Daily Summary, May 22-25

The news digest for May 21–25, 2026.

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# 📰 News Digest: May 21–25, 2026

## 📊 Macroeconomics & Markets

### 🇪🇺 Europe suffers from energy shock, while Russia’s outlook raised

The European Commission released its spring economic forecast: Eurozone GDP growth for 2026 was cut to 0.9% from 1.2%, and inflation was revised up to 3.0%. The cause is the energy shock from the Middle East conflict. Meanwhile, the forecast for Russia was raised from 1.1% to 1.3% for 2026.

Analysis: For the first time in a long while, the European Commission is showing diverging trajectories — the European economy is losing from the Middle East crisis, while Russia and the US, on the contrary, get upgraded forecasts.

### 🇪🇺 EU: High energy prices to last until end of 2027

On May 22, EU Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis stated that oil and gas prices in Europe will remain high at least until the end of 2027. Eurozone inflation is expected to reach 3.1% this year and stay at 2.4% in 2027.

### 🛢 Brent crude falls below $100 for first time since February

On May 22, Brent plunged 9.9% to $98.85 per barrel, the first time since the start of the Strait of Hormuz blockade. The reason — cautious optimism around a potential US-Iran peace deal. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke of “some good signs” in the negotiations.

Analysis: The geopolitical premium is leaving oil. If a peace deal is signed, analysts expect another $10–15 drop, which would dramatically change the outlook for the Russian budget.

### 🇷🇺 Russia records deflation, annual inflation slows

Rosstat: prices fell 0.02% from May 13–18 after a 0.07% rise the previous week. Annual inflation slowed to 5.47%. Fruit and vegetable products became 2.2% cheaper.

Analysis: This is the second price drop in the last three weeks — a positive signal for retail stocks and companies focused on the domestic market.

### 🇷🇺 Ruble strengthens to historic highs

The Russian currency continues to firm on the back of a high key rate and the tax period. The dollar fell to 70.98 rubles, the euro to 82.45 rubles. Exporters are starting to feel pressure.

### 🇺🇸 US indices hit record highs

US stocks finished the week confidently higher: Dow Jones +1.31% (first close above 50,009 points), S&P 500 +1.08% (7,432.97), Nasdaq Composite +1.54% (26,270.36). Drivers — Nvidia earnings (revenue $81.6 bln, +85% YoY) and hopes for de-escalation in the Middle East.

Analysis: The US market continues to rise despite geopolitics. The tech sector remains a driver.

### 🇷🇺 Russian market falls on lack of Gazprom dividends

The MOEX index fell 0.81% on May 21 to 2,619 points. The main reason — Gazprom’s announcement of no dividends for 2025. On Friday, May 22, the index fell another 1.45% to 2,625.69. Leaders: VK (+3.70% after strong earnings) and Moscow Exchange (+1.44% after reporting net profit +32.3% YoY).

Analysis: The Russian market remains weak after falling below 2,650. The nearest support zone is 2,600 points.

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## 🤖 Technology & AI

### 🛰 Sber to build AI system for Russian Orbital Station

At the CIPR-2026 conference in Nizhny Novgorod, Sber announced it would become the lead developer of an intelligent control system for the Russian Orbital Station. The AI will handle spacecraft docking and life support — an unprecedented level of automation. The full intelligent loop will be ready by 2034. Sber also plans to launch its own next-gen ERP platform by 2027, with a market potential of over 20 billion rubles.

### 📱 OpenAI developing a “physical ChatGPT” — an app-less smartphone

According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, OpenAI is working on a secret hardware project — a smartphone where smart AI agents manage everything instead of traditional apps. The device is expected to hit the market in the first half of 2027.

### 🧠 Musk wants to implant a math coprocessor into the human brain
Elon Musk said that Neuralink could eventually equip the human brain with a mathematical coprocessor to compete with artificial intelligence. The occasion was AI successfully solving a famous math problem — the unit distance problem by Hungarian mathematician Pál Erdős.

### 🖥 Microsoft starts limiting AI usage inside the company

The corporation admitted that maintaining neural networks is too expensive. For some tasks, AI is already more expensive than regular employees. Microsoft introduced computing resource limits for non-core departments and suggested returning to manual labor where economically justified.

### 📺 Google to embed Gemini Omni into YouTube

The neural network will not only search for videos and answer questions but also edit content on user request — changing backgrounds, voiceover, deleting fragments — creating a personalized version of any video.

