Key facts
- US spot Bitcoin ETFs have attracted approximately $620 million in inflows this week.
- A Coldcard wallet hack led to the theft of over $116 million in Bitcoin from more than 5,200 addresses.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law to regulate cryptocurrency markets, effective in 2026.
- Sam Blackshear, co-founder of Mysten Labs, is leaving to join Anthropic for AI security research.
US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have continued to attract investment, with several major funds seeing inflows every trading day this week. This trend has coincided with a significant exploit of the Coldcard hardware wallet, which resulted in the theft of over $116 million in Bitcoin from more than 5,200 addresses. The incident has renewed debates about the security of self-custody versus holding assets on centralized exchanges, with some industry figures suggesting exchanges might be statistically safer given the increasing sophistication of AI-assisted cyberattacks.
In parallel, Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a new law that establishes a regulated framework for cryptocurrency markets in the country. The legislation, which will take effect with core provisions on September 1, 2026, sets rules for crypto exchanges, brokers, and custodians. Retail investors will face an annual cap on purchases through intermediaries, while qualified investors will have fewer restrictions. The Bank of Russia will oversee the regulated market.
Separately, Sam Blackshear, co-founder and chief technology officer of Mysten Labs, the creator of the Sui blockchain, announced his departure from the company. He is joining Anthropic to focus on defensive security research, citing the evolving landscape of AI-assisted attacks on blockchain infrastructure.