Daily digests
Crypto News Digest: September 19, 2026
The stories that moved crypto on September 19, 2026.
17 stories
All crypto news
REX launches 2x leveraged ETF tied to Bitcoin treasury firm Strive
REX launches the ASSX fund, a 2x leveraged ETF that provides daily exposure to Strive’s shares, the Bitcoin‑treasury firm, allowing traders to amplify bets on its performance. The product doubles potential gains and losses each day, attracting speculative investors seeking higher returns, while raising concerns that heightened volatility could intensify price swings across the crypto‑related equity market.
Bitcoin ETFs eke out positive week with $433 million Friday inflow as ether funds snap four-week inflow streak
Bitcoin ETFs post a modestly positive week as $433 million flows in on Friday, driven largely by Fidelity’s FBTC contributing $310.7 million, which offsets earlier outflows; meanwhile ether‑linked funds break a four‑week inflow streak, registering net withdrawals. The surge in Bitcoin‑specific capital suggests renewed investor confidence, potentially supporting near‑term price stability across the crypto asset class.
Kalshi joins Coinbase with filing for US stock perpetual futures
Kalshi files to launch US‑regulated perpetual futures linked to individual stocks, mirroring Coinbase’s and Bitnomial’s efforts to offer similar derivatives. The proposal would let traders hold positions without expiration, betting on price movements while avoiding margin calls typical of traditional futures. If approved, the move expands retail access to sophisticated hedging tools, likely boosting trading volume across the crypto‑derivatives market.
Grayscale Is Making Its Red-Hot Zcash ETF More Affordable
Grayscale splits its Zcash ETF shares three‑for‑one after attracting over $233 million in less than a month, making the fund cheaper per share and boosting accessibility for investors. The move reflects Wall Street’s rapid appetite for privacy‑focused crypto assets, and the lower price point is expected to accelerate inflows, further strengthening Zcash’s market momentum.
Visa to close Crossmint memecoin rewards loophole following The Block investigation: report
Visa will close the Crossmint‑powered memecoin rewards loophole next week after a grace period, following The Block’s investigation. The loophole lets users earn crypto rewards for purchases, prompting regulatory scrutiny. Although sales remain active on both apps, the imminent shutdown forces merchants to adjust incentive models, likely curbing crypto‑linked promotional spend and tightening compliance across the payments industry.
Clarity Act, we hardly knew ye: We look at what was in the bill and what's replacing it
The U.S. Treasury’s “Clarity Act” is being dismantled as agencies scramble to replace its nascent crypto‑regulation framework with interim rules, yet analysts doubt those stop‑gaps will endure; the original bill aimed to anchor digital‑asset markets, but its erosion leaves uncertainty, prompting volatility and prompting firms to brace for shifting compliance demands.
Bitcoin's Sharpest Rally in Two Years Ran Almost Entirely on Short Liquidations
Bitcoin posts its sharpest five‑day rally in two years, surging 24.6 % in August as short liquidations drive the move, with 89 % of liquidated dollars coming from short positions, according to Glassnode and Bybit data; despite the price jump, overall active leverage declines, suggesting traders are trimming exposure, which could temper further upside and signal a more balanced market…
VanEck criticizes Metaplanet over executive dilution despite compensation cuts
VanEck criticizes Metaplanet, noting its executive equity exposure stays far higher than peer digital‑asset treasuries even after Metaplanet slashed its potential share pool by 41 percent. The firm argues that such dilution undermines shareholder value, prompting concerns that inflated insider stakes could depress token prices and deter institutional investors, weighing on market confidence.
How the Clarity Act's Defeat Handed the SEC and CFTC the Wheel on Crypto
The Senate’s defeat of the Clarity Act redirects regulatory pressure onto the SEC and CFTC, prompting both agencies to intensify enforcement and rule‑making for digital assets; lawmakers now anticipate tighter oversight, while crypto firms brace for heightened compliance costs, potential fines, and market volatility as the agencies vie for jurisdictional dominance.
Bastion wins conditional OCC approval for national trust bank charter
Bastion Platforms National Trust Company secures conditional OCC approval to operate a national trust bank, enabling it to provide stablecoin custody, wallet services, payment infrastructure and white‑label token issuance under a single federally regulated entity; this regulatory milestone strengthens U.S. crypto banking frameworks, potentially boosting institutional confidence and expanding market liquidity for digital assets.
Why Wall Street giants build tokenization money for institutions, not regular consumers
JPMorgan and Citi are moving billions of dollars in tokenized deposits, but restrict them to internal branches, highlighting institutional focus. A UK challenger bank plans to launch tokenized deposits for retail customers, a first for major Wall Street firms. This shift could broaden crypto adoption, pressure traditional banks, and boost tokenization market liquidity.
Robinhood Chain fees collapse 97% even as transactions stay near record highs
Robinhood reports that its Chain fees have collapsed 97% year‑to‑date, with the seven‑day average dropping 82% while daily transaction volume remains near record levels, moving roughly $1.5 billion each day despite a 6% dip in transaction counts. The steep fee decline pressures profit margins but could attract more traders, potentially boosting overall market liquidity.
'The orange tie stays': Michael Saylor responds to venture capitalist's bitcoin obituary
Michael Saylor rebuts venture capitalist Jason Calacanis’s claim that Bitcoin is obsolete, likening it to a “CD in the Spotify era” and a “DVD in the Netflix era,” by arguing the digital asset remains a foundational store of value and network effect driver; his defense underscores continued institutional demand, suggesting Bitcoin’s price resilience and broader market relevance persist.
Solana's Heartbeat Quickens: Block Times Fall 17% in Latest Speed Upgrade
Solana’s latest upgrade trims average block time by 17%, accelerating the network’s heartbeat from roughly 400 ms to 332 ms, which boosts transaction freshness without expanding throughput capacity. The faster cadence improves real‑time data delivery for DeFi and NFT applications, yet validators must handle tighter timing windows, prompting tighter performance monitoring across the ecosystem.
Ripple says asset managers are preparing for XRP Ledger’s next payments upgrade
Ripple reports that asset managers are gearing up for the XRP Ledger’s Batch V1.1 upgrade, which enables atomic linked‑asset and payment transfers that either succeed or fail together. After a thorough security audit, commercial projects are already integrating this functionality, promising smoother cross‑border settlements and potentially boosting XRP’s utility and market demand.
'We have lost control': Crypto pioneer warns AI could trigger systemic banking and infrastructure shocks
Marc van der Chijs, a crypto pioneer, sold a large portion of his Bitcoin holdings to fund AI ventures, then announced he will reinvest part of those AI profits back into cryptocurrency, warning that unchecked AI could spark systemic banking and infrastructure shocks. His move underscores growing investor anxiety, suggesting heightened volatility and potential regulatory scrutiny across both sectors.
Hong Kong jails former banker over $1.6B false credit, cryptocurrency bribes: Report
A Hong Kong court sentences a former banking official to four years behind bars for forging $1.6 billion of letters of credit and taking $470,000 in cryptocurrency bribes, highlighting severe penalties for financial fraud. The case underscores regulators’ tightening grip on illicit crypto use, warning banks and traders that deceptive practices will trigger harsh legal and market repercussions.