US

The U.S. is preparing to freeze and seize Venezuela’s Bitcoin holdings after the capture of Nicolás Maduro, who faces narco-terrorism charges in a New York federal court. The move could mark a major test of how state-held crypto is treated under U.S. sanctions and asset-forfeiture law.

Sen. Jerry Moran and Rep. Elissa Slotkin introduced the SAFE Crypto Act on Dec. 18, 2025, aimed at cracking down on crypto-related scams. The bill is presented as a bid to strengthen enforcement and consumer protections, though full text and timing remain unclear.

FINRA found that the share of Americans holding crypto was essentially unchanged from 2021 to 2024, but fewer investors say they plan to buy more or enter the market for the first time. The trend points to weakening risk appetite among US retail investors.

JPMorgan's fraud-related concerns prompted the removal of Strike's CEO, raising fresh questions about banks' role in crypto custody and payments. Senator Lummis warned that tight banking restrictions could push the digital asset industry overseas, increasing regulatory and operational risk for US-based firms.

Bloomberg reports U.S. authorities are investigating Bitmain for potential national security risks tied to alleged remote-access capabilities in its Bitcoin mining hardware. The probe could increase scrutiny on mining supply chains and U.S.–China tech ties.

President Trump announced the Genesis Mission, a federal initiative designed to speed U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence through funding, regulatory changes, and public-private partnerships. The administration frames the plan as a strategic effort to outcompete rivals and secure critical tech supply chains.

An analyst warns that a full US government reopening may clear the way for renewed ETF activity in 2026, potentially reigniting investor interest across digital-asset markets. Renewed regulatory bandwidth could accelerate filings, reviews and approvals for spot and derivative crypto ETFs.

Bitcoin pulled back after a U.S. government shutdown disrupted the release of October inflation and jobs data, increasing macro uncertainty and triggering risk-off flows in crypto markets.

The UK and United States are holding early talks to create a shared crypto 'sandbox' for cross-border testing and licensing, aiming to harmonize digital asset rules. The move could ease regulatory fragmentation and help firms scale between the two markets.