Daily digests
Crypto News Digest: August 1, 2026
The stories that moved crypto on August 1, 2026.
22 stories
All crypto news
Strategy holds STRC dividend at 12%
Michael Saylor and the MicroStrategy team maintain the STRC dividend at 12%, a decision that diverges from their typical strategy of increasing the payout when the stock trades significantly below par. This month's decision suggests a cautious approach to dividend distribution, potentially influenced by the current market conditions and the company's financial priorities.
Bitcoin cold-wallet attack spreads to 4,500 addresses as losses near $89 million
A Bitcoin cold-wallet attack is spreading to 4,500 addresses, with losses nearing $89 million. Galaxy Research flagged a third wave of sweeps tied to weak Coldcard-generated keys. The attacker is now targeting smaller balances and changing how funds are collected onchain, indicating an evolving strategy to maximize gains. Market sentiment remains cautious amidst the ongoing security threat.
Onchain, in court: What happened in crypto legal news this week
A case tied to defunct crypto exchange FTX is moving forward, a soldier seeks to dismiss over a Polymarket bet, and a former congressman was ordered to pay $35,000 for manipulative trading. The FTX case is a significant development in the ongoing crypto regulatory landscape, while the Polymarket case highlights the risks of decentralized betting platforms.
Iran-linked exchange sent $676 million to Binance in alleged sanctions-evasion operation: Reuters
Iran-linked exchange Shelbit allegedly sent $676 million to Binance as part of a sanctions-evasion operation, according to Reuters. Shelbit processed over $4 billion since May 2024 through a network tied to Iranian gambling sites, the central bank, and the IRGC. This raises concerns about the misuse of cryptocurrency for illicit activities and potential regulatory scrutiny for Binance.
BNB Chain ‘pursuing legal action’ against former employee over memecoin launched from tutorial wallet
BNB Chain is pursuing legal action against a former employee who allegedly bought nearly 80% of ASTEROID's supply for $10,000, then sold most of the tokens for approximately $638,000. This incident highlights potential security risks within the BNB Chain ecosystem, raising concerns about the misuse of internal tools and the need for enhanced security measures to prevent such incidents.
Bank of Italy research suggests stablecoins aren't necessarily cheaper for remittances
Researchers at the Bank of Italy are conducting a mystery-shopping experiment, discovering that stablecoin remittances often aren't cheaper than traditional transfer methods. Exchange fees, foreign exchange spreads, and banking rails contribute to similar costs. This finding challenges the notion that stablecoins are a cost-effective alternative for international transactions, potentially limiting their adoption in remittances.
Tokenized stock trading surged 288% in July, but one QQQ token drove most of it
Tokenized stock trading surged 288% in July, with a single QQQ token, QQQB, driving most of the growth. Without QQQB, July volume for tokenized equities would be around $2.03 billion, about 30% below June's total. This indicates the significant impact of QQQB on the market, highlighting its popularity among traders. Market participants are taking notice of this trend.
Minnesota crypto ATM ban goes into effect after reported $1M losses
Minnesota's crypto ATM ban is now in effect, aiming to protect residents from reported $1 million losses due to scams targeting senior citizens from 2023 to 2025. The ban restricts the use of crypto kiosks, which state officials believe are vulnerable to exploitation. This move is expected to curb further financial losses in the state's cryptocurrency market.
Crypto PAC pours another $1M into Michigan House race
Crypto PAC pours another $1M into Michigan House race, bolstering incumbent Shri Thanedar's re-election bid against fellow Democratic candidates. The industry-aligned group's latest infusion of ads amplifies the crypto focus in the campaign, emphasizing its influence on the Democratic Party's agenda. This move underscores the crypto industry's growing political clout nationwide.
SEC to review Nasdaq bitcoin options approval after CME challenge
The SEC is set to review Nasdaq's approval of bitcoin options, following a challenge by CME. CME argues that bitcoin's commodity status means options tied to its value fall under CFTC jurisdiction, not the SEC's authority. This review could have significant implications for the regulation of cryptocurrency derivatives, potentially affecting market accessibility and investor protection.
Bitcoin mining difficulty shrinks 14% from this year's high as plunging revenues force operators to pivot
Bitcoin mining difficulty shrinks 14% from this year's high as plunging revenues force operators to pivot, impacting capacity. Weak mining economics reduce profitability, causing some miners to exit the market. Forward markets signal little relief through year-end, with prices indicating minimal improvement in mining revenues, exacerbating the industry's struggles with profitability and capacity.
