Germany has extended its lead in the EU’s MiCA licensing rollout, after ESMA added six more crypto asset service providers registered under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation. With the latest update, the total number of authorized CASPs across the European Union now stands at 331.

In the previous ESMA register update on Aug. 12, the additions were also reflected in the count. The most recent change, released on Friday, specifically increases Germany’s share by adding six German cooperative banks to the list of licensed entities.

Key takeaways

• ESMA’s MiCA register now lists 331 authorized crypto asset service providers (CASPs) after Friday’s update.
• Germany added six new CASPs, all cooperative banks, bringing the country’s total to 79.
• Germany leads the EU standings by CASPs, ahead of France (35) and the Netherlands (29).
• ESMA’s non-CASPs datasets tied to asset-referenced tokens (ART), electronic money tokens (EMT), and non-compliant entities were unchanged.

ESMA adds six German cooperative banks

According to ESMA’s MiCA register update published on Friday, six entities were added to the list of authorized crypto asset service providers. Compared with the Aug. 12 update, each of the newly registered providers is German and operates as a cooperative bank:

• Raiffeisenbank Aidlingen
• Ihre Volksbank
• VR-Bank Mittelfranken Mitte
• Volksbank Euskirchen
• VR Bank Ried-Überwald
• Volksbank Backnang

This expansion reinforces Germany’s position as the most active EU market in terms of MiCA authorizations, at a time when investors are watching which jurisdictions are moving fastest through the new regulatory framework.

Germany’s MiCA authorization gap widens

Germany now accounts for 79 CASPs under MiCA, compared with France’s 35 and the Netherlands’ 29, based on ESMA figures previously reviewed by Cointelegraph. The country’s lead has also been building quickly: Germany’s total stood at 57 CASPs in late June, when Cointelegraph reported that Germany was already ahead in the number of authorizations.

The pace matters because MiCA authorization is a prerequisite for compliant crypto-asset services across the EU. A larger number of authorized providers can translate into broader availability of regulated services for users in that country and potentially more competition among licensed entities.

Why Germany has more CASPs than its peers

Germany’s higher authorization count reflects structural features of its financial sector and how existing regulatory pathways mapped onto MiCA’s implementation. In June, Germany’s Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) told Cointelegraph that the high number of MiCA authorizations is partly due to the country’s large financial industry and the number of credit institutions that are eligible to offer crypto services.

BaFin also pointed to Germany’s earlier national licensing regime. The regulator said that this established framework allowed some CASPs to benefit from simplified authorization procedures during the transition to MiCA, helping explain why the authorizations in Germany accelerated earlier and at a higher volume than in some other jurisdictions.

Token-category registers remain stable

Beyond the CASP register, ESMA maintains datasets related to specific token classifications. In the Friday update, those token-category datasets did not change: the asset-referenced token (ART) register remained empty, the electronic money token (EMT) register continued to show 43 entries, and the list of non-compliant entities stayed at 167.

For market participants, these static figures are useful context. While the number of licensed service providers is climbing, the token-category registers indicate that the regulatory focus is still separating the licensing progress of service firms from the readiness and reporting status of token issuers or categories tracked under ESMA’s framework.

Readers should watch the next ESMA register releases for whether Germany’s additions continue at the same pace, and whether any movement appears in the ART and non-compliant entity datasets—areas that remain unchanged despite growth in CASP authorizations.

Stand With Crypto, an advocacy group launched by Coinbase in 2023, has endorsed 32 candidates for U.S. House races ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The group says the move is designed to shape federal digital-asset policy by backing lawmakers it views as credible champions for the sector.

In a notice issued Monday, Stand With Crypto framed its candidate slate as part of a broader effort to mobilize “crypto voters,” arguing that digital-asset issues may become more influential in close races where candidates seek support beyond traditional political constituencies. The organization’s executive director, Mason Lynaugh, said the timing reflects what he called an inflection point for crypto policy in Washington.

