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Congress Passes Fed CBDC Ban Through 2030, Sends Bill to Trump
Regulation & Politics

Congress Passes Fed CBDC Ban Through 2030, Sends Bill to Trump

Both chambers of Congress have passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which prohibits the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency until December 31, 2030. The House cleared the bill 358-32 on Tuesday, one day after the Senate's 85-5 vote, sending it to President Trump for signature.
Digital Chamber CEO Carbone Presses Senate for CLARITY Act Vote, Citing Financial Friction Cost to Americans
Regulation & Politics

Digital Chamber CEO Carbone Presses Senate for CLARITY Act Vote, Citing Financial Friction Cost to Americans

Cody Carbone of The Digital Chamber testified Tuesday before the Senate Banking Committee that passing the CLARITY Act is a prerequisite for reducing financial friction costs that fall hardest on lower-income households, as no Senate floor vote has yet been scheduled.
Nearly 100 Catholic Leaders Oppose CLARITY Act Over Trafficking Safeguard Provisions
Regulation & Politics

Nearly 100 Catholic Leaders Oppose CLARITY Act Over Trafficking Safeguard Provisions

Close to 100 Catholic bishops and church leaders have sent a letter to Senate leadership opposing the CLARITY Act, arguing that a provision shielding non-custodial developers from money-transmitter rules would weaken federal safeguards against human trafficking and other financial crimes.
Trump White House Negotiating CLARITY Act Ethics Deal With Senate Democrats
Regulation & Politics

Trump White House Negotiating CLARITY Act Ethics Deal With Senate Democrats

A Trump White House official is negotiating an ethics compromise on the CLARITY Act with Senate Democrats, the last major sticking point before a floor vote, as Senator Cynthia Lummis says the US is finally close to getting digital asset legislation right.
CFTC Sues Kentucky to Defend Its Exclusive Jurisdiction Over Prediction Markets
Regulation & Politics

CFTC Sues Kentucky to Defend Its Exclusive Jurisdiction Over Prediction Markets

The CFTC sued Kentucky on Tuesday to stop the state from using its own laws and a new transaction fee to push federally registered prediction markets out, widening a multi-state campaign over exclusive federal jurisdiction.
0x Opens Swap API to AI Agents Paying $0.01 Per Request in USDC
DeFi

0x Opens Swap API to AI Agents Paying $0.01 Per Request in USDC

AI agents can now access 0x Protocol's Swap API by paying $0.01 per request in USDC directly from their own wallets, with no API key required, via the HTTP 402 and x402 standard built with Alchemy AgentPay.
Circle Publishes Official USDC Spec for Machine Payments Protocol, Enabling Crosschain Agent-to-Agent Commerce
DeFi

Circle Publishes Official USDC Spec for Machine Payments Protocol, Enabling Crosschain Agent-to-Agent Commerce

Circle published a formal USDC method specification for the Machine Payments Protocol on Monday, standardizing how AI agents and automated services settle payments in USDC across EVM-compatible blockchains and Solana. The spec introduces the first crosschain MPP payment profile via Circle Gateway and adds USDCx on Stacks.
Zuckerberg Orders Meta to Build Standalone Prediction Market App, Codenamed Arena
TradFi & Fintech

Zuckerberg Orders Meta to Build Standalone Prediction Market App, Codenamed Arena

Mark Zuckerberg has directed a small Meta team to build a standalone prediction-market app called Arena, according to the New York Times. The move puts the world's largest social network on a direct collision course with crypto-native platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi.
Securitize Wraps Roubini's SEC-Registered ETF as Dubai VARA Digital Security
DeFi

Securitize Wraps Roubini's SEC-Registered ETF as Dubai VARA Digital Security

Securitize has been selected to tokenize economist Nouriel Roubini's Atlas America Fund into USAFi, a digital security issued under Dubai's VARA regulatory framework with BNY custody, designed for 24/7 institutional-grade collateral portability.
Ethereum Foundation Cuts 20% of Staff in Sweeping Reorganization
Blockchains

Ethereum Foundation Cuts 20% of Staff in Sweeping Reorganization

The Ethereum Foundation has eliminated 54 positions, about 20% of its workforce, as part of a restructuring tied to its updated spending mandate. Vitalik Buterin announced a 40% annual budget cut targeting a reduction in treasury spend from 15% to 5% by 2030. Arkham Intelligence places EF's ETH holdings at approximately $209 million, a nearly six-year low.