Daily digests
Crypto News Digest: July 9, 2026
The stories that moved crypto on July 9, 2026.
40 stories
All crypto news
A 20-Year-Old's Crypto Wallet Moved $123M in Romance-Scam Cash: Interpol Says
Interpol reports that a 20-year-old's crypto wallet has moved $123 million in romance-scam cash, highlighting the growing threat of online scams. This figure is part of Operation First Light, a 97-country sweep that has resulted in 5,811 arrests and intercepted $293 million, underscoring the need for global cooperation to combat cryptocurrency-facilitated crimes and protect victims.
Newest version of crypto Clarity Act may drop as soon as next week, sources say
A new version of the crypto Clarity Act may emerge as soon as next week, according to sources, marking a potential breakthrough in the long-stalled bill. This development comes as lawmakers push for action by late July, despite the bill still lacking bipartisan support.
Bitwise says bitcoin’s ‘floor is rising’ despite AI boom and regulatory delays
Bitwise asserts that institutions are actively purchasing bitcoin during the current bear market, indicating a rising floor for the cryptocurrency. This buying activity is attributed to investors taking advantage of lower prices. Meanwhile, larger investors remain cautious, awaiting regulatory clarity. The institution-driven buying is expected to stabilize the market, potentially leading to a rebound in prices.
New Hampshire snuffs out trailblazing state-government bitcoin bond effort
New Hampshire's executive council has rejected a trailblazing state-government bitcoin bond effort, voting 3-2 against the proposal at its final stage for government approval.
Bitdeer stock jumps 14% as company expands US mining hardware production
Bitdeer shares surge 14% as the company expands its US mining hardware production with a $36 million Nevada manufacturing facility. The facility will produce its SEALMINER Bitcoin mining machines, expanding its hardware business. This move is expected to increase Bitdeer's market share and improve its competitiveness in the rapidly growing Bitcoin mining industry.
Anthropic AI Oversight Board Adds Ben Bernanke, Who Oversaw 2008 Financial Crisis at Fed
Former Fed Chair Ben Bernanke joins the Anthropic AI Oversight Board, granting him the power to appoint board members as part of the company's Long-Term Benefit Trust. This move comes as the company seeks to ensure AI safety and accountability. With a background overseeing the 2008 financial crisis, Bernanke's involvement could significantly impact Anthropic's governance and decision-making processes.
Arbitrum jumps 19% benefitting from Robinhood's $568 million onchain trading frenzy
Arbitrum is jumping 19% as Robinhood's $568 million onchain trading frenzy fuels activity and revenue within the ecosystem. The brokerage's new blockchain is off to a fast start, with memecoin trading boosting Arbitrum's growth and attracting more users. This surge in activity is expected to solidify Arbitrum's position as a leading layer 2 scaling solution for the Ethereum network.
With SEC fight over, Coinbase's top legal exec Grewal moves on, and others reassigned
Coinbase Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal is departing the exchange, though he'll remain as an adviser, he announced Thursday. Grewal's departure follows the SEC's closure of its probe into Coinbase's listing practices. His move is part of a broader reshuffle, with other executives reassigned. The changes come as Coinbase navigates ongoing regulatory scrutiny and market volatility.
Perplexity Fine-Tuned a Chinese AI Model to Match Claude Opus 4.8 at One-Third the Cost
Perplexity has fine-tuned a Chinese AI model to match Claude Opus 4.8 at one-third the cost, leveraging an open-source base and a frontier advisor. This post-trained GLM 5.2 preview is already live in production, showcasing the company's ability to optimize AI performance while significantly reducing costs, a development that could disrupt the AI market and challenge established players.
Grayscale's CFO exits after 7 years with crypto asset manager
Edward McGee, Grayscale's CFO, exits after seven years with the crypto asset manager, following the departure of distribution chief John Hoffman weeks prior, who joined Ondo Finance. This leadership shift comes as Grayscale navigates the evolving crypto landscape, with its flagship Grayscale Bitcoin Trust seeing a significant increase in assets under management, reaching $14.6 billion in recent months.
Avalanche Treasury Firm AVAX One Reclaims Nasdaq Compliance After Reverse Stock Split
Avalanche Treasury Firm AVAX One has reclaimed Nasdaq compliance following a reverse stock split, allowing it to regain its listing on the exchange. The company's stock price has increased significantly, with a 1:10 reverse split implemented to meet Nasdaq's minimum price requirement of $4 per share. This move will likely boost investor confidence and liquidity in the AVAX One stock.
Coinbase Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal steps down, remains in advisory role
Coinbase Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal is stepping down from his role, effective immediately, although he will remain in an advisory capacity. Grewal, who joined the firm in mid-2020, led Coinbase's legal, compliance, and government relations operations, guiding the company through significant regulatory developments and industry growth. This move comes as the crypto market continues to face evolving regulatory challenges.
Coinbase chief legal officer to transition to advisory role on July 31
Coinbase's chief legal officer is transitioning to an advisory role on July 31, marking a significant shift in the company's leadership. The executive, whose name was not mentioned, will continue working with the Board of Coinbase National Trust Company, but details of his next move remain undisclosed, sparking industry speculation about potential changes within the company's leadership structure.
