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Παρασκευή 31 Μαρτίου 2023

Report: South Korean National Assembly to Pass Digital Asset Law in April

After several failed attempts in the past, the South Korean National Assembly is now expected to pass its digital asset market regulation in April, a report has said. Kim Hee-gon, a member of the Political Affairs Committee’s first subcommittee, said the prospects of this happening were bolstered after members agreed to narrow their differences.

Politicians Narrow Their Differences

According to a Korean media report, the country’s National Assembly is now expected to pass the digital asset market regulation bill. As stated in the report, the passage of the bill by the legislative body’s Political Affairs Committee has raised hopes that the South Korean legislators will finally pass the law after several failed attempts.

South Korea’s prospects for finally passing a law that governs digital assets were raised after Rep. Kim Hee-gon, a member of the Political Affairs Committee’s first subcommittee, revealed that opposition and ruling party members had narrowed their differences.

“On March 28th, the 1st subcommittee sorted out the issues of the bills and narrowed the differences between the members, so it is expected that the bill will be passed in April,” Hee-gon reportedly said.

The representative, however, suggested that after the bill’s passage legislators may have to go “through the process of revising the details.”

Meanwhile, analysts quoted in the Korean language report claimed the atmosphere created by the collapse of Terraform Labs highlighted to legislators the importance of having laws governing the digital asset industry. Besides the latest draft bill, South Korean lawmakers are also said to have discussed the previous 18 bills relating to virtual assets.

What are your thoughts on this story? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.



from Bitcoin News

China Makes Advances in Ditching the US Dollar for Settlements — Inks Deal With Brazil and Completes First Yuan LNG Purchase

china us dollar brazil yuan

China has been advancing its goal of positioning the yuan as an alternative to the U.S. dollar for settling international payments. The Chinese government recently struck a bilateral deal with Brazil to settle trades using their national currencies and completed a purchase of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) with a French company using yuan as payment.

China Advances De-Dollarization Efforts With Brazil and France

China is positioning its fiat currency, the yuan, as a U.S. dollar alternative for international settlements. The Chinese government recently achieved two milestones in this sense, inking a bilateral deal with Brazil that will allow the two countries to settle payments with their national currencies, and completing the first LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) import trade settled in yuan.

The Brazil-China deal allows the two countries to exchange goods using the Chinese yuan and the Brazilian real. The expectation is that this deal will ease the transactions between the two countries, reducing costs and promoting even greater bilateral trade, and facilitating investment, according to the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency.

China and Brazil’s bilateral trade numbers reached the $150 billion mark in 2022, with China being Brazil’s biggest partner.

In the case of the LNG import, the negotiation was managed between the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and France’s Totalenergie, involving the purchase of 65,000 tons of the commodity. The transaction was made on the Shanghai Petroleum and Natural Gas Exchange, which served to sell the LNG of Arabian origin.

The Chinese oil company commented it is committed to innovation when it comes to pricing and settlements. CNOOC deputy general manager Yu Jin stated:

The promotion of international resource procurement based on yuan settlement can promote the globalization of energy trading and build a more diversified ecology.

Chinese CBDC Said to Be Key for Yuan’s Usage Growth

While the Chinese government has recently made significant advancements in promoting the yuan as a dollar replacement for some settlements, with Russia committing to make use of the currency to settle payments with emerging economies and other countries, analysts believe its full adoption requires the implementation of a new series of policies.

Professor Ju Jiandong, an expert in U.S.-China trade conflicts, proposed a progressive tax on cross-border capital flows to guard the country against external risks. On this, Jiandong explained:

Such a policy design would be like installing a firewall and thus solving the dilemma of capital account liberalisation and yuan convertibility.

While the Chinese yuan usage for global payments is still relatively low, with only 2.19% of total global payments settled in the currency, Jiandong believes that the introduction of the digital yuan central bank digital currency (CBDC) could give it an edge compared to other currencies. He stated:

If China can innovate the entire system through digital currency and establish a digital international currency system, it may have the opportunity to strengthen the yuan’s overseas use.

What do you think about the advancement of the yuan as an international settlement currency?



from Bitcoin News

Mike Novogratz Laments US Government’s Penchant for Discussing Crypto While Saying ‘Nothing About AI Regulation’

Galaxy Digital Holdings chief executive Mike Novogratz has said he finds it shocking that U.S. authorities are interested in talking about the regulation of crypto, but have said nothing about artificial intelligence (AI) regulation. Novogratz added that by choosing mainly to focus on crypto regulation, the U.S. government has it “completely upside-down.”

‘A Real Technology That People Care About’

Crypto billionaire and Galaxy Digital Holdings CEO, Mike Novogratz, recently said he finds it shocking that regulators only seem to be interested in “talking so much about crypto regulation and nothing about AI [artificial intelligence] regulation.” Novogratz also suggested that it would “be dumb” for the government to “cache this industry because of Sam Bankman-Fried in his Bermuda shorts.”

Speaking at Galaxy Digital’s Fourth Quarter (Q4) 2022 Shareholder Update Conference Call, Novogratz, who has previously slammed Sam Bankman-Fried, insisted that he is not against any move that weeds out bad actors from the space. The CEO, however, said he is not a fan of U.S. regulators’ approach which he said is akin to “throwing the baby out with the bath water.”

According to Novogratz, crypto has emerged as an important way of preserving value in a world where fiat currencies like the U.S. dollar are continuously getting debased.

“Like, this is a real technology that people care about. This is the real alternative to a way to save money in a world where it feels like the dollar will be debased, or all Fiat will be debased. The real way of monetizing IP in the NFT [non-fungible token] space, and lots of other — this isn’t tulips in sixteenth-century Holland. This is a real technological breakthrough,” Novogratz argued.

The CEO added that by choosing to focus on crypto while doing nothing about AI, the U.S. government “got it completely upside-down.”

Gary Gensler’s Vacillations

Meanwhile, when asked about what he sees as his main problem with what has been described as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) pushback, Novogratz responded by pointing to the regulators and SEC chair Gary Gensler’s vacillations when it comes to what constitutes a security and what does not. The CEO also appeared to blame the SEC’s inability to clearly name or highlight the attributes that make a crypto asset a security for causing the impasse that now exists between industry players and regulators.

Concerning what needs to be done to make the industry go forward, Novogratz said:

You need really smart people thinking about how do you take this new industry, create a set of rules that allows legitimate players to forge this industry in the U.S. and grow it.

