[News Brief] Apr 22, morning | China to Ban Online Marketing for Cryptocurrency Issuance and Trading Starting in 2026

China to Ban Online Marketing for Cryptocurrency Issuance and Trading Starting in 2026

Eight Chinese government agencies, including the People’s Bank of China, have announced regulations banning online marketing services related to cryptocurrency issuance and trading. The measure will take effect on September 30, 2026.

According to PANewsLab on the 24th, Chinese authorities said in their jointly issued "Measures for the Administration of Online Marketing of Financial Products" that they will systematically regulate online marketing activities for financial products. Under the rules, only licensed financial institutions, their self-operated platforms, and authorized third-party internet platforms may conduct online marketing for financial products.

In addition, the provision of online marketing services for illegal financial activities, including illegal fundraising, cryptocurrency issuance and trading, and illegal foreign exchange margin trading, will be prohibited. The rules also include detailed requirements on the authenticity of marketing content, risk disclosures, algorithmic recommendations, pop-up ads, the use of account names and trademark terms, cooperation methods, and data and personal information protection.

The Chinese authorities also clarified the division of regulatory responsibilities and penalties among financial regulators, internet oversight bodies, telecommunications authorities, and market supervision departments. China has already maintained a tough regulatory stance on virtual asset trading, and this latest move is being interpreted as an expansion of controls to online promotional channels.

U.S. Spot Bitcoin ETFs See $223 Million in Net Inflows on April 23

U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded total net inflows of $223 million on April 23 (U.S. Eastern Time), extending their streak of net inflows to seven consecutive trading days.

According to Odaily, BlackRock’s IBIT saw the largest inflow of the day, attracting $167 million. It was followed by ARK Invest and 21Shares’ ARKB, which posted net inflows of $71.22 million.

Meanwhile, Fidelity’s FBTC recorded net outflows of $16.92 million.

The total net assets of spot Bitcoin ETFs currently stand at $102.793 billion. The ETF net asset ratio is equivalent to 6.59% of Bitcoin’s total market capitalization, while cumulative net inflows have reached $58.213 billion.

Institutional capital has continued flowing into spot Bitcoin ETFs recently. Market participants are watching whether continued inflows into products led by major asset managers will remain a key variable in Bitcoin supply and demand dynamics.

U.S. Spot Bitcoin ETF Fund Flows Turn Positive for the Year

According to Odaily, fund flows into U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs have turned net positive for the year. Based on Bloomberg data, aggregate spot Bitcoin ETF flows across all periods have returned to positive territory after several months.

The head of ETF business at BNY Mellon said Bitcoin ETF inflows have overall re-entered net inflow territory. Although outflows had emerged earlier amid weak Bitcoin prices and macroeconomic uncertainty, the scale of those outflows had remained limited.

The 12 spot Bitcoin ETFs are currently seeing about $335 million in daily net inflows, while cumulative net inflows for this month have exceeded $2.1 billion. Year-to-date cumulative net inflows stand at around $1.8 billion.

Among them, BlackRock’s IBIT accounted for the largest share, recently drawing about $246 million in a single day. Its monthly inflows also reached $1.9 billion. Meanwhile, Grayscale’s GBTC continued to see some outflows.

Abraxas Capital Deposits 4,835 BTC to Kraken Within One Hour

According to Odaily, on-chain analytics account Lookonchain reported that Abraxas Capital deposited 4,835 BTC to Kraken within the past hour. The amount is worth approximately $378 million.

In addition, the institution deposited 6,000 XAUT to Binance, Bybit, OKX, and Bitfinex. The amount is valued at about $28 million.

Large deposits to exchanges are commonly interpreted as a signal of increased potential sell-side supply, drawing attention as a possible overhang on Bitcoin market dynamics.

White House: Trump to Speak at Florida Cryptocurrency Conference on Saturday

The White House said President Trump is scheduled to speak at a cryptocurrency conference in Florida on Saturday.

On the 24th, PANews, citing Jinshi, reported the development. With the U.S. president set to appear directly at a crypto-related event, markets are paying close attention to any policy messages that may follow.

Trump has previously shown a friendly stance toward digital assets, and there is growing interest in whether his speech will include remarks on regulation and industry development.

U.S. Department of Justice Expected to Conclude Criminal Investigation Into Fed Chair Jerome Powell on Friday

According to ABC News, the U.S. Department of Justice is expected to conclude its criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell as early as Friday.

Multiple sources familiar with the matter said that once the investigation is wrapped up, some uncertainty surrounding the Federal Reserve and monetary policy could ease.

The report comes as both financial markets and the digital asset market remain highly sensitive to variables related to the U.S. interest rate path and Federal Reserve leadership.

Israel Says It Is Ready to Resume War With Iran, Awaiting Only U.S. Approval

Israel has said it has completed preparations to resume war with Iran and is awaiting only U.S. approval.

According to Odaily, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said after a security assessment meeting on the 23rd that Israel is prepared to restart the war with Iran. He added, "Now we are only waiting for the green light from the United States."

The remarks suggest that military tensions in the Middle East could escalate again. Heightened geopolitical risk typically weakens risk appetite for global risk assets and may increase short-term volatility in the cryptocurrency market.

IEA: Middle East War and Hormuz Closure Would Be the Greatest Energy Security Threat in History

The International Energy Agency (IEA) said that a Middle East war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz would represent the greatest energy security threat the world has ever faced.

According to CNBC, IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said that a Middle East war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz would maximize instability in global energy supply chains. He warned that such a scenario could deliver a major shock to the global energy market.

The Strait of Hormuz is considered a key route for the transport of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas. The remarks came amid growing concerns over surging energy prices and supply disruptions caused by rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

U.S. Spot Ethereum ETFs See $75.936 Million in Net Outflows

According to Odaily, U.S. spot Ethereum ETFs saw total net outflows of $75.936 million on the 23rd, U.S. Eastern Time. As a result, their streak of 10 consecutive trading days of net inflows came to an end.

The product with the largest inflow that day was the Grayscale Ethereum Mini Trust ETF (ETH), which attracted $19.7581 million. Meanwhile, Fidelity’s FETH posted the largest outflow, with $51.2987 million leaving the fund.

To date, cumulative net inflows for Grayscale ETH stand at $1.926 billion, while Fidelity FETH has accumulated $2.341 billion in net inflows. Total net assets of spot Ethereum ETFs are estimated at $13.713 billion, equivalent to 4.89% of Ethereum’s total market capitalization. Cumulative net inflows have reached $11.979 billion.

Sen. Cynthia Lummis: Bipartisan Support Emerging in U.S. Congress for Crypto Market Structure Bill

U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis said bipartisan support is emerging in Congress to move forward with a cryptocurrency market structure bill.

According to @WatcherGuru, Senator Lummis said support from both Democrats and Republicans is gathering behind efforts to advance crypto market structure legislation in Congress.

Market structure bills often aim to clarify oversight authority, trading rules, and registration systems for digital asset businesses. If the legislation advances, expectations could rise for reduced regulatory uncertainty in the United States.