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The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has issued sweeping new guidance stating that most crypto assets will not be treated as securities, aiming to resolve long-standing uncertainty in the industry. The regulator clarified that activities such as Bitcoin mining, staking, and airdrops do not meet the definition of securities, while only a narrower category labelled “digital securities” falls under its authority. A new classification system divides crypto assets into digital commodities, collectables, tools, stablecoins and securities, with commodities like Bitcoin and Ethereum seen as decentralised assets that derive value from network activity rather than managerial promises.
The guidance also signals a shift away from heavy reliance on the Howey Test, which had previously been used to assess crypto assets, with the SEC acknowledging it had failed to provide clarity. The agency indicated that even when investment contracts exist, underlying crypto assets may not be considered securities in secondary market trading, particularly if expectations tied to issuer involvement fade over time. Alongside this, the SEC is preparing potential exemptions to support early-stage crypto projects and fundraising efforts, while coordinating with other regulators to establish a clearer and more consistent framework for the sector. Source
A cross-party UK parliamentary committee has called for an immediate ban on cryptocurrency donations to political parties, warning they pose an unacceptable risk to the integrity of the political finance system. The Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy is pushing for a binding moratorium to be added to the Representation of the People Bill, citing concerns that crypto could enable foreign interference and illicit funding ahead of the next general election. The report highlights how tools such as mixers, privacy coins and cross-chain transfers can obscure the origin of funds, while emerging tactics like automated micro-donations could allow large sums to bypass existing reporting thresholds.
The proposal has drawn criticism from some experts who argue that stricter rules or bans could introduce new cybersecurity risks by forcing political parties to store sensitive donor data in centralised systems, potentially making them targets for hackers. Evidence presented to the committee also suggested that banning crypto donations might push activity offshore rather than eliminate the underlying risks. While some witnesses noted that crypto can offer transparency within regulated frameworks, the committee concluded that current safeguards are insufficient and that the potential for abuse remains too high, reinforcing its call for urgent action. Source
VersaBank has expanded its tokenised deposit platform by introducing foreign exchange functionality, enabling users to convert between US and Canadian dollars in real time using blockchain technology. The system uses Real Bank Tokenized Deposits, which are digital representations of fiat deposits backed one-to-one by customer funds, allowing transactions to take place continuously rather than being restricted by traditional banking hours. The upgrade is aimed at improving cross-border payments, particularly between the US and Canada, by reducing reliance on slower conventional foreign exchange systems.
The move reflects a broader trend among financial institutions exploring tokenised deposits to combine the speed and programmability of blockchain with the stability of traditional banking. While still in a pilot phase rather than a full rollout, the addition of currency conversion marks a step towards wider commercial use. Other initiatives globally are also testing similar concepts, as tokenisation continues to grow rapidly across financial markets, with increasing volumes of assets being represented on blockchain systems for more efficient settlement and transfer. Source
Bitrefill has revealed it was the target of a cyberattack on March 1 that began with a compromised employee laptop and escalated into access to parts of its database and certain cryptocurrency wallets. The attackers exploited stolen credentials linked to sensitive system data and used that access to interact with gift card inventory and supplier purchasing systems before the breach was detected through unusual activity. The company said evidence from its investigation, including malware patterns and infrastructure links, suggests involvement from North Korean hacking groups Lazarus and Bluenoroff, and it has since worked with security experts and law enforcement to assess the incident.
Around 18,500 purchase records were partially exposed, including limited data such as email addresses, crypto payment details and IP metadata, though there was no evidence of a full database breach. A smaller subset of records containing encrypted customer names is being treated cautiously in case access keys were compromised, with affected users notified directly. Bitrefill stated that most services have now been restored, financial losses will be covered internally, and further steps are being taken to strengthen security, including tighter access controls, improved monitoring systems and expanded incident response measures. Source
Tether has introduced a new AI training framework as part of its QVAC platform, designed to enable large language models to be fine-tuned on everyday consumer hardware such as smartphones and non-Nvidia GPUs. Built using Microsoft’s BitNet architecture alongside LoRA techniques, the system significantly reduces memory and computational demands, making AI development more accessible and cost-effective. It supports a wide range of hardware, including chips from AMD, Intel and Apple, as well as mobile GPUs, and can fine-tune models with up to 1 billion parameters on smartphones in under two hours, with smaller models completed in minutes.
