Week 32, July 27 – August 2, 2026 The week was marked by mixed and unexpected developments. A federal court is defending prediction markets against state regulators, while “old players” are shutting down. A crypto exchange and the world’s largest mining pool as of 2019 have ceased operations. The sanctions net caught stablecoins, platforms, and marine insurers. Federal regulators are pulling prediction markets into their jurisdiction, while states are attacking the industry. On July 28, federal Judge Katherine Menendez granted the motion of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Under it, Minnesota’s law banning such platforms from August 1 is preempted by the federal Commodity Exchange Act. Kalshi and Polymarket will continue operating in the state pending the proceedings. New York Attorney General Letitia James on July 31 demanded more than $36 billion from Kalshi. Old crypto exchanges and mining pools are leaving the market. BitMart will halt trading on August 26 and fully shut down on January 31, 2027, after seven years of operation. A week earlier, BitMEX announced its closure, and its executives, including Arthur Hayes, were sued over price manipulation. Poolin Technology, the world’s largest mining pool in 2019, is shutting down with a balance-sheet hole of $121.1 million, with assets of $52 million against liabilities of $173.1 million. Payment companies are buying patents and building infrastructure. On July 28, Circle acquired IBM’s patent portfolio and became the largest holder of blockchain patents in the United States, with 680 patent families and 1,000 issued patents. Wise will reapply for a banking license: the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) found its previous proposal incompatible with the Federal Reserve’s rules on access to master accounts. The American Arbitration Association created a Web3 arbitrator panel for disputes over asset control and cross-border enforcement. Sanctions have moved from wallets to intermediaries. The EU included 218 individuals and entities in its 21st package, the largest list in four years, and separately restricted A7A5, the largest ruble-denominated stablecoin. On July 31, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned Persian Gulf Marine Insurance Company and HormuzSafe Marine Services Authority. According to U.S. authorities, HormuzSafe accepted BTC on behalf of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for passage through the Strait of Hormuz.