Japanese convenience store operator Lawson will test payments with the yen-denominated JPYC stablecoin in early August. 

The company will run the trial at its Takanawa Gateway City store in Tokyo’s Minato Ward. HashPort, a digital asset wallet provider, will support the payment system and process balance changes linked to purchases.

Lawson described the project as Japan’s “first” stablecoin payment trial connected directly to a point-of-sale system. That claim comes from the company and the test has not yet started. Lawson has not announced a chainwide launch. 

It will decide on wider use after checking system stability and transaction speed. The company will also review whether the process fits normal store operations without slowing customers or adding extra work for employees during busy periods.

How the POS-integrated payment will work

Customers will open a supported mobile wallet and display a barcode on their phones. A Lawson employee will scan the barcode with the store’s existing POS terminal. HashPort will then use the payment information to update the customer’s JPYC balance. The process keeps the checkout within Lawson’s current store system.

The POS link will also allow Lawson to manage purchase details, including product quantities and payment times, alongside its usual sales data. The trial will measure how reliably the systems connect and how long each payment takes. 

Customers will use stablecoins at checkout, but staff will still handle the scan through the normal sales terminal. Lawson can compare the stablecoin flow with card and QR payments, including processing steps, error handling and the time needed to finish each sale.

JPYC moves into everyday retail

JPYC Inc. began issuing JPYC on October 27, 2025. The token tracks the Japanese yen and uses yen deposits and Japanese government bonds as reserve assets. As crypto.news reported, the stablecoin initially waived transaction fees and aimed to support payments and transfers under Japan’s regulated framework.

Lawson’s test follows smaller retail and service launches. Japanese okonomiyaki restaurant operator Chibo started accepting JPYC at selected stores in April, according to Financial News. Dental clinics in Tokyo and Chiba also plan to add JPYC payments with HashPort. 

The Lawson trial differs because it links the stablecoin payment directly with a major retailer’s POS system. The report said stablecoins may offer merchants lower fees than cards or QR services, though Lawson has not released fee figures for this pilot.

Japan expands regulated stablecoin activity

Japan’s large banks are also preparing yen-based stablecoin services. MUFG Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and Mizuho Bank plan to begin live transactions during fiscal 2026, which ends in March 2027. As crypto.news reported, the banks formed a council to develop shared rules for issuance, governance, systems and future participation.

Moreover, the banking project follows an FSA-backed test involving corporate cross-border payments and Progmat’s blockchain infrastructure. Japan has also opened regulated access to foreign stablecoins. Ripple and SBI launched the dollar-backed RLUSD through SBI VC Trade in June 2026 after approval from the Financial Services Agency. 

American Bitcoin shares have fallen more than 95% from their peak, according to Bloomberg, cutting over $600 million from the value of Eric Trump’s roughly 6% stake. 

The Bitcoin miner and treasury company reached a record low on Wednesday after months of selling pressure. ABTC closed at $6.13 on July 10, the latest available market close.

The fall followed a 1-for-15 reverse stock split that took effect after trading on July 2. Split-adjusted trading began on July 6 under the same Nasdaq ticker. The company reduced its issued share count from about 1.09 billion to roughly 73 million. A reverse split raises the quoted share price but does not increase the business’s total value.

Reverse split fails to stop selling pressure

American Bitcoin used the reverse split to support compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum bid-price rule. Shareholders approved the move at the company’s annual meeting in June. Crypto.news reported the approval on June 25, when ABTC remained under pressure despite the planned change. The stock then fell after split-adjusted trading started.

The company has not said the split can reverse its market decline. Reverse splits can help a listed company meet exchange rules, but investors still price its earnings, assets, debt and outlook. Bloomberg’s calculation places the stock more than 95% below its peak. That decline reflects split-adjusted prices rather than a direct loss caused by the share consolidation.

Bitcoin reserve grows beyond 8,000 BTC

American Bitcoin continues to mine and accumulate Bitcoin while its share price falls. The company added 500 BTC in its latest update, taking its reserve above 8,000 BTC. As crypto.news reported on July 7, the treasury had more than tripled since the company’s Nasdaq debut. The firm also said its satoshis-per-share measure had nearly tripled.

