Articles from CryptoCurrencyWire

French officials have started a formal judicial investigation into Binance over tax fraud, money laundering, and other financial offenses allegations.

Upstream published a blog today that discussed the powerful capabilities of its tools to unlock liquidity potential. “At Upstream, we’re committed to empowering issuers and investors with innovative tools that enhance market liquidity and create fair trading opportunities,” the blog reads. “One of these helpful tools, called Market Pools (‘MPs’), is our cutting-edge approach to automated liquidity management within Upstream’s blockchain-powered market. Market Pools support trading in stocks, other equities and real-world assets, so that investors may confidently buy or sell across a diverse range of assets that are listed on Upstream.”

After persistent efforts by the cryptocurrency sector, the SEC has officially revoked an accounting directive that had previously required banks to show digital assets as liabilities on their financial statements.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has won a partial victory in its lawsuit against Kraken. While California federal judge William Orrick dismissed some of Kraken’s primary arguments, the ruling has sparked discussions about its potential impact on other crypto exchanges facing similar legal scrutiny.

Ted Pick, the CEO of Morgan Stanley, said on Thursday during the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland, that the bank is gearing up to work with U.S. regulators to investigate prospects in the crypto space.

The 2024 United States elections have significantly impacted the cryptocurrency landscape, elevating its importance within the global financial sector.

President Donald Trump plans to leverage his executive authority to ease the regulatory challenges faced by crypto businesses and encourage wider adoption of digital assets during his first days of administration, according to three sources familiar with the matter.

Melania Trump has launched her own meme coin, mirroring her husband Donald Trump’s actions. This move has sparked discussions about potential conflicts of interest, especially as the incoming administration prepares to relax regulations surrounding digital assets.

WAGMI Miami, the flagship event for blockchain and Web3 innovators, is set to return to the James L. Knight Center on Jan. 21-24, 2025, coinciding with Miami Blockchain Week. Hosted by the North American Bitcoin Conference founders, WAGMI Miami draws visionaries, industry leaders and pioneers for a transformative experience featuring dynamic keynotes, engaging workshops and unparalleled networking opportunities. Short for “We’re All Gonna Make It,” the WAGMI event series stands as a symbol of optimism in the face of volatility of the crypto market and signals a belief in the industry’s potential.

Bitcoin (BTC) ATMs are becoming increasingly common globally—rising by 6 percent in 2024. This growth highlights the growing acceptance of crypto in mainstream finance. The machines simplify the process of buying and selling digital currencies, making crypto more accessible for everyday use.

Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration marks the beginning of his presidency, and with it, he has pledged significant changes to cryptocurrency regulations . However, the New York Digital Investment Group (NYDIG) suggests that such reforms might not happen immediately.

Bitcoin spot ETFs have significantly changed how investors perceive crypto investments since their debut on January 11 last year. The introduction of these funds not only expanded access to the market but also contributed to a dramatic surge in Bitcoin’s value, driving it to unprecedented levels as billions of dollars flowed into the funds. Let’s take a closer look at how they’ve impacted the market since their debut.

Recently released documents show that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) advised financial institutions to temporarily halt direct involvement in cryptocurrency activities but didn’t mandate the cessation of banking services to crypto firms, contrary to claims of nationwide “debanking” within the industry.

VanEck Senior Investment Analyst Patrick Bush and Head of Digital Asset Research Matthew Sigel have shared their top ten predictions for the 2025 cryptocurrency industry . Here’s an overview of their insights:

The cryptocurrency market experienced a groundbreaking year, with significant developments propelling its growth. In January, the launch of numerous spot Bitcoin ETFs marked the beginning of a rally, simplifying access for Bitcoin trading. By September, central bank rate cuts and other measures further supported the rally, creating favorable conditions for economic expansion.

The IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department have completed a comprehensive set of regulations targeting brokers involved in virtual asset transactions.

