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Articles by Layla Harding
Bitget Exchange Sees Substantial Growth in Q1 2024
Volume Surpasses $1.6 Trillion Amid Crypto Bull Market Bitget, a cryptocurrency exchange, has reported impressive growth in the first quarter of 2024, with futures and spot volume exceeding $1.4 trillion and $160 billion, respectively. This marks a significant increase from Q1 2023, where futures trading volume was $658 billion and spot trading volume was $59 billion.
Bitcoin Mining Difficulty Reaches New High Ahead of Halving
Pre-Halving Adjustments Increase Mining Challenges The Bitcoin mining difficulty has hit a new all-time high of 86.4 trillion, marking a significant increase ahead of the upcoming halving event. This adjustment, which took place on April 10, represents a 3.4% rise from the previous level of 83 trillion set on March 28. With the halving expected to occur in eight days, this adjustment is likely the last before the event that will reduce miner rewards by half.
Cathie Wood's ARK Bitcoin ETF Sees Record $87M Outflow
Spot Bitcoin ETFs Experience Fluctuating Outflows Cathie Wood's ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) has experienced a record daily outflow of $87 million, surpassing Grayscale's Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) for the first time since the launch of spot Bitcoin ETFs in the United States. This marks the second consecutive day of outflows for ARKB, with a total loss of $300,000 in assets on April 1.
Van Eck Heir to Launch Agora Digital Dollar Stablecoin with $12M VC Backing
Nick van Eck Sets Sights on International Markets for AUSD Nick van Eck, the son of Jan van Eck, CEO of the $90 billion asset management firm VanEck, is poised to launch a new U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin, Agora digital dollar (AUSD), following a successful $12 million funding round. The venture aims to carve out a niche in the competitive stablecoin market, focusing on transparency and trust in managing digital dollar assets.
Digital Asset Inflows Recover, But ETF Activity Slows Down
Spot Bitcoin ETF Demand Cools Off After March Peak After a period of net outflows, the crypto market has seen a positive shift with net inflows of $862 million in the past week, compared to $931 million in net outflows the week prior. However, the enthusiasm for spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) appears to be waning, with daily trading volumes dropping to $5.4 billion, a 36% decrease from the peak of $9.5 billion in early March.
Ethena Labs Airdrops $450 Million in Tokens, Largest Recipient Gets Nearly $2M
Massive Airdrop Distributes ENA Tokens to Participants Ethena Labs has made headlines with its substantial airdrop, distributing $450 million worth of Ethena (ENA) tokens to participants. The largest recipient of this airdrop received a staggering 3.3 million ENA tokens, valued at nearly $2 million, according to on-chain data analyzed by Arkham Intelligence. The Ethena Labs airdrop went live 2 hours ago, with $450M of ENA to distribute.
Surge in Phishing Scams on Base Coincides with Memecoin Craze
Phishing Thefts on Ethereum Layer-2 Chain Base Skyrocket Ethereum layer-2 chain Base has experienced a staggering increase in funds stolen through phishing scams, with a nearly 1,900% surge since January. According to data from blockchain anti-scam platform Scam Sniffer, approximately $3.35 million was stolen on Base in March alone, marking a 334% increase from February and a significant rise from January's $169,000 loss.
Spot Bitcoin ETFs Offer Unprecedented Transparency, Core Scientific Founder Affirms
Darin Feinstein, founder of blockchain firms Core Scientific and Blockcap, asserts that spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) offer unparalleled transparency and security compared to traditional commodities-based ETFs like gold ETFs. Feinstein believes that spot Bitcoin ETFs, which are physically backed and verifiably hold BTC, are safer investments due to the transparency provided by the Bitcoin network's immutable ledger.
Wemade Dismisses Allegations Amid Regulatory Probe
Wemade, a South Korean Web3 game developer, has refuted allegations of coin over-issuance fraud amid an investigation by the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office's financial investigation department. The allegations suggest that Wemade may have violated local reporting rules by withholding private keys from users. In an official announcement on Feb.