Eric Trump promoted the treasury growth and described the company’s operating model as “virtually unmatched” during an earlier selloff. That statement represents his view, not an independent measure of performance. The company’s strategy combines large-scale Bitcoin mining with direct purchases. It keeps mined coins rather than selling them to cover routine costs, according to management.

Bitcoin charge weighs on first-quarter results

American Bitcoin reported a $118.2 million operating loss for the first quarter of 2026. The result included a $117.2 million non-cash charge tied to the lower market value of its Bitcoin holdings. The company reported an $81.8 million net loss and $62.1 million in mining revenue. Bitcoin fell about 22% during the quarter.

Management said the accounting charge masked stronger mining operations. Chief executive Mike Ho said the “underlying business was profitable” after excluding the mark-to-market adjustment, and said American Bitcoin did not sell any coins. The company mined 817 BTC during the quarter and cut its production cost per Bitcoin to $36,200, down from $46,900 in the prior quarter.

The balance sheet still links American Bitcoin stock closely to Bitcoin prices and mining economics. Lower Bitcoin prices reduce the market value of its reserve and can weaken revenue per mined coin. Higher power, equipment or hosting costs can also narrow margins. Hut 8 provides key infrastructure and remains central to the company’s mining setup.

American Bitcoin’s growing reserve gives shareholders Bitcoin exposure, but treasury growth has not supported its market price. The company must keep Nasdaq compliance while funding mining and purchases. Its next results will show whether lower production costs can offset Bitcoin prices and whether the 8,000-BTC reserve can support the business without pressure on shareholders.

While Washington’s attention fixes on whether the CLARITY Act can find seven Democratic votes before the August recess, the Securities and Exchange Commission has been quietly assembling the framework that governs American crypto if the bill dies, and much of it even if the bill passes. 

On July 7, the agency confirmed plans to formally propose Regulation Crypto, its first major crypto-specific rulemaking under Chair Paul Atkins. The proposal, expected to run past 400 pages, sits under review at the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, the final gate before publication for public comment, and Atkins has said release is expected shortly after that review completes.

The package does three concrete things. It gives new crypto projects a startup exemption from full securities registration for up to four years while they build toward network maturity, raising up to 5 million dollars annually against whitepaper-style disclosures. It creates a fundraising exemption allowing more mature issuers to raise up to 75 million dollars in any 12-month period with audited financials and semiannual reporting, a burden far lighter than full registration. And it writes an investment contract safe harbor: a rules-based path for a token to exit securities classification entirely once its issuer has permanently ceased the essential managerial efforts that made it an investment contract in the first place.

Atkins has repeatedly described the framework as a bridge to the CLARITY Act. The description is honest and incomplete at the same time. A bridge implies something temporary that the statute replaces; in reality, Regulation Crypto answers questions the bill does not reach, will operate for years regardless of the Senate outcome, and, if the bill fails, becomes the entire de facto constitution of American crypto capital formation. This feature decodes what the rule actually does, where it came from, why Senate Democrats consider it an end-run, and what it means for the market that one of these two frameworks is arriving no matter what happens in the next three weeks.

The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act has secured its second public endorsement from a major US law enforcement organization, coming just weeks before what many see as a make-or-break legislative deadline before the Senate’s August recess.

In a July 10 statement, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) said it submitted a letter to the US Senate Banking Committee endorsing the CLARITY Act, while calling for changes to strengthen accountability in decentralized finance (DeFi) and preserve investigators’ existing powers. 

“[FLEOA] expressing support for CLARITY and confirming what many of us know — this bill is strong on consumer protection and law enforcement,” said Ji Kim, CEO of the Crypto Council, in a statement Monday. 

The endorsement came nine days after the bill was backed by the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), with both letters helping counter arguments that the CLARITY Act would weaken the government’s ability to police crypto crime. 

Source: Patrick Witt

In its statement, the FLEOA said the current version of the CLARITY Act “represents meaningful progress toward balancing technological innovation with public safety.”

Related: Donald Trump invokes US senator’s death to push crypto bill

“FLEOA commends the Committee for its efforts to establish a clear regulatory framework for digital assets that promotes responsible innovation while preserving critical criminal, anti-money laundering, counterterrorism financing, sanctions enforcement, and investigative authorities.”  