Upstream published a blog today that discussed how it is differentiating itself from traditional platforms and offering key benefits in the future of stock trading. “While conventional exchanges often rely on brokers, limited funding methods, and traditional trading hours, Upstream offers direct access to a peer-to-peer market with real-time trading, flexible funding methods including PayPal and USDC, and 20/7 trading availability,” the blog reads. ““Leveraging blockchain technology with investor-focused features, Upstream aims to usher in the next evolution of trading.”

Bitcoin has emerged as one of the highest-performing assets in recent history. Over the last decade, its value has skyrocketed by approximately 1,000 times, significantly outpacing traditional investments like real estate and stocks.

Crypto theft has reached an alarming $2.2 billion this year, with over half of that amount attributed to hackers from North Korea, according to a recent Chainanalysis report. Cybercriminals linked to North Korea were responsible for $1.3 billion worth of stolen digital assets across 47 separate incidents.

The Indian government recently revealed to the Lok Sabha (lower house of Parliament) that there is no set timeline for introducing comprehensive regulatory guidelines for digital assets. The statement follows questions from two Members of Parliament regarding the actions to establish a structured framework for regulating these assets and an expected timeline for implementing such policies.

IBN, a multifaceted communications organization, today announced release of the latest CryptoNewsAudio Production as part of its sustained effort to provide specialized content distribution via widespread syndication channels. The production features Tanya Solati, VP of Business Development at Propy Title Agency, a company working to revolutionize the real estate industry through innovative technology and blockchain transparency. During the interview, Solati shared Propy’s mission to streamline real estate transactions by eliminating middlemen, a significant differentiator she recently discussed during a panel alongside representatives from Google and Broadridge at Benzinga’s Future of Digital Assets event.

The crypto market is expected to reach a “medium-term peak” at the start of 2025, according to VanEck’s projection, and then soar to all-time highs by year-end. Bitcoin may hit $180,000 at the current cycle’s peak, while Ethereum may surpass $6,000, according to a blog post published on December 13 by Matthew Sigel, VanEck’s head of digital asset research.

Silicon Valley contributed a staggering $394.1 million to the 2024 U.S. presidential election, based on Federal Election Commission (FEC) data analysis. Much of this came from Elon Musk, who reportedly donated $243 million to Trump’s campaign.

Donald Trump recently announced his intention to nominate crypto supporter Paul Atkins as the SEC chair, causing Bitcoin’s value to surge beyond $100,000 and sparking celebration among crypto enthusiasts.

Bitcoin surpassed the historical $100,000 on Thursday, marking a significant milestone that even skeptics recognize as a pivotal moment for digital assets. The surge reflects growing confidence in cryptocurrencies, buoyed by the prospect of a favorable regulatory environment under the incoming U.S. administration.

Upstream published a blog today that discussed accessibility and security as paramount in today’s digital economy for investors managing their portfolios. “Upstream, a MERJ Exchange market and stock trading app, leverages Signing Key technology to give investors complete control over their assets right from the palm of their hands,” the blog reads.

The Bitcoin price is nearing a historic $100,000, propelled by a remarkable rally following the U.S. elections. This has sparked interest in identifying promising investment opportunities in the crypto space for 2025. According to Mark Plamer, an analyst at Benchmark, Galaxy Digital and MicroStrategy Inc. (NASDAQMSTR) are two long-standing favorites among cryptocurrency fans.

Bitcoin’s recent surge beyond $90,000 and its approach toward the $100,000 mark has sparked widespread attention. Unfortunately, this rising interest also draws the attention of cybercriminals who see an opportunity to exploit the excitement of crypto investments.

New York’s financial regulatory authority is reportedly close to approving a new stablecoin from Ripple. According to sources familiar with the matter, the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) has indicated that Ripple’s stablecoin, RLUSD, is on track for approval, with a potential launch date set for December 4.