Arm Holdings Sees 30% Surge in Stock Price Amidst Rising Demand for AI Chips
Arm Holdings, a prominent British tech company renowned for its innovative chip designs, experienced a remarkable surge in its stock price, climbing over 30% following its optimistic sales and profit forecast for the current quarter. The company's bullish outlook is largely attributed to the escalating demand for its artificial intelligence (AI)-based technology solutions.
Hut 8 CEO Steps Down Amid Short Seller Accusations
Bitcoin mining company Hut 8 has announced a change in leadership, with former CEO Jaime Leverton stepping down just weeks after allegations from short-selling firm JCapital Research. Asher Genoot, the current president and board member, will take over as CEO, focusing on strengthening operations and shareholder value. The leadership transition comes in the wake of "pump-and-dump" accusations against Hut 8 published by JCapital Research.
Crypto Industry Dominates Canadian Fintech Investments for Second Consecutive Year Original
The blockchain and cryptocurrency sector continued its reign as the top recipient of investments within Canada's financial technology landscape, according to a recent report by accounting firm KPMG. Released on February 6, KPMG's Canadian fintech report highlighted that despite significant drops in deal volumes and values in 2023, the crypto industry maintained its leading position in investment activity.
Judge Rejects Counterclaims, Orders Artists to Pay $9M in Bored Ape Yacht Club Lawsuit
Artists Ryder Ripps and Jeremy Cahen have had their counterclaims dismissed in the lawsuit against Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) creator Yuga Labs. The court order requires Ripps and Cahen to pay nearly $9 million in disgorgement and other statutory damages. In April 2023, Yuga Labs won a lawsuit against Ripps and Cahen for copyright violations related to unauthorized versions of BAYC non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
Ethereum Progresses Toward Dencun Mainnet with Successful Sepolia Activation
The Ethereum ecosystem is making steady progress towards implementing the Dencun upgrade, with another successful activation, this time on the Sepolia testnet. The Dencun upgrade, characterized by Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) and the introduction of proto-danksharding, is poised to reduce L2 (Layer-2) transaction fees, enhancing scalability and cost-effectiveness. The Dencun network upgrade first activated on the Goerli testnet on January 17, 2024.
Vitalik Buterin Cautions Developers About the Marriage of AI and Blockchain
Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, is sounding a cautionary note for developers considering the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology. In a blog post dated January 30, Buterin highlighted his concerns and advised developers to exercise caution, particularly when deploying novel applications in contexts that involve high value and high risk.
Spanish Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina Shows Sudden Interest in Crypto Airdrops: Account Compromised?
In a surprising turn of events, the official social media account of the Spanish embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina has garnered attention for its inquiries into crypto projects' airdrops and upgrades. While speculation looms over the nature of these messages, some suspect that the embassy's account may have been compromised. The embassy's X account raised eyebrows when it inquired about upcoming airdrops from crypto projects like Jupiter and Dymension.
UAE Conducts Historic Cross-Border Digital Dirham Transfer via mBridge CBDC Platform
The central bank of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has etched its name in history by successfully conducting the inaugural cross-border digital dirham transfer via the mBridge central bank digital currency (CBDC) platform on January 29. In a momentous transaction, 50 million dirhams, equivalent to approximately $13.6 million, were seamlessly transferred to China through the multi-CBDC mBridge platform.
NYC Bar Association Proposes Crypto Law Reforms to Retain Firms and Fortify New York's Position
The New York City Bar Association is stepping up to ensure that New York retains its status as a leading hub for digital asset transactions.
Spot Bitcoin ETFs: Paving the Way for New TradFi Applications, Says Solana Foundation
The recent approvals of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have undoubtedly made history within the blockchain space. However, according to Sheraz Shere, the Head of Payments at the Solana Foundation, these approvals should be seen as a "stepping stone" towards a more profound integration of blockchain-based systems with traditional finance.
Hong Kong Prepares for Spot Bitcoin ETFs Following U.S. Approval
After the recent approval of the first spot Bitcoin ETF by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Hong Kong is poised to follow suit, with several financial institutions in the region planning to apply for spot BTC ETFs. Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has reportedly received its inaugural application for a spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF). The application comes just weeks after the U.S. SEC greenlit the first spot BTC ETF in the United States.
