WuBlockchain roundup: BitMEX sets Sept. 23 shutdown as EU widens Russia-related crypto restrictions
WuBlockchain’s July 23 daily crypto roundup covered five developments across macro data, exchange operations, sanctions policy, Bitcoin security funding, and law enforcement. In the U.S., initial jobless claims for the week ending July 18 came in at 187,000, below the 212,000 expectation, while the prior reading was revised from 208,000 to 209,000. BitMEX said it will shut down at 04:00 UTC on Sept. 23 and has already stopped new user registrations. The exchange will halt new position openings from Aug. 26 and begin a phased forced-closure process. The report also noted that BitMEX, founded by Arthur Hayes and described as the first platform to introduce perpetual futures, had sought a sale for years without reaching a deal.
On the regulatory front, EU member state representatives agreed on a 21st round of sanctions against Russia. The package adds 94 Russian financial institutions and the Moscow Exchange to the full sanctions list, expands trading bans to more crypto-asset platforms, and for the first time targets vessels assisting Russia’s “shadow fleet.” The Russian oil price cap will remain at $44.10 per barrel for 12 months. Separately, Strategy launched the Bitcoin Security Consortium with founding members including BlackRock, Coinbase, Galaxy, Anchorage, ARK Invest, Blockstream, Block, and Digital Asset, committing $15 million over three years for Bitcoin developer support and security research. In Hunan’s Tongdao County, a man was given an administrative penalty after lending relatives’ payment accounts for USDT resale-related fund transfers.
