The team handling FTX’s bankruptcy is asking a court to pause payouts to creditors in certain countries—like China—where crypto regulations are tight. They’re unsure if sending money there would break local laws, so they’re playing it safe until they get clarity.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about FTX’s messy bankruptcy—it’s a sign of how tangled global crypto rules can get. If creditors in restricted countries get frozen out, it could set a precedent for how crypto bankruptcies handle cross-border payouts. For everyday investors, it’s another reminder that where you live might determine whether you ever see your money back.

Binance is making a strategic hire to strengthen its European operations, bringing on Gillian Lynch—a former executive from rival exchange Gemini—to lead its push into regulated crypto markets across Europe and the UK. Her focus will be steering compliance with the EU’s upcoming MiCA regulations while expanding Binance’s foothold in the region.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another corporate reshuffle—it signals Binance’s serious effort to play by the rules in Europe after years of regulatory headaches. Hiring a seasoned exec from a compliance-conscious competitor like Gemini suggests they’re pivoting from their old "ask forgiveness, not permission" approach. For crypto users, it could mean a more stable Binance in Europe, but also tighter oversight.

Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm is making a bold stand ahead of his upcoming criminal trial, insisting he’s done nothing wrong. In a recent interview, he framed the case as a high-stakes battle over open-source software, arguing that the U.S. government is targeting him simply for writing code. His dramatic claim—"If I lose, DeFi dies with me"—hints at broader implications for decentralized finance if the prosecution succeeds.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about one developer—it’s a litmus test for how far governments will go to regulate decentralized tech. If Storm loses, it could set a chilling precedent for coders in the crypto space, potentially stifling innovation or pushing it underground. The case also highlights the growing tension between privacy advocates and regulators trying to rein in tools like Tornado Cash, which have been used to launder funds (including by hackers linked to North Korea). The outcome could reshape the future of DeFi.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) just dropped new guidelines clarifying how crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs) need to comply with federal securities laws. Essentially, it’s a roadmap for issuers and exchanges to avoid legal trouble—think disclosure requirements, custody rules, and investor protections. The move signals the SEC is tightening its grip on crypto markets, but it also brings some much-needed clarity to an industry that’s been begging for regulatory certainty.

Editor’s Note: Love it or hate it, the SEC’s guidance is a big deal for crypto. On one hand, it could stifle innovation with red tape; on the other, it might legitimize crypto ETPs by setting clear rules. For investors, this could mean safer products—but also fewer wild-west opportunities. Either way, it’s another step toward crypto growing up and playing by Wall Street’s rules.