Samira Okonkwo

Samira Okonkwo is up&down's market-structure and altcoin editor. She specializes in liquidity, listings, unlock calendars, and venue risk. Her beat asks who is selling into the cheer before a narrative becomes consensus.

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Bitcoin News

CFTC compute derivatives RFC: comment first, not a listing

The CFTC issued RIN 3038-AF77 on Aug. 19, 2026, asking how designated contract markets might list compute derivatives. This is a comment file, not a live listing.

41 minutes ago Samira Okonkwo

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Bitcoin News

SafePal order leak: PII, not a seed drain

SafePal says an order-tracking plug-in flaw exposed names, addresses, and purchase details for about 39,798 customers. Seeds and keys were not in that dump. The live risk is…

3 days ago Samira Okonkwo

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Blockchain News

OCC Decision 1385: World Liberty Trust is not a live USD1 bank yet

OCC Decision 1385 gives World Liberty Trust Co. preliminary approval only. BitGo remains USD1 issuer until final charter and the 18-month opening clock.

5 days ago Samira Okonkwo

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Crypto News

Washington Kalshi order: geofence clocks start now

The Aug. 13 Washington order tells Kalshi to geofence sports, election, and most event contracts by Sept. 2. Federal DCM status does not pause the state clock.

6 days ago Samira Okonkwo

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Blockchain News

Tether KPMG audit: 2025 books, not today’s USDT

Tether says KPMG U.S. gave an unqualified opinion on 2025 books, with a $6.814B surplus. That year-end print is not a live 2026 USDT reserve certificate.

6 days ago Samira Okonkwo

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Crypto News

CFTC 26-23: prediction market incentives face real filings

CFTC Staff Letter 26-23 warns DCMs that prediction-market incentive filings are often deficient and can encourage wash-like volume chasing today.

1 week ago Samira Okonkwo

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Crypto News

CFTC emergency order: Kalshi stays open amid NY suit

The CFTC used emergency authority on Aug. 11, 2026 to order KalshiEX to keep running after New York sued the prediction-market DCM for gambling.

1 week ago Samira Okonkwo

Crypto News

Robinhood UK crypto: Bitstamp pipe, not free lunch

Robinhood is rolling UK crypto trading via Bitstamp UK Ltd with zero trading fees. Our read: watch FX costs and Bitstamp volume, not the brochure.

1 week ago Samira Okonkwo

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Crypto News

OFAC hits Shelbit and Aban Tether for IRGC crypto rails

OFAC designated Shelbit and Aban Tether on Aug 7 for IRGC-linked crypto rails. Venue risk, secondary sanctions, and what desks should watch.

2 weeks ago Samira Okonkwo

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Crypto News

Circle Q2: USDC float grows as reserve yield thins

Circle’s Q2 2026 print shows $701M revenue and reserve income with $73.3B USDC in circulation, while reserve yield compression capped income growth at 5%.

2 weeks ago Samira Okonkwo