Waymo’s use of overseas human operators to assist its autonomous vehicles has drawn sharp scrutiny from U.S. senators, raising fundamental questions about safety, cybersecurity, and the very definition of “self-driving.” During a Senate hearing, lawmakers challenged the company’s claims of full autonomy, highlighting the regulatory and operational tensions emerging as the industry scales. This debate unfolds as Congress weighs new federal rules and Waymo secures a massive $16 billion funding round, valuing the company at $126 billion.
about Waymo's Overseas Remote Operators Spark Senate Safety ConcernsCongress
1 in Finance and 1 in Crypto last weekCrypto Firms Offer Banks Stablecoin Reserve Sharing to Save Market Bill
In a strategic bid to salvage stalled legislation and placate a skeptical banking sector, the cryptocurrency industry is proposing significant concessions centered on stablecoins. The core proposal involves requiring stablecoin issuers to hold a portion of their reserves at community banks, aiming to preserve a market structure bill that could reshape the financial landscape. However, deep divisions remain over key issues like customer rewards and the potential for massive deposit outflows from traditional banks, casting uncertainty over whether these overtures will be enough to secure a legislative breakthrough.
about Crypto Firms Offer Banks Stablecoin Reserve Sharing to Save Market BillSEC & CFTC Relaunch Project Crypto for Clearer Digital Asset Rules
In a significant move to address longstanding regulatory ambiguity, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have jointly relaunched Project Crypto. This coordinated initiative aims to harmonize the agencies’ approaches to digital asset markets, providing the clarity needed to foster innovation while protecting investors. The relaunch underscores a strategic effort to modernize U.S. financial oversight and maintain the country’s competitive edge as technological evolution accelerates.
about SEC & CFTC Relaunch Project Crypto for Clearer Digital Asset RulesBitcoin Groups Push Congress for Crypto Tax Exemptions
A powerful coalition of Bitcoin advocacy groups is pressing U.S. congressional tax leaders to dramatically expand proposed cryptocurrency tax exemptions, arguing that limiting relief solely to dollar-pegged stablecoins would fail to solve the compliance nightmare facing millions of Americans. In a letter to key committee chairmen, the groups warn that without extending “de minimis” exemptions to Bitcoin and major network tokens, the IRS’s treatment of crypto as property will continue to stifle everyday use, just as new, stringent broker reporting rules are set to take effect in 2025.
about Bitcoin Groups Push Congress for Crypto Tax ExemptionsSEC Chair Backs Crypto Market Structure Bill as Congress Votes
SEC Chair Paul Atkins has thrown his weight behind the bipartisan CLARITY Act, framing this week’s Congressional vote as a historic opportunity to bring regulatory certainty to digital asset markets and cement the United States’ position as the global crypto capital. With the Senate set to mark up the legislation on January 15, 2026, industry leaders are heralding the moment as a potential turning point that could end the crypto winter and propel Bitcoin toward new all-time highs.
about SEC Chair Backs Crypto Market Structure Bill as Congress VotesBitwise CIO Outlines 3 Key Hurdles for Sustained Crypto Rally
Amid renewed volatility in the cryptocurrency market, Matt Hougan, Chief Investment Officer at Bitwise, has identified three critical checkpoints that must be cleared for a sustained recovery. His analysis, detailed in a recent report, moves beyond short-term price fluctuations to focus on structural market health, regulatory clarity, and broader financial stability as the essential pillars for a lasting rally in 2026.
about Bitwise CIO Outlines 3 Key Hurdles for Sustained Crypto RallyCrypto Bill Delayed Until 2029 Due to Election Politics: TD Cowen
A landmark cryptocurrency regulatory bill faces a potential three-year legislative delay, with final implementation not expected until 2029, as political strategy surrounding the 2026 midterm elections takes precedence. According to analysis from investment bank TD Cowen, the CLARITY Act—designed to establish clear rules for digital assets—is now caught in a partisan stalemate, with Democratic senators reportedly considering procedural tactics to stall progress until after the next election cycle. The delay pushes the prospect of comprehensive U.S. crypto regulation into the next presidential administration.
about Crypto Bill Delayed Until 2029 Due to Election Politics: TD CowenHouse GOP Pushes CBDC Ban in Defense Bill Amid Conservative Backlash
A Republican-led effort to permanently ban a U.S. central bank digital currency (CBDC) is creating a political rift within the House GOP. The push, centered on an amendment to the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), follows accusations that leadership broke promises to include anti-CBDC language, highlighting deep conservative concerns over financial privacy and government overreach.
about House GOP Pushes CBDC Ban in Defense Bill Amid Conservative BacklashCongress Targets AI Fraud with Stiff Penalties
In a bipartisan response to escalating AI-powered fraud, Representatives Ted Lieu and Neal Dunn have introduced legislation that dramatically increases penalties for AI-assisted crimes. The AI Fraud Deterrence Act comes after high-profile incidents where hackers used artificial intelligence to impersonate White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, signaling a new era of regulatory response to emerging technological threats.
about Congress Targets AI Fraud with Stiff PenaltiesRep. Gill Buys $300K in Bitcoin, ETF Amid Crypto Support
Republican Congressman Brandon Gill has significantly increased his cryptocurrency holdings, purchasing up to $300,000 in Bitcoin and BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF. The Texas lawmaker, a vocal supporter of White House crypto policies, now holds up to $2.6 million in Bitcoin since taking office in January, though his investment activity includes late disclosures that violated congressional ethics rules.
about Rep. Gill Buys $300K in Bitcoin, ETF Amid Crypto SupportSEC Unveils Crypto Framework: Most Tokens Not Securities
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has unveiled a transformative regulatory framework that fundamentally reshapes how digital assets are classified under federal securities laws. In a pivotal announcement, SEC Chairman Paul Atkins revealed that most cryptocurrencies currently trading do not qualify as securities, marking a significant departure from previous regulatory uncertainty and providing long-sought clarity for the digital asset industry.
about SEC Unveils Crypto Framework: Most Tokens Not SecuritiesXRP ETF Posts Record $245M Inflows in Debut Trading Session
The Canary XRP ETF (XRPC) has made history with the largest ETF launch of the year, recording $245 million in net inflows on its first trading day. The fund’s explosive debut surpassed analyst expectations and outperformed Bitwise’s Solana ETF, signaling strong institutional demand for crypto exposure.
about XRP ETF Posts Record $245M Inflows in Debut Trading Session