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Door Remote - 22 Sep 2026
Today in crypto, 21shares launched Europe’s first Zcash exchange-traded product (ETP) after the recent debut of a US-listed fund, European central banks called for changes to MiCA’s stablecoin reserve rules, and US prosecutors are reportedly investigating whether Binance knowingly allowed trading that violated sanctions on Iran.
Zcash investment products expand into EuropeZcash is gaining a bigger foothold in regulated investment markets, with 21shares launching Europe’s first ETP for the privacy-focused cryptocurrency following the recent debut of a US-listed fund.
The new product began trading Tuesday in Paris and Amsterdam and is backed by ZEC held by the issuer. It gives investors another way to track the cryptocurrency’s price without buying or storing the tokens themselves.
21shares also rolled out a physically backed product for ETHFI, the token associated with decentralized finance protocol Ether.fi. Both ETPs charge annual management fees of 2.5%.
Zcash’s expansion into Europe follows the launch of Grayscale’s ZCSH on NYSE Arca and comes after a dramatic run for the cryptocurrency. ZEC has risen nearly 1,100% over the past year and recently traded above $1,500.
The rally has renewed debate over Zcash’s place alongside Bitcoin. Grayscale research head Zach Pandl has pointed to potential advantages from Zcash arriving later, while mining companies have also increased their exposure. Fortitude Digital Mining said it accounted for roughly 28% of ZEC mined during the first half of 2026.
ECB, EU cenbanks seek changes in MiCA’s minimum bank deposit for stablecoinsThe European Central Bank (ECB) and central banks in the European Union want to replace mandatory bank-deposit thresholds for stablecoin reserves with new liquidity requirements, arguing that large stablecoin deposits could create liquidity risks for banks.
The European System of Central Banks (ESCB) called for removing rules requiring at least 30% of reserves, or 60% for significant stablecoins, to be held as bank deposits. The proposal came in the ESCB’s response, published Tuesday, to the European Commission’s review of the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA).
Instead of the existing bank-deposit rules, the ESCB backed minimum liquidity thresholds for reserve assets maturing within one and five working days. It separately pointed to overnight reverse repurchase agreements (repos) and short-term sovereign bonds as alternative instruments issuers could use to achieve liquidity.
The ESCB said the existing requirement “creates a direct link between issuers and credit institutions” and could expose banks to liquidity problems if a stablecoin run forces an issuer to rapidly withdraw deposits.
The central banks cited draft rules published by the European Banking Authority in 2024, requiring significant stablecoins to hold at least 40% of reserves in assets maturing within one working day and 60% within five working days. For non-significant tokens, the thresholds are 20% and 30%, respectively.
Manhattan US Attorney leading probe into Binance’s Iran compliance: BloombergThe Manhattan US Attorney’s Office is investigating whether Binance knowingly allowed trading that violated US sanctions on Iran, Bloomberg reported Tuesday, providing new details about a Justice Department investigation first reported in March.
The Justice Department’s Criminal Division in Washington is also involved in the investigation, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
Asked for comment, a Binance spokesperson told Cointelegraph: “We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for sanctions violations. We fully cooperate with law enforcement, and we remain committed to rooting out and shutting down bad actors.”
The statement did not directly address whether Binance is aware of the reported investigation.
An investigation does not establish wrongdoing and may conclude without charges being filed.
In March, the Wall Street Journal reported that the DOJ was examining whether Iran used Binance to evade US sanctions, citing company documents and people familiar with the matter. At the time, the Journal said it was unclear whether the DOJ was investigating Binance itself, its users, or both.
Binance told Cointelegraph at the time it was not aware of any DOJ investigation.
Zcash investment products expand into EuropeZcash is gaining a bigger foothold in regulated investment markets, with 21shares launching Europe’s first ETP for the privacy-focused cryptocurrency following the recent debut of a US-listed fund.
The new product began trading Tuesday in Paris and Amsterdam and is backed by ZEC held by the issuer. It gives investors another way to track the cryptocurrency’s price without buying or storing the tokens themselves.
21shares also rolled out a physically backed product for ETHFI, the token associated with decentralized finance protocol Ether.fi. Both ETPs charge annual management fees of 2.5%.
Zcash’s expansion into Europe follows the launch of Grayscale’s ZCSH on NYSE Arca and comes after a dramatic run for the cryptocurrency. ZEC has risen nearly 1,100% over the past year and recently traded above $1,500.
The rally has renewed debate over Zcash’s place alongside Bitcoin. Grayscale research head Zach Pandl has pointed to potential advantages from Zcash arriving later, while mining companies have also increased their exposure. Fortitude Digital Mining said it accounted for roughly 28% of ZEC mined during the first half of 2026.
ECB, EU cenbanks seek changes in MiCA’s minimum bank deposit for stablecoinsThe European Central Bank (ECB) and central banks in the European Union want to replace mandatory bank-deposit thresholds for stablecoin reserves with new liquidity requirements, arguing that large stablecoin deposits could create liquidity risks for banks.
The European System of Central Banks (ESCB) called for removing rules requiring at least 30% of reserves, or 60% for significant stablecoins, to be held as bank deposits. The proposal came in the ESCB’s response, published Tuesday, to the European Commission’s review of the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA).
Instead of the existing bank-deposit rules, the ESCB backed minimum liquidity thresholds for reserve assets maturing within one and five working days. It separately pointed to overnight reverse repurchase agreements (repos) and short-term sovereign bonds as alternative instruments issuers could use to achieve liquidity.
The ESCB said the existing requirement “creates a direct link between issuers and credit institutions” and could expose banks to liquidity problems if a stablecoin run forces an issuer to rapidly withdraw deposits.
The central banks cited draft rules published by the European Banking Authority in 2024, requiring significant stablecoins to hold at least 40% of reserves in assets maturing within one working day and 60% within five working days. For non-significant tokens, the thresholds are 20% and 30%, respectively.
Manhattan US Attorney leading probe into Binance’s Iran compliance: BloombergThe Manhattan US Attorney’s Office is investigating whether Binance knowingly allowed trading that violated US sanctions on Iran, Bloomberg reported Tuesday, providing new details about a Justice Department investigation first reported in March.
The Justice Department’s Criminal Division in Washington is also involved in the investigation, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
Asked for comment, a Binance spokesperson told Cointelegraph: “We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for sanctions violations. We fully cooperate with law enforcement, and we remain committed to rooting out and shutting down bad actors.”
The statement did not directly address whether Binance is aware of the reported investigation.
An investigation does not establish wrongdoing and may conclude without charges being filed.
In March, the Wall Street Journal reported that the DOJ was examining whether Iran used Binance to evade US sanctions, citing company documents and people familiar with the matter. At the time, the Journal said it was unclear whether the DOJ was investigating Binance itself, its users, or both.
Binance told Cointelegraph at the time it was not aware of any DOJ investigation.