Daily digests
Crypto Week in Review: August 3, 2026 – August 9, 2026
The week that was, in one read.
40 stories
All crypto news
Bitcoin 'Anti-Spam' Fork Sputters to a Halt After Mining Just Two Blocks
Bitcoin's anti-spam fork is struggling to gain traction, having mined just two blocks with 2.53% of mining support. This leaves its blocks hours apart and roughly 350 days from a difficulty adjustment, while the main network continues to power ahead with minimal disruption. The fork's failure to gain mainstream support has significant implications for its long-term viability.
World Liberty received $100 million from businessman investigated for money laundering: NYT
World Liberty, a cryptocurrency exchange, received $100 million from businessman Guren "Bobby" Zhou, who is under investigation for money laundering, according to the New York Times. Although Zhou has not been charged, British officials confirm the investigation remains active. This funding raises concerns about World Liberty's ties to potentially illicit activities, potentially impacting investor trust and regulatory scrutiny.
Is Clarity's delay a blessing in disguise?: State of Crypto
The Senate's decision to delay the Clarity Act procedural vote is sparking frustration among the crypto industry, with many expecting a vote this month.
Brazil to tighten crypto fraud controls with new 24-hour wait on transfers to self-custody wallets
Brazil is implementing a new 24-hour wait period for cryptocurrency transfers to self-custody wallets, set to take effect on January 1, 2027, covering all cryptocurrencies including fiat-backed stablecoins. This rule aims to prevent money laundering and fraud, increasing security measures for Brazilian crypto users. The change may impact crypto adoption and trading volumes in the region.
Bitcoin investors pour $853 million into spot ETFs. BlackRock’s IBIT claims the bulk
Bitcoin investors are pouring $853.54 million into spot ETFs, marking the strongest inflows since mid-April. BlackRock's IBIT is claiming the bulk of these funds, indicating growing institutional interest in the asset class. This surge in demand is likely to drive up prices, further solidifying Bitcoin's position as a mainstream investment option.
Hyperliquid’s RWA perps boom is eating into the revenue that backs HYPE
Hyperliquid's revenue is declining for the fourth consecutive quarter, despite a record high open interest, which has surged to new levels. This discrepancy is largely attributed to the platform's fee-sharing program, which distributes half of its volume to external builders, significantly impacting HYPE's revenue and potentially affecting its overall financial stability and market presence.
Crypto is going through a massive dot-com style shakeout as over 100 projects fold in 2026
Crypto is undergoing a massive dot-com style shakeout, with over 100 projects folding in 2026, as an industry-wide reckoning weeds out unsustainable startups, leaving behind only the protocols with real cash flow and actual users. This purge is expected to strengthen the ecosystem by eliminating weak projects, ultimately benefiting the remaining viable ones.
BIP-110 Bitcoin branch stalls after two blocks as gap widens
The BIP-110 Bitcoin branch stalls after two blocks as the gap widens between the enforcing fork and the main chain, remaining stuck at Bitcoin's full mining difficulty. Mandatory signaling for the fork proceeds with little hashpower support, raising concerns about the fork's viability. This development may impact the overall Bitcoin network's stability and security.
Brazil targets crypto fraud with up to 24-hour transfer hold
Brazil's new regulations target crypto fraud by imposing a 24-hour transfer hold on transactions above $10,000 sent to overseas providers or self-custody wallets, as well as other flagged transfers, effective January 1, 2027. This move aims to curb illicit activities and money laundering, potentially impacting Brazilian crypto users' overseas transactions and exchange rates.
Controversial Bitcoin fork BIP-110 mines two blocks, then stops
A Bitcoin fork, BIP-110, has successfully mined two blocks before halting, resulting in a breakaway chain with a significantly reduced share of hashpower, approximately 0.01%. This has led to blocks being mined hours apart, while both chains still accept the same transactions, highlighting the challenges of maintaining a viable alternative to the main Bitcoin chain.
BTCPay restricts remote Lightning access after attackers steal funds
BTCPay is restricting remote Lightning access after attackers stole funds from drained nodes reported by Foundation and Citadel21, leaving the total amount stolen and number of affected operators unknown. This security measure aims to prevent further exploitation, highlighting the ongoing threat of Lightning network vulnerabilities. The crypto community remains vigilant amidst growing concerns about decentralized finance security.
Bitcoin’s BIP-110 supporters split onto minority chain as main network pulls ahead
Bitcoin's BIP-110 supporters are forking onto a minority chain as the main network pulls ahead, with approximately 20% of nodes and miners supporting the proposed one-year change that limits non-financial data on Bitcoin, sparking a debate over block space usage, while the majority of the network continues to operate with the current rules, setting up a potential long-term split in…
Bitcoin hits block 961,632 as the controversial BIP-110 soft fork attempt begins
Bitcoin is currently processing block 961,632 as the contentious BIP-110 soft fork attempt begins. Despite the proposal, bitcoin miners show scant support, and influential commentators have voiced opposition. This lack of backing raises concerns about the proposal's viability, potentially hindering its implementation, and may impact the overall stability and development of the bitcoin network.
