Daily digests
Crypto News Digest: July 2, 2026
The stories that moved crypto on July 2, 2026.
40 stories
All crypto news
Is Bitcoin heading for $65K? Sharplink buys $16M ETH: Market Moves
Analysts are divided on Bitcoin's next move, with some predicting a potential price surge to $65K, while others forecast a downturn. Meanwhile, SharpLink has resumed buying Ether after an eight-week pause, spending $16 million on the cryptocurrency, sparking market optimism. This move could boost Ether's price and influence the broader cryptocurrency market.
Ripple co-founder backs venture launched by US senator's son: Report
Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen is reportedly backing a derivatives exchange launched by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's son, Henry Gillibrand. The exchange aims to offer cryptocurrency derivatives, with Chris Larsen's involvement sparking concerns about potential conflicts of interest. The development comes as Senator Gillibrand negotiates ethics in a crypto market structure bill in Congress, raising questions about her son's venture.
Treasury Department Sanctions Over 130 ISIS-Affiliated Crypto Wallets on Tron
The U.S. Treasury Department is sanctioning over 130 Tron wallets linked to a Central Asian ISIS affiliate, freezing funds held by Tether. This move aims to disrupt the terrorist group's cryptocurrency financing. The sanctions target wallets holding significant amounts of TRX and USDT, impacting the Tron ecosystem and demonstrating the government's growing focus on cryptocurrency-related terrorism financing.
Russia Is Ready for 'Widespread Use' of Digital Ruble by September, Says Bank Governor
Russia's Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina confirms major banks and retailers are on track to start accepting the digital ruble by September 1. This widespread adoption is expected to occur despite ongoing global economic uncertainty. The digital ruble's integration could significantly boost Russia's digital payment ecosystem, potentially increasing financial inclusion and reducing cash-based transactions.
OpenAI Offers US Government a $42 Billion Slice of Itself: Report
OpenAI is reportedly offering the US government a $42 billion 5% equity stake in the company, a move led by CEO Sam Altman. Altman also aims to have every major AI company follow suit, a move that could set a precedent for the industry.
Live updates: Bitcoin holds above $61,000 as momentum stocks plunge to start quarter
Bitcoin is currently holding above $61,000 as market volatility intensifies, with momentum stocks plummeting to start the quarter. The cryptocurrency's price stability contrasts with the decline of tech-heavy stocks, which are experiencing significant losses. This divergence is a notable trend, with Bitcoin's resilience potentially indicative of a flight to safety amidst market uncertainty, influencing investor sentiment and portfolio allocation strategies.
ChatGPT developer OpenAI said to discuss offering U.S. government a 5% stake: FT
OpenAI is reportedly discussing a 5% stake in the company with the U.S. government, as per the Financial Times. This proposal aims to give the American public a financial stake in AI and ease political scrutiny of the industry, potentially paving the way for increased government oversight and regulation of the rapidly growing sector.
OFAC sanctions 134 ISIS-K crypto wallet addresses as Tether freezes funds
OFAC is adding 134 crypto wallet addresses linked to ISIS-K to its sanctions list, including 131 Tron addresses that received over $1.4 million in crypto donations, according to Chainalysis. Tether has also frozen these funds, further tightening its grip on illicit activities within the crypto space, with significant implications for terrorism financing and global regulatory efforts.
A struggling Nasdaq-listed company that tried to copy Saylor's Bitcoin playbook is completely dumping crypto for AI
A struggling Nasdaq-listed Korean media company is completely dumping its crypto assets, revealing a zero balance after previously securing $1 billion in financing to buy 10,000 bitcoin. This drastic shift comes as the company pivots to AI infrastructure, a move that may help it avoid delisting from the Nasdaq. Market implications are uncertain.
U.S. payroll growth slowed sharply in June, with only 57,000 jobs added
The U.S. payroll growth slowed sharply in June, with only 57,000 jobs added, a significant decrease from the expected 225,000 jobs. This morning's data could slow market expectations for a Fed rate hike as soon as this summer or early Fall, potentially affecting the US dollar's value and impacting cryptocurrency markets, particularly those sensitive to inflation.
