EU Crypto Crackdown: ESMA wants stronger MiCA enforcement, including faster powers to freeze assets tied to crime, remove scam websites, ban misleading marketing (especially by influencers), tighten DeFi staking/lending disclosures, and force full cost transparency. US AI Oversight: The FTC opened an investigation into OpenAI and Anthropic over potential consumer risks, with METR (an AI risk auditor) also pulled in via civil investigative demands. Crypto Fraud & Scams: Nigeria’s EFCC secured final forfeiture of 431 phones tied to a Chinese cyber-fraud operation, while Ghana faces rising mobile-money fraud driven by caller ID spoofing. Regulation Meets Payments: Block is exploring a national money transmitter license to cut the state-by-state compliance maze as it expands beyond Cash App. Market Mood: Stocks held up despite surging bond yields and oil above $100, but bond volatility jumped—raising questions for risk assets. Bitcoin Demand Watch: Bitfinex says BTC’s next leg needs stronger spot buying as leverage cools and ETF inflows slow. Crypto in Real Life: Petrobras is testing Cardano-based tracking for low-carbon aviation fuel and diesel claims. Scam Operations Exposed: Philippines NBI arrested 120+ Chinese suspects in a call-center “lust scam,” with cryptocurrency and illegal trading allegedly mixed into the scheme.