Author: Max Bauer

The recent surge in Bitcoin ETF trading volume is being driven largely by crypto enthusiasts new to traditional finance, according to BlackRock’s chief investment officer for exchange-traded funds and index investments, Samara Cohen. Speaking at the Permissionless Conference in Utah, Cohen revealed that a significant portion of BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF buyers are first-time ETF investors, highlighting a previously untapped market for these financial products. The total market capitalization of all eleven spot Bitcoin ETFs now surpasses $63 billion, with nearly $20 billion in total inflows. The last five trading days alone witnessed net inflows exceeding $2.1 billion, with BlackRock accounting…

According to a breaking development, SEC approved NYSE options for spot Bitcoin ETF. This is a breaking development and more information will be available soon. You can view the official SEC document here.

As the 2024 election cycle heats up, whispers are circulating about potential successors to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler. Sources close to Vice President Kamala Harris’s transition team reveal that at least two candidates, Georgetown Law professor Chris Brummer and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Chair Erica Williams, are under consideration. Both are perceived as having more favorable views on cryptocurrency than Gensler. However, the situation remains fluid. While the Harris team is vetting potential replacements, a spokesperson emphasized that personnel decisions are on hold until after the election, focusing instead on building the necessary infrastructure…

Bitcoin’s price has experienced a remarkable 10% increase over the past week, briefly surpassing $68,200 on Friday, marking its highest level since late July. Despite its volatile performance in recent months, industry experts are increasingly optimistic about Bitcoin’s potential for a substantial price surge before the year’s end. Initially, the upcoming US presidential elections were seen as a source of uncertainty for Bitcoin’s price. However, recent analysis suggests that a victory by either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris could prove favorable for the cryptocurrency. Alex Thorn, head of research at Galaxy Digital, noted that “a Trump victory is extremely likely…

Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller today offered a nuanced perspective on decentralized finance (DeFi), suggesting that while it presents innovative technologies, it is largely complementary to, rather than a replacement for, traditional centralized finance. His remarks, delivered during a recent speech, highlighted both the potential benefits and risks associated with DeFi innovations, particularly stablecoins. FED’s Waller Says Stablecoins Are Beneficial Governor Waller acknowledged the significant attention DeFi has garnered in recent years and its potential to reshape financial market transactions. He noted that some believe DeFi will completely replace traditional systems, while others see it as an expansion of existing…

Worldcoin, the controversial cryptocurrency startup co-founded by Sam Altman, has announced a significant rebranding. The company has dropped the “coin” from its name, officially becoming “World.” This shift coincides with the launch of its next-generation iris-scanning “Orb” and other tools. The decision to drop “coin” from its name suggests a potential shift in focus for the company, which initially gained notoriety for its unique proof-of-personhood system involving iris scanning. While the founders have always maintained that iris scanning was not a prerequisite for obtaining Worldcoins, the rebranding could signal a broader vision beyond cryptocurrency. In a press conference, World CEO…

Cryptocurrency lawyer MetaLawMan has raised questions about the status of the Ripple-SEC appeal, suggesting that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) may have missed a crucial deadline. Did the SEC Forget the Important Deadline? In a statement, MetaLawMan pointed out that the deadline for the SEC to file a Form C, a necessary document for proceeding with the appeal, passed at midnight on October 16th. The lawyer speculated that this could be due to a mistake by the SEC, a technical glitch, a decision to abandon the appeal, or a potential agreement with Ripple to drop both appeals. While MetaLawMan…

The Montenegrin Ministry of Justice has announced that a decision on the extradition of Do Kwon, the founder of Terraform Labs, has been made and will be publicly announced by the end of the week. Do Kwon, who was arrested in Podgorica in March 2023, faces indictments in South Korea, Singapore, and the United States, all of which have requested his extradition from Montenegro. Interpol issued a red warrant for him in September 2023 due to his involvement in the May 2022 collapse of the $40 billion Terra Luna and Terra cryptocurrencies. In September 2023, the Supreme Court of Montenegro…

Tesla, the electric vehicle giant, has made a significant move in its Bitcoin holdings. Data from Arkham revealed that the company’s Bitcoin wallet saw unusual activity on Wednesday, with funds being transferred to a new wallet. While initial concerns about a large-scale sale were quickly alleviated, the reason behind this transfer remains shrouded in mystery. Though neither Tesla nor Elon Musk has publicly commented on the move, the crypto community has been rife with speculation. Possible explanations range from compliance and internal audit requirements to simple wallet management or a more strategic reorganization of funds. CryptoQuant community analyst Maartunn offered…

Federal authorities have arrested an Alabama man in connection with a January 2024 cyberattack that targeted the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Twitter account. Eric Council Jr., 25, of Athens, Alabama, was taken into custody this morning and is facing charges of conspiracy to commit aggravated identity theft and access device fraud. Hacker Searched Google for How to Know If You’re Being Investigated by the FBI According to the indictment, Council and his co-conspirators executed a SIM swap attack to gain unauthorized control of the @SECGov Twitter account. By impersonating the SEC Chair, they posted a fake announcement claiming…