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Posts by Harshini Chakka

Uniswap Goes Live on OKX X Layer With Zero Interface Fee Swaps

Uniswap Goes Live on OKX X Layer With Zero Interface Fee Swaps

Uniswap has marked its presence on the multi-chain universe by entering X Layer, which stands for OKX’s Ethereum Layer 2 ecosystem. This will enable a new low-cost platform for the trading community and retain the native Uniswap experience within the OKX ecosystem. Uniswap made the deployment official through an announcement

January 16, 2026 3 mins read
Grayscale Expands Watchlist With AI, DeFi, and Consumer Crypto Tokens

Grayscale Expands Watchlist With AI, DeFi, and Consumer Crypto Tokens

Grayscale added more exposure candidates from the artificial intelligence, DeFi, consumer, and infrastructure segments to its list of digital assets under consideration for future investment products. The update signals continued product exploration by the world’s largest digital asset-focused manager, as US investor demand widens beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum. In a

January 13, 2026 3 mins read
VanEck Says Policy Clarity Sets Up a Risk-On Q1 for Investors

VanEck Says Policy Clarity Sets Up a Risk-On Q1 for Investors

The first quarter of next year will be favorable for risk-taking, as van Eck, an international investment management company, says that investors now have the clarity that they have been lacking for so long. This has been stated in the Q1 Outlook for the year 2026, which van Eck released

January 13, 2026 4 mins read
Senate Ag Delays Crypto Market Structure Markup to Late January

Senate Ag Delays Crypto Market Structure Markup to Late January

The US Senate Agriculture Committee has deferred the date of their much-awaited markup on the big cryptocurrency market structure legislation to the last week of January as lawmakers rush to secure bipartisan support on bills affecting the regulation of cryptocurrencies in the US. Committee on Appropriations Chairman John Boozman stated

January 13, 2026 3 mins read
X Rolls Out Smart Cashtags to Cut Crypto Spam and Ticker Confusion

X Rolls Out Smart Cashtags to Cut Crypto Spam and Ticker Confusion

X is on the verge of introducing a new feature known as Smart Cashtags, aimed at eliminating ticker confusion and streamlining user conversations about stocks and cryptocurrencies on the platform. This is a rather sensitive time for the platform, given the increased enforcement by the Digital Service Act in Europe

January 12, 2026 3 mins read
South Korea Ends Corporate Crypto Ban With 5% Equity Cap

South Korea Ends Corporate Crypto Ban With 5% Equity Cap

South Korea is set to relax its ban on investing in crypto by corporations and will therefore bring about a significant change in policy that will help open up the market for digital assets to new institutions. The Financial Services Commission has been seen to have updated the guidelines to

January 12, 2026 3 mins read
Powell Says DOJ Probe Tied to Trump Pressure Over Fed Rate Cuts

Powell Says DOJ Probe Tied to Trump Pressure Over Fed Rate Cuts

Jerome Powell, the head of the Federal Reserve, recently criticized the Trump administration following the opening of a criminal case against the Federal Reserve concerning the headquarters’ renovation project. According to Powell, the criminal case is a result of political retribution following the refusal by the Federal Reserve to reduce

