mobile trading accounts for a significant share of retail crypto activity in the Philippines.

By limiting discoverability and downloads, the Binance Philippines ban could gradually push users toward licensed local exchanges. Coins.ph, which is registered and regulated in the country, has frequently been cited by officials as an example of a compliant alternative.

While existing users who already have the Binance app installed may still retain limited access, updates and security patches could become unavailable if the Binance Philippines ban remains in force. Over time, that could create additional risks for users who continue relying on unsupported software.

No exit confirmation, but uncertainty grows

Despite the tightening restrictions, Binance has not confirmed an official exit from the Philippine market. The absence of a statement leaves room for multiple scenarios, including ongoing negotiations with regulators or a potential path to compliance.

User report on Binance subreddit. Source: r/binance

This uncertainty is a defining feature of the Binance Philippines ban. Regulators have emphasized that their goal is not to suppress innovation, but to ensure exchanges meet licensing, disclosure, and investor protection standards.

A Binance spokesperson previously said in similar situations that the company is “committed to working with regulators globally.” Whether that commitment translates into a compliance strategy for the Philippines remains unclear.

Lessons from other jurisdictions

The Binance Philippines ban echoes challenges the exchange has faced elsewhere. In India, for example, Binance was fined by regulators over compliance failures related to anti-money laundering rules. After paying the penalty and meeting regulatory conditions, the platform was able to continue operating as a registered entity.

That precedent suggests the Philippine situation is not necessarily irreversible. However, it also underscores that regulators are increasingly willing to impose tangible consequences, including app removals and website blocks, to enforce local laws.

Broader implications for the Philippine crypto market

For Filipino crypto users, the Binance Philippines ban represents a turning point. It highlights the risks of relying on offshore platforms that lack local authorization, even if they are globally dominant.

At the same time, the move could strengthen domestic exchanges and accelerate the maturation of the local crypto ecosystem. Regulators have repeatedly stated that innovation is welcome, provided it operates within a clear legal framework.

As enforcement tightens, the Binance Philippines ban may become a case study for how emerging markets balance access to global crypto liquidity with the need for regulatory oversight. Until Binance or regulators issue further clarification, users remain in limbo—caught between a disappearing app, blocked websites, and unanswered questions about what comes next.

One thing, however, is increasingly clear: the Binance Philippines ban is no longer theoretical. With app store removals and access restrictions now visible to everyday users, the regulatory message has moved from warnings to action.

02/16/2026
OKX secures Malta payments licence to offer stablecoin services across the EU under MiCA

OKX has secured a Payments Institution licence in Malta, clearing the regulatory path to offer stablecoin-powered payment services across the European Union ahead of MiCA’s core requirements taking effect in March 2026.

The license positions OKX to continue offering stablecoin-powered payment services across the bloc under the Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation, widely known as MiCA, as well as under the EU’s Second Payment Services Directive (PSD2). With MiCA’s core requirements scheduled to take effect in March 2026, the development places OKX among a growing group of crypto firms racing to lock in regulatory certainty.

For OKX, the approval is more than a compliance milestone. It is a strategic step that strengthens its broader OKX MiCA license ambitions as stablecoins move from crypto-native tools into mainstream financial infrastructure.

Under MiCA and the updated PSD2 framework, crypto-asset service providers that facilitate payments using stablecoins—classified legally as electronic money tokens (EMTs)—must hold either a Payments Institution or an Electronic Money Institution authorization. Without such approval, firms risk losing access to the EU market.

By securing the PI license in Malta, OKX can legally provide stablecoin payment services throughout the European Economic Area via passporting rights, reinforcing its OKX MiCA license pathway.

“We have recently launched real-world payment products, including OKX Pay and our OKX Card, that bring stablecoins into everyday use,” said Erald Ghoos, CEO of OKX Europe. “Securing a Payment Institution license ensures that these products operate on a fully compliant footing.”