US Lawmakers Push for Legislation Against Deepfake Images in Response to Taylor Swift Incident
United States lawmakers are calling for swift legislative action to criminalize the creation and dissemination of deepfake images, particularly in light of the recent circulation of explicit fake photos of Taylor Swift on various social media platforms, including X and Telegram.
Coinbase Stock Faces Near-Term Volatility Amid Regulatory Uncertainty
Coinbase's stock (COIN) may encounter short-term price fluctuations due to ongoing legal proceedings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the potential impact of Bitcoin's price movements, according to Oppenheimer analyst Owen Lau. Ongoing SEC Lawsuit and Regulatory Overhang In an interview with Yahoo Finance, Lau pointed to the legal uncertainty surrounding Coinbase's lawsuit with the SEC, which alleges violations of security laws.
Estonian Government to Allow Extradition of Hashflare Defendants
In a significant turn of events, the Estonian government is set to allow the extradition of Ivan Turogin and Sergei Potapenko, co-founders of the now-inactive Bitcoin cloud miner, HashFlare, to the United States. The pair faces a daunting 18 charges in the U.S., including conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering allegations. If convicted, they could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison each.
Space and Time Releases Open-Source GPU Accelerator for ZK-Proof Protocols
Space and Time, a decentralized Web3 data service, has unveiled an open-source GPU acceleration framework called Blitzar. This framework is designed to optimize the performance of zero-knowledge proof (ZK-proof) generation, a key component of Ethereum layer 2 scaling platforms and other blockchain protocols. ZK-proofs are cryptographic protocols that allow one party to prove specific information to another party without revealing the actual data.
BlackRock's Low-Key Bitcoin ETF Ad: A Unique Strategy for Boomer Investors
BlackRock, the investment behemoth, has adopted a notably subdued advertising strategy for its iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT), contrasting with the more flamboyant approaches taken by other Bitcoin ETF issuers.
Ethereum Unveils Major ERC-4337 Update: A Milestone for Gas Efficiency and Smart Account Innovation
The Ethereum Foundation is poised to implement substantial changes to the ERC-4337 standard, which governs account abstraction, also known as "smart accounts." This move is aimed at significantly reducing gas consumption, especially on layer-2 networks, marking a crucial step in Ethereum’s ongoing evolution. Understanding the Key Changes in ERC-4337 The most notable change in the new version 0.7 of the ERC-4337 standard is the restructuring of account abstraction transactions.
North Korean Lazarus Group Resumes Bitcoin Activity
A Sudden Stir in Lazarus Group's Bitcoin Holdings After weeks of dormancy, the North Korean hacker group Lazarus Group has reportedly mobilized over $1 million worth of Bitcoin. Blockchain analysts from Arkham Intelligence observed two transfers of a total of 27.371 BTC from what appeared to be a cryptocurrency mixer, followed by a smaller transfer of 3.343 BTC to a previously inactive wallet.
Standard Chartered Forecasts $200K Bitcoin with ETF Approval
A Bold Prediction Amidst ETF Hopes In a striking projection, Standard Chartered, a multinational banking giant, predicts that Bitcoin (BTC) could soar to nearly $200,000 by late 2025, contingent on the approval and success of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the United States. This forecast hinges on the belief that spot Bitcoin ETFs could attract inflows ranging from $50-100 billion in 2024.
Arthur Hayes Predicts a 30% drop in Bitcoin Price Amid Financial Uncertainties
Navigating Through Potential Market Upheaval Arthur Hayes, the former CEO of BitMex and current chief investment officer of Maelstrom, has forecasted a significant downturn in the Bitcoin market, anticipating a 20-30% plunge in the coming months. This prediction comes amidst looming financial uncertainties and echoes the sentiments of several market analysts who foresee a challenging period ahead for cryptocurrencies.
ARK Invest's Strategic Shift: Swapping Coinbase for Tesla
ARK's Big Move: Coinbase Out, Tesla In Cathie Wood's ARK Invest has made a significant portfolio adjustment, divesting $25 million worth of Coinbase (COIN) shares and redirecting funds towards Tesla (TSLA). On January 3, ARK sold off over 166,000 Coinbase shares as the stock saw a 3% dip, closing at $152.24. This sale is part of a broader pattern, with ARK having offloaded more than $125 million in Coinbase shares since December 2023.