Key takeaways

• Stand With Crypto endorsed 32 House candidates for the 2026 midterms based on their stated digital asset policy views.
• The group is targeting competitive races where it believes its influence is most likely to matter for outcomes.
• Stand With Crypto argues crypto voters are becoming a durable bloc that can affect tight congressional elections.
• The push lands as the Senate’s next steps on the Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act remain uncertain.

A targeted endorsement strategy for 2026

Stand With Crypto said its slate is intended to influence how digital assets are regulated and overseen at the federal level. The group did not present a full list of criteria in the notice excerpt, but it characterized the backed candidates as “proven digital asset policy champions” and emphasized its focus on races most likely to swing based on its outreach.

The endorsement announcement follows earlier activity from the organization. It previously unveiled initial endorsements in March as part of its broader midterm plan, describing a battleground approach meant to help candidates move from their primaries into the November election. According to the notice, that initial tranche included three Republicans and three Democrats who advanced to the general election.

While the group’s messaging is political, it arrives in a wider environment where crypto-linked spending has increasingly intersected with U.S. election cycles. During the 2024 election cycle, organizations and political action committees backed by crypto companies spent more than $170 million to support candidates they believed would be favorable to the industry, and many of those candidates won, according to the notice.

Why the midterms matter for crypto legislation

Stand With Crypto’s endorsement push is anchored to the argument that congressional elections can determine whether major crypto policy proposals move forward. The group pointed to the 2025 flow of pro-crypto candidates into Congress, claiming that more than 270 such candidates were sent to Washington in 2025—an outcome the organization linked to potential progress on legislation, including the GENIUS Act, which concerns stablecoin-related frameworks.

For investors and builders, the practical implication is straightforward: crypto policy is still shaped less by broad market narratives and more by whether specific bills gain traction in both chambers and the extent to which lawmakers treat digital-asset regulation as a near-term priority. In that sense, the group’s focus on competitive House seats fits a common legislative dynamic—narrow margins in the House can change committee influence and voting outcomes.

At the same time, the organization’s claims about crypto voters being a “durable, motivated” bloc reflect a strategic bet: that voters attentive to digital-asset issues may be sufficiently organized to affect campaigns even when crypto does not dominate national headlines.

CLARITY still faces timing risk in the Senate

Separate from the endorsement slate, the legislative timeline for one of the sector’s key policy proposals remains a live issue. The Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act, which the House passed with bipartisan support in July 2025, is still pending in the Senate. The notice highlights that Senate discussions have included topics such as ethics requirements, tokenization provisions, and stablecoin rewards.

Under the current schedule described in the coverage, CLARITY is expected to be considered through a cloture motion once the Senate returns from recess on Sept. 15. However, the Senate would have only 14 days in session before breaking ahead of the November election, creating a narrow window for the bill to advance.

After the midterms, the Senate would have another 22 days before 2027 to bring CLARITY back to the chamber. If the bill reaches final action in that later period, it could then return to the House and ultimately move to the president for approval.

The notice also points to political pressure on the Senate in the immediate term. Earlier coverage cited the president, Donald Trump, standing alongside several crypto CEOs and executives to urge lawmakers to pass what he described as a “fair version” of CLARITY. That push, however, may face credibility hurdles given the broader public scrutiny around Trump’s financial ties to the industry, with a cited poll showing a majority of Americans calling those crypto investments not “appropriate.”

For market participants, these dynamics matter because the Senate calendar and the bill’s handling—whether it can be processed in time to clear major procedural hurdles—could determine whether a clearer regulatory structure arrives before or after the 2026 election cycle. Even when legislation is broadly supported, procedural delays can push outcomes into later sessions and lengthen uncertainty around implementation.

What to watch next

As the 2026 midterm clock moves forward, attention should track not only which candidates Stand With Crypto supports, but also whether CLARITY can progress through the Senate in the limited post-recess window. The biggest open question for the next phase of U.S. crypto regulation remains timing: whether lawmakers can convert the legislative momentum already shown in the House into Senate action before politics and procedural constraints reshuffle priorities.

