ChainCatcher news, according to crypto journalist Eleanor Terrett on the X platform, U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres has denied the joint motion submitted by Ripple and the SEC, which requested the court to issue a "guiding ruling." The ruling was originally intended to provide legal direction for potential subsequent proceedings for both parties, but has now been rejected.

ChainCatcher news, according to Jinshi Data, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government today (26th) issued the "Hong Kong Digital Asset Development Policy Declaration 2.0," reiterating its commitment to making Hong Kong a global innovation center in the digital asset field. The new policy declaration is based on the initiatives proposed in the first policy declaration issued in October 2022.Financial Secretary Paul Chan stated that the "Policy Declaration 2.0" demonstrates the SAR government's vision for the development of digital assets and showcases the practical applications of tokenization, promoting the diversification of application scenarios. By combining prudent regulation with encouragement of market innovation, it aims to build a more vibrant digital asset ecosystem that integrates with the real economy and social life, bringing benefits to the economy and society while consolidating Hong Kong's leading position as an international financial center.

ChainCatcher news, according to Iran's semi-official Tasnim News Agency, Iran has launched a "Victory Declaration" missile operation against U.S. bases in Iraq and Qatar.In addition, according to CGTN Europe, Israel estimates that Iran has so far fired 10 missiles at the U.S. base in Qatar. (Jinshi)

VhainCatcher news, according to Yahoo Finance, the Acting Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Chen Haolian, stated that a second policy declaration regarding the development of virtual assets will be launched within this year. The next step will explore how to combine Hong Kong's traditional financial advantages with technological cooperation and innovation in virtual assets, utilizing virtual assets to enhance the security and flexibility of the local real economy, as well as encouraging local and international enterprises to explore innovative applications of virtual assets.

ChainCatcher news, according to AFP: Iran defines the Israeli attack as a "declaration of war." (Jinshi)

ChainCatcher news, the Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Paul Chan, stated at the 2025 Caixin Summer Summit that Hong Kong has launched a licensing system for digital asset trading platforms and a licensing system for stablecoins, and is advancing regulatory arrangements for custody and over-the-counter trading. "This month, we will publish the second policy declaration regarding the development of digital assets in Hong Kong, focusing on the integration of financial services and innovation, and expanding the application scenarios of digital assets," (Shanghai Securities Journal)

ChainCatcher news, according to Yahoo Finance, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Christopher Hui, stated that in response to the latest developments in the virtual asset market, the Treasury will publish a second policy declaration on the development of virtual assets, outlining the vision and direction for the next steps. This policy declaration will explore how to combine the advantages of traditional financial services with technological innovations in the virtual asset sector, and enhance the security and flexibility of real economic activities. It will also encourage local and international enterprises to explore innovations and applications of virtual asset technology.Christopher Hui pointed out that the Securities and Futures Commission is considering introducing virtual asset derivatives trading for professional investors, emphasizing that robust risk management measures will be formulated. This is expected to further enrich the product options in the Hong Kong market while ensuring that trading is conducted in an orderly, transparent, and secure manner. In assisting fintech companies to expand their business, the Invest Hong Kong is actively collaborating with industry stakeholders to promote in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, helping Hong Kong fintech companies further expand into the mainland market.

According to ChainCatcher, citing a report from the American Business Insider, dozens of economists, including two Nobel Prize winners, have signed an "anti-tariff declaration" criticizing President Trump's tariff policy, stating that it is "misguided" and warning that it could lead to a "self-inflicted recession."In this "anti-tariff declaration," the authors warn that it is urgent to reverse the Trump administration's "incoherent and destructive policies" on trade. As of the evening of April 19, Eastern Time, 956 people have signed this "anti-tariff declaration."

ChainCatcher news, according to Hong Kong media Ming Pao, Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan stated during the announcement of the "Budget" that a second virtual asset policy declaration is set to be published. Sources indicate that the declaration is expected to be released in the second quarter. The new policy declaration will increase the emphasis on market development and better balance development and regulation. Additionally, the scope of the policy document will be broader, not only involving individual departments such as the Securities and Futures Commission or the Monetary Authority, and there is no intention for a single agency to regulate virtual assets.

ChainCatcher news, Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan announced in the 2025-26 Budget that a second policy declaration on the development of virtual assets will be published soon, exploring how to combine the advantages of traditional financial services with technological innovations in the virtual asset sector, and enhancing the security and flexibility of real economic activities. It will also encourage local and international enterprises to explore innovations and applications of virtual asset technology.Paul Chan reiterated that the government will consult on the licensing system for over-the-counter trading and custody services for virtual assets within the year. Regarding the regulation of stablecoins, the Hong Kong government has submitted a draft bill to the Legislative Council, and once the bill is passed, the Monetary Authority will expedite the approval of license applications.

ChainCatcher news, according to CNN, four informed sources say that Trump is considering declaring a national economic emergency to provide a legal basis for imposing a large number of universal tariffs.The declaration would allow Trump to utilize the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to establish a new tariff plan, which unilaterally authorizes the president to manage imports during a national emergency.One of the sources noted that Trump likes this law because it grants broad jurisdiction over how to implement tariffs without strict requirements to prove that the tariffs are for national security reasons. Trump's transition team did not respond to requests for comment.

ChainCatcher news, the Hong Kong government recently announced that it has committed to implementing a crypto asset reporting framework (reporting framework) to enhance international tax transparency and combat cross-border tax evasion, as stated to the OECD Global Forum on Tax Transparency and Exchange of Information.In light of the rapid development of the crypto asset market, the OECD published the reporting framework in June 2023 to ensure the maintenance of global tax transparency. As an extension of the existing "Common Reporting Standard for Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information on Tax Matters," the reporting framework establishes a similar mechanism for users or controllers of crypto assets to automatically exchange tax-related information on crypto asset accounts and transactions with the tax jurisdiction of their tax residents each year.To ensure the fair and effective global implementation of the reporting framework, the Global Forum has invited all relevant crypto asset industries and tax jurisdictions identified as directly related to the reporting framework (including Hong Kong) to implement the reporting framework.Hong Kong has committed to implementing the reporting framework with suitable partners on a reciprocal basis, with those partners required to meet standards for data confidentiality and security. Considering the latest timeline established by the Global Forum, the government plans to complete the necessary local legislative amendments by 2026 or earlier, and to begin the first automatic exchange of information under the reporting framework with relevant tax jurisdictions starting in 2028.

ChainCatcher news, according to a report by Jinshi citing the Korean Central News Agency, South Korean Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung stated that President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of martial law is an unconstitutional act.

ChainCatcher news, the Trump-related crypto project World Liberty Financial has issued an urgent warning today, stating that Donald Trump's daughter Tiffany Trump and daughter-in-law Lara Trump’s X (formerly Twitter) accounts have been hacked.The warning emphasizes: "Do not click on any links shared from their profiles or purchase any tokens." World Liberty Financial stated that it is actively working to resolve the issue while urging users to remain vigilant to avoid being scammed.