IBN today recapped Benzinga’s Future of Digital Assets conference, which recently took the spotlight at New York City’s Convene 225. This year’s event brought together global thought leaders, industry luminaries and institutional giants to explore blockchain technology’s transformative potential. The conference showcased the rapidly evolving ecosystem and drew more than 1,000 capital market leaders to engage in comprehensive discussions on the future of finance. Featured speakers included representatives from industry giants such as BlackRock, Google, Moody’s, and Coinbase, as well as influential figures like Anthony Pompliano, Jan van Eck, Grant Cardone, Mario Nawfal, Raoul Pal, Dan Morehead, Maja Vujinovic, and Dan Tapiero.

The 6th edition of Crypto Fest returned on 11 October 2024, held at the iconic DHL Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa. The event brought together a vibrant mix of 403 attendees, 29 industry-leading speakers, and representatives from 16 countries, making it one of the most anticipated gatherings in the crypto and blockchain space.

Gary Gensler’s tenure as the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) chair is drawing to a turbulent and unexpected close. His time was marked by numerous battles with the cryptocurrency industry as the SEC pursued a flurry of enforcement actions and lawsuits against U.S.-based companies.

Trump Media, known for operating the Truth Social app, is reportedly in advanced discussions to acquire Bakkt, a crypto trading firm, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Over the recent election, crypto-focused political action committees (PACs) invested approximately $131 million in congressional races to secure a government more favorable to digital assets and blockchain technology. Prominent industry billionaires also spent considerable sums supporting efforts to have Donald Trump re-elected.

A hacker tied to one of the biggest crypto thefts in history has been given a five-year sentence in a United States jail for money laundering. Ilya Lichtenstein admitted his guilt last year in a case involving the 2016 hacking of the Bitfinex exchange which resulted in the theft of almost 120,000 bitcoins.

In recent years, cryptocurrency has captured the imagination of investors, who have embraced it as a revolutionary asset class offering high-growth potential. With Bitcoin and other digital currencies reaching new heights, many investors have turned to the crypto market as their hedge against inflation, government intervention and traditional assets. But there’s a time-tested asset that deserves more attention and has also been reaching all-time highs this year: gold.

Bitcoin reached new peaks on Monday, November 11, as the crypto surge continued in the wake of Donald Trump’s recent election victory. Coin Metrics data showed Bitcoin rising over 12% to about $89,174 following an earlier climb to a fresh high of $89,623.

InvestorBrandNetwork (“IBN”) and CryptoCurrencyWire (“CCW”), two of the 60+ brands under IBN, today announced their engagement as official media partners for the upcoming Future of Digital Assets ’24 Conference . Organized by Benzinga, the event is slated to be held at Convene Brookfield Place in New York City on Nov. 19, 2024. The exclusive one-day conference for digital asset and traditional finance thought leaders offers exceptional networking opportunities and in-depth discussions on the future of finance. Attendees will glean insight on groundbreaking investment opportunities, engage with over 1,000 capital market leaders, and experience the latest advancements in alternative asset classes.

Bitcoin (BTC) surged to a record high on Wednesday, November 6, with the broader crypto market and crypto-related stocks enjoying a strong rally as investor confidence grew after Donald Trump’s presidential election victory.

A growing number of investors are putting money into Bitcoin-tracking funds in anticipation of former President Donald Trump’s possible comeback to the presidency. They are optimistic about the cryptocurrency’s future, despite expecting some turbulence in Bitcoin prices during election week.

M2 Exchange, a crypto exchange based in the United Arab Emirates, recently underwent a security breach involving $13.7 million . The exchange reported that it had acted promptly to resolve the issue, ensuring customer funds were restored and normal operations resumed with heightened security measures implemented.