Bringing Together HR Leaders to Shape the Modern Workplace in South Africa

16th September 2026 | Johannesburg, South Africa

Johannesburg, 3 July 2026: As South Africa’s business landscape evolves in response to rapid technological advancement, changing workforce expectations, and increasing economic complexity, the role of Human Resources has become more strategic than ever before. Today, HR leaders are responsible for workforce planning, leadership development, employee experience, skills transformation, and building organisational capability while aligning people strategies with business priorities.

Recognizing the critical role of HR in shaping the evolving workforce, Exito Media Concepts, a global B2B events organiser, announces the 5th Edition of HR World Summit South Africa 2026, taking place on 16 September 2026 at Focus Rooms – Universe, Johannesburg. Designed as a platform for industry discussions and networking, the summit will bring together more than 200 CHROs, HR Directors, People & Culture Leaders, Talent Acquisition Heads, Learning & Development Executives, Employee Experience Specialists, business leaders, and solution providers to discuss workforce planning, leadership, talent strategy, and the future of work.

Through keynote presentations, panel discussions, fireside conversations, and interactive sessions, attendees will explore strategies for addressing today’s workforce challenges and preparing organisations for AI adoption, evolving workforce expectations, and future skills requirements. The summit offers HR leaders an opportunity to exchange ideas, build strategic partnerships, and explore current workforce trends.

Shaping the Next Chapter of Work and Leadership

organisations across South Africa are adapting to rapid technological advances, changing workforce expectations, and shifting business priorities. Technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and data-driven decision-making are redefining how organisations operate, compete, and manage their workforces.

To remain adaptable, organisations must rethink traditional approaches to leadership, talent management, learning, employee wellbeing, and organisational culture. HR leaders are integrating AI into HR processes, strengthening employee engagement, expanding learning and development initiatives, and building skills needed for an increasingly digital workplace. The summit agenda addresses these priorities through industry discussions, case studies, and real-world examples.

The agenda focuses on the key workforce priorities shaping HR strategy across South African organisations.

Key discussions will include:

• Navigating Work, Leadership, and Innovation in a rapidly changing business landscape
• Exploring the role of Artificial Intelligence in HR and workforce planning
• Strengthening employee wellbeing and workforce engagement
• Building skilled workforces for an evolving world of work
• Developing strategies to attract, retain, and develop talent
• Building a culture of continuous learning and skills development
• Learning from CHROs on people, culture, and change management
• Creating inclusive workplaces that support innovation and organisational performance

These discussions will provide practical insights, case studies, and proven approaches that HR leaders can apply across talent management, leadership development, employee experience, and workforce planning.

A Platform Where HR Leaders Shape the Future

The summit will provide delegates with practical examples of workforce transformation, leadership development, HR technology adoption, and people strategy from organisations across

South Africa.

Alongside the conference sessions, attendees will have opportunities to network with peers, connect with solution providers, and exchange real-world insights on workforce trends and workforce challenges.

Learn from South Africa’s Leading HR Visionaries

The speaker lineup includes HR leaders from organisations including:

• Tebogo Maenetja- Chief Human Resources Officer, MTN
• Michele Seroke- Chief Human Resources Officer, Mediclinic
• Nomsa Lewisa- CIO Group Human Technology, First Rand
• Mikateko Nkuna- Valoyi, Managing Executive: Talent & Culture, Vodacom
• Lerato Thelejane- Executive: People Change Readiness and Enablement, Absa Group

Event Details

Event: 5th Edition of HR World Summit South Africa 2026

Date: 16 September 2026

Time: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Venue: Focus Rooms – Universe, Johannesburg, South Africa

About Exito Media Concepts

Exito Media Concepts is a global B2B events organisation with over 16 years of experience delivering conferences across technology, cybersecurity, digital transformation, healthcare, finance, human resources, and other industries.

Exito brings together business leaders, solution providers, and decision-makers through conferences focused on knowledge sharing, collaboration, and executive networking.

