Digital
Marathon Digital Generated 184 BTC in Aug, Total Holding 10,311 BTC
Marathon Digital stated that as of August 31, 2022, it holds 10,311 BTC, with a total value of $206.7 million, and produced 184 BTC in that month.
KuCoin Rolls Out $100m Creators Fund to Accelerate Web3 Growth, Empowering Early-Stage NFT Projects
Crypto exchange KuCoin has announced a $100 million “Creators Fund” to enhance the Web3 ecosystem and support early-stage NFT projects in sports, arts, GameFi, and celebrities.
China’s President Xi Jinping Asks ASEAN Countries to Join Hands in Building A ‘Digital Silk Road’
China’s President Xi Jinping is calling for greater collaboration among ASEAN member states and has asked them to promote a ‘Digital Silk Road’ in the region.
US Congressman Proposes Safe Harbor for Digital Token Issuers in a New Bill
A new bill has just been sponsored by an American lawmaker from North Carolina, Patrick McHenry, seeking to grant a safe harbor for some token transactions
China Continues to Influence Crypto Activities Worldwide, Study says
Blockchain data platform Chainalysis published a report Wednesday, indicating China remains one of the largest cryptocurrency markets worldwide and continues to influence crypto activities worldwide.
Bank of Japan Sets Up New Research Team For Digital Yen CBDC Development
Japan’s central bank has recently revealed that it has created a new team to research on Central Bank Digital Currencies.
China Launches Digital Yuan Pilot Wallet for Android and iOS Users
The People’s Bank of China has extended its pilot tests for the country’s Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) or digital Yuan with the launch of a new mobile wallet for Android and iOS users.
BlockFi Triumphs Over Bankruptcy, Initiates Creditor Reimbursements
BlockFi, a cryptocurrency company, emerged from bankruptcy in October 2023 and has since implemented a plan to repay creditors and return digital assets to clients. The company is now focusing on asset recoveries from entities like FTX and 3AC, processing claims for fair distributions, and Wallet customers can withdraw assets.
NFTs will Outrun Bitcoin due to the Proof of Ownership for Real-World Items, Kevin O’Leary says
Kevin O’Leary believes that NFTs have a bigger shot of surpassing Bitcoin because they can digitally show ownership of real-world things like flash cars or designer watches.
South Korea's Digital Won Project Sees First Trial Stage Completed
The Bank of Korea (BOK) announced that it has completed the first stage of its Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) or Digital Won trials, according to its official press release.
China's DCEP Will Not Compete With WeChat and AliPay
China’s digital currency also known as the Digital Currency Electronic Payment (DCEP) will not be competing with WeChat and AliPay says Research head.
Central African Regional Bank Seeks to Introduce Common Digital Currency
The Bank of Central African States is considering creating a common Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) that would serve its six member states.
Visa Unveils Innovative Web3 Loyalty Program with SmartMedia Technologies
Visa teams up with SmartMedia Technologies to launch a pioneering Web3 Loyalty Engagement Solution, revolutionizing customer loyalty with gamified, immersive experiences and digital wallets.
Stronghold Digital Mining Collects Coal Waste to Power Cryptocurrency Mining
Stronghold Digital Mining, based in western Pennsylvania, has found a new, environmentally friendly way to mine cryptocurrency, Reuters reports.
NFT Transactions Projected to Hit $40m by 2027 amid Metaverse Trend
NFT transactions are expected to reach $40 million by 2027 as the metaverse trend continues gaining steam, according to a report by Juniper Research.
FTX US and Alameda Research File Complaint Against FTX Digital Markets
FTX US and Alameda Research have filed a complaint against FTX Digital Markets, alleging that the Bahamas-based company was a "fraudulent enterprise" used to conceal the issue of the firm's ownership. The complaint claims that the claims made by FTX Digital Markets will harm FTX.com customers and other creditors of the FTX Debtors as the company continues with bankruptcy proceedings in the United States.
Russia Plans to Use Digital Rouble In Settlements with China, Says Lawmaker
Russia used to resist legalizing crypto. However, it is now willing to embrace the use of cryptocurrency for cross-border payments due to geopolitical tensions.
Stablecoins Could Threaten Monetary Sovereignty and Financial Stability, Says ECB’s Christine Lagarde
Christine Lagarde, the president of the European Central Bank (ECB), has highlighted that stablecoins could pose a serious threat to monetary sovereignty and financial stability.
CBDC Project will Help Enhance Japan's "Settlement System," Says Bank of Japan Executive
Bank of Japan's Kazushige Kamiyama has revealed that the country’s proposed central bank digital currency will enhance the country’s settlement system.
China's e-CNY is Growing, despite Local Payment Options Lack behind
China’s CBDC is growing at a fast pace as data released official from the PBOC financial markets department revealed the new legal tender has inked a total of 87.57 billion yuan ($13.68 billion) in transactions since public trials began.
Bakkt And Galaxy Digital Announce New Bitcoin Service Aimed at Institutional Investors
Regulated bitcoin futures provider Bakkt and Galaxy Digital’s trading arm seek to cater to the rising institutional demand for Bitcoin. The two firms have just developed a new service targeting institutional investors looking to purchase and store Bitcoin.
Bank of America Initiates Research on Digital Assets & Crypto
Bank of America (BoA) follows the trend of cryptocurrency in response to the increasing user transaction demand and institutions' interest. Bank of America announced to initiate research on this powerful digital asset system.
Chinese Version CBDC (Digital Yuan) Applied to Guangzhou Housing Provident Fund Loans
The Guangzhou Housing Provident Fund Management Center has successfully implemented the usage of the Chinese version of the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), commonly known as the digital Yuan, for housing provident fund loans.
China’s Central Bank Digital Currency DCEP Has Been Processed in Pilot Transactions Worth 1.1 Billion Yuan
In the race to be the first country to launch a functional CBDC, China appears to be in the lead, as it has begun experimenting with its digital currency.
UAE Central Bank Pioneers Digital Dirham Transfer to China via mBridge
The UAE Central Bank achieved a significant milestone by executing its first cross-border digital dirham transfer worth 50 million dirhams ($13.6 million) to China using the mBridge platform on January 29, marking a new era in digital currency transactions.
Visa Applies for Blockchain-Based Digital Currency Patent to Potentially Remove Physical Currency
Visa has filed a patent application to create a blockchain-based digital currency on a centralized computer, according to a publication by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The patent was originally filed in November 2019, and was described as “Digital Fiat Currency.” The US dollar was mentioned as one of the fiat currencies to be used potentially, although the patent could also apply to other central bank digital currencies including the pound, yen, and the euro.
FTX Seeks Court Approval to Sell $175M Genesis Claim Amid Bankruptcy Proceedings
FTX has filed a motion in Delaware court to sell a $175 million claim against bankrupt Genesis Global Capital, aiming to optimize returns from the sale. The move is part of FTX's broader strategy to manage its financial recovery post-collapse, with the proposed sales procedure designed to ensure maximum value from the claim amidst Genesis's ongoing legal and financial challenges.
Matrixport Launches New Crypto Products with Fixed Income Investment and the Flexi-Term Investment Product
SINGAPORE - On 18th May 2020, Matrixport will introduce the Fixed Income Investment Product and the Flexi-Term Investment product, where asset security is protected by a risk control mechanism by real crypto assets guaranteed by excess pledge.
Federal Reserve Chair Powell Affirms There Is Ongoing Research for a Digital Dollar
The Federal Reserve Bank is involved in a large-scale research and development regarding digital dollar, says Chairman Jerome Powell.
DCG Completes Payment of Short-Term Debts to Dissolved Crypto Lender Genesis
Digital Currency Group paid up all short-term loans to Genesis, a previous bitcoin lending platform, as promised. DCG repaid $700 million in 2023 despite crypto sector woes. Genesis filed for bankruptcy in early 2023 after a withdrawal halt due to obligations of over $3.5 billion to its principal creditors. The bitcoin market is changing significantly with this development.
NHL Partners with Sweet for Digital Collectibles NFTs Marketplace
NHL is looking to invest in NFTs to boost the sports league's growth. The NTF marketplace is expected this upcoming season.
Already Driving Real-World Crypto Usage, Gleec Team Launches New Exchange
The global crypto ecosystem only expands as users realize the real-world applicability of digital assets and distributed ledger technology. Alone, the worldwide blockchain market size projects to grow to $23.3 billion by 2023 hinged on an 80.2% compound annual growth rate. Market size totaled $1.2 billion in 2018.
Dubai Police to Release Second Bunch of NFTs
The Dubai Police plans to roll out the second collection of NFTs after the first bunch attracted approximately 23 million people globally.
Crypto Bank Anchorage Digital To Make Entry into Asia
Crypto Bank Anchorage Digital is making an entry into Asia with five new partnerships, including crypto exchange Bitkub, asset management firm Dream Trade, blockchain investment firm FBG Capital, venture firm IOSG Ventures and digital assets financial services provider Antalpha.
Brazilian Central Bank Exec Says CBDC Pilot to Go Live this Year
Roberto Campos Neto, the President of the Central Bank of Brazil, has confirmed that there will be a pilot testing of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) dubbed the Digital Real.
Messari Raises $35M in Series B Round
Blockchain-based data analytics platform, Messari has announced the successful completion of its Series B funding round in which it pulled $35 million.
Haru Invest Provides Update on Current Situation Amidst Investigation into B&S Holdings
Haru Invest, a prominent investment firm, has released an update regarding the ongoing investigation into B&S Holdings and its efforts to recover assets. The company has been fully cooperating with investigative authorities, although no specific details about the progress of the investigation have been disclosed yet.
Fed Chair Powell Says Central Bank Will Engage with US Lawmakers On Digital Dollar
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says it will be up to United States lawmakers whether or not to bring a digital dollar to the market.
Qatar to Explore CBDC
Qatar is exploring use cases of introducing a CBDC, including all aspects, the pros and cons of the digital currency as well as digital banking.
Singapore State Investor Temasek Joins Libra Association, Facebook’s Global Digital Currency Project
Singapore’s state investor, Temasek Holdings has officially been named a member of the Facebook-backed digital currency project Libra. Temasek as a portfolio value of 313 billion Singapore dollars (roughly $219 billion), making it one of the more prominent backers of Libra. The Libra Association, an independent group based in Switzerland has also welcomed crypto investor Paradigm and Slow Ventures, a private equity firm.
List of Important Resources on Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)
Blockchain has the potential to change the whole monetary and financial industry. But it still has a long way to go, as currently, the money issuance power is in the hands of central banks. The compromised way of welcoming blockchain technology in the monetary and financial industry are the central bank issued stablecoins - CDBC.
Crypto Data Platform Offers Digital Asset Data to Institutional Clients via BT Radianz Cloud
CryptoCompare, the digital asset data provider company for both institutional and retail clients, announced in a press release on its blog that it plans to offer a suite of digital asset data products via the BT Radianz Cloud, as a secure and reliable financial markets cloud communities which will enable institutional clients to have a fine, secure and dependable perspective of the growing digital asset class.
Hong Kong-Based OSL Digital Securities Receives License Uplift to Enable Retail Trading of Bitcoin and Ethereum
OSL Digital Securities Limited ("OSL Digital Securities"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of BC Technology Group Limited (Stock Code: 863), has been granted an uplift to its existing license by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) of Hong Kong.
Staking Rewards Raises $3.2M Equity from Crypto's Largest Funds Ecosystem
Crypto data aggregation startup, Staking Rewards says it has raised $3.2 million from the biggest fund managers in the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
Binance Adds Bitcoin Ordinals to NFT Marketplace
Binance has announced that it will soon support Bitcoin ordinals, also known as Bitcoin NFTs, on its NFT marketplace. This will expand Binance’s multichain NFT ecosystem to include the Bitcoin network. Bitcoin ordinals have been on the rise, with over 3 million inscriptions as of May 1, but they remain a controversial topic in the crypto community.
Top 10 Dapps on Ethereum Network Surpass 1 Million Daily Users
The top 10 decentralized applications on the Ethereum network have hit 1,017,760 daily active wallet users, according to data analytics company DappRadar.
Crypto Trends: Weekly Inflows and Outflows in Altcoins, North American Markets, and Investment Products
Altcoins saw $3M in weekly inflows; North America had $11B outflows. Digital asset products had minor withdrawals of $21M, with Bitcoin trading at $16B.
Bank of Japan will test digital yen with three megabanks
Bank of Japan is working with three megabanks and regional banks to issue CBDCs. The pilot will test the issue of Japan's digital yen in 2023. 2026 ruling on digital currency.
China to Limit the Unauthorized Use of Other's Digital Properties
The illegal use of people’s work including Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT) without getting their permission has been a concern to the National Copyright Administration in China (NCAC). To this end, the agency alongside four departments has therefore enacted policies in a special edition campaign ‘Jianwang 20222’ to combat this issue according to a press statement
Digital Dollar Project Floats Sandbox for Harness Potential CBDC Solutions
The Digital Dollar Project (DDP) has announced the launch of its Technical Sandbox Program that will make further exploration into the potential of the technical exploration of a US CBDC or the Digital Dollar.
Voyager Digital Taps Former OCC Boss Brian Brooks as Director
Cryptocurrency platform Voyager Digital has tapped the services of Brian Brooks, the current Chief Executive Officer of Bitfury as one of its non-Executive Directors.
Walmart Hires Digital Currency and Cryptocurrency Product Lead
The multinational retail giant in the United States, Walmart, is hiring managing position in charge of cryptocurrency and digital products.
Meta's Digital Assets Expansion: A Scrutiny by Maxine Waters
Congresswoman Maxine Waters scrutinizes Meta's trademark applications, filed in March 2022, suggesting the company's continued involvement in the digital assets ecosystem, despite previous assurances of no ongoing projects in this area.
49% of Americans are Aware of NFTs: Pew Research Center
Nearly half of Americans have shown awareness of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), according to a survey by Washington-based think tank Pew Research Center.
Bank of Japan to Launch CBDC Proof-of-Concept in 2021
The Bank of Japan (BOJ) has revealed its plan to kick start an early proof-of-concept on the issuance of its central bank digital currency (CBDC) next year.
What Pantera Capital CEO Thinks Will Be The Best Performing Cryptocurrency in the Next 12 Months
In an interview with Raoul Pal, Dan Morehead, the CEO of Pantera Capital, revealed what he thinks will be the best performing digital asset a year from now.
Singapore Employs Blockchain-Enabled Digital Health Passport for Enhanced Medical Data Management
The Singaporean administration teamed up with a local startup to establish a blockchain-powered digital health passport to boost medical records management.
SocGen Introduces Digital Asset Service for Firms to Develop Crypto Funds
Societe Generale has launched a new digital asset service, which so far has been adopted by Arquant Capital SAS, a French asset management firm.
Apollo Teams Up With Anchorage to Expand its Product Offering
Apollo Global Manage and Anchorage have partnered to expand the former's crypto products
Bank of Japan Wants to Hear From Public About Digital Yen Development
The head of Bank of Japan (BOJ)’s payments and settlement systems department, recently said that the Central Bank was seeking public opinion on the digital yen.
Hut 8 Mining Corp. Responds to Short-Seller Accusations Amid Stock Tumble
Hut 8 Corp faces serious accusations from JCapital Research, claiming mismanagement and legal issues post-merger, leading to a significant stock price drop. The company is now working to address these allegations and reassure investors.
Apple Faces Major Complaint for Tracking Code that Allegedly Violates EU Privacy Regulations
A complaint that alleges that Apple’s Identifier for Advertisers code (IDFA) is a privacy breach going against European laws has been filed.
Marathon Digital Holdings Reports Lower Bitcoin Production in February Due to Maintenance Issues
Marathon Digital Holdings announced a 23% decrease in bitcoin production for February 2024 due to unplanned maintenance issues at its mining facilities, despite a 9% increase in hash rate.
May 31: Everyone Wants to be the Broker in Crypto
BTC has managed to get into my sell zone with ETH clearly leading the charts with the triangle breakout getting quite a few technical guys excited. Contrary to this spike, 20k+ ETH Dec 120 puts traded at $8.4 yesterday. So who's gonna be right?
Binance CEO CZ and Crypto Execs Say Traditional Finance Not Yet Ready to Embrace Digital Currencies
Binance CEO Changepeng Zhao (CZ) and two major crypto executives believe traditional financial institutions have a long way to go before they embrace digital currencies.
Goldman Sachs Continues Expanding Digital Assets Team, Now Looking For New VP
Goldman Sachs is looking for a new Vice President for its Digital Assets team to helps define and execute the investment firm’s global blockchain strategy.
NFTs will be Everywhere in the Future because of Proof of Ownership, Expert says
Caroline Alexander, a finance expert at the University of Sussex, believes that non-fungible tokens (NFTs) will be everywhere in the future because anything that requires proof of ownership will be an NFT.
Bitcoin NFTs to Hit $4.5B Market Cap
Galaxy Digital's research unit predicts that the Bitcoin nonfungible token (NFT) market could reach a $4.5 billion market cap by March 2025 based on conservative estimations. The report also outlines bear and bull case scenarios for the market.
Coinbase Custody Leads in Digital Asset Safety Amid ETF Adoption Surge
As crypto ETFs gain SEC approval, Coinbase Custody emerges as the trusted custodian for digital assets, leveraging advanced security and regulatory compliance.
Tripling of Bitcoin Millionaire Wallets in 2023: A Deep Dive into the Crypto Wealth Explosion
In 2023, the number of Bitcoin wallets with over $1 million increased by 237%, indicating a significant shift in cryptocurrency wealth and market dynamics.
China PBOC Views CBDC Race as "New Battlefied" Between Sovereign Nations
China through its apex bank, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) has reiterated its desire to be the first nation to issue a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)
Grayscale's Parent Company DCG Plans to Purchase $50M Shares of Ethereum Classic Trust
Digital Currency Group (DCG), the parent company of the cryptocurrency asset management company Grayscale, announced the firm will buy Grayscale Ethereum Classic Trust shares with a total value of $50 million.
Mastercard Unveils Interoperable CBDC in Australia
Mastercard, in association with the RBA and DFCRC, has demonstrated a groundbreaking interoperable CBDC solution to enhance Web3 commerce in Australia and beyond. The live demonstration showcased a pilot CBDC holder purchasing an NFT on Ethereum, utilizing Mastercard’s Multi Token Network, emphasizing the potential of blockchain interoperability in fostering secure and efficient digital commerce.
Bit Digital Signs Partnership with BitMine to Host 7,000 ASIC Miners
Bit Digital has signed on with BitMine to buy ASIC miners that use oil cooled immersion technology to create a highly efficient environment for heat dissipation, provide superior mining production, and machine longevity.
Crypto Mom Hester Peirce Officially Sworn in as SEC Commissioner
Crypto Mom and blockchain forward SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce has been sworn in for a second term at the US SEC.
Upbit Singapore Secures MAS's MPI Licence
Upbit Singapore receives a Major Payment Institution license from MAS, marking a key step in its expansion and compliance with Singapore's regulatory standards in the digital asset sector.
Fed Chairman Powell Says Central Bank Digital Currency Would Need to Coexist with Traditional Cash
While speaking at a virtual payments conference hosted by the Basel Committee on banking supervision, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said that central bank digital currencies would need to be complementary to physical cash.
DFA Bill Passed, But Central Bank of Russia Still Thinks Cryptos Are Criminal
Despite the Digital Financial Assets bill being passed by the State Duma, Russia’s Central Bank has nevertheless argued that crypto transactions are not deemed as legitimate investments.
Digital Euro Will Pull Out Traditional Bank Deposits by 8%, Says Morgan Stanley
The advent of the Digital Euro may spark a reduction in cash deposits by 8%, estimated by Morgan Stanley.
Marathon Digital and Zero Two Partner for Abu Dhabi Bitcoin-Mining Facility
Marathon Digital Holdings and Zero Two have partnered to create a large-scale immersion Bitcoin-mining facility in Abu Dhabi. The joint venture, based in Mina Zayed and Masdar City, will comprise two mining sites with a combined 250-megawatt capacity. Marathon and Zero Two plan to power the facilities with excess energy from Abu Dhabi’s grid.
Cboe Digital Set to Launch Bitcoin and Ether Futures Trading in January 2024
Cboe Digital, the first US-regulated crypto native exchange, will launch Bitcoin and Ether futures trading, enhancing capital efficiency and market liquidity.
Coinbase Executives Visit UAE to Explore Potential for Crypto Operations
Coinbase executives, including CEO Brian Armstrong, visited the UAE to explore the potential of the region as a strategic hub for its international operations. The visit coincides with a partnership between Marathon Digital Holdings and Zero Two to create a large-scale immersion Bitcoin-mining facility in Abu Dhabi.
Central Bank Digital Currencies Are Not Like Bitcoin or Cryptocurrency
CBDC are digital assets, but they are not cryptocurrencies and in fact strike at the heart of the very philosophy that brought Bitcoin into existence.
Public Companies Now Hold Almost $7 Billion Worth Of Bitcoin
At the time of writing, there is almost $7 billion of Bitcoin currently held by 13 publicly listed companies, notably MicroStrategy, Square, Galaxy Digital and Grayscale.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Seeking a New Gold Standard
Reportedly Malaysia’s Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad indicated that he is agreeable to a single currency for the East Asian region backed by gold but critically it would not become the national cash of any current nation.
CFTC Charges Four Individuals Behind Alleged Bitcoin Fraud Scheme "Global Trading Club"
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has charged four people for allegedly soliciting funds from clients to speculate in Bitcoin price movements.
Bank of Russia Commences Digital Ruble Trials
The Bank of Russia (BoR) has announced the commencement of its Digital Ruble trials, making the most ambitious push for a functional CBDC in the country.
Citi Partners with World Bank on Euroclear's DLT Platform for Digitally Native Note Issuance
Citi's Issuer Services acted as the Issuing and Paying Agent for the first Digitally Native Note (DNN) issuance via Euroclear's D-FMI distributed ledger technology platform, marking a significant step in digital bond issuance and showcasing a scalable model for blockchain integration within existing capital market structures.
Different Stances on Cryptocurrency Risk Revealed, Many Still Link Crypto to Cyber Fraud
Findings revealed that banks, governments, and cryptocurrency professionals were divided in their stance on digital currencies.
Mongolia’s Oldest Bank Will Soon Offer Comprehensive Crypto Services
Mongolia’s Trade & Development Bank (TDB Bank), one of the oldest and largest banks in the nation, has announced plans to enter the crypto space.
Constellation Network’s $DAG and $LTX Tokens Launch at LCX Exchange
LCX will provide a legal framework package for additional L_0 tokens and businesses.
UAE to Launch and Test in-house Digital Currency
The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates has plans to develop an in-house digital currency by 2026.
NY Fed's digital currency Test Reveals Feasibility
The Innovation Center of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (NYIC) has successfully completed its proof-of-concept of a regulated liability network (RLN), which was carried out in collaboration with nine significant financial institutions and the Swift network.
FTC Settles with Voyager Digital Over Misleading FDIC Claims, Former CEO Charged
The FTC settles with Voyager Digital, barring it from handling consumer assets post allegations of misleading FDIC insurance claims. The settlement highlights regulatory efforts to ensure transparency in the crypto industry amid a broader crackdown on deceptive practices.
South Korea Passes Comprehensive Law Officially Legalizing Cryptocurrency Trading And Holding
A day after India’s Supreme Court lifted the ban on cryptocurrencies, South Korea has followed in their footsteps as the nation’s National Assembly has amended the Act on Reporting and Use of Specific Financial Information. This move fully legalizes cryptocurrencies in South Korea.
Hex Trust Announces Integration of Polkadot Blockchain Network
Hong Kong-based digital asset custody provider Hex Trust announced the integration of Polkadot blockchain network into Hex Safe.
Texas Objects to Binance.US and Voyager Digital Deal
Texas’ State Securities Board and Department of Banking object to Binance.US's proposed $1.022 billion deal to buy Voyager Digital's assets, citing "inadequate" disclosures.
G20 Leaders Demand Digital Tax By End of 2020, US Minister Maintains Current Proposal is Discriminatory
The Group of 20 met in Riyadh last weekend with senior officials expressing alarm at the delay in plans to implement new digital taxes on American technology companies. The New York Times reported on Feb 22, that after two years of economic fallout from a trade war, leaders of the G20 feel that if a deal is not made in the coming months, European countries will begin collecting levies on the US tech giants, which could lead to US retaliation.
Reebonz Tracks Provenance of its Luxury Products Using a Vechain-Powered Digital Certificate
Reebonz, the biggest luxury e-commerce company in Asia Pacific and Southeast Asia, has incorporated blockchain technology into its ecosystem to determine the provenance of its products.
Bernar Venet Explores Generative Art with Sotheby's Metaverse Debut
French artist Bernar Venet collaborates with Sotheby's Metaverse on "EVENT," his first generative artwork on Ethereum blockchain, challenging traditional artistic creation with 500 unique pieces.
Voyager Digital Suspends Crypto Trading, Deposits & Withdrawals
Digital asset broker Voyager Digital said halting all customer trading, deposits, withdrawals and loyalty rewards was the right one given the current market conditions.
Hong Kong Blockchain Ecosystem Feb 2020 - New Members
Hong Kong Blockchain Ecosystem Feb 2020 - New Members
LINE Messaging App Launches Digital Asset Wallet and Blockchain Platform to Run Dapps and Tokens
LINE communications app recently launched a new blockchain digital wallet that can be used to manage various crypto assets.
KPMG Study Confirms US Consumers Are Ready to Use Blockchain Digital Tokens
Data don’t lie. New research from KPMG investigated how consumers feel about the application of blockchain digital tokens. It turned out that consumers believe that the blockchain-baked tokenization could significantly transform the way businesses interact with the public. But it emerged that most businesses have not embraced the new technology. Now, you can guess the implications.
UK Aims to Implement Crypto Regulation Soon
The UK plans to establish digital asset regulation within a year to take advantage of blockchain's benefits for the private sector and the economy, according to Andrew Griffith, the economic secretary to the UK Treasury.
Chainalysis Launches Program to Help Law Enforcement with Monitoring and Storing Seized Crypto Assets
Chainalysis has launched an asset realization program intended to assist government agencies with monitoring and storing seized crypto assets.
List of Blockchain Projects, People and ICOs the SEC Charged
A list of some of the blockchain projects and crypto figures who have been charged by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission over the years.
Digital Currency Group Lands $600M Debt Funding
Grayscale Investments’ parent company Digital Currency Group (DCG) said it has secured a $600 million credit funding, billed to power its many diverse operations.
Bank of China Achieves Groundbreaking $14 Million e-CNY CBDC Settlement in Gold
The Bank of China's Shanghai branch successfully settled a $14 million e-CNY CBDC for gold, marking a significant advancement in digital currency's role in international trade.
Japan Accelerates Digital Yen Plans Amidst Global CBDC Race
Japan is advancing its plans for a digital yen, with the Bank of Japan set to pilot a CBDC program and the finance ministry preparing an expert panel to address legalities, signaling a significant shift in Japan's traditional cash-centric economy.
South Korean Telecom Giant and City Government Teams Up to Launch Major Digital Currency
KT, the largest telecom company in South Korea is planning to launch its blockchain-based digital currency in the second biggest city in the country, Busan.
Changshu Civil Servants to Receive Digital Yuan as Payment
Changshu, a city in China, announced that civil servants, including public service personnel and state-owned unit personnel, will receive their full salaries in digital RMB starting May 2023. The move is part of China's pilot program to establish an efficient and convenient digital RMB operation and management system by 2025.
Goldman Sachs Starts Trading Bitcoin Futures, Taps Galaxy Digital as Liquidity Provider
Goldman Sachs has partnered with Galax Digital to help the US investment bank offer Bitcoin futures products.
May 7: The Traders' War... New vs Seasoned...
Bitcoin is now up close to 3% past 24 hours as it spiked through $9400 for a bit even as U.S. equities traded poorly, leaving me with the thesis that BTC is starting to break away from moving in lockstep with S&P 500 until and after the havling event. In fact, the 1-year rolling correlation between Gold and Bitcoin is nearing all-time high, so we could start seeing it behave more like Digital Gold.
Invesco Partners with Mike Novogratz’s Galaxy Digital to Rollout Suite of Crypto ETFs
Investment management firm, Invesco, is preparing to make crypto ETFs available to investors. The company has partnered with Galaxy Digital Holdings Ltd to expand its existing exchange-traded funds.
US Bitcoin Corp-Hut 8 Merger Progresses Amid Celsius Plan Approval
US Bitcoin Corp has secured court approval for its merger with Hut 8 Mining Corp, marking a significant step towards managing its assets and listing on Nasdaq and the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Coindesk May Be Sold as Parent Company DCG Struggles
CoinDesk may sell. Digital Currency Group (DCG), its parent firm, looks to be struggling financially. DCG has received many bids over $200 million for the media group in recent months.
Japan's FSA Joins MAS' "Project Guardian" as First Overseas Regulator
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) of Japan has announced its participation in the Monetary Authority of Singapore's (MAS) "Project Guardian" initiative. This collaborative project, which was established by MAS in May 2022, aims to explore the feasibility of applying digital technologies to various asset classes while ensuring financial stability and integrity.
IMF Emphasizes Digitalization in Financial Inclusion Agenda
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva emphasizes the role of digitalization in expanding financial inclusion. She calls for a balanced approach that includes regulation to ensure financial stability. The IMF has also been active in digital finance, recently presenting a crypto-risk assessment tool.
European Commission Unveils Strategy to Lead Web 4.0 and Virtual Worlds
A new strategy for Web 4.0 and virtual worlds has been unveiled by the European Commission in an effort to steer the next technological revolution and guarantee a safe, open, and welcoming online environment for individuals, organizations, and government agencies across the EU.
