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Go Ethereum (Geth) released version 1.17.5, a maintenance update featuring bug fixes, performance improvements, and continued implementation of the Amsterdam hardfork EIPs.
The CFTC issued an advisory to designated contract markets (DCMs) prohibiting the use of broad, template-style self-certifications for event contract series, requiring more granular compliance with Commission Regulation § 40.2.
The CFTC Division of Market Oversight has issued a time-limited no-action letter to Kraken Derivatives Exchange Inc. regarding specific dormancy procedures for its designated contract market.
Two implementations of the Ark proposal, Arkade and Bark, are now live on the Bitcoin mainnet, enabling self-custodial payments and financial infrastructure via Virtual Transaction Outputs (VTXOs). Arkade is expanding into assets, swaps, and complex financial applications, while Bark focuses on payments and Lightning interoperability. Additionally, Lightning Labs has introduced Wavelength, an alpha-stage toolkit using an Ark-like settlement layer.
Bitcoin Optech Newsletter #415 highlights a new draft BIP459 for full aggregation of BIP340 schnorr signatures, alongside various software updates for Wasabi Wallet, Coinswap, and Core Lightning. Technical improvements include faster UTXO cache lookups in Bitcoin Core, default BIP324 v2 p2p transport, and the addition of a silent payments module to libsecp256k1.
The CFTC has extended the public comment period by 30 days, until August 26, 2026, regarding proposed rules for 24/7 trading of standard energy futures and the potential listing of perpetual energy commodity contracts.
CFTC Chairman Michael S. Selig announced the agenda for the Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC) meeting on July 29, 2026, focusing on Basel III, risk management tools, 24/7 trading, and emerging markets.
Bitcoin has risen to $66,990, approaching a key resistance zone at $68,000, though the advance is characterized by low trading volumes and thin participation.
A high density of macro and corporate events is scheduled for late July 2026, including Fed, ECB, BoE, and BoJ rate decisions, Big Tech and crypto-correlated earnings (Coinbase, Strategy), and BTC/ETH options expiry.
Bitfinex released version 1.135, featuring UI/UX improvements, expanded OpenPayd country support for EUR, and various bug fixes, while removing JPY and TRY from deposit/withdrawal pages.
The SEC issued a statement regarding crypto vaults and onchain lending strategies, emphasizing that moving activities onchain does not exempt them from federal securities laws. The SEC warns that vaults and lending strategies may be classified as securities, investment companies, or involve investment adviser issues depending on their specific design and management.
Kraken has listed the Ridges (SN62) token, a Bittensor subnet focused on AI agents for software engineering.
Kraken has listed CSPR for trading and funding as of July 21, 2026.
The Bitcoin Optech Podcast discussed Newsletter #414, covering formal verification of the Bitcoin protocol, Bitcoin Core releases 30.3 and 29.4, and various code and documentation changes across Bitcoin Core, BIPs, LND, and BINANAs.
Kraken Prop has expanded its funded-account trading program to include the Nasdaq 100, marking its first non-crypto market offering. The service features 24/7 trading, no contract expiries or rollovers, and an evaluation process with entry fees starting at $20.
The CFTC has sunsetted routine large trader reporting requirements for physical commodity swaps, removing daily and event-based position reports for clearing organizations, members, and swap dealers.
Kraken has enabled deposits and withdrawals for the Ethena synthetic dollar, USDe, on the Avalanche network.
Tether plans to launch USDt on the RGB protocol in 2026, marking the return of the stablecoin to Bitcoin. RGB uses client-side validation to anchor assets to Bitcoin without altering the base layer, potentially enabling secure, confidential, and low-cost transfers via Lightning.
Bitfinex has published a guide on its margin trading platform, highlighting its peer-to-peer funding model, zero trading fees since December 2025, and support for diverse collateral including tokenised gold (XAUt) and fiat (USD).
The Bitcoin Optech Newsletter #414 highlights a new project for formal verification of the Bitcoin protocol using Lean4 to prove system correctness, alongside maintenance releases for Bitcoin Core 30.3 and 29.4. Key technical updates include parallel block validation for faster IBD, improved index persistence and memory management for private broadcast queues, and enhancements to the libbitcoinkernel API for silent payment scanners. Additionally, updates were made to LND to prevent asset loss in auxiliary channels and BIP54's consensus cleanup rationale was updated.
Kraken has listed the SN8 token, the native token of the Vanta Network, which serves as a fintech infrastructure layer for the Bittensor ecosystem.
Kraken is launching European-style, cash-settled, USD-settled options on BTC and ETH for professional and institutional clients on Kraken Pro, initially via request-for-quote (RFQ) access.
Kraken is removing maker fee rebates for nine specific trading pairs effective August 5, 2026, as they have reached sufficient liquidity and volume.
The CFTC's Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC) will hold its first meeting of 2026 on July 29 in Washington, D.C.
Kraken Institutional has partnered with Upshift to offer eligible institutional clients custom, permissioned vaults for onchain yield strategies. This integration allows clients to deploy assets from their qualified custody accounts into vetted strategies across 30+ chains without managing separate wallets, using receipt tokens to represent positions in segregated custody.
Kraken has introduced a new borrowing feature that allows users to use their existing crypto holdings as collateral to increase buying power without selling assets. The service features a 1x leverage cap, flexible repayment terms, and is integrated directly into the standard purchase flow.
Bitcoin rose to $65,086 following a soft US CPI print that lowered rate hike odds, though analysts caution the rally is driven by macro conditions rather than sustained asset-specific demand.
The crypto market faces several key events in July 2026, including the GENIUS Act stablecoin rulemaking deadline on July 18, Tesla's Q2 earnings on July 22, and an FOMC rate decision on July 28-29. While the GENIUS Act deadline is unlikely to be met, it serves as a checkpoint for future US stablecoin regulation. The FOMC meeting is the second under Kevin Warsh, with the federal funds rate currently at 3.50%-3.75%.
The Federal Reserve released minutes from its June 2026 meetings regarding the discount rates provided to depository institutions.
Kraken has listed the Hippius (SN75) token, a decentralized cloud storage network built on the Bittensor ecosystem.