Laws move slower than markets. But they hit harder. This is issue #52 of The Bitcoin Act — your Tuesday and Sunday briefing on the legal and regulatory moves that actually shape Bitcoin.

Now for today’s top stories:

👀 Lummis: Clarity Act Will Pass
Senator Cynthia Lummis declared the Clarity Act — the most consequential financial bill of this generation — will pass.

🇬🇧 UK Bitcoin Tax Relief Push
Bitcoin Policy UK’s Freddie New urged lighter tax treatment for Bitcoin payments to stop everyday spending triggering capital gains taxes.

🏦 SA Court: Bitcoin Is Money
South Africa’s Gauteng High Court ruled Bitcoin counts as both money and capital under exchange controls.

The Gauteng High Court (South Africa's high court) ruled Bitcoin counts as both money and capital under exchange controls, subjecting cross-border transfers to the same rules as the rand.

Calle (creator of Cashu and Bitcoin developer) argues permissionless tools like Bluetooth mesh messaging and offline Bitcoin ecash protect free speech and private exchange against authoritarian surveillance and internet shutdowns.

Scott Bessent (U.S. Treasury Secretary) stated he looks forward to collaborating on the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and is proceeding with deliberate speed using best practices for future durability.

Vietnam's securities regulator stated the country is entering a pivotal phase in digital finance and plans a pilot market for trading digital assets.

Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) said many Democrats have legitimate concerns around ethics and illicit finance as Congress debates the Clarity Act to set digital asset market rules.

Cody Carbone, CEO of the Digital Chamber (Bitcoin's main D.C. lobby), praised the House Ways and Means Committee, the congressional panel that writes U.S. tax law, for finally moving bills that would give Bitcoin holders clear, predictable tax rules.

Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) stated she has spent years building toward passage of the Clarity Act, the most consequential financial legislation of this generation, and that it will get done.

Rep. French Hill (R-AR) said the Clarity Act is needed to establish market structure rules for the digital asset industry, where banks will compete extremely well.

Freddie New (Bitcoin Policy UK) argues Bitcoin must get lighter tax treatment like stablecoins for payments to avoid taxing everyday spending as capital gains.

Zack Shapiro (Bitcoin Policy Institute) called the ARMA bill an Overton window shifting bill that broadens the range of Bitcoin policies seen as politically possible.

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🏛 May 31 – Crypto Council for Innovation launched Vault Coalition on May 31 with Galaxy and Morpho to seek regulatory clarity on vaults. The Block

🏢 60% – Galaxy analyst lowered Clarity Act passage odds in 2026 from 75% to 60% due to Senate calendar. X

🇺🇸 1,250% – Six U.S. senators challenged the 1,250% Bitcoin capital rule they say blocks banks from holding Bitcoin. Bitcoin.com

⚖️ 39,069 – New York court paused default judgment on 39,069 Bitcoin wallets after lawyer argued they were not abandoned. Bitcoin.com

🇺🇸 June 5 – Congressman Nick Begich published full text of Strategic Bitcoin Reserve bill online on June 5. Congress.gov

🇺🇸 June 8 — US Senate returns, Washington — Floor time opens for CLARITY Act vote that would classify Bitcoin as a non-security commodity, but FISA reauthorization crisis is blocking progress.

🇺🇸 June 9 — GENIUS Act comment deadline, FDIC — Last day for public comments on proposed rules for stablecoin issuers and insured banks; shapes banking regulation with potential spillover to Bitcoin services.

🇨🇿 June 10 — Freedom Tech Summit, Prague — Developers and hackers meet for hands-on workshops on privacy tools, Lightning, and decentralized systems ahead of BTC Prague.

🇨🇿 June 11–13 — BTC Prague 2026, Prague — 8,500 Bitcoiners gather for the major annual conference on freedom tech, privacy, Lightning, and Bitcoin development.

🇯🇵 June 13 — Japan Payment Services Act enforcement — Full rules activate for VASP registration, stablecoin classification, and travel-rule compliance; non-compliant platforms face penalties.

🇦🇺 June 15–17 — Australian Digital Economy Conference, Sydney — Regulators and leaders meet to shape digital economy policy with direct implications for Bitcoin regulation and adoption.

🇪🇺 All week — EU CASP supervision reports — Reports in active preparation this week on whether significant exchanges fall under ESMA or national regulators; will set oversight for cross-border Bitcoin trading.

“Liberty is always freedom from the government.” — Ludwig von Mises

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