Blockchain Africa Conference 2024 is slated to take place at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria (Tshwane) on Nov. 20, 2024. The event, marking the 10th edition and organized by Bitcoin Events, will unite blockchain developers, influencers, investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders from around the world. Designed to foster collaboration and provide insights into Africa’s dynamic and rapidly evolving blockchain and crypto ecosystem, the conference offers a platform for networking and knowledge sharing, bringing together local and international experts to discuss the most significant trends. Among the many highlights, the event will feature engaging keynote speakers, panel sessions with industry giants, and a fireside chat entitled, “OGs Unplugged – Insights from Crypto and Blockchain Trailblazers, 10 Years Later.”

The U.S. federal government is reportedly investigating Tether, a major stablecoin provider, according to an October 25 report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) , which cites sources close to the issue.

The Benzinga Future of Digital Assets and Fintech Deal Day conference is merging into a single event, uniting nearly 1,000 founders, operators, and investors at the forefront of financial technology. Amid rising regulatory scrutiny and the industry’s push for innovation, lower costs, and reduced friction, this event provides timely insights into the challenges and opportunities shaping the next era of capital markets.

Indonesia’s cryptocurrency market has seen a significant influx of young investors, with recent figures from the nation’s Commodity Futures Trading Regulatory Agency—Bappebti—revealing that over 60% of crypto investors are between 18 and 30.

Amidst the ups and downs of the cryptocurrency world, Riot Platforms Inc. (NASDAQRIOT) is quickly carving out a significant place for itself in Bitcoin mining. As the largest Bitcoin mining company in North America, Riot is making strategic moves to expand its operations, and many are hopeful for what lies ahead. Even though the crypto market is facing uncertainty, the mining company appears well-prepared for growth.

Elon Musk’s evolving connection with cryptocurrency has taken yet another twist. According to blockchain analytics company Arkham Intelligence, Tesla moved Bitcoin (BTC) worth over $765 million to unidentified wallets.

Utah Republican Congressman John Curtis has emerged as a top contender for the Senate seat being vacated by Mitt Romney, with significant backing from the cryptocurrency industry. Curtis, who previously worked in telecommunications, has taken an unconventional path to becoming a favorite of crypto advocates.

Upstream, a MERJ Exchange market and trading app, published a blog today that discussed integration of USDC into Brazil and Mexico’s banking systems, streamlining accessibility to exchange Brazilian reais and Mexican pesos for USD-pegged stablecoin through local financial institutions. The move makes it quicker and more cost-effective for investors to use USDC for various financial transactions, including funding accounts on Upstream’s stock trading app, which accepts USDC to deposit, buy and sell listed U.S. and international equities.

The number of Bitcoin (BTC) addresses showing a profit has seen a major jump following Bitcoin’s recent price gain, which pushed it above $65,000. According to IntoTheBlock’s data , more than 50.67 million BTC addresses bought the digital currency for less than $65,500, representing around 94% of all Bitcoin holders.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently filed fraud charges against nine people and three market makers for their roles in manipulating the trading of several cryptocurrency assets offered to retail investors as securities. It is alleged that the defendants planned fictitious trading activities to trick investors into believing there was real interest in the assets. The SEC said that by giving the impression of a working market, these efforts broke securities rules and harmed ordinary investors.

Bitcoin (BTC) has seen little movement over the past few months. After a strong start to 2024, it has largely leveled off, trading between $56,000 and $62,000 since July. This stability contrasts sharply with the first half of the year, when the cryptocurrency jumped by 45%, largely fueled by U.S. spot ETFs.

Southeast Asian criminal organizations are increasingly using Telegram to facilitate global online scams, defrauding billions from unsuspecting victims, according to a new UN Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report. The syndicates, many of which operate on an international scale, primarily rely on cryptocurrency for their illegal activities, particularly Tether’s stablecoin USDT. The report also highlights deepfake technology as another major technological development that has been aiding criminal networks.

