Russia’s State Duma has passed a bill recognizing crypto as property, effective from April 22, 2026. The law classifies Bitcoin and Ethereum as approved assets but bans domestic usage. This marks a significant step in Russian crypto regulation, clarifying legal status while restricting local transactions, impacting the broader crypto market in Russia.
GSR has launched its first crypto ETF, Core3, an actively managed multi-asset fund tracking Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. This move, announced in April 2026, marks GSR's entry into the crypto ETF market amid ongoing sector expansion. The fund aims to diversify exposure across major cryptocurrencies, reflecting GSR's broader strategy to grow its presence in digital asset management.
The U.S. Department of Justice is launching a compensation process for victims of the OneCoin crypto scam, which defrauded investors of over $4 billion between 2014 and 2019. More than $40 million in recovered assets are now available for distribution. The scheme was operated by Ruja Ignatova and Karl Sebastian Greenwood.
SEC Chair Paul Atkins announced that the agency is "on the cusp" of approving an exemption for onchain trading of tokenized securities. This development aims to facilitate compliant digital securities trading, signaling a potential shift in regulatory approach. The move is expected to impact the evolving Web3 landscape, though no specific dates or amounts were disclosed.
Geopolitical tensions with Iran and fears of a stock market bubble are increasing the likelihood of a US recession by 2026. These factors are fueling economic uncertainty, impacting investor confidence and policy decisions. The ongoing tensions and market instability highlight the potential for significant economic shifts in the coming years.
Bitcoin surged above $78,000 on April 19, 2026, after a nearly 6% weekly increase. The rally coincided with a ceasefire extension and a liquidity boost, with US-listed spot ETFs recording a mild inflow of $11.84 million on Tuesday amid ongoing US-Iran peace talks. The price movement reflects positive market sentiment amid geopolitical developments.
KraneShares filed Pre-Effective Amendment No. 3 for the Coinbase 50 Index ETF, which now includes XRP among its top 50 crypto assets. The move, announced on April 21, 2026, marks progress toward a regulated multi-asset crypto ETF. Coinbase continues to face legal challenges, but the filing indicates growing institutional interest in diversified crypto investment products.
