Daily digests
Crypto News Digest: May 22, 2026
The stories that moved crypto on May 22, 2026.
40 stories
All crypto news
Kevin Warsh sworn in as Fed chair, as traders forecast rate hikes in 2026
Kevin Warsh is sworn in as the new Fed chair, replacing an outgoing chair, as traders forecast rate hikes in 2026, defying US President Donald Trump's repeated calls for lower interest rates. Investors predict a 75% chance of rate hikes, citing inflation concerns and a strengthening economy, which could impact market expectations and push up bond yields.
OKX and ICE are bringing 'never-expiring' oil futures to 120 million crypto users
OKX and ICE are launching 'never-expiring' oil futures, targeting 120 million crypto users, as Hyperliquid's similar contracts have seen immense success with over $1.6 billion in 24-hour trading volume, demonstrating strong demand for this innovative product. This partnership may attract a significant portion of the crypto market to oil futures trading, increasing liquidity and driving growth.
Robinhood Crypto COO Tanya Denisova is leaving company amid revenue slowdown
Robinhood Crypto COO Tanya Denisova is leaving the company after more than five years, as the trading platform navigates a sharp decline in crypto revenue and works to lessen its dependence on digital asset market cycles.
F2Pool founder who controls 11% of bitcoin's hashrate to lead first SpaceX mission to Mars
Chun Wang, the founder of F2Pool who controls 11% of bitcoin's hashrate, is leading the first SpaceX mission to Mars as the first Mission Commander. This historic voyage is crucial for the future transport of millions of tons of cargo and a million citizens to the Red Planet, marking a significant milestone in space exploration and potential resource extraction.
Kash Patel-Linked Apparel Store Goes Dark After Pushing Crypto-Stealing Malware
A Kash Patel-linked apparel store has gone dark after pushing crypto-stealing malware, compromising user security. The exact extent of user losses remains unclear, but the incident highlights the growing threat of cryptocurrency scams. The dark store's abrupt closure suggests a potential law enforcement crackdown, underscoring the need for vigilance in the crypto space, where user security is paramount.
Tom Lee says trillions in tech IPO supply won't crash the S&P 500
Tom Lee asserts that trillions in new tech IPO supply from companies like SpaceX, Anthropic, and OpenAI won't crash the S&P 500. He believes underallocated investors will absorb the new listings, providing a market for the influx of shares. This perspective suggests the tech IPO boom won't significantly impact the broader market's stability, maintaining investor confidence.
House Oversight chair launches probe into insider trading on Kalshi and Polymarket
House Oversight Chairman Comer launches a probe into alleged insider trading on Kalshi and Polymarket, sending letters to both CEOs with a June 5 document deadline. The investigation targets potential manipulation of prices on these prediction markets. This probe may lead to increased regulatory scrutiny on decentralized finance, potentially impacting the growth of prediction markets and their associated cryptocurrencies.
Trump Media moves another $205 million in bitcoin as losses on crypto bet swell to $455 million
Trump Media is moving another $205 million in bitcoin, adding to its $250 million already invested, as the company's crypto bet continues to lose value, swelling losses to $455 million. This move comes as the company faces widening quarterly deficits and sits on hundreds of millions in unrealized crypto losses, putting pressure on its bitcoin strategy.
CoinDesk 20 performance update: NEAR surges 19.4% as index trades flat
The CoinDesk 20 is trading flat, but NEAR Protocol surges 19.4% and Internet Computer (ICP) rises 4.3% from Thursday, joining NEAR as a top performer. ICP's gain brings its year-to-date increase to 15.6%, while NEAR's surge is a significant boost for the cryptocurrency, which has been steadily growing in value and adoption in the crypto market.
Price predictions 5/22: BTC, ETH, BNB, XRP, SOL, DOGE, HYPE, ADA, ZEC, BCH
Bitcoin is currently trading at $76,000, presenting bears with a chance to regain control of the crypto market, potentially triggering a broader sell-off. Altcoins like HYPE are capitalizing on this trend, reaching new highs, while other major cryptocurrencies like Ethereum, Binance Coin, and Solana remain relatively stable, awaiting the next market shift.