What are your thoughts on this story? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.



from Bitcoin News

Crypto Hardware Wallet Maker Ledger Raises $100M Amid Growing Demand for Secure Storage Solutions 

Crypto Hardware Wallet Maker Ledger Raises $100M Amid Growing Demand for Secure Storage Solutions 

The cryptocurrency hardware wallet manufacturer Ledger has raised €100 million ($109 million) in funding, according to the company’s disclosure on Thursday. Ledger CEO Pascal Gauthier says there has been significant demand for hardware wallets. He added, “2023 is even better for us because now you can’t even leave money at a Swiss bank.”

Ledger to Expand Distribution, Production, and Research and Development With New Funding Injection

According to a Thursday report by Bloomberg, Ledger, the cryptocurrency hardware wallet maker, has revealed it raised €100 million ($109 million) from investors. The capital raise comes at a time when crypto companies have been going insolvent and laying off significant portions of their workers. Ledger CEO Pascal Gauthier told Bloomberg’s Anna Irrera that the company will leverage the cash injection to expand distribution, production, and research and development.

Gauthier noted that in 2022, people became very aware that leaving money on centralized crypto platforms can be risky. The CEO also stressed that in the traditional finance world, people are having a hard time trusting financial institutions due to the recent bank collapses. “Suddenly people were like ‘wow, to leave crypto on an exchange is actually dangerous,'” Gauthier told Irrera. “And 2023 is even better for us because now you can’t even leave money at a Swiss bank.”

Ledger’s financing follows the company’s announcement of a new crypto hardware wallet called the Ledger Stax, which was designed by iPod creator Tony Fadell. The news also follows the launch of 1inch’s new hardware wallet and Coinkite’s higher-end Coldcard device. Furthermore, the hardware wallet competitor Trezor revealed last month that it was taking control of its chip production.

The report on Thursday notes that Ledger’s chief experience officer Ian Rogers said the internet has changed how people perceive value. “The internet was this revolution of information, and now it’s given birth to this revolution of value,” Rogers said in a statement. “From the speculation, to NFTs, to digital collectibles, digital tickets, digital memberships and ultimately digital identity.”

What are your thoughts on the future of hardware wallets in the cryptocurrency industry, and how do you think they will continue to evolve to meet the needs of crypto investors and traders? Share your opinions in the comments section below.



from Bitcoin News

SEC Takes Action Against Crypto Trading Platform Beaxy and Its Executives

SEC Takes Action Against Crypto Trading Platform Beaxy and Its Executives

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed charges against crypto trading platform Beaxy and its executives. Additionally, the regulator alleged that the cryptocurrency exchange’s founder raised $8 million in an unregistered crypto token offering and “misappropriated at least $900,000 for personal use, including gambling.”

SEC Charges Crypto Exchange Platform Beaxy

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced Wednesday that it has filed charges against crypto asset trading platform Beaxy, its founder, and its executives. SEC Chairman Gary Gensler commented:

We allege that Beaxy and its affiliates performed the functions of an exchange, broker, clearing agency, and dealer without registering with the Commission and complying with clear, time-tested rules governing those activities.

Besides alleging that Beaxy and its executives failed to “register as a national securities exchange, broker, and clearing agency,” the securities watchdog said that it has “charged the founder of the platform, Artak Hamazaspyan, and a company he controlled, Beaxy Digital Ltd., with raising $8 million in an unregistered offering of the Beaxy token (BXY).”

The SEC “alleged that Hamazaspyan misappropriated at least $900,000 for personal use, including gambling.” The regulator also “charged market makers operating on the Beaxy Platform as unregistered dealers.”

In its complaint, the SEC claimed that Nicholas Murphy and Randolph Bay Abbot have been operating the Beaxy Platform since October 2019 through their management of Windy Inc. The SEC noted that the pair convinced Hamazaspyan to resign following the BXY offering.

Beaxy Shuts Down

Following the SEC enforcement action, Beaxy announced on its website: “Regrettably, we are announcing the immediate suspension of services on Beaxy Exchange. Due to the uncertain regulatory environment surrounding our business, we have made the difficult decision to cease operations.”

While emphasizing, “We forthrightly committed to cooperation with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for over two years, continually providing information, data, and interviews to assist regulators in whatever manner we could,” the company stressed:

Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, it has become clear that the regulatory environment is just too uncertain to continue operations.

What do you think about the SEC taking action against this crypto exchange, its founder, and its executives? Let us know in the comments section below.



from Bitcoin News

Πέμπτη 30 Μαρτίου 2023

BUIDL Your Dream Finance With Global Cryptocurrency Trading Platform BYDFi

Have you ever dreamed about a crypto exchange that is committed to your financial flourishing? A platform that offers all the instruments that you can possibly want and at the same time is also very cost effective? A place where you can learn and practice your trading using a demo account and also personally grow by joining your friends to the global community as an affiliate? Well you need to look no further, because BYDFi is here to help BUIDL Your Dream Finance.

The Many Advantages of Trading With BYDFi

Previously known as BitYard, BYDFi is a global cryptocurrency exchange that offers a wide range of features and benefits to its users. These include spot trading with over 400+ crypto trading pairs, leveraged tokens that allow users to multiply their earnings without the risk of liquidation, lite contracts with up to 125x leverage, perpetual futures with up to 150x leverage, copy trading where users can follow master traders in one click, demo trading where users can practice trading without risking real funds, and a fiat gateway with user-friendly deposit options for new traders. Check out this link now for a New User Welcome Package from BYDFi.

One of the key benefits of BYDFi is its wide range of trading options. With over 400+ crypto trading pairs available for spot trading, users can trade popular coins such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Dogecoin, and altcoins. This provides users with a lot of flexibility in their trading strategies and allows them to take advantage of market movements.

Another benefit of BYDFi is its leveraged tokens. These tokens allow users to multiply their earnings without the risk of liquidation. The leveraged tokens are available for popular cryptocurrencies such as BTC, ETH, XRP, DOT, LINK, ADA, BNB and UNI. Each leveraged token has a 3x long and 3x short option, providing users with even more flexibility in their trading strategies. Leveraged tokens are a great way to increase your profits in a shorter amount of time while managing risk effectively.

 

High Leverage, Copy Trading and a Way to Test Strategies Risk Free

BYDFi also offers lite contracts with up to 125x leverage. These contracts have simple rules and allow users to trade with high leverage. This can result in higher potential returns but also carries a higher level of risk.

