Daily digests
Crypto News Digest: July 7, 2026
The stories that moved crypto on July 7, 2026.
40 stories
All crypto news
Bitcoin's recent macro relief faces a challenge from Japanese interest rates
Japanese bond yields are rising, lifting their U.S. counterparts and potentially posing a headwind for risk assets, challenging Bitcoin's recent macro relief. The 10-year JGB yield has surged past 0.5%, while the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield has also increased, signaling a shift in monetary policy that could impact investor sentiment and cryptocurrency prices.
Binance taps into Bitcoin holders’ hunger for yield with new covered call yield play
Binance is launching a new product called BTC Yield, exclusively for existing bitcoin holders, allowing them to generate yield from their assets. This product taps into the growing demand for yield-generating options among bitcoin investors. By leveraging covered calls, users can potentially increase their earnings, further fueling the trend of yield optimization in the cryptocurrency market.
Anthropic Removes Hidden Claude Code Tracker After Researchers Raise Privacy Concerns
Anthropic is removing the hidden Claude Code Tracker after researchers raised privacy concerns, citing the tool's undisclosed monitoring capabilities. The company initially claimed the tracker aimed to prevent abuse and AI model extraction, but critics disputed its legitimacy. This move comes amid growing scrutiny of AI model safety and user data protection.
Bitcoin's July gains may be fleeting as U.S. demand stays weak
Bitcoin's price surge in July may be short-lived as U.S. demand remains weak, with open interest in derivatives contracts continuing to decline. This trend suggests investors are cautious about taking on new positions.
Coinbase secures UK authorization to offer traditional investments alongside crypto
Coinbase secures UK authorization to offer traditional investments alongside crypto, enabling institutional traders to access perpetual futures and retail customers to trade equities. This move expands Coinbase's offerings in the UK, positioning the platform as a one-stop-shop for traditional and digital assets, potentially attracting more users and increasing market share in the region.
Morning Minute: Strategy Turns Net Seller
Michael Saylor is now a major Bitcoin seller, reportedly unloading a significant portion of his holdings. Meanwhile, a memecoin is being exploited via governance, allowing malicious actors to drain funds. Meanwhile, Bernstein reiterates its $150k BTC call, citing a potential long-term price surge, which could see Bitcoin's value more than double in the coming years.
EU lawmakers adopt digital assets policy stance after MiCA transition ends
The European Parliament is adopting a digital assets report, calling for further assessment of DeFi, staking, crypto lending, and NFTs following the end of MiCA's transition period. The report aims to clarify regulatory frameworks for these emerging sectors, potentially impacting the adoption and growth of digital assets in the EU, with 2024 expected to see significant developments in this space.
Vanguard seeks digital assets chief after years of crypto skepticism
Vanguard is actively seeking a digital assets chief to oversee its strategy for tokenization, stablecoins, blockchain infrastructure, and client-facing products, marking a significant shift from its previous skepticism towards cryptocurrencies. The new hire will be responsible for developing and implementing Vanguard's digital assets strategy. This move indicates a growing acceptance of digital assets within the traditional finance industry.
Ether climbs toward $2K as Bitmine buys ETH, Robinhood L2 boost
Ether is climbing toward $2,000 as TradFi adoption and Data Association of Trade buying boost investor interest, while Bitmine's acquisition of ETH also fuels the surge. A long-awaited network upgrade is expected to further enhance the asset's value, with many analysts predicting significant price growth as a result of these combined factors and increased adoption.
Kraken wins $22 million arbitration against auditor Mazars for ditching the firm during Operation Choke Point 2.0
Kraken wins $22 million arbitration against auditor Mazars for ditching the firm during Operation Choke Point 2.0, a crackdown on cryptocurrency businesses. Payward, Kraken's parent company, sued Mazars for abandoning a nearly complete audit. The arbitration award highlights the challenges faced by crypto firms during regulatory crackdowns, underscoring the need for robust audit and compliance processes in the industry.
Tether Invests $20 Million in Mercado Bitcoin to Fuel Expansion Across Latin America
Tether is investing $20 million in Mercado Bitcoin to fuel expansion across Latin America, solidifying its presence in the region. This significant investment underscores Tether's commitment to supporting key players in the Latin American market, where Mercado Bitcoin is a major player. The partnership aims to further drive adoption and growth in the region.
SEC crypto rule changes are high on its 2026 agenda
The SEC is prioritizing crypto rule changes in 2026, focusing on proposed regulations for crypto broker-dealers and digital assets listed on national securities exchanges. Potential safe harbors are also under consideration. These changes aim to increase investor protection and regulatory clarity, impacting the crypto market's growth and adoption, and possibly influencing the valuation of digital assets.
SEC's Long-Promised Crypto Safe Harbor to Be Introduced as Soon as This Month
The SEC is set to introduce a long-promised crypto safe harbor as soon as this month, with a key rulemaking update scheduled for public comment in July. This development follows months of anticipation and speculation, with the SEC's agenda indicating a significant step towards regulatory clarity for the crypto industry, potentially alleviating investor concerns and boosting market confidence.
