Bitcoin Holds Near $86,000 After Short Squeeze and Near-$1 Billion ETF Inflow
Bitcoin climbed above $86,000 as heavy ETF inflows and forced short liquidations reinforced the September rally. With open interest rising and macro conditions shifting, the next test is whether fresh demand can support the move after forced buying fades.
Pontes Goes Live as ECB Builds a Bridge to Tokenized Markets
The Eurosystem has launched Pontes, a live service connecting tokenised-asset platforms with central bank money. It gives eligible institutions two settlement routes while keeping payment finality tied to T2, with broader hours and features planned through 2028.
US Targets BitBank in Wider Push Against Iran’s Shadow Banking and Crypto Networks
The U.S. Treasury has sanctioned Iranian crypto exchange BitBank as part of a broader campaign against Iran’s financial networks. The action connects alleged Bitcoin transfers to the IRGC with a wider enforcement push spanning crypto exchanges, stablecoins, shadow banking intermediaries and foreign banks.
CFTC Extends Phantom-Style Broker Relief to More Crypto Wallets
The CFTC has expanded no-action relief previously granted to Phantom, opening the same conditional pathway to other qualifying passive software providers. Eligible wallets and apps can connect users with regulated derivatives markets without registering as introducing brokers if they meet the agency’s conditions.
Circle’s Arc Mainnet Goes Live With Major Financial Firms Onboard
Circle has launched Arc, its own Layer 1 blockchain built around USDC and financial applications. The network enters mainnet with institutional validators, tokenized assets and infrastructure spanning payments, trading and lending.
Hackers Demand $3 Million From Revolut or Threaten to Sell Data
A group calling itself IAmNotAVillain is demanding $3 million in Monero after sensitive Revolut customer data was obtained through fraudulent government requests. Revolut says the group has not contacted the company directly, while competing claims have complicated who is behind the breach.
French Court Rejects Emergency Challenge to DAC8 Crypto Reporting
France’s highest administrative court has rejected an emergency attempt to suspend the country’s DAC8 crypto reporting requirements. The rules remain in force, while the broader challenge over privacy, data protection and the legality of the French decree continues through the courts.
Senate Vote Stalls CLARITY Act After 49–50 Defeat
The Senate fell short of the 60 votes needed to advance the CLARITY Act toward formal consideration. The bill remains alive, but supporters must build a broader coalition while SEC and CFTC rulemaking takes on greater importance.
CoinEx Shuts Down Trading as Customers Get Until December to Withdraw
CoinEx is winding down after nine years, with trading, deposits, staking and other services ending on separate dates. Customers can continue withdrawing funds until December 22, while some parts of the wider CoinEx ecosystem will remain active.
Mexico Expands Search After Puebla Crypto Mine Seizure Grows to Over 1,000 Machines
Mexican authorities widened their search for illegal cryptocurrency mining sites after a second search of a Puebla facility raised the seized equipment to 1,032 machines. Investigators are focused on suspected electricity theft, and who owns and financed the operation remains unknown.
