u.s.
BitMEX CEO Arthur Hayes Agrees to Surrender to U.S. Authorities
Fugitive executives of crypto derivatives exchange BitMEX have been discussing a surrender agreement with the U.S. government.
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.
Breaking: Robinhood Buys Back $605.7 Million Stake from Sam Bankman-Fried in U.S. Government Deal
Robinhood Markets has finalized a $605.7 million share repurchase agreement with the US Marshal Service, acquiring 55.3 million shares of Emergent Fidelity Technologies, which has received approval from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
U.S. Homeowners Express Rising Financial Anxieties, According to FAR Survey
Finance of America Reverse LLC released its 2023 Home Equity Punch List, revealing that 79% of homeowners remain uneasy about the U.S. economy, with concerns about unforeseen healthcare expenses and discretionary spending. Gender differences were also noted. Home equity loans were only sought slightly more, with a lack of product knowledge contributing to financial anxiety.
Senate banking chair considers crypto prohibition
Sherrod Brown, chairman of the U.S. Banking Committee, said a prohibition would be impossible because activity would migrate overseas. He requested a government-wide regulatory agency examination from the Treasury and Secretary. Patrick McHenry, the new chairman of the House Committee on Financial Services, supports crypto.
Bittrex to Shut Down U.S. Platform
Bittrex will close its U.S. platform on April 30, citing the current regulatory and economic environment. Customer funds are safe and available for withdrawal. The shutdown will not affect Bittrex Global, which will remain open for trading.
Coinbase Discontinues Plans to Launch Cryptocurrency Lending Product Following SEC’s Warning
Ongoing regulatory pressure has pushed Coinbase to scrap plans for a cryptocurrency lending product.
Breaking: Binance Sells Russian Operations to CommEX, Exits Market
Binance has announced the sale of its entire Russia business to CommEX, citing compliance issues as the primary reason for the exit. The transition process for existing Russian users is expected to take up to one year, with no financial strings attached to the deal for Binance.
Ripple Anticipates U.S. Banks to Adopt XRP Following Partial SEC Case Victory
Ripple expects U.S. banks to adopt its XRP for cross-border payments following a ruling that it's not necessarily a security.
Google Search Trends Show a Strong Correlation with Bitcoin Price
Google search trends have been positively correlated with Bitcoin price based on the current market trend.
BitCard® and Blackhawk Network (BHN) to Offer Bitcoin Gift Cards at Select U.S. Retailers
BitCard® has announced a new relationship with Blackhawk Network (BHN), one of the world's leaders in branded payment technology. Through this groundbreaking commercial relationship, BitCard® will offer its Bitcoin Gift Card at select U.S. retailers in BHN's vast network of retailers and B2B channels.
FinCEN Issues Alert to Counter Financing to Hamas and its Terrorist Activities
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury has issued an alert to financial institutions, urging vigilance in identifying and reporting suspicious activities related to the financing of the terrorist organization Hamas. The alert comes in the wake of a Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which was funded through various means, including virtual currency.
Animoca Brands to Focus on Markets Outside U.S. after SEC Labels Sand Cryptocurrency an Unregistered Security
Hong Kong-based blockchain giant, Animoca Brands, has announced its plans to shift its focus to markets outside the U.S.
Stablecoins Could Bolster U.S. Dollar and Economic Competitiveness: Circle CEO
In a compelling testimony delivered to the House Financial Services Committee, Jeremy Allaire, CEO and Co-Founder of Circle, underlined the significant role stablecoins, such as the U.S. Dollar Coin (USDC), could play in strengthening the global position of the U.S. dollar.
Judge Expresses Concerns Over Proposed Bail Conditions for Former FTX Founder
U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan has expressed concerns over the proposed bail conditions for former FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, citing the risk of potential evasion and covert electronic communication.
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.
SEC’s Filing Shows Blackrock Made $369,137 Profits on Its Bitcoin Futures
BlackRock has made $369,137 from its investment into Bitcoin futures, according to SEC’s filing. Despite crypto volatility, the investment firm is on a trajectory to more from its Bitcoin futures investments.
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.
Alchemy Pay Expands U.S. Footprint with Iowa Money Services License
Alchemy Pay, a prominent crypto-fiat payment gateway, has secured a Money Services License in Iowa, marking a significant expansion in the U.S. market and enhancing its global compliance portfolio.