CZ Warns Bitcoin Holders After $70 Million Wallet Exploit: 'Nothing Is 100%'
CZ is warning Bitcoin holders after a $70 million wallet exploit, nearly double the initial estimate, as Galaxy Research puts the toll from the Coldcard exploit. He advises spreading funds across multiple wallets, citing 'nothing is 100% secure'. This warning highlights the ongoing vulnerability of cryptocurrency storage solutions, underscoring the need for caution and diversification among investors.
Russian decree bans crypto mining across Moscow region through 2032
Russian authorities have issued a decree banning cryptocurrency mining across the Moscow region through 2032, citing concerns over energy consumption. Estimated to consume 1 GW of power, mining is seen as a potential contributor to future electricity shortages. This move aims to alleviate strain on the region's energy infrastructure, impacting local industries reliant on stable power supplies.
The More Americans Know About AI, the Less They Like It: Gallup
Gallup reports Americans are increasingly skeptical of artificial intelligence, with concerns about job losses and businesses' use of the technology rising. According to Gallup, 63% of Americans now have negative views of AI, a 10-point increase from 2022, and 52% believe AI will displace human workers, sparking fears about the technology's growing impact on the workforce and economy.
Everyone has the perps convergence backwards
Gracy Chen, Bitget CEO, argues that crypto is actually moving away from Wall Street's model, contrary to popular belief. The largest crypto market, spot trading, is growing, but this is driven by institutional investors seeking yield, not by a desire to replicate traditional finance. This divergence indicates a unique path for crypto, distinct from Wall Street's conventional norms.
Solana Foundation's new CISO warns AI is making crypto scams more convincing
Michael Coates, Solana Foundation's new CISO, warns that AI vulnerabilities and fake identities will drive the next wave of blockchain security concerns. He emphasizes that AI is making crypto scams more convincing, with sophisticated phishing attacks and fake identities becoming increasingly common. This trend poses a significant threat to the crypto industry, requiring enhanced security measures to protect users.
Binance founder CZ calls for wallet diversification after $70 million Coldcard exploit
Binance founder CZ emphasizes the importance of wallet diversification after a $70 million Coldcard exploit. He warns that even hardware wallets can have bugs, highlighting the need to spread funds across multiple wallets. This advice underscores the growing awareness of security risks in the crypto space, where users must adapt to mitigate potential losses.
Coldcard Bitcoin loss estimate rises to $70M after Galaxy analysis
Galaxy Research has identified 1,196 addresses that lost 1,082.65 Bitcoin in a 41-minute window, expanding the estimated scope of the Coldcard wallet incident, now totaling around $70 million in losses. The analysis suggests a significant breach of security, potentially linked to a hardware wallet vulnerability, raising concerns about the integrity of digital asset storage solutions.
Russia expands crypto mining ban to Moscow through 2032
Russia is expanding its crypto mining ban to Moscow, the Moscow Region, and parts of the Kursk Region through 2032, citing power supply concerns. The ban now affects major areas, including the capital city, and is likely to impact local mining operations. The move is expected to further limit Russia's cryptocurrency mining industry.
Bitcoin ETFs end July in the green despite late-month selling
Spot Bitcoin ETFs end July in the green with $172.4 million in inflows, a welcome respite from previous months. However, this positive trend is tempered by the $5.3 billion year-to-date net outflows, a result of heavy withdrawals in May and June. The industry still struggles with investor confidence, a hurdle for widespread adoption.
How bitcoin cold wallets lost $70 million in an attack that never touched the devices
Galaxy Research reveals a sophisticated attack that compromised nearly 1,200 cold wallets, resulting in over $70 million in losses, without ever accessing the devices. Weak seed generation allowed an attacker to recreate private keys offline, sweeping over 1,000 BTC. This exploit highlights the importance of robust wallet security measures in the cryptocurrency space.
XRP Ledger upgrade brings back features once pulled over critical bugs
The XRP Ledger is set to receive a major upgrade with the xrpld 3.3.0 release expected next week, which will bring back two previously withdrawn features. Five proposed amendments are included, with two revised features addressing critical bugs that could have enabled unauthorized transactions or fee draining, enhancing the ledger's security and stability.