[News Brief] Apr 22, morning | Iran's Revolutionary Guard Declares Closure of the Strait of Hormuz to All Vessels

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Declares Closure of the Strait of Hormuz to All Vessels

According to Odaily, Iran's Revolutionary Guard announced that it is closing the Strait of Hormuz to all vessels.

The Revolutionary Guard warned ships to avoid approaching the Strait of Hormuz, saying their safety could be at risk if they do. As reasons for the closure, it cited Israel's operations in Lebanon and what it described as the United States violating its ceasefire commitments.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for Middle Eastern oil shipments, and any closure could affect energy markets and global risk-asset sentiment.

Trump Urges Iran to Reach a Deal Within 60 Days, Mentions Possible Halt to Oil Flows Through Hormuz

President Trump said Iran must reach an agreement within 60 days, warning that otherwise measures could be taken that Iran would not want.

According to Odaily, President Trump said about 700 vessels are currently transiting the Strait of Hormuz. While he said he does not think the situation will reach that stage, he added that if such action is taken, oil flows through the strait could be interrupted.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital artery for Middle Eastern oil transport. If geopolitical tensions intensify, international oil prices and global risk appetite could be affected.

SEC Preparing Policy to Allow Tokenized Stock Trading by Crypto Firms

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is reportedly preparing a new policy that would allow crypto firms to trade blockchain-based tokenized stocks.

According to Odaily, SEC Chair Paul Atkins mentioned a plan that would let companies test digital-asset business models without being subject to the full set of existing disclosure and investor-protection rules. This would include tokenized trading of U.S. stocks.

However, traditional financial institutions including Citadel Securities and the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association have raised concerns over fragmented liquidity and possible regulatory arbitrage. The SEC has not yet issued an official position.

EU to Enforce Revised AML Rules From 2027, Fully Ban Privacy Coin Services

The European Union will implement revised anti-money laundering regulations starting July 10, 2027, according to a report by PANews.

Under the new rules, crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) must apply enhanced know-your-customer procedures for single transactions exceeding 1,000 euros. Anonymous accounts and services related to privacy coins will be completely banned.

The EU will also cap commercial cash payments within the bloc at 10,000 euros. For cash transactions above 3,000 euros, obligated entities must verify customer identity and conduct due diligence before completing the transaction.

U.S. House Subcommittee to Hold Digital Assets and Cryptocurrency Roundtable on June 25

A U.S. House subcommittee will hold a roundtable on digital assets and cryptocurrency on June 25.

According to Odaily, Representative William Timmons, the Republican chair of the House subcommittee on military and foreign affairs, said the meeting will discuss how cryptocurrency can help protect individual property, improve access to support, and maintain economic autonomy.

The meeting will also cover the intersection of digital finance and U.S. national security interests, as well as ways to preserve America's competitiveness in digital finance through financial innovation.

SEC's Hester Peirce Says Perpetuals, Prediction Markets, and Tokenized Securities Need Clear Regulatory Standards

SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce said that new financial products such as perpetual contracts, prediction markets, and tokenized securities need clear regulatory standards rather than simple restrictions.

According to Odaily, Peirce referenced the Rule 611 trading-related proposal that has been discussed for nearly 20 years, explaining that the so-called "innovation exemption" would be designed strictly and narrowly to balance market innovation with investor protection.

She particularly emphasized that self-custody and financial privacy should be treated as fundamental rights in the future digital-asset regulatory framework and should be incorporated into policy design.

PancakeSwap OLPC/LABUBU Liquidity Pool Attacked, About $1.1 Million Stolen

According to blockchain security firm PeckShield, the OLPC/LABUBU trading liquidity pool on BNB Chain-based PancakeSwap was attacked, resulting in the theft of about $1.1 million worth of crypto assets.

The attacker moved the stolen assets to the Ethereum network and then deposited 633.4 ETH into Tornado Cash, a mixing service that makes transaction tracing more difficult.

The attacker also separately sent small amounts, 0.0221 BNB and 0.0411 ETH, to a long-dormant address, though the purpose remains unclear. PeckShield is tracking the attack address, the vulnerability, and the flow of remaining funds.

Ethereum Foundation Co-Executive Director Hsiao-Wei Wang Resigns; At Least Eight Senior Figures Have Left in the Past Five Months

Wu Blockchain, citing Unchained, reported that Ethereum Foundation co-executive director and board member Hsiao-Wei Wang resigned effective Thursday.

Another co-executive director, Tomasz Stanczak, had already stepped down earlier, meaning both co-executive directors of the Ethereum Foundation have now resigned. At least eight senior figures have left the foundation over the past five months, drawing attention to the potential impact on its operations and governance.

Morgan Stanley Buys the Dip in Bitcoin Over the Past Week, Total Holdings Exceed 4,000 BTC

According to Odaily, Morgan Stanley bought the dip in Bitcoin over the past week, bringing its total holdings to more than 4,000 BTC.

Michael Saylor said that volatility is unavoidable because Bitcoin continues trading even when U.S. equity markets are closed.

The U.S. Senate is discussing the CLARITY Act, including provisions that would ensure non-custodial software developers are not held legally liable for third-party use of their code.

An Ethereum core developer said Ethereum has entered its next phase centered on institutions, where capital reallocation challenges may become more prominent.

F2Pool Co-Founder Wang Chun Estimated to Have Bought Additional $33.41 Million Worth of ETH and WBTC in the Past 15 Hours

According to Odaily, on-chain analysis account Ai Yi said F2Pool co-founder Wang Chun appears to have purchased about $33.41 million worth of ETH and WBTC over the past 15 hours.

The estimated purchases include 11,448.4 ETH worth about $19.35 million at an average price of around $1,690, and 224.66 WBTC worth about $14.05 million at an average purchase price of around $62,554.

WBTC is an Ethereum-based wrapped asset pegged to the price of Bitcoin.