Tencent Cloud Launches Deepfake Generator
Tencent Cloud, the cloud services provider arm of Tencent, has released a new deepfake generator platform for creating fake videos of individuals using AI capabilities based on a three-minute video clip and 100 voice clips. The service costs approximately $145.
What is Bitcoin Ordinals?
Bitcoin Ordinals, introduced in January 2023 by Casey Rodarmor, are a way to inscribe digital content on the Bitcoin blockchain.
Philippines Becomes the First to Leverage Blockchain to Issue Retail Treasury Bonds in Asia
The Filipino government has launched a blockchain-based app that will be utilized in the distribution of government-issued bonds. The novel project dubbed Bonds.PH was developed by the country’s Bureau of Treasury in conjunction with Union Bank and the Philippines Digital Asset Exchange.
Facebook Moving Further Away From Libra, But Considering its Own Digital Token System
Facebook is now considering developing a system of digital tokens, pegged to different government-issued currencies including the US dollar and the euro. The new plan will still include Libra, although Libra Association, separately, will continue its work on the stablecoin pegged to a basket of global currencies.
US Representative Tom Emmer Introduces Legislation to Limit Fed
Representative Tom Emmer presented the "CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act" to encourage financial privacy and CBDC transparency.
Ethereum 2.0 Continues to Gain Steam, Staked ETH Tops 10 Million
The transition to Ethereum 2.0, which was renamed the consensus layer, continues to gain momentum because the amount of staked Ether is nearly 10% of the entire ETH supply.
Digital Euro May Have Transaction Limits for Retail Users
ECB Board member Fabio Panetta has hinted that the Digital Euro may come with a limit for individuals
Chamber of Digital Commerce argues the SEC is overstepping its authority
The Chamber of Digital Commerce submitted an amicus brief asking the SEC to drop its case against former Coinbase employee Ishan Wahi for insider trading, alleging that the agency is trying to classify secondary market transactions as securities.
Goldman Sachs Predicts Booming Blockchain Asset Trading in Coming Years
Goldman Sachs predicts a substantial increase in blockchain-based asset trading in the next 1-2 years, indicating a transformative shift in financial markets and growing interest in digital assets.
JP Morgan: Groundwork Now in Place for Mainstream Blockchain and Digital Currency Adoption
JPMorgan published a report showing a significant move towards blockchain, enormous growth of blockchain, and challenges hindering mainstream adoption.
HK FinTech Week: China’s eCNY Wallet Registers 140M Users, Rises 6 Times More, says PBoC Official
China’s digital yuan wallet has witnessed its user base rise six times more just after the past four months to hit 140 million active accounts.
Mastercard Tapped to Issue Prepaid Cards Linked to Bahamas’ Central Bank Digital Currency
Mastercard has partnered with the Central Bank of The Bahamas and Island Pay to issue prepaid cards that would allow people of Bahamas to instantly convert the Bahamas’ CBDC to cash during purchases.
BIS Conference Addresses Cybersecurity in Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)
Agustín Carstens, General Manager of the Bank for International Settlements, highlighted the importance of cybersecurity for central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) during a conference in Basel, Switzerland, emphasizing the need for secure, user-friendly, and adaptable systems.
Germany's Largest Bitcoin Seizure: 50,000 BTC Confiscated in Piracy Probe
German authorities seized 50,000 Bitcoins linked to a piracy website, with suspects transferring the digital currency to police wallets, causing uncertainty in cryptocurrency enforcement.
“Bitcoin Has Depreciated in Half” Says Clueless Chechen Republic Leader Kadyrov
Ramzan Kadyrov, the Head of the Chechen Republic has a strong distrust of Bitcoin, along with a profoundly confused understanding of BTC price.
Nomura-Backed Digital Asset Firm Komainu Hires Nicolas Bertrand As CEO
Bertrand’s experience driving strategic transformations at the Italian stock exchange demonstrates his capability to accelerate Komainu growth and capture the opportunities ahead.
Binance Australia Appoints Former DigitalX EXEC Leigh Travers as New CEO
Binance exchange officially announced yesterday that hired former DigitalX CEO and director Leigh Travers as the CEO of Binance Australia.
Dutch Central Bank Aims to Play Leading Role in Developing CBDC in Europe as Part of Plan to Become Increasingly Digital
The Dutch central bank, De Nederlandsche Bank made an announcement in its bulletin, saying that it aims to become the world leader in the development of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). The report highlighted that the topic of CBDC has gained more public exposure in the Netherlands than in “several other euro area countries for several reasons.”
Global NFT Market Expected to Hit $97.6B by 2028, Recording a CAGR of 31.6%
Since non-fungible tokens (NFTs) help build authentic intellectual property, this is one of the key drivers expected to push the sector to a $97.6 billion valuation by 2028, according to a report by Research and Markets.
Thai Political Party Proposes Digital Currency Stimulus
The Pheu Thai Party in Thailand plans to give all Thai residents over the age of 16 a stipend of $300 in digital currency if the party wins the next election. The initiative aims to stimulate the local economy using blockchain technology.
Magic Eden Pioneers Cross-Chain NFT Experience with Expanded Wallet and Rewards
Magic Eden's latest initiatives, including an enhanced rewards program, a cross-chain wallet, and open-source protocols, aim to universalize digital ownership and transform the NFT ecosystem.
Bitcoin Mining Firm Marathon Digital Posts 91% Growth in Q3, Gets $100M Credit Line from Silvergate Bank
Marathon Digital Holdings Inc announced its financial results for the third quarter, indicating that the crypto mining firm recorded a 91% growth in revenues in Q3 compared to Q2.
South Dakota Governor Vetoes Bill Excluding Cryptocurrencies from State's Definition of Money
Governor Kristi Noem of South Dakota has vetoed House Bill 1193, which sought to exclude cryptocurrencies from the state's definition of money. The governor believes that the bill would put South Dakota at a disadvantage and potentially lead to future overreach from the federal government in issuing a digital dollar.
US House of Representatives Passes Blockchain Innovation Act On to the Senate
Two bills introduced by Rep Darren Soto—the Digital Taxonomy Act and the Blockchain Innovation Act—have passed the Lower House and are on their way to the Senate.
BTG Pactual Launches Stablecoin Backed by USD
Brazilian investment bank BTG Pactual has launched its own stablecoin, BTG Dol, which is pegged to the value of the US dollar on a 1:1 ratio. The stablecoin will allow customers to "dollarize" a portion of their equity and will facilitate interaction between traditional finance and the digital economy.
Tanzania wary about CBDC adoption following studies
Tanzania's central bank is proposing a central bank digital currency (CBDC). An East African interdisciplinary technical team examined CBDC hazards and advantages. Four governments have halted CBDC adoption plans, while six have abandoned digital currencies.
IMF Official Talks Benefits and Shortcomings of CBDCs, Proposes a Hybrid Solution
Tao Zhang, deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), acknowledges the tremendous promise that CBDCs hold and challenges lying ahead.
E-HKD’s Development in Hong Kong- The Future Way of Currency?
Exclusive: a study shows that 90% of surveyed central banks worldwide are exploring the future issuance of CBDCs. Blockchain.News interviewed industry experts to find out the outlook of e-HKD and its potential adoption.
PBoC Governor Yi Gang Reports $300 Million in Digital Yuan Pilot Transactions
China’s digital yuan pilot testing in four of its cities has recorded a sum of nearly $300 million (two billion yuan) in transactions according to the People’s Bank of China's Head.
Former UK Minister, Philip Hammond Joins Crypto Firm Copper as Senior Adviser
Former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Philip Hammond has joined the London-based digital asset custodial service provider, Copper, as its Senior Advisor.
Australian Securities Exchange Partners with VMware to Go Blockchain in 2021
A recent press release shows a new agreement with the NYSE listed companies namely VMware and Digital Asset holding and the ASX for the replacement of the CHESS system by 2021.
China to Prioritize Testing its Central Bank Digital Currency in Wealthier Cities First
China is planning a more extensive expansion of the testing of its central bank digital currency (CBDC) after reportedly starting its first tests in the Greater Bay Area.
Ripple CEO Urges US Regulators to Embrace Crypto as Country Risks Falling Behind China
CEO of Ripple, Brad Garlinghouse, has disclosed how China has taken the lead in blockchain and crypto as the US risks losing out.
IRS Delays Crypto Reporting Requirements for US Businesses
The IRS delays enforcing crypto transaction reporting requirements for US businesses, pending a comprehensive regulatory framework. This follows the crypto community's concerns over the practical challenges of complying with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act's rules.
Former Ripple Executive Loses Keys to Digital Wallet Holding $240 Million worth of Bitcoin
Former Ripple executive Stefan Thomas may have made a fortune off Bitcoin, but he might never be able to touch it.
Ethereum’s Vitalik Buterin: Centralized Digital Currencies Without Privacy Are a Huge Step Back
Vitalik Buterin the Ethereum co-founder believes that mainstream adoption of digital currencies is inevitable, with or without blockchain, but will that currency be sovereign, corporate or decentralized?
Exclusive: Johan Hörmark on SEB's Blockchain-Driven Bond Platform
Johan Hörmark, Project Manager at SEB, discusses the transformative potential of their blockchain-based digital bond platform, so|bond, in the financial secto
What is CBDC?
CBDC stands for Central Bank Digital Currency, and represents the digital form of a nation’s fiat money (currency backed by trust or faith in the regulating government).
Billionaire Shark Tank Investor Mark Cuban Changes Tune on Bitcoin as Store of Value
Mark Cuban, a billionaire entrepreneur who is famed for his investor role on Shark Tank - where aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their business models -has watered down his Bitcoin criticism as he views it as a store of value.
Turkey Names Blockchain Expert to Central Bank Committee
Turkey's central bank embraces blockchain with the appointment of crypto expert Prof. Fatma Ozkul to its monetary policy committee.
ECB Advances Digital Euro Project into Preparation Phase
The ECB's progression into the preparation phase of the digital euro project marks a pivotal step towards modernizing Europe's financial infrastructure. The digital euro, envisioned as a secure, accessible, and private means of digital payment, holds the promise of fortifying the European monetary system in the digital age.
Donald Trump's NFT Success Unveils Former President's Crypto Ventures
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has made significant strides in the NFT market, as revealed in a recent financial disclosure form submitted to the Office of Government Ethics.
Andorra to Ratify Digital Assets Adoption with Crypto Law
Andorra, or 'the Principality of Andorra', is contemplating regulations of digital assets and other blockchain technologies. Its parliament is debating on relative amendments before turning them into a draft.
Digital Yuan Transactions Overtakes Visa during Beijing Winter Olympics
According to a Wall Street Journal, at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, the number of transactions using the digital yuan greatly exceeded that of Visa.
ECB President Lagarde: Digital Euro CBDC Will Complement Not Substitute Cash
Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank (ECB), said that a CBDC or digital euro would most likely work in tandem with fiat currency, not replace it.
Genesis Capital's Settlement Disrupted by Creditors
Digital currency company Genesis Capital's settlement process has been disrupted by creditors, raising concerns about the timing of the process. Genesis' parent company, Digital Currency Group (DCG), has filed a motion for mediation, citing renewed demands from creditors.
FSB 2024 Agenda: Strengthening Crypto Regulation and Embracing AI"
The Financial Stability Board (FSB) has announced its 2024 Work Programme, focusing on crypto regulation, AI, and digital innovation, aiming to enhance global cooperation and stability in finance.
SkyBridge Capital Achieves Record Year with Crypto Investments, Scaramucci Foresees Bright Future for Bitcoin
Anthony Scaramucci's SkyBridge Capital records its best year in 2023 with a 130% rise in crypto investments, primarily in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. Scaramucci predicts Bitcoin will surpass its all-time high, bolstered by the recent approval of Bitcoin ETFs by the SEC.
VP Bank Partners with Metaco for Digital Asset Custody Services
VP Bank has teamed up with Metaco to enhance its digital asset custody and tokenization operations. The partnership will allow VP Bank to leverage Metaco's Harmonize platform for asset minting, burning, and storage.
OKX Wallet Integrates Oxalus, Aark Digital, KiloEx, and Pendle in One Week
OKX Wallet has partnered with Oxalus, Aark Digital, KiloEx, and Pendle in just one week, solidifying its position in the blockchain and cryptocurrency landscape.
Cypher Capital Rolls Out Worth $100m Blockchain and Digital Assets Fund
To expand the blockchain ecosystem, UAE-based venture capital firm Cypher Capital has launched a $100 million seed fund with a special interest in digital asset investments.
Why the World Needs a Blockchain Consensus Operating System
The true potential of blockchain to transform the lives of people around the world has clearly not been realised.
Indian Couple Tie their Knot in the Metaverse, Offering 3D Experience for 500 Guests
Have you ever thought about getting married virtually? An Indian couple decided to arrange their first wedding of its kind in the metaverse.
Federal Reserve's Bowman Discusses Digital Currency Innovations Amid CBDC Debate
Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman, in a discussion at Harvard Law School, explored the evolving digital payment landscape, touching on CBDC, stablecoins, and the necessity for a robust regulatory framework. While recognizing the potential of digital assets, she emphasized a cautious approach, underscoring the importance of continued research and international collaboration to navigate the digital transformation responsibly.
BitMEX to Launch BMEX Token Trading on Friday
Crypto exchange Bitmex has announced it will launch the trade of its BMEX token on 11 November.
No One is Losing Bitcoin Keys Anymore, says Galaxy Digital CEO Mike Novogratz
Former Goldman Sachs hedge manager and seasoned investor Mike Novogratz said that nowadays, losing Bitcoin keys just does not happen anymore.
Macau Likely to be Test Bed for China's Digital Yuan: Reuters
Macau is expected to be a testbed for China's digital yuan, also known as the e-CNY, as casino operators prepare to bid for new licenses in the city for the first time in two decades.
US Fed Chair Jerome Powell Grilled Over FedCoin Digital Currency Progress
Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell spoke before the US House Financial Services Committee. He was questioned regarding the central bank’s digital currency efforts, China, and Libra. He said that they are working hard on the digital currency.
Ripple Receives Approval for Digital Payment License from MAS
Ripple, a leading provider of enterprise blockchain and cryptocurrency solutions, has announced a significant milestone for its Singapore subsidiary, Ripple Markets APAC Pte Ltd.
Canada to Become the Global Leader in the Blockchain Industry, Report Indicates
In a recently published report by the Canadian Chamber of Digital Commerce showed that Canadians in the blockchain industry are amongst the highest-earning salaries in the country. The report also noted that Canadian blockchain companies want more legal clarity, to understand where their government stands regarding regulation in Canada.
China to Build ‘Digital Central Bank’ Infrastructure, Striving to Become the World’s Leader in Digital Currency Development
China’s Central Bank, People’s Bank of China (PBoC) is planning to look into building a digital central bank infrastructure to improve the standards of financial services in the country. On May 18, the Chinese Central Bank’s 2020 video conference on scientific and technological work was held in its capital, Beijing. The meeting focused on the technological achievements made in 2019, an in-depth analysis of the current situation and challenges, and the upcoming key plans for 2020.
Citi Unveils Digital Asset Solutions with Blockchain Integration
Citi Treasury and Trade Solutions (TTS) has launched Citi Token Services, a digital asset service that integrates blockchain and smart contract technologies to improve cash management and trade finance for institutional clients. The service offers cross-border payments, liquidity, and automated trade finance solutions, aiming to improve the regulated financial system and streamline global liquidity management.
Magic Eden and Pudgy Penguins Forge Strategic NFT Marketplace Alliance
Magic Eden and Pudgy Penguins have partnered to improve the NFT ecosystem, leveraging Pudgy Penguins' marketplace optimization expertise and exploring innovative virtual world and game integrations.
First in the World? Lithuania Central Bank Approved Blockchain-based Digital Collectible
Implementing a unique new idea will be the Bank of Lithuania in introducing the world’s first blockchain – based digital coin collectible.
The White House is continuing to develop its National Digital Assets Research and Development
The White House wants advice on its National Digital Assets Research and Development Agenda. The agenda "shapes a whole-of-government effort" to build digital assets and distributed ledger technologies. The president's digital asset executive order prompted its September announcement.
Crypto Firm BitGo Files $100m Lawsuit against Galaxy Digital for Breaching Acquisition Deal
Last month, Galaxy scrapped a plan to acquire BitGo for $1.2 billion. In its lawsuit, BitGo demands $100 million for damages following Galaxy’s termination of the merger deal.
Marathon Digital Says Generated 707 BTC with YoY Increase of 8% in 2022 Q2
Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc. revealed that the cryptocurrency mining firm had mined 707 bitcoins, an increase of 8% year-over-year in the second quarter of 2022.
HIVE Digital Completes $28.75 Million Financing via Special Warrants to Bolster Bitcoin Mining
HIVE Digital Technologies raised CAD $28.75 million through the sale of 5,750,000 special warrants, supporting Bitcoin mining operations and corporate purposes.
MAS Proposes Open and Interoperable Framework for Digital Asset Networks
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has unveiled a comprehensive report introducing a framework for the design of open and interoperable networks for digital assets.
New Bakkt Study Shows Ongoing Crypto Interest and the Need for Regulation
A recent study by Bakkt Holdings Inc (NYSE: BKKT) reveals that people's interest in cryptocurrencies remains strong despite recent market fluctuations.
Google Creates Web3 Team to Take Advantage of Growing Crypto Popularity
To set the ball rolling in Web3, Google is assembling a team to create services for developers in this ecosystem through its cloud unit, according to CNBC.
Marathon Digital reports a 229% revenue increase in 2023
Marathon Digital reports a stellar 229% revenue increase in 2023, marking a significant turnaround with record BTC production.
Gold’s Rally Isn’t Over—Here’s What It Means for Bitcoin
Gold faced its biggest daily drop in seven years last week, just shortly reaching its all-time high. What does this mean for Bitcoin?
New Wave of Green Energy Programs Influence Crypto Mining Sector
The mass exodus of crypto mining operations out of China based on intensified crackdowns has triggered the urge for sustainable and environmentally friendly mining activities.
Blockchain Delivers a Glimpse of Future Innovation Today
A brief look at how the energy market and consumers will benefit from blockchain technology in the near future.
Fed Reserve Chair Says Central Bank Needs to Issue Digital Currency Right not First
Jerome Powell, the Federal Reserve chairman, discussed digital currencies and cross-border payments on an IMF panel, revealing the United States' approach to CBDC.
Substack Plans to Start Accepting Bitcoin Payment for Digital Subscriptions
Online publishing platform Substack has announced plans to begin accepting Bitcoin for digital subscription payments.
Financial Stability Board Finalizes Global Crypto Asset Regulatory Framework
FSB finalizes a global regulatory framework for crypto assets, aiming for consistent regulation. The framework includes high-level recommendations for crypto-asset activities and stablecoins.
Pope Francis’s Pontifex Carpet Gift Sold as NFT for Charity Purpose in Afghanistan
A Pontifex carpet gifted to Pope Francis by Sheikh Mohamad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan during his visit to the Vatican in Sept 2016 was sold as an NFT for 25 Ether, approximately $81,886.
ARK Invest and 21Shares Launch Innovative Digital Asset ETF Suite
ARK Invest and 21Shares have launched a suite of digital asset ETFs, combining crypto-specific insights with traditional investment indicators, focusing on Bitcoin and Ether futures.
Grayscale's Court Victory Influences SEC's Landmark Approval of Bitcoin ETFs
The U.S. SEC, under Chair Gary Gensler, has approved several spot Bitcoin ETFs, a significant regulatory shift influenced by a court victory by Grayscale. This decision marks a new era in cryptocurrency regulation, signaling greater acceptance and potential mainstream adoption of digital assets.
Voyager Digital Receives a Cease and Desist Order from New Jersey Regulators
Digital assets platform, Voyager Digital, has been issued a cease and desist order by the New Jersey Bureau of Securities for offering unregistered securities in the form of its Voyager Earn program.
FTX Digital Co-CEO Launches Crypto PAC as Midterm Elections Draws Near
As the midterm election in the U.S. is near in November, Ryan Salame, the co-CEO of FTX Digital Markets has launched a new Political Action Committee (PAC) dubbed the American Dream Federal Action.
G7 Set to Release the Guidelines for the Creation of CBDCs
The Group of Seven (G7) industrialized nations are looking forward to accepting the proposals of a draft which seeks to enshrine some set of standards in the creation and issuance of CBDCs.
Israel's Stock Exchange to Launch a New Platform for Digital Asset
The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange is planning to create a crypto platform through a project that will span for 5 years
Do Europeans Want a Decentralized Digital Euro? Asks ECB Survey
Do Europeans want a decentralized digital euro that does not rely on a central intermediary? The European Central Bank is asking for public opinion on CBDC with a new survey.
Luno Floats Venture Capital Arm to Invest in Web3.0 & Fintech Startups
Luno, a digital currency platform owned by the Digital Currency Group (DCG) has launched Luno Expeditions, its Venture Capital (VC) outfit.
Chinese CBDC's Backend Developments are Complete, Revealed During 2020 FinTech Forum
The world’s attention is on China who has recorded a great advancement in the development of its central bank digital currency (CBDC). The Chinese CBDC project, also known as digital currency electronic payment (DCEP) entered its testing phase back in April with a test run billed for four major cities.
Duma Approves Bill Placing a Ban on the Use of Digital Assets in Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a bill addressing the ban on the use of digital financial assets (DFA) for payments
HeartX Launches Web3 Marketplace and Community Aim to Revolutionize Digital Art Industry
HeartX, previously known as ArteX, a trailblazer in the digital art industry, has recently rebranded and unveiled a groundbreaking web3 marketplace and community that empowers artists, collectors, art consultants and art lovers to redefine the value of digital art. The HeartX platform provides a secure, immersive, and transparent space for creating, sharing, and trading digital artworks, catering to artists, collectors, and the web 3 community alike.
South Korea Probes OKX for Unregistered Operations
South Korean financial authorities are investigating OKX, a cryptocurrency exchange, for potentially operating without proper registration, following allegations from the Digital Asset Exchange Association.
EU Court Upholds Privacy in Encrypted Messaging Ruling
The European Court of Human Rights has upheld privacy and freedom of expression, rejecting backdoor demands in encrypted messaging services, highlighting potential security risks.
The Tale of Ethereum’s 6-Year Journey from Lows of $0.4 to Highs of $4650
ETH has shined so far this quarter because after setting an all-time high (ATH) of $4,400 recently, it soared to new historic highs of $4,650.
Goldman Sachs Offers Customers Access ETH Fund via Galaxy Digital
Goldman Sachs announced its partnership with Galaxy Digital to once more enable its customers to get greater access to the crypto business.
FIFA Club World Cup 2023 Partners with Modex for Exclusive NFT Collection Launch
FIFA Club World Cup 2023™ combines football and digital tech with FIFA+ Collect's exclusive NFT series, partnering with Modex to enhance fan engagement and memorabilia experience.
Senator Warren Focuses on Crypto Scam Risks for Seniors, Advocates New Legislation
Senator Warren emphasized the Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering Act, gaining bipartisan support to regulate crypto activities and protect vulnerable populations from financial fraud.
Regulating Cryptocurrencies like XRP with Securities Laws Not Always the Best Approach – Former SEC Executive
Joe Hall, a former SEC executive, has commented on the lawsuit against Ripple over XRP cryptocurrency. He, for one, thinks that crypto is here to stay.
Mysterious Bitcoin Inscriptions: A Puzzle in Raw Binary Data
A mysterious Bitcoin user inscribed 9MB of raw binary data on the blockchain, spending over $64K. The encrypted data's purpose remains unknown, stirring speculation in the crypto world.
Germany's Federal Ministry of Finance Puts Digital Security Adoption at Core of Blockchain Strategy
Germany’s Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF) and the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection (BMJV) have introduced a bill that highlights the adoption of digital securities as a crucial element of Germany’s blockchain strategy.
NBG Georgia Shortlists Ripple Among Tech Firms for CBDC Pilot
The National Bank of Georgia progresses with its Digital GEL Pilot Project, focusing on the exploration of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) technology. Nine technology firms, including Ripple Labs, Inc., have been shortlisted for potential collaboration. The initiative mirrors global trends in modernizing financial infrastructures to meet the digital economy's evolving demands.
Brazil Considers CBDC Project as a Means to Innovate Digitally: Economist
The development of CBDC means several things to several people, and for Brazil, it is a broad complement to its already transforming payment ecosystem.
World Economic Forum Releases GSMI Global Blockchain Standards
The World Economic Forum (WEF) has released blockchain standards dubbed the Global Standards Mapping Initiative (GSMI).
Facebook's Libra Sparked CBDC Race, COVID-19 Made Central Banks Realize Its Necessity
Digital innovation and central bank digital currency adoption (CBDC) have been on the rise despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. What has driven CBDC forward?
StanChart CEO Bill Winters: Mass Adoption of Digital Currencies is "Absolutely Inevitable"
Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters delved into the issue of digital currencies and said that he believes their widespread creation and rollout was absolutely inevitable.
Washington Developer Harbor Custom Development to Accept Payments in Crypto
Real estate investors in Washington will have more options by paying cryptocurrencies, as the Washington-based Harbor Custom Development Inc is launching the service by the end of January.
Crypto Firm Galaxy Digital Postpones US Public Listing Until 2022
Galaxy Digital Holdings announced that it postponed its bid to go public in the US stock market in the first quarter of 2022 instead of the fourth quarter of 2021.
Shaping the Future of Banking: Standard Chartered and PwC China Release White Paper on Central Bank Digital Currency"
Standard Chartered, in collaboration with PwC China, have co-published a comprehensive white paper detailing the potential advancements in the future of banking, courtesy of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC).
US Treasury and IRS Propose New Regulations on Digital Asset Reporting
The US Department of the Treasury and the IRS have issued proposed regulations to improve transparency and compliance in the digital asset sector. Starting Jan. 1, 2025, brokers must report gross proceeds, payee statements, and gain/loss and basis information for sales. The regulations aim to close the tax gap and ensure uniformity in tax rules.
Rep. French Hill Eyes Financial Services Committee Leadership Amid Crypto Focus
Arkansas Rep. French Hill is poised to assume leadership of the House Financial Services Committee, bringing a crypto-savvy perspective to the role.
Bank of Russia Reveals the Possibility of Developing a CBDC in Public Consultation Report
In the recently published public consultation on the digital rubble, the Bank of Russia acknowledged it is considering the potentials of issuing a CBDC.
Bybit CEO clarifies company's exposure to Genesis
Bybit CEO confirms $150 million Genesis Global Trading exposure. The crypto community has moved on from FTX's bankruptcy to other loan businesses, some of which are suing parent company Digital Currency Group.
Africa Blockchain University Partners with YIELD App to Enhance NFT Education
African artists are set to be enriched about the value they can get from the booming non-fungible tokens sector.
Bank of Korea Prepares for 2024 Public Trial of Its Central Bank Digital Currency
The Bank of Korea, South Korea's central bank, is setting the stage for its first public trial of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) in 2024.
Facebook and Calibra Head David Marcus: What Problems Would Wholesale CBDCs Even Solve?
During a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum which included the topic of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), David Marcus, Head of Calibra, highlighted that digital currencies are the key to innovate cross-border payments and solve the issues of the unbanked—regardless of if that digital currency is Libra or not.
German Crypto Firm USI Tech Founder Charged in $150 Million Fraud Scheme
Horst Jicha, founder of USI Tech, has been charged with defrauding investors of $150 million in a fraudulent crypto scheme, marking a significant development in regulatory action against crypto-related crimes.
Ethereum Achieves Record-High of $2,700 as EIB Announces Sale of Digital Bond on Ethereum Blockchain
Ethereum hits a record high of $2,718 as the European Investment Bank announces a plan to sell a "two-year digital bond" on the Ethereum blockchain network.
Ripple Co-Founder says US-China Tech Cold War Will Be Won and Lost on Crypto and Blockchain Battlefield
Ripple Co-Founder, Chris Larsen believes the Cold Tech War between China and the United States is going to be won and lost on the blockchain battlefield.
Members of Congress Start Blockchain Education with $50 Dollar Bitcoin Donation
Members of the United States Congress will receive a $50 campaign contribution in Bitcoin today to educate lawmakers on the potential of blockchain technology.
Bitcoin Options Worth $1.3 Billion Expire
The largest lot of Bitcoin options until the year's end expired on Nov 27. The number stood at 78,000 Bitcoin (BTC) with a notional value of $1.3 billion.
The Digital Dollar Continues to be Pushed by Former CFTC Chair
The former US Commodity and Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman continues to fight for the U.S Dollar to become a digital global force.
Bank of Lithuania Has Commenced the Issuance of its LBCOINS to the Public
Following the launch of its digital collectibles dubbed “LBCOINS,” the Bank of Lithuania has announced that it has commenced the issuance of the LBCOINS to the members of the public. The issuance of LBCOINS is a landmark step in the worldwide drive towards achieving a financial era dominated central bank digital currencies (CBDC).
Fireblocks Introduces 'Off Exchange' to Address Exchange Counterparty Risk, Integrates with Deribit
Fireblocks introduces 'Off Exchange', reducing exchange counterparty risk for institutional traders, allowing them to trade directly from on-chain MPC shared wallets, marking a significant advancement in digital asset trading.
US Congress Proposes Bill to Restrict Government Interactions with Foreign Adversarial Blockchain Networks
US Congress introduces H.R.6307, limiting government interactions with Chinese blockchain networks, addressing national security and data privacy concerns, and urging increased scrutiny in the technology sector.
How Far Away is Japan’s CBDC? Bank of Japan Meets with Monetary Authorities on Potential Digital Yen Issuance
Japan’s Monetary Authorities Get Serious About CBDC Research and Roll Out
Fireblocks Acquires Stablecoin Payments Startup- First Digital
Fireblocks - digital asset custody, transfer, and settlement platform - announced its acquisition of First Digital.