However, the FLEOA also urged lawmakers to narrow the CLARITY Act’s DeFi protections; make it clearer who is accountable in decentralized finance (DeFi) systems; stop firms from avoiding regulation by claiming to be decentralized; revise “specific intent” language to make it easier to establish liability and explicitly affirm that the legislation doesn’t limit existing federal investigative authority.

Law enforcement groups seek changes to CLARITY Act

In June, four law enforcement organizations reached out to the White House with concerns centered on Section 604 of the legislation, which seeks to protect developers from liability for illicit activity carried out by users on their decentralized platforms. 

The organizations, including the National District Attorneys Association, the National Association of Assistant United States Attorneys, the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Sheriffs’ Association, argued it could create broad exemptions that would make it tougher for law enforcement to investigate crypto-related crimes. 

The opposition prompted the White House to invite law enforcement organizations objecting to the language of the bill to a meeting in late June. 

In July, the Major County Sheriffs of America shifted its stance on the CLARITY Act to neutral after initially opposing the bill. 

CLARITY Act nears August deadline

The letter comes less than four weeks before the Aug. 8 Senate recess. Industry insiders have seen the recess as a critical milestone to see it passed this year. 

“This is likely our last chance to get real legislation for digital assets on the books before 2030,” Senator Cynthia Lummis said on July 8. 

“If we fail to pass the Clarity Act, we are ensuring another country will write the rules for digital assets and we spend the next decade catching up.”

Magazine: Robinhood L2 sparks ETH optimism, Saylor ‘muddies waters.’ Hodler’s Digest, July 5-12, 2026

Thailand has begun auditing high-value stablecoin transactions after authorities flagged suspicious transfers that may have bypassed normal financial reporting systems.

According to local news outlet Thansettakij, the Bank of Thailand (BOT) and the country’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have started examining unusual activity involving stablecoins as part of ongoing efforts to curb illicit finance and the shadow economy.

BOT Governor Vitai Ratanakorn said the authorities are using data analytics tools to review high-volume transactions, with particular attention on Tether’s USDT. Preliminary checks have already identified several transfers that appear to have been structured to avoid disclosure requirements or move funds outside conventional payment channels, the report said.

The central bank is now working with the SEC to assess the findings and determine what regulatory action, if any, should follow.

Alongside the stablecoin review, Thai authorities have tightened oversight of other financial activities linked to money laundering risks. The report said regulators are increasing scrutiny of large cash deposits and withdrawals, gold trading, and bank accounts connected to online gambling operations.

Speaking about the campaign, Ratanakorn said the measures are intended to work together over time rather than serve as temporary solutions.

The latest review follows several enforcement actions taken this year. Most recently, Thai police uncovered a crypto laundering network that moved proceeds from romance scams through multiple cryptocurrencies using cross-chain token swaps to make transactions harder to trace. Investigators said one suspect’s digital wallet handled more than $122.5 million over a 10-month period.

Thailand continues crypto policy updates

The enforcement drive comes as Thailand continues to refine its digital asset framework in other areas.

Earlier this year, the SEC opened a public consultation on proposals that would allow licensed digital asset companies to offer crypto derivatives without creating separate corporate entities. The regulator said the change would lower operational costs while keeping businesses under a single supervisory framework with conflict management and internal control requirements.

The consultation builds on amendments to Thailand’s Derivatives Act approved by the Cabinet in February, which recognised digital assets as eligible underlying instruments for futures contracts. The SEC has said those changes are intended to support regulated crypto investment products while maintaining regulatory oversight.

SBI Holdings and the Solana Foundation have formed a strategic partnership to develop an onchain financial market based in Japan. 

Under the agreement, the foundation will join SBI R3 Japan alongside SBI and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, one of Japan’s major banking groups. The company plans to change its name to SBI Solana Global, subject to the required corporate process. The partners announced the arrangement on July 13.

The venture will use Solana as its main blockchain infrastructure. SBI said the project will connect Japan’s financial assets, regulated institutions and legal framework with international blockchain markets. 