Perpetual futures are another feature offered by BYDFi. These include USDT-M and Coin-M perpetual futures with up to 150x leverage. This sets BYDFi apart from other exchanges where the maximum leverage for perpetual contracts is typically 100x or 125x. Perpetual futures offer higher potential returns and greater flexibility and convenience for traders.

Copy trading is another benefit offered by BYDFi. This feature allows users to follow master traders in one click and let them trade on their behalf. This is perfect for beginners who may not have extensive knowledge of technical analysis or for those who want to follow other profitable traders with proven track records.

Demo trading is also available on BYDFi. All users can access a demo account with 100k USDT to practice trading without risking real funds. This allows users to test their trading skills and strategies before trading with real money.

Finally, BYDFi offers a fiat gateway with user-friendly deposit options for new traders. These options include credit/debit cards and bank transfers and support for over 100 currencies.

In summary, BYDFi offers a wide range of features and benefits to its users including spot trading, leveraged tokens, lite contracts, perpetual futures, copy trading, demo trading and a fiat gateway. These features provide users with flexibility in their trading strategies and the ability to manage risk effectively while potentially increasing their profits.

Check out this link now for a New User Welcome Package from BYDFi. And don’t forget to download the BYDFi mobile app on the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

You can also follow the BYDFi team and join the community of traders on Telegram (English | Vietnamese | Indonesian | Philippines), Twitter, Youtube, Facebook, Linkedin, Medium, Instagram and Discord.


This is a sponsored post. Learn how to reach our audience here. Read disclaimer below.



from Bitcoin News

While Biden and Trump Blame Each Other for Bank Failures, Others Believe the Cause Might Be a Management Issue

biden trump banking failures

The recent banking failures involving the fall of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), Signature Bank, and Silvergate Bank, have high-profile government individuals trying to find a culprit. U.S. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have publicly blamed each other’s policies for the outcome, but according to some analysts, the problem might be ignorance in the banking system.

Biden and Trump Scuffle on Bank Failures’ Causes

The recent banking crisis that the U.S. is currently facing after the fall of three medium-size banks (Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank, and Silvergate Bank), has spurred a political discussion between U.S. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump in order to find the responsible of the biggest bank failures since the 2008 subprime mortgage crisis.

Biden and Trump have been very vocal assigning the blame to each the other’s policies. On March 13, in the wake of the fall of Silicon Valley Bank, Biden reassured people about the isolated character of the incident, calling on Americans to trust in the banking system, and saying it was safe.

At the same time, President Biden assigned the blame for the bank failures on the deregulation advances that occurred under Trump’s administration, in which the stricter banking regulations established via the Dodd-Frank Act during former President Obama’s mandate were struck down. Biden stated:

Unfortunately, the last administration rolled back regulations.

Trump was quick to rebuff these allegations, making it clear he considers the current administration responsible for the current shaky standing of the banking system. As part of a speech given on March 28, Trump stated:

We are seeing bank failures left and right. Biden and his enablers and Congress are directly responsible for creating this economic catastrophe. And with Joe Biden at the wheel, it will only get worse. That’s what’s happening in almost every single sector.

A Different Answer

However, for some analysts, the blame lies in problems that could have easily been handled by assessing the risk of, for example, Silicon Valley Bank. This is the opinion of Andre Esteves, the millionaire CEO and founder of BTG Pactual, one of the biggest investment banks in Latam, managing over $70 billion in assets.

For Esteves, it was the lack of expertise of banking operators resulting from years of low-interest rates which caused the debacle at Silicon Valley Bank. Esteves explained that the current generation of operators only knows inflation and hawkish policies by book, or in theory, and doesn’t know how to deal with them in practice.

Esteves declared:

It’s very basic asset liability management that any junior analyst working at a bank in Chile, Brazil or Colombia or any other country that presents a little more volatility would know.

Esteves also singled out Credit Suisse’s fall as an isolated event that had been gestating for years.

What do you think about the responsibilities of Biden, Trump, and banking operators for the current banking crisis? Tell us in the comment section below.



from Bitcoin News

Chatgpt More Useful Than Crypto, Nvidia Tech Chief Says

Chatgpt More Useful Than Crypto, Nvidia Tech Chief Says

Unlike AI applications such as Chatgpt, cryptocurrencies do not bring “anything useful,” a top executive of U.S. chip maker Nvidia is convinced. The comment comes despite his company making significant sales in the space where its powerful processors are widely used to mint digital coins.

Developing Chatbots More Worthwhile Than Crypto Mining, Nvidia Exec Claims

Cryptocurrencies do not “bring anything useful for society,” according to a high-ranking representative of Nvidia, the leading manufacturer of graphics processing units (GPUs). The executive expressed this opinion despite his company selling quantities of video cards to the industry.

Other uses of their processing power, such as those associated with artificial intelligence (AI) applications like the Chatgpt chatbot, are more worthwhile than mining crypto, Nvidia’s Chief Technology Officer Michael Kagan told the Guardian.

The U.S. tech firm, which is also a major supplier of AI hardware and software, hasn’t been too keen on the crypto market. Two years ago, it tried to restrict the ability to use its GPUs to mint ether (ETH), the second largest cryptocurrency, which was popular among miners at the time.

Kagan insisted that the decision, which was meant to ensure sufficient supply for Nvidia’s preferred customers — like gamers and AI researchers among others — was justified because of the limited value of using the potent processors to extract digital currencies.

“All this crypto stuff, it needed parallel processing, and [Nvidia] is the best, so people just programmed it to use for this purpose. They bought a lot of stuff, and then eventually it collapsed, because it doesn’t bring anything useful for society. AI does,” Kagan explained.

“With Chatgpt, everybody can now create his own machine, his own program: you just tell it what to do, and it will,” he elaborated. The chatbot’s first version was actually trained on a supercomputer made up of about 10,000 GPUs from Nvidia, the newspaper remarked.

Microsoft announced recently it had purchased tens of thousands of A100s, Nvidia’s AI-focused GPUs, for Openai, the developer of Chatgpt which the software giant funds. Nvidia also sold 20,000 units of its successor, the H100 chip, to Amazon for its cloud service, AWS, and another 16,000 to Oracle, the British daily detailed.

Nvidia rents access to the chips through its DGX cloud service as well, and is involved in other AI projects. During its annual conference last week, CEO Jensen Huang referred to the company as the engine behind “the iPhone moment of AI,” and predicted the Nvidia-powered “generative AI” would “reinvent nearly every industry.”