Facebook Taps Coinbase to Offer Custody Services for Novi Digital Wallet Rollout
Facebook is launching Novi digital wallet. The social giant has hired Coinbase to serve as a custody partner.
Voyager Digital Likely to Resume Withdrawal From August 11
Earlier on Thursday, Judge Michael Wiles of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York ruled in the favor of Voyager Digital, to receive access to the funds in its custodial wallets to return the $270 million to the affected customers
Partner at Proof of Capital Presumes That China’s Digital Currency Could Go Live in No Time
In her view, Edith Yeung, fund manager, and partner at Proof of Capital, a blockchain-based venture capital fund, presumed that the Chinese Government could launch their digital currency, virtual yuan, in no distant time, assumably, within the next six to twelve months.
Top Chinese State-Owned Banks Promote Digital Yuan Ahead of Shanghai 'Shopping Festival'
Chinese state-owned banks are reportedly promoting the country's CBDC ahead of a major shopping festival in Shanghai, which takes place on May 5.
Binance Collaborates with Royal Thai Police to Disrupt Criminal Networks
Binance, in conjunction with the Royal Thai Police, has successfully disrupted major crypto fraudulent networks in Thailand through two significant operations. The collaboration led to the arrest of key individuals and substantial asset seizures, underscoring Binance's proactive stance against cybercrime and its ongoing commitment to enhancing security within the digital asset ecosystem.
Bitcoin Most Popular Crypto in North America, Market Experts Report
Bitcoin has always been the most popular cryptocurrency on the global market, but the region that is most invested in BTC assets appears to be North America.
PBOC Governor Says Digital Yuan Will Prioritize Privacy Protection
China's PBoC Governor Yi Gang has reassured that the country's Digital Yuan will prioritize privacy protection
Economic Affairs Committee Unsure UK Needs Retail CBDC
The United Kingdom’s Economic Affairs Committee has shared its views on the proposed plans by the country to launch a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) or digital Pound.
Federal Reserve Has Been Advancing CBDC Research with US Regional Banks’ Contributions
The Federal Reserve's research and development on a central bank digital currency issuance has been complemented by several regional Federal banks' efforts.
Chinese State-Owned Banks Start Exploring Digital Yuan Use-Cases for Buying Investment Funds & Insurance Products
Two Chinese state-owned banks have begun working to fund management and insurance companies to explore the use cases of digital yuan CBDC for purchasing investment funds and insurance products online.
Litecoin vs Ethereum: The 8 Differences that You Should Know
Litecoin and Ethereum have proven to be among the most fundamental digital assets in the crypto space. According to the Coin Market Cap, Ethereum is ranked the second most popular cryptocurrency after Bitcoin, whereas Litecoin is ranked seventh. Despite their popularity, their intentions are entirely different. It, therefore, becomes crucial to comprehend their unique aspects.
Hong Kong Investors Launch $100M Fund for Web3 Startups
ProDigital Future, a new $100 million fund led by Hong Kong-based equity firm SAIF Partners, aims to support early-stage Web3 companies in the regional market. The fund has already raised $30 million during its half-year fundraising period and plans to raise $100 million by the end of 2023. ProDigital Future has already invested in six digital-asset projects, including GigaSpace and One Future Football. The fund intends to operate in Hong Kong, Australia, Singapore, Europe, and the United States, while adhering to the necessary licensing and regulatory requirements.
Wealth Management's Future: Embracing Innovation for the Next Investment Era
New research outlines the necessity for wealth management firms to adapt to technological advancements and altering investor profiles for future success.
US Lawmakers Introduce ‘ECASH Bill’ Aimed at Creating Digital Dollar
The bill, dubbed the Electronic Currency and Secure Hardware (ECASH) Act, was introduced on Monday.
Nigeria Plans to Regulate Digital Asset Platforms
Nigeria’s SEC is considering new regulations for digital asset platforms, allowing licensed digital exchanges to list tokens backed by certain assets. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ether will not be among those assets. Nigeria aims to register fintech firms as digital sub-brokers, crowdfunding intermediaries, fund managers, and tokenized coins issuers. Crypto exchanges will not be registered until the central bank provides clear regulations.
Bank of Israel Has Conducted Digital Currency Shekel Crypto Testing
Israel announced that the country has already conducted a pilot test on its digital shekel as part of its efforts to issue the Central Bank Digital Currency for public use.
R3 Highlights the Transformative Potential of Tokenization in Finance
R3, a leading enterprise blockchain software firm, discusses the transformative potential of tokenization in the financial sector. The company emphasizes the need for regulatory frameworks and industry standards to unlock the full benefits of digital assets. According to a June 2023 report from Bernstein, $5 trillion in assets could be tokenized in the next five years, offering significant opportunities for market participants.
Fortex Launches Crypto Non-Deliverable Forwards
Fortex Technologies, a globally recognized multi-asset trading provider, has announced the expansion of its crypto services to include crypto non-deliverable forwards (NDFs), as well as an institutional platform for cryptocurrencies and digital assets.
US House to Hold Joint Hearings on Digital Assets
The House Financial Services Committee, Agriculture Committee, and subcommittees will hold joint hearings in May on establishing a bill to provide regulatory clarity to the digital asset ecosystem. The hearings will focus on addressing the market structure and striking a balance between protecting consumers and promoting responsible innovation. The goal is to report a bill out that deals with the capital raising piece for digital assets, all the way through to how a product can go from a securities regime to commodities regime, while preserving rights around products that do not fit into either regime.
US Department of Homeland Security to Host Blockchain-Based Digital Wallet Event with $25K Reward
DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP) will host a virtual event for a Digital Wallets Challenge on Oct 27.
Committee Appointed to Represent Unsecured Creditors in Genesis Global bankruptcy
In the Genesis Global bankruptcy case, unsecured creditors have a seven-member committee.
To Criminalize or Not to Criminalize Bitcoin and Crypto? Moscow Reconsiders
The State Duma is discussing its legislative plans regarding Bitcoin and cryptocurrency usage and has been reported to seemingly have a change of heart regarding digital assets adoption in Russia.
OECD Presents New Transparency Framework for Crypto-Assets to G20
For the upcoming G20 finance ministers' meetings, leaders are going to discuss the CARF framework that builds on certain enhancements to the Common Reporting Standard (CRS).
Swiss Central Bank Announces its Central Bank Digital Currency Trial a Success
The digital franc trial entailed settling large scale transactions between financial institutions through an experiment dubbed Project Helvetia.
ACA Group Has Decided to Abandon its Acquisition of BitFlyer Holdings
ACA Group, a leading financial advisor for institutions across the world has officially announced to the public that it is no longer interested in purchasing holdings of a Japanese-based cryptocurrency exchange, BitFlyer
Bank of Japan Puts Top Economist in Charge of CBDC Development
Bank of Japan’s top economist, Kazushige Kamiyama is now the head of payments and settlements and at the helm of Japan’s exploration of its Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) project.
Bank of Thailand Projected to Go Forward with Central Bank Digital Currency Prototype
The Bank of Thailand (BOT) announced its plans for a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) prototype to be in effect by 2021. The BOT plans to begin the production of their prototype for a CBDC next month.
ShareRing Rolls Out Skinny ID for Frictionless Blockchain-Based Digital Identity Solutions
ShareRing, a blockchain-based ecosystem providing digital identity solutions, has launched Skinny ID aimed at offering a seamless and frictionless onboarding process.
Women in Blockchain: Sam Shrager of BCB Group
The Women in Blockchain Series describes the journeys of some of the pioneer women driving initiatives and changing the nature of work by leveraging this revolutionary technology.
Hive Digital Technologies Bolsters Global Reach with Swedish Data Center Acquisition
Hive Digital Technologies acquires a data center in Boden, Sweden, enhancing its Bitcoin production and affirming its commitment to green energy and AI.
FTX's Sam Bankman-Fried Justifies Firm's Offer to Voyager Digital
Sam Bankman-Fried, the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of FTX Derivatives Exchange, justified the bid the trading platform and its subsidiary Alameda Ventures extended to bail out Voyager Digital.
Galaxy Digital Invests $44 Million Into Institutional Cryptocurrency
Galaxy Digital invests $44 million in institutional bitcoin custody platform GK8 to integrate its asset storage and management capabilities.
UK FCA Regulator Announces “Temporary Registration Regime” Extending Operating Deadline for Crypto Firms
The UK’s FCA has just announced a “temporary registration regime” which allows crypto firms who have previously applied to continue operating until July 2021.
Coinbase Commerce Accepts Dogecoin as Payment Method
Coinbase’s e-commerce platform officially announced that it accepts Dogecoin as a payment method Wednesday. Yet, it excludes in the scope of The S&P Cryptocurrency Broad Digital Market (BDM) Index.
Fidelity Digital Assets Head says Bitcoin Still Too Volatile To Be Store of Wealth
Tom Jessop, President of Fidelity Investments digital assets arm said his firm still uses the word “potential” when describing volatile Bitcoin’s ability to act as a store of value
Bank of France Becomes the First to Successfully Test Out the Digital Euro on Blockchain
The French Central Bank, Banque de France has recently successfully trialed a central bank digital currency (CBDC) – the digital euro, operating on a blockchain. The Bank of France experimented with the use of a central bank digital currency to test a sale of securities, which was carried out by Société Générale Forge. Banque de France launched a program of experiments to test out potential central bank digital currency (CBDC) aimed for interbank settlements. Potential participants have been invited to submit their applications to experiment with the use of a digital euro.
ECB Officials Urges to Accept Digital Euro in Brick-and-Mortar Stores
Fabio Panetta, a member of the Executive Council of the European Central Bank (ECB), suggested that acceptance of the digital euro in brick-and-mortar stores, as well as online entities, would help promote the use of the fiat digital euro.
UBS and OSL Pioneer Hong Kong's First Ethereum Tokenized Warrant
UBS AG, in collaboration with OSL Digital Securities, introduces Hong Kong's first tokenized warrant on the Ethereum blockchain, marking a landmark moment in financial innovation and blockchain adoption.
EU Imposes 8th Wave Sanctions over Russia to Include Blanket Crypto Ban
The European Union (EU) has updated its sanction on Russia, the 8th package, and this time, it unveils zero tolerance for crypto-related transactions.
Ripple Gains Major Payments Institution License from Singapore's Monetary Authority
Ripple, a leading enterprise in blockchain and crypto solutions, has secured a Major Payments Institution (MPI) license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). This follows the in-principle approval granted to Ripple in June 2023. The license will enable Ripple to continue offering regulated digital payment token services in Singapore, a key market for the company.
Marathon Digital Initiates Bitcoin Mining Powered by Renewable Landfill Energy
Marathon Digital Holdings and Nodal Power are launching a 280 kW Bitcoin mining pilot project in Utah, converting harmful methane emissions into electricity for sustainable mining.
US Officials Oppose Voyager Sale Provision
US officials request removal of a provision in Voyager Digital's bankruptcy plan, arguing it would impede government's regulatory powers; the provision prevents legal pursuit of those involved in the sale to Binance.US.
Reserve Bank of Australia May Still Have Its Eye on CBDC After All
Reserve Bank of Australia's Tony Richards has said that the RBA will continue to consider the potentials of issuing a CBDC.
PwC Singapore's Venture Hub, on the Investment Sentiment of Blockchain Startups
We arranged an interview with Lim Shu Ning, Director in PwC Singapore’s Venture Hub specializing in Blockchain during the SFF, which Shu Ning shares with us the investment sentiment of Singaporean blockchain startups and the state of enterprise blockchain adoption in Singapore.
British Virgin Islands Aims to Rollout a New USD-Backed Digital Currency
The government of the British Virgin Islands, in partnership with LIFElabs.io, aims to develop a digital currency that will be peeled at the ratio of 1:1 against the United States dollar to be used with the territory.
Microsoft President Says Fintech Firms Should Leave the Role of Issuing Digital Currencies to Governments
Microsoft President Brad Smith has criticized financial technology firms attempting to issue currencies, stating that governments are still best suited to play this role.
ECB to Announce by Mid-2021 Whether It Will Move Forward with CBDC Issuance
European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde said that a decision on whether or not to launch a CBDC will be made by the middle of this year.
May 26: It's Always Been There
Strategy today? With SPX e-mini futures now just shy of 20 points from 3,000 level and the highest it's traded since the March 23 crash, I expect BTC to follow. Expectedly, this recent sell off has been mostly triggered by large players (i.e. whales) trimming their positions.
David Beckham Joins Metaverse, Becomes DigitalBits Blockchain Global Brand Ambassador
Famous football star and entrepreneur David Beckham has been announced as a global brand ambassador for the DigitalBits blockchain.
NFT Monthly Trading Volume Records $4B on OpenSea
Despite being the new kid on the crypto block, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are stamping their authority as trendy digital assets based on increased adoption.
JPMorgan Hires Former Microsoft Executive Tahreem Kampton to Its Digital Assets-Related Payments Group
Kampton comes with in-depth professional experience that will enable JPMorgan to develop its digital asset and blockchain division.
MLB is Looking to Hire an Expert to Expand its Metaverse Presence
The Major League Baseball is looking to fill a metaverse role to boost its engagement in the space
Texas Passes Bipartisan House Bill 1666 Regulating Digital Asset Service Providers
Aiming to reinforce regulation in the digital asset industry, the Texas legislature has enacted bipartisan House Bill 1666. Set to take effect on September 1, 2023, the legislation imposes rigorous requirements on digital asset service providers in terms of handling customer funds.
US Senate Finance Committee Seeks Input on Taxation of Digital Assets
The US Senate Finance Committee has issued an open letter to the digital asset community and other interested parties, seeking their input on the taxation of digital assets. The letter, dated July 11, 2023, was signed by Chair Ron Wyden and Ranking Member Mike Crapo.
Heterosis Launches Dynamic NFT Flower Collection
Snark.art and OG.Art's Heterosis project has launched a collection of dynamic NFT flowers that can be bred and customized by users. The project creates two virtual flower markets and is housed in a metaverse greenhouse that can be accessed via various devices.
PayPal Confirms Its Plan to Develop Cryptocurrency Capabilities in its Letter to the European Commission
In a letter to the European Commission in March 2020, payment giant PayPal has now confirmed that has it is actively working to bring cryptocurrencies capabilities on its platform. In the detailed letter, PayPal said that it has taken tangible and unilateral steps to further develop its capabilities in the cryptocurrency space.
ConsenSys Picked to Help Develop Phase 2 of Hong Kong's CBDC Project
Blockchain firm ConsenSys has revealed that it has been awarded a cross-border payment network study project by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)
ECB Nears Final Stage of Digital Euro Investigation
Fabio Panetta, ECB Executive Board member, discussed the digital euro initiative with the European Parliament's Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs. The proposal includes legislative proposals on the digital euro and cash legal tender status, aiming to preserve monetary sovereignty and digital freedoms.
US Rep. Tom Emmer Fears Criticism of Digital Payment Innovation May Repress Progress
In a congressional hearing which was held on January 30, US Representative Tom Emmer has expressed his concern about the excessive criticism of innovations in digital payment, saying that it may repress its progress.
Nigeria Releases New Rules Classifying Crypto as Securities
In a move that might boost crypto trading in Nigeria, the nation’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has rolled out “rules on issuance, offering platforms, and custody of digital assets” for virtual firms.
CBDCs Gain Traction Amid Fears of Coronavirus-Contaminated Banknotes, The Economist Survey Uncovers
In a survey conducted by The Economist and Crypto.com, it found that consumers generally had more trust in central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), rather than decentralized cryptocurrencies.
Swiss SIX Receives Regulatory Approval to Launch Digital Token Exchange
Switzerland’s SIX Digital Exchange (SDX) is launching its digital asset market that is open to firms seeking to list their securities for traders and inverts to acquire shares of the underlying companies.
Coinbase Counters Senator Warren's Allegations
Coinbase denies Sen. Warren's allegations of using ex-government officials to resist digital asset regulations, highlighting its commitment to responsible crypto regulation.
Crypto Miner Sphere 3D Sues Partner over Alleged Bitcoin Spoofing Attack
Sphere 3D, a crypto miner, has filed a lawsuit against Gryphon Digital Mining, its partner, after an alleged spoofing attack led to the irregular transfer of Bitcoin. Gryphon CEO allegedly wired BTC to a fraudster posing as Sphere 3D's CFO. Sphere 3D accuses Gryphon of violating their contractual duties and putting the company's assets at significant risk.
PayPal’s Crypto Trading Services Officially Launch in the United States, Driving Bitcoin’s Price Past 16K
PayPal’s crypto services are officially available for use in the United States. In response to the announcement, Bitcoin's price spiked and pushed past $16K.
Traditional Banking System Consumes Twice Energy Than Bitcoin Mining, New Research Reveals
A new study by Galaxy Digital shows that the traditional banking system uses twice the energy that Bitcoin mining consumes.
Jeff Bezos Amazon Among 5 Partners to Design Digital Euro Prototype
The European Central Bank (ECB), has confirmed Jeff Bezos's tech company AMAZON, as part of the five partners to design a digital euro prototype
Ghana Apex Bank Says To Launch Central Bank Digital Currency
The Bank of Ghana Governor, Ernest Addison said the agency is now “in the advanced stages” of introducing its CBDC.
Digital Dollar's Benefits Could Affect Financial Stability & Privacy: US Fed
The US Federal Reserve said that the introduction of an official digital version of the US dollar could benefit Americans but it may also potentially affect financial stability and privacy.
Malaysia’s Securities Commission Touts Cryptocurrency’s Potential Amid a COVID-19 Digital Normal
The Securities Commission of Malaysia backs cryptocurrency use and says it has great potential, despite a lack of understanding regarding digital assets in the country.
7-Eleven Jumps into NFT Space
Joining the ranks of Adidas, Coca-Cola, Louis Vuitton, and Nike, 7-Eleven, Inc. is making a significant move into the digital asset space. The convenience retailer is celebrating its 96th birthday by introducing a first-of-its-kind digital collectible (NFT) for Slurpee fans nationwide.
Bank of China’s Former President Lists Four Key Conditions For Digital Yuan to Replace Cash
The former head of the People’s Bank of China announced that the soon to be launched Digital Yuan will be able to replace cash if certain key conditions are met.
Fed Chair Powell: Cryptocurrencies not Useful Stores of Value and CBDC Issuance Will not be Immediate
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell’s stance on Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies remains unchanged – he views them primarily as “a speculative asset.”
$30m e-CNY Airdropped in Shenzhen to Boost Consumer Spending
The use of China’s Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) is currently being boosted by the city of Shenzhen which according to reports has airdropped 30 million Digital Yuan (e-CNY) to its residents.
UAE's Central Bank Nears Launch of Digital Dirham
The UAE's central bank is close to launching its central bank digital currency (CBDC), the digital dirham, for domestic and cross-border payments. The CBUAE has partnered with G42 Cloud and R3 to be the infrastructure and technology providers for the CBDC implementation, which will boost financial inclusion and help the country become a cashless society. The first phase of the CBDC strategy includes the soft launch of "mBridge," proof-of-concept work for bilateral CBDC bridges with India, and domestic CBDC issuance for wholesale and retail use.
Gryphon Digital Mining Cancels to Go Public via Reverse Merger with Sphere 3D
The firms said they terminated the merger plan announced last June because of the current unfavourable market conditions.
Bermuda’s Jewel Bank Receives Regulatory Approval to Run as Digital Asset Bank
Jewel Bank announces that it acquire licenses from a local regulator to become the first digital asset bank in the island nation.
Circle's New APIs Simplify Complex Crypto Concepts For Mass Institutional Adoption
Circle Builds Layers of Simplicity over Complex Crypto Concepts for Business to Trigger Digital Adoption
GameStop Phases Out NFT Platform in Response to Regulatory Challenges
GameStop has announced the closure of its NFT marketplace, citing regulatory uncertainty. Effective from February 2, 2024, the platform will cease operations but assures that NFTs remain accessible on the blockchain.
Bank of England is for Stablecoin and CBDC, but Says ‘Bitcoin Has No Connection at All to Money’
The governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, shared his views on Bitcoin and said that the cryptocurrency “had no connection at all to money.”
New Jersey State Considering New Bill to Set New Requirements for Cryptocurrency Businesses
The New Jersey state legislature received a new bill, the Digital Asset and Blockchain Technology Act by Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez. This new bill would require cryptocurrency and virtual currency to obtain a license to operate, allowing for more consumer-friendly protections.
BOJ Governor: Japan Should Prepare "Thoroughly" for the Issuance of its Digital Currency
Haruhiko Kuroda, the Bank of Japan (BOJ) governor, has highlighted the need for the nation’s central bank to prepare thoroughly for the rollout of its digital currency with initial experiments expected for this spring.
Intel launches Articul8 AI with DigitalBridge
Intel and DigitalBridge launch Articul8 AI, focusing on secure, enterprise-grade GenAI software, with diverse industry applications.
The Russia-Ukraine War Might Accelerate CBDC Issuance, Former BOJ Official Says
The sanctions slapped on Russia based on its invasion of Ukraine might prompt more nations to adopt CBDCs as a shield against the U.S. dollar’s supremacy in the global financial system.
Japanese Asset Manager Nomura to Launch New Digital Company
Nomura Holdings Inc has announced its plans to transform its Future Innovation Company into a full-fledged Digital Company.
NFL ALL DAY: Revolutionizing Sports Memorabilia Through NFTs
NFL ALL DAY merges NFL fandom with blockchain, offering a digital platform for collecting and trading NFL moment NFTs.
Republic of Palau Partners with Ripple to develop National Digital Currency Strategy
Ripple has been tapped to help Palau develop a U.S. dollar-backed digital currency, which is seen as a viable alternative to CBDC.
Fidelity Investments Acquires $20M Stake in Bitcoin Miner Marathon Digital
Fidelity Investment Inc now has a 7.4% stake in Marathon Digital Holdings, a major crypto mining firm in North America.
US House Committee to Probe Crypto Crimes in November Hearing
The US House Financial Services Committee will hold a hearing today, November 15, 2023, to examine illicit cryptocurrency activities, including money laundering and terrorist financing, and discuss the Department of Justice's focus on these crimes.
YouTube Sees NFTs as Catalysts, Tieing Deeper Relationships with Users
YouTube sees NFTs as stepping stones towards a stronger connection between creators and viewers, according to Chief Product Officer Neal Mohan.
Core Scientific Posts Strong Q4 Amidst 2023 Fiscal Recovery
Core Scientific has announced a significant fiscal recovery for Q4 2023, with a notable increase in self-mined bitcoin and improved financial results.
IMF to Play a Crucial Role in Monitoring Digital Money Evolution
The IMF is set to play a crucial role in monitoring the advancement of digital currencies.
Mashreq Bank and DIFC Launch First KYC Blockchain Platform in UAE
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Mashreq Bank announced the launch of the region’s first blockchain data-sharing platform which went live on March 1.
Mangofarm Scandal: Solana's Blockchain Ensnared in Alleged Ponzi Scheme Ties
Mangofarm, Solana blockchain, cryptocurrency scam, Banana Miner Ponzi scheme, digital currency security, blockchain fraud, crypto investment caution, Richard Matthew John O’Neill, decentralized finance, investor vigilance
Bank of France Announces HSBC, Accenture Among the 8 Successful Applicants of the CBDC Experimentation Program
Earlier this year, Banque de France, the French central bank launched a program of experiments to test out the potential central bank digital money aimed for interbank settlements. The program of experiments was launched in late March 2020, where the central bank asked participants to submit their applications before May 15, 2020. The French central bank is open to test out new technology, although it did not specify using blockchain.
Digital Asset Protection Firm Coincover Secures $30 Million in Funding Round
Foundation Capital and CMT Digital invest $30 million in Coincover to safeguard digital assets.
HQ Trivia Games Secures $7.8m in Seed Round
Internet Game project, which was a once-popular online game dubbed ‘HQ Trivia Meets NFTs” has secured $7.8 million in a seed round.
Report: OKX Ventures Boosts Ecosystem with Investments in Aark Digital, dappOS, and 0xScope
OKX Ventures reveals its September investments in Aark Digital, dappOS, and 0xScope, aimed at bolstering the crypto ecosystem covering Layer2 Derivatives, operating protocol, and knowledge graph protocol. These strategic investments are reflective of OKX Ventures’ continuous endeavor to fuel innovation amidst a rapidly evolving crypto landscape.
FDIC Mandates New Signage for Digital Platforms Starting 2025
The FDIC has updated its signage requirements, mandating digital display of a new black and navy blue sign on websites, apps, and ATMs from 2025 to align with modern banking practices.
Why Hong Kong Will Be a Leading Digital Asset Trading Centre in Asia
Reasons why Hong Kong will a leading digital asset trading centre in Asia.
China’s CBDC Testing Expansions Exaggerated, Digital Currency Details Revealed
A source close to the matter said that China's CBDC pilot program "has not yet been expanded on a large scale," and the test is just "internal and closed.”
Bank of Korea Seeks a Consulting Partner to Accelerate CBDC Launch
The Bank of Korea (BoK) is in search of a consulting partner to help develop the architecture for its Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC).
Digital Transformation in Finance and Accounting Accelerated by Pandemic, ISG Reports
The 2023 ISG Provider Lens™ report highlights the global transformation of finance and accounting departments due to COVID-19 lockdowns and remote work, relying on external providers for digital strategies and outcome-based contracts.
Web3 Security 2023 State Revealed, Nearly $2 Billion Lost
CertiK's "Hack3d: The Web3 Security Report 2023" provides a thorough analysis of Web3 security incidents in 2023, highlighting key vulnerabilities and trends in the blockchain and smart contract security landscape.
China Leads Pan-Asian Digital Currency Project to Compete with Facebook's Libra
Led by China, four Asian countries are in the early stages of developing a joint digital currency. The currency will help keep the Dollar and Libra in check
Brazil Could Deploy CBDC by 2022, Says Central Bank President
According to Brazil’s Central Bank president Roberto Campos Neto, the country has all the necessary implementations set in place for a digital currency issuance to happen in 2022.
Mawson Infrastructure Group Signs New Hosting Services Deal with Foundry Digital
The deal demonstrates yet another step forward in Mawson's goal to become the world's biggest carbon neutral Bitcoin miner.
HKUST Vice-President Urges Hong Kong to Issue Stablecoin HKDG
According to TKWW, key figures including HKUST Vice-President suggest that the Hong Kong government should issue its own stablecoin, referred to as HKDG, as a strategic move to bolster the city's digital economy.
South Korea Tightens Regulations on Crypto Mixers Amid Money Laundering Concerns
South Korea's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) is set to introduce new regulations targeting digital asset mixers, mirroring similar moves by the US. These measures aim to curb the use of crypto mixers for illegal money laundering.
CFTC Commissioner Calls for Reduced Cryptocurrency Anonymity
CFTC Commissioner Christy Goldsmith Romero has proposed reducing the anonymity of cryptocurrencies as a means of managing associated risks. Romero spoke at City Week 2023 in London, stating that market integrity, national security, and financial stability cannot be compromised.
IOSCO Releases Landmark Policy Recommendations for Crypto and Digital Asset Markets
The International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), a leading international body of securities regulators, recently published an influential report titled 'Policy Recommendations for Crypto and Digital Asset Markets Consultation Report.'
Bermuda Remains Committed to Crypto Despite FTX Collapse
Bermuda's Premier and Finance Minister, Edward Burt, stated that despite the collapse of crypto exchange FTX in nearby Bahamas, Bermuda will continue to accommodate digital asset and blockchain technology companies due to the benefits they offer. The territory, which implemented a regulatory framework for digital assets, recently released its first stablecoin powered by the Polygon blockchain.
J.P. Morgan Creates Onyx Blockchain Unit As JPM Coin Leveraged for Cross-Border Payments
JPMorgan Chase has set the ball rolling by deploying its digital currency, the JPM Coin, for commercial purposes creating a new blockchain business unit dubbed Onyx.
Digital Currency Group Reports Over $1 Billion Loss Due to 3AC Collapse
Digital Currency Group (DCG) has reported losses of over $1 billion in 2022, largely due to the collapse of Three Arrows Capital (3AC) and falling cryptocurrency prices. DCG's lending arm, Genesis, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January, as it was 3AC's largest creditor. DCG's fourth-quarter losses came to $24 million, while revenues came in at $143 million. Full-year revenues for DCG came in at $719 million, with total assets of $5.3 billion.
WeChat Offers Digital Yuan Payments Ahead of Beijing Winter Games
WeChat has become compatible with payments using the digital yuan ahead of the Beijing Winter Olympics, owner Tencent Holdings said.
Bank Of Russia Opposes International Trade Crypto Investment
The Bank of Russia is prepared to look into the possibility of permitting the usage of cryptocurrencies within the borders of the country, but this would be done solely for the purpose of conducting a legal experiment. Elvira Nabiullina, the governor of the Bank of Russia, stated that the major problem that the central bank has always had with cryptocurrencies is that they cannot be used as a payment tool.
Galaxy Digital’s Q2 Net Loss Tripled To $554.7 Million Amid Market Turmoil
Galaxy Digital said its net loss in the second quarter had risen three times the amount it experienced during the same period last year. The asset manager stated that the losses were triggered by the ongoing market downturn.
Denmark Backs Blockchain Technology As Instrument to Fighting Runaway Political Corruption
The Danish government has thrown its support behind blockchain in the fight against political corruption.
Polish Crypto Payments Firm Ramp Network Raises $52.7M in Series A Funding
Ramp Network, a Polish-born crypto payments service provider has concluded its Series A funding round, attracting high-profile investors who pumped $52.7 million into the startup.
First Blockchain National Currency Platform Ready for Central Banks’ CBDC Issuance
The blockchain national currency platform issued by blockchain company Apollo Fintech was finalized and completed on August 12.
