Aptos Encrypts Mempool, Stablecoins Brace Regulations

Today, Aptos rolled out an encrypted mempool, US regulators mulled stablecoin accounting changes, and the FSB warned of oversight gaps and AI threats before the G20 summit

Key Takeaways

• Aptos’ Encrypted Mempool encrypts pending transactions to protect against frontrunning and sandwich attacks.
• US accountants may soon classify qualifying stablecoins as cash equivalents, easing corporate balance‑sheet reporting.
• The FSB warns that stablecoin oversight remains fragmented and highlights emerging AI risks ahead of the G20 finance meeting.

Market snapshot shows modest moves across major coins

Crypto prices ticked higher on Oct. 13, 2026. Bitcoin hovered at $83,976, up 0.02%, while Ethereum rose 1.14% to $2,534.51. Altcoins such as Dogecoin (+3.10%) and Solana (+3.36%) also posted gains, reflecting a broadly positive tone in the market.

Aptos launches encrypted mempool to fight MEV

Read our earlier report: AI Prompts Fail African VC Funding

Aptos announced that its optional Encrypted Mempool feature is now live on mainnet. The tool encrypts pending transactions until a block is sealed, preventing bots from seeing function calls, asset amounts, or contract addresses in real time. Aptos says the feature targets institutions moving large orders, traders seeking to dodge maximal extractable value (MEV) attacks, AI agents, and developers building on the chain.

The move comes after research showed sandwich attacks cost Ethereum traders about $60 million over the 12‑month period ending Oct. 2025, according to Cointelegraph’s analysis of EigenPhi data. On Solana, Bitquery reported $29.7 million lost to similar attacks across 11 months, affecting roughly 2.2 million wallets. By encrypting transaction data, Aptos hopes to blunt the visibility that fuels these profit‑draining bots.

US accounting proposal could reclassify stablecoins

A new report from Stripe‑backed blockchain consultancy Tempo highlights a pending change to US accounting standards that would let qualifying stablecoins be treated as cash equivalents on corporate balance sheets. Currently, firms must list stablecoins as “other assets,” a classification that can weaken liquidity ratios and trigger covenant breaches.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) is reviewing whether stablecoins with direct redemption rights from issuers, such as USDC, qualify for cash‑equivalent status. Tempo notes that two companies holding identical USDC tokens could receive different accounting treatment depending on their redemption arrangements with Circle. Coinbase, for example, already classifies USDC as a cash equivalent in its 2025 annual report, citing a direct redemption agreement. The proposal follows the GENIUS Act, which set federal requirements for payment‑stablecoin issuers, and remains open for public comment until Nov. 19.

FSB flags stablecoin oversight gaps and AI risks ahead of G20

The Financial Stability Board (FSB) issued a letter to G20 finance ministers and central bank governors warning of immature cross‑border mechanisms for stablecoin supervision and crisis management. Chair Andrew Bailey noted that only 11 of 28 surveyed jurisdictions have finalized stablecoin regulatory frameworks, leaving the rest with fragmented or absent rules.

Bailey also urged G20 members to adopt the FSB’s newly finalised practices for responsible AI use in finance, citing the rapid emergence of AI‑driven trading bots and the potential for systemic risk. The letter, published on Monday, arrives just before the G20 finance meeting, where leaders will discuss coordinated policy responses to both stablecoin and AI challenges.

Related reading

For investors tracking upcoming token distributions, see our guide on this week’s crypto airdrop deadlines: https://www.nadiagist247.com/2026/10/crypto-airdrop-deadlines-this-week-october-2026.html.

What’s next for the crypto ecosystem?

Aptos’ encrypted mempool is optional, but early adopters may set a new security benchmark for Layer‑1 chains. If the FASB adopts the stablecoin cash‑equivalent rule, corporations could hold larger stablecoin balances, potentially boosting demand for tokens like USDC. Meanwhile, the FSB’s call for stronger oversight may spur additional jurisdictional frameworks before the next G20 summit, shaping the regulatory landscape for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Aptos’ encrypted mempool protect traders?

It keeps transaction details hidden until a block is finalized, preventing bots from seeing function calls, amounts, or contracts and exploiting that information.

What impact could the FASB proposal have on corporate stablecoin use?

If approved, companies could list stablecoins as cash equivalents, improving liquidity ratios and reducing the risk of covenant breaches.

Why is the FSB concerned about AI in finance?

AI‑driven trading bots increase the speed and scale of MEV attacks, and the board wants G20 members to adopt responsible AI practices to mitigate systemic risk.

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