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A SWIFT Shakeup: Yuan Dethrones Euro as Runner-Up in Trade Finance Markets
20.10.2023
The latest report published by the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications (SWIFT) has revealed that the Chinese yuan overtook the euro as the second most used currency in trade finance markets. However, the dollar is still comfortably in first place, with more than an...
Matrixport Predicts Bitcoin Surge to $56,000 if SEC Greenlights Blackrock’s Bitcoin ETF
19.10.2023
The cryptocurrency financial services platform Matrixport predicts that bitcoin prices could surge to between $42,000 and $56,000 per unit if the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approves Blackrock’s spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund. Matrixport Links ETF Inflows to Possible...
SEC to Intensify Crypto Market Monitoring and Examinations
18.10.2023
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has published its examination priorities for 2024 which include crypto monitoring and examinations. The securities regulator disclosed: “Examinations of registrants will focus on the offer, sale, recommendation of, advice regarding, trading in,...
River Report: Bitcoin’s Lightning Network Grew by 1,212% in 2 Years
13.10.2023
A recent report published by River, a Bitcoin technology and financial services company, has revealed that the Lightning Network, a scaling layer for Bitcoin, has grown by 1,212% in two years. River’s estimation comes from examining operators of nodes comprising 52% of the public capacity...
Computable Functions Verified on Bitcoin — How BitVM Seeks to Elevate BTC’s Smart Contract Game
12.10.2023
A new computing model, BitVM, aims to enhance Bitcoin’s smart contract capabilities without requiring changes to the blockchain’s consensus rules. The white paper, published on October 9, 2023, has drawn significant attention and its fair share of criticism. Can BitVM Set a...
Bankman-Fried Trial to Feature Customer, Investor, and Co-Conspirator Testimony
2.10.2023
In a letter to the judge published Saturday, prosecutors laid out plans to call customers, investors, and co-conspirators to testify in next week’s trial of Sam Bankman-Fried. The former CEO of cryptocurrency exchange FTX faces charges of fraud and conspiracy for allegedly misusing customer...
IMF Publications’ Report Highlights Growing Risks of Generative AI in Financial Sector
12.9.2023
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues its expansion into the finance sector, a new report published on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Publications web portal cautions about risks associated with the latest AI capabilities in the financial world. The Rise of Thinking Machines: Report...
IMF and FSB Release ‘Policies for Crypto Assets’ at G20 Request
9.9.2023
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Financial Stability Board (FSB) have published their synthesis paper titled “Policies for Crypto Assets,” which was developed at the request of the Indian G20 Presidency. The global organizations “have set out a roadmap to ensure effective...
Cambridge Revises Bitcoin Mining Index, Lowers BTC’s Estimated Power Use
1.9.2023
Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance has significantly revised its Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index, lowering its estimates of the cryptocurrency’s energy use after finding its previous model greatly overstated power consumption. Cambridge Centre Revises Bitcoin Energy Estimates...
Prosecutors Challenge FTX Founder’s Legal Advice Defense Ahead of Fraud Trial
30.8.2023
Sam Bankman-Fried’s legal team claimed last week that the FTX founder received assurances from lawyers his actions were lawful. However, federal prosecutors are now contesting the validity of Bankman-Fried’s defense strategy ahead of trial. Bankman-Fried’s Legal Defense...
DEA Duped: How a Crafty Crypto Scammer Outwitted the Agency and Made Off With $55K
26.8.2023
In a revealing report published on August 24, 2023, a significant oversight by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) was brought to light. In their endeavor to manage assets confiscated from a nefarious enterprise, the DEA mistakenly funneled funds to an unrelated scammer, falling prey to a notorious...
Pantera Capital Predicts Bitcoin to Skyrocket to $148,000 Post-2024 Halving
24.8.2023
In a recent “Blockchain Letter” to investors, published on August 22, Pantera Capital — a venture capital firm headed by Dan Morehead — has projected that the price of bitcoin (BTC) could soar to $147,843 per coin following the 2024 halving. The firm employed...
Binance Plans to Halt EUR Withdrawals via SEPA Amid Third-Party Payment Challenges
21.8.2023
Numerous sources have indicated that Binance, the largest crypto exchange by global trading volume, has temporarily halted EUR withdrawals and deposits through SEPA due to challenges with a third-party payment facilitator. However, a post published by Binance’s customer support team at 12:21...
Consensus Pause: Majority of Economists Predict No Rate Hikes for 2023, With Cuts Delayed Until March 2024
20.8.2023
A newly published Reuters poll reveals that most economists concur: the U.S. Federal Reserve has likely capped its rate hikes. Yet, rate cuts aren’t anticipated until March 2024. This survey drops just as markets approach the annual Jackson Hole Economic Symposium scheduled for next week. All eyes...
23 Countries Apply for BRICS Membership as Leaders Prepare to Convene at Summit
9.8.2023
South Africa, the host of the BRICS summit this year, has published a list of 23 countries that have applied to become members of the economic bloc. Moreover, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has invited 67 leaders and 20 representatives of major organizations to the BRICS summit. French...
Report: US ETFs Signal Renewed Bitcoin Interest; BTC’s Limited ‘Hot Supply’ Eyes Bull Market
6.8.2023
As interest in bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) heats up, a new report from blockchain analytics firm Glassnode examines how much bitcoin is actually available for purchase. The report, titled “How Many Bitcoin Are For Sale?” published on June 26, 2023, looks at exchange flows...
Tether Attestation Reveals Reserve Increase of $850 Million in Q2, Excess Reserves Reach $3.3 Billion
1.8.2023
Tether, the company behind the USDT stablecoin, has published an attestation revealing the company’s financials during Q2 2023. The document, prepared by BDO, a network of accounting and consulting services, found Tether has increased its reserves by $850 million during this period, with...
Study: Generative AI Could Add Trillions to Global Economy
31.7.2023
A new report by McKinsey & Company suggests generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies could boost global economic output by trillions of dollars annually. The study, titled “The Economic Potential of Generative AI” and published June 14, 2023, analyzes the impact AI tools...
Top 5 South Korean Crypto Exchanges Reveal Compliance Strategies to Curb Illicit Activities
28.7.2023
According to a statement published by the South Korean Financial Services Commission (FSC), the entity’s Korea Financial Intelligence Unit held a meeting with virtual asset service providers (VASPs) in order to strengthen regulatory compliance. The top five South Korean cryptocurrency...
South Africa’s Foreign Minister Hints at Expansion of BRICS Bloc With 3 New Members
27.7.2023
In a recent interview published on July 26, South Africa’s foreign minister Naledi Pandor highlighted the BRICS group of economies’ commitment to peace, asserting that these nations do not aim to “weaponize the oceans.” Moreover, leading up to the much-anticipated 15th BRICS...