Japan Will Include Central Bank Digital Currency in Honebuto Economic Plan
The Japanese Government has continued its acceleration towards a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) and is set to include its consideration in its formal economic plan.
Head of Chinese Investment Firm Believes Blockchain will "Lead" China's Economy, Here's Why
China’s blockchain push seems never-ending, various governmental and financial officials of the country have, in recent times, spoken on the merits of blockchain technology and how a distributed ecosystem may help bolster the ongoing “fourth industrial revolution.”
G20 Lays Regulatory Foundation to Accept Digital Payments by November Summit
G20 officials have announced that they will begin the preliminary regulatory groundwork for the group to accept digital payments.
Is Blockchain-Based Virtual Reality the Future?
For years, advocates of virtual reality have struggled to overcome several major barriers to mass adoption — centralised corporations controlled user accounts, hackers eliminated digital assets, and developers lacked incentives to create quality VR content. Now, blockchain is changing the game.
FTX Debtors' Filing Sets Controversial Valuations for Cryptocurrency Claims Post-Collapse
TX debtors propose a valuation for user claims based on digital asset prices at the time of the exchange's collapse, sparking objections from users due to the significant rise in cryptocurrency prices since then.
Singapore Payment Services Act Now in Effect For Crypto Firms
The Monetary Authority of Singapore now requires cryptocurrency providers and exchanges to be licensed under some of the same regulatory elements as traditional financial service providers.
$6.2 Million Worth of Digital Yuan is Officially Piloted in Beijing
The Chinese digital renminbi is officially piloted in the capital of China-Beijing. The authority plans to issue a total of $6.2 million worth of digital currency to Beijing residents through a lottery, totaling 40 million RMB.
India tests offline functionality of digital rupee
The Reserve Bank of India is testing the offline functionality of its recently launched digital rupee, which has completed 800,000 transactions worth $134 million since its wholesale segment pilot launched on Nov. 1, 2022.
China's Digital Yuan Has Topped Over $14 Billion in Transaction Volume
The Chinese Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) also known as the e-CNY has hit close to $14 billion (100.04 billion Yuan) from 360 million transactions as it gains widespread acceptance in country
Protego Becomes the Second Federally Chartered Crypto Bank in United States
Protego, Washington state-chartered trust firm, has received a conditional approval from the OCC to become the second nationally chartered crypto bank in the U.S.
US Federal Reserve Weighs the Pros and Cons of a Digital Dollar CBDC
The US Federal Reserve has continued to research the benefits and impact of implementing a central bank digital currency (CBDC).
Bitcoin Dominates Digital Asset Fund Flows with $140M Inflows in a Week
In the past four weeks, digital asset investment products have seen a significant surge in inflows, totaling $742 million, according to the latest weekly report from CoinShares. This marks the largest run of inflows since the final quarter of 2021.
Federal Reserve “Flexible” Inflation Monetary Policy Could Boost Bitcoin Price as Investors Stock Up on BTC Safe Haven
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has announced new measures to control inflation, in a speech that could have long-term implications for the Bitcoin price and cryptocurrency.
Is Bitcoin Digital Gold? SkyBridge Says Yes, JPMorgan Says No as Market Dynamics Have Changed
Institutional investment in Bitcoin has many convinced that it has already succeeded in its transition into digital gold—but the debate continues to rage at the highest levels.
Hyundai Emerges as First Automaker to Roll Out Community-Based NFTs
South Korean auto giant Hyundai Motor has entered the non-fungible token (NFT) market after partnering with the ‘Meta Kongz’ NFT brand to enhance its customer community and brand awareness.
Wales Eyes Own Digital Currency for Speedy Business Transactions
Wales has set its eyes on creating a complementary digital currency. It has been speculated that it could enhance the nation’s economy by approximately £250m in the next ten years.
NanoLabs sues Coinbase over Nano trademark infringement
NanoLabs, the company behind digital currency Nano, has filed a legal complaint against Coinbase in the California Northern District Court for alleged trademark infringement. The complaint states that Coinbase's Nano Bitcoin futures contract and Nano Ether futures contract products infringe on NanoLabs' trademark rights, causing economic damage and harm to its brand identity. NanoLabs is seeking at least $5 million in damages, an injunction against Coinbase, and forfeiture of all profits made using Nano trademarks.
Mike Novogratz's Galaxy Digital Files with SEC to Launch Bitcoin Futures ETF
Galaxy Digital announced plans to list a bitcoin futures ETF by seeking regulatory approval from the US SEC.
Financial Way of Future, Building Wealth Are Key Drivers of Owning Crypto: Study Shows
A study showed up to 42% and 41% of people think owning crypto is the financial way of the future and wealth-builders, respectively, according to Visa.
News Industry Grapples with Financial Woes and AI Disruption
The news industry faces declining advertising revenue, declining subscriber growth, and AI-driven disruptions, necessitating strategic shifts and legal disputes to adapt to digital advertising trends.
NFT Surpasses Crypto and Ethereum in Google Searches
To show their trendiness, NFT Google searches have surpassed those of Ethereum and crypto, according to Google Trends.
ShareRing Enhances Digital Identity Solutions by Merging ShareToken
ShareRing, a blockchain-based ecosystem providing digital identity solutions, announced to merge ShareToken (SHR) into the Ethereum and Binance networks through a Multichain swap.
Iran Completes Pre-Pilot Phase for Digital Rial
Iran's central bank has completed a pre-pilot phase for its digital rial, according to an official statement by the Monetary and Banking Research Institute. The CBDC will align with the rules governing the national currency, the Iranian rial, and be distributed among individuals and banks. Ten banks have applied to join the project, and all banks and credit institutions in Iran are expected to start offering electronic wallets for the digital currency.
IRS Refuses Watchdog Request to Clarify 2019 Crypto Tax Guidelines
The Internal Revenue Service will not clarify how taxes work with cryptocurrencies and digital asset transactions in the US according to a US congress watchdog’s report released on Wednesday.
Kevin Rose, co-founder of Moonbirds, falls victim to phishing attack
Moonbirds co-founder Kevin Rose. He lost about $1.1 million in NFTs to a phishing fraud.
China's Central Bank Digital Currency DCEP: What We Know So Far
China has been charging full speed with its digital currency development plans in response to Facebook’s Libra. China’s state-owned bank, the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) has been reportedly developing their own digital currency aimed to replace cash in circulation and was said to be ready in the coming months.
New Ride-Hailing App to Transform Payments by Offering Blockchain Direct Transactions
Bayride has revealed RideNode, a new transportation virtual and blockchain currency that seeks to transform the payment structures in this sector. America’s ride-hailing industry is touted to be revolutionized because RideNode will offer direct transactions between the service provider and consumers.
South Korea Top Four Crypto Exchanges Launch Joint Venture To Abide By AML Regulations
The heads of Bithumb, Korbit, Coinone, and Upbit signed a memorandum to form a company with a system, which will enable them to adhere to anti-money laundering regulations.
Grayscale Bitcoin Trust Offers Public Access to BTC “Era of Digital Gold”
Grayscale Bitcoin Trust is offering mainstream investors access to the newly proclaimed era of digital gold as Bitcoin evolves into a dominant store of wealth.
Texas lawmakers propose gold-backed state digital currency
Two Texas lawmakers have introduced bills proposing a state-based digital currency backed by gold, with each unit of the currency representing a fraction of a troy ounce of gold held in trust. The bills are set to take effect in September 2023, but have yet to be passed or presented for a vote. This move comes despite objections from several U.S. lawmakers who are against the introduction of a central bank digital currency (CBDC).
Trump Handed Digital Future to China by Going After Bitcoin, Bolton's Book Reveals
President Trump’s opposition to Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies is well documented as is his determination to maintain the US Dollar's global status. According to a passage from ex-national security advisor John Bolton’s book—Trump’s administration has actually handed Bitcoin and Ethereum a huge advantage over other cryptocurrencies.
Italy and South Korea's Central Banks Forge a Path in CBDC Development
The Bank of Italy and the Bank of Korea have signed an MOU to collaborate on the development of Digital Currencies (CBDCs), a significant development in the digital currency sector.
Grayscale Plans to Offer More Digital Asset Products to Meet Rising Investor Demand
Grayscale Investments LLC has announced plans to explore other digital assets.
Estonia's Central Bank Launches Research Project into CBDC
Estonia’s Central Bank also known as Eesti Pank has launched a multi-year research project into central bank digital currencies.
LG Electronics to Roll Out Crypto Wallet
As part of plans to expand its business scope to include platforms and software, South Korean tech giant LG Electronics is launching a crypto wallet application dubbed “Wallypto.”
MEXC Global Enables Crypto Purchases with Zero Transaction Fees via Fedwire, SWIFT
MEXC Global has permitted purchases that attract zero transaction fees through SWIFT and Fedwire to boost the globalisation of cryptocurrency trading.
CI Global Asset Management Partners with Galaxy Digital, Launching Blockchain and Metaverse ETFs
CI Global Asset Management (“CI GAM”), a major Canadian asset management firm, has partnered with Galaxy Digital to launch ETFs focused on blockchain technology and Metaverse.
Marathon Digital Admits to Mining an Invalid Bitcoin Block
Marathon Digital Holdings encountered a setback as it mined an invalid block on the Bitcoin network due to an internal bug amidst an operational optimization experiment. The company acknowledged the error and praised Bitcoin's self-corrective security measures.
Crypto Custody Firm Fireblocks Integrates with the DigitalBits Blockchain
Crypto custody firm Fireblocks has launched a new integration with the DigitalBits blockchain, providing users with secure access to products and services built on the DigitalBits blockchain.
China to be First Cashless Society with Digital Yuan Launch in 2022, SCMP Report
China is poised to become the world’s first cashless society should roll out its Digital Yuan DCEP before it hosts the 2022 Winter Olympics according to the SCMP
The First Crypto Bank in Puerto Rico Rolls Out Digital-Asset Custody Service
FV (Fintech Ventures) Bank, a global financial entity registered in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, has launched a digital-asset custody service for seamless safeguarding and interoperability of crypto and fiat.
The third-largest French bank Introduces Euro-Pegged Stablecoin
Société Générale has introduced EUR CoinVertible, a euro-pegged stablecoin, marking a significant shift in the integration of traditional finance with digital assets.
China’s Central Bank Digital Currency DCEP to be Operational for Local Government Employees Starting in May
Local government employees in the city of Suzhou will be receiving China’s central bank digital currency, digital currency electronic payment (DCEP) in May, according to a local news outlet. China has been charging full speed with its digital currency development plans shortly after Facebook revealed its Libra stablecoin project.
Meta Users Can Now Post Digital Collectables on Instagram and Facebook
Meta Platforms Inc has announced that it has enabled the digital collectables features across its two major social media apps - Instagram and Facebook.
VanEck's Ambitious Move: A Spot Bitcoin ETF with a "HODL" Ticker
VanEck submits a fifth amended application for a spot Bitcoin ETF under the "HODL" ticker, aiming for SEC approval and significant market impact.
Alibaba's Ant Group Floats New Digital Bank ANEXT in Singapore
Ant Group, a majority-owned fintech firm of Alibaba Group Holdings has launched ANEXT, a digital bank following a nod from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) earlier this month
China Central Bank Releases Digital CNY Smart Contract Prepaid Fund Management Product
In China, the Digital Currency Research Institute of the People's Bank of China has launched a digital renminbi smart contract prepaid fund management product - "Yuanguanjia".
EDX Markets is Expanding in Singapore
EDX Markets expands to Singapore, backed by Citadel Securities and Fidelity Digital Assets, introducing innovative trading options like spot and perpetual futures, and emphasizing non-custodial clearing solutions.
Seven Key Takeaways You Need to Know About Central Bank Digital Currencies
Why are Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) important? Do we really need them? What are the implications? How will they be designed? Here are seven key takeaways you need to know.
Steamboat Willie Enters Public Domain, Inspires NFT and Meme Coin Craze
The public domain's "Steamboat Willie" Mickey Mouse version has sparked the creation of popular NFTs and meme coins, marking a new era in digital art and copyright freedom.
Galaxy Asset Management's AUM Exceeds $10 Billion Milestone
Galaxy Asset Management reaches a new pinnacle with over $10 billion in assets under management, reflecting robust institutional interest in digital assets.
Marathon Digital Shares Filing Details of its Purchased Miners and Cost
American Bitcoin mining firm Marathon Digital disclosed that it has ordered a total of 78,000 Antminer S19 XP from Bitmain Technologies in a bid to advance its position as a leading miner in the space.
Voyager Digital Executives Threatened by Clients, Revealed in Bankruptcy Hearing
Senior executives of crypto broker Voyager Digital and their families were reportedly threatened by their clients, a court in Manhattan revealed.
Samsung Plans to Develop Top-Notch Metaverse Devices to Foster Accessibility
Samsung Electronics has revealed plans to make the metaverse more accessible by developing innovative devices as it sees it as a new business model.
Spain Strengthens Crypto Oversight to Settle Tax Debts
Spanish Ministry of Finance is implementing legislative reforms to increase cryptocurrency monitoring, enabling seizure of digital assets for tax debt resolution, aligning with EU regulations.
Federal Reserve Governor Michelle W. Bowman Stresses Banking Supervision including Digital Assets
Governor Michelle W. Bowman, a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, emphasized the need for a responsive and responsible regulatory framework in the banking sector.
U.S. Should Align Itself with Digital Assets to Safeguard its Interests, Says Chainalysis Founder
During a Senate hearing, Chainalysis founder Jonathan Levin opined that the U.S. ought to prioritize and invest in digital assets to get the upper hand when enhancing financial transparency, public safety, and national security.
Tether CTO Asserts $XAUT as the Digital Resurgence of the Gold Standard
Paolo Ardoino, Tether's CTO, recently discussed the role of Tether Gold ($XAUT), Bitcoin, and gold in the evolving economic landscape.
ECB Advisor Defends Amazon’s Role in Digital Euro Project
The European Central Bank (ECB) is collaborating with five firms to test “user interfaces” for the central bank digital currency (CBDC).
Suzhou Next City in China to Test Digital Yuan DCEP in Red Envelope Event
China’s central bank is scheduled to test its digital yuan dubbed the Digital Currency Electronic Payment (DCEP) in a second red packet lottery event in Suzhou on December 12.
Exclusive: LabCFTC's Melissa Netram Talks Advancing Policy and Regulation in FinTech and Blockchain Through Times of Crisis
The United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) established LabCFTC as an initiative under the General Counsel’s office in 2017 aimed at promoting FinTech innovation and competition. The office has been very active with over 400 different private meetings held with innovators in the last three years. In addition, LabCFTC has published three primers in the marketplace based on their understanding of smart contracts, artificial intelligence, and crypto-assets.
The Bank of Russia Wants Strict Limits for Non-Professional Russian Crypto Investors
Russia has published a proposal that sets strict limits on the amounts of digital assets acquired by non-professionals investors in a year.
Federal Reserve Digital Dollar DLT Testing Underway But CBDC Monetary Policy Lags
Federal Reserve Board Governor Lael Brainaird announced that the United States Federal Reserve is currently experimenting with blockchain and DLT in pursuit of its central bank digital currency (CBDC) or digital dollar.
HashKey Group Secures $100 Million in Series A Funding
HashKey Group raised $100 million in a Series A financing round, reaching a pre-money valuation of $1.2 billion. The Hong Kong-based company plans to use the funds to enhance its Web3 ecosystem and expand its Hong Kong business.
Can US Lawmakers Really Just Mint Two $1 Trillion Coins to Back a Digital Dollar COVID Stimulus with "No Additional Debt"?
As the economy continues to deteriorate in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic climate, US Lawmakers are once again pitching the creation of a sovereign digital dollar to quickly distribute the proposed stimulus packages. The bill further proposed the new minting of two trillion dollar coins.
Siemens Issues World's First Blockchain Bond
Siemens claims that "releasing the bond on a blockchain provides a variety of advantages compared to prior approaches," including removing banks as middlemen.
Perianne Boring: Blockchain Will Be the Foundation of the New Financial System
Perianne Boring is the Founder and President of the Chamber of Digital Commerce—the world's first and largest blockchain trade association. Boring began her career as a legislative analyst in the U.S. House of Representatives, advising on finance, economics, tax and healthcare policy. Prior to forming the Chamber, Boring was a television host and anchor of an international finance program that aired in more than 100 countries to over 650 million viewers.
Brazil's largest private bank Launches Crypto Trading Platform in Brazil
Brazil's largest private bank, Itaú Unibanco, has launched a cryptocurrency trading service, offering Bitcoin and Ethereum trading, with plans to expand further.
French Football Federation Explores Player NFT Cards in Partnership with Sorare
Sorare is building a digital collectible card for French National Team players.
FinFabrik and Chekk sign MOU to live and breathe KYC into digital assets investment
FinFabrik is pleased to announce that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Chekk to integrate Chekk’s KYC capabilities to its market infrastructure “CrossPool”, enabling financial institutions in private markets to grow new digital asset businesses powered by distributed technology.
Solana Joins BTC, ETH on Bloomberg Terminal
Solana (SOL) becomes the third cryptocurrency after Bitcoin and Ethereum to be added on Bloomberg terminals.
Bank of Spain Plans to Look at Design Proposals and Economic Implications of a CBDC
Spain’s Central Bank mentioned that it would study the design proposals and economic implications of a CBDC in the country.
Digital Asset Liquidity Provider OrBit Markets Wins Google Cloud Customer Award
OrBit Markets, a Singapore-based liquidity provider, has been awarded the 2023 Google Cloud Customer of the Year Award for its exceptional use of Google Cloud technologies for trading data processing.
European Central Bank is Consulting the Public on CBDC
The European Central Bank has launched a public consultation to seek public opinion on its proposed digital Euro or central bank digital currency (CBDC).
Federal Reserve Considers a FEDcoin in Wake of Rising Stablecoin and CBDC Development
Federal Reserve Governor, Lael Brainard said that the Fed is weighing the developments and policy issues in the digital payments sector and experimenting with central bank digital currencies (CBDC) in consideration of potentially issuing it own digital currency.
Regulated Stablecoins Likely to Remain in Use by 2030
A panel of digital regulatory experts at the World of Web3 (WOW) Summit in Hong Kong discussed the future of regulated stablecoins. The group concluded that regulated stablecoins are likely to remain in use by 2030 and that their growth rate in the market supports this idea. The panelists acknowledged the growth of the crypto industry and emphasized the importance of both centralized and decentralized approaches to digital assets.
Ghana Confirms Its Interest in Piloting Central Bank Digital Currency
Ghana has confirmed that it is on the hunt for a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). The Bank of Ghana’s deputy governor, Dr. Maxwell Opoku-Afari, recently revealed that the country’s central bank remains committed to piloting a national digital currency. He made such remarks during a virtual stakeholder workshop on payment systems and services as reported by GhanaWeb local news outlet.
Allied Market Research: Blockchain Identity Management Will be a $11.46 Billion Market by 2026
Allied Market Research, a US-based research and advisory company, has reported that the worldwide blockchain identity management sector will escalate to $11.46 billion by 2026 from $107 million recorded in 2018. This will represent a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 79.2% because blockchain is touted to offer an immutable, interoperable, and unified infrastructure needed in the storage of digital identities.
CBI and Liminal Collaborate for Digital Asset Security in India Amid Crypto Scams
The Central Bureau of Investigation of India is partnering with Singapore-based Liminal to secure digital assets seized during investigations amid rising cryptocurrency frauds in India.
Morgan Stanley Becomes First US Bank to Offer Bitcoin Funds to Its Clients
Morgan Stanley is offering its clients access to Bitcoin (BTC) investments.
Investment Bank Cowen Joins Cryptocurrency Craze with Digital Asset Division Launch
Cowen joined the rush by major financial services companies to bet on digital assets like Bitcoin. The bank has created a new unit dedicated to helping customers to hold, issue, and trade digital assets.
Acting OCC Comptroller Urges Regulators to Collaborate with Crypto Intermediaries
Michael J. Hsu, the Acting Comptroller of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has advocated that regulators should collaborate with major crypto intermediaries in order to get a grasp of how the ecosystem functions.
BitGo Secures MPI License Approval in Singapore
BitGo has received in-principle approval for a Major Payment Institution (MPI) license from Singapore's MAS, allowing it to expand its crypto services in the region. This aligns with Singapore's robust regulatory standards and BitGo's commitment to security in digital asset transactions.
Mike Novogratz Considers Galaxy's Helios Purchase "Transformative"
Galaxy Digital Holdings CEO Mike Novogratz dubbed the Helios mining transaction "transformative." Dec. 28 saw the crypto investment firm's $65 million purchase of Argo's main mining plant. Galaxy operates trading, asset management, crypto mining, venture investments, and investment banking.
Malaysia’s Securities Commission Legalizes Digital Asset and Crypto Trading
Malaysia’s Securities Commission, which is responsible for overseeing compliance with Islamic laws in finance, has allowed trading of digital assets.
Laser Digital Secures In-Principal Approval from Abu Dhabi Global Market
Laser Digital, Nomura's digital asset subsidiary, has received In-Principal Approval from Abu Dhabi Global Market's Financial Services Regulatory Authority. The approval allows the company to offer broker-dealer and asset management services in the UAE, subject to fulfilling specific conditions.
China’s CBDC Should Start Replacing Cash But Not Confined to Substitution, says Former Chinese Banker
Former Chinese banker, Wang Yongli suggested that a push for digital currencies to substitute all currencies is needed to support monetary operation reforms.
UK lacks expertise for central bank digital currency
UK is unlikely to issue a central bank digital currency (CBDC) as the Bank of England lacks the necessary technical skills, according to Jon Cunliffe, the deputy governor. The BoE plans to partner with the private sector to test a digital pound in a simulated environment, with the aim of gaining the required expertise to develop a working prototype.
Mysterious $1.17 Million Bitcoin Transfer to Bitcoin Creator Nakamoto Wallet
A recent transaction of 27 BTC to a Satoshi Nakamoto wallet has raised interest in the cryptocurrency community, particularly considering the Genesis Block's 15th anniversary. This event celebrates Bitcoin's history and raises questions about its future and originator.
Beeple NFT Sells at Auction for $69.3M, The Biggest NFT Sale to Date
The world's most valuation NFT by Beeple has been auctioned at Christie's for an approximate sum of $69.3 million
EU Policymakers Vote for Blockchain Use to Fight Tax Evasion, Crypto Asset Non-Taxation
The European Parliament has voted in favour of leveraging blockchain technology for tax compliance, with a majority of 566 out of 620 members backing the motion.
PayPal May Buy Digital Asset Custodian BitGo Following Crypto Market Entry
PayPal may be looking to penetrate the market further following its recent crypto payments announcement, rumors indicate the firm may buy digital asset custodian BitGo.
Omega Secures $6M in Funding to Revolutionize Bitcoin and DeFi Ecosystem
Omega announces a $6M funding round to launch its decentralized infrastructure, aiming to redefine omnichain and Bitcoin DeFi without relying on traditional bridges or L2 solutions.
Massive Online Transition for Tax and Fee Business in China, Digital Yuan Payment in Pilot Use
Shen Xinguo, Director of the Taxpayer Services Division of the State Administration of Taxation, announced that 96% of tax matters and 99% of tax declarations in China can now be handled online, marking a significant move towards digitalization in the country's financial sector.
Craig S. Wright Explores 'Code is Law' Paradigm in Digital Governance Debate
Dr. Craig Wright's blog post on "Open-Source Development" rekindles debate on "Code is Law" principle, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach balancing code precision with legal considerations.
Polygon Launches Web3 .polygon Domains with Unstoppable Domains
Polygon and Unstoppable Domains have partnered to offer the ability to create Web3 .polygon domain names, enabling users to log into Web3 applications, use human-readable wallet addresses, and create decentralized websites. The service will be available to an estimated 180 million users and 40,000 services across the Polygon blockchain ecosystem. Unstoppable Domains makes use of Polygon to mint decentralized domains with zero gas fees. Users will be able to use .polygon domains to create digital identities that are compatible across 750 applications, games and metaverse platforms, as well as to login to web apps, act as cryptocurrency wallet addresses, and create decentralized websites.
SEC Probes Investment Advisers Offering Crypto Custody Without Proper Qualification
After the fall of FTX and the Ripple lawsuit in 2022, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is now looking into Wall Street corporations that may be violating custody regulations.
Mastercard, BitOasis Roll Out Crypto-Linked Cards in the MENA Region
Payment giant Mastercard has inked a deal with Middle East-based cryptocurrency exchange BitOasis to establish a series of crypto card programs aimed at boosting daily cryptocurrency usage in the Middle East & North Africa region.
Lebanon Considers a Central Bank Digital Currency for 2021
The Governor of The Central Bank of Lebanon Riad Salameh has revealed the possibility of the bank launching a digital currency by 2021.
Bitcoin's Correlation with S&P 500 at a Nine Year Peak, says Quantum Economics Founder Mati Greenspan
Mati Greenspan, founder of Quantum Economics believes the coronavirus pandemic has brought Bitcoin closer to the S&P 500 than ever before.
ECB's Digital Euro Development: An In-Depth Look at the Rulebook's Progress
The European Central Bank's Rulebook Development Group is enhancing the digital euro framework, focusing on operational models, technical architecture, and participant rights for seamless integration into the financial system.
Signum Digital Receives Approval for Security Token Offering Platform
Signum Digital, a joint venture of Coinstreet and Somerley, has received approval-in-principle from Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission for its security token offering platform called CS-Pro. The platform will allow investment in tangible assets such as private equities, real estate, art, and collectibles.
Central African Republic Begins Sales of Sango Coin
The Central African Republic (CAR) launched its national digital currency tokens called “Sango Coin,” but sales have been quite lower than expected.
Holistic Approach to Investing in Cryptocurrency
The basic criteria for selection and investing in Cryptocurrencies using the three pillar approach.
RBL Bank Partners with Accenture to Build A Digital Bank Infrastructure
RBL Bank announced that it will partner with Accenture, who envisions that it will enhance the bank’s information technology (IT) network and services.
PwC Reports Huge Shift in M&A and Fundraising from US to Asia and EMEA in 2019
In 2019, crypto fundraising and M&As began migrating over to Asia, Europe and the Middle East and saw a lack of new VC investments as the majority of funding came from crypto firms within the industry, according to PWC’s latest report released on April 6.
Bank of Israel Issues Draft Regulations Regarding AML for Crypto Firms
The Bank of Israel has issued a new draft guideline to stakeholders in the cryptocurrency ecosystem as it relates to Anti-Money Laundering (AML) provisions.
Marathon Digital Refinances $100m Credit Facility from Silvergate Bank
Marathon Digital secured another loan deal of $ 100 million to sustain its operations amid the crypto market rout.
European Central Bank Considers Rolling Out Blockchain-Powered Bank Transactions
The European Central Bank (ECB) seeks to be ahead of the game by studying how blockchain-based bank transactions will enable more money control even if lenders change to distributed ledgers.
Bloomberg and Galaxy Digital Floats Crypto Index for Decentralized Finance
Bloomberg has launched a DeFi-backed Index fund with co-branding from Galaxy Digital.
Montana Passes Crypto Miner Rights Bill
Montana’s House of Representatives passed Bill number 178, which seeks to enshrine the rights of crypto miners and prohibit local authorities from obstructing crypto mining operations. The bill now awaits Governor Greg Gianforte’s signature to become law. The legislation establishes a “digital asset mining right,” forbids discriminatory electricity rates charged to crypto miners, and removes the authority of local governments to use zoning laws to impede crypto mining activities.
Thai Political Party Proposes $300 Digital Currency Stimulus
The Pheu Thai Party in Thailand has proposed giving all residents 16 years and older a digital currency stipend of $300 if it wins the next election. The initiative is a stimulus project aimed at helping the local economy using blockchain technology.
US Fed Aims To Publish Discussion Paper on CBDC This Summer
The US Federal Reserve will issue a discussion paper about CBDC this summer.
Raiffeisen Bank to Launch Crypto Investment Service
Raiffeisenlandesbank Niederösterreich-Wien is teaming up with Bitpanda to provide crypto investment services. Customers can invest in various assets regardless of the capital amount. The new offering will feature over 2,500 digital assets, including Bitcoin and Ether.
Fidelity Reiterates Bitcoin's Unique Value as a Primary Investment Choice
Fidelity Digital Assets revisits Bitcoin's unmatched value proposition in a recent study, emphasizing its secure, decentralized nature. Shared by MicroStrategy's Michael Saylor, the study advocates for Bitcoin's primary consideration by investors venturing into the digital asset sphere.
HashKey Exchange and Animoca Brands Unite to Boost Web3 in Asia
HashKey Exchange partners with Animoca Brands to foster Web3 and digital entertainment in Asia, leveraging their strengths in virtual assets and blockchain gaming.
NFT Sales Slide to a 12-Month Low Amid Crypto Meltdown
The bloodbath in the crypto market has contributed to sales in the non-fungible token (NFT) sector slipping to a 12-month low, according to crypto analytic firm Chainalysis.
Argentinians Seek Shelter in Stablecoins after Economy Minister Resignation
Argentinians have taken refuge in stablecoins after the nation’s economy minister Martin Guzman resigned over the weekend attributed to the financial crisis crushing the South American country.
The White House Publishes Guidelines for Regulating Digital Assets
The U.S President, Joe Biden has set up a new framework on how cryptocurrency will be traded and regulated in the U.S
The UK's New Digital Securities Sandbox: A Step Forward for Crypto Innovation
The UK government's Digital Securities Sandbox, set to launch on January 8, 2024, allows crypto firms to test products and services, promoting financial technology innovation and consumer protection.
