[News Brief] Apr 22, morning | SEC May Propose Crypto Rules This Month

SEC May Propose Crypto Rules This Month

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) may propose new cryptocurrency-related rules as early as this month, according to PANews. The core of the proposal is expected to simplify fundraising procedures for developers and clarify custody and trading standards for tokenized securities.

According to the SEC agenda, the new rules would provide a temporary registration exemption for developers issuing crypto investment contracts and allow fundraising up to a certain scale.

SEC Chair Paul Atkins said the move is intended to clarify crypto fundraising rules in line with President Trump’s goal of making the United States a global crypto hub.

The proposed rules are currently under review by the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. PANews said this could become the SEC’s first major rulemaking in the crypto sector and a key regulatory turning point for the industry.

U.S. Military Conducts Additional Strikes on Iran

According to Odaily, U.S. Central Command said in a statement and video that it had carried out additional strikes against Iran.

The U.S. military said it used precision-guided munitions to hit more than 80 targets, including Iran’s air defense network, command-and-control systems, coastal radar sites, and anti-ship missile capabilities.

It also said it destroyed more than 60 small vessels operated by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in and around the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. military said the action was a direct response to recent Iranian attacks on three merchant ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

The vessels previously attacked were identified as the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Al Rekayat, the Saudi-flagged tanker Wedian, and the Liberian-flagged Cyprus Prosperity.

U.S. Central Command said its forces remain in a combat-ready posture and warned that Iran would be held accountable if it fails to honor or violates any agreement.

Vanguard Creates Head of Digital Assets Role

According to PANews, citing Bitcoin Magazine, Vanguard, the world’s second-largest asset manager with about $12 trillion in assets under management, has created its first Head of Digital Assets role.

The executive will evaluate areas such as tokenization, stablecoins, digital wallets, custody, and blockchain payments, and consider whether Vanguard should build internal capabilities, partner externally, or delay entry into certain markets.

Vanguard said the hiring does not indicate an immediate launch of crypto products and that it currently has no plans to launch its own cryptocurrency investment products.

Toss Reviews KRW-Linked Stablecoin Use with Optimism and Sunnyside Labs

South Korean fintech company Toss is reviewing ways to use a won-linked stablecoin with Optimism and Sunnyside Labs.

According to The Block, Toss will conduct a proof of concept (PoC) with the two firms over the coming months and test the applicability of the OP Stack in a compliant blockchain-based digital financial infrastructure.

The collaboration comes as Korean payments and fintech firms increasingly explore stablecoin-based payment infrastructure.

U.S. Spot BTC ETFs See $21.435 Million Net Inflow, Spot ETH ETFs See $26.925 Million Net Inflow

According to Wu Blockchain, citing SoSoValue data, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded net inflows of $21.435 million on July 7 (U.S. Eastern Time).

Spot Bitcoin ETFs extended their net inflow streak to three consecutive trading days. Spot Ethereum ETFs also recorded net inflows of $26.925 million on the same day, extending their inflow streak to four consecutive trading days.

Spot ETF fund flows are widely used as a key indicator of institutional investor demand.

SpaceX’s Nasdaq-100 Inclusion Expands Indirect Bitcoin Exposure

Analysts said SpaceX’s inclusion in the Nasdaq-100 has expanded indirect paths for Bitcoin exposure through index-tracking funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

PANews, citing Bitcoin Magazine, reported on the 8th that SpaceX was officially added to the Nasdaq-100 on the 7th. SpaceX had previously disclosed that it holds 18,712 BTC on its balance sheet.

JPMorgan estimated that the index rebalancing could generate about $4.3 billion in passive inflows into funds and ETFs tracking the Nasdaq-100.

With the inclusion, the number of Nasdaq-100 companies holding Bitcoin as a treasury asset has risen to three: SpaceX, Tesla, and Strategy. Analysts said the index addition could create rules-based demand and increase institutional investors’ structural exposure to corporate-held Bitcoin.

Whale Alert: 500 Million USDT Moved from Tether Treasury to Binance

According to Whale Alert, 500 million USDT (about $499.78 million) was transferred from the Tether Treasury to Binance.

Large inflows of USDT to exchanges are often interpreted as a sign of rising sidelined buying power, though it remains unconfirmed whether the funds will lead to actual trading activity.

Kraken Chooses Lithuania in Bid for European Universal Banking License

Kraken has reportedly chosen Lithuania as the jurisdiction for its bid to obtain a European universal banking license.

CoinDesk, citing sources, reported that crypto exchange Kraken is seeking a universal banking license in Europe.

If approved, the license would allow Kraken to offer services such as checking accounts, consumer loans, and stock trading across the European Economic Area.

The move is seen as part of parent company Payward’s broader strategy to expand its global licensing portfolio.

Russian State Duma Financial Markets Committee Approves Final Version of Crypto Regulation Bill

The Financial Markets Committee of the Russian State Duma has approved the final version of a cryptocurrency regulation bill and plans to submit it for a second reading.

According to PANews, citing Bits.media, committee chair Anatoly Aksakov said the bill was revised to remove the requirement to report crypto wallet addresses, requiring only balances and transaction histories to be disclosed. The change is intended to reduce the risk of sensitive information leaks.

The amendment also allows cryptocurrencies to be used to purchase securities market instruments and Russia’s digital financial assets. It also opens the possibility for licensed Russian brokers and asset managers that meet certain requirements to trade on foreign crypto exchanges.

However, non-professional investors would face an annual investment cap of 300,000 rubles through a single broker, and the eligible assets would be limited to highly liquid cryptocurrencies. The bill also includes a provision allowing large outbound transfers and third-party transfers to be frozen for two days.

European Parliament Members Urge Review of DeFi, Staking, and Crypto Lending in MiCA Follow-Up Rules

According to PANews, members of the European Parliament have asked the European Commission to examine whether DeFi, staking, crypto lending, NFTs, and tokenized financial assets should be included in follow-up regulation to MiCA.

The policy position paper does not amend current law or impose new obligations, but it outlines priorities for the EU’s next phase of crypto regulation. The report warned that differences in enforcement among member states could weaken the EU’s single market for digital assets.

Previously, the European Commission launched a public consultation in May on expanding MiCA’s scope and reconsidering restrictions on interest-bearing stablecoins. MiCA’s transition period ended on July 1, and crypto service providers serving EU customers are now required to obtain authorization.