A Regulatory Reckoning for the Crypto Industry?
Between BitMEX action, the U.K.’s derivative ban and the new U.S. Department of Justice enforcement framework, regulations are coming for crypto.

Between BitMEX action, the U.K.’s derivative ban and the new U.S. Department of Justice enforcement framework, regulations are coming for crypto.
For more episodes and free early access before our regular 3 p.m. Eastern time releases, subscribe with Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocketcasts, Google Podcasts, Castbox, Stitcher, RadioPublica, iHeartRadio or RSS.
This episode is sponsored by Crypto.com, Nexo.io and Elliptic.
On this week’s Breakdown weekly recap, NLW looks at a cross-section of regulatory news, including:
- CFTC and DOJ action against BitMEX and its leadership
- The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority’s ban of crypto derivative products for retail investors
- The DOJ’s new cryptocurrency enforcement framework
NLW discusses why these might reflect a new moment in crypto history, what it means for current builders in bitcoin and DeFi, and why recruiting corporate allies like Square will become more important than ever.
This week on The Breakdown:
Monday | Are Central Bank Coins the End of Financial Privacy?
Tuesday |The UK Bans Crypto Derivatives
Wednesday | How Bitcoin Could Become the Reserve Asset for DeFi, Feat. Qiao Wang
Thursday | The Market Reacts to Square’s $50M Bitcoin Buy
Friday | Cathie Wood: Secrets of the World’s Best Innovation Investor
For more episodes and free early access before our regular 3 p.m. Eastern time releases, subscribe with Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocketcasts, Google Podcasts, Castbox, Stitcher, RadioPublica, iHeartRadio or RSS.
Note: The views expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of CoinDesk, Inc. or its owners and affiliates.
More For You

From May 20 to May 29, XRP funds took in $35 million while bitcoin and ether ETFs lost roughly $2 billion combined, with Ripple’s earlier reported XRP treasury plan still awaiting confirmation.
What to know:
- U.S.-listed spot XRP ETFs drew $11.88 million in net inflows on May 29, extending a week of gains even as bitcoin and ether funds saw continued redemptions.
- Total net assets in U.S. XRP ETFs now stand near $1.12 billion, with about $35 million added since May 20 while bitcoin and...