OpenTrade and WOO X Unite to Offer Tokenized T-Bills to Asian Investors
OpenTrade collaborates with WOO X to unveil access to tokenized T-Bills for Asian investors. This partnership, leveraging Circle Research’s Perimeter Protocol, is a response to the escalating demand for tokenized T-Bills over DeFi yields. Concurrently, WOO X advances its strategic footprint in South Korea, aligning with CODE compliance solutions to broaden its product accessibility in the region.
ADGM Launches Pioneering DLT Foundations Regime
Abu Dhabi Global Market's Registration Authority has introduced the Distributed Ledger Technology Foundations Regulations 2023, a global legislative framework designed to facilitate token issuance, promote governance, and drive transparency in the crypto sector.
Ripple Swell 2020: Clear Regulations and CBDC Will Drive Cryptocurrency Adoption Forward
Financial leaders virtually discussed the regulatory framework for crypto assets and how crypto adoption could be driven forward.
Voyager Digital Asks Court to Allow Withdrawals Request
Embattled crypto brokerage firm Voyager Digital recently sought permission to process user withdrawals request from the Federal Bankruptcy Court.
Traditional Finances Reimagined: The Future of Digital Finance
Traditional financial institutions such as banks are no longer the only option. The financial services industry will be decentralized and digital in the future.
China's CBDC Testing Advances along 19.25M Yuan Distribute to Residents
The Digital Yuan testing is extending to Shanghai as residents will be given free money worth 19.25 million yuan.
Court Approves Voyager Digital's Acquisition by Binance.US
The US District Court rejected the government's appeal to halt Binance.US's acquisition of bankrupt brokerage company Voyager Digital. The court confirmed its prior approval of Voyager Digital's Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan, which involves selling assets to Binance.US to repay customers. The court also allowed Binance.US to issue repayment tokens to impacted Voyager customers, despite objections by the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
Digital Euro is Designed to "Protect Consumer Privacy"- says ECB Board Member
ECB Board Member Fabio Panetta said Digital Euro will offer a good level of privacy to consumers.
Standard Chartered Becomes the First Bank to Join the Global Digital Finance Patron Board
Standard Chartered, the British multinational bank (MNB), announced recently that the corporation would be joining the crypto and digital finance industry membership body Global Digital Finance (GDF) Patron Board.
Crypto Lending Platform SALT Works with Cion Digital, Launching Crypto Lending Service for Auto Dealers
Crypto lending platform SALT has partnered with Cion Digital to launch crypto lending-as-a-service for over 5,000 U.S. auto dealerships.
Thailand’s SEC to Eradicate Any Stumbling Blocks to Digital Asset Advancement
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Thailand has revealed plans to revise the royal decree on digital asset businesses in 2020 to boost digital assets’ growth, as well as shielding investors from avoidable risks.
Foundry Ranks as the 2nd Largest BTC Mining Pool Globally
Foundry, an American-based crypto mining pool has climbed up the rankings and is now the second-largest Bitcoin mining pool after AntPool.
Digitization vs. Digitalization: FinFabrik CEO Explains Digitalization of Asset Investment in Private Markets
FinFabrik, a leading capital markets FinTech startup based in Hong Kong has recently launched a new Private Equity module on its proprietary DLT infrastructure that helps private markets institutions digitalize their operations. The platform named “CrossPool” rides on Corda Enterprise for transaction and contract management and Hyperledger Indy for identity management. With extensive experience in the financial industry and entrepreneurship, Alex Medana, the CEO of FinFabrik, talks about the core values of FinFabrik in the maturing DLT and FinTech industry and the firm’s digital assets issuance and investment platform CrossPool.
US Congressmen Ask Federal Reserve to Create National Digital Currency
Two members of the United States House of Representatives Financial Services Committee recently asked the Federal Reserve if it has any plans to create a U.S. dollar digital currency.
Singapore Consults China on Central Bank Digital Currency
Singapore is considering a partnership with China as it works on developing a Central Bank Digital Currency dubbed Project Ubin
ECB Plans to Lead CBDC Exploration to Unleash Global Power of the Euro
Fabio Panetta, a member of the Executive Board of the ECB, stated in his address to the European Parliament that the ECB intends to remain at the forefront of discussions concerning the nature of money in a digital world, including the exploration of the desirability and feasibility of establishing a central bank digital currency (CBDC).
Digital Dollars—A Two Tier CBDC Design to Maintain US Currency Dominance
The Digital Dollar Project (DDP) is the focus of the Digital Dollar Foundation and advocates the need for a CBDC. In their recently released whitepaper, the DDP stipulates that it aims for the US dollar to maintain its global dominance but further warns that the work needs to begin immediately. The DPP also calls for public-private collaboration, including the use of a two-tier system for the spread and distribution of retail digital dollars.
Spot Bitcoin ETFs: Transforming Crypto Investment Landscape
The SEC's approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs, including Valkyrie's, marks a pivotal moment for crypto investments, potentially attracting billions in inflows and indicating a surge in Bitcoin's mainstream acceptance.
Bakkt Advances with $150 Million Capital Raise Initiative
Bakkt Holdings, Inc. receives SEC's nod for a "universal shelf" registration, paving the way for up to $150 million capital infusion over three years, enhancing its strategic financial flexibility and growth potential in the digital asset sector.
Mastercard's Dynamic Yield Launches AI-Driven Shopping Muse to Enhance Online Retail
Mastercard's Dynamic Yield has introduced "Shopping Muse," an AI-driven personal retail assistant tool, enhancing its digital personalization and AI portfolio to provide personalized product recommendations and meet evolving retail industry demands.
New Zealand Eyeing the Possibility of Rolling Out a CBDC
New Zealand is in the race of setting up a central bank digital currency (CBDC) because it sees it as a stepping stone towards attaining an efficient monetary policy tool.
Voyager to Receive $200m in Repayment of Loans from Alameda Research
Voyager Digital will receive about $200 million in repayment of loans from trading firm Alameda Research.
Federal Reserve Chairman Powell to Address IMF on Digital Currencies Next Week
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell will be speaking to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) next week as part of a panel on cross-border digital payments.
ECB Member Says Should not Treat Banks as “Endangered Species” in CBDC Plans
ECB Governing Board member Jens Weidmann does not want banks to be pampered concerning CBDC development to fuel competition.
Fidelity: 60% of Institutional Investors Believe that Digital Assets Have a Place in their Portfolio
Fidelity Digital Assets surveyed 774 institutional investors across the United States and Europe, and 80 percent of those who were surveyed found something appealing about digital assets. The research was conducted from November 2019 to early March 2020 and is the second consecutive year that Fidelity Digital Assets has conducted this survey for US institutional investors and the first for European investors.
Galaxy Digital Terminates BitGo Acquisition, But Still Eyes Listing on Nasdaq
Galaxy Digital, one of the leading crypto financial services providers, has announced its plans to terminate the proposed acquisition of crypto infrastructure service provider BitGo.
China's DCEP Testing Limited to Small Retail Transactions for Now
The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) has affirmed that the testing of its CBDC project is concentrated only to small scale transactions for now.
Capital Inflows into Crypto Investment Products, Hit a 3-Month High of $193m
In the past week, inflows into crypto investment products reached $193 million. A scenario last seen in mid-December 2021, according to digital asset management firm Coinshares.
Ripple CTO Regrets Selling Ether for $1 Each, Missed Out on Millions as ETH Looking Bullish
Ripple chief technical officer (CTO) David Schwartz disclosed that he previously had 40,000 Ether in his possession, but that he liquidated it in 2012.
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.
Mastercard Survey Suggests that Consumer Appetite for Cryptocurrency Payments Is Surging
Mastercard released a report on May 4 that revealed that there is a growing demand for digital payments.
Hong Kong’s OneDegree to Provide Digital Asset Protection Insurance with Munich Re
OneDegree is developing more technology to provide protection to participants in the digital assets market.
UK FCA Regulator Proposes Mandatory AML Data Reports from Cryptocurrency Firms
The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has proposed obligatory AML reporting requirements for crypto exchanges.
Russian Sberbank Conducts First Digital Asset Trade on its Blockchain Platform
Sberbank expects digital assets trading to be rolled out to the bank’s customers later this year.
Honduras Imposes Crypto Trading Ban Amid Fraud and Laundering Concerns
Honduras' CNBS regulator bans cryptocurrency transactions within financial institutions due to fraud, money laundering, and regulatory inability to regulate multi-jurisdictional digital platforms amid global debate.
KPMG Partners with Coin Metrics to Boost Institutional Crypto Adoption
KPMG has teamed up with Coin Metrics to enhance institutional adoption of blockchain and cryptoassets offering proprietary analytics, trusted data & insights.
US Credit Unions Gain Access to Partner with Crypto Assets Service Providers
The United States National Credit Union Administration granted domestic credit unions under the aegis of the Federally Insured Credit Unions the permission to enter into partnerships with third-party digital currency trading platforms.
What are the Top 5 Blockchain Market Events to Watch in Q2 2020?
Looking ahead to Q2 2020, what are the top 5 blockchain market events to watch? This article provides a simple guide for you!
Advancing CBDC: Bank of Canada In Search of Digital Currency Economist
The Bank of Canada is in search of an economist with expertise in digital currencies and financial technologies to help advance its CBDC drive.
US Supreme Court Steps In On Coinbase Customer Contract Dispute
The US Supreme Court is set to decide on a contract dispute between Coinbase and its customers, potentially impacting user agreement drafting and enforcement in the digital currency trading sector.
Coinbase is challenging the U.S. Treasury over the recent tornado cash sanctions
Coinbase is suing the U.S. Treasury for listing Tornado Cash on the SDN List, arguing it violates digital privacy and regulatory authority in the cryptocurrency sector.
China to Award DCEP Worth $1.5 Million to Shenzhen Residents to Test Digital Yuan
China’s central bank, the People's Bank of China (PBOC), has teamed up with Shenzhen city to distribute DCEP worth 10 million yuan, approximately $1.5 million to residents.
Former Microsoft Employee Convicted of $10M Bitcoin Tax Fraud Scheme
A former Microsoft employee is facing nine years in prison for defrauding the tech firm of more than $10 million in digital currency.
Ripple May Dump Over 96 Million XRP Soon
Ripple's strategic handling of 240M XRP in December 2023 stabilized the market and may influence future cryptocurrency dynamics.
Digital Currencies and Tokenization Might be a Dominant Factor in the Future, says DBS CEO
Piyush Gupta, the CEO of Singaporean multinational banking corporation DBS, believes that the digital currencies and tokenization of assets is now a reality, which might be a dominant factor in the future.
Banking on Blockchain: FinTech and Digitalization Will Play a Significant Role for the Chinese Banking Industry
China’s banking industry for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will rely on digitization and financial technology to build a “new infrastructure” for the entire industry. Highly endorsed by the country’s president, Xi Jinping, blockchain technology has seen a surge in popularity in the past year.
Alien Worlds Takes the Helm as the Top Blockchain Game, Approximately 11 Million Daily Transactions
Alien Worlds has emerged as the leading blockchain game with nearly 11 million daily transactions undertaken by more than 700,000 monthly active users.
Gmail Enhances AI Email Drafting with Voice Input
Google is set to revolutionize Gmail with the integration of a voice input feature in its AI-powered 'Help Me Write' tool, enhancing the email drafting process and reflecting the evolving role of AI in digital communication.
Bitcoin Recovers from Plunge Triggered by Confirmation Hearing for SEC Chair Nominee Gary Gensler
Bitcoin (BTC) dipped after Gary Gensler said that it was a challenge for the SEC to keep cryptocurrency markets free of fraud.
Thailand's Market Watchdogs Suggest Crypto Regulation to Avoid Threatening Financial Stability
Regulators in Thailand, including The trio of the Bank of Thailand (BOT), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the Ministry of Finance (MOF), issued a joint statement on cryptocurrencies that threaten the local financial ecosystem.
Tritum Raises $1.1m Funding Round to Accelerate Institutional Digital Assets Adoption
Tritum disclosed the new funds would be used to continue accelerating the expansion of the throughput and size of each of its existing operating businesses.
Central Bank Executive Says Hong Kong Working On Investor Protection Measures
Central bank governors from around the world are currently in Thailand to discuss the role of central banks amid evolving financial technology. Eddie Yue, chief executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority discussed the rise of digital assets and central bank digital currencies (CBDC) and the risks associated with the new technology. Changyong Rhee, governor of the Bank of Korea was not so optimistic about the future of blockchain technology, especially in the monetary sector.
PwC Report: Asian Institutional Investors Opt for Third-Party Custody Solutions for Digital Assets
A joint report by Aspen Digital and PwC titled "State of Digital Asset Custody - Understanding and implementing digital asset custody for institutional investors" reveals a rising demand for institutional-grade digital asset custody solutions among family offices, high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), and external asset managers (EAMs) in Asia.
SEBA Bank Secures SFC License, Expanding Crypto Services to Hong Kong
Swiss cryptocurrency bank SEBA Bank has been granted a Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission license to offer trading, distribution, advisory, and asset management services in the Asia Pacific region.
Voyager Secures Approval to Return $270M to Customers
Crypto firm Voyager Digital Holdings Inc. is set to return $270 million in customer cash, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Hong Kong HKMA Advances CBDC Development with Phase 2 of e-HKD Pilot
The HKMA has initiated Phase 2 of the e-HKD pilot program, focusing on the tokenization and programmability of digital currency.
Jamaica to Launch Central Bank Digital Currency in 2022
Jamaica’s Minister of Finance Nigel Clarke has announced that the country intends to launch its central bank digital currency (CBDC) in 2022.
Riksbank's Final Report on e-Krona Explores Offline Payment Solutions
Sweden's Riksbank concludes its e-Krona pilot, highlighting the development of offline payment technologies like "shadow wallets" and payment cards.
Getty Images to Start NFT Marketplace with Candy Digital
Stock photo issuer Getty Images is entering the NFT sector through a marketplace-like platform that will float in partnership with digital collectable firm Candy Digital.
Russian Finance Ministry Believes Crypto Should be Regulated not Banned
The Ministry of Finance in Russia believes that the ban on crypto-assets should be shelved. Proper regulations would provide both transparency and protection to citizens.
JPMorgan Says Younger Investors Tilt Towards Bitcoin While Older Ones Favor Gold
Investment Bank JPMorgan through research by its strategists has discovered that older generation investors favor gold while younger generations embrace Bitcoin and tech-based assets
Turkey's Central Bank Finishes First CBDC Test With More In 2023.
The CBRT's Digital Turkish Lira has completed its first experiment. On Dec 29, the CBRT announced its first digital lira payments. In the first quarter of 2023, it will conduct restricted, closed-circuit pilot testing with technology stakeholders.
With Recent $9.5 million Offering BTCS Gains Institutional Investor Interest
BTCS, a digital asset blockchain technology-focused company, recently closed an institutional investor-backed $9.5 million financing comprised of 9,500,000 shares of its common stock and common stock warrants to purchase up to 7,125,000 shares of common stock at a combined purchase price of $1.00 per share in a registered direct offering.
About 90 Percent of Countries Representing the Global Economy Exploring CBDCs, Report says
A recent testimony by Julia Friedlander to Congress has revealed that more countries are exploring CBDCs, however, the US is lagging behind.
Six Leading Central Banks to Brainstorm the Issuance of Digital Currencies in Mid-April
The leaders of six major central banks are scheduled to meet in mid-April to conceptualize on creating their own digital currencies as they can be instrumental in substituting the digital yuan or Facebook’s Libra.
The Thrill Behind Non-Fungible Tokens
A non-fungible token (NFT) is a digital asset whose ownership is blockchain-based, and its value is pegged on its uniqueness. Some of the most common use-cases of NFTs include event tickets, game items, digital collectibles, software licensing, digital certificates, in-game props, authentication certificates, and domain names.
Is The US Ready for CBDC? Most Americans Opposed to Digital Dollar Adoption, Survey Reveals
Most American citizens appear to be against a digital dollar adoption within the US, preferring paper money to CBDC, according to a study.
$1 Billion in Bitcoin Moved, Making It the Largest Dollar Value Crypto Transaction in History
On-chain crypto data analytics recently picked up a Bitcoin transaction worth more than $1 billion.
BIS and Central Bank Research Identifies Principles and Core Features For CBDC Issuance
The BIS along with seven central banks has released a report identifying the principles necessary for CBDCs to help central banks meet their public policy objectives.
Fidelity Study Shows 70% Institutional Investors Eyeing for the Crypto Market
Despite institutional investment in the crypto market evaporating, a study conducted by Fidelity shows that 7 in 10 institutional investors are eyeing the crypto sector in the future, most of them intend to purchase digital assets.
G20 To Establish Standards For Global Crypto Regulatory Framework
The Financial Stability Board, IMF, and BIS will propose worldwide crypto regulations.
Japan PM Says Govt’s Digital Transformation Investments Will Include Metaverse, NFTs
Japan embraces the use ofweb3 related services like metaverse, NFTs, blockchain, as solutions to challenges facing the society.
National Bank of Georgia to Launch CBDC Pilot Program in 2022
The National Bank of Georgia is set to launch a pilot program for its Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) dubbed the Digital Lari by 2022.
Arthur Hayes: Major Banks to Challenge Tether's Stablecoin Dominance
Major banks set to challenge Tether's stablecoin dominance, leveraging trust, compliance, and technology in a rapidly evolving market.
Google Takes Concerted Steps to Conform to EU's Digital Services Act
Google is preparing to comply with the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA), targeting platforms and search engines with over 45 million monthly users. The DSA mandates transparency, reporting of criminal offenses, and user-friendly terms and conditions for VLOPs and VLOSEs.
Ripple Co-Founder Hints Move From US Regulation: “Blockchain and Digital Currencies are not Welcome”
Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen is considering moving Ripple’s base from the United States due to crushing biased regulation.
Standard Chartered's Planned Hong Kong Virtual Bank Announced as Mox
Mox is the new virtual bank in Hong Kong to be launched by Standard Chartered in partnership with PCCW, HKT and Trip.com. Launching later this year, the mission of Mox is to help everyone in Hong Kong grow – “your money, your world, your possibilities.”
German Bundesliga Features in Blockchain Fantasy Football Platform Sorare
Sorare, an Ethereum-backed fantasy football platform has announced its latest partnership with the top two leagues in Germany, the top-flight Bundesliga, and Bundesliga 2 DE.
Majority of China's Tech Startups Are Exploring Blockchain Technology, Report Reveals
South China Morning Post's Report shows Chinese firms are growing in the adoption and integration of blockchain technology
BlackRock Has No Plans for XRP ETF
BlackRock Inc., the world's largest asset manager, halts its plans for a spot XRP ETF due to ongoing regulatory uncertainties and concerns over XRP's legal status in the midst of the Ripple vs. SEC case.
BIS Survey: 93% of Central Banks Engaged in CBDCs, 15 Retail and 9 Wholesale CBDCs Expected by 2030
The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) has released a survey revealing that 93% of central banks are now engaged in some form of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) work, with retail CBDCs taking the lead over wholesale CBDCs.
Marathon Reveals Over $80m Exposure to Bankrupt Crypto Miner Compute North
Compute North, which filed for bankruptcy protection last month, owes as much as $500 million to at least 200 creditors. Now the crypto miner got over $80 million in funding from Marathon Digital Holdings Inc.
Cambodia Officially Launches Its State-Backed Digital Currency “Bakong”
The National Bank of Cambodia has announced an official launch of a national digital currency that would operate via smartphone apps.
WEF: Blockchain Can Drive Sustainable Digital Finance for a Low-Carbon Economy
The World Economic Forum (WEF) has highlighted Blockchain as a driver of sustainable digital finance for a low-carbon economy
Mercari Japan Embraces Bitcoin Payments
Mercari, Japan's e-commerce leader, announces Bitcoin payment integration by June 2024, leveraging its subsidiary Melcoin. This reflects Japan's advanced crypto regulatory environment, fostering digital currency adoption in commerce.
WWE Launches John Cena-Inspired NFTs Just in Time for SummerSlam
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) announced the creation of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) inspired by 16-time world champion John Cena.
Shiba Inu Unveils ShibariumSSI: A Revolutionary Step Towards Self-Sovereign Digital Identity
Shiba Inu launches ShibariumSSI, a platform for Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI), emphasizing user control over digital data with features like self-custody and zero-knowledge compliance.
European Regulatory Blockchain Sandbox Welcomes Its First 20 Projects
On July 3rd, Europe's blockchain regulatory sandbox officially introduced its inaugural set of use cases. This milestone follows a period of eager anticipation in the industry, culminating from nearly 90 applications submitted back in April.
Google Metadata Implicates SBF in Fraudulent Activities During Trial
The trial on Nov 1, 2023, revealed Google metadata evidence against SBF, revealing his creation of a spreadsheet listing fraudulent financial activities. This evidence, along with testimonies and online meetings, contradicted SBF's claims of ignorance.
South Korean Advocates for Institutionalization of Cryptocurrencies via Bitcoin Derivatives
A South Korean commission dubbed the 4th Industrial Revolution Commission has proposed that the government ought to permit financial institutions to establish cryptocurrency-based products, such as Bitcoin derivatives as they will be instrumental in the long-term institutionalization of cryptocurrencies.
China’s President Xi Jinping Killed Ant Group’s $37 Billion IPO After Jack Ma Criticism
President Xi Jinping made the decision to stop the world’s largest-ever IPO after Ant Group’s Jack Ma spoke out against China's financial regulation and banking system.
Swedish Central Bank Delays CBDC Plans Again
The world’s oldest Central Bank, Sweden’s Riksbank, published results of its pilot project for its proposed central bank digital currency, the e-krona.
Mastercard Attains CipherTrace to Boost Security and Fraud Detection in the Crypto Ecosystem
Payment giant Mastercard announced the acquisition of CipherTrace to offer businesses powerful intelligence about the crypto economy as digital assets continue becoming more intertwined with daily activities.
Major Banking and Financial Associations Urge SEC to Amend SAB 121 for Digital Asset Custody
The Bank Policy Institute, American Bankers Association, Financial Services Forum, and SIFMA have requested modifications to Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 121 to address challenges in digital asset custody for US banking organizations. The aim is to align provisions with recent policy developments and practical experience.
Doppel Secures $14M in Series A Funding Led by Andreessen Horowitz
Doppel, a San Francisco-based AI digital risk protection company, secures $14M in Series A funding led by Andreessen Horowitz, aiming to enhance AI-powered brand security against digital threats like impersonation and phishing.
Genesis hires a bankruptcy avoidance specialist
GGC restructured. Moelis & Company is engaged. Voyager Digital declared bankruptcy on July 1, triggering ICO flood fears. Genesis Global Trading ceased lending. Insolvency and "unprecedented market turmoil" halted FTX. Grayscale Investments, Digital Currency Group's parent, predicts $800 million in 2022 sales.
UK Launches Global Crypto Law Review as it Considers Legal Reforms
The Law Commission of England and Wales will explore legal proceedings from other countries to create its own crypto-based legal reforms
NVIDIA Doubles Down Investing in Metaverse by Launching New Developer Tools
American technology giant NVIDIA is doubling down on its bet on the metaverse and is empowering creators with the launch of a new set of advanced tools.
Virginia Proposes Regulatory Framework for Digital Asset Mining and Transactions
Virginia Senate Bill No. 339, introduced by Senator Salim, aims to regulate digital asset mining and transactions, exempting businesses from certain licenses and providing tax benefits for digital asset exchanges.
VanEck Announces Launch of Ethereum Futures ETF (EFUT)
VanEck announces the launch of VanEck Ethereum Strategy ETF (EFUT), targeting Ethereum futures contracts for capital appreciation. EFUT, listed on CBOE, complements VanEck's Bitcoin ETF (XBTF) with a tax-efficient structure.
Dubai Seeks to Become Hub of Metaverse
Dubai has set the ball rolling to improve people’s lives and render creative solutions by positioning itself as the global capital of Web3 through its new blockchain and metaverse technology.
Visa Rolls Out Creator Program to Empower Artists with NFTs
Payment giant Visa has launched an initiative dubbed Visa Creator Program intended to help filmmakers, artists, fashion designers, and musicians revamp their businesses through non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
NFA issues new rule for digital asset commodities
The National Futures Association has issued a new compliance rule to address fraud and misconduct by its over 100 members involved in digital asset commodities. The new rule will take effect on May 31 and applies only to Bitcoin and Ether.
Bitfinex and Polygon zkEVM Facilitate Tether Gold Transactions
Bitfinex has integrated Tether Gold transactions via the Polygon zkEVM transport layer, marking a significant step towards cost-effective and secure digital asset transactions from October 11, 2023.
First Digital Group Launches New Stablecoin FDUSD to Revolutionize Global Finance
Asia's leading trust company and qualified custodian, First Digital, is making waves in the global financial ecosystem with the announcement of its new stablecoin, First Digital USD (FDUSD)
Australian Taxation Office Clarifies CGT on DeFi and Crypto Wrapping
The Australian Taxation Office has issued guidelines on the capital gains tax implications for decentralized finance activities and crypto token wrapping, following a recent security breach.
Treasury Secretary Yellen Highlights Economic Recovery and Addresses Financial Risks
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen highlighted Biden Administration's economic achievements and ongoing financial stability efforts, focusing on banking, climate change, cybersecurity, AI, and digital assets in a testimony to the House Committee on Financial Services.
BIGG to Acquire Web3 Company TerraZero in $20M Deal
BIGG Digital Assets plans to acquire TerraZero Technologies Inc. for $20 million, a metaverse company with a 161% growth in Q1 2023. TerraZero will create a subsidiary for BIGG, with TerraZero's CEO serving a 12-month term.
BIS Advances Technology in Finance: Quantum, AI, and Green Initiatives for 2024
The Bank for International Settlements announces six innovative projects for 2024, focusing on quantum security, AI, and green finance, to enhance global financial system resilience.
CFTC Chairman Calls For Principle-Based Not Rules-Based Regulation For Crypto
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman Heath Tarbert has stated his preference for the financial governance to be principle based rather than a strictly enforced set of rules. This extends to cryptocurrency and digital assets.
SEC Delays Decision on Invesco-Galaxy Digital's Ether ETF
The SEC has extended the review period for Invesco and Galaxy Digital's Ether ETF, potentially extending it for up to 240 days, allowing for public commentary.
Billionaire Investor Mike Novogratz Buys Bitcoin at $56,500
Billionaire investor, Mike Novogratz has maintained his bullish title, reaffirming that he has bought even more Bitcoin (BTC) at an average price of $56,500 each.
Gold, Oil and Bitcoin: What Does One Have to Do With the Others?
You’ll often hear the value of bitcoin being compared to that of gold, with the newest likeness being to oil. But do these three commodities really have anything in common?
Ex-Voyager Executives Suggest Live Trading as Restructuring Plan
Shingo Lavine and his father, Adam Lavine, both equity holders in Voyager and developers of Ethos, a leading cryptocurrency technology company, have proposed a restructuring plan to the troubled U.S. crypto lender.
CBDCs Require Balance between Data Access & User Privacy Protection, HashCash CEO Says
CBDC would need a delicate balancing act between data access and user privacy protection in terms of taming illegal activities, according to HashCash Consultants CEO Raj Chowdhury.
Fed Chair Powell Asserts Money Supply is for Central Banks not Private Sector
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell asserted that the private sector has no place in money issuance and by extension the development of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC).
Navigating AI Transparency and Privacy in Digital Commerce
As AI transforms digital commerce, transparency and proactive privacy measures become key to balancing innovation with consumer trust and safety.
America to Build its Digital Dollar Based on General Consensus
The US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that the move by the American Federal Reserve to develop a Digital Dollar or Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) can only take place following a general consensus amongst all parties of interest.
European Commission Eyes Crypto Regulatory Framework with New Digital Finance Package
The European Commission (EC) has unveiled a digital finance package that highlights legislative proposals on crypto assets and digital resilience.
NBA's LeBron James Becomes Face of Crypto.com
To get more limelight during the annual playoff championship game of the National Football League (NFL) called the Super Bowl, Crypto.com chose NBA's LeBron James as its new catalyst for mainstream adoption.
Interactive Brokers Taps OSL To Offer Digital Assets Services in Hong Kong
Interactive Brokers is working with OSL Digital Securities to expand the use of virtual assets dealing services in Hong Kong, witnessing investors' growing interest in exploring opportunities in investing in crypto-assets.
Mark Cuban Slammed with Lawsuit for Endorsing Bankrupt Voyager Digital
Mark Cuban, the billionaire owner of the basketball team Dallas Mavericks, has been slammed with a class action lawsuit for his role in promoting the now bankrupt crypto platform Voyager Digital.
HashKey Group Partners with HKMA on Groundbreaking wCBDC Project
HashKey Group collaborates with HKMA on a wCBDC initiative to revolutionize interbank settlements and tokenized asset management.
G7 Will Meet to Discuss CBDC and Digital Tax this Week Says Japan’s Finance Minister
The Group of Seven (G7) will meet on Feb.12 to discuss central bank digital currencies (CBDC), digital taxation and global debt according to Japan’s Finance Minister Taro Aso.
Alipay and WeChat Pay Could Be Casualties of China's Digital Yuan
Still strategizing to curb the dominance of Alipay and WeChat Pay, the People’s Bank of China will be using its DCEP system to break the cashless payment duopoly.
Winklevoss Twins' Gemini and Archax Exchange Now Licensed by UK Financial Conduct Authority
The UK Financial Conduct Authority has granted a license to the Winklevoss twins’ Gemini cryptocurrency exchange.
Jun 03: Crypto is not for the faint-hearted
Welcome to the world of volatility. Crypto never sleeps. Bitcoin got whipsaw squeezing shorts to trade above $10,400 on Monday only to get smashed down to $9,300 with fresh longs capitulated (see chart below).