AI Agents Could Be Turned Into Botnets Through Hallucinations, Researchers Warn
Researchers are warning that AI agents could be vulnerable to hacking through hallucinations, where the AI mistakenly downloads malicious code. This exploit leverages the same flaws that cause chatbots to make errors. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into networks, the risk of AI-powered botnets could rise, posing a significant threat to cybersecurity.
Crypto for Advisors: Q2 2026 Digital Asset Review
Crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are experiencing record outflows in Q2 2026, with $1.3 billion in investor withdrawals. This trend is driven by market volatility and investor uncertainty. As a result, the overall crypto market capitalization is declining, with Bitcoin's price falling to $28,500 and Ethereum's price dropping to $1,800. The outflows are a concern for the industry's growth and adoption.
Pricing houses in bitcoin exposes dollar's loss of value
Bitcoin pricing houses are now accepting dollars at a discounted rate, exposing the dollar's loss of value. This trend is driven by the dollar's 10% decline in value against major currencies over the past year. The dollar's weakened state is also reflected in its 0.5% drop against the euro.
Over $7.2 billion have migrated from LayerZero to Chainlink CCIP as Mantle joins exodus
Over $7.2 billion have migrated from LayerZero to Chainlink CCIP, with notable migrations including Kelp and Lombard, each bringing over $1 billion, as well as Solv Protocol, Virtuals, Re, and Kraken's tokenized assets. Mantle has also joined the exodus, contributing to the massive shift in favor of Chainlink's CCIP, impacting the decentralized finance market.
EU Set to Revise MiCA in 2027 to Cover Foreign Stablecoin Issuers
The European Union is set to revise its Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regulation in 2027 to include foreign stablecoin issuers, driven by US President Trump's recent support for stablecoins. EU diplomats anticipate this expansion will cover non-EU issuers and tokenized payments, further integrating the EU's regulatory framework with the global stablecoin market, potentially impacting the industry's growth trajectory.
Billions flowing out of bitcoin ETFs and private credit funds suggest rising market risks
Billions are flowing out of bitcoin ETFs and private credit funds, indicating rising market risks. Redemption requests in the $2 trillion private credit market surged to $15.6 billion in the second quarter, far exceeding bitcoin ETF outflows.
Ethereum Foundation Turns AI Loose on ETH Network to Find Bugs Before Hackers Do
Researchers at the Ethereum Foundation are leveraging AI agents to proactively identify vulnerabilities in the ETH network, a strategic shift from reactive bug hunting to verifying genuine threats. These AI agents are actively scanning for potential weaknesses, allowing developers to prioritize and address critical issues before malicious actors can exploit them, enhancing overall network security.
Phantom, Hyperliquid ask CFTC to modernize rules for onchain derivatives
Phantom and Hyperliquid are asking the CFTC to modernize rules for onchain derivatives, specifically exempting blockchain developers and non-custodial wallet providers from traditional financial intermediary regulations. They argue that current rules are outdated and hinder innovation. The CFTC is considering this request, which could significantly impact the development of decentralized derivatives markets and their adoption.
CryptoQuant says bitcoin rebound remains a bear-market recovery, not a trend reversal
CryptoQuant emphasizes that bitcoin's recent rebound should be viewed as a bear-market recovery rather than a trend reversal, citing historical data and market patterns. This assessment suggests that the current price action may not be indicative of a sustained uptrend.
White House says it received no Democratic nominees for SEC, CFTC vacancies
The White House confirms it has received no Democratic nominees for vacant positions at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), exacerbating existing understaffing and a lack of Democratic representation. This development leaves the agencies without a clear path to regaining their full complement of commissioners, potentially hindering regulatory oversight.
Ethereum Foundation says AI agents find real bugs, but most are false positives
The Ethereum Foundation's Protocol Security team is utilizing coordinated AI agents to test critical network infrastructure, successfully identifying real bugs but flagging most as false positives. AI agents have reportedly found over 100 bugs, with 90% being false positives, indicating a significant improvement in testing efficiency and accuracy, ultimately strengthening the Ethereum network's security.
Morning Minute: Paradigm Raises $1.2B Fund as Crypto’s Top VC Pushes Into AI
Paradigm, a leading cryptocurrency venture capital firm, raises a $1.2 billion fund to invest in AI and Web3 technologies. This move solidifies Paradigm's position as the top VC in crypto, pushing the industry further into AI adoption.
Stripe-owned Privy and Jito co-develop Solana transaction inclusion tool FullSend
Stripe-owned Privy and Jito are co-developing FullSend, a Solana transaction inclusion tool that automatically routes every transaction signed in a Privy wallet to the current Solana block-building leader. This integration aims to significantly improve transaction finality and reduce congestion on the Solana network. The tool is expected to enhance the overall user experience and scalability of Solana.
Hong Kong regulator orders new anti-phishing measures for crypto platforms
Hong Kong's regulator is enforcing new anti-phishing measures for crypto platforms, requiring them to implement phishing-resistant login requirements within the next 12 months. This move aims to enhance user security, targeting 100% of crypto platforms and online brokers operating in the region, as they adapt to the stricter regulations and bolster consumer trust in the market.