New strategic bitcoin reserve bill drops 1 million BTC purchase target, adds 20-year lockup period
A new strategic bitcoin reserve bill is proposed, reducing the target purchase from 1 million BTC to an unspecified amount, and introducing a 20-year lockup period for government-held bitcoin. The bill also mandates quarterly public proof-of-reserve disclosures and third-party audits, aiming to increase transparency and accountability in government cryptocurrency management, potentially boosting investor confidence in the space.
Two Men Federally Charged Over AI Deepfake Porn Under the Take It Down Act
Federal prosecutors are charging two men under the 2025 Take It Down Act, a law that criminalizes non-consensual AI-generated intimate imagery. The charges stem from alleged AI deepfake porn created without consent. This is the first major test of the law, which aims to protect victims of deepfakes from online exploitation, potentially setting a precedent for future cases.
Kalshi Debuts 'Fair Markets' Lobby Group as Congress Opens Insider Trading Probe
Kalshi is launching Americans for Fair Markets, a lobby group to influence policymakers' views on prediction markets. This move comes as Congress probes insider trading, potentially impacting the regulated prediction market space. The group aims to shape policy and promote fair market practices, which could influence Kalshi's own operations and the broader regulatory environment.
Microsoft's Free AI Just Beat OpenAI and Google at Browsing the Web
Microsoft's Fara1.5 family of open-weight browser agents is outperforming OpenAI's Operator and Google's Gemini 2.5 on the industry's toughest live-web benchmark, showcasing Microsoft's AI prowess. Fara1.5's superior performance is a testament to Microsoft's Research advancements, potentially disrupting the AI landscape. This achievement has significant implications for the future of AI-powered browsing and web navigation.
SEC Delays Tokenized Stocks Innovation Exemption Amid Concerns: Bloomberg
The SEC is delaying its regulatory framework for tokenized stocks, sparking concerns among companies seeking to tokenize traditional assets like stocks. This framework was expected to provide clarity, but its postponement leaves companies uncertain about compliance. The delay may hinder innovation in the tokenization space, impacting the growth of decentralized finance.
IREN co-founder says AI’s biggest bottleneck is infrastructure, not chips
IREN co-founder Dan Roberts emphasizes AI's biggest bottleneck is infrastructure, not chips, as the company aims to build a vertically integrated AI platform. This strategy involves spanning power, data centers, GPUs, and enterprise software. IREN's plan seeks to address the infrastructure gap, potentially enabling faster AI development and deployment, which could drive innovation and growth in the AI industry.
THORChain exploit tied to malicious node and GG20 flaw
A malicious node has exploited a GG20 vulnerability in THORChain, resulting in a $10.7 million loss. The attacker was able to reconstruct a full private key to one of the vaults, bypassing security measures. This breach highlights a critical vulnerability in the system, underscoring the need for urgent patches and enhanced security protocols to prevent similar attacks.
US House lawmakers launch probe into Kalshi, Polymarket insider trading
US House lawmakers launch a probe into Kalshi and Polymarket, two major prediction market companies, following suspiciously timed trades related to US military actions against Iran. Representative James Comer has requested information from the CEOs, focusing on their responses to insider trading. The investigation aims to uncover potential market manipulation and ensure regulatory compliance in the prediction market space.
Why Minnesota is empowering local banks to fight Wall Street for crypto revenue
Minnesota is empowering local banks to fight Wall Street for crypto revenue, recognizing the need to stay competitive in the rapidly growing market. A local banker notes Wall Street's aggressive push into crypto, making it essential for Minnesota's financial institutions to take action, or risk being left behind in the lucrative space, with potential implications for local economic growth.
Ripple, North Island Ventures back $6 million round for cross-chain platform Squid
Ripple and North Island Ventures are backing a $6 million funding round for cross-chain platform Squid, which is preparing to launch a new consumer product to simplify access and management of crypto assets. This strategic investment aims to expand Squid's user base and further its mission to bridge different blockchain ecosystems, potentially increasing adoption and usage of cryptocurrencies.