The First Bitcoin Futures ETF Approved In U.S., Expecting to Start Trading This Week
The US SEC has finally approved the first Bitcoin futures ETF to operate in the country. ProShares’ Bitcoin futures ETF is scheduled to trade this week.
U.S. Payment Network Affirm Promotes Crypto Trading Services via Debit Card
American payment company Affirm announced that it plans to launch a debit card that will add cryptocurrency buying and selling functions, allowing users with affirm's savings accounts to buy and sell cryptocurrencies freely.
US SEC Names CFTC Commissioner Dan Berkovitz as Incoming General Counsel
The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced Dan Berkovitz as the next General Counsel for the agency to resume in November.
Maple Finance Opens Cash Management Solution to U.S. Investors, Backed by U.S. Treasury Bills
Maple Finance opens Cash Management to U.S. Accredited Investors, offering yield backed by U.S. Treasury bills.
Reuters: U.S. Aims to Thwart Chinese Access to AI Chips via Overseas Outlets
The U.S. is contemplating tightening restrictions to prevent Chinese firms from accessing American AI chips via overseas outlets, reinforcing its stance on curbing China's AI military advancements. The move comes amid existing challenges in enforcing export controls, with the new rules expected to broaden the scope of restrictions on the AI chip market.
He Yi Discusses Binance's Regulatory Strategy Amid Actions Against Binance and Zhao Changpen
In a public letter, He Yi, Co-founder of Binance, discusses the company's compliance strategy, which gains significance amidst a U.S. Department of Justice inquiry initiated on May 6, 2023, 13 SEC charges, and the company's recent exit from the Russian market.
Schwab Q3 Survey: 44% Bullish on U.S. Stock Market and 66% See AI as a Significant Market Impact
The Charles Schwab Trader Sentiment Survey for Q3 indicates a shift in investor sentiment towards optimism, with 44% of traders optimistic about the U.S. stock market, despite concerns about recession, Federal Reserve interest rate hikes, political instability, inflation, and market corrections. Older traders are more optimistic.
Class Action Filed Against Fenwick & West, LLP, Former Law Firm of FTX, in Connection with Largest Financial Fraud in U.S. History
Class action filed against Fenwick & West, LLP, former law firm of FTX, alleging involvement in schemes leading to FTX's collapse, the largest financial fraud in U.S. history.
U.S. Bank: Gen Z Prioritizes Values in Investment Choices but Struggles to Start
A new survey conducted by U.S. Bank has shed light on the investment behaviors and attitudes of Generation Z (Gen Z), revealing a generation driven by values but overwhelmed by the complexities of investing.
Crypto Mining Ponzis That Made $8.4M Face Charges.
December 14 saw the Southern District of New York's U.S. Attorney unseal the indictment. IcomTech and Forcount claimed daily profits that could quadruple investor investments in six months. Both corporations used later investors' money to compensate earlier investors while spending other monies on advertising, luxury goods, and real estate.
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.
SEC Chair Calls for Open Dialogue in Pursuit of a Regulated Crypto Market
Gary Gensler will call on crypto stakeholders to come and talk to the SEC at his hearing with the Senate Banking Committee on Tuesday
Okcoin Halts U.S. Dollar Deposits After Signature Bank Shutdown
Okcoin has paused its U.S. dollar wire and ACH deposits due to the regulatory intervention in Signature Bank, Okcoin’s primary partner for customer transactions in dollars. The suspension extends to over-the-counter services, credit card transactions, and trading USD-crypto trading pairs. However, all corporate and customer funds are safe, and USD withdrawal is not affected. The processing pace will be subject to bank operation. All crypto deposit and withdrawal functions remain intact, including those of U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoins.
eToro and Robinhood Modify U.S. Cryptocurrency Offerings Amidst Regulatory Changes
The global cryptocurrency landscape is witnessing significant shifts, with leading trading platforms, eToro and Robinhood, adjusting their U.S. cryptocurrency offerings. Both platforms are responding to the rapidly evolving regulatory environment in the United States, affecting popular cryptocurrencies such as Algorand (ALGO), Decentraland (MANA), Dash (DASH), Polygon (MATIC), Solana (SOL), and Cardano (ADA).
Ripple Executives Cleared of SEC Charges in Landmark Decision
In a major development, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse and Executive Chairman Chris Larsen were cleared of all charges by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This is the third legal victory for the executives and Ripple, leaving the crypto industry questioning the SEC's approach.
U.S. Blockchain-organisation BBA Publishes Crypto Toolkit Guidelines for Regulatory Consideration
The Boston Blockchain Association (BBA) has published a toolkit that will guide Massachusetts lawmakers in their efforts to create crypto laws.
