Daily Summary, July 24

NEWS, JULY 24, 2026

🏦 FINANCE, BLOCKCHAIN AND REGULATION

🇪🇺 EU Introduces 21st Sanctions Package Against Russia

The European Union approved the 21st package of anti-Russian sanctions, including 170 organizations and 48 individuals. 14 crypto platforms from Georgia, Panama, the UAE, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, and the Marshall Islands were banned from any operations. A new mechanism will allow the EU to prohibit any operations between EU operators and crypto service providers used by Russia to circumvent sanctions. Around three dozen Russian banks, oil trading platforms, refineries, and the Moscow Exchange also came under restrictions.

Architectural Takeaway: The EU is systematically targeting crypto infrastructure used to bypass sanctions, expanding the geographic scope of enforcement to third countries. This creates new risks for any crypto platforms working with Russian clients, even outside the EU.

🇺🇸 CLARITY Act Passage Likely Postponed to September

The passage of the CLARITY Act, which would establish clear rules for crypto market regulation in the US, is likely to be postponed until September 2026.

Architectural Takeaway: Delaying CLARITY Act keeps regulatory uncertainty in place for the world’s largest crypto market. This postpones the institutional breakthrough that could attract new capital and strengthen US leadership in crypto regulation.

🇷🇺 Federation Council Approves Law on Legal Crypto Purchase and Exchange in Russia

The Federation Council approved a law legalizing the purchase and exchange of cryptocurrencies in Russia. The document comes into force on September 1, 2026.

Architectural Takeaway: Federation Council approval is the final stage before the President signs the law. Russia is completing its legislative framework for a legal crypto market, but keeping it under strict state control through licensed intermediaries.

🇷🇺 Sber to Launch Digital Depository for Crypto Operations by December 1

Sber announced the launch of a digital depository for cryptocurrency operations by December 1, 2026.

Architectural Takeaway: Russia’s largest bank is creating infrastructure for legal crypto circulation. This signals that the state, through its key players, is preparing for the legalization and institutionalization of the crypto market, building a bridge between traditional finance and digital assets.

🇷🇺 Central Bank of Russia Cuts Key Rate to 14%

The Central Bank of Russia cut its key rate to 14% — the 10th consecutive reduction.

Architectural Takeaway: Cutting the rate to 14% signals monetary policy easing. However, the rate remains historically high, continuing to restrain investment and lending. Businesses expect further cuts, but the Central Bank remains cautious amid inflation risks.

🇷🇺 Russian Forex Dealers Want to Offer Clients CFD Access to Crypto

Russian forex dealers are proposing to offer clients exposure to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies through contracts for difference (CFDs) without actual purchase of the assets.

Architectural Takeaway: Forex dealers are capitalizing on interest in cryptocurrencies by offering derivatives. This creates a new access channel for Russians, but without actual asset ownership. This could increase trading volumes but also carries risks related to the lack of direct ownership and custody.

🇯🇵 Japan Could Launch First Spot Bitcoin ETF by 2028

Japan plans to launch a spot Bitcoin ETF by 2028 after regulatory changes that would move crypto assets under financial products oversight. Major financial giants are already preparing products. Potential market volume is estimated at 3 trillion yen ($18 billion) in the first year after launch.

Architectural Takeaway: Japan is becoming the next major market for institutional crypto investment after the US. ETF approval could attract significant capital and strengthen Bitcoin’s position as an institutional asset.

🇨🇭 Swiss Bank BancaStato Launches Crypto Trading

Swiss cantonal bank BancaStato launched regulated crypto trading through integration with Sygnum and Avaloq. Clients can buy, sell, and hold Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), and Solana (SOL) directly through existing web and mobile banking apps.

Architectural Takeaway: Traditional banks continue integrating crypto services. Switzerland is strengthening its position as a bridge between traditional finance and the crypto industry.

🇰🇿 Kazakhstan Introduces Special Rules for Large Miners

Kazakhstan approved new rules for strategic digital asset mining, coming into force on August 1, 2026.