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## 🛡 Cybersecurity

### ⚠️ Kaspersky: over 92,000 malware attacks since start of year

At the Kaspersky HORIZONS conference in Rome, alarming figures were revealed: from January to early May 2026, more than 92,000 malware and potentially unwanted program attacks were detected worldwide. Key trend — attacks disguised as popular AI services: 49% of all attacks were disguised as ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini 18% each.

Analysis: The paradox — the more actively companies deploy AI for defense, the more actively hackers use the same AI for attacks.

### 🚨 FBI creates fake token for the second time to catch fraudsters

In 2024, the Bureau created the NexFundAI ERC-20 token, hired market makers to inflate volumes — and arrested 18 people. In 2026, the scheme was repeated with the shitcoin Lexobit: again a token, again volume manipulation, again arrests — another 10 individuals.

Analysis: The FBI warns: any attempt to artificially pump a crypto asset could be part of an undercover operation.

### 🎯 Kaspersky Lab: attackers impersonate CEOs in targeted email campaigns

Experts warn of a new scenario in targeted phishing emails. Attackers pose as contractors and refer to fake correspondence supposedly with the attacked organization’s CEO. The goal — to extort money from businesses.

### 🇷🇺 Ministry of Digital Development to create unified cybersecurity research program

Deputy Minister Alexander Shoytov announced a program covering the search for new vulnerabilities in AI, IoT, and other emerging technologies.

### 🛰 Rostelecom presents “Leshiy Connect” for remote router management

At CIPR-2026, Rostelecom unveiled a system that can remotely connect to users’ routers and update firmware without owner intervention, based on the TR-069 CWMP protocol.

Analysis: Experts see the platform as a logical step toward import independence and centralized network equipment management, but questions about privacy and potential risks — remote access without a password could become a vector for large-scale attacks.

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## ₿ Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies

### 📈 Bitcoin endures dramatic week: from $74,289 to recovery

From May 15–22, Bitcoin fell 2.08% to a four-month low of $74,305. Reasons: 10-year Treasury yield rising to 4.62%, outflows from spot Bitcoin ETFs totaling $2.26 billion over two weeks, and sell-offs by large players. Mark Cuban announced he had nearly fully liquidated his Bitcoin stash, calling it “not the hedge I expected.”

By Sunday, BTC recovered above $77,000 on optimism around a possible US-Iran peace deal and rising institutional interest. Analysts expect a possible Bitcoin bottom around mid-July 2026.

### 🚀 SpaceX files for IPO at $1.75 trillion valuation, reveals 18,712 BTC reserve

Elon Musk’s company filed an S-1 with the SEC for a public listing under ticker SPCX at a valuation of $1.75–2 trillion. The filing revealed that SpaceX holds 18,712 BTC (~$1.45 billion) with an average purchase price of $35,320 — unrealized profit of ~$790 million. The actual reserve more than doubled analyst estimates.
Analysis: SpaceX becomes the seventh largest corporate holder of Bitcoin, surpassing Tesla (also owned by Musk, holding 9,720 BTC). The decision to retain the position upon going public is a significant deviation from most non-core corporations. A strong bullish signal for institutional adoption of BTC.

### 🎲 Binance launches Pre-IPO Perpetual — trade expectations before IPOs

Binance announced the launch of a new type of perpetual futures contract allowing users to trade the expected market valuation of private companies before they go public. The first contract is SPCXUSDT Pre-IPO Perpetual, based on SpaceX’s expected valuation.

Analysis: Binance democratizes access to the pre-IPO market, traditionally closed to retail investors. This mixes crypto infrastructure with major financial events but carries risks — contracts are based on expectations, not actual shares.

### 🇮🇷 Iran controls $7.7 billion in crypto assets

Fox Business reports: Iran controls about $7.7 billion in cryptocurrency. The US Treasury froze $500 million in Iran-linked crypto assets. Iran launched the Hormuz Safe program — insurance for ships in the Strait of Hormuz with Bitcoin payments.

Analysis: Iran’s crypto ecosystem has grown to nearly $8 billion in 2025, becoming a sanctions evasion tool. This strengthens Bitcoin’s utility as a neutral settlement layer, but also reinforces the narrative of crypto being used by hostile regimes.

### 👻 Privacy tokens lead gains: DASH +17.8%, ZEC +17.2%

Amid Bitcoin’s recovery, altcoins in the privacy sector outperformed: DASH jumped 17.79%, ZEC rose 17.17% to $670.07.