While they are competing for resources like those provided by Nvidia, cryptocurrencies and artificial intelligence are likely to cross paths more and more often in the future. Last week, U.S. crypto exchange Coinbase announced it had tested Chatgpt as a tool for pre-listing risk assessment of tokens and said the results deserved further investigation.

What is your opinion about the statements of the Nvidia tech executive about cryptocurrencies and artificial intelligence? Share your thoughts on the subject in the comments section below.



from Bitcoin News

Binance Opens Regional Blockchain Hub in Georgia

Binance Opens Regional Blockchain Hub in Georgia

Crypto exchange Binance has announced the opening of a blockchain hub in Georgia which will promote cryptocurrency adoption in the region. The move comes on the backdrop of a number of partnerships, initiatives, and events the company is involved in in the country.

Digital Asset Exchange Binance Establishes ‘Web3 Outpost’ in Georgia

Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange by daily trading volume, has launched a new blockchain hub in Georgia, the small crypto-friendly nation in the South Caucasus. In an announcement on its website, the trading platform explained the motives behind the project:

By establishing this Web3 outpost, we hope to attract top talent to the blockchain sector, facilitate educational initiatives related to digital finance, and further the development of Georgia’s crypto industry.

The leading global exchange noted that it already employs 25 people on its Georgia team but hopes to add dozens more jobs in the coming months. Besides expanding its workforce in the country, it also intends to improve blockchain education and accelerate the adoption of cryptocurrencies in the region.

Binance has been engaged in a series of partnerships in Georgia, including that with the payment gateway Citypay, announced earlier this year, and a collaboration with Georgia’s Agency for Innovation and Technology (GITA) on various initiatives.

The exchange is cooperating with several educational institutions — the Georgian Business and Technology University, Alte University, Kutaisi International University, Georgian American University, and Caucasus University.

Georgia Viewed as Important Point on Binance’s Map

According to Vladimir Smerkis, the crypto trading platform’s regional director, Georgia is a one of the most innovative countries in the region. He also described the nation as an important point on Binance’s map and elaborated:

We see a huge potential and interest, both from the crypto community and businesses, in the development of digital assets in the country.

The expansion of the exchange’s activities in Georgia follows a visit by Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao in November, when he met with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and representatives of the local business and crypto circles.

“Thanks to the hub, we will strengthen the development of the recruiting program in the country, as well as make an even greater focus on the regional presence,” commented Binance Georgia’s General Manager Giorgi Chagelishvili.

Binance has been active elsewhere in the post-Soviet space and Eastern Europe as part of its regional expansion which comes amid heightened regulatory scrutiny in developed economies. In 2022, the company launched a blockchain education program in Kazakhstan and offered to assist Azerbaijan with crypto regulations.

Do you expect Binance to further increase its focus on Georgia and the wider region? Tell us in the comments section below.



from Bitcoin News

UK Government Drops Plan to Launch NFT With Royal Mint

UK Government Drops Plan to Launch NFT With Royal Mint

The U.K. government has confirmed that it is not proceeding with a plan to launch a non-fungible token (NFT). British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak asked the Royal Mint to create an “NFT for Britain” while he was serving as the Chancellor of the Exchequer last year as part of his efforts to make the U.K. a global hub for crypto-asset technology and investment.

Britain Drops NFT Plan

Parliament Member Harriett Baldwin, chair of the House of Commons Treasury Select Committee and a member of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer “whether it remains the policy of his department that the Royal Mint issue a non-fungible token.” Wholly owned by His Majesty’s Treasury, the Royal Mint is the official mint of the U.K. and the maker of British coins.

Responding to Baldwin’s question on Monday, Economic Secretary to the Treasury Andrew Griffith stated:

In consultation with HM Treasury, the Royal Mint is not proceeding with the launch of a non-fungible token at this time but will keep this proposal under review.

Rishi Sunak, the current prime minister, asked the Royal Mint to create an “NFT for Britain” in April last year while he was serving as the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The project was part of his ambition to make the U.K. a “global hub for crypto-asset technology and investment.”

Commenting on the cancellation of the government’s NFT project, Baldwin said: “We have not yet seen a lot of evidence that our constituents should be putting their money in these speculative tokens unless they are prepared to lose all their money … So perhaps that is why the Royal Mint has made this decision in conjunction with the Treasury.”

Parliament Member Tulip Siddiq welcomed the decision to drop the NFT project. “I’m glad that the Royal Mint has finally made the Conservatives see sense, but we’ve been calling on the Chancellor to drop this crypto gimmick for months,” she detailed, emphasizing:

This out-of-touch government should be focused on the cost of living crisis, not wasting time and taxpayers’ money on an NFT vanity project and promoting dodgy stablecoins.

Do you think the U.K. government should proceed with the launch of an NFT for Britain? Let us know in the comments section below.



from Bitcoin News

EU Lawmakers Vote to Impose €1,000 Limit on Unidentified Crypto Transactions

EU Lawmakers Vote to Impose €1,000 Limit on Unidentified Crypto Transactions

EU lawmakers have voted in favor of imposing a €1,000 limit on crypto transactions where the customer cannot be identified. “Entities, such as banks, assets and crypto assets managers, real and virtual estate agents, and high-level professional football clubs, will be required to verify their customers’ identity, what they own and who controls the company,” the European Parliament emphasized.

Lawmakers Vote on New EU Regulation

On Tuesday, members of the European Parliament (MEP) from the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee (ECON) and the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee (LIBE) adopted their position on three pieces of draft legislation on the financing provisions of EU Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) policy.

One of the three was the “single rulebook” regulation, which aims to harmonize financial regulation across the EU. It was adopted with 99 votes to 8 and 6 abstentions, according to an announcement by the European Parliament. This regulation contains “provisions on conducting due diligence on customers, transparency of beneficial owners and the use of anonymous instruments, such as crypto-assets, and new entities, such as crowdfunding platforms,” the announcement describes.

“According to the adopted texts, entities, such as banks, assets and crypto assets managers, real and virtual estate agents and high-level professional football clubs, will be required to verify their customers’ identity, what they own and who controls the company,” the European Parliament detailed, adding:

To restrict transactions in cash and crypto assets, MEPs want to cap payments that can be accepted by persons providing goods or services. They set limits up to €7,000 for cash payments and €1,000 [$1,084] for crypto-asset transfers, where the customer cannot be identified.

European Parliament Member Aurore Lalucq explained on Twitter that new legislation specifically affects cryptocurrency trading platforms and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

She stressed that NFTs, which were not included in the new Market in Crypto-assets Regulation (MiCA), will now be subject to anti-money laundering rules, and NFT platforms must now comply with these legal obligations. Lalucq added that the European Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) will be able to establish a list of risky platforms based outside the EU.