Bitcoin’s early July bounce rides thin summer liquidity as half of supply still sits underwater: analysts
Bitcoin is trading around $63,500 after a six-day rally, driven by thin summer liquidity, analysts say. Wintermute and Bitfinex have flagged weak ETF demand, while K33 notes that 50% of supply is still underwater, incurring losses. This bounce may be short-lived, with market participants cautious about the sustainability of the rally amidst lingering losses.
Bernstein maintains $36 TeraWulf target after $19 billion, 20-year Anthropic lease
Bernstein maintains a $36 price target for TeraWulf after the miner secured a $19 billion, 20-year lease with Anthropic, a significant milestone in the company's growth strategy. Additionally, TeraWulf sold its Abernathy JV stake for $530 million, providing a substantial influx of capital. This deal further solidifies TeraWulf's position in the industry.
Kraken wins $22M arbitration against former auditor Mazars
Kraken's parent company is awarded $22 million in arbitration against former auditor Mazars, citing damages from Mazars' withdrawal from the 2022 audit. The dispute is linked to Operation Chokepoint 2.0, a US crackdown on financial institutions serving high-risk clients.
BlackRock-backed Securitize slides 40% after SPAC debut despite tokenization boom
Securitize, backed by BlackRock, is experiencing a 40% slide in value after its SPAC debut amidst a tokenization boom. This decline fits into a pattern of recently-public digital asset companies experiencing a post-IPO slump, as noted by Arca's Jeff Dorman. The market is witnessing a correction in the sector, potentially impacting investor confidence in tokenized assets and their growth prospects.
China May Be Following US Lead With Quiet Crackdown on AI Exports
China is reportedly building a mechanism to cut off its AI exports, mirroring the US's move against Anthropic in June. This development suggests China is tightening its AI export controls, potentially impacting global AI trade.
BIG3 NFT Buyers Sue Ice Cube's Basketball League Over Alleged Unfulfilled Promises
Investors who purchased BIG3 NFTs are suing the league over alleged unfulfilled promises. They claim deceptive and fraudulent marketing led them to believe they would receive team ownership perks. The lawsuit targets Ice Cube's BIG3, a professional basketball league, seeking damages for the investors' losses. The case raises concerns about NFT marketing practices and investor protection in the crypto space.
New Hampshire lawmakers to hold hearing on $100M Bitcoin bonds
New Hampshire lawmakers are set to hold a hearing on proposed $100M Bitcoin-backed bonds, which still require approval from Governor Kelly Ayotte and the state's five-member executive council. The hearing aims to discuss the feasibility and risks associated with the pioneering move, potentially paving the way for a historic cryptocurrency investment in the state's economy.
AI Is Changing the Workplace and Universities Aren’t Keeping Up, Study Warns
Researchers at the University of Manchester warn that universities are failing to prepare students for AI-driven workplaces, focusing instead on preventing AI-assisted cheating. The study emphasizes the need for a shift in curriculum to equip graduates with skills that complement automation, as 70% of jobs will involve AI by 2028, driving the need for industry-relevant education.
Jack Mallers’ Strike launches ‘volatility-proof’ bitcoin loans built to protect against liquidation
Jack Mallers' Strike platform launches 'volatility-proof' bitcoin loans, offering a new layer of protection against liquidation. Borrowers can partially liquidate collateral if they miss an interest or maturity payment and fail to pay within a grace period, typically 7-14 days.
CFTC charges North Carolina man over alleged $14 million crypto, futures fraud
The CFTC is charging a North Carolina man and his company with allegedly swindling around 60 individuals out of $14 million in a commodity pool involving cryptocurrencies and futures. The agency claims the man operated an unregistered commodity pool, deceiving investors with false promises of guaranteed returns. Market implications are a heightened focus on regulatory enforcement.
Bitcoin, XRP draw Japanese firms as weak yen drives treasury diversification
Japanese firms are increasingly turning to Bitcoin and XRP as a weak yen drives treasury diversification, with corporate demand for crypto rising rapidly. SBI VC Trade has seen its registered accounts surge past 2 million, a significant milestone, as companies seek to mitigate currency fluctuations and protect their reserves from yen's depreciation, fueling growth in the Japanese crypto market.
Bitcoin Covenants part 3: SIGHASH_ANYPREVOUT
The SIGHASH_ANYPREVOUT Bitcoin covenant is enabling a new level of flexibility in transaction authorization, allowing a single signature to unlock any compatible unspent transaction output (UTXO) rather than a fixed one. This innovation simplifies key management for Lightning, vaults, and layer-2 protocols, streamlining their operations without introducing additional overhead costs.
U.S. SEC to propose crypto rule as soon as this month to ease startups, fundraising
The U.S. SEC is preparing to propose a crypto rule, Reg Crypto, as soon as this month, aiming to ease regulatory burdens on startups and fundraising. The agenda update indicates a near-term priority, suggesting a potential shift in the regulator's stance on crypto. This move could boost investor confidence and stimulate growth in the industry.