That emphasis on “real-world use” highlights the exchange’s wider strategy: tying the OKX MiCA license to consumer-facing products that bridge crypto and traditional finance.

Stablecoins at the center of OKX’s EU push

Stablecoins are rapidly becoming a focal point of European crypto regulation, and OKX has been positioning itself accordingly. With regulators increasingly scrutinizing how euro- and dollar-pegged tokens are used in payments, compliance has become a prerequisite rather than an advantage.

The PI license allows OKX to support payment flows involving stablecoins without regulatory ambiguity. This capability is central to the OKX MiCA license narrative, as MiCA introduces strict rules around issuance, custody, and redemption of EMTs.

Industry analysts note that exchanges unable to meet these standards may be forced to scale back offerings or exit certain EU markets altogether. Against that backdrop, OKX’s early move strengthens confidence among partners, users, and regulators.

Crypto cards and everyday payments

The licensing announcement follows OKX’s recent launch of a crypto payment card in Europe in partnership with Mastercard. The card enables users to spend digital assets at millions of merchants worldwide, converting crypto balances into fiat at the point of sale.

The card rollout directly complements the OKX MiCA license strategy by embedding compliant stablecoin payments into daily transactions, from retail purchases to online services.

According to people familiar with the matter, EU regulators have been paying close attention to crypto cards because they blur the line between digital assets and traditional payments. Holding a PI license addresses many of those concerns by ensuring consumer protections and operational safeguards align with PSD2 standards.

Malta’s role in the OKX MiCA license plan

Malta has emerged as a key jurisdiction for crypto firms seeking EU-wide compliance. Its regulatory framework has been widely viewed as aligned with MiCA’s objectives, making it an attractive base for exchanges pursuing passportable licenses.

By anchoring its PI authorization in Malta, OKX strengthens the credibility of its OKX MiCA license roadmap while benefiting from a regulator experienced in supervising digital asset businesses.

A senior EU compliance consultant said the choice reflects “a calculated move to balance regulatory clarity with operational flexibility,” noting that Malta-based licenses are likely to be closely scrutinized—but also widely recognized—under MiCA.

Venture backing reinforces the strategy

Beyond payments and cards, OKX has been actively investing in the stablecoin ecosystem itself. OKX Ventures, the exchange’s innovation and investment arm, recently backed STBL, a platform focused on stablecoin issuance.

That investment underscores how the OKX MiCA license is part of a broader, vertically integrated strategy—one that spans trading, payments, and infrastructure.

“Exchanges that understand stablecoins as infrastructure rather than just trading pairs will be better positioned under MiCA,” said a Europe-based digital assets policy researcher. “OKX appears to be building exactly that.”

Regulatory certainty as a competitive edge

As MiCA reshapes the European crypto landscape, regulatory certainty is fast becoming a competitive advantage. Firms that secure approvals early can focus on product development while rivals remain entangled in licensing processes.

The OKX MiCA license approach reflects this thinking. By aligning payments, cards, and stablecoin services under a single compliance umbrella, OKX reduces operational risk while expanding its addressable market.

Importantly, the PI license aligns with EU requirements that formally take effect in March 2026, giving OKX a head start of more than a year. That runway could prove critical as enforcement ramps up.

A signal to the wider crypto industry

For the broader industry, OKX’s move sends a clear message: Europe’s regulatory era has begun. The days of operating cross-border payment services without explicit authorization are ending.

The OKX MiCA license story illustrates how exchanges can adapt—not by retreating, but by embedding regulation into their growth strategy. As stablecoins edge closer to everyday finance, compliance will determine who gets to participate.

With its Malta PI license secured, OKX is betting that being early, visible, and compliant will pay off. And as MiCA comes into force, the OKX MiCA license may become a benchmark for how global exchanges navigate Europe’s new crypto rulebook.

02/16/2026
Solana Company stock jumps 14% on staked SOL borrowing deal

A sharp rally in Solana Company shares this week has put Solana Institutional Borrowing firmly in the spotlight, underscoring how regulated custody and on-chain finance are beginning to converge in ways public markets are starting to reward.

