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Wed, Mar 18, 2026, 1:21 AM EDT

Crypto

AI Summary

  • The SEC is signaling a potential shift, with Chair Paul Atkins floating 'safe harbor' exemptions and the SEC stating that most crypto assets, including staking and airdrops, would not be considered securities under federal law, a move that could significantly clarify regulatory ambiguity.
  • Mastercard's proposed $1.8 billion acquisition of stablecoin platform BVNK, coupled with PayPal's global expansion of its PYUSD stablecoin, indicates a strong institutional push towards integrating stablecoins into traditional payment infrastructures.
  • International cooperation against crypto crime is intensifying, with US, UK, and Canadian authorities launching 'Operation Atlantic' to combat crypto fraud, while Bitrefill has linked a recent hack to the Lazarus Group, highlighting persistent security challenges.
  • Tether's launch of an AI training framework for smartphones and consumer GPUs, alongside Sam Altman's World partnering with Coinbase for AI agent verification, demonstrates a growing intersection between AI development and blockchain technology.
  • Regulatory scrutiny of prediction markets continues, with US lawmakers introducing bills to crack down on war bets and Arizona filing criminal charges against Kalshi, framing it as an illegal gambling operation, suggesting increased focus on market integrity and consumer protection.

Cointelegraph


CoinDesk


Decrypt


AMBCrypto


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