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.
Cryptocurrencies Act as Safe Haven Amid U.S. Banking Crisis
Amid the ongoing U.S. banking crisis, CEO of ARK Invest, Cathie Wood, praised cryptocurrencies for acting as a safe haven. Wood criticized the Federal Reserve's inability to prevent bank runs and blamed their policy failure for the current banking crisis. Wood projected crypto as a solution to the central points of failure and regulatory mistakes in the traditional financial system.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen Urges Stricter Crypto Regulations amid Legal Cases Against Coinbase and Binance
In light of the rising legal cases against major cryptocurrency platforms Coinbase and Binance, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen called for enhanced regulation to protect cryptocurrency users and investors.
Binance Responds to U.S. Senators Letter, Excludes Financial Data
Binance has responded to a letter from U.S. Senators sent earlier this month requesting information about the crypto exchange’s operations in the country, including its balance sheet. Despite omitting financial data from the letter, Binance reportedly sent the information to U.S. regulators. In the 14-page document, Binance's chief strategy officer, Patrick Hillman, addressed the exchange's compliance history and recognized previous mistakes while claiming the firm has built solid Know Your Customer and Anti-Money Laundering policies in recent years. However, the response failed to address the senators’ concerns about Binance’s lack of transparency.
Bittrex Global to End Trading on Dec 4, 2023
Bittrex Global, a Liechtenstein-based cryptocurrency exchange, will cease operations on December 4, 2023, following regulatory challenges and legal proceedings, requiring customers to convert U.S. dollar holdings.
Chairman McHenry Sharply Criticizes U.S. Treasury and IRS Over Digital Asset Reporting Proposals
House Financial Services Committee Chairman Patrick McHenry expresses concerns over proposed digital asset reporting requirements, urging the Biden Administration to collaborate with Congress to establish clear regulations and protect market participants' privacy.
CEO of IcomTech Pleads Guilty in Cryptocurrency Ponzi Scheme
Marco Ruiz Ochoa, former CEO of IcomTech, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his role in a large-scale cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme. The company falsely promised high returns on cryptocurrency investments and used promotional tactics to lure victims. Ochoa now faces up to 20 years in prison.
Legal Team of Samuel Bankman-Fried Seeks to Question Involvement of FTX Lawyers in $300 Million Loans
Samuel Bankman-Fried's defense team has submitted a letter to U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan, seeking permission to question the involvement of FTX lawyers in the issuance of loans worth up to $300 million from Alameda Research to Gary Wang. The request comes after an October 1 court ruling provisionally barred any mention of FTX lawyers' involvement without prior permission. The defense aims to establish Bankman-Fried's good faith and lack of criminal intent in the ongoing money laundering case.
SEC Extends Review Period for ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF
The SEC has postponed its decision on the ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF till January 10, 2024, marking another delay in the approval process. Amid broader calls for swifter approvals, the SEC's meticulous review approach underscores the regulatory cautiousness enveloping cryptocurrency-based financial offerings.
Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of FTX Responds to IRS's $44 Billion Claims
The Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of FTX, a now-bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange, has publicly responded to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) staggering $44 billion in claims against various debtors affiliated with FTX.
Terraform Labs (Luna) Co-Founder Pleads US Court to Dismiss SEC's Fraud Allegations
Terraform Labs and co-founder Do Kwon are defending against fraud and securities allegations by the U.S. SEC, arguing their cryptocurrencies are not securities, amidst a wider legal battle between crypto firms and regulators following the Terra ecosystem's $40 billion downfall in 2022.
Missouri Mayor to Airdrop $1,000 in Bitcoin to Cool Valley Residents
Missouri Mayor Jayson Stewart plans to give out $1,000 cash gifts in Bitcoin (BTC) to residents of Cool Valley.
China and Malaysia discuss Asian Monetary Fund
China and Malaysia are discussing the creation of an Asian Monetary Fund as a way to move away from U.S. dollar hegemony. The fund was proposed at a forum in Hainan, China, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has stated that China is open to the proposal.
U.S. Lawmakers Urge Stricter Export Controls on Advanced Semiconductors to China
Two senior Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives have called on the Biden administration to tighten export controls on advanced semiconductors to China. The lawmakers, Michael McCaul and Mike Gallagher, chairmen of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Select Committee on China respectively, expressed concerns over the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security's (BIS) lax enforcement of existing rules. The call for action comes amid advancements by China's Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) and Huawei Technologies.