The group said it aims to make Japan “a core hub for onchain finance in Asia.” That remains a business target. The announcement did not provide revenue forecasts, launch volumes or client commitments. It also did not say whether the renamed company will end any existing Corda-related work.

Stablecoins and tokenized assets lead the plan

SBI Solana Global plans to support the issuance and distribution of yen stablecoins, including JPYSC. It will also work on tokenized corporate bonds, commercial paper, investment funds and real estate. 

The company aims to provide one system for issuance, distribution and settlement rather than offering blockchain technology alone. This structure could allow issuers to manage an asset through its full onchain life cycle.

The partners also listed cross-border payments, institutional onchain services and payment systems for AI agents among their planned business areas. The statement did not give launch dates for each product. It also did not explain which services will require separate approval from Japanese regulators. Any live offering will need to follow local rules for stablecoins, securities, custody and financial market operations.

SBI expands its regulated digital asset network

The Solana deal adds to SBI’s wider digital asset program. As crypto.news reported, SBI and Startale developed a regulated yen stablecoin for payments, tokenized assets and onchain settlement. SBI also worked with Ripple to launch the dollar-backed RLUSD stablecoin in Japan through SBI VC Trade after regulatory approval.

SBI is also moving to acquire Bitbank, one of Japan’s established crypto exchanges. As previously reported, the planned ¥46.7 billion transaction would add trading, custody and lending services to SBI’s existing network. The Solana partnership creates another route for SBI to connect stablecoins and tokenized securities with institutional markets. However, the companies have not announced whether Bitbank or SBI VC Trade will distribute SBI Solana Global products.

Solana gains another institutional finance partner

The partnership arrives as tokenized asset activity grows on Solana. As previously reported, the network recorded $5.77 billion in tokenized-asset spot volume during a record quarter and processed more than one billion weekly non-vote transactions. Solana has also attracted stablecoin settlement, tokenized equities and institutional trading projects, though activity levels can change with market conditions.

SBI and the Solana Foundation said they want to extend Japan-originated products into Asian and global markets. A “Japan-originated digital financial asset market” is the stated direction, but the partners have not named overseas markets, banking partners or settlement corridors. 

They also did not disclose the size of the Solana Foundation’s investment. Their next steps will center on the company rename, product development and regulatory work needed to move stablecoins, tokenized assets and payments into live use.

Ethereum has slipped below the key $1,800 level after renewed U.S.-Iran military escalation pushed oil prices higher and sent investors out of risk assets, although buyers continue to defend support near $1,750.

According to data from crypto.news, Ethereum (ETH) price traded around $1,775 during Monday’s session, down roughly 3.6% from its daily high of $1,837 after fresh U.S. strikes on Iran reignited fears of a prolonged Middle East conflict.

Crude oil jumped about 4% to above $74 a barrel as Washington and Tehran exchanged missile strikes while tensions around the Strait of Hormuz intensified. The renewed geopolitical risk revived concerns that higher energy prices could keep inflation elevated, prompting traders to reduce exposure to cryptocurrencies alongside other high-beta assets.

Iran later claimed it had targeted U.S. military sites in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Jordan in retaliation for American bombardment, while conflicting statements over whether the Strait of Hormuz remains open added another layer of uncertainty for financial markets.

The stronger U.S. dollar and renewed demand for defensive assets have added pressure across digital assets as investors await further geopolitical developments.

Ethereum continues to defend $1,750 despite losing key moving averages

Ethereum’s technical structure has weakened after its price fell below its 20-day moving average near $1,800 on the 4-hour chart. The decline also dragged ETH beneath the psychological $1,800 level that had acted as support throughout last week. Still, the asset continues to trade above its 50-day and 100-day moving averages around $1,779 and $1,709, respectively, preserving the medium-term recovery that began in early July.

The daily chart still shows a potential double-bottom formation with lows near $1,505. A confirmed breakout above resistance around $1,825 would complete that pattern and project an upside target near $2,140.

Momentum has yet to fully confirm the move, however. The MACD remains above its signal line despite a narrowing histogram, while Chaikin Money Flow stays in positive territory around 0.10, suggesting capital has not completely exited the market.

