[Kraken Launches U.S. Stock Trading Service for EEA Users] According to The Block, Kraken has officially launched U.S. stock trading services for eligible users in all member countries of the European Economic Area (EEA). This service is now fully open to the entire EEA. Kraken is currently the only crypto-native platform capable of offering both U.S. stock spot trading and their tokenized versions within the same regulated account for EEA users.

Sina Mahmoodi, the core developer of the Ethereum Foundation, announced her resignation, ending her tenure of over seven years. Sina Mahmoodi joined the Ethereum Foundation in 2019 and has been involved in the development of Ethereum JS, eWASM, and Geth clients.

CryptoQuant analyst Axel Adler Jr. stated that the long-term holder supply of Bitcoin is 16.35 million BTC, which is only 58000 BTC lower than the historical peak of 16.41 million BTC on July 30th, and has increased by 1.38 million BTC in the past 90 days. In the past 15 days, there have only been 2 days where the supply of long-term holders has decreased, resulting in low selling pressure. The current price of Bitcoin is about $64200, and the long-term holder cost base is about $49400, which is in the low-risk zone between $49400 and $74100.

[JPMorgan Research Report Indicates Comprehensive Upward Revision in Semiconductor Equipment and Materials Demand, Industry Shifts to Dual Growth in Price and Volume] According to TrendForce Research, JPMorgan's research report on August 17 pointed out that TSMC has raised its 2026 capital expenditure to $64 billion, Intel to $20 billion, and SK Hynix plans 40 trillion KRW. Tokyo Electron has revised its 2026 WFE (Wafer Fab Equipment) outlook to over $150 billion and 2027 to over $190 billion. Screen Holdings expects WFE growth of over 20% in 2026, reaching at least $140 billion. AXT is transitioning its InP substrate production capacity to 6 inches, receiving five-year contract requests and prepayments from customers. Samsung plans to include 60% to 70% of its capacity under LTAs (Long-Term Agreements), SK Hynix has signed 10 agreements, and SanDisk has signed 8 agreements. The report concludes that the semiconductor equipment and materials cycle is shifting from volume expansion to dual drivers of volume and price, with Japanese semiconductor and tech material companies likely to become major beneficiaries.

According to Digital Asset, the South Korean Broadcasting and Communications Commission determined on August 18th that the prediction market platform Polymarket provides channels for illegal gambling and decided to take access blocking measures against it.