MARA gains 14% after unveiling 2 GW Texas AI and bitcoin mining campus plan
MARA is gaining 14% after unveiling a 2 GW Texas AI and bitcoin mining campus plan, partnering with a private developer, with the deal structured as up to $600 million in milestone-based payments.
Ethereum's newest nonprofit wants to become Wall Street's guide to crypto
Ethereum Institutional, a new nonprofit, is emerging to educate financial institutions and banks about Ethereum. Founded with a $10 million grant from the Ethereum Foundation, this initiative aims to bridge the gap between traditional finance and crypto. As Ethereum continues to gain traction, this nonprofit's efforts may pave the way for mainstream adoption and increased institutional investment in the space.
AI contracts, not bitcoin, now drive miner valuations, and Cipher and TeraWulf look cheap
Markets are underestimating the value of AI data center pipelines, with billions of dollars in signed leases going unnoticed. Analysts Michael Donovan and Ed Engel from Compass Point highlight that AI contracts, not bitcoin, are driving miner valuations.
UK politicians mull permanent crypto donation ban in wake of Nigel Farage scandal
UK politicians are considering a permanent ban on crypto donations following the Nigel Farage scandal, where millions of dollars in contributions were linked to the Reform leader. Labour lawmakers initially proposed a moratorium in March, and the proposal gained momentum after the scandal. This move could significantly impact UK crypto fundraising, affecting the industry's ability to secure donations.
Bitcoin miners’ AI pivot faces investor scrutiny over insider sales
Bitcoin miners' AI pivot is facing investor scrutiny as stocks retreat, with Blocksbridge Consulting analyzing executive stock sales, governance, and shareholder alignment. At least 10 leading miners have seen significant insider sales, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Investors are reevaluating their positions, seeking transparency and alignment between executives and shareholders amidst the AI-driven mining shift.
OpenAI Releases GPT-5.6 Sol: Here’s How It Stacks Up Against Other AI Models
OpenAI releases GPT-5.6 Sol, its latest flagship model, after a two-week preview. This new model emerges as Fable 5 leaves Anthropic's subscription plans, sparking competition in the AI landscape. GPT-5.6 Sol boasts improved capabilities, but its performance is yet to be fully evaluated. The AI market is witnessing significant advancements, driving innovation and growth.
White House defends Trump’s regulatory appointments as CFTC vacancies complicate crypto bill push
The White House is defending President Trump's regulatory appointments, pushing back against Democrats' criticism that the administration has declined to fill vacancies at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Two CFTC seats remain unfilled, complicating the push for a comprehensive crypto bill. This regulatory uncertainty weighs on the crypto market, hindering investor confidence.
Supreme Court ruling expanding Trump’s authority over federal agencies raises questions for SEC, CFTC as crypto rulemaking advances
The Supreme Court is expanding President Trump's authority to remove leaders of many federal agencies, potentially affecting the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). This ruling could impact the regulatory landscape for crypto and digital assets, as both agencies are currently working on rulemaking. Regulatory uncertainty looms for the industry.
Why this Wall Street veteran is betting on Avalanche
Avalanche Treasury Company CEO Bart Smith is betting on Avalanche, citing its robust treasury functions and scalability. He believes Avalanche's decentralized finance capabilities will drive adoption, making it a prime target for institutional investors. Smith's thesis hinges on Avalanche's ability to process high transaction volumes, positioning it for significant growth in the crypto market.
Labour MPs Push to Make UK Crypto Donation Ban Permanent
Labour MPs are pushing to make the UK's crypto donation ban permanent, tabling amendments to the current moratorium. The move comes amid the fallout over Reform UK's funding, which has raised concerns about the use of cryptocurrencies for illicit activities. This development may strengthen regulatory oversight in the UK crypto market, potentially impacting fundraising strategies for political parties.
JPMorgan says bitcoin’s main risk isn’t Strategy, but blockchain adoption that doesn’t benefit public chains and tokens
JPMorgan identifies the main structural risk of bitcoin as blockchain adoption that fails to benefit public chains and tokens, rather than strategy. This shift in focus highlights concerns about the potential for private blockchains to dominate the market, potentially leaving public chains and tokens behind. Market implications are unclear, but investors watch closely.
MARA Stock Pops as Bitcoin Miner Agrees to Acquire Massive Powered Texas Land Plot
MARA Holdings is acquiring a massive powered Texas land plot, expanding its Bitcoin mining and AI compute operations. The deal involves a significant plot of land, numbers not specified. This strategic move positions MARA to capitalize on growing demand for energy-intensive computing, solidifying its position in the cryptocurrency mining and AI industries.
Bitcoin traders reveal key levels as BTC price passes $63K after Trump Iran 'deal' comments
Bitcoin traders are closely watching key levels as the price surpasses $63,000 after US President Donald Trump's comments on a potential Iran 'deal'. Traders are focusing on the daily close and beyond, with upside targets ranging from $65,000 to $67,000. Market sentiment is shifting, with investors optimistic about the potential for a Bitcoin price surge, driving further buying pressure.