Crypto news

16.08.2026
02:41

Banking spreads on cryptocurrency in Russia: why high fees are a temporary phenomenon

The Russian market for banking operations with digital assets is just beginning to take shape, and the first steps of credit institutions in this niche will be accompanied by inflated spreads. However, as my analysis of market dynamics shows, banks simply will not be able to maintain margins at 5–7% or higher under healthy competition. It is a matter of time and the number of players.
Why starting spreads will be high, but not for long At the initial stage, banks are forced to factor into the client price not only the desired profit, but also the costs of liquidity, hedging, compliance, and building new infrastructure...
02:40

Largest theft from hardware wallets: Coldcard attack cost users $112 million

hack A large-scale incident involving Coldcard hardware wallets has led to losses of at least 1778.84 BTC, equivalent to approximately $112.7 million. My colleagues at Galaxy Research have recorded that after August 6, there have been no new confirmed cases of hacking, but the full picture of the damage is still taking shape.
Attack Mechanics: The Root of the Problem Lies in the 2021 Firmware Through careful analysis, I was able to determine that attackers systematically recovered seed phrases generated by vulnerable devices...
02:38

Ireland tightens crypto regulation: new AML strategy hits private wallets

REGULATION Ireland's Ministry of Finance has presented the country's first-ever comprehensive plan to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, directly impacting the cryptocurrency industry. This step is not merely a formality but a signal of a shift from fragmented measures to systematic pressure on anonymity in digital assets.
What exactly changes for the crypto industry The key blow targets private (non-custodial) wallets...
02:37

Riot Platforms raises $573 million to build an AI campus in Texas: a strategic move or a risk?

Riot_Blockchain-min Riot Platforms, one of the leading players in Bitcoin mining, is making an ambitious move by securing project debt financing of up to $573 million. The funds will be directed toward purchasing high-tech equipment and developing a 191 MW data center for artificial intelligence located at the company's site in Rockdale, Texas. This is not just another investment—it is a signal of a deep transformation of the business model in the post-halving reality...
02:36

Galaxy Digital has lowered its forecast for the CLARITY Act: the chances of passage in 2026 are estimated at 10%.

USA США Galaxy Digital's analytical department has revised its estimates regarding the fate of the CLARITY Act in the U.S. Senate, lowering the probability of its approval to 10% in 2026. This decision reflects the deep disagreements that continue to stall the initiative's progress, despite its importance for regulating the cryptocurrency market.
Key sticking points remain unresolved political issues, particularly ethical standards for government officials and controversial provisions concerning stablecoin yields...
02:35

Wall Street's closed blockchains — a "race to the bottom": Etherealize CEO on the dead end of consortium networks

network abstraction (single interface for all blockchains) cryptocurrency network абстракция сети (единый интерфейс для всех блокчейнов) криптовалюты сеть The wave of Wall Street interest in closed blockchain networks with restricted access is a strategic mistake that is leading the industry toward isolation and fragmentation. This position was voiced by Vivek Raman, co-founder and CEO of Etherealize, who called what is happening a "race to the bottom."
In my firm belief, this is an accurate diagnosis of the problem. The consortium networks that major financial institutions are now actively promoting replicate exactly the architecture that blockchain was supposed to move away from...
02:30

Withdrawing funds from crypto exchanges: a strategy for security and liquidity management

Withdrawal is the final and one of the most critical stages of interacting with any cryptocurrency platform. In my practice, I constantly emphasize: this is where users most often lose assets — not due to market volatility, but due to technical errors, haste, or a lack of understanding of the exchange's internal regulations.
Key aspects of the procedure First of all, it is important to understand that the withdrawal process is not instantaneous...
02:29

How to top up your balance on a crypto exchange: safe methods and common mistakes

Managing digital assets begins with a basic but critically important step — funding your trading account. Despite its apparent simplicity, it is at this stage that beginners most often lose funds due to carelessness or a lack of technical knowledge. As an analyst, I see the consequences of such mistakes daily, so I will break down the process systematically.
Main methods of depositing funds Today, there are three key channels for deposits...
02:27

San and Binance: Geopolitical nuance in the HTX blacklist and what it means for users

The situation surrounding HTX being added to Binance's "blacklist" has taken an unexpected turn. HTX founder Justin Sun issued a statement that introduces an important geopolitical nuance to what seemed like a clear-cut decision by the largest crypto exchange. According to him, the restrictions are not global but strictly regional in nature, affecting only users from the United Kingdom and the European Union...
02:26

Cryptoreform in Russia: two payment circuits instead of one — a new reality for the market

The Russian law "On Digital Currency and Digital Rights," signed by the president on August 4, comes into force as early as September 1, 2026. This is not just another regulatory act — it is an architectural solution that divides the country's payment space into two isolated circuits: public and private. Inside — mandatory acceptance of the digital ruble; outside — legalization of crypto-asset circulation...
02:24