‘Accumulation beneath the surface’: Bitcoin rebounds above $61,000 as long-term holders accumulate amid steady ETF outflows
Bitcoin price rebounds above $61,000 as long-term holders accumulate their coins, according to data from Glassnode and Bitfinex. This accumulation trend is occurring despite steady ETF outflows, indicating a potential shift in investor sentiment. Market participants are closely watching this development, as it could signal a longer-term price increase, potentially offsetting recent volatility and boosting investor confidence.
Ondo Finance debuts SEC-aligned tokenized stock model with BlackRock ETF, Micron shares
Ondo Finance is debuting a SEC-aligned tokenized stock model with BlackRock ETF and Micron shares. Broadridge and transfer agent Oasis Pro underpin this new structure, keeping tokenized securities within existing U.S. market rules based on the SEC's third-party custodial model.
SBI Crypto to shut down mining pool that holds roughly 2% of Bitcoin's hashrate
SBI Crypto is shutting down its mining pool, which currently holds around 2% of Bitcoin's global hashrate, by July 31. Miners must redirect their hashrate before the cutoff as the pool will stop accepting contributions after that date. This move could lead to a redistribution of hashrate among remaining pools, potentially affecting Bitcoin's network security and overall mining dynamics.
Securitize becomes first to debut shares on NYSE and onchain, but it won’t be the last
Securitize is pioneering the simultaneous listing of shares on the New York Stock Exchange and on a blockchain platform, marking a significant milestone in the intersection of traditional finance and digital assets. The firm's president, Brett Redfearn, anticipates tokenizing other IPOs within the next year, potentially revolutionizing the capital markets landscape.
US Treasury sanctions over 100 ISIS-K crypto addresses that moved over $1.4 million
The US Treasury is sanctioning over 100 crypto addresses linked to ISIS-K, which allegedly moved over $1.4 million in funds. These addresses utilized Tron, Monero, and Bitcoin, with the group's media wing soliciting donations. This action highlights the growing role of stablecoin issuers in sanctions enforcement, underscoring the need for crypto exchanges to strengthen their compliance measures.
Japanese Financial Giant SBI to Shut Down Bitcoin Mining Pool
SBI Crypto, the subsidiary of the Japanese financial giant SBI Holdings, is shutting down its Bitcoin mining pool, marking the latest move in the industry's consolidating landscape. This decision comes as the global cryptocurrency market faces intense competition and rising operational costs, with many mining pools struggling to remain profitable.
Securitize Begins Trading on NYSE as Tokenized Shares Land on Solana, Avalanche
Securitize begins trading on the New York Stock Exchange, marking a significant milestone in the tokenization space. The BlackRock-backed firm also offers tokenized shares on Solana and Avalanche, expanding its reach to decentralized finance platforms. This development brings tokenized securities to a broader audience, potentially increasing mainstream adoption and liquidity in the crypto market.
JPMorgan says Strategy’s bitcoin sale policy introduced ‘avoidable’ risk into crypto markets
JPMorgan analysts claim Strategy's recent bitcoin sale policy introduced 'avoidable two-way risk' into crypto markets. This policy likely contributed to market volatility as investors scrambled to adjust their positions. The analysts' criticism highlights the potential for institutional investors to exacerbate market fluctuations through their actions, underscoring the need for cautious strategies in crypto trading.
Securitize tokenizes $295 million of its own stock on Solana and Avalanche amid NYSE debut
Securitize tokenizes $295 million of its own stock on Solana and Avalanche, marking the largest issuer-sponsored tokenized stock at launch, as the company makes its NYSE debut. This move positions Securitize against rival third-party stock token issuers, highlighting the potential for issuers to directly tokenize their shares, a significant development in the stock tokenization space.
Russia on track for digital ruble rollout on Sept. 1: Central bank governor
Russia is on track to roll out its digital ruble on September 1, according to the Central bank governor, marking a significant step in the country's digital currency ambitions. EU authorities have already preemptively sanctioned Russia's digital ruble in 2025, as part of measures in response to the country's war against Ukraine, potentially limiting its adoption and usage globally.