For more details on the HR World Summit South Africa 2026, visit:

https://exito-e.com/hrworldsummit/south-africa/

For Media Enquiries, please contact:

Ashrith Shetty | Senior Marketing & PR Executive, Exito Media Concepts Email: ashrith.shetty@exito-e.com

Stand With Crypto, an advocacy organization launched by Coinbase in 2023, endorsed 32 candidates for House of Representatives seats ahead of the 2026 US midterm elections based on their digital asset policy views. 

In a Monday notice, Stand With Crypto said its slate of 32 candidates for the 2026 midterm elections was part of efforts to influence digital asset policy in the federal government. The organization said it had endorsed politicians who were “proven digital asset policy champions,” also targeting competitive races “where Stand With Crypto advocate numbers are most likely to influence outcomes.”

“Crypto Voters have become a durable, motivated voting bloc, which has the potential to swing key congressional races in the midterms,” said Stand With Crypto executive director Mason Lynaugh, adding:

“The midterms come at a key inflection point for crypto policy in Washington, D.C. As candidates from both parties are trying to reach voters outside of more traditional constituencies, they overlook Crypto Voters at their own peril.”

The move comes as some experts expect crypto policy to be a potential swing issue for voters in many close elections. Stand With Crypto announced six candidates for its first group of endorsements in March — three Republicans and three Democrats — all of whom advanced from their primaries to compete in the November election.

Related: Ripple- and Coinbase-funded PAC spends $2M in Florida race with little mention of crypto

During the 2024 election cycle, organizations and political action committees (PACs) backed by crypto companies spent more than $170 million supporting candidates they considered to favor the industry, many of whom went on to win their races. Stand With Crypto said that more than 270 “pro-crypto“ candidates were sent to Congress in 2025, potentially influencing votes on legislation like the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act.

CLARITY vote still waiting for Senate’s return

The makeup of the next US Congress in both the House and Senate could potentially impact whether a comprehensive crypto market structure bill becomes law. Although the House passed the Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act with bipartisan support in July 2025, the Senate’s consideration of the legislation has been marked by discussions over ethics, tokenization and stablecoin rewards.

CLARITY is scheduled for a cloture motion once the Senate returns from recess on Sept. 15, but the chamber will only have 14 days in session before breaking before the November election. After the midterms, the Senate will have another 22 days before 2027 to return the bill to the House, after which it could then head to the president’s desk for approval.

Last week, President Donald Trump stood alongside several crypto CEOs and executives, urging the Senate to pass a “fair version” of CLARITY. However, the Trump family’s financial ties to the industry could complicate a potential vote, with a majority of Americans calling the crypto investments not “appropriate” in a recent poll.

Magazine: Bitget CEO isn’t buying the Bitcoin rally — She’s waiting for $50K

Intelligent Finance for a Digital-First Economy

17 September 2026 | Johannesburg, South Africa

Johannesburg, 3 July 2026: As organisations across South Africa adopt digital technologies, accelerate digital initiatives, advance digital capabilities, navigate economic uncertainty, and adapt to an increasingly data-driven business environment, the role of the Chief Financial Officer has evolved far beyond traditional financial stewardship. Today’s finance leaders are expected to guide capital allocation, strengthen liquidity management, improve forecasting accuracy through FP&A and predictive analytics, oversee enterprise risk, and lead the adoption of AI and digital finance technologies that support informed business decision-making.

The CFO Leadership Summit South Africa, taking place on 17 September 2026 at Focus Rooms – Universe, Johannesburg, is set to convene South Africa’s prominent finance leaders, CFOs, and industry experts to discuss how CFOs are strengthening financial resilience, improving capital efficiency, modernising finance operations, and preparing organisations for an increasingly data-driven economy. As one of the region’s prominent gatherings of finance executives, the summit will bring together over 200 CFOs, Finance Directors, Group Finance Executives, Controllers, Treasury Leaders, Risk & Compliance Heads, Tax Leaders, Digital Finance Experts, business leaders, and technology innovators to explore the strategies, technologies, and leadership approaches shaping the future of finance.