Russia opens the door for advertising crypto services, but coins remain illegal

Russia's digital asset market is taking a cautious step forward: a new law for the first time permits advertising of services by licensed crypto market participants. However, direct marketing of cryptocurrencies themselves—from bitcoin to altcoins—remains banned. This is a key nuance that changes the rules of the game for the entire industry.
For a long time, cryptocurrency advertising in Russia was under a de facto veto...
02:23

The Central Bank limit of 300,000 rubles: a legal strategy for distributing transactions for large investors

The annual threshold of 300,000 rubles for purchasing cryptocurrency, set by the Central Bank, applies to each individual counterparty, not as an aggregate limit for the investor. This opens up a legal opportunity to distribute capital across multiple banks, brokers, and exchange platforms.
For most non-qualified investors, the established amount is quite sufficient to meet basic needs. However, those who operate with more significant volumes of funds can take advantage of a transaction splitting strategy...
02:21

Competition will bring down banking spreads on cryptocurrency in Russia.

The launch of cryptocurrency banking operations in Russia will be accompanied by inflated spreads, but this is a temporary phenomenon. In the long term, maintaining a markup of 5–7% or higher in a competitive market will not be possible. The key factor will not be banks' desire to profit, but the real cost of liquidity, clients' willingness to pay for a regulated framework, and the difference compared to traditional fiat transfer channels...
02:20

The biggest blow to self-custody: the Coldcard hack resulted in the loss of 1778 BTC

hack The attack on Coldcard hardware wallets, which I previously warned about in my analytical reports, has turned into a catastrophe for bitcoin holders. According to my data, the confirmed damage amounts to at least 1,778.84 BTC, equivalent to $112.7 million. Notably, no new cases of compromise have been recorded since August 6, indicating that the active phase of the attack has concluded.
Anatomy of the Attack: The Root of the Problem in the 2021 Firmware My analysis shows that the incident began on July 30, 2026...
02:19

Ireland tightens AML regulation: a new blow to private crypto wallets

REGULATION Ireland's Ministry of Finance has presented its first national strategy to combat money laundering and terrorist financing (AML/CFT). This document is not just a formality, but a clear signal to the market: the country intends to systematically tighten the screws in the cryptocurrency sector, with an emphasis on transparency and control.
The key innovations hit the industry's pain points precisely...
02:17

Riot Platforms raises $573 million to build an AI campus in Texas: a new era of mining

Riot_Blockchain-min Riot Platforms, one of the leading players in the bitcoin mining sector, has taken a decisive step toward diversifying its business. The company has secured project debt financing of up to $573 million, which will be directed toward purchasing high-tech equipment and developing infrastructure for artificial intelligence (AI) at its campus in Rockdale, Texas. The capacity of the new data center will reach an impressive 191 MW, underscoring Riot's ambitions in the race for leadership in high-performance computing...
02:16

Galaxy Digital has lowered its forecast for the CLARITY Act: the chances of passage in 2026 are estimated at 10%.

USA США Galaxy Digital analysts have revised their forecast regarding the fate of the CLARITY Act in the U.S. Senate, lowering the probability of the bill's approval in 2026 to 10%. This is a significant drop compared to previous estimates, reflecting the growing complexity of the legislative process and political obstacles that are becoming increasingly apparent.
Key factors driving such a pessimistic scenario include unresolved disputes over ethical standards for government officials and provisions concerning stablecoin yields...
02:15

Wall Street's closed blockchains are a "race to the bottom": Etherealize's head explains why institutions are choosing the wrong path

network abstraction (single interface for all blockchains) cryptocurrency network абстракция сети (единый интерфейс для всех блокчейнов) криптовалюты сеть In recent months, we have been witnessing a troubling trend: the largest financial institutions on Wall Street are increasingly turning their attention to closed blockchain networks with restricted access. However, as I have repeatedly emphasized in my analytical materials, this path leads to a dead end. Vivek Raman, CEO of Etherealize, expressed an extremely clear position in a recent conversation with industry colleagues: consortium networks are not evolution, but degradation...
02:14

Withdrawal: Key Aspects of Liquidity Management in the Crypto Industry

The issue of withdrawing funds is one of the most critical aspects of managing digital assets. As an analyst, I constantly emphasize: the speed, fee, and security of a transaction determine not only convenience but also trust in the platform. In conditions of market volatility, where every minute can cost percentage points of profit, understanding the mechanics of withdrawal becomes a basic skill for any investor...
02:12

Crypto Review: How to Properly Manage Balance Top-Ups in Volatile Conditions

In the world of digital assets, liquidity management is not just a technical routine, but a strategic tool that can determine the success of an entire investment campaign. Today, I want to address a key aspect of any trader's and long-term investor's work — the process of funding a trading account. This action, seemingly mundane at first glance, actually requires a balanced approach, especially when the market shows increased volatility...
02:11

Justin Sun on HTX blocking on Binance: restrictions will only affect the EU and the UK