Moreover, due diligence procedures will be put in place for transactions made with unhosted wallets, she said, emphasizing that purchases over €1,000 will only be authorized if the owner or beneficiary can be identified. Furthermore, the lawmaker noted that relationships with unregistered or unlicensed platforms and entities will be prohibited and AMLA will establish a list of these entities.

What do you think about the EU’s legislation to impose a €1,000 limit on crypto transactions where the customer cannot be identified? Let us know in the comments section below.



from Bitcoin News

FTX’s Bankman-Fried Is Allegedly Using Alameda Funds to Pay for Legal Defense

According to two sources close to FTX, Sam Bankman-Fried, the disgraced co-founder, gave his father, Stanford Law professor Joseph Bankman, millions of dollars. The funds are reportedly being used to pay for legal costs. The sources said that Bankman-Fried allegedly gave “at least $10 million” from the now-defunct quantitative trading firm Alameda Research to his father.

Sources Claim SBF’s Legal Defense Is Paid for by Alameda Loot

After the latest revised indictment charges against Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), Forbes reports that funds tied to Alameda Research may be paying for SBF’s legal defense. Forbes contributors Sarah Emerson and Steven Ehrlich explained that two unnamed sources disclosed that SBF directed “at least $10 million from Alameda” to his father, Joseph Bankman. The duo is accused of using a “lifetime estate and gift tax exemption” for the funds, which were allegedly given to Bankman in 2021.

SBF has pleaded not guilty to his indictment charges, and last year, he publicly stated that he had only $100,000 in his bank account. According to Forbes reporters, “it had remained unclear, until now, how the former billionaire would afford his pricey defense.” At the end of 2022, it was disclosed that SBF would be represented by white-collar lawyer Mark Cohen. Cohen and his litigation firm, Cohen & Gresser, are well-known for representing Ghislaine Maxwell, a convicted sex trafficker and confidant of Jeffrey Epstein.

The two sources informed Forbes that in 2021, SBF made a large monetary gift to his father, funded by a loan derived from Alameda Research. The Forbes reporters, Emerson and Ehrlich, noted that Cohen & Gresser “did not respond to a request for comment,” and “Bankman-Fried declined to comment” on the matter. The reporters also stated that SBF’s father “did not respond to a list of questions” sent to him. They further added that despite it being a gift, the funds still need to be filed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

The Forbes article follows federal prosecutors’ addition of bribery charges to SBF’s indictment, accusing him of paying off Chinese government officials. The new charge alleges that the former FTX CEO utilized $40 million to influence “one or more Chinese government officials” in 2021. Prior to the latest charges, bank fraud charges were added to SBF’s indictment at the end of February 2023. Joseph Bankman has not been charged with any wrongdoing. However, current FTX CEO John J. Ray III told members of the U.S. Congress that Joseph Bankman and “the family certainly received payments” from FTX.

What are your thoughts on the latest developments in the SBF case? Share your thoughts about this subject in the comments section below.



from Bitcoin News

Τετάρτη 29 Μαρτίου 2023

Report: Do Kwon Successfully Formed a Company in Serbia Weeks After Interpol Issued Red Notice

According to a report, the recently arrested Terraform Labs co-founder Do Kwon was able to register a company in Serbia just a few weeks after Interpol issued a Red Notice for him. Lawyers that helped Kwon form a company in Serbia reportedly said they were not aware of Interpol’s Red Notice against their client.

Do Kwon Uses Korean Passport to Register Company

Just a few weeks after an Interpol Red Notice for arrest was issued, the former Terraform Labs CEO Kwon was still able to form and register a company in Serbia, a local publication has said. Known as Codokoj22 d.o.o. Beograd, the company which was registered on Oct. 12, 2022, lists Kwon as the owner. The former CEO along with his countryman Han Chang-Joon from Chai Corporation are also named as directors of the company.

According to a report in DL News, the duo’s Serbian company was established with capital equivalent to just under $1 (100 din). The report added that Kwon and Chang-Joon used their Korean passports to register the new company with Serbian Business Registry.

As previously reported by Bitcoin.com News in late Sept. 2022, the global law enforcement agency Interpol kickstarted an international manhunt for Kwon after it issued a Red Notice for the Terraform Labs co-founder. Before the notice was issued, Kwon insisted that he was not on the run and that he was in fact cooperating with “any government agency that has shown interest to communicate.”

However, Bitcoin.com News reported on March 23, 2023, that Montenegro’s interior minister said Kwon was arrested at Podgorica airport. He had a forged Costa Rican passport on him when he was apprehended. Chang-Joon has now also been reported as being arrested.

Lawyers Unaware of Interpol’s Red Notice

Meanwhile, unnamed officials from the Serbian Business Registry and lawyers at Gecic Law Firm are quoted in the report professing their ignorance about the existence of an Interpol Red Notice. Ognjen Colic, a partner at Kwon’s legal representatives in Serbia, claimed that his firm took all the necessary steps before electing to represent him.

“I cannot comment on my client due to confidentiality agreements, but I can say that this client went through all the regular security checks that we conduct for every client, including the Interpol website and he is not on there – you can check it yourself now,” Colic reportedly said.

Milos Petakovic, a lawyer from the same law firm, is quoted in the report stating that he needed to consult his colleagues before commenting on Gecic Law Firm’s decision to work for Kwon.

In addition to South Korea, which issued a warrant for his arrest in Sept. 2022, Kwon was also wanted by authorities in Singapore and in the United States.

What are your thoughts on this story? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.



from Bitcoin News

Bitcoin․com Partners with HAPI to Launch High-Yield Farm on Verse DEX and Enhance Wallet and DEX Security

Bitcoin.com, a global leader in accessible cryptocurrency products and education, has taken another step forward in enhancing user experience by integrating HAPI’s service into the self-custodial Bitcoin.com Wallet and onboarding the HAPI token on its Verse DEX with a USDC/HAPI trading pair. Bitcoin.com and HAPI are now offering highly attractive yield on the USDC/HAPI Farm. Users can stake their liquidity pool tokens to earn these attractive rewards.

This exciting partnership with HAPI Protocol, an innovative cybersecurity and anti-money laundering solution, aims to improve the security of the multichain Bitcoin.com Wallet and Verse DEX. The launch of a high-yield HAPI Farm on Verse DEX also supports the growth of the decentralized trading platform.

