Some Merge observers see long-term environmental benefits and price increases, although others are concerned about centralization and regulatory scrutiny; cryptocurrencies plunge after the Federal Reserve’s latest interest rate hike. Author: Shaurya Malwa, James Rubin

After two years of ongoing litigation, Stuart Alderoty, general counsel at Ripple, joined CoinDesk TV’s “First Mover” to discuss why it could mark “the beginning of the end,” as the SEC’s efforts to identify any contract of investment appear to have fallen short. Author: Fran Velasquez

Democrats pushed for a provision directing the U.S. Federal Reserve to move forward on a digital dollar, but the negotiations concluded with a new directive for another Fed study in this year’s ongoing legislative effort to regulate stablecoins, according to a person familiar with the talks. Author: Jesse Hamilton

The vulnerability would have allowed attackers to steal all ether deposits into Arbitrum after its latest upgrade, known as Nitro. Author: Shaurya Malwa

Balina is charged with conducting an unregistered securities offering in 2018 for his SPRK ICO token, but proving that the Ethereum network should be subject to U.S. securities law will be difficult; cryptos largely decline. Author: James Rubin, Sam Reynolds