JH Kim

According to Cointelegraph, a digital asset (cryptocurrency) media outlet, on the 20th (local time), US Senator Cynthia Lummis announced at the Jackson Hole SALT Conference that the final version of the digital asset market structure bill, the CLARITY Act, is expected to be delivered to President Donald Trump before Thanksgiving. Senator Lummis explained, "The Senate Banking Committee plans to pass the bill by the end of September, and the Senate Agriculture Committee will review it by the end of October before submitting it to President Trump." The CLARITY Act aims to establish a regulatory framework for the digital asset industry and delineates the regulatory authority of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Notably, a key provision exempts certain digital assets that meet specific requirements from the registration obligations under the Securities Act of 1933.

On the 20th (local time), according to the virtual asset (cryptocurrency) specialized media CoinDesk, Christopher J. Waller, a Fed Governor who is being mentioned as a candidate for the next Fed chair, stated that there is "absolutely no need to fear digital asset innovation." He said, "It's just technology, there's no reason for it to be bad. If technology can change the world in useful and interesting ways, we should also look into and adopt that technology," adding, "The Fed is considering ways to utilize tokenization, smart contracts, and distributed ledgers."

According to DL News, a media outlet specializing in crypto assets, on the 20th (local time), a survey found that 40% of investors in the United Kingdom have experienced bank transactions being blocked or delayed during the process of purchasing crypto assets. This survey was conducted earlier this month by Norstat, a polling agency, at the request of the UK exchange IG, targeting 2,500 UK investors. IG pointed out to DL News that "banks exercising excessive authority is due to the lack of a clear crypto asset regulatory framework in the UK." According to the survey, 42% of UK adult respondents expressed opposition to banks' intervention in crypto asset transactions.

The three major U.S. stock indexes are showing a downward trend. As of 00:15 on the 21st, the Nasdaq Composite Index is trading at 21,005.73 points, down 1.45% from the previous day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 0.15% at 44,854.28 points, and the S&P 500 Index is recording a decline of 0.71% at 6,365.84 points.

According to Coindesk, a media outlet specializing in virtual assets (cryptocurrencies), on the 19th (local time), Tim Scott, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Banking Committee, stated that he expects "12~18 Democratic lawmakers to support" the digital asset market structure bill, the 'CLARITY Act', which has passed the House of Representatives. The CLARITY Act aims to establish a regulatory framework for the virtual asset industry and distinguishes the regulatory authorities of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). In particular, the core provision is the exemption from the registration requirement under the 1933 Securities Act for certain virtual assets that meet specific conditions. For the bill to pass the Senate, bipartisan support of more than 60 votes is necessary.

The three major U.S. stock indices ended mixed. The Nasdaq Composite Index closed at 21,314.95 points, down 1.46% from the previous day on the 20th. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.02% to 44,922.39 points, while the S&P 500 ended the session down 0.57% at 6,412.35 points.

According to Decrypt, a digital asset (cryptocurrency)-focused media outlet, on the 19th (local time), U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Commissioner Paul Atkins stated at the Wyoming Blockchain Symposium held at the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole that "we have completely broken from past approaches to virtual asset regulations, and most virtual asset projects will have little to fear regarding securities regulations." Regarding 'Project Crypto,' he said, "Safe harbor provisions for token offerings (ICO), airdrops, and network rewards will soon be provided," and again emphasized, "the majority of virtual assets are not securities by nature." Safe harbor is a regime that exempts or relaxes legal sanctions or regulatory applications when specific requirements are met.

According to CNN on the 19th (local time), the White House stated that preparations are underway for a bilateral meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Caroline Leavitt, White House spokesperson, said at a briefing that "both leaders have expressed a willingness to meet in person" and that "the national security team will support both countries to make this happen." However, she declined to specify the exact location. She explained the shift from a trilateral to a bilateral meeting by saying, "This was an idea that evolved as President Trump was in discussions with President Putin, President Zelensky, and European leaders," and that "everyone agreed this is an excellent first step." Spokesperson Leavitt also said that President Trump agrees with the idea of a bilateral meeting between Putin and Zelensky without U.S. participation. She added, "President Trump has always said that there are issues in this war that must be discussed and decided directly by the two nations," emphasizing that "he wants both countries to take direct diplomatic action."

The three major US stock indices are showing mixed trends. As of 00:38 on the 20th, the Nasdaq Composite Index is trading at 21,425.77 points, down 0.94% from the previous day. The Dow Jones Index is up 0.24% at 45,018.61 points, while the S&P 500 Index is down 0.24% at 6,433.68 points.

According to Watcher Guru, a cryptocurrency-focused media outlet, on the 19th (local time), Paul Atkins, a member of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), announced that he would be discussing Project Crypto at the Wyoming Blockchain Symposium today. Project Crypto is an SEC initiative aimed at making the United States the global hub for virtual assets, and was announced on July 31.

The three major U.S. stock indexes ended mixed. The Nasdaq Composite Index closed at 21,629.77 points, up 0.03% from the previous session on the 19th. The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished at 44,912.19 points, down 0.08%, while the S&P 500 Index ended the day at 6,448.46 points, down 0.02%.

According to The Block, a media outlet specializing in virtual assets (cryptocurrency), on the 18th (local time), the U.S. Department of the Treasury has begun a public comment process regarding what approach financial institutions should take to combat illegal activities related to virtual assets. This measure follows the 'GENUIS Act,' a stablecoin regulatory bill signed by President Donald Trump last month. Scott Bessent, the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, stated, "Stablecoins will expand dollar accessibility worldwide and lead to a surge in demand for U.S. Treasury bonds used as collateral," emphasizing, "This is a 'win-win-win' strategy that benefits stablecoin users, issuers, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury alike."

U.S. President Donald Trump on the 18th (local time) mentioned the possibility of a trilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. According to CNBC, President Trump met with President Zelenskyy in the Oval Office of the White House on this day, telling reporters, "We had many good discussions and conversations, and I believe there is progress in several respects. If everything goes well today, we will have a trilateral meeting, and if so, there is a reasonable possibility the war will end." In response to questions regarding President Putin's remarks on 'removing the root cause of the war,' Trump said, "Wars end when they end. I can't be specific, but the war will end." He added, "Zelenskyy and Putin also want the war to end." He continued, "The whole world is tired of this war. We will end the war and achieve lasting peace." President Zelenskyy also stated, "After more than three years of Russian invasion, Ukraine needs a just and lasting peace."

According to the economic news account Walter Bloomberg on the 18th (local time), Donald Trump, President of the United States, stated regarding the Ukraine war, "I don't think a ceasefire is necessary."

According to the financial news account Walter Bloomberg on the 18th (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have begun their talks. The White House explained that this meeting would be "a meaningful dialogue toward ending the war in Ukraine." However, as there are differences in positions between the U.S. and Ukraine regarding solutions to the conflict and the extent of aid, it remains uncertain whether concrete results can be achieved.