‍LBank Concludes Pulse Focus Season 2: Decoding the Next Crypto Cycle LBank has announced the end of its interview series, Pulse Focus Season 2. The series explored fundamental drivers of the current digital asset cycle, aiming for structural clarity over short-term market noise. Discussions focused on Web3 mainstream adoption, evolving market structures, and transforming investor attention into sustainable liquidity. LBank, operating since 2015 with a strong security record, serves over 20 million users globally and facilitates daily trading volumes exceeding $10.5 billion.
‍French Tax Authority Data Leak Exposes Crypto Holders to Physical Risks A former official of the French tax authority has allegedly accessed and leaked sensitive data on digital asset investors, including residential addresses and capital gains details. This breach potentially exposes high-net-worth individuals to organized crime, including extortion and physical coercion. The incident highlights security vulnerabilities in centralized financial databases, especially as European nations tighten crypto regulations, such as the DAC8 framework. While no direct physical attacks have been confirmed, law enforcement notes an increase in sophisticated criminal groups targeting crypto holders. This underscores the critical need for robust data security within public institutions.
‍Rain Secures $250 Million Series C, Valued at $1.95 Billion Enterprise-grade stablecoin payment provider Rain has closed a $250 million Series C funding round, led by ICONIQ, valuing the company at $1.95 billion. This significant capital injection aims to accelerate the global adoption of tokenized money by enabling enterprises to transition to on-chain payment solutions. Rain's active card base has expanded 30x in the past year, with annualized payment volume surging 38x. The company plans to use the funds to expand its licensed footprint globally and enhance its technical stack, positioning itself as a key bridge between traditional finance and decentralized rails.
‍a16z Crypto: Focus Shifts from New Blockchains to Market Reshaping Venture capital firm a16z Crypto predicts a major industry evolution. The focus is moving from creating new blockchains to applying crypto technology for market reorganization, computing infrastructure, and digital media. Crypto-native tools are expanding beyond DeFi, driven by AI, advanced market design, and cryptography. The next two years will see these technologies solve real-world inefficiencies, reshaping global media with verifiable ownership, enhancing computing via decentralized networks, and integrating cryptographic proofs into enterprise systems for transparency. Prediction markets are also expected to grow significantly, fueled by institutional investment seeking efficient on-chain mechanisms.
‍UK Crypto Firms Gear Up for New Licensing Rules The UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has set key dates for its cryptoasset licensing regime. Crypto service providers can apply for full authorization starting September 2026, with the new framework officially commencing on October 25, 2027. This transition from the current registration model to a robust authorization process under the Financial Services and Markets Act (FSMA) aims to enhance market integrity and investor protection. Existing firms, including those registered for AML compliance and payment service providers involved in crypto, must obtain full authorization to continue operations. The FCA emphasizes that no exemptions will be granted, even for firms operating under "regulatory umbrellas." This move signals the UK's commitment to becoming a global hub for digital finance.
‍New York Proposes ORACLE Act to Regulate Prediction Markets New York state legislators have reintroduced the ORACLE Act, aiming to regulate the prediction markets sector by adding Chapter 48 to the General Business Law. The bill targets event-based contracts, introducing mandatory age restrictions, advertising limitations, and measures against market manipulation. Crucially, the ORACLE Act prohibits contracts tied to political elections and specific sporting event outcomes to prevent corruption and manipulation. It also mandates Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols. This legislation impacts decentralized finance and Web3, particularly platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi, as it seeks to balance innovation with consumer protection and market integrity.
‍HTX Weekly Recap: Memecoins Lead Market Recovery in Early 2026 The first week of 2026 saw a notable surge in risk appetite, driving capital towards high-beta, sentiment-driven assets like memecoins. According to HTX exchange data, newly listed assets across BNB Smart Chain, Solana, Ethereum, and Base achieved significant double and triple-digit gains. Key performers included BROCCOLI (+170% on BSC), PONKE (+104% on Solana), and PEPE (+64% on Ethereum). The AI sector also showed a "structural recovery," particularly on the Base network, with GAMEBASE (+60%) and VIRTUAL (+40%) demonstrating growth tied to application-layer narratives.
‍HTX Achieves $3.3T Trading Volume in 2025, Reports 39% YoY Growth HTX has reported a cumulative annual trading volume of $3.3 trillion for 2025, marking a 39% increase year-on-year. The platform registered over 55 million users. Spot trading volume exceeded $1.9 trillion USDT, up nearly 30%, driven by automated trading tools. Futures trading volume reached $1.4 trillion, a 50% expansion. HTX also highlighted its commitment to security with zero incidents and ongoing regulatory compliance efforts.