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• Jun 6, 6:55 PM Crypto Briefing

  Franklin Templeton plans to introduce altcoin fund with staking rewards

  Asset management giant Franklin Templeton is exploring the launch of a new private fund aimed at institutional investors, focusing on alternative cryptocurrencies (altcoins) and staking rewards. This potential expansion follows Franklin Templeton's established ventures in cryptocurrency, which include a spot Bitcoin ETF and an upcoming Ether ETF with SEC approval pending. Additionally, the firm recently enabled investments via USD Coin on its Benji Investments platform, further integrating crypto solutions into its offerings.

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• Jun 6, 6:30 PM Crypto Briefing

  Kraken plans to raise over $100M before potential IPO

  Kraken, a major crypto exchange, is seeking to raise over $100 million in pre-IPO funding amid growing interest in the crypto market and potential regulatory relaxations in the US. The exchange aims to bolster its mission of promoting global crypto adoption and is eyeing an initial public offering as early as next year, contingent on strategic board appointments and successful fundraising. This move follows Kraken's previous regulatory challenges and a recent positive shift in US regulatory attitudes towards crypto.

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• Jun 6, 5:46 PM Crypto Briefing

  ECB rate cut prompts potential rise in Bitcoin and Eurozone stablecoins

  The European Central Bank (ECB) has reduced interest rates to 3.75%, marking its first cut in five years. This decision, said to stimulate economic growth amidst slowdown signals in the Eurozone, could increase crypto demand as investors look for higher yields. Crypto experts believe lower rates will make high-risk assets like crypto more appealing, potentially boosting Bitcoin and influencing the stablecoin sector significantly, especially with upcoming MiCA regulations.

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• Jun 6, 2:24 PM Crypto Briefing

  Binance resumes card payments for crypto purchases amid regulatory challenges

  Binance has reinstated the ability for customers to buy crypto using Visa and Mastercard, with limits up to 5,000 euros for EUR transactions and $20,000 for USD transactions. This move follows a period where these services were suspended due to regulatory pressure, including the closure of Binance's Visa debit card in the EEA and severed partnerships with payment processors. Despite facing lawsuits from US regulatory bodies like the SEC and CFTC, Binance is continuing to provide convenient purchasing options on its platform.

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• Jun 6, 11:53 AM Crypto Briefing

  Robinhood announces $200 million acquisition of Bitstamp to boost global presence

  Robinhood Markets has confirmed its acquisition of Bitstamp, a prominent UK-based crypto exchange, for approximately $200 million, marking its largest purchase yet. This strategic move is aimed at transforming Robinhood into a comprehensive financial services entity, enhancing its competitive edge against major rivals like Coinbase and Binance. The acquisition, set to finalize in the first half of 2025, intends to expand Robinhood's footprint in the EU and globally, despite facing regulatory hurdles in the US.

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• Jun 6, 11:13 AM Crypto Briefing

  Hong Kong SFC chief comments on Bitcoin’s resilience and new crypto licensing laws

  Julia Leung, the chief executive of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), has recognized Bitcoin's resilience as an alternative asset with significant staying power, despite the skepticism about its intrinsic value. In the backdrop of Hong Kong launching a licensing framework for crypto trading platforms, Leung also highlighted the strict regulations that some argue deter global exchange participation and impact investor confidence negatively. Additionally, the SFC's efforts extend to regulating stablecoins and advancing the Web3 ecosystem while maintaining investor safeguards.

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• Jun 6, 3:00 AM Bitcoinist

  Binance seeks to dismiss major parts of a $13 billion UK lawsuit

  Binance has requested the UK's Competition Appeal Tribunal to dismiss significant segments of a $12.8 billion lawsuit alleging that the crypto exchange and others engaged in anti-competitive practices by delisting Bitcoin Satoshi Vision (BSV). This legal action was prompted by claims that these actions significantly undermined BSV's market value and potential, with Binance challenging the claims related to BSV's prospective status as a leading cryptocurrency.