Sky, O2, And Unilever Enter Blockchain Project for Digital Advertising Transparency
Advertisers across the industry are looking for ways to increase transparency in their digital campaigns. Blockchain appears to be a potential solution in this respect. Recently, Sky, O2, and Unilever have joined a blockchain pilot designed to boost digital advertising transparency.
Barry Silbert Resigns from Grayscale Investments Board Amidst Industry Challenges
Grayscale Investments has announced the resignation of Barry Silbert from its board of directors, following a challenging period in the crypto industry. The company has been advocating for the conversion of the world's largest Bitcoin trust into an ETF. The departures come amid legal battles involving Digital Currency Group.
Voyager Digital Agrees to $1.65 Billion Settlement with FTC in Landmark Case
The US FTC has awarded Voyager Digital a $1.65 billion settlement for misleading statements about customer fund safety, marking a significant regulatory action in the crypto market.
HSBC to Issue Digital Bonds to Institutional Investors through Tokenization Platform
Multinational banking giant HSBC has revealed plans to issue digital bonds to corporates and financial institutions through its new proprietary tokenization platform called HSBC Orion.
Fireblocks Debut Crypto Payments Engine After Successful Trial With Checkout.com
Fireblocks is expanding its crypto offerings with new payment engine
South Korea Intensifies Measures Against Unlicensed Crypto Exchanges
South Korea's financial regulators are urging public disclosure of unlicensed crypto exchanges, as part of their efforts to regulate the digital asset market and safeguard investors.
Japan’s Digitalization Effort will have Mixed Credit Impact across Sectors, says Moody’s Report
Japan’s digitalization effort will have a mixed credit impact across sectors according to a new report by Moody’s investor services.
Russian Banking Giant Sberbank to Tokenize Financial Assets Using Stablecoins
Sberbank, Russia’s biggest bank, has disclosed the possibility of issuing tokens to be utilized in digital financial assets (DFA) settlements. The token will be in the form of a stablecoin to be pegged to the nation’s currency, the Russian ruble.
Goldman Sachs to Launch Data Service to Classify Digital Assets
Goldman Sachs has floated a new crypto categorization tool dubbed Datanomy
UK's Bank Regulator to Propose Rules for Digital Asset Issuance
The Prudential Regulatory Authority (PRA) in the United Kingdom is set to propose rules for issuing and holding digital assets, according to Vicky Saporta, executive director of the Prudential Policy Directorate at the Bank of England. The rules will be developed in compliance with the Basel III rules and the Financial Services and Markets (FSM) bill currently being considered by Parliament.
Alibaba Founder and China's Richest Man Jack Ma: Digital Currency Could Redefine Money
Alibaba founder and China's richest Jack Ma says digital currency could redefine money and digital currency is the core of future finance.
Avalanche Launches Avaissance to Boost NFT Ecosystem
The Avalanche Foundation has announced the launch of Avaissance, an initiative aimed at supporting digital artists and growing the Avalanche NFT ecosystem. The program includes an Artist in Resident program for over 50 artists and the Mona Lisa Initiative to curate digital art and expand the collections of art-focused DAOs. In other news, Ticketmaster has announced a new feature, token-gated ticket sales, allowing artists to reward NFT holders with exclusive benefits. Popular NFT artist Patrick Amadon withdrew his work from a major auction house to protest a lack of female representation. Sony Interactive Entertainment filed a patent for a framework allowing users to transfer and utilize NFTs across multiple game platforms.
US SEC Releases Guidelines for Digital Asset Securities as Exchanges Scramble to Delist XRP
US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a statement to indicate that it is open to comment from the crypto industry regarding digital asset securities.
Bitcoin Price Bull Run Will Hit All Time High in 2020, Predicts Billionaire Bitcoin Investor
The Bitcoin price is heading to $20,000 by the end of 2020 according to billionaire cryptocurrency investor Michael Novagratz, CEO, of Galaxy Digital.
Why Bitcoin Should Make Up 5% of Your Investment Portfolio, According to Fidelity
Fidelity Digital Assets makes the case for why Bitcoin should make up 5% of a given multi-asset investment portfolio.
Galaxy Digital Looks to Complete BitGo Acquisition, US Listing by Q1 2022
American digital currency service provider, Galaxy Digital, says it is on track to complete its acquisition of BitGo by the first quarter of 2022.
Avo Receives First Virtual General Insurer License in Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s Insurance Authority (IA) announced on Tuesday that it has granted the first authorization for virtual general insurance under Fast Track. The license was granted to Avo, a local insurtech company providing products like health and travel insurance.
Citi Bank Launches "Digital Asset Group" for Developing Crypto Products
Citi group announced a "digital asset group" has been launched in its wealth management department for developing crypto-related products.
Bank of Thailand Completes Digital Bond Issuance With Blockchain
Thailand’s apex bank, the Bank of Thailand has leveraged the power of blockchain technology to launch a platform for government bond savings issuance
Budget to Provide for Fulfilling Expanded Crypto Surveillance Goal: CFTC
The United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has requested a robust budget for its Fiscal Year 2023 in order to expand its digital assets or cryptocurrency surveillance targets.
U.S. Moves to Combat Deepfake Pornography with the Preventing Deepfakes of Intimate Images Act
Representative Joe Morelle introduces the Preventing Deepfakes of Intimate Images Act, a bipartisan legislation criminalizing the creation and distribution of non-consensual deepfake pornography, primarily affecting women and girls.
Brian Amstrong Sees Bitcoin as a Flight to Safety Asset in 5 -10 Yrs
Coinbase's Brian Armstrong foresees Bitcoin serving as a safe investment asset in about a decade
EDX Markets Debuts Cryptocurrency Trading Platform and Wraps Up Latest Investment Round
In a key milestone, EDX Markets has successfully kick-started its cryptocurrency trading operations and completed a fresh funding round
Coca-Cola to Launch First-Ever NFT Collectibles to Honor International Friendship Day
Coca-Cola has partnered with Tafi, a leading designer of avatars and digital wearables, for the company’s first-ever non-fungible token (NFT) to celebrate International Friendship Day to be held on July 30.
Senator Michael Bennet Urges Tech Giants to Curb AI-Generated Misinformation
U.S. Senator Michael Bennet from Colorado has today called on leaders of prominent technology and artificial intelligence (AI) companies, including Meta, Alphabet, Microsoft, Twitter, TikTok, and OpenAI, to implement proactive strategies to combat the proliferation of misleading AI-generated content.
Fake Video of ECB President Lagarde Admitting to Digital Euro Control
A fake video of ECB President Christine Lagarde admitting to the use of a digital euro for limited control of payments was shared on social media. The video was revealed to be a prank and was part of a series of similar hoaxes targeting public figures.
Ecommerce Giant JD.com Accepts China’s Digital Yuan as Payments on Singles Day Shopping Fest
Top ecommerce JD.com accepted China’s digital currency payments during its 11-day Singles Day sales event.
Uruguay Digital Party Join Forces with Aeternity for Blockchain-Enabled Internal Voting
The Uruguay Digital Party has teamed up with Aeternity for blockchain-enabled internal voting. The resolution to use blockchain technology was prompted by the party's wish to propel Uruguayans’ influence in the voting process.
Stablecoins to be Issued by Licensed Banks and Trust Companies in New Japanese Law
In a move to protect investors, Japan’s parliament has passed a bill classifying stablecoins as digital money that must be connected to the nation’s currency, yen, or another legal tender.
Malaysian Authorities to Extend Crypto Regulations to Wallet Providers
The Malaysian Securities Commission plans to extend crypto regulations to wallet providers in the country owing to their importance in the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
Digital Currencies Impede US Treasury Sanction Efforts, Report says
The United States Treasury Department revealed that digital currencies pose a critical impediment to sanctions strategy and policies.
Mastercard Launches Virtual Platform to Help Governments Test CBDCs
Payment giant Mastercard has unveiled a virtual platform that will enable central banks to assess and explore Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs).
Bank of Lithuania Launches First Blockchain-Based Digital Collector's Coin As Test for CBDC
The Bank of Lithuania has launched the first central bank-produced digital collectors coin dubbed “LBCOINS” as part of its trial of blockchain technology and testing in its development of central bank digital currencies.
How Blockchain Technology is Shaping Digital Advertisements
There are thousands of ads everywhere, in our phones, applications, websites, there is hardly anywhere you would turn to (digitally) today without bumping into an ad, even when using ad blockers. According to Forbes, an average person is exposed to about 4,000 to 10,000 digital ads every day. They aren’t cheap; the standard ads we see every day on our phones cost billions.
Time Magazine to Add Ether to Its Balance Sheet as Part of Efforts to Support Metaverse Newsletter with Galaxy Digital
Under a partnership with Galaxy Digital, Time Magazine will hold Ether as part of its corporate balance sheet and produce metaverse-related content.
Sygnum Singapore Secures MPI License from MAS
Sygnum Singapore’s acquisition of a Major Payment Institution Licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore comes amidst a wave of similar regulatory approvals by entities like Coinbase, Blockchain.com, and Crypto.com. This development broadens Sygnum's service offerings and positions it strongly in a competitive yet regulated digital asset market landscape in Singapore, thereby potentially attracting a wider segment of institutional clientele.
French Hill Challenges Warren's Anti-Money Laundering Act
U.S. Representative French Hill questions the efficacy of Senator Elizabeth Warren's Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering Act, arguing it won't deter terrorist organizations from using cryptocurrencies. The act's broad regulatory scope, including miners and validators, sparks controversy.
Voyager Digital Sells Assets via Coinbase Amid Bankruptcy
Voyager Digital, the CeFi platform that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, has reportedly sold assets through Coinbase and received at least $100 million in USDC. The company has sent daily crypto transfers to Coinbase, with holdings of nearly $530 million in crypto, including Ether and Shiba Inu. The US SEC has objected to Binance.US acquiring over $1 billion of Voyager's assets.
Google Sues Unknown Entities for Malware Scheme Disguised as AI Chatbot Bard
Google is suing individuals for a malware distribution scam involving false AI chatbot ads, aiming to protect users and intellectual property amid growing digital security challenges.
US Congress Plans New Provisions for Cryptocurrency Derivatives Markets
The US Congress aims to pass a new bill deciding on data collection for digital commodities contracts and swaps.
Voyager Digital Secures $200m Credit Facility to Meet Liquidity Demands
Voyager Digital Holdings, a prominent crypto trading and investment platform, has secured more than $200 million in credit facility from Alameda Ventures.
Senate Hearing Views Digital Dollar CBDC as Critical to Maintaining Global Reserve Currency Status
The United States government’s plan for its digital dollar or central bank digital currency (CBDC) may have just reached a new level of urgency, as the US hopes to maintain its most effective tool of power—global dependence on the Federal Reserve and the US dollar.
China's Digital Yuan to be Made Available to Visitors During 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics
The People’s Bank of China (PBoC) has confirmed its plans to make its Digital Currency Electronic Payment (DCEP) available to foreign athletes and visitors at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
US Regulators Overreach to Protect US Dollar Supremacy with TON Decision, Will Bitcoin be next?
If the last two years have revealed anything about our global monetary system, it is that the US Federal Reserve and President Donald Trump really do not want a competitor to the US Dollar.
Unchained Forms Strategic Alliance with Bakkt to Enhance Bitcoin Custody Network
Unchained and Bakkt have partnered to enhance their Collaborative Custody Network, enhancing their capacity to secure over $3 billion in bitcoin assets.
SAP and Infosys Join Forces to Accelerate Enterprise Digital Transformation Projects
Infosys and SAP are in talks to create a joint go-to-market engagement model between project Embrace from SAP and Infosys' Innov8 program. The joint engagement model is intended to help companies accelerate their digital transformation based on SAP S/4HANA® to build intelligent enterprises.
HSBC to Initiate Institutional Digital Assets Custody Service in 2024
HSBC plans to launch a digital assets custody service for institutional clients in 2024, partnering with Metaco to expand its digital offerings to include tokenised securities.
Researchers of Japan’s Blockchain-Based Digital Court Face Backlash Due to its Decentralized and Unregulated Nature
Researchers in Japan have been looking into a blockchain-based mechanism to settle legal disputes in a “digital court,” aiming to perform legal actions with a more cost-efficient legal process.
Bank of America Predicts U.S. CBDC Rollout between 2025 and 2030
The Bank of America Corp. said that the US is likely to issue its own digital currency between 2025 and 2030, Bloomberg reported.
DTCC to Acquire Securrency, Advancing in Digital Asset Infrastructure
DTCC announces its strategic acquisition of digital asset infrastructure specialist, Securrency. This move will bolster DTCC's digital asset offerings and streamline the integration of blockchain technology.
EY-Led Consortium Submits Bid To Help Develop South Korea's CBDC
A consortium led by Ernst & Young has made the first and only bid to construct the business model for the Bank of Korea’s Central Bank Digital Currency project.
Bakkt to Shift Focus to B2B Technology Solutions
Bakkt said it would continue to provide crypto and loyalty experiences via SaaS and API solutions on a secure platform.
SBI Digital Taps License to Operate in Singapore
SBI Digital Markets, a subsidiary of SBI Group has announced it has been granted the Capital Markets Services (CMS) Licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
ShareRing Integrates New Website with Blockchain-Based Digital Identities
To tackle the challenge of the loss of autonomy on personal data experienced in Web2, ShareRing has launched a new website with blockchain-powered digital identities that will usher in the Web3 era.
SEC Delays Decision on Invesco and Galaxy Digital's Ether ETF
The SEC extends the review period for the Invesco and Galaxy Digital's Ether ETF until February 6, 2024, signaling continued caution in cryptocurrency product approvals.
Government-Owned Swiss Bank to Provide Custodial Services for Cryptocurrencies
With the readiness of government-backed Swiss bank, bank Basler Kantonalbank (BKB) to offer crypto custodial services, the financial service sector is an inch closer to driving mainstream adoption of blockchain technology
Qraft Technologies and Hex Trust Forge AI-Driven Partnership to Revolutionize Digital Asset Investment Landscape
Qraft Technologies partners with Hex Trust, leveraging AI to enhance digital asset investments. The alliance aims to bridge traditional and digital asset management, optimizing cryptocurrency portfolios.
Global UAE Bank Building Blockchain Architecture for Federated and Sovereign Digital Identity
A global UAE bank is creating a federated and sovereign blockchain architecture for digital identity via HashCash Consultants, to propel its financial and banking operations and prepare for the future of finance.
Genesis Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Genesis has estimated assets and liabilities of $1 billion to $10 billion. The company is considering a "dual track procedure" to sell, raise funds, or equitize. After FTX and other crypto-exchanges collapsed, the business halted withdrawals in November 2022. Genesis' parent firm DCG may sell part of its $500 million venture capital portfolio to cover its obligations.
Bloomberg Report: COVID Stock Market Shake-Out Accelerating Bitcoin Maturation Into Digital Gold
A new report from international news agency Bloomberg indicates that the COVID-19 pandemic’s shake-out of the stock market may be accelerating Bitcoin’s maturation into a new kind of digital gold.
Blockchain Platform Owned by Russia’s Richest Man Gets Greenlight to Tokenize Air Tickets
Vladimir Potanin, arguably the richest man in Russia, has been granted permission to offer digital tokens to book air tickets, purchase metals, and transfer ski passes using his blockchain platform dubbed Atomyze. The much-needed go-ahead was given by the nation’s central bank last week based on Potanin’s urge to tokenize commodities from a consumer perspective.
Exclusive: Fidelity Digital Assets Explains the Core Concerns Traditional Institutions Still Have Towards Cryptocurrencies
Blockchain.News spoke with Christine Sandler, the Head of Sales and Marketing at Fidelity Digital Assets to understand more about the concerns institutional investors may have and the barriers to entry to the cryptocurrency market.
Canada, Netherlands, Ukraine Central Banks Say Blockchain Not Necessary for CBDC
In a conference hosted by National Bank of Ukraine, some central banks recently suggested that blockchain is unnecessary for digital fiat currency
European Central Bank President: Coronavirus Has Accelerated Digital Currency Adoption
COVID-19 has led to an acceleration in digital payments adoption and technological innovation, as seen by the spending pattern of European citizens.
MicroStrategy's Bitcoin Holdings Reach 190,000 Amid Q4 Financials
MicroStrategy, the world’s foremost corporate bitcoin holder, bolstered its holdings by 31,755 bitcoins in Q4 2023, reaching 190,000 BTC despite a revenue dip. The move underscores a strategic pivot towards digital assets amid fluctuating tech and financial landscapes.
White House Asks Regulators to Enforce Crypto Rules Citing FTX Crises
White House's Press Sec Karine Jean-Pierre said the administration is monitoring the FTX saga
ECB President Pushes for Digital Euro but Calls for Global Bitcoin Regulation
Christine Lagarde, European Central Bank president, said the Bitcoin has been used for money laundering activities and is calling for global regulation of the cryptocurrency.
The Issuance of China's CBDC On The Horizon, According to Insiders
The issuance of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) has been gaining traction as various nations have shown interest. The People’s Bank of China (PBoC), China’s central bank, has finished the development of a CBDC’s basic function and relevant laws are being drafted to set the ball rolling for its circulation.
How Blockchain is Prompting Innovations in Waste Management
Blockchain can come in handy in the realization of efficient waste management measures through the creation of a trustworthy, transparent, and immutable supply chain network for a plethora of different records. This technology can aid in the digital tracking of information, allowing an in-depth analysis of supply chains.
SEB and Credit Agricole launch digital bond platform on blockchain
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken (SEB) and Credit Agricole have launched a blockchain-based platform called "so|bond," which allows institutional clients to issue, trade and settle bonds digitally. The platform uses a validation protocol called "Proof of Climate awaReness," which minimizes its environmental footprint while incentivizing nodes to improve their environmental impact.
Bitcoin Price to Reach $100,000 in 2025 as BTC is Increasingly Becoming Digital Gold, says Bloomberg
Bitcoin could take five or more years to reach the price of $100,000, according to Bloomberg’s demand indicators.
Nasdaq-listed Northern Trust Boosts Digital Carbon Credit with Blockchain
Nasdaq-listed Northern Trust has introduced a digital platform for institutional voluntary carbon credit transactions, utilizing private ledger digital blockchain technology. The platform aims to streamline and digitize the complex process between institutional buyers and project developers.
AICPA Publishes a Practice Aid for Digital Assets
The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) has not been oblivious to the rapidly changing digital assets ecosystem as it has availed a practice aid to help in crypto accountancy. The practice aid is founded on professional experience and literature from members of the Digital Assets Working Group.
Reserve Bank of Australia Rolls Out CBDC Pilot Project
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has launched a year-long trial to explore a central bank digital currency's (CBDC) business models and innovative use cases.
The End of Physical Cash is an Inevitable Reality and Not to be Feared Says Union Bank President
As the world tries to come to terms with the coronavirus outbreak, recently Edwin Bautista chief executive and president of UnionBank of the Philippines revealed how digital services could support consumers as they increasingly self-isolate themselves or have to work remotely for an extended timeframe. The fintech leader projected the end of cash as the coronavirus crisis provokes banks to fast track the shift towards digital. But will the end of physical cash become a reality? The trend towards cashless remains inevitable as the current events seem to accelerate this process.
Former Voyager Digital CEO Faces Fraud Charges Amid CFTC and FTC Crackdown
The CFTC and FTC have levelled fraud charges against former Voyager Digital CEO Stephen Ehrlich, spotlighting the case as a notable instance of regulatory enforcement within the digital asset sector. The charges underscore the market's inherent risks and the imperative for robust regulatory compliance to ensure investor protection.
The Sandbox, FlickPlay Collaborate to Accelerate Interoperability in Metaverse
With the metaverse expected to be worth between $8 trillion and $13 trillion by 2030, virtual world gaming platforms The Sandbox and FlickPlay have joined hands to enhance its adoption by offering players a blockchain asset.
Spot Bitcoin ETFs: A Pivotal Decision by SEC Awaits
The SEC is nearing a decision on approving spot Bitcoin ETFs, which could significantly impact the cryptocurrency market and investor sentiment, with discussions focusing on minor amendments.
Vietnam Launches a National Enterprise Blockchain Platform as it Eyes a Global Top 50 Slot
The Ministry of Information and Communications in Vietnam is building an enterprise blockchain platform dubbed akaChain in line with its national program.
Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) Race: 2020 Year in Review
As 2020 comes to a close, we take a look back at the most important developments regarding the pursuit of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC).
Ransomware Attack Directed Towards University of California Generated 118 Bitcoin
The University of California, San Francisco’s plans to further COVID-19 vaccine research were disrupted by a ransomware attack on the school’s servers.
British University Reveals Blockchain-Enabled Digital Certificate to Water Down COVID-19 Dangers Across Supply Chains
Birmingham City University (BCU) in the United Kingdom is testing the waters with a blockchain-based digital safety certificate to safeguard consumers and suppliers from risks triggered by coronavirus (COVID-19). The digital certificate dubbed the Coronavirus Clearance Certificate (CCC), will be instrumental in reassuring stakeholders across supply chains that goods offered are risk-free.
Ukraine's Draft Bill on Digital Currencies Undergoes First Parliamentary Hearing
Ukraine's proposed draft bill for regulating digital assets in the country has passed its first parliamentary hearing.
NASDAQ Listed MicroStrategy Buys Up Additional $175 Million in Bitcoin
Bitcoin centric NASDAQ listed MicroStrategy has shored up its Bitcoin (BTC) portfolio by investing an additional US$175 Million.
WeChat Adds Digital Yuan Payment Functionality
WeChat has integrated the digital yuan into its payment services, allowing users to make payments through the platform. The move aims to increase the digital yuan’s appeal and follows a similar integration by Alipay.
Crypto Market to Skyrocket to $1.75 Billion by 2027, Report Reveals CBDCs Could be a Game-Changer
Fortune Business Insights reports that the cryptocurrency market will hit $1.758 billion by 2027 from $754 million recorded in 2019, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.2%. This growth will be spurred by blockchain technology as it makes cryptocurrency transactions effective, secure, and fast.
ECB Publishes Results of Its Digital Euro Public Consultation
The ECB has released the result of its Digital Euro public consultation. Among many things, respondents demand for privacy and offline usability.
Major China Bank Disables Digital Yuan Wallet Registration After Launch Draws Intense Public Attention
China Construction Bank (CCB) opened registration service for the DCEP wallet via its mobile app but disabled the new feature shortly after.
Crypto Mining Stocks Plummet Amid SEC Issues a Subpoena to Marathon Digital Mining Facilities
US-based cryptocurrency mining firm Marathon Digital Holdings Inc has received a subpoena from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding its Hardin, Montana data centre.
Circle's 2024 USDC Economy Report Reveals Significant Growth in Stablecoin Adoption
Circle's 2024 report on the USDC economy highlights significant growth in stablecoin adoption and usage, with a 59% increase in USDC wallets and over $12 trillion settled in blockchain transactions since its inception.
McDonald's, Subway and Starbucks Among the First to Trial China's Digital Yuan
Mcdonalds has been named along with coffee giant Starbucks as one of the 19 restaurants that will be first to try out China’s Digital Yuan in the new district of Xiong’An.
CBDC Activity Subsidizes Consumption During Lunar New Year
After COVID-19 restrictions were eased, Chinese local governments are pushing the usage of the country's digital currency, the digital yuan, to boost e-CNY use and consumption.
Kazakhstan Launches Public Consultation for Its Proposed CBDC
Kazakhstan is advancing its digital tenge project with a use case design and stakeholder consultation.
American Bankers See No Compelling Case for Digital Dollar
The ABA said that it has not seen a compelling case for the pursuit of the Digital Dollars as any attempt to float the new form of money will undermine the role of banks and private financial institutions in the country.
ShareRing Adopts NFC Technology to Enhance eKYC Solutions
ShareRing, a blockchain-based ecosystem providing digital identity solutions, has integrated near-field communication (NFC) technology to make the electronic know your customer (eKYC) process more secure and reliable.
Canada’s Central Bank Digital Currency Won't Include Zero-Knowledge-Proofs
Bank of Canada researchers do not feel that the current state of zero-knowledge-proofs is mature enough to be integrated into their development plans for a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC).
GFT and Thought Machine Partner to Drive Digital Transformation in U.S. Banking
GFT and Thought Machine are collaborating to propel U.S. banks into the digital age, departing from legacy systems in favor of cloud-native solutions. Traditional banks are now focusing on introducing innovative financial experiences to gain a competitive edge. The partnership offers three paths to digital transformation, with GFT being a leading implementation partner of Thought Machine's Vault Core. This technology enables the launch of digital-first banks or migration from legacy systems. The partnership has achieved significant milestones, including certifications and completed projects. Traditional banks are poised to leverage their expertise and regulatory frameworks by embracing digitization.
DOJ Appeals Against Approval of Voyager-Binance.US Asset Sale
The DOJ has filed an appeal against the approval of Voyager Digital's Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan, which would have allowed the company to sell assets to Binance.US. While U.S. bankruptcy judge Michael Wiles approved the plan, the SEC and other regulators have been critical, citing concerns over securities law. If regulators block the deal, Voyager may have to liquidate.
Five Russian Banks Ready to Lead Russia's CBDC Pilot Test
Five Russian Banks will participate in the pilot test for the Bank of Russia’s proposed Digital Rubble following the release of its public consultation report.
Billionaire investor Ray Dalio has described fiat currency as being in serious jeopardy
Bitcoin is too unpredictable to be "effective money," according to legendary investor Ray Dalio.
NFT Platform iBox Fined 400,000 RMB for Violating China's Anti-Unfair Competition Law
Popular Chinese NFT platform iBox.art, has recently faced a penalty of 400,000 RMB for violating China's Anti-Unfair Competition Law. The law aims to ensure fairness in business promotions, stating that the maximum value of a top prize in a lottery-style sales event should not exceed 50,000 RMB.
Blockchain.com Obtains Digital Payment Token License in Singapore
Blockchain.com has secured a Major Payment Institution License from Singapore's MAS, joining 3,427 licensed firms across banking, capital markets, and more.
Central Banks Race to Adopt Fiat-Backed Cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrency innovations are scrambling to get adoption across the world. However, there is also another race. Many nations are competing to become the first to adopt a central bank cryptocurrency. Let’s understand why central banks are scrambling to acquire fiat-backed cryptocurrencies.
Impending Central Bank Digital Currency: Data Shows Not All Central Banks Support the Move
The paradox of the situation is that banks with the capacity to push the world into the digital currency era are actually not showing much interest towards adoption; with the reason for their reluctance remaining a question with no answer.
MicroStrategy Continues to Invest in Digital Assets amid Holding 105,085 BTCs
The leading enterprise analytics platform MicroStrategy released its financial report for the second quarter of 2021 Thursday. The management is satisfied with its strategic investment in digital assets and will continue to deploy funds to invest in its "digital asset strategy."
Coinbase CEO Criticizes Anti-Crypto Stance of American Politicians
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong warns that anti-crypto politicians may face strategic disadvantages in 2024 elections due to growing crypto adoption and the proposed Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering Act's impact.
Ripple Launches Liquidity Hub to Bridge Crypto and Fiat
Ripple has launched a liquidity solution for businesses to access digital assets, including BTC, ETH, ETC, BCH, and LTC, through various market makers. The Ripple liquidity hub aims to bridge the gap between crypto and fiat, and reduce the cost of operations on high-volume transactions. Notably, XRP is not mentioned in the product launch, which could be attributed to Ripple's ongoing court battle with the SEC.
Goldman Sachs Explores Development of its Own Digital Token
Leading global investment bank Goldman Sachs is examining options of creating its own cryptocurrency. The bank has appointed Mathew McDermott as the worldwide head of digital assets to spearhead the realization of this dream.
British Lloyds Banking Group Recruits Digital Cryptocurrency Experts
British retail banking giant Lloyds Banking Group is looking for digital cryptocurrency experts as a digital currency and innovation senior manager. The starting salary for this position is expected to be £59,040 per year.
China's Central Bank Governor Says no Timeline for Digital Currency Launch
The Governor of the People's Bank of China has declared that there is no timeline to the release of the country's digital Yuan, an innovation that has entered its test pilot phase.
NFTs can Help Patients Have Significant Control of Personal Health Data: Global Scholars
A global and multidisciplinary team of scholars have released a publication noting that NFTs have the capability of spreading their wings to the healthcare sector by helping patients safeguard their personal health information.
Fidelity Digital Assets to Hire 70% Staffs to Meet Rising Cryptocurrency Demand
Fidelity Digital Assets plans to employ a number of its employees amid increasing demands for crypto assets.
OpenSea: A Glimpse into January 2024's NFT Landscape
OpenSea's January 2024 digest reveals exciting NFT trends, including Dmitri Cherniak's 'Ringers' sculpture, Disney's 'Steamboat Willie' entering the NFT space, and The Fabricant's AI-driven digital fashion collection. These developments showcase the growing intersection of art, technology, and digital ownership in the NFT marketplace.
China's Central Bank Says Digital Yuan Will Not Raise Inflation
Bank of China claims that the introduction of digital yuan will not cause the occurrence of inflation.
Dock Plans to Use Cryptos for International Money Transfers: Reuters
Brazilian financial services platform Dock offers solutions for the entire ecosystem of digital payments and banking. It plans to utilise crypto for international remittances, expanding markets in the Latin American and European regions.
CFTC Committee to Hold Virtual Meeting on Digital Currencies and Blockchain
The CFTC has scheduled a virtual meeting for Thursday, July 16th where its Technical Advisory Committee will discuss matters around on cryptocurrencies and DLT.
Marathon Digital Buys 78,000 Antminer S19 XP Bitcoin Miners Worth Almost $900M
Marathon Digital Holdings announced that it ordered 78,000 Antminer S19 XP bitcoin mining machines worth $879.06 million from Bitmain.