CFTC’s Selig says Illinois lawmakers ‘decided they know better’ on crypto tax
CFTC Chair Michael Selig sharply criticizes Illinois' decision to impose a 0.2% tax on crypto transactions, stating lawmakers "decided they know better" on the matter. This move is seen as an overreach of state authority, potentially creating a patchwork of regulations across the US. Market implications remain uncertain, but regulatory clarity is crucial for crypto's growth.
IMF says tokenization could transform settlement and financial stability
The International Monetary Fund emphasizes that tokenization has the potential to transform settlement and financial stability by streamlining markets through blockchain-based finance, citing its ability to increase efficiency and reduce costs. However, the IMF warns that fragmented standards and regulations may create new systemic risks, posing a challenge to its adoption.
eToro leads $12.5 million round in onchain perps exchange Extended
eToro is leading a $12.5 million funding round in onchain perps exchange Extended, focusing on expanding global financial market access through next-generation on-chain infrastructure. This strategic partnership aims to bridge the gap between traditional and decentralized finance, potentially paving the way for mainstream adoption of blockchain technology and increased market participation.
AI Researchers Got Chatbots to Share Cocaine Recipes Using This One Wild Trick
Researchers have successfully tricked AI models into sharing sensitive information, including cocaine recipes, by exploiting a novel jailbreak technique that manipulates the models into treating attacker-written text as their own reasoning, bypassing safety guardrails and exposing a deeper security flaw, highlighting the urgent need for more robust AI security measures to prevent such vulnerabilities.
FBI Director Kash Patel's Undisclosed Stock Buy in Bitcoin Giant Strategy Is Down 44%
FBI Director Kash Patel is facing scrutiny for an undisclosed stock buy in Bitcoin treasury firm Strategy, valued at an unknown amount, but reportedly down 44% since November. This oversight raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest and transparency in leadership positions. The incident may erode trust in government officials' involvement in cryptocurrency markets.
Humanity Protocol repositions toward enterprise AI after $36 million hack, founder says
Humanity Protocol is repositioning towards enterprise AI after a $36 million hack, according to founder Terence Kwok. He states that the project's focus has shifted due to a significant exploit, with low chances of recovering the stolen funds. This pivot aims to leverage AI capabilities for enterprise applications, potentially mitigating the financial losses incurred.
Robinhood CEO says future of crypto is in real-world assets, not memecoins
Vlad Tenev emphasizes the future of crypto lies in real-world assets, not memecoins, as he believes in the merging of TradFi and crypto. This shift towards tangible assets could provide stability to the market, potentially reversing the downturn. The integration of traditional finance and crypto may lead to increased adoption and legitimacy, driving long-term growth in the industry.
Ondo expands tokenized equities with onchain shareholder voting
Ondo is expanding its tokenized equities with on-chain shareholder voting capabilities, enhancing the blockchain-based equity offerings landscape. This move comes as competition in the space intensifies, with Ondo's platform now allowing token holders to participate in shareholder governance decisions directly on the blockchain, increasing transparency and accessibility for investors, potentially driving growth in the decentralized finance market.
Bitwise says STRC selloff signals crypto cycle nearing a bottom, not Strategy’s breaking point
Bitwise asserts that STRC's recent selloff signifies a late-cycle leverage unwind, indicating the crypto market is nearing a bottom, rather than Strategy's breaking point. This volatility reflects institutions' potential to step in as bitcoin's largest buyer, replacing Strategy's dominance, and may signal a shift in market dynamics, potentially stabilizing prices and paving the way for a recovery.
EToro invests in onchain derivatives platform Extended as brokers race into DeFi
eToro is investing in onchain derivatives platform Extended, planning to integrate perpetual futures into its Zengo wallet and expand DeFi products to its core platform. This move comes as rival brokers like Robinhood expand their onchain offerings, fueling competition in the space. The integration will likely increase eToro's user engagement and market share in DeFi.