Shares of Solana Company jumped more than 14% after the firm announced a new framework that allows institutions to borrow against natively staked SOL held in qualified custody. The move positions Solana Institutional Borrowing as a practical alternative to forced liquidations, giving asset managers access to liquidity without sacrificing staking yield or compliance standards.

Stock reaction highlights institutional appetite

The announcement triggered an immediate market response. Solana Company stock rose to roughly $2.34, rebounding from a recent all-time low near $1.80 earlier in the week. While the rally offers short-term relief, the shares remain down close to 90% since the company pivoted toward a Solana-focused treasury strategy in September 2025.

Still, the surge reflects renewed confidence that Solana Institutional Borrowing could create sustainable utility for large SOL holders navigating volatile markets. Rather than relying solely on price appreciation, treasury-focused firms are increasingly leaning on staking income and borrowing strategies to smooth returns.

How the Solana Institutional Borrowing model works

Under the new structure, institutions can keep their SOL assets custodied with Anchorage Digital while using those assets as collateral to access on-chain liquidity via Kamino Finance. The design allows borrowers to earn native staking rewards on SOL while unlocking liquidity—without unstaking or selling their tokens.

Anchorage Digital acts as the qualified custodian and collateral manager, ensuring all SOL remains held in segregated accounts. Kamino’s lending markets track the economic value of the collateral, enabling borrowing in a way that aligns with institutional risk controls.

For proponents, this framework represents the next evolution of Solana Institutional Borrowing, where regulated custody no longer excludes participation in decentralized finance.

Volatility still looms over SOL treasuries

Despite enthusiasm around Solana Institutional Borrowing, the broader backdrop remains challenging. SOL prices have experienced extreme swings over the past year, falling from roughly $245 per token in September 2025 to near $70 earlier this year before recovering into the mid-$80 range.

Those fluctuations have directly impacted Solana Company’s balance sheet, which includes roughly $200 million in treasury holdings. The borrowing framework offers flexibility, but it does not eliminate exposure to price volatility—a reality that continues to weigh on public crypto treasury firms.

Kamino: unlocking demand without compromising custody

According to Cheryl Chan, head of strategy at Kamino, the partnership directly addresses a long-standing institutional bottleneck.

“This collaboration unlocks meaningful demand for institutions that want to borrow against assets held in qualified custody,” Chan said, adding that Solana Institutional Borrowing allows firms to tap on-chain liquidity while staying within regulated operational frameworks.

That balance—access without compromise—is emerging as the defining theme behind the rise of Solana Institutional Borrowing.

Anchorage Digital emphasizes institutional-grade controls

Anchorage Digital CEO Nathan McCauley framed the model as a response to institutional realities rather than crypto-native experimentation.

“Institutions want access to the most efficient sources of on-chain liquidity, but they aren’t willing to compromise on custody, compliance, or operational control,” McCauley said.

He explained that Anchorage’s Atlas collateral management system allows natively staked SOL to remain with a qualified custodian while being used productively. In his view, this brings institutional-grade risk management to Solana’s lending markets and pushes Solana Institutional Borrowing closer to mainstream adoption.

A blueprint for treasury-focused firms

Board director Cosmo Jiang, who also serves as a general partner at Pantera Capital, said the framework demonstrates how infrastructure can unlock deeper institutional participation across the Solana ecosystem.

Jiang described the arrangement as a scalable blueprint that other treasury companies are likely to follow—and one institutional investors will increasingly demand. In that sense, Solana Institutional Borrowing is not just a product feature, but a strategic model.

Solana Company currently ranks as the second-largest publicly traded holder of SOL, with nearly 2.3 million tokens on its balance sheet. That scale gives the firm both an incentive and a testing ground to refine Solana Institutional Borrowing for broader adoption.