HAPI Protocol enables users of the Bitcoin.com Wallet, where over 38 million self-custody crypto wallets have been created, to be warned if an address they interact with has been associated with any suspicious activity. This essential feature is invaluable in an industry where user safety is of utmost importance. Since integrating HAPI’s service into the Bitcoin.com Wallet in October 2022, the system has provided automated warnings to over 11,000 users, helping them avoid high-risk transactions. Bitcoin.com also plans to integrate HAPI to Verse DEX in order to provide additional security for DEX users.

As a decentralized solution, HAPI aggregates data from several trustworthy sources, including Chainalysis. It facilitates and rewards user engagement by allowing address submissions for HAPI token stakers, and is publicly available for anyone to view and use its database.

“The partnership between Bitcoin.com and HAPI highlights the power of collaboration in pursuing the creation of economic freedom. By joining forces, Bitcoin.com and HAPI bring users of Bitcoin.com’s products the benefits of enhanced security and access to financial opportunities”, said HAPI CEO Eugen Pshenychkin.

The combination of the Bitcoin.com Wallet, the Verse DEX, VERSE token, and HAPI’s cybersecurity solution all work together to enable users to safely take advantage of the growing decentralized finance ecosystem in the pursuit of economic freedom.

Dennis Jarvis, Bitcoin.com CEO, emphasizes the importance of this partnership: “Our collaboration with HAPI Protocol not only enhances the security features of the Bitcoin.com Wallet but also provides our users with new opportunities to earn rewards through the Verse DEX. By taking the actions needed to earn these rewards, users are actively contributing to the growth of crucial decentralized infrastructure. This partnership is a testament to our commitment to promoting economic freedom and expanding access to decentralized finance.”

As part of its mission to create economic freedom, Bitcoin.com is also inviting other projects to partner with them and launch partner farms on Verse DEX. Interested parties can apply here.

Start earning high APY on the Verse DEX here. To learn more about Verse Farms, and for step-by-step instructions, start here.

About HAPI Protocol

HAPI is a decentralized security protocol designed to combat malicious activity in the blockchain space. By integrating crypto intelligence data from various sources, HAPI provides accurate information on compromised wallets and malicious actors. The protocol offers a reporting and alert system, address checking functionality, and smart contracts for DEX and DeFi protocols.

About Bitcoin.com

Bitcoin.com is building products that give everyday people access to a vast world of opportunities to generate personal prosperity without limits. Since 2015, Bitcoin.com has been a global leader in introducing newcomers to cryptocurrency, featuring accessible educational materials, timely and objective news, and easy-to-use fully self-custodial products for buying, spending, trading, investing, and earning with crypto.

About Verse VERSE is the rewards and utility token for users who contribute to and participate in the Bitcoin.com ecosystem. Launched in December 2022, the VERSE token is designed to expand access to decentralized finance and help unlock the economic freedom it provides.

 

 

 



from Bitcoin News

Report: UAE Central Bank Implements Digital Currency Strategy

The central bank in the United Arab Emirates said it has started implementing its digital currency strategy with partners G42 Cloud and R3. According to the central bank, the digital currency initiative is expected to “further position and solidify the UAE as a leading global financial hub.”

CBDC Strategy to Focus on Three Pillars

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) central bank recently said it would start implementing its digital currency strategy with its two partners G42 Cloud and R3. According to a report, the UAE’s apex bank’s two partners are expected to play a key role in helping the central bank achieve CBDC implementation.

As explained in a recent Arabian Business report, the first phase of the central bank’s strategy, which is expected to take place in the next 12 to 15 months, will focus on three key pillars. The proof-of-concept work for bilateral central bank digital currency (CBDC) bridges with India, as well as the soft launch of the M-bridge, are two of the key pillars. The proof-of-concept work for domestic CBDC issuance covering wholesale and retail usage is the third key pillar that will be considered.

Commenting on why the Central Bank UAE (CBUAE) has chosen to proceed with its CBDC initiative, the bank’s governor Khaled Mohamed Balama touted this as a move that likely bolsters the country’s position as a leading global financial hub. He also suggested the implementation of the CBDC will likely promote financial inclusion.

“CBDC is one of the initiatives as part of the CBUAE’s FIT [Financial Infrastructure Transformation] programme, which will further position and solidify the UAE as a leading global financial hub. The launch of our CBDC strategy marks a key step in the evolution of money and payments in the country. CBDC will accelerate our digitalisation journey and promote financial inclusion. We look forward to exploring the opportunities that CBDC will bring to the wider economy and society,” the governor said.

Prior to its latest CBDC announcement, the CBUAE engaged in several digital currency initiatives including its collaboration with the Saudi Central Bank in 2020. The bank’s other initiatives include its cross-border CBDC pilot with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Bank of Thailand in 2022. The Digital Currency Institute of the People’s Bank of China, and the Bank for International Settlements were also part of this initiative, the report added.

What are your thoughts on this story? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.



from Bitcoin News

Noble Partners With Circle Financial to Integrate USDC on Cosmos Blockchain

According to the token protocol startup Noble, the second-largest stablecoin, USDC, will be integrated into the Cosmos blockchain, as the company has partnered with Circle Financial for the rollout. Noble details that the integration will give access to Circle’s USDC stablecoin to more than 50 Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) networks.

USDC Native Support Is Coming to the Cosmos Blockchain

Noble, a token issuance protocol startup, has revealed the Cosmos network of IBC protocols will support USDC. The team introduced Noble last week in a blog post that describes the protocol as an “app-chain purpose-built for native asset issuance in Cosmos and the boundless Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) ecosystem.” On Tuesday, Noble announced its partnership with Circle Financial to bring USDC to the Cosmos ecosystem.

“This is a huge moment for our ecosystem,” Noble said on Tuesday. “Cosmos has never had a native, fiat-backed stablecoin that is highly liquid [and] fully collateralized. For the first time in Cosmos history, 50+ IBC-enabled blockchains will soon be able to access USDC natively via IBC,” Noble added. Circle Financial also confirmed the partnership on Tuesday and said, “We’re excited to bring USDC to Cosmos. USDC is expected to launch on [Noble] soon, stay tuned for details.”

After USDC becomes native to Cosmos, it will be the ninth blockchain where the stablecoin is natively hosted. Currently, USDC is hosted natively on Ethereum, Solana, Avalanche, Tron, Algorand, Stellar, Flow, and Hedera. Additionally, USDC is bridged to Arbitrum, Near, Fantom, and Polygon. While it was previously bridged to Cosmos, it was not hosted in a native manner. Noble says that this new native support will help overcome challenges with bridging techniques.