The framework also delivers efficiency improvements by cutting VRAM requirements by up to 77.8% compared with traditional models, while boosting inference speeds on mobile GPUs. Tether highlighted potential applications such as on-device training and federated learning, reducing dependence on centralised cloud systems. This launch reflects a broader trend of crypto firms expanding into AI infrastructure, with growing investment in high-performance computing and AI agents capable of executing tasks and interacting with blockchain services. Source
Bitcoin Depot has had its money transmission licence suspended in Connecticut after regulators accused the Bitcoin ATM operator of overcharging customers, failing to fully refund scam victims, and not meeting required disclosure standards. The order forces the company to immediately halt operations in the state and disable its kiosks, with authorities citing public safety concerns. Investigations found more than 1,000 transactions where fees exceeded the legal 15% cap, resulting in around $150,000 in excess charges paid by over 500 users. The company also acknowledged it expects to report unresolved material weaknesses in its internal controls, although it said these issues do not affect previously reported financial results.
The suspension comes despite overall revenue growth in 2025, though the latest quarter showed declining revenue and a net loss, partly attributed to tighter regulations and compliance changes. Analysts described the enforcement action as a serious setback, highlighting structural compliance failures and potential reputational damage, while noting it may not be fatal if addressed. The move signals increasing regulatory scrutiny across the crypto ATM sector, with expectations that other operators may face similar action if standards are not improved. Source
Ripple has expanded its presence in Brazil by rolling out key services including cross-border payments and digital asset custody, positioning itself as a comprehensive solution for institutional financial needs. The company described itself as uniquely capable of covering a full range of services, from payments to treasury management, while also applying for a Virtual Asset Service Provider licence with Brazil’s central bank. This move aligns with the country’s evolving crypto regulations and reflects Ripple’s long-standing compliance-focused strategy, with leadership highlighting Brazil as a rapidly advancing and strategically important financial market.
The expansion includes partnerships with several Brazilian financial institutions using Ripple’s payments and custody solutions, alongside growing adoption of its RLUSD stablecoin, which has surpassed a $1.5 billion market cap in under 18 months. The stablecoin is gaining traction among exchanges and fintech firms seeking regulated digital dollar infrastructure. This development in Brazil follows similar efforts by Ripple in other regions, including licence applications in Australia and strategic moves across North America, signalling a broader push to strengthen its global institutional footprint. Source
Sitemaker is presented as a comprehensive platform designed to simplify the creation of high-converting websites and landing pages in an increasingly competitive digital environment. It enables users ranging from individual marketers to large businesses to design, deploy and manage web assets with minimal technical complexity, focusing instead on marketing strategy and conversion optimisation. Built with a visually driven interface, it supports everything from single-purpose landing pages to full multi-page websites, while also integrating with existing systems such as WordPress and offering flexible domain management for both rapid deployment and professional branding.
The platform stands out through its advanced feature set, including community-driven A/B testing powered by social feedback and cryptocurrency incentives, integrated e-commerce capabilities, reusable marketing tools, and streamlined analytics. It also offers collaboration features for teams and a tiered subscription model, including a free option, with higher tiers unlocking hosting, custom domains and AI-powered tools for content creation and optimisation. Positioned as more than just a website builder, Sitemaker aims to function as a complete digital ecosystem, combining marketing, analytics and business operations into a single environment to enhance performance, scalability and long-term growth. Source
Moody’s Ratings has introduced a new system called Token Integration Engine (TIE), designed to bring its credit analysis directly onto blockchain networks. The platform allows authorised participants to access credit ratings within blockchain-based financial workflows, while maintaining issuer control over access and preserving Moody’s oversight of its rating processes. Built for institutional use, the system represents an early attempt to embed traditional credit assessment into digital financial infrastructure. The rollout follows a 2025 pilot with fintech firm Alphaledger and marks the first time a major credit rating agency has delivered its analysis in an onchain format.