Industry peers move toward yield-first strategies

The shift toward Solana Institutional Borrowing mirrors a broader industry trend. Several publicly disclosed treasury firms are emphasizing staking income and yield products over speculative price exposure.

SOL Strategy recently launched a liquid staking token backed by more than 500,000 SOL, pairing its treasury with fee-generating products. Sharps Technology disclosed that its treasury is earning roughly 7% annualized staking yield while expanding validator operations. Meanwhile, Upexi reported that staking income now accounts for most of its revenue, even as lower SOL prices drove a $179 million quarterly loss tied largely to accounting revaluations.

Together, these moves suggest that Solana Institutional Borrowing fits into a wider recalibration of how crypto-native treasury firms operate in public markets.

At its core, Solana Institutional Borrowing reflects a maturation of crypto finance. Institutions are no longer content with simple exposure; they want capital efficiency, yield continuity, and regulatory clarity. The Anchorage–Kamino–Solana Company framework attempts to deliver all three.

While risks remain—particularly around market volatility—the early stock market response indicates that investors see strategic value in borrowing models that preserve upside while reducing forced selling pressure.

If adoption grows, Solana Institutional Borrowing could reshape how large SOL holders interact with DeFi, setting standards that ripple across other blockchain ecosystems. For now, the rally suggests that Wall Street is starting to pay attention.

02/16/2026
Russia’s Ryabkov confirms BRICS is building a precious metals exchange to bypass U.S. financial controls

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov confirmed Saturday that BRICS member states are actively developing a dedicated precious metals exchange, framing the initiative as critical infrastructure to protect the bloc from U.S. financial controls that Washington can trigger “at the push of a button.”

The proposed BRICS Precious Metals Exchange comes at a moment of heightened volatility in global bullion markets. Gold prices have swung sharply in recent weeks after smashing record highs, reinforcing the appeal of hard assets—and the strategic importance of controlling how they are traded, settled, and priced.

BRICS confirms work on precious metals trading platform

Speaking to Russian state media TASS, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said BRICS members are actively developing a dedicated trading platform for precious metals.

According to Ryabkov, the BRICS Precious Metals Exchange is being discussed alongside a broader set of initiatives, including a grain exchange and a common investment platform designed to operate within special economic zones across member states.

“There is also a recent, but very important, initiative to create an exchange of precious metals, along with a grain exchange,” Ryabkov said, according to excerpts of the interview published Saturday.

Russia, which chaired the bloc in 2024, has been a driving force behind several of these proposals. Officials in Moscow argue that the BRICS Precious Metals Exchange would strengthen economic cooperation while reducing reliance on Western financial infrastructure.

Strategic push beyond gold price speculation

The renewed focus on a BRICS Precious Metals Exchange follows a year of dramatic moves in bullion markets. Gold surged past $5,600 per ounce in January before sliding sharply toward $4,600 in early February, only to rebound above $5,000 again later in the month, according to data from Trading Economics.

These swings have underscored gold’s dual role as both a safe haven and a volatile trading asset. For BRICS policymakers, that volatility strengthens the case for building their own exchange infrastructure—one that could offer alternative pricing mechanisms, settlement options in national currencies, and potentially digital rails.

Ryabkov insisted there are “all reasons and prerequisites for something tangible to emerge,” signaling confidence that the BRICS Precious Metals Exchange could move from concept to implementation.

Lavrov backs broader exchange ambitions

The precious metals proposal aligns with earlier comments from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who has publicly discussed the creation of both a grain exchange and a new investment platform within BRICS.

Together, these initiatives reflect a broader strategy: using commodities—especially gold and silver—as anchors for deeper financial integration. Supporters believe a BRICS Precious Metals Exchange could eventually complement efforts to expand trade settlements in national currencies and reduce exposure to sanctions.

Reducing exposure to U.S. financial leverage

Ryabkov was explicit about the geopolitical motivation behind the plan. He said BRICS aims to create alternatives to systems that the United States can shut down “at the push of a button.”