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## ⚖️ Cryptocurrency Regulation in Russia

### 📜 Ministry of Finance to finalize crypto bill next week

Deputy Finance Minister Ivan Chebeskov said the revised version of the bill will be ready next week. Key changes: the limit for retail investors will be raised (currently proposed at 300,000 rubles/year), and the Central Bank will decide which cryptocurrencies to allow. Chebeskov also mentioned stablecoins from friendly countries — people need access where there is real necessity, citing the example of the A7A5 ruble stablecoin issued in Kyrgyzstan.

From July 1, 2026, individuals and companies will be able to legally buy crypto through licensed intermediaries — exchangers in the Central Bank’s registry, brokers, and asset managers. Crypto payments inside Russia remain banned.

### 🏛 Moscow Exchange prepares test crypto trading by early summer

Moscow Exchange CEO Viktor Zhidkov said the exchange could launch test crypto trading as early as early summer 2026. Real transactions might only happen closer to year-end, once the necessary legislation is passed. “It’s very important not to run ahead of the locomotive,” Zhidkov stressed.

Analysis: This is the first concrete signal regarding the timeline for legal crypto trading on a domestic exchange.

### 🏦 Central Bank opens crypto channel for imports

In spring 2026, Russia’s cross-border payments market received the strongest signal in four years: cryptocurrencies are moving from the grey zone into a regulated instrument for international settlements. The key change is that the state is beginning to recognize crypto as a permissible tool for foreign economic transactions.

### 🎯 Government adds IP addresses to miner registries

Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed a decree to include IP addresses used for legal digital currency creation in the lists of miners and operators.

### ⚠️ “Black Sunday”: EU sanctions against Russian crypto take effect May 24

On May 24, 2026, the cryptocurrency part of the 20th EU sanctions package came into force. Prohibited: crypto platforms established in Russia, ruble stablecoins, and operations with Belarusian crypto platforms. AML services launched a new risk category for Russian and Belarusian crypto services. A paradox emerges: crypto businesses legalized inside the country automatically become illegal outside its borders.
Analysis: The Russian crypto market faces unprecedented isolation. The main blow targets not individual companies but the entire digital asset infrastructure.

### 🏛 First pro-crypto Fed Chair takes office

On May 22, 2026, Kevin Warsh was sworn in as the new Chairman of the Federal Reserve System, replacing Jerome Powell. Warsh is a strong Bitcoin advocate, calling it a “risk-on asset” and “the new gold for people under 40.” Before his Senate hearing, he disclosed his portfolio, estimated at $131–209 million.

Analysis: This is the first Fed Chair openly holding a pro-crypto stance. Markets expect volatility: on Powell’s first day in 2018, the S&P 500 fell 4.1%.

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## 🏛 Digital Financial Assets (DFAs) & Tokenization in Russia

### 📈 DFA market grows 150% to 690 billion rubles

At the 8th Kazan Crypto Forum, it was reported that DFAs in circulation reached 690 billion rubles by early 2026 — a 150% increase year-on-year. In 2025, 1.7 trillion rubles were raised in the digital assets market. The number of registered platform users is 757,000 (84,000 active).

Analysis: 62% of DFA placements in 2025 were ultra-short instruments with maturities up to one month. The first cases of late obligations were recorded — 7 issuers missed deadlines (less than 0.1% of market volume).

### 💼 VTB, Russian Railways, and Rostelecom join forces for DFA development

At CIPR-2026, an open memorandum of cooperation in DFA development was signed. The parties will develop DFAs as an alternative financing mechanism for technological sovereignty and software import substitution projects.

### 🦅 Russia decides which stablecoins to allow

At CIPR-2026, it was stated: Russia will prioritize stablecoins in currencies of friendly countries and may also develop national stablecoins — tokens pegged to the ruble. The Central Bank will publish a report on its approach to stablecoins in the fall.

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## 📋 Incidents & Fraud

### 🇬🇪 Tether and Georgia government to launch official state stablecoin GELT

On May 25, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced: Tether will issue a stablecoin pegged to the Georgian lari, GELT. The project is supported by the National Bank of Georgia. Kobakhidze noted that Tether holds about $200 billion in assets and gold reserves and plans significant investments in social and educational spheres.

Analysis: Georgia with Tether — the world’s first example of a state stablecoin issued by a private issuer.

### 🚓 France: 44th crypto-related kidnapping this year

Unknown individuals disguised as couriers attempted to kidnap the wife of The Sandbox co-founder and COO Sébastien Borget near their home in Villeneuve. Two suspects (born 2009 and 2010) were arrested, four fled. Since the start of 2026, France has recorded 44 kidnappings or attempts linked to cryptocurrencies. Since 2023, 135 cases (about 80% of all such incidents in Europe).

