Looking for the biggest developments in crypto today? Here are the latest stories affecting Bitcoin, blockchain, DeFi, Web3 and cryptocurrency regulation.
Today’s major headlines include new claims from blockchain investigator ZachXBT about a Chinese laundering network, fresh regulatory action from the CFTC and a new Bitcoin accumulation strategy from Metaplanet.
ZachXBT Links Chinese Network to $1B Lazarus Laundering Operation
Blockchain investigator ZachXBT says a Chinese organized crime network helped launder more than $1 billion stolen through multiple crypto exploits linked to North Korea’s Lazarus Group.
In an Oct. 5 post on X, ZachXBT said he infiltrated the operation in February 2025 by pretending to be a paying customer.
The investigation took place shortly after the Bybit hack.
To gain the trust of one of the network’s operators, known as “Jimmy Green,” ZachXBT reportedly committed $349,700 in stablecoins and accepted a 5% loss on each transaction.
According to ZachXBT, the laundering operation had links to both Hong Kong and mainland China.
Information provided by the alleged launderer later helped identify more than $12 million in funds connected to the Bybit exploit.
Tether subsequently froze around $442,000 in related USDt.
The case offers a rare look at the intermediaries allegedly helping North Korean hackers move stolen digital assets.
According to Chainalysis, hackers linked to North Korea had stolen at least $6.75 billion in crypto assets through 2025.
CFTC Pushes Ahead With New Crypto Regulatory Framework
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission is moving forward with plans for a new crypto regulatory structure after the CLARITY Act failed to advance in the Senate.
CFTC Chair Michael Selig said the agency intends to use its existing authority rather than wait for additional legislation from Congress.
The regulator issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking focused on platforms that allow retail users to trade cryptocurrency using leverage, margin or financing.
Under the proposal, the CFTC would establish a new type of designated contract market known as a “crypto asset market,” or CAM.
The structure would give qualifying crypto platforms a potential route to operate under a unified federal regulatory system instead of dealing with different state-level requirements.
The framework would not apply to standard spot crypto exchanges.
Those platforms would generally remain subject to existing state money-transmission rules, although the CFTC would continue to oversee fraud and market manipulation.
SEC and CFTC Continue Expanding Crypto Oversight
The CFTC initiative follows a separate proposal from the Securities and Exchange Commission aimed at creating a more tailored regulatory system for crypto securities.
The developments suggest that both regulators are prepared to move ahead with new digital-asset rules despite the lack of progress on the CLARITY Act.
Both agencies are also operating with limited leadership.
Hester Peirce’s departure left the SEC with only two commissioners, while Selig remains the CFTC’s sole commissioner and chair.
Metaplanet Launches New Bitcoin Accumulation Strategy
Japanese investment company Metaplanet also unveiled a new strategy designed to support further Bitcoin purchases.
The company plans to invest part of its capital in income-generating assets and use the resulting net interest income to fund Bitcoin accumulation and dividend payments.
The plan forms part of Metaplanet’s revised capital allocation strategy.
Under the new framework, around 10% to 15% of its assets could be directed toward strategic investments. These may include mergers, acquisitions and interest-producing assets.
Bitcoin remains the company’s primary treasury reserve asset.
According to Metaplanet, BTC currently represents between 85% and 90% of its total assets.
The company says the strategy is intended to strengthen its financing capacity, improve credit quality and increase Bitcoin holdings per share through future acquisitions.
Governance Concerns Remain in Focus
Metaplanet introduced the new funding model after shareholders raised questions about the company’s governance and capital structure.
On Friday, the company submitted five corrected securities filings.
The amendments clarified that CEO Simon Gerovich does not hold majority voting rights in MMX Ventures, which is a shareholder in Metaplanet.