“I think no one is underestimating the risks associated with American policy, both sanctions and tariffs,” Ryabkov said. “But this doesn’t mean everyone is ready to succumb to pressure.”

In that context, the BRICS Precious Metals Exchange is being framed not just as a commercial venue, but as strategic infrastructure. By enabling precious metals trading outside dollar-centric systems, BRICS members hope to limit vulnerability to U.S. and allied financial controls.

Digital systems and national currencies in focus

Beyond physical bullion trading, Ryabkov highlighted the role of digital systems and national currencies in future BRICS initiatives. These elements could play a role in how the BRICS Precious Metals Exchange ultimately operates, particularly if digital settlement layers or tokenized representations of gold are introduced.

Last month, the Central Bank of India proposed linking digital currencies issued by BRICS nations to simplify cross-border trade. While not directly tied to the exchange, such ideas suggest the BRICS Precious Metals Exchange could eventually intersect with broader digital finance experiments within the bloc.

However, progress has not been frictionless. In November 2025, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov acknowledged that efforts to build alternative settlement systems have been slowed by some partners’ continued reliance on the U.S. dollar.

Trade growth strengthens BRICS confidence

Ryabkov also pointed to hard data supporting BRICS integration. He said trade growth among member states is outpacing global averages, reinforcing confidence in initiatives like the BRICS Precious Metals Exchange.

“Statistics show that trade growth among BRICS countries significantly exceeds both the overall growth rate of global trade and the trade growth between BRICS members and other partners,” he said.

That momentum, officials argue, provides the economic foundation needed to support new exchanges and platforms. While BRICS does not claim to be a “magic wand,” Ryabkov said the bloc can “truly help address challenges” if its potential is fully developed.

Expanding membership raises the stakes

Originally formed by BRICS members Brazil, Russia, India, and China in 2009—with South Africa joining in 2010—the group has expanded significantly. Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates are now full members.

That expansion increases the relevance of a BRICS Precious Metals Exchange, particularly given that several members are major gold producers, consumers, or reserve holders. A shared exchange could consolidate liquidity and amplify the bloc’s influence in global precious metals markets.

Why the BRICS Precious Metals Exchange matters

If realized, the BRICS Precious Metals Exchange would represent a meaningful shift in how gold and silver are traded globally. While London and New York remain dominant pricing centers, a BRICS-led platform could introduce alternative benchmarks and settlement norms.

For now, officials have offered few technical details, and timelines remain unclear. But repeated public endorsements suggest the idea is moving higher on the bloc’s agenda.

As gold volatility persists and geopolitical fragmentation deepens, the BRICS Precious Metals Exchange is increasingly being positioned as both an economic tool and a strategic statement—one aimed at reshaping how value is stored, traded, and protected in a multipolar world.

02/14/2026
Banks circulate anti-yield manifesto after White House meeting, threatening to kill U.S. crypto market structure bill

Wall Street banks and the crypto industry left a White House meeting without a deal and then went home and wrote dueling manifestos. The standoff over whether stablecoins can offer yield has now produced competing principles papers from both camps, hardening a divide that threatens to kill the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act before it ever reaches a Senate floor vote.

At the center of the dispute is a core question shaping the crypto market structure bill: should stablecoin users be allowed to earn any form of yield or reward? Bank lobbyists argue the answer must be no. Crypto advocates counter that a blanket prohibition would undermine decentralized finance (DeFi), innovation, and consumer choice.

Banks draw a hard line at the White House

The impasse hardened after a meeting at the White House, where senior Wall Street bankers and crypto executives were urged by officials in Donald Trump’s administration to find common ground. Instead, bankers circulated a one-page document titled “Yield and Interest Prohibition Principles,” insisting that any form of stablecoin yield threatens the deposit-based foundation of the U.S. banking system.

