Category: crypto

Australia’s Federal Court fined Binance Australia Derivatives A$10 million for wrongly classifying 524 retail clients as wholesale investors. ASIC found that Binance allowed users to retake quizzes without limits, weakening checks for complex derivatives access. Binance had already paid A$13.1 million in compensation. The ruling comes amid pressure in other markets.

Vietnamese authorities detained suspects linked to the ONUS crypto ecosystem over allegations of fraud involving token promotions and market manipulation. The case involves tokens such as VNDC, ONUS, and HNG, and it has drawn attention to crypto enforcement in Vietnam, one of the world’s busiest digital asset markets. Several suspects have been named, and the…

Two Chinese container ships connected to Cosco approached the Strait of Hormuz before turning back near Iranian waters, causing market concern over shipping access in the Gulf. Iran warned certain ships against transit, stating the strait was closed to its enemies. Bitcoin and Ethereum prices fell due to geopolitical tensions.

Intercontinental Exchange has invested an additional $600 million in Polymarket as part of its $2 billion commitment plan. This investment comes as prediction markets, such as Kalshi, are growing rapidly, attracting more capital and attention from large financial firms. The sector is expanding beyond traditional derivatives products and is gaining popularity among retail traders.

Prediction market traders decreased the chances of a presidential pardon for former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried after his parents defended him on CNN. Polymarket and Kalshi lowered the odds, with his parents arguing that Alameda Research did not misuse customer funds. Despite their efforts, a pardon still seems unlikely in 2026.

The European Central Bank found that the governance of top DeFi protocols like Aave, MakerDAO, Ampleforth, and Uniswap is more centralized than claimed, with top holders controlling over 80% of governance tokens. This could jeopardize their regulatory status under the EU’s MiCA regime, potentially subjecting them to compliance requirements.

Backpack CEO Armani Ferrante denies selling BP tokens over-the-counter to cash out, addressing rumors as “FUD.” He acknowledges mistakes in the handling of “witch hunt” Sybil cases, promising re-evaluations and appeals. Despite short-term market fluctuations, Ferrante emphasizes long-term product-market fit, compliance, and transparency as key metrics for Backpack’s value.

Solana meme coin WhiteWhale crashed 50% after founder left due to family pressure and “pump the price” demands, locking $13m in tokens. Market cap now $12m with $5.4m 24-hour trading volume. Founder moved 500m tokens to non-spendable address. Solana meme ecosystem facing challenges with many projects abandoned.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong accuses big banks of undermining President Trump’s crypto agenda by pushing for a ban on yield for stablecoins. The fight is over whether platforms like Coinbase can share Treasury returns with users. Banks warn of losing deposits to crypto, while Coinbase defends its $1.35 billion stablecoin revenue.

Bitget CEO Gracy Chen discusses the $1 trillion US stock wipeout, attributing it to a global macro risk reset. Bitcoin’s lower leverage hints at its transition to a neutral portfolio allocation rather than a high-risk investment. Despite volatility, Bitcoin’s behavior is seen as more robust amid market stress due to decreased leverage and increased institutional…