Laws move slower than markets. But they hit harder. This is issue #60 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:

🏦 Russia Preps Digital Ruble Rollout
Bank of Russia says major banks and retailers are ready for September's digital ruble.

⚖️ Senator Pushes Bitcoin Bill Ethics
Sen. Alsobrooks says the CLARITY Act needs ethics rules barring officials from profiting off office.

🚨 Sheriffs Drop Bitcoin Bill Opposition
Sheriffs' group MCSA dropped opposition to the CLARITY Act's Section 604, protections which shields self-custody software developers.

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Elvira Nabiullina (Governor, Bank of Russia) said Russia's systemically important banks and large retailers are technologically ready for September's nationwide rollout of the digital ruble, the state's fully traceable CBDC.

Michael Selig (Chair, Commodity Futures Trading Commission) warned that Illinois' new 0.2% transaction tax, which hits Bitcoin, "slammed the brakes on technological progress" and puts the state's residents at a disadvantage.

Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) argues the CLARITY Act — pending federal market-structure legislation covering Bitcoin — must include ethics rules barring presidents, vice presidents, and lawmakers from profiting off their office.

Christopher Collins (Partner, Katten Muchin Rosenman) believes the UK's new trading-platform rules give British customers access to global exchange liquidity, but regulators haven't named which foreign jurisdictions qualify as comparably protective.

Ian R. Cohen (New York attorney, amicus filer in the $293B "Noah Doe" suit) argues New York's lost-property statute covers only tangible property, so dormant Bitcoin addresses aren't legally abandoned.

National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) endorsed the CLARITY Act, saying it preserves existing money-laundering and unlicensed-transmitter enforcement powers.

Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA) shifted to a neutral stance on the CLARITY Act after talks over Section 604 — which shields non-custodial actors like developers and node operators from money-transmitter rules — saying the bill could still be strengthened for state and local law enforcement.

John Orchard (Chairman, Digital Monetary Institute at OMFIF) said European Central Bank officials now tolerate stablecoins on bank balance sheets but oppose their use for wholesale settlement.

Paul Atkins (Chair, Securities and Exchange Commission) claimed a generation of innovation, Bitcoin included, developed offshore because US regulators lacked the will — an era he says his SEC has ended.

Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) argues America led every great technological revolution — the railroad, the internet, the smartphone — and the CLARITY Act ensures the US keeps that lead rather than handing it to someone else.

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🏧 3 – New Jersey's Senate voted 37 to 3 to pass S2141, a total statewide ban on cryptocurrency ATMs. The bill now moves to the Assembly — one fewer cash-to-Bitcoin ramp if it becomes law. Legiscan

💼 $100K–$250K – FBI Director Kash Patel bought 100K–$250K of Strategy (MSTR) stock, then disclosed it six months late, well past the STOCK Act's 45-day deadline for officials to report trades. He blames "miscommunication". X

🇫🇷 77 – France has recorded 77 crypto-related kidnappings, extortions, and attempted attacks since January 2026. Every KYC database is a target list. French national TV even aired a show coaching holders on protecting themselves. X

🏔️ 2026-07-01 – New Hampshire's HB639 was enrolled on July 1 — passed by both chambers, now awaiting the Governor's signature. It bars state and local governments from restricting Bitcoin payments or self-custody wallets — statutory protection for your keys. Legiscan

⛓️ 1,500 – Irish authorities have now seized 1,500 BTC total from convicted trafficker Clifton Collins after recovering a third batch of 500 BTC with Europol's help. Roughly 4,500 BTC still remain in his dormant wallets. The Block

🇺🇸 Imminent — Release of the final draft/text of the CLARITY Act — Expected any day now and widely viewed as the last major step before the bill is ready for full Senate consideration.

🇪🇺 July 6, 2026 — EESC hearing "The Path to the Digital Euro," Brussels (webstreamed) — Full-day policy forum on the EU's central bank digital currency, a surveillance-prone alternative to self-custodied Bitcoin. Watch for privacy and holding-limit signals.

🇺🇸 July 6, 2026 — North Carolina H920, Virtual Currency Kiosk Consumer Protection Act, lands on the Governor's desk — Applies to all virtual-currency kiosks, not just Bitcoin ATMs. Signature would add another state to the kiosk-rules map.

🇪🇸 July 9, 2026 — Mallorca Blockchain Days, Port de Pollença — Seventh edition of the Bitcoin-only, liberty-focused conference, capped at 100 attendees. Sovereignty and self-custody culture, zero altcoin noise despite the legacy name.

🏛️ July 13, 2026 — U.S. Senate returns from July 4 recess. Majority Leader John Thune expected to begin managing floor time for cloture votes on the CLARITY Act.

🇺🇸 July 13–17, 2026 — First Maryland Blockchain Conference, Baltimore — Broad crypto/Web3 event, not Bitcoin-only, but Day 4 targets regulators and legislative staff. A useful read on what state policymakers are being taught.

🏛️ Before August recess (expected) — CLARITY Act Senate floor vote push — Over 200 organizations are pressing Senate leaders for a vote on the market-structure bill. Self-custody and developer-protection language surviving intact is the thing to watch.

🇿🇦 July 1 – Aug. 31, 2026 — SARS crypto tax comment window, South Africa — SARS published its draft crypto tax guide on July 1 and opened it for public comment, with a new audit unit tracking wallets for ~6 million users. Aug. 31 is the deadline to submit feedback before the rules are finalized. A preview of global tax-enforcement playbooks.

“Government cannot make man richer, but it can make him poorer.” — Ludwig von Mises

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