Updates on Bitcoin, crypto networks and regulation, with sources and explanations of what actually changed.
News Crypto in Israel
The Bank of Israel has amended Directive 411 to clarify that banks cannot refuse payment services solely because activity is connected with crypto, and to remove a mandatory check triggered by annual activity exceeding 100,000 NIS. Checks will instead depend on risk. Published on 7 October 2026, the amendment takes effect on 1 May 2027.
News Wallets and security
Binance says attackers stole approximately $6.3 billion from its hot wallets on 29 October 2026. The exchange has promised to absorb the loss, but the latest official update reviewed on 31 October still described crypto withdrawals as suspended for security checks. Deposits remained operational. A phased withdrawal restart was targeted around 1 November, subject to testing, rather than announced as complete.
News Scams and user protection
Albuquerque, New Mexico, has banned crypto ATM operations within the US city from 21 October 2026. Machines must stop operating immediately and be removed from stores by 5 December 2026. The city said violations could bring a $500 daily fine and business licence revocation. This is a municipal ban on certain transaction methods, not on holding bitcoin.
News Regulation and tax
In a guide published on 21 October 2026, MEXC states that it is not authorised under MiCA in the European Union or European Economic Area. It is also ending service for Netherlands-linked users. Its detailed exit notice gives 24 October 2026 as the start of restrictions for the final group, but the company’s guide shows a different schedule. Do not rely on a later date in a headline without checking the notice applicable to the account.
News Bitcoin basics
Bitcoin Core developers updated their security vulnerability disclosure policy on 22 October 2026: when a vulnerability is classified as easy to discover, including through a simple AI model prompt, the project will promptly release a fix for every supported major version alongside a security advisory. The new route bypasses the usual waiting periods in these cases but does not remove them for other vulnerabilities.
News Wallets and security
Electrum 4.8.3 installers were published on 24 October 2026 with a fix for a high-severity vulnerability: a malicious server could display a replacement transaction directing funds to an attacker and induce the user to sign it when requesting a higher network fee. The warning applies to earlier versions connected to an untrusted server, and the developers urge users to update.
News Regulation and tax
The US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, OCC, published final rules on 21 October 2026 implementing the GENIUS Act for payment stablecoins. The rules take effect on 18 January 2027 and apply to entities within its jurisdiction. They address reserves, redemption and supervision, among other matters. A change concerning rewards through third parties does not remove the prohibition on issuers paying interest or yield merely for holding the coin.
News Regulation and tax
South Korea’s government and central bank plan to prepare an amendment to the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act this year to regulate stablecoins as payment instruments. This emerges from a local report based on material presented to a parliamentary audit on 22 October 2026. It is a plan to prepare an amendment, not an announcement that the coins already have a new legal status. A separate framework for reporting cross-border digital asset transfers is also progressing.
News Markets and data
Deutsche Bank is weeks away from launching digital asset custody in Germany, a senior executive told Reuters on 16 October 2026. The service targets companies and institutions, with expansion into Asia planned for 2027. This remains a launch plan, not an announcement that the service is already open to clients.
News Regulation and tax
Thailand’s crypto ETF framework sets 16 October 2026 as its effective date. It allows funds tracking bitcoin or ether to be established for trading on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, subject to management, custody and disclosure requirements. The rules taking effect does not, by itself, mean a particular fund has begun trading.
Marqeta announced an expanded partnership with Coinbase on 16 October 2026 to let its business clients offer payment cards funded by stablecoin balances. The US announcement concerns infrastructure for companies. It is not the launch of a new card available to consumers in Israel.
News Wallets and security
Ledger announced on 15 October 2026 that it had asked authorised resellers and distributors in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong to suspend sales following an attack involving components implanted in devices to capture seed phrases during setup. The update broadens the picture beyond the initial CryptoBilis reports. The company attributes the compromise to the distribution chain, not a breach of its systems, but that remains the manufacturer’s conclusion from its investigation.
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