“This integration will catalyze hundreds of millions of dollars in liquidity over the coming months in Cosmos, and will seek to rectify the challenges that users and appchains face when interacting with bridged assets,” Noble detailed. Neither Noble nor Circle have disclosed the official launch date, but Noble stated that further announcements on asset integrations are coming, including the official launch date for USDC on Noble.

What impact do you think the integration of USDC on the Cosmos blockchain will have on the overall stablecoin market? Share your thoughts about this subject in the comments section below.



from Bitcoin News

Binance CEO CZ Responds to US Regulator’s Charges

Binance CEO CZ Responds to US Regulator's Charges

Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has addressed the allegations against him by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). “We do not agree with the characterization of many of the issues alleged in the complaint,” the executive stressed.

CZ Responds to CFTC’s Allegations

The CEO of cryptocurrency exchange Binance, Changpeng Zhao (CZ), published a blog post on Monday to address the civil enforcement action against him and his crypto exchange by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The U.S. regulator charged Zhao and three entities that operate the Binance platform “with numerous violations of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) and CFTC regulations.”

Noting that the CFTC’s civil complaint against him and Binance was “unexpected” and “disappointing,” Zhao explained:

Upon an initial review, the complaint appears to contain an incomplete recitation of facts, and we do not agree with the characterization of many of the issues alleged in the complaint.

“We will only be able to give full responses in due time,” CZ noted and proceeded to address some key points. Firstly, he claimed that “Binance.com has developed best-in-class technology to ensure compliance,” adding: “We block U.S. users by nationality (KYC), IP (including commonly used VPN endpoints outside of the US), mobile carrier, device fingerprints, bank deposit and withdrawals, blockchain deposits and withdrawals, credit card bin numbers, and more.”

The executive emphasized that his crypto firm is “committed to transparency and cooperation with regulators and law enforcement (LE)” both in the U.S. and globally, elaborating:

Binance currently has more than 750 people in our compliance teams, many with prior law enforcement and regulatory agency backgrounds.

He added that to date, Binance has handled more than 55,000 law enforcement requests and assisted U.S. authorities in freezing and seizing more than $125 million in funds in 2022, and $160 million in 2023 so far. “We intend to continue to respect and collaborate with U.S. and other regulators around the world,” CZ stressed, adding that “Binance.com holds the highest number of licenses/registrations globally, 16 and counting.”

After revealing that he personally has two accounts at Binance, one for Binance Card and one for his crypto holdings, Zhao claimed that Binance.com does not engage in trading for profit or market manipulation. “Binance.com has a 90-day no-day-trading rule for employees, meaning you are not allowed to sell a coin within 90 days of your most recent buy, or vice versa,” he additionally shared. “We also prohibit our employees from trading in Futures. Further, we have strict policies for anyone with access to private information, such as details of listings, Launchpad, etc. They are not allowed to buy or sell those coins.”

The Binance boss concluded:

I observe these policies myself strictly. I also never participated in Binance Launchpad, Earn, Margin, or Futures.

What do you think about Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao’s response to the CFTC’s allegations? Let us know in the comments section below.



from Bitcoin News

Do Kwon’s Extradition Likely to Take Time, Montenegrin Prosecutor Says

Do Kwon’s Extradition Likely to Take Time, Montenegrin Prosecutor Says

A prosecutor investigating Terraform Labs CEO Do Kwon for alleged passport forgery in Montenegro has indicated that he will not be extradited soon. The law enforcement official told South Korean media that Montenegrin authorities intend to indict Kwon within a month, ruling out the possibility of him being handed over to other countries within the detention period.

Passport Forgery Investigation Takes Precedence Over Extradition Requests in Do Kwon’s Case

It may take some time before an extradition process begins for Do Kwon, the South Korean Yonhap news agency reported, quoting the prosecutor working on the case of the Terraform Labs co-founder who was recently arrested in Montenegro.

Judicial condemnation of crimes that have taken place in Montenegro’s jurisdiction is a priority for the authorities in the small Balkan nation, Haris Šabotić stated in an interview in the Montenegrin capital Podgorica on Monday.

Šabotić is in charge of the local investigation against Kwon for alleged forging of documents. The chief executive of the company behind the failed stablecoin terrausd and cryptocurrency luna was detained on March 23 while trying to board a flight to Dubai using a fake Costa Rican passport.

Kwon Do-Hyung, as is his full name in Korean, disappeared after departing for Singapore in April, 2022, right before the collapse of the two coins ust and terra. He then fled to Serbia, where he reportedly registered a new firm, before eventually ending up in neighboring Montenegro.

The prosecutor noted that the allegations of counterfeiting are subject to an ongoing investigation, rejecting earlier media reports that Kwon has already been indicted. Following a 72-hour initial detention, a Montenegrin court extended the measure to 30 days.

The goal is to indict Kwon within that period, Haris Šabotić further noted. “We don’t know how the situation will develop after the indictment, but what is clear is that there is no possibility that the detainee will be handed over for 30 days,” he added.

South Korea, the United States, and Singapore are all trying to secure Kwon’s extradition. While Šabotić declined to discuss the matter in detail as it’s not up to the prosecution to decide on the requests, he emphasized that the fake passport case investigation will be prioritized, noting:

We can move on to the next step only after the prosecution of this case is over. We are not interested in the issue of extradition.

If convicted of forgery of official documents, Do Kwon may receive up to five years in prison, according to Montenegro’s law. “If we bring charges within 30 days, the court will decide,” Šabotić said in the interview that took place at the District Prosecutor’s Office in Podgorica. Kwon is currently held in the Spuž detention center near the Montenegrin capital.

Do you think Montenegro will eventually extradite Do Kwon and if so, to where? Share your expectations in the comments section below.



from Bitcoin News

Τρίτη 28 Μαρτίου 2023

President Nayib Bukele Touts El Salvador as the ‘New Land of the Free’ in Vintage Americana Poster Featuring Bitcoin as Legal Tender

el salvador bukele bitcoin

President Nayib Bukele is promoting El Salvador as the “new land of the free,” as part of an invitation for foreigners to move to the Latam country. Bukele tweeted a poster in vintage American style that included several advantages that the country brings its citizen, including the adoption of bitcoin as legal tender.

EL Salvador’s ‘New Land of the Free’ Campaign Invites People to Move in With Bitcoin as Legal Tender

President Nayib Bukele is inviting people to move to El Salvador. Bukele posted a poster in vintage American style where he depicts a classic American family in a living room, calling his country “the new land of the free,” a motto usually applicable to the U.S.