Coinbase CEO Criticizes Chase UK’s Crypto Transaction Ban
Coinbase CEO, Brian Armstrong, condemns Chase UK's restrictive stance on cryptocurrency transactions, urging UK crypto holders to close their Chase accounts. This move by Chase UK could potentially impede Coinbase's expansion plans in the UK and Europe.
U.S. Senators Urge Treasury and IRS for Swift Cryptocurrency Tax Rule Implementation
A group of U.S. Senators has expressed concern over a two-year delay in implementing tax reporting requirements for crypto brokers, urging the Treasury Department and IRS to expedite the process to close the crypto tax gap, provide clarity for taxpayers, and secure billions in lost tax revenue. The delay contradicts the directives of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and gives leeway to crypto lobbyists opposing the rule.
The US Treasury Department Imposes Sanction on Suex Crypto Exchange, Accused of Facilitating Ransomware Transactions
The US Treasury Department said in a statement that Suex cryptocurrency exchange has been aiding ransomware actors to attack businesses and government entities.
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.
Non-US FTX Customers Want Bankruptcy Files Suppressed
A group of non-U.S. FTX customers wants court records to redact their identities and sensitive information. FTX.com's $1.9 billion frozen assets are represented by the Ad Hoc Committee. On December 12, the U.S. Trustee objected to the initial motion.
Judge Considers Dismissing Shaquille ONeal and Naomi Osaka from FTX Lawsuit
A federal judge in Florida is considering dismissing Shaquille O’Neal and Naomi Osaka from the FTX lawsuit due to uncertainty about whether they were served. The judge reprimanded other celebrity defendants for not following proper procedure in requesting a conference extension. A consolidation request by some plaintiffs against FTX was denied, and lawyers for former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried noted the possibility of pushing back the criminal trial scheduled for October 2023.
U.S. Financial Regulators Warn Crypto Firms to Tighten Stablecoin AML Risk Controls
U.S. regulators have issued a strict warning on money laundering risks associated with stablecoins and has warned providers to tighten AML protections and controls.
Largest U.S. Public Pension Fund Holds Over 100,000 Shares in Bitcoin Miner RIOT Blockchain
The largest U.S. public pension fund, CalPERS increased its stake in RIOT Blockchain (RIOT), a Bitcoin mining firm, during Bitcoin’s sensational price surge at the end of 2020.
Blockchain Solution in Healthcare: Google Secretly Collects Health Data From U.S Patients
Blockchain provides a fourth model that can enable secure sharing of lifetime health data across providers and business partners. The use of blockchain is a potential solution to the case associating Google to have reportedly collected medical data from U.S patients in secret.
Why The U.S. SEC Should Approve Its First Bitcoin ETF
The US SEC should approve its first Bitcoin ETF products, a move that can enable more mainstream investors to get exposure to the digital asset.
Australian Pleads Guilty to Securities Fraud in $90 Million Crypto Scam in the U.S.
An Australian man named Stefan He Qin has pleaded guilty to draining the investor accounts of his New York-based cryptocurrency fund to the tune of $90 million.
Oct 08 Trading Analysis: BTC will dance to the U.S. elections beat...
Markets overreacted earlier in the week to Trump walking away from COVID stimulus negotiations. For me, it was clearly a negotiating tactic. Clearly, that was the case with Trump ready to sign for Stimulus Checks yesterday and Pelosi and Mnuchin discussing airline relief later today.
Fidelity Investments Seeks Approval for a US Bitcoin ETF
The US asset management giant, Fidelity Investments, applies for a Bitcoin ETF in the U.S.
Walmart Files Patent Introducing Its Own Digital Currency
Walmart has filed a cryptocurrency patent to develop its own U.S dollar-backed digital currency similar to Facebook’s Libra.
ConsenSys Acquires US Brokerage Firm to Tokenize Outdated Municipal Bonds Market
ConsenSys has made a major acquisition of a U.S brokerage Firm to put traditional municipal bonds on the blockchain.
Goldman Sachs Warns Inflation Threatens US Dollar’s Role as Global Reserve Currency
Goldman Sachs strategists say risks to the U.S dollar’s reserve status include increasing pandemic and political uncertainty and rising debt.
Preventing Future Hacks: Twitter Improves Security Ahead of US Elections
Social media giant, Twitter has revamped its security measures for high profile accounts ahead of the U.S. November Presidential Elections.