January 12, 2026 3 mins read
FCA Sets September 2026 Start for UK Crypto Licensing Applications Author Name: Harshini Chakka Meta Description: UK regulators set September 2026 as the start date for crypto licensing applications, giving firms a limited window before the new regime begins in 2027. Category: Crypto Regulation Tags: UK Crypto, FCA, Crypto Regulation, FSMA, Digital Assets The FCA will launch applications for a license to deal in cryptocurrencies in September 2026. The existing MLR registrations would not automatically qualify under the new system. Companies which fail to meet this opportunity may find themselves limited regarding new cryptocurrency operations. The financial authorities in the UK have put a timeline in place for a new licensing framework for crypto entities in the UK, and this signifies a major compliance change for digital entities in Britain. The Financial Conduct Authority has recently clarified the plans by digital entities to start applications for licensure in September 2026, before its launch in October 2027. In a statement issued on Thursday, however, the FCA explained that crypto asset service providers (CASPs) must be ready to apply for full authorization before the new regime is implemented. “We anticipate that the application period is set to open in September 2026. We will provide more detailed dates nearer to launch,” explained the FCA. The FCA’s licensing gateway will provide a limited window for firms to submit applications and receive decisions before the regime goes live on Oct. 25, 2027. Firms that fail to secure authorization by that date could face restrictions on expanding their services in the UK. Existing registrations will not convert automatically Under the new framework, all companies offering regulated crypto services in the UK will need authorization under the Financial Services and Markets Act (FSMA). The requirement applies even to firms already registered with the FCA under existing Money Laundering Regulations (MLRs) or payment-related frameworks. The FCA stressed that current registrations will not roll over automatically. “Firms that are registered with us under the MLRs should note that there will be no automatic conversion,” the regulator said. “They will need to secure authorisation by us under FSMA prior to the commencement of the new regime.” Crypto companies that already hold FCA authorization for other regulated activities must also take action. Those firms will need to vary their existing permissions to cover crypto services before the regime begins. In addition, crypto businesses that currently rely on third-party authorized firms to approve their financial promotions will no longer be able to do so. Under the new rules, companies must obtain direct FCA authorization to market crypto products and services to UK consumers. Tight application window raises stakes The FCA will open a defined application window, which will be at least 28 days and will close no later than 28 days prior to the new regime coming into force. Decisions will then be made on applications received within that timeframe before October 2027. A "saving provision" is included in the draft legislation that enables companies to keep running while the FCA examines applications submitted during the window period. This is intended to soften the effect on those who are compliant and apply on time. But for companies that fail to apply within the application window or obtain the relevant authorization by the start date, the rules provide for them under the transitional provisions. These rules ensure that the company is not able to offer any new services or expand its services, but continue with its existing services. Late applicants may apply after this deadline, but they must understand a warning issued by the FCA: they may experience processing delays and more stringent operating requirements. Industry impact and next steps The notice gives crypto companies close to a year to prepare for the application process; however, it has also increased the pressure on them concerning compliance and capital structuring. This is expected to trigger an influx of applications as companies will try to secure UK market entry before the deadline expires. The UK government promotes the new regime as helping to place crypto within the same regulatory umbrella as the financial sector. It provides regulatory clarity for companies that think ahead, but operational risk for companies that procrastinate. This means, in light of the FCA now finalizing technical standards and guidelines, the message for crypto firms is clear: apply early, prepare well, or get left behind when the UK’s crypto regime enters into force. Highlighted Crypto News: Polygon (POL) Catches a Bullish Breeze: How Far Can the 17% Rally Stretch?

FCA Sets September 2026 Start for UK Crypto Licensing Applications

The financial authorities in the UK have put a timeline in place for a new licensing framework for crypto entities in the UK, and this signifies a major compliance change for digital entities in Britain. The Financial Conduct Authority has recently clarified the plans by digital entities to start applications

January 9, 2026 3 mins read
Iran Internet Shutdown Raises Question: Can Crypto Still Function?

Iran Internet Shutdown Raises Question: Can Crypto Still Function?

The Iranian government blocked all access to the internet across the country yesterday in response to the spread of protests throughout Iran, reigniting discussion over whether cryptocurrency is still possible amidst extreme levels of connectivity restriction. The move comes as a result of Iran’s deteriorating economy and its Iranian rial

January 9, 2026 3 mins read
Bitnomial Wins CFTC Approval to Launch U.S. Prediction Markets

Bitnomial Wins CFTC Approval to Launch U.S. Prediction Markets

Bitnomial has now removed an essential regulatory milestone for the launch of its prediction markets within the United States, and this is an essential step toward the regulation of event trading and associated operations. In a notice published on Jan. 8, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission confirmed that its Division

January 9, 2026 3 mins read