The European Union's DAC8 crypto tax reporting regime deliberately focuses on enforceable targets, concentrating on identifiable intermediaries rather than decentralized finance. Under DAC8, custodians and exchanges will be required to collect and report standardized user activity data in line with the OECD's Crypto Asset Reporting Framework (CARF), while DeFi currently sits outside the regime's scope.
EU's DAC8 Crypto Tax Regime Excludes DeFi for Now
DAC8 prioritizes entities that can be readily identified and regulated, which is why custodians and exchanges are the main reporting targets under the new rules. These intermediaries must gather standardized user activity information to meet obligations under the OECD's CARF, creating a clearer compliance pathway for tax authorities. At the same time, decentralized finance platforms remain outside DAC8's immediate scope, though regulators are monitoring whether AML frameworks could be used to assign responsibility. For an explainer of DAC8's rollout and timing, see the DAC8 report that outlines the reporting approach and practical steps for affected entities.
Bitcoin DeFi Tools Target Japanese Corporate Treasuries
Animoca Brands Japan partnered with RootstockLabs to localize Bitcoin-native DeFi tools for Japanese corporations, with a specific emphasis on treasury management. The collaboration aims to enable companies to manage Bitcoin holdings and access onchain financial services built on the Rootstock network. Rootstock's network security leverages Bitcoin's proof-of-work through merged mining, which the partners highlight as a foundation for institutional-grade functionality. This effort reflects growing corporate interest in using Bitcoin for treasury purposes rather than only for custody.
US Lawmakers Debate DeFi Provisions in Market Structure Bill
US senators are preparing to consider amendments to the Digital Commodity Intermediaries Act (DCIA), a bill intended to clarify market structure and regulatory responsibilities. The proposal would address the split between the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission, while provisions affecting DeFi have proven contentious. Lawmakers and industry groups have raised implementation concerns, leaving DeFi as a focal point in ongoing market-structure discussions. For more on the US regulatory angle, consult the piece on US crypto regulation and its implications for developers.
DePIN Sector Grows Despite Token Market Slump
Decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN) have expanded into a roughly $10 billion sector and generated about $72 million in onchain revenue last year, according to the referenced report. Many tokens in the category are down sharply from prior highs, yet leading networks are producing recurring revenue from real-world services such as bandwidth, compute, energy and sensor data. This shift toward an infrastructure-oriented business model places emphasis on usage and cash flow rather than token-price performance. As a result, DePIN revenues have shown more resilience than some DeFi protocols during the current market downturn.
Citrea ZK-Rollup Reignites Bitcoin Block Space Debate
Citrea launched its Bitcoin zero-knowledge rollup mainnet featuring BTC-backed lending, structured products and a natively issued US dollar stablecoin, ctUSD, positioning Bitcoin as base collateral for DeFi and payments. The project aims to convert otherwise “economically idle” BTC into active onchain liquidity, with early DeFi liquidity expected to reach $50 million. Citrea's activity anchors proofs and data availability to Bitcoin's base layer, which has renewed discussion about how much complexity and onchain bandwidth the Bitcoin base layer should support.
Why this matters
For an individual miner in Russia running from a single rig to a small farm, these developments do not directly change mining equipment or immediate operations. Nevertheless, DAC8's focus on identifiable intermediaries and the continued debate around DeFi classification signal that regulatory approaches to crypto are evolving, which can affect the services you use for custody, reporting or trading. Additionally, initiatives that increase onchain activity or connect Bitcoin to broader financial services—such as Citrea's rollup or corporate treasury tools—are elements to monitor because they influence the wider crypto ecosystem you operate within.
What to do?
Keep accurate records of your receipts, payouts and any third-party services you use, since reporting regimes target intermediaries that handle user data and could affect service providers. Stay informed about how AML and VASP definitions develop, because those shifts determine which platforms carry compliance burdens and how that may change their services. Finally, monitor institutional projects and DePIN developments that could alter onchain usage patterns, and update wallet, node and security practices as needed to match the services you rely on.