The poster serves to exhibit the achievements that, according to him, his government has reached, principally in the security and monetary policy areas. The poster calls for people to move to El Salvador, explaining that there are “no fentanyl crisis,” “no shootings” and “no lootings,” as a product of the tight security measures that the government has taken during 2022 and 2023.

Also, the poster features the adoption of bitcoin as a legal tender, with El Salvador being the first country in the world that presents this option to tourists and residents. Also, president Bukele has made statements about easing the way of migrants by proposing to give Salvadoran citizenship via bitcoin investments.

Achievements Among Criticism

To some, the poster appears to celebrate the new face that Bukele has brought to El Salvador, making a clear comparison to what the U.S. represented back in the sixties. While heavily criticized for possible violations of human rights in its battle against gangs, Bukele has made security a priority in the country. According to reports, El Salvador finished 2022 with its homicide rate plummeting by 56.8%. Also, Bukele celebrated a milestone of 300 days without homicides on February 14.

However, to get to this point, Bukele had to establish an exception state, with curfews for the population while waging an all-out war with the Maras Salvatruchas, the biggest national gang, since March 2022.

In the poster, great weather and beaches are also promoted. Bukele had stated before that the recovery of tourism in the country, one of the fastest in the world after the Covid-19 pandemic, was in part thanks to the inclusion of bitcoin in the economy of the country and also because of surf.

Bukele has also announced significant investments in landmark beaches like El Zonte, known as Bitcoin Beach due to its adoption. In August, the Salvadoran government destined an investment of $203 million to build support infrastructure for the region including a new drainage system, bridges, and bicycle roads.

What do you think about Bukele’s ‘new land of the free’ poster? Tell us in the comments section below.



from Bitcoin News

Bitcoin Millionaire Tim Draper Advises Startups to Keep Bitcoin as a Hedge Against a ‘Domino’ Run on the Banks

bitcoin tim draper

Tim Draper, a venture capitalist and bitcoin millionaire, has included bitcoin as part of a series of cash management recommendations offered to startup founders. Draper recommended having at least two payrolls worth of cash in bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies to avoid being affected by bank failures like the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB).

Tim Draper Touts Bitcoin as Hedge Against Bank Failures

Tim Draper, a well-known venture capitalist and crypto enthusiast, has recommended bitcoin as part of his cash diversification advice for business founders. Draper, known for winning an auction of 30,000 bitcoins from the U.S. Marshals back in 2014, and for his bitcoin price predictions, posted a document on Twitter that comments on several considerations businesses should make in the face of bank failures.

The document, which presents seven different ways to avoid a cash crunch, states:

Since boards and management are responsible for making payroll, even in times of crisis, it is important to build out contingency plans for bank failures that could happen more and more often if government continues to print money and whipsaw interest rates to counteract inflation caused by the over-printing of money.

Draper comments that the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) showed the importance of having a sound contingency strategy in uncertain times.

Per different reports, many tech startups that were dependent on Silicon Valley Bank faced a period of uncertainty when the bank collapsed, not having the necessary liquidity to complete payroll payments. However, the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) averted the situation and made customers’ deposits whole under a systemic risk exception approved by the Federal Reserve.

Bank Diversification Recommendations

One of the key points in Draper’s cash management plan, which was designed with the help of Wharton school individuals, is the diversification of banking risk. Draper states that businesses can no longer rely on just one institution to manage their cash, advising to keep at least six months of short-term cash in two banks — one local and one global bank.

Also, Draper advises keeping at least two payrolls worth of cash in bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, maintaining excess money in assets saleable for emergencies. He supports taking these measures by stating:

For the first time in many years, governments are taking over banks and governments themselves are at risk of becoming insolvent. Bitcoin is a hedge against a ‘domino’ run on the banks and on poor over-controlling governance.

What do you think about Tim Draper’s advice on keeping bitcoin as a hedge against bank failures? Tell us in the comment section below.



from Bitcoin News

Binance Experiences Significant BTC, ETH, and Stablecoin Withdrawals Following CFTC Lawsuit

Binance Experiences Significant BTC, ETH, and Stablecoin Withdrawals Following CFTC Lawsuit

After the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission sued Binance for alleged violations of trading and derivatives rules, a significant amount of cryptocurrency was withdrawn from the exchange. Data from analytics provider Nansen shows $400 million in Ethereum-based funds were withdrawn in 24 hours, and 3,655 bitcoin worth more than $99 million were withdrawn over the past day, according to Coinglass metrics.

3,655 Bitcoin Withdrawn From Binance in 24 Hours

On Monday, March 27, 2023, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) sued Binance and CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ), alleging the exchange had violated specific trading and derivatives rules. The CFTC is seeking disgorgement and monetary penalties, as well as a ban on future registrations. Following the news, Binance experienced a large number of withdrawals, and some observers noted “large onchain movements prior” to the exchange’s troubles with the CFTC.

“A few hours before the Binance CFTC Indictment, there were large stablecoin withdrawals across centralized exchanges, totaling almost $1.5B in just 12 hours. Notably, Binance itself saw an $850M outflow,” analysts from ‘An Ape’s Prologue’ explained. “Just one hour after the announcement, Binance saw an additional $240M withdrawn,” the researchers noted.

Data from Nansen and Dune Analytics show more than $400 million in Ethereum-based funds were withdrawn in 24 hours. As of writing, Nansen’s proof-of-reserves portal shows Binance holds $63.36 billion worth of cryptocurrency assets. Statistics also show more than 150 million BUSD stablecoins were redeemed on Monday. There’s currently 7.84 billion BUSD in circulation, and 7.1 billion of those tokens are held on Binance.

Binance also holds one of the largest caches of bitcoin, as its cold wallet holds 248,597 bitcoin, the single largest address today. According to Coinglass, Binance’s BTC balance indicates that the exchange has shed 3,655 bitcoin worth close to $100 million over the last day. While Binance saw the most bitcoin outflow over the last 24 hours, Coinglass records indicate that 1,025 bitcoin was withdrawn from Coinbase.

What do you think about the CFTC’s lawsuit against Binance? Share your thoughts about this subject in the comments section below.



from Bitcoin News

Binance Launching New Crypto Trading Platform in Japan This Summer to Comply With Regulations

Global cryptocurrency exchange Binance says it has created a new crypto trading platform for Japan residents that will be available this su...