European Commission Takes Aim at AI-Generated Disinformation Ahead of Elections
The European Commission mandates major tech platforms to detect AI-generated content to shield European elections from misinformation, highlighting a robust approach towards maintaining democratic integrity.
Crypto-friendly banks closure could pose a challenge for crypto companies
The closure of three major crypto-friendly banks in the US, Signature Bank, Silicon Valley Bank, and Silvergate Bank, could pose a challenge for crypto companies in accessing traditional banking partners. The loss of these banks could impact crypto liquidity, and some experts believe that it may leave crypto companies without banking options. However, some in the industry believe that it could create room for another bank to step up and fill the vacuum, while others suggest that there are already viable alternatives available.
Coinbase Crypto Exchange to Support CBDCs in the Future as Long as They Meet Listing Standards
Brian Armstrong, Coinbase's CEO, has stated that the crypto exchange was open to the idea of supporting central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) on its network in the future.
ChatGPT Poised to Challenge Google Assistant on Android Devices
OpenAI's ChatGPT may soon challenge Google Assistant's role as the default voice assistant on Android, signaling a significant shift in the digital assistant sector and underscoring AI's growing impact in technology.
Middle East Eyes for Strong Potential Cryptocurrency Market
More Middle East countries are taking a bet on cryptocurrency, despite its high volatility nature, which may beat investors.
India to Test Viability of Digital Rupee to Cut Fees When Trading Securities
The Reserve Bank of India is starting a whole pilot for its Digital Rupee project
Digital Transaction announces world’s fastest web-scale blockchain and launches its utility token XPLL
Digital Transaction the company behind the ParallelChain™ blockchain has launched its utility token XPLL, giving investors the opportunity to stock up during its pre-sales stages
First Private Bank Joins Turkish Digital Asset Blockchain Network
Garanti BBVA, the second-largest private bank in Turkey with $104 billion of consolidated assets has confirmed that it will be the first and only private bank joining the Turkish Digital Asset Blockchain Network.
Chamber of Digital Commerce Joins Forces to Counter SEC's Lawsuit Against Binance.US
The Chamber of Digital Commerce has spearheaded a collective effort to defend Binance.US against the SEC's lawsuit. The chamber, along with Binance.US and other industry stakeholders, is challenging the SEC's regulatory approach, marking a significant collaborative resistance within the cryptocurrency sector.
Kazakhstan Intends to Attract Over $738 Million in Crypto Investments in Next Three Years
The government of Kazakhstan is making plans to attract $738 million in investments related to cryptocurrencies and digital mining activities set up with the nation over the next three years.
Council of Europe Adopts Groundbreaking AI Guidelines for Journalism
The Council of Europe has adopted new guidelines for responsible AI use in journalism, emphasizing human rights and rule of law in the news media sector.
May 25: Negative Rates Eating the World (but not Crypto)
Like Chinese ADRs in the US, it's a sea of red for crypto with Bitcoin down more than 5% in the past 48 hours as it fails to hold above 9k & 8.8k where stops got triggered. No news or catalyst but the lack of bulls to follow through was evident through the volume, and perhaps over this long weekend that the usual buyers haven't been able to pile onto their longs.
Former US Head of Treasury Lawrence Summers Backs Cryptocurrency
In an interview with CEO of the digital currency company Circle —Jeremy Allaire, Former US head of Treasury Lawrence Summers advocates for cryptocurrency’s benefits.
Mainstream Adoption of DeFi and DLT Is Coming, It Will Replace Banks, Says US Currency Comptroller
The US acting Comptroller of the Currency disclosed that roles played by banks will soon change due to cryptocurrencies and decentralized finance (DeFi).
Hedera (HBAR) and Algorand (ALGO) Form DeRec Alliance for Decentralized Recovery
Hedera and Algorand ecosystems have united to form the DeRec Alliance, introducing a new standard for simplified and secure digital asset recovery, aiming to revolutionize the Web3 experience.
BIS Launches Project Icebreaker with Central Banks to Explore CBDC
The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) has rolled out Project Icebreaker with the central banks of Sweden, Norway, and Israel to see how CBDCs can be utilized for international remittance and retail payments.
CFTC Receives DeFi Crash Course
Crypto executives provided a DeFi crash course to the CFTC during their first Technology Advisory Committee meeting. Topics included blockchain technology, decentralization, digital identity, and exploits and vulnerabilities.
Virginia Proposes Regulatory Framework for Digital Asset Mining and Transactions
Virginia Senate Bill No. 339, introduced by Senator Salim, aims to regulate digital asset mining and transactions, exempting businesses from certain licenses and providing tax benefits for digital asset exchanges.
Thailand Waives Taxes on Investment Tokens
Thailand's cabinet has agreed to waive corporate income tax and VAT for companies issuing investment tokens, encouraging alternative capital raising in addition to conventional methods. The government hopes to generate 128 billion Thai baht from investment token offerings over the next two years.
Will Crypto Assets Have a Future in Russia After All? State Duma Passes DFA Bill
The State Duma of Russia passed a law regarding digital financial assets (DFA) in the financial bill’s third reading, which determined the fate of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
US Government Removes Cryptocurrency AML Provisions from NDAA
The US government has removed two AML provisions relating to cryptocurrencies from the NDAA, indicating a cautious approach to crypto regulation and raising concerns about future AML measures.
The Old World. What is going on with Digital Assets in Europe?
Europe is an enormous market of more than half a billion people. As small amounts up to 8 million euros may be raised without registration of the offering, it is a very attractive market for international projects looking to reach new investors for their security token offering.
Philippines Central Bank Considering Issuing its own CBDC
The Central Bank of the Philippines has inaugurated a committee to understudy CBDCs based on technical feasibility and policy implications
Arca Digital Asset Investment Firm Gets Approval from SEC to Tokenize US Treasury Bonds
Los Angeles-based digital asset investment firm Arca has launched trading for its new digitized security investment product that runs on the Ethereum blockchain.
UK Advancing Towards a Digital Pound: Exploring CBDC Feasibility
The UK's Bank of England (BoE) and HM Treasury are advancing into the second phase of exploring the feasibility of a digital pound, also known as "Britcoin." A final decision is yet to be made, with a focus on user privacy and coexistence with cash.
FTX Proposes Joint Proposal to Bailout Bankrupt Voyager's Customers
FTX has announced a joint plan that seeks to see Voyager digital customers immediately receive some of their funds. The proposal expects Voyager to continue pursuing Three Arrows Capital for additional recoveries.
South Korea to Delay 20% Capital Gains Tax on Digital Asset Investments until Jan 2025
Before levying income taxes on virtual assets, South Korean lawmakers have called for the government to prepare for effective implementation of new rules.
Dasset Enters Liquidation: Key Details
Digital Asset Exchange Limited, trading as 'Dasset', has entered liquidation due to"unfavorable market dynamics, increasing regulatory constraints, and uncertainty regarding the legal standing of cryptocurrencies in different jurisdictions.
Nomura's Laser Digital Launches Ethereum Adoption Fund for Institutional Investors
Nomura's Laser Digital has launched an Ethereum Adoption Fund, focusing on institutional investors, with a strategy involving staking and regulated custody, aiming to increase institutional engagement in Ethereum investments.
US Democrats Propose Distributing Covid-19 Stimulus Payments Through Digital Dollars to Unbanked Citizens
As markets across the globe continue to feel the crunch of economic disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic, debate has raged over a massive stimulus package being proposed in the US which could see the IRS send up to $2000 a month to all US citizens until the recession takes a turn for the better.
Japan May Take Several Years To Issue a CBDC says Former BoJ Executive
Hiromi Yamaoka, a former executive of the Bank of Japan believes the central bank will need several more years before it can issue its proposed CBDC.
Nasdaq to Launch Digital Asset Custody Services
Nasdaq is preparing to launch its custody services for digital assets by the end of Q2 2022, starting with Bitcoin and Ether. The exchange has applied for a limited-purpose trust company charter from the New York Department of Financial Services to oversee the new business and aims to eventually build a broad suite of services for its digital assets division. Its entry into the crypto market could potentially boost institutional investor confidence and pave the way for more traditional financial institutions to offer similar services.
Best Before: 26 June 2020
What's going to be interesting is BTC options expiry as close to $1bn of open interest (or more than 100k BTC options) will set to expire today. Some have asked if we are gonna see any impact, I actually see little as most of the OI are skewed towards 10k and beyond, so I see little gamma action into the close as these calls are likely to expire worthless.
Ripple GM Reveals that the Blockchain Firm Is Actively Seeking to Partner with Banks for CBDC
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the SEC lawsuit, Ripple continues to thrive through partnerships with financial institutions leveraging their payment services.
DCG's subsidiary Genesis Capital slapped with new class
Genesis Capital, a DCG subsidiary, faces a class action lawsuit. Digital asset lending clients filed the complaint. Genesis violated securities laws by providing unregistered securities.
Marathon Digital Releases Q1Result, Generating 1,259 BTC with YoY Increase of 556%
Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc, one of the largest bitcoin mining companies in North America, announced that its bitcoin production output increased by 556% year-over-year to 1,259 BTC for the first quarter of 2022.
MicroStrategy Q3 2023: 158,400 Bitcoin Holdings at $29,586 per BTC
MicroStrategy Incorporated reveals Q3 2023 financial results, highlighting continuous acquisition of bitcoin and AI software launch. The company's bitcoin holdings now stand at 158,400 with a total cost of $4.69 billion. Software Licenses and Subscription Services Revenues observed notable growth, indicating a positive trajectory in its business intelligence domain.
Jimmy Fallon Fights Subpoena in NFT Legal Battle
Lawyers for Jimmy Fallon have filed a petition to quash a subpoena requiring him to testify in the Yuga Labs Inc. v. Ripps et al. case, stating that he has no connection to the dispute. Meanwhile, Getty Images has partnered with NFT platform Candy Digital to offer rare photos in NFT form, starting with photographs from its 1970s music and culture collection. The NFT market is experiencing growth, with marketplace volume increasing for the fourth consecutive month in February. To provide more comprehensive insights into the NFT economy, Forkast Labs has launched a series of NFT indexes, including the Forkast 500 NFT index that measures performance across 21 blockchains.
EU Agreement on MiCA May Not Favor Stablecoins
After much deliberation and compromises from the European Commission, Assembly, and Council, a final agreement that builds the comprehensive framework for the digital currency ecosystem has finally been made
Mastercard's CBDC Initiative: Ripple Joins as Key Partner in Digital Currency Evolution
Mastercard launches a CBDC program with Ripple as a key partner, aiming to enhance digital currency interoperability and adoption globally.
RBI Releases Publication of CBDC to be Issued in India
The FinTech department of the Reserved Bank of India (RBI) recently released concept notes on the issuance of its Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) in India.
Three Top JPMorgan Executives Jump Ship to Crypto Startups
Three executives left JPMorgan for joining crypto startups, believing the industry would have a promising development.
Federal Reserve Conference Casts Doubt over Digital Dollar Project
The Federal Reserve Conference report provides how the US central bank envisions a CBDC taking shape. However, the review pointed out that a comprehensive policy is still lacking for delivering CBDC.
“Bitcoin Better Investment than Gold," Winklevoss Says to Dave Portnoy Over Talks on Elon Musk’s Plans to Mine Gold in Space
In their interview with Dave Portnoy, Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss advised the "Davey Day Trader" to invest in Bitcoin rather than gold.
Bitcoin Miner Gryphon Announces the Purchase of 7.2K Antminers S19J Pro from Bitmain for $48M
The bitcoin mining company Gryphon Digital Mining announced that it has purchased 7,200 S19J Pro ant mining machines manufactured by bitcoin mining machine manufacturer Bitmain Technology Co., Ltd for $48 million.
China's Central Bank Publishes Rules for Blockchain-Based Financial Applications
The People’s Bank of China (PBoC) has published a set of evaluation rules for blockchain-based finance applications. The published rules aim to provide regulatory oversight using three basic standards bordering on technical, performance, and security.
Digital Currency: Trust in Government or Elegy for Privacy?
Today, many countries are eagerly investing their resources to create a digital version of their currencies. Cryptocurrencies, once written off by the lawmakers are now inspiring the same authorities. What does Digital Currency mean to the governments, to the people and to the society?
China expands digital yuan usage for cross-border trade
China is promoting the use of its digital yuan, also known as e-CNY, for cross-border trade in its Belt and Road initiative. The city of Xuzhou plans to allow the use of e-CNY to pay for services and storage charges for goods carried by cross-border trains, with plans to extend its usage to pay taxes and utility services in the city. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority is also testing the digital yuan as a cross-border payment tool in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, while the Chinese government ramps up its CBDC efforts amid a shift away from the U.S. dollar in international trade markets.
Voyager Digital announces the listing of Elrond Gold token
Voyager digital has just listed the Elrond gold token on it’s exchange
Ted Cruz Introduces Bill to Block Fed CBDC
Republican Senator Ted Cruz has introduced a bill to prevent the Federal Reserve from launching a central bank digital currency (CBDC) that could be used for financial surveillance. This is his second attempt at blocking the Fed's CBDC initiative.
GSR Secures Major Payment Institution Licence from Singapore's MAS
GSR, a global cryptocurrency trading firm, has received In-Principle Approval for a Major Payment Institution licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). The approval allows GSR's Singapore subsidiary, GSR Markets Pte. Ltd., to better serve the cryptocurrency community. The news comes a day after Coinbase Singapore announced its full licence, highlighting the competitive yet regulated crypto landscape in Singapore.
Microsoft's AI Revolution: CEO Satya Nadella Unveils Bold Tech-infused Vision
Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella, unveiled a new AI-driven vision in his annual letter, emphasizing the integration of AI across all products and tech stacks. Highlighting collaborations like that with OpenAI and innovations like AI Copilot, Nadella showcased Microsoft's preparedness to lead in this new AI era. The discourse also touched on the broader global impact and the firm's commitment to responsible AI and cybersecurity.
EU Passes Vote for Digital Wallet
The European Parliament passed a plenary vote for interinstitutional negotiations to create a EU-wide digital wallet. The eID amendments include zero-knowledge proofs to enable citizens to control their identity data.
Kookmin Bank, South Korea’s Largest Bank Will Offer Cryptocurrency Custody
Kookmin Bank, the largest commercial bank in South Korea, will start offering Bitcoin custody services through a new partnership with crypto trading firm Cumberland Korea and blockchain venture fund Hashed.
How Casinos Are Using Digital Tokens to Enhance Player Loyalty Programmes
Uncover how digital tokens revolutionise online casino loyalty, enhancing benefits and engagement. Explore innovative strategies reshaping gambling.
Sean Patrick Maloney's OECD Role Amidst Crypto Advisory Background
Sean Patrick Maloney, after serving in the U.S. House and on Coinbase's Advisory Council, faces scrutiny over potential conflicts in his OECD ambassador role, signaling a pivotal moment for crypto regulation.
China's Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)
China's Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) now supports smart contracts. Soochow Securities' mobile app allows e-CNY purchases. Android phones may now perform contactless digital yuan wallet payments.
At least 70% of Global Finance Leaders Believe CBDCs Will Spur Financial Inclusion - Ripple Study
Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) have triggered overwhelming consensus among global finance leaders, according to a survey by Ripple, a leader in enterprise crypto and blockchain solutions.
European Digital Currencies Soon to Become Legal Tenders, ECB Says
Central Bank Digital Currencies may soon become legal tenders in their jurisdictions as planned by major central banks in Europe as officials are currently studying such initiatives.
Digital Rubble Prototype to be Introduced in Early 2022
In line with the development of its Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) dubbed the Digital Rubble, the Central Bank of Russia is set to launch a prototype platform for the new form of money in early 2022.
Crypto Trading Platform Voyager Digital Acquires Crypto Payments Company Coinify for $85M
American cryptocurrency trading platform Voyager Digital announced on Monday to complete the acquisition of Coinify-a secure online platform that offers an easy way to buy and sell virtual currencies.
9 in 10 Central Banks are Eyeing CBDCs, BIS Study Shows
90% of apex banks have shown intentions of rolling out central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), according to a study by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).
Bahamas Looks to Deploy its CBDC The Sand Dollar Across Borders
The Central Bank of the Bahamas (CBOB) has says it wants its digital currency dubbed the Sand Dollars integrated with other countries' currency.
Square Stocks Soar After Bitcoin Purchase, Market Bulls Convinced PayPal Will Make a BTC Move of Its Own
Square’s $50 million-dollar move on Bitcoin has pushed the fintech payment company’s stocks higher, enabling it to outperform PayPal shares.
Ethereum Performs Better than Bitcoin in Annual Returns with a 663% Gain
Ethereum's annual return stands at 663.7%, performing much stronger compared to Bitcoin’s 195.5%.
China Expands Digital Yuan Pilot Sites to 23 regions across 15 Provinces
The People's Bank of China announced that it will expand the digital yuan pilot program from 11 regions to 23 regions in 15 provinces and cities.
Nomura's Laser Digital Partners with WebN Group to Launch Libre Protocol on Polygon
Nomura's Laser Digital and WebN Group have unveiled the Libre protocol, a fund tokenization infrastructure powered by Polygon technology, set to launch in Q1 2024. The protocol aims to revolutionize the management and distribution of alternative investments, with Brevan Howard and Hamilton Lane as initial users.
BBVA’s Switzerland Launches Cryptocurrency Wallet Integration Feature with Digital Investment Account
BBVA has developed its crypto trading services with a new investment account. The bank has developed its mobile bank app that allows its clients in European union countries and several markets in South America to connect their cryptocurrency wallets to their digital investment accounts.
WisdomTree Appoints Digital Transformation Expert Rilla Delorier to Board
WisdomTree adds Rilla Delorier to its Board, leveraging her 30-year expertise in digital transformation as the firm amplifies its strategic growth initiatives.
US SEC and FINRA Issued Latest Custody Guidance on Digital Assets Securities
The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) issued a statement addressing regulatory issues regarding the custody of digital asset securities on 8 July.
Bank of England Reveals How Banks Can Adjust to Cryptocurrency Growth
The Deputy Governor of the Bank of England Jon Cunliffe has said that it is not the bank's job to protect commercial banks from the impact of cryptocurrencies.
Alipay Facilitates First Digital Cauldron Lighting in Asian Games History
Alipay, the digital payment giant and Official Prestige Partner of the Hangzhou Asian Games, has made history by supporting over 100 million digital torchbearers in the first-ever digital cauldron lighting ceremony. The initiative was part of the Smart Hangzhou 2022 platform, a one-stop digital service for the Games. Alipay's technology ensured that even phones produced 8 years ago could participate in the digital interaction.
Italian Banking Association Wants to Join in on the ECB Digital Euro Central Bank Digital Currency Project
The Italian Banking Association, Associazione Bancaria Italiana (ABI) has decided to participate in projects and experimentations of a European central bank digital currency, recently known as the digital euro.
Central Banks Could Monopolize Commercial Banking Sector via CBDC, Says Federal Reserve
A new working paper from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia indicates that the development of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) may create a fundamental shift in the way banks operate.
Galaxy Digital Capital Management Launches Bitcoin Funds While Making Bakkt and Fidelity Custodians
Galaxy Digital Capital Management LP, an affiliate of Galaxy Digital Holdings Ltd, issued two Bitcoin funds with Bakkt and Fidelity Digital Assets as custodians for the funds, while Bloomberg L.P will be the pricing agent.
California Governor Signs Digital Financial Assets Bill, Tightening Crypto Regulations from July 2025
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Digital Financial Assets Law on October 13, 2023, initiating a robust regulatory framework for cryptocurrency activities in the state from July 1, 2025. The law necessitates licensure from the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation for individuals and businesses dealing in digital assets. This regulatory shift, contrasting Newsom’s earlier stance in 2022, aligns with broader national trends towards formalizing digital asset transactions to curb fraud and enhance consumer protection.
Marathon Digital to Raise $500M in Convertible Senior Notes
Marathon Digital Holdings, a Nasdaq-listed Bitcoin mining company has announced its plans to raise half a billion dollars as a debt offering via convertible senior notes.
Sphere 3D Sues Gryphon Digital Mining Over Alleged Spoofing Attack
Sphere 3D has filed a lawsuit against Gryphon Digital Mining over an alleged spoofing attack that resulted in the irregular transfer of Bitcoin. Gryphon's CEO allegedly wired 18 BTC in January to a fraudster posing as Sphere 3D's chief financial officer through a spoofing attack.
The Bank of Israel to Accelerate Its CBDC Research for a Digital Shekel
The Bank of Israel is accelerating its CBDC research.
Marathon Digital Shares Soars to 6-Month High Drawing on Sustained BTC Mining Operations
The shares of Nasdaq-listed American blockchain mining firm Marathon Digital have printed its highest price record in 6 months as the firm unveiled its Bitcoin mining performance of October.
3 Platforms Making DeFi More Inclusive
Decentralized finance (DeFi) is taking the world by storm. Owners of cryptocurrencies can unlock an alternative financial system that offers better rewards than traditional bank accounts and carries more risk. Several trends in the DeFi space are emerging lately, as are the new protocols trying to capitalize on this momentum.
Galaxy Digital Loses $111.7m in Q1 as Crypto Markets Plunge
A diversified financial services firm dedicated to the digital asset, Galaxy Digital (GLXY) announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 2022, with a significant financial loss.
MetaWeek to Take Place in Dubai on March 7-10, 2022, Shaping the Future Trends for Metaverses and Blockchain
Investors, NFT artists, blockchain brightest minds, DeFi experts and DAO representatives will converge to UAE for a week-long event with a full-scale trailblazing digital and physical networking experience. Community leaders will discuss what will define development of blockchain space and the upcoming realm of Metaverses.
Can Alipay and WeChat Pay Compete With China’s Fee-Free Digital Yuan?
Will Alipay and WeChat Pay survive the People's Bank Of China's rollout of the digital yuan or DCEP?
Novi Digital Wallet Ready to Show on the Market, Facebook’s David Marcus Says
The head of Facebook Financial, David Marcus, has revealed that Facebook’s Diem cryptocurrency is ready for launch.
Netherlands’ ING Bank Sells Digital Asset Custody Solution Pyctor to GMEX
GMEX acquired Pyctor from ING to expand its digital assets trading offering services and to fulfil growing demands from banks, asset management firms and other institutions.
MetaWeek in Dubai to bring together artists, NFT creators, investors, and blockchain Masterminds
A week-long event, set for March 7-10, 2022, will cover how paradigm-shifting technologies revolutionize and scale in industries like finance, art, cybersecurity, media and investment.
Teenage Twitter Hacker Mastermind of Bitcoin Scam Pleads Not Guilty
17-year old Graham Ivan Clark, the alleged teenage mastermind of the notorious Bitcoin hack involving high profile individuals has pleaded not guilty
Matrixport Partners with Simplex to Allow Buying Crypto Using Credit Card
Matrixport, the Bitmain spin-off and a leading financial service provider for digital assets, today announced a partnership with the leading payment process company Simplex, enabling users to purchase cryptocurrencies using their credit cards directly and securely on Matrixport.
Bank for International Settlements Reveals Findings on Central Bank Digital Currencies
The Bank for International Settlements released its analysis report in which it evaluated central bank digital currencies globally.
Citi Joins BondbloX Bond Exchange as First Digital Custodian
Citi Securities Services has become the first digital custodian participant on the BondbloX Bond Exchange (BBX), the world's first fractional bond exchange. The partnership allows Citi clients to become BBX participants, facilitating the trading of both fractionalized and full-sized bonds. Citi will oversee settlement and custody services. The partnership aims to enhance digital financial market infrastructure, provide transparency, electronic operations, and universal accessibility in the bond market.
Fidelity Launches a New Commission-Free Crypto Trading Product
Fidelity Investments has launched trading support for Bitcoin and Ethereum at zero commission
California Crypto Bill Seeks to Measure the Consumer Impact of Digital Assets
California’s Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee has unanimously passed Assembly Bill 2150 which will help define digital assets as well as to measure its potential impact on the state and consumers
George Soros’s Family Office Confirms Trading Bitcoin
The investment firm owned by billionaire investor George Soros is the latest family office to invest in Bitcoin and see cryptocurrencies as a hedge against inflation.
Crime across DeFi Platforms Surged to $10.5B in 2021
Crime has grown at an alarming rate in the decentralized finance (DeFi) industry by hitting $10.5 billion so far this year.
Ethereum’s DeFi Trades Skyrocketed in Q3 2020, but Bitcoin Volume Declined
A quarterly report from eToro indicated that while DeFi sector was bullish in 2020’s third quarter (Q3), Bitcoin trades decreased in contrast.
Slow and Steady Wins the CBDC Race: Why the US is not Concerned with China's Speed
Slow and steady wins the CBDC Race: there are several reasons why the United States' digital dollar development has an edge over China’s speedy approach to its digital yuan.
South Korea to Provide Blockchain-based Digital Identities to Citizens by 2024
South Korea plans to provide citizens' digital identities encrypted by blockchain with smartphones in 2024 to facilitate its economic development.
GOP Senators Urge US Olympic Committee to Bar Athletes from Using Digital Yuan, China Rebukes Criticism
Three U.S. Republican senators urged United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) to ban American athletes from acquiring or using digital yuan (e-CNY) in the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022. China rebukes their criticism.
Empowering Civil Service with AI: CDDO's Generative AI Courses
CDDO offers online courses on generative AI for civil servants, enhancing digital competencies and promoting ethical AI integration in government operations.
Chinese Authorities Wants McDonald's to Expand its Digital Yuan Acceptance
Chinese authorities are reportedly mounting pressure on McDonald’s as well as other American firms to expand their acceptance of the e-CNY
CBDCs on the Rise: What the Decline of Physical Cash Means for Blockchain and Privacy
The decline in the use of physical cash raises important questions about the loss of personal freedom and privacy. As central banks explore the development of CBDCs, the design and implementation of these digital currencies will play a critical role in balancing convenience and personal liberties.
When China Yuan Sneezes, Bitcoin Wears a Mask
My thesis continues to be that larger accounts (i.e. whales who own > 1000 BTC) have started to liquidate (which I shared yesterday that this number have continued to decline for the past two weeks), and potentially chase/re-allocate into equities.
BC Technology Group Halts Trading Amid Notifiable Transaction
BC Technology Group Limited halted trading on Hong Kong Stock Exchange due to pending announcement about potential sale of crypto platform OSL, valued at $128 million.
Korean Prosecution Investigates Cypto Coin WEMIX Issuer WeMade and Hyperism Simultaneously
The Korean prosecution has simultaneously raided WeMade, the issuer of the cryptocurrency WEMIX, and Hyperism, the asset management company responsible for WEMIX's market making. This incident comes right after South Korea’s parliament passed the Virtual Asset Protection Act, which aims to crack down on illegal illegal trading practices such as market price manipulation and insider trading.
Delphi Digital Spearheads zkLend for $5m in Seed Funding
zkLend, a Layer-2 money-market protocol built on StarkNet has raised the sum of $5 million in seed funding from investors led by Delphi Digital.
Standard Chartered Expands Business by Joining Crypto Family
Standard Chartered, the British multinational bank (MNB), announced Wednesday that the corporation has joined and followed the cryptocurrency trend.
Approach to Crypto Regulation is More Proactive: CFTC Chair
Rostin Behnam, the Chairman of the CFTC, has revealed that the commission is more than ready for regulatory oversight of the digital currency ecosystem as the industry evolves.
Congressional Memo Challenges SEC's SAB 121
Congress members question the enforceability of the Securities and Exchange Commission's Staff Accounting Bulletin 121, arguing it deviates from standard accounting practices, misrepresents custodians' responsibilities, and increases consumer risk.
Samsung Adds New Crypto Feature to Their Devices with “Stellar” Blockchain
Samsung device users can now securely store the private keys of their cryptocurrency wallet on their phone, with a recent add-on feature by the Stellar Development Foundation (SDF).
Worldcoin Introduces World ID 2.0: Revolutionizing Digital Identity Verification
Worldcoin's World ID 2.0 integrates with Shopify, Mercado Libre, Reddit, and Telegram, enhancing user verification and addressing digital fraud.
Crypto Miner HIVE Blockchain Rebrands to Drive AI Expansion
HIVE Blockchain Technologies Ltd. has declared its plan to strategically rebrand, including a transition to the new name "HIVE Digital Technologies Ltd." This rebranding initiative is designed to mirror the company's progression into the realm of high-performance computing (HPC) data centres, utilizing Nvidia's superior Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) chips to tap into the burgeoning trend of widespread adoption in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Bank of Japan Now Considers its CBDC Project a Top Priority
A review of the recent uptick in activities and as confirmed by a Bank of Japan’s senior official, Japan now considers its CBDC project a top priority
Crypto Businesses Given the Green Light to Set Up in Dubai’s Free Zone
Following a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Dubai Multi-Commodities Centre (DMCC) Free Zone and the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), crypto businesses have been granted the liberty to operate in DMCC once registered licenses are granted.
European Central Bank Assesses Potential Digital Euro CBDC Issuance
The European Central Bank (ECB) evaluated whether a digital euro would be a beneficial addition to its financial system through an October report.
Tom Emmer's Nonpartisan Amendment to Limit SEC's Enforcement on Digital Assets Passes House
GOP Majority Whip Tom Emmer passed a House amendment restricting SEC's enforcement against digital assets until relevant legislation is enacted, highlighting the push for legislative clarity in cryptocurrency regulation.
SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce Confirmed for Second Term By US Senate, Crypto Mom Will Remain Until 2025
The United States Senate has voted in Commissioner Hester Peirce of the Securities and Exchange Commission for a second term that will see her remain with the regulator until 2025.
Visa Crypto Executive: CBDC is the Most Important Trend for Future of Money
Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC) could be the most important payment trend in development with the most profound effects on our systems of payment and money issuance according to Cuy Sheffield, Visa’s head of cryptocurrency.
