Binance Reportedly Leads Mesh Round at a $2B Valuation for Payment Routes

France Logs 77 Crypto Kidnapping Cases in Six Months, Plans Tougher Security

France logged 77 crypto kidnapping and extortion cases in H1 2026, up from 45 in all of 2025. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez answers with a three-pillar plan. Read the full article: https://www.spendnode.io/blog/france-77-crypto-kidnappings-security-plan-july-2026/

OKX Says It Is Fully MiCA-Authorised as Europe's Grace Period Ends

OKX announced it is MiCA-authorised and regulated in Europe, days after the July 1 enforcement deadline cut off unlicensed crypto firms across the EEA. Read the full article: https://www.spendnode.io/blog/okx-mica-authorised-europe-regulatory-era-july-2026/

Binance Reportedly Leads Mesh Round at a $2B Valuation for Payment Routes

Binance is reportedly leading a funding round valuing crypto payments network Mesh at up to $2 billion, doubling its January Series C valuation in six months. Read the full article: https://www.spendnode.io/blog/binance-2-billion-mesh-investment-stablecoin-payment-routes-july-2026/

Brazil Freezes $2B in Crypto-Laundering Crackdown on the PCC Cartel

Brazil's Operation Exchange froze roughly $2 billion tied to a PCC crypto laundering network, two days after US OFAC sanctions hit the same suspects. Read the full article: https://www.spendnode.io/blog/brazil-operation-exchange-2-billion-pcc-crypto-laundering-july-2026/

South Africa's SARS Targets 6 Million Crypto Users With Tax Audits

SARS published draft crypto tax rules on July 1 and plans audits covering up to 6 million South African users. Rates run 18% to 45%. Comments close August 31. Read the full article: https://www.spendnode.io/blog/south-africa-sars-audit-6-million-crypto-users-july-2026/