LQWD Technologies (TSX.V: LQWD) (OTCQB: LQWDF), a leading provider of enterprise-grade transaction infrastructure for the Bitcoin Lightning Network, has closed the first tranche of its nonbrokered private placement. According to the announcement, under the fully subscribed first tranche of the placement, LQWD issued 3,200,000 units at $0.70 per unit to raise gross proceeds of $2,240,000. Each unit was comprised of one common share of the company and one common share purchase warrant and is subject to a four-month hold before becoming free trading. A second and final tranche of the placement remains open. That tranche includes up to an additional 1.5 million units at a price of $0.65 per unit. The company anticipates using funds from the private placement for continued expansion, including purchasing Bitcoin and expanding the developer team.

Credbull, a leading DeFi platform offering structured high fixed yield solutions in private credit for small-to-medium-sized enterprises, is featured in the latest episode of the CryptoNewsAudio Production , a part of IBN ’s sustained effort to provide specialized content distribution via widespread syndication channels. Jason Dehni, Co-Founder and CEO of Credbull, joins IBN’s Jonathan Keim to discuss the significant growth and maturity of the DeFi sector in recent years; the company’s focus on real-world assets and its ability to provide stable, non-correlated, high-risk adjusted fixed yields; and the advantages Credbull unlocks compared to both traditional finance options and yield-generating DeFi offerings.

Bitcoin Events, a crypto-focused event producer, has released agenda information regarding its upcoming Crypto Fest 2024 conference. The conference is slated for Oct. 10–12, 2024, in Cape Town, South Africa. The three-day event will feature two networking days (Day One and Two) with a main event scheduled for Day Two. One of the most anticipated South African Web3 events of the year, the gathering will focus on Bitcoin adoption, crypto payments and the growing regulatory landscape across Africa, helping conference attendees better understand both the benefits and challenges of the world of using cryptocurrency for payments. The agenda will features keynote addresses, panels and workshops presented by industry experts and professionals, providing deep insight into how Bitcoin is set to be a game changer for Africa, one of the fastest-growing regions for cryptocurrency adoption.

Cryptocurrency exchange Gemini is preparing to shut down all customer accounts in Canada by the close of 2024. In an email sent to its Canadian users on Sept. 30, 2024, the exchange notified customers that accounts would be terminated on Dec. 31, 2024. Users have been given a 90-day window to withdraw their assets.

China’s former finance vice minister, Zhu Guangya, has urged the country to keep studying cryptocurrencies as the United States adopts a more favorable stance toward digital assets. Speaking at this year’s Tsinghua PBOC Chief Economists Forum, Zhu emphasized the importance of understanding the global development of cryptocurrencies, even in light of the risks and challenges associated with them.

The United States government recently sanctioned a pair of crypto exchanges and unveiled an indictment of a Russian individual, charging him with managing many money laundering operations for hackers. The two exchanges, PM2BTC and Cryptex, are alleged to have helped launder cryptocurrency potentially tied to cybercrime activities.

Changpeng Zhao was formerly thought to be the richest inmate in the nation, with Forbes pegging his net worth at an astounding $61.6 billion. He spent four months in a low-security California prison after admitting that Binance, the cryptocurrency exchange he founded, did not comply with Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations, a breach of the Bank Secrecy Act.

WAGMI Miami, the flagship event for blockchain and Web3 innovators, today announced LIF3.com, a complete, omni-channel DeFi ecosystem and a leader in decentralized finance, as a Platinum Sponsor for the upcoming conference scheduled for January 21-24, 2025. The partnership is expected to play a crucial role in helping support the advancement of decentralized finance’s future through innovation and collaboration. The announcement noted that with LIFE.com now onboard as a sponsor, the 2025 WAGMI Miami event is poised to be the most impactful and exciting edition yet.

A recent remark from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) could influence people’s perceptions of XRP, the digital currency associated with Ripple.

