Daily digests
Crypto Week in Review: September 14, 2026 – September 20, 2026
The week that was, in one read.
40 stories
All crypto news
ZetaChain votes to shut down Layer 1 network and move ZETA to Solana
ZetaChain votes to shut down its Layer 1 network and migrate the ZETA token to Solana, shifting development focus to its private AI application, Anuma, while a final vote remains required for the migration; this move signals reduced confidence in ZetaChain’s independent chain, potentially boosting Solana’s ecosystem liquidity but raising short‑term uncertainty for ZETA holders.
Crypto platform Gemini’s stock is down 80% from its IPO. That’s reviving takeover speculation
Gemini’s shares have slumped 80% since its IPO, leaving the company valued at roughly $753 million and reigniting rumors of a possible acquisition. The steep decline spotlights the platform’s valuable assets—its regulatory licenses, custody infrastructure and extensive customer base—that a buyer could inherit. This pressure may accelerate consolidation activity across the crypto‑exchange sector.
Visa Moves to Close Meme Coin Credit Card Rewards Loophole
Visa is shutting down a loophole that let meme‑coin purchases be coded as ordinary “digital media” and earn credit‑card rewards, after banks abandoned tighter stablecoin rules following the failed Clarity Act. JP Morgan celebrates a narrower victory, while the move could curb reward‑gaming, prompting merchants and users to adjust spending habits.
Polymarket faced $10 million fraud attempt as its CEO pushed growth over compliance concerns: WSJ
Polymarket confronts a $10 million fraud scheme after its CEO prioritized rapid expansion over compliance, the Wall Street Journal reports, while hackers also breached roughly 500 user accounts using stolen personal data. The dual threats expose the platform’s security gaps, prompting regulators to scrutinize decentralized prediction markets and likely dampening investor confidence in the sector.
Crypto traders braced for a total wipeout this week but Bitcoin had other plans
Bitcoin’s price steadies despite analysts warning of a potential market wipeout, signaling that the cryptocurrency operates independently of Washington’s policy swings; experts argue that global liquidity flows and expanding adoption cycles, rather than political risk, drive its growth, suggesting that Bitcoin’s resilience could reinforce confidence and sustain bullish momentum across the crypto industry.
Coinbase, Robinhood, Circle could be early winners of SEC's tokenized-stock push, analysts say
Goldman Sachs and Citizens analysts say the SEC’s tokenized‑stock initiative positions Coinbase, Robinhood and Circle as early beneficiaries, creating fresh demand for
Trump says US will form ‘AI Force’ and appoint AI czar: Reports
Trump announces the United States will create an “AI Force” and appoint an AI czar, promising a dedicated team to steer the rapidly expanding artificial‑intelligence sector while explicitly avoiding new regulations that might hinder innovation; the move signals a government‑led push to coordinate development, potentially accelerating industry growth and attracting private investment despite lingering policy uncertainty.
Why Holding Anything But Bitcoin Has Been a Losing Bet for Two Years
Glassnode and Bybit report shows Bitcoin out‑performing all altcoins for two years, while speculative capital bubbles in the market’s riskiest corners. The data highlights a widening divergence: Bitcoin consistently gains, whereas altcoins experience net outflows and stagnant or falling prices. This pattern suggests investors should prioritize Bitcoin, as broader market risk‑on bets increasingly erode portfolio returns.
Anthropic tabs Accenture as embedded evaluator to help with AI slowdown proposal
Anthropic appoints Accenture as an embedded evaluator to assess its AI slowdown proposal, marking a non‑exclusive partnership that will soon expand to additional evaluators. This move signals Anthropic’s commitment to responsible AI governance, while the broader industry watches for potential shifts in development pacing, regulatory scrutiny, and investor confidence in AI‑focused firms.
Grayscale’s Zcash ETF files for 3-for-1 forward share split
Grayscale announces that its Zcash ETF will execute a 3‑for‑1 forward share split, granting shareholders two additional shares for each one held at the close of trading on September 28. The split aims to increase liquidity and make the fund more accessible to retail investors, potentially boosting trading volume and supporting broader market interest in privacy‑focused cryptocurrencies.
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.
Live updates: Bitcoin climbs over $80,000 as crypto shakes off Clarity failure and higher interest rates
Bitcoin surges past $80,000, shaking off the recent Clarity protocol failure and rising global interest rates; the rally gains momentum as the Bank of Japan hikes rates, yet the yen continues to slide, underscoring persistent currency weakness. This price breakout signals renewed investor confidence, suggesting broader crypto resilience and potential inflows despite tightening monetary environments.
Coinbase files to bring single-stock perpetual futures to US market
Coinbase files to launch 24‑hour, five‑day‑a‑week single‑stock perpetual futures for U.S. equities, seeking regulator sign‑off on contracts that would let retail investors trade continuous, leveraged positions without expiration. The proposal cites major stocks like Apple and Tesla, and if approved it could broaden crypto‑exchange offerings, intensify competition with traditional derivatives venues and boost overall market liquidity.
