Author: Max Bauer

Brad Garlinghouse, the CEO of Ripple Labs, has expressed his belief that the approval of an exchange-traded fund (ETF) for XRP is “inevitable.” This comes after years of legal battles with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over the classification of XRP as a security. Garlinghouse pointed to the recent success of Bitcoin ETFs, which have seen significant inflows of capital, as evidence of the growing institutional demand for cryptocurrencies. He said that the approval of Bitcoin ETFs has paved the way for other digital assets, including XRP, to gain exposure through ETFs. In recent weeks, Bitwise Asset Management…

The Federal Reserve’s Beige Book, a survey of economic conditions across the United States, paints a mixed picture of the economy, showing that while most regions have experienced little change in economic activity since early September, there are signs of both resilience and challenges. One positive sign is that inflation continues to be mild. While most districts reported slight or moderate increases in sales prices, the overall trend is for inflation to remain relatively tame. Despite lingering uncertainty, respondents to the survey expressed a slightly more optimistic outlook for the long term. This suggests that while the economy may face…

Leading cryptocurrency analysis firm QCP Capital reports that Bitcoin’s recent surge toward $69,000 reflects growing market confidence in a potential Trump presidency, with just two weeks until the U.S. elections. There Are Numerous Factors That Could Affect Bitcoin Price In The Next Few Weeks According to QCP Capital’s latest market analysis, Trump has extended his lead over Kamala Harris in betting markets, with key swing states showing Republican advantages. Markets are adjusting to this political shift, with discussions of increased tariffs and tax reductions driving up both the U.S. dollar and bond yields. The cryptocurrency market has shown significant strength,…

A Nigerian court has ordered the release of Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan after the government withdrew money laundering charges against him, allowing him to seek medical treatment abroad. US and Binance Officials Were Pushing for Gambaryan’s Release The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) dropped its case against Gambaryan, who had been detained at Kuje prison since February. The U.S. citizen, who serves as Binance’s head of financial crime compliance, had been charged alongside the cryptocurrency exchange for allegedly laundering over $35 million. “We have withdrawn the money laundering charges against Tigran Gambaryan to allow him to get medical treatment…

The Vietnamese government has unveiled an ambitious national strategy to establish itself as a leading blockchain technology hub in Asia by 2030, outlined in Decision No. 1236/QD-TTg signed by Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc. The comprehensive strategy identifies blockchain as a key technological driver of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and aims to develop 20 regionally influential blockchain brands. The plan emphasizes building advanced digital infrastructure and enhancing data security across the nation. Key objectives include establishing at least three blockchain testing centers in major cities and positioning Vietnamese institutions among Asia’s top 10 blockchain research and training facilities. To achieve…

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has staunchly defended its stringent approach to cryptocurrency regulation, amid growing industry criticism over what some see as excessive barriers to entry. Val Smith, director of payments and digital assets at the FCA’s authorized department, argued that maintaining high regulatory standards is essential for protecting consumers and preserving market integrity. “Innovation that is quickly built on unsafe, unregulated, and untrusted foundations may collapse,” Smith wrote in a recent article, emphasizing that relaxed standards would undermine market functionality and user protection. The regulator’s tough stance has led to notably low approval rates, with only four…

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler discussed the evolving challenges of regulating artificial intelligence in finance and the cryptocurrency market in a recent interview. He emphasized the transformative nature of AI, comparing its impact to that of the internet and the electrification of the early 20th century. Gensler highlighted the SEC’s focus on ensuring AI algorithms used by financial firms prioritize the public’s interests. He expressed concern about potential systemic risks arising from the increasing reliance on a few dominant AI models. Using the film “Her” as an analogy, he illustrated the potential consequences of widespread dependence on…

A significant spike in lending rates on the Bitfinex platform has caught the attention of market analysts, with some interpreting it as a strong bullish signal for Bitcoin. According to the crypto news outlet GreeksLive, multiple orders have been lent out at a high annual percentage rate (APR) of 30% today. This surge in lending rates suggests a heightened demand for borrowed funds, which could be indicative of increased market activity and optimism among traders. GreeksLive noted that the recent pullback in Bitcoin’s price has prompted large spot traders to accumulate more positions. This behavior, combined with the elevated lending…

Renowned billionaire hedge fund manager Paul Tudor Jones has issued a stark warning about the looming threat of inflation and the unsustainable trajectory of the U.S. national debt. In an interview with CNBC on Tuesday, Jones expressed his preference for assets like Bitcoin, gold, and commodities over bonds. “I think all roads lead to inflation,” Jones stated unequivocally. “I’m long gold, long bitcoin.” He further indicated his intention to short fixed income, particularly longer-duration bonds. Jones’s comments echo similar concerns raised by other prominent figures, including Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who has acknowledged the untenable nature of the U.S.…

Cryptocurrency-based predictions market Polymarket is intensifying efforts to verify that high rollers on its platform are located outside the US, following a noticeable increase in bets favoring Donald Trump for the upcoming presidential election. Due to regulatory restrictions, users in the US are not permitted to trade on the platform. A source familiar with Polymarket’s internal operations, who spoke anonymously, confirmed that the company is conducting thorough checks on users, particularly those placing substantial wagers, to ensure compliance with its policies. In recent weeks, scrutiny of Polymarket’s political markets has surged, largely due to a small number of accounts wagering…