CRYPTOCURRENCY
Bittrex Global to End Trading on Dec 4, 2023
Bittrex Global, a Liechtenstein-based cryptocurrency exchange, will cease operations on December 4, 2023, following regulatory challenges and legal proceedings, requiring customers to convert U.S. dollar holdings.
OneCoin Co-Founder Sentenced to Two Decades in Prison Over Multibillion-Dollar Fraud
Karl Sebastian Greenwood, co-founder of the OneCoin cryptocurrency scheme, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for deceiving millions of investors worldwide, leading to losses exceeding $4 billion. The scheme, based in Sofia, Bulgaria, was marketed as a revolutionary cryptocurrency, but was later revealed to be a sham. Greenwood and co-founder Ruja Ignatova used the scheme to finance extravagant lifestyles.
The Reserve Bank of India is Expanding CBDC While Dismissing Privately Issued Stablecoins
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is planning to increase the number of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) transactions to one million per day by the end of 2023, according to Deputy Governor T Rabi Sankar.
Stablecoins Could Bolster U.S. Dollar and Economic Competitiveness: Circle CEO
In a compelling testimony delivered to the House Financial Services Committee, Jeremy Allaire, CEO and Co-Founder of Circle, underlined the significant role stablecoins, such as the U.S. Dollar Coin (USDC), could play in strengthening the global position of the U.S. dollar.
Canadians Consulted on Digital Currency
The Bank of Canada has opened a public consultation until June 19 to gauge what features Canadians would like to see included in a digital Canadian dollar. The bank clarified it was not beginning work on a CBDC or replacing cash but was looking to explore the concept.
Circle Launches Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol for USDC
Circle has released a mainnet protocol allowing users to transfer USDC between Ethereum and Avalanche. The Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol (CCTP) eliminates the need for USDC bridges and aims to reduce fragmentation in the Web3 ecosystem.
China and Malaysia discuss Asian Monetary Fund
China and Malaysia are discussing the creation of an Asian Monetary Fund as a way to move away from U.S. dollar hegemony. The fund was proposed at a forum in Hainan, China, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has stated that China is open to the proposal.
BRICS Alliance Considers Creating New Currency
The BRICS alliance, comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is reportedly exploring the possibility of creating its own currency, according to a top Russian official. Alexander Babakov, State Duma Deputy Chairman, stated that the currency could be based on new monetary ties and could be secured by gold and other commodities. The move is seen as a way to distance the BRICS nations from US dollar hegemony and to promote their shared objectives.
Okcoin Halts U.S. Dollar Deposits After Signature Bank Shutdown
Okcoin has paused its U.S. dollar wire and ACH deposits due to the regulatory intervention in Signature Bank, Okcoin’s primary partner for customer transactions in dollars. The suspension extends to over-the-counter services, credit card transactions, and trading USD-crypto trading pairs. However, all corporate and customer funds are safe, and USD withdrawal is not affected. The processing pace will be subject to bank operation. All crypto deposit and withdrawal functions remain intact, including those of U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoins.
BitMEX Co-Founder Proposes Bitcoin-Backed Stablecoin
Arthur Hayes, the co-founder and former CEO of BitMEX, has proposed creating a new stablecoin called the Satoshi Nakamoto Dollar (NUSD) or NakaDollar. Unlike major reserve-backed U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoins, the proposed NakaDollar would be pegged to the sum of $1 worth of Bitcoin and one inverse perpetual swap of BTC against USD, without relying on any USD reserves. The stablecoin's peg to the U.S. dollar would be maintained via mathematical transactions between the new decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) authorized participants and derivatives exchanges.