SEC Chairman Paul Atkins Plans Crypto Innovation Exemptions Within a Month

Meta is preparing to re-enter the stablecoin space in the second half of this year, according to sources familiar with the matter. **Key developments:** - The company plans to integrate third-party vendors for stablecoin payment processing - A new digital wallet is in development to support these transactions - This marks Meta's return to crypto payments after the shutdown of its Diem project The move comes as traditional finance players increase their crypto involvement, with Mastercard reportedly in talks to acquire Zero Hash for $2B to enable round-the-clock stablecoin settlements.

BlackRock's iShares has submitted an amended S-1 filing with the SEC for its **iShares Staked Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHB)**, seeking to list the product on Nasdaq. This filing represents a progression from BlackRock's initial 19b-4 submission with Nasdaq in 2023, which recorded rule changes for listing and trading shares of the iShares Ethereum Trust. **Key Points:** - The amended filing indicates BlackRock is moving forward with plans for a staked Ethereum ETF product - The trust would be listed under the ticker ETHB on Nasdaq - This follows the firm's earlier groundwork laid in November 2023 The filing demonstrates continued institutional interest in Ethereum-based investment products, particularly those incorporating staking mechanisms that allow investors to earn yields on their holdings.

The Bank of Korea has recommended that only licensed commercial banks should have the authority to issue Korean won-backed stablecoins, according to Cointelegraph. **Key Points:** - Proposal would limit stablecoin issuance rights to regulated banking institutions - Follows previous technical work on won stablecoins initiated in late 2025 - Move comes as South Korea prepares to implement new digital asset regulations This regulatory approach mirrors strategies seen in other jurisdictions seeking to maintain financial stability while enabling digital currency innovation. The recommendation suggests South Korea is taking a cautious, bank-centric approach to stablecoin oversight rather than allowing broader market participation. The proposal represents a significant policy direction as the country continues developing its digital asset framework.

USDC transaction volume has grown dramatically across multiple blockchain networks, according to Dune Analytics data. **Key Growth Metrics:** - Monthly transactions jumped from 31M (July 2024) to 613M (January 2026) - 20x increase achieved in just 18 months - Activity now spans 49 different networks **Network Distribution:** - Polygon and Base combined account for 68% of all USDC transactions - Polygon leads with 12M+ daily USDC transactions, surpassing Solana - Base processed $5.3T in USDC volume during January 2026 alone This represents a significant shift in stablecoin usage patterns, with Layer 2 solutions and alternative networks capturing the majority of transaction activity. The data suggests users are increasingly favoring networks with lower fees and faster settlement times for stablecoin transfers.

**Ethereum's Fusaka upgrade activated** at epoch 411,392, delivering major scalability improvements: - **PeerDAS introduced** - enables 8x higher rollup data throughput - **R1 curve + pre-confirmation mechanism** for better user experience - **Nodes process partial L2 data** - unlocks future gas limit increases - **Removes outdated components** - stronger DoS resistance - **Marks shift to twice-yearly hard forks** for faster evolution **Prediction markets expand** but face scrutiny: - Polymarket re-opens U.S. access for waitlisted users - Fanatics & Crypto.com launching sports prediction markets - Connecticut regulators accuse platforms of unauthorized sports betting **UK grants digital assets legal property status** - one of the most definitive global moves toward crypto legal clarity. **SEC blocks ultra-leveraged ETF launches** - warns 9 issuers to halt 3x-5x exposure plans or withdraw filings. **Solana Mobile reveals SKR tokenomics** for upcoming Seeker smartphone ecosystem with 10B total supply.