Ethereum's Third Major Overhaul: 'Lean Ethereum' Unveiled
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin outlined the long-awaited 'Lean Ethereum' roadmap on July 5, positioning it as the network's third major transformation after The Merge. The plan is not a single upgrade but a phased, 3-4 year restructuring of core protocol components, including validation methods, consensus mechanisms, state data, and client architecture. This strategic shift aims to rebuild Ethereum's design from the ground up, marking the most significant overhaul since the transition to proof-of-stake.
Swiss Crypto Adoption Rises to 18%
A study by the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts and the Lucerne State Bank, published June 29, revealed that 18% of Swiss respondents now hold cryptocurrencies, up from 16% in 2025 and 11% in 2024. An additional 8% reported past ownership. This translates to roughly 140,000 new investors in Switzerland over the past year, indicating that crypto investment is moving beyond early adopters and into the mainstream.
Ripple CLO Challenges 'Niche' Label for 67 Million Crypto Holders
Ripple's Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty, who also chairs the National Cryptocurrency Association, pushed back on July 6 against the notion that 67 million crypto holders are a minority. Writing in RealClearMarkets, he noted that one in four U.S. adults owns crypto, yet Washington still treats the industry as niche. The op-ed responded to a Politico poll cited in debates over the CLARITY Act, which used '27% support' as grounds for regulatory caution. Alderoty argued that such framing ignores the scale of actual holders.
Global Bitcoin ATM Count Drops Below 28,000
According to CoinATMRadar, the number of operational crypto ATMs worldwide fell to 27,945 as of July 8, a decline of 10,763 machines over 68 days from a May 1 peak of 38,708. This is the lowest level since September-October 2021, reflecting a sharp contraction in the physical crypto infrastructure.
CLARITY Act Faces New Deadline: August 6
The White House missed its July 4 target for signing the CLARITY Act, pushing the next milestone to August 6, as reported by Crypto in America. While Senate floor discussions continue, key disagreements—especially over conflict-of-interest ethics rules for government officials—remain unresolved. The stalemate threatens to delay the bill's introduction and overall legislative timeline.
Blockchain for Political Transparency
Trade Works Inc. announced on July 7 the launch of a blockchain-based 'community management platform' designed to record and visualize financial flows such as membership fees, donations, and party tickets. The system, deployed to a first parliamentary office on July 8, allows supporters to use a wallet with just an email address, replacing paper and Excel-based management. This aims to digitize and make transparent the financial ties in political support groups.
Japan's Finance Minister Reaffirms Push for Crypto ETF
Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama stated on July 10 at the 'Open QUICK 2026' seminar that Japan should consider allowing crypto ETFs. Speaking on the first day of the event, she highlighted the growing global trend of crypto-backed ETFs and referenced a pending amendment to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act that would classify crypto assets as financial products. 'We need to create an environment where users and investors can trade with confidence,' she said, as reported by Nikkei.