Bena Ilyas

The SEC Crypto Custody Proposal introduces clearer rules for digital asset custody, self-custody safeguards, and institutional compliance.

Aave Labs has urged European regulators to shape MiCA rules around intermediaries rather than open-source DeFi software. Its proposal highlights self-custody, decentralized lending, and euro stablecoins as key areas that could influence how DeFi services operate across Europe.

Payment Giant Fiserv has launched its digital asset platform with financial institution clients, beginning with Roughrider Coin. The dollar-pegged stablecoin will support bank-to-bank payments for more than 90 banks and credit unions in North Dakota, combining traditional banking access with blockchain settlement infrastructure.

NEAR Intents has identified the suspected individual behind its $3.8 million exploit and issued a 48-hour deadline for returning funds. Bitquery traced most of the stolen assets across multiple blockchain networks, while the protocol works to restore services and fully compensate affected users.

Dogecoin is expanding beyond payments as DogeOS launches its public Chikyū testnet with EVM-compatible smart contracts, enabling developers to build DeFi, stablecoin, trading, and gaming applications using DOGE for transaction fees.

The CLARITY Act’s Senate setback has coincided with gains across major cryptocurrencies as regulators continue advancing separate digital asset measures. Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan highlights avoided restrictions on stablecoin rewards and exchange competition, while SEC and CFTC actions provide faster but less durable regulatory developments.

MetaMask is responding to a security incident affecting its staking infrastructure and has begun exiting impacted Ethereum validators. The wallet provider said user wallets face no immediate threat, while Lido expects the final affected validators to complete exits by October 7.

Algorand Decentralization reaches a new weekly milestone with 1,556 active validators, highlighting continued network participation and infrastructure growth.

Suspected North Korean-linked hackers allegedly used CoW Protocol and Chainflip to move cryptocurrency stolen from Bitget. Blockchain investigations traced significant ETH, XRP, TRX, and BNB flows through cross-chain services before conversion into Bitcoin, while investigators continue tracking remaining assets and wallet activity.

Binance Pay USDT has expanded into Japan through HIVEX and PayPay-supported merchants. Eligible overseas users can spend the stablecoin across millions of merchant locations, while participating businesses continue receiving Japanese yen, connecting digital-asset payments with the country’s established QR payment infrastructure.