The Block Crypto News Digest

ECB warns EU finance ministers that easing euro stablecoin rules would weaken banks: Reuters

• Link: https://www.theblock.co/post/402427/ecb-warns-eu-finance-ministers-that-easing-euro-stablecoin-rules-would-weaken-banks-reuters?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss
• Published: Sat, 23 May 2026 16:21:18 -0400
• Summary: ECB President Christine Lagarde warned the changes would destabilize bank funding and weaken interest-rate transmission.

FTX’s former law firm, auditor agree to pay $66 million to settle customer claims over fraud

• Link: https://www.theblock.co/post/402425/ftxs-former-law-firm-auditor-agree-to-pay-66-million-to-settle-customer-claims-over-fraud?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss
• Published: Sat, 23 May 2026 13:50:21 -0400
• Summary: The law firm, Fenwick & West, denied wrongdoing and still faces a separate $525 million suit in Washington that is not covered by Friday's deal.

Spot bitcoin ETFs shed $1.26 billion in worst week since late January as ether funds see 10-day outflow streak

• Link: https://www.theblock.co/post/402420/spot-bitcoin-etfs-shed-1-26-billion-in-worst-week-since-late-january-as-ether-funds-see-10-day-outflow-streak?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss
• Published: Sat, 23 May 2026 11:19:31 -0400
• Summary: BlackRock's IBIT now holds $61.1 billion in net assets against $64.8 billion in cumulative inflows, a difference of roughly $3.7 billion.

New strategic bitcoin reserve bill drops 1 million BTC purchase target, adds 20-year lockup period

• Link: https://www.theblock.co/post/402264/new-strategic-bitcoin-reserve-bill-drops-btc-purchase-target-adds-lockup?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss
• Published: Fri, 22 May 2026 15:45:08 -0400
• Summary: The bill would require quarterly public proof-of-reserve disclosures and third-party audits of government bitcoin holdings.

SEC delays tokenized asset exemption amid concerns over third-party tokens: Bloomberg Law

• Link: https://www.theblock.co/post/402409/sec-delays-tokenized-asset-exemption-third-party-tokens-bloomberg-law?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss
• Published: Fri, 22 May 2026 15:29:28 -0400
• Summary: The SEC has delayed its plan for an anticipated exemption that would clarify the agency's stance on tokenized assets, Bloomberg Law reported.

Kalshi, Polymarket lose bids to halt Nevada and Washington gambling cases

• Link: https://www.theblock.co/post/402397/kalshi-polymarket-lose-bids-to-halt-nevada-and-washington-gambling-cases?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss
• Published: Fri, 22 May 2026 14:33:57 -0400
• Summary: The Ninth Circuit said federal derivatives oversight does not shield prediction market firms from state gaming enforcement.

Ripple, North Island Ventures back $6 million round for cross-chain platform Squid

• Link: https://www.theblock.co/post/402394/ripple-north-island-ventures-squid-crypto-funding?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss
• Published: Fri, 22 May 2026 14:05:37 -0400
• Summary: Squid is preparing to launch a new consumer product aimed at making it easier to access and manage crypto assets, Fig told The Block.

NEAR token jumps 30% amid AI hype, Arthur Hayes endorsement and scaling plans

• Link: https://www.theblock.co/post/402373/near-jumps-30-ai-hype-arthur-hayes-endorsement-scaling-plans?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss
• Published: Fri, 22 May 2026 13:11:43 -0400
• Summary: The prominent crypto investor Arthur Hayes described NEAR, HYPE and ZEC as “the holy trinity” of altcoins.

OKX, ICE partner on oil perps as NYSE-parent pressures US regulators to rein in Hyperliquid

• Link: https://www.theblock.co/post/402382/okx-ice-partner-oil-commodity-perps?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss
• Published: Fri, 22 May 2026 12:48:03 -0400
• Summary: OKX's oil perps contracts will track Intercontinental Exchange's Brent Crude and WTI Crude energy benchmarks.

Kalshi-backed prediction market advocacy group debuts with support from former Trump aide

• Link: https://www.theblock.co/post/402374/kalshi-prediction-market-advocacy-group-debuts-support-former-trump-aide?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss
• Published: Fri, 22 May 2026 12:22:34 -0400
• Summary: An advocacy group focused on prediction markets has emerged with support from former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich.