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According to Crowdfund Insider, digital bank Revolut announced that its trading division, Revolut Trading Ltd, has received an extension of permissions approved by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to launch more comprehensive investment and wealth management services in the UK market.Under the newly approved Variation of Permissions (VoP) license, Revolut can now manage investment portfolios for clients and participate in certain transactions as a principal. This means that the platform will be able to offer leveraged investment products, professionally managed portfolios, and customized wealth management services for high-net-worth users in the future, all of which will be integrated into its mobile application, alongside everyday banking and payment tools.It is reported that Revolut plans to further introduce AI-driven portfolio recommendation tools, continuing its transformation into a "one-stop financial platform." Earlier this year, Revolut officially obtained a full banking license in the UK. Analysts believe that the FCA's approval indicates an increase in its maturity as a regulated financial institution, while also reflecting that fintech companies are accelerating their competition with traditional banks and wealth management institutions.

According to BBX data, last week the earnings season for cryptocurrency concept stocks reached its conclusion, while institutional-level derivatives product lines expanded simultaneously. The core dynamics are as follows:CME Group Inc. (NASDAQ: $CME) reported by CoinDesk on May 7 plans to officially launch Bitcoin volatility futures (BVOL) on June 1, 2026, pending regulatory approval; the underlying asset for this product is the Bitcoin implied volatility index, allowing institutional investors to take long or short positions based solely on the magnitude of volatility without needing to predict the direction of BTC price movements, filling the gap for "pure volatility tools" in the existing Bitcoin derivatives market. For corporate treasury managers (such as Strategy-type companies) and cryptocurrency options market makers who need to hedge Bitcoin position volatility exposure, BVOL provides the most direct standardized hedging tool to date.Circle Internet Group, Inc. (NYSE: $CRCL) will release its Q1 2026 earnings report today (May 11) at 8:00 AM (ET) via an official live stream; the current analyst consensus expects revenue of approximately $715 million (Zacks data $717.1 million, S&P Global data $714.9 million, year-on-year approximately +11%, quarter-on-quarter approximately -7%), adjusted EPS of about $0.15---$0.27; last quarter (Q4 2025) reserve interest income was $733 million (year-on-year +69%), with an average market cap of USDC around $76.2 billion; as of May 6, the circulating supply of USDC was approximately $78.1 billion, and the integration of stablecoin infrastructure with Meta and Visa, along with the policy expectations from the CLARITY Act markup in May, are the most closely watched valuation catalysts this season.

According to CCTV reports, on May 5 local time, U.S. Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth stated that given the current administration's determination that the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is still in effect, President Trump does not need to seek congressional approval to continue military actions.Hegseth insisted that if Trump orders the resumption of military strikes, discussions on related matters will naturally take place at that time.

According to Crowdfund Insider, Swiss financial market infrastructure provider SIX has obtained approval from the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) to directly integrate its digital central securities depository (CSD, formerly operated by SIX Digital Exchange AG) into the existing SIX SIS AG division. At the same time, FINMA has authorized SIX to provide cryptocurrency custody services through the merged central securities depository.Previously, SIX maintained separate infrastructures for traditional markets and blockchain-based assets for many years. This integration eliminates that boundary, creating a single platform to support end-to-end post-trade operations across asset classes. Financial institutions can manage cryptocurrency custody using the same security framework as traditional instruments like stocks and bonds under the FINMA regulatory framework.Rafael Moral Santiago, Head of Securities Services and Executive Committee Member at SIX, stated that the goal is to provide financial institutions with a single secure entry point into digital assets, combining innovation with the stability of existing systems. This initiative is part of SIX's long-term plan to build a comprehensive post-trade solution across Europe by 2030.SIX is headquartered in Switzerland and is owned by approximately 120 financial institutions, with operations covering exchanges, post-trade services, financial information, and payment infrastructure.

According to official news, the asset tokenization platform Securitize has announced that it has received approval from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) to expand its brokerage proprietary business through its subsidiary Securitize Market. This allows it to conduct tokenized securities custody business within the framework of traditional brokerages, enabling on-chain atomic swaps and clearing settlements between tokenized securities and stablecoins, as well as participating in the primary and secondary issuance underwriting and sales of tokenized securities.

The largest regulated electronic currency token issuer in the EU, Circle, announced that it has obtained approval from the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF) on April 20, 2026, to provide crypto asset services under the framework of the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA).This approval allows Circle France to provide custody and transfer services for its issued stablecoins USDC and EURC in accordance with Article 60(4) of MiCA. This move enables Circle France to offer these services to customers in the European Economic Area (EEA).Dante Disparte, Circle's Chief Strategy Officer and Global Head of Policy and Operations, stated, "This milestone reflects our ongoing commitment to operate within the European regulatory framework and support the establishment of a trusted digital financial infrastructure in France and across the EU." This move marks another significant step in Circle's ongoing commitment to regulatory compliance and building a trusted digital financial infrastructure in Europe.

According to Bloomberg, Polymarket seeks CFTC approval to bring its main trading platform to the United States.

According to the Robinhood blog, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has granted Robinhood Singapore Pte. Ltd. a principle approval (IPA) to provide securities brokerage services, paving the way for its launch of comprehensive brokerage services in Singapore, including securities, exchange-traded derivatives, custody, financing, and collective investment products.Singapore will serve as Robinhood's Asia-Pacific headquarters, complementing the MAS Major Payment Institution (MPI) license already held by its subsidiary Bitstamp Asia Pte. Ltd., strengthening its presence in the Asia-Pacific region. MAS emphasized that the IPA is not equivalent to a formal license, and Robinhood must still meet specific conditions, with the regulatory authority retaining the power to revoke the IPA.

According to the Hong Kong Wen Wei Po, the Vice President of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Chen Weimin, stated that the choice of which currency to issue for stablecoins primarily depends on the applicant's own decision. The issuance of a Hong Kong dollar stablecoin is the first step, and in the future, other currencies including the renminbi can be issued, which is permitted under Hong Kong's system, but the applicant also needs to obtain approval from mainland regulatory authorities.Regarding when the second batch of stablecoin issuer licenses will be issued, Chen Weimin indicated that there is currently no relevant timetable, but they have been in communication with applicants interested in applying for the license. It is reported that HSBC's stablecoin will be integrated into the PayMe and HSBC HK App applications and will support real-time transfers between individuals, as well as person-to-merchant (P2M) services.

According to a report by Reuters, Kraken has become the first cryptocurrency exchange approved for a master account with the Federal Reserve, but the account is restricted, only allowing its banking operations to access the Fedwire payment system and maintain a limited balance, without the ability to earn interest or obtain emergency loans. This move has raised concerns about risks and transparency in the U.S. financial system, including a call from Maxine Waters, chair of the House Financial Services Committee, for more disclosure on account details.Regulatory experts point out that lightly regulated crypto companies having direct access to the Federal Reserve payment system may pose operational and financial stability risks. The Federal Reserve stated that the related restrictions are intended to mitigate liquidity shocks and credit risks, but the banking industry warns that this could affect liquidity in the banking system and exacerbate money laundering and operational loopholes. Kraken stated that its banking reserves are fully supported and comply with bank-level anti-money laundering and customer identification requirements.

Kraken becomes the first cryptocurrency exchange approved for a main account by the Federal Reserve, but the account is restricted, only allowing its banking operations to access the Fedwire payment system and maintain a limited balance, without the ability to earn interest or obtain emergency loans. This move has raised concerns about risks and transparency in the U.S. financial system, including calls from House Financial Services Committee Chair Maxine Waters for more disclosure on account details.Regulatory experts point out that lightly regulated crypto companies having direct access to the Federal Reserve payment system could pose operational and financial stability risks. The Federal Reserve stated that the related restrictions are intended to mitigate liquidity shocks and credit risks, but the banking industry warns that this could affect liquidity in the banking system and exacerbate money laundering and operational loopholes. Kraken stated that its banking reserves are fully supported and comply with bank-level anti-money laundering and customer identification requirements.

According to Crowdfund Insider, the Dutch bank ClearBank has announced that it has obtained approval for the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) and has received a Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) license from the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). It will launch digital asset services, including stablecoins. The bank also stated that it plans to support euro and dollar-based stablecoins (EURC and USDC) in the future to enhance the efficiency of cross-border transfers and payments.In addition, ClearBank announced that it will provide savings account services through Coinbase and will be included in the coverage of the UK's Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

CME Group announced plans to launch futures contracts for Avalanche (AVAX) and Sui (SUI), further enriching its regulated cryptocurrency derivatives product line, and is currently awaiting approval from regulatory authorities. Market participants can choose between mini contracts or standard contracts: 1. AVAX futures: 5,000 AVAX, mini AVAX futures: 500 AVAX; 2. SUI futures: 50,000 SUI, mini SUI futures: 5,000 SUI.

