Tag: Crypto

Stratiphy Restores Crypto ETN Access for UK Investors via New ISA Offering

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UK fintech platform Stratiphy has launched a new offering that gives investors a practical tax-free route back into crypto exchange-traded notes (ETNs) for UK investors after a series of regulatory shifts effectively shut investors out. In October 2025, the Financial Conduct Authority lifted its four-year ban on retail access to crypto ETNs tied to assets like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH). These products could initially be held in standard stocks-and-shares Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs), offering tax-free exposure. However, that changed at the start of the new tax year, when HM…

Russia’s State Duma passes crypto bill, Bitcoin demand may rise

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Russia’s State Duma passed the crypto regulation bill in its first reading. Bitcoin reaching $80,000 in April sits at 66% YES, up from 44% yesterday. Market reaction The market moved sharply, with a 5-point spike in Bitcoin’s price target odds for April. Russia recognizing crypto as property and allowing cross-border use signals potential demand increases. The Bitcoin $80,000 market is now a two-thirds bet on hitting that mark, meaning traders are pricing in a bullish impact from Russia’s legal shift. The $150,000 market remains flat at 0.1% YES. Why it…

Crypto Firms Report Flood of AI-Driven Bug Bounty Submissions

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Crypto protocols have warned that an increase in AI use has led to a flood of bogus bug bounty submissions, putting a strain on teams trying to identify real threats to their protocols.  Bug bounties are a system to reward “good” hackers for submitting reports about potential vulnerabilities and are popular in the crypto industry. AI has now made it easier to sift through large amounts of code to find possible bugs, though AI is also known to hallucinate.  “AI is changing the way that bug bounty programs must operate,”…

Kalshi Eyes Crypto Perpetual Futures Expansion: Report

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Prediction market exchange Kalshi is reportedly preparing to expand into cryptocurrency trading by introducing perpetual futures contracts, marking a major shift beyond its core event-based derivatives business. In a Tuesday report, The Information cited people familiar with the matter as saying Kalshi plans to offer perpetual futures — commonly known as “perps” — on cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC). Source: Walter Bloomberg Perpetual futures are a type of derivative contract that allows traders to speculate on price movements without an expiration date.  Unlike traditional futures, which must be rolled over…

North Korea’s Lazarus Group launders $290M in crypto via Ethereum, Bitcoin

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Hackers linked to North Korea’s Lazarus Group have laundered $290 million in stolen crypto via Ethereum and Bitcoin. Bitcoin reaching $80,000 in April is at 36.5% YES, down from 44% yesterday. The $80,000 Bitcoin market dropped from 44% to 36.5% YES after the laundering news broke. That said, the contract was at 31% a week ago, so the current level still represents a net gain over the past seven days. The $150,000 market sits at 0.1% YES, flat and pricing in almost no chance of a large rally. The hack…

Polish Parliament Stalls on Crypto Law, Local Firms Look Abroad

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Poland’s parliament, the Sejm, has yet to pass a domestic enabling act for the EU’s regulations on cryptocurrencies.  The parliament has again failed to override a presidential veto on a key crypto regulation bill. President Karol Nawrocki defended his veto, citing concerns over excessive regulation that could harm small businesses. Opponents state that the lack of framework makes the Polish market vulnerable to fraud and free-for-all for illicit actors. The political path forward is unclear. Outside the political arena, the reality is that Poland is the only EU member state…

One-Third of EU Investors May Switch Banks Due to Crypto Interest: Survey

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Cryptocurrency offerings are starting to influence how European investors are choosing their bank providers, but regulatory uncertainty continues to hinder mainstream adoption, according to a new survey. A Börse Stuttgart Digital survey released Tuesday found that 35% of European investors would consider switching banks if another institution offered better cryptocurrency investment options, suggesting crypto is starting to influence how some customers choose financial providers. Nearly one in five respondents said they expect their main bank to offer crypto access within the next three years, according to the survey, which covered…

South Korea Details AI System for Crypto Tax Monitoring

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South Korea’s National Tax Service (NTS) has opened a tender for software licenses to track virtual asset transactions as part of tax evasion enforcement, according to a government procurement notice. The notice said the contract is for “virtual asset tax evasion response transaction-tracking software licenses,” with a budget of 146.5 million won (around $99,500), including value-added tax and delivery due within 30 days of contract signing. Bid submissions are scheduled for April 28 to April 30, with proposal evaluation set for May 7. The procurement notice itself gives limited detail…

Crypto Scam Targets Stranded Ships in Strait of Hormuz: Report

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Fraudulent actors posing as Iranian authorities have reportedly sent messages to shipping companies whose vessels remain stranded west of the Strait of Hormuz, demanding payment in cryptocurrency for safe passage. On Monday, maritime risk company Marisks issued a warning saying unknown groups had contacted shipowners claiming to represent Iranian security services and requesting transit “fees” in Bitcoin (BTC) or USDt (USDT) in exchange for clearance through the strait, according to Reuters. “These specific messages are a scam,” Marisks reportedly said, adding that they do not originate from Iranian authorities. Tehran…

Philippine SEC Warns Against dYdX, Crypto Platforms

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The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a public investor alert warning Filipinos not to invest in dYdX and six other crypto trading platforms, saying they are not registered or authorized to solicit investments in the country. In a Facebook post on Tuesday, the SEC named dYdX, Aevo, gTrade, Pacifica, Orderly, Deriv and Ostium, stating that based on its findings, the platforms appear to be offering investments to the public in exchange for promised returns, profits or interest.  The regulator said none of the listed entities are registered…