Solana (SOL) Price Analysis: 4th Jan 2024
Altcoin — 2 min read Current Market Status: Current Price: SOL is trading at $98.40 (at the time of writing), according to CMC data, marking a significant decrease of 9.97% in the last 24 hours. Market Cap: The market capitalization has also decreased by approximately 10%, currently standing at $42.3 billion. Volume to Market Cap Ratio: The volume/market cap ratio is at 13.11%, indicating active trading relative to the size of the market cap.
Bitcoin Price Analysis: 4th Jan 2024
Current Market Overview: Current Price: Bitcoin is currently trading (at the time of writing) at $42,911.84, according to CMC, marking a decrease of 4.91% over the last 24 hours. Market Cap: The market capitalization has similarly decreased by 4.93% in a day, currently standing at approximately $840.3 billion. Trading Volume: Interestingly, there's a significant increase in trading volume, up by 58.87%, totaling around $47.4 billion.
BNB Price Analysis: 4th Jan 2024
Current Market Overview: BNBUSD Chart (CMC) Current Price: BNB is currently priced at $321.01 (at the time of writing), according to CMC, showing a slight increase of 0.22% over the last 24 hours. Market Cap: The market capitalization has similarly risen marginally by 0.23%, now at approximately $48.7 billion. Trading Volume: Trading volume has seen a significant rise of 75.68%, amounting to around $1.97 billion. Today's Price Range: BNB's price moved between a low of $301.42 and a high of $332.75.
Ethereum Strikes Back: A 9% Surge Sparks Market Optimism
Ethereum's Resurgence Amidst Crypto Competition Ethereum, often seen as playing catch-up with Solana and other altcoins, has recently made a significant leap, igniting discussions about its potential for a major market move. An 8.9% increase in Ether's value over the past 24 hours has brought a wave of optimism among traders and investors, marking a notable shift in the cryptocurrency landscape. The Rivalry: Ethereum vs.
Bitcoin Advocate Javier Milei Wins Argentina's Presidential Election
Javier Milei Secures Over 55% of Votes in Run-off Presidential Election Bitcoin-friendly candidate Javier Milei has emerged victorious in Argentina's presidential run-off election, securing over 55% of the votes with nearly 99% counted, as per Bloomberg report. Milei's opponent, Sergio Massa, conceded the election, and Milei is set to assume office on December 10.
Atomic Wallet Seeks Dismissal of $100M Hack Lawsuit, Citing Lack of U.S. Ties
Estonia-Based Atomic Wallet Requests Dismissal of Class Action Suit The company behind Atomic Wallet (1), an Estonia-based firm, has filed a motion to dismiss a class action lawsuit seeking damages from a $100 million hack.
SafeMoon CEO's Bail Release Delayed as Feds Cite Flight Risk
Prosecutors Challenge SafeMoon CEO's Bail Release United States federal prosecutors have successfully delayed the bail release of SafeMoon CEO Braden John Karony, citing flight risk and potential danger to the community. The decision to challenge the release order was made after a Utah Magistrate judge allowed Karony out on a $500,000 bail.
PayPal Subpoenaed by SEC Over PYUSD Stablecoin
SEC Investigates PayPal's Stablecoin PayPal, the payment giant, has been served a subpoena by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in relation to its U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin, PYUSD. Subpoena Details The SEC's Enforcement division issued the subpoena on November 1, requesting specific documents from PayPal. PayPal stated that they are cooperating with the SEC's request.
BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF Advances: Listed on DTCC
Landmark Listing on DTCC BlackRock's much-anticipated iShares spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) has reached a significant milestone by being officially listed on the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC). This move hints at a strong possibility of obtaining approval from the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Nasdaq Beckons The iShares spot Bitcoin ETF, symbolized as IBTC, is poised for potential listing on the Nasdaq stock exchange.
