Daily digests
Crypto News Digest: July 18, 2026
The stories that moved crypto on July 18, 2026.
13 stories
All crypto news
France orders country's internet service providers to block Polymarket
France's regulator orders internet service providers to block Polymarket, citing concerns over addictive mechanics and a lack of self-exclusion tools, as well as a high volume of French users bypassing previous financial restrictions, which led to a significant increase in illicit betting and potential money laundering activities in the country's online market.
US regulators miss GENIUS Act’s one-year deadline for final stablecoin rules
The US regulators miss GENIUS Act's one-year deadline for final stablecoin rules, sparking concerns about a compressed implementation window. Despite the delay, the law remains set to take effect on January 18, 2027, leaving regulators and stablecoin issuers with a tight timeline to comply.
Crypto executives say digital native generations may never need a bank account
Adrian Cachinero, co-founder of Teakhouse Financial, believes digital-native generations may never need a bank account, citing their reliance on digital wallets and cryptocurrencies. Binance reports that younger users are already driving crypto adoption in emerging markets, with a significant spike in user sign-ups and transactions. This trend suggests a future shift away from traditional banking.
Bitcoin Japan, which holds no bitcoin, taps EVO Fund in planned $60 million raise to finally buy some
Bitcoin Japan, a company with no existing bitcoin holdings, is planning a $60 million raise through EVO Fund, its first dedicated bitcoin purchase. A previous December raise funded stakes in SpaceX and Figure AI, described as the company's two AI infrastructure investments to date, but not its intended bitcoin acquisition.
DOG Mode explains Bitcoin's next governance fight
Leonidas' DOG Mode client is challenging Bitcoin's default relay policies, reigniting a debate over censorship, free markets, and network governance. This contentious issue has sparked philosophical discussions among developers, with some advocating for decentralized decision-making and others pushing for more centralized control. The debate's outcome will shape Bitcoin's future, potentially impacting its adoption and market value.
Here is why a massive $1.6 billion in crypto liquidity is sitting idle and wasting away
Approximately $542 million in crypto liquidity sits idle each week outside active trading ranges, resulting in zero fees earned and minimal market depth. This idle capital accumulates to a staggering $1.6 billion, indicating a significant opportunity cost for investors. The lack of liquidity hampers market efficiency and trading opportunities, impacting overall market dynamics and investor participation.
Trump targets Brazil's payments system while dollar stablecoins are quietly overtaking country's payments
The US is targeting Brazil's payments system, viewing the country's promotion of non-dollar payment channels, such as Pix, as a potential threat to dollar-based trade. Meanwhile, dollar-linked stablecoins account for approximately 90% of Brazil's crypto transactions, indicating a quiet shift towards stablecoins in the country's payments landscape, with implications for global trade and currency dynamics.
Tokenization has become a strategic priority for 84% of financial firms
Tokenization has become a strategic priority for 84% of financial firms, according to a Broadridge survey, with Wall Street accelerating tokenization efforts. Firms are betting on hybrid markets where digital and traditional assets coexist, indicating a significant shift towards integrating blockchain technology into existing financial infrastructure, potentially disrupting traditional asset management practices.
Massive bitcoin call spreads target $72,000 by month end, right when the Fed meets
Large traders are actively placing massive bitcoin call spreads, targeting a price of $72,000 by the end of the month, as latest options market flow indicates. This aggressive bet coincides with the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting, which could significantly impact market sentiment and potentially fuel a price surge, sparking speculation about a bullish outcome.
GPT-5.6 vs Fable 5 Review: Which One You Pick Depends on These Factors
OpenAI's GPT-5.6 Sol and Anthropic's Claude Fable 5 are competing AI models, each with unique features serving different purposes. GPT-5.6 Sol excels in content generation, while Fable 5 shines in conversational AI, with a stronger focus on ethics and transparency. The choice depends on your specific needs, whether it's content creation or human-like interactions.
UNI burn poised to grow as Uniswap governance votes on v4 fees and Robinhood Chain expansion
The Uniswap governance is voting on proposals that could significantly boost the UNI burn, with new fees potentially being routed into the system created under the "UNIfication" overhaul. Voting is open from July 19 to July 26. If passed, this could lead to a substantial increase in UNI burned, further reducing its circulating supply and potentially driving up its value.
Kaspersky identifies malware framework targeting crypto investors
Kaspersky identifies a malware framework specifically targeting cryptocurrency investors through social engineering tactics and trojanized GitHub apps. This sophisticated malware framework is designed to steal sensitive information and funds from unsuspecting investors. The malware's widespread use poses a significant threat to the crypto market, emphasizing the need for heightened security measures.
French gambling regulator orders ISPs to block Polymarket
France's gambling authority is ordering the country's ISPs to geoblock Polymarket, citing concerns over illegal gambling and market manipulation. The move affects an estimated 2.5 million users, with Polymarket's global user base exceeding 1 million. This development may set a precedent for other jurisdictions to follow, potentially impacting decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms.