Another wave of crypto-focused headlines capped the week. Our earlier coverage highlighted how stablecoin salaries are reshaping startup payrolls, why Americans may soon gain the option to pay federal taxes in Bitcoin, and the growing trend of investors trusting only wealth advisers with strong crypto expertise. We also reported on how a single Cloudflare bug took down half the internet while Bitcoin maintained 0% downtime, underscoring the network’s unmatched reliability. With political momentum rising and market narratives shifting, the latest developments show a sector expanding its influence across government, finance, and core digital infrastructure.
Former Coinbase lawyer launches bid for New York Attorney General
New York’s political landscape is heating up as former Coinbase policy lawyer Khurram Dara officially announced his run for New York Attorney General, setting the stage for one of the most crypto-relevant state races in 2026. Dara, who previously worked at Coinbase, Fluidity, Airswap, and most recently Bain Capital Crypto, framed his campaign as a direct response to what he calls years of “lawfare” against crypto companies under the leadership of current Attorney General Letitia James.
Dara argues that New York has lost ground as a financial innovation hub due to aggressive enforcement policies that pushed businesses out of the state. His platform blends regulatory reform with broader voter concerns, pointing to affordability pressures across New York.
The political wave extends beyond New York. John Deaton, the attorney known for defending XRP holders during the SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple, confirmed he will again run for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts. Deaton’s return highlights the growing presence of crypto-aligned voices entering mainstream politics. For an industry that has long criticised uneven enforcement and unclear rules, the 2026 election cycle is shaping up as a pivotal moment for regulatory change.
Binance CEO says Bitcoin volatility reflects broader market cycles
Market sentiment cooled this week as Bitcoin fell around 35% from its October all-time high, yet Binance CEO Richard Teng insists the decline is simply part of a normal risk-off cycle, echoing broader global markets. Speaking in Sydney, Teng emphasized that all asset classes experience periods of deleveraging, and Bitcoin’s recent volatility is consistent with widespread macro behavior- not a crypto-specific stress event.
Despite the pullback, Bitcoin remains more than double its 2024 levels, reinforcing what Teng calls “healthy market action.” Long-term data support his view: Bitcoin’s annualized volatility has sharply reduced over the past decade as liquidity deepened and institutional participation strengthened. While BTC still fluctuates more than indices like the S&P 500, several major tech stocks now show greater volatility, evidence that digital assets are integrating more naturally into traditional market patterns.
As political momentum builds and markets consolidate, crypto continues proving its resilience across both regulation and price behavior, signalling a maturing sector heading into 2026.
Stay informed,
Rodcas Consulting Group