### 🇷🇺 Kaliningrad resident loses 6.3 million rubles believing “crypto consultant”

The woman transferred all her savings, plus money borrowed from relatives, to an “investment platform” recommended by an unknown person from a messenger. After the transfer, contact was lost. Criminal case opened.

### 🇷🇺 Russian legally declares crypto income but gets criminal case

According to investigators, the citizen earned 34.5 million rubles from selling crypto and inflated expenses in his tax return. The tax authorities believe the budget lost 4.9 million rubles.

Analysis: Attempting to “optimize” the tax base when declaring crypto income can lead to a criminal case. Tax authorities closely scrutinize the income-expense ratio.

### 💳 Banks tighten control over accounts with turnover above 2.4 million rubles/year

Russian banks are increasing monitoring due to the “Antidrop” system. Without official income confirmation, card blocks and document requests are possible.

Analysis: For those practicing “grey zone” P2P crypto exchange, the risks of account blocks become critically high.

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## 🥷 Exploits & Vulnerabilities

### ☠️ Polymarket exploited on Polygon
On May 22, attackers withdrew over $700,000 from the Polymarket prediction platform. The cause was a compromised private key of a wallet used for internal operations. User funds and market resolution mechanisms were unaffected.

### 💶 European stablecoin issuer StablR hacked — $10.4 million loss

On May 25, hackers attacked StablR’s smart contracts, minting an additional $10.4 million in tokens. The cause — a vulnerable “one-of-three” signing scheme. EURR lost 23% of its value, USDR fell 30%.

### 🦑 Hacker attacks Squid protocol

Over several hours, 86 Gnosis Safe wallets used in the cross-chain protocol Squid were hacked. Damage ~$3.2 million. The exploit occurred at the level of a third-party module, not the core protocol.

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## 🔮 Curiosities & Trends

### 🍣 Trump wanted to invest in AI infrastructure but bought sushi chain shares for $1 million

Due to a name mix-up (confusing Fujikura with Kura Sushi), the broker bought shares of a sushi restaurant chain instead of a Japanese fiber optic manufacturer for AI data centers. The loss from resale was about $300,000.

### 🍕 Exactly 16 years ago, two pizzas were bought for 10,000 BTC

May 22 is Bitcoin Pizza Day. In 2010, Laszlo Hanyecz gave 10,000 BTC (then ~$25) for two Papa John’s pizzas. Today that sum would be worth about $770 million.

### 🔮 “Financial tarologists” gain popularity in Russia

On exchange forums and Telegram, astrologers and tarot readers are picking stocks using tarot cards, stars, and “portfolio energy.” In the first two months of 2026, Russians spent 312 million rubles on esoteric goods. A “Tarot for Traders” deck has been created on social media for investors.

Analysis: Esotericism is penetrating not only Telegram channels but also major trading platforms. Experts link the trend to market uncertainty and a search for control.

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## 📊 Summary for May 21–25, 2026

These few days have been among the most dramatic for the Russian crypto market. “Black Sunday” (May 24) arrived: the 20th EU sanctions package came into force, creating a paradoxical situation — crypto becomes legal inside the country from July 1, but automatically illegal outside its borders.

Brent crude fell below $100 for the first time since February, while the Dow Jones closed above 50,000 for the first time ever. Bitcoin plunged to $74,289 but recovered above $77,000 on hopes for peace with Iran.

Key positive events for the Russian market:
– The Ministry of Finance is finalizing the crypto bill with higher limits for investors
– Moscow Exchange is preparing test crypto trading by early summer
– The Central Bank is opening a crypto channel for imports
– Miner registries are being supplemented with IP addresses for transparency
– The DFA market grew 150% to 690 billion rubles

Key negative events:
– “Black Sunday” — EU sanctions against Russian crypto infrastructure take effect
– Bitcoin falls to four-month lows
– $2.26 billion outflow from US spot Bitcoin ETFs
– A series of major exploits: Polymarket ($700k+), StablR ($10.4 million), Squid ($3.2 million)

Regulators are not idle: the SEC approved options on a Bitcoin index, a bill for a strategic Bitcoin reserve (up to 5% of global supply) was reintroduced in Congress, and pro-crypto Fed Chair Kevin Warsh officially took office.

Russian investors find themselves at a crossroads: on one hand, upcoming legalization of crypto inside the country from July 1; on the other hand, external sanctions pressure. Stay with us to not miss the main events. The old world has collapsed. We are building the new one.