Latest

• Jul 7, 8:59 PM The Block

  Celo initiates Dango Layer 2 testnet to integrate with Ethereum ecosystem

  Celo has launched the Dango Layer 2 testnet, utilizing Optimism’s OP Stack, marking its initial move to transform from a standalone Layer 1 network to an integral part of the Ethereum ecosystem. This development aims for enhanced transaction efficiency and simpler token bridging between Ethereum and Celo, with plans for a mainnet release in early winter 2024.

  Expand

  

• Jul 7, 6:44 PM Cryptoslate

  Tron unveils gas-free stablecoin solution for Ethereum and Tron chains

  Justin Sun, founder of Tron, has announced plans to launch a gasless stablecoin transfer feature by the fourth quarter of 2024. This initiative, set to first roll out on the Tron network before expanding to Ethereum and other EVM-compatible networks, aims to eliminate gas fees charged on stablecoin transactions. By covering fees within the stablecoins themselves, Trali stands a testing point in defining peer-to-peer stablecoin operations. The feature targets enhancing the usability of stablecoins and fostering broader adoption across large companies. Tron's recent rise in stablecoin metrics positions it as a significant player against competitors like PayPal’s PYUSD and Circle's USDC.

  Expand

  

• Jul 7, 11:17 AM DeFi Llama News

  North Carolina Governor vetoes bill against federal CBDCs

  North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper vetoed a legislative bill that sought to prevent the implementation of any central bank digital currency (CBDC) by the US Federal Reserve in the state. The bill had previously garnered significant support in North Carolina's General Assembly. Governor Cooper criticized the bill as premature and unclear, suggesting the state should await federal guidelines on CBDCs. Additionally, national discussions continue with the US House recently voting to restrict the creation of a CBDC without explicit Congressional approval.

  Expand

  

• Jul 7, 7:40 AM DeFi Llama News

  Tangem and Visa introduce a crypto payment card with built-in hardware wallet

  Tangem has collaborated with Visa to launch a Visa payment card that integrates a self-custodial hardware wallet, enabling users to directly utilize their crypto and stablecoin balances at merchants accepting Visa. This initiative offers a dual benefit: conventional payment card ease and full control of one's digital assets through a self-contained crypto wallet. This technology, available across Europe, allows users to manage private keys via a secure, user-held card, enhancing security and merging the features of traditional banking with digital asset convenience.

  Expand

  

• Jul 6, 5:27 AM Cointelegraph

  Bitfinex to issue refunds for failed El Salvador Hilton hotel project

  Bitfinex Securities will refund investors after failing to meet the $500,000 minimum funding goal for its Hilton hotel project at El Salvador’s international airport. The project, El Salvador's first public offering of digital debt assets, only raised $342,000, falling short of the intended $6.25 million target. The funds were to finance a 4,500 square foot Hampton by Hilton hotel. Investors had been offered a 10% coupon over a five-year term for their investment in the "HILSV" token on the Bitcoin Liquid Network.

  Expand

  

• Jul 5, 10:00 PM Cryptoslate

  Bitcoin could surge with potential Trump presidential win: FT

  The possibility of Donald Trump's re-election is creating optimism among crypto traders, expecting a surge in Bitcoin's value due to Trump's favorable stance on crypto. Recent market volatility has been linked to regulatory actions and miner sales, but predictions suggest that Bitcoin could reach $100,000 should Trump secure a victory. This anticipation is compounded by the broader market implications of Trump's economic policies, which might lead to increased inflation and higher Treasury yields, presenting Bitcoin as a viable hedge against potential fiscal instability.

  Expand

  

• Jul 5, 8:52 PM The Block

  US House set for vote on overturning President Biden's veto of SAB 121 next week

  Next week, the US House will conduct a vote to potentially overturn President Joe Biden's veto of Staff Accounting Bulletin 121 (SAB 121), which mandates that firms holding cryptocurrencies for customers list these assets as liabilities. The previous House vote passed the measure, and a two-thirds majority in both houses is required to override the veto. Though challenging, supporters of the override believe success is possible given the bipartisan support observed in related crypto legislation.

  Expand

  

• Jul 5, 8:15 PM Crypto Briefing

  Mt. Gox Bitcoin movements trigger record liquidation levels

  The recent transfer of Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash by Mt. Gox to a new wallet led to a drastic 6% drop in Bitcoin's price, causing over $1 billion in market liquidations, the highest since the FTX debacle. Despite a partial price recovery, ongoing investor fears and external pressures from US inflation concerns continue to influence market volatility. This incident underscores the market's sensitivity to major creditor payouts and regulatory remarks.

