UK FCA publishes final crypto regulatory rules, effective October 2027.

According to The New York Times, Iranian negotiator and Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Garibabadi this week reaffirmed Iran’s permanent control over shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, rejecting the internationally recognized shipping lane arrangement established in 1968—a stance that has sparked new tensions in the fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran. The 1968 lane agreement, negotiated by then-officials from Iran and Oman and approved by the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO), was primarily designed to address collision risks for supertankers navigating the 24-mile-wide waterway. It also carries legal significance given the overlapping territorial waters of Iran and Oman and the absence of neutral international waters in the central part of the strait. Garibabadi noted that the agreement predates the 1979 Islamic Revolution, stating, “We have now informed Oman that these shipping lanes must be changed,” and added that the two sides have decided to launch expert and technical-level negotiations on adjusting the lanes. Ali Vaez, director of the Iran Project at the International Crisis Group, analyzed that Iran, as a regional military power at that time, did not need to use its geographic location as leverage, but now officials believe traditional shipping lanes allowing warships to pass through the strait pose a threat to Iran’s security. Jennifer Parker, an expert at the University of Western Australia’s Defence and Security Institute, said Iran is framing its position with more legal arguments to maximize its leverage at the negotiating table. Notably, Iran has previously laid mines in the strait, effectively blocking the 1968-established lanes; the U.S. and Oman have recently attempted to establish an alternative route in Omani waters south of the strait with U.S. military escort, but Garibabadi reiterated on Monday that Iran will refuse to recognize any such parallel lanes.

According to HTX market data, Bitcoin has fallen below $59,000, posting a 2.80% decline over the past 24 hours.

Rocket Lab announced on Monday that it will acquire satellite communications service provider Iridium Communications (IRDM.O) for approximately $8 billion, with the transaction expected to close in mid-2027. Iridium shareholders will receive $27 in cash plus company stock per share, for a total value of $54 per share, a 24.1% premium over the previous trading day’s closing price. The acquisition will integrate Rocket Lab’s launch and satellite manufacturing operations with Iridium’s global L-band satellite network, licensed spectrum resources, and over 2.5 million customers spanning government, defense, aviation, maritime, and commercial sectors, enabling the combined entity to form a vertically integrated model similar to SpaceX and its Starlink division. This marks Rocket Lab’s fourth acquisition of the year. Analysts believe the deal will immediately grant the company access to a mature customer base and distribution network, with its value potentially exceeding that of the hardware and spectrum resources alone. To fund the cash portion, Rocket Lab has secured a $3.6 billion bridge loan commitment from Deutsche Bank and Wells Fargo. Notably, the transaction comes as SpaceX completes the world’s largest $86 billion IPO this month, amid its ongoing expansion of satellite communications and AI infrastructure business. SpaceX had previously reached an agreement to acquire spectrum resources from EchoStar. Amid a wave of consolidation in the space industry, Rocket Lab is seeking to build a closed-loop "launch + satellite network" framework to directly challenge SpaceX’s leading position in the satellite communications sector.

Nasdaq-listed company Sharplink (ticker: SBET) announced it purchased 10,000 Ether at an average price of approximately $1,611, bringing its total ETH holdings to 886,725 units. The holdings consist of 632,719 native ETH, 181,299 ETH redeemable via LsETH, and 72,707 ETH redeemable via weETH. Separately, the company repurchased 2,132,773 common shares on the open market at an average price of $4.69, bringing total repurchases since the launch of its buyback program in August 2025 to 4,071,223 shares. This week, the firm also raised $75 million through a registered direct offering of common stock and warrants.

Goldman Lampe Private Bank, headquartered in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, announced it has capitalized on the recent crypto market pullback to acquire approximately €120 million worth of Bitcoin. The bank claims to be the world’s first financial institution to launch cryptocurrency time deposit products. Its board chairman stated that this dip investment aims to strengthen institutional holdings and solidify the bank’s leading position in the integration of traditional private banking and crypto assets. Founded in 1934, the bank’s core businesses include private banking, wealth management and gold trading.

Saudi Arabia’s Al Arabiya TV cited sources as reporting that Iranian and U.S. delegations will hold indirect talks in Qatar tomorrow with the participation of mediators. The negotiations will focus on the Strait of Hormuz and overall regional stability. Sources also noted that Iran will receive $3 billion in frozen assets by the end of this week. Both delegations are expected to meet separately with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Pakistani mediators in Doha today. Earlier, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Baghaei stated that the release of the frozen assets is underway.