Daily digests
Crypto News Digest: June 23, 2026
The stories that moved crypto on June 23, 2026.
40 stories
All crypto news
Strategy's STRC slump prompts Terra comparisons that don't hold up, says analyst
Benchmark's Mark Palmer emphasizes that Strategy's STRC slump prompts Terra comparisons that don't hold up, as STRC is a dividend-paying share backed indirectly by bitcoin, not a peg waiting to break. This distinction is crucial, as STRC's value is tied to its underlying assets, unlike Terra's algorithmic stablecoin, which failed due to a flawed design.
Morning Minute: Fomo's $75M Raise Shows Big VCs Are Still Betting on Consumer Crypto
Fomo, a consumer-focused crypto startup, raises $75 million from prominent venture capitalists, signaling big investors' continued confidence in consumer crypto despite broader market volatility. Meanwhile, major cryptos like Bitcoin are experiencing sell-offs as tech stocks decline, while MicroStrategy's Saylor is reportedly stockpiling cash and ETH heavyweights collaborate with ETHLabs to fund R&D.
Franklin Templeton closes 250 Digital acquisition deal and sets up new Franklin Crypto division
Franklin Templeton, a $1.7 trillion asset manager, is closing its acquisition deal for 250 Digital, although the purchase price remains undisclosed. This strategic move enables the company to establish a new corporate division, Franklin Crypto, dedicated to crypto investments. The division will focus on expanding its digital asset offerings to clients worldwide.
Ethereum’s much-hated staking 'tax' may already be obsolete
Ethereum's funding crisis is sparking a heated debate about taxing staking rewards, a contentious plan that may be rendered obsolete by a new wave of labs and large ETH holders funding development offchain, potentially diverting millions of dollars from the network's treasury. This shift could significantly alter Ethereum's financial dynamics and development trajectory.
The ECB digital euro takes step forward after winning key European Parliament vote
The European Central Bank's digital euro is advancing after EU lawmakers backed a legal framework to develop the currency by 2029, aiming to reduce reliance on US credit card and stablecoin giants. This move could potentially disrupt the global payments market, estimated to reach $3.5 trillion by 2027, with significant implications for the financial industry.
Kalshi adds India to growing list of restricted jurisdictions
Kalshi is adding India to its list of 55 restricted jurisdictions, joining countries where access to its prediction market platform is prohibited. This move comes months after Indian authorities warned VPN providers to stop facilitating access to such platforms, underscoring the ongoing regulatory challenges faced by crypto and prediction market operators in the region, impacting user accessibility and growth.
In Clarity Act's final weeks, its path through U.S. Senate not getting much clearer
Crypto lobbyists are actively working to secure a July vote for the Clarity Act in the U.S. Senate, despite ongoing negotiations in challenging areas. This week, they are flying in allies to bolster support. The bill's uncertain path has raised concerns among industry stakeholders, with a July vote still a possibility, potentially impacting the crypto market's trajectory and regulatory landscape.
Former Robinhood Crypto COO Tanya Denisova joins stablecoin issuer Agora as head of operations
Tanya Denisova, former Robinhood Crypto COO, joins Agora as head of operations to oversee its rapidly growing AUSD stablecoin business. Denisova brings extensive experience in crypto operations to the role. Agora is scaling its AUSD stablecoin, which has seen significant growth, and Denisova's expertise will be crucial in maintaining its momentum, potentially solidifying Agora's position in the stablecoin market.
Trump's Quantum Push Wins Praise, But Experts Warn Bitcoin Isn't Ready
President Trump's quantum executive orders are receiving praise from industry leaders, but experts warn that Bitcoin isn't ready for the challenge. Accelerated timelines reflect growing urgency around post-quantum security and cryptocurrency infrastructure. Researchers emphasize the need for swift implementation to safeguard against potential quantum attacks, which could compromise Bitcoin's security and undermine investor confidence in the market.