  Expand

  

• Jul 5, 6:30 PM Cointelegraph

  UK High Court freezes Craig Wright's assets after libel lawsuit loss

  The UK High Court issued a World Freezing Order on Craig Wright's assets to aid Peter McCormack in recovering approximately £1.5 million in legal fees after a lawsuit. Wright, who claimed to be Satoshi Nakamoto, the elusive founder of Bitcoin, lost the intellectual property case where evidence by the Crypto Open Patent-Disease Research Alliance (COPA) played a crucial role in disproving his claims. This decision not only impacts Wright's claims but also the broader Bitcoin ecosystem.

  Expand

  

• Jul 5, 4:09 PM CoinDesk

  Crypto fear & Greed index hits new low as Bitcoin drops below $54,000

  The Crypto Fear & Greed Index fell to 29, indicating extreme market fear, as Bitcoin's price slipped below $54,000. This sentiment reflects the most negative investor outlook since early January 2023, during the aftermath of the 2022 crypto winter, when Bitcoin was valued around $17,000. Key factors driving this downturn include significant selling by governments holding seized Bitcoin and preemptive market actions related to the Mt. Gox estate's payouts. With substantial assets still held by these bodies, continued pressure on crypto prices is expected.

  Expand

  

• Jul 5, 1:50 PM Crypto Briefing

  SlowMist reports a 50% increase in crypto security incidents in H1 2024

  In the first half of 2024, the crypto industry experienced a significant rise in security incidents, with a 50% increase from the previous year, resulting in losses worth $1.43 billion. SlowMist's report indicates that DeFi protocols were predominantly targeted, involving sophisticated attacks and substantial financial implications, particularly with Ethereum recording the highest losses. The landscape faced evolving threats, including new money laundering techniques and regulatory measures across various regions, further complicating the ecosystem's security challenges.

  Expand

  

• Jul 5, 6:45 AM Crypto Briefing

  Mt. Gox starts repayments in Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash

  Mt. Gox, once the leading crypto exchange, has begun repaying its creditors with Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash after almost a decade. The Tokyo-based exchange, known for handling over 70% of global Bitcoin transactions at its peak, faced significant security issues leading to its collapse in 2014 with a loss of nearly 744,408 Bitcoins. This repayment initiative follows the recent closure of a lengthy bankruptcy process.

  Expand

  

• Jul 4, 9:45 PM Cryptoslate

  German MP criticizes government's Bitcoin sales, warns of market impact

  Joana Cotar, a Bundestag member, has criticized the German government for selling a substantial portion of its Bitcoin holdings, recently transferring over $195 million worth of Bitcoin to exchanges like Coinbase, Kraken, and Bitstamp. She warned that these large-scale liquidations could destabilize the crypto market and negatively impact Bitcoin's value. Cotar's comments come amidst debates on Bitcoin's role as a strategic reserve currency in the US and precede a lecture on national Bitcoin strategies, aiming to discuss its potential in strengthening economies through innovative financial instruments like Bitcoin-backed bonds.

  Expand

  

• Jul 4, 6:15 PM Crypto Briefing

  Bitcoin's EMA 200 dip triggers mixed analyst views on potential rebound

  Bitcoin briefly fell below its important 200-day exponential moving average (EMA 200), stirring varied reactions among crypto analysts. Altcoin Sherpa minimized the dip's impact, suggesting it might be a buying opportunity despite expecting volatility and uncertainty about finding the bottom price. Conversely, Michaël van de Poppe and Rekt Capital observed potential further declines, with Bitcoin possibly reaching as low as $50,000. The recent 21% pullback in Bitcoin's price over 45 days aligns closely with historical retracement levels.

  Expand

  

• Jul 4, 2:11 PM Crypto Briefing

  SEC targets crypto venture capital firms in securities crackdown

  The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has intensified its regulatory efforts by investigating cryptocurrency venture capital firms for potentially operating as unregistered securities dealers. This move is part of a broader SEC crackdown under Gary Gensler's leadership, targeting major crypto exchanges and now expanding to include venture capitalists and DeFi applications. The firms are scrutinized for their promotional activities and discounted token deals, which may conflict with securities laws, marking a significant shift in the enforcement landscape for the crypto industry.

  Expand