Stablecoin & payments push: Visa is partnering with Zero Hash to add stablecoin pre-funding and payout features to Visa Direct, aiming to streamline cross-border liquidity for businesses across 195+ countries. US crypto regulation clock: Sen. Cynthia Lummis says CLARITY Act talks with Democrats continue daily and Senate leaders still plan action before the August recess, keeping market odds and investor positioning in flux. EU compliance reality check: The EU AI Act’s labeling rules are now in force for certain AI and synthetic media, but tracing and enforcement remain hard when metadata can be removed or watermarks are inconsistent. Russia crypto rules: Putin signed a law regulating digital currencies and digital rights; retail use is limited and crypto can’t be used as payment/legal tender for now, though trading and certain settlement uses remain. Institutional adoption: Citi is hiring a London director to lead crypto custody, tokenized cash/assets, and digital collateral management for institutional clients. Crypto market read-through: BNB is testing the $610 area after a breakout, with rising derivatives activity and open interest signaling renewed momentum. Cybercrime & AI risk: OpenAI disrupted a Cambodia-based scam network using ChatGPT to run romance, gambling, and impersonation schemes, while a separate analysis warns Chinese AI tools can behave like “sleeper agents” in security-sensitive contexts. Crypto in the real world (and scrutiny): Curaçao’s gaming regulator defended its use of a Czech payment account and said USDT is accepted, as critics question transparency and foreign exchange risk. North Korea threat alert: Multiple governments warned about North Korean IT workers using online platforms and impersonation to earn income for nuclear and missile programs.