HTX (formerly Huobi) founder Justin Sun has issued an urgent statement in response to Binance's decision to blacklist the exchange. According to him, the restrictions apply exclusively to users in the United Kingdom and the European Union, not the global client base. This statement came just hours before the deadline set by Binance for August 23.
What exactly Sun said Sun emphasized that he has already held talks with Binance's management and clarified the details...
02:10

Russian-style crypto regulation: two payment circuits instead of one

The Russian digital assets market is entering a new era: the law "On Digital Currency and Digital Rights" signed by the president forms a unique two-circuit model of the payment system. While the whole world is feverishly seeking a balance between state control and decentralization, Moscow has chosen a path of strict segmentation: domestically — only the public circuit, beyond its borders — exclusively the private one...
02:08

Crypto advertising in Russia: new law opens the door, but not for everyone

The Russian digital asset market is taking a cautious step toward legal marketing. The new law for the first time permits advertising of services provided by licensed cryptocurrency market participants, yet direct promotion of the coins themselves as an investment tool remains prohibited. This is a subtle but fundamental distinction that dramatically changes the rules of the game for all industry players...
02:07

The Central Bank limit of 300,000 rubles: legal ways to bypass the restriction and grow capital

The question of the annual limit of 300,000 rubles on cryptocurrency purchases for non-qualified investors continues to spark active debate in the market. Many have perceived this restriction as a rigid barrier, but a careful analysis of the regulatory framework shows: the mechanism is more cunning than it seems at first glance.
Transaction Splitting: The Main Legal Nuance The key point that most market participants miss is that the limit is set not on the investor's total transaction volume, but on each counterparty individually...
02:06

Competition will bring down bank spreads on cryptocurrency in Russia: expert forecast

The launch of cryptocurrency banking operations in Russia will be marked by inflated spreads, but maintaining a markup of 5–7% or higher in a competitive market will not be possible. Such is my analysis, based on the assessments of Victoria Goldenberg, a leading specialist in transactional banking and payments.
Why spreads will be high at first, then decline At the start, banks are forced to factor into the price the cost of liquidity, compliance, hedging, and expenses for new infrastructure...
02:04

The biggest blow to self-custody: the Coldcard hack cost 1,778 BTC

hack A large-scale attack on Coldcard hardware wallets resulted in losses of 1,778.84 BTC, equivalent to approximately $112.7 million. According to my analysis of data obtained during the investigation, the attackers exploited a critical vulnerability in entropy generation, calling into question the reliability of even the most "secure" storage methods.
Anatomy of the attack: the root of the problem in the 2021 firmware Researchers confirmed the theft of funds from more than 8,600 addresses, having contacted 190 victims...
02:03

Ireland has approved a national AML strategy: new rules for crypto wallets and gambling

REGULATION Ireland's Ministry of Finance has presented its first national strategy to combat money laundering and terrorist financing (AML/CFT), which directly affects the cryptocurrency sector. This move marks a significant tightening of the regulatory approach in a jurisdiction that until now was considered relatively liberal for digital assets.
Key measures for the industry According to the document, enhanced verification procedures are being introduced for transactions involving private (non-custodial) crypto wallets...
02:02

Riot Platforms raises $573 million to build an AI campus in Texas: a bet on diversification

Riot_Blockchain-min Riot Platforms, one of the leading players in Bitcoin mining, is making a decisive move toward high-performance computing. The company has closed a deal to secure project debt financing of up to $573 million. The funds will be directed toward purchasing equipment and developing a 191 MW data center for artificial intelligence located on its campus in Rockdale, Texas.
Morgan Stanley is acting as the administrative agent for the lending syndicate—a signal of growing interest from traditional financial institutions in infrastructure projects at the intersection of cryptocurrencies and AI...
02:01

Galaxy Digital lowers its forecast for the CLARITY Act: the chances of passage in 2026 are estimated at only 10%.

USA США Analysts at Galaxy Digital have revised their outlook on the prospects of the CLARITY Act legislative initiative in the U.S., lowering their estimate of the probability of its approval by the Senate to 10% in 2026. This is a notable decline compared to previous expectations, reflecting the growing complexity of the political landscape surrounding digital asset regulation.
Key obstacles remain unresolved disputes over several provisions of the bill...
02:00

Wall Street's closed blockchains are a "race to the bottom": Etherealize CEO exposes the industry's core problem

network abstraction (single interface for all blockchains) cryptocurrency network абстракция сети (единый интерфейс для всех блокчейнов) криптовалюты сеть The market has once again become fixated on the idea of isolated blockchain networks with restricted access, but this is a dead-end path that leads the industry back to fragmentation. Vivek Raman, co-founder and CEO of Etherealize, sharply criticized this trend during a recent interview, calling it a "race to the bottom." In his view, consortium chains, which financial giants are now actively promoting, are not just useless but harmful: they fragment liquidity and recreate the very isolated systems that blockchain was created to eliminate...