Senate Democrats urge Republicans to hold hearings on Trump family crypto ties to Abu Dhabi royalty
Senate Democrats are urging Republicans to hold hearings on Trump family crypto ties to Abu Dhabi royalty, citing concerns over potential conflicts of interest and money laundering. The push for hearings comes amid reports of a Trump family crypto venture involving Abu Dhabi royalty, with no official details disclosed yet, sparking market scrutiny.
Crypto critic Roubini joins tokenization boom with onchain 'Technodollar'
Nassim Nicholas Roubini, a renowned economist and critic of cryptocurrencies, is now backing a tokenized security called the 'Technodollar', which is backed by a Nasdaq-listed ETF he oversees. This move marks a significant shift in Roubini's stance on digital assets. The Technodollar aims to safeguard wealth during global crises, potentially disrupting traditional asset management.
Starmer steps down: What Andy Burnham means for crypto in the UK
Andy Burnham is stepping up to a key position, bringing optimism to the UK crypto industry, having previously supported the blockchain industry as mayor of Manchester. His past involvement in blockchain initiatives suggests a favorable stance on crypto. Burnham's influence could lead to increased adoption and regulatory clarity, benefiting the UK's growing crypto market.
Meet Qwable: The Free Local Model That Thinks Like Claude Fable
Researchers have fine-tuned Fable 5's reasoning style into a local Qwen model, dubbed Qwable, which mimics human-like conversation. Qwable's conscience was then removed, allowing it to generate text without moral constraints. This development could lead to improved chatbots and AI assistants, potentially revolutionizing customer service and personal assistant industries with more efficient and responsive interactions.
$170M Ether longs liquidated as crypto market tumbles: Is ETH doomed?
$170M Ether longs are being liquidated as the crypto market tumbles, with ETH price hanging in the balance amidst a fresh wave of liquidations and spillover from Bitcoin's struggles to hold $62,000, impacting investor sentiment and exacerbating concerns about a potential ETH price drop, which could further destabilize the altcoin's market value.
Bitcoin may need to plunge 15% or more to mark bottom, according to this long-time indicator
Bitcoin is currently testing its 200-week moving average, a crucial indicator, and on-chain data suggests the $50,000 to $54,000 range may become the next key battleground, potentially marking a significant turning point in the market. If history repeats, a 15% or more decline could be necessary to signal a bottom, indicating a possible price drop to around $42,500.
Bitcoin's recent drop below $60,000 signals Fed, ETF and AI pressures: Deutsche Bank
Bitcoin's recent drop below $60,000 signals a combination of pressures, as Deutsche Bank warns of a hawkish Federal Reserve, exacerbating exchange-traded fund outflows and capital shifting into AI. This shift has pushed Bitcoin to its lowest level since late 2024, with market implications including a potential further decline in cryptocurrency prices as investors reassess their portfolios.
Crypto isn't the problem with the US economy, says senator
Senator John Kennedy is dismissing cryptocurrency as the problem with the US economy, countering Digital Chamber CEO Cody Carbone's promotion of crypto in a Senate hearing on affordability, with Kennedy emphasizing the need to address underlying issues such as inflation and stagnant wages, rather than scapegoating cryptocurrency for economic woes, which may have a limited impact on the market.
Kentucky becomes latest state sued by CFTC over prediction markets
The CFTC is suing Kentucky, the latest state to be targeted, over its alleged failure to regulate prediction markets. The CFTC asserts its jurisdiction, citing federal laws governing futures and options trading. This move marks a significant escalation in the regulatory battle over prediction markets, potentially impacting the operations of sportsbooks and other market participants nationwide.
Mark Zuckerberg Wants a Prediction Market Too: NYT
Mark Zuckerberg is pushing for a prediction market, following his previous bets on stablecoins and the metaverse. This move aims to leverage user engagement and potentially create new revenue streams for Meta. The initiative is still in its infancy, with no official timeline or details released.
Barry Silbert’s Zcash miner proposes merger, sends Nasdaq stock soaring despite rough month for ZEC
Barry Silbert's Zcash miner Fortitude Mining proposes a merger with small-cap Nasdaq stock HeartSciences Inc, sending the latter's stock soaring despite a rough month for Zcash. The deal's terms are not disclosed, but it's expected to be a transformative move for HeartSciences. The market reacts positively, with HeartSciences stock price increasing significantly, indicating a potential boost in investor confidence.