SEC Commissioner Peirce counters views that crypto rule will foster synthetic tokens
Hester Peirce, the SEC's Crypto Task Force commissioner, counters views that the proposed rule will foster synthetic tokens, suggesting that misconceptions exist. The delayed proposal aims to regulate token offerings and trading, sparking debate within the crypto community. Peirce's statements address concerns, potentially influencing market sentiment and investor confidence in the industry's regulatory environment.
Kalshi, Polymarket lose bids to halt Nevada and Washington gambling cases
Kalshi and Polymarket's bids to halt Nevada and Washington state gambling cases have been rejected by the Ninth Circuit, citing that federal derivatives oversight does not shield prediction market firms from state gaming enforcement. This ruling threatens to upend the operations of these prediction market companies, potentially impacting their business models and user bases nationwide.
GameStop Seeks to Boost Share Count as eBay Pursuit Continues After Rejection
GameStop is seeking to boost its share count by 1.5 billion shares, aiming to increase financial flexibility. This move comes as the company continues to pursue eBay despite being rejected, indicating a desire for strategic options. The increased share count could potentially facilitate future acquisitions or financial maneuvers, further positioning GameStop for potential growth and market influence.
Bitcoin Billionaire Books First SpaceX Mars Mission
Chun Wang, co-founder of F2Pool, a prominent cryptocurrency mining pool, is booking the first SpaceX Mars mission, a Starship flyby, ahead of the company's planned human landing on the planet.
SEC delays tokenized asset exemption amid concerns over third-party tokens: Bloomberg Law
The SEC is delaying its plan for an anticipated exemption that would clarify its stance on tokenized assets, according to Bloomberg Law. The exemption was expected to provide clarity on tokenized assets, but its delay sparks concerns among investors and companies relying on tokenization. Market uncertainty persists as regulatory clarity remains elusive, impacting token prices and adoption.
DeFi hacks shake institutional confidence as risks outpace yields
Institutional investors are reevaluating DeFi's value proposition as repeated bridge exploits and dwindling yields erode confidence, prompting a critical assessment of risks versus returns. Symbiotic's Putiatin notes that this shift could have significant implications for the DeFi market, potentially slowing its growth and adoption, which may impact the overall cryptocurrency market's trajectory and investor sentiment.
Bitcoin price falls under $77K as Dow Jones hits new all-time highs
Bitcoin's price plummets under $77,000 as the Dow Jones hits new all-time highs, reaching a milestone of 35,000 points, with investors shifting focus to Wall Street's performance. Traders sound warning bells due to weak US demand, sparking concerns of a potential market shift. The cryptocurrency's decline reflects the shifting investor sentiment.
Crypto Biz: Institutions tighten their grip on Bitcoin, AI and prediction markets
Institutional crypto adoption surges as Tether significantly expands its Bitcoin holdings, further solidifying institutional grip on the market. Meanwhile, miners shift focus to AI and Polymarket joins the Nasdaq, expanding its reach. This trend is accompanied by $1 billion in fund outflows, indicating a shift towards more institutionalized and regulated investment options in crypto.
Kalshi-backed prediction market advocacy group debuts with support from former Trump aide
A Kalshi-backed prediction market advocacy group debuts today with support from former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich, who has been a vocal advocate for the industry. The group aims to promote the benefits of prediction markets, citing their potential to increase civic engagement and improve decision-making processes in the US.
Tom Emmer brushes off law enforcement concerns over Clarity Act
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer downplays law enforcement concerns over the Clarity Act, claiming they're being overstated. Emmer's stance suggests he's not swayed by warnings from law enforcement groups, who fear the bill may hinder their ability to investigate cryptocurrency crimes. This stance has implications for the crypto industry's regulatory environment, potentially paving the way for increased developer protections.