FBI director discloses Strategy holdings months after deadline: Report
FBI director Kash Patel discloses his holdings in Strategy, a US government contractor, months after the deadline. He reported owning $100,001 and $250,000 worth of the company's stock, claiming no current conflict exists. The delayed disclosure raises concerns about transparency and potential conflicts of interest, potentially impacting the agency's reputation and public trust in its leadership.
Crypto Shorts Get Rekt as Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP Rise to Weekly High Prices
Bitcoin is surging to a weekly high, topping $62,000, after hitting a 21-month-low earlier this week, while Ethereum and XRP also experience significant gains. This rebound is a welcome relief for crypto investors, as the market had been plagued by recent downturns. The sudden reversal has crypto shorts getting "rekt" and is a positive sign for the overall market.
Irish authorities recover another 500 bitcoins from lost Clifton Collins drug stash
Irish authorities recover another 500 bitcoins from lost Clifton Collins drug stash, bringing the total to approximately 4,500 BTC held in wallets tagged "Clifton Collins" according to onchain data from Arkham Intelligence. This significant discovery highlights the ongoing efforts to seize illicit assets, and its impact on the crypto market remains to be seen, potentially influencing the overall cryptocurrency landscape.
Bitcoin price taps new July high above $62K on weak US jobs data
Bitcoin price surges to a new July high above $62,000, fueled by nearly 4% daily gains, as weak US jobs data supports an easing inflation policy from the Federal Reserve. This development boosts hopes for a dovish monetary stance, potentially benefiting the cryptocurrency market, where investors are eagerly awaiting the Fed's next move on interest rates.
Aave brings V3 lending and GHO stablecoin to Monad
Aave is launching its V3 lending protocol on Monad, supporting 12 assets, and committing $15 million in first-year incentives to build liquidity and adoption. This move aims to increase user engagement and attract new investors to the platform, potentially boosting its market share and driving growth in the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector.
Anchorage Digital adds Lido support, giving institutions access to wstETH
Anchorage Digital is adding Lido support, giving institutions direct access to wstETH through its platform. This integration allows institutional clients to access Lido's wrapped staked ETH token, providing a seamless experience. The move is expected to increase adoption of staked ETH among institutional investors, potentially boosting demand for Ethereum staking services and related assets.
UK payments blueprint outlines tokenized payments for ‘multi-money ecosystem’
The UK regulators are publishing an update to the national retail payments blueprint, calling for infrastructure support for tokenization and interoperability with new forms of digital money. The blueprint outlines a 'multi-money ecosystem' where tokenized payments will be facilitated, enabling seamless transactions across various digital currencies and assets, shaping the UK's digital payment landscape.
Metaplanet Adds 2,823 Bitcoin in Q2 as Buying Pace Cools
Metaplanet is adding 2,823 Bitcoin in Q2, bringing its 43,000-BTC stack below its cost basis, indicating a potential loss. The firm relies on debt over equity to continue buying, suggesting a high-risk strategy. This move may signal a shift in the market, as investors reassess their positions and consider the implications of holding underperforming assets in a volatile crypto landscape.
JPMorgan says Strategy's bitcoin sales policy adds 'two-way risk' to crypto markets
JPMorgan is warning that Strategy's bitcoin sales policy introduces 'two-way risk' to crypto markets, implying potential losses for investors. The bank suggests replacing this policy with equity issuance to build cash reserves, aiming to reduce market uncertainty. This move could lead to increased investor confidence in traditional financial instruments over cryptocurrencies.
Peter Thiel-backed crypto-friendly Erebor Bank eyes $8 billion valuation as deposits nearly quadruple: Bloomberg
Erebor Bank, backed by Palmer Luckey and Peter Thiel, is in talks to raise funding at a valuation of at least $8 billion, nearly quadrupling its deposits in a short period, according to Bloomberg. This significant growth indicates a surge in investor confidence in the crypto-friendly bank, which could further boost the adoption of digital assets in traditional financial institutions.