Designed as a major platform for sharing insights and executive networking, the summit will facilitate discussions among senior finance professionals, industry experts, and solution providers committed to supporting finance transformation. Through keynote presentations, executive panel discussions, fireside conversations, and interactive sessions, attendees will gain practical insights into AI-powered finance, modern FP&A, treasury optimisation, automation, ESG reporting, regulatory compliance, and enterprise risk management.

Redefining Finance Leadership in the Digital Era

South African organisations are navigating economic uncertainty, rising operating costs, evolving regulatory requirements, and rapid advances in AI and automation. As finance teams respond to these challenges, CFOs are increasingly focused on improving forecasting accuracy, optimising liquidity, strengthening governance, and using real-time financial data to support faster business decisions. The summit has been designed to showcase practical case studies, implementation strategies, and lessons from organisations leading finance transformation.

With an agenda focused on emerging finance trends designed for finance and business leaders, the summit will spotlight the key trends transforming modern finance.

Strategic discussions will include

• Architecting Financial Agility in an increasingly volatile and unpredictable economic landscape
• Managing Cash Flow, Controlling Costs, and Optimising Liquidity Through Intelligent, Data-Driven Financial Strategies to Navigate Persistent Inflationary and High-Cost Business Environments
• Advancing Precision Finance through Real-Time FP&A, Predictive Analytics, and Data-Driven Decision-Making
• Redefining the CFO’s Role as a Growth Architect through strategic capital allocation and value creation
• Evolving from a compliance function into a source of competitive advantage
• Integrating ESG and Sustainable Finance to drive long-term profitability, cash flow, and operational efficiency beyond regulatory compliance

These discussions will provide finance leaders with practical approaches to improving forecasting accuracy, strengthening liquidity, modernising finance operations, adopting AI responsibly, and supporting sustainable business growth.

A Platform Where Finance Leaders Drive Business Transformation

The summit will feature a notable line-up of experienced CFOs, senior finance executives, digital transformation leaders, and industry experts representing some of South Africa’s most respected organisations. As a CFO Summit, the event will provide delegates with case studies on finance automation, AI adoption, FP&A modernisation, treasury management, ESG reporting,

regulatory compliance, and enterprise risk management.

Beyond the conference sessions, the event will offer networking opportunities, enabling senior executives to establish professional connections, exchange ideas with peers, explore AI, FP&A, treasury, ERP, analytics, and finance automation solutions.

Learn from South Africa’s prominent Finance Visionaries

• Mikaeel Tayob- Regional CFO, Bridgestone Middle East & Africa
• Polani Sokombela- Chief Financial Officer, Auditor-General of South Africa
• Qiniso Mthembu– Chief Financial Officer, Johannesburg Stock Exchange
• Akesh Bansee- Chief Financial Officer, Unilever
• Bradley Wentzel- Chief Financial Officer, Barloworld Equipment

Event Details

Event: CFO Leadership Summit South Africa 2026

Date: 17 September 2026

Time: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Venue: Focus Rooms – Universe, Johannesburg, South Africa

About Exito Media Concepts

Exito stands for “success,” a principle reflected in every experience we create. With over 16 years of expertise, Exito Media Concepts is a globally recognised B2B events organisation delivering more than 240 conferences annually across technology, cybersecurity, digital transformation, healthcare, finance, human resources, and other emerging enterprise sectors.

Through carefully curated agendas, globally recognised speakers, and market-driven insights, Exito creates high-impact platforms that foster strategic collaboration, accelerate innovation, and enable business leaders to address the evolving challenges of their industries.

For more details on the CFO Leadership Summit South Africa 2026, visit:

https://cfoleadershipsummit.com/south-africa/

For Media Enquiries, please contact:

Ashrith Shetty | Senior Marketing & PR Executive, Exito Media Concepts Email: ashrith.shetty@exito-e.com

CME Group has added three regional U.S. dollar reference rates and real-time indices for Ethena’s ENA token, with daily publication beginning Aug. 24.

CME Group adds ENA rates for three market closes

CME Group said it had added Ethena (ENA) to its single-asset cryptocurrency benchmark suite, extending standardized U.S. dollar pricing to the token across three major trading regions.