JPEX Scandal Deepens: Masterminds Evade Capture, Interpol Called In
Hong Kong Police Launch International Hunt Hong Kong authorities are intensifying efforts to capture the masterminds behind the JPEX cryptocurrency exchange scandal, which is being described as one of the city's largest financial frauds. Despite 11 individuals having been detained for questioning, the leaders of JPEX remain elusive, prompting Hong Kong police to enlist the help of Interpol in their pursuit.
Nic Carter Reinforces Theory Linking NSA to the creation of Bitcoin
Resurfacing of the NSA Bitcoin Theory Bitcoin advocate Nic Carter has reaffirmed his belief in the theory suggesting that the United States National Security Agency (NSA) played a role in the creation of Bitcoin. This long-debated theory has resurfaced once again, gaining attention on social media. Decades-Old Speculation The theory that the NSA might have been involved in the development of Bitcoin is not new.
Philippines SEC Collaborates with US Counterpart and Asian Development Bank to Combat Crypto Fraud
The Philippine SEC, US SEC, and Asian Development Bank Join Forces to Fight Crypto-Related Crime The Philippines Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has partnered with its US counterpart and the Asian Development Bank in an effort to combat criminals using cryptocurrencies for fraudulent activities.
Nasdaq Files for Hashdex Nasdaq Ethereum ETF
Nasdaq's Latest ETF Filing: A Unique Blend of Spot Ether and Futures Contracts Nasdaq has submitted an application to the SEC for an Ethereum Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) offered by Hashdex, marking a groundbreaking approach in the cryptocurrency investment landscape. The Hashdex Nasdaq Ethereum ETF is set to include both spot ether holdings and futures contracts within its portfolio.
Telegram Launches TON Crypto Wallet, Fueling a 13% Surge in TON Token Price
Telegram's Long-Awaited Crypto Wallet Unveiled Telegram, the popular messaging app, has introduced its crypto wallet after nearly three years of anticipation. The announcement was made during the ongoing Token2049 event in Singapore. TON Blockchain Powers Telegram's Crypto Wallet Telegram's crypto wallet is built on the Open Network (TON) blockchain, and it is now accessible to the app's vast user base of 800 million people worldwide.
Rep. Tom Emmer Renews Push for Anti-CBDC Bill in Congress
Representative Tom Emmer Resurrects Legislation to Counter CBDCs On September 12, Representative Tom Emmer, along with 49 original co-sponsors, reintroduced the "CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act" in the United States House of Representatives. This move aims to safeguard the financial privacy of Americans by restricting the issuance of a central bank digital currency (CBDC), which Emmer characterizes as a potential surveillance tool.
Ripple CEO Advises Crypto Startups to Avoid Launching in the U.S
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse Critiques U.S. Crypto Ecosystem Brad Garlinghouse, the CEO of Ripple, has voiced his concerns about launching cryptocurrency startups in the United States, describing it as one of the least favorable places globally for such endeavors. His comments come amidst a legal battle between Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Binance.US Counters SEC’s Requests as 'Unreasonable' in Recent Filing
Binance.US Deems SEC's Demands 'Unduly Burdensome' In response to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) motion to compel and reply, Binance.US has characterized most of the SEC's requests as "unreasonable" and "unduly burdensome." This development follows a joint motion by both parties to file confidential information under seal.
LBRY Files Appeal Against SEC's Ruling, Reviving Its Fight
LBRY, the blockchain-based file-sharing and payment network, is shifting gears and preparing to challenge the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) ruling, which had initially appeared to mark the end of the platform. LBRY's About-Face LBRY, the blockchain-based file-sharing and payment network, is undergoing a notable reversal of its earlier decision.
Court Allows Class Lawsuit Against HelbizCoin Creators to Proceed
A US federal court has ruled in favor of investors in the HelbizCoin class-action lawsuit, allowing the case to proceed after nearly three years. The lawsuit alleges fraudulent behavior by Helbiz, its CEO Salvatore Palella, and partners, claiming that HelbizCoin was a rug pull and fraudulent pump-and-dump scheme. Lawsuit Overview Investors filed a class-action lawsuit against Helbiz, its CEO, and partners in 2020, with an amended complaint in March 2022.
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