CRYPTOCURRENCY
SEC Agrees to Delay Terraform Labs Trial, Awaiting Do Kwon's Extradition
The SEC has postponed the trial of Terraform Labs and Do Kwon, pending Kwon's extradition to the US, for a $40 billion cryptocurrency fraud.
Public Worry Grows Over Bank Stability
A recent Gallup poll conducted in the US revealed that 48% of respondents are concerned about their money in the bank, with almost 20% "very concerned." Experts at a think tank postulate that if half of uninsured savers withdrew all of their cash, 186 American banks would be at risk of impairment. Additionally, research suggests that half of the banks in America could be insolvent.
Signature Bank Collapse Blamed on Poor Management
The FDIC's assessment of Signature Bank identified poor management and inadequate risk management practices as the reason for its collapse. The bank was shut down by regulators on March 12, and the FDIC was appointed to handle the insurance process.
South Korean prosecutors trace millions in illicit funds tied to Terra co-founder
South Korean prosecutors have identified $314.2 million in illicit assets linked to Do Kwon and Terraform Labs. Kwon reportedly converted most of the funds into Bitcoin using overseas exchanges, making it difficult for the authorities to recover the assets. Terra experienced a $40 billion collapse in May 2022 due to fraud, with Kwon at the epicenter. Kwon was recently caught by authorities in Montenegro after evading arrest for nearly a year.
Terra's Partnership with Washington Nationals Raises Eyebrows
Terra, the cryptocurrency ecosystem that collapsed in May 2022, made a prominent appearance at Nationals Park during the Washington Nationals' home opener on March 30. Despite Terra's collapse, a partnership between the company and the baseball team had been in effect since February 2022, with the Terra community committing $38.2 million over five years to secure the deal. Terra's founder, Do Kwon, is currently in police custody in Montenegro and is reportedly facing harsh conditions in the penal system.
Federal Reserve Admits Blindsided Oversight of SVB Collapse
The Federal Reserve Chairman has admitted to being blindsided by the sudden collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) despite being under their supervision. The collapse of SVB has prompted an internal investigation led by the Vice Chairman to look into the failure of the bank and the Fed’s regulation of it. The bank’s collapse has been linked to the Federal Reserve’s successive interest rate hikes and erosion of its long-term bonds. This has led to depositors requesting withdrawals en masse, causing a bank run, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Commission taking possession of SVB.
US Banking Crisis Fuels Regulation Debate
The recent fall of major banks in the US has reignited discussions about the most effective ways to safeguard the economy. Economist Peter Schiff argues that increasing banking regulations could contribute to a worsening economic crisis, while a group of economists warns that nearly 190 US banks are at risk of depositor-driven collapse due to monetary policies.
FTX Founder Allegedly Sought Federal Regulation Before Collapse
FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried allegedly sought federal regulation for the crypto exchange before its collapse and his resignation as CEO. A leaked email exchange with a top regulator showed Bankman-Fried's intent to meet with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation chairman in June 2022.
NFT Trading Volumes Plunge After Silicon Valley Bank Collapse
NFT trading volumes dropped from $74 million to $36 million after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. Daily NFT sales count also fell by 27.9% between March 9 and March 11, and active NFT traders hit a low of 11,440 on March 11, the lowest recorded since November 2021.
US DOJ and SEC launch inquiries into Silicon Valley Bank collapse
The DoJ and SEC have started investigations into the sudden collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and the stock sales made by its financial officers leading up to its closure. The probes are in their early stages and may not result in charges or allegations of wrongdoing.