From the banks’ perspective, allowing yield on stablecoins would create functional substitutes for savings accounts—without the same regulatory burdens. That risk, they argue, could pull deposits out of traditional banks and destabilize credit creation. As a result, bankers are pushing for the crypto market structure bill to include a total ban on stablecoin yield.

Crypto industry responds with its own principles

The crypto sector has now answered in kind. The Digital Chamber circulated its own principles paper on Friday, pushing back against what it calls an overly broad prohibition. The document, obtained defends language in the Senate Banking Committee’s draft of the crypto market structure bill that allows limited rewards in specific scenarios.

“We want to make the case known for policymakers that we do think this is a compromise,” said Cody Carbone, CEO of the Digital Chamber, in an interview.

Carbone emphasized that the crypto industry is willing to concede ground by giving up rewards that resemble interest on idle stablecoin holdings—products that look too much like bank savings accounts. However, he said the crypto market structure bill should still protect rewards tied to activity, such as transactions, liquidity provision, or ecosystem participation.

GENIUS Act looms large over negotiations

A key tension shaping the crypto market structure bill is the existence of the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act, passed last year. That law already provides a framework under which certain stablecoin products can operate.

According to Carbone, the banking industry’s push to eliminate rewards entirely amounts to dialing back the GENIUS Act through edits in the pending Digital Asset Market Clarity Act. From the crypto industry’s view, agreeing to scrap yield on static holdings is already a meaningful concession under existing law.

“If they don’t negotiate, then the status quo is that just rewards continue as-is,” Carbone said. “If they do nothing and they continue to say, ‘We just want a blanket prohibition,’ this goes nowhere.”

That warning underscores the stakes for the crypto market structure bill, which has already seen progress stall after an eleventh-hour disagreement derailed a Senate Banking Committee hearing last month.

DeFi implications drive crypto resistance

The Digital Chamber’s principles highlight two reward categories it wants preserved in the crypto market structure bill: rewards for providing liquidity and incentives that foster ecosystem participation. Both are central to how decentralized finance protocols function.

Without such incentives, crypto advocates argue, DeFi markets would struggle to operate efficiently, reducing liquidity and pushing innovation offshore. The group maintains that these rewards are fundamentally different from bank interest and should not be regulated as such.

Carbone also noted that the Digital Chamber is uniquely positioned to act as a mediator, given that its membership includes both crypto-native firms and traditional financial institutions.

“Hopefully we can be the voice or the middle man who helps drive this conversation once again,” he said.

White House pushes for compromise timeline

According to people familiar with the talks, the White House has called for a compromise on the crypto market structure bill by the end of the month. So far, however, the banking side has shown little movement despite repeated meetings.

Trump crypto adviser Patrick Witt told Yahoo Finance on Friday that another meeting could take place next week.

“We’re working hard to address the issues that were raised,” Witt said, adding that he has encouraged both sides to bend on details.

Witt also downplayed the centrality of the stablecoin yield debate, arguing that the crypto market structure bill is being sidetracked by an issue better handled elsewhere.

“It’s unfortunate that this has become such a big issue,” he said, noting that stablecoins were more squarely addressed by the GENIUS Act. “Let’s use a scalpel here to address this narrow issue of idle yield.”

Legislative path remains uncertain

The fate of the crypto market structure bill now depends on how the Senate committees proceed. The Senate Agriculture Committee has already passed its version of the Clarity Act, focusing primarily on commodities oversight. The Senate Banking Committee’s version, by contrast, addresses securities and stablecoins.

If the banking panel advances its draft along partisan lines, the crypto market structure bill could struggle to clear the full Senate, where a 60-vote threshold will require substantial Democratic support. That reality is adding pressure on negotiators to find a middle ground that preserves innovation while addressing systemic risk concerns.

For now, the crypto market structure bill remains stuck between two powerful constituencies. Whether compromise emerges—or the stalemate hardens—will determine not only the future of stablecoin rewards, but the broader direction of U.S. crypto regulation.

02/14/2026

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