The system has been initially deployed on the Canton Network, a permissioned blockchain focused on institutional finance, where Moody’s is running its own node and plans further expansion across networks and asset types. This move aligns with broader adoption of Canton by asset managers, banks and financial infrastructure providers, including initiatives involving tokenised funds, US Treasury securities and digital asset trading platforms. As institutions increasingly explore blockchain for settlement, collateral and liquidity functions, Moody’s integration signals a step towards merging traditional financial risk evaluation with emerging digital ecosystems. Source
A landmark joint guidance issued by the SEC and the CFTC on March 17 marks a major shift in how cryptocurrencies are regulated in the United States, clarifying that most crypto assets are not inherently securities. This brings an end to years of uncertainty that affected investors and developers, where assets risked sudden reclassification and legal challenges, as seen in high-profile cases like XRP. The guidance provides clearer distinctions around common crypto activities such as staking and airdrops, stating that protocol-level staking typically falls outside securities laws, while centralised services offering returns based on managerial efforts may still be treated as securities. Similarly, airdrops that distribute tokens freely without investment expectations are less likely to face scrutiny, unlike those marketed with profit promises.
The regulators have also introduced a formal classification system for digital assets, dividing them into categories such as digital commodities, collectables, tools, stablecoins and securities, helping to separate the nature of the asset from how it is used. This framework aims to reduce regulatory risk, making it less likely for major cryptocurrencies to face sudden enforcement actions or delistings, while encouraging innovation and compliance. For everyday investors, this creates a more stable environment and supports further integration of crypto into mainstream finance, although it does not guarantee the success of individual assets. Source
PayPal is extending its dollar-backed stablecoin, PYUSD, to 70 international markets, aiming to offer faster and cheaper alternatives for cross-border payments. The rollout allows users to buy, hold, send, and convert PYUSD directly within their PayPal accounts, with additional features including rewards on holdings, instant transfers to friends or third-party wallets, and conversion to local currencies. Businesses accepting PYUSD benefit from near-instant access to funds, improving liquidity and reducing reliance on traditional settlement timelines.
The expansion follows PYUSD’s 2023 launch in the United States and positions the token as a tool for a more globally connected commerce ecosystem. Coverage spans regions including Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and North America, with notable markets such as Singapore, the United Kingdom, Colombia, Costa Rica, and the United States. While some limitations apply, such as restricted access or rewards in certain markets, PYUSD now ranks as the seventh-largest stablecoin by market capitalisation, surpassing four billion dollars in circulation, highlighting its growing adoption and practical utility for international transactions. Source
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission has granted Phantom Technologies a no-action relief, allowing its self-custody crypto wallet to connect users to regulated futures markets without registering as an introducing broker. The decision covers Phantom’s software wallet, which links users to registered futures commission merchants, brokers, and designated contract markets, while maintaining compliance with a defined set of conditions to protect market integrity and consumer safety. The CFTC emphasised that the ruling provides clarity for non-custodial wallet providers but does not extend to DeFi derivatives or tokenised prediction markets, and may eventually be superseded by formal rulemaking.
The relief represents a significant regulatory milestone for self-custodial crypto tools, offering a model for other wallet developers seeking access to regulated markets without handling customer funds directly. Phantom, which primarily operates on the Solana blockchain, engaged proactively with the CFTC to define compliant pathways, highlighting the importance of early regulatory collaboration for innovation. While the decision is limited in scope, it reduces uncertainty for non-custodial wallets and sets a precedent for bridging the gap between traditional financial regulations and emerging crypto infrastructure. Source
Coin Center has called on the US Securities and Exchange Commission to focus on establishing clear rules for the cryptocurrency industry rather than issuing case-by-case no-action letters. The Washington, D.C.-based policy think tank argued that selective relief leads to fragmentation, uneven treatment, and implicit merit regulation, which undermines the stability and fairness of the market. In a letter to the SEC, Coin Center emphasised that crypto networks derive their value from functioning as utility-like public goods rather than private services, and urged the regulator to prioritise formal rulemaking wherever possible to provide consistent guidance.