Bitcoin’s BIP-110 enters mandatory signaling with miner support below 3%
Bitcoin's BIP-110 has entered mandatory signaling, a critical deployment milestone, despite miner support below 3%. This test aims to determine if enforcing nodes can sustain the change, given the limited miner signaling. A hard-fork fallback is being discussed, highlighting the project's ongoing evolution and the need for robust infrastructure to support its development.
Hardware wallet sales in Russia more than double as new crypto rules near
Hardware wallet sales in Russia surge more than double as new crypto regulations loom, with Wildberries' average price dropping 13% to 7,900 rubles and M.Video expanding its product range, but neither retailer cites the reason behind the increased demand, likely driven by investors seeking secure storage options amidst regulatory uncertainty and market volatility.
Majority Leader Thune files cloture on Clarity Act, setting up Sept. 15 Senate vote
Majority Leader Thune files cloture on the Clarity Act, setting up a pivotal Senate vote on Tuesday, September 15, when the chamber returns. A minimum of seven non-Republican senators must support the motion, which could potentially sway the outcome. The vote's success will significantly impact the bill's fate, with implications for the crypto industry's regulatory landscape.
Bitcoin Red Team Says AI Is Finding Critical Exploits Across Core Projects
Bitcoin's volunteer Red Team is actively scanning 150 repositories, discovering over a dozen critical vulnerabilities and building an open-source AI platform to automate security reviews. This effort aims to strengthen Bitcoin's core projects, potentially preventing future exploits. The initiative underscores the importance of proactive security measures in the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency landscape.
US spot Bitcoin ETFs post best week since April with $1B inflows
US spot Bitcoin ETFs experience their third-best week since October, driven by institutional demand, with $1B inflows. This surge marks a significant rebound in investor confidence, as the funds attract substantial capital. The renewed momentum suggests a potential shift in market sentiment, with implications for Bitcoin's price stability and long-term growth prospects.
Senate Keeps Clarity Act Alive With Crypto Bill Vote Set for September
The Senate Majority Leader John Thune has filed a motion to proceed, setting up a mid-September showdown for a crypto bill vote, specifically the Clarity Act. This move keeps the legislation alive, giving lawmakers a chance to debate and vote on the bill.
US Senate to vote on advancing CLARITY Act in September after Thune files cloture
The US Senate is set to vote on advancing the CLARITY Act in September after Senator Thune files cloture, putting crypto market structure legislation back on track. Negotiations over ethics and stablecoin provisions continue.
Brazil's central bank orders exchanges to delay large crypto transfers abroad
Brazil's central bank is ordering cryptocurrency exchanges to delay large transfers abroad, specifically those exceeding $10,000, and smaller transactions flagged as high-risk. Exchanges must verify the legitimacy of these transactions before proceeding, aiming to prevent illicit activities and money laundering. This move tightens regulations on Brazil's crypto market, potentially impacting investor confidence and exchange operations.
Bitcoin, ether ETFs draw $1.1 billion in best inflow week since April, despite low volume
Bitcoin and ether ETFs attract $1.1 billion in inflows, marking the largest weekly investment since April, despite low trading volume. Bloomberg analyst Eric Balchunas attributes this surge to the recent Coldcard wallet exploit, which has led several Bitcoin funds to receive daily inflows. This trend indicates investor interest in the affected assets.
Why trillion-dollar asset manager T. Rowe Price put memecoins in its crypto ETF
T. Rowe Price, a $1.9 trillion asset manager, has included memecoins in its crypto ETF, citing its active approach to investing as the reason. The firm believes excluding established memecoins on principle would undermine its strategy, allowing the fund to capture market opportunities. This move reflects the growing mainstream acceptance of memecoins.
Trillions in institutional money to flow into bitcoin, says Bitwise's Matt Hougan
Trillions of dollars in institutional money are set to flow into bitcoin, according to Bitwise's Matt Hougan, the digital asset manager's CIO. He estimates large capital pools control up to $200 trillion globally, with just a 1% shift toward bitcoin potentially unlocking massive long-term growth for the cryptocurrency market, driving prices and investor confidence upwards significantly.
Robinhood Crypto Chief Explains Why There Are 'Two Wolves' Inside Robinhood Chain
Robinhood Crypto Chief Johann Kerbrat explains the concept of 'two wolves' inside the Robinhood chain, indicating a duality in their approach. He emphasizes the company's focus on customer-centricity, stating they want to demonstrate their care for customers' concerns, signaling a commitment to understanding and addressing user needs within the platform's design and development.
Bitcoin will never fall below $60K again: Nansen founder
Alex Svanevik, Nansen founder, confidently asserts that Bitcoin will never fall below $60,000 again, driven by its increasing adoption in the real world through trading in assets like stocks and commodities. This shift towards mainstream acceptance is expected to stabilize the market, potentially leading to long-term price appreciation and a reduction in volatility for Bitcoin investors.
