In a landmark shift for U.S. financial regulation, the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission have held their first joint roundtable in nearly 14 years, signaling a new era of cooperation on cryptocurrency oversight. The historic meeting revealed both agencies are actively aligning rules to reduce regulatory friction while supporting responsible innovation in digital assets, with SEC Chairman Paul Atkins declaring crypto the agency’s “top priority right now” and CFTC Acting Chair Caroline Pham demonstrating robust enforcement activity through 32 regulatory actions this year.
about SEC & CFTC Align on Crypto Rules in Historic Joint RoundtableGabriel Shapiro
0 posts last weekVitalik Buterin Defends Ethereum’s 45-Day Unstaking Queue
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has publicly justified the network’s 45-day unstaking queue as a critical defense mechanism, sparking intense debate across the crypto community. His response comes after Galaxy Digital’s Michael Marcantonio criticized the lengthy withdrawal process as ‘troubling’ and unsuitable for global capital markets, highlighting a fundamental tension between user experience and blockchain security.
about Vitalik Buterin Defends Ethereum's 45-Day Unstaking QueueEthereum Devs Underpaid, Risking Network Future
A Protocol Guild survey of 111 Ethereum core developers shows they earn an average of $157,939—about 60% below the $359,074 market rate. These developers receive little to no equity or token incentives, unlike competitors offering ~7% equity grants. Nearly 40% received external job offers in the past year, yet many decline them to support Ethereum’s decentralized vision. Experts warn that underpayment threatens talent retention and execution of Ethereum’s technical roadmap, jeopardizing its $400B network. Suggestions include compensating developers with locked ETH to align incentives and ensure network security.
about Ethereum Devs Underpaid, Risking Network FutureGabriel Shapiro: Merging Law with Crypto Innovation
Gabriel Shapiro, a former big-law attorney, has emerged as a key figure in crypto governance by blending legal expertise with blockchain innovation. His ‘Token Safe Harbor’ proposal aims to give crypto projects regulatory breathing room, while his MetaLeX project explores ‘cybernetic law’—automating legal processes like code. Shapiro also challenges conventional views on decentralization, emphasizing legal over technical metrics. Beyond his serious work, he engages the crypto-law community with humor, even creating the GOR meme coin. His ideas, though not yet mainstream, are sparking crucial conversations about adapting law to technology’s pace, ensuring it doesn’t stifle innovation in the crypto space.
about Gabriel Shapiro: Merging Law with Crypto InnovationGary Gensler returns to MIT amid crypto community backlash
Gary Gensler has rejoined MIT as a Professor of the Practice at the Sloan School of Management, focusing on AI, finance, and public policy, after his controversial tenure as chair of the SEC. His return has sparked backlash from the crypto community, with critics arguing it undermines blockchain innovation and student discourse. Notable voices, including Uniswap Foundation’s Devin Walsh, expressed disappointment, fearing Gensler’s presence sends a negative message to those interested in emerging technologies.
about Gary Gensler returns to MIT amid crypto community backlashPolymarket Faces Backlash Over Wildfire Betting Amid CFTC Investigation
Polymarket is under scrutiny for its controversial wildfire betting markets, which have drawn criticism for profiting from human suffering amid ongoing wildfires in California. The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has subpoenaed Coinbase for user data linked to Polymarket, marking a shift in regulatory approach towards the crypto industry. This follows a previous settlement with the CFTC over unregulated binary options and increased scrutiny after Polymarket’s rise during the 2024 US elections.
about Polymarket Faces Backlash Over Wildfire Betting Amid CFTC Investigation