Mutual Efforts with Europe, U.S. Key for CBDC Issuance: Bank of Japan Governor
Joining hands with the United States and Europe is fundamental when meeting technical issues needed in the issuance of a central bank digital currency (CBDC).
U.S. State Street Bank Joins Digital Asset Space with New Cryptocurrency Division
State Street bank based in Boston wants to bet on digital currencies like Bitcoin. The bank has announced that it is creating a new unit to help clients and investors hold, buy, and sell digital assets.
Digital Dollar Project to Begin Pilot Testing to Gather Data for CBDC
The Digital Dollar Foundation is planning to run a pilot test for the US CBDC project.
Nigerian President-elect's Manifesto Includes Blockchain and Crypto Regulations
Nigerian President-elect Bola Tinubu has released a manifesto proposing the implementation of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies in Nigeria's banking and finance sector. The manifesto suggests reforming existing Nigerian Security Exchange Commission regulations to create a more business-friendly framework for regulating digital assets. The proposed regulations would require digital asset companies to register with the SEC and comply with SEC regulations. The release of the manifesto coincides with the increasing adoption of cryptocurrencies in Nigeria, with the government hoping that the proposed SEC regulation reforms will attract more investors in the digital and economic sectors and stimulate economic growth.
Upbit Singapore Acquires Preliminary MAS Approval for Major Payment Institution Licence
Upbit Singapore has received an in-principle approval for a Major Payment Institution licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore, a significant step towards establishing a stronger digital asset business in Singapore. This provisional approval will enable Upbit Singapore to continue offering regulated Digital Payment Token services as per the Payment Services Act 2019 while awaiting the full license.
Russia's Central Bank Plans to Launch its CBDC-Digital Ruble across all Banks in 2024
The Bank of Russia launched a digital ruble experiment in 2022 to explore business models and innovative use cases for central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).
Beyond Banking: DBS Bank’s Digital Transformation into Smarter ‘Phygital’ Banking Services
In 2019, despite facing an increasingly challenging and uncertain environment, especially the second half of last year, DBS achieved a record performance and successfully launched DBS’ First Fully Virtual Wealth Management Account Opening Solution.
Bank of Thailand Warns Against the Use of Digital Currencies Payments
The Bank of Thailand warned against the use of digital currencies as legal tender.
Sotheby Alters Art Sale, Novice Player Makes Staggering Profit
Sotheby's has announced a new digital art sale, "Glitch: Beyond Binary," with a focus on diversity after criticism. Meanwhile, a newcomer to the game Illuvium: Beyond has made a huge profit by finding a rare character.
NBA Entangled in $4.2 Billion Lawsuit Over Voyager Crypto Collapse
NBA faces $4.2 billion class-action lawsuit for alleged negligence in marketing partnerships with Voyager Digital, focusing on unregistered securities and celebrity endorsements in cryptocurrency.
Amazon Aims to Advance Its Digital Currency Project in Mexico
Amazon has been planning on launching a digital currency project in Mexico, and a job posting revealed that it was looking for engineers and developers for the part.
Central Bank of Brazil Forms a Digital Currency Study Team to Drive CBDC Research Forward
The Central Bank of Brazil is planning the potential issuance of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) by setting up a research study group.
Australia to Continue Treating Cryptos as Assets
According to the Australian government's budget announcement on Tuesday, legislation will be put upon treating digital currencies such as bitcoin as an asset.
Japan Aims to Curb the Potential Influence of China’s Digital Currency With Help From the US
Aiming to curb the potential influence of China’s digital currency electronic payment, its nation’s central bank digital currency, Japan is looking to release its own digital currency proposals today. According to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the country is also requesting support from the US Federal Reserve.
US Government to Auction $130 Million in Silk Road Bitcoin
The US government is auctioning over $130 million in Bitcoin seized from the Silk Road case, involving digital assets linked to criminal activities. This significant move reflects the evolving approach to handling cryptocurrencies in law enforcement.
The Reserve Bank of India Has its Eyes on CBDC
The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India says the monetary authority is “very much in the game” to launch a CBDC.
Digital Currency Group Announces $250M Share Buyback from Crypto Trusts
Digital Currency Group (DCG), the parent company of Grayscale Investments, has announced a new share buyback program projected to be worth $250 million.
World Economic Forum Launches Global Consortium for Digital Currencies Governance
The World Economic Forum has unveiled a global consortium that aims to design a framework for the governance of digital currencies, including stablecoins. The consortium will focus on increasing access to the financial system through innovative policy solutions, which are interoperable and inclusive. The inspiration behind the formation of the consortium is based on the premise that opportunities for financial inclusion can only be unlocked if the space is properly regulated and include private-public cooperation across emerging and developed markets.
Russia Finally Showing Signs of Embracing Digital Assets in New Bill
After successfully undergoing test period, tokenization is set to take centre stage with reforms as newly proposed cryptocurrency legislation in Russia received the green lights.
Digital Currency Group Sells Shares in Subsidiary's Crypto Funds
As the crypto empire struggles, Barry Silbert's Digital Currency Group has divested interests in Grayscale Investments funds.
The Crypto Boom: Why it’s Not 2017 Déjà Vu
But for those who think the explosive rise in Bitcoin and digital currencies may just be another repeat of 2017, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
French Central Bank Succeeds in CBDC Experiment in the Issuance of a Government Bond
The Banque de France or Bank of France, the central bank of France, has prospered in undertaking an experiment on using a central bank digital currency (CBDC) to issue a French government bond.
Bankrupt Crypto Lender Voyager to Auction Off Assets
Voyager has hinged its recovery on the assets sale. Its assets will be auctioned with a guided legal process.
Hut 8 Secures US$50 Million from Coinbase Credit to Enhance Financial Flexibility and Support Growth Initiatives
Hut 8 Mining Corp., a prominent North American mining pioneer and high-performance computing infrastructure provider, has recently made a significant announcement. The company has secured a credit facility of US$50 million through a partnership with Coinbase Credit
China’s DCEP Aims to Restructure the Payment Network While Maintaining a “Normal” Monetary Policy
A Chinese senior central bank official said China should maintain a “normal” monetary policy as the country has been recovering from COVID-19 smoothly.
Visa Joins Mastercard and PayPal in Turning Bullish for Crypto and Digital Currencies
Shortly after Mastercard showed its hand on its stance on cryptocurrency, Visa published a blog announcing that the payments giant is advancing its approach towards digital currency. PayPal was recently rumored to have partnered with Paxos to provide crypto trading services.
Standard Custody and GSR Form Alliance for Secure Digital Asset Settlement
Standard Custody & Trust Company and GSR Markets Limited have partnered to enhance digital asset transactions security and efficiency through an innovative escrow solution.
Crypto Regulation Takes New Leap as European Council Adopts MiCA
The European Union is drawing closer to adopting the comprehensive Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regulation as the European Council has passed the framework.
German Finance Minister Calls for Speedy Interventions in the Rollout of a Digital Euro
German Finance Minister, Olaf Scholz, sees the digital euro as an ideal innovation to meet the high demand for digital money from businesses and consumers in Europe.
eBay Acquires AI-Powered Digital ID Prvoder Certilogo
eBay Inc., a global commerce leader, has announced the completion of its acquisition of Certilogo, an AI-powered provider of digital IDs and authentication for apparel and fashion goods. This move is set to bring new, 'Secure by Design' digital ID technology to eBay's fashion category, expanding opportunities in the circular economy.
All Crypto Assets Correlation Meets Greater Than 60% with Bitcoin
The correlation between Bitcoin and other cryptoassets like Ethereum (ETH) and Litecoin (LTC) is above 60%, as acknowledged by Messari Crypto researcher Mira Christianto.
Upbit Announces Dunamu & Partners' Digital Asset Holdings for October 2023
Upbit discloses Dunamu & Partners' #Bitcoin holdings as of October 2023, holding 2,081.84950412 BTC with no sales transactions recorded, aligning with Upbit's transparency principle in digital asset trading.
Genesis Digital Assets Purchases 20,000 Bitcoin Mining Machines from China’s Manufacturer Canaan
American Bitcoin mining firm Genesis Digital Assets is purchasing additional 20,000 units of bitcoin ASIC miners from China’s Bitcoin mining hardware manufacturer Canaan Creative. The purchase will help Genesis to scale up its mining operations.
Meta Partners with Digital Brand DressX for New Avatar Store
Meta said that it is partnering with digital fashion startup DressX for Meta's new Avatar Store to introduce new avatar fashion, expanding its business in Metaverse.
German Stock Exchange Subsidiary Blocknox Unveils Cryptocurrency Custody Services to Institutional Clients
German Stock Exchange Boerse Stuttgart has made an announcement that its subsidiary Blocknox is expanding its crypto custody service to institutional players.
Private Firms Can Boost Innovation of Central Bank Digital Currency, says IMF
A synthetic Central bank digital currency (CBDC) could create new pathways for innovation according to a senior member of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Big Banks' Involvement in Drafting the Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering Act Raises Concerns
The Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering Act, backed by big banks and introduced by Senators Marshall and Warren, aims to regulate crypto under strict banking laws.
Goldman Sachs Trades First Over-the-Counter Crypto Transaction with Galaxy Digital
Goldman Sachs has become the major US bank to conduct the first over-the-counter crypto trade.
Bitcoin's Road to $1.5 Million: Cathie Wood's Bold 2030 Prediction
Ark Invest CEO Cathie Wood predicts Bitcoin to reach $600,000 by 2030, with potential for $1.5 million in a bull market scenario.
Bitmain Partners With Digital Currency Group's Foundry to Fuel Crypto Mining Business in North America
Crypto mining giant Bitmain has announced that it will be partnering with crypto mining firm Foundry to extend its services to North America.
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.
Google Pairs with Coinbase to Spur Web3 Innovations, Offer Crypto Payments for Cloud Services
Google has teamed up with crypto exchange Coinbase to allow some of its clients to pay for cloud services using cryptocurrencies.
Quidd Launches New Platform Mintables, Enabling Users to Mint Digital Collectibles into NFTs
Quidd announced it will allow the minting and unminting of NFTs on its platform. The firm stated new features are to support users who in the past used to pay hefty amounts of money to mint NFTs.
European Parliament Ratifies MiCA Framework in Landslide Vote
The long-awaited Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regulation has just scaled through the European Parliament as MPs voted massively in favour of the bill.l
eBay Joins the NFT Space, Offering Traders a Seamless Experience
E-commerce giant eBay has entered the non-fungible token (NFT) sector through a strategic partnership with Web3 company OneOf.
CBDC Surveillance Concerns Spark Legislative Action
Congressman Tom Emmer's CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act aims to address surveillance risks in government-issued digital currencies, emphasizing privacy and autonomy in the evolving digital financial landscape.
Federal Reserve Bank of Boston Partners with MIT to Research How Crypto Can Co-exist with the Dollar
The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston has partnered with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to research the feasibility of cryptocurrencies co-existing with fiat currencies
Bankrupt Crypto Lender Voyager's CFO To Step Down Months After Appointment
Ashwin Prithipaul will leave his position as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Voyager Digital after a transition period.
FASB Finalizes New Accounting Standards for Crypto Assets
FASB's new ASU No. 2023-08 mandates fair value measurement for certain crypto assets, enhancing transparency and relevance in financial reporting, effective post-December 2024.
Digital Euro Would Not be Used for Commercial Purposes: Christine Lagarde
Christine Lagarde, the President of the European Central Bank (ECB), has given her word that the proposed Digital Euro that it will not be used for commercial purposes.
US House Committee Chair Criticizes SEC on Digital Assets
US House Financial Services Committee Chair Patrick McHenry criticized the SEC’s approach to digital assets at an oversight hearing, demanding clear rules for crypto through legislation and pressing SEC Chair Gary Gensler for a definitive answer on whether Ether qualified as a security or a commodity.
Bitcoin’s Scarcity Feature Makes the Crypto an Aspirational Store of Value for Investors, says Fidelity Digital Assets
Fidelity Digital Assets, the crypto arm of investment firm Fidelity Investments found in its new report that many investors consider Bitcoin to be an “aspirational store of value”. The firm believes that the largest cryptocurrency has the properties of a store of value but has yet to be widely adopted.
China's Pursuit of Digital Yuan "Unswerving" in Wake of COVID-19 Global Pandemic, says Central Bank
China’s central bank has further galvanised its public commitment to creating the first central bank digital currency (CBDC), a digital version of the Yuan, at an annual meeting hosted last Friday by the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) vice governor Yifei Fan.
United States CFTC Issues Advisory on Digital Currencies for Futures Commission Merchants
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has released an advisory to futures commission merchants clarifying how to hold digital currencies in segregated accounts.
South Korea Embraces Blockchain: New Digital Asset Act, K-Culture Tokenization, and More
South Korea passes the Digital Asset Basic Act, Shinhan Financial Group invests in digital asset custody, and K-culture goes blockchain.
Galaxy Digital CEO Believes Bitcoin Will Not Fall to $50,000-$55,000 Without Major Shift
Michael Novogratz predicts Bitcoin's stability above $50K-$55K hinges on US spot ETF flows, cautioning investors to brace for potential corrections.
"Bitcoin Is Risky," Says BIS Chief as Crypto and Unconventional Stocks like GameStop Gain Support
The Bank for International Settlements remains skeptical of Bitcoin, echoing the sentiments of many traditional banking institutions.
Voyager Digital Issues Loan Default Notice to Three Arrows Capital on over $670 million Debt
Voyager's total exposure to Three Arrows Capital consists of over $670 million loan. The crypto hedge fund is expected to repay the loan.
Hawaii Pushes Out New Digital Currency Regulatory Sandbox to Boost Crypto Growth
The government of Hawaii has recently announced its establishment of a regulatory sandbox for digital currency companies. The partnership between the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Division of Financial Institutions (DFI) and Hawaii Technology Development Corporation (HTDC) will see the launch of Hawaii’s first pilot program aimed for digital currencies.
Publicly Traded Voyager Digital to Add Support for Avalanche Token
The Avalanche public blockchain network has continued to expand its ecosystem reach as a publicly-traded digital currency brokerage firm, Voyager Digital has announced it will be adding support for the AVAX coin.
CipherTrace Reveals $1.4 Billion Worth of Crypto Assets Stolen in the First Five Months of 2020
Digital currency tracker CipherTrace has declared the valuation of cryptocurrency-related frauds in the first 5 months of 2020 to be $1.4 billion. This figure can spark insecurity among crypto investors but paying attention to security models can prevent such losses in the future. Several businesses particularly those geared towards blockchain technology experienced quantifiable economic downturns. Some of these downturns are just coming to limelight with the CipherTrace reports released on June 2.
Former FTX Executive Under Investigation for Potential Campaign Finance Violations
Ryan Salame, the former co-CEO of FTX Digital Markets, is reportedly under investigation by U.S. authorities for potential violations of campaign finance law. Salame, along with his girlfriend Michelle Bond, who ran as a Republican candidate for New York’s 1st congressional district in 2022, are at the center of this investigation.
Dubai Police Releases Free NFTs to Enhance Authority
As part of a campaign to showcase security, innovation, and communication values, the Dubai Police has rolled out a set of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) comprising 150 free digital assets.
Monetary Authority of Singapore Sets Up New Institute of Digital Finance for Boosting Fintech and Digital Asset Research
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has teamed up with the National Research Foundation, and the National University of Singapore to set up a research institute that will develop and support the needs of digital financial services in Asia.
Tech Adoption Fueled by COVID-19, Will Global Blockchain Adoption Be Accelerated Too?
Coronavirus has driven global economies and businesses to the ground, but one industry that has benefitted from the pandemic appears to be the tech sector.
Solana Co-founder Labels Ethereum 'Bourgeois Digital Tyranny
Solana Labs Co-founder, Anatoly Yakovenko, defended the Solana network's accessibility during a Twitter debate from 1st to 2nd October 2023, responding to criticisms regarding the cost of running nodes. Yakovenko contrasted Solana with Ethereum, advocating for negligible costs in state creation to promote true decentralization, despite rebuttals highlighting Solana's high node operation costs favoring corporations.
US CFTC Reaches Clarity on Interpretive Guidance on the Physical Delivery of Traded Cryptocurrency
The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced that the Commission has voted unanimously and has clarified the guidance on the question of the physical delivery of digital assets.
Stablecoins Will See Bigger Adoption than CBDCs, says Circle Founder
Central bank digital currency (CBDC) across global economies appear to be inevitable, as central banks have been issuing their own pilot tests of CBDC.
ANZ Bank Pushes Customers Towards Digital, Faces Criticism
ANZ Bank is facing criticism as it discontinues withdrawals and deposits from a number of Australian branches to encourage customers to use digital transactions. Critics suggest this could impact older customers and increase vulnerability to technical issues. This decision highlights the gradual shift towards a cashless society in Australia, with cash payments falling from 59% in 2007 to 27% in 2019.
The ECB Warns Financial Stability Risks If Central Banks Fails to Issue Digital Currencies
The European Central Bank (ECB) warns that nations who decide not to issue CBDCs may encounter risks to their monetary autonomy and financial systems.
Deutsche Bank Executive Says CBDC is More of a Political Decision
Deutsche Bank Executive Burkhard Balz has noted that the decision to launch a CBDC by any country may be more of a political decision than a technical one.
Twitter Hack Goes Viral as Bill Gates, Elon Musk, and Biden Hit by Massive Bitcoin Scam
Twitter has gone haywire as news of a Bitcoin scam hack targeting multiple high-profile figures such as Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Joe Biden, Jeff Bezos, and even multinational tech company Apple has broken out.
Foundry Digital Joins Forces with Crypto Lobbying Group Blockchain Association
By joining the Blockchain Association, the members hope to help educate and inform those who may shape the future of the blockchain and crypto industry.
Santa Cruz Adopts Blockchain for Govt Services
Santa Cruz County in California is set to launch a pilot program using a blockchain-powered digital wallet for government services, including bicycle registration and RV parking registration. The program, powered by HUMBL, will launch in July 2023 and run a three-stage pilot program. The county aims to provide a formal report and rollout plan for the digital wallet by September 2023.
Introducing Digital Euro to Protect Monetary Sovereignty amid Cashless Tendency: Lagarde
Christine Lagarde, the President of the European Central Bank, suggested introducing Euro is necessary to maintain its leading role amid the cashless tendency.
Genesis creditor reveals new proposed restructuring plan that will see creditors getting back
DCG is giving its ownership investment in a Genesis trading firm to the insolvent crypto lender's worldwide parent company.
US House Committees To Hold Joint Hearings On Digital Asset Regulations
The US House Financial Services and Agriculture Committees, along with the Digital Assets, Financial Technology and Inclusion Subcommittee, and the Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development Subcommittee will hold joint hearings in May to establish regulatory clarity for the digital asset ecosystem. Representative Patrick McHenry, the House Financial Services Committee chairman, has announced that the hearings aim to establish a bill providing regulatory clarity to the crypto sector, which adds to the work on a bipartisan bill led by crypto-friendly Senator Cynthia Lummis and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.
Singapore and Cambodia to Explore CBDC to Boost Payments Ecosystem
Singapore and Cambodia are notably exploring the use of CBDCs and digital currencies to improve their payment ecosystem efficiency and bolster the growth of startups aboard.
Australia Evaluates Mandatory AI Rules in High-Risk Areas
Australia is considering mandatory regulations for AI development in high-risk areas, balancing innovation with public safety, ethical concerns, and global alignment in AI governance.
Ukraine Plans to Pilot CBDC Digital Hryvnia for Salary Payments
Ukraine has announced pilot testing plans for central bank digital currency to pay the national digital currency (CBDC) to its workers' salaries.
DWF Labs Invests $60 Million in EOS Network
DWF Labs, a digital asset market maker, has announced an investment deal worth over $60 million with the EOS Network Foundation. The deal includes a $45 million EOS token purchase agreement and a $15 million pledge to invest in businesses and projects based on EOS. The alliance aims to expedite the expansion and acceptance of the EOS Network, particularly with the launch of its enterprise-grade EOS Ethereum Virtual Machine.
NFT Trading Volume Surpasses $54B, Exceeds 200% in 2022
The NFT market continues to take the world by storm based on the notable adoption and trading volume witnessed.
German Legacy Bank Hauck & Aufhäuser to Debut Crypto Investment Fund in 2021
Germany’s legacy bank with over 222 years of financial services tradition Hauck & Aufhauser will be launching a cryptocurrency fund in January 2021.
China’s Major State-Run Commercial Banks Test CBDC Digital Wallet
China’s major state-run banks are testing out its central bank digital currency (CBDC) digital wallet application. The Chinese central bank, having said that its CBDC, also known as digital currency electronic payment (DCEP), is “almost ready,” is finally moving a step closer to its official launch nationwide.
DoD Agency DARPA Taps Inca Digital to Assess Crypto Impacts
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), a division of the United States Department of Defense (DOD) has tapped Inca Digital to develop mapping tools to analyze the impacts of crypto as it concerns national security.
World Economic Forum Wants to Eradicate Abusive Sexually Violent Internet Content with Blockchain
The World Economic Forum (WEF) views blockchain technology as a turning point in addressing the internet of abusive imagery associated with social ills like sexual violence.
Three EU Regulators Warn Crypto Investors of Potential Losses
Three European Union regulators have warned investors of the potential loss in the digital currency ecosystem.
Switzerland Parliament Blockchain Act Reform Validates Crypto and Digital Assets
The Swiss parliament has revamped and clarified legislation on blockchain technology and digital currencies activity in the country
Fidelity Institution's President Advocates Room for Consumers to Acquire More Crypto
Fidelity Institutional boss, Michael Durbin is advocating more crypto allocations for consumers
Wyoming State Says Cryptocurrency Represents Property, Allows Insurers to Include Digital Assets in Investment Portfolios
The US. state of Wyoming has enacted new legislation to allow insurance firms to invest in digital assets like cryptocurrencies. The new law intends to come into effect on 1st July.
Ripple to Build The Core Ledger that Will Power Central Bank Digital Currencies
Ripple has been making headway in pursuing projects involving central bank digital currency issuances.
DBS Bank Issues $15M Digital Bonds through DBS Digital Exchange
Singapore-based DBS Bank announced the issuance of digital bonds worth 15 million SGD (US$11.3 million) in its first security token offering (STO).
Crypto Can Stir Radical Improvements in Financial Services: BoE Deputy Gov
Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, Sir John Cunliffe has pointed out that cryptos are viable enough to push “radical improvements in financial services.”
SEC's Misstep in Debt Box Lawsuit Sparks Senate Republican Critique
Five Republican senators have criticized the SEC for unethical conduct in a lawsuit against Digital Licensing, highlighting concerns about enforcement practices in the crypto sector.
South Korea’s CBDC Pilot to Enter into Distribution Phase Next Year
South Korea’s central bank is looking to start the testing of the distribution of its central bank digital currency (CBDC) next year.
WWE Inks Deal with Fanatics to Offer Fans an Enhanced NFT Experience
To render its fans a new experience through non-fungible token (NFT) trading cards, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has signed a deal with digital sports platform Fanatics.
Israeli Central Bank Official Embraces CBDC Competition with Banks for Economic Growth
In a recent speech, Bank of Israel Deputy Governor Andrew Abir expressed his support for the competition between commercial banks and the forthcoming Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) known as the digital shekel. Abir believes that the digital shekel has the potential to enhance competition in the financial system and benefit the economy as a whole.
Riot Blockchain Yearly Bitcoin Production Increases by 236%, Accumulates $194M in BTC
NASDAQ-listed blockchain mining company Riot Blockchain announced the production capacity of BTC in September has increased by about 346% year-on-year to 406 BTC.
Crypto Assets Surge with Record $2.9B Inflows, Bitcoin Dominates Market
The latest CoinShares report highlights a record-breaking week with $2.9B inflows into digital assets, positioning Bitcoin as the market leader.
Coinbase Calls for Judicial Intervention on SEC's Inaction
Coinbase's Chief Legal Officer, Paul Grewal, has filed a formal response with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, urging a mandamus order to compel the SEC to act on Coinbase’s rulemaking petition within 30 days, highlighting the SEC's prolonged inaction and the pressing need for regulatory clarity surrounding digital assets.
Hong Kong SFC Agrees in Principle to License Fidelity Backed OSL Crypto Firm
Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has agreed in principle to license the cryptocurrency firm OSL Digital Securities.
Huobi Launches $100 Million Venture Unit for NFTs and Bolt-On Deals
Huobi Group announced that the company has launched an investment unit with $100 million, reserving part of their cash for non-fungible tokens (NFT).
AMC Theatres Accepts Crypto Payments to Purchase Electronic Gift Cards
AMC Theatres, America’s top theater, first launched an electronic gift card that can be purchased with cryptocurrency.
Circle Formally Refutes Allegations of Illicit Financing and Connections to Justin Sun
Circle denies CfA's allegations of illicit financing and Justin Sun ties, emphasizing regulatory compliance and advocating for stronger stablecoin laws, as clarified by Dante Disparte.
Tezos Blockchain Chosen for French Digital Euro by Societe Generale-Forge
Societe Generale-Forge has selected the Tezos blockchain for its central bank digital currency (CBDC) experiment with the French central bank.
BlackRock CEO Believes Russia-Ukraine War in Boosting Crypto Adoption
BlackRock Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Larry Fink commented on the role of digital currencies in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Fink believes countries would be more active to embrace crypto.
As Criticism Of Binance grows, It Joins Lobbying Organization
Binance joined the Chamber of Digital Commerce, a U.S. crypto sector lobbying organization. The worldwide trading platform is accused of being uncontrolled. Critics say Binance brought down FTX. Binance's VP of public relations expects the agreement would result in clear US crypto legislation.
Multiple Hosting Site Power Cuts Plunges Bit Digital Mining Hashrate by 46.8%
Bit Digital Inc, one of the publicly listed cryptocurrency mining companies in the United States has announced a major halt in its operations at some of its third-party hosting sites
BlackRock CEO Highlights Digital Assets and Tokenization
Larry Fink's annual letter to BlackRock highlights the potential of digital assets and tokenization, citing advancements in digital payment solutions for financial inclusion in emerging markets.
Kazakhstan Blocks Coinbase, Citing Digital Asset Law
Kazakhstan's Ministry of Culture and Information has blocked Coinbase due to legal conflicts with digital asset regulations, revisiting previous restrictions on other financial platforms.
The Bank for International Settlements Gives CBDCs Full Backing
The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) announced its full support for developing central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) in pursuing financial and monetary stability through international cooperation with the mandate and support by central banks.
Russia’s Central Bank Will Ban Crypto Issuance and Trading in Upcoming “Digital Financial Assets” Bill
Alexey Guznov, head of the legal department at Bank of Russia, says that the new version of the delayed bill on “Digital Financial Assets” will include a ban on issuance and selling of cryptos in the country.
Indian Finance Minister Sees "Clear Advantages" in CBDC
India’s Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, has hailed the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) being developed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Top Four South Korean Banks Announce Plans to Provide Cryptocurrency Custodial Services
Two of South Korea’s top banks have recently announced that they were looking into providing cryptocurrency custodial services to their clients.
China's Shanghai Unveils Action Plan to Forge a New Path in the Metaverse Tourism Industry
Shanghai has taken a significant step in the realm of metaverse tourism with the release of the "Shanghai Action Plan for Creating a New Path in Metaverse Tourism (2023-2025)". The plan, unveiled by the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, outlines the city's strategic focus on five key areas to propel the development of metaverse tourism in the coming years.
Galaxy Digital CEO Mike Novogratz Says Launch of Digital Euro Will Drive Bitcoin Adoption
Galaxy Digital CEO Mike Novogratz argues that central banks like the ECB launching their own digital currency could drive Bitcoin adoption further.
Bank of Japan Testing Digital Yen CBDC
The Bank of Japan (BoJ) has just announced that it will begin experimenting with a Digital Yen, its own Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) to test its technical application and feasibility.
World's First National Digital Currency to Be Built on Algorand
World’s First National Digital Currency to Be Built on Algorand
Chinese President Xi Jinping: Participate in Making Digital Currency and Digital Tax's International Rule Actively
Xi Jinping will publish an article entitled "Several Major Issues in the National Medium and Long-term Economic and Social Development Strategy“ on November 1 on Qiushi Journal. In the article, he mentions the digital economy and digital currency
Over 30 Japanese Firms to Conduct Digital Yen Pilot Test
Major Japanese companies from various sectors will collaborate to engage in a pilot test to issue a private digital currency or Digital Yen.
Blockchain Technology Implemented into Indonesia's Digital Economy
Bank Central Asia (BCA) is campaigning for Indonesian financial businesses to innovate and adopt blockchain technology to support its digital economy amidst rapid technological revolution.
ECB to Meet the Growing Demand for Digital Payments with a CBDC Digital Euro
President of the ECB Christine Lagarde broached the topic of CBDC issuance and why the bank was seriously considering the creation of a digital euro.
Mauritius Jumps on Digital Currency Bandwagon
The issuance of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) has been making airwaves with nations, such as China, leading the hype. The Bank of Mauritius, the central bank of the Republic of Mauritius, seeks to join this bandwagon based on an announcement that it wants to introduce a digital currency.
China’s Digital Yuan Launch Could Threaten Macau’s Gambling Industry
Gambling businesses in Macau fear that the launch of digital yuan would render them obsolete.
FUSANG Exchange Announces CCB $3 Billion Digital Bond Listing Suspended
FUSANG exchange announced that the listing of the $3 billion digital bond backed by China Construction Bank has been suspended.
Japanese Lawmaker Urges Digital Yen Development to Curb China Dominance
Japanese Lawmaker, Kozo Yamamoto has called for the expedited development of Japan’s digital yen as the race to be the first nation with an operating central bank digital currency (CBDC) heats up.