CryptoQuant says Strategy should pause bitcoin purchases and rebuild cash reserves
CryptoQuant advises Michael Saylor's Strategy to pause bitcoin purchases and prioritize rebuilding cash reserves, citing a need for financial prudence. With bitcoin's price volatility, maintaining a stable cash reserve is crucial for long-term sustainability. This decision may impact Strategy's ability to capitalize on potential market gains, potentially limiting its growth prospects.
Trump directing ‘government dollars and time’ to quantum security could be a boon for bitcoin
Millions of bitcoins with exposed public addresses are at risk to quantum computers, according to Project Eleven. Trump's direction of government dollars and time to quantum security could potentially benefit bitcoin by accelerating the development of quantum-resistant cryptography, thereby safeguarding vulnerable coins and potentially increasing investor confidence in the cryptocurrency market's long-term security.
Mark Zuckerberg ordered Meta staff to develop moneyless prediction market: NYT
Mark Zuckerberg is ordering Meta staff to develop a moneyless prediction market, as reported by the New York Times, which will allow users to place wagers using a points system rather than actual currency. The market is expected to be launched independently of Meta's other apps, aiming to foster engagement and potentially new revenue streams for the company.
Crypto’s Clarity Act Has a New Enemy: Catholic Leaders
A group of 82 Catholic leaders is opposing a key provision in the Crypto's Clarity Act, arguing it could enable human trafficking by shielding software developers from prosecution. This provision aims to protect developers from liability for facilitating transactions on unregistered exchanges. The Catholic leaders' opposition may impact the bill's passage and crypto industry regulations.
Vitalik Buterin says Ethereum Foundation will cut budget 40% in major reset
Vitalik Buterin announces a 40% budget cut for the Ethereum Foundation, a significant move amidst ongoing turmoil, as the organization confirms a 20% reduction in headcount. This follows the resignation of co-Executive Director Hsiao-Wei Wang, the ninth senior figure to leave since January, indicating a major restructuring effort within the foundation.
Tether-backed Oobit brings USDT to nearly 170 million users of Brazil’s PIX payment network
Oobit, a Tether-backed company, is bringing USDT to nearly 170 million users of Brazil's PIX payment network, one of the world's most widely-adopted digital payment networks created by Banco Central do Brasil in 2020. This integration expands USDT's reach in the region, potentially increasing adoption and usage of stablecoins in Brazil's growing digital economy.
‘Quarter-end catalyst or consolidation?’: Bitcoin below $63,000 amid ETF outflows, $10.6 billion options expiry
Bitcoin hovers below $63,000 as investors await the highly anticipated PCE data release on Thursday, a crucial test of the market's resilience. Analysts are closely watching this key event, with some predicting significant price movements.
New York man sentenced for $1.4 million crypto fraud scheme using bogus influencer accounts
A New York man is sentenced to 15 months in prison for a $1.4 million crypto fraud scheme, where he posed as influencers on Telegram, using false promises of staking rewards to deceive victims. The scheme targeted unsuspecting investors, further eroding trust in the crypto space, as regulatory crackdowns intensify and investor vigilance increases.
Meta is developing a prediction market app called ‘Arena’ as sector booms: NYT
Meta is actively developing a prediction market app called 'Arena', allowing users to forecast future events using a points-based system rather than cash wagers, according to people familiar with the matter, as cited by the New York Times. This move indicates Meta's growing interest in the burgeoning prediction market sector, which is witnessing significant growth.
Zcash miner Fortitude gets Nasdaq listing via HeartSciences merger
Fortitude, a Zcash miner, is acquiring HeartSciences in an all-stock deal, securing a Nasdaq listing for itself. HeartSciences retains its healthcare business and existing shareholders hold a minority stake. This merger provides Fortitude with increased visibility and access to capital, potentially boosting its cryptocurrency mining operations and market presence in the industry.