Recent developments in US regulation include the SEC releasing a notice interpreting how non-security crypto assets fall under federal securities laws and providing a token taxonomy, as well as a memorandum of understanding between the SEC and CFTC to coordinate oversight. Despite ongoing no-action letters to crypto firms such as Phantom Technologies and various DePIN projects, Coin Center warned that these selective rulings favour entities with resources to request relief and leave the wider market in uncertainty. Legislative efforts, such as the CLARITY Act, are also progressing to clarify regulatory oversight and reduce ambiguity for digital assets, aiming for more consistent treatment across the sector. Source
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has filed 20 criminal charges against prediction market platform Kalshi, accusing it of operating an illegal gambling service and allowing unlicensed election wagering. Sixteen of the counts are class 1 misdemeanours related to betting and wagering, while four involve violations of election wagering laws, covering bets on upcoming Arizona state races in 2026 and the 2028 presidential election. The charges were announced shortly after Kalshi pre-emptively sued the state, a tactic it has previously used in other states, prompting Mayes to describe the move as an attempt to avoid accountability under Arizona law.
Kalshi has faced legal challenges in multiple states, including a denied preliminary injunction in Ohio and an ongoing class action over its handling of a prediction market on the potential removal of Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The company has also filed lawsuits against Iowa and Utah in recent weeks, continuing a pattern of legal preemption rather than compliance with state regulations. Despite being valued at around 11 billion dollars in December, the firm reportedly seeks nearly a 20 billion dollar valuation, adding to the stakes in its legal disputes and regulatory scrutiny. Source
US Senator Tim Scott has indicated that a potential compromise on a provision concerning stablecoin yield payments could help advance a stalled crypto market structure bill in the Senate this week. The legislation, which follows the House-passed CLARITY Act, has been delayed due to negotiations between banking and crypto lobbyists over rules that would prevent third parties from offering stablecoin yield payments. Banking groups argue that such yields could undermine the stability of the financial system, while crypto advocates claim the restrictions are anti-competitive and harm the industry’s ability to attract customers. Scott, chair of the Senate Banking Committee, suggested that a first proposal could emerge this week, offering hope for renewed momentum.
Beyond the stablecoin yield issue, other elements of the bill are under discussion, including ethics provisions, the treatment of decentralised finance, and clarifying who falls within the regulatory framework. Scott noted that while these matters are less publicly contentious, they remain significant and are being addressed alongside the more high-profile yield debate. Procedural arrangements mean both the Senate Banking Committee and Senate Agriculture Committee are involved, as the bill affects the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission respectively, with progress on certain elements continuing despite earlier delays. Source
The use of cryptocurrency for everyday transactions is growing among Australians, with the share of people using crypto to pay for goods and services doubling from 6% to 12% in 2026. Online shopping emerged as the leading real-world use case, with 21% of respondents reporting purchases in this category, followed by payments for services such as freelancing and video games at 16%. The survey of 2,000 Australians conducted by crypto exchange Independent Reserve indicates that more people are viewing crypto as a practical payment method rather than just a speculative investment, although complexity and lack of education remain barriers to broader adoption.
Despite this growing interest, banking obstacles continue to hinder crypto usage, with around 30% of investors reporting delays or rejections when buying cryptocurrency or transferring funds to exchanges, up from 19.3% in 2025. Younger users and those making smaller transactions experienced the most interference. The report highlights that Australian banks remain cautious due to unclear regulatory guidance, suggesting that clear licencing and regulation could increase confidence in crypto transactions, reduce interruptions, and improve reliability for both consumers and businesses. Source
Disclaimer: These articles are provided for informational purposes only. They are not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other advice.