U.S. Senate opens first stage of crypto Clarity Act voting to give bill a chance next month
The U.S. Senate has initiated the first stage of the crypto Clarity Act voting process, allowing the bill to potentially overcome its 60-vote hurdle. This multi-stage process will unfold over the coming weeks, with the majority leader paving the way for a vote in September, giving the bill a renewed chance at passage, potentially impacting the crypto industry's regulatory landscape.
Another Bitcoin infrastructure exploit hits, this time draining Lightning payment servers
Attackers are exploiting Lightning Network infrastructure by stealing credentials from LND servers, prompting BTCPay to advise users to update immediately or take servers offline to prevent fund movement. This exploit affects Lightning wallets, compromising user assets. The incident highlights vulnerabilities in Bitcoin's Lightning Network, underscoring the need for enhanced security measures to protect users' funds.
Domestic stablecoins could boost demand for dollar-backed tokens: IMF
The International Monetary Fund's Dan Katz suggests domestic stablecoins could boost demand for dollar-backed tokens, citing their liquidity, network effects, and cross-border acceptance as attractive features. This could lead to increased adoption, particularly among users seeking a stable and widely accepted store of value, potentially benefiting the broader stablecoin market.
US court backs Bybit’s bid to trace funds from $1.5B North Korea hack
A US court grants Bybit expedited discovery to trace funds from the $1.5 billion North Korea hack, allowing the exchange to seek account identities, balances, and transaction histories from platforms with US operations. This move enables Bybit to potentially recover stolen assets, impacting the cryptocurrency industry's fight against illicit activities and money laundering.
Bitcoin holders risk losing real BTC if they sell coins from BIP-110 fork, says developer
Bitcoin holders risk losing their actual coins if they sell coins from the BIP-110 fork this weekend, warns a developer, citing the potential for replay attacks where signed transactions from the minority chain can be applied to the main Bitcoin network, making inaction the safest option until the chains are separated, a situation that underscores the risks of forking.
New XRP Ledger amendments target $530 million in tokenized Wall Street assets
A new XRPL amendment proposal is targeting $530 million in tokenized Wall Street assets by enabling institutions to encrypt token balances and transfer amounts, while still granting issuers, auditors, and regulators selective access. This move aims to increase security and compliance for institutional investors, potentially paving the way for wider adoption of tokenized assets in traditional finance markets.
Trump-Backed American Bitcoin director Justin Mateen buys nearly $2 million of ABTC stock
Justin Mateen, director of American Bitcoin and a Trump-backed entrepreneur, is buying into the company's stock, acquiring nearly $2 million worth of shares in two days. He purchased over 306,000 shares following the company's quarterly earnings, increasing his stake to more than 492,000 shares, signaling confidence in the company's growth prospects.
Trump Media pulls back from crypto, scraps Crypto.com's CRO token treasury deal
Trump Media is pulling back from crypto, scrapping its deal with Crypto.com to hold CRO tokens in its treasury, as the digital asset boom loses steam. This move reflects the company's refocus on media and its pending merger with a fusion energy firm.
Donald Trump’s media company to terminate Crypto.com deal
Donald Trump's media company is terminating its deal with Crypto.com, unwinding a multibillion-dollar CRO treasury agreement and reportedly canceling the integration of prediction markets on Truth Social. This move affects Crypto.com's treasury and potentially impacts its CRO token value. The decision may also influence the broader crypto market's perception of Trump's media company and its involvement in the industry.
Trump Media and Crypto.com end partnerships as companies shifts priorities
Trump Media and Crypto.com are ending their partnership, effectively canceling plans to convert Yorkville Acquisition Corp. into a CRO treasury company. This decision comes as both companies shift their priorities. The partnership's demise may impact Crypto.com's treasury diversification strategy, while Trump Media may reassess its business model, potentially affecting its valuation and future growth prospects.
Trump Media Abandons Crypto Treasury, Prediction Market Ventures
Trump Media is unwinding two significant Crypto.com deals, marking a shift in focus from crypto to media and data licensing. The company, parent to Truth Social, is abandoning Prediction Market Ventures and Crypto Treasury, as new leadership prioritizes a planned merger with fusion energy company TAE, signaling a departure from its crypto ambitions.
Bitcoin Payment Service BTCPay Warns Critical Flaw Is Under Active Attack
BTCPay Server is warning users about a critical flaw that is under active attack, prompting an urgent update to the latest version of the server and replacement of potentially exposed credentials.
US Treasury’s OFAC sanctions 2 Iran-linked crypto exchanges
The US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is sanctioning an individual and two Iran-linked crypto exchanges, alleging they facilitated $5 million in money laundering through digital assets. This move is part of the US government's efforts to combat illicit activities and enforce sanctions on Iran, highlighting the need for crypto exchanges to adhere to strict anti-money laundering regulations.
Treasury Sanctions Crypto Exchanges It Says Laundered Millions for Iran
The U.S. Treasury is sanctioning two crypto exchanges, one Georgia- and UAE-based and the other Iran-based, for allegedly laundering millions of dollars for Iran's Revolutionary Guard. The targeted exchanges are accused of facilitating illicit transactions, with the Treasury citing specific instances of money laundering. This move aims to disrupt Iran's access to global financial systems.