Looking for the latest crypto news today? Here are the key developments affecting Bitcoin, blockchain, DeFi, Web3 and crypto regulation.
Major stories include a reported U.S. investigation into Binance over possible Iran sanctions violations, Bitcoin climbing above $86,000, and the European Central Bank launching a new system for settling tokenized assets in central bank money.
U.S. Prosecutors Reportedly Investigate Binance Over Iran Sanctions
The Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office is investigating whether Binance knowingly allowed trading activity that violated U.S. sanctions on Iran, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.
The report adds new details to a Justice Department investigation that was first reported in March.
According to Bloomberg, the Justice Department’s Criminal Division in Washington is also involved in the inquiry.
A Binance spokesperson said the exchange maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward sanctions violations and continues to cooperate with law enforcement.
However, the company’s statement did not directly confirm whether Binance is aware of the reported investigation.
Importantly, an investigation does not establish wrongdoing and may end without charges being filed.
In March, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Justice Department was examining whether Iran had used Binance to evade U.S. sanctions.
At the time, it was unclear whether authorities were investigating Binance, its users, or both.
Binance previously said it was not aware of any DOJ investigation.
Bitcoin Jumps Above $86,000
Bitcoin surged above $86,000 on Monday for the first time since late January.
The move extended a rally that gained momentum after last week’s failed CLARITY Act vote, while lower oil prices and stronger U.S. equities also supported risk sentiment.
Bitcoin climbed above $86,500 on Bitstamp, reaching its highest level in 33 weeks.
The cryptocurrency gained more than 6% on the day after closing the previous week at $81,120.
That weekly close was Bitcoin’s strongest since early May.
The rally also triggered nearly $800 million in crypto short liquidations over a 24-hour period.
Falling Oil Prices Support Crypto Sentiment
Bitcoin’s advance came as WTI crude oil fell below $92 per barrel.
Comments from Qatar’s Foreign Ministry and U.S. President Donald Trump raised hopes that negotiations aimed at ending the U.S.-Iran conflict could resume.
Oil prices fell as low as $91.59 on Monday.
Middle East energy flows have also remained stronger than expected despite disruptions affecting Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline.
Lower oil prices can ease inflation concerns and improve sentiment toward risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.
U.S. Stocks Rally Alongside Bitcoin
Traditional markets also moved higher.
The S&P 500 gained 1.6%, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 2.4%.
Markets also reacted positively to a New York Times report suggesting that the United States could extend its trade agreement with China by six months.
The report came ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit this week.
The broader improvement in risk appetite helped strengthen the rally across crypto markets.
ECB Launches Pontes for Tokenized Asset Settlement
The European Central Bank has launched Pontes, a new system designed to settle wholesale tokenized asset transactions using central bank money.
The project offers financial institutions an alternative to private settlement assets such as stablecoins.
The ECB announced the launch on Monday as part of the Eurosystem’s wider strategy for tokenized finance.
Pontes is beginning with a core set of services, while full implementation is expected by 2028.
ECB Pushes Deeper Into Tokenized Finance
Tokenization allows traditional assets to be represented as digital tokens, often using distributed ledger technology.
According to the ECB, this approach could make wholesale financial transactions faster and more efficient.
Tokenization can combine issuance, trading, settlement, custody and servicing on a single platform.
It can also allow greater automation through smart contracts.
ECB Executive Board member Piero Cipollone said Pontes brings the stability and trust of central bank money into Europe’s tokenized finance ecosystem.
The system builds on the Eurosystem’s 2024 trials involving settlement of distributed-ledger transactions in central bank money.
Participants in those tests identified access to a risk-free settlement asset as an important factor for wider adoption of tokenized finance.
Overall, today’s crypto market was shaped by stronger Bitcoin prices, renewed geopolitical developments, regulatory scrutiny and continued institutional adoption of blockchain-based financial infrastructure.
