KLEA Crypto Daily: Friday, March 13, 2026

Published: March 14, 2026 – 00:11 UTC

Here’s a look back at the key stories from March 13, 2026.

Binance Wins Second US Court Battle as Terror Claims Dismissed

Two U.S. federal courts have dismissed terrorism-related lawsuits against Binance, marking a significant legal victory for the cryptocurrency exchange. This ruling could influence future regulatory perceptions and legal challenges faced by crypto platforms in the U.S.

Circle Overtakes USDT in Transaction Volume for the First Time

Circle's USDC has surpassed Tether's USDT in transaction volume, indicating a significant shift in the stablecoin market dynamics. This change could impact the competitive landscape of stablecoins and investor preferences moving forward.

The Fed is readying to punish banks for holding Bitcoin as US crypto tensions boil over

The Federal Reserve is preparing to vote on a revised Basel proposal that could significantly impact how banks treat Bitcoin on their balance sheets. This decision could reshape the banking landscape for cryptocurrencies, affecting institutional adoption and market stability.

US Treasury Targets North Korea IT Worker Network

The U.S. Treasury has sanctioned individuals and entities involved in a network that helped North Korea generate nearly $800 million through fraudulent IT worker schemes, utilizing cryptocurrency for money laundering. This action highlights the ongoing concerns regarding the use of crypto in facilitating illicit activities and the need for stronger regulatory measures.

BlackRock’s Staked Ethereum ETF Sees Over $43M in Inflows on Day One

BlackRock has launched a new Ethereum staking ETF, ETHB, which debuted with over $100 million in assets and aims to combine institutional crypto exposure with yield generation. The fund's successful launch reflects growing interest in cryptocurrency investments among institutional players.

U.S. Sanctions 6 People, 2 Companies That Laundered $800 Million in Crypto for North Korea

The U.S. Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on individuals and companies involved in laundering substantial amounts of cryptocurrency for North Korea, which is believed to fund weapons of mass destruction programs. This action highlights ongoing concerns regarding the use of cryptocurrencies in facilitating illicit activities and the need for regulatory measures.

US Treasury Eases Sanctions on Russian Oil to Stabilize Global Prices

The U.S. Treasury Department has temporarily eased sanctions on Russian crude oil sales in a phased approach aimed at stabilizing global energy prices amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions. This decision could have significant implications for global markets, particularly in the energy sector, as it seeks to mitigate the impact of rising oil prices due to conflicts in the Middle East.

HSBC, Standard Chartered tipped for first Hong Kong stablecoin licenses: Report

Hong Kong is preparing to issue its first stablecoin issuer licenses, with HSBC and Standard Chartered expected to be among the initial approved issuers. This move could significantly impact the regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies in the region, potentially setting a precedent for other jurisdictions.

Source: KLEA News