Key parameters:

Access to cheap electricity at fixed tariffs for up to 10 years — only if strict requirements are met

Miners must transfer 10% of mined cryptocurrency (after deducting electricity costs) to the state reserve

Requirements: qualified technical personnel, repair facilities, multiple internet providers, no tax arrears

Architectural Takeaway: Kazakhstan is turning mining into an instrument of state policy, creating a national crypto reserve at operators’ expense. This could become a model for other countries with cheap electricity.

🪙 Ripple Unveils Mint Platform for Institutional RLUSD Stablecoin Adoption

Ripple unveiled the Mint platform for institutional adoption of its RLUSD stablecoin.

Architectural Takeaway: Ripple continues to build its ecosystem around RLUSD, targeting institutional clients. This is a step toward creating a full-fledged infrastructure for corporate stablecoin use.

📊 MARKETS AND INVESTMENTS

📉 Bitcoin Drops Below $65,000 on Trump Tariffs and Iran Threats

Bitcoin fell to $64,985 after the Trump administration announced tariffs of 10–12.5% on imports from 60 trading partners. Additional pressure came from Trump’s threats toward Iran and strong labor market data.

Architectural Takeaway: Geopolitics and macroeconomics remain the main drivers. Trump’s new tariffs are creating risk-off sentiment, while a strong labor market reduces the likelihood of imminent Fed policy easing.

📊 Bitcoin ETFs: Seventh Consecutive Day of Inflows, Nearly $1 Billion Over Seven Sessions

US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $68.99 million** in net inflows on July 22, extending the positive streak to seven sessions. Total inflows since July 14 reached **$999.38 million.

Architectural Takeaway: ETF inflows are recovering after eight weeks of outflows that removed more than $8 billion. However, the current streak remains modest compared to April’s ($2.1 billion over nine days).

🐄 Brazil Tokenizes Even Cows

A Brazilian farm received nearly $20,000 in credit secured by ten animals with smart collars tracking their condition and location.

Architectural Takeaway: Tokenization of real-world assets (RWA) continues to penetrate the most unexpected areas. The Brazilian experiment demonstrates that the technology can be applied to any asset of value, including biological assets.

⛔️ BitMEX to Permanently Shut Down on September 23

One of the oldest crypto exchanges, BitMEX, announced its permanent closure. The platform will fully cease operations on September 23, 2026, ending an 11-year run.

Architectural Takeaway: BitMEX’s closure is a landmark event. The pioneer of perpetual contracts is exiting amid market consolidation and regulatory pressure.

💸 BitMEX Accused of Misappropriating 623 BTC ($40 Million)

BKX Services and investor David Namdar filed a lawsuit against BitMEX, alleging that the exchange forcibly liquidated their positions and sent remaining funds to its insurance fund. Total claims amount to 623 BTC (~$40,000,000).

Architectural Takeaway: The lawsuit against BitMEX amid its closure compounds the negative sentiment surrounding the exchange and could complicate the process of returning client funds.

🖥 Mining Pool Poolin Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Mining pool Poolin, once one of the world’s largest, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US.

Architectural Takeaway: Poolin’s bankruptcy is another sign of crisis in the mining industry. Falling hash rate, rising energy costs, and competition from AI data centers continue to push players out of the market.

☠️ HACKS, SECURITY AND INCIDENTS

🇰🇵 North Korean Hackers Rob Their Own Central Bank for the First Time

North Korean hackers carried out an attack on their own Central Bank and the country’s main foreign trade bank for the first time.

Architectural Takeaway: The incident demonstrates that cybercrime knows no borders. Even totalitarian regimes are not immune to internal attacks.

☠️ Three DeFi Protocols Lose $35.55 Million in Six Hours

On July 23, three crypto bridges and cross-chain protocols were hacked within six hours: AFX Trade ($24.15 million), Verus-Ethereum Bridge ($7.54 million, second hack in 66 days), and B² Network ($3.86 million).

Architectural Takeaway: None of the hacks broke cryptography — all resulted from logic errors or compromised keys. Cross-chain bridges remain the most vulnerable element of crypto infrastructure.