The Aroon indicator on the 4-hour timeframe also continues to favor buyers, with Aroon Up near 92.9 and Aroon Down around 85.7. Although both readings remain elevated because of recent volatility, the higher Aroon Up reading suggests bulls still retain a slight advantage if Ethereum reclaims the $1,800-$1,825 resistance zone.

Derivatives positioning presents another important technical level. CoinGlass liquidation data shows one of the largest short liquidation clusters sits between roughly $1,840 and $1,860.

A decisive move through that area could force leveraged short sellers to close positions, potentially accelerating a rally toward $1,900. Larger liquidity pockets remain above $1,900, while notable bid-side liquidity extends toward the $1,700 region.

Commenting on the setup, crypto analyst Ali Martinez wrote, “I’m going LONG on Ethereum $ETH if it breaks $1,850.” His view aligns with the heavy liquidation cluster immediately above current prices, where a breakout could trigger additional buying from short covering.

Interpol says a crypto wallet linked to a suspected romance-scam launderer moved more than $122.5 million over a 10-month period, according to the agency. Thai authorities arrested two suspects and uncovered a money-laundering network that routed scam proceeds into cryptocurrencies, using cross-chain token swaps to blur transaction trails.

The findings were presented as part of Operation First Light 2026, an Interpol-coordinated campaign aimed at social engineering fraud and the financial systems used to process illegal gains. Interpol said the operation involved authorities across 97 countries and territories, leading to 5,811 arrests and the seizure of $293 million in illicit assets tied to fraud and money laundering.

Key takeaways

• Interpol attributes $122.5M in crypto flows in a single wallet to suspected romance-scam laundering, with cross-chain swaps used to obscure movement.
• Operation First Light 2026 spanned 97 jurisdictions and resulted in 5,811 arrests and $293M seized.
• Multiple Japan-focused developments point to growing use cases for stablecoins and tokenized credit, from exchange-linked products to retailer pilots.
• Hong Kong’s regulator introduced new phishing-resistant authentication requirements for crypto platforms, with implementation expected within 12 months.
• Binance’s Europe license problems have not closed the door elsewhere, with its co-CEO saying regulators have invited it to pursue new licensing after a MiCA setback.

Interpol targets romance-scam proceeds routed through crypto

Romance scams—often described as “pig-butchering” schemes—typically work by building trust with victims through social media or dating platforms before pushing them toward fraudulent investment opportunities. Interpol says the Thai-linked investigation uncovered how perpetrators converted scam proceeds into cryptocurrencies and then used cross-chain token swaps to complicate tracing.

Interpol’s message for investigators and market participants is that even when transactions pass through multiple networks, laundering activity can still concentrate around identifiable wallets and patterns. The agency’s broader campaign framing matters: Operation First Light 2026 focused not only on scam infrastructure, but on the financial plumbing behind it.

Interpol also reported that the operation resulted in large-scale enforcement outcomes beyond the single wallet case, citing seizures of $293 million in illicit assets and arrests across 97 participating jurisdictions. For crypto users, the operational takeaway is straightforward: laundering risk is not limited to a single chain or token, and actors can combine swaps and movement across ecosystems to evade detection.

Stablecoin rails get tested in real commerce and treasury workflows

Across Asia, stablecoin use is moving from pilots and corporate experiments toward more structured payment and settlement testing—though the compliance and operational design choices remain just as important as the underlying speed improvements.

One notable corporate example came from Hyundai Motor. Cointelegraph reported that Hyundai’s US and Mexican units completed a cross-border treasury transfer pilot using Tether’s USDT, settling a $20,000 payment in about seven minutes on the Avalanche blockchain. The reported workflow had Hyundai Motor America convert funds into USDT, transfer the stablecoin to Hyundai Motor Mexico, and then convert back to dollars. Cointelegraph noted the same process took roughly three to four hours or more with traditional bank transfers.

Tether said the pilot used Axiym’s settlement infrastructure, while Hyundai Card handled the remittance structure and managed regulatory, compliance, accounting, and operational requirements for the proof of concept.

Japan’s retail payments also saw another concrete test. Lawson is planning a yen-denominated stablecoin payments trial at a Tokyo location in August, according to Cointelegraph. HashPort said it has signed an agreement to conduct the pilot at a Lawson store, with participants using HashPort’s non-custodial wallet while the merchant side processes payments through HashPort’s point-of-sale system—avoiding the need for retailers to handle crypto wallet operations directly.