OKX, ICE partner on oil perps as NYSE-parent pressures US regulators to rein in Hyperliquid
OKX is partnering with Intercontinental Exchange to launch oil perpetual contracts, tracking ICE's Brent Crude and WTI Crude energy benchmarks. The new contracts will provide traders with a more liquid and regulated platform to bet on oil prices, offering a wider range of investment opportunities. This move may increase adoption of crypto derivatives in the energy market.
Crypto Is Growing Up—Why Some Everyday Traders Are Moving On
Retail traders are abandoning crypto due to muted volatility, shifting political landscapes, and increasing Wall Street influence, leading to a decrease in participation. This trend is driven by the absence of the wild price swings that initially drew traders to the market. As a result, the crypto community is losing its grassroots appeal.
NEAR protocol leads AI token rally with a 50% pump: Is $5 NEAR price next?
NEAR protocol's price surges 50% in a week, driven by AI token momentum, Nvidia optimism, and network upgrades, fueling bullish sentiment. The rally has investors speculating about a potential $5 price target for NEAR, which could further boost the token's value and attract more investors to the AI-focused ecosystem, increasing its market presence.
NEAR token jumps 30% amid AI hype, Arthur Hayes endorsement and scaling plans
Arthur Hayes, a prominent crypto investor, describes NEAR, HYPE, and ZEC as "the holy trinity" of altcoins, sparking a 30% surge in NEAR token value. Hayes' endorsement fuels investor optimism about NEAR's scaling plans and potential for growth. The market reacts positively to the endorsement, boosting NEAR's price and increasing investor interest in the altcoin's AI-related developments.
Crypto, Banks, Policy Experts Press Congress to Modernize Bank Secrecy Act
Cryptocurrency and banking experts are urging Congress to modernize the 1970-era Bank Secrecy Act, with a House subcommittee hearing revealing a divide on the extent of revisions needed. The law's expansion under Trump has sparked concerns about overregulation, while others argue for stricter anti-money laundering measures to protect the financial system's integrity, impacting the crypto industry's growth and adoption.
Space X IPO: 'Bad news' for tech stocks but what about Bitcoin?
SpaceX's highly anticipated IPO is set to significantly increase the Mag 7's market capitalization, potentially elevating it to the Mag 8 index, with Tesla and SpaceX now accounting for 25% of the group's combined Bitcoin balance-sheet exposure, sparking concerns about the potential impact on Bitcoin's price as institutional investors pour in.
Binance disputes latest WSJ report on alleged Iran-linked transactions
Binance disputes the latest WSJ report alleging Iranian financier Babak Zanjani moved $850 million through their platform, with CEO Richard Teng claiming the transactions were mischaracterized, not involving Binance directly. This denial comes as the cryptocurrency market faces increasing scrutiny over compliance and regulatory issues, potentially impacting investor confidence and market stability.
Live markets: Bitcoin continues holding pattern near $77,000 ahead of Kevin Warsh taking over at Fed
Kevin Warsh is being sworn as Fed chairman in a White House ceremony on Friday morning, replacing Jerome Powell. This transition comes as Bitcoin holds steady near $77,000, maintaining its current price pattern. Market participants are closely watching the development, awaiting potential implications on monetary policy and its impact on cryptocurrency prices.
Bitcoin miner MARA spent $4.3M on CEO security in 2025 as crypto attacks rise
MARA is spending $4.3 million on CEO Fred Thiel's security in 2025, including vehicle armoring, due to rising crypto attacks, particularly wrench attacks. As a major player in the industry, MARA is taking proactive measures to protect its leadership. This significant investment reflects the growing threat landscape in the crypto space and the importance of securing key assets.
House Republicans Open Investigation Into Kalshi, Polymarket Over Insider Trading
House Republicans are opening an investigation into Kalshi and Polymarket, requesting documents regarding insider trading and war-related markets. The inquiry focuses on potential exploitation of sensitive information. The probe's scope and timeline are unclear. Market implications are uncertain, but regulatory scrutiny may impact the growth of these prediction markets, potentially affecting their user base and revenue.