☠️ About 7,600 Fake Repositories Found on GitHub with StealC Virus

Researchers discovered a large-scale FakeGit campaign involving about 7,600 malicious repositories on GitHub. Files were downloaded more than 14 million times.

Architectural Takeaway: Attackers are actively exploiting trust in developer platforms and interest in AI to distribute malware, creating serious risks for software supply chains.

☠️ Robinhood CEO Account Hacked, $1.3 Million Scam

Hackers compromised the X account of Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev on July 23 and posted fake advertising for a VLAD token. Scammers withdrew about 690 ETH (~$1.3 million).

Architectural Takeaway: Account hacks of top crypto company executives are becoming a systemic problem. Even large companies are not immune to social engineering.

💰 User Loses $3 Million After Signing Phishing EIP-7702 Transaction

A user lost about $3 million after reportedly signing a phishing EIP-7702 transaction, which allows attackers to gain control of funds.

Architectural Takeaway: New Ethereum standards expand functionality but simultaneously create new attack vectors. Users must carefully verify any transactions they sign.

☠️ SecondFI Closes After June Hack

SecondFI is closing after a June hack in which the project lost $2.6 million.

Architectural Takeaway: Even after a hack, projects rarely return to full operation. Trust in DeFi is fragile.

🏦 FINRA Fines Robinhood $30 Million

FINRA fined Robinhood $30 million for crypto trading violations.

Architectural Takeaway: Fines are becoming a systemic regulatory tool. Companies that fail to invest in compliance risk not only reputation but also financial stability.

📋 EVENTS SUMMARY — JULY 24, 2026

🇪🇺 EU introduces 21st sanctions package: 170 organizations, 48 individuals, 14 crypto platforms banned

🇺🇸 CLARITY Act passage postponed to September

🇷🇺 Federation Council approves crypto law

🇷🇺 Sber to launch digital depository by December 1

🇷🇺 Central Bank cuts key rate to 14% (10th reduction)

🇷🇺 Forex dealers want to offer CFD access to crypto

🇯🇵 Japan preparing Bitcoin ETF by 2028 (3 trillion yen)

🇨🇭 BancaStato launches crypto trading (BTC, ETH, LTC, SOL)

🇰🇿 Kazakhstan: 10% of mining output to state reserve

🪙 Ripple unveils Mint platform for RLUSD

📉 Bitcoin below $65,000 on Trump tariffs

📊 $999 million inflow into BTC-ETF over seven sessions

🐄 Brazil tokenizes cows — $20,000 loan

⛔️ BitMEX shuts down September 23

💸 BitMEX accused of misappropriating 623 BTC ($40M)

🖥 Poolin files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

🇰🇵 North Korean hackers rob their own Central Bank

☠️ $35.55 million stolen in 6 hours (three DeFi protocols)

☠️ FakeGit: 7,600 repositories, 14 million downloads

💡 INSIGHT AND SESSION FORECAST

Short-Term Scenario (next 24–48 hours):

Bullish: De-escalation of geopolitical tensions (Iran, trade tariffs) and continued ETF inflows — return to $66,000–67,000

Bearish: Escalation of US–Iran conflict, further dollar strengthening, and rising Treasury yields — test of $63,500–64,000

Key Observation:

July 24 was a day of contrasts. Institutional progress (Japan preparing an ETF, Switzerland launching crypto trading, Russia approving legislation, the Central Bank cutting rates) coexisted with a wave of hacks ($35.55 million in six hours), the closure of BitMEX (and a new $40 million lawsuit), Poolin’s bankruptcy, and geopolitical pressure (Trump tariffs, the 21st EU sanctions package).

Russia continues to build a regulated crypto market: the Federation Council approved the law, and Sber is creating infrastructure. Kazakhstan is introducing a unique model — 10% of mining output to the state reserve in exchange for cheap electricity. Security remains the industry’s biggest challenge.

This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Prepared by the editorial team of “Kafedra” and SforNews based on publicly available data.