According to official news, Coinbase has received conditional approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to establish a national trust bank. Coinbase stated that after obtaining this license, it will not transform into a commercial bank, will not accept retail deposits, and will not implement a fractional reserve system. Federal oversight through the OCC will bring consistency and uniformity to its custody business and lay the foundation for new products, including payment and related services, to better serve institutions and individuals.Coinbase stated that the company will continue to operate under the supervision of the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS), and the NYDFS's BitLicense and state trust charter will not become invalid.

According to a report by Xinhua News Agency, the latest poll results released by Fox News Channel show that about 59% of surveyed American voters are dissatisfied with President Trump's administration, an increase of 8 percentage points from a year ago, reaching a new high during his term; the satisfaction rate dropped from 49% to 41%.The survey is based on a random sample of 1,001 registered voters. Among different parties, the satisfaction rate among Republican voters is 84%, a year-on-year decrease of 8 percentage points; while the dissatisfaction rates among Democratic and independent voters reach 95% and 75%, respectively.

According to Cointelegraph, Maxine Waters, a senior Democrat on the U.S. House Financial Services Committee, has written to Jeff Schmid, president of the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank, requesting an explanation regarding the approval of a limited-purpose master account for Kraken Financial.Waters has asked the Kansas City Fed to clarify the specific permissions of the Kraken account, the federal services accessible, any additional conditions or restrictions, and the anti-money laundering and consumer protection measures being considered by April 10. Kraken's banking division received the account earlier this month, allowing direct access to the Federal Reserve's core payment system, Fedwire.Waters pointed out that innovations in payments, digital assets, tokenization, and artificial intelligence are rapidly outpacing the existing legal framework, necessitating transparency in access to critical financial infrastructure. According to the crypto advocacy organization Stand With Crypto, Waters is rated as a "strong opponent of cryptocurrency."

According to a report by Jinshi, the latest NBC poll shows that Trump's support among registered voters has decreased by 3 percentage points from 47% in March 2025 to 44%, with disapproval rising to 54%. The average of Decision Desk HQ polls also shows similar results: 43.1% approval and 54.4% disapproval.Investinglive analyst Adam Button stated that the key for the market lies in the situation of the midterm elections. Trump himself has pointed out this risk, noting that historical patterns show that the party in the White House typically faces setbacks in midterm elections. If the Republican Party loses seats in Congress, it will reshape the legislative landscape regarding tax policy, tariffs, and deregulation, while current stock valuations have to some extent already priced in expectations for these policies.The big question ahead is whether Trump will begin to face internal pressure to quickly end the war. Republicans have certainly acknowledged that they will lose the House of Representatives, and as the Middle Eastern war diminishes some of their voter base, the control of the Senate becomes increasingly uncertain.

According to Jinshi citing ABC News, Trump recently stated in an interview that as Iran moves closer to electing its next Supreme Leader, if that candidate does not receive his approval beforehand, then this new leader "will not be in power for long."He said in the interview: "He must get our approval, and if he doesn't get our approval, he won't be in power for long. We need to make sure we don't have to go through this every 10 years, especially when you don't have a president like me who is absolutely uncompromising."He added: "I don't want people to have to go through the same thing again in 5 years, and worse, we can never let them have nuclear weapons."

Crypto journalist Eleanor Terrett posted on social media that Kraken, the second-largest crypto exchange in the U.S., has just accomplished something no other crypto company has done before—obtaining key access qualifications from the Federal Reserve.Kraken's banking division, Kraken Financial, has received approval from the Kansas City Fed to open a master account with the Federal Reserve. This marks the first time a native crypto company has gained (albeit with limited permissions) direct access to the Federal Reserve's payment system.This approval comes five and a half years after Kraken submitted its application to the Kansas City Fed in October 2020. The account allows Kraken to directly access the Federal Reserve's payment system, but does not include the right to use the Fed's lending tools. The company can hold reserves and settle with central bank funds, but cannot issue loans, use the discount window, or operate as a traditional commercial bank.According to sources, Kraken's approval is seen as a pilot project to test this new model. This decision is historically significant for the crypto industry, which has long been excluded from the traditional banking system, and indicates a shift in the Federal Reserve's stance. This move could trigger a wave of applications from other crypto companies seeking master accounts with the Federal Reserve. Custodia Bank, Anchorage, and Ripple's U.S. banking partner have all applied for master accounts.

Cryptocurrency trading platform Crypto.com announced on Monday that it has received conditional approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to apply for a federal charter for a national bank license in the future.This approval will allow Crypto.com to offer digital asset custody and staking services under a federal regulatory framework.