For investors and builders, these setups highlight a pattern: stablecoin adoption is increasingly about integrating token rails into existing workflows rather than asking merchants to run crypto-specific infrastructure.

Japan expands regulated crypto lending and studies Bitcoin-backed credit

Several Japan-focused announcements underscored ongoing efforts to broaden the regulated crypto-adjacent finance market, particularly around yen- and Bitcoin-linked products.

Cointelegraph reported that SBI VC Trade will accept applications for a yen-denominated stablecoin lending service offering an initial annualized rate of 3% on JPYSC lent for 12 weeks. The company said customers will lend JPYSC to SBI Holdings’ subsidiary and receive tokens back at maturity with a lending fee. Cointelegraph further stated that, at the advertised rate, the gross return over the 12-week term would be about 0.69% before tax. SBI also said the product is not a bank deposit, not covered by deposit insurance, and generally not cancelable early.

Another regulated financing expansion came from CRYL, which launched Bitcoin-backed loans of up to 1 billion yen (about $6.2 million), enabling borrowers to obtain fiat without selling BTC. Cointelegraph reported that borrowers can access amounts between roughly $6,200 and $6.2 million, at annual rates of 3.5% to 7%, with reported collateral ratios of 40% to 60%. The loans run for one year and can be used for items including taxes, business funding, and property purchases.

At the same time, Metaplanet said it is exploring Bitcoin-backed digital credit with JPYC and tokenization infrastructure provider Progmat. According to Cointelegraph, the study will examine whether Bitcoin can serve as collateral or credit enhancement for digital corporate bonds and other credit instruments, including 24/7 accessibility, settlement, and daily interest accrual for holders issued on a blockchain ledger. Cointelegraph noted that no product has been launched yet as part of the experiment.

Taken together, these developments show Japan’s approach bifurcating: some products are moving into customer-facing offerings (such as stablecoin lending and BTC-collateral loans), while other efforts remain in exploratory stages focused on tokenized bond or credit structures.

Regulators raise compliance pressure on authentication and stablecoin issuance

Regulatory actions in Asia continued to emphasize operational risk reduction and institutional control mechanisms.

The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) issued new requirements for phishing-resistant authentication methods for virtual asset trading platforms and online brokers. Cointelegraph reported that the standards require stronger phishing-resistant authentication and device binding, while prohibiting the use of one-time passwords through SMS, email, or app-based logins. Platforms have 12 months to implement the changes.

Separately, Cointelegraph reported that the Bank of Korea remains firm that won-denominated stablecoins should be issued through bank-led consortiums. Local reporting cited by Cointelegraph said the central bank also called for safeguards, including a statutory policy body involving relevant agencies to oversee the sector. This reinforces the broader backdrop of policy debates in South Korea, where the bank’s stance has been described as dividing policymakers and contributing to delays in the country’s digital asset bill.

Binance eyes new licenses after EU approval setbacks

On the international regulatory front, Cointelegraph reported that Binance co-CEO Richard Teng said some regulators have invited the exchange to apply for new crypto licenses after the company failed to secure permission to operate in Europe under the EU’s MiCA licensing framework.

Cointelegraph noted that Teng characterized the discussions as “premature” and did not name the jurisdictions. Binance had previously withdrawn its application for a MiCA license in Greece following reports that Greek regulators were preparing to reject it. Teng said the situation took Binance by surprise, adding that withdrawing the application was intended to avoid a very short transition period for users if approval remained delayed.

For exchanges and market participants, this is a reminder that regulatory outcomes can diverge sharply by jurisdiction even when the underlying licensing narrative is unified—MiCA may standardize the framework in the EU, but access still depends on local decisions and timelines.

Looking ahead, investors should watch whether Interpol’s enforcement message translates into tighter monitoring expectations from compliance teams globally, and whether Japan’s stablecoin and crypto-backed lending experiments move from pilot and research phases into scalable, widely adopted products—while Hong Kong’s authentication rules and Korea’s bank-led stablecoin stance continue shaping what “safe” adoption looks like.