SpaceX IPO powers record $3.86 billion in tokenized equities trading in June
SpaceX tokens are driving a surge in tokenized equities trading with $1.19 billion in volume in June, accounting for 31% of the total $3.86 billion. Backpack's SPCX token leads the charge with $1.08 billion in trading volume, underscoring the growing demand for tokenized assets and their potential to disrupt traditional financial markets.
SBI Holdings is sole investor in crypto platform EDX Markets’ $76 million Series C
SBI Holdings is the sole investor in EDX Markets' $76 million Series C funding round, providing significant capital to the institutional crypto platform. This investment underscores SBI Holdings' commitment to the crypto space and its willingness to support innovative projects. The funding will likely enhance EDX Markets' growth and expansion plans, further solidifying its position in the institutional crypto market.
Kenya's Markets Regulator Seeks Blockchain Tool to Track Crypto Crime
Kenya's Capital Markets Authority is actively seeking a blockchain tool to track crypto crime, with a focus on monitoring over 20 blockchains for potential fraud, money laundering, and sanctions evasion. This move comes under Kenya's new crypto law, aiming to regulate the industry and enhance investor protection. The implementation will significantly strengthen the country's regulatory framework.
USDT wins payments, USDC wins DeFi as stablecoins diverge: Dune
Tether's USDT is emerging as crypto's dominant payments stablecoin, according to Dune data, while Circle's USDC leads in DeFi applications, indicating a divergence in stablecoin use. This distinction highlights the influence of blockchain choice on stablecoin adoption, with USDT's dominance in payments and USDC's stronghold in DeFi applications shaping the market's stablecoin landscape.
ZEC jumps 12% as Zcash nears mathematical proof against hidden counterfeit bugs
Zcash is currently jumping 12% as Project Tachyon outlines new details of its verification effort for Zcash's upcoming Ironwood shielded pool, nearing mathematical proof against hidden counterfeit bugs. This significant development aims to ensure the security and integrity of Zcash transactions, boosting investor confidence and potentially driving up demand for the cryptocurrency, with its price expected to rise accordingly.
Crypto exchange Kraken is trying to become a bank in Europe
Kraken is attempting to secure a banking license in Europe, with a focus on Lithuania as the jurisdiction. This move would allow the crypto exchange to offer traditional banking services, expanding its offerings beyond digital assets.
Radar Chat Wants to Make Sending Bitcoin as Easy as Firing Off a Text
Radar Chat is developing a platform that enables users to send Bitcoin as easily as sending a text message, leveraging Signal's open-source technology and the Lightning Network for self-custodial payments. This integration aims to simplify Bitcoin transactions, combining encrypted messaging with secure, peer-to-peer payments. The platform's release could boost Bitcoin adoption and usage.
Gemini offers 0% stock trading in US as it looks to become ‘all-in-one financial super app’
Gemini is launching 0% commission stock trading for eligible U.S. users, aiming to become an all-in-one financial super app. This move targets a broader customer base, potentially increasing Gemini's user engagement and retention. The commission-free trading feature is expected to attract more investors, expanding Gemini's market share in the competitive U.S. fintech sector.
Bitcoin bulls battle for $63K as Micron stock eyes 10% drop in US chip sell-off
Bitcoin is battling to hold above $63,000 as US stocks experience a sell-off, with Micron stock potentially dropping 10% amidst a chip industry downturn. The BTC price action is at a critical point, according to John Bollinger, as the market navigates a complex landscape of economic uncertainty and shifting investor sentiment, with potential implications for the crypto market's short-term stability.
Tether puts $20 million behind Mercado Bitcoin amid Latin America’s tokenization boom
Tether is investing $20 million in Mercado Bitcoin, a regulated digital financial services platform in Latin America that has grown from an early crypto exchange. This move reflects the region's rapid tokenization boom, driven by increasing demand for secure and compliant financial services.
1kx, Blockchain Capital back $7.5 million KOR Protocol Series A at $100 million valuation
KOR Protocol secures $7.5 million in Series A funding from 1kx and Blockchain Capital, valuing the company at $100 million. The onchain clearinghouse aims to register and route creative works while paying out rights holders.
SEC plans crypto rule changes for exchanges and broker dealers in 2026 regulatory agenda
The SEC is laying the groundwork for cryptocurrency rule changes by the end of the year, with a blueprint for exchanges and brokers. The agency plans to introduce new regulations, but details remain scarce. This development aims to increase investor protection and transparency in the crypto market, potentially impacting exchange listings and broker-dealer activities in 2026.
Institutional crypto exchange EDX lands $76M from SBI Holdings
EDX, an institutional crypto exchange, secures $76 million from SBI Holdings, marking a significant funding milestone in the digital asset sector. This influx of capital comes as institutional investors remain committed to backing crypto market infrastructure, despite a slowdown in venture investment across the sector, indicating ongoing demand for robust and secure platforms.
Nigel Farage to resign from UK Parliament amid crypto “gift” scandal, will stand in by-election
Nigel Farage confirms his resignation from the UK Parliament amid investigations into "gifts" from cryptocurrency-linked figures, sparking a by-election. The Reform party leader admitted to receiving probes from UK authorities, citing "gifts" from individuals tied to crypto ventures, fueling speculation about potential financial ties and their implications on his political integrity.