ChainCatcher news, according to Bitcoin.com, Montana is accelerating the advancement of a digital asset regulatory framework to address the surge in cryptocurrency fraud. State Securities and Insurance Commissioner James Brown cited data from the Federal Trade Commission, stating that nationwide fraud losses reached $12.5 billion in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 25%, with the elderly population becoming a primary target due to their demographic representation ranking sixth in the nation.Brown supports the "Digital Token Regulatory Act" being reviewed by the state legislature, which would authorize regulatory agencies to implement access reviews and ongoing supervision of blockchain service providers, emphasizing "promoting the coordinated development of economic innovation and consumer protection through clear boundaries of rights and responsibilities." If the bill passes, Montana will become the first jurisdiction in the U.S. to systematically regulate on-chain trading entities.Regulatory actions focus on three major risk areas:"Pig Butchering" social engineering scams: 15 cases have been filed statewide in 2024, involving over $900,000, with scammers inducing victims to invest in fake trading platforms by fabricating personal relationships;Bank transfer fraud: using cryptocurrency mixing services to obscure the flow of funds;High-yield investment traps: evading compliance reviews by promising excessive returns.Brown announced the establishment of a cross-departmental digital asset enforcement team, opening a 24-hour reporting channel, and plans to collaborate with federal agencies to trace on-chain funds. Industry insiders point out that this move may provide a paradigm reference for Web3 regulation across U.S. states.

ChainCatcher news, according to Cointelegraph, the SEC's special working group on crypto assets will hold its first roundtable meeting at 1 AM Beijing time today to discuss key areas of crypto asset regulation, including market structure, investor protection, token classification, and compliance pathways.This meeting marks a new step for the SEC in crypto regulation, aiming to promote policy transparency and gather industry feedback.

ChainCatcher news, according to Fortune, Hester Peirce, a Republican commissioner of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) known as the "crypto mom," defended the SEC's recent decision to drop lawsuits against several cryptocurrency companies in an interview. She stated, "Our laws should not be a game of hide and seek. Let's take a step back, re-examine these issues, and listen to people's opinions. Now people know they can come and talk to us."In the first month of the Trump administration, the SEC has suspended or withdrawn key lawsuits and investigations against leading crypto companies such as Coinbase, Binance, Kraken, and Yuga Labs. Peirce is leading a special task force aimed at establishing clearer rules for the blockchain industry. This task force has held a series of meetings with key figures in the crypto space, including Michael Saylor of MicroStrategy, Fidelity, and Robinhood.Peirce believes it is unreasonable to involve multiple courts in these cases before the SEC has clarified the relevant issues internally. Unlike former chairman Gary Gensler, who prioritized consumer protection, Peirce opposes the so-called "nanny state" approach to protecting investors from making poor choices. She stated, "People lose money on many different things. If the SEC's jurisdiction standard becomes whether you might lose money when buying something, then our jurisdiction would be enormous. But that is not the jurisdiction Congress has given us."

ChainCatcher news, according to The Block, Circle and Tether have differing views on U.S. stablecoin regulation. Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire believes that "there shouldn't be a free pass," and stablecoins pegged to the dollar should be registered and operated in the U.S. Meanwhile, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino claims that USDT is the most successful tool for dollar hegemony and distribution in emerging markets, and believes that the true intention of its "competitors" is to "kill Tether."It is worth noting that a portion of Tether's reserves is managed by Cantor Fitzgerald, and the company's former CEO Howard Lutnick was recently appointed by Trump as the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. In January of this year, Trump also signed an executive order to protect the dollar, aimed at strengthening the U.S. government's support for stablecoin issuers, which includes efforts to promote the growth and development of dollar-backed compliant stablecoins.

ChainCatcher news, Coinbase Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal posted on social media, "Case dismissal" is the phrase every defendant in a case longs to hear. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission will dismiss the Coinbase case, and there will be no settlement or compromise ------ mistakes will only be corrected.However, Coinbase still has a lot of work to do and cannot be distracted. Legislation is crucial to ensure that such illegal activities do not happen again. Coinbase will not stop fighting until clear rules are established that allow the industry to truly thrive in the U.S. Collaboration will be key, and we look forward to working with U.S. Congress and SEC staff to drive progress in the next phase.

ChainCatcher news, according to CoinDesk Japan, the Financial Services Agency of Japan approved the Financial Review Council's working group report on the payment settlement system on February 19. The report underwent seven rounds of discussions and proposes a new regulatory framework for cryptocurrency exchanges and stablecoins.The report suggests incorporating relevant provisions of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act into the Payment Settlement Act to enhance user protection in the event of exchange bankruptcies. It also proposes the introduction of a "belonging system" for cryptocurrency trading, requiring intermediaries to be affiliated with specific exchanges and prohibiting them from holding user assets.Regarding stablecoin regulation, the report allows issuing institutions to allocate up to 50% of their assets to short-term government bonds and specific time deposits, no longer limited to demand deposits. This regulatory framework has been submitted for approval by Financial Services Agency official Katsunobu Kato, and the relevant legislative work is set to begin soon.

ChainCatcher news, 1confirmation founder Nick Tomaino stated that crony capitalism has become the biggest threat to the development of the cryptocurrency industry in the United States. Although there are constant doubts about Ripple within the industry, many individuals and companies are actively lobbying the new government behind the scenes, trying to influence policy-making to gain an advantage.Tomaino emphasized that clear regulatory guidance is certainly important, but it must be centered on promoting the free development of the industry, avoiding the destruction of the U.S. cryptocurrency industry by favoring certain "well-connected" projects.

ChainCatcher news, according to Bitcoin News, Kenya is drafting a new regulatory bill for digital assets.It is reported that nearly 10% of the country's population is involved in cryptocurrency activities. The proposed bill will focus on the licensing management of cryptocurrency exchanges and wallets.

ChainCatcher news, according to CoinDesk, Deutsche Bank's latest report indicates an optimistic outlook for the world's largest cryptocurrency, Bitcoin (BTC), with prices expected to remain high in 2025. The report suggests that a more favorable regulatory and political environment in the U.S., increased institutional adoption, and the Federal Reserve's loose monetary policy will support Bitcoin prices.The report notes that the Trump administration's support for cryptocurrencies means that the current bull market will continue, and the president's ongoing support is key to the "continuation of the golden age of cryptocurrencies." Additionally, the SEC will establish a regulatory framework for digital assets, and the appointment of Paul Atkins as SEC chairman also indicates that regulation is shifting towards a more innovation-friendly direction.

ChainCatcher news, according to CoinDesk, Ian McGinley, the Enforcement Director of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), announced he will resign on January 17. He joined the agency in February 2023 and led enforcement actions against companies such as Binance, KuCoin, and Falcon Labs. In a statement announcing his resignation on January 17, Ian McGinley stated that "making the CFTC the primary enforcement agency for digital assets" was a top priority during his tenure.Reports indicate that Trump's transition team has set its sights on a long list of potential CFTC leaders, but has not acted as swiftly as it did during appointments at the Securities and Exchange Commission. However, if cryptocurrency legislation progresses in 2025, the CFTC may replace the SEC as the dominant regulator of the U.S. digital asset market.

ChainCatcher news, according to Bitcoin.com, the National Bank of Ethiopia may issue cryptocurrency guidelines.It is reported that although Ethiopia has not yet confirmed the legality of cryptocurrency, the National Bank of Ethiopia is closely monitoring global developments, which may indicate a potential shift in Ethiopia's stance on digital currency.