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US Banking Sector Volatility — Distressed Commercial Real Estate Sector Raises Default Concerns
1.2.2024
Following the U.S. central bank’s decision to keep the federal funds rate unchanged, the turbulence in the commercial real estate market has sent shockwaves through the country’s banking sector and internationally as well. On Thursday, New York Community Bancorp witnessed a further...
Affected by the National Stock Market Downturn, Chinese Investors Have Flocked to Gold
1.2.2024
Chinese investors have been buying gold as an investment, motivated by the poor performance of traditional stock and property options. According to World Gold Council (WGC) reports, China had the largest demand for gold for jewelry and investment purposes in 2023. This, and the demand from central...
EIA Launches ‘Emergency Survey’ on Crypto Mining’s Power Use Amid Concerns of Alleged ‘Public Harm’
1.2.2024
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) has gained clearance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to conduct an urgent survey regarding electricity usage by cryptocurrency mining firms across the U.S. The EIA submitted this request on the grounds that “public harm...
Bitcoin’s Hashrate Hits 7-Day Record High, Surging to 566 EH/s Amid Anticipation of Upcoming Difficulty Adjustment
1.2.2024
Bitcoin’s computing power has soared to unprecedented levels, with the seven-day simple moving average (SMA) peaking at 566 exahash per second (EH/s) as of Jan. 30, 2024. Despite experiencing a slight decline in mid-January, the network’s hashrate is on an upward trajectory,...
Tether’s ‘Record-Breaking’ Q4 Profit Partly Attributed to Gold and BTC Price Appreciation
1.2.2024
In the last quarter of 2023, Tether Holdings Limited registered a “record-breaking net profit of $2.85 billion.” Overall, the stablecoin issuer’s net profit in 2023 topped $6.2 billion. Tether’s secured loans ($4.8 billion), which are collateralized by highly liquid...
Long-Dormant ‘Sleeping Bitcoins’ Worth $35 Million Spring to Life on January’s Final Day
1.2.2024
On Jan. 31, 2024, a notable movement of so-called ‘sleeping bitcoins’ occurred, involving wallets from 2013 and 2016 which collectively transferred 845.06 bitcoins valued at approximately $35.96 million. Originating from a handful of distinct addresses, 726 bitcoins were likely...
South Korean Prosecutor in Court for Passing Information to a Virtual Asset Investment Fraudster
1.2.2024
On Jan. 30, a South Korean court continued with the trial of a prosecutor who is accused of passing sensitive information on the progress of an investigation to an alleged virtual asset investment fraudster. According to the Gwangju District Prosecutor’s Office, the acts by the prosecutor...
KIP Protocol Closes Strategic Funding Round Led by Animoca Ventures
1.2.2024
PRESS RELEASE. Hong Kong, 1 February 2024 – KIP Protocol, the Web3 base layer for artificial intelligence (AI), has successfully closed its strategic funding round led by Animoca Ventures. KIP Protocol builds secure and gas-efficient Web3 infrastructure that makes it possible for AI creators...
Fintech Provider Portal Raises $34 Million in Seed Funding
1.2.2024
Portal, the provider of a decentralized Bitcoin ecosystem, announced on Jan. 30 that it has raised $34 million via a seed funding round. Portal said the raised capital is set to fund the development of a decentralized exchange platform and a wallet. Layer 2 Atomic Swap Technology Portal, a fintech...
USDC to Go Native on Celo Blockchain, Eyeing Role as Gas Currency
1.2.2024
The Celo Foundation has partnered with Circle to bring USDC, a leading stablecoin, into its network. This integration not only diversifies Celo’s stablecoin offerings but also positions USDC to become an official gas currency on the blockchain. Celo Embraces USDC for Enhanced Digital Currency...
Russia Open to the Use of Crypto in Foreign Trade Says Central Bank Governor
1.2.2024
The Russian Central Bank is discussing the possible use of central bank digital currencies as a payment method in foreign trade, according to Elvira Nabiullina, the bank’s governor. Nabiullina stated that while Russia is opposed to the use of crypto payments in domestic transactions, the country...
Floki Responds to Hong Kong SFC’s Warning, Asserts Compliance and Clarifies Staking Program
1.2.2024
Floki has formally responded to the Hong Kong SFC’s recent warning, reiterating their commitment to compliance across jurisdictions and explaining the rationale behind their staking program’s high returns. Cryptocurrency Project Floki Counters Hong Kong SFC’s Warning In a detailed blog...
Vitalik Buterin Explores Crypto-AI Synergy Amidst Rising Interest in Blockchain and AI Applications
1.2.2024
In a recent blog post, Vitalik Buterin provided a deep dive into the increasingly intertwined worlds of blockchain technology and AI. Buterin offered an insightful analysis of their potential synergies while cautioning about the complexities and risks involved in their integration. Vitalik Buterin...
German Authorities Say They’ve Seized 50,000 Bitcoins
1.2.2024
German authorities have revealed that they have seized 50,000 bitcoins. “This is the most extensive seizure of bitcoins by law enforcement authorities in the Federal Republic of Germany to date,” the German police noted. Germany Seizes 50K Bitcoin The Saxony state police in Germany...
Robert Kiyosaki: Bitcoin Protects Against Theft by the Fed, Government, and Wall Street Bankers
1.2.2024
Rich Dad Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki has shared the reason why he owns bitcoin, stating that the cryptocurrency protects against “the theft of our wealth via our money.” The famous author warned that the Federal Reserve, the government, and Wall Street bankers steal our wealth...
Billionaire Tim Draper Doubles Down on Bitcoin — Foresees Moment When People Won’t Want Dollars Anymore
1.2.2024
Billionaire venture capitalist Tim Draper has doubled down on bitcoin and his price prediction of the crypto. “I think that there’s going to be a moment where there’s a run on the banks,” he cautioned, adding: “I actually think that there will be a moment in time...
China’s AML Legal Framework Set to Target Cryptocurrency Transactions in Major Update
1.2.2024
As part of its ongoing efforts to modernize financial regulations, China is revising its Anti-Money Laundering laws to include stringent measures against cryptocurrency-related transactions. This revision, the first since 2007, aims to plug the legal gaps exploited in the burgeoning world...
SEC Moves to Dismiss Lawsuit Against Crypto Company Debt Box, Citing Inaccuracies in Court
31.1.2024
The SEC has decided to abandon its lawsuit against Debt Box, a crypto company previously accused of defrauding investors of millions. This decision follows the SEC’s acknowledgment of presenting misleading information in court, a revelation that undermines the agency’s case...
Fed Maintains Interest Rates, Seeks ‘Greater Confidence’ on Inflation Goal; Bitcoin and Gold Hold Steady
31.1.2024
On Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2023, the U.S. Federal Reserve opted to maintain the federal funds rate unchanged. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) additionally stated that the committee “does not expect it will be appropriate to reduce the target range until it has gained greater confidence...
New York Community Bancorp Grapples With 40% Share Drop Following Disappointing Earnings Report
31.1.2024
New York Community Bancorp (NYCB) faced significant challenges on Wednesday, with its shares plummeting by over 40%, prompting a halt in trading. Currently, NYCB shares have experienced a decline of just above 36%, trading at $6.61 per share. Last Year’s Banking Fears Resurface as NYCB Faces...