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• Jun 5, 9:25 PM Crypto Briefing

  VanEck predicts Ethereum to hit $154,000 by 2030 amid growing AI and financial uses

  Asset manager VanEck forecasts that Ethereum will reach $154,000 by 2030, a significant surge attributed to its potential in generating $66 billion in free cashflows, and its pivotal role in the stablecoin market where it has already settled transactions worth $4 trillion. The report highlights Ethereum's substantial economic footprint, comparing its revenue generation favorably against major Web2 platforms like Etsy and Twitch, and emphasizes its growing importance in the artificial intelligence sector, which will further enhance its value.

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• Jun 5, 8:24 PM Crypto Briefing

  Nansen analyst links US employment data to potential crypto tailwind

  The latest US ADP National Employment Report showed a weaker-than-expected job growth, projecting a slower economic expansion and possible rate cuts, per Nansen's Aurelie Barthere. This scenario could potentially fuel a positive momentum for crypto markets, particularly as other economic indicators like retail sales and Q1 GDP also depict a moderating growth pace. Additionally, developments such as the approval of a spot Ethereum ETF and the forthcoming European Parliament elections may further influence the crypto landscape, creating a favorable environment for altcoins and possibly inciting a "meme coin summer."

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• Jun 5, 7:46 PM Bankless

  Coinbase introduces smart wallets to enhance user experience

  Coinbase has launched a new smart wallet designed to simplify the user experience by enabling gasless transactions across multiple networks such as Ethereum and BNB. The wallet features user-friendly account creation via methods like Face ID and allows balance integration from both self-custodial wallets and Coinbase accounts to prevent insufficient funds issues.

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• Jun 5, 5:37 PM Crypto Briefing

  SEC chairman Gensler discusses concerns over crypto ETFs on CNBC

  SEC Chairman Gary Gensler expressed reservations about approving new crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on CNBC's Squawk on the Street, citing inadequate disclosures and regulatory non-compliance by crypto exchanges. He emphasized the need for proper investor disclosures and regulatory oversight to prevent fraud and market manipulation, referencing challenges including the legal troubles of industry figures like Do Kwon. His comments highlight ongoing concerns about crypto market practices in the US.

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• Jun 5, 5:22 PM CoinDesk

  JPMorgan highlights Bitcoin miners with good power deals as top M&A targets

  JPMorgan identifies Bitcoin mining companies with favorable power contracts as likely acquisition targets, particularly as hyperscalers and AI firms increase their stakes in the sector. The involvement of these firms is set to raise valuations and consolidate the industry, following key deals like CoreWeave's acquisition of Core Scientific and Riot Platforms' offer for Bitfarms. The report emphasizes that such mergers could enhance efficiency and profitability in Bitcoin mining operations by reallocating power resources.

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• Jun 4, 2:46 PM Crypto Briefing

  Polygon Labs acquires Toposware to boost zero-knowledge tech

  Polygon Labs has acquired blockchain firm Toposware to enhance its zero-knowledge (ZK) capabilities within the Web3 space. This marks the third major ZK-related acquisition by Polygon Labs, following Hermez and Mir in 2021. The integration of Toposware's expertise will support the development of Polygon’s zkEVM prover and the AggLayer, aiming to unify and secure multiple layer-1 blockchains. Despite this strategic expansion, Polygon's token MATIC continues to underperform in the market compared to its competitors.

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• Jun 3, 6:30 PM Decrypt

  Coinbase contributes $25 million to political action committee Fairshake

  Coinbase, a leading US crypto exchange, has donated $25 million to Fairshake, a political action committee, boosting its contributions this election cycle to $160 million. This funding aims to support pro-crypto candidates and influence the 2024 US elections amidst heightened political focus on crypto regulations. This move follows significant political developments, including new regulatory frameworks and tensions within the Democratic party over crypto policy. Coinbase CEO, Brian Armstrong, emphasized the need for bipartisan support for crypto in politics.

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• Jun 3, 1:25 PM Crypto Briefing

  Crypto funds see record $15 billion in 2024 with strong Bitcoin and Ethereum inflows

  In 2024, crypto funds achieved a new milestone with total inflows hitting $15 billion, bolstered by significant contributions in May and a robust week that saw $185 million enter the market. Bitcoin led the charge with $148 million in inflows, showcasing continued confidence among investors, while Ethereum reversed a previous downtrend with substantial inflows, partly due to SEC approval for a spot-based ETF. Despite these positive movements in crypto, trading volumes decreased, and blockchain equities experienced notable outflows.

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