The 6th Annual Blockchain Futurist Conference, Canada’s largest and most high-profile Web3, blockchain and cryptocurrency event, was held in mid-August at the Revel Entertainment Complex and Cabana Pool Bar in Toronto. A recap of the event noted that this was by far the biggest year ever for the event series. More than 8,000 people attended, while 250+ distinguished speakers, 130+ media, 80+ community partners, 15+ sub-events at the venue, and more than 75 sub-events across Toronto as part of Canada Crypto Week helped make the event a success. The event featured numerous engaging events and activations throughout.

Upstream, a MERJ Exchange market and trading app, today hosted the latest episode of “Upstream Up Close” on Twitter (X) Spaces. In a blog post discussing the episode, Upstream’s Anastasia Samaras stated that while other traditional exchanges have begun exploring blockchain solutions, they have used more cautious approaches. Samaras listed several factors that may hinder the full-scale adoption of blockchain technology, including regulation, complexity, and disruption. For its part, Upstream is the only stock market built on blockchain technology offering investors direct access to U.S. and international equities.

The crypto industry has been actively involved in political donations, aiming to influence the upcoming U.S. elections in November, hoping for more favorable legislative outcomes.

On Thursday, U.S.-listed cryptocurrency stocks saw a notable rise, driven by a half-percentage point interest rate decrease that encouraged investors to take on more risk. This move added to the industry’s positive momentum, which has already experienced some significant victories this year.

Donald Trump recently revealed his family’s new crypto business, World Liberty Financial, during a live interview on X. While the Republican presidential candidate didn’t dive deep into the details, he did address an incident that occurred the previous day, which seemed to be an assassination attempt.

Retail trading company eToro has halted the majority of its crypto offerings in the United States as part of a settlement with the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission. This decision comes after the SEC raised concerns over eToro’s compliance with securities laws.

In 2023, crypto scams resulted in a staggering $5.6 billion in losses for people across the United States, with older adults bearing the brunt of these frauds, according to an FBI report. The report, released last week, highlighted that more than 69,000 individuals reported falling victim to scams involving digital currencies, often facilitated through easily accessible cryptocurrency ATMs.

Upstream, a MERJ Exchange market and trading app, was recently featured in Security Token Magazine. Written by Brian Collins, Horizon CEO and Upstream Co-Creator, the article noted that Upstream aims to ensure that everyone, from seasoned traders to newcomers, can participate in an equal opportunity trading ecosystem driven by blockchain technology. With blockchain, traders using Upstream can enjoy no market manipulations such as short selling, no traditional middlemen, and no payment for order flow (“PFOF”).

For years, the U.S. financial markets have thrived as some of the most innovative globally, due in part to balanced and clear legal systems. These include regulations for capital markets, enforced by bodies such as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Upstream, a MERJ Exchange market and trading app, published a blog article today that discussed U.S. policy and how it potentially impacts global blockchain adoption. The article highlighted that uncertainty surrounding regulatory frameworks affects innovation, deters retail and institutional adoption, and creates a state of limbo for innovators and businesses alike. It further discussed countries like Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, Canada, and South Korea that have taken proactive steps to advance blockchain technology through policies, regulations, and initiatives.

Crypto exchange Binance has reportedly come under fire for allegedly freezing crypto from Palestinians at the behest of Israeli authorities. On Aug. 26, 2024, Ray Youssef, CEO of the Noones P2P network and cofounder of Paxful, stated on X (formerly Twitter) that Binance had frozen Palestinian funds after receiving a request from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

Donald Trump has made a bold pledge to position the United States as the leading hub for cryptocurrency if he is re-elected president. While this commitment could significantly benefit the country’s crypto landscape, it may also yield personal financial gains for Trump himself.

Verida, a pioneering decentralized data network and self-custody wallet that empowers users with control over their digital identity and data, is featured in the latest CryptoNewsAudio Production . During the interview with IBN ’s Jonathan Keim, Chris Were, Co-Founder and CEO of Verida, discusses his background and introduces Verida and its mission. Were also discusses how decentralized physical infrastructure networks (“DePINs”) are impacting everyday technology users and disrupting the status quo.