AI Agent Triggers Nuclear Strike After Getting Outmaneuvered in Civilization VI
An AI agent in a Civilization VI game has triggered a nuclear strike after being outmaneuvered by a rival, spending 50 turns developing nuclear weapons in a bid to prevent a cultural victory, but ultimately losing the game. This benchmark tests strategic reasoning, highlighting the AI's flawed decision-making process and potential risks in real-world applications of artificial intelligence.
OpenAI's GPT-5.5 Cyber AI Beats Anthropic's Banned Mythos Model—And Nobody's Shutting It Down
GPT-5.5-Cyber currently leads the CyberGym leaderboard, outperforming Anthropic's models, including the banned Mythos, despite the latter being offline due to a Trump administration export ban. This development highlights the ongoing competition in AI model performance and regulation, with OpenAI's GPT-5.5-Cyber demonstrating its capabilities in a competitive environment, underscoring the industry's focus on innovation and compliance.
Nearly 100 Catholic leaders oppose Clarity Act over weakened safeguards against illicit finance and trafficking
Nearly 100 Catholic leaders are opposing the Clarity Act due to weakened safeguards against illicit finance and trafficking. The Alliance to End Human Trafficking, backed by Catholic organizations, is pushing back against the sweeping cryptocurrency bill. This opposition could impact the bill's passage, potentially delaying or altering its implementation, affecting the cryptocurrency industry's efforts to combat illicit activities.
Multi-year Bitcoin holder selling falls to 19-month low as halving model flags new market bottom date
Multi-year Bitcoin holder selling has dropped to a 19-month low, indicating a potential shift in market sentiment. This decrease in spending coincides with market cycle indicators suggesting a September market bottom. The halving model, a widely followed indicator, is also signaling a new market bottom date, sparking hope among investors for a potential price recovery in the coming months.
Chainlink teams up with 47 South Korean, European banks to speed up international money transfers
Chainlink is teaming up with 47 South Korean and European banks to launch Project Pangea, a platform using stablecoins to settle multimillion-dollar currency trades between Europe and South Korea in near real-time. This collaboration aims to significantly reduce transfer times, currently taking days, potentially disrupting traditional cross-border payment systems and increasing financial efficiency.
Chainlink joins European and Korean bank consortia to develop FX settlement network
Chainlink is partnering with European and Korean bank consortia to develop a FX settlement network, exploring the use of regulated euro and won stablecoins for real-time cross-border transactions. The study aims to facilitate faster and more efficient international trade, potentially reducing costs and increasing liquidity in the foreign exchange market.
Bitcoin Tests Two-Week Low at $62K as Tech Stocks Waver on Wall Street
Bitcoin is currently trading at a two-week low of $62,000 as investors react to a hawkish Federal Reserve, with risk-off sentiment driving a sell-off in tech stocks and cryptocurrencies. The market is experiencing a downturn in AI and crypto, with prices for Bitcoin and other digital assets experiencing significant losses, weighing on investor sentiment and market confidence.
CBOE weighs converting BTC, ETH continuous futures into perpetual futures: Report
CBOE is reportedly considering converting its Bitcoin and Ethereum continuous futures into perpetual futures, a move that could capitalize on growing US regulatory support for these instruments. US regulatory changes and increased adoption of perpetual futures by rivals Coinbase and Kalshi may be driving this potential product overhaul, potentially expanding CBOE's market share in the crypto derivatives space.
BNY sees 'FOMO' driving asset managers into tokenized funds
BNY Mellon is witnessing a surge in demand for tokenized funds as asset managers rush to establish a presence in blockchain-based ETFs, driven by fear of missing out on the early mover advantage in tokenized finance. This trend is expected to continue, with over 100 fund issuers exploring tokenization, sparking a heated competition in the space.
Goldfinch set to shutter Prime after community vote backs wind-down proposal
Goldfinch is set to shut down Prime due to a community vote backing a wind-down proposal, following serious performance issues in a handful of borrower pools that facilitated around $100 million in loans. This decision impacts the protocol's overall stability and highlights concerns about the long-term viability of similar lending platforms in the decentralized finance space.