Author: Max Bauer

Digital asset investment products experienced a substantial net outflow of $726 million last week, matching the record outflow seen in March, according to the latest data from CoinShares. Analysts attribute this negative sentiment to stronger-than-expected macroeconomic data, increasing the likelihood of a 25 basis point interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve. Bitcoin bore the brunt of the outflows, with a total of $643 million leaving Bitcoin-related investment products. In contrast, shorting Bitcoin saw inflows of $3.9 million, indicating a bearish sentiment among some investors. Ethereum also experienced outflows of $98 million. Solana was a notable exception, with inflows of…

According to Eric Balchunas, a senior ETF analyst at Bloomberg, the Bitcoin spot ETF is on track for unprecedented institutional adoption. In a recent social media post, Balchunas noted that the ETF has already attracted over 1,000 institutional holders within just two quarters of its listing. Balchunas highlighted the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) as a prime example of this trend, with 661 institutional holders and 20% of its shares held by institutions and large advisors. He further estimates that institutional ownership of IBIT could reach 40% within the next 12 months. This rapid institutional uptake, Balchunas suggests, is “very bizarre,”…

OKX, in collaboration with the meme project Floki, has announced an airdrop of Simon’s Cat (CAT) tokens to eligible FLOKI holders on its platform. The snapshot for eligibility was taken at 00:59:59 London Time on August 30, 2024. FLOKI holders on OKX who met the criteria will receive CAT tokens directly in their OKX accounts. To be eligible for the airdrop, users needed to hold at least 400,000 FLOKI tokens on OKX at the time of the snapshot. This was a token quantity requirement, not a dollar value. CAT tokens will be distributed proportionally to eligible FLOKI holders based on…

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has expressed optimism about launching Ripple’s stablecoin this year, pending regulatory approval in the U.S. He also highlighted the potential for stablecoins in Japan, where new legislation has created a favorable environment for such assets. Garlinghouse acknowledged that Japan has been a more conservative market but emphasized the benefits of its clear regulatory framework. He noted that Japan’s early adoption of regulations has fostered entrepreneurship and investment in the crypto space. While Ripple is currently focused on launching its U.S. dollar stablecoin, Garlinghouse believes that yen stablecoins are inevitable, given the growing demand for such assets…

Bitcoin ATMs are rapidly proliferating across the United States, but experts warn they’re also becoming a hotbed for cybercrime. While these machines resemble traditional ATMs, the high value of cryptocurrency makes them attractive targets for hackers. Bitcoin ATMs are susceptible to various attacks. Hackers can install malware to steal private keys, manipulate transactions, or exploit network vulnerabilities to intercept data. Timothy Bates, a cybersecurity professor at the University of Michigan, emphasizes the risk posed by irregular software updates and inadequate network security. Government agencies are raising concerns about the surge in bitcoin ATM scams, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting…

Justin Sun, the founder of Tron (TRX) and a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency market, has announced significant upcoming changes to the Tron network aimed at reducing fees and boosting transaction capacity. In a recent statement, Sun revealed that discussions and plans to lower overall network fees are expected to commence as early as next week. Key among the proposed changes is a 25% increase in the network’s energy cap, which will rise from the current 120 billion to 150 billion per day. This increase is designed to enhance the network’s capacity, allowing more transactions to be processed daily. Additionally,…

Zurich Cantonal Bank (ZKB), the fourth-largest bank in Switzerland, has announced the launch of its cryptocurrency trading and storage services for Bitcoin and Ethereum. This new offering is seamlessly integrated into ZKB’s existing platforms, enabling clients to trade cryptocurrencies around the clock through ZKB eBanking and ZKB Mobile Banking. According to Alexandra Scriba, head of institutional clients & multinationals at ZKB, the service prioritizes security and is designed to allow for the addition of more cryptocurrencies and functionalities in the future. Notably, ZKB takes full responsibility for storing private keys, eliminating the need for customers to manage their own wallets.…

River, a leading Bitcoin technology company, has forecasted a significant shift in corporate treasury strategies in the coming 18 months. According to their analysis, an estimated 10% of US-based companies are expected to convert 1.5% of their cash reserves, approximately $10.35 billion, into Bitcoin. This move is driven by the limitations of traditional corporate financial strategies, which rely heavily on cash and short-term equivalents that often fail to outpace inflation. River’s report highlights that companies allocating 3% to Bitcoin since 2020 have demonstrated greater resilience against inflation. The report further criticizes traditional treasury investments for generating modest returns that often…

The long legal saga surrounding the collapse of FTX is nearing its conclusion, with founder Sam Bankman-Fried imprisoned and other executives facing legal consequences. The focus now shifts to financial reparations for FTX customers, with an estimated $16 billion recovered from the once-$32 billion exchange. Customers can expect to be repaid ‘in full, with interest’, but with a significant caveat: repayments are calculated based on a Bitcoin price of $16,871, far below its current value. This has sparked outrage among creditors, who argue that the promised “full recovery” is misleading. The bankruptcy team, led by John J. Ray III, defends…

Amidst the ongoing buzz in the cryptocurrency sphere, with speculations about digital assets potentially surpassing the US dollar in significance, the CEO of Bank of NY Mellon, America’s oldest bank, remains unfazed. Robin Vince, in a recent interview, confidently stated, “I don’t think the dollar is going to go anywhere.” His vast experience in the financial sector, including a long career at Goldman Sachs, lends credibility to his viewpoint. Despite the growing popularity of cryptocurrencies, championed by advocates for their decentralized nature and freedom from government control, and even political figures like former President Donald Trump expressing enthusiasm for them,…