Sun, October 18

Japan’s Big Three Banks Test Joint Yen Stablecoin for Cross-Border Payments

Japan’s three largest banks have completed a joint trial of a yen-based stablecoin, confirming the feasibility of a model designed to support cross-border payments between businesses. Mizuho Bank, MUFG Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) conducted the proof of concept from July 17 to July 23, with the results

October 16, 2026 3 mins read

Sweden’s Riksbank Urges Lawmakers to Prepare for Digital Krona

Sweden’s central bank has renewed its push for a possible digital version of the Swedish krona, asking lawmakers to begin preparing the legislation needed to introduce one. The Riksbank’s recommendation comes as the European Central Bank (ECB) advances its digital euro project and concerns grow over the use of foreign-currency

October 16, 2026 2 mins read

Coinbase and Kalshi Hit With Access Restrictions in Taiwan Over Election Betting

Taiwan has blocked domestic access to Coinbase and Kalshi, with a New Taipei court authorising the country’s communications regulator and internet registry to restrict both platforms. The Criminal Investigation Bureau, which sought the order, cited suspected violations of the Public Officials Election and Recall Act, a law that prohibits operating

October 16, 2026 2 mins read

MSCI Sets November Deadline for Crypto Treasury Index Changes

MSCI has adopted a new methodology to exclude non-operating companies from its Global Investable Market Indexes, and the ripple effects are already being felt across crypto treasury companies. The changes will take effect after the November 30 close. The final list of affected companies was published on November 11 as

October 16, 2026 2 mins read

Spout Finance Unlocks $2 Million to Disrupt Stock Lending

Spout Finance has raised $2 million in a fundraising campaign to democratize prime brokerage with zero-interest lending against tokenized equities.  Participants in the round included Draper Dragon, Anchorage Digital, Flow Traders, Taisu Ventures, Vessel Capital, Solayer, 2Square Capital, and Bering Waters Ventures, with strategic backing from Solana Labs. Why Spot

October 16, 2026 5 mins read

StarkWare Puts Starknet’s Ethereum Ties to a Governance Vote

StarkWare announced on October 8 that it is actively exploring the possibility of Starknet evolving from an Ethereum Layer 2 into an independent post-quantum Layer 1 blockchain. A non-binding governance poll is now live for STRK holders to weigh in. It is running for seven days, with results visible immediately

October 15, 2026 2 mins read

South Korea’s Financial Sector Faces Tighter Cybersecurity Rules After Data Exposure

South Korea’s Financial Services Commission has announced plans to tighten cybersecurity requirements across the country’s financial sector after an industry-wide review uncovered more problems than anyone wanted to find. A regulatory review of 555 financial companies revealed cybersecurity deficiencies in 130 of them, nearly one in four. In addition, approximately

October 15, 2026 2 mins read

Circle’s USDC Leads 45 EU E-Money Tokens With Landmark MiCA Classification

Circle’s USDC has become the first stablecoin in the European Union to be classified as a significant e-money token under MiCA. It is the EU’s comprehensive crypto asset regulatory framework. The European Banking Authority made the designation after assessing USDC against the criteria set out in the regulation. It makes

October 15, 2026 2 mins read

France’s Proposed 31.4% Crypto Tax on Stablecoin Swaps Raises Concerns

France is considering a change to its cryptocurrency tax rules that could make certain stablecoin conversions taxable from January 1, 2027. The proposal would apply the country’s existing 31.4% flat tax on eligible crypto capital gains when investors exchange cryptocurrencies for certain euro- or dollar-pegged stablecoins. The measure is included

October 14, 2026 2 mins read

Safe Wallet Brings CoinShares Stablecoin Yield Strategies to Self-Custody Users

Safe Wallet has integrated CoinShares-designed stablecoin yield strategies directly into its platform, giving corporate treasuries, DAOs, and foundations a way to earn institutional-grade yield on idle stablecoin balances without moving funds out of self-custody. Corporate treasuries and onchain organisations sitting on idle stablecoin balances now have a direct path to

October 14, 2026 2 mins read