Coinbase Files to List Single-Stock Perps on Apple, Tesla and Nvidia
Coinbase files a request with the CFTC to list single‑stock perpetual contracts on Apple, Tesla and Nvidia, giving U.S. traders 24‑hour, five‑day‑a‑week leveraged exposure without owning the shares. The filing cites demand for crypto‑style derivatives and aims to capture retail interest in high‑volatility equities, potentially expanding Coinbase’s revenue streams and intensifying competition in the U.S. derivatives market.
UAE, Sweden Arrest Seven Over $7.1M Crypto Laundering Ring Linked to Contract Killings
UAE and Swedish authorities arrest seven suspects in a $7.1 million crypto‑laundering ring that investigators tie to organized crime and contract killings, saying blockchain tracing revealed the illicit flow. The suspects allegedly used mixers and multiple wallets to obscure proceeds before converting them into fiat.
Bitcoin weathers September storm as rate hikes and Clarity act setback test bulls
Bitcoin weathers September’s storm, slipping only 1.5% yet staying on track for its first quarterly gain in a year despite rising interest rates, surging oil prices, and a stronger dollar; the market also grapples with the SEC’s Clarity Act setback, which pressures traders but underscores Bitcoin’s resilience and potential to sustain bullish momentum.
Kevin O’Leary is buying crypto again, says major stock exchange adoption is the ‘watershed moment’ to watch
Kevin O’Leary announces he is buying crypto again, citing a “watershed moment” when a major stock exchange adopts a blockchain network, which he believes will legitimize digital assets and trigger broader institutional participation. He notes that such integration could boost liquidity, drive price appreciation, and accelerate mainstream acceptance across the financial industry.
Layer-2 and DeFi tokens lead broad crypto advance as post-Fed hike nerves fade
Starknet and Arbitrum surge over 17% as the 10‑year Treasury yield falls below 5%, sparking a broad crypto rally with 98 of CoinDesk’s 100 constituents advancing. The layer‑2 and DeFi token gains reflect easing post‑Fed‑rate‑hike nerves, boosting market sentiment and suggesting continued upside for risk‑on digital assets and attracting fresh capital inflows.
Bitcoin adds to bull-market hopes as price metric prints fourth-ever bullish cross
Bitcoin’s price triggers the Fisher Transform’s fourth‑ever bullish crossover, a rare signal that historically precedes strong uptrends. Analysts note the indicator has only flipped three times before, each coinciding with subsequent multi‑month rallies. This technical development fuels optimism that Bitcoin may re‑enter a sustained bull market, potentially lifting prices toward previous highs.
XRP on the brink of a golden cross as focus switches to altcoins
XRP approaches a golden‑cross on its daily chart as traders shift attention to altcoins, with the 50‑day moving average poised to cross above the 200‑day line, a bullish signal that could lift XRP toward $0.55‑$0.60. Analysts expect heightened volatility across the crypto market, prompting investors to reallocate capital into promising altcoin projects.
Crypto stocks rebound after CLARITY Act selloff
Crypto stocks rebound as Coinbase, Strategy and other crypto‑linked equities rally Friday following the CFTC and SEC’s decision to pursue crypto‑related actions using existing authority, sparking investor optimism. The move reverses the recent CLARITY Act‑driven sell‑off, lifts sentiment across the sector, and suggests short‑term price gains while regulators maintain a familiar enforcement framework.
Bitcoin Will Hit $1 Million, Says Kevin O’Leary—But There’s a Quantum Catch
Kevin O’Leary predicts Bitcoin will reach $1 million once the industry resolves the quantum‑computing threat, arguing that a secure network will unlock massive institutional demand; he also says he is abandoning Ethereum because its proof‑of‑stake model offers weaker quantum resistance. This confidence fuels bullish sentiment, potentially driving price spikes while highlighting security as a critical market catalyst.
Binance launches 24/7 FX perps with weekend pricing system
Binance launches 24/7 foreign‑exchange perpetual futures, adding a weekend pricing mechanism that mirrors spot rates when markets close, allowing traders continuous exposure to currency pairs such as EUR/USD and GBP/JPY. By integrating this service alongside its existing crypto derivatives, Binance expands liquidity options, pressures competitors to offer similar nonstop FX products, and could boost overall derivatives volume across the industry.
Zcash Is Running—Devs Want to Make It Faster
Zcash developers propose an upgrade that reduces block time from 75 seconds to 25, accelerating transaction finality. The hard fork also silently revises the long‑term funding model, altering how miners are compensated after 2031. Faster blocks aim to boost network usability, while the funding shift could reshape miner incentives and affect Zcash’s market competitiveness.