Bitcoin could soon get Zcash-style 'shielded' privacy without changing its rules

Researchers have mapped out private bitcoin-denominated transfers that run alongside Bitcoin, but the system still lacks a finished way to lock up real BTC and release it again.

source https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2026/09/25/bitcoin-could-soon-get-zcash-style-shielded-privacy-without-changing-its-rules

U.S. SEC's steadiest crypto advocate, Hester Peirce, to depart next week

The long-anticipated exit of the commissioner sometimes known as Crypto Mom is Oct. 2, announced as the agency was sending out its latest crypto work.

source https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2026/09/25/u-s-sec-s-steadiest-crypto-advocate-hester-peirce-to-depart-next-week

Another appeals court rules against prediction market provider Kalshi, says sports contracts are subject to state regulations

A Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals panel ruled that prediction markets' sports-related events contracts are not swaps, and therefore aren't subject to federal regulatory oversight.

source https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2026/09/25/another-appeals-court-rules-against-prediction-market-provider-kalshi-says-sports-contracts-are-subject-to-state-regulations

Blockchain Association sees leadership shift shortly after crypto Clarity Act fizzles

The trade group will be run again by its original CEO, Kristin Smith, when Summer Mersinger leaves at the end of a long congressional tussle.

source https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2026/09/25/blockchain-association-sees-leadership-shift-shortly-after-crypto-clarity-act-fizzles

The stock token debate, and the gap nobody can close alone

The argument over Robinhood’s AMC token has been about which tokenization model is legitimate, and the SEC has drawn a line. The question to ask now is what has to be true for any of it to be a market, argues Bullish’s Tram Doman.

source https://www.coindesk.com/opinion/2026/09/24/the-stock-token-debate-and-the-gap-nobody-can-close-alone

Bitcoin just topped a key long-term moving average. Here's what it might mean

Bitcoin’s return above its one-year average excited chart watchers. AltcoinPro Research says the more important signal is whether it can stay above its 200-day average.

source https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2026/09/24/bitcoin-just-topped-a-key-long-term-moving-average-here-s-what-it-might-mean

A week of AI coding cut a quantum-safe bitcoin transaction estimate from $320 to $66

StarkWare, which conducted the research, says contest participants using AI tools made the computation about five times faster, though the $66 figure has not yet been demonstrated in another transaction mined on Bitcoin.

source https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2026/09/24/a-week-of-ai-coding-cut-a-quantum-safe-bitcoin-transaction-estimate-from-usd320-to-usd66